Not Close Enough

Urahara said a teasing hello when Renji burst past the yawning shopkeeper. Already it was close to dawn evident by the bands of light purple gracing the horizon. Tall buildings of Karakura town blocked the complete view, like black paper cutouts taped to a window instead of real buildings. Why did the living world seem like some strange limited place when Ichigo was transformed into a soul reaper? It was far easier to sense all the gleaming spirit energies, which was not easy for Ichigo to sense anyway. An astronomer could not see planets orbiting a bright star because of its light. Similarly, Ichigo could barely see any weak energy through his own radiance.

Still there were ways to screen it out. He had learned a few of them recently. He snapped his attention away from these revelations long enough to listen to Renji’s concerned voice. As both of them flash stepped towards the park he glanced at Renji opening the soul pager.

“Yes… Kuchiki Taicho, its Abarai Fukaitaicho reporting in,” Renji said, and then winced.

*Great,* Ichigo thought seeing Renji’s flustered expression. He must be in serious trouble.

“No Kuchiki Taicho, I know there’s no excuse for it. I forgot my soul pager at Urahara san’s… yes I know… I’m sorry sir…”

“If you wanna tell him,” Ichigo whispered but Renji waved him away.

“Yes, Kurosaki is with me. He can vouch for… no… I thought he could give us a hand on the problem…”

The longer Ichigo heard Renji’s voice and watched his facial expressions the angrier he grew at Kuchiki. Whenever he saw that stuck up Captain, he was determined to set things straight. Even if it may cost Renji dearly, he knew Byakuya respected the truth, and he was more than willing to give it to keep the heat off his lover’s shoulders.

“What the hell can they do to a substitute? Take away my powers and whatever? It wouldn’t be so bad for me, but Renji shouldn’t suffer.”

“Lemmie talk to him,” Ichigo offered.

“No,” Renji whispered, pushing Ichigo away. “Yes… I’ll bring him right to squad six… I’m on my way now! Abarai Fukaitaicho out!”

Snapping the phone shut Renji came to a stop. Ichigo saw his back turned for a long minute, and reached over to touch the slumped shoulder. Renji didn’t flinch, but turned slightly to look at him. “Renji I’m serious. I’ll tell him the truth. He may be an ass but he’ll respect you for coming clean. Unless there’s some regulation against…”

“No. No such thing. Not for Shinigami to be involved with one another. But to forget duty because of personal reasons is pretty bad.”

“That’s why we need to tell him the truth. I share the blame, okay. I don’t want you to lose your rank or fuck up your career on my account,” Ichigo informed his lover.

“I appreciate that, more than ya know,” Renji said with a sad smile. “All right then, we’ll just tell him how it is. And hope he won’t throw the book at me.”

“Could he fire you? Demote you because of me?” Ichigo asked.

“If he’s in a shitty mood he’ll put me on probation. Suspend my rank and privileges for a time till I learn my lesson…” said Renji.

“Fuck. Well maybe he won’t,” Ichigo said, even though he wasn't convinced. “After what I have to say to him.”

“Ichigo, don’t ya DARE mouth off. I don’t want you…”

“Let’s just go already and see what happens,” Ichigo said as he reached over to hug Renji tightly. Grateful for the support Renji hugged him back.

“Okay now, stand back,” the Vice Captain of squad 6 instructed, drawing Zabimaru.

Under normal circumstances, entering a senkaimon gate would make Ichigo nervous. They still had to follow the hell butterflies after Renji thrust his zanpakuto into midair. It never ceased to amaze Ichigo watching him turn it to the side and cause a set of shoji doors to open. Perhaps what bothered him most was the notion that Renji would possibly catch hell for failing to report.

Two hell butterflies shot out, preceding them as they dashed through the precipice world. They emerged through the opposite end in a matter of minutes, right in the middle of an open space. Behind them loomed the huge Senkaimon gate through which he’d passed on his way out often enough. However, the party on the other side made his blood boil. He saw Byakuya Kuchiki standing there with a very annoyed expression on his face, along with several other attendants from squad six.

“Reporting back sir,” Renji said as he dropped to one knee before the captain. Ichigo did as well.

“Abarai Fukaitaicho, Kurosaki Shinigami Daiko, you will come with me immediately,” Byakuya said frostily.

