Chapter 13: New Light
(I'm knee deep in work, soon to be up to my ears. Next week is looking to be more reasonable, so I'll have catch up on shout outs then. I do have to give my deepest, warmest thanks to the many supporters of this story, most especially Janessa Wolf - Soul, whose lovely wedding kimonos appear on the story cover and in todays new chapter! Enjoy, love to all, Spunky)
Tetsuya's waking mind registered the soft footstep of his attendant entering the sleeping chamber and he turned beneath the covers, lifting his head slightly and opening his large blue eyes. The sapphire orbs blinked and evidenced the barest hint of disappointment as he found his intended gone from their bed. He drew a deeper breath and sat up, smiling as Koji set a food tray in his lap, then took a seat next to the bed.
"It's almost sunset, Tetsuya-san," the young man informed him, "Ukitake taichou has gone to bathe and dress. He asked me to make sure you ate once more before the ceremony to assure you are fully recovered."
"I feel fine," Tetsuya chuckled, looking down at the heaping tray, "but you'll get no argument from me because I am starved. I know I ate a lot a while ago…"
"But Ukitake taichou's bankai was demanding on both of you," Koji acknowledged.
He gave Tetsuya a brighter smile.
"Ukitake taichou and I also noticed that, while you were sleeping, you were radiating reiatsu again, Tetsuya-san. Michio came in to examine you and he said that he thinks your powers are beginning to return. He asked me to have you try some gentle kido after you eat, then see if you can enter your inner world."
Tetsuya nodded briefly as he dug into his food. Koji's expression warmed as his master attacked the huge meal almost desperately.
"You have a good appetite," he noted, "That is a relief. I was worried before, when you were so troubled."
"You don't have to worry. I am much better now," Tetsuya assured him, taking a swallow of his tea, "Thank you for taking care of me, Koji."
Koji blushed.
"You don't have to thank me for that, Tetsuya-san," he laughed softly, "I am always happy to help you."
"And I am always grateful," Tetsuya persisted.
The two looked up as Byakuya entered the room with his attendant at his side.
"Greetings, Cousin," Byakuya said quietly, "I hope you slept well."
"Very well," Tetsuya said, smirking, "and before you ask, I ate before I fell asleep and I am eating now, so I promise I won't pass out during the ceremony."
"I am pleased to find you in such good spirits," the clan leader said approvingly, "I know that this wedding is sudden for you. If not for the very strict rules…"
"You know I understand that," Tetsuya said reassuringly, "Don't worry about me. I am fine, Byakuya-sama. And actually, after what happened during the confrontation with the quincies, I feel even more resolve to see this through."
A rare smile touched Byakuya's lips at the peaceful expression that overtook Tetsuya's comely face as he continued.
"Being connected with his power, being brought so close to his soul made me feel like we are already somehow bound…and that is what made me able to heal him."
Byakuya studied his cousin thoughtfully for a moment.
"You believe there is truth to this myth that Juushiro's mother told him, don't you?" he inquired.
"I think there must be," Tetsuya answered insistently, "There is no other explanation for my being able to heal him when all other healers could not, and for what we experienced when our reiatsu was joined for his bankai. I may still have my doubts about how ready I am to join with him sexually, but there is no doubt in my mind…in my heart, that we are meant for each other."
Byakuya let out a long, soft breath.
"That is some relief," he admitted, reaching out to lay a hand on Tetsuya's, "And you can be assured that someone like Juushiro is going to be patient with you as you adjust to your new circumstances."
Tetsuya shifted very slightly and bit his lip gently.
"Patient or not, there is really no escaping what must happen after our vows are taken."
Byakuya gave him a sympathetic look.
"He will be very gentle with you," he said reassuringly, "He knows that you are not really ready to take this step."
"That is a comfort."
Tetsuya dabbed at his lips with a napkin and set his tray aside.
"I should bathe and dress now."
His eyes took on a slightly somber look. Byakuya's head tilted questioningly.
"Is something wrong?" he asked, frowning.
"Oh, it's nothing," Tetsuya assured him, "I was just thinking that the only thing I have to wear is my house guard's uniform."
Byakuya smiled and cupped a gentle hand around his cousin's cheek.
"I am sure that Juushiro will find you look beautiful in whatever you wear."
"I know he will," Tetsuya answered more softly, "And it's silly, with everything that's going on, to be worried about what I will wear. I just…want to look good for him."
"And you will," Byakuya promised, "Come now. Koji will lay out your clothes and we can go to the bathing chamber together."
Tetsuya nodded and climbed out of the bed, heading into the dressing area alongside his attendant. He stopped short, staring as his eye fell on what he was sure was the most lovely formal wedding kimono he could have imagined. Perfectly formed in handsome navy silk, the neck and sleeves were lined in a gentler pale blue. Finished with a band of teal at the waist, it left Tetsuya breathless as he tried to fathom its presence in front of him.
