Accidentally Yours
By Spunky0ne
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(HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BYAKUYA!)
A response to pleas by numerous Ichi/Bya lovers to write a story similar to my Accidental Love Affair, but with Byakuya and Ichigo as the pairing. I am very happy to make your yaoi dreams come true!
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Chapter 1: Errant Hearts
Tetsuya stood silently in the dressing area of his bedroom, his blue eyes downcast and his mind focused on the steady sound of the rain falling outside. Koji smiled sympathetically as he dressed his unhappy cousin, and when Tetsuya finally stood with everything in place, the attendant laid a hand on his and captured his worried gaze.
"It will be all right, Tetsuya-san," he said, squeezing Tetsuya's hand gently, "I am sure when you tell him, Byakuya-sama will be reasonable. He loves you, and he wants, more than anything, for you to be happy."
"I know he does," Tetsuya answered in a dispirited tone, "but I also know that in the wake of the quincy war, there has been a new push to keep noble bloodlines pure. The elders are split on the subject, and while many support Byakuya-sama's opinion that powerful mixed bloods and commoners should be used to continue to strengthen the clan's bloodline, there is enough contention to..."
He paused as Byakuya's attendant entered the room.
"Tetsuya-san, Byakuya-sama is ready to see you now."
"Arigato, Torio," Tetsuya replied, falling in with him and leaving Koji looking sadly after them.
The two proceeded through the Kuchiki home's lovely, dark-paneled, inner walkway, past the portraits of the generations of handsome Kuchiki leaders, and the guest dining room and large ballroom. They slowed as they passed Byakuya's simply but elegantly decorated bedroom, and stepped down into the study, where the Kuchiki leader knelt at a small table.
"Sir, Tetsuya-san is here," announced the attendant.
"Thank you. Please leave us, Torio."
Tetsuya swallowed hard as the door to the room closed, leaving him alone with his elder cousin. He kept his gaze respectfully lowered, feeling somewhat grateful that the onus for beginning the likely uncomfortable discussion didn't lie with him, but his leader.
"You...understand why I summoned you here?" asked Byakuya.
Tetsuya raised his troubled eyes to meet his cousins, and was stricken by the regret he saw written in them.
"I understand," he answered softly, "Kuri-kuri-sama spoke to you, didn't he?"
"He did."
Tetsuya's lips trembled for a moment, then stiffened.
"You refused to allow him permission to marry me?" Tetsuya concluded.
Byakuya sighed.
"I had no choice. I am sorry," he apologized, reaching across the small table to take Tetsuya's hands, "Tetsuya, you know you are dear to me. Your happiness is very important to me."
"I know," Tetsuya whispered, his eyes filling with tears as the rain outside the room fell harder, "It can't be helped."
"No, I am afraid not. You know that the war split those who want to keep pure bloodlines and those who see the value in infusing our bloodline with that of powerful mixed bloods and commoners. What was once a manageable difference of opinion, has ballooned into political warfare. Our clan has long been more lenient in these cases, but we are the exception."
"B-but Kuri's clan is like ours," Tetsuya reasoned, "Shouldn't that matter too?"
"The elders on both sides agreed this match could fracture some important alliances and cause chaos in Central 46. You are aware that our representation in Central 46 is crucial, and it is based, not just on our clan's power, but how respected we are," Byakuya explained, "A marriage between you and Kurushimi would jeopardize both our clan's place and his. I know you don't want that to happen, Tetsuya."
"No," Tetsuya whispered, sniffing softly.
"Then, you understand why I had to refuse the match."
"Yes, Byakuya-sama."
Byakuya released his cousin's hands and glanced out into the gardens for a moment. Then, he took a small silver charm from within his clothes and offered it to his cousin.
"I...won't ask you to stop seeing him, but there must be no children, Tetsuya. I am very, very sorry."
Unable to answer, Tetsuya simply nodded and accepted the token, placing it around his throat as his cousin watched. Byakuya reached out to touch his face, then froze as Tetsuya's flash step sounded and he disappeared from the room. Byakuya looked out the gardens doors, watching as his cousin fled into the rain, his heart aching and radiating with barely restrained anger.
This is wrong. I know it is wrong and there is nothing I can do. The war didn't just damage our numbers, it damaged our perceptions and values to the point where I wonder what really matters anymore. Tetsuya and Kurushimi deserve to be happy, just like the rest of us. It shouldn't matter that Tetsuya's blood is mixed.
It never once has mattered to me.
I am so sorry, Tetsuya.
Please forgive me.
