Chapter 2: First Night
(What a lovely response! Thanks so much to everyone reading, fave-ing, following and reviewing. :) My gratitude to Parnita (I agree, top, bottom whatever, Bya and Ichi are very good together. And while Ichigo will start out more unsure of himself, it won't be long before his high spirits return and he and Byakuya clash a bit. I'm looking forward to the next chapters!), Tcas0518 (I like Byakuya's vulnerable side, but I enjoy seeing his strength that comes out in places like this. Both are pretty intoxicating.), Ytygr (Yeah, those old perverts...), Guest (I'm so glad you like it! I haven't written as much Bya/Ichi as Ichi/Bya, but I am really enjoying Byakuya in a more assertive role. It's good to change things up and try something different.), Clio1111 (I'm glad you like it! And here's more to enjoy.), Kyuumihaira (Ichigo will go through an array of emotions as he deals with being in an arranged marriage. He'll start out quiet and unsure of himself, but will not be above letting Byakuya know when he's upset about something!), The keeper of celestial keys (Yay! Now there's more. I'm so happy you suggested this. It was an awesome idea.), Irritated Bookworm (I find that stories like this that focus on the characters up close are among the most thrilling to write. Diving into characters and watching them interact and grow is pretty enchanting.), Another guest (You've got it!), AkiraNatsume (Wish granted!), Jazzybella (Aww, you're so sweet! But I kind of feel like Ichi/Bya/Ichi writes itself. They are extremely cute together, whether they are getting along or not!), Abyss (Oh yes, Ichigo pregnant will be funny, cute, sweet and sometimes a little misty. And you are very welcome!), Heriyandi Kurosaki (I think Ichigo pregnant is beyond cute, especially with his temper. Bya will have his hands full!), and Shima-Taicho31 (Ichi won't be the only one knocked up in this. When Kuri lays eyes on Byakuya's cousin for the first time in this one, there will be fireworks...and later, babies. Yes, many babies in this one, I think!) Enjoy the chapter! Love, Spunky)
"Kuchiki Byakuya, will you please come forward and claim your bride?" the Grand Councilor requested solemnly.
Ichigo stood on unsteady legs as the Kuchiki leader moved forward to stand beside him. His heart raced too fast and his head ached fiercely as he tried to cope with what was happening. Byakuya stood quietly at his side, observing Ichigo out of the corner of a grey eye.
"You look pale," he said sympathetically, "Would you like a moment, Ichigo?"
"M-more like a lifetime," Ichigo answered breathlessly, "B-byakuya, I don't know if I can do this!"
"Of course you can," Byakuya said in a voice that was somehow both soothing and stern, "This is to clear your name and to restore your clan to it's rightful place. Sometimes, the things we must do out of a sense of duty are painful and frightening, but...you are not alone in what you are doing."
Ichigo swallowed hard and nodded, flinching slightly as Byakuya's hand slipped into his.
"I claim Shiba Ichigo as a bride of the Kuchiki clan," he announced.
"And do you accept the Kuchiki clan leader's suit?" the Grand Councilor asked Ichigo.
Ichigo hesitated, his heart pounding and his head spinning as he forced the words out.
"Y-yeah, okay. I accept."
"Very well," the Grand Councilor said, raising his chin and addressing the crowd, "And who witnesses the claiming of this bride?"
"We do," said the gathered crowd.
"So then, we have gathered to join Kuchiki Byakuya and Shiba Ichigo in the bonds of holy matrimony. A marriage is a lifelong commitment, commanding the souls who enter it to do so with faithful intent to honor and protect it. Do the two of you hereby testify and confirm that you enter this union of your own free will and without coercion?"
"Is he really asking us that?" Ichigo whispered, making Byakuya's breath catch softly and the noble glance at him warningly.
"Do not disrespect these people," Byakuya breathed, "They hold your life in their hands."
"S-sorry," Ichigo whispered back, lowering his head, "I just can't believe they would ask us that."
"We do," Byakuya answered, giving his intended a soft glare.
"Uh, right, we do," Ichigo said belatedly.
"Please face each other and join hands," the Grand Councilor directed them, watching as they complied before continuing, "Do you, Shiba Ichigo, take Kuchiki Byakuya to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward? Do you promise to love, honor and obey him in all things and in all ways, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, for all the days of your lives?"
Did that guy really say I have to obey Byakuya? REALLY?
"Y-yeah, I will."
"And do you, Kuchiki Byakuya, take Shiba Ichigo to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day foward? Do you promise to love, honor and protect him, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, for all the days of your lives?"
