Author's note:

Hello, all. It has been about 10 years since I have last written for this pairing. I am now a journalism graduate living and working in Tokyo. When I started writing for this pairing, I was just a teen. This story idea came to me after a really hard time in my life recently. I just wanted to escape through writing and also I finally wanted to give this pairing the epic, novella sized story they deserve. I currently have almost 100 pages already written of this story which I will be releasing weekly through chapters of about 10 pages each. Please join me in this story about my two favorite characters, my muses, Byakuya and Renji. Thank you as always for your support and please please please leave a comment! I appreciate positive and constructive criticism.

Chapter 1 Content Warnings: violence against a child

Disclaimer: Bleach and its characters are the intellectual property of Kubo Tite. I do not own Bleach or its characters.


This entire work is for grandmum, who read my Byakuya and Renji fanfiction almost 10 years ago with a smile.


The dim light of the setting sun illuminated their laughter as the two boys ran barefoot through the shrubs and the dirt, racing each other to the lake. June's sticky, humid heat was slowly wearing down, but that wouldn't stop the boys from indulging in the lake's cool water. Their little feet scurrying through the brush scared away the scattering bugs and creatures hiding in the grass. Neither seemed to notice as the fireflies dispersed to make room for the racing children.

The taller boy threw aside his dirty tank top in favor of feeling the water against his sunburned skin. He released a sigh of relief followed by unfettered laughter, high-pitched and unabashed.

The more petite boy waited at the water's edge, dipping a dirt-laden toe into the water hesitantly. He was less attuned to free playtime and childhood laughter. He didn't understand this way of life. He was a child just like his friend, but he didn't feel like one. He peered over at the other boy in the water as if asking for permission to enter.

"What are you waiting for?" The boy in the lake turned, a small wicked smile spread across his lips, "Don't chicken out now just cause you have to get your pretty little feet dirty."

"T-That's not it." The smaller boy wrapped his arms around himself. His ebony hair fell forward to cover his expression, "I've never played in a lake before. What am I meant to do?"

The smile quickly faded from the other boy's lips as a slight frown tugged his lips downward. "Man, I knew you were sheltered, but this is just kinda sad. Here." He walked up to the water's edge, using small arms to hoist up his petite, dark-haired friend.

"In you go!" He carried his small friend into the water, careful not to overwhelm him by submerging him all at once. "See, it's not that bad."

"Renji!" The smaller boy called out his friend's name and flinched as the cold water soaked through his pants and most of his shirt. He resisted the urge to shiver as the cold bit into his skin.

Renji laughed; his wolfish grin was practically contagious and brought his friend into the same laughter. The two boys began howling with a chuckle that eventually escalated into downright giggles.

"Byakuya…" Renji managed between his giggles, "You really are so funny. You're not even trying, though."

"I am not!" A tiny fist slapped against Renji's chest. "You are making fun of me now!"

They looked at one another, and Byakuya's thin lips turned into an over-exaggerated frown. The silence stretched on for exactly one moment before they broke out into boisterous laughter again.

"That's it, dude, into the deep end you go." Renji's tanned arms continued to hoist up the pale boy as he trudged through the thick mud at the bottom of the pond.

"No, no, no! Please, I'm sorry, I won't slap you again!" Byakuya began squirming as he saw his fate approaching.

The water level rose to his shoulders as they went in deeper. Unfortunately, his strength was unparalleled to his friend. His life of luxury had afforded him slender arms and unmarred skin. The same could not be said of his red-haired kidnapper. Renji offered his friend one more smirk.

"Farewell, Kuchiki Byakuya." He managed his most formal tone before dropping the boy from his arms ceremoniously.

Byakuya flailed as his body hit the water, sputtering as his nostrils filled with murky lake water. When he pushed himself back up to the surface of the water, he coughed. His black hair had fallen in front of his eyes, making him look like a Japanese folklore ghost. He decided to use this creepy comparison to his advantage.

"Abarai Renji…" The dark-haired boy croaked out, lifting one pale finger to point accusingly. "You… will…pay…."

Renji would be lying if he said that he wasn't spooked. The sun had set, and only a pale purple hue illuminated their surroundings. He looked around the lake as if he expected more ghosts to appear around him.

"Byakuya…" He began before slowly moving back towards the sandy bank of the lake. "Stay back." The taller boy with stark crimson hair warned in an unconvincing tone.

The dark figure that once resembled his friend did not cease his attack, climbing up to the bank of the lake in a creepy, disjointed way. Renji gulped as he practically squealed and tried to make a run for it. Byakuya may have been the more slight male, but he was definitely the faster one. He shouted out as he chased after Renji, quickly catching up to him and pouncing on the other's back.

"You're mine now." He growled before bursting into laughter, tackling his friend to the ground and pinning him there; he began an assault of tickles.

"N-No! Please God, no! B-Bya…" Renji tried to free himself from the nimble fingers attacking his sides. The slender hands then moved under his armpits. His weak point.

"I-I'm gonna pee my pants, please!" Tears welled in the corners of Renji's eyes as he pleaded for mercy.

