Title: Covenant
Series: Amaranthine (third in series; sequel to Nexus and Apotheosis)
Author: Akuni
Universe: Bleach
Genre: Drama/Romance
Rating: M for 'Much Smut' (NC-17)
Pairing: Renji/Ichigo (Note: I always write them reversible)
Spoilers: read through Soul Society, Arrancar, & Hueco Mundo Arcs
Warnings: By this point, everyone reading this story should know that this is futurefic, with all that that implies – character development, interpretations of events not yet seen in canon, etc. There's more talk of the war with Aizen, and mentions of character deaths during the war.
Word Count: you wouldn't believe me if I told you yet ;)
Summary: Three years after Ichigo began a rewarding life as a full-time shinigami captain, an unexpected challenge changes things for everyone, and Ichigo and Renji face their biggest trials yet.

More info and author's notes on chapter 1.

Chapter 25 – Loyalty

Renji paced the limited space in the entry hall of the 3rd Division headquarters, trying to calm himself down before he gave in to the urge to whip out Zabimaru and start demolishing entire buildings.

"Abarai-kun." Kira stood in the doorway, watching him. "Let's talk in private." He motioned toward the private offices, and began leading the way when Renji gave him a brief nod. Renji tried to rein in his temper for his friend's sake, but his anger still simmered perilously close to the surface – especially when he saw that Kira was carrying an acting captain's sash.

And when Kira led him into the captain's office – Ichigo's – office, Renji lost the thin veneer of calm and was ready to lash out all over again. Friend or no friend, this is goin' too far!

"Kira," he growled, "there'd better be a damn good reason for this."

Seeming unfazed by Renji's ire, Kira stepped right up to face him proudly despite the significant height difference.

"This," Kira grabbed at the lieutenant's badge on his left arm, "is all I want." Then he pointed at the spare cloak still draped over the back of Ichigo's chair. "That's his." Kira's stare bored into him, and there was something in his blue eyes that Renji hadn't seen in years. "It'll be here waiting for him when he gets back."

Shock and relief swept through him, and Renji dropped heavily into a chair. "Wh… you believe me?"

"Of course. If you'd bothered to ask, I could've told you." The brief spark of the old Kira was gone, replaced by the sad-eyed look his friend had worn for years now. "I tried to see you to tell you, but you were never home. I knew where you must've gone, but I wasn't sure if I should interfere."

"Kira…" Renji didn't know what to say. "I…"

Kira shook his head. "That doesn't matter anymore." He took a seat in another of the visitor's chairs. "What matters is that you find him and bring him back. Ichigo is our captain, no one else. But he's not here right now, so in the meantime…" Kira gestured lazily with the unwanted acting captain's sash. "It's the lieutenant's job to take care of the Division while the captain's away, so I'll be here making sure he's got a Division to come back to."

Renji felt a grin tugging his lips when Kira pulled the sash on but left his lieutenant's badge in place as well. Kira's tentative answering smile was unexpected, and Renji thought he caught another glimpse of his old Academy friend.

§

Renji left the 3rd Division in a much better mood, and headed toward his office at the 5th to pick up a few things before… well he didn't know exactly where he was going to go, but he'd camped out in worse places than an empty building in the Seireitei. Far worse.

But as he rounded a corner, something prickled his senses, and he stopped to get a better feel for whatever was disturbing him. Loud voices echoed from a nearby alley, and he crept closer to listen.

The first man had a soft, almost breathy voice. "What? No, really?"

"I swear, I heard it from a guy over in the 6th Division." The reply came from a man with a squeaky voice.

Softy spoke again. "Damn, they sure don't look the type."

A third man, this one's voice much raspier than the other two. "Yeah, well you never can tell, can you?"

Renji frowned. Something about the conversation didn't sound quite right, and he didn't like where it was going.

"Is that sort of thing allowed?" Softy asked.

"They're both captains, who's gonna stop them?" Squeaky replied.

Cold suspicion filtered through him. His shoulders tensed. What'n hell'm I supposed t' do 'bout somethin' like this? It wasn't the first time he'd heard someone surprised to find out that two prominent male captains were together, but it was the first time he'd personally encountered this level of derision on a professional level.

"Is there any way to request not to be in one of their Divisions? I don't think I'd be comfortable with that…" Softy said, sounding hesitant.

