A/N: So, I finally got around to making another ByaRen story! Yay for me! I read one on here earlier and it just inspired me to make my own. Where I got the idea, not even I know. Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: Man, I hate these. Really now, must I say it? Fine. I don't own bleach or characters. Thanks for reminding me, disclaimer!
Bonding by Binding
It was yet another sunny day in the Seireitei, no clouds, slight breeze, the usual bustle of shinigami in the streets. On days like these, one would usually sit back and relax if given the chance. In fact, a certain noble captain usually would enjoy such a thing. Today however, was an unusual day. Why you ask? Well for one, the sixth division captain was -and could not be- alone. To make matters worse, he was attached to one person he never thought he would be. No, not physically attached. More like binded by handcuffs that were technically collars. It sounds strange, but it locked around the neck and a chain led to the other cuff, which also locked around the other neck. You may be asking, who is this man binded to? Well, the answer should be quite obvious.
Byakuya was binded to his lieutenant, Renji Abarai.
The next big question is of course, why? Well, that is a long story. A story which Byakuya couldn't stop reliving in his head. It all started early yesterday morning, when the head captain called an urgent meeting for all captains and lieutenants. Naturally, everyone thought it really was urgent, so they went immediately. When they got there however, everyone regretted it. Well, maybe not everyone, but pretty much everyone. What they saw was the head captain and his lieutenant binded by the same contraption mentioned earlier, and the same question went through everyones mind. 'What the hell' The head captains explanation for this was a bit odd, but understandable.
"I am ordering all captains and lieutenants to wear these binding collars in order to obtain the necassary captain-lieutenant bond. These collars are made from a special kido spell that only I know, and will be removed when I approve. Each of you are to come up with your lieutenant and I will apply the kido"
There were a few protests, but mostly everyone knew why this was necessary. After the winter war against Aizen, things have been stressful around the soul society. Some relationships that had once been strong had been destroyed due to stress or other factors. Granted, some had improved thanks to the war, but a little bonding never hurt anyone. Well, that's what Byakuya would have liked to believed. Quite frankly being chained to his lieutenant made him a bit..uncomfortable. He and Renji didnt always see eye to eye, not to mention the complete personality difference. And lately, Byakuya felt strange around the red head, though he didnt know why. The feeling flustered him, and he wasn't sure if he liked it or not. Regardless of his internal feelings, he didn't say a word when Yamamoto binded them and thankfully, neither did Renji. In fact, he seemed to feel exactly as Byakuya did. Flustered and unsure. This only confused Byakuya more.
The rest of that day was spent learning how the collars work. As it would turn out, the chain shortens if tension becomes too high. When the two are happy with each other and have truly bonded, the chain glows. The color of the glow is determined by the way the two bonded. The head captain would check each chain daily to observe progress. Of course, he and his lieutenant's chain glowed immediately, so he didn't have to stay chained like everyone else. Byakuya found this odd, but dismissed it. He had more important things to think about. Like how this was going to work. Which brought him back to today, sitting in his garden with his Lieutenant binded next to him. He didn't dare remember the awkward sleep last night, nor the fact that they hadn't spoken to each other that much. The chain was actually getting shorter, though very slowly, due to the awkward tension. It was only a matter of time before their faces would be squished together, which made Byakuya blush for some odd reason. These thoughts were starting to bother him, and he let a sigh slip out. He didn't notice Renji jump a little at the sudden noise.
"Everything alright Captain?" Renji hesitantly asked. Byakuya looked away slightly and kept his stoic mask.
"Everything is fine, Abarai. I believe it would be best to go to work now, there are many papers that need signing" Byakuya calmly replied. Renji groaned in protest but followed his captain out of the palace and to the sixth division. The walk was short, but certainly not uneventful. Most of the other captains were out with their lieutenants who were walking one step behind them as always. This isn't what amused Renji however. No, what amused him was how obvious the others relationships were. Captain Hitsuguya was clearly annoyed while Rangiku blabbed on about sake, and Captain Kyoraku seemed to be enjoying himself while poor Nanao fought off his flattering compliments. Other relationships were more typical, like Kurotsuchi bossing Nemu around, or Yachiru hanging on Kenpachi's back pulling his hair. Renji let a sigh slip out, realizing he and his captain had a painfully boring relationship. No talking, no eye contact, and certainly the respect was not mutual. But what else could he expect from such a stoic man?
