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Description
Promise

Curious looks were cast downward at a child as he walked through Soul Society, with an expedition set stubbornly into his mind, an amusingly stern look placed firmly on his soft face. His cloudy gray eyes fixed firmly on the path ahead, with soft ebony curls hanging down over his forehead.

"Mom!" The boy cried out, looking up to the rooftops as if expecting his warm, bubbly mother to jump down and kiss him, to his disappointment he received no such reaction. Not even his father had arrived to collect him, as he usually did not a moment after any form of his son's cry rang out. Byakuya was just that kind of father. The irritated little boy pouted, and took note of the darkening sky. His nanny was probably worried sick, since his parents were probably out doing their respective duties in their Squads. The boy's pout deepened, they were always out. Everyone but him had their own Squad. Even his cousin Kaien was going to have a Squad very soon, he'd inherited his father's skills with a zanpakto and his mother's kido abilities, and his grandfather, Isshin's likability. It wasn't fair. And he didn't even use it! All he did was wander around with the Matsumoto guy and talk to pretty girls, and even kiss them, like it was nothing!

He began to panic, it was dark, now. He shouldn't have left home. He should've just stayed and waited at home,. But he wanted his mom and dad now.

The tears rolled down his cheeks as the streets of Soul Society emptied as the night wore on. Where are they? Dad always finds me by now. He thought, terrified. He remembered the last time his dad hadn't come to get him.

~~~

His mommy was crying. He remembered that much. He couldn't recollect much of the incident, but he knew his mother had been sobbing. Simply because his mother was the toughest person he knew, she never, ever cried. Not that he could remember. He couldn't see his mommy's face, as her long rose-tinted hair acted as a curtain to poorly shield her grief from her child. Grampy Kenny was there, too, a comforting hand on Mommy's shaking shoulder, as Auntie Rukia hugged her. Their whole family waited outside of Squad 4's emergency wing. Now, the little boy was sitting between his Auntie Rukia, who had his cousin, baby Masaki in her arms- clad in her Chappy pajamas- and Uncle Ichigo. His teenaged cousin Kaien's tall, lanky form was sprawled out over three chairs a little ways away, snoring loudly while scratching at his messy dark hair as he slept. His cousin Hisana, several years younger than Kai and only a few older than himself, was curled up on the other side of her father, sleeping quietly.

Rukia had stopped crying over her brother a while ago, and now was resting too, along with little 'Saki. Ichigo had his hand running comfortingly through his nephew's soft hair, an arm around his nephew and daughter. Adulthood had sharpened his previously youthful features, and a light after-shave decorated his cheekbones, but fatherhood had softened his eyes, and he smiled gently at his nephew.

"Will Daddy die?" The little boy looked up at his uncle. Not for the first time Ichigo blinked with surprise at the blatant emotion displayed in the boy's smoky eyes Ichigo generally knew to be void of all feelings. Ichigo swept his hand through the boy's dark hair, to get a better look at his eyes as the child clutched his toy Seaweed Ambassador.
"No, Sojun. Your old man'll be fine, okay?" Little Sojun Kuchiki didn't look entirely convinced, but nodded, trusting his uncle's words, snuggling closer to him and fisting Ichigo's Squad 5 captain's haori.

"Jun?" A high voice sounded from the other side of the room. Ichigo and Sojun turned to see Captain Abarai of the Ninth Squad, carrying his daughter Aimi, who was squirming to be released from her father's arms. He obliged, and Ichigo stood up with Sojun and placed his nephew beside Aimi.

Aimi bit her lip, uncharacteristically not knowing what to say, so she took his hand in her tiny palm and squeezed it,

"Sorry 'bout your daddy, Jun." Sojun sniffed slightly, and nodded in thanks, not meeting her chocolate brown eyes. Renji rubbed Sojun's head comfortingly,

"He'll be okay, squirt. Captain Kuchiki's dealt with worse. I fought him once, nearly killed him, too." Renji encouraged, Sojun quirked his eyebrow in a way that was too familiar to the two captains.

"Daddy said he almost killed you." Renji blushed, slightly irritated, as Aimi bit her lower lip to keep from giggling. Renji noticed his little daughter's muffled laughter and pushed her head down slightly, ruffling her already-messy bright red hair. She scowled at him, and wrinkled her little nose irritatedly, but ignored Renji, focusing on her friend's gloomy face.

"Wanna go bug Zara-Zara- your grandpa?" She suggested, giving up on the Squad Eleven Captain's name, with a hopeful little smile, her smile fell when Sojun didn't react,

