A/N: Last part of this chapter has an implied rape scene and will have "FLASHBACK" in bold as warning for those who wish to skip over it. Skipping it won't detract from the story.

Disclaimer: I own nothing that is Bleach nor do I profit from my admiration

Chapter 3: Friends in Need

By the time Renji walked into the bar he was in a foul mood. It was as if everyone forgot that they were still in a war and people were missing. It was an unspoken rule that no one mentioned the names of those trapped in Hueco Mundo; 3rd seat Kotetsu Kiyone had attacked SoiFon when the second division captain had callously stated that her sister was not a priority.

Renji had been so focused on getting better and maintaining his division's morale that he hadn't really seen anyone since the last battle. From what he heard, things pretty much had gone to shit and some would have scars that never fully healed. Scowling, he headed to the usual table in the back and tried not to brood; he was anxious to see his friends, at least the ones that were still here.

Ikkaku and Yumichka were already sitting with Matsumoto and a scowling…Hitsugaya.

Hyorinmaru must have been busy freezing Hell over if he's here having a drink.

Matsumoto sat next to Hitsugaya and was currently lecturing him on how he needed to relax a little and make more friends.

Hiyori sat on Hitsugaya's other side with her arms folded tightly over her chest and her eyes squeezed shut. Renji watched as her body began to shake and realized that the louder Matsumoto got, the more the little vizard shook.

"Would you just shut the hell up you dumb bimbo!" The girl exploded, standing up on her seat with a wooden fan in her hand, leaning precariously over Hitsugaya in an attempt to gain some leverage on the tenth division fukutaichou.

Laughing, Matsumoto airily waved her hand and patted the girl on the head as she said "don't be so angry Hiyori-chan…I heard anger stunts your growth!" Giggling she deftly ducked under a fan blow and took a sip of sake.

"Matsumoto!"

Spluttering on her sake, she turned to her irritated captain and smiled sweetly. "Taichou! You are much bigger than Hiyori-chan and I am sure you are growing in all the right places."

The snowy captain turned bright red and seemed to hunker down as the girl next to him started flailing her fan precariously close to his head. Fortunately, Matsumoto caught sight of Renji and called him over.

"Renji! Yoo hoo! We are just waiting on Hisagi san and Kira kun. Have you met Taichou's little angry friend?"

"MATSUMOTO!"

Hitsugaya was now restraining the blonde spitfire that was trying to climb over him to claw at Matsumoto.

Renji waved to the waiter and sat down across from Hitsugaya next to Yumichka. Watching Hiyori try to overpower Hitsugaya was amusing: Hiyori did make Hitsugaya look big.

"What are you staring at, dickhead?" Oops. The fan was now flying towards his head. Easily catching it in his right hand, he tossed it back at the glaring vizard as he poured himself a drink.

"Hiyori, I thought you hated shinigami, why are you here again?" Renji knew he should shut up but it was just so easy…

"The fucking bastard! I'll kill him when I get back! I can't believe Shinji asstard jerkwad dipshit shipped me off!"

Renji forgot that the vizard had such a foul mouth for a young girl. Then he remembered that she was three times as old as he was.

Must suck that she hasn't grown in the last one hundred years.

Dodging her fan abruptly pulled him out of his thoughts. Looking up to see Matsumoto and Hitsugaya staring at him, he self-consciously emptied his sake bowl. "What?"

"Did you suddenly get sixth sense and when did you get so fast?' Matsumoto asked, whistling appreciatively at the end.

Rolling his eyes, Renji grabbed her sake and downed it. "You're deluded. Where the hell are Hisagi and Kira?"

As if on cue, the two walked into the bar. Renji was genuinely happy to see his friends, and was surprised to see that they both looked good.

Really fucking good.

Hisagi had always been wiry and lean, but his muscles rippled as he walked now. He hadn't gained bulk, but the new definition was downright scary. His eyes were still calm and guarded, as everyone knew of his infamous OCD tendencies and the herculean effort it took to keep them contained. However, there was a noticeably aggressive confidence in his eyes and stance that caused a lot of bar patrons to stare as he walked by.

Damn Hisagi…this war has been good for you.

Kira on the other hand looked calm and relaxed with only faint shadows under his eyes. Renji felt badly for his friend, he had heard from Matsumoto that some of the captains…SoiFon… were wary of Kira. Renji thanked the gods for the millionth time that he had screwed up enough in the 5th division to get him reassigned to Zaraki. Though he liked to think he wouldn't have fallen prey to Gin and Aizen, he also knew his friends were stronger than most people believed; if they could be manipulated, anyone could.

Hisagi sat next to him and the slighter blonde lieutenant sat down between Hisagi and Matsumoto. Matsumoto immediately started pouring sake for them, but the dark haired shinigami curtly shook his head no.

