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Starfall	By : AidaLily Category: Bleach > AU - Alternate Universe Views: 1922 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach and I am not making any money from this fanfiction.

Chapter List
- 3
- 4
I do not own Bleach. Or greek mythology.

Warning: Yaoi, Mpreg in later chapters. This fic is going to be either 14 or 16 chapters. The trials will be one chapter each.

Greek god and description and source at the end of the chapter.

The lunar cycles in this story happen only once a month. The moon changes over the course of the month. Thank you.

*gently descends from the ceiling with wings* Another trial has been done as our prince holds on to the seer in which he won. A new challenge awaits as they fly over seas is Hermes trying to change the Prince of Athens into the Prince of Thieves. *throws sparkly dust in the air for it to fall on to the stage while ascending*

Trial 3: A Simple Retrieval (Hermes' Trial)

Pegasus continued his flight to Crete carrying the two passengers swiftly through the night skies. When they arrived the dawn was just starting to peak out from the horizon. The winged horse of the heavens landed gently by a stream in the mountains. It was not the season for the mountains to have snow covered tops, though it was unfortunate how humid the air was during this time. The winged horse went to a different part of the river once both passengers were no longer riding atop its back and started to sip the cool water from the stream. Byakuya had rested a bit during their flight, but now that they stopped he moved to look at Renji's wound.

The prince of Athens merely sat there and observed the seer having gotten a bit of rest as well during the flight upon Pegasus' back. He closed his eyes and only grunt when the seer pulled the arrow from his wound and the blood started to freely flow down his arm. Byakuya tore a piece of the bottom of his own robes and quickly wet it with the water of the stream. He cleaned away any dirt, blood and grime away from the wound before rinsing the strip of cloth and wrapping it around the wound with a bit of pressure to keep it sealed and from getting infected. Once that was completed the seer washed delicate hands in the cool waters of the stream.

"What is to be your trial this time around Prince Renji?" Byakuya asked wondering about what was going to happen next. He was not particularly fond of being captured, but this was not in his hands. This was in the hands of the gods whom decided the fates of all man especially those involved in such dangerous trials. He could not escape such a fate and he would not disobey the order of the gods.

"We are to travel to Cydonia which is located on this isle. Then I am to 'acquire' a blue orb for the messenger of the gods Hermes. There is a creature guarding it and I must defeat that creature in order to obtain the object. I am not to kill the one the creature has declared its master and you must bare witness to the fight. However, I know things are not always so simple with the gods of Olympus and thus we shall be searching for where the creature is exactly located and I shall be trying to figure out a way to defeat such a creature." Renji answered. "We are currently located on the other side of the mountain from that area judging by the valley we are in now."

Byakuya nodded while letting no expression cross his features. The trial seemed simple enough and that it would not in fact that the full moon cycle to complete. However, it was too simple. The messenger of the gods was still in fact a god and an Olympian, which meant that it would not be as simple as it was perceived. What of the mysterious blue orb that Renji was being sent to retrieve? What would it do? He did not want to think of what would happen should Renji fail in his quest to retrieve the mysterious blue orb.

"We will rest for now, and then we shall travel through the mountain. I have not been to Cydonia in a very long time, since I was much younger than I am now. At the time, my grandfather was trying to work on a treaty since Cydonia would have provided a decent enough trading between the two cities. However, I am not sure of the exact events that transpired, but the deal was cut short. I do not know if anything else happened or if the issue was ever resolved." he told Byakuya who was sitting there listening to every single word.

"The area should provide sufficient enough cover until we are able to make it to Cydonia. It seems like the mountains go on for miles." Byakuya said looking around to better observe the area. He found himself once again rather tired and closed his eyes to get more sleep while sitting. It was something that he had learned in order to be as alert as he possibly could when traveling. However, the weariness of all the traveling had finally caught up to the seer and he laid in the soft patch of moss in the valley.

Renji did not sleep, but instead continued to watch the seer. The seer was indeed quite a sight to behold second only to the goddess of love herself. He was not as tired as the seer though for even he knew seers did not travel more than what was necessary and certainly never this long according the word of travelers and others who have been tested by the gods. He had fought for Athens and therefore such long journeys did not tire him out as fast.

