So, I know that my other bleach story isn't finished yet. I'm having a little writer's block on it. But here's my latest idea, and I know roughly where I'm going with this one. I don't know if it will end up with romance or not, but either way I like exploring Renji and Rukia's relationship. This was prompted by a series of challenge-fics on LiveJournal related to the birthdays of Renji and Rukia.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
"Captain Kuchiki, I have a favor to ask of you."
Renji formally bowed as he struggled to hide how nervous he was. He had never asked his captain for anything before, and he wasn't sure how the captain would respond.
Byakuya looked up from his paperwork. This is unusual.
"What is it, Renji?"
"uh…" Renji blinked. Just like I practiced. "As I'm sure you know, tomorrow is Rukia's birthday." Byakuya continued to look at his Vice Captain, as if to say 'and?' Renji plowed ahead. "As you also know, she and I grew up together in South Rukongai. I would like your permission to take her there as a birthday gift."
Byakuya put his pen down, and took his time before responding.
"Why?"
"You see, sir, before coming to the Shinigami Academy, we had three friends. The five of us were as close to family as any of us had ever known before, but neither of us has been back to visit their graves since we left. I think it would mean as much to her to be able to go back there as it would to me. I also want to show her how far we've both come."
"I see."
An awkward silence followed as Renji waited anxiously for the reply that the Captain was now formulating. Captain Kuchiki regarded Renji with an appraising and unyielding gaze as he turned the request over in his head. The look made Renji feel very small and extremely uncomfortable.
The 78th district of South Rukongai is no place for a Kuchiki. Or any Shinigami, for that matter. However, he might be right. She's had a very turbulent couple of months. Maybe a trip to her past would be a good experience for Rukia, and I haven't done anything for her birthday. At the very least, it seems to be extremely important to Renji. He's never asked me for a favor before. Byakuya considered pointing out how dangerous the area was, but decided it wasn't an issue. After all, Renji was a powerful Vice Captain and knew the area well. And he had knowingly sacrificed his life twice already to protect her, surviving by luck alone. Still, it wasn't his Vice Captain's abilities that Byakuya doubted; it was his motives. Is it really just the love for a childhood friend that made him do that?
Just when Renji didn't think he could bear to wait any longer, Byakuya spoke.
"Have you asked her captain?"
"Not yet, sir. I wanted to ask you first."
"I see." Another tense silence followed. Finally, Byakuya broke it. "Let me ask you a personal question, Renji."
"Sir?"
Byakuya didn't blink as he searched for the best way to breach the delicate subject. If Renji had been nervous before, now his heart was in his throat. What could he possibly want to know? After a few seconds of suspense, the Captain had chosen his words.
"Before I adopted Rukia as my sister, was there anything romantic between the two of you?"
Renji was taken aback. How do I answer that?! God knows I thought about it when we were younger, and I still think about it sometimes. But nothing ever happened. I never had the guts to make a move –especially not when we needed a family, first and foremost. And now, it seems completely out of reach.
"No sir. Nothing."
"Hmm." The Captain nodded while he continued to watch Renji. A moment later he picked up his pen and went back to his paperwork as he spoke. "Request permission from Captain Ukitake when you leave here. If he consents to give Rukia leave, I shall allow you three days beginning tomorrow. That's one to get there, one day in the district, and one day for the return trip. Understood?"
Renji was ecstatic, but he was a good soldier and kept all but the faintest of smiles hidden.
"Yes sir. Thank you, sir."
So what do you think? R&R! :)