Not Close Enough

***
Pacing back and forth Byakuya hissed through his nostrils. Reiatsu fluctuated as he finished his conversation with Isane. What had started out as a promising day had disintegrated to fragments in just mere hours. Why nothing could work as it was supposed to, he wondered. Then he felt the fluctuating reiatsu of someone. It bristled hard and heavy, hanging as if a red cloud over an angry city lay to waste. Almost to Ichigo’s constant level it flared, but it was not his vice captain, but who he thought was his former subordinate, Abarai.

Through the halls of squad six, the soldiers observed Renji Abarai, striding purposefully wearing something they were happy to see on his arm. A gold badge gleamed reassuringly in the place where it should have been this past month. Richiki blinked in delight and shock, while the others hissed drawing in their breath.

“Abarai Fukaitaicho?” Richiki whispered.

“Yeah?” Renji asked. “Afternoon…”

“Yes sir…”

“Inform the men that Kurosaki’s been laid up. He’s caught the blotches and won’t be out of the hospital for a week,” Renji announced.

“The BLOTCHES? But seriously…” Richiki stammered.

“Remember he was Shinigami Daiko? Never got his shots,” said Renji, trying to keep a straight face.

“Seriously? But then… didn’t Kuchiki…”

“That’s what I’m gonna find out,” Renji said, not stopping a second in his relentless march to Byakuya’s office.

He rapped solidly on the door. “Oi, Kuchiki Taicho! I gotta report for ya!”

“Abarai Renji,” came the answer. “Enter. I was expecting you.”

Standing confidently Renji projected his reiatsu so it crackled at its peak to counter the bristling tendrils of Byakuya’s irritated spirit pressure. All around them, the halls cleared of the worried squad members knowing that the two powerful Shinigami were most likely to have words. Everyone had heard the rumors of Kurosaki Fukaitaicho. Now that the armband was back in place, speculation ran rampant.

Instead of at his desk Byakuya stood up in front of it, fixing Renji with an austere gaze. His eyes traveled instantly to the armband in place on Renji’s upper arm. One word escaped his lips, “Explain, Abarai.”

“Kurosaki Fukaitaicho according to the regulations is not fit for duty. He can’t carry out his job. He’s come down with blotches. Isane Fukaitaicho…”

“Has given me a full report yes,” Byakuya answered him.

“Under the rules, the third seat becomes acting Fukaitaicho in the event the current is outta the line,” Renji answered. “Section 3, paragraph 5, and subsection D!”

“I know the regulation, Abarai. You have come to report on Kurosaki’s illness and his lack of readiness for duty. Save your breath. You are most likely rehearsing the verbal harangue you are dying to give me,” said Byakuya quietly, his eyes fixing on Renji’s.

“Actually Kuchiki Taicho, I’m not here for that at all,” Renji said with a grin. He placed a few documents on Byakuya’s desk.

“A physical report?” asked Byakuya, reaching out with pale fingers to pick it up. “Signed by Unohana Taicho?”

“Shows my fitness for duty,” Renji answered. “Also another document certifying that Kurosaki never received the necessary exam. He’s had it now, since you placed that request for him to become permanent, and he’s failed.”

“I see…” Byakuya blinked, stepping back two paces as he saw the radiant smile in place on Abarai’s face. That gleam in his eye blew his mind. Almost literally. Just what was the man playing at? As soon as it appeared the look of disquiet passed.

“What are your orders sir? I understand there is a fukaitaicho meeting that was postponed until tomorrow. I’ve the agenda here to finish presenting. Are there any additions?” asked Renji, standing at attention. Tense seconds ticked by as Byakuya shuffled the papers in his hands, seeing that all was in order.

Byakuya simply cleared his throat, closing the folder that Renji handed him. “Are all the papers in order?”

“It seems to be the case,” Byakuya grunted. He turned his back for a moment as if to collect his thoughts. Hands at his side’s Renji counted the seconds. After fifteen Byakuya still hadn’t turned around to face him.

Instead, the Captain said, “So, Abarai Fukaitaicho, you’ve a great deal of work to catch up on… I suggest you clean out your office and tackle that stack of documents accumulating.”

“At once sir,” Renji said, struggling hard not to second-guess Byakuya’s answer. They had him squirming all right, and he was clearly bluffing. Reaching for the stack of documents on his desk, he hefted them into his arms. As he turned to leave, he stopped hearing Byakuya’s second cough.

