Hi! Sorry for the late update. I was busy with school and exams… Thank you for the nice reviews. You made me really happy! ^^

This chapter may be a bit short, but I hope you'll like it. I'll try to update more often in the future.

I do not own Bleach…


Chapter 2

Renji was still half-conscious when he slid his eyes open. His surroundings was not familiar at all, but the soft fragrance of cherry blossoms calmed him. Oh, yes… He could recognise that smell anywhere. As he glanced to his left, he noticed the figure sitting next to him. Renji heaved a sigh of relieve, and admired the perfectly flawless white skin of his taichou. His eyes slid down the high cheekbones, the noble nose, and rested on the light-pink, thin lips. He watched them move, forming the syllables of his name.

Ichigo knit his brows as he saw the dreamy expression on Renji's face. Byakuya was kneeling on the floor next to his fukutaichou with a frown. When the red-head didn't respond to his calling, the noble looked up at the teen.

"Kurosaki Ichigo. I expect an explanation for my fukutaichou's odd behavior. Is this some kind of human-disease again?"

"The hell should I know! He was a moron from the beginning..." Byakuya couldn't disagree with that.

"Hoy, Kon! What happened while we were away?"

"Aaaa, I don't know... Maybe he saw a pretty ghost..." The plush lion snickered and glanced at the dark-haired noble with a knowing look. Ichigo grabbed him and threw him out of the window. He had a head-ache since Byakuya had showed up, and it was getting worse in every second. It's not enough that he had to tend on the 'oh so sick' Rukia's every little whim, listening to Kon's yammering, took care of a stupid hollow (who, of course had to show up in the middle of the night), and now he has the annoying 'I'm-so-perfect' captain complaining about his brainless subordinate. He was fed up. He wanted his fucking deserved sleep, damn it! Byakuya sensed the darkening aura around the teen, so he decided to be nice... but only this time.

"You can go to sleep, Kurosaki Ichigo. I will take care of Renji. During the time I stay here, I will be in charge if a Hollow appears. You can have a rest."

Ichigo gaped as he heard this offer. He didn't know what posessed Byakuya, but it was totally out of character. Maybe, he had really became soft after all...

"Uh... Thanks, Byakuya. I appreciate it." he answered with a small smile. Byakuya just nodded.

Ichigo climbed back to the bed, meanwhile he listened to the calm voice of the noble, who promised Renji prompt death if he won't get up on the instant. This seemed to work, because the red-head immadietly regained his senses and jumped up.

"T-Taichou?... A-are you really Kuchiki-taichou?" he stammered, but shrank from the grim look of the dark-haired man.

"Uh! I'm... I mean... I apologise for my behavior, taichou." Renji said with a deep bow.

'I'm a fuckin' idiot!' He cursed, and tried to clear the disturbing images from his mind. 'It's because they hardly give me enough food in that stupid shop... I'm beginning to hallucinate... Yeah, that's it!' Just as to confirm his theory, his stomack began to grumble. 'Shit! I'm gonna starve...'

"You can find some leftover food in the frige... Now shut up, 'cause I wanna sleep..." Ichigo murmured as he put the pillow on his head to block the noises the other two made.

"Thanks dude! You're a live-saver." Renji enthused, but the teen only waved. The red-head began to storm off the room, but suddenly stopped. 'Shit! I've almost forgot...'

"Um... Taichou..."

"Do not worry, Renji. You are allowed to do whenever you want in your free time... I will accompany you, if you don't mind."

"WHA---?! I-I mean, sure! I'll be happy if you do!"

The two went downstairs in silence. Byakuya was the first who entered the kitchen, but Renji rushed to his side and bowed.

"Please, leave it to me, taichou! Just sit down and I'm gonna make you some tea. But first... I have to pick up my gigai. I'll be back in a few minutes!"

Byakuya was somewhat surprised, but accepted the offer. He took a seat in the table and stared out of the window. Renji took off, and Byakuya was alone again. He noticed the hell butterfly that flew in and stopped in front of the noble. Byakuya held out his hand, and the tiny creature landed on a delicate finger. He furrowed his brow and silently rose. He brought out his Soul Candy and stared at it for a few seconds.

*Flashback*

"Byakushi! Byakushi!" the overly energetic Yachiru ran after the Captain of the 6th Devision with a happy face. The noble counted to three before he stopped and looked back at the small child.

"What is it, Kusajishi fukutaichou?"

The pink-haired girl gave him a big, cheerful smile and showed him a small, hastily wraped pack. Byakuya rised an eyebrow as he eyed the strange-shaped object in the small hands.

"It's a present for Bya-kun!" she explained merrily. "It's my specially designed Soul Candy. It will be usefull if ya go to Icchi's place."