Ichigo opened his mouth to say something but felt Renji poke him with one elbow. Sighing he marched after Renji, once his lover rose. He could feel the sweeping pulse of Byakuya’s imposing spirit pressure against them, but he realized it was far worse for Renji than he.
***
Byakuya said nothing on the way back to Squad 6. The enormous looming twin doors that led into the offices didn’t impress Ichigo. It just irked him even more the way Byakuya strode through the place, king of his own domain. Granted he WAS a noble, perhaps even a prince in the eyes of Sereitei, but something about it rubbed Ichigo the wrong way.

Judging from the look in those steel blue eyes, the feeling was mutual. Ichigo’s sense of protectiveness burned brightly as Byakuya motioned Renji to enter with a curt command, “Enter and kneel. You have a good deal of explaining to do, Abarai Fukaitaicho.”

Renji knelt before the desk, while Ichigo looked at Byakuya. “You must kneel as well, Kurosaki,” the Captain commanded.

“Fine,” Ichigo answered, kneeling next to Renji on the hard floor.

“Before you say anything else, Kuchiki Taicho, I can explain. I want to apologize for making such a big mistake. It was my fault I forgot my soul pager to report in. Whatever you’re gonna do to discipline me, Ichigo had nothing to do with it…”

“Enough,” Byakuya cut him off. “I am weary of such excuses Abarai. You know better than that. If I didn’t know better I’d say it was deliberate.”

“It… it was. I… had some personal business to take care of. I had completed the mission you sent me for, and as our squad rules say, I was gonna report here tomorrow…”

“Yet you flagrantly disregarded protocol? You still think I should overlook such a foolish error. I cannot have my Fukaitaicho committing such mistakes. It’s unacceptable since you admit you did it deliberately!”

“If I didn’t Taicho, what I’d done woulda continued to affect my performance. That’s why I’ll accept whatever punishment ya see fit.”

Byakuya let out a labored sigh. “And you have nothing to say to this, Kurosaki.”

“I’ve got PLENTY to say, Byakuya… sama,” Ichigo said angrily. “Renji’s in enough trouble because of me. I didn’t want to interrupt till you gave me the chance to speak.”

Raising a brow at Ichigo’s anger, yet the use of his proper title Byakuya focused his gaze on the substitute. “So you do admit to a role in this infraction?”

“Renji’s not the only one to blame. I was the one who made him forget his soul pager. Because we had an argument,” Ichigo said. “And I said some really stupid things that threw him for a loop. So if you want to blame someone, blame me.”

Reaching into a desk in his drawer, Byakuya removed his attention from the substitute. Papers rustled for what seemed a very long minute. Once the noble placed the forms near several manila folders he then said, “I fail to see what idiocy you’d say that would cause a fukaitaicho of the Gotei 13 to be so badly shaken. However at least you have the decency to admit you’ve a role in this. Continue to explain.”

“The reason we argued was personal,” Ichigo said, watching Byakuya dip his brush into the water, then across the ink block.

“Personal? To what extent exactly?” Byakuya said in a deadly calm voice, brush poised above the form.

“Ichigo, ya don’t have to tell him,” Renji said.

“Quiet Abarai,” Byakuya cut him off with a wave of a gloved hand. The tip of his brush lowered down to trace characters across its multiple lines and boxes.

Standing up Ichigo rolled his eyes. He petulantly said, “It’s because I’m in a relationship with your second-in-command, if you have to know. So I am partly to blame too. No use hiding it Renji.”

“I see. But it is no excuse for ignoring duty,” Byakuya answered, with a slightly irritated glance. Even though Ichigo didn’t know if the noble was angry, shocked, or pissed, he didn’t care.

“Maybe not, but you should know the truth. So whatever you’re going to do to him you’d better go easy on him. He’s been through a lot,” said Ichigo, resting both hands on his hips. Ever so slightly, he bent down so he was at eye level with Byakuya. Steel blue met light brown, tension crackling in the air between them. Renji could feel the static electricity along with their rising reiatsu. Normally his captain kept a tight rein on his spirit pressure in contrast to Ichigo’s blatant leaking aura.

“I frankly do not wish to know the sordid details of your involvement with one of my squad members, Kurosaki. Although you are not officially under my jurisdiction, I have the authority to mete out punishment because of my societal status as well as a captain of the Gotei 13. Since you claim responsibility you will share part of the blame,” Byakuya said.

“You bet your ass I will, Byakuya,” Ichigo informed him. “Rules are rules.”

