ByaItaSensei back with another installment of the love story of Byakuya and Ichigo, along with thier son, Ryu!

Just cant believe its been almost a whole year since i updated...wow, where has the time gone!

WARNING:: Has cases of OOC, which was definitely needed for this chappie

PAIRING:: ByaFIchi (of course), IssOC (Meiyo), RikichiRukia, and HisagiOC (Mai)

*DISCLAIMER once again!- BLEACH and the song dont belong to me! They belong to Tite Kubo and LeAnn Rimes/Trisha Yearwood respectively! :) Thank you for this awesome anime and wonderful song!

NOW ON WITH THE STORY! :) :)

5 years after SBLG3

Ichigo sat at her desk, going through her daily paperwork. She really wanted to be at with her son, Ryu, but she knew that if she didn't get it done, it would just sit there. Normally, Rukia would be there helping her, but currently the raven-haired fukutaichou, along with Yamamoto Makira (Byakuya's fuku) and Byakuya himself, were currently out on a scouting mission in the Rukongai woods. "Hopefully they're okay." As Ichigo went to signing her documents, a knock interrupted her. "Come in." Not taking her eyes off her paperwork, she didn't see the door open and close. "Can I help you with something?"

A giggle swept through the room, which made Ichigo look up from her papers. "Maybe you can let your work be for a moment and come give me a hug?" Meiyo said with a smile on her face.

"MEIYO!" Ichigo exclaimed as she got up from her desk, walking the older woman. "I wasn't expecting you back for another few days," she said hugging her new step-mother. She was glad that just a month ago her father finally had the nerve to pop the question to her and just last week, the two were married before Rukia, Mai and Byakuya left for their mission. "Where's Dad?" she asked as they sat down on the couch.

"He went back to his division to check in with Hisagi. We were talking last night and we decided to spend the last few days here back at home. I have to admit…we were missing Ryu like crazy," she explained with a giggle.

"You just like the idea that he's your grandson now," Ichigo chuckled.

"Okay, you got me there. Anyways, how have things been lately?" Meiyo asked.

"Oh, pretty good. Ryu has been driving me nuts since his father and Rukia left for their mission, but that's a 6-year old for you. He keeps asking me when his father is coming home and I keep tell…" Ichigo was saying but suddenly stopped talking. Something didn't feel right to Ichigo and she got up from the couch, walking over to the window. Looking out over her division, something struck in her heart that made he raise her right hand. "No…please god no…" she whispered, tears starting to form in her eyes.

Meiyo was starting to get concerned for Ichigo and joined her by the window. Placing her hand on her step-daughter's shoulder, she had her face her. She was taken aback by the tears in her eyes. Raising Ichigo's chin with her fingers, she looked into the amber eyes. "Sweetie, what's wrong?"

"Mei, something's not right," Ichigo sniffled. Just then, a knock come to her office door. "Enter."

The door opened to reveal Rikichi standing there with a solemn look in his eyes. "Excuse me, Kuchiki-taichou, I didn't know that you had company," the third seat of the 6th started as he turned to leave.

Ichigo quickly walked over to him. "Rikichi, what's wrong? And don't tell me nothing cause I can see it in your eyes."

Rikichi hesitated while he thought of what to say. "Um…did you feel that a minute ago?" he asked looking in the eyes of his taichou's wife.

"Feel what?"

"Like something was terribly wrong that it made you want to cry?" Rikichi asked, trying his hardest to compose himself.

Ichigo noticed this and embraced him. "Yeah, I did. Like something happened to Byakuya."

"I feel like that too with Rukia. I just didn't know who to turn too, and went for a walk and found myself here. I just hope I'm imagining things."

"Me too, Rikichi, me too," Ichigo said, looking out the window. "You two better be okay." Looking down, she noticed that Rikichi had fallen asleep in her arms. Very gently, she led him over to the couch and laid him down, covering him up with the blanket that she kept on the back. Looking at her stepmother, she pleaded with her with her eyes. "Mom, I hate to ask this, but can you please find out what's going on? I don't think I'll be able to concentrate and I know Rikichi won't either till we know."

"Yeah, sweetie. I'll go the 9th and see if your dad can help me." As she was heading out, she stopped next to her daughter. "Hang in there, sweetie. I'll let you know when I found out something. Be strong for Ryu." With a last smile, Meiyo shunpoed out of the office.

