Wow, it's been a while sing I begun this story. I had a very good idea of where I was heading but I somewhat forgot along the way. Today I start writhing and I couldn't stop. It's not still finish yet, but at least it took form. Sorry for taking so long updating. And thank you to all that favourite this story and perfume. I hope these new chapters not to be very disappointing

Renji was starting to get suspicious about the strange shaped cookies. He was glad Byakuya was willing to let him know that the head of Kuchiki clan cooked and to share those moments with him, but…there was something Byakuya was not telling him. For instance, where all those cookies were going and why he had to cook them every weekend. Or why did he have to go to the real world to fetch vanilla. His captain was almost obsessed with the cookies, always wanting to improve the taste but never relenting on the shape of the seaweed ambassador. And the man didn't even like sweets.

"What is it Renji?" He startled from his daily reveries on the subject to look into those beautiful gray eyes across the room.

"Just thinking bout something taicho."

"Maybe you should just let it out and then continue your work…if you want to go home soon, that is…" Byakuya replied lowering again is eyes to the report he was filling.

Renji felt warm spread on his cheeks. Was the older man just implying that…he cleared his throat before speak again.

"Well, I'm thinking why you love so much the shape of the Seaweed Ambassador. It's almost like Rukia loving Chappy, but not quite. I know that there's more behind it. I just can't quite reach it. And it bothers me not to know."

Byakuya raised his head again to look at his subordinate and lover with amusement and surprise in his eyes.

"You never asked. But I promise you that if you finish those reports quick, we will go home earlier and I will tell you a story about that particular shape."

"Hey that's not fair By…Taicho…sorry…Fine!" Byakuya suppressed a giggle when Renji fumbled back to work.

xxx

Later that evening they sat under a sakura tree in the Kuchiki household' private gardens. Although Renji was not naked like in his previous dreams, he loved Byakuya's daily habits of sitting under that tree, sipping tea and looking at the stars. And the owner of the house loved the recent company, the strong arms around him or sometimes the bright redhead resting on his lap like today.

"So…the seaweed ambassador…" Renji said sheeply, caressing one of Byakuya knees.

"I hoped that you would forget about the subject after a few reports…but I guess its fine to tell you. I was very young when my father died. I don't remember much of him, except a few treasure memories of him playing with me and telling me stories. Ginrei always told me I look a lot like him, except he was made of a more delicate and happy nature."

"So you are beautiful like him but colder" Renji chuckled.

Byakuya gave him a stern glare before continuing.

"One of the stories he used to tell me was that of the Seaweed Ambassador. He used to tell me that story and sing playfully to me in order to make me eat my meals. I apparently was a difficult child at dinner time and this was his way to make me want to eat without forcing me. He created the character because seaweeds have a lot of vitamins I suppose. He tried to tell me that I needed them to grow strong and protect the week and that a lot of children didn't get to have food on the table so I should be thankful. I remember I always ate everything on the plate after the story. One day I asked him to draw the character, and this shape that you mock about is what he drew up." Byakuya finished cleaning a tear that welled up in one of his eyes.

"That's beautiful love." Renji smiled getting up and placing a soft kiss on his lover lips. "The shape reminds you of your father and your childhood, that's really sweet, but you have to forgive the people who mock about it, they don't know this story like I now do."

"Well, yes, I suppose. I still don't see anything wrong with it." Byakuya declared getting up and heading inside. "Are you coming?" He asked extending a hand for the redhead.

Renji grabbed his wrist afectionaly and pulled the other man's body into his lap.

"Only when you tell me why you make all those cookies…You don't even like sweets…"

"Tayaki is your favourite food isn't it?" The older man asked looking deep and warmly into brown eyes.

"Yes…but…"

Byakuya placed a pale finger over Renji's red lips.

"That settles the question, Abarai Fockutaicho…"

Xxx

Renji didn't push further the question that day. He didn't want to force Byakuya to tell him things he didn't want to and he was happy that the noble had shared a moment of his past with him. Now he would punch anyone making jokes about the strange shape, not because he was the lieutenant of the man but because he knew the shape was so dear to the man's heart. Still…he felt like Byakuya was keeping secrets from him. And that was making him really sad and absentminded all week.

"Heh Renji, cheer up, today is drinking night!" Matsumoto yelled at him from the tenth division office's window. "Hi captain Kuchiki, did the meeting go well?" She giggled as Byakuya just closed his eyes and made no reply.

When the raven hair man was sure he could not be heard he asked Renji if he was going to the drinking party that night.

"Huh…You said you didn't mind me going." The redhead looked seriously into grey eyes. Was Byakuya going to ask him not to be with his friends once in the week? Because if so…

"I don't mind as long as you continue to take a bath before stepping onto the bed. And please don't sing on the way in, last week you really scared Mitsu-san." Byakuya suppressed a chuckle but his eyes laughed playfully at Renji.

Renji looked around. The passers looked at them just as before, with respect, with fear and sometimes desire, but not with knowledge of their relationship. Yet. At least Rukia, his friends and the household were being discrete about it. Not they were hiding or anything; they just didn't put an announcement on their foreheads and Byakuya continued to hear his cold, stoic mask in public. That was the mask that still needed to fall.

"I'll try not to." Renji smirked.

"Good, because she now believes that we have owls lurking in the garden."

"Ah, ah, very funny!" Renji tried to look angry but the corners of his lips insisted to continue pointing upwards.

Yet, as they continued their walk towards the sixth division office a strange feeling invaded the taller man's heart.

Why does he always ask me if I'm going out on Friday nights and then acts as it's just a mere reassurance? He doesn't seem to be jealous of my friends…and he has my company all the other nights. And why do I feel such relieve in his voice when he hears me confirming that I'm going…

that I will be out…

and he will be alone…