Renji was walking with his new group of people, his heart heavy and his soul was hurting. It had been a week since he joined them and they had been training him and getting his reiatsu stronger, his physical strength also. They were walking to the Soul Society to have Renji prove he was one of them now. Azumi was hanging on to his arm and looking up to him. "Come on, Renji. Don't look so sad, I'm not that bad, I promise."

"I said I would agree to join you, I never said I would be happy about it." He told her. She let go of his arm and sighed.

"Well, I…"

"We're here." Haru said, cutting Azumi off. Renji looked around and saw they were looking down on the Sereitei. "Renji, it's time." He told Renji as he put an arm around his shoulders.

"What am I to do?" He asked the taller man.

"Kill one of your friends." Haru said with a grin. He pointed at a building and Renji saw Ikakku and Yumichika was walking out of it. His eyes went wide as he backed away.

"I can't do that." He told the elder man.

"You will or…" He brought Renji a few steps in the other direction and pointed out. Renji looked down and saw Byakuya being brought to the 4th division. His eyes filled with tears and he let one fall, as his head hung low. He got up and looked out to Ikakku and Yumichika. I'm sorry. Is all he thought as he lunged at the two men.

"Roar, Zabimaru." The two men looked up and saw Renji coming at them.

"Renji, hey what's…" They moved out of the way with Zabimaru a few inches from hitting them. "Renji, what the hell?" Ikakku yelled. He was on one knee and holding himself up with one arm. Renji couldn't hold back the tears as he lunged at Ikakku again. The man blocked it just in time with his own Zanpakuto. "Renji, stop it. If this is about what I said about Kuchiki, I'm sorry alright. Now stop." He said as he pushed Renji back. Renji kept coming at his friend, knowing Yumichika wouldn't intervene with his friends battles.

"I'm sorry, Ikakku." Is all he said as he lunged at him one more time and wrapped Ikakku in his Zanpakuto. The redhead pulled on Zabimaru and his Zanpakuto sliced his friends' arms, chest and back. Ikakku fell to the ground, losing a lot of blood.

"Ikakku!" Yumichika yelled as he made his way to Ikakku.

"Stay back!" Ikakku yelled back at his friend. Yumichika stopped dead in his tracks and watched, worrying about his friend. Ikakku stood back up and smiled. "If you want to kill me then you're gonna have to do better than that."

"I don't want to kill you." Renji said softly, as more tears fell.

"Then why the fuck are you doing this?" His friend yelled.

"To protect, Byakuya!" He yelled as he lunged at his friend again. Ikakku blocked the attack with his Zanpakuto again.

"What do you mean, protect Byakuya? He's here in the Sereitei. Some…" The man got cut off when Renjis' Zanpakuto hit him and sliced through his shoulder. He grunted in pain and fell on to his knees. "Dammit Renji. Stop this. Whatever it is…we can fix it." Renji stood in front of his friend, tears falling. Renji fell to his knees and put his arms around his friend.

"If I stop, they'll kill him. I'm sorry, Ikakku." The red-haired man told his friend. He was about to slice through his friend until he heard people coming. He looked up and saw Haru nod. He let Ikakku go and went back to his group. From where they stood Renji watched as Yumichika was carrying Ikakkus' beaten body to the 4th division.

"You did well, Renji." Haru said as Renji felt a hand on his shoulder.

"I hate you, you bastard!" Renji yelled as he brought Zabimaru around to slice through the taller man, but to no avail. The tall man stopped Zabimaru with one hand and Renjis' eyes went wide. Haru yanked on Zabimaru and brought Renji closer him, grabbing his arm and twisting it around his back. He put Renji on his knees easily and held his head to look at the 4th division.

"Do you want your precious lover to die?" Haru asked the redhead. Renjis' head hung again. Haru took that as surrender and let go of the red-haired man. He saw shinigamis' running around, probably trying to look for him. "Come Renji. We still have much to do." Haru said from behind him. Renji got up and walked away from the home he could never go back to.

