A/N: Man, I'm all over the place now. I can't finish a story to save my life! I need to finish a GinRan, a GrimmIchi, a KenShuu, and who knows what else. But I really want to do another ByaRen, and also a NnoiNel. Dammit..so many pairings, so little time. Damn you Bleach! Any who, I don't even know the point of this story. I guess it's the usual ByaRen. I may even turn this into a lemon, but who knows. For some reason Byakuya being in lemons doesn't fit right with me. He's just so..Byakuya. He's hot, but he's just such a stick in the mud, what with the whole stoic noble thing. I don't know. I do know that him and Renji are too cute, therefore I will right this story and hopefully finish it one day. Much love, Rainbow Ninja!
Disclaimer: Don't I just wish I owned it..
Chapter One— Snow Brings Us Warmth
"Abarai, I need you to run an errand," The noble Byakuya Kuchiki spoke in his usual cold tone, and furrowed his thin eyebrows when he received no response.
"Lieutenant," He said again, a little more firm, but again there was no response. His steel gray eyes tore themselves from the paperwork, looking at his lieutenants desk which was surprisingly empty. Then, it hit the noble as to why it was so empty, and so very quiet in the office.
"Ah, that's right, you're already running an errand for me," He mutters to himself. Ordinarily, the great sixth division captain wouldn't be so quick to forget things, but today was a distracting day. He looked out the window, which was foggy from the weather outside. Little white flakes fell endlessly from the gray sky, and piled onto the very thick layer of snow on the ground. Byakuya shivered, as if the coldness outside somehow reached him through eye contact. The snow was distracting him, because he found it beautiful. He couldn't focus when such a glorious event was occurring just outside his divisions walls.
"It's piling up very thick now. Perhaps a blizzard is approaching? Renji should be here by now.." The noble trailed off, briefly thinking of his fiery haired lieutenant. With such cold weather, one shouldn't be wandering around. Renji had a tendency to wander. For a moment, the Kuchiki felt a feeling of worry pass through him, but brushed it off and continued signing papers. He could hear the wind howl outside, and shivered again. While he loved the snow, it was very cold, and his mind went back to Renji again. Surely he would not walk around out there, knowing how freezing it is. He would take cover in another division, or perhaps with a friend. Renji wasn't that stupid..was he?
As if on cue, Byakuya felt the familiar spiritual pressure approach, and moments later the office doors blew open, letting an unbelievably cold draft in. It was much colder outside than Byakuya thought. Renji entered, quickly closing the doors and looking a mess. His bright hair was covered in white, along with his shihakusho, and his nose was bright pink. The man was cold, but knowing his captain was looking at him, he refused to shiver.
"I'm back, C-captain," He says with a small bow and mentally kicked himself for letting his teeth chatter.
"Abarai, why on earth would you go out in this weather?" Byakuya asked, re-focusing on his work.
"Well..you told me to, Captain," Renji said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Yes, but you shouldn't have taken so long. When you left, the weather was not nearly this bad,"
"Well..yeah..that's true. But, after I delivered those papers to squad ten, Rangiku started talking..and talking..and then by the time she finished, the snow was knee high outside," Renji explained, not noticing how his body started to shake violently.
"Then why did you choose to come back? You could have waited until the weather calmed down," Byakuya said, not seeing his lieutenants shivering.
"Well..I guess I could have. But I wanted to get back here, in case you had more errands for me. I admit..I got lost on the way back here..the snowfall was so thick I couldn't see in front of me," The lieutenant admitted shamefully. It was then that Byakuya looked up, his eyes widening a fraction. Renji went out in a blizzard just for him? Just to see if he needed any more help? He even got lost..how long was he out there? Byakuya noticed how cold Renji looked, and could tell the other man was trying to hide it.
"Very well then. I will hold off on any other errands until this weather blows over. You may continue with your paperwork," Byakuya dismissed, returning to his own work.
"Okay, Captain," Renji bowed again and returned to his desk, only to stare at the pen and paper. Byakuya, not hearing pen scribbling on paper, looked up and quirked an eyebrow. Renji smiled sheepishly, and held up his red hands.
"Erm..sorry, Captain. It's just..I need a minute. I can't feel my fingers," He says, one finger twitching. Byakuya gave him a deadpan look before standing and walking into the small kitchen.
"Whatcha doin, Captain?" Renji asked, trying to make a fist.
"Making tea," The captain replied simply.
"Why's that? I can make you tea, if you want," Renji said, not getting why his Captain would suddenly make tea. That was usually his job.
"You're cold, are you not? Hot tea will help," The noble said, warming the water. Renji opened his mouth, but no words came out. His Captain was making him tea? So he could warm up? Since when was the Kuchiki so caring?
"Thanks..Captain," He finally said, a shiver creeping through his frigid body. His shihakusho was damp from the melted snow, along with his hair. He could change into another one..but..he suddenly felt very fatigue and didn't feel like moving. He settled for resting his head on the desk. A moment later, Byakuya came out with a steaming cup of tea and set it on his lieutenants desk.
"Mmm..smells nice," Renji said groggily. Byakuya returned once again to his work while Renji sipped the warm liquid. The amazing sensation spread through his body, warming him up. This only made him sleepier. He felt his head spin, and felt like he was on fire. Then, he sneezed, and Byakuya froze.
"Abarai..?" He said in a low tone. Renji looked up at him with hazy eyes and a red nose, and for a split second, something fluttered within the noble.