There was a loud snort from Squeaky. "Everyone wants to be in the 3rd; they're blinded by the great 'war hero', that Kurosaki."

Renji ground his teeth; he didn't have time to deal with this now. He turned to leave. I'll let Ichigo deal with it when he—

Raucous laughter followed, stopping him in his tracks.

Raspy chimed in after his laughter died away. "Don't worry about that, he's dead anyway. Gotta keep an eye on Abarai, though… heh, wonder if he pitches or catches?"

Red haze filled Renji's vision. Before he knew it, he'd released the controls on his reiatsu and flashed around the corner to confront the trembling shinigami.

"Both," he growled menacingly. The three very young shinigami cowered under the spiritual pressure. A distant voice in the back of his mind chided him for this small abuse of his power, but he ignored it in favour of teaching these punk bastards a lesson. He's Not. Fucking. Dead!!

"Anything else ya wanna know? Now's the time; now's your one chance t' ask."

Squeaky turned out to be a reed-thin shinigami who barely looked old enough to be entering the Academy, never mind already having graduated. "A-Abarai-taichou!"

"We were just—" Raspy was short and bald, but he, too, looked far too young. That meant the chubby fellow hiding behind the other two had to be Softy.

"I know what ya 'were just'." Renji bit off the words. They shrank back, shaking even harder.

Renji turned to the third youngster. "I know you're all new, so ya don't know. But I think you'll be surprised t' find out what's 'allowed' here… and what ain't." He swept a glare over them. "Bein' curious is allowed. Bein' an asshole is allowed. Bein' in love is allowed. Not likin' your captain is even allowed. But disrespectin' your superiors is definitely not allowed."

He pinned them to the wall with his stare. "Ya got a problem with me, you're welcome t' come see me an' we'll settle it like adults, instead a' sneakin' 'round gossipin' like kids. Same goes for Kurosaki-taichou-dono." He emphasized the title and honourific, taking satisfaction in the uncertainty that flickered across their faces.

Renji shook his head at the disbelief in their expressions. "Ya didn't pay attention t' your lessons, did ya? Che. Do ya really think a li'l thing like an' explosion could stop the man who helped take down the traitor Aizen Sousuke? Think about it – an' when he gets back, you can tell him yourselves why ya don't wanna be in his Division."

The three stood shivering together, glancing at each other nervously. A thread of guilt began winding its way through him, and Renji reined in his reiatsu. "Get lost," he ordered.

"Y-yes, Abarai-taichou-dono!" They edged past him and scurried out of the alley.

§

Renji stormed into his office, still seething over the ridiculous encounter. He wasn't sure if he was angrier with the idiot recruits or with himself for losing control. Maybe it was just the whole damn situation.

:Renji, you gotta calm down.:

I know, Zabimaru, but I just… can't… Renji unclenched his fists and resisted the urge to break something, settling instead for slamming his office door. He'd only intended to make a quick stop, but when he turned around he found another surprise waiting for him.

"Renji!" Rukia planted herself in front of him, hands on hips. "What are you doing?"

Renji brushed past her. "Got no time for this now, Rukia." He strode to the closet and started yanking out supplies for an extended trip into Hueco Mundo. "If I'm forced t' take leave, then I'm gonna use every minute t' search."

He ran a hand down the seams of the long cloak, checking for tears, before swinging it around him. But a vice-like grip on his arm halted him before he could get it over his shoulders.

"Rukia…" he warned, glaring down at his lieutenant.

"I won't try to stop you," Rukia said quietly. "But I'm not going to let you race off in this state. How will Ichigo get home if you get yourself killed?" Intent blue eyes held him. "He's counting on you."

That idea sobered him instantly.. "I… dammit!" Renji shook her off and pitched his travel pack back in the closet. The need to snatch it back up and tear off into Hueco Mundo was strong, but Rukia's words had been like cold water over the fire of his anger. He threw himself down on the couch, still smouldering but definitely more rational.

"Fine, I'll wait a few minutes an' then I'll go," he ground out.

Rukia snorted, flopping down on the cushion next to him. "No, you'll wait until you've calmed down enough to make a proper plan, and then I'll let you go."

"You'll let?"

