Prey

Chapter 4

Monday

"Hey Renji, why the hell does it look like a tornado decided to use the shop as target practice?" Grimmjow asked, running his fingers through his wild blue hair. The guys came in early Monday morning to restock the shop only to find it in disaster.

Renji hadn't been away from the office since Kenpachi left. Honestly he was too ashamed to move. To be branded like some whore, used for sexual purposes of a fucking Yakuza like a bitch and try to worry about how to pay off 57 million yen. It was too much. On Saturday he left to get some takeout from down the street and when he got back he noticed something's had been messed with just a bit but he didn't give a fuck anymore. He managed to clean the office up a bit, but the TV and the couch were ruined. The papers he had filled had... ahem some fluids on them, so they were pretty much useless and to top it all off his fucking neck was killing him. Damn that Kenpachi.

"Oi! Red I'm talking to ya, ya kno' tha proper thing is to at least acknowledge the other person." Grimmjow grumbled. He had been talking to his boss for the last 5 minutes and the man hadn't moved an inch.

Obviously something was bothering the man, but hell if his shop had been fucked up like this he'd be fuming. So maybe this was the calm before the storm thing that Ichigo always spouted off? Grimmjow took the pen out of his shirt pocket and threw it at the red headed statue. Hitting him right in the face.

"Oh hey, sorry Grimm didn't see you come in. What's up?" Renji's quiet voice was empty. Hollow-like. Which was a big fucking deal because usually they couldn't get the red headed man to shut up. Ever. Renji faced Grimmjow and he hissed. On the right side of Renji's neck was a huge bruise. Marching over to the smaller male he grabbed his shirt and wrenched his head to the side.

"Where did this come from? It looks like...a fucking bite mark. What the hell Renji tell me what the fuck is going on! And don't you fucking lie to me." Grimmjow snarled.

"It's nothing Grimm. Really." Renji admonished him. He couldn't tell them. The threat Kenpachi made was very real and he didn't have a chance in hell hiding anything from him. He couldn't let the guys find out.

"And God's a fucking possum. Try again." Grimmjow huffed. His arms crossed against his chest and his feet wide apart creating a very imposing picture. His face was set into a scowl, something he and Ichigo had in common. His attitude basically said 'Go Fuck a duck'.

Sighing Renji propped his head on his hand. He looked at Grimmjow directly in the eye and lied straight t his face. "Look the shop got broken into and I got ruffed up a bit. But everything is fine, nothing was stolen. Although we need a new bat, the TV is broken and the couch's frame got fucked." Good now he could pass this off and get Grimmjow off of his back.

"Why the hell didn't you call us?! You could have been killed."

Oh if Grimm only knew how true that was. "I didn't want to bother you guys. It was Family Day. Besides the police will handle it and besides I had everything under control." Renji relaxed in his chair, it was undamaged by his and Kenpachi's scuffle and he was thankful for it.

Grimmjow was silent. He didn't like this at all. He looked as if he wanted to protest but instead he shoved a hand into his baby blue locks and looked up with a wicked grin." That doesn't explain the fucking bite mark, didja get a lover or somethin'? Hook up with a pretty young thing?" Grimmjow grinned.

Renji was just thankful that Grimmjow came to that conclusion himself, now he didn't have to get a headache trying to find an excuse. "Yea you could say something like that."

Grimmjow looked around the trashed office, in the corner he saw the wooden bat they kept for safety in pieces. Walking over he picked up what was left from the handle. "So we need a new bat huh? Hate to be that guy. It looked like it was blown off."

Renji just smiled wanly. Kenpachi had to at least been bruised by that hit even if he did shrug it off like he did. The bastard deserved it. Getting up, Renji walked over to Grimmjow and put a hand on his shoulder. "C'mon let's go see what all needs to be fixed."

Around two hours later they discovered three things. One none of the cars were damaged form the 'break-in', they needed to replace two shelves full of coolant and anti-freeze, and three Renji had lost his phone. Renji had looked everywhere for the small blackberry but he couldn't find it anywhere.

He gave up, he didn't need to think about anything else. The shop closed at 7 today, so there was about an hour and a half left on the clock and all Renji wanted to do was go home, take a shower, eat and then pass out on his bed. Grimmjow had filled the guys in. After countless remarks to not calling and beating a thief's ass everything settled down.

The bell to the front desk started ringing. Starrk answered it.

"Hey Renji there's someone here to see ya!" Renji froze. Kenpachi wouldn't come to his work would he? No. Right? He jogged over and was greeted by the bald man he bit last night. He waved Starrk off.

