I DON'T OWN BLEACH

Thank you to Gloaming Grove for being a great beta and friend ;D.

Today's chapter is short, I wanted chapter ten to stand on its own. I will write and release chapter eleven this week. After writing this I had my roommate read it, I needed to see if the tone I wanted to express was there. He told me I needed to listen to something. He cued up a song on his ipod and I listened to it with headphones on. I haven't recommended music for this story before but, I can say that I would like to request everyone to listen to this song please. It fits the chapter very well, and I think in a small way reflects Ichigo's and mostly Byakuya's feelings. You can find it on that certain site...with tube in its name. Please enjoy "Flames" By V.A.S.T. ( I don't own it)

"It seems to me we can never give up longing and wishing while we are thoroughly alive. There are certain things we feel to be beautiful and good, and we must hunger after them."
George Eliot

Chapter 10; Eyes of Flames

The door clicks shut and Byakuya's eyes open to narrow slits. "Stop spying and come out...Renji." Renji appears in the window; climbing inside, his sandals scratch against the rough floor.

"C-Captain..."

"Why are you here?" Byakuya lifts his gaze to watch his vice captain walk toward the futon, his body swaying slightly and cheeks flushed. "Are you intoxicated?"

"I was drunk about an hour ago, now I'm completely wasted." Renji drops to his knees next to the futon, his eyes dancing around Ichigo's empty body. "Ichigo taught me that phrase." Renji notices Ichigo's toned bare chest, his eyes lower to Ichigo's unbuttoned pants. His strawberry blonde pubic hairs are peeking out, still damp from sex. "Why do you take everything away from me, Byakuya?" Renji's hand reaches out to touch Ichigo's bright orange hair.

"Do not refer to me in a casual manner." Byakuya tosses a sheet over Ichigo's body to prevent Renji from laying his hands on him.

"First Rukia, now Ichigo. You, take everything I value most. You are so fucking selfish." Renji's drunken state looses not just his tongue but his reiatsu begins leaking into the room.

"I wasn't aware Ichigo was yours, vice-captain Abarai." Byakuya feels Renji's reiatsu push into him, stinging his skin like a thousand needles.

"Why would you notice? You are too busy thinking about yourself."

"Renji it would be wise to return to Soul Society and sober up. Consider it an order."

"Yes sir! Captain Kuchiki!" Renji's voice is full of sarcasm as he raises his hand and salutes Byakuya. "Oh, but wait... Right now you are human." His wild eyes glare daggers at Byakuya. "Which means I'm stronger than you." Renji's hand grabs Byakuya around his throat, squeezing it. Byakuya reacts on instinct, grabbing Renji's wrist with both his hands.

"A-Aba-rai." Byakuya feels light headed from Renji cutting off his oxygen supply. Renji slides the sheet down Byakuya's torso and straddles Byakuya's lap, pressing his weight down on his captive. Renji licks his lips before running his long tongue up Byakuya's face.

"I feel Ichigo's reiatsu wrapped around you. Is he that good?" Renji breathes in the musky smell of sex and sweat heavy in the room. "He is coming back, and I wonder what he will say about this scene?" The red-head smiles, leaning his tan face closer to Byakuya's paling skin. "I'm going to take him away from you, and then you will know what it feels like to be me."

"Byakurai." Byakuya presses his fingertip to Renji's chest, sending a weak shock of lightening through Renji's body, stunning him enough to force him back crashing into the opposite wall.

"What the hell is going on?" Ichigo opens the door and walks through with a surprised look on his face. "Oh, hey Renji."

"Yo Ichigo!" Renji, picking himself up from the floor, laughs; he walks over and throws his arm around Ichigo. "Captain Kuchiki has his powers back, isn't it great!"

"Oh... that's great." Ichigo doesn't even try to hide his sadness; his amber eyes watch as Byakuya's shinigami uniform appears, clothing him, and his reiatsu swells for a moment.

"Now he can go back home, where he belongs." Renji announces the obvious, leaning on Ichigo, almost knocking him down with his weight.

"Ugh, Renji you are wasted." Ichigo waves his hand in front of his face, trying to fan the sink of alcohol away from his nose.

"Looks like Urahara was right, Captain. Hanging around Ichigo's leaking spiritual power was the trigger you needed to get your powers back." Renji mutters before slumping to the floor, passing out.

The silence between them was almost as painful as Renji's words. Ichigo tightens his fists as he watches Byakuya open the senkai gate. The day he has dreaded suddenly arrives before he is prepared to deal with it. Was I just used? Do I say anything? Does it even matter?

"Guess it's time you return." That sounded lame.

"Yes." Byakuya replies walking up to the portal that will lead him back to the place he has always considered his home. Don't look at him.

"Well, that's great; I bet you're anxious to see your family." He has responsibilities, and I'm human, not a part of his world.

"Kurosaki Ichigo... thank you for your hospitality." Don't look in his eyes.

"Sure..." That's not what I want to say at all. I want to be selfish, I want him to stay. "Oh tell Rukia I said 'hi'." He isn't even looking at me. That hurts...most of all.

"I will." Byakuya steps into the gate, leaving Ichigo behind to watch the doors slowly shut. Don't look. His eyes are flames.

Ichigo stares at Byakuya's back, his throat is tightening up, and his heart is pounding in his ears. Look at me...Look at me like you always do. Just one more time.

The gate closes, leaving a hell butterfly drifting away in silence. With the separation between them tangible, Ichigo backs into the wall behind him. Sliding down, his eyes sting and blur as he glances over to the bed, seeing Byakuya's black T-shirt: the only remnant the dark-haired shinigami left behind.

"Close your eyes,
Let me touch you now.
Let me give you something
That is real.

Close the door,
Leave your fears behind.
Let me give you
What you're giving me.

You are the only thing
That makes me want to live at all.

When I am with you,
There's no reason to pretend that
When I am with you,
I feel flames again

Just put me inside you,
I would never ever leave.
Just put me inside you,
I would never ever leave you."

Funny moments will return in the next chapters don't run away! Please review to let know what you think of the chapter. It means so much to get some feedback. Thank you for making this my most popular story! I'm really nervous about this chapter please review! I know you might not agree with Renji's reaction, but I honestly believe it is in his character. My yaoi fangirls' council girls are awesome! Thanks to all my reviewers from chapter 9

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