Chapter 21: On The Knife's Edge

Renji watched quietly from where he sat on the walkway outside his and Byakuya's bedroom as Byakuya and Tetsuya sat beneath one of the sakura trees in the gardens, talking softly. Having watched Byakuya so closely over the past forty or so years, he could see the signs of barely concealed stress, the occasional notes of stiffness in his movements, the slight flare on the edges of his reiatsu and the subtle change in the sound of his voice that only one who really knew him and spent a lot of time around him would notice.

This has got to be killing him…

Byakuya had said little about Tetsuya's predicament in the past several weeks, but as the days had worn on, and it had become more and more inevitable that something was going to happen, the tension had grown between all three. Byakuya and the council had continued efforts to free Tomio for the paternal bonding, but the Aomori clan had put off votes and given excuses. It seemed odd to Renji that amidst all of that, Byakuya maintained such calm and did not just burst in and take Tomio, and that Tetsuya never questioned his decision to stick to diplomacy. He thought that perhaps, here was the difference between Byakuya as a clan leader and Byakuya as a military leader.

There's so much to the noble clans that I just don't get. If this was a squad member, a group of us would have busted in and gotten him out already.

He sighed softly as Koji appeared and led him off to be bathed. Distracted by the somber turning of his thoughts, he barely paid attention as Koji bared him and he walked out under the waterfall. He thought he might have heard the servant say something, but he was so lost in his thoughts that he barely noticed. He did notice, however, when Byakuya's arms wrapped around him from behind and the noble's head came to rest on his shoulder. Feeling the tension and sadness in his spouse without even looking, he tried to think of something to say, but the words refused to come. So instead, he leaned into Byakuya's embrace and guided the noble's hand to the bump on his belly. He could feel Byakuya smile against the skin of his throat as the noble simply held him quietly and the two of them indulged in the very uncomplicated, but sublime act of bathing each other.

Renji closed his eyes, enjoying the tender caress of Byakuya's hands on his skin. And it was odd to think of how dangerous the man holding him could be, and at the same time, to feel such gentleness and care in his touches.

But for him to have courted a fragile woman like Hisana, he had to have a side like this. And it's beautiful when he lets me see this side of him. It's one of the only times his eyes become so gentle. The rest of the time, he can be so hard to read, even for someone who knows him as well as I do.

He turned slowly, letting the water slide down his body, washing the soap away, then took the unspoken invitation to bathe Byakuya. The noble stood quietly, the water running in small streams down through the lengths of his hair, over his shoulders and down the deceptively delicate looking, pale torso. He sighed and closed his eyes as Renji's hands touched him, and as he caressed the soft skin and gently massaged the tensed muscles, Byakuya relaxed into his embrace and nearly dozed off. He opened his eyes again as Renji finished washing him and moved around to face him, then he brought his lips to the redhead's in a slow, sweet kiss of gratitude.

Renji tried again to think of something to say to ease the weight of sadness and guilt he sensed in his noble spouse. But words like 'I'm sorry' or 'I wish I could do something to help' didn't seem to come close to being enough. And being the people they were, they were, in any case, more accustomed to showing, rather than telling what they felt. Whether through the angry slash of swords or the passionate joining of their bodies, they said much of what they needed to without saying anything in words. So it was to the language of their bodies that Renji returned when he felt melancholy invading his life partner again.

He rested his head on Byakuya's warm, wet shoulder, brushing his hair and face against the sensitive skin of the noble's pale throat, while his hands slid over the freshly washed curves of shoulder and back, rounded hip and soft thigh. Byakuya's eyes, while remaining placid and calm as Renji touched him, began to smolder softly, just beneath the surface. And as Renji's hands continued to gently explore him, the noble's hands moved and Renji smiled as they began to trace the black pattern that covered his shoulders and back. He realized, after a moment, that Byakuya had closed his eyes again, and was tracing his tattoos purely from memory. It felt unbelievably good to have become so comfortable and familiar with each other. He felt tears in his eyes at being loved and appreciated that much.

Stupid hormones…I cry about everything! I'll be so glad when this kid comes out of me and I start to feel like myself again…

Byakuya's hand curled around his bottom and pulled him closer. He nipped gently at Renji's earlobe and licked drops of water from the skin of his throat, telling him that his partner was in the mood for something more than comfort now. He ran his tongue along the noble's lips to indicate his willingness and moved his hips, rubbing their damp members together. Byakuya's reiatsu flared and his mouth invaded Renji's with strong, invasive kisses. And as much as he had enjoyed Byakuya's tenderness while washing him, he absolutely treasured feeling his spouse's power while making love. He didn't want to think that it was any residual jealousy over Byakuya's former relationship with Hisana. Rather, it was a means of distinguishing the complex nature of their relationship, a means of meeting as not just lovers, but as warrior lovers.