“Use whatever personnel necessary to get your office into shape. There seems to be a great deal of clutter there, and I cannot abide disorder,” Byakuya continued, folding his hands behind his back. He stared out the windows at Sereitei.

No apologies, no explanations, nothing. Just business as usual, Renji observed. Just like Kuchiki Taicho to take up as if he’d never left. Strangely, Renji felt a bit deflated and anticlimactic as if he’d been cheated from delivering the perfect rant he had in mind. Still he knew quite well he’d never lay into his captain because he had a week to prove his worth. A rant composed and never used was far superior to one that he could deliver getting himself fired.

Hearing Fukaitaicho after his name was worth everything. Still he wondered just how Byakuya would allow things to continue between himself and Ichigo. Would he be watching them like a hawk, or was his Captain scheming something else already. At the end of the week, would Byakuya reverse the decisions?

While Renji marched back to what was now technically his office, he saw Richiki already bringing boxes with his name marked on them. “Sir I thought since…”

“Good going. Make sure that office is shipshape as soon as possible,” Renji said marching in to see his desk was already clear. Two other squad members were arranging his personal possessions just as he had left them.

Sighing he dropped the stack of documents on the desk and opened the drawer. Inside were the usual set of pens and calligraphy equipment just as he preferred them to be. Dragging them out he hastily wet his ink and dipped his stylus in it. Then he set about scribbling through the forms in the most efficient manner before pressing the red stamp seal with Abarai in Chinese characters to the bottom corners.

He had an entire week to get through the stack and knew it would be growing. Sighing, he realized that he would have plenty of time now that his lover was stuck in the hospital. Atop his desk, he noticed an envelope with his name on it, written in a familiar hand: Captain Ukitake. Tearing it open, he read the contents:

Abarai Fukaitaicho,
My apologies for not being able to act sooner in this situation. Kuchiki’s contract to keep Kurosaki as a Fukaitaicho for a month was originally legal. During that time, I comprehend your silence in this matter, and have been receiving regular reports from Kurosaki regarding his predicament and yours. It’s understandable that you wish to keep the nature of your relationship with Kurosaki a guarded secret…

However since Kurosaki has not been released to continue his position as a Shinigami Daiko in the living world I am free to take action. What your Taicho is doing is quite suspect, and it has allowed myself and Hitsugaya to research the necessary means to bring this to an end.”

Renji felt himself swallow hard. He had wanted to tell Ukitake or Kyoraku about what was going on, but was afraid that there was little either captain could do. Therefore, he had urged Ichigo to send Ukitake ‘progress reports’ on how he was getting on as a Vice Captain of squad six.

He continued to read on:

“Hitsugaya Taicho and I have been quite busy researching the rules and regulations considering that Kurosaki’s tenure as a captain’s gone on a week past it’s due date. Kurosaki’s recent illness has further clinched your validity to become Fukaitaicho. Be secure in the notion that your job is in no danger. Give Hitsugaya and myself 24 hours and we shall meet you after the fukaitaicho meeting to discuss what we have found. If there is favorable progress then we will meet with both you and Kurosaki in his hospital room when he is up to seeing us.

My regards and apologies,
Ukitake Taicho, Squad 13.”

A smile crept across Renji’s face again. He tore open the envelope from Hitsugaya, reading the contents of the Captain of squad 10’s letter.

“Abarai Fukaitaicho, acting vice captain,

If you receive this concurrently to Ukitake Taicho’s message, check his for the details. My message is brief. I have known Kurosaki’s relationship to you for quite some time. Kuchiki Taicho’s initial discipline seemed warranted, but his failure to vaccinate Ichigo or insist upon a full physical before proposing his candidacy as a fukaitaicho is indeed suspect. Furthermore, allowing Kurosaki to continue past the initial contract of one month is also illegal. Ukitake Taicho and I are currently researching the efficacy of this reason.

If you wish to confront Kuchiki Taicho regarding this misunderstanding, please wait until after we have spoken with Kurosaki and yourself.
Trust us,

Hitsugaya Taicho, Squad 10.”

Byakuya would not hear the last of it. He still planned to use the rant he stored up in some form when he knew his position was secure, and his captain could not hold anything over his head anymore. Now all he had to do was wait for Ukitake and Hitsugaya to make their move. Byakuya’s actions had not gone unnoticed, for the captains had all been curious about the noble’s little experiment. Kurosaki’s presence was strongly felt in soul society, as was the change in Renji’s status. If there was one thing Renji was sure of, it was that Ukitake and Hitsugaya were two very curious and determined captains who were working hard to find the underlying cause of things. He just had to trust both of them to make their move.

