Not Close Enough

Meanwhile Chad and Ishida continued their bus ride home. Not many others sat in the mostly empty transport. Quite a few had gotten off when it had pulled to the stop.

"Well you didn't care much for the plan."

"Chad, they may know Ichigo better, but what good will it do? Abarai's not some lovesick teenager!"

"He acts like a teenager," Sado pointed out. "His emotional maturity is the same level as Ichigo’s from what we saw this afternoon."

"Emotional maturity," Ishida scoffed, glaring down at his shoes. "Abarai and Kurosaki shouldn't be mentioned in the same sentence. No offense but Kurosaki was the more grown up of the two."

"You don't think that's saying much. That is why we need to help them by finding out just why Abarai left. You noticed in the whole argument that he never once fully explained why he was gone?"

"Ichigo wouldn't shut up long enough to let him explain," Ishida grumbled. "A simple note would have worked wonders."

"Abarai has the emotional subtlety of a brick, I believe Rukia would say. You hit it when you said there was a lack of communication. He took Ichigo for granted."

"That's a correct assessment. It's precisely because of that I think it would be best to let things calm down before dragging them back together. If Abarai WAS on a mission, we've no right to interrupt it. If Kurosaki is going to seriously continue pursuing a relationship with Abarai he's going to have to deal with that reality."

"You don't think it is possible for them to make up? Or are you reluctant to help because you don't want them to be together?"

"Chad, I'm worried about Kurosaki. What sort of good can come from a relationship like that? Abarai's a fully-fledged shinigami. Kurosaki has his whole life here ahead of him. He's just a substitute. I for one agree that's a significant deal breaker."

"Yet you agreed to the plan."

"I agreed to help convince Abarai to come and I agreed to make him an appropriate outfit. I can't do either if we don't know where he is. Whatever else they've got in mind is their affair. I will drag Abarai back here kicking and screaming but only so he can give Ichigo an explanation why and they can settle this fight for the sake of fighting hollows."

"You don't care about Ichigo's feelings?"

"Chad, that's why I object, Ichigo was completely shattered. You may know him better than I but did he cry on your shoulder?"

"He did."

"That's not what I mean. I dislike seeing Ichigo so upset because of thoughtlessness on Abarai's part. If he forgets a note one time then what will he do next?"

"Abarai makes mistakes as we all do. It was something anyone could have done. We owe it to them to try to find an answer behind it. Maybe he was on such an important mission he didn't have the TIME to write a note. Or he was too distracted," Sado suggested, leaning to the side as the bus pulled to a stop.

Ishida fell silent, letting go of the handhold and departing the bus. Sado walked after him, trotting down the stairs onto the pavement. "Perhaps we should continue this discussion upstairs?"

"I'd like that," Sado nodded, following Ishida up the stairwell of his building. He stooped his head a bit at the lower ceiling in order to duck inside. Two deadbolts later Ishida pushed the door open and indicated Sado should step in ahead of him. The light flickered on and Sado glanced around the familiar place. Bolts of fabric and sewing notions were gathered in one corner with a few old fashioned tailoring dummies on stands. Along the walls were bookcases and a sofa, and a futon folded against one wall. The one room apartment also had a desk along another wall and a kitchenette in the fourth corner behind a slight partition. A small door led to a closet sized bathroom, which was closed.

"Have a seat. You wish for anything to drink?" Ishida asked.

"I'm fine for now..."

"I'll make tea anyway, I need it. Though if I were old enough I'd consider the sake in the corner cabinet..." Ishida mumbled.

"I'll make the tea. You sit down and relax. You seem to have had enough excitement for one day," Sado joked innocently enough. He reached up into one of the cabinets and pulled out a pair of mugs, then found the kettle already sitting on one burner. Ishida relented and moved off to set down his schoolbag near the desk. The overhead light fixture cast a golden glow to the small one room studio. It resembled Sado's except the taller student had a separate bedroom and western style bed in his. There was enough room for a drum set and several amps so his band mates could stop in and rehearse with him.

"He probably was distracted," Ishida called into the kitchen.

"Abarai?" Sado asked, wandering out of the kitchen with several plates. He carried a large glass of milk and set it with other snacks on the table.

"You found the chocolate chip cookies?" Ishida noticed.

"They were up high enough," Sado shrugged. He sat down on the sofa next to Ishida and set a glass of spring water down near his friend while they waited for the tea to brew.

