A/N: Status: REVISED

-X-

Renji sighed as he plopped down on the bed, taking in everything from the soft mattress and plush pillows all the way to the silken sheets and scent of the fabric softener. Smells like sakura. Renji mused as he smiled softly to himself. Sitting up, the man let his gaze travel around the large room as he looked around. I remember something that orange haired guy said…thirteenth guest room? Renji let out a low whistle as he took in everything. This has gotta be the biggest damn room I've ever seen. And who the hell has thirteen guest rooms? Renji scratched the side of his nose, and winced— remembering that it was most likely broken.

"Tch, assholes." Renji looked up as the door creaked and a small girl walked in as she bowed her head slightly. For a moment, he wondered if she had gotten the wrong room—however it seemed like she knew what she was doing as she looked back up at him.

She looked up and smiled at him out of the corner of her mouth, cringing a little at the sight of his wounds. Slowly she made her way over to the red head and placed some towels and a light gray kimono with pink incrusted sakura petals beside him.

"Jee, the owner sure likes sakura huh?"

The girl giggled softly and smiled up at him from where she was folding the clothes. "That he does."

He? Renji thought in his head, his brows rising slightly. Of course he had heard the female on the train say that they were going to her brother's, but… Aren't sakura's a little…girly? Renji laughed as the image of a man in an apron, running a large house such as this, frolicking through flowers with lots of cute little animals behind him. Wait, what am I thinking! Shuddering, Renji watched as the girl straightened and turned to face him.

"Please disrobe and follow me." The girl stated calmly and handed him a beige kimono, turning to face the other way.

Renji blushed and coughed awkwardly as the girl stood in front of him. "Uh...C-Could ya leave?"

"I'm sorry, but I have orders from Kuchiki-sama to await here with you, until he has finished with his work." Renji could have sworn he detected a slight smugness to her tone.

"Kuchiki-sama? Is that by any chance the owner of this place?"

"Yes."

Renji watched the girls' back for a couple more minutes and sighed. He obviously wasn't going to get any privacy any time soon in this place. With a roll of his eyes he started to undress—even if he was a bit hesitant. Slowly he slipped the beige kimono over his injured body and cursed silently under his breath as the material rubbed against his wounds. The girl started to turn her head and he hurriedly tied up the robe, just in time for her to turn fully.

"Ready?"

He looked confused for a second, but nodded anyways.

She smiled and picked up the pile of his clothes in one hand, and the clean towels and fresh kimono in the other. "Come with me."

He followed her as she walked out the door and down the long hallway. He looked around and noticed the expensive carpet under his feet and the decorative wall designs that were paced around him. He stopped silently to gaze out clear doors that led out to some type of garden. Taking a few steps forward, he looked out into the night and spotted a lone figure sitting underneath a sakura tree. The man turned to face him and his eyes widened—if only slightly, at the sight. Clear pale skin that looked as though it were fine china, graced with the most beautiful features he had ever seen was what had met his eyes. Long raven hair flowed past the man's shoulders and it shone, almost as though it were smooth as silk, and almost teasingly as if it were taunting Renji to reach out and run his fingers through it. Redish brown irises met piercing gray ones and Renji froze. He got this sense of forbidden as he watched as the man seemed to be eyeing him with, what was it, curiosity?

"Sir?"

Renji turned and let out a confused sound. The girl just smiled at him knowingly and pointed to a large door. "Your bath is waiting."

Renji nodded and muttered his thanks as he walked into the spacious room, only half paying attention to where exactly he was going. Though the only thought he could muster in his mind, was who that beautiful man was. He felt as though he should recognize the man from somewhere, yet at the same time—he had never seen anyone like him in his life. Shrugging it off, Renji proceeded to lose the kimono as he stepped into the hot welcoming water; allowing the thoughts to drift out of his mind. Or, at least for the meantime.

-X-

Placing a delicate hand under his chin in thought, Byakuya watched as the red haired man who looked to be in his late teens or a bit older, walk past the sliding glass door. So that's him. Byakuya pondered to himself as the image of the man with wild red hair and tanned skin with black markings that would look atrocious on anyone else, but surprisingly seemed to fit the teen, ran through his mind. Hm, he looks loud and obnoxious but I'm sure it's nothing I can't handle. With the fait smugness of a smile appearing across the wealthy man's face, he stood from his spot under his favourite tree and began his decent back to the large mansion.

-X-

Renji sighed as he sank deep into the water. When was the last time I had a bath..? He thought to himself and went to stiff his armpit— covering his mouth, he gagged and put his arm down. Never mind, I don't want to know. He let himself sink back into the water, closing his eyes and allowing his crimson hair to flow loosely underneath its surface. He thought he heard the door open, but kept his eyes closed; allowing the silence to lull him. Sighing in irritation, Renji brought his hands down to cover his private regions as he heard footsteps approach him and he cracked an eye open—he really wasn't going to have any privacy in this place, was he?