"Oh, Shuuhei you don't drink anymore now that your hero is back?" Yumichka teased coyly.

"No, I just don't like the hangovers anymore. You guys are hard to keep up with." Hisagi smiled, but the effort seemed forced.

Renji quirked an eyebrow at the unexpected response.

Whoa, that hero of his must have really done wonders.

Hiyori glared at Hisagi before muttering, "Kensei is a fool, he better not hurt Lisa."

Hisagi grinned wolfishly and slowly winked at Hiyori.

What the fuck?

"Oh, Lisa is being taken care of just fine." Hisagi drawled and leaned back against the wall.

Renji noticed an uncomfortable silence and saw Hiyori glaring at Hisagi while he was looking intensely at Matsumoto. The normally bubbly fukutaichou was looking down at the table and nervously playing with her pink scarf.

Mentally shrugging, Renji downed Hisagi's untouched sake and moved to pour some more when Hiyori suddenly said "I don't know why I have to be here. It's not like I'm going to talk to the old man and I sure as hell am not going to stay."

She turned to Hitsugaya who was trying his best to block everyone out. When he failed to open his eyes she jabbed him hard in the ribs, causing him to jump and knock his sake bowl over.

"Sarugaki!"

"Oi! You weren't listening to me!"

Hitsugaya's eyebrow twitched as he glared back at the stubborn girl. Realizing she had conned him into a staring contest, he crossed his arms tightly and turned back to face the others.

Renji was starting to feel restless. The forced camaraderie didn't feel right and he knew that Hitsugaya and Hisagi felt it too. He tried to stamp down his uneasiness but it irritated the hell out of him that they were drinking and joking in a bar while their friends and captains were at the mercy of Aizen.

"Hisagi, has Urahara san woken up yet?"

Instantly, all talking stopped and the temperature dropped a few degrees. Matsumoto tried to turn the conversation but the previously forced mood was broken. Yumichka immediately started refilling everyone's bowls as Hisagi's face suddenly went taut.

"Yeah, he's up. I guess Kurotsuchi taichou and Nemu deserted. He was the one who took Urahara out in Hueco Mundo. He's been sending…messages… to the shop. Apparently there's a destroyed lab in Las Noches that he has taken over and he's examining corpses."

Everyone exchanged uneasy glances around the table. They all knew that Kurotsuchi had injured Urahara, but they hadn't realized he had definitely switched sides.

Hitsugaya closed his eyes and seemed to struggle internally for a few moments before he cleared his throat. Looking up, his teal eyes were colder than Hyorinmaru as he looked at Hisagi directly.

"Tell them the rest. There are so few captains and lieutenants left, we don't need to keep information from each other at a time like this. And frankly, all of your captains are gone at the moment, so it may as well be me bringing you up to speed."

"Hai. Kurotsuchi taich-"

"Don't call him that. He doesn't deserve the title. Kisuke should have let him rot in the Maggot's Nest." Hiyori muttered angrily and hugged her knees to her chest.

Hisagi nodded curtly at Hiyori and continued.

"Kurotsuchi…is aiding Aizen in hollowification and," Hisagi paused to look at Renji, "they sent back Kuchiki taichou's kenseiken, gloves, and scarf. They reeked of hollow reiatsu."

Renji slammed his fists down on the table, causing the bowls and bottles to rattle.

"What the hell Hisagi! You knew this and you didn't tell me? We're in the middle of a war and we're sitting here having a goddamn tea party!" Renji felt his fists shaking and mentally steeled himself to calm down.

Keep it together, dumbass.

"Abarai! Hisagi just returned from the real world and this was discussed at the captains' meeting this morning. At the time it was thought best to wait until Urahara could determine definitively why Kuchiki taichou's personal belongings were delivered by the Espada. Your reaction is proving the wisdom of Soutaichou's decision to keep it contained."

Hitsugaya's voice rang with iron authority, reminding everyone present that despite his appearance, he was a capable and intimidating captain of the Gotei 13.

"Sorry Renji, I was told not to tell you yet. You kind of have a history of rushing into things when you get bad news." Hisagi finally took a sip of sake and grimaced. He really didn't want to tell his friend the last part.

"Also, the messenger said to tell Ichigo that Aizen is using the captives against each other to bend them to his will. Meaning, they tortured Rukia to break Kuchiki taichou and they're working over Zaraki…"

Renji stopped listening to Hisagi as he continued on, ignoring the angry shouts from Ikkaku and Yumichka.

"Renji…" He felt Hisagi's reiatsu gather around his and was faintly aware that people around them were starting to gasp.

"Abarai! Pull it together!" Hitsugaya's voice thundered as he heard a thump somewhere behind him.

