For the majority of his lifetime, Byakuya's immune system has been flawless.

Falling sick as pack alpha is simply not an option that he has, not when he has the pack to care for, his sister to look after, and Renji's rut to anticipate. It should have been not too far into winter but it had been somewhat delayed; Unohana explained that Renji had been under pretty incredible stress ever since they had discovered Aizen was secreting away his own pack in previously untouched territory and that his body was likely staving off his rut so that he could be available to fight and protect the pack at any given moment.

She promised she could intervene medically and force it if necessary, but Renji seemed content to let it wait and Byakuya was not going to step into his private matters and try to assert his will. He spent years making sure his heats could not occur, so it seemed hypocritical of him to think critically at all about anyone else's choices, so he did not.

Rukia and Orihime were well on their way to being a happily mated pair and after Kurosaki Isshin finally went on his way and left his son alone, Ichigo's buoyant personality bounced back into place. Truth be told, while the young omega would be more boisterous than Byakuya wanted to deal with, he was always happy to have more strong-willed omegas in his pack. It made him feel more secure in his position because Ichigo looked up to him.

All in all, the pack was fine, but Byakuya's duty is still to take care of them, and so when he drags himself out of bed when the sky is still dark and littered with stars to empty the contents of his stomach or risk ruining his bedroom flooring, it surprises him.

Not immediately, no, his exhausted mind struggling to piece together just what is happening until he drags his head away from the porcelain basin and takes stock of the situation. Had he caught a stomach bug or a flu of some sort? It's possible. He knows this and yet he still finds himself annoyed when the illness persists, trying to fight it back of his own free will.

"Something is wrong with you." Yoruichi pins him into a corner when she gets the first chance, fingers spread across the wall on either side of him. Even being on the disadvantageous side when it comes to size difference, she manages to keep him where she wants him with nothing more than a determined gaze, never once daring to assert her alpha status over him. She wouldn't dare. "I can smell it on you. Are you sick, Byakuya-bo?"

The question has him rolling his eyes, resting a hand on her shoulder. "I'm fine, Yoruichi. It's certainly rare for me to get sick at all, but it was bound to happen. I'm sure it's the stress."

"Just because stress can weaken your immune system doesn't mean you should write it off as something so simple," Yoruichi warns him, and something in her scent catches his attention, a lack of harmony in the scent he knows better than any other.

She's worried about him. It's all over her face and wrapped up in her natural scent, too.

The gentle concern relaxes the tension in his muscles somewhat and he sighs, both hands on her shoulders, giving them a gentle squeeze. "I'm fine. If it gets any worse or does not go away soon, I'll see Unohana about it personally. You can escort me there if you don't believe me."

Yoruichi eyes him uncertainly before she drops her head. "I'm sorry. I'm not your alpha and maybe it's wrong of me to push so hard, but I am worried about you."

"I can smell it on you. It's the only reason I'm not biting your head off for trying to impose on me." His tone is light and gentle, because he'd never bite her head off one way or another. Most alphas he finds himself wary of from the beginning, including some of those still present in his pack, but Yoruichi has never been anything but an angel to him.

"Well, someone has to worry about you in light of recent... Everything, and you don't have a mate." Yoruichi narrows her eyes up at him and he raises his hands, palms out. But she backs away, giving him his personal space back. "With Aizen up in the mountains and the new pack members and Shinji's cryptic bullshit, you're under a lot more stress than usual and you don't have someone to take care of you when you need to be taken care of."

He falls in step beside her, walking a slow circle around the buildings that comprise the center of their territory. With winter in the air and snowfall light on the ground around them, most of the pack has migrated inside so they have some privacy out here. Only Kira Izuru is outside and he sticks close to where he lives, sitting on the steps, staring off toward the woods with a vacant expression in his eyes. Even from a distance, Byakuya can sense the upset wrapped around him like a cloak, penetrating him with a deeper coldness than the winter ever could.

Gin's departure had hurt him deeply. Byakuya wonders if he's going to be able to recover from that or if he's destined to mourn the loss of a bond that never quite was.

The news that Ichimaru Gin might be a kitsune was kept from him because Byakuya can only imagine how much more such information would hurt him after everything else added into it. Not only did Gin string him along for who knew how long in order to keep everyone unaware of his deceit, he left Kira alone and possibly lied about his identity. A kitsune could never bond with a werewolf, not the way Kira would want or need.

This is disappointing to Byakuya in more ways than one. Ichimaru had been his friend; the two of them spoke often and though Gin was quiet and most of the pack mistrusted him, Byakuya listened to his counsel and approached him often for advice. He wishes he knew better then, that he could have told Gin to stay away from Kira to minimize the suffering the young omega would go through when Gin finally revealed his true colors as a traitor to their pack.

