Chapter 7: The Pieces of Us
"Come this way," said Unohana taichou, leading Urahara, Yoruichi and Ichigo down a hallway and to a door guarded by Kuchiki house security forces.
Inside, Byakuya's younger, blue-eyed cousin, Tetsuya sat with his fingers laced together with Abarai Renji's, alongside Rukia at the noble's bedside. Ichigo caught his breath in surprise and distress at the pale cast to Byakuya's fine skin and the presence of the machines regulating his breathing and monitoring his vital signs.
"Kami, he's that bad?" the young man exclaimed, "I thought that he was just unconscious. He can't even breathe on his own?"
"We had to place him in a medically induced coma," Unohana explained.
"Just from him being unconscious?" objected Ichigo, "Why would you have to do that?"
"It wasn't just that he was unconscious," Unohana said, her eyes troubled, "There was a large amount of brain activity taking place and it put great strain on his systems. His spiritual pressure rose to dangerous levels and we were forced to do this to regain control of it. We could not divine what was causing there to be so much disturbance. There seemed to be no physically based explanation, nor one related to his powers. That leaves an emotional factor, but no one close to him is aware of anything that would have caused Kuchiki taichou the level of distress we witnessed. The only clue that we have is what I learned upon speaking to Urahara Kisuke."
"When Unohana taichou contacted me to consult about what was happening, I told her about how Byakuya entered your dream and was injured by Kugo Ginjou. I also told her that when the two of you fell asleep after that, your souls began to resonate at an abnormally high level. I didn't get a chance to tell you two before you left that your body processes, all of your vital signs and brain waves fell into perfect synchronization and you began to dream together."
"We were...dreaming together?" Ichigo repeated, the memory beginning to return.
"Well, it seemed that was the case," said Kisuke, "but because the two of you left, I couldn't verify whether it was that or if Byakuya might actually have briefly entered your inner world."
Ichigo's eyes widened.
"Another person can do that?" he asked, looking down at the noble.
"It is possible," said Unohana taichou, "But there would have to be a very strong connection between the two souls."
"What she's saying," Kisuke explained, "is that the two people would have to be closely bonded. They would have to be soul mates."
Ichigo felt a shiver inside as Kisuke's eyes sought his again.
"Ichigo, I need you to think very carefully. You see, I asked Byakuya if he had used a Dreamcatcher's kido to enter your dream and he wouldn't answer me. Did he tell you if that was the method he used?"
"No, actually," Ichigo admitted, "He didn't say what method he used, although he did admit to entering my dream to try to help me. And he used another kido when I was with him before so that I could sleep without dreaming."
Yoruichi suddenly loosed a gentle giggle and Kisuke tried to bite back a devilish smirk.
"What? What could you two possibly be laughing about?" the young man demanded, "What's so damned funny when Byakuya is lying there on life support, you assholes!"
"Take it easy," Kisuke said, shaking his head, "Byakuya's not going to die. No one ever said he was. Weren't you listening? The coma was medically induced. And the reason that we had to use that method is because we didn't have Byakuya-san's lover to lie down and use one of those lover's kidos to reach him."
"What?" exclaimed Ichigo, "Lover's kidos? What the hell are you talking about? I mean, I know that..."
"Relax, okay?" Kisuke chuckled, "We weren't meaning to be disrespectful. We just were surprised to find out that you and Byakuya-san are lovers."
"We're not lovers!" Ichigo yelled, "Well, I mean, we just shared our first kisses."
He went quiet, blushing furiously at the amused looks on Rukia, Renji and Tetsuya's faces at the news. Then, he noticed that none of the three looked completely surprised the way that Urahara and Yoruichi did.
"Hey! You guys...knew he liked me?"
"Erm, well," Tetsuya said haltingly, "He did not come out and say so much, however, he had me watch over you without your knowledge, more than a few times while you were ill or somehow vulnerable."
"He sent me a few times also," added Renji.
"And," Rukia added, "Even though he went to Karakura Town because I asked him to, he agreed to it awfully easily. I didn't even have to really argue with him."
"So, Byakuya wanted to help me because...he likes me?"
"Correct me if I'm wrong," said Kisuke, "But I think that a man who would make himself as vulnerable as Byakuya-san did, using that lover's kido, must more than 'like' you."
"He made himself vulnerable?" Ichigo repeated, "I don't get it. How did he make himself vulnerable?"
"You said that he admitted to entering your dream without your consent, right?"
"Yeah, so?"