"Hisagi!"

"Hai."

Renji was vaguely aware of things crashing around him as he felt himself lifted roughly and dragged out of the bar. Outside, Hisagi hit him once, then again as his reiatsu continued to rise. Finally, Hisagi grabbed him by the shoulders and shunpo'd to the sixth division.

Renji felt himself blocking a punch as Hisagi tried to get his attention but everything felt like it was under water and his body responded automatically without any direction. He knew Hisagi was shouting at him but Renji didn't want to talk to him, he just wanted to be alone. Suddenly he lashed out and sent Hisagi sprawling against the wall.

"Shuuhei!" Shocked out of his daze, he went over to help his friend who was staring up at him with a look Renji didn't like. "What."

"Nothing. You were kind of out of it there for a minute. Wanna talk about it?"

"Nope."

"Wanna spar?"

"Not particularly."

"Drink?"

"Fuck you."

Hisagi rolled his shoulders a few times and sighed. "I don't know many details…I wasn't there when Grimmjow showed up at the shop. It could all just be a bluff, meant to goad Ichigo into fighting him." Hisagi grasped Renji's arm and hauled himself up.

Renji squeezed his eyes shut, wanting to think of anything but what could be happening to Rukia and his captain. "Senpai…I…I'm sorry for hitting you."

Hisagi snorted, which made Renji crack an eye open in surprise. "Forget it already. I'm not fragile and you're predictable." Hisagi pulled Renji into a bear hug. Renji stiffened at the familiarity the normally uptight shinigami was showing. "Uh, Shuuhei? You're not coming onto me again are you?" Renji laughed nervously.

"Baka. As good as it was, I think we both are happy moving on from that." Hisagi pulled his hair teasingly.

Sinking down to sit in the grass Renji looked at Shuuhei curiously and decided to just ask his senpai what he had suspected at the bar.

"You fucking Muguruma?"

Hisagi squatted next to him, absently brushing dust from his hakama. "I take it you're done talking about…the earlier topic."

At least Hisagi was a tiny bit perceptive.

The dark haired shinigami stopped fidgeting and sighed loudly. "More or less…He's got something going on with that Lisa chick, but I guess he likes me too. We kind of have an…agreement." Hisagi blushed. Blushed!

"Does Rangiku know?"

Hisagi frowned. "She suspects. She seems unhappy about it, though I don't know why."

Rangiku was pretty close with Hisagi, though Renji didn't know if they'd slept together or not. She had teased him mercilessly to let her join in when he and Hisagi were fucking each other senseless after he graduated from the Academy. And for all of his control freak tendencies, Hisagi was a well known slut, so she shouldn't be surprised that he was screwing a vizard, especially one he had admired for most of his life.

"Wanna go with me to the real world tomorrow? I need to talk to Urahara." Renji asked quietly, trying to fill the suddenly awkward silence.

"Eh, yeah. Kazeshini has been screaming for action relentlessly since Tosen was killed and sparring with Kensei will hopefully make him shut up for awhile." Hisagi was absently playing with Renji's hair again, something Renji secretly enjoyed.

"Sparring is what you call it these days?" Renji smirked as Hisagi abruptly yanked on the crimson strands.

"I'm going to head back to the bar and see if Hitsugaya has any information on our next move. Renji…when you do talk to Urahara, make sure you think before you do anything too stupid." Hisagi let go of Renji's hair and shunpo'd off.

Renji was angry and scared that information had been kept from him. It was true that they didn't know why the Espada had delivered Byakuya's things, but Renji knew that they all symbolized his status as heir to the Kuchiki clan and that nothing short of death could have forced his captain to relinquish them. Nothing other than Rukia…

*****

FLASHBACK

It had been an unsuccessful raid, they had been unable to steal anything worthwhile to eat and it was already getting dark. Looking at the various boys around him, he knew that even if the girls had been more successful, everyone would go to bed with a familiar ache in their bellies.

Tiredly he walked through the alley that led to where they all lived; an old warehouse full of junk that hid them while they slept. As they approached their home, they heard angry, frightened voices.

Speeding up, Renji raised his hand to the rest of the boys and motioned for them to hide. Being the oldest and natural leader, Renji wanted to scope out the situation before involving them. Suddenly, he heard a scream and glass shattering.

Rukia!

Running inside he stopped in horror at the scene before him. Rukia was kneeling in front of the leader of the local gang that patrolled their district and terrorized the people. He had her delicate wrist in his fist and he had angry scratches on his face and arms. The younger girls were huddled behind Rukia, crying softly and under watch by two more men with crude weapons.

"Let her go." Renji grabbed a rusty, broken katana that was propped against the door and walked towards Rukia.

