Veiled Moon

by Spunky0ne

On what was to be the happiest day of his life, Ichigo loses the love of his life, Byakuya in a horrible accident. But not all is as it seems, and soon he finds himself on the trail of an old enemy, working desperately to learn if Byakuya could have been abducted instead…yaoi, mpreg…Ichigo/Byakuya, Aizen/Byakuya non-con, Aizen/Orihime non-con, Renji/Rukia, Kurushimi/Tetsuya

1. Shadowed Star

Veiled Moon

By Spunky0ne

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Darn it! I hadn't planned to start anymore new stories for a while, but someone put this bug in my mind and it wouldn't go away. But, not to worry, I have cleaned out a few stories that were in early chapters, had very little following and that I had long ago lost interest in, so that my total number of stories in progress is not increasing. I think it's a good tradeoff, especially in this case. Those of you who have read me for a while know that one of the things I like to do to stretch my limits is to take a story with one pairing and write a story with the same underpinning, but a different pairing. Different pairing = vastly different story. So, I have taken the basic skeleton of Silver Moonwolf (Byakuya is abducted by Sosuke Aizen on his wedding night) and I have employed the Ichigo/Byakuya pairing instead of Renji/Byakuya. There may be a few echoes of Silver Moonwolf, but this will be a completely different story that I am sure you will enjoy.

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On what was to be the happiest day of his life, Ichigo loses the love of his life, Byakuya in a horrible accident. But not all is as it seems, and soon he finds himself on the trail of an old enemy, working desperately to learn if Byakuya could possibly have been abducted instead…yaoi, mpreg…Ichigo/Byakuya, Aizen/Byakuya non-con, Aizen/Orihime non-con, Renji/Rukia, Kurushimi/Tetsuya

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Prologue: Shadowed Star

Byakuya stood quietly in his dressing area, looking into the mirror as Torio stripped away his yukata and began to lay the expensive folds of his wedding kimono around his pale, lovely form. A creamy white creation with sprays of pink sakura dancing up one breast, over his shoulder and down the back, it had taken his tailor months to make by hand. Kuchiki Torio's practiced hands moved with perfect confidence, slowly setting the pieces in place and transforming his already handsome cousin and clan leader into an almost painful beauty.

"Ichigo will pass out when he sees you in this," Byakuya's attendant said appreciatively, turning the ends of the tie and knotting it perfectly, "It's…hard to believe this is all happening, Byakuya-sama."

"It is hard for me to believe as well," Byakuya mused, one slender hand sliding down to touch his slim abdomen for a moment.

And I have the most beautiful of surprises to reveal tonight, when we give our wedding gifts to each other…

He looked up, blinking and pulling his hand away from the area as he sensed Ichigo outside, in the bedroom.

"Ichigo, what are you doing here! You are not allowed to see me before the wedding," Byakuya hissed softly, "Do not come back here. You will be extremely sorry if you take one more step!"

"Take it easy, I'm not gonna peek," Ichigo laughed, "I just came to say…I'm glad we're doing this."

Byakuya went still as Torio smiled at him and left the dressing area to give the two men their privacy. Ichigo stood outside of the sectioned off piece of the room, placing a hand on the partition and smiling affectionately.

"I am glad we are doing this also," Byakuya answered, looking at his abdomen in the mirror.

"I know you said that clan leaders usually don't marry other leaders or their direct heirs, but…I couldn't have married anyone but you. I really do love you."

"I love you also," Byakuya replied, closing his eyes against the soft burning in the corners, then blinking to clear them.

"In just a second, they're going to come in here and drag me out to the gardens, but before they do, I just…Byakuya, I can't wait for what happens next. I know at first, I was kinda scared about the whole marriage and kids, settling down and making babies. And I admit I almost passed out when I learned that one of us could have a kid. I know I freaked out a little at the idea of it being me. But I've had time to think about it, and what you said was right. We should have equal expectations for ourselves and each other. So…if it makes you happy, I will…at least think about having a kid, okay?"

