Yaoi and Mature Content warnings apply to this chapter.

Disclaimer: Bleach world and characters belong to Tite Kubo.

CHAPTER 8 – "Strategy and Tactics"

The rhythm and hum of divisional logistics has not changed for Renji's absence. Paperwork was completed on time and neatly, errands were run swiftly and efficiently. The gas lamps cast their yellow glow once the sun set. The food was the same, even the weather hasn't changed.

Byakuya stood from his seat, turning his back on the familiar room. Time dragged. He was bored and the realization surprised him. So much work to do, intelligence reports to collate, information to compile and organize into a coherent whole before the war broke out. And yet. Air was unstirred by wild comings and goings, his ears weren't assaulted by barely suppressed sighs and muttered curses. There was order. And emptiness besides.

Byakuya resolved to dismiss the fact that his fukutaichou was two days late coming back. He was capable. His gigai was the safer, older kind. His reiatsu was back to regular strength. A glimmer of thought tried to break through his defenses – an inkling that these kinds of worries were once reserved solely for Rukia when she was on one of her missions. His thoughts wandered to their pivotal training session many days previous, when he levied a heavy accusation at his second-in-command:

"You treat me like a girl."

Now Byakuya was treating Renji's tardiness like a mother hen. There was only one thing to do. He picked up Senbonzakura and headed out. Kenpachi was always good for some tension release. If he could only find him.

XXXXXXX

C'mon, Renji, let's play," Yoruichi laughed, stretching her supple back. "Byakuya won't thank you for keeping idle."

A bit of training wasn't a bad idea. Renji passed on the documents he carried, he skate-boarded all over Karakura to acquire reiatsu data with the odd instrument provided by the 12th division…now he had to wait for Urahara to compare the data to his and calibrate or whatever…there was a lot of new stuff to learn and Renji's brain felt like exploding. He was never the one for sitting around and looking for that one small error in a row of numbers.

They sparred empty-handed and Renji was amused to see a similarity to Byakuya's style. He said as much.

"It's the other way around. I taught him…when he was a lot younger." Yoruichi's yellow eyes dimmed and looked away.

"But that's a long time ago. Now, I get to try my luck on you!" She jumped off a high rock, her foot aimed at Renji's face. He ducked and grabbed, naught but air in his hands for his trouble. A feminine voice taunted from behind him.

"Renji, you're so slow…no wonder you get beat up all the time!"

Renji turned and grinned. He once was with the 11th division. This was all good fun. He might have gotten a bit more civilized under Kuchiki-taichou, but he still remembered how to fight with all his heart and love every second of it.

Drenched with sweat and aching all over, Renji stretched in the hot pool, untying his hair and dipping all the way under. The warm water washed the sweat away, it soothed bruises, encouraged the overworked muscles to stretch and relax.

Yoruichi lounged in the water across from him, her purple hair tied up. She didn't break nearly as much sweat as Renji did. He tried not to observe her undressed, submerged body too keenly. She was attractive, beautiful even.

"What's on your mind, Abarai-kun?"

His answer was uncensored, responding to her genuine tone. "I was wondering…you're quite small, really. Where does all that power come from?"

Yoruichi smiled her feline smile.

"Strength is but the vessel, not the source, of power. I do only as much as I need to do. Too much is as bad as too little. Too much makes you overextend, it ruins your alignment." She tilted her head. "You've been trying too hard, Abarai-kun."

"Um…what, in sparring, you mean?"

"That, and also with Byakuya." She observed him carefully through the rising steam.

Renji remained silent. She couldn't possibly know…could she? How?
"What do you mean, Yoruichi-san?" He tried for his best imitation of the impassive Kuchiki mask.

"Last time you were here, your gigai told a story."

Renji thought. Oh. Of course. He reddened, heat rising into his face.

"It's good for Byakuya, of course. I consider you to be an excellent influence, Abarai-kun. Unless, of course, you try to change who you are."

Renji reached for a pitcher of water, hoping the cold drink would suppress the fierce blush in his face.

"D'you know about everything?" Frustration played a sour note in his voice.

"No. But I would like to help, if I can."

"And then you'll tell Urahara and everyone else."

"No."