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Tetsuya ran blindly, fleeing into the gardens as the rain pounded down all around him, weighing down the petals of the flowers and bringing down scores of the spring blossoms. He vaulted the back fence, waving off his tall black stallion as the beast moved to follow him.
Please, let me be, Arashi, Tetsuya thought.
The stallion slowed and stopped, rain running down his proud face like tears and dripping off his sodden flanks and limp tail. He watched solemnly as Tetsuya flash stepped away down the forest path, heading for the waterfall and lake.
Be well, Master. Please don't cry, Arashi's wispy voice whispered into Tetsuya's tormented mind.
He continued to run down the muddy path, rain flinging off his fingertips and the ends of his long, raven black hair. He gathered himself as he approached the cliff over the lake, preparing to jump in and disappear beneath the surface, but was stopped as someone appeared in front of him.
Tetsuya sucked in a surprised breath and tried to stop his feet, but only slid on the mud. He crashed into the tall, caramel-skinned man who had stepped in front of him, and the two hurtled over the edge of the cliff and crashed gracelessly down into the water. The other man surfaced quickly and splashed around, laughing heartily and looking for Tetsuya.
"Tetsu-hana? Was this your way of saying hello to me?" he chuckled.
The only sound that reached him in reply was the splash of thick raindrops on the surface of the lake
"Tetsu-hana?" he called again.
He heard a little splashing sound near the base of the water and smiled slyly. He darted across the lake and swam under the heavy fall of water, emerging on the other side at the entrance to a small cave. Small kido lights had been lit and he spotted wet footprints leading inside. He climbed out of the water, shivering slightly at the cold, and headed deeper into the cave, where the air was warmed by the presence of a natural hot spring. The man slowed as he approached the spring, noting that Tetsuya was inside and ducked beneath the surface. He felt the other young man's riled reiatsu, and his smile faded.
"He said no, didn't he?" the man whispered to himself, "Well, we'll see about that."
He moved forward and slid down, catching his breath at the deep warmth, then turning his focus onto his miserable lover. Dropping down beneath the surface, he felt Tetsuya's power touch him, and found he could breathe in the bubbling water. His arms pulled Tetsuya close against him and his lips caressed Tetsuya's comfortingly.
Neither man said a word as they shed their clothing. letting the pieces float aimlessly in the spring while they held each other. The caramel-skinned man laid soft kisses along Tetsuya's neck and shoulder, rubbing his back and sliding a hand down to prepare him. Tetsuya surrendered easily, laying back in the water as his lover's hands held onto his thighs and the man began his entry.
Kuri-kuri-sama...
Tears still streaming, even under the water's surface, Tetsuya gazed up into Kuri's turquoise eyes and wrapped his legs tightly around his lover's slim waist. Kuri stood in the small spring, holding onto Tetsuya's soft bottom as the two writhed against each other.
You look brokenhearted, Tetsu-hana. I promise, I won't let you go. I will simply have to convince Byakurai to change his mind. And if he won't, I will change it for him.
He thrust harder, his hungry moans echoing in the cave and small tickles in his belly warning of approaching climax. His hands looped around Tetsuya's undulating torso, bringing him to the surface as Kuri released and filling the cave with Tetsuya's beautiful sounds of pleasure. Kuri started to speak, then noticed the charm hanging around his lover's neck. Scowling, he reached down and tried to break the clasp, then swore as his fingers were given a sharp shock.
"¿Que es esto?" he asked sharply, "This is no simple pregnancy charm, Tetsu-hana. Tell me what happened."
Tetsuya slipped free of Kuri and settled on the stone seat in the hot spring, waiting as the Shima leader glared down at him, then joined him.
"What happened?" Kuri asked again, "Why are you wearing that...that insulting piece of metal! We use a protection charm. What? Is he that afraid I will do the obvious and impregnate you intentionally? He has to use this charm that he controls? Bastardo!"
"It isn't Byakuya-sama's fault," Tetsuya said, wiping the mingled water and tears out of his eyes, "He would have given us permission."
"Then, why didn't he?" Kuri shouted, "The man has no balls!"
"That's not true!" Tetsuya objected, "Byakuya-sama is just thinking of the need for what's left of the clans to stick together. You know he doesn't believe that the mixed-bloods like me are lesser. He...married a commoner."
"And yet, he won't let you marry me? It makes no sense! At least you have some noble blood! This is ridiculous. Sus mayores pueden chupar mis testículos! Son cerdos, todos ellos! Chingados!" (Your elders can suck my balls! They are pigs, all of them! Fuckers!)
"Kuri-kuri-sama, please calm down!" Tetsuya pleaded, backing away and watching his angry lover through frightened eyes.
