Disclaimer: I own nothing
A/N: Thank you for the feedback, it was good to hear the plot isn't as crazy as I thought it was. Big shout out to Lilinoe, my beta who makes it readable.
Summery: "Chichi-Ue, could you tell me how you met Otou-San?" Byakuya asked as he snuggled into his father's embrace. Wrapping his arms around the boy, Sojun smiled fondly at the orange haired man sleeping beside them, "It all began…"
Warnings
Time Travel
AU
Mpreg
Mild Violence
Implied Non-Con
Black Peninsula
II. Blue Untainted
10.
Sojun walked back to his chambers mechanically.
He indeed was pregnant and was two week along, as per Unohana Taicho. However that shock wasn't what had him dazed thoroughly.
It was the Ryoka.
He hadn't expected the male to show him his face.
All he could think of was how striking he looked under those bandages. Fighting an unwelcome flush and losing, the young Kuchiki let his thoughts idle on the mysterious man. Although he was undeniably handsome, what appealed to Sojun was that the male wasn't overbearing nor did he push his power into his face. He was humble and comforting. His voice unhindered by the bandages relaxed Sojun, and strangely enough he felt protected in the man's presence; especially when he felt the male's strange reiatsu wrap around him like a shield. The clan heir blushed again recalling the gentle smile Ichigo bestowed upon him and felt warmth pool inside him as he thought of the deep crimson gaze that was no longer guarded.
"Now I've started to think of him as Ichigo." Sojun spoke to himself as he shook his head lightly at the strangeness of it all. It usually took him years to refer to someone by their given name.
'Maybe since he hasn't informed us of his family name.' He thought, brushing it aside.
He didn't particularly care at the moment. It was the first time he was genuinely happy in decades.
Ever since the Fourth Squad Captain had confirmed his pregnancy, a sense of contentment and peace has been flowing through his very soul. The hand on his belly never left it's place and his reiatsu thrummed gently in restrained excitement. Sojun would periodically try to sense his child's signature. According to the Captain, it was too early for him to pick out, but that didn't deter him from trying. Even if he couldn't feel the babe's reiatsu, it didn't mean the child couldn't feel his. He had heard that children were most attuned to reiatsu at birth, especially to that of their parents. So to let the babe know that his or her carrier was aware of their presence, he would gently let his reiatsu flow through his body. He was going to be a father, a parent. He was going to have someone new in his life, who would be a part of him.
'And a part of him.' The voice in the back of his mind whispered.
His good mood immediately dissipated, as he felt a familiar cool chill run through his entire being. Trembling slightly he wrapped his arms around his midsection, hugging it tightly to give some sense of comfort and protection. Closing his eyes, Sojun vowed, 'I promise you Little One, I would never let that man touch you with his taint.' He would fight tooth and nail for this child. Sojun would not allow Koga to turn the child into something that remotely resembled himself. Sending a small prayer to the Soul King that the babe would not take after his or her sire, he relaxed allowing the calm and peace to wash over him. Not even the thought of Koga could ruin his mood.
So consumed with his thoughts, he almost missed his father's presence entering the room.
Softening his features he turned to meet his father's gaze, "Otou-sama, I have something to tell you."
His father's usually impassive stare softened slightly as he nodded in acknowledgment, taking a seat next to his son.
11.
Despite popular belief, Kuchiki Ginrei wasn't an unfeeling man. Calm and collected, yes, but never emotionless. Glancing at his son seated next to him, with a cup of tea cradled in his palms, Ginrei could feel nothing but deep frustration. He had promised his wife on her deathbed that he would do everything in his power to protect their sons and daughters; and considering Sojun's current situation, he feels nothing but failure. He had broken his last promise to his wife, and he had failed his duty as a father.
His eldest child was born sickly and frail, but it was his kind and gentle character that made the Clan Head favour him above his other children. Not that he showed it explicitly, but he always made time for Sojun in comparison to his siblings. Many linked it to their relationship as Captain and Lieutenant, but Ginrei honestly enjoyed his eldest's company when compared to his siblings. This partiality made the young Kuchiki's predicament even more vexing to the Clan Head.
It was the only time Ginrei felt the suffocating nature of their clan name.
Had they been of lesser nobility, or even the Shiba Clan, he would have been allowed to interfere with Sojun's situation. He would have overruled the elders decision to marry his son off to Koga to unite their clans, or he would have ordered a dissolution of their marriage when he received the first confirmation of abuse. However being a Kuchiki with their pride, he was bound by rules, regulations, ethics, codes of conduct and many other things. To consider the situation as aggravating, was putting it mildly. Never before had he felt so powerless being who he was.
At first he mistook the frigidness of the young couple as simple uncertainty; but as time passed, and his son's once bright eyes and personality dimmed, he realized the matter was far more serious. When he saw his son trying to conceal a limp with red rimmed eyes at their meals; it had taken all of the self-control, practiced over centuries, that he had possessed to not cut down his son-in-law. Spousal rape was hard to prove and much harder to convict on, and what made it impossible was their Kuchiki name. The elders' council would never allow a marriage dissolution, for it would mar their precious name. The only accepted way for a marriage to end would be the death of a spouse, and despite Koga's nature he wasn't all brawn. Unfortunately the detestable man was as talented and proficient as he claimed to be; therefore the chances of the man dying on a mission or during the invasion, were slim.
The only thing Ginrei could do for his son, was to protect his pride; to remain inflexible about his decision to keep Sojun as his lieutenant. The boy had clearly earned it, and no matter how talented everyone claimed his third seat to be, he would never demote his son. The only change he would accept would be, if his child was promoted to Captaincy. Koga was arrogant, even for Kuchiki standards, and having to be the subordinate to his son unsettled him greatly much to his and Sojun's pleasure. It also set a bitter note, for it was the only time his son had the upper hand in their relationship; therefore, Ginrei resolved to do everything in his power to ensure that his son would always out rank his husband. He would not allow Koga to break what remained of his son's self-confidence. It was shameful that no one saw the amount of work his son had invested to become a lieutenant. He could have easily remained a nobleman without joining the Gotei 13, which was what Ginrei wanted him to do. The 27th Clan Head wants nothing more than his son, healthy and safe but he feels immense paternal pride in seeing his son's accomplishments as a Shinigami.
