Finding Home

Warning Yaoi~ that means if you don’t like boy x boy action you reading the wrong story.



AN: In response to Golden Kitsune’s review of Coming Home and perhaps to a lot of other ppl that had the same thoughts, I start my characters off completely in character but I allow them to change as the story progresses. People change with their experiences and I like to allow my own renditions of these wonderful characters to change as well. If Byakuya remained the same stick up his ass cold personality he would forever remain alone and never have gotten together with Gin. That is why my characters’ personalities grow to be ooc. I do apologize if some people don’t like that but its just how I write. The only character that was really ooc from the start was Kira. I just felt like I needed to write him like that. Thank you very much Golden Kitsune for posting and I am glad you enjoyed it. It was my first time writing and I feel my writing has grown since I started. I almost wish I could rewrite Coming Home but at the same time I don’t want to change anything about it ^^.



Darkephoenix: heh yea I can see Renji just going all out with fists but Zabimaru wanted in on the action too. And who am I to deny a giant baboon his desires. Renji did get a nasty punch in on Kisuke. I was thinking the same thing you did, that Renji needed to use his fists so I did let him knock Kisuke down once ^.~



Jennifer: God I loved the previous chapter and I love Kisuke. Honestly when I wrote the chapter where Kira drank the tea I had no idea I would make it laced with aphrodisiac X.x. So Renji had to beat someone up for doing that not to mention it let me put some more Kisuke in where the internal focus isn’t with only Renji and Kira.



Yakumo: there is definitely going to be a sequel in this universe cuz I have grown very very attached to them. I love series where the focus changes main characters but you still get to see the people you grew to love in previous stories. I have to write something that’s Kenpachi/Kira first before I can go on to the third story in this universe. That of course will be in no way connected to my “Home” series. I never work on more than one story at one time I think that’s a big reason why ppl drop stories they allow themselves to be distracted from their original.



Finding Home



You come to love not by finding the perfect person,

but by seeing an imperfect person perfectly.

~ by Sam Keen ~



Chapter Ten



Izuru was still sleeping when Renji returned to the apartment a few hours later. ‘That drug must have done a number on him.’ thought Renji and he settled himself next the blonde on the bed. Izuru was curled on his side, one hand tucked beneath his face. Renji reached out with a hand and swept the long bangs from Izuru’s face. His hair was soft and thick. The blonde locks sifting through his fingers like water. Renji had never known what possessed the quiet man to grow them so long. They suited the quiet man.



Even in the academy, Izuru had been quiet. Excelling at Kidou much to the annoyance of Renji, Izuru had seemed perfect. From a noble family, strong in Kidou, decent at swordsmanship, well liked by teachers and students alike, Izuru seemed to be everything that Renji was not. The only area Renji seemed to surpass Izuru was in swordsmanship and truthfully Renji had no doubts that should Izuru apply himself to a battle, he might even surpass himself. That seemingly perfect persona drew Renji to him as a rival. The feeling of rivals soon turned to a feeling of friendship.



Renji continued to stroke his fingers through the hair, not wanting to release it. There were so many facets to this gentle creature. Renji didn’t consider himself gentle by any means, but for some reason he had become close friends with two of the most gentle people he hand ever known. Izuru, himself and Momo had become a team to be reckoned with. Their first expedition into the Living World had sealed their friendship and brought Shuuhei into their circle. The four of them were joined at the hip after that. The fact that all four of them ended up as fukutaicho spoke, in of itself, of their strength.



Even through all of this, Izuru had remained a gentle soul. Renji smiled, even Wabisuke mirrored Izuru’s dislike of fighting. It was a rare event for Izuru to release her. She had the potential to be one of the most powerful close combat zanpakuto. One strike from her would double the weight of the object it struck. There were so many ways that a battle minded individual could use that to their advantage, and yet Izuru avoided it. Though he abhorred war, Izuru was like a fish in water when it came to organizing and leading his subordinates. Under a lesser man, Division Three would have surely fallen to ruin after Ichimaru’s desertion. Renji fully expected that if Izuru could use his Ban Kai he would be a candidate for taicho. The man was a natural leader. He didn’t lead with fear or overpowering those under his command. His men followed him because he made them believe in him and in the fact that he would do everything in his power to make sure they survived and returned safely to their homes and loved ones.



