Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Promoting Vice Captain Relationships ❯ Tea Ceremony ( Chapter 1 )

Tea Ceremony
By Trynia Merin
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, which belongs to Tite Kubo, Shonen Jump, and Viz. I make no money writing this fan fiction.
A/N: Thanks to Snowzapped for ideas and input on this fan fiction. Especially with the renrukinness.
***
“Rukia, you must continue to practice your courtly duties,” Byakuya said insistently.
“Brother, performing a tea ceremony wasn’t what I had in mind for celebrating my promotion,” Rukia sighed. “Captain Ukitake and others have invited me to a celebratory get together and it would be rude to turn them down.”
“They have been informed to postpone these celebrations. There is business that takes priority. Captain Ukitake and I are dining together to discuss other urgent matters. As such you have obligations and responsibilities despite the fact I have allowed your advancement,” Byakuya replied patiently, glancing down at her as if form a great height. Behind them Rukia heard the soft whisper of silk from hers and the other servants following. One carried a lacquer box and others a pair of cushions.
“But to have me entertain another guest? That makes little sense,” Rukia muttered.
“It is crucial that you occupy this individual till they are summoned to the meeting, Rukia. I only ask you to perform the duties of a host.”
Stopping in front of one of the sliding panels, Byakuya waited. Rukia watched the servants scurrying about, opening the panel and whisking their burdens inside. Exasperated Rukia sighed, “I could have set up for it myself…”
“It is their duty to serve us. You do them dishonor by refusing their task,” Byakuya reminded her.
“Brother I know, but it’s difficult to become a noble one minute and…”
“This was the challenge I had hoped to spare you, Sister. However, as you have made it abundantly clear that you are intent upon gaining rank; you must accept the added responsibilities due such privileges. And I am most certain you will be up to the challenge, Rukia.”
“I apologize, Brother. You are right of course,” Rukia answered, with a sigh, catching sight of the number six on the back of Byakuya’s captain robe, just visible under the tips of his dark elaborately styled hair.
“You need not find tonight’s activities tedious. It is not often you have this privilege,” Byakuya said, his tone warmer once they entered the room. Already the low table was set with various items, including two places set with wide bowls. A small pot heated over a flame to the left, while two cushions were placed opposite, embroidered with peacocks and nightingales.
“Er, you said I’d be entertaining who exactly?” Rukia blinked up at Byakuya. The corner of his mouth drew up in a mischievous but still guarded smile she rarely saw.
Byakuya knelt on one cushion, and then indicated the other. Automatically Rukia knelt across from him, and waited for an answer. “He shall be reporting soon. I shall leave you alone.”
“Byakuya, is this some elaborate scheme of yours?” Rukia blinked at him suspiciously.
“I am needed elsewhere. When I send for you, you are to report promptly,” said Byakuya. In silence, he retired, leaving Rukia kneeling tensely before the low table. With far more questions than answers.
***
Approximately ten minutes passed while Rukia reviewed the ceremony in her mind. Arranged were two elaborate cups, one opposite the other. She checked the small pot steeping on the miniburner immediately to her right, seeing it was filled and ready. Immediately before her, she ran her fingers over the lacquer red box decorated with the black symbol of the Kuchiki clan. Carefully opening the lid, she saw the loose powdered dry leaves, smelling a hint of oolong. Its scent transported her temporarily back to a slew of memories of posture training in a flurry of servants.
“Lady Rukia, your guest is arrived,” announced a familiar voice. Rukia snapped her head up to see the main servant of the house in his blue silk kimono and neat robes. Deferentially he looked away from her direct gaze.
“Show him in,” Rukia answered. “But first a question…”
“Yes milady?” asked the servant.
“Is there any word from my esteemed brother regarding the length of his meeting?”
“No word milady. Be assured we shall alert you at the appropriate time.” He inclined his head.
“Very well. If all is prepared, I would prefer to attend to this guest alone,” said Rukia, feeling the weight of her responsibility firmly on her shoulders.
