Fallen Star Adopted Stray

Only a few short hours later Renji yawned as he kicked off his sandals. Still he was half-asleep, shaking off the haze still clinging to his brain. For hours he had tossed and turned on his futon in the small space of his vice captain’s room in the Squad six barracks. Images of Rukia taunted him, and he only managed to fall into a deep hibernation at three in the morning.

Seconds later, he heard the loud knocking at his door. Yawning fiercely, he clawed the covers off himself and grabbed the nearest thing. The voice of a soldier shouted, “Vice Captain! Please wake up!”

“I’m coming,” Renji had grumbled, tripping over his own legs. He tugged the halves of his robe together and hastily tied it. Quickly he snagged a white cloth and struggled to tie it around his head. Grabbing the sliding door, he whipped it open to stare blinking into the face of a Squad 6 soldier he didn’t quite recognize by name but remembered seeing during morning formation.

“Sorry to bother you Sir on your day off, but we need your help. Something’s wrong with the prisoner,” he said, stepping back. Renji grumbled, rubbing sleep out of his eyes and blinked. He saw the man nervously fiddling with the piece of paper in his pocket.

“Yeah, I just woke up. What’s going on?” Renji grumbled, pushing his braided hair over one shoulder. Thank kami he at least remembered to tie on his headband.

“The prisoner’s not eating anything,” he said. “And Captain Kuchiki’s not around. He’s at a Captain’s meeting. The Third seat officer wasn’t sure how to handle things so I figured I’d let you know…”

“Don’t worry about it. No big deal,” Renji reassured the man, yawning. “Say, you’re a new recruit aren’t you?”

“Yes Sir, Vice Captain Abarai sir,” he nodded. “Came in from squad 3.”

“All right, give me five minutes and I’ll get over there. You can tell the third seat I’m on my way okay?” Renji had next said.

It was a short two-minute walk from his barracks to the prison. Renji after only a month knew his way around the complex far better than the previous vice captain had. He had never been late to a meeting with his captain yet and intended to stay on Kuchiki’s good side. Therefore, when he kicked off his sandals he tugged the card key out of his robe pocket and strode confidently inside the prison complex. The third seat officer quickly gave a report of what had happened and Renji eagerly sipped a cup of tea so he could wake up by the end of it.

“I’ll handle it,” he said, noticing the relief in his third seat’s face.

Through the massive squad six door he marched, glad he had taken the time to fix his hair properly and find a robe to wear that was clean. He didn’t feel up to wearing his shihakusho, and most of his other civilian garments were strewn about in the dirty pile in his messy apartment. From behind the second door, the Vice Captain heard angry shouting and a whimpering voice protesting.

“Hey what’s going on here?” Renji snapped, throwing the door open.

“It’s his fault. He’s spending too much time with the prisoner!” one of the men pointed, grabbing the scruff of the shorter person’s neck.

“I’m sorry sir! I didn’t mean to…,” whimpered the hunched over squad 4 member. He quivered in nervousness, his drawn face and pale complexion blanched white as a sheet.

“What’s all this?” Renji asked, folding arms across his chest and glaring at the two guards pointing their weapons at the trembling figure carrying a tray.

“It’s his fault she won’t eat, and this little toad has the balls to say we’re upsetting the prisoner! This guy’s a forth squad bug,” said the second.

“Yes. I heard things were not going well. Captain Kuchiki sent me to make sure she was well cared for,” Renji said, with a frustrated look on his face. Both guards said nothing as they took in the sight of him out of uniform. That white silk kimono belted loosely with a black sash was decorated with pink floral patterns, and they wondered just how quickly it had taken him to jump out of bed and come on his day off.

“I am sorry sir, I tried getting her to eat,” mumbled the fourth squad member, carrying a tray.

“What’s your name?” Renji asked him.

“H… hanataro Yamada, seat 7 of Squad 4, sir,” the skinny young man said, nervously blinking up at him. “She did manage to eat a little of the rice, but not as much…”

“Fine, give it to me. I’ll reason with her,” said Renji, taking the tray from him. He glared at both of the guards mocking the fourth squad member behind him his back.

