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 26 – Dedication

"Right on time, Abarai-san-!"

Renji gave the shopkeeper a tight smile. "Urahara-san. Good t' see ya." He dropped his pack on the rocky floor and looked around. The underground training room was a bit different every time he saw it – new chasms here, shattered boulders there – but somehow it always looked the same. Familiar. Comforting, even.

But this time the familiar surroundings just fed the ubiquitous ache, and brought the painful awareness that a huge piece of his life was missing into sharper focus.

"Urahara-san, I need—" Renji began, but the exiled shinigami cut him off.

"To tell you the truth, I expected you sooner." Urahara drew his striped hat farther down over his eyes.

"Yeah, well, I…" Renji shrugged. "I expected this t' be over sooner."

Urahara nodded. "Of course." He swept his arm toward the exit. "Shall we go?"

"What's wrong with right here?" Renji asked warily. If he's tryin' t' pull somethin' now, of all times, I swear I'll kill him!

"We can discuss it upstairs. Isshin's waiting for us," Urahara explained. "You should know he's not pleased." He turned and began the climb up to the shop without looking back. Renji stared after him for a moment, then snatched up his pack and quickly followed.

'Not pleased', what the hell does that mean? I'm doin' the best I can! Anxiety built as he made the long climb up out of the basement. What if they think it ain't enough? Another thought sent chills right down to his toes. Or maybe they're gonna try'n keep me from goin' back?

Conflicting thoughts and possible scenarios spun endlessly through Renji's tired mind. By the time he reached the top, he'd more than half convinced himself of the worst.

As Urahara led him to a small room at the back of the deserted shop, Renji kept glancing around nervously; he'd spent far too long keeping his actions a secret to let his guard down now. "Urahara-san…"

"Not to worry. I've sent them on a mission for the day, so we won't be interrupted," Urahara assured him as he gestured for Renji to precede him into the room.

A tall shadow melted away from the far wall, and Kurosaki Isshin stepped into view. In his shinigami form. "Renji."

Apprehension gripped Renji when he heard the deep, sober tone, and he had to fight not to slip into a fighting stance as Isshin approached him. The elder Kurosaki was nearly as tall as he was, and only outweighed him by a little, but while Renji had the reach of him and had been fighting regularly for years, Isshin was bulkier and had the advantage of decades more experience.

And Renji didn't want to have to explain or defend himself against Ichigo's father; the idea of fighting the man who'd welcomed him as a second son was abhorrent. Fuck, it's Ichigo's father… I can't… but… please don't try'n stop me…

Renji took a deep breath. "Kurosaki-san. Didn't expect t' see ya here." He watched the former shinigami captain closely, but Isshin simply stood there looking at him – and Urahara was no better, closing the door behind them and observing them with those carefully shaded eyes.

Renji wasn't looking for a fight; he didn't want to fight either of these men, but he'd do it if they tried to stop him from going after Ichigo. He couldn't read either of them well enough to guess which way they'd jump, but either way Renji hoped someone would say or do something to break the standoff soon – he was too tightly strung and his nerves couldn't take much more.

"It's all right, Renji." Isshin smiled at him a bit sadly, and dropped a heavy hand on Renji's shoulder. "We want to help."

It was all Renji could do to stay upright; the tension drained out of his muscles as relief rushed through him. For a moment, he'd been honestly afraid that he'd have to face a physical confrontation with his lover's father. The implications of having the two older shinigami on his side were nearly as overwhelming; they'd be powerful allies on his self-imposed quest.

Renji relaxed and let down his guard – and Isshin was on him in a flash. "Oh my son!" he cried, flinging both arms around Renji. "My poor boys, what has happened to you?!"

"Oi!" Ichigo's father squeezed Renji around the ribs, ignoring his startled squawk. "Wait… a minute!" Renji gasped, struggling free of Isshin's demented embrace. When he managed to extricate himself, Isshin flashed him an enormous grin and two thumbs up; Urahara just laughed, sounding delighted.

They're both fuckin' nuts, but what I'm doin' ain't exactly sane, either. With the other two both looking so cheerful, Renji couldn't help but smile back.

