Chapter 10: Bonds of Fear

Byakuya tightened his legs around Arashi as the stallion charged forward, urged on by Tetsuya who, sensing nearby enemies, drew his sword with one hand while keeping the other around Byakuya's slender waist.

"We cannot avoid them completely," Tetsuya relayed to his cousin, "but Arashi is trying to make sure that we encounter lower levels as much as possible."

Byakuya scanned the forested area they moved through and shook his head worriedly.

"That they are this far from the central Seireitei means that they are likely assigned to conduct sweeps, looking for the concealed noble clan members. As many of the stronger clan members have already been brought down, they may not judge that they need their strongest fighters, however, be extremely cautious in the use of bankai, should we encounter trouble."

"Hai," Tetsuya said, reaching out with his senses.

He breathed a command to his zanpakutou and set several waterforms as they ran, giving them an escape route in case they were discovered. Several minutes later, Arashi made a sound of warning and loosed a volley of kido blasts at several foot soldiers that had strayed into their path. Not having heard the approaching stallion because of the nearby crashes and cries of battle, the enemy was bowled over and unable to rally as the tall, black horse thundered by them and away again. He quickened his pace, his ears laid back as he ran and his sharp eyes scanning the areas to the sides of the trail. Yet, even with both his eyes watching and Tetsuya's, the stallion was surprised a moment later, when a dark, malevolent form appeared on the path ahead. Instantly, Arashi loosed a blast of kido, but it was swiftly swallowed up by the enemy, whose dark, threatening eyes rose, revealing his features. Byakuya inhaled sharply, memory cracking across his mind with numbing force.

"Use an escape form!" he gasped, loosing a bright flash of kido to momentarily blind the enemy.

But for just a moment before the power came to life, Byakuya's eyes locked with As Nodt's, and the clan leader felt a chill slice through his body at the enemy's look of surprise, then the predatory smile. But just as the golden thorns began to form around him, Tetsuya sent a group of reflections of them running in all directions around the Sternritter, confusing him enough that they were able to escape using one of the waterforms that Tetsuya had set along the way. As they disappeared into the rush of copies, As Nodt's eyes turned a shade icier and he smirked.

You think you have escaped? You are very foolish, Kuchiki Byakuya. None have ever survived facing me. So none but you will ever have experienced the leavings of my power in their breached bodies. The effect is not permanent, of course. It will weaken over time as the reiatsu I placed in you via my thorns slowly breaks down. But...it will affect you for some time...and you are soon going to learn that it would have been better for you to die!

XXXXXXXXXX

"Howl, Zabimaru!" cried Renji, sending his weapon crashing through the sea of foot soldiers in front of him.

"Reap, Kazeshini!" cried Shuuhei, flash stepping forward.

"Damn!" muttered the redhead, "These guys may not have much power, but there are a fucking load of them, aren't there?"

"Yeah," agreed the ninth division fukutaichou, "I was thinking that myself. And you know, Renji, it's making me really uneasy."

"Me too," Renji admitted, "Kuchiki taichou always says that the intelligent enemy never makes a move that is wasteful. And if he sends a large group of low level fighters against you, you need to be asking where the tougher ones are."

"I agree, that's good advice," said Shuuhei, meeting Renji's eyes meaningfully, "Maybe we should look into that?"

Renji studied the battlefield and let out a soft puff of breath.

"But if we both leave, then our forces here will be left to their own devices. If one of the more powerful ones showed up then, it could be disastrous. One of us should stay."

Shuuhei studied the battlefield ahead of them as he launched another attack, raking through a group of advancing enemies.

"Go on," he said quietly, "I can look out for my guys and yours. I promise. I will call a retreat if one of the more powerful ones comes this way. I will take care of them."

"Thanks, Shuu," Renji said, reaching out with his senses and choosing a direction, "I don't know what these guys are up to, but I know it isn't good."

"Well," said the other fukutaichou, "Since they already took out Soutaichou and put two of our strongest taichous out of commission, and they attacked the councilors of Central 46 and the noble houses, they'll look for whatever of those made out the best last time, and seek to crush it this time."

Renji felt an uncomfortable pitch in his stomach as he considered that.

The Gotei 13 is in a shambles and Central 46 isn't even functional, to the point of us being under rules of martial law. That just leaves the noble houses, and among those, there's only one that escaped largely unscathed.

The Kuchiki clan...though I don't know if they know that Byakuya is even alive. But still, that clan has a number of elders with bankai, and they have Tetsuya, who also has bankai.

Damn!

I hope those guys are well hidden. But, I should probably check back with Byakuya to find out where they are so that we'll know if those bastards find them and go after them.

