Chapter 9: The New Path to Me
Torio heard scampering feet on the wooden garden walkway and stepped outside, where he found Gia skipping towards Byakuya's bedroom, carrying a handful of colorful flowers.
"Good Morning, "Gia-chan," the attendant greeted her cheerfully, "Those are lovely flowers. Would you like me to bring a vase for them?"
"I need two vases, Torio-san," Gia said, separating the flowers into two bunches, then handing them to him, "Some are for Prince Byakuya and some are for something cousin Kuri-Kuri."
"Very well, Miss. I will put these in vases and…do you want me to deliver them or bring them back to you?"
"Oh, you can deliver them," the little girl said, smiling, "I'd like to go see if Prince Byakuya is still alive."
"I assure you, he is alive and well," Torio chuckled, patting the little girl on the head, "You can go on in. It's likely he's already sensed you're here."
"Thank you, Torio-san!" Gia said, skipping away.
She reached Byakuya's bedroom and paused to peek in through the doorway. Byakuya sat up in his bed, resting against the pillows and sipping tea. He smiled and set the teacup down as she stepped into the room.
"Good morning, Prince Byakuya," she greeted him, bowing respectfully, "It's good to see you alive."
"It is good to see you alive as well, Gia," Byakuya answered, his lips curving upward, "Are you visiting by yourself?"
"Mmhmm," the little girl answered, climbing onto the bed and stealing a strawberry from Byakuya's breakfast tray, "Papa Ichigo brought me to the gates. He was going to visit you too, but he got a hell butterfly and said a swear, then he asked me to have someone responsible walk me home when we're done visiting."
"I am sure that Torio can walk home with you later," Byakuya assured her, "But, tell me about your new home at the Shiba estate. I noticed that you have chosen to call Ichigo Papa Ichigo?"
"He said I could just call him Ichigo, but Pop-pop Isshin, he's two pops because he's a grampa, but he doesn't want anyone calling him grampa, so he's two pops instead. He said that Ichigo had to be the adult, so he needed an adult name. He didn't like Daddy Ichi as much as Papa Ichigo, so Papa Ichigo it is."
"I see," Byakuya said, giving her an amused look.
"They gave me a big huge room and a tendant who's a little bigger than me and her name is Rini. That means little bunny. She's fast like a bunny hops, but she's walking or running, not hopping cause she'd drop things. She helps me get dressed, even though I can do it myself, and she brings my food sometimes and helps me put my things away. She's like your Torio-san but littler, and she's a girl."
"It sounds like you are settling in well."
"I like it there. It's noisy because Pop-pop Isshin and Papa Ichigo shout at each other sometimes and Kukaku-san bosses people cause if she didn't, nothing would ever get done. Ganju-san tells funny jokes and burps a lot. He's not supposed to bring his pig, Bonnie, into the house, but he does anyway and we make snorting noises and laugh. But the best thing is that there's food there any time you want it. If it's not breakfast, lunch or dinner, it's a healthy snack and Papa Ichigo said we can pick and eat things from the garden as much as we want."
"It sounds like a lively place," Byakuya commented, taking a bite of his food.
"It's like the Hisana house, but everybody smiles more and there's more different kinds of food and more clothes to choose. Ganju-san said that it was because princes and princesses live there, but Papa Ichigo told him not to be teaching me that kind of crap. We're just people, like everyone else and we shouldn't be stuck up. He sat me down to have a talk and he told me that it doesn't matter where you come from or how rich you are, it's what's inside that counts."
"That sounds very much like Ichigo's wisdom," Byakuya said approvingly, "But tell me, are you to be given training in your healing skills?"
"Oh yeah!" Gia said excitedly, "I have a private minter right now… "
"You mean, a mentor?"
"Uh-huh, to teach me school things, but Papa Ichigo hasn't had time to go to Squad Four to get a healer. Hanataro-san came to visit. Did you know he likes Rikichi-san, from your Squad Six?"
