Title: Three Parts Dead
Chapter: Unwanted Guests
Rating: PG-13 | T
Pairing/Character/s: Byakuya + Renji, Zabimaru + Senbonzakura
Word Count: 10,465
Warning/s: Spoilers. Angst. Language.
Summary: Weddings always have wedding crashers, even noble ones.
A/N: This scene was fairly long in coming. XD What’s a Bleach fic without Ichigo freaking out somewhere?
“People are far more sincere and good-humored at
speeding their parting guests than on meeting them.”
- Anton Chekhov
As he forced himself not to vacate the room and reschedule the meeting again, Byakuya could only bite back tired sighs and wish his headache would go away. The formal announcement of his and Renji's engagement the day before had spread rampantly about Seireitei - to the point that, as he settled into his office at the Division that morning, several lower seats had dropped by just to say how happy they were for him. It was almost irritating how much friendlier those girls and the rest became when they knew he had a fiancé.
Then, of course, there were the women - and men, Byakuya reluctantly admitted - that became less than friendly after acquiring such knowledge. He quickly grew tired of the jealous stares cast in his direction, especially when Renji was near. Honestly, if this sort of thing continued, he was going to go mad. Headaches were bad enough, but -
"Kuchiki-sama? Kuchiki-sama!"
Byakuya's attention snapped back to the meeting in a split second and he straightened in his seiza, annoyed to be caught with his thoughts drifting with both his family and Renji around. "My thoughts were elsewhere, forgive me," he stated flatly.
Several of the elders exchanged glances and raised eyebrows, but said nothing else. "We were on the topic of wedding attire, Kuchiki-sama," one of the men explained, "and were interested in your and your... fiancé’s input."
Renji did his best feign of surprise, eyebrows raised distractedly at the elders as he simply answered, "I didn't think there'd be a question about this; it's obvious he'd look much better in the bridal kimono." Somehow managing a calm glance at the man beside him, as if checking once more, he added, "And white’s too pure for me anyway; he wears it much better."
Inside, the redhead was anything but calm, in fact, he was practically riotous in his humor over the situation. Really, it was obvious to anyone would knew Byakuya in the least bit that the noble had a raging headache from 'dealing' with all of the congratulations and jealous stares they'd been getting throughout the day, but everyone else seemed to be ignoring it. He'd felt nothing but proud to be the source of such contemptuous glares the entire day; each one making him happier than the last until he was practically radiating a smug pride he didn't feel like reigning in. And, for some reason, Byakuya only became increasingly agitated over the whole affair. Well, he couldn't explain it, but he could try to lighten things up, after all, being stuck in this damned meeting when he was practically bursting with energy was all but driving him mad and all Byakuya could do was sulk over his division being happy for him. Fickle noble.
Byakuya barely bit back a hiss of breath and the urge to wipe a hand down his face in exasperation. Of all the times Renji had to tease him - the noble cut his thoughts off when he caught a glimpse of the almost amused expressions on the elders' faces. It was really all he could do not to stare in complete and utter shock - and was that a chuckle coming from them as well?
Shutting his eyes briefly, Byakuya decided that, while it may be a good thing that his family found Renji amusing (at the moment), he was in no mood to be the source of Renji's jabs. All the attention he had received from his division and others was already too much and this certainly did not make his headache any better. "I am sure we are all quite aware that white is far too pure for you, Renji," he drawled, opening his eyes and sliding his gaze to the redhead seated on his right. "But I thought we had already discussed that neither of us would be wearing the bridal kimono."
"We did," Renji agreed, nodding thoughtfully for affect, "but I'm having second thoughts. After all, it would be a shame to let such a beautiful heirloom go to waste, don't you think?" The redhead continued, mimicking the noble's usual demeanor with startling accuracy, although it was becoming harder not to smirk.
Resisting the urge to smack Renji clear across the room, Byakuya drew in a slow breath and turned his head to stare at him instead, his tone clearly showing his irritation. "I am not -”
"Now, Kuchiki-sama, don't get so riled up. You were the one who asked us to be tolerant, were you not?" an elder quipped, clearly entertained by this situation. "This is supposed to be a time of happiness, and as it is, Abarai-san is clearly speaking in jest."
Byakuya clamped his jaw shut before it could drop open. Of all the times for his family to be enjoying Renji's company, it had to be now. Grinding his teeth slightly, he managed a curt nod and climbed to his feet. "Of course. Please excuse me. I need to speak to Renji - outside." It took every semblance of self-control for Byakuya not to simply snatch the redhead up by the arm and drag him from the room.
Biting back the grin that wanted to show through, Renji managed to restrain all the pent up energy and humor to his gaze, sending it quickly to the elder that spoke so he could remember the man later and reciprocate the comment. That's one, he thought to himself as rose to his feet and nodded properly before silently following Byakuya from the room. He knew most of the propriety he so feigned an ignorance to - it just wasn't useful most of the time.
As the door to the room closed, the grin came out full force, laughter just barely contained as he regarded the other man. "Is something wrong, Kuchiki-sama?" he teased, thoroughly enjoying himself by this point.
"You are absolutely impossible," the noble bit out savagely, a pale hand pressing against his forehead as he sighed heavily and shut his eyes. "I have dealt with enough people today," Byakuya said finally, dropping his hand and looking up at Renji. "I simply want this meeting to be short and to the point and you are making that difficult. Just..." Another sigh heaved from the older man's lips, accompanying a shake of his head. "I was going to send someone else for this, but seeing as you are such a bundle of energy, you would be better suited. Go to the living world and bring Rukia back. Her presence is required at our wedding and I am sure you would enjoy seeing her. I can handle this meeting by myself and if there is anything that needs your opinion, I will be sure to bring it up with you later."
Blinking a bit - his captain had managed to deviate to a wholly separate issue in less time than it took to release their shikai - Renji took a moment to gather his thoughts. With a roll of his eyes, he clapped a hand against Byakuya's shoulder. "Runnin' me off already, Taichou?" he sighed a bit, already having accepted that station and recognizing that it was his own fault that he'd let Byakuya keep such reactions as defaults for interacting with him. His gaze softened a bit as he leaned forward, catching the man's chin lightly and giving him an affectionate kiss. "Relax a little, will ya'? Stop 'dealin' with people and ya might just enjoy yerself fer once," he advised, pulling away and turning to see to his new task. At least he didn't have to sit through the meeting anymore.
