All right, well I hope not to disappoint, this is THE chapter!
Please let me know what you think!
Sorry if there's any errors, I've been rushing around trying to finish my own projects for an Agency.
December 27th…
"All right people, so I have an idea, how about we try to solve this riddle before the baby is born?" Said Ririn thoroughly annoyed; today she and Cloud were wearing their gigais. It was five in the morning and they were having a FOWD meeting in the empty classroom of Karakura High where they always met.
"Well you know it's not exactly easy when you don't even know the freaking person you are investigating!" Said Tatsuki
"I am very disappointed in all of you, it has been over a month and we have barely moved ahead in this investigation at all! Rukia is over four months pregnant; it's starting to show! By the time winter break is over your class mates will be very aware of her situation," Said Ririn.
"We'll find out who he is, I promise," said Ichigo very seriously.
"I know you will Ichigo, you've been trying very hard unlike all these other idiots, you and Orihime are the ones that have brought the most evidence; at least now we know that Rukia's baby isn't normal, so I guess at least now we can do a process of elimination," said Ririn writing on the board. With whom is Rukia most likely to have a powerful child?" Asked Ririn.
"We should cross out Shiro-chan," said Orihime.
"No, we shouldn't, think about it this way, he is very young, and yet he is already captain, the youngest captain in the history of Soul Society, a prodigy; someone like that is bound to produce powerful offspring," said Renji.
"But isn't he too young to have babies?" Asked Orihime.
"Oh no, he's old enough, trust me," said Tatsuki with confidence.
"Yes, you're right Renji," said Ririn.
"Well Byakuya isn't all that powerful, let's eliminate him," said Ichigo.
"Of course he is powerful!" Said Renji defensively.
"You know Abarai, you're not helping your case," said Tatsuki.
"What case?"
"The case concerning your sexual orientation," she said; Renji crossed his arms angrily as his face seemed to glow the color of his hair.
"Well Byakuya-sama is very powerful, but not the kind of powerful that would make the baby freakishly strong, all in all Byakuya's powers are normal for a captain's," said Orihime.
"You're right, so then that makes Byakuya the last in the list," said Ririn; she crossed Byakuya's name on the board, "what about Ukitake? Speaking of which…where are Sado and Nova? They haven't come for the last two meetings either," said Ririn.
"The last time I talked to them Nova had invented a new strategy to spy on Ukitake, but I never heard from them after that," said Ichigo.
"How strange. So what do the rest of you think about Ukitake?" Asked Ririn.
"It's very possible, Captains Ukitake and Kyoraku are amongst the most powerful Shinigami in the Gotei 13," said Renji.
"Yes, and it's a little strange that Chad and Nova disappeared while investigating him," said Tatsuki.
"So then Ukitake is one of the main suspects," said Ririn, "and I don't even have to ask about Ishida, he's the main suspect at the moment since he's the only one that could produce a hybrid with Rukia," said Ririn; Orihime lowered her gaze, no one knew that she and Ishida were dating, and she felt guilty about spying on him.
"Well so far from one to four here's how the suspects go, one being the most probable. One: Ishida, Two: Ukitake, Three: Hitsugaya, and Four; Byakuya. Well that's all for today, meeting dismissed," said Ririn.
"All right, coast is clear," whispered Renji to Tatsuki as they walked towards Urahara's shop making sure that no one would see them. They walked carefully through the streets and then into Urahara's shop; they entered the basement just as Urahara had told them to. They found Urahara laying down on a chair pretending to sunbathe.
"Oh, you're here," said Urahara standing up.
"Is the portal ready?" Asked Renji.
"Yep, just as you wanted it, I still don't know why I'm doing this for you," said Urahara.
"Because you're just as curious about who the father of that powerful child is," said Renji.
"That's right, I wonder if Rukia will let me examine the babe once its born to understand its abilities better," said Urahara thoughtfully.
"You really think Rukia is gonna let you experiment on her child? In your dreams," said Tatsuki.
"A man can dream if he wants," said Urahara, and they walked towards the portal.
"Don't forget to run," said Urahara as Renji and Tatsuki went into the portal.
