Chapter 8: No Safe Path

(Still in Cell Hell and enjoying a relaxing vacation! Crossing my fingers and hoping this will go through...)

Renji felt a soft hand touching his face and began to return from the comforting greyness that had fallen around him. He remembered then, the moments from right before he had passed out.

His clothes laid, torn apart and strewn haphazardly around the room. His bed and bedding had been slashed almost beyond recognition. Nothing within the room had been spared, but even the dresser and bed frame had been shattered. Thick red fluid spelled out a warning message on the wall.

DIE QUINCY WHORE!

"Oh...oh man," he groaned, starting to sit up, "I have to get to Bazz!"

The hand that had been touching his face pressed against his chest insistently, pushing him back down as Tetsuya's face came into full focus.

"Hey, what're you doing?" he complained dizzily, "Let me up!"

"I am sorry, but I can't do that," Tetsuya answered, "Byakuya has asked me to care for you until he returns."

"But...!"

"It's all right," Tetsuya assured him, placing a hand over Renji's baby bump and infusing the area gently with his reiatsu, "Byakuya went to retrieve Bazz-B from the Maggot's Nest."

"Wh-what?" Renji said, earning a disapproving look from Tetsuya as he sat up again and looked around, swaying slightly, "What the heck happened? How did I get to Kuchiki Manor? The last thing I remember is..."

Renji winced in reaction as he remembered more.

He surged to his feet and staggered out of the bathroom, heading back towards the front office, only to find his way blocked by his captain.

"Sir, what are you doing? I have to get to Bazz-B! What if...?"

"Renji, I will send someone to check on Officer Bazz-B. You are in no condition to..."

"But I have to go!" Renji argued, swaying as another bout of dizziness passed over him.

"Renji, you can't possibly..."

"I have to, Captain!"

Renji started to turn, then felt a gentle throb of kido surge into his body, dropping him into Byakuya's arms. He stared, wide-eyed up into Byakuya's regretful gaze as he began to lose consciousness.

"Captain!" he gasped.

"Byakuya said that he regrets having to incapacitate you, but given the danger to the quincies being held in the Maggot's Nest, he had to do so. He went to get them moved to protective custody."

"Protective custody, where?" Renji asked worriedly, "He knows that I have to have those infusions to keep things from going haywire."

"Yes," Tetsuya said reassuringly, "he is aware of that, so Bazz-B will be brought here to be with you."

"Oh, that's good," Renji said in a relieved tone, resting back against the pillows as an attendant entered the room, carrying two larges plates of food on a serving tray.

Tetsuya looked up at the attendant and smiled.

"Koji, thank you for bringing our meal."

"Yeah," Renji added, recovering his more friendly demeanor as the feeling of urgency faded, "I'm really starved."

"Me also," Tetsuya agreed, accepting one of the plates from Koji as Renji snatched up the other and began to eat enthusiastically, "Our bodies need the extra nutrients for the children we are carrying."

"I guess so," Renji chuckled, attacking the savory chicken on his plate, then slurping up a long noodle, "That, and we need to replace the food we keep throwing up, huh?"

"Exactly," Tetsuya agreed, good naturedly.

"Do you think the two of you will want dessert?" Koji inquired.

"Yes!" the two pregnant males answered together.

"There are fresh, warm ginger cookies, pumpkin ice cream, chocolate cake and pumpkin pie," Koji offered.

"Can I just have a little of everything?" Renji asked.

"Of course," Koji laughed, "And you, Master Tetsuya?

"I think I would like the ginger cookies and a large serving of the ice cream," Tetsuya answered, continuing to work at his meal.

"This is the best!" Renji sighed, "I've been eating like a horse, but nothing this good. I'm an okay cook and sometimes I just go out, but nothing beats the staff here."

Tetsuya nodded.

"Matsuko has been serving our family for over a hundred years," he explained, "She comes from a well known family from the upper Rukongai that excels in cookery."

"I've got to get her to teach me some of her recipes. I need to get better at cooking, so my kid doesn't starve, you know?"

"I am sure you will provide well for your child," Tetsuya said encouragingly, "You will be a wonderful father, Renji. Byakuya also thinks this."

"He said that?" Renji asked, blushing in reaction, "He thinks I'll be a good dad?"

