Chapter 16: Swords of the Protectors
(Welcome to July! Birth month of Grimmjow and Ichigo, AND the month when Bleach will be returning to grace us with a lovely live action movie. Can't wait for the 20th. I am crossing my fingers that they will show the movie at Comic Con. You can bet I won't miss it if they do!)
"Holy shit..." Renji mused softly, looking out the window of the jet as they taxied into the landing area of Aizen sousuke's private retreat, "Will you look at that?"
Tetsuya and Grimmjow stared out the window at the surreal scene and shook their heads in wonder.
"Tell me again why we're here?" the blue-haired vocalist asked, made somewhat breathless by the tropical beauty of the island they had arrived on.
"We are here for my parents' wedding," Tetsuya said, glancing at Byakuya and Aizen, and his voice betraying his doubt that the whole thing could be real.
They disembarked the aircraft and started down the steps, a warm, sweet breeze wafting over them, welcoming them. An attendant met them at the base of the stairs and led them into the welcoming area, where porters were unloading their bags and arranging for them to be transported to their hotel.
"I knew he said he owned an island," Grimmjow said in an awed tone, "But I had no idea it was like this. There's a whole fucking little city here!"
"I guess, just because he owns it, doesn't mean that he keeps it to himself," said Renji.
The attendant led the group to a waiting limousine that whisked them away from the airport and off into the countryside. Palms and lush, green foliage lined the roadway, and tropical flowers grew everywhere. The buildings gave way to scattered cottages, then the land became more rustic, but still overwhelmingly colorful and fragrant.
"This is amazing, Sousuke!" Byakuya sighed, accepting a blended fruit drink from the attendant, who was preparing the drinks while the limousine carried them on their way, "When did you acquire this?"
"While I was secretly seeing you," Aizen answered, studying his lovely fiance, and enjoying the way the colorful scenery behind him only enhanced his natural beauty, "I actually bought it with the intent that we would live here after we were married. Unfortunately, it has taken longer than I anticipated to reach that point. Perhaps, now that we are going to be espoused, we can consider this a vacation home."
"If nothing else, it would give us a place to run to, if my family finds out about us prematurely, and they turn on me."
"That will not happen," Aizen said, smirking, "I had one of my companies contact Kuchiki Studios to inform them that they were negotiating a deal with you to bring in a new vendor. The deal is real, so if they do any checking, the records will show yours and Tetsuya's arrival at a hotel near the vendor's location, as well as receipts for various things that it would be expected you would be doing there. Your family will have no idea that we were off getting married, then enjoying this paradise for a day or two."
"I wish it could be longer, but with the work that must be done to prepare for Tetsuya's debut at the company, I really cannot be gone longer."
"I understand," said Aizen, "but I wish that this business was over, and we could dispense with the games. I am only doing this because it is safest for you and our son."
"I am grateful, Sousuke," Byakuya said, smiling and offering his mate a long, sweet, fruit-flavored kiss.
"Well, don't be too grateful," Aizen said, smirking, "I expect something in return for my generosity, "We'll see to that after we are wed."
"Which will be?"
"When we arrive at the cottage," Aizen explained, "Everything has been prepared, and it only awaits our arrival. We will, of course, be given time to freshen up and dress for the occasion. And I hope you plan to tell me what it was that you disappeared with the intention of retrieving, before we left."
"Of course," said Byakuya, his eyes reflecting intense happiness at the thought, "I could not get married to you without offering you an appropriate gift."
"Ah," Aizen sighed, eyeing his lovely body with seductive eyes, "I think what you have already offered me is more than enough of a 'gift,' my dear. And it is one I plan on enjoying to my heart's content from now on. I...hope you don't tire easily."
"I can manage, well enough," Byakuya replied, blushing.
"Yes, can't you..."
Grimmjow smirked, watching as the two stopped talking and began kissing again.
"Hey, Mitsukai, you look kinda flustered. Is something wrong?"
Tetsuya bit at his lip and shook his head.
