Chapter 4: Shifting Sands
Shunsui stood solemnly at the head of the gathering of taichos and fukutaichos, listening as Abarai Renji gave his report and frowning thoughtfully.
"Kuchiki taicho saw the danger to the group," the redhead explained, "and he used his bankai to save our asses, then he ordered us to retreat. He and Shima taicho provided cover as we moved, but something happened…I think a problem with Kuchiki taicho's bankai, and we were separated. Look, they're still alive. We sensed them lowering and masking their reiatsu, but believe me, I can find them. Taicho, himself, taught me this in our training. He won't let out a peep of reiatsu in enemy territory, but we have a bond that we can sense each other through that the enemy can't follow. I can do this!"
"Eh, I am sure that you are capable," Shunsui agreed, "You are well prepared for this. However, the fighting in the area is still too intense to send anyone in. We are getting cooperation against the quincies from the hollows, but with Hueco Mundo's leadership in flux, they can't commit too much. Zaraki taicho and his men are handling it. They've pushed the enemy back quite a bit…just not enough to permit a rescue attempt. It's still too risky. Now, believe me, we all value Byakuya and Kuri's lives, and we will rescue them, come hell or high water. But, even they wouldn't want us to go off half-cocked and do this under such unfavorable of circumstances. The chances that our team would experience losses are too extreme. Renji, Rukia and Toshiro, I want you to assemble a team to go and wait behind Zaraki taicho's forces. When there is enough of a break in the fighting or when we've gained enough ground, you can go in. Just wait until there is a proper opening. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir!" Rukia, Renji and Toshiro said together.
"Come on," Toshiro urged them, starting towards the door, "Let's go and get that team together. When we get an opening, we want to be ready."
The three left the first division, separating to gather a few chosen fighters from each of their divisions. They regrouped an hour later in the underground training room beneath Urahara's shop.
"Listen carefully," Toshiro addressed the group, "Our orders are to wait behind Zaraki taicho's troops and not to engage the enemy. We are to wait until the fighting moves out of the area and the area is secured. Once the way opens, don't hesitate. We have to move quickly. We will rely on Kuchiki and Abarai to locate the missing men's position, and we'll follow from there. No one is to move before the area is secure. We're not here to trade lives for the ones we're trying to save. The idea is for all of us to return safely…along with Kuchiki and Shima taichos."
The group moved into position in front of Urahara, who touched several controls, opening the black corridor of the garganta.
"I'll be ready when you need to cross back over," Kisuke informed them, "Good luck, guys. Find'em and bring'em and yourselves back alive."
Toshiro led the way, with Rukia and Renji on his left and right, and the others in their wake. They burst into the garganta and ran towards their objective, white reiatsu blazing under their feet.
XXXXXXXXXX
Tetsuya undressed, down to his swim trunks and left the beach house he and Ichigo were occupying. He laid down quietly on his back in the warm sand, looking up into a sky filled with bright stars. Ichigo exited the cottage a short time later and laid down beside him. He slipped his hand into his newlywed spouse's and smiled as he also took in the massive star field over them.
"So," he said softly, tickling Tetsuya's palm, "What do you think of Hawaii?"
"I think it is amazing!" Tetsuya mused dreamily, "I never dreamed our worlds could be so big. I began life in a small, dark cell and was never allowed to see much else. My world grew larger when Byakuya-sama rescued me, but I still remained sheltered. At first, he never let me far from his sight. It was dangerous for me to go wandering, not knowing the land, or the proper ways to interact with people, or the perils that lurked beyond the walls of the manor."
"But, you've traveled some, haven't you?" Ichigo asked, "I know you tailed Byakuya a lot."
"I rarely followed him into the living world," Tetsuya confessed, "Mostly, when he went there, he told me that he was comfortable with Renji-san's protection."
"Well," Ichigo sighed, "then it's good that you're getting out to see more. And I'm glad for the break from having so many new things I've gotta do. You know, Byakuya makes being a noble lord look easy. Sometimes, I just get so frustrated…"
"That's understandable," Tetsuya reasoned.
