Naked Truth

By Spunky0ne

(This one's the brainchild of the wonderful and very supportive Alabirdie! Thanks so much for all the encouragement. I think you will love this one!)

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Chapter 1: Driving

"Hey, Abarai," called a gruff voice, "Get your skinny ass over here!"

"Eh, go fuck yourself," the redhead muttered sleepily, sliding down lower on the bench where he slumped, and pulling his jacket more tightly around his too thin body, "I'm taking a break."

He heard footsteps approaching and groaned, tipping his driver's hat back and squinting up at the dour-faced old man who stood over him.

"Hey, fool, I'm talking to you!" he snapped, kicking Renji's feet and dropping a slip of paper on him, "It's a special...real good tipper if you don't fuck up like you usually do."

"Mmmmm, big tipper, huh?" Renji mused, sitting up, yawning and scowling at the piece of paper his boss had dropped on him, "Uh...Kuchiki, Kuchiki, I know that name..."

"Yeah, you do," said the old man, "Ginrei Kuchiki and his grandson, Byakuya. They're the richest family in town. You should fucking know them."

"I thought the Kuchikis had their own drivers."

"They do," the old man answered, "But sometimes one'll get sick or something and they call us. Why do you think I keep that damned Rolls back there in such good shape? Take that fucker and go pick those guys up. They need you to be available on call all day, so they're paying extra."

"Okay, as long as I'm off by six. You know I work at the Black Iris nights."

"Yeah, yeah," muttered the old man, "You'll be done in plenty of time before you have to go shaking your ass for money tonight. Don't worry."

"You know," Renji said, grinning affably, "If you give me a little raise, I can buy off that ol' creep down there and not have to shake my ass for money anymore. I can stop sucking that guy off every time he gets horny too."

"Eh, but who'm I to deny the poor bastard his fun?" chuckled the old man.

"Ugh..." Renji grunted, sinking down on the bench and letting his hat fall over his face again, "I freaking hate that guy. I don't like you very much right now either."

The old man laughed softly.

"Tell you what," he said, smirking, "You do a good job for the Kuchikis and I'll see what I can do about getting you on the regular staff here."

"Wh-what, really?" Renji gasped, sitting up straight and blinking cutely, "You're kidding, right?"

"Naw, I'm serious. But...you fuck this up and lose us this family's business and you will be permanently planted between that creep Aizen's legs and sucking him off for all eternity. You get me, Abarai?"

"Yeah," Renji groaned, "Don't fuck up unless you want to end up sucking up. It's the story of my life..."

"You got it. Now, get outta here. They're going to be waiting at their estate. Go get'em."

"Right," Renji said, accepting the key to the company's best limousine.

He walked out of the building and back to where the company vehicles were kept and stopped to show the lot attendant his work order.

"It's all ready for you down on the end, Renji," the young man said, smiling.

"Thanks, Rikichi," Renji replied, heading past him and walking to the limousine.

"Ah..." he sighed, sliding into the driver's seat and breathing in the pleasant scent of the interior, "This almost makes up for all of the shit I put up with. What a sweet ride..."

He eased the car out of its parking spot and passed through the front gates, rolling out onto the street and turning the vehicle in the direction of Kuchiki Manor. Noting that he had several minutes before he would reach his destination, he turned on the car's radio and began to sing along. The fast beat and harmonic vocals woke him up inside and had him fully alert by the time he spotted the entrance to the Kuchiki estate, turned the radio off and proceeded to the entrance.

"Wow," he mused softly, admiring the lovely mansion and picturesque gardens that surrounded it, "Must be nice, huh..."

He rolled to a stop in the roundabout in front of the manse and waited as the front doors opened and two men exited the building and started towards him. Renji climbed out of the car and opened the door, greeting the men as they reached him.

"Good morning, Lord Kuchiki," he said in a quiet, serious tone, "Mr. Kuchiki."

The two men returned his greeting and slid into the back of the limousine. Renji returned to the front of the car and pulled away from the house, adjusting his mirror slightly, then catching a soft breath as the face of the younger of his two passengers was reflected back at him.

Man, what a beauty. I didn't look that closely when they were getting in, but that guy is just gorgeous. Smells good too.

Renji glanced down at the directions he had been given and followed them to the letter, trying not to eavesdrop as the two men in the back talked, but unable to avoid hearing.

"It seems that everything is in place for your sister's wedding, ne?" Ginrei inquired, "And she seems to be handling the arrangement acceptably. I think she and the Ishida boy will make a fine couple, ne?"

"It is a good arrangement for our families, all things considered," Byakuya agreed, "However, I am rather disappointed that it was necessary to compel Rukia to marry by arrangement. Hisana did ask me to take care of her sister and to see to her well being and contentment. As much as she accepts this arrangement, she does not desire the Ishida heir."

"Ah, that is always the rub, isn't it," Ginrei said apologetically, "Well, I wouldn't have taken this route, but the Ishidas are good business partners and Uryuu will be a good provider for Rukia. She will never want for anything."

