Fallen Star Adopted Stray

A/N: This has an AU flavor to it. Fixed some continuity and spelling problems.

After she had taped Kon to the toilet, Rukia hoped Ichigo wouldn't find the message in time. Even if he did, she hoped he would find it long after she had slipped away. Now under the silvery light of the moon Rukia raced swiftly to put as much distance between her and the Substitute Soul Reaper, of her own making.

"I've been away too long," she said aloud, her feet pounding on the lonely street a few blocks from the Kurosaki clinic. Though she wished, it was far further. Fluctuations in spirit pressure screamed the impending event she feared since she transferred her powers to Ichigo to save them both.

"YES, you FINALLY realized it!" shouted a voice from far above. She shivered in anticipation, recognizing it.

Moonlight gleamed off the glasses from the Silver Dragonfly shop. Rukia swore she thought they were cracked last time she had seen them. Now he stalked towards her, Zabimaru slung over his shoulder, grinning ferally. At sight of his sharp canines her heart pounded, out of arousal and fear. That look on his face was either either of joy or the lust of battle.

'Perhaps a bit of both,' Rukia thought to herself.

"Yes, you FINALLY realized you've been here too long," Renji crowed, sandal-clad feet carrying him up to her with long legged strides. For a moment, Rukia glanced down at the swirling pleats of his hakama because his face was too terrifying.

"Renji!" she stammered, backing away. Her heart sank when she realized his reason here, to retrieve her.

"You've been missing for 2 months Rukia. What the hell's kept you? Did you really think you'd stay alive longer hiding out here? Who stole your powers?"

"I have NO idea what you're talking about," she said to his barrage of questions.

Green energy flickered from the blade, and Rukia barely dodged to the side as it sizzled down. The next slash she flipped over and slid on her hands to avoid, hardly believing that he of all people would attack her. Not after what they'd been through together. Yet she deserved it for the crime she had committed. Anything would be better than living with the guilt of passing her powers to a mortal and putting him in danger. No, it was far better that they know nothing of Ichigo and focus all the punishment on her.

"You've lost your edge Rukia! And what the hell are you staring at me like that for... you look so damn... human!"

Rukia dropped to her knees, weary from fighting and running. If he was going to kill her, she wanted it over. Something in her chest ached and she wondered if it was her heart breaking or fear for Ichigo. Perhaps Renji wanted to grant her mercy by executing her now.

*So be it,* she thought, feeling the crackling energies of his spiritual pressure shoving against her. Instead of a cold blade, she felt a warm hand grab her forearm and drag her up. In shock, she stared up at his intense red eyes piercing her soul it seemed.

'So that's how a soul reaper looked to a frightened human. Damn it,' she thought.

"Please tell me I'm wrong, Rukia Kuchiki," Renji whispered, dragging her close as he leaned over, his blade laying to one side of her neck.

"What do you mean?" she asked. "You've caught me. Either kill me or take me back to soul society."

"Where is he? Where's the damn human who stole your powers! Answer me!"

His hand squeezed her arm while his blade pressed into her neck. Rukia blinked up at him, licking her lips, and feeling a mixture of incredible arousal along with terror. Not just for her, but mostly for Ichigo. He stood no chance against Renji. She prayed that he would be smart enough to not follow her.

"I..." she stammered out, unable to speak.

Here was her childhood friend whom she hid no secrets from, yet he seemed a stranger. Had two months in the human world altered her so much she saw him so differently? Maybe it was the light, or perhaps the anger and outrage mingled with disappointment.

"The soul society spent all sorts a money and time making you the best Soul Reaper, damn it! After all they've done for ya you do and do THIS?" he snapped, lips inches from her face. Yes, he was pissed. Disappointed that the pedestal he had put her on came crashing down.

"Why did they send you?" she croaked, unable to look him in the eyes anymore.

"You're fortunate I found you first. Your brother and I," Renji murmured, pressing the blade of his sword into her neck. Not hard enough to break the skin but enough to caress it with its sharpness. She squeezed her eyes shut, still speechless.

"Do you have any idea what this MEANS? I've been sent to KILL you Rukia!"

"Then do so, or take me back. As I said before," she said, swallowing hard and gazing up at him. "That's your duty Renji Abarai. Do it."

