Fallen Star Adopted Stray

“We have to stop doing this,” Rukia whispered a few days later. Renji poked his head through the bars as Rukia got off her chair and wandered over.

“What?” he snorted, as Hanataro held a tray of food.

“Sir, the guards have just gone into the hall,” Hanataro said politely.

“Good. Keep an eye on them and knock on the door if you see them coming back,” Renji grunted. Smiling conspiratorially the two soul reapers winked.

“You even have HIM in on it?” Rukia asked suspiciously, as Renji unlocked the cell.

“How are you Miss Rukia?” asked Hanataro with a smile. He set the tray down on a small table to the right of Rukia’s chair. Renji watched with bright garnet colored eyes, seeing the polite reserve.

“I am well, Hanataro. You’re too kind,” she said.

“I just enjoy seeing you with more color in your face. We can’t have our prisoners unwell,” he said with concern as he checked her over.

“Thank you,” Rukia answered.

Hanataro and Rukia exchanged a few polite words. Renji waited impatiently as Hanataro swept out her cell. He walked in, sniffing the red bean paste in the plate of tayaki he had had Hanataro sneak on Rukia’s tray. A fresh pot of piping hot tea steamed as Renji moved over and inverted two cups. He poured them and handed one to Rukia, watching Hanataro dusting off the end of the prison bunk. Cloth rustled as he started to change the sheets.

Rukia looked up at Renji, hiding his grin behind the teacup. Mumbling she grabbed the bowl of rice and started to attack it with the same eagerness she had so many years ago. Renji smirked and stood by her chair, sipping at his tea. His black sleeve brushed past hers, light from the single window gleaming off the vice captain’s badge on his arm. The band of white silk stood out in stark contrast on black.

“There you are, all fresh and clean,” Hanataro announced, folding the dirty sheets into a bundle.

“Thanks kid. Now are you done yet?” Renji asked impatiently.

“Yes sir, Mr. Vice Captain Abarai sir,” Hanataro bowed his head. “See you soon Miss Rukia!”

Meekly he exited the cell, and Renji closed the door behind him with a clang. Slipping the key into his robe pocket, he then wandered over and sat down on the bunk. He only stopped to grab a big of rice and attack it as well. Rukia lifted her brow and noticed as before there was far too much food on the tray for just her. Bits of rice landed in his lap as he gobbled his portion down.

“You never change when you eat in front of me. You’re a slob to the core,” she teased him.

“Hey, it’s an honor you know. I’ve got to be polite for your brother and everyone else. Figure I can unwind around you, unless you don’t want me to,” he said, seeing the frown on her face.

“You come here almost every day, Renji. Is my brother not suspicious?” Rukia asked.

“He asked me to make sure you were eating. He was pretty pleased in his own way when Hanataro told him you were doing better. Even though he wants you executed, he still wants you taken care of. Doesn’t that count for something?” Renji asked.

“You don’t have to,” Rukia said quietly. “There must be other duties more important for a vice captain than babysitting me?”

“Richiki’s learning how to fill out forms about now. Time the kid did something other than keeping hell butterflies,” Renji shrugged. “And the third seat’s getting in on the act. I’m letting him take some of the slack. They gotta learn too if they’re going to take over from me one day.”

“Heh, just like you to get others to cover for you, like in the old days,” Rukia giggled her morose mood shattering.

“Well didn’t your comrades do that with you, helping ya learn in squad 13? Sentaro keeps asking me about how you're doin’, and I do have to give ‘em a full report cause they keep showing up every other day at the office,” Renji snorted.

“They aren’t,” Rukia winced.

“I hear ‘em arguing outside my door. Capt. Ukitake’s worried about you and he’s trying’ to talk to central 46 now. And Captain Kyoraku’s pushing to find out. There are a lot of people worried about ya Rukia,” Renji said.

“This isn’t good. I don’t see why it matters,” whispered she.

“Hey you’re too modest. Is it so bad to see people give a crap?”

“Yes and no,” she whispered.

