AN: This was a doozy to write! I just couldn't seem to get the right vibe for how this chapter goes. Lots of ByaRuki. Fluff, angst, love, confessions, etc., etc. I was trying to keep them in character, but it was nearly impossible. So, I gave up and decided to have them react realistically. I mean, this is an AU, right? :3 Anywhoo, I don't own Bleach, or Byakuya. Unfortunately. :( Regardless, hope you enjoy! :D ALSO! THANK YOU TO MY AWESOME REVIEWERS! You all have made my day so much better! :3

Chapter 6

Rukia couldn't sleep. In the coming week, she and Byakuya had talked some on what she planned to do, but no definite answers yet. She didn't even know for sure that Byakuya was going to allow her to stay. If he changed her mind, how would she take care of herself?... And her child? She set her face in her hands. Even if she had nothing, this child could be a reason to live. To keep on living. To live anew. But if she was going to go through with the pregnancy, what would happen with Ichigo? Renji? If the police got involved, Renji might be able to be a part of her life permanently. And… did she really want that? Her thoughts revolved around her child.. Her unborn child. Could it even be considered a child?

It was a growth, inside of her. Could she go through with carrying a new life into this world? Before she knew it, she dozed off, her thoughts keeping her from a good rest.

Byakuya came inside. A morning walk had done some good to get some perspective on the situation. Rukia must've felt all alone, he thought. At least she won't be now.

He looked around the room to see her eyes shut, curled in the fetal position. It reminded him of when he first saw her. Besides the obvious differences; no blood, and no tears.

He softly took off his shoes, and picked her up bridal style. She snuggled deeply into the sense of warmth surrounding her. He looked tenderly at his angel's face. And he knew what he needed to do.

He could be her guardian angel. And nothing in heaven or earth was going to stop him.

Rukia awoke in the middle of the night, sweating from the fears of a nightmare haunting her. She felt no more rested than when she fell asleep earlier. She felt a warmth covering her, and saw Byakuya over the covers while she was under them. His arm was curled protectively around her waist even in her sleep, and Rukia smiled softly. She reached over and gently caressed his hair, marveling at its silkiness. She did not notice that the grey eyes had slanted open, and were observing her look of wonder and curiosity. Her eyes suddenly met his, and she pulled away abruptly.

Byakuya sat up slowly, yawning. "Is there something wrong, Rukia?" She shook her head no, and quickly laid down. Suddenly, she didn't feel very well. She practically jumped out of bed to sprint to the bathroom. Byakuya was on her tail. Rukia ended up beside the toilet, and Byakuya collected her hair and held it away from her face. He gently rubbed her back as she heaved up the remains of what was in her stomach. He flinched, and turned his face slightly away.

"Erm, what do you want me to do, Rukia?" She said nothing, and he continued, "Please tell me. I'm not very good at this kind of stuff." Rukia smiled wearily at him, and slowly stood up, heading to the sink. Byakuya watched as she brushed her teeth and then released a sigh of exhaustion. How he knew that she was tired, Byakuya didn't know. All he knew was that he was able to read Rukia like a book. He placed a hand on her shoulder and led her back to her bedroom.

He tucked her in, and pushed her hair out of her face. Rukia whispered half asleep, "Why are you doing all this for me, Bya-" she yawned, "kuya?" He smiled as her eyes fought to stay open.

He whispered so quietly, Rukia thought she imagined it, "Because I love you, Rukia."

Rukia awoke a few hours later to find the spot next to hers cold and bare. For some reason she couldn't describe, she felt disappointed. However, she didn't stay that way for long. Byakuya walked in carrying a tray with assorted foods on it. She sat gaping at him, as well as the food. He chuckled.

"I thought I'd bring an assortment, since I wasn't sure what your stomach could and couldn't handle this early in the morning." He pulled out a binder and handed it to her. She took it from him, and lifted an eyebrow.

He explained, "I looked up a few articles on what might help with morning sickness and a few other symptoms you might start feeling soon. I figured it might be a good idea to have a head start on what you may have to go through, if you decide to keep it." Byakuya chose his words carefully. Rukia froze, before looking at him, fear shining in her eyes.

She finally spoke, very softly, "I… I think that I want to keep this child. It doesn't make sense. But it feels like I've already fallen in love with it, despite the circumstances of its conception." She looked at Byakuya, her eyes shining desperately with her need for approval from him. Byakuya felt his heart race at the look on her face. He nodded for her to continue.

"It would be wrong to deprive this child of its life, because it's father was, and is an idiot." Her eyes casted downwards; she could only pray that Byakuya wouldn't revoke his warm welcome. She felt his gaze on her, and dared to glance up. She didn't expect his gaze to be so full of pride and affection. She expected him to pity her, and perhaps even despise her. He finally spoke, his voice thick.

"I will make sure that Renji will not bother you, or your child. I don't want you to overreact when I say this, but I have a very important question to ask you." Rukia looked up at him expectantly.

Byakuya's nerves overtook him, and he deferred to a back-up question, "I have a trusted friend who is a doctor who specializes in prenatal care. Would you mind if she came here to do a prenatal visit with you? If you don't want her to come here, we can go to her office." Rukia thought for a moment before replying.
"Why couldn't you do it?" Byakuya coughed awkwardly before answering.

