Chapter 4: Help

A/N: I cut out Renji's story, because, I'm putting it in the next chapter anyways, you'll know what story I'm talking about when you read this.

Status: REVISED

-X-

Renji woke the next morning with a content smile upon his face. Stretching, he got up from the large bed he was placed in and trotted across the room. He felt the cool breeze from the window hit his bare skin and sighed in content. The smile on his face widened when he spotted the two small koi in the bowl on his dresser, swimming in sync. Humming to himself, he picked up a small thing of fish food and placed a bit on his finger, curiously. Placing some of his hand into the bowl he watched as the red one ignored it. He frowned slightly and went to remove his hand, but then stopped. Ever so slowly the dark grey fish swam up to him hand and nibbled on the food. A somewhat bemused smile reached his features and he laughed as the small fish swam in circles around his fingers.

"Alright, as much as I'd love to stick around you all day, I don't think Kuchiki-san would be very pleased with that." As if knowing, the fish swam away and returned to playing with the other. Renji nodded and removed his hand, allowing the rest of the food to fall into the bowl. Wiping his hand on a small towel, a soft nock came from his door and he turned. Grabbing a kimono off a rack he pulled it over his body and tied it around waist quickly before answering. "Come on in."

He wasn't expecting it, he thought it would have been one of the maids or something, but his eyes widened ever so slightly by who entered the room. "Kuchiki-san!"

A small frown appeared on the others features as he looked up at Renji. "I thought we agreed that you would call me Byakuya."

"Oh, ah, yea. Sorry. Guess I sort of forgot." Renji smiled sheepishly to the other and rubbed the back of his neck before he blinked. Did he just blush…?

"Ah, well, yes. Good morning Renji."

"Mornin'." Renji rubbed at his eyes with his clean hand and reached beside him for a hair tie. Grabbing the small elastic, he placed his hair into a high pony before turning back to the other.

Byakuya nodded and coughed ever so slightly as he stepped forward. "I actually came in here to talk to you about something important."

"Oh?" When Byakuya nodded Renji sat down on the small clothed stool by his dresser to find some clothes while the other continued.

"Some of my associates are coming to lunch today, and I was wondering if that was alright with you."

"With me? Why would you need my permission? It's your house." Renji chuckled at the slightly ruffled expression on the usually stoic mans' face and shook his head.

"Well…I actually thought about that when you told me this the last time." Byakuya mused as he placed a hand under his chin in thought.

"I see how well that worked for you." Renji laughed slightly, but at the glare Byakuya shot him he swallowed and stopped immediately.

"If I may go on," Byakuya looked up at Renji and then let out a small breath. "I was thinking that, even though this may be my home, I think that while you are living under the same roof, you should also have some say. Whether or not I listen to you though, is up to me."

Renji rolled his eyes at the faint smirk on the others lips and snorted. "So you're saying, you'd like my opinion, but ya probably won't use it."

"Perhaps…"

Renji sighed and pulled out a long sleeved v-neck and a pair of jeans. "Well, I don't really care; you can do what you want. Ya don't need to ask me anymore."

"Hmm." Byakuya seemed to be thinking over something and Renji let him be.

Standing, he pulled off the dark blue kimono and set it aside. He barely registered the other who was now looking wide eyed at him with blushed stained cheeks, as he continued to dress, slowly.

Byakuya looked up as he finally remembered what else he had to say. He hated it when he forgot things; it made him look so insolent. When he opened his mouth to tell the other he found himself an eyeful of a tattooed back. Lean muscles that looked well attended to rippled slightly, like crushing waves. The tanned skin shone with sweat and he found himself blushing. Without his consent his eyes traveled downwards to follow the tattoos to where they ended on the red head's buttocks. The heat on his face traveled further and crawled down his neck. He found his mouth dry and swallowed as he blinked out of his stupor. "Renji…I was also asked if you would be there."

"Huh?"

