It's Simply That I've Always Loved You

Chapter 17

When Ichigo and Ishida return from the woods, the two of them are not alone.

Byakuya is at the edge of the clearing to meet them, having heard Ichigo’s calling howl. Renji flanks him on one side and Yoruichi the other, the rest of his trusted council at his back as they wait to see who has come to visit them. Of course, Aizen would send someone back with them. If Byakuya was to send someone into Aizen’s territory, it would only benefit Aizen to do the exact same and make sure that Byakuya knows he is not afraid to do it. Just the same, Byakuya is annoyed Aizen did not come himself.

If it had been Aizen, Byakuya would have known. He would have felt it.

“Who do you think they brought back with them?” Yoruichi asks, lifting her chin. “Alphas? I’d be surprised if Aizen was willing to take such a risk with us.”

“No.” Byakuya shakes his head. “He wouldn’t do that. It would be an insult, sending his alphas back with an unmated omega. One I could not ignore, and something tells me that he isn’t prepared to fight just yet. He would have struck if he was prepared.”

Renji’s hand comes to rest in the small of his back. “Betas or omegas, to match Ishida and Ichigo. Aizen would keep the balance if he could do so.”

“Agreed.” Byakuya huffs a sigh. “Now I wish they would hurry up.”

Unohana’s eyes come to rest on him gently, but he only shakes his head once at her unasked question. Everyone is fine. The fatigue is not something she has a remedy for, and as far as Byakuya is concerned, he can handle this aspect of the pregnancy without needing anything from her to do so. Best to at least learn how to handle some of the symptoms on his own because they will increase and grow more intense as time passes. Once his body is larger and heavier, he is bound to be more tired than this, so he should train his body to become as used to it as possible. Or, if not his body, then his mind and determination.

When Ichigo and Ishida appear between the trees, Byakuya’s eyes widen. One of the men accompanying them is easily over seven feet tall.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.” Ichigo shakes snow out of his hair as he comes to stand in front of them, Ishida coming to stand at his side. “Aizen sent pack a pair of his omegas to speak to you directly, since he’s currently indisposed for the time being.”

He must be in rut, Byakuya thinks, nodding once. “I understand. Thank you for making the trip on our behalf. Feel free to relax, and I will come check on you later.”

His gaze lifts toward the two men standing just in front of the treeline, taking in their appearances as his nose twitches to take in their scents. Omegas indeed. The taller one smells like spring, which is vaguely shocking considering the way he leers down at them all from his impressive height, scar tissue peeking out from beneath the edge of a white eyepatch. The smaller omega, Byakuya understands, though his face seems oddly empty as he stands there, his eyes meeting Byakuya’s with an eerie calmness. All in all, they would have fit any of the various images Byakuya imagined for members of Aizen’s pack.

“My name is Kuchiki Byakuya, and I am the alpha of this pack.” Byakuya says smoothly, looking between the two of them once more. “I would ask that you introduce yourselves.”

“Ulquiorra Cifer.” The smaller omega says. “And my companion, Nnoitra Gilga. We were sent to speak to you on Aizen-sama’s behalf as he is currently unable to travel.”

Byakuya nods once. “So I have been told. Would you like to accompany me to a meeting room inside of one of our buildings? You will be treated like guests and once the meeting is over, you may be on your way back to your territory. We will not follow you.”