Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Word Count: 984
AN: No excuse- just is. The end is nigh! Are you excited- because I am!
A Kiss for Shelter
(Broad) Daylight
Renji continued to prod Xochitl about the presence of Sakura-san, sure that there was some internal feud going on for the captain's affections.
But Xochitl only seemed amused, laughing at his insinuations and brushing off his concerns.
They'd emerged from the trees and found the garden desperately soaking in the spring's sunlight.
As Xochitl yet again gave way to laughter, she abruptly stopped, her mirth cut short by a sharp gasp. Renji turned to stand in front of her, hands hovering nervously as the woman bent forward, holding to her stomach.
"Xochitl-san! Should- should I get Unohana-Taichou?" Renji could not disguise the panic in his voice.
"No- it's the- s-same as- always. They told me- la-labor pains would feel different." She explained in heavy pants.
Renji's brow furrowed and he gave her an appraising look, "Does the captain know bout this?"
Eyes closed as she slowly straightened she shook her head. Breathing as Kotetsu-san had taught her she felt the harsh tugging feeling lessen.
"I falsely assumed that infusing more reiatsu into the walls of the guest residence would be sufficient. But it seems I'm uninformed." Byakuya's level voice just hinted at his displeasure at the situation.
Renji grimaced before turning toward his captain, obscuring Xochitl's view.
"Taichou-," The redhead stiffened.
"You are dismissed. You have earned your rest, Lieutenant."
Renji took a breath, but refrained from arguing. He cast a half smile over his shoulder, bowed to his superior, and was gone in a matter of moments.
"Xochitl-," Byakuya began, but she held up her hand and took a step back.
"My lord, I will return to my rooms to rest." She said quickly. She did not meet his gaze and his jaw clenched at the avoidance.
His eyes narrowed and he could just see the waves of irregular energy still emanating around her. With an effort he curbed his frustration to speak gently.
"Have you been feeling ill since I've been away?" He subtly stepped closer.
She looked up then with a pleading look, but did not speak. They were steps away from the manor; she had only meant to see Renji to the garden.
But he seemed unconcerned with their proximity to the manse, too preoccupied with her discomfort.
A small gasp left her lips as he placed his hands on her waist and drew her close until her stomach was pressed against him. The energy smoothed out, the baby reacting instantly to its father's blanket of warm reiatsu.
"This will not do." He said lowly to her, trying to catch her eyes, "You cannot keep things of this nature from me, Xochitl."
For once he was not making demands, his tone was soft, coaxing.
A few breaths passed before she could reply, the comforting feeling of his spiritual pressure making her unable- or perhaps unwilling- to draw away from his firm hands.
"It is just a little pain- like before," She murmured, "Unohana-san said I should expect some aches closer to term… You know I cannot trouble you… Even if I… want to." A flush filtered across her high cheekbones.
His lips twitched; staring down at her, the noble distinctly remembered the last time he'd been this close. Resistance was futile when she was so endearing. Unconsciously he was lowering his face toward hers.
"Kuchiki-sama-," Sakura-san's voice was near breathless with excitement. Neither Xochitl nor Byakuya had heard the woman approach. As it was Byakuya's frame blocked the view of the pregnant woman from Sakura's vantage.
But the Kuchiki Head had shifted upon hearing his name and now all stood in stunned silence as the intimate scene was unveiled to all eyes.
Sakura-san looked from Byakuya to Xochitl, unable to politely mask her shock and the brief touch of emotion in her eyes.
Naturally Xochitl did not go unaffected by this look and she quickly put distance between herself and the lord of the manor, a pang of guilt erupting in her chest. Still her heart was pounding against her ribs almost painfully and she was unsure how to react further.
Sakura-san, however had recovered and she smiled her noble smile and bowed to Byakuya, "Pardon me, Kuchiki-sama. Welcome home…" She folded her hands demurely as she stood straight only to calmly retreat toward the dining room, where no doubt she had prepared tea.
Reason rushing back to her, Xochitl exhaled audibly, then mumbled a parting, and bowed to take her leave.
But Byakuya who had been watching his guest retreat, quickly turned his attention back to Xochitl and caught her hand before she had fully pivoted away.
An intensity heated his storm-colored eyes as he looked down at her again. But as before his words were without edge, "You must send for me, Xochitl. No matter the hour. You will not suffer if I can prevent it."
Her lips parted, but no sound escaped and her eyes darted to the hand he held, following the progress of his thumb as it travelled over her knuckles tenderly.
All she could offer was a dazed nod before slowly pulling away.
If not for Takeda-san's silent appearance Byakuya would have insisted upon seeing Xochitl back, but the maid gave him a meaningful nod and took the young woman's elbow.
He felt the weight of fatigue settling on his shoulders as he lost sight of his forbidden lover.
He smirked at this thought. Forbidden. As though any might forbid me! His eyes flashed then as he recalled the predicament the unplanned meeting had created.
Ire stirred as he thought of what might happen if the Elders caught wind of the too brief encounter.
With a brisk shake of his head he tamped down any worry. There was little room on his plate for fear of the repercussions of his minor indulgences.
The birth was a little over a month away.
Soon enough he would be helpless against the anxieties that came with fatherhood.