Byakuya felt the urge to explode when the red head turned around, giving him full view of a toned torso and his—er, nether regions. He was glad that he could hide all emotions when the time called for it, and he straightened immediately.

"They want to meet me?"

"So it would seem."

Renji fell silent as he blinked at the other.

"Um…Do you mind…Continuing while you think?"

"Huh?" Renji squinted his eyes as a flustered look came over the other. He watched as Byakuya pointed and he looked down, noticing he was still naked, and not covered. "Oh! Aha, sorry." Renji smiled nervously as he rubbed at the back of his head once more. Bending over he pulled on his undergarments before standing up straight and putting on his shirt.

Byakuya watched as he tried to settle the small pang in his chest and tingling sensation in his loins. He felt odd and shifted slightly making him gasp softly at the friction. He looked down and his eyes went wide when he noticed the slight hardness in his pants. Snapping his head up he noticed the other was still midst of putting on his shirt and he moved quickly behind a dresser. He sighed as it covered the lower half of his body and tried to lean casually forward, resting his elbows on it.

Renji finished pulling the material over his head and looked back to see Byakuya not there. He raised an eyebrow, confused. He heard a soft coughing noise and looked more to his right where he spotted the other leaning rather uncomfortably on the dresser. "You ok?"

Byakuya's face flustered a deep crimson color and he glared slightly. "Of course I'm ok. Why wouldn't I be ok?"

"Woa, woa!" Renji held up his hands in defence. "Jee, don't kill me. Ya just look uncomfortable is all….And are you blushing?"

Byakuya found himself doing something he never thought he'd do. Sputtering for an excuse. "I-I…"

Renji smiled wider at the obvious disgruntled look on the stoic man's face and laughed.

"Why are you laughing at me!"

"Laughing? I'm not laughing."

Byakuya's eyes narrowed and he huffed out a small breath. He realized by arguing with the younger man that his little 'problem' went away and angrily stomped his way back around the dresser. Running a hand through one of the strands of hair that fell over his face, he calmed himself, going back to his usual stoic, demeanour. Why is it that I lose all calm when I'm around him? Is it because he's new to me, or is because he's…different. Byakuya chose not to go with either one of those, obviously not trusting his own judgement at the moment. "So what is your decision?"

"Well," Renji straightened as he yanked his hair, making the elastic hold it in place tighter. "I know it's up to me but, I don't really think ya want me there to embarrass you so—"

"You wouldn't embarrass me."

Those words made Renji fall silent and Byakuya cocked his head to the side, ever so slightly. A light flush appeared on the others cheeks and Byakuya stared curiously. "Did I do something to disgruntle you?"

"H-huh?"

"Well, it seems that you are the one blushing now." Byakuya smiled slightly at the look of shock that came over the younger boy.

"Tch, I am not!" Renji huffed and grabbed a brush, making his way to the large mirror that was above the dresser. Standing in front of Byakuya, he pulled the elastic out of his hair, and started to untangle the knots. "Ah, ouch!"

A small chuckle escaped the brunette.

"What's so funny now?"

"Well, it amuses me that you let your hair grow so wild, you can't even tame it."

It took Renji a couple of minutes to process that Byakuya was really calling his hair a wild forest, or something. "Well excuse me. Not everyone can have as perfect and soft hair as yours." Renji watched as yet again, a barely noticeable blush extended over the stoic mans features and he smiled in triumph. Starting to brush his hair again he let out a low curse as the brush got stuck. "…Don't even say anything."

"I wasn't going to."

Renji hated how well the other was able to mask his emotions and scoffed. Tugging to get the brush out of his hair, his eyes widened when he heard and audible snap. Shit…

"You just broke the brush."

"I can see that." Renji replied stiffly as he held on half of the broken item in front of him. Just great.

"Allow me…?"

Renji looked at the other questionably and nodded, allowing the man to come up behind him. "Sit on the stool." Renji did as he was told, sitting on the small ottoman. Sighing he relaxed his shoulders as he felt slender fingers brush gently against his scalp. "It's quite a mess you have here."

