Chapter 9: Surrounded

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Even as our enemies close in around us, we have eyes only for each other, hearts that beat together and hands that hold on tightly. Let your lips meet mine for one last kiss...then let me go. For I would rather die than be the death of you.

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"You were sloppy," the brown haired man chided the two men who approached the mirrored pool, where he sat, observing the confrontation between Byakuya and Tetsuya, "Had Aizen seen you..."

"We made sure he neither saw nor sensed us."

"But he got a look at you. You are lucky that Tetsuya was incapacitated."

"Our apologies, of course, sir," the two men said, bowing.

The brown haired man tilted his head, watching appreciatively as Tetsuya escaped Byakuya's senkei and reappeared in his advanced waterform in the cabin in the living world.

"That is a new ability," he commented, nodding his approval, "He continues to grow stronger...in powers, and in his determination to see Sousuke Aizen cleared. He is close now. I observed earlier that he has proof of conspiracy. He is almost there. He has only to find the evidence that Yasu Iitoku concealed, and then we can make our move. We just want to be sure that he has gathered everything first. Taking care of that all at once is a priority."

"But no one has been able to find Yasu Iitoku's evidence," objected one of the two subordinates, "Not in all of this time."

"Well," said the brown haired man, "Our Tetsuya is very determined and resourceful. I am sure that he will find what he is looking for very soon. So you will need to stay close to them."

He looked up at the open balcony doors that overlooked the part of the garden where he sat, and sighed softly.

"As much as it hastens the passing of my dear Mitsuru, I ache for an end to this...and a new beginning as rightful..."

He paused and stared down into the water.

"What is it, my lord?" asked his subordinate, "Is something wrong?"

"There is a dramatic disturbance in his reiatsu," the brown haired man said, frowning with concern, "I think it is the child."

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Tetsuya felt the return of discomfort as soon as his soul settled inside the set waterform within the barrier. Dizziness swept over him and his heart pounded oddly. His abdomen ached fiercely and it felt as though the blood had caught fire inside his veins.

Master, are you all right? Re-kuhime's voice called into his mind.

Tetsuya sat up, then winced and brought a hand to his abdomen, taking short, panting breaths as the pain blossomed and spread. The zanpakutou spirit appeared on the bed beside him and eased him back down, onto his side.

Arashi, Tetsuya warned the stallion, You must find Sousuke, quickly!

He felt the fleeting brush of Arashi's thoughts as the stallion flash stepped away from the cabin. Re-kuhime collected a wet cloth and cooled his face with it, as Tetsuya took slower breaths to calm his struggling body.

"What is this?" he whispered, "What is happening? I was fine before! Is this...? It couldn't be my fault...for pushing myself."

"Don't worry about that right now," Re-kuhime said, curling a hand into his, "You weren't straining yourself. The outlay of power wasn't that great, even considering the use of your new form. This is something else."

"S-sousuke warned me not to pursue this," Tetsuya panted as the pain flared again, "Had I remained here..."

"Master, do not do that. Do not blame yourself. Your body wasn't made to endure childbirth. And that places unusual stress on you. Do not make it worse by tormenting yourself. This is not your fault."

"But if I had stayed within the barrier..."

He broke off, realizing that Aizen had appeared in the room and was rushing to his side.

"Arashi told me that you were in distress," the older shinigami said quickly, "I returned as quickly as I could."

"Sousuke," Tetsuya gasped, catching his breath as another pain jolted his body, "I don't know what is wrong! But it feels like I am on fire inside."

Aizen leaned over him and examined him briefly. His eyes darkened and his lips tightened as he realized.

"Your reatsu has destabilized," he told the noble, "You need healing at once."

"But we...cannot show our selves!"

He inhaled sharply as Aizen lifted him and shattered the protective barrier.

"Sousuke!" cried Tetsuya, "Sousuke, don't! We'll be sensed! Please stop!"

But the deadly intensity that had darkened the man's eyes told the young noble that his lover was not of a mind to listen, so he clung to Aizen's shoulder as he flash stepped into Karakura Town and turned towards the river area.