"Bunchou had some stuff delivered to replace the stuff that was damaged last night." The bald man Ikkaku? waved in about five guys bringing in boxes, two couches and what looked like a file cabinet. They began walking to the office.

"Well you can tell your precious Bunchou that I don't want it. He can keep it. I'm not a charity case." Renji spun on his heel and starting walking away.

Grimmjow strutted around the corner and Renji wanted to cry. "Yo! Red what's the holdup? Whoa wait is that a new TV, sweet! That was fast. Hey I'm Grimmjow nice ta meet cha." He shook the bald man's hand in a firm grip.

Ikkaku smiled brightly. "Ikkaku from Gotei Insurance Company. Would you mind showing those men where to put those boxes in the office? I need to have a word with Mr. Abarai about some of the claims made last night." Ikkaku stressed the word "claims" and it irked Renji to no end.

"Sure no problem. Take your time Ren this is important. I'll make sure the guys don't bother ya." Grimmjow called the guys and they jogged over to the office, leaving Renji alone with Ikkaku.

When he turned around gone was the fake smile and cheery attitude Ikkaku gave Grimm. In its wake was anger and irritation. "Listen here ya little prick," he growled, "Boss gave me the card and asked to replace some stuff, no price limit so I did my job. And judging by the look on your friend's face he didn't believe the break in story did he? No. So it looks like I just saved your ass, so you owe me one. And I intend to collect on it." Renji could only stare at the man. Given yes he thought the man was just some stupid hired muscle but now he was indebted to him? Great another one.

"Great just what I need." He mumbled to himself.

Ikkaku reached in his back pocket pulling out a familiar looking blackberry and a white iPhone. He dropped both into Renji's outstretched hands. "The white one is for the Boss only. He is the only one who has that number and it's going to stay that way. Got it? I took the liberty of ghosting your phone and adding some finishing touches to your office. So you break your promise and try to call someone for help, this place will be swarmed faster than groupies at a boy band concert. Alright?"

Renji nodded dumbly. This man had been in his office while he slept. He had invaded his space and he was supposed to be grateful? Fat chance.

Ikkaku walked off and Renji went back into the shop, moving off to the side as the 'movers' came down the hallway. Time for some damage control. When he walked into the shop, it was empty. There was only one other place they could be so he walked to his office. Where he found all of his employees sitting on the new couches and playing with the new 'toys'.

"Yo Renji what insurance company do you have? Because seriously I might have to hire someone to break into my apartment. This is friggin awesome. You have a brand new flat screen and it's got a DVR. Wicked!" Grimmjow had dragged out the Xbox from the closet and was currently kicking Nnoitra's ass at Modern Warfare 3.

"Uuh well it's just a company I sort of fell into, ya know?" Renji wasn't necessarily lying...Okay maybe he was but he couldn't let the guys fall into this mess because of him. They had families to take care of. Kids to watch grow old and they had a life. Something Renji wasn't going to mess with.

Starrk was lying across the second couch sleeping, what a surprise that was and Chad was looking at all of them from the wall across the room. They had unpacked everything and the office was a mess. Boxes, bubble wrap, and instruction manuals were scattered across the floor. Sighing he bent down to pick up the mess, "Kami knows these lazy asses won't pick it up" he muttered. Chad also began to help and within 10 minutes it looked like a completely new office.

Renji didn't necessarily want to give Ikkaku props but the man knew his appliances, Renji would have never been able to afford all of this. Speaking of the devil, the white iPhone that Ikkaku gave him started buzzing. Making sure no one heard the phone Renji walked to the bathroom down the hallway, ensuring some privacy.

"Hello?"

"A car will pick up at exactly 10 tonight in front of your apartment, do not make it wait. Wear something that's easy to get out of and pack an overnight bag." The line cut off. But when Kenpachi's voice came through the phone, Renji didn't know what it was but for some reason, that man's voice made his body want to revolt against its owner.

He looked at the cheap clock that was across from him he had about 3 hours, and he could always catch a ride with Chad when he left. So that gave him about 2 hours to relax with the boys. Nothing like playing some games and calling in to get some pizza to keep his mind off of what he knew was coming tonight.

He just hoped he was ready for it.

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It was mid-November, the trees once a pretty shade of green were now warm shades of brown, reds and yellows. Their leaves littered across the wilting grasses and cold pavements. Fall and Winter were his favorite seasons. The way that nature seemed to relieve itself from the warm and harsh sun to the forth bringing clouds and longer nights was beautiful. Thanksgiving was coming up and it was his second favorite holiday, he loved to eat anything especially good food. But Christmas would always hold a special place in his heart.