Inhaling through his nostrils Byakuya then said, “Your flagrant disregard for authority is irksome, Kurosaki. However, you should be careful what you ask for. I am not lenient as Ukitake Taicho or Kyoraku Taicho. I could have you reported directly to Soutaicho for your foolishness.”

“Is it against the rules for two Shinigami to date?” Ichigo asked him.

Byakuya shifted papers on his desk, selecting what appeared to be a particular form. “Not as long as the relationship does not interfere with the duties of a Shinigami. In this case, it has. This means discipline is warranted.”

“What sort of discipline? You’re not going to demote him are you? Cause if that’s the case; I demand to see the rulebook for it!” Ichigo said firmly. “Show me just WHERE exactly it says so.”

Swiveling his chair, Byakuya reached for one volume from a set of black leather bound tomes spanning half a shelf. He tracked his finger along them until he selected one. Then extracting the volume he set it carefully on the desk, opening it. His finger traced a specific line of text as he read, “In wartime, the punishment for a Fukaitaicho failing to report in is demotion by at least two squad seats for a month, and reduction of duties commensurate with that rank.”

“I don’t suppose it matters what that would mean in peacetime,” Ichigo mumbled. However, Byakuya quickly slid his finger along another block of text further down the page.

“In peacetime such infractions would mean complete suspension from active duty for a month with pay at one half with limited privileges, pending an officer review board including the Taicho and seated officers of the squad.”

“Still pretty harsh for one slipup,” Ichigo mumbled.

“This is the second incidence of Abarai failing to report in.”

“In his entire career as a Fukaitaicho lasting how long?” Ichigo asked, scratching his head. Uncomfortably Renji continued to kneel; wondering why on Earth Ichigo was being such a stickler.

“Six months,” said Byakuya, picking up another form from Renji’s file next to the rulebook on his desk.

“Has his record been exemplary despite that? How often do they review progress for officers?” Ichigo asked.

Surprised at Ichigo’s curiosity Byakuya ruffled a few pages. “Of what business is it of yours, Kurosaki?”

Unable to keep the grin off his face Ichigo admitted, “If I’m a Shinigami and I need to follow the rules it helps to know what the rules are, doesn’t it? And if I’m going to share the blame, I need to know exactly what’s going on.”

*Check*, Ichigo thought. Byakuya seemed mildly impressed because he stopped writing when he answered, “I cannot tell you his efficiency; however I can elucidate you on the review process. A Fukaitaicho is selected at the Fukaitaicho meeting where two fukaitaicho at least must present a candidate for an open spot. The order is then voted on by the other members and is ratified by the fukaitaicho of squad 1.”

“Is it a done deal?” Ichigo asked, scratching his scalp. He ruffled his short orange spikes.

Byakuya shook his head. “There is a one-month probationary period for the fukataicho’s performance monitored by their Taicho. Following performance based on this, and then the position is made permanent. Annual reviews are conducted by the Taicho; however it is up to the Taicho of his or her squad to decide how often between those times a review is made on officer efficiency.”

Rubbing his neck Ichigo further inquired, “Soutaicho Yamamoto sees all these reports?”

“Indeed. Judging from your questions it seems you claim some familiarity with ranking organizations?” Byakuya said with a frown. However, Ichigo saw the gleam of interest in his steel blue eyes.

“I read a lot,” Ichigo said with a dismissive shrug. He knelt once more before the desk.

“Do you presume to tell me how I must perform my duties, Kurosaki Shinigami Daiko?” Byakuya said with a slight haughty laugh.

*Great, now his royal highness moves out of check,* Ichigo thought. *Resorting to titles.*

“Since when was asking questions implying anything? I was just curious, Kuchiki Taicho,” Ichigo countered, staring Byakuya directly in the eyes. “What’s the penalty for a Shinigami daiko interfering in the duties of a fellow officer?”

“You are the first Shinigami Daiko in 100 years to hold such a position. There are very few precedents for this case.”

“What, no appendix to the rulebook? I would have thought you of all the Taicho would have all your I’s dotted and t’s crossed. Not like you not to have that information, Kuchiki Taicho,” Ichigo said firmly. *Two could play the formality game and still make polite titles sound like insults.*

Again, Byakuya’s eyes widened at Ichigo’s use of the official title. Was the boy mocking him, or was he genuinely turning over a new leaf in taking duties seriously? Frustrated Renji glared at his lover and his captain. His palms grew slick with sweat the longer he knelt there, his heart pounding in his throat. He hadn’t expected the noble to accommodate Ichigo’s questions so readily.

