Chapter 10: Uprising
(This was a fun chapter to write, with Byakuya acting out in a way he never could before. The song that inspired the first song the band performs was Uprising by Muse and Byakuya and Ichigo's duet in this chapter was inspired by All of Me by John Legend. *sighs sleepily* Too tired to write anymore. Taking a nap now! Love, Spunky)
Byakuya felt a swell of intense nausea and flew out of bed, then crashed clumsily into the white wall before remembering he was not in Urahara's shop, but at Ichigo's house.
"Hey, are you all right?" Ichigo called after him.
Besieged by warring needs, the noble surged back to his feet and exited the room, rushing into the bathroom and emptying his stomach violently. And barely as he finished seeing to that need, another rose up, just as furious and demanding as the first. He sighed as he relieved himself of the heavy pressure in his bladder, then sat down on the floor to wait for the ringing in his ears to die away.
"Byakuya, can I come in?"
"Mhmmm," he managed softly.
The door opened, but the ginger-haired youth mercifully left the lights off and hastened to Byakuya's side, where he sat down and began to infuse the noble's belly with calming reiatsu.
"The bump there is getting bigger, see?" Ichigo said, smiling and capturing Byakuya's hand to bring it to the area he was infusing.
"It is a good thing that the gigai Kisuke gave me can hide that."
"Y-yeah, well," Ichigo said uncomfortably, "Well, yesterday while you were sleeping, Kisuke came over. He said that Yoruichi told him the news was all over the school about you being a hermaphrodite and having my baby."
"Oh, Ichigo, I'm so sorry. You cannot imagine how sorry I am."
"It's okay. We have it figured out. Don't worry. Just, you're going to have to show that really strong side for a few days while the kids at the school adjust to seeing you the way you are."
"What do you mean?" Byakuya asked, frowning.
"Kisuke brought another gigai."
"Another..." Byakuya began, then he stopped and went even more pale.
"You look like you're going to be sick again," Ichigo said sympathetically.
The words proved prophetic as the Kuchiki heir leaned over the toilet and heaved several more times before rinsing his mouth, then collapsing into Ichigo's arms and being carried back to bed.
"I think we're not going to school again today."
"N-no," Byakuya groaned, "It will pass soon. We might be a little late, but..."
"Are you sure we should go when you're feeling so bad? It's okay if we don't."
"No," Byakuya objected, "it's not okay. The performance is at lunchtime. I have to be there for that."
"I think your health and our baby's is a little more important, don't you?" Ichigo asked in a concerned tone.
"First of all," the noble said icily, "I am not ill, I am pregnant. And secondly, I would never, ever put our child at risk! You should know that!"
"Whoa, I do! I do know that!" Ichigo said hastily, holding up his hands defensively, "Sorry. I was just...worried. You look like you feel awful, and when you feel bad, I feel bad for you. I love you, Byakuya. Is that such a bad thing?"
Byakuya went silent, staring at Ichigo wordlessly, his eyes filling with uncharacteristic tears. He heedlessly let them run down his face as he grabbed the ginger-haired youth and kissed him repeatedly.
"Mmmmm," sighed Ichigo, "This is really, really, really great. You get like this and I could lie here all day, making love to you! Are you sure we have to go?"
"Yes. Shou has been a very good friend and I will not disappoint him," Byakuya said firmly.
"All right," Ichigo agreed reluctantly, pulling out a gigai, "But are you sure you can handle going around the school in this one?"
Byakuya slipped into the gigai and paused to study the slightly noticeable bump on his abdomen.
"I don't see why it's necessary to exchange them and walk around showing it off to everyone."
"This gigai supports what you told Renji," Ichigo explained, "You see, Kisuke was concerned that if you lost consciousness at school and, for any reason, you were undressed by medical personnel, you wouldn't want them knowing you lied. So, this is the body of an outwardly male, but inwardly female hermaphrodite."
"Do you even begin to know how much I despise that man, Ichigo?" the noble complained, sighing and rolling his eyes, "This is..."
"It's the only way to keep you from being sensed and discovered by anyone before you have the baby and can go back home."
"I wonder if, even once they know, they will want me back, Ichigo."
"That's fine," the ginger-haired youth said, smiling and kissing him again, "Then, I'll happily steal you away from them and keep you to myself!"
