Disclaimer: I don't own any Bleach!

DaEmonQuEen: This is different from the actually bleach story, I still hope you like it!

"The Wish"

Chapter 7

"Good evening, Abarai-sama," Rukia greeted Renji.

"Abarai-sama? What the heck's wrong with ya? Ya sound so formal."

"Well, I thought-"

"Renji. Call me Renji, shorty."

"Shorty?" Rukia flinched at the name, "Oh, well excuse me fuzzy-eyebrow-san, I forgot your name."

This time it was Renji who felt insulted. "What you said, midget?"

They then began an exchange of insults that ended with a sharing of laughter.

"Forgive me," Rukia said first, "I have a tendency to act improper in front of certain people."

"Really I don't see anything improper with what ya did except calling me Abarai-sama, which was, if I may add, a weird thing to hear."

"I thought so to, because it doesn't suit you one bit."

"I don't know if I should be happy or insulted by that statement."

The petite woman let out a low laugh. "It depends on how you look at it really." This time, it was Renji's turn to laugh. "You're different, Abarai Renji," Rukia blurted out, "You are not like the others."

"What ya mean?"

"You're not like those other council members I know. You seem…., new."

"New? What am I a product?"

"That's not what I mean, Abarai Renji. I mean you are not as arrogant and classy as them. Heck, you practically revolve in another planet, yet I heard you made a fool out of them. It's just amazing." This made the redhead smirk. "That's why you're different Abarai Renji."

"Okay could ya cut these 'Abarai' crap, ya ain't seem the type who uses such. Just call me Renji. Got it twerp?"

"Like I'd call YOU by your name when you always call me names. My name is Rukia, remember that."

"Rukia. Got it," then he gave her a small grin, "Ne, Rukia ya happen to know where the emperor's quarters are, don't ya? I was s'pose to be there and I get lost in this place. Mind helping me out?" Rukia suddenly giggled. "What's so funny?"

"I'm sorry. It's just that the first time we met you were lost too." Renji just gave a chuckle. "Alright I'll help you out under one condition."

Renji hated conditions, he usually gets forced to do things he'd hated, and he's already been doing things against his will for 3000 years. Rukia saw the other man's hesitation, so she decided to give the condition ahead.

"I have a friend that will be celebrating his birthday soon, he's holding a party but you can only come if you bring a guest. So if you don't mind I'd bring you along with me."

Renji was a bit uncertain about the request, it wasn't even a request to begin with. It was more like an invitation. "So your condition is that I'd accompany you in this party?" he verified.

"Yeah, you'd agree right? Because if you don't, I'll leave you here to get lost."

Renji was amused by Kuchiki Rukia's way of invitation so he agreed to the woman's request.

Ginrei was seated beside the window of his room, dinner had been served and all that it was waiting was the people to eat it. Apparently his guest was arriving a bit late, but he expected it. His grandfather mentioned the god's tardiness when he told him the secret of the cursed god serving their family. He once thought such a thing was made up but when he himself summoned him, his doubt was confirmed. He still couldn't believe his eyes the first time he met the god yesterday afternoon.

"Who summoned me? Speak your name," the god asked him.

He stared calmly at the being kneeling in front of him; he had bloodshot hair and tattoos carved all around his body. His eyes were dark brown, and had a cold and unreadable expression. "I am Kuchiki Ginrei, 27th emperor of the 6th kingdom," he answered.

"27th, heh? Guess I wasn't been sleeping long," he said as he stood up then looked at him in the eye and smiled, "Well, Kuchiki Ginrei, what do you want?" Ginrei was surprised at the god's sudden change of character. "You do know you're supposed to have a reason for summoning me?"

The emperor recovered his composure and then spoke, "Indeed I have a reason for summoning you but before that you must tell me your name, cursed one."

"Cursed one? Ha! That's something I've never heard before," he exclaimed, "But if a name's what ya need, ya can call me anything ya like."

"I shall do that but, I still wish to know your name."

