Chapter 4: Meeting the Mongrel

Whatever is going on, it has Byakuya wound up tighter than a drum. His reiatsu was screaming so loud when he came in that I had to do something. Looks like I chose well, because he's sleeping very peacefully now in my arms. I can't see his face, but I know what he looks like when he sleeps like this. When I touch his lips, the corners are turned slightly upward and he sighs contentedly.

I just wonder who could be doing this? Who would kidnap Yoruichi? Who overpowered me and how did they do it? Who attacked the 6th division office and got Rikichi arrested? It has to be someone with the power of a captain. It has to be someone who has reason to hate him. Sosuke Aizen hates him. He proved as much when he tried to use me to trap Byakuya. Ichimaru Gin is powerful enough, but doesn't have the independent thinking to do it. Aizen and Gin both know all of the players, but they're in Hueco Mundo. They wouldn't come here and risk capture. I'd suspect the Kuchiki relatives but I don't know what motive they'd have or who would be strong enough. I don't know them well enough yet. So many unanswered questions. I understand why he was so unsettled.

This is hitting Byakuya right where he lives. I mean, not everyone knows that he is so protective, but I know. I've seen what happens when someone he loves is threatened. He has faced great losses and he doesn't want to hurt like that again. I know the fear he lives with. It's like the fear I have when I think of ever losing him.

So I'll help him through this. I'll hold him tonight and let him find his center of balance and tomorrow I'll find a way to help him. I'm going to hope my vision returns soon, so I can be of more help…but I wonder if it's really going to come back. Byakuya said it would, but he might just be saying that because he knows I need to believe it. I guess it's just a matter of keeping the light of hope alive.

But when I made love to Byakuya, I realized something useful…reiatsu. I can 'see' in a sense because I am receiving reiatsu impressions from all around me. It's like being in a very dark room where you see big shapes all around you, but you can't see the details or colors. Still, if I know where things are in my environment, I can move around. I can be a little less dependent. It isn't vision, but it is a start. And I won't give up on getting my vision back. I have to…because I want to see his face again. I want to see the beautiful look that will be in his eyes when he knows I can see him again.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Byakuya?" Renji's voice says from somewhere in the darkness.

I don't want to wake up. It feels to good being buried in Renji's arms like this. After all that's happened in the last day, I don't even want to open my eyes and acknowledge that there is a world outside of these arms.

But there is so much that needs to be done…We have to find Yoruichi. If it was me that had disappeared, I know that, whatever faults she might have, she would look for me. She proved as much when Sosuke Aizen captured Renji and me. But where to begin? I have to wait until Urahara contacts me. I hate waiting. I remember what it felt like when I was the one waiting for rescue, when Ichimaru Gin tortured me and Aizen watched and smilingly urged me to surrender and to stay with him willingly. Who has her? What might they be doing to her and the child we are all awaiting? Kami, we have to find her before her captor harms her. I wouldn't worry for her, but the last couple of months of pregnancy wreak havoc on the use of our powers. Yoruichi, wherever you are…I hope you know we are looking for you.

"Byakuya?"

"Ah…kami, Renji, let me sleep. I am too tired for anything else and I don't even want to think about having to get up and go back to the manor."

"Bya!"

That gets my attention. I hate it when anyone calls me that. I lift my head, glaring, and realize that I was so entrenched in Renji's arms that it shut out the light…light…it's morning.

"I thought you said you wanted to get home before they wake. I sure hope they sleep late."

I groan and dig myself deeper into those warm, comforting arms. I can't do this anymore. If I have to go back to the house and face them again…and late like this. It's not like they won't know I left last night.

"Come on, sleeping beauty," Renji says, nudging me and turning so the light hits my face again, "they're going to bring my breakfast soon. You know you need to get going. Come back after breakfast and meet me. You can take me home then."

His mouth finds mine and brings me more into unwilling wakefulness.

"I hate you," I whisper, "How can you make me go back there?"

"You're in a pleasant mood this morning. Get out of here, Byakuya, before the brute squad comes and drags you out. Man! I thought I had a hard time getting up in the morning. Do you really hate them that much?"

"Of course I do…they're Kuchiki's. Need I say more?"

He gives me a harder shove.

"I always knew you weren't really one of them. What, did they steal you as an infant and raise you as their own?" he asks jokingly.

