Chapter 10: Tsukino

Gia sat in front of Tetsuya on Arashi's back, looking all around and chattering vivaciously as the two approached a large waterfall that splashed down into the meadow where Byakuya and his younger cousin often trained.

"It's so pretty here, Tetsuya-san," the little girl said happily, "You and Prince Byakuya are so lucky to have such a beautiful home. Were you both born here?"

"Actually, no. Neither Byakuya-sama nor I were born at Kuchiki Manor," Tetsuya answered, his blue eyes looking across the meadow to a barely visible trail that led out of the meadow and into a thick forest that grew beyond it, "Byakuya-sama was born at another of the Kuchiki properties called Sakura no Kaiyo. It is a wonderful place, much like here, but it is away from the city, more private, so that Sorano-sama could relax while she was with child. Byakuya-sama was born there and brought to Kuchiki Manor a few weeks later, where they had a fancy ball to welcome him as the new heir. Byakuya-sama's father, Soujun-sama, wanted very much to give up his right to leadership, so he immediately passed on his place as heir to Byakuya-sama. He only remained in the military while Byakuya-sama was growing up enough to join. Unfortunately, he died while fighting a powerful hollow, just a few months before Byakuya-sama would have taken his place in the sixth division."

"That's so sad."

"Yes. Soujun-sama never liked fighting very much. He loved art and keeping the family histories."

"I got to see them when Prince Byakuya took me to his hidden library."

Tetsuya nodded.

"Caring for the Kuchiki family archive is a great honor."

Gia nodded and smiled.

"Where were you born, Tetsuya-san?" she asked, "Were you also born at Sakura no Kaiyo?"

"No," Tetsuya explained, "Would you like to see where I was born?"

Gia looked up at him curiously.

"Is it near here?"

"Yes. I can show you as we go to where the spirit steeds are grazing."

"Yes, yes. I'd really like to see," Gia said excitedly, "Is it a pretty place like Kuchiki Manor? Or Sakura no Kaiyo?"

"No, it's pretty different. But, you'll see when we get there."

Arashi carried his two riders down a set of switchbacks and across the grassy meadow. He stepped onto the little trail Tetsuya had been looking at, and followed it through the darker forest.

"It's pretty here, but a little bit creepy," Gia decided, "Were you born in a cabin out here, Tetsuya-san?"

"No, I wasn't."

"Hmm."

Arashi walked on, taking the left branch as the little trail split, and crossing another meadow. On the far side of the meadow, the trail picked up again.

"Are we heading towards the Rukongai? Were you born there?" the girl asked.

"We are heading there, but I wasn't born in any of the towns there," Tetsuya answered.

Arashi passed through more scattered trees, then slowed as he approached an old set of stony ruins. He stopped in front of the broken gates and Gia gave Tetsuya a curious look.

"Is this where you were born, Tetsuya-san?"

"Yes," he answered quietly, "This is an old, secret prison, where my parents were taken before I was born."

Gia's eyes widened.

"Your parents were criminals, Tetsuya-san?" she asked in a wondering voice.

"Not really. My father was Kuchiki Takao, a first cousin of Kuchiki Soujun. He and Soujun-sama were very close. But, my father got in trouble because he married a girl who was not noble. Back then, that was considered a serious crime. My mother and father were captured and brought here. My father was executed here and my mother died of illness while I was very young."

"But you didn't do anything, right? Why did you have to stay here?"

Tetsuya slid down from Arashi's back and helped Gia down. He summoned a kido light and led the girl into the ruined prison.

"I shouldn't have been kept here. It was also against the rules for the ones who imprisoned us to do so without letting my father go before the elders. But, there was great hatred for mixed bloods back then. And there was no justice."

He led Gia to one of the cells in the prison.

"This is where I lived," he said quietly, "My cellmate was a boy named Naoki. Naoki was my very good friend. We comforted each other as we waited for someone to come to our rescue. We had heard of the young lord Byakuya-sama, who was looking for the hidden prison, and one day, he came to free us. I am free because of Byakuya-sama. I wanted to explain all of this to you, because Byakuya-samma thinks it is important for you to understand the way that some people in the noble families will treat you."

Gia frowned.

"Papa Ichigo told me a little about that. He said that some people won't like me because I came from Inuzuri."

"Hisana-sama, Byakuya-sama's late wife, encountered some of that. When Byakuya-sama was with her, no one would say anything, and everyone was respectful, but sometimes they would say things when Byakuya-sama wasn't there. She had to be very strong in her heart not to accept what they said. You, too, will have to be strong in your heart so that you don't let anyone make you feel like you are less, Gia-chan."

"I don't feel like I'm less, but sometimes I see some people staring like they don't like me. No one said anything bad to me."

