Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Promoting Vice Captain Relationships ❯ Reporting to Byakuya ( Chapter 4 )

First Kiss That Matters
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’s heart skipped once more when she and Renji entered the main dining suite. Kneeling in front of a sizable table, she spotted her big brother at the head of the table, with Captain Ukitake to his right.
“Rukia! You’re looking well tonight!” Ukitake waved to her with a warm smile.
“Brother… Captain,” Rukia blinked, feeling a wave of heat. Although she and Renji didn’t hold hands she felt the movement of his reiatsu extend near her, only for a second of reassurance.
“Be seated, Sister and Vice Captain Abarai. It would not do you well to keep our guests waiting,” Byakuya said with an indecipherable look on his face.
“Captain Kuchiki,” Renji coughed, hiding the waver in his voice. “I er…”
Across from him sat Captain Kyoraku, sipping at a saucer of sake. Beside him sat captain of squad 10, Hisugaya, beside Hinamori. Next to Ukitake were Kiyone and Senataro, both nudging each other and whispering. Captain Unohana was seated further down, while her vice-captain Isane glanced up towards Rukia.
“Sit down; don’t keep the party held up!” Shunsui waved to them.
“Honestly, is this a promotion party or what?” called out Shuuhi Hisagi. On one side of him sat Matsumoto, who was already blushing while she sipped at her sake.
“Renji, don’t make us wait,” Kira chimed in. Acting Captains Shuuhi Hisagi and Kira also occupied places at the table, both sitting on either side of Vice Captain Matsumoto.
Seeing all of them assembled Rukia felt a flush of heat and surprise flash over her entire body.
“Brother… you said that it was just you and my captain…” Rukia stammered her eyes wide.
“Congratulations!” Ukitake laughed.
“You should have seen the look on your FACE!” Kiyone laughed.
“Sit down, Sister. Will you keep your guests waiting?” Byakuya looked up at her with slight impatience. Automatically she wandered over to the seat at her brother’s left, and sat down. The only other empty seat was next to her, and Byakuya glared up at Renji, standing behind him hesitantly. Another look was all he needed to rush to his seat and kneel.
“C…captain?” Renji asked, shifting in his seat on Rukia’s other side. Rukia felt her palms sweating as she knelt by her brother. If only he knew what they’d just done.
“You mind explaining just WHAT this was all about?” Renji hissed as he glared down the table at Shuuhi and Kira.
“Have a drink will you? Relax! Don’t spoil vice captain Rukia’s first official party of her career,” Kyoraku hushed him. Mumbling in confusion Renji snatched up the dish for sake and swallowed a good mouthful. Rukia only picked at her food, sure that she was blushing profusely and arousing suspicion left and right around the whole table.
The mere fact that Renji was allowed to sit next to her was staggering, not to mention that her brother had her completely fooled. She saw the gleam of mischief in his eyes and glanced up at him. “Brother? Whose idea was this? Did you plan this from the start?”
“One should not question one’s good fortune, Rukia,” Byakuya glanced down at her. A fond smile twitched the corner of his lip. “I did not expect an inquiry from you for such a lavish and fitting celebration with your colleagues in attendance.”
“Brother…. Byakuya…” Rukia whispered, glancing up at him.
“What is it?”
“Thank you,” Rukia smiled, reaching over and touching the back of his hand. Ever so slightly, he inclined his head.
“You are most welcome,” he answered quietly so only she could hear.
Under the table, she felt a large hand squeeze hers. Renji’s sweaty palm pressed to hers, as she glanced over and saw him sipping his sake one handed. For a minute Byakuya glanced over, making her freeze. However, Ukitake said, “So Byakuya, how does it feel to have your little sister serving under me? Bet you thought you’d never see the day.”
“If harm should befall her, you will be the first to know my latest technique for Senbonzakura,” Byakuya glanced over at him. Yet the slight smile on his face told Rukia it was the closest he had come to joking.
“Renji,” Rukia whispered, squeezing his hand.
“Ya? You okay. You’re looking pale, Rukia…”
“Is there something you’re not telling me? Did you know about this too?” she glared at him accusingly, squeezing his hand.
“Um well… I knew that these two clowns said they had other plans… but um…” he trailed off.
“He was as surprised as you were,” Captain Kyroraku smiled from behind his sake cup.
“Don’t be too hard on him, Rukia!” Matsumoto giggled. “He knew about a surprise party, he just didn’t know WHEN…”
“Do you think his eyes would be as wide as yours were if he knew the whole master plan?” Hisagi asked his hand under the table near Matsumoto’s. Rukia guessed that because Rangiku’s left hand was also not visible it was likely they were holding hands as she and Renji were. Next to him, Izuru Kira quietly sipped at his sake and nodded, while Momo blushed and looked towards Hitsugaya. He shook his head and looked bored, sipping at a cup of tea instead.
It was a good while before Rukia finally relaxed, realizing her brother wasn’t paying her much mind. Rather he seemed most interested in continuing a conversation with Ukitake about gardening. To see her brother holding more than just limited conversation was a relief for Rukia. That tingling sensation in her legs returned, causing her to squirm a bit uncomfortably, where she knelt. Glancing sidelong at Renji, she saw him also shifting.
“Vice Captain Abarai,” Byakuya said.
“Yes Captain,” he replied.
“I will expect much more from you in the next few months. It’s time your responsibilities were broadened.”
“Sir?” Abarai blinked.
“Brother?” Rukia asked, glancing up at Byakuya. He turned his full attention to them, his silvery blue eyes piercing them both.
“You will be responsible for continuing to discourage unwanted attention from my sister. I cannot have her integrity compromised since she will be more vulnerable in her position.”
“C… captain?” Renji stammered, sweat beading on his face.
“There’s nothing to worry about, Byakuya. Rukia’s a fine officer and a capable vice captain,” Ukitake interrupted. “She’s more than capable of protecting herself.”
“I was not addressing you, Juushiro,” Byakuya reprimanded him.
“Sorry,” Ukitake blinked his face suddenly worried.
“With all due respect brother I am more than capable of protecting myself from unwanted advances,” Rukia began.
“We have much to discuss,” Byakuya glanced down at her and Renji, both of them squeezing one another’s hands beneath the table. “Certain events have come to my attention. And it is time I acted.”
“Captain Kuchiki I can explain,” Renji blurted out.
“Brother, what are you talking about?”
“Say nothing more,” Byakuya interrupted. “This remains an affair of the Kuchiki clan. Moreover, as such matters should not be discussed in present company. My sister’s safety is paramount. And I trust that you will take a more active part in that role, Vice Captain Abarai?”
“Sir?” he stammered, blinking.
“Byakuya?” Rukia also almost squeaked.
Byakuya only replied, “We will discuss this after the party. Say no more and enjoy your promotion Rukia. After all we don’t want our guests to think you are ungracious for their attendance,” Byakuya said with a softer tone. All Rukia could do was swallow hard and glance down at the table. Renji’s hand closed protectively around hers.
Surrounded by their friends and colleagues they enjoyed one another, and the suggestion of an answer to an unspoken question.