"You're telling me." Renji snorted. "It's always like this."

Byakuya's eyes widened a fraction as he gently combed his fingers through crimson locks. "Really? Even after you've brushed it?"

"Yup, it's usually like this by the next morning." Renji smiled as he looked at the other through the mirror.

"Interesting…"

Renji nodded and allowed the other fingers to run through his hair. He hummed as they started to massage and he wondered what Byakuya was doing. Cracking an eye open—even though he didn't remember closing his eyes, he looked into the mirror again and caught the peaceful look on the others face, that Renji had seen so many times.

The hands in his hair stopped all of a sudden and Renji followed the other with his eyes as Byakuya walked around him and do the dresser. He watched as the other opened a drawer and grabbed what sounded like, a few objects and walked back beside him. Renji watched as each item was set before him and he blinked at all eight different types of brushes. Jeez, and here I was thinking there was only two! A brush or a comb.

"Hmm," Picking up a bristle brush, Byakuya started to gently tease out each not.

"Is this gonna hurt?"

"I'll try my best to make it less painful for you."

"Uh, thanks..."

Byakuya nodded and continued to drag the wide brush against tough, crimson strands. Reaching forward, Byakuya pulled out the brush that had gotten stuck. Setting it aside, he grabbed a fine toothed comb and started at the roots, bringing it down the red heads back. His brows furrowed as the comb got stuck on a small not and looked to the other in the mirror. Renji's eyes were clenched shut, as if just waiting for pain and Byakuya smirked. Pulling it one quick, yet gentle swoop, the not came free. Brown eyes opened in surprise and looked up into his own, grey ones through the mirror. "Did I hut you?" He asked with the slightest of smugness.

"Ah, no."

"Good."

Byakuya continued to brush the red heads hair for a while and Renji found himself drifting off. If it wasn't for the door opening and Kaelyn, the maid coming in, he probably would have fell asleep in Byakuya's arms.

"Ano…Ichimaru-san is here, looking for you."

He looked up to see the other glaring and he found himself feeling sorry for the girl. He knew Byakuya wasn't glaring at her—it was probably because just mentioning the fox-faced man got Byakuya riled up. He should know. After the whole incident with Ichigo and his twin the other day, when they all left he tried to ask Byakuya about the man—which earned him exactly this. A cold, hard, glare.

"Ah, should I tell him to come back at another time?"

Renji watched as Byakuya seemed to think it over. He never knew what Byakuya would say. He definitely knew that Ichimaru creeped Byakuya out, hell, he creeped Renji out to. Renji wondered how that guys assistant, Ah, what was his name? I forget...I don't even remember what he looks like… He wondered how that man, who looked to be even younger than Renji, could put up with the guy, let alone fight back.

"I'm having a lunch appointment soon, so would it be so much to ask of you, to tell him to simply…how do I put this..."

"Get lost?"

"Hai, thank you Renji."

Renji smiled and he watched as the girl stood there. "Uh, sure…I'll just tell Ichimaru-san to take a hike."

"That works to." Renji found him and Byakuya speaking in sync and he blushed.

"Hai." With that she bowed respectfully and left, shutting the door behind her.

Renji went to stand and found himself pushed back onto the small stool. "What?"

"We're not finished."

"Not finished?" Renji ran a hand through his hair, and found it as smooth as silk, being able to glide all the way down from the roots to the tips, without any problems.

"No, we have to style it still."

"Oh, well I was just going to put it back up." He watched as Byakuya's nose crinkled slightly and his eyes narrowed.

"Or, what would your suggestion be?"

"Oh, nothing…"

"No no, I'm quite interested." He watched as the other placed a hand under his chin in mock-thinking position.

"I was thinking I could perhaps…braid it for you."

"Braid?"

