Chapter 14: Small Miracles
(Just to let you know, this is an all-new chapter! And I will also be finishing up the prequel, Blue Eyes, Silent Tears over the next week or two. Enjoy the new chapter! Love, Spunky)
Tetsuya opened his eyes and couldn't help but smile as he encountered the long denied beauty of seeing his son's sleeping face from across the room. Rikichi laid on his side, curled around several pillows and nearly smiling. Several unruly strands of black hair had drifted down onto his face and the colored beads rested against a lightly flushed cheek. Tetsuya remained breathless and still, taking in the sight and feeling the falling away of years of longing, wondering, wishing that someday...
"Good morning, Tetsuya-sama," Koji said, appearing in the doorway and setting a tea tray on his nightstand.
Tetsuya bit down gently on his lower lip, forcing himself to conceal the telling smile as Rikichi's brown eyes opened and blinked sleepily. His heart skipped as the youth sat up and stretched languidly.
I see it everywhere! In everything he does...his eyes like Naoki's, the way he curls in his sleep is like me, the way he stretches like Naoki, his expression when he yawns, like me. Kami...
"Good morning, Rikichi-kun," Tetsuya said, earning a bright-eyed smile.
He smiles so easily. That is one thing that Naoki and I did not do. But Rikichi had a different childhood than we did...a far better one. Oh...it was the right thing to do! I see that so clearly now. For all that the years were difficult to bear without him, to see him so carefree and untroubled...yes, that is a great gift.
Rikichi...
"Good morning, Kuchiki-sama," Rikichi said, rubbing his eyes and yawning again.
"Come, have some tea with me, and then, I think we will walk in the gardens."
"Eh, do you think that you really should?" the youth asked, "You were pretty ill yesterday..."
"I assure you that I am fine," Tetsuya said calmly, "Fainting spells are normal when one is expecting."
"R-right," Rikichi chuckled, "I keep forgetting that is why you felt ill."
"It is a little odd, I admit," Tetsuya confessed, "but I am proud to be bearing Byakuya-sama and Renji-san's child."
He paused at the strange look Rikichi gave him.
"What is it?" Tetsuya asked, tilting his head slightly.
"Well, Kuchiki-sama," the youth said, considering his words carefully, "I have noticed something since we met. I don't mean to be disrespectful, but...there is something like sadness in your eyes when you look at me. And yesterday, when you began to pass out, I thought that you called me..."
"Ah!" Tetsuya said, shaking his head and raising a hand to stop him, "Rikichi-kun, will you please come with me?"
"Um...sure," Rikichi answered, looking confused.
What am I to do? There is so much danger in telling him! But...it seems that I already gave away too much. And if Rikichi has noticed, then it won't be long before Orochi figures it out too. The only thing I can do, it seems, is to bring the boy close to me and protect him. But how will he react when he knows...not only that I am his father, but I let him go, and didn't give him his rightful, noble name?
"Come, Rikichi-kun."
"Eh, but shouldn't we get dressed first?" the youth asked, blinking.
"We will bathe and dress when we return. We are dressed well enough for this," Tetsuya said, walking to the dresser and removing something, which he placed in a pocket.
"Hai, Kuchiki-sama."
Tetsuya led Rikichi out of the bedroom, then through the gardens and out the back gate.
Arashi, he whispered into the nearby stallion's mind, if you sense Orochi anywhere near, you must let me know immediately.
As you wish, the stallion thought back, watching from under a plum tree as the two passed him.
Rikichi followed the clan leader quietly, down the forest path and to the edge of the cliff, beside the waterfall, overlooking the lake and meadow. Tetsuya paused and took the youth's hand, earning another curious look from Rikichi. The two flash stepped down to the edge of the lake.
"Now, my power will allow you to breathe while we are under the water."
"But why...?"
"Trust me, Rikichi-kun. what I must say to you, no one must hear!"
"V-very well, Kuchiki-sama," Rikichi answered, accepting Tetsuya's offered hand.
They walked into the lake together and Rikichi's eyes widened for a moment as Tetsuya coaxed him into letting out his breath and taking in a breath of the lake water. The youth waited, admiring the soft light around their bodies, and the way their hair seemed to flutter in the swishing water.
"My zanpakutou is Re-kuhime," Tetsuya said, his voice echoing oddly in the water that surrounded them, "She is the lake princess. She allows me to breathe beneath the water, and assists me, using waterforms."
Tetsuya whispered a command to his blade, and Rikichi made a sound of surprise as a perfect copy of Tetsuya appeared at the clan leader's side.
"That is amazing, Kuchiki-sama!" Rikichi exclaimed, "I've never seen anything like that!"
