Chapter 17

-Two Months Later: mid-July-

Byakuya had taken to his new powers with a speed and skill unlike anything that Xanthan had ever seen. Byakuya's determination to rescue Myssa drove his focus. He only stopped training to eat and sleep.

Xanthan and Rygar handled all of Byakuya's training. Xanthan was often needed for official functions and meetings, he still had the realm to oversee. Rygar ended up being the one to spend the most time with Byakuya. It didn't take long for a bond to form between them. Byakuya found that he was quickly warming to the idea of brothers. Rygar told a lot of stories about Myssa and Byakuya thrived on them.

Spending so much time with her family, he began to see echoes of Myssa's personality in her brothers. She had Rygar's brash yet keen wit, Maycen's charm, and Jaycen's penchant for being blunt. He wondered what Auron was like and what she had learned from him.

Thanks to the training with the royal knights, Rukia and Renji had expanded their combat skills and grown as warriors. Both of them were now well equipped to handle any combat against dragons.

All three of the soul reapers had been fitted with hand-crafted armor that would shield them from dragonfire. They had also been given an extensive wardrobe in the style of Dragon Realm. Their shihakushos were put away for the day they would return to the Soul Society.

Over those two months, reports had been filtering in from Auron that Myssa was safe. Xander mostly kept her away from him, but Auron would get to see her at dinner every evening.

Auron sent schematics of Xander's fortress with an outline of a plan for a small force to infiltrate. The fortress backed up to the sea with a high cliff face at its back. By land there was only one way to approach. Xanthan, Byakuya, Rukia, Renji, and Tamor went over the plan. They all agreed, it was the best way to get to Myssa without raising an alarm. Xanthan sent Auron a message through his spies to put the plan in motion on a specific date.

The day finally came to rescue Myssa. The flight by dragon only took a little over an hour to reach a secluded area near Xander's fortress. Xanthan, his sons, his dragon knights, and a support unit of healers would stay near in the event that the plan failed and an attack would need to be launched to rescue all of them.

The plan was simple. Tamor would carry Byakuya, Rukia, and Renji to the back side of the fortress. There was access to a storm drain that kept the store rooms from flooding during heavy rains.

Under the cover of darkness, Tamor delivered the soul reapers to the opening in the cliff where the storm drain emptied into the sea. It didn't take them long to follow the tunnel. Auron had made sure the storage room door was unlocked. He had marked several locations where Myssa was allowed each day. Since it was after midnight, she should would be in her bedroom.

Byakuya, Rukia, and Renji snuck through the castle using shunpo to quickly arrive at the door to Myssa's bedroom. They snuck in. Moonlight spilled into the room and over a curtained canopy bed. Byakuya reached for the fabric…

The door slammed behind them and light flooded the room. They were quickly surrounded by nearly two dozen armed guards. Byakuya, Rukia, and Renji all began to draw their swords when a tall, handsome man that looked like Xanthan was dragged forward struggling at his bonds. Next came Myssa, held by the arms between two guards. She was in a sleeveless white shift, staring vacantly past everyone. Byakuya took a step toward her, "Myssa!" Two halberds crossed in front of him, blocking his attempt to reach her. She didn't react to his voice, didn't move, didn't even twitch.

A fair-haired man in engraved armor stepped forward. "Don't bother." He stroked Myssa's cheek with the back of one finger. "She has retreated deep into her mind with the help of this." He held a vial of cloudy liquid for all to see before tucking it back in his belt. "I find it keeps her…compliant."

Byakuya's thumb pushed Senbonzakura a few inches from his scabbard. His mouth was twisted in a snarl. He was going to start by slicing off the finger that had touched Myssa, then he'd remove the man's head.

The man's blue eyes flicked to Byakuya's sword, "Ent, ent, eh – one wrong move and the lovely princess will pay the price along with her traitorous brother." He moved closer to Rukia, examining her face like he was admiring a piece of art. "Let me see if I can guess correctly. He we have Rukia Kuchiki. My spies neglected to tell me how lovely you are. Such beautiful eyes." He reached out to touch her face but Renji's snarled curse drew his attention. "Ah, this would be Renji Abarai, lieutenant of Squad 6." He looked Renji up and down, assessing. "Hm, tall, strong," eyed his hair and lifted a strand, "most stunning hair. And I must say, the tattoos really do suit you."

