Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Happy Ending ❯ Escaping the Stoic Prince ( Chapter 2 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: MibuWolf 
Anime/Manga: Bleach Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Psychological / Romance | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 01.03.2008 | Pages: 2 | Words: 5.3K | Visits: 703 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Bleach Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Psychological / Romance | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 01.03.2008 | Pages: 2 | Words: 5.3K | Visits: 703 | Status: Work In Progress
A.N: Hello and welcome to the second official chapter of “Happy Ending”. Yes, yes I know it says chapter 3 at the top but prologues don't count as chapters, you silly gooses :P. I'd like to thank you all for your wonderful reviews! This following chapter isn't as long as I would have liked it to be but I wanted to you readers to be able to read something over the holidays. And I'd like to thank my fellow writer and friend, Vampryna for taking the time to edit and read this story. Arigato Gozaimasu!
April 30, 1987- Office of Scientific Intelligence- Washington D.C
The black-haired boy struggled against the cold steel of the cage, rattling the thick bars uselessly. His cries remained unheard in the emptiness, the darkness thick and oppressive. Curling up into a little ball, he buried his head in the tattered sleeve of his shirt, defeated. “Please, sir! I promise I'll do what you say! Just- just don't leave me alone…” Quiet sobs vibrated against the white walls and drifted into oblivion.
As if on cue, the heavy doors slammed open and the room was engulfed in a wave of bright light. A middle-aged man made his way across the floor toward the child huddled in the cage. His wing-tipped shoes clicked against the tiles, the hems of his tailored pants brushing against the linoleum. Chilly hazel eyes drifted over the shaking form with disinterest.
“You are certain.” This was not posed as a question.
The little boy lifted his head up, gray eyes glistening with tears. He tensed, catching the glimmer of ice in the man's eyes. No, of course he wasn't certain. He was going to make his escape as soon as he was able. He swallowed, nodding hesitantly.
The man looked over his face and paused, as if searching for something. He must have found it for not a minute later the man was stepping forward, releasing the lock on the cage. The clasp “snicked” out of place and the metal door swung open, hinges creaking in protest.
“I'm sorry,” the man muttered as the boy stumbled out into the room. The dark haired child blinked rapidly, eyes slowly adjusting to the sudden brightness. Everything was so… white. He hadn't noticed that in the darkness. He hadn't noticed much in the darkness… like the presence of his mother, bound and gagged in the middle of the room.
Her hands and feet were tied unceremoniously to a chair; head slumped forward in a state of unconsciousness. Long brown hair dangled in front of the woman's face, hiding the extent of her cuts and bruises from her son. As if signaled by the weight of the boy's stare, she stirred and looked up. Her brown eyes widened with surprise and welled up with disbelief.
“Mama! I'm so sorry for leaving your side at the market. Please don't leave me here…” His small voice rose with hysteria and ran towards the woman, arms outstretched. The man stepped neatly in front of him, intercepting him. He grabbed the front of the boy's shirt and lifted him several feet off the ground. Small legs kicked helplessly in midair and his voice rose in distaste.
“Think of her no longer as your mother. She is dead to you in all senses of the word, child. Her presence will only hinder your future training here. Against it from the start, she got in the way and will be eliminated as what she truly is… a threat.”
The man set the struggling child on his feet and stepped away. The boy looked at him, his mouth agape with horror. “You-you're going to kill mama?!” His voice rose in terror and he shook his head in denial. He looked over at the woman who had raised him and loved him since the moment of his birth, seven years earlier. Her once expressive eyes were dulled, brimming with tears, unshed. She lowered her head in defeat, refusing to meet her son's gaze.
A cry of pain escaped from his lips and he rushed forward to her side. The man stood passively off to the side, as if allowing the child this one small favor. Removing the gag, he struggled at the knots securing her feet and hands. It was to no avail. Despite his year in boy scouts, no amount of tugging could get them loose. “No no no no… Come on, you stupid knot, untie! Please…”
She leaned back in the chair, her head resting against her son's forehead. “Byakuya, it's okay. No matter what happens, know that I love you. I don't want you to get hurt so just do as the man says. Please!” Tears spilled down her cheeks and she made eye contact with man standing off to the side.
“Sir, do what you want to me but let my son go. I'll make him promise not to tell about this… thing that you have going on. Just make sure he's safe,” she pleaded, her eyes glimmering with a ray of hope. The only hope she'd seen since her boy was kidnapped over a month ago.
The man stepped forward shaking his head, weariness etched on all of his features. “I won't be killing you, Ms. Kuchiki. In fact, none of us involved in this `thing', as you put it, will be killing you.”
She frowned in confusion and allowed her glimmer of hope to grow bigger. If “they” weren't going to kill her then maybe… she'd be alive long enough to protect her son. Her bound hand clasped at Byakuya's as he gasped in surprise.
His mother would live. He felt like jumping for joy. He looked up at the cold, allusive man and offered him a small smile. “So, if she's okay… can we leave together?”
A pained look crossed the man's face and he heaved a heavy sigh. “No, you are misunderstanding me, Byakuya. Both of you are. We won't be killing you, Ms. Kuchiki, this is true. Your son, however, will be.”
Three Days Later
Byakuya huddled in the dank cage, shaking with hunger. His eyes clouded with fever, he rested his burning forehead against the cold bars. “Mama?” he called out, blind in the darkness. His tongue felt thick and he smelled horrible.
Sarah licked her parched lips and acknowledged the little boy. “I'm right here, sweetie.” By god, they were torturing her son. Torturing him for not killing her. She shuddered and ignored the burning pain in her lungs. Her asthma was acting up again and she didn't have that inhaler the doctors insisted she carry everywhere with her. That was probably for the best.
She shifted toward the sound of his voice and offered a smile, despite the fact that he couldn't see it. He'd be able to hear it in her voice. “Byakuya. Please, do as they say. Remember what I told you about respecting anyone older than you? Where are your manners? I taught you better than that.” She needed him to do this or he would die. Nothing was beneath her.
