Chapter 31: Coming Home
Warnings: mentions of abuse/neglect, emotional Bya, tension.
Previously: Byakuya continued to struggle, even as he heard a garganta ripping open, then he felt Senbonzakura being pressed into his hands.
He was shoved through the portal just as an agonized scream from beyond the closed door pierced his heart.
.
.
Shuuhei was walking along when he heard the unmistakable tearing sound of an opening garganta. Before he could call Kazeshini out, a form tumbled out of the rend in the sky, then the rip closed.
Recognizing the disheveled black hair, he rushed forward.
"Byakuya?!"
The noble was dressed in a thin white yukata that was torn in suggestive places.
Shuuhei was reaching out to touch his shoulder, when Byakuya jumped and cried out, "Renji!"
Confused and becoming more alarmed, Shuuhei managed to keep his voice soft.
"Byakuya, it's just me. What happened?"
Steel-colored eyes rose to his, wide and wet.
"Sh-Shuu? Aizen's got Renji and he told me to go home."
Shuuhei knew what the protocol here was; he should take Byakuya to be debriefed right away. But he also knew that the noble was in no shape for an interrogation at the moment.
He carefully lifted the stricken captain into his arms and started to head for Kuchiki manor. Byakuya clutched at him, shaking his head.
"He said to go home. His quarters are home."
Shuuhei obediently changed direction, engaging his flash-step so they wouldn't be seen. As they reached Renji's quarters, the ravenette pointed to a stone near the door.
"My key is there."
Shuuhei carefully set the noble on his feet and unlocked the door. They went inside and he had the captain sit in the couch-nest. He made some tea in record time, taking a cup to Byakuya.
"Can you tell me what happened out there?"
He listened, with growing horror, to the entire story in detail; from Renji and Byakuya having misgivings about the mission, to their abduction and waking up as captives, Renji successfully protecting his partner, to the Kuchiki heir being forced through the garganta.
XxXx
Byakuya was trembling as he finished the harrowing story, including Renji's request that none of the pack come for him.
He could clearly sense Shuuhei's concern as the younger man spoke in a gentle, yet firm tone, reminding him of what needed to be done.
"We need to go make the report, Byakuya. They'll send someone to get Ren back."
Byakuya nodded, recognizing the truth and logic in his friend's words, and grateful beyond words that Shuu had given him a few moments to compose himself. He changed into a spare uniform and incinerated the torn white yukata with hado.
He sent off a Hell butterfly to the Head Captain, and by the time he and Shuuhei reached the First, all of the other captains and their lieutenants were gathering for an emergency meeting.
Byakuya reported almost the entire incident, leaving out the attempted rapes while emphasizing Renji's demand that none of his friends be sent to save him.
He sent an apologetic look to other pack members that were present, knowing without a doubt that each and every one was wanting to go. But their Alpha had spoken - it would kill Renji if any of his family got hurt trying to rescue him.
Shuuhei managed to subtly stay at his side the entire time.
It was decided that Squad 2 would send a detail to retrieve Renji. The detail would be led by SoiFon herself. Though not pack herself, her idol/mentor/lover, Yoruichi, was close to Renji and several other members of the makeshift family, and everybody knew there was nothing SoiFon wouldn't do for her Lady.
Also, a messenger would be sent to Karakura Town to inform Ichigo and Rukia of the events that had taken place, as well as a guard detail that included Shunsui, Juushiro, and Komamura, to keep them from taking any drastic action.
As everyone filed out of the emergency meeting, Kenpachi and Toshiro approached Byakuya after sending their lieutenants on squad tasks.
Shuuhei stood like a guard, but Byakuya touched the younger man's arm to let him know it was ok.
He was struck by even more guilt for leaving his lover behind - he'd also left the pack's leader.
"I'm so sorry," he whispered.
Kenpachi shook his head.
"Not your fault, princess."
They still didn't know about him and Renji - they thought Renji had stayed just to protect his captain and friend.
As the 4 of them exited the building, other members of the pack that weren't captain or lieutenant class met them. Byakuya relayed the story again, painful though it was; all of Renji's family needed to know what had happened, as well as Renji's request that none of them come for him.
Of course, this was met with dissent at first, but soon enough, the message sank in that Renji would never forgive himself if any of his friends got hurt trying to help him.
The pack worked together to try and comfort Byakuya, but as soon as he could, he snuck away to the quarters he'd been staying in for the last 5 months, quarters that still smelled like Renji.