He took his weapon out of shikai and sheathed it, then flash stepped back in the direction of the healing center.

XXXXXXXXXX

Arashi changed routes, slowing somewhat as he was forced off the main trail and onto smaller foot trails that meandered through the trees. The sounds of battle faded into the distance behind them, and finally, the stallion slowed to a cooling walk as Tetsuya scanned the area around them.

"We seem to have eluded them for now. But...we had best get to cover. He saw us."

"Yes," Byakuya confirmed, "And he recognized me. I would say, by his expression that he was not aware that I was still alive."

"And he was likely not happy finding out that you are," Tetsuya said worriedly, "I want to think that he would write you off as not being a threat in your condition."

"But," Byakuya said softly, "As they have most certainly been instructed to break the back of the clans, they will pursue any living clan leader they spot, even an already weakened one. This is not child's play, but a meticulous, well thought out plan of destruction."

"I agree," said Tetsuya, "but that last move did fool him."

"We were lucky," said Byakuya, shaking his head, "We must be vigilant and pray that our luck continues to hold out."

They went quiet, listening to the softer, more normal forest sounds and keeping their senses carefully extended. Byakuya was encouraged by the return of peace to the area, and the fact that the creatures around them in the forest seemed to be convinced that the trouble had resolved itself.

But as I recall, As Nodt was capable of great stealth and of concealing his reiatsu to allow him greater mobility. After the way we came upon him so suddenly, I am even more convinced of this. Although my senses are not as sharp right now, Tetsuya's are in no way impaired. So then, we must remain cautious.

But as they moved forward, the area around them remained calm and peaceful, and the distant sounds of battle faded altogether.

"I wonder what they were trying to do," mused Tetsuya, "They used mostly foot soldiers in the central area and we saw only that one powerful Sternritter."

"You know what they were doing," Byakuya said solemnly, "They are sweeping the forested areas to try to find and decimate the hidden nobles. The ones they are successful in finding will be massacred. And the devastating fact is that we have nothing to resist them with. Everything in Soul Society is made of spirit particles, so whatever we throw at them, they simply absorb and use against us. The only damage I was able to do was with my shikai. I think that it was simply too fast for even that creature I fought to contend with. So...we should attempt to use speed and stealth as much as possible in our efforts."

Byakuya went quiet as they reached the sealed entrance to the underground caverns. Tetsuya smiled encouragingly as they passed through the seal.

"Well," he said, looking around at the comfortably furnished and fully stocked underground hideout, "I must say that despite being concerned that they are still searching so persistently for us, their search pattern was off this time."

Byakuya nodded.

"We must hope that our luck continues to hold out then."

Arashi stopped in the entry, and the three were quickly greeted by attendants. Arashi was led off to the animal housings and Koji urged Tetsuya in the direction of the baths. Torio dropped to his knees in front of Byakuya and bowed his head.

"The outer guards relayed that you were coming," the young attendant said in a shaky voice, his head lifting slightly so that his gentle brown eyes met the clan leader's, "I had thought that you were not well enough to come back to us, Byakuya-sama, but I am so glad to see you, sir!"

Tears leaked onto his face and he turned his head away again to hide them. I wanted to go to you, but we were warned not to leave here."

"And you were wise to listen to that advice, Torio," Byakuya said quietly, "Come now, I will need some assistance as my wounds are not yet fully healed."

"Of course, Byakuya-sama!" the youth said, brightening.

He rose and slipped an arm around the clan leader, turning him away from the main corridors to avoid him being seen as they headed towards the baths. Tetsuya and Koji were already undressed and standing beneath the warm fall of water in the bathing area when they arrived. Torio and Koji exchanged looks of greeting.

"Byakuya-sama," Tetsuya said, smiling.

Byakuya nodded silently, waiting as Torio undressed himself, laying a wrap around his waist, then undressed Byakuya and followed him to the falls.

"It is a good thing that we have always kept this place well provisioned," commented Tetsuya, "Several times, the council wanted to cut costs by neglecting it, but now I think they see the wisdom of you insisting that we maintain it always."

"Yes, we are fortunate," agreed Byakuya, slowly letting the warm water soothe his badly aching body, then sitting down in a nearby soaking pool to ease the pressure on his back and legs, "However, using our failsafe means that we are more vulnerable now. Should we be discovered, we will be at the mercy of the enemy, the elements and our own basic needs. Our situation is even more precarious than before."

"Yes," agreed Tetsuya, "But, we are still free. Some of the clans were so damaged that they had to flee to the Rukongai and are in hiding there. It is a kindness that the people of that place are so hospitable. But, I have heard that the Sternritters have threatened to level any district that hides noble family members. To prove their intent, they have already attacked and slaughtered most of the inhabitants of the fourteenth district, upon finding a group of nobles being hidden there. People are becoming terrified. And that is what our enemy wants. They want us to become so afraid for ourselves that we will no longer look out for each other."