Letting his mumble of an argument be muffled by the kiss, Byakuya let out another sigh, relaxing perhaps a fraction before managing a nod to Renji's advice and turning back toward the room. "Please be sure to break our engagement gently to her," the noble said over his shoulder, glancing back briefly at the other man. "I doubt she knows of anything that has been going on."
"Not a thing!" the redhead cheerfully called over his shoulder with a quick wave before flashstepping out of earshot to avoid having to answer the first part of Byakuya's comment. His grin fully reinstating itself, Renji continued at his fast pace to relieve some of the pent up energy bouncing through him before he got to the gates of Seireitei. He waved at the large guard, yelling up so the man could hear him. "Got a retrieval ta' do, open it up?" he asked, just barely repressing the urge to bounce from foot to foot.
"Of course, fukutaichou!" the guard boomed, squatting down to raise the gate with a hard pull.
"Thanks!" the redhead called out, waving as he walked through.
"- heard yer getting married," the man answered, somewhat strained as he held the gate up.
Renji glanced back and the turned around, smiling widely at him. "I am - should be a coupla' days," he answered with no small amount of pride.
"Congratulations - please convey my good wishes to Kuchiki-Taichou as well," the guardian boomed, grinning down at the lieutenant standing casually below him as he strained to keep the gate open.
"Thanks, Jidanbou, and I will," the redhead replied, patting the man's leg as he passed through completely, unperturbed by the ringing slam that resounded once he was on the other side. He unsheathed Zabimaru, silently releasing his shikai form with a light smirk, "Let's go have some fun, ne?" he spoke lightly, extending the zanpakutou forward to induce the released energies into opening the way between worlds, stepping through once it was complete.
He glanced around to get his bearings once through - the damn thing always opened in the most random places - and slung Zabimaru across his shoulder for a moment. It seemed to be late afternoon in the living world, leaving him with little idea of where to find his wayward friend. Well, best to start out easy he decided, and cast about with his reiatsu. Rukia was always a bit hard to locate, but Ichigo on the other hand - ah hah. "Heh, damn bastard never did take anyone's advice," the lieutenant muttered, resealing his sword and sheathing it as he set out towards Orihime's, since Ichigo's distinctive signature flowed overwhelmingly from that direction. It used to bother him to resort to this method in order to find Rukia, but now... he found he didn't mind so much.
Upon arriving at the residence, he decided to forgo the usual entrance and simply slip down through the first two floors, dropping out of the ceiling of the living room instead. "Evenin'!" he greeted with his usual smirk, looking around to see who was actually in the room.
The heated 'debate' Rukia was involved in with Ichigo cut off abruptly, leaving the girl's hands clamped around the boy's throat as she blinked once, then twice at the new arrival from her place on the couch. "Renji!" she happily crowed, jerking away from Ichigo and artfully ignoring that he was gasping for breath. "What're you doing here?"
Ichigo sucked in a slow breath, rubbing his neck where Rukia had been 'strangling' him seconds before. He eyed the redhead, amused at the obvious energy that kept him all but bouncing. "And what're you so happy 'bout? Rukia's slave driver brother give you a day off or somethin'?"
"Somethin' like that," Renji allowed, going with the flow of his rabid energy and tugging at Rukia through her gigai somewhat playfully. "Got orders ta' drag you back fer a coupla days," he informed her, looking absolutely thrilled at the prospect.
Distracted by Renji's obviously ecstatic mood, Rukia relented to his tug and stepped from her gigai. "Why? Who sent for me?" she queried as she smoothed out her robes, unable to fathom why she'd be sent home now, of all times, when it seemed like everything was well and her presence not needed in Seireitei.
"Yer brother's gettin' married’s why," the redhead all but crowed in amusement. "You should see it, Rukia - most a Seireitei's either bawlin' or fawning over him! It's fuckin' hilarious! He can't stand it at all." He laughed deeply, auburn eyes sparkling with mirth.
"Eh?!" The girl blinked, totally taken off-guard by the redhead's response. "Married?! To who?!" She shook her head, letting out a long sigh. "The household isn't making him marry one of those frilly idiots, are they? I mean, they've been pushing those girls on him forever, but..."
Unable to keep back a snicker at the mental image of Seireitei in all of its entirety fawning over Byakuya, Ichigo shifted on the couch, smirking at Renji. "So that's why you get the day off, eh? Byakuya's gotta go on his honeymoon~..."
"Ichigo!" Rukia groaned, flinging her arm backward in hopes of hitting him as she flushed slightly. "He's my brother; I don't want that mental image!"
Finding the entire situation that they weren't fully aware of yet absolutely hilarious, Renji gave in and simply sat down on the nearest piece of furniture, cracking up at the reactions as much as what they couldn't yet know.
"What mental image?" Inoue queried, wandering out of the hallway and into a room of unbridled mirth. That Renji was there wasn't too much of a surprise, but the atmosphere and gigai on the ground made her feel like she'd missed something important. She blinked at said redhead, but he was obviously too amused just then to answer any questions, and so her gaze travelled to her two other companions. "What happened?" she fairly pouted, wanting in on the good humor.
"Damn, Renji, it wasn't that funny," Ichigo said, amused in spite of himself. Rukia looked exasperated, placing her hands on her hips and shrugging at Orihime.
"I have no idea what's so funny," she stated flatly, lifting a hand to point it at Renji. "But he just informed me that my Nii-sama is getting married and he won't answer any of my questions and Ichigo just keeps making it worse!"
Lighting up instantly at the news, Inoue all but launched herself at Renji, tackling the spirit in a big hug. "Congratulations! I'm so glad everything worked out!" she cheered, embracing the man tightly.
Smirk holding firmly in place as he caught the enthusiastic woman, Renji kept an eye on the room's other inhabitants as he replied, calming somewhat at her honest exuberance. "Thanks, Inoue... ya really helped"
Realization smacked Rukia hard in the face. Her jaw dropped as she stared at Renji, her hand dropping to her side again as she gawked openly at the redhead. "......Everything worked out...? Wait... you... and Nii-sama...."
The boy still seated on the couch stared as well, his mouth opening and then shutting again as he resisted an eloquent 'what the fuck?!' and simply sat back, stunned and completely not expecting this to come out of their conversation.
Renji just snickered and eventually released Inoue, watching Ichigo and Rukia's far more amusing reactions. "See? It was that funny. Che, both of ya' look like fish outta water," he proclaimed, smug grin firmly set in place.
For her part, Inoue tried not to look too amused at their reactions, preferring to be a least a little sensitive to the fact that she had known when they hadn't. "So when's the wedding?"
"Coupla' days," Renji supplied easily, looking back at her and before she could ask, added, "An' I don't think he'd mind if ya' came."