"Such a lovely young seer he is, isn't he?" said a voice close to Renji.

Renji moved with a startled glance and yet still ready to attack. He had not heard anyone enter this valley and therefore was wary of such a strange person. "Do not be alarmed Prince Renji. I am one of the oreads**. I am not here to hurt you or the seer. I merely curious about the fact that you are on Crete. I have not seen one with such an aura since I had helped in the protecting Zeus from his father."

"If you are implying that I am a god, then I fear you are mistaken." he said to the nymph.

"Oh dear. I did not mean to imply that you were. I am saying the innocence and yet darkness of your aura almost makes me reminiscent. I can tell that you are on a long quest for the gods and I am part of that quest. The creature you will be facing is a hippocampus**. They are the ones who run the chariots of Poseidon. Their current master is Nerites**, a minor sea deity..."

"Forgive my interruption. May I ask how a minor sea deity comes to be in control of such creatures?" he asked the oread.

"Yes. After all, I had anticipated that you would ask. Nerites, was a minor sea deity, who was loved by the great god Poseidon. Nerites returned the feelings of Poseidon and the god made him his charioteer. However, Helios changed the rather beautiful male into a shellfish and so in order to protect his love, Poseidon gave him control of a hippocampus. There is no definitive reason for Helios' decision, but you will need to go through three mini-trials before you are able to face him and gain the blue orb." she said.

"Mini-trials within the trial? If it is to help my homeland and the seer I shall do as such." Renji said to her.

"Perfect. You will have four days to work through each one in your mind and remember that everything will seem terribly real. Unlike your previous run in with Morpheus, this one you will have to do more than answer questions. Be prepared. The seer shall be taken care of until you are done with your mini trials. The Cretan goddess Carme, who is said to be the granddaughter Carmanor**, presides over the harvest festival and has been instructed to bring food for the seer. It shall not rain here during that time and for this time period only will you both be protected in this valley." she told him. "Are you ready Prince Renji?" she asked.

"Yes.", he answered awaiting further instruction.

"Then just lay back and we shall begin. Remember four days for each of these trials. Any further instructions will be told to you if you pass.", she said to him.

~The Ninth Week~ (Waxing Crescent)

Day 1

After Renji fell into a sleep of sorts, he found himself in a different setting. There was a simple house, like the ones that belonged to farmers, and he felt himself drawn to it. There was the seer sitting in the kitchen slowly sipping a cup of water. He did not look up at Renji, when he came in and instead seemed to stare out a particular window. Renji curiously looked out the window to see all these people glancing in at the seer. Their voices seemed to echo through Renji's mind as he tried to push them out.

'Can you see him?'

'Is that the supposed seer?'

'Seer? Ha! That is laughable for such a thing as that.'

'Why is he still here?'

'He is nothing but a harlot.'

'A harlot to the gods if anything.'

'He killed his own child.'

Day 2

The things they were saying were weighing in on his mind. Why was this happening? Was the seer not truly a seer? No, that couldn't be it. He had seen the gods talk through him. The seer wouldn't hurt anyone. Why were these people saying these things? After the first day, he had tried to hit one of the people and found that he could, but they still did not see him. The seer did nothing but watch however it seemed he was breaking a little more. The rumors and gossip did not stop even with Renji snapping at the people who could not see him.

'He is sleeping with the prince of Athens'

'His family must be ashamed'

'Is this person still upheld by the gods?'

'I thought only the pure at heart could serve the gods as their seers'

Day 3

Renji closed his eyes trying to shut out the sounds again. He was supposed to be doing something here. He looked over at the seer as if the answer was in how he calmly just sat there sipping his water. Why wasn't he upset at what they were saying about him? Surely, he would be upset that his own virtue was being challenged? He would hate if someone would speak such things against him, so why was the seer just watching and sipping water? These people didn't matter, but what they were saying were nothing but lies and gossip.