"You're pretty persistent for a Kuchiki. A'right I'll tell ya my name, its Zabimaru, but most Kuchikis call me Abarai Renji, for I was reborn to a mortal with such a name."

"Reborn?"

"Ya know, for a Kuchiki you seem to know so little about me."

"I never believed in you until now."

"Ouch."

"And for a god you seem to act like mortal."

"Because I am. I was reborn as a mortal to fulfil the curse. I can't live with a curse in my immortal body, so they put me in a human named Abarai Renji, and cursed me to serve ya. That's a long story short tale, so back to the real matter at hand. What do you want Ginrei?"

Ginrei paused and assessed the god's words. The god seemed harmless to him, and practically wished to fulfil his duty immediately. Not quite what he had expected for someone that was cursed to serve his family for 3000 years. "Well do you have a request or not?"

"You seem to be in hurry do you have an appointment somewhere?"

"Ha! I been in asleep for 2 generation of Kuchikis! As if I'd have some place I'd have to be after just waking up?"

"Then there is no hurry as to what I want from you."

"Sorry grandpa, but there is, apparently you don't understand the part that I am in a mortal body, the longer I am awake the weaker my power as a god becomes, so unless you want whoever enemy you have get beaten using my powers you gotta hurry in naming them."

"What makes you think I have enemies? I summoned you for a different purpose."

"I don't think you have enemies, I know you have them. And so what's yer purpose for callin' me?"

"You know it how?"

"Geez, for an old man you asked too many questions."

"I am your master, I deserve to ask them."

The god's expression changed for a moment into anger, but immediately returned to its nonchalant attitude. "I know it because I heard your heart, and saw your memories. You see, the moment you gave me your name, it started the contract between the two of us, I saw your entire past, I know everything about you like I've known you my whole life, and heard the problems that trouble your heart, one of those problems were your enemies, that's how I found out. But expect that I can read or hear everything there are still I can't read or hear, and those are the secrets of people. If it is a secret I can't read or what they are only that they cause great distress to the heart."

"If that is so then you already know what I wish from you."

"I said I heard the problems your heart is crying out but I can't tell which one you wish to solve. Or are you the selfish type and wish for me to solve all of it?"

This time it was Ginrei's turn to laugh, "Hahahaha! Abarai-san, I am starting to find you entertaining, and worthy for the task I am about to give to you. You are in a hurry to know my wish yet you seem a bit hesitant to whether you want to perform it of or not."

Once again the god's expression changed this time he looked more serious. "Don't worry about me, because even if I don't want to fulfil you wish I'd have no choice I'd do it anyway, the markings in my body are in charge of reminding me." His hands touched himself in a protective manner.

It was at that moment, Ginrei confirmed that the god before him was indeed cursed and tormented by it. He stared at the god once again, his mortal form was no older than Byakuya yet had been forced to serve different masters for 3000 years, and do things against his will. He somehow pitied the being in front of him, and began to wonder what kind of sin such a god did to earn such a cruel fate. But Ginrei thought the question would be too personal and would torment him even more, so he decided to give the man, as most commoners would say, a break.

"I see, well I think I have learned all I need to know for now. I think you should go and take your time to enjoy yourself for a while. You have been asleep for, as you said, two generations of Kuchiki, you should at least use this time to learn what you had miss for the last two centuries."

"I already told you, if you don't hurry I'd lo-"

"I assure you, what I am about to wish from you does not require the use of your powers. Now go and enjoy yourself, we shall meet in the imperial court room," Ginrei said as he led the red haired god to the door.

The emperor's door opened and the redheaded god entered the room. "You're late," he uttered.

"Hey, ya can't blame me this place is a maze, I can't go anywhere without getting lost," he reasoned.

"Well because of your tardiness the food has started to get cold," he said as he walked towards the table where the food was set.

Renji followed and sat at the opposite side of the table. "Do you wish some sauce in your fish?" Ginrei asked. The redhead smiled and nodded. The two began eating.

They were in the middle of their meal when Renji spoke, "I am really grateful that you're treating me with such kindness Ginrei, but I don't think this should continue any further. Have you decided a wish or not?"

