#Abarai Renji | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

syrma-sensei · 3 days ago

Text

→ Red Ink.

Pairing: Kuchiki Byakuya x Fem!reader.

Rating: Mature.

Setting: Post TYBW.

Warnings: Spoilers for the final chapter of the manga, nudity, self-care, fluff, implied smut.

Word Count: 2.5k

Summary: Red and ink write your destiny.

“Abarai Ichika!”

You call out as you chase the small ball of red hair and mischief. The little menace giggles as she runs through the corridors of the Kuchiki Manor, and you go after her, “Come back here!”

The reason for this little pursuit is in Ichika’s small hand and practically on her forehead. She stole some ink and a brush from the hall of the Calligraphy Club, which is chaired by Lord Byakuya himself, and decided to have a special paint on her face. I want my eyebrows to be super cool like my dad’s, she said when you caught her red-handed, or ink-handed so to speak. In the process, she screwed up some parchments of the club’s members, particularly, her uncle's.

Drops of ink trail behind her as she sprints with the agility of a cat whereas your feet start to hurt. You slow down in your tracks to catch your breath, then you sigh with a shake of your head when you realise it's pointless to go after her.

You've been one of Ichika's nannies since she was a baby. One of the trusted women whom the elders of House Kuchiki dispatched over to the Abarai residence because her father and mother are a working couple, and more so when Lady Rukia became the new captain of the Thirteenth Squad.

You sigh, refusing the defeat. Your feet move again. In times like this, your gist of being that girl's nanny should show now.

The Kuchiki Estate has been your home since forever. Being the only daughter of the mansion's grand butler, you were brought up side by side with the young master, Kuchiki Byakuya, the heir of the noble clan at the time. So, you know every and each secret passage in this building. Including the hall where The Shinigami Women's Association used to take place.

You slide through a secret door within a wall, and you appear before Ichika whose stupor is blatant on her face. However, she quickly recovers and braces herself and makes a detour, slipping through your hands as you readied yourself to catch her.

You groan in frustration. “I’m gonna kill you, child!” Your threat is pompous of course; you love the girl and her parents, and most definitely her uncle.

Ages before what mordant complications of a noble's life in the Seireitei entailed — the current head of one of the Five Great Noble Clans no less, Byakuya used to find great solace in your companionship despite the insufferable nonsense the hot-headed young lord had had you to deal with in moments of jitteriness. You were his confidant, his best friend.

Unlike most of the Seireitei's lords, his grandfather, Lord Kuchiki Ginrei, allowed the two of you to grow a unique bond in spite of the broad difference between your posts. The oldman was kind and generous enough to let his only grandson, his heir, to befriend a girl of a lower status. Furthermore, he did appreciate the notion of his grandson having a close one whom harboured nothing but loyalty and love in her heart for the young lord. Someone he could depend on when the going gets tough. For he knew, he knew that a high post such as theirs was a magnet for beguiling hypocrites and lickspittles. And a wise lord always needs his small and close circle of trustworthy people, regardless of their standing, to counsel and guide him when he is in need of advice and different points of views.

It's little to no wonder when people are struck with stupor when they learn that the frigid Captain of the Sixth Squad was a troublesome one in his early young days. Shihouin Yoruichi and Ukitake Jūshirō can affirm it; small wonder who Little Ichika takes after. He had such a remarkable ambition to be a leader like his grandfather. His determined dedication and unstoppable force of will were admirable to say the least. And to you they were more than admirable.

Over the years of being brought up with the young lord, your affections for him have altered. In your late adolescent years, you noticed the heat dusting your cheeks red whenever you came to the training hall to watch him train and build up his physique. You were a witness of the evolution of his voice, from high-pitched of a boy to deep and reverent of a man, a lord. And your love and respect for him only grew bigger and… wilder.

No matter how much you reminded yourself of who and what you were to put a bridle on those sprouting feelings, you only grew much more fond of him, regardless of his massive character change. For you knew, beneath the mask of the solid lord, there was the boy you fell in love with.

Within the Manor's endless corridors, where Lord Byakuya is strolling leisurely, he's having rather an important conversation with an elder of the Central 46. Byakuya sent for them to send a delegation to discuss a matter of importance for House Kuchiki.

