Chapter 6

Shuuhei's heart beat painfully in his throat as he made his way back to where the others were still sitting; discussing patrols, and drinking their tea. Urahara looked up when he entered the room, and offered him a seat. The tension had eased quite a bit, but there was still a hint of unease in the air. Rukia and Sado were quietly discussing something amongst themselves. Hitsugaya had moved into the kitchen, and was speaking quietly into his communicator, no doubt relaying information to Soul Society.

Shuuhei didn't see Ururu or Jinta anywhere, and assumed they had retired along with Tessai. Rukia mentioned Matsumoto had gone to get her gigai from god knows where Urahara kept them.

"Tea?" Said blond asked, lifting the kettle and smiling softly.

"Yes, thank you," Shuuhei replied.

As Urahara poured the tea and slid the cup towards him, Shuuhei couldn't help but wish for something a bit stronger. He could still taste Renji on his lips. He could still taste the sweet, sweet musk on the tip of his tongue. He almost shivered as he remembered the passion, carefully suppressed and controlled in Renji's light touches. He knew if Renji ever let himself go, the result would be mind blowing. The sex would be intense, feral… primal. Everything he had ever dreamed about since Renji and the others had saved his life back in the academy.

But now he was sure he had ruined everything, and he would never get to taste that sweet mouth ever again.

He lifted the cup to his mouth and cursed himself a thousand times.

"Are you alright Hisagi-san?" Urahara asked, his eyebrow lifting just slightly.

Shuuhei lowered his cup, and stared at the table. He knew better than to deny Urahara's observation, but definitely didn't feel like discussing his problem. He turned the topic instead.

"I'm not the one we should be worrying about right now Urahara-san, please explain what's happening so I know what we're up against."

Urahara shrugged, and put his elbows on the table. Placing his chin on his folded hands he explained with a wiry smile. "These hollows Kurosaki-kun encountered last evening are obviously something Aizen was working on while in Hueco Mundo. When Kurosaki and his friends came to rescue Orahime-chan four years ago, they must have left the experiment to fester in the ruins."

He stopped to sip his own tea, and Matsumoto bustled into the room wearing pink sweats, and a simple katana hung from her waist.

"I've already heard this three times, and now it's giving me a headache." She offered her arm to Rukia. "We should get some sleep before our watch Rukia-san."

Rukia nodded, and followed Matsumoto to the door.

"Tell Taichou we'll be at Inoue's." Matsumoto said over her shoulder as she slid the shoji shut behind her.

Shuuhei just stared at their cups. It bothered him that Rukia had left hers so close to the edge when Matsumoto's was so close to the center. The others had left their cups as well, and they were making such disturbing patterns on the table, Shuuhei almost forgot the ache in his stomach as his annoyance grew.

"Anyway," Urahara continued, "these hollows seem to have a cancelling effect on reiatsu. Something like a black hole or void; it's almost like their reiatsu eats others reiatsu."

"Okay," Shuuhei reached out and started collecting the cups, "so Kurosaki is basically void of reiatsu until his soul produces more."

"Precisely." Urahara watched Shuuhei as he arranged the cups in a neat circle around the teapot. Sado was watching him too, but Shuuhei was too focused on his task to notice.

"So," Shuuhei continued, "how are we supposed to fight these hollows when they'll eat our reiatsu when we encounter them?"

Urahara almost didn't answer; he was entranced with the dark haired shinigami's cup obsession. Shuuhei had decided the circle didn't work because there was one white cup amongst the grays, so he had begun to form another pattern. He missed Sado clear his throat to remind the shop keeper to continue.

"Oh, yes! I've been working on that!" Urahara exclaimed, clapping excitedly, "I believe you all will have to wear gigai's, and weld real swords for the next few days!"

Shuuhei blinked, and looked up from the cups.

"Excuse me?"

Urahara was grinning fiercely, at what exactly Shuuhei didn't know, but the strange man seemed to be holding back surplus amounts of laughter.

"I said," Urahara said as he lifted his fan to cover most of his face, "you all will have to be put into gigai's and use real swords for your encounter with these new hollows. Kurosaki-kun said something about how his Zanpakuto disintegrated when he faced his foe. Therefore, real swords not conjured by spiritual energy will be required."

Shuuhei shook his head as if to clear it, "But, I don't see how that will help. Kurosaki lived because he's human. If we were to have all of our reiatsu taken, we would be destroyed."

Urahara nodded, "It is possible." He leaned forward, and grinned over the top of the fan, "That's why you'll have to kill them very quickly."

