It's Simply That I've Always Loved You

Chapter 20

“Abarai fukutaicho.” The sound of Hitsugaya’s voice startles Renji out of his little daydream and he lifts his head from the table, the slew of pamphlets spread out in front of him proclaiming everything he needs to know about pregnancy, the development of the pups, and how he can be a good, supportive alpha for Byakuya. “There are footsteps at the perimeter to the west. Aizen’s territory does not extend there.”

Renji feels something shift in his stomach and nods, standing and reaching for the fur he left on one of the other kitchen tables. “All right, show me. Just because I can’t run the perimeter doesn’t mean it’s not my job to make sure it stays secure.”

“Where are you going?” The voice makes him jump and he swears, turning to see Ichigo stepping in through the back door. “Byakuya wanted me to let you know something, so you can’t just run off right away to go do your dumb alpha bullshit.”

“Dumb alpha— This isn’t dumb or bullshit.” Renji reminds him.

Ichigo scoffs. “Anyway, Kira’s aftercare is all wrapped up and he’s got a shiny new mating mark to go with it, so Rangiku is going to come by after dinner so you can show her where she goes in the new running schedule. Aren’t I so helpful?”

Hitsugaya leans against the kitchen doorway, his eyes doing an up-down that makes Renji scowl at him. “You’re Ichigo, right? I haven’t seen much of you since you came to stay with our pack, and that was a couple of months ago. When did you move in with Taicho?”

“I’m staying with them while Chad and Uryu are busy.” Ichigo says, giving Hitsugaya a dismissive look. Renji leans back, winging up an eyebrow but content to watch the free show. “I don’t know your name. What, you’re, like, one of the alphas of the pack or something? Good for you. I heard a lot of alphas in this pack were dicks.”

Renji snorts and tips his head back while Hitsugaya only frowns. “Whoever said that must have been talking about the others. I’m nothing but a perfect gentleman.”

“Rukia said that actually, told me that when we were on the way here and said I should look out because it would be just like one of her brother’s alphas to bother me based on something shallow like appearance alone.” Ichigo fishes a can of soda out of the refrigerator, looking thoughtful as he cracks open the can and takes a sip of it. “Come to think of it, maybe Rukia mentioned a white-haired alpha who lost to her brother in less than five minutes one spring afternoon. Would that have been you?”

Hitsugaya has the good grace to flush. “The better man won. You know how that goes.”

“At least you know not to give excuses about your loss. Byakuya must have kicked your ass pretty good for you to blush like that.” Ichigo muses, and Renji has to cover his mouth.

“It would be wrong of me to act like I’m superior on the basis of being an alpha. The most we’re good for is taking care of pretty omegas like you.” Hitsugaya murmurs, his voice dropping a few octaves as he rests his head against the doorframe. “Bad opinion on us, huh? I’m not surprised. Not all alphas are decent men, after all.”

“You’d know all about that, Toshiro.” Renji agrees, clapping the younger man on the shoulder, ignoring the wounded noise Hitsugaya makes in his direction while Ichigo just snickers behind them. “Thanks for the news, Ichigo. I have to go check on some footsteps and see if they’re recognizable. Try not to get in any trouble while I’m gone.”

Ichigo heaves a sigh. “I don’t know. Burning the house down seems really tempting.”

“Hope you’re in the house when the roof caves in.” Renji quips. “Let’s go, idiot. Show me the footprints so we can figure out what’s going on and get this all over with.”