Chapter 20: The Lost Prince
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Like an angel, you rushed to catch me as I fell, but the weight on my heart was too great and I only dragged you down with me. Now, we fall together…
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"I don't understand why you won't let Rukia and me in to see him!" exclaimed Renji, "He is about ready to go to pieces and he needs his friends around him!"
"I agree that Kuchiki taichou is in a precarious state…and he will need his friends," agreed Unohana taichou, "but you must realize and accept that he has also just possibly made an attempt to end his own life…and he destroyed Kuchiki Manor…"
"B-but…you said yourself that his reiatsu went out of control! If it went out of control, then how is that trying to kill himself?"
"I do not know that he did try to kill himself. That is what I am attempting to find out. If you will please wait here while I talk to Kuchiki taichou, I will assess his condition and as soon as it is possible, I will allow you in to see him."
Rukia set a calming hand on the riled redhead's arm.
"Renji," she said softly, "I think we should trust Unohana taichou to know what is best for my brother. I know you are worried. I am too, but we won't help him by panicking and getting in the way of his treatment."
Renji glared at her for a long moment, then he gave a rough sigh and leaned into her embrace.
"Okay…yeah, fine. You're probably right."
He looked up at the healer, who gave him a bracing smile.
"Do not worry, Abarai-san. I will conduct my examination immediately and allow you to see him as soon as I am able."
"Arigao, Unohana taichou," Renji said, nodding, "I apologize for giving you trouble. I just…"
"You just love my brother and you don't want him to be hurt," Rukia finished, kissing him on the cheek.
Renji sighed heavily again as the healer left them.
"I just hope that we are able to see him soon. He's a mess, Rukia. And he's only becoming more of a mess with every moment!"
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"Come out, Urahara!" Tohma yelled furiously, glaring at the shielded candy shop in front of him, "I know you and that bitch Shihoin are in there! I intercepted your hell butterfly. I know what lies you are trying to spread about me. But you have told your last lie! If you do not come out, I will destroy this place…and you with it!"
Kisuke took a step back from the curtain he had been peeking through and turned to Yoruichi.
"Tessai and the kids are down in the training room, ready to gate out?" he asked.
"Yes," Yoruichi answered, looking worriedly at the window, "Although Tessai wants to be up here helping. We should go, Kisuke. There's nothing to be gained by staying here. He knows we're on to him. If we stay, then he will only kill us."
"Yeah," said the shopkeeper, looking around, "I know. I just…hate to lose this place. It'll take forever to rebuild."
"But at least it can be rebuilt," said the cat-woman, "People can't be. Come on, Kisuke…"
"Your time is up!" shouted the prince, making the two turn in surprise.
A warning swell of reiatsu rumbled through the building.
"Run for the training room!" Kisuke cried, "Go!"
The two turned and burst into flash steps, racing down the hallway as the building shook and roared with the prince's released power. The shop began to shake itself apart, debris raining down on the two as they shot towards the training room entrance. Waves of intense heat and power broke over them, threatening to take them off of their feet.
We're not going to make it…
Kisuke turned just short of the training room entrance and brought Yoruichi to the ground with him, throwing a shield over them as the building exploded around them. The air darkened with smoke and ash and Kisuke felt his shield give way. They were thrown through the darkness and pummeled with debris, then slammed to the ground and buried with falling wreckage.
For several long minutes, the air around them remained silent and black…
Kisuke stirred and tried to stifle a cough as consciousness returned. He shifted experimentally and found that he could move somewhat, but was pinned under a large cracked beam. Yoruichi lay near him, her long hair tumbled and marked with several streaks of blood. She lifted herself onto shaky arms and crawled through the smoking debris to Kisuke's side. As she placed a hand on the beam and prepared to break it, Kisuke shook his head and placed his hand on top of hers.
"Don't," he breathed, "He'll hear…"
"He's going to find us anyway," Yoruichi whispered back.
"Go on," said the shopkeeper, looking into her eyes, I'll hold him off so you can escape. You have to get to Torio and keep the baby and him safe."
"I'm not leaving without you!" the cat woman insisted, "If you will just create a little distraction, I can get this off of you."
Kisuke's chest heaved softly and he turned his head at the sound of footsteps on breaking glass.
"Hurry Kisuke!" Yoruichi hissed, "He's coming!"
Kisuke gathered himself and send a small bolt of white lightning into a clump of debris some distance away as Yoruichi simultaneously struck the beam on top of the shopkeeper with a sharp jolt of kido. Tohma turned away as the beam cracked and Yoruichi pulled the shopkeeper free. Kisuke bit back a pained cry and allowed his aching body to be dragged away and forced down behind another clump of wreckage as Tohma found the place where they had been. The prince's lips curled into a cruel sneer.
