Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach
AN: Funny that, though this chapter is looooonnnggg, it just scratches the surface. The entire day of the birth is actually spread out through smaller chapters.
Fair warning that there is A LOT going on this chapter- a lot of characters and thus craziness and of course there's a lady having a baby so… Not to worry- I know in the chaos you'll wonder about the two central to this story and fear not- they will get their downtime. As always, your support is much welcomed!
A Kiss for Shelter
The Present
"Taichou," Yumichika gasped, trying to keep up with his superior's long strides, "Do you really think it's a good idea to drop in like this?"
"Course!" Zaraki answered in his naturally booming tone, "Abarai said that sissy-shit captain of his likes a good stiff drink. Now's as good a time as any to see if he can keep up with the big boys and hold his hooch!"
Rolling vivid maroon eyes, the Fifth Seat, shook his head, "Yes well, I'm sure a contest of drinking stamina is going to be the first thing on his mind when he sees you knocked a hole through his gate and took out three guards."
(Once the household sentinels had realized Kenpachi was a captain and not some mammoth hooligan, reeking of liquor, they stopped trying to bar his way…)
Zaraki answered with an echoing laugh, ducking into another room only to startle yet another group of maids. Seeing no sign of his quarry he tromped on leaving the sound of screaming in his wake.
"Don't suppose he's with the ball-n-chain somewhere, huh?" The captain paused outside to scratch his cheek.
Yumichika sighed wearily, folding his arms over his chest as he came to a halt at the man's side, "I think, Taichou, that he's attending the very captain's meeting that you yourself are now missing. And sadly, Xo-chan isn't his wife. His clan has nixed those plans." His lower lip puckered slightly.
While he was acquainted enough with the woman to know that she wouldn't allow herself to moon over the loss, he still thought it a cruel fate that she be denied the man she loved. Yumichika was a romantic at heart after all.
"Eh?" Kenpachi's bare brow lifted as he cast a sidelong glance at the other man.
With an airy gesture Yumichika explained, "His clan said 'nuh-uh, no way' when he brought up marriage- or so says the grapevine. Couldn't very well go against them when they were threatening his position."
Kenpachi snorted with no lack of disgust and his lieutenant chose that moment to put her two cents in.
Pink-head bobbing up over her captain's shoulder she chirped, "Does that mean Byakushi isn't gonna be a daddy to Xo-Xo's baby?"
Before the other man might comment, Kenpachi growled out, "What it means is that nancy-boy doesn't have any balls after all if he can't even face down a bunch-a wrinkly old farts for his woman's sake." He waved the bottle in his hand in an irritated gesture.
Yachiru's little nose wrinkled as she made a face, nodding in agreement, "Kenny's right! Byakushi shouldn't listen to smelly people!"
Yumichika was helpless against the corner of his mouth tugging upward at this.
"Eh- come on. Let's check that building out there. Should at least give that prick a piece-a-my-mind." Kenpachi muttered, striding off the porch, tossing his head in the direction of the trees on the eastern edge of the property.
At this Ayasegawa threw his hands in the air, "Cap-tain! I told you- he's at the meeting!" As he was thoroughly ignored, he stomped his foot, throwing his arms down dramatically at his sides, hands balled into fists. If not for Ikkaku finally turning up and clasping a hand on his shoulder to direct him forward, he likely would have remained on the porch to huff and puff.
…
The scene beyond the shoji of the guesthouse, while not chaotic was jaw-dropping to the two late-comers.
Kenpachi had just deposited a disheveled looking Xochitl onto a chaise. A tea set had been scattered across a table and a broken glass lay on the floor by one of its legs. The bottle of spirits the captain had toted was now forgotten on the floor just inside the doorway.
Quick as always, Yumichika came to the most rational conclusion. A finger pressed beneath his lower lip he uttered, "Oh dear…"
Stepping over the threshold behind his friend, Ikkaku paused, lip curled as his gaze dropped to the floor and the puddle he stood in, "That can't be good."
"That's what I'm sayin," Kenpachi scoffed, folding his arms as he stepped back and looked around, "Found her laying on the floor."
