Rukia Baby

by

Mojo-licious

Chapter Ten

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Seireitei..

Unohana Retsu took in the bleak surroundings. The sun had risen, but the skies were dark as it continued to rain. Closing her eyes, she listened as the rains pelted the large umbrella that sheltered her and the sixth division captain. A small smile played on her lips as she imagined her vice-captains shock at seeing such an image. To most Kuchiki Byakuya was an untouchable noble, but Unohana had seen beneath his icy exterior. His actions though questionable, held within them a subtlety that revealed his more caring side. While he had displayed his affection somewhat openly with Hisana, he was often guarded and more reserved with Rukia, which was to be expected considering how the two sisters resembled each other. To live beside someone who resembled the one you loved was a heart wrenching task and Unohana admired Byakuya for his convictions to his late wife. Still, she wondered how the noble would react to his very changed adopted sister. As they approached the fourth division, she could make out her vice-captain standing patiently at the entrance ready to greet her. A surge of amusement flitted through the fourth division captain as Isane stood stiffly with her mouth agape. Unohana quickly took refuge beneath the veranda of the fourth division building while Byakuya put the umbrella aside.

"Isane you'll catch a few flies that way," Unohana admonished softly, while offering her vice-captain an amused smile. Isane's eyes widened as her jaw promptly shut.

"Taicho," the vice-captain managed stiffly as her eyes shifted to the sixth division captain.

Unohana merely nodded and after exchanging a few brief words on the chibi noble's state, the trio made their way towards the room that housed both patients. As they proceeded down the hallway several of the fourth division members peaked out of the various rooms lining the corridor and eyed the back of the Kuchiki noble. It was a rare sight to see him at their division and any chance they got at catching a glimpse of him, they took. Byakuya ignored the soft whispers that went around as he focused more on the task at hand. The fourth division captain had informed him that Rukia had healed completely, though she had reverted to a child like state. He wasn't quite sure what to expect but was grateful to hear that Rukia had recovered. Soon they were at the door of the fourth division office. Byakuya recalled Unohana mentioning that there weren't enough rooms to house everyone. The healer pushed open the door and entered, Byakuya stepped in and Isane followed behind. His eyes took in the office space. Three desks had been pushed to the side with piles of paperwork on top, a testament to the responsibilities those in high posts had to bear. While the clutter of office supplies and chairs had been pushed to the side, two beds were placed in the centre of the room with space apart from each other. Byakuya noticed that a sleeping Quincy was seated on a chair beside one of the beds with the human girl; his hand clasping hers while a drip went into her other arm. Seated in a corner and dozing off was the taller human teen.

A soft grunt caught the Kuchiki noble's attention and he shifted his focus towards the bed closest to him. Ichigo's body was half draped over the bed as he snored softly, his arm pinning something that struggled beneath the covers. Stepping closer Byakuya noticed that the substitute shinigami was draped over his very chibi step sister. Bright violet eyes looked up at him as fingers held onto Ichigo's arm. The toddler stopped to look at the new person with interest. She cooed and then raised her arms up to him. Byakuya watched the small form while taking note of the current situation. If he had his way, he would have used his sword to pry Rukia away from the moronic human.

"It seems she wants you to carry her," the calming voice of Unohana Retsu interrupted his thoughts as his eyes shifted back to the small form looking at him for help. Reaching down he threw Ichigo's arms aside and gently picked up the chibi version of his step sister. He noted that she was dressed in an unfamiliar attire and assumed it was an earth fashion. Despite it he couldn't help but think she looked adorable in the outfit. He noted with mild amusement that she was studying his face intently, something the older version of her would never do. Often she had her head bowed or her eyes pivoted to the grounds when she spoke to him. This unabashed toddler version of her continued to study his face intently, leaving Byakuya unsure on how to respond. Cold eyes glared at a pair of inquisitive violet. Absently Byakuya wondered how his and Hisana's children would have looked like. Perhaps small and cherub-like, with a fiery spirit. Small fingers clung to his garments, pulling on them wanting to climb up higher. It took him a few moments to realize that the feisty toddler was more interested in his white head piece. Tilting his head back he looked at her while avoiding her prying fingers which tried to latch onto his kenseikan.

"Rukia-chan," a voice called playfully. The chibi noble shifted her attention to a brightly colored rubber ducky. Byakuya was grateful for the fourth division captain's intervention as he wasn't sure what to do. Absently he noted that a toy seemed to resolve the issue and made a mental note to keep one on hand in case the toddler went after his kenseikan again. With his current dilemma solved, he observed the exchange between his step sister and the fourth division captain. Unohana squeezed the duck causing it to squeak which made the toddler squeal in delight. Uttering gibberish the toddler pointed to the toy as though inquiring about its name.

"Duck," Unohana informed and repeated the word slowly.

"Duk!" the toddler cooed.

"Very good." The small duck was soon in the hands of the toddler who looked at it in delight.

Isane watched the scene in silence, a small smile tugging at her lips as Rukia turned to Byakuya and thrust the duck in his face. She wondered how her own sister would react to the changed noble. Kiyone was often giving her tidbits of information on the young noble's life. While Shiba Kaien had been the one to soften up the girl, her sister had gotten close to her as well, though she had often complained that Rukia was guarded and often distant at times.

