Not Close Enough

***
For the rest of the class the students whispered about the new arrival. When called on, Abarai Renji seemed eager to give the right answer. Ichigo would clench the edge of his desk and flinch hearing Renji’s voice booming the answer out from directly behind him. Near the windows, Ishida hid his face behind his book once more, pretending not to notice. Keigo spun a pencil on his finger while Mizuiro tucked a dirty magazine into his book. Sado caught Ishida’s concerned look and knew what it meant.

Finally, the bell rang, and everyone rustled to leave. Ichigo said nothing as he walked past them, and out of the class. Close behind him Renji yanked his backpack from beside his chair and grinned at them all. “See ya tomorrow, everybody. Thanks for the warm welcome!” he said.

“Good day,” Ishida said as he closed his book, and stood up. Renji ducked down a bit to exit the door.

Sado stood up, glancing over at Ishida. Wandering over to his friend’s desk he asked, “Something bothering you?”

“Not here,” Ishida whispered, nodding towards the door.

“Just exactly WHAT was that all about?” asked Chad when Ishida and he exited the class.

“Depends on what you’re asking me precisely,” Ishida answered, pushing his glasses up his face further. He only diverted his eyes partly to the side when walking along with his classmate down the hallway.

Sado led the way down the hall, and started down the stairs. “You covered for Abarai-kun. Yet the last time you two met was not as favorable.”

“He’s here because of Ichigo. It’s painfully obvious that they’re attracted to one another,” Ishida answered, with a slight smile on his face, walking through the exit and to the courtyard of the school. “Abarai is lousy at hiding it.”

Sado caught up with him easily, threading past the other students milling about. “Ichigo does seem to be excited about something.”

“You’ve known him for longer than I have, Sado-kun,” Ishida pointed out, walking through the gates of Kakakura High school. Sado trailed only one pace behind despite having a longer stride.

Now they reached the sidewalk lining the main road, ignoring the other students spilling out of the school into the street. Chad leaned down and whispered, “Maybe. But you also seem to be paying much more attention to Abarai-kun as well as Kurosaki-kun.”

“Me?” spluttered Ishida, blushing slightly. He stopped abruptly, and all Sado could do was stand next to him worriedly at the widening look of embarrassment on his face.

“Is something wrong?”

Ishida mumbled, “I beg your pardon.”

“I didn’t mean to insult you," Sado apologized. Cars honked horns and people walked past the two young men stopped on the sidewalk, working their way around them. Out in the open the two students moved past the knots of people quickly before resuming their conversation. Only when they reached a more deserted part of town did they pick up where they left off.

Inhaling deeply Ishida pulled off his glasses and wiped them off. Not looking at his classmate he admitted, “I’m not offended by the insinuation that I am bisexual, I’m just surprised you think I’ve any feelings beyond those for a classmate for Kurosaki! He’s a Shinigami, and I’m a Quincy. That goes double for Abarai!”


“You don’t have to get so worked up,” Sado calmly said, pushing his hands into his pockets.
“It just seemed strange how quickly you helped Abarai-kun with an alibi.”

Ishida rolled his eyes. “You mean when I’d normally look the other way?”

Sado nodded, eclipsing his eyes with the curling bangs of his hair. “Considering who he is, and where you last met him, yes.”

Holding up his glasses Ishida started through them for any spots before slipping them back on his face. “Well his blabbering could endanger my secret as a Quincy and expose us to our enemies. We can’t have that jeopardizing our classmates or Inoue-san.”

To this Sado nodded, though from the way Ishida’s eyes evasively darted from a direct look he figured it was just an excuse. Was he on the mark, or was his supposition way off? He merely grunted, “True.”

Ishida grunted in response, continuing to outpace Chad’s long legged stride. For a few minutes, they continued their walk home to their respective apartments in silence. Only occasionally did Chad bother to look at Ishida because he felt the awkwardness settling on them heavily. Maybe he was right after all about Ishida’s motives.

“You like him don’t you?” Sado asked.

Ishida glared at him angrily. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Just what are you insinuating now?”

“I could be off base, but you like the Shinigami?”

“Humph, me like that obnoxious Kurosaki? He is tolerable and annoying, and a good fighter. “
Chad tipped his head up to knock hair from his eyes. He said, “I didn’t mean Ichigo, I meant Abarai.”

“Abarai? Have you lost your mind, Sado-kun?” Ishida protested, turning and standing right in front of Sado so he blocked the other man’s way. Bracing a hand on Sado's chest, Ishida glared up at his friend.

Sado shook his head and lowered his voice, “You should relax. It was only a question. I’ll drop it if you want.”

