Chapter 2: Where the Heart Still Burns
"Why do you suppose Kuchiki taicho did that?" Rikichi mused, his heart still racing slightly as he and Kisho made their way, hands clasped and fingers entwined, along the forest trail to the practice meadow, "I mean, it's obvious he knows that you and I have feelings for each other…and he has to know that your elders are going to maybe have a problem with that."
"Of course he knows," Kisho said, matter-of-factly, "Dad is aware of exactly how the elders think. He realizes that some of them will be against us being together, because you are a commoner. But, even though that's true, he also knows that those same elders may come around in their thinking if they perceive that you have a stabilizing effect on their heir."
Rikichi frowned.
"So…you think that he is…on our side, then?" he asked.
"Yes!" Kisho laughed, "although, it's also meant to be a challenge for us."
"A challenge?"
"Yes," Kisho affirmed, "See, if you and I work well together, and you cause me to have a better attitude and improve in my training, then that will cause our skeptics to have to step back and reconsider."
"So, he is manipulating their support for us?" Rikichi concluded.
"He is, and he's also challenging you and me. He knows that I love you, and if I know it's important for me to work with you successfully so that the elders approve of us, everyone benefits from that."
Rikichi went silent for a moment, his gentle brown eyes looking up into the pretty canopy above them. Kisho followed the path of his gaze and smiled, squeezing his hand.
"What is it?" he asked more quietly, "You know you are more than up to the task, or he wouldn't ask you to do this."
"Yeah," Rikichi agreed, a pleased smile overtaking his face, "it's just…having the confidence of someone like him is…kind of overwhelming. I mean, the leader of the most powerful family in the Seireitei is trusting me with his son's training. Kisho, you'd better really work hard, so we impress them. Otherwise, you know we won't…"
"Don't you dare finish that," Kisho said petulantly, "Of course I'll give it everything. You know that. My fathers know that. If it's to be able to be with you, I will move whatever mountains they put in front of me."
Kisho's head tilted at the suddenly somber look he got in response.
"What is it? What's wrong, Riki?"
Rikichi stopped as they arrived at the top of a tall waterfall that spilled down into the lake and meadow below it. He took Kisho's hands in his and looked into the heir's eyes warmly.
"Kisho, I never want you to be anyone but who you are…not even so that you can be with me. You are perfect without changing anything. I know you have to train your skills, but your powers don't have to change your heart. You know…I have idolized Renji-sama for many, many years now."
"Yeah," Kisho replied, touching his fingers to the tattoo over his lover's eye, "I know. He's why you worked so hard to get into the sixth division."
Renji-sama's strength and his protectiveness of his loved ones inspired me," Rikichi went on, "I worked hard for a long time, training everything because I felt so inspired by him. I have become stronger and I owe that to him, but even though I am stronger, not everything about me has changed. I can better protect the people I love, but at the same time, I still have the same heart. I didn't sacrifice that, and you shouldn't have to either. So…I want you to train with me as Kuchiki taicho asks, but while we train, I want you to keep your heart, just the way it is. You are just right as you are. You shouldn't have to change for anyone."
Kisho threw his arms around Rikichi and sank into his mouth, kissing him fervently.
"Okay," he laughed between kisses, "I won't change that. I promise!"
"Good."
The two paused in their kissing as a little giggle sounded, then quick flash steps as twin blue-eyed, ginger-haired girls of about seven appeared in front of them.
"Minè, Akina, you little sneaks!" Kisho scolded the two playfully, "Where are your parents?"
"In the meadow," Akina answered, brushing a mop of ginger hairs out of her eyes, "Daddy Tetsuya sensed you and sent us to ask you to join us for our picnic."
"Heh, if you're done smooching, that is!" Minè laughed.
"W-well," Kisho said, glancing at Rikichi, "uh, we are supposed to be training, but…"
Rikichi shrugged.
"We can't train on an empty stomach," he added.
"Right!" Kisho agreed, grinning, "Sure, we'll join you. Are your other sisters here too?"
"Kayda and Kasumi?" Minè inquired, "Yup! They're here too. We were all sparring in the meadow, then playing with Arashi-chan."
