A/N: Alright, an update! Sorry for the lateness, it's been a crazy few weeks. I've been tied up with work and babysitting, pair that up with an acute case of writer's block, and you've got yourself a recipe for a slow update, so as a peace offering, this chapter is extra long.
Also, for some reason, I couldn't login to reply to reviews personally so I'll do it here.
Puti Puripi: You said you're hoping to see more RenRuki interaction… well, this is a RenRuki fic, so don't worry, it'll definitely be in the story.
dark-lelu: Thank you for your love and here is your update.
Disclaimer: Uh, Bleach is totally not mine.
Thank you all for your reviews and support, I really appreciate it. On with the chapter!
~*Chapter 4: Business as Usual?*~
Walking into her squad that next morning was like walking into her second home. Though she had taken her sister's place not but a few months ago, she already felt quite comfortable with her surroundings and fellow members.
But things hadn't always been quite this pleasant.
Her first day as a member of the 13th squad had been peculiar. None of the other squad members had believed she was Hisana's sister; not to say they denied the resemblance, quite the opposite really. Everyone thought she was Hisana herself.
All day, everywhere she went, all the other squad members referred to her as Hisana-sama. Hisana-sama. No matter how much she told them otherwise, no one would believe that she was actually Rukia Kuchiki. In the end, it had taken an announcement from Captain Ukitake himself to settle the matter.
Now, as she walked, well ran really considering she was the slightest little bit late that morning, she felt a sense of satisfaction run through her as the other shinigami greeted her.
"Good Morning, Kuchiki-san" one called as Rukia rushed by. "Running a bit late today are we?"
"Just a bit!" Rukia acknowledged over her shoulder.
She was headed to her Captain's office to get her assignment for the day. She secretly hoped she would be patrolling the outskirts of Rukongai that day. Nothing would better relieve her "new found stress" than slicing into the flesh of one of the many monsters that roamed the under populated areas between Rukongai and Seireitiei. As morbid as it may sound, Rukia loved the feel of the foul beats skin breaking beneath her blade. Too many times had she been attacked as a child to not enjoy ridding the world of them now. She wondered if Renji felt the same way…
Putting her morbid thoughts aside, Rukia paused outside the double doors leading to her Captain's office; she checked herself and her uniform for imperfections and straightened her katana at her side. Satisfied that she no longer looked like she had been running, Rukia pushed open the double doors.
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It shouldn't have surprised her, it really shouldn't have. Seeing her Lieutenant seated behind the desk of her Captain shouldn't have surprised her. And it didn't.
What did surprise her was the sight of their third seat, Miyako, perched on the edge of said desk, grinning and listening intently to every word that fell from Lieutenant Kaien Shiba's mouth. The two of them were so engrossed in each other that they hadn't even noticed Rukia enter the office.
It was the first time Rukia had seen them together like this. An aura of devotion seemed to float like a gentle breeze around them and filled the room with an invisible entity known only to the two of them. She couldn't help but notice the gleam of affection in Kaien's eyes as he gazed lovingly at Miyako. Rukia felt almost uncomfortable in their presence; like she shouldn't have walked in…Shifting her gaze to Miyako, she felt her lips turn upward slightly upon seeing the tall brown haired woman so obviously happy.
She deserves to be happy… Kaien-dono makes her happy…
Rukia was so caught up in observing the couple in front of her, that she hadn't noticed Sentaro Kotsubaki or Kiyone Kotetsu enter the room behind her…
"Aww look at the happy couple!" exclaimed Kiyone loudly, causing Miyako to jolt in surprise, effectively launching herself from her perch on the desk.
"Ko-Kotetsu-san, you startled me!" cried a now extremely embarrassed Miyako from the floor of the office. She was mortified to find that she and Kaien had an audience. Her beet red face portrayed that without fail.
Rukia was a little startled by Kiyone's boisterous entrance as well, but made no comment.
"Oh, Miyako-san, let me help you up!" came Sentaro's obnoxious voice as he made his way over to her.
"No! I'll help her up!" exclaimed Kiyone, rushing to beat Sentaro.
"Actually, I can-"
"No, I'll help her up." Interrupted Kaien, standing to his feet and coming around the desk. "I'm her fiancée after all."
"Shiba-san!" Cried an even more mortified Miyako. She was still a little shy about the whole engagement.
"What?" asked Kaien.
"Don't just say that out loud so nonchalantly… it's embarrassing…"
"Oh, that's so romantic!" came Kiyone's high pitched squeal as she clasped her hands together in front of her.
"Tsk, romantic..." Remarked Sentaro.
