Not Close Enough

In Shingami form Ichigo tailed his classmates, feeling only the high-tension power wire under his rice straw sandals. Just what did they think they needed to do playing counselor for his love life? Keigo and Mizuiro meant well yet they often bumbled through things, making him cringe. Just the thought of what they may have planned gave Ichigo a premature headache.

Finally, Ichigo alit upon his windowsill. Sliding the sash back, he glanced about his room, noticing that there was a neat stack of books piled on the desk. His bed was neatly made, no signs of paper or trash on the cleared floor. All his CDs were arranged in the rack, in their place by his stereo/MP3 player amplifier. Even his guitar leaned against the wall in its usual place, with a slight layer of dust on it. All the familiar smells of bleach, detergent and the faint distant aroma of Yuzu’s cooking caused a lump in his throat.

It was another lifetime, another world he entered back into once he leapt over his bed and landed on the freshly vacuumed carpet. All his posters hanging up were still intact without any rips. Not that he had expected the house burned down with Kon, but he had many a nightmare.

“Oi, KON!” he shouted, cupping his hands around his mouth. Distantly he heard the thumps of someone’s feet on stairs, and then saw the door open inwards. Dark amber eyes fixed on him in surprise.

“Ichigo! Where the hell were you? I thought you weren’t coming back!” Kon yelled, marching over as he slapped the back of Ichigo’s head.

“Ouch, damn it; this is how you welcome me home?” Ichigo griped, glaring at him.

“Well excuse me for watching your body a whole freaking MONTH and a week extra!” Kon snapped.

Ichigo fell silent, fighting back the tears blurring his eyes. “Kon,” he finally said. “Thank you.”

“I’ll have you know… eh?” Kon stopped mid sentence until Ichigo’s words registered. “What was that?”

“You went above and beyond what was expected. How the hell are you?” Ichigo asked.

“Now you come in here with this gratitude kick. What in hell happened over there?” Kon demanded, eyes widened.

Ichigo asked, “You didn’t hear?”

“I thought the whole Kurosaki Fukaitaicho was just some joke,” Kon mumbled, shaking his head.

Ichigo lowered himself to sit on his bed, smoothing the blue comforter under him. It had felt forever since he felt the fabric, pilling from many washes. Underneath him, it felt far squishier then the futons he had become accustomed too. He wondered if he would ever feel comfortable sleeping in his own bed again.

“Hell no. there was nothing FUNNY about it, you idiot,” Ichigo said swinging around, stretching out on the bed. He tucked his hands behind his neck, staring up at the ceiling.

“Guess you’re gonna want this back. Wait until you get a load of what Keigo and Mizuiro have cooked up. It’s a doozy,” Kon laughed, plopping down in Ichigo’s chair. “Guess it’s time you got back into your body.”

“Going to feel weird,” Ichigo remarked.

“Hey, move over,” Kon said, sitting on the edge of the bed. Ichigo sat up, and then reached for his Shinigami daiko badge. Shoving it against Kon’s chest, he ejected the small green pill, and then scooped up the plushy Kon sitting on the pillow.

“There you go,” Ichigo said, after climbing back into his body. It felt tight and limiting on his soul form, though its weight was comforting after a few seconds inside.

“Damn it’s going to be weird being like this again. I hate to admit it, but y our school is damn scary, Ichigo,” Kon griped, pointing a paw at Ichigo.

“Ichi-nii!” Yuzu called from downstairs. Leaping up from the bed Ichigo rushed down the stairs.

“Yuzu, Karin,” he called, almost stumbling in his attempt to get down as quickly as he could. Guilt twisted his stomach into a knot. They did not know, or at least Ichigo figured they did not know where he was, so if he acted strange…

“Ichi-nii, your company’s wondering where you got to!” Yuzu’s voice called again.

“Were you preening yourself for your date…?” Keigo began. “Aww Ichigo, you’re supposed to put on your best. What the hell were you doing?”

Keigo twisted his fingers in his hair in, panicking while Mizuiro chuckled. “Ichigo, you were supposed to change. If you don’t get ready…”

“How can I change if I don’t know what the hell’s going… what I’m supposed to wear?” Ichigo asked.