"You're crazy, I'm not going to do that!" Exclaimed Tatsuki walking out of the closet dressed and painted like a Geisha; she and Renji were inside a boutique in a Geisha house in Soul Society.
"Come on, it's the only way you can spy on him up close."
"But don't you think he will suspect something, it isn't everyday that a Geisha turns up in your house as a gift!" Screamed Tatsuki at Renji as three women tried to hold her down while another attempted to place a wig on her head.
"I know that; why do you think I chose today? Today is the anniversary of Kuchiki-taichou becoming a Captain; you will be a present sent to him by Kyoraku, that pervert always sends other captains Geishas for their anniversaries; one of the guys in his squad told me he wouldn't be sending any this year because of some problems when he sent that freak Mayuri Kurotsuchi one last year, tore her limb by limb for a research experiment," said Renji wincing when he remembered in the state that they found the girl's dismembered body.
"Then won't Byakuya suspect that it wasn't Kyoraku that sent the Geisha?" Asked Tatsuki relieved that the women were done with her.
"My captain doesn't know a thing; only the members of squad eight and I know about it," said Renji.
"Argh fine! But you owe me for this Abarai, you owe me for this big time," said Tatsuki standing up.
"Here, keep the change," said Renji giving the women a large amount of money; the women seemed thrilled and echoed a girly, "thank you Abarai-kun, always so nice…we'll be sure to thank you by sending you one of our girls…" Renji smirked.
"Pervert," mumbled Tatsuki.
Ichigo, and Rukia were at Orihime's house where Orihime had offered to make Rukia breakfast. Rangiku, Hitsugaya, Cloud, and Kon were also there. The only ones eating at the moment were Orihime and Rukia; Ichigo had no idea how Rukia could stomach Orihime's cooking, then again the strange food probably appealed to her because of her pregnancy.
"Inoue that was a lovely meal," smiled Rukia, "could I please have some more?" She asked; everyone looked at her shocked, except Orihime who seemed overjoyed.
"Yes of course, coming right up," she said brightly standing up and leaving to the kitchen.
"Well, I will be going for a walk now," said Hitsugaya standing up.
"I'll come with you," said Rangiku walking after him; Kon and Cloud followed after them not so discretely.
Rukia grabbed a donut and dipped it in curry; Ichigo looked at her oddly. She looked at him questioningly, and widened her eyes when he gave her a mischievous look and attacked her with tickles.
"Ichigo stop it!" laughed Rukia lying back on the floor as he straddled her and continued to tickle her.
"Nope, not until you stop eating such weird things!"
"Ichigo don't! What if you hurt the baby?" She said still bursting in laughs and giggles; then he stopped and looked down at her womb seriously.
"I would never hurt him, he knows that, and so do you," he said looking sincerely into her eyes; his amber eyes piercing into her soul.
"Ichigo…" was all she could manage to say, and then she gasped when he placed a kiss on her bump; she closed her eyes at the feel of his soft lips through her shirt. He ran his lips around her navel and then placed a kiss on the nub beginning to form inside her navel. His face leveled with hers and began to draw closer to hers. He ran his hand on her cheek and pressed his lips softly to hers. Rukia returned the kiss but then pulled away hesitantly.
"Ichigo…we can't…this isn't right."
"Why not? We both care about each other," said Ichigo a bit embarrassed and blushing madly, he was never the type of guy to be expressive with his feelings
"Stop it Ichigo, you don't know what you're talking about," said Rukia nervously turning her head to the side so he wouldn't see the doubt in her eyes, she herself didn't believe what she was saying. He held her chin and turned her to look at him.
"You're wrong; I do know what I'm talking about," said Ichigo, her doubts made him bolder; he found himself going out of his comfort zone to prove to her that this was true; he kissed the corner of her lips. Rukia gave in and was about to kiss him when Orihime walked in there and gasped.
"I'm so sorry Kurosaki-kun and Kuchiki-san I didn't mean to look," said Orihime embarrassed running out of the there; Ichigo immediately got off of Rukia.
"We'll talk about this later," said Rukia blushing as she stood up and walked to the kitchen to find Orihime.
