Chapter 21: The Homecoming

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Run, if you think it will help, but though the wind whips your hair and you sweep away from me, you know you are always my own…and sooner or later, you will return to me.

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Renji waited a step behind Yoruichi as she knocked on the door to Kuchiki Manor. It was opened by the old female housekeeper Renji remembered from the times he had visited the manor to meet Byakuya or Rukia, or to carry messages to or from the sixth division. She bowed in greeting.

"Welcome to Kuchiki Manor, Shihoin-san, Abarai-san. May I help you with something?" she asked.

"We are looking for a four year old girl with red hair and gray eyes. Her name is Akane and we think that she may have planned to come here with two friends, a boy named Jinta and a girl named Ururu," said Yoruichi, "Have you seen her?"

The woman nodded and smiled.

"Hai, Kuchiki Yoshinori met them at the gates and recognized her as Kuchiki-sama's child."

"Then they are here?" Renji said quickly, "May we see them?"

"I will announce you to Kuchiki Rukia. She has been named the child's guardian until Kuchiki-sama's return."

She paused for a moment, then regarded Renji apologetically.

"I am sorry if that sounded rude, you being her other parent, but because your paternity has yet to be officially recognized by the council…"

"I understand…but thank you for explaining."

The housekeeper smiled.

"You are well thought of in this residence, Abarai-san," she said, starting to turn away.

"I am?" Renji mused, "Why?"

She turned back, still smiling.

"Because he changed a great deal after you took care of him, following his injury saving his sister. Some of us who went to the healing center to see him witnessed how he was with you. And when he came home, he was calm and peaceful. He seemed quieter and lonelier without you…but he was far more patient with us. And he became kinder, more like he was before his wife's passing."

"I see…" murmured Renji, "I never even knew that…"

I will be back in a moment," she said, bowing again.

Renji glanced at Yoruichi and blushed slightly at the smile she gave him.

"It looks like Byakuya went all sweet on you after you helped to save Rukia," she said, her smile growing into a toothy grin.

"Naw, I didn't do much except run and get brought back to the Soukyoku to be nearly cut in half," laughed Renji, "I think it was the ass-kicking he gave me beforehand. There's nothing like nearly killing someone to bring two people together."

"Idiot!" chuckled Yoruichi, "I think that after he realized what a fool he'd been, he was really grateful for you being willing to do so much to save her."

"Yeah, well, all's well that ends well, right? I didn't die and he came to his senses and the rest was just sticking together and moving forward. I just wish that…that after that first night…we'd had more time…that he hadn't been taken away like that. The only bright spot in all of that is that he chose to use my reiatsu to make Akane. When everything else was taken away and his life was in ruins, he managed to keep that little bit of us together. It doesn't take away what Aizen did to him, but…our daughter is a great comfort, in spite of what Byakuya's imprisonment cost us."

"And I think the two of you have emerged stronger for it, Renji," Yoruichi said, her smile becoming sad, "You have a long way to go, but now you're together. I think you will find your way through this."

"Yeah," Renji agreed, "but the bastard still has him. We have to get him back…"

"We will."

Renji opened his mouth to reply, but was interrupted by the return of the housekeeper, along with Rukia.

"Renji!" she exclaimed, "I thought you went after Nii-sama!"

"And I thought you were still in hiding! What are you doing here?"

"I figured I'd probably be safer here than isolated somewhere. I alerted the house staff and Soutaichou. We are under both clan and Gotei 13 protection, Renji. I know Aizen Sousuke may be able to get to us, but we'll have strong protection here. I think this is for the best.

"I think she's probably right," said Yoruichi, "but I think I will collect Jinta and Ururu and take them back to Kisuke. He's really worried about them…and he wants to have a word with them about running off with Akane when Aizen is so bent on finding her!"

"Go on," said Rukia, "They're in the playroom."

They watched as Yoruichi flash stepped away, then stepped into the gardens. Dropping down into a chair, Renji heaved a sigh of frustration.

