Disclaimer: Bleach and its characters ain't mine but Tite Kubo's.
Note: Finally the meeting between Renji and Reki! Thanks to war90 for giving me the idea to this chapter in the first place.
Now find out what happens!
Chapter 24:
Shihana was sitting awake on her futon, desperately trying to piece together the remains of a dream she had just woken from, but the thoughts ran through her fingers like fine sand as she tried to remember them.
She glanced up when she heard a knock at the door.
Quickly smoothing down her hair and rearranging her kimono she said: "Do come in, please."
It surprised her to see Renji walk in, a bit uncertain and balancing a tray with tea and a light breakfast.
"Took some time to convince ya maid to leave this to me, but here I am."
He carefully set the tray down at a nearby table. Shihana stood up gracefully, walked over and began to pour two cups of tea.
"Well, how've you been, Shihana-san?", asked Renji breaking the silence.
"I guess I have been better", sighed Shihana and gestured for him to sit down. "I've been feeling off since I came back. Thank you for trying to cheer me up, though."
She smiled but wouldn't look him in the eye. A bit confused, Renji took a large gulp of tea and barely refrained from spitting the hot liquid out again. "Damn!", he gasped. "Ah, sorry, Shihana-san, shoulda watch my mouth."
"It's okay", smiled Shihana, suppressing a giggle.
They drank for a moment in silence and Renji watched her eating slowly. Again, he found himself reminded of his taichou, one of the few dinners they had eaten together. Yet, Shihana lacked all the superior confidence and strength of mind Byakuya was emitting all the time.
Renji breathed deeply and steeled himself.
"Um, Shihana-san, do you remember when I found you in Rukongai..."
"Yes?", Shihana said and for a brief moment their eyes met. She looked away immediately, and succeeded in suppressing the feeling of dread and burning pain in her chest. But why did her heart beat so fast?
"You know", Renji continued, blushing violently, "when I kissed you..."
Both turned their heads when the door suddenly slid open.
Shihoin Reki walked in, a charming smile on his face and a bouquet of flowers in his left hand.
"You...!", bristled Renji and sprang up, nearly turning over the table. "How dare you come here like it's nothing?"
Reki mustered him with a cool gaze. "And who might this rude person be, Shihana-san?"
"I'm Abarai Renji, fukutaichou of the 6th squad and Shihana-san's friend!"
"My, my", chided Reki. "I wasn't talking to you, but to the lady."
"How come you're suddenly back?", growled Renji, slowly advancing. "After you cast her away when she needed you most?" He balled his fists.
"I don't think some scoundrel like you has the right to question my motives", drawled Reki. "What are you doing here anyway? Trying to dishonour her?"
That set Renji over the edge. With a roar he threw himself at Reki and punched him straight in the face.
Wincing, Shihana thought she heard the crunching sound of breaking bones.
Reki lost his balance, but got hold of Renji's arm and brought him down to the floor with him.
Blazing with anger, Renji lunged at him again, but now Reki dodged and tried to kick the other man.
Shihana watched speechless as both rolled around on the floor kicking and punching.
Soon Renji, who was the fiercer fighter and had the advantage of a hard training in Rukongai, emerged as the victor. Bleeding from a cut to the lower lip, he stood up and gave Reki one last kick to the ribs.
"What ya saying now, noble? Not so high'n mighty any more, huh?"
Then he realized where he was and turned around to Shihana, an apologetic look on his face.
"Sorry for messing your floor up, Shihana-san. Don't be bothered, I'll just throw out the garbage."
When Renji closed in on him again, Reki quickly scrambled up on his feet and shot out through the door as if hell's hounds were on his heels.
Renji watched him go with satisfaction, then bowed down to pick up the fallen bouquet. It was rather squashed, but some flowers weren't that damaged. He pulled them out and gently lay them on the table, next to the tray.
"I guess we'll continue our conversation some other time, Shihana-san", he sighed. "I'm off to the office. Have a nice day."
Sweeping up the ruined flowers, he raised a hand and quickly left the room.
Shihana didn't know whether he had heard her soft "Thank you, Renji."
Shihana stayed sitting at the low table for a long time.
The scene of the two men fighting had crushed her resolution. She had been dead set on accepting Reki's apology and go through with the marriage.
Byakuya had informed her calmly this morning, that she could expect Reki's visit soon.
She had had a lot of time to think about what her parents had talked about the day she'd been taken home from 4th squad.
They had even brought up Renji's name! But she knew deep in their hearts they had just been scared by the whole incident. She knew that they'd be much happier if she married the wealthy and noble Reki.
Also, the rest of the family would have been a problem. She might be prepared to stand against them on her own, but she did not want her parents involved.
She had been prepared to give up her freedom and her wishes for the greater good.
Yet, what to do now?
She hadn't moved a finger to keep Renji from harming her fiancé. What would Reki think of her now?
And Renji...what had he meant to say before Reki came in?
Still, there was this feeling of dread she had whenever someone dear to her approached. As if a shadow of death was lingering behind them.
"Well, can't be helped", Shihana sighed and stood up.
She called for a servant and asked to make a palanquin ready.
She bathed and changed into a deep red kimono with a pattern of starlike white blossoms. Finally, she clasped her Kuchiki hairpin in place.
Already on the doorstep, she turned back and pulled on a warm cloak of soft white cotton.
"Where are we headed Kuchiki-sama?", asked one of the palanquin bearers, while he helped her in.
"Shihoin estate", answered Shihana and sat down, her back straight.
Stupid Shihana still not getting it. Would be too easy otherwise, wouldn't it?^^ Please please review and tell me what you think!
