Hi everyone. This is my first Bleach fanfic. I've always been a fan of Renruki, so I liked Ichika the instant she came. This small one-shot is dedicated to her and her bond with her uncle. I love Byakuya too, I mean I really like his way of showing his love for both Rukia and Renji which is subtle and yet intense.
Alright! let's go on with the story and please don't forget to review, please.
Night walks
It was a ordinary day for Byakuya Kuchiki, Captain of squad no. 6, as he sat in his office, working on the copious amounts of paperwork in front of him, diligently. As his eyes wandered to the seat on his right which was empty and he could assure you that it was not normal by any chance. Not in case of Renji Abarai.
The red haired young man was hardworking and there is no denying of that. When Renji is determined to do something, he does it, and of course he always takes his duty as a lieutenant seriously. Not that he would mention it but his absence was bothering Byakuya. And after all, it has been two years, since he became his brother-in-law. Two years since Rukia and him were married. And almost half year since the arrival of newest Kuchiki...His niece... Ichika Abarai Kuchiki.
He was brought out of his musings by the sliding of the doors of his office and the arrival of a familiar figure. Byakuya raised his elegant eyebrows at the person in front of him as he stumbled across the room with un-coordinated steps and took the seat at his right yawning.
"Good morning Captain. Sorry for being late."
Although, Byakuya didn't say anything, which he rarely did, they indulged themselves into the paperwork. Every now and then, the noble's eyes would wander over to see someone who was barely able to maintain himself up. Well, this has been happening for several days now but the condition today was worse, terribly worse. He could see...
A very tired Renji.
A very sleepy Renji.
After finishing his remaining work he placed his elbows on the table and intertwining his fingers as he addressed the red haired lieutenant.
"Renji."
"Yeah? What is it Captain?"
"I'd rather have a proper explanation for your attitude and condition such as today's."
Renji looked at the older man groggily and took a lot of time to process his words but after some time he replied.
"Sorry Captain, really. It's Ichika."
"Ichika? Is something wrong with her?" No matter how much he tried, still a small amount of worry laced his voice.
"She has been troubling us a lot lately. Hasn't allowed me and Rukia to sleep for weeks. She'd wake up in the middle of the night and start screaming her head off till one of us takes her out for a walk...In the middle of the freakin' night! Won't allow to enter before at least half hour. And now a days more than two to three times."
"So, it's safe to assume that Rukia's in same state as you?"
"Nah. I guess even worse."
"I see."
...
Some time later, you could witness captain Kuchiki heading towards head captain's office with some urgency in his steps. After taking permission, he entered. The brown haired man seemed interested. Byakuya was completely aware of the fact that he wouldn't be denied, for what he had come for, by head captain Kyoraku.
"Is there something that you would like me to do for you, Captain Kuchiki? Is the matter urgent?"
"I cannot say that the matter is extremely urgent or has got anything to do with safety of the soul society but...It is of utmost importance. May I request you something, head Captain?"
"Of course."
...
Before he returned back to his office he paid a visit to the head quarters of thirteenth division to meet with the soon to be captain personally. You can say that Rukia currently was a captain apprentice. She was beautifully managing the division without the title already. And yes, he was proud of her. The entire Kuchiki clan was.
He pushed his thoughts aside, because Rukia's health came on the top priority currently. As he knocked on the door he heard a familiar voice coming from the other side of the room.
"Enter."
The voice had authority but tired. As soon as Rukia's eyes fell on the visitor she tried to stand back up clumsily whispering confusingly, "Nii-sama?"
He raised a hand towards the younger person occupying the room to sit and then placed a small white envelope on her table in front of her. Rukia was being trained diligently,so that when becomes captain, she shouldn't feel burdened.
"These are some extremely important orders from the head Captain himself and you're supposed to follow them without questions and hesitations. Understood?"
"Yes sir."
"Now I shall take my leave." He said moving out of the door and closed it behind him. He heard some shuffling inside and then a squeal. "Oh my god! It can't be!"
He smiled to himself and went on his way.
...
When Byakuya had entered his head quarters again he was met with the site of his red haired lieutenant sleeping on the papers he was supposed to work on. It was a good thing that he wasn't drooling. Byakuya moved forward and using the stealth of a cat, despite the fact that he hated cats, thanks to woman who used to torment him in his teenage years, deposited some of the paperwork on his own desk and and afterseating himself down into his own chair he cleared his throat loudly.
The black haired Captain watched in amusement when the younger man jumped and looked around frantically for some sort of threat. His one hand ready to grab his zabimaru, lest if one should appear before him.
"I appreciate your readiness to face the danger, Renji. But I assure you that no harm will appear here, in this office, right now."
The tattooed man smiled sheepishly. "Sorry Captain. I was just..."
The noble man sighed.
