Something was burning through his eyes, right through the nerves and into his brain. Renji brought his hand to his face, and the burning abruptly stopped, though the pain in his head didn't. Damn sunlight, he grumbled to himself
"Here." A voice stated, echoing through Renji's fuzzy and painful brain, while insistent hands pushed a cup into his grip. Obediently, he sat up and brought the cup to his lips, nearly gagging on the taste of the liquid that spilled down his throat. Slowly opening his eyes, Renji took in his surroundings. He was in his new quarters in the 9th barracks. There were boxes of his belongings stacked around the room, still waiting to be unpacked. Standing next to the captain's bed, was none other than his lieutenant. Shuuhei scowled down at him.
"You know, this is becoming a far too common occurrence. Even before you became my captain, I was still finding you passed out drunk in the graveyard, then making sure you were up and moving so you wouldn't get your arse fired." The dark haired man grumbled.
"Mm sorry..."
"Forget it. You have a meeting with Captain Yamamoto this morning. Finish your drink and get cleaned up." And with that, he turned and walked out of the bedroom.
Renji knew his old friend was worried about him, but without the sake he just couldn't sleep. He'd tried many times to sleep, but without the sweet, numbing effects of the alcohol, the dreams kept returning, and so did his tears. Pushing those thoughts aside, Renji dragged himself out of bed, swallowed down the last of the hang over remedy, and headed to the shower.
Being summoned to the 1st Division Barracks would make just about any shinigami at least a little nervous, and Renji was no exception to that. He had no idea why the Head Captain wanted to see him, and neither did anyone else, it seemed. It was always an ominous sign when that happened. He waited at the front doors a surprisingly short time, before being invited inside, and directed to a smaller room to his left, instead of the large chamber where all the captains meetings were held. A small meeting, even worse, he thought. The officer politely bowed Renji through the door, and departed.
"Head Captain Yamamoto." Renji bowed politely to his superior. The old man's arms were completely covered in bandages, and he sat in a wheelchair. An attendant from the 4th division stood inconspicuously at the back of the room, behind his prestigious charge. Although the Head Captain could no longer fight, he had not been relieved of his post. Months ago he had taken over the role of Central 46, and the new system seemed to work, so no one had seen need to change. After all, there was nothing wrong with the Head Captain's mind, and his experience was unrivalled.
Renji took a look at the other occupants of the room. Soi Fon, the now one armed, Captain of the 2nd division scowled at an inoffensive spot on the floor; Ikkaku, having finally admitted to having achieved bankai to his superiors, had recently taken over the 5th Division captaincy, kicking and screaming the whole way, was leaning against the wall; Byakuya Kuchiki stood formally to the side, perfect posture and marble facial expression in place.
"Captain Abarai," The old man addressed him, "I have a task in the material world that you must complete."
Renji stood still on the spot, watching his superior intently.
"I believe that you are relatively close to one Ichigo Kurosaki." It wasn't a question. "I have been informed that the substitute shinigami is currently unable to fulfil his duties in the purification of hollows in Karakura. You are to take over his duties while he is indisposed."
"What you mean 'indisposed'?" Renji asked suspiciously. He couldn't figure out what this task he was being assigned to have to do with the strange audience he was standing in the midst of.
"Lady Yoruichi has passed information on to the 2nd Division captain regarding Kurosaki's condition." Well that explained Soi Fon's presence. "And it is the duty of Soul Society to continue to protect the living. I am giving this job to you as I have been informed by your former captain that you have a friendly relationship with the young man," That explained Kuchiki, "And so you have been selected for the task."
"Okay. When do I leave?" Renji simply agreed. He didn't know what else to do, and maybe he wouldn't feel so lost anymore if he had an actual mission to occupy himself with. There remained a surprisingly large number of high level hollows wandering around, so there'd hopefully be some good hunting.
"Told ya I didn't need to be here." Ikkaku grumbled, following Renji's easy acceptance. The red head shot a quizzical look at the bald captain, but the other wasn't forthcoming.
