AN: wow
only four chapters? I thought I had written more already…. But I'm sorry if the relationship is progressing a little too fast…. I' say I'll try to slow it down…. But I'll see ;)

XXXXXXX

Renji gazed at Byakuya. They were sitting in the library, researching books about soul and spirit binding. But Renji's thoughts were nowhere near to the content of the books Byakuya had given him to read.

He was in a dilemma. Byakuya had told him yesterday that the clan expected him to move into the Kuchiki manor in 1 week time and that on that same day there would be an official announcement of their engagement. An engagement he didn't even know about until then. But that was just the way things went in the noble houses.

But now he was feeling like he should tell his taichou about the feelings he was having for him, seeing as how they had already been declared engaged, and the official announcement was already so close.

The redhead sighed deeply. He was seriously sc? No…. he would have to tell him. He was going to be married to him for god's sake. It's not like there was a way avoiding that seeing as how Unohana taichou had already mentioned that the bond was unbreakable and how the books he had already read seemed to confirm that.

Then there was also the fact that Unohana-taichou had told them about how the bondwas getten even stronger. So there was no way of avoiding the marriage. But there was a way of not making it a distant, unloving one. Maybe his taichou would even start liking him after a while…. Maybe he'd fall

His heart fluttered when that thought entered his mind. There was at least a little bit of hope that there would be some love involved when it developed. Which would be necessary, because if he understood correctly; they were going to have to 'seal the marriage' by 'making a child.

He bit his lip. Making a child? Seriously…. Things were going a little too fast for him to comprehend all of it. He hadn't even known that noble males could get or make pregnant, and now he was thrown into the whole process.

But, he decided, he was going to tell his taichou and hope it would turn out the positive way, and not in rejection.

So now he only had to figure out when he was going to tell him.

XXXXXX

Byakuya had a hard time trying to contain his smile. Today seemed to be one of the days were Renji forgot that it was pretty easy for him to read Renji's mind. He could hear almost everything Renji was thinking when Renji had to try pretty hard to hear Byakuya's thoughts.

And now he found that he was really looking forward to the moment Renji would tell him about his feelings.

He looked back at his book and let his hair hide his face that was now showing a full blown smile.

This book had already told him some very interesting things. Like for example, when the bond strengthens their inner worlds will slowly start to merge until they combine and he would then not only be able to hear Renji's thoughts when they were close, but also when they were worlds apart. The distance would no longer matter, though they would have to really send thoughts to each other for them to hear them then. They would also be able to know when the other was in great distress or pain, show each other memories, look through each other's eyes, etc.

He had never even known that bonds where both people loved each other could be so strong. Spirit bonds were so different from normal bonds. There were so many advantages. He was seriously going to make some changes in his clan when all this settled down.

XXXXX

XXXXX

Renji cursed under his breath. Today he was already moving into the Kuchiki manor and he still hadn't told his taichou about his feeling. It was just that ,every time he had the courage the time wasn't right, and every time the time was right, he didn't have the courage.

He heard a knock on his door an bit his lip when he opened it. Seeing the Kuchiki house staff bowing for him kinda freaked him out, even when it was only 3 of them.

"Abarai-same. Please come with us while the others transfer all of your stuff. We have to prepare you for the engagement announcement this afternoon.

The redhead blushed and nodded, following them outside of his little house towards the enormous Kuchiki manor. "Uhm… Can you please just call me Renji? Or something less formal than Abarai-same…. I find it so creepy when people are so formal with me… I guess I'm just not used to it…."

The oldest one of the three women smiled at him. "very well Renji-san."

XXXXX

About 2 hours later Renji was standing in front of Byakuya and what appeared to be the counsel in a formal white with red kimono. He was completely at a loss of words at how amazing his captain looked, and judging by the approving looks the elders were giving him, he probably wasn't looking too bad himself.

"Now Renji. I know you are nervous about today, but there are some rules and the elders want to speak to you about them while I start receiving the guests.

The fukutaichou nodded and followed Byakuya with his eyes until he was out of sight and then he turned his gaze to the waiting elders.

A stern, but friendly looking man stepped forwards and bowed to him, making him blush.

"Welcome Abarai-sama. My name is Takahiro, head elder of this council and in charge of everything that happens in the main house, including securety."

"uh.. Thank you takahiro-san… but please just call me Renji or something." He smiled as the man nodded.

"Fine then Abarai-san. Now then, about the rules concerning tonight and the period after that until the wedding night. First of all you and Byakuya-sama will be sleeping in separate rooms except for tonight when you both are brought to a prepared room different than your own, and the period after the wedding, where you will move into Byakuya-sama's room. Also concerning tonight and the period after, there is no sexual contact allowed until the wedding night when you will seal the marriage."

He could see Renji turning bright red and smiled softly.

"Tonight is meant for you and Byakuya-sama to get to know each other better, to talk to each other and get used to sleeping together in the same bed. Second of all; you are in no way allowed into Byakuya-sama's room, as he isn't allowed into yours as well. Only at the wedding night will you get to know where his room is. Please do take in account as well that he does not know where your room is, and he isn't allowed to know. This is to make sure there are no nights where you sneak into each other's rooms. If you know what I mean."

Now Renji was sure he was going to die of embarrassment, but he nodded and bowed as well.

"thank you Takahiro-san, and everyone else for the warm welcome. I must admit that I was pretty nervous about meeting all of you."

Takahiro smiled. "We are in no way like the elders from other clans. But I think it is time to finally introduce the others to you so you can go and join the party."

XXXXXX

As the day progressed, and the people started congratulation them more and more, Renji found himself getting extremely nervous as he started thinking about the fact that tonight was probably the best time to tell his captain about his feelings.

'Renji, calm down. If you want a moment to yourself to relax feel free to walk away from the party for a while.'

He blinked and gazed at his taichou, who was actually smiling softly at him.

'Just say: If you would please excuse me for a while, wait for the positive answer and then leave. They wont mind.'

The redhead smiled and excused himself, walking towards his own room and sitting down on his bed.

He could as well practice what he was going to say to his captain that night.