Smiling brilliantly, Orihime clasped her hands together. "Really? I bet it'll be gorgeous!"
Finally regaining some semblance of composure, Rukia swallowed and flopped down in the chair next to Renji's, peering up at him. "...Why didn't you tell me?" she pouted, not exactly upset but milking it for what it was worth all the same. "I would've liked to know that my best friend and my brother are, well, you know..."
After a few more moments of silence on his part, Ichigo finally shook his head and sat up a bit, raking a hand back through his hair. "Well, congrats and all, Renji," he began, rubbing the back of his head, "but honestly... I thought you still had a thing for Rukia."
"What?!" the girl exclaimed, sitting back quickly and reaching for something to throw at her other friend.
"And you don't?" Renji shot back with a smirk, but then stood and scooped up the small woman easily. "A' course I had a thing fer her," he unannounced unabashedly, and promptly leaned down to kiss her full on the lips, one eye remaining open enough to gauge both Rukia and Ichigo's reactions before setting her down once more. "... But Byakuya's prettier," he added with a wink, lurching back out of instinct before Rukia could hit him.
Rukia's eyes widened, almost doubling in circumference even as she was sat back down. Slowly, she managed to shake herself out of the shock of being kissed and threw a slightly dazed punch in Renji's direction. "B... bastard!" she managed to snarl, grabbing the nearest pillow and thwacking him hard across the head with it. "Because of that, I'm so telling Nii-sama you kissed me!"
Blinking rapidly, Ichigo found himself at a loss for words, once again. Rukia's threats seemed to wake his mind once again and he shook off the feelings of disbelief before pointing out levelly, "In a wedding kimono, he might be."
A combination of a growl and a hiss escaped Rukia before she whirled toward Ichigo. "Not you, too!"
"I was just sayin'!"
"Well, don't!" she huffed, tossing the pillow at the boy before flopping down with a full pout and her arms crossed.
Laughing through the pillow retaliation, Renji fell back into the chair he'd vacated, quite amused by Ichigo's thoughtful statement. "That's what I keep tellin' him, even got the elders gunnin' on it for a while," he quipped lightly, feeling more at ease than he had the last few days, and sighed contently, finally relaxing after the adrenaline thinned out. "I can't get 'im to wear it though; 's a real shame."
Inoue chuckled softly, sitting down on the table in front of Renji. "So what's it like?" she prodded, desperately curious.
Renji waved a hand dismissively, "He ain't tellin' me half of it - just the important stuff, ya know? There's a bunch a ceremonies ta sit through and legal stuff ta go through and sign but the big part is exchangin' vows an' presentin' each other with a present - he's so stressed over th' whole thing I can hardly find out anythin' aside from that before he's off delegatin' someone else." Auburn eyes rolled lightly before turning to Rukia for any helpful input, "Don't s'pose you know th' rest?
Calming down somewhat, Rukia curled up in the corner of her chair, pulling her legs up to her chest. "No," she answered with an apologetic glance. "Nii-sama's never... really involved me with any of the household's affairs, and marriage wasn't really something they've pushed at me, so I'm not really much help..."
"All I can say is that y'better clean up nicely, Renji," Ichigo teased, resting his hands on his knees.
At that, Rukia snickered. "You make it sound like Nii-sama won't be dressing him, anyway." Ichigo snorted with laughter before managing to cast Renji a pitying look.
"Ah, lay off," Renji replied dismissively, glancing up at the ceiling for a moment. "'sides, you two keep goin' like ya are and Byakuya'll be the one 'pushin' marriage' on ya'," he added pointedly, glancing between the two of them.
Rukia blushed darkly, trying to manage a glare in Renji's direction and failing miserably. "He wouldn't!"
In contrast to Rukia's blush, Ichigo paled slightly. "...He better not. No offense, but I don't wanna be tied to any form of a noble house with their fucked up ideals and everything."
"Can we just go?" Rukia whined slightly toward Renji, still trying to fight down a blush. "And can we leave him behind?" At that, she pointed in Ichigo's direction, who promptly glared in response. "Nii-sama doesn't like him, anyway."
"He doesn't like that I can kick his ass," Ichigo corrected.
"According ta th' reports, the ass kicking was pretty mutual." Renji retorted with a slight frown, feeling the need to defend fiancé and zanpakutou alike, "An' yer not the only one who's improved," he added, standing up and adjusting his clothes, finding his lieutenant's insignia had slipped again. "Regardless, if ya' feel like comin' - I have ta go to Urahara's anyway fer Inoue, so if ya want ta come, I doubt even the Kuchiki family could tell ya 'no'." If Ichigo actually went and displayed some level of - at the very least - genuine respect or even support for the whole thing... Half of Byakuya's problem with Ichigo revolved around the boy not acting like an equal - why Ichigo felt like he had to constantly upstage the noble was beyond Renji and frankly he didn't care anymore, he just wanted the posturing to dim to a more manageable level.
"He gave the win to me -”
"Enough, enough," Rukia interrupted, waving a hand in dismissal before Ichigo and Renji got into an actual fistfight over the matter. "That's all been said and done, leave it alone. And," she added, catching Ichigo's eye as he snorted and looked away, obviously annoyed, "you are coming, so you better mind your manners around Nii-sama. Calling him at least Kuchiki-san would be a start -”
"I know how to mind my manners -”
"Then stop interrupting me!" the girl screeched, jumping up and readying herself to smack him across the head if he spoke again. Ichigo settled back, scowling, but otherwise remained silent. "Good," she said with a heaving sigh. Turning back to Renji, she took in the thought of Urahara and grimaced slightly. "Just hope Yoruichi-san's off somewhere else, because if she finds out... She'll want to go."
Renji winced slightly at the reminder of the lost Shihouin noble. While he wasn't sure exactly what it was that was between them, he knew it certainly wasn't something Byakuya seemed particularly ... proud of and generally didn't comment on. Of course, given that all of Seireitei knew in about an hour after the official announcement... "If she doesn't know already," he sighed, shaking his head. "I wouldn't be surprised if they're waitin'," he admitted.
"Well, give me a minute to grab something to wear for the wedding," Inoue interrupted before they got too far into that. "Kurosaki-kun, do you have anything?"
"You better be ready to apologize to Nii-sama, then," Rukia muttered, jabbing the redhead in the side with a finger. "'Cause he's not going to be happy to see her."
