Chapter 2: Uncertainty

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No longer under your protection, I turned to face my accusers. Strangely, they offered me comfort, even as they bound my hands and led me away. Unworthy of their offerings, I turned my eyes from them. And the weight of your love descended on me…love I could not embrace, but could only fear

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"Nii-sama," Rukia said quietly, "won't you please eat something? You are looking awfully pale."

Byakuya took a sip of the herbal tea on his tray.

"I will," he replied, closing his eyes against the nausea, "I just need a moment. This will pass."

"But I know you barely slept…and you have barely eaten in days…" she objected.

And Byakuya found that he could understand her concern, but he was loathe to have her sit about worrying. So he decided that the best thing to do would be to keep her busy.

"Rukia, I understand that you are concerned, and I promise you that as soon as this passes, I will try to eat. But right now, there is something I need you to do for me. The Council of Elders is meeting today and I won't be able to attend the meeting. They have asked for my input on several issues and I have an outline of my responses on my desk at the Squad Six Headquarters. I need for you to take my notes to the meeting and to record what happens there. I would ask for a postponement, but I really would like for things to just move forward."

Rukia looked at him doubtfully.

"But…I wanted to stay and hear what Unohana taichou has to say."

Byakuya nodded in understanding.

"I realize this, but the council meeting must take precedence. You may return after the meeting and I will have you brought up to date on my condition."

Rukia looked at him as though she wanted to continue arguing the point, but then sighed and nodded in grudging acquiescence.

"Arigato," Byakuya said gratefully, "It relieves me to know that this will be taken care of."

"But I am coming back as soon as that meeting ends, Nii-sama," Rukia insisted, "I won't be able to think about anything else until I know you are all right!"

Byakuya felt an odd, light feeling pass through him, a feeling he remembered once feeling quite often. And deep down, he had to admit to himself. It felt pleasant to be cared for. He reached out and placed his hand on Rukia's, meeting her eyes gently.

"I will be fine, Rukia."

The look she gave him in return nearly melted his heart. Sometimes she resembled her sister so much that it was nearly heartbreaking.

"Of course you will, Nii-sama. And I will be back soon," she said, taking her leave of him.

He watched her as she walked out and as the door closed between them. Then he closed his eyes and tried again to sleep.

"Get out," Byakuya said coldly.

Gin laughed softly.

"That's a bit cheeky, coming from a prisoner of war, Byakuya," he said reprovingly, "You might want to control that before it gets you into trouble!"

"Your threats mean nothing, Gin," Byakuya said in a low voice, "Aizen Sousuke no longer sees me as a prisoner. My powers have been released and I am more than capable of defending myself."

"To be sure!" Gin exclaimed, "So you are…one of us now?"

Byakuya jumped awake again feeling sick and shaken.

"No," he whispered, "That can't be right. Because if I wasn't a prisoner…"

He didn't dare to finish the thought. He was saved from further contemplation when the door opened and Unohana taichou entered the room. She closed the door behind her and sat down at his bedside. He could sense immediately that she seemed puzzled and troubled.

"I assume you have the results of my tests," he prompted her.

She looked back at him with concern in her eyes.

"I do," she said softly, "and in addition to the blood and reiatsu panel, I have the results of the full scan we took when you returned from Las Noches. I won't deceive you. I am very concerned by what they indicate. It suggests to me that you suffered greatly at the hands of our enemy…and you are still, even now, in his grip, Kuchiki taichou."

"How do you mean?"

Unohana sighed.

"The full scan revealed that near the time of your capture, you sustained serious injury to your back and legs. During your captivity, these wounds were carefully addressed. Great care was taken to see that you were fully healed. This suggests that your captor wanted you to survive and, more than that, desired that you should be in possession of your full range of powers. In addition, while your body showed signs of sexual assault, there were also signs that some things of a sexual nature occurred, and that if not consensual, may have been coerced, perhaps using threats, drugs or…perhaps…Aizen Sousuke's Kyoka Suigetsu."

Byakuya caught his breath sharply.

"Your threats mean nothing, Gin," Byakuya said in a low voice, "Aizen Sousuke no longer sees me as a prisoner. My powers have been released and I am more than capable of defending myself."

"To be sure!" Gin exclaimed, "So you are…one of us now?"

"Kuchiki taichou, are you all right?" Unohana asked quickly.

Byakuya swallowed hard.

"I am fine…go on."

"The reiatsu signs that were present on your body included reiatsu of several powerful hollows…and of Aizen Sousuke."

