Chapter 21: Myth and Legend
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(Merry Christmas to all celebrating! My gratitude to Jess0409 (You ask, I update! *hugs*), Aizenfan6969 (No more waiting. Here you go!), PrivateCaller (Here you go!), Picklez80 (Thanks so much for the compliments! Enjoy the new chapter.), Willow (Go wrong? What could possibly go wrong?), Winterheart2000 (I thought it was good for the two to FINALLY get to that place. I think it was good they took their time, but I was looking forward to them being ready. Now, the love doors are wide open!), Beaker (Here's more and more is on the way.), Hellcat1138 (Here's your Chrismas present, love!), Hisuiryuu (I never realized how amazing Juushiro was, but I've had so much fun writing him. I'm thinking there will be more Juushiro stories when this one is finished!), TMP3475 (Tetsuya does need to switch roles, which is something that he will find easier to do with Juushiro, because darn it, the guy reads him so well! Balance is big in this story, so yes, there will be balance there too. Speaking of which...lol, just wait. You will love what's coming in future chapters!), YumYum95 (I am so happy you are enjoying the story so much! I just get going and can't stop. Some stories are like drugs, dragging me along and not letting me focus on anything else. This one is really addictive. I took a week or so break to work on other things, but this was bugging me the whole time, screaming, WRITE ME!), and xxshunukixx (Yes, the two are on a good wavelength and they are going to be really sexually active, partially due to their patient waiting and partially due to their connection to Taki and Kitaro. Ah, Uryu is a fighter. He'll be back in action sooner than his attackers expect.) Everyone have a lovely holiday! Hugs and kisses, Spunky)
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Tetsuya woke well before dawn to find himself in a sweaty, naked tangle with his deeply sleeping husband. He very slowly extracted himself, careful not to stir the handsome, white-haired man who shared his bed. The softness of the tumbled bedding and the gentle scents of their many bouts of lovemaking made him want to lie down again, but his improving senses picked up a lag in his husband's reiatsu and Tetsuya smiled lovingly.
You worry so much about me, Juushiro, that you forget that you are still recovering from the incursion of a god in your body. You require food and rest…and you require frequent reiatsu infusions.
Tetsuya extended a slender hand and curved it around Juushiro's soft cheek. Gentle blue light glowed around it as he raised his power and coaxed his husband into an even deeper rest.
My powers have returned enough that I can see to basic healing now. I can give you the healing you need. I still need to find answers to unlock the greater powers I sense in my changed zanpakutou, but I think you are at the center of that discovery, so it is here that I will begin, just as my discovery of my true self began when I found you on the battlefield that day.
I had no idea…
As I walked through the field of destruction, my eyes full of tears because most of the people I found there were dead, you were still breathing. I ran to you and fell to my knees at your side, Juushiro. I turned you over and your face, although filthy, was so beautiful and serene, even as it is now in restful sleep. I knew then that you meant to sacrifice yourself for a greater good. That is the gift that you have always been to Soul Society. I have always treasured the many stories of Ukitake taichou's kindness, his courage, his caring and his wisdom. I knew what a loss it would be, and my tears rolled down and splashed onto your face. I felt something breaking inside my heart…and it was then that the healing power exploded around me and freed you from Mimihagi's grasp. Only the power of a greater god could stop the power of a god. I am afraid of what that means, but as long as I have you, I will tread the pathway of my life bravely. I will learn who I am, and I will be who I was meant to be. That is a good thing, because it is all in my heart…and my heart loves with a ferocity that has survived the worst that hatred can offer. That heart belongs to you now. I love you. I feel like I have loved you forever. And I know that love is eternal.
Thank you, Juushiro.
He finished the infusion and sat back, laying his hands in his lap and enjoying the gentle rush of healing reiatsu he still radiated. He breathed slowly, admiring the beauty of the man in front of him. The long strands of his husband's white hair, although riled, still looked lovely. Age looked not to have touched his face at all. His pale skin glowed gently, and his lips seemed locked in a contented smile. Blushing, Tetsuya leaned forward and opened Juushiro's yukata, baring his healing body. His heart warmed at how the gauntness had left the man's body completely, and his torso had filled out and grown muscular and fit again. He found the pleasant masculine scent of the man almost intoxicating.