"Erm...I think it is just that...Byakuya-sama has always despised Aizen Sousuke, for as long as I can remember. And now, all of a sudden, the man we've despised is my father and Byakuya-sama looks more happy than I have ever seen him. It is rather confusing."
"You've got that right," Renji chuckled, squeezing Tetsuya's hand, "But, don't worry about it. Byakuya-san will be okay. And you are about to knock the socks off the music industry."
"Do you really think so?" Tetsuya mused, looking out the window. It's so odd, thinking about that. Going from being nearly invisible and treated like a servant to...this."
"You'll be okay," Grimmjow said, meeting Renji's eyes for a moment, "Renji and I have lots of experience managing this kind of thing. We'll take care of you. And besides, if anyone messes with you, I think Daddy Aizen will have his ass."
Tetsuya blushed.
"No one is supposed to know about that, Grimmjow!"
"I know, I know," Grimmjow laughed, "Take it easy."
"It's even more strange to think that Byakuya-san is your mother," Renji said, glancing at the Kuchiki CEO, "You sure can't tell he has that condition. It just blows the mind, you know?"
"But it also makes sense of some things," Tetsuya sighed, "I just hope that, at the point where it comes out in public, that Aizen...I mean, my father, handles it carefully. The family has already put both Byakuya-sama and me through a pretty bit of hell. And if this isn't handled cautiously, it could be disastrous for us."
"I don't think that, after everything they went through to be together, those two will let your family get in the way of their happiness anymore."
"I hope you're right."
The occupants of the limousine quieted and stared in surprise as the car turned a corner, and the scenery opened up into something that looked like it had come right out of a fairytale. 'The cottage,' it seemed, was a vast, sprawling building, carefully crafted to maintain a classic island beauty, while offering stunning views of cliffs and ocean, as well as expanses of tropical trees and flowers.
"Sousuke!" Byakuya whispered, his hand tightening where it clasped Aizen's, "This is...exquisite!"
"I thought that it would appeal to you," Aizen said, looking pleased at his reaction, "I meant for it to be a place for us to let down our barriers and to escape from the swift pace of our lives away from here."
"Oh, it does that...that, and then some!"
"Sweet kami," breathed Tetsuya, blinking to make sure he was seeing right, "That is...!"
"Yeah, my thoughts exactly," Renji mused, looking dazed.
"Well, you knew 'Daddy' had it in spades, ne?" chuckled Grimmjow, "But I have to say, I didn't know he would indulge in something so...dreamy. He must be head over heels for your pretty mama, there, Tetsuya."
"Shut up! Stop saying that," Tetsuya objected in a flustered tone.
"Well, it's true," Grimmjow laughed, "Just...I mean, you aren't like that too, are you?"
"Grimmjow, no! Of course not!" Tetsuya snapped, flushing brightly.
"Knock it off, will you?" Renji said, scowling, You offend him again and I'll..."
"Take it easy, Red," Grimmjow chuckled, good naturedly, "I was just curious."
"Well, I don't have that condition," said Tetsuya, "And even if I did, it wouldn't be any of your business, would it!"
"Hey, calm down," Grimmjow said, shaking his head, "I'm sorry for offending you. It's just not something you see every day, you know. I was curious."
"Well, shut up about it," Renji said, looking annoyed.
"Come now," Aizen said, smirking at them, "We brought the three of you here to witness the wedding, not to spend the time exchanging verbal barbs. And Grimmjow, you might want to remember who it is you are antagonizing. For all that my son looks like an angel, my blood still runs in his veins. Heaven won't be helping you if you provoke that side of him, ne?"
The group went quiet as the limousine rolled to a stop in front of the cottage and they were welcomed by a walkway lined with staff members dressed in white. Attendants took their bags from the car, while the cottage's manager met them personally to guide them to their rooms.
"Go and settle in," Aizen instructed the younger men as the manager indicated the hallway where their suites were located, "We will meet in two hours for the ceremony."
"Aww," Grimmjow whispered under his breath, "I was hoping there was time for a swim first. All this lovey dovey stuff has me kinda hot and bothered."