The hand that held her arm suddenly diverted to grab the front of her dress. Pressing her into the nearest phone pole Renji dropped to one knee. Still keeping his sword at her throat, he dipped his head down. Rukia felt the fluctuation in his spirit pressure, and tipped her head back to expose her throat. If her death was at the hands of her oldest friend, she accepted it. Far better than to face the shame.

"I am glad you found me first Renji. Do it now and be quick," she whispered.

His eyes were gleaming with anger as he whispered, "I was so damn excited. I'd been frickin' promoted to Vice captain of squad SIX, serving with your own BROTHER, and THIS is what I come back to? Rukia have you lost your mind?"

For a few tense seconds she waited for his blade to bite deeper but it trembled and only bit at the level of her skin. Instead, she felt a knee shoved between her legs and the hand clutching her shirt drag her upwards. The sword then vanished and she didn't dare open her eyes for fear of what might have stopped him. Instead, her breath was choked off with something warm covering her mouth.

Blinking her eyes open, she saw nothing because something blocked her immediate view, and a strong arm crushed her flat against their chest. Her hands were trapped between them, grabbing cloth and squeezing it to push her attacker away. Panic gave way to intense wonderment that this was no assault save one of pleasure.

Warm firm lips moved over hers, someone's tongue slipping against hers to thrust deep inside. Against the back of her head, the wood felt hard and unyielding. Then the hand clutching her shirt released and seized the back of her neck. His tongue muffled Rukia's cry and she almost fainted with shock.

She struggled to breathe and pushed back. For only a second her lips were freed and she blinked up at the dark shadow in awe and confusion as Renji tangled his fingers in her hair. His voice was soft as he whispered, "Rukia, just tell me who did this to you. I'll kill him and you'll get your powers back. Maybe there's a chance that..."

"Have you lost yours... being so... so familiar with me?" Rukia stammered, licking her lips because they still tingled and hungered for the kiss.

"You think I WANT to kill you, idiot?" Renji whispered against her lips.

Again her response buried in another intense kiss. Her knees parted as he leaned his body more heavily against her, and she had no choice but to part her legs and wrap them around his waist. So forcefully, did he invade her mouth with his tongue she could not resist or pull away, even if she wanted to? Instead, she freed her hands and simply wrapped them around his neck to feel his hair once more.

“Mmm… I missed… this…,” she gasped. He was the only man she had ever kissed other than a chaste peck on the cheek in response to some person kissing her.

Panting Renji drew back and whispered, “You remember when we first did this? That dumbass kissed your cheek…”

“When you and Kira and Momo got drunk and were ignoring me during the cherry blossom festival. How could I forget?” whispered she.

“You didn't speak to me for a week I remember, after I punched his lights out,” Renji snickered.

“Your own friends in the advanced class started kissing after you assaulted me and pinned me up against the tree,” whispered she. Before she could shriek, she had tasted his warm lips tangy with alcohol.

“Just like this,” Renji murmured. He again cut off her reply. Soon she felt him pull back and said nothing as she watched him tugging up her skirt with one hand while keeping her pinned there with his body. His other arm still clutched his sword while holding her in a firm embrace.

“I… I had to watch what Kira and Momo and everyone else were doing because I'd never kissed anyone or been kissed before like that,” she panted, parting again for breath.

“Everyone was makin' out under the trees drunk off their asses,” Renji whispered.

“Any other time since then if anyone came close they'd end up in Squad 4.”

Memories flashed through her mind at that instant, recalling a similar position. It had only been a sakura blossom festival and everyone was getting drunk. She and the other classmate had sat with friends and then people's hands started to wander. The cute student who would send her notes all those periods. When she and Renji were separated and he started to hang out with Momo and Kira, avoiding her.

It delighted her to see him so angry and jealous. The only reason she HAD kiss the other guy back or let him near without kicking him somewhere painful was because she saw Renji sitting with his new friends getting drunk. At that moment, they had started to argue, and then Renji grabbed her up over his shoulder and carried a sake bottle in the other. She squirmed to get out of his grasp and then he had pushed her against a tree. Before she could shriek, she tasted his warm lips tangy with alcohol. Seeing him, Momo had gasped and Kira blushed when giving her a kiss.