"H—Hai…"

Renji was rendered speechless and stared at the other. He wants…to braid my hair? For some reason, the thought of the older man's slender fingers, styling his hair with precision and grace made him blush. Coughing to try and cover it up he looked back up to the man who was still staring at him quietly and answered. "Ah, sure. I mean, if you want to." He saw the others eyes sparkle slightly and sat back down fully on the stool. "Do what you want, it's not like I care." When he looked over his shoulder he spotted Byakuya rummaging through one of the drawers quietly, picking out some hair elastics. When he came back over, he pushed a headband through Renji's hair, making the red head crinkle his nose in disgust. "You want me to wear a headband with bunnies on it?"

Byakuya rolled his eyes and walked around and behind the younger man. "No, it's to help keep your hair back, while I put the braid in place."

"Oh..." Renji sat quiet after that, relaxing into the feeling of soft fingers gliding smoothly through his hair. Every time he looked up he could see the other smiling to himself as he picked up each strand and wove the long red hair together. For some reason, Renji was glad that he had decided to grow it out now. Even if it was for the fact he liked to see the content look on the others face. When Byakuya finally removed the headband, he stood from his chair and turned, his back facing the mirror. Looking over his shoulder, his eyes widened at what he saw. Three braids intertwined with each other, going part way down his back to make one long braid. He looked over at Byakuya and found the other staring at him quietly. "What?"

"Is it…too girly for you?" Byakuya spoke in a worried tone and it made Renji raise his eyebrows.

"Wha—No, of course not! Why would you ask that?"

Byakuya coughed into his hand slightly and looked away. "You just had a perplexed look on your face…And I thought that, maybe you didn't like it."

Renji snorted. "Nah, my face always looks weird."

Byakuya felt a slight heat rise to his cheeks, and he felt the urge to defend the red head. "I don't think you look weird…"

Renji felt his mouth go dry and as he opened it to say something the door slammed open.

"Ya know, it's not very nice ta tell people ta take a hike!" Gin walked in between the two and whined with a mock-pout on his lips.

"Ichimaru-san..."

"Now now, I told ya ta call me Gin, Byaku-chan!"

Byakuya's eye twitched as he looked up at the lanky man. "And I told you to call me Kuchiki-san."

Gin huffed and placed his hand on his hips. "Now what fun is tha'?"

"Ichimaru-taicho!"

Renji looked around to see the boy from the other day come running in, with a flustered Kaelyn behind him. Raising an eyebrow he watched as the pale blonde pinched the fox-faced man's cheek and yanked him down to ear level—effectively covering the man from Renji's line of sight. He would never get a good look at that guy, would he…?

Byakuya seemed as surprised with the blondes actions as he was, and Renji walked beside the older man. They both shared a shocked glance, and both backed away together.

"My deepest apologies, for my," Kira reached over and grabbed Gin's ear again. "For my taicho's lack of intellect, yet again. And lack of common sense."

"Hey!"

"It's fine…Just make sure he doesn't interrupt lunch. I believe Aizen-San and Ishida-San are paying me an important visit."

"I see…" The blonde nodded.

"Alaa~~ Aizen-sama's commin' over~"

"Yes, and you are not invited."

"Ahhh, how rude~!"

Izuru rolled his eyes and grabbed Gin by the sleeve. "We're leaving."

"Ohh~ But I didn' tell 'im what I came here to say~"

"You can do it tomorrow! Pardon us, Kuchiki-Taicho."

Byakuya nodded and Renji watched as the pair left through the door—Gin did so reluctantly, followed by Kaelyn, probably to make sure they actually left. When they were gone, Renji turned to Byakuya with a confused expression on his face.

"What?"

"Why did he call you Kuchiki-Taicho?"

"In my line of work, we have certain squads, who are assigned captains."

"Oh…Wait. Don't tell me he is—"

"Unfortunately, Ichimaru-san is captain of squad three."

"Ouch…"

"Indeed. It is a horrible position."

