Okay folks, I want to send out a super-duper fantastic SORRY that I haven't updated in like THREE months…shame on me. Gah, I was in school over the summer, I vacationed, and just didn't have the energy to revise. So my beta had this turned back in to me way back in September, but I just couldn't get around to it! Real life can really be something. Oh, I did get this obsession of watching the frist two seasons of True Blood (I can't get enough of Bill and Sookie!), and I've done a lot of reading over the summer too (Star Trek, Lovely Bones, Push, Club Dead)…but enough of my excuses! Here is your dose of my epic, please make sure to review! I'd like to know how I'm fairing on this one!

Big thanks to Shenhui for the awesome beta read.

Gift of the Guardian

Written by gokusgirl

Chapter 5

She awoke with a dull ache in her head. And as she rolled over she grimaced; the sunlight that filtered from her opened balcony window hit her squarely in the face. Covering her face with her forearm, Rukia groaned.

The last couple of days had been rough. Rukia did the best she could by sneaking food up to her chambers, but her trips out to the Rukongai was out of the question for now. Renji had been stalking her for days now, shadowing her every step when she left the Kuchiki Estate. So she had to settle for the very drab rations that were left in the kitchen.

Rukia missed the wonderful smells and tastes of food in the human world. She missed using the modern styled toilets instead of the traditional feudal-era squats that were available in the estate. She missed sleeping on an actual bed instead of a cotton-filled futon and neck roll.

Most of all, she missed Ichigo.

The watering of her mouth pulled her out of her thoughts when she felt the pit of her stomach do its usual, morning lurch. Scrambling to her feet, Rukia dashed for the basin that sat on her vanity as she began to vomit. Grasping the sides of the bowl until her knuckles turned white, Rukia threw her head back, letting out a gasp of air. This bout of morning sickness wasn't that bad this time, there wasn't anything in her stomach so she only dry heaved up some dark bile.

She frowned down at the contents in the bowl as she reached over to grab a hand towel, wiping the perspiration off her forehead. She then covered the basin with the towel, thinking to herself how badly she needed to bathe. The bath house in the estate was nice; with its natural setting like you're in an actual wooded forest, complete with its warm, babbling brook. Rukia just wanted a hot shower; to step in the steaming spray of water and scrub herself clean. Yet another thing she missed in the human world.

A knock on the door startled her out of her thoughts, and Rukia turned around, straightening her bed clothing as she rushed over to answer it. Sliding the door open, a young female servant stood there, giving her a curt bow.

"Good morning Lady Kuchiki," The young woman said graciously. "I'm here to clean your room."

Rukia inwardly groaned; hating all the attention she's was getting from the servants. Her brother wouldn't even allow her to lift a finger, saying that the servants could 'assist' her with anything she needed. Rukia felt that people with servants were lazy, spoiled and pretentious. Spending her time in the human world, she knew how to cook and clean for herself, primarily every task her servants were so eager to do for her now.

"Milady… are you well?" The servant asked, her eyes narrowing with concern.

Rukia ran a hand trough her hair as she gave the girl a small smile. "Uh-yes. Why do you ask?"

The servant realized her insolence, and bowed her head. "I apologize, Milady. I have no right to question you."

"No," Rukia told her softly, reaching out to touch the girl's arm and the servant flinched with the sudden contact. "It's alright to ask. I'm not offended."

The servant looked at her wide eyed, surprised that a noblewoman would touch someone as lowly as herself. As she gazed at Rukia, the uneasiness lifted from her stomach as she smiled back.

"Well Milady… you don't look well. Do I need to call the family doctor?" The servant asked meekly.

Rukia paled. Her hand touched her cheek, wondering what exactly the girl saw. "Ah, no… I don't need a doctor. I had a stomach ache last night; but I'm all better now."

The servant nodded, apparently satisfied with the answer she gave. Rukia backed away from the door, allowing the girl to enter her room. She watched her look around to assess what needed to be attended to first.

