Finally the last chapter!
Please enjoy.
Disclaimer: you all know I own nothing.
Better Late than Never
Chapter Eighteen
The gun clicks but doesn't fire. I bring the weapon down and stare at it incredulously. My heart is pounding out of my chest, my breath racing, the adrenalin coursing through my system. All of which should not be happening, I should be dead. I look at Renji who looks shell-shocked on the floor; I raise my eyes to Byakuya who still holds the papers in his hands. His face remains impassive, as always.
I had used all my courage in attempting to shoot myself the once; I don't have enough to try my luck again. I stare at the gangster in utter horror, the man had planned this whole thing out, regardless of who I chose to shoot, myself, Renji or him, the shock of the gun not firing would give him enough time to retaliate and kill who he deemed necessary. It was a test, a horrible sick test. Testing for what, I had no idea. The man sighs heavily and looks slightly disappointed.
"I had hoped such an impressive hit man would know the difference between the weight of a loaded and an empty gun." He throws the papers into Renji's lap.
"Get up, you both are useless to me now. I'll have my attendants show you the way out." His baritone voice says emotionlessly, and full of ice.
Renji rises to his feet and stares at the man, as do I. Both of us unsure if this is a psychological game he is playing with us. I move towards the door first grabbing Renji's hand as I pass him to drag him with me. Byakuya takes up the rear, following us through his sitting room. I walk through the door, an attendant waiting patiently as if he has just being summoned. I pull Renji after me. Byakuya takes now to act. One of his hands clamps onto Renji's wrist and pulls him towards him. Although I expected the treatment to be rough, it isn't nearly as rough as it could've been. Renji stills at the touch, scared and unsure of what the man plans. Byakuya leans in close to whisper in the mans ear. Although the moment is meant to be intimate between the two I hear the words uttered in a hushed whisper.
"watahsi ha moushiwake ari mase n ga mai anata wo motto suki." The man speaks in his native Japanese tongue. My eyes widen at the statement. However I can tell by the face of confusion and the odd look that Renji sends the man that he did not. Byakuya releases Renji and closes the door as we walk away down the hall.
The night still dominates the sky and I glance down at Renji's face illuminated by the hall lights. The face is calm and composed. No emotion is displayed openly, and he wont meet my eyes, knowing I will be able to read him if he does. I contemplate telling him what Byakuya had said in his native language, or leave it as is. I decide to keep silent, I have faith in our feelings for each other but those words were quite powerful and they may lead to complications.
The servant leads us to the front doors and informs us the gate will open when we near the end of the drive. We are expected to walk back to civilization. Byakuya was gracious enough to let us leave with our lives. I could probably ask for more, but would never live to enjoy it so I make due. The night is cool but not chilly, and the road is quiet but not devoid of streetlights. The walk will do us good. Giving us time to think and talk as we deem fit, not rushed by anything.
We had spent most of the walk in silence. Holding hands on occasion, but letting go when our hands get to clammy and sweaty to be comfortable, and repeating the gesture in a cyclic cycle. Renji tries to stay on my left forcing me to hold his right uninjured hand. I inquire if the missing appendage still hurts, he says it aches on occasion but is not horrible. He avoids my eyes saying all this, as if ashamed for the defect of his hand. He doesn't say it outright but I can tell its bothering him. I pull him into a tight embrace resting my head on his shoulder. I don't say anything, I don't need too. When we part I make it a point to hold his left hand. He resists at first but accepts it with a small smile gracing his lips. And that means the world to me.
A few hours into out stroll the night sky has faded into dawn leaving the birds to sing their songs. Renji has become increasingly anxious and looks around repeatedly. I look at him turning my head and giving a somewhat irritated face.
"What's got your panties in a twist?" I inquire, ever the gentleman.
"….just looking" he says after a moment of hesitation once again looking around.
"For what?" I inquire further stopping.
"A place to piss! Geeze get off my ass," he snaps, pulling his hand out of mine, and storming off to the side of the road. I let out a laugh; enjoying the embarrassment he was trying to hide. It was adorable.
I lift my arms above my head enjoying a healthy stretch, the gun I had forgotten I had still weighing heavily in my pocket. I pull it out. Examine it. There's nothing remarkable about it, besides the serial numbers being etched off. I pull out the magazine as a means of something to do. The magazine is full. The gun was loaded the whole time. Or at least it was after the first shot. The weight difference would've been nonexistent in comparison to a loaded gun. Either it was purposefully tampered with so the first shot would never fire or it was a fluke. I think back to the words Byakuya whispered to the ignorant red head "I am sorry I could not love you more". Byakuya had and probably still does love Renji in some twisted way.
I'm dragged out of my thoughts as gravel crunches and Renji walks up from the ditch. I replace the magazine, and place the gun back in my pocket. I look at Reji with a bright smile, knowing we are finally together, and for the first time in my life I wish with every fiber of my being it lasts.
No matter how late our reunion was, it was till better than the never I was going to subject the both of us too.
******Im not sure how accurate my translation to Japanese was, just used a handy internet translator.
******Also I am unsure of exactly how guns work, never touching let alone seeing one in real life, so im not sure how accurate or how its possible for a person to have gun that doesn't fire the first shot but is still fully loaded. If anyone is interested in explaining such a thing I would be more then happy to know.
So that's it, finally done. I think if I had written the whole story in one shot it would've had a better flow. Maybe ill edit it more another time, but for now it is complete.
Thanks for reading
i may write a one shot with a hot steamy scene between the two eventually.
i had planned doing a prequel to this revolving around Byakuya and Renji, how they first met
and another story with Gin and Kira
however i believe those will wait
im planing one with Gimmjow and Ichigo next thats a complete different AU then my past few stories.
As always I love reviews and love knowing what people think