"Ichigo, you don't have to…"

"I know," the Shiba heir chuckled, cutting him off, "but I think I want to. You said that I'm just young to be having all of this happen, and that is true, but…it's also true that I love you so much, I'm willing to grow up a little faster. I'll be a good husband and I will be a good father to our kids. I promise."

"I know you will," Byakuya answered, a rare, helpless smile overtaking his face, "Go on, now. They will be starting soon."

"Don't you run away now," Ichigo laughed, "I've waited forever for this."

"I have waited even longer."

Byakuya listened silently as Ichigo's footsteps faded away, leaving him alone, facing the mirror. He closed his eyes again, running his hand over his belly and breathing slowly, picking up the tiny traces of new life inside him.

Ichigo will be taken off his feet, and now it seems like he will greet this new child with open arms. I know he was unsure of himself before. It is a lot to ask of such a young man, who has so much responsibility already. But I cannot deny how much I want this…to live with him, to wake up beside him, to bring children to honor our clans, and to spend the rest of our lives giving our love to each other.

This is everything I could have asked for…

Byakuya paused in his thoughts as a footstep sounded behind him. A strong arm wrapped around his waist and hot breath touched his instantly blushing earlobe.

"Ichigo!" he managed breathlessly, opening his eyes, "You cannot look at…"

Byakuya froze and a hard chill flew down his spine as his eyes found Aizen Sosuke's reflection in the mirror, looking into his eyes. He tried to speak, but a hand clapped over his mouth and he felt Aizen's hand touch his abdomen, placing a powerful seal over his spirit centers.

"Stop! Do not do this!" he gasped, struggling.

"Hold still," Aizen said icily, "and listen to me."

He paused, glowering at their reflection and increasing the weight of reiatsu that kept Byakuya from either moving or calling out for help.

"Sosuke…"

"Shut up!" the traitor warned him, "You know why I came here."

"I know you blame Ichigo for your capture, yes, but…"

"I do blame Ichigo," Aizen agreed, "but I also blame those old men, who used me to win their war and then, after I sacrificed the hogyoku to help them, kept me locked up in Muken anyway!"

"Can you really blame them?" Byakuya managed angrily, "There is not a bone in you that is not treacherous. There is nothing in you that approximates humanity. You are living, breathing evil!"

"Yes, yes I am," Aizen answered, giving the noble a wicked smile in the mirror, "But I am a man made monster, Byakuya. And I am done living with their hypocrisy."

"But you escaped," Byakuya objected, fervently trying to prolong the conversation so that rescue could come, "You are free. Why take the risk of coming back?"

"The risk of coming back?" Aizen repeated dismissively, "There is no risk in coming back. There is no one here who will stand up to me this time. They won't even know I have been here."

"What are you talking about? What do you intend to do? Sosuke, why did you really come here?"

"Don't pretend you don't know," Aizen hissed softly, "You know the real reason why I killed those councilors before, Byakuya. I know you do."

A shiver went through the noble's restrained body, but he gave no answer.

"Matsuura Masashi," Aizen breathed, setting Byakuya's heart pounding, "That man still hasn't paid for what he did to me. But he and all of the others will pay. Ichigo will pay. You will pay…beginning now, Byakuya."

"What are you going to do? Are you going to kill me? Ichigo will hunt you down! You know he will."

"No," Aizen said coldly, "Ichigo is not going to do anything. Ichigo is about to lose the most beautiful thing in his life, and he will not even know it is me taking it."

"You cannot…!"

"Oh, actually, I can," Aizen continued, "I have already been to Central 46."

Byakuya's breath caught.

"If you think that what I did there last time was horrible, you will be glad that you don't know what I've done to them this time. But they will not have any idea it was me. They will not know because of what is about to happen to all of the evidence…the evidence there…and the evidence of your abduction here!"

"M-my…abduction?"