"I was not aware of that," Byakuya answered, smiling faintly at the thought.
"Hanataro-san tested me and said I have a gift for healing and that not all people do. Some, it takes longer to learn and most people want to be fighters anyway, not healers."
Gia paused and gave Byakuya a questioning look.
"What is it, child?" Byakuya asked, taking a sip of tea.
"Well, I know I'm not s'posed to listen in on adult conversation cause they might swear and say secrets that are none of my business, but…"
"But you are a child, who is, by nature, very curious."
"Well," Gia said, looking down at her hands that were folded in her lap, "sometimes grown ups tell you one thing, but they really think another that they won't say in front of you, but they'll tell it to somebody else, if they think you won't hear."
"Ah. And you overheard a conversation that was not meant for your ears?"
"Uh-huh. Pop-pop Isshin asked Papa Ichigo if he thought me going to the academy when I'm older is a good idea, because they're mean to healers there."
"I see," Byakuya said quietly.
"Is that true? Are people mean to healers?"
"Sometimes," Byakuya admitted, "There are those who think that because one tends to others and avoids conflict, that one is weak, or is a coward."
"Is that true?" Gia asked, her eyes clouding.
"What is true," Byakuya said firmly, "is that each person is an individual, and each individual is capable of making choices about where their strength will lie. Are you aware that my cousin, Tetsuya, has very strong healing skills?"
"Uh-huh," Gia remembered, "He said his waterforms can also enter someone's body and find and heal damaged reiatsu, so their injuries are healed or their sickness gets better."
"That is correct. You know also that Tetsuya is a strong fighter, ne?"
"Yeah, he and Arashi are."
"Tetsuya was not always strong. Tetsuya was born in a prison, and while he was a child, they would not let him become strong. They wanted him to be weak. He put what strength he had into surviving, and when he was older and I rescued him from the prison, he asked me to make him strong, so that he would never be imprisoned again. Tetsuya's ability is a healing ability, but he has learned to apply it both as a healer and as a fighter, because sometimes one must protect his own life, so that he can survive to heal others."
"But most healers don't do that?"
Byakuya considered quietly for a moment.
"It surprised everyone when it was revealed to us that the taicho of our healing division was also once a brutal fighter. But it stands to reason that fighters and healers do not have to be on separate ends of a spectrum. Both are critical skills. Fighters keep us safe so we can live our lives, and healers keep fighters alive to protect us. Take one out of the equation and our system falls apart. Teach people to use their capability in both and we all are better for it."
Byakuya heard a familiar step on the walkway and looked up as Tetsuya entered the bedroom through the garden doors.
"Good morning, Byakuya-sama, Gia-chan," he greeted them.
"How is Shima taicho this morning?" Byakuya asked.
"He is much improved," Tetsuya reported, a little flush rising on his cheeks, "He was feverish through much of the night, but it broke this morning and he is recovering now."
"Why is his face turning red?" Gia whispered to Byakuya, "Does Tetsuya-san have a fever too?"
Byakuya's lips quirked as he answered.
"No, Tetsuya is just sensitive about certain things."
Gia gave him a confused look.
"Like what?"
"I think what Byakuya-sama is trying to say is that talking about Kuri-kuri-sama makes me blush because I like him," Tetsuya explained, his blush darkening.
"I like people too, but it doesn't make my face red," Gia said skeptically.
She thought for a moment, then her eyes widened in realization and her smile brightened.
"Oh!" she said excitedly, "You mean that you like like him…like Papa Ichigo and Prince Byakuya like like each other!"
Tetsuya bit his lips gently, stealing a shy glance at Byakuya.
"W-well, yes," he agreed, "Kuri-kuri-sama and I like like each other. We have gotten to know each other better while I have been helping with his healing."
"Gia and I were just discussing both your healing and fighting skills," Byakuya informed him, "and it occurred to me that, as Gia is also displaying a talent for healing, you might be able to instruct her in using her abilities for both healing and protecting, as you do."