Except maybe the freedom to choose who she loves, Renji mused inwardly, Although, I might be willing to make a deal like that if it meant I could stop having to work from morning till night and doing things that make my skin crawl just to pay the bills. I don't know who has it better and who has it worse, that Kuchiki girl or me.

"I hear that Miss Rangiku has something planned for Rukia?" Ginrei inquired, "Some sort of celebration..."

"I would have preferred to have just the family gathering for her bridal shower," Byakuya said solemnly, "Rangiku is a good friend to Rukia, but I do question some of the things she does. She does tend to put my sister in all sorts of untenable situations."

"Yes," chuckled Ginrei, "She is a beauty with very high spirits, that is a certainty."

"I think you enjoy looking at her too much," Byakuya sighed, frowning more deeply, "She has you bewitched."

"She is of good family," the Kuchiki patriarch suggested, "Byakuya, it has been some time since..."

"No," the younger man said, cutting his grandfather off and shaking his head forcefully, "There is no way I would consider such a thing. I already married and blessed our family with an heir. I have done my part and should be allowed to live out the rest of my life in peace."

I'm with you, beautiful, Renji agreed inwardly, Say what you want about money solving everything. If you don't have your freedom, you can't enjoy it anyway, so why make the sacrifice?

"I suppose your feelings are understandable, especially given your own high spirits. And after having married for love yourself, I can understand why you would want the same for Rukia. Still, sometimes there isn't a great deal of choice. We do really need for this union to be successful."

"I am sure it will be," Byakuya said distantly, "My sister is nothing if not completely dutiful. She will make the best of her situation and find what happiness she can in it."

"Well, it is better than the life she and our dear Hisana had before, ne? So, it is not so bad."

"I suppose you are right," Byakuya replied, looking out the side window at the rows of blooming sakura trees they were passing.

Renji scanned the area ahead of them, slowing slightly as they approached an intersection, then starting through. A moment later, his eyes rounded as he spotted a truck that had failed to stop and blundered through on the red light, sending it directly at the limousine.

"Holy hell!" the redhead gasped, throwing all of his efforts into a swift avoidance maneuver that left them bare inches from the truck as it passed by them.

Renji gripped the steering wheel, his heart pounding madly and sweat breaking out all over as he looked back to see Byakuya and Ginrei recovering themselves and turning their eyes in his direction.

Oh man...why? Why today of all days? I was this close to getting out of that fucking strip club and now this...I am so screwed.

"Are...are you guys...? Are you gentlemen all right?" he sputtered awkwardly, hoping they hadn't heard him swear before, "I am...very sorry for that."

"Oh, no harm done, my boy," Ginrei said bracingly, "We saw that fool run the light."

"It wasn't your fault," Byakuya ageed, "And you actually performed that avoidance maneuver perfectly. I will be sure to convey our appreciation to your superior."

"Thanks," Renji said gratefully, "We're almost there. I'll see if I can deliver you to your destination without any more excitement."

He sighed in relief at the amiable looks he received in return and continued along the way. The rest of the trip went by without incident, and soon the two Kuchikis were exiting the car. Byakuya turned to Renji, his dark eyes fixing on the redhead for a moment.

"Thank you, Mr. Abarai. We will be glad to engage you again sometime."

"Arigatou," Renji said, bowing slightly, then watching as Byakuya rejoined his grandfather and the two went into the building.

Ah, beautiful, good manners and smells sweet. What more could a guy like me ask for. Hmmm, maybe for a guy like that to fall head over heels in love with me?

Right.

Like that's going to happen.

With a bored sigh, Renji climbed back into the car and left to pick up a quick meal that he ate outside the car. He made sure to brush his teeth and indulge in a breath mint after, just to be sure not to offend the two gentlemen he was serving. He returned with a bit of extra time, so passed it by listening to the news channel on the radio. A short time later, Byakuya emerged from the building alone and Renji greeted him at the car door.

"Will we be waiting for Lord Ginrei, sir?" Renji asked.

"No, he has decided to come back later with a friend. Please take me to this address, as I have something to pick up on the way home."

"Yes, sir," Renji replied, taking the slip of paper and trying not to react as their fingers touched.

Oh my god, his skin is so soft! Damn, that's probably the only time I'll ever touch a guy that beautiful. Man, I wish that had lasted longer...

"You are a skilled driver," Byakuya said, startling the redhead with the sudden words as they pulled out onto the street, "How long have you been doing this?"

"Since I learned to drive," Renji answered, pleased that such a rich and gorgeous man was giving him the time of day, "I love these cars. That's why I do it. It's only a part time job, though. You have to have a lot of experience and references to be able to do this full time and make a living."

"So you have a second job?" Byakuya inquired.

"Yeah, I'm a...a dancer. I work at a dance club at night to make ends meet. But when this becomes full time, I'm gonna quit that other job. I really like this better...nice cars, good scenery and I meet some really interesting people too."

