Chapter 7: Darkness and Light
(A very happy birthday to Tetsuya!)
Renji woke to find himself, naked and entwined in a tumble of soft, sakura scented blankets. He moaned unhappily as he felt around for the raven-haired beauty whose arms had held him so lovingly, after the shocking revelation of Byakuya's condition.
A guy who can carry a child.
I was so surprised, I fainted like a girl in front of him. He must have been embarrassed. He was real quiet when I woke, but the charms he had taken out were gone and all we did was go to sleep in each others' arms. We took a step back. I didn't mean to hurt him or make him feel bad. I don't think it's a bad thing that Taichou can have a kid. I just wasn't expecting it, so I freaked out a little.
How do I tell him?
He sat up in the noble's bed and looked around the empty room. Byakuya's yukata laid over the back of an antique wood chair in the nearby dressing area, and his warm, sweet scent still radiated in the room.
So, he only left the room a short time ago. He didn't leave me here to go and sit alone somewhere, feeling bad. Still, I don't want to leave things like they are. I should…
He sat up and wrapped his yukata around himself, then slid out of the bed, looking around for his discarded uniform.
"What the…?" he muttered, finding no sign of his clothing, "I know I took them off in…"
He looked up as Torio arrived in the doorway, carrying his cleaned and pressed uniform.
"Hey, Torio, thanks," he chuckled, running his fingers through the tumbled strands of his hair, "I was just looking for that."
"It is no problem, Abarai-san," Torio assured him, "All of the house staff enjoys having you here. You have a wonderful effect on Byakuya-sama."
"Oh yeah?" Renji said, flushing slightly.
"Yes," Torio affirmed, nodding, "He changed when he lost Hisana-sama. He became much quieter and aside from visiting her grave every day, he attended mostly to duty. With you here, he seems more relaxed and he smiles more."
"Well, I can't stop smiling when I'm around him either," Renji chuckled, "Now, if I could just stop doing idiotic things like accidentally saying something insulting or passing out hen he surprises me…"
Torio's smile warmed and he shook his head gently.
"Renji-san, don't let those things bother you. All relationships have their awkward moments. But, whatever happens, Byakuya-sama loves you. I have been his attendant since we were teens, and I know when he is truly in love."
"But I really messed up last night when he told me…erm…something surprising, and now he's gone off and…"
"But he hasn't gone anywhere," the attendant assured him, "Byakuya-sama had to prepare early for an elders meeting that has been called. He only left without waking you because he knows you like to sleep in."
Torio turned slightly to look out into the gardens, where Tetsuya stood alone, looking quietly down into a pretty koi pond, and his face sobered.
"Byakuya-sama is worried because the elders have received word of Tetsuya-san's continuing problems. We're all so worried for him. He is such a gentle person. But, there is concern after what happened to his Arashi, that…"
"Now, don't you worry about that," Renji said, sliding out of bed and reaching for the clothes Torio held.
"Oh, Renji-san, it would be my pleasure to dress you," the attendant assured him, "You don't have to…"
"I can dress myself," Renji laughed, "We didn't have attendants, growing up in the Rukongai. Besides, dressing someone like Taichou may be an honor, but…"
He paused at the more serious look that Torio gave him.
"Renji-san is a great warrior and he is our leader's good friend. Any of us here would be proud to serve you. It is our way of showing our respect."
"Ah," Renji chuckled good-naturedly, turning towards the dressing area, "I guess I don't wanna keep you from showing your respect, then. Go ahead, just kinda hurry cause I want to see Taichou before he leaves for that meeting."
"Of course, Renji-san," Torio said, positioning himself beside the redhead, "I'll have you ready in no time!"
XXXXXXXXXX
Naoki felt a tinge of nausea that brought him out of sleep and he opened his eyes and spotted Orochi standing nearby and preparing to leave. He made a sound of discomfort, earning a petulant scowl from his black-eyed master.
"What's wrong with you?" Orochi muttered, "I don't believe I did anything that should have damaged you."
"I f-feel sick," Naoki confessed weakly, "P-please, Orochi-sama…"
Orochi sighed and his frown deepened, but he released the young man's restraints, allowing him to rise. Naoki bolted from the bed and charged into the little bathroom, where he dropped to his knees, retching.
"I wouldn't think you'd have anything to throw up," Orochi said off-handedly, "After all, you don't eat anything."
Naoki flinched as Orochi's cool hand touched his sweating face.
"You don't feel overly warm."
The black-eyed man paused and his expression darkened. Naoki felt the icy touch of his angry gaze and felt a shiver of intense fear.
