Chapter 4: Reckless Hearts

Tetsuya woke to find that the sun had set and his and Kuri's bedroom was dark and quiet. He shivered at the feeling of emptiness and sensed before reaching down to touch his slim belly, that the reiatsu of their recently conceived twins had faded. His heart ached at the loss and his eyes burned, but he knew well of the risks of breeder male pregnancy.

With females, the rate of early loss of pregnancy due to natural causes is around twenty-five percent. With breeder males, this rises to nearly forty percent. That Kuri and I have had ten children without any early miscarriages is actually surprising. Still, as early as this was in my pregnancy and as much as I know the facts, Kuri and I were already dreaming of and talking about their arrival. It is not the first time we have had to face losses.

I knew it could happen. I just thought that if it did, well, at least we could share in the pain. Kuri is on a mission and doesn't know. I wonder if I should…

He heard Aderia's soft voice in the hallway outside the bedroom and frowned at her deeply worried tone.

Is this about the babies? Is it about me? Kuri?

He extended a hand, radiating a small amount of reiatsu for a moment.

As the pregnancy has faded, the restrictive effect on my powers has been negated.

He slipped into a shadowy waterform and left a copy of himself, sleeping in the bed, while his barely visible form crept to the door and listened to the two women conversing outside on the walkway.

"Is he still sleeping?" Magdelina asked softly.

"Yes," Aderia, "poor thing. I think he knows, although he lost consciousness before I could explain."

"But you said he will be all right?"

"Yes, he should be fine. He did seem a little feverish, but that is normal as his body sheds the failed reiatsu and the spirit chamber fades. He should be fine after a good night's sleep. He will, of course, be sad to lose the babies…"

"But our angelito is strong because of the losses he has already endured," Magdelina said sadly, "He will be quiet and try not to cry in front of us. I do wish Kuri was here to comfort him. How do we tell Tetsuya about him?"

An icy shaft of fear shot through Tetsuya's chest at the words.

"It will wait until morning. He needs to rest. I will tell him after."

"Has there been any more word since Ichigo arrived with the children?"

"None," Aderia sighed, "We only know that his group was ambushed and Kuri let himself be captured, so that his soldiers could escape. Byakuya's division was sent to investigate, which is why Ichigo and the children came here, but there has been no word yet."

"Maybe it is better that our angelito sleeps," Magdelina said somberly, "Maybe we will know something by the time we have to explain to him."

"He will be all right, Mamà," Aderia assured the elder woman, "Tetsuya is a resilient person. He has learned to weather the difficult things."

"But he shouldn't have to. And he should not have to face this alone!"

"He isn't alone," Aderia assured her mother, "He has us, Mamà."

"He should be with his husband!" Magdelina snapped.

Aderia paused and gave the elder woman a look of understanding, then slipped a warm arm around her.

"I know you are worried about Kuri. I am too. It reminds you too much of when Papà was called away to serve the king. You were always strong for us, but Kuri and I knew you missed him horribly."

"Of course I did," Magdelina sighed, "But what could we do? People sometimes forget that although we are privileged, that privilege comes with a price. We are the servants of the king and we can be called away at any time. It is what broke our family apart already once…and I just hope it does not do this again."

"Kuri will be all right," Aderia said firmly, hugging her mother tightly, "That burro is so annoying, they'll probably beg us to take him back. It will be okay."

"I know. I know. It's fine, Aderia. I am fine. Let's go and check in on our angelito."

Tetsuya shifted back into the waterform he had left in the bed, just as the bedroom door opened. He closed his eyes and feigned sleep as the two women approached him and Aderia's cool hand brushed against his face.

"He is still feverish, but that is to be expected," the lady healer said softly, "But his reiatsu is stable."

She paused as Tetsuya's eyes opened, and he looked up at her questioningly.

"You should still be sleeping, angelito," Aderia said, smiling sadly, "But since you are awake, you should try to take some tea."

"I've lost the babies, haven't I?" Tetsuya inquired quietly, "It's all right. I could feel it when I woke."

"I am sorry, but yes. I did what I could, but the reiatsu was just not viable. You know it happens that way sometimes."

"I know," Tetsuya whispered, "I just wish that Kuri was here."

"He will be back soon, sweet boy," Magdelina said soothingly, washing Tetsuya's flushed face and petting his hair as she coaxed him into taking several sips of warm tea, "Just sleep for awhile."

"Have the children been tucked in?" Tetsuya asked anxiously, "You know that Kimi and Eiji have trouble settling and…"

"You leave them to me," Magdelina said firmly, "I read to them and had them in bed right on time. The children are fine, angelito. It is you who needs our attention. Here, take a bit more tea."

Tetsuya sipped at the tea until the elder woman clucked approvingly and nodded.

"Good boy," she said, smiling sadly and caressing his cheek, "You rest now. We can deal with everything in the morning."

"I will try," he promised, sliding back against his pillow and closing his eyes.