Kuri realized at once the line he had stepped over and forced his burgeoning temper down.
"Lo siento, Tetsu-hana," he said more calmly, "I know that my temper frightens you sometimes. But you must agree, they are being awful!"
"I do," Tetsuya agreed, blinking and shedding fresh tears, "but there isn't anything that Byakuya-sama can do right now. He will try to negotiate with them. Maybe if we are patient until things calm down..."
Kuri arched an eyebrow and Tetsuya smiled shyly, despite his tears.
"I am not a patient man, Tetsu-hana," Kuri said stiffly, "and, whether your cousin and your elders agree, I am going to make you my bride!"
"Please, Kuri, don't get him upset. You will only put him in a corner, and then we mightn't get to be together at all!"
"You listen to me," Kuri said, taking Tetsuya's hands and gripping them tightly, "We are going to be married, Tetsu-hana, no matter what anyone thinks, and we are going to fill Shima adobe with babies from floor to ceiling!"
"K-kuri!" Tetsuya managed, laughter taking over at his lover's emphatic pronouncement.
"Now, is Byakurai going to Ichibun's engagement party tonight?" asked Kuri.
"I think he'll make an appearance, but he isn't going to stay," Tetsuya answered, "He and Ichigo have a rather complicated friendship and he wants to honor it, but doesn't want to be part of a...an...ah..."
"A wild party?" Kuri finished.
"Y-yes," Tetsuya agreed, "He and I are going together, and he'll leave after he gives Ichigo his gift."
"Hmm," Kuri said, nodding, "That could work."
"What do you mean?" Tetsuya asked, "Kuri, you aren't going to do anything bad, are you?"
"I don't know," Kuri said, smirking, "That depends on how reasonable Byakurai is when I talk to him."
"Kuri!"
"Go on back now. He's probably looking for you to grovel for your forgiveness for being such an asshole."
"I told you it isn't his fault, Kuri!" Tetsuya objected.
"Go, Tetsu-hana," Kuri repeated, "Just trust me. I will take care of everything."
"Yes," said Tetsuya, looking up at his lover and shaking his head, "That's what I'm afraid of."
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Ichigo sat quietly on his bed, looking out the window into the gardens of the Shiba estate, his brown eyes as stormy as the weather.
"Cheer up, will you?" Renji urged him, "It's not the end of the world, getting married. Your folks weren't in love when they got together, right? They sort of had to get together, and it worked out, didn't it?"
"Nii-sama told me that his parents were arranged," Rukia added.
"Byakuya wasn't," Ichigo said shortly.
"Well," Rukia sighed, "you know it's because of the war. Although Nii-sama and his father and grandfather did a lot to soften the elders' attitudes towards marriage rules, the quincy war put a strain on everyone, and it's made the elders act more traditionally. They're even pressuring Nii-sama to get married."
"They're pressuring him," Ichigo grumbled, "but they're still not arranging him. I'd like to see your elders try to force him to marry who they choose!"
"Your elders are just more insistent because the Shiba clan just got unbanished, and got their status as a great clan back. They're under pressure to look good, so that they don't get in trouble with Central 46 again," Rukia surmised.
"Great, let those assholes go get married and leave me the hell alone!" Ichigo complained, "I'm not old enough for this. I should be home in the living world thinking about going to college, not here, being told who to marry and when!"
"It's a big adjustment," Renji agreed, "but hey, you're going to have a big, fun bachelor party tonight and there's always your wedding night to think about. C'mon, a pretty girl you can do anything with and not get in trouble."
"Baka, that's no incentive at all to a guy who's gay!" snapped the furious Shiba heir, "I've only ever liked a guy that way, even if I never did anything about it."
"I think it's cute you liked Nii-sama for all of that time, and he wouldn't give you the time of day!" snickered Rukia.
"Hey, be nice," Renji chided her, "Taicho likes Ichigo...just not in a sexual way."
"I don't think he likes me," Ichigo sighed, "When I confessed to him that I didn't want to marry Yukihana Eri, he just said I was being childish and that a future clan leader should do what's best for his clan. I guess that's why he defied the Kuchiki elders and married Hisana."
"Things were different before the quincy war," Rukia insisted.
"Yeah, yeah, I've heard it all. There really isn't anything left to say. So, why don't you guys get outta here."
"Why, you wanna sulk for a while?" Renji said, scowling, "It's not going to make you feel better or make you any less getting married, so shut up and get ready for the party. We'll play some games, dance and get so drunk you'll forget being pissed about the arranging."
"Maybe until the wedding," Ichigo sighed, "Then...reality hits. I'm going to be married and making babies for the clan."
