Entwined – Secrets
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any Bleach character.
Warning: Some cursing, some possible OOCness.
Author's note: Just wanna apologize for the long time without updating, but I had to recover from my broken heart from the manga chapter 494. Not sure if you guys read it but... yeah... I was so down about it I wondered if I should stop this story. But I decided to continue! For the readers of this story and for the ShuuKira fans! Entwined has received amazing reviews that are my motivation to continue this story. Also my beta which is an amazing person, convinced me to continue. So this story is for all of you that read and have this story in your story alerts. And this chapter is dedicated to my beta because I know she loves ByaRen^^
For a second note I just wanted to say a few things I keep forgetting to tell everytime I post a new chapter:
This story is basically an alternative route, after Aizen's defeat. I'm trying very had to make the characters stay in character as much as possible. However, this is a romance based story, so they may sound a bit different at times. Most OOC so far is Kira, but no worries he will show his strong side too. Byakuya may also appear a bit OOC through the story, but let's face it - for Byakuya and Renji to work out, Byakuya has to become a little less stiff =D
Anyways, just wanted to warn ya about this . If you feel like I made some kind of unlogical/character mistake feel free to message me about it^^
About this chapter - This is a slower chapter, but I just wanted to make Byakuya in the human world chapter, this is mostly a filler to introduce Byakuya to the story. I can honestly say, that filler chapters are over and from now on we will have the direct drama and stuff.
Well, enough with my babbling, please enjoy the story!
This chapter was beta-ed by MazeWithoutEnd from AFF. 3
Chapter 6 – Jealousy
Byakuya
In all his life, Kuchiki Byakuya was what shinigami called a true inspiration. He had grown within one of the four great noble families, under the teachings of his grandfather Ginrei, the one that led the Sixth Division and the Kuchiki clan. He had proved that being part of a noble family wasn't about monetary power or social status, but what count was the strength within a person; he rose to the top on his own, with his own abilities and intelligence. Byakuya showed, that even though, he was destined, since he was born, to become the leader of his clan and the Captain of the Sixth Division, that he deserved such positions, because he worked hard to be worthy of it.
Byakuya was an inspiration, and a target of admiration, also because of his flawless work. Perfection was his most known quality. Everybody knew that, everybody expected that, and everybody tried to measure up to that. The nobleman knew that such acts of corresponding to his wishes and his perfect manners were done either because of fear or a hidden interest. Byakuya was no fool - he knew when he was being used, and knew even better the smell of fear.
That is why, in his entire life as a Soul, Byakuya only truly paid attention and admired – outside the Kuchiki clan -three people, the ones that made him the man he was nowadays. The first one was, no matter how much he hated to admit it to himself, Shihoin Yoruichi. She was the first person to treat him like a normal being, she was the first one ever to challenge him, to demonstrate him that he was just another person in Soul Society, that he wasn't the best or the greatest and that he had to train very hard to deserve a higher spot in his life – and of course to beat her in speed. He admired Yoruichi, because she taught him that a real shinigami must have goals in life, and must work hard to gain respect, because respect couldn't be bought with nobility, it had to be fairly earned.
The second person he admired was his late wife, Hisana. She showed him that money didn't mean anything, that everybody was the same, and that strength was something that came from the heart. From the moment Byakuya met her, he knew that he loved her. She didn't care if he was a noble or a shinigami. She defied him in so many ways, that the man knew with her he wouldn't need anything or anyone else, so he fought for her until he won her heart. He always saw Hisana as someone stronger than he would ever be. She was sincere and humble; she helped the most fragile without getting anything in return. Byakuya admired Hisana, because she taught him that it didn't matter a person's background, what was important was the will within to choose the right path, no matter how difficult could it be; and to not judge someone by their appearance. That is why, when Hisana passed away, with all his will, he tried to find Rukia. Hisana deserved that, she deserved to have her little sister safe, under Byakuya's protection. No matter how difficult it was to surpass all the laws and rules, he put all his strength in his will and persisted until he fulfilled Hisana's last wish.
After that dark incident, Byakuya thought he would never find someone again, that would attract his admiration. That until he met, the third person – and only man – he truly admired. His reckless fukutaicho, Abarai Renji.
The moment he saw him, when he told Rukia that he wanted to adopt her in his family, the noble thought he was a simple mindless boy that emitted a primal energy, not very different than an animal or a plant. But when, he met Renji the second time, he realized that the redhead was more than a primal being. At the time, it was odd that Aizen-taicho dismissed one of his members, transferring him to the 11th Division, giving as the reason that he was unsuited for the 5th Division. Byakuya, knowing that the 5th Squad was quite indiscriminate about shinigamis, was intrigued as to why Aizen would make such decision, until he saw that the member was Abarai.
The redhead seemed particularly calm, and putting aside his clumsiness, he tried hard to be polite. But when the chocolate/red eyes met Byakuya's eyes, the noble saw something that burnt inside him. Those eyes were filled with hatred, bloodlust, a desire to overpower him. Byakuya knew that Renji must hate him, for taking Rukia from him. But unlike those eyes expressed, Renji was extremely passive. He was determined, which no doubt put him in the right place under Kenpachi's Squad, but his actions lacked something. And that intrigued Byakuya.
