Chapter 2: The Promise

(Thanks so very much to everyone reading, reviewing, faving and following. I appreciate that so much! Just a warning that the first section of this chapter contains non-graphic suggestion of sexual assault. But don't worry! Rikichi and Tetsuya will on their way to falling in love soon! Trust Spunky, all will be well. Love y'all!)

Rikichi slept soundly in his bed in the squad six barracks, his mind wandering aimlessly as he rested, still warmed by the memory of the deliciously hot shower, and the kindness of his taichou's gentle cousin.

Tetsuya appeared in his dreams, dressed in the lovely, dark blue yukata he had been wearing, and smiling beautifully as he approached the spellbound Rikichi and offered him the gentlest of kisses. As they kissed, a light rain began to fall, one so soft and comforting that it only added to the exhilaration of their connection as they opened their mouths and tasted each other more deeply. Rikichi moaned desirously at having his mouth explored and probed so hungrily. But as passionately as Tetsuya kissed him, he remained ever gentle and affectionate.

Oh, I wish this could be real.

I wish this wasn't just a dream!

Kuchiki-san...

Tetsuya's arms curled around him, and as they continued their kissing, the noble lowered him slowly onto the bed, climbing on after him and kneeling between his parted thighs. Sweet, aching throbs pulsed in Rikichi's trembling loins as he felt Tetsuya's slender body come to rest atop his, and the noble's hands slowly began to undress him as their kisses hardened and became more urgent.

Tetsuya laid his flesh bare and paused for a moment, meeting his eyes with unexpected shyness, then leaning down to kiss him again before slipping his fingers into Rikichi's hot mouth and letting the younger man savor them before sliding them out again and reaching down between Rikichi's soft thighs, beginning to prepare him.

"Kuchiki-san," Rikichi panted softly, "P-please forgive me. I have never..."

"Shh," Tetsuya whispered, touching his lips to quiet and reassure him, "I know. I won't hurt you. I promise."

And given the noble's kindness and gentle behavior up to that point, he trusted Tetsuya instantly and knew this young man was as good as his word. Indeed, his touches felt nothing but wonderful as he rubbed his body warmly against Rikichi's and buried his mouth in long, amorous kisses. Rikichi shivered as he felt the other young man's fingers touching his nether region more intimately, but he held still and kept his brown eyes focused steadily on Tetsuya's pretty blue ones. And even when the invading fingers hurt a little, he remained calm and trusting.

"You can put your hands on me if you want to," Tetsuya whispered in his ear, causing a deeper, more beautiful twinge inside Rikichi and causing his hips to press upward longingly.

He realized suddenly that his hands were at his sides and clenching the bedding, and he extracted them, then blushed as he reached out and cupped Tetsuya's comely face in his hands.

"You are so beautiful, Kuchiki-san," he whispered back, "I think I am afraid to touch you."

"Don't be afraid, Rikichi," Tetsuya whispered back, "I will not break. Touch me however you want to. I want to feel your hands on me!"

"Kuchiki-san!" Rikichi gasped, reeling as the fingers that were preparing him touched a place inside him that no one ever had.

The feeling was indescribable and Rikichi couldn't help the loud exclamation of pleasure it caused to erupt from between his lips.

"Kuchiki-san!"

Rikichi felt an odd shift in the dream, and as it continued, Tetsuya's touches on his body seemed to roughen and become more painful. The young man woke suddenly and his brown eyes flew open to find a male body perched astride his, a large, hard hand holding his wrists together, above his head and another covering his mouth.

"I told you that you wouldn't get away from me, you little worm," Rokuro's voice hissed at him.

"G-get off!" Rikichi gasped, reeling and arching his body, "Get off of me!"

A sound of pain and dismay escaped him as Rokuro's hand struck him across one soft cheek, leaving an angry red marking. Rikichi tried to pull away, but the older youth's hands held him tightly. Rikichi felt a twinge of terror at discovering that his bunkmates were gone from the chamber and that Rokuro's friend, Seiji, stood at the closed door, watching the two with wickedly gleaming eyes.

"Hold still," Rokuro ordered him.

"N-no!"

"Is that how you answer an upper officer?" Seiji asked sternly, "Would you like me to hold him for you, sir?"

"Yes," Rokuro answered, glaring into Rikichi's shocked eyes, "But...lock the door and use a privacy shield."

"Hai."

"N-no! Please...please don't!" Rikichi gasped, twisting his body and digging his fingers into the elder youth's arm.

"That hurt!" Rokuro yelled, striking him across the face harder, so that the younger man collapsed onto the bed.

A moment later, Seiji dragged him onto his knees and curled an arm around his throat warningly.