"You won't get far," he growled, moving closer to where the two were concealed.
He was nearly upon them when a flash step sounded nearby.
"Prince Tohma, sir!" said an urgent male voice, "Word just came that there has been an explosion at Kuchiki Manor!"
Tohma froze.
"Byakuya?" he said, his stomach clenching painfully.
"He has been taken to the healing center," reported the man, "There is no word yet on his condition…but the report says that the manor was completely destroyed and that...that he seems to have done this himself!"
Tohma glared and sent a kido blast at the place where Kisuke and Yoruichi lay concealed. The two were thrown to the ground as the prince's reiatsu burned against their skin and his words assaulted them.
"I will return to Karakura Town…and I will find you. When I do…the two of you will die. I should have killed you years ago…"
He turned and flash stepped away with the messenger.
"He's gone," Yoruichi sighed, sitting up and releasing Kisuke.
The shopkeeper surveyed the mess around them.
"Yeah," he muttered unhappily, "So is my shop."
"So…what do we do now?" Yoruichi asked softly.
Kisuke leaned against her shoulder and pushed himself onto his feet.
"We take Torio and the baby and we go to Soutaichou. If anyone can protect those two from the prince, he can. And we can focus on helping Renji free Byakuya. I'm telling you, that guy is going to kill him…"
Yoruichi nodded and followed Kisuke to the hidden training room entrance. The shopkeeper released the seal on it and the two disappeared inside.
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Byakuya's head turned and his eyes met Unohana taichou's calmly as she entered the room and sat down next to him.
"Kuchiki taichou," she said quietly, "I apologize for the restraints and for keeping you from your family and friends, but before I can change any of that, I need for you to explain to me exactly what happened at Kuchiki Manor."
"I told you," Byakuya said softly, "My reiatsu became unstable. It went out of control and it started the fire…then it exploded."
The healer's eyes intensified and sank down into his.
"What happened just prior to that instability? What was your physical state? And what was in your mind?" she asked.
Byakuya swallowed and shifted uncomfortably.
"I was in my bed…and I was asleep. When Tohma and I arrived at the manor, he had the staff begin preparing a meal and I went into my room to rest. I had trouble falling asleep and so Tohma induced sleep for me."
"Did something happen between Tohma and you before you slept? Did you have any sort of disagreement?"
"Not a disagreement…no," said Byakuya.
"Did you engage in sexual intercourse?"
"Yes."
"Was it consensual?"
Byakuya blinked.
"We are married. I am required to…"
"That is not what I asked you," said the healer, "I asked if it was consensual."
"Yes."
Unohana leaned forward and touched a palm to Byakuya's bared chest. Frowning thoughtfully, she ran her hands over several areas, then sat back, still frowning.
"I see that you have been injured again by Senbonzakura…and then healed. How did this happen?"
Byakuya lowered his eyes.
"It was…"
"It was no accident," the healer said, anticipating his words, "So if that is what you are about to tell me, then realize that I know better. The pattern of cuts is the same as before."
Byakuya held his breath for a moment, then loosed it in a sigh.
"It was not an accident," he admitted softly.
The healer nodded and met his eyes sadly.
"And did you command your zanpakutou to attack you, or was it Prince Tohma?" she asked.
"You and I both know the answer to that, I think," Byakuya said, "I would not force Senbonzakura to repeatedly injure me."
"And why did Tohma do this to you?"
Byakuya sighed softly again.
"If you had asked me that question before, I wouldn't have been able to answer you. But it seems…it seems that since leaving the healing center, I have begun to remember things…things he said to me, but that, for some reason, I could not remember before."
"But you remember now?"
"I remember. Tohma used this method to punish me when I disappointed him."
"And how did you disappoint him?"
Byakuya blinked several times and took a breath.
"That is between us," he said, meeting Unohana's eyes squarely, "Tohma is royalty and, his spouse though I may be, I am subject to his will. As with any other servant of royalty, I may be punished if he wills it…"
"But that punishment is meant to fit the circumstances," responded the healer, "…so I think it fair and appropriate to ask what you did that required such a harsh punishment."
"And I am well within my rights to decline to answer," Byakuya replied solemnly, "I understand that you have the right to detain me and to refuse to allow me contact with any but Tohma. I will understand if you choose to…"
"Byakuya-san," the healer said, gently, "I am not attempting to force you to answer me. I am only making certain that my patient is not in immediate danger…and that my colleague and friend is not being abused. I will, of course, allow you to see Rukia and Renji. But before I do that, I must make certain that you are taken care of. I must ask a few very pointed questions, and I hope you will answer, and answer honestly."
Byakuya's eyes softened and he nodded silently.