"Yes, romantic! I think Lieutenant Shiba is romantic. You got a problem with that?" retorted Kiyone fiercely, starring down Sentaro.
"Why do you still call me 'Shiba-san', Miyako?" asked Kaien, helping his fiancée to her feet. "It's not like nobody knows we're together… it's not a secret anymore." He added, his voice tinged with the slightest bit of pain.
"I know but-"
"Hey! What do you think you're doing, Lieutenant Shiba?" shouted Sentaro upon noticing what was happening. He turned away from Kiyone and took hold of Miyako's other arm. "I said I would help her up!"
"Unhand my fiancée, Kotsubaki."
"Sentaro! How dare you ignore me!" came Kiyone's furious voice.
As the commotion continued in front of her, Rukia began to chuckle lightly to herself. The sight of Kaien and Sentaro pulling Miyako back and forth between them and Kiyone's demands bouncing off the walls warmed her heart. Rukia loved this squad; they may seem a little dysfunctional, but they were family to her.
The chaotic moment was interrupted when a calm voice was heard from the doorway. Everyone froze.
"Good Morning everyone…" he trailed off as he took in the scene before him. "Wha...What's going on here?" asked Captain Ukitake confusion lacing his voice.
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Renji was always early, it was the only way to ensure that he would never be late. Unlocking the door to his office, he stepped inside and surveyed his new work space. It was a large room, though not quite as large as a captain's quarters, and contained a work desk and a huge floor to ceiling bookshelf behind it. Renji was still unsure of what he was supposed to put in there…
Releasing his katana from his belt, he set it into its holder next to his mahogany desk. He couldn't help but notice how the room still felt like it belonged to Lieutenant Shirogane…Shirogane-san , Renji mentally corrected himself. He was the Lieutenant now, and he had yet to get used to it. It seemed like only yesterday when the two men who would become so influential to his future stepped into his life.
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It had been a week since Rukia left, and the young Renji was finding life nearly unbearable. He missed her.
He couldn't remember a day when she wasn't pouring water on his head to make him wake up in the morning, or scaring him at night by hiding just around the corner and jumping out at him when he walked past. Laying on his small, lumpy futon this morning, he could hear her laughter echoing in his head.
He wasn't planning on getting up. Why should he? He didn't want to play with any of his other friends, they would only pester and tease him about missing Rukia. He didn't have any chores to attend to that day. It was his day off. He still didn't have a plan on how to find Rukia. He knew she was in Seireitei, but that was it.
He lay there for hours watching the sky turn from dark blue, to pale gray, and finally to the bright glow of morning. He could hear the orphanage coming to life around him, the sound of Baa-san starting breakfast, the other children going about their morning chores, and their complaints about still being sleepy dropped clearly into his ears. But the one sound he wanted to hear so desperately was gone.
Rukia was gone.
Gone was her loud tramping down the hall to his room. Gone was her shrill voice barking for him to get up and help with the chores. Rukia was gone, and laying there, taking in the morning rising around him, Renji began to realize that her probably wouldn't see her again. How could he? Those nobles had come and scooped her up out of nowhere. He had no idea which way they went, or even how far away Seireitei was. He couldn't leave the orphanage without his Baa-san knowing, and even if he did get out, he couldn't travel alone. He wouldn't survive that vast wilderness full of monsters. There was no way…There was no way…
As his thoughts continued to spiral around him, the young Renji heard a soft rapping at his door. It was one of the younger children telling him that Baa-san wanted him to come to the main hall. Apparently, he had some visitors. Not bothering to wash his face, the young Renji rose from his futon and followed the small child to where Baa-san waited.
He felt apprehension sink into him. The last time he had stood outside these doors, they had opened to reveal the worst news he had ever heard. What would they yield today?
He put his anxiety aside and opened the doors, coming to sit beside Baa-san, just as Rukia had one week ago. When instructed to do so, the young Renji looked up to see none other than the man who had taken Rukia from him.
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Liutenant Shirogane had never seen a boy that looked like the boy in front of him did. He knew immediately that he was special. His ruby red hair was striking, but even more so was the fierce glare he was giving Captain Kuchiki. It was almost too intense for someone so young; but behind that fiery gaze, Lieutenant Shirogane could see grief hidden. What had this poor kid been through? So many emotions were smoldering behind his eyes. Lieutenant Shirogane knew he had made the right choice.
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Renji couldn't believe it. This man had the gull to show up again? What could he possibly take from him this time? He already took Rukia, there was nothing left!
Even as these bitter thoughts flowed through mind, the young Renji couldn't help but feel the slightest bit of hope slipping inside him. Maybe… maybe this man was back to take him this time too. Maybe he would be able to see Rukia again after all.
