Chapter 3: Focus
It never rains in Hueco Mundo, Byakuya thought to himself as he watched the training group set up for the war game.
He scanned the area to be certain there were no hollows nearby and engaged the cloaking kido to hide their presence from any hollows that might stumble upon them. It wasn't very likely for that to happen in this area, so far removed from Las Noches and the other known bases in Hueco Mundo, but Byakuya was always cautious when entering the home of the hollows. One never knew what could happen.
He glanced over at Renji and signaled him to set the boundaries, then went back to scan the area again for safety purposes. All was quiet.
He was turning back to begin the training game when something registered inside, some sense of warning…and then the reiatsu around them began to rise. He signaled Renji to abandon the setup and started to open the gate to return them to the Seireitei. To his surprise, a strong reiatsu pulsed nearby, interfering with the formation of the gate.
Byakuya turned and brought the squad to alert with a hiss of warning. It was all of the warning they got before hollows began to appear all around them.
Too many…
Most were not high in level, but the sheer number of them…and the fact that there had been no warning left them vulnerable. He drew Senbonzakura and activated his senkei. The thousand pink blades rose around the stunned training group. He paused for a moment, then started to speak.
"As you can see, this training exercise has just become a very real threat. Each of you has been well trained and you are ready to face this challenge. Renji, Rikichi, Takashi and Manao will set the kido field around us. When I detonate my senkei, you will need to fight at full power to defeat them. Use everything you have learned. We can defeat them…despite their numbers."
The four moved away and linked their power, slowly bringing a powerful shield into place around them. The others set themselves into formation and began the incantations to release kido attacks. As the kido field was completed and the incantations came to an end, Byakuya detonated the senkei, sending a powerful blast outward in all directions. The blast incinerated the first wave of hollows and blinded the rest for a few moments, giving the small group of shinigamis time to release a volley of kido attacks. Byakuya's joined the rest and raking the enemies with huge blasts of red and blue flame.
Byakuya noted that the shinigamis were holding their own and began to open the return door again. As he focused on the beginnings of the senkaimon, a flash of light off to the side caught his attention. The light pulsed again and again. He turned to look more closely.
"Captain!"
He turned in time to see that a strong hollow had broken through and was closing on him. There wasn't time to draw a weapon, so his hands came up and his kido attack began to form.
But he never released the attack.
Because, unbelievingly, someone had thrown himself between the two…between this high level hollow and the Squad Six Captain. A zanpakuto released and the enemy was thrown back, howling and slashing at the shinigami that had dealt the fatal blow.
But the shinigami was falling too.
Buakuya flash stepped forward and caught the youth as he fell, pulling him close and reading the extent of the damage. The shocked brown eyes looked up at him and the young, handsome features struggled to remain calm.
"Takashi…" Byakuya whispered.
"Captain…" the young man gasped, "It has…been an honor…to…"
His eyes closed and his body went limp in Byakuya's arms. He lost awareness of the battle after that until he felt Renji's hand on his shoulder and the vice captain told him that the senkaimon had opened.
It never rains here…except when it rains blood…
"Byakuya…"
The concern in Renji's voice brought him awake. He rubbed a hand over his face and blinked up into the worried brown eyes.
"Are you okay?" he asked, "It seemed like you were having a bad dream."
Byakuya shook his head slightly to clear it and sat up.
"I'm fine," he said softly, trying to force away the memory, "I just…"
"You said his name, Byakuya…like before," Renji said quietly, "You were dreaming about it, I know. I can't get it out of my mind either."
"Everyone knows upon entering the military that there are risks…" Byakuya began.
Renji put a hand on his face.
"But that doesn't mean that when someone is lost that we just continue as if we don't notice. You might have been able to pretend you could before, but that's never really been what you believed, has it, Byakuya?"
He knew he should deny it. He should simply force the emotions away. They wouldn't serve any useful purpose. They weren't going to bring the youth back to life.
Renji slipped a hand under is chin and pressed his lips to Byakuya's
"I always knew it was a lie, Byakuya…when you'd stand there looking calm and unaffected. You perfected looking like you didn't care, didn't you? But deep down, it broke your heart to lose anyone…not just because it was a loss of pride, but because it hurt you. It hurt you, but you weren't allowed to let anyone see."
