Not Close Enough

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, Tite Kubo does. This fanfiction means no harm to the series and I make no money from it.

Summary: Renji goes to Karakura High, and meets Ichigo’s friends. What cover story does Ichigo come up with? Why is Ishida suddenly so helpful?

A/n: The lemon is in the first part of this. The rest is just general humor.


Small sparks of sunlight gleamed in horizontal bands. Slowly they crept in a group across the floor towards the figures huddled on the futon. One of them migrated from under the haphazardly splayed comforter with a moan, hooking his elbow over his eyes. Burying his shoulder deeply into the comfortable tangle of someone else's body Ichigo pressed his cheek against a hard surface covered with smooth skin. If he opened his eyes a bit he could see a squarish zigzagging pattern in dark black at blurry close range.

"Shit, don't wanna get up," Ichigo swore, flopping over on his stomach. His abdomen collided with something hard, while an arm tightened around the middle of his back. He peered down his shoulder to see the spiral triple pattern curling around a strong bicep. Somewhere below his waist, he straddled his partner's thigh, rubbing himself against it to combat the inevitable morning wood.

The hand resting on his back slid down, tightening on his left buttock. Ichigo inhaled sharply, turning his cheek so he could kiss along the pattern immediately under his face. A low groan rumbled the body he shifted and rutted against; indicating the other occupant of the bed was waking.

He drags his other hand over, realizing his fingers were immersed in silky scarlet strands. Hair spread out over the small pillow, the vice captain of squad six turned his head towards Ichigo. His dark lashed eyes were still tightly closed however. Dragging himself up by his other hand Ichigo unstuck his skin from Renji's. Then his chest slowly pressed against the other man's, lips kissing along the prominent collarbone. He arched up again to admire Renji's serpentine features, graceful and angular in the shadows of morning. Such a feeling of well-being hummed through his body that Ichigo could not recall the last time he had awoken from such a peaceful sleep.

This time there was no crazy father to disturb them, so Ichigo smirked with a mischievous idea. Very softly, he drew his tongue over the markings on Renji's neck, and then pulled back. Snorting, Renji shifted, squeezing his backside again while bringing his other hand around to lock around Ichigo's back. Now pinned under two strong arms Ichigo realized it was more difficult to shift or push away, not that he wanted to. Like a huge hot water bottle, Renji exuded comforting warmth, and Ichigo felt the chilliness of the surrounding air on his bare skin. The blankets were only pulled up to their waists, leaving their torsos exposed.

Still feeling quite hard, Ichigo maneuvered his erection so it slipped between Renji's slightly parted thighs. He felt the twitching of Renji's cock along his groin, and lightly moved it so it was positioned in the crease of one leg. Pressing down with one hand beside Renji’s left shoulder Ichigo lifted, then thrust slowly between those muscular thighs. Renji's nostrils widened and he hissed as he inhaled in his sleep. Ichigo found that if he shifted just right he could rut and rub Renji while taking his own pleasure. Just how much could he get away with before Renji woke?

"Mmm, c'mon, you going to sleep forever," Ichigo thought, gasping with the friction he was generating. As he expected, Renji's penis was hard and hot, throbbing against his rising and falling body. His was curved down beneath it, rubbing and feeling the generation of renewed sweat to aid his path.

"Uhh," the vice captain moaned, lips parting. Ichigo increased his pace, feeling Renji's thighs clamp together, knees slightly bending. To his delight, Renji's hips shifted, almost bucking him off in their movement.

"Ohh...” Ichigo groaned, loving the deep sensual sound of Renji's vocalizations. He nipped Renji's chin, raking the edge with his teeth. Dark eyes popped open, staring up into Ichigo's face. It was then he realized that Renji was wide-awake. For a moment, Ichigo ceased moving, losing his balance and crashing down on top of his lover.

"Don't stop now," Renji laughed, his pupils dilated.

"You were messing with me, weren't you?” Ichigo gasped, catching his breath.

