Straitjacket Feeling

A/N: I apologize for the long wait, it didn't occur to me how much time my other stories would need and how much of my attention they would absorb. As well, I found out that I have more further chapters planned rather than ones that are focused on the current issues now. To be honest, I really just want to get to the baby chapters for some reason.

"You know, I read somewhere that the female uterus can stretch up to five-hundred times its normal size. I can't tell if that's fascinating or frightening." Isane called as she leaned back against the side of the bed; the only place she could find remotely comfortable to sit at was on the floor, which was no problem to her. A medical journal laid half-open and half-interested in her lap as she merely flipped through a few pages now and again. "And the fact that it has the ability to just... shrink back to its before state is kind of creepy too."

"I thought for someone in the medical field, you would be familiar with news like that."

"I can deal with five feet of intestines and a gory mess of missing limbs but... when it comes down to things like 'this', not so much." she replied. "I mean, I don't think Soul Society has even had a baby born in... who knows how many years. It could be decades for all we know. I have the training for it, but that's completely different when compared to having the experience of it."

"I'm sure everything will go accordingly."

"Just the imagery of having some seven pound human being coming out of a place that's nowhere close to being that size is just... terrifying." Isane remarked before she gently rubbed at the empty space between her eyes. "I'm sorry, this must sound incredibly unprofessional of me; I don't mean to put doubt in your mind, like I can't do my job or anything because I can, it's just that small children tend to terrify me."

"Is it because of your height-related issue?"

She looked up at the remark and watched as the dark-haired woman stepped out from the bathroom- which she had excused herself to at least five minutes ago. "Well... not really but now it is, thanks."

"I just made the assumption that your much taller frame would make for a dangerous drop for a small infant or cause for mild delay in seeing a child underfoot." the Twelfth Lieutenant replied as she seemed to casually stroll along the perimeter of the room; pausing just momentarily on the other end.

"Now I have mental images in my head." Isane sighed as she rubbed at the empty space a bit harder now. She watched as the woman seemed to be preoccupied with something on the other end of the room and yet continued to walk about as though to set the problem aside. "Is there something bothering you?"

"... No, not entirely. I just... well I suppose I'm getting a little tired of being blocked in this room with little else to do." she answered. "Most of my daily routines were focused on the other end of that door; to be honest, I rarely stayed in here for too long anyways. I fear my patience may be wearing down soon enough."

Smokey eyes narrowed momentarily at the words. "You wanna go for a walk then?"

Green eyes turned back at the remark; acting as though she had spoken some form of ancient curse at her instead. "I'm not allowed to leave this room."

"Okay true, but technically we're in charge of your health and I think it would be better if you were able to walk around instead of being cramped up in here for so long; you know, exercising during pregnancy is actually good for you." she answered with a light shrug before she moved to push herself from the floor; giving herself a heavy lift before she managed to catch her feet underneath her. Hands moved to dust off her uniform a bit and lightly rustle through her silver hair. "We can stay inside the Division building, it's not like we're going to run off outside and never come back."

"Yes but-"

"I'll just tell them I wanted to speak to Captain Unohana about something and that I felt more comfortable taking you with me." Isane continued. "It's not that difficult to get around questions although... I suppose the people here would want to be more in-depth about questioning and getting answers... Regardless, it's a short walk and... I know where we could go to avoid a majority of the people here."

While she would have enjoyed a break from this confided area, it just didn't seem right to do so; she had her orders to remain in here until further notice- no matter how long that notice would take to be delivered. But... again, it seemed like her less than great side of judgment really wanted that loose sense of freedom. "Okay."

"Good because I was getting a bit tired of being in here myself. No offense."

"You are more than welcomed to leave when you wish."

"Ah, no you see I can't actually do that- wait, is that just an excuse to get me to leave?"

"Why would I wish for that?"

She started to answer only to find that she didn't really have an answer for the woman's question. "Let's just go before someone decides to drop in and check on us."