Byakuya closed his eyes for a moment, the nausea and dizziness suddenly returning.

"I was…assaulted by…hollows?" he asked in a frighteningly calm voice, "and by Aizen Sousuke?"

"You were viciously attacked by hollows at some point," Unohana explained, "but the low amount of reiatsu disruption between your reiatsu and Aizen Sousuke's suggests either a willingness to accept the contact…or an inability to raise resistance…perhaps because of the possible factors I mentioned before."

"I see," he answered softly, still in that dead calm voice.

He sighed and lowered his eyes.

"Unohana taichou," he said quietly, "you do realize the danger involved in this, do you not? You should already have informed Soutaichou and had me removed to the Repentance Center. That you haven't both surprises and unnerves me. Truly, what were you waiting for? If Aizen Sousuke captured me, healed me carefully so that I retained the full use of my power…if he then used his zanpakutou to use me in a sexual way, it is also highly possible that he is the reason I remember nothing of my time in that place. His weapon could certainly have blocked my memory with hypnosis. Think too of the way I was found. What if I did not escape at all? What if I was returned purposely? You must ask yourself, why would he do that? I think that the answer is obvious. At some point, he gained the control over me that he sought. And when that happened, he sent me back. He wanted me to come here. And I think we both know that if he gained control of my mind, then he sent me back to do something on his behalf. I dare not consider what that might be, but while I retain use of my mind, I have to insist that you take action immediately to protect those around me."

Unohana nodded sadly.

"I will, of course, take the necessary steps to protect everyone…but there is something more that you should know, Byakuya."

He stared at her, hardly daring to indicate a readiness to continue.

"I hardly think there is anything left that could be worse, but please, continue."

She lowered her eyes to the file in her hands.

"Byakuya," she said softly, "your blood and reiatsu tests indicate that there is an invasive reiatsu somewhere in your body. The full scan places this reiatsu in your abdomen. There are two possibilities regarding this and both are equally distressing."

Byakuya closed his eyes and bowed his head.

The first possibility," she went on, "is that a foreign object or being was place within you for the means of gaining control or launching some kind of attack."

Byakuya's face paled even more, but he said nothing.

"The other possibility is that you were impregnated…either by Aizen Sousuke…or by one of the hollows that attacked you."

Byakuya felt as though ice had invaded his lungs. He tried to think of something to say, but even when he found the words, he was beyond speaking them.

"This is something we can address, but we first have to determine the exact nature of the invasive body. If it is there to control you or to launch an attack, then I would rely on Kurotsuchi taichou to assist me in removing it. He has expertise in such devices. If, however, it becomes clear that you are with child, we can address that as well. As a taichou of the Gotei 13, you know that you will not be allowed to carry Aizen Sousuke's child or the child of a hollow."

Byakuya nodded.

"Then you had best hope that I am not with child," he answered, looking up at her, "because regardless of whose it is, clan rules impose a sentence of death on a leader who aborts an heir."

Unohana stared at him in disbelief.

"Your clan would force you to give birth? Even to the child of a hollow? Or Aizen Sousuke?"

"By clan rules, an heir who carries the blood of the clan leader, must be birthed. Only then will a determination be made about the heir's suitability."

"But…this can't be," Unohana objected, "If the heir is forced upon you…"

"Let me explain something to you, Unohana taichou. When a Kuchiki male clan leader becomes pregnant, it is not an accident and it is not something we believe is capable of being forced. It is usually only because he has found his True Resonant…a soul in perfect balance with his own. But it is possible, that the nature of one of the hollows…or the machinations of Aizen Sousuke could have subverted the process. That has never happened in all of our history. And if it has now, there is nothing to protect me as I move forward."

He paused and turned his head to look out the window.

"In any case, your duty is clear. You must report this situation immediately and have me removed to the Repentance Center. Unohana taichou, everyone who has been in contact with me must be examined to determine if something has already happened. We really have no idea what could be going on, but I will not be used to hurt the people around me."

"Sadly, I must agree that while the tests are conducted to identify the source of the reiatsu within you, precautions must be taken and we must verify that no one else has been affected."

"Do what you need to," Byakuya said, turning to look at her, "and whatever you do…my family, squad and staff must be examined immediately. I would not have their association with me be the end of them."

"I will send Hanatarou and Isane immediately to begin the examinations," she promised.

Byakuya slipped out of the bed.

"What are you doing?" Unohana asked, moving to stop him.

