Chapter 14: Through a Child's Eyes
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(Thanks going out to Winterheart2000 (Sorry for the wait. Here you go!), Hisuiryuu (I have always gotten a kick out of Uryu's mad sewing ability. It seemed to weave in well with this story! lol), Picklez80 (Thank you so much! More is on the way!), ShariBerry89 (You've got it!), PrivateCaller (I will put a rush order on the next one. Promise!), Aizenfan6969 (The wait is over!), Featherfoot (You are the best! Thx.), Ottree (Shunsui will provide some needed encouragement and a little booze at just the right time! lol), Yumyum495 (Toshiro is in this chapter, and now that Tetsuya's powers are returning, he will feature in part of the story as they try to unravel what Tetsuya's powers mean.), TMP3475 (Ah, Nacht will be back, but his actions will prompt something he is not expecting!), Janessa Wolf - Soul (I think you'll enjoy this one, but the next one will be a super-charmer!), xxshunukixx (So glad you liked that! :) More good stuff in on the way!) and SesshomaruFreak (Thank you so much!), Enjoy the new chapter! Love to all, Spunky)
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Juushiro stood, smiling, in front of the dressing mirror, admiring the beautiful fabric of the formal kimono he wore as his attendant worked at his long, white hair, first weaving a small braid on each side, then pulling them up gently to meet and combine into a long braid down the back, leaving the rest of his hair loose and flowing around his shoulders and down his back.
I wonder how Tetsuya is holding up, he wondered silently, He seemed collected earlier, but there was anxiety beneath the calm, much like Byakuya, but a little less capable of restraint. Yes, that more restless heart of his is not so easy to hold back, though he does try.
I do hope his fears about the consummation do not torment him too much. I did all I could to reassure him, but when the moment comes, we shall have to see. Still, there are things I can do to help relax him. I have a few ideas…
"Ukitake taichou," Torio said, peeking in through the doorway, "Byakuya-sama asked me to inform you that everything is ready for the ceremony. I am to escort you to the meeting chamber."
"Thank you, Torio," Juushiro answered, pausing to thank and dismiss his own attendant.
He fell in with Torio, heading out of his dressing room and down a long corridor.
"Have you seen Tetsuya this afternoon?" he asked conversationally.
"I saw him earlier, yes," Torio confirmed, "Byakuya-sama had Koji and me keeping him busy so that he wouldn't have time to get nervous."
"That's good," the white-haired taichou said approvingly, "He can be high strung, but you and Koji know that."
"Yes, sir, but Tetsuya-san is very brave. He may be anxious, but he will calm when the ceremony begins."
"I hope you're right…although I think he is more worried about things that come after the wedding."
"Yes, probably," Torio agreed, "but my brother knows how to calm Tetsuya-san. He will soothe Tetsuya-san before the consummation."
"I have an idea about that," Juushiro replied, moving closer to whisper into Torio's ear for a moment.
At his words, the attendant's face brightened.
"That is a wonderful idea, Ukitake taichou!" he exclaimed softly, "That is sure to relax him.
"I hope it will," Juushiro sighed as the two reached the entrance to the large meeting chamber, "The last thing I would ever want to do is to hurt or frighten him."
"But Ukitake taichou is such a gentle person," Torio insisted, "Tetsuya-san knows that."
"He does," Juushiro agreed, "But sometimes what the mind knows takes longer for the heart to learn."
You are a good, caring man," Torio said, his gaze softening, "Tetsuya-san is lucky to have you."
"I am luckier to have him. I would not be alive if it wasn't for his healing. I will never forget that."
Juushiro took his leave of Byakuya's attendant at the chamber door and waited until a soft instrumental cued him to make his entry. He walked through a side door, moving across the front of the small gathering of Kuchiki elders, family members and a few friends. Shunsui waited at the end of the procession aisle, standing next to Head Kuchiki Elder Nori. He continued walking until he reached Shunsui, then he took his place and turned to look down the aisle.
Despite the haste with which the gathering had been planned and the fact that their shelter was little more than a cluster of smaller and larger caves, small lights hung from rows of trees that lined the chamber, there were plenty of chairs for the guests and off to one side, several tables had been set up and decorated, and they held a modest, but delectable looking feast for after the ceremony.
This is actually quite lovely. Everyone is doing their best to make the occasion special for us, despite our current situation. It's heartwarming.