Ichigo made a small sound of surprise as he realized Byakuya hadn't answered right away, but that his eyes had almost closed and his face looked very pale.
"I will," he answered finally.
"Do you have additional promises you wish to make to each other?" the Grand Councilor asked.
"Eh, no," Ichigo said, shaking his head.
What would I say? It's not like I want this. And Byakuya looks kinda freaked out too.
Byakuya shook his head briefly, but said nothing.
"Byakuya, Ichigo, having made your vows and promises to each other, by the power vested in me, I declare you partners in life, bonded in love and blessed by the contingent of the Noble's General and Central 46 councils. You will please exchange a kiss as the first gift of your new marriage."
Ichigo froze and closed his eyes, barely breathing as Byakuya's arm curled around him and the Kuchiki leader's soft, warm and surprisingly sweet lips brushed chastely against his.
He's the first person to ever kiss me in that way.
He felt himself being turned to face the gallery, but barely registered what came next.
"I present to you Kuchiki-Shibas Byakuya and Ichigo."
I only just took the Shiba name and now...this...
He remained in a daze as they turned back to face the council.
"Kuchiki-Shiba Ichigo," the Grand Councilor said sternly, "You are hereby given into the custody of the Kuchiki clan, and you will be placed under house arrest until the first of your heirs is born and your commitment fulfilled. At that time, and not until, all charges against you will be dismissed. This meeting is adjourned!"
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Ichigo walked like a silent shadow at Byakuya's side as the two exited the Central 46 chamber and found Tetsuya waiting for them outside, standing solemnly beside his tall, black Arabian stallion.
"Byakuya-sama, Ichigo-sama," he greeted them, bowing, then offering a hand to help them mount the paint stallion to his stallion's right.
"This is my spirit steed, Ikazuchi," Byakuya said, sliding his arm around his clan wife's waist and tightening his legs around the paint horse.
Ichigo said nothing and looked dazedly ahead of them as Tetsuya mounted the Arabian and fell in with the other horse.
"I have messaged the staff to prepare the rooms as you requested, Byakuya-sama."
Ichigo blinked.
"Rooms?" he repeated questioningly, "Don't I have to...?"
"We are required to consummate our marriage," Byakuya explained quietly, "but when that is done, you will have your own room. I will not force you to sleep next to me if that is not your wish. Only the consummation and making of heirs is required, not cohabitation."
"Oh," Ichigo said absently, "I wasn't so worried about sharing a room...a bed. It's the rest of it that has me freaked out."
"Hmmm," Byakuya sighed, lowering his eyes, "Well, I thought it might feel awkward for you. As my wife, you are welcome to stay with me. I just had the room prepared so that you had an alternative if that was not acceptable to you."
"What's not acceptable is what you're going to do to me when we get to your place," Ichigo said unhappily, "I did agree to it, so I'll do it. But...I feel kinda sick about it. Kinda dizzy."
"I understand," Byakuya said, lacing his fingers together with Ichigo's and nuzzling his cheek gently, "I was very much in love with Hisana when we married, and even so much after she died, I still mourn her passing. But...I couldn't bear to see you locked away, not after all you did for me. I would rather do this and have you hate me than to fail to acknowledge my debt to you. You protected what I could not, so I am protecting you from being put in that dark, horrible prison."
"I am grateful," Ichigo assured him, "and Byakuya, I don't hate you. I can't say I love you, but...you're my friend. And I'm grateful to you for getting me out of there. I was...really scared I was going to be locked up for good."
Byakuya gave him a bracing smile.
"I was not going to let that happen."
"Thanks," Ichigo whispered, tightening the fingers that were entangled in Byakuya's and resting the back of his head wearily on the Kuchiki heir's warm shoulder.
He watched through hazy, tired eyes as the two stallions continued along the busy street, where word had gone out about the sudden wedding and shinigamis lined the sides of the road, cheering the newlywed couple.
It's strange, seeing all of them gathered like that to look at us, and to hear them celebrating, when celebrating is the farthest thing from our minds. Byakuya's still mourning his late wife and I'm not nearly ready to fall in love with anyone yet. Still, we're married and we have to accept it...both of us.
I wonder what it will be like...having him inside me. I feel sick thinking about it, but it's going to happen. I shouldn't say anything. It's not Byakuya's fault that we have to do this. It was this or being tied up in a dark cell for the rest of my life. I can make myself do this.
But his resolve left him and his stomach turned as the horses came around a long curve, then straightened and turned into the entrance to Kuchiki Manor.
"Welcome to Kuchiki Manor," Byakuya whispered into his ear, "I hope you come to feel at home here."