“You guys have something to say to me?” Renji glared at them.

“No sir, sorry sir!’ They both barked.

“Get the hell out of here and out of my sight till you can behave like men and not kids, you dirt bags! I told you to knock that shit off!” Renji barked. Hanataro winced at his harsh words, hardly believing that the squad vice captain was on his side.

“You stay here, kid. I wanna talk to you myself,” said Renji.

“Sir shouldn’t we throw him out?” asked the first.
“You questioning my orders?” Renji glared at him.

“No sir…”

“Get the hell out of here! Before I kick your asses! I’ll handle things and send for you when I’m done!” Renji yelled. Both men scrambled over one another to get out as soon as they could, leaving Renji with the other young man.

“You didn’t have to speak up for me sir.” Hanataro said, his eyes not meeting Renji’s. He averted his gaze as many of the fourth squad members did around others.

“You tell me what’s going on with Rukia. Never mind that,” Renji waved his hand dismissively.

“Well she won’t talk much. She barely even looked at me and I did my best to try to be polite. I’m sorry sir,” Hanataro apologized.

“Don’t worry about it. Just go back to your squad. I’ll handle it okay?” Renji said. “And if those guards give you hell again, let me know.”

“But I’m only a member of fourth squad.”

“Why the fuck does that matter?” Renji snorted impatiently. “You guys do as much work as the rest of us. No reason to treat you like shit. I know us guys in squad eleven hazed ya, but Captain Kuchiki doesn’t take kindly to that crap here. He wants things runnin smoothly.”

“Yes sir, sorry sir, thank you!” Hanataro almost squeaked.

“Wait, before you go, can you go to the kitchen and get me some Taiyaki?” Renji asked, lowering his voice.

“Sure sir!” Hanataro saluted, the plates on his tray rattling.

“Good. Go get that and say Vice Captain Abarai ordered it. I will stay with the prisoner and get her to eat. And nobody will be wiser okay?” Renji whispered. Hanataro swallowed hard and nodded. He quickly bowed as he rushed out the door, relieved that he had gotten off so easily.

Renji snorted and shook his head. This bullshit never ceased to amaze him. He was kind and fair to the little people who had been trampled on because they reminded him of the hanging dog days. This kid was so skittish it made him sick. Hanataro needed to grow a pair. Cupping the tray, he turned and stood in front of the cell. Her bell of dark hair was visible sticking over the red backed chair. His heart pounded in his throat as Renji wandered up on bare feet.

“I didn’t realize the Vice Captain of Squad 6 remembered he was once smaller and weaker than others,” Rukia said quietly.

“You causing’ trouble again for my men? Shit I can’t leave you alone for a minute!” Renji scolded, his face screwed into a frown.

“You don’t have to babysit me, Vice Captain Abarai,” Rukia said with crisp formality. “I will behave.”

“You need to eat dammit! I know you’re on trial here, but if you don’t your brother will have my ass on a platter!” Renji snapped.

“What does it matter? You know he’ll push for the ultimate penalty, Renji.”

“No shit, Rukia. You should be glad he’s granted you clemency this far!” Renji said. “Instead of pushing up the execution date!”

“You know as well as I do that he would seek the death penalty if he could!”

“But he’s your brother!” Renji protested.

“Renji, get real,” Rukia said, barely turning her head to face him. Renji frowned, disbelieving his ears.

“Hey don’t talk shit like that! I won’t hear it!” he snapped.

“It’s pointless to talk about it Renji. He will push for the maximum sentence. I disgraced the family. And I deserve the punishment I’ll receive,” Rukia answered, facing away.

“Bullshit! I know there are many captains who would be on your side! Captain Aizen himself wouldn’t stand for you to be executed for such crimes!” Renji blurted out.

“I don’t find that likely. Not even Captain Aizen has that control over my brother,” said Rukia. “And you shouldn’t dare try to sway him considering you served under him.”