The way people would come together, families would become closer, the spirit of Christmas heavy in the air just like the smell of cinnamon, peppermint, pine and chocolate, brought a peace within himself he couldn't explain. It also meant the anniversary of his brother's death. December 26th was the last day his brother had lived, his birthday. A year older only for the day to be his last. Shaking himself from his now depressing thoughts he brought his hands up to blow some warmth into the frozen digits.

It was 9:56 and Renji was outside his apartment and waiting in the driveway for the car. He was wearing his favorite brown jacket with fur trim as the chilly winter breeze blew against his shivering form, a white fitted t-shirt with a v neck collar, stone washed blue jeans and black and white checkered Vans, he had his red and white Adidas duffle bag packed with his toothbrush, his many combs and a change of clothes. What? His hair was very important to him, too bad he couldn't braid for shit.

'Kenpachi better have lube or he ain't comin' a foot near my ass.' Renji muttered. He scowled at the starry night sky. Why did he have to have this life? He never hurt anyone unless they attacked him first but he never seriously damaged anyone. Although he did remember his adopted mother telling him he would rot in Hell for being gay, guess this was his punishment.

Bright lights flooded the driveway as a black escalade pulled up. Its tinted windows hiding the driver. The driver side door opened and a tall slender man with a long black braid stepped out. His blank lifeless eyes honed in onto Renji's silent form.

"Mr. Abarai, my name is Shawlong I will be your escort this evening, if you would please follow me, Zaraki-sama has requested you meet him at his private home." Shawlong took the bag and held the door open. A warm lighting illuminating the creamy leather interior. Apparently Kenpachi took several luxuries, 'Must be nice' he thought.

The drive was fairly long, so Kenpachi must not live in Karakura, the tinted windows prevented Renji from seeing anything which was slightly disconcerting. Not that he could do a damn thing even if he wanted to leave, he had practically sold his soul to the child of Satan. There was no way he was going to go back until Kenpachi was 'finished' with him. He shivered as the thought of being this man's slave sunk in.

He knew what a slave was but the way Kenpachi made it sound... sexual. He was always a white bread kind of guy when it came to sex, sure Renji gave the occasional blow job when requested, and one time he watched as Renji prepared himself. God forbid that he do anything like that. Renji didn't ask for anything more, he was glad that he was paying attention to him after all those years of unrequited love. But he made it quite clear that it had still been a one sided love.

Would Kenpachi be like him? Surely not. They were unquestionably the absolute opposite of each other. Pft he had a better chance at explaining quantum physics to a toddler. Owners bought slaves from black market auctions at least from what he read in manga... Well Kenpachi didn't necessarily 'buy' him per say but he did own him in a sick, twisted kind of way. Hm, oh well slaves do everything their owner says so, and Renji's heart dropped.

Oh. Shit.

He was Kenpachi's slave! Not a goddamn kitten. That bastard would make his life a living hell, while all Renji could do would be to watch it crumble before him. He could feel his fingernails digging into the skin of his palms. He was shaking with rage. Sure he had been picked on all of his life, kicked out of homes, lived on the streets, stolen food but he did it to survive. But he had never been someone's plaything that was just crossing the line.

All the sudden he couldn't think about Kenpachi anymore. He felt sick and disgusted about what he was about to do. Selling his body to another man just so his shop doesn't get taken away? Where was the pride in that? Where was the honor? He may not have been the Renji that would start a brawl at the drop of a hat, or dive into a fight headfirst without looking back but he also wasn't the Renji that would lay down and take it.

He was brought out of his thoughts by the car slowing to a stop, looking up through the windshield he could barely see anything, it was a wonder Shawlong could even see. Shawlong rolled down the window and spoke out loud. "I have brought Mr. Abarai just as Zaraki-sama requested." His crisp, voice cut through the night air like a hot knife to butter. All Renji heard was a beeping sound as what he could only guess as gates opened up. 'Great he lives in the fucking Birmingham Palace.' Renji grumbled.

Slowly the car began moving again, checking the dashboard he looked at the clock they had been driving for an hour and a half, maybe it was a good thing that he had already taken off tomorrow. Leaving Chad in charge of two completely irrational and irresponsible mechanics that doubled as explosive experts and a narcoleptic who could sleep through the Apocalypse was the least of his worries.

After driving through the Pentagon, the headlights continued to show nothing but grass and a gravel road. There was a visor hanging in front of the windshield preventing Renji from seeing anything, plus he could feel Shawlong's gaze as he hinted for more information, so he just sat back in his seat.