Entering the office, Byakuya paused for a moment, taking note of the fact that he and his lieutenant's desk were too far apart. He grabbed Renji's chair and dragged it over next to his and sat down. Renji bit back a groan at the size of his paperwork, but started signing them to avoid his captains temper. After only a few moments, he lost focus and let his mind wander. He wondered how long he would be binded to his captain and if this would even help them get closer. The awkward tension was killing him, but he couldn't think of anything to say. It was then that he noticed how close he and his captain were physically, and it made him blush. Their arms were touching ever so slightly, yet the contact made Renji's skin tingle. He felt his body temperature grow, and then the worst thing happened. The chain got shorter. Byakuya didn't seem to notice, but Renji definitely did, and he tried desperately to shoo the thoughts away. No matter how hard he tried, the noble captain just wouldn't leave his mind. Byakuya's voice shaked him from his thoughts.
"Are you planning on sitting there all day doing nothing, Abarai?" Byakuya said slightly annoyed. Renji gulped and tried to find his voice, but it seemed to be lost. Byakuya looked at him and his eyes widened just a fraction when he saw the chain getting smaller at a faster pace than it previously had. He then noticed Renji's blush and realized he was causing it.
"Abarai?" He spoke carefully. Renji looked away and gulped again.
"Y-yes captain" he finally replied, albeit nervously.
"Is there a problem?"
"N-no captain"
"Then, why is it, that this chain is rapidly getting shorter?"
"I-I don't know"
"Don't lie to me, Abarai"
"I..I just..well..I don't want to talk about it"
"Very well. I highly suggest you calm yourself, before I lose my patience"
"Yes, captain"
But in all honesty, Renji couldn't calm down to save his life, and so the chain continued shrinking, one link at a time. Byakuya had gotten distracted with paperwork and didn't notice, until something warm pressed up against his cheek, making him jump. He tried to move away, but it didn't create any space.
"Abarai" he said in a low tone, making Renji gulp.
"H-hmm?"
"If you don't stop this nonsense in three seconds, I will kill you"
"B-but captain!"
"One,"
"I can't!"
"Two,"
"No! Please!"
"...Three. Scatter, Senbonza-"
"Captain Kuchiki" The head captains voice interrupted, making Byakuya sheathe his sword and turn his attention towards the door.
"Yes, head captain"
"I was just doing my daily check up, but I see you are having some difficulties. Until you get this under control, you are not permitted to come to work"
"Yes, head captain"
Yamamoto made his exit and Renji held back a nervous whimper, knowing he had just pissed his captain off completely. Byakuya practically lived to work and obey orders, and Renji had just deprived him of that, all because he couldn't calm down. Yep, he was dead. The whimper made its way out of his throat when Byakuya grabbed him by the arm and dragged him out of the office and to the Kuchiki manor.
...
By the time they made it inside, their cheeks were only pressed more firmly together. No matter how hard he tried, Renji couldn't calm down. Byakuya had a short temper, and he knew this, which only made it worse. Each second that he kept being dragged through hallways was more agonizing until finally the noble threw open a door and slammed it behind him. If they weren't so close together, Byakuya would have thrown him on the floor and cut off his head. Instead, he sat on his bed, pulling Renji with him, and crossed his arms with a huff. Renji had to stifle a laugh at how childish it seemed.
"Abarai, I shuggest you exshplain yourshelf or elshe I will be forched to punish you" Byakuya said, fully aware of his inability to speak correctly thanks to the close proximity of their faces. This only made Renji want to laugh more, and to his surprise the chain stretched a little.
"S-sorry captain it's just, well, this whole being chained together thing is..well..stressful"
"I realize that, but is it necessary to get yourself so riled up that we have no space between us?"
"No, I guess the tension just..got to me. I'm not good with those things"
"It would be in your best interest to learn how to deal with this, because if this happens again, you will not come out unscathed. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, captain" Renji muttered, doing his best to keep his emotions at bay, but some of them slipped, and Byakuya noticed. His voice sounded so..disappointed and sad. Byakuya paused for a second, wondering what had gotten in to his lieutenant.
"Abarai, if there is something on your mind, I suggest you let it out now before we go to sleep"
"Its..there is nothing to talk about captain"
"Then let us retire"
"Yes, captain"
Byakuya crawled under the covers, not daring to even bother changing out of his uniform. He then noticed that the chain had grown back to its original length, maybe even longer. He wondered what had made Renji calm down. Was it simply talking to each other? Why would that work? Byakuya didn't understand, and dismissed the thoughts so he could drift off to sleep.
...