"Ah, I've been careless and impregnated you," he said in a low, furious voice, "Well, that is easily taken care of."
Naoki gasped as rough hands dragged him to his feet, and pulled him towards the small bed in the little hidden room.
"N-no, please! Please, not again!" Naoki pleaded.
"Shut up, you little roach," the noble scolded him, holding his struggling body down and setting him back in restraints, "There is no way that you will ever carry a child by a pureblood like me. Now, hold still while I…"
Orochi stiffened as footsteps approached and a soft knock sounded on the hidden door.
"Master Orochi," a servant's voice said warily, "your father is looking for you."
Orochi struck Naoki hard across the face, dropping him onto his back on the bed. With a sound of disgust, he rose and turned away.
"You have a few minutes to say goodbye. I will be back."
Naoki's teeth clenched, but he kept his body still until Orochi had gone. As soon as he moved again, his heart skipped at the odd feel of the bonds that had been hurriedly set around one of his wrists. He gathered himself and pulled hard, causing a splintering pain in his wrist that made him clench his teeth hard in reaction.
I can break this.
I must break the bonds.
He will not give me another chance, ever.
Tetsuya needs me…and I need him.
I must escape now.
Setting his jaw, he closed his eyes and yanked harder, then harder again until he heard a sharp crack and a howl of pain escaped him. But to his relief, he found that his hand was free and his determination swelled. Ignoring the burgeoning pain his his wrist, he set himself against the bonds on his other wrist, breaking it more easily, using his full body weight, then he tore free of the bonds on each leg. He came to his feet in near panic, searching the room swiftly and finding the release switch that he had seen Orochi using to open the door.
Naoki watched as the hidden door slid open, then he hurried on trembling legs, out into the noble's study, ducking behind Orochi's desk as a servant hurried past. He crawled to a nearby window and slid it open, then quickly climbed out and dropped to the ground. He looked around carefully and spotted a small path that he remembered led to Kuchiki Manor, where Tetsuya lived.
I know I am weak, but I must be strong for a little while. I know a place I saw Tetsuya go, where Orochi can't find me. If I hide, he won't be able to feel my weak reiatsu. I just have to get away and get to Tetsuya!
Tetsuya will help me, and together, we will stop Orochi.
Naoki staggered along the winding path, his heart pounding and his ears straining to hear if anyone could be following. An exposed tree root tripped him and sent him crashing to the ground. His injured wrist throbbed painfully, but he dragged himself to his feet and continued to drag himself forward. The sound of voices behind him sent him diving into the brush and he watched, holding his breath as Orochi rode past him on the back of a tall white horse. Naoki swallowed hard, waiting until long after he had passed, before continuing along the path. He found the tiny trail he had seen Tetsuya use before, one that led through a stand of pretty sakura, then down to the bottom of a hill, where a lovely waterfall spilled down into a large, blue lake. The trail led back behind the waterfall to a little rock cave that felt delightfully warm and steamy as he entered. He listened carefully and, finding himself alone, moved towards the little hot spring that had been lit with small kido lamps.
"Oh!" he gasped, sliding down into the hot, healing water and soaking his thin, aching body.
A little rest, then, he promised himself, Then, when I am sure that Orochi is not around, I will try to get Tetsuya's attention. I can't show myself. If I am pregnant, Orochi can get the elders to force me to abort it. I don't care if he is the father. A baby is innocent. Tetsuya will help me. He won't let Orochi hurt me or the baby. Tetsuya has grown very strong.
And when we meet again, we will run away from here and be together forever!
XXXXXXXXXX
Tetsuya sat silently, astride his recovered mount, his blue eyes sad and downcast as he rode alongside Byakuya's paint stallion. Renji walked quietly to the paint stallion's left, stealing glances up at Byakuya's carefully controlled expression, but reading the truth.
He's really worried for Tetsuya, and I know Tetsuya is scared. I wish there was something I could do for them.
Renji blinked in surprise as a soft, wispy male voice sounded in his mind.
Thank you, Abarai-san. You are a good friend.
The voice wasn't deep enough to be Byakuya's, and it didn't sound like Tetsuya's. The redhead glanced up at the two quiet nobles, then realized that Tetsuya's horse was watching him closely through blue eyes that strongly resembled Tetsuya's.
What the…?
He didn't have time to wonder about the voice as they reached the Kuchiki council hall, and the two steeds stopped at the bottom of the grand building's marble steps.
"You uh, want me to wait here with the horses, Taichou?" Renji asked.
Byakuya slid down from his horse's back and turned to face the redhead.
