Chapter 5
It wasn't that Hitsugaya Toshiro hated everyone; hate was such a strong word. He just had a deep dislike for anyone who didn't take him seriously… which was virtually everyone.
He had risen to the rank of Captain faster than anyone in the history of Sereniti, (besides Zaraki Kenpachi, but he didn't really count). He had run his division to beyond the standard for many years. He had also led several of the most crucial battles in the war against Aizen.
He took his job very seriously, and it infuriated him that people still saw him as a child. It frustrated him to the point of breaking things that he was not treated with proper respect at times.
That was the reason he threw the book at the shinigami who had burst into his office without ceremony. It was common courtesy, it was respectful, and they were fucking military for fuck sake! Would this idiot have just busted into Kuchiki Taichou's office? No! He would have fucking knocked first!
Hitsugaya kept his face blank and lifted his coffee cup to his lips. He went back to looking over the reports on his desk while he waited for the asshole on the floor to stop seeing stars. Ever since his long stretch in the real world, he had acquired a strong liking for the strange drink. He approved of the richness and the bitter taste it left in his mouth. He took it strong and strait, no fucking sugar- he really disliked sweets.
The skinny shinigami sat up and rubbed his head. It seemed like he was about to complain, but then he remembered where he was.
"Hitsugaya Taichou!" he squeaked, and moved to his knees, "There's a problem!"
Hitsugaya closed his eyes. "There's always a problem Jiro, look who your Fukutaichou is. Be more specific."
Jiro held up his hands, shaking them furiously, "No! No! Taichou! There's a problem in the real world!"
The small Captain's eyebrow twitched as he fought down the urge to bark. "Again, there's always a problem in the real world. Be more specific."
Jiro stood and moved toward the desk, his distress evident. "I have no idea what's happened! He just said to summon you and Matsumoto Fukutaichou to the Meeting Hall immediately!"
"They want Matsumoto?" Hitsugaya set down his cup and stood, a little more interested, "Who is 'he'?"
"Yamamoto Sotaichou!" Jiro stammered, "He wants you now! Excuse me! I have to go get Zaraki Taichou!"
And with that he was out of the room.
Hitsugaya stared after him, his frown gone. What the hell? What could possibly be happening to call a meeting with Vice Captains? He grabbed his communicator off his desk and paged Matsumoto.
She answered in her usual overenthusiastic voice. "Taichou! Hello! What are you doing? You want to go have tea?"
He growled at her familiarity. "Your day off is over. Come to the Meeting Hall."
He hung up before she could reply.
He sighed deeply as he left the office. He had some idea of what this whole thing was probably about.
Kurosaki's probably done something stupid again...
Oh well, at the very least, going back to the real world would give him a chance to get more coffee.
X x X x X x X
Shuuhei stood in the Meeting Hall next to Shunsui Kyoraku. The Eighth Division Captain smelled like a mixture of sake and roses; a nice smell, not too strong. Shuuhei wondered absently how that man got away with drinking all day and never performing his duties.
This wasn't the first time Shuuhei had stood in the Meeting Hall in the Captain's line. He had been running Ninth Division and Kira had been holding up Third for so long, Commander Yamamoto had been including them in the summons to meetings the last year.
He glanced over at his blond friend, who caught his eye and nodded. Like an older brother, Shuuhei was infinitely proud of Kira. The man had come back from the farthest edge of sanity, to grab a hold of his Division and run it better than he had before the betrayal.
The doors opened and closed quickly, and Hitsugaya Taicho slipped into place beside him.
"Afternoon Hisagi-san," came his smooth voice, "Are you ready for tomorrow?"
Shuuhei winced, he had actually forgotten about the board for three seconds. His day had started out wonderfully, with no paperwork and a game of shogi in his office with Renji. The last week the red head had periodically shown up in his office, claiming there was nothing to do, and he didn't feel like talking to anyone else. Shuuhei or course loved his company, and always dropped whatever he was doing to talk to his friend. But then some kid from Tenth Division had come barreling in to inform them they were wanted in the Meeting Hall.
"I guess as ready as I'll ever be Taichou." Shuuhei replied.
"I hear you've been spending time with Abarai," Hitsugaya said, "Matsumoto says he's been very down recently. Is he going to be alright tomorrow?"
Shuuhei glanced down at the small Captain surprised, "You processed something Motsumoto said?"
