It's been over a week without updates because I've been terribly busy and ill at the same time:( Sorry! Anyway, chapter 6 is up and it's quite long so I hope you like it!

Chapter 6- Sleepover

All the way to the Kuckiki-mansion Byakuyas mind was racing. What was he thinking, inviting Renji to stay with him like that? Taking him out for dinner was one thing, after all, Byakuya was the reason he'd been starving, but inviting him home! Byakuya had asked him in the spur of the moment, overcome by some strange emotion that he couldn't identify. Now he was facing the issue of sleeping with Renji... Wait, you won't be sleeping with him! You're letting him stay at your house, it's not like you'll be sleeping in the same bed as him!

That was very true, but the damage was already done as pictures of a sleeping Renji in his bed filled Byakuyas mind, soon followed by images from his dream this morning... No! Don't think about things like that, it will do you no good! It'll do me great, Byakuya thought, but in the end the rational part of his brain won and he once again pushed the thoughts to the back of his mind.

-----

The moment the two shinigami arrived at the mansion they were immediately greeted by several servants who all looked strangely at Renji. Byakuya ignored that and explained that Renji would be staying the night, and if they could prepare a room for him. They all did what they were told and disappeared down the long halls, still casting suspicious looks back at the visitor. Byakuya let out a sigh and motioned for Renji to follow him, which he did.

They walked further in to the house until they reached the garden. There Byakuya stopped and looked at his Vice-captain, who seemed nervous to say the least.

"How about we wait here until your room is prepared?"

"Sure..."

Byakuya sat down on a bench that stood nearby, and Renji did the same. They sat in silence for a while, looking out over the garden. A small river ran through it, the water glittering in the light that flooded out from the mansion.

"Would you like some tea?" Byakuya asked after a long time in silence.

"Nah, it's fine I-"

"Renji?!"

The two of them turned around to see a surprised Rukia standing some distance behind them.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, stepping closer until she was standing right in front of them.

"Oh. Well I..." Renji squirmed a little and Byakuya glanced at him.

"I, um... it's a long and rather stupid story"

"Now that doesn't surprise me" She grinned at him and Renji growled.

"Look, everyone does stupid things sometimes, don't make it sound like it's just me"

"Sorry, sorry. But would you care to tell me what this 'stupid thing' is?"

"Well I sorta forgot my keys this morning and can't get into my apartment, so your brother is letting me stay here tonight"

Rukias gaze moved from Renji to Byakuya, a questioning look on her face.

"Nii-sama, you're letting Renji stay here? Are you sure about that?"

"Hm, it's just one night, he shouldn't be able to make that much of a mess"

"Yeah, maybe not, but still it is Renji..."

"Oi, stop talking about me like I'm not here, damnit!"

"So sorry Renji, we didn't mean to offend you, did we Nii-sama?"

"Of course not Renji"

"Tch" Renji turned away, growling something inaudible.

"Anyway, I'll be going now"

Byakuya looked up at his sister.

"You're not staying here tonight?"

"No, I'll be staying in the division lodgings, I just stopped by to pick up a few things"

"I see"

"Well, I'll be going then"

She turned to leave, but before she reached the door she turned around and waved at them.

"Have fun tonight, and try not to cause a mess Renji!"

"Why you little..."

Bur she was already gone. Instead a servant arrived, explaining that Renjis room had been prepared. And so the servant escorted a still growling Renji to his room and Byakuya stood still in his garden, watching them disappear. Not feeling tired enough to go to bed, he returned to his own room to sort out some documents.

-----

Renji stood in the middle of his room feeling slightly lost. Meeting Rukia had broken some of the tension, but now he felt rather uncomfortable again. No matter how much he tried, he just couldn't relax in this house. Deciding there was not much to do but to go to bed, he removed his uniform and laid down on the futon that had been put out for him. It was no doubt the softest thing Renji had ever slept on and it didn't even take a minute before he was asleep.

He woke up a few hours later, and found that he was in need of a toilet. Putting on his clothes he got out of the room looking down the long corridors, trying to remember where the bathroom was. Damn, this house is just to fucking big!

After a while of searching he realised he didn't even know where his room was anymore. Feeling very annoyed with whoever it was that made this house, he suddenly spotted some light leaking out from a room nearby. Renji moved closer, wondering what to do. He didn't know who was inside, but he was no doubt in need of help. As he stood there, the cold voice of his Captain was heard from inside the room, making Renji jump.

"Are you going to stand there all night or are you going to come in, Renji?"

Renji opened the door and looked in to the room, finding his Captain sitting at a desk, staring at him in a sort of impatient way. He noticed that the Captain was no longer wearing his uniform and that the kensiekan was also gone, black hair hanging into his face. Renji was mesmerized at the sight. He'd always considered his Captain a handsome man, but now his beauty was really striking

"Renji, are you just going to stand there staring at me like a fool or did you actually want something?"

Renji jumped and tried hard to find his voice, which seemed to have abandoned him. Finally finding it, he cleared his throat and answered.

"Well, I was looking for the bathroom, but then I got lost in this ridiculously huge house and now I can't find it. Or my room, actually."

Byakuya suddenly felt an urge to laugh. It was true that the house was big, but to get lost like that... It was just so like Renji. Hiding the smile that was creeping onto his face he responded.

"Well now that you're here you could always use my private bathroom and then I can escort you back to your room" He said, gesturing to a door further into the room that was apparently the 'private bathroom'. Renji didn't even bother to say thanks, he just disappeared through the indicated door, slamming it shut behind him.

Meanwhile, Byakuyas heart was beating fast. He hadn't realised until Renji had his back turned to him, that his hair was actually braided, and not in the usual high ponytail. So he keeps it braided when he sleeps. Probably to keep it from getting messy. But he looks cute in it... No! Don't think it! He's your Vice-Captain, it doesn't matter if he's cute or not, you still can't have him!

At that moment, said cute Vice-Captain came out from the bathroom, looking a little less annoyed but very tired.

"So are ya gonna show me to my room now?" He asked, yawning widely.

Byakuya made up his mind in a matter of seconds.

"Why don't you stay here? You look tired"

"Huh?"

"You can take my futon, it's fine"

Kuckiki Byakuya, what on earth are you doing?! Just show him to his bloody room! Don't let your feelings get out of control, you know that never ends well! But Byakuya didn't care to listen to the rational, noble part of his brain right now, he was way to interested in getting Renji into his bed.

Renji stared at his Captain for a few seconds, but in the end his tiredness got the better of him and he shrugged before starting to remove his clothes, making Byakuyas heart pound at double speed. He quickly turned his face away to hide the blush spreading on his face and when he turned back, Renji was already laying under the covers apparently fast asleep.

Byakuya quickly realised that he wouldn't be able to work anymore tonight and instead moved over to the bed with his sleeping Vice-Captain in it, but not before turning out the lights. He sat down next to Renji watching his peaceful expression. Hesitating slightly at first, Byakuya stretched out his hand, slowly stroking Renjis cheek, moving down to his neck, racing the black tattoos there with his fingertips. At that Renji moved a little and Byakuya immediately stopped his ministrations, waiting for Renji to settle down again. When he did, Byakuya carefully lay down next to Renji and watched him sleep for a long time before finally falling asleep himself.

Why didn't Renji sense the reiatsu to find out who was in the room? No idea. But he can be a little stupid sometimes :)

Oh, and a little reminder, I still want suggestions for my Christmas fic! I've written the first chapter so it's on its way. Check out the end of chapter five if you want to know the story. And it actually snowed where I live today, so that gave me lots of inspiration! Winter is on its way!