Ishida picked up the glass at the same time Sado sipped at the milk. "I admit I'm curious as to why Abarai left in a hurry. He said that his captain had an important mission for him. It would explain why. Moreover, I suppose it's plausible that would cause him to overlook common courtesy. That is why I surmise he's back in Soul Society and if we've to have any hope of even GETTING him here we have to know the whole story."

Sado set his glass down, which was now still half-full. "We could start by asking Urahara san if he's heard anything."

"Good. If push comes to shove, I'd volunteer to go into Soul society and find him myself," Ishida said. "Though my father won't be too pleased..."

"Then I could go," Sado suggested. "There’s no restriction on me associating with shinigami."

"True," Ishida mumbled. He leapt up and moved into the kitchen, grabbing the kettle before it boiled over.

From the living room Sado called, "Is that why you haven’t mentioned you might have feelings for Ichigo as well? And act on them?"

"It's no secret I share an affinity for him," Ishida confessed blushing at how well his friend read him. He turned to the small teapot and continued his preparations. "But I know that it would not be wise. For both our sakes. Still I can care can't I?"

"Or is it because you also share an affinity for Abarai you're reluctant to help them make up?" Sado asked, watching Ishida carry in the pot with two small matching cups. They were the clay kind, while the teapot had a wicker handle attached at the top.

Sado inverted the cups so Ishida could pour tea. Settling on the sofa next to him Ishida sighed, picking up his teacup and turning it between his hands. "All right, I'll admit I like Abarai as well. Yet that's even more ludicrous to consider a relationship with him for two reasons.”

Quietly sipping his tea Sado angled his body towards Ishida. Already the Quincy angled his knees so they were diagonal relative to the table, pointing towards Sado. “What are those reasons?”

“One is that he'd drive me to put so many arrows into him he'd be a pot strainer. The second is he's a shinigami and it would only bring more chaos to my life and his. The third reason is that I... I have stronger feelings for someone else,” Ishida admitted, between sips of tea. He couldn’t hide the hot flush he felt surging into his pale cheeks.

Sado obviously noticed but said nothing. Instead, he gave Ishida a curious glance and said, "I see. But you listed three reasons, not two."

Looking straight ahead Ishida inhaled so sharply that his breath hissed past his teeth. "Perhaps I did. However, like it or not, Kurosaki and Abarai seem well suited. They're both very much alike, they are both shinigami, and anyone would be blind not to notice the tension between them. Still if Abarai has any good sense about him..."

"Ichigo was the one who wouldn't let him apologize. That is why I think Asano and Kojima's plan is better. In the right setting without too many distractions both will be forced to be civil and perhaps settle things," said Sado, still curious just who the unnamed object of Ishida’s affections was.

Tugging his glasses down Ishida glared at Sado over them, granting the taller young man an unimpeded view of his dark blue eyes. "And what makes you think that?"

Sado found himself looking more directly into them even though they were not focused as clearly on him. "Abarai can't afford to draw too much attention to himself by acting foolish. Ichigo is the same way. He already draws enough because of his hair color. He tries hard enough to fit in. The last thing he'd do is get into a brawl in a fancy restaurant with Abarai."

Images of Abarai launching himself over a table with dishes flying flashed through Ishida’s mind. He could see Ichigo yelling at him to behave while yanking Renji towards him by his shirt collar. Both of them would tensely press their foreheads together and growl like feuding dogs for an instant before pouncing on one another. He could hear the fabric of Renji’s nice sport jacket tearing and flinched at the thought of how much work he’d put into it…

“Ishida are you all right?”

Ishida blinked and stared at Sado leaning close to him with a concerned look in his dark eyes. He was surprised to see both of them intently studying him. Swallowing hard he stammered, “Sorry my mind wandered. What were you saying?”

“Simply that Ichigo knows better than acting out in public when it really matters. His father’s pretty well known in this town and as much as Ichigo resents his father’s antics he wouldn’t want to damage his father’s name.”

“Because you know Kurosaki so well,” Ishida nodded, pulling back. He rested his hands on his thighs and slowly rubbing them up and down. When he realized what he was doing, he snatched the teacup again and pretended to sip from it.

“Ishida-kun, you seem to have a problem with the idea that I’ve known Ichigo for a long time. You shouldn’t think it makes me value your input less,” Sado began.