"I do it now and again."
"And when did you start caring about Abarai's well being?" Shuuhei was baffled at Hitsugaya's sudden interest.
Hitsugaya looked up at Shuuhei with that icy stare, "I just want to see these Division Taicho chairs given to people who deserve them. I want to know if Abarai will be alright tomorrow."
Shuuhei blinked, "Are you saying you're hoping he'll make it?"
Hitsugaya turned back to staring straight ahead.
"I can tolerate Abarai far more than many who stand here now."
Shuuhei opened his mouth to say more, but stopped when he felt the chilling reiatsu of Kuchiki Byakuya making his way down the hall. When the doors opened behind him, Shuuhei wanted to turn and look at the red head he knew would be following, but waited until the two had made their way to the unoccupied spot between Komamura Sajin and Unohana Retsu.
Renji met his eyes from across the room and Shuuhei almost winced again; the red head was so tense he was visibly shaking. The worry in his eyes was so apparent, Shuuhei wanted to throw his arms around him right there.
"Goteijusantai!" A voice called from the doorway, startling Shuuhei from his thoughts.
Everyone looked to see the Captain Commander enter, followed by Sasakibe Chojiro… and Kuchiki Rukia.
"There has been a disturbing new development in the real world," the Commander said as he took his place before the twelve Captains, "Kuchiki Fukutaichou has come from Karakura to give a report."
He motioned Rukia forward, and she stood before the shinigami. She held herself professionally, straight back and chin held high, but Shuuhei didn't miss the red around her eyes, and the tight pull of the skin on her cheeks. She had definitely been crying.
Oh shit, what's happened?
"There are new hollow types loose in the real world," she began, "they shield their reiatsu better than any we've come across before, so we have no idea how many there are. Urahara Kisuke is sure they have leaked from the ruins of Hueco Mundo, but he's not sure how. They are more powerful than the Espada were, and they are very, very organized."
There were mumbles and quiet surprise as Rukia paused.
Unohana took the chance to ask, "How do you know they're more powerful than the Espada Kuchiki-san?"
Rukia clenched her jaw, and Shuuhei saw the warnings of fresh tears build in the corners of her eyes.
"Because…" she stopped and her eyes met Renji's.
"Because they defeated Kurosaki Ichigo…"
The room erupted into chaos. Kenpachi roared his disbelief at the news, Kurotsuchi and Shunsui started demanding more information about the hollows, Soifon kicked Omaeda for shrieking; Hitsugaya turned a sickly shade of grey. Shuuhei said nothing; he just looked at Renji whose gaze was still locked with Rukia's.
"SIELENCE!!!"
The Commander's voice rang out over the tumult, and the shinigami fell silent almost instantly.
"Shouting amongst ourselves will not solve anything. Kuchiki Fukutaichou is in need of a team to go back with her and defend our human alleys."
"Rukia…" Renji's voice was just barely a whisper, but every head turned to him.
Rukia still held his gaze.
"Is he dead?"
Shuuhei held his breath.
"No," she replied, the tears finally running, "But Urahara-san doesn't know if he'll stay that way."
Shuuhei watched Renji's face carefully. He seemed in control, at least enough to not book it out of the Meeting Hall. His features were surprisingly slack, and his hands were just hanging limply at his sides.
"The board will be postponed until this conflict is settled." Yamamoto declared, "Abarai Fukutaichou, you will go back with Kuchiki Rukia, since you most familiar with the area."
Shuuhei wanted to vomit at the announcement of the board being postponed, but there was nothing he could do, so he gritted his teeth, and waited for further instruction.
"Yamamoto Sotaichou!" Hitsugaya called from beside him.
Yamamoto turned to the small Captain, "Yes, Hitsugaya Taichou."
Hitsugaya stepped forward, "I will lead the team in Karakura. I also know the area well."
"Agreed," Yamamoto replied, "Select your team."
Hitsugaya turned to Kenpachi. "I wish to take Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika if you please Zaraki."
Kenpachi grinned, "Sure, tell Ichigo to get better, or I'll kill him."
Hitsugaya nodded, and turned back to the Commander. "I will also be taking my Fukutaichou, Matsumoto. I would like two more volunteers if I may."
Shuuhei stepped forward.
"I'll go."
Renji finally broke eye contact with Rukia when he heard Shuuhei's voice. He looked across the room at his friend, trying to thank him with his expression. Again, Shuuhei was there for him; resolutely loyal.
