WHAT IF...? Chapter 28: Rukia's down with something…

Rukia rubbed at the bridge of her nose in an attempt to soothe the stubborn headache she's had for a while now.

Even though her Fukutaicho, Sentaro Kotsubaki, is very capable and experienced, she still couldn't relieve herself of the pressure she feels as its Captain.

She puts it upon herself, she knows, but she has the standards of her mentors, Kaien and Jushiro, to uphold.

After being shooed out of her office by a concerned Sentaro for a much needed break, she decided to take a walk around the barracks to take in some air.

Having a meal was the most obvious thing to do since she's skipped yet another breakfast, but the idea did not appeal to her.

Rukia recalled the feeling of guilt after refusing to eat whatever her husband had prepared for her days in a row.

A blush crept up her cheeks realizing that it's also been a while since she has attended to Ichigo's needs. The poor soul has been trying to get her in the mood to no avail. While she enjoyed the soft kisses and slow stroke of his hands on her, she just couldn't put herself into it. She would apologize and he would understand (of course). But it tugged at her heart to see him look so rejected.

Rukia took in a deep breath, determined to make it up to him. She has been feeling marginally better so perhaps tonight...

Her train of thought suddenly stopped and everything went black.

She had momentarily regained consciousness, feeling a pair of strong arms around her.

It was not her mate, she was sure, but the presence was nonetheless warm and familial.

"Don't worry, Rukia-chan, I've got you."

She wakes up to the familiar decor of one of the Fourth Division's private rooms.

Rukia panics a little but is in no hurry to prop herself up.

Her vision blurs, the mild throbbing in her head back, but other than that, she seemed fine.

She managed to properly sit herself - back resting on the headboard, legs under the blanket, hands on her lap - then tried to remember what had happened.

Her musings were cut short when a familiar burst of spiritual pressure came barreling down the corridors.

"WHERE IS SHE?!"

Not wanting to agitate him even more, she controlled the urge to shout his name.

The orange-haired Shinigami hurried in.

He said nothing while he kneeled by the bed then wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his face into her chest.

She reached to stroke the back of his head to calm him.

A few others followed him inside.

Rukia gave them all a small smile.

"You should have told us that you were feeling unwell."

"I am sorry if I had worried you, Brother."

"Hey, the Captain wasn't the only one worried about you."

"Good to know you care, too, Renji."

"Glad you are awake, Rukia-chan. You gave us quite the scare."

"Thank you, Isshin-san. It was you...?"

"Who caught you before you hit the ground? I am glad that I came to visit you and chanced upon such a near unfortunate incident."

Ichigo had finally pulled back and the expression on his face broke her heart.

She cupped his face and he rubbed his cheek against the palm of her hand without breaking eye contact.

"How do you feel now?"

"Still a bit faint."

She wished she lied to Ichigo, to all of them, but the charade has gone on long enough. The discomfort she had been experiencing for weeks will not go away by simply ignoring it.

"We're just waiting for Isane. Dad said they've talked and checked on you while you earlier so we should have an idea what's going on."

She nodded; relieved that she was surrounded by her family. Rukia tugged at the sleeve of her husband's Shihakuso and he climbed on the bed and positioned himself beside her so that he could put one arm around her and she could rest her head on his shoulder.

Soon, the Kotetsu sisters came in with Hanataro.

"I must admit that I wouldn't have figured it out if your father had not recommended it."

"I'm a doctor in the human world; I've had practice picking up on these things."

"Figured what out?" Ichigo almost choked out the question. He was starting to pale, expecting bad news.

Kiyone grinned from ear to ear and blurted out, "Congratulations, Rukia-Taicho, you're pregnant!"

"What?"

"What!"

"You're pregnant, Rukia-san." Hanataro repeated, happy for his friends.

"Wait, I, I can't be." she stammered. "I mean, shouldn't I been able to detect if another soul...?"

"That's why I said that I wouldn't have figured it out if it weren't for Shiba-san." Isane said. "It is rare, but it happens. They're suppressing their reiatsu."

"Why would they do that?" Ichigo asked, still trying to digest the news.

He was going to be a father. He was ecstatic, to say the least.

Then…

"Wait. 'THEY?'"

"TWINS MY BOY!" Isshin exclaimed, no longer able to contain himself. "I sensed them as soon as Rukia-chan passed-out. They were worried about their mother."

"Souls with huge amount of reiatsu tend to be overwhelming to those around them. Instinct is to reign it in." Hanataro explained. "Souls conceived into our world are rarely overpowered at such an early stage but given that they're Ichigo-san's I guess it was to be expected."

"Though they would seem to have a better sense of control, which I'm sure they didn't get from him." Rukia quipped to lighten the mood.

It had worked, as the group, sans Ichigo, burst into laughter.

"Another reason why you're more exhausted than usual, Rukia-san, is because the new souls tend to feed off your spiritual pressure. It will do you no harm in the long-run, but you have to be a little bit more aware with upping your reiatsu to balance everything out." Kiyone added.

"If you would like to stay for the night for some consultation and a more thorough check-up on your pregnancy, you are most welcome to do so." Isane offered.

"She's staying." Ichigo said before Rukia could decline.

She wanted to argue but she was silenced by the look he gave her.

Fine. She will concede on this one.

"Your sisters and friends will be thrilled to learn of this!" Isshin cried. "I will send the message out." He stepped closer and kissed his daughter-in-law on the top of her head. "Congratulations, dear."

"Congratulations!"

"Thank you, everyone."

"I'll be staying to oversee the procedure and to make sure my darling third daughter and grandchildren are comfortable."

"Your expertise is much welcomed."

Isshin walked out of the room together with the healers while they continued their discussion elsewhere.

Byakuya and Renji promised to visit again later after their shift. The Kuchiki Head guaranteed that word will reach her lieutenant to update him. He would inform the clan as well. Byakuya nonchalantly added that he will leave 'everyone else' to the reinstated Shiba Head.

As soon as her guests left, Rukia put a hand on her stomach.

A much larger hand covered hers.

Now that they were alone, they had the chance to relish the moment; the initial scare earlier already forgotten.

Rukia looked up to find Ichigo giving her a fond smile. His eyes glistened with unshed tears; genuinely happy.

She smiled, too, and fought back the urge to cry as well.

Their lives were unfolding according to how they wanted it to.

And they will make the most of it.

- END. –

OMAKE (A smidge R-rated)

Rukia found it unnerving that her husband kept staring at her for some reason.

"Ichigo, why do you keep looking at me like that?"

"You're pregnant."

"Yes, we've already established that."

"It explains why your breasts are bigger than before."

SLAP!

"YOU PERVERT!"

"DAMN IT, RUKIA, I'M YOUR HUSBAND, I SHOULD NOTICE THESE THINGS!"

- THE END. -

Author's Notes: Definitely one of those chapters that I will come back to for (probably a lot of) edits.