Tetsuya smiled.
"You wish for me to mentor Gia-chan?" he asked, looking pleased.
"I already have a minter!" Gia objected.
"That is for your academic instruction," Byakuya explained, "Tetsuya can instruct you in beginning physical training as well as basic healing arts. What would you think of that?"
Gia looked up at Tetsuya and smiled.
"Can you teach me how to ride a spirit steed?" she asked.
"Tetsuya is a very skilled rider," Byakuya said approvingly, "I think that is an excellent suggestion. What do you think, Tetsuya?"
"I would be happy to instruct Gia-chan," he agreed.
"We will need to make sure it is all right with Ichigo, of course," Byakuya added.
"Make sure what's all right with me?" Ichigo asked, entering through the garden doors.
"Papa Ichigo!" Gia exclaimed, hopping off the bed and flash stepping to him, "Prince Byakuya said that if it's okay with you, Tetsuya-san can teach me to fight and heal and ride a spirit steed!"
"Wow," Ichigo said, smiling, "that's pretty awesome. I think it's a great idea."
Gia gestured for Ichigo to come closer, and he bent down to listen as she whispered in his ear.
"He like likes something cousin, Kuri-kuri!" she informed him.
"Kuri's a great guy."
"Gia, will you go with Tetsuya to the stables? If you are going to be instructed in riding, he should take you out to see if you can find a young spirit steed to gentle for riding."
"I GET MY OWN SPIRIT STEED?" the little girl shouted.
"You will need to learn to care for your own mount, as well as train him or her," Tetsuya instructed her, "Come, Gia-chan. I think I know of a few young steeds that you can choose from."
Byakuya and Ichigo watched as Gia left, then Ichigo turned and smiled at Byakuya.
"She talk your ear off?" Ichigo chuckled, "Once we got some good food into her and she got some rest, she started talking non-stop to everyone. The whole family is in love with her."
"She is a bright, precocious child," Byakuya agreed, "She is good company. But, she said that you were called away."
"Yeah, I had to, uh…well, I had to make a statement to the elders."
"A statement?"
"Yeah," Ichigo said, blushing, "Y'know, because we're seeing each other now, they can lay off trying to match me with someone."
"I see. I imagine that you are relieved to have them stop annoying you."
"Right," Ichigo agreed, "but just don't get the wrong idea, okay? I mean, I know I was complaining a lot about them badgering me, but that's not why I told them about us. It's not. I really am interested in seeing where things go with us. It's all kind of different and we'll have to go slow, but I think this is the right thing."
"I am glad to hear that," Byakuya said, looking amused at his anxious behavior, "Would you like to go for a walk around the gardens? I am well enough to be up and around, although I will not return to work for a couple of days."
"What? Oh sure, yeah," Ichigo said, moving to the bed and helping Byakuya to his feet.
Torio entered the room through the inner hallway door and met them in the dressing area.
"You want me to wait outside?" Ichigo said, coloring.
"It's fine," Byakuya assured him, "Having cared for me during my illness, there is not much of me you have not seen."
"Heh," Ichigo laughed, "That's right.
Byakuya positioned himself in front of the full-length mirror and Torio removed his sleeping yukata, baring him. Ichigo averted his eyes politely as the two continued their conversation.
"So, Gia seems to be adjusting well," Byakuya commented, working an arm into the casual yukata Torio had chosen for him, "She seems to thrive in the Shiba estate's more lively domain."
"Yeah, it's been fun getting her settled in. My dad's already spoiling her. She, uh…she has nightmares and we have to work on her manners, but she has obviously learned a lot already at the Hisana house. Byakuya, it was great of you to have Tetsuya teach her self-defense, and healing and riding too. We were talking a lot about how to train her. I was kinda worried about how she would be treated at the academy if we send her when she's older…"
"I understand."