“Your brother’s been daily consulting with Captain Soi Fon, but she’s turned up nothing. Seems they’ve got something else going on that’s been taking up their time,” Renji said.

“What is that?”

“Seems there’s a whisper of some conspiracy going on. Captain Aizen said he thought your punishment was way too severe for what you did,” Renji whispered.

“You spoke to Aizen about me?” Rukia gasped in horror.

“He asked. I didn’t say anything. I just answered a few questions,” Renji shrugged.

“Renji, you know if my brother thinks you went behind his back he’d,” she gasped, but Renji leapt up and moved over to press fingers to her lips.

“For goodness sake shhhh!” Renji hissed, bending down and kissing her forehead. “Don’t raise your voice.”

“But Renji, this is nuts! My brother wont’ tolerate it if he thinks that others are… conspiring against the central 46… you know how tied he is to the rules. Why when he finds Ichigo…”

“He hasn’t. Nobody has. When Captain Soi Fon went to investigate the report came back negative. Apparently, the kid is still missing. He’s been gone for the past few days and so have your other friends you told me about. Seems that some other people from the town are fighting hollows,” Renji chuckled.

“What on earth?”

“Some idiot. He’s called Don called Don Kanonji,” Renji said.

“Oh geez,” Rukia winced, shuddering. Renji backed away when she got up from the chair and started to pace impatiently. He sat down on the bunk again, watching her nervously fidgeting and almost wearing a track.

“Rukia relax. I’m sure your friends are okay,” said Renji.

“But they’ve gone missing, that’s not good,” she shuddered. “If they…”

“Hey, come over here and stop rambling,” Renji said, patting the side of the bed. Rukia saw his warning look and wandered over. The bed shifted as she sat next to him and hung her head.

“What’s wrong? What are you not telling me?” Renji whispered, leaning close as he hung his arm over her slumped shoulders.

“I hope that idiot isn’t doing something stupid,” Rukia gritted her teeth. Renji’s eyes widened and he frowned, his inked brows creasing.

“I don’t follow you,” she said.

“If they’ve gone missing that’s even worse. Because that means they’re up to something and they’re deliberately hiding from detection. They know that we’re looking for Ichigo. And someone’s hiding him,” she blurted out, and then snapped her mouth shut.

“Rukia, relax, and tell me. I thought you trusted me,” Renji grumbled.

“I do it’s just…” she trailed off glancing up at him. Renji again frowned, sliding his hand down her back to rub it comfortingly.

“Hey, then don’t tell me. Ya don’t have to say anything more, Rukia. We can just sit quietly,” Renji reassured her, giving her a one armed hug. Rukia squeezed her eyes shut and fought back tears of frustration.

“Why are there so many people meddling?” she said to nobody.

“Is it so bad to have people care about you?” Renji asked, reaching over with his other hand to pat her knee.

“I’m not worth saving, Renji,” she answered.

“Don’t talk nonsense like that,” Renji snapped. “What the hell is with you and this death wish thing? Didn’t I warn you that wasn’t an option?”

“Renji, you just got promoted! I don’t want you ruining your life because of me,” said she.

“Cut the crap Rukia. Part of me is wondering if you’d get some thrill outta dying. Like it’d solve everyone’s problems. But in reality…”

Her eyes widened in horror at this. Shuddering she twisted away and snapped, “How can you say that! Are you crazy?”

“No, but you seem to be. Wishing you were dead, getting off on this martyr thing! When are you going to stop putting the load on yourself and start letting us help you? Why do you think you’re not worth it?” Renji snorted.

“Because I’m not. You made it clear long ago that it was best if I joined the Kuchiki clan. So I fail to see why you’re bothering so much. Is it out of guilt and pity you reach out to me?” she said stiffly.

“So this is what it comes to? You’re still angry that I didn’t butt in and say no?” Renji guessed. Judging from Rukia’s shocked look he was right on target.