"I'd be happy to toss your ass in the ocean," offered Renji, smirking as the three moved down the hallway, leaving Byakuya alone with the manager.
"Kuchiki-sama," said the man, "We have received the delivery you had sent ahead. It waits in your suite."
"Ah, but I told you, you don't have to worry about clothing," Aizen said to the Kuchiki CEO, "I am taking care of that."
"This is not clothing, Sousuke," Byakuya answered, smiling at the thought of what he was going to do, "This is something a bit different. Something traditional in the Kuchiki family. But you need to dress, and then meet me here. It is something that we will need for the ceremony."
"Ah," said Aizen, looking pleasantly curious, "I look forward to finding out what it is. Go on then and begin your preparations. I will be there shortly."
XXXXXXXXXX
"Kami, Renji," Tetsuya mused, "I think that's the first time I've ever actually seen you in formal clothing."
He admired the finely tailored tuxedo, marveling at how that, and the careful braiding of the tall redhead's hair had changed his appearance.
"Yeah, Red was never one for dressing up and looking pretty," Grimmjow chuckled, casting an appreciative eye on his former boyfriend, "But as much as he's a looker this way, I still think natural is best. Something loose fitting, dark and something that shows off as many of those wicked tattoos as possible."
"Hey, don't flirt with me in front of my boyfriend," Renji said, trying to look annoyed, but betraying a light blush at the compliment.
"I think Grimmjow is right," Tetsuya agreed, "You do look wonderful."
He leaned forward and breathed the next words into Renji's ear.
"But, I like you better naked."
Renji flushed brightly and caught Tetsuya around the waist, then busied their mouths with kisses. They left off as the door opened and an attendant entered, carrying three beautifully crafted, sheathed swords.
"Whoa," Grimmjow said, watching closely as the three swords were laid on the bed, "What's that all about? We gonna be dueling at this shindig?"
"Looks like," Renji chuckled.
The two went quiet, watching as Tetsuya moved forward and reached down, his hands reverent as he lifted the sapphire blue hilted weapon.
"This is a Kuchiki tradition," he said softly, "Our forefathers were samurais, steadfast protectors. And each of them had crafted for them, by the order of their fathers, the weapon that they would take into battle with them. On the eighteenth birthday, and on their wedding day, each of us is given our blade to carry, as a symbol of our connection to that grand history."
"Whoa!" Renji breathed, "I've seen those portraits at the mansion, in the entry hallway!"
"Yes," Tetsuya acknowledged, "Those portraits are the ones made for each of the family leaders on their wedding days."
"I always thought it was cool, because the women in the portraits were armed, just like the men."
"Yes," Tetsuya agreed, "War knows no genders, no ages, no barrier, but the sword that ends it. So, all in our family are thus adorned. It is ceremonial now, of course, but the mythology about the blades is fascinating."
He looked down adoringly at his own sword, running his fingers along the hilt.
"This is Re-kuhime, the lake princess. She is a water spirit, said to command water and ice. Her image is here," he said, pointing out where a gold figure had been crafted on the hilt, "Byakuya-sama wields Senbonzakura, a forest spirit said to wield a thousand shining, bladed cherry blossoms. Kuchiki Soujun had Senbonzakura crafted for Byakuya-sama, but died before the ceremony to bestow it, so Lord Ginrei was the one to present it to him. I think that it is the dearest thing that Byakuya-sama owns."
"Did Byakuya-san make the plans for your weapon?" Renji asked.
"Yes," Tetsuya said, nodding, "And he presented it to me in a private ceremony, because the family was not interested in adorning an outcast. But, that day when he gave me Re-kuhime, was one of the most beautiful days of my life!"
"What about these two swords?" Grimmjow asked, rather liking the lighter blue handled, white-sheathed sword, "I don't think our fathers hung around long enough to design swords for us, ne Renji?"
"Not mine," Renji chuckled, "Bastard couldn't abandon my mom and me fast enough."
"Same here," Grimmjow said, shaking his head ruefully, "I think that's why you and I hit it off the way we did."
