Chapter 11: Deceptions
Tetsuya watched with saddened eyes as Byakuya, Ichigo and Minori were evacuated by the healers, then turned back to study the shattered and burned out remains of the Shiba gathering hall. His sharp eyes combed the blackened wreckage, following the path of destruction around the building, then honing in on several areas he felt needed closer inspection.
"Tetsuya-san!" Koji pleaded, "Please come away now! You should have gone with the healers. You know that if Byakuya-sama had been conscious, he would have ordered you to go with them. Please, Tetsuya-san..."
"But Byakuya-sama is not here," Tetsuya answered in a low, nearly toneless voice, "So, no one can order me to do anything, and my obvious duty is to remain here and investigate the explosion."
"But...!"
"Enough," Tetsuya snapped in a rare display of temper, "I am sick to death of being pushed about and made to do things I would rather not. Go home and help prepare Byakuya-sama's room for his return."
He felt a shaft of guilt cut through him at the pained sob that escaped his attendant and swallowed hard, rethinking his words.
"Koji-san, I am...sorry," he said, more quietly.
Koji hesitated, not daring to step closer, but curling his fingers anxiously and watching Tetsuya with worried eyes.
"It is not your fault," he said in a shaky voice, "You are overwhelmed. You are hurting. Please, Tetsuya-san, you don't have to come home with me, but, I beg of you, let me stay with you! I can feel that your reiatsu is very low. I can...infuse you with mine to steady you so that you can continue here. Tetsuya-san, may I stay with you?"
Tetsuya moved closer to the attendant, slipping a cold hand into his and gazing into his eyes for a moment.
"That would be a comfort, Cousin," he admitted softly, "My heart is burdened and I admit I am weary, but there is something wrong here that I am trying to understand...something in the type of devices, the placement...the situation. I just need to think more about this. I will get to the bottom of who did this. I must!"
Koji gave him a shy smile.
"But you know that if it was me, you would tell me that I will do no one any good and will only make my mind less capable, overworking and not taking care of myself."
"I admit that rings true," Tetsuya said, shaking his head and turning back to address the smoking ruins, "But this incident, the people who did this...they could have killed Byakuya-sama. And you know that I will never, ever let something like that happen. I would die first."
"Yes," Koji agreed, "Tetsuya-san is wholly devoted to our leader...and...Byakuya-sama loves him for that."
Tetsuya's eyes closed for a moment against the words, then opened again and focused harder on the scene in front of him. He thought carefully back to his entrance into the hall, and the guest list that one of the staff had been carrying.
"Let me through! Let me through!" a man's voice shouted impatiently, "Where is my son? Where is Minori?"
"Please stay back, Aomori-sama," a member of the Onmitsukido said warningly, "There is an investigation going on. We are working to determine what happened here and there are still injured people being evacuated."
"But my son was in that building!" the Aomori leader insisted angrily, "I want to know where he is. Has he been found? Is he all right?"
"Minori-sama was evacuated to the healing center," Tetsuya said, watching as the man's head turned and his eyes fixed on him.
"Y-you!" the Aomori elder snarled, rage filling his eyes, "You had something to do with this, didn't you, you half-blooded whore! I know you and that bastard clan leader of yours are lovers! You did this to kill him so that you and Byakuya could continue your scandalous affair!"
Tetsuya stepped back as the enraged man flew at him and shoved him back against the scorched trunk of a nearby tree. He loosed a grunt of pain and barely held Koji at bay as the attendant moved to defend him.
"What are you doing?" Koji cried, "Do not lay hands on my..."
Tetsuya's eyes rounded as Minori's father drew back and struck Koji hard across the face, dropping him onto the ground. He flash stepped in between them as the Aomori leader aimed a kick at the attendant.
"Stay out of the way, you wretch!" exclaimed the clan leader, turning his rage back onto Tetsuya.