His voice hitched as he sobbed. “B-but they won't me to kill you. I can't… I won't ever!” He coughed and she heard him try to hide the dry heaves that followed. Nothing was beneath her…
“If you don't do this, Byakuya, mommy will hate you until you die! I could never love someone who disrespects others. I would never talk to you, or-or hug you, or tell you I-I love you…” She cut off the sob that threatened to follow. Anything to save her son… including her death.
“Mommy wants this more than anything. I'd be able to see daddy in heaven and watch over you. I would be so hap-happy…”
Byakuya looked up, his small frame freezing as he heard his mother's words. She wouldn't love him anymore if he didn't kill her? But, wasn't killing bad? He never wanted to do anything bad to mama… But he didn't want her to be unhappy. Would she love him always if he let her go to heaven? Would he want to let her go? If he made her stay, that was selfish. Mama would hate him being selfish…
“You want to go to heaven?” he asked, voice trembling.
Sarah bit back a cry of relief as his chances of living increased. “Yes, I would like that very much. Can you do that for mommy?” She held her breath, waiting for his answer. In another time and place she would have laughed if someone told her she'd be pleading to die one day. But here she was, giving her son permission to sully his clean hands.
“Y-yes. I love you, mama.”
Lights turned on and the door to the room swung open. In strode the same man from days earlier, carrying a small handgun. He released the latch on the cage and dragged her son out by his arm. He looked so fragile and broken. His tiny figure was covered in several days' worth of filth and vomit. She refused to break down sobbing. It would serve no purpose.
Placing the gun in his small hands, the man then steered Byakuya toward the center of the room, facing his mother. She smiled at him and nodded as he hesitantly aimed the gun at her chest.
“Good bye, my son. I will watch over you, always.”
Sobbing, he pulled the trigger.
Chapter Two: Escaping the Stoic Prince Present Day- Saratoga, New York
Ichigo was in a predicament. No matter how much he struggled, the man's grip on him was iron-clad. How did someone become that strong? Even more importantly, how would he be able to escape him? Placing a hand on the man's chest to push away, he blushed when he grazed against his heavy muscles.
He stared up at the opposing man's face, grumpily. This was not how he'd pictured getting rescued the few times he'd allowed himself that one small hope. Getting carried away like a damsel-in-distress was not top on his list. Not that he believed in the “rescue” part one bit.
Frowning, he ignored the not entirely unpleasant feeling of the man's chest and crossed his arms. The man had said his name was Byakuya. Could he trust him enough to even believe that? Probably not. He could hear Lily behind him cursing angrily as the friendlier man carried him. What was his name again? Night? Could he be trusted, either? If he was in league with Byakuya, then no.
Ichigo supposed he should be grateful for at least getting one last chance to see the outside world again. He had thought that privilege lost to him forever. It had been fourteen years since he last felt the wind against his face and it felt indescribable. He would savor it after, though. Right now, he had an escape to plan.
The night obscured his vision exponentially but he could make out basic images in the moonlight. Thank god for that small bit of luck. Shifting his eyes to the left, he could make out the sturdy figure of a fire escape to an alternate building. Directly below that was what looked like a small dumpster complete with several days of garbage. Well, he couldn't be choosy. Already a plan was formulating itself in his mind.
Ichigo went limp in Byakuya's arms, ever the possum. If he could make the man feel as if he had control he would almost certainly be able to escape. He lowered his lids and the man tensed up in surprise. A sleeping boy could do no harm… Slowing his breathing, he allowed it to even out and become the gentle cadence of a dreamer. Take the bait. Come on, take the bait…
The man shifted him in his arms and lessened the pressure around him. Perfect. Now he just needed Lily to follow his example. He gave a loud snort, causing the man to jump slightly. Hopefully Lily would take the hint.
“Hey, Byakuya! Looks like your new friend fell asleep on you. Must have had an exhausting day. Poor little guy. Now if only this little one would do the same.” There came a low thump and Night chuckled.
“Easy there, sweetheart. You don't want to relieve me of my man goods just yet. I'm still going to need them for another, oh, thirty years.”
Ichigo's captor shifted and a moment later, he was speaking, low voice inadvertently causing the teen to shiver. “You're surely joking, Night? You'll more than likely be screwing way past fifty-five. I wouldn't put it past you to be kink- fucking a woman on your death bed.”
Night let out an outright laugh and heaved a fake sigh. “Now you're going to get the little lady believing I have no manners. Trust me, Lily. It was Lily, right? I'm a gentle lover in bed.”
He heard his friend let out a cry of dismay. “Why I never! Put me down, you… you… Playboy! I would never fuck you, not even if we were the last two people on earth. Plus! I don't think I'm your type… I'm all male! So back off!”
There was a long pause before Night spoke, his voice slightly shocked. “You're a guy?” Lily must have nodded in confirmation because not a moment later, Byakuya snorted and Ichigo tensed. Great. There went that plan. At least he still had the possibility of escape, though.
“It was painfully obvious, Night. The boy has no breasts and a low voice. You're just dense.”
There came another inconspicuous pause before Byakuya's friend chuckled. “It's not as if it really matters. I still go for guys, little one. Though you can trust me. I won't harm you, so rest easy.”
Enough was enough. Ichigo's eyes shot open and lunged from the man's grasp, hitting the pavement with a low thud. Pivoting out of reach, he sidestepped Night's attempt at grabbing him and kicked him in the shins. “Lily, let's get out of here!”
Night cursed and as he went to grab at his shins, Lily smacked him over the head and hopped down onto the ground. He clutched Ichigo's hand and the red head pulled him over toward the dumpster, wincing as he heard the sounds of pursuit behind him. Instinct told him that if they were caught by that angry man… He shuddered, swearing at the onslaught of slight desire.
Now wasn't the time for this! Climbing up the trash heap, he pulled the small blonde up and out of the two men's reach. He boosted Lily up to the fire escape just up ahead and followed close behind him. The rickety ladder led to a door, its handle rusted with age. Lily pulled on it and it swung open with ease. They were almost free…
A loud, almost inhuman roar sounded behind them and Ichigo tensed. They needed to hurry!
