Secretive Infanticipation
As Byakuya and Michiko stepped out of the Gates, they were surprised to see that Shiro was there to greet them along with the kind 13th Division Captain, Ukitake Jūshirō. Shiro immediately became Byakuya's legitimate son since right after the wedding ceremony Byakuya made sure that Shiro would be legally adopted as his child, thus the boy now uses the Kuchiki surname. With regards to the next clan head of the Sayomi Family, Shiro would still be the next clan head once he reaches adulthood, and should Byakuya and Michiko have a son, he would be the next Kuchiki heir to the clan leadership.
Upon seeing his mother he ran excitedly towards her, Michiko hugged her son and kissed him on the nose. Then the boy timidly looked at his father who was in his usual regal self, save for the twinkle in his eyes and a small smile on his handsome features.
"Good day Shiro-chan" Byakuya greeted him
"Ohaiyo otōsan" Shiro replied, a smile forming on his face. Byakuya kneeled on one knee and hugged his son.
"Your okasan and I brought something for you" Byakuya said and handed him a big shopping bag. The boy cheered in excitement and kissed him on the cheek, surprising Byakuya. He smiled at his son who was ushered by his mother since she knew that Ukitake and her husband would be discussing about the developments on the upcoming war.
Byakuya then glanced at Ukitake and asked "Any news yet sensei?"
"Iie, Byakuya-sama, Hitsugaya Taicho's team are still in the human world, though we noticed that the attacks from the enemy are becoming more frequent. Your sister is here, training with Inoue-san." Ukitake replied
"I see… its good that they are preparing themselves… though you know my views on sending my sister to perilous missions, sensei" Byakuya stated
"But with the approaching war… surely even your wife would engage herself in battle, knowing that her division specializes in combat…" Ukitake commented
"Not if I can help it… " was Byakuya's stern reply. It was then that the truth hit him – he was worried for his wife's welfare, and though he knew of his wife's strength and abilities, still he was worried should she engage herself in the coming battle. Byakuya pushed his thoughts aside and glanced at Ukitake Taichou, who was regarding him quietly.
"I'll deal with it when that time comes, sensei. It seems my wife and son went ahead of us, let's go" he said
In the manor, Shiro was delighted with the gifts his parents brought him. He enjoyed the different ice cream flavors that Michiko and Byakuya bought him. The three of them were in the garden, enjoying the afternoon's breeze as the little boy enjoyed his ice cream, savoring its creaminess, then all of a sudden his asked his parents "Daddy, Mommy am I going to have a little brother or sister now that you came from your honeymoon?"
Byakuya gasped in surprise at his adopted son's blatant question "Your okasan and I… we ahh… we are not yet sure…." He stammered, earning a silent chuckle from his wife who was leaning on his chest as the three of them were in the gazebo, watching the setting sun.
"It takes time Aka-chan" Michiko ruffled her son's hair and giggled when Byakuya secretly tickled her.
"How are babies made Otōsan?" Shiro asked innocently
"Babies are… ahh… " Byakuya mumbled, and this time Michiko was blushing profusely and willing herself not to laugh out loud seeing her husband's usual stoic and regal demeanor disappear and replaced with a deep blush on his cheeks.
It was Michiko this time who explained to her son "Aka-chan, babies are made through the love of a man and a woman especially when they are already married. It is a little complicated to explain it to you right now since you are still very young but when you grow up, both me and your Otōsan will tell you."
"Okay" was Shiro's simple reply. He stood up looked at his parents and he cheerfully said "I hope to have a brother or a sister soon so that Otōsan and I would have another playmate when we play tag" and with that he left to play in the nearby pond.
Michiko was still chuckling and Byakuya joined in, chuckling silently. "Sumimasen hanata" he said later on, his expression solemn.
"Whatever for my love?" Michiko was surprised at her husband's apology
"I wasn't able to answer Shiro's question… I am an awful father…" he said sheepishly
"Of course not!" she exclaimed. "You are not a miserable father, you are still adjusting, and I am sure that when the time comes when we have children of our own, you will be an excellent father to them, Shiro included" she assured him
A smile appeared replaced his troubled features, dimples appearing on his cheeks his face were similar to a young boy's. Seeing him smile endeared Michiko that she kissed his dimple and embraced her husband. Lovingly she looked at him and said "Never worry about being a father to Shiro… you are doing well"
Byakuya smiled at his wife's words of motivation, his smile turning into a naughty grin, he tickled her once more and huskily said "How about we try again…hmn?"
"Ohh you… my naughty Byakuya!" She chided him teasingly as both stood up and went to their bedchamber
The following day, both Byakuya and Michiko reported for duty in their respective Divisions. At the 6th Division headquarters, Byakuya took over finishing all paperwork since his Fukutaichou Abarai Renji was still in the real world with Hitsugaya Taichou's team. He was on his desk, reading and signing the reports, his favorite chamomile tea was momentarily forgotten and only the occasional swishing sound of his brush could be heard every now and then when he would be signing the documents.
Hours passed and he was so engrossed with his work that he failed to take his lunch. A few moments later he sensed his wife's reiatsu approaching and pretended not to notice when she silently entered his room and went behind him. A smile formed on his lips when he felt her arms embrace him from behind and he leaned on her as she tenderly kissed his cheek.
