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Things Never Spoken	By : Areitus Category: Bleach > Het - Male/Female Views: 5868 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, nor do I profit from this creation.

Chapter List
- 11
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Chapter 12

He stood in the doorway, eyes somber and dull as he watched the injured girl curled in the bed. He couldn�t sleep. It was sweltering, as usual in the vacation house, and even though he�d opened the windows for her, he could still see the sheen of sweat on her bruised skin. Deep purple drew his gaze and made his stomach churn. He tore his eyes away from her, his stare falling on the silent cellular that layed on the night stand. She had insisted that they not call Ichigo over, against his better judgment. He wanted the boy to be here. He wanted anyone to be here; anyone that could stand inbetween himself and Rukia.
He�d wanted her to go. �Stay away from me,� he�d said, �It will be better this way.� But she�d brushed him off and complained that she�d have to go get her gigai in the morning, so there was no use in her making the trip all the way back to Ichigo�s in the middle of the night. He didn�t have the vigor to continue arguing with her, so he�d regretfully abandoned the dispute.
Her phone lay peacefully unguarded and his finger twitched as he quietly stepped toward it. His mind was jaded as he found himself trying to remember the man he used to be. The lieutenant of the sixth squad in the Gotei 13. He recalled being confident, proud, and happy� He could remember smiling for incentives long past, but no jolly thoughts could reach him now. Nor did he have any hopes that they ever would reach him again. His body was like a prison where he was forced to reside day after agonizing day, watching in nervous anticipation; waiting for the day when he finally lost all control and watched himself rape and butcher the girl he loved.
There comes a point when reality becomes too much; when living becomes too hard. That point had come and gone long ago for Abarai Renji, but he had fought on. The poison he�d been living with theses past months was unbearable, but he had always been the strong one. A dwindling hope and false security had held him up and been his crutch up until now, but now veracity blinded any delusions he�d been clinging to. Rukia and Ichigo had supported him, helping him see when he was blind and helping him walk when he was broken� but he understood now. Utterly. He was still a man, and as that he knew what he had do.
He picked up the phone, allowing Rukia one long glance before he retreated from the bedroom. The number was already programmed in to the phone as he knew it would be. He leaned against the counter before he sank down to the tile floor of the kitchen. The familiar number glowed softly in the darkness and illuminated the small area. He pursed his lips as his calloused finger lingered over the call button before he worked up the courage to press.
--Ring--Ring--
The line picked up and he heard a masculine voice, thick with the remnants of sleep answer. He opened his mouth to speak, but found his voice absent.
�Rukia?� he asked, concern growing.
Renji tried again, this time finding his words, �Taichou� I��
The captain�s tone grew grave, �Renji.�
�I need your help� please,� the ex-lieutenant whispered.
�Where is Rukia?� Byakuya asked sounding angrier than he usually let show.
�Rukia�s safe for now. She�s sleepin�. Trace the phone� and� bring Zabimaru please� I wanna� have �im with me in the end��
.................... .................... ....................
Morning was not far off when Byakuya finally arrived at the residence. He was alone, but carried an extra sword on his belt. Renji stood up from the kitchen floor, where he�d remained since he�d made the call.
�So you�ve made your peace, have you?� the captain said, sounding less than pleased.
Renji swallowed and set the phone down on the counter, �Ain�t nothing� peaceful left in me �nemore�� he muttered. �Can I see �im?� He asked, staring at the sword affixed to his former captain�s belt.
Byakuya was obviously distrusting of the red-head, but finally he reached, pulled the weapon from his belt, and tossed it on the floor in front of him.
Renji immediately reached down and retrieved it. The familiar friend seemed to radiate with joy as it was reunited with it�s long lost partner. It was somehow reassuring to have the sword in his hands again, and, although his lips had forgotten how to smile, Byakuya could see the weight that was lifted from Renji�s shoulders.
�Thanks, Taichou.� he said softly.
�I�m not your captain anymore, Renji,� The noble corrected.
