Scarlet Sandstorm
By Spunky0ne
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When Ichigo and Tetsuya disappear during a mission deep within Hueco Mundo, Kenpachi, Renji and Byakuya are sent to investigate. Among the spinning sands and amidst horrifying dangers, love blossoms unexpectedly…yaoi, mpreg…Kenpachi/Byakuya/Renji, Grimmjow/Ichigo/Tetsuya.
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Chapter 1: Stripes
A cool breeze radiated through the newly restored sixth division headquarters as Abarai Renji sat at his desk, glaring down at the papers in front of him and thinking about the beautiful raven-haired man who was his taicho. Byakuya's desk stood across the room, meticulously clean and orderly, only missing the presence of its equally clean and orderly owner. Renji's own desk was a mess of scattered papers, a report on quincy fighting remnants spotted in the hollow world, supply requisitions, a request for a healer to assist on a planned mission, accompanied by Byakuya's note that the mission was being transferred to Urahara Kisuke, and that Ichigo would be going, along with Kuchiki Tetsuya, recently named fukutaicho of the fourth division.
Elders from both the Kuchiki and Shiba families were pressuring Ichigo and Tetsuya to choose wives to marry, and neither one is interested in women. Taicho was nearly desperate to protect his cousin from having to marry against his will, but the elders wouldn't back down, so I think he sent the two on this mission to kind of protect both of them. Their job is to investigate rumors of quincy activity in the hollow world. Jeez, that's a twisty mess too. I hope they're okay.
Maybe I'm glad I only have eyes for a guy who will never in this fucking life notice me. Huh, there's no way those stuffy, windbag elders are gonna have anything to say about this Rukon dog's future.
Although, Renji thought, glancing at his missing superior's desk, I guess I would heel pretty quickly if it was my lovely moon doing the calling. Not that he ever would.
He glanced at Byakuya's perfectly orderly desk again.
He's still like that, if you look at the surface, but when I was fighting alongside Taicho in the war, I saw a new, grittier, more determined man than the one I used to know. Before the quincy war, his fighting style was cold and impersonal, kinda like he was. But it was after we fought the fullbringers in Karakura Town that I started to notice a difference. There was a light that came into him when we trained, one that stayed with him when we fought. That light was almost extinguished when the quincies appeared and As Nodt had his way with Taicho.
I thought for a little while that he was dead. While I was lying in the infirmary, recovering, and no one would tell me anything. I tried to imagine my world with no moon, and I couldn't see it. He just had to be there. I've loved this man forever, even when I was sure I hated him. He's been the light that I drink to stay alive. I treasure the fact that I live or die on his order.
I have a million ways I'd like to show him my gratitude.
But just as he started to descend into a beautiful daydream of the two of them, his missing Taicho's powerful reiatsu appeared outside the sixth division door. Renji managed to shift the papers on his desk into a more controlled pile as the door opened and Byakuya entered the room, not so surprisingly followed by the massive, fight-loving and irreverent eleventh division taicho.
My former taicho.
I had a crush on him for a long time, but for very different reasons than the ones that make me love Taicho. He's lower Rukon, like me…grew up wild in a world determined to kill him. If Byakuya is the pale, peaceful white moon, then Zaraki taicho is the blood moon. Strangely, even though they usually act like they hate each other and want to fight to the death, there are some definite sparks there. Kenpachi got a sweet taste of fighting Taicho while the two were trapped in Hueco Mundo, waiting for the outcome of the Aizen conflict.
That was an amazing fight, Renji sighed, resting his face on his hand.
"Abarai, what are you staring at?" Byakuya asked suddenly, snapping his fukutaicho out of his daydream.
"Eh, oh, sorry sir, I was just thinking for a moment."
Byakuya let out a soft huff of breath and gave him a look that told Abarai Renji just how much that little lie had failed. But as the noble started to speak again, Kenpachi smirked and changed the subject.
"So, Byakuya, what do you think the two of us should do about this loiterer who refuses to leave, even when you give him a personal recommendation and the guy could be a taicho, himself, in a second?" the rough-edged taicho chuckled.
Renji felt like objecting to the question, but also felt rather like doing so would leave him standing in between two extremely beautiful, powerful and dangerously horned bulls, who were about to charge at each other. Byakuya gave Kenpachi a dismissive look.
"I would say that leaving to pursue a taicho's position or staying in his current place is a personal decision that he has made with a great deal of reflection," Byakuya answered sedately, his smoky eyes locked fiercely on his Rukongai born comrade's.
I think it was actually more of a knee-jerk response to the idea of not having a reason to be so close to him, Renji speculated, Not that Taicho would have a clue about that…
"I'm happy where I am," Renji said simply, turning his attention back to the papers on his desk, "and besides, Rukia deserved the post in the thirteenth."
