Chapter 4: Protector

Renji knelt on the balcony, holding Tetsuya's limp body and staring down at him, wondering how he could have gone so suddenly from being fine to being unconscious. He rubbed the noble's wrists and called his name, then reassured himself that although he was definitely unconscious, Tetsuya was still breathing and had a pulse.

"Hang on, okay?" he said, lifting the surprisingly light man into his arms and flash stepping out into the hallway.

To his relief, he spotted Byakuya's attendant walking down the long hallway to the noble's assigned room.

"Torio!" he called.

The attendant saw who Renji held and flash stepped to Byakuya's door. A moment later, Byakuya appeared in the hallway.

"This way," he said quickly.

Renji followed the noble through several turns and hallways to what appeared to be the palace infirmary. He was guided into an examination room and an orderly lifted Tetsuya out of his arms and laid him down on the examination table. The healer leaned over him.

"Who found this man?" he asked.

"I did," Renji reported, "We were asleep, and all at once, he sat up and made gasping sounds like he was in pain. He staggered out onto the balcony and just…collapsed."

"Was he at the banquet tonight?"

"Yeah, why?" asked Renji.

"They'll want to be sure there was no poisoning," Byakuya said in a low voice, "Large, important events are carefully monitored, and any reports of guests with odd symptoms are taken very seriously."

"Did he show any signs of where the pain was? Did he grab any part of his body?"

"He ah…he had his arms wrapped around his midsection, but he also…uh…he had one hand near his chest, so that might have hurt him too."

The healer nodded briefly and scanned Tetsuya's abdomen.

"What did he eat?" he asked.

"N-not much, really. Just what the servers brought. He didn't eat anything before. He had the dessert."

"Did he show any signs of illness earlier?" the doctor asked, opening one of the unconscious man's eyes and checking the pupil, then testing the other.

"No," said Renji, "He was fine during the dinner and dancing. Then he was out riding on the practice course, and he came up and bathed and went to bed right after."

"Hmmm," muttered the doctor, "No obvious signs of poisons or foreign objects in the abdomen. Did he say anything before he fell?"

"No, not really," said Renji, "Just 'oh' and then he screamed and fell."

The healer opened Tetsuya's yukata and began a more thorough scan, nodding to an attendant, who leaned over the unconscious man and took blood and reiatsu samples. Then the healer looked up at Byakuya.

"Does he usually see a clan healer or Unohana taichou's fourth division healers?"

"He only sees Unohana taichou," Byakuya said quietly.

"Luckily, she is here," the healer said, nodding to the attendant, "I'll need to confer with her about his medical history. Have you ever known him to lose consciousness suddenly like this before?"

"No," Byakuya said, resolutely, "Tetsuya has always been in perfect health since he came to live with me."

"Has he been injured or in any sort of fight lately?"

"He fought a black spirit demon, regular class, but large and very strong."

"Was he injured?"

"No," said Byakuya, shaking his head, "It didn't touch him."

"Okay…is there anything else either of you can tell me about his condition before or at the time of the onset of this that may have bearing."

Renji thought carefully, then caught his breath softly.

"Did you remember something?" asked the healer.

Renji nodded.

"It was…it was after we arrived here, but before the dinner. We were assigned to our room and we had to bathe at the same time to get to the dinner on time," Renji explained, blushing as he felt Byakuya's eyes touch him, "I handed him the soap and he made a face like something hurt inside. He did it twice, actually. I asked if he was injured when he fought the demon, but he said he wasn't. I said that it looked like he was in pain and he claimed I was mistaken."

"But you don't think you were?"

"No. I know I wasn't mistaken at all about what I saw. Something was hurting him. But he didn't want to admit to it."

"Hmmm…"

The healer turned to the attendant.

"Have a full panel run on those samples, and I want you to include searches for traces of known demon contaminants, possible signs of contact with demon body fluids, reiatsu borne poisons and contaminants and all known poisonous flora near the crossover point."

He turned back to Byakuya.

"Can you think of anything else that may have affected this man?" he asked.

"No," said Byakuya, shaking his head.

The healer bent over Tetsuya and placed one hand on his face and the other over his heart.

"He isn't waking as he should, but I feel a sluggish response. And his reiatsu and vital signs have stabilized, so I will wait for him to wake on his own and question him then. I do not wish for him to leave the infirmary until all of the results are in and I have a better sense of why he experienced those symptoms."

