Ties of Blood

a/n: Another chapter ahoy! Everyone enjoy!

Special thanks to Kuromei for her review!

Ties of Blood
Part Five

“Congratulations!”

Mugs of different sizes and contents clinked together across the room, voices raised in celebration and laughter. Kisuke himself grinned as he chugged down the contents of his cup. The alcohol made for a lazy, comfortable warmth in the pit of his belly.

An arm slung across his shoulders. “What did I tell you?” Yoruichi said with a broad grin, on her way to drunk and not caring a whit about it. “I knew you'd make it!”

“Of course!” Kisuke retorted, indignant. “I'm an Urahara after all.”

“And a Kasumioji, too,” Yoruichi added in his ear where no one who’d be shocked at their secret could hear it. Not that there were many of those to be found here.

Only Kisuke's closest friends had been invited to this celebration. Otherwise, Yoruichi herself wouldn't have been able to visit. Which limited the attendees to himself, her, Byakuya, Kuukaku was running around here somewhere, and Tessai-san lingered on the edges, appointing himself the sober one. This suited fine as Kisuke had already had another celebration with his friends from the Academy. And well, who could pass up more free booze?

Speaking of which, Kisuke's eyes wandered over to the bar. Where Kuukaku was already shoving more alcohol into Byakuya's face with a look that didn't bode well for the Kuchiki heir's safety. The blond wasn't sure what Kuukaku had planned, but whatever it was, he wanted to stay far away from it.

“Yeah. That, too,” Kisuke agreed as he realized that his response had been somewhat delayed. But then, he couldn't be blamed. His sister had been shoving just as much sake in his face as Kuukaku was currently thrusting at Byakuya.

“Just so you know,” Yoruichi began, all seriousness for a moment as she turned Kisuke to face her. “It wasn't my decision alone. You worked hard, and they noticed.”

Kisuke nodded. “I know.”

Of course, it helped that no one knew they were related. Someone could still claim favoritism of a sort since the rumors of something being between the Shihouin heir and the brat from Rukongai had never abated. But no one could prove anything, and so nothing could be done about it.

Sometimes, Kisuke wondered if it would have been better for him to accept Ukitake-taichou's invitation to join the thirteenth. Or even Shunsui-san's invitation for the eighth. Both of which made sense considering he had been sponsored by them. But Kisuke had his heart set on the second, where he could be closer to his sister. It was risky, but Kisuke had the feeling he was more suited for there anyway. He and Yoruichi were more alike than either senior captain could recognize.

“And hey,” Yoruichi continued, steering him towards a table and plunking him down in a seat. “I hear that Sanami will be all healed up next week so he can rejoin the division.”

Kisuke winced. It hadn't been his intention to send his opponent to the fourth, but well, they had told him not to hold back. And he had been taught by Yoruichi after all. There were few under captain-class who could best him in a spar.

“Don't look like that,” his sister inserted, giving him a playful tap alongside the head. “The third-seat's been chosen like this for years, even if we don't tell anyone. We can't be accused of being like the eleventh, now can we?” She winked.

Yoruichi had a point. And their methods made sense considering the third-seat's duties. He or she had to be capable of handling the criminals in the Maggot's Nest without use of a weapon and only those in the division most skilled at hand-to-hand could be considered. It was perfectly logical to have any vying for the third-seat to duel against the current holder of that position. That ensured that the most skilled person held the spot.

“No, we can't,” Kisuke replied with an easy grin of his own, finally taking a long drink of the sake that his sister had shoved into his hand earlier.

Kuukaku and Byakuya wandered back to the table, the latter swaying on his feet.

“Celebrations are not meant to be spent on our asses,” Kuukaku put in with a hearty slap to Kisuke's back. One that was for her probably a light tap but nearly sent the blond sprawling.

Not for the first time did Kisuke wonder if they had checked Kuukaku's true gender. There was no way that she really was a woman under that robe. Even with the heavy mounds firmly attached to her chest.

“With this much liquor pushed on me, I'm not sure standing is a good idea,” Byakuya muttered. He all but poured himself into his seat next to Kisuke, lacking all of his usual grace. His cheeks were light pink, eyes bright with inebriation, and that sloppy scowl was absolutely adorable.

