Chapter 6: The Bird and the Egg

"Are you sure?" Yoruichi queried, hoping it was a mistake. "Are you suggesting my department is incompetent of investigating such matters?" Unohana said, frightfully polite. Yoruichi gulped. "No – of course not. I must be pregnant." There was an awkward silence in the room. Yoruichi could have cried at that moment, but everything inside felt dry and painful. She closed her eyes. "I give you my best wishes, Miss Yoruichi. You're at the prime age for bearing healthy children. The father must be so proud," Unohana congratulated. She rose from her seat to search a shelf behind them. "The father," Yoruichi mouthed. She had been a complete idiot. She had no idea who the father of her child was – which man to inform of the pregnancy. What would they say? She could see Byakuya's smug face. This would only prove to him she was 'whoring herself.' She scolded, thinking of his remark.

Unohana interrupted her thoughts. "Here is a leaflet package put together by the Shinigami Women's Association to help guide you through pregnancy. It discusses everything from early symptoms to giving birth." Yoruichi's eyes widened at 'giving birth.' She couldn't imagine having to push a child out of her; the 'unbearable pain' she had heard about. 'It can't be that bad,' she said to herself. 'I am strong. There is no pain I can't bear.' Yoruichi took the package from Unohana's hand. "There is also some information inside for expectant fathers. Would you like to arrange a special appointment for the lucky man?" Unohana smiled. Yoruichi felt embarrassed, fiddling with the leaflets. "Captain, what if I don't know who the father is?" Yoruichi inquired. "Could you help me find out?" Unohana dropped her smile. 'Oh no; she's judging me.'

"Yes, of course. Do not feel ashamed – it's quite common nowadays. I apologise for my previous statements." Unohana sat down opposite Yoruichi. "I cannot help you at this time, but I can arrange for you to have a pre-natal paternity test at 10 weeks – the earliest. You are only 6-7 weeks pregnant, Miss Yoruichi." Yoruichi nodded her head, "I understand." 'I can hold off telling them until I find out.' Unohana read the look on Yoruichi's face. "I don't advise you wait until the test results are released to inform the possible fathers. It is not fair to hold off such information. It is best you explain your situation, and advise them not to get too attached to the child until its father is confirmed." Yoruichi disagreed, "But that might cause confusion." "What will be more confusing is that you hid your pregnancy for a total of 3 months." "But what if I found out late?" "I cannot endorse lying, Miss Yoruichi."

Yoruichi rubbed her head. "Fine, I'll tell them," she lied. She wasn't telling anyone who didn't need to know. She hadn't even come to terms with the pregnancy herself. Unohana smiled again. "It's for the best," she said. "Oh, I almost forgot." She handed a small package from the table to Yoruichi. "This is a breast serum developed by Captain Kurotsuchi to help ease the tenderness. Many women recommend it." Yoruichi nodded in gratitude, standing up. "Book me in for the test, Captain. I'll be back in a few weeks." Yoruichi flash-stepped away.

Yoruichi brushed her nutmeg skin in the bath. It was like the warm water soaked her up in the spiced orange fragrance. She relaxed, inhaling the steam. "Byakuya is the father," she quietly proclaimed. He had to be. She had slept with him first and the dates seemed to add up. 'But, I think I was with Kisuke that night...?' she wondered. It was true – after Byakuya had annoyed her, she stopped seeing him for some time. Kisuke did comfort her for a few nights; the frequency of their meetings only increased after she officially ended things with Byakuya. Yoruichi tossed the soapy water upon her face, her eyes burning. "Why do I make my life so complicated?" she moaned. All this drama had occurred over a month ago, so it was difficult to retrace her steps. Why is it that of all the times to fall pregnant, it had to be under such circumstances? Her grandfather did warn her not to mess with boys. Yoruichi imagined the spirits of the elders feasting at the news – she finally bore a Shihouin heir; one she had refused to give them. The clan would no longer be doomed.

She didn't know why she was so desperate for Byakuya to be the father. To put it simply, he was a cold man. Yoruichi thought he could never teach the child its first steps, change nappies in the early hours of the morning or allow himself to be thrown up on. She couldn't see herself doing such tasks either. Though he adopted Rukia, Yoruichi was certain Byakuya wasn't the 'loving brother' type. Kisuke, however, would do all those things and more. He was already wonderful with Jinta and Ururu; he was funny, caring and a great friend. He would be a great dad too. Yoruichi sighed, spraying water on her chest. It didn't matter that Kisuke was all of those things. At the end of the day, Byakuya would be able to provide for her child. And not that she cared, but Byakuya would entitle her baby to nobility. He or she would be able to have the best teachers and trainers – maybe even become a captain someday. Unlike her, Urahara was unable to regain a place back in the Soul Society. It wasn't like he could just waltz back into a palace and reclaim his title. 'I can't raise this child at the Urahara Shop,' Yoruichi thought. 'Not the human world; my baby belongs here.' Yoruichi figured that was the most sensible thought she had all day.

