Chapter 9: Faded Footsteps
Kuchiki Tetsuya heard the sound of thunder in the distance and shifted softly in Aizen Sousuke's arms. He had been feeling deeply relaxed, his body deliciously sated and still humming with completion, and even with the approach of the rain, much of that warmth remained, but somewhere beneath his skin, he felt the swirl of soft voices, the disruption of the calm…the murky remains of memory…
He turned in his sleep, his slender body beginning to glisten with sweat, despite the cold, and he moaned uncomfortably as the memory invaded his sleep.
Lightning flashed, the thunder cracked at nearly the same time, and he thought he heard a woman's voice cry out…and maybe another, speaking in a low tone. He couldn't make out the words, but he climbed out of his bed and slipped into the hallway, moving on silent feet. The voices came from the bedroom, but the male voice wasn't his father's…and anyway, his father had gone to the living world on an emergency.
"Come with me, now. We'll go somewhere and talk about this. I know you're hiding something…something that the two of you don't want anyone to know. I know you don't want the boy to hear, so we'll go up to the waterfall."
Tetsuya ducked behind a chair as the two came out of the bedroom and into the sitting room. They were quiet as they moved to the door and slipped out into the rain. Tetsuya waited, peeking out a corner of the window, then slipped outside after they had gone out the gate. The gate hadn't closed all of the way behind them and blew open and slammed shut repeatedly as he moved towards it. He moved through it and closed it behind him, quieting the slamming noise. He moved forward, disappearing into the trees and ignoring the driving rain that struck his face and quickly soaked him to the skin. He hurried towards the waterfall, careful not to close in too quickly. Soon, the trees fell away and he spotted the sakura trees that dotted the top of the cliff. He was still among the brush when he heard raised voices. Then his heart froze as he heard his mother scream. He bolted from the trees, running forward recklessly, sliding to a terrified stop as he saw a man standing at the edge of the cliff, looking down, water running down off of his face. Lightning flashed, lighting his face as he turned and saw the small boy running at him. Tetsuya grabbed a large pointed stick and launched himself at the man, screaming.
"You made her fall!"
The man's eyes found his in another flash of lightning.
"No, princeling, it was an accident. Come, let's see if we can find her."
"No! You're not touching her!"
The man's hands curled and clenched his shirt front, lifting him.
"She's worth a fortune."
"Let me go!" he screamed, "Mom!"
"And I'd wager, you're worth even more!"
The man raised his clenched fist and deep red light flared.
"You're going to take a little nap, princeling," the man growled, "Now, be quiet!"
As the kido spell completed itself and shot towards him, Tetsuya turned his head and sank his teeth into the man's hand. The man screamed.
"You little bastard!" he howled, letting go with one hand and hitting him hard with a clenched fist.
Pain exploded through his head and blue light flared around his body. He heard the man scream in pain again and the hand that held him let go. He tried to remain conscious as he dropped from the cliff and into the lake, but darkness swirled around him. He tried to scream for help, but water invaded his mouth and filled his lungs. Senselessness passed over him and his eyes opened wide and saw a shining blue light moving towards him. He couldn't move or speak anymore and his heart knew that he was dying. Everything went quiet all around him. And as he lost consciousness, he heard a soft, laughing voice whisper to him.
"It's all right, Master. I have you now. Sleep."
Tetsuya's eyes opened and he found his heart was racing and he was in a sweat. Lightning flashed and thunder sounded nearly on top of it. Rain pelted the roof of the small cottage. He turned his head and made certain that Sousuke was asleep, then slipped out of bed. He wrapped his yukata around his slim, shaking form and walked out of the bedroom and down the hall, looking at the place he had hidden that night. He crept quietly to the front door and stepped outside, closing the door behind him. The rain poured down all around him and the whistling wind bent the branches of the trees. He shivered in the light clothing he wore, but felt drawn through the gardens and to the back gate. He passed through the gate and onto the forest path, hardly aware of his bare feet gathering cold mud from the dirt trail. He reached up to brush the hair out of is eyes, then paused and looked back behind him.
All seemed quiet, but for the storm.
He made his breathing silent and listened to the howling wind as he moved forward on the trail, teased forward by the voices from his dreams.
"I did see something," he said softly, "That man…he grabbed her…and she screamed."
He reached the stand of sakura trees at the end of the trail and walked forward to where he had run that night. He paused, looking down at where his feet sank into the mud, remembering.
"He said she was worth a fortune, and I was, too. I don't understand. She was a peasant. Did he mean to abduct us?" he whispered.