Renji had not stopped even though she pushed against him. Instead, Rukia lifted her hands and put them around his neck, peering out of the corner of her eye at what other students were doing. Everyone hung on everyone else, kissing or holding hands, drunk out of their minds. He had given her first kiss and she was always glad of it. Even though she woke up with a horrible headache and he did not speak to her for a whole week later. He had gone back to his studies and she to hers, neither speaking of the incident until later. More kisses followed, and even the night when they had given themselves to one another. Only months before she was adopted.

Over the years, they had met and renewed their association. No one was ever allowed to come close save Kaien, and he was a married man. Not that he ever WOULD do anything like that. Rukia would see to it. Moreover, if anyone DID she would hear that they had ended up in squad 4 suffering from some mysterious injuries.


“I was happy to pound anyone stupid enough to come close to ya, Rukia. This is why I'm here now. What the hell do you think you're doing not calling back for 2 months? I was worried SICK, damn it!”

“I never ASKED you to protect me, Renji Abarai!”

“Can't help it. For what the hell it's worth. Cause your brother didn't hear jack SHIT!”

"What... what are you doing?" she got out when he reached up between her legs and she felt something rip.

"Shut up," Renji hissed, kissing her again. His free hand slid between them and fumbled with something. Two hot fingers slipped into her body and she lost her mind and a squeal into his firm lips. Not able to think rationally Rukia grabbed onto his shoulders and neck, her legs tightening around his hips. Then his fingers left after several powerful thrusts up and inside her.

"Are you crazy?" she mumbled when he pulled back, his eyes now burning with desire rather than bloodlust.

"Keep quiet," Renji growled, and she pressed her lips together when she saw him fumbling with his sash.

She relinquished her grip to help him untie his sash and the fastenings on the front of his hakama. There was no doubt what he wanted and even if it was the worst time and place to do it, her body could not say no. Both clothed except for lower down in restricted areas, they again kissed one another. Something hard and hot nudged between Rukia's legs, and she screamed into Renji's open mouth as it slipped inside.

Was he really doing this? To her in this state in a Gigai? Rukia grunted and shifted her hips, her body aching with the completion of their joining. She did not realize how much she missed him until he made fast hard love to her. All she could do was hang onto him and bury her screams in his demanding mouth, returning his frantic kisses. Then Renji shivered at his peak, bringing her along, pressing her so hard that she felt no empty space inside. For that second she felt safe, loved, and whole. Even if she died the next instant, it would be all right. Because she trusted him with her life and her death.

All too soon, her body protested as he untangled himself from her. He pressed one last kiss to her forehead, then her lips before lowering her to the ground. "That's what I wanted to do to you when I saw you again, not hunt you, Rukia."

"I know," she whispered.

She made no move to escape, simply sliding down the pole when he let her go, on her knees as he stood up and put himself back together. In that one moment, she got up and rushed away. Green energies blazed past her, stinging her cheek.

"You can't get away from me, Rukia," he called out to her. Body tingling with the aftereffects of incredible sex Rukia bolted at full pace with him after her.

It was only a matter of time before he would catch her once more, and her instinct told her it was a deadly game. Now that he knew, she no longer had her powers and had done the unthinkable. Far better this way, she hoped.

Legs shaky and wobbly Rukia dashed away, her gigai’s heart pounding. Not far behind, she heard Renji’s shouts. There was no trace of her brother’s reiatsu, so she knew he would never have tried fucking her if Byakuya was around. Yet was Renji really going to kill her? Quite possibly yes because he had fucked her fast and hard, almost as if to say goodbye.

How long had it been since they had last made love? It seemed like forever but was in reality less than twenty years. When had it all started? Eventually he would catch up to her and she would fight or yield. Fuck or flee. Renji must be alight with animal passions built up over the last forty years. How long he had waited to brag to her of his recent promotion, she wondered. Again, arcs of green reiatsu sliced towards her and she flipped on her hands, breaking the relentless slide her body banked into. Pavement scraped her palms and Rukia rolled over, feeling the bite of the same asphalt battering her bare arms and knees.

