Dark Corners Part 2: White Arrow

By Spunky0ne

Chapter 1: Nation in Shadows

We've lived for many, many years within the shadows, Haschwalth Jugram mused, leaving his soft, comfortable bed and wrapping a thick robe around his pale, slender body, then walking out onto the balcony outside his suite, Driven to near extinction by the shinigamis, our ancestors found this quiet refuge and built the palace called Silbern, where Ywach slept after the first blood war. The society they built in this refuge grew and prospered. It wasn't perfect. It had its light and darkness, its heroes and villains. Some of the leaders were good and some were treacherous, but everyone here knew who the true enemy was.

The shinigami.

He watched as the greyness of early morning gave way to the beginnings of blue sky.

The shinigami is the natural enemy of the quincy.

That is what we were taught. Even down to the most insignificant denizen of the thick forests like I was, we all knew the reason we had to conceal ourselves and build this shadow world on Soul Society's doorstep. At first, it was the only means of survival. There seemed nowhere that we could hide from the nightmare in black that wanted to annihilate us. And they didn't stop at killing our fighters, our warriors. They killed the women and children too. They sought the extinction of our entire race.

To us, they were monsters. Wanting to slaughter an entire race, using genocide as an answer to our differences? Why would any sane person, let alone a living society, choose such a path? We didn't understand. To them, we were the monsters. Created by a self-serving king and meant to serve as his dominating force, he did make monsters of us. He also consumed us.

We were all monsters, weren't we?

Haschwalth closed his eyes against the brightness of the rising sun, his mind going back to the first time he had experienced the wrath of the quincy king.

"Jugo!" a male voice called impatiently, "Where have you gone off to boy?"

The thin, short-haired blonde quincy youth shuddered at the sound and tried to shrink into the little corner of the cabin, where his mat laid on the dirty floor. He scolded himself silently for sleeping too late and shut his eyes tightly as the man's voice came closer.

"Ah, there you are, my Jugo," the man's voice purred, more contentedly at finding him.

Thick, cold fingers touched his face and Jugo opened his eyes and looked up at the man.

"G-good morning, Uncle," he said, fervently hoping that all the man wanted was his breakfast, "S-sorry I slept so late. I'll go at once and start..."

He sucked in a distressed breath as his uncle's hand grabbed the front of his tattered tunic, pulling him in and bringing their faces close together so that Jugo could smell the awful lingering scent of stale alcohol. His body stiffened and he had to clench his teeth to bite back any objection as the man's hazy eyes glared into his, then his face came even closer. It hurt when he was shoved roughly back against the wall, but the shock and the stars that flooded his vision numbed him so that he shut out the vile reality of what happened next. His mind went mercifully blank, only to return some time later when his uncle shoved the wrinkled pile of his clothes back at him and snapped at him to hurry and dress. His head still aching and pain radiating between his dampened thighs, he stumbled, naked, out the front door of the dilapidated cabin and ran for the cover of the forest.

"Don't come back without a rabbit!" his uncle yelled after him, "Or tonight, your punishment will be worse."

He knew well that the rabbit would only save him a beating. But avoiding any part of his uncle laying hands on him was enough incentive to make him frantic to obey. He stood on shaky legs, his breaths, fast and shallow, misting the air as he hastily put on his poor clothes and set out looking. Knowing he was nearly helpless on his own, he headed for the only person who might help him, the energetic son of the house that governed the nearby village. He was surprised he hadn't heard Bazz's voice calling out for him.

His surprise turned to fear when he began to smell smoke.

"B-bazz?" he stammered, his teeth chattering as he walked slowly towards the village.

He stopped just short of it as a horrified scream sounded.

"BAZZ!" he cried, forcing his aching legs into a staggering run and heading towards the sound.

His heart leapt into his throat as he ran into a clearing that was almost surrounded by fire and found his friend collapsed and nearly unconscious.

"Bazz..." he gasped, "Bazz, come on, we have to get..."

"N-no!" Bazz moaned dazedly, "M-my dad. H-he killed my dad...mom...everyone! Have to kill that...bastard!"

"You can't kill anyone like this," Jugo chided him, "We have to get away, Bazz. The fire is out of control!"

He dragged the protesting youth to his feet and the two limped away. Jugo turned them in the direction of the cabin, where he lived with his uncle and they stumbled along, using the bushes and trees as cover and avoiding the areas where there were still shouts and sounds of fighting. They were almost to the cabin, when Jugo paused, scenting more smoke coming from the direction of his home. He led his injured friend closer, emerging out of the woods and freezing as he was met with the incomprehensible sight of the cabin in flames and his uncle crashing out through the front door, his clothing in flames and his mouth open and screaming. Almost fully involved, his burning eyes seemed to fix on the two boys for a moment, before he collapsed and died.

Jugo dragged Bazz away, heading towards the safety of the river and plunging in. He held Bazz against him, his heart beating so fast it made him dizzy, but he was well aware that if he passed out, they would both drown. He kept his head, letting the river carry them away from the thicker smoke before pulling them to shore and laying Bazz on the river's edge. He leaned over his friend, brushing the smudged and damp hairs out of his eyes.