Shuuhei followed, making a light dinner and encouraging him to eat.
Byakuya picked at the food, which was probably good yet tasted like ash to him, in an effort to appease the younger man who seemed to have taken on a sort of guardian role.
"Why are you watching over me like this?" he asked.
Shuuhei met his eyes with an intense gaze.
"First of all, we're friends, so I would already wanna be here for you, ok?"
He nodded, and Shuuhei continued.
"Soon after you two got together, Renji came to me with a request. He said that if anything were to happen to him, I should...I guess the best way to put it is he asked me to take over. Not as your partner, but as much as you let me. I'm to comfort you and do whatever you need me to. And... Just like he told you not to let the pack come for him, I'm supposed to make sure you don't do anything...uh, impulsive."
The scarred lieutenant managed a weak, but sincere smile.
"Besides, like I said, we are friends."
Byakuya was incredibly touched by Renji's thoughtful planning and Shuuhei's loyal friendship, and it was too much after everything he'd experienced in the last few hours.
He began to weep quietly, terrified for his partner and frustrated by said partner's binding words - 'If you meant what you said, that you love me, you won't come back here for me.'
Byakuya had meant it, with all his heart.
And he respected his lover's desire to keep him and their friends safe.
As tears escaped his eyes, he was vaguely aware of a tentative Shuuhei climbing into the couch-nest to hold him. He didn't resist the gentle embrace, crying his broken heart out as Shuu rocked him and stroked his hair, making little 'shhh' and 'I know' sounds.
Byakuya cried himself to sleep that night.
It wasn't the last time.
XxXx
Nearly a week passed before news came.
It was Saturday morning, and Shuu was trying to encourage him to eat something for breakfast, when a Hell Butterfly fluttered in.
"Squad Two has returned with Renji Abarai. The lieutenant is being treated at the Fourth."
Byakuya was already on his feet, Shuuhei a breath behind him. They flash-stepped to the hospital to find most of the pack there, wild-eyed and demanding to see Renji.
Byakuya maneuvered to the front to face Isane.
"You must let us see him!"
The lieutenant shook her head.
"I'm sorry, guys. Rules are rules. The only visitors allowed right now would be family or a significant other."
Byakuya snapped, "You know the pack is his family, Isane! You're one of us!"
Kenpachi moved up beside him.
"Yeah, and we don' know who his partner is!"
Isane shook her head again, looking distraught.
"I know all that, but I have my orders."
Byakuya's mind cleared as a decision formed.
"His partner could visit him?"
When Isane nodded, his path was obvious.
"It's me. I'm the secret boyfriend he's had for the last five months."
Around him, the pack went deathly still. Isane just looked more upset as she explained herself.
"Byakuya, uhhh, Captain Kuchiki, sir, I'd need proof of this. My orders are very strict."
He took a deep breath, then shrugged the shoulders of his uniform off to reveal the marks of passion Renji had left on him, including the ones from the day they'd gotten the order. He knew his shoulders and lower neck were covered in the fading lovebites.
"He left the more recent ones on me the night prior to the mission."
Isane looked stricken.
"That doesn't prove it. Those could've been made by anyone. I'm so sorry."
Byakuya felt the heaviness of the pack's gaze; the first friends he'd ever made knew he and Renji had been lying and hiding this for months. Unable to face the betrayal they surely felt, he pulled his uniform back into place.
"I can still prove it."
Then he shouted down the hallway at the top of his lungs, releasing a flare of his reiatsu.
"RENJI!"
A heartbeat later, red spiritual energy burst out of a room at the end of the hall, followed by Renji himself.
Byakuya could've wept at the sight; his lover was obviously bruised and beaten, covered in dirt and blood, and barely holding his feet, swaying dangerously.
Byakuya shoved past Isane and took off towards his partner. The redhead caught sight of him and broke into a stumbling run.
When they met, the bigger Soul Reaper swept him up and kissed him thoroughly. Byakuya wrapped his arms around behind Renji's neck, kissing back fervently and forgetting their audience.
He and his precious lover were pressed together thigh to chest, and Renji was holding him so tight...
The younger man broke the kiss to run both hands over Byakuya's face, hair, and throat.
"Oh, baby, you're ok?"
Byakuya nodded as he sniffled back the burn of tears.
"Of course. You made sure of that."