"You may attend with me and sit in the gallery, if you wish," Byakuya offered, "You are not allowed to speak, but you will be able to see how the meeting goes."
"Sure, yeah," Renji agreed, turning to offer a hand to Tetsuya as the younger Kuchiki dismounted.
"Thank you, Renji-san," Tetsuya said, blushing a little as Renji's hand touched him.
"No problem.
Renji took up a position behind Byakuya's left shoulder, while Tetsuya's shadowy figure followed at the Kuchiki leader's right. They climbed the steps and walked into the strikingly beautiful marble entry, where they paused as the chamber guards noted their identities and let them pass. Renji felt the touch of stern, aged eyes as he entered the central meeting chamber, where the Kuchiki elders sat along a long table.
Byakuya directed the redhead to the gallery, where a number of guests and attendants waited. The redhead took a seat, then watched silently as Byakuya and Tetsuya moved ot the head of the table, where the head elder waited.
"Byakuya," the old, gentle-eyed man greeted them," Tetsuya."
"Nori," Byakuya responded softly, nodding briefly.
"Good morning, Nori-dono," Tetsuya greeted the head elder respectfully.
"Please, sit," Nori invited them, motioning for the council to be seated as well.
Byakuya took one of two seats at the head of the table, with Tetsuya taking another set at his shoulder. Nori took the other seat at the head of the table and struck the table lightly with a little gavel to bring the meeting to order.
"The meeting will now come to order. In the matter of the attack at Kuchiki Manor on the stallion, Arashi, you may now begin discussion. Fumio, will you read the official report?"
The youngest of the elders, a slim, bespectacled man with short cropped hair and pale blue eyes stood and cleared his throat.
"During rounds yesterday, at the main family's residence, it is reported that Kuchiki Tetsuya's stallion, Arashi, was brutally attacked by an unknown assailant. Arashi received serious injury from a disruptive expulsion of reiatsu that bore markers of either his own or Kuchiki Tetsuya's. A search of the site revealed the following. The only tracks on the ground were Kuchiki Tetsuya's and the stallion, Arashi's. No other reiatsu was sensed in the area that could be related. The guard report concludes that either the stallion suffered an unexplained eruption of his own reiatsu or Kuchiki Tetsuya attacked his own horse. Tetsuya stated when questioned, that he did not remember what happened, as he suffered what seemed to be a blackout, and awakened in the cell he formerly occupied in the ruins of Itamigiri."
"Thank you, Fumio," Nori said, nodding, "Discussion is open on the matter."
"It should be mentioned," Byakuya began, "that Arashi has been healed and was able to carry Tetsuya to council today."
"What does Arashi say about the incident?" as a female elders.
"He does not remember anything beyond entering the brush at the site, because he was worried for his master."
"What was it that caused him to worry?" the woman asked.
"I think we know why he was worried," Kuchiki Isas interjected, "I think all of us here have heard about Tetsuya's odd behavior. My son confessed to me that Tetsuya has been especially confrontational with him lately."
"There is plenty of reason for Tetsuya to be confrontational with your son," Byakuya said sternly, "Orochi tortured Tetsuya in that prison. It is a documented fact, and we on this council know exactly what punishment Orochi received for causing Tetsuya that horrid pain."
"But, if Tetsuya is having violent outbursts," the female elder began.
"Pardon me for interrupting you, Arisu," Byakuya said quietly, "however, no one has witnessed any violent behavior on Tetsuya's part. There is only speculation and some circumstantial evidence. I think we can agree, there is no smoking gun that indicates Tetsuya has done anything wrong."
"But it would be dangerous, while a family horse has been attacked and we aren't sure who did it, to forget that Tetsuya has been violent before," a male elder argued, "You remember, I am sure, the incident with…"
"The incident in which Tetsuya attacked his attendant at Kuchiki Manor occurred on the night of his rescue," Byakuya reminded the council, "He was traumatized from lifelong incarceration and brutal treatment. I have provided this council with the late Unohana taichou's full evaluation that found evidence of post traumatic stress, which Tetsuya was treated for, then given a clean bill of physical and mental health."
"The boy certainly has been of benefit to our leader's family," Nori argued, "For many years, Tetsuya has capably led the house guards. He has only ever used his powers within the dictates of our rules."
"I will be the first to admit that Tetsuya has been a model citizen up to now," Isas conceded, "But, the fact is that there has been a vicious attack and we do not know if he is involved. There is some evidence that points to him, so I think Tetsuya, himself, understands we must act to make sure that Byakuya is protected. After all, we don't want whoever did this to harm our leader. I think I would like a statement from the boy, himself."
