Chapter 11: Above the Law
Byakuya moved gingerly as he dressed, pausing several times to breathe a bit and clear the stars that seemed to keep rising before his eyes. He knew he should still be resting, but restlessness was taking its toll and he needed to stretch his legs. Finally sorting out his shihakushou, he opened the bedroom door and stepped out into the hallway. The house was silent, but he felt the reiatsu of one person…Inoue Orihime. He walked slowly down the hallway and into the small living room where Orihime sat, writing in her journal. He watched her for a moment before speaking.
"Inoue Orihime," he said softly.
The girl startled, but then realized who it was and smiled.
"Sorry…you surprised me. I thought you were still sleeping, Kuchiki taichou."
"I was," he replied, "but I woke and Renji was gone. Do you know where he went?"
Orihime nodded.
"He and Yoruichi went to find the others. They will be meeting back here in an hour. We all want to help you and Renji."
Kuchiki Byakuya felt an odd warm feeling pass through him. He crossed the room, still moving carefully, then sat in a chair facing her.
"Kuchiki taichou, you really shouldn't be out of bed yet," she said, not quite meeting his eyes.
He placed a hand on hers and she looked up at him with large questioning eyes.
"Orihime, I owe you my gratitude for your quick action last night. Had you not assisted me, I would have died."
She stared wide-eyed as he squeezed her hand gently. She looked scared to death of him. Byakuya might have enjoyed that response in someone else, but for some reason, he didn't want this girl to fear him.
"You're trembling," he said softly, "I imagine I've given you reason to fear me…but, Orihime, things have changed greatly since I opposed Ichigo in the Seireitei. I understand that you cannot simply forget that I tried to kill Ichigo, but I would prefer it if you did not fear me."
"Oh, don't mind me!" she exclaimed, her words tumbling over each other, "I'm afraid of everything. I'm afraid of my own shadow. Yup! I even scare myself! And I…"
"You do not lack courage. You overcame great fears to follow Ichigo into the Seireitei to save my sister. You have my gratitude for that as well."
She seemed to relax somewhat. Byakuya released her hand and sat watching her for a moment.
"Are you hungry?" she asked suddenly, "Of course you must be after sleeping for so many hours. I'll just go make you something."
"That's…" he began.
"It's no problem!" she assured him, disappearing into the kitchen.
Byakuya stared after her, wondering briefly what he had gotten himself into. He wished that he had just stayed in his room. It might be pink, but it didn't have the dangerous reputation that Orihime's meal preparation did. He considered returning to his room, but as he stood, the room began to spin oddly and everything began to go dark around him.
"Kuchiki taichou, are you all right?" Orihime said, setting down the plates she was carrying and taking his arm.
He leaned against her for a moment. Gradually, his head cleared and he blinked down at her. He pulled away slowly and sat down again.
"It was nothing," he assured her, "I merely got up too quickly."
Orihime nodded and handed him a cup of tea. He accepted it and brought it to his lips cautiously. He wondered briefly what she had added. It wasn't bad, but it tasted nothing like tea to him. He forced himself not to react. He took another sip, then set the tea down, contemplating the plate in front of him. The rice was the only recognizable thing on the plate, but it was buried in something that smelled lightly of fish and something else oddly sweet. A container of pepper sauce stood next to his plate. He used a lot, figuring that the heat would reduce the shock of the taste of whatever this was. He noticed her watching him and took a small bite.
He remembered his experience with his comrade's cooking when first sent to the living world on a mission. This was only slightly more palatable, only because he had bathed it in hot spice. Beneath the heat was a combination of flavors that he thought should really never be experienced together. Still, for some reason he could not fathom, he really didn't want to hurt her feelings. So he nodded his approval and continued eating, after adding more spice. He was rewarded with a very sweet smile.
Kuchiki Byakuya wondered briefly if these odd feelings he was having were a side effect of his injury, but they seemed to be coming from his heart, so he chose to trust his instincts. He didn't know what was making him build this particular bridge, but he felt somehow that it was the right thing to do. Inoue Orihime was uncertain why he was being so nice to her, but she accepted it with a smile, and offered him a second helping.
"A very kind offer," he said politely, "but I should return to my room for more rest."
