Crimson Rain
By Spunky0ne
( An angsty, but darkly beautiful suggestion by PlayMyPoisonousGame that grabbed my muse and squeezed this one forcibly out of her. Hope you 'Renji in distress' lovers enjoy, because he is going to be in a world of hurt that only his lovely noble taichou can heal. Bring tissues.)
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Chapter 1: The Haze
"Damn, Taichou! Do you think it will ever stop raining?" Renji sighed, looking out from within the shelter they knelt in, "It's been going on like that for days. I don't know about you, but I'm really looking forward to a steamy bath and a huge bowl of hot stew when we get home."
"That does sound agreeable," the noble replied quietly, his dark grey eyes looking out into the storm, "However, we still have a mission to see to. Although we have found several clues, we still do not know why this town has been sustaining so many casualties from repeated hollow attacks. Reiatsu readouts have been normal, I can find no sign of anyone attempting to call them. And yet, there have been several attacks, even while we have been here."
"Yeah, it's weird," Renji agreed, "and I have no better idea than you why."
"We will go into town again and continue our efforts tomorrow," the noble suggested, sliding the expensive decoration out of his hair and removing his haori, gloves and shihakushou, so that he was left wearing only his white dressing yukata.
Renji turned away and first, invoked use of his kido to make a pot of tea that he poured out into two cups, then undressed and laid out their bedding. They sat quietly, side-by-side, sipping at their tea and listening to the rain falling. The colder air and the blazing tea collided, making little puffs of steam that escaped their noses and mouths as they breathed.
"So, tell me again why we didn't take a room at the inn in town, Taichou?" Renji said, shaking his head, "We'd at least be a little warmer. And any hot food tastes good on a night like this."
"That is true," Byakuya admitted, "but there was something about that place that did not sit well with me."
"I take it you're not just referring to it's lack of creature comforts," Renji chuckled.
"No," the noble agreed, "There was something off about the people there...not just the innkeeper and staff, but some of the guests in the lobby and restaurant as well. It made me think there is more to what is going on here than was reported to the unit that received the original report."
"So that's why you used the stronger barrier too?"
"Yes."
Byakuya finished the last of his tea and nodded appreciatively.
"That was exceptionally good," he commented, "Did you use something different in it?"
"Actually, yeah," the redhead confessed, "There was this little tea shop by the inn that I stopped in while I was checking out the vendor areas. It's one of the shopkeeper's herbal blends. It's supposed to be good for relaxing and sleeping well."
"I see. Well, it does seem quite soothing."
"I bought a couple of others for us to try," Renji went on, "And I bought one for my buddy, Shuuhei. Did I tell you he's getting married?"
"No, you hadn't mentioned it as of yet," the noble said, lying down and watching with sleepy eyes as the redhead extinguished the kido lamp and laid down on the mat next to his.
"Yeah," Renji said, yawning, "He and Kira finally confessed their feelings for each other. I mean, the rest of us who hang out with them have been on them to just say it, but those two are impossible. Each was too shy to admit it in front of the other. But I guess after almost losing each other in the war with the quincies, they just knew they had to say it."
The redhead chuckled, remembering.
"I don't think those two will ever stop blushing, especially after they open the gifts at their bachelor party this weekend. Ikkaku, Yumichika and I schemed with some of our friends to include some gag gifts among the others. Yumi got them some lacy lingerie and Ikkaku hired a male stripper. I have a few things also, including another tea that old vendor had that he says can help anyone get pregnant, even a couple of guys!"
"Abarai, you know that..."
"Yeah, I know it probably doesn't really do that, but the packet was a hoot to read. It'll make them laugh."
"It sounds like it will be a jovial gathering. Will you need a day off to recover, then?" Byakuya asked, giving the redhead a slightly amused look and shaking his head.
"Yeah, probably," Renji laughed, "Things do get a little crazy when we have a party."
Renji yawned again and closed his eyes, "So, are you doing something special this weekend, Taichou? When I dropped by the manor to bring you those reports yesterday, it seemed like a lot was going on."
"Hmmm," Byakuya sighed, blinking sleepily, "You could say that. The elders have made an agreement for me to wed the daughter of another clan leader. We are announcing our engagement this weekend."
"What?" Renji asked, sitting up and staring down at the noble, "Taichou, you're getting married? Just like that? Do you even know this girl? Do you like her?"
"She is a bit younger than I would like, but she is of age for marriage, and she is a well bred young woman."
"But...do you have feelings for her?"
