Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN BLEACH.

Summary: While fightning hollows in the living world with Renji, Byakuya gets hurt.

Chapter 5: Hurt

Byakuya and Renji were in the office, doing paperwork, when a hell butterfly entered the room.

Captain Byakuya Kuchiki and Lieutenant Renji Abarai, report to the squad one baracks immediately.

After giving them the message, the hell butterfly left. Renji looked at Byakuya.

''What was that all about?'' he asked. Byakuya sighed and stood up.

''I think this is about our little excursion to the living world. I told you, the Head Captain would not be pleased about our trip.'' Byakuya said. Renji paled.

''Fuck.'' he muttered.

''Come on Renji. We don't want to be late.'' Byakuya turned and flash stepped out of the office. Renji quickly did the same.

Byakuya reached the squad one barracks seconds before Renji. Together they walked into the building. Head Captain Yamamoto was already waiting for them, with lieutenant Sasakibe right next to him.

''Captain Kuchiki and Lieutenant Abarai.'' The Head Captain started, his deep voice echoing off the walls. '' Can you please explain to me why you two took an unauthorized trip to the World of the Living? And you had better not lie.'' Byakuya cleared his throat and stepped forward.

''I apologize, Head Captain. I hope that we haven't disrespected you in any way. It's just that, my lieutenant received a call from Ichigo Kurosaki about a few hollows in the area. Now, at the time that my lieutenant received the call, it was midday and from what I know, Ichigo Kurosaki was at school so he couldn't deal with the matter himself. And as you already know, my lieutenant was injured in a previous trip to the Wolrd of the Living and since then, he still hasn't recovered completely. So I went with him to make sure that nothing would happen. That is all that happened.'' Byakuya said, his face a complete mask of indiferrence. The Head Captain rubbed his beard.

''I see. And you are not lying, correct?'' Byakuya shook his head.

''No sir.'' The Head Captain turned to Renji.

''Do you have anything to add, Lieutenant Abarai?'' he asked. Renji, who had been silent for the whole meeting, looked up.

''No sir.'' he muttered. The Head Captain tapped his cane on the floor.

''Alright. Now that that matter is resolved, there is something else that I wanted to tell you two.'' Byakuya and Renji shared a look.

''What is it?'' Byakuya asked.

''There has been several strange hollow sightings in Karakura Town. From the reports that I have received, these hollows are different from other hollows. We believe that Sosuke Aizen has something to do with this. I want you two to take care of it. And don't let down your guard. One of the hollows is poisonious. You will leave immediately.''

''Yes.'' Byakuya turned and began walking out of the room. He signaled for Renji to follow.

When they were out of the squad one baracks, Renji released the breath that he had been holding.

''Jeez. Why is it that every time I go there, I feel like I'm walking on eggshells?''

''Squad One is probably the most mysterious squad. It's only right that you feel intimitated.'' Byakuya said. Renji huffed.

''Maybe to you.'' he mumbled. Byakuya glanced at him.

''Anyways,'' he began, '' We should head to the World of the Living now.''

''Should we bring anything?'' Renji asked.

''No. If there is no problems, we should be done with this mission fairly quickly. Besides, all we really need is our zanpakutos.''

''I guess you're right.'' Renji said.

''Come on. We should be leaving now.'' Byakuya said. He and Renji reached the senkaimon that led to the world of the living. The guards posted at the senkaimon stopped them.

''What is your reason for using the senkaimon?'' One guard asked. Byakuya stepped up.

''The Head Captain sent us on a mission. Now, let us through.'' The guards nodded and moved aside.

Byakuya walked passed the guards and into the senkaimon.

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''Where are these damn hollows?'' Renji complained. Byakuya sighed.

''They are around here somewhere. Just keep looking.'' he said. Renji groaned.

''That is what we have been doing! We have been walking around here for hours, looking for something that clearly isn't here!'' Renji snapped, crossing his arms over his chest.

''You know, I'm starting to think that the Head Captain sent us on this wild goose chase as punishment for visiting the World of the Living.'' Renji muttered. Byakuya glared at him.

''Don't say that. The Head Captain would never-'' Byakuya stopped and his posture stiffened. He sensed a powerful spiritual pressure coming towards them. Renji, who sensed the pressure as well, was silent.

''Here it comes.'' he whispered. A few moments after he said that, two very large hollows appeared in front of them. Renji and Byakuya quickly pulled out their zanpakutos.

''Damn. These guys are huge.'' Renji muttered.

