Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Heat Of The Night ❯ silencio embarazada ( Chapter 4 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

 
Disclaimer:  Still  not  mine.  Wholesome  folks  will  rejoice.  
 
 
WARNING:  Some  flashback,  non/dub-­â€con.  Why?  Because  I  can.  And  you  like  it.  So  
there.    
 
 
Flustered  didn’t  begin  to  describe  how  she  felt.  Undeniably  embarrassed,  maybe.  
Unutterably  horrified  might  also  scratch  the  surface.  
 
“Inoue-­& acirc;€san?† That  was  Rukia’s  voice.  
 
Things  just  kept  going  from  bad  to  worse.  Plastering  a  fake  smile  on  her  face,  she  
stammered  out  a  greeting,  wondering  why  oh  WHY  she  couldn’t  have  had  the  sense  
to  head  to  a  clinic  the  next  town  over.  She  just  hadn’t  been  thinking.  Clearly,  her  
brain  had  melted.  Might  be  running  out  my  ears…out  of  every  orfice…  
 
“Kurosaki- ­â€kun!  Hi!  And  Rukia-­â€chan!  What  a  nice  surprise!  Twice  in  one  day…â€She &Aci rc; 
laughed  nervously,  wishing  she  could  die  on  the  spot.  “May  I  come  in…?&acir c;€  Ichigo  
scratched  his  head,  perplexed,  but  stepped  aside  to  allow  her  entry  nonetheless.  
 
†œYeah…sure…Whatâ€& trade;s  up?  Somethin’  going  d own…?† She  flushed,  his  words  
reminding  her  of  a  different  scenario  that  involved  ‘going  downâ€&trade ;.  Gah!  Bad  thoughts,  
bad  thoughts,  Inoue!  
 
â&e uro;œNo—ah,  what  makes  you  say  that?† He  gave  her  a  strange  look,  one  closely  
mirrored  by  Byakua’s  sister.  
 
“Well,  you  just  mentioned  that  you’d  seen  Rukia  earlier…I  just  figured  that  meant  
something  might  have  happened,† he  shrugged,  arms  akimbo,  “… or  maybe  it’s  just  
girl  stuff.  I  don’t  know&acir c;€¦.just  thought  I’d  ask.† He  scratched  his  rust  colored  hair,  
clearly  uncomfortable.  Rukia  smiled,  but  Orihime  noticed  with  trepidation  that  it  
didn’t  quite  reach  her  cobalt  eyes.  
 
“ Yes,  the  latter.  Just  ‘girl  stuffâ€&trade ;  Ichigo.† Orhime  nearly  wilted  under  the  heat  of  
Rukia’s  look.  Ichigo  was  oblivious  to  the  whole  exchange.  
 
â€&oe lig;So,  ah,  what  was  it  that  you  wanted,  Inoue?† Orihime  cringed.  Crude.  No  way  am  I  
asking…for  that.  Stupid  as  it  was,  it  hadn’t  occurred  to  her  that  Ichigo  might  still  be  
home.  Nor  his  sisters,  Yuzu  and  Karin.  It  was  a  small  mercy  the  latter  didn’t  seem  to  
be  home.  The  thought  of  the  younger  Kurosaki  siblings  discovering  herâ&euro ;¦awkward  
situation  made  her  flesh  run  cold.  Had  it  only  been  his  father,  she  might  have  been  
able  to  cook  up  something.  Some  half-­â€baked Â& nbsp;excuse.    Pretend  she  was  getting  the  pill  
for  some  unfortunate  friend.  If  all  else  failed,  he  at  the  very  least  would  be  restricted  
to  typical  doctor  and  patient  confidentiality.    Ichigo’s  warm,  cinnamon  eyes  

---

continued  to  stare  down  at  her,  a  scowl  etched  upon  his  otherwise  bemused  
features.  
 
“I  just  wanted  to  ask  you  about  Ochi-­â&e uro;Sensei’s  latest  art  assignment…† The  tightening  
of  his  brows  relaxed,  sudden  tension  leaving  his  frame.  
 
“Ohâ€&brv bar;that  all?† 
 
“On  a  Saturday?† Rukia  cut  in  sharply.  Orihime  smiled  back  winningly,  patting  her  
head  as  she  chirruped  out  a  laugh,  and  it  sounded  like  water  splashing  over  flower  
petals.  
 
“Well  I  wanted  to  get  a  head  start  on  it,  but  didn’t  want  to  get  too  far  ahead,  in  case  I  
got  the  whole  thing  wrong.  Tatsuki  has  never  let  me  forget  about  botching  that  
‘future  me’  art  assignment.† Her  heart  ached  at  the  lie.  Ichigo’s  expression  soured  a  
bit,  though  he  did  manage  a  well-­â€meaning Â&n bsp;grin.  
 
“Yeahâ&e uro;¦I  gotcha.  I  think  this  time  we’re  supposed  to  illustrate  our  ‘true  selves. ’  how  
we  view  ourselves  as  well  as  how  we  want  to  be  seen,  I  guess…†     
 
She  bobbed  her  head,  strangely  more  at  ease  the  further  she  slipped  beneath  the  
veneer  of  her  happy-­â€go-­ ;â€lucky  mask.  Fake  it  ‘til  you  make  it…that ’s  what  Sora  used  to  
say…Her  gut  twisted  at  the  thought.  Not  wishing  to  dwell  on  her  brother,  for  fear  of  
wondering  what  he  might  have  to  say  about  her  poor  choices  of  late,  she  pushed  
herself  back  into  the  present.  
 