"Nuh-uh. He's with Mommy. Mommy's sad, so Grampy Kenny is, too." Sojun explained.

"Oh," Was Aimi's quiet reply, and grasped her father's hand, her lip quivering for her friend. Sojun and Aimi sat down on the floor and fiddled with some toys, as Renji and Ichigo discussed the situation,

"So what happened anyway?" Renji inquired, titling his head away from the children, Ichigo sighed, lowering his voice to not worry his nephew,

"Squad eleven was ambushed by some high-leveled hollow. The details are limited, Byakuya's squad arrived to back them up, and Byakuya...well yeah." Renji's brows forwarded,

"How Lieutenant Kuchiki taking it?" Ichigo's lips twitched in a smirk,

"Don't let her hear you calling her that. Lieutenant Kusajishi almost took my eye out for calling her 'Kuchiki'...granted she was pregnant then, but still. I wouldn't push it, man." Renji smirked,

"Yeah, Captain Kuchiki and Yachiru would both on edge during that whole thing." The red-haired captain remembered, wincing at the memories.

"Thing? Oh, yeah. Byakuya was mortified," Ichigo chuckled, "A 'noble Kuchiki' having a child out of...what'd he call it, again?"

"Wedlock." Renji answered.

"Yeah, that. Ha! Kenpachi beat the living hell outta' him and threatened the noble elders till Byakuya married Yachiru." A loud cough echoed in the room, and the two captain's turned swiftly to see Kenpachi standing there. They froze, horrified.

"Hey, Jun!" Kenpachi bellowed, Sojun looked up and rushed over to him, Kenpachi bent down out of routine and held Sojun in his huge arms, for once not carrying his zanpakutou.

"Your father's awake, kid. He's been askin' for you. Wanna see him and your mama?" Sojun nodded furiously, nestling against Kenpachi, yawning widely.

"Uh-huh, let's go." Kenpachi smiled at his adoptive grandson, and Ichigo was about to comment on Kenpachi going to mush, but a silent Death Glare from the hulking captain demolished the idea.

Kenpachi carried Sojun into the hospital room where his mother sat with a chair drawn close to her husband's bedside. Bandages encased Byakuya, and Yachiru's dark crimson eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep and despair. Her arms acted as a pillow against Byakuya's bed. She looked up as Kenpachi entered with her son, and Kenpachi set Sojun down beside his mother.

Yachiru lifted Sojun's tiny body onto her lap, kissing his soft head with a murmur of, "Hello, baby." Sojun didn't argue with the nickname for once, focused on his father.

Yachiru touched Byakuya's shoulder gently, still holding her child close to her. Yachiru's long, pale cherry hair fell lightly onto her son's shoulders. The Squad Eleven Lieutenant had aged into maturity gracefully and was undeniably beautiful, her childish perpetual blush now only visible when flattered by her beloved husband, and other than that nothing tainted her flawless ivory skin. Her warm eyes were lined with soft eyelashes, and her bangs were swept out of the way in curls to flatter her feminine face.

"Bya," She murmured, her voice uncharacteristically soft and weak, "Jun is here..." Byakuya opened a slate grey eye and his gaze softened as it settled on his child.

"Son...what did you do yesterday?" He whispered, trying to keep a sense of normalcy for the child. Sojun beamed,

"I went to my studies like you told me to, Daddy. And after Uncle Strawberry and Auntie Ruki came by to our house and picked me up and brought me to a play date with Aimi and her mommy Tatsuki, too. I thought it was weird 'cause you always bring me, but since it was Auntie Ruki and not Uncle Pinball or something, so I knew it was okay. Oh! And baby 'Saki barfed on Uncle Strawberry on the way there! And Auntie Ruki, 'Sana and Kai were laughing because Uncle Strawberry got really grossed out! It was really funny!" Byakuya's lips twitched in a weak smile,

"That's nice, son." Yachiru smiled softly, smoothing her son's dark hair.

"You're gonna get better, right?" Sojun inquired taking note of the tubes surrounding his father.

"Yes, son. I'll be fine." Yachiru smiled sadly at Byakuya's soft words.

"Promise? And promise you'll always pick me up, and never, ever leave me. Ever. Ever. Ever. Cause baby 'Saki barfs too much, anyway. And Uncle Strawberry and Auntie Rukia are too loud. I still love 'em, though." Sojun stuck his tiny pinky finger out in front of his father, and his grin faltered, "And Kai's friend Kin said his daddy left him and his mommy, too. But...his daddy couldn't come back because he went to sleep like Aunt Hisana...and Kin gets sad about it really quick...An' he and Kai were talking and saying you might go to sleep, too." Sojun's eyes glistened, his lip quivering. Byakuya's eyes blinked as he put what his son was saying together, as Yachiru inhaled sharply. The noble nodded, and Byakuya raised the hand that wasn't in Yachiru's quivering vice grasp and locked his own finger around his child's,

"I promise, son. I'll be with you, and your mother, always."

