Chapter 6: Calm in the Storm

Naoki laid silently on the bed within his hidden room, his brown eyes focused on the white ceiling. He shifted slightly, as much as the restraints that held him would allow, his heart aching as he recalled holding Tetsuya's chilled body in his arms, in their cell in the old fortress.

I could feel how strong he has gotten. This is why Orochi uses me to get to him. He knows that Tetsuya could defeat him in a direct confrontation, so he uses lies and deception to confuse and mislead him. I can't let this go on. I love Tetsuya...so much so that when I was with him once, sent by Orochi to tease him in his dreams, I couldn't resist and I made love to him. I wasn't supposed to. If Orochi knew, he would whip me. But luckily for me, he didn't sense anything. I wonder if Tetsuya read the signs and suspected I am alive. I don't know if he did. He hasn't acted like he knows.

I have to find some way to be sure! But how? When Orochi is not with me, he always binds me. He is very careful never to let me have any openings. He knows well how it would go if the Kuchiki elders became aware I was alive. It would certainly ruin his plans for Tetsuya, and it would dishonor him.

I want to see him dishonored the way he deserves, but...I can't risk him hurting Tetsuya. I have to think of a way to trip him up...

Naoki's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a lock clicking in release, then the swish of the hidden door sliding open. He continued to look blankly up at the ceiling as the door slid closed again and Orochi's footsteps approached. The noble slid onto the bed and glared down at him.

"Plotting again, Naoki?" he challenged the bound man.

"Why would I be plotting?" Naoki asked in a defeated tone, "I know what would happen to Tetsuya if I did anything. You have made that more than clear, Orochi-sama."

"Good," the black-eyed man said approvingly, "I just needed to make sure you remembered. It would be unfortunate to have to abandon my plans and kill the two of you. I have much better things in store for you."

He released the restraints on Naoki and sat back, slowly moving his clothing out of the way and baring his ample privates.

"Why don't you help me relax for a bit?" he said, blinking slowly, "I need to think."

Naoki kept his angry eyes lidded as he turned and lowered himself between the other man's parted thighs. Orochi slid his fingers into the young man's hair, tightening them warningly until Naoki winced. He loosened them slightly as the enslaved man began to pleasure him. His hard black eyes calmed under the half-blood man's ministrations and Orochi slowly relaxed, then released the hold he had on Naoki's hair. He moved his hips to intensify their contact and a soft, hungry groan escaped his lips. As much as he disliked what he was forced to do, Naoki focused his mind on Tetsuya, letting his thoughts drift to how he had made love to Tetsuya without Orochi being any the wiser. The memory of their illicit joining sent a hungry ache through his loins and he felt himself hardening.

"What is this?" Orochi asked suddenly, his hand reaching down to touch the younger man, "A sign of affection from you? How unusual..."

Naoki looked back at him silently.

"Or are you thinking of him while you are with me?" the black-eyed noble asked more confrontationally.

"Why would I do that?" Naoki asked cautiously, "I barely remember him. You know that."

"Do I?" Orochi hissed softly, sitting up and bringing Naoki up with him, "I will tell you what I know, half-blood. I know better than to give you an inch in which to move. You had better remember who your master is, and who you should be thinking of when we are together!"

"I assure you, Orochi-sama, I never forget who my master is. I am sorry I angered you, sir," Naoki apologized, his teeth clenching as he forced out the words.

"Hmm," Orochi mused, studying Naoki's bowed head, "I think I'd better make damned sure there is no question in your mind who is your master."

"Orochi-sama, I...!"

Naoki's words were stopped and his breath escaped in a gasp as Orochi forced him down onto his belly and parted his thighs roughly.

"Tetsuya never took you," Orochi said, joining their bodies with only the slightest preparation, "As much as I broke him, he could never take anyone."

Naoki made a soft sound of pain as the elder man began to move.

"I can be sure of you now, can't I?" Orochi panted, holding Naoki tightly and leaning over his shoulder to breathe into his ear as their coupling continued, "You need to stay focused. You are getting something out of all of this too. When you're both locked up here and no one has any idea I have either of you, you can do what you want while I'm not here."

Naoki glowered into his pillow.

What good will it do to be with Tetsuya if we are bound and can't touch each other? This man is a monster!

He forced out a few obedient sounding words and felt Orochi mumble something approving against the back of his naked shoulder. The black-eyed man stiffened and his foul, scathing heat filled Naoki as he groaned and shifted uncomfortably. He remained where he was as Orochi sighed languidly and withdrew. He slid a hand down to touch Naoki's once again uninterested nether region.

"That is much more appropriate," he commented, turning and beginning to bind Naoki again, "I have to go. There is a meeting of the elders. It seems that Tetsuya's bizarre behavior has attracted their attention. It will be interesting to see what Byakuya does."

I hope he destroys your plans right there! Naoki thought belligerently, Whatever happens to me, I don't want you ever to touch my lover again!