"Right..."
Tetsuya smiled at the two.
"It is proper, in our family, for all guests to be offered a family sword for the ceremony, chosen to suit their personalities. When Byakuya-sama asked me, I chose these two swords for the two of you."
He picked up the dark red-sheathed sword with the mingled red, brown and black hilt, and slid it into the small loop at Renji's waist.
"Zabimaru, a jungle spirit, a nue. He is the baboon king, a snake-tailed creature, known for his great strength, unbreakable spirit and absolute loyalty. He wields the great skeletal snake, whose scream can shatter bone, and whose fire breath incinerates any foe to cross his path."
"Yikes," Renji mused, touching the hilt appreciatively, "That's quite a beast."
"So are you, Red," Grimmjow said, smirking.
"Shut up..."
"And for you, Grimmjow, I chose Pantera," Tetsuya said, picking up the light blue-hilted sword and placing it at Grimmjow's waist, "A wild cat-spirit, whose sharp teeth and claws rip at the enemy with blinding speed."
"A cat," laughed Renji, "Very appropriate."
"You shut up, Red."
Renji frowned for a moment and looked back at Tetsuya.
"Hey, is Aizen-san going to be armed too?"
"Is that really a good idea?" Grimmjow asked jokingly, "You put a weapon in that guy's hand, you'd better be prepared to get cut by it."
"I meant, did Byakuya-san pick which house sword he would wear?"
Tetsuya shook his head gently, the true meaning of what Byakuya had done falling over him like Senbonzakura's fabled petals.
"Byakuya-sama designed my father's blade, as every family member also makes them for his spouse."
"What was his spirit?" Grimmjow asked, shaking his head, "The snake with fangs at both ends?"
"No," Tetsuya said softly, "The sword Byakuya-sama had crafted for him is...Kyouka Suigetsu."
XXXXXXXXXX
Aizen Sousuke stood quietly in front of the mirror, with his eyes closed, smiling as he felt something placed at his waist.
"You can open your eyes now, Sousuke," Byakuya said softly.
Aizen's brown eyes opened and looked down at the reflection of the lovely, green-hilted sword that hung at his hip. His fingers played over the tip of the hilt, then down the side, and he slid the weapon from its sheath to look at the fine, steel blade.
"Be careful, that is edged," Byakuya warned him.
"You had a family sword made for me?" Aizen mused, his mind playing back over the history, "When?"
"Secretly...before I found out that I was pregnant with Tetsuya."
"Hmmm," Aizen mused, looking into Byakuya's dark, gray eyes, "You were that sure that we were meant for each other. I am surprised that you held on to this, and did not have it destroyed after that fiasco that separated us."
"I thought about it," Byakuya said softly, "But secretly, it always felt like there remained a little shaft of hope for us, because it was there."
"Ah."
Aizen froze, his eyes intense as Byakuya's hand touched the sword's hilt and his other hand touched his fiancé's face.
"This is Kyouka Suigetsu, 'Mirror Flower, Water Moon.' It is an elusive spirit, who is only ever seen as a reflection. His illusions are so real that they enchant and mislead his enemies so that they attack their own brethren. He is one of the most beautiful of the ancient fighting spirits in our family's mythology...and he is the most dangerous."
Aizen looked back at him solemnly for a moment, thinking, then slid his arms around him and offered him a long, warm kiss.
"Thank you, Byakuya. I know exactly how much this means to you. And be assured, I am very grateful."
Byakuya smiled and gave him a pleased nod, words escaping him for a moment. Aizen gave the two of them a last looking over, then took Byakuya's hand and turned him in the direction of the mirror. The two gazed quietly at their reflection.
"I will have the portrait made after the ceremony," Aizen said, the words sending a delighted shiver down Byakuya's spine, "And when we lead the Kuchiki family, our portrait will hang at the head of that great hallway, Byakuya."
"Yes," Byakuya agreed, "Finally, things will be as they should."
"Come then, my love," Aizen said, taking Byakuya's hands in his, "It is time."