Chapter 6: Separation Anxiety
(For the very patient Sariniste! Thanks also to the many folks reading, fave-ing, following and reviewing. Now that the Christmas rush is over, I will be able to focus a little more on this one. Enjoy the new chapter! Love, Spunky)
"Byakuya," the head elder, "let me begin by saying once again how glad we are that you returned to us safely. We all feel very much the loss of our kinsman, Tetsuya, and so this meeting is meant to ensure that you have the protection that he would want you to have."
"Thank you, Nori," Byakuya said gratefully, looking around the meeting chamber and noting the several areas where damage to the room's walls and decor were still in the midst of being repaired, "I appreciate the council's commendation of Tetsuya for high family honors in death and I assure you, I do know the importance of seeing to my protection, especially now, in the wake of the war, when there are still some attacks taking place from small groups of quincies who are desperate and just looking to be disruptive."
"That is good, my boy," Nori said kindly, "It will be helpful that you understand the necessity of what we're trying to do. You need the best protection, so the council gave a lot of consideration and we have decided that your cousin, Kuchiki Orochi is the best candidate to see to your protection."
"Orochi," Byakuya repeated, carefully hiding his disgust at the very idea.
"Yes," Nori went on, "Orochi is the most promising of our clan youth. He is trained to fight and has reached bankai. He will be a suitable protector for you."
Byakuya glanced at his black-eyed cousin, who gave him a sly smirk.
"He does have the power necessary for the job of protecting me," Byakuya agreed, "but Orochi achieved his bankai more recently. I think he may need more time to develop it."
Orochi's eyes darkened and his reiatsu flared softly.
"He is young and sometimes impulsive and he has shown a disinterest in the past in carrying out orders."
He met Orochi's eyes in challenge.
"Besides, there is someone close to me, someone with exceptional power, who has a well developed bankai, who has mountains of battle experience and knows me well. He works perfectly in tandem with me and obeys orders quickly and without hesitation. There is trust between us. He really is the best candidate, and he is willing to take the position."
Byakuya indicated Renji and Renji stood and met the eyes of the council warmly, not failing to notice the wicked looks he got from Orochi and his father, as well as a couple of the other elders.
"You would choose a mongrel from the Rukongai over a pureblood clan member?" Isas scolded him, "Where is your pride, Byakuya?"
"This is not a matter of pride alone, but a matter of who is most fit to see to my protection. You have all just indicated both your appreciation for Tetsuya's unparalleled performance, as well as a desire to provide me with the most capable defender. Should it matter if that defender was not raised in the family, or that he is not a noble? Isn't it more important that he be the best candidate?"
"But I understand that Abarai Renji is to take the taichou's examination soon," a slim, almost feminine looking young elder named Sora interjected.
"He has a point," Isas added, "Abarai is talented and sure to become a taichou. Who then will be about the manor, making sure that there are no incidences?"
"I agree," said Elder Arisu, her stern green eyes studying Renji appraisingly, "Tetsuya was not in the military, and so was able to focus all of his attention on your safety. As talented as I'm sure Abarai Renji is, he can't overcome what he isn't here to see."
"I think both sides make good arguments," Nori said, considering, "So, why don't we consider placing Abarai Renji in charge of house security and making Orochi Byakuya's personal bodyguard?"
"I think that we should also allow Orochi to enter the military as Byakuya's fukutaichou, when Abarai advances," Arisu added.
"That is a very good suggestion," Isas agreed.
The gathered councilors glanced at each other and began smaller discussions in groups of two or three.
"That's not so good," Renji mused, shaking his head, "but it'll be hard for him to stab you in the back while you're on guard. And I'll be there when you sleep, so..."
"Will you, Renji?" Byakuya whispered, smirking meaningfully.
"If you want me there, I'm there," Renji answered, giving Byakuya a smile the others couldn't see, "But seriously, are you sure you want to go along with that? Having him at your back so much of the time?"
"Well, they do say as a strategy, you should keep your friends close and your enemies closer. This could have some advantages."
"If you say so," Renji said, shaking his head, "but you need to be careful."
"I am always careful."
"Not that being careful is enough for troublemakers like us, ne?" Renji chuckled.
"True," Byakuya agreed, looking amused.
The two watched as the council deliberated and then quieted as Nori called them together and took a vote.
"The motion has passed," he said, after the vote was tallied, "Abarai Renji is the new head of house security and Orochi is Byakuya's personal bodyguard, soon to be named sixth division fukutaichou."
XXXXXXXXXX
Tetsuya shifted restlessly in his bonds, anxious at being left alone and unable to see anything around him. He heard intermittent sounds from within the archive, slow footsteps and the slide of a chair on the floor, books creaking open or closing, a heavy sigh or sound of piqued interest, a swish of cloth or the passing of a draft. He broke into a sweat at the flickers of dark memories it caused and his heart raced unnaturally quickly. Unable to do anything to help his situation, he slipped into his dark inner world.
The always darkened and star filled sky soothed him somewhat, but for the first time, it seemed, there was no bright moon.
