Chapter 1

Byakuya paced his living room for what felt like the thousandth time, 'Where the hell is Renji' he said out loud for the hundredth time. Renji was supposed to be there an hour ago. Byakuya had a luncheon in his honor at 1 and it right now it was 12:55. Byakuya's pacing was interrupted when his phone rang. It was Renji's ring tone 'This better be good' he said to himself before answering. "Renji! Where are you?!" he said instead of 'hello'

"Byakuya" said a familiar voice

"Shuhei?" he said "Where the hell is Renji and don't tell me some kind of lie to cover for him. You know damn well…."

"He's in the hospital" Shuhei interrupted him. Byakuya was silent, his heart stopped and he instantly felt the need to sit down. He sat done on the couch Renji picked out. "Byakuya?" Shuhei said thinking he hung up the phone. "Are you….

"What do you mean 'he's in the hospital'?" he said softy, very softly, barely above a whisper.

"He was driving, I was in the backseat behind the passenger seat." This was really hard for him to say. Renji is his best friend and he doesn't know what's worse reliving the scene in his head or telling Byakuya the story knowing the man could possibly have a mental break down. "Renji leaned over to get his phone so he could tell you he was on his way.."

"Shuhei get to the point!" Byakuya said ready to burst into tears already knowing its his fault

"There was a truck. We didn't see it. It hit us." Byakuya gasped but Shuhei went on. "I'm fine but Renji…" he took a deep breath "Renji… the truck hit on Renji's side." there was a gasp and then the line went silent. "Byakuya?" he said but it was too late Byakuya was already out the door on his way to the hospital.

Byakuya was sitting at his desk waiting for the man he was supposed to be interviewing. The man supposedly graduated a year early and was the top of his class in law school, but somehow he couldn't seem to show up on time. Byakuya's thoughts were interrupted when he heard a knock on his door. "Come in" he said without looking up from the resume he was reading.

"Sorry I'm late" said an unfamiliar voice

Byakuya looked up he liked what he saw, but that didn't mean the man's tardiness was excused. "You're late, sit down" he said emotionlessly but still scarily

"I know I got lost and my GPS started fu…messing up" he rubbed his neck as he went to sit down in the chair on the other side of Byakuya's desk.

Byakuya stared at him, he didn't see how this man was the top of his class. "I don't see it" he said voicing his thoughts as usual.

"Get what?"

"How were you top of your class? You come in late and with excuses."

"How bout you just look at my work" he said now a little angry

"And your English is terrible"

"You know what I really don't need this job, I was top of my class I can get a job anywhere" he stood up.

"Sit down, child"

"I am not a child, I am 23"

"23? I thought you just graduated early?" Byakuya was after all as curious as a cat

"I took my first two years of college in high school"

"Mmmhmm" Byakuya nodded in approval, but he wasn't finished with the prior conversation "You are child. Like a child you are standing there arguing with me instead of proving you're what I need for my firm. Now sit" the man sat slowly "Now what is your name?"

"It's on the resume" he said sarcastically

Byakuya lifted an black eyebrow, he wasn't used to being challenged anywhere but the court room and especially not his office "But I asked you. So what is your name?"

The man huffed using all his power not to cross his arms over his chest like a child. "Renji Abari"

"Well, Renji, I'm Byakuya Kuchiki and I am your new boss." Byakuya smirked a little he always liked to play with his new employees before telling them they're hired. Byakuya didn't always make his decisions based on the resume but Renji's resume was definitely exceptional. The man not only graduated law school a year early, as did Byakuya, but Byakuya has heard the man is strong in mind and body and is very determined in keeping his promises to anyone. That's what Byakuya needed someone genuine someone with a heart. Renji will fit in greatly.

"Wait….What? I got the job?"

"Yes"

"But….I… thought…"

"Renji, not many people can look me in the eye without quivering, you stayed strong that's what I need. Be here tomorrow at 9o'clock sharp don't be late or you will be fired. Your resume does not matter if you can't professional." Renji turned toward the door but stopped when he heard his name. "Do not think just because you look good that you can get away with things."