"S-stop!" Rikichi sobbed breathlessly, freezing as Seiji pulled him closer, so that his chest was rested against Rikichi's trembling back.

"We are both officers," Seiji said more quietly into his ear, "and Rokuro has offered you his protection. You won't be hurt as long as you obey him. Do you understand, worm?"

Rikichi's lips tightened and his said nothing. Hardened fingers tightened in his hair painfully.

"Do you understand? Answer me!" Seiji demanded.

Rikichi twisted suddenly and broke free. He launched himself at the door, loosing a blast of kido and shattering the barrier Seiji had placed as the two officers watched in surprise, then pursued him to the door and pushed him back against it. Rikichi struggled under the hands that held him in place and tears leaked onto his face in anticipation of what he knew was coming. A chill went down his spine as Rokuro's enraged eyes met his and his teeth bared as he hissed an order to Seiji, then dizziness swept over him and he barely heard the young officer's next words.

"I gave you every chance to obey me," he growled, pressing his body up against Rikichi's, "You couldn't just follow orders, could you. You're too proud for a Rukon brat! Well, now you are going to see just what separates us. Hold him, Seiji. I am going to teach him a lesson that he won't forget!"

XXXXXXXXXX

Tetsuya came awake suddenly, sucking in a surprised breath and sitting up quickly. He caught the lingering scent of soap in the air and observed the open bathroom door, then ran his fingers through his tumbled hair and shook his head gently.

I hope Rikichi-san is all right now. He seemed very upset by what happened in the gardens. I will have to speak to Byakuya when he returns about what those other officers are doing. No one has a right to treat another in such a way, unseated or not.

He sighed softly, sliding off the bed and standing, trying to decide what to do.

It's too late at night to be up and about, but I feel...restless.

He bit at his lips gently, then started towards the squad kitchen to make a fresh pot of tea. As he walked down the darkened hallway, he couldn't seem to distract himself from thoughts about the young, unseated soldier.

Perhaps it is his eyes. They remind me of my Naoki's in that they are so gentle, so kind and happy, despite his troubles. His face resembles Naoki's, although his hair is darker...

He sighed softly, reaching the kitchen, then looking around and frowning as he sensed a disturbance in the reiatsu around him. He closed his eyes, extending his senses, and noted the disturbance seemed to be coming from somewhere in the direction of the barracks. He left the kitchen and moved further down the hallway, pausing as he came to the interior guards.

"Good evening, Tetsuya-san," the young officer greeted him, "Is there something I can do for you, sir?"

"I sensed some kind of disturbance in the area," Tetsuya explained, "I would like to have a quick look around, if you don't mind."

"Of course not, sir. Only, as you are not an official member of the military, one of us must accompany you."

"Very well," Tetsuya agreed, nodding.

The guard turned to his companion.

"Watch here while I take Kuchiki-san to check this out, okay?"

"Yes sir!" the other guard answered.

"Did you sense something specific?" the guard asked as the two continued into the barracks.

"Not exactly, but it seemed like someone might be in distress," Tetsuya explained.

"Hmmm, it's odd that I didn't sense anything and neither did Nobu-san. Are you sure about this?"

"I know I sensed something off," Tetsuya insisted, "I am still sensing someone in distress...this way."

"All right. If you are sure," the guard said, laying a hand on his weapon as they approached the closed door of one barracks room.

They paused outside, listening, and exchanged glances at the sound of a soft, wounded sob.

"Rikichi-san?" Tetsuya breathed worriedly, watching as the guard tapped on the door, then opened it.

"Rikichi-san?" the guard said softly, moving towards one of the beds, where someone laid, curled in the blankets and facing away.

Tetsuya started to close the door, then noticed a large splatter of blood on the back of it.

"Miki! Look here!" he gasped softly.

The guard looked back at the door and his eyes widened.

"Rikichi-san!" Tetsuya cried, flash stepping to the bed and turning the young man onto his back.

Tetsuya and the guard froze, staring down into the young soldier's shattered eyes and spotting more blood on the bedding.

"Rikichi-san, who did this to you?" Miki asked, shaking his head.

"It was...!" Tetsuya began, only to be silenced by a sudden exclamation by the injured youth.

"N-no! I...I d-didn't...I c-couldn't see them," Rikichi sobbed softly, "I don't know who it was."

Tetsuya gazed at Rikichi in dismay and Miki frowned as he observed the exchange.

"Tetsuya-san, do you know something?" he asked sternly.

Tetsuya kept his eyes focused on Rikichi, swiftly reading the partially revealed damage to his body and considering his options.

"Miki-san, I will be happy to answer what questions I can after Rikichi-san is healed."

"I will call for a healer," Miki said, starting to summon a hell butterfly, then freezing as Tetsuya's hand gently touched his.

