Dreams Have Wings

CH.1

'Run. Don't look back. You stop, you die.' The other one with him fell to the ground. "Shit, GET UP, MORI!" Renji turned back and tried to help the other boy up. A shadow loomed over them. The knife rose into the air as the man shouted, "That's the last time you little bastards steal my water!"

Suddenly, the friend in his arms was Rukia, the man above him became Byakuya Kuchiki. "You cannot win Abarai. The difference between us is too great. Now, die!"

!#$%^&*

Even without opening his eyes, Renji knew it was another nightmare. He looked up from his seat over to where his Taicho slept. Renji could see the bandages poking out from underneath the noble's robe.

His thoughts drifted back to the nightmare he'd been having. On that day, he failed to stop his captain, and failed to save him. If the Kuchiki heir felt any guilt for his battle against Renji, it couldn't hold a candle to how the red head felt about his betrayal and failure. Even now, he sat there day and night with his captain, hoping beyond hope, that he'd be forgiven. It ate away at him, seeing the labored rise and fall of the chest lying across from him.

He jerked at the sudden awakening of his captain. The cold grey eyes, turned black by the moon's shadow, turned slowly to look at him. "Abarai, what's wrong? Your reiatsu is… chokingly disturbed."

Standing suddenly, Renji replied, "Sorry, Taicho! It's nothing, I… I have to… go. See ya." He opened the door and left, not even registering the whispered "don't leave" that came from the injured man behind him.

Renji flash stepped through the halls, scaring a few nurses, but not stopping until he reached the Six Squad Barracks. 'Aw, what the hell am I doing here?' He entered the empty building, heading straight for the office of him and his captain. He didn't know what he was looking for, maybe a sign of his captain's presence, of him before he was injured. A few moments of standing there did nothing to help, succeeding only in frustrating the vice-captain even more.

He flashed home, a sudden urge to run clouding his reason. He pulled out a backpack and shoved as many clothes in as he could. The spare money he had saved in the back of his pantry went in with it. Not bothering to stay to eat something, he left his apartment, unlocked, and took off towards the gate. Dawn began to break as he entered the first Rukon district.

!#$%^&*

Byakuya watched his vice-captain leave, and even tried to get him to stay. The way he looked, when confronted about his reiatsu. He looked like a child in front of a hollow. Byakuya hadn't meant to distress his subordinate, only talk to him. Now that fiery presence and spirit were gone and the hospital room was noticeably colder. His injuries blocked his ability to sense where Renji had run off to, but he had a feeling that he wouldn't see him tomorrow.

!#$%^&*

Renji stopped a few times along the way to rest, but he made it to his old home before dusk. He weaved his way through the buildings, the layout of Inuzuri still fresh in his mind, as if it hadn't been over half a century since he'd been there.

He swept passed the memories to the place he'd been searching for. He found that hilltop place where he and Rukia decided to become shinigami and where they buried they're family. He sat down among the withered crosses that marked the graves of friends. 'The five of us, against the world' he thought bitterly. Now it was just him and- 'No. She's gone too. After what happened with her brother's confession, she'll feel closer to him, and father from me.' He laid back on the ground, watching as all the stars you don't see in the city, began to appear.

!#$%^&*

Byakuya moved silently through his manor, an aide following close enough behind to help him if needed, without being in his way. Having just been released from the hospital that afternoon, his first instinct was to look for Renji at the office. His sister wouldn't hear of it. She respectfully ordered him to stay home, offering instead to find his vice-captain herself.

It had been three hours since then and she hadn't returned yet. Even without her flash step, it shouldn't have taken so long. Sighing, he made his way back to his bedroom with the ever so faithful servant.

Not long after dismissing the boy, a small knock was heard outside his door. Rukia appeared as he called to her, her face calm but her eyes showing worry. 'So she couldn't find him.' He suddenly wished for the ability to sense Renji's spirit pressure, but that would have to wait while he healed.

"ma- …Nii-sama…?"

He pulled himself out of his thoughts to turn towards his sister.

"I- I'm sorry, Nii-sama. I couldn't find Renji anywhere! I checked the barracks and no one had seen him. Hisagi and Kira fukutaicho as well know nothing…" He could tell that she was struggling to tell him something but with a nod he encouraged her on. "It's his apartment. It was unlocked and the place was a mess. Believe it or not but he's actually really tidy, so this… It seems like he left in a hurry, or someone made him leave."

"Arigatou, Rukia. You've given me much to think about. You should retire for the night."

Bowing, she excused herself.

'Renji, where are you? This is all my fault. I should have known better. For Aizen to have used me, not only against Rukia, but Renji as well was… Damn it all! Renji, come back!'