Taking a sip from his cooling tea, he takes in his son's posture. He is sitting up straighter and the light Ginrei missed so much has once more returned to his eyes. Head held high and one palm on his lower abdomen, the Clan Head doesn't need his son to say anything to know what his son wants to inform him about. His late wife acted the same way before she told him. His eldest looked very much like himself in his youth but his kind disposition, mannerism and pacifist nature were taken directly from his wife. Never before were the similarities so apparent, and it made the knife of broken promises and guilt cut sharper into his already heavy heart.
"Otou-sama." His son broke the silence, "I am with a child."
Ginrei gave his son a subtle and rarely seen smile, "You have my congratulations."
They both felt back into a comfortable silence for a moment before the younger male spoke up again, "Unohana Taicho confirmed it today."
"How far along are you?"
"About two weeks, give or take."
"What brought on the suspicion? It is too early to have any obvious symptoms."
Ginrei watched his son look at his tea cup and rub the side of the cup with his thumb lightly. If it weren't for the fact that he was Sojun's father, he wouldn't have caught the restlessness, but spending time with the boy, he knew his son's well hidden nervous tic.
"Ichigo-san, informed me during the battle." His son admitted after a few moments.
Ginrei couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at that. He was too taken aback by the simple sentence to reign in his reaction. Firstly, due to the fact that the hybrid Ryoka could sense a pregnancy at its current development level. It would take centuries to hone that level of skill. Only the Captain Commander and Unohana Taicho was able to perform that feat; the former due to age and the latter due to her speciality in healing. It spoke volumes about the Ryoka's abilities. The second surprising fact about his son's statement was that he referred to the Hybrid by his given name. Fair enough he didn't give them a family name to address him by, but that wouldn't have prevented his son from referring to him as Ryoka or Hybrid.
Leaving the questions for a later date, Ginrei commented, "That would explain the faint traces of his unique reiatsu signature on your person."
He was further taken aback when he spotted a faint flush grace his son's face, "Yes, we spent some time talking. Since he had to clarify something he said." Sojun replied simply. The clan head inclined his head to show he was listening. Understanding the non-verbal gesture, the younger man elaborated on their meeting.
"The Ryoka caught you the first time, due to sensing your pregnancy." Ginrei summarized after his son's lengthy explanation of his encounter with the Drifter.
"And aided me the seconded time in battle due to that knowledge."
Ginrei hummed in acknowledgment whilst taking in the information. He didn't know how to feel about the entire situation. He wasn't too pleased of his son's interactions with strange male, yet he was appreciative of his protection and aid he provided. He still felt distrustful towards the Ryoka, however he couldn't go against the Head Captain's decision of keeping information about the male away from the Central 46. They could deal with the drifter later, now was not the time to order his assassination, they hadn't the time nor resources for it; and making an enemy of the man wasn't wise. Whatever help he provided, they needed.
Glancing at his son, he took in the uncertainty in his body language but there was new found strength and determination in his gaze. Knowledge of the pregnancy had affected him for the better. Ginrei wouldn't have faulted his son, had he not welcomed the child, but his smiling and happy temperament told him more about the inner strength his eldest possessed, that words could never hope to achieve. It unsettled him, how much the boy was taken with the Ryoka and it gave a bitter indication to him; that Koga and the clan had mistreated him to a point, that a normal act of aiding a pregnant carrier won the boy's favour. However seeing that long lost happiness Sojun had possessed before the marriage, Ginrei couldn't bring himself to sour the mood with cautions about the Drifter.
'Chances are, he even wouldn't listen.' He idly thought before adopting a more serious mood. There was something more pressing to discuss and Ginrei hadn't the luxury of ignoring it, "Have you informed your husband?"
As expected the light mood fell apart immediately, and after a brief pause from his eldest, he received a flat quiet, "No." before it was quickly amended into, "Not yet."
Draining his tea cup, Ginrei broke the uncomfortable silence, "I will inform the clan after you pass your first trimester, and your husband was placed in a special contingency force this morning by the Captain Commander, to handle the rebel forces."
Along with the invasion from Hueco Mundo, a civil war had broken out. Rebels have been increasing in number and causing problems to the loyalists. Although normally it wouldn't have been an issue for the Gotei, but with the invasions of hollows it has caused a strain to the forces. In response Yamamoto Soutaicho had created a smaller, elite task force to deal with the problem. Although putting Koga in charge did not help with the man's arrogant nature. Unlike the other captains, Ginrei never acknowledge Koga's strength and would always find some way to admonish the man. He didn't fault them since they had no idea of the man's treatment of his son. To outsiders he was unnaturally unfair to his third seat, but he couldn't bring himself to care about what they thought. Sojun was suffering because of this man, and nothing his son-in-law could do would gain a compliment or acknowledgment from him.
Helping himself to another cup of tea, he continued, "The new position would occupy him, and the mission would require him to be away for long periods of time." It saddens Ginrei when he heard a sigh of relief from his son. Partners should not be relieved that they are separated, nor should they be reluctant to tell one another news such as the successful conception of a child. Not even the tea could wash away the bitter taste in his mouth, left by the knowledge that his son would never know what a proper union would feel like and that he was responsible for it.
"I will inform him about the pregnancy when he arrives home." Sojun replied simply, but Ginrei heard what he actually said, "I will inform him when I have to."
