A/N: I got bored and decided to write a Bleach fic. Set 5+ years after the current Anime story line. As a general rule, I assume they are speaking in Japanese to each other so therefore do not need to add in any extraneous bits. The only time I use it, is when there is no English equivalent.

A/N 2 I also changed the way Rikichi addresses Renji, as I realized he should probably use Sensei rather than Senpai, given how far above him Renji is.

Thanks for the reviews they always help the "process."

Enjoy

Disclaimer: I own nothing probably not even the idea.

Chapter 3: Taking the Dog for a Walk

Captain Kuchiki watched his sister primp and pomp herself in her mirror. Her new kimono perfectly fitted. Too bad she planned to spend the evening sitting in the dirt watching fireworks. It was Doll Festival after all and she always spent the night with Renji sitting by the river watching the fireworks. He never went, not that they hadn't invited him but frankly the idea of spending an evening around thousands of single women and their conniving mothers was about as appealing as spending the evening listening to Kenpachi singing Chinese operas.

The best part of the whole thing really was that it cheered Renji up. His lieutenant had been crabby, brooding, and snappish for weeks now because Rukia was dating that overstuffed skin sac of uselessness, Shigeru. But for most of the day he had been giddy and practically walking on air. He knew he really should talk to the man about allowing others to affect his moods so easily but frankly he just couldn't be bothered. And besides, maybe he should be talking to Rukia about not neglecting her friends just because someone else was paying attention to her.

He couldn't help but soften his expression when he saw her secure her hair with a purple and white hair clip. He still remembered what a fuss that thing had caused.

3 years ago:

Byakuya watched his Lieutenant fidget nervously, alternately bouncing his long legs up and down and tugging on his hair. He waited patiently for whatever explosion the younger man was about to make. Over the years, he had become far better at reading Renji's moods, not that it was hard. The man had virtually no ability to hide his true feelings or true intentions but even still. Byakuya was correct almost down to the second of Renji's voice breaking the silence.

"Sir, can I ask you something?" He didn't look up, making Renji stew.

"No, apparently not," Byakuya droned. One day he would break the little worm of prefacing all his actions with a request for permission. That was how servants and commoners acted, not men he was personally preening to be a captain, though sometimes he wondered why he bothered.

Undeterred, Renji sat in front of his Captain and started again, "would it be ok with you if I give Rukia a present for the Doll Festival?"

"I was under the impression that you gifted her with flowers every year," still not looking up. Every year, even during their estrangement, Renji would leave a bouquet of purple flowers for his friend. More than once, the redheaded rogue had even snuck into the Kuchiki manor to leave them by her door step. Byakuya would have been angry about it but he couldn't resist how happy his little sister would look upon seeing the scraggly bunch of wild flowers. Over the years, no amount of hot house flora or cultured roses could make her eyes light up the same way. He suspected it had more to do with the giver than the actual gift.

"True, but this year I wanted to give her something in addition to flowers," he looked down and pulled out a small pouch from his sleeve and handed it to his captain. Byakuya opened it revealing a purple hair clip that looked nearly identical to the one Sode no Shirayuki wore. "I know it's just wire and glass but I thought she would like it," Renji stammered, "if you don't think it is appropriate for me to give it to her, you can, I just wanted her to have it." Renji seemed to think he needed to fill Byakuya's silence with his own voice. "Stupid I guess, huh, if you got it for her it would be gems and real gold." Still he remained silent, slightly in awe that his seemingly dimwitted second in command remembered so clearly what Rukia's Zanpakuto looked like. He of course remembered in excruciating detail how she looked even as he had sliced her in half and she contracted back into a broken sword, not one of his better moments.

"I'm sorry, sir, never mind, I should never have presumed," Renji continued. Byakuya always found it vaguely amusing that Renji could face down Espada and Captains with strength and daring but turned to a quivering ball of anxiety, when faced with any member of the Kuchiki household.

"She'll love it, Lieutenant," he handed the clip back to Renji, who beamed happily at him.

He had been right, as he watched his second in command hand the small pouch to Rukia later that night. She had gazed at it, silent for so long Renji started to stutter an apology for giving her such a cheap gift. His moronic rambling became even more pronounced, when she looked up, with tears in her huge eyes. "Oh god, I'm sorry, you hate it so much it made you cry."

