A/N: Agh! Anyone have a way to cure writer's block? I could sure use it about now...

"Promise never to say anyone else's name again," he murmured against her neck. Her brain registered his words very slowly, her body aching with raw pleasure. She whimpered, entangling her fingers in his scalp, and wrapping her legs tighter around his waist.

"O…okay…"

"You have to promise."

"I…I promise.." pleased with her response he nipped the skin of her neck, then brought one hand down to the small of her back and pressed her closer to him.

"Nii…Byakuya..!"

...

Rukia woke up, her body covered in sweat, it happened again, for more than two weeks she had been having the most realistic dreams of having sex with Bya…umm, her nii-sama. She stood off her futon on unsteady legs, her body still shaking from the orgasm in her dream…it had been so strong that it somehow transcended her dreams, leaving her twitching from the numbing pleasure.

She walked inside her bathroom and washed her face, she looked in the mirror to find herself noticeably flushed. She needed to control herself, she did not cross paths with her Nii-sama very often any more, since it was obvious they were avoiding each other, but whenever she did see him, her insides would flutter, and her temperature rose inexplicably.

"You need to control yourself," she said looking at herself in the mirror. Yes, she needed to calm down, take a deep breath, especially since she needed to speak to him about her plans of going to Hueco Mundo with the others. Ukitake had agreed to let her go, but only if she had Byakuya's permission…and that would prove to be what was most difficult about this.

Rukia walked inside the dining room hesitantly, she knew he would be there, and this time, she would have to speak to him. She took her seat in front of him; he acknowledged her presence by clearing his throat and tilting his head in salute, but did not say anything to her. She took a sip of her tea, and glanced at him a couple of times, trying to be as discreet as possible.

He looked different somehow. She couldn't put her finger on it, but there was something that was more…she couldn't quite understand it. His skin seemed to glow, his eyes were deeper, his lips looked all that more enticing, and his scent, the same scent that once repulsed her… it was making her mouth water. His lips touched the cup of tea, and upon seeing those sinful lips pucker, she fought down a wave of pure desire. Again, trying to be as discreet as possible, she pressed her legs together to relieve some of the rising pressure.

"Bya…Nii-sama, there is something I would like to communicate to you," said Rukia looking at him hesitantly.

"Go on," said Byakuya in a monotone, his eyes still avoiding her as he drank his tea.

"As you know, all the captains and shinigami have been informed about the possible threat in Hueco Mundo…different shinigami are being recruited to form two intelligence teams," she paused, and Byakuya glanced at her once to let her know he was listening.

"Ukitake-taicho has not yet chosen a shinigami from his squad to attend. I…I asked for permission to go there myself, as I am one of the most qualified shinigami from squad thirteen. He has granted permission, but only…but only if Nii-sama agrees," said Rukia bowing. Byakuya was silent for a long time, going about his breakfast as if she had said nothing at all. After a couple of silent minutes passed, he set his cup down and looked over at Rukia stoically.

"This mission, it will be taking place three days from now, am I correct?"

"Hai."

"Good, then there is enough time."

"Enough time? For what?" Asked Rukia confused.

"I wish for you to go visit captain Unohana, to evaluate your condition."

"There is no need for that Nii-sama, I'm not sick anymore, I haven't been for a whi-"

"That is not the reason."

"Then why does Nii-sama want me to visit captain Unohana?" He was silent a moment longer; he took a sip of his tea.

"To see if you are with child."

"Wi-with child? But-but Nii-sa…we only." She said surprised, pregnant? Surely it took more than, that, to become pregnant, most shinigami women tried for months before conceiving.

"Rukia," he said sternly; he looked at her seriously, "whether you choose to acknowledge it or not, we did have sex, or did we not?" His eyes were severe; she blushed a deep red.

"W…well yes but-"

"Then there is the possibility. I will not allow you to embark on such a dangerous mission if you are carrying my heir, the heir to the Kuchiki clan and prince of soul society."

"I will go see captain Unohana then, if it means Nii-sama's peace of mind," she said bowing.

"If the results are negative, you may leave. If the results are negative…we will not mate again."

"Nii-sama?"

"I have decided to let you go Rukia, when you return, you will return a free woman. I will speak to the council about taking, another, as a wife."

"But…why?" She asked confused; for some reason, she was filled with disappointment.

"Rukia, it is clear, that you and Kurosaki have…something, I do not wish for you to sacrifice your own happiness on my account, I know Hisana wouldn't want that either."