She panicked when she saw her head straight for the covered basin that sat on her vanity.

"I'll take care of that!" Rukia shouted as she ran over, blocking the servant's path. The girl stiffened visibly, thinking she had done something wrong. Rukia held a hand up at her, trying to smile but failing miserably. "I'm sorry. I will take care of the basin, alright?"

The servant gave a nervous nod. "Yes, Milady." She turned, walking over to the futon to straighten it up.

Rukia picked the basin up and rushed over to the enclosure where her personal squat was located. She lifted up the wooden lid and empted the contents down. As she walked back into her chambers, the servant was opening her balcony doors, airing her room out and allowing more of the sunlight to filter in. Turning around on the balcony, the servant gave Rukia nervous smile as she walked back into her chambers.

"I can wash that basin out for you Milady, if you wish." The girl asked with a small bow.

"Please, don't bow to me… it's really irritating." Rukia told the girl as she shook her head, the basin clutched tight to her chest. The girl looked at her puzzlingly. "I mean… I know that's what my brother wants, but I don't. When you're in my presence alone you don't have to. And yes, I'd appreciate if you would wash this…what is your name?"

The girl's eyes lit up, teetering on the edge of happiness and apprehension. "…M-my name is Sora, Milady."

"Sora," Rukia repeated back at her, thinking to herself it was a rather an unusual name, but she wouldn't tell her on the chances of insulting her. "Well my name is Rukia. You don't have to say that milady stuff when we're alone. Alright?"

The servant nodded, and Rukia knew the girl thought she was off her rocker. And even though she instructed her not to say it; the girl would continue to do so. No one wanted to face Byakuya for being disrespectful to the members of the household, and she would not take a chance of leaving formalities out due to the fear of getting punished. The girl walked up to her, taking the porcelain bowl out of her hands.

"Lord Kuchiki wanted me to inform you that your Women's Soul Reaper Association meeting is today in the garden," Sora told Rukia as she backed towards her bedroom door. "It begins at noon."

Rukia blanched. Rolling her eyes in her head, she ran a hand across her face as she thought of how boring and tedious those meetings were. And she had to go; since her absence Byakuya faithfully attended every meeting, and from what she heard, the ladies there were uneasy of his brooding presence.

"Thank you Sora." Rukia told her, and disobeying her instructions the girl bowed yet again, backing out the doors as she shut them.

This was bad. Rukia had to be in a meeting with over thirty other Shinigami women in a few hours, and she wasn't up to seeing anyone. She felt and looked like shit right now…. And she was so hungry. So very hungry…a hand rubbed her stomach, and she gasped. She hadn't noticed it before, but her belly was beginning to protrude, just slightly. Rukia walked over to the standing mirror to observe herself, opening up her bed clothes to reveal her surprisingly round abdomen. She stood profile; both of her hands sliding across her stomach tentatively as a smile crept over her face.

"Oh…my goodness," Rukia marveled, suddenly feeling a mountain of emotions sweep over her. How far along am I now? Rukia thought to herself, her eyes looking up at the ceiling in deep thought, trying to remember what the doctor told her weeks ago. I was seven weeks then… so that would make me ten weeks pregnant now. Rukia sighed heavily, suddenly feeling elated and terrified all at the same time as she thought of the life that grew inside her.

And then all those emotions swiftly turned into hunger.

Covering herself again, she groaned deeply as her empty stomached growled. She then hurried over to her wardrobe, searching for her Shinigami uniform. If she could make it through this event, she could make it through it all.

"Brother!" Yuzu exclaimed as Ichigo walked into the house. She ran up to him, still donning her apron and holding a wooden spoon from her stir fry. Her smile faded a little when she saw the grim look on her brother's face, and she gripped the spoon fretfully. "We got worried when you didn't come home last night… are you okay?"

