Chapter 26: Our Past and Future
Kisuke held Tetsuya's hand in his as the two men exited Central 46 and headed for the tall, black Arabian stallion that stood a short distance from the still robed and hooded Shiba Isshin and Ishida Ryuuken. Kisuke gave the men standing beside the stallion a little nod, then turned to face his smiling husband. He traced Tetsuya's smile with a fingertip, then kissed the younger man tenderly.
"So, now that you're no longer on the Kuchiki clan's most wanted list, are you gonna go back? I mean, I know you're Byakuya-bo's bodyguard and…I'll understand if you're wanting to go back."
Tetsuya let out a dismissive breath.
"Not unless you are," he chuckled.
The two watched silently for a moment as Byakuya and Ichigo appeared at the top of the steps outside of the compound and started towards them.
"I dunno," the shopkeeper sighed wearily, "I mean, it's great that I have the choice now, sure, but it's been pretty nice having my own place and running things the way I like them."
"Then, why did you even ask me that question?" Tetsuya chided him, "As though I would ever leave you."
"Well, you've always been really concerned about your cousin's safety. I saw what it did to you when he disappeared and everything went to hell. You weren't nearly as concerned about Orochi coming after you as you were about finding your cousin. He did rescue you from that prison, years ago."
"He did," Tetsuya replied, nuzzling the elder man's cheek affectionately, "and once I was strong enough, I spent many years as his bodyguard and healer, showing him just how grateful I am. I will always be grateful, but I've known for a long time that Byakuya only wants for me to be free to choose my path. Besides, now that he will be with Ichigo, they will protect each other. Additionally, I think that the best way to honor the future he gifted me with by rescuing me…is to make that future the brightest and most beautiful one I can. So, I am going home with you and we're going to be with our daughter."
"You're sure you don't mind settling down with a sketchy scientist, far away from your family?"
"You and Mikomi are my family, and I will still visit my cousin and other friends," Tetsuya assured him, "If it's all right with you, I want to help when you assist the shinigamis who work in Karakura Town. I can not only be useful to you as a healer. I can also use my waterforms and other powers for reconnaissance and…"
"Oh, I know just how useful you'll be to me. Don't worry about that," Kisuke chuckled, "Though…as beautiful as you are and as much as I love the daughter you've already given me, I think I may just keep you too busy having our kids to do anything else."
"Kisuke…!" Tetsuya laughed, blushing and swatting at him playfully as the shopkeeper tugged him in for a tender kiss.
"Look at the two of you," Ichigo said appreciatively as he and Byakuya reached them, "What do you think, Byakuya? Cause I think I've never seen Kisuke look so happy."
Byakuya gave his cousin the barest of smiles and nodded.
"It is good to see my cousin so content, although judging by his husband's reputation for mischief, I think Kisuke will need to be carefully watched."
"Sounds like we'll be making a lot of trips to Karakura Town," Ichigo said, smirking.
"I would like that," Tetsuya answered, smiling shyly, "I want for our children to be close growing up, as Byakuya-sama and I were…well…as we were once I was freed."
"You can be sure that we will continue to see each other often, and that our children will grow up enjoying a close bond, as we did," Byakuya promised, moving closer to Tetsuya and taking his cousin's hand in his, "The connection we have knows no distance, so even if you are not directly at my side, we are always together at heart, Tetsuya."
Byakuya lifted Tetsuya's hand to his lips, kissing his fingertips, then he set his cousin's hand back in Kisuke's, meeting the shopkeeper's eyes sternly.
"Urahara Kisuke," he said solemnly, "it seems that in my absence, you took it upon yourself to comfort and protect Tetsuya…and to marry my cousin without me here to attend or even give my blessing to your union."
"Yeah," Kisuke chuckled, reaching up to scratch the back of his neck, "well, I like to think I will be better for Tetsuya than that nightmare of a cousin of his, Orochi. I'll give it my best. I promise."
"You will do more than that," Byakuya said firmly, earning a surprised look from Tetsuya and a curious exchange of glances between Ichigo and Kisuke.
"Eh…Byakuya, I…" the shopkeeper began.
