Chapter 7: Blind Obedience
(Sorry for the loooooong absence, but my muse took a weeklong hike and I wasn't able to write a word for days. It happens every so often, but I'm good now. Thanks so very much to everyone reading along and reviewing! You guys are the best! :) Love you, Spunky)
"There must be some kind of mistake," Tetsuya said, remaining at Byakuya's shoulder as the group from Shima Adobe walked along the road that led to the temporary headquarters of the Noble's General Council, "The order was that the half-bloods or less were to be excluded from the match-making. Why then was I called?"
"There was no explanation?" Byakuya inquired, frowning.
"None," Tetsuya answered softly, "The order only said that it was the determination of the council to qualify me."
"Perhaps for your exceptional strategy and performance in the war," Kurushima suggested.
"But it is extremely odd for that group that is generally very much put off by matters of blood to take such an action," Byakuya mused, "While Tetsuya certainly deserves the recognition, it is not like the Noble's General Council to do this."
"Well, what about me?" Renji chuckled, "Did you hear that bullshit their hell butterfly spouted? I mean, at least Tetsuya is half-noble. I'm all peasant and I know it. That stuff about El..."
"Shh!" Byakuya hissed, covering his mouth and glaring at him, "You were warned not to divulge what the council informed you about!"
Kurushimi hid an amused smirk.
"You think that's weird," Ichigo added, "You know who else was called to this thing? Jaegerjaques Grimmjow!"
"What?" Byakuya exclaimed, his feet stopping as the information connected with his stunned mind, "A...hollow?"
"Fuck me, you've gotta be shitting me!" Renji yelled, "One of us could be forced to marry that psychopath? I mean, I know we held hands during the war but...no, no way! I am out of here!"
He turned on his heel and started to flash step, but was halted as Byakuya took hold of his shihakushou and gripped it tightly. Renji glared and growled furiously at the intrusion, barely able to hold himself in check as Kurushimi's hand came down stayingly on his shoulder.
"Debes ser pacìfico, (You must be peaceful)" he said soothingly, "You must realize that there were many, many nobles killed defending our home in the war. The council was likely desperate to find anyone with strong blood to build up again the power and strength of the clans."
He waved off Byakuya's instant objection with a warm, bracing smile.
"While I would agree with Byakurai that the council of the past would not have entertained all of the choices made here, we are in the midst of a calamity unseen by our padres and I think the council shows good sense in including some suitors with less noble, but more powerful blood to infuse with ours and raise it thusly."
Renji's jaw still clenched, but he relaxed slightly. Beside him, Byakuya studied Kurushimi closely, and a warning glint rose in his eyes. He started to speak, but held his breath as the Shima leader continued.
"Think of the three of you, who surely wouldn't have been included before. Renren-nii, you are taichou level and you were called by the king, himself, to defend the crown."
"Not that it did much good," Renji muttered under his breath, "The king died."
"But a new king was crowned in the end. Reiou saw the future, and he knew your strength was needed, ne? Why else would he have called you?"
"But if that is the case, then why was Rukia not...?" Tetsuya began.
"Think too about our Tetsu-hana," the Shima leader went on hastily, "whose foresight protected the king's greatest servants and whose sword defended the lives of many innocent noble women and children, even as it broke under the strain. Our blood needs valor of that measure to continue through these times."
Byakuya studied Kurushimi more closely, frowning as he replayed the man's words in his mind.
"You're awfully chill about all of this," Renji noted, scowling, "I thought you were the one going on and on the other night about how this was ridiculous and how there were a hundred better ways to do this."
"I was drunk and running off at the mouth," Kurushimi chuckled.
"I think you are still drunk," Byakuya said indignantly, "You are making no sense. There is no way that the..."
"Ah, who is to know the thinking of those old men, eh?" the Shima leader laughed, "They probably got drunk, themselves and threw darts to decide our fate."
Byakuya glared sternly into the other man's eyes, reading his expression carefully. Kurushimi smiled back disarmingly, somewhat too confidently.
