Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.

Word Count: 1663

A Kiss for Shelter

Best Laid Plans

A few more days swept by. The Elders departed in that time, though they made it clear that they were not simply retreating; the battle had not been won.

Still, Byakuya was begrudgingly relieved. The Elders were not his only obstacle now. Xochitl had refused his entreaties (sent through Takeda-san) since their last confrontation. He could not wholly blame it upon her obstinacy as he was informed of her returned nausea and exhaustion.

Unohana had been sent for, but Byakuya found himself yet again shut out of the exam. Rukia, however was permitted and she relayed Unohana-Taichou's assurances.

When the Fourth's Head asked that he spare some time to meet with her at her division office he was surprised.

"I should have made mention of this before, Kuchiki-Taichou, I was simply… well hoping that my suspicions might prove false. Forgive me. Xochitl-san's pregnancy, to a degree, has always been high risk. It is honestly surprising that there have been no complications, but I believe that is due to your attentions... Still, you must know- the birth will be difficult. These last months it's important that the young lady be given no added stress. Cater to her if you must. There is always a risk… I am hoping she can give birth naturally, but we must prepare for every eventuality... Every possible… outcome."

…

Finally she was before him and his thoughts circled around Unohana's words and his own intent. This time- surely he could make her understand.

His mouth felt slightly dry. He realized he was nervous and this shocked him. While he was inclined to scoff at the juvenile feeling twitching beneath his skin, he simply stiffened.

She had asked him to take tea with her in the dining room, but neither of them had made it far past the entry way.

They stood facing one another, a step between them, eyes locked. It seemed much like facing down an opponent.

Looking at him was troubling and so Xochitl shut her eyes only to see the icy blue eyes of her mistress behind them.

"Do not let your hormones rule you. Use your head and be practical. A child does not change where you've come from. Circumstances as they are you are justified in taking the noble up on his offer of shelter. But it is not sensible to think that all of this will culminate in some fantasy. You cannot become queen to his king."

"Xochitl." He called when she remained silent.

Her eyes opened then and they seemed riddled with anxiety. But she met his eyes, head tilted back with an almost defiant purse to her lips.

Without preamble she scolded, "I didn't ask you to buy my freedom! I didn't ask you to announce that you would make me your wife! Nor did I ask you to keep me!"

His reiatsu seemed to crackle in the air. Yet he held his tongue. He didn't understand her and so he bit back a growl of frustration.

It took longer than he would have liked to keep his indignation from spilling over. "What do you want then?" He questioned quietly.

Her dark eyes looked very big and bright under her long lashes and he found himself off-guard.

Her words tumbled out almost angrily again, but her eyes betrayed nothing but earnest emotion, "I want you to choose me! See me! I don't want money or a title. I'm just greedy enough to say that I want you to want me without anything clouding your vision. I don't want obligation to me- or to my child… I want devotion that can't be bought. Want that isn't born out of lust. And love- that isn't forced… Know I'll support you. Know that I will oppose you. Know that I'm strong enough… to be sincere about my decision…"

Her breathing was uneven by the time she had finished, her cheeks flushed pleasantly, which he couldn't help but admire.

His pulse had spiked. No one had ever said such frighteningly demanding words to him. Yes, frightening, but utterly enthralling. How bold to admit to her desires- something that he couldn't seem to do unfiltered as she had. But did he not feel the same? Wasn't that all that he could have said- barring the bit about wealth and privilege-?

Hope buoyed up within him only to capsize as she turned her gaze aside almost guiltily.

"But now that I've said all that- it's all a moot point… Because if… you still want me to remain here… I will, but… You know you cannot claim the baby outright. The rumors have already spread, but if you are to say that you have taken in a child- and have chosen to- adopt them-,"

She heard him inhale sharply and closed her eyes to continue, "Well- your society is so fond of feigning ignorance when it suits them. And I'm sure they will do so as long as I am not a threat to the integrity of your name… But make me governess and I can stay near- for- for the baby's sake."

