Chapter 6
Renji came awake in the middle of the night to the sensation of Tatsuki's small form cuddled against his chest. He was a little disorientated and took a look around to realize that they were still on his couch. His head still confused thanks to the amount of Sake he had drunk, he remembered Toshiro and Rangiku leaving at some point.
The room was only lit by the moon shining in through the windows behind him, illuminating his surroundings in a faint blueish glow. He looked down at the sleeping ball that was Tatsuki.
She looked so small in this position. Her long hair fanned out over her shoulders and her lower back, her chest lightly moving with every breath she took. He was lying on his side and one of her hands had found it's way inside his kosode and now lay on his waist while the other one was at his neck. Her head lay on his bicep, her legs tugged up against her chest. She was absolutely beautiful.
But it was not just her beauty that captivated him. She was also strong and had a great sense of humor. When he was with her he didn't pretend to be someone else to fulfill her expectations. He was just himself. How could it be that he could feel so much for a person he had just met?
It was crazy. She stirred slightly and he pulled her farther against himself, holding her tightly in his arms. Resting his head on top of hers he closed his eyes again and drifted back to sleep.
Who the hell had turned on all the lights? Squeezing his eyes shut against the brightness, he groaned deeply in his throat. Something was moving against his neck and he heard a soft growl.
"For Gods sake, can someone turn off the fucking lights?"
Her hands tightened on his shoulders as he tried to move only to realize that he was lying on his back with Tatsuki on top of him, her face buried in his neck.
"That's the bright ball from hell, baby. I can't turn it off and trust me I would if I could do it."
She groaned against his neck, which sent a shiver down his body.
"Don't tell me it's already morning?"
His hands were on her lower back, the shirt pushed up a little let him feel her bare skin. She started to move against him, trying to bury her head deeper into the croak of his neck, which resulted in the awakening of Lil' Zabimaru.
"Yep, it is. But we could just ignore it and do better things than getting up."
She giggled at that and moved her hips suggestively.
"And what would these things be?" she teased.
Ohh, the little devil!
Gripping her hips firmly he turned and reversed their position with him now on top, a cry of surprise coming from her. He braced himself on one elbow, looking down into her eyes.
"I don't know. Maybe something like that?"
Bending his head down he kissed a line down her jaw and neck. She tilted her head back to give him better access.
"Hmmm. Any other suggestions?" she grinned.
Smiling himself he let his hand wander upwards over her flat stomach and ribs, pushing her shirt further up until he touched her right breast and gave it little squeeze, his thumb brushing over the tight little nub. She moaned lowly, her breathing intensifying.
"How about this?" he spoke against her neck.
She felt so good. Her soft skin like velvet under his hands and her playfulness only fueling his desire for her.
"Not bad. But not just what I had in mind." came her husky voice.
"And what did you have in mind?"
He nibbled his way back up to her jaw. Her leg wrapped around his waist she gave him a skillful push and he found himself back on his back with her straddling him.
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Tatsuki looked down at him, a grin spreading on her face at his perplexed face. She pulled his lapels out and bared his upper body to her gaze. He was ripped from head to toe, his pecs moving with every shallow breath he took. She bent down, trailing kisses and nibbles down his neck to his collarbone to his chest.
His hands buried in her hair, he had closed his eyes, moaning lowly every so often when she nibbled at a sensitive spot. Moving farther down she licked and dipped her tongue into his navel, her nails scratching lightly over his pecs. He hissed and his hands suddenly let go of her hair and he pulled her back up in one swift move, kissing her senseless.
Gripping the hem of her shirt he broke the kiss for only a second to pull it over her head, their mouths coming together again as he threw the shirt away. She was fumbling with his obi but he pushed her hands aside and hastily got rid of his hakama while she pulled down her own shorts, throwing them somewhere. He pulled her back down onto him, his hands on her hips lifting her up and he slid into her tight sheath excruciatingly slow.
She threw her head back in pure bliss and pain as he filled her until she could feel every inch of him. He was big and it took her a moment to adjust to his seize. Her hands rested on his shoulders and she began to move. A moan escaped her throat as he pushed his hips up to get even deeper inside of her. They found their rhythm and it was hard and fast. The sounds of flesh meeting flesh, groans and moans filled the room.
She was close to the point of bursting when he switched positions with her and she was under him again. He pushed in and out, almost hammering. Her fingers buried in his pecs as he thrust into her one last time before they both came, shouting each others names. He collapsed onto her, breathing heavy.
