Chapter 20: Misted Moon
(A blast from the past returns! My deepest gratitude to all who requested and patiently waited for this one. I will put a finish on this story soon! Love to all, Spunky.)
Byakuya's eyes closed for a moment, and he savored the little pulses of reiatsu that radiated around the three fighters attacking him. He released a slow breath, loosing a volley of kicks and sword strikes, perfectly countering each. He sensed the resulting change in their movements, through sets of often practiced cycles, and he timed his responses with an ease that defied just how long he had been without his powers.
I may not have had my powers and greater senses, but I had years of training on my side. I continued to train what I could, and what I lost due to Tsuyoshi's treachery, my body still remembered. Those instincts burned into my mind, heart and body as a young heir have not diminished. I only need connect with the memories.
Although…much of that early training I did, I shared with Tsuyoshi.
His heart ached at the feeling of betrayal.
I do not know how I missed the signs. I suppose that there were signs that I must have missed. Or maybe I just tuned them out. I believed that we were close, although I have to admit, I did sense how competitive he could be. I just did not know that his competitiveness extended into treachery. I was blindsided because I trusted him.
Rest assured, I know where to place my trust now.
Renji is not perfect, and even he has, at one time, deceived me and plotted to undo me. But I know what we both felt when we connected and formed the soul bond. Looking back, I do see the signs even when he was breaking things off with me, the little hints that I would have noticed if I hadn't been distracted by my wicked, lying, scheming cousin! I should have thought more deeply. I should have seen more clearly, but I could not get past the pain of losing him. I suffered every day in Inuzuri, looking at Ronin and thinking of Renji. If only I had suspected, if I had sensed something, anything. I should have known the moment that I learned of Tsuyoshi's deeds, that not everything with my breakup with Renji was as I thought it was. I never considered that, not in all of the time I spent in Inuzuri.
I will never, ever be such a fool again!
Byakuya felt the retreat of Rikichi, Torio and Koji's reiatsu, and the approach of the red-haired man who had been distracting his thoughts, even as he continued to block and strike. Renji's red reiatsu flared around him, lighting their faces with heat and brightness. Byakuya looked into his lover's cinnamon colored eyes and felt a heat burning in his midsection. He breathed slowly, dodging a fierce strike and reaching down deep inside his core to loose a violent volley of blazing kido strikes. Then, he reached down even deeper, feeling the revived connection to his zanpakutou strengthen.
Senbonzakura, his mind whispered, I have finally returned to you. I am still weak right now, but I am here and I am determined to regain a power that is worthy of the leader of the Kuchiki clan. Come to me. Let your power fill my body, and let us shape it as we did so many times before. Old friend, let us loose our fury on our enemy and take back all of what was stolen from us!
He felt the swell of burning response in his insides as Renji's sword connected and drew his blood. The coppery scent filled his nostrils, taking him back to the powerful and unrelenting force of a man that he had once been.
I was leader of Squad Six, head of the honorable Kuchiki noble clan. We were formidable, feared and respected. There were few who did not know my name and the name of my sword!
His command formed on his lips and he felt the samurai already moving. Wild streams of barely controlled sakura petals burst from his dissolving blade.
"Scatter, Senbonzakura!"
Renji stared in stunned silence at the blizzard of deadly blades that erupted from Byakuya's sword. He nearly failed to react as the dread power closed in on him. And he was glad to feel a number of petal blades that slipped past his guard and left red streaks on his skin.
"Roar, Zabimaru!" he cried, sending his blade into release.
Fanged sword met swirling blades, exploding to shades of glowing pink and bright, shining red as the two circled each other. They flash stepped wildly, striking with a mix of hakudo, sword and released power, their reiatsu burning ferociously as they fought.
I will be strong again!
I will fight to the death to protect my family.
I will not fail them ever again!
Amidst the torrent of attacks, Byakuya sensed Ichigo's reiatsu building, and he sensed the dangerous direction the battle was about to take.
He will use it, Byakuya mused, Senbonzakura, this is the time. Kiyoshi's sacrifice has given me the strength and the core power to do this. Listen then, for my command, and with this release, let us end all of our weakness. With this attack, let us reclaim the true heart of the Kuchiki clan's honor!
"Bankai," Ichigo said in a low, determined voice, "Tensa Zangetsu."
"Bankai," Byakuya breathed, his heart pounding as he raised his sword, tip down and let it fall, "Senbonzakura Kageyoshi!"
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Ronin's eyes rounded as he watched his long powerless father face down the numerous attacks of his comrades and cousins, reiatsu beginning to glow around his thin, but strengthening body.
Something inside me always sensed that Dad was once powerful. I mean, I knew all along that if he had a sword like the one he kept, he must have been powerful. But in all of my life, I never saw any sign of that power. He trained every day in Hakudo and sword, and even not having powers, he trained me in Kido. So, to teach me, he had to have once been able to use those powers too.