“Check, Kurosaki,” said Byakuya, with a slight upturn of his lips that floored Renji. “Indeed there is an appendix but it has not been updated in this edition, nor does it mention Shinigami daiko. However I do possess said index.”

Ichigo knelt in front of the desk and watched the noble spin around to extract a volume higher up in the shelf. Slightly worn bindings and faded gold leaf on its cover indicated a number 200 years earlier than that on the first. Narrowing his eyes at the shelves Ichigo saw at least five previous editions of the rulebooks with three or five volumes in each.

The substitute leaned over and read upside down, a trick very few people could do while Byakuya read aloud, “Shinigami daiko have a rank equivalent to a seated officer in wartime commensurate with their power level. Any disciplinary action is handled by the jurisdiction of the captain under whose squad that province is. In cases of infraction involving other squad members, the Taicho of that squad is responsible for initial sentence, provided they inform the supervisory Taicho of the Shinigami daiko.”

“What’s the punishment for my crime?”

“It states that appropriate punishment is decided by the commanding officer of the accused involved party. Penalties for interrupting the duties of a fellow Shinigami involve suspension or appropriate transfer to another division with duties in Sereitei.”

“Why are the rules so vague for me then?”

“Because of the rarity of your circumstance. It is on a case-by-case basis. Only two Shinigami daiko were reported in such an infraction.”

“So you’re saying that you’re the one who decides what happens to me,” Ichigo said seriously with a slow nod.

Byakuya kept the book open yet shifted it to the side. “Correct. However I will inform Ukitake Taicho and Soutaicho of this matter.”

Biting his lip Renji struggled to keep quiet. He was accustomed to kneeling for long periods but doing so with so much nervous energy cramped his leg muscles. In addition, his fingers ached from clenching his fists so much that his fingernails bit into his palms. All that exited his lips was a strangled grunt that was ignored by his captain, but noticed by Ichigo. He glanced down at Renji, his soft brown eyes imparting a look of trust.

“You’ve made your decision then, Kuchiki… Taicho?” Ichigo asked.

“I am about to pronounce sentence, yes,” the noble replied.
***

Both Renji and Ichigo traded tense worried glances for the next five minutes. Byakuya stood the papers in Renji’s file on end and let them drop. He then turned them to the side and allowed them to touch the desktop crosswise so all the papers were properly aligned before replacing them face up. He painted a few more characters on the open form to his immediate right, and then glanced up at Ichigo.

“Abarai Fukaitaicho, Kurosaki Shinigami Daiko, rise, and stand at attention,” Byakuya then ordered. Automatically Renji rose to his feet, standing with ramrod stiff posture. Next to him, Ichigo too raised his shoulders, angled his head up, and stood with both feet at a 45-degree angle. Sidelong he glanced at Renji to see that his lover averted his gaze from Byakuya.

“Considering that you have admitted your involvement in this Kurosaki Shinigami daiko, Abarai Fukaitaicho’s sentence will be reduced. Abarai you are hereby demoted to fourth seat until such time as you prove your are competent as a fukaitaicho.”

“Yes sir,” Renji mumbled gloomily. At least it wasn’t the worst. Ichigo’s stomach unknotted hearing this.

That small smile twitched Byakuya’s lips once more when he turned his attention to Ichigo. “Since YOU seem insistent on quoting rules at me, Kurosaki, you’ve forced me to make a rather creative decision on what punishment you’ll have. Your status as a substitute would mean suspending you of your duties as acting Shinigami for Karakura Town.”

“Sir, permission to speak?” Abarai asked.

“Permission denied,” Byakuya snapped. Ichigo could hear Renji’s teeth grinding together.

“May I ask one last question?” Ichigo said.

“Permission granted. What is your question?”

“Who’s going to take Abarai’s place? The third seat?”

“Ordinarily I would say yes. However, the third seat is currently unavailable due to recuperation in Squad 4. Fourth Seat Miyamoto does not possess the qualifications necessary, but will be shifting his attentions to fill that vacancy for the time being. He is quite competent with leading the squad however. Which leaves the fifth seat promoted to fourth, leaving his slot vacant for Abarai to fill. Hence Abarai is in fourth seat.”

Ichigo bit back his sigh. “I see,” he answered. “Seems like a whole mess to me shuffling everyone around.”