“You said so earlier. You’re right. I don’t know him as well as you do,” Ishida quickly cut him off, nodding so Sado could not see his true expression. Now he turned his knees away, pouring himself more tea.

“I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, Ishida-kun. If I knew you thought I implied I valued what you had to say any less about how Ichigo’s…”

“Forget it. It’s no big deal,” Ishida said dismissively, but in a softer tone that masked his frustration.

“IT is to me if you got the wrong idea. I only pointed it out because I didn’t want you to think you had to comfort him the whole time. Whatever you said to him before I ran into you was probably what he needed to hear. He could have run away…”

“What does it matter? Asano and Kojima are giving him shoulders to cry on. What more would he need from me?” Ishida laughed sarcastically.

“Ichigo appreciates and knows what you’re trying to do. He pushed me away also. Maybe you’re right when you said that it wasn’t a good idea to leave him alone.”

“Funny you should mention this now of all times. We should have stayed,” Ishida mumbled.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it until now that you had a point. Ichigo needs us and we should have stayed there and insisted to see him,” Chad nodded.

“So does that mean you’re willing to accompany me on a reconnaissance mission? Just to make certain he is all right?” Ishida asked, with a slight smile.

“If it makes you feel better I think it’d be a good idea to check in on him. I have a bad feeling…” Sado said. "Do you feel something else near Ichigo? It's faint but I can't quite tell..."

“Then let’s go. Once we know that Ichigo’s still in his room and not out hunting hollows…”
***
Someone was snoring, and Ichigo was certain it was he. He was extremely warm and comfortable and did not want to move. Strangely, he could hear himself snoring a split second before he woke up, and this was no exception. Out of a naughty dream, Ichigo still felt his body tingling from he surfaced, simply listening to the sounds of his room and house around him. He forgot exactly why he was upset, because those days before seemed like a nightmare. At least he willed it to be.

Something moved next to him, on a bed that was definitely not empty. For a split second Ichigo tensed, then relaxed because it felt so good to have someone sharing his bed. Especially when that someone’s hand curled around and rested at the small of his back. Ichigo reached down further, caressing a solid muscular ass through soft pleated fabric.

“What the hell…” Ichigo stammered out. Especially when the strong arm tangled around him and he felt the movement of a leg under his, along with the movement of an arm. His leg was thrown over another, and he lay on his side with his cheek pressed to something hard and smooth.

Peering down he saw rose petals scattered over half the bed and on the floor. Now Ichigo jolted completely awake, blurting out a usual “GAAAAAAGGGGHHH!”

Except the arms that imprisoned him yanked him back down and pinned him against said hard breathing surface. Twisting Ichigo saw familiar black markings on tan and red hair spilled over the pillow, still half up in a ridiculous topknot.

“What the hell is he doing here?” Ichigo blurted out, then shivered when he realized Renji Abarai was curled up in bed with him, under the blankets and snoring dead to the world.
One of his white socked feet stuck out of the bottom of the blankets that were pulled up and tangled around them both. Only have of them covered Renji, revealing the rumpled uniform of a soul reaper. On the floor next to his bed, he saw a familiar zanpakuto in its scabbard, along with a green mangled piece of foil and several roses.

“Holy shit… he didn’t…” Ichigo mumbled in disbelief, seeing the rest of the petals littering the floor and bed.

*Flowers,* Ichigo thought with shock. *He brought roses.*

“Stupid son of a bitch,” Ichigo gritted, half pissed off and flustered yet melting inside.

How in the world could he stay angry with Renji once he added up all the clues? Renji Abarai was curled up in bed next to him, hopelessly tangled as if he had just come off a mission and made himself at home. Not wanting to think anymore Ichigo buried his face in Renji’s chest and inhaled deeply. Whatever reason Ichigo was angry with him seemed to evaporate. In his careless and clumsy way, Renji was here. Unexpected and out of the blue. Had he come and tried to apologize last night?

“You’re the biggest dumbass in the world, you stupid jerk,” Ichigo mumbled into Renji’s kimono top. “I had the best pissed off rant I was gonna tear ya to shreds with and then you go and bring me fricking ROSES? What the hell man?”

“It’s called apologizin’, idiot,” Renji murmured, eyes still closed.

“You’re driving me NUTS!” Ichigo complained, lifting his head from Renji’s chest finally.

“Yo,” Renji murmured, glancing down at him with a sheepish goofy smile.

