The Ties that Binds

Chapter 1

Standard Disclaimers Apply

Spoliers: Up to HM Arc is fair game  though it would just be tiny, tiny, bits… you

Probably won't even notice!

Anyway, got back yesterday from my work trip. I could have done better, all I had to do was stand there and TALK. I couldn't even do it properly… On a good note, last week training only magnified what I've always thought… I'd rather work in a more analyst capacity… ehem, enough of my sob story and on with the fic!

I'm still going through all the fics here and hopefully I can start leaving comments!

I will also respond to your comments later! Thank you for all your welcome!

Ehem… this chapter will take place a year after the prologue. Orihime was already four months pregnant by that time… and there have been instances I heard where women didn't even know they were pregnant until they were ready to give birth because they still had their period… and Orihime doesn't exactly have a 'normal' pregnancy…

All the gaps will be in form of flashbacks…

Ichigo? His disappearance will be explained… later.

The Ties that Binds

Chapter 1

One Year Later…

Laughter filled the living room of the Kurosaki household as Don Kononji's 'Bwa ha ha ha' escaped from the television screen. Karin Kurosaki shook her head in disgust as she stared at her sleeping nephew.

She smiled as the baby continued to sleep in her arms. Hime-nee had been so tired lately; she offered to take care of Sora. Little Sora. Ever since her father showed up with Orihime almost a year ago, their life changed.

They welcomed Orihime into their family, and the prospect of having a niece or a nephew added to the excitement. Her father changed most of all. He was still the silly, and the biggest dork there was within a ten mile radius, but she didn't miss the way her father's eye would wander around their house, as if he sensed something, or someone. His posture was always alert, as if he was expecting a fight.

Orihime became Hime-nee to them, because she was family now.

She had no idea where her brother went, and as much as she loves him, she hated him at the same time every time she looked at the girl… the woman he left behind.

"Is he still sleeping?"

Karin nodded as Yuzu approached them. "I'll take him, you go rest now, you have classes tomorrow morning, right?"

"Yeah… just be really careful, he's just fallen asleep."

"Is Hime-nee sleeping now?" Yuzu asked softly as she took Sora from Karin and cradled her nephew in her arms.

"Yeah. It took a while for me to convince her to take a break."

Yuzu smiled. "Sora-chan can be so naughty!" Both sisters looked at Sora, who looked exactly like their older brother. Even at such an early age, Sora's head was full of orange hair. "When do you think he'll be back?"

"Who knows?" Karin replied with a scowl.

Yuzu looked at her sister with disapproval. "Karin… you know Ichi-nii will come back."

"I… I know. It's just… would it kill him to just say pick up the phone and say 'hi'?"

"Ichi-nii will come back for Hime-nee and Sora-chan. If he's not here, then there's a good reason!"

Karin just nodded in response. She pushed the guilt of not having enough fate in her brother aside. Yuzu was right, their brother will come back. It was just every time she saw Orihime and Sora, it was so wrong not to have her brother next to them.

"I have to go, make sure you don't wake Hime-nee when you put Sora-chan back to his crib."

"Okay…"

-8-88-8-8

"I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

The Shinigami turned abruptly at the sound of the voice. His eyes narrowed as he saw the man in the living room now standing before him in Shinigami uniform…

"Who are you? How dare you wear a Shinigami uniform?"

Isshin smirked. "I don't think you heard me, boy. Leave."

Makoto Kiba sneered. "You don't know who you are dealing with."

"On the contrary, it's YOU who don't know who you're dealing with." Isshin replied with a grin.

"Makoto! Stand down!"

Makoto looked in surprise as he saw his captain appear before him. "Hitsugaya-taichou!"

"I told you to stay in the next district."

"Hitsugaya-taichou! I… I was drawn here. I can't explain…"

"Return to your post."

Makoto didn't argue and bowed before he left.

The child prodigy looked at Isshin and bowed. "My apologies."

Isshin shrugged. "I already expected that one of you people will come around sooner or later." Isshin cleared his throat. "Hime-chan and her son are off limits, I hope you know that, Hitsugaya-taichou."

Hitsugaya turned his attention to the sleeping Orihime through the window and watched as Yuzu carefully laid the baby in the crib.

"You can't hide him forever. If someone like Makoto Kiba was able to sense a reiatsu that weak, others will too."

Isshin nodded. "True." Isshin let out a sigh as he looked at Shinigami captain. "What will your move be now, taichou?"

"Aizen is on the move. We have unconfirmed reports that he is gathering his forces. He hasn't given up yet. He will come back for her, and if he finds about the boy…"

"Is this your way of offering Soul Society's assistance?"

Hitsugaya looked away and turned his attention on Orihime. "I can sense that her powers have grown, but we both know it's not enough. It's in Soul Society's interest to make sure she and the boy stay safe."

The two watched Orihime and Sora sleep.

"I will request for more patrols in this area. You can expect more of us to be around."

Isshin didn't reply as he watched the young captain. "I see."

Hitsugaya gave a small bow before he disappeared, leaving Isshin alone in his thoughts.

The thought of Aizen returning and taking Orihime made his blood boil. If Aizen did find about Sora, there was no doubt he would take the baby too. "Where the hell are you, Ichigo?"