He certainly didn't look like he was only a few years younger than Kisuke. If it wasn't for the fact that Kisuke knew for certain he was older, someone could almost accuse them of pushing booze onto what amounted for a child. It didn't help that Byakuya had such a baby, girly face. Kisuke smirked at that thought, knowing just how angry he’d get if the blond ever said such to his face.

Yoruichi tittered, swinging a hand out to poke Byakuya in the cheek. “What would your grandfather say, Bya-bo?” she teased, ever the brave one for tickling a sleeping dragon. “If he saw you so discomposed?”

Byakuya blinked, as though the extent of Yoruichi’s vocabulary impressed him. “He would probably laugh and give me that look of his,” he retorted almost sullenly. “Grandfather never explains anything.”

Apparently, too much alcohol a blabbing Byakuya did make. Normally, it was rather difficult to get him to talk about anything concerning his family.

“Alright!” Kisuke said loudly, calling attention back to himself. Even as Byakuya slumped sideways, a warm presence against his arm. “No talking about politics or overbearing relatives! We’re supposed to be celebrating!”

“Here, here!” Kuukaku agreed and lifted her jug for a toast.

Everyone else seemed to agree and mugs, jugs, cups, and bowls clinked around the table, spilling liquid everywhere and making a fine mess of things. Kisuke eagerly sucked down his drink, watching as Byakuya did much the same. His cheeks still flushed, grey eyes bright and unguarded. He leaned against Kisuke as though he didn’t have the strength to keep himself upright, all warm and snuggly.

“If this is a celebration, then it’s only proper that Ki-kun be treated properly. Ne, Yoruichi?” Kuukaku suggested with an exaggerated wink, nudging the other woman with an elbow.

Kisuke immediately became suspicious, eyes narrowing. He didn’t like the cast to Kuukaku’s face or the look she exchanged with Yoruichi. The two separate were hazardous; together, they were a menace.

Byakuya didn’t seem to notice the danger that he was potentially in. He just hiccupped, snuggled closer to Kisuke, and gestured for someone to fill his cup again. Kisuke wasn’t sure his companion needed anything else to drink. Nor Kisuke himself, for that matter. With Byakuya this close, Kisuke could smell the subtle fragrance of cherry blossoms.

“How true, Kuukaku,” Yoruichi agreed and turned a grin on Kisuke, golden eyes gleaming with teasing intent. “So I think Bya-bo should give him a congratulatory kiss, don’t ya agree?”

“Oh, yeah. It’s only right.” Kuukaku’s smile stretched to wider, more devilish proportions.

Byakuya stirred when he seemed to realize that the two were focused on him. “What are you talking about?” he said, voice dangerously approaching a slur.

Yoruichi and Kuukaku exchanged a plotting glance. “Don’t you think Ki-kun deserves a reward for all his hard work?” Kuukaku needled, obliging Byakuya by pouring more sake into his cup.

“Of course, he does!” Byakuya shot back, straightening briefly before losing steam and collapsing back against Kisuke again. “We have to stick together against these she-devils!” he added in a loud whisper, his sake-soaked breath ghosting across the blond’s ears.

Yoruichi and Kuukaku tittered like a couple of schoolchildren, Kisuke was too sotted to hide the heating in his cheeks. Why did Byakuya have to be so cute?

“We think you should be the one to congratulate him,” Yoruichi said with a laughing, unladylike snort.

“Since you’re his favorite and everything,” Kuukaku added.

“Hmph.” Byakuya gave a very regal sniff. “Everyone knows that Yoruichi is his favorite.”

Kisuke’s sister laughed and flicked a hand through the air. “Maybe, maybe. But he doesn’t want to kiss me.”

“Of course not!” Byakuya argued with imperial indignation, performing this haughty toss of his hair that he had somehow perfected over the past few months. “Since I’m sitting right here.”

The two girls broke into amused titters.

“Are you suggesting then that Ki-kun wants to kiss you, Bya-bo?” Yoruichi asked with a nudge the Kuchiki heir’s direction.

Byakuya tossed her a slightly watery look that spoke in unto itself, full of Kuchiki arrogance. Kisuke would have found it unbearably amusing if his mouth hadn’t suddenly gone dry, and his heart skipped several beats in anticipation. Kisuke’s tongue dragged over his lips, as though he could already taste Byakuya on them.