"Ahh!" Renji jumped, his upper half coming out of the water and his hands reaching up to grip at the side of the tub as his eyes widened, shocking the person whose face was only inches from his own. Renji blinked as he looked into startled grey eyes and he flinched slightly. Swallowing slowly, he felt his mouth gape open and his eyes go impossibly wide as the man moved even closer, now only centimetres away. "W-What?" he managed to choke out and he watched as a confused expression graced the other man's features. He realized vaguely that he was bared naked in front of the man, but was too startled to do anything.

"Your nose." The man replied simply as he stared at the red haired man.

"Huh?" Renji reached up absentmindedly to touch his nose and he let out a groan in pain as he touched the slightly swollen and broken area. "Itai…"

Byakuya shook his head and grabbed the others arm, moving his hand away from his face. "This may hurt a bit." He explained as he reached forward and gently pressed his thumb and forefinger to the red heads nostrils.

"W-Wait!" Renji reached up and gripped the nobles pale wrist with both hands as he met grey irises wearily. "What are you going to do?"

"When one breaks their nose, you must repeat the action for the healing to take place."

"Oh…" Renji mentally face palmed and he swallowed, allowing the other man to inch his way forward. He was going to argue as to why the man was doing it now—I mean…Why not wait until after he bathed? Common sense, right? But he kept his mouth shut. He didn't know why he was allowing some complete stranger to invade his personal space, but he closed his mouth anyways. Feeling the soft skin of the man's hand gently touch his nose, Renji couldn't help but wince. Through lidded eyes he saw the other's brows furrow and he cocked an eyebrow. The man seemed to not take notice – or he just didn't show it—and continued to grasp his nose in between two fingers and press down gently.

"Are you ready?"

The smooth voice rumbled in Renji's ears and he resisted the urge to nod—after all, his nose was at stake here. "Y-Yeah," He let out a breath and opened his eyes, meeting slightly concerned grey ones. "Go for it." He stated with a slight cockiness and clenched his eyes shut tightly, waiting for pain.

Byakuya let his fingers slide up and down the broken nose and clenched it gently in between two fingers. The man seemed so different up close, than what he would have imagined. He sort of wondered why a man with a –seemingly handsome face—was wound up on the streets. He also, was quite curious as of how the man got into this position in the first place. Shrugging it off for the time being, he concentrated on the task at hand. Quickly he snapped his wrist, not once, but twice, setting the man's nose back in place.

"Ah shit!" Renji removed the man's hand and placed both of his own over his nose. "That fucking hurt!"

"Well, I said it might..." Byakuya's brows furrowed as he watch the man's eyes gaze towards him.

Renji mumbled slightly before sighing and leaned back against the tub. "I know."

The two sat in silence for a moment and the pain in Renji's nose began to settle down. Renji allowed his shoulders to relax and he kept his eyes closed as he lowered his hands away from his face. He wondered why the man was still there, or more so, why he wasn't doing anything to make the man leave. He felt a certain calmness radiating off him and it made him feel a little better. Cracking an eye open, he spotted the other. His face was relaxed with his eyes closed; the strange white hair pieces he saw earlier had vanished from the man's hair, allowing raven strands to flow loosely across his face. His posture was upright, but seemed relaxed as his hands lay gently on his knees.

Byakuya sat in silence and kept his eyes closed. He could feel the others eyes on him, but made no move to do anything. He wondered why he hadn't left the man to his business, and instead chose to kneel there on the floor beside him. He figured it was just because the red head somehow intrigued him, and he wished to know more about him. Although he thought that was a silly thought, considering this loud and obnoxious man would probably be nothing but lazy and good for nothing. Though…He could see something behind that, and wondered just exactly what it was that pulled him so close, no—more like lured him in, constricting and capturing his very awareness.

"Kuchiki-sama?" There was a quiet female voice at the door and Renji watched as the others eyes flew open, grey irises locking onto his own.

"Hai?"

"It's time for Abarai-san to get out of his bath, sir…"

"Hai."

Renji watched as the man closed his eyes and stood. Blinking, grey irises met his once again before the man turned and opened the door, leaving as the young girl from before entered the room. Renji let out a breath as he watched the man leave, barley hearing what the woman spoke, only choosing to nod when it seemed appropriate. He didn't mind as much as he thought—having the man sit there next to him. Wait…

"E-Excuse me?"

The girl stopped mumbling – he should really ask her, her name—and looked up at him. "What?"

"Did you say that was Kuchiki-sama, as in, the owner of the house? The one you told me about earlier?"

"Hai." She nodded and continued to unfold the grey towel for him to dry off with. He stared expressionless as he looked back towards the door. So he had just officially met the man who would be letting him stay there for the night, without realizing it up until now. He swallowed thickly and stood, allowing the girl to dry him off. Damn, it's a shame I'll have to go tomorrow. He mused. That guy looked kind of interesting.

