Business: We do not own bleach. TDW however, owns Cherry and the 'hellish voice'. SF owns 'the Wolf Den'. If you want to use Cherry for anything please contact TDW beforehand.

A/n: Alright, fans of Freaks and Wolves, this is brought to you by TheDrunkenWerewolf and SesshomaruFreak. Wolfy's Heirverse meets Sesh's Healing the Moon - because Heir infects and everyone needs to embrace the disease. I am so happy I got to work with the wonderful Sesh on this one. Yay!

Notes: RenBya, AiGin, with AiRen conversations, some snarky sword spirits, and Heirverse&HtM echoes/calls/mirrors/gunshots everywhere and throughout.

TIMELINE: Early Heirverse (later Game) with elements of Healing the Moon.

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Dedicated to our good friend timewaster123456789. She inspired this for us. And because she's awesome and we love her and she deserves it. And she puts up with our fujoshi-ing and one track minds and just thoughtfully reviews everything we write :)

The Sun and the Monkey

Chapter 1: Observations

It wasn't hard to miss, the way Renji Abarai had looked at his superior over the years. And being a keen observer of people, he liked to keep track of people and their emotional connections, if only for the potential possibility of using it against them later.

For the most part, captains tended to have harmonious relationships with their second in command. Renji's relationship with his captain, however, felt distant and strained. The tension in the air difficult to miss whenever he walked into their office. Although, one Thursday afternoon, when he walked in to deliver an incorrectly addressed package – this had all changed. Immediately, he wracked his brain for a reason why this was so. How could such a drastic change have happened overnight?

He'd greeted the sixth captain formally, the exchange brief. Though he couldn't help feeling Renji's eyes bore into his back, even as he walked away. Hm, how odd.
Kyouka snorted in the back of his mind. Oh, please. If you think about it, it isn't odd at all.

He frowned. What do you mean?

Isn't it obvious?

Still his frown persisted. She sighed, Remember how happy you were when you and Gin finally got together? she asked.

It took a moment, but it clicked into place for him. Oh.

Yes, she said. 'Oh'. And I thought you were supposed to be the clever one, Aizen-sama.

There's no need to make snarky comments, he chided. But she only laughed.

After he dropped off his package, he left. Though he couldn't resist one quick glance behind him at the pair. This, he thought, would need investigating.

He encountered the pair again that evening. Even going so far as to follow them to the coffee shop and sitting somewhere far away enough he wouldn't be seen, but close enough to overhear them, a book in his hands that he pretended to read that he could hide behind should he be spotted. And he watched them together. Something like a hollow feeling in his chest as he saw the easy smiles, heard the endearments that came to them so easily, watched the way their hands reached for and softly caressed each other across the table.

Seems love's in the air for everyone. Kyouka sighed happily.

"I suppose."

He felt her sigh. What's wrong?

Sousuke frowned again, eyes fixed on the pages of his book, though he wasn't taking in a single word.

"Why can't Gin be like that... with me?" he muttered. "Why can't we be like that? I've done everything for him and yet Gin still distrusts me. What am I doing wrong?"

Kyouka pondered the question, deep in thought for a moment. Perhaps you'd be better off asking one of them that?

Aizen could have laughed at the suggestion. If it wouldn't give him away or draw attention to him. Him? Ask for help? Ridiculous.

Ah, but then... an outside perspective might help. He'd already tried every avenue he could think of to gain his Gin's trust. Perhaps a fresh mind could offer him a solution.

He observed the couple for a few more minutes from behind the book. It appeared that Byakuya, the most reserved person in the three worlds, was able to be brought out, made expressive and affectionate, by Renji. What was the redhead's secret to earning this affection?

He could practically feel his zanpaktou roll her eyes. You won't know if you don't ask, SouSou.

Aizen scowled. "I told you not to call me that ridiculous nickname."

Snickering filled his mind as he returned to his spying.

You like it when Gin calls you that. She countered.

He chose to not even dignify that with a response as he nursed his cup of tea.

. . .

Renji smiled warmly at his companion. The powerful, beautiful heir of the Kuchiki clan, one of the True First noble clans, had finally agreed that their secret rendezvous could be a semi-public relationship; they weren't parading about, but they were no longer bending over backwards to hide their connection. The older man was more affectionate and willing to share in playful moments.

All of this made Renji the happiest guy in existence.

Byakuya tilted his head, wearing the slight smile that conveyed so much happiness. "Gods, Lieutenant Abarai, you're looking at me as if you wish to eat me right up."

