Chapter 7: The Runaway
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Yours were the ways of control. Your power wrapped around me like a vise, and slowly it tightened, squeezing the breath from my lungs in desperate screams, the strength from my numbed limbs, and the hope from my dying heart. But one thing reached through all of the pain and caused me to straighten against it, to rise up, to throw it off. Love still existed…and even you…could not make it disappear completely.
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"It isn't your fault, Renji," Rukia said, leaning against the distraught redhead's shoulder and gazing down at the silent, blank expression on her brother's face, "You didn't do anything wrong. Stop blaming yourself."
"Look at him!" Renji half-sobbed, "Hiromi warned me that I caused him to have a setback by making love to him…and he's right, Rukia. Byakuya was in no shape to be having sex with anyone! He's so messed up inside…Rukia…how's he ever going to find his way out?"
Rukia nuzzled into Renji's arms and took his face in her hands, gently bringing his eyes to meet hers.
"Renji…listen to me. Byakuya's setback was not your fault. You are right about one thing. My brother is really damaged inside. Aizen Sousuke has manipulated him so badly that we couldn't just expect that he would wake up and everything would be fine."
"But…he was getting better," Renji said in a choked voice, "We were interacting really normally. He was even talking about things that had happened…and he was obviously still hurting over them…but he was dealing with everything. When he asked me to make love to him…I…I thought that it meant that he needed to feel close to me. It was stupid of me. It was naïve. Because…all of a sudden, he seemed to change, you know? He…just…without even…so I know it hurt him physically when we were together, but I couldn't stop him. There was something odd in his eyes, Rukia…like he was somewhere else. And…at the end…he called that bastard's name. He choked on it as he said it…like it was forced, but he still said it. Then he seemed to come back to himself and realized what he'd done. I brushed it off. I knew he didn't mean it. I understood why it happened. But I never expected it would set him back like this."
"Renji, it…"
"Don't try to make me feel better!" Renji hissed softly, "Don't fucking try to tell me that it wasn't my fault! He was already hurting in a million different ways…and all I did was add enough weight to do this. And now he's lying there, catatonic…and I don't care what you say. I know it's because of what I did."
"Hey," said a warm, feminine voice from the doorway, "You two mind if I join you?"
Rukia and Renji turned, forcing smiles.
"Oh, hi Yoruichi," said Rukia, "Come in."
Yoruichi sat down next to Renji, gazing down at the dark, glazed eyes of the man in the bed and shaking her head sadly.
"How long has he been like this?" she asked softly.
"Since sometime last night," Rukia answered, "A healer came in to check on him and he was like this…"
Renji stood abruptly and flash stepped out of the room. Yoruichi looked up at Rukia questioningly.
"He's taking it pretty hard, huh?" she asked, reaching out to touch Byakuya's hand.
"He blames himself, because he thinks that he made things worse."
Yoruichi frowned.
"How?"
Rukia sighed.
"He was here with Byakuya and my brother was doing really well, opening up and starting to talk about things. At some point, Byakuya convinced Renji to become intimate with him. And I guess he was still remembering what Aizen did to him. Renji noticed that he wasn't acting like himself while they were together…but when it was over, he seemed to be okay. When Hiromi sent Renji out of the room, my brother was fine. He was awake…and he was talking and eating. Yoruichi…something inside me tells me that Renji isn't at fault for this. I just feel very strongly that it was something else…"
The young woman sighed heavily.
"Would you mind sitting with him for a bit? I need to go find Renji and talk to him."
"Sure…but Rukia…where is Hiromi now? Why isn't he here with Byakuya?" asked Yoruichi.
"Oh…he left word that he was leaving to consult with some specialists and he'll be back in a few days. He left Hanatarou to tend to my brother until he returns. He'll be in again soon to check on Byakuya."
"Oh…okay. Well…I hope you can get through to Renji," Yoruichi said sadly, "He needs to stop blaming himself. This is just a horrid situation…and Byakuya needs Renji right now. He shouldn't waste time blaming himself. Yes…it was likely a mistake to let things happen like that between them while Byakuya was still recovering, but who can blame the two of them for wanting to be together? They were kept apart for five years…"
"Yeah…" Rukia agreed softly.
She rose quietly, hugged Yoruichi and left the room. Yoruichi sighed and slipped a hand into Byakuya's, studying him with calm, but damp eyes.
