Renji ran around trying to find a fukutaicho but it seems all of them had already gathered. As he ran, he saw an approaching figure. He stopped and saw a face he had seen for years.

Kuchiki Byakuya.

"Kuchiki Taicho?" Renji greeted with some surprise in his tone. Byakuya was staring into Renji's eyes the moment both eyes met. As Byakuya brushed past Renji, he whispered, "Same place as yesterday".

Renji stood there. He couldn't move his feet. Somehow, he noted Byakuya had affectionately told him the meeting place. Or was it?

Renji shook that thought and headed quickly to the meeting point. By the time he arrived, he was surprised to see all 13 divisions there. Rukia march towards the red head and pulled his hand. Renji was too awed by the glamour of the decorations.

Most of the Shinigami who entered had a shocked and so most of them were either dragged or pulled to let them enter.

Rukia laughed when she saw Renji staring at the food. Usually everyday, most of the food seemed to be rather ordinary. But today, as an occasion, there were all sorts of things.

He 4th division members had been running the stalls which sold all kinds of food. Some sold everyone's favorite sake. Others sold takoyaki, sashimi and even western bread!

Renji strolled towards the sake stall and his jaws dropped down. Unohana Taicho was selling it. And the queue was awfully long. Expectedly, Ikkaku from 11th division was there. And even the most unexpected person. Nanao!

Renji sighed and went behind the queue. But he was pushed forward and was served immediately.

"Abarai-san! You're quite late. So I saved you a gourdful of sake for you. You see, everyone here is either having their second round or more. So I decided that those who didn't get it shall have a chance to taste Unohoana's Sake! Here Renji"

Unohana Taicho stuffs a bottle into Renji's hands and shoos him away. Renji grinned and decided to accompany Rukia but he noted she was already chatting happily with Ukitake Taicho. It seems he looked way better than 3 weeks ago.

He shooked his head and stood at the balcony drinking his sake. The cold rice wine flowed into his gullet. It had a chilling yet sensational effect. Immediately, Renji felt his face redding.

On the other hand, Byakuya had known it was some kind of celebration. Somehow, he didn't want to go. He never liked attending all these kinds of parties. But as he went back to his room, he was dragged by Shunsui to the party.

As he entered, many eyes stared at him. Everyone knew, Kuchiki Taicho had left early and his sudden appearance again shocked them. Byakuya brushed past most of the shinigamis and stopped to look at sake queue. He sighed and noticed Rukia smiling and laughing at the same time.

He went on and noticed from afar, his fukutaicho is was standing all by himself at the balcony. He walked towards the red head and noticed that this place could not seen by others from afar. Did he notice this because of his red hair or something else?

"Renji, What are you doing here?" Byakuya questioned his lieutenant, "Go back to the hall where the stalls are."

He was actually thinking of naughty things and even imagined himself with his Taicho. He loved his Taicho. He was no longer the young child that admires Byakuya, but a man who had actually wants to love someone. When he blurly saw a figure that looked like his Taicho, he turned around and pressed his lips against his Taicho's lips. Renji realized what he done; he backed off, and ran away, leaving nothing but dusts in his path. Byakuya touched his lips. It was the first time anyone kissed him. He had never even kissed Hisana. But this time, it was somehow a short yet passionate kiss.

Renji was running with all his might. He went to a pond and rammed his head into the cold water trying to wake himself. He was already very tipsy from that one sip. But he drank one whole bottle. But he knew, tonight's actions were not accidental. He wanted to claim his Taicho. Renji looked into the water, and saw his own reflection.

He saw a man's face with such redness in his face. Indeed, Renji's face was burning. He was so embarrassed and the wine made him even redder. Renji breathed hard and shunpo back to his own room. He dare not show his face to anyone that night.

However, Kenpachi was lining up for Unohana's sake and demanded from her his speciality. A stronger alcoholic content than the other sake available. Able to produce rash actions but seems that Kenpachi was able to hold his liquor very well.

"Shimatta! I gave it to Abarai-san instead! Oh I'm so sorry Kenpachi Taicho. Shall I get you another drink instead?" Unohana apologized.

"WHAT! ABARAI! YOU…." Kenpachi was interrupted by many shouts and even Yamamoto was telling Kenpachi to move off.

Kenpachi muttered, "teme" and took a bottle of sake. Unohana smiled and waved at everyone behind to not cut queue.

Byakuya was stunned for a moment. Somehow, deep in his heart, he had longed for a kiss like that.

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Byakuya had awakened earlier than usual the next morning. He couldn't sleep at all. He put on his Shinigami clothes with his zanpakuto. The 6th division captain soon started his rounds looking into the sky. He wanted to see his beloved again.

He noticed a familiar red head standing near the execution site. Byakuya was rather close and saw his fukutaicho training. Renji had unleashed his bankai and tried training himself. But a strong wind blew and Renji turned around.

Byakuya eyes widen. He had never seen Renji like this before. The winds were strong enough to blow someone's hair out of place. But Renji had not tied his hair and he touched his beautiful lusting red hair and swung it. He looked so gorgeous. Renji noticed a man and turned around.

"Kuchiki Taicho!" Renji shouted. He blushed as red as an apple and ran down passing Byakuya. Byakuya himself had blushed too.

Renji wanted to burst into tears. Where ever he went, he had to see his Taicho. Not that he hate him, but the more he looked at Byakuya the more he wants him. He knew his admiration had turned to love. But he wasn't sure if it was lust more than love.

"ITAI! Watch where you are go-" Harunouta exclaimed. Apparently, Renji had knocked against Matsumoto Rangiku's big chest but it sure wasn't on purpose.

"Renji-chan? Why are you blushing and oh my… Your eyes, it's so red! Renji, have you been crying?" Matsumoto asked the red head.

The red head wiped his tears with his hand and tried running. He must avoid eye contact with everyone now.

The 10th lieutenant had taken a step earlier. She stretched out her leg and…