Finding Home

Warning: This is Yaoi which is boy x boy don’t read if you don’t like it.



AN: Thank you to Darkephoenix, Golden Kitsune, Jennifer, Yakumo, and riokali for commenting. So far everyone wants Grim and Ulquiorra lol. I had an idea last night for it but I’m not telling. Hope you guys enjoy this installment. OH btw I put up a sketch I doodled of Kenpachi in his make up. Any one that can do better please do so and let me know the link and ill post it so other people can see. I definitely write better than I draw. http://daydreamer79.deviantart.com/art/Soul-Society-s-Next-Top-Model-105061930



Finding Home



Love is that condition in which

The happiness of another person

Is essential to your own.

~ by Robert A. Heinlein, Stranger in a Strange Land ~



Chapter Eleven



The walk to Karakura City Park was uneventful. Ichigo carried a huge picnic basket and Rukia carried a smaller one. Ichigo alternated between talking with Renji and cussing every time he stumbled due to the size of the basket.



“What the fuck, Ichigo? Are ya planning on feeding the whole city.” laughed Renji as he helped his friend stand up after a bit of a tumble. Izuru smiled at the interaction between the two. It was obvious that the two were good friends and took everything said to each other good naturedly. Izuru realized what he had been missing for so long. This type of interaction with his own group of friends.



“Fucking Renji, you might want to at least help me carry it since you are gonna be eating it.” yelled Ichigo at the grinning redhead. Renji simply laughed and pulled the other to his feet. Patting Ichigo’s shoulder, Renji shrugged. “More fun to watch ya do it.” Izuru heard the substitute shinigami mumble something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like “asshole”, before hefting the large basket once again. Izuru simple shook his head and followed in behind the two.



“Hey Kira, how have you been? I haven’t seen you around the manor as much lately, you were coming every day after Ichimaru-taicho was moved there. Ichimaru-taicho hasn’t been over-working you has he?” asked Rukia, as the two fell in beside each other both watching the antics of Ichigo and Renji in front of them.



“I’ve just had a lot on my plate lately.” replied Izuru smoothly. ‘If only she knew the half of it’ he thought to himself.



“I’ve just been worried about you. You will tell me if anything is wrong, right?” asked Rukia the caring in her voice melting a little part in Izuru. He really had been neglecting everyone that cared. Pushing them away and forcing himself into a dark place with no light. Then Renji had showed up and forced him back into the light. He fought it like a shinigami on a Hollow at first. Now it seemed as if day by day he was spending less time in his darkness and more time living.



“Hellooo? You ok?” asked Rukia, her face up close to Izuru. ‘When had she gotten that close?‘ A blush spread across his cheeks. He had been so lost in his own musings he hadn’t realized that he had stopped walking.



“I’m fine, just lost in my thoughts.” Izuru smiled. Renji glanced back and the two. Izuru was smiling at Rukia and it seemed to completely change his face. No longer the brooding ever suffering face that rivaled that painted on Icons of the Russian churches. Izuru practically glowed. He looked just like he had in the academy.



“Oy, ya two coming or ya going to stand there like idiots?” yelled Renji. Izuru glanced up and his blush deepened when he saw the gleam in Renji’s eyes.



“We’re coming, don’t get your panties in a twist.” yelled Rukia back at him. Grabbing Izuru’s hand, she dragged him after her.



“Hey Rukia.” said Izuru. Rukia turned and looked back at the fukutaicho.



“Yes, Kira?” Rukia asked.



“Thank you.” said Izuru. Rukia simply smiled and started walking towards the park once again.



Upon arriving at the designated meeting spot, Rukia and Izuru spread out the blankets while Renji and Ichigo goofed off with the soccer ball. Rukia muttered under her breath as she began to set out the food.



Chad arrived with Orihime and Tatsuki, carrying an equally large basket. “Hello, everyone. I brought all kinds of goodies. Barbeque pickles and miso flavored pudding. Oh, oh and ham sandwiches with Tabasco and chocolate sauce.” Izuru blinked. The busty young woman had brought enough of her strange cooking to feed an army. Glancing at Rukia, he saw her pale after looking over the food brought by Orihime. Tatsuki laughed and wandered off.



“Oh, I remember you.” said Orihime to Kira, having just noticed his presence. “You were in Soul Society when we came to help Rukia. Sorry if I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Inoue Orihime.”



