Finding Home

Warning this is Yaoi which is boy x boy don’t read if you don’t like.



AN: Thank you to Darkephoenix, Jennifer, saterb, remyjames, and Yakumo for reviews. I know for a fact that if Renji could he would have jumped off my pc screen and chased me down for sure. But then I prolly would have let him catch me. That’s one sexy man. I’m not going to apologize for any OOCness of Ichigo. I know that people are different around those that they consider best friends. Ichigo’s public and private selves are totally different so I’m taking artistic license with him =p. I hadn’t intended for Ichigo to burst in on them but I was half way through the chapter when that evil thought popped in my brain. Needless to say I was so intrigued by it I had to put it in. I hope everyone enjoys this chapter.



Finding Home



"I love you, not for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you."

~Roy Croft~



Chapter 15



Two figures lay panting on the dirt of an old playground a few blocks from the apartment. Both were dirty, bruised and bloodied. Renji rolled over and glanced at the teenager lying in the dirt nearby. Ichigo was lying on his back sporting a black eye and a split lip. Renji grinned with evil pleasure at having put those on the other man. Attempting to sit up, Renji groaned and collapsed again. Ichigo wasn’t the only one sporting bruises. Seems the use of a zanpakuto wasn’t the only skill the substitute shinigami was gifted with.



“Asshole.” groaned Ichigo as he struggled into a sitting position. Taking the hem of his shirt to dab at the blood dripping from his lip, Ichigo eyed the other man with a scowl.



“It’s your own fucking fault. You just had to pick that particular moment to burst into my bedroom. The Gods are against me.” answered Renji from his lying position, not even bothering to try to sit up again. The bruised ribs hurt like a son of a bitch. He knew from experience that it was going to be twice as painful tomorrow, for both of them. But damn if that pounding he gave and got didn’t help him burn off the excess frustration.



“How was I to know you and Kira were going to be doing THAT? Fuck, I didn’t even know you swung that way.” muttered Ichigo.



“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” yelled Renji, now finally in a sitting position.



“I mean I don’t care but I always thought of you as a ladies man.” said Ichigo honestly. Ichigo had only known Renji a year or so but in that time he had only seen him show attention to women so it was natural to assume he only dated women.



“I like women and men. A warm body is a warm body. Izuru’s different so don’t go giving him any shit. He’s been through enough.” said Renji, pointing a finger at the orange haired man. Ichigo held up his hands in surrender. His body ached all over. Renji hadn’t pulled his punches but then he would have been insulted if he had. The fiery red head and Ichigo had always had an understanding after their battle in Soul Society during Rukia’s imprisonment. They wouldn’t hold back when fighting each other whether it is with zanpakuto or with fists.



Ichigo stood, wobbled for a moment then walked over to offer a hand to his friend. Renji stared for a moment then accepted the hand up. He wasn’t angry at his friend. He was glad that Ichigo felt comfortable around him. He was like a best friend and a little brother all rolled into one package. The annoying little brother part was defiantly showing today.



Ichigo shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans and glanced over at his friend as they walked slowly back towards the apartment. Renji saw the look but remained silent. If Ichigo had something to say he could damn well say it.



“Renji, about Kira…” Ichigo began. Renji held up a hand promptly silencing the other man.



“Izuru and I have been friends a long time. He’s recently been going through some hard things and I’m going to stick by him. I really care for him so that should be all that matters.” Renji said. Anything else about him was Izuru’s business and it was Izuru’s right to share or withhold as he saw fit. Renji had said enough to enough people.



“It’s cool, just wanted you to know I’m behind you.” said Ichigo with a grin.



“You do know that I’m going to be the top.” said Renji, unable to resist the thought of teasing the younger man. Ichigo froze mid step. Renji could almost see the wheels in his head turning.



“Whoa… Hold the fuck on… I didn’t mean it like THAT!” yelled Ichigo as he jumped away from Renji. The red head just laughed, clutching at his bruised ribs. The red spreading across Ichigo’s battered face was worth every bit of the pain that shot through his side. Ichigo scowled at his friend then looped an arm around his shoulders as they both limped home.



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Rukia poured a cup of tea for herself and Izuru. The blonde had showered, dressed and was sitting with her in the living room, awaiting the return of the Ichigo and Renji nervously. Izuru got up and started pacing.



“I told you it won’t matter to Ichigo so sit your butt down. The tea has chamomile in it and will calm your nerves.” said Rukia taking a sip. She had developed a taste for tea as a result of living for so long with Byakuya. Her adoptive brother loved his tea and had passed on that love to her. There just about a tea for everything from soothing the body to soothing the soul.



Izuru sat down as was just about to take a sip of the tea when the front door opened. Both looked up at the newcomers. Ichigo and Renji both looking like hell limped through the front door. Ichigo flopped into a chair near Rukia and Renji gently lowered himself next to Izuru on the sofa. Rukia calmly put down her tea cup and promptly banged her fist down upon Ichigo’s head.



“Owww, what the hell you do that for?” yelled the orange haired man as he rubbed his hand on the ache. That was probably the only part of him that Renji hadn’t hit.