Renji jerked his head to pull his hair out of the man's fingers, "Fuck off."

The man chuckled and moved on to stand before Byakuya. He smiled wickedly at him, "You, of course, are Byakuya Kuchiki, Captain of Squad 6. Tell me, does my uncle Xanthan treat you differently now that you are as strong as him?" Byakuya said nothing, his gaze was cold steel. The man chuffed, "How rude of me! I've been rambling on and didn't even introduce myself. After all, now we're practically family. I am Fallon Starjax, eldest son of Xander." He leaned close to Byakuya and whispered loudly so Rukia and Renji could hear. "Y'know, she dreams of you every night. I hear her crying. I hear your name on her lips."

Byakuya gripped his sword hilt so hard, his knuckles were white. His eyes went from cold to murderous.

Fallon quickly stepped back next to Myssa. He drew a dagger and pressed it to her throat. "Flinch and I will open her pretty throat for you." He gave a satisfied grunt when Byakuya let go of his sword then gave a command to the guards, "Take them to the dungeon. Father will deal with them in the morning."

The last glimpse Byakuya had of Myssa was of Fallon tucking her into bed before a guard shoved him out of the room. Fallon was a dead man, he just didn't know it yet.

In the dungeon, Auron, Byakuya, Rukia, and Renji were all put into a cell together. Auron told them how Fallon had uncovered his deception by intercepting one of his spies. Under torture, the spy had broken and given up Auron's plan. He had been seized shortly after he had left the store room unlocked and then a trap had been laid for the rescue party.

Byakuya had a lot of questions. Auron decided the best choice was to give them as much details as he could, starting with the day of Myssa's abduction.

Myssa had arrived in Dragon Realm hung over and seething with dragonrage. Fallon couldn't resist taunting her. She threw up on him.

Although she was sick, she used the distraction to get her bracelets off. The rush of her powers combined with her full-blown dragonrage flattened everyone in the fortress. Only Xander was the exception. She attacked him and sent him crashing through the window in the great hall. He shifted to his dragon form mid-air and returned to face her.

She fought like a woman possessed. Green eyes blazing, she had almost killed Fallon with one blast of her birthrights. It had taken him a week to heal from the gaping hole in his chest. He was lucky – she missed his heart by a finger-span. Xander had taken a lot of damage trying to just contain her. She moved so fast it was hard to see her. Xander had finally gotten lucky and intercepted her when she moved in for another strike. Dragonrage was blinding and for someone like Myssa who had no control of it, it was dangerous. There was no thinking in its grip, only wild, unbridled rage that drove her to attack over and over. Xander had held onto her and flown out to dunk her in the icy sea to snap her out of the dragonrage. When he returned, she was soaked and unconscious.

After her display of power, Xander had had Myssa collared. It had taken Xander, Fallon, and seven knights to hold her down to get the collar on her. She had screamed until her voice cracked and died. Yet, being collared hadn't stopped her from physically attacking anyone or trying to escape. Xander kept her under lock and key for the first two weeks.

Then, one day, Myssa appeared at dinner. She was dressed in fine silks with a headband that marked her as a princess. She was calm and pleasant, but a bit vacant. Fallon couldn't resist gloating about his special "drops" that had tamed her. Ever since that night, she had been Xander's toy. During the day, he never let her out of his sight. He would often display her on pedestals like a statue and stare at her for hours. After dinner, she was made to sit at his feet during the evening's entertainment. More than once she was the entertainment. He had her dance for the court and read poetry. He made her sing too. When he saw how uncomfortable she was and heard how her voice broke, he made sure to make her sing every night since. Xander made sure she wasn't drugged during her performances so he could watch her squirm and enjoy the humiliated flush on her skin.

