Chapter 13: Homecoming

Byakuya groaned softly, wincing as he tried to turn in his sleep, then catching his breath softly and settling again. Ronin sat quietly at his bedside, holding one pale hand in his and gazing at his father's face worriedly.

"It's been a long time," he said softly to Renji, who sat on the noble's other side, watching over him as well, "Why doesn't he wake up?"

"His cousin beat him up pretty bad," Renji said, brushing a few stray hairs away from Byakuya's face, "Even though Orihime was able to heal him, he still needs time to recover from the shock, and to restore his reiatsu...not that he has much to begin with. But it comes back a lot slower in people with low reiatsu.

"I've taken care of him a few times when he was sick before. Michio-san taught me how to take care of him when he had a bad fever, or when he had minor injuries. But he was never hurt as badly as he was this time. Well, except when the hollows attacked us. But he was hurt too badly for me to do anything that time."

"It sounds like you were really there for him when I couldn't be. Ronin, I am very grateful for that. I'm glad he wasn't alone for all of that time."

Ronin managed a tentative smile.

"Dad was never alone much at all," the youth said, gazing down at Byakuya affectionately, "He was always at the school, teaching the kids there, or doing something to help the townspeople, or he was doing something with me."

"Sounds like he kept himself busy," commented Renji, "And if I guess right, you were usually right there with him, ne?"

Ronin laughed softly.

"Usually," he admitted, "It may seem like having too much pride for someone from the poorest part of the Rukongai, but I felt proud to be his son. He might not have had any powers, but he did good things that helped the kids and families in Inuzuri grow stronger."

Renji closed his eyes and drew a painful breath.

"That sounds very much like the person I remember," he said softly.

Ronin looked up at the redhead curiously.

"But he was powerful when he was with you."

"Yeah, he was frighteningly powerful," Renji said, smiling sadly, "Honestly, when I first met the guy, he scared the kami-loving shit outta me."

"But you said before that you admired him...that you wanted to be strong like him."

"Yeah, that too," Renji chuckled, "See, coming from the Rukongai like I did...well, you know this...strength is what you need to stay alive, and to keep the people you love alive."

"Right," Ronin agreed

"I might have been scared to death, but Byakuya was the strongest, most powerful shinigami I knew. And I knew that if I wanted to be stronger, then I had to be more like him."

"So...did you and dad...Bya...Byakuya...did you fall in love while he was mentoring you?"

"N-not exactly. You see, Byakuya was distracted from things...mostly by the loss of his wife. He barely seemed to notice me. And there was a lot going on when I became his vice captain. He was stressed out because your Aunt Rukia got into some trouble and was sentenced to be executed."

"I heard some of the others talking about that," Ronin said, frowning, "But what I heard about Dad didn't really sound like him at all."

"Well...things were different for him, then," Renji explained, "He couldn't just focus on his feelings about Rukia. He had a responsibility to follow the law. It was an expectation of him, being the clan leader, and it was a promise that he made to his parents after they died. He was pretty torn up inside about Rukia, but he felt it was his duty to uphold the law."

"But you disagreed," said Ronin, looking into Renji's eyes, "I heard that you fought against him to save Aunt Rukia."

"Yeah, I did," Renji confirmed, "Got my ass handed to me, too. He was just too strong for me to overcome then. But I survived, and after everything came out about how Sousuke Aizen had manipulated Rukia's conviction and sentencing, we were able to make amends. We gained respect for each other. We both learned a lot from that experience. Byakuya and I began to respect each other more...and after he recovered from the injuries he suffered protecting Rukia from Aizen, things really changed. Byakuya became much more connected with the squad, and he began to handle my training personally."

Renji laughed softly.

"At first, I wondered if I had made a mistake, criticizing him before about not attending to his subordinates' training. He beat the hell outta me, again and again. But every time we faced each other, I learned something. And every little bit I learned, helped me in the next battle. It was during that time that we realized that we were in love with each other. It seemed so strange at the time, because I'd started out thinking of him as an adversary, not a friend. And I plotted against him, planning to learn all I could about him, so that I could defeat him. But when I got close to Byakuya, what I started to see...something you have to be close to him to know...is that, even though he tries to attend to duty and he makes himself follow the law, Byakuya has a heart. And it's really hard for a person with a heart like his to lead a noble clan, because a lot of times, he can't just do what he wants."

Renji frowned curiously as a troubled look crossed Ronin's face.

"They say that I am supposed to lead the Kuchiki clan someday," he said, looking down at Byakuya, "The way you talk about it, I don't know if I want to."

"Well, let me set you straight, kid...you do," Renji said confidently.

