18 Revelation
Michiko was on her way home from the barracks when she felt her son Shiro's frantic reiatsu. On instinct she shunpoed to the manor and true enough, she saw her son being lead by 'Byakuya' towards a Garganta opening at the garden.
"Oh Kami! That impostor got Shiro!" Michiko frantically thought as the Garganta was about to be closed. Acting upon instinct, she completely masked her reiatsu and shunpoed ahead of the two inside the Garganta. Upon reaching Hueco Mundo, she hid herself in one of the crystalline boulders and since her reiatsu was completely hidden, neither her son nor 'Byakuya' noticed her presence.
"What happened to okasama, otōsama?" Shiro innocently asked his 'father'.
"She followed us here in Hueco Mundo and was badly injured. She asked me to bring you to her." 'Byakuya' told him. Shiro who completely trusted his father followed him as they proceeded to Las Noches. She followed them and as 'Byakuya' and Shiro approached the crystalline cave, 'Byakuya' uttered a spell and a secret entrance appeared. Her reiatsu perfectly masked, Michiko followed the two and 'Byakuya' led Shiro in one of the quarters and told him to wait for him and his mother there.
As 'Byakuya' left the child he walked along the corridor and before entering another room he shape-shifted to his original form. Michiko upon witnessing this almost gasped aloud in shock and terror since it was then she realized that even the reiatsu of her husband and his blood type was perfectly imitated by the arrancar.
Alone in the hall, she silently walked to the quarter where Shiro was being kept and felt the door to check if it was secured with any kido spell or arrancar spell to detain her son. As she suspected, the door was made of a material similar to a lethality stone that weakens one's reiatsu.
How could I enter without weakening myself? She thought of her present condition and weakening of her reiatsu might affect the child inside her. Then she remembered something she and her father used to do when she was younger. Being of noble lineage, aside from having extraordinary reiatsu a number of their clan has a special ability to communicate through telepathy with their offspring; Michiko and her father have that ability. She hasn't tried it with Shiro though.
Guess its now the best time to try it. Michiko thought and focused herself in trying to communicate with her son.
Meanwhile, inside the quarter, Shiro was beginning to worry on his parents. As he looked at the window, he thought of hearing his mother's voice in his head. Aka-chan… okasan is here…
Okasama, is that you? Where are you? Shiro replied. Michiko smiled when her son responded to her. It's good that the Sayomi blood is strong in him, she thought.
I am here outside, I could not get in, the walls of the room you're in drains reiatsu… can you still stand aka-chan? Michiko asked her son
Hai, I'm alright okasama, I feel a little weak though. Is it safe for me to come out? Shiro asked.
I'm right outside aka-chan. Michiko replied.
The door slowly opened and Shiro stepped out of the room. Michiko hugged her son and continued to speak to him through her mind so that no one would hear them and said, We're in enemy territory aka-chan. It was an impostor who took you here earlier; your otōsama is still in battle with the others. We need to escape from this place.
Gomenasai okasama, I thought he was really otōsama, I never suspected… Shiro said as tears were forming in his eyes.
Iie, do not cry. I am not blaming you and your otōsama surely will not blame you. These arrancars are not only powerful, but wily as well. They will not hesitate to grasp once they see an opportunity to create havoc to us and also to mankind. Aka-chan, I know you are able to fight, but when I say that you escape please do it, okay? Promise me that… Michiko said as she held her son dearly to her, uncertain of what would happen to them since they were in enemy territory.
I promise okasama… Shiro said bravely, not wanting his mother to worry more. As they walked down the hall, both heightened their senses in watching out if there was an approaching arrancar. Shiro looked out of the window and could not believe his eyes when he saw a glimpse of a shinigami with haori fast approaching.
Otōsama! Shiro thought as he saw the fast approaching shinigami and looked at his mother who drew out her zanpakutou. I sense him too aka-chan, but we must be very cautious... Michiko told her son as they walked the corridor.
Be prepared aka-chan, I sense someone approaching. Michiko warned her son and true enough, a lesser ranked arrancar turned towards their direction. Both mother and son hid themselves in one of the corridors' intersections and as the arrancar approached, Michiko rapidly and quietly slashed the arrancar with her zanpakutou. Michiko silently gestured her son to stay close to her and as they walked, both were aware of the approaching reiatsu of Byakuya, but Michiko was cautious that it might not be her husband but the shape-shifting arrancar.
Byakuya was at the hall when he sensed the reiatsus of his wife and son. They're close by, he thought as he cautiously walked towards his family. As he approached an intersection he was surprised when he saw a shinigami in his exact likeness walking ahead of him. His reiatsu was perfectly masked that he was sure that the arrancar did not sense him. When he was about to perform Senka on the charlatan arrancar, he felt a sting on his ribcage and was surprised that he was stabbed by the impostor Byakuya.
"BYAKUYA !!" Michiko screamed, alarmed that her husband was stabbed.
Byakuya was astounded to see his wife being held captive by said arrancar and quickly shunpoed to where Shiro was standing. Swiftly he was able to grasp their son and as he held him, a Garganta opened and was surprised to see Yoruichi at the other side.
"Byakuya!! Step in quick!!" Yoruichi called out.
Michiko was relived to see the former 2nd Division Captain and Shihouin clan leader for she worried for the safety of her husband who was wounded and their son, Shiro.
"But what about Michiko?!" Byakuya gasped, as he led Shiro with him to the Garganta.
"I'll be fine Hanata, you must be treated first!" Michiko called out.
Byakuya silently cursed in frustration and looked at his wife who was being held captive by the arrancar. Though his expression was stoic as usual, Michiko saw worry in his eyes and as she was about to speak it was their unborn children who spoke for both of them…
'Imoto-chan, take care of otōsama' the Momoiro Chō who was residing with Michiko told his sibling.
'You too aniue, please take care of okasama… we will come back for you', the Gin' iro Chō replied.
Both Michiko and Byakuya were astounded of what they both heard that both were unable to move. It was Yoruichi who shunpoed to Byakuya's side and took him and Shiro to safety, and cried out to Michiko, "We'll come back for you immediately!" as the Garganta closed.
oOo oOo oOo
japanese translation:
imoto - younger sister; as for imoto-chan, i used the honorific 'chan' which is used as familiarity and endearment, especially to young girls
aniue - a more respectful term for older brother
author's note: its been a long time since my last update and i deeply apologize... had to take care of my elder sister and my own shiro-chan had mumps last week... and im happy and thankful that both are doing okay now. :-) as for the updates, im now back and i promise to really update the soonest.
as for the story, yes - byakuya and michiko are having a boy and a girl... and they would take part on the later chapters too. :-) now the question is... are they going to be fraternal or identical twins... suggestions are most welcome! you could send it either thru the review section or pm.
... and again my deepest thanks to all who read, reviewed, for making the story in their alert and one of their favorites, i really really am honored. :D
till next chapter... ja ne'