He pulled the noble close and brought his head down to rest on a warm shoulder.
"I'm not just anyone, Byakuya. I've been further inside your mind than anyone, and I know this is really hurting you. You don't have to admit it. Don't say anything, but just…let me comfort you a little. Kami knows you've been there for me these past few days! I haven't been able to bottle up anything. But I'll be okay, because we have each other. As long as we have each other, we'll be okay."
Byakuya didn't answer, but slipped a hand into Renji's and squeezed it gently to show he had listened.
XXXXXXXXXX
The news administrator looked up as Orochi Kuchiki entered the room. He worried for a moment that the noble was there to take revenge for the harsh treatment the news group was still giving their clan leader. But Orochi waved his concerns away off-handedly.
"I am looking for someone," he said, holding out the latest copy of the paper, "I need the one who took these photos. Tell me where I can find him."
"He is a freelance photographer named Shuji," the administrator said, glancing at the picture, "but he's the quiet type…just brings in his work and leaves. I don't know when he'll be by."
"But I'm sure you can help me find him…" Orochi said, giving the man a meaningful glare.
XXXXXXXXXX
"Sir," the housekeeper said, bowing, "the head captain is here to see you."
Byakuya groaned inwardly. There was no question in his mind what it was about. He and Renji were all over the news and each story was merciless in questioning every move they made, everything they did…Of course, the head captain would be concerned. He steeled himself and put on a façade of calm as he walked out to the gardens to join the head captain on the patio.
"I appreciate you coming, sir," Byakuya said, sitting across from him, "It is difficult for me to come and go with so much attention being focused on my every move."
"That is why I am here," said the head captain sternly, "I won't waste my time pointing out that your decision to engage Renji Abarai, a subordinate, in a romantic relationship was a reckless and foolish decision. It is not the first time a superior officer has found himself enamored of a subordinate, but such things are risky and become a burden at times. And this is more than a burden, Captain. It is fast becoming a glaring liability."
"What would you have me do?" Byakuya said softly, "The damage is done. My relationship with Renji has never been a secret. I have merely sought to keep it private so that it would not become this very sort of distraction…but my relationship with Renji is not the main issue here. The news group is tying to commit character assassination. They want to paint me as a heartless bastard who cares nothing for my squad and uses them as both a shield and an illicit comfort! How am I supposed to deal with that?"
"I do not know, but you must do something. This situation is becoming intolerable…and if something does not happen to amend it, I may be forced to take action to stop it, myself."
He tossed the morning paper onto the table. Byakuya looked down at the picture on the front page and his eyes flared angrily. His face was partially concealed, but his haori, his hair and the background left little question as to who was in the picture or where the pictured event had occurred. The face of the shinigami whose half-dressed body was wrapped around his, was clearly revealed. And Byakuya could not believe his eyes.
"If engaging in a questionable relationship with a subordinate is unwise, engaging in that kind of activity with a different subordinate is unacceptable…unless you wish to tell me that this picture is falsified. Do you wish to deny having relations with Takashi in your office, Captain?"
His reiatsu was flaring so badly, he could barely contain it.
"Of course I'm going to deny it! It isn't true. You have my word that there has never been anything like this between Takashi and me! He was a trainee…a new addition to the squad, nothing more."
"Then, how do you explain the photograph? Are you saying…"
"I will not lie to you, Head Captain. Renji and I were in the office together…Renji and I. I know the picture must have been taken yesterday, because of the background, but it has been manipulated to change who I was seen with. I apologize, of course, for the inappropriateness of what Renji and I did. I will, of course, accept punishment for that, but…I cannot have you believing I would…would do this!"
"It is not so much a matter of what I would believe, but how this will affect his family…and the image this portrays of our military. Even if the image has been altered, it will make this real in many minds…and it will compromise the honor of the 13 Court Guard Squads. I am sorry, but until a review has been completed and you are cleared, I must suspend you from duty. You are to have no contact with any squad member with the exception of Renji Abarai. It would be difficult to demand the two of you remain apart when you share a home."