Meanwhile, in the 4th division Byakuya was having a hard time getting his strength back. The dark-haired captain laid in the bed, staring up at the ceiling. The nobleman couldn't sit up, the poor man could barely move at all. He couldn't believe that woman took over him without even breaking a sweat. He blamed himself for Renji having to join them. If I had just left him alone. If I had never let my heart get the best of me again, I… I… What am I saying? How could I have said no to him? I love him with everything I have and I broke his heart and he went with them to protect me. I am so ashamed of myself. How could I have let him do that. I don't deserve anything good in my life, let alone that wonderful man. The dark-haired man thought to himself.

"Good evening, Captain Kuchiki." Unohana greeted him. "It's good that you're awake. Head Captain Yamamoto would like to talk to you, if you are up for it." The dark-haired man just nodded and she walked out. She came back in with the Head Captain on her heels.

"Byakuya, what exactly happened?" Yamamoto asked him, not wasting any time.

"There is a group of Rukongai that have become strong and are planning on taking over the Sereitei." Byakuya told his head captain.

"Renji attacked one of his fellow Shinigami. Do you know anything about that?" He asked the nobleman. A tear fell from Byakuyas cheek.

"They took us captive and used me against Renji to get him to join them. They probably are watching us right now to make sure Renji doesn't defy them." The dark-haired man stated.

"Very well…" The head captain said with a sigh. "We have no choice, but to take them down. All of them." Byakuyas eyes went wide. He turned his head which was hard, but he managed.

"Head Captain, you don't mean R…"

"Yes, Byakuya. I'm afraid if he is against us, then he cannot be apart of us. Even if it's to protect you." Byakuyas tears fell. Why? The nobleman thought. The head captain didn't waste any time, he rushed out the door and made an announcement with the hell butterflies through the Sereitei; Attention all 13 court guard squads, there is an enemy threatening to take over the Sereitei. I'm afraid Renji Abarai is with them, so if you see any of them, do not hesitate to take them down. Everybody was shocked to find this out but didn't do anything.

It had been a few hours since then and Byakuya laid there, listening to the sounds of Shinigami running around. Somebody opened the door to Byakuyas room. He turned his head, but the darkness in the room hid who it was. The figure stood at the side of the bed. "Byakuya." The figure said. Byakuyas eyes went wide once he heard that all too familiar voice.

"Renji?" The nobleman said quietly. He felt a hand on his cheek and kissed his lips. Byakuya kissed back, not wanting to let go.

"I snuck away for a brief moment. I'm so sorry Byakuya for everything. I knew you couldn't protect yourself right now. I had to do something or they would've…"

"It's okay, my love. I'm sorry I hurt you so bad. I love you, Renji." Byakuya interrupted him.

"I can't stay long, but I'll be back whenever I can. I love you too, babe." Renji took off again, leaving Byakuya to relish in the thought of having Renji back in his arms again. Hearing Renji say those words again felt so good and helped him fall to sleep.

Back in the groups hideout, Renji was walking back in and going to his room. "Well, what was you out doing so late?" Azumi said, stepping out from the shadows In his room.

"Don't worry about it." He told her with a cold tone. He plopped onto his futon, face first and turned his head to the other side that Azumi was not on. He felt her crawl on top of him bringing her hands up his shirt. He cringed and quickly pushed her off. "Keep your hands off me." He said angrily.

"Oh come on, baby. I'll be gentle." She said crawling back to him. She jumped on him and held his arms down. He tried to get out, but for some reason couldn't. She smiled at the redhead seductively and smashed her lips to his. He kicked and thrashed, but she wasn't getting off of him. She pulled away for a moment and smiled down at him again. "Ain't I sexy enough for you? Or is it because I'm a female? Or because, perhaps, I'm not a certain nobleman." She said laughing. She loosened her grip, which was a big mistake. In one swoop he was on top of her, holding her down.

"Keep your fucking hands off of me. I will not tell you again." He said as he stood up and walked away angrily.