Renji grinned. "Maybe I do, baby." He ran one foot up his lover's leg teasingly, causing his superior to narrow his steel-silver eyes playfully.

"Behave, Renji. We are in public."

Renji just chuckled and ignored the admonition to behave.

. . .

'Baby?' Aizen frowned at the endearment, grateful for his forethought in bringing a book to hide behind.

Aizen drained the rest of his tea and stood to leave, a bitter taste lingering in his mouth despite the sweetness of the tea he'd just drank. Gently he placed the cup down on saucer again, resisting the urge to slam it down and smash it. A difficult urge to suppress, given the jealousy and anger whirling inside him at the moment, but he'd always had superhuman levels of self-control, so he managed it. Hell, if he'd kept his hands off a young, drunk Gin sleeping in his bed, he could manage this simple task.

He moved through the shop quietly, keeping his spiritual energy in check. Because it would not do to go broadcasting any of this. He had a reputation to maintain as the benevolent, kind, supportive Aizen taichou who was happy for the pair. Aizen taichou who would wish them well in their new relationship.

He might not have liked it, but that was the image he had to present to the world.

It was what he'd signed up for. What he'd planned so long and worked so hard to do.

But that didn't mean he liked it. Lying to peoples' faces. Playing a role he despised because it just wasn't him. Being with Gin gave him somewhat of a reprieve from all of that, though. Gave him space to breathe and refocus. To relax, even if just a little bit. But it was obvious Gin was still guarded around him though. Still distrustful, even though Gin stated otherwise. He remembered the lavender Gin had left for him several decades ago, at the beginning of their wary courtship.

Lavender. In the language of flowers: mistrust.

It had stung. Still stung, even now. And again the question bounced in his skull. Because a small, desperate part of him he'd be absolutely loathe to let anyone see, wanted Gin to come alive for him as Lord Kuchiki had for Abarai. He wanted his Gin to be expressive, affectionate with him. Open. Tender. Yes, they had playfulness, but what was that really? Apart from an extension of the chessplay that seemed to mar everything about their relationship?

'What am I doing wrong?'

A dark voice in his head began cackling. Everything. it mocked. Try "everything", Sousuke.

Aizen pushed the voice away, ignoring that darker aspect of his mind. The voice that spoke his darker thoughts to him. Drowning it out with thoughts of Gin as he walked back to the office, where Gin was waiting for him to return. Trying to ignore the bitter jealousy at what he'd just observed.

. . .

He'd calmed somewhat by the time he walked back into his office and sat at his desk. The hellish voice inside his head was silent now, and Aizen took a brief moment to enjoy this before it piped up again. He'd just picked up his pen to resume his work peacefully again, only to see Gin appear some moments after in the doorway with a cup of tea.

"Aizen-sama," Gin smiled at him, "Yer back. Been waitin'. Yer a bit late."

"My apologies," Aizen answered, trying to ignore the bitter seed sprouting roots inside him at the lack of familiarity or endearment in the younger man's tone. "I... got a little distracted."

Immediately the hellish voice began laughing again. See? He doesn't love you. He doesn't even use an endearment when he addresses you. Even when you're alone together...

Aizen tried to ignore the hellish voice, the cackling, the darkness... but it was hard. It had always been difficult to ignore something that preyed so much on his insecurities. Even harder to battle a monster into submission when it lived inside his mind. When it wore his skin. Spoke with his voice.

Even after so many years together. Decades, even. You'd think by now he'd have come up with one.

"Oh," Gin asked, in a light inquisitive voice, a playfulness to his tone as he sauntered up to the desk and perched himself on it so he could sit closer to his partner. "Wha' bout?"

I bet he never loved you.

"I was peoplewatching and lost track of the time." Aizen replied.

Who could ever love you? All you do is hurt people. Play with them. Use them like toys and throw them away when you get bored of them.

"Oh?" Gin grinned at him, "Was it Renji and the Ice Prince? Cuz word on th' street is they got a thing goin'. They tryin' ta hide it a course, no' be too showy 'bout it, but they are."

Aizen managed a small smile, despite the cackling, hellish voice inside his head. "The Ice Prince? Is that what people call him these days?"

Gin chuckled, a light, amused laugh that drowned out the insane cackling inside his skull. Gave him peace of mind again. "Yeh. There's less polite variations, a course, bu' that's what they call 'im. Were ya watchin' em?"

Aizen smiled. "Yes, I was, as it happens. They seem very happy together. Very playful. Kuchiki taichou had to tell Abarai-san to behave because they were in public and he was being..." he paused there, as if thinking of the right word to use, "Very much a tease."