The test would be just a formality. Yoruichi would suck up and tell Byakuya the truth – the edited truth. He was the (most probable) father of her child. He was the only person that needed to know.

Byakuya had used all his willpower to arrive at the gates of the Shihouin estate. It was cliché, but this was the last place in the Soul Society he wanted to be; perhaps the last place in the Bleach universe. The men in black greeted him at the gates. "Captain Byakuya Kuchiki, head of the Kuchiki clan, has arrived. All stand," a man exclaimed. The great gates widened. As Byakuya strolled along the path, he wondered what had made Yoruichi invite him to her manor – something she had not done for hundreds of years (minus during their brief relationship) – on such urgent matters. He sensed her spiritual pressure as a dark-haired woman led him inside. It was strange - her spiritual pressure seemed corrupted, as if weld with an alien force. Only Ichigo had exerted spirit energy such as this when occupied by his inner hollow. Byakuya speculated what might be the cause. 'Perhaps she deeply regrets her behaviour and want to apologise,' he thought. He almost laughed inwardly – Yoruichi would never do such a thing. Whatever the matter, she was undoubtedly out to waste his time.

The woman slid the doors open, closing them behind him after he stepped into the room. Yoruichi had her hair up, sat quietly on a stool at the other end of the wall, looking out the window. She wore a black kimono – slightly too tight for her – and a pair of slippers. Byakuya was certain he had never seen her like this before, arguably formal on her own accord. She didn't say anything at first. Yoruichi just sat, watching the afternoon sun rest in the teal blue sky. Byakuya had had enough already. "What do you want? Do not waste my time," he uttered. Yoruichi kept gazing at the sun and curled a finger at Byakuya, beckoning him over. He reluctantly advanced towards her; he didn't like her telling him what to do.

Byakuya looked down at Yoruichi on the stool. As always, she looked beautiful – that was another thing he hated. For some reason, her breasts seemed larger, almost bursting out of her kimono. That instantaneously aroused him; he stared at the wood. "There is a saying," she said solemnly. Yoruichi placed her hands atop of one another. "The bird does not ask for the egg. The egg asks for the bird." Byakuya was familiar with the proverb. 'Where is she going with this?' he thought. "Do you know what that means, Byakuya?" He stood for a moment. "Yes. Some things are granted to you by the heavens. Those than want may not always get, and those that get may not want." "Exactly," Yoruichi breathed tranquilly. She slowly rose from her seat to face him. Byakuya didn't like it when their bodies were this close – when her chest was in his full view. He didn't like how Yoruichi was unnaturally calm – almost like him.

"Byakuya, I'm pregnant."

It took a minute for his body to respond to her words. "I said I'm pregnant." Byakuya felt like a raining cloud, lightening with each drop. He was suddenly distant from his surroundings, enveloped by darkness – by the alien spiritual pressure that resided inside her. He stared at her stomach, eyes fixed even as Yoruichi sat back down. She pressed her face into her palms as if disillusioned. Byakuya was now in complete shock. He was to father a child out of wedlock, with a woman he frequently despised. He felt a fool, but she didn't need to know that. Yoruichi was pregnant now whether he liked it or not; she must remain relaxed. He had impregnated her, and now he had to carry out his duties. For a second, he considered this was an elaborate sick joke, but seeing her body language, he highly doubted that.

"Have you spoken to someone at Squad 4?" he asked. Yoruichi's head shot up almost relieved. "Yeah, I have. I'm 6-7 weeks." Doing some mental calculations, it was confirmed. It had to be him.

"I will support the child," he stated; all Yoruichi needed to hear. Byakuya turned to leave the room, his heart beating like a drum at a funeral. "I will send you a full report on my intentions and arrange to see Unohana at a later date." Yoruichi didn't say anything – or stop his departure. Byakuya left.

"You might not be the father," she sniffled.

Note: TY for reading so far. Okay, next chapter the romance will rekindled! But Byakuya will find out something he doesn't want to hear.