As he stood, she appeared at his side and let him lean against her. They had just started towards the hall, when a knock sounded on the door. Orihime looked up at Byakuya.
"Yoruichi said that the Elders cannot get through the barrier she placed against them…but…" she said softly.
Byakuya reached out with his senses and recognized two traces of reiatsu.
"Shunsui and Juushiro?" he queried softly, "Open the door, Orihime."
The girl released his arm and went to open the door. The two captains greeted her, then stepped into the room. They looked at Byakuya with concern.
"What happened?" Ukitake asked, "You've been injured."
Byakuya nodded.
"It was the Kuchiki Elders. They sought to force my return with them to the Seireitei. I did not wish to return with them," he explained.
"That must have been what they were so up in arms about," Ukitake said to Shunsui.
"What are you talking about?" asked Byakuya.
"The Elders went to Soutaichou. As you know, he has taken over the duties of law normally performed by Central 46 until new councilors can be installed. The Elders claimed that you killed two of their council members and wounded two others. I assume you did this in self defense."
"Of course. The Elders do not appreciate my association with Abarai Renji. They sought to punish me and they beat Renji nearly to death. We came here to allow Renji time to heal."
Ukitake nodded.
"Soutaichou told us where you were and why. Byakuya, he sent us to bring you back to the Seireitei to stand trial for murder. The Kuchiki Elders have filed formal charges against you."
Byakuya sighed.
"But we can't make sense of it, Byakuya," added Shunsui, "Why would they do that when they are so determined that you remain their clan leader? Isn't the point that they don't want you to die? These charges carry a death sentence if you are convicted. Why would they want that?"
"Clan justice," Byakuya explained, "The noble clans are exempted from normal legal processes in most cases. They had to file charges so that they could use Soutaichou to force my return. As soon as I arrive, they will claim their right as a noble house to try me in the Noble Court among my peers. Once I am in their hands, they will either use the charges to try to force me to conform to their wishes…or they will drop the charges. It is simply a ploy to bring me to them."
Ukitake frowned.
"Unfortunately, they have played their cards well. Soutaichou is compelled by law to bring you back to stand trial. We have no choice but to take you with us. Our hands are tied."
Byakuya nodded.
"I understand…and I will offer no resistance."
He turned to Orihime.
"Inoue Orihime, you must explain to the others what has happened. They must move quickly to stop my transfer from the Repentance Cell to the Kuchiki Council Hall. Once I enter the Council Hall, I will be too well guarded. It would be extremely difficult to extricate me from their possession at that point. Instead of just facing the Elders, they would also face the guards and associates at the hall. In addition, my ability to assist in my own escape would be…uncertain."
"Why is that?" asked Ukitake worriedly, "What will they do to you?"
"I am compelled not to speak of their methods. It is clan code that it is not spoken of outside of the clan. Suffice it to say that it is extremely unpleasant, and it will render me incapable of opposing them."
"Soutaichou won't allow you to be mistreated. If he knows they plan to…"
"Soutaichou has no choice. Our laws clearly state that the noble houses have the right to enforce the laws among their own," Byakuya stated firmly, "There is no way around this. I must return with you and trust that the others will arrive in time to interfere with my transfer."
"Is there nothing we can do to help?" Ukitake asked.
Byakuya shook his head.
"Soutaichou will have to hear arguments about the transfer, of course. He is compelled to do so quickly. But if he plans to block my transfer, he must have undeniable precedent. He does not, so my transfer will go forward."
"We could simply turn our heads and you could disappear, Byakuya," Shunsui offered.
"No," Byakuya said softly, "I would not have you dishonor yourselves and earn charges of your own. I will come with you and I will let my fate rest in other hands, for now."
He extended his hands.
"That is not necessary," Ukitake assured him.
"It is procedure," Byakuya corrected him quietly.
Shaking his head, Ukitake sealed away the noble's spirit energy and Byakuya followed them to the door. As he reached it, he looked back at Orihime and noticed suddenly that she was crying silently. His eyes widened in surprise. He walked back to her and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Orihime," he said softly, "everything will be fine. Just be certain that they move quickly. And…be safe."
Orihime brushed the tears from her face and looked up at him with determination.
"Don't worry," she promised, her voice trembling, "Renji and the others won't let you down."