"I hope Yoruichi goes," Ichigo cut in beneath his breath, and then added absently, "at least it'll be someone to talk to with any sense... Huh?" Hearing his name, he glanced up, blinking in Orihime's direction. "Ah, yeah, I do. Let me run to my house and get my things."
Frowning at the boy for a moment, Rukia slowly slid her eyes away with an inward sigh. She could understand Ichigo's reaction, really; after all that had happened before, it would be hard for him and her brother to get along, especially with their egos clashing as they did. All that aside, she hoped he could at least be respectful and appreciate the wedding for what it was - though, that, too, had to do with Ichigo's reaction. Even she was still reeling from the fact Renji and Byakuya were a couple; she couldn't imagine the shock Ichigo must still be feeling.
"Of course I'm ready ta apologize," Renji muttered with a roll of his eyes, inwardly adding that he was pretty damn good at it by now. Looking back over the assembled group, he had to sigh; only then beginning to see the reason Byakuya had asked him to break the news gently. It was hard, having been actively involved in said relationship, to remember that this wasn't exactly an easy thing to comprehend for those who hadn't been in constant contact with either himself or Byakuya over the last few years.
Deciding to at least attempt to work things out a bit, Renji cast a quick glance at Orihime before casually saying, "I'll go with ya then," in Ichigo's general direction.
Now aware of what the silent plea had been, Orihime moved forward to collect Rukia before she could object. "Ne, Rukia-san, will you help me choose the right kimono? My mother left me a few and I've never really been to a wedding before..." she explained quietly, actually uncertain and using that feeling to its fullest to garner the small shinigami's aid.
"Suit yourself," Ichigo responded, climbing up from the couch and stretching slightly before he began to head down the hallway and towards the front door. "Don't take too long, you two; 'cause I'm gonna be quick about this."
"We'll take as long as we want, y'jerk," Rukia grumbled before turning to Orihime with a smile. "Lead the way, I'd be happy to help - simple but elegant is the key to all of this, you know..."
Rolling his eyes, the boy opened the door with a long exhale of breath. Just when he thought he wouldn't have to bother with nobles again - excluding Rukia - he found himself drawn into this. Shaking his head lightly, Ichigo wondered how in the world Renji and Byakuya got along for five minutes, let alone managed to obviously carry on quite a long-term relationship.
"This bothers you," Renji announced without preamble, stepping through the door after Ichigo without a comment or any real care about why it was closed on him. "So whatever it is that's got ya so preoccupied, you should just say it. Better now than later, anyway," he offered somewhat gruffly. Ichigo often reminded him of his old division mates from eleventh, and so he usually treated him as such - it was the best offer of friendship he could give and yet something which was turned away as often as it was taken. It was frustrating at times, but he couldn't think of anything better.
Ichigo snorted, stepping away from the redhead and taking the steps two at a time. "We're walkin' and talkin' at the same time, so c'mon," he responded, sliding his hands into the pockets of his jeans as he settled into a moderate saunter. "Look, Renji, I'm really happy for you and all... And I'm not just sayin' that so you don't hit me," the boy quickly added. "But... it's just, well... a shock. Hell, the last time I saw you two in Seireitei, Byakuya was tearin' you ta pieces... and even when you two were stuck at Orihime's awhile ago, you seemed to be getting along better, but that's it. If Rukia didn't notice anything, how the hell would I?"
Sighing, Ichigo shrugged slightly, looking up at the vice captain. "I guess you know Byakuya better than me, but... I just hope you know what you're doin'. I have a hard time trustin' the guy, all of his issues and reasons for doing what he did aside. He's breaking his damned 'promises' for you, Renji, so you better hope he doesn't remember that anytime soon."
"He never broke any of his promises fer me," Renji answered with a sigh, not liking the statement but making it nonetheless; the next part would be harder. He caught Ichigo's gaze as he replied, "Yer th' one that released him from those oaths - th' only one that could. And you've already seen how far he'll go to maintain what trust is placed in him when he doesn't even want ta uphold it -" he looked away then, frowning slightly as he collected his thoughts.
"And I didn' expect ya ta notice anything; we've been keepin' it under wraps fer years... only reason Inoue knew was because of some clean up we had ta do the week you came back," he added. "This isn't exactly all spur a th' moment, either... he won't jus' wake up some day and decide ta hate me - " Another, this time frustrated sigh slipped past Renji's lips as he tried to find the right words to explain something he had a hard enough time talking with Byakuya about.
"You can't confuse him with his family," he finally stated, looking back at Ichigo. "He's not like 'em, but they're his family, so he won't just abandon them. You'd do anythin' fer yer friends, right? Storm Seireitei and worse just for your friends, right? Well, what if ya had ta go through yer sisters ta do it?" Renji finally analogized, hoping for at least some form of understanding.
Remaining silent for some time, Ichigo finally inclined his head slightly, signaling his acknowledgement and understanding of Byakuya's situation. "...All right. I get it. It's just, y'know, hard after everything that happened, even after all this time..." Orange hair was shaken from his face as Ichigo paused in front of his house, turning toward Renji slightly. "...especially when Rukia's still terrified of him," he said quietly, turning his eyes upward toward the sky briefly. "That's why she's stayed here, even when she doesn't need ta be. I'm surprised she wasn't... well, all that freaked out about this. Or maybe she will be when she actually gets to Seireitei - who knows? I jus' hope she can manage. It's hard for me to think of him as Byakuya and not his family when she acts like that and barely knows the difference herself. Guess he should be glad you figured out the difference."
"She's definitely unsure how ta take it all," Renji confirmed just as quietly, glad Ichigo finally understood at least a little bit and more or less ignoring the last statement made since he really had no idea how to respond to it in the first place. "... I didn't know that was why she stayed," he admitted, frowning slightly and wondering if he hadn't neglected so many of his friends in a similar fashion since he and Byakuya became so heavily involved. "He's got fifty years ta make up for, though, it's gonna be hard... he can't help but be reminded of Hisana when she's around, y'know... that's not something real easy ta overcome... but I'll try ta bring it up at some point."
"Yeah, it's not 'cause she likes the scenery, trust me," Ichigo sighed, turning away to start towards his front door. "And I know it's gotta be tough for him: that's why he never looks at her. Y'noticed that? He's never laid eyes on her, 'cept for when he finally told her about Hisana... just that one time. If you could say something to him, anything, it'd be better than nothing. M'sure Rukia would appreciate it." Fishing out a key from his pocket, he unlocked the front door. "The old man's not home, he took my sisters out earlier," he explained over his shoulder as he kicked his shoes off and stepped into the house. "I just gotta run up and get my formal stuff and I'll be right back."