But if his heart was warmed by the efforts of the encamped Kuchiki family, it melted as Byakuya appeared at the far end of the aisle, dressed in a handsome red and navy kimono with Tetsuya at his side. He felt a flutter in his chest at how beautiful his intended looked in the silken navy kimono he wore, and that he wore what was clearly a genuine smile as he watched Juushiro's reaction to seeing him. The guests on either side of the aisle rose and a wedding march began to play.
For all that he was surely still nervous, Tetsuya's steps were graceful and looked confident as he and Byakuya moved forward to join Shunsui and him in front of Kuchiki Nori. They paused at the bottom of the steps of the raised platform at the end of the aisle and Byakuya placed a gentle kiss on Tetsuya's cheek before moving to follow him as he ascended the steps to meet his fiancé.
"You look enchanting," Juushiro whispered as he accepted Tetsuya's offered hand and the two turned to face Nori.
The music faded out and Nori nodded, acknowledging the two men in front of him, then he addressed the gathered guests.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered today in recognition that, even amidst the chaos and dangers of war, love is ever-present and when things seem darkest, it can produce what can only be called miracles. Every one of us here knows the story of Ukitake Juushiro, a noble son, afflicted with a deadly disease that all expected would claim his life. But as the last moments of his life counted down, a gentle hand reached out and provided a healing power that drove even Juushiro's terminal illness away. None can explain this. It falls under that elusive connection we call resonance, and it has brought Ukitake Juushiro and Kuchiki Tetsuya to this moment, when their two lives will merge and become one."
Nori's chin lifted slightly and he smiled warmly.
"Who gives these two to be joined?" he asked.
"We do," Byakuya and Shunsui said together.
"Juushiro and Tetsuya, do you swear that you seek this union freely and of your own will?"
"We do," the couple answered.
Juushiro's hands took hold of Tetsuya's and he smiled encouragingly as he caught the younger man's eye, making Tetsuya blush. Nori's deep voice continued, reading the blessings and guiding the two through their vows. At the end, the elder paused thoughtfully and joined hands with the couple.
"I would like to take a moment to pass on from the Kuchiki family council a message of gratitude for the service that these two men have provided. Before war was declared, it was Tetsuya's forward thinking that prepared us for the situation, and when the time came, preserved us. Tetsuya made sure that all of us were safe, then remained outside the barrier to provide us constant protection. Ukitake Juushiro was evacuated here for medical treatment, but when the quincy forces threatened us one final time, he and Tetsuya stood together to warn them off. Juushiro, Tetsuya, you cannot begin to know the depths of our gratitude. We are glad to have the opportunity to offer you this new beginning and we hope that the coming years bring you happiness and contentment. Please accept our blessings as you embark upon this greatest of journeys as two become one. Now, please exchange a kiss as the first gift of your new marriage."
Nori hands brought Juushiro and Tetsuya's back together and Juushiro leaned forward, meeting Tetsuya for a warm, chaste kiss. Tetsuya's eyes widened and a little shudder passed through him as they turned to face the guests.
"It is my honor to present to you Ukitakes Juushiro and Tetsuya," Nori announced.
The guests applauded and music played as the newlyweds descended the steps, followed by a widely grinning Shunsui and a more sedate, but pleased looking Byakuya. Nori followed the four, leading the guests to the dining area as attendants began to alter the gathering area to make room for a dance floor.
"I don't think I will be able to eat anything," Tetsuya whispered, making Juushiro smile in sympathy as they reached their place and the elder man pulled out his new husband's chair.
"I doubt we will have much time anyway," Juushiro whispered back, waiting as Tetsuya sat down, then moving to join him.
The two admired the simple, yet elegantly laid out meal.
"I don't know how they managed this," Tetsuya said appreciatively, "despite being prepared, we were beginning to run low on some supplies. I feel kind of guilty doing this."
"It's fine," Juushiro assured him, digging into his meal, "Byakuya told me that fresh stores arrived from a facility in the living world, so there is plenty now."
"Oh, I suppose I was so focused on the wedding, I forgot everything else," Tetsuya laughed softly.
"Look," Juushiro said, between bites of the savory food, "It looks like Byakuya chose Toshiro as his date."
Tetsuya smiled sadly as he watched the two holding hands and exchanging affectionate kisses.