He had reached for the hair clip, intending to take it back and she slapped his hand away. "Stop apologizing, you giant oaf, I love it" She shot him a wavering smile through her tears then slowly and deliberately wrapped her arms around him, pressing her face into his chest. "It's perfect, it's absolutely perfect, Renji," she had whispered, so low he almost missed it. About that point was when Byakuya became resigned to the fact that he had only been suspicious of before. One day he may possibly end up with an over-sized, red-headed brother-in-law, which was why he was training him to be a captain.

Present

"Are you sure you don't want to come with us, Nii-sama?" Rukia returned him from his trip down memory lane with her question. She was still seated in front of her mirror but appeared to be finished primping. He would never understand why he practically had to corral her like a horse and order her to dress in a kimono for a noble ball but for a yearly festival with a friend she had known for 150 odd years, she would work tirelessly for the perfect look. Ok, maybe he did understand, he just chose not to think about it.

Just then a servant knocked to let them know Lt. Abarai was there. She snatched a purple flower from the bouquet by her bed, a gift from said Lieutenant, and took Byakuya's arm. "No, my dear, you two go and have fun. Doll festival is your special night, after all."

They stopped in front of Renji, who bowed low and formally to the head of Clan Kuchiki, "good evening, Captain." He turned to Rukia and smirked. "Wow, little girl, you clean up nice."

"Ha, ha, very funny."

"Just kidding, you look great, way too good to be walking around with a stray mutt like me."

"Well Nii-Sama refuses to join us so I'm stuck with you, I guess." She grinned at him, coyly, "I do know what would help, though." She artfully pinned the purple flower from her bouquet to his chest, right in front of his heart. "There, not quite perfect but marginally more presentable." The smile he graced her with so was so soft and happy that it was nearly unrecognizable on the usually feral face. "We'll be off then, I'll see you tomorrow," She waved at Byakuya, who raised an eyebrow at Renji.

"I'll have her home safe and sound, sir, don't worry."

"Of course you will," he smiled evilly, more for show than anything. He knew Renji would lay his life down for Rukia before letting anything happen to her. That was one of the reasons he trusted his Lieutenant to escort her without supervision. "And Rukia could use a new maid or maybe we need a new gardener's aid," he droned, at Renji, who smiled and blushed. He took a deep breath once their laughing voices faded, trying to decide how best to spend his first free night in months. A good long soak, a good meal, a good stiff drink, and a good long nap sounded simply perfect. He allowed a real smile to come across his face just thinking about it, until he felt something begin to twine through his legs. Looking down, a long tailed black cat sat down and stared at him. So much for his relaxing night.

The two friends strolled through the streets heading towards their customary spot on the half wall, down by the river. It afforded one of the best views of the fireworks plus a good deal of comfort. Renji carried the basket of necessities, mostly snacks and sake, that the servants had packed for her so her arms were free to wave at passersby. One of the things that most bothered her about being a Kuchiki, was the celebrity status. Rukia was a private person by nature, though not nearly as bad as her brother, and she hated that everyone knew her and wanted to talk to her. Renji, though, was an excellent deterrent. Few were willing to get too close to her with a 6'3" guard dog with a zanpakto able to go into bankai following her. It still didn't quite stop eager men from handing her flowers though.

"Hey, Renji, are all the squad assignments worked out now?" She questioned, just to start a conversation. She had been spending so much time with Shigeru lately, she hadn't realized how much she missed Renji. It wasn't even that she liked the second son of Kyouraku that much but her grandfather certainly did. Ginrei was obstinate and opinionated as any old timer but he also still held a huge sway in clan politics. Only Byakuya felt like he could ignore the man's counsel. And for once, he had something nice to say to Rukia, that an alliance with the Kyourakus would be good for them.

"Yeah, at least the ones for the 6th are. Hisagi gave me some trouble and I had to call in a favor with Matsumoto so he would agree to give me one lady he had but I think we got a pretty good crop this time." He talked as he eyeballed anyone that looked their way for too long.