Not faulting the attitude, he nodded in agreement and they both returned to other mundane topics. Simply enjoying the peace each other's presence gave.
12.
Ichigo was confused.
He had recently met his old man, Urahara and Yoruichi. After speaking to them for a couple of minutes and allowing them to familiarize themselves with his reiatsu signature when the skirmish had ended, he hadn't had any alteration in his memories hinting they knew who he was in the future events. So did this mean he was in the past or an alternate universe? He didn't know. Did that mean he couldn't go back? Or was there some time limit thing? There were so many questions he didn't know where to start.
'King, do me a favour.' His Zanpakuto called out, 'Don't ever think, it doesn't suit you nor are you good at it.'
Scowling and feeling his ire rise, although he had subdued his hot-headed temperament, the uncertainty of his presence in this timeline has aggravated his calm greatly. 'As if you are any better at it.' He shot back.
'Definitely, better than you.'
'Then care to explain how we came to this universe?'
'King, you are an idiot. A grade-A idiot.' Catching his wielders annoyance, he cheekily added, 'What are you so angry about? You could have been a B+. Be proud. You excel in everything you do.'
'That doesn't answer the question moron.'
Clearly tired of their immature bickering, the Old Man cut in, 'Since we don't have any recollection of how we had arrived to this dimension, and since there are no alterations to our memories,I think it is safe to assume our presence in this world is permanent.'
Pouting that the Quincy spirit had ruined his fun, the Zanpakuto added, 'What he is sayin', is that since we don't know how we got here, it's highly unlikely we know how to go back.' Pausing for a moment his tone lost its playful edge and took on a more serious note, 'That is if you even wanna go back.'
Thinking back to the amount of death and destruction the final war had caused, Ichigo shuddered replying firmly, 'No, I don't want to return.' Recalling his family's graves, 'There is nothing to return to.'
'Then stop thinkin' about it.' The volatile spirit snapped. Ichigo flinched at the volume of his tone. 'Stop focusing on the 'how' and the 'why', and start concentrating on the 'what now'.For some odd reason you are in the past or some goddamn alternate universe, but you are alive and your precious people are alive.'
'They are not my precious people.'
'Then make them yours, dumb-ass.'
'What happens if we get tossed somewhere else?'
'So what if we do? We are obviously here for a reason and whatever that may be, save lives, kill the bad guy, become god. We have a purpose. Don't ya see it, King?'
Thinking back to his life before arriving in this world, he was an empty shell. They has won the war, but at a hefty price. For him, there was no one left to protect. They were either dead, stricken with grief or in a coma. Here he had people to who were alive. Sure they were not his friends and family, but they could be. There were small differences in this universe, such as Kuchiki Koga was married to Byakuya's father. He had learnt of the connection overhearing a conversation. In his world, Koga was an uncle of the stoic captain. Ichigo cringed internally at the thought of Koga's future and the potential impact it would have on the future Kuchiki Clan Head.
'According to the Many World's Theory, alternate universes exist from every decision we take. This one comprises of Koga marrying Byakuya's father, instead of his aunt. There could be other differences in this universe, or it could be the only difference.' The old man stated absentmindedly.
Ichigo nodded in understanding, the theory made sense to him.
'There is a possibility, Aizen could be good in this universe.' The Quincy spirit added after a small pause.
Ichigo blanched in response, and he felt Zangetsu freeze as well, 'Let's hope the changes are not that significant.' His apprehension leaking into his tone. Ichigo would not know what to do if it were true. 'Probably try not to kill him.' He thought idly.
'Do you see it now, King?' His Zanpakuto spirit questioned again cutting his musing, this time calmer.
'Yeah. I do.' He answered back smirking.
"Halle-fuckin'-lujah."
13.
It was official.
Byakuya inherited his father's looks and none of his personality. Given that the man was like this in his world, Ichigo mused. From passing comments in his universe, Kuchiki Sojun was a mild mannered man with an even temperament and pleasant disposition. From what he experienced with the Kuchiki heir, he was a Saint. He was so far the only Kuchiki he happened to know who didn't have a stick shoved up their behind. Rukia didn't count since she hadn't grown up in the clan, so she didn't possess the family's infamous stuffy and condescending nature; but that didn't mean certain parts of her personality were not influenced.
Looking at the man standing beside him, he couldn't help but think that the young Kuchiki was adopted. He was prideful, they all were to some extent. However unlike the rest of his clan, the man wasn't arrogant neither was he aggressive. His nature was kind and nurturing, almost similar to Orihime after she had matured. It stunned and unnerved Ichigo how un-Kuchiki like, the Kuchiki heir was.
'It's amazing none of it rubbed off on Byakuya.' Recalling the man's frigid and cold personality.
Ichigo had gotten to know the man over the many battles that took place over the weeks. He had noticed the sixth division lieutenant now stood further away from the heart of the battle and performed more of a supportive role. Besides, for some reason, he found himself always within the Kuchiki's vicinity when he arrived. He reasoned it was his instincts and the male's current condition that made him drift towards the carrier, or it was the constant call of Byakuya's reiatsu that pulled him towards the smaller male. He smiled under his bandages at that thought. Who would have guessed that Byakuya was such a vibrant child? Every time he came within a certain proximity of the pregnant Kuchiki, he would find the future captain's reiatsu reach out for his playfully. If he didn't respond by entwining and playing with it, it would lash out against his before pulling away as if it was sulking until Ichigo coaxed it out again.
'Demanding brat.' He thought amused as he played with the child's reiatsu.
Apart from the difference of personality, it was clear Sojun was Byakuya's father. Keeping the similarities of their appearance aside, the future clan head inherited much of the man's grace as well as his style of fighting. Ichigo always thought that Byakuya made slaying hollows beautiful, his father made it an art form. For once he was glad for his last moment involvement strategy, or last resort position, because it allowed him to watch the man in action. Although the man doesn't possess the power his son would have, he makes up for it in technique. Ichigo had never seen a Shinigami fight with such finesse and precision. Every action was economized not to waste reiatsu or strength, nothing was wasted with this lieutenant.