Byakuya lowered his eyes and felt the emotion drain out of him.
"As you wish, Head Captain. I will obey your command," he said softly.
"Very well," said the head captain, standing, "I dare say you and Renji would have a difficult time leaving here anyway. This has spread through the Seireitei like wildfire. There are reporters waiting outside. If you leave, I'd suggest you use your fastest flash step. But…I think you might want to stay close by while this is investigated. And there is one more thing…Do not speak with Takashi's family. I will handle this. You are to avoid any contact with them."
"Do you think that's wise, Head Captain?" Byakuya asked solemnly, "Won't they wonder at my unwillingness to approach them?"
"I am more worried about a media circus surrounding any attempt for you to go to them. No…you are not to have any contact with them. If I were you, I would remain here and consider the inadvisability of your actions."
Byakuya watched silently as the head captain took his leave, then leaned forward and rested his face in his hands with his palms over his eyes. He didn't want to see that picture again…didn't want to feel the return of that awful feeling of betrayal. The suspension wouldn't have hurt him so badly, but the admonishment to remain apart from his squad and to have no contact with Takashi's family felt like an admission of guilt. He hated the thought that anyone could create and spread such lies, that people would believe them…and even if his name was cleared, some would continue to question… He swallowed hard against the sick feeling in his stomach and breathed in the calming scent of flowers and sakura that floated in the air around him.
He felt a brush of warm reiatsu and Renji's hands began to massage his shoulders from behind.
"Was that the head captain I saw?" he asked, "What did he want?"
Byakuya couldn't lift his head to answer.
Renji's eye fell on the newspaper and his hands froze.
"What the…Byakuya…what the hell is that?" he asked in a shocked whisper.
"Accusations of improper behavior with subordinates? Questionable associations with younger shinigami? Byakuya…this is bullshit! No one is going to believe this…no one. The picture is a fake…"
Byakuya looked up at him.
"It doesn't matter," he said with forced calm, "The damage has already been done. Even once the accusations are proven false…the picture is proven to be a fake, people will still doubt, Renji."
"The shinigami in our division are not going to…" Renji began.
"I've been suspended. I cannot have any contact with my squad, except for you."
Renji stared at him, dumbfounded.
"Wha…? You've been…suspended? For what?" he stammered.
"I am being investigated for improper behavior with my subordinates. I am not allowed contact with them until the investigation is complete," Byakuya said, climbing to his feet, "The head captain also warned me not to approach Takashi's family."
"But…but they're going to think that means that…"
"That I don't care…that it's an admission of guilt, I know," Byakuya sighed.
"They won't believe that…" Renji said half-heartedly, "They can't believe you would do that."
"It would explain why he threw himself in front of me…"
Renji put his hands on the noble's shoulders and looked him squarely in the eyes.
"Don't do that!" he exclaimed, "You didn't do anything wrong."
"But I did," Byakuya said quietly, "I followed my heart. I fell for you…and it was wrong for me to do that because you are my subordinate."
"So…what are you saying? Byakuya…you aren't going to…you can't…leave me…right?"
Byakuya wrapped his arms around Renji and let his head rest on the redhead's shoulder.
"No…I won't leave you. It's too late for that, Renji. I just have to live with the consequences of my actions."
Renji took the noble's face in his hands.
"It's not right, Byakuya. You never laid a hand on that kid…I know you didn't," he said softly.
"But I did initiate a relationship with a subordinate…and we did use my office in an improper fashion…"
Renji let out a long breath.
"So why are you taking the heat? What about me? I was there too! Why wasn't I suspended?"
Byakuya let out a sarcastic laugh.
"Don't you get it, Renji? They just think of you as one of my victims…and besides, you weren't in the picture…"
Renji opened his mouth to reply, but was interrupted by the arrival of a hell butterfly.
Lord Byakuya, The Council of Elders requires your presence as soon as possible in the Council Hall for a special council meeting. Council has concerns about regarding the recent news reports about your activities and will seek ways to mitigate the fallout.
Byakuya burrowed more deeply into Renji's shoulder.
"Shit!" muttered Renji, "Just what you need!"