"Did Ukitake give you any grief? I know he keeps saying that he needs to do something to help his troops be better fighters."

"No, he didn't have anyone I wanted." Renji waved his hand dismissively and it annoyed her. Ukitake was a great captain and she wasn't about to let Renji not show him respect.

She punched him in the arm and glared at him, "why didn't he have anyone you wanted? You too good for the 13th now?"

"Geez, don't get all defensive," he rubbed his arm.

"Then don't insult my unit," she huffed and grabbed onto his arm while they walked. Soon they reached the half wall they usually chose to watch the fireworks. When they had been younger, they would climb to the top of a roof or a tree to watch them and they would imagine that one day they could sit in the Seireitei and watch. When that day came, they found themselves always drawn back out into the wilds of the Rukon for the night. The boys used to always make such a fuss about her and now Renji was the only one left so he always strived to be there for her. For them Doll Festival was about the bond they shared with each other and their shared history.

Once settled, Rukia hopped onto the wall and pulled Renji to rest between her legs. She then set about putting intricate braids into his hair, woven with the flowers the other men had given her. She didn't care one bit for what other men gave her, it was all about Renji tonight.

"Why exactly are you trying to make me look gay?" he asked as he noticed the small petals in his hair.

"Keep other women away from you." she joked.

"Like there are throngs of other women after me," he scoffed, as usual not realizing that there were.

"As a side note," she asked, as she plopped down to settle between his legs. "I wonder why Nii-sama never wants to come with us. I mean he gives me some super expensive gift every year and wishes me well, but never wants to come to the festival." She wondered aloud. Though things had changed drastically between them and he was much more open about his affection, he still refused to ever join them for the festivities or really ever go anywhere with them for that matter. He seemed to only enjoy hanging out around the house like some weird anti-social agoraphobic. Even Ginrei, who had been so unfriendly to her for so long was more willing to be seen in public with her. In fact, lately they had been on numerous lunches, teas, dinners, and afternoon walks with Shigeru. She couldn't complain about the attention, she just wished the Kyouraku son was more interesting.

"Do you blame him?" Renji asked, his mouth already stuffed full of dainty food the servants had prepared. "This is Doll Festival. Every single woman and their mother is out and about tonight. And he is the most eligible bachelor in the Seireitei. Him showing up is like throwing chum in the water with sharks. He'd cause a feeding frenzy that would kill us all."

She punched his leg, but laughed all the same. "You really think of women as sharks, circling a meal?"

"Well not around me but around him yeah. The poor guy can't go anywhere without having some lady throwing herself at him, sometimes literally." Ok, she had seen that; stupid hapless ladies pretending to trip or swoon in front of him to gain his notice. It was all quite silly. Then she realized he only said it happened to Nii-sama and grinned, poor adorable, clueless Renji. If he spent half as much time paying attention to the women checking him out as he did to the men eyeballing her he might end up as much of a whore as Hisagi.

"And they only look at my brother?" she joked.

"Sometimes they bother Kira too but he never really seems that interested in dating. Guess he's more concerned with his career right now." He shrugged and she again lamented how completely oblivious he was. How in the hell could he not realize one of his oldest friends was gay. Not just gay but gay and completely in love with him.

"Wow," she smiled, "it's a really lucky thing that you are good looking because sometimes you are just dumb as a box of rocks." She looked back at him and he tilted his head like a confused dog making her laugh even harder.

The conversation was cut even shorter by a loud call of "in coming," to which Renji jumped up, spinning quickly to catch a black and pink blur in mid air. He proceeded to spin her around, then pin her on the ground, tickling her mercilessly. "Hi Red, happy Doll Festival." The little girl squealed between laughs.

"Right back at ya' Pinkie," Renji returned, as the lieutenant from the 11th sat up wrapping her small arms around his neck and hugging him. All the 'big brutes' of the 11th spoiled the little girl but Renji was one of her favourites, even after nearly 6 years in a new unit. Rukia supposed it was because he acted like a big kid. She would never admit it to anyone, but she always found it incredibly sexy when Renji played with kids. It always made her think about having a family and children of her own. She wanted kids someday and at night she would wonder if her black hair would darken up Renji's fiery red or if they would be overly tall or short like her and Renji. She always imagined Renji as the father because frankly, she couldn't imagine loving anyone else enough to have children with. She supposed she should start thinking about it with Shigeru, since that clearly seemed to be what her family wanted but deep down it made her sad. Somehow, she just always thought it would be her and Renji against the world.

