Title – Filling the Void
Disclaimer – I don't own anything except the idea.
Summary – Rukia and Ichigo were captured at Hueco Mundo. When they get rescued they find Rukia has been experimented on. They were trying to create a strong baby from a shinigami and shinigami/human. Rukia is carrying Ichigo's baby. ICHIXRUKI
Author's note: All I can say is thank you guys for continually pestering me to update. It really got me to think really hard on writing.
This is the final chapter and prologue of the story, I just want to give a special thanks to those few amount of people who REALLY pushed me to continue writing this story. And of course a thank you to everyone who reviewed and enjoyed this story! Thank you so much for your support.
The funeral for Emi was held a month after they were all safely returned home and treated. Rukia and Ichigo cried more then they ever have in their life. Everyone was heart broken for the couple for the loss of their baby, Isshin and the twins broke down when they heard of the death of the tiny child. Such a small soul, but she was a hero she saved the life of Rukia Kurosaki. They tried everything, they stayed holding Emi for hours until Byakuya dragged them away. Orihime even tried reviving the small child but it wouldn't work, their baby was dead.
After the funeral Rukia found out she was pregnant but the happiness she should have felt was void. The life Rukia once held was gone, she rarely spoke and she rarely came out of their room.
Byakuya tried everything to get her help and counseling but nothing helped. The guilt she felt for the death of Emi was eating her alive. Ichigo was suffering horribly also. He got straight A's as usual, but he never spoke to anyone at school. Ichigo and Rukia were married shortly after the funeral of Emi, but they both knew that their lives were broken and it meant nothing, the ceremony consisted of Ishiin, the twins, Byakuya, and some close friends. It wasn't a happy ceremony at all. Ichigo tried beyond hope to make it a joyous ceremony but Rukia was a broken shell.
The months carried on and life got harder for Ichigo, not only did he feel like he was loosing his will to live, but without Rukia to help him out for the loss of their child he also had nobody to help him through the loss of his wife… in a sense.
Rukia was now eight months pregnant and due in about four to six weeks it was late August and the weather was perfect. Ichigo watched her sit by the window in their room and sighed. She would never speak to him, only mutter small amount of words. She never smiled. When Ichigo needed comfort from her she never gave it. In fact, they never made love anymore. They never kissed either. Ichigo tried, he would move in to kiss her softly but she always moved her head away so he'd hit her cheek. When he'd hold her chin in his hand and captured her lips she would never reciprocate.
Their love, like their daughter was dead.
"Give her time." A quiet voice spoke behind him. Ichigo turned around to face the man and glared.
"Just how long am I supposed to wait? I'd wait until the end of time for her, but the truth is Byakuya I think … well I know our love is dead."
"She feels guilt for Emi, I know she's handling this wrong but I've tried everything myself to help out." Byakuya explained leaning against the wall.
"I love her to death and I love Emi but there is nothing in our power we can do to bring her back, the only thing to do is to love her for the small amount of time she was on this planet and think of her as a hero, but every time I explain this to Rukia she rolls over on bed and ignores me. Truth is, I believe Rukia is …. Going to leave me once this baby is born."
Byakuya was silent for a moment before giving the orange haired teen a knowing look, "She is."
"What?" Ichigo's brown eyes widened.
"She told me that she is going to leave earth once the baby is born, she's going back to Soul Society. She's leaving the child with you, and… I know what she is planning. She won't tell me but I know I can read her, and I can't stop her but lock her up for the rest of her life in a locked up room in the fourth division. She can't take it anymore Ichigo, she's too burdened with guilt it finally ate her soul away."
"Suicide…" Ichigo whispered leaning against the wall and slid to the ground cupping his head in his hands.
"Yes, it hurts I know how it feels to loose a loved one, but Rukia's heart isn't in it anymore, she wants you to be happy with all of her heart and she knows staying with you when she is nothing but a shell is killing you."
"If she's dead I am nothing!" He whispered harshly knowing she was still in the room just beyond the hallway. He couldn't care less that tears were streaming down his cheeks.
He tried everything to have Rukia back, his beautiful feisty Rukia. But she died the night Emi died. The loss of their child broke their marriage and it destroyed their love. Not because they wanted it to be that way but because of how much it hurts to go through that much pain. It was impossible to not be affected by it.
"I am truly sorry for your loss Kurosaki, and I am equally sorry for the damage of your marriage." Byakuya turned away and began walking out of the house leaving Ichigo to his pain.