"Yes, you, I am not going to kill. That would be too easy for you. You, I am taking away from Ichigo. From this day forward, each night when he lays down, that man is going to shed his tears for you, Byakuya. And while he suffers every day, mourning you, I will spend every day, living the life he so wanted with you. Every bit of devotion that you would have given him, you will bow down and give to me, Byakuya!"

"I will never…!"

Byakuya's words stopped, and his eyes rounded as Aizen's reiatsu rose ominously and the room they were in began to shake. Outside, shouts rose up and Byakuya heard Ichigo's voice frantically calling his name. He tried to answer, but his voice was swallowed up by a roar and a flash of intense heat that swelled around them. Byakuya stared wordlessly into the mirror in front of him, protected carefully by Aizen's power as the room suddenly exploded.

"BYAKUYA!" Ichigo screamed, running towards the blazing inferno that had been Byakuya's master suite.

Renji, Rukia and a darker skinned man with turquoise eyes grabbed wildly at him, holding him back from entering the raging inferno.

"Let go!" Ichigo sobbed, "I have to…!"

"It's too late!" Rukia cried, "Ichigo, stop!"

Byakuya's cousin ran forward, employing his power and sending a heavy blast of water in to quell the fire. Within moments, the blaze winked out and the three burst into what had been Byakuya's bedroom, only to find a motionless and badly burnt body, where the Kuchiki leader had been.

"Get Orihime!" Ichigo screamed.

"I'm here! I'm here!" Orihime called out, sending her shun shun rikka into action.

The others watched as a golden oval formed over Byakuya's burned body. Aizen dragged the real Byakuya out of the wreck of the bedroom and forced him to watch as Orihime's healing shield began to vibrate, then rattled ominously and broke apart. Ichigo's eyes filled with devastation as he stared at the human girl in dismay.

"Orihime…"

Orihime's large eyes filled with tears, and the group watched with stunned expressions as Byakuya's burned body shimmered for a moment, then dispersed into a shower of spirit particles.

"N-no!" Ichigo sobbed, "Wh-what happened, Orihime? Why…?"

"I don't know," Orihime whispered, tears rolling down her face, "S-something seemed to interfere. I don't know why. I am…so sorry, Ichigo."

Ichigo rested on his knees, looking down at the place where Byakuya's body had been, heavy sobs building up in his chest then bursting out in a long, hard howl. The guests stood solemnly with their heads contritely bowed and their hearts aching at the tormented sounds that continued to well up from inside him and escaped in hard, wrenching cries.

A short distance away, Aizen opened a garganta, using his illusions to hide it from the eyes of the others. He sent a heavy shock through Byakuya's body, dropping him, and swept him up, carrying him into the darkness and closing the pathway behind them. A satisfied smirk on his lips, he carried Byakuya into the blackness.

He emerged from the garganta in an area of Hueco Mundo that looked like barren sand dunes, but moved forward and opened the gates to a massive, hidden palace. He carried Byakuya through the gardens in the courtyard, then into the palace entrance, down the marble floored hallways to the master's bedroom. He laid Byakuya in his bed, slowly and meticulously restraining him with both kido and physical chains. When the noble was fully contained, he sent a flicker of reiatsu through him and watched as the noble's dark eyes opened and struggled to bring him into focus.

"Y-you!" he managed.

Aizen gave him a charming smile.

"Did you enjoy our wedding, Byakuya?" he asked, smirking.

"Our…wedding? There was no wedding!" Byakuya snapped, "I've been unconscious! I never consented to marrying you!"

"But you will," Aizen teased him, "You are going to do whatever I tell you to do, because I know exactly what you have to lose, if you don't."

What are you talking about?" Byakuya demanded, straining against his bonds, "Let me go, Sosuke! You cannot keep me here!"

"But I can," Aizen said sedately, "and believe me, I will."

He moved closer and sat down next to the noble, caressing his face, then sliding his hand downward. Byakuya tried to turn away, then froze as Aizen's hand stopped well short of his private areas, pausing instead on his slim belly.

"You see what I mean?" he said blithely, "I know the little secret you were about to reveal to Ichigo."