"So, there aren't many ways to do that. But one way is called the Dreamcatcher's kido. It is a kido that allows lovers to enter each others' dreams to either watch and understand them or to act in the dream to somehow assist the dreamer."
"So," said Unohana, "if one lover dreams of a certain monster, the one entering the dream can help to slay it. If there is a painful problem or issue on the dreamer's mind, the voice of his or her lover can reach in to offer comfort and support. The level of presence that the lover has in the dream depends on the strength of the bond between the two."
"Which suggests," Kisuke added, "that the bond between you and Byakuya-san is a strong one. It still doesn't explain why Ginjou in your dream was able to injure him, but it's a step in the right direction."
"And now that we know that you and Kuchiki taichou are soul mates," Unohana went on, "We can raise the level of his consciousness and allow you to enter his inner world."
"But if you raise the level of his consciousness, won't he start to react like he did before?" objected Ichigo, "It sounded dangerous!"
"It is dangerous," admitted the healer, "However, opening his mind and allowing you inside is the only way for us to know what is causing the disturbance. But you must be cautious. If Kuchiki taichou was injured while addressing your dream, it could follow that you might be in danger from whatever is tormenting him. Until we know why he was injured, there will be uncertainty and danger in all of our movements."
"So, should we just wait for Urahara-san to discover the reason for my cousin's injury?" asked Tetsuya, "It seems dangerous to have Ichigo-san enter Byakuya-sama's inner world until we know what danger might await him."
"It would be a safer path, perhaps," said Unohana, "but it does not take into account the fact that being in a comatose state will weaken Kuchiki taichou as well. It will be more gradual, but waiting could pose equal danger as proceeding, so it seems we must proceed before he becomes too weakened to tolerate the entry of Ichigo-san into his mind."
"But, uh, Byakuya told me that the kido he was using to help me was dangerous, that I wasn't trained to use it and could flatten his manor if I did it wrong."
"He-heh," chuckled Urahara, "I think that was Byakuya-san's way of saying that what he was really afraid of was you figuring out exactly what he thinks of you. When you enter a person's mind, their dreams, their inner world, it is a window into the person's heart. And Byakuya-san isn't one to make himself vulnerable that way."
"What? But he entered my mind!" Ichigo said, sounding offended, "Why didn't he want me to see?"
"Ichigo," Yoruichi said, smiling, "You know that Byakuya-bo is a quiet type. And he had just invaded your mind. He simply wasn't ready to fully confess to what he'd done. But he wagered that he needed to act to help you anyway."
"Wait, so you're saying that Byakuya didn't just like me, but that he may have been in love with me already and was afraid for me to know it yet?"
"Well, look who just caught up," chuckled Rukia, "Idiot!"
"Really!" laughed Renji, "And I thought I was slow!"
"But...!"
"Byakuya-bo is a complicated person," Yoruichi said affectionately, "but you know that already, right Ichigo?"
"Y-yeah," Ichigo said, the beginnings of a smile touching his lips, "But it's still surprising. I mean, I had no idea! I knew we'd become friends, but even so, he always kept a little distance there."
"That is just the way Byakuya-sama is," Tetsuya explained.
"And being more like a brother to Nii-sama than a cousin, Tetsuya-san would know," said Rukia, "I have to admit that when I asked Nii-sama to help you, I didn't realize how much he actually felt for you."
"I don't think that anyone did," suggested Yoruichi, "He is quite careful with what he shows people."
"There's a story behind that, I'm sure," said Kisuke, "but I don't think that anyone's in a better position than our pal Ichigo to find out what's going on in that pretty little head of his. Byakuya's defenses are about as dangerous as his bankai, if you know what I mean."
"Well, enough talking," said Ichigo, looking down at Byakuya's nearly motionless form, "I need to help pull him out of this. So, Unohana-san, if you could show me how, I will go in after him."
The healer smiled.
"I think that Kurosaki-san would be more comfortable if we emptied the room except for ourselves, and if I merely explained and then gave you two your privacy."
"But what is something goes wrong!" exclaimed Ichigo, "Shouldn't someone be watching?"
"I will watch," said Unohana, "but I will watch from another room and only monitor your vital signs and reiatsu. I will not attempt to follow Kurosaki-san into Kuchiki taichou's mind, as it involves things of a private nature and the aim is to rescue him, not to embarrass him."
"Although that would be fun too," laughed Urahara.
"Shut up," said Ichigo, "That's my..."
He paused, blushing.
"That's Byakuya, you're talking about, so show some respect."
"Take it easy," said Kisuke, "I was just kidding. Don't take it so personally."