He closed his eyes, straining to remember.
"And who was this man? I didn't see his face clearly because of the rain and the heavy cloak he wore. I wasn't sure of his voice. It was distorted by the wind and the cloak."
He looked out over the dark cliff.
"What happened? What happened that night?"
He heard a footstep behind him and started to turn. He saw the flash of a sword as lightning lit the area and his hand came up to push it aside. The wielder turned his body to strike again and his body impacted with Tetsuya's, forcing him over the ledge. His eyes opened wide as he began to fall another flash of memory returned to him.
Of course…I would have died…but for you…Reku-hime…
He managed to splash down without hurting himself and turned back to see two dark forms flash stepping down from the cliff. He submerged himself immediately and turned in a direction that he hoped would take him to the waterfall. He surfaced near it and slipped behind it, watching as the two searched the black, rain splashed water for him.
"Do you think he survived?" a muffled voice said.
"He did last time," said a second.
"I don't know how."
"The rain's letting up. Even if he didn't drown, I don't sense him. Come on, we should get out of here."
The two flash stepped back up the longer trail and Tetsuya watched them leave.
"It doesn't take too much imagination to think of who you two are," he mused, "but why kill me now? How did you know I would come here? How are you two connected to the one who was here that night?"
His mind ached with questions.
"Tetsuya?" Sousuke's voice called.
"Oh, sweet kami, no! Souske!"
He hastily found the nearest edge and pulled himself out of the water. He heard noises up on the trail and heard his name called again, this time by Byakuya. He tried to climb to his feet and felt a sharp ache in his ribs. His head, too ached and swam.
"Tetsuya!" Byakuya called again.
"I'm here!" he called back, pushing himself onto hands and knees.
Three dark figures flash stepped to where he knelt, catching his breath. He looked up, relieved to see the faces of Byakuya, Renji and Sousuke looking back at him.
"Kami, I'm glad to see you!" he panted.
"I imagine," Byakuya said, kneeling in the mud in front of him, "Are you all right? Can you stand?"
"Allow me," said Sousuke.
"Oh, there's no need," Tetsuya started to say, but found himself unable to object as Sousuke's warm lips silenced his.
"We should go back," Renji said, looking up at the trail above them. You shouldn't be out here like this, Sousuke. Someone could see."
"He's right," Tetsuya said, blinking the rain out of his eyes, "There were two men here."
"Is that how you ended up in the water?" Byakuya asked, frowning.
"Yes, one attacked me. I couldn't see who they were, and their voices were muffled, but I think it was our two new councilors."
"New councilors?" asked Renji.
Byakuya nodded.
"There were two councilors appointed while Tetsuya and I were busy in the spirit realm. They are definitely not friendly towards us and now it looks like they are planning some sort of takeover. They obviously want Tetsuya out of the way."
"You and I are powerful working together as we are," agreed Tetsuya, "but I think it's more than that. I didn't tell you before, Byakuya…mostly because I returned home late, but also because I was confused about why it happened. But those two new councilors were waiting for me when I left the council hall tonight. They brought up my mother's accident and they threatened to make trouble for me over it if I did not resign. I think that when they couldn't intimidate me that way, they may have tried to think of another."
He winced as the pain in his side sharpened.
"Are you hurt?" Sousuke asked quickly, his dark eyes concerned.
"I…I think I landed poorly," he answered.
"Let's get him back to the manor," Byakuya said, turning.
"Byakuya-sama," Tetsuya said, "I am sure that whoever did this will be keeping a watchful eye out for my return. They weren't sure of my fate. Perhaps we should leave them in doubt. Byakuya nodded and handed Tetsuya a key.
"You and Sousuke are to use the concealed exit to leave the manor. That key will open the office of my division. You may stay in my quarters and Renji and I will meet you personally in the morning."
"Arigato, Cousin," Tetsuya said gratefully, "I think I will have less trouble sleeping now."
"Good," said Byakuya quietly, "Just stay in my quarters and you will be safe for the night."
Tetsuya nodded.
"Let me down."
"Why?" asked Sousuke, smiling, "Don't you like me carrying you around?"
"I have a faster way to reach the sixth division," he said, his legs shaking slightly as he was set on his feet.
He whistled softly and they heard hoofbeats approaching.
Aizen gazed at him for a moment.
"You're not afraid of getting struck by lightning?" he asked, looking amused.
"Arashi is not going to let that happen," he said assuredly, "He won't be flying. And even if he was, he can sense its path before it strikes."
