Chapter 8: Traitor's Face
(Happy Birthday, Renji! And thanks a million, no, a billion, to my fabulous, amazing and wonderful writing buddy, SesshomaruFreak! Love you!)
Renji sighed, gazing out across Karakura town from his vantage point on the roof of Urahara's candy shop. This was a habit he'd developed in his Rukon childhood; a high point of view where you could see danger coming or spot food.
A solitary roof had also always been a good place to think.
With the turmoil in his head and heart, it was no surprise that he'd reverted to one of his first defense mechanisms.
The Reigai's words about Tetsuya spun through his mind mercilessly, and he dropped his troubled gaze to his big, rough, often-clumsy hands. He absently stroked the calluses on his sword hand.
"…there is nothing that Byakuya loves more than Tetsuya's healing touch. In fact, just a few minutes under his hands and Byakuya finds himself enchanted to the point of near helplessness."
Even if he could let go of his feelings for his captain like he was determined to do, the fact remained that he just didn't measure up to...someone desirable.
Another despondent sigh escaped him as he touched the black markings his tee shirt bared.
Hmm...but Kisuke seems attracted to me. It might've started because we were drunk, but we certainly can't blame alcohol for the other times.
Uggh, how many times am I gonna circle that point?!
The point is, somebody desires me. And I think he cares about me. But what about me? Do I care abo-
Renji's thoughts scattered as a light footstep sounded behind him.
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Tetsuya walked silently along the dark corridor of the precipice world, his blue eyes hazy and unfocused and his mind foggy and unreasoning. His waterform-enshrouded body well hidden in the darkness, he headed to an unmarked and barely visible doorway, then exited into the pocket dimension it led to.
The dimension itself held almost nothing, save for empty sand and a dreary grey sky. Heavy reiatsu hung in the air, obscuring the traces of his passing as he paused, seemingly waiting. A few minutes later, a noise like loudly ripping fabric sounded, and a black hole opened up in the sky just above him. Tetsuya flash stepped towards it without any sign of hesitation. He moved into the deep blackness and the tear in the sky seemed to mend itself behind him. When all was still, he started forward again, keeping his eyes lowered to the bright reiatsu trail he laid as he went along.
The reiatsu hissed softly as it settled and his sandals tapped lightly on the surface. The sounds echoed eerily as he moved forward, his expression blank and his blue eyes looking empty and lost. He emerged some time later, passing through another tear in the fabric, and he flash stepped down into what looked to be a large courtyard.
A pair of hollow guards looked unsurprised to see him, and they simply waved him on, into the huge fortress. A widely smiling Ichimaru Gin met Tetsuya at the doorway and led him down a long hallway.
"Welcome back, Tetsu-chan," the silver-haired man said conversationally, "I'd say it's nice to see you, but I don't think you even know where you are, nor what you're doing here."
He was glad that the younger man couldn't see the little hint of regret in his expression.
"He's scrambled your mind until you don't know up from down, isn't that right? I'd help you, but I've got my own problems, see? I worked hard to get where I am. Near him? So, I can't do anything that will give me away."
He reached down and squeezed Tetsuya's soft hand, where he was sure no one could see.
"I'll look out for you as best I can, but I can't control what he does to you. Lucky for you, he's interested in Byakuya, and whatever he can learn from you about your cousin's plans. He can't hurt you too bad or leave any visible signs of his reiatsu on you. Too dangerous."
He left off as they reached the throne room, where Aizen Sousuke sat on a large, white throne, gazing down at them.
"Well now," he said smoothly, smiling as Tetsuya's unseeing eyes rose to look in his direction, "it's lovely to see you again, Tetsuya. You look well."
He paused and leaned forward, resting his face on one opened hand.
"I heard about your upcoming wedding, of course. I suppose congratulations are in order."
He blinked in surprise as a single tear leaked from the corner of one blue eye and ran down Tetsuya's pale cheek.
"But, what is this?" he asked softly, focusing intently on the young man's face and raising his reiatsu until the pressure around Tetsuya made him drop onto his knees, "You aren't quite as much under my control as I thought. What a surprise. But you have surprised me several times with your resistance. It's all right. I expect as much from Byakuya's right hand. That is what they call you, is it not, Kuchiki Tetsuya?
Aizen rose from the throne and his footsteps echoed hollowly as he approached Tetsuya and slid a warm hand under the young man's chin.