“Kira Izuru.” Kira said bowing slightly to the girl. She was an attractive girl about sixteen or so with long reddish blonde hair held at the side of her face with tiny blue hair pins. She was dressed in tight fitting blue pants and a loud pink shirt that that had a large Frisbee on the front and the words “Sometimes I wonder….Why is that Frisbee getting bigger?…..Then it hits me.”



“OH do you like my shirt. Since we are going to play Frisbee I wanted to wear it.” said the girl cheerfully “Though I’m not really sure what it means.” Rukia coughed slightly to hide the giggle that gathered in her throat. Orihime was a wonderful person but she was definitely a few bricks shy of a load. Her quirky personality only made all of them love her even more.



Izuru nodded politely and began to make his way over to where Ichigo and Renji were yelling at each other over the rules of soccer. Obviously, each thought there idea was the right way. They were so much alike it was scary sometimes thought Izuru as he approached the two.



“Just leave them be.” said a voice from behind. A petite brunette, with an attractive face dressed in baggy pants and a blue tank top that displayed her well toned arms, approached Izuru.



“Are you a friend of Ichigo’s?” asked the brunette as she took her place beside Izuru to watch the match go from yelling to fists.



“You could say that. And you are?” answered Izuru. This girl hadn’t been with the other in Soul Society when Ichigo and his friends had turned the place upside down in his rescue of Rukia. He sensed a hidden power in her but it was dormant.



“Arisawa Tatsuki” answered the brunette as she offered her hand. Izuru grasped it and was surprised by the strength it held. When this girl completed her life on earth, he wouldn’t be surprised to see her in the Gotai 13. There was an aura of power around her that hinted at untapped strength.



“Kira Izuru.” Izuru supplied. He liked this girl. She was quiet but intelligence gleamed in her eyes. She was the type to defend her friends to the end. In that sense, she was a lot like Renji.



“Time to eat.” Rukia called.



“Get ready for the stampede.” smirked Tatsuki as she casually made her way back towards the food laden blankets. The girl wasn’t lying. Ichigo and Renji practically ran everyone over getting to the food. Ishida and Chad took a more leisurely pace, as they conversed about something. Well more like Ishida conversed, Chad, on the other hand, simply nodded his head in agreement to whatever the other was saying.



Everyone settled around the food. Various conversations coupled with random bursts of laughter erupted and Izuru simply sat there enjoying the presence of others. It was pleasant to be in the company of these humans. Izuru understood now Rukia and Renji’s desire to remain among them. These young people were the definition of life. They all lived life fully and shared themselves with anyone that wanted to join in. It was refreshing.



“Guys listen to this. I stopped by the Urahara Shoten to ask if he had seen Renji around. Well when I got there old Hat and Clogs was nursing a huge bruise on his jaw and a split lip. I swear it was the funniest thing I had ever seen. Tessai attempting to patch up his face. I just wish I had been there to see him get beat on. Whomever it was, sure did a number on him. I bet he‘ll be smarting from that for a few days.” Ichigo said with a smirk. In Ichigo’s opinion, Hat and Clogs needed to be brought down a notch. It irked Ichigo not knowing who’d had the pleasure.



Izuru began choking on the sip of soda he had just taken. Orihime reached over and slapped her hand on his back. Renji hadn’t been lying when he said he had been to see Urahara. Izuru glanced at Renji who was doing his best to appear unconcerned with the topic and blushed when he noticed Izuru’s gaze. Everyone continued on with their various conversations for a while. Renji stood up.



“Who’s up for some fun?” asked Renji. Everyone stood up and made there way over to the open area. Renji grabbed the soccer ball and teams were formed. Ichigo, Rukia, Ishida and Tatsuki on one team, Renji, Chad, Orihime and Izuru on the other. With teams now set up, the game began.



Izuru had no earthly idea how to play the game and the others gave him a beginner’s course in it. Laughter and groans could be heard echoing through the area. Both teams were evenly matched. Ichigo and Tatsuki being the better players on their team. Renji and Chad being the star players of their own.



By the end of the first match everyone was dirty and sweaty. Ichigo and Renji having opted to removing their shirts before the second go round. Izuru knew he was staring at Renji, but for the life of him, he couldn’t seem to pull his eyes away. Black tattoos ran in jagged lines across his shoulders to disappear in the waist of his pants. Sweat glistened on his body. Tiny rivulets of sweat ran down his body. His wide shoulders and chest tapered down to a tight waist. His jeans hung low on his hips and hinted at the indented area between his hip and groin. His abdomen was a work of art. Skin was drawn tight over muscles. The skin here too was decorated with tattoos that traveled across his chest to disappear once more in the waist of his jeans.