“And  it  doesn’t  matter  what  medium  we  use  this  time,  right?  “  He  seemed  taken  
aback  by  the  question.  Rukia,  meanwhile,  softly  placed  her  empty  glass  within  the  
sink  and  quietly  moved  closer  to  her  companions.  Her  gaze  hardly  flickered  from  
Orihime,  studying  her  every  gesticulation  as  if  trying  to  decipher  some  other  hidden  
meaning.  Orihime  found  it  unnerving,  and  she  fought  to  keep  from  chewing  her  
bottom  lip.  
 
“Uh,  actually,  she  requested  we  use  colored  pencils.  Nothin’  too  fancy—“  
 
“Oh!  I’m  so  glad  I  checked  with  you,  Kurosaki-­â€kun!  I  really  need  to  go  out  and  buy  
some,  then.  And  to  think  I  almost  used  oil  pastels!† She  pirouetted  delicately  out  the  
door  and    affected  a  polite  bow  once  upon  the  step.  “Thanks  so  much,  Kurosaki-­â€kun! &Aci rc; 
Bye  Rukia-­â€chan!  Iâ&eur o;™ll  see  you  both  Monday!† They  watched  her  go,  a  mixture  of  droll  
bemusement  and  suspicion  mired  between  the  two.  
 
“I  don’t  quite  believe  that  was  the  real  reason  for  her  visit.† Her  tone  was  velvet,  
contemplative.  She  was  loathe  to  voice  her  complete  opinion  on  the  matter,  lest  she  
jump  to  the  wrong  conclusion.  She  had  no  desire  to  instigate  the  substitute-­â€
shin nigami,  as  he  had  a  penchant  for  taking  action  first  and  asking  questions  later.  

---

That,  coupled  with  what  she  suspected…Rukia Â&n bsp;sighed.  It  would  not  end  well.  Best  to  
get  the  facts  straight,  first.  
 
“What  makes  you  say  that?† She  smiled,  deciding  for  the  moment  to  keep  her  cards  
close  to  the  chest.  At  least  until  she  had  some  questions  answered.  Before  Ichigo  
went  gallivanting  through  Karakura  Town,  making  a  complete  and  utter  mess  based  
on  a  mere  hunch.  
 
â€&oelig ;Woman’s  intuition.† she  intoned  smugly,  before  slipping  like  a  cat  back  into  the  
kitchen  in  search  of  a  snack.  
 
 
 
She  pushed  the  wide  hood  of  her  sweater  further  over  her  head,  her  fingers  knotting  
into  the  fabric  of  the  sleeves  as  she  tried  to  disappear  in  to  the  vast  fabric.  It  was  
easily  twice  her  size,  and  in  fact  had  already  seen  ownership.  While  Orihime  was  
fully  capable  of  hemming  in  the  cloth  to  make  it  fit  properly,  she  didn’t  have  the  
heart  to  unabashedly  change  something  of  Sora’s.  It  was  one  of  few  items  of  his  she  
had  actually  kept.  It  wasn’t  a  particularly  attractive  piece  of  clothing,  and  in  fact  had  
been  buried  in  the  back  of  Sora’s  closet  for  most  of  its  life.  She  had  only  ever  worn  it  
about  the  house,  especially  on  chilly  evenings  when  in  need  of  being  extra  cozy.    
 
In  fact,  it  was  a  bit  too  thick  for  this  type  of  weather.  So  much  so,  that  she  was  
receiving  a  few  strange  looks  from  other  passengers  on  the  subway.  While  it  wasn’t  
quite  as  hot  as  yesterday,  it  still  wasn’t  exactly  sweater  weather.  Still,  at  least  she  
had  an  excuse  for  sunglasses.  Feeling  them  slide  down  her  nose,  Orihime  pushed  
them  back  up,  biting  her  lip  and  pretending  not  to  notice  any  undue  attention.  She  
should  have  done  this  in  the  first  place:  booked  an  appointment  for  a  different  clinic  
in  downtown  Tokyo.  She  could  only  chalk  up  her  blunder  in  running  straight  to  
Kurosaki-­â€kun’ s  family  clinic  as  force  of  habit.  And  maybe  naive  stupidity.  Her  
judgment  hadn’t  exactly  been  stellar  lately.  
 
The  subway  car  lurched  to  a  stop,  and  Orihime  brushed  through  the  crowd  of  people  
emptying  through  the  doors.  She  kept  her  head  down,  trying  not  to  make  direct  eye  
contact  with  anyone.  She  was,  of  course,  being  ridiculous.  There  was  no  way  she  
could  run  into  anyone  she  knew  in  this  part  of  town.  She  was  being  overly  cautious,  
and  she  knew  it.  Still,  Orihime  felt  she  had  the  right  to  feel  a  little  paranoid.  Lucky  
she  had  been  quick-­â€witted  ; enough  to  ask  about  Misato  Ochi-­â€senseiâ ;€™s  art  assignment  
rather  than  be  caught  out.  
 
