Chapter 11: Words Exchanged at Dawn
"Byakuya? You look as though you are in pain. Yori, I thought you said this poison wouldn't cause painful symptoms. Yet, the captain looks extremely uncomfortable."
I try to pull away from the physician's hands. They make my flesh crawl.
"Captain, you're only going to cause yourself more discomfort by working against me. Do hold still. The poison isn't so much the problem. It has simply broken down his ability to use and resist spirit energy. Even though the kido spells used against him were not meant to do damage, they affected him more greatly because his resistance to them is so low. This is affecting his weakened nervous system and causing pain. Because he is nearing death, everything is breaking down."
"Yori, we are not uncivilized monsters. The captain will die as the poison dictates, but you are to see that he is not in any pain."
"Do you wish for me to euthanize him?" Yori asks quietly.
"No," Raiden replies thoughtfully, "I have something else in mind for him. Tell me, you say that he is nearing death…how long would you say it will be?"
There is a long pause.
"Twelve to twenty-four hours. Truthfully, I would be surprised if he lived until dawn."
"I see," Raiden says, looking into my pain-glazed eyes, "Yori, I want you to see that you relieve his pain…even if you must induce unconsciousness to do so."
Raiden reaches down and runs his fingers lightly over the pendant at my throat, his eyes still on mine.
"Byakuya, you are not my enemy. You are simply the means to an end, but you have served your purpose well and I no longer need to confine you here."
"What…do you mean?" I ask.
"You have shown me that the poison is effective and you have helped me to take revenge on Renji Abarai. I am satisfied with that. You are close to a death you cannot avoid. I don't think it is necessary for you to die here. You would like to see Renji again before you die, correct?"
"Raiden," I say softly, "I may be dying, but I haven't lost the ability to reason. I believe what you mean to say is that you are satisfied now that I cannot escape death and you don't need me here to confirm it, so you are going to end your games with Renji. You are thinking that you can, in some way, inflict more damage by returning me to him."
Raiden smiles sympathetically.
"Guilty as charged, I'm afraid. But don't worry about it. At very least it will allow you to die in your lover's arms."
"I would rather end my own life now, Raiden, so you had better be certain that the restraints you are using are sufficient to hold me this time. If I am given the opportunity, I will end this…and I will not leave this place alone."
He touches my face appreciatively.
"Admirable, Captain. You are every bit the man your reputation claims you to be. Sleep then. When you wake again, I think you will find yourself in a more familiar place. Yori, please give Byakuya something to help him sleep."
I feel the stinging sensation of a needle prick on my arm and Raiden's face slowly fades into the fog that surrounds me.
XXXXXXXXXX
"Rikichi, have you sensed where in the building they are keeping him?" I ask softly.
Rikichi nods.
He is near the back. There are several places near his location that are protected enough to serve as entry points, but we have to be careful. This place is well guarded. This won't be easy."
"Right…well, it never is, is it. Come on, then. It's already well past midnight. Rikichi, let us know when to move."
"Shouldn't we call for the stealth force?" Takeo asks.
"No time," I tell him, "We have to get him out of there. I don't know how I know, but I just feel like we are out of time. He was already weakening when they took him. Who knows what condition he's in now. My heart tells me not to wait, Takeo. I feel as if I don't follow my heart right now, I'm going to lose him…and I can't let that happen. We'll call them when we have Byakuya back."
Takeo nods and moves to Rikichi's side.
Rikichi studies the reiatsu patterns of the guards. He furrows his brow, focusing. I don't know how he and Byakuya do this stuff. It is completely lost on me. Rikichi is good at this…and Byakuya is amazing. I'm not even passable at it…and it looks like I've managed to pass that charming deficiency on to my son. Takeo sees me looking at him and steps away from Rikichi to join me.
"I hate what Raiden is doing to you," he says softly, "I hate what he did to my mother. I want him to pay for that."
"I do too, Takeo," I tell my son, "I hope you know that I did love Kasumi. I had already decided to marry her…and I looked forward to your birth. I was devastated when she died, but I didn't have the rage about it that I do now, because I didn't know what had really been done. Takeo, if I'd known she was an agent…and that she was in danger of being killed, there isn't anything I wouldn't have done to protect her."
"I know," Takeo says, "and I hope you don't think I ever blamed you for what happened. Michi made sure I knew that my parents loved me and that it was only for my own safety that you weren't being told I had survived. I guess it was wrong to wait so long to find you, but I was very focused on trying to find a way to avenge her. And once I realized how powerful Raiden is, I knew I couldn't face him alone. Even if Raiden hadn't sent me…I would have come looking for you. I just feel awful that he used me to do this to Captain Kuchiki. I know you love him…and now Raiden is trying to take him from you the way he took my mother. We have to stop him. I know I'm not strong enough to do it alone, but I think if you help me, we can do this. We can make that man pay for everything he has done!"