Every time he saw the redhead he could feel the hatred, the audacious challenging glare, but only that, only a glare. Unlike other people that would glance at Byakuya with envious eyes, but would never do anything because they were afraid; Renji wasn't afraid. Byakuya could tell that. Renji wouldn't act, wouldn't formally challenge him, because he knew he was weak and stood no chance. He simply knew that it would be a waste to fight Byakuya when he was a simple stray dog.
But that cautiousness created a deep void in the redhead that Byakuya couldn't forget. Renji must have had a lot of trouble with his inner self, since he seemed to be the type that reacted upon his feelings. Having self-control was probably killing him inside. After all, a stray dog should always remain stray, or it will lose its essence.
Byakuya wanted to know more about that redhead. He wanted to know about his past, his childhood, what the name of his zanpakuto was and how it looked like, or why he was covering himself with tattoos. He knew he could ask Rukia anytime about Renji, but that would be unfair for her, since he was the one that separated them. However, sometimes, she would tell him memories of her childhood that involved Abarai, and Byakuya would listen quietly, and the more he listened the more he felt regret and confusion. From what he understood, Rukia and Renji took care of each other from years and years, they were family, a real family, and Byakuya had torn that family apart.
Eventually, tired of the uneasiness inside him, and that empty nuisance in the redhead, Byakuya decided to make Abarai his fukutaicho. He could remember Renji's piercing eyes, intensely watching him when he first met him under the fukutaicho position.
Byakuya intentionally made him his lieutenant, because he wanted to awake that miserable feeling inside Renji. It annoyed him, that Renji would obey his words, even when he was stricter to him than he was with others. No matter how much he provoked the redhead, nothing would ever happen. Maybe he was not direct enough? Maybe Abarai thought he was like this to everybody? Maybe the redhead's mind was so thick that he couldn't see that Byakuya was doing everything he could to trigger that restrained madness inside those eyes?
But the trigger was something he would never thought in using, and luckily or not, destiny used it for him. Rukia. When she was going to be executed, there was nothing Byakuya could do. He had bent every rule in the book to adopt her into the family, to make her a shinigami inside the Gotei 13. He couldn't do anything else. She disobeyed the one rule he could not protect her from - she gave her shinigami powers to a human.
Byakuya didn't care about the rudeness against him for allowing his sister being executed. He knew that rules existed for a reason, and like Hisana taught him, no one was above anyone else, so there were no exceptions to the law – that included him and his clan.
However, Renji broke the rules. Renji did everything he could to save Rukia. He was more her brother, than Byakuya ever was, and he proved that when they finally faced each other. But that day, in that fight, Renji wasn't the same. The challenge, the dare... was still in those eyes, but the hatred was gone. Inside those eyes was a new type of determination, and Byakuya could see Renji was sure he was ready. And they fought.
In the end of that battle, part of Byakuya's heart was crushed, because he realized that the man that lay on the floor covered in blood and his silk scarf was the most beautiful man he ever met. He didn't think of it in a physical way, but within Renji there was beautiful yet raw heart; he wasn't primal he was intuitive. He had been wrong about Renji; all this time he had been afraid of him, and that only made Byakuya sadder. And Byakuya admired Renji, because he taught him about that. That a man should always follow his instinct or he will never achieve happiness- a man should always confront his own fears.
Not that Byakuya was seeking happiness, but the noble found himself craving for some kind of fulfilment. Having a big house, a prestigious family or a high tittle meant nothing when everyday he returned home to an empty room, an empty bed. Byakuya could not appreciate his life, when all he felt was loneliness.
Regardless everything that happened, Byakuya found himself admiring Renji for different reasons. Reasons he tried to ignore, but eventually changed his mind. He was not sure since when he started to feel different about the redhead but, he admitted to himself that he was attracted to him, right after he noticed that Renji and Kurosaki Ichigo had become close, right after the three Taicho traitors escaped Soul Society.
Unlikely of him, he felt the urge to laugh when he recognized the old feeling of jealousy. For a long time in his life he didn't had such emotion, after all, he always had what he wanted, but now so many years after, he was jealous of a young man, a child – yes, because no matter how strong Kurosaki was, he was still a child compared to him.
Renji was far away from his reach, no matter how close he tried to keep him.
Byakuya was fighting for him, for his attention, even if it was in his own subtle way; he was trying to... court Renji. Although, he knew it wasn't the right way to do these types of romantic ritual, but Byakuya didn't know how to socialize in a different way. He tried to remember how it had been with Hisana, but that time he was young and free-minded, he'd had the courage to confront his feelings even if he was turned down. Honestly, when did he become such an old man?
The nobleman watched from far, his fukutaicho with his friends, how he reacted and how they reacted. Even with other Taichos. Renji maintained the respect, but was also more casual when he spoke with Kyoraku or Ukitake, and they were also informal with him too. Why couldn't Byakuya do the same?
These thoughts struggled in his mind, because he tried to be less formal, he tried to make Renji attend the same events as him, he tried to make him do the same activities, but all in vain.
