Chapter 4: Watched
"Taicho!" Renji screamed at the top of his lungs, watching in horror as the garganta closed.
His mind spun furiously. He knew without hearing a word from Byakuya that there was no way in hell that Byakuya had defected…not after seeing Gin nearly kill Rukia. That left few possibilities. It was possible that he had been somehow mentally controlled…that perhaps Aizen had done something to him and had made him take leave of his senses. A more likely possibility was that Byakuya was so pissed at Aizen for going after Rukia that he was on a mission to kill the traitor…a perilous task with him at full strength…and as run down and injured as he was, more like suicide. But, said his inner doomsayer, either Taicho doesn't care if he dies avenging his sister…or maybe he hopes to die avenging her. And either way, this is NOT HAPPENING!
He flash stepped down from Sokyoku Hill, and lit out across the Seireitei, not pausing to think. If Byakuya was taken directly into Las Noches, he would need help to get to him quickly. He dared not ask anyone from the division to come and he especially dared not involve Rukia…
"Renji!" said a familiar voice that stopped him in his tracks.
He turned and spotted Rikichi standing in the middle of the road ahead of him.
"What are you doing here, kid?" he asked gruffly, "It's the middle of the night…"
"I was in the division office, helping the third seat keep up with the reports and making the training schedules. I heard…something."
"It was nothing, Rikichi. Go back to the barracks and get some sleep."
He turned to leave.
"Renji, sir…I heard you…calling for…him," Rikichi panted, trying to catch his breath.
He shifted uncomfortably.
"I saw the garganta. I don't know why he let it take him, but I know he wouldn't betray us. I really want to help!"
Renji knew he couldn't leave Rikichi behind with that kind of information. He looked back over his shoulder.
"Well, are you coming? If you are, then fucking move, soldier!"
They flash stepped down the empty streets, Renji holding his speed enough in check so that the youth could keep up. They reached the senkaimon and froze as a group of Squad Two senkaimon guards appeared in front of them. They glared at the two in annoyance and Renji silently prayed the two would just keep walking. He pushed Rikichi toward the senkaimon and started to follow.
"Hey! Abarai fukutaicho," said one of the Squad Two members, "Where are you two going? Sotaicho has restricted access to the senkaimon."
Renji turned and gave him an annoyed look.
"Aw, hell, I got assigned to go and babysit some snot-nosed kids in Karakura Town. I am a fukutaicho. I'm allowed to pass."
"You are," said the guard, "but he's not!"
"Oh," said Renji, "I have battle wounds and he came along so I wouldn't have to call in one of those Squad Four weaklings. This guy's a little more useful in a fight."
The guard chuckled sympathetically.
"I hear you…" he said, "Okay, go on, Abarai fukutaicho. Just be cautious. There are a lot of hollows acting up right now."
"Thanks. I'll keep that in mind," Renji muttered, dragging Rikichi into the senkaimon.
The youth followed, wide-eyed and curious as they headed for Karakura Town.
"How did you do that?" Rikichi mused, "I thought we were…"
"Just told'em a sensible story and made sure not to say too much. That's what gets you into trouble, saying too much. You give a short, sensible explanation and it will work every time."
"Oh…"
They reached Karakura town and turned toward Urahara's shop. Renji silently tried to come up with a way to get Rikichi out of the way without being too obvious or hurting the kid's feelings. As Urahara's shop loomed up before him, he was still considering. He flash stepped to the door and knocked loudly. There was a long pause and Renji knocked again, with more urgency. They heard footsteps approaching, then the door opened a crack and Urahara's sleepy face peeked out at them.
"Hey," he said, drowsily, "What's all the racket? We spent all day fighting hollows and most of tonight mopping up the mess. We're all beat! What do you need, Renji?"
"I need access to the garganta."
Urahara blinked.
"I don't know…"
"Like hell, you don't!" Renji said firmly, "You think I'm that stupid?"
Urahara gave a short laugh.
"If you want to use that garganta, you're not just stupid, you're stupid and crazy! Why in kami's name would you need to use the garganta?"
Renji met his eyes warily.
"Kuchiki taichou has been…abducted," he said carefully, "We have…found evidence that leads to Las Noches. Rikichi and I are investigating to see if the rumors of him being held captive in that place are true."
Urahara eyed him skeptically.
"You're an awful liar, Renji," he said quietly, "Why don't you come in and tell me what's really going on?"