Orihime was leaning on the kitchen sink looking very shocked, she had always known of Ichigo's feelings for Rukia, but he never imagined that seeing them together would hurt this much. But why did she feel like this? She was with Uryu after all, she loved Uryu…right? Why did it hurt so much seeing Ichigo looking at Rukia that way…touching her that way. Orihime shook her head and turned on the water faucet; she took water with palmed hands and wet her face.
"Orihime?" Said Rukia walking over to Orihime, she was very gentle because she knew very well how Orihime felt about Ichigo.
"I'm sorry Kuchiki-san, I shouldn't have walked in on you like that," said Orihime forcing a smile.
"No, I'm the one that's sorry, it was just a tickle fight, it's something Ichigo does to make me feel better with the mood swings and all," said Rukia; what she was saying was partly true, but not for their previous actions.
"Oh it's okay, you don't have to explain anything, really," said Orihime quickly; Rukia smiled at her.
"Rukia! Rukia!" Said Tessai as he walked into the kitchen.
"Is something wrong?"
"Urahara wanted let you know that you need to come to the shop today in the afternoon to pick up your new gigai, and Unohaha will be coming to give you your checkup," said Tessai; Rukia sighed.
"I've been changing gigais like I've been changing socks, oh well, I'll be there, I'll probably have to sleep there again. I guess Ichigo will have to tell his sisters to cancel movie night," said Rukia annoyed.
Renji and Tatsuki were standing in front of the Kuchiki estate; Tatsuki looked at the large luxurious gates and was about to run away but Renji held her back.
"Is there really nothing else we can do?" Whined Tatsuki.
"This is the only way; if you don't manage to get him drunk, which-I-think-will-be-the-case-because-my-captain-is-a-man-of-manners, then you will pour this truth serum in his tea and he will unknowingly answer every question you ask him," said Renji placing the small flask in one of her pockets.
"What if it doesn't work?"
"Oh it will, now go get him!" said Renji slapping her behind; she was about to protest but they reached the guards.
"Present for captain Kuchiki from Captain Kyoraku," said Renji; the guards snickered and looked Tatsuki up and down.
"Nice…last year's was better though," said one of the guards; Tatsuki was about to react but Renji gripped her shoulder painfully hard.
"Well then, we'll be on our way," said Renji dragging a very angered Tatsuki along.
They took the tea and sake and walked to Byakuya's quarters Tatsuki looked very nervous; Renji signaled her to relax and then knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" Asked Byakuya from the other side.
"Lieutenant Renji Abarai."
"You may come in." Renji opened the door and immediately bowed; then he walked inside and Tatsuki walked in after him with the tray of tea and sake. Byakuya looked at Renji and then back at Tatsuki indifferently; Tatsuki's reaction was however very different; her jaw practically dropped at the sight of the gorgeous man in front of her. 'So this is Rukia's adoptive brother…' she though.
"A present from Kyoraku-taicho," said Renji.
"All right, you may leave," said Byakuya indifferently as he sat down on the table and kept on looking at the wall; Tatsuki didn't know where to start so she just stayed there. After noticing she didn't do anything he grunted and then finally looked at her, but rather coldly.
"Are you not supposed to serve my needs, woman," he said coldly.
"Wh…what kind of needs..?!" she said beginning to panic.
"Do not worry, using your type for such purpose would insult the Kuchiki name ," he said simply. She grew angry at how much of a snobby jerk he seemed, but didn't do anything about it.
She sat in the front of him and served him sake; she was trying to be as graceful as possible but failed horribly; she spilled some on the table and Byakuya glared at her. He reluctantly took the sake and drank it. She quickly poured him more but he declined it.
"I will have tea now," he said; Renji was right, she would have to use the truth serum after all. She and Renji had mixed the truth serum in the tea earlier, so she didn't have to worry about having to pour it while he was in front of her. She poured the tea, this time very gracefully, and he drank it; a smile instantly graced his face, the questioning would begin.
"You must be a very busy man Kuchiki-sama, being a captain and the head of the Kuchiki household and all, do they allow you to have breaks during the summer?"
"No, a shinigami never has vacations, needing such unproductive time only shows weakness," he said stoically drinking more tea.
"Did you at least enjoy your summer?"