Kuukaku grinned, leaning forward eagerly. “Well, go on then! This night isn’t getting any younger!”

And Byakuya, goaded by alcohol and two very demonic females, turned to do just that. Kisuke was treated to the full sight of Byakuya’s very grey eyes before the boy leaned in, closer and closer. Attacking Kisuke with a sloppy, wet, open-mouthed kiss that tasted of sake and oranges.

‘Best congratulations ever,’ Kisuke thought. Not so noble as to not take a gift so cheerfully given to him. In fact, he even enjoyed it.

Immensely.

- - -

“You slept with Byakuya!”

Kisuke winced. He rubbed fingers over his forehead where his sister's near-screech funneled right into his brain, upsetting an already aching skull.

“Ano... yes?”

“You slept with Byakuya! You had sex with him.”

Sighing, Kisuke turned and shuffled back into his house. He fought off a yawn as Yoruichi trailed along after him.

“I think we've already covered that.”

“You slept with Kuchiki Byakuya!” she repeated for the third time, eyes wide and not at all scheming or devilish like they normally were. “Your boy bits and his boy bits touched!”

It almost was a shriek, and Kisuke flinched again.

He whirled towards her. But the motion nearly made his churning stomach empty its contents, and Kisuke had to pause to gain control of himself. One finger lifted towards his sister, pointing with only a small waver.

“Yes,” Kisuke said shortly. “I did. And they did more than touch.”

Her jaw dropped. She just gaped at him like he’d grown another head or spontaneously burst into song and dance.

“But… But… You and sex… Those things don’t belong together. You… You’re too young!” She jabbed a finger at him. “Both of you are far too young. Especially him. Especially you!”

Kisuke threw up his hands. “I’m not a child. Haven’t been for awhile. Besides, almighty Yoruichi, it's not like he's the first.”

“What!”

He should have known that’d be her reaction. Kisuke ignored her goldfish impression and shuffled toward his kitchen, wanting nothing more than a cup of tea to settle his stomach and maybe a cracker or two. He should’ve remembered to take those hangover pills last night, but he hadn't. And now, he was paying the price. He hoped Byakuya was suffering, too. Kinky bastard.

“Shhh,” Kisuke said, hissing through his teeth as her words practically echoed through the house. “You'll wake him up.”

“He's still here?” Yoruichi demanded, pushing past him to snatch the tea accouterments from his hands. “And give me that. I don't need you poisoning the Kuchiki heir. Ginrei’s already going to have your head as it is. Deflowering his innocent grandson.” She bumped him with her shoulder, and the motion was nearly enough to send him tumbling.

Kami but his head hurt.

Kisuke snorted. “I think Byakuya's made of stronger stuff than that. And I’m pretty sure that Kuchiki-sama has already figure out that his grandson isn’t completely virginal. I think he’s actually been encouraging it.” He rolled his head on his shoulder. “Besides, my tea isn’t that bad.”

“I don't know, Ki-chan. I don't think anyone can survive ingesting acid,” Yoruichi said seriously, though the sparkle in her golden eyes proved she was teasing. At least, she’d recovered from her earlier shock.

Rolling his eyes, Kisuke sat down at the small table in the kitchen and cradled his head in his hands. A second later, a packet of medicine flopped down on the surface in front of him, and he swallowed the pills dry. He hoped that the aching in his skull stopped soon. It felt like Kuukaku was tap dancing on his cranium.

“So,” Yoruichi began, thankfully much more quietly than the near ear-splitting decibels she’d reached before. “You slept with Byakuya.”

“Only half of it was sleeping really,” Kisuke replied just because it was rare that he was the one to shock his sister rather than the other way around.

Besides, who wouldn't want to brag about snagging the infamous and nigh untouchable Kuchiki heir? Even if it wasn't something meant for any permanence. They were just friends with curious urges and the lovely brush of alcohol to wash away inhibitions. Though Kisuke was still determined to blame his definite homosexuality on Byakuya, who could still claim an interest in women that Kisuke could not.

His sister made a choking sound, but it was really like her words were caught in her throat. She cleared her it noisily, pot rattling as she stuck it over the warmer.

“And he wasn't the first?”