“Don’t give me that! You are so DEAD,” Ichigo growled, grabbing handfuls of his kimono, and glaring down at him. Anger boiled up inside of him once more as he straddled the Vice Captain.

“Doesn’t matter. I’m a Shinigami remember? I’m already dead,” Renji smirked. “Ya can’t kill me.”

“Fucking smartass, don’t’ give me that! You know what I mean, damn it!” Ichigo yelled at him.

This time Renji opened his eyes completely, frowning down at Ichigo as he became further tangled up in the bed linens. “I’m sorry okay? I was tryin’ to apologize but you were already asleep! Don’t blame me for that!”

“Fuck you,” Ichigo snapped, twisting his body around. Unfortunately, Ichigo spun over and log rolled off the bed. Hard-carpeted floor slammed into him while the Shinigami landed atop him.

“I’d like nothing better,” Renji answered, grinning down at Ichigo who was fuming.

“You… you… oh forget it,” Ichigo sighed, squeezing his eyes shut. “You’re so annoying. My head’s fricking hurting.”

“So yer not in the mood cause of a headache. Figures,’ Renji joked weakly.

“That is so lame,” Ichigo mumbled, rolling his head on the carpet at the same time he rolled his eyes.

“So are ya happy to see me or pissed t’ see me? I wouldn’t blame ya if you want to kick my ass for bein’ an insensitive…” Renji half joked.

“Asshole,” Ichigo added.

“Guess that’s the best word for it, huh? I know I shoulda written a note, but Kuchiki Taicho…”

“You mean that shit about a top secret mission? What the hell was so fucking important?” Ichigo gritted, glaring up at Renji as the Shinigami pinned him by straddling his hips. Unable to resist either pissing Renji off or arousing him Ichigo bucked his hips upwards. Renji swung backwards yet did not topple off, stifling the resulting moan by gnashing his teeth together.

Renji pinned both of Ichigo’s hands behind his head as he explained, “Oh nothing, just my ass on a platter if I didn’t take care of some Arrancar that busted into Sereitei. They called all the vice captains back. I had no time…”

“Then why the hell didn’t you take me with you?” Ichigo asked.

“What?” Renji asked, blinking.

“You’re so goddamn stupid! You could have taken two minutes to wake me up and let me go fight their asses with you!” Ichigo repeated. “I woulda gone! Or wasn’t a Substitute allowed?”

“You would have gone with me? Really? I didn’t think of that,” Renji asked, floored. Ichigo realized he was truly nonplussed from the way his eyes were so wide and his face confused.

“Yes you dumb shit. Your head’s as hard as freaking rock!” Ichigo complained, giving another labored sigh.

“Oh yeah, well that’s why… why…” Renji trailed off. “That’s why I like having ya around. So I can think of those things.”

“Next time don’t leave without asking me t’ come with you okay? You GOT that?” Ichigo asked, twisting his wrists out of Renji’s grasp.

Anticipating this Renji bent down and seized Ichigo’s sleep shirt. Their mouths collided midway while Ichigo’s arms tightened around his neck. Strong fingers grabbed Renji’s topknot and the back of his shihaksho. Simultaneously their tongues shoved against one another. Between the hard floor and Renji’s twisting head, Ichigo’s own head was pinned so Ichigo angled his face in the opposite direction twisting their mouths over each other. Closing his lips Renji murmured with relief from Ichigo’s constant effort to jockey his lips so they covered Renji’s mouth firmly. Ichigo’s shorter yet young strong body twitched and squirmed deliberately.

“Damn kid knows EXACLTY what he’s doing to me,” Renji marveled, grinding his hips down as well. His knees were bent double bracketing Ichigo’s hips; long pleated hakama spread and draped oddly obscuring all but Ichigo’s torso and his ankles along with bare feet. Half of Renji’s hair dangled and brushed Ichigo’s face tickling him occasionally.

Aggressively their teeth ground together at one point, prompting Renji to pull back. Eyes half shut Ichigo still kept his mouth open panting in huge draughts of air. The halves of Renji’s kimono were pushed apart at the same time Renji yanked Ichigo’s t-shirt upwards sufficiently to expose his partner’s abdomen.
Ichigo caught Renji’s wrists, braced down on either side of him. His strong fingers would not yield to Renji’s attempts to twist his wrists free. Then he let go of one of Renji’s wrists, sitting up so Renji almost toppled backwards if Ichigo wasn’t holding the vice captain steady on his lap. He panted heavily feeling his sash tugged firmly so the knot fell free. A quick look down confirmed Ichigo’s now free hand pulling the sash open with a smirk on his young face.