She  made  her  way  through  the  human  traffic,  making  her  way  up  and  into  the  light  
on  the  street  where  she  tried  to  blend  in  with  the  other  pedestrians.  Unwillingly,  she  
felt  her  mind  drift  to  the  homework  assignment.  Her  ‘true  self&ac irc;€™â€¦she  frowned,  eyes  

---

alighting  on  the  impressive  buildings  around  choking  the  sky  as  she  mulled  it  over.  
At  present,  she  figured  her  ‘true  self’  was  probably  best  illustrated  as  a  super  
heroine…or  rather,  a  heroine  whose  super-­â€suit  was  torn,  thus  making  her  
vulnerable.  To  top  it  off,  it  would  probably  also  have  to  depict  her  trussed  up  to  a  
chair  or  something  by  the  arch  villain.  
 
 
She  frowned,  forehead  crinkling  as  her  fingers  once  again  rescued  her  sunglasses  
from  falling.  That’s  all  she  really  was  these  days…or  at  least  how  she  felt.    Demi-­â€god  
powers  or  not,  she  was  more  of  a  victim  than  the  heroine  she  played  at  becoming.  
Suddenly  realizing  where  she  was,  Orhime  paused  on  the  sidewalk.  Taking  a  deep  
breath,  she  squared  her  shoulders,  and  walked  heavily  through  the  clinic  door.    
 
 
  
The  gentle  scrape  of  his  brush,  laden  with  rich  ink,  was  a  hypnotic  sound  as  he  
rhythmically  plied  it  against  the  thick  parchment.  It  soothed  him;  the  practiced  
motions  of  his  calligraphy  as  water  rippled  and  blades  of  grass  breathed  from  the  
garden  outside.  Light  flickered,  sun-­&ac irc;€birthed  shadows  of  the  roving  plants  brushing  
against  the  delicate  paper  of  his  window  in  quiet  harmony.  He  drank  it  all  in,  willing  
the  peacefulness  of  his  surroundings  to  well  up  around  him  and  embrace  his  
presence  as  it  so  often  did.  He  sighed,  laying  aside  his  brush.  It  was  to  no  avail.  His  
tumultuous  mind  rebelled  at  every  turn.  Never  had  he  felt  so  unhinged.  While  he  
had  once  regained  a  semblance  of  previous  iron  will,  the  truth  of  the  matter  was  that  
it  failed  to  feel  the  same.  Where  once  he  had  retained  ridged  control,  his  resolve  had  
been  shattered,  aided  by  an  Arrancar’s  poisonous  aphrodisiac.  Where  once  
unbroken,  there  were  now  cracks;  shards  still  beneath  his  very  skin.  He  could  feel  
them.  For  how  else  could  he  explain  the  absence  of  his  once  unshakeable  
countenance?  
 
While  the  staff  and  other  members  of  the  household  had  been  unable  to  perceive  
such  a  thing  since  his  return,  others  would  soon  not  fail  to  notice.  Yoruichi  came  to  
mind.  The  woman  was  infuriatingly  perceptive,  especially  in  regards  to  his  person.  
He  was  ashamed  of  what  he  had  done.  Ashamed  for  giving  in.  And  yet…  
 
He  arose  from  his  desk,  unable  to  find  any  interest  in  continuing  the  unsuccessful  
distraction.  
 
He  did  not  regret  his  actions  completely.  It  had  almost  been  a  relief:  giving  in  to  a  
feeling  he  had  honestly  feared  lost.  Fearing  it  had  been  buried  beside  the  woman  he  
loved.    Since  Rukia’s  near  death  sentence,  caused  ,  in  part  by  his  own  hand,  he  had  
been  struck  by  how  detached  he  had  become  to  the  world  around  him.  How  many  
emotions  had  he  locked  up,  only  for  them  to  feel  as  though  they  had  eroded  away  
entirely?  Apprehension  had  tread  beside  him  for  some  time  since  then;  worrying  
that  he  had  become  a  shell  of  the  man  he  once  was.  In  the  months  following,  he  
willfully  tried  to  accept  this  fate,  telling  himself  that  emotions  were  an  unnecessary  

---

distraction,  and  that  he  had  not  lost  sight  of  true  justice.  After  all,  he  had  protected  
Rukia,  as  his  conscious  (and  the  annoying  Kurosaki  boy)  had  bade,  in  the  end.    
 
But  this  was  a  lie  he  had  been  loathe  to  swallow.  Perhaps  that  was  why  it  had  not  
seemed  unusual  for  him  to  take  that  fateful  walk  in  the  world  of  the  living.  He  often  
took  long  walks  to  clear  his  head,  and  save  for  the  noted  absence  of  Senbonzakura,  it  
had  initially  been  no  different.  At  least  until  Alma  Gemela  had  fell  upon  him,  and  
proved  that  the  fates  or  the  kami  or  whomever  laughed  from  the  heavens  thought  
that  destiny  should  think  irony  was  funny  in  their  twisted  humor.  
 