But before he could ask any questions, he saw the man stand to his feet and the man next to him, who Renji just now noticed, did the same. Not knowing what to do, Renji turned to his Baa-san, but instead of her voice, he heard a stern one from above his head. "Come with us, boy."
The young Renji looked up to see the two men leaving the room. Hesitating for just a second, he stood and followed them out the doors of the main hall and down the corridor leading to the front entrance of the orphanage. All the while, he admired the look of the pitch black robes that they wore; he wanted to reach out and touch them, to feel the fabric between his own fingers. He especially couldn't tear his eyes away from the gleaming golden badge tied to the other man's arm.
Soon, the small group was outside the orphanage. Renji assumed they would be stopping there, but the two men continued across the dirt road directly in front of them, and into the open field across it.
Renji soon realized that the two men came to a stop. He stopped slightly behind them. He stood there for awhile, before realizing that they were waiting for him to catch up. He walked slowly up to them and watched as they turned to face him.
Even though Renji was angry, even though he felt as though he would never forgive that man for taking Rukia from him, looking at him face to face, the young Renji felt intimidated. He felt a lump form in his throat and swallowed it down with difficulty.
Finally, the man spoke.
"What is your name, boy?" came his steely voice.
"R-Renji… sir." He replied hesitantly. He wasn't really sure how to respond.
"You have no last name?"
"No, sir." Replied Renji, feeling oddly ashamed.
"I see... I am Byakuya Kuchiki, head of the Kuchiki Estate and Captain of the Sixth Squad of the Gotei 13. This man here is my Lieutenant."
Renji tore his eyes from the Captain and let them settle on the Lieutenant.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Renij. I am Lieutenant Ginjiro Shirogane of the Sixth Squad."
Renji couldn't help but notice how drastically different the two men were. Where the Captain was stoic and up tight, Renji sensed an air of ease and friendliness flowing from the Lieutenant, even with the little bit he said. He contrasted the Captain with his short light brown hair and soft hazel eyes in a way the young Renji had never seen before.
"Have you ever heard of the Gotei 13?" asked the Lieutenant, staring down at Renji with a look of amusement.
Renji had the odd feeling that the man was teasing him somehow. "Of course I have! They are the warriors that get rid of the monsters in the woods." Replied the young Renji indignantly.
"Oh! Well, excuse me! I didn't realize I was in the presence of such an intelligent young man." Said the Lieutenant, as he grinned down at him.
"Tell me Renji," came the Captain's cool voice, "What do you think of joining the Gotei 13?"
Renji felt a jolt of fear run through him. "Now?" he asked, panic lacing his voice. He heard the Lieutenant stifle a laugh.
"No, not now." Replied the Captain. "When you are older." Corrected Byakuya.
"But… I don't know how to fight…"
"Don't worry!"spoke up the Lieutenant. "Captain Kuchiki and I can help you with that."
"You can?"
"Sure. And if you become strong enough, you might even be able to be a Lieutenant like me."
"Really?"
"Lieutenant Shirogane," interrupted the Captain. "This must be his decision." He was not about to force this boy.
Renji turned his attention from the Lieutenant and focused on the Captain.
"If you were to chose to join the Gotei 13, there would be no going back." explained Captain Kuchiki in all seriousness. "You would lead a completely different life from the one you have now, and it won't be easy."
"It won't?" The young Renji questioned, feeling his earlier fear resurface. The Lieutenant had made joining the Gotei 13 sound fun, but maybe he couldn't really do it.
"No... but there are rewards." replied the Captain.
"Like what?" asked Renji, now listening intently.
"Status, wealth, comfort...power." answered the Captain, turning away from the young Renji and staring across the open field to the forest in the distance. "And you may even be able to see Rukia again."
Rukia! Renji mentally cursed himself for letting her slip from his mind for even a second. He had been so caught up in these two men before him, that he had forgotten that he was supposed to be angry... angry at the man before him. He had almost even began to trust him...
"Rukia..." Renji muttered to himself. "Do you know where she is? C-Can I see her, please?" he nearly begged.
"No." stated the Captain coldly.
Lieutenant Shirogane flinched at his tone. How could he deny the boy when he was so obviously in pain?
Renji felt like his heart was shattering all over again, until...
"Not yet. Not until you earn the right to be by her side again."
"H-How do I do that?" asked the young Renji.
"By joining the Gotei 13. You join, you work hard, and you will see Rukia again. But the decision must be yours."