"Not any serious ones," the noble sighed, "I didn't wish to remarry at all, but the quincies, while not winning the war, did nearly reach their goal of destroying the noble families. Our clan was spared, as Tetsuya had plans in place and had conducted drills to train our subfamilies what to do in case of the outbreak of hostilities. But most of the other clans were not so lucky. Many women and children were killed. So now, the elders that remain are arranging marriages to stimulate a regrowth of our population."
"It is awful what happened to the clans," the redhead agreed, "Thank goodness for your family having Tetsuya. He's really smart."
"Yes."
"And I'll bet those old farts aren't so down on him about being a half blood now, ne?"
"Not anymore," Byakuya agreed, the corners of his mouth turning upward, "They have finally begun to see that young man's true value. We have received several offers from other clans for his hand, actually."
Renji gave his taichou a knowing smirk.
"Well, I know a certain clan heir who's had his eye on your cousin, Taichou."
"Oh, don't even..."
Renji laughed.
"Come on, Taichou. I know you've noticed how Ichigo looks at him."
"He seems to have Tetsuya cornered nearly every time he visits the manor," Byakuya sighed, "But it is good to see Tetsuya happy. Like me, he lost a lover a long time ago, and he has not been in love with anyone since. So, I suppose if Ichigo has serious intentions about Tetsuya, I will not impede them."
"Good," sighed the redhead, "Cause, I'll confess. Ichigo asked me to feel you out about the two of them. Tetsuya didn't want to go against you if you disapproved, but he really likes Ichigo a lot. And hey, you know ol' fleabag gives Ichigo hell every time those two try to go on a date. It's funny as heck. That should make you happy. I thought I was the only one that horse didn't like."
"Arashi doesn't dislike you," Byakuya corrected him, "He just enjoys teasing you. And it does amuse me somewhat that he puts that upstart in his place, now and again."
"Heh, stop it, Taichou. You can't fool me. I know you don't dislike Ichigo. I think you just like teasing him as much as Arashi does."
"Sometimes," the noble admitted, smirking, "He has a tendency to be cocky. He is a gifted fighter and a true friend, but sometimes, yes, he is rather annoying."
"But getting back to you and this girl," Renji went on, "Do you really have to marry her?"
"I suppose I could refuse, but I see the sense of assisting in the restoration of the clans. And if I must marry, I suppose it should be something that will bring about some good. She is not unhappy about the arrangement and even not being in love with her, I will treat her honorably. And I must confess, I do regret not having been able to have a child with Hisana."
"Huh," Renji mused, frowning and lying back down, "I'll never understand getting married if you're not in love. But if you and this girl are okay with it, I guess it should be all right. I just think it's kinda sad that you aren't marrying for love."
"I already married for love once," Byakuya said, more softly, "I married for love against the wishes of the elders, and that love ended in disaster. I am comfortable with this."
"Well, not wanting to make you mad or anything, forgive me if I secretly hope you and that noble lady end up falling in love," Renji said, shaking his head.
"One never knows, I suppose," Byakuya mused softly.
"Yeah," Renji agreed, his mind drifting as he edged towards sleep.
The two went quiet, listening to the sounds of the rain and occasional bouts of thunder as they slowly surrendered to sleep.
For several hours, the two slept within the protective barrier, their bodies relaxed and calm, each perfectly at ease in the company of the other, having spent many nights in close proximity to one another, watching over each other protectively. But as the full moon rose, hidden outside by the clouds above them, their two bodies began to glow softly in the darkness, then to pulsate gently.
A pair of wide grey eyes opened in the darkness, and was met with the redhead's cinnamon brown colored ones. They gazed at each other senselessly for several long moments, then Byakuya's pale hand reached out and cupped around the redhead's cheek, coaxing him into a warm, sweet, tea-flavored kiss. Renji gave a little sigh and lifted himself, crawling closer to the other man and parting his lips as Byakuya's tongue teased them playfully.
The noble's tongue dipped into Renji's yielded orifice, tasting the fiery surfaces and savoring him slowly. Renji's hand found the drawstrings on their yukatas and pulled them free. Their clothing fell away into a soft heap around them as the noble sat up and wrapped his arms around his fukutaichou. They kissed again, more forcibly, letting searching hands and fingers explore each other amorously. A low rumble of thunder seemed to ignite their growing passion, and Renji looped an arm around his lovely taichou's back, lowering him again, then parting his unresisting, petal-soft thighs and positioning himself between them.