"Of course," Tetsuya confirmed, "He says that growing up without family made you appreciate the people in your life. It made you a loyal and protective friend. And this won't just be a friend, this will be someone whose blood you share."

"That's something I never had before," Renji said, blinking back sudden tears, "at least, not that I remember. I don't know who my folks were or why I ended up a street kid. Bazz had it worse, I think. His family was murdered by Ywach when that bastard stormed through the countryside, killing the noble lords and families."

Tetsuya's face paled.

"He...attacked his own noble lords?" he repeated disbelievingly, "Why would he do that?"

"Bazz didn't know at first," Renji explained, "He only found out after the fact, after the quincy king was killed. Ywach was born without his senses. But, he was able to share pieces of his soul with people he touched. People wanted to touch them because when they did, the things they most needed or desired happened. Sick people got well, lonely people gained friends and poor people got rich. Thing is, they never lived long after receiving a piece of the king's soul. Ywach grew up that way, and when he was older, he realized that to keep himself from going back to that senseless, helpless thing he was, he had to keep taking people's souls when they died. That's why he targeted the noble lords and their families. The more powerful the souls taken in, the longer he would be satisfied."

"I had heard from Byakuya-sama about his power," Tetsuya explained, "but Central 46 has classified their discussions with the surviving quincy officers. I was not aware that he victimized his own people. But, given the way he targeted the hollows, and then us, it makes sense...and it means that our perceptions of the quincy race as a violent and war provoking race is perhaps faulty."

"Yeah," Renji agreed, "Bazz-B says it's probably easier for them to deal with things if they have an evil invader and not just soldiers manipulated by Ywach to destroy others, all for his benefit."

"But the truth is that the quincy race was just his first victim," Tetsuya concluded.

"I know he's considered Father of the quincies," Renji mused, "but he's no kind of father I want to know about. Not when he eats his own."

"It's sad, but I think that the Central 46 councilors just fear acknowledging the quincies as victims."

"And I get that," Renji said, shaking his head, "They were brutal and some of the ones Ywach gave powers to were pretty damned twisted."

"But they had abilities he wanted to collect, powers he needed to survive."

The two looked up as Koji burst back into the room, wearing a look of urgency.

"Master Tetsuya, Master Renji, Lord Byakuya has just returned to the manor, and he brought the quincy, Bazz-B with him!" the attendant exclaimed.

"Bazz-B's here?" Renji said, looking relieved.

He set his tray on the nightstand and started to climb out of bed.

"Move slowly," Tetsuya directed him, "You might still be a little groggy for a while from the sleep kido Byakuya used on you."

"I'm fine," Renji insisted, "but where's Bazz? Did they take him to the house jail or something?"

"N-no," Koji answered, giving Tetsuya a distressed look.

"Why don't you tell us what is happening?" Tetsuya prompted him, "You look like something is wrong."

Renji' face fell.

"Did something happen?" he asked stridently, "Koji, is Bazz-B all right?"

"Lord Byakuya arrived to find a mixture of guards and other prisoners were beating him."

"Oh, fuck!" Renji hissed, his eyes growing tormented, "But, he's still alive, right? Koji...!"

"He's alive," the attendant assured him, "but he is badly beat up. He is in one of the guest rooms and our family healer is with him. He could use some help from you, Master Tetsuya, if you are feeling all right."

"I am fine," Tetsuya said, climbing to his feet, "Renji, maybe you should wait here until he is fully stabilized."

"No way!" Renji exclaimed, following the two out the gardens doors and down the walkway, to the next wing.

Koji led them to the entrance to a large guest room, where Bazz-B laid, stripped down to his underwear and lying unconscious on his back. The aged clan healer sat beside the bed, leaning over the injured quincy and addressing a number of cuts and bruises on his face.

"Ah, hell, Bazz-B!" Renji exclaimed, starting forward, only to feel Byakuya's arm wrap around his waist, "C'mon, now, don't fucking knock me out again! I need to be with him! He's hurt bad, Captain!"

"I understand," Byakuya said sternly, "I am not going to make you sleep again...as long as you do not interfere."

"I won't, Captain, I swear! I just...I want to..."