Byakuya enunciates with that lilt to his voice. “I’d like my niece, Lady Ichika, to be my legal heir.” The tone he speaks in is firm, void of hesitation that hints at several vigilant nights of reflection.

The wise elder is struck with astonishment, yet he's quick to regain his aplomb, “Your niece is still too little to receive such a title, Your Lordship.”

“I was younger than her when I was anointed as my lord grandfather's heir.” Byakuya retorts with reason.

The elder chuckles nervously, “Well, you're your father's son, and you were next in line for the succession, milord. Lady Rukia is no—”

“Is not what, wise man?” Byakuya raises a brow.

“Is no true blood of yours, Kuchiki-sama.”

Byakuya stops in his track, stunned by the man's insolence towards his sister. “What do you mean by that, Your Reverence?”

“What I mean is crystal clear, milord,” The man says, “Lady Ichika cannot bequeath the legacy of House Kuchiki.”

Byakuya’s voice remains stringent, “Need I remind you, Your Reverence, that Central 46 accepted Rukia as my sister.”

“Adoptive sister.” The man corrects.

“Either way, Rukia holds the Kuchiki's name as well as I do.” Byakuya argues, “And do tread carefully, Your Reverence, you're stepping on rotten ice. Any disrespect to my sister and her family, would be considered disrespect to my person.”

“Pardon me, milord, but we urge you to marry again and produce heirs—”

A loud shriek cut through the air, and both men turn on their heels towards the source of it. A ball of red and ink pelt at Byakuya's feet, and Ichika's violet eyes — that reminds him of Rukia — meet his grey ones.

“Uncle!” She smiles up at him, one incisor tooth missing.

“Gods!” You gasp as you reach them. “I’m terribly sorry, Byakuya-sama!”

He seldom smiles after his wife's death. But you've got used to see him smiling more after Ichika was born. It warms your heart to see him smiling. You're only bitter that you're not the reason for his smiles.

Byakuya scooches down and cradles Ichika in his arms and lifts her up, she giggles and nuzzles into his hold.

“I see you found my ink collection, little one.”

She giggles, “I just wanted cool eyebrows like Papa's, but (Y/N) won't let me!”

He glances at you, and you blush as he sees your painted face and crumpled clothes. He arches a brow.

“Well, if you want tattoos like your father's, that has to wait until your old enough.”

“But uncle!” She whines and you chuckle.

“Abomination…” You hear the elder mutter, and you flinch. Did you just hear what you think you heard?

“Excuse me?” You snap, “How dare you insult Lady Ichika in her lord uncle’s house!”

“Guard your tongue, servant,” Then he looks at Byakuya, “You should punish that servant for overstepping her place!”

“The only one who's overstepped his place is you, Your Reverence.” Your heart leaps to your throat as you hear Byakuya defending you. “Leave.” He orders.

“The Elders won't let this slip by, Your Lordship.” The elder speaks with spite.

“Neither will I.”

With that, the elder turns and leaves the hall.

You sigh in relief as your body submerges in the hot water of the private onsen. What a day, you think.

You savour the sweet silence that plunges the whole Manor after everyone retired to their beds. You're grateful that Ichika was out like a light, with a toy of her uncle’s Wakame Ambassador tugged under her tiny arm. Her mom and dad are on a mission, and Byakuya was more than glad to have her for a couple of days in his hospitality. And it was you who accompanied her here.

You sigh again, letting the hot water do its magic to ease your tense muscles. That little troublemaker is a handful, a cute handful that makes your back sore from running after her. You chuckle, rubbing the muscles of your shoulders. You think of her uncle. Byakuya. Your heart paces up. He literally stood against a representative of the Central 46 for you. Well, technically, he stood up for his niece, but you're desperate enough to take it for you.

Your hand slid delicately between your legs. A soft moan escapes your mouth as you apply pressure at your swollen bud. While your fingers play with it, your mind drifts back to him. Lord Byakuya, your forbidden fruit.

“Ahh, Byakuya…” You sigh, adding more pressure to your clit.

Then out of nowhere, you hear footsteps. You sink deeper into the water, “Who’s there?” And suddenly you're worried they heard your moans.

Your eyes dilate when they fall on none other than Lord Byakuya himself. A fierce blush touches your cheeks, instinctively covering your breasts with your arms. You reach for a towel to cover yourself and leave.

