Renji wandered off for a few moments to re-enter his gigai. Ichigo turned back to the school to retrieve homework and tell some friends he was leaving because he was ill. Uryuu was bewildered, why would Ichigo, of all people, go home because of a sickness? Ichigo was diffidently not one to leave just because of a minor ailment.

Just as the spiky haired boy was about to depart for home, Uryuu caught him. "Ichigo! What happened?! Is something wrong? You never leave school unless something big happened." Well, Ichigo didn't really have a choice, a certain shinigami was making him. "Well, I uh, I have something on my mind and cant concentrate so I am leaving for today." Uryuu narrowed his eyes and now was even more curious. "What is on your mind Ichigo? Is it a threat? Please let me know."

Ichigo let out a sigh and ran his hand through his hair slowly. "No Ishida nothings out of order. I just, cant stop thinking of a certain someone." He let his explanation sink in, as he turned around to leave. The Quincy was left to ponder what was just said. Ichigo cant stop "thinking" about someone? Does that mean he has feelings for them? Who? Orihime……..no she's to much of a friend. Rukia….……couldn't be! He gave a whole speech on why they had to save her, she was a friend!

Now Uryuu was most uncertain and curious. Turns out he had trouble paying attention the rest of the day.

Ichigo walked out of the school and looked around for Renji, he was leaning up against a fence at the entrance gates. "Renji!" The red-head jolted and spun around so he could see Ichigo. "Took you long enough." He let the words slip out, to quiet for the orange haired shinigami to hear.

Renji was dressed in a normal wardrobe, a plain blue and light blue striped dress shirt, and some blue jeans.

H-he looks, well uh, great. Ichigo couldn't help it, his defective thoughts wouldn't be suppressed that easily. He blushed slightly. The red head waited for Ichigo at the gate, once there, they left for Ichigo's house.

It didn't take to long to get home. No one was home, Ichigo's sisters were at school and his dad was god-knows-where. Upon entering, Ichigo set his school work on the counter of the kitchen and went to his room. Following Ichigo in, Renji watched as he went through routine. "I-Ichigo, is th-there something you need?" Renji stuttered and faced the opposite direction as he said it. Still confused but almost certain he was not in poor health, Ichigo declined the offer.

***

"Ichigo?"

It had only been an hour that the two had been at Kurosaki residence. Renji had just walked into Ichigo's room and softly blurted out his name. A little stricken, Ichigo rolled over on his bed to face Renji's general direction. "Hmm?" Ichigo was to tired to use normal dialect. He just sat there, eyes closed, acknowledging Renji's presence.

Ichigo felt a weight sit upon the bed. Its Renji. Then the orange haired boy felt a hand press on his head. His eyes opened and he seen Renji leaning over him with a large, warm hand on his forehead. "Just checking if you have a normal temperature." Ichigo was so close to sleep he was almost out of his mind, his eyes closed. A noticeable smile found its way onto Ichigo's face. The mostly asleep boy, subconsciously took the hand in his and drug it down to his cheek, then he collapsed into complete sleep.

Renji smiled because he knew Ichigo was not acting like this on purpose, just on drained notions. Ichigo nuzzled Renji's hand and would not relinquish it. Renji thought it was endearing, until he remembered he needed that hand. But Renji could not find it in himself to pry Ichigo off while he is sleeping so soundly.

Renji was unable to sit down because the position Ichigo held his hand to.

He grew tired of standing so he was in a predicament. Ah what the hell. Renji shook off his uncertainty and took the spot on the bed next to Ichigo, and laid there. I'll get back up when Ichigo releases me from his grip. Most certain of his plan, Renji closed his eyes, but he couldn't resist the call for sleep, and he drifted off. Without Renji knowing, his free hand placed itself in Ichigo's orange hair. Ichigo and Renji had fallen asleep on the same bed, both facing each other.

The shinigami slept there for another five hours until, someone walked in on the two to check on Ichigo.