The reality was that every time Byakuya tried to do something that could possibly strengthened the bond between he and Renji, he blocked completely. His mind became blank and the only things that came out of his mouth were orders or malicious advises he didn't mean to say.
In short words, every time Byakuya tried to get closer to Renji, the longer the distance between them grew.
It was ironic how the Sexiest Shinigami alive, according to the Shinigami Female Association, was a lone wolf and wasn't brave enough to seduce the person he longed for. And it was strange that the only intimate contact he had with Renji was when he was passed out drunk.
It was an uncanny habit that the noble developed, every time he knew Renji was going out to drink with his friends. Generally, the 3rd and 9th Division fukutaichos would bring him practically unconscious to his house, and Byakuya would wait in the shadows of the 6th Division garden for the two men to leave. Then he would go the redhead's house and would take care of Renji. He would take off his dirty clothes, replacing them with a sleeping yukata. He would loosen that marvellous wild crimson hair, taking his time, feeling the locks as they slid through his thin fingers. He would sit by Renji's side, as the taller man slept deeply in his futon. And he would watch him sleep until the noble realized what he was doing was wrong and was, how Rukia would say, really creepy. Still, he would come and repeat everything anyway as soon as he found out that Renji was going to go out and drink.
Byakuya knew that he had to change his way of being and act, to reach Renji. If the monkey couldn't reach the moon, then the monkey had to be fascinated by something else, something more approachable.
Byakuya was the one that had to adapt, not the other way around. So, when he heard that his fukutaicho had been wounded and was in a critical state in the mission he went, he felt the need to go to the human world and be by his side. Of course, as Zaraki mentioned, he also wanted to seek and destroy the Arrancar that caused all the trouble. Byakuya would be merciless against it.
But first, he had to check upon Renji. He trusted Hitsugaya's word that the redhead was being healed, but he needed to see it with his own eyes.
In front of him was a small house with the lights on inside. The sign on top of it, reading Urahara's Shop. The front door was semi-opened and voices could be heard from the inside.
Byakuya gracefully walked to the door, and stepped aside to let Hisagi-fukutaicho enter first. After all, the 9th Division fukutaicho was the leader of this mission. Byakuya wouldn't dare to question that, his mind only wondered about Renji at the moment.
He slid the door and after Hisagi bowed his head gratefully and passed by him, he followed.
As they entered they were received by a young boy with crimson hair. His expressions resembled quite much Renji's. They had the same spark in their eyes. It was very intriguing.
The boy raised an eyebrow and yelled.
"Kisuke! The shinigami are here!" he leaned against one of the shelves nearby, glaring at them. Byakuya could understand that child must had some abilities, since he could see them and wasn't surprised or intimidated at all by them.
In seconds, the door across the room slid, and Urahara Kisuke appeared.
"Oh myyy..." The former Taicho sang with his signature smile, "Our guests arrived!" His smile softened as he turned to the boy, "Jinta, you can go back again if you want." Without any answer or time to spare, the boy dashed inside the house.
"Welcome to my humble residence. I'm sure you guys want me to spare formalities and check upon Renji first." The shop host spoke, signing them, to follow him inside the house. Byakuya was pleased that the other man's common sense wasn't gone.
The small door led to what it seemed the common room. Familiar faces were there.
"Shuuhei!" he heard the voice of the 10th Division fukutaicho. The woman was in her gigai in a purple dress that reached her knees. Unlike her usual self, Matsumoto had a melancholic look on her face.
"Rangiku-san, are you alright?" Hisagi-fukutaicho asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. But Renji..." Her voice cracked. Hisagi put down the metal cases and small boxes he was carrying, and patted the blonde's back reassuring her that everything was fine.
Byakuya's eyes moved around the room analysing it. In a corner was Kurosaki Ichigo, he was sitting next to the Quincy, which had what it seemed to be an IV attached to his arm. They were both surrounded by books, and Kurosaki seemed to be explaining to the other boy about something. The Quincy elbowed him discreetly and Kurosaki's attention turned to the nobleman.
"Byakuya!" Kurosaki Ichigo carefully stood up, which made Byakuya realize how close he was sitting to the other boy, and walked forward.
"Where's Rukia?" the shinigami substitute asked looking at the newcomers.
"Rukia will not come." Byakuya simply replied. He wasn't yet used to being called by his first name by someone he barely had contact with, especially someone so young.
"Oh." Kurosaki Ichigo seemed like he was about to ask something else, but Urahara cut him.
"I think it would be wiser for you to put on your gigais, and I'm sure you want to see Renji."
"Urahara-san, this is from the 12th Squad." Hisagi-fukutaicho said as he pointed to the metal cases he brought.
"I see. Then let's take those to my lab, Hisagi-san, and meanwhile I can give you your gigai. Ururu?" Urahara called, a young girl appeared, "Take Kuchiki-san and Kira-san to see Renji."
"Hai."
Byakuya felt surprised with himself for forgetting for a second about the blond fukutaicho that was with him. Kira's presence was barely existent. He glanced behind slightly and watched the smaller man looking the floor. Something was different, he seemed down. That reminded him...