"Shinigami do not feel foolish human emotions such as joy…but yes, I suppose my summer was rather pleasing."
"Why? Did you have good company?"
"Kuchikis only surround themselves by valuable people, though some of them may be somewhat unintelligent, they are all very talented."
"Any valuable women?"
"Why do you ask this?" He asked suspiciously.
"Oh I…I've always been interested in the lives of Shinigami women, I was considering becoming one myself," she lied.
"Well yes, the Shinigami women are all very admirable; they are powerful, intelligent, and graceful," he said.
"And your sister Kuchiki-Rukia? Is she among them?" She asked; Byakuya paused for a moment, and then turned to look at her.
"Yes, Rukia is a very admirable woman, but that is only expected, she is after all a Kuchiki."
"Well, from what I hear, she was adopted, tell me Kuchiki-sama, have you ever looked at her as more than a sister?" she asked immediately; Byakuya looked at her and poured the tea from his cup to the floor.
"I do not intend on continuing this conversation. I had the servants switch the teas. Kyoraku-taicho's present arrived this morning, apologizing for not sending a Geisha today…I only let you get this far along to know what you were after…and who you were with, you can come out Abarai, it's over," said Byakuya; a very embarrassed Renji walked in through the door.
"Kuchiki-taicho you must for-"
"Do not say another word Abarai, I did not expect you to act in such a barbaric manner, if you want to know who the father of Rukia's offspring is then ask her, I will not be involved in such matters," said Byakuya suppressing the outrage in his voice as he stood up indignantly.
"But Kuchiki-taicho…"
"Leave Renji; your job is to protect Rukia, not to be spying on others," he said; a very embarrassed Renji left with Tatsuki close behind him.
"It is time for such nonsense to end, Rukia will have to reveal the truth once in for all," sighed Byakuya as he sat back down by the table.
Orihime and Ichigo were in Ichigo's room going over more evidence; Ichigo felt like everything seemed to be point out to Ishida. It was eight at night and they had been going over this for more than three hours.
"Well, I think it's time for me to go," said Orihime.
"All right I'll walk you outside," said Ichigo.
They walked down the stairs and Orihime walked out the door; Ichigo was walking back upstairs when Orihime burst in through the door soaking wet.
"I had never seen such horrible rain Kurosaki-kun, do you have an umbrella I could borrow?"
"Ugh…maybe I should have my dad take you in his car, I don't think an umbrella could help much against that," said Ichigo looking outside, it was raining sideways because of the strong winds.
"Dad!" Said Ichigo looking around the house, but no trace of his family could be found. Then he found a note, gone out for dinner, be back at ten.
"Oh well, you could stay here if you'd like, I'll let you change into some of my clothes," said Ichigo as they went back in his room, he took a t-shirt and some sweat pants and gave them to Orihime.
"I'll be in the kitchen watching TV and making something to eat, you can sleep while my dad gets here if you want," said Ichigo.
"Thank you Kurosaki-kun!" Said Orihime.
"You're welcome," smiled Ichigo, and he left the room.
Rukia was walking back to Ichigo's house, Unohana and was done checking up on her and she had succeeded in getting a new gigai. She almost didn't leave Urahara's shop because of the rain, but luckily it stopped moments ago.
Once she reached Ichigo's house she saw that the living room was empty; she was glad the family wasn't home, she and Ichigo had a lot to talk about right, not only about their progressing relationship, but she decided it was about she told Ichigo who the father of her baby was. She walked upstairs and into Ichigo's room; she saw a figure on the bed covered by blankets and smiled. The lights were off but she could see a bit of ginger colored hair poking through the blankets. She walked carefully towards the blanket so that he wouldn't hear her.
She closed her eyes and opened the blankets; she leaned down for a kiss, but opened her eyes before she did, and was shocked. It was Orihime, it was Orihime in Ichigo's bed, she was wearing his clothes, and her hair was wet. Her eyes immediately welled up in tears and she ran out of there.
A couple of minutes later Ichigo walked into the room to get his textbook; he felt Rukia's reiatsu in the air, but she wasn't here. He looked over at Orihime, and then suddenly it struck him; he ran out of the house in search of Rukia.