"Damn it! We have to stop this bastard! He just won't let Byakuya go! I know he has a plan and I thought that we wrecked it…but the son of a bitch is crazy, Rukia. And I have to wonder…is it because he really has a plan…or is he just out to fuck with Byakuya's mind until there's nothing left of it? It's nuts…just so screwed up!"

"So…you and Ichigo…you weren't able to get him out?" Rukia asked, lowering her eyes.

Renji shook his head. Yoruichi called us back before we could decide what would be the best way. But Ichigo remained behind to watch until I get back."

"But," Rukia sighed, letting her eyes close, "We have to wonder just what he'll do to Nii-sama before we find him again. Renji…he was nearly destroyed last time. How many times can a person go through something like this and still…"

"Hey," Renji said firmly, "I made contact with him…and he knows he's not alone this time. It's making a difference. He's hanging in there, Rukia. It won't be like before."

"But what is Aizen Sousuke doing to him? What horrors is Nii-sama enduring now?" Rukia asked softly.

"Don't think that way," Renji said firmly, "He's going to be okay…We…"

He broke off as some kind of commotion occurred in the entry. He heard the doors being thrown open and the housekeeper giving a sob of delight. The two flash stepped back to the entry and slid to a stop, staring. Ichigo stood in the doorway, and just inside the door stood a bemused looking Byakuya, gazing down at the housekeeper, who had dropped to her knees and was sobbing his name in greeting over and over. Byakuya inclined his head and returned her greeting, touching her lightly on the shoulder and urging her to her feet. The woman bowed and dashed out the room, calling for tea to be made and served in the garden. Byakuya looked up at Rukia and Renji, his expression weary, but relieved.

"Byakuya," said Renji softly, "How did you…Did Ichigo…?"

"No," Byakuya said quietly, "The healer in Las Noches. He assisted me in escaping. I found my way to Ichigo and we heard you had gone to the Seireitei to look for Akane. Did you find her?"

Renji nodded.

"She's here…and safe. Your cousin, Yoshinori found the children at the gates and took them in."

Byakuya turned to look at Rukia.

"You look well, Rukia. I am glad you arrived safely as well."

"I'm fine, Nii-sama," Rukia assured him, "But Nii-sama, you look so pale! I should call a healer."

"No…no, I am fine. I have already been healed and just need rest."

"I'll see you to your room, Byakuya," said Renji.

"I want to see Akane first."

"I'll bring her to you," Renji said, slipping an arm around him, "but you need to lie down before you fall down."

"Renji, I'm not going to fall down," Byakuya said disapprovingly.

"No," said Renji, "You're so damned stubborn that you'd rather just die right there on your feet!"

The edges of the noble's lips quirked slightly.

"I think you exaggerate," he said with a note of affection in his voice.

"Whatever," said Renji, "Look…just…please, go and lie down. I promise I'll get Akane and bring her to you right now. I just…you're really pale and you've been through a lot. I'm not telling you what to do…"

"No," said Byakuya, lowering his eyes, "You're just taking care of me."

He sighed softly.

"Very well, I will go and lie down."

He turned out of the entry and stopped on the walkway, his eyes widening, then softening with gratitude. All along the walkway, the house staff stood silently, looking at him with respect and welcome in their eyes. Several had tears on their faces, but none made a sound. They waited quietly until he started down the walkway. As he passed them, each one bowed and offered him a soft, heartfelt greeting. He returned each greeting with a meeting of their eyes and a few whispered words. He reached the end of the line of them and turned into his room, leaving the garden doors open behind him.

Renji followed him into the room and stood quietly as he stepped into the dressing area and shed his clothing, replacing it with one of his own yukatas. He turned and stepped out of the dressing area, moving to the bed and then standing quietly and staring down at it, as though trying to remember something.

"What is it?" Renji asked softly.

"I haven't stood in my own room for five years…but…I do remember how good it always felt to lie in this bed and look out through the open doors at the stars."

Renji stepped closer and slipped his arms around the noble.