His heart pounded as Byakuya's hands glowed with blue light and began loose blasts that left his cousins and friend evading with quick flash steps. Again and again the four men exchanged wild volleys of red and blue strikes, following with hard kicks and swift sword slashes.
Even without his powers, Dad was fast for someone without a flash step, and his movements were so graceful and beautiful, I knew he had to have practiced every day for many years. When he told me stories of the powerful captains of the Gotei 13, he would look at his blade with such longing sometimes, it made me want to cry.
They are happy now, so very happy. I can feel Senbonzakura's happiness just as much as my dad's. He told me that a shinigami and his zanpakutou are born together and they die together. When a power is released from a shinigami's sword, it's strength is a reflection of the synergistic power of both. That is the relationship we share with our zanpakutou spirits. My connection to my zanpakutou spirit is young, and we have a long way to go before we work together like Dad and Senbonzakura.
I am so proud to know I am his son, the great Byakuya Kuchiki's son. I know in my heart that he has to have been one of the strongest of the shinigamis to have survived what happened to him and come back like this!
Dad…Thank you. Thank you for everything. Thank you for caring so much for me that you stayed hidden to protect me, that you worked with me every day to make me strong, that when the time came, you overcame your weakness so you could finally make the man who stole our lives from us pay!
Ronin's breath caught and he stared, wide-eyed as the legendary strength of Senbonzakura's famed bearer came to life.
"Bankai, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi!"
Twin rows of great steel sword rose out of the ground, framing Byakuya Kuchiki's slender body and making it glow as they brightened. Their shine began as a silvery light that morphed into a lovely pink as the great sword slowly hissed and dissolved into an endless sea of beautiful and, Ronin knew, deadly bladed petals. They danced on the air, spinning wildly as they surged forward towards the waiting Kurosaki Ichigo. In bankai, Ichigo was fast enough to slash every petal, but there was no denying that the power that met his was the formidable power of the Kuchiki leader returned.
"Dad!" Ronin sobbed happily, flash stepping forward as falling petal blades lit the training grounds all around them, "Dad!"
He ran to Byakuya's waiting arms and hugged his panting father tightly.
"Ronin," Byakuya breathed softly.
"I knew it," Ronnin managed, tears running down his face, "I always knew there was something you weren't telling me. I knew that something bad happened to you, and that was why we were there, in Inuzuri and we couldn't leave. I knew by the way you looked at your sword sometimes, that you were strong before, and that somehow you lost your powers. But Dad, I never could have dreamed that you were him! I heard stories about Byakuya Kuchiki, but…I never guessed. I see it now. I feel it like it was always there. Like a part of me has always known."
Byakuya looked quietly into his son's teary eyes as Renji and Ichigo sheathed their blades and waited silently nearby.
"I am grateful that you understand," Byakuya said finally, "The burden of leadership is a great responsibility, Ronin. It is something to which one must completely commit himself. It was my responsibility and I did fail when Tsuyoshi stole that deadly blade and defeated me. But, I have also told you that failure is not something we can, or even should completely avoid. Failure shows us our weakness. It makes us fight harder. It shows us the pathway to our own greater strength, and when we become stronger, we appreciate our growth more because we have failed."
Renji moved closer, smiling down at the boy as Byakuya continued to hold their son against him.
"I can tell you all about the importance of failing," Renji added, "I must have suffered slashes from your father's petal blades a thousand times as I worked to grow stronger. Before we fell in love, Byakuya was my mentor. Just like he taught you, he trained with me and poured all of his love and knowledge into me. It's because of Byakuya that I became strong enough to protect the friends I cared about. It's because of him that I became a captain. And it's because of Byakuya that I have you. I'm so proud to be your father, Ronin.
The two taller men knelt with their son, closing the circle and holding each other tightly.
"We're a family now," Renji said softly, "and I swear that I will never, ever let anything break us apart again."
"As do I," Byakuya agreed, "I swear to you both that when my blade crosses Tsuyoshi's, I will not lose!"
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As the power of Senbonzakura swelled, Kiyoshi stood, quietly watching through happy eyes, even as the heavy spiritual pressure weighed down on him. His body ached under the force of it, and within moments, he grew lightheaded and began to sway slightly.
"We should go," Tsuneo said, slipping an arm around the slighter man, "Kisuke warned us that when Byakuya raised his bankai, it would be too much for you, even with the reigai you ingested. Come, we should clean up and let you rest."
Kiyoshi nodded and moved easily along with the Inuzuri vendor.
"It was beautiful," he murmured, "seeing Senbonzakura again. It's been so long, and all of that time Byakuya was gone, I was sad, thinking that I might never see either of them again. I'm happy, Tsuneo. I'm really happy. And whatever happens, I will never be sorry for what I did."
"I know," Tsuneo said, smiling and brushing a few stray blue-tipped hairs away from his face, "You are a courageous and loving person, Kiyoshi. I've…never met anyone like you."