Ishida exhaled, shaking his head. He patted Chad’s shoulder. “I’m sorry I overreacted but the supposition that I like that obnoxious red headed clown is absurd. I will admit to finding Kurosaki attractive, but Abarai?”

“You just seemed nervous around both of them. I wanted to make sure you were all right, and if there was anything I could do to help,” Sado admitted, as Ishida backed up a bit.

“There’s nothing regarding those two I need help with. Except to make sure that they do not embarrass themselves. I don’t want either drawing undue attention to each other. And there is the other matter of age.”

“You mean because Ichigo is sixteen and may be…”

Ishida nodded. “That’s it exactly. Granted Abarai and the Shinigami lifespan are measured in centuries instead of decades, and age is relative, I’m still concerned.”

“I’m worried too, Ishida-kun,” Chad admitted. “Abarai’s intentions seem innocent, but Ichigo hasn’t admitted to any feelings. He tends to hide such things unless he’s got a problem.”

Resuming his walk, Ishida glanced forwards again, slinging his bag on his shoulder so it was across his hip. He said, “I suppose it’s none of our business anyway, but what bothers me is that idiot posing as a student.”

Sado swung his back up and dangled it over his shoulder once more. He answered, “I don’t want to see Ichigo hurt any more than you, Ishida.”

“It must be a relatively new infatuation,” Ishida mused, stroking his chin.

“So you agree we should watch them just in case?” Sado asked with a nod, shading his eyes against the noon sun with one hand.

“That would not be a bad idea. However, we must be stealthy about it. The last thing we need is any of us distracted with such things when there are unknown enemies about.”

As they strode down the canyon made by the building rising on either side, they watched the afternoon sun reflected in the windows. They gleamed a bright hot white now, but would soon glow butter yellow, then a pumpkin orange not unlike Ichigo’s hair color. Getting too close to the heat would make someone be sunburned, Ishida thought. Even if the sun did feel warm, it had the potential to cause damage that would be seen years later. Somehow, the analogy of playing with fire and being burned did not hold so truly here. Ichigo and Renji both burned hotly, like twin stars, Ishida realized. Twin stars existed in nature, but were subject to each other’s gravitational pull. Depending on the type of each star if this pull was not balanced, one could strip the gas off the other and cause its partner to diminish.

“Are you stopping in, or will you continue home,” Sado broke into Ishida’s thoughts.

Ishida snapped his head around and asked, “Mmm?”

“I asked if you were coming up to study with me.”

“Mmm, that may not be a bad idea,” Ishida nodded, angling his glasses so the gleam from the sun was not as bright across his lenses. Keys jingling in his pocket, Sado drew them out and strode up to his stairwell of his apartment building.

**

At roughly the same time, Ichigo strode alongside the ‘new kid’ in his class, keeping a distance of six inches between them as they walked. Frowning, Renji wondered if he had made a mistake enrolling in the school, especially when he saw Ichigo’s pensive frown. While he knew that those wrinkled eyebrows were Ichigo’s default expression the way Ichigo remained silent bugged him. Ever since they left class, Ichigo had said only a few words to him.

“Hey, you want me to get lost or what?” Renji asked, tracing his hand along the stone wall until they reached the next intersection.

“What are you talking about?” Ichigo asked. He and Renji almost matched steps crossing the diagonal lines that denoted the pedestrian crosswalk. They still stayed in step when they reached the sidewalk again.

Renji readjusted the backpack so it slung over one shoulder, since it kept slipping off after a few minutes. He had to steady it with one hand gripping the shoulder strap. Even though he knew it would be more practical to wear it with both straps, that was not how he saw the teenagers use the backpack and he was determined not to stick out. At least not anymore than he already was with tattoos and spiky red hair.

“You haven’t said two words to me since we left that school. And goodbye to people doesn’t count. What’s going on in that orange head of yours, Ichigo?”

“Look, a guy’s gotta have a few moments to himself to think. You don’t always have to blab 24 seven yanno…” Ichigo grumbled, glaring up at him.

“Who’s blabbing? I’m only saying you don’t haveta give me the silent treatment if you’re bugged about something I did…”

Ichigo sighed, shoulders rising and falling. “Who’s saying you did anything? I’m only thinking, okay? Since when is that a major big deal?”

Renji shrugged. “I dunno, I just thought you were mad that I didn’t have a better cover story when the Quincy jumped in…”

“His name is Ishida Uryuu, not Quincy. You don’t know who the hell’s gonna be listening, so watch your mouth okay?” Ichigo hissed, putting a hand over Renji’s mouth.

“Sor-ry,” Renji grunted. “Excuse the hell me for forgetting.”