"Byakuya-bo," Yoruichi says softly, "not that I think you cannot take care of yourself-"

"Kuchiki taichou!" The interruption startles both of them and Byakuya tilts his head; recognizing a familiar shock of golden blond hair, stark against the wintery background growing around them. "Sorry to keep you waiting. I only just returned from my patrols."

Yoruichi's eyebrows shoot up. "Did you go on your own, Matsumoto? No one should do that."

"I can handle anything that comes my way should someone want to challenge me." Matsumoto Rangiku beams at her and Yoruichi chuckles softly and shakes her head but lets it go. "There was nothing. No signs of entry. No unusual scents- Is Kira sitting outside alone again?"

Byakuya frowns. "Has he been making a habit out of this behavior?"

"Usually at night when he thinks no one will notice but I've been doing my patrols at night to keep an eye out for him just in case." Rangiku sighs and ducks her head, and Byakuya steps forward, resting a hand on her shoulder. Letting her draw her strength from him, as any pack alpha would. "I worry about him. I feel responsible because Gin was... You know. He and I were close and I let him break Kira and walk away because I never realized how he was.":

The words are familiar; Byakuya feels them deep in his soul. "Gin and I were close friends and I did not see his traitorous nature until it was too late to stop him. I understand how you feel. But it is no one's fault that he made the decisions he chose to make."

"Still, I wish I would have known so I could have been prepared for the fallout. Or prevented it." Rangiku's eyes drift to Kira; he doesn't appear to have noticed them at all.

"Then go take him inside and warm him up before he goes completely numb from the cold," Yoruichi says, slapping her on the back hard enough to make her jolt. "We can't change the past, but we can handle the present and prepare for the future. If you want to lessen the damage Kira has suffered, you can be the one who chooses to comfort him."

Rangiku is quiet for a moment, her blue eyes drifting shut, before she gives a firm nod and stands straight. "Thank you, Shihoin-san. I'll do just that. I'll be going, then."

Byakuya watches her cross the ground, kneeling in front of Kira to draw his attention to her without touching him, offering him a hand and helping him to his feet. He looks cold but she draws him in close, keeping him against her side as she guides him back inside, and Byakuya releases a breath he had no idea he was holding. Next to him, Yoruichi laughs and nudges him in the ribs with an elbow before they start walking once more.

"I know you can take care of yourself," she finally says, picking up the thread of their conversation from earlier, "but I still worry about how much harder you have to work and what that might do to your health one day. You're under more stress than most alphas."

The thought makes Byakuya's lips twist into a grimace even though he knows how correct she is; most packs never have to worry about a rival pack challenging them because such a concept is ludicrous for the most part. One pack alpha defeating another does not guarantee the transition of merging the packs together is viable or that both packs will agree, and it tends to cause more problems than it offers solutions to existing problems. There may be shaky truths holding much of their world together, but bloodshed is not always a better option.

"What alpha do you think could care for me, Yoruichi?" he asks her. "Who even would? I've made my stance against alphas in general quite widespread in the pack. Most of them despise me and you know this as well as I do."

Yoruichi hums thoughtfully before she darts ahead of him, spinning on heel and spreading her arms wide. "I always have room for another omega in my heart and in my bed."

Byakuya merely raises an eyebrow at her. "Please tell me you have a better solution than this."

"You would me. I was allowed to be your first partner when you were a blushing little virgin but now I'm not good enough to be your partner?" Yoruichi pouts at him but the expression dissolves into a wicked smile when Byakuya scowls at her, trying to ignore the warmth in his face at her words. "How about him, then? He's a suitable partner, isn't he?"

She points over his shoulder and Byakuya glances behind him, stiffening when he sees Renji and Hisagi leaving a housing building to go on their patrol. "Hisagi is spoken for."

"You're being obtuse," Yoruichi says, and he hates to admit she's right this once.

"Renji is my pack beta and such a union would make us the bane of a pack that can be testy to my position atop it," he says instead, and that much is definitely true.

But Yoruichi only scoffs at him, smacking him on the shoulder. "You think me an idiot, do you? The pack already has suspicions the two of you are courting in secret. You came into an official pack meeting and you smelled like him. Everyone could tell. Everyone knew who you spent your heat with. Would Renji be such a bad choice for a life mate?"