"You will be leaving this evening. I suggest you attend to your division and prepare for your departure. "Yamamoto ordered, though not quite as stiffly as before. "You are dismissed Captain Abarai." Renji bowed respectfully and hurried to exit.
Tiredly, Renji completed the last of his paperwork for the day. One more signature and he'd be done. A knock sounded on the office door.
"Come in." He called, signing the last document with a flourish that only the final piece of the day deserved.
"Ikkaku." He greeted, as the bald shinigami closed the office door behind himself.
"Ya know why I was at that meeting this morning?" Ikkaku asked, shrugging uncomfortably in his new white haori. Somehow, the more clothes you put on the guy, more his lack of hair stood out. Renji nearly laughed out loud at the thought, catching himself in time to avoid starting a fight.
"Well, they wanted me to convince ya to go, if ya hadn't have agreed." He continued. "See, we all been worried about ya. And the higher ups didn't think you'd be willing to leave since ya sleep in the cemetery an' all." Renji sat in shock, wondering what was up with everyone.
"I have to do my duty, Captain Maddarame." Renji spat. "And Rukia's dead and buried, so there's not much use in me sitting around here." Now even Ikkaku was in on the act of not letting him grieve in peace. Screw them all, he thought. His old friend sighed, shaking his head, and then left without another word.
Renji placed his head in his hands, willing back the tears that threatened at the mere mention of Rukia. He tried distracting himself with thoughts about his upcoming mission. He wondered what the head captain had meant by 'indisposed'. Having not been told just made Renji mad. Anger he could deal with. So he fixed his mind on anger at the old man for withholding information, and he felt more himself, even if he didn't usually like scowling so much.
He packed some clothes, picked up the guitar he'd brought back from the living world before the war, and headed for the senkaimon gate. There at the gate was Captain Kurotshuchi and his lieutenant, Nemu, seemingly to be waiting for him.
"Captain?" Renji inquired, while Nemu quietly opened the gate, her usual expression of subservience fixed in place. Kurotshuchi ignored him, and walked through the gateway after his hell moth. The young captain rolled his eyes and followed.
Stepping out of the portal, Renji found himself in Urahara's basement training grounds. It looked like the place hadn't seen much action since Chad's training before the war. There was even dust on the senkaimon frame. It made Renji wonder just what had happened in the living world since the war. Wasn't Ichigo even training anymore? And what about Chad and Ishida?
"Ahh, perfect timing!" Chimed Urahara, smiling in his all too knowing manner. "I just got out of the binding kido two hours ago. I really hope dear Soi Fon feels better now."
"You remain a very unpleasant man, Kisuke." Kurotshuchi stated by way of greeting. Urahara merely fluttered his fan innocently.
"I assume that you have my payment?" Urahara asked after a moment. Nemu reached into her robes and pulled out a glowing jewel on the end of a fine chain. The man in the hat delicately took the object from the lieutenant's hands, and held it up into the light.
"Excellent. I assume everyone knows where they're going, and I don't have to show anyone the door." He placed the object into his pocket and turned to stroll away. "Oh, and Mister Freeloader, I haven't been able to get in contact with Kurosaki yet, so you should head over there." Renji bit his tongue to stop the retort he desperately wanted to lash out at the smug bastard with. Using that unwanted nickname in front of another captain was just plain rude. He turned his head, and saw that both Kurotshuchi's had already returned to the Soul Society. He turned and hurried to catch up with Urahara.
Back in the shop, Renji replaced the trap door over the basement entry.
"Hey Urahara, do I get a gigai?" The red haired captain asked.
"Yes, yes. It's in the storage room where you left it." He older man replied absently, looking again into the 'payment' object he had been given.
"And what is that?" Renji couldn't help asking. The question seemed to snap Urahara out of his reviere.
"Being the sentimentalist that I am, the only payment I requested for my help in the war, was the return of my dear daughter's remains." He intoned innocently, "Now, off with you. I'm a busy man." With that, he hurried off to some other room in the back of the shop, leaving Renji to retrieve his gigai on his own.