All was quiet, and the room was dark, the only movement coming from a sleeping body. Byakuya opened one eye, noticing that it was very late. Before he could go back to sleep, he heard mumbling next to him and was suddenly wide awake. Realizing it was Renji talking in his sleep, he listened intently.
"No..don't hurt me..I'm sorry"
'Who is he talking about? Is he perhaps, having a nightmare?' Byakuya wondered. He heard the light jingling from the chains and realized they were shrinking again. 'Not again. He is definitely having a nightmare. What should I do? Its only a matter of time before our faces touch again. Unacceptable'
"It won't happen again..no..ow..ow! I said I'm sorry, captain! I swear, I won't do it again"
'Hes dreaming..of me? More importantly, a nightmare. Why? Does he fear me that much?'
"Ow..captain..why..why do you hate me? Ow! I'm sorry captain, that I'm..not what you want. What's that? Yeah, I guess that would be best..kill me, captain"
'K-kill him? He is dreaming of me..killing him? And what does he mean he's not what I want? Sure he may be hot headed and irrational and uncivilized, but he's a fine lieutenant, that is why I chose him. But he knows that..right?'
"Yeah..captain..its..all..my fault. I'm just a Rukon dog..why..you pick..me.."
'Dear god..I never have told him have I? No wonder there is so much tension between us. How have I let it come to this?'
"Bye..captain..was nice knowin ya, even though I know ya hated me. Take care of Rukia, will ya? Keep her away from that damn..strawberry..oh look, cookies"
'Looks like his nightmare ended. I have to fix this. He must know that I do not hate him so. But..should I wake him? Surely I cannot sleep after that, but it would be rude to wake him. Then again, he has woken me up plenty of times, none of which ended well. I might as well..'
With a steady hand, Byakuya slowly reached for the sleeping red head and squeezed his arm lightly, taking note of how warm his lieutenant was. Renji did not stir, and Byakuya tried again with a little more force, but nothing happened. He let out a sigh, and with one swift push, Renji toppled out of bed and landed with a thud. Byakuya, having forgotten about the chains, was pulled down with him and landed on top of his now awake lieutenant.
"Who the fu-" Renji broke off mid-sentence noticing that one, he almost flipped a bitch on his captain, and two, said captain was lying on top of him.
"C-captain? Wha-what are you doing?"
"You were talking in your sleep, so I attempted to wake you, but I seemed to have forgotten about the chain" Byakuya explained calmly, despite the situation.
"Ah..is that how you wake up someone? A simple nudge would suffice, captain"
"As it would turn out, you are a deep sleeper"
"O-oh..well..I wasn't aware. Erm..sorry, but did you say I was talking in my sleep?"
"Yes. Care to explain the nightmare?"
"Ah..that..well..maybe we should get off the floor, sir" Renji said with a blush. Byakuya remembered the position they were in and also blushed while helping Renji off the wood floor. They returned to their original position in the bed and Renji let out a deep sigh.
"Well..it was just a bad dream. There is no meaning behind it"
"A dream where your captain kills you for no reason, and you agree that you should die because you are not fit to be his lieutenant? Abarai, do not take me for a fool, I know there is some reason behind it. Do you truly believe I am that cruel?"
"Hey, you gotta admit, you can be pretty brutal"
"I have my reasons, but I would never kill you unless given a good reason, and even then it would be difficult"
"R-really? But I'm.."
"Just a Rukon dog? If that was all you were, I wouldn't have chosen you to be my lieutenant"
"Wow..thank you, captain. But..if you don't mind me asking, why did you choose me? I always thought it was more for Rukia than anything"
"That was one reason, but I also saw you as a trustworthy person who would be fit as my lieutenant. Though you are..rough around the edges, you are an outstanding shinigami who is strong enough to fight me and bring me down to one knee"
Renji was at a loss for words at what his captain had just said. Never before had he heard such kind words, especially from Byakuya, a stoic, emotionless, hard man, and he couldn't help the grin that broke out across his face.
"Your too kind, captain" For a split second, Renji could have sworn he saw Byakuya smile, but before he could notice anything, the stoic mask was put back on. Renji then noticed the chain was shimmering ever so lightly, and it was generously stretched out. Byakuya noticed as well, but said nothing of it.
"We should get back to sleep" Byakuya said, rubbing his sleepy eyes. Renji forced down a smile at how cute it looked, then mentally scolded himself for thinking his captain was cute.
"Yeah, we probably should. Good night, captain"
"Good night, Abarai"
A/N: I wasn't going to make this a multiple chapter thing, but I have no choice. I hope you enjoyed the first chapter! Remember to click that review button!