Basically, a filler. I never meant to include it in the story but I decided to do that - a sort of "response" to the Reviews and PMs I got from you.
[keep it up, by the way, I enjoyed all of them :)]
-s.
Byakuya watched Ichigo leave. The older man was actually surprised by Ichigo's sudden outburst. But more importantly, he recollected the boy's last remark. He needed to find his sister as soon as possible.
He made his way to the 13th Division barracks. Rukia was busy doing some paperwork and seemed to be deeply in thought. She didn't notice Byakuya at first, just sighed heavily and put another piece of paper on top of the pile to her right. Byakuya was about to speak up, when Rukia placed a hand on her stomach and rubbed it delicately.
You will have to accept it otherwise you will spoil your beloved family's name.
Byakuya's eyes grew wider as he recalled Ichigo's words. He looked at Rukia once more and focused on her reiatsu. After a couple of seconds he noticed it; the almost invisible spark of live inside her.
His sister was with child. She and Renji actually managed to conceive a child.
This changed... everything.
"Nii-sama!" Rukia's finally noticed her brother. She stood up quickly. "Do you need anything?"
"Rukia," Byakuya answered. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine, Nii-sama. What are you doing here?" She seemed genuinely surprised.
Byakuya didn't say anything but looked at her body. She followed his gaze and blushed when she realised that he knew about her pregnancy. She swallowed but approached him slowly.
"Nii-sama, I..."
"Hush, Rukia," Byakuya interrupted her. "It's hardly the time and place to discuss it. The ceremony will take place in a month's time. Is that satisfactory?"
"Of course, Nii-sama."
Byakuya turned to leave but he stopped at Rukia's call.
"Nii-sama, thank you," she said relieved.
However, Byakuya frowned and looked at her disapprovingly.
"Don't. The situation is beyond my control. Besides, I expected more reason from you and my lieutenant. Sending Ichigo to inform me about your plans did not make the situation easier, either."
Rukia sobered instantly hearing Byakuya's harsh words. Byakuya sighed and approached her again. He gestured her to sit down and he joined her on the floor.
He was angry that Renji sent Ichigo, instead of talking to him personally. Not that he would instantly agreed if that was the case. Byakuya believed that having an informal relationship with his sister was acceptable as long as they were careful to avoid such situations. He decided to give Renji his consent only after he was appointed a captain. His position in Gotei 13 was strong, so that moment was only a matter of time. Appointing Renji a captain gave Byakuya an argument for in his struggle with his family opposition. Before that, he would never agree for the two of them to formalise their relationship.
But no. They were not careful. They made Byakuya unable to act accordingly to his plans and now it was upon him and the council to face the social responses. He could only imagine the annoying whining of the councilmen. That annoyed Byakuya.
Rukia sat in front of him in silence.
"Rukia," Byakuya said, "I am not a fool to ignore these very special circumstances. Thankfully, your state is beneficial for both of you. And I can be only thrilled to hear about the new addition to the Kuchiki clan. It is the way you handled it that makes me upset."
"I'm sorry, Nii-sama. And please, don't harbour a grudge against Ichigo. He did it only because we asked him." Byakuya's lips pursed in a hard line at the mention of Ichigo. Another matter to deal with. Rukia must have noticed his impression because she added quickly: "Where's Ichigo, anyway?"
"At home, I believe."
"Kuchiki manor?"
"The living world."
Rukia frowned.
"Why would he… You had an argument, didn't you?"
Byakuya chuckled humorlessly.
"You could say so."
"Nii-sama, what happened?"
Byakuya raised his eyebrows.
"He was behaving like a child again. Not that I expected more from him."
"Nii-sama!" Rukia exclaimed.
"Why are you looking at me like that, Rukia? We both know that Ichigo is still an immature child at times. It only proves how much he needs to learn yet."
"But I thought that you… I mean, you two have been together for months now. How can you say something like that?"
"I am not saying anything that is not true, Rukia. Besides, we both know that Ichigo would never take an offence should he hear me right now. Just as I am not annoyed at his constant disrespectful remarks about me."
"With all due respect, Nii-sama, but why are you even with him?" Rukia asked thoughtfully, making Byakuya grimace. "You two are so different. And Ichigo…" She stopped abruptly. She took a deep breath. "He is my best friend. I don't want him to get hurt."
It wasn't a secret that he and Ichigo were different like fire and water. It didn't, however, stop them from making their odd relationship work. It was too easy to act according to the unspoken rules of their relationship: no overt attachment, no other men and no hard feelings. They had absolutely different characters, but trying to change them would be simply an unnecessary and impossible burden. They've got used to ignoring the other's flaws. Of course, they argued a lot, but it only made their reconciliation more… intense.
Ichigo getting hurt? Because of him? That was an absurd. Especially, after what the boy did this afternoon.
"Don't bother, Rukia. I'm sure Kurosaki is all right. And even if not, that is not my concern anymore."
"What do you mean, Nii-sama?" Rukia was actually worried. "What happened today, Nii-sama?"
"Ichigo left. He clearly said that he no longer wish for me to see him anymore. I don't think I must say more, Rukia."
His sister looked at him disbelievingly. She opened her mouth to say something but changed her mind. Byakuya himself didn't feel like going into the topic right now, greatly annoyed not only at Ichigo's child-like behavior but also the fact that they boy decided to part with him without actually giving them chance to make up.
In meantime, Rukia managed to find her voice.
"Nii-sama, I'm so sorry. I never wanted for it to happen. I... I can't even believe it. He was too in..."
"It's fine, Rukia. It was bound to happen, sooner or later," Byakuya interrupted her, somehow irritated.
Rukia inclined her head but Byakuya couldn't miss the spark of sympathy in her eyes. The older Kuchiki only huffed internally. It was Kurosaki's fault that even his younger sister pitied him now.
"Yo, Ichigo, you here?"
Surprised, Ichigo looked up to see Renji standing in front of his house. the Redhead wasn't wearing his gigai. The Substitute Shinigami jumped to his feet and went outside to greet his friend.
It's been almost a week since the incident with Byakuya and since then, Ichigo has never heard anything from him or Rukia. Renji's visit wasn't expected either.
"Renji!"
The lieutenant smiled happily but otherwise said nothing. He scratched the back of his head nervously. Ichigo wondered what happened.
"I'm here just for a short visit. I must go back to Seireitei as soon as possible," Renji said, pulling out an envelope from his kimono. "It's an invitation for our wedding, in a month's time."
Ichigo smiled and took the paper from Renji's hands eagerly. He intended to say something when he noticed how nervous Renji actually were. A bad feeling appeared in Ichigo's head. As soon as he saw Renji, Ichigo knew that Byakuya saw through his anger and agreed to marry the two. Could there be more to it than he thought?
"What's going on, Renji?"
"You see... We wanted to thank you. Me and Rukia. And we also wanted to say that we are sorry you fought with Kuchiki Taicho because of us. We never thought..."
"It's all right, Renji," Ichigo interrupted him quickly. It wasn't their first serious fight. They will eventually make up. "I'm fine."
Renji winced.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. Why? You are behaving funny today?"
"It's nothing. If you say so, then it's ok." Renji looked around tensely. "I must go. There's a lot to prepare. I'll see you on the wedding."
And before Ichigo could answer, Renji literally ran off, leaving stunned Ichigo on the street. What the hell happened to him?