Chapter 2

The next morning was the usual routine, wake up, brush teeth, eat, go to the sixth division. On the way there, Renji noticed some of the captains and lieutenants had already been released from the chains. These included Unohana, Komamura, Zaraki, and Ukitake. Mostly everyone else had made progress, minus Kurotsuchi and Sui Feng. Izuru, Hisagi, and Hinamori did not have to participate since they still didn't have captains. Renji was happy that he and Byakuya had at least made progress last night. The chain was proof, it was pretty long and shimmered a bit. But alas, it wasn't enough.

The day had flown by, and Renji actually finished all of his paperwork, and even helped Byakuya with his so they could both be paperwork free. They now walked home in a comfortable silence, and they passed a bar, one that Renji would usually be in right now, it was Friday night after all. He knew his captain didn't drink, but it couldn't hurt to try.

"Hey captain, you wanna go have some drinks? This place has good sake, I bet you would like it" Renji asked casually, masking his nervousness. Byakuya thought for a moment, and simply nodded and they went inside and sat in a private room with a few low tables and cushions. They took a seat, and Renji's usual drinking onslaught began. After about a half hour and 12 bottles later, both shinigami were pretty far gone, and anyone watching would have passed out from shock. Renji was his usual drunk self, laughing and slurring all over the place, but Byakuya was simply..well..not what Renji had expected. He was drunk, yes, but not as much as Renji. In fact, he had just ordered two more bottles of fine sake.

"C-Cap'n? Hows come yer so good at holdin yer sake? I didn't think ya drank much" Renji managed to say with minor slurring. Byakuya looked at him with hazy eyes and smiled. Yes, smiled.

"There is a lot you don't know about me, Abarai. I actually enjoy sake and drink it at the manor, though I don't make a habit of getting drunk" Byakuya responded calmly. He gulped down a whole bottle as if it were nothing, and Renji could only stare in awe. No body would ever believe this was happening.

"So..yer not even a bit drunk? Nothin? That's no fun, Cap'n" Renji huffed, crossing his arms. Byakuya stared at him blankly a moment, and then swayed a little before laughing drunkenly.

"Ok..now I feel it. Would you like some before I finish it?"

"Pshh..hell yes!"

"Ahaa..hey, don't drink it all, Renji!" At the sound of his name coming out of his captains mouth, Renji spit the sake out and coughed loudly.

"Did you just..man you must be drunk if you used my first name. Let's go home now, ne Cap'n? "

"Why not, Renji"

For a moment, he thought he heard something like mocking in his captains voice, but dismissed the thought and focused on walking straight. He and Byakuya stumbled home, giggling all the way as the chain dragged behind them, glowing gently. They fell into bed and giggled a bit more before sighing contently.

"Why haven't we ever done this before?" Renji asked, turning towards his captain.

"We have never been this close. Our differences in the past have interfered with the relationship and prevented us from being close"

"It's a damn shame, captain"

"It is, but now we can fix it"

"How can we do that?"

"By getting to know each other more, I suppose"

"Well, what would you like to know?"

"Hmm..what was it like living in Inuzuri?"

"Ah, it sucked. If I didn't have Rukia, I wouldn't have made it"

"I am still sorry for taking her away"

"It was for your wife, wasn't it? There's no need to apologize. If that wouldn't have happened, I wouldn't be here with you"

"True, but we also wouldn't have fought and I wouldn't have almost killed you"

"Ah that's ok, I needed a good ass kicking to inspire me to become stronger"

"To defeat me, ne?"

"You know it"

Both men laughed as the alcohol slowly wore off and they yawned.

"Before we sleep, I have to ask, what's it like being a noble?"

"It is..a great honor..but very tedious and exhausting. The rules are strict and sometimes I wish I wasn't a Kuchiki, but there is nothing I can do"

"Sounds tough, captain, but its made you a great captain and also a good man"

"You think that?"

"I know that"

"Thank you, Abarai"

"No problem, now let's get some rest. We'll need it for tomorrows hang over"

"You just had to remind me. Goodnight..Renji"

"Goodnight, captain"

'Byakuya..'

A/N: Yeah I know, a short chapter. Don't worry, the next one will be interesting. Remember to review!