"What? What can you do?" Byakuya asked pointedly, "Stress and attempts to use your powers would put a strain on your pregnant body, requiring stabilization sooner, at a time when he can't offer it to you."

"But Tetsuya's helping!" Renji complained, "You just want me to stand here and do nothing?"

"Tetsuya has a healthy partner who can stabilize him if he needs it. And although we can somewhat assist you if you need it, the best and fastest source of stabilizing reiatsu is the other parent of the child. The best way for you to help is to remain as calm as you can make yourself so that you stave off the need for infusion for as long as possible."

"Okay," Renji said shakily, "Sorry, Captain, I know I overreacted. I just...I can't help it. Bazz is my kid's father. I love him. I can't stand seeing him hurt."

He blinked in surprise as Byakuya's hand found his and squeezed it gently.

"I understand that fear," the noble said solemnly, "and I am sympathetic."

"I know you are. Thanks, Captain. Sorry I freaked out. He just...he's cut up and bruised all over. What the hell did those guys do to him?"

"It's not just Bazz-B," Byakuya went on, making Renji freeze instantly, "The other officer in the Maggot's Nest, Officer Liltotto, was also assaulted, as was Officer Giselle, who was assisting Captain Kurotsuchi. In all of the cases, a mixture of guards and prisoners or lower officers cooperated in the attacks. I was able to protect Bazz-B and Liltotto. I took Bazz-B under my protection, because he is a noble."

"You can do that?" Renji asked, looking surprised.

"Yes. Given that he was in our prison, he is supposed to be in a safe environment and not harmed as long as he is compliant. But given the vicious attack on him, I was able to take custody of him until Central 46 can investigate the crime and determine if and how his rights were violated."

"It sounds like those guys in the Maggot's Nest violated the hell out of his rights!" Renji snapped angrily, "Look at him!"

Byakuya gave the redhead a reproving look.

"Abarai, I did tell you that you must remain calm. Your agitation is not good for your child, given it necessitates..."

"Yeah, I know," Renji said penitently, "I'm sorry. I'll try to calm down. I just hate what those guys did, not just to Bazz, but to the others too. What happened to them? Will they be coming here too?"

"No," Byakuya said darkly, "Unfortunately, because I only have the right to take noble enemies into my custody, I cannot help them. But Head Captain Kyouraku did have me help him generate a list of trustworthy soldiers to protect them. Liltotto and Giselle are at the fourth division, in a restricted area. The imprisoned quincies in Muken, it seems, were not attacked. But rather than it being a sign of their safety, I think the guards there are just wary of those two."

"Who wouldn't be?" Renji said, shaking his head, "The quincies did have some real monsters on their side."

"Yes, well, now it falls to me to protect you and Bazz-B, but this means possibly also putting my fiancé, family and staff at risk."

Renji colored with guilt and his head bowed.

"I'm really sorry, Captain," he apologized again, "I would never want to put Tetsuya or anyone here in danger. I didn't mean to do that. I was just...I love Bazz. I can't help it. Is that wrong?"

Byakuya sighed.

"Loving someone, even one who was once an enemy, isn't wrong, but it divides people. It can cause rifts. It isn't fair to blame the ones whose hearts are just in love. They aren't the ones choosing violence as an answer."

"But the others wouldn't be getting violent if I hadn't..."

"I think they would," Byakuya corrected him quietly, "People are angry and hurting over their losses, Renji. It is dangerous and growing more so."

"Damn it, Captain! What're we supposed to do?" Renji asked, staring at Bazz-B's battered body and shivering involuntarily.

"I think there is no choice," Byakuya said, looking at Tetsuya, "We can't risk staying here. Not even my home is invulnerable."

"So, what are you saying? Are we going somewhere else?" Renji asked.

"Yes," Byakuya confirmed, "My family has a retreat in a quiet area of the upper Rukongai, an estate called Sakura no Kaiou. This is actually the home where I was born. It is secluded and more defensible, should there be trouble. I believe it is the right place to take you, Tetsuya and Officer Bazz-B, for all of your protection."

Renji gave Byakuya a troubled look.

"But Bazz is really beat up," he noted, "Is he going to be up to being moved?"

"I think he'll have to be," Byakuya said, his frown deepening, "And we are going to have to be very careful as we transport everyone. We are most vulnerable while we are in transit."