Tetsuya lifted Koji into his arms and turned to flash step away as the infuriated man raised his hands and fired a kido blast at them. The blue-eyed noble flash stepped clear of the first blast, but was grazed by a second and dropped onto his knees, gasping as Minori's father flash stepped to them and aimed a kido loaded kick at them. Unable to dodge, Tetsuya was forcefully separated from Koji as the force of the kick sent him tumbling to where he crashed into a tree. Before he could recover himself, he was dragged to his feet and struck again.
"Tetsuya-san!" screamed Koji, staggering to his feet.
Something struck him in the back of the head, sending him crashing to the ground as more flash steps sounded and three more members of the Aomori clan appeared.
"Hold him!" the leader yelled, pointing at Tetsuya.
Tetsuya tried to flash step clear, but not wanting to leave Koji in harm's way, he was forced back and cornered, then captured by the Aomori men. Minori's father approached slowly, his lips curling as he faced Tetsuya, studying his already battered form.
"Is there a problem here, sirs?" asked an arriving member of the Onmitsukido.
"No," answered the clan leader, "This is a private clan matter. Get out of here."
"Please," Tetsuya panted, "Take my cousin with you! He is injured and needs healing."
"Don't touch him!" the clan leader ordered the man, "Just leave! I told you, this is a clan matter!"
Minori's father moved closer, glaring into Tetsuya's widened eyes.
"I should just kill you, here and now, you filthy, dishonorable trash! You were probably behind all of this. So, I will have to make sure that you have no more opportunities to interfere with my son and your leader.
"Hisoka-sama," one of the men holding Tetsuya said suddenly, "Why not let us deal with him? He isn't worthy of being punished by you."
"Be quiet," the Aomori clan leader growled, "I am going to enjoy this."
Tetsuya felt as though time had reversed itself and he was back in the horrific confines of the noble's prison, as the Aomori leader attacked, striking him viciously until his legs were to weak to keep him standing and his captors had to hold him on his feet. And even as the man brought him to the brink of losing consciousness, he continued, a hateful gleam in his eyes and fury in every hurt he inflicted on Tetsuya's reeling body.
Tetsuya heard a sword slide free of its sheath and waited breathlessly for Hisoka to end his life. He heard the sword slice through the air, then caught a pained breath as Senbonzakura appeared suddenly and stopped it, just short of Tetsuya's beaten form.
Byakuya stood, eye to eye with Hisoka, his dark eyes icy and deadly.
"Do not dare to lay hands on a member of my family!" he hissed, placing the tip of his weapon at the other man's throat.
"Come now, Byakuya," Hisoka answered, watching as the men holding Tetsuya let him collapse onto the ground, then backed away, "You didn't really think that no one would ever find out about you and that dirty half-blood, did you?"
"Did you say something?" Byakuya asked coldly, increasing the pressure until the tip of his weapon drew a few drops of blood.
Hisoka flinched and glared, but said nothing more.
"You are never to speak a word against Tetsuya, or any other member of my household, nor are you to lay hands on them. If you do, I will consider it an act of war!" Byakuya warned the other clan leader.
He watched closely, his sword still in his hand as Hisoka and his relatives left, then turned his attention to his barely conscious cousin.
"Tetsuya-san!" Koji sobbed, leaning over his blue-eyed cousin and invoking his healing power.
Byakuya joined him at Tetsuya's side and infused the injured noble's body with his own power as well.
"What happened here?" he asked, gazing worriedly into Tetsuya's stricken eyes.
"Th-that other clan leader came and was yelling for the Onmitsukido to let him through to look for his son. Tetsuya-san t-told him that Minori-sama was taken to the healing center, but then Aomori-sama attacked Tetsuya-san. He called him horrible names and said...things that he shouldn't have about you and Tetsuya-san. He had those men hold Tetsuya-san while he beat him!"
"It looks like you did not escape injury, youself," Byakuya observed, "You are to see a clan healer as soon as we get home."
"I will, Byakuya-sama," Koji answered, bowing his head and focusing on Tetsuya again.
"I think he is stable enough to move," Byakuya said, sliding his hands under Tetsuya's limp body and lifting it into his arms, "Come."
"Wh-where are you taking me?" Tetsuya whispered incoherently.