"Ew!" Byakuya crinkled up his perfect little nose as he finally relented, "Don't pee on me."

Renji took a moment to regain his breath, wiping the tears away from the corners of his eyes. Amber eyes met silver for a moment in the dimly lit night. Suddenly Renji had flipped their positions, pinning the slender black-haired boy to the ground.

"You thought I was gonna give up? You're kinda dumb." Renji snickered, "I thought you were going to one of those fancy schools. Don't they teach you nothin'?"

"You're the dumbest." Byakuya managed in a weak tone before realizing that dumbest wasn't even a word.

Renji didn't seem to notice the slip up in vocabulary, and if he did, he didn't comment on it; he was too busy beginning the second round of the tickle assault.

Byakuya's big, beautiful, pearly eyes welled with tears as he laughed. Each significant drop broke free to trail down ivory cheekbones. He couldn't even manage to beg for help or ask the other boy to stop. He could only laugh uncontrollably and cry.

Soon Renji was also laughing. His laugh was much more baritone and boisterous, almost ridiculous in a way. It sparked, even more laughs from the boy underneath him. Renji's chest and shoulders shook as he finally relented and began cracking up. It took several minutes for the laughing fit to cease. When they both caught their breath, Renji's eyes sparkled with curiosity as he studied the streaks of tears down the dark-haired boy's cheeks. He'd never seen him cry from joy, pain, or sadness.

He lifted a tanned and dirtied hand to swipe away the wet trails that were left on Byakuya's cheek. Byakuya's galaxy grey eyes seemed to swirl in the night. He looked pensive but made no comment.

Renji's lips parted. He licked them nervously before trying to speak. "Hey, Bya–"

"Kuchiki Byakuya!" A booming voice ripped through the joy still hanging in the air.

Byakuya's eyes widened with immediate panic. He looked up at Renji with desperation as if to say, hide me.

Renji's panic mirrored the others as he scrambled for what to do. He quickly used his strength to lift Byakuya to his feet. "Run."

Renji grabbed Byakuya's hand and pulled him into a sprint. Byakuya's hand seemed to be holding on for dear life. He looked so frightened. Renji couldn't even begin to wonder why, or rather, he didn't want to know.

They had barely made their getaway when the sound of a much larger gate had gained on them, and just like that, Byakuya was ripped out of the hands of his friend. Byakuya shouted something fiercely as he was ripped away. He kicked, screamed, and then tried to bite the hands that pulled him away.

An older man's disdainful voice echoed throughout the empty space, "Am I picking up a stray dog or the future head of the Kuchiki family?"

The younger Kuchiki raged, spitting out his words. "Put me down! Am I not allowed to do anything fun in this godforsaken family!?"

"Fun?" A silver eyebrow cocked upwards, "Playing with this…hoodlum is fun? You may as well go frolic in the trash with the raccoons."

"You bastard!" Byakuya hissed like a snake, "That's my friend!"

The older man restrained Byakuya with a click of his tongue. "I dare you to raise your voice at me again, young man. Your father will be hearing all about this."

"I would rather you send my father directly here!" Byakuya continued to struggle, his eyes turning back to Renji, standing still in shock at the edge of the water. "I hate you, grandpa! I hate you! I hope you die!"

The young noble was silenced as he was struck forcefully across the face in one smooth motion. Byakuya crumpled under the blow, falling to his knees in a heap; he began to sob. Byakuya's grandpa picked up the sobbing young man before turning to shoot daggers at the common, dirty boy in the pond.

"And you," his voice boomed with authority, "Stay away from Byakuya."

Renji couldn't manage to speak. He gasped for air like a fish out of water. He looked to Byakuya, whose tear-soaked eyes begged to stay by his friend's side.

"Your kind was not meant to mingle with ours." The older man insisted, brushing some of the dirt off of the back of Byakuya's shirt. "Our young heir doesn't need your filthy… paws all over him. He's already disobedient as it is. You are probably the cause."

Byakuya began to sob again. His tiny pink lips mouthed his friend's name as he was carried away. His poor pale cheek was now stained red from the slap he had endured. Renji started to reach out to his friend in vain.

"Don't worry," Renji whispered as his friend was dragged away, "I'll see you soon."

The promise made Byakuya smile softly once more. He nodded once in silent understanding. He stopped resisting while his grandpa picked him up and threw him over his shoulder. He shot one last small smile towards his friend as he was taken away.


"Byakuya," a soft voice chided, "Were you out in the Rukongai district again?"

The young boy sniffled, cradling the red skin of his cheek. He nodded.

"It's dangerous over there," He gently brought the boy into an embrace. "Though I am sorry that your grandfather hit you like that. You don't deserve that."

Byakuya held onto his dad tightly, "Dad, that's my friend. I can't just leave him there."

Sojun Kuchiki looked down at his son, brushing the dark hair away from his eyes, "Your mother would've been worried sick seeing you all covered in mud and flustered like this. You have to be strong for her. Do you think you can do that?"

"But, dad…" Byakuya's wide grey eyes looked up hopefully at his father. "Please don't forbid our friendship. Make grandpa see what I see."