I want him to make love to me again, and we have been intimate more times than I can count tonight. It is like once Juushiro entered my heart and broke through the scars of the cruelty I faced before, the floodgates opened and I could finally give all of myself to someone who could give all of himself in return. He is a gentle man, yes, but he is also fiercely passionate. When his body possessed mine, I felt what a powerful person he is, but I also felt the greater power of this man's heart. This is the force that was needed to help me move past the atrocities of the past…the lies that were built around me. He helped me to discover that part of myself that laid hidden.
Yes, Taki…he helped me to find you.
I understand that somehow your soul fused with mine as mine formed. I am not completely you, nor you me, but we exist together now. I have fought and suffered and slowly learned that I am meant to be a healer, just as you did. And I have found Juushiro, who is one with Kitaro's kind and powerful soul, who protects me and loves me as Kitaro protected and loved you. I promise you, Taki, I will follow this to the truth. Whatever it is that you and Kitaro need, Juushiro and I will see done.
Tetsuya took a steadying breath and summoned his zanpakutou to his hand. He extended it, tip down in front of him, balancing it carefully that way above the bed, in between himself and Juushiro's resting form.
While Byakuya-sama is gone, I will work to find the truth about this sword…what power it holds, and how it fits into the things about to happen.
He focused intently, letting his reiatsu radiate around him, and feeling Taki's gentle presence guiding him.
You know already the water spirit who you call Re-kuhime, the prince's voice told him, Re-kuhime is part of this sword's power. Tetsuya, this sword is a divine weapon, so you must always respect its ability.
"I will," Tetsuya whispered.
Good, Taki said approvingly, then you are ready to meet the other spirits.
"Other spirits?"
Tetsuya felt the invisible barrier that had been preventing him from entering his inner world give way, and he dropped down into the oddly misted environs. He still recognized the open, tree covered land, the lovely lake in the distance, and the sunshine that had only recently begun to light his evernight world. But the mist now enshrouded everything, turning the trees into shadowy shapes, billowing over the lake and filtering the light of the newly risen sun.
Do you feel the others? Taki's voice inquired, Re-kuhime is the spirit who was hiding them from you, although she did not know this. Her mist and reflections kept them safe as you grew, Tetsuya. You mastered Re-kuhime, yes, but these other spirits remained untamed. Look in the mist now!
Tetsuya's breath caught and he found himself struggling to keep his feet as something shook the ground under his feet. Wind exploded through the area around him, blowing the petals off the trees, then something fiery hissed somewhere in the space in front of him, burning away the mist.
Hanekaji, the fire princess.
Kazemikoto, the Air Lord
And Yamatsuchi, the Earth Lord
With Re-kuhime, they form the sword whose name you will learn. This weapon is the reflection of the heart that beats within you, Tetsuya. They are the power that brings the true desires of your heart to life. In all living things, there is a balance of these four forces. All living things the king has made are elemental creatures…and your power, our power, Tetsuya, is to control and balance those forces.
Tetsuya's eyes blinked and stared as the mist returned in a swirl in front of him, then spread out as fire lit the area behind it, showing him an image of himself, kneeling at Ukitake's side at the time of the doomed taichou's healing.
You do not yet understand why you were able to heal Juushiro, Taki continued, You did not understand what power Re-kuhime accessed to heal Arata. Those acts of healing required the power of this sword…now…watch as I show you how it happened!
Tetsuya's breath caught and he watched in wonder as the image before him took on the color and life of the moment of his husband's healing. He saw his eyes glaze over and thin ribbons of blue, brown, red and white stream from his fingertips and into the fallen taichou's motionless form.
