Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or anything related or from it. All copyrights belong to Noriaki 'Tite' Kubo. I only own the plot.
Pairings: ByaRen
Warnings: Cursing. Yaoi.
Summary: When Renji is struck with a kido spell, he must make the decision between pain or pleasure. Byakuya offers him guidance while searching for the one responsible. Byakuya also must deal with his feelings regarding his fuku-taicho and struggles to control his actions while handling the situation.
A.N. So, this chapter is just a little bit longer. I probably didn't catch all the mistakes again, so my apologies. By the way, Chapter two is re-uploaded with corrections thanks to Kahewei. Just a note, I hope this chapter turns out well as I think it is one of the hardest to write, trying to out exactly how I want this chapter's mood. And, thanks for reading.
September 8, 2011; Re-upload chapter with corrections by Kahewei.
The Kido: Pain or Pleasure?
Chapter Three: Solution, what Solution?
Kuchiki Byakuya swiftly flew over the yellow rooftops of Seireitei with his precious bundle in his arms. Despite his appearance, Byakuya was a very strong individual. His physical strength was even stronger than Renji's, part of that had to do with the use of his reiryoku, and the other part was he was simply that strong. He was a Kuchiki after all. It was no trouble for him to be carrying a heavy load such as his fuku-taicho. No, the thing that worried Kuchiki Byakuya was if they were seen. He was fairly certain they were not as he knew his own capabilities. He was the fastest person in Soul Society; Yoruichi did not count as she now resided in Karakura.
Inwardly, Byakuya scowled. He hated relying on the special Shunpo: Utsusemi the were-cat taught him, but it proved useful, especially now.
Another moan of pain broke out from Renji's pain-filled mutterings. Byakuya did not think Renji was even aware of what was going on except for the sensation in his nerves. He instinctively urged himself to travel faster, as if doing so would allow him to reach the Kuchiki manor quicker.
He briefly flared his reiatsu as he approached his manor to alert his guards and servants, but they probably already sensed his approach with his reiatsu flaring as wildly as it was. Each personnel attuned to the Kuchiki members' reiatsu signature over the years. For but a brief moment, he hesitated about where he should place his fuku-taicho, but eventually decided to land in the garden outside his rooms. There was no need to wait; his servants were impeccably trained.
"Byakuya-sama," greeted a servant who was already waiting in the garden.
"Kishou," addressed Byakuya. "Prepare two large futons in my quarters. Have a servant bring cooled water, some silk rags and the softest cotton cloths available."
"Hai, Byakuya-sama," said Kishou. As she prepared to left, Byakuya called out and almost as an afterthought, "Bring a dish of warm oil as well."
He shifted Renji in his arms, examining his condition. He was slightly sweaty from the fevered heat of the kido with long strands of hair sticking to his chest and face. It almost reminded him of the days when Hisana lay sick in bed. Renji was even wearing white, the same color Hisana wore during her last months in bed. White. Sickness. Death. The redhead's whimpering seemed to have died down for a moment, and he caught sight of clear cognizant in the brown eyes.
"Renji?"
"T-taicho?" Renji said weakly.
Byakuya with Renji nestled in his arms walked into his rooms. "Renji, are you alert?"
No response. Renji had drifted out again. Byakuya sighed irritably; this is going to take some time. Time I do not think we have.
He placed the redhead on top of the futon, and noted that everything was in its place, along with the items he had requested.
"Kishou?"
"Hai." She appeared out of nowhere, kneeling before Byakuya-sama.
"I wish for complete privacy. Have the servants stay out of a 60-meter zone around my rooms, and the guards on high alert. I want the guards to patrol more frequently within the next few hours. Await further instructions."
"As you wish, Byakuya-sama."
"You are not to speak of this to anyone."
The servant nodded her acquiesce. "Do you require breakfast for the guest?"
"Possibly. Prepared more than the usual amount. Now, leave us," commanded Byakuya.
As Kishou left with her assigned duties, Byakuya unwrapped his silk scarf from his neck. He fingered the faint bloodstains absentmindedly as he placed it on a wooden chest along with his tekkou. Kishou was his oldest servant, having served the family before he was born. She would not tell anyone what occurred tonight, even if she did not quite understood what was going on. As the head servant, Kishou had a geis on her, preventing her from spilling her master's secrets even if she wanted to. It was the normal protocol for any Kuchiki servant and guards and doubly so for servants with more access. Kuchiki family secrets had to remain secrets.
He shrugged off his haori, tossed it over his scarf, and rolled up his sleeves. Kneeling next to the futon, he checked the yukata his fuku-taicho was wearing. Byakuya frowned as he felt the coarseness of the material. He grabbed one of his old yukata and changed Renji's clothing.