"We must make ourselves calm and dutiful inside, isn't that right, Byakurai?" he said, his violet eyes blinking slowly and his hand slipping into Tetsuya's and squeezing gently, "I am sure that fate will be with us in all of our matches."
Byakuya looked from Kurushimi to the slightly blushing Tetsuya, then to his furious fukutaichou. Realization swept over him and he was gripped by mingled urges to strangle the man in front of him and at the same time, to sigh in relief. His strained body shuddered as he tried to decide how to respond. Fortunately for the two, Ichigo broke the tension.
"Okay, so Renji kinda makes sense, and so does Tetsuya, but what about Grimmjow? What noble girl or guy is gonna accept being married to him? Can you just imagine?"
"Oh, I am sure they will find someone of appropriate...ahem...spirits," Kurushimi said, smirking, "A feisty mate to give his master a little challenge, eh Ichibun?"
Byakuya's eyes darkened for a moment, then he glanced at Ichigo and the corners of his lips twitched very slightly. He met Kurushimi's eyes cautiously and a moment of understanding passed between them.
This is for the best.
Byakuya loosed some of the pent up tension in a soft, resigned sigh, then looked at Renji again and felt relief sweep through him.
"Come," he said shortly, "we are going to be late."
"I want to be too late!" Renji exclaimed angrily.
"It will be fine, Renji," Byakuya said calmly, his more intimate use of the redhead's name making Renji pause and stare at him for a moment, "And if the match they make for you does not please you, then you can object."
"Can I just object now?"
"Why don't you be patient and at least see the face of the one they have chosen for you. Then, you can make an informed decision?" Kurushimi suggested, causing another twitch in the corners of Byakuya's mouth.
"Yeah," Renji sighed heavily, "I guess it doesn't hurt to look...not that there's a chance in hell I'll be okay with it."
The group started moving forward and Byakuya reached over to give the redhead's hand a squeeze. Renji glanced at him questioningly.
"You do know that we are all to be cloaked or veiled until the nuptials are completed?" he inquired sedately.
Renji's eyes rounded.
"WHAT?" he exclaimed, his reiatsu swelling, "Wait a goddamned minute!"
His protest was halted as they reached the headquarters and council guides stepped forward to organize them.
"Taichou!" Renji cried.
"Please take a cloak," the guide said, handing one of the dark colored items to each, "Leaders and heirs will enter through the door to the left and all others will enter to the right."
Tetsuya swallowed hard and paled as the guide slipped the cloak into his hand.
"Are you all right, watashi no itoko?" Byakuya asked.
"He looks ready to pass out," Renji said worriedly.
"Yeah, he looks like I feel," Ichigo agreed, swirling the cloak around his body and disappearing into it.
"I...I don't know if I can..." Tetsuya panted uncomfortably, "I was married to Naoki, if only informally, but I..."
Byakuya started to speak, then stopped and watched quietly as Kurushimi slipped an arm around the distressed young man and spoke very softly into his ear.
"I understand your feelings," he breathed, just barely at a level for the others to hear, "Several of us here have lost those we loved, even married. We are, all of us, starting anew. And what we are doing is a fight as important as the ones we have just ended. Yes, these marriages are a fight for survival. Nobility must always step forth and lead, Tetsu-hana. You understand this better than most."
As the others watched in surprise, the Shima leader let his fingers run through the wavy lengths of Tetsuya's hair and he placed a very gentle kiss on the younger man's lips, leaving Tetsuya flushed and unable to speak. Byakuya's eyes narrowed sharply in reaction, but he held himself back until Kurushimi released Tetsuya and started to sweep the cloak around himself. Then, he moved closer and spoke beneath the range of hearing of the others.
"I could stop this charade right now," he warned Kurushimi, "The only reason I won't is because I can see clearly that Tetsuya is falling in love with you. But understand this...if you ever hurt that young man in any way...ever...!"
He glanced over his shoulder at Renji and Kurushimi smiled charmingly.