"Kira-fukutaicho said he started to hear an abnormal sound when we arrived." Byakuya told Urahara. He wasn't sure why he said such a thing; it wasn't something relevant at all. The blond fukutaicho blushed.
"It's nothing serious, Kuchiki-taicho." Kira said.
"Hmm... interesting." Urahara said, "I will see about that." He exited he room, with Hisagi following him. Ururu, the girl smiled to Byakuya and walked through a small hall that led to several rooms. She stopped before a sliding door, which she slowly opened and then stepped aside.
Byakuya entered the room as he heard Kira behind him thanking the girl. Maybe he should have done the same thing, he thought, but his mind stopped thinking when he saw Renji lying on the floor in a futon. He was covered by a yellow shield that was under the control of Kurosaki's friend, Inoue Orihime. The girl seemed quite concentrated in what she was doing. Tessai was next to her, and the boy that Byakuya met before, Jinta, was sitting on the other side looking worried at Renji. Tessai noticed Byakuya.
"Kuchiki-sama." The big man greeted.
"How is he?" Byakuya stoic voice asked.
"Holding it. The poison is quite powerful. It attacks the cells like a virus, in an amazing speed. Orihime-san is trying to negate the cells affected, but the poison starts spreading again the moment she stops healing him. We can only hope that the poison will fade away soon." Tessai explained. Byakuya knew that this Arrancar's ability was dangerous. The poison would affect every cell that they encounter and drain the reiatsu from them, not only that but even the reiryoku would be affected. Beside him, Kira spoke.
"Is there anything that can be done with healing kido?"
"We had to give him reiatsu transfusions in the beginning, but other than that, there isn't much that kido can do. The only thing I can do is stand here by Orihime-san and give her part of my reiatsu when she feels weak." Tessai replied.
"Thank you, Inoue-san. If you need I can help too." Kira-fukutaicho said with no hesitation. Byakuya stood there with his poker face on, but inside he could feel his mind in a turmoil. He forgot how close Abarai and Kira were. They were friends since the Academy, it was obvious that the blond was concerned with his friend, but Byakuya didn't completely like the blond offering himself to help. He was the one that should do that, right? He was his Taicho; there weren't any suspicious hidden interests in it, there was nothing bizarre about it. Then why couldn't Byakuya speak? Just speak... Speak! Byakuya could feel Senbonzakura, also encourage him to speak. It was only two words 'Me too.' Just that. It shouldn't be hard.
"M... Me..." His deep voice started to say, everybody in the room looked at him, interested. This could not happen, he was stuttering in front of others, this was so unlike him, his control slipping by his fingers. "Inform me if something changes."
Byakuya didn't give anyone time to respond, he immediately left the room. It was absurd how immature he was being. He only had to offer his help in courtesy, why couldn't he do that? He envied Kira for being able to expose his emotions so well, why couldn't he? He wasn't even in the Seireitei. He was in the human world, where everything was less controlled and serious, where formalities weren't taken so seriously. He wondered if Renji would find him pathetic for him to act like this, if he was conscious.
He walked back to the common room and saw that Hisagi-fukutaicho was already in his gigai. The only thing that differentiated him from his usual shinigami form was the lack of zanpakuto and the different clothing. Hisagi was wearing tight black pants and a T-shirt with a skull designed, and some western calligraphy that the noble wasn't able to read or understand.
Hisagi was kneeling next to Matsumoto, assembling some electronic devices that he didn't know what they were. Byakuya only recognized a laptop on top of the small coffee table. He only knew what that was because Renji explained to him about computers. Although, he didn't know how to use one, he knew what it was and what it did.
"Byakuya-san! Come get your gigai." Urahara spoke waving with a fan for Byakuya to follow him.
He followed him to what it seemed to be Urahara's laboratory. Byakuya highly disliked Urahara, not because of what happened in the past in Soul Society, but because Urahara was the exact opposite of him. He was extremely cunning in an uncomfortable manner. But entering that lab, made Byakuya remembering that, this man was once one of the Captains of the Gotei 13, and he was the one in the end that was able to seal Aizen.
"Before putting your gigai, I want to take a blood sample and some reiatsu too, if you don't mind." Urahara said as he reached the noble's gigai.
"Why?" Byakuya wasn't fond of the idea of giving the other man any of those things.
"I'm trying to find any thing in common with Yoruichi, Rangiku-san, Ishida-san and Renji. I'm taking samples from everybody in case you are also able to sense our enemy." Byakuya glared the man. Urahara smiled in a patronizing way. Byakuya detested it, but gave in. He didn't want to cause any harm in the blond's studies about the menace that almost killed Renji. He let the man take his samples.
"I'm also trying to find an antidote to that poison, but it's quite hard, since the poison seemed to only have effect inside the person. Every time I took a sample of the poison, either from Renji or Ishida-san, the poison instantaneously wore off. It seems to only work when it clings to cells or reishi." The man explained as he finished taking the blood off.
Byakuya glared at his gigai that was sitting on the floor, next to Kira's. His gigai was wearing light blue jeans – Renji taught him about jeans, which the redhead liked a lot, - and a white long sleeved shirt. At least his clothes didn't have macabre designs like Hisagi's. He couldn't control himself as he compared his clothes to Kira's gigai. The blond's faux body had a light blue T-shirt with a grey long sleeved sweatshirt underneath. He also had jeans but they were a darker blue. Byakuya preferred his own clothes.