The tension in his frame was obvious and her stomach flinched as the baby recoiled from the untamed reiatsu snapping in the atmosphere.

She helplessly whimpered pressing her hand to the spot the child curled into. Byakuya immediately drew tight on the reins of his inner control, but still he drew closer to loom over her.

There was a pinch of scorn in his voice, "You intend to cater to the Elders?"

She gave him a wry look as she caressed her belly idly, "Catering to them would mean I disappear and you go about your affairs as though I never existed… No… this is a compromise-,"

Byakuya interrupted, "A compromise? Bowing to their sensibilities by asking me to deny my child?"

"You would not be denying them! In fact you'd be acknowledging them- in- in an obtuse way…" She shot back, but faltered towards the end.

He scoffed, tossing his head slightly, eyes narrowing upon the supports of the roof as though waiting for it to come crashing down around him.

"We should put aside our feelings then?" He said tightly.

"You presume to know my feelings now?" She snapped and then looked regretful for the waspish reaction.

Taking a breath she clarified, "If… I am relegated to the background- I think they will agree to at least allowing me to have a role in my child's life. And thus- you will not have to part from them-,"

"Just you. I will have to part from you." He cut in sharply, anger unmasked.

With a sigh she nodded slowly, "Yes… You can remain Head of your clan and the scandal should die down as long as I'm not… in the way."

A hush fell.

Byakuya closed his eyes. So it had come to a sacrifice… But he had known there was no possible way to have it all- hold it all.

"Is this only for my sake?" He asked quietly, eyes still closed.

She gave a soft, bitter laugh, "No… While you retain your title- I retain my freedom. By the time my child is old enough I will have paid my debt to you and can do as I please."

"Providing I contract you as a governess and stipulate that when our child comes of age you have no further obligation to my house." He glared challengingly at her now. Rukia had warned that the woman valued her freedom, but he could not believe she wanted independence from him so completely.

Her dark eyes flickered, but she did not look askance. It would seem they had reached an impasse.

Finally she said, "I will leave you to think, my lord."

He grit his teeth and tamed the shaking in his hands by balling them into fists.

He did not want to think. If he weren't wary of starting an all-out argument he would have shot down her idea directly. But knowing that she'd been unwell of late he wouldn't take the risk of engaging in a heated debate.

She stepped around him and while he wrestled with the idea of stopping her, he stood unmoving.

He chose to instead offer practical advice to keep himself grounded- though it came out as more of an order (naturally). "Keep Reira close… While I don't think anyone would openly threaten you…"

She nodded and turned again to the doorway.

Before she crossed the threshold she turned her face to favor him with a small smile, "You know… Reira- Layla is an unfortunate name. In Arabic tradition the legends say that Layla had a tragic love that was never meant to be…"

"Have you not always favored the tales of uneasy love?" He mentioned as his grey eyes lingered on her heavily.

She looked away then, her chest rising and falling swiftly. "There's a difference between a love with obstacles and one… ill-fated." Her voice dropped to a whisper and tears fell to her cheeks.

The misery in her face slashed ribbons into his heart, but he veiled the feeling behind a stoic mask. As it was she departed quickly; he knew she was too proud to let him comfort her.

Alone he slowly turned into the room.

"At least my affections are wanted…" He murmured to himself thoughtfully, "Though perhaps you should not have admitted it, Xochitl…"

I only want you more. More for standing your ground. More for being self-less. More because I now know your own feelings…

Heart heavy he sat down at the table, his eyes settling on the empty tea cups set out.

Before he could stop himself his temper overtook him and he swept the porcelain from the table with one swift movement of his arm.

The clash and clatter of the glass breaking and tumbling along the floor was jarring.

In the silence that followed the lord put his head in his hands.

AN: Xochitl references the story of Layla and Majnun (or Qays)- a "virgin love story" passed along in Middle Eastern tradition with several variations adopted as the tale spread.

It's honestly pure luck that I happened upon this story and it just so happened to correlate with my canine character's name and the situation unfolding! It's helpful to nerd out about history and myth!