Renji gazed into the shopkeeper's eyes for several long moments, then sighed resignedly.
"Okay, there's more going on than I said, but I really need your help and…"
"Renji," said Urahara patiently, "I have every intention of helping you…just…let's go inside. I have a feeling that you don't want to be overheard."
XXXXXXXXXX
Byakuya woke to the soft touch of silk against his skin and the comforting feel of being wrapped in someone's arms. He might have allowed himself a sigh of relief at the lessening of his pain, but suddenly he remembered what had happened just before the darkness closed in. He knew he had felt the impact as Aizen's blade had slashed across his body, dropping him in his tracks. He had already been weakened before by Gin's attack, so he should have been killed instantly. A cold feeling passed through him as he considered why Aizen had ordered him healed.
But, he decided, the time for asking why could come later. All that mattered now was killing the bastard who had murdered his parents and wife…the one who had tried to kill Rukia. He turned in Aizen's arms and started to wrap his hands around the traitor's throat. He gasped in pain as a heavy shock gripped his body, freezing him in place. Aizen's brown eyes opened and met his with the same tender warmth they had every time they had slept together. He looked, Byakuya thought, as though nothing had ever happened to break them apart.
"Byakuya," he said, leaning forward and brushing his lips against the noble's.
Byakuya flinched and pulled away.
"What in kami's name are you doing?" he snapped, "I came here to kill you. I didn't come here for some sick reunion with the one who murdered three people I love!"
A sudden thought cracked across his mind and his eyes widened. Aizen gazed into his eyes calmly.
"Don't worry," he said quietly, "I haven't touched you except to heal you, and perhaps to steal a few kisses, but I do not plan to have sex with you…if that is what you are worried about."
Byakuya felt relief wash over him, but didn't allow the expression to reach his face. He stared at Aizen, waiting.
"Do you wish to know my intentions, Bya?" Aizen asked softly.
"Not unless they include releasing me so that I can kill you, no," he answered.
"I am not going to subject you to any of the torments usually meted out to prisoners," Aizen said, calmly ignoring him, "I have no desire to hurt you, and by 'hurt' I do also mean taking you against your will."
"Is this supposed to ease my mind?" Byakuya asked coldly, "or is it supposed to wear it down…wondering what foul plan you have in play?"
Aizen shook his head.
"I will make no secret of what I am about. I plan to keep you here in Las Noches with me, to have you sleep next to me, to assign you certain tasks that you will perform and to enjoy your presence at my side."
"And what else?" asked Byakuya skeptically.
"You need do nothing else. If that is all you want for your existence, then that is all you shall have. If however, you find that your heart wishes for more, I will be happy to resume the loving partnership we had before."
"You make me sick!" exclaimed Byakuya, turning and pulling away.
He froze as a strong hand wrapped around his wrist and he realized that each wrist now wore a slim, silver band. And each band held two silver charms. Held in place, he stared at them, wide eyed.
"Take them off!" he said angrily, "I am leaving."
The dark brown eyes glinted warningly.
"You no longer have the luxury of deciding what you will or won't do. You gave up that right when you came here, Bya. You will remain in Las Noches for as long as I do, leaving only once we go to the spirit dimension. Once I am king, you will be my consort and lover, so eventually, I will have you back."
"I would rather die than be with you!" Byakuya hissed, pulling away as Aizen kissed his cheek.
The brown eyes regarded him sternly.
"Kuchiki Byakuya, you lost the right to make any decisions about your future…even about living or dying…when you raised your sword against me in my own fortress and did not succeed in killing either of us. I won the right to decide your fate when I defeated you…and truly, I could have chosen a much worse fate for you. Gin would have gladly seen to your physical torment, had I asked it of him, and the hollows would have made any stay in the prisons a true nightmare."
"I would rather be taken by every hollow in Hueco Mundo, than to feel your touch again!" Byakuya spat, trying to pull away.
Aizen held him in place, calmly watching as fury overtook him.
"Let go of me, you sick bastard!" he cried, struggling, "I despise you! I would rather impale myself on my own blade than be this close to you!"
Aizen brushed a fingertip over a charm on one of the bands and watched quietly as the noble dropped onto his back, immobilized. He smiled and took hold of one slender wrist, holding it so that Byakuya could see clearly.