"Yes," I agree, "he will pay. But right now we have to focus on Byakuya. Revenge will have its time and place, but Byakuya has to come first. We have to put all of our effort into saving him. I hope you understand, Takeo."
"Of course I do," he assures me, placing a hand on my arm, "He took my mother from us, but he will not take our captain. We'll stop him."
I rest my hand on top of his.
"Yes," I agree, "we will."
"It's time," Rikichi says, moving to the edge of the bushes.
We move to join him. He watches carefully, then motions for us to move. We slip out from behind the bushes and run silently to the building, ducking into the brush again. We move along the side of the building until we reach the window Rikichi indicates is the best place to enter and he extends his senses to make sure there is no one inside. Calling on my Rukon background, I work the window open and we ease ourselves inside. I slide the window shut so it won't draw the attention of the guards outside.
"Which way now?" I whisper.
Rikichi extends his senses again and motions for us to follow. He moves to the door and cracks it open, peering cautiously through into the hallway.
"There is a guard," he warns softly, "right outside the door where I sensed the captain earlier. But Renji, something is odd. I'm not sensing the captain now. His reiatsu was very low to begin with. He might have lowered it if he is planning another escape attempt, if he is sleeping or…"
"Yeah, I know. All right. I have a fast enough flash step to reach the guard, but this all hinges on me taking him down silently. If I blow it and attract more guards, we have to grab him and get out. We don't want to take on the whole base."
Rikichi and Takeo nod.
"Move now, Renji," Rikichi urges me, "The other nearby guards are less likely to sense you. Go!"
I open the door silently and focus on the lone guard outside Byakuya's door. I take a quick breath to steady my nerves, then engage the flash step. I am down the hall in a heartbeat and I bring the butt of my zanpakuto down on his head, dropping him in his tracks with no more than a muted whimper. Rikichi and Takeo run down the hallway to join me. I turn the handle on the door to Byakuya's room and we step inside. The lights are off and the room is dark and silent. Rikichi drags the guard inside and we cross the room to the bed. We stare in shock as we realize that the bed is empty. All that is left there is a slip of paper. I take it and move to the window where the moonlight is strong enough to read by.
Renji Abarai-
I give you full marks for getting this far, but it has all been for nothing. I have taken my revenge. You have lost Byakuya. But take heart, I will not leave you in doubt as to his location. You will find him where I left her. You'd best move quickly if you wish to say good-bye.
"Damn!"
As I move back toward the others, I notice something else on the bed. I lean over and pick up the gold sakura pendant I gave Byakuya for our first anniversary. I place it around my neck next to the silver fang he gave me.
"Renji, come on," Rikichi urges me, "maybe there is still time."
But as we turn to leave, the door bursts open and armed men burst into the room. We break through the window and run for the fence, but enemies are everywhere and closing in quickly.
"Ban Kai, Hiwashi, Tenrei Hishou!" shouts Rikichi.
"Ban Kai, Hihio Zabimaru!"
"Houkou, Kageookami!"
The fire eagle rises and turns, sweeping around us and sending white fire flashing all around. The skeletal snake rises, curling around us.
"Hikotsu Taiho!"
Red fire blasts from the snake's mouth and he soars forward, slamming into the attacking men.
The shadow wolf moves in flash steps, taking down enemies with slashing teeth and ear shattering howls.
The skeletal snake returns in time to stop a barrage of kido and zanpakuto attacks.
"Damn!" I shout, "We don't have time to take on the whole base!"
Rikichi glances at me before sending the fire eagle sweeping around for another attack.
"I'll bring the eagle close and you give us cover while we get onto it!" he cries.
I send Zabimaru flying into the attacking men again as the fire eagle lands and swells to a size large enough to carry us. We leap onto its back. As we rise into the air, kido attacks flare behind us.
"Dad, look out!"
Takeo slams into me taking us both down, tumbling from the eagle's back. Rikichi's response is instant. He sends white fire flashing out of the eagle's beak to provide us time to recover. As I drag myself to my feet, I notice Takeo hasn't moved. With no time to respond, I just grab him and leap back onto the eagle's back. Rikichi sends the eagle into the air as I lean over Takeo.
"How is he?" Rikichi yells, turning the eagle to evade some kido fire.
I check him carefully for injuries.
"He's stunned…a concussion, some cuts…nothing I can't manage," I assure Rikichi.
Healing light flares around my hands.
"Do you know where they've taken the captain?" Rikichi calls back.
I think back to what the note said.
"Yeah," I say, feeling sickness rising inside, "head for the river…the big oak tree on the east bank."
I don't want to think about it being too late…or about the memory that's pushing against my mind. But it reaches me anyway. My mind is assaulted with the memory of Kasumi lying underneath the oak tree, her body ice-cold and touched with dew. I wonder how long ago they took him there…how much of the night he has spent lying ice-cold on the hard ground, alone and dying. Angry tears threaten and the rage flares so hotly I feel Zabimaru flare against my hip. Takeo begins to stir. I turn to him, trying to smile .
"Hey," I say softly, "thanks for getting me out of the line of fire, kid."