~~~

"Sojun? Where have you been, child?" Now, Sojun Kuchiki slept against a wall on the street of Soul Society, he rubbed his eyes and looked up to see his father's livid face,

"Sojun, answer me!" Sojun's lip quivered,

"I was just making sure..." Sojun replied weakly. Byakuya's glare didn't falter, but he pulled his son gently up from the ground.

"What? That you could frighten your family half to death? Was all this a ploy for attention, Sojun?" Sojun frowned and shook his head,

"Just making sure you'll always find me and get me, and protect me... Like you promised." Byakuya's glare vanished in a flash, and his eyes softened, he sighed,

"Sojun, I will always find you, wherever you are, I'll be there, you know that. You're my child, and I do...care about you, very much." Sojun nodded, he knew his father had trouble saying the 'L' word.

"I know."

"But promise me you'll never scare us like this ever again. You're mother was panicking, and that Isshin Kurosaki rounded up a search party...he was quiet determined to find his 'helpless little grandbaby', despite the fact you two have no blood relation. Ichigo Kurosaki has been looking for you in every district he could think of with Kaien trailing behind with Kaien's friend Kin Matusmoto." Byakuya sighed with exasperation as he and Sojun began to walk home, Sojun beamed,

"I love them, they're funny!" The boy laughed, Byakuya smiled at his child,

"I know."

"I love you too, Daddy. And I'm really sorry." Sojun looked nervously up at his father's face. Byakuya took his son's hand in his, and patted Sojun's head,

"I know."

Description
Promise

Curious looks were cast downward at a child as he walked through Soul Society, with an expedition set stubbornly into his mind, an amusingly stern look placed firmly on his soft face. His cloudy gray eyes fixed firmly on the path ahead, with soft ebony curls hanging down over his forehead.

"Mom!" The boy cried out, looking up to the rooftops as if expecting his warm, bubbly mother to jump down and kiss him, to his disappointment he received no such reaction. Not even his father had arrived to collect him, as he usually did not a moment after any form of his son's cry rang out. Byakuya was just that kind of father. The irritated little boy pouted, and took note of the darkening sky. His nanny was probably worried sick, since his parents were probably out doing their respective duties in their Squads. The boy's pout deepened, they were always out. Everyone but him had their own Squad. Even his cousin Kaien was going to have a Squad very soon, he'd inherited his father's skills with a zanpakto and his mother's kido abilities, and his grandfather, Isshin's likability. It wasn't fair. And he didn't even use it! All he did was wander around with the Matsumoto guy and talk to pretty girls, and even kiss them, like it was nothing!

He began to panic, it was dark, now. He shouldn't have left home. He should've just stayed and waited at home,. But he wanted his mom and dad now.

