Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.

The forever spring air swept through the walkways of Sereite with its unique scent of wild flowers and mountain dew. The cool wind soothed Renji's perspiration and blew through his now dry hair. Though it was evening, some Shinigami were still walking around carrying notes to other divisions, and some rushing to finish last minute paper work. However, many of them were also eyeing the sake house situated across the street. Renji unconsciously blushed as he remembered what happened that very morning.

Renji nodded to the people who saluted at him. But he was mostly preoccupied with his thoughts. There was something about the late evenings in Sereite that brought with him a sense of nostalgia for the old times. The times when nothing in the world mattered other than his three best friends. Rukia. The rush he felt when running across the streets of Rukongai with the stolen food in his pockets. The happy grins they all wore back then when they caught fishes for dinner. The feeling that he would be protected no matter what by his friends. That he would never be let down. The feeling of family that he had never known.

But all of it was crushed when he adopted Rukia. Renji's clam face was shattered by the angry frown marring it. After two best friends died, only Rukia remained. Somehow the Kuchiki managed to rip that away from him. And he was left alone like the orphan he was, with no one to turn to for comfort. So he came to the conclusion that if he managed to surpass the Kuchiki, he might be able to make Rukia see him in a different light. But that failed as well.

Suddenly there was a flash of black hair. Rukia. But, Renji's shoulders slumped as it turned out to be a Naono, the 8th division Fukutaicho. Renji sighed and continued on walking. Rukia had gone on a mission to the human world, and not only any mission but to that damn carrot head's town. Oh how he hated that human, his arrogance, and his 'I'm way better than you' attitude. Renji still didn't understand what was so great about him, that Rukia would like him so much.

Renji had known Rukia much before Ichigo was even born. Didn't that give him an advantage over Ichigo? But Rukia would never see him more than a close friend, a brother. Renji didn't only fall for her good looks but because of her alluring personality as well. Her charming smile, her quirky behavior, and her nature of giving everything she's got even if she wouldn't have it. Hell, he wouldn't even mind her 'chappy' drawings.

But nothing turned out the way he wanted, did it? She was probably sleeping in his closet or maybe even his bed.

Renji's hands clenched at that thought. No, he mustn't think so lowly of Rukia. If she was happy with Ichigo, then so be it. But why did it still hurt so much? The feeling of an icy hand slipping into his chest and slowly squeezing his already broken heart, was too much to bear for Renji.

He shook his head to stop the depressing thoughts from entering and continued on walking to the 10th division. He submitted the report and turned back to get home. He was going straight home tonight, no sake, no drinking.

He turned a corner and immediately crashed into some one. The crash resulted in the other person being sprawled across the floor. "Itai. Itai. Itai."

The being slowly lifted its head up and little Hanatarou's face peeked out from his hair. "Oh! I'm so sorry Abarai-san. My apologies. Did you get hurt anywhere? I can heal it right away," Hanatarou's innocent voice squeaked out.

Renji began laughing, "Get hurt? I didn't even fall down. It felt like crashing into a pillow!"

Renji chuckled and picked up Hanatarou from the ground before stating, "Tsk. Tak. How many times have I told you, always think of yourself first Hanatarou. I know you constantly put others before you, but be a little selfish sometimes. Ok?"

Hanatarou blushed bright red and stuttered something incoherently. "Goodnight Abarai-fukutaicho," Hanatarou chocked out before turning and running away.

Renji watched him go with a smile on his lips. Ever since he met Hanatarou when saving Rukia, he had always kept an eye out for the small healer. He made sure none of the 11th division brutes picked on him anymore. If anyone did and Renji found out, there was always hell to pay. He made sure everyone knew that. Renji felt some sort of brotherly affection towards the other male. For this reason, Unohana-taicho always treated Renji with the outmost respect, whenever he went to the 4th division.

After getting home with no other incidents, Renji ate some left over food in his small kitchen. Soon, he pulled out his futon and collapsed with tiredness. He fell asleep thinking of Rukia.

* * *

The next morning found Renji drooling and clutching at empty air for a body to snuggle with. He frowned when his hands found nothing and slowly blinked his eyes open. Same as any other morning, Renji got ready and walked down to the 6th division. He was early, as hardly anyone was there. But he pulled back his chair, and sat down to start working on paperwork. Soon he was engrossed in his work and that he didn't notice the usual morning noises accompanied by a fast approaching familiar reiatsu. Renji didn't even bat his eyes when the screen doors opened and the Kuchiki walked in. He didn't realize anyone had come in until and pale hand came into his view and a monotone voice stated, "You missed a period there, Abarai."

Renji jumped pushing back against the chair and shrieked in a very unmanly voice, though he wouldn't admit it later on. He clutched at his thundering heart and gasped. There in front of him stood his Taicho with smirking eyes, even though his face betrayed nothing. Renji took some calming breaths and then pointed an accusing finger while squeaking, "When the hell did you come in?"

"Right now Abarai. And I would appreciate it if you show your superiors proper respect," Though the Kuchiki's voice sounded the same as ever, monotone and dry, Renji caught the warning beneath it.

"Sorry Taicho."

The Kuchiki nodded and walked over to his desk to begin his own paperwork. An hour passed with the only sounds being the scratch of pen on paper. But soon it was disturbed by a knock on the screen door along with a voice, "I have a message for the 6th division captain, Kuchiki Byakuya, about Kuchiki Rukia, from the 13th division captain, Ukitake Joshiro."

"Come in," Taicho said.

The screen door opened and a 13th division messenger stepped in. He knelt down and began reciting his message, "Ukitake-taicho has just received news of Kuchiki Rukia coming back to Soul Society, as her mission has finished in the living world. She informed the 13th division that she would be back by this evening."

The Kuchiki showed no emotion as the message was delivered. Instead he simply nodded and dismissed the messenger, telling him to convey his thanks to the 13th division Taicho.

Renji, on the other hand was celebrating with fireworks in his mind. Finally Rukia would be back from her mission. A large grin was pasted on his face. As soon as the messenger left, Renji turned his head and commented excitedly, "It's been a long time since she left, hasn't it? It would be good to see her again."

He didn't even wait for the other man to respond, instead thought out loud, "I have to finish all this work quickly to go see her when she arrives. I wonder if I should get her a present. Or maybe I could throw her a welcome back party."

Renji's musings was cut short when a large stack of papers landed on his table. Shocked, he looked up at his Taicho. "Finish these by tonight, Abarai," he commanded while walking out.

He sat there stumped staring at his Taicho's retreating back. Now what did he do to earn this torture. He sat there cursing at the black haired man before starting his work. Though his hand signed the different requests for the 6th division, his mind kept wondering what could have prompted the man to bestow Renji all the paperwork for that day. It must have something to do Rukia. Did Taicho not want him to see her? This caused a sharp ache in his heart. Maybe, he didn't want Renji to associate with Rukia, who is now a nobel. Or maybe, Taicho was conspiring with Ichigo so that Renji wouldn't be able to approach Rukia, and thus giving Ichigo all her attention. All different ridiculous ideas and scenarios kept appearing in Renji's mind, but little did he know that he was actually much far from the actual reason.

A/N - Thank you for your wonderful reviews. Sorry for the late update :|