"No?"

"I knew him way back when. He was much like you." Yoruichi closed her eyes, her smile wistful. "Full of fire. Resistant to authority. In love."

Renji kept still, not daring to stem the flow of information.

"People have been dying on him left and right. His mother, his father, his grandfather. His wife." Yoruichi reached for her own water.

And I followed Kisuke into exile.

"After Hisana died, he…resigned himself to his fate. He learned not to feel so he could endure being alone."

Renji's eyes were wide, riveted to the woman across from him.

"You can change that, Abarai-kun. But in doing so, you must remain entirely yourself. Why don't you tell me what you have been up to."

And Renji did.

XXXXXXX

He should have been back in the 6th division office already, plowing through his daily piles of paper and instead he was here in the Living World, shopping for the Shinigami Women's Association. There was little else to do while Urahara was busy recalibrating Kurotsutchi-taichou's device. Urahara's and Kurotsutchi's data had to share the same baseline. Renji now understood that. It interested him, but not enough to look over Urahara's shoulder as he tweaked buttons and studied endless printouts.

The war was coming and everybody knew it would be hard to get back to the Living World for awhile. He had his duffel and his list. Almost all the women requested extra tampons.

"If you get pads get the thin ones with wings," Matsumoto instructed him. He knew what to look for. He wondered if Hisagi would have died of embarrassment if he hoisted the errand off on him.

There was a standing request for hair conditioner and Renji, being no fool, knew to buy some for himself.

"And get the anti-frizz. Here's a list of brands that are pretty good. Also, some chap-sticks…"

His feet felt tired. His gigai hurt. Yet…there was one more little thing. According to Yoruichi, a small chocolate store near Urahara Shoten would probably carry what he was looking for. He smiled in anticipation. He wasn't changing himself. Gifts were part of his innate nature.

XXXXXXX

Byakuya was on his way from the 1st division headquarters when a familiar purr of Renji's reiatsu entered his consciousness. Three days late. He better have a good reason. Tired, underslept and unreasonably irritable, he bee-lined for the reiatsu's source. Renji would carry just the information he needed to complete his final intelligence report.

A figure in black hakama and a red and black leather jacket glided into his view. A huge duffel bag precariously balanced on his shoulder, Renji's skateboard accelerated toward him, his red ponytail fluttering in the air like a crest. He saw Renji grind to a halt in front of him, dump his bag of contraband, and bow. A wild, crooked grin played on his face.

"Taichou!" He flipped the board into his free hand. "I have everything you asked for, but it was a bit complicated."

"You carry a lot more than I asked for, Abarai." Renji didn't shiver at his captain's cold voice. He looked him up and down, noting the grey splotches under his eyes, the tension in his shoulders.

"I can explain, taichou. And I can help with anything you need."

XXXXXX

The 12th division grabbed the precious instrument out of Renji's arms along with the envelope from Urahara.

Byakuya pointed to three days of backlog paperwork which, even though not urgent, was still important enough to keep the wheels of Gotei 13 bureacracy moving.

Data from the 12th division was passed to the 6th, and it was Kuchiki-taichou who collated it with information gleaned from historical records.

Renji helped copy the reports, Renji delivered them to all division captains, and Renji attended a special emergency meeting where the new findings were discussed.

The debates took hours. Renji's stomach growled loudly enough, and often enough, that Ukitake-taichou passed him a piece of candy. They broke for a quick, late dinner, after which it was back to the office, back to piles of paper and maps and scenarios and research of possible ramifications of altering what some called "the space-time continuum".

XXXXXXX

"Taichou, should I make some tea?"

"Go ahead, Abarai."

Renji settled a tea tray on the low table by the sofa a bit later.

"At my desk, Abarai." Byakuya had been staring at the same page for a very long time. Renji walked over.

"You're not reading anymore." His voice was gently insistent.

"Abarai."

"Please come take a break, taichou. Not looking at paper for a few minutes can only help." Renji stood before Byakuya's desk like a pillar of salt, betraying no intention to move.