Byakuya could hear the anger in Auron's tone as he related Xander's psychological torture of his sister. Although she wasn't physically harmed, Byakuya was very worried about the impact that being collared again would have on her psyche. He knew she could handle Xander's games, she was strong. The drug she'd been given worried him too. Was it addictive? What would the backlash be when he got her home and withdrawal set in?

-The Next Day-

The prisoners weren't brought before Xander until after dinner – just in time for the entertainment.

The moment Byakuya entered the great hall, he looked for Myssa. She was standing on the dais next to Xander's throne. His eyes widened and he couldn't suppress a small gasp. Every luscious curve of her body was on display. She was scantily clad in gold silks, her breasts and pubic area the only parts shielded from sight. Her left arm and leg were adorned with gold torcs that spiraled down her limbs. Clear jewels set into the torcs caught the light and made her sparkle. Sheer gold silk draped over her right leg from a gold chain around her waist. Another length of gold silk was secured to the collar around her neck and hung straight down her right side to the floor. On her shoulders sat an intricate mantle of gold filigree set with clear jewels that looked like she had wings. Her long, chestnut hair was styled with strands of gold woven through it. Byakuya couldn't take his eyes off of her. She looked like a goddess – regal, beautiful, untouchable.

The prisoners were assembled to stand before Xander and his court. Xander's gaze passed over them until he settled on Byakuya. He told Myssa to sing for them. As she stepped forward, the clinking of a chain followed her. Links of gold trailed behind her, attached to the collar at her neck. The end of that chain rested in Xander's hand and he watched Byakuya's reaction with glittering blue eyes.

Byakuya felt something snap inside him. She was on a leash like an animal! He stepped forward, a challenge and a snarl on his lips. But, he was stopped dead in his tracks when Myssa's eyes shot to him, pinning him to the spot. Her glare spoke clearly as she descended the steps. Stop! He was trapped, confused. Once she saw him stop, she gave him a hint of a smile before casting her eyes down and away.

Myssa's voice lifted in song. As always, her voice was pleasant. Byakuya was suddenly filled with memories of her singing in his home. Sometimes he had heard her singing softly to herself, half humming, half singing while she did research. Most times she had made up silly songs to tease Tamor. Those were his favorites. Her quick wit and keen mind had created such classics as "The Toothbrush Song", "Quit Droolin' On Me", and the one that had made him laugh so hard, "Everybody Farts".

Myssa finished the song and returned to stand next to the throne while the court applauded. Xander lifted a strand of her hair and held it to his nose then spoke, "Byakuya Kuchiki. Step forward." Byakuya took two steps forward. Xander descended from the dais and slowly walked around him, looking him over. "Hmmm – yes, I can see why she chose you." He stopped in front of Byakuya. "I can smell the power you possess, young one. Yes, you are quite dangerous."

"Then end this now. Hand Myssa and Auron over to me and we will leave."

"Just that easy, eh?"

"I have no interest in your quarrel with your brother. I only came here for Myssa and her brother. That is all."

"My spies tell me you are a man of great intelligence as well as great power. You have another choice. Stay here. Become my champion and I will give Myssa to you. Together we will defeat Xanthan and seize the high throne. When I am king of the realm, I will make you first heir, second only to me."

Fallon yelled from across the hall, "Father! You would put this soul reaper above your sons?!"

Xander shot a look at Fallon, "Silence! You and your brother have proven your lack of worth over and over. You will hold your tongue or find yourself in the dungeon!" Fallon's gaze turned dark, but he remained silent. Xander looked back at Byakuya. "What say you, Byakuya Kuchiki?"

His eyes were cold, "Myssa is not yours to give. I am a soul reaper. I have no interest in this realm other than her."

Xander sighed and shook his head. "What a waste. Tomorrow, you, your friends, and Prince Auron will be executed." He lowered his voice, "After she watches you die, I will make her my wife." He grinned. "I will take great pleasure in teaching her the joys of the marriage bed."

Before Byakuya could say anything, he was dragged back to the dungeon with Auron, Rukia, and Renji.

-Later that night: close to midnight-

In their cell, Byakuya, Rukia, Renji, and Auron were trying to plot an escape. A familiar voice broke into their conversation.

"Y'know, all those plans won't work unless you can get out of this cell." Myssa's voice rang out in the dark.

