Through the Eyes

By Spunky0ne

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In an unguarded moment, Tetsuya Kuchiki reveals something startling about Byakuya. Ichigo's life will never be the same.

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Chapter 1: The End

Byakuya felt cold, wet droplets pelting his torn and already drenched clothing and stinging the damaged areas on his shoulders and back, bringing him back from the edges of what he had been convinced was the very end. For one disorienting moment, he was sure he had been returned to the Seireitei, to the devastating battle that had left him inches from death and completely humiliated. But he remembered then the deep immersion in hot, scathing water that had emptied him completely, that had washed away the sin of his failure and allowed him to be rebuilt. And he did not lay now, humiliated and defeated, but only sacrificed in order to achieve victory.

He experienced not a moment of doubt.

Ichigo was victorious.

I knew he would be.

I am proud to have only opened the way to him. Whatever happens, I will have peace now, knowing that my faith was well placed.

I only wish...

Coherence began to leave him again and clear thought became impossible. But the one thing that did remain clear in his mind was that he wouldn't lie where he was, dying and forgotten. And he held on to the last fragments of life, waiting.

He will come.

The thought comforted him and numbed the pain enough that he could drift off, his body still collapsed and facedown in a tumble of wreckage. It would have been painful if he'd had the capacity to feel where his body rested on sharp bits of broken rock and torn metal. But if he managed to survive, it would be some time before that discomfort would register again. He was grateful that he could somehow still sense the steady beat of the raindrops, like what the human folk called tears of the angels, both mourning the fallen and washing away the wickedness of the quincy king.

He wondered briefly as he faded in and out of consciousness, if his leaking blood would be completely drained soon and if that sensation would be the last one to reach him before dying. And oddly, it wasn't a distressing thought.

It seems to erase some of the emptiness of these last years...to have finally served the most honorable of purposes, to have had to use all of the skills I had spent a lifetime developing to open the way for him. There is peace in having used everything I have and having invested all that I am. And dying in battle as my father did is a worthy sacrifice if it means that we have protected our home.

Thank you, Ichigo.

The shinigami substitute's handsome face and friendly smile appeared in Byakuya's mind and comforted him as he lost awareness again. He woke sometime later to the feel of something warm being draped over his immobilized body and the close presence of the one he had been thinking about.

Ichigo.

He tried to speak, but found he had no control anymore over his battered form. His eyes were open and although the images in front of him were blurry, he knew who was with him.

"Hang in there, okay?" Ichigo's voice said soothingly, "I'm here. I'll stay with you until the others can get to us. The damage to the palace is pretty bad, so it will be a little while."

Byakuya wanted to say that it didn't matter, that whatever his fate, he was at peace with it all.

It's probably for the best I can't speak, then. Because he would only scold me and tell me it does matter, and that he's not going to let me give up and die. He's such a child sometimes. He doesn't accept that sometimes it's okay to sacrifice oneself, to shine for a moment, then fade out, to give everything to protect and to die knowing that one's life's wish was achieved. Not that I wouldn't be happy to wake up in the fourth division, to slowly heal and to resume my life. But how can anything feel like enough after this? And how can I go back to the emptiness and the question I woke up to every day.

Why am I still breathing?

Did I not grow to my capacity? Put everything into perfecting my abilities and protecting my family, my friends and my king? My only regret, if I had one, would be that I never confessed what I feel for him.

"Are you warm enough now?" Ichigo asked, derailing his already shaky thought processes.

He realized suddenly that he could feel a warm hand, strong fingers gently entwined with his. And when he breathed in, Ichigo's pleasant, masculine scent reached his scrambled senses.

"You know, this isn't the first time you've tried to die on me," Ichigo chided him, "And you know I'm just not going to let you do that. So, give it up, Byakuya. You're going to survive."

"S-stubborn fool!" Byakuya spat, surprising himself by being able to speak at all.

His very presence makes me fight harder, even when I was at peace with dying...not that I wanted to die. I just...thought that was what was happening.

Maybe I was wrong.

"That's more like it," Ichigo said approvingly, "more like the guy I know. Thanks, by the way. That blast you caused took Ywach off guard and gave me the upper hand. That was...really reckless."

"It was...m-my choice."

"Yeah. And it helped a lot. But it was still reckless."

"Amusing," the Kuchiki heir managed, "coming from you."

"Right," Ichigo chuckled, his smile sending new flickers of warmth through Byakuya's injured body.

Unfortunately, the return of sensation brought with it the beginnings of the pain he had before been somewhat protected from.