Gossip? Something about that seemed to strike a chord inside of Renji. Gossip could hurt people or even possibly destroy a house of nobility for everyone listened to it and it built. A former friend of Athens had been pushed out recently due to such a thing. What were the people in Athens saying now about his trials?

"Does it matter Renji? Does it hold enough truth to continue to be a problem?" the shadow of Byakuya asked.

Day 4

A woman named Pheme** appeared in front of him. "Renji. What is the lesson learned here?" she asked.

"Not to pay attention to rumors. Other people will speak the words they feel to speak and thus they shall be punished. However, if you choose to ignore such gossip especially when you know it isn't true. You wont end up doing something that goes against the laws of man and the laws of the gods." he answered.

The woman smiled. "You pulled more from that than expected. You will wake up shortly. Spend the next two days holding your seer and assuring him that you will not believe such rumors should they arise. You have passed Prince Renji of Athens."

Renji woke up and saw Byakuya lightly resting. He moved sitting behind Byakuya and held the other pulling him against his chest. For the next two days, he spent the time holding and assuring Byakuya that he was more important than those people. The seer said nothing not because he didn't want to, but because he wasn't allowed to. Once the days had past Renji was once again trapped inside of his mind to face more trials.

~The Tenth Week~ (Waxing Gibbous)

Day 1

The moment he is fully asleep, Renji finds himself in his own room. He smiles missing the feel of the sheets beneath him and snuggling into the bed. Something bumps him and he looks at what seems to be a barely dressed woman. This is the life that he is used to. He was not used to doing trial after trial after trial for an uncertain outcome. The woman smiles and leans forward to kiss him and he kisses her back before feeling sick and pushing her away. It is strange for the touch was not unpleasurable, it just felt wrong. The woman looked upset at being refused a kiss, but she nodded and then went to summon more women into the room in hopes one of them could pleasure the prince.

Day 2

Renji couldn't help, but feel violently ill as each of the women tried to give him pleasure. It made no sense that he should feel this way. He had been pleasured by many a woman before considering his position. Instead of women this day, males were brought in the room with the task of trying to pleasure him. The first male kissed him and he suddenly felt as though he had a very bad headache and considering he had bedded a male once or twice when resting on the battlefield, this should not make him ill either.

Day 3

The next day when the males had finished their attempts, Renji lay on the bed in contemplation. He had felt the pleasure, but everything else made him sick to his stomach. Things that were normally pleasurable no longer held anything of value and served to make him feel more pain than pleasure. Could this be the message that the gods were trying to send him? Were such acts of pleasure truly that much more when with someone who returned the love you had with them?

Day 4

A woman named Hedone** entered the room. "Prince Renji. What is the lesson learned here?" she asked.

"Anything can be pleasurable, however it does not hold true meaning unless it is with one who returns the feelings you have for them.", Renji said to her hoping that he answered the question correctly.

"You have answered correctly. When you wake up, go to your seer making sure to press your lips against his in a sweet embrace. You may hold him, but go no further than what I have told you. During the battle you will find a weapon to help you complete your task." she said to him.

Renji once again awoke and saw the seer gently running his fingers around in the crystal clear waters of the small stream. Taking heed of the goddess' words, Renji moved over to Byakuya gently lifting his chin and giving him a kiss on the lips. He held the kiss for no longer than a few moments, but the pleasure he felt at such a simple act was enough for him. For the next few days, he spent time holding and giving the seer light kisses. At the start of the next week, the prince found himself once again facing a test in his mind.

~The Eleventh Week~ (Waning Gibbous)

Day 1

Once again, he awakes to the vision of Athens though this time he is celebrating with everyone on another victory. He hears his father speak of his accomplishments and praise him as if he was an entire army by himself. However, unlike most of the times in which the father praises the prince for accomplishments not all his own he hears a voice in the background. The voice sounds familiar and yet it seems so distant at this time.

'Are you really going to let them praise you as such? Shouldn't you at least tell them about the other soldiers who sacrificed much more than you have?'