"My first question is…did you attempt to use your powers to end your life at Kuchiki Manor tonight?"
Byakuya considered the question in silence for several minutes.
"Honestly…" he said softly, "I do not know. I want to say with certainty what my intent was for myself…but I cannot. I do know that I was concerned for my staff. As I returned home, it became clear to me that while I recovered in the hospital, Tohma loosed his 'punishment' on members of my staff…people who have served my family for over a hundred years. These people are not ordinary servants. They are dear to my family…and we are grateful to them for their years of loyalty and service. It is not right for such people to suffer in that way."
The healer leaned forward and placed her hands on his shoulders.
"My friend," she said, with sadness and affection, "It is not right for anyone to suffer so."
Byakuya took a trembling breath.
"And I was at a loss of what to do. I could not let it go on…that evil to harm them so. And yes, it was a rash action…and I regret it, because it could have easily backfired…and those people I wanted to protect could have been hurt. So…yes…I did initially loose my powers on Kuchiki Manor with the intent of burning it to the ground…but I never intended to hurt them…"
"Just yourself…and perhaps…him?"
Byakuya was wise enough not to answer, but he could see that she knew anyway.
"Unohana taichou…must I remain in restraints?"
The healer looked at him sadly.
"For now, yes. But I will send Rukia and Renji in to see you, now that we have talked. I would order the restraints removed, but for the high probability that your actions were focused on a man of royal birth. When Tohma arrives, he will decide whether or not the restraints are necessary…as our laws state."
She started toward the door, but stopped just short of it.
"I am sorry, Byakuya-san," she said softly, without looking back.
The noble watched in silence as the door closed behind her, then opened again to admit Renji into the room. The redhead's eyes narrowed and anger flooded his expression as he spotted the restraints. He moved forward and sat down next to Byakuya, swallowing hard and trying to contain the furious emotion.
"Taichou…" he managed in a low tone.
"Where is Rukia?" Byakuya asked quietly.
"With Unohana taichou," replied Renji in a weary voice, "I think she is trying to gather as much information as she can."
The two fell silent for several minutes. Renji stared at one of Byakuya's wrists where it was held in a soft restraint and shivered with rage.
"That animal," Renji seethed, "He gets to wander around wherever he wants…hurting people…tormenting them…and he never has to answer for it. But you…I know you. You weren't trying to hurt them…"
He trailed off, tears rising in his eyes.
"But I don't understand…why you would try to hurt yourself…"
"I don't know exactly why I did this," Byakuya said sadly, "I think it was panic…and helplessness. And I was overwrought, learning that you and I had conceived another child…and I worried that I could not protect our child…that I would our child again…as happened before."
Renji frowned in surprise.
"You say…you are pregnant again?" he asked softly.
"Hai…I sensed the new reiatsu only today. And once I did, I knew that I had to protect our child. I will not let him or her be hurt as our son was. Renji…I know it is hopeless for us to run. We will eventually be found. But…I would rather have that small bit of time with you and our child…than to endure this hell…anymore. I would take death's hand quietly, knowing that you and our child are safe."
Renji's lips tightened and a tear rolled down his cheek. Byakuya stared at him questioningly.
"Renji," the noble whispered, "What is wrong?"
"Bya…" Renji sobbed softly, "The baby isn't mine this time."
"What?" Byakuya whispered, his face paling, "But you and I…"
"It didn't happen," Renji whispered, wiping the tears from his eyes and biting his lip to regain his composure, "I didn't have sex with you."
"What?" Byakuya said again, his eyes widening, "Then…this…this baby…"
The door opened again and Tohma stepped into the room. He glared at Renji, then froze for a moment as he took in the pain on his spouse's face. He shook his head to force away the feelings that cut through him and went back to glaring at the redhead.
"It seems to have become a pattern with you to approach my spouse at every opportunity as soon as I turn my back…" he said in a low, dangerous voice, "Leave us. I need to talk to Byakuya."
Renji glared back at the prince, but slowly backed away and left the room. Tohma turned to Byakuya and stepped forward. He sat down next to the noble and let his fingers stroke the restraints on one slender wrist.
"Byakuya," he said softly, "I came as soon as I heard about the explosion at Kuchiki Manor. Are you all right?"
Byakuya nodded wordlessly, his eyes wide and the words stopped in his throat as he looked back at Tohma.
"That is good," Tohma went on, "But I am at a loss to understand. I left you sleeping. And yet, you came awake and your reiatsu went out of control. Something obviously upset you…upset you enough that you lost control. And now, it seems, you are suspected of not only trying to end your life…but trying to end mine as well. So tell me…did you think that I was still with you? Did you try to kill me?"
"I don't know what happened," Byakuya whispered, "I lost control…"
"Why? What unsettled you so? Tell me…so that I can order you freed and we can leave this place together."
