Rise of Renji

Renji gets tired of being treated badly, so he challenges the other lieutenants to prove his worth

I don't own Bleach

A/N: Sorry this chapter took a while to publish. I'm dealing with some stressful school projects right now so I don't have much time to write these stories.

Renji was standing outside the squad 12 laboratories. He was scared, but he knew what he had to do. Thinking this, a sudden calm washed over him.

"Captain Kuchiki, will you please come with me to squad 12 so I can challenge Nemu?" Renji asked his captain after sprinting all the way to squad 6 at speeds that would make Yoruichi proud. "Very well," Byakuya agreed, "I can understand why you would be frightened of the squad 12 captain. It's also possible that he may try to influence the challenge."

Now both Renji and Byakuya were standing outside the squad 12 laboratories. "Well, what are you waiting for?" Renji asked his captain, "Aren't you going to go in?" Byakuya coughed and said, "As the actual participant in the duel, it would only be proper if you were to enter first." Renji knew he wasn't going to win the fight over who would go in first, but even with his captain there, he was still really nervous.

He never got the opportunity to prepare himself, the door opened and Nemu stepped out to greet them. "Welcome, lieutenant Abari, Captain Kuchiki, I was expecting you earlier, but come in." Nemu stepped aside, leaving the doorway open for them to enter. An ominous odor wafted out of the lab. It smelled of sulfur and rotting flesh. Renji and Byakuya entered reluctantly.

Mayuri turned around in the chair he was sitting in. Apparantly he had been observing something through a microscope, though exactly what is unknown. "Kuchiki and Abari," he said creepily as he stood up, "My my, I don't recall ever having the pleasure of your company in my lab. Would you like some tea? I've been working on a new brew that I think you'll just love."

Renji took a few steps back out of fear. Byakuya replied calmly, "I'm afraid we don't have time for tea, seeing as this is a strictly business visit." Mayuri insisted, "Perhaps another time then? This tea will absolutely blow your mind." Byakuya responded, "We are both very busy men. Though I appreciate the offer, I don't believe our schedules would allow it." "Well whatever," Mayuri shrugged, "I'll just get Akon to drink it then."

Renji was still cowering. It was times like these when he wished he could have his captain's composure. Mayuri noticed his fear. "Abari, you don't need to be afraid of me." Mayuri said in what sounded like a reassuring tone, but had the opposite effect, "I don't bite, and even if I did, it wouldn't be very harmful. I don't have teeth that inject poison. Though that would be an interesting experiment. Nemu, write that one down!" "Yes, Master Mayuri," she responded.

"Oh, that reminds me. Nemu what was your challenge for me going to be?" Renji asked. After she finished writing poison injecting teeth on a piece of paper, Nemu responded, "I was planning to challenge you to a courting duel. We will each choose a human of the opposite sex to court. The first to get their chosen human to kiss them on the lips will win. I am going to choose Uryu Ishida." Mayuri shouted furiously, "I cannot allow you to do this! It is unacceptable!"

Byakuya stepped in, "The lieutenant may choose their own form of dueling. The captain is not allowed to interfere. These duels are recognized be the head captain himself. If you have any arguments, you should present them to him." Mayuri scowled. He was furious. But even he knew that it was best not to waste the head captains time.

Soifon did interfere with her lieutenants choice, but that was for the sake of the readers. I'm sure most, if not all of you would rather not read a story that involves Omaeda stuffing his face.

Renji pulled Byakuya aside and whispered to him, "Why did you do that?" Byakuya said in a quiet voice, but not a whisper, for whispering is unbecoming of a noble, "Because you have a good chance of winning this. Between Nemu's social skills, the Quincy's prudishness, and your fanbase, you have the upper hand in this duel." Renji beamed, "Aw, you do care about me, captain!" Byakuya could have facepalmed, but instead he replied, "Replacing a lieutenant is a lot of work, and as I said earlier, I am a very busy man."

Renji and Byakuya turned back towards the impartial lieutenant and the impatient captain. "I accept!" Renji told them. Nemu nodded, "That is good. Who will you be courting?"

Renji pulled Byakuya aside again and whispered to him, "I don't know any human girls." Byakuya could have facepalmed so hard his fore head would be bleeding and Unohana would need to buff out a dent in his skull, but instead he replied, "Didn't you go to Ichigo's school at one point?" "That hasn't happened yet," Renji told him. "It's an AU, everything's happened except for the betrayal," was Byakuya's response. "Even the things that were caused by the betrayal?" Renji asked. "Yes," Byakuya explained, "That's the whole point of an AU. I also believe we're breaking the fourth wall right now, so let's get back to the story before any spoilers for the story that haven't even been written yet are exposed." "Like Ichigo being the Soul King's grandson?" Renji asked, "That would be impossible, but knowing Tite Kubo, it just might happen." "Right," Byakuya agreed.

Renji, now privy to the infinite possibilities of an AU, thought of all the girls from Ichigo's class. Rukia wasn't alive, so she didn't count, and Byakuya was still mad about the drinking contest. Orihime was in love with Ichigo, so she was out. He was also pretty sure Tatsuki had feelings for Ichigo, so that was another down. Chizuru's interests lie elsewhere. Ryo Kunieda was one of the smartest students in the school, so he doubted he had a chance with her. Mahana Natsui was one of the more outgoing girls, but he heard she was already in a relationship, so she was too risky. That left Michiru Osagawa. She was kinda shy, but she was his best shot.

Renji and Byakuya turned back towards the even more impatient captain and his idle daughter. "I will be courting Michiru Osagawa," Renji told them. "Very well," Nemu responded, "We shall depart immediately. Due to the nature of the duel, our captains may not be present, we will deliver the report upon our return." Nemu led Renji out through the door and to the senkaimon that they would use to travel to the world of the living. They each had a hell butterfly to escort them. Without further hesitation, they stepped in.

A/N: Next chapter will be posted very soon.