It was fucking frustrating, Renji didn't understand why he didn't just say no. Surely being dead in the bottom of the ocean and swimming with the fishes was better than this.

"Actually Mr. Abarai, it would be quite cold this time of year to swim, you would contract hypothermia before making it five steps." Shawlong tutted dryly. Renji couldn't help but laugh.

"Well it looks like you aren't a robot like I thought you were." Shawlong didn't say anything just kept his eyes on the road, but Renji knew he was heard. And he also had a point. He had the guys to think of. Lilynette was starting prep school something Tesla and Starrk were both adamant about, she was also spending time at the dojo where Ichigo and Shinji were 2nd Dan's. Chad's partner Uryuu just got a big break in the fashion industry, his designs selling at an alarmingly fast rate that he had to hire an assistant, Orihime, who was a friend he met in college, she was kind of a ditz but Uryuu said she did fantastic work. Ichigo and Shinji just opened their bar 'SUCK IT' this past year, they were masters behind the bar and monsters on the dance floor that Grimmjow and Nnoitra put in the night before the opening.

He couldn't just let his mistakes affect them too. They were innocent in this, so he was going to take it like a man. He promised that he wouldn't let anything happen to his employees because they were all more than that they were his family now and it was his job to protect them. He'd find a way to pay off the debt, even if it killed him.

The car slowed to a stop, lights illuminating the interior once more. Shawlong twisted in his seat to look at Renji. The relaxed expression on his face was gone and in its place was a look he never wanted to see again. The cold, impersonal mask made him shrink back in his seat.

Shawlong's face softened a tiny fraction before he spoke. "I'm not here to bring you any malice, but I'm also not here to be your friend. Whatever Zaraki-sama asks for please do. You may be the one to suffer the consequences and I would hate to see you fail. You are different from the others. Don't abuse what I have told you, I assure you it won't end well for you..."

Renji was confused, Kenpachi had his boys why did he need him?" I don't understand, doesn't he have 'his boys' can't he take one of them." He wasn't different from anyone.

Shawlong sighed." Yes but he never uses them for his own sexual gratification. That would be unwise, not that they aren't clean. No they are taken care of very well but you are HIS. Don't forget Mr. Abarai." His words hung in the air, an ominous feeling building in his gut and a new weight put on his shoulder. Great, he was the only one that Kenpachi was sleeping with, just fantastic.

Shawlong gets out of the car but leaves Renji alone for a few seconds while he talks to the person at the door, Renji takes this time to collect himself. Which he desperately needed. He was confused, stressed out, angry and the fucking icing on the cake he was horny as fuck. Well if he was going to have to be Kenpachi's fuck slave at least he might get some kind of release. Hopefully.

When he felt he was ready enough, he grabbed his bag and opened the car door, the interior lights shining on a gray cobblestone driveway. He looked up only to be floored once again. Obviously Kenpachi was fucking loaded. In front of him was a western two story, dark brick mansion. It had a circle driveway, with a huge water fountain in the middle. The grey stone was lit up by ground lights, depicting a statue of a gladiator fighting and standing on a small hill of his conquered enemies. The lawn was huge, if the drive didn't say obviously. But in the distance he could see the massive maximum security gate complete with armed guards.

Renji's shoulders slumped in defeat. Yup he was definitely screwed now. Shawlong guided him towards the massive double doors, standing underneath the extended roof held up by two incredibly huge ivory columns. "Heh no red carpet?" He joked. Renji could see a very slight tilt of the corner of Shawlong's mouth. The door opened and inside was just as elaborate as the outside.

A double spiral staircase coated with a black carpet curved to the second floor balcony. A huge crystal chandelier was in the dead center of the majestic ceiling done in shades of crèmes and whites. The white polished floor was vibrant against the darker colors of the wall. There many paintings of warriors, fighters and weapons on the wall all of which would take him a millennia to own.

"Tch. Ya think he's compensating for something?" Renji joked dryly, but quit chuckling when he saw the two disappointing stares being pointed at him. He cleared his throat awkwardly and shifted his feet nervously.

"Mr. Abarai, if you would be so kind as to follow me, I will show you to Zaraki-sama's room."

He followed the older butler who lead them up the left staircase and down an extensive hallway decorated with more expensive weapons cases, the occasional painting and even had two sentry guards at the end of the hallway near a huge door. They stepped to the side as the butler knocked on it twice. The guys were fucking huge. They both had to be taller than Nnoitra but they were still shorter than Kenpachi.