The tears rolled down his cheeks as the streets of Soul Society emptied as the night wore on. Where are they? Dad always finds me by now. He thought, terrified. He remembered the last time his dad hadn't come to get him.

~~~

His mommy was crying. He remembered that much. He couldn't recollect much of the incident, but he knew his mother had been sobbing. Simply because his mother was the toughest person he knew, she never, ever cried. Not that he could remember. He couldn't see his mommy's face, as her long rose-tinted hair acted as a curtain to poorly shield her grief from her child. Grampy Kenny was there, too, a comforting hand on Mommy's shaking shoulder, as Auntie Rukia hugged her. Their whole family waited outside of Squad 4's emergency wing. Now, the little boy was sitting between his Auntie Rukia, who had his cousin, baby Masaki in her arms- clad in her Chappy pajamas- and Uncle Ichigo. His teenaged cousin Kaien's tall, lanky form was sprawled out over three chairs a little ways away, snoring loudly while scratching at his messy dark hair as he slept. His cousin Hisana, several years younger than Kai and only a few older than himself, was curled up on the other side of her father, sleeping quietly.

Rukia had stopped crying over her brother a while ago, and now was resting too, along with little 'Saki. Ichigo had his hand running comfortingly through his nephew's soft hair, an arm around his nephew and daughter. Adulthood had sharpened his previously youthful features, and a light after-shave decorated his cheekbones, but fatherhood had softened his eyes, and he smiled gently at his nephew.

"Will Daddy die?" The little boy looked up at his uncle. Not for the first time Ichigo blinked with surprise at the blatant emotion displayed in the boy's smoky eyes Ichigo generally knew to be void of all feelings. Ichigo swept his hand through the boy's dark hair, to get a better look at his eyes as the child clutched his toy Seaweed Ambassador.
"No, Sojun. Your old man'll be fine, okay?" Little Sojun Kuchiki didn't look entirely convinced, but nodded, trusting his uncle's words, snuggling closer to him and fisting Ichigo's Squad 5 captain's haori.

"Jun?" A high voice sounded from the other side of the room. Ichigo and Sojun turned to see Captain Abarai of the Ninth Squad, carrying his daughter Aimi, who was squirming to be released from her father's arms. He obliged, and Ichigo stood up with Sojun and placed his nephew beside Aimi.

Aimi bit her lip, uncharacteristically not knowing what to say, so she took his hand in her tiny palm and squeezed it,

"Sorry 'bout your daddy, Jun." Sojun sniffed slightly, and nodded in thanks, not meeting her chocolate brown eyes. Renji rubbed Sojun's head comfortingly,

"He'll be okay, squirt. Captain Kuchiki's dealt with worse. I fought him once, nearly killed him, too." Renji encouraged, Sojun quirked his eyebrow in a way that was too familiar to the two captains.

"Daddy said he almost killed you." Renji blushed, slightly irritated, as Aimi bit her lower lip to keep from giggling. Renji noticed his little daughter's muffled laughter and pushed her head down slightly, ruffling her already-messy bright red hair. She scowled at him, and wrinkled her little nose irritatedly, but ignored Renji, focusing on her friend's gloomy face.

"Wanna go bug Zara-Zara- your grandpa?" She suggested, giving up on the Squad Eleven Captain's name, with a hopeful little smile, her smile fell when Sojun didn't react,

"Nuh-uh. He's with Mommy. Mommy's sad, so Grampy Kenny is, too." Sojun explained.

"Oh," Was Aimi's quiet reply, and grasped her father's hand, her lip quivering for her friend. Sojun and Aimi sat down on the floor and fiddled with some toys, as Renji and Ichigo discussed the situation,

"So what happened anyway?" Renji inquired, titling his head away from the children, Ichigo sighed, lowering his voice to not worry his nephew,

"Squad eleven was ambushed by some high-leveled hollow. The details are limited, Byakuya's squad arrived to back them up, and Byakuya...well yeah." Renji's brows forwarded,

"How Lieutenant Kuchiki taking it?" Ichigo's lips twitched in a smirk,

"Don't let her hear you calling her that. Lieutenant Kusajishi almost took my eye out for calling her 'Kuchiki'...granted she was pregnant then, but still. I wouldn't push it, man." Renji smirked,

"Yeah, Captain Kuchiki and Yachiru would both on edge during that whole thing." The red-haired captain remembered, wincing at the memories.

"Thing? Oh, yeah. Byakuya was mortified," Ichigo chuckled, "A 'noble Kuchiki' having a child out of...what'd he call it, again?"

"Wedlock." Renji answered.

"Yeah, that. Ha! Kenpachi beat the living hell outta' him and threatened the noble elders till Byakuya married Yachiru." A loud cough echoed in the room, and the two captain's turned swiftly to see Kenpachi standing there. They froze, horrified.

"Hey, Jun!" Kenpachi bellowed, Sojun looked up and rushed over to him, Kenpachi bent down out of routine and held Sojun in his huge arms, for once not carrying his zanpakutou.

"Your father's awake, kid. He's been askin' for you. Wanna see him and your mama?" Sojun nodded furiously, nestling against Kenpachi, yawning widely.

"Uh-huh, let's go." Kenpachi smiled at his adoptive grandson, and Ichigo was about to comment on Kenpachi going to mush, but a silent Death Glare from the hulking captain demolished the idea.

Kenpachi carried Sojun into the hospital room where his mother sat with a chair drawn close to her husband's bedside. Bandages encased Byakuya, and Yachiru's dark crimson eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep and despair. Her arms acted as a pillow against Byakuya's bed. She looked up as Kenpachi entered with her son, and Kenpachi set Sojun down beside his mother.

Yachiru lifted Sojun's tiny body onto her lap, kissing his soft head with a murmur of, "Hello, baby." Sojun didn't argue with the nickname for once, focused on his father.

Yachiru touched Byakuya's shoulder gently, still holding her child close to her. Yachiru's long, pale cherry hair fell lightly onto her son's shoulders. The Squad Eleven Lieutenant had aged into maturity gracefully and was undeniably beautiful, her childish perpetual blush now only visible when flattered by her beloved husband, and other than that nothing tainted her flawless ivory skin. Her warm eyes were lined with soft eyelashes, and her bangs were swept out of the way in curls to flatter her feminine face.

"Bya," She murmured, her voice uncharacteristically soft and weak, "Jun is here..." Byakuya opened a slate grey eye and his gaze softened as it settled on his child.

"Son...what did you do yesterday?" He whispered, trying to keep a sense of normalcy for the child. Sojun beamed,

"I went to my studies like you told me to, Daddy. And after Uncle Strawberry and Auntie Ruki came by to our house and picked me up and brought me to a play date with Aimi and her mommy Tatsuki, too. I thought it was weird 'cause you always bring me, but since it was Auntie Ruki and not Uncle Pinball or something, so I knew it was okay. Oh! And baby 'Saki barfed on Uncle Strawberry on the way there! And Auntie Ruki, 'Sana and Kai were laughing because Uncle Strawberry got really grossed out! It was really funny!" Byakuya's lips twitched in a weak smile,

"That's nice, son." Yachiru smiled softly, smoothing her son's dark hair.

"You're gonna get better, right?" Sojun inquired taking note of the tubes surrounding his father.

"Yes, son. I'll be fine." Yachiru smiled sadly at Byakuya's soft words.

"Promise? And promise you'll always pick me up, and never, ever leave me. Ever. Ever. Ever. Cause baby 'Saki barfs too much, anyway. And Uncle Strawberry and Auntie Rukia are too loud. I still love 'em, though." Sojun stuck his tiny pinky finger out in front of his father, and his grin faltered, "And Kai's friend Kin said his daddy left him and his mommy, too. But...his daddy couldn't come back because he went to sleep like Aunt Hisana...and Kin gets sad about it really quick...An' he and Kai were talking and saying you might go to sleep, too." Sojun's eyes glistened, his lip quivering. Byakuya's eyes blinked as he put what his son was saying together, as Yachiru inhaled sharply. The noble nodded, and Byakuya raised the hand that wasn't in Yachiru's quivering vice grasp and locked his own finger around his child's,

"I promise, son. I'll be with you, and your mother, always."