“No, nee-san, he wasn't.” Kisuke closed his eyes in hopes that blocking out the bright stream of sunlight would stop the spikes of pain through his skull.

“Who was it?”

“Why would I tell you that?”

“Because I'm your sister, and you love me.”

Kisuke chuckled very softly. Anything more would send the stabbing pains through his brain again.

“Love does not necessitate full disclosure.”

Yoruichi pouted, sliding into the empty seat across from him. Two cups came to a rest on the table, the delicious scent of tea filling Kisuke's kitchen. His stomach grumbled at the aroma, and he reached for the hot cup, sipping carefully.

“You won't tell me?” she asked again, batting those dark eyelashes at him. Though the mischief gleaming behind them rid her of all attempts at seeming innocence.

“No,” Kisuke said point blank. “Because like poor Yamada-senpai, you'll track him down and grill him for details. Though I think he'll be able to handle you a bit better.”

Rose-senpai would probably have her eating out of his palm before she could even think to bombard him with questions. But he’d rather avoid the embarrassment either way.

Yoruichi laughed. “He was like a scared little rabbit,” she recalled, thinking of Yamada-senpai. “He never saw me coming.”

“I know.” Kisuke sipped at his tea. “I'm not a kid anymore, Yoruichi. Is it so unusual that I've slept with someone?”

“No. But... Kuchiki Byakuya?” She shook her head, feet whipping out like a small child growing impatient. Her lips curved into a wicked grin. “Kuukaku is going to get a kick out of this.”

Kisuke's eyes widened. “You can't tell her!” he hissed completely aghast.

But Yoruichi was already chortling, demon horns sprouting from her forehead. She leaned over the table, one finger popping his nose with each word.

“Yes. I. Can,” she said and sat back triumphantly. “And will.”

Kisuke all but launched himself from his chair, the abrupt motion making his stomach churn and his head throb. “Ngh,” he groaned, turning a pleading look at his sister. “Haven't you tormented us enough?”

Yoruichi didn't answer, at least not immediately. There was a sudden, faint jolt of reiatsu in the air. It had been lying quiescently in the background, a steady thrum. But now, there was evidence it was stirring. Byakuya was waking. And his sister? Well, Yoruichi had a rather evil cast to her face.

Kisuke's eyes rounded. “No,” he said, considering launching himself at her to keep her in place. “Don't you dare,” he hissed.

But Yoruichi just grinned like a cat. Springing up from her seat with the eagerness of a child and all but bounding out of the room.

“How could I resist this opportunity?” she threw over her shoulder with a loud chortle. “Oh, Byakuya-bo!”

Groaning, Kisuke slumped back into his chair. Letting his head hit the table with a hard enough thump to send a stab of hangover pain through his skull.

He heard a door slam. Yoruichi exclaimed another greeting. And then Byakuya shouted, voice a mixture of horror, embarrassment, and anger. No doubt Kisuke would be hearing it from him later.

“She-demon!” Byakuya roared.

And Kisuke had the mental image of him leaping from the bed in fury. Only to remember he wasn't exactly dressed and scramble for the covers.

Groaning to himself again, Kisuke forced his aching body out of the chair and shuffled back toward his bedroom with the intention of saving Byakuya from Yoruichi's teasing. He knew he wouldn't get a thanks out of the Kuchiki heir. But well, Kisuke had gotten them into this mess, and he had to take his licks as they were owed.

- - -

“A captain?”

Feeling much like the cat who'd gotten the cream and the canary and a whole bowl of tuna all at once, Yoruichi reclined smugly.

“What? You don't think you can do it?”

Kisuke tossed her an annoyed look. “I didn't say that,” he said, and by goodness Yoruichi had the most adorable brother. It was obvious he was ruffled by her sudden suggestion. “But I've not been your third-seat that long. Just a few years. And I've not reached bankai yet.”

Grinning, Yoruichi winked at him. “I don't think a little thing like that will stop you, Kisuke.” She gestured vaguely. “Weren't you just telling me about some unique contraption you’d devised the other day?”

“It's not been tested,” Kisuke answered a bit shifty-eyed.

Yoruichi resisted the urge to roll her own eyes. She knew her brother. Oh, it hadn't been tested yet. But no doubt he had plans to do so rather soon. Never mind how dangerous it might’ve been. Sometimes, his reckless pursuit of all things scientific and likely explosive worried her. But he was also her brother, and only she knew how terribly intelligent he was. She couldn't very well stop his tinkering.

