Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.

Chapter 10

Nnoitora was sharing his opinion on the day while the other two were finishing their lunch. Renji and his friends were walking toward them because the Abarai thinks that it would be better to get the fight out of Nnoitora and Grimmjow before they go to the theaters. The Jiruga noticed that the Jaegerjaquez was coming his way with the perfection scientist.

"What the hell do you fuckin' want you damn pansy ass?" Nnoitora questioned giving Grimmjow a glare.

Grimmjow didn't smile, but glared back. "Damn, you're a fuckin' loud parasite."

Renji looked at Ichigo. "Hey, Ichigo, you wanted to talk to me."

Ichigo nodded. "Yeah."

Szayel was curious, but looked at Grimmjow. "Grimmjow, behave yourself or you wouldn't be able to do my fashion show later because of your detention you would get."

Grimmjow calmed down and looked at Szayel with hatred burning in his pupils. Szayel smirked noticing his displeasure of getting interrupted by his own boyfriend. Nnoitora had already ceased since he was curious of what Ichigo had to talk to Renji about. The Abarai and the Kurosaki had started walking off with each other staying quiet of what their going to talk about. The Granz was also quite as curious as the tallest of the four that were still standing there. Tesla looked at Nnoitora noticing that he was starting to move to go spy. The other three did the same with their curiousity getting the best of them.

They stopped as they were at a good earshot away from them. Ichigo stood there for a moment trying to collect his thoughts on what he needed to talk to Renji about. Renji stood there waiting patiently for his friend to start speaking. Ichigo sighed then put his right hand behind his head as though he had forgotten what he wanted to tell Renji. The Abarai folded his arms getting quite impatient with Ichigo's antics.

"Get to it, Kurosaki." Renji said as if he was in a hurry.

Ichigo looked at Renji in the eyes. "I need more."

Renji raised an eyebrow. "More what?"

"You know damn well what I'm talking about." Ichigo answered getting quite angry.

"Alright, I'll get you some more, but you do have to "pay" me still." Renji mentioned with a sigh.

Ichigo nodded. "I figured that I can pay you now, so that I don't have to disgrace myself further."

Renji smiled. "That's fine. It's about time that you started paying me."

Ichigo nodded in agreement. "I've been saving up to pay for it now and every other time."

"Alright, but depends on how much you want of it." Renji responded.

"I know that, Renji." Ichigo replied.

Renji sighed. "Let's have a different conversation now. I can't believe you get to finally have sex with Uryuu."

Ichigo nodded. "I know."

"You're not as excited as I thought you were going to be." Renji mentioned noticing the least excited Ichigo.

Ichigo smiled. "Trust me, I'm excited to be his first."

Renji smirked. "Like you were Rukia's while ruining her in the process."

Maybe I affected her in the least positive way... Ichigo thought remembering that he made Rukia upset after they had sex.

Renji sighed heavily. "I know that you've been cheating on Uryuu."

Ichigo went wide eyed. "What? How?"

Renji chuckled. "I was only joking, but thanks now I know you have been."

Ichigo stood there shocked at Renji's way of getting what he wanted to hear out of him. Renji shook his head then rubbed his neck a little then put his hand back down to his side. He didn't think that Ichigo would honestly do that to Uryuu of all people. The Ishida didn't deserve that type of treatment since it's also his first time in the dating scene. The Kurosaki could tell that it was just a joke, but it was actually true that he was. I have no choice, but to tell him who I'm seeing instead of just Uryuu. Ichigo thought as he was about to open his mouth to say, but got cut off by Renji.

"Don't worry about telling me. I can figure it out by the way you look at Nnoitora." Renji mentioned.

Ichigo was astonished. "How did you know it was Nnoitora?"

Renji busted out laughing. "You ran right into that one!"

"Shut the hell up!" Ichigo angrily yelled.

Renji sighed while getting serious. "You should break up with Uryuu. Uryuu doesn't deserve that type of treatment."

Ichigo looked to the ground. "Yeah, I know, but-"

"He'd be fine you broke it off."

Ichigo looked at Renji with shock of what he's been saying. All of a sudden Renji was talking to him as if he was in the situation he was in at the moment. When did Renji become a relationship expert? Ichigo thought as he viewed Renji. The red head looked at the four that was watching them and listening to their conversations. Renji had decided that he needed to be more cautious after he got caught with Mayuri.