Ichigo tried his best to smile as he walked over and patted his sister on her head. "I'm okay, Yuzu. I didn't mean to worry you."

Yuzu nodded, smiling up at her brother brightly, but deep down she could sense that something was wrong. He looked like he was in the midst of contemplating something; the expression he wore was one of dread and regret. Deciding not to pry, she changed the subject. "Are you hungry? I saved your plate from dinner last night…"

"I've ate already, Zu… thank you," Ichigo answered softly. His gaze went up the flight of stairs, and he swallowed thickly. "Is Dad upstairs or down in the clinic?"

"He's down in the clinic, in his office." Yuzu told him softly as she watched Ichigo walk down the hallway that led to the Kurosaki Clinic downstairs.

Rubbing his face with his hands, Isshin gazed at the flat computer monitor, reviewing his savings account one more time. It had been a good summer for him – the percentage of new patients rose from five to fourteen percent. And his returning patients loved him to death – he knew they would never want another doctor overseeing their ailments but him. His lucrative boost was all he needed to cover those last-of-the-minute expenses for Ichigo when he went to Todai. Isshin had pulled a lot of strings – he reached out to many of his colleagues to get Ichigo a private dorm room, and he also had him enlisted in a work study program in the liberal arts department. He decided that if Ichigo did well this semester he would invest in getting him a car, that way he didn't have to use the train to commute back and forth home.

As he shut the computer down, his eyes drifted over the monitor to see Ichigo standing in office doorway. He instantly began to smile, but stopped when he noticed the sullen look across his son's face.

"Ichigo," Isshin said surprisingly as he rocked back into his leather recliner. "This is a first… usually I'd had to drag you down here. But I'm glad you came– I wanted to go over all this financial stuff before we head out on Saturday."

Ichigo mutely walked in, stopping in the front of his desk. Isshin didn't like his body language; his usually slack and slinky body was stiff and visibly shaking. From what, he wasn't sure. He felt impending doom loom over his son, and once Ichigo raised his head to look at his father, he could tell that whatever Ichigo was about to say wasn't going to be good.

"I can't go." Ichigo finally spoke, his voice broken and soft.

Mildly shocked but curious, Isshin's eyebrows rose as he placed his hands on top of his desk, clasping them tightly. "…You can't go where?"

"To Todai." Ichigo answered after a brief pause. He watched as his father's face grew red. He stood abruptly, walking around his desk to look his son squarely in the eye. Ichigo gulped – his father stood well over six foot six, and he looked down at him angrily as he waited for an explanation.

"Care to explain yourself?" Isshin asked evenly; even though his voice intoned a bit of irritation.

Ichigo stuffed his shaking hands into his jean pockets, his eyes now focused on the venation blinds that overlooked his father's desk. He knew the moment the words came out his mouth his father was going to be extremely upset. But it was now time to confess, to admit to everything…

"I… I got…" Ichigo began, eyeing his father and then looking away nervously. "…Rukia…"

"What about her?" Isshin boomed, moving in so close to his son that they nearly bumped chests.

"I…I got her… pregnant." Ichigo admitted as he swallowed thickly, looking meekly at his father's shocked expression. He immediately snatched him up by his shirt, lifting him off of the floor as he gave him a shake. Ichigo was fearfully silent; more surprised that his father could lift him up so effortlessly.

"You told me you we were being safe, Ichigo!" Isshin yelled at the boy, who now cowered at his furious visage.

"Well I lied!" Ichigo spat out loudly, and Isshin grimaced as he extended his arms outward, letting his son's shirt go and he landed on the floor. Ichigo yelled when his bottom hit the floor hard, and he looked up to see his father standing over him. He was fuming, his fists balled up at his sides and he garnished his teeth.

"So quitting college is the answer to this problem?" Isshin asked vehemently.

"There's more," Ichigo told him as he stood, not wanting to get up because he knew his father would only push him back down on his ass again.