"Maybe this'd be easier if we were lying like this," Renji suggested, turning over so they lay side by side. Ichigo's cock still nestled in Renji's legs while the substitute wrapped his hands around the other's member. However, Ichigo removed himself and lifted one leg, tugging Renji's engorged erection forwards so he could return the favor. Eyes half shut with the sensation of Ichigo containing him Renji felt words deserting him.

"Your turn to... do this to me," Ichigo panted, rocking his body. Impressed and touched at Ichigo's generosity Renji bucked forwards, thrusting into the groove Ichigo created. In many ways it was just as sensual as entering him. Caught up in the pleasure Ichigo barely remembered that he and Renji had removed the condoms from before. While Renji had been overcautious buying them, he was touched how prepared his lover was for their first time going to home plate. A blue glow cast by his watch displayed the time: 6 AM. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he remembered he was due for school at eight thirty.

Renji snaked out his hand to grab the container of lubricant. Spritzing some on his hands, he slid them down to smear a bit between Ichigo’s legs. His hands encased Ichigo’s cock; squeezing and rubbing the tip every so often at the same pace Ichigo rocked his hips. All too soon, he felt his groin muscles contracting along with the heavy feeling in his scrotum. A rattling shiver contorted his body and he released the white-hot pleasure with a loud cry. Only a second later molten warmth exploded between his legs, searing and pleasant as it seeped and mingled in his sweat.

There was something pleasantly erotic about knowing he had brought Renji to climax with a simple trick. Leaning forwards, Renji caressed Ichigo’s lips with his own. He seized the lower lip in a soft nip of those sharp canines like snake fangs, his hot breath rushing into Ichigo’s hungry mouth. In retaliation, Ichigo closed his lips on Renji’s, lightly teasing his tongue. Wrapping arms around one another, they shared a firm embrace before lying apart.

From his left wrist came a beeping sound. Ichigo glared irritated at his alarm chiming. Renji chuckled at the expression, reluctantly pulling away from his lover. “Guess we got to get movin’ then.”

“Unless you want to be late on your first day of school,” Ichigo quipped, tossing the covers aside. He groaned as he sat up, blood still pounding in his ears. Renji too sat up, scratching his neck and stretching.

“Why don’t ya hit the shower first? I’ll straighten up in here and then we’ll switch off,” Renji suggested.

“Okay. But if you want to join me,” Ichigo trailed off.

****
A while later Ichigo was almost finished rinsing off when he felt Renji’s reiatsu entering the bathroom. Poking his head out of the shower curtain, he saw Renji carrying two bundles of clothes, setting them down on the toilet seat.

“Oi, c’mon in, the water’s still warm,” Ichigo calls.

“Actually you should go ahead and get dressed. Urahara said he would loan you an extra school uniform and he already has breakfast going. I’ll hop in and get cleaned off as quickly as I can.”

“All right, have it your way,” Ichigo mumbled, disappointed that Renji seemed so quick to dismiss a shower.

“No offense,” Renji said, letting his towel drop as he climbed into the shower. “But you and I…”

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Ichigo cut him off. He briefly kissed Renji, pressing his nude wet body to the others for a second. Then he exited the shower, bending over to pick up the towel Renji had worn to preserve his modesty.

“You’ll find a bathrobe hangin’ on the back of the door, Ichigo. Feel free t’ use it,” Renji called over the loud roar of the shower. Seeing the green and white striped terrycloth robe, Ichigo snatched it off the hook, slipping his arms into the sleeves. It reached his ankles. Reluctantly he closed the door behind him after grabbing up the borrowed uniform Renji had brought him. He hurried down the hall to Renji’s room to change in time for school and grab breakfast.
***
The issue of whether to walk together to school or not arose once Renji had donned a school uniform and grabbed something to eat. Ichigo had to admit he looked pretty good in the ensemble, wearing his hair tied back in a muted bandanna in its usual topknot.

“Renji, just realized I left my textbooks at home. I’m thinking I should go get them.”

“Good idea. Hey Ichigo, you want me to catch up to you there? How do you wanna play this?”