"I will go as well," said a soft voice.
Shuuhei looked to see Kira had stepped forward; his pride in the man swelled again.
Hitsugaya acknowledged both Shuuhei and Kira with a nod, and turned once again to the commander.
"Squad is assembled, Sotaichou."
X x X x X x X
Less than two hours later, the eight shinigami reached Urahara's shop. Hitsugaya opened the door, and was greeted by Ururu; slightly taller than she was when Shuuhei last saw her.
"Oh thank goodness!" She said in her quiet voice, "Urahara-san!" She ran back into the shop.
Hitsugaya entered the shop with Matsumoto after the young girl. Shuuhei was about to follow, when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
He turned to find Ikkaku, grinning evilly. "We're gonna set up a patrol, maybe kill some hollows."
Shuuhei nodded and turned to Yumichika. "You guys be careful."
"I'm going as well," Kira said, "contact us immediately if Urahara-san has found anything new."
"I will," Shuuhei replied, "good luck."
The three turned to go, but Yumichika turned back to glance at Renji. The red head was standing stock still, staring at the open door. Yumichika stepped close to Shuuhei and pulled the taller man forward to whisper in his ear.
"You take care of him." Was all he said before he followed Ikkaku.
Rukia had also followed Ururu into the shop, leaving Shuuhei outside alone with Renji.
Taking a deep breath, Shuuhei started toward the steps, "You going to come inside?"
Renji followed almost immediately as if in a trance.
Inside the shop was slightly crowded. Urahara, Tessai, Jinta, Rukia, and Matsumoto were seated around the table. He could see Sado in the kitchen with Ururu preparing tea, and Hitsugaya had opted to lean against the wall with his arms crossed.
"But that doesn't make any sense Urahara-san," Matsumoto was saying, "How could it just be gone?"
Urahara traced the lines in the table as he explained. "I didn't say it was gone Rangiku-chan, I just said it wasn't there at the moment."
"It's the same damn thing," Hitsugaya growled.
"No, it isn't actually," Urahara said patiently, "his reiatsu has been completely cancelled out, but that doesn't mean it will stay that way. His spirit will continue to produce its energy, and he will eventually return to normal."
"What do you mean 'cancelled out'?" Shuuhei asked.
Urahara looked up, feigning surprise, "Ah, Hisagi-san, Abarai! I'm so glad you're here! Please sit. I have been trying to make these people understand that while Kuchiki-chan was away, I found the reason for Kurosaki's condition and he is out of danger. But they continue to make these horrid faces, and act like he's still dying. Would you like some tea?"
On cue, Ururu returned from the kitchen carrying a tray. Sado followed, and sat against the wall.
"Where is he Urahara-san?" Renji said, his voice sounded hoarse.
"The mod souls gave up their room for him." He pointed down the hall, "You should go see him now, he's been asking for you."
Shuuhei moved aside to let Renji pass, but a firm hand gripped his arm.
"No," Renji whispered, he closed his eyes, and tightened his hold on Shuuhei, "stay with me."
Shuuhei gently took the arm that held him. "Okay," he whispered, "I'll go with you."
Ichigo was resting on a small futon in the middle of the dark room. Orihime sat beside him, holding his hand. When Shuuhei opened the door, her head snapped up and fresh tears came to her eyes.
"Oh, Renji-kun! Hisagi-san! I'm so glad you're here!" she leaned over Ichigo, and said quietly, "Ichigo? Ichigo love? Renji-kun is here. Wake up."
Ichigo stirred, and opened his eyes. "Renji?" he croaked.
Renji stepped passed Shuuhei to kneel next to Ichigo's head. "I'm here Ichigo."
Shuuhei closed the door, bringing the room back into near darkness. He turned and met Orihime's eyes which still shone with unshed tears. He held his hand out to her, and she seemed surprised for a moment, but accepted the help up, and went to stand beside him.
Ichigo seemed alright on the outside; there were no visible bandages on his torso. Shuuhei surmised Orihime had healed the physical damage, and what remained was the damage to his reiatsu.
Ichigo groaned, "It was so fucked up Renji, it happened so fast. One minute I was standing by the river, and the next, the asshole punched a hole in my chest. It was almost funny how retarded it was."
