A/n I own nothing. This one is for SesshomaruFreak and takes place after the ep 303 new year's special.

Rukia caught Renji's sad gaze while they stood with Orihime, as she prayed for her brother. When they went their separate ways she caught him by the shoulder.

"What's bothering you?" she asked concerned. Whatever airs he put on, he'd always felt deeply and if something was wrong she'd want to help.

"It's just all that talk 'bout family got me thinkin'," he said awkwardly.

"Bout the Rukongai?" she asked falling into her old dialect. She'd been thinking the same.

"Nah this was fine," he said smiling. The unspoken sentiment that they were his family touched her; it was nice to know she wasn't the only one who felt that way. "Look don't take this the wrong way, ain't my place but, don'tcha you know have family?" he finished.

"Clan function I mostly came here to get out of it,"

"Ah, that's gotta suck,"

"Tell me about it,"

"You're not gonna get in trouble for skipping out,"

"No it's better all-around if I avoid them, anyway I get tired of hearing snide remarks about my adoption," she said sadly then smiled. "I attacked one of them once decades ago because he said Nii-san 'sullied the clan name by accepting Rukongai scum'. After that I stopped going."

"I bet, I'm surprised they didn't get slice n' diced," Renji said with a laugh.

"Oh you know the line, nobles are supposed to be above reacting to such things," she said mockingly.

"Ya know it's weird, I would have thought that clan functions would be some sorta kowtow fest," Renji mused.

"Sometimes it is. That's almost more sickening,"

"Suppose it's a powertrip if you're the one being prostrated too though," he said.

"Maybe for some people," she shrugged. "They all just want favors it's not real respect. Sometimes I don't even think Nii-san likes it but, you know it's kinda hard to tell."

"Maybe ya should head back to the manor," Renji said gently.

Rukia frowned "It's not like he gets lonely or anything," she said uncertainly, "But, maybe you're right."

She took in Renji's disappointed look, "Wanna come with? I could use a buffer," she offered.

"If you don't think that it will be a problem," Renji said hopefully.

"None at all," she replied, hoping she was right.

X

Within the hour they were entering the manor. Renji had never actually been in Rukia's house and was a little floored by the grandeur.

"Damn this is nice,"

"Tell me about it," Rukia said smiling. "Nii-san doesn't seem to be here," she said.

At that moment they turned as one, as he felt his captain's reiatsu. A minute later the elder Kuchiki strode in even Renji, who wouldn't pretend to be a confidant thought he looked exhausted. He took in the mud on his hakama, realizing that he'd probably been at a temple now that the crowds had cleared out. He almost laughed at the thought that someone dead or not could make the noble kneel in the dirt. Must be a special motherfucker.

"You are back early," The noble said quietly. Why did it feel like they'd done something wrong?

Rukia must have felt the same cause she sounded damn nervous when she spoke, "It's custom in the Living World to s-spend New Year's with family, since I'm the only family Renji has I thought he could have dinner here." His captain simply nodded walking away. He followed Rukia into a dining room where there was a decent spread laid out for them. They dove in hungrily though Rukia was clearly making an attempt to be dignified about it, which was funny as hell. He laughed; she threw a rice cake at him, then winced.

"Reminds me of that night at Uruhara's," he laughed retrieving the rice cake.

"The one where you broke Yumi's nose with the plate," Rukia snorted.

"Hey ain't like I meant to…I was aiming for Ikkaku," he said and they both started cackling. Rukia froze her head whipping around to the dining room's second entrance. Renji slowly turned to follow her gaze and saw his captain watching from the hall his reiatsu suppressed. He would have sworn the older man tensed a bit before moving to the head of the table. He was wearing a clean uniform and Renji shook his head, seriously did the man ever dress casual. Silence reigned for a while and it was hard to tell but, he thought Byakuya was as uneasy as they were. He thought for a moment that it was his own presence and almost stood to make his excuses. Then he realized that the captain had seemed relaxed when he'd been watching them, had only tensed when he joined. He thought about what Rukia had said before and decided to test a theory.

"Hey Rukia you remember that time when Uryuu thought Ichigo stole his cape?"

"I do," Rukia said formally, lips twitching.

"He chased Ichigo around, threatening to sprenger him?" he pressed and Rukia chuckled.

"And Tessai grabbed Ichigo and threw him in the training room," she said laughing. They soon fell back into reminiscing and banter as they ate, forgetting the captain was even there. He glanced up half an hour later startled by the clink of a plate and saw the elder Kuchiki setting his dish aside. The stiffness was gone and he was watching Rukia with unguarded affection. Then he caught Renji looking and like a door being shut the moment passed. Renji went back to his conversation with Rukia pleased that he'd been right.