“Rukia why are you so anxious to die?” Renji asked.

“Because I deserve it for what I’ve done. There’s no point in talking about it,” Rukia answered, her shoulders sagging. Making a face Renji grabbed the key in his pocket and slapped it into the cell. Nobody was around at this point, and he figured that it was nobody’s business considering his rank what he was doing.

“So what do I have to do to get you to eat dammit? Tie your hands up and shove this down your throat?” he asked playfully. Rukia only turned her face a bit so he could see her in profile, the sunlight gleaming against her skin and making it glow like the white clothing she wore. Snorting Renji circled round the chair so she was forced to look at him, blocking her view of the window. Still she did not look up at him. Just how could he break through the morose mood? Renji leaned down, balancing the tray on one hand. Reaching down he scooped Rukia up and heard the resulting shriek.

“What are you doing?” she yelped. Renji sat down on the chair himself then set Rukia between his knees. Her hands were bound behind her back so she could not do anything but squirm. Then Renji plopped the tray on her lap, holding her with his arm to steady her.

“Shut up and eat,” Renji growled into her ear.

“This isn’t proper!” Rukia protested but Renji grabbed the chopsticks and scooped up some rice. She almost choked on a mouthful he put there.

“Didn’t I tell ya to shut up?” Renji snorted.

“Aren’t you afraid that Hanataro may see us like this?” Rukia asked, swallowing her rice.

“Shit,” Renji cursed, and then shoved more rice towards her lips. “If he does he’ll keep his mouth shut.”

“Can you afford to be so careless Renji? I don’t want you in trouble too,” said she.

“Trust me,” Renji said as she turned her head to the side. Cursing again, he grabbed some of the rice that fell down her shirtfront. She squirmed a bit, rubbing against his front. Unfortunately, his bare legs felt her body tucked between them and it was far more dangerous than before.

“Hold on,” Renji muttered, lifting Rukia up, and climbing out from behind her. He stumbled over himself as he moved to the front of the cell. Rukia knew why because of the flutter of small reiatsu present behind the door.

Renji slid the panel open to see Hanataro carrying another lacquer tray piled high with something that made Renji’s mouth water. To his surprise, he noticed a pot of hot tea and two cups set next to them.

“Thought you would like some tea with these, sir,” said Hanataro politely.

“Bring me another chair, kid,” Renji said.

“Right away sir,” he said, nodding his head. Rukia turned her head slightly to watch Renji carrying the tray and setting it next to the door of the cell. She giggled a bit to smell the familiar food he loved so much. He could be such a glutton when given the chance. Still her hands were tied and she had to balance the tray on her lap to eat.

For the sake of getting rid of Renji, she would behave. Alternatively, so he hoped. Renji looked handsome in that white silk and pink flower. They coordinated well with his silky red hair. Although she wished, he would put it down occasionally from that stupid spiky ponytail. His constant teasing was diverting her from her sour mood, and she was glad for it. He always could make her laugh when things were bleak.

Still she resented him for leaving her to the Kuchikis. Why hadn’t he fought for her? If he wanted to claim her as his he would have to fight. However, Rukia hated the idea of belonging to any man when she was more than capable of taking care of herself since age 8. The nobility mantle was uncomfortable on her small shoulders. Kuchiki could be a cold bastard but he had done much to help make her life as easy as possible. Even now, she was surprised that her brother allowed Renji to check on her.

Kuchiki probably had greater concerns than Renji fraternizing her, Rukia frowned. She had heard no word of Ichigo from the world of the living, and prayed that he was all right. Tears stung in her eyes when she thought of Ishida’s fate. She had said nothing hearing her Brother’s tale of stripping the Quincy of his powers, and cried inside, not shedding a tear.

“Damn it,” she whispered, hearing the noise of the door shutting and Renji’s footsteps on the hard wood floor. The door slid open and clanged shut, startling her. She turned her head to see Renji striding up with a chair that he set next to her.