"Somehow, that doesn't sound like such a bad fate," the noble mused, smiling into Ichigo's marauding lips as his hands undressed and began to prepare Byakuya's body to join with his.
"Good, then you have nothing to worry about either way."
Byakuya closed his eyes, loosing a soft sound of surrender as he was penetrated.
"Ichigo, do you really love me?" he whispered as the other youth kissed his way down the noble's pale throat and along a finely sculpted collarbone.
"Do you have to ask? You don't know it?" Ichigo asked, pausing and looking into Byakuya's uncertain eyes, "I thought I made myself pretty clear."
"But I'm really not myself right now. What happens when...?"
"Shh, don't worry about that," Ichigo chided him, making the noble catch his breath and close his eyes as he started moving again.
Their words gave way to soft sounds of pleasure, breathy sighs and sweet, shivering moans as the lovely, erotic sensations intensified and slowly overwhelmed them. They laid quietly in bed together afterwards, looking out the window and up into the entrancing blue sky.
"We're going to be very late," Byakuya sighed, "I hope that Shou doesn't think we're abandoning him."
As if to punctuate the thought, Ichigo's phone rang suddenly and Shou's worried voice came through so that Byakuya could hear as well.
"Hey Shou," Ichigo greeted their friend, "What's going on?"
"What's going on? I hope you two are coming to the school, that's what's going on. I mean, it looks like you're planning to come, because the things Bya said would arrive for the performance are being set up now. I thought I told him we didn't have to go all out, but I guess our Bya doesn't like to...erm...go off half-cocked. The stage looks great!"
"What is he talking about?" Ichigo mused softly.
"I had Tetsuya set up a few things for the performance," Byakuya whispered back.
"A few? Remember, we're trying to avoid attracting attention, okay?"
Byakuya let out a disapproving breath and frowned.
"Well, are you going to be there?"
"Yeah, Shou. Bya's getting ready right now. We'll be there."
"Good, everyone here is ready. Tell Bya that the costumes are superb! Otto is really going to regret dumping me now!"
"Yeah, I'm sure he will. See you there, okay?"
"All right. Bye, and say bye to Bya for me, ne?"
"All right. I will."
Ichigo hung up the phone and observed Byakuya with a raised eyebrow.
"Okay, now do you want to tell me what you're up to?"
"It's actually rather simple," the noble said, matter-of-factly, "To impress people like the ones at the high school, you need to understand what drives them."
"And how does some stuffy noble know what drives a bunch of snot-nosed, grungy teenagers?"
Byakuya gave him a knowing look.
"It is what drive all teenagers, Ichigo. Simply put...rebellion."
XXXXXXXXXX
"Bya! Ichigo! You're finally here!" Shou exclaimed, bursting out from the dressing area, "Everyone's about to come out for the lunch break. Oh, BYA, YOU LOOK EVEN BETTER THAN WHEN WE BOUGHT THAT! It's just HEAVENLY! And how did you get it let out so quickly! The tailoring is perfect!"
Byakuya exchanged a bemused glance with Ichigo as the excitable youth patted the small baby bump on Byakuya's abdomen and giggled cutely.
"They're going to love you!" he sighed, "I swear, between your beautiful vocals and that babymama vibe you've got going, you are going to be on everyone's mind!"
"I don't know if more attention is what we need," Ichigo said anxiously, "Bya, aren't you a little worried about this?"
"It will be fine," Byakuya assured him, "Shou and the band have worked tirelessly on this. I am going through with it."
"All right," Ichigo sighed, his voice filled with misgiving, "I'll be close by."
"He won't go far at all, with you looking like that," Shou laughed, pulling on Byakuya's arm and taking him to his place behind the stage curtain that had been set up.
He brushed his fingers through the noble's hair and smiled encouragingly.
"Let's knock them dead, okay?"
"That is the plan," Byakuya said, breathing in deeply and listening to the banter of the students just excused for the lunch preiod.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Who are those lovely ladies?" Shou demanded, staring as Orihime and an equally buxom friend took positions near the front of the stage, "Bya, did you do some last minute changes?"
"Just a few minor ones," Byakuya assured the other youth, "They will be assisting with visual and sound effects."
"Oh, that sounds inspired. Places everyone!"