"Bazz?"

Receiving no answer, he laid down beside the other boy, his mind in a haze.

"Who did this?" he whispered into the chill air, "Why?"

It might be good for him to be without his horrid uncle, but Bazz loved his family, Jugo knew. They were kind people, who would have probably helped him if he'd asked. They didn't deserve to die.

But it seemed that the scales of justice had broken.

Haschwalth shivered, even within the warmth of his rich, layered robes. His eyes opened to find the sun higher in the sky and the new day begun.

It's good he's gone.

He might have ended my uncle's treachery, but it was only to wrap our people in a horror worse than any I ever knew. And all the while he led us deeper into the darkest depths, we were forced to follow, forced to try to make ourselves useful to him and to lie down every night with the knowledge that we belonged to him completely. At his will, any of us were expendable.

Except maybe for me.

I was the one person he really needed. My power made him stronger and the connection between us allowed us to switch during the night, so that he had me to watch over everything, while he reclaimed the souls that had died that day. I was so wrapped up in him that I became lost in him. I knew that nothing and no one could resist him, so I stopped trying. It wasn't until Ichigo and Uryuu slew him that I regained any kind of control. I barely escaped with my life and staggered back to Silbern alone. The silence was deafening at first, but slowly, I realized he was gone.

I don't know why, but I hear his voice sometimes in my head.

Still hating me and needing me at the same time...

"Haschwalth-sama? The noble lords are arriving. I've come to dress you."

"Thank you, Moritz."

He stepped back into the room as the door opened again and a grey-haired man entered and smiled at him.

"Haschwalth-sama," the man greeted him.

"Adelmo," Haschwalth said, nodding, "Have you had a chance to mingle with the arriving lords?"

"Some," his associate said, frowning slightly, "Enough to know that some are losing faith in the young king. I know that your vision saw him as the best hope for us, but it is hard while hearing stories of his weakness and subjugation under the shinigamis to view him as any kind of leader."

"I understand," Haschwalth said solemnly, "I know what I have to do. And as soon as the heir is born, we will make our move."

XXXXXXXXXX

Uryuu felt soft, warm breaths seeping into his hair and heating the area just behind his ear, teasing the tender lobe into blushing sweetly. He made a sound of contentment at feeling the close press of a naked body resting, curled around his, a soft, possessive hand caressing his very round abdomen and a telling hardness pressing against his bare bottom.

I remember when that used to frighten me...the thought that I arouse him. But the counseling has helped.

He turned and met a pair of smoky grey eyes that looked into his with affection and an edge of smoldering desire. For a moment, neither man moved and Uryuu felt a little ache in his heart at the hesitation, but he gave his amorous husband a welcoming smile and Byakuya pounced, bringing him down onto his back and invading his mouth hungrily. He was careful not to wrap his hands around Uryuu's slim wrists or to even touch his hands or arms as they kissed, laying his own hands open and flat on the bed as his tongue penetrated Uryuu's welcoming mouth and busily explored the soft and smooth surfaces, lingering along the side of his tongue before curling around it lovingly. Uryuu wrapped his arms around his husband, smiling at how carefully Byakuya remained poised so that he didn't press down on the younger man's belly.

"You don't have to be so careful," he chided him, "I'm not going to break."

"I know," Byakuya assured him, rolling onto his back and coaxing Uryuu into taking the upper position.

Uryuu lifted his upper body and balanced atop Byakuya's outstretched body, letting their heated genitals touch as Byakuya's hands sought his round abdomen and a soft, pink glow rose around them. There was such comfort and relief in those hands, Uryuu's eyes closed and he slowly grew sleepy again, lulled by the gentle hum and lazy swirl of Byakuya's reiatsu. He felt almost guilty at how gently he was laid down again when the infusion was done and his husband withdrew without seeking relief from his unfed arousal.

"Byakuya," he complained sleepily, "don't..."

"Shh," Byakuya soothed him, brushing their lips together, "Sleep some more. The baby's reiatsu is taxing your body."

"But, I want to be with you."

"And I want to be with you," Byakuya assured him, caressing Uryuu's protesting lips with his, "Perhaps after you have rested. I have to go anyway."

"What?" Uryuu objected, frowning, "I thought you were on leave."

"I am, but Renji was injured while assisting Harribel Tier with a rather obnoxious group of strong hollows."

"Is he all right?" Uryuu asked, sitting up too quickly and suffering a painful twinge in his belly, "Oh!"

Byakuya's arm wrapped around him and he sent a fresh infusion of stabilizing reiatsu into his husband's aching abdomen. Uryuu shut his eyes tightly, panting for a moment until the pain seemed to pass and he settled back against the pillows again.

"Don't try to get up," Byakuya advised him, wrapping a yukata around himself and tying it at the waist, "I am going to get Kisuke."

"It's okay! I'm fine now," Uryuu argued, carefully remaining relaxed and not trying to get up again, "It was just a little twinge because I got up wrong."

"I'm sure it was, but I will have you looked at, just to be sure. You know that your father has been having some difficulty and you may as well."

