Not Close Enough

It only took Renji a split second to call back his Bankai and seal Zabimaru into its default state once again. However, He did not give Ichigo the chance to drop his when he boosted the substitute onto his shoulder.

"Hey, put me down you idiot!" Ichigo shouted. "I can friggin walk!"

"Shut up before I make ya," Renji answered firmly, giving a firm smack to the substitute's ass.

"Son of a bitch," Ichigo cursed, making more of a fuss than he really needed too because it was rather funny how Renji had thrown him over one shoulder and flash stepped as quickly as possible. If he weren’t sick, he would have wriggled out of Renji's arms by now and taken him down somewhere in Sereitei.

"How long do ya think Unohana's gonna let ya go from Squad 4? Or do you wanna be left hard up?" Renji laughed, effortlessly carrying Ichigo through the afternoon air.

"All right, fine. Just be glad that I'm feeling like shit or I'd tackle you now," Ichigo countered, gripping Tensa Zangetsu. "By rights I'm faster!"

"Yeah you an' yer bankai. Why the hell haven't you dropped it yet?" Renji asked.

"Because some big baboon grabbed me before I could see straight," Ichigo bantered back.

"Zabimaru's the baboon, not me, kid. Get it right, or are you so sick your brains are scrambled?"

"If you don't put me down I'll hurl over your clean uniform!" Ichigo threatened. Renji came to a complete stop, and slid Ichigo down on his feet again.

"Say, ya don't look too good. Maybe ya should drop that Bankai an I'll carry ya the rest of the way properly," Renji suggested.


"Jackass," Ichigo mumbled, inclining his head as Renji steadied him. Already their apartment building was just in sight, both of them having trouble standing up from the predicament tenting their pants. Within an instant, his coat faded, leaving him clutching Zangetsu in nothing but a set of hospital clothes.

Promptly he leaned hard into Renji, who caught him about the waist. "Whoops, easy... I'm sorry I didn't realize that..."

"Just hurry up," Ichigo mumbled, letting Renji bend down and pick him up with a hand under his knees and his back. Right now, he was too woozy to care, not to mention aroused. It was a sad and frustrating combination.

"Not t' worry, you'll feel all better soon enough," the vice captain of squad six bragged. He was glad that it was technically the end of his shift anyway. Wrapping arms around Renji's neck, he hung on and enjoyed the slower pace his partner carried him at. Before long he lifted his head, noticing Renji had stepped through the front door of the apartment.

"All this stuff goes back tomorrow, doesn't it?" Ichigo asked.

"No reason we can't have it shifted to my place till ya visit," Renji said with a shrug.

"I've never seen your place, except a few times," mumbled Ichigo.

"You know it looks just like this place, only with wall scrolls an' junk I've collected over the years," Renji teased, kicking the door shut with his foot after he walked sideways in with Ichigo. Carefully he set Ichigo down on the floor behind the kusode, so the substitute could at least rest his head on his folded arms. Beside him on the floor, Ichigo laid the bandaged form of Zangetsu.

Something plunked by him, and he glanced up to see that Renji had set a bamboo container of water. Gratefully Ichigo took it and managed to sip some of it. "Just hang on there an' I'll get ya something t' lay on..."

Rubbing his eyes Ichigo felt the seasickness depart. His body still shivered however, and he knew his skin was covered in 'blotches' that would thankfully be invisible in his physical body once he reached the living world. A soft thump told him Renji had unfolded his futon across the room, and he reached for the bamboo container again. The substitute was glad Renji had taken it out of the fridge because the cold water felt good going down his parched throat.

"Okay, ya wanna lay down for a bit?" he whispered.

"More than that," Ichigo confessed, swigging the last of the water. He rose to his feet, glad the room had stopped rocking now. Renji's firm hand grasped his, leading him over to where the futon lay invitingly spread out.