"Ne, hanata… its past lunchtime already… I brought us bento from home" Michiko said. Byakuya pivoted from his seat and his arms glided to his wife's waistline. Suddenly he yanked her, Michiko gasped in surprise as she landed on her husband's lap.
She looked at her husband seductively and traced her fingers on his lips, as he kissed them. Drawing closer, she kissed him gently, moaning softly as her husband deepened the kiss.
"Michiko…Hanata…" Byakuya groaned softly, his grey eyes were dark with desire. Tenderly he caressed her face, as his hand went lower to her collarbone and drifted to lovingly fondle her breasts, eliciting another moan from her.
Her hands were caressing his hair, his lips drifted to her neck, nibbling and sucking her collarbone and it was then that she remembered that they were not in the privacy of their bedchamber but were in his office and anytime the shoji door would open, thus witnessing them both in a very romantic act.
"Hanata… we're… in your office… Michiko stammered as Byakuya continued kissing her neck. He groaned in mocked frustration and looked at her seductively. "I guess we have to wait for later…" he mused.
Michiko laughed at his remark and stood to get the bento boxes she prepared. She placed both boxes in front of her husband and sat on his lap, silently she took a chopstick and began feeding him.
"Hmn…I can get used to this" he teased her. He took another set of chopsticks and as his wife fed him, he returned the favor.
After they consumed the food, Michiko cleared his table and returned the bento boxes in the bag. She kissed her husband passionately and said "I'll be going back to work my love…I'll see you later"
"Wait for me in your office later hanata, we'll walk home together" her husband replied and winked at her. Michiko's eyes widened in surprise as it was the first time she saw him wink. As she opened the door, one of her husband's subordinates was approaching and bowed to her politely in which she returned the gesture. Upon hearing her husband's usual monotone voice as he spoke to his subordinate, she suppressed a grin knowing that her loving husband is back to his stoic, icy demeanor.
As she was nearing her division, Michiko felt faint and all of a sudden she lost consciousness. Her other colleagues saw her and rushed her to the 4th Division wherein she was checked by Unohana Taichou. As she regained consciousness, Michiko wondered why she was in the infirmary, with the 4th Division Captain sitting on the bedside, smiling at her.
"Unohana Taichou, what happened? Am I sick? I've never been sick… is it something I got from the real world?" Michiko rambled nervously as she sat abruptly on the bed.
"Ne Michiko-sama, you're not sick… In fact, you are in perfect health. I'm happy to tell that you and Kuchiki Taichou are expecting…" the gentle captain replied
"I… we… " Michiko said, tears of joy gathering in her eyes. She remembered the times they made love when they were in the real world and marveled at the thought that their child was conceived during their honeymoon.
"Why Michiko-sama, have you not noticed that you are with child?" Unohana asked
"Iie, Unohana Taichou… ahh… do you think my husband would notice it?" she asked
"Knowing Kuchiki Taichou, I guess he would." Unohana replied
"I was hoping to keep it as a secret and tell him on his birthday… it would be a lovely surprise" Michiko replied
"Well, your child is only days old… By that time you still won't be showing by then" Unohana stated. She gave her some medication to prevent her dizziness.
Later that afternoon, as Byakuya and Michiko were walking on their way home, he felt cold and sweat was forming on his brow. He wondered why he suddenly felt sick and hastily told his wife that they should shunpo since he wanted to lie down and rest. As they flash stepped to the manor, Michiko noticed how pale her husband was and once they arrived in the manor she requested for the 4th Division captain to check on him.
Inside their bed chamber, Unohana Taichou checked on Byakuya who was troubled on his condition and requested his wife to wait outside, fearing that if ever he was ill he did not want her to worry. As the shoji door closed, Byakuya turned to Unohana and asked "Is there something wrong with me Unohana Taichou that I should be aware of?"
Unohana gently smiled at her colleague and said "You are in perfect health Kuchiki Taichou. What you are experiencing right now is exactly how a woman would feel when she is carrying a child…"
Byakuya for the first time in his life was speechless. I am going to be a father… Michiko and I will have a baby…the fruit of our love… as the realization hit him, a smile formed on his lips and Unohana chuckled upon seeing her usual stoic colleague show emotion.
"Does she know of it yet?" he asked Unohana who chose to be silent. Taking her silence as an answer, Byakuya smiled widely and told her "I'll keep it first a secret then…"
"As you wish Kuchiki Taichou. I will not divulge it. All you need is rest and you'll be alright" Unohana replied and left the room. As she stepped out of the bedchamber, she saw Michiko at the hall pacing back and forth, nervous on her husband's condition. Hastily she went to Unohana and politely asked "Is he alright Taichou?"
"Yes he is, Michiko-sama. He's just tired and needs rest." Unohana answered
"Domo arigato gozaimasu Taichou" Michiko said and escorted the captain to the gate. As the gate closed, Michiko went to see the servants and instructed them to set up the ingredients she would need in preparing her husband a special meal.
As Unohana was walking towards her division, she chuckled as she thought of the newlyweds. They wanted to surprise each other so much that both did not know that they would get the shock of their lives when they discover that they were expecting twins.
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author's note: yey! this is my longest chapter so far! i know its funny but i noticed that i used to have only around 1,000++ words per chapter and sometimes even shorter... now this chapter is around 2,000++ words! honestly, i enjoyed writing this chapter and i hope you enjoy reading it. : )