~*~*~ ~*~*~
Byakuya growled angrily, mind obviously overwhelmed with images of chaos. “It” was happening again. Night could make out the telltale signs as the man ran, him following closely behind. The guy's shoulders were tensed, the muscles bunching up as if to suddenly attack; his hands were fisted at his sides, making the obvious motions of ripping someone's heart out. If he could have seen his face he wasn't almost positive that it would be pulled back into a savage snarl. He was completely sure.
Night slowed and stopped by the dumpster, calling out to his friend. He needed to nip this “thing” in the bud before it got too out of hand. As a personal witness to the disaster these emotions wrought, he was desperate.
“Byakuya, buddy. It's okay. Stay in the here and now. You'll catch your rabbit soon enough. Don't get all beastly on me.” He joked but it was at times like these he wished he wasn't such a loyal bastard.
As far as he knew, Byakuya only got like this when he lost something he cared about exponentially. He had told Night, in a rare drunken moment, that he'd rather be perceived as a callous bastard for the rest of his life than to ever experience those “moments” again. They were moments of true vulnerability. The red head must have brought this on, then.
It took a lot to surprise him and this was one of those rare moments that did. Who knew the assassin could have such a soft spot for weak puppies? No, that wasn't it. He had seen the man kill people with much more heartrending lives than that little boy. It couldn't have been that… then what was it? Night pulled the equivalent of a mental shrug and focused on the present.
Brushing the hair out of his eyes, he frowned and looked around. Damn, the man had disappeared while he took a trip down Memory-fucking-Lane. How nice. He was just about to turn around when a loud crash stopped him. A moment later, someone screamed and Night froze.
“Oh shit.”
~*~*~ ~*~*~
The light was gone and it was dark again. He hated the dark. It left him trapped in a black, cold cage. The red headed boy had shown up and with him came the splendid light. Light and warmth. He never wanted to let something that precious go.
Byakuya knew that all rationality had flown out the window the moment the teen had left his arms. It was an unhealthy reaction but not one the assassin could control. With the escape of the light left the escape of his stable mind. The “beast” had taken over.
He growled softly and ascended the fire escape; close on the two teens' heels. He could practically smell the red head's exotic scent as he moved ever closer. Ginger and fruit. Fear and arousal. The teen looked behind him, all the while ushering the smaller blonde into the safety in front of him.
Soft brown eyes locked onto passionate gray ones and the boy blushed. Turning, the red head extended his arms and blocked the doorway. The one called Lily gasped in apparent shock behind him. There. The light was so close it was practically in reach.
“You can take me but you can't have Lily!” His voice, though shaking, was strong. The blonde grasped him on the thin shoulder and tried to pull him in. “Ichigo! Please don't… Come with me! Don't leave me here!”
Ahh, Ichigo. So that was the light's name. His strawberry. So befitting for the red head. He didn't care about the blonde; he only wanted his fire and light back. Stepping forward, he clasped the teen's chin firmly in hand and brought his lips down to meet the boy's own. Silk. Pure, uninhibited silk.
His tongue swept out to taste the quivering appendages, licking the edge of his mouth sensuously. So sweet. He caressed the tight seam and nipped his lips lightly, drawing out an involuntary whimper. He pressed his body closer to the boy's, hand still gripping firmly on his chin. He needed to possess him in all aspects… to feel him.
Something crashed behind Ichigo and the blonde boy let out a curdling scream. Byakuya looked up, brought out of his daze and temporary “insanity” for the time being. The one called Lily was being dragged back by a hairy pair of arms. He kicked and screamed, arms flailing wildly into the air.
~*~*~ ~*~*~
Ichigo turned at the same time, yelping as a pair of strong arms grabbed him by the waist. He looked back to see himself enveloped in Byakuya's embrace, trapped yet again. The man had a gun drawn and was glaring intently into the shadows. Would he shoot him?
Byakuya lurched forward, pushing him behind his tall frame, and aimed his gun into the shadows. Was he going to shoot Lily? He had a miniature panic attack and hit the man across his back. The dark haired man didn't even flinch as he released the safety on the small hand pistol. Oh no no no no!
“Don't kill my friend! Please, please! I'll go with you… I won't run anymore. I'll do anything you say. Please please please please ple-!”
Someone placed a large hand over his mouth and Ichigo nearly had a heart attack. Night stepped into his peripheral and placed a finger to his own lips, winking. “Lily will be just fine if you hush up for a second. Didn't you notice that rather unseemly man holding him captive?” The man's friend pointed at the door, indicating the inside of the apartment building.
He followed the man's finger and gasped. Why hadn't he noticed that? The answer came, unbidden, to him. He had been too busy getting thoroughly kissed by Rambo over there. Blushing, Ichigo lowered his head in shame. Some friend he was. Fraternizing with the enemy… How graceless.
He looked back up at Night and frowned, startled. The man looked really… upset. In the short, short time that he had “known” him, the man seemed to take virtually everything as a joke. Now, however, he looked really upset. His green eyes glinted as they locked on to the intruder grasping Lily. That wide, almost sensuous mouth that never seemed to shut up was pulled down into a strained scowl, etching small lines in the corners of his lips. What was the deal?
The tall man felt his gaze and looked at him, his face breaking out into a smile. `Yeah, sure. As if! Keep trying to play it cool, buddy. I'm onto you,' Ichigo thought, throwing him a suspicious glare.
As if the man could read his mind, his lip twitched and he chuckled softly. The red head felt the childish urge to kick the man as he smirked. Leaning forward, Night whispered into Ichigo's ear. “You're just going to have to trust Byakuya to get your friend out of there safely, Bob.”
Oh yeah. The man thought his name was Bob Roberts. At least he still had that going for him.
Lily let out another small scream and Ichigo's head shot up. What was going on in there? He caught the tiny movement of Byakuya's finger on the trigger and winced as the gunshot echoed. `Please let Lily be okay,' he thought as he scrambled over to the man's side. Just about to peer into the dark building, the man pulled his head down onto his chest and held him there.
“I don't want you seeing this. Eyes like yours are not meant to ever witness such carnage.”