Byakuya stepped forward and waited behind the drummer, while Shou positioned himself behind the synthesizer and the guitarists and drummer took up their positions. As the bass guitar and drums began, Byakuya felt his heart skip strangely and he suffered a sharp flash of memory.
"I am sorry. I know that you want to go to school like the rest of them, but it just isn't possible, segare. You are the Kuchiki heir. I know it is a burden, but..."
"Oh, not now..." the noble panted softly, feeling a swell of sickness inside as another memory rose up.
"You do realize that this marriage is going to impact the way we are viewed by the other noble houses. Have you no shame?"
A shiver went through Byakuya's body and sweat broke out on his forehead as Orihime and her friend moved to the front of the stage and started clapping in time to the music, smiling, swaying and inciting the students who had gathered at the front of the stage to attend closely and begin to clap too. The curtain rose and guitars and synthesizer joined the rhythmic display, while across the quad, Ichigo spotted Yoruichi and hastened to her side.
"Hey, you on guard?"
"No," the cat woman said with no attempt to hide her sarcasm, "I just wanted to see the Kuchiki heir in leather and tight jeans, singing and dancing, you know, inciting riots. It looks like he's off to a good start. But, where is he?"
"Aw, he'll be out in a sec. They're just...no wait. He should have already come out. I wonder what he's doing. Did he make the intro longer? Maybe I'd better go and check on him."
He ran back to the stage and spotted the noble, looking out of breath and distressed as the introduction continued and more students joined in the clapping.
"Bya!" Shou hissed over his shoulder, "Bya, come on!"
"You okay?" Ichigo asked, "You look..."
"I can't do this!" Byakuya whispered, staring at him like a deer frozen in a car's headlights.
"What are you talking about? Get out there! This means a lot to you and those guys. Why are you doing this now?"
"I should never have...I am...the Kuchiki heir. I can't...!"
"Whoa, wait a sec! You're remembering more? That's why you're freaking out like this? Are you kidding me? GET OUT THERE!"
He gave the noble a shove, sending the music into his introduction and making the girls gathered in front of the stage squeal as he appeared and started to sing.
Stricken with the shock of being thrown out in front of everyone, Byakuya forced down the voices that had begun in his mind.
I am not their heir right now. I am just a high school student like the rest of them, and I promised that I would do this!
As his mind quieted, the hours of practice and Shou's patient guidance in the movements and voicing came back to him. He closed his eyes for a moment, pretending that he was back in Shou's home studio with just the band and Ichigo there watching. But when his eyes opened and he continued to sing, he almost stopped as he spotted students peering out from the cafeteria and coming out of some of the classrooms and eating areas to join the growing crowd.
Behind the stage, Ichigo jumped as Yoruichi appeared beside him.
"Holy crap!" Ichigo mused, "What's happening out there?"
Yoruichi's laughter bordered on demonic.
"It looks like our straight-laced, law-abiding, stuffy Kuchiki clan leader is starting a rebellion! If only the Kuchiki elders could see him now!"
"Don't even joke about that!" Ichigo exclaimed, "And be quieter, someone will hear you!"
Neither realized that someone already had.
Out on the stage, flashes of bright, colored smoke punctuated the soaring vocals and anthemic beat. Ichigo watched in surprise as the quad filled with students, then teachers and administrators, all watching as the girls nearest the stage followed Orihime and her friend's movements and made the clapping intensify.
For a moment, Byakuya forgot the sounds of the elder's voices and their admonitions that he was different and special. He forgot that he wasn't supposed to smile too much or speak or sing too loudly and never, never was he to perform like a trained monkey on a stage. He connected with the music, almost joining with it, hardly noticing the throng of students dancing and singing along with him. And when he did finally see them and the sounds of their voices reached him, he gave them a sweet, grateful smile and danced closer to them.
I can never really be like them, but just this one time...I can feel what it would be like if I was.
The band rolled into the song's finish with Byakuya playing out every note and every step as he had fastidiously practiced them. He wondered as the last notes sounded if he had managed to do as they had hoped and had his answer in the roar of voices that washed over the little band as they stood and gathered in the center of the stage, then bowed. Shou shouted out a reminder to see the band in the final competition, then the bandmates headed backstage to the sounds of louder clapping and cheering. And as Byakuya reached Ichigo and nearly collapsed against him with a relieved sigh, he felt his heart begin to race all over again as some kind of chanting started to filter back to them.