The orange haired teen shook his head and kept his head on his knees silently sobbing. She can't do this to him! She can't leave him by himself to raise a child! She can't be selfish! How dare she! He loves her and she dares to leave him by himself with a child while she runs off and ends her pain while he still suffers?!
He knew he was being selfish in a sense, Rukia was suffering beyond knowing their child was dead because of her. Their whole life was fucked!
He stood up, he needed to look at her, just feel her skin under his touch, just hold her. He walked into the room and stopped as he saw her clutching her huge stomach wincing in pain.
"Rukia?" He rushed over to her and fell to his knees, "Is it the baby, you okay?"
"I… My… water just broke." She said slowly.
"Shit! Alright come on, we'll get you to the hospital!" Ichigo said picking Rukia up carefully and began walking towards the car, "DAD!! Yuzu Karin, Rukia is having the baby let's go!!"
Ishiin and the twins came running out and quickly got in the car with Ichigo and Rukia already in the back of the SUV.
Rukia decided that for this birth Rukia wanted it to be at Soul Society so to the Urahara shop they drove. The twins and Isshin would wait at the shop while Rukia and Ichigo quickly left for Soul Society. Now Ichigo thought bitterly, that was just so she can hand the baby to him and leave forever.
Everyone knew she was being selfish but they can't force her to do anything when her heart isn't in it anymore, no more will to go on, not even the new thought of a new baby. And Ichigo knew nothing he said would make Rukia change her mind. Rukia didn't want a new baby she wanted her Emi back. She wanted to give up and never think of the pain she caused anymore.
But Ichigo is different, he knew that it was his fault also, but for this new life that was growing in her body only meant new beginnings and he was not going to give up, because Ichigo is not afraid of living, he is not afraid of continuing on, and he is definitely not afraid of starting over. He loves Rukia to death, and if death for her will make her pain end then he will live on for her and always embrace her memory.
It hurt, it was a sick twisted thought, but that's how it was sometimes. He doubted she really is going to decide on suicide, he can't just imagine such a strong and brilliant woman go out that easily, more then likely Rukia is going to leave and live in Soul Society for awhile, and then once she's had a long time think, she will come back.
Maybe.
He was so lost in his thought he never noticed that they were already at the Urahara shop. Byakuya was there and quickly acted by grabbing Rukia and leading the way to Soul Society.
Ichigo followed also and waved goodbye to his family.
The men quickly flash stepped out to the fourth division and were helped immediately. They brought Rukia to Captain Unohana and set her down in a designated room that was being prepared just for her.
"Oh! I thought I sensed your spiritual pressure, I got things ready quickly. Come set her down." When she was set down Byakuya put a hand on Ichigo's shoulder and gave him a nod and left. Unohana walked over to Rukia and started taking her temperature, "are you feeling normal Rukia? Like last time or are you feeling worse?"
Rukia huffed and puffed for a few seconds before nodding, "Like… like last time, normal I … I just need this baby outtt…" She moaned clutching the bed sheets.
"Alright well let's get started then." The female doctor said standing and smiling.
It was hours of waiting for Rukia's body to adjust to the baby once again. He never once left her side, he would sit by her and stroke her wrists and pat her hair kiss her forehead and give her words of encouragement. He hasn't been able to touch her like this in so long it felt right and it felt amazing. There were even times when she would reach out and take his hand in hers.
It was time now for his wife to start pushing. She never screamed, she uttered small grunts and cries but she never screamed and she held onto his hand the whole time trying her best to not squeeze his hand.
Unohana was there to always shout words of encouragement to Rukia as she pushed with all her might. Tears were pouring down Rukia's cheeks and it broke his heart to know she was hurting, not just physically but mentally as well. She was breaking inside and all he could do was watch as he was doing now.
"Yes! One more Rukia!"
Rukia inhaled deeply and began giving one final push with all her might. She was shaking and fresh tears began to fall, but she never uttered a scream.
And just like the last time, it was heard, a fresh cry broke out into the silence. Their baby! Rukia slumped back exhausted but content. And for the first time since he last saw Rukia and made love to her before she was kidnapped a smile was on her face and oh god how beautiful she looked in that moment, how radiant and maternal she looked in that moment. How he missed his wife.
Ichigo leant down and kissed Rukia on the forehead as he watched Unohana take their baby girl away and out of sight.
After a fourth division member cleaned Rukia up and gave her fresh sheets she was laying on her side with Ichigo by her side stroking her soft hair leaning close to her face.
"You were wonderful." Ichigo whispered stroking her hair and lightly running his lips over her forehead. He felt as if he could cry at this moment, he really hasn't been able to touch his OWN wife this way in forever.