“Your ladyship certainly will not object to being consulted in a timely fashion for any need?”
“You may do so, but discretely,” Rukia answered. “But only one servant.”
“Excuse me Lady Rukia,” someone else coughed, pushing the door open. Rukia shivered to hear an even more familiar voice from behind it. “Can I ask what the big hold up is?”
“Vice Captain Abarai, forgive me, but you have not been admitted yet,” the servant turned to him. Rukia’s eyes widened discernibly seeing Renji standing there erect yet in casual clothes.
“It’s all right,” Rukia answered her mind a blur. Just what was this all about? Not wanting to attract undue attention she said, “Send him in…”
Renji hardly waited as he strode around the servant, dark eyes sweeping the room. Just his intense gaze caused her to shiver, but she gave no outward sign she was the least bit moved by his presence. Still her hands trembled a bit. “Milady,” he nodded to her.
“Leave us now,” Rukia answered, sweeping one arm dismissively. In a quick bustle of silk the help scurried off, sliding shut the door behind them.
Renji remained standing until the door slid shut, glancing down at Rukia with a quizzical glance. She kept a straight face for as long as she could before glaring up at him. “All right, what’s going on here?”
“Your brother asked me to wait here till he called for me is all,” Renji shrugged. “I’m as surprised as you are!”
“Surprised is an understatement! What exactly did he tell you you were going to be doing here with me?”
“Uh, watching you perform a tea ceremony,” Renji shrugged, and then grinned jauntily. “So here I am.”
“Kneel down here you idiot,” Rukia relented, shaking her head. She giggled at the strangeness of the situation. Although Renji seemed nicely garbed, something about his outlandish spiked hairdo and his very presence still seemed alien in this world.
“So what have you got for me?”
“You sure you want the answer to that,” she shot back. “Remember where we are.”
“How can I not remember? Sheesh, this place feels like a freakin’ museum. Did at first, and still does. Doesn’t anything CHANGE around here?” Renji shook his head. “I haven’t seen this part of the house in five years!”
“Well here we are,” Rukia answered, not sure of what to say to that. His joking falling flat, Renji awkwardly strode over, still holding her in his gaze. Quietly he lowered himself to kneel opposite her, licking his lips a bit.
“I guess we’d better see ya get on with it. Kuchiki told me to mind my manners so I am. But I gotta admit I’ve never seen you do this,” he said.
“There won’t be a quiz after, Renji,” Rukia answered, her sleeves rustling lightly.
“Aww damn, and I was all set to take notes,” Renji teased, almost setting his hands on the table before jerking them away and putting them on his knees.
Hot water dribbled from the bamboo ladle as Rukia poured it into the wide mouthed bowl. Gracefully she set the end down, then let her fingers slide up to lean the handle of it just so. Opposite her, Renji watched with interest, his dark brown eyes fixated on how different she looked with her hair pinned back with expensive ivory combs. The old ritual was something she had learned as a Kuchiki, and as a member of society. Though the man she was preparing it for was someone she had known her whole life, there were sides to him she was still discovering after all this time.
“Ya look nice in that color. Goes with your eyes,” Renji said voice low and hoarse.
“I can change the outfit, but I can’t pull them out of my head. Your taste still leaves much to be desired though,” Rukia answered, nodding at his outfit, a white silk kimono festooned with pink flowers. She saw a tantalizing hint of the black squared off markings of ink on his left and right pectoral muscles.
“Hey it was the only thing I had clean,” he answered, eyes following as she stirred the leaves in with a wooden whisk, her small wrists white and graceful in the sleeves of that purple kimono with white flowers.
“Where the hell is everyone?” she mumbled, glancing around. Here they were alone in one of the many comfortable rooms of her home. Rukia thought this was one strange way to celebrate the first mutual night off together in their varied shifts. Considering her recent promotion as a vice captain their ranks were equal.
“Damned if I know,” Renji answered, looking rather flummoxed himself.