"Hey, why do you have flowers in your hair?" Yachiru asked as she tugged on Renji's braids.

"Rukia was trying to make me look like I played for Ikkaku and Yumichika's team." Renji joked.

"Oh, you would be so wonderfully popular if you did, Renji-kun. Too bad you only have eyes for scrawny girls," Yumichika drawled at him, while gracefully settling himself on the wall behind and beside Renji.

"Only if I could have you, Chi," Renji joked, and rubbed his check against the much smaller man's leg.

"Quit trying to flirt with him before I have to beat the hell out of ya' again, Abarai," Ikkaku squatted beside his prettier half, making Renji smile that evil smile of his that meant he was up for the challenge of kicking the shit out of someone. Rukia didn't particularly care for either of them. Ikkaku had never really liked her and was often rude, disrespectful, and even downright threatening towards her. However, she preferred him to Ayasegawa. The 5th seat was never outright rude like his partner but there was something so strange and cold about him and it creeped her out almost on par with Ichimaru. She had no idea how Renji was such good friends with them.

"You promised me ice-cream, cue ball." Yachiru jumped up onto Ikkaku's shoulders.

"More sugar is clearly what you need," Yumichika joked as he plucked the little girl off of his lover and took her hand. She immediately calmed down, smiling at him. It always surprised Rukia to see the way she acted around the weirdo but she supposed having been held captive together by the Arancar's for a few months must have given them some sort of bond.

"Bye-bye Red, Bye-bye Byakushi's sister," the pink haired terror waved as she dragged the two ranking 11th officers off to find ice cream.

Rukia and Renji settled back down until the next interruption came, this time, in the form of Hanataro and Rikichi. "Evening Sensei," Rikichi called to him, "Lady Kuchiki," he bowed formally to her.

"Yo, what are you two up to tonight?" Rukia amused herself by playing the unbound portion of Renji's hair. She noticed he started to unconsciously play with hers as well.

"Just out and off duty, checking out the local sites," the younger man smiled.

"Trolling for a piece of ass?" Renji quirked an eyebrow at his student and his friend.

"Something like that," he smiled and she was surprised at how much he had grown up the last few years but then again she supposed that war would do that.

"Gave up on Momo?" It was a well known fact that Rikichi had a bit of a crush on Lt. Hinamori and Renji never failed to tease him about it. It was made all the funnier by how close Renji and Momo were.

"Only for now, besides, I'm too young to be a one woman kind of guy." He looked her and Renji up and down before adding, "maybe when I'm old like you, I'll be able to settle down." She hid her giggle at the joke. She liked Rikichi, he was a street kid just like her and Renji and he had the attitude to match it. She knew Renji was the one that brought him into the Seireitei and encouraged him to become a Soul Reaper and as such, the younger man worshipped the very ground Abarai walked on. Didn't stop him from getting a good dig at his Sensei now and again, though.

"Very funny, so, who do you have your eye on?"

"That one," Yamada finally spoke up and pointed towards a group of young women, who were looking over and smiling. Rukia glared at them and they averted their eyes.

"Ah, 12th seat Takada," he mused, "she's one of Hisagi's," he tilted his head sideways for a moment then said, "I'll tell you one of my best pick up lines but only because you are my student."

"Does it work?" Rikichi looked skeptical.

"All the time," Renji smiled.

"So you used it before you were pussy whipped?" Hanataro of all people said.

"Please, Yamada-kun, don't be ridiculous," she waved her arm as if to scold him, "I've had him whipped since before we even came to the Seireitei." She finished with a mischievous smile. He yanked her hair in retaliation. She would have turned around and continued the fight, if she weren't in a brand new kimono. After spending weeks with Ginrei and Shigeru, it just felt so freeing and fun to joke and relax with her best friend. Almost like she had released a breath she didn't know she was holding.

"The point," he said loudly, "is that it works."

