Soul Balance
By Spunky0ne
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(By request for Sariniste, wicked Aizen meets lovely, innocent Tetsuya and the sparks fly...)
Chapter 1: Resonance
Arashi stretched out his long, sleek, black neck and nibbled absently at the sweet blades of new grass, one eye trained always on his shinigami master. As the tall Arabian stallion watched, Kuchiki Tetsuya laid, naked and stretched out in the soft grasses beneath a large oak tree, alongside a glassy blue lake, his body drying from a recent plunge into the cool water and his sapphire eyes scanning the pages of a book borrowed out of the Kuchiki archive.
The first of the order of the King's Norite was the King's Consort, Kuchiki Hajime, from which also was born the future kings and the noble house Kuchiki. After the king made his lover, Hajime's body from the limbs of an ancient sakura, he breathed life into his first creation, and Hajime knelt at his feet and recognized the king as his master.
The king was so honored at the lovely man's purity and obedience, even as he made others from the things in his gardens, he watched as Hajime explored his new world and happily learned of all of the king's most precious creations.
Hajime felt the affectionate eyes of the king watching him, but dared not look back into them. Still, he loved how it felt to have the king look on him so, and craved the king's touches, whenever they should be close to each other. He wondered at the sensation it gave him, in his heart and in his belly...tickles of happiness and something that felt like fear.
The king recognized that they were falling in love, and he explained this to Hajime as the two watched the first sunset over the newly made worlds.
"My Hajime, I must confess to you..."
Tetsuya paused and looked up as Arashi's wispy, equine voice spoke into his mind.
Master, Byakuya-sama approaches.
Is he alone? Tetsuya queried.
Yes.
Tetsuya relaxed and continued to read to himself as Byakuya crossed the meadow and slowed in front of him, his usually frowning lips almost smiling.
"I see that being freed of responsibilities for a time has caused you to revert to your more natural state, watashi no itoko," he commented.
Tetsuya smiled up at him.
"I must admit, it is good, now and again, to let down and just appreciate the simpler things."
He sat up and stretched, then closed the book he had been reading and reached for his yukata.
"Ah," Byakuya mused, noting the book's title, "It seems that our king's Hajime was another who appreciated the simple things. And he would have been as content as you to walk naked in the gardens alongside the king, enjoying the many beauties there."
Tetsuya sighed softly.
"It is thrilling to know that one day I will walk in those same gardens where he did... that I will be in that same place. Byakuya-sama, I will be broken-hearted to leave this place, but to know that Arashi and I will someday fly with the Norite Uzingusu that Hajime, himself, created!"
"It is a great honor," Byakuya agreed, "And that day will come. But...we must contend with matters here, for now."
Tetsuya's comely face took on a more serious look.
"Is something wrong?" he asked, "Has something happened?"
"Not anything specific, no," Byakuya answered, gazing out across the serene lake, "but you and I have been summoned to the Central 46 chambers for a special council."
"Erm...did you say we were summoned?" Tetsuya asked, frowning, "While I understand you being summoned, why would they specifically request that I attend? Is there going to be trouble?"
"I am not sure," Byakuya admitted, looking back at his cousin, "It may be that extra security is warranted, or there may be some other reason. But, not to worry. I am sure everything will be fine. Come, let us return to the manor."
"Hai, Byakuya-sama," the younger man said, rising and quickly gathering his things.
The two mounted Arashi and rode back through the meadow, listening to the calm swish of the long grass against the stallion's long legs. And despite his concerns about the summons, Tetsuya couldn't help but enjoy the warmth of Byakuya's arms where they wrapped lightly around his waist. It was a brotherly closeness the two had enjoyed since they were teens.
And if not for my dear Naoki, protecting me until I was grown, then Byakuya-sama rescuing me from the noble's prison, I would never have enjoyed either freedom or this closeness to anyone again.
I only hope that Byakuya-sama is also someday called to dwell in the royal realm. A number of our strongest leaders have been, but...
Ah, that is a worry that should be a long way off. We have more immediate matters to concern ourselves with right now.
He emerged from his thoughts as Arashi reached the main building and came to a stop. Tetsuya slid down off his back and turned back to offer his elder cousin a hand as Byakuya dismounted. The two made their way down the wooden walkway to the large bathing chamber, where their attendants quickly bathed them, then dressed them in formal uniforms...Byakuya's, the black shihakushou and white haori of the Gotei 13 and Tetsuya, the navy and black uniform of the Kuchiki house guards. They returned to the gardens and mounted Arashi, taking the path that led out the manor's front gates and proceeding along the streets of the Seireitei to the Central 46 compound. Arashi came to a stop just short of the compound's gates and the two shinigamis dismounted and headed to the checkpoint.