***

Two days passed by quickly for Renji, but for the occupant of a hospital room time was more difficult to measure. There was a pain in Ichigo’s arm, along with the steady dripping sounds that Ichigo recognized as an IV line.

“Kurosaki san?” a voice stammered. Opening his eyes Ichigo blinked up into the face of the seventh seat of Squad 4. Hanataro gave him a reassuring smile.

Ichigo murmured, “Oi… Hanataro, what's happening?”

“You’ve got a visitor. Ukitake Taicho is here to see you. He has a few questions. As does Hitsugaya Taicho… if you want I could have them come back another…”

“Nah, it’s okay. I’m getting a bit stir crazy here,” Ichigo admitted, folding his arms behind his head.

“I’m going to tip the bed up so you’re sitting more comfortably,” Hanataro said, bending down to turn a crank on the bottom of the bed. Ichigo’s head soon glided up so he could peer more clearly out the window at Sereitei outside. A quick glance on the wall calender revealed two more numbers were crossed out than Ichigo remembered when he was last awake.

“Two days… I’ve been asleep for two days?” Ichigo asked, pushing down against the mattress beneath him.

“Well Unohana Taicho thought you needed the rest. Actually you scared us a bit there… you probably don’t remember half of what happened.”

“What do you mean?” Ichigo asked.

“Well, let’s just say you had a bad reaction we didn’t anticipate. But you’re doing much better now…” said Richiki. Ichigo glanced down to see his arms bandaged as well as his torso.

“What the hell…” Ichigo groaned.

“Your skin started to slough off. We didn’t realize you were allergic to the standard treatment to blotches,” Hanataro said nervously.

“Shit… great…” Ichigo groaned.

“This only just goes to prove that it was good you got here when you did. About 10 percent of patients have an adverse reaction to the medication. However... you’re mending well and should be able to be discharged after a week,” said Hanataro.

“Send them in,” mumbled Ichigo. Hanataro walked back to the door and opened it. Just inside the frame, he saw Ukitake standing there peering in over Hanataro’s shoulder, and the tufts of white hair from Hitsugaya head on the left. Further, back he saw a shock of red hair peering around.

“Renji?” Ichigo asked.

“How are you feeling, Kurosaki san?” Ukitake asked gently as he stepped over the threshold.

“Lousy,” Ichigo admitted, blinking up at him.

“You look awful,” Hitsugaya said, shaking his head.

Renji walked over and sat on the end of the bed, folding his hand on his lap while Hanataro positioned chairs for the two captains. Blinking at them Ichigo asked, “Where’s Kuchiki Taicho? What’s happened?”

“Hanataro, close the door please,” said Ukitake gently. Searching his face Ichigo saw no expression other then relief over the 13th squad captain’s features. However, his dark brown eyes did gleam with a serious expression.

“We’re here to answer your first question,” said Hitsugaya.

“I have been aware of Kuchiki’s decision to make you Fukaitaicho for some time, as you must know, but was unable to act till I found a suitable reason to intercede,” Ukitake informed them.

Ichigo’s eye muscles were getting a good workout from all the revelations he was hearing right now. He was certain that both eyes were going to stay wide open for a good while. “What are you saying?”

“He means that what Byakuya did initially was legal, but there was an older law that Ukitake found in the books that superseded the others,” said Hitsugaya.

“Well that’s great but we already know I can’t take back the job because I’m sick and Renji’s the only one able…” Ichigo began.

“That’s not what I’m talking about, Kurosaki. Please bear with me,” Ukitake said. Reaching over Renji squeezed Ichigo’s hand.

“Just shaddup and listen, kid,” Renji said, glaring at Ichigo.

“Jerk,” Ichigo mumbled, but it was with affection.

“The fact remains that you are still technically ‘living’. And also that you only recently acquired your abilities,” Ukitake began, folding his hands in his lap.

“Yeah, so?” Ichigo asked.

“Ukitake Taicho and I did some searching in the library,” said Hitsugaya, hands tucked in his sleeves. “Turns out that a Shinigami Daiko isn’t eligible to serve in a full Shinigami rank till he’s passed through the academy.”

“But the rules didn’t say that,” Ichigo mumbled. “Not the current rules. There was an exemption made for those of captain class energies who could maintain shikai.”

“There was a sub clause he overlooked,” said Ukitake with a slight smile. “That the captain deciding to field promote a Shinigami Daiko could not needlessly place that individual in any situation that would adversely endanger his existence in the living world.”