The four came out of hiding walking toward the two who were conversing. Ichigo and Renji let them part of the conversation with little coming out of Tesla unless talked to. The bell rang telling them to head to class two minutes later with the five heading inside. Ichigo kissed Nnoitora before heading within the school with the other many students. Renji watched as the other five headed inside the school without him. Renji turned and headed toward the gate leaving the school ground to return home.

Ichigo turned around noticing that Szayel was glancing behind. He must've ditched the rest of the school day. Damn it, Renji. Ichigo thought as he continued on his way to class. Szayel looked at the orange head then continued on without everyone else since he had different classes than all four of them. Grimmjow and Tesla then did the same once they had to head down different corridors for their own classes. Ichigo turned into class with Nnoitora as soon as they were in front of their classroom door.

Renji wasn't even home yet when he saw Nemu Kurotsuchi walking by. Renji went up to her seeing why she hasn't come to Mayuri's side. Most of the time, Mayuri hates it when she disappears without granting his permission. Though when he was almost to her, he saw his old counselor, Jushiro Ukitake. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Jushiro take Nemu's hand into his while starting to walk away. Renji watched as the two walked down the sidewalk, yet he would've never thought that Jushiro was going to be the reason behind Nemu's disappearance.

Renji decided to keep going on his way and try not to get distracted. He skipped the rest of the day many times before, but that was the first time he ever got distracted. Renji kept his hands in his pockets while making his way to the home desired to be. The Abarai looked over to a window of a store that sold clothes and jewelry, but looked for a moment then continued on.

He noticed that there was a baby and his father waiting for the mother at a cafe. He wasn't sure if the mother was a man or woman, but that didn't matter to him. He just wanted to know if the mother would come out to be with her family. As soon as he was concerned there was the mother coming out with a baby bag slung over her left shoulder with two coffees in her hands. She smiled giving the second to the father of her baby. The man gladly took it from the mother then they started walking off again. Renji realized that he had stopped to watch, shaking his head lightly he started moving again.

Renji noticed while looking at the small family that he was about to have tears come. He's lucky that he didn't because he could just think what Grimmjow and Mayuri would say. Renji sighed noticing a house up ahead that looked familiar to him, but it didn't cross his mind for long. His mind was racing with thoughts of his good childhood that he once had. His childhood that was gracious and kind and full of wonder. The day when his parents' car was used as a terrorist act was unforgivable to him.

His life started to go downhill from there. A foster home was out of the question for him. He would rather deal with living alone without anyones help and do things the way he had to do to live. He didn't want to leave his home full of happy memories just to wait for new parents to take him away. Renji would rather stay an abandoned home with only him than let his parents' names and memories die with him as he leaves. Not of that was going to satisfy him with the rest of his undesirable life ahead of him. He didn't want any of this to happen and that memory of watching his parents die was still burning in his memories.

He walked up to the door of the house while taking out his keys. He heard moving around coming from within the house which meant that Mayuri was up. Renji unlocked the door seeing no sign of Mayuri in the walkway toward the door. Renji went to the livingroom seeing that Mayuri was sitting with fish cooked for himself to munch on. Renji sat next to Mayuri who was now eating a fish with no intention of looking at the male sitting beside him. Abarai sat there looking at the wall with a dead stare. Kurotsuchi then looked at him once he was done with the fish.

Renji rubbed his hands together while thinking about the situation he's in now with Mayuri once more. Mayuri sighed while looking at the younger one seeing that he wasn't in reality, but in deep thought. He wanted nothing to do with what was on Renji's mind, but he was going to ask. Mayuri didn't say anything because he wasn't used to starting the conversation. Renji stood up with Mayuri watching with his eyes to see what he was up to. Renji grabbed onto Mayuri's hand making him stand up with him. He then started to walk upstairs with Kurotsuchi going up behind.

"What are you doing?" Mayuri questioned demandingly.

Renji took Mayuri into his own room showing him the way to it. The Abarai sat Mayuri down carefully on the bed knowing that there was someone growing within the older male. Renji looked at the Kurotsuchi noticing that he really had no idea what he was doing. Mayuri watched as Renji went into his closet looking for something that Mayuri had no clue what it was. A picture frame was dug out of the closet that already had a picture of a younger version of Renji. Renji looked at the photo for a moment then took it out of the picture frame. He went over to the bed putting the picture frame on the pillow then headed back over to the closet.

Renji went back to digging in the closet seeing that he didn't find what he wanted. Mayuri picked up the picture frame noticing that it was very well made. It seemed to have been carved by hand instead of by machine. Mayuri looked at Renji again putting the frame down viewing Renji's backside since he was still looking for something. Renji finally found what he was looking for this whole time. He turned around facing Mayuri with his back to his closet shutting the double doors. Renji went up to Mayuri to sit beside him once more.

