Chapter 2: Reaching

"Rukia," Renji said in a shaking voice, "What am I supposed to do?"

He leaned against her shoulder, tears streaming down his face. Rukia held him tightly, forcing her own tears down and making her voice as calm as she could under the circumstances.

"There isn't much we can do," she said softly, rubbing his back and bringing her face close to his, "Both the clan and the military have ruled my brother dead. And there is no evidence that says that they are wrong. Renji, we have nothing to use to convince them otherwise."

"Then we have to find some evidence…"

"We will go back again and search…all you want. Just because they have given up doesn't mean that we have to. But we are going to have to expect not to get much help. What we do will have to be done on our own…and it will take time."

"It may be time that Byakuya doesn't have!" insisted Renji, "But I hear what you're saying. And even though we won't get help from the clan or the military, we can depend on our friends."

Renji let his gaze run around the gardens and bit his lip, thinking, "And given that it will probably take time, I'm going to do something more."

"What are you going to do?" Rukia asked, looking into his eyes.

Renji took a breath and straightened.

"Just before we left for Karakura Town, Byakuya gave me the recommendation form for taking the taichou's exam. I am going to train…and when the next test comes around, I will test. I will become a taichou…and as a taichou, I have the right to reopen the case and as long as I see to all of my other duties, I can follow up on any leads we find!"

Rukia stared.

"Renji…"

Renji sighed and lowered his eyes.

"In the meantime, I guess I'd better go and get my old apartment back."

His eyes traveled to the opened doors to the room he had shared with Byakuya.

"I imagine the clan will replace Byakuya soon enough and they won't want me hanging around."

Rukia smiled sadly and shook her head.

"Renji, that's one of the things I wanted to tell you. The council had an emergency meeting to begin the process of replacing Nori and Nii-sama. But as part of their discussion, they voted to allow the two of us to remain here. Nii-sama put this provision in his will…and the elders are going to honor it."

Tears came to Renji's eyes again, but he swallowed hard and forced them away.

"He worked hard to make a place for us…to be sure that if anything ever happened to him, that we would be taken care of. They didn't want to listen at first…and I was pretty sure that the only reason they gave in and supported us being together in the end was because Byakuya got pregnant. Still…that they are respecting his wishes so readily…without any hesitation…"

"They have been devastated, Renji," Rukia said softly, "And for all of their faults, it cannot be said that they only loved my brother for his power. They respected his abilities at statescraft and negotiations…and how devoted he was to family and duty."

"Yeah," said Renji, sadly, "They must have…"

He looked back across the gardens at his bedroom doors.

"It's going to be strange…someone else being in the room we shared…taking over."

He sighed and ran his eyes over the sweeping displays of colorful flowers, the blue koi ponds, the carefully designed trails and scores of sakura trees.

"I wonder how many times we walked these trails together, went out that gate, up to the waterfall to look at the moon. And then we'd come back here…and sit and have our tea. And we'd talk about everything. That was the thing that changed most about Byakuya when we fell in love. He started to really talk to me…and I got to know him like I never did…"

"Like no one else ever did…Renji," said Rukia, "Not even me…"

Renji smiled at her.

"He loved you…a lot."

"I know that, Renji," the girl said, meeting his eyes with teary ones of her own, "But Byakuya gave his heart to you. You're the only one alive who can say that."

Renji shook his head and released a heavy breath.

"Rukia…we have to stop…we have to stop talking like he's gone. Even if he is…and we someday find that out, we don't believe it now. We won't believe it until we find proof."

"And there won't be proof because he is alive…"

"He's alive, Rukia. I know it. My heart knows it. My heart would feel it if he was really dead."

