Chapter 9: Things Given
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This love I feel is a full surrender. No matter what comes, I will not leave your side. And I will give all of myself to protect you. I ask nothing in return, but see the promise written deep within your eyes.
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"Damn!" hissed Kisuke, "We've been found again!"
Byakuya took Renji's hand and followed silently through the darkness, out the back of the abandoned building they had been in and into the field beyond. They moved in soft flash steps, side by side through the long grass and into the next neighborhood, where Kisuke paused, listening to the raised voices in the distance.
"Byakuya-san," he said in a low voice, "I am not going to be able to place the reiatsu in Renji in a containment chamber. As you can see, we are being viciously pursued. So you are going to have to use your powers on Renji as I said, but because there is no chamber, you can expect that the hollow will have control. I will warn you that Renji's reiatsu is weakening. We have to get that hollow out of him as soon as possible."
Byakuya thought for a moment, then met his eyes warily.
"Can you move the hollow…into my body instead?" he asked softly.
"If I did that, Renji would still be too weak already to be any help to us. And you would weaken as well. No. We have to leave it where it is and have you use your healing powers to stabilize it."
"Without a chamber?"
"Yes. It can be done, but it will put a greater strain on you because the power is dispersed instead of compacted. You and Renji will have to eat and drink to sustain yourselves during the process. It will be pretty demanding. You will have to do this while trying to stay out of sight."
He handed the noble a business card.
"This is an old friend in the next town. Take Renji and go to him. He runs a bar there and he owes me a few favors. He'll probably ask you to help him out in exchange for room and food. Stay with him. Keep your gigais on except when you are stabilizing the hollow…and even when you do that, conceal yourselves in a reiatsu cage. That way, you won't be traced. Go now!"
Byakuya nodded and held Renji's hand as they flash stepped away. Kisuke watched them leave and then disappeared, himself. Byakuya looked back behind them and saw and sensed no sign of pursuit. He slowed to a walk to conserve energy and to give off less reiatsu. Renji followed quietly, his eyes on Byakuya.
They reached the end of town and crossed several wide fields, then passed into the next town. They moved down the dark, quiet streets, following the directions on the back of the card and soon found themselves outside wooden building with the name Yuu's on the sign outside. They entered the bar and were stricken by the smells of smoke and alcohol. Byakuya led Renji to the bar and approached the bartender, who was middle-aged and medium height with short brown hair and friendly brown eyes.
"I am looking for the owner," Byakuya told the man, "I am a friend of Urahara Kisuke."
"Urahara-san, eh? Haven't seen him for a while…"
The man gave Byakuya a closer look, then nodded.
"This way," he said, leaving another worker behind the bar.
They walked up a set of stairs and into a living section above the bar. They followed the man into one of the rooms and he closed the door behind them.
"I am Yuu," said the man.
He reached out a rough, calloused hand, which Byakuya accepted. Yuu's eyes narrowed and he pulled Byakuya's hand into the light. He studied it for a moment, stroking the back gently. Then he studied the noble appraisingly from head to toe.
"You say you will work for room and meals for the two of you?" he asked.
"I will," Byakuya said, "My colleague is…mute…and so I don't know that…"
"Oh…I have jobs for both of you," he said, giving them a kind, but slightly crooked smile, "You see, this isn't just any old bar. The ones who come here are…well, they're on the other side…you know, not interested in ladies. They like men."
Byakuya's eyes widened.
"Gomen nasai, when I said work, I did not mean…"
"Easy there, princess," Yuu said quickly, "You don't have to fuck them. I got other guys to do that. You can just be some eye candy and help me serve their drinks. And your friend can help me by throwing out any punks that come in to cause trouble. Can you handle that?"
Byakuya nodded.
"That will be acceptable. Arigato. But you should know that we are trying to avoid attention."
Yuu chuckled amiably.
"I doubt someone as pretty as you can do that, ne?"
He laughed again at the flush that rose on the noble's cheeks.
"Here," he said, handing Byakuya two necklaces.
Each was bright silver with a red stone.
"Wear them when you work. Blue stone means 'Ask me' and red stone means 'hands off.' The regulars all know, but the occasional newcomer might need a reminder."
He looked around the room they were in.
"You and your friend okay sharing a bed?" he asked, "This room only has one, but one of you could use the couch I suppose."
"This will be fine," said Byakuya, "Again, arigato."
Yuu tilted his head slightly.
"You are just lovely…and the way you talk…"
He walked to the door, then paused and looked back.
"You know, if your strong silent type over there ever does you wrong, I'll be happy to take care of you…"
Byakuya blinked and stared, but couldn't think of an answer.
"Cute," Yuu said and left the room, closing the door behind him.
Byakuya shook his head and sighed in annoyance.
"Why I ever trusted Urahara-san…but then, he did send us somewhere they aren't likely to look. No one would believe I'd ever set foot in a place like this…"
He heard footsteps in the hallway, soft laughter, then a door opening and closing. A few minutes later, moans and gasps of pleasure began to leak through the walls. He looked back at Renji, who sat quietly on the couch, watching him.