Shuuhei frowned, and looked back at the cups on the table. The white one was beginning to frustrate him. No matter where he placed it, it ruined the pattern. He stared at the cup, hating it, wishing it wasn't there.

And then, to his surprise, Urahara reached out and took the white cup from the table. He placed it behind his back on the floor, and looked intently at Shuuhei over his fan.

Shuuhei glanced at the blond man, and then looked back at his arrangement. There! He thought, It works now!

He moved the last cup and sat back, content with the look of the table. Smiling softly, and brought his own cup to his lips before he realized what just happened. His eyes went wide, and he looked at Urahara.

The shop keeper was holding back fits of giggles. Shuuhei glanced at Sado who was also trying to suppress a smile.

"I'm sorry," Shuuhei felt his face start to burn; "I can't help it. It always happens."

Urahara finally let his laughter out, trying to cover his face with the fan, but only succeeding in smacking himself in the nose. He placed a comforting hand on Shuuhei's shoulder.

"It's alright Hisagi-san. I find the trait quite endearing."

Shuuhei just looked into his tea cup and prayed his face wasn't as red as it felt.

"Urahara-san," Hitsugaya stood in the kitchen doorway dressed in jeans and a black sweater. He had a Kodachi fastened to his back with a worn leather strap.

Urahara turned and answered in a sing-song voice, "Yeeeeees?"

"I'm going out to find Madarame and the others. They need to come back here and get their gigai's."

Urahara nodded and flipped the fan closed. "That would be wise Hitsugaya-san."

"I'll go with you," Sado said, coming to a stand.

Hitsugaya nodded and started for the door. "Thank you Sado-kun. You'll be infinitely more enjoyable company than my Fukutaichou."

Shuuhei listened to the two leave, his eyes never leaving the tea in his cup. The silence stretched on as he waited for Urahara to ask the inevitable.

Finally, Shuuhei couldn't sit there any longer, and muttered, "So you gonna ask me or what?"

Shuuhei heard the fan snap open again. That goddamn FAN!

"Whatever do you mean Hisagi-san?" His voice practically dripped with false innocence.

"You know what I mean." Shuuhei set his cup on the table, and looked up at the infuriating shop keeper. "You always know what's going on. Don't disrespect me by treating me like I'm stupid. And please don't talk to me behind the fucking fan."

Urahara lowered the fan, and looked at Shuuhei appraisingly. "My my, even Kurosaki-kun has never spoken to me like that. I'm impressed Shuu-chan. So feisty tonight, it's not like you."

Shuuhei folded his arms over his chest. "Don't call me that. And don't pretend you don't know why I'm feisty either, because I would bet an entire month's salary that you have video surveillance all over this shop- inside and out."

Urahara sighed and removed his hat placing it on the table along with the fan. Shuuhei didn't think he had ever seen the man without it. He liked it though, besides the hat hair, Urahara had a very pleasant face. His eyes were kind, and his features seemed softer without the shadow.

"You're right." Urahara said as he scratched the back of his head.

Shuuhei's jaw dropped. "You do? Have cameras everywhere!?"

Urahara chucked and refilled his cup, "No Hisagi, I was referring to knowing why you were feisty. I don't know exactly what happened out there, but I hope it's a step in the right direction. I've been watching Abarai follow Kurosaki-kun around like a puppy for three and a half years. Kurosaki doesn't know what he's doing to the poor man, and I feel deeply sorry for him. I was very pleased when I saw your interaction with him."

He paused to take a sip as Shuuhei continued to gape. Personally, he couldn't remember ever hearing Urahara say more than a few words at a time, and he had definitelynever heard the man talk about his feelings pertaining to any situation.

"Whatever it is you have been doing, it's working in your favor. I'm just sorry he had to come back here and face Kurosaki like he is. Can't be good for anything…"

Shuuhei resisted the urge to rearrange the cups again as he asked, "Urahara-san, why are you confiding in me like this?"

Urahara chuckled again, "You remind me a little of myself when I was younger." He finished his tea, and stood, taking his cup and the kettle with him to the kitchen. He stopped in the doorway, "You're very intuitive Hisagi. More than you realize. You shouldn't doubt yourself so much."

"Urahara-san you're making my head hurt." Shuuhei rubbed his temples for emphasis.

Shuuhei sat for a few minutes, listening to the blond rustling around, rinsing out the kettle and setting it on the counter. He fought with what he wanted to say for a few seconds before opening his mouth.

"I kissed him." He said softy over his shoulder.

Urahara froze; "Really?" his voice reached a soprano level.