"As the leader of the Kuchiki clan and as Tetsuya's cousin and guardian, I invite you and your family to join Ichigo and me when we are married at Kuchiki Manor. I would like for your union to be properly recognized by the elders who will be present for our ceremony, and for you to be officially welcomed into the Kuchiki family."
"Well, that's gonna raise more than a few eyebrows," Kisuke snickered, extending the hand that wasn't holding Tetsuya's to grasp Byakuya's for a moment.
"No kidding," Ichigo laughed, "If it wasn't enough to have Byakuya and me breaking all of the rules, now they'll have to accept a troublemaker like you in the family too!"
"That troublemaker just happens to have helped you save Soul Society several times," Tetsuya pointed out.
"And he was instrumental in making sure that my cousin's well-being was seen to while I was missing," Byakuya added, "I hope that you, Tetsuya and Mikomi will take part in our mutual celebration."
Kisuke gave the Kuchiki leader a warmer look and nodded.
"We'll be there," he promised.
"Very well," Byakuya replied, turning his attention back to Ichigo, "I will send word to you as soon as the manor has been prepared and preparations can be made."
"You mean you have to have the place fumigated after that creepy snake, Orochi, tried to take it over," Ichigo huffed, "But Byakuya shut him down back there. I have to say, I'm impressed."
"Orochi is being managed, however we should not let our guard down with him," Byakuya said sternly, "As Tetsuya knows well, our cousin has the capacity for both wicked stealth and dastardly behavior."
"Then, why not just beat the hell outta the guy and have done?" asked Ichigo.
Byakuya sighed.
"Because this is a noble family, not a band of ruffians," he asserted dryly, "We will thwart him, but we will do it without unnecessary violent behavior or lowering ourselves."
"Ah, so you mean you will get violent with him if he doesn't back down and stay backed down," Ichigo said, smirking, "Although I'd love to see you give him the thrashing he deserves."
Byakuya gave him a dismissive look, then gave a brief nod of farewell to Kisuke and Tetsuya.
"If he forgets his place with me again, you may get your wish after all, but come, Ichigo, I am weary and would like nothing more to have a relaxing bath and something to eat."
Ichigo nodded.
"The baby in your belly must be hungry," he chuckled, slipping an arm around the noble, "I hope you don't mind having to stay at Kukakku's place until the manor is ready."
"Believe me, after the war and what happened in its wake, I have no right to be anything but grateful to have a warm bath, food and somewhere to rest comfortably. And it is enough not to have to be worrying about our safety."
"Yeah, Kukakku's not going to let anything happen to us…though she can be a pain at times."
"Much like that ridiculous werecat friend of ours," Byakuya sighed, "I rather hope that she is not there."
"Don't you worry," Ichigo laughed, nuzzling his lovely partner's soft cheek, "Even if she is, I won't let her annoy you. I'm going to take you home and spoil the living hell outta you."
Ichigo was taken aback at the troubled look that found its way onto Byakuya's comely face.
"What is it?" he asked worriedly, "Are you all right? Is it the baby or something? Should I grab Kisuke before he…"
"No," Byakuya assured him, "The baby and I are both fine, Ichigo."
"But you look like something is wrong," the younger man insisted, "You're really pale and…"
"I am not ill, and there is no danger to the baby," Byakuya reaffirmed, "I must admit that although I very much want to relax and let you spoil me to death…my heart is still tasked with how badly you were hurt because I refused to fight for us from the beginning."
Ichigo let out a slow breath, curving a palm around his lover's cheek and looking deeply into his somber grey eyes.
"I've told you already to forget about that."
"It is not so easy to forget, especially after what we suffered in the shadows."
"Yeah," Ichigo agreed, "I know that, but…"
He paused as a hell butterfly approached them and came to a stop in front of Byakuya. The Kuchiki leader's head tilted slightly and he nodded for the hovering insect to yield its message.
"Byakuya-sama," said the voice of the noble leader's attendant, "I know that we are to reside at Shiba Kukakku's residence until the repairs on the manor are complete, but I thought you might be interested in knowing that your private hot spring was not damaged, either by the war or by our cousin's trespass here. Akio and I have seen to it that the hot spring chamber is ready for you and Ichigo-sama."