"Lie down for a bit an' I'll join ya soon. Got a few things to take care of first," Renji whispered in his ear. Since Ichigo did not have the desire to argue, he lowered his bottom to the bed first. Around his arm, Renji’s fingers clenched steadying him on the way down. All the substitute needed to was stretch his body out across the firm surface. Over his nose and Eyes Ichigo draped one elbow blocking out the ambient light.

"Don't take forever. I'm going crazy here," Ichigo hissed back feeling his body aching for something besides medicine.

Through the crack between sleeve and nose, Ichigo saw shadows instead of bright overhead lights. Renji’s socked feet walked softly across the tatami in his trip securing the place for the evening. Already Ichigo kicked the covers aside so he could slip his toes beneath to warm them. Still his head pounded from the blood rushing through it. Within his other hand, he covered the erection tenting his hakama, able to trace the counters of his length and swollen head through the fabric. Just the slightest brush with his had made him groan as if feverish.

“Burning up,” Ichigo mumbled.

“From fever, or somethin’ else?” Renji asked worriedly, his voice approximately in the area of the kitchen.

“I don’t the hell know. You said you had this before, right?” Ichigo mumbled.

“As a kid Rukia an’ I were sick with it, yeah. Went through all the orphans in Inuzuri. It’s worse for you cause yer older than I was. Got it when I was still a brat,” Renji explained, voice drifting closer.

“Still feel well enough to fuck, and be fucked,” Ichigo informed him.
“That’s why ya should take it easy before, an’ lemmie take care of ya,” Renji whispered. Now he heard the whisper of clothes dropping from a height to the floor. Lifting his elbow, he saw the heaps of Renji’s shikahusho and sash strewn about.

Then bare knees nudged him over. Someone straightened his legs out, straddling them. Renji’s large rough hand closed over his own already rubbing at his erection. Carefully he thumbed the head, and then pushed Ichigo’s hand away. Grabbing the waistband of Ichigo’s hospital hakama, he tugged them down and off. Cold air shivered him so Ichigo automatically clamped his hand around his engorged cock. Atop his hand Renji’s rubbed, pulling from base to tip. Ichigo let his own hand drop away, leaning back to allow his partner free access.

The substitute squeezed his eyes shut at the moist tongue dragging over his blunt tip, combined with both hands encircling him. Renji’s gentle tugs and pulls drew more moans from Ichigo, as he tossed his head on the pillow. Above him, the substitute felt the latent heat from a muscular body, only able to make out the vague outlines of the tribal markings on his lover’s torso in the dark. Reaching up he grabbed the band confining Renji’s hair and unfastened it. Soft hair collided with his sensitive inner thighs, spilling over his groin until Renji tugged it away. Not before the vice captain. tickled Icihgo’s length with it.

“Crap” Ichigo gritted, loving the sharp jolts tingling his spine.

Then laughter muffled against his cock from the warm mouth encasing his tip once more. Soft hums and licks with the tongue coupled with fingers rubbing at his balls enticingly. Ichigo jerked his hips up, once, twice only to have his partner continue to suck and lick. Unable to think anymore Ichigo hissed one last time before the white light exploded behind his temples. Eagerly the hot mouth drank in his essence, licking and cleaning every bit.

“Umm… shit…” Ichigo ground out, legs falling open. He threw his arm down and looked up into a grinning face pushing aside his sweat soaked hair.

“Consider that a long overdue thank you for getting’ between my captain’s stubborn ass and me before somethin’ ugly happened,” Renji whispered, throwing his leg over Ichigo’s hip to sit astride him.

Reaching up Ichigo slid his hands up and down the ink marked thighs. “He was still an ass.”

Renji cursed at the bleeping of a soul pager. “Should I get that?”

“Nah, let me,” Ichigo mumbled, sitting up. Reluctantly Renji moved off him, and then helped Ichigo to stand by raising his hand. Leaning on Renji’s shoulder Ichigo shakily stood up, and then tested his weight on his feet.

“Ya sure?”

“Shut up,” Ichigo mumbled, moving off to answer the insistent phone. When he finally grabbed the receiver he mumbled, “What? Kurosaki here?”