Renji's deeply hazed eyes watched raptly as the fingers he used to prepare the noble caused Byakuya to moan and thrash heatedly in response. He couldn't remember ever seeing his stoic, straight-laced taichou do anything so unbelievably beautiful and erotic, and he watched with entranced eyes and Byakuya panted and raised his hips wantonly, biting at his lips impatiently as his subordinate completed his preparations, then moved forward to mount his superior officer.
He almost climaxed, then and there, as he finally penetrated the spellbound noble, making him cry out in a mixture of pain and ecstasy. His body reared up against the redhead's and began to grind shamelessly against his, and that lovely mouth opened again into heated exclamations of desire. Renji responded with a flurry of heavy, pounding thrusts. holding onto Byakuya's slender body and barely able to catch a breath as the pleasure rose within them. He felt himself begin to peak and froze in place, holding himself still as he was overtaken. He gasped in surprise as Byakuya suddenly turned and overthrew him, taking him down onto his belly and preparing him hastily, before plunging deeply into the redhead's undulating body and exacting tantalizing revenge. Renji's mouth opened into a howls of intense pleasure, that rose into a blinding scream as Byakuya shuddered sweetly and his blazing release filled his subordinate's shaking body.
The two collapsed, indulging in a thrill of deep, wet kisses, then fell still and drifted back into a deep, dreamless sleep.
The two slept soundly, well into the next morning, when Byakuya finally stirred and started to come awake. He caught his breath in surprise at finding the two of them naked and entangled with each other. He made a sound of distress and sat up, rousing the sleepy redhead and evoking a gasp from his stunned subordinate. The two gazed wonderingly at each other and pondered what to say.
"M-my apologies," Byakuya said finally, a blush overtaking his comely face, "It seems I've been less than a gentleman with you."
Renji looked down at their plundered bodies and found himself laughing softly.
"I don't think I was such a gentleman either," he said, shaking his head, "What the heck..."
"I wonder what came over us."
"You'd think we'd had a love potion or something..."
The two went quiet for a moment, then their eyes met again questioningly. Renji turned and scrambled towards the pack that held the tea he had bought, and he dug around for a moment, before withdrawing the opened packet he had used the night before.
"Oh my kami!" he laughed, "Oh, gods, I'm so sorry, Taichou! I mixed up the packets and gave us the one I got for Shuuhei and Kira!"
He descended into a fit of giggles as Byakuya looked on disapprovingly.
"Oh my god, Taichou!" he laughed, "We'd better hope that stuff doesn't really work or we're going to be having each other's babies! Have fun trying to get married to that girl when that happens."
"Really Abarai," Byakuya sighed, rolling his eyes, "Stop that and get dressed. This is really disgraceful. Do you have any idea how the elders would react, knowing I bedded my fukutaichou only a day before announcing my engagement? I think they would assassinate me, then and there."
"Aw, I wouldn't let them to that, Taichou. I won't let anyone hurt the mother of my little bastard kid!"
"Would you please desist,?" Byakuya said in an annoyed tone as the redhead laughed harder, until tears began to run down his face.
"S-sorry, Taichou," Renji snickered, "It's just been forever since I even had sex, and to think I had my first sex with a guy, and it was my taichou, probably the most gorgeous guy in the Seireitei, and we don't even remember anything!"
"That's terrible!" snapped the noble.
Then, he paused.
"Renji...what did you say?"
Renji stopped laughing and regarded Byakuya more seriously, but still with a gentle twinkle in his eye.
"I said you're beautiful, Taichou," he repeated, "Probably the most beautiful shinigami in the Seireitei. And it's true."
"Renji..."
"Don't worry," Renji laughed, "I know you're not interested in me that way. I just think it's funny, you know?"
"I am pleased at least one of us is amused," the noble said dryly, "Will you get up and get dressed now, Abarai? We do still have a mission to see to. And bring the rest of that tea. We'll want it to be checked out when we return home to make sure it will have no worrisome effects."
"You don't really think we'll get pregnant, do you, Taichou?"
"No. But you never know what other annoyances such a thing might cause."
"Look, I'm really sorry I mixed up the tea packets. I hope you're not mad."
"No. I am sure it's fine," the noble assured him, "Just let's put it out of our heads. We have other things to worry about."
"Sure thing, Taichou," the redhead answered cheerfully, moving to begin packing their things.
Byakuya observed him for a moment, then moved to join him.
There is never a dull moment with this man, the noble mused inwardly, Choosing him was one of the best decisions I have ever made. If my own spirits must be quelled for the sake of my family's honor, then at least I can watch a man who embraces life so fearlessly.
I wish I could be like that.
But losing Hisana made me far too cautious to take a risk like falling in love.
No, I will never fall in love again.
Never.