"You flash stepped into a world of trouble this time, didn't you, little Byakuya. I'm sorry. I'm sorry that the information we gave you…and that you built your plans on was wrong, that Soutaichou didn't listen to your request…and a hundred other things. You should never have been sent there…and all of us carry the weight of your having gone…but none so greatly as you…probably the one of us who deserved it least. I'm sorry, Byakuya…I'm so sorry."
Yoruichi felt a sudden, faint fluctuation in the spirit energy in the room. She tilted her head questioningly, scanning the room carefully and narrowing her eyes.
"Something…" she whispered.
The door opened and Hanatarou walked into the room.
"Ah…Yoruichi!"
"Oh, hello, Hanatarou," she answered, standing.
"I'll only be a couple of minutes," he assured her, "You don't need to go."
"That's all right," Yoruichi said, gazing intently at the man in the hospital bed, "I need to be on my way. Hanatarou…please see that Kuchiki Byakuya is not left alone."
"Hai…I will wait here until Rukia comes back."
"Thank you, Hanatarou," she said, flash stepping out the door.
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"You see," Sousuke's voice whispered into Byakuya's spinning mind, "There is no more need for pain or cruelty between us. Now that we are together, I promise that all of our lovemaking will be this gentle…this intense. It was…pleasing to you, ne? You did release my name quite passionately at the end, Bya."
Byakuya turned away, cringing inwardly as Aizen's body curled around his. He pulled the hair away from the noble's throat and kissed his way from shoulder to ear.
"I wish I could stay and enjoy this longer, but I have some things I must see to. Would you like to join me for a quick shower?"
"No…I…"
"Nonsense…I will go ask Mika to make tea and I will join you. Go and get started."
Byakuya released a soft sigh of resignation and pulled away. Aizen's eyes followed until the bathroom door closed behind him, then he rose and flash stepped away.
Byakuya undressed slowly, trying to ignore the soft shaking of his body and the uncomfortable feel of wetness along his inner thighs. His flesh still crawled where Aizen's hands had touched him, leaving him feeling sick and shaken. He turned the water on and stepped into the shower, not even waiting for the water to warm. He grabbed a washcloth and soap, then began scrubbing everywhere his skin still registered Aizen's touch.
It had nothing to do with the gentleness or harshness of how he was touched, but the simple fact that these same hands had only ever been used to restrain or inflict pain upon him. So broken was the noble's sense of touch that all of Aizen's touches brought pain…and on some level, Aizen Sousuke, he thought, had to be aware of that. The hot water splashed onto his face, allowing him to loose a few silent tears of frustration as he fought down the waves of revulsion…and at this point he had to wonder who disgusted him more…Aizen or himself. He knew that having sex with Aizen was necessary and unavoidable at this point, but it wore on his spirits to let something so wicked touch him, enter him, and leave its vileness so deep inside it could never be washed away.
Not that he didn't try…
He scrubbed at his skin viciously until he caught a coppery scent. As he pulled the washcloth away and stared at the redness, the shower door opened and dark brown eyes came to rest on him. The other's usually calm face contorted into something between shock and fury and he stepped in under the water, gripping Byakuya's wrists until the washcloth dropped from his hand. Aizen pushed at him until his back rested against the tiled wall and their faces were close together.
"You have to stop doing this to yourself," the other's soft voice told him, "You are going out of control and I won't be able to let you near your daughter while you are like this. I've been exceedingly careful to not allow anything to darken her life…and you will not be allowed to ruin that. Now, hold still…"
Healing light flared around him and Aizen's hands moved over every inch of exposed skin, erasing the damage he had done, leaving his pale skin perfect again. He brought Byakuya's head down onto his shoulder and turned him so the water rained down onto his back. He kissed the noble's soft, tearstained cheek and touched light fingertips to his temple. Aizen's power overtook his mind and his body sagged tiredly against his captor's chest and shoulder, pouring all of its effort into slow, even breaths.
"Shhh…" whispered Aizen, pressing his cheek to Byakuya's and bringing his lips to the noble's ear, "Just let go…Let everything slip away. Let me calm your mind. Rest."
And numbness settled in around body and mind, bringing a return of calm. Aizen continued to hold him in place while washing himself, then carefully washing Byakuya's hair. They exchanged no more words and after stepping out of the shower and drying off. Aizen wrapped a clean yukata around Byakuya and tied it, then lifted him and carried him back to the bed.
"You need more rest, I think. Drink your tea. I will tell Akane that we will take our walk after you have rested."
