Secrets

To Renji the workday dragged out for an eternity. It seemed each minute passing without contact with Byakuya increased his impatience. He could hardly wait for quitting time when he would meet with his beloved for a nice romantic dinner. Yet for now he shared a table in a local eatery close to Squad Nine’s division HQ. Ever since Shuuhi Hisagi became vice captain of squad nine, he and Kira had often meet for lunch here throughout the years. Back when Renji and Shuuhei dated it was one of their favorite places to spend an afternoon together with Kira and Rangiku. Drinks were inexpensive while the service was fast. Other seated officers and unseated Shinigami sat elbow to elbow chatting, talking or joking around at one of the many tables or at the large bar. Unlike other places it had a very European feel to it, since the owner was from a different region of Soul society. They were in the realm which more closely resembled the Japanese Edo period to outsiders. Other districts had a far different appearance.

“Renji, tell us why you’re so damn happy?” Hisagi asked, picking up a cup of sake. The remains of three bento sat in a triangular formation on the table in front of them. Only Kira still picked at his meal, having only eaten half of it.

Holding chopsticks with a piece of food close to his lips Renji responded, “What? I can’t be happy? There some rule against it?”

“I’m thrilled you’re happy, Renji. It’s just that you haven’t been THIS happy since well…” Kira trailed off.

“No there isn’t, but you could at least tell your friends what’s come over you,” Hisagi insisted.

“Spit it out, since Rukia left Soul Society?” Renji finished. The blond winced and Shuuhei rolled his eyes.

“Come on Renji, you CAN tell us if nobody else,” the spiky haired man urged. “You’ve met someone new haven’t you?”

“It’s quite obviously written all over your face, Renji,” Kira added. “And if we didn’t ask you, Rangiku insisted on hearing the dirt. I think you’d prefer telling US first.”

“Well, all right I have met someone new, okay?” Renji said defensively.

“And…” Hisagi trailed off. Kira shook his head, glancing at Hisagi with a silent warning. Yet the spiky haired captain gave Renji an inquisitive stare, the sixty nine distorting slightly on his cheek with the frown.

“If you would rather not tell us WHO, if it’s a new relationship that is all right,” Kira said, laying his hand on top of Hisagi’s.

“Oh, so because you two got together you’re suddenly playing matchmaker and wanting to know my secrets?” Renji teased them.

“Renji, stop changing the subject,” the vice captain of squad nine sighed, glaring at him. Kira turned his face to the side, his cheeks a healthy pink. Renji couldn’t help but wonder if his ex was jealous. He couldn’t fault the man for caring so much since they parted on good terms as friends. Things simply weren’t working out for Renji’s heart belonged more to Rukia at the time. It was a relationship of mutual comfort, not a love match.

Hiding his gaze behind his lock of blonde hair combed over half his face, Kira said, “We will respect your privacy, Renji. But you could at least tell us in GENERAL terms what is going on?”

“You’re just scared about Matsumoto bugging you,” Renji laughed at him, referring to the time when Kira had briefly been seeing Rangiku at the same time he and Shuuhi were an item. Unfortunately that liaison had been far too fleeting when Rangiku moved her affections elsewhere.

“He is. We have to have something to tell her, or she won’t shut up, and she won’t pay for her sake this round,” Hisagi said, with a labored toss of his head. Kira nibbled on a bit more of his beans and rice, before pushing the bento over to Hisagi.

“She has been most generous in the past. She’s less likely to prevail on us if we all are clear with our tabs,” Kira said.

“Why should she care? She’s a friend and a drinking buddy, but my love life is none of her business,” Renji spluttered, scattering rice.

“Oh, so you DO have a love life after all?” the vice captain with the 69 tatooed on his cheek teased.

Renji’s wide eyes matched his wide open mouth. The next second he clapped a hand to his brow groaning, “Damn it. All right, you win. I HAVE been seeing someone else. You happy now?”

“Ah, I knew it,” Shuuhei said, clapping Renji on the shoulder. “Now was THAT so hard? Congratulations!”

“Thanks guys,” Renji said, relieved.

“So, anyone we know?” Hisagi urged, nudging Renji in the ribs.

“Um, I’d rather not say,” Renji babbled, his face growing hot under the inquisitive gaze of his two friends.

“Okay, you don’t need to tell us his name. Just a little bit more about him maybe?” coaxed the vice captain of squad nine.

Renji glanced anxiously around, dragging his chair further forward. Kira frowned more intently watching his friend’s reactions. The spiky haired vice captain hesitated catching Kira’s warning frown, knowing his partner was quite concerned they were treading on territory they probably should avoid. Still his curiosity was getting the better of him.

Bending both their heads close to Renji Kira and Hisagi leaned more heavily on the table from the booth side of the table. Their table was half a booth with a two seater bench, while two chairs were pulled opposite. “You can tell us. Just keep your voice down. Nobody is going to hear if we’re careful,” Hisagi said.