"I promise you that your primo atesorado (treasured cousin) will be loved to within an inch of his life, Byakurai. And I think you will be happy as well, ne? You will have your lovely flor rojo (red flower)?"
Byakuya gave him a look of reproach, but shook his head and let the matter drop. As the group finished cloaking themselves and Tetsuya and Renji moved towards their indicated entrance to the building, Byakuya moved closer to Kurushimi again and spoke softly to avoid being heard.
"You...are responsible for that hollow being included, ne?" he inquired.
Kurushimi gave him a scandalously amused look.
"What if I am?"
"Who is he matched with?" the Kuchiki heir persisted, his grey eyes indicating what he already knew and only craved confirmation.
"One with like qualities."
Their eyes strayed to Ichigo as the cloaked Shiba heir entered the building, and Byakuya smirked before lowering the hood on his cloak. Kurushimi snickered.
"I thought you liked my cousin now," he teased.
"I do," Byakuya admitted, "however, the boy still owes me for breaking Senbonzakura and damaging my pride..."
Kurushimi started to step away, but stopped as Byakuya's hand touched his arm.
"Are there any other oddities in the placement of my clan members?" the Kuchiki leader asked softly.
"Oh, Byakurai," Kurushimi said with mock seriousness, "I assure you that your clan brothers will get no more and no less than what they deserve."
Byakuya stole a glance at where Kuchiki Sasune was donning one of the cloaks. Turning his head slightly, he spotted Tetsuya's former tormentor, Orochi, doing the same.
"I see," he said calmly, "Very well, then. Good fortune to you in your union."
"And I wish you the same," the Shima leader said sincerely.
XXXXXXXXXX
"Those of more than half noble blood to the left and special attendees to the right!" a council guide informed the swell of cloaked forms as they entered through the chamber door, " Those of noble blood to the left and special attendees to the right!"
Tetsuya worked to slow his breathing and the heavy ringing in his ears as he joined the group on the right.
"Special attendees, as you are all going to be wives, you will exchange their cloak for a dark veil," another guide announced.
Tetsuya shivered as his cloak was swiftly removed, then replaced with one of the black veils to cover his features. He caught sight of a flustered looking Renji for only a moment, before he was covered with the veil and hustled into the matching chamber.
"All attendees of more than half noble blood will present the identification number they were given and will be sent on to the matching chamber."
Tetsuya shivered harder as he moved into the chamber and waited in a line of veiled forms, while in the chamber, the cloaked leaders and heirs had all taken their places.
"Number please," a guide said, startling the blue-eyed noble.
Tetsuya showed his identification number and was led to the side of one of the tall, cloaked forms.
"Do not reveal yourselves until after the joining," the guide warned them, before moving back to bring the next wife forward.
Don't be Orochi...don't be Orochi...don't be Orochi...Tetsuya prayed softly, I would accept even that hollow over Orochi...
A short distance away, Renji struggled to keep as much of his tall body covered as possible with the veil as he approached the cloaked man who was about to become his husband. He tried to speak, but the guide spoke first.
"Do not reveal yourselves until after the joining."
"What if I want to object?" Renji hissed softly.
The guide glared at him for a moment, then turned his back and walked away.
"Hey!"
"Stop it!" snapped a whispered male voice, "Do not embarrass me!"
Renji's eyes widened and his jaw dropped.
"T-taichou?" he ventured very softly from under his veil, "Taichou, y-you...?"
"No."
"Then...?"
"Why don't you think for a moment?" Byakuya suggested.
Renji frowned and strained his mind, then caught his breath and barely bit back a laugh.
"And you're letting him get away with it?" he snickered barely audibly.
"I am not involving myself," Byakuya corrected him.
Renji smiled and bowed his head slightly, relaxing as the nobles and their soon-to-be spouses were paired.
Nearby, Kurushimi felt the unsteadiness in the reiatsu of the veiled person standing at his side and smiled beneath the hood of his cloak.
Do not worry, Tetsu-hana. Soon, you will be smiling again. I will make you insanely happy...and what happened to my Hideaki and to your Naoki will never repeat itself. Yes, Tetsu-hana, he chuckled inwardly, you and I will have our satisfaction in many ways tonight...