BY-A! BY-A! BY-A! BY-A!
"Oh my," Yoruichi laughed, "Looks like you've started something, Kuchiki."
"That's Urahara!" the noble snapped furiously, "And it's nothing. It will die down."
But as they waited, the sound continued and the sounds of whistles blowing and teachers' voices joined them. Byakuya's heart pounded faster as the principal appeared and approached the group.
"Boys, I think we have a problem here," she said sternly.
"I can stop them," Byakuya said quickly.
"Are you sure?" Ichigo asked, listening to the raucous sounds, "They're pretty worked up."
"I think so," Byakuya said, exchanging glances with Shou, "We can sing the song that you and I were using during our warm ups."
"It's a good one," Shou agreed, "But I think you shouldn't sing it with me."
Ichigo blanched as the two looked at him expectantly.
"Oh no, you're not getting me into this!" he insisted.
"Bya will sing the first part, you the second and the rest together!" Shou said persistently, "I heard you sing it. I know you know the words."
"But I'm not in the band and...!"
Byakuya leaned closer and breathed the next few words into his ear.
"You can also soothe them with calming reiatsu. I can't."
"Have Yoruichi do it! I...!"
"Ichigo, please. Will you do this for me?" Byakuya asked quietly.
Ichigo froze, gazing into Byakuya's calm, grey eyes for a moment, then feeling himself grow calmer inside.
"O...Okay," he said finally, taking Byakuya's hand and walking back out onto the stage, earning enthusiastic squeals and a roar of applause from the throng of students.
The band remained in the background, playing more softly as Byakuya took Ichigo's hands and nodded briefly for the shinigami substitute to loose reiatsu to begin calming everyone down. Still holding Ichigo's hands, Byakuya looked into his lover's eyes and began singing his part. Ichigo felt as though he had stopped breathing and the world around him had disappeared. All that existed was Byakuya, looking deeply into his eyes and singing a love song, returning the sentiment that he had given the noble that morning.
He almost missed the point at which he was supposed to take over, but caught himself just in time and returned the love expressed in Byakuya's portion of the tune. Then, their voices joined together and Ichigo's arm wrapped around Byakuya, affectionately. They sang out the last part of the song, finishing with the gentlest of kisses, then bowing.
"Thank you," Byakuya said calmly, "That is all we have time for, but we will be proud to entertain you at the final competition. The principal has asked everyone to please return to their classes."
"Whew!" Ichigo sighed as the two slipped back behind the curtain and the crowd of students began to disperse, "That was kinda scary."
"I was terrified," Byakuya admitted, seeking Ichigo's embrace, "I've fought enemies trying to kill me that weren't as unnerving as that. Thank you for steadying me."
"You were pretty amazing," Ichigo replied, smiling, "Come on. Now that we actually came to school, we'd better get to class, ne?"
They started out of the room, passing by a young man who approached Shou, smiling nervously.
"Shou?" the youth said softly, freezing for a moment as the other youth turned and frowned.
"Otto?" Shou inquired stiffly, "It's good to see you're all right. I was worried after you called me up in the middle of the night and hung up like that."
"Yeah...about that," Otto said penitently, "I..."
"Otto," said a deeper, more confrontational sounding voice.
Shou's ex-boyfriend let out a distressed breath.
"S-sorry for bothering you. Just...I'll see you at the competition."
"Right," Shou answered, glaring at the newcomer as he placed his arm protectively around Otto and guided him away.
"Man, that's guy's a prick!" Ichigo snapped softly.
"I really don't like him!" sighed Shou, stalking away.
"I don't like him either," Byakuya agreed, "but I think it's for a different reason."
"Oh?" Ichigo queried curiously, "What's that?"
"I'm surprised you didn't sense it," Byakuya mused, "And I'm even more surprised that I did. There was something wrong with that boy's reiatsu. I don't know exactly what. I have to think..."
"We have to get to class. Come on. We can think there."
Byakuya looked worriedly in the direction Shou had gone.
"Very well," he sighed, turning away, "I suppose that's best."
The two walked back to class, neither seeing nor sensing the stern looking, dark-haired noble that watched as they passed where he had concealed himself. He took out a communicator and spoke quietly into it.
"The fluctuations we sensed were correct. He is here. He is pregnant. And...there is a problem."