"Sounds like fun. Let's go!" Kisho exclaimed, throwing his slender body over the nearby cliff and employing his flash step.
"Hurry, Riki!" Akina snickered, "Last one there is a rotten egg!"
Rikichi and the girls disappeared over the edge racing down into the meadow and sliding to a stop near a tree on the bank of the huge, blue lake. They arrived to find Kisho there, just a moment ahead of them, and Ichigo sitting with a very pregnant Tetsuya resting against him. Their dark-haired, golden-eyed daughters lounged on the bank near their parents, still panting softly and sweating from their recent training in the meadow.
"I see you found them," Ichigo chuckled, "Morning, guys."
"Ohayo, Kisho-chan, Rikichi-san," Tetsuya greeted them.
Kisho's eyes softened as he dropped onto his knees beside Tetsuya.
"Hi," he greeted the two older shinigamis, "Tetsuya-san, how are you feeling today? You look really good. Your reiatsu feels stable."
"For the moment," Tetsuya laughed, nuzzling his husband's cheek, "and only because Ichigo doesn't let me out of his sight while I'm this close to delivering."
"That's probably for the best, considering the higher risk of a male pregnancy," Kisho concluded.
"Come on, Kid," Ichigo teased, winking at the youth, "Can't you stop being a healer for a moment and just be Tetsuya's little cousin? You're too cute to sound all serious."
"Ichigo, that's no way to talk to the Kuchiki heir," Tetsuya chided him.
"Well, I'm the Shiba heir," Ichigo countered, smirking, "Last I checked, our clans were sharing the top position in the Seireitei. Did I miss something?"
"No, but you ought to mind your manners or I might just look the other way the next time Arashi is teasing you."
As if to punctuate the words, a stream of water burst out of the nearby lake and struck Ichigo squarely in the face as Tetsuya moved out of the way, just in time.
You dare to be brutish and rude to the Kuchiki heir? the stallion's wispy voice spoke into their minds.
"Oh, you little horse pie!" Ichigo exclaimed, "Come outta that lake and fight like a man!"
A huge shower of water erupted from the lake as Tetsuya's tall, black Arabian stallion leapt onto the shore and shook the water from his coat, leaving Ichigo even more soaked.
"You are sooooo dead!" Ichigo snapped, flash stepping after the horse as Arashi flash stepped away, horse laughing and bucking.
The four girls flash stepped after their father and the retreating stallion, laughing and chattering. Rikichi looked as though he wanted to follow, but then he saw that Kisho had remained kneeling quietly at Tetsuya's side. He moved closer to the Kuchiki heir, watching as Kisho glanced at Tetsuya for permission, then laid his hands on the Shiba consort's rounded abdomen.
"Their reiatsu is impressive, just like the others' was," Kisho observed.
"Yes, it is," Tetsuya agreed.
"But then, you know that it raises the chances of complications."
Kisho paused and colored at the very patient look Tetsuya gave him in reply.
"S-sorry," Kisho apologized, "Of course you know. You are, after all, the healer who mentored me. I guess it's just hard for me to get out of healer mode."
Tetsuya's genuine smile chased Kisho's anxiety away instantly.
"Healing is your greatest gift," he observed, "And it is also your greatest love."
He smirked slightly at Rikichi.
"Ah, maybe your second greatest love now?" he chuckled.
Rikichi blushed.
"Tetsuya-san, my father just made Rikichi my personal mentor and trainer!" Kisho announced excitedly.
"He did?" Tetsuya mused, noting that immediately, Rikichi blushed more darkly and bit at his lip nervously, "What prompted this?"
"W-well," Kisho said with a touch of penitence, "it's actually because the elders all know that I want to be a healer, and although some wouldn't mind a leader who is a healer, others think that a leader needs to show greater strength…but you were a fighter and a healer before you married Ichigo-san."
"I was," Tetsuya affirmed, "I really became stronger out of necessity."
"Because of the prejudice against you for being a mixed blood," Kisho reasoned.
"Yes," Tetsuya answered, nodding in agreement, "I learned from growing up in the noble's prison that it is important to be able to fight for my freedom. Even though I am in the position of Shiba consort and I no longer have to fight, I still train every day."