"Now then, why don't you tell me…what's bothering you…Tetsuya?"
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Kisuke followed his guest's troubled reiatsu to the roof and paused, admiring Renji quietly as he absently stroked the black bands that embraced his biceps, gazing thoughtfully into the distance.
Then the redhead straightened and turned to see him. The auburn eyes widened and warmed.
"Kisuke..."
He stepped closer and dropped to sit at Renji's side, almost touching shoulders with the younger man.
"How are you doing, Renji?" the shopkeeper asked.
The redhead opened his mouth to answer, then closed it again, reconsidering. Kisuke gave a little chuckle and bumped Renji's shoulder lightly with his own.
"You were about to tell me that you're fine," Kisuke concluded.
"Yeah, but I knew that wasn't gonna get past you, so I guess I'll just say I feel pretty shitty. Still, I'd also be lying if I said I wasn't glad you're here."
"Heh, heh, that's really pretty flattering, you know?"
Renji blushed and shook his head apologetically, but the amused shopkeeper waved him off quickly.
"It's okay…really," Kisuke assured him, "I mean, we're both getting something positive outta this…thing we've got going. We're not hurting anyone."
He paused and studied Renji more closely.
"We're not hurting anyone, are we?" he repeated, arching an eyebrow, "You don't have any regrets?"
"What's to regret now?" Renji sighed, "It's all kinda futile…nothing's ever gonna happen between Taicho and me. I'm just…not what he wants. What the reigai said…"
"Hey," Kisuke said apologetically, "I'm sorry about springing that business on you. I shoulda said something to you before dumping it on you like that."
To his surprise, Renji shook his head.
"Yeah, maybe. But I know you didn't do that on purpose. At least, I don't think you did? Doesn't matter, though; it happened and it's over."
Kisuke watched as the redhead paused and looked at him questioningly.
"Hey...you said we're both getting something positive out of this. What are you getting?"
He responded without thought.
"I'm not alone anymore."
Surprised by his own honesty, Kisuke's cheeks warmed and he started to glance away. A warm, sword-roughened hand curved around his cheek, keeping his eyes on sweet cinnamon. Renji leaned close and kissed his other cheek, murmuring, "That goes for both of us."
Then the lieutenant leaned back to meet his eyes again, wearing a wry smile.
"Though, I'm not sure how much I can stand to be around my captain or the reigai right now. I don't know how I'm supposed to let go of..." he gestured to his chest and temple, "..all this if I'm around them. I gotta admit, it's not an issue when you and I are making love. Ain't that weird?"
Kisuke shook his head, a warm feeling in his chest that being with him could douse Renji's anguish, even temporarily. It was nice to know his comfort meant something.
"It'll get better, Renji. If we can help Tetsuya, we should give it our best effort, and that will include contact with the reigai. If it'll help, I won't let you be alone with him."
The redhead smiled gratefully and nodded.
"That sounds good, thanks."
Kisuke smiled back, understanding Renji's feelings to a point. It had to be hard to have feelings for the engaged noble, but know nothing would ever happen. Then to be asked for help from his fiancé, and meet a nearly-perfect copy of the man himself?
Others would've fled.
Kisuke thought briefly on the fact that, since the first night, Renji hadn't tried to hide or deny his feelings for Byakuya, had been honest with him.
Something in him deeply appreciated that. At least he knew what he was getting into, knew where he stood with the vibrant lieutenant.
Inspired by a swell of affection, he took Renji's big hand in his own.
"Let's go inside."
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Renji followed his host off the roof and into the shop, led by the gentle, yet firm grip on his hand. Somehow, they made it to Kisuke's room without running into Tessai or the kids, which would've seemed odd had Renji not been totally focused on the shopkeeper.
They entered the bedroom and Kisuke locked the door before turning to him. Renji gasped, then moaned as the older man pushed him against the wall, then grabbed the back of his neck to pull his head down.
Kisuke kissed him voraciously, and Renji almost melted. Relaxing against the wall, he kissed back and spread his legs, pulling the smaller man between them.
To his surprise and confusion, Kisuke held back, just enough to be noticeable.
"Kisuke?"
The blond smiled before turning towards Renji's cabinet.
"Where do you keep your sake?"
"Uhh, why?"
"Because you're gonna fuck me and I need a drink so it doesn't feel like I'm getting split in half at first. Oh, found it!"
Renji's mind took a couple moments to process the words and that he wasn't the one getting fucked as Kisuke stalked back to him, a beautifully seductive look in his smoke-gray eyes.