"But what about…? I only want to be of service Nii-sama, I don't want to bring shame to you or the clan, I just want-"

"Your sacrifice is not necessary, nor is it desired. I…fancy captain Soi Fon, I wish to court her formally, and then take her as my bride. The elders will understand, truth be told it doesn't matter to them who bares my child as long as I produce an heir." They were silent for a moment, and Rukia looked down to find that her hands were shaking.

"All right, if that is what you wish Nii-sama."

"It is."

"I will let you know the results tonight during dinner then. Excuse me," she said standing up.

"Kuchiki-san? Kuchiki-san are you all right?" Asked Ishida swaying his hand back and forth in front of Rukia.

"I'm sorry, I'm just a little tired," said Rukia snapping out of her trance.

"You sure look it, you're all yellow and stuff," said Nel placing a hand on Rukia's forehead. Rukia, Nel, Ishida, and Ashido were sitting outside squad thirteen's training grounds having lunch.

"You need to go out more, this mission's gonna be just what you needed," said Nel.

"Yes, Kiyone told us you've been under the weather lately, is something wrong?" Asked Ishida.

"No, not at all, I guess things have just been dull. Nel's right, perhaps this mission is just what I need."

"Byakuya has said yes then?" Asked Ashido.

"He'll let me know tonight, but I can tell you, I'm on hundred percent positive he will let me," smiled Rukia, her stomach growled suddenly and she placed her hand over it embarrassed, "I should probably start eating."

She didn't know why she was so worried, she had no reason to be, it was nearly impossible for her to have gotten pregnant from that single time. She was not ovulating, she was fertile right now, so it was impossible…should she bring Rangiku along?

"No, I shouldn't bother her, it's probably going to be false," thought Rukia to herself as she walked towards captain Unohana's office.

But if it's positive Byakuya will stay with you.

'Sode No Shirayuki! Why are you getting a say in this?'

You know you want Byakuya; you don't want Captain Soi Fon to have him.

Rukia paid no more attention to her zanpakuto, and knocked on quad four's medical building. Isane answered, and walked Rukia to one of the medical rooms.

"Here, change into this yukata, Unohana-taicho will be with you in a moment Kuchiki-san," said Isane giving her a white yukata. Rukia changed, then looked around the empty white room. She sat on the bed and bounced on it a bit, it was very comfortable, the mattress seemed to mold to her body perfectly.

"Kuchiki-san?" Rukia looked embarrassed and stopped bouncing on the bed.

"Good evening Unohana-taicho, Nii-sama wanted me to come and check on-"

"I already know, captain Kuchiki himself sent me a message to inform me."

"Oh, you already know then," she said blushing a bit. Captain Unohana smiled and walked towards her.

"Let's see," said Unohana taking her pulse and examining her eyes. She stood took one step a way from Rukia and looked at her with a glint in her eye.

"What is it?" Asked Rukia worried.

"Relax Kuchiki-san, we are not yet finished with the examination, now open your yukata for me and lie down on the bed."

Rukia did as she was told, but with shyness. She opened her yukata and lied back on the bed. It could have been worse, at least she was wearing undergarments. Unohana took out a vial from her pocket and rubbed it on her hands, then she placed both palms on her lower abdomen, and massaged Rukia's womb. Rukia closed her eyes, it was a pleasant experience, heat emanated from Unohana's hands and spread through her entire stomach. She reached one hand on the small of Rukia's back, while keeping the other on her lower stomach. She applied pressure on both hands, then released her.

"Kuchiki-san?"

"Huh?" Asked Rukia, her eyes still closed, basking in the warmth spreading through her body.

"Congratulations."

"What?" Asked Rukia opening her eyes and leaning up on her elbows. She looked down at her stomach and saw that it was glowing pink and specks of white, the color of Senbonzakura...and bits of Sode no Shirayuki

"The results are positive. You're going to be a mother."

"That's impossible, I…" she said still in shock.

"Congratulate Kuchiki-taicho for me, you are both well on track."

"But…captain Unohana, there is something I must ask of you," said Rukia sitting up and looking at Unohana very seriously.

"Yes Kuchiki-san?"

"Can you keep this a secret?"

"Why would you want to do that Kuchiki-san?" Asked Unohana confused.

"Nii-sama is thinking of taking a proper wife, I don't want to take his chance at happiness away."

"But what about you Kuchiki-san? And the baby?"