He tries to sit up, but I push him back gently.
"Not yet…take a breather."
He nods and falls back, closing his eyes.
"You know," I tell him quietly, "You called me Dad."
His eyes remain closed, but he smiles.
"Yeah…I did, didn't I?
I nod.
"It sounded good, Takeo," I tell him, leaning forward and touching his shoulder, "You just…go right on calling me that."
His smile widens and his eyes open and meet mine.
"I will."
The eagle banks and starts to descend. The river appears out of the haze beneath us. Rikichi sends the eagle down along the east bank. The oak tree appears in the mist ahead of us.
"Be careful," I warn Rikichi, "He might be waiting for us.
Rikichi nods. The eagle sweeps in for a landing next to the tree and I am off and running before it has come to a stop. I run full speed through the mist, icy coldness in my veins as I spot a huddled form on the ground ahead of me. I slide to a stop, staring as history starts to repeat itself.
He's lying face-down, his head rested on his arms, his haori and scarf moving softly in the breeze. Motionless…I freeze. I can't close the distance. I can't do this again…
"Renji!" Rikichi cries, running to join me with Takeo on his heels.
The sound of my name forces me to move. I drop down beside him, tears rising in my eyes. His haori is damp and his skin is cold, but as I turn him over and pull him close, his eyes open and I can feel him shaking. I can't breathe. Then I see Kasumi's pendant at his throat and a sob escapes me.
"Byakuya!"
"Renji," he whispers, looking as though he isn't sure whether or not I'm real.
"Hang in there," I tell him, "We'll get you to Kurotsuchi. They are testing a counteragent. They found a recipe for one at the abandoned warehouse. "
"No…" he says, choking on his words, "Renji…think about it. Do you…really think he would be so careless? He as much as told me it isn't real."
I stare at him as the weight of what he says sinks in.
"But that's our only hope…" I whisper.
"No, Renji, it is meant to distract us. You have to…trust Kisuke."
I stare into the beautiful dark eyes and I know we have only enough time to reach one destination. Everything rests on this choice. He reaches up and touches my face with an ice-cold hand.
"I know you're out of your mind with worry, Renji, but you must think clearly. Raiden wouldn't allow us to obtain a cure so easily. If he had one, he would guard it carefully. He would have it in hand to protect it…and he would, most likely, have revealed its existence to me while I was with him."
I can't accept this!
"Listen to me, Renji, this is not just about revenge. Raiden is planning an attack on the highest ranking officers of the 13 Court Guard Squads. What he has done to us is only the beginning. I want Rikichi to take us to Kisuke…and as we go, you have to listen to what I learned. The stealth force needs to know about the attack he is planning. It is your duty to protect the other officers from his attack. You don't have time to concern yourself with what happens to me."
"Renji, we have to hurry," Rikichi says softly, "Where should we take him?"
I stare into Byakuya's eyes. He seems really sure about this…but…
"Renji," he says gently, "you have to trust me. The recipe they found is a lie. My best chance for survival lies with Kisuke."
I bring my forehead down to rest against his. His hair is damp and cold against my skin.
"Okay," I say, my voice shaking, "if that's what you want me to do…okay."
I lift him and carry him back to the waiting fire eagle. Rikichi and Takeo climb up behind us. I sit with Byakuya resting in my arms as the eagle rises into the air.
"I'll make him pay for this," I promise Byakuya, "He won't get away with what he has done!"
"I appreciate that Renji…but right now you have to focus. Take the pendant and I need you to memorize what I tell you about their plans. You need to remember in case…in case I should be…unable to tell them."
"You're going to be…"
"Focus, Vice Captain! Remember you duty."
That shocks me into work mode…at least enough so that I can attend as he explains what he found in the files at the base. When he finishes, I summon a hell butterfly and send it to Captain Soi Fon, asking her to meet us in Karakura Town. As it flies away, I see him gazing up at me, an unreadable look in his eyes.
"Have we seen to our duty now, Captain?" I ask softly.
He nods and his eyes close.
"Then let me take care of you now, okay? Just let me take care of you."
"Arigato, Renji."
He is quiet for a moment.
"Renji, where is Senbonzakura?"
"Right here," I tell him, pulling it free from its place next to Zabimaru.
"I need you to unseal it. Don't worry, the spirit of my zanpakuto hasn't the strength for attack. I just…want to connect with it"
"Is that safe?" I ask, remembering what happened the last time the sword was unsealed.
"Yes, Renji, it is safe now," he assures me.
I extend my hands over the blade and break the seal. Unlike the last time, this action is met with silence…and the sword's spirit is quiet and calm. I sheathe the blade and set the zanpakuto in Byakuya's arms. He moves Senbonzakura so that the hilt rests against his right shoulder and the remainder rests along his right side. One pale hand curls lovingly around the sheath.
The fire eagle flares warmly beneath us as we race toward Karakura Town, and toward the only man left with any chance of keeping Byakuya alive.