Ishida was sitting by the dining table; Soi Fong was sitting in front of him. He was surprised to see her there, for the past three weeks she hadn't seen her; she had not come to the house and she had also been missing from school. He wanted to question her but she had a frustrated look on her face.
"Where have you been?" He asked suddenly.
"That does not concern you," said Soi Fong coldly, but then her expression changed from coldness to curiosity, "why do you ask?"
"Well, I guess I was a little bit worried," he admitted; she blushed for a second but then returned to her cold self.
"I thought I had a lead on the undercover Hollows at the private school, but they just turned out to be two imbeciles with a strange infatuation with cemeteries," said Soi Fong.
"Soi, when are we going to inform the others about what is going on in Karakura Town?"
"It's Soi Fong to you, I have never allowed you to address me in such a familiar manner…and as for you question… I have a feeling that the truth will be revealed very soon," said Soi Fong; suddenly Renji walked in through the door.
"What's your problem you baka don't you know you need to knock?!" Said Ishida furiously standing up.
"Go easy on me will yah, I just humiliated myself in front of Kuchiki-taicho," said Renji sitting down by the table.
"How did that happen?"
"Long story," said Renji knowing he couldn't tell Ishida.
Rukia was running through the streets of Karakura town; it started raining again but she didn't care. She kept on running until she slipped on a puddle and fell. Once on the floor she didn't stand up, she remained there crying and looking disgusted at her own reflection on the water.
"How could you have expected him to love you, you baka, he's strong, pure, and look at yourself, you're nothing, you're not even pure anymore, he deserves better, he deserves someone that will wait for him, someone that wasn't tainted by another's hands!" she said to herself slamming her fist on the puddle. Suddenly she felt it, that undeniable presence it was a….
"Hollow," said Ishida suddenly standing up, "and Rukia's there!" Renji looked at him horrified and the two left after her, Soi Fong was going to go but they urged her to stay.
Orihime woke up with the sudden presence of a Hollow, a very strong Hollow, and Rukia was there…she stood up immediately and ran out of Ichigo's room.
Not so far away from where Rukia was Ichigo felt the Hollow's presence; he was horrified to see that it wasn't just any Hollow, it was an Arrancar…
Rukia was horrified to find the Arrancar in front of her; she immediately stood up and swallowed the Chappy pill thereby exiting her gigai. She released her Shikai and ran towards the Arrancar, and began to fight him. They fought that way for a while; he received a couple of wounds while she herself was stabbed on the shoulder. She struck him again, and he kicked her sending her crashing against a light pole. Just as she was about to perform the first dance, an excruciating pain overcame her and she clutched her womb falling to the ground. The slim purple-haired Arrancar approached her and picked her up by the throat and surveyed her body. He licked his lips and placed a hand on her womb.
"What delicious reiatsu," he whispered in her ear, and her eyes widened, "I think I'm gonna go ahead and take it now, you wont wind will you?" He said biting her neck gently as he began to undo the sash on her uniform. She closed her eyes tightly as she felt his breath on her neck. However, nothing happened; she felt herself freed; she was about to fall to the floor when a familiar pair of arms caught her, it was him.
"Rukia, enough is enough, it would be best for the others to know," he said; she opened her eyes to look at him but her view was blocked by the raindrops falling on her face. She was content with feeling him; his hair cascading down to her shoulders. She felt her friends' reiatsus approaching, and at the same time felt him stiffen.
"The truth will be revealed tonight Rukia; I will see you then," he said placing a kiss on her forehead and then setting her on the ground; in an instant he was gone, without a trace of reiatsu.
Rukia wiped her eyes and opened them to see Ichigo approaching her with the others behind. Ichigo immediately cradled her in his arms and embraced her.
"Rukia I'm sorry, nothing happened I promise, it was the rain…she needed to borrow….I'm so glad to see you Rukia," said Ichigo not knowing where to begin.
"It's all right Ichigo, I believe you," she said smiling at him; suddenly he froze when he felt the presence of another Arrancar, two of them actually. One of them attacked him and sent him crashing away from Rukia; meanwhile the other one got to Rukia and stabbed her on the other shoulder.