"Arigatou," Tetsuya said, smiling.
"But...why did you ask me to come here with you?" asked the youth, "What do you have to say to me that you could not say before?"
Tetsuya bit his lip gently and looked down for a moment.
"Rikichi-kun," he said softly, reaching into his pocket, "There is a story that I want to tell you...one that will make sense, both of my request to speak to you privately, and of the need to keep to yourself, the things I will say to you."
Rikichi said nothing in response, but nodded to show he understood.
Tetsuya withdrew his hand from his pocket and opened it, revealing several colorful and painfully familiar beads that laid in the center of his palm. Rikichi gave a bubbling gasp at the sight of them, then stared in surprise at the clan leader, his fingers straying up to touch the matching beads in his hair.
"I know you will have many questions. And the best way I know to answer them, is to use my waterforms to show you."
Rikichi stared, captivated, as Tetsuya went on. The scene around the two become clouded, and as Tetsuya's voice explained, the scene he was describing, played out before them.
"I was born in the secret noble prison called Itamigiri. My father was Kuchiki Takao, a first cousin to Byakuya-sama's father, and my mother was Kiko of the mid Rukongai. At the time when they fell in love, such love between noble and commoner was harshly punished, and so they were captured and imprisoned, and my father, Takao, was executed. My mother died on my fifteenth birthday, after being abused by the guards when she objected to the guards taking me away for what they called 'initiation.' What it was, was abuse. And my worst abuser was one of my own cousins...Kuchiki Orochi.
But even though I was subjected to that, I did have one comfort."
Rikichi's eyes softened as an image of Naoki appeared in front of them.
"Naoki was a fellow prisoner, and my cellmate. He took care of me, and he taught me how to act so that the guards would not hurt me so much. And before I was initiated, he comforted me and made certain that I knew what it felt like to be loved. We could not let anyone know that we were lovers. But he was the first person I was intimate with. And in a secret ceremony of our own, I married Naoki.
After Naoki and I were together, we found that I was with child...something that happens with certain noble males. We hid that fact from the guards, and also that Naoki was the child's father. And luckily for us, Byakuya-sama's forces reached us, and we finally escaped the prison. But...we were attacked on the way to freedom, and Naoki died, protecting me and our unborn child. Byakuya-sama took me in, and he had Naoki buried in the family cemetery, recognizing him as my husband, and the father of my child.
I told you before that my worst abuser in the prison was Orochi. And he continued to pursue me after I was freed. He was jealous of my close relationship with Byakuya-sama, and it led him to attack me, near the time when I was about to have my child...you, Rikichi."
"Me?" Rikichi breathed tremulously.
Yes, you, Rikichi. I knew that Orochi would not stop until he had killed you. He hated anything that threatened the hold he seemed to have over me. So, fearing that he would hurt you, I had Michio find you parents in the Rukongai who would be good to you and care for you...giving you a normal life, not darkened by the danger Orochi posed. I wanted desperately to raise you, myself. And I suffered horribly, handing you over to someone else to be raised. But please believe me that I very much loved you. And though it was awful to give you up, I felt I had no other choice. I watched over you from a distance. And I didn't know if the time would ever come when I could tell you. But now, it seems, I must. Rikichi, you must be wary of Orochi. He is now your superior officer, and will stop at nothing to destroy you if he finds out you are my son."
Tetsuya paused, studying Rikichi's troubled expression as he fought to cope with his father's words. Rikichi touched the colored beads in his hair, then moved closer to Tetsuya, who held out his hand again and smiled as Rikichi took the matching beads and gazed at them in wonder.
"Where did they come from?" the youth asked, "I have always wondered."
Tetsuya's smile warmed him inside.
"I was adopted by Kuchikis Sadao and Mai, and I made a hair decoration for my little sister, Kohana. It was damaged, but I kept the piece of leather and the beads. I gave the leather bit and half of the beads to your parents to give to you, and I kept the rest so that I could look at them and remind myself that you were safe and happy with your adoptive parents, just as I was safe and happy with mine. But...I ached for you, over the years. It was...tormenting being without you. So, when I went to see Renji at the sixth division and we came face to face, and I saw what a beautiful and strong person you had grown up to be, the pain of losing you came back anew. I know it is dangerous for you to be identified as my son, but I do not know how much longer the information could be hidden."
"Does Abarai taichou know?" Rikichi asked softly.
Tetsuya lowered his eyes.
"I have not told him yet. I was ashamed, Rikichi."
"For what?" Rikichi asked, holding the beads he had taken from Tetsuya tightly in his hand, "For being unselfish and thinking about what was safest for me?"