Shuuhei nodded slowly. He was too embarrassed to say anything more, so he concentrated his focus on the table top and kept silent. Ugh… gods why did I say that

He heard Urahara make his way back to the doorway, "What did he do?"

"I didn't give him a chance to do anything, I just came inside." Shuuhei closed his eyes. He knew he sounded like an idiot, and was starting to regret saying anything to the overly curious shop keeper.

"Hisagi…" Urahara's tone had turned slightly harsh.

Shuuhei groaned and scrubbed his face with his hands. He wanted nothing less at that moment than to go face the red head after what he had just done.

"I know Urahara-san… I know. Give me a gigai first."

X x X x X x X

Renji's mind was reeling. His thoughts were going in so many different directions; he was beginning to believe his head would explode.

So Shuuhei had kissed him, which explained a lot of things. But at the same time it didn't. What exactly did Shuuhei want from him? Was he looking for a relationship? Did he want a quick fuck? Or worst of all, was he doing the Shuuhei thing and just offering what he knew Renji needed most?

Oh gods it felt so good…

Renji had always wanted Shuuhei. But he knew if Shuuhei actually had feelings for him, it wouldn't be fair to cross any lines when his own feelings for Ichigo were still so strong.

Shit Ichigo…

Renji mentally slapped himself. This was wrong to be thinking about when all of this new stuff was going on. Ichigo was inside unconscious, there were crazy powerful hollows running around, and here he sat outside, worried about his love life. Fucking perfect.

He leaned against the wall and crossed his legs, resting his hands on his knees. He took a few slow deep breaths and tried to clear his head a little. He wasn't going to be any help to anyone if he was so on edge like this. There were bad guys to kill, and he needed to calm down.

He realized, as his shoulders relaxed, that his scalp hurt. He reached up and plucked the hair tie free so the red locks fell around his shoulders and down his front. As he ran his fingers through the roots massaging the sensitive skin, he couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips. His past lovers had all loved his hair; they had all played with it, caressed it or gently tugged while in the deepest throws of passion. But no one had ever given it a good pull. Renji had always wanted them to, but never had the balls to ask. Shuuhei had pulled, hard; he had weaved is fingers in and taken control of the red head's every move. Renji had been helpless to stop it as he was swept away by determined hands and a demanding tongue.

"Tell Taichou we'll be at Inoue's."

Renji was startled from his thoughts, and his head snapped up. His face flushed and he felt vaguely like he had just been walked in on while he was jerking off.

Rukia looked down at him with tired eyes. He looked back, and tried to smile; he hated making her worry about him. She had enough to worry about without his stupid problems.

Matsumoto slid the door shut, and with barely a glance at the two, she descended the steps.

"I'll see you in a bit Rukia-san." She said over her shoulder as she disappeared into the dark.

Rukia stood for a moment before Renji reached his hand out to her. She closed the distance placing one hand around his shoulders, and the other gently tucked stray hairs behind his ear. He sighed and snaked his arm around her waist, pressing his cheek against her warm stomach.

"Rukia nee-san…" he whispered.

She quietly shushed him. The two sometimes didn't need to speak to each other for perfect understanding. They had been friends for so long, one knew what the other was thinking, sometimes before they knew themselves.

They stayed that way for a few minutes, him taking comfort from her warmth and gentle caress. Then she leaned her head, and placed a soft kiss on the top of his head.

"Baka…" she whispered.

"I know," he replied.

She pulled away, and her fingers grazed his cheek. "Do you want me to stay?"

He shook his head, "I'll be okay."

Renji was sure she was going to say more, but the door opened again and Hitsugaya emerged, followed by Sado. He eyed the two before starting down the steps.

"Abarai go get your gigai. We need to be prepared for another attack."

"Yes Taichou." Renji watched a little confused, as the blaze of white hair disappear into the night, and Sado's form followed close behind.

Renji stood, and looked down at his friend. "I'll be alright, really. Go get some sleep."

Rukia hesitated for a moment, but nodded and started away. "I'll be at Inoue's if you need me."

Renji made a big show of rolling his eyes, "I heard. Get outta here."

He stood there looking into the darkness long after she had disappeared. He stood listening to the wind change and the steady pitter patter on the roof as rain began to fall. He shivered as the temperature dropped and decided to go back inside.

When he entered the sitting room, he was surprised to find only Urahara sitting at the table. The kids and Tessai had no doubt gone to bed, and Shuuhei was nowhere to be found. Renji wasn't sure if that feeling in his chest was relief or disappointment.