Somewhat relieved that he wouldn't have to handle Ichigo's father as well, Renji nodded and hung back by the entrance to wait, contemplating the boy's words. In a way, it felt like he'd failed her again, and that wasn't something that sat well with him. He'd have to talk with Byakuya about this soon. At that thought, he remembered who else was likely coming back with him and sighed, running a hand over his face quickly. Maybe he could get Senbonzakura to bring it up, since the chances of being on the noble's good side or even in his house that night had suddenly become quite slim indeed.
After making quick work of rummaging through the back of his closet, Ichigo found his formal wear and carefully folded the clothing. He slipped it into an overnight bag while absently hoping no one decided to pick a fight with him on the way to Seireitei, for fear of damaging said bag. A few minutes later, he came downstairs, throwing the bag over his shoulder as he bent to pull his shoes back on. "I'm ready," he announced, straightening. "Let's go back and get Inoue and..." Pausing, Ichigo peered at Renji, tilting his head slightly as he looked him over. "You okay?" he asked, noting how suddenly concerned Renji seemed.
Renji looked up, surprised by Ichigo's sudden question. "'s nothing, just wonderin' where I'm sleepin' tonight," he joked lightly, hoping it was enough to return the previous, light-hearted feeling he'd had when he'd first arrived. "C'mon, we should get goin'," he added, waiting for Ichigo to step outside before following.
Briefly giving Renji another glance, Ichigo relented somewhat and stepped out of the door, closing it and locking it again once they were both outside. "Why're you worried 'bout that?" he asked, prodding the redhead in the shoulder lightly. "If it's about Yoruichi, I can try and convince her not to come, though I don't know why it's such a big deal. Didn't she and Byakuya just grow up together or something? He probably doesn't like remembering he was a kid and that Yoruichi pushed him into a mud puddle and mussed his perfect hair on a regular basis."
Auburn eyes blinked rapidly as Renji attempted to absorb all the information thrown at him at once. "Maybe," he offered truthfully, shrugging his shoulders as he looked back at the man next to him, "I don' really know what's between 'em - topic never really came up, y'know? It ain't just her, though, pretty sure if I give 'er enough graphic pictures she'll leave us alone fer the night at least." He smirked faintly, "Only reason I came ta pick Rukia up instead a someone else was 'cuz I got kicked outta a marriage meetin', and now I'm comin' back with at least two extra people, if not more - which is a lot a extra paperwork, by the way - and I need ta discuss Rukia with 'im? Che, 'm better off jus' goin' ta my apartment while I still have it."
"If he ain't used to you being random and changin' plans by now, he better get used to it," Ichigo replied with a grin, "or his life's gonna be livin' hell for the next eternity." Regretting the attitude he had taken earlier on the situation, he sighed and clapped Renji on the shoulder reassuringly. "Look, I promise I'll be good and not cause a scene, so that's one less thing ya gotta worry about. Inoue can hold her own and Rukia... well, I'll keep an eye on her for ya. As long as Yoruichi doesn't fawn all over Byakuya at first sight, I think y'should be okay. If Yoruichi does latch onto him, though... Well, I hope yer better at shunpo now, 'cause Byakuya's going to be hunting you down and you're gonna need to get out of there fast."
Renji barked a laugh at that, Ichigo's morbid humor picking him up like any of his old buddies would have. It was a good, robust feeling he just now realized he'd been doing without for a while. "'s good enough," he answered with a grin and couldn't help adding, "But there's nothing sayin' I want ta get away. You should be careful, though, yer startin' ta get stared at," he pointed out with a grin.
"They all think I'm nuts anyway," Ichigo responded with a smirk, casting the few gawking neighbors a sideways glance and smirk that sent them scattering. "There we go," he said easily, turning his attention back to Renji. "And, please," he grimaced and blushed slightly, "keep what you want to yourself. I don't need ta know what you do when you aren't working or being half-killed."
"You need ta get laid," Renji answered almost instinctually, laughing both at Ichigo's antics and innocence. "Speaking of which, what, exactly, is between you and Rukia?" he asked lightly, keeping his gaze locked on the orange haired man beside him.
"I - " Color rising higher in his cheeks, Ichigo scowled, ducking his head and glaring at him out of the corner of his eye.”Bastard," he bit out, punching Renji half-heartedly in the arm. "I don't need ta get laid. And Rukia's my friend - and no, not my friend with benefits, 'cause unlike you, I don't go around frenchin' every pretty noble I see."
Ichigo's response only caused Renji's grin to widen, but he let the immediate subject drop, satisfied with the answer given. "Ya know, when you actually let yerself fall fer someone, it's gonna be an absolute wreck, but a lot a fun ta watch," he replied instead, feeling a bit more at ease around the other. This could work.
"Likewise," Ichigo replied, "I'm going to laugh my ass off when you trip coming down the aisle. And then tell Byakuya you kissed his sister." Smug grin returning, he brushed past Renji to the front door of Orihime's house. Not bothering to knock, he peeked his head inside and called out, "Inoue! Rukia! You two ready yet?"
With a roll of his eyes, Renji half stepped through the door, peering around for the two women, and had he been solid, would have run smack into Inoue. As it was, he was able to drift through her on sheer instinct alone and then turned around fast to catch her.
"Ah! I hate that!" Inoue shivered, pulling herself upright with Renji's now solid help. Walking through shinigami always made her skin crawl no matter the circumstances. “- we're ready to go," she added, looking back at Rukia.
Allowing Renji to keep an eye on Inoue, Ichigo turned a concerned russet gaze toward the small shinigami trailing at Orihime's heels. Rukia seemed jittery, her smile forced from what Ichigo could tell, and the way she curled her fingers into her palms to bunch the edges of her sleeves beneath her fingertips all portraying the perfect picture of someone hopelessly nervous. The orange-haired man all but itched to tell her just to stay and that he'd stay, too, but he knew that wouldn't fly at this point. She apparently had to be there, and so he'd go with her. Rukia had to face her brother at some point, anyway; might as well be now.
"Then let's go," Ichigo managed, reaching back to grab Rukia's arm and haul her forward. "You're going too slow," he explained with a smirk. "Y'should work on that."
"Did Renji propose to you, too? 'Cause you seem to be in a much better mood now," Rukia mused, satisfied when Ichigo jerked away with a dark blush.
"Rukia, you - !"
"You're going too slow," she taunted as she stepped past him, nodding to Renji to lead the way to Urahara's shop.