Renji’s hand trailed down Izuru’s arm to link their fingers together. Renji laid his head on top of Izuru’s. A rumble of contentment rolled out of his chest. To stay like this forever with Izuru was definitely a desirable notion. Renji’s contentment was short lived though. Izuru began to stir. He opened his eyes slowly, the blue hued orbs glazed with the remnants of sleep, gazed drowsily up at Renji. At first they didn’t seem to be comprehending anything, but slowly as the remaining traces of sleep evaporated, the memory of the previous night caused a look of horror spread across Izuru‘s face.



A bright red blush began to stain Izuru’s checks and tears of shame filled his eyes. How could he have done all that with Renji. Renji was his friend and now Izuru was sure he would never be able to look him in the eyes again. Standing quickly from the bed and walking towards the bathroom, trying to maintain some of his dignity. Izuru sought refuge from confrontation with Renji. What would he do if Renji no longer wanted to be around him. Izuru shuddered with anxiety and disgust at himself. The imperfections in his soul seemed to scream out, ‘Look at how ruined this person is.’



“Stop right there.” Renji growled, “I know what’s going through your head. Ya have no reason to be ashamed. Fucking Urahara spiked your tea with something that sent your body into a frenzy.” Izuru’s eyes got wide and a small gasp escaped his mouth. Izuru had known that his actions last night were driven by something of which he had no control, but he would never have imagined that the former taicho would put a drug in the tea.



“He drugged me?” whispered Izuru, a new kind of horror filled his eyes. Why would a former taicho drug him with an aphrodisiac? What could possibly be his reason for doing such a thing?



“Why, Renji?” asked Izuru tears once again filling his eyes. Wiping them away quickly so not to seem weak in front of Renji. Izuru couldn’t fool Renji. Renji stepped forward and pulled Izuru into his arms. Warmth engulfed Izuru, and a sense of comfort surrounded him. He could even feel Zabimaru, the normally battle thirsty zanpakuto, pulsing his own comfort towards him. To be surrounded by loving arms was almost painful in itself. No one had held him like this since his mother had died. A pulse of heat swept through his soul and into his heart. The seemingly dead organ began to hurt with a pain that felt almost physical. Izuru buried his face in Renji’s chest and let the tears fall. Renji simply held the blonde, not saying a word. What words could be said in times such as these. Actions spoke louder and Renji had always been a man of action. Gradually the tears ceased and Renji was simply content to hold the other man. After a few moments, Renji spoke.



“I took care of Urahara for ya, but if ya like we can go and you can watch me beat the piss out of him again. I don’t mind. Fucker prolly deserves it.” Renji said as he ran his hands up and down Izuru’s back in a comforting motion. Izuru went still, as if trying to process what Renji had just told him. A small sound came from the face buried in Renji’s chest.



“Eh? What was that?” asked Renji looking down at the blonde. Izuru’s body was beginning to shake. Renji looked down at the smaller man, his body was shaking and quivering. Hands in a death grip on Renji’s uniform. Renji feared that Izuru had finally fallen too far over the edge. Perhaps Urahara’s meddling had been the straw that broke the camel’s back. Sadness crept into Renji’s eyes. Was he losing the most precious thing to him.



Renji grasped Izuru’s shoulders and pulled him away from his chest. Izuru couldn’t fight it any longer. He threw his head back and laughter rocked his entire body. The mental image added on with the statement, that should Izuru desire it Renji would beat the shit out of Urahara again, sent Izuru over the edge. It was just too ridiculous to imagine. Laying his head on Renji’s chest, Izuru gasped for breath as giggles continued to erupt from his mouth. Izuru couldn’t stop laughing.



Renji simply stood there, flabbergasted. On minute Izuru was about to lock himself in the bathroom in embarrassment and the next he was nearly collapsing on the ground with laughter. It sent Renji’s mind reeling. He never seemed to be able to keep up with the rebounding emotions that coursed through Izuru. The smaller man always kept him guessing. That was probably one of the reasons that Renji was so drawn to the blonde. Boredom was one of the excuses Renji had for never staying in any relationship for more than a few months. Even the slight crush on his long time friend, Rukia, had morphed into a desire to maintain only a deep friendship.



“I’m…..sorry…. Renji….Its….just…funny.” gasped Izuru, as the laughter finally began to die down. A few residual snickers passed through Izuru’s lips but slowly he began to regain his composure. There was a light in his eyes again. It seemed to Izuru, this was the first time in a long time that he was truly happy. For so long he had lived as if he was on the outside looking in at all of his friends and comrades.