The tattooed man nodded, �Yeah.� He lowered the sword to his side and allowed a long moment to pass before he spoke again, �I don�t wanna rot in that prison again.� The captain remained silent and listened, �I hurt� so many people--�
�Seven dead and five wounded,� Byakuya offered cruelly.
Renji cringed, �� I�m sorry. For you� and for Rukia,� he added dejectedly.
�What did you do to her?� he scowled, growing a hint louder. He had been dreading this. It was the whole reason he had ordered her to stay away from the man, but she had stubbornly disobeyed him.
�I couldn�t� I lost control� for a little while. She�ll be okay, but�� He lowered his eyes in shame, �I don�t want her to be exposed to this thing�. ever�� There was a long weighty pause before he finished, �I can die for her� but I can�t keep living like this.� Renji squeezed his eyes closed as he got down on his knees and bowed low in front of the dark-haired captain.
Byakuya�s mouth fell slightly ajar as he looked down at the man at his feet and his eyes softened. �I will grant you a merciful death and allow you to depart with a shread of honor still intact,� he spoke as he drew Senbonzakura from its sheath. �Have you anything to say?�
The ex-lieutenant felt the cool blade touch the back of his neck and pursed his lips, �Tell Rukia�� he paused, �� No� just keep her safe��
The dark-haired captain drew his blade back and thrust down without delay, and a heart-wrenching scream tore through the building.
Wide, stormy eyes stared in disbelief, �Rukia.�
The mortified girl lay sprawled across the red-head�s frozen form, protectively clutching him as a trickle of blood wept from the blade�s edge. Renji shot upright, grabbing the woman in alarm, �Idiot! What the hell are you thinking!?� He shook her sternly while Byakuya sheathed his blade, shaking slightly in restrained anger as he glowered down at the pair.
�Y-Y-You,� she stuttered out, �You bastard!� Her voice tore at his ears as she slapped him hard across the face. �You were just going to--� Rukia choked and hit him again, then a third and fourth until his cheek was deep red with pain. �Is that your answer,� she yelled in his face and he slunk back in shame, �Renji�?� Tears welled in her violet eyes as she stared at him in despair.
�I�m sorry,� he whispered, �This is the only power I still have.�
Rukia was rigid as she faced her brother and stood up, ignoring the protest of her throbbing ankle. Obviously livid, she glared daggers at him, making his brow arc peculiarly. Her hand flew true and he felt the sharp sting slide across the side of his face. His shock was evident as he turned back to her and grabbed his cheek. Renji watched with his jaw gaping.
�Leave,� she ordered him with a venomous tone.
His anger was somewhat sapped as he stared down at the usually docile girl so irate before him, but as he found his tongue and righted himself, he attempted to reclaim is dominance. �It is my duty to carry out the law, as it is yours. As such, I cannot leave without--�
�I grew up,� she interrupted, �� in the 78^th district of Rukongai� with Renji at my side. No laws. No money. No security. Renji is� the only reason I lived long enough to make it to you. He is my family,� she said touching her hand to heart. �I don�t know what that means to you, Nii-sama� but for me it means I have to protect him� laws� don�t mean anything to a street rat.� She stepped back, feeling Renji immediately clasp her hand from his place on the floor.

Byakuya stared at the petite woman, dumbfounded, �Do you even know what you�re saying�� he asked growing irritated. �Do you want to go back to the guillotine, woman, because that�s the road you are facing down right now.�
Renji got to his knees, pulling the girl to face him, �Rukia, don�t do this,� he pleaded. �It means a lot to me that you�re willin� to go so far for my sake, but nothin� good�s gonna come outta this.� He touched her cheeks affectionately as he directed her to look him in the eyes. �I�m happy,� he said as a sad smile found his lips, �to have had you for my family.� His thumbs wiped the trickling droplets from her flushed cheeks.
�I�m not going to let you do this,� she scowled through her tears. �Where is the Renji I used to know so well?� she asked, �The reckless, arrogant, stubborn Renji who didn�t know how to quit?� She pulled his hands down from her, �Why don�t you try anymore?� she pouted.
.................... .................... ....................
Byakuya sat quietly lost in thought as Renji stepped out behind him, appearing sad, but not as forlorn as he had been before. The morning was peeking over the horizon as he sat down next to the sixth squad captain, both men tolerant for once.