"Thanks Pop," he said, standing to one side of the small table in the centre of the room. Spread out on the table was a map Renji immediately recognized as all the explored regions of Hueco Mundo.

The map was very up to date; Renji swallowed hard as he looked at the newly drawn crater deep in the previously unexplored territory. Most of that region was still unmapped, the entire dimension having been deemed too unstable for surveying parties after the explosion of the trap.

"You've been going in by yourself since the day you were let out of the infirmary, is that right?" Urahara asked. Renji nodded; he and Ichigo had long since given up being amazed at how the exiled shinigami got his information – he simply did.

"How far have you gone?" Isshin asked, all business now.

Renji traced his route with a fingertip. "Been followin' the old survey patterns for this area," he explained. "Didn't wanna miss anything." Looking at the sheer size of the area, he saw the enormity of his task laid out for him in stark reality. The territory he'd covered so far seemed so paltry, so insignificant compared to what was left to search – and that only the known areas. It was just as likely Ichigo had been flung farther out into the unknown.

Get a grip! Renji cleared his throat roughly. "Figured the first thing t' do was—"

"Yes, yes, of course," Urahara interrupted, peering at the map. "Chances are good that our lost comrade is still somewhere in that area." He looked up and made a face. "Far be it from me to disparage the 'search party' they sent out, but…" The wooden fan appeared in his hand and was suddenly pointing directly at the red sword belt still wrapped around Renji's waist.

"Well I will – they're useless," Isshin snorted. "Rukia-chan told us that they would've missed finding that smack in centre of the crater itself, had her adopted brother not been with them."

Renji started. Kuchiki-san was with the search party? Why didn't anyone tell me?!

Isshin wasn't done. "I wouldn't trust them to find their own feet with both hands and a map, let alone my son."

"Lovely sentiment," drawled an unexpected new voice.

Renji spun, immediately putting his back to the wall and dropping his hand to Zabimaru's hilt – but he relaxed when he realized who it was. Yoruichi stepped all the way into the room and closed the door soundlessly behind her.

"Yoruichi-san!" Renji exclaimed.

"Renji," she greeted him cheerfully. "You look like hell."

"So I've been told," he said wryly.

"Have you found any trace of Ichigo at all on your trips?" Yoruichi asked. "Sensed him even a little?" Her calm, unemotional tone helped Renji focus on the information rather than the situation.

"No physical traces." Renji shook his head. "I haven't sensed anything new, but…" Pausing, he searched for the right words to explain it. "I don't feel… I feel the same, like the connection's still there. An' I'd know if it got broken." He rubbed the back of his neck. "That make any sense?"

"Of course, my boy! That's because you're soulmates!" Isshin winked and flashed a sparkle-toothed smile that encompassed most of his face.

Renji groaned as Urahara snickered quietly behind his fan and Yoruichi laughed outright. That's all I need – bad puns. "Yeah, so… can ya help me get back t' Hueco Mundo without Soul Society knowin'?"

"We did it before, we can do it again," Urahara assured him. "It'll be a little more difficult this time, since they're undoubtedly watching more carefully for portal activity, but we still have a few tricks they don't know about."

Renji grinned. "They won't hear about it from me."

"We'll get started on adjusting the settings to open an untraceable portal," Urahara promised.

"I'll contact Kuukaku," Yoruichi said, catching Urahara's eye.

"Ah, ya mind givin' us a minute?" Renji asked the shopkeeper quietly, nodding toward where Isshin still pored over the map.

"Of course," Urahara murmured, then raised his voice. "Ah, Yoruichi-san, I have some nice fresh milk today, wouldn't you like to join me?" Yoruichi's eyes brightened, and she practically hauled him out of the room; Renji could hear Urahara's complaints as he was dragged all the way to the kitchen.

"Isshin-san." Renji cleared his throat. "How're the girls?"

Ichigo's father looked up at him with tired eyes. "I didn't think we needed to be so formal with each other, son."

Renji flushed, but didn't look away. "Earlier I thought… well, I didn't know what t' think, an'…" He bowed. "Please excuse my behaviour." The shame rolling over him was so great, he could taste its sour tang.

