Chapter 12: Beauty and the Beaten
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(I'm glad to get this one back on track! My thanks to Nyma (You are so very sweet! Thanks!), Sachiko Ayumi (Here it is! I am back on track now.), PrivateCaller (There is still so much more to this story. It is rolling along well now.), Jess0409 (Sorry for the wait. This one's up and more is coming.), Tiffany91 (Welcome back! :) Yes, things will get darker for everyone, but there is still hope, and Kisuke and Tetsuya will have a lot to do with that.), Daddy's Little Crazy Bitch (I love, love love right back at'cha!), Hisuiryuu (Things have definitely gotten desperate, and everyone's under pressure. But, you know, some people work really well under pressure!), Yukino76 (Central 46 has to be the most archaic and corrupt system ever. They are pretty much controlled by the stuffy noble lords, and people like Byakuya are more rare. What a pain they are!), TomyAllen (Yes, I do make impressive goolash messes of the characters and believe me, it isn't always easy to write them out of that! It is fun, though. :) Especially with all of the encouragement!), Tmp3475 (Everybody is getting tested and limits are certainly being pushed. But something will happen that is going to take this in an even more dangerous direction.) Take care all! Spunky loves ya.)
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Heavy throbs of pain in his head jolted Byakuya out of the drugged sleep he was in, and he rolled over and threw up into the wastebasket beside his bed. He startled as someone on the other side of the bed moved, and it registered that he was back in his servant's quarters, and that the other person in his bed was fellow servant, Vogel.
"Wh-what are you doing in here?" Byakuya gasped, holding his head as he pulled away from the bigger man.
Nausea rendered him unable to speak anymore, and he bent over the wastebasket again, retching. He shivered as he felt Vogel's arm curl around him, but the quincy only held him steady as he emptied his stomach, then eased him back onto his pillow.
"I didn't do nothin' to you," Vogel said shortly, "Nacht just had his way with you, then he had you brought back here and dumped in your room. I knew the drugs and the nasty powers he used on you could make you sick and I thought you'd prefer having me spend the night with you to drowning in your own vomit."
"Ugh!" Byakuya groaned, recoiling inwardly as he registered the dampness between his thighs and the nagging pains all over that made it clear what had happened the night before, "I think I would be sick just at the thought of being touched by that man."
"Maybe it's good he drugged you," Vogel said sympathetically.
Byakuya looked down at his defiled body, wearing a disgusted expression.
No one ever dared to lay hands on me without my consent.
I will destroy him for touching Ichigo and me.
He cringed at the thought of appearing in the common bathing room, bruised and obviously having suffered a brutal assault.
"Hey, look," Vogel grunted, nudging him to bring him out of his reverie, "you probably don't want to go out to the bathing room, but you need to get cleaned up, now that you're awake. I can slip you into the south wing basement rooms that aren't being used, so you can bathe alone, if you want."
Byakuya gave him a suspicious look.
"And where will you be while I am bathing?" he asked.
"I'll be bathing with you," Vogel said unabashedly, "Cause if someone comes, I can talk us out of it. You're still on probation, and now the boss is interested in you. You should be happy that I'm being protective of you."
"Please do not ask me to kiss you again," Byakuya said dryly.
"Yeah, you've been beat up enough," Vogel agreed, "I'm not gonna lie. I'm gonna be looking at you, but I won't touch you none, if you don't want me to."
"Thank you for that," Byakuya sighed, leaning against the bigger man as Vogel infused his battered body with healing reiatsu, "I think I've had enough of people touching me against my will."
Vogel gazed at him quietly for a moment, then shook his head.
"Pretty thing like you is going to get attention. I tried to help, but once the boss notices you, there's not much anyone can do. He'll probably start calling for you to serve him sexually. You think with that cute ginger of his he wouldn't need anyone else, but I heard Edle Knecht Ichigo is pregnant, and they're trying to hide it, cause it ain't the Kaiser's kid."
Vogel leaned closer and whispered conspiratorially in his ear.
"I overheard that it's a shinigami who fathered it, and Nacht is only letting him keep it because the father is a noble and a powerful taichou."
Byakuya swallowed hard against the knot of worry that assailed his throat.
If he has realized that the baby is mine, he may also figure out that I am here. It will not be long before he knows everything. I have to get out of the palace! I can't help Ichigo right now, and if I am caught, there is no one to help either of us!
"You look pale," Vogel commented, "Paler than usual, that is."
"I feel sorry for Edle Knecht Ichigo," Byakuya said evasively, "He has to sleep with that monster every night."
"You'd better watch yourself or you'll be in that bed with them every night," Vogel warned him, "The Kaiser is probably the meanest bastard ever lived besides Ywach. Love you, hate you…either way, he's gonna hurt you. I feel bad for you, so I'll do what I can to help you out."
"In exchange for what?" Byakuya asked dryly.
He realized after a moment that Vogel had gone silent and was studying him closely.
"I don't want nothin' from you," he said finally, "I'm just tryin' to do the right thing."
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Ichigo felt a little twinge of surprise at waking up alone, and he sat up, looking around for his usually amorous master. The door opened and Mandel entered the room, bearing Ichigo's freshly altered clothing. Ichigo climbed out of bed and walked into the dressing area, where he watched quietly while the servant dressed him.