He took of inside his shihakusho sleeve his ginkongan and his denreishinki, which was his only way to contact properly his division and family in Soul Society. He put on the gigai and it felt really different. The main change for him to be the absence of the kenseikan in his hair. He passed his hand through his hair and then put his items in his jean's pockets.
Urahara clapped his hands happy.
"I love shinigami wearing human clothing! It's so much fun!" The man smirked and turned around to exit the room, Byakuya followed him.
"Now, it's time for Kira-san!" he heard the other man saying.
Byakuya decided to stay silent. He was going to need a lot of patience while he was in the human world, and he didn't want to come as arrogant. He wanted Renji to see that he was able to be normal like him and his friends. He entered the living room again, and was surprised no one said anything about his human appearance. He was sure that Renji would comment about his clothes, though. That idea brought a reassuring feeling inside Byakuya. No matter how things were complex between them, he knew that Renji understood that the noble permitted him to be more comfortable in his presence that he would allow others.
Byakuya wasn't sure what to do now, he could go see Renji again but he didn't want to be a burden to Inoue's concentration. Also he still felt uneasy about his own attitude before... He saw Kira following Urahara to his lab... Alright, he should go see Renji. There's nothing wrong to want to stay by his side. When he was about to walk, something grabbed him by his back without him noticing. He strangely cursed in his mind for letting his guard down.
"Look who's here! Byakuya-bou!" the voice came from the (un)expected Yoruichi.
"What do you think you are doing, Shihoin?" Byakuya said as he free himself from the woman.
"Oh you looked so thoughtful and defenceless, just like when you were a little kid. I couldn't resist!" She replied, smirking evilly.
"This is not the time to be amused." The noble said, serious. Yoruichi's playful evil smirk morphed into a compassionate one.
"I know, but laughing is the only thing we are able to do so far. Especially under the circumstances."
"Indeed. I do not understand why you did not fight the Arrancar when it attacked Abarai." Byakuya interrogated. Yoruichi sighed and sat lazily on the floor far from the others. Byakuya joined her, sitting on his legs politely.
"We were patrolling the town in small groups. I was in the east side of the town, Matsumoto was on west. Uryuu stayed here because he's still weak. And Abarai was on south. We led the groups separately to be easier to find the Arrancar. Abarai was able to feel it shortly after he arrived, and Matsumoto only started to feel it when Abarai was attacked. We weren't fast enough. Hitsugaya was with him but didn't see anything..." She told. Byakuya stayed quite.
"I think this time Aizen is really ahead of us." She murmured.
"Aizen?" Byakuya asked surprised.
"Yeah, Aizen!" she raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me the old man didn't tell you about that." She laughed and then stopped when she realized that Byakuya was serious about being ignorant about the matter. She frowned trying to put the pieces together.
"What does Aizen have to do with this?" Byakuya asked in a low voice. Something was odd from the very beginning of this mission. He felt insulted that he wasn't completely informed about the mission. Then again, maybe it was his fault; he distracted himself with Renji's injury. He had to be more cautious and aware of what he was doing; many mistakes had already been made.
"I knew something like this could happen. I bet not even the Central 46 know about this. That old man is playing with fire. Even if he can dominate it, the flames are tamed only for so long..." Yoruichi spoke. Byakuya watched carefully the woman.
"Are you saying that this mission is not official? "
"Yeah. Old man Yamamoto is playing with you like pawns." She chuckled, "Playing with us like always."
"Can you not be so cryptic?" Byakuya asked.
"Abarai... before he was unconscious he said-" her attention stopped as she saw Kira entering the room. Byakuya noticed the blond was already in his gigai, the blond blushed when he saw Yoruichi staring at him; he joined Hisagi and Matsumoto at the small table across them.
"Oh... I see..." she said smirking again. "Let me guess, blondie over there is the leader of the team."
"No. It is Hisagi-fukutaicho." The noble replied intrigued.
"Hmm... interesting." She said glaring Kira.
Byakuya was tired of the woman's remarks. He was staring to losing his patience.
"What is interesting?"
Yoruichi's eyes left the blond and turned to the noble. Slowly she leaned forward. She was too close to the noble, too close for his taste, trespassing his personal space in the most impolite way. Her face was inches from his, but he didn't move, she almost whispered.
"Before blacking out, Abarai said one name." She paused then moved to his ear and whispered even lower the name. Byakuya's eyes widen a little in surprise. This was something completely unexpected.
0000000000
Byakuya stayed by Renji's side as he slept. Orihime couldn't heal him anymore for the day, leaving to go home to rest. Tessai had created a kido shield surrounding the redhead, to help the poison slower its pace during the night. The big man was also absent from the room, resting. Only the small boy stayed there, by Renji's side, in front of Byakuya. In the same spot he was before.
The taicho didn't know a thing about the boy, but he could assume that he was somehow attached to Renji. He was really concerned.