"And if it's okay with you…tonight…I want to lie here with you and look out at those stars."

"Hmm…" Byakuya mumbled, nuzzling beneath the redhead's chin, "That makes some rather large assumptions, doesn't it, Abarai?"

"Huh?"

"We are not married and this is my family residence. I haven't given you permission, nor invited you to share my bed."

Renji grinned.

"Now, that sounds like my Taichou," he said, finding Byakuya's lips with his, "You can go ahead and kick me out if you want to, but you'll only get cold and lonesome and want me to come back later…but, suit yourself…"

He started to pull away, but in a move so fast, he never saw it coming, Byakuya had him pinned on his back on the bed. The noble gave him a short kiss and released him.

"Can I take it to mean that I have your invitation, then?" Renji laughed.

"My invitation and my permission," Byakuya said primly.

Renji rolled to his feet and pulled the covers back. Byakuya slipped into the bed and gazed up at the redhead quietly.

"I'll go get Akane," Renji said, turning away, "There are a billion guards everywhere around us. We won't let him near you, Byakuya."

Byakuya gave him a brief nod and closed his eyes.

"When he's serious about taking me back…he will," Byakuya whispered after Renji was out of hearing.

He gazed out through the open garden doors, watching as the guards moved along their boundaries. He heard the soft voices of Ichigo and Rukia as they sat talking in the garden. His heart ached at the feeling of familiarity it gave him. It was good to be there, of course, but there were still so many ways and so much probability of it being taken away again, he hardly dared to embrace it. He swallowed hard and told himself to enjoy it while it lasted. It might not be forever, but he was home.

His eyelids drooped and he felt himself starting to drift off. He was already sound asleep by the time Renji and Akane arrived at the door. Renji smiled down at their daughter.

"Looks like we'll have to visit him later," he chuckled softly, "He was pretty tired after being captured again."

"Did he hurt Daddy Bya?" Akane asked in a trembling voice.

"A little," admitted Renji, not wanting to be dishonest with her, but not daring to reveal the full truth, "He got banged up a little, but he has been healed and just needs to sleep. Come on."

But the girl had released his hand and climbed onto the bed. She dropped down onto her stomach on top of the covers next to the sleeping noble and put her head on the other pillow.

"Is it okay if I stay here?" she whispered.

Renji smiled.

"I guess it's okay, as long as you try not to wake him up, okay? He's really tired."

"I'll be quiet," she promised, "I just want to stay here."

Renji nodded.

"You let me know if he wakes up and needs me, okay?"

Akane nodded, then closed her eyes. Renji stepped into the dressing area and returned with a warm wrap. He spread it over the dozing girl and started toward the garden. He smiled back at her one more time, then left them sleeping with Akane's small hand resting gently on her father's.

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"So…how is he?" Ichigo asked.

I was going to ask you the same thing," said Renji, "I mean, you're the one who found him and brought him back. How do you read him?"

"You want me to sugarcoat it or do you want me to be honest?" Ichigo asked.

"Just tell me how he is…"

"Not good. You saw him. Pale as a ghost…and when we got to Kisuke's, they had to rip a tracking device out of him. That didn't help any…it just made him look more beat up. Renji, we can't let Aizen get hold of him again. He may be holding up better mentally, but physically, there's only so much the body can take."

"Add to that the fact that he's pregnant. It's too much. I'm worried that if anything else happens, he could miscarry…and given what happened before…I just don't want him to have that to deal with, on top of everything else."

"Well, we'll protect him, then…" Ichigo said, sounding less than convinced that they could.

"No…" said Renji, "That isn't going to be enough. We have to find out what Aizen's plan is and fuck it up so he can't use Byakuya anymore!"

"And how are we supposed to do that?" Rukia asked, "It's not like he's going to come over here and just tell us!"

"I don't know," Renji said anxiously, "I just know we have to find a way."

His eyes strayed over to the open doors to Byakuya's bedroom.

"We have to find a way to stop that bastard…" said Renji, "and whatever it takes, we will!"