Mission

((I just did some minor editing and changed my OC's name to Mana instead of Miyako.))

"Byakuya-sama!" called a famine voice from afar.

"What is it cousin?" The noble turned away from the large koi pond in the middle of his garden.

"There is a hell butterfly for you that came to me by accident again." The violet haired girl said as she ran up to him. "I don't know why they always come to me."

"It must be because our reiatsu signatures are similar. Let's see what it has to say. It may be Abarai Fukutaichou and Yoruichi."

She nodded and showed the black butterfly to her elder cousin. Byakuya coaxed the insect on to his finger and sent some of his reiatsu into it so he could receive the message.

"Taichou, I'll be a little while longer on this mission in Hueco Mundo than I originally thought. These damn garganta are a pain in the ass. Every time we close one another decides to break open." Renji's voice spoke out in annoyance. "The team and I should be back tomorrow evenin' or the next mornin'. I will send a hell butterfly to ya if we run into any other troubles. Oh and Yoruichi-san says she wants to play tag when we get back."

Byakuya sighed and shook his head. He didn't like that Renji and the others were having so much trouble with such a simple mission. Or at least he thought it was a simple mission at first. And he certainly didn't want to play tag with that annoyance. He looked at his purple haired cousin and saw concern in her smokey gray eyes that were outlined with gold as she looked intently at the butterfly that was about to flutter away.

"What is it Mana?" Byakuya asked as the hell butterfly flew off.

Mana looked up and saw Byakuya had a concern look in his smokey eyes for a moment and then it faded in an instant. "I do not like this cousin." She admitted.

"Nor do I. But waiting here until they return is all we can do."

The younger noble woman nodded. The alarms at the manor then sounded loudly. The next thing they knew was a garganta had opened in the sky. Renji was leaning on Yoruichi as they passed through quickly with the group at their heels.

"Abarai? Yoruichi-san? I thought your hell butterfly said that-" He was cut off by the sight of hollows coming behind them. The raven haired noble then released his shikai at the hollows as the garganta closed behind the last of shinigamis coming in. He sheathed his sword and turned towards his injured fukutaichou and senpai.

"What happened?" He asked calmly and kneeling next to the cat woman to heal her injuries.

The two were panting heavily and kneeling on the ground. When Renji finally caught his breath he started to speak but a sudden jolt of pain went through his left leg. He shifted quickly so he was sitting on his butt and his legs in sprawled out in front of him. "W-we don't really know. One minute we were closing a gar – Ow!" He looked over to the young pale skinned and violet haired Shinigami who was healing him that had pressed too hard on his injured leg. "Mana-san! That hurts!"

"My apologies Abarai-san."

He bit his lip at the pain she accidentally caused in his leg. He took a few deep breaths before continuing his explanation and looking at his relatively calm taichou. "But we were closing a garganta and then a big group of hollows attacked us unexpectedly."

"That's all that got you?" Byakuya was very confused that a group, even a large group, of hollows took the group by surprise and nearly killed them. Renji only nodded. Yuroichi was looking at him with worried eyes. "What is it Senpai?" He asked as he looked into her golden eyes.

"I don't know." She shook her head as he continued to heal her. "It was like something gave those hollows a power boost of some sort."

"They had greater strength? Like an Arrancar or Espada?"

Yoruichi nodded. "But we do not know what. It couldn't have been Aizen because he is in the Central 46. But it could possibly a new leader has risen to take his place."

"That could very well be it." The raven head agreed. "They could be giving the hollows more power since most of the Arrancar are dead. But most Espadas remain. Although, most of them no longer reside at Las Noches; they could be training the hollows to become stronger as well."

"Taichou, we need to tell Soutaichou immediately." Renji said as he leaped up to his feet on his now only sprained leg.

"I don't think you should be walking, Abarai."

"I'm fine. Mana-san healed me enough so I can wa-" A sudden jolt of pain went through his injured left leg again and he tumbled backward onto the grass. "Ow!"

"See? I warned you, you shouldn't walk while you are still injured." The noble said dryly.

The redhead waved his hand dismissively. He took a few breaths before trying to stand again. He got up slowly swaying slightly on his shaky legs before shifting his weight to balance himself.

"I'm fine." He said as he finally gained balance. "Let's just go tell Soutaichou and get the wounded to the fourth."

Byakuya shook his head and sighed. "Very well, but you are also going to be checked into the fourth division as we come back."

Yoruichi smirked and stood up. "I think Renji will want to hightail it out of the first division before you get the chance to take him to the fourth."

"How come?" The younger noble woman asked as she stood also. Her black bangs waving softly in the breeze to drift over her left eye instead of her right.

"He has a fear of needles." Byakuya answered with a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Can we just go? I rather get the visit over with, then, go back to the office." Renji pleaded softly.

"Hmm… Very well then. Oh, by the way, Renji?" The raven haired noble said as he walked towards the redhead.

"Hai." His fukutaichou answered.

"Why did a path open to my garden?"