"I don't know, I…I need time to think before I tell him anything," said Rukia standing up and pacing around nervously. Unohana noted that the more stressed Rukia became, the weaker she became.

"Kuchiki-san please, do not stress yourself over this."

"How can I not Unohana-taicho, what am I to do now? What am I to do with my child? I don't want to use him as means to trap Nii-sama!"

"Relax," said Unohana walking over to Rukia and massaging her shoulders, "just tell captain Kuchiki the truth, I'm sure he will be very happy."

"I need to think, I can't tell him right now. Unohana-taicho, please, promise me you will not tell Nii-sama about this. I wish to go on the mission to Hueco Mundo, it will help me sort my thoughts, I will decide what to do there."

"But that is dangerous in your condition, if anything happened to you or the child…"

"Nothing will happen, others will be there, and I've been getting stronger, I can protect myself," said Rukia looking at her pleadingly.

"All right," said Unohana after a while, "but I this is not a wise idea, Kuchiki-san."

"Thank you Unohana-taicho, it relieves me to know I can count with your discretion."

"What were the results?"

She was in the dining room with Byakuya; they had just finished having dinner when he asked her to stay a moment longer to communicate the results to him. He appeared unaffected by any of this. His cold eyes opened, and he looked at her, a fierce look that made her guilty, and nervous. Could he see through her? Could it be that he knew? And those eyes, they were so piercing, how could such gray eyes be so cold…yet so…stimulating. Gray was cold, but yet, the intensity in his eyes, to Rukia they were filled with fire, passion. Those eyes, those eyes that turned dark with lust as he took her and brought her to mind numbing ecstasy…

"Rukia?" He had to repeat himself.

"False, Nii-sama, forgive me," said Rukia snapping out of her trance embarrassed and kneeling down as far as possible.

"In that case, you are dismissed."

"Hai," she said standing up and leaving the dining room.

As Rukia rested on her bed, she wondered what was wrong. Since her return from dinner she felt unexplainably weak. Her vision was blurry, her ankles weak, her head throbbed in pain, her breathing was labored, and her womb sounded like it was crying, she had never experienced such horrible cramps before. She sauntered over to the garden and sat down under the cherry blossom tree, her back against the trunk.

Her breathing came in deeper breaths, and she clutched her stomach painfully. Her body was covered in sweat, and her back arched from the pain. Each moment her sight grew darker, and soon the pain grew to the point that she was screaming. With one hand she pulled at the grass on the floor, pulling out the grass and digging a whole, while her other hand remained pressed on her womb, she felt like she was being ripped a part, like the fetus inside of her was literally being ripped out of her. She looked down at her sudden fear, and her fears were confirmed when she saw blood pooling beneath her bottom.

"Help! Oh god help me please! The baby!"

Rukia stood up on unsteady legs using the tree for support, upon standing, more blood gushed to the floor, and she held her stomach, crying hysterically. She was screaming so loud, and Rukia was not one to scream, as a shinigami she was no stranger to pain, but this pain, it was unbearable, it wasn't only her body, but her soul being ripped apart.

Just as she almost passed out from the pain, her tired violet eyes took in the sight of her Nii-sama rushing over to her. His perfect face painted with worry. Upon seeing him, she fell on her knees to the floor, and he caught her before she fell forwards on the ground.

"Rukia, Rukia what's wrong? Tell me!" His voice was anxious, almost frantic, he wanted to help her but he didn't know what was wrong.

"B-blood, I'm…I'm bleeding I think the…I'm so sorry I should have…"

"What blood?" He asked confused; she stopped weeping suddenly when she realized she was no longer in pain, she looked down at herself and found that she wasn't bleeding, had it all been an illusion?

"But just a second ago I…I don't understand," she said wiping off her tears with her wrists. Byakuya pulled her hands away from her face, and looked into her eyes, what must have only been seconds felt like an eternity to Rukia. Those eyes, his scent, the way his body bathed radiantly under the moonlight. She came back down to earth when he wiped away her tears; she gasped when he stood up, gathering her up in his arms.

"Nii-sama?"

"Perhaps you're tired, you need to rest."

He left her in her room, there was a moment in which she thought he wouldn't be leaving her room, the way he looked at her…the way he hovered so dangerously above her, she could feel his breath. It made her feel like he wanted to devour her.

"Goodnight Rukia," he said placing a kiss on her forehead and pulling away.

"Goodnight nii-sama," she said watching him as he walked out of her room.