The question is a fair one; Byakuya might have been turning it around in his head recently as he watches his sister slowly but surely fall in love with her own mate. Rukia and Orihime had been close before ever coming back to the pack but there was no denying the fact that their courtship had deepened their feelings for one another, and it made Byakuya a little more wistful than he wants to admit. He's been thinking about the past, about Hisana and her tender love and how he probably failed her hopes for him by closing himself off from everyone and everything.

She loved in a way that was whole and complete, and she spread warmth everywhere she went. If she could have seen him the way he was, she would have been disappointed in him.

"I highly doubt it would be something that he wants," he settles for instead.

Yoruichi is suddenly up in his face so quickly it startles him; few things do, but her speed is unmatched. "Byakuya-bo, I am not hearing this! That man adores you and you truly want to stand here and tell me he must not have feelings for you? You're lying to me."

"Alphas who take care of omegas in heat... Are just alphas doing what alphas do. I would have expected that kind of attention out of anyone." He narrows his eyes at her. "I recall you being slightly more overbearing, that much I will admit, but that would be your personality."

Only Yoruichi would take no offense at the comment; she looks rather proud of herself instead, which is exactly what Byakuya would expect of her. "I enjoyed every moment I spent with you, you know, and I don't regret that one bit. But I'm also not a fool. I know the difference between a friend willing to provide you with comfort when you need it and a lovesick puppy who follows you around with stars in his eyes because he's been in love with you."

Byakuya presses his lips together, watching as Renji and Hisagi transform, dark brown and deep crimson racing off into the treeline until he can't see them anymore. "I have... Become aware of certain things, I believe. But there is no certainty to that statement."

Before Yoruichi can respond, Byakuya's stomach roils unpleasantly and he doubles over, hands braced on his knees as what little he forced down his throat for breakfast comes back up. He expects her to touch him but there are larger, stronger hands on him, helping him brace his body while he vomits. The taste of acid is sour and unpleasant on his tongue and he spits it out; he might have fallen back on the ground just from the sheer weakness in his legs but Renji draws him back to a standing position and lets Byakuya lean against him.

"You should be on patrol with Hisagi," Byakuya murmurs, not keen on Renji seeing him like this.

"We weren't far enough away for me not to hear you," Renji says instead, an arm resting in the small of Byakuya's back, the other brushing his hair back from his face. "Yoruichi, I really hate to ask and I'll owe you one, but do you think you can take it for me just this once?"

Yoruichi scoffs at him. "Just take Byakuya-bo inside and make sure he rests and you can consider the favor repaid. Try to get something in him that doesn't make him ill."

Unlike the rest of them, Yoruichi's form is that of a sleek black panther; she takes the ground twice as fast as any of them do in wolf form and is gone in the blink of an eye. Byakuya sags heavily against Renji, the strength gone in his legs and the unpleasant churning in his gut not quite gone yet. Gently, Renji wraps his arms around him, letting Byakuya lean into him, wrapping him up in comforting alpha scent. It does little to soothe his stomach but he still sighs a little, pressing his face against Renji's shoulder.

And then reels back a moment later. "I apologize. I must smell horrid right now."

"You really don't." Renji pulls him back in, running his hands up and down Byakuya's back over the weight of his jacket. "Let's get you inside and in bed. It's a quiet day. If we need you, I can always come get you and we can deal with any problems. Rukia can stay with you."

Byakuya scoffs. "I don't want her thinking she has to watch over me now that she's home. She already does that far too often as it is, and she's my younger sister. Let her live her life."

"Ah, I understand." Renji shifts uncomfortably, his chin coming to rest on Byakuya's shoulder. "But I don't feel comfortable leaving you alone in your room if you're sick. If it gets worse and no one is near enough, no one can help you. Seems like an unnecessary risk to me."

"Then stay with me." He doesn't know why he says it, but Byakuya regrets it immediately. His pack beta shouldn't be beholden to him. "I apologize. I only meant that as a joke."

Renji's nose presses into his hair and Byakuya's breath comes out slow. "No, you didn't. Do you want me to stay with you? I don't mind taking care of you. You know that."

"It feels improper to drag you along like this when we aren't even mated. Our agreement for sex is one thing, but this is different." Renji has responsibility to the pack, and Byakuya taking up his time is just... It's wrong in more ways than one, and he knows better. He knows better.

"You're my friend, Byakuya. My pack alpha. Taking care of you when you fall ill isn't that big of a deal, honestly, and I'd rather you rest and get well than get worse." Renji shifts against him, the only warning Byakuya has before he's suddenly swept up into Renji's arms.

He protests immediately, smacking his hand against Renji's chest. "It's just like an alpha to come along and assert himself like this. Put me down right this instant, Renji."