"But the wedding," said Renji, shaking his head, "and Tetsuya is responsible for your safety on your honeymoon…"

"It doesn't matter," Byakuya said firmly, waving his words off, "You will provide whatever tests and treatments Tetsuya needs and then I will assign an escort to see him home. The prince's hogosha will be sufficient for the wedding and honeymoon."

"Would you like me to go along as well, Taichou?" Renji asked.

Byakuya frowned and gazed down at his unconscious cousin with a shine of worry Renji recognized from times when Rukia had been injured.

Are he and Tetsuya-san that close?

"No," he answered softly, "Renji, come with me to my room and we will discuss what you can do to assist until I return from my honeymoon."

He looked up at the healer.

"My sister should be here in a moment or two to sit with him. Abarai Renji, Kuchiki Rukia and I are to be the only ones allowed to be alone in the room with Tetsuya. Do you understand?"

"Hai," said the healer, giving Byakuya a measured look and nodding.

"Hey, Taichou," said Renji as they left the infirmary and started back to the noble's room, "What's up? Why did you order that only the three of us could be in there with him? Is something going on?"

"I do not know," Byakuya said, looking around the empty hallways as they walked.

They reached his room and walked inside, then Byakuya sent Torio to make tea and shut the bedroom door. He sat down in a comfortable stuffed chair and motioned for Renji to take the seat across from him.

"Abarai fukutaichou, I am going to confide some information that I want to keep private. It concerns Tetsuya, and it may have bearing on what is happening."

"He told me that he is only half-noble, and he and Rukia told me a little about how his birth was kept a secret, but then he ended up in that secret prison."

"Itamigiri," Byakuya said in a low, disturbed voice, "Some time back, in the days before Tetsuya's birth, the noble clans sought a way to keep noble blood and the resultant birthright powers from being bred into folk from the Rukongai. Nobles were not allowed to marry peasants, or if they were caught doing so, had to submit to sterilization or some other way of making certain that they would not reproduce. Nobles who broke those laws were taken to Itamigiri and punished for their rule breaking, and many half-noble pregnancies were ended there. Sadly, many children's lives were taken. I found out about this when I was still heir, and as soon as I did, I secured permission to raid the site, stopping all torments and executions and freeing all of the prisoners."

"And Tetsuya was one of the prisoners you rescued," Renji added.

"Yes," said the noble, taking his tea from Torio, then waiting as the attendant gave Renji his tea and left the room, "Tetsuya had a noble father, Takao. He fell in love with a peasant woman named Kiko, and she became pregnant. Because of their fears of persecution for what they had done, they hid in the Rukongai and changed their identities and appearances so that they would not be found. But his mother died during an outbreak of disease in their village. And some time later, Kuchiki Takao also died in a hollow raid. They had made provisions for Tetsuya to live with a friend of theirs, but somehow the clan located him and took him into custody. Tetsuya was imprisoned in Itamigiri for five years…from the time he was seven years old until he was twelve. When my group raided the prison, they were leading the half-nobles down to the execution center. They had heard we were coming, and many of those we went to save were killed. We freed the ones we could, but a short time after, the council of elders demanded a plan for protecting our birthright powers. They agreed to enact laws for humane treatment, but they also set strict rules. Half-nobles were made servants in our households. They are not allowed to leave the estate without permission. They are not allowed to marry or have children. There are other rules, but they are more minor. And I have worked at weakening them over time. When I rescued Tetsuya from the prison, I made him my personal attendant, so that I could protect him. His father was close to my father, so I felt somewhat responsible for him. As it became clear that my cousin was powerful, I fought for permission to have him trained to serve on house security. At first, the council refused, because they said that with the dark history between us, Tetsuya could not be trusted. I continued to press until he was allowed on the staff, and finally, recently gained for him the ability to be made Head of Security. As such, he is allowed more freedoms, but is still denied the right to marry or bear children."

He turned his head to look out at the moon.

"There are hard feelings within the family, because there are still those who would follow the older, more barbaric rules. They despise the half-bloods, mistreat them as much as they can get away with, and even secretly murder them. I keep Tetsuya very close to me."

"I see now why you warned me off before," Renji said, nodding, "You were just being protective of him. But, Taichou…is he like other full noble males? Can Tetsuya get pregnant?"

"I have had him examined and we believe not. But part of the reason I said what I did, is because I know they watch him…and they were at the festivities too."