Urahara sat looking at him over his tea cup; hatless, Renji noted, which was a little strange. The shop keeper had the most peculiar look in his eye, and it was making the red head nervous.

"What?" Renji asked, his voice was harsh, but he didn't care. The weight of Urahara's stare was pressing on him.

Urahara shrugged, "It's nothing. You should get into your gigai Abarai."

Renji blinked. "Yeah, about that. Why do I need my gigai?"

"We have to wear them when fighting the new hollows." Shuuhei's voice came from the hallway.

Renji turned, and as the dark haired man emerged from the shadows, he momentarily forgot how to breathe.

Shuuhei was dressed in slim dark jeans that accentuated the curve of his thighs and showed off his long legs. He wore a sleeveless black top with some kind of skull design on the front. Over the top was a black hooded sweatshirt that zipped in the front, and he had pushed up the sleeves to almost his elbows. The ensemble was completed with large black leather bracelets and a grey and black beanie hat.

Renji felt his groin swell as his gaze lingered on those jeans. He had known Shuuhei was built well, hell most shinigami were. But until that moment, he had no idea just how fuckable he really was.

Renji must have looked at him a little too long because Shuuhei started to shift his feet and then buried his hands in his pockets.

"What?" his face turning a light shade of pink, "Don't look at me like that, I already feel awkward enough. These cloths are… strange."

Urahara clapped his hands excitedly. "Ah! Hisagi-san! Perfect fit!" He stood, and snatched the tea kettle and his hat off the table. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have things I must prepare for!"

He disappeared into the kitchen, and Renji heard him shout as an afterthought, "Hisagi-san will explain everything to you Abarai!"

Shuuhei was staring at the floor with a cross between a scowl and a pout on his face. Renji wanted to say something, anything that would break the uncomfortable silence. He crossed his arms, and watched the rain against the window as he struggled with unsaid words.

"Hisagi I-"

"I'm sorry…" Shuuhei interrupted.

Renji's head jerked to look at his friend whose gaze was still burning into the floorboards. Shuuhei's jaw clenched and he hunched his shoulders.

"I'm sorry for… outside… I didn't mean to kiss you… I wanted to… but I shouldn't have."

Renji watched as Shuuhei looked at everything in the room but him.

"It's okay." Renji said; his voice barely above a whisper.

Shuuhei flushed a little darker and he closed his eyes. "Not really…" Renji had never seen the man more miserable. Not even after the betrayal on Soul Society, when his captain had left him with a world of responsibility and no warning. It was understandable though, Shuuhei saw his own faults ten times worse than those around him. Renji knew he was kicking himself to pieces on the inside, and he hated the he was the cause if it.

"Hisagi," he began again and took a few tentative steps across the room, "I don't like this. I need you to talk to me."

Shuuhei raised his head but kept his eyes no higher than Renji's chest. He stood looking, waiting for Renji to say more, but didn't make any indication of speaking.

Renji took that as an opening and took a few more hesitant steps. "Both of us can't be fallin' apart all over the place. One of us has to be grounded… and it sure as hell ain't gonna be me."

Shuuhei smiled a little at that, and his eyes lowered to the crimson hair flowing over broad shoulders, and peeking from around a sturdy hip. Renji knew the fidgety shinigami couldn't help but play with his hair when it was loose, so he stepped closer. Sure enough, he watched as long pale fingers wove themselves through his ruby tresses.

Leaning slightly, bringing his face just a little closer, Renji whispered softly, "I liked it when you pulled my hair…"

Shuuhei's eyes finally met his own. They flashed with intensity and heat; the need that was hidden there spilled out to show on his entire face. His breath quickened, and he whispered back.

"And I'm gonna pull it again someday…" his gaze flickered to Renji's lips, and back up to his eyes, "but not until you're ready…"

Renji met his stare with the same intensity, but after a few minutes he slowly nodded. Shuuhei was right; this would be foolish to pursue when Renji still felt so much for Ichigo. Shuuhei would end up hurt as well, and then they would be in an even worse situation.

Renji backed away and resisted a painful urge to adjust himself.

"I'm going to get my gigai. You hungry?"

Shuuhei seemed taken aback for a moment, but quickly recovered and nodded. "Yeah, actually, I'm starving."

"K, give me a sec." Renji started down the hall, but couldn't resist an offhanded remark and a smug look over his shoulder.

"Those jeans look fucking fantastic on you, by the way."

Shuuhei's startled surprise and quick sidestep out of Renji's line of sight, sent the red head into fits of laughter.

To be continued…