"Pfft." Renji straightened in surprise. Isshin waved a hand at him, coming around the table and wrapping an arm around Renji's shoulder. "If I know Urahara Kisuke, he was probably being deliberately dramatic to wind you up."

"Sonuva…" Renji spat, and turned to glare toward the door leading to the rest of the shop. "I'll kill him." His nerves really couldn't take any more surprises.

Isshin just laughed and gave him a shake. "He's too valuable to us alive. We can't kill him – and he knows it. That's why he gets away with what he does."

Renji snorted, and Isshin laughed again. "Now, are you coming back with me to see the girls for dinner? You know they've been missing you both, and ever since Rukia-chan came to tell us Ichigo was missing…" His eyes grew distant. "I know they'd like to see you, if you're up for it. It'll take time to make the preparations to get you back into Hueco Mundo without Soul Society knowing."

The idea of seeing the girls made him rather nervous, but a guilty little voice told Renji he owed it to them to see them, and to answer their questions.

"Sure. Yeah, I'd like that."

"Wonderful!" Isshin beamed and squeezed him joyfully. "I'm so happy!" he sobbed.

"Gah! Isshin-san… ok enough… c'mon Pop, leggo!"

§

"Ok listen up." Rukia raised her hands, and silence descended in the courtyard. All shinigami currently on duty in the 5th were present, and the news of Renji's leave was on everyone's lips.

"As of this morning, Abarai-taichou is on bereavement leave. Some of you may have heard some talk about that, but I'm sure you all know better than to listen to rumours." She scanned the crowd, taking note of their mostly puzzled reactions.

"We're not getting a new captain, though, right?" an anxious voice asked. "I heard Yamamoto-sou-taichou was really mad and threw him out!"

"Absolutely not." Rukia spoke very firmly. Damn those rumours – how the hell do they find out what goes on in private meetings? If I ever find out who the blabbermouth is…

"It's only temporary," she continued, "just until the bereavement period is up. Yamamoto-sou-taichou felt it would be best. Abarai-taichou has gone to visit family in the living world, and he'll be back with us in two weeks."

"Bereavement leave? But… Abarai-taichou said Kurosaki-taichou isn't dead."

"That's right. And I don't think he's dead, either," Rukia replied calmly. "But the Gotei 13 doesn't agree, so Abarai-taichou's on leave." She let that sink in for a moment. "Now we've all got work to do, so let's get to it. Business as usual when the captain's away."

"Yes, Kuchiki-fukutaichou!" In less than a minute, the courtyard was nearly empty, but Rukia spotted two figures lingering in the archway as she approached.

"Rikichi-san, do… do you think it's true?" A young shinigami stared up at Rikichi with earnest eyes. He had a colourful wooden token woven into his shoulder-length hair, remarkably similar to the ones Rikichi wore.

"If Abarai-taichou believes, that's enough for me," Rikichi replied confidently. "I've trusted him and followed him for too many years not to believe he's right about this, too. Now let's get back to work – we've got a lot to do to make sure things are running smoothly when Abarai-taichou gets back."

"Yes, Rikichi-san!" The shinigami followed Rikichi out of the courtyard, and Rukia had to suppress a giggle at the unexpectedly nostalgic sight. Rikichi had grown out of his hero-worship of Renji, and had given up mimicking the facial tattoos – though she had it on good authority that he'd acquired several more personal ones in more discreet locations.

Now, watching the young man trotting closely behind Rikichi's heels, she saw it happening all over again. Seems he's picked up a fan of his own.

§

Kuchiki Byakuya, captain of the 6th Division and Kuchiki family heir, stood in front of Yamamoto Geryuusai Shigekuni, captain of the 1st Division and Commander-General of the Gotei 13 – and opened a very carefully considered discussion.

"I wished to speak with you regarding your decision to relieve the 5th Division captain of his duties. Is there no other way to address the situation?"

"All things considered, I think he got off rather lightly." Yamamoto gave him a stern look. "I heard about the incident this afternoon. One more outburst like that and I'll have him locked in his quarters."

"Is it really necessary to restrict his movements?" Byakuya objected to the harsh measures the Commander-General was proposing, but getting him to change his mind would be difficult.