-X-

Byakuya walked down the halls of the large manor silently, headed towards his room. Out of all the strays on the street, his sister sure happened to pick an interesting one. He looked back to the door in time to see the man of his thought walking out with his personal helper, Kaelyn. She bowed to him as she walked near and he nodded, dismissing her silently with his hand and she obeyed, heading off on her own. He watched as the red head blinked down at him, eyeing him curiously and he nodded down the other hallway. The man seemed to acknowledge his gesture and began to walk down the hall as suggested.

Renji looked to his left as the man started to walk in step with him. He wondered where they were going. He remembered one of the pictures on the wall and thought that maybe that the other was instructing him back to his room, but dismissed it, seeing the man stop in his tracks, bringing Renji to a halt as well.

Byakuya looked over his shoulder at the teen and nodded once more as he opened the sliding glass door, stepping out into the night. He walked slowly as he waited for the man to follow, and soon heard the silent footsteps in the grass as he did so. He continued down a large path, and turning right to head down a medium sized hill. He heard no objections from the other as he continued to follow, and stopped, waiting as the other approached his side. He pointed to a large sakura tree and waited as the man arched a tattooed eyebrow but sat beneath it anyways.

He didn't know what caused him to, but he felt the need to talk to the brash red head. Maybe it was because he had to, how do you put it—lay down the rules? Set the standards, so to speak. He wondered, briefly, why the red head even thought he was here. "Uhm…"

"Renji."

"Renji?"

"My name. Yours is..Kuchiki?"

"Hai."

Renji nodded and fiddled with the loose end of the kimono as he watched the other eye him. Slate grey irises began to rake over his frame and he fidgeted under the intense gaze. He wondered what he was brought out here for. Earlier he had a brief encounter with the older man in the bathroom and now he was brought out into this…garden, and for what? Renji looked over the man and noticed he seemed to be deep in thought. Maybe he doesn't even know why he dragged me out here' Renji internally shrugged and watched as the man let out a small sigh. For some reason he thought that was odd, coming from this man.

Byakuya stood and let his eyes slide close as he felt the others gaze on him once again. How should I put this for someone like him to understand…?

"Hey."

Byakuya's eyes opened and he stared down at the man who was now cross legged and smiling up at him. He felt a slight heat come to his cheeks but shrugged it off, and mentally scolded himself for it. "Hai?"

"Are you gonna sit, or am I just down here to look up at your pretty mug?"

Pretty mug? Byakuya's eyebrows furrowed at the comment and he watched as the guy shook his head and laughed slightly. "What's so amusing?"

Renji looked up at the other man and shrugged. "Nothin' you just look cute when you pout."

"I was not pouting." Byakuya glared and the man smirked.

"Whatever you say, Kuchiki." Renji moved his legs, so they lay in front of him, letting his hands sink into the grass behind him, to support his weight. "So ya gonna sit or what?"

Byakuya hesitated and closed his eyes, slowly moved to stand a little in front of the other, but on an angle so they weren't directly face to face. He sat down reluctantly on his knees and let his hands fold gently in his lap. Opening his eyes to look at the other man he noticed a tattooed eyebrow was arched, and arched one of his own. "What is it now?"

"Why do you sit so formal?"

"Why do you sit like some stray mutt?" Byakuya retorted.

"'Cause I am a stray mutt." Renji shrugged as he muttered under his breath and turned, letting his face look the other way as he watched his hand fiddle with the grass.

Byakuya's brows furrowed again and he cocked his head slightly. "Gomenasai. I have offended you." Bowing slightly, he closed his eyes.

Renji blinked and looked at the man who was now bowing before him. "Huh? No you haven't. Besides, I get it a lot, so it's nothing I can't handle." When Byakuya rose and still had an uncertain expression he continued. "And it's your house anyway; you can say what you want."

"I suppose…" Byakuya frowned slightly; he knew the man was right, but the look in the others face showed that it affected him somehow. And even though Byakuya didn't care much for the man, he still didn't want to hurt his feelings. Byakuya let out a breath and let his fingers curl around a small Sakura that managed to fall off one of the many trees and smiled slightly to himself as he twirled it in between his fingers.

"You sure like Sakura huh?" Renji mused, more to himself to the other. He watched the man's face take on a light pinkish hue and smiled slightly.

"Hai…" Byakuya looked up at the other and then placed the small flower back on the grass. Clearing his throat silently, he looked up at the younger and gave him a stern look. "So, I am going to explain about your stay..."

"Ah, arigato." Renji bowed his head slightly and smiled. "Ya don't really have to let me stay the night though, if you want me to leave I can." He didn't really want to, but he thought if he stayed there to long, he might get attached to the place. Especially that large bed…

"The night?" Byakuya blinked. "You're going to be staying much longer than that."