"We are going home, watashi no itoko," the clan leader said reassuringly, "Don't try to talk, Tetsuya. Please, just rest."
"How did you know to come back, Cousin?" Koji asked as they started back in the direction of Kuchiki Manor.
"When I woke at the healing center, I was told by one of the healers that Tetsuya had refused treatment and wanted to stay to investigate the site. I knew he was injured in the blast and so came to convince him to come with me to be healed."
"Hmmm, and how are Minori-sama and Ichigo-sama?"
"Ichigo is fine," Byakuya answered, his eyes darkening, "but Minori was badly hurt. He was in surgery when I left."
"Y-you must...go b-back," Tetsuya whispered, his eyes trying to focus on Byakuya's worried face.
"I am not leaving you, Tetsuya," the Kuchiki heir replied firmly, "I am taking you home."
"Koji-san can tend to me."
"He cannot carry you, Tetsuya."
"Arashi can carry m-me."
Byakuya shook his head.
"You cannot sit up to ride him. Lie still now."
"You must promise me, Byakuya-sama," Tetsuya insisted, "Wh-when we arrive at home, l-leave me to the house healers and g-go to Minori-sama. P-please. You must!"
Tetsuya's eyes widened as Byakuya's face reflected a look of near devastation and tears threatened for a moment. Then he closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them again, they only looked tired.
"I promise I will go back to Minori," he asnswered, sounding more collected, "as soon as the healers have assured me that you are going to be all right."
"But you know that is why his father attacked me," Tetsuya objected, "Byakuya-sama, people are aware that something is or was between us. We cannot give them fuel for the fire."
He gathered himself for a moment and started to speak again, but was stopped as the three arrived at Kuchiki Manor and Byakuya hastened to deposit him in his bed. Koji moved quickly to help remove his bloodied and tattered kimono, then wrapped a soft yukata around him as the clan healer entered the room.
"Michio, thank you for coming so quickly," Byakuya said in a relieved tone, "Tetsuya was injured in the blast at the Shiba clan hall, then was attacked afterwards. Please see to him immediately."
"Of course, of course," said the old man, "Let's have a look, Tetsuya-san."
Tetsuya opened his yukata and sat calmly as the old healer examined him and began to heal the angry lacerations and deep, purple bruises.
"You've had a busy day, young man," he said soothingly, "But you'll mend all right. You have always been a strong lad, haven't you?"
"You see," Tetsuya said, looking up at Byakuya and forcing a smile, "I am going to be fine. Go now, please. See to your fiancé. I will be all right."
"I will go to Minori now," Byakuya agreed, "but Koji, you are not to leave Tetsuya's side for a moment. And have the house guards station someone outside my cousin's door."
"Byakuya-sama, that is hardly necess..." Tetsuya began.
"You must have realized that the blast may well be connected to the attack on Minori here."
"How do you know that Minori-sama was the target?" Tetsuya asked, "Was there evidence?"
"A suspect was cornered at the scene," Byakuya explained, "He killed himself, rather than to be caught, but he did make an epithet against the Breeders, of which both you and Minori are. You were both at the gathering."
"But Byakuya-sama, I wasn't supposed to..."
"Byakuya-sama!" called Torio, "I just received word from the healing center. Minori-sama has come through his surgery and will wake soon."
"I am on my way now," said the clan leader.
"Oh, and also, Head Councilor Nori has arrived and is waiting in your study."
"Very well. I will see him and then proceed to the healing center."
Tetsuya frowned as Michio continued his healing and Koji assisted. His mind spun with all of the details as he tried to work out what had struck him as odd before about the blast. He drew a mental pattern of the damage, picturing where the devices had been hidden.
They were in places a person would have had access to if assisting in the laying of the decorations and might have been partially hidden in and around them. I remember now that I caught sight of the guest list and Minori-sama's family had not arrived. There was something about them being delayed? Is that what that guest I heard told the Onmitsukido? If so, that makes their house suspect. But if they were responsible, that means that...