All living things are elementals…people, plants, animals…all. Injury is caused by the disruption of those forces. A force that strikes the target and knocks those things out of balance. This sword that you possess, is a sword that senses these imbalances, and it uses your reiatsu to heal by restoring them. Too much fire burns. Too much earth smothers. Too much wind tumbles. Too much water drowns. All of the elements must be in balance or…
"Or life ceases," Tetsuya whispered.
Think of the gardens at Kuchiki Manor. You felt it, didn't you? The quincies blasted the earth, burned it with fire, drowned it in water and smothered all of the life it held. Your power brought everything back into balance and returned every blade of grass they ruined.
Just…remember this warning.
Healing comes from your heart, Tetsuya, so your heart must be very strong. You suffered greatly in the past, but you have endured and you still possess great respect and love for all life. You know in your heart that you could not even bear to see your wicked cousin or an enemy quincy die needlessly. You have gained wisdom to know when to employ your talent and how much of yourself to give to the healing. You can master this sword, but you will need all of your strength to do so.
You are ready for the test.
"What must I do?"
Tetsuya sensed then that the four spirits had moved in and were radiating their power, one to the north, another to the south, one east and one west. Re-kuhime hovered in front of him, her blue wings fluttering and her large eyes fearful, but hopeful.
We need one more thing before we begin, Taki explained.
Tetsuya's heart pounded as the voice seemed to radiate closer, then he spotted three bodies forming behind Re-kuhime. The first was the prince of his dreams, his slender body wrapped in a lovely blue yukata and his black locks wild. His blue eyes focused on Tetsuya's and the prince smiled.
"It is good to meet you face to face, Ukitake Tetsuya," Taki greeted him, moving closer to take his hand.
White-haired Juushiro and dark-haired Kitaro joined him.
"Juushiro!" Tetsuya exclaimed, rushing to his husband and embracing him with shaking arms.
"Yes, I see," the white-haired taichou said wonderingly, "So, you are ready to learn your sword's true name?"
"I am," Tetsuya answered, looking back at Taki, who was embracing Kitaro.
"We are here to help you, Tetsuya," Taki promised.
"What must I do?" Tetsuya asked.
"The three of us will move outside the circle and raise a barrier to protect your inner world," Taki explained, "because the forces in this blade will be dangerous as you work to master them. Each of the spirits will enter your body and you will bring the four into balance. It will test the limits of your body, the endurance of your mind and the strength of your heart, pushing you to the breaking point. Just remember to seek balance and you will be all right."
"Balance," Tetsuya repeated, closing his eyes and taking a steadying breath as the others took up protective positions around him.
The four spirits waited until the others had moved away, then raised their power, each glowing brightly. They spun in a circle around the slender shinigami who stood at the center of the circle. Faster and faster, the three spun, tightening the circle and raising their reiatsu until it howled in his ears. Then, as he focused intently inward, steeling himself in preparation, the four turned and dove into his body as one.
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Ichigo sat silently at Uryu's side, the fingers of one hand entwined with his quincy lover's and a solemn expression on his face. On the other side of the hospital bed, Orihime held her golden power over their friend and her brow furrowed in deep concentration. Renji stood nearby, leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. Rukia stood quietly at his side, frowning in frustration. Sado sat in a chair near Ichigo, focusing on Uryu's discomfited face.
"Hey," Renji said, glancing at Orihime, "any change?"
The young woman sighed and shook his head.
"I can feel the power that is interfering with mine as I try to wake him. I'm working my way through it. It's just taking a long time."
"She'll wake him up," Ichigo growled softly, "and we're gonna make the bastards who did this to him pay!"
"You know that isn't going to be easy," Rukia said sternly, "This was probably ordered by Nacht. He considered Uryu a traitor for working with us shinigamis to try to end the last of the confrontations."
"He wasn't betraying anyone or doing a thing wrong," Ichigo said unhappily, "He was trying to get both sides to work on making peace together, but I don't think peace is on Nacht's agenda."
"No," Sado agreed, turning his eyes to meet Ichigo's, "In fact, it seems like he wants more to continue Ywach's war."