Gin laughed again. "Oh, I think that reminds me a someone I know!" he said, unable to resist a bit of teasing himself, apparently. "Someone who just can' seem ta keep his hands off a me. Lessee... ya might know 'im. Thick, dark brown hair... got glasses, though he looks much better without em... eyes ya can get lost in... Someone I have ta keep tellin' ta fuckin' behave 'imself..."

Aizen couldn't help but chuckle at all of it. This. This was why he liked Gin. The younger man could easily keep up with his banter. "Oh come now, you know you enjoy it."

Gin only laughed, not answering because, Aizen suspected, Gin knew it would basically be giving him the green light to tease him as much as possible in any public space. Not that he didn't do that already. He'd just be even more incorrigible if he had that green light.

"I aint answerin' that." Gin said. Only confirming to Aizen that he was right with his assumption. Which only drew another amused chuckle out of him.

"Which only proves me right." Aizen smirked.

Gin just shook his head. "Oh, here, made this fer you, by the way." Gin smiled down at him, gently pressing the mug of tea in his hand into Aizen's. Their fingers brushing against each other gently as the mug changes hands. Sending warmth spreading it's way up Aizen's fingers and through the rest of his body. Fingers tingling with the simple contact. The hellish voice falling into sweet silence at the soft touch and a very soft, very tender smile. And a smile of equal tenderness graced Aizen's features as he looked up at his Gin. The one good thing in his life. His bright moon in an otherwise darkened world.

"Thankyou, Gin."

Gin returned his smile with a soft, affectionate one of his own, and he had to wonder whether Gin knew he was being thanked for more than just a simple mug of tea.

. . .

The rest of the afternoon passed slowly. Aizen sat at his desk, content for the first time since the day had begun. Gin was working quietly at his desk close by, humming to himself and lazily stroking his pet Cherry as he worked. Only interrupting his humming to make a frustrated noise or a long-suffering sigh and the boring, repetitive paperwork.

He smiled to himself. He was glad he hadn't told his Gin about the paperwork before promoting him. Otherwise Gin would never have taken up the position.

He fought the urge to just sit and watch his Gin, remembering how badly that had ended in the past, with him being hospitalised with concussion and walking about with a mighty black eye – he was sure that lamp post still had a dent in it - and returned to his own work. Although something did nag at him. About this morning.

How? He wondered. How could Renji and Byakuya possibly be that happy? Nobody was that happy. Nobody. Or was it really that this was what a normal relationship looked like, without even a hint of chessplay?

He wanted to find out.

You can always ask, you know. Kyouka repeated to him. You won't know if you don't ask.

He frowned. I know that. He snapped back. But how to even broach the subject without looking like an awkward fool?

Oh, don't worry about that, Kyouka teased, laughing, you always look like an awkward fool.

He chose not to rise to her bait and ignored her.

Instead, he thought for a few moments, his gaze landing on an incoming hell butterfly. And with it came his answer.

Ah, perfect.

. . .

Renji moaned, in a state of bliss as his lover smirked down at him. "Really, Renji. Can you not make any more coherent sounds than 'mmmmmm'?"

Still buried in the man astride his hips, he shook his head with a lazy grin. "Nu-uh." Sliding his hands up the sleek form, he coaxed the noble to lay down against him. Snuggling afterward was one of the first intimacies they had made into a ritual. Their relationship wasn't just about sex, so they always cuddled after playing, no matter how messy they'd gotten.

Renji sighed happily, embracing his dishevelled partner. Byakuya made him deliriously happy, and he wouldn't give this up for anything. They were equals when alone, respecting each other on a level that would've surprised most people who only knew them at the office.

They'd had their setbacks, like his own insecurities and Byakuya's reluctance to trust, but they'd gotten through every obstacle together.

He felt his lover shift, murmuring against his throat, "We need to shower, honey."

He groaned, as if bathing with a naked Byakuya Kuchiki were a hardship. "I don' wanna get up."

The older man smirked at him, then slowly pulled away, separating their bodies. "Very well, I shall simply shower alone."

Renji could barely stand being parted from his boyfriend, and Byakuya knew this. As the slender noble got up and swayed that lovely ass towards the bathroom, he bounced out of bed to follow. "Hold on, I'm comin', I'm comin'."

Just then, the airy tinkling sound of a Hell Butterfly interrupted them. Byakuya turned to address it, since the messengers were usually for him. "Sixth division Captain Kuchiki listening." But to both of their surprise, the black insect turned towards Renji. "Umm, Sixth division Lieutenant Abarai listening?"