It was a nice thought but really… he would probably never have the opportunity to witness anything like that again if the man didn't stop smothering him! His breath escaped him in a rush. “Can't… breathe… need… oxygen…”
The man stiffened in surprise and let his head go, albeit reluctantly. He looked up in time to see Night ushering a shaking Lily out of the building. The man glared at Byakuya as he gently cleaned the blood off of the blonde's cheek.
“Really, man. You're all concerned over your little bunny witnessing a little blood shed and there you go blowing some guys brains out in front of this one!” He pulled a bewildered Lily into a tight embrace and stroked his hair.
Lily, brought out of his shaken stupor, glared and kicked Night in the shins. He ducked out if his hug and ran over to Ichigo as the man nursed yet another bruise on his ankle. Grabbing him by the hand, the blonde tried tugging him out of Byakuya's embrace but to no avail.
“Let him go, you brute! You can't have Ichigo! You say you came to rescue us? Then why the hell are you keeping us here against our will?” Lily asked, his voice rising.
The dark haired man turned an impassive scowl on the angry blonde. “Nobody ever said YOU had to stay, brat. I couldn't care less what you do. I would've kept you in there if this one hadn't insisted I bring you along. So why don't you run along like a good little boy and get the hell out of my way.”
Ichigo tensed and turned a vicious snarl on the callous man. “You are such an ass! I didn't fucking ask you to rescue me. Hell, you're probably here anyways to take me to another brothel!” He lowered his head at this thought and clasped on tighter to Lily's hand.
Night stepped forward at this, limping slightly. “Listen, toots. If we had wanted to take you to some fucking brothel we wouldn't have went through all that trouble just to bail you two out. An you,” he indicated Byakuya with a point of a long finger. “Quit being such a bastard. You've got my little Lily here all shaken up!”
He shot Lily a wink, who promptly flipped him off. Ichigo had never seen someone instill that kind of reaction in his friend before. The blonde was usually very mature and quiet, a pillar of strength and light whenever you needed a shoulder to cry on. Their personalities were complete banes for each other.
The dark haired man growled softly. If looks could kill… Hell, the man didn't need his looks to kill if that sharp shooting earlier was anything to go by. As Ichigo thought this, he prayed to whatever gods there were that he never got on the man's bad side.
~*~*~ ~*~*~
Byakuya gnashed his teeth together, determined to keep from punching Night. By god that man could be annoying sometimes. And by the looks of it, he had been struck smitten with the equally irritating blonde.
He could see how he found that Lily person attractive. Taking a good look at him, he memorized the face and figure for future reference. The boy was small, barely reaching the five-foot mark, which looked utterly ridiculous by Night's tall frame. His lavender eyes were far too big in a face that was far too small and fragile to be outright beautiful. He preferred the classic bone structure of someone strong and sturdy. Someone like Ichigo.
The mouth was soft and proportioned though, probably the reason why Night walked awkwardly whenever he stared at it. The boy was far too feminine which must have been the reason the madam had sent one of her henchmen after him and not Ichigo.
He snorted and shook his head. The woman made a wise decision. If she had come after his little red head, then she would no longer be of the living. Turning to look down at the flustered teen, he softened his features.
“I am truly sorry you feel that way, Ichigo. I shall try harder to be more… civilized if you will give me a chance.”
Night stopped teasing the blonde long enough to look up in surprise. “Ichigo? I thought you said your name was Bob?” He shot Ichigo a mock wounded look. “Oh now you've gone and hurt my feelings.”
Ichigo looked up at Byakuya, startled. “You kn-know my name? Well, I mean, of course you do! You just said it, right and not knowing my name would mean you can't say it and then-”
The boy was rambling. A sure sign of nervousness, right? Byakuya cut him off with a raise of his hand but immediately lowered it when the red head flinched. He was bad at dealing with people. “Me knowing your name is besides the point, baby. I could learn so much more about you than you possibly realize.” He took a step closer.
“Like your favorite color. Or your worst fear. The sound you make when you're coming in my arms…” He crowded against Ichigo, slowly backing him against the wall. The teen's face was flushed and his right eye twitched nervously.
“If you'll give me a chance…”
A.N: Hello and thank you for reading the third chapter of “Happy Ending”. I know the end of this chapter was rather abrupt but I wanted to leave fans with something tangent that they could read over the holidays! The chapters will be getting steadily longer thanks to all you wonderful readers' continuous reviews! So, please tell me what you think! About Byakuya and Ichigo… about Night Havern and Lily. I'm open to suggestions, comments, questions, concerns, fanart, or just plain ol' reviews. Flames are welcome. I hope you enjoyed Byakuya's attempt at hitting on someone. Lol
TayTay: Thank you very much for being my first review. You loved the plot? I was a bit worried at first, bringing a couple of OC's in it, but apparently they're not too bad? Thank you!
ur_new_bestfriend: I do appreciate your review and yes, it was definitely a compliment! I was kind of iffy about putting up humor in the first chapter because I was almost sure it wouldn't flow… but I'm glad you liked it! Keep rooting for this story!
yaoihentai69: Oh yes… the infamous “daddy” part. * laughs* Now THAT was a tough one to write. I love Ichigo as a character so much that I almost came to tears doing all those foul things to him. But the story must go on, right? Without the bad parts, we cannot appreciate the good. It pays to me used to convos like that lol.
GravyBaby: Your prayers for more have been answered. Thank you so much for reviewing.
Mion: you like Lily and Night? You don't know how happy I am to hear that. As I mentioned before, I was a bit iffy on introducing original characters into the plotline but they somehow made the whole story flow. I'm proud of my “babies”. * laughs* And your English is just fine, sweetie. Thank you for that review and here is your update.
Tatsu: I'm very happy that you appreciate my beginning! Hopefully this satiated your craving for Byakuya and Ichigo plot? Another person who likes my OC's! This makes me smile! Thank you for the review.
yaoilover2 AKA: Annie: “One of the best”? You really think so? *blushes * Thank you so much! That remark brought me to tears. It's nice to know your work is appreciated. Thank you for the review.
Anon: Thank you and I most definitely will continue you. Thank you for the review.
Kunitsu: Thank you for the wonderful review. I appreciate it J
happygirl24: That is very sweet of you to say. Thank you for the review!