“Now, let’s try this again,” Renji said, unfolding a wooden tray stand and balancing it between them. He swiveled his chair so it faced the window as Rukia’s and then sat down, his legs apart. Rukia shifted in her chair, relieved that Renji was not pushing her so hard.

“You won’t get me to eat with that,” she said.

“Who says these are for you?” Renji shot back, grabbing one of the fish shaped pancakes and shoving it into his mouth. She glared at him wolfing it down so quickly in front of her. Sure enough, her stomach grumbled when he reached for another.

“Can you release my hands so I can eat?” Rukia asked politely.

“What was that?” Renji asked, pretending not to hear her as he licked his fingers free from red bean paste.

“Untie my hands you idiot!” Rukia snapped. Renji turned his head and looked at her with a smirk.

“Whatever you say your highness,” he said.

“Shut the hell up,” Rukia glared at him, her face hot with anger.

“You tease me about my promotion, it’s only fair,” Renji answered, placing his hand on the restraints. They sparked a bit as he struggled to use his kido and failed. Finally, he managed the right spell and Rukia felt the cord binding her wrists snake away. Then the snap at her neck collar as the cord retracted into the hole at the back of her neck.

“You still suck at kido,” Rukia said, grabbing her chopsticks and raising the bowl of rice to her lips. She hungrily ate a few mouthfuls, and then stopped when she saw Renji watching her.

“I thought you weren’t hungry,” he teased.

“Shut up and eat your taiyaki, Mr. Vice Captain!”

“Gladly,” Renji laughed, grabbing another. Mumbling through mouthfuls of food Rukia ate the rest of the rice. She dipped the china ladle into the bowl of fish soup and discretely slurped them without making a noise.

A loud slurping sound made her turn her head. She saw Renji thirstily chugging down a cup, his Adam’s apple bobbing. Rukia realized his neck was strong and sexy with those damn tattoos. Renji turned his head to the side, his bright red eyes catching her watching him. Rukia snorted and turned her head away when she heard his laughter.

“Made you look,” he quipped.

“Mmm,” Rukia mumbled, finishing off her soup. “You look stupid with red bean paste on your face.”

“And you have broth on your lips, so there,” Renji taunted. He bent over and dragged his chair so it was closer to hers. Rukia pressed her knees together, and stared straight ahead. Uncomfortably she tingled between her thighs just having him near.

“Are you quite done stuffing your face?”

“Mmm still a bit hungry,” Renji said slowly, his hand extending to her face. Rukia flinched when his finger rubbed at the corner of her lips.

“What are you doing?”

“Wiping the mess off your face,” Renji answered, dabbing at it with a napkin.

“Don’t you have something better to do?”

“It’s my day off. I spend it in any way I choose,” said he.

“But you’re not leaving me with a guard,” she answered.

“I’m visiting a friend in prison. The prisoner IS allowed to have visitors,” Renji said simply.

“You still have bean paste on your face, smartass,” Rukia quipped. Renji glared at her, and she lifted her hand to rub at the mess

However, she was not ready for him to turn his lips to the side and kiss the hand, seizing the wrist. Sighing she tried to tug it away. Yet Renji pulled her forwards, his strength greater than hers. Even though she twisted her wrist around to break his hold, his other hand flashed out and hooked around her waist.

“Relax, Rukia. I’m not going to hurt you,” Renji said.

“That’s not what I’m worried about you fool,” Rukia whispered, as Renji pulled his chair so it was directly next to hers. Jerking her towards him, he slipped one bare knee under hers, and boosted her up so she sat on one thigh.

“Better keep your voice down. You don’t want to get me in trouble do you?” he whispered into her ear.

“You’re crazy,” she whispered.

“Nobody will notice,” Renji, answered.

“You’ve lost your mind, Renji,” she groaned as he nibbled on her ear and pulled her against him.

Her next protest was shut off as Renji sealed her lips in a kiss. His strong hands crushed her to his chest, turning her around so her breasts were squashed between them. Rukia pushed hard to stop him, but then gave up because his body felt so good against hers. He did not intend to hurt her, and she felt the relaxing of his grip.

