Title: Render

Pairings/Characters: Uryuu and Chad

Ratings: K

Words: 500 exactly

Warning: None

Description: It's all where and what you make it to be.


Everyone rushed to go home. Even Kurosaki who was probably still bleeding and in incredible pain. Orihime left the moment she finished healing everyone. The Shinigami returned to Soul Society.

No one wanted to stick around.

No one except himself.

The battles were over; he'd somehow survived. Inoue-san was safe and sound. No one died, and well, he was feeling pretty tired. His wounds, while healed, hadn't forgotten their pain. Nor could he forget the embarrassment of having to be saved by Kurotsuchi.

He should be going home, too. But there was nothing there for him.

An empty apartment, cold and lifeless, no one tending it in his absence. There was a small flat. No fresh food in the fridge. No one to welcome him or look at his wounds. No one waiting or wondering if he was safe.

Everyone had gone home, but Uryuu lingered, standing in front of Urahara's shop and gazing at the sky. What remained of his Quincy outfit was folded in his arms, and he wore a borrowed kimono. It was too large and the obi had been looped around him twice, but it was suitable enough for the walk.

He didn't want to go home, but he didn't want to stay either. He couldn't show weakness to these Shinigami. He still had his Quincy pride. Even if those freaks Kurotsuchi and Szayel had stomped it into ashes.

"Ishida?"

At the sound of the familiar voice, Uryuu turned to find Sado looking at him from the doorway of the shoten. He, too, wore a borrowed kimono, only his fit better, likely because it belonged to Tessai.

"Sado?" Uryuu pushed up his glasses with one finger. "I thought you left already."

He shook his head as he stepped out, the door shutting behind him. "Why are you still here?"

"I was just leaving," Uryuu said, glad the dark hid his flush. He didn't want anyone to see his weakness.

"Oh." There was a pause. "Going home?"

"Of course," Uryuu responded, taking a step. "Where else would I..." He trailed off, a sudden realization striking him.

Sado didn't want to go home, either. He, too, lived in an empty, cold apartment where no one was waiting for him. He had no family. His best friend was Ichigo. And while there were others he knew, they weren't aware enough to worry.

His home was as unappealing as the Quincy's home. And Uryuu had nearly forgotten that in his own loneliness.

Uryuu turned around, facing Sado directly, and pushed up his glasses again. "Sado?"

The larger man blinked at him. It was Sado-speak for continue. Uryuu was slowly learning all of these nuances.

The Quincy squared his shoulders. "Would you like to come home with me?"

There was a moment of silence before Sado stepped alongside him. "I'll buy dinner."

It was agreement if Uryuu ever heard one, even in Sado-speak, and he allowed himself a faint smile.

Coming home wouldn't be so bad after all.


a/n: There may or may not be more in the series. I'm contemplating one for Renji at this point. Thanks for reading!