He was grateful for the water around them that hid the hot tears that rose in his eyes.
"Kuchiki-sama...F-father...you shouldn't feel ashamed. I am proud that someone so kind and unselfish is my father!"
He moved forward, studying the waterform of Naoki closely.
"Can you show me what you looked like then too?" Rikichi asked, blinking as more tears filled his eyes.
Tetsuya swallowed hard and issued a soft command to his weapon, then the two watched as the younger form of Tetsuya appeared at Naoki's side. The image of Tetsuya turned towards that of Naoki and the two embraced each other.
"Naoki was so proud that he was going to be a father," Tetsuya remembered. We talked endlessly about how we would go to the Rukongai, and he would work at whatever jobs he could find while I took care of you. We dreamed of one day having a home of our own and growing our own food. I knew how to grow and dry tea leaves, so could have one day had a tea shop of my own. We wanted to have other children too...brothers and sisters..."
Tetsuya broke off, tears burning in his eyes as he captured Rikichi's hand and placed it on his slightly rounded belly.
"Rikichi, this much of our dream has come true, at least in part. This child is your half-brother or sister!"
Rikichi smiled widely at the feel of the warm reiatsu beneath his hand. He caught his breath in surprise as he felt the touch of the unborn child's soul brush against his, and felt a sense of happiness and connection.
"I am going to have a little brother or sister," the youth mused happily, "Kuch...erm...eh, what should I call you? If you don't want Orochi fukutaichou to know..."
"Perhaps you should just call me Kuchiki-sama in public and only call me Tetsuya in private. And yes, you will have a sibling soon. But, Rikichi, you also have two aunts...my sisters, Aratani and Kohana. And Aratani is with child now, so you will have a cousin as well. And you still have your parents of the Rukongai."
"That is a very large family," Rikichi said, shaking his head, "It is so strange, after growing up with just my adoptive parents!"
"We shall have to be careful about who knows, but my adoptive parents, Sadao and Mai, and my sisters all know about you already. You may feel free to speak with them, as long as you are careful Orochi does not hear."
"I will be careful, I promise, Tetsuya-sama!" Rikichi promised.
He hesitated for a moment, watching as the waterforms in front of him slowly faded. Then, he turned and met Tetsuya for a long, warm embrace that left both fighting tears again.
"I am sorry that it was so difficult for you before," Rikichi whispered, holding on to Tetsuya tightly, "I am glad that we have each other now."
"Me too," agreed Tetsuya, "It means so much to me that this part of Naoki's and my love for each other has survived. Now, when we leave this place, we will simply tell anyone who asks that Renji-san has asked you to remain here with me as a bodyguard, as I need the protection, and you are on medical leave anyway. That should allay suspicion about you being here. You may continue to sleep in the attendant's recess in my room, as you will be guarding me."
"Hai, Tetsuya-sama."
"Come then. It is time to return to the manor."
XXXXXXXXXX
Renji finished the last section of the report on the conflict in Hueco Mundo and laid it in his outbox, then stretched and rose. He felt Orochi's dark eyes on him as he picked up Zabimaru.
"I'll be out for a bit," he informed his subordinate, "I'll be back after the taichou's meeting this afternoon."
"Of course, sir," Orochi said casually.
Gods, that guy gives me the creeps, even when he's not doing anything at all...
It was a relief to step out into the sunshine, after having been so recently in Hueco Mundo's darkness. And as he neared Kuchiki Manor, his mood brightened even more as he recalled his lovemaking with Kuchiki Tetsuya just before his departure.
Damn, no wonder Byakuya taichou loved him so much. He's wickedly beautiful, like Taichou was. And his zanpakutou ability...when he used it in our lovemaking, it was like heaven. I hope he's all right. I hated leaving him like that, but there wasn't much choice. He'll be needing bonding for sure...especially if he's passing out, like Rikichi reported.
His eye came to rest on a florist's shop, and he caught sight of a lovely blue orchid that made him think instantly of Tetsuya. He bought the flower and hurried on to Kuchiki Manor, where he greeted the house guards, then walked swiftly back to the gardens, where he found Tetsuya and Koji emerging from the bathing room, alongside a freshly bathed Rikichi. He grinned and handed the lightly blushing Kuchiki leader the orchid.
"You're back," Tetsuya greeted him, accepting the flower and brushing it lightly against his cheek.
"I heard someone was in need of bonding here."
He glanced at Rikichi.
"I've got this now, kid," he said, dismissing the boy.
"Hai, Abarai taichou," Rikichi said, bowing, then heading back towards the main building with Koji.