"Ok, what is it?" Rikichi knelt beside him and Hanataro leaned it.

"Nice shoes, wanna' fuck?" he said with a straight face and she had to duck her head down not to laugh. That was a horrible line.

"Really?"

"Really. It's all about the confidence." Renji smiled, "just try it." Rikichi nodded and the two friends tried to look cool approaching the ladies.

"You totally just sent him to an embarrassing defeat." She pointed out as she shifted sideways to watch.

"I know," he hugged her tighter, nuzzling her hair. She noticed that some of the women in the group seemed to slump their shoulders when they saw the gesture. Serves the bitches right, for trying check out her Renji.

"Then why did you do it?

"Because that's how guys show affection for each other, by finding new and exciting ways to humiliate the shit out each other in front of women." She laughed at him and his plan but stopped as soon as she heard a familiar voice.

"Rukia, I'm surprised to see out this far," Shigeru smiled at her, his face boyish and handsome. "But I'm pleased, it gives me a chance to introduce you to the other ladies in my life."

"Of course, Shigeru," she jumped up, smoothing her hair and Renji rose as well.

"Rukia Kuchiki, this is my mother Lady Kyouraku," an older women with narrow features and a pointy chin smiled. "And this is my sister, Tossa," an extremely tall and thin woman with a horse face bowed deeply to her. She returned the bows and waited for Shigeru to introduce Renji but he said nothing.

"I'm pleased to meet you, and this," she began when Shigeru talked over her.

"That is just one of Byakuya's men," he said dismissively and reached for her hand. She wanted to bat it away and tell him to leave her alone but training and her grandfather's wishes won out and she followed him down toward the river. Renji started to follow, "oh, you can wait here, I'll keep an eye on her." All that calmness she had earlier seemed to evaporate as she pulled her noble mantle of behavior around herself.

Renji seemed indecisive for a moment then sat back down, "I'll just wait here for you, Rukia," he said.

Shigeru's smile faded for a moment, "what did you call her?" he questioned then continued without an answer, "how dare you refer to the Lady Kuchiki so commonly, mutt. If there weren't ladies present I would thrash you for your disrespect." He seemed to wilt at the scolding at the same time she saw his hands clench into fists. If the man even raised a hand to slap Renji, the redhead would destroy him, that was if she didn't do it first, pompous prick.

"Don't worry, Renji, I'll be back in a minute," she called to him, purposely using his first name.

Shigeru led them towards the river, out of earshot for Renji. Of course he didn't, in fact couldn't know how sensitive Renji's hearing was and that they would have to go much further, if they didn't want him eavesdropping. "Disgusting trash," the man mumbled as they walked. "Really, Rukia, when I stopped by your mansion and Ginrei-dono said you were at the festival with a guard, I assumed you would have chosen someone with a bit more class." She ground her teeth at the statement. Renji wasn't her guard, he was her date and he had more class and charm in regards to things that mattered to her and Shigeru did.

Not to mention this whole situation was reminding her of something that had happened between Kaien and Renji 40 years ago. Her resulting actions had made her feel worse than anything she had ever done before or since, even killing Lt Shiba. "Renji is my friend and escort plus a Lieutenant, not my personal guard," she couldn't help but snap. Where fuck did this pretty boy get off insulting her best friend?

"Sorry, my dear, I guess we all tend to get very protective over our servants." He smiled at her apologetically and again reached for her hand. "I have a Doll Festival gift for you," he produced a beautifully wrapped package and handed it to her. She unwrapped it to reveal a finely made silk fan. "Uncle Shiro said that you preferred cold and disliked heat so I thought it would be a fitting gift for the coming summer months." He smiled at her again, light coming into his big brown eyes. She had to admit, he was handsome, very handsome and it was a thoughtful gift.

"Thank you, Kyouraku-san, it's beautiful." Renji had also given her a fan this year but his was made of bamboo and the ends were tipped with sharpened blades. One was a gift for a lady and the other a gift for a warrior.

"I'm glad you like it, Onee-san helped me pick it out," he beamed and smiled at his sister, who blushed. It was clear there was true affection there. He often spoke so fondly about the woman she was glad to finally meet her. Maybe he wasn't that bad after all but right now she wanted to get back to Renji.

