Disclaimer: All of Bleach is Tite Kubo's.

Note: As promised the update, sorry I couldn't make it sooner.
I really hope you like the second half of this chapter because it was so much fun to write it. Yay for drunken Renji!^^
Enjoy!

Chapter 22:

"I knew I would find you here", said Abarai Renji. "You should know better than to use kido, when you don't want to be found."

"What are you doing here", asked Shihana, staring up to him.

"Looking for you, what else", the Red-head gave back. "Will you come back now?"

"No, Renji, I..." She was struggling to find a way to get away.

His free hand grabbed her chin and forced her to look at him. His red eyes were gleaming, ruby-like. He seemed to be very angry.

Then he kissed her.

Searing heat cursed through her, the pain so intense it blinded her momentarily. When she was able to see again, she saw his face, yet behind him, ready to stab, stood Ichimaru Gin.

Shihana cried out and pushed Renji away. Gin stabbed the air and vanished like thin smoke. "You are mine", the wind seemed to whisper. She cringed, clutching at her chest.

She didn't see the hurt look that passed over Renji's face before he grabbed her and used his shunpo to hurry towards Seireitei, dragging her along.

"I have her, taichou", Renji said simply, when they arrived at the 6th division's office.

Shihana saw Byakuya's shoulders stiffen for a moment.

"Please leave us alone, Abarai", demanded Byakuya, his voice cool as ever. He did not turn around and he did not speak for a period that seemed like an eternity to Shihana.

Just as she prepared to speak, he said: "Come here and sit, Kuchiki Shihana-san."

Shihana swallowed and silently sat down beside her cousin. She cast down her eyes. The use of her full name could mean nothing good.

Byakuya's voice was cool and even, but with a slight edge of coldness that showed how very angry he was.

"What goes on in your head?" he said. "I pleaded with Unohana-taichou to take you home so you could recover within the walls of Kuchiki manor. Yet at the first opportunity, you betray my trust and run away. I am sure you had good reasons for that."

Shihana hesitated. It seemed now very stupid to think that they would just forget her as soon as she was gone. Of course they searched for her, she wouldn't have done otherwise in their stead.

"I meant to protect you", she whispered. "I am placing you in danger."

"How so?", asked Byakuya.

"Protecting me you could make yourselves vulnerable. I don't want to be the reason for you to be hurt", Shihana replied.

"As much as I appreciate your concern", stated Byakuya, "I advise you to consider that it is our duty as shinigami to protect. You stain our honour by implying we cannot care for ourselves. I want you to promise me you won't run away again. Otherwise, I am forced to restrain you against your will until you see reason."

"I promise", said Shihana, eventually looking up.

Immediately, she felt like being stabbed with a white-hot iron. She stumbled away from Byakuya, her eyes wide with horror. Her hands pressed hard against her throbbing chest.

Byakuya was instantly by her side and swept her gently up in his arms. Her eyes had closed and her breathing had quickened.

"Little fool", Byakuya muttered, stepping inside the neighbouring room, where a daybed was spread and lowering her onto it. "Trying to live in Rukongai in such a state."

He closed the door and stepped outside to call Renji in.

His fukutaichou had obviously remained just outside the door and came rushing in as soon as he was called.

"Huh? Where did you take her, taichou?", he asked.

"She's sleeping in the next room", said Byakuya. "Could you send someone over to the 4th to have someone examine her?"

"Sure, taichou", answered Renji.

When he was halfway through the door, Byakuya called him back again.

"Thank you for bringing her back, Abarai", he said.

Renji just nodded and hurried away.

"There is a visitor for you, Rukia-sama."

Rukia looked up to see a servant standing in her door.

"Who is it?", she asked.

Before the servant could say anything, he was shoved aside and replaced by Renji's flaming red hair.

"Ah, it's you, Renji! Come on in."

As soon as he had closed the door, Rukia had thrown herself at him and hugged him fiercely.

"Thank you so much!", she cried. "Thank you so much for finding her!"

"Never mind", said Renji, scratching his head and blushing slightly. "I wanted to talk to ya. Have some time?"

"Sure", said Rukia." Have a seat."

After they had settled down, Rukia waited a fair amount of time for her friend to speak. Then an evil smirk appeared on her face.

"Don't say it... you need some woman's advice."

Renji nodded, blushing now as red as his hair.

"Well, you must ask so I can answer", Rukia said a bit impatient.

