Always My Taichou

by Spunky0ne

As Byakuya lies comatose after his battle with As Nodt, Renji contemplates their past and discovers that there is much more between them than he realized before. But will he ever have the chance to tell his taichou what he only just realized? Or will he let his fears take away their last chance at happiness? Ren/Bya, Tetsuya/Koji mpreg

14. What Needs Protecting

Chapter 14: What Needs Protecting

(I wrote this under the influence of Red's 'Not Alone,' a new favorite of mine. Thanks to Moegi (So glad you enjoyed the chapter. Renji's reaction to the good news follows!), Anelir-sensei (Aww, thanks! Yes, keeping Tetsuya from getting up and trying to go back to fighting too soon may require tying him down!), Manga-fanfic fan (Ooh! I hope you really enjoyed your vacation! Here's that next chapter.), RmeGamr (That's one of the things that makes Renji so fun to write...that mix of moments of deep wisdom blended with hilarious and cute mental 'fails.'), BunnyHopster26 (Aww, so glad you like this so much! And I am working on your request from a few days ago. Just got caught up in a holiday getaway! Going home in a few hours, so will catch up this weekend!), Unsigned Guest (Byakuya is getting better at listening to Renji and becoming more equal in their partnership, and that will come into play in a big way in this chapter.), Firebirdever (Ah yes! The mystery of what happened with Tetsuya's bankai will have to wait as there is trouble to deal with first. A fateful decision will be made in this chapter!), Rip Van Helsing (The cutie is not even born and yet he or she will be very present in this chapter, from beginning to end!), Renji-Bya-Lover (Renji's reaction to Byakuya's admission and his first act as a father-to-be happens here!), Sonna214 (Bya's going to find new strength in this chapter as he and Renji face a dilemma.), Nihni (Thanks so much for writing! And I will have a new chapter of my Renji/Aizen story Blood Rain very soon!), Gunmetal Silvr (Bya's getting his steel back, and he will need it as the story moves forward, but first Renji reacts to the good news!), Tetsuya and Koji will be a driving force behind this chapter, and the question of what happened to Tet's bankai will be unraveled soon! Ah yes, the name change! I was...eluding some unwanted attention from someone with potty mouth, a bad attitude and who doesn't seem to have an actual account. The person has not reappeared, so that seems to have worked for now. *sighs* Some people...), CallMeSenseiKuchiki (Renji's reaction is coming right up! :) Enjoy!), and...Mina Kye (Aww, thanks for the holiday wishes! I hope yours was wonderful. Renji is about to react to the news...on a very 'Renji-like' way!), And on with the chapter!)

"I am having your baby, Renji."

The redhead's eyes widened sweetly and he inhaled sharply in surprise.

"Wh-whoa, Taichou! B-baby? As in baby baby? Y'know, little bundle of trouble, drooling, pooping, cute little devil baby? BYAKUYA!"

"I am, ah...sorry for taking such a step without involving you, Renji. It was...I imagine that you are angry."

"Eh..." the redhead stammered, "Actually, I'm too busy trying to wrap my head around you sprouting a little round pot belly and going around barefoot and putting flowers in your hair and shit...although that would be cute too. When you said we should get married, I didn't think you meant the whole package. N-not that I'm disappointed really or anything, though it is a surprise."

"Renji..."

"I'm shaking like a fucking leaf," Renji laughed nervously, "I don't think fighting those quincy bastards is close to as scary."

"Abarai?"

"Can you imagine me...me? Holding on to a squirmy, loud little troublemaker like that and tryin' to be an example? An example of what?" the redhead rambled on, "Being awkward? Gettin' knocked on my ass? Swingin' a sword and yelling?"

"Renji, stop!"

"Hehe, oh my kami, what's the kid gonna look like? I mean, will he be tall like me? Big bones, little bones? Pretty like you? Big and...?"

"Abarai!" the noble snapped, swatting him on the top of the head and making him blink and stare in surprise," Would you please stop that ridiculous babbling?"

"But Byakuya, I never had a dad! I don't know anything about being a good father! I'm not even a noble. I'll probably teach him all of the wrong things! I don't know shit about having good manners, saying the right things or things like that. All I really know is how to fight. And what good is that when the little rugrat can't stand up and doesn't reach halfway up my shinbone?"

"Relax, Renji," Byakuya said, shaking his head, "You will be a good father."

"Right...sure. You at least had a mom and dad. Maybe not so long, but you know what they're supposed to be like, ne? I don't know any of that!"

"Calm yourself, Abarai, and think for a moment. There were many orphans in Inuzuri, ne?"

"Oh...well, yeah, but..."

"And I am sure that you and Rukia helped the ones who crossed your path."

"Okay, yeah, we did. But I didn't teach them how to be good! I taught them how to steal and hustle people for food!"

Byakuya shook his head firmly.

"You taught those children how to survive in an uncivilized environment. And when your circumstances changed, you changed too. You don't steal anymore, ne?"

"Er...no," said the redhead, "Although, I do cheat at cards now and then."

Byakuya sighed.

"You have much more to teach our child than fighting and cheating at cards, Renji."