“Your point?”

Kisuke sighed, his fingers rubbing over his thighs. “I never really thought about heading a division of my own.” He seemed thoughtful. “It's not like positions open up all the time or anything.”

“This is a special case,” Yoruichi explained. “It's not often someone is promoted to the zero division, leaving a vacancy. Haven't you been telling me about starting some kind of science unit?”

Kisuke’s face brightened at the mere mention of it, a light entering his eyes. “Well, yeah, but I had meant that as a piece of the future. Not the immediate present,” he admitted slowly, though it was evident he was itching to go into further detail. “I hadn’t even had time to really flesh out the details.”

He was fighting awfully hard to remain in her division. Yoruichi wasn’t surprised. She had seen this coming. Kisuke’s competence aside, it was one of the reasons she’d suggested he be suitable for the open position.

They were family. Nothing would ever change about that, but sometimes, Kisuke did cling to her more than was safe for either of them. And Yoruichi didn’t want to watch her brother become something he was not. She wanted to watch him flourish and grow, to become himself while always remaining a part of her. She wanted him to have a life of his own. In that, she felt very much like his mother. A fact she had on occasion joked with Tessai about.

“Well, now’s the perfect time to start!” Yoruichi declared, hoping to see more of that brilliance in her brother’s face. “Don’t tell me you’re too scared to take this chance, Kisuke.”

A range of emotions flitted through his eyes, discomfort among them. “No, but… wouldn’t it just be favoritism?”

“You think I’m the only one who recommended you?”

Yoruichi could tell from the look on his face that Kisuke actually had. Of course, he would be oblivious to the other eyes that had been watching him. Shunsui and Ukitake, to name a couple. Just as they had supported his entry into the Academy where Yoruichi could not. But then, Kisuke was often blind to anyone other than her or his father before his death.

Before Kisuke could respond, however, someone interrupted the private conversation. Yoruichi frowned, knowing only of two people who were allowed to do that. And one of them would have too much sense for it. Which left one other person.

Her little bee burst into the room with annoyance knit in her brow. But then, Soifon rarely carried any other emotion save the adoring eyes Yoruichi occasionally caught drifting her direction. Soifon respected no one but Yoruichi and considered everyone else below her. And therefore, below Soifon’s notice. She never understood Yoruichi’s intentions to remain not only family with Kisuke but a close friend and companion as well. It was a matter of necessity that Soifon know the true connection between them, but that didn’t ease Soifon’s jealousy in the least. For jealousy it was.

Soifon, for reasons beyond Yoruichi’s understanding, wanted to keep the Shihouin head to herself.

“Yoruichi-sama!” Soifon called, voice an outraged gasp as she rushed into the room with all the dignity a hurried movement could afford. “I don’t think that this is the wisest course.”

Kisuke, for his part, remained silent. He watched with shadowed eyes as they began their discussion. He was seemingly oblivious to the animosity that Soifon carried towards his person. Much the same way he hadn’t noticed that other eyes had been observing his progress. But Yoruichi has her suspicions how much of the former had actually missed. Of course, he probably hadn’t missed the latter either. Just had misinterpreted the interest for something else.

Yoruichi arched a brow, curious as to how her brother would handle Soifon’s objections. Not to mention why exactly Soifon thought it pertinent to object in the first place.

“What do you mean, Soifon?” she asked. And though her tone was pleasant, there was steel in her words that warned Soifon to think and phrase her words carefully.

Her little bee dropped to kneel on one knee, bowing over her other as she seemed to believe propriety demanded of her. “I do not believe Urahara-sanseki is skilled or ready for the burdens of a captain-level position,” she replied carefully. “Further, it might prove detrimental to Yoruichi-sama’s position if you recommend him for this open seat.”

“Oh? And how is that?” the captain asked, both amused and curious.

So some of Soifon’s objections were political in nature? Intriguing.

Soifon couldn’t quite hide her flinch, but she lifted her head and met Yoruichi’s stare evenly. “It will cause people to wonder why you would put so much faith in a relatively unknown member of your division. Especially since he is merely a third-seat.”