Yoshitaki: You want more? Then more you shall have! And let's hear it for weird friends! Lol I have me a couple of those. Hell, I think I AM one of those. ^_- Thank you for the review!
Mimi-chan: Thank you so much for that! I have this bad habit where I tend to make the seme men extremely possessive… it shows up in all of my work. *laughs * And thank you for liking my writing. It is one of the greatest honors an author can get.
April 30, 1987- Office of Scientific Intelligence- Washington D.C
The black-haired boy struggled against the cold steel of the cage, rattling the thick bars uselessly. His cries remained unheard in the emptiness, the darkness thick and oppressive. Curling up into a little ball, he buried his head in the tattered sleeve of his shirt, defeated. “Please, sir! I promise I'll do what you say! Just- just don't leave me alone…” Quiet sobs vibrated against the white walls and drifted into oblivion.
As if on cue, the heavy doors slammed open and the room was engulfed in a wave of bright light. A middle-aged man made his way across the floor toward the child huddled in the cage. His wing-tipped shoes clicked against the tiles, the hems of his tailored pants brushing against the linoleum. Chilly hazel eyes drifted over the shaking form with disinterest.
“You are certain.” This was not posed as a question.
The little boy lifted his head up, gray eyes glistening with tears. He tensed, catching the glimmer of ice in the man's eyes. No, of course he wasn't certain. He was going to make his escape as soon as he was able. He swallowed, nodding hesitantly.
The man looked over his face and paused, as if searching for something. He must have found it for not a minute later the man was stepping forward, releasing the lock on the cage. The clasp “snicked” out of place and the metal door swung open, hinges creaking in protest.
“I'm sorry,” the man muttered as the boy stumbled out into the room. The dark haired child blinked rapidly, eyes slowly adjusting to the sudden brightness. Everything was so… white. He hadn't noticed that in the darkness. He hadn't noticed much in the darkness… like the presence of his mother, bound and gagged in the middle of the room.
Her hands and feet were tied unceremoniously to a chair; head slumped forward in a state of unconsciousness. Long brown hair dangled in front of the woman's face, hiding the extent of her cuts and bruises from her son. As if signaled by the weight of the boy's stare, she stirred and looked up. Her brown eyes widened with surprise and welled up with disbelief.
“Mama! I'm so sorry for leaving your side at the market. Please don't leave me here…” His small voice rose with hysteria and ran towards the woman, arms outstretched. The man stepped neatly in front of him, intercepting him. He grabbed the front of the boy's shirt and lifted him several feet off the ground. Small legs kicked helplessly in midair and his voice rose in distaste.
“Think of her no longer as your mother. She is dead to you in all senses of the word, child. Her presence will only hinder your future training here. Against it from the start, she got in the way and will be eliminated as what she truly is… a threat.”
The man set the struggling child on his feet and stepped away. The boy looked at him, his mouth agape with horror. “You-you're going to kill mama?!” His voice rose in terror and he shook his head in denial. He looked over at the woman who had raised him and loved him since the moment of his birth, seven years earlier. Her once expressive eyes were dulled, brimming with tears, unshed. She lowered her head in defeat, refusing to meet her son's gaze.
A cry of pain escaped from his lips and he rushed forward to her side. The man stood passively off to the side, as if allowing the child this one small favor. Removing the gag, he struggled at the knots securing her feet and hands. It was to no avail. Despite his year in boy scouts, no amount of tugging could get them loose. “No no no no… Come on, you stupid knot, untie! Please…”
She leaned back in the chair, her head resting against her son's forehead. “Byakuya, it's okay. No matter what happens, know that I love you. I don't want you to get hurt so just do as the man says. Please!” Tears spilled down her cheeks and she made eye contact with man standing off to the side.
“Sir, do what you want to me but let my son go. I'll make him promise not to tell about this… thing that you have going on. Just make sure he's safe,” she pleaded, her eyes glimmering with a ray of hope. The only hope she'd seen since her boy was kidnapped over a month ago.
The man stepped forward shaking his head, weariness etched on all of his features. “I won't be killing you, Ms. Kuchiki. In fact, none of us involved in this `thing', as you put it, will be killing you.”
She frowned in confusion and allowed her glimmer of hope to grow bigger. If “they” weren't going to kill her then maybe… she'd be alive long enough to protect her son. Her bound hand clasped at Byakuya's as he gasped in surprise.
His mother would live. He felt like jumping for joy. He looked up at the cold, allusive man and offered him a small smile. “So, if she's okay… can we leave together?”
A pained look crossed the man's face and he heaved a heavy sigh. “No, you are misunderstanding me, Byakuya. Both of you are. We won't be killing you, Ms. Kuchiki, this is true. Your son, however, will be.”
Three Days Later
Byakuya huddled in the dank cage, shaking with hunger. His eyes clouded with fever, he rested his burning forehead against the cold bars. “Mama?” he called out, blind in the darkness. His tongue felt thick and he smelled horrible.
Sarah licked her parched lips and acknowledged the little boy. “I'm right here, sweetie.” By god, they were torturing her son. Torturing him for not killing her. She shuddered and ignored the burning pain in her lungs. Her asthma was acting up again and she didn't have that inhaler the doctors insisted she carry everywhere with her. That was probably for the best.
She shifted toward the sound of his voice and offered a smile, despite the fact that he couldn't see it. He'd be able to hear it in her voice. “Byakuya. Please, do as they say. Remember what I told you about respecting anyone older than you? Where are your manners? I taught you better than that.” She needed him to do this or he would die. Nothing was beneath her.
His voice hitched as he sobbed. “B-but they won't me to kill you. I can't… I won't ever!” He coughed and she heard him try to hide the dry heaves that followed. Nothing was beneath her…
“If you don't do this, Byakuya, mommy will hate you until you die! I could never love someone who disrespects others. I would never talk to you, or-or hug you, or tell you I-I love you…” She cut off the sob that threatened to follow. Anything to save her son… including her death.