"Please, be okay, baka," Ichigo whispered to herself as she sat back down at her desk.

Meiyo was at her husband's division in less than 10 minutes. As she was walking inside she accidentally ran into a squad member. Looking up, she noticed Hisagi standing there. "Oh, Shuuhei, Im sorry about that. I'm so preoccupied that I didn't watch where I was going."

"It's okay, Meiyo-san," he said holding out his hand to her. Helping her to her feet, he could that something was bugging her. "Meiyo, if you don't mind me asking…what is bothering you?"

"Its something that Ichigo and Rikichi felt a little bit ago. Is my husband in his office?"

"Yeah, he's just signing some papers that needed his signature." Offering his arm to her, he smiled. "Come, I'll take you to him."

The two of them headed down the hall to the taichou office. Before they knocked on the door, Meiyo could hear voices coming from inside the office. Placing her ear against the door and motioning Hisagi to be quiet, she concentrated on what was going on in the office.

"Renji, are you sure?" came Isshin's voice.

"Yeah, Isshin, I'm sure. Unohana isn't sure that they will live through the night. I just don't know how I'm going to break it to Ichigo, Rikichi and Hisagi," the redhead said, running his hand over his eyes.

Isshin didn't know what to do. "Well, you better tell Ichi…she'll kill ya if you don't. That's her husband and she has every right to know. But answer me this…what does Rikichi and Hisagi have to do with this?"

"Oh, that's right. You were on your honeymoon. The day after you left, it was announced to the Clans that Rukia and Rikichi were engaged and also after the wedding, Hisagi and Mai made their relationship official."

"Aw, damn…now we're going to have three emotionally wrecked people now." Before he could say anything, the door to his office flew open. "What the HELL?" he exclaimed. Looking up, he was greeted by his wife's eyes. Gulping, he tried to keep calm. "Meiyo…"

Taking a glance over at Renji, she could see his arm in a sling and several bandages covering his face. Turning her attention to her husband, her glare could rival that of the Kuchikis. "KUROSAKI ISSHIN! What the hell is going on! And you better tell me NOW!" Meiyo said raising her voice. "If you know something about Rukia and Byakuya you better speak now, because I just left two visibly upset people thinking that something bad happened to the ones that they love."

"All I know is what Renji told me," he softly answered his wife, looking over to the red-haired taichou. "I don't care what Retsu said, Renji, tell them now."

The redhead sighed. This is exactly why he didn't want to be the one to deliver the news but Retsu asked him too. Taking a deep breath, he looked up. "As you know, Rukia, Mai and Byakuya were assigned to help my squad with the scouting in the Rukongai woods. Well, we were ambushed by hollows and were completely overwhelmed." Renji was trying his hardest to bite back his tears but it was proving to be unsuccessful. "Ru—Rukia tried to protect me from a hollow that was coming up from behind me..sh-she took the hit that was meant for me. When I yelled at Byakuya, he turned his back for only a moment before he was hit. Mai was able to finally summon her bankai in her anger and finished off the hollows, but with her using so much reaitsu, she got left vulnerable. She tried to help me get Byakuya and Rukia out of harm's way, but a hollow surprised us and got her too." The tears were coming down his face. "Rukia is in stable condition, but Byakuya and Mai are both in critical condition. None of them have waked up yet. Unohana-taichou believes that Rukia will soon, but she's not giving any news on Mai and Byakuya at the moment."

Meiyo was in shock. She could feel the tears in her eyes at learning that everyone she cared about was in the 4th. Rukia and Byakuya had been there for her ever since she had come to the Kuchiki manor and Mai had become a very good friend to her. To keep from falling over, she down in the chair next to Renji. "We have to tell them. Those two are already distraught because they felt like that they could tell something was wrong."

Isshin nodded his head and summoned a hell butterfly. After giving it the message, he sent it on its way. "Give it about 10 minutes and she'll be here.

Not even three minutes later, Ichigo stood at her dad's office door, with Rikichi trailing behind her. Just telling by the look on everyone's face, she knew something was wrong. Looking at her dad, she could see the sadness that was there. "Dad…..what's going on?"

Isshin got up from his desk and went up to Ichigo. Taking her hand in his, he lead her over to a chair and had her sit down, as he knelt in front of her. "Ichi, something happened on the mission that you're not going to like." Looking over at Renji, he nodded. "Tell her exactly what you told us Renji."