Between her legs, she ached and tingled, her blue eyes wild with fear and the same arousal to see Renji materialize near her. Still she felt no trace of her brother’s reiatsu and wondered if Renji would now overcome his desire not it was sated. In addition, perhaps end up killing her, ending the misery clinging to her heart. It had started with the death of sir Kaien at her hands, only to increase with Ichigo’s continued trials. If Ichigo were to suddenly show up, she knew her heart would break again. This time she rolled into a crouch, her body tensed to anticipate Renji’s next move. Sword held aloft, its point faced towards her and his body fixed into a pose with one bent knee. His attack stance kept her guessing, but Rukia dodged his next forward thrust of Zabimaru.

“Rrraaagh!” Renji barked, and she dodged to the right. Leaping up she grabbed his wrist and twisted his sword arm.

Renji half laughed, jerking her body around and then gasped with shock. Rukia tackled him, wrapping her arms and legs around his torso in a crushing hug. Latched onto him he could not use Zabimaru to pry her off. Instead his face was blocked with the intrusion of hers ducking into it.

“What are you doing idiot?” he choked.

“Trying to reason with you. Forget finding the human who ‘stole my powers’. Let the Stealth force find him,” Rukia whispered, clinging tightly to Renji.

“I can’t do that Rukia,” Renji whispered fiercely back. “Your brother won’t allow it!”

“Use sense Renji. Nii-sama sent you to find me, well you have found me. Take me back to Soul Society now to face my crimes. I am willing to,” she whispered.

“Rukia they’ll interrogate you if you don’t tell me where he is. It won’t work! You’d only add to your list of sins!”

“He won’t stop till he finds me Renji. He’ll come after me, and then it will be more chaos. Can you have THAT on your conscience?”

“Why won’t you tell me where he is, Rukia?” Renji asked, grasping onto the back of her shirt. He backed into the shadows, Rukia wrapped around him. They sensed the flutter of a reiatsu.

“Who is that?”

“Ignore it,” Rukia whispered, and then seized Renji’s face to kiss him. He writhed a bit trying to get free of her mouth, but soon was distracted.
***

In the distance, Uryuu Ishida swore he felt the flutter of Soul Reapers. Surely, the red ribbons extended to two of them behind here. He felt the trail suddenly run cold when a sword flashed out and he spun around, bow rose to anticipate.

“I can see you! Don’t try to hide yourself from me, Soul reaper!”

Cold blue eyes regarded him. A scarf fluttered under the moonlight as Captain Kuchiki of squad six stared disdainfully at his new opponent. He murmured, “Who do I have the displeasure of seeing here?”

“I know you are out here, looking for a friend of mine,” Ishida said defiantly. His blue bow crackled, fingers curling around the wrist rosary. He aimed the tip of the arrow towards his new opponent, light flashing from his glasses.

“To think there is one Quincy left here,” Byakuya shook his head with some mild distaste. “You are foolish to get in my way. Leave now before I scatter you to the four winds.”

“Why are you here, Soul Reaper? It’s to find one of your own is it not?”

“It is not your affair Quincy. Must I repeat myself? Or shall I kill you now?” Byakuya intoned his hand far from his sword hilt.

Ishida’s arrow flashed from his bow. Unfortunately, he felt the progression of a dark shadow. A hand gripped the hilt of his sword, and something pierced him. Gasping the Quincy felt his heart cut out and crashed to the ground. Looming over him was the shape of Byakuya Kuchiki.

“Fool. I will not kill you, Quincy. However, if you dare use your powers again, you will seal your own fate. Consider yourself fortunate I’ve no time for squashing insects like you,” Byakuya said with disdain. Curling in on himself Uryuu choked and gasped. In instants, he was flat on his face.

“No, damn you!” Ishida gasped, coughing blood. He felt his sight receding into darkness as the red ribbon of Byakuya’s power faded.

Through choked gasps, he heard the sound of clogs clacking on asphalt. Then blackness.

****
Meanwhile Renji struggled to fight his desires and baser instincts. Rukia’s hot kiss seared his lips with fire and he found himself capitulating. Sighing he held her close, hiding in the shadows with a sense trained for Byakuya’s reiatsu. The way in which she rubbed herself to his pelvis did not help his resolve.