"As if they'd ever willingly allow mongrels to mix with them…"

"Hey! You're looking at one of those mongrels, purebred! You talk to me like that and you'll be facing down Zabimaru."

"Bring it on, Renji," I hiss nastily, "I'd rather face ten Zabimarus than to have to go back there right now."

He's smiling…and shoving me out of bed.

"You'll pay for this, Abarai," I moan, pulling free of him and coming to my feet.

I pull my kimono closed and tie it at the waist, then lean over to kiss him before taking my leave of him. He seems in good spirits, but then, that's Renji. Whatever happens, he finds a way to cope…and to do that with a good attitude. It's one of the things I love most about him, even though right now, I find it pretty annoying.

"Hurry back, Byakuya."

He's looking in my direction…

"Renji? Can you see me?"

He shakes his head.

"I can sense the outline of your reiatsu and I look in that direction mostly out of habit…but I don't see you in the normal sense."

"Oh…"

There is a long silence.

"Byakuya…it's okay. Don't worry about me. I'm fine, really. Just go and take care of your guests. You really don't want to offend them. I know you don't."

"No," I admit, "I'm in enough trouble with the elders as it is. If I wasn't the strongest leader in the clan's history, I think they would have disowned me several times over by now. They only tolerate me because they know that eventually I'll reproduce and my offspring may have a chance of being powerful and more obedient."

He laughs at that. I turn to the door and unlock it, stepping out into the hallway. The guards are careful to bow respectfully and to simply overlook the disheveled captain who is out of uniform in public and looking like something the cat dragged in. I haven't the energy to consider the damage done. I'll think about that later. For now, I will just flash step home and change.

I reach home and slip into the entry. All is quiet. Good, perhaps my cousins are still sleeping. I hear soft noises within the kitchen area and smell food cooking. I step forward into the hallway and find myself face to face with Hoshi. She regards me with sharp, regal eyes and her expression is full of disapproval. Strangely, as she looks at me, her eyes soften slightly and she looks at me again.

"So this is how you look in the morning when you first wake."

I cannot think of a proper response. She steps forward.

"I wondered, you know, back then," she continues.

Why do I feel so…chilled?

"Give me a moment," I tell her, ignoring what she just said, "I will dress and meet you and Tomiko in the garden for breakfast."

She nods, the ice forming around her again. I am, once again grateful for Hisana's arrival in my life. Hoshi is a frightening woman. I wonder if Tomiko has any idea how dangerous his wife is. I can feel her eyes follow me down the hallway. I can feel them even after I close the door to my room and I stand alone within. I dress quickly and step out again into the garden.

The cherry blossoms swirl on the breeze and the sun is warm. It is the perfect morning for breakfast in the garden…even considering the company. Hoshi has reverted to near silence as she sits next to Tomiko. Tomiko, of course, bubbles over with stories of their travels. This is where the training I received as a child comes in handy. As breakfast is served, I actually do a good imitation of showing interest in Tomiko's tales. Hoshi watches him as he speaks, but now and again, I feel her eyes observing me.

"So, Byakuya, when will we get to meet Renji?" Tomiko asks, his smile genuine.

"I am returning to the healing center after breakfast to meet him and bring him back here."

"Oh…is that where you were last night?" Hoshi says, her eyes unreadable.

Tomiko looks a little shocked.

"Hoshi…don't be rude to our cousin. I'm sure it wasn't easy entertaining us yesterday with Renji being in the healing center and all the other things happening. I'm sorry, Byakuya, Hoshi can be a little outspoken. My apologies…she meant no harm."

There is a pause.

"Of course not," Hoshi says, sounding apologetic, but the emotion does not reach her eyes, "I do forget myself sometimes. I meant no harm."

"No harm was done," I assure them.

Tomiko returns to his narrative, and tells me that they will be staying for a few more days to attend the spring festival. I keep the threads of the conversation, but as soon as breakfast ends, I suggest they walk up the trail to the waterfall and I take my leave of them.

I return to the healing center. Renji is more than ready to leave. In record time, we are walking back to the manor. I am amazed that he can do this. Using reiatsu impressions, he can tell where things and people are, so he can walk pretty normally. I wonder if anyone around us can even tell.