Byakuya sighed.

"And now, he has taken ill. I cannot take him with me as he is…and I cannot leave him unprotected while I go. So I must ask several favors of you. Renji, when he is well enough, I am going to send him to the sixth division with you. I will assign him to assist you with the running of the division in my absence. But you and I…and Tetsuya will know that the true reason he is there, is so that he is not left vulnerable. If the ones who would try to harm him see that he is protected, he will be safe from them."

"So, you kinda want me to be his bodyguard, ne?" asked Renji.

"Yes," said the noble.

He met Renji's eyes sternly.

"But Renji, I will ask something more. I know that you have noticed my cousin…in a sensual, if not sexual manner."

"And you want me to keep my hands off of him. I get it," said Renji, his lips tightening slightly, but his manner receptive, "Taichou, I don't want him to get hurt either. I would be honored to have his safety placed in my hands. I won't let any harm come to him."

Byakuya looked back at him with worried eyes.

"I just hope that what happened to him wasn't already a sign of someone trying to harm him, Renji. You need to realize how deeply these biased emotions run and how much viciousness these people are capable of. It wouldn't take them long to take advantage of the smallest opening. So, you and Tetsuya must be very careful. Remain at the division and do not leave him alone…not for any reason."

"Gotcha…sure thing, Taichou. I won't let him out of my sight. I promise."

"And you will not initiate a romance."

"No," said Renji, furrowing his brow, "Of course not. I admit that he's beautiful and I would love to see him, but I'm not going to do so if it would just get him hurt or killed."

"Arigato, Renji. I knew that I could depend on you. I am under quite a lot of pressure with the wedding and the honeymoon…"

"I'm sorry I'll miss it, but I will make sure that Tetsuya is safe while you are gone."

"And I would also like Unohana taichou to follow up with him about whatever caused him to lose consciousness. I find it disturbing the way it happened, and how there is really no explanation. It doesn't sit right with me."

"Me either, Taichou. But I will keep my eyes open and watch out for him. And I'll make sure that he sees Unohana taichou."

"Again, arigato, Renji. I am relieved."

"Kuchiki-sama!" Torio said, bursting in and bowing hastily, "Tetsuya-san is awake and has asked for you."

"Ah, I will be there in a moment," Byakuya said, rising, "Renji, are you coming as well?"

"Sure, Taichou," Renji said, nodding, "I'd best start doing the job you gave me!"

XXXXXXXXXX

Tetsuya's eyes blinked and slowly cleared, focusing on Rukia's worried face. He managed a weak smile and felt her squeeze his hand.

"Rukia-chan," he said softly, "how did I come to be here?"

"You don't remember?" she asked softly.

"N-no…not so well. I…I think I remember…something hurt."

"Renji told the healer that you woke up suddenly and seemed to be in awful pain. No one knows exactly why. Do…you remember why or how it happened? Did you get injured somehow?"

"No…no I wasn't injured. I just…hurt inside…and then I fell. I don't know how to explain."

"Well, don't try right now. Right now, you should just lie back and get some rest okay? Nii-sama is on his way and we are going to hang around until your test results come back"

"Arigato, Rukia-chan. I will lie here and attempt to stay out of trouble."

"Hah…" laughed Rukia, "That would be a first. You're always getting into mischief! I can't take my eye off of you for a second, Tetsuya-san!"

"Well, luckily for us, I have grown strong enough to fend off a good bit of that mischief, ne?"

"Usually," said Rukia, sobering, "but all joking aside, Tetsuya-san. You must take care of yourself. If not because Nii-sama depends on you for his protection, because I depend on you for your friendship."

Tetsuya sighed and nodded, blinking sleepily. They broke off their conversation as Byakuya and Renji entered the room with the healer and Unohana taichou.

"I feel rather foolish for having rousted everyone out of bed so late at night…especially just to hear there's nothing wrong with me but a foul nightmare and too much revelry…" Tetsuya commented.

The healer met their eyes somberly.

"From the results of the test, one might be tempted to think that was so," he said, pursing his lips, "I can find absolutely no sign of what would have caused those symptoms."

"Ah," said Tetsuya, "but by the look on your face, you do not believe it is nothing."