�Are you gonna take me in?� the red-head asked calmly folding his arms over the railing bars in front of him.
�Of course.�
�What about Rukia?� he asked, his crimson eyes turning toward the man at his side.
Byakuya was detached and spoke as if he were reading a report, �Obviously she cares a great deal for you� much to my discontent.� He then turned to Renji with heated eyes, �However, aiding and abetting a fugitive is a serious offense that won�t be taken lightly in soul society� and Rukia is in danger every moment she stays with you�� he said sounding more human then ever now, �I am at odds... again.�
Renji�s eyes showed brightly as he watched his ex-captain�s face, �You won�t let her get indicted for this.�
Byakuya dug in his sleeve, �You and I have always had one thing in common, haven�t we?� he said as he pulled the small box from his sleeve and handed it to the taller man. �I think you�ve always been better at it than I have.�
Renji looked down at the pack of cigarettes in his hand surprised, �Taichou��
�Smoke them. Maybe they�ll kill you so I don�t have to.�
.................... .................... ....................
�O-Oy� did I� miss something?� Ichigo twitched as he stood in the doorway, allowing the bag of groceries to slip from his hand in his stupor.
Byakuya, Renji, and Rukia sat quietly around the coffee table sipping tea in relative peace. Renji scoffed as he stood up, �I�d say you missed more than somethin�. Why show up at all?�
Ichigo�s brow twitched as he leaned toward the taller man, �Eh? What�s with that tone, jackass?�
Renji smiled as he leaned back toward the boy, �What tone? I�m just sayin� you�ve got horrible timing, Asswipe!�
Rukia set her cup down as she observed the pair and allowed a smile to grace her lips. It had been so long since Renji had actually acted like Renji. It was uplifting to see him being his old, egotistical, belligerent self. Maybe she�d gotten through to him the night before� or maybe he was just acting for her sake� In any case it made her feel better.
�Ah shaddup already, you flea-bitten begger! Who do you think is taking care of your ass?!� Ichigo growled as he turned away from the irate red-head.
�Begger?! I never asked you for nuthin! You�re the one shovin� your kindness down people�s throats! Nobody likes a pushy do-gooder,� Renji returned.
�Shut it,� Byakuya finally demanded rubbing his temple in annoyance.
The pair started at the stern voice before they backed up from one another and sat, eyes still glaring daggers at each other.
�Why are you here, Byakuya?� Ichigo said as he tore his eyes from Renji�s glowering mug.
The noble scowled slightly as he looked to the boy, displeased at the boy�s casual tone, as always, �I�m here for Rukia�s sake. That�s all you need to know.�
Ichigo got the lowdown, with perhaps a few things left out that may have seemed more private. Rukia didn�t speak to correct the red-head, so he didn�t elaborate more than he had to. Byakuya listened, but feigned disinterest as he continued to work on his tea.
As the conversation drew to a close they had yet to decide what should be done. The sixth captain stood and exited, the sweltering heat growing as the sun rose and obviously making him uncomfortable. Rukia sighed as her brother left without a word. She wished he would help, but she knew he was only tolerating this hassle and she would have to keep standing her ground, right between Renji and him.
Trust was never something she�d achieved easily, but right now she wished more than anything she could trust them. Her brother was too lawful to have faith in in this situation, and Renji was� well, Renji was on the brink of suicide on one hand, and a murderous rapist on the other. She rubbed the bandaged cut on her shoulder where Senbonzakura had cut her as she watched him debating with Ichigo. He seemed so normal right now. When had he become so good at hiding how he felt? Didn�t he realize what he had tried to do not five hours ago? She sighed as she turned her eyes to the substitute shinigami. She was at least thankful Ichigo was trustworthy, and she hoped it would stay that way. She didn�t think she could take another night like last night.
As Ichigo stood to leave, Renji glanced discreetly back at Rukia before he followed, �Ichigo,� he called as they were away from prying eyes.