Kiyoshi blushed and went silent for a moment as Tsuneo smiled more warmly and slipped a hand into his. The two left the training grounds and climbed back up the long ladder, emerging into Kisuke's shop and heading for one of the guest rooms. Kiyoshi paused uncertainly in the dressing area, looking up into the vendor's gentle, affectionate eyes, and he felt his blush deepen as blue light began to radiate around them.
"What is this?" Tsuneo said, gazing at the soft glow, "This is not fighting power."
"No," Kiyoshi agreed, his cobalt eyes widening, "Tsuneo, this is…it is resonance!"
Tsuneo blinked.
"Resonance?" he repeated questioningly, "You mean, that power Byakuya was talking about, that allowed him to…?"
"It is not just a power," Kiyoshi explained, "A resonance is a great gift. It is a connection unlike any other. And when there is a true and perfect resonance between souls, then miracles like Ronin's birth can happen."
Tsuneo moved closer, taking Kiyoshi's lovely face in his hands.
"You don't have to tell me what this is," he whispered, kissing the younger man lightly on the mouth, then more insistently, "If your lips hadn't told me, my heart would have. I think I've known since the moment I first met you. Beauty, grace, strength and love. Sacrifice. You are all of these things, and I love everything about you. I know I am not worthy of a proud noble son like you…"
"I can barely be considered noble anymore," Kiyoshi laughed softly, "I am banished from my own clan and considered a fugitive."
"That is an injustice," Tsuneo assured him, "and it is one that Bya will end when he defeats your wicked cousin. But even now, in banishment and disgrace, you are truly noble. Nobility is not just a title, Kiyoshi. It is a way of being, a way of living that you embody. I insist, I am not worthy, but this resonance we see, it gives me courage to look into your eyes and ask you. Will you marry me, Kuchiki Kiyoshi?"
Kiyoshi sucked in a surprised breath, his dark eyes filling with sudden tears. He tried to speak, but his voice wouldn't sound for several moments as he gathered himself. He took a steadying breath and met Tsuneo's eyes again.
"I am not Kiyoshi Kuchiki anymore," he said, smiling, "I have been cast out of the family. I no longer have the right to wear that name."
Tsuneo's smile widened and he nodded.
"Then, if you will accept it, I will give you mine. I am Tsuneo Urite (vendor), a vendor of Inuzuri. Will you accept my name, noble Kiyoshi?"
"Happily," Kiyoshi laughed, "Yes! Absolutely, yes."
The two embraced tightly, meeting for a bout of more amorous kisses. It was several minutes before a flushed and very flustered looking Tsuneo broke away, grinning.
"You have made me the happiest man in the three worlds," he laughed, "But, ah, if we want to save your purity for our wedding night, then we should probably stop kissing for now."
Kiyoshi let out a laughing breath.
"You don't have to hold back, Tsuneo," he assured the other man, "Whatever you ask of me, I will give to you. You have been there for me while I lost my power, my home, my very name. Through everything, you have comforted me. I don't need to be married to you to yield the love and gratefulness that you fully deserve."
Tsuneo's hands curved around Kiyoshi's cheeks and he kissed the younger man on the forehead.
"I am not making love to you until we are married," he insisted, "But I will shower with you, if you like."
"That sounds like unfair punishment," Kiyoshi giggled, his blush returning, "I can feel how much you desire me. I feel the same. Yet, you do not…?"
Tsuneo's arms slid around Kiyoshi and the vendor held him gently.
"Some things, you know when you finally reach them, that you have waited all of your life, just to be there and to hold them. It is not too much to ask to make the final granting of those lifelong wishes as perfect as possible. I don't mind waiting for our wedding night, because I have waited all of my life for you. A few days more is not too much to ask. Now, come with me."
Kiyoshi accepted his fiancé's hand and followed Tsuneo into the bathroom. He stood silently as the vendor slowly undressed him, then paused to undress himself, and warmed the water in the shower. He let Kiyoshi enter first, then followed him inside.
Tsuneo's warm eyes watched raptly as the water streamed down Kiyoshi's slender, shapely body. Tiny droplets caught on his eyelashes and steam rose around him, giving him an ethereal look. He moved closer, wrapping his arms around Kiyoshi and letting the water rain down on them as they kissed each other and traced each other's bodies with slick, wet hands. Tsuneo lathered soap onto his hands and slowly bathed the younger man from head to toe, before yielding the soap and allowing Kiyoshi to return the affectionate action.
When both stood, clean, the two kissed again.
"Thank you for comforting me," Kiyoshi said gratefully, "And thank you for loving me. As a poor man, I have no way to repay you, but I will pledge my life to repaying your kindness, good vendor."
Tsuneo smiled.
"Your love is the only repayment I need. Give me only that, and is I who is in your debt."
"We'll call it even," Kiyoshi laughed, hugging him.
"Yes," Tsuneo agreed, "Marry me and we are even."