"Thank kami I can't be stuffed into those damned formal clothes anymore," Ichigo sighed, rubbing the more notable bump on his abdomen, "I'm sick to death of being paraded around in front of everyone. The way everyone looks at me, knowing what that sick animal does to me…"
He paused, noting the look of discomfort in Mandel's weary eyes.
"Sorry," he apologized, "It's not like you or any of the others around here have any control over what he does. From what I've seen, he abuses everyone around him, just in different ways."
"Please, sir," Mandel said sadly, "best not to focus on unpleasant things."
"Yeah, not much I can do," Ichigo sighed, "I'll just make the most of the times like last night, when he's too busy working to bother with me."
Mandel gave no answer, but Ichigo read the guarded look in his eyes.
"What?" he mused, frowning, "He wasn't?"
Mandel looked around cautiously and shook his head.
"We shouldn't gossip," he said, shifting uncomfortably, "Come, they've set out tea in the gardens, and you can have a walk after."
"Mandel," Ichigo said more sternly, "I see what you're doing. What's going on? What are you not telling me?"
"It isn't my right to say, please, sir," the other servant pleaded softly, "You will get us both punished."
"I'm not trying to get anyone punished," Ichigo persisted, "Look, just tell me what's going on. I won't…tell anyone I know. I won't give away who told me."
"I can't. I am sorry."
Ichigo tried to continue pressuring the other man, but was forced to abandon the effort as the healer arrived to examine him. Mandel escaped the room as Verrill took his place at Ichigo's side, coaxing him into sitting down, then spending several minutes scanning his body thoroughly.
"Your baby seems very healthy and is growing at an accelerated rate. Babies of powerful parents often do develop more quickly."
"Is that right?" Ichigo asked, "I didn't know that. How long do you think it will be?"
"Maybe four or five months," the healer answered, straightening, "Be sure to eat more, and exercise and rest sufficiently. I will have a word with Kaiser Nacht about limiting your sexual use. There are some indications that your body is under stress that is not affecting the baby right now, but could in the future."
"Not like he cares," Ichigo said, looking away, "He doesn't give a damn about the baby. I doubt that he cares very much about me either. He really only cares about himself and getting what he wants."
"Try not to think about all of that," the healer urged him, "You must focus on your health and the baby's right now. There is nothing you can do about the other, so it's best to put it out of your mind. Go on, now. Why don't you have a walk in the gardens. I'm going that way myself. Kaiser Nacht wanted me to check in with the servant's healer."
"Oh," Ichigo sighed, letting the elder man help him to his feet, "Sure."
The two left the bedroom and walked down to the gardens, Ichigo listening quietly as Verrill commented about the nice weather and fresh air. They were several steps along the garden path when Ichigo spotted a different man tending the plants and flowers.
"Hey, where's Tomas this morning?" Ichigo asked, a twinge of worry touching his insides.
I went to look for him last night, but I couldn't find him. I wonder if Nacht still has him locked up.
"He is…unwell," Verrill said in an odd, stiff tone, "He was punished quite severely."
Byakuya!
"Is he gonna be okay?" Ichigo asked, trying not to sound alarmed.
"Oh, I'm sure he'll be fine. Kaiser Nacht just wanted me to oversee the servant healer's work."
"Would it be okay for me to tag along with you?" inquired Ichigo, "Not to be a bother or anything, but since I've been here, Tomas has been really great to me. I want to be sure he's okay."
"W-well," the healer said awkwardly, "I suppose that it's all right for you to visit, as long as you are with me and we do not stay for long."
"Thanks, Doc," Ichigo said gratefully.
The two left the gardens and headed into the servants' wing, with Ichigo earning curious looks from the other servants as they made their way to Tomas's room and Verrill tapped politely on the door before entering. Ichigo was immediately stricken upon entering at the sight of Byakuya, dressed in a white yukata and sitting up against several pillows. His eyes widened slightly at seeing Ichigo, but he carefully hid his reaction.
"Tomas," the healer addressed him, "I was asked by Kaiser Nacht to come to see you. I am to examine you and to administer medication to ensure that you do not become impregnated by him."
Ichigo stiffened and his jaw clenched in an effort not to give himself away.
What?
"I assure you, you will find that I was not impregnated," Tomas assured him.
"I do hope that is true," Verrill answered, "However, Kaiser Nacht's rules for servants he uses sexually are very strict. There is to be no opportunity for unplanned impregnation. I am afraid you must submit to taking the medication in my presence."
Byakuya's head dipped slightly and he nodded.
"Very well."
He remained patiently still as the healer carefully examined him and placed a pain block. He handed Byakuya a large, white pill and watched as he swallowed it with a mouthful of water.
"There now, all done," Verrill said, trying to sound cheerful, but sounding more relieved, "Just ask one of the others to come for me if you encounter any problems."
The door opened and Vogel peeked into the room.
"Verrill," he addressed the healer, his eye straying to study Ichigo, "Our healer needs a hand with something. Can you help him out?"
"Of course," Verrill assured him.