"Myssa!" Byakuya reached for her through the bars, he needed to be sure that she was real. "How did you…?"

She cut him off, "Shhh – easy." Her voice lowered a bit. "The guard is out, but there are other creatures that roam the passages down here." She used a key to open the door. The moment the door swung wide enough, Byakuya was out and pulled her into a crushing hug. A tremor ran through her as she squeezed him back and choked on a sob, "I never thought I'd see you again."

His answer was to kiss her lips before hugging her close again. "I have dreamed of this since the moment I learned you were taken."

Auron interrupted, "I hate to break up the reunion, but we need to get out of here before someone discovers Aleris is gone."

As a group, they made their way out of the dungeon, retrieving their zanpaktos from the armory one floor up. They entered the great hall, heading for a low traffic hallway that would lead them out of the fortress.

"Myssa, how did you counteract the drug Fallon gave you?" Rukia asked.

"I didn't. He's given me the same dose everyday for over a month. I built up a resistance about two week ago. I kept up the act so I could keep my wits. I've been planning an escape for Auron and I. Then you all showed up."

Renji said, "Your father, brothers, and Tamor are camped close by waiting for us."

"Then we won't have far to go to reach safety." She replied.

Out of the darkness, Fallon slammed into Myssa. He skewered her through her shoulder with his sword, pinning her to the wood paneling on the wall behind her. Her scream echoed in the hall. Fallon gritted, "You're not going anywhere, you sneaky little bitch!"

Byakuya reacted instantly. Senbonzakura sang from his scabbard. He swung for Fallon's head. Fallon ducked and yanked his sword out of the wall and Myssa to block the powerful blow. Myssa screamed again and dropped to the floor. Fallon backed away and began to shift into dragon form, royal blue with a light blue stripe down his chest.

Armed soldiers and guards began to file into the hall. Renji moved to intercept them. "Rukia…"Byakuya barked.

"Go, I've got her." She returned.

Auron transformed into a huge hunter green dragon with a gold chest. He launched himself at Fallon, sinking his claws into him. Their roars in such a closed space were deafening. Byakuya joined Renji in dispatching the stream of soldiers and guards. Auron and Fallon, tearing at each other, crashed through the ceiling to take their battle to the sky. Rubble rained down into the great hall, a few big pieces landing near the doorway narrowing the entrance.

Xander appeared, zanpakto in hand. Byakuya calmly moved to face him. Xander struck first, Byakuya blocked and their swords rang. They separated, swords poised to strike.

Xander sneered, "She's not for you, soul reaper. She belongs to me."

Byakuya's voice was edged with anger, "You put her on a chain like an animal. You collared her to block her from her birthrights. You took her to use as a pawn to further your ambition. For those reasons alone I should kill you. But tonight, you will die for one reason – you dared to touch the woman I love." He struck hard, driving Xander back.

Against a wall, Myssa was busy pulling at her collar. Rukia was trying to help. "I think there's a pin at the back." Myssa said.

Rukia moved Myssa's hair to get a better look. She found the pin and tried to push it out. No luck, it wouldn't budge. Then she had a thought. She put her finger against the pin. "Hold very still. Hado #4, byakurai." The kido popped the pin out, but also ripped open a few layers of Myssa's skin. "Sorry!"

"Don't worry, it will heal in a few minutes." The collar still wouldn't open no matter how much she and Rukia pulled.

With the soldiers and guards dispatched, Renji came to help them. With him holding one side and Rukia holding the other, they strained and pulled. Slowly, the collar gave way until it reached a point where it broke apart.

In that split second all of Myssa's powers came rushing back. She did her best to contain as much of it as she could, but it still knocked all three of them flat. When they sat up, Myssa was glowing with a bluish-white aura.

"You OK?" Renji asked.

She nodded. Her shoulder wound was bad enough that it would need at least a day to heal. When Fallon ripped the sword out, he'd sliced up through bone and muscle.