"Never thought I'd hear you say that," Ichigo said in a half-hearted tone, "You usually just tell me to go back to the living world."
"Your home is here now," Byakuya said stoically, sliding down off of Ikazuchi's back and offering a hand to his new wife, "You will always be welcome here, Ichigo."
Ichigo managed a small smile and accepted the Kuchiki heir's hand. He slid off the horse's back and fell in beside Byakuya, who led him to where two lines of gather staff members waited for them.
"Good afternoon, Byakuya-sama, Ichigo-sama!" the first two greeted them, bowing.
"Thanks Matsuko," Ichigo said to the housekeeper, earning her warm smile, "Thanks Makoto...Torio, Koji, Akio..."
He paused as a familiar face stunned him out of his reverie.
"Toshi?" he said, smiling at his own attendant, "What are you doing here?"
"You think I would abandon you, just because you married and left home?"
"I was barely there before getting hauled off to Central 46," Ichigo chuckled, "But...thanks. I'm glad you're here."
"Where else would I be?" the young attendant asked, smiling.
Ichigo breathed in a little more deeply and actually relaxed a measure as he was led into the gardens, where a large meal had been prepared for them. Tetsuya, Rukia and Renji joined them at the table, and Ichigo relaxed some more as they ate and talked together. Even so, as the celebration meal ended, he found his uncertainty, and that feeling of dread returning. He watched as Torio led Byakuya to the master suite to bathe and prepare for the consummation, while Ichigo was led by Toshi to another room, where he undressed and slowly showered.
It's going to be strange, letting Byakuya touch me all over...having him kiss me on the mouth like he did at our wedding. He'll probably kiss harder when he's aroused, and he won't be as gentle and careful as he was earlier. I'm basically that guy's property now. He can do what he wants with me.
It's a good thing I trust him.
This would be unbearable if we didn't have that.
His hands moved over his nether region and he tried to imagine Byakuya's more soft and slender hands exploring that place. He let out his breath and closed his eyes, trying to come to terms with the fact of what was going to happen.
I don't want to make him feel bad. None of this is his fault. I'll just...focus on the fact that I owe him something. I owe him a lot. This doesn't have to be all bad.
But it was hard to hold onto his resolve to be accepting as the water cooled and he turned the shower off and stepped out to let Toshi dry him off and dress him in a stunning brown silk yukata with an enchanting, complex golden pattern.
"This is beautiful," he commented.
"It is a gift from your husband," Toshi explained.
"That's one thing I can say about Byakuya," Ichigo said, choking slightly on his words as his fingers played with the edge of the fine material, "He has really good taste."
"I think you'll be happy with him," Toshi offered hopefully.
"Eh, you do know we're not doing this for love, right?" Ichigo inquired softly.
"Many noble marriages start out this way," Toshi assured him, "Just enter it with your mind and your heart open. It will be all right, Ichigo-sama."
"Yeah," Ichigo agreed as they exited the room and headed for Byakuya's suite, "Thanks."
Neither spoke again as they walked along the wooden walkway and paused at the opened doors to Byakuya's room. Toshi smiled and bowed, laying Ichigo's hand in Byakuya's.
"Thank you, Toshi. you are excused for the night."
"Yes, Kuchiki-sama."
Ichigo quivered as their hands touched.
"You look beautiful," the Kuchiki heir complimented, "I was right that the gold would catch your eyes."
"Thanks, I like it too."
Byakuya hesitated for a moment, making Ichigo smile shyly.
"You're freaked out about this too, aren't you?" he asked.
"I'm terrified," the Kuchiki heir admitted, "I defied the elders of my family to marry Hisana and to avoid an arranged marriage. I have never been with someone who I wasn't in love with, and who wasn't in love with me. I have never had sex with another male. But it will be all right. I've been instructed in how not to hurt you and we will only have to be together tonight, as long as we are successful in conceiving our children."
Ichigo looked at him in surprise.
"You think we'll have more than one at a time?" he asked nervously.
"Your sisters are twins, ne?"
"Yeah."
"I was a twin," Byakuya informed him.
"What?" Ichigo mused, frowning, "Really?"
"Yes, but my mother and my twin died during the birth. In any case, we could have twins, and then we would have fulfilled our obligation and you will be free to leave me if you wish."
"They'd let us separate?" Ichigo asked, looking confused, "They didn't say that before."
"They are very focused on the preservation of power in our families. That is why they required this of you. Yes, if you wish it, you can leave me once the children are born. I won't contest the divorce. You shouldn't have to stay with me if that is not what makes you happy."
"Huh, thanks Byakuya."