Ichigo snorted, rolling his eyes. “And I’m the one who’s supposed to suck with names.”

Annoyed Renji grabbed Ichigo's arm, stopping him from walking further. “Gimmie a break, I’ve only been a teenager for a day…”

“You’re NOT a teenager, Renji. You’re just pretending! You can’t pick it up in a week… you gotta just keep your mouth shut. You babble way too much!”

“You shoulda shut me up then, sheesh!” Renji answered, as Ichigo grabbed his shirt and tugged on it.

“Since WHEN am I your frickin’ chaperone, huh? You’re the older one here, so why should I baby sit you?” Ichigo growled.

Renji felt some sense of relief. At least arguing was familiar, and preferable to silence. “Well you’re the one who’s used to this… w… this place!”

“Yeah, but I don’t have tour guide stamped on my freaking head, pineapple!” Ichigo countered, shoving his face within inches of Renji’s.

“What am I supposed to do? I’m not as good as fitting in as Rukia is, okay? Gimme a break will ya?”

“Well you’d better be careful or else you could blow your cover, you know? You should have thought this through, you idiot!”

“It wasn’t MY idea in the first place! Blame Urahara san! I just played along cause I wanted to be with you more!” Renji blurted out.

“I know that, it’s just I… oh forget it,” Ichigo said as released his shirt and backed away. He looked at his shoes for an awkward minute, and coughed. Turning from Renji, he resumed walking home. Quickly Renji trotted to keep up with Ichigo’s fast stride, even though his legs were longer.

Ducking in front of Ichigo Renji stopped him with one hand on his chest. “What, you don’t want me around, is that it?”

“I didn’t SAY that, Renji. Don’t put words in my mouth damn it?”

“Then what? Spit it out will you?”

“I just… I just gotta get used to it okay?” Ichigo admitted, glaring up at Renji. He had not removed his hand from the other man’s chest, and now curled his finger into the cloth.

“You shoulda said so okay? Don’t hold back cause yer afraid of stepping on my toes. Say what you mean when you mean it okay. If I’m pissing you off, shout out.”

“It’s just that I don’t know what to say to people yet,” Ichigo admitted. “I like hanging out with you, but it’s different at school I mean my friends…”

Renji nodded, a look of understanding in his red eyes. “Believe me I know what you mean. What do you think it was like when Rukia and I went to the academy together? Talk about awkward. If you want your friends around that’s fine. We don’t have to be joined at the damn hip every minute. I mean hell… I’ll find something to keep me from getting bored.”

“I just don’t want to waste your time. I mean you’re a vice captain. Sooner or later you’re gonna be called back aren’t you?”

“You worried about what will happen when?”

“I don’t know. I’m still trying to figure out what to say to my dad when he sees us together,” Ichigo admitted.

Renji felt relief and joy mingling with his concern at Ichigo’s admitting that he would tell Isshin. “You sure about that?”

Ichigo slipped his finger in the corner of his bag strap and lowered his hand, shoving it into his pocket and resumed walking. “My dad’s not stupid. Hell, he’s a pain in the ass, but he knows I’m involved with someone. He’s gonna wanna meet you and I dunno how to well… you know?”

“If you don’t want me walking the rest of the way home with you from school I can handle it. I’ll see you later okay?” Renji suggested, squeezing Ichigo’s shoulder.

“Yeah, I guess,” Ichigo answered, reaching up to pat Renji’s arm awkwardly. He wasn’t sure from the people walking by how much public affection he should show. Although people in Japan were tolerant of same sex relationships, there were strict rules about what was acceptable to be seen doing and not doing. Every activity had a designated place and time. That meant no kissing. Even a man and a woman dared not to break that taboo unless they wanted people staring at them and whispering the word ‘pervert’.

Glancing around Renji saw a nearby tree besides a building, and yanked Ichigo by the arm after him. At first Ichigo protested yet stopped when he saw the heated look in Renji’s dark red eyes. The long branches draped down, obscuring the trunk except for brief hints of bark here and there. Under the canopy, Renji pulled Ichigo, and then let his bag slide down to hit the pavement.

Ichigo lifted the strap on his bag, letting it fall. Grabbing Renji’s shirtfront he looked up at the other man. Lips slightly parted, Renji panted hard, eyes boring holes into Ichigo’s in silent challenge. He seized Ichigo’s shirt in return pulling the young man towards him. Leaning heavily Ichigo shoved Renji against the trunk of the tree and pressed his chest into Renji’s abdomen. The cold metal of their belt buckles dug into each other’s buttoned shirts as Ichigo grabbed the back of Renji’s neck and Renji gripped the short hair on Ichigo’s spiky head.