Isshin's eyes widened when he heard that. He let out a hearty, sarcastic laugh – slapping his hands on his thighs in exasperated anger. "…There's more? You have got to be shitin' me."

"You know all those times I haven't been home, like last summer?" Ichigo began nervously. "…well I wasn't taking summer vacation in Hawaii like I told you… I was –"

"In the Soul Society, I know." Isshin interrupted him quickly as he rubbed his stressing temples.

Ichigo jaw dropped. His father knew? Blinking, he began to stand as he continued to look at his father with questioning eyes. "…You know about me? And the Soul Society?"

"Did you just think those of yours powers came naturally? Like some out-of-the-blue blessing from the heavens?" Isshin scoffed as he shook his head pitifully. "You're my son, Ichigo. The fruit of my loins… you are me."

Ichigo didn't know what was more surprising. The fact that he got Rukia pregnant, or finding out … "…You're a Shinigami?"

"Of course I was," Isshin boasted slightly. "Let's not divert ourselves from the true topic, alright? Rukia being pregnant is pretty big news. And I'm thoroughly disappointed that you lied to me and allowed this to happen!"

Ichigo hung his head as he chewed on his bottom lip. "I'm sorry Dad… but it doesn't change the fact that she's having my baby."

"Are you sure?" Isshin queried, rising an eyebrow. Ichigo's head snapped up towards his father's direction, and he was unmoved at his son's glower.

"Am I sure of what?" Ichigo breathed; the muscles in his stomach coiling as he heard the doubt linger in his father's voice.

"That this baby is yours," Isshin taunted dryly as he placed his hands on his hips. Ichigo instantly grabbed his shirt, snarling as he yanked his father forward, eliciting a small chuckle from the man.

"Whoa … it's an important question." Isshin explained as he held up his hands in mock surrender.

"It's a pretty irrelevant one," Ichigo snapped. "Especially knowing how I feel and what I know."

"Knowing what? That you slept with her numerous of times with no protection so that makes you the daddy? Don't be ignorant." Isshin sneered.

"You take that back!" Ichigo roared angrily, his face hot and his eyes stinging.

"Are you sure?" Isshin asked him forcibly again, grabbing his son's shirt in turn.

"YES!" Ichigo shouted. "Now take it back!" They both stared each other down for a moment, and Isshin sighed, letting his son's shirt go.

"Fine… I'll take it back," Isshin finally said as he eyed his son from head to toe. "I thought I could sense something strange about Rukia," breaking out of his son's grasp, he turned around, walking back behind his desk. "Her reiatsu felt abnormal when she last came over here."

Ichigo's eyes widened fractionally as he thought about her reiatsu, and how he felt something emitting from her stomach the last time she was in his room… the memory of his hands touching her stomach and sensing some strange, but familiar sensation…

What is that…? He remembered asking her that time.

"Oh my God," Ichigo muttered as he ran a hand through his hair. He sunk into the chair that sat in front of his father's desk, suddenly remembering it all. She was expecting then. And she knew it- but chose not tell him. And then – his memory of her entering the senkaimon drew him into a fit of fear for her life.

"She entered the senkaimon."

Isshin's brows rose with concern. "There's no way she entered that portal with child," he told his son matter-of-factly. "She would never make it through."

Ichigo shot up out of the chair, dashing for the door alarmingly as he heard that. But suddenly his father was standing in the doorway, his hands pushing his son back into the room. Ichigo was perplexed at how fast his father moved in front of him, like he did a shunpo.

"Before you go running out of here recklessly… let's think for a minute," Isshin pleaded with in a reasoning voice. "When did Rukia enter the senkaimon?"

"Three weeks ago," Ichigo answered frantically.

"And she left from Urahara's shop, correct?" Isshin asked.

Still shocked that his father knew so much of what he was keeping from him, he mutely nodded.

"So who else was there when she entered the senkaimon, other than Tessai, Jinta and Ururu?"