"Nah, Taichou." When Renji smiles at him, he shows teeth and Byakuya pauses, blinking up at him; he doesn't think Renji has ever properly told him no before. "You need to rest. You're tired and your legs are weak because you were sick just a moment ago. Let me carry you to bed so you can conserve energy and rest. You deserve that much for all you've done for us."

The honeyed tone of his voice is all that convinces Byakuya to relax in his arms- Or so he tells himself, his cheek falling against Renji's shoulder once more. At least he can appreciate how strong Renji is, how easily he carries Byakuya's half-dead weight back to his own home. Rukia must be watching because she opens the door for them, sending Byakuya a look that's half reproach and half concern, and she might be right to be worried about him. Maybe he has been pushing himself too hard after the information about Aizen came to light.

Renji knows the route to his room but ends up stopped by Ichigo in the hallway, who catches him by the arm. "Hey, Byakuya, you okay? You don't look so good."

"That's Taichou, " Renji corrects him, but Ichigo pointedly ignores him.

Byakuya shifts so he can look at Ichigo properly, sighing softly and stretching out a hand to stroke Ichigo's unruly orange hair, soothing the spiky locks back from his face. "I've caught a bug, unfortunately. Nothing to worry about, I promise. I just need to rest."

"That's good." Ichigo eyes Renji dismissively and then turns his gaze back to Byakuya. "Feel better and let us know if you need anything."

When Renji makes it to Byakuya's bedroom and closes the door behind them, he huffs in annoyance almost instantly. "Who is that brat? He entirely ignores the hierarchy here and acts like I don't even exist. Is he like his father? I didn't get to know the man but God."

"He's not so bad." Byakuya sighs in relief when Renji sits him on his bed, shrugging out of his jacket and letting Renji take it for him, kicking off his shoes. "He's Rukia's friend and a member of our pack and honestly, I'd rather him have that attitude than just about any other. He won't let any alpha walk all over him and I'd rather that than just about anything else."

Renji smiles fondly and shakes his head. "Yeah, that's you all over, huh?"

He hands Byakuya the clothes he wants to rest in and doesn't even pretend like he's going to turn around; it's not a big deal considering Renji spent days on end wrapped around his naked body, so Byakuya has no reason to be modest. He still pauses when Renji shrugs out of his own shirt, catches himself studying those familiar muscles and tattoos.

His fingers twitch with the desire to touch him.

"You're right when you said we aren't mates." Renji sits on the edge of his futon and Byakuya forces his hands to remain folded in his lap. "But... Maybe I was thinking about courting you in the spring. When the time is proper and things have calmed down a little."

The words have Byakuya's mouth dropping open a little, a startled sound leaving his throat. "You... When did you make this decision? I was completely unaware."

"It was supposed to be a surprise when spring actually came but we keep ending up in these situations so maybe it's a sign I should be more honest. And..." Renji sighs, runs a hand over his face and looks thoughtful. "I've seen enough regret on the faces of everyone in this pack. Enough heartache. If I'm lucky enough to love a man that I know is faithful and true and cares about all of us, then I shouldn't squander that. I should show him how much I love him."

The comment catches him off-guard for just a moment and Byakuya stares at Renji, whose gaze is fixed and distant. He shifts forward and wraps his arms around Renji's bare shoulders, blanketing Renji's back with his own chest, feeling the moment when Renji gasps.

"Winter courting is very unusual indeed," Byakuya murmurs, pressing his cheek against the back of Renji's neck where his scent is strong. "But Rukia and Orihime are not wasting time. Perhaps you could consider moving the date up just a bit."

Renji's entire body goes slack in his arms and he turns, suddenly crushing Byakuya against his chest so hard he squeaks. "You don't know how much hearing that means to me."

"Maybe I've been a fool for too long." Byakuya bites down on his lower lip and Renji laughs, pressing a kiss to his forehead, one that soothes him down to his toes.

"Let's wait on it, though. Until you're better, at least, so the pack doesn't think I'm taking advantage of your vulnerable state." Renji pushes him back down on the futon, settling next to him, curling an arm around Byakuya's waist to draw him in close against his chest. "Just this, for now, is enough for me. And you can rest assured I'm not going to change my mind."

The reassurance sits low and warm in Byakuya's stomach and he rolls over so he can embrace Renji in return, letting their bodies press close together, unworried about the contact between them or the fact that he'll wake up smelling like Renji again. For now, he just delights in the closeness of his alpha- his alpha - and the fact Renji wants to take care of him. The fact Yoruichi is right, and that Renji is in love with him after all.

This illness had better move on quickly.