Argh! Sorry for taking so long, everyone! All is well now, I am back and I am busy again - Back to the usual chapter every Sunday unless *touches wood; or rather, hugs random wooden plank* something else crazy happens.

I should have had this out earlier - I had it finished last wee, but my beta-er (my friend who doesn't want to be named) had some laptop troubles (it was actually a really funny story), and then she got lazy. But here it is, nonetheless! I believe I should take to using 'the rod' next time. xD

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, I fear, however Koji is my creation. Credit for his name goes to a friend of mine who prefers to remain unnamed herself, but she knows who she is and she has helped me greatly with this story.

Renji rubbed his eyes and sat up in the futon, glancing out the window after giving his eyes a thorough rub. Bright, at last. He had been in and out of sleep the whole night waiting for morning to come. After Rukia's sudden visit and Byakuya's sudden departure, he was just too nervous in so many ways to sit still long enough for sleep.

He pulled himself out of the futon and stretched, padding his way into the kitchen in bare feet, fetching himself a glass of water.

"Come to the mansion at lunch..."

Renji grunted. Lunch time couldn't come sooner. He couldn't stand this... How did Rukia think of him? Why did Byakuya run off in the middle of the night when he could have gone early in the morning? And who in the hell was Koji? He must be one of the important relatives if Byakuya had to impress him so much... In that case, maybe it was a good thing he left when he did... Rukia did seem panicked...

He grew tired of the rings his thoughts were making and decided to pass the rest of the morning in a long shower, then head to work. There was always new paperwork he could lose his mind in for a while. He briefly wondered if he should show up at Byakuya's in his uniform, but in the end he didn't care. Np point changing for an hour or so.

He carried the glass of water into the bathroom and flicked on the shower, his thoughts painting spirals in his mind again.

******

Byakuya had ordered the servants to set up the entire breakfast and lunch on the mansions main veranda, so that was where he currently knelt, a set table before him, waiting for nine o' clock. The letter said eight, but he knew his cousin well enough to estimate an hour of lateness. Not even when it was he who made the plans did he bother to show early...

Even so, he had to have everything prepared. Koji wasn't just one of his irritating cousins who wished they were in his position, and most probably wanted to see him six feet under. No, Koji was also a childhood friend. He felt bad about walking out on Renji on his birthday, but he would understand once they met. And Byakuya intended for them to meet. Never before had he hidden something from Koji, and this he wanted to share.

He blinked as a noise behind him disturbed his thoughts. Rukia slid the door to the side and made her way quietly to his side, the teapot in her hands. Byakuya glanced at this, and she noticed.

"I needed something to do, and the servants are... restless. They scourge the whole house making sure everything is in place. I hope you don't mind, Nii-sama." She explained with a bow of her head.

"Of course." He looked back to the garden again. Even though the servants didn't hold much love for Rukia, she always seemed to help where she could. A lot like Hisana, he thought warmly.

"Nii-sama," Rukia resisted pointing out into the gardens as a figure appeared, approaching the veranda slowly. Byakuya nodded, and rose.

As soon as his cousin's face came into sight, Byakuya saw that he hadn't changed much in the last five years. Very similar in appearance to himself, his cousin was different in that his black, sleek hair was only shoulder length, his eyes 'twinkled with adventure' as he would say himself, and he always wore a silly grin on his face. He was an inch or two taller than Byakuya and slightly more built too. He wore black riding boots and some trousers seemingly from the living world in origin, along with a simple white shirt.

"I had hoped you stayed in the house for breakfast," he called out from about twenty meters away. "I'd planned to sneak up on you while you were drinking your tea."

Byakua resisted the urge to smile at the comment and waiting for the other man to draw closer before replying. "As if you could manage such a feat. Do not shout in the manor, it is unseemly."

"No, dear cousin, it would be unseemly if you were shouting. The clan is long past caring what I get up to." He laughed and turned to Rukia, pointing at Byakuya. "Don't you just hate that face he pulls?"

Rukia rose and fidgeted with her fingers. "Ummm...."

Koji laughed louder. "Relax, little Rukia! It was a rhetorical question. How about we eat?"

Byakuya didn't even bother showing Koji where to sit. He was always good at making himself at home without being told. "How were your travels?"

"Much the same as they've always been. Thanks," he added as Rukia poured the tea. She lifted a small bell from the table and shook it, signalling the servants to bring the breakfast.

"You realize that you answer this way every time, and have never elaborated on what exactly they have always been like." Byakuya murmered.

"Hehe, too right I haven't. You'd cringe hearing most of it."

Byakuya enjoyed Koji's visits - even with the jealousy he usually felt in his cousin's company. He enjoyed listening to the stories he decided were fit, even though those alone made him cringe at the thought of the clan's reaction should Byakuya partake in such actions.

This time though, he had some talking to do.

"Rukia..." He began, but was interrupted.

"I apologise, Koji-sama," She rose and bowed. "But I must see to lunch for later and alert the servants to the extra food needed."

Byakuya glanced up at her from his seat on the floor. She took the hint quickly, and seemed to approve of the idea. Despite the uneasy beginning of his relationship with his adopted sister, since the near-excecution they had become closer - friends, he liked to think. This small hint of approval from her warmed his heart greatly as he prepared to reveal Renji to his cousin.

Koji was quicker than that, though. He knew something was up, and knew better than to as when he saw Byakuya's expression. "Alright then. See ya later, little Rukia."

She bowed again to Byakuya before taking her leave, sliding the door shut behind her quietly. Byakuya listened to her steps retreating down the hall, staring firmly at his tea, when Koji spoke.

"So... What's so important you had to get rid of Rukia?"

So there we have it! If anyone has any plans on how I should get my lazy beta-er in shape, maybe you could tell me in a review... ;P