In a strange way, Sojun reminded Ichigo of Suzuran, or as the western world knew it by, Lily of the Valley. He recalled reading about the plant for his biology classes, the blossom was exceptionally beautiful but it was a deadly. Possessing roughly thirty-eighty cardiac glycosides, it easily made it among the ranks of the most poisonous plants in the world. He recalled when Yuzu had taken an interest in Ikebana (Japanese art of flower arrangement) and Hanakotoba (Japanese form of flower language), she once made a comment that that despite its lethal beauty, the flower symbolized return of happiness, unconscious beauty, purity and sweetness.
Watching Sojun slay another hollow in his graceful way, Ichigo distractedly mused 'He really does embody it.'
'King, if you start waxing poetry about the guy, I will possess you and make you walk into the next battle sans pants.'
'You fucking dare-'
'Well, it's a far more manly and effective approach than the sappy shit you are thinking about.'
'It's not sappy neither is it a come on, arsehole. Just an idle thought of a bored mind.'
'King, what did I tell you about thinking?'
'Just shut up will you? Trying to concentrate here.'
'Yeah, I bet.'
Ichigo scowled under his mask in annoyance as he heard his Zanpakuto's laughter in the back of his mind, he focused his attention on the male approaching him.
"What is troubling your mind, Ichigo-san?" The Kuchiki heir asked once he had returned back to his initial position.
"What makes you think that?"
"You had your eyebrows furrowed and seemed lost in thought."
Ignoring the sword spirit's mocking laughter, "Nothing important, just that the gap between each flood of hollows has increased."
Sheathing his zanpakuto and assessing the battles between the Shinigami and Hollows, Sojun commented, "They have also decreased in quantity as well."
'Barragan must have gotten tired of it and is backing off.' Ichigo thought of the Vasto Lorde he heard about from Hachigen, Sui-Feng and Omaeda. Contemplating whether or not to kill the self-proclaimed King of Hueco Mundo, Ichigo watched the lieutenant's palm return to his abdomen. He could feel Byakuya's reiatsu reach out and try to catch his carrier's attention, but it was too faint. Given Sojun's skill level and the growth rate of Byakuya's power, he should be able to feel his child's reiatsu by the end of next month. It would be the end of his first trimester.
"No offense, but given who you are and your condition, how did you manage to convince your father in allowing you back onto the field?"
A slight smile graced the man's lips, and Ichigo couldn't help but be amazed that the man could become more beautiful. "I reasoned with him that they couldn't spare anyone, given the strain of the invasions and the rebellion. However I stated that I would be in the outer ring of the main battle, eradicating the smaller hollows and performing a supportive role."
"Makes sense." Ichigo agreed before commenting, "But must be boring though, doing unseated officer work."
Sojun laughed at that, it was nice to speak to someone who didn't coddle him because of his illness, condition or his status. From his time spent in the male's company, he learned that Ichigo treated and thought of people equally. The male would never interrupt any of his battles, unless he was being overwhelmed, but that rarely happened in the outer circles. It warmed him knowing that the male, being as powerful as he is, has faith in him when majority of the Gotei did not. The man was frank and honest in his opinion and when he spoke, there weren't any hidden messages. He said what he felt; and for Sojun, raised in the twisted environment of politics, it was refreshing.
"Better than desk duty." The Kuchiki heir replied amusedly.
"Ahhh! The beauty of paper work."
Both men shared the amused and friendly atmosphere as they watch the battle die to an end.
14.
Sojun fought back a flinch when he felt a familiar reiatsu approach him.
'Did he find out?' The clan heir pondered nervously as he waited for the owner of the reiatsu to arrive at his position.
Only his father, Unohana Taicho, most probably the Captain Commander and Ichigo knew about his pregnancy. He wasn't telling anyone and neither would the people who knew. He was still in the early stages, and not making it to term was still a possibility. Glancing at Ichigo, he noticed that the male seemed unperturbed by Koga's aggressive reiatsu. Almost as if he didn't notice it, which was very unlikely, given his ability to sense his child's signature.
As predicted Koga flash-stepped on to the roof he and Ichigo were sharing, seconds later. With his knowing subtly mocking tone he asked, "What are you doing so far away from battle?"
Sojun let out the breath he was holding, his husband didn't know about the pregnancy. Sparing a look to the cloaked male to not comment, he found Ichigo had moved away from them, ignoring Koga's arrival and was focused solely on the main battle. "Taicho told me to take up the outer blocks." He replied curtly.
Ichigo didn't know how to react when he felt Kuchiki Koga approach them, neither did he know if this universe had altered him in any form. However as he felt the familiar aggressive reiatsu and Sojun's change in mood, it wasn't hard to tell that the man wasn't very different. 'Only saner.' He thought, unintentionally listening to the couple's conversation. It wasn't difficult to tell that the partners were far from being happily married. He would have considered them as the usual unsuccessful arranged marriage, where the members were merely civil to each other; but never hostile or malicious.
It has surprised him when he felt Byakuya's playful reiatsu immediately become quiet and withdrawn when Koga enter the baby's range. Normally in the presence of their sire, a child's reiatsu would spike and grasp immediately at their non-pregnant parent. Ichigo had seen this reaction before, and its implication harden his opinion and attitude towards the larger Kuchiki. He witnessed this behaviour in Hollows, and it always was the result of the sire being abusive towards the dam. Children were naturally perceptive, and in their fetus state they were the most sensitive to their carrier's emotional, mental and psychological state. It was a natural response for survival, they would avoid reiatsu that caused their carrier distress and bond with ones that comforted them. Ichigo knew that Koga would not physically abuse the Kuchiki heir, the man was too smart for that, but that didn't mean verbal, emotional and psychological abuse wasn't available at his disposal. Hearing the hidden disrespectful tone used by Koga and Sojun's defensive one confirmed his suspicion, Ichigo pressed his lips into a straight line.