“Mommy wants this more than anything. I'd be able to see daddy in heaven and watch over you. I would be so hap-happy…”
Byakuya looked up, his small frame freezing as he heard his mother's words. She wouldn't love him anymore if he didn't kill her? But, wasn't killing bad? He never wanted to do anything bad to mama… But he didn't want her to be unhappy. Would she love him always if he let her go to heaven? Would he want to let her go? If he made her stay, that was selfish. Mama would hate him being selfish…
“You want to go to heaven?” he asked, voice trembling.
Sarah bit back a cry of relief as his chances of living increased. “Yes, I would like that very much. Can you do that for mommy?” She held her breath, waiting for his answer. In another time and place she would have laughed if someone told her she'd be pleading to die one day. But here she was, giving her son permission to sully his clean hands.
“Y-yes. I love you, mama.”
Lights turned on and the door to the room swung open. In strode the same man from days earlier, carrying a small handgun. He released the latch on the cage and dragged her son out by his arm. He looked so fragile and broken. His tiny figure was covered in several days' worth of filth and vomit. She refused to break down sobbing. It would serve no purpose.
Placing the gun in his small hands, the man then steered Byakuya toward the center of the room, facing his mother. She smiled at him and nodded as he hesitantly aimed the gun at her chest.
“Good bye, my son. I will watch over you, always.”
Sobbing, he pulled the trigger.
Chapter Two: Escaping the Stoic Prince Present Day- Saratoga, New York
Ichigo was in a predicament. No matter how much he struggled, the man's grip on him was iron-clad. How did someone become that strong? Even more importantly, how would he be able to escape him? Placing a hand on the man's chest to push away, he blushed when he grazed against his heavy muscles.
He stared up at the opposing man's face, grumpily. This was not how he'd pictured getting rescued the few times he'd allowed himself that one small hope. Getting carried away like a damsel-in-distress was not top on his list. Not that he believed in the “rescue” part one bit.
Frowning, he ignored the not entirely unpleasant feeling of the man's chest and crossed his arms. The man had said his name was Byakuya. Could he trust him enough to even believe that? Probably not. He could hear Lily behind him cursing angrily as the friendlier man carried him. What was his name again? Night? Could he be trusted, either? If he was in league with Byakuya, then no.
Ichigo supposed he should be grateful for at least getting one last chance to see the outside world again. He had thought that privilege lost to him forever. It had been fourteen years since he last felt the wind against his face and it felt indescribable. He would savor it after, though. Right now, he had an escape to plan.
The night obscured his vision exponentially but he could make out basic images in the moonlight. Thank god for that small bit of luck. Shifting his eyes to the left, he could make out the sturdy figure of a fire escape to an alternate building. Directly below that was what looked like a small dumpster complete with several days of garbage. Well, he couldn't be choosy. Already a plan was formulating itself in his mind.
Ichigo went limp in Byakuya's arms, ever the possum. If he could make the man feel as if he had control he would almost certainly be able to escape. He lowered his lids and the man tensed up in surprise. A sleeping boy could do no harm… Slowing his breathing, he allowed it to even out and become the gentle cadence of a dreamer. Take the bait. Come on, take the bait…
The man shifted him in his arms and lessened the pressure around him. Perfect. Now he just needed Lily to follow his example. He gave a loud snort, causing the man to jump slightly. Hopefully Lily would take the hint.
“Hey, Byakuya! Looks like your new friend fell asleep on you. Must have had an exhausting day. Poor little guy. Now if only this little one would do the same.” There came a low thump and Night chuckled.
“Easy there, sweetheart. You don't want to relieve me of my man goods just yet. I'm still going to need them for another, oh, thirty years.”
Ichigo's captor shifted and a moment later, he was speaking, low voice inadvertently causing the teen to shiver. “You're surely joking, Night? You'll more than likely be screwing way past fifty-five. I wouldn't put it past you to be kink- fucking a woman on your death bed.”
Night let out an outright laugh and heaved a fake sigh. “Now you're going to get the little lady believing I have no manners. Trust me, Lily. It was Lily, right? I'm a gentle lover in bed.”
He heard his friend let out a cry of dismay. “Why I never! Put me down, you… you… Playboy! I would never fuck you, not even if we were the last two people on earth. Plus! I don't think I'm your type… I'm all male! So back off!”
There was a long pause before Night spoke, his voice slightly shocked. “You're a guy?” Lily must have nodded in confirmation because not a moment later, Byakuya snorted and Ichigo tensed. Great. There went that plan. At least he still had the possibility of escape, though.
“It was painfully obvious, Night. The boy has no breasts and a low voice. You're just dense.”
There came another inconspicuous pause before Byakuya's friend chuckled. “It's not as if it really matters. I still go for guys, little one. Though you can trust me. I won't harm you, so rest easy.”
Enough was enough. Ichigo's eyes shot open and lunged from the man's grasp, hitting the pavement with a low thud. Pivoting out of reach, he sidestepped Night's attempt at grabbing him and kicked him in the shins. “Lily, let's get out of here!”
Night cursed and as he went to grab at his shins, Lily smacked him over the head and hopped down onto the ground. He clutched Ichigo's hand and the red head pulled him over toward the dumpster, wincing as he heard the sounds of pursuit behind him. Instinct told him that if they were caught by that angry man… He shuddered, swearing at the onslaught of slight desire.
Now wasn't the time for this! Climbing up the trash heap, he pulled the small blonde up and out of the two men's reach. He boosted Lily up to the fire escape just up ahead and followed close behind him. The rickety ladder led to a door, its handle rusted with age. Lily pulled on it and it swung open with ease. They were almost free…
A loud, almost inhuman roar sounded behind them and Ichigo tensed. They needed to hurry!
~*~*~ ~*~*~
Byakuya growled angrily, mind obviously overwhelmed with images of chaos. “It” was happening again. Night could make out the telltale signs as the man ran, him following closely behind. The guy's shoulders were tensed, the muscles bunching up as if to suddenly attack; his hands were fisted at his sides, making the obvious motions of ripping someone's heart out. If he could have seen his face he wasn't almost positive that it would be pulled back into a savage snarl. He was completely sure.