"For the record," Renji interrupted, tugging Orihime along behind him as he followed his childhood friend, "I never proposed ta anyone, least of all, him." Releasing the other woman, he moved quickly to the front of the group. "And I don't know how magnanimous Byakuya or any of the household's gonna be with you all, so ya might end up at my place for the night - jus' so ya know," he added, changing the topic but still keeping an eye on Rukia, more concerned about her now that Ichigo had mentioned how frightened she really was. He'd probably have to talk to her some time before Byakuya worked up the courage, he realized silently.
"Nii-sama will probably let them stay... but he'll kill you, Renji," Rukia stated half-teasingly as she moved to Renji's side, trying her best to remain optimistic. She hoped Byakuya would let them stay, at least;
Orihime's presence and Ichigo's especially, in that stifling estate would be a warm, welcomed one. Unable to keep back a shiver at the memory of those cold halls, she lifted blue eyes toward the redhead beside her. "I'm surprised you still have your apartment... Aren't they making you move in to the estate?"
Keeping his gaze locked on Rukia, Ichigo bit back his concern for the moment and tried to lighten the situation further. "It's gonna be funny as hell to see you survive in a noble household, Renji... Watch 'em try to dress you up in those pretty silk kimonos."
"It's division relegated - Byakuya has captain's quarters too, he jus' never uses them... I think he actually converted them to his office. So I'll always have it, but, yes, I'm movin' in," Renji clarified, glancing back when Ichigo chimed in. He smirked a bit at the comment, "Ya' got it backwards, Kurosaki - they'll be survivin' me." His smirk widened to a grin at the proclamation. "I haven' seen any a that yet, anyway, though I wouldn't be surprised if it comes up after th' weddin'," he added.
"That wouldn't be so bad~" Inoue chirped, grinning at the redhead. "You look good when Byakuya-san dresses you," she teased.
Auburn eyes rolled. "Aw lay off already... 'm not a doll."
"You will be if you're in Nii-sama's sight all day and all night," Rukia warned, faintly amused at the thought. "He won't stand for anyone in his house to be less than perfectly dressed."
Ichigo snickered, finding the mental image of Renji relenting to some form of Byakuya's fashion sense absolutely hilarious. He bit back full out laughter to hopefully prevent being sidelined by Renji's fist, but couldn't resist further commentary. "...Man, Renji, you are so whipped."
The fist reacted before Renji even registered the comment, bypassing the body and firmly clocking the spirit inside. The redhead blinked and pulled his hand back, but Inoue spoke before he got the chance.
"Wow! Just like Matsumoto-san!" she declared, eyes round in surprise and admiration.
A short pause followed, the redhead not entirely sure how to react to that, but immediately shooting a glare in Ichigo's direction to ward off any commentary that particular statement could bring up. "I've been in that house plenty a times in a "less than perfectly dressed" state," he announced before anyone could further comment, and resumed their walk, thinking that at least mostly vague statements that could in some way relate to sex usually put Rukia and Ichigo off kilter enough to shut up.
Nearly knocked right out of his living body, Ichigo stumbled dizzily for a moment, blinking to clear his blurry vision that was both from being punched and having his spirit jerked around. He half-grinned as he received a glare from the redhead, but his grin slowly faded to something resembling distaste, complete with a growing blush. "Too much information!" he groaned, covering his eyes briefly and refusing to look at Renji as that mental image flashed unwillingly through his mind.
"He's my brother, Renji! Brother! I didn't need to know that!" Rukia snarled, blushing as she took the statement in the same way as Ichigo and in turn, thwacked Renji across the back - hard.
The redhead only laughed, skipping forward once with the momentum of Rukia's hit as a smug grin settled on his features. "So you don't mind 'knowing that' about me, then?" he teased, fully enjoying the severe upper hand he held at the moment.
"Ah, look! There's the shop~" Inoue interrupted, trying to neutralize the banter for a bit.
Only able to stutter for a moment, Rukia's blush deepened to a shade resembling Renji's hair before she quickly followed Orihime's lead and looked away from Renji. "W-we should hurry," she quickly agreed. "Nii-sama probably expects me soon."
"Yeah, yeah, he didn't exactly give me a time frame," Renji sighed, walking up to the shop and poking his head inside, looking around for its owner. "'lo?"
"Ah, Yoruichi was right~" A fan poked out from around a door on the opposite side of the room and fluttered vigorously. "Come in, come in! We were expecting you!"
"Well," Ichigo said bemusedly, his blush having faded somewhat as he glanced to Renji, "you were right. They already know, and you're probably going to be sakura-petaled to pieces when you get home."
"'s nothin' new," Renji shrugged, walking into the establishment, only to be pounced off his feet by a small black cat. A fairly impressive feet even knowing it wasn't really a cat.
"You're taking me with you," Yoruichi announced, giving the redhead a cattish grin as she slowly paced his chest, feline eyes smugly watching Renji's reaction.
"... I hope Sen's feelin' merciful..." Renji muttered, not even bothering to fight with the noble.
Yoruichi laughed and hopped off the lieutenant, allowing him to stand as she jumped up to Urahara's shoulder. "Kisuke... you wouldn't have a camera handy, would you?" she purred into his ear.
"I'll find one!" the blonde announced, scooping her off of his shoulder and tucking her beneath an arm before ducking behind a desk to rummage through a few shelves. Seconds later, he straightened, sitting her on the desk and holding up the retrieved camera. "This good enough?" Urahara asked, turning his head to peer at the others in the room. "Don't look like you're going to face your death, all of you," he scolded. "It's only Byakuya-san! Oh! And please accept my sincerest congratulations, Renji-san~"
"Maybe we can avoid death if ya jump on Byakuya and knock him to the ground when you get there, Yoruichi," Ichigo suggested, managing to look completely serious and prompting a strangled sound from Rukia as a result.
"Thanks... I think," Renji managed as he pushed himself to his feet, eyeing not only the camera in Urahara's hand, but the way in which Yoruichi seemed positively thrilled to have it. A thrilled Yoruichi was not a good thing, he realized with a sinking feeling.
"I don't think-" Inoue began, but was immediately cut off by Yoruichi.
"A good plan of attack," the cat announced, hoping out of Urahara's grasp and snatching the camera strap with her teeth, setting it on the ground to speak again. "But I prefer my own," she added, turning back to Urahara. "Well, are we going, then? I'll bring back enough pictures for a whole scrapbook," she promised smugly.
Renji tried not to remember was Senbonzakura felt like embedded in his skin.