"C'mon." A muscled, gruff voice called from the inside. The butler walked in. "Zaraki-sama Mr. Abarai is expected just as you asked." He bowed deeply at the waist and walked out of the room. Leaving the Renji in the doorway.

Kenpachi didn't even look up from the papers on his desk as he walked slowly in the room. "Jidanbo, Jirobo leave. Don't come back into this side of the house until you see me or I will cut you down where you stand. Relay that message to everyone else. Ya got that?"

"Yes Zaraki-sama."

"Yes Zaraki-sama"

The guards shut the door, leaving Renji alone in the room with Kenpachi. He didn't know what to do, should he sit? Stand?

"Ya know your makin' me lose my concentration with your fuckin' fidgeting. Either sit down somewhere or I'll make you stand the whole night." Kenpachi was still looking at papers and Renji honestly was a little pissed.

"Well I'm not the one who ordered me here tonightZaraki-sama. So excuse me for causing you to lose your concentration." He spat, while walking to the couch nearest the windows and plopped down. At least he could look at the sky and not Kenpachi.

"Heh, you gotta big mouth for such a sweet looking thing. Now don'tcha." Kenpachi patronized. And still he kept his eyes on his papers. Renji grumbled about being called sweet. This is why he dated softer men. Now yes, the only actual guy he dated was him but he had never been attracted to the big, muscular, tripped out on steroids type of guy. They all said the same things. They only wanted in his pants but at least with softer men, he could feel a little more needed. He didn't answer Kenpachi, he just kept looking out the stars.

Looking at the stars never got old with him. His brother Kaien had taught him all of the constellations, how to spot certain phenomenons and how the stars told stories. Renji had never seen such a view like this without a telescope, and in the city where all the lights glowed 24/7 and the smog covered the sky making star gazing futile. But out here, away from the lights he could really appreciate the stars and all their beauty.

He got up and glued himself to the window, muttering in his head the constellations. From the window he could see Andromeda which was home to the Andromeda Galaxy, Cassiopeia and Pisces, the fish and south to that was Pegasus. Kaien told him all the legends and adventures of the Greek and Roman Gods, the famous gladiators and the beautiful damsels they saved. He wanted to become a Mythology Professor, so he could inspire people around the world with the heroic tales and fascinating history but everyone told him he was being foolish, including their parents. But not Renji oh no. He worshiped the ground his brother walked on, he would believe anything he said and never question him. Kaien was his everything.

He was the one who inspired him to look at cars, he helped clear out the scraps from the auto shop down the street and Renji would stay inside and watch Old Man Barragan taking apart cars. Sometimes he would ask him to hand him the tools which was the best part of his day. Those were the best memories he had.

When Kaien died and when the abuse started at home, the auto shop was the only place he could go. Old Man Barragan never said a word but he always knew. Hot food, clean clothes and a warm shower were always waiting for him. His adopted son Charlotte would always braid his hair, and the other mechanics would call him a girl. They were the ones who taught him how to fight. Findorr taught him how to be tough, Abirama taught him how to attack his enemies from behind and Ggio taught him how to be light on his feet while Nirgge taught him how to be quick with his hands. Choe taught him how to keep his cool even in a bad situation although he ignored that training when he got older. They were his family not the two people who sat on their asses at home either drinking or getting high with the closest drug.

But one day about nine months later they disappeared. There was no forwarding address, no sign of coming back they just up and left. But what hurt the most was that he had been there the day before and no one said anything about it. He was crushed.

A year later his parents died in a fire. He was taken into state custody and put in the system where he spent the next six years of his life in and out of foster homes. Some of the boys joined gangs, brothers against brothers, old friends became your new enemies and he lost all of the people he once knew. One by one they left, just like everyone else.

He was adopted by the first year of high school and moved away from everything. His adopted parents said that the memories were too much and they would deter his learning. Moving meant a new school, again. Being teased because of his obnoxious red hair, again. And it happened again. But he met Chad and everything changed. He became a new person. He grew his hair out longer, got the tribal tattoos in remembrance of Kaien and all of his friends and everyone who had ever taught him something. Chad was his best friend, he kept him in line, or jumped in when he needed help. He became stronger, more resilient than he ever thought possible and he wasn't going to let anyone break his heart again. Until he met him.

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Hope you guys liked. I really love this story it's coming along so easy and I have such a good time writing it. I hope you guys will grow to feel the same. So please read and review they really do fuel me to keep working! *Throws out candy to all the readers* Nom nom. Until next time.