"A private hot spring?" Ichigo repeated, arching an eyebrow and smirking, "What's that all about? Why have I never heard about this room?"
"You have not heard about this room, because when you were a guest at the manor, we were not together," Byakuya said primly, "As we are now…"
"So, who has gone to this room with you?" Ichigo teased, pretending to pout as they turned in the direction of Kuchiki Manor, "I mean, I'm sure you and Hisana…"
"Hisana was my wife!" Byakuya snapped in a flustered tone, "Of course we…"
"What about Tetsuya?"
Byakuya scowled and Ichigo laughed.
"I never would have been unfaithful to my wife."
"I'm sure you wouldn't," Ichigo chuckled, "I was just kidding."
"Tetsuya and I have used the private room on occasion, but just for relaxation. We haven't been seriously involved…"
"Hmm," Ichigo said, rubbing his chin suspiciously, "not seriously. Does that mean you did some things together then?"
"Ichigo, that was a hundred years ago, when we were teens and we were just…just practicing!"
"Wait a minute," Ichigo said, tugging at his arm and smirking, "You practiced what? Kissing? Oral sex?"
"I will not dignify that with an answer!" Byakuya seethed, "And if you continue to try to rile me, I promise you, I will…!"
"Okay, sorry," Ichigo laughed, waving his hands defensively, "I was just curious since the two of you are so close, you know."
Byakuya paused as the two reached the southern boundary of the Kuchiki estate and Ichigo moved closer, following his gaze out over the pretty meadow in front of them.
"If you must know," the noble said, closing his eyes and shaking his head, "Tetsuya and I each had our own reasons for lowering our defenses and experimenting with each other. Tetsuya was little more than a savage when he arrived at Kuchiki Manor, but once we met, it was clear that he wanted very much to fit in. He worked hard at learning all of the rules and mannerisms he needed to know. He trained exhaustively to master his powers, once they were released from the limiters. Having been a prisoner left him shy and hesitant about sexual contact, and some of what he had learned in the prison would have been disgraceful if attempted in his new environment. When we first bathed together, I learned that Orochi had sexually trained Tetsuya to pleasure him while bathing. He thought I would also expect this of him and I had to carefully explain that such things should never be forced upon him. Tetsuya was humiliated, of course, and he retreated to his room for several days after, refusing food and hardly daring to meet my eyes. After that, when he felt confident enough, he asked me to explain courtship and the rules, so that nothing like that would ever happen again. Tetsuya was still very frightened, but but he trusted me to instruct him in some areas, such as teaching him the different kinds of kisses."
"You mean, like with and without tongue?" Ichigo giggled.
"I mean," Byakuya said, narrowing his eyes, "different situations that involve a kiss. And before you annoy me any further, let me demonstrate."
He placed his hands on either side of Ichigo's smiling face and tilted it forward, so he could place a tender kiss on the spiky haired crown.
"This is a kiss you might give a small child or a romantic partner to whom you want to offer an affectionate gesture. It is kind and caring, indicating that one is comfortable with the other and wants to feel close to them."
"Right," Ichigo said, nodding.
"And this," Byakuya said, tilting his head and kissing Ichigo lightly on one cheek, "is what you can do when you part from a close friend or family member, either to leave or just to part for the night."
Ichigo grinned.
"Go on," he chuckled, "I know you did more than that."
He barely held back a snicker at the blush that flashed on his lovely partner's face and throat as he continued.
"Pressing lips together and lengthening the contact suggests building romance and passion," Byakuya said, delivering a warmer, more adoring kiss, "and when the romance blooms into passion…"
"I know that one," Ichigo said, grabbing Byakuya and dipping him as he performed the much longer, open-mouthed kiss.
"Y-yes," Byakuya managed a bit breathlessly.
He paused for a moment to steady himself, sobering slightly.
"It broke my heart when he asked about kisses that hurt," he said more softly, "I told him that sometimes passionate kisses may be a little painful if the ones doing the kisses are very involved, but no one should give a kiss with the intent of hurting the one they are kissing."
