Beyond the Hourglass

A/N: So, I have a bit of a problem. My beta does not actually watch Bleach. Thus, she cannot tell me if what I'm writing is in character. So, would you, my dear readers, be so kind as to inform me how out of character my characters are? My main concern is that I'm making Ichigo too. . . whiney? So, please review and tell me about it. And while I'm at it, the names of all my chapters are actually the titles of the song I was listening to when I started the chapter, except chapter two; I shortened it. Look 'em up some time, they're good songs.

Walking in the Air

His friends had taken the news well enough. They were upset by the events, but happy that he was finally in a relationship. Orihime and Rukia were, oddly enough, the most excited about him and Renji being together, but Ichigo really did not want to think about why. Chad had little to say, as always. Uryu, though, seemed slightly jealous for some reason. Of whom was anyone’s guess. With that taken care of, he could focus on his conference with the Commander-General, which was making him increasingly nervous. Of course, that he and Renji were together would be irrelevant to that conversation, so the conference was likely to focus on the rape aspect of the last twenty four hours. But what would he ask, and what should he say? Should he go into all the details, or just give a brief summary and half answer any questions afterwards. He decided to wing it; that was what he always did, after all.

The Captain-Commander flashed onto the screen.

“I have been informed that very serious matters have taken place,” he began, “Please inform me of the details, Ichigo.”

“There was a hollow last night, and I went to fight it.”

“Alone?”

“Yes, I asked Rukia to stay behind.”

“Why?”

“I didn’t think her presence was necessary and I thought she could use the sleep.”

“What happened next?”

“After I defeated the hollow, a man approached me from out of the shadows.”

“And you were still in your shinigami form?”

“Yes. I asked him who he was and why he could see me, but he refused to answer my questions and the next thing I knew he had me pinned to the wall. I tried to break free, and I did. I pointed my sword at him and asked him who he was again, but he was too quick. Before I could react he was behind me and I was helpless a-and he raped me.”

“Were there any identifiable characteristics?”

“I couldn’t see his face very well, but he moved very gracefully and he smelled like cherry blossoms.”

“I see. It is as I expected then. We have been investigating suspicious activities in the human world, and I believe they are related to the man who raped you. If it is true that you were no match for him, then it is my opinion that reinforcements are necessary. I will send a team to assist in the matter. Since he seems to be targeting you, specifically, Ichigo, I recommend that you not be left alone. Are there any volunteers to watch after him?”

“I will,” Renji offered.

“Good. See to it that he remains safe.”

“I will do my best.”

“Hey! I don’t need supervision; I am not a child!”

“The matter is not up for discussion. You are too valuable an asset to be left vulnerable. It is likely that he will target you again, and I do not want you alone. Now, I have other urgent matters to attend to. Your assistance should arrive by tomorrow. That is all.”

And with that he blinked off of the screen.

“Why didn’t you defend my autonomy?”

“How could I pass up an excuse to spend every waking minute with you, huh?”

“When you put it that way. . .”

“See, I knew exactly what I was doing. It’s getting pretty late, it’s almost four o’clock. Time to head home, mister.”

“At four, in the afternoon?”

“You heard him. I am in charge of keeping you safe. That means home, now.”

“I’m starting to think there were other reasons why you accepted.”

“Think what you will, you’ll thank me later.”

“I’m sure.”

With a sigh of defeat and a look of resignation, Ichigo began his trek home, Renji in tow, keeping a look out for any shady characters who might harm his Ichigo. It was a really lovely day. The sun was shining, birds were in the air, everything was just alive. He felt alive, for once. Walking through the park on the way home, with his boyfriend. He would never tire of saying that. His. Boyfriend. He noticed that Renji was trailing behind him, so he slowed his pace and allowed him to catch up. Now even, he took Renji’s hand in his and continued walking, while holding his boyfriend’s hand. He was walking through the park, holding his boyfriend’s hand. What could be better? He could hear the breeze blowing through the trees, feel Renji against him, smell Renji, his scent intoxicating. And then he heard a roar in the distance and suddenly they were off in that direction because a hollow was a hollow and it was Ichigo’s job to get rid of them.

The hollow proved to be even weaker than the one the previous night and was dispatched just as quickly. And Ichigo finally noticed just how sexy Renji looked with his sword drawn and he attacked his lips and Renji accepted that and they were in an alley, Ichigo pressing Renji against the wall and they were panting and sweating and they were still high from the battle and Ichigo could still smell Renji and he breathed in his scent but then Renji was pushing him back and saying something, but Ichigo was not paying attention.

“What was that?”

“I was saying we should really get back to your place. And since I have to stay with you twenty four-seven, we should probably arrange something with your old man.”

“I guess.”

Ichigo was disappointed and moved slowly in the direction of his house but this time he trailed behind Renji because if he was too close he was not sure that he could control himself and Renji had made himself very clear. He noticed how Renji walked, full of confidence, aggressive. He stared at his butt for a minute. He had never really noticed it before, but suddenly the thought of Renji’s ass turned him on and he wondered if maybe something was wrong with him because he had never thought of anyone’s butt like that before but then he noticed they were at his house and he wondered how long he had zoned out and then Renji was talking to him again, but he did not really feel like listening.

“Yeah, whatever,” he said.

Renji opened the door, and his face met with a foot that happened to be traveling in the opposite direction and then Renji was on the ground and Ichigo’s dad was there and he was angry.

“And who’s this little friend of yours, Ichigo?”

“A friend from school. He’ll be staying with us for a while.”

“Really now. Just don’t let him rape my precious, innocent little daughters.”

“Whatever.”

Ichigo picked Renji up and moved in the direction of his room.

“Don’t forget to use a condom!” his father called after them.

“Shut up!” he yelled back.

And then they were in his room and on his bed and Ichigo had certainly remembered to lock the door and his mouth found Renji’s neck and Renji was making sounds indicating how much he enjoyed it and Ichigo rather liked those sounds. But then Renji was flipping them over, and suddenly Renji was on top and attacking his neck and he was the one making the sounds. They were trying to be quiet, of course, but that was difficult. And then he felt Renji’s hand on his butt.

“Your ass is so damn sexy,” Renji said.

And Ichigo smiled at that and arched into Renji and he was happy and normal and horny and then he felt Renji on his crotch and suddenly he was not so sure about this. He looked Renji in the eyes.

“Unh,” Renji grunted.

“Yeah,” Ichigo replied.

And his pants went missing and he felt a breeze but then a warmth and it felt good and Renji’s hand was moving and moving and he rather liked it that way and he kept looking in Renji’s eyes and he saw flames of passion and he thought Renji was hot like this and his smell filled the air and he arched into the touch and he moaned.

“Renji. . . .”

He saw a bright white light and he released himself and Renji was on top of him again and suddenly he felt very tired and he felt Renji wrap his arms around him and he drifted off to sleep.