A shiver went through him as the Kuchiki heir led him to the bridal bed and turned him so that they faced each other.
"With your permission, Ichigo," Byakuya said, looking into his eyes and waiting until the flashes of fear abated and the younger man nodded.
"Why are you wanting my permission?" Ichigo asked, "I promised to obey you, remember?"
"Since when have you ever obeyed anyone when it wasn't also your will?" Byakuya asked, giving him the ghost of a smile.
"I'm doing this and I don't want to, any more than you do."
"But...we have both accepted the necessity, haven't we?"
"Yeah, we have," Ichigo agreed, tilting his head slightly to meet Byakuya for their greeting kiss.
He marveled again at how soft and sweet Byakuya's lips were, then felt his legs go weak as the Kuchiki heir's tongue teased his lips, wanting entrance into his mouth. His eyes closed and he parted his lips, then lost his breath as his husband's soft, insistent tongue began to plunder that yielded entrance. He was so distracted by the warmth and slow friction of their kissing that he barely felt when Byakuya loosed the ties on their yukatas and began to touch him more intimately.
Slender, pale hands followed the curves of Ichigo's bare hips and outer thighs, then Byakuya's tongue forced itself deeper into the younger man's mouth and one hand caressed his bottom, while the other worked its way gradually to Ichigo's awakening nether region. But even though he meant to let things happen, Ichigo flinched sharply and broke away at the first, hesitant touch.
Byakuya froze, watching him closely as Ichigo blushed brightly and his legs shook under him.
"Are you all right?" his husband asked calmly.
"Hell no, I'm not all right," Ichigo panted, closing his eyes tightly for a moment as he regained some control.
"I am sorry," Byakuya apologized, "We could...put this off for a day, a few days, whatever time you need."
Ichigo caught his breath slowly, mulling over the words in his fevered mind.
"What good would that do?" he asked unhappily, "It's just delaying the inevitable. Let's just get it over with. Go on. Go ahead."
Byakuya studied him through shaded eyes for several long moments, then shook his head and kissed Ichigo lightly on the cheek.
"I cannot do that," he whispered, turning back and laying down on the bed on his stomach, "Good night, Ichigo."
Ichigo stood, unable to make himself leave or move closer. He gazed down at Byakuya's silk covered back, admiring the lovely royal blue material and pink cherry blossom pattern across the back.
He's put himself in a submissive position so I won't feel so stressed. He really is doing everything he can to make this more comfortable for the two of us. I'm not going to be the reason this doesn't work out.
He made his feet move, approaching the bed and sitting down next to the quietly resting Kuchiki heir. Byakuya remained perfectly still, except for his slow breaths, watching out of the corner of one eye as Ichigo's hand extended and ran lightly down the long strands of his unbound hair.
"Sorry," he apologized, "You weren't making me do anything I didn't agree to. And you don't have to stop. It's okay. I'm okay now."
"Are you sure?" Byakuya asked softly.
Ichigo's hand slid down his back and curled around his soft bottom, earning a pleased sigh of contentment.
"I'm sure," Ichigo assured him, coaxing the Kuchiki heir up onto his knees.
He slid onto Byakuya's lap, holding himself carefully back from reacting as he felt the elder man's hardness through the thin silk of their clothes. Byakuya's arms wrapped around him, and they brought their mouths together. Ichigo moved his hips and gasped at the swell of arousal that the gentle friction caused in his loins. He kissed Byakuya harder and continued to move his hips rhythmically.
The Kuchiki heir sank firmly into a more heated kiss and reached a hand over to the nightstand, where a small tube of lubricant waited. Ichigo caught his hand just short, stopping him.
"Wait. I think I want to try something."
He felt a heady twinge in his loins at the instant flush his words brought to Byakuya's lovely face and throat.
"You don't have to...!"
Ichigo's fingers touched his lips, stopping him.
"I saw a girl doing this to a guy at my school," he explained, "I don't know why, but I really feel like trying it."
Byakuya looked back at him wordlessly and watched raptly as the younger man lowered himself and placed his hands on the Kuchiki heir's soft, partially spread thighs. Byakuya's breath caught and he quivered as his clan wife's hot mouth began to pleasure him.
"For kami's sake, Ichigo! S-stop!" Byakuya hissed, his mouth going dry and his loins throbbing hungrily, "Y-you are..you'll make me...!"
He stared down at the back of Ichigo's head as it rose and fell and he jarringly beautiful contact continued. He panted harshly, struggling for control over his trembling body until he felt climax approaching.