'Hopefully, sexual abuse is off the table.' He thought grimly.
However he felt he spoke too soon, when he saw the Kuchiki heir violently jerk away instinctively when his partner suddenly touched him.
'I guess not.' It took all his will power not to let loose his reiatsu and kill the man.
'King. Fuck us over and I swear upon your mother's grave, I will rip your balls off.' On the other hand, it was quite possible his will power wasn't enough, and needed Zangetsu possessing his body to prevent him from decapitating Koga.
'Ichigo, calm yourself. You would cause more harm than good if you attack that man.' The old man's calm tone cut through the zanpakuto's shouting. 'You know his end isn't pleasant neither is it far off. Make your move then.'
'That's if this universe follows similar events.' Ichigo replied tightly. In this time line, the Barragan's hollows invasion and the rebellion had taken place at the same time, while in his timeline, there was apparently a gap of half a century between them. Also Koga's insanity was triggered by the false accusation and conviction of the Shinigami. He would normally be against wishing someone misfortune, but men such as Koga, did not deserve compassion. Feeling Byakuya's reiatsu shudder in instinctive fear, Ichigo clenched his fist.
'King, I know you're mad. We are too. But don't be a dumb-fuck.' He heard his more aggressive sword spirit cut in, 'Even if he doesn't go off the deep end. Doesn't mean we can't goad him into a battle and 'accidentally' kill him.'
'You are oddly helpful in this situation.'
'I'm itchin' for a fight, and so are you.' Ichigo reluctantly agreed, since he had arrived in this universe he hadn't let loose in while. Judging from the conversation taking place not too far from him, he could guess that Koga was easy to provoke. The man's aggressiveness and arrogance saturated his reiatsu, speech and body language to a point that Ichigo was amazed he wasn't the Kuchiki heir instead. Either way it wouldn't be difficult to provoke the man and he knew Koga would provide him a relatively good fight, if he placed certain limits on himself. He would have to wait for Aizen's god-complex to mature, Yhwach to be unsealed or Yama-jiji to have a bad day, if he wanted to go all out. The latter he wouldn't mind so much, but the previous two he would much rather avoid and find less destructive way to deal with them.
'We'll cross that bridge when it comes to it. Now let's focus on the problem at hand.' His Quincy spirit stated in his usual placid manner.
'Yeah! Come up with a plan to take out the trash will ya?' Pausing for a brief moment before adding 'And save your damsel in distress while you're at it.'
'He is not my damsel.' Ichigo snapped.
'You compared him to a flower.'
Before he could send a scathing retort to his psychotic Zanpakuto spirit, Sojun's voice cut in, "Ichigo-san, I would like you to meet my husband, Kuchiki Koga."
Ichigo turned and nodded his head slightly in acknowledgment and Koga did the same. He noticed that the man was studying him with a calculative look and his brow was slightly pinched in concentration. It was then he realized that he had unconsciously locked down his reiatsu completely, which he hadn't done since his initial meeting with the captains. It made the Shinigami less suspicious and hostile, since a lack of a reiatsu signature would unsettle the troops. Although he had more control over his reiatsu than before, he could only completely shut it down for a few hours. It was physically impossible for him to keep it in that state constantly, because of the sheer amount he produced. Although, in the back of his mind he thought, the main reason he intentionally leaked out his reiatsu was because of Byakuya's playful nature.
Sojun bit back a smile at the speed in which Ichigo dismissed Koga. It amused him to see his husband clench his jaw in aggravation. It wasn't hard to annoy Koga, and the method which was most effective in raising his ire was to not acknowledge him. Shifting his gaze to Ichigo, he noticed the man was behaving unusually. During their time spent together on the field, Ichigo would always converse with whoever approached him. Usually it would be captains, but there were instances where Shinigami and Rukongai citizens would cross his path unexpectedly. The cloaked male would never brush off or frighten them away, and always made the effort to make small talk. However in his husband's case, the male had given him a brief glance before going back to watching the battle. It was generally known among the Shinigami about Ichigo's welcoming nature, and from his husband's pinched look it was safe to assume that Koga had expected to gain a conversation instead of being ignored.
"So why is it you don't participate in the battles?" Koga spoke up, "It must be boring and frustrating to watch people struggle in fights you know you can finish in a fraction of a second."
Knowing the man's true nature, it wasn't hard to find the hidden barb in that second sentence. Normally he would ignore the man's insult about his weakness, but this time Sojun steeled himself against his anger and embarrassment. He didn't want Ichigo to think him as weak or have an inclination of the lack of respect and faith his own husband had in him. Although he knew the male probably was made aware of their less than perfect marriage after hearing the prior conversation.
Letting out a breath of resignation, he waited for Ichigo's reply.
15.
'Wow, that guy's a dick.' Ichigo heard his more vocal sword spirit comment. He knew the latter part of the man's comment was said specifically to target the Kuchiki Heir. The slight shift of his gaze towards the smaller man and the twitch on the corner of his mouth, hinted to Ichigo about the purpose of it.
'That's rich coming from you.' Ichigo snarked to Zangetsu.
'Hey, I'm a dick too. I'm not denying that, but I'm the good kind of dick. The peacock on the other hand is the bad kind of dick.'
'How eloquently put.'
'Damn right. I'm a fuckin' wordsmith.'
'Sarcasm just flies over your head, doesn't it?'
'You called that sarcasm? That's cute.'
'I believe the distasteful man and your carrier is waiting for a reply.' The Quincy spirit interrupted their bickering, sounding ready to wash his hands of them both.