It felt like she physically had to push the woman out the bedroom door to get her to go along with her plan; she herself knew better when it came to following orders but... the woman had been in the same room for days now, a little fresh air wasn't going to be hurting anyone. And they weren't going to leave the building so she saw little use of getting angry over the action. Although, this was Captain Mayuri they were talking about. And... he seemed to have the tendency to overreact sometimes.

Okay, so maybe all the time.

It was fairly easy to sneak around the guards and she suspected that even if they had caught them, it would've been assumed that this was something that was restricted for Division Four personnel only. Or at least she hoped that that kind of excuse would work. Because it was the only one she had for now. Regardless though, they got past quick and easy and the entire Division seemed to be open to their disposal. As long as they avoided two main areas of the building, they should be in good shape. As long as they didn't run into either Captain Mayuri or Captain Unohana, or anyone else who would be willing to give them away. They might be able to get away if they ran into Akon but she was still iffy about it; she just wanted to avoid anything and anyone for the time being.

Although their silence in the matter was a tad bit... nerve-wrecking.

"You know, I'm surprised that you've gotten this far without even the hint of morning sickness yet. I mean, like with normal term, you would've already been experiencing it at this point but I guess it's just different with everyone. The most I've seen you do is... well you've kind of been sleeping a bit more now and you were a little pale when you got up this morning but that was about it. I mean, do you feel okay?"

"I can't find a thing wrong with me to be honest. I haven't experienced any of the symptoms that I've previously read about... I suppose I just made the assumption that my body's been repressing the illnesses."

"Do you think your body's going to be able to repress the feeling of the ligaments around your pelvis bone stretching apart?"

"Excuse me?"

"It was just something I had read somewhere. Let's change the subject."

XXXX

XX

X

He had told the Captain not to go and now the seemingly extended period of time seemed to only prove his point more and more. It wasn't that the Espada wasn't to be trusted... well he really couldn't be. Then again, he knew well that the Fourth Division Captain could handle herself and that she would be able to dispel any kind of situation with calmness and ease.

Still though, there was this ever restless kind of feeling that stuck with him.

He couldn't loosen it no matter what he did or what he tried to distract himself with.

However, the sight of the Fourth Division Captain re-emerging was enough to settle and dispel the feeling as he set aside the papers he had mindlessly been looking at but not paying attention to.

"Well? he questioned.

A soft sigh escaped her as she could only shake her head lightly towards the man. "I apologize but under Fourth Division guidance and suggestion, I must say that we cancel all other... planning for today."

"Do you believe he poses a threat then?"

"Partly yes but not in the manner you may think." she replied. "I just believe that... whatever happened with that last session, he just needs some time to himself. I'll put in the request for a full day of rest; could you tell the rest of those in the waiting area that it would be best if they just returned to their own Divisions for the day?"

"This seems sudden."

"I know and I understand but... I've seen it. And if what you've told me about him is true, I don't think it would be in our best interest to push his limits right now. If you will, just rely the news and I'll speak to your Captain about this."

What could have possibly triggered a reaction like that?

XXXX

XX

X

"How's Kiyone doing-"

"I don't want to talk about it."

She supposed she should've expected a sharp response to interrupt her question; the slight tightness in the woman's jaw hinted that there was still some tension at the whole situation. The Fourth Division Lieutenant had always been... fairly protective of her sister, but then again it wasn't much to be surprised by upon hearing the news. "How are you taking it?"

"Not. Very. Well."

That much was apparent.

"If it's any consolation-"

"I just, would rather not talk about it or even think about it or even recognize that it's existing at this moment." Isane sighed. "I mean, the fact that she even got involved in this whole thing is ridiculous but the fact that she was involved with Sentaro as well and still decided to sign up is what really irritates me. Who in their right mind would even think to get involved with this? It's just... degrading and-" she stopped herself early enough before she jumped off the deep end into a rant. "I'm sorry, this isn't helping with this situation at all."