"Well, at least you don't have to have the babies," Renji laughed.
"Yeah, it's good to be the guy in this," Ichigo admitted, "I feel sorry for Eri."
"It's a good thing you weren't matched with a male heir from our clan," Rukia chuckled, "Since we're higher status right now, you'd have to have the baby."
"What? Me? I'm a guy!" Ichigo objected.
Rukia and Renji exchanged curious glances.
"What?" Ichigo asked again, "Why are you looking like that?"
"W-well," said Rukia, "Renji and I were surprised you didn't know that noble males with strong resonance can carry babies too."
"They can?" Ichigo asked, blinking in surprise.
"Mmhmm," Rukia confirmed, "If you and Nii-sama got married, he might be able to get you pregnant."
"Or you could get him knocked up!" Renji giggled, "I think he'd kill you!"
"Shut up, you fool!" Rukia huffed, "Because they were banished, our clan has higher status. Besides, Nii-sama is a leader and Ichigo is an heir. Nii-sama wouldn't have the baby, Ichigo obviously would!"
"Whoa!" Ichigo mused, his eyes crossing as an image of such a thing flashed in his mind, "I-I don't think I'd ever be able to do something like that."
"Your mom did," Renji said, frowning and crossing his arms, "Are you saying you'd be too scared to have a baby?"
"It doesn't matter what I think about that," Ichigo snapped, "I'm not having a baby with Byakuya, I'm getting Eri pregnant! Now, shut up and leave me alone. I have to do some things before the bachelor party."
"Yeah, like cry himself to sleep," Rukia whispered.
"Get the hell out!" Ichigo shouted, throwing a pillow at the two.
"Fine, we're going," Renji said, scowling, "See if we come to cheer you up again..."
"Cheer me up?" Ichigo mused as the two stomped away, "They just made me feel worse."
He turned back to look out the window at the rain.
"Guys getting pregnant? What kinda bullshit is that? I think they were having some fun with me."
"Ichibun," said a deep, male voice from the doorway.
The ginger-haired heir turned to greet his darker-skinned cousin.
"Hey Kuri. What's going on?"
"I am here early to help get you into a good mood," Kuri informed him.
"Good, maybe you'll do better than Rukia and Renji. I feel worse after talking to them."
He glanced curiously at a package in his cousin's hands.
"What's that?"
Kuri grinned.
"It's your gift, of course."
"Oh, thanks," Ichigo answered, "You can put it over there on the desk with the others."
Kuri set the package on the desk, missing entirely the small bottle that dropped out of his sleeve and landed among the gifts.
"Come on now, Ichi-bun," he cajoled his unhappy cousin, "We've both had a hard day. I brought tequila for the party. Why don't we go and get warmed up."
"I don't know," Ichigo said, considering, "I really don't feel up to a party at all."
"That's okay," Kuri laughed, wrapping an arm around his shoulders, "We can still get drunk and you can cry on my shoulder, okay?"
"Whatever..." Ichigo said, shaking his head resignedly, "Come on, let's go."
"I'll have you cheered up in no time," Kuri promised, "Come, we'll play a joke on anyone you want. I have a little love potion here..."
"Kuri, that's awful!" Ichigo laughed, in spite of his melancholy.
"We should use it on Byakurai, the little coward...see how he likes people messing with his love life!"
Ichigo's face reflected sudden understanding.
"Oh...he told you and Tetsuya you can't get married?"
"Can't get married...can't make babies," Kuri said, searching his sleeves.
"Why the hell didn't anyone tell me guys here could make babies!" Ichigo complained.
"Well, you knew my late spouse, Hideaki died in childbirth," Kuri reminded him.
"He died having a baby?" Ichigo asked, looking confused, "I didn't know! I never knew guys could have a baby together here!"
"Well, they can," Kuri said, scowling, "Shit, I know I brought that love potion. I want to slip it into Byakurai's drink and watch him pine after the first person he sees!"
"A love potion? Really?" Ichigo snorted, "Kuri, that's stupid."
"It's not stupid," Kuri insisted, "It was made by an actual witch in the Rukongai...a friendly one. It won't hurt him..."
"Forget it. You're not drugging Byakuya," Ichigo chided his cousin, "He probably won't show up anyway, and if he does, he wouldn't be drinking with me. He hardly notices me, except when I get on his nerves."
"It means he likes you," Kuri said, smirking, "You should have gone after him."
"Great, he likes me," Ichigo sighed, "A lot of good it does when I have to marry someone else."
"I could go and buy another gag potion," Kuri offered.
"No, that's okay," Ichigo chuckled, "You cheered me up already. Come on. The guests will be here soon."