"Xo-chan, where's your maid?" Yumichika asked gently stepping closer.
"I- I," Xochitl blushed in embarrassment, smiling weakly, "I sent her for the red bean buns that Midori-san makes."
Takeda-san, for as detached and strict as she seemed, would deny Xochitl nothing. In the months closer to the birth, in fact, she'd become increasingly attentive toward Xochitl. But then Byakuya too seemed to dote from afar- sending along shaved ice or sugared fruits on occasion.
Yumichika gave her an understanding smile, "Aa, Midori-san's Anpan is the best around…" He lifted a brow however, giving her an appraising once over, "You sure you really need pastries…?"
Xochitl glowered, her voice low, "Now is not the time to be teasing about my weight, Yumi-chan."
The Fifth Seat blinked in surprise a moment before cocking a smile at her.
Yachiru then appeared with a cup in her small hands, thrusting it toward Xochitl's face, startling the woman as well as Yumichika.
Xochitl smiled at the pink-haired girl warmly, "Thank you." But her hand trembled as she reached for the cup and in the end it was Yumichika who grasped it and helped her drink.
"Captain," The man pitched his voice purposely low, "May I suggest sending one of us to the Fourth?"
Suddenly Xochitl's hand was gripped around Yumichika's own, "And Byakuya- please- please bring him."
Even Yachiru who was now busy poking into odds and ends paused at the woman's plea.
After a few more moments of silence Kenpachi cleared his throat loudly, "Madarame you get over to the First. Kid, get over to the Fourth- bring who ya can."
Not a word was exchanged, but both bobbed their heads to their captain and were gone in a matter of seconds.
…
In the doorway, Renji froze, staring at the woman propped against the pillows on her western-style couch, fingernails digging into her knees.
When she opened her eyes he could see an almost fevered light.
"A-Abarai-san." She huffed out, attempting a smile that contorted into an expression of pain.
Renji stumbled across the threshold by way of Ikkaku's shove.
He didn't bother to shoot a glare the man's way, already feeling guilty for hesitating.
He was soon tentatively kneeled at the woman's bedside assessing her cautiously. There was a slight sheen of sweat on her face and arms and she looked pale. The loose tunic-gown was wet at the hem and plastered to her skin in spots; he tried not to let his eyes linger. Her abundant hair was escaping from its plait.
All the while, Xochitl watched him expectantly, biting her lower lip.
"He- he's stuck in a meeting- otherwise…"
She nodded quickly, but he could see the worry increasing in her gaze.
The room fell into a semblance of silence, but for Xochitl's rhythmic breaths at intervals and Yumichika's occasional comment on the clothing contained in the chest he was riffling through.
Zaraki stood with one shoulder leaned against the doorframe, gazing out into the trees- no doubt on the lookout for his rival captain.
Suddenly Xochitl gasped and every individual's attention was focused on the laboring woman.
In desperation the woman reached out for something to grasp onto, unfortunately for Renji it just so happened to be the lustrous red tail that had fallen over his shoulder.
As Xochitl gritted her teeth, groaning at the very intense contraction, Renji yelped as she fisted his hair, tugging unconsciously.
"Ohhhhhhh!"
"Ow! F-fuck!"
By the time the contraction had passed they were both breathing heavily. Renji grimaced at the pain left in his scalp as Xochitl eased her grip slowly.
Renji's eyes opened, immediately shining with panic, "Owww- yeah- okay… Um- are you okay? I mean- no- ugh- the baby it's coming- ugh- now?"
Xochitl shook her head, not bothering to answer as she fought nausea.
"Nah- the contractions are still too far apart."
Each head turned toward Ikkaku.
"What?" The Third Seat defended with a glare, arms folded over his chest, "I know shit!"
Silence followed for a time until Kenpachi gave a snort, "So what- you birthin' this baby, Madarame?"
"Hell no!" Ikkaku and Renji shouted simultaneously.
The clean-shaven man immediately cast an indignant sneer at the Fuku-Taichou of the Sixth Division.