“Oh yeah,” Mizuiro chuckled.

“This way,” Keigo said, grabbing Ichigo by the shoulders and pivoting him around. Throwing up his hands Ichigo realized he was strapped in for a weird ride. He fussed and protested as they dragged him back upstairs, where Yuzu grabbed a hanging bag of clothes and shoved it into Ichigo’s hands.

“Here’s your clothes for your date! I pressed them,” Yuzu giggled. “Go get him, tiger.”

“Oh please,” Karin sighed, rolling her eyes. “That is so lame! Don’t take Dad’s role for embarrassing him…”

“Ichigo my son, you’re going to be gorgeous,” Isshin crowed, grabbing him and hugging him tightly. However, instead of hurling him off Ichigo hugged him back.

“Dad you’re a pain in the ass,” he whispered.

“Whoa, are you going soft on me?” Isshin scolded, patting his back before he snapped Ichigo back by the wrist.

“Hell no!” Ichigo shouted, twisting his wrist, cocking, and then hurling his father over one shoulder.

“That’s my boy! You had me worried for a minute!” Isshin congratulated him, poking his thumb up.

“Yeah whatever,” Ichigo remembered to say, sounding as surly as he could manage despite his thrill in being home again.

“Man, I’m out of here,” Karin sighed, grabbing Isshin and hurling him against the wall. Ichigo let his two friends hustle him upstairs so he could dress.

He was afraid to unzip the garment bag at first, though Keigo and Mizuiro rubbed their hands. When he removed the dark grey jeans along with a charcoal and white striped button up shirt, he had to admit they were not too bad. “Get out of here you two. Move. I can dress myself!”

“Don’t climb out the window to get out of this, Ichigo!” Keigo said, waggling his finger. Ichigo cocked a brow at the irony. He had just climbed in and had no intention of escaping.

“Fine,” Ichigo sighed. “I guess you have me…”

“Oh yeah, we’ve got you all right,” chuckled Keigo, leading Mizuiro out the door. Sighing Ichigo decided to put on the clothes.

***

By the time Ichigo appraised himself in the mirror he realized it was 15 minutes past four. Already he felt more used to his body around him fitting like a familiar friend. He half wondered what Renji would be garbed up in; silently hoping it was not tie-dye and bellbottomed jeans. The black T-shirt he wore beneath showed through the unbuttoned collar of his button up. He secured the long chain of his wallet to his belt, and then picked up his house keys.

Opening the door, he poked his head out into the hall. Keigo and Mizuiro leaned against the wall, both texting on their phones. At sight of him, they immediately grabbed Ichigo by his wrist, and then stuffed their phones into their pockets in unison. Both of them dragged him down the stairs so quickly he felt as if they had gained the ability to shunpo if he did not know better. A leather jacket was wrapped around his shoulders, shoes shoved on his feet once they directed him to the door.

Out the door, he saw a vehicle pulling up, Keigo and Mizuiro bustling over to open the back door. “A taxi?” Ichigo half laughed.

“Well we couldn’t hold out for a limo, so in you get!” Keigo urged, shoving Ichigo in front of them. Keigo shoved him to the side of the cab, so Mizuiro could also climb in. The glass window slid open, revealing the cab driver.

“To Giamettis,” Mizuiro said.

“Got you,” the driver answered. Ichigo clung to the edge of his seat feeling the car lurching forwards.

**

Through the senkai gate strode Renji, his hand thrusting through the rippling membrane that separated the precipice world from that of the living. To one side stood Urahara, his hand poised on the white material of the square. Across from him crouched Tessai. However, whom he did not expect were a figure garbed in blue and white, along with the tall figure of Sado next to him. His tightly fitting shirt stretched over his muscular torso.

“Welcome back, Abarai san,” said Urahara pleasantly, flicking open his fan. “Kurosaki already has made his way home.”

“Abarai, we have a situation,” Ishida announced, pushing his glasses up with a finger on the center.