He isn't supposed to be here, you made sure everyone was asleep when you decided to have some self-care in his private onsen.

“At ease…” He stops you, and you blink. Is he serious? Well, Byakuya always is. So, you refrain from approaching the towel, whereas he drops his bathrobe and lets you watch him walk over into the water with his glorious nakedness. You sink again in the water, trying to look away, but you can't when his impressive length is on full display. Is he hard because of you?

You're awash by disappointment as his body is now blurred by the water.

“B-Byakuya-sama?! What are you doing here?”

Oblivious to your own effect, Byakuya feels flames crossing his loins while watching you playing with yourself in such a divine state. Your head hung backwards as your lips cracked open in a lewd moan.

Byakuya holds his breath.

His bold gaze doesn't waver from you, as his deep, resonant voice says, “Shouldn't I be asking that question, (Y/N)?”

Your head is at the verge of exploding from mortification; at that very moment, you wish the ground to split open and swallow you up.

“I-I’m sorry…” You mumble, looking away.

“No need to apologise,” He says, “Handling Ichika the way you do, earns such a treat. So, please…” He extends his hand, “Don’t let my presence bother you…”

You glance back at him then down at the water swirling around you. Your heart throbbing in your chest that you fear he can hear its call for him.

At some point, you thought your love for him would deflate after his marriage to Hisana, but you were wrong. It only added fuel to the fire within your spirit. You claimed you knew him but you didn't. You were self-convinced that he'd never regard you more than a close friend due to your status. However, his marriage to Hisana was the ultimate proof of your cowardness. Because he married a commoner, so were you.

“I could never be bothered by your presence, Byakuya…”

And just like that, his name slips through your lips like silk, and for the time in forever, you see Byakuya's body shiver.

Thick silence reigns over the air, until he breaks it, “Thank you for taking care of Ichika.”

Your toes curl under the water. Small talk. Kuchiki Byakuya is doing small talk while you're both naked in the hot spring. Talk about awkward situations.

You shake your head, “It’s nothing, Byakuya-sama, I'm just doing my job.”

“If it is so, I think you might have quitted the very first day.”

You chuckle, “I love Ichika, she can be a handful, but I still love her. I love her parents.” I love you. “Taking care of her is like taking care of a younger sibling.”

“That pleases me,” He answers, “Ichika needs people who truly love her… for her.”

You allow a smile to slip on your lips. That's the true Byakuya, the one you grew up with, your Byakuya.

“You honour me with your words, Byakuya-sama.”

“Those aren't just my words, (Y/N),” He says, “Those are my sentiments.”

Why is he approaching you while talking about his sentiments? Naked no less. You start to panic.

You choose to stare at his torso as he dwarfs you with his height. He tips your chin up with his slender fingers. His smokey eyes piercing through your souls. Then, he leans in and pecks your lips softly. It's brief, but slow enough to taste his mouth. Within those moments, the world stops and has only you and him.

“I love you.” You find yourself whispering when he breaks the kiss.

Byakuya gives you a rare grin, one that reminds you of the boy you fell in love with.

“Marry me…”

Your eyes go wide, then they search him. Is he pulling your leg like the old days? You hope so, but deep down you don't.

“Yes or no…”

“Byakuya…”

“Today, when that oaf asked me to get married again and produce heirs… it was you who I thought of.”

Sweet crimson dusts over your cheek at his confession. “But Byakuya—”

“I love you too…”

It's your turn to kiss him. He kisses back.

There's a lot to process right now, but you only focus on his lips.

“Yes,” You murmur against his lips. “I would love to be your wife, Byakuya-sama.” You give him a toothy grin to which he responds with a conceited smirk.

“Good girl.” He murmurs and you blush.

“And you're a bad boy…” You say, “You want to marry me so you can rub it in the elders’ faces.”

To anyone, Byakuya is a fuddy-duddy, but your Byakuya is a rule breaker.

“You know me so well.”

You grin at him. “I think I do.”

Byakuya proceeds to kiss you again, this time slowly, deliberately, as if he's conveying how he actually feels about you. He hoists you up and carries you to his chambers when you make love. You can't believe this, if this is some cruel dream it better end now, but it doesn't, because the next day, you wake up as the new Lady Kuchiki.

• Main Masterlist.

• Bleach Masterlist.

• AO3.