"Kuchiki taichou, Kuchiki Tetsuya," said the guard, verifying their identities, "You may enter."
They passed through the doors and moved to the checkpoint just outside the Central 46 meeting chamber.
"Kuchiki taichou and Kuchiki Tetsuya, reporting for special council as per Grand councilor Kuchiki Nori's instruction," Byakuya said solemnly.
The guard checked his records and waved them on.
"Welcome, sirs. You may enter the chamber."
Tetsuya remained at his cousin's side as they walked into the meeting room and were met by their elder.
"Nori," Byakuya greeted him.
"Ah, Byakuya, I am glad that the two of you are here. We are nearly ready to begin. The council is in quite the uproar."
"So it seems," Byakuya said, looking around the room, "We were curious as to why you requested Tetsuya by name as well. So, whatever this is may require added security."
"Yes, definitely, yes," Nori confirmed, "It is quite a profound development, and I was sure that you would want to be present. You see, there has been a rather significant scientific breakthrough that is going to..."
He paused as the lights in the room flickered in warning and a dulcet voice seeped into the meeting room, informing those within that the time for the meeting had arrived.
"Ah, well, you shall see then," Nori said, taking his leave of them and heading for his place at the head of the room.
"I wonder what's going on," Tetsuya mused, "What could have been developed that could have everyone so much on edge?"
"We shall know soon enough," Byakuya said, leading his cousin into the gallery seats, "Just be on your guard. Be prepared for anything, Tetsuya."
"I will."
"If they requested extra security, then this is something with the potential to be dangerous."
"I understand."
The two went silent as the meeting bell sounded and Nori called the meeting to order.
"The Central 46 council is now in session," said Nori, "Nobu, will you please read the agenda?"
"Hai, Nori-sama," said the council, "Special Council number 5SI-371, meeting to discuss and test the method presented by Urahara Kisuke for extraction and destruction of the hougyoku from Aizen Sousuke's body!"
"What?" Tetsuya breathed, his eyes widening as the chamber door was thrown back and Aizen's heavily bound form was wheeled into the room.
"I knew that Urahara was working on this," Byakuya said softly, "but I was not aware he had completed a method. Fascinating..."
Terrifying would be a better word, Tetsuya thought, his eyes riveted on the former taichou of the fifth division, I cannot believe I'm in the same room as...
Tetsuya felt an odd, electric jolt pass through him as the prisoner's one uncovered eye swept around the room and paused to fix more closely on him.
What? Why is he looking at me like that? And what is this feeling like something wraps around my heart and begins to squeeze?
"I imagine we know now why we were told to bring additional security officers," the clan leader concluded.
"Aizen Sousuke," Nori said solemnly.
"Ah," said Aizen, smirking, "To what do I owe the pleasure of the council's company? You have reconsidered the foolishness of holding me here and have decided to commute my sentence?"
"Silence!" Nori said sternly, "You will not speak to the council unless ordered to do so. Aizen Sousuke, you have been brought before us for testing of Urahara Kisuke's device for extracting the hougyoku."
"Preposterous," the prisoner said belligerently, "The hougyoku is fused with my soul. To attempt to tear it away constitutes cruelty that even this travesty of justice should not allow."
"To the contrary," Urahara Kisuke said, stepping out of the gallery and to where Aizen waited in the center of the chamber, "You shouldn't feel anything bad at all. So, as much as all of us pretty much want to hurt you, we won't. Just hold still, okay?"
Aizen glared furiously as the former taichou produced a small machine that he set on a low table in front of Aizen's bound form. He adjusted several settings, then slowly uncovered the hougyoku.
"It isn't going to work," Aizen said in a low, malevolent voice, "The fusion between us is complete. There is no way that you can safely separate us!"
"You just sit there and let me worry about that," Kisuke chuckled, fixing the last of the electrodes in place, then returning to the machine."
He looked up at the waiting councilors.
"When I start the machine, it will begin the process of identifying and isolating the hougyoku's reiatsu. Once it has the reiatsu signal isolated, it will begin the extraction. Full extraction will require about thirty minutes a day for three days."
"And then you have a way to destroy the orb?" asked a female councilor, "I, for one, would like some assurance that no one will ever use that thing as this man did!"