“How does fighting Arrancar not fall under that but being sick does?” asked Ichigo.

“It’s an enemy you couldn’t fight on your own,” said Hitsugaya. “Kuchiki Taicho showed negligence by failing to have you vaccinated for your stay.”

“I’ve been here for a long time before and never gotten sick,” Ichigo snorted.

“The part of Sereitei that Arrancar attack occurred was a place where a recent outbreak among the pluses was not yet contained,” said Hanataro.

“So… you were sent into active duty without the necessary precautions. Kuchiki Taicho screwed up more than we thought,” Renji chuckled.

“That’s great but… there’s still one thing,” Ichigo sighed, looking at his hand clasped in Renji’s.

“The matter of our relationship,” Renji answered. Ukitake and Hitsugaya both nodded understandingly.

“We’ve also given that some thought. It seems that in your month of service you two were successfully able to maintain a relationship and perform your duties,” Ukitake continued.

“That alone demonstrates your relationship isn’t detrimental to Soul Society. It’s not uncommon for members of the same squad to be married or in committed relationships,” said Hitsugaya.

“Such as Kaien and my third seat who served under me while married,” Ukitake said with a measure of discomfort.

“But Kuchiki Taicho’s still gonna have issues I’m sure after this with Renji and me seeing each other. After I go back to the living world…” Ichigo trailed off. Squeezing Renji’s hand he asked, “I AM going back to the living world right?”

“As soon as Unohana releases you Soutaicho’s given orders that you return immediately and resume your life and duties as a Shinigami Daiko. Byakuya’s attempted promotion has been thrown out,” said Ukitake.

“So it did go higher up?” Ichigo asked, shifting uncomfortably.

“Kira Fukaitaicho and Hisagi Fukaitaicho were responsible in testifying how this all came about,” said Hitsugaya. “Soutaicho was not amused.”

“Huh,” Ichigo mumbled. “And yet Byakuya got away with it for a month?”

“We are at war, and your performance WAS exemplary,” said Ukitake quietly. “We were to understand it was temporary and as a disciplinary measure.”

“Byakuya wouldn’t disclose the reason, but we found out anyway,” Hitsugaya added, folding his arms across his chest.

Swallowing hard, Ichigo licked his lips. Frantically he glanced from Renji who was quite relaxed, to the two captains both smiling as well. He stammered, “But… how did you…”

“Kurosaki, it’s quite obvious that you and Abarai are a couple. At least when you have ears to the ground like Matsumoto does,” Hitsugaya said with a frustrated glare.

“Who needs satellites with her,” mumbled Ichigo, blushing bright red.

Renji rolled his eyes. “She wanted pictures. I fessed up to it.”

“I wasn’t there when you did,” Ichigo mumbled. “Not that I mind people knowing but… well you never said what to tell people because Byakuya… Kuchiki Taicho wanted us to keep our hands off each other during duty. I assumed that meant we would keep it a secret.”

“Does it matter?” Renji laughed, rubbing the back of Ichigo’s hand. “There’s nothing to hide, and I don’t give a damn either way. Nothing in Soul Societies rules says it’s against the law…”

“As long as it doesn’t interfere in your duties, and you’ve proved that you can make it work,” Ukitake added.

“But with me in the living world and Renji here… how is that gonna work?” Ichigo asked quietly.

“That’s the other thing we’ve come to speak with both of you about. Given your age, and situation it’s impossible to ask you to come here as a fulltime Shinigami when you’ve the rest of your human life to live out…” Ukitake explained.

“And I can’t spend tons of time in the living world because if I did, it’d be cheating a bit…” Renji mumbled rubbing the back of his neck.

“Soutaicho has given his permission to allow Renji to have a field assignment as he has in the past in the living world,” said Hitsugaya. “I was supposed to head an infiltration team anyway. Abarai and Kuchiki are part of it, as are Matsumoto and two members from squad 11.”

“You guys mean that…” Ichigo asked, hopefully.

“That’s right. We’re gonna be classmates,” Renji grinned. Ichigo groaned.

“There goes my social life,” he sighed.

“During that time I’ll observe you and see if you can make a relationship work with your duties,” Hitsugaya said with a nod. “If it turns out you can make it work there as you did here, then we’ll have no further objections about allowing Abarai appropriate leave time when he’s called back here.”

“What if Byakuya…” Ichigo asked.