Renji kept tenderly patting him down, big hands roaming him and checking for injury, as if the bigger Soul Reaper needed to reassure himself of his well-being.
"Thank the gods you're ok."
They kissed again, long and sweet. Then Renji raised his head, noticing the pack.
"Byakuya...do they know?"
He almost laughed at the question, but managed to swallow the hysteria.
"You just kissed me in front of them - I'm pretty sure they know."
Kenpachi stepped closer, effortlessly bypassing a protesting Isane.
"The hell? All along, it's been you, princess?"
Suddenly, Renji's reiatsu flared madly as he snarled at his family.
"You guys leave him alone!"
Seeing several of their friends step back, including Kenpachi, Byakuya gently captured his partner's face to make the auburn eyes meet his.
He tried not to shiver at the shade of savagery in the dark amber depths.
"Shhh, honey, don't yell at them. It's ok, I'm ok."
The redhead murmured, "Ok," then tucked his face against his neck.
They embraced each other as Renji's legs seemed to give out. Holding his battered boyfriend as they sank to the floor, Byakuya blinked back the burn of tears. It seemed that even with what Renji had been through, his subordinate's main concern was him.
He could feel the pack's eyes on them, then Shuuhei was next to them, hiding them from the curious gazes.
"What is going on here?" came Unohana's voice.
Byakuya swallowed.
"I'm not here as Renji's captain, I'm here as his partner."
Unohana nodded, glancing at Renji trying to crawl into Byakuya's lap.
"I can see that. Unfortunately, your relationship hasn't been recognized since it was a secret."
Renji lifted his head, his energy becoming agitated.
"Please don't send him away!"
Unohana shook her head, blue eyes sympathetic.
"I'm sorry, but he will have to go get an official recognition from the Head Captain. That is, if you want him to be able to visit you."
With a whimper, the Rukon Dog held onto him tighter. Byakuya stroked his disheveled hair soothingly.
"Shh, it's ok. Let them help you and I'll be back soon."
Wide cinnamon eyes met his, and he gently laid his hand over the marked forehead.
"I'll put you to sleep so you won't have to worry, and won't know I'm gone. I love you."
Byakuya invoked the sleep kido, smiling at the mumbled "Love you, too," that Renji managed before slipping under. He gazed at the strong features for several moments, tenderly touching bruised cheek and split lip.
"May I at least carry him back to his room?" he asked softly, and Unohana nodded her permission.
As he stood up with the bigger Soul Reaper in his arms, Kenpachi stepped closer.
"You want some help?"
Byakuya looked up to see only concern in the uncovered eye. He gently shook his head.
"I can do it - I want to carry him. But thank you."
The taller man nodded, and Byakuya turned to Unohana.
"As members of your squad that he knows and trusts, would it be permissible for Isane and Hanataro to be Renji's primary caregivers?"
The healer captain nodded.
"I will see to it."
Smiling gratefully, Byakuya carried his lover to his room and carefully laid him down on the bed. Behind him, Isane and Hanataro entered the room, both looking quite nervous.
"Ca-Captain Kuchiki, sir?" Hanataro asked in a quivering voice, while Isane looked down at the floor, likely feeling guilty for trying to uphold her orders.
Byakuya sighed, heart heavy.
"Formality is wasted on me - it is because of me that Aizen was able to hurt Renji. And Isane? Out of the entire pack, I may be the most familiar with the conflict of heart and duty; don't feel bad for stopping us from seeing Renji."
Both the lieutenant and the young healer nodded, and Byakuya turned for the door.
"Please take care of him, and I'll be back as quickly as possible."
He walked out, seeing that only Shuuhei waited in the corridor. They stepped outside the Fourth together. On the walkway, Byakuya sagged against the wall, taking a moment to control both his relief and his anguish.
Renji was back, safe from Aizen, but...he'd clearly survived days of abuse, neglect, and gods knew what else. Aizen was excellent at his twisted mind games, so there was no telling what sort of psychological torment had been endured along with the physical.
His strong, beautiful Renji had been laid low by that evil bastard.
As Byakuya tried to breathe through his rising tears, he saw a few of the pack members standing a short distance away. Shuuhei moved between them and Byakuya.
"Guys, Ren said to leave him alone."
Byakuya rose to his feet.
"No, Shuuhei. I kept a big secret from everyone. For once, I'm not listening to Renji."
His fists clenched inside his sleeves.
"The pack deserves a chance to react."