"You know you might as well get used to being here. And being with me. The soul society will never take you back." She said from behind him making him stop in his tracks. Perhaps not, but Byakuya will. He thought to himself as he walked out of the door.

Byakuya was sitting up for the first time in 3 days and he was finally getting his strength back. He made a promise to himself that night Renji visited, that he would bring his red-haired lover home, if it was the last thing he did. He tried walking already, but the bones in his leg had not healed completely. He told himself he would keep trying every day. The nobleman heard a knock on the door. He hollered for the person to enter and saw Ikakku and Yumichika come in. They bowed to the nobleman and he gestured for them to sit. "Has he spoken to you since…" The 3rd seat Shinigami asked, but trailed off.

"No." Byakuya lied coldly, for he wanted to protect his lover.

"Well, if you do speak to him, let him know we forgive him. We know what it's like to protect the ones you care about." Yumichika stated. Ikakku nodded in agreement and walked out the door. Yumichika simply bowed and followed suit. Byakuya smiled slightly, knowing from the blush on Yumichikas' cheeks that they too finally came out to one another. I wonder when they told each other. Renji, you would probably give them hell if you were here. I miss you so much. He thought as he brought out the same picture that he held the night they came out to one another. He grazed his fingertips along the picture and imagining that amazing night they shared.

Renji was sitting outside the large hideout, thinking about the same thing when he heard a voice coming from in front of him. He got up quickly and hid behind a giant rock. He saw Haru and Yuuto talking and discussing something. "I want you to keep an eye on Renji. I know that night he traveled to go see Byakuya. He might be planning something." Haru said to him.

"Would you like me to take care of Byakuya for you?" Yuuto asked his father. No. Renji thought to himself.

"No, just keep an eye on him. Let him think we don't know what he's up to. In the meantime, capture all of his friends and use this to…"

"To take away their reiatsu. Yes father, I know how it works." Yuuto said as he took a clear crystal from his father. Is that how they are so strong? They take away peoples' reiatsus with that?

"I know you do, son. That's why I'm proud of you." Haru told his son. They walked into the hideout and Renji waited a few moments and took off. He had to make it look like he was doing something important, so he went to go watch over the Sereitei. He knew the plan, but he was still anxious. He watched his friends laughing at something, except for Yumichika, he was standing there like always, probably rolling his eyes at Ikakku. Renji smiled, as he missed them so much. He saw Byakuya walking out of the 4th division with the help of Captain Ukitake. Renji hated not being there for his lover, but he knew he had to keep up with his charade.

"Watcha doin'?" Azumi asked from behind him.

"Watching." He simply told her.

"Watching for what?" She asked him as she linked her arm into his. He tried to pull away, but she wouldn't let go. He had an idea just then and he turned to her. She grinned up at him and he grinned back.

He bent down close to her ear and whispered, "You are sexy enough for me." He then put his lips on hers, gently. Renji felt her fingers wrap in his hair and he deepened the kiss. He felt horrible doing this, but he knew it was the only way. He reached under her top, caressing her breasts. He heard a moan from her lips which made him cringe, knowing he was the one doing that. He ripped her top off and not finding what he was looking for he went down to her shorts. He searched on her more and ripped her shorts off. Where is it? It has to be here somewhere. He knew the only place left was her boots. He decided to kiss and nip down her leg until he reached her boot. He took off one and then another, but nothing.

The red-haired Shinigami knew he had to finish what he started or it would look bad for him. He continued kissing and nipping up her leg again and started eating the woman out, making cries and moans come from the womans' lips. After a few moments of him pleasure her she had finally cum. He kissed up her torso and as he was kissing and nipping her neck, he entered her. The red-haired man made sure to make it quick and came outside of her, thinking of Byakuya just to get himself off.

They laid there as she laid on his chest. He was mentally kicking himself for that, but he knew he had to or it would give him away. He thought about Byakuya as he fell asleep and she fell asleep right after.