"I…I realized that…I…Tohma…I am with child again."
"Really?" the prince said, his lips curving into a dreamy smile, "but that is a beautiful thing…something to celebrate, ne? It is not a reason to lose control. What is it? Did you fear my reaction? Did you think that I would be angry?"
"You had only just given me punishment for…"
"…adultery, yes…yes, I had. But…Byakuya, you must understand. I will not hurt our child…even though you had to commit adultery to conceive him…"
"But Tohma…"
"Shhh…I will not punish you anymore. But I will ask for something. You must stay away from Abarai Renji…from now on. Now that this child is on its way, you must leave all thoughts of him behind. We will go immediately to the spirit realm and never return here. You will leave everything behind…and never look back."
"But Tohma…it isn't necessary to do that," Byakuya said, a smile coming to his lips, "This baby…"
Byakuya froze and went silent as Tohma's hand struck his face. He stared in dismay at the prince's furious expression.
"I said that you will never see Abarai Renji again…never see him…never speak to him…and never let him cross your mind…again. Do you understand?"
Byakuya lowered his eyes and nodded silently.
"Now…I am going to see to your paperwork. I will release the restraints so that you may prepare to leave."
Byakuya watched as he loosed the restraints, then stepped back and turned away. As soon as the door closed, he was in his feet and dressing hurriedly. When he was dressed he started toward the door, but stopped as the door opened and Rukia and Renji walked in.
"Nii-sama, they are releasing you?" Rukia asked.
"Yes," Byakuya said, swallowing hard, "But Tohma intends that we should leave for the spirit dimension now."
"Now?" said Renji, beginning to look desperate, "Taichou…Kisuke and Yoruichi have uncovered something important. I meant to tell you before…but we didn't have time. Kisuke said that Naoki discovered that Tohma wasn't the queen's son! We don't know who his mother was. But we do know that he was involved in the queen's death…and that the king covered it up to protect him…or maybe someone else. You can't leave! Not yet! We have to figure out…"
"He won't change his mind," Byakuya said quietly, "Whatever you do, you must…"
The noble froze as a memory flashed across his mind.
I was not born of the queen…
Her name was…
Her name was…
Byakuya gasped and his face went white.
"Oh…oh kami! Renji! Renji, her name was Abarai! That's it! That's why! Renji, that's why he chose me. He knew! Renji, he knew I was in love with you…that we were together that night…everything! He knew!"
"Whoa…what are you talking about? Whose name was Abarai?"
"I remember now!" Byakuya managed in a whisper, "I remember everything…everything he told me. He said that after birthing their first son, the queen was unable to bear another. But she convinced the king to disguise himself and to go to Inuzuri…to make a child with one of the women there. That woman…her name was Abarai! And Tohma was born…and the king took him away. The woman died that night…but not before…she gave birth to another child…you…Renji! You are Tohma's twin brother."
Renji and Rukia stared at him in disbelief.
"That's why. You see…the queen regretted her decision to make a child that way…and to protect her own son's right to the crown, she treated Tohma cruelly…and had him sterilized. Tohma…broke under the strain of it…and when she abused him, it became too much and he killed her. The king understood why Tohma had acted out, but didn't know what to do. He covered up the crime and quietly remarried…and hoped it would all go away. But Tohma had been deeply affected…and now…"
He broke off, shaking his head.
"It doesn't matter," the noble whispered, "because if this baby is not yours…it can only be his. I wasn't with anyone else. It is over. It is really over now, Renji. He's going to take me to the palace…and he will never let me come back. But at very least…you have the truth. You are Tohma's brother. You are a son of the king."
Renji stared more intently, realization rising in his eyes.
"Byakuya…Byakuya, that's it! I am his brother! I'm royal. Byakuya, I can get you free!"
"But we have to reach the royal court!" Byakuya said desperately, "How will we get into the spirit realm?"
"Soutaichou," said Renji, "He will believe us. He will let us in!"
"But we must go quickly," said Rukia, "before he…"
The door swung open and banged against the wall.
"Go where?" Tohma demanded, his golden eyes flaring, "Byakuya belongs to me! He stays…with me. Get out!"
A sudden flash of kido from Rukia's hands threw the prince off his feet. Renji grabbed Byakuya and flashed stepped toward the window.
"Cover your face, Taichou," he yelled, then the two crashed through and outside.
Renji held Byakuya close and brought them down to the ground, then touched the seal on his powers and released him.
"Run!" he hissed, spotting Tohma in the window.
"But…Rukia!"
"She'll be fine!" Renji promised, "Run for the first division! We have to get to the spirit realm!"
The two turned together and flash stepped away with the prince close behind.