Chapter 9: Depths
"So, do you really think that going back and talking to those jokers is gonna make any difference?" Grimmjow asked, following Ichigo into the garganta, "I mean, they married us without us even being there. What makes you think they'll give a shit about saying no in person?"
"I don't know," Ichigo confessed as he made a reaitsu path for them inside the cavern, "but I don't feel like letting those guys walk all over us, you know?"
"Yeah, I hear you."
"From the moment I learned I was a Shiba, it seems like everyone's trying to get me to do things I don't want to do. I just can't be accepting like Byakuya. I didn't grow up in a noble home."
"Well, neither did I, no matter what those assholes say. What's with that crap about being a Shihoin? I'm no fucking noble! Can you just see me in a formal kimono drinking goddamned tea and making nice with the stuffy elders?"
Ichigo snickered at the thought.
"Definitely not you," he agreed, "Although, my cousin, Kurushimi's noble house is pretty relaxed compared to the rest and you know, the Shihoin clan isn't exactly the most proper either. But I guess you can get away with more when there are so many talented family members. The Noble's General Council may be annoyed by Kuri-Kuri, but they need families that can pass on their power with the frequency his does."
"I got the impression it was more because they just have so damned many kids, the numbers are with them," Grimmjow snorted.
"Hey, don't say things like that!" Ichigo objected.
"Tell me those guys don't have a lot of kids," Grimmjow said, crossing his arms.
"W-well...I guess they do," Ichigo admitted, "So they like big families. That's not a bad thing."
"No, I never said it was. And I guess I kind of like that they're up there at the top of the food chain. After all, it proves you don't have to be a delicate looking, pansy-assed flower to be a rich noble, ne?"
"Are you making fun of my buddy, Byakuya?" Ichigo asked jokingly.
"What if I am?" Grimmjow snickered, "What are you gonna do about it?"
"I guess I'll have to bust your ass," Ichigo answered, pretending to frown.
"Yeah, name the time and place," the Espada teased him.
"And what?" Ichigo said skeptically, "You're not even healed all of the way. What're you gonna do, bleed all over me?"
"I may not be all of the way healed, but I can still beat the hell outta you!" Grimmjow snapped aggressively.
"Did you forget already who beat the hell outta who when we fought?" Ichigo giggled, flash stepping out of reach as Grimmjow lunged at him and continuing down the reiatsu trail he was making.
"You little shit!" the sexta Espada hissed furiously, "Come here and say that to my face!"
"Come here and make me!" Ichigo taunted him, flash stepping faster.
Grimmjow engaged his sonido, smiling and aiming himself at the disappearing shinigami.
"Let's see how you like real speed, you little piss-ant!"
A moment later, a look of surprise crossed his face as his sonido failed to engage. And as he crashed down onto the reiatsu path, it shattered and broke apart, loosing him into an uncontrolled tumble into the black abyss.
"Shit!" he howled, scrabbling at the bits of crumbling reatsu with grasping fingers.
He sucked in a stunned breath as Ichigo's hand suddenly wrapped around his wrist and the Shiba heir dragged him back onto the trail.
"Whew, that was close," Ichigo mused, "You okay there, Grimmjow?"
"Shut the fuck up...am I okay? Who the hell do you think you're talking to, asshole?"
"Well, you kinda just fell off the trail," Ichigo pointed out, looking amused.
"I didn't fall off!" the Espada objected furiously, "My sonido didn't engage and I fell on it! It's not supposed to break. That's the fault of your shitty control over your reiatsu!"
"Shitty control over my reiatsu, huh?" Ichigo said, scowling, "That's rich, coming from a guy whose sonido just took a hike."
"What the...? Would you just shut up and keep the damned trail under our feet? I don't know about you, but I don't wanna get caught up in this place for all eternity, you know?" Grimmjow snapped.
"All right, all right, sheesh. You don't need to be so pissy about it."
"He almost drops me into the goddamned abyss and he thinks it's pissy to get mad about it. You fucking moron! I don't know how you ever defeated me...or Aizen...or fucking Ywach! Nel in her toddler form is smarter than you!"
"Knock it off and get moving, will you?" Ichigo complained, "I wanna get out of here. This place is too creepy."
Grimmjow glared at the Shiba heir, who looked back at him questioningly. Grimmjow's blue eyes rolled and he made an annoyed gesture.