More soldiers began streaming in. Renji went to face them. Myssa looked at Rukia, "Leave me here. Help Renji. I'll be all right." Rukia nodded and went to help Renji. Myssa watched Byakuya and Xander clash. They had been testing each other's abilities. At any moment she expected their exchanges to escalate and draw blood. She dragged herself up and moved closer to Byakuya. Her goal was to get close enough to help if needed but remain out of the way. Her hands were covered in blood, leaving smears everywhere she touched. She reached a column near Byakuya and slid to the floor. Ripping the sleeve of her shirt, she tied it around her shoulder tight to try to slow her bleeding. She heard Byakuya release his shikai and watched in fascination.

Xander shifted into his dragon form, his body growing and covering with scales. He wasn't fast enough. The blades of Senbonzakura sliced him from multiple angles. His roar shook the floor. Caught halfway between human and dragon form, Xander merged his zanpakto to his birthright. Seeing it spiral up his arm, terror seized Myssa. She had no time to do anything except react. Both hands ignited with white-hot runes. The blast of power hit Xander in the chest just as he reached full size. The force knocked the massive dragon through the wall behind him. He fell, unconscious, all the way down to the pebbled shore below.

Byakuya spun to find the source of the blast and saw Myssa leaning against a column. Blood had soaked her right side. She looked like she was about to fall over. Three quick strides and he had her in his arms, "Myssa."

She swayed, he was the only thing keeping her upright. "He'll be back soon." She saw the cuts he had taken including on deep gash on his right arm. "You're hurt."

"So are you."

Her hands made contact with his skin wherever she could. She enveloped them in her healing aura.

"No, do not," he said, "you have lost too much blood."

"Hush. Xander will return. You need to…" Her eyes went wide and searched his, "I feel your birthright."

He gently stroked her cheek, "Your father's gift."

She snickered, "The agony of soul fusion and the sexual frenzy of an awakening – oh yeah, that's some gift."

His thumb traced her lower lip, "The real gift is having you in my arms at last." He felt warm and energized in her healing aura. Most of all, he felt connected to her. He felt as if something in him was reaching for her.

Myssa's dragon birthright was beating at her brain, straining to connect to Byakuya's. The look on his face said he was feeling it too. She had no time to explain. Later. Later there would be plenty of time to explain. She smiled up at him, but it was quickly replaced with worry. "He's almost here."

Byakuya softly kissed her lips then eased her down to sit against the column. "Don't get too comfortable. This will be over soon."

The membranes of Xander's wings had been damaged so he had had to dig his claws into the cliff and climb. He crawled through the gaping hole he'd left on his way out.

Byakuya didn't waste any time, he summoned his bankai. Once it was fully manifested, his birthright flared to life. The pink shade of the blades of his bankai changed. The bluish-white glow of his birthright mixed in and his blades turned to a shade of deep lavender.

The damage Byakuya had done to Xander as he shifted was causing his dragon scales to slough off in large chunks. He'd lost a lot in the fall, but now with every movement the rest were falling away. In a matter of seconds, Byakuya was facing a skinless dragon, all sinews, exposed muscle, and cartilage. Xander was driven by rage and fueled by agony. He'd been reduced to a savage beast on rampage.

Waves of power rolled off of Byakuya. He easily defended against Xander's wild attacks, waiting for an opening. The moment Xander faltered, Byakuya stuck, shearing off his left arm, wing, and half of his tail. The roar was deafening. Byakuya called his bankai back to re-form his sword as he jumped high over Xander, his power forcing the wounded dragon onto his back. He was poised for a death blow. Unable to hold his dragon form, Xander shifted back to a human. Byakuya landed next to him, sword in hand. One clean swing and Xander's head was removed. His body fell away from Byakuya. He didn't spare it another glance as he turned to walk back to Myssa.

Byakuya knelt next to her. He was worried at how pale she was from blood loss.

She smiled weakly, "That was amazing. Your power…"

"Hush, save your strength." He scooped her up against his chest. Her head lolled against him as he carried her out of the great hall.

"Did…you miss me?" She asked.

His chuckle rumbled against her ear. "Not one bit."

She huffed a laugh, "Good…didn't miss…you either." Her hand tightened on his shirt, "I…I should have told you…" She lost consciousness.