"Have there been any changes in his condition?" Tetsuya asked.
"Unfortunately, no," Juushiro answered, "But Urahara Kisuke is looking into that."
"If anyone can help Toshiro, he can," Tetsuya said, his eyes lowering and a little flush touching his cheeks.
He made a sound of surprise as his husband's hand captured him under the chin and raised Tetsuya's eyes to meet his.
"You could still possibly help him," Juushiro said calmly, "I know that your reiatsu is radiating well and Koji mentioned to me that you were able to enter your inner world."
"But I am still powerless," Tetsuya reasoned, "and…"
He paused as Juushiro's warm fingers touched his lips stayingly.
"Be patient with yourself," he advised the younger man, letting his lips follow his fingers to brush against Tetsuya's frowning mouth, "It will be all right."
"I'm sure you're right," Tetsuya answered, his voice betraying the lack of sincerity beneath the words and earning a reproving look from Juushiro, who started to object.
Tetsuya cleared his throat softly.
"W-we should begin to mingle with the guests," he said, standing.
"But you've barely touched your food," the elder man objected.
"I am really not very hungry," Tetsuya assured him, "Koji stuffed me full of food before. I really can't, though I will wait if you are not ready."
"Oh, it's fine," Juushiro assured him, standing, "Come."
The two joined hands and worked their way around the tables, greeting each guest and pausing for intermittent toasts.
It may have seemed premature to be celebrating, Juushiro mused inwardly, but I think we all needed to feel something normal, to know that although we will be returning to a vastly changed environment, it is not the buildings or the things that make our home, it is the people.
They reached the end of the tables as the first guests were finishing their meal, then Juushiro slipped an affectionate arm around Tetsuya and led him to the dance floor. Within a few minutes, the guests began to make their way over and the band played a short interlude. Juushiro waited until everyone had gathered, then he bowed in front of Tetsuya and took up his position for the dance.
"If I haven't told you, you look beautiful, Tetsuya," he complimented his spouse, "The kimonos that Uryu designed for us are amazing."
"I was almost in tears when I saw it," Tetsuya admitted, his hands sliding along the smooth fabric along Juushiro's shoulders, "I still don't know how he was able to design and make something so perfect for us so very quickly. I know he has a gift, but this is beyond what I would have thought was possible, even for him."
"He is a good friend."
"Yes," Tetsuya agreed, "He is a very kind person, and I thought he was brave to stand up to the quincy, Nacht."
"That was brave," Juushiro agreed, looking over to where Ichigo and Uryu were dancing together, "It's good to see him looking happy. I'm sure it's been hard, being here and seeing how much damage we and the quincies caused each other. I know there have been some who took their frustrations out on him, but he was careful not to fight back."
Tetsuya nodded.
"If we are to make peace of any lasting kind, we have to stop thinking of ourselves as enemies and work on becoming allies, even if we are not friends. We all have to share our world."
"We do," Juushiro agreed.
He paused as a hand touched his shoulder and Byakuya bowed in greeting and took his cousin's hand.
"If I may," he inquired politely.
"Of course," Juushiro answered, smiling.
"Would you like to dance?" Toshiro asked, extending a hand in Juushiro's direction.
"Of course, of course," Juushiro replied, accepting his offered hand, "Toshiro, are you beginning to regain your vision?"
"No," Toshiro answered, his smile fading very slightly, "I have just learned from Byakuya how to use reiatsu sensing to replace my vision while I am not able to see."
Juushiro shook his head in amazement.
"It's hard to tell," he complimented the younger taichou, "You've learned quickly."
"Thank you. Urahara Kisuke says that he still has several ideas that may help me, so we are hopeful it won't be long before my vision is restored."
He turned his head slightly in Tetsuya and Byakuya's direction.
"How is Tetsuya doing?" Toshiro asked, "I heard that his powers have failed."
"Yes, he received a pretty bad shock when he learned that…well, that his powers were not as he had understood them."
"Byakuya told me that he interfered with Tetsuya's zanpakutou," Toshiro informed him, "He feels pretty bad about it."
"He confided that in you," Juushiro observed, "You two are getting close, ne?"
"Yeah," Toshiro confessed, blushing, "we are."
