Secret to Training
ByaRen
Yes I'm aware I have 3 WIPs already, but the plot kittens demanded I post something else
Obviously I own nothing. Not the show, not the characters, nothing but this fic.
*Warnings* for chapter- strict Bya
Beep beep beep bee-
Renji rolled over and slapped the annoying-as-fuck alarm clock off his bedside table, frowning when it gave a weak-sounding last beeeeep.
Damn, he'd broken another one!
He sighed, kicking his blanket off and sitting up. He rubbed his face and peered at the dim, flickering numbers on the dying alarm clock. 7:30. Half an hour until he was supposed to be at work.
With another sigh, he got out of bed and staggered to the bathroom, vigorously washing his face with cold water. After drying off with a towel, he glanced in the mirror.
His late nights were taking their toll; dark circles were forming under his eyes, which were looking duller each day. Damn, maybe he should take a break and get some sleep...no, this was too important.
With a jaw-popping yawn, Renji went back into his bedroom to get dressed in his uniform. He wandered into the front room and grabbed a brush, beginning the task of brushing out his long, blood-red mane. He occasionally thought about cutting it, only to dismiss the thought. It might be a pain in the ass, but it was part of him, as easily unique to him as the black tribal markings that traversed almost his entire body.
His hair had long since grown out of the spiky 'pineapple' ponytail. Down, it almost reached his ass, while tied up high, several inches drifted past his shoulders.
A glance in the mirror, and Renji smirked ruefully. Well, didn't the Rukon Dog look all tamed and shit?
Dressed neatly in his uniform, fiery mane caught up in some semblance of order...feh, even after all these years of being a Soul Reaper, the concept of being 'tamed' still had a tendency to catch him off guard.
He grabbed Zabimaru, hearing a concerned, 'Master, you require rest.'
He muttered, "Yeah, I know." He took a steadying breath as he walked into the office he shared with his captain.
"Good morning, Captain Kuchiki."
Dark platinum eyes rose to his, the left one shadowed by raven strands of hair. "Lieutenant Abarai," was the usual cold reply.
Renji held back a sigh as he moved to his own desk. Would it kill the noble to actually greet him?
Probably.
He sat down, then noticed his superior was still watching him, deep silvery eyes narrowed. He frowned at the older man. "What?"
The ravenette frowned right back. "What is wrong with you?"
X-X-X-X-X
Byakuya watched as the tired auburn eyes widened in surprise. "Sir? I...um..."
He waved his hand dismissively. "I only mention this because you have been looking more and more exhausted each day. It is only a matter of time until your fatigue begins to affect your work. I cannot allow this."
The copper eyes slid away from his, and for some reason, the younger man almost seemed disappointed. "Oh, right. You don't want my work to suffer, of course. Fine, Captain, I won't let my responsibilities slip, alright?"
Byakuya was poised to reprimand his subordinate for the insolent tone of his words, when he felt a nudge from his zanpakuto. 'Master, Zabimaru says there is something wrong with the marked one. Not in his body, but in his mind. The marked one barely sleeps, and is full of anger and frustration.'
There was a pause, then the voice came again. 'Sadness, as well. I am concerned, Master.'
Byakuya mentally asked, 'Why?'
Senbonzakura whispered, 'Zabimaru is always fierce and bold. They have never sounded so worried...or afraid. The marked one is pushing himself too hard.'
With a frown, Byakuya looked back to the younger Soul Reaper. Renji was focused on his work, dull, bloodshot eyes scanning the report he held before signing it and setting it aside. The Rukon Dog's shoulders shifted in a silent sigh, then he grabbed another piece of paperwork to peruse.
The dark amber eyes flicked up to him as if sensing his scrutiny. Byakuya realized too late he was still frowning at the exhausted crimsonette as Renji visibly tensed.
"What?! Why the fuck are you looking at me like I've done something else wrong? I'm here on time, doing my work, and being quiet! What the fuck else do you want from me?!"