Torio laid a warm outer robe around the yukata and Byakuya donned a pair of matching slippers. He turned out of the dressing area and Ichigo followed him out of the bedroom and onto the garden trail.
"You know, I'm friends with Hanataro, and he takes a lot of crap, despite being a really good healer. I feel bad for him sometimes because people are mean to him and he never holds anything against anyone. He just takes it all and heals even the people who verbally abuse him."
"You would like your daughter to have more self-respect than that," Byakuya concluded.
Ichigo smiled almost shyly.
"It sounds funny to hear you say that. I still don't feel like a dad. And we've been laughing because this makes my dad a grandpa."
"Gia told me about his reaction to that."
"Yeah, it's weird, but it's also good. She's a great kid. I guess it's just…"
Ichigo paused, looking across the gardens to where Tetsuya and Gia sat on Arashi's back as he walked the pathway to the stables.
"Is something wrong? Are you having regrets, Ichigo?" Byakuya inquired.
"No, not like I regret taking her in," Ichigo explained, "I'm glad to have her. It's just that, well, there's this feeling that I always had when I was little. When my mom and dad and sisters were together. I mean, things weren't always perfect, but we were family. I do have that feeling when we're all there at the Shiba estate, but…"
He paused, his heart skipping as he considered how to finish the thought.
"There's something that I felt with my family and some of it disappeared when my mom died, but I noticed that feeling came back a little today, when you and Gia and I were all together."
Byakuya's breath caught slightly, but he remained silent and perfectly still as Ichigo continued.
"You really get Gia. You know where she comes from and what she needs to fit in here. You tell her the truth she's ready to handle and you find good ways to talk about the hard things. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you're…you would be a good father for her. I like thinking about being her parents together, so it makes me wonder if we shouldn't get married."
"But you are not ready for that," Byakuya said firmly, "and I do not think it would be good for you to be rushed into acting on this so quickly."
"Yeah, but it's better for her to have two parents."
"She lived in a world where she had none," Byakuya said solemnly, "Ichigo, children are very adaptable, more so than adults. If we require a longer courtship, it will not hurt any of us, most especially her, to wait. In fact, it will teach her the importance of patience and of sensitivity to the needs of both partners in a relationship."
"Are you sure about that?" Ichigo asked uncertainly, "Byakuya, I love that little girl and I don't want to screw things up for her. I want to be a good father."
"You want to be a good father," Byakuya repeated, moving closer and slipping an arm around him, "then be yourself. You will be imperfect. All parents are, but if you love your child and do your best to teach her the right things, she will give you immeasurable pride as she grows up."
"You kinda have something like that with Rukia," Ichigo observed.
"Yes," Byakuya agreed, "Although I was not a good brother to her before, I have learned to treat her with respect and affection. And the reason for me being able to do that is standing beside me."
"What?" Ichigo mused, giving him a surprised look, "You mean, by beating you up…?"
"By opening my eyes to the mistakes I was making, you helped me to be a better brother. I will be a better father someday because of what I learned from you, Ichigo. Do not worry about your ability to parent Gia. She will be a handful sometimes, but you will do fine."
"Byakuya," Ichigo said, looking into the Kuchiki leader's solemn grey eyes, "I really do want things to work out for us. I want us to be a family…someday, when we're ready for that."
He tilted his head and moved in closer, pressing his lips warmly to Byakuya's and smiling as his kiss was warmly returned. As their lips parted, he smiled and stifled a laugh.
"What is so funny?" Byakuya asked.
"I was just remembering our last date, you know, when I got drunk and peed on a hollow. We'll have to work kinda hard to have another date that tops that."
"Oh, I do not think you will have a hard time making our dates interesting. That is your unique talent."
Ichigo started to smile, then scowled.
"Hey, were you complimenting me or was that an insult?" he asked, stiffening.
Byakuya smiled and gave him a little kiss, then patted his face.
"It was both."