"Oh… erm… well, you see Taichou… I-I didn't open it. It just opened by itself and I thought it would be best to come back anyway." Renji stammered.

"I see."

"I will take any punishment as you see fit sir."

"Oh? I don't think a punishment will be necessary. I just asked a simple question." The noble stated. "I'm not going to punish you for a garganta's seal breaking open in my garden then you sought safety for the rest of the group."

Renji bit his lip gently, and then sighed in relief.

"Come, we should go quickly. We do not know when another garganta is going to open." The noble spoke. "Mana, I want you to stay here to be certain the manor stays safe."

She nodded and flash stepped back into the manor to get her zanpakuto and to inform the guard staff to be on watch.

Everyone got up; most were not hurt badly just a few scrapes. A few had broken something like the redhead. But they were happy it was going to be healed soon.

They arrived at the Fourth Division briefly to get the injured cared for. Byakuya insisted Renji get his leg checked out but the redhead refused again. He didn't want to go anywhere near needles. He just wanted to go inform Soutaichou and get back to work. Byakuya sighed in defeat slightly.

"Fine, but if you complain about the pain you're causing yourself don't say I did not warn you nor that I did not try to get you to get checked out." The raven head said with annoyance.

"Hai." Renji replied.

Yoruichi grinned, she turned to flash step to the First Division with the other two close to her heels.

They arrived at the First Division shortly and were taken to the Soutaichou's office. Renji's leg ached as he limped slightly. But not wanting to sound or look weak in the presence of Soutaichou or his Taichou, he tried to keep his limping to a minimum.

"Are you alright Abarai?" Byakuya asked softly to the obviously very uncomfortable redhead. Renji nodded in response as they knelt down before the elder Shinigami.

"What have you found?" Soutaichou asked.

As Yoruichi was explaining, Renji's reiastu was becoming riled slightly. The pain in his left leg was becoming unbearable. But he carefully kept his reiastu in check until they could leave. Byakuya could sense his fukutaichou was in a lot of pain and was thankful that the meeting with Soutaichou was about over. Once they got into the hall Byakuya quickly swept Renji off his feet bridal style and started to flash step to the fourth leaving Yoruichi snickering and staring after them.

"Uh… Taichou, I can sti-" Renji said as he gasped as another flash of pain went through his ankle to his knee. "Shit!" He winced. He couldn't quite stifle a groan from the pain as they reached the Fourth Division.

"Be quiet Abarai, you are injured and you agitated it further by walking on it." The noble snapped.

The redhead knew better than to piss off his Taichou further, so he just relaxed a bit and let himself be carried to the healing center. They were greeted by Hanataro who led them to an examination room down the hall.

Byakuya followed the dark-haired healer with Renji still in his arms. He gently set Renji on the bed and helped pull his fukutaichou's hakama up to the redhead's knee. Hanataro bent over the redheads leg and he carefully looked over Renji's leg.

"Ow! Hanataro!" Renji yelped from the young healer pressing too firmly on his knee.

"Ah! Gomen nasai Renji-san!" The healer apologized quickly.

Byakuya just watched quietly from the chair next to the bed. He was concerned that Renji might have broken his leg all over again with how much he walked on it. Not to mention flash stepping to the First Division. Renji noticed a flash of worry go across his taichou's features then quickly faded away.

He's concerned for me. The redhead thought. I gotta stop making a fuss and just let Hanataro patch me up so we can go back to the division. I'm sure there is shit load of paper work waiting for me. Renji shook his head and sighed. He really didn't like to do paper work. It was boring and half the time Byakuya complained that it was not legible. He snapped out of his reverie when he say a needle in Hanataro's hand.

"W-what the fuck is that for?" He asked trying to keep his voice calm, but couldn't keep the shakiness out at the beginning.

"It's a pain reliever. You don't want to be in a lot of pain while I reset your leg. It's broken just below your knee." Hanataro explained.

Renji cringed but held out his arm. He didn't want to seem like a complete wimp in front of the raven haired noble who was sitting next to him.

"Fine, just do it fast."

"My Renji, you sure are not putting up quite a fuss today." Byakuya said as he observed the redhead actually letting the healer put the needle in and then reset his leg so it could be healed properly.

"Ow!" The redhead yelled. "Be careful would ya? I have to go back to work after this you know!"

"Gomen nasai." The healer said simply.

Byakuya quirked and eyebrow. "No, you are not."

Renji turned his head so he was looking at Byakuya's expressionless face. "W-what? Why the hell not?"

"Because, this has been a long day and you need your rest."

But Renji wasn't having it. "How many times must I say I'm fine Taichou? I can still work on the paper work that I'm sure has built up over the week I was in Hueco Mundo."

"It can wait until tomorrow. Today you must rest."

Renji let out a grunt. "Fine, I'll rest. But don't come complaining to me when I don't get all my paperwork done tomorrow."

Byakuya nodded and was relived he could get his fukutaichou to rest like he should.

