Chapter 3: Affairs of State
"Captain Kuchiki, I hear you asked for me," Soi Fon said, looking into Rikichi's cell and eyeing the prisoner sternly.
"Yes, I wish have any charges against Rikichi dropped and I want him freed," Byakuya stated.
Soi Fon frowned.
"You do realize that he was seen placing a package at your desk before the explosion. It was that package that decimated your office, Captain Kuchiki. His was the only trace reiatsu we found on the remnants of the package."
"I told you," said Rikichi, "The package was on the steps in front of the building when I returned. I took it in and put it by Captain Kuchiki's desk, but I had no idea it had a bomb in it."
"Captain," Byakuya said calmly, "The boy would hardly make a show of putting a bomb at my desk in broad daylight in front of a witness. And there is no question in my mind as to this boy's loyalty…not to mention, my vice captain is about to be placed on leave. This young man serves in a critical position in my division. I need him as acting vice captain until…until Vice Captain Abarai returns to duty. Surely you can see my predicament, here."
"I do, but I have reservations," Soi Fon stated, glaring at Rikichi. "I would be willing to release him to your custody until we conclude our investigation. I'm afraid I must require that he remain under your watch. He is under suspicion until another emerges who could be responsible."
"Very well, then," Byakuya sighed, "Rikichi, go back to the barracks and collect what you need, then report to the manor. I will meet you there."
"The guard will accompany you and wait until Captain Kuchiki arrives," Soi Fon instructed.
She turned back to Byakuya.
"I hope you are right about this, Captain. I would hate to see you come to harm at the hands of someone in a position of trust."
"I assure you," insisted Byakuya, "I have nothing to fear from this boy."
He turned and swept out of the room. He quickly made his way back to the healing center, where Hanatoro waited alongside Renji. Hanatoro quickly excused himself as Byakuya took his place at Renji's side.
"Are you feeling any better?" Byakuya asked, placing a hand on Renji's arm.
"Not really…still can't see a thing, but my head doesn't hurt so much. Byakuya, I really don't want to stay here. Is there any way I can go home today?"
Byakuya sighed.
"Captain Unohana wants to monitor your progress, just for tonight. You must remain here, Renji."
Renji sighed.
"Will you at least stay here with me, Byakuya?" he asked.
"I would," Byakuya said gently, "but I'm afraid a matter of state has come up and I must return to the manor to entertain my visiting cousins."
"Huh?" said Renji, "When did they get here?"
"Earlier today…before the office got blown up," Byakuya explained.
"Whoa! That's right, I heard about that. What exactly happened?" Renji inquired.
"Whoever is responsible for attacking you and taking Yoruichi also planted a bomb at the 6th division office. It was in a package on the doorstep when Rikichi got there, so he put it on my desk. It blew up and took out most of the office. Oh, we'll have to requisition new office furniture, unless you want to sit at a charred desk upon your return."
Renji swallowed hard.
"Yeah…" he agreed without enthusiasm.
Byakuya took his hands.
"I told you, Renji, everything is going to be all right. You will heal and you will fully recover."
"Yeah," agreed Renji, noncommittally, "I'm sure you're right. Well, I don't want to keep you from your cousins. You should go."
"I will come for you tomorrow and I will take you home."
"Hey…Byakuya, can I…ask you something?" Renji asked softly.
"Yes, Renji?"
"Are you…sure you're keeping me here because I need to be here? I mean, don't misunderstand me here, but are you maybe worried about what these cousins will think if they know I'm…living there?"
Byakuya turned back to Renji and leaned in, kissing him deeply, then leaned back holding Renji's face in his hands.
"I have no reservations about anyone knowing who we are to one another. I don't plan to volunteer the information, but neither will I conceal anything. If they ask questions, I will answer them. Renji, when the council of elders learned of our relationship, it was entered into the family record. Anyone who wishes to know, will know. I didn't record our life partnership there yet, because I will do that once our child is born. It will become necessary once the required paternity tests reveal the truth of the child's parentage."