Ichigo rolled him to the side, still tangling their legs together. Renji yanked down the waist of his sweatpants as Ichigo pulled down the front of his hakama. Then their legs untangled so they could run their hands along each other’s firm erections. Neither of them said a word, simply watching Ichigo wrap fingers around Renji’s shaft and pull upwards. Hissing through his teeth Renji grasped Ichigo’s shaft with his thumb and forefinger, then dragged them downwards. He swallowed hard feeling Ichigo’s thumb slipping along the foreskin ringing the exposed red tip. In contrast, his partner’s tip was already exposed because he was circumcised. When they had first seen each other naked Renji and Ichigo knew this obvious difference but now they looked at each other for a long period. It was natural for them to compare size, girth and length each session they were together but it was the first time the vice captain and substitute thought of the reason behind it.

Ichigo was the son of a doctor, born into a society where circumcision was regularly practiced. In contrast, Renji’s upbringing never saw much of a need for it. Nor was there any ritual adult circumcision. Narrowing his brows Renji took extra time to rub his lover’s tip.

“Ya don’t know what yer missing do ya,” he mumbled.

“I know what your dick looks like idiot! It’s no big deal. Just extra skin.”

“It IS a big deal cause I know what it’s like to have it and the thought of someone doin’ something t… change it…” Renji whispered. Ichigo winced, his face flushing.

“What the hell GOOD is it for?” Ichigo whispered.

Renji snickered, guiding Ichigo’s hand. “Extra lubricatin’ fer one.”

Ichigo shivered as Renji moved just enough so their tips brushed. The extra fold of skin glided by Ichigo’s shaft and he gave more conscious thought to the foreskin’s existence. He had not said anything to Renji about it before, because he was too eager to plunge it into his mouth, circumcised or not. Now the question of ‘what if’ hung present in his mind. From Renji’s pained look, Ichigo realized his partner was feeling sorry for him.
“All right, I guess it IS a big deal. I just never thought about it…”

“You might wanna,” Renji whispered. “But it’s part of the package deal.”

Ichigo said nothing, instead jerking his hand up and down on Renji’s shaft so his next words became nonsensical moans. Renji shivered and reciprocated at the same pace. Pressing their foreheads together, they gasped and moaned at the intense stimulation and heat almost smoldering their hands. A competition to drive the other to release added tension to the air and they leaned heavily on one another’s bodies. When Renji brought his hand that was caught awkwardly between his hip and the floor to caress Ichigo’s scrotum the substitute let out a sharp cry. Ichigo’s wrist brushed his before Renji felt the strong fingers rubbing and squeezing at his balls. Shuddering Ichigo twisted his body over so Renji felt the carpeted floor hard under his back. Then his breath surged into Ichigo’s warm lips gliding over his.

The weight of Ichigo’s body pressed their cocks between them and an instant later Renji heard himself yelling loudly. His entire body froze stiff for an instant then released with the mind-numbing explosion of bliss. Ichigo’s teeth nearly bit his tongue as the substitute pressed hard against Renji’s thighs with his knees and arched his body. He felt Ichigo’s long shiver and swallowed the sigh after the young man dropped limp on top of him. Their kiss broke as both hoarsely sucked in long breaths. The hot sticky feeling coating their bare chests did not deter Ichigo from stretching out on top of Renji to rest and allow his dizzy head to settle. Stretching out under him Renji pulled one hand free and let his arm drop possessively over Ichigo’s back.

“Don’t wanna… move,” Renji murmured.

“Good cause I’m not moving either,” Ichigo mumbled, burying his face in Renji’s shoulder. Already Renji snored lightly, the noise rumbling against Ichigo’s chest. Rolling his eyes Ichigo allowed sleep to overtake him. He would not tell the idiot that he made a good sleeping surface.
**

Through the open window, a pair of eyes was quite wide with shock and something else. They disappeared after staring curiously for a full minute at the room and its contents. Blood flushed bright red over the Quincy’s face while he hovered there using his unique power. For a second it disappeared, dropping Ishida nearly ten feet towards the pavement.

“Damn it…” Ishida cursed. He regained enough control to keep from crashing into the street but was relieved for the strong arms breaking his fall.