"However," Byakuya said softly, visions of Hisana, Rukia, Renji and Tetsuya passing through his thoughts, "I do not think that they understand the strength of heart that guides much of the citizenry of the Rukongai. Those people are used to looking out for those in harsher circumstances than themselves. As we of the noble clans have our sort of pride, they have theirs as well."

"True," agreed Tetsuya, closing his eyes and stepping back under the fall of water to rinse himself clean.

The attendants finished bathing the two, then followed them back to the edge of the bathing pool. They dressed quickly, and Tetsuya moved to assist Byakuya as they led the noble to his quarters. Torio made the clan leader comfortable in the bed, then left to make tea. Tetsuya and Koji left, and Tetsuya returned a short time later alongside the clan's head elder.

"Nori," Byakuya greeted the old man, "I am glad that you are well. What are our circumstances?"

Nori sat down at Byakuya's bedside, his aged blue eyes fixing on the clan leader.

"The main compound and Kuchiki council hall were successfully evacuated and the family archive was locked down so that no one will be able to enter but you or one bearing your token of permission. The council and stronger subfamily leaders provided protection during the evacuation and we had no losses of women or children. We did lose a number of house guards who led the enemy away, and we lost Leiko and Isas of the subfamilies when they created a diversion to keep us from being seen as we crossed over into the protected area here. But...they took all enemies with them, so there was no one to report what happened."

"I see," Byakuya said, lowering his eyes as he remembered the faces of the fallen, "We have been fortunate. But you need to meet with the council and inform them that sweeps of the forested areas are being conducted by the enemy. Security must be kept tight, and we must be prepared to evacuate the compound if we should be discovered."

"Of course," said Nori, "But do you not wish to meet with the council yourself, Byakuya-sama?"

Byakuya shook his head gently.

"It is common knowledge that my strength was broken and that I am relatively powerless."

"But yours has not been ruled a 'permanent condition,' ne? You are...?"

"I am able to walk and speak to some extent, and my reiatsu is slowly returning to normal levels. However, Senbonzaukra is still recovering, so I command only the flash step and some kido abilities. And even when my weapon will come to my hand again, I have lost use of my bankai. Not only that, but it is in the hands of the enemy and may well be used against us."

"I understand all of this," Nori said, looking into Byakuya's dark, troubled eyes, "But, it is not simply powers that define our leaders. Some very exceptional leaders in our history were not the most powerful, but were masters of strategy, and of employing the powers they had."

He placed a warm hand on the clan leader's shoulder.

"But very well. You are likely weary from your journey here. Just know that the ones here are encouraged by your presence. Rest well, Byakuya-sama. I will send the council notes along after we have met."

"Thank you, Nori."

XXXXXXXXXX

"What the hell do you mean he's gone!" Renji exclaimed, staring into Byakuya's abandoned hospital room, "His stuff is all still here. And I know there hasn't been time for..."

"It was the middle of an attack, sir," the healer explained, "We saw his cousin go in, and he said that he was there to protect Kuchiki taichou! We had no way to know they would leave...and during the attack. That is crazy!"

Renji let out a frustrated breath and shook his head.

"I'm sorry. I guess it's not your fault, especially with the attack and more wounded coming in."

The door opened and several orderlies entered the room.

"What's up?" asked the redhead.

"We've been ordered to clean this room and make a place for other patients."

"Ah, right," said Renji, "Well, give me a sec, okay? I'll gather Kuchiki taichou's things and get them out of your way, okay?"

"Erm, if you wish, Abarai fukutaichou," said one of the orderlies, "We were rather surprised he left everything like that."

"Well, don't worry about it. I'll just take his things back to the sixth with me."

"Very well, sir," said the orderly, "We will come back."

The healer and the orderlies left the room, and Renji sat down on the edge of the bed, letting out a puff of breath as he landed. He looked around at the few yukatas and personal items that had been left behind and sighed.

You left in a hurry. Was there some kind of trouble?

He sighed softly.

Or were you running away from something?

His mind went back to the moments just before their lovemaking.

"There will be time after this conflict, for deciding where we are and picking up the pieces. We do not have the luxury of concerning ourselves with that now. All that matters now is gathering and applying what strength we have. And because of my injury, I choose to let you be the expression of my strength. Renji, if you will not pick up your sword and fight for yourself, then do it for me. Do it for our division. Do it for our home. We will have nothing left if we do not devote all of our strength to fighting. Do you understand?"

