Disclaimer: Don't own anything! The Kahjiit are a race in Skyrim; to better imagine them, google a picture of them. :)
Note: So it's done… the 4th chappy and I hope more are coming. ;D
DieRedPineapple: Yep Renji is still shirtless :3 nice picture, ne? ^^ And yeah let's go with that: he got the blood out because it was still fresh xD no need to ruin good armor. :D You will soon enough know why they want to meet up with the rednecks… and … you will get Kenny in this chapter. :D
MinaBlueGlas, berty05, jePi: Here is a new chapter and thanks for the reviews :)
Special thanks to PaulaGay for beta-reading!
Chap 4: More Illusion than Reality?
It was an awkward silence as everyone waited for the meat to get done. Byakuya stole glances at the red-head every now and then, thinking how much his life would change from this point on. Looking back at the fire, thoughts of the man wouldn't leave him. He knew very little about him, but what he saw and knew reminded him of the fire.
When Renji fought the tiger he was swift and effective in his destruction; very much like the flames licking at their victim, whatever that might be. But on the other hand he could be reassuring; giving the feel of home wherever he was, just like the fire that provides you with warmth.
Yes Renji is, it seems, a creature made up of opposites that somehow coexist in this one man. How very interesting… Byakuya really wanted to know more of him, discover hidden secrets and the puzzle that was the red-head.
The boy with the orange hair suddenly stood up and walked over to the red-head, first shoving him with a boot at his shoulder and waiting a moment. That wasn't enough to wake him it seemed so he tried to kick him, unfortunately that too didn't wake the red-head. He growled in frustration and was about to kick harder when Byakuya stopped him, it surely would escalate… something they wouldn't desire.
"Stop. I might have an idea how to wake him," he said and the boy looked at him confused. Of course he had no idea, if it would actually work but it was worth a shot…
Moving over to the red-head he leaned down and whispered something in his ear, making him open his eyes instantly and searching his surroundings.
Smirking in satisfaction Byakuya sat back down in his spot again. Ichigo frowned in confusion, desiring to know what the hell the guy whispered in Renji's ear.
The red-head in turn got into an upright position and stretched his arms and legs, letting a loud yawn escape him. Scratching the back of his head, looking at the group of people sitting around the fire he wondered why they were looking at him so strangely. Shrugging he decided that he really didn't care and really didn't want to know.
"Would ya gimmie a dagger?" was the casually asked question and Byakuya casually reached out to give him one. Such a simple interaction and still they were at ease, which couldn't be said about their companions.
The Kuchiki males looked with raised eyebrows at their young counterpart. Hisana smiled, happy that her brother finally found a friend, and Rukia frowned at him, wondering what demon might have possessed him to act the way he did.
Ichigo was watching them interact with curious brown eyes, not entirely sure what he should think of it. It could go either way after all… Possibility one was that Red finally found a counterpart. It wasn't common for them to travel alone and Red was always something of a lone wolf, avoiding every group and just not being comfortable enough with other members of their organization to really travel with them. Possibility two was that nothing really would change… and personally Ichigo hoped that the red-head finally found a companion, it would make him so much more socially acceptable and not so awkward anymore.
Uryuu was kind of jealous… even though he would never admit it, but the red-head was a very capable archer… something he rarely came across anymore and thus he wanted to travel with every archer and make a group out of them. To have someone of Red's high rank would only benefit them, but then there was the problem of Red's social incapability. Exhaling a sigh of exasperation he had to resign it to fate and let the man be, maybe he could join him later on… there was really nothing to lose; Ichigo simply had to accept his decision, it wasn't personal really…
Sado… well he didn't care at all. Red was always helping him train when asked and he doubted that that would change any time soon.
And Orihime? Well she had only eyes for Ichigo as always. She just hoped that it wouldn't escalate between them, she really disliked it when friends fought each other instead of fighting together.
Using the dagger, Renji cut the parts of the tiger into eatable portions and gave everyone some. He thrust it into the back of the animal to make it possible for everyone to eat more, if the need arose.
They ate in total silence, but it wasn't an awkward one, more a required one. In the end only the skeleton of the tiger was left behind and Renji prepared himself for the journey to their headquarters.
While Ichigo and his group didn't pay him any mind the Kuchiki's all observed him. Ginrei and Soujun regarded him in the view of a fighter. Noting his powerful physique and judging that they would be well protected by him, if his muscles were any indication…
Add to that the tattoos adorning his body. Both Kuchiki males only ever saw such an extremely tattooed body when faced with a criminal or the human form of a Khajiit. Khajiit could take on the appearance of their cat form or their human appearance, making it difficult to decipher, if one is really faced with a real Khajiit. That was the reason Ginrei and Soujun decided to tell no one of their suspicion, if they were wrong in either way it could end badly for them.
Being accused of being a Khajiit and in the end actually being a criminal meant to either imprison or kill him. Being accused of being a criminal and being a Khajiit could mean that he would be hunted, because there were a lot of people desiring the fur of a real Khajit, which was the reason why no Khajit gave away his or her true identity if there was no need for it.
