A New Home

*Now talk about Déjà vu* Renji thought as he once again watched Itachi face off against his Taicho. The two men were currently staring each other down. For the last few hours they have fought ruthlessly against one another. *Kuchiki Taicho, said it was to judge Itachi's ability before they start training* Renji thought bitterly *why don't I get training* not only that, but Renji was ordered to leave the vicinity the moment the two started training.

His captain has been very clear about not wanting any distractions, and given that Renji seemed incapable of keeping his thoughts private when it came to those two, he qualified as a distraction. However, Renji decided that he just had to see this. So he hid his spiritual signature and lurked in a nearby tree. And he didn't regret it *this fight is amazing* he pondered in awe *even though Itachi has never been trained in Reiatsu manipulation, he is doing great. It would have been too bad if kurotsuchi Taicho managed to get him* he thought as he remembered the way the man has pleaded with So-Taicho to let Itachi train under him. So-Taicho however, refused, promising Mayuri to consider attaching Itachi to his squad after his training is done. *what a fool* Renji mused as he watched the two men in front of him.

"You did fine" Byakuya started, breaking the silence, however, he didn't break eye contact with Itachi as he spoke, as it somehow seemed as if he was going to lose something if he did

"Hn" Itachi replied earnestly

*Did he just compliment him, he never complimented me* Renji exclaimed mentally

"However" Byakuya began once more "as I said before controlling your Reiatsu varies entirely from controlling Chakra. This is why you seem very tired at the moment. Accordingly, we will start working on your endurance". Byakuya said impassively.

"I understand. So what I'm lacking is endurance" Itachi confirmed

"Yes. I will not attempt to alter your fighting style to that of a Shinigami as I believe that your forte lies in your eyes. So all I will only attempt to teach you about the different tools that Shinigami use. It will be up to you however, whether to use them or not"

"Do you think I'll need them?"

"You are powerful enough as it is. However, learning them is a key element of becoming a Shinigami, even if you do not use them"

"And what are those exactly?" Itachi questioned curiously

"First you will need to master Kido" Byakuya said in monotone

"Kido?"

Byakuya didn't answer but made his way to stand next to Itachi. He then raised his hand and said "Hado No 31 shakkahō" Itachi watched calmly as a rays of red flames shot out of Byakuya's hand effectively obliterating all the trees that happened to cross their paths.

When Byakuya turned his gaze to meet Itachi's however, he was met by an unimpressed and uninterested glare. Byakuya raised an eyebrow.

"I see you're not impressed"

Itachi smirked

"It's not really that different from Jutsu's. In fact my fire ball jutsu is much more destructive than this" Itachi said confidently

Byakuya accepted the unspoken challenge and without saying another word he looked ahead again raising his hand one more time to do shakkahō. Next to him, Itachi raised his hands and did some hand signs, before putting his hands near his mouth. At the exact same time the two spoke.

"Katon Goukakyuu no Jutsu(Grand fire ball technique)" Itachi said as next to him Byakuya once more said ""Hado No 31 shakkahō" and just like that half the training ground was turned into ashes. The two then stared confidently at their handy work, each of them impressed with his own, as well as the other's technique.

"It's not more powerful than the Hado" Byakuya said as he mentally slapped himself for sounding so childish.

"In fact it is the superior technique, and you know it. Especially, given that I can't perform it as good as I normally did. Once I get enough training, there will be no way for that Hado of yours to even compete with my fire ball" Itachi said confidently maintaining an impassive monotone all the way through.

"Is that so?" Byakuya questioned and Itachi could swear he heard a hint of a mischievous challenge in his voice.

"Yes, as I said. My Jutsu's are superior to that Kido of yours" Itachi said nonetheless.

At that moment Byakuya flash stepped behind the still drained Itachi.

"Bakudo no 1 Sai" Byakuya said and just like that both Itachi's arms were tied up behind him. Itachi was surprised for a second; however he then regained his composure and smirked slightly. *very interesting* he thought as the force of the impact brought him to his knees. The raven haired Shinobi would have sensed that coming and avoided it under normal circumstances, however, at the moment he was drained. He has been training with Byakuya for hours and he had to admit that this Reiatsu thing is very taxing, even if he uses it to perform his own tricks like Jutsu's, it still takes its toll on him.

