I'm updating quickly cause I need to start working on my Christmas fic, so here's chapter 8. Hope you like it, I feel quite pleased with it myself, especially the ending...

Chapter 8 – Silence, rain and a very small bathroom

The office of the 6th division was very quiet. Not that it wasn't always quiet, but today it was unusually quiet. Renji found that very unnerving. He glanced over at his Captain for the 50th time this hour. He looked as calm and perfect as always, but Renji suspected that there was more than paperwork on his mind today.

Byakuya hadn't spoken since the incident this morning. Not even when Renji had asked if he wanted a cup of tea had the Captain said anything, he'd just nodded and continued with his work.

Renji had been shocked to say the least when he'd seen his Captain actually show his feelings and even tell him about it this morning, but now the noble seemed to have closed up completely.

Renji sighed and tried, yet again, to focus on his paperwork.

-----

The whole day continued in the same pressing silence as before and, as much as Renji hated it, he didn't want to disturb his Captain. Because even though he'd always wanted to see Byakuya loosen up, seeing him break down completely made Renji feel like his own chest would explode with pain. He looked up to see his Captain sitting perfectly still, staring out of the window, but obviously not really seeing anything.

Byakuya wasn't sure what to do. He hadn't opened up to anyone since Hisana, and now Renji had seen him crack up entirely just this morning. What was he supposed to do? What was he supposed to say? Should he apologize? No, Renji had told him not to do that. But still, he felt sort of ashamed. Renji had always looked up to him and now he'd ruined the image of the perfect Captain.

So now what? Would Renji abandon him? No, of course not, he's your Vice-Captain! But he's at Captain-level already and we have a great need of capable fighters... No! The idea of not having Renji as his Vice-Captain was scary, and something that Byakuya had never really thought about. Of course, Renji had said that he wouldn't look down on him but what if he stopped looking up to Byakuya? Would he be able to handle that?

Renjis voice brought Byakuya back from his thoughts.

"Captain, are you alright?"

Byakuya turned to his Vice-Captain who looked concerned to say the least. The moment their eyes met Byakuya looked down and mumbled:

"I'm fine"

"Well, if you're finished we should probably get going 'cause it looks like it's about to rain"

Sure enough, dark clouds were towering up outside the window.

"Right"

Byakuya got up and followed Renji out of the office. They walked side by side in silence for a while, when Byakuya suddenly stopped. Renji did the same.

"Captain, what is it?"

"Renji, I hope you do not think less of me because of what happened this morning"

Renji just stared dumbstruck at his Captain.

"What? No, of course not-"

"Do not lie to me Renji"

"I ain't lying! I don't think any less of you, I mean everyone has weaknesses. Actually I felt honoured that you told me so much"

"Really?"

Byakuyas eyes met with Renjis and a shed of hope showed in the dark depts. This must have worried the noble quite a lot, Renji thought.

"Yeah, I-"

At that Renji was cut off by a big drop of rain landing on his forehead, soon followed by several more, and before they knew it, the rain was pouring down on them.

"Come on, let's go to my place, it's quite close!" Renji said and they both used shunpo to get there quicker.

-----

They arrived outside of Renjis apartment completely soaked, and Renji fumbled a little with the keys, now retrieved with some help from Rukia. Once they'd gotten inside Renji disappeared to fetch some towels and Byakuya stood still just inside the door, looking around with mild curiosity. The apartment was rather spacious although it was the standard type offered to all seated officers. Byakuya had never really thought about how Renji would live, but now that he was here it seemed so natural that this was Renjis home; it felt just like him.

Renji soon returned with a couple of white fluffy towels.

"Here" He said, throwing one to Byakuya.

"Thank you"

Catching the towel, Byakuya started to dry off his face.

"Well, come on in" Renji said as he moved further in to the apartment and Byakuya followed him as they made for the bathroom. "It's a little more water-resistant" as Renji said.

It was also very small, and it was a little crammed with the two of them in there, but it worked. Byakuya immediately stated to remove his kenseikan, knowing it would be a pain if he let his hair dry with them still in there.

Byakuya didn't pay much attention to his Vice-Captain as he worked on drying his hair, but when he turned around he was met with a sight that nearly made him faint. Renji was naked from the waist up and his hair was let down, falling into his eyes, drops of water glistening against the black tattoos that covered his chest. Byakuyas mouth fell open and he just stared. He'd never seen anything so sexy in his entire life.

Renji noticed his Captains dumbstruck expression and felt slightly uncomfortable under that intense gaze.

"Um, Captain?"

"Huh?"

Byakuya blinked a couple of times as he noticed Renjis concerned expression.

"Oh, ah, it's nothing" he said, turning around to hide the blush on his face.

"Well you should probably take off those wet clothes, unless you want to catch a cold"

"Right"

Byakuya turned back around and nearly fainted again. Renji had now stripped completely standing before him stark naked. This time Byakuya didn't turn around fast enough to hide his red face and Renji moved closer, asking:

"Captain, are you sure you're all right?"

"I'm fine!"

"Really?"

"Yes!"

"Then why is your face all red?"

"I, um... I-"

However, Byakuya seemed to lose his ability to speak when Renji put a hand on his shoulder, looking at his Captain with worry in his eyes (still completely naked). Byakuya blushed even harder as his eyes travelled down Renjis well-muscled body. At that point Renjis face showed a light of understanding and Byakuya ran for it, disappearing into the rain, ignoring Renjis call for him to wait.

As usual, reviews are much appreciated. I'll get the last two chapters up soon as well, so see you then!