He rested quietly as the two replaced the water and tea at his bedside, then kissed him and left him to sleep. But as soon as he was alone, he slipped out of bed, leaving a waterform behind. He made himself silent and nearly transparent, so as not to wake his sleeping attendant, then he swiftly dressed in dark clothing and wrapped a dark blue hooded cloak around his upper body. He left the dressing area and moved silently to the sword stand, where he retrieved Re-kuhime from her place, alongside the stand that would have held his husband's sword. Tetsuya's fingers brushed against the fine carved wood and his heart flickered with worry, but he forced the feeling down, stiffening his resolve.

It was only long ago that I was helpless, unable to stand up for myself or to protect anyone. I love peace and I wish I never had to raise my sword and fight again, but I will fight for the things that matter. You matter to me, Shima Kurushimi. And whatever strength is needed to find you and to bring you home…that is the strength that will flood this body and ignite this blade. It burns only out of the greatest need, and now it burns for you. Do not fear, my love.

I am coming for you.

Tetsuya left the waterform sleeping in his place and crept out of his bedroom and through the quiet courtyard of Shima Adobe. He made his way to the stables, where he found Arashi alert and watching with his head held high and his ears perked towards his shinigami master.

"Arashi," Tetsuya greeted the tall, black Arabian.

Master, the horse's wispy voice spoke into his mind, I have sensed your distress. I will help you find Ambrosio's master.

"Can you sense where Ambrosio is?" Tetsuya asked, climbing onto the stallion's back and nudging him towards the open doorway.

He crossed over with them into the shadows.

"Can you follow?"

I can only enter the shadows if we conceal ourselves near an enemy and cross over in his wake. That is how Ambrosio was able to follow his master.

Tetsuya frowned, sighing in frustration.

"And how do we find a quincy who is about to cross over?" he breathed softly.

Tetsuya stiffened and Arashi came to an abrupt stop as a male silhouette appeared in the stable doorway, ahead of him.

"Byakuya," he greeted his cousin quietly, his heart sinking slightly as Byakuya moved forward and raised a hand to pat Arashi's satin neck gently, "I didn't know that you had returned."

"I wasn't aware you knew I was gone," his cousin said solemnly, "I was informed you collapsed before Ichigo arrived with the news about your husband. But you have always been one who is swift to pick up on things that happen around you. I suppose that neither your already knowing about Kurushimi's situation nor about me being dispatched to investigate should come as a surprise. You always were extremely capable in your duties when you protected Kuchiki Manor…and when you protected me, Tetsuya."

"Thank you, watashi no itoko," Tetsuya said, lowering his eyes, "But I expect you are not just here to compliment me."

"No."

"Do you plan to stop me from going after my husband?" Tetsuya asked, lifting his eyes to meet Byakuya's again.

To his surprise, Byakuya's lips curved very slightly upward.

"Do you mean to suggest there is a way that I could stop you, once you decided to go after him?" his cousin asked in an amused tone, "I would be surprised if that was the case."

"I assure you, there is not," Tetsuya answered, smiling back at his cousin, "So, if you plan to stop me, then you had better be prepared for a fight. Because, there is nothing, and no one, who will stop me from reaching my husband. If it was me who was captured, he would do the same."

"Yes," Byakuya sighed, shaking his head, "You two do feed on each other's recklessness, don't you? I see I was not wrong in anticipating this. So, I will not stop you."

"Then, if you are not here to stop me, why have you come?"

Byakuya's near smile faded and his eyes darkened.

"My group was attacked while investigating Kurushimi's disappearance," Byakuya reported.

"You were not hurt?" Tetsuya asked, sliding down off Arashi's back and moving closer to him.

"I am fine," Byakuya assured him, "I was well aware, going in, that without my greater powers, I was at risk if we ran into trouble, so I had Renji and a number of powerful protectors with me. I was not harmed, but Renji was taken by the enemy."

"Renji was captured?" Tetusya gasped, paling.

"He was," Byakuya affirmed, "And it was clear that the quincies attacking us were interested only in him, not the rest of us. I returned and reported this to Kyouraku Soutaichou and he informed me that several other powerful shinigamis have been taken by what seems to be rogue quincies. I requested his permission to assemble a team to prepare for a search and extraction mission, but that request was denied. I was forbidden to initiate any action to infiltrate the shadows or to rescue the abducted officers."

Tetsuya stared at him silently for a moment.

"Then, why are you here?" he asked.

He paused again, realization spreading over his face.

"You were ordered not to initiate an official search and rescue attempt…" he breathed.

"But I was not placed under orders not to be a part of someone else's attempt," Byakuya finished.

He paused and the amused look returned to his face.

"It seems that being around Ichigo, you and Kurushimi as much as I have must be causing me to become somewhat more liberal," he said dryly.

"How does Ichigo feel about all of this?" Tetsuya asked, "I know he has recently conceived another child."

"I feel like Byakuya's doing the right thing," Ichigo said, stepping out into the open, alongside a tall paint stallion, "And even though I have to stay behind, I know we can't just leave Kuri and Renji in enemy hands. I can't go, but someone has to go after them."

"And Ichigo confided in me that the only thing that would make him accept me going into the shadows after our friends was for me to take you and Arashi. So, it seems that I have come to ask you to be my protector, once more."