Taking a silk rag, he wiped away the sweat as gently as he could and ignored the pained sighs escaping from the redhead's lungs. He then took the cotton cloth and dipped it in the bowl of water, and brushed it against the overheated body. Byakuya proceeded to gather the silken strands of scarlet and fashioned it into a loose ensemble of a braid. He was hoping for Renji to be coherent again, long enough for him to question him. However, he was prepared to deal with what need to be done if his fuku-taicho did not respond.
It was difficult, knowing the situation at hand. The Kuchiki family was historians; scrolls and scrolls upon books and manuscripts resided in their household. Countless scrolls of information, even some of the most obscure lay in the protective hands of the Kuchiki household. As such, Kuchiki Byakuya knew very well the Hado spell casted upon Renji.
However, he did not think many people knew of the spell, much less how to perform it. The Forbidden Hado, number seventy-two: GakuKutsuu was a spell so horrible; it was stricken from all books. The main issue with the spell was the lack of consent—not only was it physically painful it was also mentally degrading.
It used to be use during extreme times of warfare, but it quickly fell out of use when it was discovered that a person's mind could be so damaged, the person was a shell of their former self. Only with repeated usage, however. The first time did not meet the requirements. But, if what he suspected is true, and Renji's reiatsu patterned seemed to confirmed it, then his fuku-taicho had been under the spell a total of three times.
What should I do? The only possible way to end the spell is to have sex, Byakuya bit his lip in a rare display of emotions. I cannot do that to Renji. And, I am not even certain if he had sex before.
He frantically racked his brain for any other possible solutions. He came up with one, and even if it was slightly intrusive; it was not as bad as the first option, which he was not willing to do. Byakuya did not think Renji would have allowed it in his normal state of mind; in fact, he was sure Renji would hate him for it.
The best he could do was to bring release to the redhead and not penetrate him. From his recollection, release without penetration would allow the redhead to gain control over his state of mind, and the pain would lessen. However, without the full act of intercourse, the kido spell would stay in place. The pain would flare up after a few days, causing the affected individual to need release again before the cycle repeated itself. Eventually, it would degrade overtime; however, it took several months, sometime years for that to occur. It was not practical for a solider such as Renji when they were at war.
At the very least, Byakuya reasoned. I can give him the choice with whom to have intercourse with. Intense pain along with intense pleasure…does Renji even have masochistic tendencies? I would think one would have to enjoy pain somewhat to gain release. Although, Renji seems to possess high pain tolerance, he certainly is durable, thought Byakuya in remembrance of the first time he set his bankai against his fuku-taicho, and the bloody mess he left behind.
He gently cleaned the wound on the redhead's lower lip, and using a small amount of reiryoku, healed it completely. He did not think Renji would want a scar to remind him of the man. He ignored that fact it was not likely to leave a permanent scar.
"D-don't…" The redhead said weakly.
Byakuya immediately leaned over and grasped him by the arms. "Renji, stay with me," he commanded as he looked him in the eye.
"…s-stop, Hiroki…"
Hiroki, thought Byakuya frantically, is that the name of that man? Does Renji not know where he is and who I am?
"Ren-ji. Listen to me," said the taicho. "Are you aware?"
"S-stop…t-touchin'…m-me," muttered his fuku-taicho between moans of pain.
Byakuya made a distinct sound of frustration. He's in pain, and not alert. He's responding to pain, but not to my words. Too bad, I can't slap him to wake him up, he thought.
This temporary solution is not a desirable choice. However, I am afraid I do not have another. He was hoping to wait and have his subordinate make his choice; but he knew time was running out. The best he could do was to subdue the kido, and hope whatever consequences arising out of his involvement would not be immense.
Byakuya said gently to Renji, even if the man was not fully alert to understand, "Renji. I realized you cannot hear me or comprehend my words right now, but I must inform you of what I am doing. It would be dishonorable if I do not at least try. Therefore, I hope you will remember this much at least."
He stroked Renji's hair, and cooled his overheated body with the water. "I hope you will not despise me for touching you in such a manner."
Byakuya knew the design of the kido spell, and as such, he knew the few places the kido did not affect; certain locations which were normally pleasurable for sex, and a few that were unknown. The general areas were the oral, otic, naval, groin, and mammary regions; including of course, the prostate, and the sides of the neck. The few unknown locations differed from person to person; each individual had other sensitive locations that were either natural or artificially acquired over the course of their life, in other words, preferences. Such areas included the feet, fingers, elbow, hair, back, knees, and so on.