"Nobody at home seems to think that," Ichigo complained, "They act like there's something wrong with just wanting a normal life. I'm not saying I don't want to help, or even that I don't want to lead. I just don't want to always feel trapped into doing things that mostly seem stupid and pointless."
Tetsuya nodded.
"There are a lot of postures that the nobles are required to make that don't make much sense except to stroke certain very large egos," he admitted, "That is part of what made it difficult for me to adjust, not just to being in a civilized home for the first time, but to knowing what was expected of me when our clan met with another."
Ichigo glanced curiously at Tetsuya out of the corner of one golden brown eye.
"You really seem to get what I'm saying," he said in a relieved tone, "Nobody else does. I guess that's why we're such good friends, huh?"
Even though you went from a carefree life to a noble one and I went from a cage to a noble one, we are in many ways alike. I find that comforting."
"Yeah," Ichigo said, smiling and kissing Tetsuya's warm palm, "me too. I can relax around you."
He paused, considering his words carefully.
"Not to say that my feelings for Byakuya weren't real…they were. But, once it was revealed that I was a Shiba, he didn't seem to get what I was struggling with. I mean, he tried to understand, but it seemed to confuse him."
"Of course it confused him," Tetsuya said, shaking his head, "Byakuya-sama was born into a powerful noble family. There was never a moment of reprieve for him. From the moment he was born, there was great expectation placed upon his shoulders. He never knew the freedom that you did as a child."
"That's sad," Ichigo observed, sitting up and brushing off some sand that had adhered to his skin, "I guess I just take for granted sometimes that kids should be allowed to be kids. They have to learn some responsibilities, but they should have some fun too."
Ichigo studied Tetsuya more closely.
"Byakuya must have been happy when he rescued you," he said thoughtfully, "You were probably pretty good company, especially compared to all of those stuffy elders telling him what to do."
"Me?" Tetsuya chuckled, nuzzling closer to his husband, "I was a complete mess. I had never been in any kind of home…just a cold, dark cell. My mother tried to help me understand, but she died while I was still very young. I only had Naoki, and he was born in the prison also. We had no idea about manners or interacting with other people. I had to learn to live in a warmer environment, to interact properly with apparatus for bathing and toileting that I had never even seen before. I slept on a dirt floor, ate porridge that was thin, bland and cold. Just the size of my room at Kuchiki Manor gave me agoraphobia, and my attendant had to coax me into sleeping on the bed instead of on the floor in the corner of the room."
"Well, you can't tell at all that it was like you say," Ichigo said wonderingly, "The way you are now, you look and act like you were in a noble family all along."
"That is Byakuya-sama's influence," Tetsuya said affectionately, "He taught me everything he could, then he placed me in a subfamily in which the father had recently lost a son about my age, so that I would understand the importance of having close family."
"Sadao and Mai," Ichigo reflected, "They're great people. They seemed happy we're together."
"My parents were worried at first that I would be unhappy in an arranged marriage, but they agreed that there is so much kindness in you, and that you are truly dedicated to protecting everyone. They said they were sure that I would grow to love you."
"Hmm," Ichigo said, turning and laying his body gently on Tetsuya's in the still warm sand, "I already loved being with you, and I enjoy making love to you."
The two kissed several times, shifting on top of the sand and slowly undressing each other. Tetsuya waited expectantly for his husband to begin to prepare him, but his ginger-haired spouse surprised him with longer, deeper kisses and a slow and gentle, sandy massage. And as much as he loved being touched by Ichigo, he found himself even more taken with seeing how it pleased his husband to have his kisses, touches and caresses enthusiastically returned.
I expected we would have sex, but it does feel good to touch like this, to appreciate and to feel loved in return, Tetsuya mused sleepily.
The two drifted off on the beach, listening to the rush of the waves and slept contentedly until sometime near morning, when a hell butterfly arrived for them.
Hey kids, Shiba Isshin's voice said, bearing an edge of uncertainty, I hope you're enjoying your honeymoon. Not to worry you, and I don't want you to come back right now, but there's been a situation in Hueco Mundo.
Tetsuya felt his heart drop into his stomach and Ichigo's mouth turned instantly downward.