It was Ichigo that buried his lips into Renji’s, pushing hard enough that his leaking spirit pressure added to the crushing weight. Sliding his other hand between Renji’s back and the tree Ichigo bound Renji tightly to him. His kiss was awkward and rough; the teenager’s teeth nipping at Renji’s bottom lip as he barely his mouth and slammed his torso into Renji’s. Kneading down Ichigo’s spine Renji slid his hand into the waistband of Ichigo’s jeans and hiked him up. His long leg parted Ichigo’s so the young man partly straddled it and pressed his own growing need tantalizingly against it.

Tongues slid against one another’s, sharing hot breath between them. Ichigo relaxed and swept his way into Renji’s mouth, sliding down his hand to rub up and down Renji’s neck. His fingers slid into Renji’s hair, tugging at the band insistently. At the same time, Renji pulled his hand from Ichigo’s waistband and slid it down to rest at the small of his back. Smirking into the kiss Ichigo slid his other hand down and ran it over Renji’s backside. Another solid lip press and a shared chuckle at Ichigo’s audacity muted a loud muffled cry.

Panting they both reluctantly let go of one another’s mouths. Renji licked his lips and stared down at Ichigo, his eyes a bit wide with surprise. With one finger, Ichigo swept his fingers over one of the brows and smirked. A few stray hairs had pulled out of Renji’s topknot and dangled around his face messily.

“Damn kid, you’re getting too good at this,” Renji mumbled, releasing him so they were at arm’s length from one another.

“Next time you bug me about being quiet for too long, you’ll get more of the same, got it?” Ichigo said in a mock threatening tone.

“Y… yeah…” Renji stammered, his heart still pounding a mile a minute.

Ichigo released Renji, then backed away, not sure of what to do with his hands. He shoved them into his pockets, and looked to the side while Renji looked awkwardly in the opposite direction. Licking his lips this time Ichigo finally said, “Well… um… I guess I’d better get home… and well… I gotta get home before dinnertime or Dad will jump me again…”

“Right… yeah… See ya then!” Renji said. He bent down and covered Ichigo’s lips with his own for a brief moment, before pulling away. Still he kept his hand on Ichigo’s shoulder. Ichigo felt the hand disappear from his shoulder and the sound of boots on pavement rapidly diminishing into the distance.

By the time he looked up again, Renji had disappeared, as well as his spirit pressure. That was just perfect, Ichigo thought sarcastically. The guy didn’t even give him a chance to say anything more and he made himself scarce. Renji remembered that Ichigo lacked talent when it came to sensing reiatsu because of his own abundant supply eclipsing any in the area. Slowly he emerged from beneath the willow tree and continued his trip home. His lips still tingled from the effects of the kiss.

**
The sun had barely touched the furthest row of buildings when Ichigo reached the Kurosaki Clinic. Warily he glanced back and forth, and then raised his fist. Sure enough, he heard a familiar voice crowing, “Good EVENING ICHIGOOOO!”

Ichigo’s fist moved quickly, cracking against the face of the diving figure throwing himself off the nearest tree. Wearing a white doctor’s coat Isshin pushed himself off the pavement where he landed on his side. Isshin grunted appreciatively, “It’s only five o’clock!”

“So what, Dad, that a big deal?” Ichigo inquired, rolling his eyes.

“No, it’s just that it’s not like you to be so early,” Isshin laughed, climbing up off the street. He grabbed Ichigo’s shoulder as his son walked through the door and whirled him around. Ichigo dropped, yet Isshin jerked his body so they rolled over the floor together.

“Take your shoes off please!” Yuzu called from the kitchen.

Laying alongside one another Ichigo and Isshin both kicked their shoes off and resumed fighting. They managed to kick the door shut behind them and continue to pull at one another’s clothes. Karin rolled her eyes, stepping over the feuding father and son as she entered the dining room.

“C’mon can’t you quit for a second? It’s damn embarrassing!” Karin complained.

“Watch your mouth, young lady!” Isshin shouted.

“Lighten up Dad, she’s 12 you know,” Ichigo protested, shoving his father in the face and pushing him down on the floor. At the same time Isshin twisted his leg around Ichigo’s and flipped them over, then delivered an elbow to his forehead.

“You’re getting sloppy! You should have dodged that, son!”

“Gah I’ve no time for this! Lemmie go!” Ichigo shouted, kneeing his father in the abdomen. Finally, Isshin let go long enough for Ichigo to scramble to his feet and make it to the kitchen.