Renji paused to think. His life would be different? That could be a good thing considering how miserable he had been the past week without Rukia. He would be able to learn how to fight and then he wouldn't have to be afraid of the monsters anymore. But most importantly, he would be able to see Rukia again... And when he did, he'd make sure they were never apart again.
Feeling the sun beating down on his bare neck, Renji realized something. This was it... This was it! This was the way! He felt his resolve harden again. This was his chance, the one he had been so desperately searching for and he had to take it.
"I...I'll do it." he stated fiercely, jutting his chin out and puffing his chest a bit. "I'll join the Gotei 13."
"Very well." replied the Captain calmly.
"Atta boy!" exclaimed the Lieutenant jubilantly, soundly patting the young Renji on the back. "I knew you'd make the right choice. What say you and I go tell your Baa-san the good news, eh?"
"O-okay." agreed Renji, somewhat surprised to see the Lieutenant so pleased with his decision. He fell into step with him as they made their way back to the orphanage. The Captain followed close behind.
"You're gonna love the sixth squad kid." spoke the Lieutenant. " There's no other squad like it."
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It was funny, Renji had no idea when he was a child how Shirogane had known what squad he would be on. But he found it all to clear now. Running his large calloused hands over the smooth mahogany surface of his desk, Renji marveled at how far he had come from that day. Captain Kuchiki had been right. It was not easy, but he made it through, and now he was being untied Rukia again.
Thought not in quite the way he had expected. He felt his heart race just thinking about it.
Looking back, he wondered how he could have ever been so naïve.
He had been trained and mentored by the head of the Kuchiki estate himself; instructed and guided by him. What other way could they have been united?
It wasn't that he didn't want to marry Rukia. He did. He was honored that he was chosen as her betrothed and he loved her...He loved her with every fiber of his being. But... how did she feel about him?
Judging from her reaction yesterday, he guessed she wasn't quite as thrilled with the arrangement as he was. Was she being forced into it? Did she even care about him at all? Or was this strictly business to her? Feeling his heart rate quicken again, Renji realized that she might not even be the same girl who was taken from him so many years ago...What if all his hard work had been in vain?
It was wonderful to have her within his sight again... but not if she despised him...
Still lost in his thoughts, Renji heard a knocking at his office door. It was Rikichi, one of the lower ranked members of the squad, informing him that Captain Kuchiki had arrived. Renji rose from his seat and made his way to the Captain's quarters to get his assignment for the day. He idly hoped he would be finished before he was to have dinner at the Kuchiki estate that evening. After all, he needed time to get ready... and still be early.
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"C-CAPTAIN!" came five very startled voices. Captain Ukitake had just walked into his thought to be empty quarters only to find it full of some of his most prominent subordinates making a ruckus... again.
He was running a little late that morning and, up to this moment, wasn't too apprehensive about it. He knew that Kaien would fill in for him like he usually did, but staring at the state of his office now, he began to second guess the quality of his squad management abilities. Perhaps his subordinates had a few too many liberties.
"PLEASE FORGIVE US, CAPTAIN!" they exclaimed in unison upon seeing the expression of shock painted on their sickly captain.
Then again, perhaps not. "It's quite alright everyone." began Captain Ukitake as he made his way to his desk. "I'm just glad to see you all so enthusiastic this morning. Lieutenant Shiba, any announcements for me?" he added as he made his way to his desk and took his seat.
"No, Captain." replied Kaien swiftly, stepping aside, out of his Captain's way.
"Good; then if you all will excuse me, I believe I have some paper work to catch up on."
"Yes, sir." They replied. Kaien, Miyako, Sentaro, Kiyone, and Rukia made their way out the doors, and just as Rukia was about to shut them behind her, their captain spoke once more.
"Oh, I almost forgot. Congratulations on your engagement, Rukia, Lieutenant Abarai seems like a fine match."
Rukia cringed. "Thank you, sir..." Oh lord, it's out.
She shut the doors. Turning to face her comrades was the very last thing she felt like doing.
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As soon as she did it, she wished she hadn't.
The look of shock on their faces was priceless. Rukia would have even found it funny had it not been her they were staring at with such disbelief.
Maybe if she feigned aloofness they wouldn't press her...
"What?" asked Rukia nonchalantly as she walked past the still gawking group... but she didn't get very far.
"You're getting married?"screeched Kiyone, appearing in front of Rukia seemingly out of nowhere. "You're getting married and you didn't tell us?" she added, grabbing Rukia by the shoulders and shaking her.
"Well, I-"
"Oh, Kuchiki-san, this is wonderful news!" came Miyako's sweet voice as she hugged Rukia. "When is the wedding? What do you want as a gift? Did you get your garment yet? Oh, how could you not have told us?"