"The trail?" he said pointedly, "We kind of need someone to continue making one?" he reminded the ginger-haired man, "If my sonido isn't working, I don't think I can."
"Oh," Ichigo chuckled, "Sorry."
Grimmjow watched as Ichigo turned away and began blazing a trail for them again.
"Fucking idiot, Kurosaki..." he muttered, breaking into a run to follow.
XXXXXXXXXX
I don't know why I reacted like that, Tetsuya mused, keeping his eyes closed as his waterform floated freely in the depths of the icy, dark lake he rested in, I know that he didn't mean anything by it. How often did Naoki's name cross my lips after he died, even when I didn't mean to speak it at the time? The ones we love are always in our hearts. Kuri-Kuri is not jealous of Naoki and I have nothing to fear from his Hideaki. I suppose it just scared me to feel like I love someone again.
My father.
My mother.
Naoki.
Our baby.
One by one, each was taken away and I went on. It took a long time after the last for me to really feel connected to anyone. Thank kami for Byakuya-sama, my attendant, Koji, and Sadao-san and Mai-san taking me in as their son. If not for them, I don't know if I could have ever felt close to anyone again, since it seemed everyone I loved always died. It was a temptation to push everyone away. I'm sure Kuri-Kuri felt the same when he lost his father, then his lover. But even though we feel weak amidst losses like that, that is when we find we are stronger than we knew. I moved on and so did he. The ones we loved will not return to us in this lifetime, so we moved on and rebuilt our lives.
Then, he found me.
He keeps mentioning that feeling in his belly that happened when he looked at my face for the first time, and that still strikes him. It's a feeling that Hideaki gave him too. That's not a bad thing. He doesn't pretend we are the same. It is just to say that he knows that I am significant in his life. I feel something inside when I look at him, too. And now, we are married. This is a good thing. We have a chance to be happy. I won't ruin that by being childish about a slip of his tongue. It is nothing. Kuri-Kuri loves me. I have nothing to fear from his memories of Hideaki, any more than he has to worry about my memories of Naoki.
I was being silly and emotional.
But then...I've probably conceived our child. The physical effects, though not ones I'd feel begin immediately as the body registers the presence of my lover's reiatsu and seed. The spirit chamber forms and takes in that material, beginning the gestation. The exchange causes things like fatigue and some nausea, as well as emotional effects that the bearer might not realize are related to that. Yes, I learned all about male noble pregnancy when I was with child before. The healer in the prison explained everything to Naoki and me.
So, I got emotional because of the change in hormone levels, as well as the emotions that being with a new lover after what happened, could cause. It all makes some sense, now that I've slowed down to think.
I should go back.
I'm going to get the scolding of a lifetime from Magdelina and Antonia. I'm not used to that kind of a display of love. Kuri-Kuri and his family are so different in how they show their affection. They are passionate, extroverted people, while I've never been like that. Still, I feel such warmth inside being with them. I feel that powerful connection, like that I have with my adoptive parents and sisters. And they are my future now. We are bound together by my marriage to Kuri-Kuri.
It will be so strange not living at Kuchiki Manor. I suppose Kuri-Kuri will expect me to give up my duties there to focus on my role here. I don't know how that will be. Byakuya-sama trained me, himself, to be strong so that I could be a competent protector. But now, I am a child bearer, a clan wife. I wonder if that means that he'll treat me like I'm weak.
It almost feels like being in that cold, closed cell I lived in...my powers sealed and useless, my body weak and shaky, my heart just aching to be something more.
I'm confused.
What will he expect of me?
Tetsuya gave a bubbling sigh and pushed the thought away. He sensed the surface above him and slowly headed towards it, enjoying the last of the deep silence and peace that being under the water gave him.
But I could only hide for a little while to consider things.
It's time to go back and face the scolding they'll give me. While they snap at me, I'll just think about how it means that they care for me. They really are good people. I won't be lonely among them.
Tetsuya's body broke through the surface of the water and he expelled the moisture from inside before swimming to the shore. He climbed out of the water and took on a fresh waterform for a moment, then reverted to normal form with now dry body and clothing. Sighing sleepily, he turned back towards Shima Adobe, looking forward to returning to his bed to let his healing body rest.