The Hell Butterfly flapped its wings furiously in Renji's face. "Hey, what the-" He heard Byakuya's voice, light with amusement. "It appears to be a private message for you. I see how it is." But the smaller Soul Reaper was smiling, so he knew he was just being teased. The ravenette resumed heading for the shower, saying, "Answer it, then join me, Lieutenant Abarai."

Renji shivered at the sexy command. "Hai, Taicho." When his partner had left the room, he frowned at the messenger insect. "Renji Abarai, alone and listening. Give me the damn message."

Renji closed his eyes and let the hell butterfly relay its message telepathically. Though it only roused his curiosity. For one, it was from Aizen Taichou – his former captain. Secondly, because it was a message coming out of the blue, with no logic or reason. A random message. Renji would've thought it had been sent to the wrong person, but the message addressed him specifically.

The message was informal, yet cordial.

Abarai-san, it began. My apologies for contacting you so suddenly, it's been a while, since we were last in contact, but I'd like to discuss some things with you. Perhaps we can catch up. Preferably somewhere informal. I'll let you choose the venue. Do let me know when you're available.

Oh, and give my regards to Captain Kuchiki.

Renji opened his eyes and digested this new communication. Captain Aizen wanted... to talk to him? About what? What in the seven hells could his ex-captain want to discuss?

Renji frowned, mulling over the possibilities. Until a certain voice called out to him again.

"I don't have all day, Lieutenant Abarai."

Renji shook the thoughts away and smirked. Ah, who cared about the message? Right now there were other, much more interesting things to think about. To do...

Renji stood and obediently followed his lover's voice into the shower, where he promptly lay a kiss on the back of that gorgeous pale neck, pressed his body against his Byakuya's back, and wrapped a hand sneakily around Byakuya Kuchiki's already engorged penis.

"Renji!" the older man gasped. Renji just grinned.

"Well, someone's certainly happy to see me."

. . .

Gin watched his captain work the rest of the afternoon, keeping a close eye on him, though he tried not to be too obvious about it. The man seemed fine now, but it was clear something had been bothering him before he'd returned. And Gin knew that as loathe as Sousuke was to admit it, he was very transparent. To him at least, anyway. The rest of the world wasn't so lucky. But then, Gin supposed after so long together, it made sense he'd be easy to read. He huffed a sigh as he sat at his desk, having long ago given up on doing any actual work and just decided to sit giving Cherry a lazy belly rub. The white fox was lying sprawled on her back, ears pressed flat against her head and making happy little noises at the attention. Bushy tail wagging from side to side slowly.

If only I could read his thoughts, Gin frowned, If only he'd talk ta me. I migh' jus' be able ta help 'im. But 'e's too proud ta lemme in.

Gin's frown only deepened as he watched the older man summon and send off a hell butterfly without a word.

Still keepin' 'is secrets. Even from me. Gin thought bitterly. Hope he aint seein' someone else.

Cherry must have picked up on his dark mood, because at once she was up, rolling over on the desk and jumping up onto her hind legs, all tail wagging and licking his face. Making him laugh and forcing his mood to brighten and lifting the tension in the atmosphere.

"Ahha, Che-Che... Cherry, no! Cherry!"

Somewhere not too far away he heard his partner sigh. And Gin looked up to see him shake his head, smiling warmly.

"Cherry," Sousuke warned softly, "Leave Gin alone. He has work to be doing."

"Aw bu' playin' wit' Cherry is much more fun." Gin protested. Lifting the fox up into his arms.

"You still have work to do, lieutenant." Sousuke called out to him. "It isn't going to do itself." Gin only frowned. Vowing that if he ever became a captain and got to make the rules, he'd never do any paperwork again.

"Ohh, Cherry-chan, SouSou's bein' mean, makin us do borin' paperwork, aint he mean ta us?"

Cherry yipped in answer and wagged her tail. Gin had to try and suppress a devious smirk. He knew Kyouka Suigetsu teased his lover endlessly whenever he used that nickname. Which was partly why he used it. Partly. Sometimes he used it affectionately, but not often. Usually he used it when he wanted something – which the man usually gave him. So tightly wrapped around his fingers he was. So tightly pinned under his thumb. He tried not to snicker aloud at Sousuke's embarrassed frown and long-suffering sigh.

It was petty, Gin knew. But damn, it did make him feel better about being kept out of the loop. Though he was curious now what message that hell butterfly had carried off. Usually he was informed of all outgoing and incoming messages.

Hm, I definitely need to keep an eye on this.