Chapter 2

Tatsuki stood in the dark of the field and took her first true look at the man in front of her. He really was tall. At least 6'2'' with broad shoulders. She couldn't make out much more because of the dark but she had felt his hair when he was on top of her so she guessed it to be long.

He extended his hand towards her but she took a cautious step back. She wasn't afraid but since she had no idea what he was capable of she would try for some distance.

"I'm Renji Abarai, Captain of Squad Seven. You don't need to be afraid of me, Tatsuki."

She wasn't.

"Are you in the military or what?"

He leaned his head to one side.

"How long have you been in Soul Society?" he asked quizzical. Her heart stopped for a moment. "Soul Socie...Ohhh, no, no, no, no! Ichigo, I'm going to kill you! This bastard always threatened to bring me here. Where the hell is he? I'll fucking kill him!"

She started to pace in her anger. Ohhh, the bastard would pay for this!

"Tatsuki?" came his deep voice.

"What? You're in with this, aren't ya? The bastard told you to chase me through the rain, am I right? I'll kick both of your asses. ICHIGO! GET OUT RIGHT NOW!" she screamed into the dark.

She would kick his ass until he cried like he did in the dojo when they were four!

"Tatsuki!"

The bastard in front of her was laughing. She turned on him and kicked his shin. She was just so furious.

"Oi, what was that for?"

Was he kidding?

"First, for laughing. Second, for taking part in Ichigo's plan in pulling a prank on me. Third, for living!"

He straightened up again and grabbed her arm and pulled her in front of him.

"Just to be clear, I have no freaking idea what you are talking about pranks and all that stuff. I can assure you that Ichigo is currently in Seireitei getting treatment by Captain Unohana since he was training with Kenpachi all day. And I laughed because you were screaming your lungs out to no one since we are alone out here. And your third point... Well, let's not change that."

She was speechless for a moment. Her brain was not working right. If Ichigo hadn't brought her here then how could it be that she was in Soul Society?

His other hand came up and he had a firm grip on both her upper arms.

"Listen, let's find a dry place and talk there, okay?"

She just nodded and didn't resist when he started walking back towards the forest, pulling her with him with one hand around her left wrist. She stumbled a few times because she had to run almost to keep up with his long strides.

After a few minutes he stopped and turned around.

"If we keep that pace up we'll need the whole night. Let's use Shunpo."

She looked up to him without seeing his face.

"What's that?"

He took a step towards her and this time she didn't step back.

"It's flash-step. This way we will reach the village in about ten seconds. You just need to hold on to me and I'll carry you."

He let it sound as if it would be natural to just let some stranger carry you through a dark forest in the middle of the night.

"Ohhh, I don't think so, Buster. I'll walk. No carrying, no flash-stepping. Just good-old walking. On my own two feet."

With that she marched off.

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Renji had enough. This woman just wasn't right in the head. First the kicking and punching, than the insults followed by her screaming and now this.

He had enough for one night. He was soaked, dirty, cold and tiered. She was walking on her own with no sense of direction. He contemplated for a moment to just leave her here and flash-step into the village alone. But she knew Ichigo and something really was off about the whole situation.

Without any other choice really, he flash-stepped behind her, pulled her around and against his chest and flash-stepped towards the village. For just a second she was absolutely stiff in his arms from the shock. Then she grabbed his haori with her small fists when she seemed to notice the speed they were traveling with.

He felt her legs coming around his waist for better hold and she buried her face in the crock of his neck. Her breath tickling his skin, he tightened his hold on her waist and brought his other hand up to lay between her shoulder blades. It was kind of sweet how she snuggled into him after her tough-girl-speech. He turned his head slightly to whisper in her ear.

"Almost there."

And with two more flash-steps they were standing in the middle of the village. Tatsuki still clung to him and didn't seem to notice that they were already there.

"I know it's quiet cozy there but you can let go now, Sweetheart." he teased.

Her legs slowly unwrapped from around his waist but dangled a feet in the air because of her grip on his haori and him still holding her. Her fists loosened their grip and he carefully placed her down. She stood a little unsteady for a moment as if she was dizzy but then she lifted her head up as if to look at him and whispered in a menacing tone that would drive lesser men to their knees.

"Do that again and you'll die."

He looked down at her, wishing he could see her face and not just this dark figure.

"I would say I'm sorry, but as you can see, we are here. So, no harm done, right? Common, let's search for a dry place."

Before she could respond he took her hand in his and pulled her with him. She didn't speak and that was fine with him. He was too tiered. When they came to a not-so-run-down house he stepped up to the door and knocked so loud that even if there was someone inside they would be awake now.

They waited for a minute and when nothing happened he opened the door and went in with Tatsuki behind him. Inside it was pitch black. No light, just absolute darkness. Her fingers tightened around his and he squeezed her hand reassuringly.

"Oi!" he shouted but no answer came. The only sound was the rain on the roof and their breathing.

"Seems like nobody is at home. Wait here, I'll look for a lamp or something."

He tried to let go of her hand but she just tightened her hold on his.