Sojun clicked his tongue in disapproval, "Whatever am I going to do with you? You are a firecracker. Your grandfather always says you'd be a great leader if you could just learn to control yourself. You're always fighting, crying, or screaming."

The older Kuchiki adjusted his son's disheveled hair before placing a small kiss on the top of his head. "Don't say foolish and hateful things to your grandfather again. He has graciously taken us in after your mother's death. We owe him for everything." He pulled his son back to examine his flustered and tear-stained face once again.

"I-I'm sorry…." The young boy trailed off, unable to meet his father's watchful gaze.

"Don't tell me that; tell your grandfather that." Sojun chuckled slightly, wiping some tears and dirt from Byakuya's cheeks. "Now, about this friend of yours, how long have you been meeting up with him?"

Byakuya's eyes widened at the mention of Renji. "His name is Renji. Abarai Renji. We met a few weeks ago while I was out in the Rukongai district. Renji was selling these amazing little animal sculptures. He makes them himself, you know, out of discarded trash."

Sojun had wondered where Byakuya had obtained his sculpture on his nightstand. A monkey made out of an old soda can.

"Where are his parents? They must also be worried sick."

"Dad," Byakuya swallowed dryly, "It's the Rukongai. He doesn't have parents anymore."

Sojun's dark eyebrows furrowed together. He bit on his lower lip and tried to hold back his expression. "Oh dear, Bya-kun. Isn't that a bit much for you to take on as his friend?"

"Not at all!" The boy's voice rose in defiance, "He is a loyal friend. Didn't you and grandpa teach me that loyalty to one's family and friends is one of the most important traits for a man to have?"

Sojun's expression softened before he chuckled, "So you do listen sometimes." He pinched the side of his son's cheek that was not welted.

Byakuya squirmed, scrunching his nose up. "Dad, seriously. Renji is… he is awesome." His silver eyes shimmered as he spoke highly of his friend.

"Well…" Sojun hummed in thought, pretending to make a difficult decision even though his mind was already made up.

"Please," Byakuya put his hands together in silent prayer, "I will mop the floors every night. Do the dishes. Anything."

"Oh, the promise of a clean house? You drive a hard bargain, young lord." Sojun laughed at the ridiculous display. "I know already that if I forbid you, you won't listen. Do you take me for a fool?"

"You? A fool? Never!" The young boy spoke in earnest, bowing even deeper as he continued his plea.

"Fine. Keep your friend. But please understand that he can never come over to our side of town." The older male sighed. "I don't have anything against the lower class, unlike your grandfather. But you mustn't bring him near here for his own good. Only meet in a safe, neutral place. No more playing in the slums. You are royalty, after all."

"Oh, father!" Byakuya exclaimed with joy, reaching forward to squeeze his dad in an embrace. "Of course, anything you want."

"If grandfather finds out about this again, I may not be able to be so forgiving about your arrangement." Sojun gently embraced his son in return, "Byakuya, I have only ever wished for your happiness and success. Please give this family a chance. Give your grandfather a chance. He loves you, you know."

"I hope so," the younger boy mumbled into his father's coat, "It's hard to believe sometimes."

"There, there…" Sojun patted his son's back. "Things have been hard without your mother, right? I understand. Maybe this friendship has been a good distraction for you, after all. Maybe someday I will meet this Abarai Renji you speak of. What kind of person is he?"

Byakuya pulled away, immediately lighting up at the mention of his friend's name, "He's like, so cool, dad."

Sojun laughed again, taking a sip of tea from his cup, "You've learned some slang on the streets, I see."

"Don't even get me started. Renji has taught me so many things about life outside of nobility. It seems real, hard, out there."

"Indeed, young man, the world is very harsh out there." The older male cradled his delicate teacup in his pale hands, "We are lucky to be born into this family."

"I wonder what happened to Renji's family." Byakuya mused with a frown, his brows knitted together. "He says he lives with a group of friends his own age now. He hasn't shown me yet, though."

"I would advise against you going into any orphanage in the slums, Bya-kun." Sojun pushed a second teacup towards his son. "Not only is it dangerous, but it's just downright depressing, even for a grown man. It's too much for your young mind to handle."

Byakuya glanced down into his reflection mirrored in the teacup, "But it's okay for Renji's young mind to handle?"

"Well…" Sojun trailed off, stopped in his tracks by his son's observation. "That's the unfortunate unfairness of life. I'm sure Renji is a fine young man if you say so, but please make sure to stay out of trouble when you are near him."

Byakuya nodded silently, pushing the teacup away once more.

"You have a hard enough time staying out of trouble with your noble friends like that Yoruichi girl you're always fighting with." Sojun teased, hoping to lighten the mood. It didn't seem to work.

"May I be excused?" The young man kept his gaze lowered, obviously troubled by his thoughts.

"Yes," Before Sojun could continue, Byakuya was already making his escape. He raised his voice in an attempt to be heard as Byakuya turned his back on his dad. "But, I really hope I can meet this friend of yours someday!"

Byakuya looked back once with an apathetic glint in his grey eyes, "Yeah, dad, I hope so too."