Like a domino effect, the simple act of Urahara Kisuke drugging him had forced the chain of events that now led to the warm feeling of being whole. It was a stroke of luck that Urahara had attempted to find amusement in the results of his actions. Though he was sure Urahara would not appreciate the sentiment if what Renji said was true about kicking his ass. Izuru knew, from reputation alone, that the former taicho was a demon on the battlefield.



“Did you really?” asked Izuru now that he had complete control over himself.



“Huh?” asked Renji not following the train of questioning.



“Kick Urahara Kisuke’s ass.”



“Fucking straight I did. That pervert had no right to do that too you. Hell he intended for me to drink that tea as well. I guess he didn’t take into account the stuff was fucking nasty.” said Renji. Izuru relaxed against Renji. How was it this one man seemed to be able to pull him back from the edge of despair and bring light back into his life.



Sudden the door to the apartment slammed open the sound jarring both back into reality. The two men jumped apart. Renji grabbed Zabimaru from where he had laid him on the bedside table and Izuru pulled himself from his gigai. Both ran to the living room zanpakuto drawn, prepared for battle. Standing in the doorway was a spiky haired teenager followed by a petite brunette.



“Oi, Renji. Urahara said you were staying here. Where the fuck are you?” yelled Kurosaki Ichigo from the doorway. Renji growled his annoyance. Just what he needed, Ichigo and his band of merry misfits barging in. Renji laughed to himself, if he wasn’t preoccupied with Izuru, he himself would probably be hanging out with Ichigo. Every trip to Karakura Town resulted in Renji and Ichigo hanging out and sparring. That’s probably what sent Ichigo searching for him, the fact that he hadn’t yet shown his face in Ichigo’s window. Truthfully, Ichigo hadn’t even entered his mind.



“Oh there you are. I went to Urahara’s today and he said you were in town. Since you didn’t come busting down my door I figured I’d come to you.” said Ichigo, as he plopped down on the sofa. “Kira? You here too? What’s going on is there something I need to know. A new type hollow? More Arrancar?”



“Nothing like Ichigo. Renji and I are just on vacation.” Izuru inserted smoothly. To the naked eye Izuru seemed as he always did, gentle and friendly. Renji saw through all that and saw the real Izuru. Insecure and nervous in the presence of the substitute shinigami.



“Yep, we are here to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Soul Society.” replied Renji. Rukia was suspiciously silent. The girl had always been able to read him. Renji shifted nervously under her gaze.



“Well awesome. The group of us were going to gather in the park for a picnic. I had Yuzu make us a huge picnic, there will be plenty. Orihime is gonna bring some stuff too but id advise not eating too much of what she brings, God only knows what she puts in it. We’re gonna play Frisbee and Soccer. Come on guys it will be fun.” said Ichigo. Renji looked nervously at Izuru. Ichigo and his friends were definitely fun to be around and one of the reasons Renji frequented Karakura Town. However, Renji didn’t want to force Izuru into a situation that would require him to put on an act. This trip was meant for healing not to force Izuru to rebuild old walls.



Ichigo looked hopefully between the two shinigami. He hadn’t seen Renji in weeks and though he didn’t know much about Kira, he was sure that if he was a friend of Renji he would be loads of fun. Izuru smiled at the hopeful look from the spiky haired teen. Perhaps it would be nice to see a little of Karakura Town. Izuru nodded. Renji smiled, perhaps the quiet fukutaicho was now ready to open up.



“Hell yea!” said Ichigo. “You guys go get on your gigai and Rukia and I will wait downstairs.” Ichigo grabbed Rukia’s hand and pulled her out the door.



“Ichigo, did you notice anything off with Renji?“ Rukia glanced back at her long time friend with concern as Ichigo pulled her out the door.

“Nope, what’s up?”



“Hmmm, maybe nothing but I think we should keep an eye on them. Something seems off.” replied Rukia. She didn’t know what was going on but she was going to find out.





“We don’t have to go.” said Renji as the two men slipped back in the gigai.



“I know but I want to.” said Izuru with a smile. Renji grinned widely and pulled Izuru out of the bedroom and towards the door where the other two were waiting.



AN: yea I know it was really more of a transition chapter. Nothing really exciting happening but it will get better in the next. I have some good ideas for the picnic. Also my next fiction in this universe will be a M/F and either Urahara or Hitsugaya. I am going to let my readers choose. Pick your poison. It will be of course not written until after the Kenpachi/Kira I promised riokali, but I want to start playing around with ideas in my head before I put it to paper. Thanks for reading and I will see you next time.