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The next day, Byakuya stepped into the Sixth Squad Barrack to find Renji hard at work, again.

"I thought you would've been late today, Fukutaichou, I imagine last night would have worn you out."

"Oh it wasn't so bad, Thank You Taichou, I had another sleepless night."

On the contrary, Renji looked like hell; tattered and bruised, his wild red hair flowing freely pronounced his rugged look even more. Byakuya doesn't get it, and would never admit it, but he finds this beaten-up Renji very attractive. It does worry him - for the squad's sake of course - that Renji's looks would reflects his health - and performance.

"You look very tattered Fukutaichou, are you sure you should work today?"

Renji just gave him a wide grin, "Yeah, I'm sure, Taichou. I always look like a frickin mess after my transformation, but I can still take down ten Omaeda if you need me to." He chuckled.

Byakuya allowed himself a smirk, "You say that as if it's a difficult task."

Renji bursted out laughing at the snark "Your sense of humor is really improving, Taichou."

At which Byakuya merely responded with a scoff. Tea was brought in and they went back to work in their usual environment, comfortable silence. The whole time Renji was looking at Byakuya as if looking for an answer to an un-asked question. Finally, Byakuya voiced up,

"Is there something you want to ask me, Abarai?"

"uuh-uuhm...ah...nah...it's nothing Taichou." was Renji's response.

Byakuya knows his fukutaichou enough to know that it was indeed something; most likely something stupid or embarrassing; most notably what took place last night.

"There's obviously something bothering you, out with it. I cannot allow you to work under me yet hold secrets from me."

"Erm, Taichou..." Renji brought his hand up to fidget with his bandana and rub the back of his neck, "how do you feel about romantic relationships? Would you be okay with a relationship with another man?"

"You should know how I feel about that silly thing called Love, Abarai, it is dead. As shinigamis we cannot afford to think about any romantic relationship, be it with a man or a woman."

"With all due respect, I disagree Taichou; with all the things that's been going on since Ichigo appeared, what we need now is Love."

"Tch, how would a shinigami carry out his duties in an appropriate matter if he is blinded by what he consider Love?"

"How could a shinigami fulfill his duty if he does NOT have love and compassion? How would anyone survive?"

"I've Loved and lost, and I've been performing just fine haven't I?"

"Maybe so, but you're not fine! It's not healthy to stay depressed about the past and shutting off your future!"

"I, alone will determine what's healthy and what is not, for myself, arigatou Abarai fukutaichou."

"Well you can't, because you don't know what is healthy!"

Renji didn't realize it, but he has been scooting closer and closer to Byakuya since they started talking, and now he had closed the space between them.

"Do remember your place Abarai Renji, I am your superior, watch the way you talk to me."

Renji realizes he had been speaking rather rudely to his captain; he hangs his head, "Summimasen, Taichou."

Byakuya huffed and sat back in his chair, "Whatever motivated you to bring this up today, fukutaichou?"

Renji nervously rubbed at the back of his neck, "Well....it's just that, I.....witnessed the coming out of a same-sex couple a few days ago, a surprising and most disturbing couple at that, and well....I thought if a couple of individuals as tough as they are, are not scared to reveal their love.....I shouldn't be either."

"And you think I am the best one to talk to about this?"

Renji was still rubbing the back of his neck and looking everywhere but directly at his Taichou. "Well, yeah! You are my captain! And I know you wouldn't ridicule me whereas if I talk to Iba-san or Ikakku-san about this, they'd just laugh at me to my face, and if I was to tell Rukia, she'd either freak out, laugh and pass it by as a joke, or start walking on glasses around me."

Byakuya gave a soft sigh, "Very well then, I suppose it is healthy for you to have a sense of release, but if you're done being insecure, I'd like to be left alone now, Renji." Byakuya went back to his usual calm cool demeanor, his eyelids fluttered shut as he sips on his Sakura tea. Renji thought the expression on his face was beautiful, even to the extent of flawless. He sucks in a deep breath and lowered his head to Byakuya's level, the tips of their nose inches away from each other.

"I'm going to kiss you, Taichou." Before Byakuya could respond, Renji crashed his lips onto Byakuya's. He rolled his toungue around, licking Byakuya's lips forcing him to let him in. Renji pushed himself onto Byakuya, pressing their bodies together, earning him a slight gasp from Byakuya, he took advantage of this and pushed his toungue into Byakuya's mouth, tangling their tongues together. Renji felt Byakuya squirm under him and wrapped his arms around him, pulling him closer still, not giving him a chance to back down. Renji continued to kiss his beloved Taichou deeply, passionately, hungrily, it wasn't until he had to come up for air that Renji released Byakuya. The look of utter shock on Byakuya's face that Renji thought he would never see made him chuckle.

"You have some nerve, Abarai Fuktutaichou." Byakuya said plainly, though Renji could tell he was trying to control his ragged breathing.

Renji laughed at this, "You mean you just now realized that? How long have we known each other, Kuchiki Taichou?"

Byakuya averted his eyes from Renji's and started to stand up, "Hmph, are you sastisfied now? Now that you've tasted my lips?"

"Tch, As If" Renji smirked, he pulled Byakuya back and turned him around to face him, "I dare not say I Love you yet, But I really like you, Byakuya-san; I really, really, like you. And I'm gonna do my damn-des to make you feel the same."

Byakuya averted his eyes from his fukutaichou again, "While I am flattered you feel that way, I would warn you, I'd most likely never return the favor, fukutaichou."

Renji just smirked at this, "That's alright Taichou, we have all the time in the world, don't we?"

Byakuya merely grunted in response, Renji knew his Taichou enough to understand that he was considering what had just happened between them. He smirks and turns to leave the office for the night.

"Renji-kun!"