At first Kiyone had admired the Kuchiki household, going so far as to join its fanclub to get tidbits of information on the head of the household, but all that had changed after she visited the place. Isane who had expected her sister to be jumping with excitement, had instead found her slumped against a tree, her face bearing a look of utter disappointment. It had taken hours to coax Kiyone into talking about the experience. She soon learnt the downside of the adoption, how despite being treated as a welcomed guest, Kiyone had witnessed the admonished looks that advisors and relatives gave to the youngest Kuchiki noble and the cruel words they whispered under their breath. Normally Kiyone was more assure of herself; more bubbly out of the two. To see her looking so dejected after the visit had meant the situation at the Kuchiki manor for the young noble was truly bad. Isane despite being the older sister couldn't offer much except a comforting shoulder to cry on. She hadn't realized how much Kiyone's depression had affected her until her own captain had asked if there was anything bothering her. After finally telling her captain what had occurred, she was told that there wasn't much her sister could do but be there to encourage and support Rukia as best she could. When Isane had met with her sister again she had realized that the younger girl had already figured out the solution as a broad smile was plastered across her face. The fourth division vice-captain felt that the distance between them had grown when she realized that Kiyone was more capable to taking care of herself and paving her own paths in life. Evidence of it was later seen at the time of Rukia's execution when the younger girl had broken the rules to help save her friend. In that moment the two sisters had been pitted against each other, while her sister chose to break the rules, Isane had chosen to stand by them, by serving her captain. The tall vice-captain's eyes softened at the thought.

"Isane," a voice called and the woman noticed that her captain was standing right in front of her. Startled she took a step back and almost collided into the door.

"T-taicho?"

Unohana closed her eyes for a few moments rethinking her decision to get her vice-captain to run an errand. The woman was clearly overworked and needed some rest, they all did.

"I think you should rest a bit," Unohana stated.

"But there's not enough beds," Isane replied quickly, not wanting to leave her captain's side.

"One just opened up," Unohana stated and glanced at the empty bed beside the orange haired human who was slumped on his chair still asleep.

"Kuchiki-taicho has already left with Rukia-chan."

Isane nodded at the information wondering how she had missed such a thing. Perhaps rest was an order. She consented to her captain and proceeded to change the sheets. Her eyes drifted to the sleeping occupants of the room. Sleeping with a bunch of humans surrounding her was rather unnerving. Not wanting to displease her captain she grabbed a sheet and slipped beneath it. A yawn escaped her lips and soon her eyelids fell as she succumbed to her exhaustion.

'A few hours wouldn't hurt,' she thought before drifting off to sleep.

Kuchiki Byakuya sighed as he heard female shinigami whispering heatedly about the child in his arms. While there were soft whispers upon his arrival, now there were more pronounced sighs and cooing in the background. Had it not been for all his training in etiquette he would have rolled his eyes as he felt more fourth division members peaking out from whatever hiding places they were in, all trying to catch a glimpse of him. He glanced down at the toddler, perhaps his new 'accessory' as one division member had whispered, was the cause of all this heightened commotion. Either way he wasn't too happy hearing Rukia referred to as a thing and wished to draw his Senbonzakura on the fool who had done so.

"Duk.. Duk.." Rukia giggled as she waved the duck furiously. Byakuya merely looked at her, his mask refusing to budge at her actions. He really needed to get back to the Kuchiki manor before his image was somehow tarnished. His eyes fell onto the umbrella which he had left open to dry at the edge of the building. Leaning down he quickly picked it up and shifted Rukia in his arms so that one arm cradled her while the other clutched the umbrella. Stepping out he continued onwards towards the Kuchiki mansion. The sudden sounds of the rain hitting the umbrella caused Rukia to turn and look upwards. Her tiny hand reached upwards wondering what the noise was. Wanting to know she turned her eyes towards Byakuya and then pointed upwards. Byakuya looked to where she pointed.

"Rain," he whispered, catching the toddlers attention. Rukia turned, her violet eyes focused on him.

"Da," she asked pointing to the umbrella. Byakuya smiled in response, allowing his mask to slip a little now that they were alone.

"Rain," he said a little louder and watched curiously as she looked at him, her fingers curling against his chest as she tried to copy his words.

"Dain.." she copied causing the Kuchiki noble to look at her oddly.

"Rain," he repeated and Rukia nodded, jumping slightly in his arms.

"Dain," she squealed and Byakuya sighed. For a few moments he questioned why he was standing in this forsaken weather trying to teach a three year old a few words. Picking up the pace he continued towards the mansion and paused as he remembered a report he had to finish off at the sixth division. He frowned at his forgetfulness and then picked up the pace. The rains had gotten worse; the torrential downpour was making it difficult to see what was in front of him. Byakuya paused as he felt Rukia tense in his arms. She released the small duck and it squeaked as it hit the wet grounds. The tiny tot turned and buried her face against Byakuya's chest. Her small fingers clutched onto his robes, while trying to hide from something. Turning her head, she gazed at the large form that materialized several feet away.

To be Contd..

Another chappie.. Ahh.. my Easter gift to you all.. Happy Easter .. Yes you probably have more questions.. so I'll tend to the most obvious.. the dragons mark has not been forgotten, just not addressed in this chappie.. more of the pieces will fall into place in the next few chappies.. just want the chibi version of Rukia to have interaction with a few of the people at Seireitei.. More details on the illness will be revealed and Rukia's past before meeting Renji will come into play… so stay tuned and don't give up yet.. Pls review and tell me what you think..