"Not for Ywach," Ichigo said in a low, furious tone, "But for himself. He doesn't give a shit about the people who will pay the price."
"The problem we have now is that Uryu was our way of spying on their plans. It'll be harder to anticipate their moves without his advice and input."
"I guess that was what Nacht was going for," Renji said dryly.
"Well, we have to find a way to stop him," Ichigo argued.
"How do we do something like that?" Renji objected, "It's not like we can just go traipsing into the shadows. I've been there and I can tell you that they guard those sun gate keys closely and manipulate what gates open and where, so even if we get a key, it'll be dangerous going in. there."
"Renji is right," Sado said, frowning and closing his eyes for a moment, "We have to focus on waking Uryu. We need him before we can take any action."
Rukia gave the others a guarded look.
"We may have something important going for us," she said softly, "I heard that Tetsuya and Ukitake taichou are in the Kuchiki archive, and that Tetsuya is getting his powers back. Between Tetsuya's healing power and Ukitake taichou's ability to now use his bankai, we are stronger than we were before."
"I guess we'll see," Ichigo said, still looking at Uryu, "Uryu said that they were being targeted too."
"Nii-sama knows about that," Rukia assured him, "He won't let anyone to hurt them. It'll be okay. Let's just keep our attention on Uryu. We need to get through to him, whatever it takes."
"Hey!" Ichigo exclaimed softly, "guys, I think he moved!"
Ichigo leaned closer to Uryu's slightly moving lips. He strained his ears and barely picked up a whisper.
"Tetsuya," the quincy youth managed shakily.
"It's me. It's Ichigo," Ichigo said, patting Uryu's hand, "I'm right here."
"T-tetsuya!" Uryu gasped, writhing as pain seemed to suddenly register in his quivering form, "Nacht w-wants his h-healing p-power! He's sent people t-to kidnap Tetsuya!"
"Don't worry," Rukia said, leaning close to him, "Nii-sama has placed Tetsuya and Ukitake taichou in a place where the quincies can't reach them."
"You have to t-tell Byakuya…th-there's a monster in the palace!"
The others looked on in dismay as Uryu shuddered and fell still again.
"Uryu!" Ichigo called out urgently, patting his lover's face, "C'mon Uryu!"
He turned desperate eyes on Orihime.
"Isn't there anything you can do?"
"I'm doing all I can!"
"What do you think he meant, There's a monster in the palace?" Renji mused, shaking his head in confusion, "Was he talking about the royal palace? The quincy palace?"
"He could have been referring to Nacht as a monster, maybe," Sado theorized.
"I don't know," Rukia said, rubbing her chin thoughtfully, "I mean, he was desperate for us to know that. He knows we already get that Nacht is a really bad guy."
"It makes more sense if he was talking about the royal realm," Renji concluded, "But, we were in the palace when Ywach was there and we didn't run into any monsters except quincies."
"That's true," Rukia agreed, "but we weren't really there that much, and we didn't explore, because we were all trying to get to the throne room to find Ywach. If there was a monster, we could just have not run into him."
"And if it was a monster that the quincies were worried about, wouldn't that mean it was on our side?" Orihime asked tentatively.
"But then, why would Uryu be so worried we should know about it?" Rukia asked.
"I guess you're right," Orihime said, reaching down to touch Uryu's face.
"Guys," Renji said anxiously, "I think we need to get the message to Kuchiki taichou."
"I think you're right," Rukia agreed.
"Why don't you guys take the message?" Sado suggested, "Ichigo, Orihime and I will keep trying to talk to Uryu."
"Sado's right," Renji agreed, "We should…"
He broke off as several flash steps sounded and two disheveled male forms appeared. Rukia's eyes rounded at the sight of the two.
"Torio! Koji!" she cried, coming to her feet, "What is it? What's wrong?"
"It's B-byakuya-s-sama!" Torio panted, leaning heavily against his brother, "He and Hitsugaya taichou have been abducted!"