My flash step and some of my innate powers that don't require much reiatsu have returned, but it will be awhile before I am fully recovered. The gestation will also affect my powers.
Tetsuya was still deep in thought and unaware as two white-clad forms burst out of the brush and at blazing speed, bore down on him. One caught him around the waist and curled an arm around his throat, while the second snapped a reiatsu repressing band around his wrist. Tetsuya instantly stepped back and threw his captor over a slim shoulder. He stumbled as the man managed to hang onto his wrist, pulling Tetsuya off balance as the second man struck at him from behind, hitting him hard on the back of the head and dropping him in his tracks. The man holding onto Tetsuya's wrist, released it and gave the collapsed shinigami an angry kick in the side, making his body tumble over.
"Knock it off," his partner said, "This is one of the clan wives, remember? Don't damage him."
The man on the ground spat furiously and climbed to his feet, then glared down at the unconscious shinigami.
"So, what now, Amsel?" he asked in an annoyed tone.
"Give me a minute."
Amsel knelt at Tetsuya's side and laid a hand on the noble's forehead.
"It will take a minute for my power to infiltrate and learn what he knows."
"So, you think he knows where the clan wives will gather for the confirmation of their pregnancies?"
"Exactly," Amsel confirmed, "And once we know where they will gather, it will just be a matter of making them all disappear. We will lure the husbands into a trap that will end the noble houses. Then, and only then, will Ywach-sama be avenged!"
"You should hurry," Amsel's companion complained, "The Shima bastard loves his new plaything and will come to find him."
"Be quiet, Kano," Amsel warned him, turning dangerous silvery eyes on his comrade, "It takes time for my power to invade his mind. But once it does, we will be able to monitor everything he senses. And with your power, we can make him act on our behalf as well."
"What should I make him do?" Kano asked, his lips curling into an evil smile.
"Oh, I am sure you will think of something."
"You should hurry," said Kano, "Someone is coming."
"Right. Use your power now. Infiltrate, but don't activate it yet. We will wait until we have what we want. Then...we will make very sure that Shima Kurushimi is one of the first to die!"
XXXXXXXXXX
"You are sure that Tetsuya did not say anything to you about going somewhere?"
"Where would he go, Byakurai?" Kuri asked, frowning, "It was our wedding night. We consummated our marriage and we went to sleep after. Why would he go anywhere?"
He gave the Kuchiki leader a sly smirk.
"I made sure he was too tired for much exertion. He won't be far from home."
Byakuya glared at the Shima leader and behind them, Renji suppressed a snicker.
"I don't suppose it occurred to you that being with you was difficult for him, given that he hasn't been with a lover since Naoki?" Byakuya said sternly.
"Oh, you don't mean to tell me that, for all of these years, no one has possessed those lovely, soft lips of his, Byakurai? Not anyone? Not...perhaps...you?"
Renji's jaw dropped at the scathing look his new husband gave the Shima leader, and he reeled at the Kuchiki leader's next, unusually heated words.
"We were never lovers!" Byakuya snapped angrily, "We were teen boys exploring each other! It was private and you had no business spying on us!"
"Y-you were kissing Tetsuya?" Renji asked dazedly, his mind imagining the two teen Kuchiki's in an amorous lip-lock.
Holy hell!
"I wasn't spying on you," Kuri assured him, biting at his lips in amusement, "You know that I had never seen Tetsu-hana's lovely face before I found him injured. It was a suspicion, that's all."
"Never mind that now!" Byakuya hissed, "Let's find my cousin."
He turned away and started to walk on, only to be stopped by Renji's still surprised voice.
"You made out with Tetsuya, really?" he asked, "Did you use tongue?"
"Y-yes...no...Shut up!" the Kuchiki heir seethed, "Just...look for Tetsuya and neither of you speak to me!"
He departed in a vicious flash step, leaving Renji and Kuri looking after him.
"Are you jealous, Ren Ren-nii?" Kuri asked, "Don't be. Even if they did kiss, it was just innocent play. Tetsu-hana would have known that if they were caught by the clan elders, they would have sent Tetsu-hana away. It was much frowned upon to play with mixed bloods and commoners back then."
"It's not exactly smiled upon now," Renji mused.
"No, but there are ways around the bigotry."
Renji tilted his head slightly.
"Oh yeah? What does that mean?"