 
He  could  not  say  that  he  now  loved  another.  He  was  not  incapable  of  repeating  the  
emotion;  he  was  more  than  capable  of  a  lot  of  things.  He  lusted,  and  was  inquisitive  
as  to  why  that  was,  but  he  barely  knew  Orihime  Inoue  as  a  person.  As  it  was,  he  
intended  to  know  her  more,  if  for  no  other  reason  than  to  satiate  the  curiosity  he  
now  felt  towards  her  person.  True,  it  was  not  unlikely  that  the  aphrodisiac  had  
simply  driven  him  to  bed  any  female  within  his  immediate  proximity,  as  had  been  
intended  by  its  maker.  Inoue  had  indeed  been  convenient.  Yet  he  suspected  there  
was  more  to  it  than  that.  Buried  deep  within  the  recesses  of  his  mind,  he  might  
admit  to  feeling  a  stirring  attraction  for  the  girl.  Faint,  but  present;  much  like  writing  
in  the  sand.  She  had  remained,  until  thus  far,  beneath  his  general  notice.  Due  to  her  
youthful  exuberance  and  obvious  admiration  for  the  substitute  shinnigami  whelp,  
he  had  not  sought  to  deepen  any  sort  of  connection  he  might  have  felt  with  her,  
physical  or  otherwise.  She  had  been  easy  to  ignore,  and  any  male  interest  on  his  part  
was  unlikely  to  have  ever  been  explored  up  to  this  point.  Inoue-­â€san  had  been  meant  
to  remain  ignorant,  had  time  taken  its  natural  course.    
 
But  providence  proved  to  have  other  plans.  While  grateful  to  have  once  more  be  put  
in  touch  with  sensations  nearly  forgottenâ&e uro;”anger,  passion,  raw  need…his  mind  now  
felt  overwhelmed  by  their  presence;  by  things  so  long  ago  forgotten.  She  also  
occupied  his  thoughts.  Even  now,  he  uncomfortably  recalled  how  he  had  used  the  
ochre  towel  to  tie  her  wrists  together.  She  had  seemed  dizzy,  overwhelmed  in  a  haze  
of  fatigue  or  lust…perhaps  both,  as  he  knotted  the  thick  terrycloth  together,  
effectively  imprisoning  half  her  limbs.  
 
 
He  covered  her  mouth  with  his  own,  drinking  her  in,  rough  hands  smoothing  across  
her  slick  skin.  She  gasped  at  the  motion,  and  he  took  the  opportunity  to  plunder  her  
mouth  with  his  tongue,  abruptly  capturing  her  breasts  in  a  steel  grip.  He  then  
mounted  her,  craving  to  plunder  the  other  delightful  crevices  her  body  offered  other  
than  her  sweet  mouth.  He  broke  the  kiss,  moving  up  her  torso  with  a  skillful  twist  of  
his  hips  as  he  penetrated  between  the  twin  globes  of  glorious  flesh  for  a  second  time  
that  night.  She  panted  beneath  him,  surprise  evident  on  her  glossy  features..  He  
stuttered  to  a  halt  at  the  feel  of  a  tentative,  hot  pink  tongue  venturing  across  the  
head  of  his  flesh.    
 

---

In  a  forceful  motion,  he  flipped  her  tied  wrists  so  that  they  were  twined  about  his  
neck,  trapping  her  against  his  muscular  form.  He  kissed  her  again,  her  chest  crushed  
flush  against  his  own  as  his  member  sought  her  sweet  entrance  below…  
 
 
His  eyes  flickered,  taking  in  his  surrounding  once  more,  seeking  brush  away  the  
feeling  of  her  shadow  from  his  mind.  A  tension  had  taken  hold  of  his  body,  a  
deepening  ache  that  threatened  arousal,  and  it  gave  him  pause.  Before  any  move  
could  be  made,  should  he  contemplate  the  making  of  one,  it  would  be  best  to  assess  
everything  laid  bare  to  circumstance.  Before  he  sought  the  girl  again,  for  whatever  
reason,  it  was  best  he  take  stock  of  his  individual  self.  Alma  Gemela’s  affect  on  his  
physical  being  was  perhaps  not  entirely  gone;  indeed,  it  had  not  even  been  
determined  what  the  poisonous  compound  actually  was.  Inoue-­â€san  herself  had  been  
unable  to  erase  the  effects,  once  it  had  taken  root  within  his  blood.    
 
He  massaged  the  area  between  his  eyes  warily,  sighing  once  more.  An  unusual  
occurrence.  Perhaps,  he  thought  quietly,  a  visit  to  Unohana  Taicho  would  not  be  
remiss.  It  would  be  best  if  he  were  aware  exactly  what  type  of  toxins  had  been  
introduced  within  his  body,  and  to  learn  whether  its  influence  had  dissipated.  Or  
even  merely  become  dormant.  Once  he  had  all  the  answers,  only  then  could  he  make  
his  next  move  concerning  his…tentative &Aci rc; paramour.  
 
“Name?† 
 
“Ahâ€&brv bar;I—Inoue,  Orihime.† That  earned  her  a  look.  But  as  to  whether  it  was  in  concern  
of  her  first  name  being  an  alias  or  the  fact  that  she  stuttered,  she  wasn’t  really  sure.  
 