“I… well…” Ichigo muttered, awkwardly stuffing his hands into his pants pockets.

“Go on ahead idiot. I’ll see you soon,” Renji smiled, making the decision for him. Bending over he pecked Ichigo on the lips.

“I guess that’s fine,” Ichigo nodded, returning the kiss. He climbed to his feet, striding out of Urahara’s shop. Luckily his credit with the shopkeeper was good, not to mention it didn’t hurt to have an extra uniform just in case. As always he looped the substitute combat pass to his belt, letting it hang like a strange ornament.

Fifteen minutes walk later he arrived at home. Yuzu and Karen were already gone to school so he entered the empty clinic, surprised his father wasn’t present. He retrieved his schoolbooks without further incident and trotted down the stairs to rush off. Already Keigo and Mizuiro waved at him, their faces bright.

“Ichigo!!! There you are! What happened to you?”

“I was out all night,” Ichigo yawned.

“And you didn’t invite me?” Keigo lamented. “How could you?”

“What was her name, Ichigo?” Mizuiro asked. “Or his name?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Ichigo asked, smirking knowingly. Keigo whined and shook his head.

“No fair! Are you having a lover and not telling US the dirty details? Who is it!!! C’mon!!!”

“Keigo, use your overactive imagination elsewhere will ya? I’m wiped out and you’re getting in my personal space,” Ichigo sighed, shoving his friend into Mizuiro. Keigo sighed and fell back, letting Ichigo walk more in front of them both.

“That’s weird. Usually he’s a lot more vigorous,” Mizuiro whispered.

“He’s scored. Lucky jackass,” Keigo whispered. “Way to go ICHIGO!”

“Shut the hell up! People will stare!” Ichigo hissed, as they approached Karakura high. Other students strode in the gate or sat lazily in front of the building.

Off to one side he saw the familiar figure of Ishida sitting under a tree, embroidering a piece of cloth tightly stretched over a hoop. On one side of him Orihime sought to copy his neat stitches, while Tatsuki sat next to her reading a book. At sight of Ichigo’s group Tatsuki got up and wandered over.

“Ichigo, you look like crap,” she said. “Studying late?”

“Hiya Ichigo,” Orihime waved, getting up from where she sat. Ishida already stashed his equipment into his bag, swinging it over his shoulder. The Quincy seemed to follow Orihime like a shadow, saying nothing as his blue eyes fixed on Ichigo.

“Hi Inuoe, Ishida,” Ichigo nodded.

“Kurosaki,” he grunted by way of greeting.

“Better hurry up Orihime,” Tatsuki said, tugging her by her arm.

“See you later in Handicrafts, Orihime,” Ishida said giving Orihime a fond smile. Keigo mumbled something about ‘not fair’ to Mizuiro who simply whistled.

“The hottest girl in the school and she’s going out with a NERD,” he whined.

“I suppose it sucks to be you then,” Ishida whispered under his breath with a very smug look. Ichigo hid his snicker behind his hand while Sado lifted a brow and strode beside Ichigo.

“You are one mean dude, Ishida,” Ichigo whispered.

“I can’t fathom how you can stand those two hovering around you. Now you know why I prefer eating alone,” Ishida whispered as he walked past Ichigo.

“Well you don’t HAVE to join us for lunch like I always said. We’re just stuck with you out of habit I guess,” Ichigo quipped back.

“You do seem rather tired, Ichigo,” Sado put in, walking on Ichigo’s other side.

“Late nights I tell you. Lucky bastard,” Keigo said, slugging Ichigo on the shoulder.

“Get lost,” Ichigo gritted.

“C’mon we’ll be late,” Mizuiro urged. Keigo burst into a run, pushing to the head of the column of students filing into the building.

***
“Class, we have some new students joining us mid semester,” said Miss Ochi. Ichigo’s eyes bugged out seeing not only Renji, but a familiar violet eyed young female sitting in the desk that seemed so empty from before.