He smiled as he pulled her hair back and kissed her eat lightly.
"How are you feeling?" He asked softly against her ear.
"Ichigo?" She rolled over to face him so he was hovering just above her, "I'm so sorry I caused so much pain." Her voice was soft and light.
Ichigo's heart broke in that moment, were they going to return to normal, as normal as they could?
"Oh baby, baby nothing you say will ever have me stay mad at you, I will love you until the end of time." He cried cupping her gently around the shoulders and hugging her tightly.
He felt wetness on his shoulder and knew she was crying, "I'm so sorry, I thought you hated me when Emi died and I felt as if I were talk to you I'd only drive you away."
"Were you really going to do it?" He asked pulling her away to look her in the eyes, and he saw nothing but confusion.
"Do what?"
"Off yourself in Soul Society and leave the baby with me?"
She froze for a moment thinking over his words before she smiled slightly, "Who told you that?"
"Byakuya…" he suddenly felt stupid.
She cupped his cheek and forced him to look at her, "Byakuya may not act it, but he likes you and he doesn't want me to leave so he made up some story to make you act. I was planning on leaving you, and going to Soul Society with the new baby because I felt that you no longer wanted to be around me, but I would never leave you alone and end my life. Emi gave her life to me for a reason for me to go on living like she wanted."
Ichigo felt like a fucking pansy but he chocked and began sobbing on Rukia's shoulder. He was so happy, his wife, his new daughter and the love for his Emi was fresh and reopening god how much he hurt and happy at the same time.
"Ichigo? Rukia?" They both looked up and Ichigo quickly wiped his tears away feeling ashamed but Captain Unohana never once made them feel uncomfortable, "Do you know when your child was conceived?"
They both looked at each other until Ichigo spoke up, "It had to be about a week before Rukia was taken."
"Wrong."
Both of their eyes widened slightly in confusion, what did it matter when their baby was conceived.
"She was conceived the day Emi Masaki Kurosaki died."
If their eyes were wide before they were broad now.
"H-how is that possible there must be a mistake." Ichigo said looking at Rukia.
"There is no mistake," she spoke as she walked towards the bed Rukia laid in and now they could see what the captain was holding, their new baby, "Do you know how much this child weighs?"
It was silent for a moment as Retsu handed Rukia the new born baby as soon as she sat up.
"Four pounds… and five ounces?" He didn't know why but he had a feeling where this was going.
"Correct, when Emi was born she weighed four pounds and five ounces didn't she?" Ichigo nodded slowly not really knowing what to think, every time Emi's name was mentioned he felt like breaking down, but this was different, this was…. Hope.
"Ichi…" His small wife's voice broke as she called him. He turned his head to look at her and saw tears running down her cheeks as she stroked their new baby's thigh, "Look at these moles and birth marks…"
He looked and he saw, but it couldn't be possible. Could it? The baby had a huge tuft of black hair, her little legs were chubby and right there on her thigh was a circle of birthmarks that Rukia used to kiss on Emi all the time. On her chest was a little crescent moon shape birthmark that was also on Emi but was on their new baby also… in fact everything that this baby has is what Emi had.
"Emi?" Ichigo croaked out feeling fresh hot tears spring to his eyes.
Rukia looked up at him smiling wide with tears spilling freely as she nodded happily to Ichigo and brought her hand up to kiss him passionately smiling all the more. Happiness flooded the young parents as they embraced and kissed crying and laughing.
"Byakuya told me the child's true powers… and I do truly believe that this child sacrificed herself to bring you back to life," She said referring to Rukia as soon as they broke apart from kissing, "Because she sacrificed herself I believe her power was able to regenerate and reborn herself back into her mother. Congratulations Rukia and Ichigo Kurosaki, your little Emi Masaki Kurosaki is alive once again."
The tears of happiness never stopped that day, and even Byakuya had a huge smile as he watched the young couple.
So that's how it is, the power of this child was so unlike any other she was able to be reborn once again. Rukia and Ichigo had a rocky path but a love like theirs could only be rebuilt. And now that they have their baby girl back they were more then thankful for each other. Nothing could ruin their lives anymore.
THE END
Well, I couldn't very well make this story a sad one at all, I'm very notorious for sad endings but I didn't want to do it to this one so here it is, a heart warming smile ending for you guys. Thank you all for your patience and thoughtful words. You all helped me finish this story and never once insulted my crappy fighting scenes! You guys truly are amazing reviewers.