“You sure you don’t have something on your mind distracting you, hmm?” Isshin teased, grabbing the back of Ichigo’s shirt.

“What is THAT supposed to mean! I’m thinking about school, not pounding your face in!”

“A HAH!” Isshin shouted triumphantly, tucking Ichigo’s neck in a half nelson and rubbing his hair vigorously with his other hand. “I was RIGHT!”

“Right about WHAT?” Ichigo yelled, slipping out from the nelson and shoving his dad backwards so he crashed over a nearby chair.

Isshin pointed directly at his son, grinning. “You’re preoccupied because you’re dreaming about what you’re going to do on your next date!”

“WHAT?” Ichigo spluttered.

“Don’t deny it! You’re seeing someone! Why haven’t you brought them home to meet your dear loving family?” Isshin asked, pressing his hands together.

“Because I don’t want them to run screaming in fear!” Ichigo answered, glaring at his father as he dropped his book bag in its customary place.

“He’s got a point, Dad. You’re not exactly helping things you know,” Karin commented, taking her seat at the table. Ichigo sat down as well, dragging his chair up to the table.

“You’re so mean Ichigo! All I want to do is meet the new boy in your life! I don’t care if you’re dating a guy! You should have told me!” Isshin crowed with pride.

“That’s not IT, okay! I just… damn it Dad you’re so annoying!” Ichigo huffed, pressing his hand over his face and dragging it down.

“I’m so proud of you! You’re growing up. The least you can do is share the news with your family and introduce the new man in your life! Is it so much to ask a poor father who only worries about his darling boy…” Isshin began.

“Oh gag me,” Karin sighed.

Pots and pans rattled in the kitchen. Yuzu said, “Dad, I’m sure he’ll bring his boyfriend home when he’s ready, right Ichi-nii?”

“Awww forget it,” Ichigo groaned, wishing the floor would open up and pull him through.

The knock at the door startled them all, and Ichigo leapt up, his face flushed with blood. Isshin shoved Ichigo down as he rushed to the door with Yuzu close behind him. Irritated he demanded, “Who’s that interrupting our family meal? Is nothing sacred?”

“Dad, settle down!” Karin urged, yanking her father back by his arm to let Yuzu open the door.

“What are you doing here?” Ichigo said when he saw Renji standing there with a confused look on his face; backpack slung over one shoulder, wearing a school uniform and a white scarf around his head.

“Um, is this Kurosaki’s clinic?” Renji asked. “I’m here to study with Kurosaki-kun…”

“Yes, are you one of Ichigo’s friends from school?” Yuzu said.

“Welcome to our house, young man!” Isshin said with a friendly smile as he walked over and bowed as politely as a man bristling with excitement could without falling over.

Renji blinked a few times, darting his eyes back and forth. Why did he look as if he had stepped into an alternate dimension, Ichigo wondered. It was his own fault for showing up here unnannounced. “Um thanks… I think…”

“Just let him in,” Ichigo mumbled, realizing this could make things better or worse. Renji had a lousy sense of timing.

“Say you look familiar,” Isshin said as Renji walked in nervously, giving a smile to both the girls.

“Um well… I’m new in town,” Renji began.

Isshin snapped his fingers and laughed, “Hey I know! You were the crazy guy who crashed in through the window a short while ago when Ichigo had those pretty girls over… oh wait… that must have been a dream…”

“Dad, not another word,” Ichigo gritted, mortified beyond belief.

“Well we were about to eat dinner, would you like to join us?” Yuzu asked.

Ichigo slapped a hand to his head, moaning. Renji immediately brightened up and said, “Did you say dinner? Why I’d love to…”

“Great, just great,” Ichigo mumbled as Yuzu lead the way and Isshin dug him in the ribs with his elbow. He pulled Ichigio to the side for a moment, then bent down to whisper in his son's ear.

“So is he just here to STUDY?”

“Dad, I swear if you say one damn thing I’ll kill you! Yes, he is someone I’m seeing, and NO, we’re not here to do anything BUT study, got it! Don’t embarrass me!” Ichigo hissed into his father’s ear.

“Now was that so hard to come clean to your old man? He’s a bit strange looking, but he’s polite, and very strong. And a redhead too…” Isshin whispered.

“Just don’t embarrass me or else…” Ichigo warned, glaring angrily at his father.

Yuzu set another place at the table for Renji, who was already rubbing his hands together. Catching Ichigo’s puzzling look Renji simply grinned and rubbed the back of his neck. He knew he’d hear a lecture from the young substitute later after this, yet he had a good reason for dropping by. Perhaps he should have asked Ichigo first, but both of them weren’t thinking too clearly after the kiss under the tree.