"Where are we going?" Tetsuya panted.

Aizen didn't answer, but Tetsuya recognized the area.

"Not to Kisuke Urahara..."

"No," Aizen said, shortly.

"Orihime?"

"Yes."

Tetsuya settled against Aizen's shoulder, taking comfort in his lover's intense strength. Aizen carried him past Urahara's shop and some distance on, before coming to an apartment complex and flash stepping up onto one of the balconies. He swept inside, earning a soft gasp of surprise from the female resident. Orihime's eyes went wide at seeing who it was who had invaded her home, but upon seeing Tetsuya, she led them quickly into one of the bedrooms, where Aizen laid his noble mate down on the bed and sat down next to him.

"He is with child," Aizen explained, "and his reiatsu has destabilized. He needs to be brought back into balance, or..."

All three understood the rest without him finishing the sentence. Orihime sat down next to Tetsuya and raised a golden healing shield over him. She focused deeply, first restoring his drained reiatsu, then working to bring the jumbled elements within it back into balance. She proceeded in silence for several long minutes, then looked up at Aizen with a worried expression.

"What is it?" Aizen asked sternly.

"I was able to bring him to the full strength of his reiatsu, but the disruption in the spirit particles is interfering with my powers. I know that balance needs to be restored, but I don't know as much about how it works as a shinigami healer. I need a healer to help me."

Aizen frowned.

"Is Hanatarou Yamada in Karakura Town?"

"No," said Orihime, "A state of emergency was called when it was sensed that you were still alive. The shinigamis not needed to protect the town directly were called back to the Seireitei for briefing."

Aizen's eyes flickered dangerously, and his reiatsu hummed threateningly around them. He thought in silence for several minutes, then looked down at Tetsuya's pained expression and loosed a sigh of resignation.

"I am not going to just sit here and let them die," he said quietly.

His hand moved to Kyouka Suigetsu, but then he paused and glanced at Tetsuya again. His eyes registered sudden comprehension, and he extended a hand and summoned Re-kuhime to his hand. Orihime made a sound of surprise.

"Isn't that Tetsuya's sword?" she asked, wide-eyed.

"We are soul bonded so I am able to borrow his powers," Aizen explained, "Continue to heal him. I will make sure that help reaches us."

Orihime nodded and resumed her task.

"What are you going to do?" Tetsuya asked softly.

Aizen squeezed his hand and smiled.

"I am going to find a healer."

"But we'll be captured, won't we?" the noble objected.

Aizen shook his head and his smile became more of a self satisfied smirk.

"I think not," he replied, giving Tetsuya a kiss of farewell, "Rest now. I will be back soon."

"Sousuke," the noble whispered, watching him go, "Be careful. You are not immortal anymore."

He looked up at Orihime, his heart aching with worry.

"Is the baby all right?"

Orihime nodded.

"The reiatsu cluster and chamber seem to have some way of protecting themselves from what is happening to your reiatsu. But they can't do that forever. I hope he comes back quickly."

"I'm sure that he will," Tetsuya said, breathing a sigh of relief as the human girl cooled his face again with a wet cloth, "He knows what is at stake and he is determined."

"He is," Orihime agreed, "I just wonder what his plan is."

"I think that maybe we are better off not knowing," Tetsuya commented, shaking his head, "He calls me reckless, but I think that man invented the concept."

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Aizen leaned forward and sent Arashi moving into flash steps. They passed through the precipice world, cloaked in illusion and setting off the Seireitei alarms. But even as shinigami guards flooded the area, they failed to see the stallion and rider that proceeded at top speed past them. Horse and rider burst out of the central senkaimon and raced past the sentries at the Seireitei gates. Aizen turned Arashi in the direction of the fourth division and drew Re-kuhime. He set a number of waterforms along the path to the fourth division, hoping that he wouldn't need them. He sighed in frustration as new alarms rang out around him, telling him that the formidable sensors in the area had picked them up again. He shook his head and set himself to the arduous task of altering his reiatsu as Arashi continued to run for the fourth division. He registered relief as they managed to avoid being sensed while continuing forward.