“If you don’t want this, lemmie know now,” Renji whispered.

“Why bother with a criminal?” she whispered.

“Because I wanna, that’s why,” Renji answered, before kissing her again to shut her up. Unable to think of another reason why not, Rukia relaxed into his kiss. Sensing her tension evaporating Renji rubbed her back sensually.

She fought back tears stinging her eyes. How dare he try to get close to her after so long? Yet she had no desire to push him away now. He was risking much by doing this at all, and could lose his promotion if caught. Sighing she slid her hand under his top and rubbed his chest, feeling the bandages there. Renji lifted her so she straddled his knees, and she moaned against his mouth.

“Better?” he asked. “Don’t want you to fall off.”

“Idiot,” she answered, repositioning herself so she straddled him more comfortably. The silk of his robe caused her to slip but he caught her with a hand on her backside. His sideburns tickled her neck as he buried his face in hers and kissed softly. Eagerly Rukia reached for the ties of his robe and unknotted it, parting the halves to see new dark markings she had only hinted in shadow. She rocked back and forth on his thighs to relieve the itch between her legs, sighing at the friction. Renji steadied her backside, helping her as he felt t he moist spot developing there.

“Like what you see?” Renji could not resist smirking.

“As ridiculous as your damn eyebrows. What the hell are you doing?” she snorted. Smugly he watched her running her fingers over the dark markings, massaging his chest before going lower down. Bandages blocked the rest of her view.

“Gotta match the rest you know,” he shrugged, his robe slipping down his shoulders and revealing more markings that made her eyes widen.

“Shit Renji, you’re insane,” Rukia blinked, realizing how much his body had changed since she had last seen him.

“Long time huh?” he teased, diverting her attention by rocking his hips up.

“I’m not going to ask how stupid you were to get all these,” Rukia clicked her tongue.
“Let’s get a better look at you shall we,” he cocked one of his dark brows. Rukia inhaled deeply as he untied her robe and parted it.

“Careful!” she grumbled, as tugged it down around her shoulders. Bandages crisscrossed her chest, supporting his small breasts in them. Lightly Renji rubbed with his free hand, holding her bottom with his other. She retaliated by rocking on his hips and squeezing the muscles on his chest and arms. Right now, all she wanted was he, hungering for the contact of another person. She did not care about the past, rather the aching in her body would not be denied. If he wanted her, she would let him. She was dead anyway.

His sash fell away when Rukia scooted back on his knees far enough, and the halves of his robe fell open. Underneath he only wore a pair of fundoshi and bandaging from his hips up to his middle chest that hid any other markings. Yet she blinked as she saw a set of markings on his upper thighs. Pushing his sleeves back, she noticed that they did match those on his arms.

The man sitting under her seemed savage and feral, almost unrecognizable. Yet those red eyes burned with the same intensity and hunger she remembered for years. Filing themselves with her, Renji squeezed her backside and pulled Rukia back to sit on his hips. Her legs spread a bit, relieving some of the aching when her crotch brushed up to his.

“I want you,” Renji whispered softly.

Rukia swallowed hard, choking back her answer. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck and scooted up so she rocked on the hard erection tenting his underwear. Rubbing his cheeks, she massaged them and plunged her fingers into his hair, not bothering to unfasten his headband. She traced fingers over his facial markings, and then undid the tie around his ponytail. It immediately fell aorund his shoulders and she sank her hands into it. Sighing he felt the release of the tension and purred at the small fingers rubbing his scalp.

Teasingly he rocked his hips under her causing her to gasp. Rukia then ground down on him, and her breasts covered in bandages bumped his chest. Renji dipped down to nibble and kiss her throat, still taller than she was. She felt like a small child in his lap, his toned strong body marvelous between her thighs. His smell and his taste were addictive as she caught his mouth in a slow kiss, and felt the pressure of his tongue against hers.