Ichigo gave him a sad smile of understanding.
"Not ever," he agreed.
He pulled Byakuya closer again, offering a more tender kiss on the mouth and hugging him comfortingly.
"We're never going to let anyone hurt you, me, or Tetsuya ever again," he said firmly.
"Never," Byakuya affirmed, taking Ichigo's hand and leading him into the meadow.
Ichigo scanned the area, admiring the wide expanse of long, waving grasses, pretty blossoming sakura and plum trees and the large lake at the far end that had a large waterfall spilling down into it. To his surprise, Byakuya led him to a small, hidden trail that curved around behind the waterfall and led into the secret, steamy hot spring chamber.
"Tetsuya stumbled upon this, once when he was upset about something and he came inside to hide himself. We cleaned it up and made it comfortable, then used it as a quiet place to relax after training, or when things just became too much. There is even a place to sleep in the back…if…you would rather stay here until the repairs are complete."
"Wow!" Ichigo breathed, his eyes sweeping the room, then moving back to look down into the bubbling water of the hot spring, "this is amazing."
A wide smile returned to his lips as he spotted a fresh meal laid out on a stone table near the sleeping mat.
"That food looks so good! Okay, you've got me wanting to stay. But are you sure it's gonna be…?"
"It will be fine," Byakuya assured him, reaching over and beginning to undress him.
Ichigo moved easily with him, helping until both had shed their clothing. They stood with their foreheads touching, breathing lightly and saying nothing for several minutes. Finally, Ichigo broke the long silence.
"What about Kisho?"
"Kisho will be attended by Torio and Akio while we sleep here at night, and he will be with us during the day, if that suits you."
"Yeah, sure," Ichigo agreed, "Just wanted to make sure he would be watched over and that he wouldn't get lonely."
"He will be fine," Byakuya promised, kissing Ichigo with more passion, "and we will finally be completely alone, with just each other. No elders, no oppressive rules…just the two of us."
"Yeah," Ichigo sighed, running his rough hands over the Kuchiki leader's muscular shoulders and down his slender back before curling around his soft buttocks.
He kissed Byakuya again, tugging him towards the hot spring and continuing to kiss him as the two sank down into the water. Ichigo sat on the stone seat cut into the side of the spring and he pulled Byakuya onto his lap.
"How about more of those passionate kisses?" he requested, moving his hips so that his already thick member burned hungrily against Byakuya's.
Byakuya sank deeply into Ichigo's hot mouth, groaning contentedly as his lover's fingers slid down and began a slow preparation.
"You're not still hurting from…from before, are you?" Ichigo asked, "I mean, not much time has passed since the last time he…"
"I should be asking you that. But really, I am fine," Byakuya said hastily, grinding on his partner's invading digits and panting softly with rising arousal, "I want to be with you."
"I wanna be with you, too," Ichigo said, exchanging several more amorous kisses before shifting to position himself for entry, "I'm never gonna leave you again!"
He devoured the erotic growl that escaped Byakuya's parted lips as he was penetrated and squeezed his bottom, encouraging its movement.
"Ah…Byakuya!" Ichigo moaned, beginning with slow, deep thrusts that grew in depth and speed as their kissing intensified, "F-feels so hot…s-so good!"
"Do not hold back," Byakuya hissed hungrily.
"D-don't think I could if I tried," Ichigo laughed breathlessly, holding tightly to his lover's soft, bare bottom, "I love you. Love you so much, Byakuya!"
The friction and heat of their fast, pounding thrusts, coupled with the intensity of their caresses and rough, biting kisses brought the two to the blinding edges of completion and they tumbled over together, finally freed from the antiquated rules, from their enemies and from any lingering hesitation. Drowning in pleasure, consumed with passion and still holding firmly to each other, the two whispered their vows in a private celebration of their love.
They remained floating side-by-side in the steaming, bubbly water, enjoying a peace neither had expected to feel again. Byakuya stole a glance at his vibrant lover, smiling and beautifully flushed from the hot water and their recent coupling.
Ichigo, you are more beautiful that the petals of my Senbonzakura…a bright flower, burning with red and gold. I want for that light to burn in my heart forever.