Night slowed and stopped by the dumpster, calling out to his friend. He needed to nip this “thing” in the bud before it got too out of hand. As a personal witness to the disaster these emotions wrought, he was desperate.
“Byakuya, buddy. It's okay. Stay in the here and now. You'll catch your rabbit soon enough. Don't get all beastly on me.” He joked but it was at times like these he wished he wasn't such a loyal bastard.
As far as he knew, Byakuya only got like this when he lost something he cared about exponentially. He had told Night, in a rare drunken moment, that he'd rather be perceived as a callous bastard for the rest of his life than to ever experience those “moments” again. They were moments of true vulnerability. The red head must have brought this on, then.
It took a lot to surprise him and this was one of those rare moments that did. Who knew the assassin could have such a soft spot for weak puppies? No, that wasn't it. He had seen the man kill people with much more heartrending lives than that little boy. It couldn't have been that… then what was it? Night pulled the equivalent of a mental shrug and focused on the present.
Brushing the hair out of his eyes, he frowned and looked around. Damn, the man had disappeared while he took a trip down Memory-fucking-Lane. How nice. He was just about to turn around when a loud crash stopped him. A moment later, someone screamed and Night froze.
“Oh shit.”
~*~*~ ~*~*~
The light was gone and it was dark again. He hated the dark. It left him trapped in a black, cold cage. The red headed boy had shown up and with him came the splendid light. Light and warmth. He never wanted to let something that precious go.
Byakuya knew that all rationality had flown out the window the moment the teen had left his arms. It was an unhealthy reaction but not one the assassin could control. With the escape of the light left the escape of his stable mind. The “beast” had taken over.
He growled softly and ascended the fire escape; close on the two teens' heels. He could practically smell the red head's exotic scent as he moved ever closer. Ginger and fruit. Fear and arousal. The teen looked behind him, all the while ushering the smaller blonde into the safety in front of him.
Soft brown eyes locked onto passionate gray ones and the boy blushed. Turning, the red head extended his arms and blocked the doorway. The one called Lily gasped in apparent shock behind him. There. The light was so close it was practically in reach.
“You can take me but you can't have Lily!” His voice, though shaking, was strong. The blonde grasped him on the thin shoulder and tried to pull him in. “Ichigo! Please don't… Come with me! Don't leave me here!”
Ahh, Ichigo. So that was the light's name. His strawberry. So befitting for the red head. He didn't care about the blonde; he only wanted his fire and light back. Stepping forward, he clasped the teen's chin firmly in hand and brought his lips down to meet the boy's own. Silk. Pure, uninhibited silk.
His tongue swept out to taste the quivering appendages, licking the edge of his mouth sensuously. So sweet. He caressed the tight seam and nipped his lips lightly, drawing out an involuntary whimper. He pressed his body closer to the boy's, hand still gripping firmly on his chin. He needed to possess him in all aspects… to feel him.
Something crashed behind Ichigo and the blonde boy let out a curdling scream. Byakuya looked up, brought out of his daze and temporary “insanity” for the time being. The one called Lily was being dragged back by a hairy pair of arms. He kicked and screamed, arms flailing wildly into the air.
~*~*~ ~*~*~
Ichigo turned at the same time, yelping as a pair of strong arms grabbed him by the waist. He looked back to see himself enveloped in Byakuya's embrace, trapped yet again. The man had a gun drawn and was glaring intently into the shadows. Would he shoot him?
Byakuya lurched forward, pushing him behind his tall frame, and aimed his gun into the shadows. Was he going to shoot Lily? He had a miniature panic attack and hit the man across his back. The dark haired man didn't even flinch as he released the safety on the small hand pistol. Oh no no no no!
“Don't kill my friend! Please, please! I'll go with you… I won't run anymore. I'll do anything you say. Please please please please ple-!”
Someone placed a large hand over his mouth and Ichigo nearly had a heart attack. Night stepped into his peripheral and placed a finger to his own lips, winking. “Lily will be just fine if you hush up for a second. Didn't you notice that rather unseemly man holding him captive?” The man's friend pointed at the door, indicating the inside of the apartment building.
He followed the man's finger and gasped. Why hadn't he noticed that? The answer came, unbidden, to him. He had been too busy getting thoroughly kissed by Rambo over there. Blushing, Ichigo lowered his head in shame. Some friend he was. Fraternizing with the enemy… How graceless.
He looked back up at Night and frowned, startled. The man looked really… upset. In the short, short time that he had “known” him, the man seemed to take virtually everything as a joke. Now, however, he looked really upset. His green eyes glinted as they locked on to the intruder grasping Lily. That wide, almost sensuous mouth that never seemed to shut up was pulled down into a strained scowl, etching small lines in the corners of his lips. What was the deal?
The tall man felt his gaze and looked at him, his face breaking out into a smile. `Yeah, sure. As if! Keep trying to play it cool, buddy. I'm onto you,' Ichigo thought, throwing him a suspicious glare.
As if the man could read his mind, his lip twitched and he chuckled softly. The red head felt the childish urge to kick the man as he smirked. Leaning forward, Night whispered into Ichigo's ear. “You're just going to have to trust Byakuya to get your friend out of there safely, Bob.”
Oh yeah. The man thought his name was Bob Roberts. At least he still had that going for him.
Lily let out another small scream and Ichigo's head shot up. What was going on in there? He caught the tiny movement of Byakuya's finger on the trigger and winced as the gunshot echoed. `Please let Lily be okay,' he thought as he scrambled over to the man's side. Just about to peer into the dark building, the man pulled his head down onto his chest and held him there.
“I don't want you seeing this. Eyes like yours are not meant to ever witness such carnage.”
It was a nice thought but really… he would probably never have the opportunity to witness anything like that again if the man didn't stop smothering him! His breath escaped him in a rush. “Can't… breathe… need… oxygen…”
The man stiffened in surprise and let his head go, albeit reluctantly. He looked up in time to see Night ushering a shaking Lily out of the building. The man glared at Byakuya as he gently cleaned the blood off of the blonde's cheek.
“Really, man. You're all concerned over your little bunny witnessing a little blood shed and there you go blowing some guys brains out in front of this one!” He pulled a bewildered Lily into a tight embrace and stroked his hair.
