I Promise

TITLE: I Promise
AUTHOR: girlinthecurl03
RATING: NC-17 (Yes, it’s a smut-fest! :D)
PARING: Renji and Rukia
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Bleach. But I sure wish I owned Renji.
AUTHORS NOTE: Just a bit of fair warning, lol. I have never actually written a lemon before, although I have read a lot of them based on Bleach, and DragonballZ (my first love was Vegeta! *sigh*). But I think it’s actually pretty good for a first time. And I can only get better, I suppose, hehe. Also a special, special thanks to Renleek for beta-ing! *hands you an emergency first RenRuki aid kit* You are the bestest beta ever! :D And onwards to the RenjiXRukia lovin'!

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“Fuck Rukia! Do you remember it ever being this cold in Rukongai?”

Rukia shook her head and clenched her teeth to keep them from rattling together from the cold. She moved forward, closer to the small fire Renji had managed to build and wrapped her tattered blanket tighter around her shoulders. No, she couldn’t remember it ever being this cold. To top it off, there was a thick layer of snow covering the ground.

“I’m so tired of not having a place to sleep every night Renji.”

Rukia cast a sideways glace at her friend, noticing his fierce scowl. It had been ten years since she had met him and joined his little gang, but now they were the only ones left. Life was too bitter and harsh here in Rukongai. And she was so tired of it.

Lately she had been bringing up the subject of them becoming Shinigami, but Renji always wore that fierce scowl whenever she did. She tried to argue and reason with him, but he still held steadfast to that promise he had made to their friends all those years ago. Stupid idiot. Rukia admired his dedication, but not now when she couldn’t even feel her freaking feet.

Renji only grunted and leaned forward to put more sticks on to the small fire before he began to braid his hair for bed. He knew that Rukia was right, but he just couldn’t bring himself to break his promise. He didn’t want anything to change; he wanted it to stay the same, just like it always had been. He had no idea what would happen if they did decide to become Shinigami, and it terrified him, though he would never admit it to Rukia. Was he even skilled enough to become a Shinigami? If not, then what would he do? He would lose everything. Nope, I’d rather not tempt fate…he thought darkly to himself.

“Well Rukia, I’m going to go to sleep. We should get up early tomorrow and try to find some kind of shelter. I am not going to sleep in the bushes again.”

She glared at him and he snarled back before stretching out in front of the fire and wrapping his blanket tightly around himself. Like it was her fault they hadn’t found somewhere decent to spend the night! She just hadn’t been able to leave that poor helpless baby bunny in the hunter’s trap and then she just couldn’t leave it there all alone in the freezing snow, so she had made Renji help her find its mother. Well excuse me for caring! Stupid man…

She stayed awake for another hour or so, trying to absorb all the heat she could from the fire before going to sleep. She walked towards Renji and stood over him, studying him as he snored loudly in his deep sleep. How could she make him understand that life could be better than this? How could she show him that they were strong enough to become Shinigami? When would he realize that she would always be there for him? With a defeated sigh she spread her blanket over Renji and gently tucked the corners around his sleeping body. She then crawled beneath both her blanket and his, her back fitting perfectly against his chest. They often slept like this on cold nights for maximum body heat and she immediately felt his arm circle her hips and pull her tighter against him as his chin came to rest on the top of her head. Someday, I will make him understand…she promised herself as she drifted off to sleep.

Rukia awoke with a start a few hours later, shivering uncontrollably. The fire had burned itself out and on top of that, it had begun to lightly snow! Damn it!

“Renji! Renji, damn it wake up! The fire went out!”

“So what Rukia?” Renji grimaced and slowly opened his eyes.

“I am cold, idiot! Build the fire up again would you?”

“There’s no more wood Rukia. I’d have to go out and find some, and then spend all that time just trying to light it! Remember how long it took me the first time and it wasn’t even snowing then.”

“But I’m coooooold!” Rukia whined thumping him on the chest with her fist. Renji rolled his eyes and let out an exasperated sigh before rolling over so that his body covered hers completely. His legs straddled hers and he balanced himself on his knees which were placed on either side of her hips. He then began to rub his hands up and down her arms, trying to warm her up.