However Ichigo’s heart didn’t flutter in QUITE the same way because he felt the heat of the gaze from the other ‘new’ student standing in front of the class next to Rukia, holding up a tag with his name.

“You may remember Rukia Kuchiki. She’s back from a few months abroad in the United Kingdom. And this is Renji Abarai, a transfer student from Tokyo.”

“Hey there,” Renji said with a casual wave. Rukia half rolled her eyes as the class said hello, and they were asked to take seats.

“Man he looks familiar…” Keigo whispered and then Ichigo saw Rukia pull something out of her bag.

“Oh terrific,” Ichigo sighed, seeing a flash and a pop, not to mention most of the class coughing in the effect of the memory chikan. Ishida however sat near the window, rolling his eyes from behind the book he held up. Orihime and Sado exchanged glances with the Quincy and Ichigo, both immune as he to the device.

“Guess I forgot one. Hey, don’t look so gloomy, Ichigo,” Rukia whispered to him. “You didn’t want them remembering anything WEIRD did you?”

“Whatever,” Ichigo grumbled. At least this wiped out Chizuru’s presumption of ‘forbidden love’ since most of the class would have remembered Renji from a week ago and that ‘take it off’ incident.

“Guess I’ll sit here then, Ms. Ochi?” Renji asked. From behind him the desk creaked when he sensed Renji’s reiatsu directly behind him. Hairs on the back of Ichigo’s neck stood up and he grabbed his own textbook to hide his face from the odd look that Rukia gave him.

“I’m sure you’ll be able to catch up reasonably well. If you need anything just ask another student. I’m sure they’ll be HAPPY to help.”

“Yeah, sure,” Ichigo caught himself saying, feeling his heart pounding a bit faster at the thought of Renji directly behind him all day. Now he wouldn’t be able to walk straight if he wasn’t careful about his imagination and memories. Peeking over the top of his book he caught Orihime glancing at him thoughtfully.

Great, do I have well-fucked stamped over my forhead? Ichigo wondered. Now even Ishida carefully regarded him through those thick glasses, obviously looking at him because Orihime was.

Terrific Inoue, just draw EVERYONE’s attention to me thank you, Ichigo sighed.

She meant well but still… Ishida shook his head no, and Orihime glanced away, focusing more on him. Ichigo felt relief and gratitude towards the Quincy for drawing her attention away. Even though she had chosen Ishida over him, she still could sense and read him a great deal.

Through the first few minutes of class he watched Rukia carefully taking notes. Part of his affection still longed for her, but the strange aches were no longer present for her. Sure it gladdened him to see her, like a part of a missing piece was returned. She was linked to him inexplicably, and having her there sitting at that desk was like old times. Glancing over Rukia wrinkled her nose and gave Ichigo a warm smile. Ichigo nodded, feeling a sense of calmness fall over him. Silent understanding and tension was no longer there, freeing the tightness that had once graced his throat.

Lunchtime was an eternity away. He felt someone nudging his back and then turned to see Renji leaning back in his chair. “Hey, Strawberry,” he whispered.

“Keep it down,” Ichigo hissed, trying not to look too familiar.

“Ichigo, come have lunch with us? And hey, sweet, who’s your new pal?” Keigo asked, looking at Renji as if he’d not seen him before.

“Yo,” Renji said, looking up at Keigo and pretending to be surprised. “What’s up?”

“Dude that is so cool. You’re coming to have lunch with the cool guys,” said Keigo.

“Fine, whatever. But you’re buying since you invited him,” Ichigo said.

“Aww no FAIR! Ichigo!” Keigo whined.

“Want to eat with us, Rukia?” asked Orihime brightly as she stood near Rukia’s desk.

“I’ll think about…” she started but then saw her friend pouting.

“C’mon, let’s go before the good seats are taken,” Tatsuki urged, standing on Rukia’s other side.

“S… sure,” Rukia said, realizing that Orihime and her friend weren’t going to take no for an answer. Ishida kept his face tucked behind a book and rose to grab his lunch bundle meticulously packed.