"Ururu wasn't around, but Yoruichi was," Ichigo added as he thought of how his father knew these people. His father knowing more about his secret life was too much to process right now. His father's eyes grew wide at the mention of the flash goddess' name. "Why do you ask?"

"Did Yoruichi take Rukia aside while you where there? Behind a closed door maybe?" Isshin further asked.

"Uh-yeah… she did," Ichigo mumbled as he remembered.

"Then it's possible that she gave her something to pass through the portal. Did you ask her?"

"No… I was too busy cursing at her to ask." Ichigo groaned as he rubbed a hand across his face.

"Going off all half-cocked gets you nowhere son, remember that," Isshin chided lightly. "You need to march right back over there and apologize for your behavior earlier, and find out whatever Yoruichi knows, do you understand?"

"But I've already said I was sorry…" Ichigo whined, but was silenced with a wave of his father's hand.

"Go, now." Isshin ordered him as he pushed him out of his office and into the small hallway. "And don't do anything else crazy, got it?"

With a slump of his shoulders, Ichigo scowled at his father as he walked off. "Yes sir."

Rukia felt so rushed. It seemed like she just woke up and now she was being hurried down to the garden located on the Kuchiki estate for the Woman's Soul Reaper's Association meeting. After a dip at the bathing house and quickly dressing, the servants came in to style her hair and give her the speech for the WSRA. Yet another surprise for the day… Rukia was informed that she was the keynote speaker for the meeting, and she was pissed about it.

As she entered the huge corridor that led out into the garden, Rukia flipped through the small cue cards that were given to her. The speech talked about her experience in the human world, and how Shinigami and humans were now working together to bring peace throughout the world. Surely brother wrote this, Rukia surmised; thinking that if she had the opportunity to speak on her experiences in the human world it would be about getting thoroughly fucked into comas by the substitute Shinigami.

That's why I'm in this predicament now, Rukia's conscious told her, and she let a hand rest on her stomach for a second before removing it. As she began to walk out into the garden, Rukia felt a wave of vertigo come over her, and she gripped a hold of the metal railing.

Oh no… not now… Rukia's mind screamed as she lifted a hand to her forehead, rubbing her temple as she looked out into the garden. There were several women already there; the banquet tables were set out and huge paper parasols were erected at each table. The smells of the appetizers filled her senses, and then suddenly they didn't smell that good. In fact, it smelled like hot stinking garbage. Rukia squinted her eyes as she gazed at the women in the garden, and they seem to blur, and double.

Get through this Rukia… pull yourself together… Rukia thought to herself as she shut her eyes tight. She took in a deep breath, and slowly opened her eyes to find Rangiku standing in front of her, her brows furrowed with worry.

"Rukia dear…" Rangiku asked tentatively as she reached out to touch the little death god's shoulder. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," Rukia sighed as she let go of the railing, putting on her fakest smile. "I got a bit dizzy, but I'm fine now."

"Honey you don't look fine," Rangiku noted as she took her friend by the hand, leading her back into the corridor. "You're paler than a bed sheet. What's wrong?"

Rukia felt anxious. It had been weeks since she's been here, and besides Orihime, Yoruichi and Urahara knowing in the human world, she had no one here she trusted enough to tell her secrets to. She could see how Rangiku's worried expression deepened as she fretted, and she wanted to just come out and tell the busty woman of her pregnancy.

It was too much of a risk.

Relenting, Rangiku looked back out into the garden and then back at Rukia. She reached up into her hair, pulling out a sharp hair pin. "Here," She instructed her. "Prick your finger and use the blood to make those cheeks rosy. And once this meeting's done, I want you to tell me what's going on, okay?"

Thankful that she didn't pressure her, Rukia bit back a sniffle as she shakily took the pin out of her hands. "Thank you, Rangiku-chan."

"Whatever. Now hurry up and come out to the garden when you're done. I'll hold off anyone being nosy." Rangiku sauntered off, stopping a curious woman from walking up the corridor and turning her back around, talking to her about the weather and other oddities.