She was in heaven until someone knocked at the door before it opened.
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"Oi Renji! Do you know where I can find Tatsu... Oh, shit! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to... I should..."
Renji went ramrod stiff at the sight of Rukia standing in his door. She stuttered something but he didn't listen.
Fuck!
If Rukia was here then Ichigo wasn't far behind.
Shit! Shit! Shit!
He got off Tatsuki who was looking up at him in shock and stood. Rukia blushed a deep crimson and turned to leave.
"Rukia wait!"
She did but kept her back to him. He was thankful for her consideration as he pulled the shorts on that Tatsuki had worn that night. It wasn't that he was modest but it felt strange to stand naked in front of her, especially just minutes after he had sex. For Gods sake, she was like a sister to him!
Tatsuki wrapped herself in his kosode and sat up, her face matching his hair color.
"Rukia, listen! Please let me explain this!"
She turned back around with the blush still on her cheeks.
"Renji, you've got nothing to explain. You're both adults so it's your business. I just didn't expect to find you like …. this."
She waved her hand in their direction.
"Well, that's good. I think. But please don't tell Ichigo." he pleaded.
She looked up at him confused.
"Why not? Where's the big deal?"
He let out a long breath, sitting down next to Tatsuki and Rukia took a place on his other couch after throwing a shirt in his direction with a smirk.
"Because I love my life and don't want it to end so soon."
Both women frowned at him.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
He glanced over at Tatsuki first before leveling his gaze back at his old friend.
"Do you remember the last time Orihime was here in Soul Society four years ago?"
She nodded.
"Yeah, but what has that to do with this situation?"
"Well, back there Kira tried to get to know her better if you know what I mean. When Ichigo found out about it he... well, he went Bankai on him."
He grimaced at the memory of poor Kira coming face to face with an enraged Ichigo pressing Tensa Zangetsu against the man's throat, forcing him to swear to never lay his eyes and especially his hands on the girl again.
Rukia's eyes went wide at that.
"He did what? He went Bankai on Kira? That stupid little brat!"
Now Ichigo was in trouble. She hated it when he did stuff like that.
"Concentrate Rukia! You can't scold him for that since the only ones that are supposed to know about this are Kira, Orihime, Ichigo and I. If you talk to him about that he'll know that I told you. Ichigo can't learn about Tatsuki and me. He wouldn't even give me the chance to explain as his protectiveness will take over. Think about it for a moment. You know him best of all of us."
He could see her mind contemplating what he'd said. A small hand slid into his.
"Are you sure Ichigo would react like that? I mean, he's not the same as back then. He has grown so much and is much calmer."
Tatsuki sounded hopeful but it was Rukia who spoke out what he thought.
"Yes, he will. As Renji has said, I've known him for a long time now and he will go berserk. I will not tell him but listen, at some point you should do it. He his your friend and deserves to know the truth. Now, Tatsuki, go and take a shower and don't come out of the bedroom until Renji or I get you. Renji, you should dress while I clean up here. Ichigo should come over every minute."
They both nodded and went to work. Tatsuki left for the bedroom, his big kosode draped around her small form and he retrieved his hakama and the shirt. He followed her but when he entered his bedroom she was already in the bathroom.
Quickly he pulled on a fresh shihakusho and his haori, pulling his hair back into a ponytail as he went back to help Rukia. She was cleaning up his table and he saw the shopping bags that Rangiku had brought still lined up against the wall. He took them all into the bedroom and put them down on his bed.
"Renji?"
Turning back he followed Rukia's voice into the kitchen.
"What is it?"
She stood there with the red box in her hands, looking up at the rack where it belonged. He couldn't hold back his laughter as she stood there just like Tatsuki had last night. She frowned at his behavior but before she could speak his door opened again.
"Oi! Where are you, Pineapple?"
He looked down at Rukia with dread. What if Ichigo heard Tatsuki in the bathroom? Or could tell by his face that something was wrong? She smiled up at him reassuringly, padding his arm before whispering.
"Remember, it's Ichigo out there. He has the perception of an amoeba."
He had to smile at that.
"Renji! You're not here?"
Still grinning he took the box from her and put back up on the shelf.
"Yeah, stop with the shouting, Carrot-Top!"
A orange head appeared around the corner with the typical frown apparent.
