"You're so beautiful Byakuya." Renji whispered and kissed the flushed noble.


Not trusting his voice Byakuya just nodded slightly. He then decided it was the red heads turn to disrobe completely and flush. He grinned at the thought. He pulled on Renji's sash and the hakama fell to the floor around his feet. Just as he expected the red head flushed a deep crimson.


Renji felt the heat rise in his cheeks when the hakama fell to floor. His lover was raking his eyes over the red head's body hungrily.


"You are too, very beautiful Renji." The brunette said with certainty. He pulled at the black hair tie that held up Renji's mane. As his hair was freed from the bandanna and hair tie he looked at how the red hair fell. He loved how the long crimson locks splashed around and over Renji's shoulders and back. He took Renji's hand and led him to the bathroom as he grabbed the towels with the other hand.


"Whoa!" Renji couldn't believe how big his Taichou's bathroom was. It was practically the half the size of his apartment.


Byakuya turned around to glance at the astounded redhead. Renji caught the glance and sobered quickly. Byakuya was not surprised by his Fukutaichou's reaction. Renji was a peasant; not that made any difference to raven head. His feelings wouldn't change just because his lover is from a lower class. No, in fact his feelings would grow stronger because Renji had to fight his way to get to where he is now. He didn't have it easy at all in his life in Inuzuri with Rukia. Although, Byakuya didn't have an easy life either, with having to live strictly to his clans rules. But he was in far better shape than his lover back then.


He may have had to live with rules and such until he decided he was going to change things little by little. His clan didn't like it at first but they saw a greater purpose for Byakuya's actions to try to change the rules they had. They thought after a while if they helped their clan leader that they would also be helping other clans in the process to overcome their boundaries with the lower class. But of course other clans were not going to be as accepting easily. They got some to ease their boundaries but not by much. Except for the clan that protects the Spirit King. They completely agreed with Byakuya. Some had said that the Spirit King wished the peasants and the nobles got along better and were sure it was going to happen but only in its own time. That clan was always with the King at some time or another so they evolved past the differences of nobles and peasants.


He was still looking at Renji and smiled at how even though the redhead was a peasant. He still had a caring and loyal heart beneath its surface. He turned to the shower to turn it on with the soft smile still on.


I think he's shown more emotion today than in his entire life! I never thought he would smile like that. Much less at me! Renji thought to himself as he joined his Taichou in the shower. But I'm still wondering why he's allowing this. I know Rukia said the clan was more accepting of peasants but how much is 'more'? I still don't get it.


Byakuya saw the redhead was in deep thought and worrying about something. He wasn't sure exactly what it was though.


"What's the problem?" The raven head asked in a calm tone.


"Huh? Oh, nothing."


"Renji, are you having second thoughts about this?"


"Nani?" Renji's eyes widened then softened as he saw a flash of worry cross the nobles eyes then quickly faded. "No, it's nothing like that." He hurried to say. "Do you mind if I ask you something though, Byakuya?"


"Not at all, proceed." The noble was relieved but was still worried about the question he was going to be asked.


"Uh… Okay." He took a deep breath before continuing on with his question. "I was wondering how… um… you are so accepting of this even though I'm a… well, a street rat from Inuzuri when you are a noble. And how is your clan going to react to this?"


The noble looked deep into the red brown irises. He sighed and took the soap from the ledge behind the redhead. He started massaging it into the other's back and both relaxed a bit before he gave his answer. "You really have to ask? To me it doesn't matter whether you came from Rukongai or that you are a peasant. My feelings won't change because of it. As for the rest of the clan," He sighed before continuing and massaged the soap over the redheads chest. "they will be hesitant but won't stand in the way."


"So… They won't like it? But they won't oppose it either? Um, Taichou that doesn't really make sense."


"What I mean, is that since I have changed many of my clan's rules in the past. I did so for the council to approve of any association I have and for future leaders to have the same." Byakuya explained.


"…So you changed the rules so you could marry Rukia's sister, right?" Renji asked.


"Hai, and by doing so the clan has become more acceptable of the peasant class."


"I think I get it."


"But…"


"But… um, we used to hate each other. How did we get here to this relationship we have now?" Renji asked with a soft smile and encircled his arms around his lover's waist.


"Fate." The raven head whispered as he claimed the redheads lips softly.


Renji's smile widened and leaned into the kiss.