“What kinda situation?” Renji asked, not liking the way they were staring at him, nor how they advanced on him slowly.

“Since you’ve been gone, a few of Ichigo’s friends have roped him into a surprise, and we were included,” Ishida continued, reaching for one of Renji’s arms.

“So you have to play your part like we will, to preserve Ichigo’s cover here,” Sado added, taking hold of Renji’s other arm.

“I’ve got his gigai over here,” called Urahara, motioning with his fan. Already Tessai raised the gigai to its feet, positioning it before him. Renji caught sight of the black jeans, red paisley button up shirt and leather jacket and flinched. “What in hell is all this?”

“You’re going on a date with Ichigo,” said Sado.

“So into the gigai you go, like a good boy,” Urahara chuckled.

“Are ya nuts?” Renji complained, struggling in their grip. “I don’t wanna go in one of those yes!”

“No choice. Play along because we’ve covered for Kon’s antics long enough, thanks to you!” snapped Ishida annoyed. Sado gave Renji one good shove that sent him flying towards his gigai. Yelping Renji fell inside, and then struggled to put it on properly.

“You’re treadin on thin ice! What in hell makes ya think I gotta play along? Ichigo an I are fine!” Renji snapped.

“Not in his friend’s eyes you aren’t. So shut up, and follow us,” Ishida ordered, though he struggled to hold back a smile at the wide-eyed look of horror Renji tossed his way. Just why the Shinigami should look so freaked was beyond both of them at the moment but Ishida guessed it was because of the unexpected nature of the situation thrust upon him.

****

Renji's head still spun in the mad rush to drag him out on someone else's planned event. He was not sure if he should punch his friends for interfering or thank their efforts. It seemed as if it was not Chad and Ishida's fault, rather an insistent group of Ichigo's other friends who could not leave well enough alone.

At any rate if they'd paid for things, Renji figured it would be good for a few laughs, or at least a free meal. If Ichigo's friends were so over the top he'd oblige them. Besides, Ichigo needed a break after a long stint as Fukaitaicho. He was sure all his lover wanted to do was quietly slip back into his own life. No such luck. Therefore, Renji calmed down as best he could to figure out just what they expected from him.

"Remember this wasn't originally our idea," Ishida whispered lips close to Renji's ear.

"Uh huh. One of Ichigo's friend’s half-baked ideas, ya mean? Should be good for the shits an' grins," Renji chuckled.

"Don't be so cavalier," Ishida cautioned him, smoothing out his cream-colored sport coat left unbuttoned over a blue shirt fastened with a zipper instead of buttons. The pants were tailored flat front with herringbone tweed, which Renji was sure Ishida had made himself. Sado moved gracefully for his large size on Renji's other side. For a moment, Renji felt like they were a bodyguard or police officers. Somewhere between the two was probably an accurate assessment.

All three of them climbed out of the subway, heading down the street towards a district of Karakura town filled with buzzing neon lights just switched on. Sado moved slightly ahead of the two of them, his step more ready and sure. Slightly behind him Renji walked, moving apart from Ishida who trailed behind. "Yer used t' this area?" Renji whispered.

"Uh huh," Sado answered.

"One of his bands gigs transpired here," Ishida confirmed voice low.

Their staggered formation drew Renji's attention more than those of the other pedestrians milling past and around them. A good number of the people that appeared their relative age spared them a quick glance of indifference or appreciation, their clothing resembling the trio's in some way. Each of them saw the pieces that were both similar and dissimilar allowing them to blend into a herd.

At the level of Renji's ankles sat a chalkboard bearing the names of specials scrawled in multicolor chalk on it. He stopped to look at it because Sado ceased walking amidst the forest of sidewalk tables. Faint music from inside an open door under a long awning caught Renji's ears. No rock and roll, but something vaguely western.

Sado's black jacket coordinated well with the white pants and violet shirt decorated with tiny navy blue roses. He turned to the host that strode up to him whispering, "Party under Asano."

"Right this way sir. The rest of them are already arrived," the man nodded, giving them a smile. It dawned on Renji that most of the patrons here were male, and he blinked in surprise at Sado.