"Do you think the elders will have a problem with our child being the heir?"
"Not likely," Byakuya replied, "Not only is the child mine, but remember, it is also Yoruichi's. So there are actually two noble bloodlines."
"But won't they have a problem with my mongrel blood being in the mix?" Renji asked.
"No…" Byakuya replied, "after all, they would have accepted my child with Hisana, had he lived. Renji, stop letting this get to you."
"Sorry, I shouldn't take this out on you. You've never been anything but protective of me when it comes to the relatives."
"You know, Renji, I think you are simply in need of some distraction. I'll tell you what. You stay here and behave well for the healers and I will return later tonight to see to your needs. I can spend most of the night here and return to the manor before my cousins wake."
Now Renji smiled.
"Deal," he said happily.
XXXXXXXXXX
As Byakuya entered the manor, his attendant rushed to inform him that his cousins had been given rooms and were now relaxing in the garden awaiting tea.
"Very well. I will change and join them in the garden. Have tea in ten minutes and make sure you set an extra place at the table for Rikichi. Ah…did Rikichi arrive?"
"Yes, Captain Kuchiki, Rikichi is here with that unsavory squad 2 guard…oh, and your sister is here with the substitute soul reaper. I assigned them rooms as well."
Byakuya stared in surprise.
"What? Rukia is here? I thought I told her…ah, never mind. Double the guards around the manor. It seems it is ripe for the picking tonight. And I want to see her and Ichigo Kurosaki in my office now. Hold the tea for twenty minutes."
"Yes, Captain," his attendant said bowing, "Rukia and Kurosaki to the office…tea in the garden in twenty minutes…three extra place settings."
"Formal seating," Byakuya added.
"Yes sir," the attendant said, bowing again.
Byakuya went first to his bedroom and changed into a formal purple kimono, then stepped into his office. Rukia and Ichigo knelt side by side, waiting for him.
"Rukia," he said in a calm, serious tone, "I thought that I told you and Kurosaki to remain with Kisuke Urahara in the living world. Did something happen?"
She looked up at him, looking intimidated, but Byakuya could see that she also looked a bit angry.
"Brother, I am tired of being sent away like a helpless child every time you are in trouble. I can take care of myself and I prefer to remain at your side."
"Unacceptable," Byakuya said, "Rukia, I need to be certain you are kept safe. I have a very dangerous enemy who is attacking the people around me. I am surprised he or she has not targeted you yet, but I'm sure you will be targeted if you remain on the premises."
"I'll be targeted anywhere you send me, Byakuya," Rukia countered, "and I think I would be safer here. Ichigo will protect me."
"I think I made myself clear, Rukia," Byakuya said sternly, "You and Kurosaki are to return to Kisuke Urahara and await instructions. You may remain for dinner, but you will leave after. You may go."
Rukia came to her feet, her hands balled into fists and her eyes flaring.
"I am NOT leaving!" she yelled.
Byakuya whirled around, staring. He was suddenly very aware that his cousins had just appeared in the hall outside the room. He froze, still staring in dismay.
"I will not just be sent away! You don't do that to anyone else! You won't send Renji away! I know you won't! I may not be your life partner and I may not share your bed, but I live here too. You can't just send me away anytime you feel like it!"
She suddenly realized that Byakuya was distracted and turned. Seeing the surprised guests standing behind her, she took a sharp hissing breath and turned back to Byakuya.
"Um…I mean, ah…okay, yes, B-Brother, we will leave right now! Um…have to help look for Yoruichi. Come on Ichigo."
Rukia flash stepped away. Ichigo gave Byakuya a sympathetic shrug and flash stepped after her. As the two left, Tomiko and Hoshi stepped into the room. It took every bit of self-discipline in his noble body to look them in the eyes calmly and not to blink. Tomiko was grinning, but Hoshi looked less than pleased.