With a growl, Renji pushed off the wall to meet the former captain, taking the sake bottle from him. He took a drink but didn't swallow, dipping his head a couple inches to kiss the exile, feeding him the warm sake from his lips.
Kisuke moaned, swallowing his treat eagerly. Renji took a drink for himself, then another to give his companion.
For every drink he gave Kisuke, Renji took one of his own, making sure they consumed the same amount. Then Kisuke kissed his throat, and Renji groaned roughly, lifting one hand to the back of the blond head.
His memory spiked through the haze; the reigai saying all the things Byakuya liked about Tetsuya.
As much as he tried to shove the thought away, Renji found himself whispering, "Ki-Kisuke?"
As if sensing the shift in mood, the older man paused and met his eyes. Renji hesitated, not wanting to sound stupid.
"Is...is there anything you like about me? Besides my body, I mean."
Yep, that sounded stupid.
The gray eyes softened with understanding as Kisuke touched his cheek.
"Of course, Renji. I like your emotional strength - no matter what happens, you keep moving forward. You have street-smarts, which is incredibly enviable in this generation. What's more, I know what you had to endure to gain that sort of intelligence, another testament to your strength."
Renji was speechless as Kisuke leaned closer.
"Your loyalty, Renji. It is a sight to see, to witness how fiercely protective you are over those you care about. I swear, if I had your loyalty, I'd do whatever it took to make sure you never regretted it."
Suddenly weak in the knees, Renji sat down hard on the bed, watching as Kisuke slowly stripped and straddled his lap, only wearing his hat.
"Take off your shirt, Renji."
Obediently, he pulled the shirt off and flung it away.
The older man touched the black designs on his chest, his fingers warm and curious.
"What are these, exactly? It's hard to believe they are all tattoos, given your...dislike of needles."
Renji snickered.
"Actually, most of 'em are markings from Zabimaru."
The gray eyes widened with rare surprise.
"Your zanpakuto marks you?"
"Uh huh. Those ones on my chest were for Shikai."
Kisuke's hands traveled lower, to Renji's abs. The shopkeeper met his eyes curiously under the brim of his hat.
Renji smiled proudly.
"When I graduated from the Academy. Zabi was so proud that we made the top three."
Kisuke lowered his hands further, between Renji's thighs to the hard member. The redhead groaned softly and blushed, but he answered obediently.
"First time I had sex. Zabimaru… they have a sense of humor."
Kisuke grinned at the admission, then tilted his head so his striped hat hid his eyes.
"And what about you, Renji? Is there anything you like about me?"
The younger man grinned and swiped the ever-present hat.
"I like the hat," he announced, plopping it on his own head and watching the shock spread over Kisuke's face. Quickly, he leaned in to kiss the shopkeeper, murmuring, "That was a joke."
Still wearing the hat, he smiled reassuringly.
"The way you're always there for everybody else. The way you are with them kids. And you're so fuckin' smart, it scares me sometimes, and I'm really glad you're on our side."
Kisuke looked stunned for a moment, then smiled in a way Renji was sure he hadn't seen before. The blond leaned in to kiss him, moving the hands that were still between the bigger Soul Reaper's thighs. Renji groaned roughly, his own hands moving to prepare the older man carefully, making sure his lover was good and ready before going further.
Finally, Renji laid back on the bed, gently catching lean hips and guiding the pale form into place. As they slowly joined, both men moaned quietly, mindful of their location. Renji bit his lip as he whispered, "I can't wait for the day we don't have to be quiet. I wanna hear you."
As if to emphasize his meaning, he began rolling his hips under the former taicho, bringing their bodies together in a sensuous rhythm. Kisuke covered his mouth to muffle the sounds he was making. Renji growled softly and braced his feet, thrusting harder. He captured the older man's wrist and gently pulled him down to lay on his chest.
Holding the exile against him with one arm, he used the other hand to grip Kisuke's behind, thrusting faster as soft, panting moans filled his ear.
He buried his face in the blond hair that smelled like pine and incense, muffling his grunts of pleasurable exertion as he claimed the sexy, brilliant man on top of him.
"Kisuke," he purred, enjoying the way the slightly smaller man began to writhe desperately, grinding himself into Renji's thrusts.
Kisuke started shuddering warningly, and Renji nuzzled him.
"Look at me, Kisuke."