"Okay," the redhead said, frowning, "Like what?"

"Do you really not know, Renji?" the noble asked, furrowing his brow.

"I really don't!" Renji said helplessly, "I'm barely more than a kid myself, at least according to Rukia. And I have all kinds of bad habits."

"You are not perfect. That is understood. And, I might add that no one is perfect. And you may not feel prepared for the job. But you have many good qualities, Renji."

"Yeah, right. Which ones?" the redhead groaned.

"You say that you are barely more than a kid yourself?"

"Yeah, so?"

"I say that you will be relaxed with our child...funny, and gentle."

"Huh..."

"You say that you cannot teach our child proper manners? That is not true."

"What? But I don't even know...!"

"You know how to be kind. You know to help those who are weaker than you, younger than you, those who are hurt or too small to help themselves. You teach them to survive, and more than that, how to take care of themselves. And Renji, you teach them how to show respect for everyone, regardless of where they come from."

Renji blinked in surprise, flushing at the unexpected praise.

"Well, it does sound better when you put it like that, I guess," he admitted, "But, um, what about your elders? Won't they be mad? Isn't it against the rules for you to marry a commoner?"

The noble arched an elegant eyebrow.

"Abarai, are you really thinking that the elders will object to me marrying and having heirs with a bankai level, Gotei 13 officer who not only brought me back from the brink of death, but stood by me and remained loyal...picked up the pieces of me and put them back together? Do you think they would forget that today alone, you saved not only my life, but the lives of every man, woman and child in our clan?"

"Well, in all fairness, it was really Arashi who..."

"You and Arashi forced the quincys back and allowed the clan to escape, while also protecting Tetsuya and Koji from death, and me from capture," the noble insisted, "Those are no small things. While I admit that marrying a commoner is at odds with our rules, you are one of those rare, exceptional people who will be accepted by the clan...because of who you are and what you have accomplished."

Byakuya sighed softly and squeezed the redhead's hand.

"And besides," he went on, "The war with the quincys has necessitated greater cooperation between classes. When the noble houses were attacked, people of the Rukongai...commoners who could have held a grudge for being looked down on, willingly opened their homes and offered assistance to the survivors. Our family will never forget those acts of kindness. It changes things. So, do not worry about gaining acceptance here. You have won your way into my heart, and into this family with your faithfulness, courage, strength and love."

Renji's blush deepened and he started to sputter an answer, but Arashi suddenly slowed, then passed through a protective barrier that hid the Kuchiki clan's new encampment. Byakuya and Renji dismounted and followed the healers who were attending Tetsuya and Koji. The healers entered a medical tent that had been prepared and Byakuya and Renji took up positions outside to wait for news.

"I hope they'll be all right," Renji said quietly, "Arashi told me that Tetsuya's mind shut down and he couldn't make any connection with him. Apparently, that has never happened to the two before."

Byakuya's eyes took on a haunted look.

"Well, it is not surprising, given the number of those thorns that impaled him," he said in a hushed tone, "He is lucky to be alive at all, at this point. Koji as well."

"Yeah," agreed the redhead, "Facing down Senbonzakura and taking a direct hit? We know all about how that feels."

He winced at the stricken look that rose up on Byakuya's pale face.

"Oh, hey, sorry. Look, you can't blame yourself. You aren't the only one who had a bankai stolen. And it only happened because we didn't understand the power that the quincys were using. You shouldn't blame yourself."

"But Senbonzakura is a part of me," Byakuya objected, "It feels as though I lost control of a part of myself and...this...is the result. How could I not feel guilt when the power that hurt them was mine? I don't think that you could tell me that you would feel different if it was Zabimaru used to attack them."

"Well...I guess you're right. It's a natural reaction," Renji admitted, "But it doesn't mean that you should blame yourself."

"Byakuya-sama?"

The two men broke off their conversation as the head clan healer came out of the tent where Tetsuya and Koji were bring healed.

"Michio? How are our cousins?"

The old man shook his head grimly.

"I will not lie to you, Byakuya-sama. Their injuries are devastating and we are not going to be able to help them under these circumstances."

"What do you mean? We were prepared for evacuation...well enough so that you should have the means to..."

"It is not that," the healer explained, "Their injuries are just too great for us to handle. You need to understand that there is only one person who can heal them. The human girl, Inoue Orihime. We heard that she has arrived at the fourth division and is assisting with the injured there. But they must be taken there immediately. Their condition is grave."

"But how do we transport them?" asked Renji worriedly.

"Renji has a valid point," Byakuya mused, "Arashi cannot carry them because he is the only one able to use bankai power against our enemies. He is too critical to the survival of the clan, should we be found. But if we do not send them and Tetsuya dies, then Arashi will follow."

"And we will lose a crucial line of defense," Renji added.

"We could open a family senkaimon and send a medical team through," said the healer, "Access to the senkaimon right now is strictly limited to military and medical emergencies. But passing through is risky. If we send an escort, we raise the risk of detection by the enemy. But if the team falls under attack, we are likely to lose them unless they have capable protection."

"Then, we need to send one fighter capable of creating an opening for the others to escape, and then escaping, himself," said Byakuya.