After exchanging a few long kisses and bathing one another. They dried off and went back to the bedroom and slipped into their yukatas. They left them untied and laid on the bed with Renji's head on Byakuya's shoulder and his fingers running freely on the raven head's chest. The raven head's chin was sitting gently on Renji's head. He was looking out the garden doors, which were now open, and saw the starry night sky.


"We should rest. Dawn will break soon." Byakuya suggested quietly.


Renji nodded and tilted his head up to kiss the noble. "You're probably right." He yawned and set his head back on his lover's shoulder. "Good night, Bya..." The red head was soon snoring softly.


Byakuya's lips curved slightly upward. "Good night, Renji." He set his chin back onto the crimson haired man's scalp and breathed in Renji's fiery scent. As soon as he closed his eyes, he joined his lover in sweet peaceful slumber.


"Man... I slept good..." Renji said sleepily. He tried to stretch but found that he couldn't because he was entangled in someone's arms. He suddenly remembered he was at his Taichou's home and in Byakuya's bed. He looked up at his sleeping lover and was utterly enchanted by the raven heads sleeping form. He seemed so relaxed and peaceful.


"Too damn cute, Kuchiki Byakuya." Renji smiled.


"Hmm?" The raven head's eyes slowly fluttered open.


"Oh, gomen Taichou. I didn't mean to wake you."


"It is alright. Ohayou, Renji." The noble said softly as he leaned down to kiss.


"Ohayou, Byakuya." The red head returned the kiss with more force and swept his tongue across Byakuya's lower lip. The raven head felt the slick muscle asking entrance into his mouth. He opened but swept his tongue along his Fukutaichou's. Soon their tongues were fighting for dominance. They moaned, loving the feeling of how each others tasted.


They didn't hear the knock on the slightly opened garden door. They did, however, see the door become more ajar as the noble's personal attendant came in and saw that their mouths were locked together. The young man smiled at them and waited. When they broke apart they panted for air. Their faces flushed from being seen in such a way. Renji closed his yukata tightly against him and was about ready to hide under the covers until Byakuya cleared his throat to speak. "Yes Sora?"


"Byakuya-sama your breakfast on the patio is ready. I have also had your uniforms cleaned. Miss Rukia and Orihime-san are out and waiting." Sora said respectively.


"Hai, Thank you."


Sora smiled and bowed before he flash stepped away.


"Shit..." Renji said softly as he looked out the garden doors to see the sun was up. "Your clan is going to find out and is not going to like this."


Byakuya shook his head. "Remember what I said last night? I said they won't stand in the way even though they probably won't like it."


Renji sighed. "I guess we should get dressed in any case. I bet the paper work has piled up from the relief team that was supposed to come back this morning from Hueco Mundo."


The raven head nodded and swiftly got dressed as did Renji. A small smile came to Byakuya's lips as he looked over to the redhead. It was rare to see him where a uniform that was so clean and unwrinkled. Renji blushed at his Taichou's gaze.


He chuckled nervously trying to fight off his embarrassment. But that only made his lover's smile widen.


"You know, it's rare to see you in uniform this unwrinkled." Byakuya smirked.


"Yeah, well I'm not good with an iron."


Byakuya chuckled quietly and took Renji's hand. "Come, we should eat and then go to work."


"Hai."


With their hands still loosely clasped together they headed out to the patio where the girls waited.


"Ohayou Nii-sama, Renji. Isn't beautiful today? It's warmed up considerably for January." Rukia smiled.


"O-Ohayou Kuchiki-sama, Abarai-kun." Inoue stuttered.


"Ohayou." The two men said together then blushed as the girls giggled.


"U-um anyway," Renji cleared his throat. "Rukia don't you have a mission in the living world today?"


"Hai, we're leaving after breakfast." Rukia turned to glance at Inoue who was eating quietly. "There have been many reports saying that gargantas have been opening. We do not know why as of yet. So they are sending me to work with Ichigo to find out."


"Ah, yeah some of our squad also said that their have been sightings in Hueco Mundo also." The red head rested his chin in his hand. "I wonder what is going on..."


"We will see, when we have more information." Byakuya interrupted as he sipped his tea. "Just be careful Rukia."


"Hai, Nii-sama."


They ate quietly most of the time. Only having small conversation as they were almost done. As they finished and were about to depart from the table; the house alarms when off.


"What the hell?" Renji exclaimed. A garganta appeared over the manor and two large hollows came out. Renji was about to draw Zabimaru when he heard a feminine voice.