XXXXXXXXXX

Byakuya sat quietly on the large, comfortable bed in Aizen Sousuke's bedroom, leaned back against pillows and holding his baby in his arms. He smiled sadly and leaned forward to kiss his forehead, then stroked his autumn red hair and felt tears in his eyes again. He looked around the darkened, silent room and sensed the presence of the guards outside the door and window. He climbed carefully out of bed and walked to the bay window, where he settled on the large bench, folding his legs beneath him and leaning against the window. He gazed out across the dark sands to where a bright light shined in the distance.

"Kisho, look out and see through the darkness," he whispered to the baby in his arms, "There, in the distance is the way home. That light you see is a light of hope. It burns for us, because even though we are lost and even though it seems that hope has faded, there is something that protects us…and something that will guide us. It will keep us going, moving forward, even though the way is very difficult…and someday…that light is going to lead us home. Then you will know what it was that made me have hope when there was none, what made me stay alive when I felt my heart dying inside. You will know why my eyes still sought beauty, even in the darkness…because always, I knew he was there…out there…trying to find me. He knows I'm not dead…and he will never stop searching…for me…and for you. Keep that hope inside your heart, my Kisho. Never let that hope fade. For when it does, I will fade also…"

He heard the door open and close softly and felt Aizen's presence, but did not look up in greeting. Footsteps came nearer and the leader of the hollows sat down on the window seat in front of him. Byakuya remained silent and kept his eyes focused on Kisho.

"Your son is lovely, Byakuya. And you look beautiful holding him like that. I know that you would rather be anywhere but here with me, but unfortunately, this is necessary."

"You told me that before…but you didn't explain," Byakuya said, still not looking up at him.

"As you know, I am preparing myself, my associates and the hollows for an assault on the royal palace. I have plans in place to make a royal key to break into the spirit realm, and then our forces will overwhelm the Royal Guard and the king."

"But you need a way to control the noble houses that will rise to the king's defense," Byakuya added, frowning.

"Yes…very good, but then, you are a taichou. You know enough of strategy to have figured that out. Still, effecting control over the noble houses will take great amounts of effort and loss of lives…and I mislike waste of any kind."

"So why have me presumed dead?" Byakuya asked, "Without an heir, they will only choose another leader."

"Your clan has lost its leader and the head elder. Even if infighting doesn't slow things, it will certainly disrupt them. In any case, I shall use the time to gain a foothold on the clan."

"How? As I said, with me declared dead…"

"You have a son…quite unexpected for a male. Perhaps another child…"

"What? You want to make a child? A blood heir? But there is already an heir?"

"Not one they know about or can find."

"You…you won't harm Kisho?" Byakuya asked, holding the infant closer.

"No," said Aizen, "That is why I had you and your heir presumed dead. Now…if you have another heir, then that child could be used to make a place in the clan…"

"What are you talking about? They will choose a new heir."

Aizen sat back and crossed his arms.

"Byakuya, I hope you think I am stupid, or that I didn't bother to do any research. Yours is the dominant bloodline. It does not matter when the heir appears. Your child will be named heir over any lesser cousin…and even if there is an objection, I am certain that the child will be capable of exerting sufficient pressure to take control."

Byakuya swallowed hard, anger making his limbs shake softly.

"An what happens to Kisho and to me? Are we to remain prisoners forever?"

Aizen shook his head.

"You will not be a prisoner, Byakuya," he said, smiling, "Your marriage to me and the fact we'll have a child together will give you a higher position in my regime. And once we have taken our place as king and consort, your Kisho will be released to return to your clan. My child will leave the Seireitei and come to live with us in the palace…and will become the royal heir. So…everyone gets something. I get my kingdom…and you, you have a higher position and stay with your children. Your children both claim positions of power…and your Renji will eventually have his lovely son back."

"But that could take years…and in any case, I don't know that I would ever get pregnant."

"You had Kisho…"

"Aizen Sousuke, I do not know why I became pregnant…"

"Do not play games with me, Byakuya," Aizen said warningly, "I know that there are many instances of childbirth in male nobles."