Before Byakuya could even process that his lieutenant had just raised his voice and cussed at him, a look of pure terror consumed the redhead's features. "Oh gods, tell me I didn't just do that. I'm really sorry, captain! Shit, I didn't mean to..." The bigger Soul Reaper broke off and dropped his face into his hands with a deep, shaky sigh.
Byakuya managed to find his voice. "Lieutenant Abarai, I believe an explanation may be in order."
Keeping his face buried in his hands, Renji nodded, mumbling, "Yeah, I just-"
He smoothly interrupted "I actually meant an explanation from me. I was not frowning because I 'wanted' something from you. I am curious as to why you have not been sleeping."
Slowly, the younger man lifted his head, suspicion in his auburn eyes. "How'd you know I ain't sleepin'?"
Before Byakuya could explain, Senbonzakura's voice came. 'Please, Master. Zabimaru does not want the marked one to know they told.'
Byakuya found himself correcting his zanpakuto. 'His name is Renji, not 'the marked one''.
Out loud, he replied to the crimsonette. "It is obvious just from looking at you that you are not getting the rest you need."
His subordinate tilted his head to hide his face, hands moving to his pen and paperwork. "I'm fine. I told you I won't let my work slide."
The fact that his subordinate was dismissing his exhausted state bothered Byakuya. "No, Abarai. You need to go home and get some sleep."
The redhead shook his head. "I can keep working."
Not used to this type of defiance, Byakuya rose to his feet, letting his spiritual pressure lash with his irritation and frustration. The younger man gasped, dropping his pen. Byakuya saw that the Rukon Dog was shaking and keeping his eyes down as he stepped closer. "You will go get some rest, Lieutenant."
The crimsonette seemed frozen, sweatdrops appearing on his skin, but as Byakuya moved closer, he saw tears escaping the dark amber eyes. This caught him off guard, making him pause. "Lieutenant?"
A strained whisper answered him. "Please s-stop, Taicho. You're right; I ain't been sleepin', and I'm too exhausted to ha-handle your spiritual pressure."
Surprised, Byakuya reined in his energy, watching as the bigger Soul Reaper all but collapsed on his desk, panting in relief. One hand came up to brush the tears from his eyes, and Byakuya was struck with shame that he'd just wielded his riatsu against someone who was clearly in no shape to deal with it. And for what? Because Renji would rather work than rest?
He reached out to touch a shaking shoulder. "Renji, I'm sor-"
He cut off as his subordinate jerked away from his touch, bronze eyes full of hurt and betrayal lifting to his.
Holding his gaze accusingly, the Rukon Dog slowly stood up to his full height, then dropped his eyes to the unfinished paperwork on his desk. The bigger Soul Reaper spoke in a flat, defeated voice Byakuya had never heard from him.
"I'll leave if you want me gone that badly. You want me to take any of this work?"
Noticing that the younger man looked much more fatigued than he had before, Byakuya shook his head. "I'll handle the work. You just go get some rest."
Renji nodded, still not meeting his eyes as he spoke in that awful, defeated, almost robotic tone. "Yes, Captain Kuchiki. May I go now, sir?"
Concerned by all of his lieutenant's actions - the flat voice, the fact that Renji had pulled away from his touch, that look of betrayal the last time the auburn eyes had met his...but unsure of what to do about any of it, Byakuya nodded. "You may go."
The crimsonette turned and walked out without looking at him again.
Byakuya addressed his zanpakuto in his mind. 'Senbonzakura, how far can you stay in contact with Zabimaru?'
The reply was immediate. 'As long as Zabimaru is in Soul Society, I can communicate with them. Master, you hurt the marked one.'
Byakuya sighed, muttering aloud, "I know, Sen. Stay connected with Zabimaru; I want to monitor my lieutenant's state."
The reply almost sounded pleased. 'Yes, Master.'
After a few minutes, Senbonzakura's concern hit Byakuya. 'Master, the marked one is not going home.'