I no longer belong to the cousin that saved me, so the moon that was his icon in my world, has set, maybe forever.
His heart ached with loneliness that only grew more palpable as he spotted Arashi's collapsed form near the edge of the dark lake where his zanpakutou spirit laid somewhere beneath the surface, recovering.
Whatever happened when Orochi stabbed me in the heart caused an outlay of power the likes of which I have never used or even thought I possessed. It burned through my spirit centers, leaving me powerless. I think the powerlessness will fade as my body heals, but I have never used whatever power that was except that one other time during the escape from Itamigiri...and then, I believe it was Arashi using the greater power, as I had not the strength nor the power to do so. I was nothing more than a prisoner and a slave then.
And that is what I have become again.
I swore I would rather have died than to give up my freedom, but I sold myself, heart and soul to protect the one person who did the most for me. Byakuya learned of my captivity and he rescued me. But he didn't stop there. He healed my body, heart and mind, then trained me to be strong and to never allow myself to be imprisoned in any way again.
I wonder if he would be disappointed in me...
Tetsuya sensed his name being spoken and someone touching his resting body. He left his inner world and returned to find that he was still bound and unable to see, but that he was sitting up against a pile of pillows and there was a tray of hot food in his lap.
"Please eat to regain your strength," Aizen said quietly.
Tetsuya gave no answer, but true to his word, obeyed the order. But his heart ached more fiercely, making even the savory food have no taste or warmth. It felt like rocks in his stomach and he was forced to abandon it after just a few bites. He set the tray aside and laid down, facing away. Some time later, Aizen returned and frowned at the barely touched meal.
"Tetsuya, you need to eat more than that to fuel the return of your powers," he commented.
"My stomach is turning too much," Tetsuya answered wearily, "That's all I can manage right now. If I try to eat more, I will only become ill."
"Hmm," Aizen mused, looking down at him.
Tetsuya felt the bed move, then flinched and made a sound of surprise as Aizen's warm body curled closely around his back and strong arms embraced him.
"What are you doing?" he asked in a spooked tone.
"I am tired and we are both a little lonely," Aizen suggested, "Your emotional state is important to your recovery, so I am providing some comfort. Don't worry, I won't touch you sexually, although..."
His lips touched the pale shell of an ear and his breath tickled the area, leaving it darkly flushed.
"You are a delectable temptation," he finished.
Tetsuya forced down a sharp reaction and made his stiffened form relax under Aizen's possessive arms.
"Well, you do own me," Tetsuya reminded him, trying hard to keep his voice from shaking, "I suppose you can do whatever you want and I can't stop you. But it's fine. I'm used to other people's cruelty."
"So, you won't let yourself be afraid of me?" Aizen mused, a little smile touching his lips.
"What use is fear when the thing you fear is so powerful that it could sweep your life away in a breath if it wanted to? One can only stand with the wind blazing all around and be grateful at not being destroyed instantly."
"You speak of me with such reverence," Aizen observed, smirking, "I am flattered, of course."
He made a line of kisses along the side of Tetsuya's soft, vulnerable throat and let his hands spread out on Tetsuya's soft belly. Tetsuya forced his trembling body to quiet and let himself be embraced. He felt something cold and smooth touch his back and an odd, slightly hissing voice sounded in his mind.
Kuchiki Tetsuya?
Tetsuya shivered, and Aizen's eyes opened and watched his face carefully.
Are you the hogyoku? Tetsuya thought back.
I am. I am curious about you.
Tetsuya breathed slowly as he felt something like a powerful eye casting over him.
You are different.
How? Tetsuya wondered, How am I different?
You have lost your will. You have become Aizen Sousuke's slave.
Tetsuya sighed.
It was to save my cousin. For Byakuya-sama, I would die.
To him, you have already died...a tragedy. He is heartbroken.
Tears formed in the corners of Tetsuya's eyes at the thought.
How do you know?
The hogyoku was silent for several long moments.
I am aware of everyone around me. Your cousin is devastated at losing you. The house staff and attendants, especially your Koji, have shed many tears at losing you. There is despair in most of the eyes of the ones around Byakuya, but the eyes of Kuchiki Orochi have narrowed and focused on his downfall.
Tetsuya sighed.
There's nothing I can do except hope that Aizen Sousuke will keep his word and stop Orochi. I have no power to interfere. I don't need to do anything. Aizen Sousuke brought down nearly all of the Gotei 13. He can handle my cousin.
Tetsuya's heart quickened at the silence that followed.
But trusting him to keep his word and do so isn't easy, is it? He is a sly, wicked man. He wields illusions that can fool you. How do you know he will do as he promises. Do you understand whom you have sold your soul to Kuchiki Tetsuya?
Tetsuya felt a swell of worry well up in his chest and he stiffened again in Aizen's arms.
You are walking the path to the destruction of everything you love, Tetsuya. But...I can help you.
How?
Your will. Your desires, the orb answered, Wish it with all of your heart and I will give you the ability to kill Aizen Sousuke.