The room was dark, only a small light coming from a lamp in the corner of the room gave enough light for them to be able to see. Byakuya looked around the room and noticed how disorganized it looked. There were clothes pilled on a corner, and magazines and books similar to Rukia's mangas spread in the floor nearby the walls, like someone tried to clean the room by pushing everything to small piles across the bottom of the wall. His eyes stopped at the closest item to him, a magazine with glasses on the cover. His hand stretched to pick it up. Indeed, it was a magazine about glasses -sunglasses. That's when he realized he must be in Renji's room. This little space was his chambers in the human world. Now it made sense, the familiar kind of mess.
The boy glared at him. Byakuya glared back. Jinta's eyes moved to the noble's hands where the magazine was.
"That belongs to freeloader-san."
'Freeloader-san?'
Byakuya assumed that it was Renji, who the boy was talking about. Byakuya's eyes went to the magazine. Renji loved glasses; he even once offered his taicho a pair of heart-shaped glasses once. Of course, Byakuya refused to wear them but he kept the glasses. He knew that despite the questionable taste, Renji's intentions were good. Byakuya was actually glad that day. Renji had thought about him.
The noble tried to ignore the murderous look Jinta was giving to him; it was just a kid he had nothing to worry about.
"Are you really his Captain?" Jinta asked with an eyebrow raised.
"Yes." Byakuya replied, and held inside the question 'Why do you ask?'
"You're different from what I expected. You're not that... daunting."
Byakuya stayed silent. He wasn't sure what to say, and frankly he didn't want to continue this... conversation. Being judged wasn't quite pleasant, and talking to a child was a waste of time.
The night passed slowly. Jinta had fallen asleep on the floor next to Renji a couple of hours ago. Byakuya simply stayed there the watching the man he loved, unconscious, fighting for his life.
The red mane was loosely tied and Byakuya felt the urge to untie it completely but the kido shield was impenetrable. Renji's features were peaceful like he was simply sleeping. His chest slowly rising and falling.
It wasn't like him at all, but part of Byakuya was scared. He was scared that something would happen to Renji and he wouldn't even be able to tell him about his feelings. Of course the redhead would be surprised that he was in love with him, he would probably feel embarrassed and would stuttered his with reply.
Byakuya knew Renji was bisexual; it was something he investigated before he became his fukutaicho. So, there was a chance that he would be accepted by Renji. He was confident with his looks - physically he was appealing, his only downfall was his personality. Just because he wasn't social enough, but Byakuya was confident that he could overcome that too, without losing himself too much.
The only issues about his feelings towards Renji were his family and the fact Seireitei didn't appreciate same sex relationships, but as long as he maintained his love and his future-relationship private, there shouldn't be any problem.
A small knock interrupted his thoughts. The door slid and Kurosaki Ichigo entered the room, closing the door behind him. The teenager looked at the small boy sleeping and smiled. He sat next to Byakuya watching Renji.
"Man, Renji is a mess." Kurosaki Ichigo said in a low voice.
"He is not. He is been through worse." Byakuya replied with his eyes closed.
"Yeah, but... This is kinda scary. Fighting something you can't see, it's just..."
"Tosen Kaname was one of the best Captains in the Gotei 13, and he was blind. There is times when sight can become a burden instead of assistance." Talking about Tosen remembered Byakuya what Yoruichi told him hours earlier, what Renji said before fainting.
"I know that, but it's scary not sensing the enemy. Knowing a friend is fighting against something and you can't do anything, because there is nothing there." Kurosaki Ichigo said, "When I was younger I used to think I was cursed for being able to see ghosts, I hated that part of me so bad... but now I hate the part of me that can't see this guy. How ironic is that."
Byakuya opened his eyes and looked at the strawberry blond next to him. Ichigo had some heavy dark circles under his eyes, he looked tired.
"You can leave." Byakuya spoke slowly. "You have your life, you don't have to stay here. We take care of everything."
Kurosaki Ichigo chuckled.
"I'm not here because of that. I know I'm pretty much useless, and there is nothing I can do for Renji or the Arrancar. I'm here because Ishida doesn't want to go to the hospital and he kinda... doesn't like you guys, so I'm here to give him moral support."
"I see." Byakuya replied. He didn't push the topic further. He didn't care if the Quincy liked him or not.
"But seriously, I thought Rukia was coming after hearing about Renji like this."
"Rukia does not know about Abarai. Nor will she." Byakuya spoke. He wouldn't let Rukia come and risk her life because of this Arrancar.
"Why? Isn't her right to know?"
"This is beyond having rights, we came to the decision it is best for her to not know about this." Byakuya spoke strongly. Kurosaki Ichigo was becoming intrusive and nosy.
"Un? Isn't that a little fucked up? I mean, I would be so pissed off, if someone hid from me that a friend of mine was almost dying."
"He is not dying." Byakuya replied instantly.
"I said almost dying."
"He is not dying!" Byakuya spoke louder than he usually did, his voice leaving a small echo inside the room. Jinta shifted in sleep but didn't wake up. Kurosaki watched Byakuya, carefully and slightly surprised but silent.