“You…” Rukia trailed off, her sapphire eyes round as saucers. “I don’t w

“I may be slow on the uptake but forty years can make a man think about a lot of things. You really have got to be cruel thinking that I’d do any of this out of pity? Dammit Rukia! Are you that angry at me still?” Renji stammered.

“Then why now?”

“Because I’m finally able to be worthy of you! What the hell was I able to offer you back then? A life of nothing? Now I can finally prove to you that I only want the best!” Renji retaliated.

“Renji, how many times do you have to get it through your skull that I don’t WANT you to prove yourself? I never ASKED you to…”

“That’s not something you ask! It’s freely given, Rukia. Like any man’s love for his…” Renji stammered and then snapped his mouth shut.

“What did you just say?” Rukia blinked, shivering. Renji shoved himself off the bed and spun around, his fists clenched in anger. For a time he stood with his back to her, his shoulders slumped in defeat.

“Forget it. You know if you’re so hot to die, and then die. Shut me out if you wanna. I was stupid to think…”
Rukia’s mind numbly processed what he had said. Love. Dare she think he still loved her? Yet he didn’t fight for her? She stammered, “If you love me Renji, why did you let me join the clan?”

“Because, I had nothing to offer you then. But now I’ve got a chance to prove that I can win you back, Rukia,” he answered. “But it doesn’t matter cause you don’t care.”

He glanced down at her with the hurt creasing his face as if she had slapped him. Her chin wobbled and she pushed aside angry tears. She leapt up and grabbed Renji’s wrist angrily yanking him back. “You’re wrong! Don’t you dare walk away after you said that!”

“It doesn’t matter does it?” he asked.

“It does to me, Renji Abarai!” Rukia yelled, tugging on his sleeve.

Renji turned, his eyes gleaming brightly. Rukia moved over and grabbed the front of his robe. His hand squeezed hers and she beat her fist to his chest, angrily glaring up at him. A half smile covered his face and he chuckled sadly. “That’s the Rukia I know. Where did she go these past few years?”

“Renji you’re infuriating,” she grumbled.

“I don’t have to explain myself to ya. I feel what I feel,” Renji answered. “Ya can’t stop someone from caring about you.”

“I thought you didn’t want me part of your life. You shunned me and avoided me all those times,” Rukia said, her eyes gleaming with hurt.

“I’m sorry Rukia. I shouldn’t’ have done that. I’m only trying to make up for it now,” Renji said with a look of guilt.

“I see,” Rukia swallowed hard. “I wish… I wish… I just can’t…”

“Rukia, look at me,” Renji urged, seeing the tears in her eyes. “Stop crying will ya?”

“I’m not crying,” Rukia said, turning away. Renji tugged her by her hand and led her to the bed. He sat down and then pulled her to sit on his knee. She sniffled and shrank away as he hugged her tightly to him. Rukia buried her face in his robe, and Renji simply held her tightly, rubbing her back and letting her cry.

Not knowing what else to do to quiet her, Renji opted to brush his lips over hers. Rukia flinched in surprise and then looked into his dark eyes, filled with concern. He seemed to blur and shift and she squeezed her eyes shut to tears, shamed. She whispered, “I am not supposed to cry.”

“Yeah, yeah. But I won’t tell if you don’t,” Renji said with a smirk. Rukia didn’t know what else to say so she angled her face up to his when he cupped it, knowing what he wanted. The sigh of contentment passing her lips as he parted them with her tongue reassured her that this was how she would let him help. Pleasures of the contact were a diversion and she would allow him to touch her and hold her until she would be forever separated from him.

Breaking the kiss Rukia smoothed her hands on his chest and tugged his robe open so she could massage his muscles. Renji leaned back after swinging them around on the bed so she could reach him better. His fingers slid through her hair, rubbing her scalp as he pulled her down onto him. Slowly he tilted back and Rukia leaned down with him, lying on top of his body. All she could do was press her face into his neck, rubbing his bare patch of chest while he tugged at her robe ties. He kept tracing her back with one hand while pulling her face up so she looked him in the eyes.