"I...um, do you think I'm a bad kisser?"

Rukia stared at her friend for a moment, baffled. Then she said: "How should I know? Why do you even ask?"

"Hm, like...when you kiss someone, but the someone shoves ya away after a moment. Wouldn't that mean you were a bad kisser?"

Rukia pondered this for a moment.

"There might be a multitude of reasons. Wait, I'll make you a drawing!"

She stood up to fetch a piece of paper and a pen. Then she began to draw several sets of bunnies. She looked up from her work when Renji spoke to her.

"You don't happen to have any sake bowls?"

There was a bottle of sake in his hand and a slightly guilty expression on his face.

"No", answered Rukia. "But we can try tea cups instead." She gestured towards a small cabinet across the room.

Renji trudged over and came back with two light green tea cups. He set them down on the table beside Rukia's drawing and poured a fair amount of sake in each.

After having downed his cup in one gulp, Renji straightened up.

"Now show me what ya have drawn", he said.

"Alright", began Rukia and took a sip from her cup. Immediately, she felt a slight dizziness spread in her head.

"As you can see, I have thought of several reasons for the woman to end the kiss early. Number one: foul breath. So make sure to brush your teeth before each encounter."

Renji nodded fiercely, looking fully concentrated, but already pouring himself a second cup.

"Number two: the wrong technique. You might want to practice on someone willing. I recommend Matsumoto-san."

"I'd never..."

"If it was entirely for study purposes, I'm sure Matsumoto-san would be delighted to help", Rukia interrupted him.

"So number three: surprise. A woman might act strangely when not properly prepared. Make sure your intent is clear before you initiate the kiss."

"Um, how do I do this?", asked Renji. While Rukia thought about this, he took another sip of sake.

"Difficult to say...compliments, well-dosed closeness like an arm around her shoulders...something like that."

"Um, Rukia?", Renji said. "How do you know all this stuff? I mean, have you and Ichigo ever..."

"A woman just knows", replied Rukia hastily. To distract him from her violent blush, she took a big gulp from her cup, immediately cursing herself for it. She just wasn't made to drink.

"Now, number four: she is confused, conflicted or just doesn't like you. While the first and second reason are easy to overcome with a bit of work, I fear the latter is unchangeable. Now what do you say, which one does apply in your case?"

"Hm, not quit sure", mumbled Renji, running a hand through is hair and resulting in pulling out his hairband. His red hair tumbled down his shoulders and gave his slightly messed look an air of purposefulness. Rukia found herself longing to run her hands through it. She shook her head. Must be the alcohol, she thought.

"Guess I can only find out tryin to rule things out."

"True", answered Rukia. She was just pushing her cup away, intent on drinking no more, when Renji urged her on.

"Come on, Rukia. Tis my third cup and you still have your first. Down with it!" He clinked his cup against hers and downed it. Under his expectant gaze, Rukia gave up. What can happen in the worst case?, she thought and swallowed.

After her vision had stopped spinning, she noticed that Renji's face was very near.

"Rukiaaa? Can ya do me a favour?"

Smiling at Renji's sheepish grin, the small woman nodded without even asking what it was.

She gasped in shock when she felt Renji's lips on hers.

Her first thought was to pull back that instant. But on second thought, the alcohol swirling around in her head, this was just for study purposes, wasn't it? And besides, it felt rather good...

Thus she didn't pull away, but stayed where she was and when Renji's lips slightly parted she opened hers to allow his tongue in her mouth.

This felt amazing, she didn't want to stop...

Suddenly, Rukia's eyes flew open. What was she doing? Sitting here and kissing her best friend?

She pushed Renji gently away and stared at him, breathing heavily.

"Th-that means we can rule out reason one and two, though you should perhaps work on number three", she stuttered.

Renji beamed, seemingly complete sober. "Yosh, thanks a lot, Rukia! Now I feel damn much better. And no matter what Strawberry-head says, I don't think your drawing is that bad."

"Ichigo said WHAT?"

Renji laughed. "Yeah, that's the spirit. Punch him in the head next time you see him. Or just kiss him. That might shut him up for a longer time. Anyway, I must be going. Thanks again for the advice. Goodnight!"

Leaving a baffled Rukia behind, Renji grabbed the nearly empty sake bottle and stumbled out of the door. It closed with a soft sound.

So what do you say? Surprised? And no, this won't become Renji/Rukia, just in case you weren't quite sure. Hope you review!