Byakuya and Kuri were running an operation in Hueco Mundo, when they were attacked by rogue quincies. It's been happening, more in Hueco Mundo, because the hollow government is in a shambles from the war. The group got out…all except for Byakuya and Kuri. Don't you worry, though. They're sending in a rescue team to get them. I just thought you'd want to know from me exactly what happened. I'll keep you informed about any news.
Ichigo read the distressed look on Tetsuya's comely face and took his hand.
"C'mon," he said quietly.
"Where are going?" Tetsuya asked, "Didn't your father say...?"
"I don't care what he said," Ichigo said, matter-of-factly, "Byakuya and Kuri are our family and they're in trouble. What kinda people would we be if we just stayed here and didn't do anything to help them, or at least go back and make sure they're okay? We can always come back here."
Tetsuya stared at Ichigo, lost for words as a surge of gratitude seemed to move all through his slender body.
"That's what I was thinking," he confessed, "Byakuya-sama told me to expect that you would be impulsive. He said that I should try to balance that with some common sense. But, I can't seem to do that. Byakuya-sama was right about something else he said."
"What was that?" Ichigo asked, smirking.
"He said that even though I try to obey, I have urges to be as reckless and stubborn as you do. He thought we might quarrel a lot."
"I'm sure we will fight sometimes," Ichigo answered, reaching up to scratch the back of his neck, "But I'll never stay mad at you, and you don't stay mad at people either. I think we'll be fine. But, c'mon, let's go make sure Kuri and Byakuya get back safely."
XXXXXXXXXX
Byakuya woke to a familiar feeling of nausea, and he tried to wriggle free of Kuri's curled and very warm body. He paused and frowned, taking slow breaths to stave off the need to vomit, and looking more closely at his fellow taicho.
"Kurushimi?" he called softly, touching the man's arm to wake him.
I know he said that his nightmares usually make him sleep rather lightly. This…
"Shima taicho?" he said, hoping the more formal military address would stir him.
A little chill went through his insides as he noticed the Shima leader was shivering and sweating profusely.
"Shima taicho!" he said sternly, shaking Kuri more firmly.
Kuri groaned unhappily in response, but remained curled up and senseless.
Byakuya's searching hand found his pack, and he withdrew a thermometer and a small, handheld reiatsu scanner. He washed his comrade's face while he took the man's temperature, then he held the scanner over Kuri's deeply sleeping form and read the illuminated result. He bit his lip gently, his apprehension about the situation rising sharply.
That quincy arrow was not just a normal arrow. The scanner reads that his own reiatsu is being altered in damaging ways by exposure to that quincy's power! But the quincy died. That means that the effect will fade. But if it was life threatening, it could still be dangerous. Kuri needs medical help.
Byakuya swallowed hard and crept to the front portion of the collapsed cave. He dug carefully, opening up a small place so he could see out. Nothing appeared to move, out in the dark desert.
But, my powers of perception were not working properly. I may not be able to sense danger if we leave.
A twinge of more powerful nausea made him wince and look around.
By the time I dig myself out, I will have expelled this already. Why is this happening?
He managed to dig a small hole at the very back of their tiny hideout, finishing just as the nausea overpowered him. He buried the mess swiftly and returned to Kuri's side, surprised at how quickly he returned to feeling normal.
That is very odd…
He leaned over Kuri again and patted the man's face.
"Kurushimi," he tried again, "Kuri?"
His heart is beating and he is breathing, but I do feel a decline in his reiatsu…and if I'm feeling it, even with the disturbance in my powers, then it is serious.
I have to do something.
He conjured a tiny kido light, then made a sound of discontent as it flickered and went out. After several tries, he made one that survived, and he focused it on the map and information they had been given when planning the mission.
This is not an area where we can expect to find much help, probably why the quincies we faced chose to attack us here. This area is home to both hollow vamps and ookami seirei, neither one of which recognizes the new leadership. Both are highly intelligent and good at tracking their prey. They are more dangerous than the quincies.
He studied the grey look to Kuri's usually lovely caramel colored skin and felt his sense of urgency deepen.
He is in real trouble! But we cannot even think of venturing out under these circumstances.
Kuri groaned and shifted, but still could not seem to wake, despite Byakuya's repeated attempts to rouse him.