'He is not my carrier.' Ichigo shouted back to a sniggering Zangetsu and a faintly amused Old Man.
Giving his most penetrating and condescending stare to the man directly opposite him, "Why should I?" he began with his flat, bored tone as if the question had an obvious answer, "They are doing fine on their own, and there is no reason or need for me to step in."
Out of the corner of his eye Ichigo saw he had said the right thing, for the depressed mood surrounding Sojun had fallen away and the man perked up. Keeping his air of nonchalance he went back to ignoring the arrogant male, but Koga wasn't going to allow him to do that. Ichigo knew the man was not happy that the conversation wasn't going his way and he knew that Koga was not going to take the snub lying down.
"Then why do you observe?" He responded predictably, "Apart from the captains and certain lieutenants, the rest of the fights are not worth watching."
Ichigo could hear his Zanpakuto let out a whistle and felt Sojun's reiatsu bristle while the Kuchiki Heir's face went blank; swallowing his annoyance, "Every fight is worth watching. Everyone has their own unique style and it is interesting to watch. Strength is not about how much power you have, it is about what you can do with what you have." Not allowing Koga an opportunity to respond, he continued, "Honestly speaking, it is far more interesting to watch a strategic take-down using simple techniques than an overpowered brawl."
"You base this opinion on?" Koga replied tightly, clearly not expecting to be lectured.
"Experience." Ichigo simply replied, "It was always the ones with limited strength that gave the best battles." And he turned around to hint the ending of their conversation.
Koga was far from being stupid, so when the man curtly informed the Kuchiki Heir about his new mission and that he wouldn't be home for the following months before leaving, Ichigo wasn't surprised. He just hoped that the man would have calmed down by then and won't take his anger out on the pregnant carrier. He knew the man was smart, but that didn't mean the man was sane. Without knowing about his current mental state, it was hard to predict what Koga would do. All Ichigo prayed for was that he didn't inadvertently place the kind Kuchiki heir and his child in some form of danger.
Catching Sojun's unwavering stare, Ichigo flushed slightly under his bandages, "Ah. Sorry about patronizing your husband. I didn't mean to lecture him." He said sheepishly as he allowed his reiatsu to leak out and move towards the smaller male. Curling around the Kuchiki's reiatsu, he grinned when he felt Byakuya's signature leap out again and cling on to his. Clearly the babe was still frightened and felt his carrier's internal distress, for instead of the playful flicks and tugs Ichigo would normally experience, Byakuya's reiatsu latched on tightly and entwined itself with his. Softening slightly at the child's restlessness and instinct to seek comfort, Ichigo imperceptibly increased the amount of reiatsu he released.
He was rewarded by feeling Byakuya's reiatsu relax around his and the tension in Sojun's posture slowly diminished. The entire situation was fundamentally wrong. No child should fear their parent to this degree and neither should the spouse have to be on guard when talking to their partner. What made it worse was that both carrier and child felt at ease in his presence, a virtually unknown hybrid who travelled from a different time and universe and has only known him for month and a half at most.
Ichigo was a pacifist at heart. Though he had a tendency to be violent in his dealings, he was all about living and let others live. However when it concerns Koga, he couldn't help but think, 'I really hope the fucking bastard loses it soon, so I have a valid reason to go after him.'
In his mind's eye, he could see Zangetsu give him a thumbs up and the Old Man raise his sake as a toast.
16.
There was only a week left of his first trimester when he first felt his child's reiatsu.
He was dressing in his room, when he caught the sight of his figure in the mirror. Although it was too early for him to start showing, he could see a slight curve had begun to develop on his lower abdomen. Moving closer to the mirror and turning around to gain a better look. Caught up with the situation he had unknowingly lessened the hold on his spiritual energy, allowing it to move freely around the room. That was when he felt a familiar reiatsu suddenly surge out to greet his with fiery exuberance. His eyes widen in surprise as he felt the babe's spiritual signature push against his almost adamantly, a child demanding his attention. Chuckling softly and relaxing his hold on his reiatsu, he pushed back. Gently flicking and stroking the babe's reiatsu with his own. Immediately he felt a surge of reiatsu from the child, as he or she curled their spiritual energy around his body to mimic an embrace. Taken aback by the action for a moment, Sojun let out a gasp before returning the gesture.
He heard from other carriers about sensing and interacting with their children reiatsu during their pregnancy. However they mentioned it predominantly happened in during early stages of their final trimester, when the fetus's reiatsu was strong enough to be sensed. He knew he was more sensitive to reiatsu than most, but for it to happen this early was nothing short of amazing. He was grateful for the early development and to be honest, he was disappointed when he first learnt that he had to wait so long to sense his child's reiatsu. However he couldn't help but wonder if the early appearance was due to his child being exceptionally talented and powerful.
Studying the fledgling reiatsu, he understood what Ichigo meant when he first informed him about his pregnancy. His child's reiatsu signature was very similar to his, identical if not for the more assertive and powerful nature of it. It wasn't aggressive like Koga's, to the point it would activate his flight or fight senses, but when compared to his more passive reiatsu his child's was significantly more active and boisterous. Sojun had a feeling, he or she would be a handful when they arrived.
Playing with the babe's spiritual energy, he couldn't help but ponder that the child was far more aware than he or she should be at this stage of development. True enough, that it was mostly instinct but there was a strange sense of intelligence from the child's movements. Contemplating, he recalled all the times he was with Ichigo, he noticed the man would let his reiatsu leak out and wrap it around him. He always found it strange, that a man with the ability to shut down his spiritual energy to a point that it was impossible to sense, would lose control while on a battle field. Considering the man could sense his child's reiatsu from the moment of their conception, he had a feeling that the man was responsible for the babe's strange sense of awareness. Thinking back to the times he felt the cloaked man's reiatsu dance around him, it would seem that Ichigo has been interacting with his son or daughter.