"I really enjoy a strong saki during a good meal,"the emperor announced ignoring the redhead. He took a few sips with his glass and filled it by himself, then offered some to the redhead. But when he did, the glass broke suddenly. "Do not test my patience," Renji said.

Ginrei looked at Renji, and then to the servant who was standing in the room and signalled her clean the mess. After it was cleaned, Ginrei spoke again, "Tell me Abarai-san, what do think about Kuchiki Byakuya, my grandson, you seemed a bit interested this afternoon and enthusiastic to answer his question even though it was a bit personal."

"Ginrei please tell me you wish."

"I asked you a question."

Renji winced, he really wanted to get mad and hit the man before him, but the seal in his body was stopping him, in fact it was, at the moment, sending electrical impulses in his body just because he was thinking such a thing. He calmed himself, and then answered the question, "He's a snob, a brat, an introvert, hot-headed and very lonely."

"Is that what his heart says?"

"No, it's what his eyes say. For some reason I can't read his mind, or hear his heart."

"Why is that?"

"I don't know! Can we stop talking about nonsense! Is this why you summoned me? So you could have someone to talk to?" Renji snapped, then he grimaced as a strong electric impulse was sent all over his body.

"Abarai-san, I can see that you are the impatient type, so I guess I should not try to stall any longer. I only have one wish from you and it involves my grandson." Renji calmed down again. "Next month is Seiretei's Salvation Day, and I will formally announce Byakuya to be the 28th emperor of the 6th kingdom. But I feel that he needs an adjustment in his behavior and view in life. As you said, he is a snob, a brat, an introvert, hot-headed and very lonely, I wish for him to change. I have tried all other methods but nothing worked."

"So you think a god could do what no man could do?"

"Yes."

"You summoned me for that? Hmph."

"You seem unsatisfied." Renji didn't say a word but just gave him a 'You think?'look. "I understand that you expected more from me, I can tell you hate doing such trivial wishes because you feel it degrades your pride as a god. But let me tell you this, there is no one in Seiretei I could count on this but you. My grandson will live a lonely life unless he doesn't change, and such an emperor will be in great danger in the near future."

"Then change him yourself! If you're worried about not being able to live that long, I can extend your lifespan, I can even take care of your enemies and your kingdoms problems."

"I cannot Renji, and I have my own reasons why I can't. It is something that even a god cannot solve. That is why I am giving you this as a wish, with great hope that you succeed."

"What do you mean I can't solve? There's no problem in this world that I can't solve. Just tell me about it and I shall prove it to you."

"I already told you my wish, are you not going to do it?"

"Of course I will."

"Then why do you search for a reason not to?"

Renji was taken aback, Ginrei was right he didn't want to do the wish. Itmaybesimple and didn't demand much of him. But he wanted to decline it. He didn't want to do it, and he knew exactly why. Kuchiki Byakuya, the moment he first laid eyes at him at the banquet yesterday he say it, he saw that he had a perfect resemblance of his late master, Senbonzakura. Even though he had only seen his master's face once, and it was during his death, Byakuya and his master had the same eyes, the eyes of one that was born noble and with responsibilities, the eyes of great power and potential, and the eyes of one with great loneliness and sadness in their hearts. Renji would prefer facing a hoard of demons than having to experience being close to a man that was like his master. He didn't want to be reminded of the time they had together. It was too painful.

But like every other time, since he had begun serving the Kuchikis, he had no choice but to do the wish and fulfil it. "Fine Ginrei, I'll do it. I'll do everything in my power to change Kuchiki Byakuya before next month." The emperor smiled, finally he found someone that could possibly melt his grandson's cold heart.

DeAonQuEen: Yehey! I finished the chapter, wow the longest on I've made so far. I hope those Rukia fans don't think I made Rukia-chan too OC. I tried my best. Well, hope you like the chapter. Reviews are appreciated!

Disclaimer: I don't own any Bleach!

DaEmonQuEen: This is different from the actually bleach story, I still hope you like it!