Renji frowned and yet found himself unsure of what to say. He felt shame for allowing the people of Athens to believe he was the only one who had anything to do with the saving Athens from the gods. The trials had not been the easiest and he could at least acknowledge the help he had received along the way.

Day 2

The scene changes only slightly as the king of Athens ask Prince Renji to stand up to the podium. This time instead of a recent battle for Athens, the topic has changed to that of his most recent quest. The king had just got done praising him on how he had completed the trials. Prince Renji's mind had been on the trials the entire last day and so he was confused at the battle in which the illusion had spoke of before. The people of Athens eagerly awaited the story from their prince about how he was heroic enough to beat the gods at their own game.

'You say I have beaten the gods at their own game when that is incorrect. I had help along the way of my trials, be it from lesser gods and spirits, or from the seer which stands just off to my side. I have saved Athens, not with the mind and will of one man or god, but with the mind and will of many.'

The people cheered louder at this as if Renji had told them what they wanted to hear down to each and every word.

Day 3

The scene this time transformed completely into a scene Renji would have never expected. His parents were insisting that he let the guards 'inspect' the seer carefully to make sure he was good enough for the prince of Athens. They told Renji that it was to be expected of someone who held such a high position to have a concubine of worth.

'The seer is no concubine.', he told them in a surprisingly calm voice. 'If the seer is to be treated as such, then I wish to be treated as one as well. It is by the laws of man and the will of the gods that I currently hold such a position. The seer is one blessed by the gods and the one who holds my heart. Whether blessed or not, he is no different than you or I, for we are both living breathing mortals.'

His parents nodded and smiled before the scene dissolved and left Renji to his thoughts.

Day 4

A woman named Aidos** appeared before him. "Prince Renji. What is the lesson learned here?"

"I am Renji, prince of Athens, but that makes me no better than my intended lover who is a seer of the gods. I accomplish nothing alone, but more with the help of others do I accomplish my goals. I need to make sure not to fall into the path of greed and fame, instead making sure to be respectful and humble. If I do not do this then I will feel not only the wrath of the gods, but endless shame resting upon my soul.", he answered her.

Aidos smiled. "You have answered correctly Prince Renji. Go to your seer. Ask him if there is something he wants from you and then give it to him. What he asks for and what you give will be enough protection during your battle until this trial has come to a close. Good Luck Prince Renji."

Renji woke up and saw the goddess who had helped him enter those states. She smiled at him and said nothing before disappearing into the wind or so it appeared. Remembering the words of the spirit, Renji went over to the seer who seemed to be star gazing.

"I have returned from the trials of my sleep. I ask you tell me Byakuya, is there something you wish of me?" he asked the seer making sure to keep eye contact with the other male.

Byakuya looked at Renji. "I wish for a kiss that would signify lovers rather than acquaintances." the seer said without a lot of expression showing on his face.

Renji nodded. "As you wish dear seer." he said to him and moved forward. He held the seer as he was directed to after the first trial. The kiss he gave the seer started as one from the second mind trial and then went beyond that. Renji gently held the seer's head as he licked soft delicate lips for entrance into the cavern that awaited him. Within seconds those lips parted and Renji was assaulted with the sweet flavors that could truly only belong to the very alluring seer.

The seer had clung partially to Renji as the kiss continued until they broke for air. Soft smiles and goodnights were exchanged before they both fell into slumber for the rest of the evening.

~The Twelfth Week~ (Waning Crescent)

They awoke to the sound of Pegasus in the morning. The majestic winged horse was alerting them to the need to leave the valley for the trial must be complete by the end of the week. Prince Renji helped the seer on to Pegasus as they flew to the city of Cydonia. The flight had taken just about two days for the seer seemed to be losing a lot of energy and it was fear for his health that they had stopped the moment the sun hit the horizon. Once in Cydonia, a strange man with missing teeth in his smile told them to go straight ahead to the old temple. It was located next to the waters in which some fisherman spent countless hours hoping to get food for their families.