"So what about the blonde, he work there?"

"Yes, he is Ichimaru-san's fukutaicho."

"Oh. So that's how he manages to get along…well, how he manages to control him, somewhat….If that makes sense."

"It does."

Renji nodded and walked towards the door. Before he went to go downstairs to get ready he looked back to Byakuya and asked him another question. "Who's your fukutaicho?"

"Unfortunately, due to certain circumstances I am rendered without the use of a vice captain for the moment."

"I see…"

"Well, if that's all." Byakuya walked around Renji and opened the door, stepping into the hallway. "I will be in my room getting the preparations done if you need me."

Renji nodded and watched as the other walked silently out the door. Letting out a sigh, he now wondered if he was underdressed. After all, he was going to meet Byakuya's associates. He didn't want to embarrass him. Biting his lower lip Renji shut the door and turned around to find something more suitable to wear.

-X-

Renji fidgeted in his chair at the large table. He didn't know why he accepted to sit with Byakuya and his—er, friends? Maybe he was just curious. Nah, ya know ya just want to get closer to him. Renji scowled and flushed at his own thought, letting out a small huff.

"Are you alright?"

Renji could have sworn he jumped three feet. "Ahhh!" Turning, he craned his neck so fast he could have sworn something snapped. "B-Byakuya! You nearly scared me half to death." Renji sighed as he lowered his head.

"My apologies. Are you nervous?"

"Ah…Maybe."

"Well don't be. The two that are going to be here are more controlled than the people you have met so far."

"You mean Ichimaru?"

Byakuya shuddered at the name and nodded.

Renji gave him a small smile and sighed, leaning back in his chair. He wondered what these two would be like. From what it sounded like, Aizen had to be some powerful man. Even Ichimaru called him Aizen-sama. For that matter, he wondered why he had been invited at all…How did Byakuya's friends know about him? Did the man tell him, or maybe that girl that had brought him here did…

"Kuchiki-Sama, your guests are here."

Byakuya nodded once again and Renji watched as he left to go greet them. He wondered vaguely if he should go too, but decided against it. He knew he was going to make of fool of himself somehow—so why not put it off while he could? When he looked up he noticed a thin pale boy who looked to be about his age—if not a bit younger walk in, by himself. He raised an eyebrow as the man looked him over and walked around the table to sit across from him.

"Ishida Uryu."

It took Renji about five minutes to realize the other was introducing himself and mentally face palmed. "Abarai, Renji. Nice to meet you." He bowed his head respectfully and looked up to see a somewhat surprised expression on the others' face. Do they know that I was found on the streets then? Huh, maybe he's surprised I have some manners. Renji snorted to himself. Hell, if it wasn't for Byakuya, I probably wouldn't be acting this formal though…

"Nice to meet you…" Ishida blinked from behind his frames.

Renji watched as Ishida tucked some strands of hair behind one ear and pushed up his glasses. Is it just me…or do rich people only seem to have pretty friends…I mean, even that Ichimaru-guy could be considered good looking in an odd sort of way. He was snapped out of his thoughts as a tall man, with lean muscles walked in. His thick wavy brown hair was slicked back, making him look more demanding and sophisticated. Warm brown irises bore into his and Renji had to suppress a shiver as the man smiled and held out his hand.

"Aizen Sosuke, pleasure to meet you."

Renji couldn't help it this time and a small shiver went through his spine as the man's deep voice rumbled and sent tingling sensations all throughout his body. "A-Abarai Renji." Renji bowed his head slightly again, and shook the man's hand. "Nice to meet you." He cursed himself silently for being so disgruntled, but he couldn't help it. Rich people definitely only have good looking friends.

Aizen nodded and gave the red head a once over, before sitting down next to the other brunette and wrapping a long arm around the smaller man's waist.