'I wonder why he didn't tell me about you.' The Kuchiki thought, staring down at this belly as if the child had the answer to his question. As if sensing his carrier's distracted mood, Byakuya re-energized his effort, putting more force into his playful reiatsu. Feeling the invigorated nudging and pulling, Sojun smiled as he responded.
'Of course.' He thought to himself, 'He didn't want me to feel left out.'
Displaying that uncanny sense of awareness, Sojun felt the child's reiatsu settle down soon after he reached that conclusion, and began to wrap around his being. Much like Ichigo had done about a month back, when he met Koga on the roof.
'Not even born, and already protective?' The young Kuchiki thought tickled by the babe's action as he recalled that day's events.
He had not expected Ichigo to respond in the way he did to Koga. It could have been due to his pregnancy or that he had more of a connection with the man than Koga did, but whatever it was, he was grateful. It wasn't hard to grasp, that Ichigo's argument was worded to defend him. Sojun had never experience someone standing up for him in front of Koga. Always people would much rather leave or shift awkwardly than become involved. Not that he blamed them, nobody wanted to involve themselves in a couple's relationship problems, but once in while he could do with some help in his defense. His father was silent, but his disapproval of Koga was apparent through his actions. Besides Koga would be nothing but polite towards him in front of his father.
Thinking back to what Ichigo said, he knew the man wasn't bluffing about watching battles. He lost track the amount of times he could feel that the male was watching him intensely during each skirmish he had with the hollows. More often than not after he finished dispatching a hollow, he would meet a familiar soul piercing gaze. Remembering the weight of Ichigo's stare, he couldn't help but flush. Never before had he felt such attention paid to him. Being a Kuchiki and the heir people have always watched him, but their gazes were shallow and at most fleeting, so ignoring them was a simple matter. However whenever Ichigo looked at him, he couldn't help but feel bare in front of the man. It seemed that those wine red eyes saw through to his core, his very essence. If he was truthful with himself, Sojun feels proud that he's managed to hold Ichigo's interest for so long.
One thing Koga was right about given who Ichigo was, with his skill and that heavily suppressed raw power, it was strange for the man not to focus on the captain's battles with the high level Adjuchas. Even though they might not have been impressive for him in terms power, they were considerably more interesting than the lieutenants' and seated officers'. Not that he was complaining, but it was odd.
"It was always the ones with limited strength that gave the best battles." He remembered Ichigo's words. It was an odd notion, but he heard the honesty and sincerity in the man's voice. He said it in such a way, that it was a fact not merely defending him. The faraway look he had in his eyes when he said it, told Sojun that it wasn't something the male made up to make him feel better. However it did just that when he heard it. It had inspired some confidence in him since it was Ichigo who said it. Being limitless in his power and skill, gaining his interest and respect could not be a simple feat.
'Ichigo-san, you are one strange man.' Sojun thought idly, stroking his lower abdomen, his child's reiatsu flickered against his lightly as if he or she agreed with him.
17.
The next time he met Ichigo on the battlefield, he didn't tell the man about his ability to sense the babe's reiatsu but instead observed the interaction that took place.
Just as he suspected, as soon as the cloaked male approached him, he had let his reiatsu leak out. When he was within five feet of the other man, he felt his child's reiatsu surge forward towards Ichigo. The male didn't give any outward indication as he indulged babe's playful reiatsu but since Sojun was looking for some form of reaction, he saw the man's eyes soften and the corners crinkled gently hinting the man was smiling underneath his mask.
Giving the man a smile and nod to acknowledge his presence, he studied the male from the corner of his eye. Not having met the man for a couple of days, his child had completely ignored him in favour of the taller man to play with. Though a little jealous of the amount of attention given, Sojun was willing to overlook it since he could practically taste his child excitement as their reiatsu flitted around with Ichigo's.
"What's on your mind? You seem quieter than usual." Ichigo's voice interrupted his train of thought.
Sojun mentally berated himself, he didn't want to give himself away when he observed the man, but since he was so absorbed in the situation he forgot they usually made small talk during their meetings. Not wanting to give away the most recent development and continue observing his child and Ichigo's interaction unrestricted, he simply diverted the attention to another matter that has been bothering him for some time.
"Why do you hide your identity?" The young Kuchiki asked, eyeing the grey bandages on the man's face.
Ichigo blinked at that question, now that he was fairly certain that he wasn't creating some major paradox in the universe and screwing everyone over, there wasn't a reason to hide his face. Every time he activated the form to hide identifying features such as his orange hair, the bandages came along with it. Also he had hidden his features for so long, showing his true colouring may cause some friction in his already tenuous relationship with the Shinigami. Instead of opting for the truth, he went with vague and somewhat unrelated explanation. He felt bad about hiding, but at the moment it was necessary. He just hope it didn't cause him much trouble in the future. He had grown quite attached to the Kuchiki and Byakuya.
"You do know my relationship with you Shinigami is not the strongest." He began, "So I don't want cause any unnecessary problems with you lot."
"Surely, showing your face wouldn't cause unrest in the Seireitei." Sojun replied amused by the amount of hesitation and caution Ichigo showed for something so simple.
"But it could." Willing the mask away, Ichigo continued with his grave tone. "Just after our initial meeting I met one of the lieutenants. I believe he belonged to the Thirteenth squad."
Studying Ichigo's features and taking in what he said, Sojun realized what the man was trying to say. If he had shorter hair and green eyes, Ichigo could practically pass as Shiba Fukutaicho's twin. They were of similar height and build, even the skin colouring was the same. There were slight differences in the facial structure, but the resemblance was uncanny. Focusing his attention on Ichigo's reiatsu signature, the shinigami markers were similar to the reiatsu markers of the Shiba Clan. Then slowly certain aspects of Ichigo's behaviour made sense. The dedication he had to protecting his family and friends was a famous Shiba trait, the style of zanjutsu and hakuda he used was similar to the styles from the Shiba's as well.