"Byakuya-sama," he managed in a whisper.
His cousin moved quickly to his side with the attendants following. The three froze and gazed at the beautiful garment, then looked back at Tetsuya questioningly.
"Byakuya-sama, did you…?"
"No," his cousin answered in a mystified tone, "I have no idea where this came from."
"It wasn't there when I was in to see you earlier," Koji mused.
"Who could have done this?" Torio wondered aloud, rubbing his chin.
Tetsuya moved closer, breathing in the scent of the fine silk garment and studying it more closely. After several minutes, he blinked slowly and looked back at the others with an expression of wonder.
"Ishida Uryu made this," he breathed, touching the kimono with an adoring hand, "I've seen things he has made for other friends. I would know his work anywhere! Uryu made this!"
"But we only formally announced the wedding this morning," Byakuya said, frowning, "How in kami's name did he find the material, let alone make in a day what takes most tailors a month to craft?"
"It's a family gift," Tetsuya explained, tears coming to his eyes, "It's so beautiful, Byakuya-sama! It's perfect!"
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Juushiro stepped out from underneath the spray of the shower and onto a bath mat, where he waited as an attendant began to carefully dry his slim, muscular body. He caught his image in the mirror, wondering silently at how his normally overly thin form had filled out and his flesh color looked so much better.
Amazing! I knew that I was fully healed, but I imagine a part of me was reluctant to fully accept that the disease in me was gone. Perhaps I feared having my hopes shattered after something so beautiful and hopeful touched me…
"My old friend," Shunsui's voice said from behind him.
Ukitake turned and broke into a wide, bright smile of greeting as his attendant hastily wrapped a yukata around him. Shunsui wrapped strong arms around his comrade, hugging him tightly, then loosing him and eyeing him closely. His already wide smile warmed at what he saw.
"It's true, then," he said in a wondering tone, "Takao's boy healed you?"
"He did," the white-haired taichou confirmed, "I'm pretty amazed by that, myself."
"How about blown away?" Shunsui laughed, "You've never looked so good. Not the whole time I've known you."
"Are you insulting me?" Juushiro joked, "I think I'm offended."
"Let me offer you a drink to apologize, and to say congratulations," Shunsui said, pulling a silver flask from his sleeve, "I heard you're getting married."
"You go ahead," Juushiro said, smiling, "I have to have a clear head for the ceremony. I'm sure there will be some toasting afterward, although it will just be with the Kuchiki elders and what friends of ours could be here."
"Why do you think I hurried here so fast?" the captain commander laughed, "I wasn't going to miss my best friend's wedding. Not in a million years."
He took a deep swallow from the flask, then slipped it back into his sleeve. Juushiro gave his attendant a little nod and a friendly smile.
"Go on. I will be there to dress in a few minutes. I'm just going to catch up with my friend, here."
"Of course, Ukitake taichou," his attendant said, bowing, "I will wait in the dressing room."
"I heard there was nearly a frightful battle here," Shunsui said, lowering his voice conspiratorially, "and that someone used an unexpectedly powerful bankai. I know you've been healed, but to be able to manage something like that, and so quickly."
"You know I have practiced extensively with my bankai in my inner world," Juushiro explained, "And even now, it requires me to borrow power from my fiancé to use its true form. But yes, I was able to use my bankai to convince the attacking quincies to leave."
Shunsui let out an appreciative breath.
"Too bad we didn't have that power during the war. It could have saved some lives that were lost."
"It certainly saved lives here."
"I heard you knocked out a bunch of them and left good ol' Kaiser Nacht shaking in his combat boots," Shunsui said in an impressed tone.
"Now, you know that I don't fight in front of children," Juushiro said, smirking, "I wasn't going to change that, just because of a quincy with bad manners."
"Well, you can bet that he isn't in the shadows, drowning his misery in sake. He's going to be plotting revenge. And if he understands that he can't take his target, head on, he might just focus that hatred on you and the people around you," Shunsui said, his face taking on a more serious expression, "Juushiro, keep Tetsuya close to you. I know he is powerful, but…"
"Well, about that," the white-haired taichou said more softly, "It seems that there was some tinkering done with Tetsuya's zanpakutou, back when he first received it from Byakuya."
Shunsui considered his friend's words for a moment, then his eyes registered comprehension.
"Ah, Byakuya's protective instincts."
"Yes," Juushiro confirmed, "It seems that he was worried for Tetusya's safety, so he made an agreement with his zanpakutou spirit to allow Tetsuya to access Arashi's fighting power in his training."
"For Tetsuya to access Arashi's power?" he repeated, "But…"
"Tetsuya was developing strong healing skills," Juushiro explained, "and Byakuya knew that, as mixed blood noble, he was already going to be facing some prejudice."