Sounds of assent filled the room.
"Not to worry," Kisuke said amiably, "As the orb is separated from Aizen's body, the machine you see here will destabilize the reiatsu it draws out, and it will dissipate. You will see it all in the demonstration...with council's permission?"
"Are there any more questions regarding the procedure?" asked Nori.
"I have a question," said an elderly male councilor, "If this works, will we be revisiting Aizen's sentence to reconsider execution? As things were, the only reason he wasn't executed was that he was, at the time, immortal. Now that he won't be..."
"The council already tried and sentenced Aizen Sousuke," Nori said, shaking his head, "and besides, with the sentence he was given and the orb removed, he will eventually die in prison anyway. No, council does not need to revisit Aizen Sousuke's trial or sentence."
"Has this procedure been properly tested to ensure that the destabilized reiatsu will not be a problem?"
"I ran several thousand computer simulations," Kisuke explained, "and I made some alterations, but yes, everything has been carefully tested to assure the safety of everyone involved. So...shall I show it to you?"
"Go ahead with your demonstration," Nori invited him.
The councilors watched in silence as Kisuke checked the leads on all of the electrodes, then ran a few initial tests before pausing and looking up at the councilors. As the grand councilor nodded and Kisuke turned back and leaned over the machine to begin the extraction, Tetsuya felt Aizen's eye touch him again and felt a warning shiver go through his slender body. He loosed a soft sound of discomfort and felt a blush on his cheeks as Byakuya glanced at him.
"Are you feeling all right, Tetsuya?" the clan leader asked, "You look pale."
"I am fine," Tetsuya assured him, looking away from where Aizen's eye still watched him closely.
In front of them, Kisuke worked at the machine, then gave a final nod and touched several buttons, starting the extraction.
Aizen's body stiffened beneath his bonds as red light began to glow around him and then pulsated softly. Across the room, the red light seemed to crawl down into Tetsuya's slim body, invading and circling, burning uncomfortably. He began to tremble softly, but turned away and watching Aizen, Byakuya failed to notice.
Tetsuya breathed more shakily, quivering noticeably as Aizen's eye fixed on him and widened with curiosity. The young man felt the increase of pressure as the extraction began in earnest, and found that it escalated very swiftly into intense pain.
What is this?
What is happening to me?
He made a more pronounced sound of pain and clenched at his chest, drawing Byakuya's attention and making the clan leader forget about what was happening in the room.
"Tetsuya!" he cried, reaching out and capturing his cousin in his arms as Tetsuya gave a hard, pained gasp and started to collapse.
"Stop the test!" Nori exclaimed, rising out of his seat and staring as Byakuya lowered Tetsuya onto the gallery floor and the younger noble continued to writhe for several moments, then fell still, panting harshly and struggling for breath as the extraction was ceased.
"Tetsuya are you all right?" Byakuya asked urgently, holding Tetsuya's trembling hand, "Cousin!"
"I...I think so," Tetsuya answered dizzily, "I d-don't know what happened! I was fine before. Just...when he started that thing..."
He was all too aware that Aizen was watching him very closely now.
"It seems like it could be an empathic response," suggested Kisuke, "I think Tetsuya-san should be removed to the fourth division. I don't think he was hurt, but it probably won't be feasible for him to remain here while we continue."
"Are you sure that thing is safe?" asked one of the councilors, "Perhaps not enough testing was done."
"Now, now, don't get all worried," Kisuke assured him, "This seems specific to Tetsuya-san. All we need to do is to..."
"I think that you might want to test our soul resonance level," Aizen said suddenly, making the huge chamber go suddenly silent.
Kisuke's eyes rounded for a moment, then registered comprehension.
"Because," the prisoner went on, "if that young man's reiatsu is resonating strongly with mine, then it will not matter what distance is put between us. What you do to me will affect him."
"He...does have a point," Nori said, frowning, "Urahara Kisuke, will you please assess Kuchiki Tetsuya's soul resonance level with Aizen Sousuke's?"
"Y-yeah, sure," the shopkeeper said, shaking his head and leaning over Tetsuya for a moment.
He examined Tetsuya briefly and extracted a small amount of reiatsu, then moved on to Aizen and did the same. He entered the information into his computer and waited briefly, before making a slightly choked sound and looking up at the council members with a stunned expression.
"What is it?" asked Nori, "What did you find?"
"What I found," Kisuke said, looking apologetically into Tetsuya's frightened blue eyes, "is that these two men are true resonants!"