Note: I wrote this chapter listening to 'Fade Into You' by Mazzy Star - apparently one of the top songs to make love to xD. I think it's a good background song as you read ^_^. Thank you for some of the feedback I got, guys. To be honest, I don't know where to go with this story after this chapter - I think it will finish at chapter 12. Though I knew an unplanned pregnancy plot was cliché, I went for it anyway. But the problem with plots like this is that it can only go so far, so I'm gonna finish up either tomorrow or in the next few days. We will see whether you like the ending, but I'm trying to make it as 'honest' as possible, considering they are both consenting adults who don't know what the future may hold for them. Thanks so much for staying this far!

Chapter 11: The Right Reasons

'How long...has he held me like this?'

...

Yoruichi rested on his chest, rising and falling to his breath. It felt good – holding someone. After all, he was the only one who had came to see her since it happened. She supposed it'd taken him a lot of courage to come – he probably couldn't have done it without a little coaxing. But Yoruichi didn't care. Byakuya was here now; that's all that mattered. Their bodies were enchained in embrace. She could feel the warmth radiating from his body. Her lips were innocently glued to the skin of his pectoral all this time, tasting her salty tears.

A sudden urge flushed over her; she wanted to taste him. Yoruichi nuzzled his shoulder, secretly taking in his scent. 'Byakuya...'

He smelt so good: rich and musky. Yoruichi pursed her lips to wet them, brushing her mouth along Byakuya's neck before tickling him with her tongue. Byakuya flinched.

"Yoruichi-"

It was almost like a warning. He clutched her waist, pushing her away slightly. Yoruichi bit her lip. That stern look of his only ever aroused her; she wished he'd learnt that by now. She crashed her mouth against his, hungry for him. At first he resisted, plastering his lips and denying her swarming tongue any access. But then she wound her hips against his member. As she slipped her hand under his uniform caressing his thigh, he opened his mouth, letting her in. Her kiss was harsh; aggressive. It was stirring him inside. Their tongues enveloped each other like their bodies, in wet heat.

The more she spun her hips, the more Byakuya wanted her. He felt the blood rush to his manhood. It'd been so long since he had desire. He'd worked so hard to remain celibate and content over the last few months; all of that gone in a matter of moments. At any other time he would have torn off her dressing gown and made love to her on the very seat they sat, but this was different. He wanted to take his time. Dare he think it, but Byakuya wanted to express some kind of affection to this woman – love, perhaps. He ran his fingers through her thick locks, gazing into her eyes. This time, he kissed her, softly suckling on her lips, healing her wounds. He gently lifted her as she locked his waist between her legs and rested her on the bed. Soon after, he blanketed her, connecting their bodies once more.

Byakuya's lips massaged her neck, tasting her sweet caramel skin as the dress melted off of her. He cupped her soft, full breasts, fondling them before his tongue made its way down to nibble at her buds, savouring his cat's milk. Yoruichi purred, tearing off what she could to reveal his athletic physique. She then grappled his shaft, squeezing and pumping at it with a sense of urgency. Byakuya let out a sensual grunt before encasing her hands, bringing her to a halt. He looked into her eyes once more.

"Slower," he breathed, guiding her hand at his desired pace. He closed his eyes, cheeks burning.

"But I need you," Yoruichi pled. She thrust her hips up against him. His carnal flame suddenly subdued. He remembered where he was – why he was here. 'This is wrong,' he thought. 'What are we doing?' He climbed off of Yoruichi; off of the bed.

"Byakuya, what is it?" she asked. "Did I do something?" She pulled up her dress, covering herself as he began re-dress. He fixed his hair, taking in a deep breath.

"It's not me you need, Yoruichi." He adjusted his uniform. "You need closure. Your child just passed away – this is wrong." Yoruichi shook her head.

"It's not like that, Byakuya – I feel something for you. The way you held me-"

"It's not a good time, Yoruichi." Byakuya felt like he was taking advantage of her. He approached the sliding doors to leave. "Sometimes I wonder if there was ever a good time." Yoruichi's jaw dropped.

"Why does it matter if you take me today or tomorrow? Don't tell me you don't want me!"

"Goodbye, Yoruichi." Byakuya loudly cleared his throat – the doors slid open for him and he departed. Yoruichi gnawed at her lip angrily. She hated how he never gave straight answers – how he always had to have the last damn word. 'Who does he think he is, leaving so abruptly with his 'goodbyes'? I need him now more than ever. You'd think after all that's happened you're supposed to be there for the ones you love.'

Yoruichi excused herself. 'I mean, the ones you care about...' She dismissed her last thought, wrapping herself back up in her sheets rubbing her fleshy belly.

'My mind...this body...'