He thought back to the attack at the manor, then to the report of the captured suspect who killed himself, rather than being taken in.
This is so strange. It does have the markings of a vendetta against the Breeders, but there are some disturbing signs that Minori-sama's own family could be involved. But how far up in the hierarchy does it go? Does Hisoka know? Would he set up his own son to die? Minori-sama is not the heir in that family. His older brother is, and there are other heirs. But...how could a man set up his own son? Could his hatred for the Breeders be that strong? He could, of course, have just not anticipated his son going ahead of them with Byakuya-sama, but...but if it were to be proven that he was complicit, then, not only would Minori-sama's clan be disgraced, Minori-sama would be dishonored, even though he is innocent of anything! I don't want his family to be involved...
"Tetsuya-san, are you dizzy or something?" Koji asked, disrupting his thoughts, "You look so pale..."
"You do look quite rocky," said Michio, "Lie down, son. I'll give you something to help you sleep. You will feel better by morning. You will be sore for a few days, but you will be..."
He paused and a strange look came over his face as he studied Tetsuya's slightly thickened abdomen.
"What is it?" Tetsuya asked, blinking, "Is something wrong?"
The healer studied the area more closely.
"Nothing is wrong in general, but I think there is a problem."
"What is wrong with Tetsuya-san?" Koji asked, looking alarmed, "He is going to be fine, you said, ne?"
"I did say that," the healer said solemnly, "but now I am less certain."
"Please, tell us what it is!" demanded Koji as Tetsuya froze, staring at the healer, unable to form a coherent sentence.
"You...Tetsuya-san, you remember that when you arrived at Kuchiki Manor, you were with child?"
"Yes," Tetsuya answered breathlessly.
"And that child was lost. We examined you at the time and determined that your body was damaged by the harsh treatment in the prison, and that the soul chamber was not able to support a healthy child. In addition to that, we believed that having any further children would be risky, as the chamber could rupture and you could be lost, along with the child."
"I remember," Tetsuya said, frowning, "But why are you...?"
He froze again, staring in horrid fascination as the portent of the healer's words reached him.
"I am...?" he mused in a soft, stunned voice.
"Tetsuya-san," the healer said sadly, "You cannot have this child. The risk is too great. I know how you feel, but we cannot risk losing you. You know that Byakuya-sama will..."
"I don't want him to know!" Tetsuya cried suddenly, surprising himself with the words.
He thought quickly, his heart pounding and sickness rising in his belly.
"Please, I just...I need time to...to come to terms with this. This is moving too quickly. Just a few days, that is all. Can we wait just a few days?"
"Then you will tell Byakuya-sama?" asked Michio, watching the younger man's face closely.
"Yes," Tetsuya promised, "I will tell him and I will find a way to accept his decision."
"I am...so very sorry, Tetsuya-san, the healer said, taking his hands and squeezing gently, "I know this brings back very difficult memories for you. Please, if you need anything..."
"Thank you, Michio-san," Tetsuya said gratefully, "I will be all right."
He watched the healer leave, then turned to speak to Koji, but went silent as he found his attendant collapsed and leaning against the bed, his body wracked with silent sobs. Tetsuya took his hand and coaxed him up onto the bed, then embraced him tightly, holding his own tears carefully in check.
"It's all right, Koji-san. It will be all right, I promise. I won't break down like I did before. It will be all right."
"B-but Tetsuya-san, you...you are...and they will take your baby again!"
He clutched at Tetsuya tightly, crying more quietly into his cousin's shoulder.
"Koji-san," Tetsuya whispered into his ear, "you always show such kindness to me. It grieves me to see you so sad. Please...please don't cry."
The attendant pulled free and wiped his teary eyes, clearing his throat and trying to regain his composure.
"I am sorry, Tetsuya-san. I don't mean to be a burden to you."
"You aren't a burden," Tetsuya said, leaning forward and kissing his cousin on the cheek, then the forehead, "You are a blessing. Never forget that, no matter what happens."
"I won't," Koji promised.
He wiped away several more tears, then frowned and looked up at Tetsuya questioningly.