"Uhh..I don't feel so good.." He groaned, shivering subconsciously.
"You shouldn't have been outside for that long," The noble sighed before adding, "Though I suppose it's my fault for making you,"
"Eh? It's not your fault, Captain. I shoulda stayed..at the tenth.." He said sleepily, his head hitting the desk with a thunk. Byakuya sighed, and with great ease lifted his lieutenant bridal style and carried him to his quarters in the backside of the office. His body was still freezing, and was slightly damp. He needed new clothes, but there was no way Byakuya would go there. Renji could do it himself later.
"Oh..Captain..you don't need to do this..I can help..myself," Renji mumbled half asleep. Byakuya said nothing as he lay Renji down, and watched as he buried himself under the blankets. It was a bit chilly in here. Perhaps he should turn on the heat? Just as that thought entered his mind, the lights flickered off. What impeccable timing for the power to go out. Staring down at his lieutenant, he sighed as the man shook more, gripping the blanket tightly.
"I suppose I should light some candles..something tells me we will be without power for quite some time," Byakuya muttered to himself. He looked through his desk, searching for a candle, and found a handful. With a glance at the paperwork, he shook his head. He couldn't work at a time like this. There were too many distractions. One of them being the sneezing, coughing, shivering lieutenant he had. After lighting the candles in Renji's room, Byakuya stayed there for a moment, seeing if the warmth from the fire would reach the man. Clearly, it would do no good.
"Renji, can you stand for a moment and change? If you keep these damp clothes on, it will make you very sick," Byakuya asked. Renji blinked slowly, trying hard to stay awake.
"I..I don't think..Captain, can you give me that yukata please? I can change in bed," Renji asked, pointing at his beloved white kimono with pink floral designs and a gray sash. Byakuya did as he was asked, and handed the clothing to Renji. His eyes widened when the red head started stripping right before his eyes.
'What is this strange feeling? I have seen him shirtless before, it is not unusual. But then..why do I feel so flustered? Perhaps it's because now there is a mere blanket covering his lower half. That shouldn't matter though. He is my lieutenant, and that is all. I could never harbor feelings for him. But then..why can't I take my eyes away? Perhaps it is the way the candlelight glows against his tan skin and dances with those intricate tattoos' Byakuya thought, tracing the designs with his eyes. They were suddenly covered by white cloth, and Byakuya felt something close to disappointment, though he didn't know why.
"Ah..that's much better..achoo!" Renji sneezed and shivered. Byakuya noticed a drop of cold water fall from his red mane, and knew it needed to be let down or else he would only get sicker. However, Renji didn't like wearing his hair down. Only in defeat did that hair tie come loose, but right now he didn't have a choice.
"Abarai, you need to let your hair down and dry it before you get more sick," Byakuya said, and Renji scowled before pulling the tie out. Byakuya suddenly felt hypnotized by the crimson mane that flowed long and beautifully. He would never admit it to anyone, but he has always found Renji's hair stunning. More so when it was down. Without thinking, Byakuya found a towel and handed it to Renji, who unhappily dried it before sneezing again.
"Sorry to bother you like this, Captain. You can go back to work, if you want," Renji said, smiling slightly.
"It is no bother, and I'm afraid with the power out I cannot focus on work," Byakuya replied calmly, despite his inner confusion. Why couldn't he stop staring at Renji? His brown eyes were so alive, even though he was sick. His smile was so kind and friendly, even though he supposedly hated his captain. Was that still the case? Did Renji hate him? The very thought made Byakuya uneasy.
"Hm? Oh, the power is out. No wonder it's so dark in here," Renji said, looking around curiously. The candles made his room seem much more cozy.
"Yes, it would appear that it is getting late," Byakuya noted, looking out the window that was over Renji's bed.
"Shouldn't you get back to the manor?" Renji asked, involuntary shivering again.
"I'm afraid not. With this weather, it is best to stay inside," The raven haired man shook his head.
"That's true. So, what will you do?"
"The same as you. Sleep in my division quarters," Byakuya shrugged, subconsciously wrapping his scarf tighter. As the sun went down, so did the temperature. He noticed Renji's eyelids droop sleepily, and he sneezed more.
"Sounds good then.." Renji sighed, fighting to keep his eyes open.
"I will let you rest, Abarai. If you find yourself needing something and can't get to it, let me know," Byakuya dismissed and started walking to his room.
"Don't you want some candles? It's pretty cold," Renji asked the retreating Captain.
"I will be fine. You need it more than me," The noble said, and before he closed his bedroom door, he heard Renji say something with a drowsy voice.
"Ne..Captain..you're too kind," He said, and promptly fell asleep. Byakuya felt a smile tug on his lips, but held it down and changed into a sleeping yukata before burying himself in thick blankets. Even then, it was cold. Byakuya briefly worried about Renji again, because of the rapidly dropping temperature. He would wake up later in the night, a habit of his, and blow out the candles so a fire doesn't start. Hopefully by then Renji feels better and the power comes back on.
But something told the noble that wouldn't happen.
A/N: Woo! First chapter done. Hopefully I get a good amount of reviews for this, or else I'm not continuing. Also, I was reading stuff about Renji on wikia, and noticed that it says he previously worked under Byakuya. What the hell is that about?! Is Byakuya not his captain anymore? I'm only on 312. Did I miss something?! Someone explain before I have a panic attack! And also review.