Renji stared into his eyes, a storm going on beneath the surface of those strong, red-brown eyes. He ached to refuse, but could see very clearly that the noble was not going to back down. Finally, he let out a shuddering breath and lowered his eyes, nodding in acquiescence.

"Okay..." he said softly, "If that's what you think is best. But I'll tell you right now that the second you are back on your feet and at full power, I'm stepping aside...even if that pisses off the powers that be. You are the Squad Six commander, and that's just how it is. I can fight on your behalf, but as soon as you are well..."

Byakuya stopped him with a powerful kiss

"Enough of that, for now. There is something I need from you before you leave me to go off to battle, Renji."

He pulled free the tie at the redhead's waist, loosing the top of his shihakushou, then reached up and removed his hair tie, letting the thick waves of red hair rain down around his shoulders. His fingers slid slowly through the surprisingly soft strands.

"I need you to share some of your strength with me. I have my own battle to fight, and I need something of you to remain with me, even when you are not here."

"Is that it then?" Renji whispered, "You were already planning to leave and you wanted to just make love to me and go? Why? Why would you do that?"

He shook his head again and rose, then walked around the room, collecting the things that the noble had left behind. He put the items in a box and set it down on the bed, then dropped back onto it himself and sighed discontentedly. A moment later, a slip of paper that was sticking slightly out of the drawer caught his eye. Frowning, he opened the drawer and found a lap top table, paper, brushes and ink. He pulled them out and added them to the box, then caught sight of a number of crumpled pages still in the drawer.

Renji opened one of the crumpled bits and studied the page quietly. Tears came to his eyes and realization started to fall over him as he observed the clumsy, meandering attempts at writing.

His name. It's the thing he wrote most repeatedly and the one thing that should be easiest. But nothing is easy for Byakuya now. His powers failed him, his body was broken, and no matter what he won't admit, he's got to be scared that he'll never get better. Yeah, that's what he's been worried about all along.

But what he said to me before I left...the whole way that he acted. I've seen what he's like when he's trying to make progress, and that wasn't it. He made love with me. Then he left to return to the clan. And he'll let them spoil him, and tell him it's okay for him to step aside and stop trying. He'll just let himself fall apart and fade away.

Renji glared intently at the paper, wanting to make it burst into flames.

"That doesn't mean shit, Byakuya," he said softly.

He took a shuddering breath and threw the crumpled pages in the trash, then picked up the box and started for the door.

"Running away from this, letting yourself go is not going to solve anything. Yeah, others can step into your place and take over...me at the division and someone else in your clan. But, we're not you. And you're not done."

Damn you, Byakuya, I'm not going to let you quit!

And running back to your family is not going to make me.

If you want me to leave you, then you'd better be prepared to tell me yourself.

Because that's the only way you'll convince me!

He flash stepped out the door and found Rikichi waiting for him.

"What's up? What's going on? Is the attack over?" he asked.

"Yes, Abarai fukutaichou," the youth reported, "We defeated the foot soldiers. But, while we were doing that, a group of stronger quincys found a group of nobles in hiding in the forest and killed them all...men, women and children too, sir! There was no stopping them!"

Renji's heart leapt into his throat.

"Wh-what clan?" he asked thickly.

"The Yamashita clan, sir."

It's still horrible.

But, at least the Kuchiki clan is still safe.

And while it's quiet, I can go to find you. You can try to run from this, but I won't let you. You helped me, a person who once betrayed you, to grow strong.

And now it is my turn to help you.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Have any of the searchers sensed anything?" As Nodt asked in a low, quiet voice, "Has there been any sign of him?"

"No," said the messenger, "And his majesty has ordered us to pull back again and give our reports."

"Then do that," said As Nodt, turning away, "Take our group back and wait for further instructions, and notify me of any new orders."

"Sir?"

"I will remain here."

The messenger gazed at him curiously for a moment, then disappeared.

As Nodt moved forward along the forest trail, pausing where the stallion had been standing. He breathed in the reiatsu around him and caught the vague, lingering scent of sakura.

Interesting.

I don't recall feeling this way when we faced each other before. He was just a shinigami, someone I made to fear me, stole his bankai and destroyed.

But Kuchiki Byakuya refused to die.

And looking into his eyes right now was strange. There was fear, yes, but there was also still great courage. Fascinating. I humiliated him completely and left my reiatsu within him to torment him. I only did not employ the full usefulness of that because I thought that he was dead. But, knowing that he lives, that reiatsu can be more useful still.

His majesty's order is to kill the clan leaders. And certainly, I will kill those who cross my path.

But not him.

I defeated him.

His fate belongs to me.