"But how can you say that when you just told me how hard it was for Dad?" objected the youth.

Renji smiled and shook his head.

"Two reasons. First, you have the potential required of a clan leader. And with Byakuya to guide you, you will be a good one. And secondly, remember that even though you grew up in the Rukon, you are a noble. And as a noble, you have a responsibility to serve the spirit king by using your powers to uphold a peaceful society. Don't worry, kid. You have a lot of time to grow into being the heir. And you are going to have something Byakuya didn't when he was growing up...good friends to watch out for you and help you along. You'll be fine. I promise."

Ronin sighed.

"I guess so," he said, looking around at the well apportioned room they were in, "I guess I won't freeze to death or starve, anyway."

"Not likely," Renji chuckled, "Not in a place like this."

"It's so strange that we're here, isn't it?" queried the youth, "I mean, the guy who tried to kill us is just in a few buildings over from us."

"Yeah," acknowledged Renji, "but that creep knows that if anything happens to any of us, he will be disgraced and removed from leadership. He's focused on the battle he'll have with Byakuya. I am sure that, even though he can't attack us directly, he will try to interfere with Byakuya getting his powers back."

"Then, why are we here at the place where he lives?" asked the boy, "Wouldn't it be better for us to go to Karakura Town, where Master Urahara has his shop?"

"Well," said Renji, "Byakuya really needs to be taken care of right now. And even though they have been made to serve Tsuyoshi, the attendants and healers here are really the best ones for him to turn to for that. If he is going to be strong enough to defeat his cousin, then he needs food, rest and medical care to help him. We'll be spending a lot of time in Karakura Town too, while Kisuke helps us try to find a way to restore Byakuya's powers, but this is where he needs to be right now."

Ronin sighed nervously.

"I just wish he would wake up," he said worriedly.

"He will," Renji assured the youth.

"The two looked up as a boy a shade younger than Ronin stepped into the room, carrying a tray of food, and followed by a young man that Renji recognized innediately as Byakuya's former attendant.

"Torio!" Renji said, rising and shaking the young man's hand as the two set the food trays they carried down and regarded the three in the room.

"It is good to see you, Captain Abarai," Torio said sincerely, "It has been...very difficult for us since Lord...erm...M-master Byakuya left us."

"Yeah, I'll bet," said Renji, shaking his head, "It can't have been easy serving that bastard after what he did."

"Very much so," agreed the attendant, "I have lived on pins and needles, knowing that if Lord Tsuyoshi learned that I was the one who helped Master Byakuya to escape, I would likely not live another day. As it was, I was able to remain beneath the man's radar...well, at least in the sense of what I did to protect my former lord."

"He's giving you other kinds of trouble, then?" asked Renji, his reiatsu flaring softly.

"He is very demanding," the attendant admitted, "and...he does not confine his demands to the 'normal comforts.' I can say no more, but suffice it to say that all of us are eagerly anticipating Master Byakuya's recovery and return to lordship."

"Well," said Renji, shaking his head and smiling at the young man, "It looks like it's going to be a while before he can do that. But once he wakes up and we get some good food into him, he'll pick up and start looking better. Then, we have to depend on Kisuke Urahara to come up with a way to power him up again."

"Master Urahara is a very resourceful man," Torio said, nodding, "I am sure he will be able to help Master Byakuya."

"He will," Renji said resolutely.

"Now then," said Torio, glancing at the gentle looking, brown-eyed boy who had helped him carry the food into the room, "This is my younger brother, Akio. He has been assigned to serve you, Master Ronin."

"M-me?" said Ronin, his eyes widening as he gazed at the younger boy, "I am to have an attendant?"

"You are the heir," said Torio, "I will be continuing my service to our Master Byakuya and my other brother, Koji, will serve Master Byakuya's fiancé, Captain Abarai."

"But," objected Ronin, "I am kind of used to doing things by myself. And I don't know what an attendant is supposed to..."

"Oh, it is all right, young master," Torio assured him, "Akio has been assisting me in preparation for serving members of the household for some time. We were all pleased when we were chosen to serve Master Byakuya and his family! Akio will explain to you what he is supposed to do."

Renji chuckled.

"Just go with it, kid," he said, smiling, "Let them spoil you a little. You've roughed it for long enough, ne?"

Ronin smiled at the sweet-faced Akio as he set down the tray he was carrying and accepted the heir's hand in greeting.

"It's nice to meet you, Akio," said Ronin.

"The honor is mine," the younger boy said, blushing, "I am pleased to serve you."

"Akio will serve you your meals, bathe and dress you, and assist you with your studies, swordsmanship and kido training.