“He can’t argue with two captains and Soutaicho,” said Ukitake with a triumphant smile. At that moment, Renji interlaced his fingers with Ichigo’s. The substitute felt a grin of his own inexorably making an appearance.
***

Renji strode back to squad 6 with that same grin on his face he had had for the last 48 hours. All he had to do now was report back, and finish Ichigo’s transfer paperwork. Nevertheless, he was not surprised to feel the burst of reiatsu surging towards him just as he entered the gate. Kuchiki Taicho’s reiatsu descended on him heavily. Drawing in his breath Renji formed his own as a protective buffer, bracing against it. It was foolish for him to expect that Kuchiki would not protest Ukitake and Hitsugaya’s involvement in this. Whatever the reason for Byakuya’s actions, Renji was prepared to face him.

In all his glory, the noble strode forwards, hand on the hilt of his weapon. Instantly Renji’s hand rested on Zabimaru’s hilt, his brown eyes fixated on Byakuya’s every move. Across the gap of the yard, they stood regarding one another, reminding Renji of the time much like this before when they had fought over Rukia. His heart pounded in his chest with exhilaration, yet he regretted the look of anger in Byakuya’s eyes for only an instant before he burned with rage.

“Kuchiki Taicho, care t’ explain why yer standin’ in my way? Do ya have something t’ say to me?” Renji asked in a clear strong voice.

Byakuya’s voice rolled like thunder, menacing as his lavender reiatsu. “Abarai Renji, you and I have unfinished business.”

“If you say so, Taicho,” said Renji.

“Explain to me just why you think you have any ground for…”

“Listen just a minute, Kuchiki Taicho. I’ve kept my peace for long enough. What ya did made sense, but what ya did to Ichigo was wrong. I can take ya pushing me around, but when ya went back on yer word, that’s when I got pissed. Nobody does that to the people I love an’ care for.”

“I made the best decision for my squad,” Byakuya said in a serious voice.

“Bullshit,” Renji huffed, marching forwards to close the gap between them. “Ichigo an’ me played by yer rules an’ did what was asked. Then ya had to go playin’ games on Ichigo. That’s what pisses me off the most. Whatever ya have against me, leave HIM out of it, got it?”

However, Byakuya ignored part of what Renji said. “You were the one who had to involve others in this matter. This was not Ukitake Taicho or Hitsugaya Taicho’s business.”

“They did so because they were worried about what this was all really about, Kuchiki Taicho,” Renji answered, watching as Byakuya’s steps advanced towards him.

“And what would that be?” Byakuya said with a hint of amusement despite his anger.

“Yer jealous. Jealous of Ichigo an’ me. Ya can’t let me go, can ya?” asked Renji quietly, watching the light gleaming from Senbonzakura’s blade.

“Words are pointless since you seem eager to use your tongue. Draw your weapon since you seem so intent on doing so. I shall give you a chance to show me if you really are strong enough,” said Byakuya.

“So be it,” said Renji, bracing himself. Zabimaru rasped out of his sheath just in time to block the stroke that would have sliced into Renji’s chest. It was deceptively easy, noting the look of amusement on Byakuya’s face as he glided past.

Spinning around Renji shot back, putting enough distance between the two of them.

“Soukatsu!” Byakuya chanted, generating a bolt of gleaming energy.

“Shakkaho!” Renji challenged, pressing the flat of his hand forwards as the heat exploded outwards. He kept his face turned to the side to minimize the choking smoke from his less than perfect kidou.

As he hoped it blocked the spell, and he swung hard. Byakuya dodged the first sweep, then the second. IT was all child’s play until he saw the sword lifted to Byakuya’s face, and heard “Scatter…”

Dozens of petals swirled towards him and he dodged, snapping Zabimaru by its handle to lash laterally across the assault. Then flicking his wrist above his head he swung his shikai in a circle batting off the waves of gleaming blades. Byakuya was playing with him, not taking him seriously. Taunting him.

“Won’t work Taicho. Yer not gonna push my buttons like ya could before,” he murmured.

“Enough games then,” Byakuya said, flipping his wrist over. He let his sword drop point first into the ground at the same time Renji held his to the side.

“Bankai… Senbonzakura… Kageoshi!” his captain intoned. Energies curled and exploded around the vice captain at the same time the rows of blades erupted on Byakuya’s either side. They shattered into ten times more their previous amount.

“Bankai… Hihio… Zabimaru! ” Renji chanted simultaneously. The huge segmented bulk of Hihio Zabimaru whirled progressively around its owner, blocking the first wave of blades surging towards him. Only a flick of the wrist in either direction was necessary unless Byakuya reached the second phase of his Bankai. Leveling his gaze Renji watched Byakuya’s next passing surge of his hands, bringing his right arm back and upwards. Along the spine of the snake part of his Bankai the wave travelled, snapping the head in just the right position.

