This I Promise…

Byakuya and Michiko went to their apartment and made love. As both cuddled, basking in the afterglow of their passionate lovemaking, they could hear music playing; probably one of the unit owners of the condominium was playing his favorite music collection.

Michiko faced her husband and gazed at him lovingly. "Where did you learn that song you sang to me awhile back, hanata?" She asked

Byakuya smiled tenderly at his wife and softly replied, "I heard it once, in the manor. Rukia borrowed that kid Kurosaki's music gadget that they call ipod and was singing along quite loudly. The lyrics caught my attention. I got curious and asked her to lend it to me… it was a nice song and it was Rukia who said that the song seems to be dedicated to you since your zanpakutou, Ryū Hoshi is a dragon star, and the way you carry yourself reminds her of one of the famous actresses and models she admire in the human world., who are called as superstars."

Michiko blushed at her husband's reply and tucked her head under his chin. He laughed at her shyness and lifted her face to level with his. His fingers tenderly caressed her lips which parted at his caresses and kissed her lovingly. Michiko melted with desire in his kisses and kissed him back ardently. Byakuya hugged his wife closely and both listened to the music playing…

Say goodbye
When I can barely say goodnight
If I can hardly take my eyes from yours
How far can I go?

Walk away
The thought had never cross my mind
I couldn't turn my back on Spring or Fall
Your smile least of all

When I say always
I mean forever
I trust tomorrow as much as today
I am not afraid to say I love you
And I promise you
I'll never say goodbye

We're dancers
On a crowded floor
while other dancers leave from song to song
Our music goes on

On and on
And if I ever leave your arms
I really would have traveled anywhere
For my world is there

When I say always
I mean forever
I trust tomorrow as much today
I am not afraid to say I love you
And I promise you
I'll never say goodbye…

Michiko was touched with the song's lyrics and being quite emotional due to their pregnancy, she broke into tears. Her husband who fully understood her condition held her tenderly. For some reason, she felt that the song's lyrics were made for them. Byakuya held his wife tenderly, wiping away her tears and whispered "There's no need to be sad hanata… I know that you are thinking about the approaching battle with Aizen's army, and there will come a time that both of us would engage in that battle"

"I --" Michiko stammered, surprised that her husband knew what was on her mind.

"Michiko… whatever happens, always remember that I love you, and will always love you… if ever I go to Hueco Mundo, no matter what, I will come back, I will make sure to come back to you." Byakuya tenderly said

"Is that a promise?" Michiko asked

"I promise" Byakuya said

Having heard her husband's resolve, Michiko gazed at him, her eyes shining with love told him, "And I will hold on to your promise. Byakuya, no matter what happens in this coming battle, in the end we will be together, always. We will have children… the manor would be filled with laughter, our children's laughter… our laughter… I promise you that."

Both looked at each other tenderly and sealed their vow with a kiss.

They returned to Seireitei the following day, and immediately reported in their respective Divisions. At the 6th Division headquarters, Byakuya was finishing the last stack of documents he was signing when a fluttering Hell Butterfly broke his concentration. He held out his hand and left hastily as the message was conveyed to him.

At the 1st Division headquarters, he was informed along with the 13th Division captain Ukitake Jūshirō that the reiatsus of both Rukia and Renji suddenly disappeared in Seireitei as reported to them by the Patrol Corps of the Onmitsu Kidou. Byakuya's expression was as unreadable and stoic as ever, though Ukitake Taichou was surprised upon hearing the report. Yamamoto Soutaichou talked with them and after a few moments, both left the captain general's headquarters.

"Ne Kuchiki Taichou, do you have any idea on the whereabouts of Rukia-san and Renji-san?" Ukitake asked

"Yamamoto Soutaichou ordered us to retrieve Hitsugaya Taichou's team in the human world, which Zaraki and I did. As soon as she arrived in Seireitei, whatever she did afterwards is no longer my concern. My sister is already of age and I know that wherever she is right now she knows what she is doing." Byakuya replied

Ukitake nodded and a small smile played on his usual pale features. He looked at his former apprentice and said "Rukia-san indeed has grown up… and I am proud of her." And with that he left.

Byakuya chose not to divulge the information he knew about his sister and his Fukutaichou, thinking that the less people who knew their whereabouts, the better; though he permitted his sister to rescue the young Ohirime Inoue, he was worried for her safety. That evening, as Byakuya arrived in the manor, he searched for his wife and found her and Shiro at the gardens, as he approached them, he felt his problems were lifted, seeing his wife and son brought calm to his troubled mind.

Michiko sensed her husband and turned her head, smiling at him as he approached. She embraced her husband and kissed him tenderly and asked "would you like to have tea first before dinner or would you rather have it afterwards, hanata?"

"Whatever you wish hanata, its alright with me" Byakuya smiled and looked at his son who approached him.

"How are you, young master?" He teased Shiro who blushed at his father's greeting

"I am fine, otōsan, thank you" beamed Shiro and chuckled when his father gently ruffled his silvery white locks. Shiro adored his father and like Byakuya, he too wore his hair long and there were times when Byakuya would tease his son that the kenseikan he usually wore to signify his being a clan head looked much better on Shiro than on him.

Michiko looked lovingly at them as she went to the dining area to inform the help that the dinner she prepared earlier would be served instead in the teahouse, since she sensed that her husband was tired than usual and wanted him to relax more. Dinner was served and the three enjoyed the meal. Conversation was light, ranging more on Shiro's training and the coming holidays. The impending war with Aizen's army was momentarily forgotten as they had dinner like any normal, loving family.

Later on, Byakuya and Michiko were in their private bath house, relaxing in the warm water. Michko leaned on her husband's muscular frame, her husband's arms around her lovingly. Both were silent, savoring the tranquility of the atmosphere and the company of each other. Gently Byakuya's hands caressed his wife's flat abdomen, lingering there, silently speaking to their child growing inside his wife. Michiko sighed in contentment at her husband's caresses, a smile on her lovely features as she was thinking of how her husband would react when the time comes she would tell him that they were with child.

Aka-chan…though you are still tiny and we have not met yet, always remember that your okasan and otōsan loves you very much… Byakuya thought, hoping that his thoughts would be heard by their child

Arigato otōsan… a child's voice seemed to pierce in his mind. Byakuya was startled for a moment and smiled that their unborn child conversed with him.

Always remember that I love you and your okasan very much, I will always protect you… always. You, your okasan, Shiro-nii and I will have great times together… we are excited on your arrival aka-chan. Byakuya added.