“Kurosaki, sorry to bother you, but I thought you should know something important has happened…”

“Hitsugaya?” asked Ichigo, leaning on the counter.

“You called Kuchiki Taicho by his proper title, but not me?” griped the captain of squad 10.

“Sorry Hitsugaya Taicho,” Ichigo corrected himself. “Yes, what’s up?”

“I’ve finalized the papers for your release. Since you’re not at Squad 4 I’m assuming you’re getting rest at home?”

“Yeah… I’m under good care,” said Ichigo with a chuckle, glancing at Renji, who had tossed on the white kuroside of his kimono to move up behind him.

Hitsugaya’s voice was cheerful. “Good. Glad to hear it. Also, if Abarai’s there let him know that Kuchiki signed the release to allow me to command him for the task force.”.

“Thank you, Hitsugaya Taicho!” Renji said, leaning over Ichigo to speak into the phone. Pressing the speaker button, Ichigo rolled his eyes.

Now Hitsugaya’s voice was audible to them both. “You’re welcome, Abarai. Make sure Kurosaki gets some rest, hmm? Unohana Taicho doesn’t mind as long as Ichigo allows 7th seat Hanatarou in when comes by tomorrow for a follow-up.”

“I’ll make sure personally,” said Renji. “Oh, where is Kuchiki Taicho now?”

“In Squad 4,” said Hitsugaya. Ichigo and Renji exchanged surprised looks of shock.

“What?” they asked simultaneously.

“Are you kidding?” Ichigo began.

Renji’s comment immediately bulldozed over Ichigo’s, “How the hell did that happen?”

“Ask Ukitake Taicho for the details,” said Hitsugaya with a sigh.

“Ukitake Taicho?” asked Ichigo, frowning.

“Wait, do you mean Ukitake Taicho kicked Byakuya’s ass?” asked Renji, smirking. Ichigo too grinned from ear to ear at the satisfying mental images forming in their minds.

Hitsugaya chuckled slightly on the other end of the line. “That’s one way of putting it, yes,”

Tantalizing visions of Ukitake facing Kuchiki in battle dissolved into those of coughing up blood. Worriedly Ichigo asked, “Is he okay… Ukitake Taicho I mean?”

“Well he’s also in squad 4,” Toushiro admitted sheepishly.

Renji grabbed his hair and groaned, “Oh man I hope…”

“He’s all right, Kurosaki. Look, Abarai, if you could report to 6th Taisha tomorrow and take over, that would be greatly appreciated. I took the liberty of informing Miyamoto he was in charge since he’s been released by Unohana to resume duty…”

“So he’s third seat again?” asked Renji. Ichigo didn’t notice him smoothing the long smooth pieces of his hair up. Reaching for the band in his pocket Renji quickly twined it around his handful and secured it at the back of his head again.

“Apparently so. He says to give you his thanks for keeping his position secure,” said Hitsugya. “But be sure to report there at the normal time.”

“Right, sir!” said Renji.

“Maderame and Asegaiwa are already briefed, as is Matsumoto. The paperwork is all ready to go. Just make sure you report in three days for the team meeting. We’ll be leaving in the next week or so,” the captain of squad 10 continued.

“Hitsugaya, thank you for your help today,” Ichigo said sincerely, voice choking with emotion.

“You’re welcome. Sorry we didn’t do something sooner,” Toushiro apologized.

“It’s okay,” Ichigo murmured. “Is… there anything else you need to tell us?”

“Only have a good and relaxing evening. You’ve more than earned it.”

As soon as his voice clicked off, Renji reached around Ichigo to push the button to deactivate the speakerphone. Turning around in his arms, Ichigo leaned up and caught Renji’s lips in a hard kiss. His nude body pressed up to the soft cotton of Renji’s house robe felt strangely stimulating. Groaning Renji thrust his tongue into Ichigo’s mouth and slid his hands down to give the substitute’s backside a squeeze.

