Chapter 2: Little Memories
Kisuke stepped out of one of the shop's guest rooms and paused to wipe the sweat from his face. Tessai exited another room ahead of him and moved to join him. Kisuke nodded in the direction of the room he had just come from.
"How was Toshiro?" he asked, "He looked pretty ragged when he and Byakuya arrived."
"He was moderately injured in the skirmish on the way here, but it was nothing that I couldn't handle. I treated his injuries and Kuchiki taichou said that he would sleep on the sofa in the room and tend to Toshiro for the night, so that we can manage everyone who's here."
"Good," Kisuke sighed, "It's wall to wall people, here. Nice to have an extra hand or two."
"Tetsuya-san and Orihime-chan have both been very helpful at getting around to everyone and keeping them stable. Byakuya-san gave his cousin an order to stay and assist us for as long as we need him. He is a talented healer. You don't usually see that in one who is also a capable fighter."
"Yeah," Kisuke agreed, "According to Byakuya, Tetsuya only really learned to fight because he kinda had to for self protection after the ones like him were freed from the illegal noble's prison, years ago."
Kisuke paused and a little flash of guilt touched his expression for a moment.
"I hadn't seen Tetsuya since he arrived at Kuchiki Manor, years ago," he commented, "He's grown into quite the healer."
"Yes," Tessai agreed, "I sent him to eat and rest. I think he's still in the kitchen if you want to check in with him before he settles in."
"Yeah, I wanted to get some, uh, feedback from him about Ukitake. Really strange, what's going on with him."
"Yes," Tessai agreed, glancing at the visiting taichou's guest room door, "it's very strange."
Kisuke let out a long breath.
"Well, I'm gonna go and have a bite. Wanna join me?"
Tessai shook his head regretfully.
"I have a few more things to do, then I may join you."
"Sounds good. See you in a bit."
He continued down the hallway, to the kitchen, where he found Tetsuya sitting at the kitchen table and devouring a large meal.
"Ah, Tetsuya," he greeted the young man, pausing to admire his pale, unblemished skin that was like Byakuya's, the more wavy, misbehaving hair and pretty sapphire eyes that he knew came from the young man's mother, "I saw that Byakuya arrived here. Did you get a chance to see him?"
"Only for a few minutes," Tetsuya answered, "We were focused mostly on Hitsugaya taichou's care. My cousin seemed very concerned over his comrade. Apparently, Toshiro-san protected Byakuya-sama from a very fierce attack by the rogue quincies on their way here."
"Yeah," Kisuke said, filling a plate and joining Tetsuya at the table, "I heard about that. There are still a lot of those desperation attacks going on. I guess with Ywach destroyed, a lot of the surviving fighters have given up on thoughts of winning and are just trying to take out as many of us as they can while they die. It's gonna be dangerous for awhile."
He paused and smiled at Tetsuya.
"But I guess you and your pretty horse don't have to worry too much. You know, I heard a rumor that the Kuchiki elders are planning to award you the golden sakura for the way you protected your clan in the war."
Tetsuya blushed.
"Oh, I only enacted the evacuation plan…" he began.
"Yeah, the one you thought up and pitched before the war?" Kisuke inquired, smirking, "And my sources tell me that you and a band of fighters stayed outside the protective barrier, fighting off quincies who came too close. Sounds to me like you deserve the reward."
Tetsuya's flush darkened.
"I was only doing what I should as Byakuya-sama's head of house security," he insisted, "For a man who has only met me once before this time, Urahara-san seems quite up to date on my actions."
Kisuke gave him a cute little smirk.
"I keep up to date on everyone who comes into my shop," he chuckled, "Don't want to end up being surprised by anything."
He dug into his food enthusiastically.
"Man, I am beat. I can't wait to lie down. I'll bet you're pretty done in too, eh?"
"Yes, we have triaged a large number of injured today."
"Tessai told me that Byakuya assigned you to stay here for awhile and help us with healing. Did he find you a room to use while you're here?"
"Actually, the injured are sleeping in most of the rooms," Tetsuya reported, "But I am comfortable sleeping in the training room near Arashi. I have a bedroll."
"I won't hear of it," Kisuke said, shaking his head firmly, "You need to eat and sleep well, if you're going to keep up with the healing we have to do. You can double up with me if you like. I'm just going to finish up here, then I can help you get settled, all right?"
"Oh, you don't have to…"
"Nonsense," Kisuke chuckled, "We're really overcrowded right now and I hear more are on the way."
"Well, it is kind of you to make room for me," Tetsuya said gratefully, "and a real bed will be much more comfortable."
"It's no trouble," Kisuke assured him as the two continued to eat.
They were quiet for several minutes as they focused on the delicious and restorative food in front of them. Kisuke stole several glances at Tetsuya as they ate.