"Yes, let. You're probably the only one who can find him, but you need help," she said, poking her finger into his chest with every few words. "I won't let you screw this up by running into disaster because you're not thinking straight. I'd be a pretty miserable friend, to you and to Ichigo, if I let that happen."

Renji smacked her finger away. "Didn't think it was possible, but ya know you're even pushier now than when I met ya." There was no way he was going to admit she was right.

Rukia rolled her eyes. "And you're even dirtier – today is the first time in weeks you haven't looked like a street brat in a uniform you stole from the trash. Though you sound like one again."

Renji felt the flush spreading across his face, and grimaced. "Had dinner with your brother last night. He insisted on proper manners an' all that."

"I know," she said simply. "I think he had your old uniform burned." This time it was Renji who snorted; Rukia laughed lightly and leaned against his arm like she used to do so long ago.

"You need to pull yourself together, take better care of yourself," she continued. "Even your hair is a mess, and that's just not like you!"

The familiar banter began to ease the tension from him; Renji relented and draped his arm over her slender shoulders. "You're such a pain," he told her.

"And your sideburns are all ragged." She peered up at his cheek. "There was only the one other time I've seen them this bad – well the one side, anyway. Remember?" Her elbow dug into his ribs. "I still don't know how you managed to forget to do both sides."

"Ow Quit that!" He pinched her arm until she left off. "It wasn't my fault," he objected, resolutely ignoring the heat that rose again in his face. "I was distracted."

"Distracted?"

"Ichigo's fault," he grumbled. Remembering just how effective his lover's distraction had been would have sent another kind of heat through him, if it weren't for the lingering ache in his chest that refused to go away.

"Oh really?" Rukia snickered loudly. "So that's why it was such a big secret!"

"Shut up!" Renji nudged her none-too-gently. "Or have ya forgotten the pie incident last year?" The snickering choked off abruptly, and Renji chuckled into the sudden silence.

Filled with "Do you remember…?"s and "What about the time when…?"s, the next half hour passed easily. Renji found his balance slowly stabilizing as the cheerful memories he shared with his oldest friend helped clear the bad taste left by the encounter in the alley.

When Rukia finally coaxed a genuine laugh out of him, she got up off the couch and smiled at him with smug satisfaction. "I'll cover while you go 'cool off'," she offered, looking pointedly toward the closet. "But that'll only work for today – what'll I tell them when someone notices when you aren't around for a few days?"

"I don't know yet," Renji answered honestly. "But I'll figure somethin' out, an' let ya know before I disappear, ok?" Rukia nodded, and turned to leave.

Dunno what I'd do if I didn't have her an' the others helpin' me. In that moment, Renji was extremely aware of just how hard this would be without his friends backing him up and covering his tracks.

"Rukia," he called after her. She stopped in the doorway and looked back at him over her shoulder. "Thanks." Rukia just smiled again and shut the door quietly behind her.

Renji smiled to himself as he packed his kit, remembering another secret – one he wasn't about to share, not even with his childhood friend. Least not 'til Ichigo's here t' be embarrassed 'bout it. Hehehe…

§

-two years ago-

They spent the lazy summer afternoon sitting outside the Kurosaki clinic. Their leave had just begun, and they were still getting used to the change in routine – and the physical changes that inevitably accompanied a visit to the living world.

"Every time we come here it's kinda weird wearing these clothes again," Ichigo mused. "And drinking from a can." He waved his can before taking another sip. "Seems odd now that I ever had trouble gettin' used to some of the things that came with becoming a full-time shinigami."

"Oh yeah?" Renji cocked his head. "What was the toughest thing t' get used to?" he asked curiously. Haven't heard this before, it's gotta be good.

"Ah, nothin' really," Ichigo hedged.

"C'mon, ya saw how much trouble I had with those damn gigai, tell me!"

"It was—" Ichigo broke off. "Ok if you laugh I'm gonna kill you, you realize that?"

Renji felt both of his tattooed eyebrows shoot up, and he nodded. "What was it?"

A deep flush spread up Ichigo's neck. "It was the fundoshi." He looked at Renji, as if daring him to laugh.

Renji bit his cheek hard to keep from laughing at his lover's discomfiture. "Oh." He managed to keep his voice steady, but he was too late to block the amusement from filtering through their link.