Gray eyes met his through disheveled blond strands. Renji kissed him, both of them moaning into the passionate exchange as their bodies tensed. Moments later, Renji was pouring his relief into the hot body while warm seed landed on his belly.
He caressed his lover soothingly, and only a handful of minutes passed before the older man sat up with a smirk.
"You still good to go, Renji?"
He grinned up at the blond.
"For you, hell yeah!"
Kisuke grinned back, easily switching their positions and preparing Renji gently. He took the redhead with eager passion until they both collapsed on the bed, wrapped up in each other's arms for the remainder of the night.
Kisuke only woke once before dawn as a soft-spoken voice, barely more than a silken whisper, spoke into his mind ripping him from the peacefulness of sleep in his lover's strong arms.
"Just remember that you are mine forever now, and mine alone. Should anyone try to claim you, then I promise you I will give that person a fate so dark that they will pray for death."
He sat straight up in the bed, making Renji jump awake.
"What the hell? Are you all right?" he snapped, peering at Kisuke's white face in the pale moonlight, then looking around for what had spooked the usually calm genius.
"S-sorry, bad dream. I'm fine."
He laid back down and curled into the redhead's arms again. Renji continued to speak, but Kisuke just mumbled and ducked under an arm, pretending to quickly doze off. Yet, he didn't miss the words whispered into his ear and delivered with a kiss that left him shaken to the core and sure there was no stopping his reckless plunge into love with the sexy Rukongai mongrel.
"I'm never gonna let anything happen to you. You know that, right?"
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"You know," Aizen said in a calm, relaxed tone, his brown eyes gazing dispassionately down at Tetsuya's curled body where it laid on the floor at his feet, "I can see you are in agony that has nothing to do with the punishment I just gave you for defying my request. You do want that pain to be abated, don't you, Tetsuya?"
Tetsuya gasped and panted, but couldn't spare the breath to speak as shards of pain radiated throughout his entire body.
"I have to admire you for holding up so well," Aizen continued, "Most people would have fallen apart by now. It is a credit to you that you can withstand so much and not simply lose your mind. You are truly resilient, Tetsuya. But you are also refusing me, and I don't take well to being disobeyed. If you weren't necessary to my plans, I would have killed you already. But…"
He paused and lifted Tetsuya onto his feet, holding him there and glaring down at him.
"I can always adjust my plans if you prove to be too difficult. So then…"
His reiatsu rose and Tetsuya screamed.
"Why don't you tell me what I want to know? Tell me, Tetsuya, what is it that was making you cry before? Something serious is troubling you, is it not? It would ease your burden greatly to share it."
He paused, wrapping his illusions around the younger man.
"Just…think of me as a friend," Aizen purred into his ear, "someone you trust with your deepest, darkest secrets. Now, tell me, Tetsuya, what is troubling you so much?"
Tetsuya flinched uncomfortably, even as the pain in his body faded, and he felt a familiar touch on his shoulder. His eyes opened and blinked several times and he managed a sad smile as Aizen brushed the sweaty strands away from his face.
"Koji," he whispered brokenly.
"Yes," Aizen agreed, his lips curling, "I am your most trusted attendant. You know you can tell me anything. What is causing you so much pain?"
"Y-you can't say anything," Tetsuya managed, shuddering, "I have to f-find a way to t-tell him, myself."
"Of course," Aizen agreed, "but who are we talking about? Is there something that you are hiding from Byakuya?"
Aizen paused as Tetsuya squinted at him, as though seeing something wasn't quite right.
"What are you hiding from Lord Byakuya?" he corrected himself, using his power to rewrite the moment carefully in Tetsuya's ensnared mind.
Tetsuya gave him a shattered look.
"Renji," Tetsuya yielded, "When I was in Karakura Town, trying to learn how to please Byakuya, I s-sensed that Renji is…"
"Renji is what?" Aizen prompted him.
Tetsuya dropped to his knees, barely able to force the words out.
"R-renji is…having Byakuya's child. It seems that before we announced our engagement, Byakuya gave in to Renji's charms and now Renji is having his child."
Broken under the weight of the admission, Tetsuya collapsed and Aizen gazed silently down at him for several long moments…then three words escaped his wickedly smiling lips.
"Is that right?"
He took a slow breath, considering, then he knelt beside Tetsuya, infusing his body with warm, healing reiatsu.
"Well then, I am going to heal and send you back to Karakura Town…and here is what I want you to do."