Rolling his eyes, Renji turned back to Xochitl as he muttered, "The captain would kill you Ikkaku- then he'd kill me." He swallowed hard as he gazed at the woman before him, mind stuttering over what to do next.
Renji was in no way prepared for this- hell if his captain hadn't been in a meeting- he probably would have tried to steer clear of this whole situation. He wasn't quite sure he'd made the right call in leaving the guard to inform his captain once the meeting was over. His thought had been that Xochitl was alone with Kenpachi and that seemed… Well… It was Kenpachi.
So, of course, upon learning the meeting was nearly over he had hurried to offer some support to his captain's woman in the meantime.
Damnit, where is Squad Four? Shit. I should have sent Ikkaku after Yachiru-san- at least to make sure she delivered the message and didn't just ask for candy.
When the pink-haired lieutenant bounded through the doorway with the lieutenant of the Fourth on her heels, Renji's tense shoulders slumped in relief. He scrambled up to make way for Isane, but didn't get far as he found the laboring woman's hand wrapped in his shihakusho.
It was the first time he had ever noted fear in the woman's eyes and he was unable to keep the pity he felt from his expression
"C-can you find him? Please?" Awash with tears her eyes were no more than pools of vulnerable fawn.
With an unflinching gaze Renji gave a firm nod in response. Xochitl smiled.
"Xochitl-san, you've been having contractions, yes? Are they coming frequently?" Isane asked kindly as she finally took Renji's place.
The other woman shook her head.
"Eh, they're pretty irregular still." Ikkaku remarked off-handedly. Isane glanced his way, but nodded.
"Abarai Fuku-Taichou," The healer called as Renji was hesitantly edging toward the door, "We'll be at the Fourth. We're lucky that it's still early or moving might be a problem. But it's best to be where we have every tool at our disposal."
Again Renji bobbed his head in decisive agreement. He was soon gone and Xochitl who had been leaning forward eased back with a sigh.
"A few hands from my Division should be along soon to help us to the Fourth." Isane informed, "In the meantime I'm just going to check a few things, okay?"
The Fuku-Taichou watched intently as the woman swallowed and nodded submissively.
"Relax." Isane soothed softly, placing a warm hand glowing faintly with kido against Xochitl's abdomen. Her brow twitched, the only sign of her concern.
While Unohana had warned her staff about the coming labor, Isane still found herself slightly intimidated. She certainly didn't want to agitate the patient with her own misgivings, but it was hard to forgo casting sympathetic looks when observing the woman's discomfort.
She has to be calm. The reiatsu is unsteady as it is. I can't let on how worrisome it is to see her struggling so hard already. Right. Isane, put on your poker face and do your job!
Isane recalled Madarame's input from earlier and couldn't help but smile, which in turn sloughed off the hampering anxiety. Going about a routine labor-exam with gentle hands she said, "Spending time with Hanatarou again, Ikkaku-san?"
Keeping his gaze averted, Ikkaku gave a snort, "That brat mumbles things when he's studying."
The Eleventh now thought of Yamada as somewhat of a mascot and would badger him about spending time with them. Poor Hanatarou had never been able to escape after the chance encounter with the division's captain in the loo.
"Mmm," Isane kept her tone light, "He's been studying for today in fact. He's almost as knowledgeable as Unohana-Taichou now, Xochitl-san. You'll be in good hands." The woman slid the tunic back down Xochitl's legs, with renewed calm.
Yumichika had appeared at the Fuku-Taichou's side and Isane looked up and reached out to take the clean yukata the man was offering.
As Isane was helping Xochitl into the dark blue yukata, the sound of footsteps dashed the quiet.
Huffing to catch his breath, Hanatarou leaned on the doorpost opposite Kenpachi, looking flushed and excited.
After swallowing a final gasp, the Seventh Seat, broke into a harried smile, "Kotetsu Fuku-Taichou."
The woman answered with a nod and pleased expression.
"Xochitl-san, let's get you to the Fourth. Kuchiki-Taichou will be there soon." Hanatarou stepped across the threshold, an unusual confidence ringing in his words.