“Are you all right?” Sado asked, holding Ishida’s knees, and back with his muscular arms. Blinking, Ishida shook his head from side to side. From the way he shivered from head to toe, Sado wondered if he had seen something horrible or simply unexpected.

“Y… no… well… I don’t know…” Ishida babbled, licking his lips. He quickly looked away from Sado’s inquiring gaze. Just how was he going to describe what he saw, or admit to losing concentration because of his own curiosity.

“Abarai san is there with him. It’s obvious,” said Sado, concerned at how flushed Ishida’s cheeks were. “There are only two possibilities.”

“P… put me down… I’m all right,” Ishida whispered, shoving lightly against Sado’s shoulder. Carefully Sado angled Ishida’s body so his white toed boots contacted the pavement. He angled Ishida up so he was standing but kept one hand at the small of Ishida’s back. As he predicted the Quincy sagged unsteadily and caught his arm for comfort. Then he felt the shorter slender young man flinch.

“You look embarrassed. I take it that they weren’t fighting because it’s too quiet, and you looked away so quickly,” Sado said, keeping his voice infuriatingly calm.

“I’m a pervert,” Ishida whispered, shaking his head. “If I had seen them a second sooner I don’t know…”
“It’s a natural process for two people to…”

“D… don’t say it,” Ishida cut him off.

Sado frowned at him. “I guess we don’t need Keigo and Mizuiro’s plan then?”

Ishida threw up one hand, placing the over over his glasses as he stammered, “I… I cannot even think right now. I just…”

“Are you upset because you saw them having sex?”

“Chad how on EARTH can you be so CASUAL about saying such things,” Ishida hissed, grabbing him by the arm and dragging him off at least the distance of a city block.

“I didn’t use any words you wouldn’t normally use,” Sado commented, still blinking down at Ishida. “Though I understand WHY you’re embarrassed at seeing something so private.”

“G… good. I just… I don’t want to talk about it anymore. It’s obvious they don’t need our help,” Ishida huffed, inhaling deeply with a hand on his chest.

“It’s because it’s Ichigo, isn’t it? You had some hope they wouldn’t get back together,” Sado stated, with a strange frown on his lips that deviated from his usual neutral expression.

“I said I didn’t wish to discuss it… further,” Ishida gritted his teeth.

“I’m happy for Ichigo. I’m glad they resolved things,” Sado said, feeling Ishida’s fingers digging into his right arm. “It’s his choice.”

“Knowing how volatile they both are, how long with it is before the next blow up?” Ishida answered, realizing Sado wasn’t going to drop the subject. Peering over his shoulder the Quincy saw no evidence of Renji or Ichigo storming out of the window to yell at them so he guessed they were asleep in the afterglow or something else.
“It is a good idea you brought us out of sight. I don’t want you arrested for being a peeping tom,” said Sado.
“You were the one who suggested I look because I could levitate!” Ishida growled at him. “You’ve got a nerve for calling me THAT!”

“I was only pointing out that…”

Ishida huffed, squeezing Sado’s arm harder. “You rarely DO talk, but when you get stuck on a subject you don’t always know when to STOP?”

Grasping Ishida’s shoulder with his other hand Sado swiveled the Quincy to face him. Sado peered down at Ishida with serious dark eyes and a frown. “You’re angry and jealous, Ishida kun. The sooner you admit it the easier it will be to see them together, that’s why I’m not changing the subject."

“Well so what if I am? Abarai could leave before Kurosaki wakes up. I for one will go insane if I have to put up with another round of his depression, not to mention his idiot friends Asano and Kojima dragging us into yet ANOTHER elaborate SCHEME to keep them together!”

“So we’re staying till they wake up to make sure?” Sado asked.

“You are EXASPERATING. That is NOT what I meant!” Ishida snapped at him.

Sado simply pulled the Quincy forwards and muffled Ishida’s next shout against his chest. Wrapping both arms around him, he held Ishida in place even though he squirmed. At first Ishida pushed away, but then relaxed as Sado rubbed the base of his neck gently. A low sigh escaped Ishida’s lips.

“You should calm down. You can get high blood pressure for getting so upset,” Sado said quietly.

“All right, you win,” Ishida mumbled, lifting his head enough from Sado’s muscular chest to peer up sheepishly at his companion. His glasses were a bit crooked and his hair disheveled, and he was certain he would probably hate the wrinkles he was getting on his uniform. He didn’t want Sado to let go of him just yet because he enjoyed the body warmth and the marvelous weight of those sculpted arms holding him like a steadying force. He slipped his arms down and wrapped them tentatively around Sado’s waist, afraid the taller young man would let go.