"Greetings, Cousin," Tomiko said, bowing.
His cousin was much as Byakuya remembered him. Like most of the Kuchiki's, Tomiko was fairly tall with pale skin, black hair and equally black eyes. But that was all he shared in common with Byakuya. Where Byakuya's features were smoother and finer in definition, Tomiko's were sharper, more pronounced. His expressive eyes sparked and danced with emotion in contrast with Byakuya's, which were calm and distant. And where Byakuya kept much on the inside, Tomiko wore more on the outside for everyone to see.
"Greetings," Byakuya said, bowing.
"Ah, yes, well…Odd little exchange, that. I see Rukia is still her charming self," smiled Tomiko.
Hoshi stepped forward, her green eyes raking over Byakuya. She was still as coldly beautiful as she had been the last time he saw her. He kept trying to forget that day, but he didn't think she would ever let him. He didn't really blame her for her attitude. He had earned it. She had been considered by his family as a bride for him before he met Hisana. His marriage to Hisana had ruined that union. Tomiko had been there to pick up the pieces, so she had married into the family after all. She had even seemed to find happiness with him, but whenever she saw Byakuya, it seemed to rekindle her anger. She never said anything openly hostile, but it was there in her eyes.
"Greetings Byakuya," she said, "I see you haven't changed…much."
There was a long silence.
"So…" Hoshi continued, her eyes firmly fixed on Byakuya, "are we to meet Renji, this person who is of such importance to you?"
Byakuya groaned inwardly.
This is not quite how I had hoped to introduce Renji to them…
"Renji will return home tomorrow. He was injured and is in the healing center," Byakuya explained.
Hoshi's eyes went wide with sudden interest at his words.
"He?" she said, eyeing Byakuya even more closely, "I thought that Rukia said Renji shared…oh…"
No, not quite the way I'd planned. Thanks, Rukia.
"Ah, Byakuya," interrupted Tomiko, changing the subject, "the garden is lovely, just as I remembered it. And the rooms are beautiful as well. Thank you for showing such hospitality on short notice. Come, Hoshi, let us return to the garden. I see the tea is ready now."
Sighing, Byakuya moved to follow them into the garden.
XXXXXXXXXX
Late that night, after the grounds went silent and all were asleep, Byakuya slipped out of his room to return to the healing center. The grounds were quiet now, the stillness broken only by the buzz of insects, the occasional splash in the koi pond, and the soft sounds made by the patrolling guards. He nodded as he passed the guards and then exited the gates and moved through the empty streets.
He was extremely worried about Yoruichi. Kisuke had promised to conduct a thorough investigation and Byakuya knew he could trust him to do so, but still he worried. He wouldn't normally have needed to. Yoruichi was certainly capable of caring for herself. Usually her flash step could carry her away from anything that might threaten her…and her shunko was deadly…but as she was in the later stages of pregnancy, things didn't work that way. Pregnancy interfered with the use of her powers, a fact that had made someone able to capture her. And now, although his enemy had said he was saving her for some later game…that she would be cared for, he was extremely uneasy. He hoped Urahara would uncover something useful soon.
In the meantime, he had to juggle everything else that was happening. He was relieved to have received word of Rukia's safe return to Urahara's shop, but there was still the matter of his cousins, of the damage to the division office, of Rikichi's situation, and of course, Renji's hospitalization. Whoever was responsible for all of this was, most likely, enjoying the fallout.
A sudden soft noise in the street behind him made him stop and look back. As he turned, blue light flared, blinding him for a moment as a kido attack flew toward him. He nullified it easily and looked around. The street was empty. But he sensed someone watching him.
"Byakuya…" a grating voice hissed, "where are you going so late at night? Why are you alone? You know it's dangerous to walk alone at night."
All at once, kido blasts erupted from all around him at once, rocking the street madly as they struck the spot where he had been standing. A flash step saved him. Now under cover, he looked for any sign of someone there, but the street had fallen silent again. He reached out with his senses and felt that he was alone there now. Sighing with frustration, he slipped away from the area and moved on to the healing center, careful to keep his senses sharp and alert.