"Yo, Rukia. Have you found Tatsuki?"
Rukia was a brilliant actress. With an absolute innocent face she turned to her Captain.
"Yes, she's getting ready right now and will meet me in Renji's office in fifteen minutes. Didn't you have papers to do and Squadmembers to train?"
His hand rubbed through his hair as he grimaced.
"Do you always have to remind me of that?"
She stepped out of the kitchen, positioning herself directly in front of him, arms akimbo.
"Yes, I do since I am your Lieutenant which makes you my Captain. And since it's the duty of a Lieutenant to help her Captain in any way I'm just doing my job."
He grinned down at her.
"Any way, Midget?"
She slapped his arm hard.
"Oh, cut it out, Ichigo!"
But was that a faint blush on her cheeks?
Renji shrugged. He had enough on his plate right know. Stepping around the still bickering pair he went for his bedroom, getting a raised brow from Ichigo as he passed them.
"I'll just have to get some papers from the bedroom and I'm ready." he said to no one in particular, but if Tatsuki was in front of the door she would have enough time to get out of view.
Closing the door behind himself he saw her standing in the bathroom door. He pulled his finger up to his lips, gesturing her to keep silent and went into the bathroom with her. Her hair was damp from the shower and she was wrapped in one of his towels. He pulled her into his arms, inhaling her sweet scent deeply before whispering into her ear.
"You know the way to my office?"
She nodded, her hands tightening around his waist.
"Good. Come there in ten minutes."
He kissed her temple lightly and let go of her, grabbing some papers on his way back out.
"Oi Carrot-Top, let's go. I've got work to do."
With that he left his quarters, both Rukia and Ichigo trailing behind him.
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Tatsuki heard the door clicking shut and let out a long breath. It seemed that Ichigo hadn't notice her. She went to the bed where Renji had put the bags with her new clothes.
Opening the first one she found three jeans. In the next were six different shirts all looking great. She found more shirts, pants and shoes in the other bags. She had to give Rangiku credit, the woman definitely had taste. Two bags were left and when she emptied one onto the bed her eyes bulged. There lay a waste assortment of skimpy lingerie, all in red and black.
Rangiku, you must be kidding me!
Closing her eyes she inhaled deeply, trying to find her composure. When she looked back up she saw the clock on the wall.
"Shit!"
She had only five minutes to dress and get to Renji's office. Without hesitation she put on the first things of the black and red pile and searched in the remaining bag for her new shihakusho. Without any glance back she rushed out of Renji's quarters and headed straight for his office, ignoring any look she earned on her way by members of his Squad.
The door was open but she knocked none the less. He was working and she would respect that. It would most likely take some time to get used to him being her boss but she would try.
"Come in!" came his voice in an authoritative tone.
She stepped inside to see him sitting at his desk, head bent over some papers. He didn't looked up when he spoke.
"What is it now? Can't I have one morning without any disturbances?"
Smiling inwardly at his reference to their disturbed morning activities she spoke up with a firm voice.
"Captain Abarai, you wanted me to come to your office."
He looked up at her, the corner of his lip quirking up ever so slightly.
"Did I? Well, since you're here, your instructor is waiting for you. A member of the Squad will show you your rooms and give you a tour of the grounds after lunch. After that you will go to the training ground where you'll have your first zanjutsu lesson."
She was a little perplexed at all that.
"Oh, don't act all Captain on her, Renji! Tatsuki, just ignore the big idiot over there. Come on, we can train out here."
Rukia hopped down from her position on the empty desk, gesturing at the garden. She followed the smaller woman outside where they sat down under the huge tree.
"Where should we start?"
She tipped her finger against her lower lip while thinking.
"Okay, first I'll give you a quick overview about Seireitei and how to act proper."
Tatsuki listened carefully as Rukia explained the purpose of Central 46, the duties of a Captain and the Head-Captain. She described how to distinguish every Captain and Lieutenant by their looks and the way she should act in front of them in public and in private.
Her head was reeling with all the new information and after about an hour Rukia had finished.
"Now that we've got that, let's start with the real lesson. Before you're able to learn Kido, you must learn to control your reiatsu. From what I've felt yesterday and you've told me, you have a huge amount of it but no control. So we'll start with that."
Tatsuki just nodded.
"Relax, that's not going to hurt. Now close your eyes."
She did and Rukia showed her the first steps of reiatsu control.