"No, it's quite alright; I've gotten over the whole thing. After all, it's just for the-"

"Do you really believe all that crap?" Isane questioned. "I mean, do you really believe that all this testing and experimenting is really going to prove anything? They're practically looking for some kind of super-soldier-hybrid mess out of this."

She turned her attention to the area around them for the moment and took note that they had somehow managed to wonder around towards the back labs somehow. Nothing much back here aside from a few abandoned rooms, a community shower and some other holding areas. It had been used for more serious, possible radioactive testing before those were shut down due to safety concerns. "My opinion in on this matter is not really of any concern; the testing they wish to do can be carried on without much from me but... as soon as it's over, I suspect things will shift. It'll move from him towards me and that much... that much I'm not too certain on."

"Why?"

"Because I don't make too much of an outburst over this situation despite his involvement in it. Yes, I never felt comfortable with the things we put him through but... this is one of the more humane experiments and I'd prefer it over all the others; at least I know he won't come out of it with some part of him missing. But once it switches back to me... I have this fear that he'll push the lines this time; he's more vocal when things turn back to me and will do what he wishes to test his limits. I'm afraid he'll test them too far. There's a feeling that, after this, he'll be expendable."

"... Would they really risk that?"

"Yes, because they don't think I'll step in to do something."

She waited a moment as though to test the waters for her next question; watching as the dark-haired woman walked just a few steps in front of her now. "Would you?"

The following question was fully expected and she had a well-prepared answer at hand but she continued walking as though she hadn't even heard it. Footsteps lightly echoing on before she paused at the sound of another set that didn't belong to the Fourth Lieutenant behind her. A concentrated moment of listening directed her attention to the rarely used washing rooms, watching just in time to see another figure step out from them; hands carefully pulling thick, blonde locks away from her face.

The wait for a respective answer drew on a lot longer than expected but she diverted her attention away from the question and towards the third figure that stepped into her sight. "... Matsumoto?"

The call of her name seemed to catch the woman off-guard as she jumped and snapped herself around towards their direction. For a brief moment, there seemed to be a hint of panic across her expression before it evened out to something that could really only be described as an unstable sense of relief.

"Shit. Isane, you scared the hell out of me." the woman breathed as hands tossed her blonde locks behind her slender shoulders. "Try to give a warning next time."

"Well sorry but... it's not like I completely expected to see you here." Isane remarked. "Which... why are you here anyways?" It only took a few seconds and one brief sense of eye contact before she caught and answered her own question. "Uh... you know what, forget it, don't answer that. It's none of my business."

In that brief moment of silence, she had dropped her guard completely and... ultimately gave away her position. She hadn't expected to run into anyone though, Captain Unohana said that this wing was ultimately abandoned anyways and she shouldn't worry about anyone finding out. Of course, something like that would completely back fire on her. There was really no way of getting out or around this now; she found the presence of the Twelfth Lieutenant only seemed to make things more and more awkward than necessary. "I... I'm sorry."

Why she chose to apologize... she didn't even know herself.

She assumed that the woman's response should've been able to click instantly in her head but it felt like she purposely delayed the sense of the situation; allowing a few brief seconds to pass before the realization of it hit her. She had once confessed to him that out of all the women in Soul Society, she was at the bottom of the list in terms of beauty... and here it seemed like he got the chance to share a moment with the one at the top. Part of her wondered if that had changed anything; if he was beginning to... lose interest in her now. "How's he doing?"

"... I don't know, I think... something's wrong with him."

"What do you mean? Like medically?" Isane questioned.

"I'm not a doctor. He just... I don't know, something happened."

She barely let the conversation continue on with her presence as she stepped back for a moment before she dismissed herself completely.

"Ah, Nemu, wait-" Isane started to call, only to watch as the woman seemed to hurry out of her line of sight. A thick sigh escaped her as she reluctantly made the choice to stay with her other fellow Lieutenant. "Here, come on, we can talk if you want."