Crescents of black energy sliced between them at the same time Ichigo bellowed, “Getsuga Tensho!”

Distracted, both Renji and Byakuya watched the substitute flash step so he stood directly in front of Renji. To their shock, he wore the long robes indicative of his Bankai. He panted, “Oi, stop it you two! Enough!”

“Ichigo ya shouldn’t be out of bed,” Renji warned. “This is between him an me!”

“Kurosaki, you would be wise to withdraw. I’m painfully aware your health has been compromised already,” Byakuya said sternly, pulling his gloved hand back. Thousands of petals froze in midair like a strange artwork. Sweat blistered on Ichigo’s forehead, plastering his orange hair across it.

“Kuchiki Taicho, if you have something against us being together, please come out and say it now!” Ichigo said as he inclined his head to the Captain. Aghast Renji watched while Ichigo stood up as straight as he could, holding Tensa Zangetsu only in a defensive mode. Already the vice captain repositioned his own Bankai so the larger segments of Zabimaru passed between them and Byakuya.

Byakuya’s own steel blue eyes widened perceptibly. Ichigo kept his head inclined, lowering Tensa Zangetsu instead of continuing to attack. Reaching over he grasped Renji’s left hand in his. It seemed as if Ichigo was waiting for him to speak. Therefore, Byakuya said, “That is not the issue. I had merely sought to end something that would compromise both your careers. You cannot deny that your performance was good, Kurosaki Ichigo, and that you Abarai Renji enjoyed the greater freedom as a third seat when you were not encumbered with paperwork. You should both be thanking me for the opportunity to spend more time together than you would in the previous situation.”

“So you’ve got the nerve t’ say you were actin’ in our own best interest. Bullshit,” Renji said angrily.

“There’s truth in what you say, Kuchiki Taicho,” Ichigo acknowledged, raising his head once more. “But I’ve got a life in the living world. I want to get back to it now. How would it look for other to say that Kuchiki Byakuya broke his word, eh?”

“You are stubborn fools,” Byakuya sighed, shaking his head. Then swinging his arm back, he withdrew the wave of Senbonzakura kageyoshi. All the blades swirled back into their sealed state, becoming a solid blade held before his face. Renji slid his arm around Ichigo’s waist, pulling him close so their hips touched. Neither dropped their Bankai however, wary of what Byakuya would next do.

“Ya hit him where it hurts most, Ichigo,” Renji whispered in his ear. “His ego.”

“That is what I was counting on,” Ichigo whispered back with a slight smile.

Turning his back to them Byakuya said, “Do as you wish. Abarai is my fukaitaicho, and you are just a substitute Kurosaki. Leave Soul Society as soon as you are able. Both of you have jobs to do, so do them.”

“That’s all I wanted, Kuchiki Taicho,” Ichigo called to him.

“At least you’ve learned the proper way to address me,” Byakuya answered, turning his head to look at Ichigo. Then his figure blurred before vanishing as he flash stepped back to Squad 6.

Exhaling a sigh of relief Renji and Ichigo turned to face one another. Ichigo inverted Tensa Zangetsu and clutched it in the hand of the arm curled around Renji’s back, then dragged Renji’s face towards his. Already Renji bent down slightly to press his lips to Ichigo’s, using his left arm to tug the substitute so their bodies collided.

Renji’s lips were firm yet sweet against Ichigo’s. The thrill of battle pounded adrenaline through both of them still, tingling their bodies with arousal. As Ichigo’s tongue swept across his palate, Renji let his glide along it. Unrestrained their kiss turned into a war of one devouring the other. Against Renji’s hips, Ichigo’s hardness pressed and he could feel his own digging into the substitutes. Releasing the grip on his Bankai Renji then slid his gloved hand down to give Ichigo’s budge a squeeze. He had no complaints that Ichigo’s free hand already reached through the cloth, stroking and rubbing.

“Ichigo, yer still sick, ya know,” Renji reminded him, pulling back for air. Still the red blotches covered Ichigo’s face and chest visible through the front of his robe.

“Damn it,” Ichigo cursed.

“Won’t let ya hanging though,” Renji whispered. Ichigo knew he never would, and that the two of them would now face the uncertain future as lovers together without doubt. There was still time to get to either of their apartments before he had to get back to the hospital.