"So you're going to run from the problem?" Renji snorted and turned to walk off. "This is unbelievable. You're really unbelievable."
"No. I just refuse to put up with your disrespectful attitude." Byakuya began to fill out the form that he pulled out. He didn't say a word as Renji wordlessly exited the office after gathering his things. Byakuya figured he was doing the right thing. It would be highly inappropriate to continue with their relationship. He was a noble and Renji a commoner. They simply could not be together and he wasn't entire sure that he was ready to settle with someone else. The thought of it scared him and he was too prideful to explain his action to Renji. Why should he explain himself to Renji? He was his captain as well as a noble, and thus Renji should not even question his actions. There was more to it than just that. He never spoke of his feelings to anyone except his grandfather, though now he barely did.
Byakuya finished the form and added it to the paperwork to be submitted. There wasn't much to do so he finished his work quickly and submitted it all. It was not long before he arranged for Renji to return to squad 11. It also created quite a stir around the barracks, but he easily ignored the talk and squashed any of the rumors. He was not about to allow such talk to tarnish his reputation. He made his way home at the end of the day for some relaxation and a nice cup of coffee. Ukitake however walked over to him. The older soul reaper was like a mentor to him. He was wise and though he would never say it, he did hold the more experienced captain in high esteem just as everyone else did.
"Captain Kuchiki", he heard Ukitake yell and he slowed his pace to give the white haired captain a chance to catch up to him. "I heard that you are transferring Renji… May I ask why?" He coughed a few times, but he managed to ask the question. Byakuya offered him tea inside and as it was served, he began to pour his heart out to Ukitake. He simply felt comfortable telling the man how he felt, but then again Ukitake spoiled him when he was younger. He left out a few of the details, but he told him the general problem.
"I simply refuse to put up with his disrespect. I feel it is necessary to let someone else handle that fiery red haired man." He looked away, not entirely telling him everything, but it was still the truth. He left out that he was beginning to have feelings. Even then somehow the older male knew how he felt even though he had his mask up, hiding how he felt. "He's been extremely rude and he does not know when to back off. I am not some gentle flower that needs caring for."
Ukitake listened to the Kuchiki noble tell his story. He smiled and nodded, not interrupting him. Byakuya knew that he was beginning to understand and suspect him and his motives. It was not until he patted his hand that his suspicions were confirmed. "You're running away from the problem. I don't blame you, but you're making a mistake, but I won't fight you over it. You'll see in time the error of your ways. That's not the only thing I came here to discuss. We do still have that joint training session to discuss and plan for." Byakuya gave Ukitake a defiant glare, but he didn't dare speak ill to him. He respected Ukitake too much to dare do that, but he didn't think he'd miss Renji after all; he was still a loud, brash and rude man. He tried not to focus on that and went about his evening, doing things to distract himself. Renji was not all that was on his mind. Hisana's and his anniversary was coming up and since she was his only love, he focused more on that and remembering her. It was the cause of his problems and one of the reasons he pushed Renji away. The noble didn't want to forget or betray her.
The next few days leading up to his anniversary were the most troublesome to get through. It was when things began to pick up in work. Without Renji there, Byakuya was struggling to keep up with the work load. He still finished, or tried to finish the work, but it was tiring him out. He was becoming irritable and burnt out, as well as losing track of his responsibilities. The problem began when he had to leave and go with his squad on a mission to take care of a few Menos Grande. Without a vice-captain, he needed to lead them out on the mission. Since it was his decision to transfer Renji, he accepted all the responsibility. The mission in to the real world was not as simple. As they were taking care of the Menos, a few Espada ambushed them during the confusion. Normally he would have caught the attack, but his mind was busy elsewhere, thinking about Renji and Hisana both were deadly combos and he ended up getting injured.
Getting injured would have been fine, excepted The Head Yamamotto simply had to give him a lecture. The lecture alone was enough to add to his distraction and push him over the edge. As he spoke, each word seemed to push him closer and closer to a break down. He was injured and embarrassed, but now he was getting lectured. Byakuya closed his eyes as Yamamotto started.
"I expected more from you Captain Kuchiki… You should have easily seen that attack coming…" The elder captain continued to go on and on about how disappointed he was. Byakuya gracefully took it all in stride, but he silently let himself have it. The Head captain was right, he should have seen it coming, but he didn't make a fuss. When the lecture was over, he went home and rested, but tried to keep up with the increased work and his duties, which now included the Vice-Captain's duties until such time as he could appoint one. Honestly, the noble had no idea how Ukitake managed, but then again his squad did not fear him the way sixth squad's members feared Byakuya. Renji was essential in that regard, but he was determined to deal with the problem on his own.
This led to his next problem: he couldn't keep track of his meetings or his noble duties as the Kuchiki head of the family. He started to neglect a bit of both and miss vital meetings and dates for social engagements. Renji was always there to remind him, even if he did not need it. He never complained, but without Renji there, he easily forgot his other duties as he tried to cope and catch up with this mess he was in. The other captain noticed instantly and it was Ukitake who first approached him.
"Byakuya I think you need to find Renji and ask for his help. You don't have to apologize, but you're a mess." Ukitake gently tried to urge him to go to Renji, but Byakuya refused to admit his wrongs, especially to a commoner like Renji. He knew Renji would not gloat or say "I told you so" like most, but he simply did not want to face that without the man by his side, he was a wreck.
Byakuya shook his head, "I'm fine. I simply need to get used to not having extra help. I can handle this on my own. I was before he came around after all." Ukitake sadly shook his head, but the man knew he would not back down. It was a combination of all the work and the fact he did not properly rest, especially with his injuries. He took the rest when he got back, but that wasn't the proper idea of rest. While he should have rested, Byakuya pushed himself to try and catch up on his duties. Instead of quietly resting in bed, he ran around trying to catch up on his duties as a noble. It all came crashing on him at once.
It was as he was on his way to a meeting that Byakuya collapsed from all the pressure. He felt himself falling, but he never hit the ground which was rushing towards him.
"Ukitake was right, you are a mess," Byakuya heard a familiar voice as familiar and strong arms lifted him up. He stared stupidly as Renji smiled that same cocky grin down at him. "I'm not going to lecture you. That's not how I am and you know it." He carried Byakuya home despite the protests and gently set him down, feelings his head, "I want to ask you to take me back. You're right. I was very disrespectful, but you're a pain in the ass to deal with sometimes. Even so, I admit I am wrong. Will you take me back, Captain Kuchiki?"
Byakuya moved to push himself up, but Renji pushed him back down. He didn't feel much like fighting and stayed put. His face was flush from a fever and exhaustion, but he was well enough to comprehend what his fiery red-head said. Letting out a soft sigh, he nodded. "I can't do it without you. I'm a wreck, but I'm not going to suddenly open up like you want me to. Can't you understand that?" Renji nodded and he continued, "That is no reason to have treated you so terribly either, but it won't change overnight…"
Renji kissed him gently, "I realize that, but I'm a very impatient man. Even so I can try to be a little less brash… Enough about that. Rest and let me take care of your work. I can easily rally the squad to help. Just sign this and let me come back." Byakuya agreed and signed it, making it official, but all was not fixed instantly. The problem didn't and wouldn't just go away suddenly. He didn't worry about that now but instead closed his eyes and drifted off in to a restful sleep comforted by the knowledge that Renji was there to help him again, at least for now if he didn't screw things up. He knew he would especially since his anniversary was fast approaching and he simply couldn't and wouldn't forget her and move on.