"Flutter in the silvery night, Amayachou." the voice said from behind.


The sky became dark and clouded. Rain started to fall and a single large purple butterfly came out and flew past the hollows. The hollows cried out in pain as one of the butterfly's wings cut threw them as it fluttered by. The hollows disappeared into spirit particles and the rain stopped as the sun peaked back out.


"What was that?" Renji asked his Taichou. Byakuya turned to look at the female who had taken care of the hollows.


"Arigato, Mana."


Mana smiled. "It was nothing, Byakuya-sama." Byakuya smiled back at her. Renji's eyes scanned the some what familiar girl. She had long purple hair with black side bangs that difted over her right eye. She slate grey eyes with golden rings around them and pale white skin. She was also tall and slender. She looked like a Kuchiki but had some resemblance to Yoruichi Shihoin in a way. The redhead was confused about why this girl was there. Byakuya saw his lover was confused about the purple haired shinigami.


"Renji, this is my cousin Kuchiki Mana." He pointed over to the girl. "She is the main house guard. She looks after the Kuchiki grounds and also looks after Yoruichi when she is in Soul Society."


Renji's brows furrowed as the tall purple haired shinigami walked up to him. "Mana, this is my Fukutaichou, Abarai Renji." Byakuya stated. She nodded and held out her hand.


"Hello Abarai-san, nice to finally meet you." She smiled brightly.


Renji shook her hand. "Hi, Mana-san. Good to meet ya too. But what do you mean 'finally'?"


She furrowed her brows slightly and a frown replaced her smile. "Don't you know Byakuya-sama and Yoruichi-sama talk about you a lot?"


Renji shook his head and glanced at his flushed Taichou. "I didn't know that. What do they say?" He grinned.


"Oh, they talk very fondly of you Abarai-san. They said you are a loyal friend and strong fighter." Her smile reemerged.


"Is that so?"


She nodded.


"Um... Mana-san? I don't meant to be so forward but... uh... why-"


Mana chuckled. "Why is my hair dark purple with a hint of black instead of all raven black if I'm a Kuchiki?"


"Uh, yeah..." He answered sheepishly.


"My mother was from the house of Shihoin. She was Yoruichi-sama mother's cousin. My father was a Kuchiki. He was a close cousin to Byakuya-sama's father." She explained.


"So... you are from both the noble families Shihoin and Kuchiki?"


"Hai, I have lived here at Kuchiki Manor, however, since I was born."


"I get it." Renji said as he smiled at Mana. "But as for you zanpaktou-"


"How does it work?"


"Yeah, I really don't understand."


She smiled cryptically. "You will have to spar with me sometime to figure it out." She turned to face her cousin who was seeing off the other two girls. "Be careful Rukia-san!" she called. Rukia nodded and grasped Inoue's hand and led her to the main gate to the living world since Inoue can't go through a senkaimon since she is a human. Mana turned back to glance at her cousin. "Byakuya-sama, a hell butterfly came for you. The council would like to meet with you and Abarai-san after work today."


"Word sure travels fast. Even when we didn't really do anything." Renji sighed. "And Mana-san, don't call me 'Abarai-san'. Call me Renji."


"Very well Renji-san." She smiled. "And by what you mean 'word travels fast' that is because we can sense when Byakuya-sama is with someone... romantically whether they 'do anything' or not. "


"You can sense it? Wait, you're a council member also?"


"Hai, we can sense it and yes I'm a council member but I don't particularly like being one. They made me a part time member so I don't have to attend every meeting and so I can move about freely. I'm also a member of the council in the Shihoin house. Which I don't care for either." She murmured.


"Mana, tell the council we will be at the evening meeting when we come back." Byakuya interjected.


"Hai, I have duties to see to. I will see later this evening Byakuya-sama, Renji-san." She said as she flash stepped away.


"Taichou..." Renji sighed. "I don't think this is good."


"Whatever do you mean Renji?"


"I mean, I didn't think the council would find out this fast and I don't think it's a good sign." Renji explained.


Byakuya walked over to the red head and kissed him deeply. "You needn't to worry." He said as they broke a part. "Everything will be fine. Just give it time."


Renji gave a relieved smile. He knew he could trust Byakuya to know more than he would. But still didn't want to be a burden to his Taichou. But he would do what his lover suggested and just calmly wait out what was to come.