The pregnant woman laughed a sound of respite that rang like a breath of fresh air, easing the tension that had gathered. In response, her uninvited (but not unwelcomed) guests exchanged looks and smiles, even Kenpachi allowing a sharp-toothed grin.
…
Never before had he cut through the air with such speed- like a knife, feet barely touching pavement- he had practically blinked to the Fourth Division. He frowned at the sliver of nausea that touched him as he straightened his robes briefly before striding the halls with purpose.
He didn't stop to acknowledge the ringing in his ears or to register the sense of muted sound that followed.
His lieutenant was behind him, keeping some distance (likely feeling guilty for not fetching his captain immediately). But he couldn't hear his footfalls, nor the busy sounds of the hospital corridor. At some point the ryoka boy had fallen into step with Renji, but even his loud, obnoxious tones couldn't impinge on the quiet bubble that had surrounded the Sixth Division's Captain.
It was strange that the substitute would appear- today of all days, yet this thought was here and gone.
His heartbeat was a dull drumming despite its furious pace. The tendons in his hands were curling and relaxing, curling and relaxing, as they formed fists only to ease soon after.
His thoughts were a kaleidoscope, one morphing into the next.
As he halted outside a set of- yes- intimidating doors- he realized that several people had paused in the hall to watch him. He knew some of these curious individuals by name, but some were unknown- not that it mattered as they soon fell behind a grey veil that cut them off from his world.
Now he could hear his breath. Now he realized that he had sprained his wrist when slamming out of the doors of the First Division. He could feel a coating of sweat drying beneath his robes. His chest ached due to caged anxiety and his light-defying reflexes.
All of this was culminating in a feeling of light-headedness he was viciously trying to tamp down.
He closed his eyes.
You've been waiting. Anticipating this… It's here and you let control slip from your fingers? If you shy away, how will you be able to look that woman in the eye again? Kuchiki, Byakuya, shoulder your pride.
Steel eyes opened, lightning awakened in the gun-metal depths as his mind fell silent.
Finally the unstable quaking in his stomach subsided and he entered without another thought.
He stopped to take stock of the room. The fluid activity going on in the private wing did not pause for him. The captain, the lieutenant, the second seat, and even the seventh seat went about their business as though he was not there.
One raven brow lifted as his eyes alighted on the young woman standing off to one side, rocking on her toes nervously. Rukia.
How had she made it before he had?
Again his musing was brief and his focus narrowed.
Though they didn't say a word, when Byakuya approached, the small cluster of healers parted for him.
When dark eyes fell on him, they held and he couldn't recall how many steps it had taken until he was at the bedside.
Even as the woman sitting up in bed glared, she reached for him. Byakuya caught her hand and fought hard not to drop onto the bed at her side in pure boneless relief.
But those eyes were searing into him with a mixture of emotions, not least of which was righteous fury.
He opened his mouth to attempt judiciousness, but suddenly her nails were latching into his palm and she was gritting her teeth.
Every word was hissed out between her teeth, as she obviously struggled with some pain he couldn't fathom, "You- are- so- lucky- that- I- don't- have- reiatsu- control- or- you- would- be- a- pile- of- ash- right- now."
He blinked in utter stupefaction and his eyes dropped to his hand as a strange crushing sensation zipped along his nerves.
As Xochitl gave a whimper, Byakuya's gaze shot up searchingly.
"Contraction." Unohana smiled benignly at him from her place by one of many monitors, "Quite uncomfortable".
Somehow, he had a feeling the older woman knew he was in a fair amount of discomfort as well.
AN: I'll go ahead and call myself a pain-in-the-ass. There's no baby yet. Sorry guys- I'm not trying to be a jerk- I swear. When the little Kuchiki comes it'll be fluff galore- so I had to get all my random chaos theory out by dragging in all the characters I placed in my somewhat indecisive poll. Anywho- the good thing is I've pretty well got the rest of the chapters ready to go.
So- my apologies again. I hope you're still with me!
Random Aside: I see Yumichika as Zaraki's nagging secretary…. Fits.
Thanks!