The healer turned to Ichigo.
"Have a few minutes with him, if you want, but please return to the gardens shortly. The master is in council right now, but he will be back soon and will want to know where you are."
Ichigo nodded quietly, waiting until he was alone with Byakuya, then rushing to the noble's side.
"Byakuya, what'd he do to you?" he asked urgently, "I mean, I saw what he did in the gardens, but…I…what Verrill said to you. Nacht raped you, didn't he?"
Byakuya paused, gathering himself before answering.
"Thankfully, I was heavily drugged and affected by his powers, so I do not remember exactly what happened. I have been healed now. I am…all right, Ichigo."
"You're all right?" Ichigo repeated sarcastically, "How can you say that? How could anyone be all right with any of this? Byakuya, we have to get out of here!"
Byakuya's eyes rose to meet his, and he shook his head firmly.
"The way things are right now, there is no way that you and I can successfully escape. Ichigo, you know that. I am…trying to figure out how we can get out of the palace, but we still do not know how to obtain or use a sun gate key. We must both remain calm and persist in our efforts. Please trust me. I know that you want to escape now, but if you want us and our baby to get home safely, you must be careful and not move hastily."
"But…Nacht raped you," Ichigo said in a horrified tone.
"Ichigo, it is all right. It couldn't be helped. It is in the man's nature, and we cannot avoid it. I am more concerned with how he has treated you. He is a constant danger to you and to our child. His interest in me is purely physical and I am not with child. I was educated in my youth how to endure rape at the hands of an enemy. I will attend counseling when we are safe, but right now, my focus…our focus must be on finding what we need to plan for our escape."
He reached up and caressed Ichigo's cheek longingly.
"We will get home safely. I promise you, I will not have it any other way. And when we are home and safe, I promise I will never leave you. I love you, Ichigo."
"I love you too," Ichigo answered, his eyes filling with tears as he sat down on the bed and sought the noble's lips for several hard, desperate kisses.
"You barely remember me," Byakuya chided him, holding him gently and reaching down to rub the baby bump on his belly.
"I've remembered a lot," Ichigo assured him, "Look, Byakuya, I know we had a fight and I was angry when I left. But, whatever it was we fought about, it doesn't matter. We're together now, and we're going to stay that way, right?"
"Yes," Byakuya agreed, "We just have to get out of this place."
Ichigo nodded and started to speak, then took on a look of worry.
"What is it?" Byakuya asked, squeezing his hand.
"Nacht knows that Kuchiki Byakuya disappeared from the Seireitei," Ichigo explained, "A message from the Gotei was intercepted by the quincies. It said that they think I lured you away to be kidnapped! And they are going to arrest my father. Somehow they found out about him being in Karakura Town."
"It was only a matter of time," Byakuya sighed, "but I am sure your father will not let himself be caught. He was always able to maneuver out of tight situations. He will be all right, Ichigo."
"And what about us?" asked Ichigo, "Will we be all right? I mean, even if we escape here, I'm wanted by the Gotei 13 and Central 46."
"When we are home, I will handle all of that," Byakuya assured him, "You must not concern yourself with that, or with worries about me, or anything else. Ichigo, our single focus must be finding a way out of here."
"But, if Nacht knows you're missing, he may figure out you came here. He knows that Tomas appeared out of thin air, and if he checks out your story about being an Ishida, he's going to learn about you! He'll figure out who you are, and Byakuya, if he does, he's going to kill you!"
Byakuya embraced Ichigo tightly, kissing him and caressing his hair until the ginger-haired man relaxed slightly.
"I am not going to die here, anata," Byakuya promised, "I came here to rescue you, and I will not give up until you are home. We are going home from this place together. Everything will be all right. Please trust me."
"I trust you," Ichigo said, closing his eyes tightly and burying his face in Byakuya's shoulder, "I just feel terrible, knowing that bastard hurt you. You wouldn't be here if it wasn't for me."
Byakuya paused and let out a long breath.
"Ichigo, you would not be here if I had not hurt you before."
"Byakuya, I don't care about that anymore. I don't. All I care about is us staying together and getting home in one piece. Whatever happened before doesn't matter, and I don't want you to blame yourself for it."
"But, I hurt you."
"And I ran away," Ichigo added, "That's why I got caught by them, right? It's as much my fault as yours. Let's forget about all of that and just…"
He broke off, hugging Byakuya crushingly and kissing him several more times.
"You must leave now," Byakuya warned him, "We have to be extremely cautious."
"But, what if Nacht realizes who you are?" Ichigo worried, "What can we do about that?"
"Nothing," Byakuya reasoned, "It is a glaring danger, but if we move to make me safer here, then we will definitely arouse suspicion. Our only hope is to continue our current plans and to try to escape before my identity is discovered."
"Okay," Ichigo said, pulling free of Byakuya and wiping his eyes, "I'm gonna go back now. And I promise, I will get the information about the sun gate. We can meet up in the gardens anytime Nacht is out of the palace. Just, be careful, okay?"
"You be careful as well," Byakuya said, giving him a longing kiss of parting, "Neither one of us can afford to make a mistake now. Any mistake we make could be our last."