“Damn it Rukia, you are freezing!” he replied in shock. Her arms felt like icicles.

“Wha…what are you doing Renji?” Rukia gasped, looking up at him with wide violet eyes. He looked into them, noticing how much they looked like that baby rabbit’s eyes that they had saved earlier, so wide and full of fear…

“Warming you up, idiot. What else would I be doin'?”

“Oh…” Rukia replied, voice shaking as she looked away from him unsure of what to say next. So she kept quiet and concentrated on the soothing feel of Renji running his hands up and down her arms. She could slowly feel the warmth returning to her frozen limbs and she felt sleep threaten to take her again.

“Renji?”

“Hmm?” he replied, not stopping his slow rhythm.

“Why don’t you want to become a Shinigami?”

His hands stopped their motions and he stared down at her, face twisted with pain and anguish.

“Because, damn it Rukia! I made a promise—“

“Stop it Renji. Don’t be stupid, I know that’s not it. Please don’t lie to me…”

Renji sat back on his heels and roughly scrubbed a hand across his face. How could he tell her how he really felt, how afraid he really was without seeming like a complete coward? Damn it!

Rukia pushed herself up on to her elbows and watched the emotions play across his face. She pushed herself farther up into a sitting position and placed her hands on his shoulders. Renji turned his head to the side and looked away from her piercing gaze.

“You know that I will always be with you, don’t you Renji? Nothing will ever change that. You and I will always be together!”

Renji squeezed his eyes shut, breathing out quickly through his nose. How the hell did she know? He always kept a wall around himself, to hide his feelings, but somehow, Rukia always knew what he was thinking. She was always able to wiggle around the barricade he so carefully put up.

Then he felt a tiny hand cup his cheek and turn his face towards hers. He opened his eyes and was met with such an intense look, full of confidence and caring, that he could not take it any longer.

“I promise!”

And with those two words, spoken with such fervor, Renji was pushed over the edge. He leaned forward and pressed his lips tentatively against hers, something he had been longing to do for ages. He had never had the nerve before this, but now that he knew she really, truly cared about him…

He could have jumped for joy when he felt Rukia move her lips against his in response.

She tenderly kissed him back, feeling warmth blossom in the pit of her stomach. When had her love for him developed into something more than just affectionate friendship? Had it been little by little, after all those times he had protected her, thinking that she didn’t notice? Little by little had those acts built up and made her love him? She sighed sadly when they came up for air and their mouths parted, but he was instantly on her again, and this time she felt his tongue slide lightly against her lips.

She obliged him, opening her mouth beneath his, allowing him to explore with his tongue. He was so warm, so sweet…

And it was heaven. Renji wrapped one arm tightly around Rukia, pressing her against his chest. His other hand found its way into her hair, and he tangled his fingers in her ebony locks, forcing her head back so he could fully taste her. She moaned into his mouth and he squeezed her tighter, groaning in response.

Suddenly his hands were on her, pushing the kimono off her slender shoulders, desperately trying to untie her obi, needing to feel her skin. It was a tangle of arms as she tried to rid him of his clothes at the same time, but soon they were both naked. Renji dipped his head and captured her lips again as his hands wandered down her sides. He gripped her hips and Rukia suddenly found herself on her stomach, Renji kneeling between her legs. She squealed in surprise, pushing herself onto her elbows.

“Renji! What are you doing?!”

He answered her by placing a hand between her shoulder blades and pushing her back down onto the blanket. She felt his heat leave her as he sat back onto his heels once more. She growled, angry, and made to turn herself back over when she felt his hands grip her ankles. Then his palms were skimming over her calves, up her thighs and over her ass, across her lower back, until they reached her shoulders, where he then dragged his hands back down until he reached her ankles once more.

“Re…Renji!” gasped Rukia and she squirmed beneath him, hands fisting the blanket below her. He took his time, slowly running his hands across her sleek skin, his eyes drinking in the sight of her pale body stretched out beneath him. He reached her shoulders again and he leaned over, his hot breath tickling the outer shell of her ear.

“Shut up Rukia. I’m trying to warm you up.”