"Very well." Byakuya put the offending text down and walked over to the sofa. Renji sat on the floor and with a practiced flourish he moved the sleeve of his shihakusho up a bit, reached for the tea kettle, and poured a cup of tea without spilling a drop. He then handed it to Byakuya with a bow. His wrist disappeared back under the fabric, his forearm tattoos once again hidden out of sight.

Byakuya blinked. "So it is true. You can pour tea like a geisha."

"It's okay to learn something new here and there, taichou, don't you think?"

"Mmm." Byakuya'e eyes closed as he inhaled the steam.

Renji helped himself to a cup. Byakuya's eyes looked like they could stay closed for a very long time.

"Oi, taichou…here, I brought you something you might like."

Renji watched the tired, grey eyes open.

"Here…I found these chocolates. Remember that chocolate mousse with hot pepper you liked? Well…" Renji produced a chocolate bar. "This should be a similar taste. Not too sweet."

The tea cup was deposited on the tray as a slender, tekkou-clad hand accepted the gift.

"Thank you, Renji." Byakuya looked at the foreign inscription. "Where is this from?"

"It's not local. But there should be local chocolates available, too. In fact, flavored chocolate is quite a trend. You can even get wasabi chocolate…Ichigo let me use the internet to research some recipes."

"I see."

Byakuya opened the cardboard wrapper and slid a silver-clad tablet onto the table. He then unwrapped the thin foil, exposing a dark, fragrant tile cross-hatched with lines and embossed with foreign symbols. He broke a piece off and broke it in two.

"Try some, Renji."

It was like some kind of an adolescent dare; both of them lifted the black bit to their lips simultaneously, their eyes on one another. If one was going to stop, the other would likely have stopped also.

Renji felt the dark chocolate melt in his mouth hesitantly; not very sweet, yet the cayenne pepper was a strong enough note to make him frown.

Byakuya's eyes closed. His breathing became deeper as he experienced the almost-new sensation.

"It is...quite pleasant, actually."

The look of quiet contemplation on his eyes only brought Renji's attention to his stiff, tight shoulders.

Cheeky. Audacious. Surprisingly good with his hands.

Those were the thoughts running through Byakuya's mind as he felt Renji stand behind him, large warm hands kneading the stiff upper shoulders, strong thumbs pressing on the corded muscles of Byakuya's neck. He stiffened in pain.

"Let me know if I go too hard." Renji's voice was a caress.

"Lean back a bit, here…" Renji arranged his captain to his satisfaction, his hands doing their magic and was pleased to hear a contented sigh escape Byakuya's lips.

Renji pushed the curtain of raven hair off the smooth, white neck.

"Can I take your scarf off? It's in the way." Byakuya nodded, and Renji unwound the length of silk and draped it on the sofa next to him. He felt the distended back press against his hands and smiled.

"Not much I can do through your haori. Could you…?"

Byakuya stood, removed his haori, folded it and placed it next to his tangled scarf.

"Here…" Renji indicated for Byakuya to settle, leaning against the short arm-rest. Large, warm hands swept over the tight, distended back. Able, searching fingers found knots to tease out.

"Ah." Not a happy sound.

"Sorry." Renji eased off, the pressure of his hands lighter.

Byakuya felt the light caress of fingers sweep up his back and up his neck. Gentle touch soothed up the sides and under the ears and he felt heat pool at his groin. Focused on his breathing, he almost conquered the inconvenient sensation when hands pulled him back, his head leaning against Renji's thighs.

"Abarai."

"Shh…you'll see." Renji's voice was focused.

Thumbs attacked the top of his shoulders from neck to shoulder-point and Byakuya felt the tension slowly melting away. Strong fingers searched through the top of his shihakusho.

"I need to get down to your clavicle. Would you mind loosening your kosode, taichou."

Hesitantly he did so and a thumb pressed right above his clavicle on each side. He gasped.

"It gets you right under your shoulder-blades, doesn't it." Renji's voice was a satisfied purr as his fingers caressed his chest while coaxing the painful pressure points to yield many days of stored tension.

Byakuya felt himself relax against Renji, his eyes almost closed when the rough-skinned fingers swept up his throat, to his jaw and into his hairline. He could feel his very forehead relax at the delicious touch.

"Excuse me for a moment here…" There was a touch of mischief in Renji's sultry voice and he felt nimble fingers remove his kenseikan.