"Rukia!" He was about to run to her when a very unexpected person killed the Arrancar that stabbed her and lifted Rukia's chin up with his finger, running his eyes over her body to check her injuries, it was Espada number four, Ulquiorra.
The look in Rukia's eyes appeared crazed; he had never seen such horror in Rukia's eyes, but he could not understand why she appeared so frightened, she had seen him before in the past, and never had she looked at him that way before. Ulquiorra smirked, and to Ichigo's surprise, nibbled on her hear and placed a kiss on her throat before releasing her.
"Stay away from the shinigami, it is time for us to return now," said Ulquiorra to the other Arrancar, and in an instant they both disappeared.
Rukia fainted but was caught by Ichigo before she hit the floor; the others ran over to them and Orihime immediately began to heal her.
"Was that Ulquiorra? But I thought he was dead," said Renji shocked.
"Well, he's not," said Ishida; he didn't seem so surprised. Once Orihime was done, Ichigo picked up Rukia in his arms and looked at the others.
"I'm taking her back, she needs her rest."
"I'll send Cloud, Kon, and Ririn to take care of her; come to the Urahara shop after you drop her off, I think it's about time you all know what's really happening," said Ishida seriously.
Once Ichigo dropped Rukia off he wasted not time in leaving to the Urahara shop; once he got there, Ishida, Orihime, Renji, Urahara, and Yoruichi were already there. He sat down and looked around the table.
"So what is this about Ishida?"
"This is about the father of Rukia's child."
"It's you isn't it?" Said Ichigo angrily; Ishida looked at him shocked.
"Of course not! Is that what you thought all along Ichigo?!" Asked Ishida shocked, "Kuchiki-san would never go out with me, and she isn't exactly my type either!" he said laughing; no one noticed but Orihime looked relieved.
"So then, who is it?" Asked Ichigo; Ishida stopped laughing and looked serious.
"During the summer six of us were sent to Hueco Mundo to investigate strange activity; strange activities that involved Aizen, Ichimaru, Tossen, and other Espadas,"
"But Aizen is dead," said Ichigo confused.
"No Ichigo, he's not, it's a complicated story really, and I am sure that when Captain Hitsugaya and Rangiku get here they will be glad to explain to you what is happening. Well, Rukia was also there. We were sent in two groups of three; she was in my group. Something happened to Nemu, and I had to run to her aid; Rukia stayed behind because she was fighting other Hollows. Then when we returned, Rukia…" he was speechless; he looked very guilty and depressed.
"Rukia what?"
"Rukia was raped by Ulquiorra, Ichigo, Ulquiorra is the father of Rukia's child," said Ishida; everyone around the table looked shocked; infuriated Ichigo grabbed Ishida by the collar of his shirt and shook him.
"It's your fault! This is all your fucking fault!"
"I know, and I am sorry, I should have been there to protect Rukia, I cannot express how guilty I feel about all of this, I haven't even had the courage to apologize to Rukia or even bring up the subject," said Ishida; Orihime placed her hand on Ichigo's shoulder to calm him down; then Ichigo let go of Ishida.
"So then, Ulquiorra? Ulquiorra is the father?" Said Ichigo; still in disbelief and sorrow.
"You're wrong Uryu Ishida, Ulquiorra is not the father, Rukia was pregnant before she left to Hueco Mundo," came a voice from outside; they all turned to see Ukitake walk in through the door.
"What?" Said Ishida surprised.
"So then…?" Asked Ichigo.
"Even you don't know everything that's going on Uryu, and believe me, there is much more to the Aizen situation than meets the eye, and it is time for you all to know the truth, not just of Rukia's pregnancy, but our present dilemma," said Rangiku walking in through the door.
"Well in that case, who is the daddy of Kuchiki-san's baby?" Asked Orihime.
"I am," came a voice from outside; they all stood in shock as a tall handsome man walked in through the door, he was tall, lean, graceful, and above all, noble. His dark gray eyes looked at them coldly, even now, his perfectly symmetrical chin and nose held high in the air with poise.
"Byakuya," said Ichigo shocked, unable to say anything else.
Next Chapter...
...will be all about explanations, and you will all know just what the hell is going on!