Her outfit had no pants; it was just a simple robe like his, so her legs were bare under it. A similar pair of undergarments shielded her vagina from his so she shifted a bit, tugging at it. Renji’s fingers slipped between her legs, his other hand holding her head to his lips. Both desperate to sate the ache they simply tugged the cloth aside and shifted. Carefully Renji boosted her up and she pushed on his chest so she could swing her calves on his knees. Kneeling over him, she grasped his shoulders while he wrapped his hands around her small hips.

“Quickly,” she whispered.

“Quickly then,” he nodded, understanding the need for haste. Already his head poked between her legs, and she felt the hot smooth pressure at her vagina, slipping against her clit. Renji held her off him teasingly while she squirmed to put him inside. Groaning she felt the moisture seeping through her legs and grunted in protest. Renji relented, and she finally slid his head into her body with a sigh of relief. Aching itches gave way to a slow steady pressure as she worked herself down onto him. He thrust up into her small body, parting her and tilting her back so she could hook her knees over his arms.

This opened her up further so she slid the rest of the way onto his erection. Both gasped and sighed mutually with the relief of their bodies joining. Renji’s head tipped back as he felt her heat, and it was bliss. Rukia rocked downwards, matching his thrusts ups. His chest heaved up and down as he panted and she grunted between clenched teeth.

“Ahh yes,” he moaned.

“Renji,” she murmured her voice deep and sexy in his ears. The chair creaked a bit as he grinded up into her and she rocked herself down on him, feeling his tip piercing as deep as it could. It felt wickedly delightful to know that they could be discovered any minute, adding to the arousal.

Rukia whimpered, feeling her clenching tightly. Renji kissed her hungrily, letting her ride out her first orgasm. Still he was stubbornly hard inside, causing her to redouble her efforts and slide her legs off his arms. Now she wrapped her legs around his back, squeezing with a viselike grip that ripped and constricted his cock. Happily, he rolled his head back, before snapping it forwards and seeking her gasping mouth.

Angling her head back, she caught his lips and buried her cries in them. Their mouths clashed and fastened with bruising force to muffle their screams and cries. Wildly their bodies writhed, almost knocking the chair over in their frenzy to wring an orgasm from the other. Hearts pounded wildly and Renji was glad for the dampening metal that would hide the spike in their spirit energy from any nosy spectators. Rukia’s collar also served to dampen any kido she could harness to escape. However, she had no desire to run away from the massive pleasure flooding her once miserable being now. For a few hours, Renji was helping her forget the reasons why she welcomed death.

All too soon, Renji released his seed deep into her welcoming body. His cries muffled in her lips he held her tightly to his hips, not wanting to separate himself. Rukia wrapped herself around him, trying to keep from crying because he felt so good inside her. Instead, she buried her face in his neck when their lips released for breathing. Both of them panted, hugging each other and listening to the loud pounding of their hearts in the silence of the cell.

“Ohh damn Rukia, you feel so good around me,” Renji whispered.

“Shush will you,” she scolded, smacking his head. “You are so crude!”

“Well it’s true,” he answered. In the frenzy of their lovemaking, Rukia had clawed off his headband and now she traced a finger over the strange markings she could see more clearly.

“What do I do Renji?” she asked quietly, resting her brow to his. “If I say where he is you’ll kill him, and if I don’t…”

“Why is he so important to you,” Renji asked, still inside of her.

Blushing Rukia hesitated. “This isn’t something you talk about during…”

“Nobody’s going to hear us. Tell me. Is it because he fought a Menos Grande singlehandedly with that Quincy buddy of his?”

“Yes. He’s special Renji. He… he didn’t take my powers. I… I gave them to him,” she whispered.

“Damn, now you tell me,” Renji groaned, squeezing his eyes shut. “No wonder you didn’t say anything. That makes it worse. Why did you?”

“Because he got in my way when I was fighting a hollow. It was attacking his family and he went ballistic. Then I was stabbed. I thought it was a one in million chance to save himself and me so I… I told him to run my zanpakuto through his being…,” she whispered. “I meant to only give him HALF my power…”

“Rukia, you sure you wanna be telling me this?” Renji frowned.