~
The meeting had ended hours ago, and seeing as Renji had yet to return home, Byakuya had taken to his room in hopes of relaxing. A long, hot bath had soothed his nerves somewhat, leaving the noble to change into comfortable, cerulean-blue silk, a shade brighter than what he would usually wear, but Byakuya decided with current events, he could acknowledge his happiness with a small splash of color.
What would have been a relatively relaxing evening was interrupted by the somewhat frantic knocking on his bedroom door, to which he responded to with an irritated stare and a murmured 'enter'. A servant quickly darted into the room, bowing low and remaining that way as she spoke.
"Kuchiki-sama, Abarai-san has returned, but... it is not only Rukia-san that is with him, there are humans and..."
The words that followed Byakuya promptly ignored as he stood, willing himself to resist storming from the room and outright kicking Renji and whoever he brought with from the house that night. Honestly, could the man not follow simple instructions? He should have known better than to send the redhead when he was so... hyper, for lack of a better word. "I will deal with this," the noble sighed out, interrupting the servant girl's babbling.
She nodded nervously, straightening although her eyes remained downcast. "Please follow me, then, Kuchiki-sama." With that, she led the way down the halls to the main entrance where Renji had arrived only moments before.
Having spent the majority of the last few minutes consumed with nervous, almost frightened energy, a strange sense of relief washed over the redhead when he felt Byakuya's reiatsu draw near, even if it was openly agitated. It seemed, however, that the group standing with him was bound and determined to get him killed that night, for the moment Byakuya actually came into view, Yoruichi jumped up and transformed mid flight, glomping her fellow noble with all the enthusiasm only the naked heir to the Shihouin family could accomplish.
"I'm so glad I'll get to see your wedding this time, Byakuya-bo!" she crowed happily, hair swishing her thighs like her tail normally would.
Renji briefly wondered if it was a good or bad thing he didn't see Byakuya's zanpakutou with him. Bad, he decided, since that left, essentially, kidou.
Blue eyes snapped wide open, annoyance overcome by stunned surprise that openly reflected across the noble's face as he was tackled, and ultimately, sent stumbling back into a near-by wall. Completely and utterly mortified, Byakuya pressed his hands against the wall, absolutely refusing to touch Yoruichi in such a compromising position. "...Why," he managed to grind out after finding his voice, "are you here?" Still wide eyes fell on Renji, then on the other present company the redhead had taken before returning Renji and narrowing slightly as if saying 'this is your fault and you will pay.'
"Why am I here?" Yoruichi echoed, pulling back with a grin. "Because you're getting married of course!" Producing the camera from god only knows - and very few others want to know - where, she held it up between them, one hand remaining on her hip as she did. "Someone has to take pictures, you know," she added with a wink.
Renji tried to offer a reassuring smile, but it only came across as sheepish and apologetic. He glanced at the remainder of the group for some form of help, but only came up with a very rigid Rukia, a blushing Ichigo who was currently amused, but trying desperately not to look in Yoruichi's general direction while simultaneously hold true to his promise of not stirring anything up, and Inoue who looked like she simply had no idea how to react to the situation at hand. Great.
Taking a moment to steel himself, Renji stepped forward and clapped a hand on to Yoruichi's shoulder. "I just finished winning him over an' now's got a naked, beautiful woman hanging all over him? I've already got half a Seireitei pissed at me, I really don' want ta compete with you too," he joked, pulling the woman away from his fiancé as he spoke.
Thankfully, Yoruichi seemed content with the praise and backed off with a grin. "You know how to pick your fights," she answered smugly, spinning around - and giving the whole room an eyeful as she did - and finally returning to her cat form. "At any rate, I have other things to catch up on before the wedding." She smirked again, looping the camera around her neck as she looked back at the groom-to-be. "See you then, Byakuya-bo~" With that, she bounded back out the door, leaving the stunned group to carry on in her wake.
"Lock the door," Byakuya immediately snapped to a servant as soon as Yoruichi had vacated the area. As the servant scrambled to do so, the noble sighed slowly, fingers rising to press against his temples. He knew very well that wouldn't keep the woman out, but perhaps it would make her take the hint for the night, at least. As for the other two unexpected guests - well, Orihime's presence was not necessarily a burden, but Ichigo was another story. An unwillingness to be rude, however, prompted Byakuya to bite his tongue and simply allow himself to suffer through whatever chaos the orange-haired man would ultimately bring.
"Renji," he finally managed, dropping one hand and peering up at the redhead in tired exasperation. As much as he wanted to scold his fiancé, Byakuya felt too overwhelmed and stressed to bother. "Have a servant show Inoue-san and Kurosaki-san to two of the guest rooms." When his gaze swiveled to Rukia, taking in the obvious way she had frozen up and the clear fear that reflected in her eyes... it really was all Byakuya could do to remain in the room, his entire mood worsening at least ten levels. "...Welcome back, Rukia. I assume you can find your own way to your room?"
"Yes, Nii-sama," the girl mumbled, bowing deeply before straightening and all but skittering from the room.
Renji sighed, but nodded, gesturing to Inoue and Ichigo before leading them down the hallway far enough to snatch a servant and relate the instructions. He gave Ichigo a thankful glance for remaining quiet as he had before treading back to Byakuya's side. " ... I know I'm probably not in the best of positions to say this, but ya really need ta try an' be nicer ta Rukia," he stated quietly, wanting to say so before he forgot. "I haven't gotten ta speak with her yet..." he sighed and glanced back at Byakuya, hoping to at least be acknowledged before he was killed.
A deep frown was turned in Renji's direction before the noble dropped his gaze again, focusing on smoothing out the silk of his robe from where Yoruichi had all but clung to him. "I was not aware that I spoke inappropriately to her," came the clipped reply as Byakuya tensed beneath Renji's gaze, blatantly unhappy with what had just occurred and not bothering to hide it. "You are in no position to chide me, regardless... Why is Kurosaki here? And why did you bring Yoruichi? I do not mind Inoue-san's presence, but those two..." The noble sighed tiredly, shutting his eyes. "There is enough to worry about already without them."
"Rukia wanted Ichigo here and we weren't gettin' him and Inoue here without Urahara's help... which meant bringin' Yoruichi." Renji sighed. "Kurosaki, at least, promised ta mind himself here, and you know I can't do anything about Yoruichi." Auburn eyes dropped, glancing down and away, "I'm sorry."
The older man shook his head, the sensation of being completely overwhelmed settling upon him once again. Giving into the sensation this time, Byakuya turned his head and rested it against Renji's shoulder, seeming all but exhausted. "As long as he minds himself," the noble responded quietly. "And as long as Yoruichi doesn't greet me in such a fashion again..." Lifting his head, eyes that reflected the cerulean of his kimono met Renji's. "Let us go back to my room, and you can explain what you meant by mentioning my relationship with Rukia as you did."