"Ah…ah…" he moaned incoherently, "It is cold without you, m-my love…"
Byakuya washed fresh beads of sweat from the man's face and felt a harder inward jolt as he felt Kuri's heart was racing dangerously fast.
What can I do?
I know the nearest base is several miles off, and I cannot be sure of my flash step. But, if I do not try to get him to a healer, he is certainly going to die! I may be annoyed by the man, but he is a fellow officer and he is family.
There is no choice.
Byakuya steeled himself, then he began to dig a tunnel to the outside. He finished the opening nearly an hour later, then he brushed as much of the sand from his skin as he could, and dragged Kuri out into the open. He reached out with his senses, and was relieved to pick up a familiar hollow reiatsu in the distance.
Harribel must have sent Grimmjow back to assist us. The hollows are not exactly allies, but their leadership sees the sense of us working together to prevent another blood war with the quincies.
He carried Kuri's limp body in his arms and tried to flash step, only to find that the ability only worked intermittently.
This is going to go unmercifully slowly.
He listened carefully as he fled, keeping his senses extended, but less than reassured by the unusual feeling of silence. He could feel Kuri's heart still racing under his flesh, and noted the dark flush that lit his too pale cheeks, signifying increasing temperature. A sigh of relief escaped him as he spotted a light in the distance. He moved towards it, expecting any moment to spot Grimmjow's radiant blue hair.
But, to his surprise and dismay, the men who appeared in front of him were all pale and dressed in white, holding their reiatsu bows in killing position. One of the men moved to the front of the group and glared at Byakuya.
"You've gone a bit astray, haven't you, Kuchiki taicho? What happened to your friend?"
"He was injured in the skirmish yesterday," Byakuya said quietly, holding Kuri against him.
"Hmm," the quincy mused softly, "Yes, I remember. You and your group killed several of our people."
"Who were attempting to kill us," Byakuya insisted, "We were doing nothing to harm any of you…only patrolling these areas to assist the hollows in avoiding further conflict with you."
"Well, you can't exactly blame us for everything. You shinigamis did try to kill all of us."
"That was hundreds of years ago, and our leaders have been attempting reconciliation. I know that marking on your clothing. You are a group of rogues. You threaten the peace we are trying to achieve."
"Well, right now, we hold your fate in our hands, don't we?" the quincy said pointedly, "I am afraid you have nothing to bargain with, but I will be kind. We will spare your lives for now. I imagine that Central 46, the Gotei 13 and the noble families will all want you two returned safely, won't they? And they'll be willing to pay for it, right?"
"You foul animal," Byakuya said accusingly.
"Take them!" The man ordered his group, "Don't kill them. We'll want a thorough interrogation of each of them."
He looked back at Byakuya in warning.
"Come quietly," he said sternly, "We will take care of your friend and neither of you has to die if you cooperate."
Byakuya said nothing, but stood silently as the quincies took Kuri from his arms, then tied his hands in reiatsu suppressing bonds.
"I am Eilert Kron," the leader of the group explained as Byakuya was bound, "I oppose the new leadership because I feel that they are too willing to compromise with enemies who wanted us all dead."
"You slaughtered huge numbers of our soldiers in an unprecedented attack on those who were not even born when the former hostilities took place," Byakuya argued, "Both sides want the war to end."
"Ah, well, there is a third side that wants to see the shinigamis made to crawl. Now, be quiet and walk beside your comrade's stretcher."
Byakuya moved to Kuri's side and waited as Eilert opened the sun gate into the shadows. The group passed through and Byakuya's eyes were stricken again with bright light as they emerged. He forced himself not to resist as he was suddenly grabbed and shoved into what appeared to be a small holding cell. He watched as Kuri was carried away, into the distance, and felt a touch of solace in that the Shima leader would at least be valuable enough as a hostage to save.
There is a silver lining in this. We have never been able to penetrate the shadows. It will be my focus, then, to learn how it can be done.
He looked somberly in the direction that Kuri had been taken.
I only hope that he doesn't offend our captors too much and get us both killed!
But this is Shima Kurushimi we are talking about.
I think we are in very deep trouble…