These areas were generally left unaffected because they were more directly tied into the spiritrons. The whole crux of the hado was in the name itself. GakuKutsuu. Pleasure and pain. The whole principle of the kido was to make a person succumb to pain, enough that the person was willing to do anything to stop it, especially through giving up secrets. Furthermore, the kido main factor was humiliation and shame, hence the pleasure. Enemies would partake in their rivals' bodies and leave them with the shame of being violated, and the knowledge they gave up valuable information just to stop the pain, the knowledge they need sexual gratification to stop the pain; the shame of enjoying the act, the shame of their body betraying them. It was particularly worse for females as they had a chance of being impregnated by the enemy. Not to mention, anyone could end the kido, not just the caster.
Byakuya paused. He could not hold it off any longer. He had to do it or he risked Renji becoming insane from the intensity of the pain. He liked Renji. He did not want to touch his fuku-taicho in such a manner. Well, not without permission, at least, thought the noble who was at war with himself.
He covered the redhead's lap with a thin soft sheet and dipped his hand into the bowl of oil, rubbing it in between his fingers. Steeling himself and hardening his nerves, he slowly brought his right hand underneath the sheet. Byakuya forced his gaze outside, intently focusing on the sakura tree outside his room, yet he was all too aware of his hand sliding across Abarai's hip to the hem of the yukata.
Small whimpers escaped from his throat the moment Byakuya laid his hand on him. The noble tried to soften his touch as he pulled the yukata apart. Renji, Forgive me.
Byakuya was seated to the left of his fuku-taicho with his head facing Renji's upper body. He had not closed the sliding doors properly, and he could see the large sakura tree just on the edge of his periphery and various plants. He took a breath, and tried not to think about what his right hand was engaging in.
As he slid his hand further beneath the yukata, trailing his fingers upwards, he could not help but noticed how sleek and firm his lieutenant's muscles were. As Renji's taicho, he often had access to the pleasant view of the redhead's body. It was a most marvelous sight, all of the hard planes twisting about and dodging sharp swords, the bulge of muscles as the redhead struggled to defend himself, trickles of sweat running down the chisel chest that glistened in the sun's rays. It was no wonder people watched their training matches thought Byakuya. He was ignorant of the fact that he was also impressive with his pale skin, and cold, grey eyes amidst the swirls of deceptively soft, deadly, sharp petals. The Sixth division taicho and fuku-taicho were easily the best looking pair in the Gotei 13, and crowds were excited by the sight of the pair, and especially so when they fought. Their fight was a contrast of red and black.
The black-haired noble gently glided his hand further up Renji's thigh, enjoying the sensation of—the skin of someone other than himself—smoothness and firmness.
He vainly tried to shove the brief enjoyment down, scolding himself to stay on task. His left hand fisted tightly—nails cutting crescent moons into his flesh—beside him as a reminder.
Byakuya carefully noted the shape of each blossoms he could see as his heart quicken and his breath caught in his throat when his slender hand was almost in reach of that forbidden area. His studies of the sakura tree were futile as he was very capable of multi-tasking.
Surely, it's enough, he thought just to stimulate him there—and no other?
His hand wrapped itself around the velvet hardness. Byakuya's eyebrows furrowed and his lips stretched into a thin line.
I cannot believe I am doing this. He's a subordinate. But, you have to save his life argued his inner self, smirking with glee. It is merely a convenient excuse, he scoffed to himself. I am a noble. I should be able to control myself among temptation.
His eyes narrowed in uncertainty, and he faltered with Abarai Renji's cock in his hand for he had never touched another man's in his entire life.
Then, he decisively gripped the cock firmly, weighing it in his palm. It felt shorter than his own was, but thicker. It was not too different from his own, and to his relief, it was just another penis.
Byakuya was certain he could handle this in a calm and efficient manner. He just had to fondle and ignored the pain whispers that escaped Renji from time to time. He could do this. Slowly, he tightened his grip and began to stroke; but the stoic noble was not prepared for one thing.
Renji moaned. Pleasurably.
Startled by the sound, his concentration wavered. He shook his head and resolutely stoked Renji again.
A louder moan, longer and it sounded so lusty.
His focus broke completely, and his gaze immediately shot back to Renji's face.
He wished he hadn't.
The sight of the redhead shifting, arching in pleasure filled his greedy eyes. Byakuya realized when he moved his hand just so, Renji's hips immediately canted toward him, seeking more of the gratifying sensation. The movement riveted him. He delighted in the reactions he was getting out of his subordinate. It was addicting.
As if realizing that very enjoyment, he chastised himself for his indecent ponderings. Stop thinking. Stop touching him, you pervert.
It did not work. His hand would not stop sliding over the warmth of his cock. Damnit.
He was too intrigued, and his control snapped with the man of his unacknowledged dreams in his rooms, in his hands. He watched as Renji continued to moaned and cried out in pain-filled ecstasy. And, he continued to stroke.
Grip. Slide. Palm. Squeeze. Twist.
