isclaimer: don't own anything

Note: So I had some difficulties in life in general and I try to get as much done regarding all of my stories as I can. Of course you know that we, too, are just normal people and need a break once in a while. I really wish that it will go more smoothly from now on, but I can't make any promises, I am sorry :(

xoxodenisee: It took longer than anticipated, but here you go :)

Blooming-Sunshine: Glad that you liked the flashback :) it was an important part for me and I am happy that it came out well ^^

PaulaGay: I am happy that the threesome was good ^^it was my first try and I wanted to make it at least a bit genuine :D

Special thanks to Scarlotte O'Hara for beta-reading!

Chap 12: The Favor

"Did you just say 'heir to Kuchiki Enterprise'?!" Isshin screamed, eyes wide in pure… well it wasn't quite shock, but somehow it was… A nod from his son only confirmed that he had indeed heard right.

"Shit" the doctor muttered and took a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. Pulling one out, he put it between his lips and litit, inhaling the smoke, which he knew wasn't good for his lungs.

"You wanted to quit," Renji admonished, and felt the desire to grab one himself when Isshin exhaled and blew smoky tendrils out into the chilly winter. Grudingly the red-head fought the addiction, knowing how hypocritical it would be if he took one now.

"I only smoke when I am stressed and you know that…" the older man replied, taking another drag from the cigarette."So… you want to tell me about him?"

A moment went by before Renji decided to answer, but got stopped when the door opened again and Masaki joined them.

"Isshin! You shouldn't smoke, I know that the both of you wanted to quit," she too admonished. She impatiently stood in front of them, waiting for one of them to fill her in.

"Well Ma- mum… I came here because I needed to talk with both of you. Something happened and I don't really know what to do," Renji started, nervously digging in the snow with his boot.

"Well than let's talk indoors. It is way too cold for you to stay out here," the orange-haired woman suggested with a loving and affectionate smile. She knew that it did not happen often for Renji to seek help. He was always one to solve his problems alone, not wanting to drag someone else into what he considered a problem. Yet he stood here now, in their snow covered garden seeking their help, thus it had to be very serious or else Isshin wouldn't be smoking right now.

Both men followed her inside, Ichigo as well as the girls were nowhere to be seen, probably upstairs. Isshin threw the cigarette on the ground, stomping it out before they sat down on the couch, Renji in their midst. Both waited for the young man to tell Masaki what was on his mind. After a while of silence Renji slumped against the back of the couch, exhaled heavily and told her what he had already told Isshin. Masaki understood the issue her son was having as soon she heard the position of her son's love interest.

"Tell me about him Renji," she kindly demanded, knowing that he would do so anyway.

"Well… you know now that he is heir to Kuchiki Enterprise… I met him Friday night, when he came to the club with his friends. At first he was somewhat reserved, but later he thawed a bit. I met him and his sister yesterday in the city, we had lunch and they accompanied us to work. He's really cute though. He is a bit smaller than me, has the most gorgeous grey eyes I ever saw and the darkest black hair. Ah, there is more, but that is not the point here!" He caught himself daydreaming and grabbed his hair in frustration, a habit that he probably would never get rid of.

Masaki smiled a knowingly at his behavior. "You got along with him?" for her it was not a matter if Renji wanted to fall for him, because he already had, but how the other man was acting towards her son.

"Well, yeah. He was really nice. After we ate lunch yesterday we were talking. I don't know why, but I told him everything. You know about us…" a slight blush came to his face and he averted his eyes.

Isshin had let Masaki do the consoling so far, but he had the feeling that he needed to say something now too. To see the strong young man reduced to this wasn't sitting well with him.

"Don't feel ashamed of it. So he knows, and? If he really is as good of a guy as you say then he won't do something that could do us harm, right?"

"That is the problem… he is too nice, you know? I have the feeling that something will go wrong… or he turns out to be a total jerk… or maybe not and he is really sweet and he doesn't care where I come from at all, but his family will have issues with it and then he casts me away… or-"

Isshin slapped him on the back, effectively silencing him. "You know son. You will only learn what happens when you are willing to go that way with him, if he feels the same for you that is," Masaki only nodded her agreement to that statement, "But I am happy that you are willing to be in a relationship again," Isshin said seriously, not being his goofy self.