"Do not hurt out child, Sosuke!" Byakuya gasped, "This child is innocent!"

"Yes, I know that," Aizen answered, focusing on the area where the baby's reiatsu was gradually maturing, and it's funny that you said…our child, isn't it?"

"You know this is Ichigo's child!" Byakuya exclaimed.

"No, it is not," his abductor insisted, leaning over him and glaring down into Byakuya's widened eyes, "Ichigo stole my freedom from me. He stole my happiness and the future I had planned, so I am going to do the same thing to him. From this moment, I am claiming his happiness…everything that he planned for the future…your love, your children…everything!"

Byakuya tried to look away as Aizen held up his returned sword.

"You remember Kyoka Suigetsu, don't you, Byakuya?" he asked, holding up the weapon, "It was sacrificed in my battle with Ichigo, but I managed to retrieve a shard from the battlefield where we fought, and I restored my zanpakuto. Go ahead, look. You have been hypnotized by this blade before. Fall under our spell again!"

Bound too tightly and forced to look, Byakuya couldn't escape the bright glow of the sword as its powers blossomed. The light seemed to sink down into his roiling core, doing battle with his mind as he struggled to keep hold of things the way he knew they had been. But slowly, and with each change painfully burning at his tortured mind, Ichigo's face and form was overwritten with Aizen's. His body shook with rage, but his own power remained locked under the seal and no amount of force could break his bonds. Tears welled up in the corners of his eyes as he watched Ichigo slowly begin to fade away.

"S-stop!" he gasped, "Sosuke, stop!"

That was just the pain you deserved for your part in my incarceration, Aizen breathed in his ear, but your suffering is done, Byakuya…at least as far as you will know it. Now, relax and sleep. When you wake, you will no longer ache for him. No, Ichigo will go from having been your brightest dream, to being your worst nightmare.

Sleep.

Byakuya crashed down into heavy blackness and ringing silence, his only motions the beating of his heart and the soft rise and fall of his chest. Aizen leaned over him, slowly drying away his tears and freeing his body from the unforgiving bonds. He walked to his closet and dressed in his finest suit, then walked back to the bed and climbed in, beside the unconscious man. He stroked Byakuya's cheek and bent slightly to bring their lips together, bringing his gradually awake.

Byakuya blinked slowly as the man in bed with him came into focus and smiled at him.

"Are you feeling all right, Bya?" he asked, "You lost consciousness for a few moments.

Byakuya started to speak, the frowned and touched his throat. His body stiffened and began to quiver in surprise and horror.

"Shh, it's all right," Aizen assured him, wrapping warm arms around him, "You've only forgotten the injuries that you received before…when that man attacked you. He is gone. I have taken you far away from him. I know you still can't speak, but you are safe here, and today is our wedding day. We were just married, Bya. Do you remember now?"

Byakuya shivered at the frustrating haze that seemed to confuse his memories.

I remember the things he said, but…something…

"Come now, are you well enough to stand? The healer assured me that you are all right."

He submitted to standing, but gave Aizen a wary look.

"Ah, you wonder about your unconsciousness, of course. I promise you, everything is fine, my love. You lost consciousness because my invention worked! Just as you wished, I was able to make you pregnant with our child, Bya."

Byakuya strained his mind and was instantly stricken with powerful memories of desiring exactly as his husband said, and he smiled in response.

"Do you feel well enough to rejoin the party?" Aizen asked.

Byakuya considered for a moment, then nodded briefly. He felt Aizen's hand take his and allowed himself to be led out of the room. As they walked down the hallway, Aizen's power floated all around them, remaking the walls to hold portraits of the two of them, and of imagined families they came from. He conjured voices that drifted out of the ballroom at the end of the hallway, beckoning them as they headed towards it.

Byakuya inhaled in wonder as they entered the large ballroom that had been made over into the most breathtaking display he had ever seen. The walls were decorated in pink, white and blue, and tables lined one side, where a number of guests were eating. More guests filled the dance floor, moving gracefully in a classic waltz, while children scampered about and laughed together as they played on a nearby balcony, carefully watched over by several dutiful attendants.