"But they might sometimes," Tetsuya warned her, "and when that happens, I want you to remember Hisana-sama. I want you to remember where I grew up. I want you to remember these things and know that the people who think that way are wrong. It's not right to treat anyone like their lives are worth less. You are unique. You have gifts to share with Soul Society. You may do that as a fighter. You may do it as a healer. Whichever path you choose, you are needed. You are an important part of our world."

Gia looked around the dark corridor they were in, and at the hard rock of the cell floor.

"It's cold in here," she observed, "How did you stay warm, Tetsuya-san?"

"We were allowed to gather long grass from the field near here," Tetsuya explained, "We made a little nest and used our bodies to keep each other warm."

"Will I get to meet Naoki-san too?" the girl asked.

"I'm sorry, no," Tetsuya answered solemnly, his blue eyes looking into the empty cell, "Unfortunately, Naoki was killed while we were escaping. He died protecting me, and Byakuya-sama allowed him to be buried at Kuchiki Manor so that I could visit his grave and mourn him properly."

"That's sad, Tetsuya-san," Gia sighed, following his gaze, "Did you just like him, or did you like like him?"

Tetsuya gave her a sad smile.

"I loved Naoki," he confessed, "We were in love with each other. And one day while we were in the courtyard where we were allowed to stretch our legs, Naoki put a flower in my hair and we said marriage vows. We weren't allowed to really get married, but it was real to us, and Byakuya-sama recognized that. It is why Naoki is buried with the family. Some people thought it was wrong, but Byakuya-sama argued that our marriage would have been allowed if we had not been illegally held in the prison. He won over most of the council, although a few still disagreed. There will always be those who will argue that you do not belong. You must never listen to them. You must never believe them. When they speak to you, think of it as something that passes by, but doesn't touch you."

"Kind of like in one ear and out the other?" Gia asked.

Tetsuya smiled.

"Exactly. Come now, we've been here long enough. We'll go and find your spirit steed now."

The two left the prison and walked back outside, where they found Byakuya and Ichigo standing next to Byakuya's paint stallion, near where Arashi was grazing.

"I see the two of you have been exploring," Byakuya observed.

"Tetsuya-san told me about how he was a prisoner here," Gia sai with wide eyes, "and how he and Naoki-san were in love, but Naoki-san died saving him."

"Naoki was very brave," Byakuya said quietly.

"I would not be alive today, if not for Byakuya-sama and Naoki," Tetsuya added.

"This is what I was talking to you about," Ichigo sighed, looking at the ruins, "Some people don't like anything that's different."

"So, we just let it go in one ear and out the other," Gia said sternly, "And we don't let them tell us we're bad."

She slipped a small hand into Tetsuya's.

"We're not bad, we're just different, and different is just fine."

"Yes," Byakuya agreed.

Ichigo smiled.

"So, where are these spirit steeds you guys mentioned?" he asked.

"They are just a little further on," Tetusya answered.

"Would you like to ride Ikazuchi with me or Arashi with Tetsuya?" Byakuya inquired.

Gia smiled, tilting her head.

"I should ride Arashi-chan with Tetsuya-san, so you can be with who you like like," she giggled.

She giggled harder at the blush that rose on Byakuya's fine skin.

"I made Prince Byakuya turn red like Tetsuya-san did when we mentioned he like likes Prince Kuri-kuri!" she laughed.

"You should not take such pleasure in other people's discomfort," Byakuya said disapprovingly.

"Why are you uncomfortable?" Ichigo asked, slipping a hand into Byakuya's and helping him onto the paint horse, "Gia knows we're dating. Everyone kinda does now."

"I suppose I am adjusting to the newness of the relationship," Byakuya said, trying to sound casual, "You seem to need adjustment time as well, even though you do not tend to blush over the idea."

"I guess we have our own ways of dealing with it," Ichigo chuckled, accepting Byakuya's hand and climbing up behind him.

Tetsuya helped Gia onto Arashi's back, then climbed on behind her. The two horses walked back to the trail, and followed it for a few miles more, before coming to a large meadow, where a group of horses was crazing. The biggest horse raised his head and looked in their direction, then he relaxed as he spotted Arashi and Ikazuchi.

"That steed is the leader," Byakuya said softly, "Gia, climb down and stand just a little bit in front of us."

"By myself?" the little girl asked uncertainly.

"Yes. If there is a spirit steed wishing to bond with you, he or she will come to you."

"Oh. Are they safe?"

"If one comes to you, it is safe to extend a hand quietly in greeting, then pet it, but do not try to mount it."

"Okay," Gia said, swallowing hard.

She slid down off of Arashi's back and walked out in front of the two horses, watching the herd carefully.

"They're beautiful," Ichigo said, smiling.

"Yes," Byakuya agreed, "Our family protects the herd, and they sometimes bond with those we bring here to meet them."

"Wow."

The two went silent as the long grass in front of Gia moved and a young white filly with light grey patches and silvery eyes emerged.

