Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Word count: 354
A Kiss for Shelter
One More Step
Lieutenant Kotetsu hurriedly disappeared through the open shoji. Byakuya lingered on the porch, his back to the training grounds.
After exchanging a look both Renji and Ichigo made their way toward the captain, stopping just shy of the shadow of the porch's overhang. Both were still all- but panting from their match, but their gazes were eager.
"Captain?"
The noble turned to them, a pensive look on his face, his brow furrowed only slightly.
"She has… failed to progress." He said the words as though weighing each on his tongue, "They have elected that a surgical procedure is best at this point…"
There was silence, not even the sound of breath disrupting the quiet.
Finally Ichigo offered tentatively, "A C-Section… They're not uncommon…"
"For a soul's birth?" Renji questioned sharply, before he could stop himself. He instantly felt remorseful as uncertainty bloomed on the daiko's face. He cast an apologetic glance in his captain's direction.
"Er-,"
"I will go." Byakuya said.
Renji stepped forward, but his captain held up one hand.
"Remain. Between you and Kurosaki, the anxiety level is… palpable." A small twitch to the side of his mouth was all the captain allowed before he set his sights on the hallway beyond the shoji.
Ichigo snorted at this. Renji frowned with chagrin, but gave a nod.
They both watched as Byakuya headed down the hall.
When a minute had passed Ichigo sighed, slumping slightly before rolling his shoulders back. He watched his friend out of the corner of his eye, noticed how tense the other man was.
He cleared his throat softly, a measure of discomfort sitting in his stomach, "It really is a minor procedure on the scale of things… And Unohana's- ya know- Unohana, so…"
Renji's eyes were shadowed. The knuckles of his right hand still wrapped around his sword pressed sharply against the skin. His voice was low- almost a growl of determination, his words clipped, "It's gonna be fine… He deserves… This time it's gonna be fine for him."
The daiko nodded slowly. His thoughts filtered to Rukia and he tossed his head toward the door, "Come on."
AN/Pregnancy Note: This does happen. A woman can labor all day- even after being induced- and still end up getting stuck (not progressing to full dilation). In which case it's the doctor who will step in and talk C-Section as being in labor so long can be trouble for both the mother and the child.