Momoiro Chō and Gin'iro Chō
The four Taichous together with their Fukutaichous and Michiko left for the real world at dawn. As they entered the human world, it was Yoruichi this time who greeted them instead of Urahara, who at that moment was at the underground training area with Tessai preparing the opening of the Garganta.
Byakuya noticed that Michiko was silent most of the time, and when no one was looking; he tenderly gazed at his wife and held her hand. When they were on their way to the underground training area, Byakuya stepped aside and told Yoruichi that he and Michiko would follow shortly.
As the door leading to the training area closed, Byakuya silently went to his wife and embraced her lovingly, inhaling her sweet scent of lavender and chamomile. He knew that his wife's warrior side would never admit that she was worried for his wellbeing, since they would be treading to unknown territory upon entering Hueco Mundo. He chose not to tell her this since he did not want her to strain herself especially in her condition. His dark grey eyes gazed lovingly to her cerulean orbs; his hands cupped her face and solemnly said,
"Hanata, I will be back before you know it… always take care my love…you and Shiro-chan. I know how much you wanted to join us, but for now you are needed in Seireitei… your division needs you, your Taichou has confidence in you, Ikkaku and Yumichika in running the division while he is with us." Byakuya said; his fingers tenderly caressed his wife's cheeks.
She was wearing the betrothal scarf he gave her, and tenderly Byakuya took it off it and wrapped it around her, styling it the same way he usually wore his scarf. Michiko felt again the magic of the scarf as Byakuya lovingly wrapped it around her. He looked at her lovingly and kissed her tenderly on her forehead, his lips warm and soft. He inhaled his wife's sweet scent, closed his eyes as he cherished her. I love you Michiko…how I love you… you are my heart… my love… my soul…
Michiko was fighting back tears, willing herself not to cry in front of her husband. I will not cry… I will not cry…I need to be strong, I have to be strong…not only for us but for our child growing inside me, she thought. She braced herself then looked up at her husband and smiled, placed her arms around him and kissed him lovingly. Byakuya kissed her back, with all the love and passion he has for her.
"Aishiteru Michiko…hanata…ja ne…" Byakuya whispered in between kisses.
"Hanata…aishiteru…I'll see you soon" Michiko answered back, kissing him lovingly.
Urahara beamed at them as he saw them approaching. The Garganta was already opened, ready for them to step in anytime. Jovially, he said "I'll see you soon nakama… say hello to the youngsters and Aizen-sama for me"
"Hah!" Zaraki replied, his smile menacing as he was the first one to enter the Garganta.
"Yay! Yay! Yay! Ken-chan is very excited! Let's go!!!" shrieked Yachiru who suddenly appeared under his haori.
"Ku ku ku ku…" Kurotsuchi uttered; his expression unreadable under his masked face. His Fukutaichou Nemu silently followed him as they entered the Garganta, followed by Unohana and Isane, who waved to Michiko.
Byakuya was the last one to enter and before he stepped in, he looked at his wife lovingly and though his expression remained stoic, his eyes conveyed his feelings for her "Aishiteru hanata… ja ne".
And as the 6th Division captain turned and stepped into the Garganta, Michiko was surprised to see a tiny glowing Gin' iro Chō at her husband's nape. Our baby's reiatsu is with him, she thought. Take care my child… stay safe with your otōsan… I love you. Michiko thought, hopeful that their child's reiatsu would hear her thoughts.
I will okasan… I love you… replied their unborn child. Michiko was surprised upon hearing their child's voice on her head. Tearfully she smiled; her hand touched her womb and said a silent prayer for her husband and their child's reiatsu.
It was this time that the reiatsus of the twins who were in the forms of a Gin' iro Chō (who was residing with Byakuya) and Momoiro Chō (who was with Michiko) were communicating with each other.
'Take care… take care of otōsan too… ' the Momoiro Chō said to its twin
'I will… you too… take care of okasan. Stay safe…' replied the Gin' iro Chō
The Garganta emitted a strong gust of wind as it closed, which Michiko held her scarf to prevent it from blowing off. As she did so, her nape was exposed to Yoruichi's view who was behind her at that time. Yoruichi gasped for the second time as she saw a Momoiro Chō at Michiko's nape. Earlier she already saw a Gin' iro Chō at Byakuya's nape and she was so surprised at her discovery that Urahara was almost yelling at her startled form.
"Yo, Yoruichi-sannnn!!! Stop spacing out!" Urahara kidded his best friend.
"Ahh... ano… its nothing, I'm just tired that's all." Yoruichi reasoned out, hoping that her alibi would not make Michiko suspicious.
As the three left the underground training area, Yoruichi was closely watching the young shinigami. In the living room, Michiko turned to Urahara and Yoruichi and said, "thank you so much for accommodating me, I have to go back to Seireitei, I still have a division to take care of along with my comrades."
"You are always welcome Michiko-sama, if you feel bored don't hesitate to drop by, ne?" Urahara replied. Michiko smiled at them and as Urahara opened the Gates, she bowed to them in respect and stepped inside the portal. As the Gates closed, Urahara looked at Yoruichi and said,
"I know why you spaced out earlier… I saw it too…"
"Futago…Kisuke… they are having twins!" Yoruichi dazedly said. Then turning to Urahara, she looked at him solemnly and stated,
"Then all the more we must watch over her. It pained Bya-boo when he lost Hisana, now that he is in Hueco Mundo, we have to watch over her. It has been centuries since the last set of twins from a noble family was born and you know that it's a rarity for nobles to have twins… their reiatsus are different… special. I just hope no one other than us know this."
"I know Yoruichi… we'll watch over Michiko then." Urahara said, his face grim.
In Hueco Mundo…
As the four Taichous and their Fukutaichous (except Renji) were walking towards the reiatsus of their comrades, Byakuya felt that he was not alone. He kept the feeling to himself and spoke through his thoughts.
Aka-chan… are you with me? He asked, sensing his unborn child's reiatsu.
Hai, otōsan… I'm here with you… his child replied. Are you mad that I chose to stay with you, knowing that you would go to battle?
Iie, Aka-chan… I am not mad. Can you try hiding your reiatsu while we're here? I want you to be safe, my child and I don't want your okasan worrying too much. Byakuya replied, a small smile curving on his lips.
Yes daddy, I will. His child replied. Moments later his child hid its reiatsu perfectly that even he could not detect it. Arigato aka-chan, daddy and mommy are proud of you… now let me battle those Arrancars and find your Auntie Rukia and our allies…
Byakuya and his comrades continued walking, and felt the weakened reiatsus of Rukia, Ichigo, Renji and the others. Zaraki could no longer hold back and dashed to the battle site, this time he did not get lost as he always did.
oOo oOo oOo
Translation:
momoiro - pink
gin'iro - silver
cho-butterfly
futago - twins
Author's Notes: thank you so much for reading and commenting on the last chapter as well as for suggesting baby names for the twins... i really appreciate it.
special arigato to: lillix vail, nalintood, zammy and bella68 for taking time to read and review, my heartfelt thanks... and i hope you'll stick with me till the final chapter of byakuya & michiko's story : )