Byakuya gently removed her hand from his arm.

"I ask that you leave me now to allow me to dress. I will be ready to leave with the security team when they arrive."

"But you are in no condition to…"

"Unohana taichou," Byakuya said quietly, "If I am to lose everything up to and including my life, I ask that you at very least allow me to do so honorably."

Unohana stepped back, observing him with deeply troubled eyes.

"Retsu," he said softly.

It was only the second time she had ever heard him address her using her first name.

"Take from me whatever else you must, but leave me with some sense of dignity. It may be that our enemy has turned me to the foulest of uses, but my heart remains intact. Let us take proper action then, while that is still true. And I ask one more thing of you."

She didn't dare to meet his eyes.

"Rukia and Renji are not to approach me once I leave here. If I am to be remembered by them, I would have them remember me as I was before I became Aizen Sousuke's plaything."

"Kuchiki Byakuya…are you certain this is what you want?" she asked, tears forming in the corners of her eyes, "Of all of the times you have ever needed them, this is the time when you need them the most. I understand your reasons…and I will respect your wishes, but at least give me leave to explain to them."

"No," he said softly, "Nothing of this must be revealed to any but Soutaichou. The things I have told you about the Kuchiki males are closely guarded clan secrets. And what is happening to me is far too foul to burden my loved ones with."

Unohana lowered her eyes.

"I do not like the fact that you are choosing to face this alone, but as I said, I will respect your wishes."

Byakuya nodded.

"And now, if you will allow me one last use of my zanpakutou, I believe Senbonzakura can resolve the question of exactly what the nature of the foreign reiatsu in my body is."

Unohana nodded silently.

Byakuya retrieved his weapon from beside the bed and pulled it free of its sheath. The metal caught the light, blinding him for a moment. Byakuya blinked and found himself almost hesitant to make the connection. He paused for a moment, gazing at the blade and remembering. Then he closed his eyes and made the necessary connection.

"Senbonzakura."

Master, you seem troubled.

"I need for you to look within me. There is a foreign reiatsu. I need to know its nature."

There was a long pause.

"Senbonzakura…"

Master…

"You must know what it is by now…tell me."

Master…you are with child…but, how?

"Can you determine whether it is hollow or shinigami?"

There was another long pause.

I am sorry, Master. I cannot tell. The reiatsu is distorted…impossible for me to read.

Byakuya released the connection and sheathed his blade. He set the weapon on the bed and stared out the window.

"It seems that I am with child," he told Unohana, "That is good in that it means the ones around me are safe enough…but it does also complicate things."

He picked up his zanpakutou, ignoring the soft voice that called his name when he touched it. He handed the weapon to Unohana.

"Please leave me now," he requested softly, "I need to prepare."

Raised voices floated in from outside the door.

"Look, I don't give a damn what anyone says!" Renji yelled, "Rukia and I are not going to be kept from seeing him! Now move aside before I kick the shit out of you and step over your broken body!"

Unohana glanced up at him one more time, then silently left the room.

Byakuya quickly dressed, then stepped out into the now quiet hallway. Four guards positioned themselves around him and one stepped close.

"By your leave, Kuchiki taichou," said the guard, acknowledging his willing surrender.

Byakuya nodded.

He shivered softly as his spirit energy was sealed away and his hands were bound.

"My apologies sir, but it is procedure," the guard said quietly.

"I understand," Byakuya replied.

"Leave by the back exit," Unohana directed them, "and be certain that you take the route we discussed. I do not want this becoming a circus."

"Hai, Unohana taichou," the guard said, bowing.

His head lowered and his eyes mostly closed, Byakuya silently allowed himself to be led out of the building. He was grateful for the fact that Rukia and Renji were being shielded, but a part of him knew that Unohana was right in saying that he needed them. As weak as it made him feel to have that desire, he couldn't deny that he longed for their presence. But he knew that if they came to him, they would want to save him from what was happening. And if what he had seen in his dreams was true, then the last thing he deserved was their protection. He trembled softly, even though the day was pleasantly warm. He closed off his mind then to everything but simply putting one foot in front of the other. This allowed him some measure of comfort even as they approached the Repentance Center. The guards came to a sudden stop and he heard their sounds of surprise.

"Stand aside!" one of the guards ordered, "We're here on official business!"

Byakuya lifted his eyes and felt shock flood his body. Ahead of them stood his cousin, Tetsuya, and with him, the fully armed and battle-ready members of the Kuchiki Council of Elders.