“Guys please. Look, he made me promise to keep it a secret till he’s more comfortable with things,” Renji whispered.

“Is that so?” Kira murmured back, his eyes widening with surprise. Hisagi recognized the facial expressions he knew so well, indicating his partner was adding up the scraps of Renji’s conversation into a whole that displeased him.

“Okay, I can live with that. But can you tell us more generally about him? You feel comfortable enough to tell us he’s a man. What’s his likes, dislikes… what things does he find fun? I mean you’re not giving us much to work with. You don’t have to tell us his name if you don’t want to.”

“Shuuhei, let's ease up a bit. It’s taken enough to get THIS much out of him,” the blonde vice captain shushed him.

“Guys, I really don’t want to say much more,” Renji sighed.

“Okay, well how old is he? Is he cute, rugged, handsome? Something?” Hisagi asked. “Any sort of clue? Shoe size? I promise I won’t tell Rangiku, okay!”

“He’s handsome, and intelligent, but has a need to follow rules. This is WHY he insists on me clamming up. I’m already torn because you guys are my friends and I got to respect his wishes. This is really hard for me!” Renji groaned, grabbing at his hair.

Kira grabbed Hisagi’s hand and shook his head. “Shuuhei please. Look Renji, he’s right when he said you can trust us not to tell. Can you at least tell us how LONG have you been seeing this mystery man?”

“Well,” the redhead mumbled, glaring down at his bowl of rice. “We’ve been seeing each other for the past month.”

“Aha, that fits. So, you were seeing him probably secretly for the past month, but judging from your smile you got lucky this past weekend?” Hisagi gently teased, voice still in a whisper but laced with excitement. “Congratulations!”

“Shuuhei pipe down a bit!” Kira grumbled at him, elbowing him sharply.

“No, he’s right. I DID get lucky. But I don’t ask the details of YOUR love lives do I?” Renji said with a low voice, leaning his head close to his former classmates.Hisagi reached over and touched Renji’s wrist.

“I’m sorry I'm so nosy Renji. It isn’t our business, but we’re your friends. Is there some reason WHY you can’t tell us?” Hisagi asked. “Do you work with this guy?”

“Is it because of who he is that he asks you to stay silent?” Kira interrupted, holding up a hand before the other vice captain of squad nine. Renji grabbed the edge of the table, letting the chopsticks drop.

“Yes,” Renji answered.

“I see…” Kira trailed off. “Does he treat you well?”

“Yes he does. Look guys, I really care about this guy. He’s really important to me, and it’s nothing horrible. No black secrets from the past. It’s just that things are complicated if I say anything else.”

“So he’s a good man who wants you for who you are?” Hisagi asked. “That’s all I want to know. Is it serious?”

“Yes it is,” Renji confessed without hesitation. “I really think he cares as much for me as I do for him. I think I may even be… well…”

“Are you in love with him?” Hisagi persisted.

“Shuuhei please,” Kira shushed him.

“I mean are you serious about him?” Hisagi changed his wording. Renji relaxed a bit.

“Yeah… I’m serious, and I think he is too. He’s well… it took a lot to get this far and I…” Renji admitted, rubbing his forehead, lifting up his sunglasses to do so.

“Well then, just be careful,” Kira said, patting Renji’s wrist.

“Well can you at least tell us if he’s the one who gave you those sunglasses?” Hisagi asked reaching over to pull the sunglasses down over Renji’s eyes.

“Hey, watch it!” Renji snapped, slapping his hand away.

“They’re a sweet gift. It MUST be love if he gave you those, because he must know you have a thing for them,” Hisagi nodded appreciatively.

“All right I guess I can tell you that much. And he did send me flowers,” Renji relented, figuring there was no harm in telling them that much. It wasn’t as if he needed to say who sent them.

“Flowers? Man that is pretty serious,” Hisagi grinned, and shook Renji’s shoulder. “Well congratulations then. I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks,” Renji said with a long exhalation.

“Renji, listen,” Kira insisted, squeezing Renji’s wrist. “I just don’t’ want to see you get hurt. I just don’t’ like the sound of someone asking you to keep secrets from your friends.”

“Guys, come on? Don’t you trust me?” Renji snapped, glaring at Kira. The man leaned back, his face full of shock.

“We trust you. If you say it’s okay then that’s good enough for me. Just don’t be a stranger, Renji,” Hisagi said, glaring at Kira.

“I’m sorry, Renji. I just…. I just would hate to see you get burned again. Like when you were going to tell Rukia how you felt…” Kira mumbled.

“She loves Ichigo. And I love her enough to let her be happy, guys,” Renji said dismissively. “I stood aside before, it’s not like I don’t know how. Besides, she had her chance, and well…”

“She blew it,” Hisagi added, folding his arms across his chest and leaning back in the seat. “C’mon Kira, I think we’ve asked way too much already.”

“Why do I get the feeling you’re not telling me everything going on in that head of yours, Kira?” Renji asked with a scowl.