He was doing everything possible to draw out more of those moans, the tiny whimpers falling from those pink lips, the audible 'oh, gods'. Every little sound was audible to his ears, amplified by his large room—he could hear it over the thumping of his own heartbeat.
Byakuya deliberately brushed a finger over the tip, and Renji plead, 'please'. He swallowed hard, and was surprised to find himself reacting to the sight and sounds. His cheeks were hot. He felt faint and his breathing matching Renji's. He bit his lip in horror at his growing arousal. He should not be reacting. He shouldn't.
He flushed further, overwhelmed with heat, but he twisted his hand in a quick notion. Almost in a trace, he whispered, "You look…lovely."
Unconsciously, his other hand slipped down his lap, and he squeezed his eyes shut in the sensation. He was wet, and so hard. So needy.
Yet, the noble could not stop himself from thinking, from looking, from listening. The murmur of bliss-filled sounds was like a symphony to the dark-haired man. He was the conductor who directly and brought forth the music from the orchestra. He played Renji like a fine violin, knowing exactly where to press, which spots drew out what sounds.
The sounds were so familiar to him.
"…m-more."
Like Hisana, but not.
"Renji."
He dared not trailed his fingers across the rest of the hard planes, the dusky brown nipples peeking out from the gap in the yukata, the sturdy neck, the tantalizing tattoos spread across the tanned canvas or even the hard jaw line of Renji's face—he was tempted though, very much as he licked his dry lips. The sight fueled his desires; just knowing he couldn't touch more was unbearable. Instead, he tried to capture the image in his mind for long, lonely nights ahead, when he wouldn't have his fuku-taicho, spread delectably before him like this.
As Bakuya watched, he couldn't help but rub himself harder, groaning as he did so. It had been so long since he saw another in such a wanton display. He bit his lip, trying to stop from groaning. He slid his left hand through the opening in his hakama, fondling himself further.
It's a duty, he struggled to reign in his emotions. Nonetheless, the writhing movements mesmerized his gaze, the crimson fall of hair shimmering from the flickering candlelight taunting him. It is merely a duty, he said firmly to himself. I cannot do more. It is dishonorable. I shouldn't even be doing this.
It felt so good; his reasoning was quickly flying out the window. But, his hands moved beneath the thin sheet and in his pants. He couldn't. It was too much. So hot. His breath was short and harsh, struggling to breathe.
Renji's breath caught—his body torn between pleasure and pain.
Byakuya's ears caught the soft hitch and he hastened his stroke. Caught up in the heat of the movement, the sight of Renji's pleasure-filled face, Byakuya unthinkingly commanded, "Come, Renji."
And he did.
Renji came with a loud groan before blacking out. His mind could not take the strain from being in pain for several minutes and the sudden jolt of pleasure any longer. He sunk into a deep state of stupor.
Ribbons of hot, wet liquid flowed onto Byakuya's fingers, and he stroked until there was no more.
He shuddered. He had watched till the very end when Renji's eyes fluttered shut and his body held rigid in the peak before release with loose tendrils of hair framing his face. He watched Renji's soft mouth parted to moan and saw the sudden relaxation of his body as he lost conscious. It felt so good.
Carefully, he pulled his right hand out and stared.
White. Sticky. Another man's semen. Renji's.
With all the remnants of his childhood impulsiveness, he automatically darted out a tongue, tasting the white seed.
Bitter.
However, it was not unpalatable; it was like his own, considered Byakuya. Yet, decidedly Renji's. Though, he could not explain why. As he contemplated the stolen taste, he realized he should not have done so. He felt slightly guilty as he glanced over at Renji, making certain he was out for the count. He was. Byakuya sighed and wiped his hand off with a wet cloth. He wetted it again and cleaned off his fuku-taicho as well, ignoring his own sticky mess cooling inside his hakama, a most unpleasant feeling.
As he rearranged the yukuta, and re-tucked the sheet around Renji, Byakuya was thinking about how the redhead would react. He made his choice. The only thing he could do was to wait. Byakuya checked to see if everything was in place. He wiped himself down, hoping Renji would not figure out he had jerked off to the sight of him in pain and pleasure. After rearranging his attire, he blew out the candles, and closed the doors behind him.
It was only a few hours till sunrise. He would not get much rest if he went to bed now. He did not think he could stay in the room with Renji unaware, unguarded, not after that. Byakuya decided he would be back to check on Renji's condition, hopefully, before the man woke up. Byakuya quietly called a guard to stand outside his rooms, and ordered him to notify him if Renji woke up before he was done. He dare not think about what he had just done. In the meantime, he had some research to do, and some questions to ask. Especially considering an individual named Hiroki.
Rukia might know, thought the Sixth division taicho. They live together on the streets. Perhaps, she had heard his name before. I also need to look into our security. It is only by chance Rikichi was there.