"S-swordsmanship and kido training?" Ronin repeated, looking slightly unnerved.

"Akio has a swift flash step and he is already good with a short sword and basic kido spells. I am sure he will suit you well until you are ready for more advanced training."

"Whoa," said the youth, shaking his head, "This will take some getting used to."

"Don't worry," laughed Renji, "You'll get used to having them around really quickly. And you'll come to appreciate their loyalty."

He looked warmly into Torio's eyes and smiled.

"You'll really appreciate that loyalty, I think."

Torio flushed slightly.

"Come, Akio, we will go and prepare the bathing chamber. Enjoy your meal, sirs. And just call for us if you need us. We will be close by."

"Thanks," said Renji.

"So...they are going to bathe us after we eat?" asked Ronin, "I don't know if I like that..."

"Heh, just relax," the redhead advised him, "There are going to be a lot of things you're not used to. But you can trust your attendant to be understanding and to help you learn what's expected. Byakuya told me that he learned more from his attendants growing up than just about anyone else. That Akio may be cute as a button and younger than you, but you can bet that he has been raised to do what he's doing, and he's damned good at it already."

"B-but...I was wondering," said Ronin, looking down at Byakuya, "Aren't the attendants also family members?"

"Yeah," affirmed Renji, "Yeah, they are."

"Then...could they end up being like Lord Tsuyoshi? Pretending to like me and...?"

Renji shook his head vigorously.

"You have to understand," he said quietly, "The ones in the family who act as attendants are not the most powerful, or in line for anything important. This is the important work they do. And they take a lot of pride in it. Byakuya told me that. So, you don't have to worry about Akio. That kid will devote himself to helping you in any way he can. You saw Torio. You know he is the reason that Byakuya escaped the manor. Tsuyoshi would have killed him for sure if they had faced each other here. There wouldn't have been anyone to hide him after that creep took his powers with that sword. What happened between Byakuya and Tsuyoshi was different because Byakuya and Tsuyoshi both came from powerful lines within the family. Tsuyoshi was a companion, and treated with nearly as much deference as Byakuya. He just...got ambitious. These attendants are more down to earth."

"Good," sighed Ronin, "I didn't know if I should trust him or not. He looked really nice...kind of like my friend Haru, who died in that hollow attack just before you found Dad and me."

"Kami, it seems like ages ago already," sighed Renji, "And even though I've only known you for a very short time, I feel like I've always known you."

Renji sat down next to Ronin and slipped an arm around the youth.

"We have a lot of catching up to do. And I can't wait to get started. I felt like my heart was going to explode when Byakuya told me you were mine. I mean, I would have loved you anyway...even if he'd made you with someone else, but it was...incredible...learning that I have a son...a strong, beautiful, kind and loving son."

"And I can't believe that my other parent is a captain...that the dad I grew up with used to be a captain, and the leader of the most powerful clan in the Seireitei."

"And someday you will lead this clan," said Renji, setting one of the food trays in Ronin's lap and taking the other, "But first, we have to get you fattened up a little. You look as thin as a rail...great if you're trying to slip through prison bars, but not so good if you're trying to maintain strong reiatsu."

Ronin laughed softly and turned his attention to eating. Renji watched for a moment, smirking at the boy's oddly good manners. The youth noticed him watching and glanced up at him questioningly.

Renji chuckled and started eating.

"What?" asked the boy.

"Oh," said Renji, between bites of food, "I just never saw a kid come out of the Rukon with such pretty manners. I can sure tell Byakuya raised you and not me..."

"Well, just because a person is raised in a poor place doesn't mean he should take any less pride in the things he does."

"Byakuya told you that," Renji chuckled.

"Yeah," said Ronin, smiling, "but we still ate with our fingers sometimes."

"Heh, that sounds like him too..."

The two went quiet, Renji's heart catching at watching Ronin savor the hot, delicious food slowly, as though not entirely trusting that more good meals would follow.

And they won't unless we get Byakuya on his feet and back up to fighting strength. I sure hope that Kisuke has some ideas. We're in real trouble here, if he doesn't come up with something.

"R-renji? Ronin?" Byakuya whispered, startling the two.

They set their trays aside and Ronin slipped his hand back into the noble's as he stirred and blinked several times. His eyes fixed on Ronin and Renji, and his lips started to smile in relief at seeing them both alive and well. But then he caught sight of the fine white yukata he had been dressed in, the soft, warm bedding, the richly decorated room and open garden doors.

"R-renji," he said softly, his eyes widening, "Renji, this is...?"

"Yeah," the redhead said, leaning forward and giving him a warm, lingering kiss, "Kuchiki Manor. Welcome home, Byakuya."