"'course," Renji murmured softly, looping an arm around the man's waist in a comforting gesture as he began down the hallway again. Finding himself at a loss of anything else to say, the redhead simply continued on in silence, opening the door when they eventually came upon Byakuya's chambers and guided the other man inside shortly after, closing the door behind them. He remained silent; wanting to make sure his lover was settled before launching into what looked to be a rather painful discussion.
The redhead's presence, as usual, never failed to calm the noble's stressed nerves, despite the new worries added to the proverbial pile. Byakuya turned against Renji's side, pressing his lips briefly to the man's neck before withdrawing and moving to take a seat on the edge of the bed. "If you would like some tea - or dinner, as I take it you have not eaten - brought up before we speak on this, I can arrange it," Byakuya offered, meeting his fiancé's eyes once again.
Relieved to find Byakuya in a better state once they were alone, Renji just shook his head as he stepped from the door and moved to take a seat beside the noble. "I'm fine," he sighed, allowing for the segue even if he really didn't want to cause the man any further distress, "but Rukia's not. She's scared stiff of ya," he murmured, keeping his eyes connected with Byakuya's as long and as often as he could. "Ya never treat her like a sister - and I know it's hard, 'kuya, but your reactions are hurting her - pushing her away. It's half the reason Kurosaki gets so defensive around you; he feels like he has to protect her from ya... and he shouldn't. You need ta step up. I know that before you felt like ya couldn't do anythin' for her and how much she reminds you of... what you lost... but you yourself said that ya' didn't want things ta be like that anymore."
Unable to hold Renji's gaze for very long, Byakuya dropped his eyes to his lap where his hands folded rather anxiously. "...Even though I wish for things to be better between us, I have yet to find a way to make that occur," he murmured, eyes lidding tiredly. "You say you know that she reminds me of Hisana," the noble continued, saying the name that Renji avoided, "but I do not think you know how much that memory... affects me. It is never my intention to frighten her, but associating with Rukia on a personal basis... is easier said than done."
"I know..." Renji answered softly, pulling the noble closer into a half embrace that allowed the man to rest against him. His hand automatically shifted to stroke the silken black hair in another soothing gesture. "And I know I'll never be able ta really understand what you had... or what it feels like to be reminded of it in such a way... but you’re the one who chose to include her in your family. If you can’t accept her, then you're only doing you both more harm than good. I'll help as much as I can, a course, but in th' end it's between you and her."
Relenting to the other man's pull, Byakuya settled into his side and turned his head so that his cheek rested against upon Renji's shoulder. His eyes slid shut completely at the comforting touch to his hair, even though he was everything but comforted. "...I sometimes wish I had never kept my promise to Hisana," the noble said quietly, clearly miserable from the thought but allowing it anyway. "Rukia would have been happier had she never been taken into this house."
"If you hadn't, you'd be completely miserable and you know it," Renji replied, pressing a kiss to the top of Byakuya's head. "She's here now, though, and you can make her happy... I know it's hard, but you can do it. All she wants is some acknowledgement - show her she's not just a bad memory: she really wants to be a sister to you, Kuya."
A soft sigh fled the noble's lips and he relaxed a fraction more, resting a pale hand against Renji's forearm. "...I will try," Byakuya murmured sincerely, his fingers curling about Renji's arm lightly. "That is... partially the reason I wanted her here for the wedding. The household insisted that her presence was required, out of propriety of course, but... I wanted her included as my sister, not just because of that."
"I'll make sure she knows that," the redhead promised, pulling Byakuya completely into his lap and holding him close, reiatsu curling gently around the noble.
"Thank you," the noble breathed as he was calmed further by the promise and the relaxing curl of Renji's warm reiatsu about him. Byakuya allowed Renji to pull him into his lap, where he settled against the younger man's chest. Absently, he ran his fingertips down Renji's arm, starting at the elbow and ending at his wrist where his thumb stroked the back of the larger hand. "...You thoroughly enjoy that I am slight enough to easily fit into your lap, don't you?" he mused lightly, always having found it slightly irritating that Renji was physically taller and broader than he was.
Renji didn't bother withholding the grin that came from such a statement. "Of course I do," he answered, wrapping his arms around the other man in a more complete hug. "Gotta get my kicks where I can, ya know." The tease was followed by a light laugh and the redhead's lips on the noble's neck, loving and gentle. "It's nice," he admitted lowly, "ta be able to hold you like this and know I can at least give ya this little bit of protection."
A feeling of warmth fully settled over the noble from those words, and for the moment, Byakuya allowed himself to melt against his fiancé. He curled into the given embrace as his reiatsu surged gently before settling into a low, rumbling purr. Protection was not something he usually needed, nor wanted, but from Renji... he had begun to accept and appreciate it with relative ease. "You are too good to me," Byakuya stated simply.
"It's a curse," Renji breathed, simply enjoying the feel of Byakuya relaxed and leaning against him. It warmed him knowing the man actually felt like he was a good support.
"Yes," Byakuya agreed, his lips pressing against Renji's throat lightly as he spoke. "But it is enough to make me reconsider any punishment for taking as long as you did in retrieving Rukia, so perhaps you should thank your so-called curse."
"My deepest apologies, Taichou," the redhead returned with a half smirk, eyes lidding slightly at the touch on his neck. "I was not aware I was being timed."
"You weren't, really; I simply expected you to be a bit quicker, considering how much energy you seemed to have in the meeting..." A gentle nip to Renji's Adam’s apple accompanied the words. "There was nothing in the meeting, by the way, that truly needed your approval..." Byakuya frowned slightly and nipped again at the sensitive flesh beneath his lover's chin, as if seeking revenge as he added, "Though they seemed to find your earlier 'suggestion' quite amusing and it took a good half hour to make them forget about it."
Renji chuckled deeply, both from the statement and his fiancé’s actions. "It is a rather hard image to let go of," he teased, but the added, "though I wasn't ever serious about it, ya' know. I'm sure you'll look just as good in the correct clothes."
"I know - but I am sure if you thought you could get away with it, you would be quite serious," Byakuya quipped, knowing very well what went on in Renji's mind. Absently, he pressed a soothing kiss to the spot on Renji's neck where he had previously bitten.
"If you say so, Kuya," the redhead returned, casually tracing his hand down Byakuya's side and simply relaxing.