Rukia felt ashamed for such love and part of her wanted to push it away because she was not sure she felt the same. On the other hand, was it old resentment that he waited until now to tell her his feelings? To distract herself she covered his mouth in another kiss, moving to straddle his hips and divert his attention from any more conversation that would tear them apart. Renji’s deep purring moans vibrated through his chest and he flipped them over so she was under him now. Weighed down by his larger body she felt safe and protected. Craving contact, she spread her legs so Renji could more comfortably rest his weight on her and continue his full-mouthed assault.

For at time she rubbed and caressed his tongue before thrusting hers into his mouth. Renji yielded and allowed her to dominate the kiss, instead massaging her chest through her robe. Soft humming rumbles indicated he liked what she was doing, especially when she rocked her hips up and brushed his erection with her crotch. Entire spectrums of sensation flooded her perceptions while she lay there with him. Not a passive spectator but an active participant. Soon she unknotted his sash and tugged his top out of his pants so it hung around the level of his hips. She shifted to the side, helping him pull the blanket out from under so they could draped it over them both.

Renji focused fully on bombarding Rukia with his love, to blot out any fear. Every moment seemed precious and if he should somehow fail, then he would never forgive himself if she weren’t thoroughly convinced of his feelings. This time Rukia took a better look at his chest when he knelt with his thighs bracketing hers. While he fumbled with the ties onto his pants, she hastily undid her own garments so he could massage her breasts through the bindings. Instead of pulling the hakama down, she whispered suggestions that make him frown. She braced her hands on either side of her hips to tilt them up invitingly. His hot tip brushed lightly along her soaked underwear, so she tugged them off. Renji met her gaze, eyes deep crimson like the hair he reached up and unfastened from its bindings. It removed the sharpness and ferocity of his gaze, transforming it to a fond hunger.

She lifted her legs and twined them around his hips the same minute Renji thrust forwards. Joined together they savored the hot connection. She saw him press his eyes closed, dark lashes fluttering slightly accompanied by the blissful smile on his face. His arms trembled, bracing his body up and off hers. Rukia grunted, rocking her hips. Then he shifted out painfully slow before thrusting inside her hard a few delicious times.

Pressed between his hot mouth and the pillow she relaxed. The pressure skewered her deliciously as she contained him far more deeply then she thought she could. Filled to the brim with stabbing hardness she moaned deeply with the intensity. In response, Renji more forcefully slammed into her, prompting Rukia to retaliate. His pace increased to frenzy, then slowed to a tantalizingly relaxing tempo that drove Rukia wild. He slid his hands under her shoulders to lock her into place, tilting up to sit on his knees. This enabled him to support her neck so their kiss remained unbroken. Rukia grabbed fistfuls of his mane and tugged hard, driving her tongue deep in a mimic of what he was doing below.

She was a fast fierce little thing, nipping on his lips and sucking hard on his mouth like a demanding child. He snickered against her lips, slowing to a full stop. Removing her mouth from his she looked at his wicked mischievous smirk. “Why’d you stop?”

“Just savorin’ the moment,” he whispered back. “How damn good you feel around me, love.”

At the sound of the word, she choked back a whimper. Not wanting him to see her tears, she renewed the kiss and rocked savagely down. Renji in turn stabbed up into her body, spreading her deliciously so she felt touched in every part inside. Still he was painfully hard when she shivered and clenched on him with a loud low moan.

Rukia never screamed his name; she groaned it in a delicious alto voice that drove him wild. His own groan mingled with it, cut off with another kiss. Forty years of passion locked away was only released in a few occasional trysts here and there. Whenever between missions one would steal away to the other’s quarters and relive the fantasy that they were truly a couple. Before morning came and they remembered their disparate positions. Even a hound could touch starlight if he was willing to abandon the earth and fly like a god. Alternatively, the star fell to earth nevermore to shine in the heavens. Now she was little more than a prisoner, a condemned woman, brought crashing down. Dare she place her fate in his hands and trust he would rescue her? Or would Ichigo himself come to her aid?