"You know," the shopkeeper said finally, "I uh, never got the chance to talk to you…you know, after…"
Tetsuya looked up and met his eyes for a moment.
"It's all right, Urahara-san," he assured the shopkeeper, "You were only following Byakuya-sama's wishes."
"Yeah," Kisuke agreed, "but, just so you know, I felt pretty bad, having to end your pregnancy. You were just so badly injured and malnourished."
"I know," Tetsuya said calmly, "It's all right. I don't blame you. You aren't the one who hurt me and made all of that happen."
"No," Kisuke said hesitantly, "but it was my hands that took your baby. I would understand if that…"
"I would never blame you for what happened to me," Tetsuya said solemnly, "Urahara-san saved my life. For that, I am grateful. And I did recover well, because of your intervention. I have been assured, that, if I ever have a husband and wish to have children, I should be able to have them."
Kisuke gave Tetsuya a charming grin.
"You mean, you haven't been snapped up in all of this time?" he teased gently, "What's wrong with those guys?"
"I am a mixed blood, living in a noble family in which many still hold very traditional views."
"You mean bigoted ones," Kisuke said disapprovingly, "A sweet, talented guy like you? You should be happily married with a house full of babies."
"I have not given up on finding happiness of that kind," Tetsuya laughed softly, "I am still young."
"Yeah, unlike some of us," Kisuke sighed dramatically, loosing a contented burp as he finished his food.
He glanced at Tetsuya's empty plate and nodded.
"You done?"
"Mmhmm," Tetsuya said, standing and picking up their plates.
He placed them in the sink, then followed Kisuke down the hallway, to the shopkeeper's bedroom. The two entered and Kisuke stepped into the dressing area, while Tetsuya removed his outer clothing, down to his dressing yukata.
"Do you prefer one side or the other?" the younger man asked.
"I'll sleep closer to the door, in case someone needs to find me fast. I get that a lot."
"Ah."
Tetsuya glanced in the direction of the dressing area, then he laid down and turned to look out the window, into the starry sky. Kisuke emerged a minute later, wearing a dark yukata and running fingers through the mop of blonde hairs on his head. He laid down on his back, looking up at the ceiling.
"Good night, Tetsuya," he said, yawning, "Sweet dreams."
"You as well, Urahara-san," Tetsuya answered.
Kisuke grinned.
"Now that we're sleeping together, you should really start calling me by my first name," he chuckled.
His smile widened as he sensed he had flustered his lovely companion.
"Good night, Kisuke."
He's cute.
I wonder if Byakuya would kill me if I asked to go out with him. Yeah, he probably would.
XXXXXXXXXX
Byakuya leaned over Toshiro's sleeping form, infusing the younger taichou's slim body with healing reiatsu. The light around his hands made the noble's comely face glow gently as he worked. His expression took on a look of relief as Toshiro stirred and groaned, then opened his eyes to look up at the man who was healing him.
"Kuchiki," he said sleepily.
"Yes," Byakuya answered solemnly, "You are safe now, Toshiro. I brought you to Urahara's shop."
"Thanks," Toshiro said, wincing as he tried to sit up, then through the better of moving, "Ugh…"
"Move slowly," Byakuya warned him, "You were reckless. That quincy that tried to attack me landed a serious blow."
"I'll be all right," Toshiro said gamely, "Thanks for the healing, Kuchiki."
"It is no trouble," Byakuya said quietly, "especially considering the effort you made to protect me from being hit. I do appreciate your intercession. You did not have to do that, Toshiro."
"Yeah, well, like you said, I'm reckless," Toshiro chuckled.
He looked around and frowned.
"It's pretty late, isn't it?"
"Yes. Would you like some food or tea? Tessai left some for you earlier."
"Both," Toshiro said, stretching, then wincing again, "Ow…"
"You will be sore for awhile," Byakuya said blithely.
"Now, you tell me," the younger man snickered, accepting the tray and beginning to eat as Byakuya left the bed and walked across the room to settle on the sofa.
Toshiro gave him a look of disapproval.
"What? No room at the inn?" he asked.
"Beds are in short supply because of the number of injured being sent here. The Seireitei is nearly destroyed."
"Right, well, you don't need to sleep on the couch. Even grown up, I'm thin and don't take up much room. You can share the bed with me if you want."
Byakuya looked from the spare couch to the much softer looking bed.
"Thank you. That would be preferable."
Toshiro scooted over a few inches, then turned his attention back to his food. Byakuya crawled in under the covers, sighing in relief to finally be able to lie down.
"You look pretty beat," Toshiro commented around a mouthful of food, "Sorry for wearing you out by making you have to heal me."
"Do not trouble yourself, thinking about it," Byakuya said off-handedly, "It was nothing."
"It wasn't nothing to me," Toshiro insisted, "Thank you, Kuchiki."
Byakuya turned his head to look at the younger man quietly for a moment.