"It is…wonderful, isn't it, Bya?" Aizen sighed, caressing his hand, "Would you like to dance?"

A sudden crashing sound made the music stop and sent guests skittering away as a man dressed in black landed a short distance away. Instantly, a sword appeared in Aizen's hand and he moved forward to challenge the ginger haired man.

"Ichigo!" he hissed.

For some reason, the name alone made Byakuya's heart quiver and race.

"I'm here for Bya!" Ichigo announced, "He is mine! I won't let you have him!"

"I think you are mistaken, Ichigo," Aizen said in a cool, unruffled tone, "Bya is in love with me. And, if you will remember, your last attempt to steal his affections had disastrous results."

He tilted Byakuya's head back, revealing horrid scarring on his pale throat.

"You almost killed him," Aizen said in a lower, angrier tone, "and with that, you sacrificed any right you had to him. Bya doesn't want to go back to you. We are married now, and there is nothing you can do!"

Ichigo's lips curled into a cruel smile.

"I can kill you and take him back!"

Byakuya recoiled in shock as the ginger haired man surged towards them and Aizen danced forward to clash with him. The scene around him tilted and dimmed ominously, and Byakuya's legs slowly gave way under him.

He woke some time later, laying, once again, in Aizen's bed and looking up at the white ceiling. A moment later, the bedroom door opened and Aizen entered the room, limping slightly and with one wrist bandaged.

"It's all right now," he said softly, "He's gone. I have…doubled the guards to protect you, but you will have to be very careful."

Aizen moved onto the bed and gathered Byakuya into his arms, holding him almost possessively and glaring down into his widened eyes.

"Bya, if he reaches you, he will kill you with our baby inside you. Neither of you will live. Do not leave the palace. Not ever! You are only safe from him within these walls. Do you understand?"

Byakuya touched his throat gently, blinking back tears as he remembered the cruel look on the ginger haired man's face and the angry words.

He's mine!

"I am sorry," Aizen whispered, kissing his frowning lips and pressing up against him, "But it's okay now, Bya. I will take care of you. And in a few moments, you won't be thinking about him at all!"

Byakuya's mind spun in dizzying circles as Aizen lowered him onto his back and slowly removed the lovely wedding kimono he had been wearing. His hands slid over the lengths of perfect, pale flesh, treasuring as they moved and making Byakuya's thoughts crash chaotically together. He barely felt his husband's fingers prepare him, or when Aizen's body finally took possession of his. He blushed and panted fitfully, feeling oddly like a stranger in his own body, but unable to reason why. Within moments, Aizen's ministrations made coherent thought impossible, and he felt his body surrender to the wicked throbs of a powerful release. Aizen's blazing heat burned his insides and the room began to darken again.

What…is wrong with me?

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Ichigo stood in the gardens, his face wearing a look of disbelief as the messenger in front of them panted out his message.

"It's t-true, sirs!" he exclaimed, "There were explosions all over the Seireitei, all on the lines that ran through here. We have had teams scouring all of the sites and so far, all we have discovered is that a protective seal failed and it looks like the cause of all of the explosions."

"How can that be?" Ichigo mused, "It took out the entire building here!"

"I heard that Central 46 is also gone," Renji added, scowling, "We may have thousands of people dead and you're standing here, fucking telling me it was all some stupid accident?"

"It appears that way, sirs," the messenger confirmed, "Of course, there will be a larger investigation. The secret mobile corps is already working on it. Believe me, if it wasn't an accident, we will know soon."

Ichigo and Renji watched silently as the messenger flash stepped away.

"What do you think?" Renji asked, "You think that it's like he said? Just an accident?"

Ichigo fixed his eyes on Byakuya's destroyed bedroom, his mind seething.

"Someone sure wants us to believe it is," Ichigo answered softly, "But one way or another, whatever it takes, I'm going to find out the truth!"