Ichigo's eyes narrowed. "Yeah it was the damndest thing, that first night," he continued conversationally. "My family's in danger, and there's this strange woman with a sword… I end up skewered on the sword to borrow her powers, and then I'm suddenly a shinigami!" Ichigo tilted his head back and drained the last drops from his can.

Renji took a deep breath in an attempt to quell the mirth rising inside at Ichigo's revelation. He disguised an escaping laugh as a cough and nodded again, not trusting himself to speak.

Ichigo set the empty can down and continued. "And I've got all this power and this bigass sword… and yanno all I can think in that first split second is 'Oh shit, what the fuck is that in my ass?!'"

The mental image of a fifteen year old Ichigo standing in the street with a startled expression and a brand new fundoshi wedgie was too much. Renji lost it; he threw back his head and howled with laughter. "Oh, ya gotta be kiddin' me!"

"Hey they don't wear 'em here anymore, yanno!" Ichigo punched him in the arm. "Stop laughing, you ass!"

Renji clutched his stomach as he rolled onto his side, tears leaking from the corners of his eyes, loose hair falling over the bandana keeping it back. "Sorry," he wheezed as Ichigo turned away and folded his arms with an angry-sounding huff. Oh shit, I'm in trouble…

"It's just…" Renji sucked in a huge breath, trying to stop laughing before Ichigo got any more pissed – they were supposed to be taking it easy, not fighting. "Didn't expect that." A curious tug at his reiatsu had him sitting up abruptly. He choked down his laughter. "Hey…" He hauled Ichigo around by the shoulder.

Ichigo was smirking at him. "Oh real funny." Renji grinned, shoving him back. "Scare me why dontcha. Bastard." He wiped at his eyes with the back of his hand.

Ichigo snickered. "You promised you wouldn't laugh," his partner reminded him, leaning back and folding his arms behind his head.

"Did Rukia ever know?" Renji asked, still chuckling.

"What're you kidding? 'Course not!" Ichigo scoffed. "She'd never let me hear the end of it."

"Sooo," Renji began in an exaggerated drawl, "whatcha got on right now?" He ran his fingers down Ichigo's back, dipping them down into the waistband of Ichigo's jeans.

Ichigo whipped a hand down and snatched Renji's wrist away from his rear. "Don't you dare, my father is right on the other side of that window!" He jerked his head toward the wall of the clinic side of the house.

Renji just grinned. "Ok then." He twisted his arm, breaking free of Ichigo's grasp and catching Ichigo's elbow instead. "Let's go inside." Renji stood, pulling Ichigo up with him, and headed swiftly into the house. A quick look around assured him that no one else was home.

They were up the stairs and locked in Karin's bedroom in a blink. Ichigo began tugging at Renji's shirt, but Renji caught his hands and pushed him to sit on the bed.

"Lemme see…" Renji knelt down between Ichigo's knees and popped open all the buttons on Ichigo's jeans. "Is it boxers or—" To his surprise, Ichigo wasn't wearing anything at all under his tight jeans.

"Wrong on all counts." Ichigo thumped Renji's arm and grinned.

Renji licked his lips. "Well this's a nice surprise. Gettin' kinky on me?" Without waiting for an answer, he tugged Ichigo's jeans down to his thighs, exposing more of Ichigo's bare skin and the growing erection nestled in the bright curls.

Ichigo's chuckle turned into a gasp when Renji licked a slow stripe over his entire length. "Quiet now," Renji cautioned, looking up with a smirk. "Your father ain't that far away. Don't want him bustin' in goin' on 'bout technique, do we?"

Ichigo shook his head and bit his lip, reaching out to squeeze Renji's shoulder as Renji lowered his head again. The lock on the door would keep the girls out, but it would only slow Isshin for an instant if he truly wanted to enter the room. The danger of getting caught was a bit of a thrill, Renji had to admit, but actually getting caught – by Ichigo's father, no less – wasn't something either of them really wanted, so they tried to be a little quieter than usual when they were doing this sort of thing at the house.

Not an easy task for Renji, who tended to be quite vocal during sex. Just as well my mouth's busy now. Heh.

The hand on Renji's shoulder clutched tighter as he nibbled his way from base to tip, and Renji had to fight another smirk as he closed his lips around the head. He circled it with his tongue, flicking hard as he passed over the underside, relishing the sudden spike of desire that shot through their energies. It was necessary to shift a bit to relieve the pressure against his own arousal before continuing.