“For being an inconsiderate moron.” said Rukia calmly, returning to her tea. Izuru and Renji sat wide eyed staring at the two. Renji edged away from Izuru. Izuru turned to look at him. Renji blushed.



“I just didn’t want you to get any ideas from her.” explained Renji and Izuru simply shook his head. Rukia got up to get the first aid kit and Ichigo simply sat cradling his new injury. Renji snickered.



“I heard that Renji. Shut it or you will be matching Ichigo.” called out Rukia from the general direction of the bathroom. This time it was Ichigo’s turn to snicker. Izuru just looked at them as if they were all mad.



Rukia sat down with the kit and began to clean both their injuries. Both had black eyes, various cuts, and battered knuckles. Ichigo had a split lip and Renji bruised ribs. Stabbing the alcohol dipped cotton ball at one of the cuts on Renji’s hand. The so called tough shinigami whined like a little girl under the sting.



“Serves you both right.” muttered Rukia as she bandaged them both. After both we sufficiently bandaged. Rukia grabbed Ichigo’s arm and led him towards the door.



“Hey Renji, this new club opened up down town. A couple of us were going to check it out tomorrow night. You and Kira wanna join us?” Ichigo asked as Rukia dragged him towards the door.



“Sounds fun I’m game if Izuru is.” answered Renji.



“Cool, I’ll be here tomorrow night to pick you guys up. Later dude.” called Ichigo before trailing after Rukia in a dutiful and completely contrite manner. Being out of her good graces was something no one should experience.



Renji glanced over at Izuru who was still sitting quietly.



“I’m sorry about earlier.” Renji said with a hand rubbing the back of his head. A nervous gesture he had picked up back at the academy. Renji wasn’t good at hiding his feelings and most of the time he didn’t even try. Better to get things out in the open was always his way of thinking. Because of that a lot of people didn’t care for Renji. His personality had grated on Kuchiki-taicho’s nerves for months after being appointed to the fukutaicho position in Division Six. Renji had proven himself to his taicho and to the division that he was a strong leader and a good second in command. Though he may not always tell Renji, Byakuya had come to depend on the younger man even if his paperwork skills left much to be desired.



“Why would you act like that? Where you ashamed that you were seen with me?” asked Izuru quietly, tears beginning to form in his eyes. Izuru had been baffled by Renji’s intense anger at Ichigo for bursting in. Sure he had expected some frustration and maybe some embarrassment but not to the point that both men nearly beat each other senseless. Izuru just couldn’t comprehend Renji sometimes.



“NO!” said Renji, jumping up from his slouched position, his eyes wide “It’s not like that. Its just I was so frustrated and pissed off at Ichigo for ruining something special. I want everyone to know how I feel about you but I want to protect you too.”



Izuru felt a blush spreading across his cheeks. One minute the other man could be so gruff and coarse and the next sweet and gentle. Renji was a constant contradiction. Izuru smiled through the tears.



“Ya know if ya don’t want to go to the club tomorrow, we wont. I didn’t even think to ask ya, sorry. I just thought it would be fun, ya know.” said Renji feeling a little embarrassed that he had decided for Izuru.



“I don’t mind. We can go.” Izuru said. And he meant it. It did sound like fun and Ichigo and his friends were fun. Izuru hoped that the girl, Tatsuki was around. She had seemed level headed.



“Hey I’ve got an idea. Let’s go out to lunch. Just let me get cleaned up.” said Renji and jumping up with a wince, he made his way towards the bathroom and disappeared inside. Izuru tried not to think what Renji looked like in the shower even in his beaten up state.



About thirty minutes later, the pair made their way towards the shopping part of town. Renji seemed more familiar with the area so Izuru allowed him to direct them. Renji pointed out Ichigo’s school and various other landmarks. Izuru was just happy to be with the man. They finally settled on a small café for lunch. The two spent the meal chatting and enjoying each other’s company. It was nice. Izuru felt comfortable being around Renji. Both were so engrossed in each other that they didn’t notice the stares they got in the café. Several women were ogling them both. Both were attractive, Renji in the bad boy look and Izuru in the innocent gentleman way.



The waitress returned with their check and Renji paid with some of the money Urahara had left for him. The waitress winked and handed him his receipt her phone number printed neatly on the back. Renji grinned, kissed her cheek and whispered something in her ear. She grew pink in the cheeks and stammered a farewell. Izuru looked angrily at Renji.



“What did you say to her?” asked the blonde man, his tone bespoke the jealously in him. He had known he wouldn’t be able to hold Renji but he had thought he would be his for a little longer.



“I told her I was with you and not available.” grinned Renji knowing full well that the scene would have flamed Izuru’s jealousy. Leaning close Renji kissed Izuru gently in front of the café before leading him back towards the apartment.



“Its true what they say,” commented one waitress to the other as the two walked down the street “All the best looking ones are gay.” sighing she left to check on her other customers.



AN: Thanks for reading this chapter. I’m going to try to have fun with the next chapter, well not to say I didn’t have fun with this one cuz I really enjoyed the banter of Ichigo and Renji. Until next time.