Chapter 16: Behind the Barrier

Renji groaned with relief at the feeling of a cool, wet cloth gently cleaning the sweat from his face. He cracked his eyes open and found Tetsuya leaning over him. The smile that had started to come to his lips faded as he noted the healer's tattered clothing, still filthy body and the haggard look about him.

"Damn, Tetsuya," he grunted drowsily, "You look worse than I do, you know. Haven't they let you even leave to go shower and change? Byakuya's gonna be pissed and don't get me started on how my dad's gonna…"

"Don't you understand?" Tetsuya intoned softly, his blue eyes clouded with worry, "They are all out there, the king, the samurai, all of the king's protectors. My kishu brothers are out there too…out there fighting, risking their lives alongside the dragons."

A look of deep guilt overtook his expression and tears formed in the corners of his eyes.

"I'm just glad that Arashi went with them. He will protect Katsuro, even if I am…"

Tetsuya broke off and a tear leaked onto his cheek.

"Hey," Renji objected, slipping a hand into his and squeezing gently, "I think you've done plenty to help us all. I know you were the one to figure out how to make the dragon's balm and you ran off and got the dragon scales, even though the king and the kishu were trying to stop you."

Tetsuya nodded, sniffing softly.

"I had to go."

"I know," the redhead agreed, "If it was me, I woulda done the same thing."

Tetsuya drew in a shaky breath.

"I know I'll face punishment," he whispered wearily, "but I had to do something. I couldn't let you and my cousin die. Maybe it's like they said and I was being selfish, only thinking of my interests…not looking at the bigger picture, but…"

"No way," Renji said firmly, "You did what needed to be done. Byakuya and I are alive and we are safe because of you. Maybe they don't think that's a worthy enough reason, but Byakuya and I sure do."

"They do have a point though," Tetsuya reasoned, "The rules are there for a reason. What I did ended well, but the outcome could have been very different and I put other lives at risk. Katsuro, Captain Yemon…they both came after me. I took a reckless risk and…I do accept that there will be consequences."

"Well, you might," Renji mused, "but if my dad and I have anything to say about it…"

"It seems to be the way of the king's samurai to be unabashedly reckless," concluded the healer, "but neither of you need to shield me. I made an impulsive choice and I stand behind it. I will pay the price, whatever it is."

He shuddered in reaction as a heavy rumble shook the building they were in.

"And right now? The price is having to wait here while they are all out there fighting and deciding our fate."

"Heh," Renji chuckled, "I don't know about you, but I think our fate's in pretty damned good hands. The king, the kishu, samurai and dragons are all working together out there. As bad as the demons are, and believe me, I of all people should know, we're going to be all right."

He looked over to where Byakuya stood, gazing out through the window and the glowing shield that protected the infirmary.

"Why don't you go and clean up? Byakuya and I can help the healers here while you're gone."

Tetsuya's blue eyes narrowed.

"Neither of you should be up and around at this point in your healing," he argued.

"You're not in such great condition, yourself," the redhead snickered.

"But I was given a direct order by the king, himself, to remain here."

"I don't think it was his intention that you should neglect yourself. That could put you and your patients here in danger, if you're not careful."

"Renji is right," Byakuya said solemnly.

Tetsuya paled and stiffened, then he sighed, deflating.

"You're right. If I neglect myself, I will only be more of a burden."

He turned to leave, only to hear a flash step and to feel warm hands come down on his shoulders. Startled, he looked up into Byakuya's proud, stern eyes.

"Byakuya?"

"Watashi no itoko," the elder Kuchiki said firmly, "do not ever refer to yourself that way in my presence. Despite your breaking the rules and earning a reprimand, you conducted yourself honorably and you saved lives today. Go and clean up. We will watch things here until your return."

Byakuya watched silently as his exhausted cousin turned and shuffled out of the room, then he moved to kneel at his resting mate's side. Renji looked up at him through relieved eyes, reaching out to touch his pale face with rough, reverent fingertips.