"Prince Byakuya, she's so pretty!" Gia whispered, staring at the lovely horse.

Her breath caught as another horse followed, a tall, blaze faced palomino with lovely golden brown eyes.

"She gets two?" Ichigo asked, frowning, "Or does she choose?"

Byakuya bit his lip in amusement.

"Neither, you fool," he chided his handsome partner, "the palomino is here to meet you."

Ichigo's eyes rounded.

"I get a spirit steed too?" he mused.

Byakuya shrugged.

"Their decisions are their own. But, you should go and greet him."

Ichigo slid down from Ikazuchi's back and moved forward to join Gia as the two horses walked slowly towards them. They stopped just in front of the two, and the filly reached out her nose to sniff Gia's extended hand, while the palomino did the same to Ichigo's.

"Will they talk to us like Arashi can?" Ichigo asked.

"With time," Byakuya explained, "You will need to train with your mounts to build your connection. When the connection is strong enough, you should begin to hear each others' voices in your minds.

"How do we know their names?" Gia asked.

Tetsuya smiled.

"I can ask them," he answered, "I have been communicating with the spirit steeds for a long time."

He focused on each of the horses, then looked back at Gia and Ichigo.

"The filly's name is Tsukino (of the moon) and the palomino is Raiko (lightning)."

Tetsuya nudged Arashi a step closer to Ikazuchi as he and Byakuya watched Gia and Ichigo pet their mounts gently.

"Byakuya-sama," he said softly, "Raiko told me that it's no coincidence that he is bonding with Ichigo."

"I see," Byakuya said, watching Ichigo closely, "They think there is trouble coming?"

They do wish to acknowledge his service to Soul Society, but yes, they are aware that there is discord brewing within the clans about Ichigo and Gia."

"The Shiba clan was dishonored, but Ichigo earned their place back for them. That stirred up disagreements. And that he adopted a Rukongai child is causing some talk. The spirit steeds wish to offer their support to deter anyone who would trouble them."

"That is good, but it is a warning for us."

"Yes," Tetsuya agreed.

"When can I ride her?" Gia asked.

"We'll start by having them follow us back to Kuchiki Manor," Byakuya answered, "You will bond with them and begin your rider training there. Come now, we should start back. Don't worry, your horse will follow us."

The two returned to Arashi and Ikazuchi, who led the two new steeds back along the trail to Kuchiki Manor.

"I'm really honored," Ichigo said, slipping a hand into Byakuya's as they rode back, "Raiko is pretty amazing."

"I had nothing to do with their choice to honor you," Byakuya replied, "You earned their approval. And Ichigo, you should also know that the spirit steeds offer you their protection. The herd can sense disturbances in the energies of the most powerful noble clans. They have sent this horse as a gift to you, and as a warning for you to be cautious. In the wake of the war, you have been honored, however, as people return to normal life and forget the violence we faced, their old tendencies will return. Tsukino will stay close to Gia to protect her…and Raiko will protect you."

Ichigo gave a little chuckle.

"I appreciate that, but I think I'll be okay. Our elders are a little bit of a pain, but they're not as stuffy as some of the other clans' elders."

"Even so, we all have to deal with each other, and there will be bickering. Just remain aware."

"I will."

"I know you will."

Ichigo slid his arms around Byakuya's waist and rested his chin on the raven-haired man's shoulder from behind.

"Hey, Byakuya, I was wondering something."

"Hmm?"

"Do you think that you could go out with me on a date in the living world sometime?"

Byakuya turned his head slightly to meet the younger man's eyes.

"A date in the living world?"

"Yeah. I'll take you somewhere nice. It'll be fun. We can take Gia with us and have a picnic during the day, then you and I can go out in the evening."

A little smile touched Byakuya's lips.

"I think I would like that…as long as you remember I cannot do anything too…"

"I know. I'll make it fun, but not rowdy. How's that?"

"That would be fine."

"Good. Do you have time this weekend?"

"Yes."

"Great. Should I meet you at the manor or will you meet Gia and me in Karakura Town?"

Byakuya considered quietly for a moment.

"I will meet you at Urahara's shop. I need to purchase a few things there."

"Okay."

Ichigo sighed and closed his eyes.

"Good."

Why do you act surprised that I accepted?" Byakuya asked, "We are dating."

"We're still getting to know each other," Ichigo explained, "I didn't know how interested you would be in dating in the living world."

"Ah, well, it is where you were raised, is it not?"

"Yeah."

"Then, it is a part of your life that I should become familiar with. Besides, there will be less eyes watching, so we can be more relaxed."

"I was thinking that too."

He turned his head slightly and kissed the Kuchiki leader on the cheek.

"I'm looking forward to it."

Byakuya's head turned, and he met Ichigo's lips for a more intimate kiss.

"I am also."