XXXXXXXXXX

Tetsuya heard Koji's soft step and opened his eyes. He started to smile at the attendant, then made a discomfited sound and exited the bed hastily.

"Tetsuya-san, are you...? Tetsuya-san?" Koji called after him.

Tetsuya hurried into the bathroom and collapsed in front of the toilet, heaving several times and emptying his stomach before sighing and leaning back slightly. Koji handed him a cool, wet cloth and a glass of water. He rinsed his mouth out, then cooled his face with the washcloth as Koji observed him sympathetically.

"A healer will be here in a few minutes," the attendant assured him.

"Oh, it's all right," Tetsuya objected, shaking his head, "I don't know what came over me. I feel all right, now."

"Hmm," Koji mused, "You don't look ill, maybe a little pale, but..."

"I am fine, really," Tetsuya insisted, "It's probably just all of the upset lately. I've been under a lot of stress."

"Why don't you let me be the judge of that, my boy?" chuckled an old, white-haired man with kind grey eyes, "Go and get comfortable on the bed and I will have a look at you."

"But I'm really fine, Michio."

"I'm sure you are," the healer agreed, "but you already have Byakuya-sama worried about you. Let's just not give him any more to concern him, ne?"

"Oh...if you think it's best, I suppose," Tetsuya sighed, "but I really don't feel ill now."

"Hmmm," said the healer, following him to the bed and sitting down, "You may be right about it being stress. Your reiatsu is a bit on the low side. That's a common side effect. Koji-kun informed me you have had trouble sleeping."

"Yes," Tetsuya confessed, "I don't know why, but I keep dreaming about the noble's prison I was in, and about Naoki."

"He was the boy you loved?" Michio inquired.

"He was," Tetsuya confirmed, "But I was accepting of his passing. I still do go to his grave to honor him, but I know he is gone. I am not in denial of that..."

"Of course not," the healer said reassuringly, "But as you might suspect, stress or sometimes a trigger of some kind can touch off these things. Don't worry, we will get you back in good working order."

"I hope so," Tetsuya said sadly, looking out through the softly lit barrier in the open garden doorway, "Byakuya assures me that everything will be fine, but how can it be? You know that a lot of family members are convinced that I was the one who attacked Arashi, and I can't defend myself, because I have no memory of what happened when I met him in the forest clearing!"

"Easy," Michio said bracingly, "You must try to stay calm and let me take care of you. I know you quite well, Tetsuya-kun, and I don't believe for a minute that you hurt Arashi-chan."

"But how can you be sure?" Tetsuya asked worriedly, "I was there. There were no signs of anyone being there..."

"And there are people who are very crafty, who could certainly hide their passing, are there not?" Michio said pointedly.

"Well, yes but..."

"And there are a number of people in our family who still harbor ill will towards mixed blood, ne?"

Tetsuya paused, staring at him for a moment in surprise.

"You think that Orochi or maybe one of the others who worked in the prison...?"

"I am telling you not to decide so quickly that a young man like yourself, who is peaceful and gentle would hurt someone close to him, when he has no reason at all to do so."

"But you know that I could be losing my mind!" Tetsuya argued.

Michio shook his head firmly.

"You are not losing your mind," he said with certainty, "although I think someone wants very much to make you believe it."

"But what makes you so sure?" Tetsuya pleaded, "and when this attracts the attention of the elders on our family council, how am I to prove that it wasn't me who hurt Arashi? As far as the clues say, I was the only one with him."

"You told Byakuya-sama that you saw your Naoki-chan," the healer offered.

"We both know that Naoki is dead, Michio-dono," Tetsuya said firmly.

"Yes," Michio agreed, his old eyes crinkling around the edges as they narrowed, "but think about who it would benefit to use that boy's image to lure you and try to unhinge you."

Tetsuya's eyes widened.

"Byakuya-sama thinks it is Orochi?" he asked.

"Who else would know so well the pain you endured over Naoki-chan's death?"

"You are right," Tetsuya said more calmly, "But there is still the problem of proving that. All the theories in the world won't help at all unless we can prove something."

"But finding proof takes time," Michio said wisely, "So, Byakuya-sama's focus will be on providing all of us with time to find the answers we need."

"But how can I find answers when I must be locked up in here to protect everyone in case I am going mad?" Tetsuya worried.

"Who said anything about locking you up?" Michio asked, smiling at him and slipping a small silver band onto his wrist, "You needn't be locked up. You only need your powers under a limiter so that you are not capable of being a threat...and you need to have at least one attendant with you at all times."

Tetsuya brightened slightly.

"Of course," he agreed, "If I am not a threat, the elders will have no reason to take further action against me. We will have more time to find proof of what's really going on here."

"That's right," Michio agreed, "Now, why don't you and Koji-kun have some breakfast and have him give you a long infusion of reiatsu. That should have you feeling right again in no time."

"I'll do that," Tetsuya promised.