“If you had both considered your duties seriously there would be no need for this. Laws are made for particular reasons, Kurosaki. Yet I believe the punishment should fit the crime. As it is wartime and it would be foolish to leave any other vacant positions, I see only one option.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Ichigo asked, mind spinning. Although he neglected asking permission to speak freely, he figured that his punishment would be worse enough so it didn’t matter.

“You’re going to learn responsibility the HARD way. You need to be put in your place, Kurosaki. And since you show such loyalty to one of my men, and your abilities are considered an asset, you are now under my command.”

“The rules say you can do that?” Ichigo said, blinking at him.

“The punishment is left to my discretion, when you said you would accept your share of the infraction. And since I am in need of a Fukaitaicho, you’ve forced me to promote you.”

“What the hell?” Ichigo shouted, taking a few steps back.

“As of now you’re my new second-in-command, Kurosaki Ichigo. That means that you’re going to assist me in the running of this squad so you’ll learn clearly what duties are expected of Abarai, and thus learn a valuable lesson in not taking such duties lightly.”

Ichigo slammed his fist into his flattened palm. “There’s no way I’ll do it! Renji’s your second in command damn it! What makes you possibly think I would do such a thing? I won’t let you tear him down like this!”

“Kuchiki Taicho, be reasonable! He’s just a kid… he can’t…” Renji protested.

Just then, Byakuya’s eyes flared hot white, lavender energies flaring through the office. The entire building shook on its foundations, whipping papers in a cyclone from his desk. Gritting his teeth Renji pressed his hands to the floor from the sheer weight of the heaviness slamming down.

*How dare the bastard push them around,* Ichigo mentally ranted. Blue white-hot light surged from inside the substitute, pressing back with equal force as it enveloped Renji. Beads of sweat formed on Byakuya’s face from the effort to push back.

“Don’t you dare throw your weight around here, Byakuya,” Ichigo growled. “There’s no need for that!”

“Then you will both be silent! I have been generous in this arrangement. If you apologize immediately, Kurosaki, I will forget this outburst. However if you continue to defy me both of you will be sent directly to Soutaicho and an inquiry will be made. I cannot tolerate subversive behavior.”

Ichigo felt small tendrils of spirit pressure lapping against his ankle. Glancing down he saw the former fukaitaicho’s brow twisting into a warning frown. Under the weight of Byakuya’s stare and Renji’s imploring gaze, Ichigo ground his teeth together. Slowly he forced himself to kneel in the same pose Renji adopted in front of the noble. Spirit pressure receded before Byakuya asked, “You’ve something to say to me?”

“I… I’m sorry,” Ichigo apologized, each word choking his throat, and then spat out, “Sir.”

“What is the reason for your outburst?” Byakuya then queried.

“Sir, you can’t expect me to do Renji’s job. I… I have a life back in the living world! How can I do such a thing?” Ichigo protested.

Byakuya answered, “The mere fact that your power qualifies you, but it is woefully raw and unfettered.”

“Kuchiki Taicho, a question?” Renji snapped, glaring at his captain.

“Denied. I know what you are asking, Abarai, fourth seat. I am indeed serious. However, this is not a privilege for you Kurosaki, considering I will be watching you like a hawk,” Byakuya continued, circling Ichigo and Renji both standing at attention.

Ichigo cursed mentally at Byakuya, wondering if the noble enjoyed perverse pleasure from this decision. If he opened his mouth to say anything he could further jeopardize Renji’s career. Something inside compelled Ichigo to bite his tongue to keep himself from snapping the rejoinder he was tempted to fire back.

Moving close Byakuya peered down at Ichigo with the full intensity of steel boring into his soul. “I shall use simple terms so that you will comprehend the significance of this. Kurosaki, if you displease me or disobey me in any way or fail to perform your duties, you will ensure that more draconian measures will be necessary, and you’ll suffer the same fate as Abarai, or even worse.”

Ichigo forced back the growl in his throat. *Damn smug son of a fucking bitch WAS enjoying this.* Just how he was going to explain this to his father was beyond him. However what would his father know because that meant Kon would be using his body for another month, and his friends would wonder where else the hell he had gone. Not to mention the teasing Urahara would give him.

“Think of this as a learning experience, Kurosaki, Abarai. Since you will require someone to indoctrinate you in the ways of Squad six, Abarai will perform that task. However, you would be wise to avoid any inappropriate liaisons during your active duty. I will be watching,” Byakuya continued.

Ichigo stared at a spot on the far wall, wishing he could burn holes through Kuchiki’s haori and scarf he was so pissed off.