"That's not a good look," Ichigo observed, "You're starting to feel your body again, ne?"

"Unfortunately, yes," Byakuya whispered.

"Don't worry, it shouldn't be much longer."

"Are Renji and Rukia all right?"

"Yeah. No one's broken through to us yet, but I sensed them. The king also told me that the Seireitei has been returned from the shadows. I tried sending a hell butterfly to Tetsuya to see if everyone was okay, but couldn't get that through either. But I'm sure they're fine."

"I would have sensed it if he was killed," Byakuya said quietly, "I believe they are safe. Tetsuya is strong, and the worst of the quincy army was not in the shadows."

"Right. Stop trying to talk so much. You should take it easy. You're pretty busted up."

"That hadn't escaped me."

"You really are feeling better, huh?"

"No, just more," Byakuya corrected him, "Talk about something...anything. Tell me what happened."

"Okay," Ichigo said, squeezing his hand gently, "After you caused that explosion, he was knocked off balance. I was able to bring myself to full power. And you cut off the pathway so that the other quincies couldn't get through. It was just me and him. The king sealed the room so that Ywach couldn't draw power anymore from the ones outside. So, the rest was just dodging a lot and slowly wearing him down. It was an ugly fight. He used old man Yamamoto's bankai."

"And you defeated it."

"Yeah. It was an honor, although it was really sad to see it and to know that he's gone."

The hint of a smile overtook the corners of Byakuya's mouth.

"You liked the captain commander?"

"He wasn't a bad guy," Ichigo sighed, "I mean, he could be a real jerk sometimes, but he did some real good things too. And he cared about what happened to Seireitei and the captains and subordinates who served under him. Kinda like you but a lot older and stuffier."

"Thank you...I think."

Ichigo laughed, sending fresh waves of new life through Byakuya's aching form. He squeezed the noble's hand again.

"You're welcome. Do you think you can move at all yet?"

Byakuya took a deeper breath, sending splinters of pain through his chest and managed to move his fingers and toes. Ichigo smiled down at him encouragingly.

"Well, that's something. A little more time and you'll be able to move your whole arm," he said, smirking good naturedly.

"I am so happy you find this amusing," Byakuya said dryly.

"And his sarcasm is back too," Ichigo noted, chuckling again, "You're definitely getting better."

He started to say more, but was interrupted by a large blast that shook the ground under them and dragged a pained groan from the collapsed captain.

"Hey, it's the cavalry," Ichigo said, giving his hand another squeeze as he fired a blaze of reiatsu into the sky.

Red, Byakuya noted, beginning to fade out again, Critical injury, immediate assistance needed.

"Over here!" Ichigo cried, his voice echoing strangely in Byakuya's spinning mind and making his head ache more fiercely, "C'mon!"

Flash steps sounded and Ichigo made a sound of mingled relief and urgency.

"He's hurt really bad," the shinigami substitute said, "but he's...Byakuya?"

He tried to answer, but couldn't utter more than a soft groan.

"I guess he lost consciouness again. He's been going in and out for a while."

Something sliced through the tattered remains of his clothes, baring his back. He felt an invasion of icy coldness, then the first touches of healing.

"Is he going to be all right?" Ichigo asked worriedly.

He sounds frightened now. But he was so calm before...

"He's pretty damned wrecked," Tenjiro admitted, "but I can heal him."

Warm water swirled around the injured captain's body, stabilizing his body and sending his mind into a calm abyss.

"I was scared he was already gone when I found him," Ichigo confessed, "but then his eyes moved. I wasn't sure he'd live until help got here. Thanks for coming so quickly."

"No problem," said the guardsman, curling his healing water more firmly around the unconscious clan leader.

Ichigo looked around, scanning the devastated remains of what had been the royal palace.

"So, what happens now?" he asked softly.

Kirinji glanced up at him.

"Don't worry about this. We'll clean up the mess. Your part here is done. You get to go home now and live in peace...at least until the next threat."

"Right," Ichigo sighed wearily, looking down at Byakuya's water-enshrouded form, "Until next time..."

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The sound of falling rain returned to Byakuya's awareness. He was still immobilized and unable to even open his eyes, but he realized almost instantly that his surroundings had changed. Scents of cleaning solution and flowers and the eased reiatsu around him told him that he was back in the Seireitei.

It is still raining, but then, there is a lot to wash away.

It is encouraging to be home again. But I hope I will be able to return to the manor soon. This place is cold. There are too many bad memories here.