Swallowing hard, Renji faced his best friend. Not sparing any details, Renji recounted everything that happened, from the attacks to her closet friend and family getting injured. By the time Renji was done, the tears were streaming down Ichigo's face. Trying her hardest to catch her breath during her sobs, she looked back down at her dad. "I..*hiccup*..need…t-t-t-to..*hiccup*..see him, Dad." Finally taking a deep breath, she continued. "I can't lose him like this. I have to tell him I love him and to fight to stay alive." The tears were coming down full force. "I ne-e-ed him…Ryu n-n-neds him…the baby needs him…" she sobbed, barely whispering the last part

Isshin barely heard his daughter but he was able to catch what she said. Lifting her chin, he looked into her amber eyes. "Ichi, are you pregnant?"

Not able to form words, she nodded at her dad. "Aw, man," her dad said softly, as Ichigo slid out of the chair into her dad's arms. Isshin sat there on the floor, holding his daughter as she cried her heart out. A few minutes later, Ichigo's cries has soften down and her reaitsu stabilized. "You okay now, Ichi?" Isshin asked, brushing her hair from her face.

"Yeah, I'll be fine, but I'll feel better once I see Bya." Looking at her dad with pleading eyes, she tried her hardest to smile a bit. "Dad, I really need to see him. If it's my last time seeing him, I really wanna tell him about the baby."

Isshin nodded gently as he stood up, helping Ichi to her feet. "Meiyo, can you go back to the manor and keep an eye on Ryu? I know he'll figure something is up once I'm not home on time," Ichigo asked her stepmother.

"Sure, sweetie. You just get to Byakuya and take care of him. Give him my love," she said, kissing Ichigo softly on the cheek and heading out.

Grabbing her dad's hand, she took a deep breath. "Okay, dad. Now I'm ready." Looking to the side, she held out her hand. "Come on, Rikichi. I know Rukes would wanna see you."

With a small smile, Rikichi took her hand. The five of them – Hisagi, Isshin, Ichigo, Renji and Rikichi – headed out in the direction of the fourth.

Unohana stood at the end of a bed, looking over a chart. "By all medical standards, you should have died, but something is keeping you here. I just hope this something gets here soon and makes you fight." Moving to the head, he brushed the black raven hair from the eyes. "You have too many people here that love you, Byakuya. They need you to stay here."

The door slid open. Unohana turned to see Isane standing there, looking totally exhausted. "Kuchiki-fukutaichou and Yamamoto-fukutaichou are stable now. The Soutaichou is in with Mai now."

"Good, she needs all the supports she can get right now. If I know Renji, Hisagi will be here soon and so will Rikichi. Its Ichigo I'm gonna be more worried about when she gets here."

A knock came to the door, as it slid open revealing Hanatarou. "Sorry for the intrusion, Unohana-taichou, but Kurosaki-taichou is here with Renji-san, Rikichi, Hisagi and…."

"Ichigo-chan," Unohana finished for the timid 7th seat. "It's alright, Hanatarou. I can feel her unstable reaitsu. I should get her to calm down before she upsets her pregnancy. She'll need to be stable before she can come see Kuchiki-taichou." With that said, the medical taichou headed out of the room, towards the front lobby.

Ichigo was pacing back and forth, waiting on Retsu. She was worried about Byakuya, but felt at ease when she could feel his weak spiritual pressure when she entered. Looking up from the floor, she noticed Retsu walking up to them. "Please tell me everything is alright, Retsu?" she pleaded, when she reached them.

Taking Ichigo's hands in hers, she looked Ichigo in the eyes. "Ichi-chan, first off, you need to calm down before you upset the baby."

Following Retsu's advice, she took a couple of deep breaths and calmed down. "Okay," she softly said, as her dad lead her off to the side.

"Rikichi, Hisagi-san…I'm glad to say that Mai and Rukia have stabilized now enough to where you can go see them. Hisagi, the Soutaichou is in with Mai still but he said you are more than welcome to join him. Isane and Hanatarou will take you to their rooms," the taichou said, smiling softly at the two men.

"Arigatou, Unohana-taichou," Hisagi whispered, as the two passed by them and followed the two medical Shinigami down the hall.

Turning her attention back to Ichigo, Unohana saw Isshin whispering comforting words to his daughter. Smiling, she walked up to them. "Ichigo, do you think you can handle seeing Byakuya now?"