Although being knocked up, it's hard to feel like a warrior…

Still, Byakuya managed to restore some of that feeling of manhood in the more aggressive of their couplings. He was, of course, careful not to actually hurt Renji, but at the same time easily conveyed that he could if that was his interest. He pushed the redhead back against the rocks and attacked his mouth more forcefully, his hands catching Renji's wrists and holding his hands away as he ravaged the redhead's lips and throat. His body trapped Renji's firmly against the rocks and his hips ground into the redhead's, creating intense friction. Renji tasted the slightest coppery hint of blood in his mouth and an electric jolt went through his loins. His reiatsu flared sharply and he moaned hungrily. He sensed a sudden opening and used the unscripted moment to turn the tables on Byakuya, and to bring the surprised noble down into the shallow water. They moved into a heady flurry of hands and legs, of shifting bodies moving to establish dominance. Being soaked and slippery, holding on was nearly impossible, as was telling who might end up gaining the upper hand. But just as he managed to secure a decent hold of his lovely partner, Byakuya executed a sudden turn, tore himself free and dragged Renji down. The redhead felt a shock of warm water splash onto his face, then was handily flipped and turned onto his hands and knees. Byakuya's body came down on his back and the noble braced himself carefully, trapping Renji. And as much as he enjoyed showing some loving dominance, himself, there was something deeply sexy about being held down that way, having strong, insistent hands part his thighs and long, slender fingers invade his body…feeling Byakuya's pounding heart against his back, a flash of hot breath on the back of a shoulder. He was glad that Byakuya shared his sense of urgency and didn't quite prepare him fully before tightening his hold on him and entering him. The moment of pain only struck at his senses, making him howl with anticipation and raise his hips wantonly. Byakuya's hands gripped them tightly, and the noble began a hard, rhythmic thrusting. Renji's hands clenched at the tumbled rocks and his rising cries of pleasure echoed all around them. Even if he had wanted to, he couldn't have stopped the wild, feral sounds he was making or have torn himself away from the beautiful and powerful man holding him down and loving him into near senselessness.

Byakuya shifted suddenly, sending a heavy shock through Renji's crouched body and forcing a scream of intense pleasure from deep in his chest. The powerful shocks continued until the redhead's body convulsed sharply within the noble's firm grasp and with another hard scream of pleasure, Renji released into the roiling water they knelt in. His body collapsed, and he barely managed to hold his head above water as Byakuya finished, holding him almost painfully tightly and filling him in long, hot pulses. He dragged Renji onto a small incline in the shallow water and and turned him onto his back, fastening his mouth on the redhead's again, pleasuring him with slower, deeper kisses as their bodies slowly relaxed. They rested in the warm water, enjoying the sweetness of afterglow and feasting on each other's lips more gently. He was nearly asleep in Byakuya's arms when the noble's voice sounded softly in his ear.

"Arigato, Renji. I do not know what I would do if you weren't here with me. This situation with Tetsuya steals all of my energy until I feel too weary to deal with it anymore…but you bring calm back into my heart. You make me believe that we'll find an answer."

Renji smiled sadly and kissed his flushed throat.

"We will find a way," he told the noble with certainty, "Though I think that answer might be that we'll have to just cut the crap and take Tomio back by force. Actually, I don't really understand why you haven't just done that."

Byakuya sighed resignedly.

"If this had happened within military delineations, I would have…but clan rules require that every effort be made to secure peaceful resolution of our differences. Clan wars in the past have been extremely destructive. I wouldn't invite that destructiveness into our lives and risk hundreds of lives along with Tetsuya's. My cousin understands this."

"I sure as hell don't," Renji said, shaking his head, "but if you say that it's important to keep trying to talk to them, then I'm with you. I just hope they back down soon…"

They went quiet for a time, soaking in the warm shallows, then lifting themselves and moving back to the water's edge. They slipped into their waiting yukata's and exited the chamber, holding hands with their fingers lazily entangled.

We can get through this, I know we can. I just hope that Tomio can be freed soon…

XXXXXXXXXX

"What's wrong?" asked Renji, looking into the mirror at the reflection of the frowning noble, who stood behind him as he changed into a loose, comfortable yukata, "You seem fidgety."

Byakuya's lips tightened.

"Tetsuya was supposed to be here to see the clan healer when he came to see you today. It has been several weeks without the paternal bonding ritual, and his reiatsu has been declining a little each time he has been examined."

"Well, should we go and look for him?" the redhead asked, tying the yukata loosely around his waist and adjusting the folds of the yukata to smooth them, "I mean, you know how scattered his mind has been worrying for Tomio, although Tomio's not the one who's hurting right now."

"That is my cousin for you," Byakuya said, a thin edge of pain in his voice, "He seems incapable of thinking of his own well being. He has always been more concerned with the protection of others. Thankfully, Arashi has been a constant presence at his side and there has been little capable of challenging the two of them. But this…Renji, this is something that will break him apart from the inside. It is only a matter of time until…"

He broke off at the sound of a pealing whinny coming in from somewhere outside. The sound was followed by the sounds of flash steps and raised voices. Byakuya turned, preparing to flash step away, but paused as an attendant appeared in front of him, his eyes wide and panicked.

"Kuchiki-sama! Tetsuya-san has collapsed in the gardens, and his stallion won't let anyone get near him! They are trying to lure him away, but he has already knocked several of the house guards unconscious."