"I do too," Kisho sighed.
He caught himself and colored.
"Well, almost every day. I just hate fighting. I know it's necessary. I just…hate it. It goes against everything we healers stand for."
"But we do not always get to choose our battles," Tetsuya said in a sympathetic tone, "Sometimes a dangerous enemy will come unexpectedly, and we must be ready to defend our freedom and our loved ones."
"That's what my dad, Renji, says," Kisho replied, lowering his eyes as Byakuya and Renji arrived at the top of the cliff above them, "only, you say it a lot more nicely than he does."
Tetsuya looked up and smiled at his cousin and the Kuchiki consort as the two flash stepped down from the cliff and landed in the meadow. Kisho withdrew his hands quickly from Tetsuya's abdomen and stood to greet his parents.
"I see you two found your way to the training field," Byakuya observed, tilting his head slightly, "How is our cousin?"
"His and the babies' reiatsu are stable," Kisho reported.
"And you are feeling well, I hope?" Byakuya asked Tetsuya.
"I am very well, thank you, Byakuya-sama," Tetsuya assured him.
"Then," Renji said, meeting his son's eyes meaningfully, "you and Rikichi should probably get started."
"Right," Kisho answered, standing, "C'mon, Riki. Let's go."
The two flash stepped away, leaving Byakuya and Renji with Tetsuya. The Kuchiki leader and consort sat down alongside him, watching as the heir and his mentor warmed up, then began to train first on hakudo with flash steps.
"What's with your husband and kids?" Renji asked, smirking as he spotted the ginger-haired Shiba heir laughing and rolling around in the meadow firing kido at Arashi while the four Shiba daughters flash stepped after the horse, giggling as they tried and failed to catch him, "That doesn't look like very serious training."
"They've finished their training for the morning," Tetsuya answered, yawning sleepily, "They're just playing now."
"Yeah? It seems like Kisho's always doing things the other way around. He spends most of his time playing healer and forgets everything else."
"Renji," Byakuya said warningly.
"Ah, damn, sorry Tetsuya," the redhead apologized, reaching up to scratch the back of his neck, "Didn't mean it like that."
"I know," Tetsuya replied calmly, "Kisho has pushed you to the point of frustration. It is harder for him than it was for me, because I grew up in a way that taught me exactly why building my strength and powers was important, even if I did want to be a healer. Kisho started out in the Rukongai, but…"
Renji gave a guilty sigh.
"But he never had the challenges that you or I had, because I did everything I could to shield him," he finished, "I coddled the boy, thinking that it was my job to protect him, no matter what, but all I taught him that way was how to be weak like I was."
"That is not true," Byakuya said sternly, "You may have had your memory, your powers and your eyesight taken, but you were never weak, Renji."
"My cousin is right," Tetsuya agreed emphatically.
"I didn't push Kisho hard enough," Renji argued, "I worried too much about him being safe and not enough about him being able to protect himself. I mean, I could have found him a mentor. I should have. I should have maybe placed him in one of the training schools there."
"There was nothing at all wrong with placing our son in a loving household, where he would be trained to use his powerful healing gift," Byakuya countered, "Besides, I know that, although you think you might have had those other options, it was always in your mind that if Madoka became aware that Kisho was growing strong enough to be a threat, he would have killed him. You were doing exactly what you had to, to keep yourself and our son alive. In your haste to take the blame, also remember that you did keep him alive and well, even while you, yourself, suffered."
Renji paused, considering and let out a sagging breath.
"Yeah, I guess," he capitulated.
"Now, if you are ready, why don't we show those youngsters our version of flash step and hakudo training?" Byakuya suggested.
Renji brightened instantly.
"You've got it."
The two left Tetsuya under the tree as Ichigo and the girls returned to him. The Shiba family watched as Byakuya and Renji warmed up and stretched together, then took up fighting positions and began to spar with kido enforced punches, blocks and kicks. Their moves began slowly, but built gradually until it was hard to follow their moves around the practice field.
"Man," Ichigo sighed, brushing the sweat from his brow, "Renji may not have his powers, but he kicks like a freaking monster and his reiatsu and flash step feel just like they always did."
Tetsuya nodded.