He went quiet for a moment, carefully avoiding Renji's eyes. Renji studied his profile for a moment, reading the anguish beneath the surface calm.

"I can protect them," the redhead said, placing his hand on his weapon, "I will get them though, Byakuya. I swear it."

"Renji, it is very...heartening that you would do this, but we would be putting at least five lives at risk to save two. I want more than anything for Tetsuya and Koji to be healed, but weighing their lives against so many others..."

"But if Tetsuya dies, then Arashi will too. And that will leave the clan without his defensive capabilities," Renji reminded him.

"Renji, you are a taichou level Gotei 13 officer. Putting you at risk unnecessarily could potentially put thousands more at risk."

He let out a sigh of deep frustration.

"It seems that no matter what we do there is danger to a large number of people. If our medical team falls under attack..."

"Byakuya, listen to me," Renji said, narrowing his eyes, "I promise you, I will get them through to the healing center. I won't let anything happen to them. You have my word."

"But you..."

"I wont die. I promise you I won't. And I won't lose the team. Trust me."

The noble looked back at him breathlessly.

"Trust me," the redhead repeated, moving closer and slipping his arms around Byakuya, "Tetsuya and Koji are going to be all right. And as soon as they are at the healing center, I will come back."

Byakuya fell silent again, considering the situation carefully. Renji watched solemnly as the noble's mind worked through the few options again. Finally, he met Renji's eyes.

"I am going to trust you," he said, squeezing the redhead's hands.

"Ah," Renji sighed in relief, "I knew you would..."

"I am going to trust you and Arashi to protect the clan with your lives...while I protect the medical team."

"What?" Renji objected, "Byakuya..."

"Think, Renji," the noble said calmly, "The quincy we are most likely to encounter is the one who is stalking me. You know that. He will have the most motivation and the best skills to find me. And if he finds me while I am with the clan, then it puts all of them at risk. If I accompany the medical team, then As Nodt finding me would only risk the seven of us. The clan would still be well protected. Also, placing myself with the nedical team protects your bankai, which will be critical to the survival of the Gotei 13."

"Byakuya, no..."

"Renji, I have taught you everything I know about strategy. Stop thinking with your heart for a moment and use your head. You and I have equal chances of escape if the medical team falls under attack. We are close in speed and ability. But risking you risks a bankai. We cannot do that until the twelfth division completes its analyses and comes up with a way to counter those medallions."

He paused for a moment, considering his words carefully.

"Renji, you asked me to trust you. And I am entrusting to you and Arashi everything that I hold dear. The survival of my family will be rested in your hands. Do not let them be captured. The enemy will slaughter them all. You know that one of Juha Bach's edicts is to destroy the noble clans. You and Arashi will be all that stands in the way of them doing that."

Renji bit at his lips, longing to argue, but unable to do so in the face of the facts of the situation.

"Renji, you said that I should trust you," Byakuya prompted him, "Will you protect my family on my behalf?"

The redhead felt a hard twinge of agony, then was suddenly jolted out of it by a small voice that rose up from somewhere around his knee. He looked down and found a small child's face looking up at him through pretty, gray eyes.

"Why are there lines on you?" the little boy asked, "Did you draw on yourself?"

Renji grinned down at the little boy and tousled his hair.

"No," he told the boy, "My zanpakutou put them there. When I get stronger, he adds to the markings."

The boy stared at him, wide-eyed.

"That's a lot of markings," he observed, "You must be really strong."

Renji glanced at Byakuya, his eye coming to rest on the noble's still slim abdomen, and a glint of steel entered them.

"I have to be strong to protect my family," he told the boy, looking up and meeting Byakuya's eyes meaningfully.

The two continued to gaze at each other as the boy's mother appeared and herded him away.

"Renji..."

"Don't say it," the redhead said, his lips tightening, "You and I both know that there is something dear to us that we have to protect. You carry two thirds of the only family I have ever had, Byakuya. And that two thirds is going to stay here with the clan."

"Abarai, I am not even..."

"I don't care," Renji said, tears coming to his eyes, "Byakuya, you said that I would be a good father. I am going to do that now. I can't let you walk out of here and risk losing both you and our baby. Please. Stay here, where you will have Arashi to protect you, and let me go with the medical team. I will get them through and I will come back for you. Let me do this, okay?"

Byakuya held Renji's eyes stubbornly, but flinched as an infant's cry sounded somewhere nearby them. At the sound, his breath caught and his hand reached down to touch the area over the developing reiatsu in his abdomen. After a long hesitation, he closed his eyes and let out his breath. Then, he nodded, reluctantly.

"Thank kami," Renji sighed, pulling him close and kissing him warmly, "I thought you were going to still insist on going."

"Well," said the noble, rubbing his belly gently, "You are doing your part to be a good father. I must do my part as well. Go then."

Renji nodded.

"And Renji...thank you," he went on, "I know that Tetsuya and Koji will be in good hands."

Renji nodded and offered him a final, long kiss of farewell. Then, he turned back to the healer, who stood a short distance away, waiting.

"Let's go," he said, his eyes glinting with determination, "We have two lives to save."