16 Twisted Conspiracy

"Byakuya-sama!!!" Michiko called out to him as he slowly limped towards a nearby tree. Michiko was frantic and at the same time wondered why her husband was in Seireitei when neither Ukitake Taichou nor Urahara-san informed her that her husband came back.

"Michiko…" Byakuya stammered, as he leaned on the tree, looking at her wearily. "I've been hurt badly… the others… are still in Hueco Mundo… I was just able to slip out since it was already chaotic when the hollows were sent here and the arrancars were attacking the others. I just wanted to see you safe before I…"

"Hanata… you'll be fine…" Michiko guided her husband in a sitting position and checked on his left arm where she saw an injured tendon. Hastily she performed Hojikuzai, a healing spell to his injuries. As she was healing him she felt something odd, as if there was something in her husband that was missing. Slowly she lifted her head and gazed at her husband and as she met his gaze,

Okasan, that is not otōsan! Her unborn child spoke through her thoughts, confirming her suspicion.

Michiko was astonished that it took all her willpower to not to let her 'husband' notice her discovery. She was debating within herself if this was part of Aizen's plan, since she knew that the former 5th Division Captain's zanpakutou has the capability to fully hypnotize its victim. She was thankful that her child spoke to her, making her fully aware and not to fall under Aizen's hypnotic spell.

Arturo who shape-shifted to Byakuya's form was looking intently at Michiko while she healed him. Ahh… I am right all along… her reiatsu is so delectable I could feel its power… and she's very beautiful too… didn't know that the bastard got married to a shinigami so powerful… and so lovely that even I am attracted to her… now I can lure her in my trap as well as that 6th Division captain since he also has part of t he Sōkyoku… two birds in one stone throw…

What to do… what to do… I have to defeat him but how… he's just too powerful… Michiko was saying to herself as she healed her 'husband'.

"I am alright now… I feel much better…" Byakuya replied, straightening himself up. Michiko smiled at him and stood up. Byakuya followed suit and as he was about to say something, an explosion caught their attention and Michiko went to the site, upon reaching it, she noticed that 'Byakuya' was no longer with her. She looked around and was relived that he was no longer there. Ikkaku and Yumichika rushed to her side, frantic.

"Michiko-san, are you alright?" Yumichika worriedly asked as he checked on her by raising her arms and looking at it from one angle to the other.

"Yumichika-san I am okay. What are you doing?" Michiko asked, and chuckled as she watched her fellow shinigami checking her like a worried mother hen.

"Oi Michiko-san, your arms and hakama is drenched in blood that's why Yumichika here is worried" Ikkaku replied.

It was only then that Michiko realized that she was indeed drenched in blood. It also dawned on her that the explosion may be caused by 'Byakuya' in order for him to divert her attention and for him to make his escape. She looked at both shinigamis and said "We better head back to our headquarters, there's something I need to tell you."

At the 11th Division headquarters…

"Are you sure that it was Aizen?" Ikkaku asked, his expression grim as Yumichika paced back and forth, fluffing his hair as he turned.

"I am very sure. Remember the doll he made before, when he hypnotized all of us, letting us believe that he was murdered? And besides, I already submitted the blood sample to the 12th Division. We will know for sure that it was Aizen who was behind all this, my husband is still in Hueco Mundo along with the others and he is not the type who would leave his duty on impulse." Michiko replied, as she gazed at her two friends.

"Then we must inform Ukitake Taichou and the others on this." Ikkaku said. A knock on the door was heard and they were informed that Ukitake Taichou was in the receiving area. Michiko instructed the shinigami to usher the 13th Division captain in the conference room and as they met him they were surprised to see that the 8th Division captain was there as well.

"Michiko-sama, good to see that you are well" Ukitake said.

Michiko, Ikkaku and Yumichika bowed their heads in greeting the two powerful captains and welcomed them. This time it was Kyōraku Shunsui who spoke.