"It's a very generous gift but if you will excuse me, I need to get back to Renji," she turned to leave and he reached out for her.

"Let me accompany you back, it is getting dark and I wouldn't want you walking alone." She almost started laughing at him. She was a freakin' Soul Reaper and even though she had not brought Sode no Shirayuki with her, she was more than capable of taking care of herself.

"That isn't necessary," she said.

"I insist," he took her hand and tucked it against her arm and she agreed just to be rid of him. As they crested the hill back to where Renji was, she spotted him with sitting alone, with his knees pulled up to his chest, looking at the sky. He looked sad and she wanted nothing more than to give him a hug and cuddle back up with him to watch the fireworks.

So focused on her friend was she, that she missed the unkempt child sneaking up on them. She didn't even realize there was a problem until she heard Tossa shriek, "that urchin stole my purse."

That was also Renji's first clue that they had returned, followed by "Someone call the guard, we'll have them arrested and their hands cut off," Shigeru raged, yet didn't not set out to catch the small child.

Rukia looked back at him pleadingly and he sighed and grabbed a few rice balls, flashstepping away to catch the stupid kid. It wasn't hard really, he only had to use one step to get right behind them, but they took off running as fast as their scrawny legs could carry them as soon as they saw him. He didn't bother calling but starting running after them. He knew nothing he said would help until he had them cornered. The kid ducked through two narrow building, that Renji had to turn sideways to fit through, then into a low hanging lean-to that he had to get on his hands and knees to crawl through. Finally ending in a very small shack that looked more like it belonged in the 50th district rather than the 5th.

He was met by the little brat swinging an oversized sword at him that he caught easily. He tried to stand up, and smacked his head on the ceiling, "God damn it!" he cursed, rubbing his head. He then looked over at the kid he was chasing as it tried to block a much smaller child from view. He could smell a third, unwashed and hiding child there too. They were all similar scented so he guessed they were related. Seven, maybe eight years old for the kid in the front, which he could now tell was a girl. The one in the back couldn't be more than 4 and clearly a boy.

She held out the purse at him and begged, "please don't hurt us, Mr. I'll do anything, just don't hurt my brothers." She looked at him with dark, frightened eyes. He knew those eyes because he used to wear them.

"I'm not gonna hurt you, geeze just relax." He sat down, blocking the door. It didn't matter though, he had their scent and anywhere they ran, he could track them. They looked unconvinced though so he decided to sweeten the deal. "Here," he held out the rice balls, "take them. All I want is the purse." She still looked hesitant even as her brother looked hungrily at the food. He rewrapped the food and tossed it closer to them, "just throw it over, if you don't want to get too close, I understand."

That worked and she tossed him the stupid purse. He could leave, go back and enjoy Rukia's company but he knew he wouldn't. When could he ever resist a stray? "What's your name?" he asked.

"What does it matter to you? You have the purse, you can go." The girl snapped at him.

"I was just trying to be nice, after all, you invited me into your house." He smiled.

"I didn't invite you and you ain't told me your name either, Mr." She had him there. "Alls I know is that you are a soul reaper and that you started chasing me."

"You stole some nob's purse, what did you expect. You're luckily it was me and not a guardsman." He pointed out, and then continued. "But you're right, I'm Renji, Renji Abarai, Lieutenant of the 6th." He bowed the best he could from his seated position.

"You're really a lieutenant," and that was what he had been waiting for, the last kid that was hiding come out, another boy, this one about six. "Is that really a zanpakto, does it have a name?" curiosity far outweighing fear now, the boy came close enough to almost touch him. He smiled but didn't encourage him closer. One it might spook him and two, Zabi didn't like other people touching him.

"Yup, his name is Zabimaru, and I think he' the best zanpakto out there." He watched them stuff the rice down their throats and eye him suspiciously. He didn't blame them. He wouldn't have reacted any differently. But then again no one had ever made him the offer he was about to make them. "So where are your parents?" he asked, they were all clearly related. "And you still haven't told me your names."

"They're dead, what's it to you?" the girl snapped.

"Sorry to hear that," he was not surprised. They hadn't been on the street long though, that was obvious. "they weren't thieves, I'm guessing?"

