Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Word Count: 470
AN: So I wanted Ichigo to make an appearance and this is what I came up w/. The next update is the follow-up to this, however, after the final chapter (of this fiction) this scene will have an extension- an extra- something fun I kept separate. Not trying to rush, but ideally I want to have this fiction wrapped up by mid-to-late next month as I have some classes coming up- we'll see (my predictions are notoriously wrong)…
I'm grateful for the follows and favs, everyone! Leyshla Gisel and danieller758 thank you for the encouraging reviews- definitely great motivation!
A Kiss for Shelter
Daiko Under Duress
Ichigo knew better than to be skulking around the Kuchiki Estate without Rukia as a buffer- or he should.
She'd kept him waiting for an hour. After checking her usual haunts and making several inquiries, wandering the manicured lawns and popping into corridors of the mansion- was his last resort.
After a while of stomping the garden paths, now featuring plant life that thrived in the winter climate, his pace grew sedate. Soon he was swaggering idly, breathing deeply of the brisk air while ignoring his rising irritation.
Rukia had yet to make an appearance and the staff had seemed too busy to pester. He scowled at himself a moment before he gave a shrug. He challenged anyone to remain agitated in the serenity of Byakuya's sprawling plots. In any case it was too early to fall burden to concern as he knew the lieutenant could hold her own and was likely tasked with something of importance outside the Seireitei proper.
So the Shinigami-daiko continued to appreciate the lovely surroundings, until he came up short upon sensing an erratic reiatsu pulsing just beyond the patch of seasonal herbs that grew outside the kitchens.
The pressure felt a bit like that of the Sixth Division's captain…
While he really didn't want to happen upon Byakuya and explain his presence, Ichigo was unnerved enough by the feeling of the spiking energy that he edged closer to its source.
Tentatively did he peek around the back wall of the kitchen only to stumble forward into a run.
The dark-haired woman, clutching her belly, barely slanted a glance his way before closing her eyes again and hissing through her gritted teeth.
Ichigo's heart was in his dry throat and he licked his lips as he hovered over the woman hunched on the ground.
Finally he clenched his fists and crouched at her side, "Xochitl, yeah? Ugh… hell… this isn't good- it's too early for this, right?"
She managed to smile through her pain, but it soon became a wince, "He said you spoke bluntly… Kurosaki-san…"
The young man's lip twitched threatening a smirk, but then his brow furrowed further, his burnt sienna gaze growing pensive.
"Right," He muttered and scratched at his head nervously, "My old man's a doctor- but- I'm nowhere near qualified so... I'm gonna take you to the Fourth, okay?" He had stopped staring apprehensively at her belly then to cast a questioning look at her face.
Again she flashed a tremulous smile and breathed out, "Aa, I'd appreciate that."
Eyes having strayed back to the woman's protruding stomach, Ichigo swallowed hard, wiping his sweaty palms on his thighs, "Mm… I'm Ichigo by the way."
He reached for her slowly. When he held her gingerly in his arms she whispered, eyes screwed shut, "I know. Nice- to meet you."
"Oh. Right."