“Okay.  Go  ahead  and  take  a  seat,  Inoue-­â€san.  Iâ&euro ;™ll  just  need  you  to  fill  this  out.† She  
handed  over  a  clear,  plastic  clipboard  replete  with  intimidating  paperwork.  Orihime  
hastily  fished  for  a  pen  from  the  cup  set  on  the  front  counter  and  retreated  to  find  a  
seat.  The  clinic  had  a  clean,  antiseptic  smell  she  came  to  associate  with  her  dentist’s  
office.  It  was  probably  due  to  the  fact  that  they  used  the  same  brand  of  cleaner,  or  
perhaps  because  she  hadn’t  been  this  nervous  with  her  stomach  doing  
summersaults  since  she’d  had  a  root  canal  last  summer.  She  shifted  around,  trying  
to  get  comfortable,  her  hands  strangely  feeling  clammy  despite  the  warm  
temperatures  outdoors  and  in.  
 
She  filled  out  her  name,  skating  over  the  insurance  section.  She  had  enough  money  
to  pay  for  the  pill  on  her  own…as  it  was  she  was  under  her  aunt’s  health  insurance,  
and  in  no  way,  shape,  or  form  wanted  her  aunt  getting  wind  of  the  nature  of  this  
visit.  It  was  likely  she  would  cut  her  off  financially,  and  would  be  left  to  fend  for  
herself.  The  likelihood  of  that  predicament  was  much  more  expensive  than  simply  
avoiding  the  scenario  entirely  by  paying  out  of  pocket  now.  Nodding  to  herself,  
Orihime  began  filling  out  her  address.  Next  came  the  medical  history,  which  gave  
her  pause.    
 

---

When  was  her  last  pap  smear?  Biting  her  lip,  she  skipped  to  the  next  question.  Did  
her  family  have  a  history  of  breast  cancer?  Cysts…?  She  had  no  idea.  From  what  little  
Sora  had  spoken  of  their  parents,  she  knew  next  to  nothing  about  them.  Let  alone  
anything  concerning  their  medical  records.  It  was  likely  her  aunt  knew,  but  that  was  
an  awkward  conversation  best  left  for  another  time.  Her  sudden  interest  in  the  
matter  would  lead  to  uncomfortable  questions,  and  she  was  in  no  way  prepared  to  
answer  them.  She  quietly  filled  out  the  paperwork  as  best  she  could,  the  dull  scratch  
of  her  pen  scraping  away  against  the  paper  in  testament  to  the  reality  crashing  
down  around  her.  She  stood  up,  anxiously  toddling  over  to  the  clinic  window  to  
hand  over  the  clipboard  and  return  the  pen  to  its  haven.  The  receptionist  nodded  to  
her,  graciously  taking  the  proffered  item  in  indication  that  she  could  retake  her  seat.  
Orihime  sighed,  filling  in  the  silence  as  seconds,  then  minutes,  ticked  slowly  by…  
 
 
“M ight  I  enquire  as  to  what  you  were  doing  in  the  area?† A  level  stare  was  her  
answer,  making  Isane  shift  uncomfortably.  â€&o elig;It’s  not  that  I’m  curious  or  anything,  
Kuchiki  Taicho…Unohana  Taicho  has  simply  included  it  on  this  questionnaire,  to  
better  gauge  the  extent  of  this  Arrancar’s  a bilities…you,  uh,  mentioned  that  she  had  
claimed  you  answered  her  summons…†&Ac irc; Damn.  Why  was  he  even  here?  Didn’t  
Kuchiki-­â€sama’ s  family  have  its  own  private  set  of  healer’s?  Why  bother  with  
Yonbantai  at  all…?  The  clearing  of  her  patient’s  throat  nearly  threw  her  off,  
momentarily  startling  her  as  he  deigned  to  answer.  
 
“She  claimed  as  such.  Given  that  I  am  partial  to  long  walks,  the  credence  was  initially  
dismissed…&aci rc;€  
 
“Initially?  Do  you  mean  because  you  later  realized  Senbonzakura  had  been  left  
behind…?â&eur o;  she  had  to  bite  her  bottom  lip,  aware  that  he  might  be  incensed  for  
having  been  interrupted.  He  merely  inclined  his  head,  prompting  her  to  hurriedly  
scribble  down  the  response.  It  was  more  so  to  avoid  eye  contact  that  provide  any  
additional  details.  She  found  his  calculating  stare  unnerving,  and  wished—not  for  
the  first  time—for  her  captain  to  hurry.  As  if  in  answer  to  her  prayers,  The  paper  
door  slid  open,  allowing  Unohana  Taicho  to  slip  into  the  room.  Her  calming  
countenance  was  a  balm  to  Isane’s  poor  nerves,  and  she  barely  escaped  the  urge  to  
skitter  toward  the  woman  in  relief.  
 