''Don't let your guard down. Remember what the Head Captain said. One of these hollows is poisonious.'' Byakuya warned. Renji huffed.

''I know. Roar, Zabimaru!'' Renji shouted. His zanpakuto was released and it slashed at one of the hollows. The hollow screamed and charged at Renji. Renji quickly engaged in battle with the hollow. Byakuya watched for a moment before turning to face the other hollow.

''There is no need to release my shikai on a monsterous creature like you. This battle will be over very quickly.'' Byakuya raised his zanpakuto and charged at the hollow.

For a while, he and the hollow fought. At some point, Byakuya got bored with the fight.

''Let me end this now. Scatter, Zenbonzakura.'' Byakuya whispered softly. In mere seconds, the hollow was completely destroyed. Byakuya sighed and put his sword back in its sheath. He turned and froze.

Renji, it seems, was having difficulties. Byakuya saw that Renji was having trouble standing. He also saw that the hollow was charging at him with incredible speed. Byakuya didn't think. He just, reacted. He knew that he wouldn't have time to release his zanpakuto, but he didn't care. In a second, he blocked the hollow's path to Renji. The hollow opened it's mouth and bit down on the upper part of his body. Byakuya grimaced as his blood poured out of his body. Renji, who was still struggling to get up, looked up in horror.

''Byakuya!'' he screamed. In an instant, he was up.

''Let go of him! Roar, Zabimaru!'' Renji swung his sword and hit the side of the hollow's mask. The hollow screamed and dissappeared. Byakuya grunted and fell to his knees. Renji rushed to his side.

''Byakuya! Hey Byakuya! Hold on! Hang in there!'' Renji screamed in his ear. Byakuya glanced at him.

''Renji, I think that was the hollow that the Head Captain warned us about. I told you to be careful.'' he muttered weakly. He started to cough up blood. Renji paled.

''Hey! Hang in there! I'm going to get help, okay? Just, hold on!''

''Ren...'' Byakuya's eyes rolled to the back of his head and his body went limp. Renji's eyes went wide and he started to panic.

''Byakuya! Byakuya! Hey!'' Renji yelled. He gripped Byakuya's shoulders and began shaking him. But it was no use. Byakuya's body was still limp in his arms.

He's not waking up. And he's losing a lot of blood. I have to do something. As gently as he could, Renji lifted Byakuya up and put him on his back. After making sure that Byakuya wouldn't fall off, Renji flash stepped to Urahara's Shop.

In mere minutes, he was there. He busted through the front door, startling Jinta, who was sweeping the floor.

''Where is Kisuke?'' he demanded. Jinta stood there, shocked. Renji growled.

''Well? Open your damn mouth! Where is he!'' Renji shouted. Jinta coughed and was about to speak when Kisuke walked into the room.

''What's with all the noise? Renji-san?'' Kisuke asked when he noticed Renji standing there. Renji looked at him with pleading eyes.

''Please,'' he begged. ''You have to help him.'' Kisuke then noticed Byakuya and he took on a serious expression.

''Come this way.'' he ordered. He walked down the hall with Renji quickly following him. Kisuke stopped in front of a room.

''Put him in there. I'll go get Tessai and we're gonna fix him, alright?'' Renji nodded and walked inside the room. He gently placed Byakuya on the futon. He reached out and grabbed his hand.

''You have to pull through this, alright? You have to be okay. I'm not gonna let you leave me. Not now.''

''Renji,'' Kisuke said from the doorway, with Tessai right next to him. ''You need to leave now. We'll call you when we're done.'' Renji nodded. He looked at Byakuya one last time before leaving the room.

Renji waited outside the room for who knows how long. He practically jumped out of his skin when Kisuke and Tessai emerged from the room.

''Well? How is he?''

''He's going to be fine. It took a while to get all the poison out of his system, but he's going to be just fine.''

''Can I see him?'' Kisuke nodded.

''Go right ahead. Although, I would take it easy. He's still asleep.'' Renji nodded and walked into the room.

He slowly walked over to Byakuya's futon. He gripped his hand and smiled softly.

''You gave me quiet a scare. But I'm glad that you're gonna be okay. I don't know what I would do if-'' Renji stopped himself.

''It doesn't matter.'' he whispered. ''You're gonna be alright.''

He slowly situated himself next to Byakuya. He wrapped his arms around him and pulled him close.

''You're gonna be alright.'' he whispered into Byakuya's ear.

Then, he closed his eyes and drifted off into the world of sleep.

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