"You see. Hado is composed of two main components. Kidou or ways of destruction as well as Bakudo, or ways of binding" Byakuya said confidently as he stood above the Uchiha a victorious look making its way to his eyes. "This is the first and weakestBakudo. And look what it has done to you. This is why you need to learn how to perform as well as neutralize kido spells" Byakuya said unable to hide the schadenfreude that was now evident in his voice.

Itachi didn't appreciate that tone. So he slowly turned to meet the man's gaze. The second Byakuya stared in the Uchiha's eyes he witnessed them go from Onyx to crimson and he was brought down to his knees as a surge of pain ran through his body. When Byakuya opened his eyes again he found himself mere inches away from a smirking Uchiha.

*Oh Kami , They're so close* Renji said as he saw his captain drop to his knees

"An advice for later" Itachi started "If you intend on gloating, make sure not to look me in the eyes when you do so" he said sweetly. Byakuya on the other hand did not respond. He was too busy staring in Itachi's eyes. They were now back to their original onyx color, however they seemed somehow more entrancing than they were when they were glowingly crimson.

"I see. So your eyes don't merely allow you to predict you're opponents' actions, they also give you some sort of power over them"

"Yes. I meant to trap you in an alternate dimension for a while, but given that I still don't have full control over my Reiatsu I was incapable of doing so" Itachi said honestly

"An alternate dimension?" Byakuya questioned, still not moving away from his position close to the Uchiha.

"A dimension fully controlled by me" Itachi explained "You'd have been helpless" he whispered in a raspy voice moving as close to Byakuya as it was physically possible to do without touching him.

Renji's eyes widened. He couldn't really hear the conversation between the two men but he could see how close they were. And how close they were becoming by the second *what the hell is that* he mentally screamed *and why the hell won't Taicho pull away*

Said Taicho smirked for the very first time in a long time. "you are clearly overestimating yourself Uchiha"

"I am?" Itachi questioned playfully

"Yes. After all, even after being brought down by your measly attack; I still have your arms tied behind your back" Byakuya said dangerously, as Itachi's attention was suddenly brought to the fact that his hands were still tied. "Your attempt at escaping me was futile" Byakuya finished confidently.

*he is right* Itachi mentally agreed *even though I put all my remaining Reiatsu in this attempt at hurting him enough to release me, he didn't for a second lose focus and thus he maintained his hold on me* Itachi conquered bitterly.

Byakuya on the other hand drew away from Itachi, and stood up. He then stood behind Itachi who was still crouching on the ground. Byakuya put both his hands on Itachi's shoulders and pulled him to a standing position. *what the hell is he doing* Renji questioned as his Taicho's actions grew weirder and weirder by the second.

Said Taicho then released the binding spell that was keeping the Uchiha hostage. He did so without removing his hands from Itachi's shoulders. Thus forcing Itachi to keep facing away from him.

"Now we will start your Kidou training" Byakuya said blankly as he moved even closer to Itachi, so that the man's back was now resting on Byakuya's chest. Itachi on the other hand hid his emotions skillfully. He kept staring forward as if everything was perfectly normal. Itachi was more than interested to know what Byakuya had in mind. However, when it came to Renji, he was utterly shocked *what the hell is this all about. First they were almost kissing now he's hugging him, what the Fuck* Renji scream/thought, his face burning up. *This is too hot, but also infuriating* Renji said waving his fists at the sky.

Byakuya then held Itachi's hand and pointed it towards a nearby tree "we start with what I just did, Hado No 31" Byakuya said as he guided Itachi's hand, his Reiatsu flaring. *He's attempting to guide my own Reiatsu, using his* Itachi thought *very interesting*

"You need to concentrate. From this close proximity your Reiatsu will respond to mine. So pay close attention to what will happen" Byakuya spoke directly in Itachi's ear his voice as monotonous as ever. "Now as a beginner you will need to recite an incantation. Repeat after me; "Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bares the name of Man! Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south!" Byakuya said and Itachi repeated with ease. The instant he was done the same rays of flame shot out of his hand hitting a tree.

"Very good" Byakuya said without moving.

*He's hugging him! * Renji exclaimed his mind racing *He's teaching him and he's hugging him. Why the hell are they so close? Why is my Taicho hugging this man and not me, why?* "WHYYYY?" Renji said it this time out loud. Causing the two men to stare at the place where he was hiding. As a response Byakuya (who was still stoically maintaining his highly suggestive position behind Itachi), guided Itachi's arm and pointed it at the tree that was currently his lieutenant's hideout. Itachi took the cue and recited the incantation once more causing Renji to hysterically fly out of the tree in an attempt to flee the fire.