"I imagine that we should see to the reiatsu stabilization," he said, taking Renji's hand and leading him to the bedroom.
They removed their gigais and Renji laid down on the bed, while Byakuya knelt next to him, first raising a reiatsu cage to hide the exchange of spirit energy, then extending his hands over the redhead. He moved slowly from head to foot, releasing his reiatsu into Renji's body and letting it run through the length and breadth of him, chasing the hollow reiatsu, curling around it and slowly stabilizing it. His head bowed and the power burned in his veins. Renji reached up to touch his face with gentle fingertips as he worked and Byakuya smiled down at him. He remained at the redhead's side, working for several hours at the exchange, then sliding back and withdrawing his hands. He climbed slowly to his feet, then fell to his knees on the floor, his head spinning. He felt warm arms wrap around him, lifting him gently and setting him down on the bed.
"We have to put on our gigais," Byakuya said sleepily, "They help to conceal us."
Renji put on his gigai, then helped Byakuya into his and laid down next to him on the bed. Byakuya turned and curled into the redhead's arms, resting his head on a muscular shoulder.
"Arigato, Renji," he said quietly, "I shouldn't have tried to get up so quickly after the stabilization. Kisuke did warn me that it would be taxing. But…I do have to work…"
Renji's fingertips touched his lips, silencing him, then his fingers ran through the long strands of midnight black hair. Byakuya sighed and let himself drift off, promising himself that he would only rest for a short time before reporting to work. When he woke, it was already well into the next day. He dressed quickly and slipped out of the room, leaving Renji sleeping.
He returned to the bar and waited as Yuu served a customer.
"Weeell," said the bar owner, "I didn't mean that you had to start right away, princess…but seeing as you want to help, why don't you take these drinks over to the group of guys over there."
"My name is Byakuya," the noble said shortly, taking the tray and turning towards the waiting patrons.
"Byakuya," repeated the smiling bartender, "I like that…"
Byakuya reached the table and was immediately glad the he had some inkling of what the mixed drinks were. The patrons called them odd names, but he memorized them quickly as the afternoon wore on. The bar became busy in the evening as people left work and came to relax. Most of the patrons seemed to respect the meaning of the red stone, but as he delivered a drink to a very large, very drunk, unshaven man with ragged hair and horrid breath, the drunk wrapped a large hand around the noble's slender wrist and pulled him into his lap.
"Howzabowt some of your sweetness…" he drawled, grabbing Byakuya's chin and dragging him in for a kiss.
A quick strike to the solar plexus and the man fell forward, gasping. Byakuya rose, trying to ignore the eyes that watched from all around.
"Drag 'im outside," said Yuu, winking at Byakuya, "He's had enough!"
Two other employees dragged the man out the door and returned without him. Byakuya returned to the bar.
"Gomen nasai, I wasn't trying to cause trouble. I would like to avoid it."
"Fat chance, prin…er…Byakuya-san. You're going to get some of that. Look," he said, leaning closer, "I can see you haven't spent a lot of time in dumps like this, but Urahara-san wouldn't have sent you here unless he thought it was necessary, so just try to relax a bit and you'll fit in better."
He reached out and brushed several stray hairs away from the noble's eyes.
"You look tired, Byakuya-san. You didn't have to work so soon after arriving. Why don't you take some of the stew and tea from the kitchen and go upstairs and rest for the night? I'll have plenty for you to do tomorrow. You're a quick study. You did good for your first day…specially for a guy who doesn't look so much like he ever served anyone, but was served, if you know what I mean."
Byakuya nodded wordlessly and slipped into the kitchen. He spooned out two bowls of stew and poured the tea, then carried the tray upstairs to his room. Renji was awake and sitting quietly on the couch when he returned. He accepted the stew and tea and sat eating as Byakuya set down the tray with his food on it and turned toward the bedroom.
He longed to take off the confining gigai, but knew he couldn't afford to risk discovery. The human form had left him with aches and pains in his back and legs and his head ached from smelling alcohol and smoke all afternoon. He knew he should eat, but instead, removed his clothes and showered, then returned to the bed and collapsed onto it.
He looked up as the door opened and Renji entered, carrying the tray bearing his stew and tea. He set it in the noble's lap and sat down on the bed.
"Eat," he said firmly.
His stomach protested at the thought, but after the first few bites, he realized how hungry he actually was and finished the stew and tea. Seeing he was finished, Renji pulled the noble close and laid down on the bed. Byakuya curled into his arms and was asleep almost immediately.
The noble woke early the next morning still aching from the day before. He sealed the two of them into the reiatsu cage, before spending several hours stabilizing the hollow's reiatsu. As he finished the exchange, a soft knock sounded on the door. Byakuya left Renji sleeping and went to answer it. Yuu stood outside the door, holding a tray bearing fruit, oatmeal, toast and tea.