"Idiot," Renji said, but Shuuhei didn't miss the unsteady waver to his tone, "What the hell were you thinking?"
"He was like those guys from that movie with the ring and all the short people. We watched it a couple months ago."
Orihime piped up, "Lord of the Rings?"
"That's it," Ichigo turned to her and nodded, "Those guys in the cloaks that rode the dragons. He looked like that… accept…"
Renji leaned forward, "Except what?"
Ichigo turned and looked back up at Renji. He licked his lips carefully, mulling something over in his head.
Finally he spoke, "He had eyes like… Like Shirosaki… Like my hollow."
Renji stiffened, but continued to try for information.
"Did he say anything to you?" he asked.
"Yeah," Ichigo frowned, "He said I would pay for what I did."
"He must mean killing Aizen," Renji put in.
Ichigo shook his head, "But that doesn't make sense, we killed Aizen two years ago. He said he's been waiting four years to kill me."
"Urahara-san said this new breed was leaking from Hueco Mundo," Shuuhei added, "Maybe he's seeking revenge for his homeland."
Ichigo's eyes fluttered shut. "Maybe…"
Orihime stepped forward. "Let him sleep for a while Renji-kun. I'll come get you when he wakes up again."
Renji nodded and was about to stand, when Ichigo grabbed his hand. Renji turned back and put his other hand over Ichigo's.
"What is it Ichigo?"
Ichigo, slowly losing consciousness, whispered, "I'm glad you're here Renji… I needed you…"
Shuuhei watched painfully, as Renji's calm mask faltered. For one moment, all the pain and anger he was containing inside came to the surface. Tears threatened to fall out the corner of his eyes, but he gritted his teeth against them.
He moved his hand to smooth Ichigo's hair. "I'm sorry I wasn't here for you," he whispered, "I'm glad you're okay asshole."
Ichigo smiled briefly before slipping into sleep. Renji moved his hand back to the bed, and stood.
"I'll be in my room Inoue," he whispered, "Come get me when he wakes up."
"I will Renji-kun."
Renji slipped past Shuuhei, and made his way down the hall.
Shuuhei turned to Orihime as she knelt beside Ichigo again. "Thank you for coming Hisagi-san."
Shuuhei nodded to her, "We all owe him a lot. It would have been dishonorable for us to not come."
She nodded, and he turned to leave, slipping the shoji shut behind him. He sighed, and leaned against the wall, pondering if he should join the others or go outside for air.
"How is Abarai?"
Shuuhei jumped at the sound of Urahara's voice. The man had appeared from nowhere, his fan fluttering just below his eyes.
Shuuhei collected himself, and turned to face the creepy shop keeper.
"He held together pretty well I think," Shuuhei answered, "considering."
"Hm," Urahara lowered his fan, "You two seem very… close."
Shuuhei frowned and crossed his arms, "We are, not that it's any business of yours."
Urahara shrugged, "I'm not trying to make it my business. I'm just saying… You've seen how they are together now. You saw how Renji reacts to our young shinigami friend."
Shuuhei looked at the floor; it was true. Any doubt he had about the feelings Renji had for Ichigo, had been pushed out of his mind when he saw the way the red head held the other's hand, or the way he had smoothed the orange hair.
"I already kinda knew…" Shuuhei whispered.
Urahara stepped closer and whispered, "But on the other hand, I observed how he is with you."
Shuuhei's eyes shot up as a heat spread over his cheeks.
"How is he with me?"
The fan came up again. "It seems you are his focus. His 'rock' you might say. Finesse that correctly and you could use it to your advantage."
Shuuhei's frown deepened, "I don't want to use anything to my advantage. I just want R… Abarai to get better."
Urahara shrugged and started down the hall, back to the common room.
"Do as you wish Hisagi, but you should know: both of those options end in the same resolution…"
Shuuhei stared after the strange man. What the hell did that mean exactly?
He decided quickly not to think about it. He turned and headed for the door, he needed fresh air. Outside the sun had set, and the empty lot was dark. Shuuhei stretched his back, and moved to descend the front steps.
He stopped when he felt Renji's reiatsu reaching for him. He turned, and saw his fellow Vice Captain sitting in the shadows, leaning against the wall of the shop. His legs were folded in front of him and his eyes were closed. Shuuhei was hesitant to approach if Renji was meditating.
"Are you going to stare at me all night, or join me?" Renji muttered.