Renji had thanked the old man for telling him the information that he needed. He looked at the seer who seemed to be doing a little better. He wasn't sure what was wrong at this point anymore, but he knew he needed to get the seer some sort of medical attention soon. Perhaps the seer was not made for travel in such conditions for continuous amounts of time. Would it be wise to have a child with someone who seemed to be in frail health? Renji had to admit he was not sure, but he would not go against that in which the gods have ordered.

Byakuya followed Renji to the temple that the old man had told them about. It was rundown, but it looked like it could provide a decent resting place should one of the fisherman desire a small break. He looked at the paintings on the wall all dedicated to the great god of the seas, Poseidon. "Is there something here that will help you complete your quest?" he asked not too sure of every detail.

Renji surveyed the area of the temple that they were in finding not much of value until he saw a sword. This weapon was not specialized in any way possible, but it could help him in a fight against the hippocampus. After picking up the weapon, the proud prince of Athens searched for more clues. There had to be a place in which would lead him to the beast he was supposed to slay in order to finish Hermes' trial.

Byakuya looked at the paintings on the wall when a glint of blue caught his eye. Curiously, he went towards it hoping to find a clue in which would help Renji find the blue orb. Long slender fingers ghosted over the marking only for the orb to push out of the wall and into the seer's hand.

"Renji, I be-", the seer said only to be cut off by the hippocampus grabbing him and leaving through a hole in the temple. The hippocampus led the seer to the water planning to tear him apart.

Renji followed looking at the creature who since before today, he believed lived underneath the water. Did Poseidon actually allow one of his prized seahorses come above land to protect a lover that he had once held in his arms as truly as Renji held the seer and wished to do more of the same? Byakuya's sudden cry of his name spurred Renji into action and he stared at the creature looking for a weakness in its defense. When Hermes' had spoken and told him that the seer would need to watch the battle, he never anticipated that the seer would have to be a part of the battle in question. The worst part was not only was Byakuya in danger, but the minor sea deity was also close to the hostile creature.

So Renji stayed still noticing that the seer wasn't too hurt to the point in which crimson blood would flow out from his veins. The creature seemed to have a patterned movement as if it was not yet used to being on land and so Renji watched timing everything as perfectly as he possibly could before attacking and slaying the creature. In a split second that was a lot longer than it seemed, Renji had to remove the shellfish from where he sat and the seer from getting hurt when the creature fell.

"Did you sustain any injury Byakuya?" Renji asked not wanting Athens to be destroyed should he have made a mistake.

"I have no injuries though there is some pain from being squeezed tightly by the creature.", the seer said coughing a bit and handing Renji the blue orb that was specified in his quest before his eyes once again glowed with the golden light of the gods.

"Prince Renji. You have managed to not only steal from me, but to you have managed to kill the protector of a lover I once cherished. The next trial you shall face will be given by me, the god of the seas, Poseidon. A fearsome beast almost like a dragon carries the remnants of my son within. You will travel to the almost desolate island of Naxos and on every third day you shall pray for my forgiveness. Slay the monster and allow my son's remains to go back to the sea in which they belong. The seer will be protected while you fight. If you fail or miss a day asking for my forgiveness, Athens will fall and I shall make your seer mine in exchange." he said disappearing leaving Byakuya in an unconscious state.

Renji looked at the seer's sleeping face allowing the other to rest. He had to save Athens for as its prince, it is his duty to protect. Renji looks out over the sea. Was risking an innocent man's life worth more than Athens to him? Could he live with the knowledge of the fact that it was he who brought ruins to his home?

Next Chapter: Finding Forgiveness (Poseidon's Trial)

Oreads: mountain nymphs

Hippocampus: It is a scientific term for a seahorse

**The gods used were used based on certain legends I read out the gods in particular. Sorry if they aren't the stories you heard, but they are the ones I used. Thank you. **

List of Greek Gods (that I am using anyway) http:/ / en. wikipedia . org/wiki/Greek_gods

Lunar Cycle reference I am using. http:/ / en. wikipedia . org/wiki/Moon_cycles

http:/ /ww w. greeka . com/greece-maps/ancient-greece-map . jpg
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Starfall