He felt a heavy inward twinge of sexual hunger that made his smile warm beneath his hood.
I never thought I would feel this way again, but like a new sun, you have lit up my world, Tetsu-hana. I will never fail to show you my undying gratitude.
He looked up as the last of the pairs were joined and the Council's high officers took their places at the front of the room.
"Brothers and sisters," the grand councilor said, looking around the room at the cloaked and veiled attendees, "Is there anyone who does not have a partner? Do not speak, but raise your hand."
A lone hand rose.
"Midori-chan, if you will."
One of the guides approached the cloaked person and spoke with him briefly, then glanced back at the grand councilor.
"It seems that the one with the corresponding number is not present," the guide announced.
"Ah. Well then, according to the ruling of the council, we will marry them and find the missing person after. Come, we must begin."
The grand councilor raised and hand and extended it outward, over the heads of the gathered pairs.
"My brothers and sisters," he said solemnly.
"Wait a damned minute!" Ichigo said, throwing back his hood and stomping forward, "There is no way I'm getting married to someone who's not even here!"
"Shiba Ichigo, you are out of order!" shouted the grand councilor, "You are to remain cloaked, hooded and SILENT until these nuptials are over!"
"No way!" Ichigo insisted, his reiatsu flaring around him warningly, "I think after saving Soul Society several times, I deserve to be able to marry who I want to, when I want to!"
The grand councilor's dark eyes flashed and his lips curled in fury, but his next words were delivered with icy calm.
"I would think that as the one whose hand took the former king's life, you would not just seat the new king, but would see to his needs diligently. His majesty needs his noble houses to remain strong to see to his protection. As an heir, it is your duty to accept his will over your own."
Whispers erupted around the room and Ichigo glared back at the council boldly.
"Look, I think you should all be aware, I know who didn't come to this thing. So that means, I know who this council tried to set me up with!"
"Shiba Ichigo, this council ran all of the information into the computer and with only a few exceptions placing leaders and heirs as only husbands and nobles over mixed bloods, the matching was based on carefully coded parameters."
"YOU STUCK ME WITH JAEGERJAQUES GRIMMJOW, ADMIT IT!"
Gasps rose up around the room and the grand councilor froze.
"There is simply no way that we would..."
"BULLSHIT!"
"Shiba Ichigo, how dare you act in such a manner in the presence of the elders!"
"Admit it!" Ichigo demanded, clenching his fists and stepping forward, "You paired me with a hollow! I don't care if he was a Shihoin, he's a hollow now. And you never asked him what he wanted. He never agreed to your damned rules. So, if you want me to marry Jaegerjaques Grimmjow, it will only be if he and I decide that's what we want!"
He turned and flash stepped away, leaving the councilors staring after him.
"Midori-chan, will you please check the council computer and confirm the match?"
"Sir?" the guide inquired, looking flustered.
"Go ahead," he encouraged her.
The room was oddly silent as the young woman's fingers tapped at the computer's keys. She paused and read the page in front of her, then made a sound of dismay.
"Well?" the grand councilor prompted her, "What did you find?"
"Sir...the...the match is as he says!" the stunned guide announced.
"Councilor Fumio," the grand councilor said solemnly, "you will record the marriage of Shiba Ichigo and Jaegerjaques Grimmjow as 'completed in absentia.' Now, each of you please take the hand of your intended."
Byakuya and Renji smiled as their hands reached out and found each other, and a short distance away, Tetsuya's heart skipped as he thought he recognized the hand that captured and gently caressed his.
Kurushimi-sama? A leader? They gave me to a leader?
Me?
"My brothers and sisters, the Noble's General Council welcomes all of you and thanks you for undertaking this, most serious of duties on behalf of our new king. For as long as the Seireitei has existed, the noble class has used the power given us to protect and defend his majesty's interests, here in the worlds he oversees. Please now use the ends of your brides' veils to bind one hand to your partner's."