And she melted as his hands slid down the full length of her body again. Sometimes they drifted over her inner thighs, teasing her by almost touching her where she wanted him to most, but not quite. Other times he would draw little circles up her back with the pads of his thumbs, then he would lean forward, pressing wet, sucking kisses up the length of her spine.

When he flipped her over again, she was panting, her face flushed a delicate shade of pink. She reached out her arms to take him into her embrace, but Renji caught them instantly in his right hand, effortlessly pinning her arms above her head. She hissed in protest, wanting, no needing to touch him but was silenced when he placed a hot, open mouthed kiss right below her belly button. He took his time as he made his way up the front of her body, sometimes kissing, sometimes licking, even nipping her gently.

He finally let go of her wrists when he reached her breasts so that he could take them into his hands. She instantly arched her back, pressing them firmly against his palms. He purred huskily as he brushed his thumbs over her rosy nipples and they instantly hardened. He lowered his head and twirled his tongue around the stiff peak before taking it into his hot, wet mouth and sucking gently.

Rukia inhaled sharply and tangled her fingers in his hair, which somehow had come lose from its braid so that it now spilled around his shoulders, using her grip to pull him closer. He licked and sucked until she was swollen and tender before switching to her other breast, lavishing the same attention on it.

“Ah, Renji! I…I…”

She tugged at his brilliant hair, pulling him away from her so she could reach between them. She wrapped a tiny hand around him and squeezed, feeling him pulse against her palm. He yelped in surprise and pushed himself up with his hands, arching his back so that there was more space between them. She stroked him lightly, smirking confidently as he threw his head back and groaned, jerking his hips against her hand.

“Oh god…” he muttered huskily as she ran her thumb over the damp head of his cock. He whimpered when she gripped him harder and began to rapidly pump her hand up and down. He knew he was losing it when he could no longer control the jerking of his hips so he reached down and pulled her hand away from him. She looked up at him, surprised.

As he ran his hands over her thighs again and spread her legs, Rukia knew what he wanted. She placed a shaking hand on the center of his chest, forcing him to stop.

“Renji, I have never…done this before.” She told him as she blushed and looked away. She felt him grip her chin between his fingers and turned to meet his eyes.

“Neither have I.” he replied sincerely, before he lowered his head to kiss her softly. She wound her arms tightly around his broad shoulders and dragged her lips across his strong jaw and down the side of his neck, urging him on. He slid one hand beneath her bottom and lifted her up to meet him, taking himself in his other hand as he rubbed between her legs until he found where he needed to be.

Rukia thought she was going to die, he was going so slow! What was he doing, going so damned slow? She was touched when she realized that he was going slowly for her and she relaxed in his embrace, trusting him completely. He moved his hand to grip her waist as he slid fully into her, and Rukia thought she might have bruises from it in the morning, but right now she just couldn’t care.

Renji lowered his forehead against her shoulder as he enjoyed this first moment, savoring the feel of her around him. When she jerked her hips against him, he growled at the sensation and dug his fingers harder into her hips, keeping her still.

“No…don’t do that! I…I can not…”

She shuddered as she felt him pull out of her, ever so slowly, then the pressure as he pushed against her again, filling her.

“Renji, I want to kiss you! Kiss me! Now!” she begged, wrapping her legs high around his waist. And he did, violently, sucking her lower lip between his teeth as he lunged against her, faster and harder. If I die right now, I will die a happy, happy man…

Renji’s face above hers, and the weight of his body between her thighs sent Rukia spiraling down into the throes bliss and she felt her body quiver intensely as she was thrown over the edge, waves and waves of ecstasy crashing through her body.

Renji came with a harsh howl as he gathered her up closer to him, feeling her silky, sweaty skin skim across his body, the scorching heat of her breath as she panted against his shoulder. He felt his body collapse from the sheer weight of it all and he rolled to his back, moving Rukia to lay over him with her legs on either side of his hips.

She nuzzled against him and Renji felt her warm breath fanning across his chest as she fell asleep. He smiled and clutched her tighter. He was ready now, ready to change and become a Shinigami. With Rukia by his side, Renji was sure that he could accomplish anything.