“Rukia,” he whispered. “Don’t do this to me. Or yourself…”

“Renji, please don’t make me betray him,” she whispered, voice choked. Again, she caught his mouth in a kiss, silencing his reply. Despite his better judgment, Renji capitulated, thrusting his tongue far down her throat and tasting her deeply. His body could not get enough of her taste and scent, spurring his desire to rip her clothes off and fuck her hard as he had done minutes before. However, this time he knew Byakuya was out there, suppressing his spiritual pressure as he hunted for the other strange reiatsu they had sensed.

Reluctantly he released her lips, and drew back. “Rukia now’s not the time for this. I’d like nothing better than to take you as I have before, but you can’t use it to distract me.”

“Don’t you want me Renji?” Rukia asked, licking the side of his neck.

“You’re cruel to do this to me, Rukia. Don’t you know how hard it is for me to keep from taking you again here and now? It won’t help you if I told them you’d tried seducing me to escape,” Renji warned, nipping at his lips.

“You’re stronger than me, Mr. Vice Captain,” Rukia answered, kissing his cheeks and then his mouth again. “And I could say that you assaulted and deflowered a noble.”

“Rukia, don’t even suggest that,” Renji hissed. “Would you betray me?”

“No Renji, I couldn’t,” she choked. “Don’t make me do this!”

“What hold does this person have over you that you’d not trust me, Rukia?” Renji whispered. “Are you angry that I kept away from you all this time? When it was for your own good?”

“Don’t you dare bring that up here, Renji Abarai,” Rukia warned, nipping his lip hard.

“It hurts me Rukia that you are more loyal to a human kid than to your oldest friend,” Renji said plaintively. “Or your own brother.”

“How do you think I feel Renji? I owe him. He saved my life,” Rukia answered. “And he’s fiercely loyal. I am risking everything by escaping him.”

“Did he do anything else to you? To force you to this? Because if he did?”

“How dare you even suggest that? I’ve done no such thing. He’s a lowly human, a boy! You’re the only man I’d ever let this close without castrating, you fool,” Rukia hissed.

“Good. He has enough reason for me to kill him. You cannot protect him Rukia. You’ll have to tell sooner or later. I wanted to think you could trust me,” Renji said.

“I won’t be responsible for someone else’s murder, Renji. I’ve done enough. I won’t have you have his blood on your hands. Besides, I cannot further dishonor my brother’s name by involving him in my mistakes. Better to let the stealth force find him. I don’t want you hurt, or my brother,” Rukia pleaded.

“Damn it Rukia, this isn’t fair,” Renji growled. Despite the fact Rukia’s hands crept under his robe he kept his cool. Instead, he slipped his hand and squeezed her bottom.

“No it’s true. Renji, I don’t know what to do. I can’t betray him but I know the magnitude of my crimes,” she sniffled.

“Rukia don’t cry damn it. I hate that,” Renji urged, feeling her bury her face into his neck. He stroked her back, squeezing herself tightly to him. To silence her sobs he moved his head away and then moved his lips over hers. Renji’s hard kiss swallowed her cries, his mouth trying to reassure her that he would not allow her to be further pained. Instead his fingers rubbed her bottom sensually, bringing her to that same state of semi arousal that sent them screaming for more.

“Is Nii-sama here?” Rukia asked.

“You know he is,” Renji answered. Reluctantly he pried her legs from around his waist and set her down. She rocked against him, and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders to steady her. “We’re in danger if he sees us like this.”

“Take me to him, Renji. I will face him. I’m tired of hiding in shadows,” Rukia answered. “You were sent to find me were you not?”

“Vice captain!” answered a voice that made her shiver. She slid down Renji’s robe and he pushed her apart from him. Still he kept a hold on her, laying Zabimaru at her throat.

“I found her, Captain!” Renji shouted, coming out of the shadows. Rukia faced forwards, averting her gaze, and taking the same stance as her brother. A regal posture and bearing that came from years of training.

“Rukia.” Byakuya answered, not looking towards her.

“Nii-sama. You have found me. I am here to answer for my crimes. Take me back to soul society,” Rukia answered.

“Vice Captain Abarai, have you located the one who has taken her powers?” asked Byakuya.

“He has eluded me for now,” Renji answered, his red eyes hard and cold.