Rukia turned around, holing out her index finger as she gave it a jab with the pin. She hissed as it broke the skin; and she pressed down firmly until a droplet of blood came forward. She dabbed it nervously on her cheeks, looking over her shoulder to see if anyone was looking. After a few seconds, Rukia smoothed her cheeks in circular motions, hoping that the blood didn't look that obvious on her face. Squaring her shoulders, she turned back around, taking in a deep breath as she walked back out into the garden area. She stuck the hair pin in a potted plant as she walked by it, concealing it completely in the dirt. As she walked up onto the small platform, Rukia sat down in her designated seat directly behind the podium.

"Alright everyone, if I can get your attention!" The WSRA president exclaimed to everyone. It was an older woman of Soul Society, and Rukia wasn't sure what her name or rank was. "The 89th annual Women's Soul Reaper Association member meeting is now officially open. Everyone have a seat. I hope you ladies enjoyed the fresh appetizers that the Kuchiki household prepared for us, and we want to extend our gratitude to the Kuchiki estate for allowing us to have our meeting out in their lavish Sakura garden this afternoon!"

Everyone applauded, and Rukia looked out into the crowd to see Rangiku clapping, but keeping her concerned stare right on her. Rukia gave a small nod of thanks to her, smiling as she lifted her hands up and joined in.

"Important things are happening with the WSRA this month," The president began with much excitement as she stood behind the podium. "Next week volunteered members will go out into Rukongai's 78th district to deliver medicine supplies and much needed food. And as you may know, we have our Sunday social this Saturday, and I expect all the ladies to attend!"

Rukia sighed; crossing her leg over the other as she nervously shook her foot. It was getting pretty boring as the president read off all the current events. But her ears peaked when she heard the woman exclaim happily: "Now let's give Rukia Kuchiki a warm round of applause as she gives us a small speech of her adventures in the human world!"

The round of applause drew her out of her thoughts, and Rukia hesitantly stood and walked over to the podium. She looked out into the crowd – it looked like more than thirty women were present. She gave a nervous smile as she pulled her cards out from her obi, clearing her voice as she began to speak.

"Thank you, Madam President. And thank you members of the WSRA." Rukia spoke timidly. Her eyes followed down to the cards, and she quickly began reading the speech. "I have spent six months in the human world, and I am gracious to say that there is no home like living here, in the Soul Society."

The women began to happily applaud at the remark, and Rukia nodded as she continued. "The human world is a complicated, complex place- nothing like the peaceful, traditional world we live in. But there is one thing, or problem we both share – Hollows. In order to keep the natural balance of our world and theirs, the proper elimination of Hollows is not only necessary, but essential."

Rukia raised her head up to look out into the crowd once more, and her vision blurred. She blinked, grabbing a hold of the podium as she paused briefly. She opened her eyes again, and was met with confused stares and whispers.

"..T-that is why the use of a substitute Shinigami is a necessity in the human world," Rukia swiftly continued, her eyes following the words on the card as she felt herself swoon. "…to work as two forces, working towards… one goal…this is our objective and hopefully, our victory."

Rukia looked out into the crowd again, and bit her lip as she felt the vertigo returning. She gazed at Rangiku's face; and noticed how worried she looked. "…this is our objective…" Rukia repeated again without realizing it. Her eyes began to flutter, and for the life of her she just couldn't stand any more. She felt as light as a feather, and before she blacked out all she could think of was how tired she was.

And hungry.

To be continued

Notes: I got the reference of making Rukia's cheeks rosy from a poignant scene in Schindler's List, when the women were being lined up to for selection as the general's housekeeper. If they looked weary or sick, there was a chance they would be killed.

Thanks to everyone who has kept up with this story, please take a moment and send out a kind review. Remember, it's a moral sin to read and not review! Updates will be much faster next time!