"But…even being guardians of the largest library of knowledge in the three worlds, we do not know the mechanism that makes it happen! That is the truth…"

"So…you say that this child was unexpected?"

"Of course. And there is no way to know if it would be possible to make another…"

"There is a way to know," Aizen said, touching his face gently, "We need only try."

Anger swelled in Byakuya's breast. Making his lips tighten, but he held it beneath the surface, staring down at the reason why he could not let that anger out…why he had had to marry Aizen…and why Aizen would be able to make him cooperate in the making of another heir.

"Come now…"

"What? Now? Aizen…"

"Please. Byakuya, call me Sousuke. We are married now. And I am certainly not unsympathetic to the fact that you just had a child. But to make the marriage legal, it must be consummated."

Byakuya blanched, but said nothing.

The door opened and a servant woman entered and moved towards Byakuya.

"Please give Kisho to Hekima. She will care for him personally until I call for his return."

"You mean to use him to force me to…"

"Byakuya…You wouldn't want him in here. So…Hekima will care for him. And we can see him on the monitor up there at any time. And I will have him brought back when we have seen to the consummation of our marriage…"

Byakuya lifted Kisho, holding him close, breathing in his sweet scent and kissing him on a soft cheek. The infant cooed softly and touched his lips, making them curve upward.

"I am glad that there is something that can make you smile, Byakuya. I do not wish to make your association with me any more difficult than necessary."

Byakuya watched as Hekima carried the baby out of the room. Aizen slipped a hand into his and brought him to his feet. They walked silently to the bed and stopped. Aizen placed a hand on the noble's face, lifting his eyes so that Byakuya was looking directly at him.

"I hope that someday you will welcome me into your arms when we come to our bed, Byakuya, but as this is very new to you, I will not expect reciprocation. I will not be forceful if you do not resist, and will not cause you any undue pain. I am willing to dull your senses while we are together tonight, as you are more vulnerable emotionally and physically from the birth of your child. But in the future, I expect you will be both lucid and cooperative."

Byakuya continued to look blankly at him, but said nothing in return. Aizen took hold of the wrap around his shoulders and slowly removed it, then reached for the tie at his waist. Byakuya lowered his eyes, but found a hand captured his chin and returned his eyes to his captors.

"Would you like me to make you less lucid? I could employ an illusion to relax you…"

Byakuya shook his head, making Aizen smile.

"As expected, you prefer to deal in reality…a courageous attitude, but of course, I expected no less from you."

He leaned forward and tasted the noble's lips, slipping his arms around his slender body.

"So this is what Abarai Renji experienced every night…this warmth, this aura of strength, this fine scent? He should consider himself lucky, ne? Not many commoners lie down with one of such quality…"

"Do not speak of Renji to me. You said that you do not wish to cause me undue pain. I don't want to think of Renji while…"

"While you are sleeping with me," Aizen finished, "Commendable…a testament to your affection for him. I understand."

He turned the noble so his back was to the bed and lowered him slowly, keeping their eyes locked, then straightened himself and removed his own clothing. He climbed into the bed and turned on his side, bringing himself close to Byakuya and saying nothing, but gazing silently at him for a moment, then cupping the side of his face in one hand and bringing their lips together for several short kisses. He was pleased at the lack of resistance, but not so much the lack of response.

"Byakuya…"

He saw it then, the way the noble had disappeared into himself, his eyes, dull and blank, his body pliant, but nearly lifeless.

"Byakuya, it won't be enough to lower your resistance…to give in quietly. Remember, I belong to you, as much as you belong to me. I meant it when I said that there will not be any other for me. I need no other, but you. But I also need you to be responsive."

"Please, spare me your words of love and devotion," Byakuya said in a distant voice, "I am a means to an end for you. You have me cornered, so take what you will, but do not expect me to act as though it means anything. The rings on our fingers and the soiling of our bodies are just lies upon lies, Aizen. I belong to Renji…in heart if not in body. I will not respond to one I do not love."