"His behaviour is erratic. He's caused two major altercations, and even lashed out at his friends. That is simply unacceptable."

"Then let him return to his Division. Give him something to hold on to, something to ground himself." Byakuya allowed his eyes to soften minutely – a calculated gesture. "He needs a reason to pull himself up and carry on. And we cannot afford to have a strong leader like Abarai-taichou out of commission for so long." The subtle reminder of position was also deliberate.

The old man remained adamant. "He is unfit for duty at this time."

"You know what they meant to each other. Surely we can allow some consideration for his grief," Byakuya said firmly.

"We've all lost lovers before." Yamamoto's gravelly voice was blunt and unforgiving.

Byakuya was not intimidated. "Yamamoto-sou-taichou, you cannot expect me to believe that, after years of watching them stand together at the captains' meetings, you did not notice the depth of the bond between them." He returned the flat stare impassively.

Yamamoto declined to respond, instead posing a question of his own. "Why does this disturb you so, Kuchiki Byakuya?"

"As his former captain, I feel some lingering responsibility for him, and I do not wish to see him suffer any more than he already has. As a fellow captain, I do not wish to lose a powerful, respected ally from the field."

Byakuya paused, choosing his next words carefully as the Commander-General's gaze weighed him. "Furthermore, if you lock him up you'll just make him worse. He's changed a great deal, but at the core he still has that Rukongai wariness. And you do not back a wild dog into a corner and expect him not to bite."

Yamamoto looked thoughtful. "Very well," he allowed. "Abarai-taichou will not be confined to his quarters, but," he held up his hand, "he is still not fit for duty. He will remain on bereavement leave until such time as he pulls himself together again. Kuchiki Byakuya, since you have championed him, it's your responsibility to make sure he does it quickly. Whatever it takes, you do to get him back on his feet again."

This isn't the first time I've found myself envying Abarai Renji and Kurosaki Ichigo their freedom to follow their own ideals without worrying about the details, and it probably won't be the last.

But now he'd been given the perfect excuse, whether the Commander-General realized it or not. Luckily, Byakuya was a past master at concealing his thoughts and emotions.

"Yes, Yamamoto-sou-taichou," was all he said before he bowed and took his leave.

§

A lone figure staggered through the desolate, moonlit landscape. Tattered white cloth was wound about his head, the end trailing down his back and fluttering gently with every lurching step. Ragged, greying strips of the same were wrapped around both arms and his right leg, where old blood had dried and crusted.

Hot, stinging wind tore around the barren hills, slamming into the thin body in the ruined shinigami uniform. He fell to his knees, bowing his head against the onslaught until the storm had passed.

He pushed himself to his feet, leaning on an oversized, wide-bladed zanpakutou, wavering only slightly as he raised his head. Warm brown eyes stared defiantly into the distance, their inner light growing brighter with each deliberate step.

§

Omake

-Chapter 26-

Isshin: Oo I get more screen time, yay!

Urahara: We all get more screen time. Very interesting…

Yoruichi: I'm finally in the story again!

Akuni: -ahem-

Yoruichi: Oh.. yes, I mean, it's good that I'm finally in the story. For the first time.

Urahara: -chuckles and flutters fan-

Akuni: Anyway, nice move, Byakuya.

Byakuya: I'd prefer not to discuss that openly, if you don't mind.

Akuni: Er, right. -shuts up-

Kuukaku: Hey, a cameo!

Akuni: Well, only kinda…

Ganju: Why don't I get one?

Akuni: Because I don't like you. Sorry.

Ganju: So what? You don't like Kira, either, but he's here!

Akuni: Yeah but you're gross, too.

Kira: You… don't like me? -looks sad-

Akuni: Um…

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.

'May It Be'

(This pic carries so much emotion… I think it's partly the stark simplicity. The white dunes and the grey moonlight shadows create the perfect atmosphere. I feel a lot of things when I look at the figure staring into the distance – hope, sympathy, and a strange urge to thrust my fist into the air and yell, "YES!!" We agreed that this pic should not be coloured, because the black and white suited the mood just right.)

Music

♫ 'May It Be' – Enya