"Get outta here," Ichigo said reprovingly, "The sooner I get in there, the sooner he'll wake up."
"Thank you, Ichigo," Rukia said with sincerity, "Thank you for helping Nii-sama."
"You have my thanks as well," agreed Tetsuya, standing an smiling up at Renji as the redhead curled an arm around him and started across the room with the other two.
"Hey," Renji said, looking back over his shoulder, "Take care of my taichou, okay? I still haven't had the honor of beating him in a fight yet."
"Get out of here!" Ichigo said, fighting a smile, "And don't worry, I'll bring him back alive."
"Alive and in working order would be best," suggested Urahara, following the others out of the room.
Ichigo watched the others leave, then took a steadying breath and looked expectantly at Unohana. The healer smiled and handed him a white yukata.
"Go and put this on," she instructed him, "I will prepare things for you, then instruct you on how to proceed."
"Okay, but you do know that kido's not my strong point, right? I'm not getting nervous for myself. I just don't want to do more damage than good."
"Do not worry, Kurosaki-san," Unohana said, smiling at him, "I am sure that you will have no problem managing this type of kido. Go on, then."
Ichigo stepped into the private bathroom and disrobed, then returned to find the healer preparing small electronic monitors, some of which she placed on Byakuya and some of which she attached to the shinigami substitute's forehead and chest.
"Now then," she said, checking to make sure that the devices were functioning, then stepping back, "I am going to leave, and when I am gone, I want you to open your yukata and his and to bring your bodies into close physical contact."
"Like we did when Byakuya was helping me to sleep without dreaming?" Ichigo asked.
"Yes," the healer answered, "I will send some impulses into the control devices that will place you in a state of reduced consciousness. I do not want you to fall asleep, but to remain slightly aware. It is in this in between state that you will focus on Kuchiki taichou's reiryoku (spirit ribbon) and follow it into his inner world. Realize as you do that you are requesting entry, and that what will get you in through his defenses is to harmonize with his spiritual energy. You are more able to do that than anyone else because of what is between you. If you are repelled, do not panic. Simply withdraw, and we will try again. Do not become forceful, as it will likely lead to his systems forcibly trying to repel you. We want you to be accepted."
"Okay," Ichigo said, nodding, and trying to ignore the way his heart was pounding, "Follow his reiryoku, harmonize and don't be forceful."
"That's right," said Unohana, "And do not worry if we have to try this more than once. Kuchiki taichou is not used to opening himself to others, and it may be difficult for him to accept help. But he cares for you. You have the best chance of reaching him. Just do your best."
"I will," Ichigo said, swallowing hard as the healer left and he climbed onto the bed and opened his yukata, then leaned forward and opened Byakuya's.
A blush roared across his face as Byakuya's scent reached his nostrils and he took in the sight of the lovely slender body that had been held so close to his as he had slept.
"It's time for a little payback," he said softly, "I let you help me, and now you need to let me in. I just want to wake you up so that we can get Ginjou out of our heads. Then, whatever you want to do is fine. I think that we'd be great together. I can't believe I'm saying that, but it's really the truth. I'm sure it would be pretty complicated with you being a clan leader and all, but we'll just figure things out as we go, all right? Now, I'm coming in. Just relax, okay? We'll do this slowly."
He bit his lips and flushed more brightly at the realization of the possible double meaning of his words. He laid down beside the noble, carefully working around the electrodes and settling along his side, his head rested on Byakuya's shoulder.
"Well, this is familiar. I think we've done this part before. Now, don't give me any trouble, all right?"
He looked up at the monitor and nodded.
"Whenever you're ready Unohana-san," he said quietly.
He felt an odd dizziness pass over him and his muscles instantly relaxed. He lost awareness of his body and found his consciousness loosed and floating. Remembering Unohana's advice, he focused on Byakuya's reiryoku and latched onto it, following along a satin edge, sliding down slowly and gradually harmonizing his energies with those of the noble. He sensed the stirring of Byakuya's mind as Unohana raised his consciousness, allowing him to begin dreaming.
"Okay," Ichigo whispered to himself, "Here goes."
He concentrated on Byakuya's thoughts and sank down into them, letting them wrap around him and draw him in. He was surprised at how readily the noble accepted him and allowed him entrance. Warmth touched his face and he took a breath and opened his eyes.
He found himself in lovely, gardenlike surroundings that reminded him immediately of Kuchiki Manor. Long grass and flowers grew everywhere, and the meadows were lined with trails and blooming sakura trees.