“I’m not even supposed to be here anyway. First night off I get as a Vice Captain of squad 13 and I’m playing hostess. What’s YOUR excuse?” she teased, realizing he caught her staring at his robe more loosely belted with the black sash. She pouted at the fact that bandages hid any markings lower down.
“Your brother insisted I should stay here till he called for me. Said he had some strategies to go over when he finished with your Captain.” Renji shrugged.
“Not much of a night out, is it?” Rukia mumbled, glancing around.
“Ahh well it’d just be another night out with Shuuhi, Ran and Kira getting plastered anyway,” Renji shrugged and chuckled. “Sides it’s nice to see you again fer a change. I mean even though we’re waiting for our respective captains to come get us.”
“I’d be out drinking with Kiyone and Isane. They said they would take me out when I was promoted. Sentaro had to include himself on the plans, plus a few of the other seated officers in my squad,” Rukia chuckled. “But you don’t say no to my brother.”
“You don’t say,” Renji chuckled, squirming as he sat back on his ankles again, though he needed no reason to move because he was already kneeling. Leaf shaped shadows waved from behind the rice paper screens of the room, indicating only a gentle wind blew outside. A hint of silvery moonlight beamed through one window propped open with a single beam.
“I’m surprised my brother hasn’t sent for me yet, or a servant. Wasn’t this official business? He did say to keep you entertained till we were called for,” Rukia muttered, glancing suspiciously around.
“Well he did have that captain’s meeting, and you have been entertaining me.” Renji stirred a bit as he knelt and rested his hands on his thighs.
“If you think quaffing tea is entertaining, you’re not the Renji Abarai I know,” Rukia stuck her tongue out at him. Slowly she picked up the cup of tea, and turned it a few circuits before handing it to him.
“Actually I’m kinda glad you got ‘stuck’ entertaining me,” Renji laughed, leaning forwards a bit to accept the cup. Before sipping it, he repeated Rukia’s motion, the cup comically small in his large hands compared to how it had appeared in hers.
“I’m impressed you made it this far into the house. I don’t know what’s gotten into my brother lately,” she chuckled. “Perhaps Ichigo has corrupted him?”
“I know. It is the only place he’d let me be alone with you. Hell the only person he’d allow alone in the same damn room without killin’ em or having ME watch them,” he murmured.
“What was that?” she asked, dropping the whisk. She saw the guilt flashing across his face as he coughed and pounded his chest.
“Nothing, it was nothing. Just joking.”
“Then what’s with that smug look?” she asked suspiciously, noticing the effort he made to keep a smirk off his face. The way in which he waved his hands around in the air reminded her of a referee she had seen in the living world when attending a soccer game with Ichigo and company.
“Oh, only that yer brother was kinda happy I kept other people away from ya. Spared him the trouble of usin’ Senbonzakura,” Renji admitted.
“You and my Brother put the fear of Kami into everyone? Tell me something I haven’t already guessed, Renji. Perhaps tell me why he suddenly seems to think it’s important for me to entertain his Vice Captain?” Rukia asked.
“Damned if I know, Rukia. All he told me was to wait here until he called for me. He didn’t say anything about you bein’ the one doin’ the entertaining. Not that kind of entertain’ mind ya.” Renji quickly waved his hands to ward off any perverted suggestions.
“You’re the one with the dirty mind, not me.” Rukia cast him a withering glance, but suppressed the urge to giggle.
“Looks like yer have to put up with me for a little while tonight.”
“Oh joy,” she answered, but then felt a secret thrill. “Lucky me.”
“Don’t look so disappointed,” he whispered, suddenly getting off his knees, walking on them around the table. He stopped at her left, his body heat radiating in the large dimly lit room.
“I could say the same for you,” she murmured, as his hand extended, tall body blocking the light shining through the rice paper screen walls. Even kneeling he was a good head taller, so she was eclipsed in his shadow. Rough fingers caressed with great delicacy, while his other hand landed on her shoulder and pulled her around.