Tetsuya sucked in a surprised breath and quivered under Aizen's hands.
I could only offer this to one for whom it is possible. I can make it happen. Only desire this with all of your heart and you will empower me to do what no man can do.
"Tetsuya?" Aizen breathed into the frozen shinigami's ear.
I can make you powerful enough to kill Aizen Sousuke.
"Tetsuya, what did it say to you?" Aizen asked, nuzzling his cheek, "You have an obligation to answer when I ask you a question. Remember, you are mine."
Tetsuya tried to speak, but felt his throat tighten until he couldn't make a sound. He felt himself being rolled onto his back and the blindfold was torn away. Aizen's brown eyes glared down into his warningly.
"Tetsuya, answer me."
The feeling of constriction crept down into his chest and realization spread like ice through the trapped shinigami's veins.
I am caught between two ungodly forces, either of which could end my life in the blink of an eye.
What can I do?
He shivered as he felt Aizen's hand caress his face.
"It's all right. I see now. If I force it out of you, the hogyoku will kill you. Maybe I should let it kill you, but it has me curious. What would it whisper into your ear that it would not want me to hear? What treachery would it wish on the one who gives it senses with which to see the world, and what would it gain by using you somehow to betray me? So many intriguing questions..."
He looked down into Tetsuya's widened sapphire eyes and laid a gentle kiss on his constricted throat.
"It's fine. Don't try to answer me," he said sedately, watching as the tightness around Tetsuya's throat eased and he gasped and panted harshly in reaction, "I won't punish you, as it is not you who is being defiant. Just be careful in your choices, Tetsuya, for just as I protect Byakuya's life, I can end it in an instant."
He paused as the door to the archive suddenly opened and Byakuya's slow steps sounded on the marble floors. Aizen released Tetsuya's bonds and curled an arm around his waist as the two watched Byakuya pause and look around, then sit down in front of the clan leader diaries. He sighed softly and selected his own diary, then settled and began to write. Aizen looked at Tetsuya, who sat perfectly still, tears running in streams down his comely face.
"Why don't you go and sit near him," Aizen suggested, "You won't be able to interact with him, but you can at least feel close to him."
Tetsuya swallowed hard and climbed out of the bed, moving in shaky footsteps to his cousin's side. He lowered himself onto his knees and rested his head on his cousin's leg, closing his eyes and breathing in Byakuya's comforting scent.
I miss you so much!
Byakuya paused in his writing, blinking slowly and placing a hand over his heart for a moment.
"I miss you so much, Tetsuya," he whispered, flipping back to the pages that told the story of Tetsuya's rescue and slow recovery, "I am sorry that I failed to protect you."
"You aren't the one who failed," Tetsuya whispered back, even though he knew his beautiful cousin couldn't hear him, "I was careless and I lost you. But...a greater power protects you now. You don't need me, Byakuya. You can say goodbye and just let go."
He remained at his cousin's side as Byakuya made his daily entry, then rose and walked away. Tetsuya rose and walked back to the recess, where he found Aizen sleeping. He stood uncertainly for a moment, then walked back to the place where the clan leader diaries were set in a long shelf. He withdrew Byakuya's and opened to the entry his cousin had just made.
It has been two weeks since we returned and I learned of Tetsuya's passing, but I still feel like it cannot be real. I thought that if he was really gone, I would feel it in my heart. But he doesn't feel far away. He feels close as always, as though he still watches over me in whatever way he can.
The council voted today to make Renji head of house security, while naming Orochi my personal bodyguard. Fortunately, putting him close to me gives me a better way to watch him closely. The first foul move he makes, I will have him removed from the position. But he is slippery. He dominated Tetsuya in the prison and had an unnatural ability to affect him, even after Tetsuya was free. That man is poison. I will be glad when he makes a mistake and I can finally be rid of him.
Tetsuya closed the diary and set it back in the shelves, then walked into the little kitchen and made a fresh pot of hot green tea. He carried it back to the recess and found Aizen stirring. He smiled as Tetsuya set the tea down on the nightstand and carried his own cup to his side of the bed.
"Thank you."
Tetsuya sat down and sipped his tea in silence.
"Did it comfort you to be able to touch him?"
"Some."
"Good. I will allow it when he is here, as long as you do not attempt to interact with him."
"I don't need to do anything," Tetsuya said listlessly, "Byakuya-sama is well protected. He has no need for me anymore."
"It's good you see that, Tetsuya," Aizen said, sipping at the tea and making a sound of approval, "Now that you have separated from him, I think you'll find what you were really meant to be."
"You mean a slave?" Tetsuya whispered, tears filling his eyes again.
"I don't know yet what you will be," Aizen confessed, "but you will not be a slave, Tetsuya. That much I know from the things that have already happened."
Tetsuya finished his tea and laid down, waiting quietly for Aizen to set him back in restraints, but to his surprise, the other man only finshed his tea and set his cup aside, then curled around Tetsuya's slender body and went back to sleep.