He paused, watching, as each couple bound their hands together, then continued.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered today as dutiful members of his majesty's noble brotherhood, charged with the continuance and proper use of the power laid down in our bloodlines upon the rise of the first incarnation of Reiou. In our king's honor, we join our brothers and sisters in holy matrimony, setting them to the task of restoring over time what the war just ended has taken from us. Solemn is this task set before you, but your joy will be great when the fruits of your labors bring honor to your houses. Join us now in the vow that will join you, now and for all of your lives."
In the name of Reiou, ruler over the three worlds, I give my hand and my heart to you in marriage, that for his glory we shall be made one...and all things renewed.
"Brothers and sisters, accept now the blessings of the Noble's General Council and his majesty, King Reiou. I now pronounce you husband and wife. Husbands, you will first remove your hood, then your wife's veil, then you will offer your new spouse a kiss as the first gift of your new union."
Byakuya drew back his hood, then smiled up at the man in front of him as he removed Renji's dark veil and met his eyes happily.
"I take it that you approve of the council's choice for you?" the Kuchiki heir asked.
"I couldn't be happier!" Renji said, grabbing him and kissing the flustered leader enthusiastically.
A few steps away, Tetsuya trembled, barely able to keep his feet as his new husband drew back the veil and confirmed what he had sensed before.
"Kurushimi-sama!" he exclaimed, "It is you! I am...so relieved!"
"Come to me, Tetsu-hana," Kurushimi answered, pulling him close, "You are my lovely bride and I will never let you escape me!"
Tetsuya's hands clenched the Shima heir's cloak tightly as Kurushimi's mouth claimed his forcefully. But rather than finding his enthusiasm daunting, Tetsuya reveled in the bold, penetrating feel of his kisses and reeled at the words the man whispered into his ear.
"I swear I will love and protect you always."
Tetsuya smiled proudly.
"With my heart and with my sword, I will love and protect you as well," he promised.
"Then...you are not disappointed?" Kurushimi asked.
"Disappointed?" Tetsuya repeated, treating the word as if it had no meaning, "I have been...blessed. I am grateful, Kurushimi-sama."
Kurushimi stopped him as he began to drop onto his knees.
"Tetsu-hana," he scolded the young man gently, "You are a clan wife, not a servant. Never lower yourself in my presence. And never forget how you call me."
"Kuri-kuri-sama?" Tetsuya said more shyly.
"No," the Shima leader corrected him, "Like a wife."
"Kuri-kuri," Tetsuya said, shivering at the strange feel of the shortened name.
"That is better," Kurushimi said warmly.
"This is preposterous!" shouted an indignant male voice, "Our subfamilies are at war!"
"And who is supposed to be the wife?" Orochi demanded, glaring at Sasune, "We were both cloaked!"
"I suppose it is up to you to iron that out," the grand councilor suggested.
"I will not have that snake invading my bed snapped Sasune, "He isn't worthy to kiss the ground I walk on!"
"That bastard isn't good enough to set foot in my father's house!" Orochi exclaimed.
Kurushimi smiled more widely as his former fiancé and Tetsuya's former tormentor continued to trade vicious barbs. He admired the amused look on his young spouse's face for a moment, then curled an arm around him.
"You see, Tetsu-hana," he chuckled, "Fate has taken care of us tonight. Come, it is time to return home."
He looked at Tetsuya questioningly as the younger man's blue eyes reflected sudden sadness.
"What is it?"
"Oh...it is just that, it only struck me now that...Kuchiki Manor is no longer my home," Tetsuya confessed, "It has been the only home I knew that wasn't a prison."
"Well, my home will be no prison to you, my love," Kurushimi promised, "It will be our paradise!"
He glanced over at Sasune and Orochi, who were still engaged in loud verbal warfare.
"It will be a more peaceful place than their home, ne?" he laughed.
"Kuri-kuri!" Tetsuya scolded him teasingly.
"Come, Tetsuya," Kurushimi said, giving his new clan wife a passionate kiss that left him blushing brightly, "We are one in name now...let us become one in body!"