 
“K uchiki  Taicho,  how  nice  to  see  you.  But  you  will  forgive  me  for  inquiring  why  it  is  
you  would  request  Yonbantai’s  services  in  place  of  the  Kuchiki  clan’s  own  medical  
staff.† He  stiffened  in  response  to  her  direct,  albeit  abrupt  question.  But  if  he  wanted  
any  answers,  he  knew  he  ought  to  provide  honest  ones  in  turn.  Unohana  Taicho  was  
one  of  few  who  could  not  be  intimidated,  given  her  history.  He  knew  little  of  the  
woman,  but  recognized  immense  strength  of  character  when  in  its  presence.  It  
would  not  do  to  be  purposely  obtuse,  not  if  doing  so  would  cost  him  any  knowledge  
she  might  possess.  
 

---

“It  was  by  my  judgment  deemed  unnecessary  to  alarm  any  within  my  house  of  the  
matter.  It  is  in  the  best  interest  of  my  clan  to  seek  the  best  available  treatment  in  the  
Seireitei  and  forgo  any  misunderstandings  that  may  arise  later  on.† 
 
â&e uro;œI  see,† she  murmured  quietly.  See?  See  what?  Isane  wished  she  understood  what  the  
small  nuances  of  speech  exchanged  between  the  two  captains  really  meant.  That  
Kuchiki-­â€sama  had  used  flattery  in  his  sentiments  had  been  obvious,  but  as  to  why  he  
chose  their  services  over  his  own  resources  remained  glaringly  unclear  to  Isane.  
From  what  she  knew,  his  prestigious  wealth  and  family  name  allowed  him  access  to  
nearly  anything,  including  a  highly  capable  private  medical  staff.  She  felt  a  bit  dense,  
as  though  she  weren’t  catching  on  to  something.  Hiding  a  sigh,  she  observed  her  
superiors  as  they  measured  one  another,  and  their  words,  carefully.  
 
â€&o elig;Kotetsu  Fukutaicho,  I  would  like  you  to  leave  the  room  for  a  moment.† She  bit  her  
lip  again,  trying  to  hide  her  surprise  at  being  dismissed  so  unexpectedly.  She  turned  
to  leave,  but  hesitated  upon  hearing  the  soft  knell  of  her  captain’s  voice  once  more,  
“Please  leave  those  documents  behind.† She  nodded,  stomach  knotting  in  
apprehension,  as  she  handed  over  the  patient’s  que stionnaire.,  and  finally  turned  to  
leave.  Unohana  Taicho  waited  a  few  moments,  coolly  placing  the  paperwork  aside,  
knowing  eyes  downcast  as  they  heard  the  soft  patter  of  Isane’s  footsteps  fading  
away  down  the  hall.  
 
“ I  assume  you  wish  for  there  to  be  no  record,† she  did  not  bother  to  raise  her  eyes,  
choosing  instead  to  shuffle  the  papers  into  some  semblance  of  order.  He  nodded,  
slowly,  appreciative  of  her  astute  perception.    “I  can  only  presume  that  you  have  no  
desire  for  your…conditionâ&eur o;¦to  be  known.† It  remained  unsaid  as  to  why;  that  a  
paramour  might  subsequently  be  involved  as  a  result  of  his  situation.  While  unlikely,  
the  pregnant  silence  that  followed  her  sentiment  confirmed  her  own  suspicions.  A  
third  party  was  involved,  or  else  Byakuya  Kuchiki  would  have  little  need  for  secrecy.    
 
His  romantic  history  was  well  known:  spoken  in  darkened  corners  and  in  hushed  
whispers.  His  family  had  not  been  appreciative  of  the  affair—of  his  marriage  to  a  
commoner.  Given  his  current  choice  of  action,  the  woman  now  involved  probably  
embodied  the  same  threat  of  shaming  his  house.  Unohana  wisely  expressed  nothing.  
Whatever  matters  involving  the  Kuchiki  clan  and  it’s  28th  head  of  the  family  had  
nothing  to  do  with  her,  and  would  remain  so.  It  was  none  of  her  business  as  it  did  
not  endanger  any  within  the  Soul  Society.  Should  that  change,  however,  she  would  
not  hesitate  to  act.  Nobility,  after  all,  was  renowned  for  achieving  its  ends  through  
ambitious  and  sometimes  vicious  agenda…If  rumors  were  to  be  believed,  of  course.  
She  pressed  on,  content  to  monitor  her  patient  as  she  attempted  to  piece  together  
the  correct  conclusions  beyond  sheer  assumptions.  
 
†œI  expect  you  have  questions.† She  folded  her  hands,  waiting.  
 
“Is  it  still  present?† The  rough  timbre  of  his  voice  gave  away  that  he  was  not  
unaffected  by  this  possibility.  She  shook  her  head  pityingly.  

---

 
“I  regret  to  inform  you  that  it  is  in  a  latent  state.  It  is  highly  probable  to  be  less  
potent  than  initially  experienced,  especially  as  the  toxin  was  introduced  only  once,  
and  during  an  adrenaline-­â€heavy &Aci rc; conditions.†       
 
“Are  you  suggesting  that  it  will  not  stay  suppressed?† 
 
“I  am  suggesting  that  a  reoccurrence  is  very  likely.  Your  blood  test  results  advocate  
risk  of  repetitive  settings;  the  toxin  responds  to  its  physiological  environment.  If  
there  is  an  increase  in  adrenaline  brought  on  emotional  stress,  a  hormonal  response  
may  very  well  trigger  another…episode.&acir c;€  
 
“I  see.† Silence  fell  once  more,  unbroken  save  for  the  rustling  sound  of  others  
moving  throughout  the  halls,  accompanied  by  murmured  voices.  
 