For a long time after, there was only peace and quiet and the sound of falling rain. He listened for footsteps, but none sounded nearby.

I wonder if Rukia is all right. Ichigo said she and Renji were okay, but it's strange they wouldn't be here. And I wonder where Tetsuya is...busy at home managing the return of everyone from the shelter, I imagine. It's fine.

His awareness left him again and when he woke again, someone was holding his hand.

"Ichigo?" he whispered dazedly.

"It's me, Cousin," Tetsuya's voice informed him, "I'm sorry it took so long for me to come to you. We had to set up temporary housing so that the family could return. It was hard with all of the rain. But they are settling in now. I would have you transferred home, but there is still too much damage to the manor. The main wing should be in good enough shape to permit us to move you there in a few days."

"R-rukia? Renji?"

He could feel Tetsuya's smile without seeing it. But slowly as their conversation continued, his vision cleared.

"They are injured, but doing well. Both are conscious, but the healers cannot allow them up and about just yet. Ichigo is doing fine as well. He has gone to Shiba Manor to stay."

"I suspected it would be necessary, considering the increase in his powers. I just hope that he isn't too regretful."

"His father is remaining in the living world until the girls are grown up. Then, he should be coming here as well. Ichigo seems to be all right with it. And the captain commander has given permission for his family and friends to visit at will."

"That is good."

Tetsuya sighed.

"I wish I could stay longer, but there is still a lot to do. But Arashi is on guard outside the healing center, and I will have you transferred home as soon as possible."

"Thank you, Tetsuya."

"It is no trouble."

The door opened, admitting Hanataro. Tetsuya released Byakuya's hand and stood, offering the healer a brief greeting before he left the room. Hanataro leaned over the injured captain and examined him carefully.

"You look much improved, Captain Kuchiki," he said approvingly, "How do you feel?"

"Well enough to be transferred to my home. My own healers can take over my care so that you can focus on other..."

"Oh no you don't," the young healer chuckled, "Vice Captain Kotetsu is not discharging you until you are fully stabilized. It will be another day or two. You were very seriously injured, Captain."

"That hadn't escaped me."

"Please try to be patient, sir. Everyone was really worried about you and you still need a lot of rest. I can have some food brought if you think you can manage it. It would be good to get you eating. It will help you heal faster."

"Very well," Byakuya said in a bored tone, "Whatever it takes to get me out of here and back home."

"Are you in any pain, sir?"

"Some."

"Would you like a pain block? You are due for one."

"Fine."

"It will make you a little sleepy. Would you like to try to eat first?"

"Very well," Byakuya said, "Are you going to allow me to sit up?"

"Of course," Hanataro said, smiling and releasing the immobilization field, "The worst of the swelling has gone down, so you can sit up. Just don't try to get out of bed, yet, okay?"

"I do not think that will be a problem," the noble assured him.

He watched as the healer left, then turned his attention to the rain outside the window.

The last of Ywach's evilness is washing away. That is good. We owe that to you, Ichigo. Our faith in you was well placed. I only feel sad that you had to sacrifice your human life to increase your power enough to accomplish that. But at least you won't lose your friends. No one should endure so much loneliness.

Especially not you.

"Here is your breakfast, Captain," said an orderly, setting a tray in the noble's lap.

Byakuya took the first bite and marveled how such simple fare, not prepared by his home staff could taste so good.

Though it is just that I haven't eaten for so long. But I am grateful to be here, alive, eating anything at all and preparing to go home.

He noticed suddenly a small round vase on the tray with a smiling, ginger colored bear sitting beside it. An envelope had been placed between the bear's front paws and Byakuya recognized the writing immediately.

"Ichigo?" he whispered.

He extricated the envelope from the bear's arms and opened it, revealing a card that had a picture of a lovely full moon against a starry night sky.

"I thought you'd appreciate this, since you can't go out and look at the moon, and since the clouds are still blocking out the stars anyway. I'm glad you're going to be okay. Thanks again for what you did. I won't forget it. Your friend, Ichigo.

He set the card aside and continued to eat, stealing glances at the bear that had fur the color of the Shiba heir's hair and wondering at how warm he felt inside.

I only wish I could see him. But he is busy getting acclimatized. And after he is, he will be even busier, and have little reason to come to Kuchiki Manor, as he no longer needs a place to stay here.

The thought left him feeling slightly chilled inside, and the only panacea seemed to come from setting his food aside and slipping the little bear into the sleeve of his yukata. He fell into a lighter, dreamier sleep with his small, smiling ginger haired companion pressed against his side.