"That sounds enjoyable."

Their conversation dropped off as Byakuya's phone rang and he commenced a soft discussion with whomever was on the other end of the call. His frown deepened as the conversation went on, and when it was done and he hung up, he gave a resigned sigh and shook his head.

"You okay?" Renji asked, glancing back at him in the rearview mirror, "You look kind of unhappy."

I know some good ways to make you smile. I wish I dared use one, but I want to keep this job.

"I am fine. It was just...family matters."

He turned his head and looked out the window.

"Do you have family in the area, Mr. Abarai?"

"Eh, well," Renji said, shaking his head, "No, actually. I'm an orphan. I was an orphan. I lived in a shelter from when I was a baby until I turned eighteen."

"I am sorry to hear that."

"It's okay, really," Renji went on, "I had a sort of mentor at the shelter. He and I got to be like brothers before we headed out on our own. We still work together at the dance club, though."

It's really a strip club, but we're in polite company...

"Ah."

Renji pulled the car up to the store that Byakuya had indicated, then waited as the other man went inside, then returned a short time later, bearing a large parcel. The redhead carefully stowed the item in the trunk, then drove Byakuya back to Kuchiki Manor, feeling somewhat disappointed that the other young man remained quiet and kept to himself all of the way back. When he got out, he turned back for a moment and slipped two one hundred dollar bills into the redhead's hand.

"Thank you, Mr. Abarai. I appreciate your service today. I will be sure to inform your superior about your performance. Also, I will have a letter of reference sent so that you may better pursue your ambition to obtain a full time job driving."

"Thank you, sir," Renji said, smiling so brightly he felt like his face would crack, "Thank you very much!"

Renji climbed back into the car and drove away, whistling happily and looking forward to seeing his boss's reaction.

The old man's going to bust something when he sees this! He'll have to give me a full time job now! Aizen, you are about to become a moth eaten part of my forgotten past!

As he drove away, Byakuya paused to answer another call.

"Mr. Kuchiki, we just found out that Rangiku Matsumotou has taken Miss Rukia out for the afternoon and evening."

"Yes, I was informed they were going to go to the beauty shop, then they were going to a dinner show of some kind or other. Why? Is there a problem?"

"There is if you consider the place they are seeing the show is The Black Iris."

"I see."

"Do you want us to handle it, sir?"

"No," Byakuya said solemnly, "I will handle this personally. I do not want there to be a family incident. Just watch them and I will be there as soon as I can."

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Renji sped back across town and returned the car to Rikichi for cleaning, then he walked to the main building and punched out on his time card.

"Hey Abarai, you want another job?" called the old man's gruff voice.

"Sorry, got to get to my other job. You don't want me to get fired and thrown outta my apartment, do ya?"

"Suit yourself. See you tomorrow."

Renji left the building and walked to the bus stop, then boarded a bus that took him to the downtown district. He disembarked, smiling as another man joined him.

"Hey Shuu, how's it going?"

"Can't complain," his friend answered, "Yourself?"

"Oh, good. I got to drive a couple of the Kuchikis around."

"What? No shit. Really?"

"Yeah, the old guy, Ginrei and his grandson, Byakuya."

"Cool deal. They tip well."

"Hell yeah! Byakuya's a generous guy."

"I heard he was kind of an ice prince."

"Naw, he was quiet, but he was friendly to me."

"Maybe he thought you were cute," Shuuhei laughed.

"Piss off!" Renji laughed, "Right, like that's ever gonna happen...my dream guy just climbing into my limo and asking me to go home with him. Sure..."

"You a featured act tonight?"

"What the fuck do you think? I still owe Aizen for the money he advanced me to catch up on my rent after I was in the hospital with pneumonia."

"Right. Well, maybe you'll catch up on tips tonight. I heard there was a group of rich girls going to be in the audience tonight."

"Really, you know, how do you get all this info?" Renji chuckled, "You have a team of spies or something."

"Eh, I have my sources."

"Spooky, I'll have to watch my step."

"Good evening, Renji," Aizen greeted him as he and Shuuhei walked into the club, "Shuuhei."

"Hello, Mr. Aizen," the redhead said, trying to scoot past the table quickly.

He stopped, frowning as Aizen's hand captured his.

"Renji, why don't you stay here with me for a moment. I have...something I need you to do for me."

Damn, I really hope Mr. Kuchiki's recommendation gets me out of here, Renji mused as he dropped to his knees in front of the club owner and began his task, I don't know how much more of this guy I can take.

"Oh, Sousuke!" said another man's voice, sending a shiver down Renji's spine.

"Ah, Gin," Aizen said, welcoming the silver-haired man, "You are here just in time. Renji was just making me comfortable. Why don't you join us?"

"It sounds like fun," Gin laughed, taking up a position behind the redhead.

That does it.

One more night like this and I'm going to go out of my mind. I'm quitting as soon as I pay that fucker off.

If...I can ever pay him.