"Renji."
"'s okay. I'll put them on the table."

A metallic click against the lacquered wood…another one, and his hair was free.

Renji ran his fingers through Byakuya's hair, circling lightly. Touching him, running his hands over the alabaster skin, feeling his warmth on his hands was a privilege, an amazing sensual treat. He turned sideways a bit to conceal the hard evidence of his own pleasure. And now, with the black hair loose and his fingers freely running through the smooth strands he was overcome with a curious feeling of lightness and he smiled at the relaxed form in his hands.

Did he dare – No. He didn't. Yes, he did. Oh, hell.

Byakuya felt warm, moist breath under his ear right before soft lips kissed him at that sensitive, delicate patch of skin and he shuddered with pleasure.

Surely this is a bad idea.

He moved his head to cover that side, only to reveal the other and feel a jolt of pleasure as the sensuous lips dragged from neck to ear, kissing, a bit of tongue play making the smooth skin feel aflame.

"Renji." The intended admonishment came out as a breathless gasp. Arms encircled his shoulders, fingers slid under his kosode to feel the hard, smooth planes of his body, thumbs brushing the erect nipples.

"Byakuya." The voice that answered him was hushed, heated with passion, mournful with longing.

Enough.

Byakuya extricated himself from Renji's embrace and stood, turning to his fukutaichou with words of regret and admonishment on the tip of his tongue just when Renji loosened his hair band, tossing it next to his kenseikan. The lush, vermillion hair spilled down his shoulders and Byakuya's words froze on the tip of his tongue.

They found one another's arms and their lips brushed in a tender caress.

"Renji."

Byakuya felt Renji's tongue run along his lip, seeking entry and he feeling his lips part just enough. The delicious, moist heat teased him to press back in response and his eyes drew closed as arms enveloped him and a large hand snaked around his waist. He felt their hips being pulled closer.

Renji's groan just poured more oil onto the fire and Byakuya ground against him, feeling the hard evidence of their arousal.

His voice was but a strangled gasp.

"Renji. In my quarters."

XXXXXXX

A futon was already laid out in the generous room, an evidence of the captain sleeping over a lot recently.

Byakuya closed the door behind them and turned around.

This is highly inappropriate.

This is still a bad idea.

We are not in the Living World anymore.

The heat in his eyes betrayed him and Renji felt suddenly short of breath, drowning in the deep, gray pools. He took two steps forward and pinned Byakuya to the door with his larger frame. Hips ground against hips as Renji claimed the lovely, soft mouth with passionate tenderness.

Slim, strong hands pushed him away.

"What…"

"Let me undress you, Renji."

The quiet words spilled out as nimble fingers made quick work of hakama ties and obi. Black fabric pooled around Renji's feet. Warm, sensuous hands slipped up his hips and sides, leaving fire in their wake as his arms were raised, his kosode sliding back. He felt the searing gaze on his body, suddenly all too conscious of his hard planes and tanned skin marked with exotic, sinuous tattoos. The scrutiny aroused him further, his bulge straining painfully against his fundoshi.

Drawn in by invisible strings, Renji stepped forth, his hands fumbling lightly with Byakuya's clothing. It seemed like eternity before the fabric fluttered to the tatami floor. Their eyes met.

"Do you know what you're doing, Renji?"

"Only in theory."
"I see." The smooth, calm voice became soothing, hypnotic. "Let me show you, then."

Renji found himself lowered onto the futon on the ground and covered with a warm, sensuous body.

Tender hands were roaming over his sides, fingers splayed over his chest tracing the intriguing black lines. He felt a smooth cheek against his abdomen, the warm breath so close to his arousal his breath hitched.

Renji's hips bucked upward and Byakuya felt the strong fingers grasp his hair.

"Renji. Hands by your sides." The gleam in Byakuya's eyes was full of want, full of mischief.

"You must remain utterly still."

Renji arranged himself only to feel the wet, slithery tongue circle his head. His hips moved just a bit.

"Remain still." The note of command in the smooth, sensuous voice aroused him further. A whimper escaped his lips.

He knew something like this would happen. Yumichika described it all with great enthusiasm. He knew the odds were good that he'd be tied up, blid-folded, dominated.