Arashi slid to a stop outside the fourth division, and Aizen quickly invoked his powers to make himself appear as just another healer. He walked into the fourth division and was ignored by everyone around him as he sought one particular healer's reiatsu. He located it and proceeded to the office, where he opened the door and stepped inside. The healer in the office turned to face him, her eyes widening as he revealed himself.

"Retsu Unohana," he said quietly, "I am not here to do any harm. There is someone who very much needs your help. Will you assist him, with the understanding that I will release you unharmed when he is healed?"

"You are referring to Tetsuya Kuchiki, ne?" the healer said, looking oddly unruffled.

"Yes," Aizen affirmed, "His reiatsu has destabilized and he and our child are in danger of being lost."

Unohana nodded immediately.

"I accept your terms," she said, watching him solemnly as he cloaked them in illusions.

He slipped a hand into hers and focused on a group of waterforms he had set near Orihime's home. The two felt an odd moment of disorientation, then found themselves standing in a park near Orihime's apartment.

"Fascinating," said Unohana, "This is Tetsuya Kuchiki's waterform ability?"

"Yes," answered Aizen, "I am able to use his powers because of our soul bond."

"I see," she said, taking a moment to study an unused waterform, "When we investigated the one he used in the Seireitei today, I noticed that his skill with them has improved."

Aizen's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing more as the two entered the apartment and proceeded to the bedroom. Captain Unohana joined Orihime next to Tetsuya and added her own powers to those of the human girl.

"Just so that you are not taken by surprise," Unohana said to Aizen, "I was able to tell that we have been sensed here. If you are going to figure a way out, then you had better work on that as we heal Tetsuya."

Aizen nodded briefly and exited the room. Tetsuya watched him go, then looked up at Captain Unohana's gentle face.

"Will you tell me something?" the noble asked softly, "Captain Unohana, is this...what is happening...is it...my fault? I did use my powers today...to create an advanced waterform. Sousuke said that I shouldn't push myself. Was he right? Was I putting our child in danger?"

The healer smiled sadly and shook her head.

"You are a male, and your body was not meant for making children. So although you are coping well, for the most part, you may experience more complications as you progress. It may have increased the demands on your body to use your powers, however, you were likely to suffer complications anyway. But do not fret, Tetsuya. This is nothing that Orihime and I cannot manage. We will set you right in no time."

The three caught their breath as a rumble of power shook the building. Tetsuya's expression grew tormented. It is them," he gasped softly, "They have found us!"

"It is the secret mobile corps," acknowledged Unohana, "however, they will not be able to reach us for the time being."

"What do you mean?" the noble asked, frowning in confusion.

"I came here with Sousuke Aizen under a flag of truce...to treat your medical condition. No one from our side may advance while we are under those conditions. Rest easy, Tetsuya. I am going to heal you. And if I know Sousuke Aizen, he will have thought of a way out of here by the time I am done."

Tetsuya went quiet, his sapphire eyes glistening with tears as he considered what he had done. Unohana observed him silently as she continued his healing, then when she judged him to be out of danger, she continued speaking.

"You look very troubled, Tetsuya Kuchiki. I think that you are in turmoil over something. Would you like to get it off of your chest? Perhaps it would help to speak of it to someone."

Tetsuya let out a gentle, wounded breath.

"Sousuke was right," he said in a choked voice, "It was reckless of me to attempt to win his freedom while encumbered like this. I could have lost our child. I know you will tell me that it wasn't my fault...but you did admit that using my powers could have contributed to this. He told me not to leave the cabin..."

"And you should have listened," said Aizen's voice from the doorway.

Tetsuya froze, staring at his dark, angry expression. Unohana read the tension between them and quickly acted to head it off.

"This isn't good for Tetsuya," she said firmly, "Whatever he might have done, he seems to have reconsidered his actions. And besides, you have more to think about, Sousuke Aizen, than just that."