"What is it?" Tetsuya asked.
"Tetsuya-san is pregnant with Byakuya-sama's child!" he whispered, "That means that Byakuya-sama is bonded to you and cannot give Minori-sama a child!"
"Shh!" Tetsuya hissed, covering his cousin's mouth with one hand and speaking quickly into his ear, "Koji, you know what will happen if word of this gets out. You are to tell no one!"
"But it would stop the wedding! And you could...!"
"No," Tetsuya said solemnly, "Koji, you know that once word was out, I would not live long enough to have the child! And Byakuya-sama would be disgraced. There would be a war between our clan and the Aomori clan. Please, you must tell no one what you know!"
"But you will tell Byakuya-sama, ne?" Koji asked, "You know that even if they cannot let you have a child, Byakuya-sama will still be bonded to you."
"For as long as I live," Tetsuya finished, "You know exactly how long it would be if the wrong people knew. Koji-san, you must not say anything!"
"I won't!" Koji promised fervently, "I promise you, I will not say a word, no matter what!"
"Good," Tetsuya said more softly, "Now, I need some ginger tea, please."
"And something to eat," Koji insisted, "I will be right back, Tetsuya-san."
Tetsuya watched as he left, then slipped out of bed and walked to the garden doors. He stared out at the trees and koi pond, his mind in a whirl as the facts spun around in his head.
I cannot stay anymore. I have to get away from here! They will take my baby if I stay, and Byakuya-sama will be dishonored. Yes, the only answer is to leave. That is the only chance that my baby and I have for survival! If we stay, Byakuya-sama will want me to abort the child because he doesn't want me to risk myself, and if anyone learns of it, there will be a scandal that will lead to a war with Minori-sama's family. They will accuse Byakuya-sama of hiding the fact he was bonded to me.
"Well," said Orochi's deep, provocative voice, "That is a serious face, Tetsuya. What is on your mind?"
"Why are you here?" Tetsuya asked shortly.
"I was sent to convey our concern and to make sure that our leader was not hurt in the attack at the Shiba clan hall," Orochi explained, "And I thought I might take a moment to share something with you."
"I am not interest..."
"Oh, wait a moment," he cousin said in a staying tone, "You need to know this."
He paused, and his face took on a knowing gleam.
"Or...maybe the reason you are so standoffish is because you already know."
"I know what?" Tetsuya asked, scowling, "I have no time for your games, Orochi."
"This is no game, Tetsuya," Orochi said in a low, soft voice, "This is a warning. That man who was caught at the scene of the crime will not be found to be connected to any group, but only because the group he belongs to is very careful."
Tetsuya stared into Orochi's black eyes, feeling as though walls had begun to close in around him.
"This group, which as you know used to be involved in the running of several illegal prisons, one of them Itamigiri, the one where you were imprisoned, has connections within a certain influential clan, who unexpectedly found themselves burdened with a Breeder male in the main family..."
"Stop right there," Tetsuya said in a biting whisper, "You will say no more of this to anyone!"
Orochi's eyes widened in curiosity.
"Really?" he mused, "You are...worried about that little Breeder, Minori, being disgraced, are you?"
"Minori-sama hasn't done anything wrong!" Tetsuya argued, "He is innocent, Orochi!"
"Of course," his darker cousin agreed, "But...you know as well as I do that what happens to one happens to all. And I find it curious why you know Minori's family is involved and yet you haven't said a word, Tetsuya. Why is that? Don't you want your lover back? Or have you learned that doing that will only get your heart broken again?"
"Get out of here!" Tetsuya snapped viciously, "Get out and do not dare spread that nonsense to anyone else!"
"Oh, I don't plan to tell anyone else," Orochi assured him, "I just wanted you to know, I will be watching you closely. And I will very much enjoy watching you try to figure a way out of this!"
"Bastard!" Tetsuya exclaimed softly, watching as his cousin turned and stalked away.
He put a hand over his swiftly beating heart and thought quickly.
What can I do? I don't know what to do.
All I know is that I must leave this place and never come back!