Tetsuya smiled warmly and hugged his surprised cousin tightly.

"You know I will always protect you!" he exclaimed softly, "Thank you, Byakuya-sama!"

"Tetsuya," Byakuya said solemnly, "I know you are determined to find a way to reach Kurushimi. But, he is in the shadows and if we want to reach that place, we have need to find someone who can help us to do that."

"So, we're going to Urahara's place to talk to Kisuke and Uryu," Ichigo explained, "They've helped us before, and I'm sure they'll get us in to find the ones who've been taken. The kids are going to stay here, at Shima Adobe. I'll stay with Kisuke and help him monitor you guys, once you enter the shadows."

"I believe that there is every chance that we can infiltrate and extract the prisoners if we move carefully, and before the enemy suspects we are able."

"I'm sure Shunsui knows Byakuya isn't going to sit around and let the quincies have Renji," Ichigo asserted, "He's providing us cover by giving an official order for Byakuya not to plan anything. That will give you guys time to get in and start your search."

"The important part is completing the plan and extracting the prisoners before the enemy figures out what we are doing," Byakuya concluded, "So, can we count on you to help us?"

"I don't know why you bothered asking," Tetsuya chided him, hugging him again, "You knew before you asked, what my answer to that would be."

"Then, we are decided," Byakuya said, turning back and helping Ichigo onto his horse's back.

He climbed on behind his ginger-haired mate as Tetsuya mounted Arashi again and moved to follow. The horses started forward, only to stop again as they were met by a cloaked man and woman astride a brown horse, and an elder woman who stood next to them. Tetsuya colored at the sight of them and his head bowed slightly.

"Aderia, Ogano, Mamà," he greeted them warily.

Magdelina moved forward and touched Arashi's face lightly in greeting, then she looked up at Tetsuya with concerned eyes.

"Angelito," she said quietly, "did you think you had to sneak away like this? In the dark and without your family beside you?"

Tetsuya gazed back at the older woman wordlessly.

"I lost my Aseshi twice," Magdelina went on, "Once to the service of the king and then to death. And although I realized I had no choice about him leaving us to serve in the royal realm, there is nothing I wouldn't have done if there was a way to protect his life. It does not matter the distance that separates us, we are forever family. That is not just relating to Aseshi and me, it is for all of us here and those connected to us by blood, by marriage or by the bonds of friendship, angelito. We are family and we love and protect our family fiercely. You are gentle at heart, mijo, but you are a powerful fighter when your loved ones are threatened. We need your powers now to bring our Kuri home. I send Aderia and Ogano to see to your healing and to heal any others who need it as you work your way to my son."

Magdelina reached up and removed a small charm from around her neck, then she offered it to Tetsuya, who accepted the piece and lifted it to look more closely. He recognized immediately the two carved swans with heads bowed to make a heart shape.

"But…" he began.

"You know this piece is dear to me," Magdelina continued, "I gave it to Aseshi before every mission, and every time, he returned to me. The only time he refused it was when he left for the royal realm. I gave it to him, but he left it behind and I found it after he was gone. I have poured my love for you, for Aderia and Ogano, and for my Kuri, into this piece. Take it with you to guard you as you fight to bring our Kuri home!"

Tears burned in the corners of Tetsuya's blue eyes, but he blinked them away and calmly set the necklace around his neck. He reached down and took Magdelina's hand, then bent to kiss her fingers, as he had seen Kuri do when leaving her. He straightened and nodded in farewell.

"Goodbye, Mamà," he said in parting, "I promise I will do honor to our family and I will bring Kuri home safely."

"Bring yourself home safely too," Magdelina said, sniffing, "We will take good care of your children while you are away."

She watched as the horses moved away, then Tetsuya opened a senkaimon and they passed through into the precipice world. As the doorway closed behind them, Magdelina heard a soft footstep and turned to find Takiyo watching from behind a wall.

"So," she said, crossing her arms, "you were listening in, little prince Takiyo."

"Papa Byakuya is really going to go into the shadows?" Takiyo asked warily.

"You heard them," Magdelina said calmly, "They must do this to save the ones who were taken. I don't like it any more than you do. Imagine how Ichigo feels, knowing he must stay behind. I know this worries you, but you must have faith in them, little prince. You must help me protect your brother and sister, and your cousins here. The quincies are a danger to all of us, especially you, who are related by blood to Ichigo, who is the descendant of a powerful quincy family."

Takiyo's eyes widened.

"You don't think they'd…?" he began.

Magdelina wrapped her arms around Takiyo and hugged him tightly.

"We won't let anyone near you or your siblings," she promised, "You are safe here. Now, come with me and let's get started making everyone's breakfast."

Takiyo sighed and fell in at the elder woman's side.

"You know they wouldn't come after me anyway," he said, shaking his head, "They want powerful people."

Magdelina turned, stopping him in his tracks as her eyes froze him in place.

"You are powerful," she said with certainty, "It just isn't your time, little prince Takiyo, but when it is, you will do your family proud."