Renji turned to Byakuya and smiled at him "I don't" he walked out quietly closing the door behind him.

Byakuya burst through the doors of hospital, he walked up to the reception desk "Renji Abari" he said before she addressed him

"Are you family."

"He's been my boyfriend for damn near six years I'm family" he answered seeing Renji being his only goal right now

'I'm sorry sir, but…" she started but Byakuya interrupted her

"I don't wanna hear 'I'm sorry, sir,' I want to hear where Renji's room is and if I don't hear where it is in two seconds I'm gonna…"

"Byakuya" said a very familiar voice walking toward him. Byakuya turned toward the orange haired doctor "Ichigo, where is Renji" he said softly. Byakuya felt like he was on the brink of insanity.

"He's with me" Ichigo told the receptionist. He looked at Byakuya "Renji is in ICU" he sighed, he was one of the few people who knew how much Byakuya loved Renji and knew how hard it was going to be for him to hear. But someone had to tell him. "He…He has a lot of stitches. When the truck hit the car it hit on the driver's side." Byakuya gasped "The glass…the glass from the windshield…." He breathed this was really hard to say, Byakuya's mold was cracking little by little, the tears in his eyes were already trying to spill over. Byakuya's control was slipping and as many times as Ichigo had tried to see it break he didn't want to see it like this. "shattered. His upper body was covered in glass and his left leg is broken. He we had to remove all the glass from his body and…and he flat lined twice." Byakuya was crying now and Ichigo wanted to hug him but knew Byakuya didn't even know he was crying. "He lived" Ichigo tried to brighten things up a little. He didn't want to tell Byakuya the bad news but knew the man would ask soon enough "He's in a coma right now and he's not breathing on his own. We don't know how long he'll be like that though."

Byakuya wiped a tear off his cheek and took a deep breath, he didn't trust his voice but he tried to speak anyway. "Thank you, Ichigo." He breathed slowly wiping another tear from his face "Can…Can I see him?"

Ichigo nodded "Come on"

Ichigo took Byakuya to the ICU in silence, the only sound being Byakuya's sniffles. Ichigo would never understand how much pain Byakuya was going through and he knew he never wanted to. He's known Byakuya for 25 years and he's never seen the man cry, he's never even seen the man grin for too long, so he knows Renji means more to him than anything ever has. Byakuya looked so weak, so out of place, so….sorry. He didn't know why he looked sorry he just did. When the elevator doors opened Byakuya nearly ran out. He ran right past everyone in the waiting room and they all stared in shock, they have never seen him this way.

Shuhei walked over to him "Renji's room is right there" he pointed "You have to look through the window."

Byakuya nodded slowly and walked over to the window, suddenly he didn't want to look anymore. When he got there he raised a shaky hand to the window as if he was touching Renji's now fragile body. He looked at Renji's bandaged body and felt his lip quiver, Renji's body was usually so tan but now it looked so pale and sickly. Renji, his Renji, looked so sick and weak. His Renji, who's strong arms would carry him to bed when he over worked himself, now looks like he would break any minute. Even Renji's tattoos looked dim. Byakuya put his head on the window and whispered Renji's name and then whispered "I'm sorry". Byakuya was shaking so hard and he began to breathe heavily, he put his hands over his face and then he finally snapped. He let out a loud sob and dropped to his knees. He couldn't stop himself it hurt too bad. He heard heels clicking on the floor and then felt arms around him. He didn't have to look up to know it was his lifelong friend Yorichi. He just sat up and hugged her crying on her shoulder while she rubbed circles on his back whispering that everything would be okay.

There was no telling how long they were like that but Yorichi's husband, Kisuke, came over and told them it was time to go. Byakuya looked up and nodded, he didn't trust his voice.