"Ah…" said Sousuke, helping the injured noble onto the Pegasus's back.
He lifted himself onto the equine and settled in place behind Tetsuya, wrapping his arms around the noble.
"Be careful," Byakuya warned them.
"We will," Sousuke promised as the Pegasus turned and broke into a canter.
Byakuya and Renji watched them disappear, then turned back to the manor. He noticed Renji studying him worriedly.
"What is it?" he asked quietly.
"I was thinking," said Renji, "If those two councilors are trying to get rid of Tetsuya, they might do something to you…if not now, then soon. We should put a guard on our room tonight."
Byakuya turned his head and smiled at the redhead.
"Renji, are you concerned that you might not be able to provide me with suitable protection tonight?" he asked teasingly, "You should have more confidence in yourself."
"Aww, come on!" Renji complained, "I don't want to have to stay up all night, and if I do fall asleep, you know I sleep like a log. The dead couldn't wake me!"
"Well then," said Byakuya, perhaps we can find something to do with our time while we are lying awake with you worrying?"
They reached the back gate and Byakuya held it open as Renji passed through it. The noble closed the gate and swept the garden with his senses.
"Are you suggesting something, Taichou?"
"Renji," said Byakuya, "It sounds very provocative when you call me that while preparing to attack me as soon as we are in our room."
"I know," said the redhead, wrapping an arm around his waist, "That's why I do it."
"I figured," Byakuya said as they passed into their bedroom and shut the door.
They stepped into the dressing area and removed their wet cloaks, then stripped down and put on fresh yukatas. They stood in the dressing area for several minutes exchanging deep, penetrating kisses.
"Mmhmmm…" moaned Renji softly, "Are you sure we should get all distracted like this? Aren't you worried that those two might somehow find your cousin…or sneak in here?"
"They aren't here," Byakuya said with certainty, "and the sixth division is under heavy guard because some of the Royal Guardsmen decided to settle in the barracks there. I assure you, everything will be fine as long as my cousin doesn't go wandering again. After the king's visit, we must help Tetsuya get to the bottom of what's troubling him."
"Yeah, it was strange, him wandering off like that."
Renji lifted Byakuya into his arms.
"What are you doing?" the noble asked, "I can manage to walk as far as the bed."
"Ah yes, you can," said Renji, grinning, "but judging by what I plan to do to you once we get there, I think it might be best for you to save your strength."
"Mercy," said Byakuya coyly, "Should I call for the guards?"
"You should," said Renji dropping him onto the bed and laying his body on top of the noble's, "But I think in a minute, your mouth will be far too busy!"
Before the noble could answer, Renji's mouth claimed his and his hands opened the front of his yukata. Faced with that sweet invasion, Byakuya sighed contentedly and decided that help was not a necessity.
XXXXXXXXXX
Arashi dropped down around the corner from the sixth division in a small alleyway. Tetsuya slid down, and Sousuke after him, and the noble whispered a command to the warhorse, sending him trotting off into the darkness. Sousuke wrapped an arm around him and the two walked around the corner and to the front of the sixth division. The lights were out as they entered, but they could sense the presence of others in the barracks nearby.
"There are Royal Guardsmen staying here tonight," Aizen said as they moved to the taichou's quarters and slipped inside.
They walked into the dressing area and shed their clothes, then donned fresh yukatas. Aizen frowned as he examined the heavy bruising on the noble's ribs and hip.
"You did land badly," he said quietly, "I'll need to see to that."
Tetsuya laid down on the bed and gazed up, smiling at his lover as Sousuke's warm hands and even warmer reiatsu touched the bruised area, filling it with healing power.
"So," Sousuke said quietly, "What made you wander off like that?"
"It was the storm," he admitted, "I started to remember something and I left to see if more would come back."
"And did you remember anything more?"
"Perhaps," the noble mused, "but I am still a long way from understanding."
As the relief of healing flowed through him. He began to drift off.
"Sousuke," he said softly, "arigato. I am sorry for worrying you."
"Well," said the brown-eyed shinigami, smiling back at him, "I think I shall just have to watch you a bit more closely."
"How closely?" asked the noble, wrapping his arms around his lover and pulling him down.
Sousuke settled his body on top of Tetsuya's and began kissing his way up the graceful, white throat.
"I think just a little closer than this, and you will not wander off again."
"Oh…" the noble sighed as warm hands parted his thighs and his lover settled between them, "I think if you are this close, I shall have no choice but to stay put."
"We shall see."
