Chapter 11: Our Dreams and Our Nightmares
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I will not close my eyes tonight. For in my dreams, I see our destruction. For all of our breathed promises, we have little control over our fate. It pulls us in different directions until we break apart. But oddly, even as you fade in front of me, the part of you that dwells inside me, continues to live and grow.
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Mitsuru.
Tetsuya inhaled sharply and opened his eyes.
He still rested in Sousuke Aizen's arms, with his head on the other man's shoulder and their bared bodies laid against each other. He felt the telltale stickiness along his inner thighs and caught the warm scents of their lovemaking.
It is such a relief not to feel that coldness between us. For all that Sousuke can be a very cold and ruthless person, when he knows that he has won, he lets go of the heavy emotion quickly...a good thing, now, when I need to feel his closeness. Kami...I feel like my world has come apart. I have lost my cousin, my home, most of my life. But I can rebuild.
As long as we are together, I can make this right again.
"Tetsuya."
He barely felt the hand that touched his face, the warm lips that brushed against his.
"You are still in pain."
Strong, comforting arms embraced him and his lover's reiatsu wrapped around him, filling his senses with the beauty of their connection. Tetsuya couldn't lie in such a loving embrace and still be sad. Aizen's searching lips made his lips smile and the adoring touches on his body made him shiver softly.
"I will be all right," he assured the man who held him, "I am sorry that I worried you...both with my actions before, and just now."
"It is understandable that you would feel loss at a time like this. I have taken you from everything you know, Tetsuya. And it is not the first time that I have done that."
"But you have given me the greatest of gifts as well, Sousuke," he assured the older man, "Yes, I have left behind the family that I was born into, but you have also given me your love...and the chance to start a family of my own. Not only that, but where the rules of my clan limited me in how I could fight to defend my family, you allow me to loose all of myself in that fight. From the moment that you had me take up my sword against that Arrancar in Hueco Mundo, I knew that you respected me as a fighter...something I do not question, even though there are some battles that you have refused to allow me to fight."
Aizen met his eyes for a moment, then sighed.
"Understand, Tetsuya, that my primary reason for being forceful in stopping you was about our child. You are right to think that I very much respect both your diplomatic and fighting abilities. And perhaps if you still wish it, once our child is born, we could pursue the fight you would wage to see me cleared. But you must realize, watashi no koi, I am guilty of every crime I was accused of. And no matter that they were corrupt, my conviction and sentence were fair, considering."
"But Sousuke," Tetsuya objected, "You must look at the other side of that. You made every attempt to follow the law, but the system that was supposed to protect your rights as a shinigami failed. You were sentenced to death before you ever did anything wrong, by a group of people who were an insult to the word, justice. Your offenses fall under the legal category of resultant offenses. These offenses may be capital crimes on the surface, but they never would have happened if the councilors of Central 46 had not overstepped the boundaries of their granted powers and violated your rights. Because of that, and because their internal corruption tainted the trial you were given, under those two precedents, your conviction must be overturned! I know the law backwards and forwards, Sousuke. They will free you. All it will take is proof that your rights were violated and a connection between the council's illegal actions and your crimes. I am almost there. I have obtained proof of corruption within the Central 46 council...and Yuji Iitoku is conducting an investigation to identify current members of the council and noble families who are a part of that."
"You have been in contact with Yuji Iitoku about this?" asked Aizen, frowning thoughtfully.
"Yes," Tetsuya admitted, "You see, when I went to his estate with Councilor Yukimura, I learned that, while everyone else has forgotten Yasu, he has not."
"Ah," Aizen said, nodding in understanding, "They were twins. It makes sense that such a connection would shield him from even that power of mine."
"Once he realized that I knew about Yasu, he shared what he knew and suggested that I investigate my cousin, Orochi and Hisoka Furukawa."
"So that is the reason that you invaded Orochi's home."
"Yes. And...when I left the cabin, I confess, I did go to Hisoka's estate as well. Sousuke, I found clear evidence of both corruption in Yasu's time, and continuing today! That is why Yuji agreed to follow up on which councilors and nobles are involved, and he is hiding the evidence that has already been gathered."
He blinked at the appreciative look that the other man was giving him.
"What?" he asked softly, "Sousuke, you were furious before when I even mentioned investigating this. Why now do you...?"
"Let me be clear," Aizen said, cupping the younger man's face with one hand, "I am still furious that you took such chances, Tetsuya, but...I find your tenacity...your relentless spirit...intoxicating. And because of that, I will make you a promise. Once you have given birth to our child, I will not interfere with your investigation. I will, in fact, assist you in whatever ways I can."