"Yeah… I really want to be in a relationship again, but I am not sure if it will work with him. As cute as Byakuya is, how can I be sure that it will last? I mean… forever, you know?" Unsure he looked between those he considered to be his mother and father, seeking answers to questions he could only answer himself. "I have to learn the answers on my own, right?"

"Sadly. We don't know what will happen until it happens. Maybe it will work out with him, maybe it won't and you will get hurt, but you have to let yourself have to make the experience. We only want for you to be happy again Renji, and if he makes you happy then you should try it. From what you say he seems to be nice, I have one question though. Are you sure that he loves men?" Renji found himself smiling at Masaki's words. She always knew how to cheer him up or to encourage him to do the things he was unsure about.

"You know that is the best thing about him. He says that love knows no boundaries and therefore he is open to every kind of relationship, be it with a woman or a man."

And just as Isshin wanted to say something the doorbell rang. He got up and was ready to reject whoever bothered them on a Sunday, but then his eyes widened in surprise upon seeing his old friend, who he had last seen some years ago, when the scientist got married.

"It's good to see you Isshin-san," he was greeted jovially and words failed to come to his mouth. "Oh so you won't let an old friend into your home? How rude of you!"

"Kisuke. It's been a long time." Isshin more or less greeted the man, he still couldn't tell Kisuke about Renji and Grimmjow. Although the blonde was a scientist, he was not an ordinary one. Urahara Kisuke had been and still is working for the police, identifying victims as well as criminals and his sons would get into trouble if the blonde learned of them. In all those years in which they called each other friends Isshin never told Kisuke of the two strays they picked from the streets.

"It really is important that you let me in Isshin. We have to talk about something I can't speak of out here." The seriousness in the blonde's voice and eyes spoke volumes and the dark haired man let him in. When they came into the living room Kisuke was very surprised to see the waiter from Friday evening sitting on Isshin's couch, next to Masaki no less. He wondered what the guy was doing there and if the Kurosaki's knew what he was doing for a living. Renji's eyes widened in surprise as well, he certainly wasn't expecting to see a friend of Byakuya's in this house. What was the guy doing here? Did Byakuya tell and broke the promise he made? If so then how could he trust the guy with his heart?

"Oh I had no idea that the two of you had a visitor! I hope that we can speak nonetheless…" Kisuke glanced at Isshin, as if to demand that the red-head be removed from the room.

"No it is alright. Whatever it is you can speak freely when he is around. Let me introduce you. Urahara Kisuke this is Abarai Renji, Renji this is Kisuke a friend of mine. Kisuke… Renji is our son."

Upon hearing those words the blonde was extremely surprised, so much that his eyes nearly fell out of their sockets. "Did you just say that he is your son?"

"Yeah… they adopted me and my brother when we were kids," the red-head judged that the blonde needn't know more, for now.

"So then you are the one they were talking about… interesting, I wasn't expecting it to be you…" now three pairs of curious eyes were looking at him and the blonde chuckled, he really liked to have the upper hand.

5 hours earlier (8 am) – Kuchiki household

Kisuke and Yoruichi were laying in the bed that was given to them. Said woman cuddled close up to him like a cat, resting her head on his chest. Still tired as hell, but not able to fall asleep in this position Kisuke turned their bodies so that he was spooning against her back. There was already activity in the house, something the blonde could never understand; he certainly was NOT a morning person.

Soujun and Ginrei were already awake and sitting at their kitchen table, they decided to have a more western breakfast this day. The table was decorated with various kinds of buns and several jams, cheese and other things. In the middle was a teakettle, the steam rising in the air giving the room a nice smell of oranges and cinnamon; a special winter tea the men wanted to try. Both were reading the newspaper when the youngest of the men in the house entered.

"Ah Byakuya, you are already awake! Come and eat breakfast with us," his father invited and the young man obliged by sitting down at his seat.

Byakya poured himself a cup of tea, smelling the new flavor, he found it quite interesting and worth trying. He took a sip from it and approved of the choice his elders made. He thought about the last day again and was still unsure how he should start a conversation about the red-head and his brother with his father. He didn't even feel the unsatisfied groan that escaped him, but the other two men did.

"Is something the matter Byakuya?" Soujun asked kindly, calmly sipping his tea.