And so they kept quiet, waiting for the man to give away what he is or was himself.
Hisana was impressed, never leaving the town she barely saw soldiers, but those she saw were nothing compared to that man. Of course she noticed his physique earlier, but then it was too hectic to really look at him. Alone his red-hair was eye-catching, but something about the man seemed off… she couldn't quite determine what exactly it was, but there was that feeling inside her…
Looking at her sister she let a small smile grace her soft and delicate features. Rukia always tended to want to protect Byakuya, although he was older and taller and her sister was now, as always, overprotective. Byakuya could take care of himself, he was a good fighter after all, but Hisana would talk to her later, trying to get to know what exactly it was that made her twin so agitated when around the red-head.
And Rukia was indeed doubting the tattooed man and really only for his tattoos, not knowing of their origin and not knowing the man himself. She admitted that she was full of prejudices, but she couldn't help herself when it came to her family. It was not important how powerful the one was.
And Byakuya? Well he was, like the last time, watching him intently. Not in the way one would see a fighter or a possible threat, but more like a normal person. Admiring the way the tattoos snaked their way down the body, along the curve of every muscle. It was as if the tattoos moved along, being as alive as their bearer.
Never before had he felt like this and certainly not with a man, but this one, this red-head made him have this very strange feeling. Although he lost everything, the man gave him hope and a little more… thinking back to a book he read he wondered if that feeling could be love, but could he actually love someone he knew nothing of?
In his world it was necessary to know the one you loved, but not so anymore it seemed… hopefully they spent some time together, getting to know each other and judging by the looks of it Renji wasn't against the idea.
Putting on his chest armor he slipped several daggers and throwing knifes into different places; in his sleeves, his boots and his belt. Rolling the furs together again he tucked them back into his pack. Throwing his backpack on his shoulder and grabbing his bow and quiver he pulled the hood over his head and signaled for the others to follow.
"Come, we need ta get to tha boss," he said in addition, taking the lead and Ichigo raised an eyebrow.
"Are you sure that you still know the way? You were gone a while…"
"Yeah dumbass I know tha way allrigh' and now come."
After several hours of walking and the occasional break to catch a breath and refill their water bottles they reached another mountain chain.
Other than the one Byakuya found the red-head in, this was high, reaching into the skies and covered in snow at their tops.
It was then that he heard a rumbling and when looking at the red-head again he saw that a stone was sliding to the side, making way for an entrance to a hidden way.
Turning around to them the red-head said "Welcome to tha outcasts. Just follo' me and stay quiet," Renji instructed and once again lead their way, Ichigo and his group came in last.
The Kuchiki's did as they were told, watching their surroundings, as Renji lead the way.
After several corners, turns and hidden entrances they reached a heavy wooden door.
"Don' say anythin' wha'eva happens, don' say anythin'," the red-head turned, warning them in a low growl. Slowly he opened the door, satisfied that no one in the great hall noticed he had entered and the others followed him. He walked straight to the other end of the room, when suddenly a husky voice sounded next to him.
"Red? Is that really you?"
Hisagi Shuuhei… one of the few people he got along quite well with…
"Hey Shuu, Imma sorry but I can' talk right now, have ta go to tha boss," he responded while walking, which didn't mean that the scarred raven-head wouldn't follow…
"Ah sure, if you have time after we could train."
"Train? Ya got alon' with tha scythe of yers?" he asked irritated, it really was no secret that Shuuhei refused to fight because of his weapon, he knew how to use it, but he somehow didn't feel comfortable with it.
A nod was all the answer he got and the tattooed raven-head was off again. Shaking his head Renji lead them further, hoping no one else would see him. And although their group was rather huge they weren't bothered anymore and reached the heavy wooden doors to Kenpachi's room in no time at all.
Just as he was about to knock, the door opened and the giant was about to exit. Zaraki Kenpachi was just like Renji remembered him. He stood a head taller than the red-head, physique packed with muscle and covered in scars one of them decorating his golden left eye. Long midnight black hair running along his back, on the head cut in fine spikes, blending in with the flowing strands.
And Kenpachi wasn't sure what he was seeing, if his eyes didn't betray him, it looked like Ichigo had finally been useful and brought Red back. "Good ta see ya again Red, come in we need ta talk. NOW," he pronounced the last word with more force and went back into his room, Renji followed him.
Not knowing what else to do Ichigo led the remaining group to the main hall again. Searching for a table they sat down and waited.
After Renji entered the room he closed the door and looked at his boss, waiting for whatever they had to talk about.
"Ya were gone a long time, Red. Was it at least a success?" Kenpachi asked while sitting down at one of the chairs placed around the room.
"Na, I don' think so… earlier in tha day I had ta kill a tiger and the feeling was still there and when I came across Ichigo, I cut a little too deep and some o' his blood was running along his throat. I nearly lost it in tha moment."
Frowning Kenpachi looked at his opposite, "Ya were gone fo' nearly two months." A nod was the only response he got.