Juuhsiro rejoined Tetsuya for another dance, noting as he did that his husband's reiatsu seemed increasingly jittery as the dancing gave way to sharing cake and sweets, then conversation as the celebration wound down. He maintained a composed look as the two thanked the guests, and by the time Koji arrived to lead him to the consummation, Tetsuya's previously flushed skin had gone pale.
"Is everything all right?" Shunsui asked, startling his old friend out of his reverie, "You look worried about something."
"I think Tetsuya is barely holding himself together," Juushiro confessed, "He has been growing more and more anxious all evening."
"It's to be expected," Shunsui said sympathetically, "He suffered terrible abuse, although it was years ago. But, he had counseling, ne?"
"Oh yes. Counseling and a great deal of love and support from Byakuya and the attendants. But, there is something that Tetsuya has not had in all of that time, and that is a stable sexual relationship since leaving the prison. We both understand he is not ready for this, Shunsui. And the last thing in the world that I want to do is to hurt that young man. He has become precious to me. I would rather die than to hurt him."
Shunsui gave him an assured smile.
"You aren't going to hurt him," he answered confidently, "No, if I know you, you already have an idea or two about how to calm him down."
He moved closer to his friend and lowered his voice slightly.
"Juushiro, it's plain as day that boy loves you."
Juushiro's heart skipped a beat.
"You think so?" he asked, "But he is…"
"He's nervous. Sure. It makes sense. But, even though he's nervous, the way he looks at you, the way he looks into your eyes when he talks to you, the way he's holding himself up because he doesn't want to worry you. Yeah, I think he loves you. He's just scared. You've met his nasty cousin, Orochi, ne? You know what he put Tetsuya through, and no one has touched the boy since."
"The only love he ever felt came from another prisoner, like him. His Naoki was gentle, but with what Orochi was doing to him, I don't know if Tetsuya really registered that the two experiences were different. Pain and fear have built a wall around Tetsuya's heart, and he isn't going to feel anything else unless that wall comes down."
"Well," Shunsui said, smirking and retrieving a small flask from within his clothing, "if there's one thing I know about my oldest and best friend, Ukitake Juushiro, he's a master at bringing down walls of all kinds."
He took a deep swallow, then made a sound of surprise as Juushiro snagged the flask and took a drink, then handed it back and turned in the direction Tetsuya had gone.
"You're a little nervous too, aren't you," Shunsui chuckled.
Juushiro bit at his lips and nodded, cringing at the harsh taste of the liquor.
"Tetsuya saved my life. He's the reason I'm breathing and why I was able for the first time to raise my bankai outside my inner world. He has given me a new life and tonight, he just might give me something else I did not expect to have."
Shunsui's smile warmed nostalgically.
"That's right," he said, nodding, "He is a breeder male and has strong resonance with you. There may be a child."
Juushiro looked back at him, unable to make his voice sound to give an answer. Shunsui grinned and patted him on the back.
"Go on. The thing about miracles is that you want to grab onto them while you can. You don't want to let one get away from you. Don't keep Tetsuya waiting. I would say that you are just the miracle that boy needs right now too."
Juushiro's lips tightened and he nodded and stepped into the hallway. Koji met him just short of the bedroom.
"Is Tetsuya all right?" Juushiro asked quickly.
"He is okay," Koji assured him, "I did give him a gentle sedative kido, but he isn't groggy or anything. He's calm."
Juushiro nodded.
"Thank you, Koji."
He moved forward to the door and looked in, his heart sinking very slightly as he found Tetsuya kneeling on their bed and facing away from him in traditional fashion. Juushiro took a steadying breath, then quietly summoned the twin spirits of his zanpakutou. The two boys appeared immediately and gazed up at him through wide, curious eyes.
"Listen carefully," he whispered, "I need the two of you to do something for me."
The twin spirits listened, their mouths turning into wide grins as their master instructed them, "Do you understand?"
"Uh-huh," the two answered, starting to turn towards the bedroom.
"Now, remember," Juushiro said firmly, "Tetsuya was never really a child, so he might not understand at first. Be careful not to upset him."
"Got it!" the two boys laughed merrily.
Juushiro bit his lips against a knowing smile as the two flash-stepped into the bedroom and grabbed several of the pillows, then launched themselves at the unsuspecting young man on the bed.
"Pillow fight!" the two yelled, swatting at Tetsuya and bringing him down instantly into a wide-eyed, confused looking tangle.