Consequences

I do not own Bleach. If I did it would have a much more adult rating. Reviews are appreciated!!!
Takes place right before Hitsugaya’s group arrives in Karakura.
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Byakuya had rules, and his rules were law. Nothing would change that.

Two weeks had passed since that fateful day at the office, and eight days since he and Byakuya had last been together. It was the eight days that annoyed Renji. Something always seemed to interfere with his carefully crafted plans.

At first it had been work, an increase in the number of Hollow attacks had meant work, work, and more work; with scarcely enough time for a nap squeezed in. Then there were his friends; they knew Renji was keeping secrets, and so spent all their spare time following him around. Honestly, didn’t Hisagi and Kira have enough to do managing their own divisions?

Finally though, tonight would be the night. Everything had been arranged. Renji would leave work at six and go home. On his way, he would convince Hisagi and Kira that he was simply planning to go to bed – his own bed, alone of course. He would then wait a while and inconspicuously make his way to his Captain’s quarters for seven.

Renji was proud of himself; it was a brilliant plan, simple and straightforward. Nothing would interfere.

It was nearly noon, Byakuya watched from across the room as Renji shuffled the same papers back and forth, oblivious to their contents. “Renji, if you don’t finish those reports, you’ll have to work late.”

“Huh, oh…yeah” He couldn’t understand it; Byakuya seemed perfectly normal, acting as though nothing had changed between them. Then again, the office door was open. It wouldn’t be that difficult; neither of them was armed at the moment, both Zabimaru and Senbonzakura were safely stored on a table near the door. As long as there was no Kido involved, Renji had the advantage of being physically bigger and stronger. What if he just walked over and closed it. It wasn’t unheard of for a Captain and a Lieutenant to meet behind closed doors, no one would suspect. Renji looked over towards his Captain, then stood up and casually stretched his arms over his head, eyes flickering to the door.

“That would be inadvisable.” Unfortunately for Renji, Byakuya was no fool. Renji felt a warm blush creep up his cheeks as he sat down. Suddenly, the meaning behind Byakuya’s words became obvious. Clearly, his mind had wandered in the same direction that Renji’s had. Otherwise, there would have been no reason to stop him from closing the door. Apparently all of Byakuya's concentration was not focused on paperwork after all. Renji’s mouth slipped into a sly grin as he lifted his head to look at his captain.

What if he had gotten that door closed; what if Byakuya didn’t have so many stupid rules? Picking up one of the documents on his desk, Renji allowed his mind to drift again. He could see himself crossing the room to stand behind Byakuya, his fingers trailing across soft skin before him. Watching the noble’s eyes close as his head tilts back to rest comfortably against him. Only the slightest effort would be needed for Byakuya to pull their lips together.

“Renji.” Eyes snapping open at the sound of that soft but solemn voice, he looked up to see a Hell Butterfly floating hovering over him.

“Damn, what now?” whoever had the nerve to interrupt his fantasies would pay, and dearly. Renji held out his finger, fully intent on listening to the message and then murdering the sender. Regrettably the voice belonged to the First Squad’s Lieutenant, ordering him to the first squad immediately.

Renji panicked; what had he done to require a summons to the First Squad? Had they somehow found out about his not so professional relationship with his Captain?

“Well, what is the message?”

Renji tried to look calm, deciding it would be best not to let his anxiety show on his face. After all, it would be useless to go to pieces without having all the information. “I’ve been ordered to go to the First Squad immediately.” He tried to keep his face as impassive as possible, a part of him wondering how his Captain managed to hide his emotions so well.

“In that case, you should go. It would not do to keep the Captain Commander waiting.” No one else would have noticed, but Byakuya was certain the redhead had noticed the momentary flicker of fear and surprise in his eyes.

“Yeah…uh, I’ll be back soon.” The last part came out as more of a question than Renji had intended. He was out the door before Byakuya had time to react.

As he approached the doors to the meeting room, Renji remembered being called here several times over the years. Yet those times Renji always knew what idiotic thing he had done, allowing him time to prepare an argument. This time he had no idea how to react.

Mustering all the courage he had, he stepped into the room. Rukia? What was she doing here? Were they planning to interrogate her? She didn’t know anything, that had been one of Byakuya’s rules. Oh God, what would she think?

“Lieutenant Abarai.” The Captain Commander’s voice reminded him that there were others in the room. Renji bowed respectfully, not knowing what else to do. “As you are aware, there has been an increase in the Hollow attacks in the living world. It would seem Aizen has begun moving earlier than we had anticipated. We have received a report of Arrancar attacks as well.”

“Arrancar? But I thought we had more time.”

The Captain Commander chose to ignore Renji’s interruption; or maybe he simply didn’t hear it. “Because of this, you will accompany Rukia Kuchiki to the living world in order to assist the Substitute Soul Reaper Ichigo Kurosaki. You are free to choose any fighter below Captain Class for support. You are to leave as soon as possible, Captains Ukitake and Kuchiki will be informed. You are dismissed.”

They left the room and headed straight to the Eleventh Division barracks. There was really only one option now, he would ask Ikkaku to join him. By asking him; Renji knew Yumichika would come along as well, one never went anywhere without the other.

In the end, things had gone unexpectedly well. Rangiku had been drinking away her lunch break at the Eleventh and had decided to join them; mumbling something about great shopping. Ultimately though, this had been a good thing; the Captain Commander had ordered Captain Hitsugaya to accompany them. Renji was convinced the Arrancar wouldn’t be a problem now; a day or two and he’d be back – preferably in Byakuya’s bed.

Captain Hitsugaya chose to leave immediately; giving them ten minutes to make any last minute arrangements and meet him at the Senkai Gate.

Renji had big plans for his time. He ran back to his office, hoping for a goodbye kiss at the very least. Pushing the door open, he stepped into an empty office. Where the hell was Byakuya? Turning around, he grabbed the nearest Soul Reaper and demanded to know where his Captain was. The boy was flustered at being addressed by his Lieutenant, but explained that Captain Kuchiki had been called to the First Squad for an urgent meeting.

All thoughts of a proper farewell destroyed; Renji decided to leave a note. His first attempt ripped to shreds at the realization that someone other than his Captain might read it. After another try, he settled for something basic and official looking. “Captain, I’ve been ordered to the living world to assist with the Arrancar situation. I will prepare a full report when I return. Sincerely, Lieutenant Abarai”

He was the last to arrive at the Senkai gate. As the doors closed behind them, Renji couldn’t help but look back.
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