"Thank you for protecting me."
XXXXXXXXXX
When Juushiro woke, he could see by looking out the window that it was late at night. Bright stars shone, and the position of the moon suggested it was nearing morning. He listened carefully for footsteps, but the shop seemed silent and the reiatsu leaking into the room seemed calm. He closed his eyes, reaching out with his senses and connecting with Shunsui's reiatsu.
He's still sleeping?
But no, I feel something strange.
He moved experimentally and found that, aside from feeling a number of little aches and pains, he seemed able to move easily. He slipped out of bed and walked very softly to the door, where he reached out, first with his senses, then by opening the door and looking out into the hallway.
The last thing I want is to be shooed back into bed like a child, he mused, I need to see Shunsui. I want to know he's all right.
He stepped out of his bedroom and headed in the direction he had sensed his dear friend's reiatsu. He was at the door in moments and he paused to listen carefully. He sensed that the captain commander was alone, at the moment and he slipped in quietly and shut the door behind him. He stopped again at the door, letting his eyes adjust to the reduced light in the room. Then, he took tentative steps across the room and sat down at his friend's bedside, looking down at Shunsui's pale, but achingly handsome face and blushing as he remembered the dream he had had before.
It felt so real.
He slid a hand into the darker haired man's, rubbing his fingers lightly in an attempt to gently stir him. But Shunsui's fingers remained limp and lifeless in his, and he made no sound.
"Shunsui," Juushiro called softly, "my friend. What has happened to you?"
He studied his friend's body carefully but couldn't find a sign of physical injury. He tried to sense illness but found nothing obvious. He felt a worried inward jolt as he sensed a slowly advancing weakness in the man.
"What is this?" he hissed softly, "Shunsui!"
He startled as the door opened and Kisuke entered the room, alongside a still weary looking Tetsuya. The two gave him a surprised look, then Kisuke sighed softly.
"I should have figured that you wouldn't be satisfied until you saw him for yourself," the shopkeeper said quietly.
"What happened to him?" Juushiro asked urgently, "What happened to Shunsui? I don't sense a healed injury or an illness I can identify."
"No, and you won't," Kisuke affirmed, "The truth is, we don't know what happened to the captain commander. He strayed away from our group as we all returned, and we assumed that he was looking for you."
"I found the two of you together," Tetsuya continued, "You were unconscious, but unexpectedly, still alive. He was, as you see him now, unconscious and unresponsive. His reiatsu has been slowly declining since we brought him here."
"And we don't know how to stop it," Kisuke said in a tired, sad voice, "because we don't how it happened."
"Did you search where we were found?" Juushiro asked.
"Yes," Tetsuya confirmed, "the area was thoroughly searched and no mechanism or person was found that would explain this."
"I should go back…look again," Juushiro said, standing.
"Hang on, okay?" Kisuke said warningly, "that area is still prone to attack, and you're not in any condition to be going there. Your powers haven't returned yet, and it's going to be awhile before they do."
"It is?" the white-haired taichou repeated questioningly, "I don't understand. Is this a lingering effect from being tied to Mimihagi-sama?"
"Ah, no," Kisuke said, glancing at Tetsuya, "Surprisingly, you don't have any side effects from being bound to Mimihagi."
"Then, why do I not have any powers?" Juushiro asked, giving him a confused look.
"You don't have any powers," Kisuke answered, "because you're carrying a child."
Juushiro's eyes rounded and he started to object, then he stopped himself and stared back at Shunsui in shock.
A child?
His friend's words rang loudly in his ears.
A last gift, he said…a last gift. A child?
But…
"You look like you know something," Kisuke observed, "Wanna talk about it?"
Juushiro hesitated, then sucked in a steadying breath and nodded.
"I had…what seemed like a very vivid dream," he explained.
"Orihime told me. She said it looked like you were dreaming about…erm…being with someone."
"I was with Shunsui!" Juushiro insisted, "We both confessed we loved each other. He said he wanted to give me a last gift, but I didn't understand what he was telling me! Could that be the gift he was talking about?"
Kisuke gave him a stymied look.
"Maybe," he said in a quiet, confused tone, "We can find out. I want you to put his hand over your belly and run a little reiatsu through the area to mingle them."
Juushiro bit his lip gently and carefully lifted Shunsui's hand, bringing it to his lower abdomen, then focusing his reiatsu on the area. After a moment, a soft blue glow rose up around the white-haired taichou's belly.
"Confirmation," Kisuke said, staring with intense curiosity, "The baby is his."
"But how?" Juushiro asked breathlessly, "I was unconscious and I…"
"It didn't happen then," Kisuke said, shaking his head, "It happened here, or actually, it happened wherever you and Shunsui traveled to when you had that dream. I checked and double-checked the probable conception time frame. No doubt. You made that baby after you both were brought here."