"Right. Well, I'm not..."

"You're not getting involved," Byakuya said firmly, "I will knock you our again if I have to, Abarai. This is a dangerous move, and one that the quincies' enemies will, no doubt, expect. They will be out for blood. We are best off moving as quickly and carefully as we can."

"Okay, whatever you need me to do, I'll do it," Renji agreed, "Just don't let him get taken back by Central 46. You know we'll never see him alive again!"

"Most likely not," Byakuya agreed, "But it looks like Bazz-B is beginning to regain consciousness. Go to him, just remember to stay calm, Renji."

"Okay, I'll be calm," Renji promised, turning and hurrying to the injured quincy's side. Bazz-B groaned and squinted up at him as Renji sat down in a chair at his side and took one of the quincy's hands in his."

"Hey Red," Bazz said in a shaky voice, focusing his hazy eyes on Renji and managing a wavering smile, "You okay?"

Renji's eyes filled with tears.

"I'm not the one lying in a bed, all beat up," he complained, "What the hell happened to you?"

"Eh, I guess some folks don't like me very much. But I got in a few good licks. I didn't embarrass myself."

"I hope not," Renji said, leaning down to kiss him as Tetusya and the clan healer continued their work, "What would I tell our kid?"

"Right," Bazz-B said, freeing a hand from within the covers and reaching out to rub Renji's belly lovingly, "You all right? You're all stable?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Renji assured him, "I'm good, just a little freaked out."

"But no one tried to hurt you, did they?" Bazz asked, frowning, "like they did to Lil and me?"

"You know about Liltotto?" Renji asked, looking surprised.

"Yeah, I heard a little as I was brought over. I was kinda going in and out. Did they say Giselle was attacked too?"

"Uh huh."

"Damn..."

"It's okay," Renji assured him, "Captain Kuchiki is going to make sure that no one hurts any of us."

"Someone tried to hurt you?" Bazz-B said, trying to sit up and earning an instant protest from the two healers.

"Hey, lie down!" Renji snapped, "I'm fine! Do you see any injuries? No one hurt me."

"Well, something happened," Bazz insisted, "I can tell."

"Nothing big happened," Renji said off-handedly, "Just some assholes messed up my quarters."

"They...?"

"They threw my stuff around and wrote on the wall with goat's blood, you know, stupid, sick stuff. But I wasn't hurt."

"What was on the wall?" Bazz persisted, his green eyes glowing with anger.

"Now, you don't need to know that. It's not worth repeating. Relax, okay? You're gonna bust something."

"Damned right, I'm gonna bust something! You tell me what was written in blood!"

"It was nothing, just some stupid comment about me being your...erm...prostitute."

"Man," Bazz-B fumed, "I oughta hunt them down and kill them!"

"Excuse me for interrupting," Tetsuya said, meeting the quincy's infuriated eyes, "but I think you shouldn't say things like that when you are a prisoner in the custody of my cousin, and he is protecting you."

"Hey sweetcheeks," Bazz-B said sarcastically, "why don't you just stick to healing me and leave the advice to Dear Abby?"

"Don't you be rude to Tetsuya!" Renji snapped, grabbing Bazz-B by the mohawk and glaring into his eyes, "He's been a good friend to both of us since the beginning. He was the one who gave me the pendant so that we could bond to stabilize my reiatsu with the baby's."

"Ow! All right, all right, fuck! I'm sorry, okay? I just don't like people beating up on my pregnant lover. Is that a crime?"

"No, but being rude to people who are your friends is," Renji said, letting his fingers slide out of Bazz-B's hair.

The quincy looked up at Renji and smiled aggressively.

"Red," he said, smirking, "you ever touch the mohawk like that again, it better be because we're making love and you're having a screaming orgasm."

The old clan healer bit his lip gently and looked away. Tetsuya blushed brightly.

"You ass," Renji chuckled, unable to hold onto his anger, "Stop being a jerk or they're going to just let you go back to get the shit beat out of you again."

"Aww," Bazz-said, yanking Renji closer and kissing him roughly, "I guess I'm gonna have to behave myself."

"Right," Renji said with mock sarcasm, "Like you even know how to do that!"