When Sado didn’t, Ishida glanced up at him. In fact, Sado was peering up at the rectangle of light that indicated the position of Kurosaki’s room, as if waiting for something. Strong fingers still rubbed and kneaded the base of Ishida’s neck, then diverged down to a very tense spot in between his shoulder blades. Ishida gasped audibly, and then bit his lip.

Sado was hugging him, and not letting him go. While they were effectively spying on their friends no less! Ishida laughed at the irony. “You’ve relaxed at least,” Sado observed, not looking down at him.

“Should we stay all night? Is that necessary?” Ishida asked. “It is quite late…”

“Look, I see someone’s silhouette,” Sado said, letting go of him with one arm to point at a dark shadow at the square of gold light. They heard the distant voices that sounded raised, and saw another shape join the first before they ducked out of view. Spirit pressure dropped to a normal level, buzzing and shimmering in the wildfire presence of Ichigo’s. Abarai’s crimson reiatsu vibrated and held the quality of a neon light. Flickering with minute pulses that could still be noticed by the human eye.

Ishida glanced up at Sado, and they nodded. Quietly they kept to the shadows, moving along them out of the view of the street lamp. They stood in the cover of the telephone pole closest to Ichigo’s window. Now they could more clearly hear the loud voices of the two.

“Thanks f’ the shower, Ichigo.”

“You don’t have to thank me, idiot,” Ichigo’s voice answered.

“I um… hate to bring this up, but I’d better get back to Urahara’s shop. I left my soul pager there and I need to find out if there were any messages…”

At this admission, Sado and Ishida gaped at each other with wide eyes. Surely, that was not a good idea for a shinigami to leave a soul pager behind. Indeed Ichigo must have agreed because they next heard him demand, “You left your soul pager behind? Why?”

“So we wouldn’t be interrupted?” Renji answered voice a bit lower and sheepish in tone.

They heard Ichigo’s voice sharply nagging, “You’re either the biggest dumbass on the face of the planet for doing that or… well…”

“Well WHAT?” Renji snapped back.

“One of the first thoughtful things you’ve done besides the flowers, Renji.”

“Flowers,” Sado murmured, blinking at Ishida.

The Quincy nodded, whispering, “I saw rose petals scattered. I suppose Asano and Kojima were correct…”
“Shh,” Sado whispered, finger on his lips. His hand caught Ishida’s arm, squeezing it.

Ishida focused on the rest of what Renji was saying, “I know k… I know Ichigo but I gotta report in. I don’t WANNA but…”

“If you got to go I understand okay?” came Ichigo’s answer with a labored sigh. Ishida frowned heavily at Sado with an ‘I told you so’ look in his eyes.

“Wanna tag along, Ichigo?” Renji chuckled mischievously. Sado’s eyes were quite wide as they glanced down at Ishida’s.

“You kidding?” Ichigo tossed back.

“I might need ya as backup. The more the merrier? Besides a substitute needs t’ prove to Soul Society he pulls his weight an’ more,” the Vice Captain seriously stated.

“Now that’s… different,” Sado whispered.

“Why do I get the sense that something else is going on that we may want to learn more about?” Ishida mumbled back. He and Sado scrambled to get out of the way, almost tripping one another up hearing the next part of the conversation.

“Ya looking for this?”

“Gimme that, idiot!” Ichigo answered. A bright flash like a strobe light flared from the window. Both the Quincy and his friend ran halfway across the street, hoping they would not be discovered spying.

A bright head of hair and sharp eyes peeked out as Renji poked his head out of the window. From the shadow of the bushes Ishida peered across the street at the Vice captain stepping into open air. He motioned once he was standing ten steps away, turning around to do so. Then Sado nudged Ishida, spotting Ichigo stepping into the night next to Renji, transformed into a Shinigami. He turned around to slide the window shut behind them.
Only for an instant did both of them hang suspended with the pressure of their energies keeping them aloft in the living world. Clasping hands, they turned away and blurred out. Turning to Sado, Ishida said, “Let’s go after them…”

“You sure?” Sado asked.

“Hold onto me,” said Ishida, grabbing his hand. Instantly Sado felt himself snatched away in a blur of white.