"The blood sample you sent to the 12th Division was already tested Michiko-sama, and the result was sent to the office of Soutaichou Yamamoto-Genryūsai. This is also one of the reasons why Jūshirō-san and I are here; as we need to speak to you and learn what happened.

"What was a result of the blood sample, Taichou?" Michiko asked.

"The result showed that the blood sample belonged to your husband, Kuchiki Byakuya…"

Michiko was so shocked that luckily she was sitting or else her knees would have buckled. Even Ikkaku who was about to sit and Yumichika who was at that moment refilling their teacups almost scalded himself in disbelief.

"I – it's impossible Taichou… I can assure you, it wasn't my husband who was in Inuzuri at that time… how can that be?" Michiko said, as she remembered that it was even her unborn child who warned her while she was healing him.

She looked at the two captains and said, "Taichou, what if, just what if it was a trap that did not go as he planned? What if he has a blood sample of my husband and used it to confuse us further? We must not forget that he was able to infiltrate the Central 46 Chambers, acquiring my husband's blood sample would be easy for him… for sure he was also able to break in the 12th Division's archives… "

"It's too soon to conclude Michiko-sama, but you do have a point. One thing for certain is that Aizen is indeed making his move and we should really do something fast. Our friends are still in Hueco Mundo and until now we have not receive news from any of them. We should be more vigilant. What happened today can happen again in the future."

"Madarame-san, Ayasegawa-san, how are your squads?" Kyōraku asked the 3rd and 5th seat officers.

"They are getting stronger as we speak Taichou" Ikkaku replied as Yumichika nodded in agreement.

That's good to know. Since Zaraki Taichou is in Hueco Mundo, we will be depending on you when the time comes that there would be another attack in Seireitei." Kyōraku replied.

"You can count on us Kyōraku Taichou, Ukitake Taichou; we will defeat them magnificently." Yumichika added.

"Ahh…I'm sure you will, and having a lovely 4th seat officer with you; not to mention the head of the Sayomi clan and queen of Kuchiki Taichou's heart… " Kyōraku replied cheerfully as he smiled at Michiko.

Michiko blushed at Kyōraku's comment to which Ukitake added happily, "Zaraki Taichou is very privileged to have you in his division. You and Yachiru-san are the only female in his division and both of you have proven your worth being in a division that specializes in combat. It also doesn't hurt that you bring prestige to such a rowdy group, you know.

Michiko chuckled at Ukitake's last remark and said, "Thank you so much for the compliment Taichou, but surely all divisions have its own forte, it just so happens that ours specializes in combat… not to mention that our Taichou is one great warrior as well.

"You're absolutely right. We would be proceeding to Yama-ji afterwards and we'll let you know any developments." Ukitake said.

Later that evening, at the Kuchiki manor, Michiko was at their bedchamber, staring at the garden outside. Her hand gently on her womb as she said a silent prayer for her husband who was presently in Hueco Mundo. Stay safe my love… please stay safe… how I love you…

In Arturo's lair, the uncompleted Sōkyoku was floating as he stared at it, frustrated that his plan of abducting the lovely shinigami failed. Damn that hollow for causing that explosion, had she continued to stay with me I could have captured her and consumed her reiatsu. But since she is married to that 6th Division captain… change of plans. Whether I like it or not, I would be needing Aizen in this, and then continue with my plan.

In Hueco Mundo, Byakuya was watching over Rukia who was being treated by Isane. The other captains were engaged in their own battles. Having defeated the 7th Espada Zommari, he felt that the battle was not yet over and just beginning. He gazed at the sky and thought of Michiko, missing and worrying on her condition. Please stay safe my love… you and our child… I love you so much… wait for me, I will be home soon, and I promise that our child will be born in a peaceful world.

oOo oOo oOo

author's note: hi! its 12:07am manila time and i just finished editing this chapter, i hope you like this one. as for the following chapters, i hope you will enjoy it too since it would have a little suspense in it.

to those who read, reviewed, commented and chose the story as one of their favorites, for the author alerts and story alerts, thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. : )

until the next chapter... ja ne : D