"Bya…" he murmured, "you don't know how good it is to be back to something resembling fucking normal. Seriously? I thought that it was over. I thought the demon had me, and that either it was gonna win completely, or you were gonna have to kill us both."

Byakuya's usually solemn lips turned upward at the edges and a very soft chuckle escaped him.

"You believed no such thing," he chided his red-haired lover, taking Renji's warm, calloused hand in his, "Even at the worst, you never stopped fighting. You reminded me all over again the reasons why I love you."

Renji tugged the paler man's hand to his lips and kissed the smooth skin tenderly.

"Well, maybe I did, but I feel awful about being used to hurt you. It stings like hell to think of that."

"Then, don't," his husband advised him, "Think only of the fact that we survived and we are home. The war may rage outside, and we may yet be called to protect this place…but we have already won. Just being able to look into your eyes and see you looking back at me, returning the love I'm giving you is more than enough to convince me once more how lucky I am."

Renji sat up slowly and pressed his lips to Byakuya's, remembering.

Katsuro placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I know you are confused…and I regret that your life must be upended so. But it is the tradition of our noble clan that the heir, at your age will be married to the strongest leader of the noble clans…and that the two of you will create your heirs together. Then…when the time for my passing comes, you and your mate will travel to the spirit realm to take your places as King's Protector and Captain of the Royal Guard."

"But…" Renji stammered, "Who?"

And suddenly it struck him…why they had been called to the spirit realm together, why Byakuya had been looking at him so oddly, and why Ginrei Kuchiki had greeted him so respectfully.

"Oh…" he gasped, shaking his head, "Oh, this just…can't be happening…no way…no way this could be happening. I have got to be having the worst fucking nightmare of my life!"

He waited for Byakuya to look up, to say something, to have some kind of reaction, but his captain only remained kneeling, his head bowed respectfully and his eyes hidden from everyone.

Renji took the noble's face in his hands, kissing the warmly smiling lips passionately.

"You feel lucky, eh?" he asked, smirking and pulling back to meet his husband's deep grey eyes, "Do you even recall how stupidly I reacted when we were told we were going to be married? Do you remember how I blamed you? You say you were the lucky one?"

"I assure you, I remember everything that happened," Byakuya said with calm certainty, "I have not forgotten a moment."

Renji started to get out of the bed, but Byakuya gently pressed on his chest in objection.

"Do not…"

"I'm okay, really," Renji reassured him, "and what about you? You were a mess when you got here too. Probably, neither one of us should be out of bed right now, but…I really wanna see."

Byakuya considered for a moment, then he wrapped a steadying arm around Renji and helped the injured redhead to his feet. They walked to the window and gazed out through the barrier, watching the ebb and flow of the battle that raged on. Fire flashed across the sky and dragon and demon cries sounded, though somewhat muted by the glass and the reiatsu barrier protecting them. Shinigami and samurai, king and subjects, dragons and demons clashed wildly, sending rumbles through the palace as the two warriors watched closely.

"Look at them, Byakuya," Renji said in a low, happy voice, "Akabuke and Kazuki, they look…just…"

"Radiant," the noble supplied, "For so many years, they were denied the ability to protect what they loved. It is nothing short of a miracle to see them out there…"

"Out there, dancing," Renji added, "I think it's as beautiful to me as the way they look when they dance together every night."

"Yes," Byakuya whispered, nuzzling closer to the redhead, "I feel the same."

XXXXXXXXXX

Tetsuya undressed slowly, working his way out of his tattered uniform carefully to avoid pulling on several torn and healing muscles or setting any of his wounds bleeding again. Unlike his body, his mind worked tirelessly, poring over all that had happened, feeling the raw emotions all over again.

And he wondered.

Did I help our effort by going to get the scales myself?

Did I make things worse by making Captain Yemon and Katsuro come after me?