"And to have let him emerge as a healer would have encouraged his pureblood enemies to think he was weak," Shunsui spat disgustedly, "I understand the thinking, but it must have come as a shock to Tetsuya when he found out."
"It was when he found me and Re-kuhime sensed his powerful desire to stop my death. Tetsuya doesn't know how it happened, but his sword spirit tapped into the healing power that was not allowed to develop, and she used Tetsuya to heal me."
"How did he take it when he found out?" Shunsui asked.
"He was actually very understanding," Juushiro said, an edge of sadness in his voice, "But the situation seemed to have caused a shock to his system and Tetsuya lost his powers. He still has reiatsu radiating in his body, but he wasn't able to connect with his blade and even his natural abilities are not working."
"Ah."
"Urahara Kisuke thinks that his powers will return as he comes to terms with his true power and reconnects with Re-kuhime. But for now, he is vulnerable. I will be careful with him. He's become quite precious to me."
"I can see that," Shunsui said approvingly, "It's not just good health making you glow all over, my friend. You are in love."
"Yes," Juushiro affirmed, "very much so."
"And Tetsuya?"
Juushiro took a slow, soft breath.
"He is still damaged from his childhood as a prisoner, so we are taking the physical things more slowly. But he did seem sincere in telling me that he loves me also."
"That's good news," Shunsui said sincerely, "But don't let me keep you. You have a wedding to prepare for."
"I wish there was time to send home for something more appropriate to wear than my threadbare uniform. My haori is barely holding itself together. But just to be able to join people in marriage, after what we've been through. I suppose I shouldn't be picky about clothing. It's more important that we are alive. So many others aren't anymore."
"And you could have been among them," Shunsui noted, pausing and removing the flask from his sleeve to take another drink, "I am very happy that Tetsuya interfered with your fate. I didn't want to lose my oldest, best friend."
"I didn't want to be lost," Juushiro chuckled, rubbing a towel over his face and hair, then heading for the bathing chamber door.
They started towards the dressing room, taking slow steps and talking along the way.
"Well, now that you're here," Ukitake went on, "what would you say to being my best man? Byakuya is giving Tetsuya away, but I wasn't sure who to ask if you weren't here."
Shunsui gave him a deeply pleased look.
"Are you kidding? Of course I'll stand up for you," he laughed, "It would be an honor."
"Good," Ukitake answered slowing as his attendant ran out of the room in front of them, wearing a surprised expression.
"Ukitake taichou! Come, sir, you must see what I found in your dressing room! You won't believe it! Come and see!"
Juushiro and Shunsui exchanged curious glances and followed the youth to the dressing room door. They entered the room and came to a sudden stop, staring ahead of them with stunned expressions.
On a dressing stand in front of them hung a silken hunter green kimono with notes of olive at the collar and sleeve and finished with a long black sash.
"What is this?" Juushiro mused, moving forward and examining the handsome garment more closely, "This is made in my size, perfectly tailored! How is that possible?"
"There was a note with the kimono, sir…from Ishida Uryu," his attendant said, holding the note out to the surprised taichou.
Juushiro accepted the envelope from his hand and broke into a touched smile.
"Ukitake taichou, please accept my warmest congratulations. I knew that most of everyone's finer clothing and possessions must have been lost in the war, so I wanted to give you something to wear to your wedding. I've known Tetsuya for awhile and I can see how strong his feelings for you are. I also know that Tetsuya is gaining a husband who will respect and love him the way he deserves. I know you two will be happy together. Please accept this gift and my best wishes. Uryu."
"Well now," Shunsui chuckled, "that's just about everything."
"I do wish my family could be here, but once things are more settled, Byakuya is going to have a formal reception at Kuchiki Manor."
"I'll look forward to that."
"It will be awhile before the Seireitei is back in order," Juushiro sighed, "but this is a good beginning, isn't it, Shunsui?"
"It is," his friend agreed, slipping an arm around him and giving him a warm hug, "Now, why don't we get you into this. Someone is waiting for you. You don't want to leave him hanging too long."
"No," Juushiro agreed, blushing very slightly, "Tetsuya is probably already very nervous. He isn't quite ready for this. If we had a choice, I would give him more time."
"He'll be fine," Shunsui said reassuringly, "My friend, you are exactly who that young man needs most. If Tetsuya hasn't already seen that, it won't be very long until he does."
The two looked up as another attendant flash stepped into the room.
"Sirs, I was told to let you know that the guests are gathering in the main meeting chamber. The wedding will begin in thirty minutes."
Shunsui's smile widened and he nodded.
"You get dressed. I'll go out and warm up the crowd," he joked.
Juushiro gave his friend a gratified smile.
"Shunsui," he said, touching the captain commander's arm, "thank you."
"Be happy," Shunsui whispered, his smile fading slightly, "That is all the thanks I need."