“Kira, what’s wrong? Why are you so mysterious all of a sudden?” Hisagi asked, unfolding his arms. He laid one across his lover’s shoulder. Already the vice captain of squad 3 chewed on the nails of his right hand, his blue eyes fraught with worry.

“Look Renji, just be careful. If this lover of yours is in some social status that is higher than yours, you don’t want that to…”

“Meaning what?” the redhead snapped.

“It’s just that it’s been my experience that you have to be careful if the person in question is… someone you work with,” Kira said.

“Kira, drop it,” Hisagi scolded.

Gripping the edge of the table the blonde glanced down miserably. He stammered, “I don’t want to see you get hurt Renji. Just be careful. I don’t want you getting burned.”

“Dammit, it’s not the same thing Kira,” Renji growled, fixing the blonde in a hard stare. He shrank away when Renji slammed his fist down on the table.

“Izuru, Renji knows what he’s doing,” the vice captain of squad nine said firmly, reaching over to grip Kira’s hand and squeeze it. “It’s not like it was with you.”


“No it isn’t,” Renji said angrily. “And if you know what I’m getting at you’ll watch what you say next. I won’t have ya spreading rumors. That’s why it’s a secret to begin with.”

“I understand,” said Kira softly, hanging his head. “I… I’m sorry Renji. I just… just forget I said anything. I was out of line.”

“Yeah, I guess so,” Renji said sullenly, glaring out the window.

“Renji, just be happy with this new relationship okay? I’m just thrilled you’re seeing someone else and all. Don’t let us stop you,” said Hisagi. Renji pushed out from the edge of the table, dragging his chair on the floor with a loud creak.

“Are we done with the third degree? We stopped talking shop a long time ago. I gotta go guys,” Renji excused himself, standing up. Digging into his shihakusho pocket he pulled out a few coins and dropped them on the table. The spiky haired Hisgagi glanced down at the scattered coins, while Kira flinched at the loud clatter they made.

"Sorry Renji. Didn't mean to rub you the wrong way," Hisagi commented.

“Renji, I hope you’re not angry at us,” the vice captain of squad 3 said morosely, his blue eyes wistfully gazing up at him.

“Na, I just… I just need to get some fresh air,” Renji admitted, striding out of the pub.

"Well that went well," Hisagi commented at Kira.

"Terrific, just great," Kira mumbled, hunching over his drink.

Angrily Renji marched away from the tavern, his thoughts spinning through his troubled mind. To think his day was going so well and those two had to ruin it. *Just who the hell do they think they are, huh? They’ve got some damn nerve saying such things,* he thought.

Flash stepping he soon arrived at squad six HQ. He only grunted his reply when his fellow squad members greeted him. For the rest of the day all he wanted to do was shut himself in his office with a stack of forms to drown out the doubts echoing through his head. Damn the vice captain of squad 3. Finally when Renji stacked his last form he got up from his desk and left the office with a loud sigh. A quick glance at the clock on his desk told him that he didn’t have long before his dinner date.

“Shit,” he cursed; flash stepping the way to the Kuchiki manor. He didn’t even stop to change he was running dangerously close to being late. Fortunately he arrived just in the nick of time for the servants to admit him and lead him into the large mansion.

**
Renji knelt on the comfortable pillows set to the left of the head of the large table. Morosely he bit his lip, waiting for Byakuya to join him. The steward poured him a cup of sweet tea, which he gratefully sipped to quench his thirst.

“Vice Captain Abarai, Lord Byakuya apologizes that he is detained. He will join you soon,” the steward reported with a bow.

“Thanks,” Renji answered.

“If you would come with me there is attire that the Lord wishes you to don, along with freshening up before the main dinner is served,” the steward further informed him, glancing at Renji’s uniform.

“Fine,” Renji mumbled, rising to follow the steward.

He emerged minutes later, his face freshly washed, and hair brushed out into a long braid down his back instead of in the topknot he wore all day. Leaving his uniform and badge with the servants he exited, following the steward towards the main dining area. The green silk robe and blue hakama fit him perfectly, much less constricting then his uniform, yet it felt uncomfortable on his skin.

Again he took his place at the table, noticing Byakuya already knelt there. Still wearing the kenseikan Byakuya had changed out of his work attire into a set of lavender and red robes, richly embroidered with the designs of chrysanthemums and cranes. He appeared quite relaxed, sipping quietly on a cup of tea when Renji joined him.

“Sir,” Renji said with a grateful smile.

“Abarai, you are punctual. It pleases me to see the borrowed attire fits well. The servants informed me you were wearing your work clothing,” Byakuya chided.

“Thanks a lot. I appreciate it. Sorry sir,” Renji answered, his eyes not meeting Byakuya’s.

“It is of not great concern. Now is the time for refreshment. Enjoy.”

“Your first course, milord,” said the steward, interrupting them. Byakuya’s steel blue eyes narrowed a bit in concern watching Renji silently dishing out the soup from its elaborate bowl.