"It's just that-"
"Congrats Kuchiki-" butted in Sentaro, patting Rukia on the head.
"Thank you, Kotsubaki," began Rukia, attempting to fix her hair and attire after being nearly tackled. "But it's really-"
"Well, well, well. Rukia Kuchiki is jumping the broom. I don't believe it!"
Rukia whirled around to face her instigator. "You're getting married, Kaien-dono, why shouldn't I?"
In truth, she didn't want to hear his answer. She still had a few mixed feelings concerning his and Miyako's engagement. She was hoping that her own would belay some of them, but that was proving false now, as a feeling of unease settled upon her. No matter how much she tried to down play it, Kaien's opinion really really mattered to her.
"I just can't imagine you wanting to get married is all." he replied.
"It's not uncommon for noble families to have arranged marriages. You of all people should know that, Kaien-dono."
Kaien caught her drift. "This is different," he retorted, walking past her to where Miyako stood watching the two and grasped her hand in his own. "Miyako and I actually love each other."
"Shiba-san!" cried Miyako, appalled that Kaien would say such a thing.
Though it struck a nerve, Rukia wasn't so surprised. He was right after all, they did love each other. That much was quite clear, and any doubts she might have had were erased when she walked in on them this morning. She and Renji on the other hand... well, she didn't know him anymore really. She knew a kid. Who was he now? Could she really gauge her feelings for him based on memory? And how did he feel about her?
"I can see that." Rukia replied cooly, mimicking her Nii-sama perfectly, as she turned to leave
"Oi, Rukia, I-" began Kaien, after much poking and prodding from Miyako.
"No, it's okay." Rukia replied, swiftly cutting off his apology. "I have duties to attend to. Excuse me." With that, she left the group, getting lost in the swarm of shinigami that roamed the corridor.
"Way to go, Lieutenant." remarked Sentaro, turning in the opposite direction that Rukia had went.
"I didnt mean to..." Kaien voice faded as he followed Sentaro.
"...We should give her a bridal shower..." Kiyone said to Miyako, both of them still staring at the spot where they had lost sight of Rukia.
"Yeah..."
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Needless to say, Rukia was more than a little upset by the time she reached her home. She had to double back to her captain's office, having not received her assignment the first time she went. She was sent to exterminate a few monsters on the outskirts of Rukongai, just as she had hoped, but she was so distracted that she ended up getting injured. She was sent to the fourth squad for treatment, and ended up having to leave early that day. The news, of course, got back to her Nee-sama and a carriage was sent to escort her home. Rukia hated carriage rides. She much more preferred walking in the fresh air.
Walking into her home, Rukia breathed in the fresh scent of waxed floors and clean linen. She tried to relax herself before she saw her sister. The last thing she needed at the end of such an off day was to upset her sister. After all, one upset Kuchiki was enough.
And Rukia held that position soundly.
She couldn't stop thinking about what Kaien said to her that morning. She knew he hadn't said it to hurt her feelings, nor had it been malicious in intent, but it still struck a nerve. He was right.
I t was plain as day how much Kaien and Miyako loved each other.
But what about me?
She couldn't say she loved Renji, no, that wasn't right; She couldn't say she loved "Lieutenant Renji Abarai". She had no idea who he was or what he was like. Did any remnants of the boy she left behind remain, or had years of rigorous training snuffed him out completely? And what about herself? She knew she wasn't the same girl who left that orphanage all those years ago. Would he find her changed too much? Would she find him changed too much?
In the end, Rukia decided that it didn't really mater.
They would be wed no matter what.
After what her Nii-sama and the Shirogane family had done for her, she refused to be disheartened. Even if she and Renji didn't love each other, Rukia promised herself right then and there that she would make it work.
As she made her way out of the front corridor towards her personal quarters, she passed by the dining area and just happened to take a fleeting glance inside. She noticed an extra chair and place setting and it dawned on her. They would be having a guest for dinner that evening.
"Oh, no."
Okay, before you all go ballistic, I know there was no RenRuki interaction, and for that I apologize. I swear, this chapter was supposed to have two more segments FULL of RenRuki goodness... but it was already so long that I thought I should save it for the next chapter instead. At least you know the next chapter will be ALL RenRuki goodness... hopefully.
This chapter was written to the song "Replay" by Shinee.
~*BONUS QUESTIONS!*~
Who does Miyako-san remind you of?
What do you think these "monsters" are?
And, last but not least...
Liutenant Ginjiro Shirogane, like him or hate him?
Thanks for reading and please review. :)
