Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Word Count: 303
A Kiss for Shelter
Nerves of Steel
"What is your problem, Renji?" Ichigo growled, brow twitching in irritation, "It's not like you're the father, quit pacing!"
"I know that!" Renji paused for a moment to snap back. He blew disheveled locks of hair from his eyes. With a low sound of frustration he sat down hard next to the boy, crossing his arms as he scowled irritably.
After allowing a strained silence to settle between them the red-head grumbled, "But… It's nerve-wracking- isn't it?"
Ichigo turned his head away and shrugged. It was at this point Renji noticed that the Shinigami-daiko's heel was bouncing off the floor, in turn causing his leg to shudder, vibrating the bench in anxious rhythm. Renji's eyes narrowed as his lips curled in a mocking snarl, but before he could comment the doors of the room burst open.
Both men stiffened, eager eyes darting upward. Byakuya strode out of the doors in all of his glory, hair rustling slightly against his neck in the breeze of his movement, haori curtaining outward with a sharp yet elegant flair. He halted and the door soundly shut behind him.
Renji and Ichigo stared expectantly, unconsciously mirroring each other in the way their hands dug into their thighs as they leaned forward.
Byakuya didn't bat an eyelash, his gaze supercilious as he stood before them. Still Renji detected the slight clench of the man's jaw before he admitted calmly, "She requested that I leave."
To their credit the two younger men chose not to comment, sealing their lips tight.
Soon it was the father-to-be pacing the halls, though his steps fell with languid grace.
This left the two other men on the bench, arms crossed, legs a-bounce, the hall pulsing with tense silence.
Finally, Ichigo turned to Renji, "Oi, by the way- what the hell happened to your hair?"