"Dunno what I have ta do ta stop it…"
It was that moment when the black-haired man got up and came near him "I know of a way for ya ta get it under control for now," he said in a low growling husky voice.
Renji felt the beast in him grow on intensity. Kenpachi saw how the red-head's pupils began to transform, taking on the form of cat's eyes.
"I never really understood why yer so afrai' o' it. Yer amazing like this…"
Renji tried to fight it as much as he could, but the last sentence from Kenpachi drove the beast in him over the edge. He felt his body transform, his hands became paw-like just like his feet, his human physique changed minimally into that of a cat, his ears became sharp-pointed, the jaw became broader and his nose bigger and he grew a tail at the end of his back. Finally his tattoos became the pattern of his fur; it was a while since he transformed completely and he had to get used to it again.
His keen eyes saw Kenpachi more clearly than his human eyes ever could, and his nose smelled the musky scent that was Zaraki Kenpachi with an intensity that his senses couldn't comprehend.
Losing all sense of the here and now, he pounced on Zaraki, who in turn saw that coming and grabbed him at the hips, keeping him in the air; watching what was about to happen. When Kenpachi saw the human-tiger stop struggling, but giving in to him, curling his tail around the giant's bicep, he was sure that the fun part was about to begin.
He liked it rough and when Red transformed it was especially rough, the scars didn't come from nowhere after all. It was also difficult to determine who would be the dominating one and who not, causing a fight to erupt between them and mostly Kenpachi was the victor, just like this time.
Seeing the creature beneath him squirm in his strong grip he felt his cock growing, hardening more and more until he had to free it and immediately the man under him stopped squirming and looked fascinated at the now revealed organ, licking his lips.
"Yeah, tha's all yers…" he breathed into the sensitive ears.
The paw-like hands grabbed the clothes off the raven-haired giant and ripped them apart, revealing a scarred muscular chest. A growl escaped the furred man, pupils dilating into two thin slits.
Kenpachi used that moment to unclothe the other and grabbed his cock and first slowly began stroking him, eliciting a purr from the other. Feeling him harden, the black-haired man spit into his hand and tried to prepare them both, he knew very well that Red wouldn't mind having some rough play, but that didn't mean that he would hurt him THERE…
Renji felt that he was being prepared, his lust and wild mind gave him a high no drug could do and then he was entered… it was a while since he felt this and it was amazing, although very huge he was pounded into by what felt like a madman, who hit his prostate every now and again. Ever since the man went to try to control the beast in him he had had no sex, thus his frustrations were high and after yet another thrust into his sweet spot was he seeing stars.
Not able to think clearly he lost focus. That was when his inner eye saw the image of the young male citizen he met the day before. Beautiful long black hair, pale and soft looking skin, grey eyes and just as he saw that image was his prostate hit one last time before he lost it and came, simultaneously being filled.
Both men were panting and lay down next to each other.
Several minutes went by with no one saying a word. Renji thought about what just happened and came to a conclusion he had to go through with. "We need ta stop this Zar'aki," his voice was slightly changed, deeper and more exotic, the 'r' sounded more rolling, like someone from southern desert states might pronounce it.
"Why ya sayin' that?" came the reply and Zaraki sounded more curious than angered.
"I met someone… an' I thought o' him." There was no sound coming from the other not even a grunt or snort.
"'Kay. Is it serious for ya?" because if so Kenpachi was willing to step back, but only if the one proved good enough for the tiger; he couldn't effort to lose him in any way.
They laid on the furs littered in Kenpachi's room while Renji considered the answer to this question. "I dunno… Maybe, but he woul' never' wan' me, not when Imma like this…" and if Zaraki heard right the man next to him sounded sad… he could only remember one time he heard the tiger speak in such a tone.
"Ya seem comfortable now, like this and I like ya in this form." Yes the huge and rough giant could be quite sensitive and lovely, but only to those he chose to and Renji was one of them he chose to show that side to.
"Ya know how it is… if someone learns of what I truly am… I can only fight so many people. Ya are the only one ta no' wan' me dead and skinned…" a frown was now decorating the face of the Kahjiit, a frown Kenpachi wasn't fond of.
After more than 10 years Zaraki knew how to soothe the Kahjiit, he began stroking the sensitive ears and soon got a soft purring with relaxing features in return.
They laid some more minutes and Renji didn't try to change back. He felt for the first time in two months free again. Ever since that day it was difficult for him to reign the Khajiit in him, when he tried to maintain his human appearance.
Exhaling a breath of satisfaction Renji put his clothes on again, "I hope ya weren't bringin' me back only ta fuck…" it wasn't meant seriously and his smirk gave it away.
Zaraki's face was nearly split with a wolfish grin, "Nah, although I wish it were so… but I got ta letta on tha desk, read it."
With a nod the tiger grabbed the piece of paper and began to read, his eyes widened in what might be fear.
So I made it! Chapter 4 is done and I like how it turned out, although not much happened here. xD
Anyway please leave a review and tell me how you liked it. ^^