"I am not sure how to begin," he answered truthfully, still thinking how he should explain why he even cared for not only one, but two strangers.

"Well then just start. Speak what is on your mind, we will see if we can help you," trust his ever friendly father to comfort him, to try his best in bringing Byakuya's secrets to the surface.

"I don't really know where to begin," he started, exhaling a breath of frustration, "You know that we were in this new club on my birthday. A young man served as our waiter, he is very sharp in mind, he even found a way to evade Sousuke. Later I learned that he and another, someone he considers his brother were orphans, but ended up on the streets. That in itself doesn't seem to be so uncommon; however these two are without their official papers. They have been ever since they fled the orphanage without official education. I really would like to help, but I don't know how…" again a breath of frustration left him. Not knowing what to do and allowing himself to show weakness to the people who raised him, Byakuya placed his forehead gently into the palm of his hand.

"You said that this young man has no official education. What do you mean by that?" Ginrei chimed in curiously. The story of the mysterious young man intrigued him and he wanted to know more. Perhaps they could really do something for those poor souls.

"A family took them in, although there were no papers. The woman taught them whatever their son was studying in school. So basically they have the knowledge, but not officially," Byakuya explained, refraining from saying any names or hinting at more. His descriptions could really fit anyone walking on the streets, so he wasn't breaking the promise he made to Renji, but that didn't mean that he felt any better.

"That makes it an illegal adoption. I assume that authorities still search for them or if that isn't the case some other nonsense is going to await them and the family. The system really makes me sick. Orphans are sent from one family to the other and the families can easily send them back should there be difficulties. Not one sane family would send their biological child away just because there was a bit trouble, but for those orphans it is considered alright," Soujun shook his head in disgust at the circumstances orphans faced in this cruel world.

"Don't forget that this young man is working illegally, if it is true that he has no papers and still was your waiter," Ginrei said, putting his newspaper away.

"That is something I am afraid of. They are good men, he and his brother, but are committing a crime by working and getting paid for it without any documents. I would like to find a way to help them, no one deserves such a fate." Byakuya looked sadly at the table.

"Hm it certainly will be difficult. When this young man you are talking about is working in a night club, than I assume that he is an adult? "An affirmative nod from his son nudged Soujun to speak further, "Well that will make things easier, I guess. With them becoming adults the orphanage is no longer responsible for them, thus there should be no sentence on this matter. The manager of the orphanage is forced to give them their documents, I am surprised that they weren't demanding the papers. However that they are working illegally will surely have consequences, how far they go I don't know. It may happen that a kind judge understands their situation and feels for them, letting them go. If they are unfortunate they will have to go to prison for fiscal evasion. The taxes have to be paid back any way, it will be a matter of circumstances what will happen then," he said, thinking if there was something he forgot to take into consideration.

"Say Byakuya do you know where the orphanage is?" Ginrei asked. He had determined to find the institution and get those young men their papers. The old Kuchiki even had the feeling that his grandson doted on the one that was their waiter, therefore he felt it a matter of showing his understanding to offer his help.

"Unfortunately not, but maybe his adoptive parents can help. I would like to make it a surprise for him and his brother." Byakuya stated, frustration and exasperation clearly audible in his voice.

"Then we should send someone there, it would draw too much attention if we went. Before you argue with me Byakuya listen. I am not saying that you shouldn't have contact with them, but think about it. If you go there now and ask him directly he will know and the surprise will be in vain. We can try to get something out of the parents and if that proves to be unsuccessful you should slowly seek more information," Ginrei suggested and Byakuya smiled at that. His grandfather never ceased to amaze him.

"Then we will do that, but who to send?" Soujun asked, curious what they would say now, because that was never asked. Indeed the other two looked blankly at him, shrugging Soujun let them figure that out on their own. Rukia choose that moment to enter the kitchen, not paying the atmosphere any mind. She was still tired and sat down, grabbing for tea and a bun. The change in breakfast was not an unwelcome one and she tried it, the tea surely smelled pleasant. When all four Kuchiki's had finished their breakfast Kisuke and Yoruichi entered the kitchen, yawning they sat down and began to eat. Although the blonde changed their sleeping position that did nothing to help them, more the opposite. His turning around woke Yoruichi and both were not able fall asleep again, so they decided to get up and have breakfast.