While it is true that I succeeded in gathering what was needed and I also connected with the dragons and helped to bring them to our side for the battle, our side expended time, manpower and attention in coming after me. The Dragon's Balm did its work and now Byakuya and Renji are safe and well, but…what will be the cost of it?

Did I do the right thing?

What would have happened if I had obeyed my king and my captain?

Would they still have been saved and the dragons rallied to our side?

I have so many questions, and I have no answers. I have poured out the strength of my body, my mind and my heart to save what lives I can, but did my actions also endanger lives? And what will happen when the battle ends? If we are victorious, how will I be judged and what will happen to me? Whatever happens to me also happens to Arashi.

A hard shiver passed through the half-noble's wet, naked body and he set a hand on the shower wall to steady himself.

I have heard that one of the punishments can be expulsion and the permanent removal of the heavy feathers necessary for flight. Will Arashi suffer that horrid fate because of me?

The very thought made his battered body shake harder, and he slid down the shower wall. He sat beneath the falling water, crying silently into his arms.

With the Kishu, I found the family I felt most connected to. When I was new to them and so badly injured, they watched over me and gave me comfort. I was just beginning to understand what a gift that is, when all of this happened. I haven't had time until now to really think that because of my disobedience, I could lose them completely. If I am expelled from the group, they are not allowed to speak to me or even look into my eyes.

No.

Stop it.

This isn't the time.

Tetsuya pressed his face farther into his arms, keeping his eyes closed and breathing slowly, centering himself.

We are still in the midst of a crisis and there are lives at stake. There will be time to worry about everything else when the battle is over. Right now, I have to refresh myself enough to continue healing everyone. Healing and guarding, those are my tasks until the king and the fighters return.

He pushed himself to his feet, brushing off the bit of nausea that registered as he moved. As he continued to bathe himself, one hand drifted down to a very small swelling on his lower abdomen.

Yes. I feel your presence, little one. This little bit of life that comes from the love between my samurai and me. It's been so busy, I haven't had time to think very much about you, or about how things will differ when you arrive. I am sure that Katsuro will be a doting father.

A further thought brought a little smile to Tetsuya's lips.

I know that with the mingling of his stubborn disposition and mine, you are going to be hard to manage, but we will always do our best to guide you well. You will know love and safety. You will be surrounded in light.

Tetsuya's eyes closed and he imagined himself for a moment, once again locked away in the dark place that he'd grown up in.

I hope you are never subjected to the horrors that I was as a child. I hope that you are able to rest quietly in the gardens, that you can grow up breathing in the sweet scents of grass and flowers and that walls will never close you in.

A sudden, odd sound seemed to leak in from somewhere outside the room and Tetsuya paused, straining to hear. Picking up nothing, he waited a few seconds, then, draping his naked body in one of his waterforms and leaving another washing off in the shower, he crept into a shadowy corner of the room, watching and dressing quietly. He held his breath as very soft footsteps sounded and the door to the room opened. As the one who opened the door moved further into the room, the light fell on the dark form and the concealed noble's blood turned to ice in his veins.

A demon in the palace?

He knew better than to act rashly and reveal himself. Rather, he waiting until the creature slipped into the bathroom and began to stalk the waterform Tetsuya had left, bathing in the shower. Breathlessly, he moved in behind the beast, then, as he heard the demon make an angry exclamation, he called his freezing power to hand and surrounded the surprised beast in ice.

It won't hold him long, but it will give me time to warn everyone!

Tetsuya burst out of the room and started towards the infirmary, his heart in his throat.

Kami! I hope there aren't more of them!

As his flash step carried him swiftly on his way, he reached out with his mind to three souls on the battlefield. Arashi, Katsuro and the she-dragon, Streethka.

Get word to the king immediately! There is at least one demon who has entered the palace. I have confined it in my quarters, but it will break free soon. I am on my way to defend the royal nursery and the infirmary. I cannot determine the state of the interior palace guards. Please send help!