"R-right," Kenpachi drawled, giving Renji a look that said he saw right through the redhead's bullshit, and that Byakuya did too, but was too polite to tease him about it.
Renji flinched as he began to say more, but was stopped as a hell butterfly floated into the room and paused in front of Byakuya to deliver its message.
Byakuya, said Kyoraku's deep voice, hate to call you back here again and disrupt your morning, but we've received word from Karakura Town that there may be some issue with the pair that went to Hueco Mundo. Please come and see me for a full report.
Renji didn't miss the look of concern on the noble's handsome face.
Tetsuya is on his first mission as fukutaicho of the fourth division. He's with Ichigo, but Ichigo gets into a lot of trouble.
"I will be back," Byakuya said, disappearing in a flash step and leaving Kenpachi and Renji alone.
Renji let out a long sigh and turned his attention dutifully back to his work, expecting that, without Byakuya there to entertain him, Kenpachi would leave. He looked up in surprise a moment later when two large hands placed themselves on the edge of Renji's desk, and the towering man leaned over him, studying him with curious green eyes.
"What's goin' on, Renji?" he asked, grinning, "You look a little flustered."
Renji longed to relax with his former leader, but he knew better than to be anything less than professional in Byakuya's own headquarters.
"I don't know what you mean, sir," he replied politely, his teeth gritting slightly in the process of forcing the words out, "I'm just doing the work assigned to me."
"I can see that," Kenpachi said, tilting his head slightly in amusement, "But, I think we both know what…or is it who Abarai Renji'd rather be doing?"
"I'm not allowed to be casual in the office, sir," Renji said, trying to focus harder on his work, "But you already know that."
"Yup," Kenpachi agreed, "but the princess is likely to be occupied for awhile, and I think you need to get your frustrations out, so why don't we do that?"
"Huh?" Renji said, frowning, "Get our frustrations out…how? You wanna train?"
"Nope, cause I don't think training is going to help you with that monster erection you're hiding under your desk."
Kenpachi's grin widened and he leaned forward, breathing his suggestion into the tattooed redhead's ear, leaving it blushing.
"You have a death wish?" Renji laughed, "Cause Taicho would kill both of us!"
"Yeah," Kenpachi agreed, patting Renji's desktop suggestively, "but he's gotta catch us first."
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Tetsuya knelt within a small cave, deep within the hollow world, his blue eyes focused intently on the unconscious man in front of him, and his ears listening carefully as a sandstorm howled outside. His pale hands lit with blue reiatsu, he infused Ichigo's injured body, hoping inwardly that the collapsed Shiba heir would recover and regain consciousness before the sandstorm ended.
The quincy who attacked us knew that if he let us go, we were going to go back and report the quincy presence here, and that the forces here are training and preparing for the next chance to invade Soul Society. They aren't planning a direct confrontation, but a series of assassinations that will leave the noble families and Gotei 13 in chaos. We need to get back and head this off!
But we can't go anywhere until the storm ends.
Ichigo shifted slightly and groaned.
"It'll be all right, Ichigo-sama," Tetsuya whispered, continuing the healing infusion, "I will have you back on your feet before the storm ends, then we can get the information we gathered to Sotaicho."
Ichigo groaned again and his golden brown eyes opened.
"Ugh," he muttered weakly, "Wh-what th'hell happened?"
Tetsuya smiled down at him.
"Ichigo-sama was quite impulsive," he explained, "You seemed to forget my ability, and when you saw the quincy guard grab me, you forgot that I can shift from one waterform to another very quickly to either attack or escape. You didn't need to intervene. You only ended up giving away your position to the quincy, and getting hurt."
Ichigo grinned ruefully.
"Ouch. But, you're right, Tetsuya. I forgot that. I'm used to healers being…"
He paused for a moment, blushing at the rudeness of what he had been about to say. Tetsuya gave him a knowing look.
"You made the assumption that because I am a healer, I lack skill as a fighter."
"Sorry, Tetsuya…I," Ichigo began.
"It's all right," Tetsuya assured him, "I think a lot of people make the same mistake."
"But I should know better," Ichigo chided himself, "After all, I know about Unohana taicho. Even before we learned about her history, I knew she was formidable. It's just that I traveled mostly with Hanataro, who isn't really a fighter."
"I told you, it's okay," Tetsuya chuckled, "I won't hold it against you."
"Thanks, Tetsuya," the Shiba heir said gratefully, "for that, and for the healing."
He tried to sit up, but Tetsuya gently pushed him back down again.
"Ichigo-sama, you need to rest and eat. Your reiatsu is still painfully low."
"I'll be okay," Ichigo insisted, sitting up again.