Shuuhei felt a little sheepish as he joined his friend. Renji still had his eyes shut, and his arms were crossed over his chest.
"I'm an idiot, you know that?" Renji asked.
Shuuhei leaned his head against the wood. "No you're not."
"Yes. I am… I'm a real fucking idiot…"
Shuuhei kept his mouth shut hoping that Renji would continue. But after a few minutes of silence, he figured the red head was done talking. He gave up, and conceded to just sit. Everything he could think of to say seemed small and insignificant.
After anywhere from ten to twenty minutes, just as Shuuhei was going to suggest they go back inside, Renji finally did speak.
"I have to tell you something Hisagi."
Shuuhei held his breath for a moment, but quickly replied, "Is it about Ichigo?"
Renji looked at him, and slowly nodded.
Shuuhei looked at his hands. "It's okay, I already know. It's alright."
Renji stared at him for a few seconds, and then asked quietly, "How do you know?"
"It doesn't matter," Shuuhei looked back at him, "I just do."
Renji shifted to turn his body slightly more toward his friend. His thigh brushed Shuuhei's, and the dark haired man shivered at the sensation.
"How long have you known?" Renji whispered.
Shuuhei's breath hitched, and he rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably.
"Since you got back to Sereniti."
Renji stared at him and the silence stretched for so long, Shuuhei began to feel his skin crawl.
"Say something will you?" Shuuhei muttered.
"Is this why you've been so nice to me lately?" Renji's voice had turned hard and angry, "Is this why you've been this perfect listener, perfect friend, perfect everything?" With every question Renji's voice turned more and more into a growl.
"No Abarai, it's not like that," Shuuhei rubbed his face, "it was never like that."
"I don't need your pity Hisagi!"
Shuuhei sat forward and matched Renji's tone. "I don't pity you!"
He met the red head's glare strait on. He watched the shoulders rise and fall with quickened breath; could feel the pulses of angry reiatsu around his body.
He watched as Renji lowered his hands to the wooden deck and lean closer to snarl in his face.
"Then what is it like? Huh? Do you find this whole thing amusing? Do you find it funny the great Abarai Renji likes cock? Is this whole thing some kind of sick joke to show me how pathetic I am?!"
Shuuhei threw his head back in frustration. "Gods No damnit! Don't be so fucking stupid!!"
"Then WHAT IS IT ASSHOLE!!" Renji barked.
Shuuhei reached up, grabbing a fist full of red hair. He jerked Renji's face close to his, and said against his lips.
"Are you that blind?"
Renji's sneer disappeared and his eyes widened, but he didn't fight it. Shuuhei was breathing hard with the sensation of having Renji so close. He twisted his hand further into the crimson locks, pulling Renji's head slightly to the side. Renji gasped, and a soft moan escaped his lips. Shuuhei shuddered and he felt his cock coming to life at the sound.
"Do you really have no idea what you do to me?" Shuuhei whispered.
He pressed his lips to Renji's; not crushing them, but it was not a delicate kiss either. He pried open Renji's mouth and pressed inside to taste the sweet musk that was awaiting him. He never expected the red head to kiss back, but as Shuuhei ran his tongue over the other, Renji seemed to awaken and he pressed back. They battled for dominance, lips and teeth and tongues pushing, pressing, begging. Shuuhei tried to keep himself under control, but Renji's hands were suddenly under his haori, exploring, teasing, scratching.
He broke the kiss by pulling hard on Renji's hair again. Renji's chin came up and his hands fell as he sat gasping for air, whimpering at the loss of sensation.
Shuuhei's eyes wandered over the others face. The sight of Renji, flushed, tussled, and completely submissive to his wants nearly sent him over the edge. But he knew he needed to stop, he would not take advantage of his friend in his time of pain.
He let go of Renji's hair, and fell back against the wall. He tried to slow his own breathing, as he watched Renji bring his head forward and look at him through his eyelashes.
"I've never pitied you Renji…" Shuuhei said softly, "I just wanted you to stop hurting…"
He turned away and stood, retreating to the door.
"Shuuhei…" Renji's voice was small, careful.
Shuuhei stopped, and waited.
"How long… How long have you wanted this?"
Shuuhei turned around and met his eyes.
"Since forever…"
With that, he left the red head sitting on the porch, a finger tracing his lips, and the taste of tea and promises lingering on his tongue.
To be continued…