Maybe she did want Byakuya for the wrong reasons. 'Since when did I ever need someone else? When did I become this needy – emotional?' She mused over herself. 'It's pregnancy,' she lied. 'No, that's not it.' In truth, Yoruichi felt out of control. She always had it together until she fell for Byakuya and fell unexpectedly pregnant. Luring these men to her bed was the only thing she felt she had power over anymore. They were a distraction her from reality when she couldn't accept the woman she had become.

'I'm weak.'

She pressed her head into the pillow. Byakuya was right to leave. 'Sakura' re-entered her mind.

'That is so like him...that name.' She was trying to stop the dark storm from brewing within her again. For a moment, she pretended Byakuya was still with her, glaring at her from across the room. 'It's funny. The man who I've toyed with my whole life...a man who couldn't stand me, was there for me more than anyone else; a surrogate father.'

Then it hit her – maybe Byakuya did care. He (somewhat) enjoyed her company; he was actually happy about the pregnancy; he went out of his way to accommodate her, even constructing a nursery for little Sakura. He had given her child a name. He had told her to 'be strong.'

"I've been the fool."

He did care – it'd just taken her so long to see it. Why hadn't she wanted him for all the right reasons until now? 'I let him walk, without a fight.' It wasn't like her at all. Yoruichi groaned loudly.

"My apologies, Lady Yoruichi!" A servant called from beyond the door.

"Yes?" she replied with disregard. 'Why won't they just leave me be?' Yoruichi thought she sounded like Byakuya for a moment.

"My Lady, we've sent a messenger to the human world to report the news to Urahara Kisuke." Her eyes shot open.

"No – call him back." She had to be strong. "I'll go myself."

"My lady-"

"I won't repeat the order." The man shortly paused.

"Of course, my Lady," he affirmed.

'It's time I fixed things.'

There wasn't a cloud in the sky that afternoon.

Urahara had sensed Yoruichi's whole, uninterrupted presence before she stepped onto the plot. It'd felt like forever since he'd seen her. He rushed to the front of the shop, sending Jinta and Ururu back inside. She was in human form – not naked, not pregnant.

"Yoruichi," he called. Her arms folded, she stared at him from across the pavement. He debated whether to approach her, but she started walking towards him. She sighed. 'This can't be good,' he thought, seeing her look so serious. He sussed he might be in some kind of trouble. He hated it when she was angry at him. They now stood, face to face on the brown cement.

"Yoruichi-" His eyes shot open when she tightly hugged him. It was like being hit by a car – unexpected. He'd already mentally prepared himself for a beating. Urahara slowly raised his arm to pat her back, but she let go.

"You idiot...I missed you." Urahara lifted his hat, awkwardly scratching his head.

"You're...not angry." She looked up at him, resting a hand on her hip. "How are you?"

"I'm furious," she informed. He subtly gulped. "...But at myself." Urahara shook his head in disbelief.

"You shouldn't be angry at yourself. I wasn't there for you." He looked into his hat. "You've always been there for me."

"Kisuke, it wasn't fair for you to find out like that – for me expect anything from you."

"But that's just it." He looked at her. "You should expect everything from me – we're friends. Yoruichi, I'm really sorry about the things I said. You deserved better." She smiled weakly, resting a hand on his shoulder. 'I suppose I should ask,' he thought. "You look well. You've given birth?" Yoruichi's smile dropped. "How did it go?" Her hand slid off of his shoulder. A gentle breeze tickled them.

"I had a girl, but miscarried. The burial was about a week ago, now. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner." Those words rolled off of Yoruichi's tongue almost too easily, making Urahara feel uncomfortable, then doleful. He wasn't going to pretend to be any sadder than he was. He didn't know the girl – he wouldn't have known if it weren't for Byakuya. He only empathised with how Yoruichi might be feeling.

"I'm sorry." Seeing Yoruichi now, standing tall again after all she'd been through, Urahara thought she was strong. They shared a moment of silence; like they would for a fallen warrior – their daughter. "Did you get to name her?" Yoruichi's face softened.

"Someone I know suggested Sakura." Kisuke smiled.

"Sakura Urahara. Now that's a tongue twister." They both quietly laughed. Urahara continued. "She would have been fearless, loyal and beautiful...like her mother."

"Thank you."

Yoruichi turned around and stepped back, standing next to Urahara with their backs towards the shop, facing the empty road. "To be honest, it hurts, Urahara. It really does. But I now realise I don't have to lose it all." She tightened her fists. "We had no control over what happened, but we can dictate whether we make it through this or not." Urahara popped his hat back on, looking at a single passing cloud.

"You're right. Heck, we've been through worse. A bridge is stronger repaired."

"Exactly."

They didn't have to apologise anymore. All had been forgotten. They would spend this time honouring their unborn child.