Almost instantly, he groaned and started to sway. Tetsuya captured him gently and laid him on his back.
"Ichigo-sama, it's not good to be reckless while in this situation. We have critical information regarding the quincy encampment, that we need to relay to Sotaicho."
"That's why I need to get on my feet," Ichigo argued.
Tetsuya gave him a disapproving look.
"That is why you need to let me finish healing you, and also rest and eat before attempting to get up," the blue-eyed Kuchiki advised him.
"All right," Ichigo chuckled, brushing the sweat from his forehead, "You win. I'll rest."
"That would make my job much easier," Tetsuya said good naturedly.
Ichigo quieted, his eyes watching Tetsuya as he finished healing one area, then moved on to another.
"So," he said conversationally, "my dad told me that your elders are pressuring you to get married, kinda like they're pressuring me."
Tetsuya smiled and nodded.
"For years, they tried to pretend I didn't exist," he explained, "Well, except to decide that if I wanted to be Byakuya-sama's bodyguard and healer, I had to completely devote myself to that, and so, was not allowed a place in the Gotei 13."
"That's stupid," Ichigo replied, shaking his head in disgust, "I was only just made heir, and I know of plenty of nobles who have important positions in their family and the military."
"I didn't really mind," Tetsuya assured him, "As Byakuya-sama's bodyguard, I did accompany him anyway, even on military missions."
"Really?"
Tetsuya nodded.
"I simply used waterforms so that I was not seen."
"Huh," Ichigo mused, "So, uh…were you there when I fought Byakuya on Sokyoku Hill?"
"I was," Tetsuya affirmed.
"Wow. I had no idea," Ichigo said wonderingly, "I mean, I guess you could have stepped in at any time…or finished me off after."
Tetsuya looked into Ichigo's eyes for a moment, then shook his head firmly.
"No."
"Why's that?" asked the curious Shiba heir, "Weren't you his bodyguard?"
"Yes, but I am also a family member, and I am sworn to obey the command of my leader. It was Byakuya-sama's wish that if you bested him fairly in battle, I must only make sure that he received healing after. I was ordered not to involve myself in the fighting, and not to avenge him if he fell."
"Jeez, that must have been hard."
"It was," Tetsuya agreed, "But I, of all people, know Byakuya-sama well…all of his history, his triumphs and his struggles. I knew his heart wasn't in that fight, but that he felt obligated to see it through."
"I guess I should be glad that you and Byakuya are honorable people," Ichigo said, looking relieved, "Otherwise, things could've come out very different."
He started to say more, but stiffened at the sudden sound of footsteps outside of the cave.
Tetsuya placed himself between the cave entrance and his injured comrade.
"Hey," Ichigo hissed softly, "let me."
"Stay back. I'm not done healing you," Tetsuya whispered back to him.
Tetsuya slid his weapon slowly out of its sheath, creeping towards the cave entrance and listening carefully. He breathed a command to his sword, and instantly, he faded from sight. He positioned himself carefully as a cloaked figure staggered in, out of the storm, stepping in behind the person as they paused, spotting Ichigo. Tetsuya touched his weapon to the person's back warningly.
"Whoa! Whoa, wait!" the intruder snapped, raising his hands and pulling back his hood to reveal a mess of blue hair and a handsome, partially masked face that, at the moment, was scowling.
Ichigo brightened.
"Grimmjow!" he exclaimed, "It's okay, Tetsuya. He's an ally."
Ichigo made a sound of surprise as Tetsuya reappeared, but wearing a deep frown and still holding his sword ready for attack. Grimmjow grinned.
"It's you," he chuckled, "How's it going, sweetheart? It's been awhile."
"What? You two know each other?" Ichigo asked.
"Yes," Tetsuya said in a clipped tone, "I met him while I was accompanying my cousin into Hueco Mundo during the Aizen conflict. I watched your battle."
"Huh? You did?" Ichigo asked, looking confused, "But…"
"Byakuya-sama told me to find you, as he sensed that you had sustained injury," Tetsuya explained. I saw that Orihime-chan was healing you, so I removed Grimmjow-san to a safe area and healed him."
"What? You healed Grimmjow? Why? I mean, I know you're a good person, but…?"
"I am a healer," Tetsuya reminded Ichigo, "I am sworn to heal any injured, regardless of who the being is."
"That's pretty stupid, healing the enemy, so that he can fight you more," Grimmjow scoffed.
"I confined him after…" Tetsuya began.
"Only, I broke the barrier and gave the little cutie, there, some appreciation for the TLC, you know?"
Ichigo scowled.
"You hurt Tetsuya? After he healed you? You r…" he demanded, drawing his own weapon.
"Fuck no!" Grimmjow spat, "I didn't rape the guy."
