Byakuya's Resolve

At Urahara's basement…

The Garganta closed with a strong gust of wind almost blowing off Yoruichi who was holding Byakuya and Shiro. Yoruichi looked anxiously at the Kuchiki noble and though his expression remained composed, she knew deep down that he was worried for his wife's safety. Wordlessly she loosened her grip and gazed at Urahara who was standing on the other side of the platform who only nodded at her and silently watched the scene below.

Byakuya who was clutching Shiro was still in shock upon learning that he and Michiko were carrying twins. He was sure that both of them heard their unborn children talking with each other. He was having mixed feelings: a feeling of happiness knowing that they were having twins as well as despair of having to leave his beloved wife hostage in Hueco Mundo. He looked at Shiro who was trying to hold back tears and silently embraced him, comforting him the best way he could.

Shiro who embraced his father in return was close to crying when he felt dampness on his cheek. When he stepped back he was astounded to see his father's kimono stained with blood - Byakuya's blood since he was stabbed by the charlatan arrancar who shape-shifted as Byakuya.

"Yoruichi-dono, otōsama is hurt!" Shiro cried.

It was then that Byakuya became conscious of his wound and looked at Shiro and said, "Do not worry aka-chan, I will be alright. Your Oba-san (auntie) is an excellent healer"

"So I'm an auntie now eh Byakuya-boo?" Yoruichi teased, sure that the pet name would irritate the Kuchiki clan head.

"Would you rather he calls you Obā-san (grandmother) instead? Byakura replied stoically, in which Urahara who heard the remark guffawed loudly.

Yoruichi grinned and went to Byakuya's side, took off his kimono to check on the wound. Aside from being one of the four noble families and former 2nd Division Captain, Commander of the Secret Mobile Corps, and Corps Commander of the Correction Corps, she excelled not only in demon arts but in healing as well. As she was healing Byakuya, she talked with Shiro who never left his father's side.

"Ne, Shiro-kun, do not worry too much, your father will be alright and we will go back to your mother as soon as he is healed… See? It takes more than a zanpakutou to take down one stubborn and headstrong Kuchiki Byakuya" Yoruichi said as she winked cheerfully at the young noble.

Byakuya only raised an eyebrow at his senpai and remained still as Yoruichi continued healing him.

"D- domo arigato Yoruichi-sama…-hime…" Shiro replied, uncertainty seen on his features, since he was confused on how to address the Shihouin noble.

"It's okay Shiro-kun, you may just call me Oba-san" she smiled then turned to Byakuya who she was still healing, "Are you happy now eh, Bya-boo?" she asked sarcastically.

A slight smirk could be seen in Byakuya's features which made her laugh loudly. After healing him they went upstairs wherein Jinta prepared tea and rice cakes for them. Urahara was already at the table silently sipping his tea.

"How did you locate us Urahara-san, Yoruichi-senpai?" Byakuya asked Yoruichi who was then busy pouring tea in her teacup glanced at Urahara who spoke,

"As you well know, we are no longer in Karakura town but in an undisclosed area in Seireitei. When Aizen opened the Garganta and stepped into what he thought was Karakura town, we sensed Michiko's reiatsu and someone else's'…"

Both Byakuya and Shiro looked at Urahaha who continued, "Yoruichi-san and I already knew that you and Michiko were expecting twins Byakuya-san, though we chose to be silent about it and let both of you tell us the good news. But due to these circumstances, I had to tell you that it was the agitated reiatsu of your unborn children who were able to help us locate you."

"But we never told you that Michiko is with child… how...?" Byakuya stammered, his mind racing with questions.

"When you returned to Seireitei from your honeymoon, Kisuke and I already knew you were expecting but we did not know that it would be twins. It was only on the day you left for Hueco Mundo I saw a Gin' iro Chō on your nape Bya-boo. Then later on I saw another Chō, this time a Momoiro Chō on Michiko's as well. It only implies that your children's reiatsu stayed with each parent. Yoruichi simply stated, a warm smile on her face as she remembered her conversation with Michiko on the store's rooftop.

"So you mean her reiatsu right now is overwhelming not only because my wife is with child but she is carrying twins as well… " Byakuya stated then blurted out, "then it would be more dangerous for her for she would attract a lot of…"

"Yes… a normal shinigami who is with child would have exceptional high reiatsu since in effect the mother is carrying the reiatsu of her child as well. In your wife's case, being of noble blood like yourself she already has immense reiatsu… and since she is carrying twins, she would be an easy target not only on the arrancars but hollows as well…" Urahara concluded solemnly.

"And if…" Yoruichi was about to continue when Byakuya cut her short

"I will not allow that to happen Senpai… I will NOT" Byakuya stated. He knew that if his wife would be defeated whoever would defeat her would not only consume her reiatsu but gain her powers and their children's powers as well.

It was then that Urahara and Yoruichi saw the intensity of Byakuya's resolve. The atmosphere became uncomfortably silent, with each contemplating what would be the next best move, since at that moment the remaining Gotei 13 captains were facing Aizen's army and the other three captains and their comrades were on their way to rescue Orihime Inuoue who was held captive in Hueco Mundo. Byakuya silently finished his tea and gently set the teacup down, looked at Shiro, faced Urahara and said,

"Domo arigato, Urahara-san… I know I'm asking too much but can Shiro stay here for awhile? I'll be going back to Hueco Mundo…" Byakuya said.

"Hai, hai! Absolutely Byakuya-sama! You know that you and your family are always welcome to stay in my humble abode." Urahara replied cheerfully as he gave Shiro another serving of rice cake and gave him a box of chocolate candies as a treat.

"Otōsama you're leaving right away?" Shiro asked as Byakuya stood up.

"Yes… You'll be staying here with Urahara-san and Yoruichi-senpai while I go back to Hueco Mundo. You'll be safe here." He said

"Please take care otōsama…" Shiro said, as tears began to fall.

"Ne aka-chan, do not cry, I will bring back akasama and we'll have the happiest holiday, I promise you that… In no time you would be playing tag with your siblings too" Byakuya said as he embraced his son.

Shiro was crying silently, then dried his eyes and looked at his father. Byakuya gently ruffled Shiro's silvery white hair, smiled gently and said, "You be strong Shiro-chan… for me and your akasama. You will be the next Sayomi clan head and aniue soon and I know that your akasama is proud of you."

The group proceeded then to the basement and as Urahara opened the Garganta, Shiro ran to his father and embraced him. Byakuya smiled gently and kissed his son's forehead. He glanced at Yoruichi and Urahara and walked into the opening.

Michiko I'm coming for you. I will not let anyone or anything harm you or our children… I promise you that.

oOo oOo oOo

author's note: hello again! i hope you enjoy reading this chapter as i have enjoyed writing it, especially the banter between byakuya and yoruichi which was inspired in one of the later chapters of the manga. just loved the chapter in the bleach manga wherein yoruichi teased the younger byakuya in training by taking off his hairpiece and shunpoing off... : )

i'm currently working on the next chapter, thanks so much for reading and reviewing...

ja ne' :-)