Cackling, the big man saw Renji and he licked his lips in anticipation.

"Ah, I wondered if you'd show up, cherry."

Renji felt his skin crawl and shivered at the lust in the thug's voice. He had managed to avoid any confrontation with him all these years, but he knew that the thug had always watched him from the shadows. There had been rumors that he was the one responsible for all the mutilated bodies that ended up in the river, all of them boys on the verge of becoming men.

"I said, let her go." Renji hefted the katana in front of him, testing its weight and balance in an attempt to boost his own courage.

"And why should I do that? She looks so sweet; I just want to taste her." Leering, the thug hauled Rukia up and began tearing her frayed yukata off her shoulders. Rukia tried to scratch him again but he easily snapped her wrist and slapped her hard.

"Stop it! Let her go!" Renji cried, rushing over the various junk and tripping in his haste.

"Wanna take her place, cherry?"

Renji froze, fear beyond anything he had ever felt before rushed through his veins and nearly stopped his heart.

The thug twisted Rukia's broken wrist, making her cry out. She tried to stay quiet, knowing that something was happening between the ugly man and Renji that was beyond her understanding.

Setting his shoulders, Renji stood as tall as his wiry frame could stand. He was filling out and his body was nearing the end of adolescence; strong, lithe, and defined. Unfortunately, the thug was still twice his size and he had two friends.

"Let them all go, let them leave."

The ugly man stared at Renji for a moment before he finally let go of Rukia and nodded at the two men guarding the younger girls. Rukia sank to the ground, clutching her broken wrist to her chest and staring at Renji, her violet eyes wide and fearful.

Renji cautiously approached the thug, willing Rukia to leave with his eyes.

"Rukia, go." Renji helped her stand and pushed her towards the girls.

"But Ren-"

"Get the hell outta here. And don't come back. I'll find you. Take everyone and go!"

Rukia's eyes hardened and she turned towards the little girls, helping them stand and leading them to the back entrance. She heard scuffling and turned around to see Renji pushed against a pole, his arms held above his head and the thug behind him yanking his head back by his hair.

Seeing her linger, Renji felt his resolve crumbling and his eyes began to burn with unshed tears. He knew what would happen next and he knew it would be very, very bad. Summoning the last strands of courage he snarled, "Get the fuck away! Don't turn back! "

Rukia turned and ran, every instinct in her geared towards escape as she heard Renji's voice break and turn to screaming. She ran like she had never run before, urging the girls on, heading to the forest and the safety of the trees. Whenever there was an emergency, everyone gathered there and Renji would always reassure them and lead them through the latest tragedy .

Rukia heard pounding footsteps around them and realized that the boys had caught up. Together they reached the trees and climbed until they were out of sight. No one asked what had happened, no one really needed to. Rukongai was a brutal place and everyone knew who the thug and his friends were. Fearful, they all fell into an uneasy sleep. All except Rukia who stayed alert, straining to see a spiky haired figure trek up the hill.

He arrived around dawn. At first Rukia thought her eyes were playing tricks on her and as she scrubbed them, she realized it was in fact Renji. She climbed down quietly so as to not wake the others and ran to him, suppressing a cry as she saw him.

He collapsed in front of her, one eye was swollen shut, his throat had angry bruises, his arm was bent grotesquely and his legs were covered in blood, grime, and worse. Crying, Rukia cradled his head in her lap, whispering soothing words as she brushed his long hair out of his face.

"Renji, why? We could have all gotten away, you didn't have to stay."

"Yes I did. The girls wouldn't have had a chance." Renji's breathing hitched and he closed his eyes as his whole body spasmed in the morning cold.

"He wanted me, he's watched me all these years…he wouldn't have left until he had me. It was the only way to…" Exhaustion was overtaking his body and more than anything he wanted to fall into the sweet blackness that danced along the edges of his sight.

"He…he hurt you and he knew to get me was through you. No matter what, I won't ever let anyone hurt you."

*****

The old memory had been buried deeply for a long time. Remembering the gut wrenching fear that seized him when he saw Rukia at the mercy of the monster of his youth suddenly struck him with a new fear. With Rukia as a captive, it wouldn't be hard for Aizen to break Byakuya.

Or himself.

A/N: Thanks for all of the story alerts/favorites and reviews. They are greatly appreciated. I try to be almost done with the next chapter when I upload the current chapter (ex. chapter 4 is nearly finished, will publish it after I have most of chapter 5 completed) for continuity purposes.

Warnings for the next chapter: character death and torture in HM. From now on I will try to give a slight preview/warnings for the next chapter as I hadn't really meant for this story to get too dark...that just seems to be how the details are going even if the overall outline isn't. Plot suggestions, critiques, and muses are welcome (still new at this) and thanks for reading.

~M