"Of course not, they were merchants. They got killed by hollows." The boy that was so enamored with him now defensive.

"Figures, if they were thieves they would have taught you not to target such posh nobles." They all looked at him like he grew a second head. "If you're gonna' steal to survive, you gotta be good at it. And rule number one is to pick your marks well. Don't rob someone so high up that they can rain a shit storm down that you can't handle, meaning, no robbing nobles. Two, don't get caught." He sneered. "You're better off taking the girl and the little kid and putting them out to beg because you don't have the fineness or the skill to be a good pickpocket.

"What would you know about it, soul reaper?" The girl again.

He smiled, "because I never did have any parents and grew up about 73 districts that way," he pointed away from the citadel. "Believe me, I know how hard it is to make it on the street. I had to lie, cheat, steal, and kill just to have enough for me and my family to survive. Which is why I'm going to make you an offer but first you have to tell me your names."

The youngest crawled out and looked at him appraisingly for a moment. He felt the first flickerings of spiritual pressure in the child. Zabimaru roused a bit, thinking there might be a fight. "Hariko," he mumbled and dropped his eyes. "It's nice to meet you Redji." Renji smiled and bit his tongue on correcting the kid.

The girl seemed to waffle for a moment then finally looked him in the eye, "I'm Seena and that is Shirako. Now what offer do you have?" She looked at him with distrust but not true fear. He felt his stomach uncoil a bit. This girl had not learned that she always had something she could sell. He guessed maybe that lesson came later in the 5th than the 78th.

He shook his head unconsciously and slowly reached into his pockets and retrieved a golden chit. "this is a pass into the Seireitei, but in order to get it, you have to come back with me and apologize to Lady Tossa," they met him with confused but hopeful looks. "The lady that owns this purse," he clarified.

"But what would we do when we get there?" She looked afraid that this opportunity would be yanked away from her.

He felt his heart melt and realized what a ridiculous softie he was, "come on, let's go talk to her and I'll explain on the way." He stood up, forgetting how low the ceiling was and smacking his head again. "Son of a bitch!" he yelled, and rather than scaring them, it seemed to make the two boys smile. Seena still looked worried though.

"Mr. take my brothers, let them go." She looked at the one chit and he immediately figured what she meant.

"All of you are coming with me," he held his hand out for Hariko to take, "you can't split up a family, it isn't right," he reassured them and started trying to think what he was going to have to do to convince Kuchiki to take the whole family. The Captain had given him permission to bring back a maid or a gardener's assistant, not an entire family but Renji knew he didn't have the heart to leave any of them behind. He would think of something.

As they walked, Shirako seemed to be full of questions, "what is the Seireitei like?"

"It's really pretty and clean, so you have to be really nice and honest in your work."

"What's being a soul reaper like?" the little boy took his other hand as they walked.

"It's hard work but you know you get to help people so it makes it all worthwhile."

"Why do you have girly flowers braided into your hair?"

Renji had momentarily forgotten that Rukia had braided flowers into his hair and he felt his cheeks flush. "Because guys do stupid things for gals they are in love with." He mumbled as they rounded the bend and saw the Kyourakus. They were talking to Matsumoto and Hitsuguya and looked quite angry. He caught the tail end of their conversation.

"And that Abarai thing probably only volunteered to chase them because he put them up to it so he could get our money. Do you know that he is trash from the 78th?" Shigeru ranted.

"I assure you that Lt. Abarai would not do that," Hitsuguya started.

Rangiku was the first to notice him and the children and she smiled at him in that weird half mothering half lecherous way of hers, "collecting strays again, Renji?" The three children seemed to freeze in fear at seeing all the soul reapers around, including Richiki and Hanataro. Seena and Shirako both hid behind him. At least he had their trust. She crouched down and smiled at them, and Hariko came forward to smile too but kept a death grip on Renji's hakima. Say what you wanted about her, but Rangiku was good with kids.

"Mr. Redji, is that the girl that put the flowers in your hair?" Hariko looked up at him and asked. He took a deep breath and refused to meet either Matsumoto's eyes or even worse, Rukia's.