"Ichigo!" he gasped, pulling away and dragging the young man back up onto his lap, crashing their lips together and reeling at the taste of himself on Ichigo's biting lips. He started to reach for the lubricant, but lost his breath all over again as Ichigo shifted on his lap, bringing them into position for joining.
"I think I made it wet enough, right?"
Byakuya nodded wordlessly and began a slow entry. He paused when he felt Ichigo flinch and moved in short, careful thrusts until they were fully joined and both brightly flushed.
"Are you still all right?" the Kuchiki heir asked.
"Yeah," Ichigo confirmed, holding on tightly and yielding a soft, moaning sigh as Byakuya's hips began a slow undulation.
He buried his face in Byakuya's soft, sakura scented hair, breathing deeply and moaning more heatedly as their rhythmic movements continued. He didn't feel it at all when he fell onto his back and Byakuya fell down on top of him, kissing him more roughly and penetrating more deeply.
But as pleasant as that was, nothing could have prepared him for when he opened his eyes again and was met with the increasingly feral shine growing in Byakuya's dark grey orbs, and the more aggressive feel of his thrusts. His mouth sucked hungrily at Ichigo's and his fingers laced together with the younger man's, leaving Ichigo trapped beneath the unleashed Kuchiki heir's writhing body, feeling the strength of his powerfully insistent hips and the impact somewhere inside that made Ichigo gasp in shock and loose a howl of mingled surprise and intense pleasure.
Byakuya's body stiffened and shuddered harshly against his and he made a gasping sound of surrender that mingled with the throbs of intense heat inside Ichigo to send the Shiba heir's body tumbling into release.
Dizzying waves of pleasure flooded Ichigo from end to end, leaving him lying helpless and spent beneath Byakuya's likewise depleted form. The Kuchiki heir remained sprawled on top of him, their bodies still joined as he nuzzled Ichigo's cheek sleepily and nibbled absently at his earlobe. Ichigo watched silently as Byakuya drifted off, then when he was sure the Kuchiki leader slept soundly, he worked his way free and slipped out of the bed.
He shivered a little and the sick feeling from earlier returned as he felt the lingering dampness and a dribble of fluid leaked onto his inner thigh. He froze for a moment, his heart flickering almost painfully in his chest as he remembered the wild, feral look Byakuya's eyes had taken on and how he had seemed to lose a bit of control upon approaching orgasm. It was beautiful and frightening both, much the way Byakuya always seemed to him.
Nothing he did hurt me really. I just had the feeling he could have easily hurt me if he wanted to. And having sex with him felt mostly very good. I didn't know what sex with a man was going to feel like. Since it couldn't be for love, I'm glad it was him who did it with me. Byakuya's a good person. He can be an arrogant ass sometimes, but he knows how to be a good friend. He knew I was in trouble and he did all of this to get me out of it. He didn't want this marriage either, but he took it on to give me back my freedom, to help me restore my clan's name. All in all, I guess this is okay.
It was just scary letting anyone do that to me.
But he said we don't have to do it again. Not that it hurt or that it was bad, I just don't know how to feel about it. I don't know how I'll look him in the eyes after doing something like that with him. I hope it isn't awkward.
Ichigo yawned sleepily and looked back in the direction of Byakuya's room. He paused uncertainly, feeling a burning in his eyes as he tried to think of what to do.
If I go back in there, will he want to have sex with me again? he wondered.
He brushed away a tear that had escaped the corner of his eye, wondering why he felt like crying when nothing that bad had happened.
What's wrong with me?
Ichigo sighed sleepily and made his feet move, heading towards the room that had been made up for him and sinking into the soft, warm bed. In moments, he was asleep.
He never saw the dark, somber grey eyes that watched until he was safely indoors, then closed for a moment as the Kuchiki heir returned alone to his bed. He laid down and turned, nuzzling into the pillow Ichigo had rested his head on and he breathed in the younger man's lingering scent. He released it again in a soft, lonely sigh and felt the solitude that Ichigo had briefly taken away return.
But I don't have to feel lonely really. If we were successful, we made our children tonight. Ichigo may not ever love me, but the children we made will. I will hold them and be happy that our brief time together was responsible for bringing something so beautiful into the world.
Hisana and I were in love, but we never had that feeling of completion.
It's strange that a man who will never love me could give me such a beautiful gift, but then Ichigo is not like anyone else, nor has he ever been. Sometimes he frustrates me to near insanity and sometimes he touches a place inside that no one ever has.
I just hope that he can still look me in the eyes tomorrow.
I don't want him to despise me for laying hands on him.
I don't want to have to be sorry for that.
For just that short time, to feel close to someone again...
I don't want to have to regret that.