"Ha?" Renji's mouth gaped and he gave the man a confused look. "What do you mean…?"

"I am going to help you get back on your feet, so to speak."

"Pardon?"

Byakuya felt a pulsing at his temple and tried to stay calm. Honestly… "Don't you want to get off the streets—"

"No."

Byakuya looked up into the serious expression on the others' face. What brought this…? "I see…" He wished that he could just let the other leave and not have to deal with this. It really wasn't worth his time if he thought about it. You can't tame a wild beast, they are meant to be fearless. Byakuya mused to himself. The images of Rukia appeared in his head and he remembered the deal he had made with his younger sibling. But giving up and letting him go, makes me admit defeat.' His brows furrowed at that. And means that Kurosaki Ichigo… He didn't dare finish the thought. He knew the orange haired boy was probably best for his sister, but the man had the most outrageous mannerisms, and always brought trouble whenever he visited. But if I back down, it means that she wins…No, I can do this. It's just the matter of wanting to. Mind over matter really.

"So…I guess you want me to get out of your hair." Renji started to stand and stretched out his arms.

"No."

"Excuse me?"

Byakuya stood a well, facing the other and gave him a look that read 'You-will-listen-to-me-or-else.' "You will stay and allow me to train you."

"What?"

"It will be priceless to you, and you will be able to acquire the skills to allow you to live on your own with I presume, a steady job."

"But—"

"You don't have a choice." Byakuya finished for him, and received a glare in return.

"Oh really now?" Renji stood to his full height, towering slightly over the other man. He could see the others' gaze not waver, and he didn't move an inch. Stubborn bastard. These rich people think they can do whatever they want…

"I don't see why you are so reluctant on this offer. I am simply providing you with free training that will only help you. I would assume anyone living on the streets, who were almost beat to death and looked like they were dragged around some ally, not bathing for days would want to be able to have such an opportunity. But you however, are hesitant. I want to know why that is."

"None of your fucking business."

"Maybe we'll start with your grammar and language first..."

Renji scowled. "Tch, whatever. I'm leaving!" Renji walked around the other man, who seemed unfazed by his actions. He made his way quickly up the path they came, practically running through some of the trees, to see if he could beat the other back, to be able to change and leave quickly. Looking behind him, he didn't spot the other and gave a wide smirk. Must've lost him. Tch, slow bastard. Renji stopped abruptly before walking into the sliding glass door of the manor. In front of him stood Byakuya, a beautiful sword with a light purple hilt in his hand. The long blade that seemed to shine in the moonlight, having a light pink aura coming from it, a powerful sense to it, was placed only centimetres from Renji's throat. Renji swallowed, and felt the tip of the blade slightly touch his neck with the action. "How did you..?"

"You're slow."

"Shut up!" Renji's brows furrowed and he took a step back.

"Answer one question and I may let you go."

"May?"

"Depending on your answer, if it is liable, than you may leave. If not, I shall train you whether you like it or not."

Renji growled deep in his throat. "Jerk."

Byakuya stood still where he was, and then the others' shoulders relaxed. He slowly sheathed his sword and placed it back on the stand beside him. He didn't think he would have to resort to using it anyways, he felt his strength would be enough to handle this man. He only appears rough. Tormented on the outside, harmless on the inside.

"I'm not going to tell you…" Renji looked away, frowning. I don't want to tell you.

"Is it because I am a stranger?"

"No..."

"I see…" Byakuya moved to the side and allowed room for the younger man. "Then why do you hesitate?"

Renji looked up into grey irises that seemed…understanding. Not cold, like they had been, disconnected. Sighing, Renji ran a hand through his crimson locks, and stepped forward as he walked into the room. "I…Can't tell anyone…"

Byakuya didn't pursue the issue and nodded. "I understand."

Renji looked up into knowing eyes and felt his cheeks heat up as he walked with the other back into the heart of the large house.

"Although..." Byakuya stated as they reached the door of Renji's temporary room and turned to face him. "I cannot force you to stay. Well, I do have the power…"

Renji wanted to scoff, but the man seemed to be serious about it.

"But I wish you would allow me to help you. I see you hesitate, but I will start slow. You will have as much time as you need and we have as long as it takes." Byakuya went on locking eyes with the younger. Even though I only have three months… Byakuya's brow creased and he wondered why he was being so courteous.

Renji blinked at the others words and he let out a breath. "I...Alright."

"Hm?"

"I…will allow you to help me. On one condition."

Byakuya's brows furrowed more. "Hai…?" He was in no way expecting the comment that came out of the red heads mouth next. Maybe he was thinking to boldly, after all, when you're dealing with a rich man, money has to be involved right?

…Wrong.

"Tell me how the hell you got up here so fast!"

-X-

To be continued.