"Go and tell them to stand clear. I will be there in a moment," Byakuya said tersely.

Renji moved to join him, but was stopped by a firm command.

"Stay here. Arashi is likely beside himself and might unintentionally hurt you."

Forcing down the sting of annoyance, he stepped onto the walkway, but remained safely distant as the house guards carefully surrounded Arashi and his fallen rider.

Byakuya approached the two slowly, speaking to the stallion in a low, calm voice and promising that he was only there to help. Arashi stood with his feet braced, carefully protecting Tetsuya where the young man laid on the lawn, clutching at the grass and groaning sluggishly.

"Tetsuya," Byakuya said, in a voice so calm that it made Renji feel like ripping his hair out, "Tetsuya, you must reassure Arashi so that we can reach you. Can you hear me, Cousin?"

Tetsuya stirred softly, and panted out a soft command. Arashi stiffened and squealed more softly, reaching down and huffing soft, horsey breath onto his master's pale face. Tetsuya made a soft reply, and Arashi lifted his eyes to look at Byakuya. The noble stepped forward slowly, reaching out a hand to the quivering stallion and continuing to speak to him in a calm, reassuring tone. Every step seemed to Renji to take an agonizingly large amount of time, but finally, Byakuya's hand touched Arashi's neck and the black horse lowered his head to rub his face against the noble's.

"I have to take him so that we can heal him," he told Arashi, "I know that you want to protect him, but you must let me take him now."

The stallion blew out another nervous breath, then carefully backed away. As soon as the stallion was clear of Tetsuya, Byakuya lifted the young noble and carried him into his room, followed by several clan healers.

Renji moved down the walkway to Tetsuya's door, watching quietly as the clan healers worked to stabilize the declining noble. Byakuya knelt calmly at his cousin's side as they worked, and Renji could read perfectly what was in the man's mind. He knew without having to be told that when Byakuya looked at Tetsuya, he wasn't really seeing his cousin anymore. The past that they had worked so hard already to leave behind was coming back to haunt and torment him…to remind him of the fears that had made him so unwilling to risk falling in love again.

But, Renji decided, this time was going to be different. When Hisana had become ill, Byakuya had faced her failing health and slow decline on his own. But whatever Tetsuya's ultimate fate was to be, Byakuya didn't have to face it on his own this time.

Renji took a soft, steadying breath and walked into the room. He stayed carefully out of the healer's way and knelt next to Byakuya. The noble's reiatsu was tightly drawn in, and Renji had the sense of him being made as taut as a bowstring and just this side of control. He said nothing at first, but simply slipped his hand into his spouse's, by way of saying, 'I'm here for you.' Byakuya remained tensed and agitated, but he looked at Renji out of the corner of one gray eye, and Renji read the gratitude there. He was sure it wasn't the end of their troubles, but if they had something difficult to face, then by kami, they were going to face it together. So he remained at Byakuya's side as Tetsuya was slowly stabilized, and long after, as the noble watched his pregnant cousin sleep, acting, in his own way, as Arashi had to be certain that nothing further befell his cousin.

"You need to eat and get some sleep," Byakuya said finally.

"Yeah?" said Renji, "So do you."

"I can't leave him."

Renji squeezed Byakuya's hand lightly.

"Hey, I know you're worried for him. I am too. But if you're going to be there for him, you have to take care of yourself. Don't kill the messenger here, but you won't do him any good making yourself overtired and undernourished. And you know that if you let yourself get run down, it could affect our bonding. You can't stabilize my fucked up body if you let yours go."

"H-he's right," Tetsuya said softly, his eyelids fluttering softly and opening slowly, "Byakuya-sama, I feel much better now. Please…you must…listen to Renji and see to your own needs."

"Don't overexert yourself," Byakuya said in gentle reproach, "They have managed to stabilize you, but you need to rest, Tetsuya. It is going to be more difficult now to keep your reiatsu in balance."

"I'll not be able to rest if I know you are neglecting yourself," the younger noble said stubbornly.

"Very well," said Byakuya, beginning to sound annoyed, "I will order food brought in for all of us. Now, will you do as you were told and rest?" Or do I need to induce sleep?"

Tetsuya managed a weak chuckle.

"No need for that," he said in a surprisingly collected tone, "I will sleep."

He closed his eyes, smiling as Byakuya's hand found his.

"It's going to be all right," Tetsuya whispered, "Tomio will be freed soon."

Renji wasn't sure if the words were meant to soothe Byakuya or to reassure himself. But Tetsuya slept soundly after that, and Byakuya accepted a few bites of food and allowed himself to be coaxed into the attendant's recess in Tetsuya's room for the remainder of the night. He curled his body around Renji's and rubbed the redhead's swollen belly, his eyes unable to close for watching Tetsuya too closely, and his mind too highly charged to allow himself to sleep.

This is becoming intolerable. But if I use force to obtain Aomori Tomio, I could end up starting something that will threaten all of us…

I cannot bear to lose my cousin, but neither can I bear to put Renji and our baby in danger.

What do I do now?

Kami, what do I do?