He walked in through the front doors, nodding briefly at the guards. He was glad to see they were taking precautions. There was a set of guards inside as well, and a guard on Renji's door. Byakuya opened the door and entered, closing it behind it and locking it. Renji was asleep, but he shifted and his eyes opened as Byakuya approached.
"Byakuya? Is that you?" he asked softly.
"Yes," he replied quietly, "I did promise to return."
He slipped into the bed and pulled Renji close, careful not to jostle him too much. He could see now that Renji was smiling as his head came to rest on Byakuya's shoulder and his body relaxed warmly against his lover's.
"I'm glad you're here," Renji said into his ear, "I can't sleep here."
"Shh…you can sleep now," Byakuya assured him.
He burrowed into Byakuya's shoulder, enjoying the scent of cherry blossoms and the feel of his soft skin.
"How was the visit with your cousins?" Renji asked.
"Don't ask," Byakuya sighed, "and don't be surprised if my cousin Hoshi looks at you strangely when you meet her."
"Why would she do that?"
"Well, Rukia showed up unexpectedly and we had a disagreement. She was…pointing out an…unfairness she perceived and she mentioned within the hearing of my cousins that you were my life partner and that we shared a bed."
Renji laughed softly.
"That must have gone over well. I bet Rukia died of embarrassment…or did you kill her first?"
Byakuya had to smile at that.
"She retreated to Karakura town. My cousin Tomiko was very relaxed about it, but Hoshi began asking questions. You see, she didn't realize, Renji, that you are male…"
Now Renji laughed wholeheartedly and Byakuya was so happy to see his sense of humor return that he just held Renji close to him and laughed softly as well.
"No wonder you came here," Renji chuckled.
"What?" Byakuya hissed, "I wasn't running away. I told you I would come back."
"I know…I was kidding," Renji said, turning to find Byakuya's lips in the darkness.
Renji's fingers traced his face carefully as he continued an unhurried exploration of the noble's mouth with his searching tongue. Byakuya let his fingers slide through Renji's hair and down his bandaged shoulders and back.
"I'm not hurting you, am I?" he asked softly.
"No," came the quiet reply, "You know, it's right what they say…"
"About what?" Byakuya asked.
"When you lose one of your senses," Renji explained, "I've actually noticed it when we make love in pitch blackness. I can see you with my hands…by touching you."
He let his finger explore Byakuya's face and throat.
"I can tell what your expression is. I can feel your heartbeat beneath my fingertips."
Byakuya's heart was beating faster.
"And I don't have to just use my hands."
"Ah!" Byakuya gasped softly as Renji's lips brushed his throat, "Stop…you're…you were in-injured…ah, stop that!"
But the touches only grew more intense.
There was a tugging at his waist as Renji released the tie and opened his kimono.
"Stop, you idiot!" Byakuya said, trying to pull away, "You shouldn't be…ah! Ren…"
"Shh…" Renji said softly, "I've been waiting for you all day. Shut up…I don't care if it hurts some."
"Ren…ji…"
"I said shut up…"
Renji's mouth captured his and his body moved to pin Byakuya's beneath it. Held fast, the noble gave way under the gentle assault of lips, teeth, tongue and fingertips that seemed to come from everywhere at once. His heart was racing now and he couldn't seem to catch his breath. He wasn't even able to form a coherent thought.
"Stop…" he moaned softly.
Renji chuckled softly, his body wrapped tightly around Byakuya's and moving against him.
"No…" he breathed in Byakuya's ear, the breath sending soft chills through the noble's body.
Byakuya closed his eyes and released a long sigh, trembling softly as he relinquished control.
"That's it…" Renji said, his voice low and hypnotic, "relax."
He disappeared under that relentless touch, breathless as pleasure took hold of him and drove all thought away.