"Wow," he sighed appreciatively, "That's just what I'd expect that you'd be like inside. Beautiful...warm...but there's something..."
Ichigo looked around and found the noble's reiryoku again, and followed it down one of the trails, deep into the trees, where the falling petals were so thick that they were difficult to see through. He sensed that Byakuya was near and hastened forward, then bumped into something and slid to a stop.
"Huh?" he mused, staring.
Byakuya's red spirit ribbon seemed suspended in the air, but seemed to end at that point. And try as he might, Ichigo couldn't seem to get past whatever barrier was there.
"You're here," he said softly, "I can feel that you're right in front of me. What's going, Byakuya? Am I doing something wrong?"
He thought for a time, then breathed in and closed his eyes, reaching out with his hand. He encountered something that felt like cold, steel bars. But when he opened his eyes, he couldn't see them. His mind pondered as he peered into the space ahead of him and slowly realized.
"An...illusion?" he whispered.
He touched the bars again and tried again to 'see' them. His fingers touched Byakuya's spirit ribbon again, and he very carefully tried to harmonize further. He thought of the noble and tried to pretend he was looking through the other man's eyes. As he did, something happened that made his inhale sharply and step back.
He caught a glimpse of shapely, pale, naked legs that were curled beneath a kneeling body. Long black hair trickled down onto a bare and slightly trembling shoulder and a soft sob reached him.
"Byakuya?" Ichigo whispered, "Byakuya, let me in. Let me help you."
He looked ahead of him again and shivered as the area around him darkened and he was drawn into the illusion that seemed to surround the noble.
Ichigo found himself suddenly standing outside a small, darkened cell that held a person who looked to not much different in age from him. At first, it seemed he must be looking at a girl, but as the person turned and their eyes met, he knew he couldn't have been more wrong.
I'd know those big gray eyes anywhere!
"Byakuya!" he whispered.
He stared at the uncharacteristically expressive, tearstained face, the shaking arms that wrapped around his too thin body and struggled for words.
"Byakuya, who did this to you?" he asked finally.
The youth blinked and stared back at him, as though not sure whether or not he was really there.
"Who are you?" Byakuya asked softly, "Did he send you?"
"I'm a friend," Ichigo said, realizing that a young Byakuya wasn't going to know him yet, "My name is Kurosaki Ichigo. I came to let you out of here. Come on."
"Go away before he comes back. He will only hurt you. He'll probably kill you. He already killed my baby. He's a monster, Ichigo, and he said that he won't let anyone help me. He will kill anyone who tries to take me away from him. Go, before he comes back!"
"I'm not going to leave you here!" Ichigo exclaimed, grabbing the bars and testing the strength of the steel, "I'm going to get you out of here."
"Don't you understand!" Byakuya exclaimed, his teeth nearly chattering from the cold as he cried out, "You won't be able to see him! Nobody can! That's why they won't believe me if I tell them! And that is why he will reach me, no matter where I go. He said that I belong to him, and that anyone who tries to take me back will die. I don't want anyone else to die. And besides, no one can even find me here."
Byakuya froze for a moment, frowning. Then, he looked at Ichigo more closely.
"How did you find me? How can you see me? His illusions are all around me. No one can see the truth. How can you? Who are you, Kurosaki Ichigo?"
Ichigo smiled and slipped his top off, then handed it to the other youth.
"I'm the guy who's going to get you out of here. But first, tell me who did this to you."
Byakuya lowered his eyes.
"You won't believe me!" he exclaimed, tears overflowing his eyes as he accepted the clothing and wrapped it around his spare frame, "No one will! He's nothing like they think, Ichigo. Aizen Sousuke is a monster!"
"Aizen Sousuke!" Ichigo breathed, his eye falling on a number of telling bruises on Byakuya's arms and inner thighs before the clothing covered them, "That's who hurt you?"
Ichigo bit at his lips and looked around briefly.
"Well, he might have hurt you before, but he's not going to do it again," he said firmly, "I am going to get you out of here, Byakuya. And if he gets in our way, I will beat the hell out of him!"
"You don't understand!" Byakuya hissed urgently, "Aizen Sousuke is far more powerful than anyone realizes! You can't defeat him."
Ichigo smiled.
"Okay, I'll be honest with you. Byakuya, you have to trust me, here. You are trapped in a dream. You're grown up now, the leader of your clan, and I have already defeated Aizen Sousuke. The guy is in prison. He can't really hurt you."
"No?" said Aizen's voice, "You think not? I would very much like to test that theory...Kurosaki Ichigo!"