Looking at her dad and Unohana, she nodded softly. "Yeah, I think I can." Taking her dad's hand in hers, she let him lead her down the hall, as they followed Retsu.

Stopping in front of the door that led to Byakuya's room, Ichigo tightened her grip on her dad's hand. She started to tremble. "Retsu, how bad is he?" she timidly asked the taichou.

"Ichigo, I'm not gonna lie. Byakuya is in critical condition. His back was completely shredded from hollow. It also punctured his lungs, damaged his kidney, lacerated his liver and damaged his heart. By all medical standpoints, Byakuya should have died." Taking the 5th squad taichou's hand, she tried her hardest to keep her composure. "You are what is keeping Byakuya here, Ichigo. Ever since you came into his life, he has completely changed who he is. Ryu and you are his world and I believe that he is fighting to live for the two of you."

Ichigo flung herself into her dad's arms, as the tears came down once again. "Dad…I..I do-on-t k-k-know if I can do this…." She sobbed.

Taking his daughter's face in his hands, he had her look at him. "Ichigo, you need to see him and tell him you love him. If not for yourself, do it for Ryu and the baby," he emphasized by putting his hand on her stomach. "Ichi, when your mom died, I wasn't able to tell her these things. You'll never be able to forgive yourself if you don't do this. You're a strong and courageous woman. Ryu needs your strength right and so does Byakuya," he said, nodding towards the room. "You can do this, Ichigo. Ill be right here if you need me."

Shaking her head, she tried to regain her composure as she grabbed the doorknob. Glancing back at her dad, he gave her a re-assuring smile. Opening the door, she stepped into the room, looking at her feet as she closed the door.

Taking a few steps into the room, she finally looks up from the floor to the occupant that laid in the bed. Seeing the respirator and heart monitor on her husband made her heart dropped and totally speechless.

Taking the seat next to the bed, she took his bandaged hand in hers. Not even trying to stop the tears, she let them flow down her face. "You better fight this, you arrogant bastard. Ryu and I need you…and also…" she said, standing up, "our baby needs you. You hear that, Kuchiki Byakuya. We're having another baby. Maybe this time we'll get daddy's lil princess…" she whispered. Leaning over his frail form, she kissed him softly. "I love you, Byakuya. Don't ever forget that. Mai and Rukia need you to fight, so you better fight. Fight to live and fight to keep our love going for eternity." Ichigo sniffled as she wiped the tears from her eyes. "I hate seeing you like this, Bya. I wanna be able to feel your arms around me again, along with your kisses. Ryu needs you to be here when he gets his first girlfriend, gets married, takes over the clan and especially when his first child is born. And I know you would want to see the lil one born." Leaning her head down on his chest, she inhaled. "I cant do this on my own, Bya. I know you would tell me to be strong, but I'm stronger when I have you with me. Don't make me live this life without you."

Not knowing what come over her, she did the one thing that came naturally to her. Byakuya always loved it when she sung so she just went with it…

How do I get through one night without you
If I had to live without you
What kind of life would that be
Oh I, I need you in my arms
Need you to hold
You're my world, my heart, my soulIf you ever leave
Baby you would take away everything good in my life
And tell me nowHow do I live without you
I want to know
How do I breathe without you
If you ever go
How do I ever, ever survive
How do I
How do I
Oh, how do I liveWithout you, there'd be no sun in my sky
There would be no love in my life
There'd be no world left for me

Not paying attention, Ichigo never noticed that the door to the room opened. Isshin and Restu stood there, just watching Ichigo sing to the sleeping form of Byakuya. "Her voice is so lovely, Isshin," Retsu said, never had heard Ichigo sing before.

"Yeah, it is. She's just like her mother," Isshin replied. Just as their attention focused back on the strawberry, they noticed a slight blue reaitsu emanation from Ichigo, slowly surrounding Ichigo and Byakuya. "Retsu, are you seeing what I am?"

"Yes." Taking a better look, she saw the reaitsu coming from Ichigo's abdomen. "I don't think it's Ichigo. I think it's the baby."

"What? The baby?"

"Yeah. With the bond that Ichigo has with Byakuya, I'm not surprised at this. I think the baby is feeling Ichigo's distress and is reaching out to her father. Maybe this is what exactly Byakuya needs."

Before Isshin can reply, Ichigo's voice start singing again.