Byakuya barely noticed when he left the room. He did, however, notice the very slight odd scent to the tea…an oddity most would miss, but he had been carefully trained to detect. He almost drank it anyway…desiring nothing more than a way to forget the feel of Aizen's hands and body on his, but something made him get out of bed and empty the cup into the sink, before returning to the bed and lying down. He closed his eyes and evened his breathing, making no sound, nor moving as the door opened and Aizen stepped into the room with Mika.
"I've got a sort of an emergency to attend to," he said softly, "Byakuya has had his medication and will sleep until well after the healers arrive to return him to the hospital. Your escort will be here in a half hour or so…so you won't be unattended for long. But use caution while I am gone."
"Yes, of course, Aizen-sama…although I know Akane will be disappointed."
"Yes…please tell her I am very sorry to have had to leave, but Byakuya and I will visit again soon."
He heard the two leave the room and waited until he felt Aizen's spiritual pressure fade. Then, he slipped out of bed and searched the room for other clothing, but found none. Sighing resignedly, he opened his door slightly and peeked out. All was quiet and Mika sat, watching television. He entered the hallway on silent feet and made his way along, looking into the bedrooms until he found a yukata to wear. He continued until he found Akane's room, then moved quietly to her side and touched her shoulder lightly to wake her.
"Daddy Bya," she said, smiling.
He put a finger to her lips.
"You must be very quiet," he whispered, "Akane…we must leave this place as quietly as possible…come with me."
Thinking it must be a game, the little red haired girl let him lift her into his arms and carry her down the hallway and past the room where Mika still reclined. He got to the front door and looked out. Seeing no sign of guards, he opened the door. A soft chime reverberated through the house and he heard Mika climbing out of her chair. Abandoning stealth, Byakuya moved through the door and quickly closed it, then took cover behind some bushes as the door opened and Mika looked out. As soon as the door closed again, he fled down the street and around the corner, not daring to look back. Akane clung to him and giggled at the urgency with which he moved.
"Where are we going?" she asked softly.
"We are in the living world, right?" he asked.
Akane looked at him blankly.
"Are we in Karakura Town?"
"Oh," she laughed, "yes…this is Karakura Town. You didn't know that, Daddy Bya?"
"I…have been ill. I wasn't sure. Akane…do you know how to get to the shopping district from here?"
"Oh, that's easy!" the girl said, "We follow the river there. Mika takes me there all of the time. You want to go shopping in your pajamas? You're funny, Daddy Bya!"
He moved away from the street, following the bank of the river and steering clear of other people. But he couldn't help but attract some curious stares, the way he was dressed. He breathed a sigh of relief as he spotted the beginning of the downtown area. He started across the park they were in and had almost reached the edge when a voice called out behind him.
"Stop, Kuchiki-san!"
He broke into a run, holding Akane against him. Flash steps sounded all around him and he found himself surrounded by five menacing figures.
"Come back to the house," said the one in front of him, "We have already sent for Aizen-sama. He will be upset that you left the house without him."
"Daddy Bya, what's wrong? Why are you shivering? Are you cold?" Akane asked.
The guards closed in around him and Byakuya looked around desperately for a way out…but with his power sealed away…and all alone…
"Hey there, Byakuya," said a familiar voice, "These jerks giving you a hard time?"
Byakuya met Kurosaki Ichigo's eyes warily.
"I thought you were unconscious in the Seireitei…Looks like I was wrong."
"Get outta here, kid," said one of the guards, "or we'll squash you."
Ichigo gave a short, sarcastic laugh and drew his zanpakutou.
"I don't think so!"
"Get him!"
Two of the guards charged at Ichigo, while the other three ringed Byakuya and closed in. Hands took hold of him and tried to pull Akane from his arms. The girl squealed and kicked at the men taking hold of them. A moment later, Ichigo appeared as though from nowhere and tore the hands free of them.
"Run!" he yelled at Byakuya, "I'll keep them back! Just go!"
Byakuya turned and ran in the direction Ichigo had come from. Akane clung to him, saying nothing, but shaking softly in his arms. He rounded several corners and crossed a second park, before finding himself in familiar territory. He spotted Urahara's shop and broke into a run again. As he reached the driveway, the front door opened and Tessai stepped outside. He stared questioningly at the barely dressed man and the pajama clad girl.
"Please call Urahara Kisuke…quickly. We must get out of sight!" hissed Byakuya.
Another head peeked out from inside the shop and Byakuya heard a soft sound of surprise.
"Kuchiki taichou?" Urahara said, gazing from him to the girl in his arms.
"Aizen Sousuke is pursuing us," he told the shopkeeper, his eyes flicking nervously around, "We must get out of sight!"
Kisuke took on a serious expression.
"Come with me."