“So  it  is  not  a  permanent  condition?† 
 
“No,† she  smiled  softly,  “it  will  wane  in  time.  The  more  frequent  the  occurrence,  the  
quicker  it  will  run  its  course.  At  least,  that  it  what  I  am  lead  to  believe.  It  is  an  
unusual  compound…a  pity  the  Arrancar  who  secreted  it  perished,  else  we  could  
have  run  further  tests  to  unearth  the  true  nature  of  the  aphrodisiac’s  composite  
form.† She  pressed  on,  pretending  not  to  notice  the  sudden  tension  in  his  shoulders  
that  spoke  of  his  subtle  discomfort.  “Were  there  any  further  questions  you  might  
have  that  pertain  to  what  we  already  know?† 
 
“No.† He  arose,   readying  himself  to  leave.  He  answered  too  quickly.  It  was  obvious  
something  weighed  on  his  mind  in  relation  to  the  aphrodisiac,  but  was  either  too  
proud,  or  too  embarrassed  to  voice  it  aloud.  She  had  an  inkling  of  where  his  
concerns  might  lay.  He  was  a  man  of  disciplined  character,  and  as  a  result  repressed  
emotion  often  in  order  to  wield  logic  and  retain  control.  However,  a  mask  donned  
too  often  had  a  habit  of  becoming  the  face.  
 
“In  any  case,  it  is  a  purely  a  physiologically  based  toxin,  and  as  such  can  elicit  
nothing  beyond  physical  response.† He  paused  at  her  words,  seemingly  struck,  
before  resuming  his  stride.  She  knew  he  took  her  meaning:  nothing  emotional  could  
be  created  by  Alma  Gemela’s  poison  alone.  He  took  his  leave,  quietly  sliding  the  door  
home  as  he  made  to  leave  Yonbantai’s  facility.  A  quick  pattering  of  feet  announced  
Isane’s  arrival  before  she  came  in,  carefully  balancing  a  tea-­â€leaden  tray  in  one  hand  
as  she  did.    
 
“I,  uh,  brought  an  extra  cup  in  case  Kuchiki  Taicho  still  remainedâ€&b rvbar;† 
 
â€&oelig ;That  was  very  kind  of  you,  Isane-­â€san.â&e uro;  Her  heart  warmed  at  the  sound  of  her  
captain’s  use  of  her  name.  Usually  Unohana  Taicho  was  more  formal  when  in  
company  of  her  peers,  which  Isane  understood  very  well.  Especially  when  in  the  

---

presence  of  nobility  like  Byakuya  Kuchiki.  It  was  no  secret  that  he  valued  proper  
address,  especially  by  those  of  lower  station.  
 
â€&oel ig;We  offered  him  what  answers  we  could;  the  rest  is  up  to  him,  now.† Her  captain  
hummed  thoughtfully,  taking  a  sip  of  the  deliciously  brewed  chamomile.  Isane  
almost  choked  as  she  accidentally  inhaled  the  steam  from  her  cup,  rather  than  
blowing  it  away  gently.  
 
â€&oeli g;The  rest—?  What  do  you…?†  Unohana  Taicho  smiled  at  her  assistant  captain.  
 
“He  will  sort  out  his  emotions  soon  enough…This  may  very  well  have  been  
beneficial  for  him.† 
 
â& euro;œUh…right…† For  the  second  time  that  day,  Isane  didn’t  quite  understand,  which  
almost  never  happened.  She  was  actually  quite  judicious,  though  today  was  not  
particularly  evident  of  that.  It  was  a  bit  frustrating.  But,  she  reasoned  as  she  sipped  
her  tea,  perchance  she  was  out  of  touch  of  the  situation  involving  Byakuya  Kuchiki  
because  she  did  not  understand  him  in  the  most  general  of  contexts.  Whatever  the  
gravity  he  experienced  or  faced,  it  rarely  became  public,  save  for  the  minor  tendrils  
of  gossip  that  might  arise  in  the  Seireitei  from  time  to  time.  She  hardly  partook  of  
such  things,  at  any  rate.  He  was  a  private  man,  and  generally  a  mystery  to  all.    She  
supposed  she  was  content  to  leave  it  at  that,  and  would  try  to  forgive  the  bruise  of  
her  ego  for  feeling  lost  over  what  had  transpired.  
 
“I  wond er…â€Unohana  Taicho  murmured.  
 
“Hm?† Isane  carefully  reached  for  another  sip  from  her  cup.  
 
“Do  you  suppose  Kuchiki  Taicho  would  rather  have  a  boy  or  a  girl?† The  idle  remark  
caused  Isane  to  spit  out  her  tea.  
 