We reach the manor and start down the hallway, when I see that my cousins have returned from their walk and are waiting for us, sitting in lounge chairs near the koi pond. Renji and I move to join them. They stand and Tomiko steps forward.

"Renji," I say, "this is my cousin Tomiko Kuchiki and his wife, Hoshi."

"Tomiko, Hoshi, this is my life partner Renji Abarai."

Renji bows respectfully. He looks beautiful in the traditional kimono he wears. He remembers everything I told him about greeting and entertaining noble guests. There is nothing he could do to make a better impression…but Hoshi is bent on undoing him.

"So…" she says, looking closely at him, "you are the one who has captured the heart of our cousin. Byakuya…did you say that you and Renji are…"

"Yes," I reply calmly, looking her in the eyes, "Renji and I have taken official vows of life partnership."

"But there was no announcement…"

"Hoshi, please," Tomiko says, looking embarrassed.

"No," I say softly, "none is required until the birth of the heir."

"Ah, I see," she says.

She turns to Renji.

"And how is it that you gained my cousin's affection? He is often distant, but when he looks at you, his eyes change, Renji Abarai. How is it that you have this effect on him?"

Renji shrugs nonchalantly.

"Just lucky, I guess," he says, still smiling.

"Well," I say, breaking the tension, "Renji is still recovering from his injuries. I shall see he is comfortable and I will return momentarily."

"Ah, yes," Tomiko says, his smile returning, "I was hoping you would attend the festival with us…but considering what is happening, we will understand if you feel the need to attend to other things, Byakuya."

"I will join you for the evening ceremonies tonight."

"Lovely," says Tomiko, "Renji, you should join us if you feel up to it. The fireworks are wonderful!"

I catch my breath, but Renji doesn't miss a beat.

"They are spectacular. I have seen them…but I will have to forego them this time. My physician has ordered me to remain here at the manor for a few more days before going out."

"Ah, that is too bad," says Tomiko.

"Yes," agrees Hoshi, smiling cryptically, "I would like to get to know you better."

"Renji will join us for breakfast," I assure her, "You can get to know him better then."

"I shall look forward to that," she says, gazing up at Renji.

"Come Renji," I urge him softly, "You should rest."

He nods and turns to join me. As we walk away, I can feel Hoshi's eyes following again. When we are alone, we quickly drop the pretenses.

"Man!" Renji says, "Now I know why you didn't want to leave this morning. That woman is scary, Byakuya! How did she land Tomiko? He's way to nice a guy for her."

"Tomiko wasn't her first choice…" I say, looking away.

"Who was?" he asks flippantly.

"Me."

If he could see me, he would be staring. As it is, his head turns in my direction and he is left speechless. I try not to laugh.

"Just before I met Hisana, the elders cornered Ginrei. My parents were dead and Ginrei was aging, so they pressured him to find a wife for me. Hoshi was recommended by the council as being the most suitable…noble family and all, so things were moving forward. They hadn't made a formal announcement, but they would have if not for what happened in Inuzuri. After I returned, I refused the marriage and I married Hisana instead. Hoshi felt dishonored and her family pressed mine for recompense for my actions. To soothe them, they offered her to my cousin, Tomiko. He was my age and showed much promise in power and strength. She was not pleased, but she did agree to the marriage and relations between our families calmed."

Renji whistles softly in disbelief.

"Tomiko must really love you, Byakuya!"

I can't help but laugh at that.

"Renji, my cousin didn't marry Hoshi on my behalf…he did it to prevent full scale war from breaking out between our families. I am grateful, though. I can't imagine…"

"Neither can I," he says, pulling me into his arms.

"Stop…I have to get back to them…"

"You told them you were going to make me comfortable…"

"I meant I was going to…"

His mouth stops me mid-sentence. I try to push him away, but find myself suddenly lying on my back on the bed, pinned beneath him.

"Kami, Renji, I am in enough trouble as it is…stop."

"But I'm not comfortable yet…"

"Let me up or I swear, Senbonzakura will release from the stand over there, without me even touching the hilt!"

"You're cute when you threaten me!" he laughs.

He kisses me until I can barely breathe, then releases me. I sit for a moment, regaining my composure.

"I thought you had to go," he breathes hotly in my ear.

Right now, I want to kill him. But I manage to stand and re-tie my kimono.

"Shut up," I hiss at him before flash stepping away.

He will pay for this!