Renji began an easy rhythm up and down the smooth shaft, with just the right amount of suction. He was doing a very good job, judging by Ichigo's responses, but Renji wanted to see Ichigo come right undone – so he opened his throat and bent forward until his lips just touched the base.

"Ren-jiiii, fuuuck!" Ichigo's fingers dug deeply into his shoulder; Renji pulled back just far enough so he could make a noise low in his throat, knowing the vibrations would drive Ichigo wild. Sure enough, Ichigo groaned, bucking and grabbing the bedding in a white-knuckled fist.

Wrapping one hand at the base of the shaft, Renji pumped in a rhythm that matched the increased tempo of his mouth. He slid the other hand lower, cupping and massaging gently. Ichigo's low moan filled the room, but Renji was past caring; his own groin tightened as Ichigo stiffened and released with a hastily smothered cry.

"Mmmhhh." Renji hummed in satisfaction as he swallowed, squeezing gently with both hands. Ichigo's pleasure tumbled wildly through their link. When the last pulse faded, Renji let the still-hard flesh slide out of his mouth; running one hand over Ichigo's still-twitching abdominal muscles, he looked up into Ichigo's flushed, wide-eyed stare, and deliberately poked his tongue out to lick at the thin stream he'd lost out of the corner of his mouth.

"Get up here," Ichigo panted, tugging at his arms. Renji complied happily, letting Ichigo push him back on the bed and tear open his jeans. Without bothering to pull his own clothes back into place, Ichigo shoved the stiff denim aside and bent to take Renji's aching erection in his mouth with a low sound that was almost a growl, echoing the lust racing through Renji's veins…

§

-present-

Still chuckling to himself, Renji finished checking his pack and hid it in the back of the closet. He left the 5th Division headquarters and headed for the 6th; he still had one thing left to do before he could sneak into Hueco Mundo.

When he arrived at the headquarters of his former Division, Renji was greeted with carefully polite nods and bows. He waved briefly at those he recognized, and kept a cautious eye on the rest as he made his way toward the captain's offices.

He rapped sharply on the door, and strode into the room after the muffled voice granted entrance.

"Kuchiki-san." Renji nodded to his former captain.

The noble behind the polished desk inclined his head in response. "What brings you here today, Abarai-san?" He motioned to a chair, and Renji took the offered seat.

"Had a problem with some punks in an alley," he said without preamble. "Nothin' new, really, but since the 6th was mentioned I thought ya oughta know, in case there's any fallout." Renji sketched out the bones of the encounter for the 6th Division captain. "I dunno who it was, but I don't want those idiots takin' it out on anyone 'cause they're pissed at me."

Byakuya's expression had remained unchanged through the entire explanation, but his features grew thoughtful once Renji had concluded. "I'll tell my officers to be alert for any unusual activity," he said at last.

"Er, thanks." Renji stood and prepared to leave. "I'll leave ya t' your work now," he began, but Byakuya held up a hand and gestured for him to remain. Renji sat back down and looked curiously at his former captain.

The Kuchiki held his gaze for a long moment before he spoke again. "What will you do with your time, now that you're on leave?"

Renji frowned. He should already know what I'm gonna do! But I can't say that here – no idea who's listenin'. "Haven't really worked out the details yet," he replied vaguely.

"Perhaps a change of scenery would do you some good," Byakuya suggested.

Renji blinked. Wait a minute…

"I believe you have family in the living world," Byakuya continued smoothly. "I'm sure they'd appreciate your company in this difficult time."

"That's… a real good idea, Kuchiki-san." Yes! "In fact, I'm gonna go start makin' arrangements right now." Renji stood and offered Byakuya a formal bow.

It took all his strength to walk normally and not race all the way back to the 5th Division headquarters.

§

Omake

-Chapter 25-

Kira: Told you.

Renji: -bows- Sorry, Kira, I shoulda thought.

Kira: -waves a hand- Don't worry about it.

Rukia: -giggling- Fundoshi wedgie.

Renji: Ah shit, she wasn't supposed t' find out 'bout that. Ichigo's gonna kill me!

Akuni: Oops!

Art

See the story posted on LJ or ygal for links to the art that goes with this chapter. Link to my LJ – where this story is very prominently featured – is on my bio.

Music

♫ 'Memories' – Within Temptation