"Ah, no, and Seena, shouldn't you be apologizing to Lady Tossa?" he stuttered, trying to change the subject. He handed her the purse to return and gave her an encouraging smile.

"I'm sorry ma'am, my brother was just hungry is all. I didn't mean no harm." She held the silk purse out to the tall noblewoman.

"Filthy urchins!" Shigeru snapped and raised his bamboo walking cane to strike he girl. She deserved it, Renji knew she did. He had gotten the hell beat out of him with canes, table legs, and fists for stealing when he was kid. But he just couldn't let it happen. These kids didn't want to be thieves, they just didn't have any other choice.

He blocked the strike before it landed with a still sheathed Zabimaru, even as Rangiku flashstepped the girl out of harm's way. He could hear the nue screaming in his head for blood and more than anything he wanted to give in but he didn't. There were too many witnesses. "You even think about hitting that kid and I'll break your goddamn jaw, Kyouraku." He saw the man open his mouth but even he could feel Renji's, the Captain's, and strongest of all Matsumoto's spiritual pressures rising and he backed down. Mats never would put up with anyone mistreating little ones.

"Well they had best return to whatever hole they crawled from." He tried to save face and Renji had to take a step back so he didn't pound his fist into the punks face.

"But Mr. Renji, you said we could go to the Seireitei," Shirako said.

"Hah, what would people like you do in the Court of Pure Souls," he laughed and Rukia put herself between Renji and him. Damn, she knew him too well because that man's face was just way too punchable.

"Oh but of course you are," she smiled and held her hand out to brush dirty hair from Shirako's face. "I need a new maid, and Nii-sama would like a new gardener's assistant, and I am sure I heard one of the cooks mention that they needed help with tasting in the kitchens."

She caught Renji's eyes over the children's heads and he mouthed, "thank you," to her.

"We'll take them up there, sensei. It isn't like I have anything else to do tonight." Rikichi said and gave his mentor a glare.

"Got shot down huh?" Renji smiled.

"Apparently your pick up line isn't as charming as you think?"

"What was it?" Rangiku asked.

"Nice shoes, want to fu," he started then looked at the children and waved his hand."

"Oh, that one's not so bad," she smiled, then punched Renji in the arm, "it worked on him."

"You people all suck!" Renji ranted but couldn't hide his smile and blush.

"Good night, sensei, I'll see you tomorrow," Rikichi waved and he and Hanataro lead the three away, telling them the story of how he met Renji because he tried to pick his pocket.

"That's was a really nice thing you did there, Renj," Matsumoto smiled at him.

"Don't thank me. It isn't my estate they will be working at. Thank Kuchiki and that huge staff he employs." He demurred, embarrassed by the praise. It wasn't like he actually did anything anyway.

"Yeah, but he wouldn't care, if you didn't." she winked and turned to follow her captain.

Renji stopped her. He reached behind him and pulled one of the flowers from his hair, a yellow one he hoped, and tucked it behind her ear. "Happy Doll Festival, chesty." He kissed her cheek. For all that she sometimes drove him batshit crazy, there was something about her that he liked, her heart. And her ass, she had a great ass.

"Right back at 'ya, legs," she ran to join Hitsuguya, leaving him alone again with the nobles.

"You know, you could probably still totally hit that," Rukia said from his elbow as they watched Matsumoto chase her Captain.

"Too much baggage," he answered not elaborating. He never had wanted Rukia to know about his casual affair with Rangiku but that woman had no concept of discretion. He found it slightly insulting that he was a notch in Matsumoto's bedpost.

They were all staring at him, making him feel self conscious. He scratched the back of his neck, and tried to think of something to say. "I hope your brother doesn't mind that I sent three people to him instead of one." He decided.

"I'm sure he won't even notice, much less care." Rukia moved to sit back down, pulling him with her.

"I'm glad. I just wish," he stopped, remembering who else was there. Shigeru sat on the other side of Rukia but she leaned against him, pulling his arm around her in the cool air.

"I know, you wish you could help them all." She looked up at him and smiled. "I know, I do too." And they cuddled together to watch the fireworks, not caring who else was around them. Doll Festival was about their friendship and no one could ever change that.

TBC