“Ishida, you coming?” Ichigo asked.

“I suppose I must,” Ishida sighed laboriously. However the gleam in his eyes said otherwise, and Ichigo knew he was grateful for the company. For the sake of their respective images they kept the charade. With all the weirdness going on lately, they couldn’t’ afford to have too much distance between them. Besides, Ishida was probably curious why Renji was here at their school as a student and it was easier to answer inquiries in the lunch group.

“Him again?” Keigo whispered but shut up when Ichigo glared at him.

“Your little friend seems kind of nervous around the smart guy,” Renji bent down and whispered in Ichigo’s ear.

“Humph,” Ishida said, and gave Renji a measured glance Ichigo was sure held a barrage of questions.

***
“So, what brings you to our school, Abarai?” Ishida asked, sitting on the tar beach atop the school roof.

“Is this a trick question, Ishida?” Renji asked, munching on a rice ball from Ichigo’s generous lunch bundle. Sado Yastora sat between Ishida and Ichigo, while Renji sat between Ichigo and Sado. To the left Keigo and Mizuiro sat, in the shade of the large fence lining the top of the roof area. Various vending machine foods and wrapped sandwiches were being shared or consumed among the young men.

“So Renji my man, what kinda girls do ya like, what are ya…” Keigo began, peeling the wrapper back on his sandwich. Renji rolled his eyes, only to have Ishida come to Renji’s defense.

“Must you continue to chatter? I’m getting sick to my stomach,” Ishida commented acidly. He bit down on the mouthful of pork between his chopsticks almost cracking the wood.

“Well EXCUUUSE me, Mister Glasses, but you could be a little less of a grumpy camper and join in,” snorted Keigo.

“Keigo, shut up,” Ichigo sighed. “There’s such a thing as being a pain in the ass. And you’ve crossed the line ten minutes ago.”

“But what’s so wrong about wanting to be friendly huh? Right Renji, my new friend and buddy. I just know you, me and Ichigo are gonna be CLOSE, aren’t we?”

“I guess,” Renji said, helplessly looking at Ichigo. Ishida rolled his eyes and picked up his book, pretending to ignore Keigo.

“Well I for one want to know what part of Tokyo you’re from. I spent spring break there once with a lovely lady who…” Mizuiro began.

“I well… um…” Renji stammered.

“You must have jet lag,” Sado supplied helpfully.

“Honestly,” Ishida groaned, glad his glasses hid his expression of extreme discomfort. Ichigo guessed he was frustrated that Renji was so ill prepared.

“I actually am not FROM Tokyo originally. My folks are military you see and I move around a lot,” Renji said quickly. “That was just where they last lived. I’m friends with Kuchiki Rukia and she figured I’d like to come here.”

“Oh so you know Miss Rukia? Coolness!” Keigo laughed. Ichigo and Sado sighed with relief and Ishida nodded slowly, relieved Renji had finally caught on.

“So, you’ll be with us a while because Rukia suggested you attend the same school as she?” Ishida asked again. Neatly he dabbed at his lips with a cloth napkin Ichigo suspected he’d made himself.

“Yeah. Got my uniform from Urahara’s shop this morning,” said Renji.

“Hey I didn’t know that guy sold clothes,” Mizuiro said with curiosity. “I stop there for the manga and candy but…”

“He sells all kinds of things,” Ichigo said quickly. “For ridiculously high prices.”

“Isn’t that the place your sister likes to hang out at, Ichigo?” asked Keigo.

“Yeah,” Ichigo said.

“Actually I work there part time,” Renji said, glancing at his friends for confirmation. Ishida and Ichigo nodded.

“You two seem kinda friendly already,” Keigo blinked, looking at Ichigo and Renji.

“Well Yuzu said she saw him working there when she last stopped by,” Ichigo confessed, realizing he had some responsibility in Renji’s cover story. Touched by Ishida and Sado’s efforts to help with an alibi Renji relaxed a bit and enjoyed the company of Ichigo’s strange friends.