Wait…are they..t-together? Renji's internal question was answered as the taller brunette leaned in close and nipped at the paler boy's ear. He blushed when a soft moan escaped the boy's lips and turned bright red. The man called Ishida huffed slightly as he pushed up his glasses and looked away from Aizen. Renji could vaguely hear, but he thought he heard him mutter something like 'Wait til we get home, you horny bastard.' Wow…when were gay men so open about that sort of thing? Not that he was against it.

He looked up and spotted Byakuya running a hand through his hair, which looked to be a nervous habit. Renji flashed him what he hoped was a reassuring smile and patted the seat next to him.

Byakuya felt a warm sensation flow over his cheeks and he ignored it. Going back to his usual stoic self, he stood up straight and walked around to sit beside the red head. They sat mostly in silence except for when the food came. They all started to talk about something to do with 'the soul society, incorporated' and Renji could only guess that meant their job. He ate quietly, and did his best not to make a fool of himself, spoke only when spoken to and sat up straight. Just when he thought they weren't going to ask anything of him, one of them did.

"So…Abarai, is it?"

"H-Hai."

"I was just wondering…" The brunette smirked, curling the one loose strand of hair between his eyes in a finger. "Do you have a girlfriend?"

"E-Excuse me?"

"You know…You're a fine looking man, I was just wondering. You can't be single."

"Ah…I don't really have a girlfriend."

"Married?"

"No…"

"Lover?"

Renji fell silent at that and a blank expression came over his features.

Byakuya spared the man a worried gaze and his eyebrows furrowed. Under the table, Byakuya placed a warm hand on top of one of the red heads that was fisted on his lap. Redish brown eyes looked up at Byakuya, emotionless and it made him worried. "Aizen, I think we should drop this." Byakuya spoke in a cold, monotone voice and the other frowned.

"Come now Byakuya, I'm just curious."

"But I don't think—"

"No." Renji interrupted Byakuya in the middle of his sentence and Byakuya could see the look of sadness etched in the younger's features. "It's alright. I...I don't mind." A small, nervous chuckle escaped the red head. "I sort of need to talk about this anyways…"

"But Renji…"

"It's ok." The red head gave Byakuya a sad, half smile and turned to the brunette who sat across from them. "You guys are strangers to me, so it shouldn't matter anyways. It's not like you know me on a personal level…That, and you seem like police officers—or detectives of some sort."

"Renji…." Byakuya squeezed the red heads hand in confusion. Renji must have been some guesser, because he was actually right in a sense, the soul society was a special task force that issued in unsolved crimes.

"Oh…did something happen?" Aizens voice was serious now and Renji could see the smaller one with glasses sit up straighter too.

"Well, in a way….He was killed."

Silence filled the room and both Ishida and Aizen's brows furrowed. Aizen reached to his suitcase that sat beside him underneath the table and grabbed out a pen and paper.

"You won't need that."

"Why not?"

"I was told, since this happened on the streets…that, we were poor…the police wouldn't do anything."

"Which officer told you that?"

"I don't remember."

"Renji…" Byakuya spoke slowly and when the red head turned to him he continued. "We are not just some other police force. We specialize in doing unsolved crimes, no matter who the suspect or victim is. It doesn't matter."

"Yes," Aizen continued and both looked over at him. "And since you are now a friend of a captain no less, this will be taken on anyways, if Byakuya chooses so."

Byakuya nodded and turned to Renji who now sat wide eyed and speechless. Am I hearing this right?

"You know though, if you sit quiet like that we won't get anything done."

"Indeed."

Renji looked up and looked from Byakuya, to Ishida and Aizen. Can I really repeat this…? "Well, uhm…I was kind of there and all…Won't I get in trouble?"

"Not unless you killed someone, which was not in self defence."

Renji nodded. He knew that. "Well uh…It's a long story…"

"We have a while, go on."

Renji looked at them with a worried expression. He didn't know if it was right. He was told by so many people, threatened by so many people, to keep it a secret. But would they find out? Most likely not. And even if they did, Renji was living with Byakuya now so he was fine, right? Letting out a defeated sigh, Renji nodded, and started to tell them what happened.

