Byakyuya Kuchiki sat by his fiancé's bedside as she slept. They had talked for hours following their supper about anything and everything, sans their intertwined past. He would have to win her over a bit more to keep her from running away from him. If she became used to him, even fell in love with him, the disappointments he brought to her over a year ago surely would not cause her to disappear. He hoped.
Orihime was the master of sleep, that was for certain. Just give her a bed and a pillow and she would be out like a light. He had previously assumed after their rigorous night of love making she had simply been too exhausted for anything else and couldn't help but fall into an instant, deep slumber. Tonight she chatted with him animatedly until she decided to continue their conversation while laying down, nestled in her pillows. It took the young women four words into a sentence and she was unconscious, right in the middle of their discussion.
"What a beautiful woman you have become. That you have always been." The noble whispered as his eyes lingered one last time over his slumbering, future wife, before he retired to his own room for the night. In this state she looked so pure and innocent. Like an angel or a sleeping babe. In spite of all her beauty, her luscious curves, and her expertise in the bedroom, she still maintained an air of naïveté. He loved that about her.
He loved everything about her and was sure that his family would learn to as well. They would have to as his baby was growing inside of her. The Kuchiki family would also be ecstatic to learn that the head of their household had finally produced an heir, regardless of the mother's upbringing. Even his crotchety old aunt would have to concede defeat in the matter, or so he hoped.
()()()()()
"That hussy is here? In the Kuchiki house? Pregnant with your child?" A cackling voice roared in anger and astonishment. "Impossible! Throw her out at once!"
"Aunt, she is with child. A Kuchiki child. My child. I will do no such thing." Byakuya tried to reason with the old woman. He had predicted she would be angry and was not surprised at her reaction in the slightest. She was a temperamental old hag that was set in her ways, unmoving and unchanging for centuries. He briefly wondered if she ever let loose and enjoyed life at all. He thought not, but knew if there were anyone to change a stubborn mind, it would be Orihime. "I will marry her. It is the right course of action to take."
"But I have sent for another royal family. They are to arrive within the week with their seven young and beautiful daughters. Oh, the shame!" The old woman drew her wrinkled hand to her forehead, presumably for the dramatic affect and threw herself into a nearby armchair. "How could you do this to me? Your family! What shame you have brought upon this household."
"I will not let you deter me from this woman again, aunt. I had lost her once and I will not lose her again!" Irritated by the theatrics, the noble turned heel and left the elderly woman to sulk in silence.
Stressed, he made his way down the hall towards the one person he'd know would instantly relieve him of any negative thought. It was mid morning and he was sure the object of his affections would be awake. He'd hoped she would. He could scarce sleep the night before knowing that she was under the same roof and not in his arms.
()()()()()
Orihime stood in front of an intricately carved full length mirror, staring at the stranger in front of her. She wondered who she was before she had come to this new, unfamiliar place and how she managed to end up in the situation she was currently in. She felt as if she'd just been born, and already she was engaged to be married and with baby.
"A baby." She whispered to herself as she untied her robe to examine her bare stomach. She smoothed her hands over her flat belly. It was too early to tell that she was carrying, yet her body seemed to know. Every fiber in her being was awake, excited with the task of growing a new soul inside of her. "At least I know you, little one." She cooed.
"I am sorry." A deep voice coughed out, startling the young woman. Quickly, she threw her garment shut and retied the sash that held it together. She turned to be greeted with the sight of an obviously to her, embarrassed noble. "I knocked, but you did not answer."
"Well, we've already made a baby together, so I suppose it isn't anything you haven't seen." She laughed nervously, trying to lighten the situation. His spiritual pressure instantly softened at her defusing of the situation. She slowly walked up to him, reveling in his masculine scent and love for her. She placed her palms on his chest and closed her eyes. He was a beautiful man through and through. A large hand cupped her soft cheek and another found its way to the small of her back. He pulled her into him, molding her soft curves to his hard muscle. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. It was that familiar feeling again, the feeling she had experienced under the tree, in the grass the day before. Her arms acted on their own accord, snaking around the man's neck and pulling his face down to hers. Her soft, plump lips touched his and an array of fireworks exploded in the pit of her stomach in celebration of their first kiss, post reunion. Tender became impassioned as mouths opened and tongues intertwined. The noble's hands found themselves sliding downward towards the young woman's hips, tugging at the fabric that kept her robe closed and him from her viewing her naked body.
She pulled her lips from his. "B-Byakuya..." Her voice was shaky and uncertain, causing him to cease movement. Through heavy breaths she continued. "Perhaps we should have our first date at least. Maybe even a few before we..."
"Yes, you are right." He sighed in frustration with himself and his lack of restraint. It was very unlike him, yet he could not help himself around this woman. She was his undoing. "I will wait outside while you dress."
()()()()()
The newly engaged couple walked slowly through the Kuchiki Estate's garden. Byakuya looked at the woman by his side and noticed how her red hair turned to flame in the bright sunlight. "About earlier, Orihime..." The noble coughed. "I apologize. I assure you I normally practice restraint, but with you..." He coughed again.
"I understand." She assured him with a quick smile. A blush rushed to her cheeks and she quickly looked away. He surely knew she experiencing the same problems with... Restraint. "Believe me, I definitely do."
"I am glad." He smirked at the heated flare of her riatsu. "You must learn to control your spiritual pressure, Miss Inoue." Instantly his thoughts drifted towards the night they shared their first dance over a year ago.
"S-sorry!" She turned a deep shade of crimson.
"I thought we might enjoy our morning meal in the garden." He motioned towards a clearing with a set table. "I fear you are still not well enough to be thrust into the limelight."
"Limelight?" She questioned as they neared the table.
"You are a beautiful woman and that alone is enough to attract enough exhausting attention. Then there is the fact that you are mine." He coughed again as he pulled out a chair for the young woman to take a seat. She obliged and sat down as he slid it beneath her. He took his place across from her. "I have not been romantically involved with anyone in quite a long time and to be seen with you so suddenly would cause people to talk."
Orihime's eyes wandered from her future husband's to the dishes spread before her. Her eyes widened with excitement at the variety. Pancakes, waffles, toast, eggs, bacon, and most importantly red bean paste! She hardly knew where to start.
"I recall our conversations in the past about what foods you preferred. I was not sure which to choose, so I had them prepare everything I could remember. I hope this is..." She beamed with happy anticipation as she first attacked the pancakes, dousing them in maple syrup and red bean paste. "... Enough."
Looking up at the the man she was to marry the attempted to smile in thanks with mouth full. He laughed and prided himself for a job well done. He was one step closer to making her fall madly in love with him again.