'Its quiet possible Ichigo's father was a Shiba.' Sojun mused, clearly intrigued by the man's parentage.
However being one of the five noble clans, news of one of their member's going missing would have over taken the Seireitei. It was also quite possible Ichigo's father was a particularly powerful Shinigami, due to the amount of reiatsu the male produced, it was unlikely the man had inherited it all from his mother, unless it was a strange reaction caused by possessing the Hollow, Quincy and Shinigami markers of reiatsu. None the less, that didn't diminish Ichigo's connection to the Shiba Clan, and if it were true, just who was his father? It had to be someone who disappeared fairly recently, for the male was about his age or younger; since human's aged faster than spirits. Even then Sojun couldn't think of a Shinigami who was also a Shiba that was either missing or dead.
Ichigo fought the urge to fidget under the Kuchiki's scrutinizing gaze. It didn't take a genius to figure out what the man was thinking. Judging from the slight widening of the eyes and the furrowed brow the man had seen the connection and now was trying to figure out who his father was.
'I question the wisdom behind that decision.' His Quincy spirit commented grimly.
'Not a smart move, not a dumb move either.' His other spirit joined in, 'Give it a few more centuries and you might actually come up with something fool proof.'
'If you two don't have anything helpful to say, don't say anything.' Ichigo grouched back. The old man sighed and the other spirit snickered in response, but both of them remained silent. Turning his attention back to Sojun, who was still lost in his thoughts, Ichigo decided to do some damage control or at least contain the situation. After everything had settled, if they still remained friends in the future, he'll probably tell the man the truth.
Right now it was too early.
"Sojun, my father is not amongst us." Ichigo simply stated.
The Kuchiki's attention perked at that, although he got what the man wanted to say, he couldn't help but notice the particular wording. He would have imagine Ichigo saying something along the lines of 'My father is dead'. It could be possible that he was reading too deeply into what the taller male said and he actually hadn't come to terms with his father's death. However Ichigo didn't seem to be in mourning; the gloominess Sojun picked up from their first conversation had slowly faded away. Although one thing was obvious, Ichigo knew exactly who his father was and didn't want him to find out.
It made no sense to hide the relationship. Sure his father did break a couple of laws that would have sentence him to death or at least banishment along with striping his power, but Ichigo was quiet confident they couldn't do either when he spoke to Yamamoto Soutaicho. Either his father was in a place beyond their reach or he was actually dead. If that was the case, his earlier wording did not match his personality. Sojun felt as if he was walking around in circles, Ichigo was being secretive for a reason and though he didn't seem hostile, the secrets he was keeping seemed to be dangerous.
He knew that he should overlook it for the sake of their friendship, and the help Ichigo had given him, but if he was Shinigami and it was his duty to protect the Soul Society no matter the cost. Feeling his child's reiatsu nudge against his to gain his attention, he was reminded he no longer had just the duty of a solider but as a parent as well.
'I will figure you out Ichigo-san' Sojun promised, determination flooding his mind.
18.
'He is on to you.'
'Damage control my lily white arse.' Ichigo's cruder spirit piped in, 'More like damage creation.'
'I repeat, if you don't have any helpful suggestion then please stay quiet.'
'Be honest, but be vague.' The Quincy manifestation advised.
'He's carryin, and your non-explanation of coming to Shinigami land is threatening the safety of his babe.'
'The sooner you provide an adequate explanation, the better.'
'And just promise him, a full explanation in the future; preferably before you bed him.'
'Damn it, I'm not going to sleep with Byakuya's father.'
'Yet.'
'Plus, he's a married man.'
'Who will be indefinitely widowed and thus made available.'
'He is Byakuya's father.'
'Definitely DILF material.'
'You're incorrigible, you know that?'
'I really don't see what the problem. He's hot and you're attracted to him. He'll be on the market soon and with a little effort, you can sleep with him. Sure he'll have a kid, but you like kids. Not to mention how funny it would be since you'll literally be a motherfucker from Cherry Blossom's point of view.'
'For the last time, I am not attracted to him, nor do I want to sleep with him.'
'You were comparing him to a flower. A. Fuckin'. Flower.'
'Give it rest will you? It was one time!'
'Much as I find this conversation amusing, I would like to remind you of a carrier who is now beginning to regard you as a threat.' The old man cut in as always being the voice of reason.
'We are not done.' Ichigo warned before returning his attention back to the Kuchiki.
Although the man wasn't outwardly showing any shift in attitude, Ichigo felt the man reign Byakuya's reiatsu back. The gesture was similar to a parent protectively cuddling their child during a hostile situation. It stung that Sojun could so easily turn on him, but Ichigo couldn't blame him for being suspicious of him.
'To gain trust, you have to give some first.' Ichigo recalled reading.
Steeling his resolve and praying to whoever was listening, that what he said next would pacify the Shinigami.
"Sojun." He began, "I know my background makes no sense, but does it have to?"
A/N: Chapter 2. Done.
If you haven't picked out why Zangetsu (Shiro, Hichigo or what other names he is referred to as), is so pushy towards Sojun is because he is a manifestation of Ichigo's instinct. He realises Ichigo's attraction to Sojun far earlier and is more vocal about it since he doesn't worry about manners, morals, values, code of conduct etc. Given he is half Hollow also plays a role, since they don't really care about such things. The Old Man pushes him, but is a bit more subtle in his methods.
I figured Zanpakuto Spirits are more or less are the true representation of the soul. So they are far more honest in what their wants and needs are, since they have no reason to hide or lie.
Feel free to drop a comment and anything is welcome; constructive criticism, questions, suggestions, opinions, comments, corrections etc.