“An since we’re alone together, I see no reason not to make the most of it,” Renji murmured.
“With my brother and captain still in the house? Are you quite mad?”
“As long as we’re both careful,” Renji whispered.
Automatically her hands pressed to his chest and she closed her eyes. Sure enough, he seized her against his body and tugged her forward. Grabbing the front of his kimono Rukia leaned into his embrace. Only a split second later she felt the press of lips against hers, awakening a host of hidden emotions that exploded.
The need to be touched and touch someone else intensified the sensations of Renji sliding his hand around her back and rubbing it. Alternatively, the careful measured manner he kissed her as if tasting her lips only without aggressively forcing her mouth apart. Just the smallest contact of his hand through her clothes sent tingling shivers that shook her completely small body.
For a second his mouth lingered on hers, and she slid her arm up around his neck to rub it. Chest aching for air she opened her lips on his, tasting something uniquely him, desiring far more. Then cold air touched her hungry lips, an uncomfortable contrast that missed him.
“Ya liked that?” he whispered, his chest rising and falling against hers.
“Mmm,” she answered, brushing her cheek to his and leaning closer.
“Different huh? I know it’s weird the first few times, but believe me ya get the hang of it soon enough,” he chuckled, voice quavering a bit. His muscles twitched and she could tell from the tension that he was terrified of screwing up.
Oh no, what do I do? Rukia panicked. That kiss was something she had waited decades for, but if he had any inkling she had done this with anyone else would he reject her? She assumed Renji had been with women before, and would naturally assume she remained untouched. How much initiative could she take that would assault his pride and drive him away? Damn why were things so complicated?
“What do I do?” she whispered aloud.
“Just relax. Ya trust me don’t ya?” he purred in her ear, reaching over to grasp her waist. His gentle insistent tug forward prompted Rukia to straddle his bent knees.
“Yes, but my brother…”
“If he left us in the same room together and isn’t comin’ here now, I think he’d send someone. I’m willin’ t’ take the chance,” he murmured.
“True,” Rukia panted. Right now, she had no desire to be interrupted.
“We’ve gone through enough not t’ be a little selfish. What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him. An’ so far I’ve done nothin’ that warrants compromising your safety,” he said, moaning slightly in pleasure when she settled comfortably there. The lack of friction of silk against silk slipped against his, making her slide backwards until he caught her and steadied her with a hand on the small of her back.
“Like I’d let you do anything stupid Renji.”
Rukia clenched a handful of cloth, tugging herself up so she sat with her chest flush against him. Still kneeling Renji dipped his head down, angling it to the side. Again, she closed her eyes, instinctively moving her head the opposite way and anticipating the next few seconds. This time the pressure of his tongue gliding along the front of her mouth startled her, prompting her to clench her thighs closer to his.
Dominantly his tongue glided against hers, coaxing her mouth open so their breaths merged. Hungrily she moved her tongue around his, meeting him on equal terms. Darkness and shadow denied the view of his eyes or body, intensifying the feel of his fingers combing through her hair or the heat building between their tightly pressed bodies.
Gasping, their lips parted and she rested her forehead against something cloth covered. His hot breaths pulsed against her skin, while she felt his heart pounding in his chest at a frenetic pace. Giddy she felt as if she had downed a whole bottle of sake, but was sober and aware of each caress of his hands and fingers on her body.
“See ya learn fast,” he chuckled.
“Yes,” she answered, cutting off the words that threatened to spill off her tongue. This was not the first time she had kissed someone. Alternatively, felt the heat of a man’s burning desire drawing them together past friendship. Instead of being caught off guard, she was able to enjoy it.
How he could assume she had never had experience with a kiss, Rukia wondered. Closing her eyes at the intense sensation of sensitive fingertips sweeping over her cheek, she swallowed her guilt. Unfortunately, it bobbed up stubbornly from beneath the arousal tingling over every inch of her body. Renji was here and now, grasping her face between his hands while brushing his lips delicately over hers. Almost as if he was afraid, that he would break her.
******