"In truth, it is not that Renji-sama has no powers, it is that his body cannot channel the power through it or through his zanpakuto to release it. Used within his body, he can still manipulate it for flash step or reinforcing his kicks, punches and shielding. Renji-sama is still very strong, though he chides himself every chance he gets for being weak."
"It's bullshit," Ichigo scoffed, shaking his head, "If I was Byakuya, I would've talked some sense into him a long time ago. Maybe some of us need to get together and give him a little talking to or something…although with that rock head of his, sometimes actions work better than words, right?"
"Ichigo…" Tetsuya said reproachfully.
"Well, it's true. I'm not saying he's not smart. He's just stubborn. And right now? He's using his stubbornness for the wrong damned thing. Man, there's gotta be a way to help him get his powers back."
"No one has given up on that," Tetsuya said reassuringly, "Kisuke is still working on it, as are all of us in the fourth division. I'll be back to work on that as well, once I have delivered."
Ichigo's smile became a smirk and his golden brown eyes turned playful again.
"No, you won't," he teased, "cause as soon as you finish having these babies, we're making some more!"
"Oh, don't you even think about that!" Tetsuya laughed, blushing, "And don't talk that way in front of the children we have!"
"Oh? What're you gonna do to stop me?" Ichigo snickered.
"Ugh, you're asking for it!" Tetsuya said, starting to climb to his feet.
He made a sharp sound of pain as he gained his feet and he began to sway. Ichigo looped an arm around him as Tetsuya panted and laid a hand on his belly.
"Hey, take it easy. You know I was just clowning around."
"Heh, me too," Tetsuya managed, "S-sorry, I just got up wrong or something."
"Hey, Kayda," Ichigo said in a serious tone, "Go and get Kisho, and Akina, you go and get Michio. Minè and Kasumi, you help Tetsuya. Let's get him comfortable and you help Kisho when he gets here, okay?"
"Okay!" the girls shouted, two of them taking off in different directions.
"Let's get your lying down."
"It'll hurt to lie flat," Tetsuya complained, grimacing as a pain radiated through his insides.
"Daddy, his reiatsu is dropping pretty fast," Kasumi said anxiously.
"I'll take care of that," Ichigo assured her as he used their picnic blanket to elevate Tetsuya's upper body slightly, "Okay now?"
"Y-yes, except for the labor pains. I think I am in labor for real this time," Tetsuya panted.
"Okay, stay calm. Here comes Kisho."
"I am calm," Tetsuya laughed weakly, "It's you who is panicking."
"What? I'm not panicking!" Ichigo argued, "Kisho, c'mon!"
"I'm here," Kisho said, dropping to his knees and laying his hands on Tetsuya's round belly.
He paused for a moment, setting a clean healing field around the older shinigami's body, then he looked down into Tetsuya's calm, but alert eyes. Renji, Byakuya and Rikichi arrived a moment later.
"Couldn't even wait to let us get you inside or something?" Renji laughed, shaking his head, "Seriously, Tetsuya…"
"Wh-what can I say? I like the outdoors," Tetsuya laughed.
Kisho bowed his head, concentrating and focusing on the small clusters of reiatsu inside the reclined shinigami's abdomen.
"The babies' reiatsu is fine," he reported, "but Tetsuya's is declining a bit sharply. Ichigo-san, please infuse him as I prepare him for the delivery."
"Okay!" Ichigo said, taking Tetsuya's hand and laying his other hand on his pregnant mate's belly.
"Father," Kisho said to Byakuya, "can you monitor Tetsuya-san's reiatsu?"
"Of course," Byakuya said calmly.
Kisho loosed his reiatsu and sent it into Tetsuya's body, where it aided Tetsuya's own system in readying his body for the children's birth.
Renji knelt beside Byakuya and washed Tetsuya's face gently with a cloth he'd dampened in the lake.
"The cells in the area above his spirit chamber have lost cohesion," Kisho said, wiping the sweat from his brow.
He smiled at Tetsuya.
"Just a moment and I'll begin the delivery."
"Okay," Tetsuya said approvingly, "I am ready."
Kisho nodded.
"The chamber is opening."
