Nothing's Changed [Byakuya × Renji]

8 - Twenty-two

"But I love you Yaka," those words. Those five simple words rang throughout Byakuya's head for the past six years, he understood that Renji had only been ten when he uttered them, but he couldn't get them out of his head.

After those words left the ten year old's throat the raven watched him as he grew up, picking him up from school along with his little sister; and their new best friend they had made when Rukia was seven. He watched how the three interacted, how Ichigo had eventually taken the place of Byakuya in Renji's childish heart.

The redhead and boy with bright orange hair were almost inseparable as they got older, if Renji was at Rukia's, so was Ichigo Kurosaki. If the eleven year old wanted to watch a movie the eight year old boy would start a playful argument on which movie they should watch. Seeing this made the raven happy, observing that as Renji grew up he seemed to find someone that he would probably spend most, or the rest of his life with.

At the age of twenty-two Byakuya had became a substitute teacher. It wasn't in the plan for it to be a forever job, just one that he could keep for a little bit while saving up money so Rukia could go to college.

That was another reason he became a sub, so he could watch over his sister. Granted he didn't have a choice of what class he got, but since he lived in Karakura it was almost guaranteed that he would see his sister; whether it was in the halls, or in her class.

If he wasn't subbing for the middle school he would most likely be found at the highschool. Something that had bothered him for a little bit was that he wasn't the one who had been bringing Rukia home, not since Renji got his driver's license and a scooter.

It bothered him because he hadn't seen the red head for a while. Sure he worked at the highschool every now and then; but he could never seem to find the teen who once clung to his side. It was as if he was never there, or that he was purposefully ignoring the now adult he had once admired.

It confused the raven greatly, pushing his bottom lip inwards as he chewed on it; his mind filled with thoughts of the red head rather than the tests that he should be grading. Figuring that he wouldn't get any work done until he took an actual break, he pushed his roley chair back gently and stepped away his desk.

Byakuya took a quick glance at his room in the apartment he had lived in for three years before turning towards the bedroom door, quickly leaving through it and headed towards his small kitchen area. Once there he opened the fridge and bent down to peer inside it. Almost empty, sighing at how he had neglected to go grocery shopping that week.

He closed the door and stepped away from the fridge so he could collect his wallet that lay on his nightstand; wanting to get some fresh air and grab groceries for the week. Once the brown trifold wallet had been acquired he headed towards the apartment door, slipping his shoes on as he opened it. 

It was late, he knew that some of the tenants were trying to sleep, thus he closed his door as quietly as he could; then walked down the slightly creaky hallway. Cursing at himself whenever he would carelessly step on a very creaky spot, slowly lifting his foot up to move it towards another area.

Once out of the building he sighed while pushing some hair behind his ear, looking back at what he had called home for three years, thinking about his sister and that he should visit her soon. Gently shaking those thoughts out of his head he started his journey towards the convenience store, tucking both of his hands into his pockets to slow the process of them becoming cold.

As he arrived at his destination he grabbed a small shopping basket then took his time as he walked through the isles, picking up small snacks and ingredients he could use to make dinners and lunches. After he was done collecting what he wanted and needed, he headed towards the check out counter, setting his basket down.

He didn't notice who stood there until he looked up from his small horde, standing in what could be seen as some sort of sadness due to his very stoic face and timid appearence. But in reality he was slightly surprised to see the sixteen year old he hadn't seen in several months, they were close to the same height, which was a huge shock to the twenty-two year old.

Seeing who he remembered as a little child running around at four foot something, now standing at five foot seven. "At this rate if you keep growing you'll be taller than me," Byakuya frowned a little bit, but Renji snickered, leaning on the counter slightly.

"Long time no see Byakuya," Byakuya? Byakuya? The older man repeated his own name a couple times, hearing it come from the teenager felt very strange. "yes, long time indeed, Renji.." since the teen seemed as if he matured, using his name instead of that childish nickname, he was going to do the same.