Renji stopped short, the sound of his name so familiarly used by his Taichou got Renji's heart jumping up to his throat. Renji turned around slowly

"H-Hai, Taichou?"

"This couple that you witnessed the other day, was Komamura-Taichou one half of it?"

Renji was shocked, "Y-you mean, you...knew, Taichou?"

"I'll take that as a 'yes.'" Byakuya replied. "And the other individual....it was the Kitsune form of Sasaskibe-fukutaichou, yes?"

Renji was officially horrified and utterly confused; how did Byakuya find out about this? How long has he known?

"I did not know about them, the suspicion was raised to me a few days ago, and based on Ni-ban Buntai's actions, I was able to put two and two together. So you do confirm this news, yes?"

Renji stuttered a while longer until lowering his head in defeat. "Hai, Taichou, you've guessed it. But please, don't tell anyone that you know, and more importantly don't tell anyone else about this, we agreed it was a good idea that the other captains, especially Kurotsuchi-Taichou do not know about this."

Byakuya nodded, "I understand, it would be most bothersome if Mayuri learns about this. You know I am not one for gossip anyway."

"Yeah, I know Taichou."

Byakuya stood up and headed for the door of the office, "Well, it is late, I suggest you retire for the night, fukutaichou."

"Hai, Oyasumi'nasai,**((a/n :goodnight)) **Taichou."

"Oyasumi'nasai, fukutaichou."

meanwhile

Komamura stepped into the barrack at high noon to see his squad sitting around in groups whispering to each other about something quite interesting, because they were all snickering and didn't even notice Komamura's presence. As he passed by the lot of them to his office, he overheard his name being mentioned. This greatly annoyed him, _since when did Iba-Fukutaichou became a gossip-queen, _he grumbled under his breath. Komamura stepped into his office to find Iba tackling the paperwork.

"Kunichiwa, Taichou!" Iba greeted

"Mm." Komamura nodded his greeting and sat down at his massive oak desk and started work.

"Fukutaichou, I would greatly appreciate it if you were to keep what you witnessed yesterday to yourself." Komamura said suddenly.

"Eh? OH you mean the incident at the pub! Don't worry Taichou, you know I am not one for gossip, your secrect is safe with me." Iba replied.

Komamura was now more than a little agitated, "Then might I ask what the squad is gossiping about behind my back?"

"Oh! Oh, that!" Iba laughed, "They're just having a little fun Taichou, they're betting each other on why you're late today, you know it's unusual, you're never late! Hell, You're always the first one to work!"

Komamura blew out a sigh of relief and a roaring laugh. "I see. So, what are there excuses for my tardiness?"

"Ah it ranges, some say you're on a secret mission, others say you partied too hard last night, still other suggest you're accompanying a guest. Whole bunch of crazy shit." Iba replied with a laugh, "In a way, they are all correct, aren't they Taichou?"

Komamura gave a hearted roaring laugh. If only you knew, Fukutaichou, he thought.

... ..At the same time in the first squad's barrack....

Sasaskibe-Fukutaichou walked into the first squad's barrack and headed straight for the Captain's office. His demeanor was that of annoyance at the gasp and whispers from his squad member about his tardiness and his somewhat drastic change in appearance. In fact, the Kitsune in him were giddy with excitement that everyone was giving him so much attention.

As Sasaskibe approached the Captain's office, Yamamoto-Soutaichou's reiatsu was heavy in the air; he knew the Soutaichou was unhappy. He gulped and braced himself before reaching for the sliding door, just as he was about to open it, Yamamoto-Soutaichou's voice came booming through,

"Come in, Fukutaichou!"

As Sasaskibe approached the Captain's office, Yamamoto-Soutaichou's reiatsu was heavy in the air; he knew the Soutaichou was unhappy. He gulped and braced himself before reaching for the sliding door, just as he was about to open it, Yamamoto-Soutaichou's voice came booming through,

"Come in, Fukutaichou!"

Sasaskibe gulped thickly before sliding the door open and stepped in

"Konichiwa, Soutaichou."

"MMM!" Yamamoto-Soutaichou grunted in response, "So you do realize it is well pass morning then, Fukutaichou."

"Hai, Soutaichou. I do realize that I'm late, Gomen'nassai. It's just that Komo--"

"I do not need to be informed of your personal affair Fukutaichou," Yama-jii cuts in, "Just be sure it does not happen again."

"Hai, Soutaichou," Sasaskibe replied, with a slight blush. "It will never happen again."

Yama-jii sighed heavily, "You know I do not have any objection to yours and Komamura Taichou's relationship, yes?"

"Hai, Taichou" Sasaskibe nodded and smiled

"mhm, in fact, I for one believe that we need more Love in Seireitei. But do understand, I will not tolerate your personal affairs to affect your performance as a shinigami, much less a shinigami directly under my command!"

"Hai, Taichou. I assure you I will not be aloof in my duties as a shinigami or as your Fukutaichou." Sasaskibe answered in a serious tone.

"Good," Yama-jii grunted, "Also, take care not to let your presence waver Komamura-Taichou, he is a strong and honorific warrior, I would deeply regret having to disgrace him in any manner."

"Rikai, Soutaichou." Sasaskibe nodded. _In other words, Yama-jii is saying 'don't let your relationship get in the way of your work, or you're fucked.' _He thought.

The two went back to work with the familiar comfortable silence that they had gotten used to over the years. They were both the quiet, reserved type, and after so many years of working with each other, they have learned to communicate without words, which works just fine for both of them. Occasionally the Soutaichou would steal a glance at his fukutaichou and catch him daydreaming, an "ahem" from him would snap Sasaskibe out of it and he'd be back to work again, after shooting him with a Kitsune Smile. The Soutaichou sighed heavily, he hope that a younger looking Sasaskibe would not mean a less mature Sasaskibe.