((So I'm not sure if I set an actual time setting for the past couple of chapters. So I'll set one now. This is about three months after the last time setting I set for Aizen's chapter…Hmm, so that makes it about four months after the betrayal, okay? I don't want anyone getting confused or saying that relationships are moving too quickly. :P I've come across that in the past and it just did not bode well. On another note, I've been coming up with the problem of not being able to post as often as I'd like and it's stressing me out to be honest. So, I came to a different way to approach it after talking about it. I'll still try to update every week but it's only going to be one chapter and no set day (though I think it'll be the weekend most likely). On some occasions though I may update more and go back to two chapters but with my mom's schedule being wonky, my studying, and the annoying fact that I only have one laptop right now in the house that my mom hogs -*sigh* - Tues and Thurs updates are just not happening as I'd like right now. But I figure if I at least update once a week it should be better than nothing, right? …If you have any suggestions for me about scheduling I'll be happy to listen but this is what I came up with for now. Also, if you want to know when I'll update faster I have a tumblr - the link is on my bio. You don't have to follow me but I update there each time I update here or a day or so ahead if I'm not updating. :) Reviews: Enjali: I'm so happy you are enjoying the story! I'm going to try my best to update more often and not just once every few months to a year. Haha. SakuraYuri89: I've been hanging in there. How are you? I'm happy you like the chapters so far. :) Please continue to enjoy the upcoming updates! ~Love Mina!))

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I can feel Renji's presence even before he is at my side and I feel more at ease now that he is back. I take a deep breath to let go of the tension I've felt for the past few days while he and Rukia were gone. It is strange...I never thought I would feel this way when Renji was near or far but I have come accustomed to his consistent presence at my side - even on our days off. Usually I wouldn't have thought of spending as much time with anyone like I do with Renji but it seems so natural to do so now. Over the past few months we've grown much closer to each other and have been able to work our way past the conflicts that had risen from Aizen's betrayal.

I sensed my lieutenant settling by my side as I push the thoughts from my mind and greet him. "Good evening, Abarai."

He flashed a smile at me before returning a greeting. "Evenin'," he looks away momentarily at the gardens then back at me again. "I-uh- came to give my report."

I raise a brow at him with my curiosity piqued. Normally he would have waited to do such things. "You needn't have done that tonight, Renji, tomorrow morning would have been fine." I chide him softly before looking to the pond as we came near it and noting a few of my koi are missing again.

"I-I know but..." When Renji trailed off I looked over at him again and noticed his cheeks were flushed and seemed to have gotten lost in his thoughts.

"Are you alright, Abarai?" I ask quietly with a touch of concern in my voice.

He blinked in confusion. "Huh?" He catches himself and shakes his head, seeming to clear it. "Oh.. Yes, sir, I am fine."

I nodded and wondered what was wrong. He's thinking far more now than before he had left. "You wanted to give me the report?"

He nodded softly at me with his flush darkening. "Yes sir. But before that I –um- wanted to ask you something."

My head tilted a bit to the side and stopped walking to look and listen to him properly and he stopped in turn. I was curious as to what he wanted to ask. "What is it?"

Renji bit his lip and took a deep breath before speaking. "Taichou," he said softly. "Would you – erm- like to have dinner with me?"

His question confused me because I knew we had already had several dinners together and it didn't explain his unease. "I thought we agreed to have dinner on Friday with Rukia."

I could tell the blush had spread on Renji's face to his neck from my statement. "Y-yeah but that is not what I mean." He paused, seeming to try to think of the correct words to explain. "I-I mean do you wanna go out alone with me?"

I stared in surprise at him for several moments. "Abarai, are you asking if…I will go on a date…with you?" It was shocking that he'd ask me that but at the same time…

"Um..yeah." He mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I just – uh..." He sighed after a few moments and slump his shoulders. "Forget it, you probably don't—"

My hand rose to Renji's shoulder gently to cut him off and I offered a faint smile to ease him when he looked into my eyes again. "I will go out to dinner with you." I say softly. It was amusing to see the surprise on his face and the grin that worked its way onto his lips which in turn made my smile widen slightly.

"Really?" The happy grin on his face sent a flurry of butterflies in my stomach.

"Hai," I nod then look at him a bit more seriously. "But I have a condition."

The grin slowly slid off his face as he nodded warily. "What is it?"

I breathed deeply. "You have to call me by my given name."

It was obvious that he realized that I was allowing him to do something that I don't allow just anyone but him gaping at me. "Taichou, no one except your staff and family calls you by your given name."

"Do I take it that you refuse?" I asked, raising a thin brow at him again.

He shook his head from side to side quickly. "N-no, of course not. If that is what you want, Taichou, then I will do it."

"Good," I turned and began walking again towards the edge of the pond.

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I swore Taichou was messing with me when I first heard him agree to goin' on a date with me. It was too easy. I never thought he'd go out with me alone and here he agreed almost immediately. Is this feeling I have...mutual?

My teeth worry my lip gently as I walk with him again but I couldn't help but still feel giddy and grin. I'm going to go on a date with Kuchiki-freaking-Byakuya! Just the thought of it made me happy.

"Abarai?" I heard Taichou call to me. I looked back and saw he was kneeling by the pond with a sachet of what seemed to be fish food. My cheeks flushed as I muttered an apology. I made my way over to him then knelt next to him as he started to feed the koi. "Um…Taichou, your koi ponds looks kinda empty." I comment absent mindedly while looking down into the water.

"Hmm.." he hummed, making me turn my head. I was instantly awestruck just by looking at him. The moon was shining down on him to illuminate his skin, and surprisingly that faint smile was on his face, it all made him look even more beautiful than he already was.

Damn.

How did I get so lucky?

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((I have to say I'm far happier with this chapter than the last couple I've posted. :) I know it isn't perfect or super long but hope you enjoy it too! Like I said above I'll update again most likely on the weekend - until my mom gets her laptop fixed then we will see what happens. :P))