@scnkei asked: 027. - an apple orchard in the middle of spring.

He'd managed to escape. Leaving before he could get roped into doing Matsumoto's paperwork for her again and vanishing into the sprawling forests that surrounded Soul Society. Wandering through them until he'd followed the soft floral scent of apple blossoms to a hidden grove that seemed untouched for the most part. A soft gentle breeze whispering through the tree's elegant branches and carrying a flutter of petals into the air.

The sight was like that of a dream from long ago. Calling back to memories of long ago, before his life had become one of bloodshed and duty. Days spent running wild and free with her at his side.....before she'd died in an attack from a hollow. It had been the catalyst that had pushed him to become a Shinigami in the first place.

Wandering through the trees he finally climbed up into one of its branches, settling onto one of the longer limbs. One leg dangling from the tree as his eyes closed, the peace and serenity seeming into his body as he drifted off into a light slumber. So relaxed that he didn't even notice the whisper of spiritual energy marking the arrival of another.

--- It is a curious first sentence, that is for certain, but fondness swells in his heart, and a warmth is imbued in his smile as his captain continues his explanation. It is a consideration that Byakuya is not wont to show anyone else, and Renji is well-aware of that. At first, the few days leading up to his birthday, he had been afraid that something was amiss. Byakuya would not spend time with him { too wrapped up in paperwork }, and it seemed to Renji as though he was inventing more and more work to avoid him, making hours overtime that seemed.. Well, disproportionate even to their busiest times of year. And yet.. Now it all made sense. How could Byakuya have cleared both their schedules without first doing the work of two men in their positions. He would not have been able to stand it if the work piled up simply because they took time off, Renji knew that well enough.

There is an indescribable warmth that spreads from his chest, through his torso and down his limbs, reaching every extremity, including the fingers around which Byakuya's hand now wraps. Byakuya is giving him the gift of quality time.. Just the two of them. It is truly the best gift. It doesn't matter that it is not on the actual day. In fact, it is better; Renji will have time to allow his friends their congratulations, and to be dragged away for drinks, while he and Byakuya will have a whole day to themselves, the day after..

He doesn't recall ever feeling so rich, and loved, in life. He doesn't need expensive material gifts toward that end. He squeezes Byakuya's hand and smiles at him. He looks tired, Renji can only imagine the amount of hours it took to make this a reality. He could tally them all up, as he now realised he had watched Byakuya do it. He steps forth and presses his lips to the Kuchiki's. "I would love to," he assures him as he pulls away. "Thank you, that is the best gift you've given me yet," though, he does adore the bandanna's and yukata Byakuya had gifted him a year prior, once he had gotten over their cost, and wears either one of those at least once a week.

The slightly agitated tone of the nobility did catch Yumichika by surprise. Was there something truly insulting said there? To his knowledge he was just making lighthearted banter about the very origins of the redheaded lieutenant. Then again, who knew if his way of expressing was too vulgar for someone of the higher status – the way men of the Eleventh division spoke probably had rubbed off on him during the years.

”Ah, it’s because me and Ikkaku were so involved in training him and all that--” was a slightly rushed reply given, the peacock almost stumbling in his words. He had always looked up to the head of the Kuchiki clan; this man had the strength and guts to fight and bicker with Zaraki-taicho while still maintaining class and elegance in both professional life and on the field(not to mention the aesthetics). That if something was truly admirable.

And here he was, making a fool of himself in front of the coolest captain around. Great job, Yumichika.

”I didn’t mean to speak ill of him and I’m sorry if it came across as such. Abarai-kun-- I mean, Abarai-fukutaicho is one of the hardest working men I know”, and that wasn’t a lie. Renji had proven time after time that his drive and persistence to fight towards his goals was greater than most of their men’s added up. No one stood up more times against Ikkaku’s relentless attacks during sparring, no one fought harder to beat everyone at arm wrestling during nights out – hell, no one ever tried to run more rounds than Renji during their morning runs since it would be a sure loss against him. He really was that kind of a guy.

      ❝ Oi . .,❞

                             and so the rain fell; pitter-patter, pitter-patter until it became a roar within the Lieutenant's ears. Until it began to drown out all noise from the background. Nothing mattered right now. Nothing but the Captain of the Sixth Squadron. This battle with the Quincy called As Nodt. . .senbonzakura had been sealed and taken away from his master. It had left the man defenseless and the Lieutenant of Squad Six was no where to be found. It was just Byakuya. . .and Kaien. 

    With trembling hands the man placed them on Byakuya’s shoulders, fingers gripping tightly. Aqua colored eyes staring right at the man who he called family. Were there times he couldn’t stand the Kuchiki’s way of going about certain events? Yes. Were there times where Kaien had disliked Byakuya putting on a mask to hide his emotions? Yes. Were there times where they had actually agreed and gotten along on other aspects though? Also yes. 

                But this? This was one thing he couldn’t agree on. 

                                       ❝ OI! BYAKUYA-BOY!❞

     The strings began to constrict his heart, tightening. This couldn’t be happening. Kaien wasn’t going to accept another close friend. . .dying. He couldn’t. Not Byakuya. Not the same child that had spurred fear into him for stealing sake from the Kuchiki manor for a celebration of becoming sixth seat --- not the same young man who he’d watch training day after day with his zanpakuto. 

               ❝ YOU STAY WITH ME, BOY. THAT’S AN ORDER! D’YA HEAR ME, BYAKUYA!❞

              His throat was hoarse from screaming. Who would have thunk it? Kaien Shiba, a man known for shouting, finally losing his voice. The rainfall began to drown everything out. . .until it was an abyss.  ❝ WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?! TELL ME! SPEAK UP! PLEASE! ❞ The Shiba Clan were known to be a rowdy and loud bunch -- maybe he could annoy him back up. It was a small hope. Kaien had that affect on people. 

A lovely watercolour commissioned piece of  Byakuya and Hisana. This ties somewhat into the plot and storyline discussed with @scnkei .  Probably when they return from Hueco Mundo~. 

Either way, this was commissioned with my money and thusly, belongs to me.  Please do not edit, repost, alter or reupload elsewhere or here. Reblogs are okay :3

There was never any sneaking around with Byakuya. Renji straightened up and stepped inside to place a little giftbox on the captains desk. “Someone left this for you, just came to drop it off. Sorry to interrupt.”