"What's wrong? Mrs.-I'll-kick-your-ass afraid of the dark?" he teased and pulled his hand away from her to go search for a way to get light.

Sure, he could use some Kido, but even as a Captain, he still sucked at it. And since he didn't want to cause an explosion or something, he preferred to search for some conventional way to get some light. He felt his way around and bumped into something hard with his foot.

"Fuck!" he cursed under his breath but it was still loud enough for Tatsuki to hear.

"Everything all right?"

His hands found what felt like a cabinet. He opened the drawer and found something waxy.

"Yeah. I've found a candle. I guess you don't have any fire on you?" he joked but as soon as he said that, he touched a small box that rattled.

"Huh, never mind. I've found the matches. Can you come over here and give me a hand?"

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Tatsuki was standing stock still. She hated dark houses. Not the darkness itself. Outside it didn't bother her. But inside a house it was like a nightmare. Since she was a little child she couldn't stand dark houses.

She knew it was irrational but she had never been able to do anything against this fear. For every other person it wouldn't be a problem. But she was Tatsuki, the tough girl that knew no fear. Or so everyone thought. No one knew about this. Not even her best friend Orihime.

"Tatsuki?"

His voice got her out of her near-panic-state.

"Where are you?"

She would do it. There was no chance that she would embarrass herself in front him.

"Take your right hand and stretch it out. Then take a step to the right and you should feel the wall. Got it?"

She did as he said slowly and after a moment her fingers touched a hard surface. First part done. She took a deep breath.

"Yeah. What now?"

His voice was somewhere in front of her and she felt as if it was her lifeline.

"You're doing great, Sweetheart. Now take four or five steps but keep at the wall."

She didn't hear the endearment he used but took careful steps forward , her hand never leaving the wall while she held her left hand in front of her to not accidentally bump into something.

One step, two steps, three steps, four steps, five steps. She stopped.

"Done."

Her whole body was shaking now and her voice held a slight tremor.

"You're almost here. Just a few more steps. You should feel a little corner with your right hand. Go around it and two more steps and you're here."

His voice was reassuring so she started to feel along the wall. But there was no corner. She began to panic.

"Here is no corner! Oh God, Oh God, Oh,..."

"Tatsuki, listen! There IS a corner. You probably just need to take one or two more steps in front. Keep calm. You're doing great, Sweety!"

She calmed a little and followed his instructions. After three more steps she felt the corner. She hadn't realized that she had held her breath but when her fingers gripped the corner she exhaled.

"I've found it."

She could hear the smile in his voice.

"Great. Now just follow the wall."

She did and after agonizing four steps her left hand touched something hard and wet. He took her hand and pulled her into a tight embrace. Normally she would have kicked someone who dared to do something like that but right now, she was just glad for his big arms around her.

"You should have told me that you're afraid of the dark."

He sounded a little guilty but she didn't care. His arms came to rest on her shoulders.

"Okay. I'm going to guide you in front of me and give you the candle. Please don't drop it. It's most likely the only one in the house."

Since her mind was still a little panicked she let him guide her two more steps. His hands slid down her arms to her hands. She could feel the calluses and rough skin on his palms as he held her hands for only a moment before he put them on a wooden surface. His front was pressed against her back and she could feel through the thin material of her wet top that he had at least an eight-pack. His left hand led go of her and a second later he gave her what felt like the candle.

She gripped the waxen cylinder with both hands and after another moment there was a scratching sound and then she was blinded by the exploding light of the match. She closed her eyes against the sudden light and stayed still.

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Renji was momentarily blinded by the bright light of the match but hurried to lighten the candle. A small flame started and the match went out. He stood still as his eyes adjusted to the light. The small body pressed against his front didn't move either but he felt every breath she took.

He took his first real look at her. The first thing he saw was a dirty mop of long black hair with a good amount of mud in it. Her head was lowered so he couldn't see her face, but her bare arms held alabaster skin under even more dirt. His gaze followed her long arms to two tiny hands that were gripping the thick candle. He wanted to see her face.

"Tatsuki? You can let go of the candle now." he said quietly to not startle her.

Her fingers relaxed and she put the candle down on the cabinet. She took a deep breath and started to turn slowly as if she was afraid of what she would see.

His first glance on her face startled him. She had smudges everywhere. On her high cheek bones, her little nose and even on her small lips. Her gaze was cast downwards but it lifted slowly as she looked him up.

When her eyes met his he stopped breathing for a moment. He looked into big dark blue eyes, they almost seemed black. He had never seen eyes like that and they where filled with an whirlwind of emotions.

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Tatsuki's eyes had adjusted to the sudden brightness. Her mind started to settle when she heard his deep voice behind her telling her to let go of the candle. She could feel the vibration when he spoke since she was still pressed against his front.

Her hands slightly shook when she put the candle down. Time to see who was standing behind her. She started to turn slowly. The first things she saw of him were his hands on either side of hers. They were huge with long fingers. If she had to describe them with one or two words it would be 'pure strength'.

There were muddy smudges on them as well as the cuffs of his black sleeves. She turned further and saw that he wore some white haori (at least she thought it had been white at some point in the near past) over a black kosode.