Talking seemed like a good idea. "Well, I'm not entirely sure if you want to hear the details." Matsumoto started; watching as the woman seemed to frown briefly at the remark. "I... I don't know. We were talking beforehand and, things just came out; I mean, I was saying and confessing things I never would've told anyone else. And he just seemed so calm about it; he was a complete stranger who knew nothing about me and that was his first impression. His first impression that I still... I can't get over his death; I can't let go of his betrayal or of his absence. We never... we were never like that but he was my friend, he was the only one I had for the longest time and I still can't let myself live on without him; sometimes I still wake up expecting him to be pulling some kind of prank on me or something. For once, I had an outlet. Someone I could talk to who didn't need to know all the details; all he needed to hear was just that one part."

Words escaped her at the sudden, blurred confession and left her confused as to what her next step should be; hands lightly trembled at her sides before she pushed herself closer to the woman, eventually pulling her into a semi-relaxed hug. "... We all know you didn't take his death easily but... just think of what came out of it. You're stronger now and... you know, you finally managed to convince Captain Hitsugaya to bend those lines between you two. He helped you heal."

XXXX

XXX

XX

Every step seemed to come out as a blur as the rush of the Division scenery around all blended together around her; the familiarity of the corridors made the travel faster and easier to do without so much as a blink or even the briefest observation of her surroundings; she could make this trip with her eyes closed.

"What are you doing out of your quarters?"

The question pulled her from her solid, empty thoughts as she looked up to see her blue-haired Division partner and... the Fourth Division Captain; both of them looking back towards her in a brief sense of surprise.

"Where's Isane?"

"I... I apologize Captain Unohana, Officer Akon, but I cannot answer either of those questions right now. There is another emergency that calls for my attention." she responded as she moved to pass them by and into the corridor before.

He was quick to block her path but found that she almost outpaced him and moved around his self blockade; he had to reach out and grab her by the arm to resist her movements. "I cannot allow you to do that, Lieutenant Kurotsuchi; you were given strict orders to remain in your wing and to avoid this passage for the time being."

She looked back into his equally empty eyes before she easily pulled her arm free from his grasp; snapping the limb from his hand as she held it more protectively at her side now. "Certain measures call for certain responses and I find that this situation right now... it calls for my attention without delay. I cannot allow for you to stand in my way; if you choose to continue to do so... then I will exact whatever force is necessary to deflect you."

"You can't handle physical combat in your condition."

"Do not test me then."

"Ah, excuse me, but this does seem like a dire act." Unohana started; stepping forward to interrupt the minor conflict. She took note that neither of the two even bothered to look towards her direction; no, they seemed far more entranced with one another instead. "Let's at least get a few things answered. What kind of situation did you hear?"

"... I don't need a clear answer to know what's wrong." she slowly replied. "And Officer Akon here should be fairly educated as to why I choose to make this decision now; why I choose to act as such. Don't we, Akon?"

He only held that contact with strict supervision; almost completely destined to not have her leave his sight. "It would be reckless to just leap in there with little to no clear understanding of the situation."

"The last time we took that approach and left him to himself, he cut open his jugular with such precise and with such a clean cut, he was technically dead for six minutes. Do you remember that? I do."

Another brief moment of complete silence only seemed to further the tension as she waited for his response although knowing well that he would refuse to offer her one. She had always held a blank impression of him because he often times flipped between two sides of a coin but now... now it felt like she should witness him as an enemy. He knew well of what she was talking about, he knew well of what could happen and yet... he choose to follow orders. Yes, orders that she should've been bided to but matters changed and they stood on opposite sides.

She would remember that for later.

"What's going on over here?"

The heavy voice that erupted the question into the open air was enough to partly still her spine as she looked past the two to see her Captain walking towards them. Captain Unohana herself seemed a bit surprised at his sudden appearance and she was certain it was a faint sense of panic that dressed Akon's expression as he turned towards the man. She should've been frightened just the same; she should've apologized and been willing to accept the punishment that would follow.

Instead... she stepped away from him and ran.