"I suggest we compromise," said Aizen, "or our association could become exceedingly unpleasant. You needn't initiate, but I expect you will respond. You need not kiss me, but will welcome my kisses. You need not touch me, but will welcome my touches. You need not open yourself, but yield readily when I am with you. And if you cannot do that much, then we shall have to discuss ways to make you more compliant. Do you understand?"

"What? Torture? Go ahead. Torture, death…it doesn't matter…"

"Your son matters."

He turned on the monitor, which bore the image of Kisho, sleeping comfortably.

"You would break your promise not to hurt him?" Byakuya asked anxiously.

"Of course not. But as I told you…the amount of contact you will have with your son will reflect your cooperation. If you please me, then he will be brought back as soon as we are done. If not, then perhaps you will wait to see him."

Byakuya stared at the image of his son, blinking slowly. Aizen recaptured his lips and smiled in approval as they moved with his this time and parted when he stroked them lightly with his tongue. He dipped his tongue into Byakuya's warm mouth, then began a gentle exploration, before releasing it and nodding.

"Much better."

He nuzzled between the strong jaw and shoulder to access the soft flesh of his throat, kissing, then licking the pale skin and working his way slowly downward. Byakuya sighed softly in relief at not having to look into the man's eyes and instead looked at the monitor and drifting away mentally, while still allowing his nearly detached body to respond as expected. Still, he shivered softly as Aizen's mouth wrapped around his length, sucking and licking and gradually forcing him back to reality. He closed his eyes as his captor's fingers worked slowly to prepare him. It wore at him to feel his body respond to the man's touches, even knowing inwardly that it, in no way, meant that his heart had been likewise breached. His heart was where it had always been…somewhere across that cold desert with Renji…Renji who was probably in tears and clinging desperately to Rukia, who would find strength in his fury and in his refusal to believe that Byakuya was dead, who would do everything in his power to find a lead, any lead…and who would eventually reach him, no matter how long it took.

Aizen's mouth suddenly returned to his and plundered it hungrily as his hot, leaking member penetrated him further down. He winced and closed his eyes, hating that he had shown his discomfort. Aizen reached down and curled a hand around his length, stroking it along with his deep, slow thrusts. He kept his eyes on Byakuya's now, and the noble was careful to look back. Aizen's head bowed and his body shuddered as his searing release pulsed out and filled Byakuya inside. Then he continued to stimulate the noble until Byakuya's breath shortened and his body quivered, then hot seed spilled out of him. His captor devoured every drop, then he sank into Byakuya's mouth one last time as the weight of everything that had happened washed over the noble…and with his body and emotions so weakened by the remaining effects of his pregnancy, he was unable to hold back the sudden tears. They leaked onto his face, exposing the awful emotion beneath the placid surface and earning a surprisingly sympathetic stare from his captor. And Byakuya was left to ponder why even kindness coming from this man seemed so painful. No wonder torture wasn't necessary. What he was doing was torment enough.

Aizen brushed the streaming tears away from his eyes and then climbed out of bed. He reached over to a small console and pressed a button.

"Please have Hekima return Kisho to Byakuya. He will remain here for the night."

He turned back and kissed the noble gently on the mouth.

"Go and shower. I will have Hekima wait here until you are finished."

"You are…leaving?"

Aizen smiled.

"I will be back to spend the night with you, but we needn't make love again tonight unless you wish it. I will desire you from time to time, but it is not a requirement for us to have sex every time we share our bed. Good night, Byakuya."

He turned and left the room. Byakuya recovered his yukata and retreated to the shower. By the time he returned, Hekima was waiting on the freshly made bed, holding Kisho. He lifted the boy gently from the servant's arms and moved back to the window seat, where he knelt, leaning against the window and staring at the light from the shinigami base in the distance.

"Renji will come for us. He will, Kisho. He will. And when you are safe, I will kill Aizen Sousuke for daring to lay hands on us…"