Ichigo paused, looking over his shoulder as Renji appeared to grow serious, �What�s up?�
The taller man was a bit tense, �May�Maybe if you get the time� join me back at Urahara�s.� Asking Ichigo to train with him again wasn�t exactly an ingenious plan, as it had yielded no results the last time, but it was better to him than sitting around this hellhole and waiting for another victim.
Ichigo drew his brow slightly, �If� that�s what you want.� He wasn�t overzealous about getting back in the snakepit with the red-head, but of course he wasn�t going to turn him down either.
Renji�s eyes were less guarded than they had been all morning as he stared listlessly, �I don�t know what else to do.�
Ichigo placed a hand on his shoulder, �You�re stronger than you think, Renji. If I was in your shoes, I don�t know if I could have made it this far.�
Renji�s tattoos crinkled as he frowned and turned away, �Just making it isn�t good enough.�
.................... .................... ....................

Smoke fluttered into the warm air as Renji exhaled. Thoughts of giving up relentlessly assaulted him, but her words continued to echo in their wake. �Why don�t you try anymore?� She was right, of course. He wanted to go back to the man he used to be. The unbreakable Renji who could be knocked down a hundred times and still stand up to take the next hit. Rukia�s words had affected him. As he took another puff off his cigarette, he tried to let all the negativites that had been drowning him float away on the smoke. He felt his resolve, faint and battered, resurface. He would do this. He had to for Rukia�s sake, if not for his own.
�Taichou,� he said, feeling the man�s presence at his back, �I have another favor.�
The noble arched his brow as he stared at the red-head in seeming disbelief.
Renji turned as he put out the cigarette on the wooden rail, �Take Rukia home, would ya?�
Byakuya seemed mildly interested, �How surprising. You�re getting more selfless by the day, aren�t you,� he said mockingly.
Renji pursed his lips, �I know you�ll keep her safe, and� she�ll be far away from me. That�s what want.�
The sixth captain closed his eyes as he turned and walked away, �I wonder who will wipe your ass after she�s gone��
.................... .................... ....................
It took some aggressive persistence to finally get Rukia to go home with her brother, but in the two weeks she�d been gone, Renji had been training fiercely with his Vizard comrade. Under Urahara�s supervision and sometimes intervention, there hadn�t been any serious injuries between the pair, although tempers were often more violent than combat. Ichigo gave as good as he got, but the cuts and bruises accumulated over time and their reiatsu was steadily falling from the vigorous activities. It was hard to tell if all the training had accomplished anything more than shortening Renji�s temper. Whatever experiment they had performed to create the Vizard in him, he was obviously not meant to be such. It had only been the beginning for him and he remained incomplete and evidently forgotten.
As Renji trudged down the hall his legs felt like lead, and the hot bath had done little to ease his aching muscles. He slid his door open and all but fell onto his futon. He was exhausted, but emotionally he felt better than he had in what seemed like an eternity. Letting the hallow out to fight and release all it�s poisonous energy, though it was stressful and trying, allowed him to live again in the moments in between. He sighed as he pulled his arms around the pillow and nuzzled his face into it, quickly making the journey to the dream world.
.................... .................... ....................
It was early morning when the phone rang and Renji cracked an eye open as he peered out of the gap of his door. Ururu stood with her ear to the phone. �Rukia-chan?� she asked as if repeating the name, �No she isn�t here.�
Renji perked up at the mentioned name and he inevitably rolled out of bed and opened the door, approaching the small girl. �Let me have it,� he said and she drowsily handed him the phone.
�Who�s lookin� for Rukia?� he asked as he settled the phone against his cheek.
�I assumed she would go to you, seeing as how she hasn�t stopped blathering about you for the past two weeks.� The voice returned and he immediately recognized it as Captain Kuchiki.
�She�s missing?� he asked growing worried..
�Don�t concern yourself, Abarai, you�ll be back under the guillotine soon enough.� Byakuya all but snarled as he hung up on his former vice captain.
Renji lowered the phone from his ear looking distant as Ururu moved to take the phone from his limp hand and hang it up.
�Rukia�s missing��

A/N: Reviews/Suggestions/Ideas appreciated! Until next time~
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Things Never Spoken