Renji fell, face first on the ground in front of the two men. Byakuya then stepped away from Itachi to stand right above his Fukutaicho.

"Ta-Ta-Taicho" Renji stuttered as he struggled to raise his head and face his superior "I can explain. I just came to see if you needed something after all your training. I arrived a moment ago. It's not like I have been here all along or anything" he finished *I'm screwed* he thought

"Abarai…" Byakuya started his face reverting back to its stoic mask; however he was cut off by Itachi

"Why were you screaming then?" Itachi asked with a feral smirk ion his face.

"What?" Renji asked blanching

"You were screaming, I believe you said "why". So why did you say that?" Itachi pushed on Renji expression telling him that he is up to something.

"I, ah, I don't know what you're talking about". Renji said bravely

"Abarai, we will talk about your punishment later" Byakuya said harshly as Renji cursed his stupidity *Why the hell can't I keep my thoughts to myself*

"Now let's go" Byakuya said leading the way out of the clearing which was in the middle of the squad six training grounds.

"But what about the training" Renji questioned

"We're done for the day" he said as the two men made their way over to him, falling in step with him. Itachi took this as an opportunity to discard his shirt. He was feeling really hot all day, however, with Byakuya wearing a full captain's uniform while training, he really didn't feel right complaining about the weather. So the moment they exited the clearing, Itachi removed his shirt. Renji who was on the other side of Byakuya couldn't help but look at the man. He was perfect, sweat glistening off of his perfectly sculpted body. *Damn he's hot* Renji pondered as he once again forgot everything in favor of ogling the Uchiha.

Itachi on the other hand smirked once more.

"Renji" he said one eyebrow raised. This snapped the red head out of his trance causing him to meet Itachi's gaze "Can I interest you in something" Itachi said seductively, ignoring Byakuya's glare.

Renji looked away quickly "No, nothing, I'm, ah, good"

"Abarai…" Byakuya started sharply but was cut off as the moment they walked out of the squad six barracks a perky woman came running their way.

"Hey you, Renji, where the hell have you been? This is the fourth time I come for you today. You weren't in your office. You need to finish this paper work for my Taicho, or he'll kill me" Rangiku Matsumoto said directing all her anger towards Renji, however her attention was soon drawn to his companions "Oh, Kuchiki Taicho, I'm so sorry" she said bowing respectfully.

"It is fine Matsumoto Fukutaicho" he said sending his Lieutenant a death glare "Go finish those papers for her and then you are to come to my house"

"You're house Taicho?" Renji said hopefully

"Yes, this is where Itachi will be staying, given that he is under my tutelage now. You are going to stay there too, to keep an eye on him at all times" Byakuya said matter of factly as Itachi raised an eyebrow but chose not to comment.

"Hai, Taicho" Renji said as he ran towards the main office. Rangiku would have made fun of her friend's enthusiasm if she wasn't so busy looking at Itachi at the moment. The man was looking back at her curiously.

"You must be that very powerful new Shinigami" she said getting way to close to him "I'm Matsumoto Rangiku" she added sweetly.

"Uchiha Itachi"

"Ah, even your voice is sexy" she exclaimed seductively

"Matsumoto Fukutaicho" Byakuya commanded, she turned her gaze to him apologetically

"I'm so sorry Kuchiki taicho. It's just he's so hot, I mean the two of you in the same place it's just…." She was interrupted

"We're leaving" he said as he walked away.

"Ah, sure" she said winking at Itachi who smirked in response causing her to sigh "Bye sexy" she said bluntly

A few moments later, the two raven haired men still walked side by side.

"You don't like her do you?" Itachi questioned

"It's not her" Byakuya replied in monotone

"Oh, you don't like women in general then" Itachi teased, however, his voice betrayed no emotion

"It's not like that" He replied after a long pause.

"Then are you dating someone"

"No"

"Then why not date her, she's good looking" Itachi said earnestly *I just wanna figure that guy out* he thought as he wished for a clear answer.

"That's a conversation for another time"

"So you're going to tell me"

"Yes"

So here you go, please if you like this story Review for me, cuz I'm starting to doubt myself here : ( (very very sad face) Even if you don't like it please review and tell me, I really wanna know what you guyz think. Thank you so much for reading.