Between Heaven and Hell Part 1
Pairing: Oc x Renji Eventual Ichigo x Renji
Themes: Mpreg, Slight Au, Hurt/Comfort, Friendship, Romance, Humor.
Summary: When Renji shows up in the human world covered in seals, after disappearing ten years ago, Ichigo, Byakuya, Yoruichi and Soi-Fon uncover the mystery surrounding his kidnapping. Their search leads them to terrible secrets surrounding the untouchable Genji clan who are said to be descendants of the Royal family. Going against central 46 orders to rescue Renji they might just cause the biggest clan war in the history of Soul Society.
Dedicated to my favorite Renji writers: Spunky0ne, Aliendroid, Junko, Lucymonster and SpiceyIceey.
Decided to write this since I am a huge Renji in distress fan XD
Happy New Year :)
Chapter One
A portal opened and a man dressed in an expensive black and silver silk kimono walked in, his beautiful tan skin contrasted with his long blood red hair tied in a low pony, his slim yet muscular and fit body made him look like akin to a god, his warm smile was friendly and inviting yet radiated power, his reddish brown eyes glistened with mischief.
He wandered around Karakura town, smiling to himself as he could still remember most of the buildings, as not much had changed even after a decade. Passing by a shop he looked at his reflection on the glass pane and thought about how much had changed since he was last here, he had definitely changed; he was no longer the loud, wild and rash lieutenant of the sixth squad, to be honest he didn't know what he was anymore, but he knew any ties he had to Seireitei was long gone and oddly enough he was okay with it, no one would get hurt that way.
Looking at his reflection again he couldn't help but frown at the changes; he was no longer as muscular as he was before, he was noticeably slimmer but fit and had lean muscles, Kami knows what would happen if he dared go out of shape. He was still deep in thought that he hadn't noticed a familiar face looking at him in surprise.
"Renji…?" Renji snapped out of his thoughts and turned to who had called his name. He laughed when he saw his old friend, his hair still as orange as ever.
"Ichigo, wow you look a bit different." He spoke gracefully. Ichigo raised an eyebrow at Renji, he had ignored the fancy robes he was wearing and the longer hair, heck he could forget about how slim and almost feminine he looked, but he couldn't ignore how different Renji sounded, his voice wasn't deep and loud as it was a decade ago, his voice was soft and refined, his speech pattern had improved and the Renji in front of him could give Byakuya a run for is money in looking and acting like Nobility.
"I'm different? You look different, you sound different, I thought you were a girl at first." Ichigo yelled, he was surprised when Renji chuckled cutely in reply. Ichigo raised an eyebrow at Renji wondering if he had been brainwashed and turned into some…. Well he wasn't behaving like the Renji he knew.
"Ah, so you have a thing for redheads?" Renji asked cheekily causing Ichigo to scowl. "Still easy to rile up as always strawberry." Ichigo glared at the old nickname causing Renji to laugh softly.
To be honest the whole thing was creeping Ichigo out. Renji was supposed to be loud, rash and fiery, not like he was now. He had been disturbed and angry when Renji and some low rank shinigami's suddenly went missing, he hated himself for not being able to protect himself, never mind that the said friend was a lieutenant and perfectly capable of protecting himself, two years later he was declared dead by the Sotaichō. Still he hadn't stopped looking for him; there were no clues, or hints as to what had happened and five years later the search had stopped altogether; yet here he was ten years after his disappearance, eight years after his supposed death. Ichigo wanted to both hug his friend and smack him at the same time, but while he was happy that Renji was alive he wasn't expecting him to change so drastically.
"Now Kurosaki, perhaps it would be best for you two to come and talk rather than standing outside." They both turned to the intruder and noticed Urahara standing; his stripped had covering his messy blonde hair and his fan covering his face. Despite the obstructions Ichigo could see the serious look in his eyes. Looking around Renji realized that he was indeed in front of Urahara's shop.
"Ah, didn't realize I was in front of your shop, I apologize." Renji gave a low bow in apology. Urahara frowned, he didn't like the way Renji was behaving, he was nothing like the young man he used to tease, the Renji in front of him was too polite, he looked so different, his posture was different, it was like looking at a nicer, redhead version of Byakuya or something. There was something black underneath the grey scarf around his neck and Urahara had an idea as to what it was.
-0-
"Renji where have you been? You just disappeared without saying anything." Ichigo all but yelled at his long lost friend, next to him was Urahara and Tessai. Urahara said nothing, watching Renji keenly trying to confirm his suspicions.