"Come, Ren Ren-nii," the Shima leader said, cutting him off, "we must find Tetsu-hana before my mother and sister kill me."
"Oh yeah, right. Sorry."
The two followed in the direction Byakuya had gone, and rejoined him several minutes later, where he stood at the edge of a dark, mist-enshrouded lake.
"He was here," Byakuya said with certainty, "but he isn't here now."
"It's kinda creepy here," Renji mused, shivering.
"Tetsuya is fond of immersing himself in water to relax and think sometimes," the Kuchiki leader explained, "Even though his injury interfered with his powers, innate abilities, like his ability to breathe under water would have still been working. He probably came here to reflect on things. His reiatsu seems slightly riled, but not in disarray."
He turned a skeptical eye on Kuri.
"Are you sure that the two of you did not argue?" he asked sternly.
"I told you, no," Kuri insisted, "The last I saw him, he was sleeping quite contentedly in my arms. I have no idea, unless I spoke in my sleep and angered him, how I could have offended him."
"Byakuya!" Renji exclaimed suddenly, "Look, over there."
Kuri and Byakuya followed Renji's gaze to where a collapsed form laid on the ground amidst the nearby long grasses. Byakuya inhaled sharply and the three flash-stepped to where they found Tetsuya's fallen form.
"Tetsuya!" Byakuya called urgently, turning his cousin onto his back.
Kuri dropped to his knees and swiftly examined his unconscious spouse, his insides clenching as a sudden memory assaulted his mind.
This isn't the time to revisit old pain. Tetsu-hana needs me!
He forced the memory of Hideaki away and began an infusion of stabilizing reiatsu.
"Can you tell what happened to him?" Renji asked.
"No," Kuri said regretfully, "But he seems to not be badly injured. He may have just passed out from weariness from his injuries."
"Or because someone pushed him too far too soon after injury," Byakuya accused him.
Renji and Byakuya exchanged looks of surprise at the genuine expression of torment and regret that rose on Kuri's handsome face.
"I swear, I was gentle with him," he insisted.
Guilt flared up in his eyes and he pulled Tetsuya close to him, threading his fingers through the younger man's wavy hair and kissing his forehead. Byakuya paused, looking at him curiously, then he sighed softly as he realized.
"Is he okay?" Renji whispered, "It looks like Tetsuya's injury really shook him up."
"He's fine," Byakuya said quietly, "It is just that...Tetsuya isn't the only one who was devastated by the loss of someone he loved. I think seeing Tetsuya like this rattled him. But he will be fine."
"You think Tetsuya's okay?"
"Yes, he doesn't seem to be hurt badly."
The two watched raptly as Tetsuya stirred and looked up into his husband's worried eyes.
"Wh-what happened?"
He sat up and looked around, frowning.
"How did I get here?"
"I was about to ask you the same thing," Kuri chided him, "Where have you been, Tetsu-hana? Mamà, Tonia and I were beside ourselves! ¿Estás tratando de matarme, idiota?" (Are you trying to kill me, you fool?)
"I...I'm sorry!" Tetsuya exclaimed, his face going a shade paler, "Please, don't be angry. I don't know why I left. I just...I remember waking up and walking outside to look at the moon. But that's all I remember! I don't remember coming here."
"I'm taking you home," Kuri said firmly, "And you are not to leave our room until the healers say that you are well this time. Do I need to guard you myself?"
Tetsuya felt a soft flare of deep, compelling warmth at the strength of his new husband's reaction.
He was really worried about me. I feel so bad for scaring him. I'm not used to seeing Kuri-Kuri wearing a scared expression. But this hits close to home for us both. We know about loss, all too well.
Tetsuya reached up and curved his shaky hands around his husband's tanned face and kissed him firmly on the mouth.
"I promise I will rest," Tetsuya said affectionately, "But I would like it if Kuri-Kuri would stay with me for a while."
"My Tetsu-hana," Kuri answered, looking back at him with a strangely vulnerable expression, "I swear that I will stay with you to the very end!"
He lifted Tetsuya into his arms and started back to Shima Adobe with Byakuya and Renji following.
At the edge of the grass, hidden in the bushes, Amsel and Kano exchanged satisfied glances.
"He has no idea how quickly his end will come," Amsel said balefully, "None at all..."