She  snagged  the  jar,  nabbing  it  before  she  could  change  her  mind.  Next  she  marched  
to  the  produce,  grabbing  up  some  bananas  as  she  booked  it  to  the  check  out.  Trying  
not  to  think,  she  waited  to  be  rung  up  for  her  order  before  heading  out.  Hands  once  
more  laden  with  culinary  luxuries,  Orihime  warily  trudged  back  to  her  apartment.  It  
had  been,  by  far,  one  of  her  more  humiliating  experiences.  At  least  up  to  this  point.  
She  wasn’t  quite  sure  what  life  might  throw  at  her  next.  Evidently  it  was  full  of  droll  
surprises.  To  the  point  where  she  would  find  if  hard  to  scrounge  up  any  surprise  
should  Byakuya  choose  at  that  moment  to  leap  from  a  bush.  He  hadn’t  been  far  from  
her  thoughts  all  day.  Even  now  she  mildly  wondered  if  he  was  feeling  close  to  as  
fatigued  as  she  felt.  If  for  no  other  reason  than  for  having  run  around  in  her  head  all  
day.  She  smiled  wanly  at  her  own  joke.  
 
She  hefted  a  sigh,  emotionally  drained  as  she  finally  trudged  up  the  stairs  to  her  
building  The  people  at  the  clinic  had  been  perfectly  nice…but  the  entire  experience  
had  seemed  surreal,  somehow.  For  instance,  shouldn’t  she  be  feeling  different,  

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somehow… ?  Other  than  ridiculously  sore  in  her  nether  regions,  that  is.  She  thought  
that  the  fine  line  between  being  a  virgin  and  a  woman  of  experience  were  supposed  
to…well…mean &Aci rc; something.  Based  on  her  literary  diet  that  contained  the  occasional  
shojo  manga  and  romance  novel  binge,  she  assumed  that  the  physical  act  of  sex  and  
the  emotion  of  love  were  one  and  the  same.  That  the  expression  ‘making Â&nbs p;love’  truly  
meant  what  the  physical  act  would  suggest.  In  reality,  the  one  crashing  down  around  
her  now,  it  was  a  bit  more  of  a  silly,  sweaty  affair.  One  where  physical  pain  and  
pleasure  seemed  to  coincide.  It  had  definitely  been…more Â& nbsp;intense…than  she  had  
expected.  But  her  experience  hadn’t  exactly  been  orthodox.  Especially  as  it  ended  
with  her  donning  a  conspicuous,  hooded  sweater  in  summer  in  order  to  drag  her  
merry  ass  to  a  clinic  so  she  could  swallow  a  pill  to  keep  from  conceiving.     
 
Wrestling  momentarily  with  the  keys,  she  let  herself  into  the  apartment,  kicking  off  
her  shoes  without  putting  down  her  victuals.  Really,  the  sweater  had  been  a  bit  
much,  in  hindsight.  But  it  had  seemed  perfect  at  the  time.  It  had  never  been  seen  by  
any  whom  she  knew,  so  would  keep  her  from  being  easily  recognizable  by  any  and  
all  acquaintance.  And  there  was  the  fact  that  it  had  once  belonged  to  Sora…the  
comfort  of  wearing  a  piece  of  his  old  clothing  gave  her  the  feeling  of  strength…At  
least  the  semblance  of  it.  She  would  readily  admit  to  having  felt  rather  hollow  
instead.  Strength  was  something  she  had  so  desperately  needed  on  a  day  like  this  
today,  where  she  had  felt  like  she  had  swallowed  a  block  of  ice  and  her  limbs  felt  
wooden  with  tension.  Maybe,  she  thought,  throwing  half  the  bananas  into  the  
freezer,  maybe  things  will  look  brighter  tomorrow.  
 
 
A/N:  Please  read  and  review!  
 
 
 
As  a  fun  side  note,  there  is  in  fact  a  comic  wherein  the  super  heroine  regularly  fails  
and  gets  captured  by  the  villains.  She  has  high  hopes  and  higher  ideals,  but  has  the  
unfortunate  disposition  of  working  with  fellow  capes  who  are,  quite  frankly,  douche  
bags.  It  starts  out  fairly  wacky  with  short  stories  rather  than  a  firm  plot  line,  but  it  
builds  into  a  larger  scheme  complete  with  rich  character  development  and  
reflections  of  societal  shortcomings.  
 
 There’s  plenty  of  humor  and  tear-­â€jerker Â& nbsp;moments.  And  did  I  mention  the  main  
character  has  a  ninja  for  a  best  friend?  And  then  there’s  a  guy  who  cross  dresses  as  a  
maid  in  order  to  fight  crime.  Gotta  respect  a  guy  who  fights  in  high  heels.   Any  way,  
the  series  is  called  ‘Empowered†™  by  Adam  Warren,  and  it’s  published  by  Dark  Horse.  
He  has  an  artist  page  on  deviantart  (dotcom),  if  you’re  nosey  like  me  and  want  to  
snoop  around  before  dedicating  yourself  to  buying  something  that  comes  shrink-­â ;€
wrapped  (for  having  ‘mature  ma terial’).  I  may  have  to  beg  a  family  member  to  ship  
it  out  to  me  here  in  Korea…Iâ€&trade ;ll  stop  waxing  shamelessly  about  it  now…I  just  want  to  
spread  the  love.  
 

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