“So… you work at a convenience store, and you know Miss Rukia as a kid. But you said your family was military?” asked Mizuiro.

“Well I was adopted,” Renji said. “I um… Rukia’s like a sister to me. Both of us are… adopted.”

“Oh boy,” Ichigo mumbled to himself. There was such a thing as overdoing it.

“I bet you know all kinds of things about her,” Keigo winked.

“Let’s get one thing straight,” Renji said with a warning frown. Keigo and Mizuiro shifted backwards a bit at the hard stare.

“Uh… yeah… sure… what?” Keigo asked.

“I don’t want you thinking any funny business when it comes to Rukia. She’s practically my sister, and that means she’s off limits. So don’t think you can pry any dirt out of me to get into her pants, okay?” Renji snapped.

“Renji, calm down, will you?” Ichigo sighed. “Nothing will happen to Rukia. Right guys?”

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to imply anything!” Keigo quickly stammered.

“We have only the utmost respect for Kuchiki-san and would never dream of treating her in such a perverted manner,” Mizuiro attempted to smooth things over.

“Maybe you two had better take a hike for now,” Ichigo said, frowning at them. “Catch you later okay?”

“Su… sure,” Keigo whispered. “I ah… I forgot we had to help out with phys Ed today…”

“That’s right,” Mizuiro nodded. Both of them quickly climbed to their feet and dashed off through the trees.

“I understand the need for an alibi, but you were ill prepared, Abarai,” Ishida chided, fixing his azure gaze on Renji.

“Sorry,” Renji mumbled. “You guys didn’t HAVE to come to my rescue.”

“What did you want to ask him about anyway, Ishida?” Ichigo wondered.

“The question is obvious, isn’t it?” Ishida pointed out, sunlight flashing over his lenses.

“You wanna know why I’m a student here. Well, it was Urahara-san’s idea. He wanted me to help Ichigo get better at controlling spirit energy. So here I am.”

“I see,” Sado nodded. “That is wise.”

“I get it, I suck at spirit control,” Ichigo sighed.

“You do, and I think it is a good plan. Yet you could have informed us in advance,” Ishida said quietly.

“Thought ya didn’t want another soul reaper cramping your style, Quincy,” Renji said.

“That is beside the point. You are now technically a classmate, and as awkward as it is, that binds us in a certain way,” Ishida tried to explain.

“That Quincy honor of yours?” Ichigo asked.

Ishida coughed. “You could say that. This is rather… unusual. But I suppose I must become used to the idea. Since we will be attending the same classes.”

“I see,” Renji murmured, glancing down at the grass. He pulled a few blades in his fingers, and then let them scatter in the breeze. “Like the whole thing where you stepped in to defend Rukia when…”

“Indeed,” Ishida interrupted. “But that is a matter to be discussed in private. No one here wishes to know the circumstances of ancient history. Considering the danger that awaits us.”

“He’s right,” said Sado. “The past is the past. Let it go, Renji.”

“Fine, I’ll drop it,” Renji said, glancing back at Ishida who nodded slowly. Why was the Quincy being so… gracious? Just a week ago Ishida was demanding to know why Renji was hanging around their school and now he was actually not protesting the idea of Renji being a fellow student as much as he’d anticipated. Not that the Quincy could stop him from attending.
“I suggest we get back to class. We’ve only five minutes to spare,” Ishida said, glancing at his watch.

“Oh yeah,” Ichigo said, pressing down and climbing to his feet. He automatically extended his hand for Renji to grab, pulling him up with no effort. Sado and Ishida watched them, causing Ichigo and Renji to feel embarrassed.

“Is something different about you?” Sado asked.

“It isn’t any of our business,” said Ishida sharply. “I’m going to class. The rest of you do what you want. It’s of no concern to me.”

“Pardon me,” Sado apologized, striding after Ishida. Renji and Ichigo exchanged looks, then followed. Each wanted to walk more closely to the other, but settled for matching their paces. It seemed things would be more difficult than they imagined.