"Best kept secret," Sado whispered back.

"Ya mean..."

"Yes," Sado confirmed.

"Didn't think they existed here," Renji whispered back as they followed the waiter to their table, along the side.

"Over here gentlemen," Keigo called, waving to them. Already Mizuiro sat on the other side of a slightly hunched over figure wearing clothes Renji didn't recognize from the kid's closet. Both of Ichigo's classmates wore blue pants, white shirts, and fawn colored sport coats.

Ichigo looked like he wanted the floor to open up and swallow him up, squirming as he glanced up at the three friends peering in his direction. "Well well, isn't this a coincidence, Chad kun and Ishida kun?" Mizuiro said with a winning smile.

"Gentlemen? Your server will be here soon, so just relax and sit down," the Matre D said with a charming smile. Renji swore that he winked at Sado, because Ishida glared at the middle-aged man as if claiming his territory.

"Glad to see you came back from your trip okay, Abarai kun! Relax, this is just a welcome home party for you," Keigo giggled, indicating that Renji should sit in the chair he vacated next to Ichigo. The orange haired young man hid his face behind one hand, his peach flesh tinged with a darker shade of red that Renji was sure matched his at this moment.

"Um ya shouldn't have," Renji muttered, sitting down in the chair since Sado and Chad blocked any means of escape.

"Just think of it as us being friendly. So how was your trip?" asked Mizuiro, taking a seat on Renji's other side. Next to him sat Ishida, then Sado, next to Keigo at the round table. An overwhelming urge to grab and shake Keigo to see if his head rattled came over Renji but he had to suppress it.

"Long," Renji grumbled, taking Sado's one word approach. Seeing Ichigo squirming in his seat just pissed him off more with each moment they sat here.

"So, nice place, eh, Ichigo kun?" Mizuiro said. "I bet you're wondering how..."

"What the hell is all this, Kojima?" Ichigo mumbled at both of them. "Whose idea WAS this... was it yours Asano?”

A pointy elbow jabbed in his ribs from Mizuiro's side. "Aww is that any way to treat your friends when they just want to bring your boyfriend into the group?"

"Not when he's dragged here," Ichigo hissed. Renji too narrowed his eyes, pinning both Ichigo's friends in a death ray stare worthy of Byakuya.

"We weren't the only ones dragged here Kurosaki san," Ishida mumbled.

"Guys, you're so ungrateful!" Keigo whinnied, poking his lower lip forward in a pout. "Is this any way to thank...?”

"Ya REALLY shouldn't have, Asano san," Renji grumbled, glaring at the sandy haired teenager. One well placed kick under the table from the steel toed boot would be quite gratifying. Unfortunately the Quincy's legs were in the way, not to mention Sado's.

Extending both hands Mizuiro waved them like a magician releasing white doves. Renji figured he was often a peacemaker to clean up Keigo's awkward messes. "Now guys, can we just relax and enjoy ourselves?"

"Fine, whatever, Kojima," Ichigo grumbled back.

Both Sado and Ishida exchanged glances, shifting in their chairs. At their table the waiter appeared, asking, "What can I get you to drink sirs?"

"Diet cola," said Sado.

"Make that two," said Ishida. Normally he wouldn’t touch the stuff, but right now, he needed to show some united front.

“With lemon then?” the waiter clarified, nodding.

At the same time Ishida inclined his head yes, Sado shook his head no. Keigo and Mizuiro hid their smirks behind their upraised hands pressed to their lips. Ichigo bit his lip, sitting on his hands for a minute to keep from smacking them upside the heads.

"Do ya have sake?" asked Renji.

"Can I see Id sir?" asked the waiter. Renji reached in his pocket, extracted his wallet, then fished out the ID card that Urahara had made for him. Between his index and middle fingers he held it up to the waiter to scrutinize.

"Aww no," Keigo groaned, raking one hand through his hair. Ishida chuckled. Ichigo shrunk into the chair remembering that all of them but Renji were minors still a year away from being able to drink alcohol.