"Kisuke and I are goin to take you home, ok" Yorichi said in a soft voice, she had been crying too she loved Renji he was a very good friend and boyfriend to Byakuya she would always love him.

Byakuya nodded again.

The car ride to his house was silent. Yorichi sat next to him so he could lie on her shoulder so she could help comfort him. When Byakuya got to his house he walked through the door and slowly closed it behind himself, the big house suddenly felt empty again. He took his phone out of his pocket and noticed he had tons of texts and miss calls. He threw the phone cross the room knowing he broke it. He leaned on the door and slid down it. He hugged his legs and put his head on his knees. "I almost killed my boyfriend" he said to himself. He began crying again. He felt something nudge his arm, he sniffled and looked up at the dog Renji got him two years ago.

"Byakuya close your eyes" Renji said when he walked into the house holding something behind his back

"Renji what are you doing?" Byakuya asked while he sat on the couch working on a court case

"Just close your eyes"

Byakuya rolled said eyes and sighed, he set his stuff on the coffee table in front of him and closed his eyes. He felt something on his lap and then something wet on his face. "Renji, I thought I told you not…" he stopped talking when he heard a bark. He opened his eyes and saw a cute, blondish puppy sitting on his lap with a red bow on its neck. "Renji, what is this?"

"Well from its shape and how many legs it has I'd say a dog" he laughed

Byakuya glared at him "I'm not laughing, Renji" he put the puppy on the floor "Why'd you get me a puppy?"

"Well it's our fourth anniversary, "He watched as Byakuya's face changed from 'Dammit Renji!' to 'not again' "don't worry I know you forgot, and it's your birthday, I know you forgot that too" he grinned at Byakuya when he rolled his eyes "Plus Yorichi said you always wanted a puppy."

"Of course she did. How many times to do I have to tell you that women is out to get me."

"Why would you say that, she's your friend"

"I don't have friends, I have enemies" Byakuya got up and walked to the kitchen, he had a sudden craving for tea. Renji followed and so did the puppy. "So what are you going to do with it" he said leaning on the kitchen island sipping his tea to Renji leaning on the counter across from him

"It's a boy"

Byakuya rolled his eyes "Okay, him"

"I was hoping we could keep him"

Byakuya gave Renji a blank stare before simply saying "No"

"No?" he parroted "But why"

"I don't like dogs"

"But Yorichi said…"

"Renji, that women is crazy. She makes it her life's purpose to make my life Hell"

"But I was thinking he could be like our kid and we could be like a family" he looked at him with puppy dog eyes.

Byakuya looked at the dog and he could swear the dog was giving him the eyes too "Renji.."

"Please" Renji moved closer to Byakuya and put his hands on the counter next to his hips, he kissed his cheek "Please" he said huskily knowing it turned Byakuya on, much like everything else "Please, baby" he kissed his lips softly "I'll take real good care of him and I'll make sure it doesn't get in the way of me taking care of you" he thrust forward a little just enough for Byakuya to feel him through his sweat pants, he kissed his lips again "Please"

"Ok fine, but if I catch any of my things in his mouth he is out"

Renji grinned, sex always worked with Byakuya "You won't I promise" he kissed Byakuya one more time "Thank you"

"Whatever" he lightly pushed Renji off him he had phone calls to make. "What's that thing's name?"

"His name is Maru, short for Zabimaru" Renji answered before picking the dog up and going back to his car to get the things he bought for the dog.

Byakua opened his mouth to say something but decided he was Renji's dog anyway so he can name the dog whatever he wanted.

"Sorry, Maru, but I don't think you'll love me anymore" he sniffled again "I almost killed your favorite person" Maru licked a tear off Byakuya's face before laying his head on Byakuya's thigh. Byakuya smiled a little and rubbed the dog's head "Ever faithful Maru, which is exactly why you're Renji's dog and not mine."

This story has been in my notebook for a long time. I know its sad but when i heard the song better than i know myself by adam lambert this story instantly popped up in my head and here it is.