"I know that the secret mobile corps has arrived," he answered, taking a step towards the bed, "And we will be leaving."

His eyes glared at Tetsuya intently.

"But first, I will make sure that he is unable to place himself in harm's way again."

Tetsuya came to his feet and backed away, until he touched the wall and could go no further. Aizen advanced, cornering him, then raised his reiatsu until the noble could no longer move except to speak.

"Sousuke Aizen," Unohana said warningly.

"I will not harm him," Aizen said in a low, dangerous tone, "But I will put an end to his reckless behavior for the duration of his pregnancy."

"No!" gasped Tetsuya, struggling to break free, "Sousuke, don't!"

"Then promise me...give me your word that you will end this useless attempt to have my conviction overturned."

Tetsuya's jaw clenched and sweat broke out on his forehead as Aizen glared into his eyes.

"You can't, can you?" he asked softly, gathering his power, "You have a very stubborn nature. But I do not have chances to take when it comes to you and our child, Tetsuya. You may hate me for it, but I am going to stop you...one way or another."

"Sousuke...!"

"If you are speaking to give me your word that you will stop," Aizen said, touching a palm to the noble's chest, "then, by all means, go on. But if you are going to argue the point, then stop now. I won't hear it."

"You can't do this!" gasped Tetsuya, struggling harder, "Stop trying to...!"

He stiffened as a pulse of kido passed through him, leaving him unable to speak and dropping him into Aizen's arms. Aizen turned his head and spoke quietly into the unconscious noble's ear.

"You must understand, my love, for your safety and our child's, I will do anything. And I have no apologies to offer you for that. I will accept you hating me for it, even leaving me if you must. But I will not lose you and our child to death, Tetsuya. I won't allow it, even if I have to leave you unconscious until the child is born."

"I don't think that will be necessary," said Captain Unohana, "He was quite clear on how his actions might have put additional strain on his body. I am sure that he would have been more cautious, even had you not induced unconsciousness. I know that you are well meaning in this, Sousuke Aizen, but perhaps a less extreme approach with him would be advisable."

Aizen shook his head dismissively.

"I know him. He won't stop on his own. He is far too set on this. He will not listen to reason."

"Nor will you entertain for a moment that if you assisted him, he might well be able to get your conviction overturned."

"But at what cost?" Aizen said, stiffening, "I don't doubt Tetsuya's capability as a diplomat, but he is not up to this, and I won't allow it to go on."

"Then," said Unohana, fixing a calm blue eye on him, "You may want to consider at least listening to what he has to say. Perhaps then, he wouldn't need to fight you so stubbornly. You could perhaps reach agreement. But the two of you being at odds like this will not help any of you, especially your child. You might consider that and take a different path, rather than trying to overpower him, just because the two of you disagree."

"I will consider that," said Aizen, turning away, "later...when our child is born."

He looked down at Tetsuya, then back over his shoulder.

"He will be all right now?"

"Yes. His systems are in balance and should remain stable as long as he confines himself to normal activity."

"I assume you don't mean his interpretation of normal," Aizen muttered.

Captain Unohana gave a troubled sigh as she watched Aizen carry Tetsuya out of the room. She felt a flash of power and the receding of their reiatsu from the area, shook her head in frustration.

"They are both far too stubborn, I think," she muttered, as the door burst open and secret mobile corps flooded the room, "but I do not think I have ever seen a man so in love as Sousuke Aizen is right now."

Orihime nodded.

"And it's obvious too that Tetsuya is very much in love with him too. I think he can't help but want to see Sousuke Aizen freed."

"And Sousuke Aizen will stop at nothing to protect Tetsuya and their child. They are at cross purposes for now, but I think that once they are alone, they will begin to work things out."

"If he lets Tetsuya wake up," said Orihime, "He was so angry..."

"He was angry," agreed the healer, "but once he is sure that he has brought Tetsuya's reckless tendencies under control, he will listen to what Tetsuya says."

"But how will he do that?" Orihime queried, wide-eyed.

"In his own unique way, I suppose," Captain Unohana sighed.