-X-

"We'll see what we can do."

"Okay…"

"Good night Byakuya, Abarai."

Renji watched as Byakuya bowed back to them and the two left the room. They stood in silence for a while as Byakuya shut the door. All throughout his speech of what happened; he felt a nervous pang inside his chest. He wondered how Byakuya took it all. It was a lot to take in after all, he should know. Byakuya walked past him and Renji followed quietly. They walked down the large hall he had before when he first came here and Renji stopped to stare out the glass door that led to the gardens. Out of the corner of his eye he could tell Byakuya stopped and was eyeing him. He had been doing it throughout the entire lunch. Well, it was more like an early dinner, because they were done not long after, but his story seemed to continue for ages. It was mildly dark outside now and if Renji looked up he could see small stars past the sakura trees.

Opening the door he took in a breath of fresh air and looked over his shoulder at Byakuya. "Uh…can we walk?"

The other was quiet for some time, his face expressionless and his emotions well hidden. He thought for the longest moment that the older was going to refuse, but he guessed he was wrong as the other walked towards him, and gestured for him to continue.

He nodded and walked out onto the soft grass, his bare feet sinking ever so slightly with the afternoon dew that had collected. He could hear the soft footsteps as Byakuya trailed behind him, and he smiled. He knew where he was going to walk to. He was going to take Byakuya the same place he took him when he first came here, and by all means, he would beat him back to the manner this time.

Walking up the large hill Renji sighed as he looked back at the older who was still behind him. Is he ignoring me now? Is it because of something I said? His brows creased in worry as he slowed down to let the other catch up. When Byakuya was beside him and they walked at a much slower pace, he took the time to eye the man over. He looked as though he was trying to mask his emotions, and it was working, if not for the slight shine to one of his cheeks, where it looked like a tear had been. Stopping beneath the sakura tree, Renji turned and faced the man who was now looking up at him curiously.

"Are you alright?"

"Why would you ask such a question?"

"Don't answer a question with another question."

"Don't ask stupid questions."

Renji sighed as he ran a hand through his hair and leaned back against the large tree. "It's not a stupid question."

Byakuya's eyes narrowed ever so slightly as he looked into golden brown irises. "I am fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I am; why wouldn't I be?"

"For one, I told you not to answer a question with a question," Renji chuckled as he stepped forward, stopping right in front of the older man. "And two," Placing his hand softly on Byakuya's cheek he frowned. "It looks like you were either crying, or holding in tears."

Byakuya's eyes widened a fraction before narrowing. "I was not crying."

Renji looked down at him confused and then noticed that he was running small circles with his thumb on the others' cheek. Removing his hand he blushed slightly before coughing to try and cover it up. "Sorry…"

Byakuya let loose a small sigh before turning. "It's nothing…Just that, your story, it resembles how my wife Hisana, had died."

"Huh?"

"She too, was killed in an accident that resembles your story."

Renji's eyes widened and his mouth hung open a fraction. "You mean—did he, I mean. Did the killer ever get caught?"

"No."

Renji swallowed and looked down at Byakuya. "So…"

"I know what you're thinking. I too, think that they could have been killed by the same person."

"So that's why they looked shocked when I told them what happened…"

"Yes."

"Damn." Renji walked up beside Byakuya, who was now making his descent back to the house. "So…what are they going to do?"

"I don't know, but they may get closer if they find more people who died in the same situation, don't you think?"

"Yea…So, we'll, just have to wait and see?"

"I'm afraid so. But perhaps I could take you there tomorrow, and see if you can help a bit."

"Really?"

"Yes, but I think you'll need a sword first."

"A sword?" Renji looked at the other, confused. However—instead of explaining or anything of the sort; Byakuya simply answered his silent question with three words.

"Yes, a sword."

-X-

To be continued.