"I think I should explain these to you so that you will completely understand your situation and stop this ridiculous behavior," he said in a deceptively gentle voice, "As you know, these silver bands hold the seal on your spirit energy. You cannot use any of your powers unless I allow it. Each of the charms that are attached have a function as well. The silver sakura charm protects you from being taken by force. No one, not even I, will be able to take advantage of you sexually…without your permission to do so."
"If you plan on me giving you my permission, think again!" Byakuya snapped.
Aizen smiled.
"A warning, however, if you leave the fortress without me, every hollow within a hundred miles of you will sense your presence and come after you. They will be free to take whatever actions they will."
Byakuya glared at him, but fell silent.
"The silver snake prevents you from attacking me…incapacitates you if you try, and allows me to gain control of you as I just did a few minutes ago and also lets me use your powers…within certain limits."
"What limits?" Byakuya asked, narrowing his eyes.
"I think I will keep that to myself, for now," Aizen said, blinking slowly.
"The silver sword protects you from physical, cero and kido attacks, but again, if you leave the fortress without me, calls the hollows around you to attack you."
He paused for a moment and touched the final charm lightly.
"This last, the silver moon charm is special. I will not tell you its use, but I will tell you that when you decide to give yourself to me, to be my lover again, it will activate…and you will discover its use then."
"Do not expect that will ever happen, Sousuke!" Byakuya said hotly, I will die before I seek your love again!"
Aizen smiled again and nodded.
"Perhaps," he said in an amused tone, "but perhaps you will come to your senses as you spend time here with me. I promise you…this is not meant to be unpleasant for you. I sincerely want you back, Byakuya."
"And this is how you plan to win my affection?" the noble asked disdainfully, "You are out of your mind, Sosuke! You have truly gone insane if you think I would ever want to be with you again. I will find a way out of this! And when I do, I will kill you for taking the lives of the ones I loved!"
Aizen laughed softly, brushing the dark, silken hair away from the noble's sparking eyes. He leaned forward and kissed him, his fingers poised over the snake charm. Byakuya sat quietly and allowed that kiss and several more that followed, then dropped back onto the pillows with a sullen expression on his face. Aizen climbed out of the bed and started toward the door. He opened it, then stopped and looked back at Byakuya.
"You are welcome to come and go as you wish, but you will return to me every night. You should make yourself familiar with your new environment, Bya. I think you will find there are actually some enjoyable features to this fortress. Just, do remember what will happen if you try to leave."
He walked out and closed the door before Byakuya had a chance to insult him. The noble sat quietly for a moment, his mind turning. The situation he found himself in was completely unacceptable. There was no way that he was going to let Aizen hold him captive in such a way.
I would rather die!
So he set out to prove it. He moved to the window and opened it, stepping out onto the roof. He followed it to its edge and stood, staring out at the vast expanse of sand between him and the safety of the shinigami fortress in the distance. He had no hope of reaching it, of course, but he could move in that direction, toget as far as he could before the hollows reached him and tore him apart.
He didn't think Aizen was expecting him to die this way, but at very least, this took the choice out of his captor's hands and put it back into his own.
He worked his way down carefully and stepped out onto the sand. He took a last, deep breath and Kuchiki Byakuya began to run.
The sakura and sword charms flashed and he heard sirens blare in the fortress behind him. The response was immediate. Hollows boiled up all around him, their cruel and hateful, red-gold eyes fastened on him. He ignored them and ran as fast as he could through the sand, his eyes on the shinigami base in the distance. He was surprised at how far he got before the hollows closed in around him, cutting off all exits and moving slowly inward. He stood quietly, his chest heaving softly, waiting for the first of them to take hold of him. Their screams rose up all around him and their foul scent washed over his senses. He stood, staring into their eyes as the first set of claws reached him.
A sudden blast of white fire blazed over them, causing the hollows to scream in terror and fall away from him. Strangely, the power didn't hurt Byakuya in any way. He found himself standing face to face with Aizen Sosuke. The leader of the hollows wore an odd expression that looked dangerously close to fear.
I told you that I would rather die than remain here with you, Sosuke," he said, smirking, "I think that you do not wish for me to die, or else you would have simply allowed me to seal my own fate."
He didn't see the approach of the blow that struck him and sent him back into senselessness.
"That…was unwise, Byakuya," Aizen hissed softly, lifting him and turning back towards the fortress, "It will not happen again."