Byakuya wasn't too impressed, but he accepted the gift. The girl wouldn't live him alone anyway…

*End flashback*

The noble looked at the dispenser Yachiru had given him, before he departed from Seireitei. It had a weird looking black bird character on the top. He couldn't find it appealing at all, but he had no choise. He took the light blue dispenser closer to his mouth and pushed the top. The next second, he was in his shinigami form again. A quiet mewing sound caught his attention, so he glanced back. The small black cat stared at him with big, pleading eyes while gently touched his haori. Byakuya eyed the creature for a few seconds, but eventually gave up. He picked up the cat and placed her onto his shoulder. It's not like he was going to fight with a Hollow or something... He didn't even bother to check his Gigai or wait to inform his fukutaichou about his sudden departure. He took of without a sound.

As Renji came back a few minutes later, he saw his captain sitting in the same chair, wearing an almost innocent expression. It brought a smile to Renji's face. He quietly went to the kitchen and began to finish his task. He wouldn't dare to disturbe Byakuya's thinking... Renji wear a very serious expression as he carefully put on the tea kettle to boil water. He will show Kuchiki Byakuya how expert he became in the things in the Living World. A confident grin appeared on his face as opened the fridge to find some food.

'Byakuya' was staring at the night sky in awe. The moon was so bright and he could see a few stars as well. A nice smell reached his nose. He noticed the young red-haired man and smiled.

Renji was pleased as he tasted the tea. Perfect! Kuchiki taichou will be happy. He put two cups in the tray and carefully lifted it up. As he reached the table and glanced at the other man, he almost dropped the tray. Byakuya stared at him with a curious expression and with a small smile. Renji never saw such a kind, loving smile on the cold man's face. He could feel the warmness of his cheek... Shit, he was blushing!

Byakuya watched his scrumming fukutaichou and chuckled. Renji almost fainted again as he heared the alien sound.

"Uh... T-taichou... are you all right? I-I mean..."

"I'm perfectly fine, Renji. Thank you for your concern." came the reply with another dizzling smile.

"Mmmm... It smells nice! I'm sure this tea is really delicious. Will you let me taste it?"

"Huh?... Oh! Yes... Sorry."

Byakuya chukled again as Renji almost burnt his hend when he tried to fill his cup. Shit! Why the hell am I so nervous? It's not like I never served him a tea before... They drank in silence, both enjoying the nice flavour of the green tea. Renji wouldn't dare to look at his captain's face, so he decided to burn a hole in the the table with his intense glare. Strangely enough, it was Byakuya who broke the silence.

"I thought it would be nice to go for a walk... It's such a beautiful night. Do you know a quiet place to watch the stars?"

"Oh...Umm... Maybe the park or..."

"That's perfect. Do you mind to show me the way?"

"Y-You mean... you want me to go... with you, taichou?"

"Of course! I like your company."

The room spinned around him and Renji felt the sudden urge to run away. Byakuya noticed the strange look in the red-haired man's face so he slowly got up and began to clean the table.

"I'm sorry for making you upset. I didn't want to force you to come. It was a selfish request of my part."

"NO! I WANT TO GO!"

Renji started up so fast, he accidently pushed the table causing the kettle to tip and all of the remaining hot water landed on the black-haired noble. Byakuya only blinked as his clothes suddenly became wet and he felt an unpleasent burning sensation on his hand. Renji's eyes widened and he wanted to kill himself. Shitshitshitshit!!! He squized his eyes shut and kneeled down. His head hit the floor as he bowed low in front of the other.

"I'm so really sorry, taichou! Please punish me as much as you want!"

Byakuya looked down surprised, then he began to laugh. Renji froze and he felt a light touch on his head. He slowly forced his head up to meet a smiling pair of smoky-grey eyes.

"It's all right, I'm not mad." The older man said in a calm voice, still laughing a bit at the lost-puppy expression on Renji's face.

"You do not have to worry. It was an accident, nothing more. I am perfectly fine."

"A-Are you sure... taichou..."

Byakuya only nodded and held out a hand. Renji unconsciously took it and let the other to pull him up, but the noble didn't let go of his hand. They were close. Renji felt his hand began to sweat and he gulped. Byakuya's skin was cold, just like Rukia's, but it wasn't the same. It wasn't smooth or soft at all. Renji fel a shiver run down his spine at the slight contact.

"I think I need to change these clothes."

Byakuya said in a low voice that almost sounded like a purr. Renji nodded. He wouldn't dare to open his mouth. Not when those half-lidded grey eyes watched him with so much intensity that he felt like drowing.

"Could you help me?"

"Wha-What?" the question hit him and he was now sure, that it was just a very strange dream and he will wake up very soon. Byakuya fleshed him a playful grin and said something about 'tea' and 'needing a bath', but he was too lost. He felt himself waver and somehow, his captain's face seemed coming closer and closer....


-TBC-