“Izuru? Are you alright? You look kinda flushed?” asked Orihime while placing a hand on his forehead. Renji glanced over at Orihime’s question. Seeing Izuru’s flushed face, Renji started to walk over then paused when he got close enough to see Izuru’s one visible eye. There reflecting, in the unguarded azure depths, was a hint of what he had seen in them the previous night. Lust. Pure lust, unclouded by drugs. Renji grinned ferally as he approached the blonde. Leaning down as if to whisper in Izuru’s ear, Renji nipped lightly on the lobe before soothing the sting with his tongue. Pulling away, Renji backed away and trotted over to where Ichigo and Tatsuki were discussing rules.



Izuru could only stand there in shock. His ear still tingled where Renji had nipped. Reaching up, Izuru ran the tip of a finger down the rim to the lobe. The blush on his cheeks deepened as heat slowly engulfed his entire body.



“I…I think I am going to sit this round out.” stuttered Izuru as he made his way off the field and towards the hill where the picnic blankets were set. Settling down he watched as the game started anew. This time Orihime offering to sit out and act as a cheerleader to keep the teams even. Izuru wasn’t really focusing on the game. His eyes were for Renji alone. He didn’t need to glance down in his lap to see the awakening erection. Shifting on the blanket to relieve some of the pressure on his groin, Izuru decided it was better if he didn’t look at Renji, deciding that a walk would be good to clear his head.



Standing and stretching, Izuru noticed a small path that cut through a small grove of trees. It was obvious the path was well cared for as the trees were pruned back and there were small flower beds dotting the path. As he made his way down the path, enjoying the smell of the flowers and the sound of the birds, he noticed a small girl no more than eight years old sitting on a bench. Izuru couldn’t help but notice the fact that she wasn’t an ordinary girl as in the middle of her chest was a broken chain.



“Hello?” called Izuru and the girl looked up in surprise.



“You can see me?” asked the girl and Izuru. Jumping down from the bench she trotted over to him. She looked him over cautiously and deeming him safe, approached.



“Not many people can see me but a few can from time to time. I‘m Cyan, nice to meet you.” said the little girl. “You aren’t afraid of me?”



Izuru shook is head with a wry smile. It really was a shame that so many of the dead were children. To have life cut short before even getting to live it was a cruel trick the Gods had played on mankind. Izuru was about to ask her how she came to be there when a roar sounded off in the distance. Cyan paled and began to shake. Izuru knew that sound, it was the sound of a Hollow and not a small one either.



“He’s here. He’s found me again.” Cyan took off into the forest. Izuru released his gigai and took off after the girl. Tearing through the foliage, Izuru finally caught up to the girl.



“Stay back he’ll hurt you.” she screamed. The Hollow took that moment to explode through the trees. It was a huge creature its entire body covered in thin razor sharp spikes. It’s mask looked like a crazy clown, white with black tear drops trailing down beneath yellow eyes. A maniacal grin was permanently plastered on its face. Izuru drew Wabisuke from her sheath.



“Raise your head, Wabisuke.” Izuru released his zanpakuto. A surge of power enveloped him as Wabisuke’s shape altered and bent until she looked like a square shaped sickle attached to a grip. The hollow noticed Izuru and let out another roar.



“Shini…..gami….” it hissed and rearing back a hand, swung four razor sharp claws at Izuru. Lunging out of the way, Kira raised a hand “Hadou #33:Blue Fire Crash Down.” Blue flames shot from Izuru’s hand into the Hollow’s face. It screamed in pain and begins to swing his hands wildly. Cyan screamed, the mad creature swung its head around to the sound. Seeing the small soul, it licked its lips and made a swipe for her. Izuru dashed in front of her and brought Wabisuke up to block the attack. The creature grabbed ahold of Wabisuke’s blade and threw Izuru into a nearby tree. Izuru gasped upon impact, coughing up blood as he slowly slide down the trunk. Izuru tried to pull himself up but it was no use. The giant Hollow stepped over him and placing a huge foot onto Izuru’s chest and he began to crush him. Pain encompassed in. Izuru recalled crying out for the girl to run before the world went black.



TBC



AN: Thank you for reading. Check out my page at http://daydreamer79.deviantart.com Until next time.