"Mock tails, then my friends?" asked Mizuiro with a grin.

“I think you struck out, Asano san,” Ishida teased, likening Keigo’s crushed look to a puppy smacked with a newspaper for piddling on the new carpet.

"I guess it’s just lemonade for me," Keigo mumbled gloomily. Mizuiro ordered himself and Ichigo some fruity mixed drink because Ichigo wouldn't open his mouth and say anything. Renji derived some perverse pleasure in Keigo's look of disappointment that the place actually carded its patrons.

It didn't take long for their drinks to arrive. Pulling the lemon wedge out of his soda, Sado set it down on a napkin. Renji sipped his sake grateful for the brew that would help him relax and make the most of this. Mizuiro started to talk about the latest baseball game, joined by Keigo, still pouting a bit. Renji attempted to join in along with Sado. Ishida sprinkled in an occasional comment before veering the conversation towards sewing.

"I don't like the style of the uniforms. I would have chosen a different color scheme," Ishida said.

"Huh?" Keigo asked. "That's a non sequeter!"

"It isn't technically," Mizuiro disagreed. "It's still in the topic of baseball."

"Picky, picky," Ichigo sighed.

"What's yer take on it, Ishida?" asked Renji, thankful for some change in topic. It wasn't that he didn't like living world sports, it was just good to see someone else trying to take the tension off Ichigo. At this point Renji had relaxed a little bit from the sips of alcohol in his system. Folding his arms across his chest Ichigo didn't even bother to pick up his drink. He simply sat there as he often did, participating minimally but brooding inside.

"I could care less about damn baseball right now," Ichigo mumbled. He tried to get into the spirit of things, but somehow the black mood just overtook him. Even though he knew Keigo and Mizuiro meant well, Ishida and Sado's awkwardness wasn't helping. It was clear the mastermind behind this dragged into it, probably to prevent this from being more of a disaster. Although this restaurant was nicer and the evening wasn't horrible, Ichigo resented people playing tricks on him. After Byakuya's machinations, Ichigo was sick of head games.

The best of intentions were falling flat quickly. Renji knew his lover well enough by now to tap into that tension. "Um, guys?" asked Mizuiro.

"Whose idea was this, Kojima?" Ichigo asked coldly. Mizuiro shivered at the use of his last name, realizing how annoyed Ichigo was.

"Wasn't mine. I only did this because you're my friend Kurosaki, and so's Abarai san," said Ishida.

"It's kinda outta the blue, but it's a nice place. Not my taste, but...” Renji said with a shrug.

"The food is good," said Sado. Unfortunately, the furrow between Ichigo’s eyebrows only deepened, while a dark cloud seemed to overshadow the group seated at the table.

"I could give a shit less right now," Ichigo grumbled, narrowing his eyes at his two friends sitting on either side.

"After all the trouble we went through to put this together this is the THANKS we get?" Keigo snapped, glaring at him. "I put so much time into this that..."

"Ichigo he did mean well," Sado said quietly. "They thought that you two were breaking up."

Seeing Keigo’s pout and eyes brimming with tears Renji felt sorry for the guy. Not everyone was so friendly to him, especially from a tough childhood in Inuzuri. Keigo had accepted him right away without questions, so he said, “Ichigo, look… I admit it was out of the blue…”

“Not to mention underhanded,” Ichigo, snapped.

"This is the thanks I get for trying to be a good friend. You're so MEAN, Ichigo!" Keigo sniffled.

“C’mon Ichigo, he meant well. Shows they care,” Renji relented, tossing Keigo a bandanna from his pocket. The sandy haired teenager dabbed at his eyes then blew his nose in it. Ichigo rolled his eyes at the loud noise.

“Cut the crap and histrionics Asano,” Ichigo muttered.

“Well excuse me for CARING!” Keigo snapped, glaring at Ichigo through his tears.

“Give him a break,” Renji requested, extending a long leg to nudge Ichigo’s leg with the toe of his boot.

"Ichigo, we didn't mean any harm. We saw how unhappy you two were," said Mizuiro gently. "And wanted to help."