"Ichigo, I can't exactly tell you where I've been but I'm fine, sorry for the problems my disappearance had caused." Ichigo frowned, he hated this Renji. He was too polite too damned nice and had a soft voice and was everything Renji wasn't supposed to be.
"Stop it! What happened to you? Did someone do this to you?" Renji stiffened lightly but recovered immediately and covered it up by tilting his head slightly to the side and smiling mischievously; Ichigo might have missed his reaction to the accusation but Urahara hadn't.
"I'm offended Ichigo, and to think that few minutes ago you were checking me out." He replied cheekily, causing a light pink tint to creep up Ichigo's cheeks. "You're the first one to complain about how I look or act you know?" Ichigo frowned while Urahara sighed, his suspicions had been confirmed.
"Now Renji-san, perhaps you should tell us about the tracking collar on your neck." Renji stiffened visibly at the comment Ichigo's frown deepened as he hadn't known about the collar.
"What collar?" His eyes widened at the hint of black underneath Renji's scarf, he lunged at Renji and removed the soft grey scarf around his neck, exposing the black collar underneath. "What is this?" he asked in a barely restrained anger.
Renji sighed, he really shouldn't have come out of the palace, he had just wanted to get some fresh air, it was annoying being coped up there for years, he hadn't thought that he might be recognized and he hadn't planned on coming to Urahara's shop. "Look, it doesn't matter. I should go." Standing up he prepared to leave but Ichigo wasn't about to let him disappear again and so grabbed his hand firmly preventing him from running away. "Look, it really isn't important."
"Like hell it isn't, you disappear for a decade and show up looking like Byakuya not that it doesn't suit you or anything, but that isn't the point. You suddenly disappear making everyone think you were dead and now here you are with a tracking collar on your neck and I get the feeling your new look is somehow connected." Renji grew uncomfortable, he really didn't like the tight grip Ichigo had on him or the fact that Ichigo was threading too close to events he didn't want anyone to get caught up in.
"Ichigo…" His voice was low and strained, his posture radiated discomfort and slight fear. "Please let go of my arm, you're hurting me." Urahara furrowed his brows in confusion, wondering why Renji was afraid of Ichigo's grip when he had been slashed by a Zanpakuto numerous times. Ichigo's thoughts were along the same direction as Urahara's, nevertheless he let go of Renji.
"Renji, what happened?" Renji opened his mouth to reply bit no words came out, he immediately closed his mouth, it was improper of someone of his status to be found gaping even though he wasn't around. Ichigo raised an eyebrow at Renji's behavior, his friend was acting weird and oddly defensive he was starting to get really worried.
"Nothing, can we not talk about it, please?" Urahara who had been quiet choosing to observe Renji rather ask questions was worried, he had noticed Renji's slight flinch when Ichigo had asked him what happened, as well as the fear in his voice when Ichigo held his hand, and he had also noticed Renji acting defensive as though he was somewhat afraid of them.
"Renji-san, would it be too far to assume that you have been subjected to some kind of torture." Renji stiffened noticeably and lost some color, to their annoyance Renji composed himself immediately acting as though nothing had happened. "Renji-san, we can't help you if you don't tell us what happened."
"You will not be helping him." A feminine voice interrupted followed by the sound of several people stomping around.
"Soi-Fon!"
"Sotaichō has ordered the arrest of Abarai Renji." She spoke, giving nothing away. Ichigo sprung up, angry at the sudden intrusion.
"What do you mean he is under arrest? He did nothing wrong, you can't just arrest him." Ichigo yelled, he couldn't believe his friend was being arrested for nothing. Soi-Fon however was starting to get irritated at Ichigo's interference.
"He is being arrested because we believe he might be related to the kidnapping and death of over thirty officers and nobles."
"What the hell? Renji hasn't done anything, why the hell wasn't I told about this I'm a captain too you know." Renji's eyes widened for a second at the fact that Ichigo was a captain but the look of shock was gone as quickly as it came. Deciding that their conversation would go nowhere he decided to speak.
"Ichigo relax she can't arrest me anyway." Soi-Fon turned from Ichigo to Renji rage clearly showing on her face at Renji's blatant refusal to his arrest.
"What do you mean I can't arrest you? Resisting arrest is a major crime Abarai Renji in case you have forgotten the rules?" Renji sighed loudly causing Soi-Fon's eyebrow to twitch in annoyance.