He gave Ichigo a little smirk and blew Tetsuya a kiss, earning a hateful look from the blue-eyed Kuchiki.
"I just warmed his lips a little," Grimmjow snickered, "I thanked him and I left him there. I didn't hurt him at all."
"If you ever lay hands or lips on me again," Tetsuya snapped aggressively, "you will lose them!"
"Whoa, guys, we're on the same side, okay?" Ichigo said, stepping between the two, "Tetsuya, put your sword away, and Grimmjow, don't piss him off. He's with me."
He heard Tetsuya make a little sound of surprise and Grimmjow snickered again, and a bright flush came over his face.
"I mean…he's not with me, with me. We're on a mission together."
"Great," Grimmjow said, grinning, "what're we doing?"
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Byakuya exited the first division office and stepped out onto the dark street, letting out a huff of piqued breath.
Tetsuya's first mission and that Shiba boy already has him in trouble. What was I thinking, recommending that mission to be given to them? Now…
He let out another unhappy sigh and headed back toward the sixth division, still brooding, but at least looking forward to being in the company of his red-haired fukutaicho again.
I was surprised when Renji did not take advantage of the recommendation to obtain the next open tiacho's position, but I suppose he knew that Rukia wanted to lead the thirteenth, in honor of Shiba Kaien and Ukitake Juushiro.
Still, was there something else in his decision? He did change in the way he looked at me after I took Gin's blade in my heart to save Rukia. He began to train alongside me, and his motivation increased. I still thought he needed to surpass me, but…then, the quincy conflict changed that. After Sasakibe Chojiro fell, Renji became quietly determined. He was at my back, everywhere I went, and he even defied orders and tried to assist me when I was injured by the quincy As Nodt. Even now, there is something in his reiatsu…in the way he looks at me…even in how he sometimes avoids looking at me.
But I dare not go too far down that path.
Renji is my fukutaicho and my friend.
We might both want something more than that, but I don't know how that would…
Byakuya paused as he reached the sixth division headquarters, and sensed Renji's riled reiatsu leaking out from within. His lips frowned, then turned into a genuine scowl as he sensed Kenpachi's reaitsu as well.
They are…in the office?
He turned the door handle quietly and slipped inside, shutting the door behind him.
He found himself unable to move or to make a sound as he spotted his fukutaicho, completely naked except for the tie from his uniform, which now covered his eyes. He was splayed out on his back across his desk, with Zaraki Kenpachi positioned between his thighs, thrusting heatedly and running his fingers over the bold, beautiful marking's on the redhead's heaving breast.
"Go ahead," Kenpachi said, his normally rough voice smooth, and sounding oddly close to Byakuya's own, "tell me who your master is."
Renji felt stars flash behind his blindfolded eyes, and he gasped as he began to climax.
"B-byakuya!" he howled, his hips rising off the desk, "Byakuya taicho!"
The two froze as Byakuya's reiatsu flared, alerting them to the presence of the now furious looking sixth division taicho.
"Shit," Kenpachi breathed, pulling the blindfold from over Renji's eyes, which rounded at the sight of his exteremly angry looking taicho.
"Oh my god!" Renji whispered, looking humiliated.
But he was sure that out of the corner of his eye, he caught a flicker of something other than anger in Byakuya's piqued expression. The noble glared hatefully at Kenpachi.
"Get out of my office," he said icily, "And if you ever set foot in this office again, you will either show proper respect for its commander, or you will br thrown out again!"
Renji grabbed the pieces of his uniform and wrangled them back into some semblance of order as the still smirking eleventh divison taicho left. He cleared his throat softly, waiting for Byakuya to say something. But when Byakuya's voice sounded, there was no anger left…only disappointment and a slight edge of bitterness.
"Go and clean yourself up, Abarai," he scolded his fukutaicho, "And no matter what that behemoth tells you next time, do not do something so disgraceful where anyone could walk in and see it."
"Y-yes sir," Renji managed, slinking into the hallway.
He slipped into his quarters and turned his back to the door, sliding down it's length and covering his face.
Fuck, that was stupid! What was I thinking? I guess I stopped thinking, because I was so desperate for something to show he's got feelings for me.
Now…well, I don't know what now.
The way he looked at us.
Was he looking at us like that because he wanted me, and it hurt him to see me with Zaraki taicho? Or was he jealous because he likes Zaraki taicho, and I was with him? Damn! I couldn't tell.
Renji opened his door and peeked out, then sucked in a surprised breath at seeing Byakuya standing by his desk, wearing a quiet, sad expression and touching a pale, gloved hand to the place where Renji's naked body had lain.
Shit, shit shit!
He does want me, doesn't he?
And now, I really screwed things up!