"Wait, please," Tetsuya said, more quietly, "You understand what has happened here, ne? And you are aware of how such things are treated in the military, Miki."

"What are you suggesting?" the guard asked, looking down at Rikichi's tear and bloodstained face and hesitating, "Tetsuya-san, a man has been attacked in our barracks..."

"And he has told you that he doesn't know who attacked him. Please, let me see to his healing personally. You know that, as Byakuya-sama's personal bodyguard and healer, I am capable. And I can be more sensitive to Rikichi-san's personal needs. I promise you, I will conduct a thorough investigation, as I know you will. Miki-san, will you allow me to take care of Rikichi-san?"

"W-well," the guard said hesitantly, glancing down at the injured youth, "Rikichi-san, what do you prefer? Would you like me to call a healer, or do you want Tetsuya-san to be responsible for you?"

Rikichi shuddered as he considered the question, then swallowed hard and met Tetsuya's concerned eyes.

"I trust Tetsuya-san, sir," he whispered.

"Come then," Tetsuya said comfortingly, slipping an arm around him and helping him to his feet.

"Wh-where are we g-going?" the youth asked, his teeth chattering and his body still shaking so that his legs barely seemed to support him.

"Kuchiki Manor is close by," Tetsuya answered, pausing to tie Rikichi's yukata back in place, then carefully supporting him as they exited the room, "You will have a comfortable room and our clan healer and myself to care for you."

He lowered his voice slightly.

"I feel somewhat responsible, as if I hadn't dropped off to sleep, I had planned to keep you close by until my cousin's return."

"O-oh, that's not your fault, Tetsuya-san," Rikichi said in a wavering voice, "Please don't blame yourself."

They paused again as Rikichi's legs quivered and he started to collapse. The next moment, he was caught up in strong, warm arms and carried out of the building. The noble gave a low whistle and Rikichi heard the soft tapping of hooves on the ground and a gentle whicker of greeting.

"Arashi, this is Rikichi-san," Tetsuya said, lifting the youth onto his stallion's back, then climbing up behind him, "Move gently, he is injured."

Rikichi gave a sobbing sigh of relief as he leaned back against Tetsuya and the noble embraced him cautiously.

"Let me know if I do anything that hurts you, Rikichi-san," Tetsuya requested, closing his eyes and sensing the younger man's painful areas, then providing soft flares of healing reiatsu as Arashi moved into a gentle walk.

"I feel a l-little b-better," Rikichi managed, his teeth chattering slightly.

He inhaled in surprise as the noble removed his outer robe and wrapped it around the younger man's shoulders.

"Thank you, Kuchiki-san."

"Please call me Tetsuya," the noble said solemnly, "And you must accept my sincerest apologies, Rikichi. I should have known that young officer would not leave you alone."

"But I chose to go!" Rikichi objected, "You didn't do anything wrong. I'm grateful to you for twice preventing him from interfering with me today."

"But it grieves me that he was still able to hurt you," Tetsuya sighed unhappily, "I won't allow it to happen again. But I am concerned, Rikichi-san. Why wouldn't you let me identify that officer from before. He was the one who attacked you, ne?"

"I..." Rikichi stammered uncertainly, "Th-the lights were off and I..."

"He threatened you," Tetsuya concluded softly.

"N-no, I just...please, Tetsuya-san, I am so tired right now. I need to rest."

"You will have plenty of rest now," Tetsuya promised as Arashi passed the entry guards and entered the manor grounds.

Arashi came to a stop and Tetsuya slid to the ground, then carefully helped Rikichi down. He lifted the young man off his feet and carried him gently down the walkway, opting to lay him down in his own bed. As he tucked Rikichi in, another young man appeared in the doorway.

"Is everything all right, Tetsuya-san?" he asked.

"Koji, this is Rikichi-san of the sixth division. He is injured and will need Michio to come and examine him at once. Please have Torio bring some tea and a medical kit."

"Hai, Tetsuya-san!" Koji answered, turning and flash stepping away.

Tetsuya turned back to Rikichi, giving him a weary smile and taking hold of his hand.

"Tetsuya-san," Rikichi said worriedly, "what is the healer going to do? He won't...?"

"Everything will be all right," Tetsuya said soothingly, squeezing Rikichi's hand, "I won't let anyone hurt you anymore. Will you trust me, Rikichi-san?"

Rikichi managed a weak, tremulous smile.

"Yes," he whispered, "I will trust you, Tetsuya-san."

"Good. I am not going anywhere, Rikichi-san. Rest now. You are safe."

He could have cried at the look of relief the words brought to Rikichi's tortured eyes.

I am so sorry, Rikichi-san!

I have been where you are...my eyes have looked like that before.

I promise you, I will make your eyes smile again!