“You deserve to know. I trust you Renji. You may as well know the full truth. Because he is not to blame. I am,” said she.

“Where is he Rukia? Tell me. I need to know,” said Renji.

“You can’t hurt his family. Please don’t kill him Renji! Say it’s my fault! Please!” pleaded Rukia.

“No. I want you to tell me everything Rukia. This may not be as bad as it seems. If that kid’s so powerful maybe there’s a case for bringing him here…” said Renji.

“That would be incredibly foolish,” said she.

“Well he’s managed to hide from the stealth force. It’s as if he’s vanished from the face of the living world. Someone’s probably hiding him,” Renji frowned.

“I… how could they?” Rukia asked.

“I was hoping you could tell me,” said Renji quietly. “I mean you had to get that gigai from somewhere, and some of my old friends tell me that there’s someone who has the skills to hide any soul reaper.”

“Please don’t ask me, Renji, I’m begging you,” she bit her lip.

“I’m glad you told me the full truth Rukia,” Renji said, kissing her softly. “Because your brother won’t like any of this.”

“Me and my big mouth,” Rukia mumbled, squirming to get off his lap. Renji helped her pull him out, and then held her there.

“Hey Rukia, I just won’t tell your brother any of this. Not until I figure out what to do. I can’t,” whispered Renji.

“You’d betray my brother out of misguided loyalty to a criminal?” Rukia asked horrified.

“No, out of my love for you, Rukia. Maybe there is a way we can stop all this from happening. If this guy is as strong as you say, he may have more than just YOUR power,” Renji mumbled.

“What are you saying?”

“Your power’s pretty strong Rukia. But it must be greater like mine, or even your brothers to face a Menos Grande and live,” said he. “Think about it!”

“But that’s nuts…”

“Rukia, think for a minute. The soul society HAS to know about him. And maybe if you help me know where he is, then I can find some way of using that info to set you free,” said he.

“I can’t betray Ichigo…”

“That’s his name huh? Strawberry?” Renji asked. Rukia miserably glanced away, her face crumpling.

“Please don’t,” she whispered.

“Sooner or later they’ll find out. You want this kid dead? You have to trust me. What about your captain Ukitake? Maybe HE can help us?” said Renji.

“I don’t want to involve him in this,” she whispered.

“He deserves to know,” Renji said. “You never completed your report. And he’s been sending many messages to the sixth squad office demanding that your brother or me tell them what we know. And I’ve had to blow him off.”

“I can’t involve anyone else. Don’t you see Renji it’s a big enough mess!”

“So you’d go down not letting me defend you? Are you stupid?” Renji snapped, pulling her off him. He set her back in her chair and started to pull her robe around her. She pushed his hands away and put herself back together, and then he turned away and did the same. They used some cold water in a basin to one side that Renji retrieved. Carefully he held her up as she washed between her legs and he did the same, trying to erase the evidence of their lovemaking. When Renji retrieved his headband, he struggled to fix his hair. Rukia turned her chair to the window just as they heard knocking at the door. Quickly Renji moved out of the cell, locking it behind him. He only stopped to grab the chair and drag it out of the cell first.

“Don’t give up on me Rukia. I will not let you rot in here. Don’t tell anyone else this,” Renji whispered. He planted the chair outside the bars and sat on it, crossing his legs.

“You’d best forget all that was said,” she answered before falling silent.

“Vice captain Abarai! Are you all right?”

“Fine! You can come back in! The prisoner’s eaten,” Renji called. Both men entered, seeing their vice captain sitting in a chair, there with his hair more or less resembling as it did. However, he held his hand over his mouth.

“Sir?”

“Have that fourth squad guy come in here and clean up,” Renji ordered, vacating his chair.

“Yes sir,” they saluted. Renji spared a last glance to Rukia before exiting. His mind buzzed with new possibilities and disturbing revelations for Captain Ukitake. Perhaps others could help. Should he tell them?

***