"Thought you might be hungry and I got a message from Urahara-san."
He handed Byakuya a small, white envelope and set the tray on the coffee table. Byakuya opened the note and read quickly.
Byakuya-san, We're making progress on our project. It shouldn't be too long. Sorry if the situation at Yuu's is a bit uncomfortable, but I really didn't have a better option. Keep your heads low. The secret mobile corps has been spotted in your town. Also, there have been quite a few hollow attacks in Karakura Town and the one you're in as well. Be cautious. I'll be in touch.
"Not good news, eh?" said the bar owner.
"It is not good or bad really…It just is…" Byakuya muttered.
He shook his head and sighed.
"Arigato, for bringing this. I appreciate your assistance."
"Ah, no problem…but…erm…maybe you might want to know. Someone came in after you went upstairs last night, asking a lot of questions…Tall guy with squinted eyes and silver hair."
Byakuya caught his breath softly.
"Gin," he whispered.
"I knew better than to tell him you were here. He didn't seem to know…just asked if anyone looking like you had been around. I said I hadn't seen you and he left."
"That man is dangerous," Byakuya told Yuu, "You may come to regret helping us."
"Nonsense," said Yuu, looking up as Renji came out of the bedroom and joined them, "Things have been boring around here…and besides, I owe Urahara-san. He got me out of a real jam a few years back. I'd tell the story, but I have to go. Got some repairs that are waiting. Maybe your friend can lend a hand."
"His name is Renji… and I am sure he would be willing to help you."
They followed Yuu back to the bar and Renji left to help the bar owner. Byakuya fell to assisting with the serving of drinks. He watched carefully, but saw no sign of Gin or anyone else who looked familiar. At some point, he noticed that Renji had returned and was now posted near the door, watching the room for any sign of trouble.
"Byakuya-san," said Yuu, "Would you mind taking that trash out to the dumpster in back?"
The noble nodded and picked up the bag Yuu had indicated. He carried it out the back of the bar and into the delivery area. He had just placed the bag in the dumpster, when strong arms grabbed him from behind and something crashed into the back of his head, sending him to his knees. His hand reached to remove the gigai to allow him use of his powers, but a hand slammed into his back, forcing him down onto his stomach.
"Awright, bitch," the drunk from the night before growled, "We'll see how you like getting knocked around…"
He twisted free and started to rise, then was thrown down again, by a second attacker. He heard low laughter as others joined the two. A filthy piece of cloth was shoved into his mouth and too many hands held him down. Clumsy hands clawed at him, tearing his clothes off.
"I get him first," said the drunk, "then you can do what you want with him."
There was more harsh laughter, then rough hands forced his legs apart. The drunk placed a hand on the back of Byakuya's neck and he lowered himself over the noble's back, moving in between his thighs.
"This is going to hurt, sweet thing…" he said in a low voice, "You look tight…"
Byakuya shivered as large fingers crawled down his back and touched him at his entrance. Then he heard the back door of the bar slam against the wall and the drunk was torn from his back. The hands holding Byakuya tore free and startled voices around him rose into shrieks. He pulled the gag from his mouth and looked up as Renji stood, holding his attacker by the throat, his eyes glowing a wicked red.
"N-no!" he gasped, ignoring the fact that he was naked, and surging to his feet.
He grabbed the redhead's arm.
"Just l-let them g-go, Renji," he pleaded.
He leaned closer.
"If you use your cero, you will give us away," he whispered, "Let them go."
Renji growled and shook the drunk once more…then he let the man drop into a heap on the ground. The back door of the bar banged open again and Yuu appeared with a shotgun in his hands. He aimed it at the attackers who remained, and laughed as they turned and fled. Soon, only the three were left on the back dock.
Yuu looked at Byakuya sympathetically.
"Damn, I'm sorry. They usually don't mess with us like that…"
"It's…I'm f-fine," Byakuya managed.
He caught his breath in surprise as Renji swept him into his arms and flash stepped back into the building and up the stairs so quickly that no one in the bar could see. He set Byakuya down on the couch and went into the bedroom. He returned a moment later with a brown yukata. Byakuya wrapped it around himself and tied it at the waist, then sat quietly as Renji removed his gigai and raised a reiatsu cage around them. He leaned over Byakuya, carefully healing him, then put his gigai back on and carried the noble to the bedroom. He laid Byakuya on the bed and climbed in next to him, then curled his body around him. Byakuya felt warm lips touch the back of his neck, then his shoulder.
"Arigato, Renji," he whispered, closing his eyes.
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Outside the bar, on the back dock, a dark form flash stepped into the delivery area and paused, reaching out with his senses. He walked in a slow circle and paused, then leaned down and picked up a piece of bloody clothing. He sniffed at it, then tasted it and smiled wickedly. He summoned a hell butterfly.
"Aizen-sama…I have picked up his trail…just outside of Karakura Town. I will have him for you soon."