There was a way Soifon said merely that made Yoruichi’s eyes narrow. But she folded her fingers under her chin and watched her vice-captain intently.

“You haven’t explained why this should be of concern to me.”

Grey eyes briefly flicked to Kisuke before focusing on Yoruichi again. “I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors, Yoruichi-sama.”

“I have; I ignored them. But for the sake of Kisuke, why don’t you enlighten us?”

Her brother, having been mentioned and drawn into the conversation, shifted in discomfort. There was a light flush to his cheeks that proved he didn’t like being the focus of attention. But he’d have to get used to it if he planned to accomplish half the things he dreamed.

Soifon’s eyes narrowed. Perhaps she realized Yoruichi’s intent. That didn’t stop her from speaking.

“There are those that believe Yoruichi-sama and Urahara-sanseki are involved in an affair.”

Of course, that sort of statement dragged a bark of laughter from Yoruichi. It was unladylike. Not that she cared. The nobles of Seireitei would always strive for something to gossip about, and Yoruichi knew she was one of their favorite subjects.

Captain. Commander of the Onmitsukidoh. Head of a great family. Young. Powerful. And still unwed. If she hadn’t made her opinion on arranged marriages so uniformly known, Yoruichi had no doubts that she’d still be receiving proposals by the bucketful. Not that she still didn’t get them. They were just more circumspect now.

That didn’t even factor in the wide variety of rumors circulating about her. Her supposed affair with Kisuke. Her supposed affair with Soifon. Her supposed affair with both of them at the same time.

Kisuke hadn’t known of these rumors. At least, he’d never mentioned them. Yoruichi hadn’t though it necessary to tell him. They were nothing but idle gossip. Not a lick of truth to any of them. Kisuke was her brother, and he liked his own gender. Not her.

Still, his eyes rounded in a comical fashion, even as he paled. “Maybe it’s not such a good idea after all,” he said, always more concerned about her status than Yoruichi herself.

Yoruichi sat up straight. “And why not? Because of a few rumors? Mere product of bored ladies and old women looking to flap their gums to pass the days?”

He should know his own sister better than that. When had she ever cared for rumors?

“Yoruichi-sama?”

Soifon was horrified at the thought of so much disrespect. Of course, she was. It was anathema to her.

Kisuke’s palms smoothed over his thighs, looking contemplative.

“Or is it that you don’t have the confidence?” Yoruichi pressed because she, more than anyone, wanted to see him succeed. She knew the desire burned in him; she didn’t want to see anything snuff that fire out. “Who do you think has a better grasp of your abilities? Soifon or myself? Do you think I’d lie to you just to make you feel good?”

“No,” Kisuke responded through gritted teeth, eyes taking on that familiar fire. “But--”

“Or,” Yoruichi interrupted smoothly, just able to suppress her grin in anticipation of her brother’s reaction to her next argument. “Do you believe that Ukitake-taichou and Shunsui-san have also placed their faith in the wrong person?”

She was utterly thrilled to watch the flush spread across her brother’s cheeks, and Yoruichi knew that crimson tinge had nothing to do with Shunsui-san either. It was ridiculously adorable, but Yoruichi kept that reaction to herself. It would just embarrass him even further.

He mumbled something that might have been acquiescence on his part.

Yoruichi leaned forward eagerly. “What was that?”

Kisuke lifted his head, meeting her gaze challengingly. “I said that I’ll take the captain’s spot,” he said firmly, jaw set in a matter that made him look so much like Takuya that she almost forgot to breathe for a second.

“If you succeed in achieving bankai,” Soifon interjected stiffly, back as straight as a board and hand clenched so tightly that a muscle leapt in her arm. She knew a lost battle when she saw one, but she was stubborn enough to not accept defeat easily.

Inclining his head, Kisuke glanced at her from the corner of his eye. “If my experiment succeeds, of course,” he agreed, but passion burned in his words.

Yoruichi had only to look at him to know that not only would his experiment be successful, but it would lead to other inventions, other creations. Just as she wanted. Just as he wanted.

Nicely done.

She relaxed then and smiled, reclining in her chair. She knew he could do it. There was never any doubt.

******

a/n: Three more parts in this to go! I hope you’re still enjoying it! I know I’m having a good bit of fun writing it. Thanks everyone!