The lapels were open to display his ripped eight-pack and many geometrical black tattoos that zick-zacked over his pecs and chest and seemed go on under the fabric. There was mud all over him and his wet clothes clung to his body. Her gaze drifted higher to his neck where the tattoos continued. Lifting her head higher up she saw him staring down at her.

He had a long face with a straight nose. His lips were slightly parted with more muddy smudges everywhere. She lifted her eyes and looked into startlingly chocolate brown eyes that revealed almost nothing.

His face was framed by long wet tresses of dark red hair that must reach his back. She didn't speak for she had no idea of what to say. He was an imposing figure. His eyes closed and he took a step back from her.

"We should take a look around here."

He sounded a little strained. Tatsuki nodded and glanced around the room they were in. It was a miserable sight. There was almost no furnishing except the cabinet at her back, a small table and two flat cushions in another corner.

No fireplace, no kitchen. There was a curtain to her left side that seemed to conceal the bedroom. Renji was already there and pulled them back to reveal an old futon. How could people live in such conditions? It was unimaginable for her. He just stood there with his back to her.

"Can I leave you here for a moment? I want to take a look at the other houses and see if I can find something for us to eat and some dry clothes."

He didn't turn when he spoke to her. What was wrong with him?

"Sure." was all she said and he left her within seconds without glancing back.

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Renji stepped out into the cold rain and for the first time he appreciated it. What was wrong with him? Sure, she was beautiful but it wasn't as if he hadn't ever seen a beautiful woman before. For gods sake, Rangiku and Rukia were his best friends.

But something about Tatsuki made him think of them as almost average. He had no idea what it was but she captivated him. Shaking his head he turned towards the next house to his right and entered without hesitation. It was also empty and in a similar condition as the one they were staying.

No food, no clothes but an old bowl. They could use that to clean themselves up. He took the bowl under his arm and left the house for the next one. There was the same but he found two old blankets. The next three houses had nothing to offer and he made his way back to Tatsuki.

Before he closed the door behind himself he took the bowl and held it out to catch some rain in it. It didn't take long for the bowl to fill and he closed the door, stepping inside.

It was getting colder even inside and he saw her standing in the middle of the room with her back to him, arms slung around her middle, shivering. She looked surreal with her long black hair reaching her lower back and the dirt in it.

Her black pants were of some very soft material and in their wet state they were plastered against one very fine butt and long legs. Her bare feet were almost black from all the mud on them. She turned her head to him, eyes wide.

"You're completely soaked."

She sounded accusing. He smiled at that.

"Sorry, forgot my umbrella."

The corners of her lips lifted in a small smile and she mumbled something that sounded like 'baka'.

"Look, I've found us some blankets and a bowl to clean up at least a little bit. But no food. Here."

He put the bowl down onto the table and one of the blankets next to it. She turned around and he inhaled between clenched teeth. It was his first view of her front and he could clearly see that she wore nothing under her white top.

How could I really mistake them for something other than boobs?

He turned away again, afraid she would see his reaction and took a step towards the door again.

"Where are you going?" came her voice.

"I'm back in a few minutes. You go on and clean up and get out of these wet clothes. I'll go take a shower."

A cold one!

And with that he went out into the rain for the who- knows- how many- times this night. He stripped quickly and felt the rain drumming against his naked skin, washing away the dirt.

His hair was plastered against his back and he started to try to clean it as best he could. He had lost his hairband sometime this night and he cursed his luck. He liked his hair but in some situations it was better to have it pulled back as to not obscure his sight.

Hopefully they wouldn't encounter such a situation on their way back to Seireitei. After a few minutes he thought he had cleaned himself up as best as he could giving the conditions and he turned back to the house. He let his clothes fall to the ground with a wet thud and took the blanket to pull it around his hips like a towel.

Taking the dirty pile of the floor he started to walk in just to stop in his tracks with the thought that Tatsuki may not be finished.

"Tatsuki, are you ready?"

There were some shuffling sounds before she answered.

"Yeah, come in."

He did and stopped in his tracks once again. The view before him was breathtaking. If he had thought of her as beautiful before, now she was stunning. She was crouching on the floor, arranging her clothes so they would dry.

Her long hair had fallen to one side to reveal her naked shoulders and upper back showing him a huge tattoo of a sakura branch which went on under the blanket she was wrapped in. the delicate flowers were ….

"Oi, how was your shower?"

Her light tones stopped his train of thoughts. She was standing now, the blanket way to long for her small build so it looked as if she was wearing some kind of very long dress which covered her feet and a good portion of the floor around her.

She took a step forward but the weight of the material let the blanket slip just a little so he got a good view of her not-so-small cleavage. Her hands flew up to hold the blanket in place. Before he could stop himself he muttered under his breath.

"I think I need another one"

A smug little smile appeared on her face as well as a little blush.

"Okay, lay your clothes out so they can dry. And than tell me what's going on here. And why I am here."

He followed her command while she sat down on the futon to watch him. This would be one of his longest nights.

Great!