Byakuya felt ashamed of his own behaviour, but it didn't show through his face. The noble wondered why was he like this, why couldn't he control himself. Why did he just lose it, in front of Kurosaki Ichigo? The last person he wanted to see him losing control in the whole world. Byakuya would prefer to lose control in front of Soutaicho than in front of Kurosaki... Well, not really, because he wouldn't like to lose his self-control in front of anyone...
Byakuya didn't like to feel like this, like he was losing all he was because of whatever was happening in his mind.
"You know..." Kurosaki started looking back at Renji. "Before we went patrolling and he was attacked, I kinda had a fight with him."
"Fight?"
"Not really a fight, more like a small argument, but I was a bit... unfair with him, and then this happened... I feel bad because of the last things I said to him."
They both stayed silent the rest of the night, neither one of them had the need to say anything. Eventually Ichigo left to go home to change to his uniform, because he had school in a couple of hours.
Tessai arrived short after, and started to give Renji a routine reiatsu transfusion.
As Byakuya was leaving the room he almost bumped into someone.
"Kuchiki-taicho, I apologize. I was going to ask you if you want to come with us see the place where Renji was attacked, when Rangiku-san arrives." Hisagi-fukutaicho asked.
"Yes, I will go."
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The area where Renji was attacked was a supermarket's parking lot. There weren't any building damages, but the asphalt road had several holes, and some burning evidences of the cars that were damaged by Renji's bankai.
Byakuya looked around carefully. This was the place where the one he loved was hit. Where he almost died. Byakuya wondered how he would feel if Renji died. Would it be like it was with Hisana? That emptiness would come again? It was a saddening thought.
He saw not very far away, Matsumoto with Hisagi and Kira-fukutaicho. He could hear their voices.
"But Abarai-kun is really resilient, I'm sure he will be up in no time." He heard Kira say. Somehow something inside Byakuya snapped so slowly he barely noticed. A tinge of envy roamed inside him. He disliked that phrase in so many ways. From the Abarai-kun to the I'm sure part. He detested that coming from the blond man. He should be the one telling those things. Not Kira, not anyone.
Byakuya tried to control his reiatsu as much as he could. Since he arrived in the human world he had been supressing it the whole time to not attract unwanted attention. But he was starting to get mentally tired of everything.
Renji was critically hurt; he was kept from vital information about the mission; this was probably all Aizen's and that person's doing; Kurosaki Ichigo was nosy; that boy Jinta looked funny at him; and Kira-fukutaicho was acting all friendly and lovely towards Renji and Renji's affairs.
Why wouldn't people act by the rules or at least have some courtesy towards him? Was really that hard to make sure that the highest ranked person in that mission had priority over everything? Even words? He was sure Kira-fukutaicho was also from a noble family, even if it was a low one, he still should know about etiquette. He should let Byakuya speak first about his concern towards Renji. Just after that he should show his sympathy. Not even the blond's friend seemed to enjoy what Kira said. Hisagi's body language clearly changed after Kira mentioned Renji. He even stepped aside from the blond...
How could Kira not see that? And this mission, it was probably Kira's fault. And Renji... was his friend... he always cared about the blond... always.
"I'm gonna check on Kira."
"I'm gonna go to the Third Division, Taicho"
"Kira made this..."
"I was with Kira and Hisagi and..."
Or Kurosaki...
"Ichigo has a new power."
"Taicho, Ichigo and I sparred the other day and..."
"Ichigo"
"Kira"
"Ichigo"
"Hisagi"
"Rukia"
"Ichigo"
"Kira"
"Become like them..." Something whispered in his ear. Byakuya turned around startled. His hand moving instantly to his waist where Senbonzakura should be.
Nothing was there. No presence, no reiastsu, nothing. Byakuya's heart thumped hurtfully. He was definitely losing his mind. He had to calm himself.
"Kuchiki-taicho, are you ok?" Matsumoto asked. Byakuya turned around to face the three fukutaichos that were looking at him, "Your reiatsu..."
Byakuya noticed then, that indeed his reiatsu was higher than it was before. He supressed it again. He wondered if should ask Urahara to make his gigai hide his reiatsu, even if it was against Soul Society's rules.
No, he wouldn't do that, he didn't want to break said rules...
"I am fine. I am going to take a look around. Contact me if you need me." The noble said leaving the three fukutaichos. His heart was still racing as he walked through the sidewalk getting away from that parking lot. He didn't know where he would go, he just wanted to walk.
He had to put himself together, his thoughts in order. He went to the mission because he wanted to see Renji – Renji was receiving treatment, and it all depended of time now.
Only the redhead, the Shihoin minx, Matsumoto-fukutaicho and the Quincy could sense the Arrancar- So they shared a common element, but what?
Renji said a name before he lost consciousness, and it was a name that his fukutaicho wouldn't say randomly. The reason he said that name was unknown and was a mystery. Since that name didn't matter anymore, and according to what was explained after the war, it shouldn't be considered a bad or valid name. But if said name was mentioned by Renji, must be because either that person was there attacking or the Arrancar was sent by that person. Both ideas were impossible, unless of course this was all planned by Aizen. Maybe he had a side plan, in case he lost and was imprisoned, and had an arrancar hidden to help free him. This would be certainly a logical way of thinking. At least logical for Aizen. But this was only a theory.