"I don't have the qualifications or the equipment necessary." Rukia's lips formed an 'o'. She nodded.

"I suppose that would be fine. I… I just don't know what I'm going to do in the future. I mean, you've been so kind to support me thus far, but I don't want to impose on you forever. I mean, that's impractical and rude of me. I-"

Byakuya interrupted her, getting his wits together to tell her, "First of all, you can impose on me for as long as you like. And secondly, I understand that it is a delicate situation with Renji and Ichigo. I was thinking that in order to protect you, we might have to… I mean, Rukia. Will you…" Rukia could tell that Byakuya was getting frustrated, and she smiled patiently.

"What is it, Byakuya?" Byakuya took a deep breath before diving off the edge of sanity.

"Will you marry me?"

Rukia thought that she had just heard a punch line to a joke. She looked at Byakuya's face, searching for answers. She realized quickly that he was serious. As she realized that this man, this handsome man just proposed to her, she began blushing. She could tell that her heart was already warming up to him, and she felt the implications of trusting again. What if he hurt her once he had his way with her? What if he treated her worse than Renji? She looked into his eyes, her own filling with fear and pleading.

Byakuya knew her answer; she didn't have to say a word. He smiled gently as his heart broke. But strangely enough, it broke for what Rukia was experiencing. Not for his possible loss. He tried to reassure her with his steady gaze, and he cleared his throat and spoke gently, "You can tell me 'no', you know." Rukia's eyes widened, and she clutched at her dress in her lap. Byakuya continued, sitting back on his heels, "Or you could just leave it open-ended. I do have my reasoning behind asking you, if you would care to hear it."
Rukia thought, and then coyly nodded, unsure if she wanted to hear what he had to say. Byakuya spoke before she could change her mind.

"First of all, although people in places like America are receptive to pregnancy out of wedlock, you know that people in our country are not as receptive. I hoped that perhaps you might agree to a marriage, so that you would not be embarrassed in any way," Rukia gaped at him. He had thought through so much, and it was for her sake. Byakuya chuckled, bringing her shocked gaze to his face. "Secondly, I want to provide everything for you, as well as your child." She looked up into his face hopefully, yet afraid she would see discrepancies in his statement. However, she continued to see his earnest words, and she knew that he would back them up with force if necessary. He blushed only the slightest under her deep perusal and also with the knowledge of his next words.

"Lastly, but most importantly, Rukia, I.. I seem to, erhm.." Byakuya stuttered. "Let me restart that last part, please." He looked into her eyes, staring into the depths of her icy soul, "I seem to have fallen in love with you."

Rukia felt like she was floating. How was this even possible? She set her gaze on the man with his shoulder-length black hair tied up in a loose ponytail. Her heart caught in her throat for reasons unbeknownst to her. She coughed, and tried to get words to come to her.

"B-Byakuya. I… I am so afraid. What if, in three or four months, you don't want me? What if you fall out of love with me? And… what if I can't provide the love you want in return?" Rukia looked at him; despair furrowing her brow. Byakuya held one of her hands gently, and practically whispered. Rukia had to lean in to hear him clearly.

"Regardless if my love changes for you or not, or if you cannot love me in return," Rukia flinched at hearing her words in the most brutal terms. However, he continued, "I won't leave you, or your child. I don't know why I seem to have fallen in love with you. You could be like any other girl out there! But… you're not. You captured my heart when you clung to me as if I was your lifeline. As I became your lifeline, you became mine." Rukia's eyes moistened, and she squeezed his hand.

Byakuya coughed, "I apologize, Rukia. I do not want to force anything on you; neither do I want to influence your opinion by telling you this. I want you to make this decision based off of what you want, not by my desires." As he stood up to leave and released her hand, Rukia squeezed it tighter.

He stared at her, and she blushed at his gaze. She spoke loudly and clearly, "You think it's fair to say your piece and walk away?" Byakuya chuckled at that, and then sat on the bed next to her. Rukia curled her legs under her, and nervously played with her hair as she continued. "I do not doubt that I have some… physical attraction to you. However," she paused and looked straight into his eyes, "I do not know the extent of my attraction. I do know that you saved my life, and have taken care of me. I would prefer to not be in this situation." She shook her head, but smiled wearily. "I guess not all wishes can come true, ne?"

Byakuya raised an eyebrow worriedly, trying to figure out where in the world she was headed with this conversation.

She took a deep breath and started again, "I would prefer it to be under different circumstances. Boy meets girl, they fall in love, get married, kiss, have kids, live happily ever after." Byakuya stroked the pad of his thumb against her knuckles as she choked out her reply. "I know I can trust you; you saved my life with no reason to. And I know we're doing this in the wrong order. However, I will marry you, for the sake of believing in love again,"

Byakuya smiled genuinely. "No promises!" She yelled as he was oblivious to her frantic yelling.

He felt like he could soar.

AN: I like a happy Byakuya. :D I think that he has a soft side that only a few people can elicit. I am going to be put on muscle relaxants for my back soon! I apologize in advance if it takes me a week or two to get the next chapter up. I have the feeling that I may be VERY loopy on the meds XD I don't want to be writing this story while I can hardly remember my own name. Arigato! :3