Hanataro finished healing the redhead's leg and left the two alone so they could leave after Renji pulled his pant leg back down and stretched. He, thankfully, didn't need a cast but he wasn't allowed to walk on it if he had to go long distances except to go home and work.

"Come, I'll walk you home." The noble said.

Renji nodded and led the way to his apartment.

Why is he being so nice to me when I messed up? I don't get it. He would have ridiculed me and the others for being careless. Renji thought. But we have gotten closer. So maybe he just taken it easy on me because of it.

Byakuya just let his fukutaichou lead the way back to his apartment. He saw Renji was in deep thought.

Hmm… He seems to do that a lot lately. He's always daydreaming or thinking about something. Byakuya thought. "Renji, do you have something on your mind that you would like to share?"

"Huh?" Renji was a bit startled by Byakuya's voice pulling him out of his trance. "Oh, uh… no, nothing Taichou. I'm fine."

"Hmm..." Byakuya hummed and just dismissed it.

They reached Renji's apartment and Byakuya was not surprised how run down it looked. Renji bit his lip softly contemplating whether or not inviting his Taichou in or just saying good night there. Thankfully Byakuya broke the silence between the two.

"I'll be going home. You may call for me if you need any assistance." Byakuya said.

"Hai, arigato Taichou." Renji bowed and then went up the stairs to his apartment. The raven head watched until Renji was fully inside his apartment before departing for his own home.

Once Renji was in his apartment he quickly shed his torn uniform and threw over a chair. He went over to his closet and pulled a clean plain yukata and went to take a quick shower before going to bed.

After he finished his shower, he made himself some tea and went to sit on his bed thinking. He couldn't get his mind off the events that happened in Hueco Mundo. Everything seemed strange. One minute they were sealing a garganta and then the next they were attacked by some crazy ass powered up hollows. He knew he should really be trying to sleep instead of puzzling it all out.

Then he thought of his taichou and all the odd things he did for Renji that day. He didn't think Byakuya was that concerned. He never had been before. But he reminded himself that this was after Aizen's defeat and Byakuya and he got closer. They were even friends to a point. They often talked about other things then work, went out for lunch often and walked each other home when Miyako didn't come to pick up Byakuya.

"I guess, it hasn't really sunk in yet." He mused to himself. I really do love him. Renji thought as he smiled.

He finished the last of his tea and lay down. Soon he finally dropped off to peaceful sleep.

Byakuya walked through the gate to his garden and sat near the koi pond where the moon shined down on its surface. He thought all about his fukutaichou, how he was injured and how his mission went with Yoruichi. Byakuya never felt such concern for anyone since his late wife.

"So… it's happened again." Byakuya smiled slightly. "I fell in love someone… even after I swore I would never again feel that way for anyone."

"Byakuya-sama?" Mana said quietly from behind.

He turned his head to look at tall noble woman dressed in a plain purple silk kimono. Her long hair was braided down her back but her black bangs drift over her right eye. They fluttered in the breeze softly. "What is it Mana?" He asked.

She shook her head and sat down next to him leaning on the old Sakura tree near the pond. Byakuya's eyes followed her as she sat down. "I was just wondering when you were going to come in the house, but I see you have other things on your mind."

"Hai, I was just thinking about Renji and his mission with senpai." The raven head answered.

"Ahh… I do believe you were thinking about more than just his mission." She grinned.

He started to speak, only to be interrupted by her serious expression. "Don't bother denying it."

He only nodded in response as she continued and lightened her expression. "I know you said that you would never fall in love with someone again since Lady Hisana. But you've been alone for far too long. You should find someone to be happy with. And it seems that Renji-san has taken quite a bit of your thoughts." The purple haired Shinigami giggled.

"No matter how much I think or care about him, he would never even think of being with me." He said sadly as he looked down at the koi pond again. "I'm always so cold towards him…"

She shook her head again and sighed. "Well, now is the best time to show him you really care. It's not going to be easy. But I think he would come around."

Byakuya sighed and looked up at the moon. "I'm not so sure."

"I am. You never notice how he looks at you or even how he stands by you through everything."

He turned to look at his young cousin. "What do you mean?"

She shook her head. "You need to figure that out for yourself. Just let your heart guide you." She got up and held out her hand for him to latch onto so they could go inside the manor. He took her hand and they walked silently to the wooden walk way where their rooms were.

"Good night Byakuya-sama." Mana said as she started for her room.

"Good night Mana." He walked to his room to shower then to drop of into peaceful slumber.

Mina's Note: Whew! Okay, whatcha think of that? This fic is gonna go slower than the others. So just bare that in mind. :) I hope you enjoyed this! ^_^ Reviews are greatly appreciated! ^_^ -Love, Mina!

(Oh and Mana Kuchiki is my OC. If you're reading Let Us Fall Gracefully you know who she is already. (I will also explain more about her here as I go. So don't think I'm just gonna skip explaining who she is here.) You'll know about her later on in the story. ^_^)

Disclaimer! I don't own Bleach. Just this story line. ^_^