Soul Society was hiding information from Byakuya, it would be impossible for him to understand things alone. He had to know more. He decided that he was going to have a serious talk with Urahara. That man knew everything, probably more than the others knew in Seireitei. He was going to get things straight.
Byakuya stopped walking when he noticed a familiar sight. A sakura tree in the middle of a small plaza, surrounded by boutiques and miscellaneous stores. The tree was enormous and in full bloom. It was an amazing view, something so beautiful and natural in the middle of a city. Byakuya walked towards a small bench underneath it and sat.
Many people passed by him, from children to old ladies, to couples. A particular couple caught his attention. It was a gay couple. One of the men was shorter and thinner than the other, with a few feminine tendencies, - from the hot pink skinny jeans to the way he pointed to the stores window displays in amazement, and the partner, who was by far manlier, smiled at him indulging his desires.
Byakuya imagined how it would look like if he and Renji were together. Not in Soul Society, but in the human world, would they be able to walk like that, holding hands so freely? Byakuya blushed at the idea.
Renji was an attractive guy; they sure would look good together. Then a certain thought came to his mind... Byakuya always saw himself as a tall man, but next to Renji... he would look just like the hot pink skinny jeans guy. Maybe he wouldn't look so... showy, but he would definitely look like the most fragile in the couple, which meant he would look like the uke. The noble frowned, with his previous blush coming back stronger.
As any other man in the world he had thought about sex. He fantasized many times about having sex with Renji, but he never thought about Renji being the dominator, and frankly he didn't like that at all. Byakuya had never been with a man before, and just the fact he was considering having sex with Renji was already something quite bold coming from him, but Renji was probably a seme, with his body built there were no doubts.
Maybe Byakuya and Renji wouldn't look so well together, at least not so obviously gay. Two tall guys... If it was with Kira-fukutaicho, it would be different. He would definitely be Renji's uke... Wait... Why was Byakuya thinking about Kira-fukutaicho? The blond didn't do anything wrong. He was always kind, helpful and obliging. And he had been friends with Renji for a long time. He was also a good shinigami within the Gotei 13. So why was he so jealous? Byakuya just wanted for Renji to treat him normally, to give him chance to be normal. He didn't have any reasons to be jealous...
In front of him he noticed something. A child that was in the middle of the plaza. It was an elementary school boy, with a small chain in his chest. He looked around everywhere like he was lost. Byakuya searched his soul candy in his pocket and swallowed the small pill, leaving his gigai behind.
"Stay here." he ordered the artificial soul, which nodded in response.
Byakuya walked till he reached the small boy. The boy looked at him when he noticed he was being watched.
"Oji-san, can you see me?" the boy asked scared.
"Yes, I can see you." Byakuya kneeled down. It was such a small boy, it was a sad thing he was dead. "I am a shinigami; I will send you to a place called Soul Society. There you will be able to have a new life with others, like us."
The boy suddenly jumped and hugged Byakuya. The noble stiffened in surprise, he didn't know what to do, this wasn't something common for him. He wasn't good with children and wasn't good with hugs.
"Thank you, Oji-san!" the boy smiled with teary eyes. Byakuya slightly smiled in return. Slowly he grabbed Senbonzakura and with its hilt, Byakuya tapped on the boy's head.
"Goodbye, Oji-san!" the boy said disappearing.
"Farewell." Byakuya spoke. He stood there kneeling for a few minutes. World was an unfair place, where even children died. Well, any world was an unfair place. Even Soul Society was hard to live in. If luckily that child would born in one of the family's before Rukon District 40, if unlucky he would live in misery; but maybe he would be happier to be born in misery but be with someone that would love him...so many paths possible; but again life was unfair and so was love.
"Only he can decide his own fate." Byakuya spoke.
That is why Byakuya decided that moment to stop being jealous over nothing, to stop being afraid of the way he acted or the things he said. He wasn't going to give up before trying. He was going to fight for Renji's heart; he was going to make Renji see that he fought for him. He wasn't going to disappoint the ones that taught him how to live. Shihoin, his grandfather, Hisana... He was going to live on, and do everything in his power to make the monkey reach him.
'The stray dog and the lone wolf...'
Byakuya smirked as he walked to his gigai.
'That would make a good couple.' He thought.
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?
"That one looks powerful." One of the voices said.
"Are you scared?" a deep voice replied.
"Of course not, but he looks like a great candidate. Master is gonna be pleased."
"How many there's left?" he counted with his finger, "We're still missing two, no. One."
"No. I saw something interesting... We have them all."
The deep voice laughed loud.
"Let's go tell Master, then."
"Not yet, first let's play with them a little." The softer voice spoke as the sakura petals blown by the wind fell from its' tree, and flew nearby them.
To be continued...
This chapter had a lot of hints why only a few can sense the enemy. Have you figured it out yet? =)
We are so close to the romance I can smell it^^ And lemons! I'm not the type that writes lemons in the beginning, but I'm also not the type that writes only in the last chapter. There's gonna be A LOT of lemons and limes and lemonade =D
Feedback is appreciated! Next chapie coming soon!