Tetsuya breathed slowly, but he flinched and then cringed as pain rocketed through his midsection.
"K-kisho," he managed raggedly, "something is not right…"
Kisho frowned.
"Your reiatsu is destabilizing."
"What do we do?" Ichigo asked, paling.
"Dad, I'll need you to deliver the babies for me!" Kisho exclaimed.
"Wh-what?" Renji yelped, "Me? Deliver the…?"
"You have to!" Kisho insisted, "Adding more reiatsu to the area will only make the destabilization worse. I'm going to have you bring the babies out, and as you do, I am going to place Tetsuya-san in suspension so that we can safely transport him to the fourth division for care!"
"Can't he be cared for here? With Michio?" Ichigo asked.
"No, he will need special equipment that they have at the fourth," Kisho said firmly, "Now, please, Dad, get the babies out so that I can begin the suspension cycle!"
"Kisho," Renji said uncertainly, "I…I'm not a healer."
"You don't have to be," Kisho said sternly, "Just reach in and bring them out carefully."
He met Renji's eyes meaningfully.
"I guess this is one of those times you'll be glad that you learned some healing, even though you are really a fighter," Kisho teased, smirking as Renji swore.
"Smartass," Renji breathed, "Okay, I'm goin' in. Tetsuya, hang in there okay?"
"I'm f-fine," Tetsuya panted, "Just, please hurry!"
Renji took a breath and slid his hands into the opening that had formed in Tetsuya's abdomen.
"There are two clusters," Kisho directed him, "Remove the first now."
"Okay," Renji said, curving his hands around the first of the clusters, "I've got it."
He brought the glowing golden cluster out of Tetsuya's belly and held it for a moment, staring raptly.
"Damn…" he whispered as the cluster flickered and slowly resolved into the body of a little baby girl, "Another girl for you guys."
"Oh my god," Ichigo breathed, looking at his new daughter adoringly as Renji handed the baby to him, "She's so cute! Blue eyes, Tetsuya!"
"I'm gonna get the other one," Renji said, leaning over Tetsuya again as Byakuya's eyes watched him closely, "Geez, I'm glad we're spirits so that this isn't as messy as a human birth."
He wrapped his hands around the second cluster and lifted it, but felt an odd sensation as he brought the baby out.
"K-kisho, something's wrong…" he mumbled.
Renji felt a strange tugging at his insides, then he felt the desperate touch of a frightened mind. Instinctively, he connected with the baby's mind and his reiatsu wrapped around the baby's protectively. Kisho saw what was happening and his face blanched.
"Dad, what are you doing?"
White light flashed around Renji and the baby, and the redhead started to collapse.
"Renji!" Byakuya exclaimed, taking the baby from his hands and handing the tot to Rikichi.
"It's okay, I'll take care of him," Kisho said bracingly.
Ichigo made an exclamation of concern as Tetsuya's eyes slid closed.
"What's happening?" he shouted, "Tetsuya passed out!"
"It's okay," Kisho assured him, "Tetsuya is in a suspended state. He'll be fine until he's at the fourth and they stabilize his reiatsu."
"And Renji?" Byakuya asked anxiously.
Kisho nodded.
"I've got him. He just sensed that the baby's reiatsu was starting to fade and he rather recklessly wrapped his own around it. The strain of pushing the reiatsu out of his body when he's been powerless for so long just made him pass out. I'll restore his reiatsu and he should be fine.
"Holy crap," Ichigo mused, shaking his head, "This is so not how I thought today was gonna go."
"Heh," Kisho laughed weakly as he worked at restoring Renji's reiatsu.
Renji's eyes blinked and opened again, and he sat up, looking around in confusion.
"What the heck?" he mused, "What happened?"
Kisho gave him a scowl that could only have come from being the redhead's offspring.
"You know, you fighters should really stick to fighting and leave the healing to us professionals," he teased.
Byakuya, Renji, Rikichi and Kisho exchanged glances for a moment, then began to laugh together.
"Kisho," Byakuya said proudly, "you did well."
"I think you saved Tetsuya's life by reacting so quickly," Ichigo said appreciatively.
"And Renji saved the second baby," Kisho said happily, "By the way, you have a son…haha, finally!"