"I'll see to his meal and infusion right away," Koji added enthusiastically.

"Good boy," Michio chuckled, rising, "Well then, I am off. One of Kuchiki Seiji's twins has had a fever all night. Looks like something is coming around."

"We'll see you later then, Michio-dono," Tetsuya said in farewell.

"I'll be back tonight to check your reiatsu again, so eat well and get that infusion."

"I will."

XXXXXXXXXX

Byakuya opened his eyes and found himself wound warmly into Renji's embrace and looking up into the redhead's cheerful, if a little sleepy gaze.

"Good morning, Taichou," Renji greeted him, giving him a long kiss of welcome, "You look like you slept well."

"I did," Byakuya agreed, "Thank you for staying. I was...quite disturbed over Tetsuya's situation."

"Yeah, I know."

"Has any word come about...?"

"Torio came in a little while ago to check on you, and he told me that Tetsuya was a little sick this morning, but not to worry because Michio came and looked him over...said he just had low reiatsu, probably because of all of the stress. He gave Tetsuya a limiter so his powers can't hurt anyone, and he's having Koji spoil him this morning with a big breakfast and a reiatsu infusion. He'll be fine."

"Ah, that is a relief. But I should still..." Byakuya began, sitting up, only to be gently brought down again, and to have his mouth intoxicatingly invaded.

"R-renji!"

"C'mon," the redhead coaxed him, "Tetsuya's situation is under control, and we have some time now before we have to be up, right?"

"Yes," Byakuya admitted, an edge of tension in his voice.

Renji sighed and released him, sitting up and running his fingers through his red mane.

"But...?"

Byakuya looked back at him, struggling for words.

"Renji, I don't know how to say this, but..."

"But what?" Renji complained, "Hey, I'm being as patient as I can be. I haven't been pushing you too hard, right? I've been respecting boundaries. I'm sorry if it makes you uncomfortable that I can't wait to let loose and make love to you. You're beautiful, Taichou! Most beautiful guy I've ever seen in my life! Do you really blame me for wanting you like I do?"

"No!" Byakuya insisted, "That isn't it at all!"

"Then, what is it?" Renji asked in an exasperated tone, "Look, I'll do whatever you want! I'll promise never to leave you. I'll promise I'll never love anyone else again! Who needs anyone else when I've got you? You're amazing! Why would I want anyone else? I'll stand on my head, bring your tea, wash your socks. You name it, I'll do it! Just tell me what it is I have to do! Please, Taichou, you're driving me crazy here, and it's starting to be kinda cruel, you know?"

"I don't mean to be cruel," Byakuya explained, gathering himself, "and I want to be with you as much as you want to be with me."

"But what? Do I have to ask permission from the old farts on your council?"

"No!" Byakuya managed, barely stifling a laugh.

"Do I have to do cartwheels? What?" Renji demanded, giving him a piqued smile.

"You don't have to do any of that," Byakuya answered, feeling a slight shiver go through him as the moment he had been dreading came about, "It is just...that there is something that you are going to have to accept about me, and about any...couplings we have if we are to be together sexually."

Renji gave him a confused look.

"What? Are you uh...into kink or something?" he asked, blinking, "BDSM?"

He bit his lip and flinched at the bright blush his words brought to Byakuya's comely face and pale throat.

"No!" Byakuya snapped in a flustered voice, "I am not into any of those things. It doesn't have to do with that, and if you will stop interrupting, I will tell you, Abarai. I just...hope that it isn't going to change your impression of me. It is a lot to handle, really."

"What's a lot to handle?" Renji asked, "Okay, I'll shut up. Just tell me. What's going on here? What have I got to do to get you to let me make love to you?"

Byakuya blushed harder and cleared his throat softly. One slender, graceful hand opened his nightstand drawer and he removed two small charms on silver chains. He held them in his palm and sent a flicker of reiatsu through them, then slipped one around the redhead's neck and one around his own. Renji's face went from confused to completely puzzled.

"Taichou?" he mused uncertainly, touching the charm with his fingertips and staring, "Is this a...?"

"It is a protection charm," Byakuya confirmed, looking into the redhead's eyes with perfect seriousness, "and every time we are together sexually, we must wear them."

Renji gave him a confounded look.

"But Taichou, we're both guys..." he said in a befuddled tone, "You...are a guy, right?"

"I am," Byakuya assured him, "But in my family, occasionally there are births of males who are born with a breeder ability. I am, unknown to most people, a breeder male."

"Wh-what?" Renji whispered, going wide-eyed, "You're a...?"

"I am a breeder male," Byakuya repeated, "That means that if you and I make love without wearing these charms, someone is going to get pregnant. I can impregnate male or female...and I can be impregnated."

He paused and watched as Renji's eyes rounded and he collapsed back onto the bed in a dead faint.

"Oh, that didn't go very well at all," Byakuya sighed, leaning over him, "Ah, Renji? Renji are you all right? Renji!"