"You will?" asked Tetsuya, his eyes widening, "Sousuke...Sousuke, I don't know what to say!"
Aizen smiled.
"Then, say nothing more, for now. Devote yourself to taking care of yourself, and that lovely child that is the best of both of us, Tetsuya. Do that, and we will see to the rest after."
Tetsuya let out a trembling breath and broke into a relieved smile.
"I will, Sousuke."
He tried to say more, but found his mouth busied with deep, penetrating kisses, while his lover's hands explored his recently plundered body. They fell into another frenzied joining of their bodies as the brown eyed man watched them, where they appeared on the surface of the mirrored pool.
"This will not do," he said softly, "This will not do at all."
He whispered a command to a hell butterfly and waited, still watching the two shinigamis as their bodies writhed together and their sounds of passion rose up softly out of the pool. Several minutes later, an attendant appeared in the garden. The man bowed respectfully.
"My lord, you called for me?" he queried.
"Yes," answered the brown-eyed man, "I want you to take this file to the Seireitei. Make sure that it falls into Yuji Iitoku's hands...immediately."
He held out a hand, and a large white envelope slowly materialized there. The attendant accepted the envelope from his hand and bowed again.
"It shall be done immediately, sir," he replied.
He flash stepped away, leaving the man gazing down at where Tetsuya slept with his lovely, naked body entwined with Sousuke Aizen's. He touched the surface of the water, obscuring Aizen's face and imagining what it would be like later when...
"My lord?" said a male voice, interrupting his thoughts.
"Yes, Fumio," he sighed, "What is it?"
"The council is asking for an update on the royal consort's condition."
The brown eyed man looked down at Tetsuya's tranquil sleeping face and smiled.
"Tell them that Mitsuru is still unconscious...however...he is showing signs of waking. And the heir is still alive. He is too weak to be assessed, but as soon as the birth takes place, the council may legitimate the royal heir, after which they will confirm me as, not just royal regent, but as the rightful king."
"Yes, my lord," Fumio answered, bowing, "You must be very relieved that you will finally be assured your place on the throne will be made permanent. It is only sad that Mitsuru has struggled so and may not survive the birthing."
"Yes," agreed the regent, "but I continue to hold out hope that he will awaken, and that once the strain of pregnancy leaves him, he will return to us."
"He is a kind and gentle soul," said Fumio, "I hope he gets well soon."
"I think he will," said the king, looking down at Tetsuya again, "I think that, in the end, he will surprise everyone with his will to live."
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Tetsuya woke to find himself alone again, but before he could register the disappointment, a hell butterfly tickled his porcelain cheek, making him smile.
Tetsuya, said Aizen's voice, I was called away to deal with some business related issues. I will see to this and return by this evening. I have extended the barrier to include the whole of the safe house to make it more comfortable for you. I will bring dinner and dessert when I return.
Tetsuya sighed softly, relieved at the greater space he was allowed, but at the same time, frustrated that his investigation had to wait.
I am so looking forward to a day where I can look my cousin in the eyes again, when Sousuke and I do not have to live our lives looking over our shoulders.
He smiled at the thought as he turned his attention to the food and drink that his lover had left for him. He ate slowly, then exited his bed to shower and change into a fresh yukata. He walked about the small safe house, acquainting himself with it, then settled back into the bed to rest and wait for Aizen to return. His hand strayed to the bump on his abdomen and a smile played over his face as the reiatsu flared and pulsed softly under his fingertips.
"Ah," he said, rubbing the area, then patting it gently, "You are already eager to be with us, little one."
He continued to rub his abdomen, closing his eyes and absently humming as he began to drift off to sleep again. He had nearly dropped off when he felt a soft twinge on the back of his hand, where Yuji had drawn the sigil. His eyes blinked open and he lifted his hand to look at the place where the marking was hidden. To his surprise, Yuji's voice sounded in his mind.
Tetsuya, I know that Aizen has taken you away somewhere, and I wanted to warn you, first that Central 46 has issued reward offers for Aizen and for you. They want you alive, but they have a large bounty on him that is payable, dead or alive. You must be very cautious. And secondly, I need to tell you. Someone knows that you have been investigating the council. I think that this is why they are going to greater lengths to find you. My investigation has yielded a list of Central 46 councilors and nobles involved in this movement. But I have also uncovered evidence that points to something even larger. I dare not speak of it until we are able to meet. I am leaving my manor and warn you that it is not safe there, even in Yasu's room. Tetsuya, someone else remembers what happened before...someone powerful. We will...