"It's his nature," Yumi shrugged. "He doesn't know how to do anything but command. Love it or leave it."

Being at the mercy of his captain was nothing new. Renji was determined to endure now and evaluate later.

He felt his right leg being lifted. A warm hand stroked his swollen shaft and continued lower, fondling his sack gently…he gripped the sheets hard as the fingers feathered even lower, circling his opening. A slick finger pressed against his entrance. Renji stiffened. His eyes shut and face turned away lest he betray his hesitation, his fear.

I wanted this. I still want this.

"Relax, Renji."

He felt a slick, exploring digit press inside him and stay.

"Shh…do you trust me, Renji?" The velvety voice beckoned, coaxed.

"Yeah…"

"Relax…"

The finger slid in and out gently a few times and was joined by a second and then a third as the soft, wet, eager mouth engulfed Renji's cock all the way to the hilt.

He fought not to thrust his hips, not to cry out in overwhelming bliss.

"Ready?" Renji's darkened eyes were on Byakuya as he lifted his hips, legs spread apart wantonly. Smooth, hot hardness pressed against his opening.

"Go ahead." Hurry.

"Are you sure? It's likely to hurt the first time." Grey eyes were luminous over Renji's prone form, the voice tinged with concern.

"Yeah. I was told." Renji ran the tip of his tongue over his upper lip and panted. "Please…I want you. Inside me."

Byakuya's eyes were focused on Renji's, drinking in the heat in the hot, amber eyes. He penetrated in one slick, smooth thrust, burying his length all the way to the hilt in one smooth motion.

Renji's eyes were now shut, his lower lip between his teeth. He felt amazingly full and it hurt just like Yumichika said it would, but there was also a pleasurable sensation at the edge of his consciousness, promising to wake and tease him if he will only relax enough to allow it.

"Relax, Renji…say when." Slender hands massaged his abdomen, caressed his erection, sword calluses carefully avoiding contact with the tight, delicate skin.

"When." Renji felt the slow, shallow thrusts go progressively deeper, felt Byakuya's hand on him, stroking in counter-point.

Byakuya shifted his angle just so and the next thrust ripped a cry of pleasure from Renji's throat. And the next one, and the next. His hips moved in a syncopated rhythm as his arms reached for his lover and drew him in.

"You…did not remain…still." Byakuya's voice was a quiet rasp.

Renji tried to laugh but couldn't quite make the sound as the waves of pleasure built until he felt himself tighten all over for a paralyzing second, before his eyes rolled back and he spilled into Byakuya's hand and the name of his lover flew unbidden from his raw throat.

He felt Byakuya's final, deep thrust fill him deep as he clenched around his length in tight heat. Byakuya came soundlessly, his sharp teeth buried into Renji's shoulder, his violent release filling Renji with hot essence. Accompanied by an endearing flush of his face, the strands of ink-black hair were plastered to his neck, his cheeks.

Renji pulled him in tight, their hearts pounding. He closed his eyes, inhaling his unique, almost astringent scent.

He wanted to say it but superstition pushed the words back down into his throat. Instead, his lips found a delicious place on the white, smooth neck to gently nibble and suck.

I love you, Byakuya.

XXXXXXX

It was late – so late that all other division headquarters slept in dark silence. All but one. Kenpachi knew Byakuya came in search of him with sword in his hand two days previously and that could mean only one thing. He grinned. Time to pull Byakushi away from his paperwork and onto the training field.

The light in the 6th division office was still on. His knock went unanswered and he let himself in. Byakuya couldn't be far. Kenpachi surveyed the area. Undone work on both desks, swords still in their sword stands. He turned to sit on the low sofa and wait as he had done many times before when his body stopped in its tracks.

His yellow eye took in the kenseikan and the hair band on the table. Chocolate? Folded haori sat next to a puddled length of silk he knew so well. If he could only read reaitsu, he could be sure what this meant.

"BYAAAKUYAAA!" A ragged scream made its way through the closed door across the empty room.

Kenpachi curled his lips into a scarred grin, his sharp canines gleaming in the yellow gaslight.

His hopes for a midnight spar dashed, he let himself out.