"I know. S-sorry," the younger man apologized, letting out a frustrated sigh as his husband left and looking down at his belly, "Stop it, okay? You're scaring him."

He rubbed his belly gently and gazed at the door where Byakuya had just exited.

"You're scaring me too," he added more softly, "You know, we've both lost children before. You've been the one that's helped us get over that."

His fingers slid over the soft, white flesh and he smiled at the little flickers of reaction he felt beneath the surface.

"You want to come out and meet us in person. I know. But it'll be a while yet."

He looked up as Byakuya returned alongside a dark-haired man with friendly green eyes. Uryuu tried to hide the moment of chill memory as he met the healer, Masao's, gentle gaze, but he couldn't fend off the little flutter of reaction as he remembered. Masao lowered his eyes apologetically.

"I am sorry, Kuchiki-sama," he said to Uryuu, "but Kisuke is with your father and I am the only healer available to..."

"It's fine," Uryuu assured him, a little throb of guilt going through him.

I'm not holding a grudge. He was forced by Saito Yuudai and his son to end my first pregnancy. And even then, Ywach never intended for that child to be a reality anyway. I know he has terrible regrets. We both want to let go of it, but sometimes bad things just won't let go of you...

He relaxed his body as Masao came close, extending an open hand over him that trembled slightly. The healer made a sound of frustration as his power flickered and failed.

"Sorry," he apologized, his hand shaking as he tried again and managed to radiate more respectable power.

He leaned forward, letting his reiatsu curl around the spirit chamber and reading the impulses that came back. A moment later, he regain his smile.

"Everything is fine, Kuchiki-samas," he assured the two, "You must have just moved too quickly and put stress on the chamber, making the muscles in that area react, causing the pain you felt."

"Well, that's a relief," Uryuu sighed, "Thanks, Masao."

"You are welcome, Kuchiki-sama," Masao answered, turning away.

"Hey, you know, I told you that you can call me Uryuu," the quincy reminded him.

"That is very gracious of you," Masao said, nodding, "Kuchiki-sama."

Uryuu shook his head in frustration as the healer left.

"I don't know why he does that," he sighed, "I told him I'm not holding a grudge, and I'm not. It's like he has a grudge against himself."

"Can you blame him?" Byakuya asked, "That young man suffers under a heavy burden of guilt. He is only now regaining use of his powers that were exceptional before what happened. It will be a long time before he truly forgives himself. I can ask him to leave if it troubles you for him to be here. He was reluctant to come back, but Kisuke needed the extra help."

"He doesn't have to avoid me. And, you know, it's weird, but I kind of feel like it's good for both of us to see each other sometimes. He's not a bad person. He just didn't want to die. Most people would've done what he did. And..."

Uryuu's face paled as he encountered a dark flash of memory.

"It wasn't so long ago that I was under someone else's control and could have been forced to do something like that."

"Uryuu..."

"You know the grand councilor was right to ask me what I would've done if Ywach wanted me to kill someone. It was a fair question."

"No, it wasn't."

"But I don't know the answer. I don't know what I would have done. Maybe I would have resisted, but maybe I would have killed someone for him."

"Don't do this to yourself," Byakuya said, sitting down beside him and wrapping an arm around him.

"S-sorry," Uryuu apologized, shaking his head, "I'm being kind of stupid. I was so wrapped up in myself, you didn't have a chance to tell me if Renji was all right."

"Renji will be fine. I just wanted to go back to the fourth division and visit him. I will go a little later."

"You can go now," Uryuu argued, "You heard Masao. I'm okay, and I promise I'll be careful when I get up. I should get up now anyway. I need to stretch my legs."

He grabbed his yukata from the bedpost and waited as Byakuya came around the side of the bed and slipped an arm around him, helping him to his feet.

"Slowly now."

"I am going slowly," Uryuu laughed, "Will you stop worrying so much?"

He inhaled in surprise as Byakuya's arms wrapped around him tightly and the Kuchiki leader's warm breath tickled his ear sweetly.

"I will never stop worrying about you. You and this child are my life, Uryuu. I love you."

"I love you too," Uryuu sighed, closing his eyes and nuzzling Byakuya's cheek, "But I'm just going to have a walk with Arashi and then sit on the patio, sewing. Go and visit Renji. I'll be fine, I promise."

Byakuya kissed him on the cheek and gave him a final squeeze.

"Very well. I will go and see Renji, but I will be back shortly and we can walk in the gardens together later as well?"

"It's a date," Uryuu promised.

He watched Byakuya leave, then slipped his shoes on and walked outside, where he found the tall, black Arabian cropping grass and blinking lazily in the morning sunshine. He lifted his head and perked his ears at Uryuu expectantly.

"You mind joining me for a walk?" Uryuu asked.

Of course, Kuchiki-sama, Arashi's wispy voice whispered into his mind.

"Stop it. It's just Uryuu."

Uryuu-sama.

Uryuu laid a hand on the stallion's withers, falling into a gentle walk alongside Arashi and breathing in the pleasant scents of the gardens as they went about their walk.

And everywhere Uryuu went, even back inside, dark, unreadable eyes watched him from within the shadows.