"No," agreed the healer, "I think it is very much something. Your symptoms suggest a progressive condition, though I cannot call it an illness, poison or attack as of yet. Just, something is happening. And I am going to suggest we attack it with due diligence. It is your choice, of course, but I suggest evacuation to the fourth division and a battery of tests to gain more information. We could conduct the tests here, however, Unohana taichou has full access to your medical records and familiarity with you."

"It seems a lot of fuss for a minor loss of consciousness," said Tetsuya.

"It wasn't just the loss of consciousness that worries me, Tetsuya-san. You experienced sudden, intense pain, and when we read the full results of reiatsu and blood checks done at intervals, it revealed a dramatic drop in the stability of your reiatsu, that had the potential to kill you."

"That sounds quite a bit more serious, I agree," admitted Tetsuya, "but…Byakuya-sama's wedding is in the morning…"

"You could be dead by morning…or you could live for years. But the point is, we do not know what caused this and we need to find that out, preferably before another of these episodes."

"Then, my cousin will be evacuated to the fourth division," said Byakuya.

"Byakuya-sama…"

"You will do as the healer has recommended, Tetsuya."

Tetsuya's eyes met Byakuya's and softened with somber understanding.

"Of course, Byakuya-sama," he agreed quietly.

"I'll go with you," offered Rukia.

"No," said the blue-eyed shinigami, shaking his head, "You cannot miss your brother's wedding."

"She won't," Renji said suddenly, making everyone's eyes come to rest on him, "I will escort Tetsuya-san back to the Seireitei and remain with him until Taichou returns."

A troubled look crossed Tetsuya's face for a moment, but it disappeared quickly. Byakuya met his eyes and Tetsuya nodded.

"Very well," the clan leader said, looking up at the healers, "but Renji is to be allowed to remain with my cousin through all of his tests and treatments…and when he does not require hospitalization, he will reside in my quarters at the sixth division."

"I think that will be acceptable," said Unohana taichou.

"Then, come with me," said the royal healer, I will give you his records so that you may be on your way."

Byakuya watched quietly as the healers left the room and Renji and Rukia engaged Tetsuya in comforting conversation. He felt a light touch on his arm and gave Hiromi a gentle half-smile of greeting.

"Hiromi? I thought you understood it was best if you waited with our hogosha."

"How is Tetsuya-san doing?" his fiancé asked anxiously, "I was worried when you didn't come back. I did make sure to come with an escort. I was not trying to add to your concerns."

Byakuya shook his head dismissively.

"Of course not. My apologies."

"You don't need to apologize," the younger man assured him, giving him a warm smile, "You're right to be worried about both of us. It's not easy feeling threatened all of the time either. Still, I did grow up in that shadow of danger, so I'm prepared to handle what comes. I feel safe with you and with our protectors. I am, however, worried about Tetsuya-san. You know that although I do not have the full cognizance and foresight of the king, as royal offspring, I do have some visions of the future."

Byakuya stiffened and his grey eyes narrowed.

"You have seen something that relates to Tetsuya?"

Hiromi nodded, nudging Byakuya so that they moved out of the treatment room and into the hallway.

"I don't want to worry them, but you should know that demon eyes have been watching us all since you and your entourage left the Seireitei," Hiromi relayed, his voice softening and his eyes going hazy with the vision he was trying to convey, "I cannot see who sent the demons, but I saw a vision of Tetsuya-san being attacked again. I don't know where he was. I didn't recognize the location. The important thing is that Abarai Renji was there, and he proved to the difference between life and death for your cousin."

Byakuya nodded.

"I have warned Renji not to let Tetsuya out of his sight when they go back."

"That's good," Hiromi said approvingly, "but you and I need to also take precautions to have our most trusted attendants close."

He looked around before leaning forward to breathe his next words into Byakuya's ear.

"Byakuya, you and I are going to be targeted as well. I do not know how, but the hogosha will somehow be compromised and it is our attendants who we must trust."

Byakuya's frown deepened.

"Hiromi, if you know that we will be targeted, shouldn't we take measures to avoid that? Or is the fact of the attack not one we can avoid?"

"Hmm," the prince sighed, leaning into his fiancé's calming embrace, "I can't be sure. As I said, the visions I see are not so easy to read as my father's are, and I lack his experience in dealing with them. We should go to him and see if he can shed any further light on the what I've seen."

"Yes," Byakuya agreed, sliding a hand into his, "that is best."

The two left the infirmary together, unaware of the malevolent eyes that watched them leave.