Spinning them around Renji picked up Ichigo and set him on the counter of the kitchen. Against his bare back, the tile felt cool on his hot body. Renji lowered him with an arm pillowing his neck, and then Ichigo yanked him by the front of the robe towards him, parting his legs. He was surprised to see Renji had bound his hair up in a topknot again, but did not question it because of the hard kiss the vice captain pressed to his lips that minute.

Neither of them said a word as they buried their tongues in one another’s mouths. Ichigo hissed, reaching up to grab and tug on the prominent erection he would neglected before. The groan of delight Renji answered him with was caught in his lip lock. Ichigo’s hand fisted Renji’s ponytail as he slid his hand up and down Renji’s shaft, wrapping his hand around it so only the tip of his thumb and middle finger met.

“Why’d… you put that hair up again?” Ichigo asked, panting as they broke for air.

“Because yer a bit sick still an’ it’d just make ya hotter,” Renji explained.

“I hate being sick,” Ichigo complained.

“If it was anyone else I wouldn’t even dare do this,” Renji whispered, nipping his bottom lip. “Thank that tough body an’ huge spirit pressure ya got.”

Still jerking on Renji’s cock he heard the soft moans and grunts his partner gave, even as Renji fumbled with something in the pocket of his house robe. Something hard landed on Ichigo’s belly and he cursed, “Shit what’s that… oh…”

Through the haze of passion, he grasped the metal tube and worked at it with one hand until Renji grabbed it from him. Somehow, he kept hold of Ichigo’s own length and used his teeth to unscrew the thing holding it in his other hand. Ichigo thought that was far more erotic seeing the canine teeth biting into the plastic and metal. Instead of a plastic tube for lubricant, the metal one in Soul Society reminded him of the older toothpaste tubes he had seen laying around.

Ichigo did not question Renji’s fingers slicked up with the substance. He automatically parted his legs and lifted his rear, making it all too clear that he wanted to receive this time. Swallowing hard, his partner reverently immersed two fingers into his tight ring of muscle. Ichigo gritted his teeth, turning his head to the side as the fingers plunged inside, and scissor. His loud cries mingled with Renji’s gasps. On the thick red slick length, Ichigo pulled more insistently, bringing Renji to the place where his angular face contorted. Muscles marked in black ink twitched and convulsed.

Three, then tour fingers eased Ichigo open. The substitute nodded through the pounding behind his temples that he was more than ready. Ichigo felt a pressure as Renji nudged inside. Wrapping his legs around his partner’s hips, Ichigo gasped in great breathes from the relentless invasion. Balanced atop him Renji pressed his forehead to Ichigo’s shoulder, catching his own breath. His hands slammed down on the counter by Ichigo’s muscular shoulders to steady himself.

Neither needed to tell the other when to move. Renji thrust in and out at the same moment Ichigo rocked his hips up. Fast and furiously the vice captain slammed into him, only to slow down and raise himself up off Ichigo. The markings on his brows contorted, his lips parted to allow his pleasured groans to be heard. Ichigo grabbed onto Renji’s arms, digging his fingers nails into his partner’s skin. His own flushed bright pink that started from his cheeks spreading over every inch of his peach skin.

In and out, in and out Renji pistoned, Ichigo containing him yet feeling no pain, only a full spread feeling that defied explanation. Deliciously impaled or wonderfully fucked, the substitute found himself thinking.

Somehow, Renji yanked him off the counter and scooped him up to carry him as quickly as he could into the other part of the apartment. He felt Renji slam into him as he was pressed down on the futon, and the world exploded. Within him, the heated spurts of his lover’s essence reached deep.

Renji’s weight felt good on top of him. Ichigo shivered from the chills yet clung tightly to his exhausted lover. Soon he fell into a much-sated sleep as his body tingled from head to toe. He managed to shift them so Renji and he lay side by side on the futon, covers tangled around their legs. Brushing loose bits of hair out of Renji’s face Ichigo chuckled at him fondly. It was a hell of a time getting to the place where they were no longer afraid to show their passions. He now knew that if Soul Society had become used to this unusual relationship of two Shinigami, the living world would also be difficult. Nevertheless he knew they were ready to face it together.