"Tetsuya is not required to say anything at all on the matter, as he has not been formally accused of any crime," Byakuya said firmly.
"I believe we all understand that Tetsuya is innocent until there is proof of wrongdoing," Councilor Sora said, frowning, "But it could be helpful in our decision to hear what he has to say."
Byakuya gave the man a disapproving look, but paused in answering as he met Tetsuya's blue eyes. Tetsuya gave him a very slight nod in answer.
"Very well," Byakuya said calmly, "Tetsuya, do you have anything to add to the house guard's report of the incident?"
"No," Tetsuya said softly, "I have explained that I have no memory of what happened to Arashi, and I do not know how I came to be in the cell in Itamigiri's ruins."
"Have you had any unusual symptoms?" Councilor Arisu asked kindly, "anything that might be related?"
Byakuya bit his lip gently and motioned for Tetsuya not to answer. Arisu looked back at Byakuya curiously.
"Tetsuya has been treated by house staff for continuing symptoms of post traumatic stress. Although he is full functioning, it is expected that he will have nightmares and other such symptoms sometimes. His attendant knows how to treat the symptoms when they arise, and he has done so capably."
"But you can't deny," Isas said slyly, glancing at the place where Orochi sat in the gallery, "that Tetsuya's behavior lately has been erratic, and with him having nightmares and outbursts. My goodness, I heard that he was seeing things…"
Whispers broke out around the room and Nori banged his gavel on the table to bring the group back to order.
"There has been no official report of Tetsuya seeing things," he said sternly.
"Why don't you ask him?" Isas insisted, "Tell us, Tetsuya. You know that what I'm saying is true. Why don't you tell the council what you have been seeing?"
"This is not proper procedure!" Byakuya snapped.
"But it's true!" Isas said, standing and gripping the edge of the table, "And how long do we wait to let him snap and kill someone? What if he kills you?"
"Tetsuya is not dangerous!" Byakuya said heatedly.
"But he is at least a witness and he is a suspect," Isas argued, "Yet, what is being done to guarantee he doesn't go off his nut and kill someone?"
"Order!" Nori snapped, banging the gavel, "Your comments are out of order, Councilor Isas, and will be stricken from the record. However, I do think we need a statement from Tetsuya, himself, on what measures he thinks we should be taking. After all, we have seen how dedicated he is to our leader's safety. Tetsuya, will you tell us what measures are being taken to see to Byakuya's safety?"
Tetsuya stood and extended one hand, showing the silver limiter he wore.
"My powers are partially sealed, so that I can use my flash step and defenses, but I cannot use my powers to harm anyone."
"But you are also trained in hakudo and weapons," Isas persisted, "What of those?"
"I am attended around the clock," Tetsuya said solemnly, "I admit that I do not know if I have done anything wrong and I assure all of you, I argued with Byakuya-sama to have me incarcerated, but he felt that these measures are enough."
"But," Isas said, his dark eyes glinting venomously, "you think they're not? You think you are a danger?"
Tetsuya glanced at Byakuya apologetically.
"I think it is a possibility," he confessed, "and if it is the will of the council, I will accept incarceration and observation to confirm my fitness of mind."
"Tetsuya…" Byakuya objected.
He paused as Nori met his eyes meaningfully and stood.
"May I remind the council," he paused and glanced supportively at Tetsuya, "that there has been no official accusation against this man. Until there is, we cannot incarcerate him against our leader's will."
"That's fine with me," Isas said angrily, "But when that young man goes crazy and kills someone, it will be on your heads, not on mine!"
Isas turned on his heel and headed for the door. Orochi rose and followed as the council broke out in sounds of confusion and dismay. Byakuya turned to Nori and Tetsuya, sighing softly.
"Well," he said, frowning, "there is contention, but they cannot incarcerate Tetsuya without hard evidence, and they know it."
"Yes," Nori said worriedly, "and that gives me the urge to offer you a warning. Be very careful, my boy. Because while you have protected Tetsuya, you have also made yourself a target for anyone who might try to discredit him by attacking you."
"That," Byakuya said, "is my strategy. After all, to attack me, whoever is trying to set Tetsuya up will have to make himself vulnerable to discovery."
"You are that sure that someone is out to get me, and that this is not just a relapse of my post traumatic stress?" Tetsuya asked worriedly.
Byakuya turned and placed a staying hand on his cousin's arm.
"Tetsuya, you would never harm Arashi, and you would never harm me."
"But are you willing to stake your life on that?" Tetsuya exclaimed in a frightened tone.
"Yes," Byakuya said calmly, "that and more."