The voice left of suddenly, sending a hard shiver down Tetsuya's spine.
"Yuji..." he whispered, sitting up.
He looked at the clock, then bit his lip gently.
Sousuke won't be back for awhile. I can send Arashi for him...but if this is bigger than Central 46...I need Byakuya.
He summoned a hell butterfly and carefully scrambled the insect's sense of where it was, so that its origination point would not be readable.
"Byakuya, something very serious has arisen...something involving widespread corruption...corruption that goes beyond the boundaries of Central 46's jurisdiction. I know that you have indicated that you will not go against the law, but I have absolute proof of this corruption, and I am willing to surrender myself to you to give this information into your hands. I know that you will know what to do...and that before you allow me to face trial, you will see that things are set right again. I will contact you soon to arrange for a location for my surrender."
He swallowed hard, gazing at the hell butterfly and rubbing the baby bump on his abdomen.
It will be all right. With what I can prove already, Byakuya will not allow them to take my baby. But we must all be careful now. By shielding me, Byakuya will be placed in danger too. I would not do that if there was any other way. But I am not a clan leader, and only a joint complaint by two clan leaders can bring about a meeting of the Royal Council. But...what if even that governing body has been corrupted?
Kami! This gets more dangerous by the moment...
But there is nothing to be gained by waiting. If those stronger than the ones in Central 46 are involved, then we will not be able to hide from this. And the longer the evidence remains with us, the more chance there is of being discovered. No...we cannot remain in hiding here. I have to go to Yuji and work with him to keep us all safe.
He glanced at the window, reaching out with his mind for Arashi. But a moment later, he launched off of the bed, backing away as a masked shinigami appeared outside the barrier and attacked it.
They have found us already?
He backed towards the door, but heard more blasts striking the barrier, at more places around the house.
"Tetsuya Kuchiki! Sousuke Aizen! We have you surrounded! Surrender now and you will both be allowed to live. Resist, and you will die!"
Tetsuya shuddered as more heavy blasts struck the house, shaking it so hard, he was nearly taken off of his feet.
How did they find us?
He felt an odd, suffocating feeling settle over him and risked a glance at the window. Scores of masked and cloaked shinigamis surrounded the house, and the group appeared to be working together to set a dark cloak over the barrier Aizen had set in place.
Oh gods! They are going to just blow up the entire place!
He took a few calming breaths and thought carefully.
I'll have to risk the use of my advanced form, but...I have no choice. They are going to kill me and our baby if I remain here.
Tetsuya moved into the hallway, trying not to hear the heavy impact of kido blasts, the shouts coming in from outside, and the calls to surrender. He reached out to summon Re-kuhime, then froze as he remembered that his greater powers had been sealed away.
Shades!
He pulled himself back from the edges of panic as the ones outside shouted warnings to their own people to pull back to be safe from the explosion. His eye strayed to the hand where Yuji had drawn the sigil, and as the thunder of rising reiatsu shook the house, Tetsuya held his breath and invoked the sigil, directing himself, not towards the Iitoku manor, but at the secondary location that had been added, the childhood hiding place that Yuji and Yasu had shared. He felt a moment of vertigo as the house he was in shook and began to disintegrate around him. He felt a hard, pulling sensation, then the loud noises and heat disappeared and he crashed down heavily onto the dirt floor of the old hideout. His breath came out in a hard gasp, and he rolled to his knees, realizing that he was not alone. He struggled as someone grabbed him from behind, but relaxed again as he recognized that the one holding him was Yuji.
"Tetsuya!" the other man breathed, his face pale as Tetsuya turned to look at him.
"What is happening?" Tetsuya asked, "Why did you stop speaking before?"
Yuji bit at his lips, his eyes wide and fearful.
"Tetsuya, these people...they know we were looking for proof of corruption, and that we found some. Don't worry. I have concealed it here. But we must not leave this place! No one knows about this place, but if we set foot out there, we will be found. And we will not even be given a corrupt trial, Tetsuya. We will be killed immediately."
"How?" Tetsuya gasped, "Yuji, why are they doing this? What is going on?"
The Iitoku clan leader stared back at him, white-faced.
"Tetsuya, what I found out was that it isn't just Central 46 and the noble families that are involved in this movement. Tetsuya, the man behind the movement...the one who started all of this...is the regent spirit king, himself!"