~~~

"Sojun? Where have you been, child?" Now, Sojun Kuchiki slept against a wall on the street of Soul Society, he rubbed his eyes and looked up to see his father's livid face,

"Sojun, answer me!" Sojun's lip quivered,

"I was just making sure..." Sojun replied weakly. Byakuya's glare didn't falter, but he pulled his son gently up from the ground.

"What? That you could frighten your family half to death? Was all this a ploy for attention, Sojun?" Sojun frowned and shook his head,

"Just making sure you'll always find me and get me, and protect me... Like you promised." Byakuya's glare vanished in a flash, and his eyes softened, he sighed,

"Sojun, I will always find you, wherever you are, I'll be there, you know that. You're my child, and I do...care about you, very much." Sojun nodded, he knew his father had trouble saying the 'L' word.

"I know."

"But promise me you'll never scare us like this ever again. You're mother was panicking, and that Isshin Kurosaki rounded up a search party...he was quiet determined to find his 'helpless little grandbaby', despite the fact you two have no blood relation. Ichigo Kurosaki has been looking for you in every district he could think of with Kaien trailing behind with Kaien's friend Kin Matusmoto." Byakuya sighed with exasperation as he and Sojun began to walk home, Sojun beamed,

"I love them, they're funny!" The boy laughed, Byakuya smiled at his child,

"I know."

"I love you too, Daddy. And I'm really sorry." Sojun looked nervously up at his father's face. Byakuya took his son's hand in his, and patted Sojun's head,

"I know."