"Look, I'm not resisting arrest, I can't enter soul society. You can try but even with a private Senkaimon I still can't enter, believe me I've tried." Urahara frowned, it wasn't possible for Renji not to be able to enter soul society; from what he had noticed despite Renji's low to the point it was almost undetectable reiatsu, he wasn't wearing a Gigai. This meant that Renji should be able to enter soul society freely without restrictions unless there is a force field preventing his action.
Soi-Fon angry at Renji's resistance used her Zanpakuto to open a private Senkaimon, ignoring Ichigo's complaints, Renji sighed and walked towards the senkaimon to prove his point, he tried to walk in but there seemed to be some barrier or force preventing him from entering.
"That's what I've been trying to tell you, I can't get into Soul Society."
The small captain frowned, clearly unhappy with the fact that her assignment was going to get complex, she couldn't understand why Renji couldn't get into Soul society. Ichigo on the other hand stared at Renji in disbelief, he hadn't actually expected Renji to be unable to get into Soul society and he could bet his captain salary that it had something to do with the tracker on his neck.
"Oi Renji, is the tracker what's preventing from getting into Soul society?" Ichigo asked. Renji sighed softly; he really didn't want to explain why he couldn't get in, however he had the feeling that if he didn't explain it Ichigo would pester him till he gave in.
"Urahara can you use the third forbidden kido, the unveiling spell."
"The use of the Forbidden Kido spells is illegal." Soi-Fon replied, the forbidden spell was forbidden for a reason.
Urahara ignored Soi-Fon's protest and began the incantation "Beast of the underworld, hiding in the darkness, with light show forth yourself and slit your necks Bakudo number 15 – Unveiling light" a bright light emitted from Urahara's palms and Renji was engulfed in a light yellow like bars, suddenly some seals on Renji appeared on his body, black bindings appeared on Renji's ankles and wrists. Urahara panting from exhaustion at the drain in his life force stared at the seals on Renji in disbelief, Ichigo and Soi-Fon gaped openly at the four seals on Renji's body. Ichigo's disbelief however quickly turned into anger.
"Who put those on you Renji!"
Renji smiled sadly, he was regretting coming to Karakura even though it was nice to see Ichigo and Urahara. "It doesn't matter anyway; I'll have to go back soon. It was nice meeting you guys though." His statement however only seemed to annoy Ichigo.
"What the hell do you mean you're going? I'm not letting you go back there. They put a tracker and four seals on you Renji there's no way I'm going to let you disappear for another ten years." Ichigo had barely finished talking when a portal suddenly appeared in front of Renji.
Renji smiled at Ichigo again, Ichigo really hated that smile it was defeated and forgiving instead of cocky and proud like Renji used to be. "Oi, you're not going anywhere you hear me."
"There is nothing you can do to help me Ichigo, Its nice knowing you care though." He replied with that smile that Ichigo had begun to hate. The bindings around Renji began to break, and the seals started to fade becoming invincible again as he headed towards the portal, he was stopped by Ichigo and Soi-Fon. "Ichigo, Soi-Fon –Taichou, Let go."
"I'm coming with you then."
"Urahara please try to convince Ichigo to stay back."
"Now now Renji-san, I can't do that he seems quite determined."
"Soi Fon –Taichou?"
"I have been ordered not to let you out of my sight, I'm coming along." Renji began to panic at the seriousness in their voice.
"You can't come with me, he'll kill you, please stay behind."
"Renji, who is he?" Before Renji could reply his body began moving on his own, heading to the portal despite Ichigo and Soi-Fon's grip on him effectively pulling them along albeit slowly.
"I can't tell you that Ichigo, please let go or I'm going to end up being late."
"I'm coming with you, there's nothing you can say to prevent it." Soi-Fon nodded in unison, she had a feeling that Renji was connected to the kidnapping and killings although not in the way they had initially assumed. Something told her he was one of the victims.
"Ichigo listen to me for once, If you enter there you might never come back."
"If that's the case then I'm not letting you go there." Renji groaned in frustration, he wondered if Ichigo had always been this stubborn.
"I have to go back Ichigo, I have no choice."
"Renji, we are coming with you and that's final." Soi-Fon once again nodded in agreement.
"Ichigo, I'm sure you have better things to do than get yourself into trouble." Urahara and Soi-Fon frowned at Renji persistence.
"Abarai Renji, we would be going with you and that is final." Soi-Fon commanded dragging all three of them into the Portal. Urahara watched them and at the close of the portal he turned to Tessai who had been silent throughout the whole ordeal.
"It seems we'll have to send a message to Yoruichi, I get the feelings we're going to have a major crisis on our hands soon. Tessai nodded silently in response.