"No," said Byakuya, touching her cheek gently, "Renji and his friends are people of great determination and power when they work together. And do not forget that you are one of them. Do not doubt yourself, Orihime. When the time comes, you may be the only one with the power to help me. Do not forget that."
He turned and followed Shunsui and Ukitake out the door.
Orihime wrapped her arms around her midsection and stood still, trying to hold back the tears. His words repeated themselves over and over in her mind.
When the time comes, you may be the only one with the power to help me. Do not forget that.
Orihime wasn't sure what he was trying to tell her, but it was clear that he wanted her to go to the Seireitei with the rescue force. She didn't know what power she had that he would need, but she resolved in her heart to make sure she was there to find out.
XXXXXXXXXX
"Ichigo said he'd be right over," Renji told Yoruichi and Kisuke as they walked up the stairs to Orihime's door, "and Chad and Uryu are on their way. Rukia should be here already."
"That's good," Kisuke said solemnly, "You guys are going to need the firepower if you plan to fight the elders. They're a very nasty bunch."
"Yeah, I think we learned yesterday just how nasty they can be. They almost killed Byakuya."
"But they paid a pretty big price for that, Renji," Yoruichi assured him, "They lost two Elders and two more are too injured to be a threat now. But they will act quickly to replace those lost. They have to if they want to regain control of him. They may not have been expecting to lose any of the eight, so they may not be prepared for the replacements. That may weaken them overall."
"So we may gain an advantage?" Renji asked.
"Yes," Yoruichi said, nodding, "We have to hope it will be enough."
Renji opened the door and stepped into Orihime's house. He froze in the entryway, staring. Ahead of them, Rukia stood with her arms around Orihime, who was crying.
"What happened?" Renji asked, his heart beginning to race.
Rukia looked up at him with fury in her eyes.
"They made their move against Nii-sama. Orihime says that he has been charged with murder, and that two captains came and took him back to the Seireitei to stand trial. Yoruichi, you know what they will do."
Yoruichi nodded.
"They will claim the right to try him in the Noble Court. Renji…you and I must go to the Seireitei immediately! We witnessed the attack. We can testify that Byakuya acted in self defense and that the Elders should not be given access to Byakuya, because they sought to kill him!"
Renji and Yoruichi turned to go.
"Wait!" cried Orihime.
Everyone turned to look at her.
"I have to go with you! He told me to go with you!" she exclaimed.
Rukia looked intently at her.
"Nii-sama told you this?" she asked.
Orihime nodded.
"What exactly did he say?" Yoruichi asked.
"He said, When the time comes, you may be the only one with the power to help me. Do not forget that."
Yoruichi thought for a moment, then slowly nodded.
"All right…but we must leave now. Tell Ichigo and the others to meet us at the Repentance Center. We have to move quickly if we are to stop the Elders from obtaining the transfer to the Noble Court. If they take him to the Kuchiki Council Hall, we may lose our chance to get him back. Or what we get back may not be the Kuchiki Byakuya we know!"
Kisuke looked up at them.
"Good luck. I'll stay here and send the others along after you. Take care of yourselves."
He watched with shadowed eyes as they flash stepped away.
Kuchiki Byakuya stepped out of the Senkaimon followed closely by Shunsui and Ukitake. As they passed into Soul Society, they caught sight of a group of soul reapers awaiting them. Soutaichou stood ahead of them wearing a solemn frown. Beside him stood four of the Kuchiki Elders.
"Kuchiki Byakuya," soutaichou said sternly, "You are under arrest for the murder of two Kuchiki Elders and for the attempted murders of all eight Elders. They have announced their intent to seek transfer to clan custody and unfortunately, there were no grounds to deny that transfer. You are hereby given into their custody."
"Soutaichou, others follow who can testify that I acted in self defense. You must allow them to argue against the transfer," said Byakuya.
Soutaichou nodded.
"They have the right to take you with them…but as soon as your witnesses arrive, they may come to me to appeal the transfer."
Byakuya closed his eyes against the words. They couldn't stop it. No one could. And if the Elders took him into the Kuchiki Council Hall…
"I understand, Soutaichou," he said softly.
The eyes of the Kuchiki Elders gleamed in triumph.