"So it was YOUR idea, Asano?" Ichigo sighed, shaking his head.

"Yeah, but you're being a jerk! You really do know how to hurt a guy who's only..." Keigo sniffled, wiping at his eyes again with Renji’s offered bandanna. Now Ichigo squeezed his eyes shut, feeling his chest twist. All right, he was an asshole, and his friends had no idea what he’d gone through. It wasn’t them they were angry at, but a certain uptight noble they knew nothing about.

"Look," Ichigo sighed, reaching over to pat Keigo's shoulder. "I'm sorry to be such a prick. It's just that there's other stuff going on that's made me totally not in the mood. You guys are good friends for doing it... it's just..."

Keigo frowned. "You two are still going out, aren’t you?”

"We are. It's NOT that..." Ichigo trailed off.

"Maybe you two don't want chaperones, Kurosaki kun?" said Mizuiro with a sly grin.

"That's it," said Renji quickly.

“Yeah, what he said,” Ichigo said.

Renji’s boot nudged Ichigo’s toe again. "If ya don't mind... I wanna enjoy this little surprise, so if you guys would kinda get lost..."

Keigo smiled warmly at this as the tension evaporated from around them. "We were going to do that anyway. Slip out you know... but we can take a hint. Just don't go climbing out the bathroom window, Ichigo..."

"It's too small anyway. I appreciate you guys doing this. I'm sorry again that I was a jerk about it. I'm just stressed out from... tests yannow," Ichigo muttered.

Instantly Keigo's frown vanished and he smiled in understanding. "Aww I didn't think how bad it was, Ichigo old buddy. That's why you need to relax..."

"Yeah. Thanks. I realized just now that's what I have to do. Even if it takes people beating me over the head with it. It's just that Renji and I..."

"We're goin' through some rough patches. But its nice t' know ya guys care about us enough t' do this," Renji answered for him. "An' I think this is a good time fer us to talk about... stuff..."

Ichigo managed a smile at Keigo though there was still hurt and frustration present. Whether it was because he was angry with himself for snapping at Keigo and upsetting him, or at his friends attempted coercion, though well meaning he wasn't sure. Maybe it was just that he hadn't properly decompressed.

Grinning Mizuiro took Keigo's arm and walked him towards the bar. "We'll leave you two lovebirds alone..."

Ishida and Sado watched both classmates as they started to get up. Suddenly self-conscious they sat up straighter in their chairs. However, Sado clutched Ishida’s hand tightly, forcing the Quincy to remain seated. Eyes fixing on this Keigo smirked. He leaned towards them, whispering, “Oh no, you two are gonna stay and make sure they don't escape... there's still another part to the plan.”

“You don’t say,” Ishida sighed. He noticed Ichigo’s eyebrow twitching along with Renji’s lip corner flicking upwards.

"Terrific," Ichigo muttered, giving a fake smile. He reached over to sip his drink at least. Patting his shoulder Keigo seemed to be relieved because he winked.

"Have FUUN," Keigo said, nudging Ichigo.

Soon he marched off linking arms with Mizuiro, to give the two couples their privacy. An awkward silence fell on the table as everyone exchanged glances and Ichigo cupped his hands around his drink. Only the soft sounds of spoons and forks on crockery accompanied the soft murmur of conversation. A vaguely Italian tune played through the restaurant’s sound system, a few shades better than what Ichigo remembered hearing in Karakura General Hospital.

"Would you like to be alone? Should I we leave too?" asked Sado,

“We’ll go if you two want to be alone,” Ishida agreed, though he felt himself relaxing a bit in the atmosphere of other male couples dining in peace.

"No, I need to catch up with you guys," Ichigo said quietly, swirling his drink before taking a sip.

Ishida pulled his glasses up by the temple, instead of using a finger to push the middle. "What exactly happened? I know what Urahara san told us."

"What DID he tell ya?" Renji asked, suddenly suspicious. He abandoned his chair and moved around to sit next to Ichigo.

Sado leaned in closer, as did Ishida while Ichigo gulped more of the iced tea. As if taking time to gather the thoughts rushing through, Ichigo laughed sadly, "Well, it started because I made a mistake..."