Lily, brought out of his shaken stupor, glared and kicked Night in the shins. He ducked out if his hug and ran over to Ichigo as the man nursed yet another bruise on his ankle. Grabbing him by the hand, the blonde tried tugging him out of Byakuya's embrace but to no avail.
“Let him go, you brute! You can't have Ichigo! You say you came to rescue us? Then why the hell are you keeping us here against our will?” Lily asked, his voice rising.
The dark haired man turned an impassive scowl on the angry blonde. “Nobody ever said YOU had to stay, brat. I couldn't care less what you do. I would've kept you in there if this one hadn't insisted I bring you along. So why don't you run along like a good little boy and get the hell out of my way.”
Ichigo tensed and turned a vicious snarl on the callous man. “You are such an ass! I didn't fucking ask you to rescue me. Hell, you're probably here anyways to take me to another brothel!” He lowered his head at this thought and clasped on tighter to Lily's hand.
Night stepped forward at this, limping slightly. “Listen, toots. If we had wanted to take you to some fucking brothel we wouldn't have went through all that trouble just to bail you two out. An you,” he indicated Byakuya with a point of a long finger. “Quit being such a bastard. You've got my little Lily here all shaken up!”
He shot Lily a wink, who promptly flipped him off. Ichigo had never seen someone instill that kind of reaction in his friend before. The blonde was usually very mature and quiet, a pillar of strength and light whenever you needed a shoulder to cry on. Their personalities were complete banes for each other.
The dark haired man growled softly. If looks could kill… Hell, the man didn't need his looks to kill if that sharp shooting earlier was anything to go by. As Ichigo thought this, he prayed to whatever gods there were that he never got on the man's bad side.
~*~*~ ~*~*~
Byakuya gnashed his teeth together, determined to keep from punching Night. By god that man could be annoying sometimes. And by the looks of it, he had been struck smitten with the equally irritating blonde.
He could see how he found that Lily person attractive. Taking a good look at him, he memorized the face and figure for future reference. The boy was small, barely reaching the five-foot mark, which looked utterly ridiculous by Night's tall frame. His lavender eyes were far too big in a face that was far too small and fragile to be outright beautiful. He preferred the classic bone structure of someone strong and sturdy. Someone like Ichigo.
The mouth was soft and proportioned though, probably the reason why Night walked awkwardly whenever he stared at it. The boy was far too feminine which must have been the reason the madam had sent one of her henchmen after him and not Ichigo.
He snorted and shook his head. The woman made a wise decision. If she had come after his little red head, then she would no longer be of the living. Turning to look down at the flustered teen, he softened his features.
“I am truly sorry you feel that way, Ichigo. I shall try harder to be more… civilized if you will give me a chance.”
Night stopped teasing the blonde long enough to look up in surprise. “Ichigo? I thought you said your name was Bob?” He shot Ichigo a mock wounded look. “Oh now you've gone and hurt my feelings.”
Ichigo looked up at Byakuya, startled. “You kn-know my name? Well, I mean, of course you do! You just said it, right and not knowing my name would mean you can't say it and then-”
The boy was rambling. A sure sign of nervousness, right? Byakuya cut him off with a raise of his hand but immediately lowered it when the red head flinched. He was bad at dealing with people. “Me knowing your name is besides the point, baby. I could learn so much more about you than you possibly realize.” He took a step closer.
“Like your favorite color. Or your worst fear. The sound you make when you're coming in my arms…” He crowded against Ichigo, slowly backing him against the wall. The teen's face was flushed and his right eye twitched nervously.
“If you'll give me a chance…”
A.N: Hello and thank you for reading the third chapter of “Happy Ending”. I know the end of this chapter was rather abrupt but I wanted to leave fans with something tangent that they could read over the holidays! The chapters will be getting steadily longer thanks to all you wonderful readers' continuous reviews! So, please tell me what you think! About Byakuya and Ichigo… about Night Havern and Lily. I'm open to suggestions, comments, questions, concerns, fanart, or just plain ol' reviews. Flames are welcome. I hope you enjoyed Byakuya's attempt at hitting on someone. Lol
TayTay: Thank you very much for being my first review. You loved the plot? I was a bit worried at first, bringing a couple of OC's in it, but apparently they're not too bad? Thank you!
ur_new_bestfriend: I do appreciate your review and yes, it was definitely a compliment! I was kind of iffy about putting up humor in the first chapter because I was almost sure it wouldn't flow… but I'm glad you liked it! Keep rooting for this story!
yaoihentai69: Oh yes… the infamous “daddy” part. * laughs* Now THAT was a tough one to write. I love Ichigo as a character so much that I almost came to tears doing all those foul things to him. But the story must go on, right? Without the bad parts, we cannot appreciate the good. It pays to me used to convos like that lol.
GravyBaby: Your prayers for more have been answered. Thank you so much for reviewing.
Mion: you like Lily and Night? You don't know how happy I am to hear that. As I mentioned before, I was a bit iffy on introducing original characters into the plotline but they somehow made the whole story flow. I'm proud of my “babies”. * laughs* And your English is just fine, sweetie. Thank you for that review and here is your update.
Tatsu: I'm very happy that you appreciate my beginning! Hopefully this satiated your craving for Byakuya and Ichigo plot? Another person who likes my OC's! This makes me smile! Thank you for the review.
yaoilover2 AKA: Annie: “One of the best”? You really think so? *blushes * Thank you so much! That remark brought me to tears. It's nice to know your work is appreciated. Thank you for the review.
Anon: Thank you and I most definitely will continue you. Thank you for the review.
Kunitsu: Thank you for the wonderful review. I appreciate it J
happygirl24: That is very sweet of you to say. Thank you for the review!
Yoshitaki: You want more? Then more you shall have! And let's hear it for weird friends! Lol I have me a couple of those. Hell, I think I AM one of those. ^_- Thank you for the review!
Mimi-chan: Thank you so much for that! I have this bad habit where I tend to make the seme men extremely possessive… it shows up in all of my work. *laughs * And thank you for liking my writing. It is one of the greatest honors an author can get.