"I am glad you are back," Tetsuya said, turning back towards his room, "It was unnerving knowing you were in such a dangerous place, with that man."
"Yeah, but he didn't try anything. I think he was watching me...looking for weaknesses."
"You must be very careful of him, Renji," Tetsuya said worriedly, "He will stop at nothing to hurt you. He is this way with anyone who touches me."
"Damn, why the hell doesn't that guy get the hint that you just aren't interested?" Renji mused, "I'll be happy to kick the shit out of him for you."
"Well," chuckled Tetsuya, "As much as I deeply appreciate the offer, I think he will not stop until I face him and overcome him, myself. We have a long history of repeated clashings."
"You mean, besides him abusing you in the prison?" Renji asked.
"Yes. You see, when Byakuya-sama and I began to connect romantically, Orochi swore to take his revenge. There is something that I didn't tell you before, and that is that I was pregnant with my Naoki's child when I left the prison. When Orochi learned of this, he insisted the child had to be his, and he cursed me for bearing another mixed blood. Between that and the fact that Byakuya-sama and I were slowly falling in love, I think he just became enraged. I will speak to you more of that time later. Just, you should know that he attacked me when I was pregnant with Naoki's child, and he abducted me and held me as his captive for a time."
"What the hell?" Renji breathed, "Okay, I want to kill the guy even more now. I swear, if he gets near you again, I'm going to."
"Renji, you must let me deal with him," Tetsuya said warningly, "Part of the problem is that, with the exception of that once, when I broke his sword, I have never stood up to him properly. He was punished, imprisoned for a time after holding me captive, but it only served to make him angrier. This is a situation that has been building over a great deal of time. But only I can end it. And I can only do that once Byakuya-sama's heir is born."
"Right," Renji agreed, "We should get to that bonding, then," the redhead said as they entered Tetsuya's room.
He looked up in surprise as Rikichi and Koji emerged from Tetsuya's dressing area. Tetsuya caught sight of his confused expression and smiled.
"Ah, Rikichi-kun has been residing in my attendant's recess and acting as a guard while you were away. I must compliment you on the quality of this young officer. He is very capable."
Rikichi blushed.
"Arigatou, Kuchiki-sama."
"Koji, will you see that Rikichi-kun has something to eat and some company for a bit? Renji will be seeing to the bonding with me, then we will meet with you."
"Hai, Tetsuya-sama," Koji said, bowing, "Come, Rikichi-kun."
Renji watched the two walk away, then met Tetsuya's eyes questioningly.
"Okay," he said, frowning, "What exactly have you been up to while I was gone?"
"Ah," Tetsuya sighed, "That is a long story."
"Great," said the redhead, curling an arm around the noble, "We'll have lots of time to discuss that while we get to bonding."
"Gracious," Tetsuya laughed, "You sound as though you are the one suffering from needing it."
"Naw," Renji chuckled, pulling Tetsuya in for a long, open-mouthed kiss, "I've just been suffering from wanting so badly to kiss you. You know, I couldn't stop thinking about that trip down to the lake the whole time I was gone."
"I see," said the noble, sitting down on the bed and smiling as Renji's arms wrapped around him, and the redhead began to infuse his body with stabilizing reiatsu, "I could not keep my mind off of that, also."
"So...do you think that tonight, we can slip down to the lake and maybe...you know...spend some more time with that kind of bonding?"
"Perhaps," Tetsuya said, leaning more firmly into Renji's strong embrace, "And while we are there, I have something else to show you."
"Oh? You mean there's more?" Renji mused, "Cause, I've gotta tell you, that was really, really something, Tetsuya."
"Arigatou," Tetsuya laughed softly, "But I assure you that what I have to show you this time will be...celestial."
"Okay, stop that, will you? How in the hell am I gonna go and muck through a boring taichou's meeting, knowing that's got to wait until later? Can't we go now?"
"Hmmm," mused the noble, "No, this must really wait for nightfall and a bright moon."
"Ah...all right," Renji sighed unhappily, "But, i don't know if you know this about me, but I'm not good at being patient."
"Really?" Tetsuya laughed knowingly, "I had no idea!"
"So," the redhead said, pouncing on the surprised noble and attacking his mouth with kisses, "I think you're just going to have to give me something to tide me over!"
"Renji!" Tetsuya said, struggling as the rough, warm hands began to undress him, "Renji...you...st-stop!"
He was shocked at how quickly the redhead's hands and mouth stole his breath away and overcame his senses.
Abarai Renji, he thought dazedly as his body was lovingly invaded, I know exactly why Byakuya-sama couldn't help falling for you!
You are...!
Oh...Renji!