"We both did, Ichigo," Renji said, putting his hand overtop his lover's. Judging from the men sitting around whispering and leaning close it was a place where same sex couples interacted safely. Ishida and Sado remained silent, their own hands reaching out to one another. Glancing down Ichigo gave them a quizzical look.

"You two, huh?" he said.

"Uh huh," Sado answered.

"Shortly after you two disappeared into soul Society," Ishida answered.

"Well well, something else good DID come outta my screw up," Renji laughed. "Chad you sly dog you."

"Canines have nothing to do with it," Ishida sighed.

"It was... mutual, and long running," Sado said, earning a chuckle from Ichigo. Ishida tried to hide the faint pink tingeing his pale cheeks.

"Was it now?" Renji asked, leaning back in his chair. "So, HOW long?"

"Well..." Sado murmured.

"We’ll tell you later. You were talking about needing to tell us something?" Ishida said, his voice trembling a bit from what sounded like nerves.

"Yeah, well, I forgot my pager," said Renji, sheepishly.

Ichigo squeezed his hand. "And I opened my big fat mouth when he reported to Kuchiki Taicho..."

Ishida and Sado's eyes widened hearing Ichigo use that title. Renji sighed, shaking his head. "Guess old habits die hard eh?"

"Not so old," Ichigo said.

"Ichigo, what are you suggesting?" Ishida asked. "You somehow received training under him?"

"More than that," Ichigo explained, looking at both of them. "Kuchiki was gonna demote Renji... and he did. But I told him I was to blame and well..."

"Ouch," Sado answered, wincing in sympathy.

"He recruited you to teach you a lesson?" Ishida guessed.

"That's a fucking understatement," Renji said rolling his eyes. "Talk about recruited an' promoted t' squad six..."

"Promoted?" Ishida repeated his blue eyes wide behind his glasses.

"To Futakaitaicho, to teach me a lesson about responsibility," Ichigo admitted, hanging his head.

"Wow, he could do that?" Sado commented, sipping his drink to clear his dry throat.

"Yeah, he did. Fer a whole month. But that ain't the kicker" Renji sighed.

"What ELSE happened?" asked Ishida, now adjusting his glasses with a finger on the middle.

"Kuchiki tried to make it permanent. Thankfully Hitsugaya and Ukitake put a stop to that," Ichigo sighed with relief.

"Sounds like he was a real bastard," Ishida muttered, anger gleaming in his eyes.

"We thought so too," Ichigo said bitterly.

"He was bein' jealous. Because um..." Renji trailed off, and then glanced down. The blush coloring his face almost reached the shade of Renji's hair.

"You mean that you and he..." Ishida murmured, putting the pieces together.

"Were together?" Sado added.

"Yeah," Renji coughed. Ichigo pounded him on the back and pushed his ice tea towards Renji. He took a sip.

"You all right?" Sado asked, reaching across the table towards Renji in worry.

"F... fine," Renji coughed, pounding his chest to clear it. "Just went the wrong way down is all."

"That is quite awkward," Ishida commented, hiding his mouth behind the drink he sipped.

Ichigo nodded, swallowing some of Renji's sake by mistake before Renji snatched it away. "He... had some weird notion that if he couldn't have Renji, nobody could. So he pulled me out of the picture by putting the fukaitaicho position between us."

"Kuchiki and I were... pretty close even though we both hid it," Renji admitted, rubbing his bandanna covered forehead.

"Even after Ukitake and Hitsugaya helped put a stop to his antics, he still got pissed. Renji and I had to calm him down. Luckily Ukitake beat his ass," said Ichigo.

"That wasn't how it went," Renji snapped. "They dueled and then came t' an understanding."

"He did beat him in a fight," Ichigo said with a chuckle. Sado and Ishida started to laugh as well, while Renji chuckled.

"I'd loved to have seen it," said Ishida.

"I didn't, but Ukitake Taicho's subordinates did," Renji laughed. Finally, the dark mood started to lift in the restaurant.