He barely registered the responses as he felt the sudden explosion that shattered the ice he had set around the invading demon.

It's coming!

As he approached the infirmary, the doors swung open and Byakuya and Renji emerged with several of the recovering fighters.

"Tetsuya!" Byakuya cried, "we felt the presence of the demon and the power you used to contain it. Are you all right? What did you see?"

"I'm not injured," Tetsuya assured him, running to take up a position at his cousin's side, "The demon slipped into my room and attacked the waterform I left inside. I was able to trap it briefly and escape, but it's free now and on its way here."

"Sneaky bastard!" Renji spat.

"Abarai, you should not be out here, after what you've endured," Byakuya scolded his husband.

"Heh," Renji huffed agnostically, "neither should you or the little dragon whisperer over there."

The sound of running feet and rising snarls brought the few fighters to full alert, and they waited, swords in hand and their reiatsu rising around them.

"It seems there is no choice," Tetsuya concluded, "We must not let the demons reach the infirmary and nursery.

Byakuya nodded and bowed his head slightly, lifting Senbozakura, tip down, then releasing the weapon.

"Bankai, Senkei Senobonzakura Kageyoshi."

The little group of fighters watched warily as the bright pink swords of the noble leader's Senkei fell quickly into place. Almost immediately, the invading demons threw themselves against it, screaming in defiance and causing fresh rumbles to shake the palace.

"Damn," Renji breathed, "I wonder how many of'em got inside."

Byakuya frowned.

"I believe it is enough that even my Senkei will not hold them back indefinitely."

As if to underscore his concern, several heavy blasts rocked the palace, breaking against Byakuya's barrier. The small group of fighters exchanged worried glances. Byakuya turned his attention to his cousin, laying a hand on his arm.

"Tetsuya, if they break through my Senkei, then you are going to have to use it," he said softly.

"It?" Renji mused, frowning, "What is it?"

Tetsuya swallowed hard, his face paling.

"I have been training a new ability," Tetsuya explained, "You see, the truth is that I discovered early on, after Byakuya freed me from the prison, that my long incarceration left my body too weak to contain my full power. But…my will to fight to protect my and my loved ones' freedom was much, much stronger."

An equine shriek sounded nearby.

"It was from my strong will that Arashi was born," Tetsuya went on, "When Byakuya and I were directly threatened, Arashi emerged from my body, and he was able to use all of my abilities so that my own fighting power increased. Arashi is a part of me. I knew this as I trained, and so the time came when I questioned my zanpakuto spirt about the possibility of drawing Arashi back in. I had noticed that when I was badly injured, Arashi was pulled back into my body to help keep me alive. I wondered, then, what would happen if I called him inside while I was at my peak strength. My body cannot maintain full connection with Arashi for very long, but while we are fighting as one, our power is tremendously amplified. I have only once used this power, and the strain on my body was enormous. I lost consciousness for nearly two weeks and my reiatsu was diminished for a month. Given the condensed reiatsu of the royal realm, I cannot guess what will happen if I use that power here."

A sharp cracking sound brought the fighters' eyes back to Byakuya's shuddering Senkei.

"But…we are out of options."

Byakuya's hand wrapped around his cousin's wrist and Tetsuya looked back at him warily.

"Begin the release," he advised his cousin, "but if you feel the power is too strong, do not take that form, Tetsuya. You could barely control it before, in Soul Society, where it was more limited. If you cannot handle the backlash of the power, then we will all fight the demons as best we can."

Tetsuya nodded stiffly as Arashi flash stepped into view and stopped in front of Tetsuya. The young kishu turned and hugged his worried cousin, then he mounted Arashi and raised his sword, tip down. He drove the weapon into the horse's back, between his shoulders, at the same time, giving the release command.

"Bankai, Koori no Bakuha…Shinigami Tenba!"

A heartbeat later, Byakuya's Senkei broke apart and fell.