The events as they unfolded yesterday…

It was a letdown, to say the least, the missions they were sent to, and for someone like Renji Abarai who wanted more action in anything related to work, to be dispatched to the human world was punishment enough today. Konsō here. And there. About thirty or so cases with Pluses but surprisingly without even a single Hollow in sight, an unusuality, that even his taichou seemed bored beneath his cool exterior.

After performing the last Soul Burial for the day, Renji fell to observing his superior as he stood over the edge of the building where they had ended, the latter's thoughts carelessly drifting, the blue of the sky and clouds reflecting with a certain slowness in his slate gray eyes. Who knew what he was thinking, but to his fukutaichou he seemed to look entirely annoyed - especially annoyed - the frown on his face fallen more than usual.

But who could blame him? Ever since the String of Soul Society was rectified into the Universe, there had been order not only back home but also in the Human World and Hueco Mundo. The protection plighted by the Gods. They kept their promise, the one given when the shinigamis won the Blood War.

But then it meant, in exchange, less to do for all of them as now, even Hollows had become rare occurrences, the Hueco at peace in some way although no one's told them exactly what's going on now in that world.

Renji sighed.

Of course everyone thought the rest from the fighting, the harmony granted them after what had happened to Soul Society, was a welcome breeze. He agreed. The battle had been disastrous, the Quincies proving to be more than just resurrected memories of a bygone era, great adversaries who not only bore through the very heart of Seireitei and almost destroying it, but also challenged even the Gods for control over the Universe…

But then that was reckless even for those eternally calculating fiends - to attack devils in their home turf, especially those who could manipulate the dimensions and slaughter millions without batting an eyelash…

No one could have killed a monster like Aizen Sousuke-sama. And his princely two - Renji shuddered in recollection - they were like beasts on drugs with sword skills to match their ferocious appetites for blood and war. Never mind the fact that Ichigo-sama was aptly titled the God of War, so then it was technically no surprise…

"We're done here?" that question broke Renji's string of thoughts, but he'd remedied the situation with an immediate nod. "Then let's go."

His captain was as apathetic as ever, and even before hearing his second-in-command's response, had once more turned his back completely to him, walking on without waiting, his black hair and haori bearing the insignia of their division the only disturbed portion of his persona, fluttering at the sudden intrusion of wind.

Despite the rudeness though, the crimson-haired lieutenant still gave his reply, baffled, sheathing Zabimaru with a sigh, "Yes Captain."

His taichou was, as well, for some reason, quite angry at him since this morning. It was evident although the other had not told him directly. Renji didn't even know what was going on. He had no idea what had happened or if he had done anything wrong to deserve the cold treatment, well, the colder treatment compared to what he usually got.

If he hadn't known better, the crimson-haired lieutenant would say his captain was heartless: a being who always made himself out of everyone else's reach. Byakuya Kuchiki was too pure, too noble. Albeit Renji had gotten stronger, had progressed far from what normal beings could achieve, he still stood on a precipice that's a cut above and everyone, including his second-in-command, could only look up at the height.

Renji sighed again.

Okay, so it could be exaggeration. But then that's how it always felt. This shinigami who was perhaps the icy personification of spring always made him feel so inferior that he pushed and strived to be better than himself, aiming to surpass his taichou despite falling short still by leaps and bounds.

Yet he still tried. Again and again he tried.

Because the truth is, Renji believed that if he could even in the very least reach him, be it just to touch his feet on that lofty height, perhaps…the adjutant looked at the form of the being walking before him…perhaps he will also be able to reach his taichou's heart.

'He really doesn't have an idea.'

The sad part was that all these years, Renji had secretly fallen from that of admiration and into love, only noticing until late how desperate he had become to bridge that gap between him and his superior and how true it was that he was running out of ways to do so, almost wanting to give up.

'Taichou…?'

Byakuya could sense how crestfallen Renji had become, and was feeling utterly idiotic for treating the other like this since the incident earlier today. He just couldn't help it…

In their Gigais,they were but walking through the streets when suddenly, an accident happened: a human teenager not seeing the impending danger of an out-of-control vehicle, stepped in its way, nearly getting swept by the truck if not for the quick save of his lieutenant who had been the nearer of them to the scene.

But it wasn't the fact that Renji became a sudden hero, nor was the gratitude exhibited by the girl and her friends to him afterwards, rather, it was the fact his crimson-haired adjutant earned for himself a kiss of thanks from the human, which should be natural, but still managed to make Byakuya's blood boil.

He seethed, seeing how the girl wrapped her smooth arms around Renji's neck, pulling the latter in to bestow her token…lips on his fukutaichou's lips…the girl's body in an obvious sense of excitement which told the captain tales forbidden, of hot nights, could actually see Renji indulging this female of the species and loving it. The horror!

Byakuya was obviously jealous, angered as he scowled, scolding Renji in private afterwards even as the other had already admitted to refusing what his rescued princess had further offered as thanks. Again, Byakuya was obviously jealous, but he wouldn't cast his pride aside to admit the occurrence afflicted him somehow, choosing to give Renji a taste of his nonchalance. Something he was sorry for now because it seemed the latter had become apprehensive of him.

But how would he, a creature who couldn't even accept his own feelings, had fortified his beliefs into stone and would accept nothing else than that, an epicure of pure morality, apologize for being such a complete ass all because he witnessed the secret (most secret) object of his affections get…kissed?

It disgusted him. His unnamed, sacredly-harboured desires that is, because the point was he couldn't accept the fact he felt this way, and that he'd actually been looking with such lust at his fukutaichou for the longest time.

Oh what a shame he would be. If anyone found out that he actually dreamt of how Renji would moan under his fingertips, of how luscious it would be to have the other completely and totally at his mercy.

'Kuchiki-taichou! Aahhh!'

Byakuya's hands clenched, unclenched. His throat felt sore, tight, prompting him to swallow. This was insane! Imagine what would happen if he ever acted on these unnatural impulses. He would shame the Kuchiki name: imagine how Rukia would react, how the other captains…besides…

'It's not like he feels the same about the situation,' Byakuya thought.

A distance behind him, Renji told himself, "It's not like he feels the same about you. You moron."

Finally there was confusion simply, as they walked on, the raven-haired taichou paces beyond where the other was, but both trying to figure out for themselves exactly what was going on...