“Does that matter, Nii-sama? You have found me. You must take me back to soul society and I will face the suitable punishment tonight,” Rukia answered.

“You have no say in this, Rukia. It is fortunate that you have enough sense of honor to come quietly. However, be assured we will find the responsible party. And there is nothing anyone can do to stop it,” Byakuya answered coldly.

“Is that not the duty of the stealth force, Nii-sama?” asked Rukia.

“I would advise you to keep silent, Rukia. I will not repeat myself. You are a prisoner of Squad six, and as such you will hold your tongue unless I ask the appropriate questions,” Byakuya cut her off. She snapped her mouth shut.

“Shall I hunt for him?” Renji asked. Rukia struggled to swallow her fear.

“He will reveal himself sooner or later, Vice captain Abarai. Rukia is indeed correct that this is a matter for the stealth force. I shall leave it in their hands. I have no wish to further sully the involvement of the house of Kuchiki,” Byakuya said disdainfully.

“As you command, sir,” Renji bowed his head.

“Open the way to soul society,” Byakuya commanded. Renji released his hold on Rukia, and she stood proudly behind her brother. She felt his cold icy demeanor drop for but a moment, and the sense of cold pride gleaming in his sidelong gaze.

“You are wise to surrender Rukia. You know there is no place he can hide from me. And when I find him he will die for stripping you of your powers,” Byakuya said.

“Nii-sama,” she opened her lips.

“Silence. I will hear no more of this,” Byakuya interrupted. “Do not say anything that would bring further dishonor upon our house. You have regained some of your respect that you had lost by allowing yourself to be taken without incident. Nevertheless, do not try my patience further. The true story will become apparent.”

“As you say Nii-sama.” Rukia hung her head, knowing she would not condemn Ichigo. Why hadn’t her brother demanded she tell the location of Ichigo, she was not sure? Yet she had her suspicions.

1. For a noble, failure to behave in the proper manner was dishonorable. That meant she could only speak in front of the tribunal or her brother in private. Not in the company of a vice captain. It was for her brother to hear from her own lips first back in the Sereitei.
2. Byakuya knew she would tell him eventually. He would easily ask Renji, but not in front of her where the improper protocol would be followed.
3. He had sensed the truth, but would not risk further scandal. A suitable reason for her absence must be given, and he had to be sure of the situation before he would allow her to speak
4. Byakuya already knew where Ichigo was.
Her brother was no slouch in the use of kido. He could easily use his powers to seek out the location of Ichigo. The fact that he had suddenly appeared told her he must have already done so. Or else he would have demanded she reveal his location.

All she had to do was keep silent and hope Ichigo had the sense to hide. So far, he had not revealed himself. Yet the flutter of reiatsu made her swallow, for she knew it was not of a human or soul reaper, but a Quincy. Close to death.

“Captain?” Renji asked quietly.

“No further questions. You may wonder why I did not interrogate you further, Rukia. There is no need seeing as I have already defeated one of the ones who must be responsible. To think a Quincy would have survived. “

Rukia’s eyes widened. She struggled to fight her urge to gasp.

“So he was known to you? I am not surprised. The Quincy has employed many techniques to fight Soul Reapers. The story is clear in my mind. Somehow, the responsible human must have allied with the Quincy and together they have rested your powers from you, Rukia. That is what I say has happened,” Byakuya said coldly.

“A Quincy,” whispered Renji. “I knew I sensed one damn it!”

“What…what did you do to him?” Rukia asked.

“He will not be a further problem. His powers are far too weak to be of any threat to the Soul Reapers or Soul Society. Moreover, eventually he will betray the location of his allies. That is why there is no further need for us to remain here,” said Byakuya.

“I see,” Renji murmured, nodding slowly.

“Now, open the way,” Byakuya instructed, seeing the look of shock and horror on his sisters eyes. Despite her efforts to hide it, she was sure he must have glimpsed them. Instead, she averted her gaze and stared straight ahead. Renji distance himself from her, and extended Zabimaru. A flash of energy came from its tip that pierced space, and twisted around it. Before them appeared sliding doors that seemed made of rice paper spread on wooden frames. All three of them stepped through them, leaving the world of the living behind them.