"Listen carefully Renji. I won't repeat this again. I have a proposal for you. If you manage to finish the work on your table now, I am considering about giving you a day's leave, Tomorrow. Well?"
The Captain watched as the red haired man slowly grinned as if he was getting some sort of candy. "Thanks Captain. You're amazing!" he said, so excited at the prospect that Byakuya wondered if he would jump from his seat now and give him a hug. It was a good thing that the boy had sense of not doing that. He observed Renji jumping in to work with new enthusiasm and vigor.
He realized that he should do it more often.
...
It was around dinner time in the Abarai-Kuchiki home that the young couple discussed about their plans for tomorrow which included sleeping, eating and more sleeping. Knowing it was Byakuya's doing, they couldn't be more grateful to him but little did they know that they were wrong.
...
It was dark. Only a stream of silver moonlight entered the room through a window. In the middle of the beautifully decorated room, there stood a crib and one could see a tiny figure wiggling around. Angry that her parents were not here and wanting to go outside to discover the source of that magical silver light, the baby whimpered and scrunched her face to wail.
But before it could happen her interest was caught by a white figure looming over her. She carefully watched the larger figure as if inspecting him, thumb of foot stuffed into her mouth and violet eyes sharp with a scrutinizing gaze. As soon as recognition set in, she gave the figure a big bright toothless smile which he returned back with one rare of his own. He picked up the red haired baby and wrapped her in a warm blanket before exiting out of the window, from which he came in.
...
"Renji."
"Hmm?"
"Isn't something strange?"
"Huh?"
"Like it is sort of...For my liking, too quiet?"
As soon as Rukia said that, both of their eyes flew open and they jumped out of the bed and bounded towards their daughter's bedroom. Renji sprinting and Rukia hot on his heels. As soon as they entered their blood ran cold.
She wasn't there.
She wasn't there.
She wasn't there!
Stark terror gripped their heart but before anyone of them could get a heart attack, the remnants of the familiar soothing reiatsu surrounded them and it was enough to calm them.
"Look Renji! There was a note on Ichika's pillow."
As Renji peered over her shoulder to see the note. The writing was all too familiar and had a incredible grace and elegancy. The note said-
'Sleep well.'
And they did just that, afterwards. After all, who were they to deny the great Byakuya Kuchiki.
...
As Byakuya walked around the large garden, moving on a path beautified by the rows of cherry trees on either side, his stormy grey eyes were peaceful as they observed the baby in his arms who was doing her best to grab the falling pink leaves. The sixth squad Captain instinctively reached out and trapped one of them between his fingers and held out to her. A warm feeling spread throughout his body as the violet eyes darkened with determination to get that pink colored leaf from him which he after some moments compiled.
As soon as she had it in her clutch, her hand raised to stuff it into her awaiting mouth but frowned when it didn't reach her. A deep voice said softly, "Not everything thing is edible, child."
Soon Byakuya witnessed her attempt to do something else. Intrigued by the large black sky dotted with so many bright but little lights, Ichika couldn't help but desire one for herself.
A hearty laugh escaped from the stoic noble's lips at the frown and pout at her tiny face as she failed to get one.
...
The Kuchiki head pulled the Captain's haroi over his black shinigami uniform as his eyes wandered to the small figure resting comfortably on his large futon covered with the finest silk quilt as her tiny fisted hands were placed on the either side of her tiny head. He smiled.
No matter what, he'd love her and do everything in his power to protect her from any sort of harm, may it be hollows, menos or traitorous shinigami and of course,...Boys. he thought darkly knowing full well that Renji would gladly support his Captain in this quest. Anyways, he had to leave now since it was his lieutenant's holiday, not his.
Before he could exit the room, two other people entered, smiling and laughing, looking incredibly comfortable and fresh.
"Nii-sama! Good morning." Rukia smiled brightly. "Captain good morning!" Renji said grinning.
"Good morning to you both too. I assume that you've had a good sleep."
They grinned at each other and returned to him with Renji saying, "Yeah. Slept like a baby." His eyes lingered to the small head of red hair poking through the quilt.
"That's appreciable."
"Thank you so much Nii-sama! Thank you for babysitting Ichika for the night!"
Babysitting? He wasn't aware that he was doing that.
"Yup! Rukia's right! You're a life saver, Captain!"
"No."
"Huh?"
"I believe I should be the one thanking you."
"Why?" they asked, perplexed.
"Because...It's been years, after Hisana, that I finally have such cherishable and desirable companion for my night walks."
I hope you guys liked it. I've so many ideas regarding this topic and I want to keep writing, all of them. And if I do, would you want me write as separate one-shots or make it a multi-chapter fic?
Anyways, Thanks for reading this piece of work.
Please review. They will encourage me.
See you again.
Aditjn238.