"Say Kisuke-san what do you plan on doing today?" Soujun broke the silence, glancing curiously and giving him a sly smile.

"Hm… not… much, why do you ask?" he asked between bites of a bun with strawberry jam.

"Well when Byakuya told me a name I thought surely you could find them, don't you think?" the Kuchiki knew that this was the best approach to get the blonde to do something he would usually refuse.

"Well I can find you anyone, so of course I can! Who do you want to find, eh Byakuya-chaaaaaaan?" Kisuke asked in his ever irritating sing-song voice.

"Eat your breakfast, I will tell you about them in my room," he answered, it annoyed him that he had to wait for the two to finish their meal before he could go to his room. He even considered sending Renji a text to see how the rest of their night went, if they got home safe and if he had slept well; but unfortunately his mobile phone was in his room. On second thought that would be impolite and something a Kuchiki would never do, so he simply had to wait.

When the first bun was eaten Kisuke prepared himself a second. Not for a moment let Kisuke let himself being rushed by anything. Byakuya drank another cup of the new tea; finding it really intriguing. Ginrei and Soujun went back to reading the newspapers, Rukia did as her brother and poured herself another cup of tea. After three buns and 2 cups of tea Kisuke finished his breakfast and gestured for Byakuya that they should speak about whatever it was the raven-head wanted to talk about.

Byakuya in turn nodded his head, excused himself from the table and walked towards his room, Kisuke close behind. The young raven-head had to admit that the idea from his father was brilliant. The doctor Kurosaki and Urahara surely would know each other, seeing that they were both doctors. They entered the spacious room, Byakuya closed the door and motioned for Kisuke to sit wherever he wanted. Byakuya himself leaned against his desk, thinking how to start the conversation.

"So Bya-chan who do you want me to find for you?" the blonde asked curiously.

"It is no one I want to find, but information this someone might provide me with," he started, observing to see if the blonde was still eager to help.

"Sounds interesting. Do you know his real name?" he asked, a gleam entering his eyes that got slightly obscured by a blonde mop of hair.

"Yes, I need to find a certain doctor."

"Well then I suggest that you search in the internet or the phonebook for him, if you want to find him so badly," just as Kisuke made ready to leave, Byakuya calmly addressed him again.

"It is not a matter of finding him, I am sure that Kurosaki Isshin can't be that difficult to find. However I want information from him. Several years ago he adopted two boys, they fled from an orphanage. Unfortunately they left their documents behind in the orphanage and I want to know what orphanage they came from," he cast a serious look at the blonde, daring him to refuse him.

"You want to get those papers. Are you sure that he does not have the papers already?" Kisuke could think of better things to do than finding Isshin. It would be more of a visit than a search anyway. He was friends with the man and surely would get any information from the man he wanted. It was just a matter of inconvenience, he had last seen Isshin some time ago. Since he had married Yoruichi they never saw each other, Kisuke was busy being a husband and with his work. While Isshin claimed that his family took up all his time, which probably was true. Learning now that he adopted two boys was not really surprising, both Isshin and Masaki were very generous people.

"I am 100% certain that he is not in possession of the documents," and with this answer it was decided for the blonde. He would pay his old friend a visit and see what information he could get for Byakuya, what the raven would do with the knowledge would be his own problem.

"Alright then, I'll go. I can't guarantee anything though… It's been a while since I saw him, so I am not sure if Isshin will give me the information."

"That wouldn't be a problem, it would just speed up everything if you can get it."

Kisuke nodded his understanding, "I will go after lunch. He would never give me an answer if I arrive before noon," he said and then made his way out of the raven-head's room, he would need to think of a strategy.

Current time (1 pm) Kurosaki household

"Ah Isshin! I need to speak to you in private, really. I wouldn't want to bore your wife and your son," of course the blonde was expecting it to become difficult, but he would handle that too.

"If it really is that important I guess we can speak in my office. Follow me Kisuke."

And the blonde did as he was told, doing a happy dance in his mind for this fast success, although he had a feeling that it would get more difficult from now on. That the red-headed waiter was one of the adopted boys would make for interesting events to come.

End of chap 12!

I hope you liked it and that it was well in the story :)