And I, oh Baby, I don't know what I would do
I'd be lost if I lost you
If you ever leave
Baby you would take away everything real in my life
And tell me nowHow do I live without you
I want to know
How do I breathe without you
If you ever go
How do I ever, ever survive
How do I
How do I
Oh, how do I livePlease tell me baby
How do I go onIf you ever leave
Baby you would take away everything
Need you with me
Baby don't you know that you're everything good in my life
And tell me nowHow do I live without you
I want to know
How do I breathe without you
If you ever go
How do I ever, ever survive
How do I
How do I
Oh, how do I livehow do I live without you
how do I live without you baby
how do I live...

Wiping the tears from her eyes, Ichigo smiled down at her sleeping husband. "I can't do this without you, Byakuya. Please fight this….I need you…" she whispered, kissing his lips softly and then laying her head on his chest, closing her eyes.

The two taichous stepped in to the room. Grabbing a blanket from the chair next to the door, Isshin carefully laid it across his daughter, before looking up at Retsu, who was looking over Byakuya's vitals. Just by the look on her face, he could tell something was up. "Retsu?"

"I don't believe it. Remember that faint blue reaitsu we saw? Well it turned out it just wasn't the baby's, but Hichigo's as well."

"What?" Isshin exclaimed.

"Woah, goat-face. Don't wake up Queen just yet," came a voice from behind Isshin. Turning, he was greeted by the albino version of his daughter. "Before you ask, I did send some of my reaitsu to Byakuya. I hate seeing Queen like this. Byakuya should wake up soon."

"I..I'm a-a-awake now," Byakuya hoarsely whispered.

"Shhhh…" Retsu whispered, nodding towards the noble's sleeping wife. Grabbing a cup of water, she helped Byakuya take a drink. "Here, this should help."

"Thank you, Retsu." Looking down, he lifted his fingers to his wife's orange hair. "How is she?"

"As well as can be expected," Isshin told his son-in-law. "She actually took it better than we thought she would."

Looking over at the albino copy of his wife, he smiled. "Arigatou, Hichigo."

"Ah, shucks. It was no problem. I just couldn't imagine what Queen would have done if she lost you. Just take care of the three of them," Hichigo said, as she vanished back into Ichigo's inner world.

Running his fingers through his wife's hair, he smiled. He couldn't believe that they had been blessed once again, and he was happy that he was given a second chance. "Ichigo?" he said softly, trying to wake his wife. "Ichi….."

"Uh?" Ichigo groaned as her eyes sleepily opened. Rubbing her eyes, she focused where her name had come from. She was greeted by the smiling face of her husband. "BYAKUYA!" she screamed, throwing her arms around him. "I..I…I….." she tried to say, but couldn't cause of the tears coming down her face.

Byakuya couldn't say a word. He just returned the hug from his wife, just stroking her back softly, whispering in her ear. "I'm still here, love. Ryu and you are what made me fight to survive." Making Ichigo look him in the eyes, he smiled. "Like I told you right before we married, you are stuck with me for all eternity, Watashi no ai."

"I love you too, watashi no sakura." Placing his hand on hers, she laid them both on her stomach. "We both love you."

Just then, the door flew open and Ryu came running in. "MOMMA!" he screamed, flying into his mother's arms.

Rubbing his black-orange hair, she calmed down her son. "It's okay, baby. Lookie…" she said nodding towards Byakuya.

"Daddy! You're okay!" he exclaimed, hugging his father, with tears coming down his face. The father and son reunited with tears in their eyes.

"Thank you, Meiyo. I knew he wouldn't stay away from here for long." Meiyo smiled at Ichigo as she walked over to her husband. Ichigo looked back at the two men in her life.

She had come a long ways to end up where she was today and she would trade a thing in the world. For once in her life, she was living for herself and the sake of the family that she had with Byakuya. She now knew in her heart that she could never live without Byakuya. He was her world, along with the two blessings that they had together.

"I love you, daddy," Ryu said, hugging his father tightly.

"I love you too, Ryu," Byakuya said solfty, looking up at Ichigo. Opening his other arm, he beckoned his wife. "Come here, Ichigo." Once he had his wife in his arms, Byakuya smiled. "I love you both so much, and the both of you…." He said, but then his hand was placed on Ichigo's stomach. "Okay, the three of you are my pride."

The family hugged each other and everyone now knew that Byakuya and Ichigo were perfect for each other, as they now knew that neither one of them could live without the other. They definitely had what you could call TRUE LOVE!