Renji held Mayuri's hand a little tight. "Mayuri, I'm going to give you something."

Mayuri eyed Renji with curiousity. "Really? And what would that be?"

Renji held a gorgeous ring in his hand. "This was my mother's engagement ring that she had since high school from my father."

"Why would you give me such a thing?" Mayuri questioned.

Renji looked at Mayuri. "I want you to marry me someday."

"What?" Mayuri exclaimed with shock.

"Face it, Mayuri, I know you care about me more than you want to." Renji mentioned with his eyes tracing Mayuri's features.

"I never agreed to such-" Mayuri got cut off.

Renji pulled Mayuri into a kiss that he just wanted to give to him. Renji wrapped his arms around Mayuri knowing that he had caught him off guard, but Mayuri tells him his answers in this way. Mayuri was kissing him back without any hesitation this time. The arms of the Kurotsuchi enlaced around the younger male's neck seeking his warmth. Renji knew at this moment that Mayuri Kurotsuchi really did care about him for even more than a sex partner.

The school time had ended that day before some even knew it. They all headed toward a meeting place that they were going to meet up with their friends. Ichigo saw Uryuu and his friends with him. Ichigo smiled noticing that they knew Renji wasn't with him as usual at times. They all stopped to say 'hi' to each other before continuing on their ways to get home. The friends stood there for a moment having a strange sense that something was going to be said by either Ichigo or Uryuu.

"Ichigo." Uryuu murmured.

Ichigo looked at Uryuu. "Yeah?"

"We should-" Uryuu started, but couldn't finish.

"Break up. Yeah, I know." Ichigo finished.

Uryuu pushed up his glasses. "Then it's a mutual agreement."

"Yeah." Ichigo nodded.

That was all that was exchanged between the two. They didn't want to wait to get into private just to tell each other. Ichigo and Uryuu didn't want it to last that long just to let the other be tortured. Ichigo now had his Nnoitora back and didn't have to wander around wondering where he lost him. Uryuu and Kaname had now decided that they couldn't hold back their emotions toward each other. They all exchanged their good byes then went on their own.

They were walking home by themselves more and more since Ichigo and Renji's departure from their school. They were losing contact with each other more and more as time was going by. The more they were getting along with others. They really didn't know anything about one another that each was still hiding. Ichigo headed home with a sense of relief that he had a mutual break up with Uryuu.

It was the day of the movies and no one had seen Renji Abarai for two days. Everyone had brought people that they wanted to invite. Rukia and Shuuhei just came with each other. Orihime and Ulquiorra came with each other also. Chad had Izuru with him for the movie like Rukia with Shuuhei, since they didn't have a performance. Uryuu was able to snag Kaname away from doing work and walking Sajin Komamura. Ichigo was able to drag Nnoitora away from the bar or even away from a store to buy alcohol. They all stood there waiting for Renji to turn up because if he doesn't they were just going to see the movie without him.

"What's taking Renji?" Ichigo wondered aloud.

Rukia sighed. "Who knows?"

Shuuhei looked at a poster. "I bet Renji is still picking his people up."

"Yeah, that really could be it." Ichigo agreed.

Uryuu looked at Kaname. "Renji had always been late what would change now?"

Orihime put her index finger on her chin. "It's true, because remember when we all went to a dance and he wasn't there until later."

"That's true; he wasn't there until there was only fifteen minutes left." Chad inquired remembering.

Izuru nodded in agreement. "I went with Shuuhei, but even we noticed."

Nnoitora glared at a romantic comedy poster. "He probably didn't want to fuckin' come to this damn shit place."

"Be careful with your words, Nnoitora Jiruga, that's what got you in trouble before." Kaname mentioned.

"Yeah, whatever, Tousen." Nnoitora replied.

They noticed that Renji wasn't coming at all and started looking for a movie. As they were looking for a movie they saw three people walk in. They sighed seeing that it was Renji with Grimmjow and Szayel. The three of them saw the others looking for a movie. Renji already had a movie in mind and got his tickets earlier in the day. He gave everyone their tickets then headed toward the viewing room for the movie.

They all sat down in the back of the theater instead of close to the front. They all sat in a group taking up the line of seats in the back. The movie began with everyone having their refreshments with them. Everyone sat quietly within watching the movie that was now passed the previews. They were all silent until the end of the movie when they were talking on the way out. The movie was exactly the type of movie Renji would've picked out for himself to watch.

Renji and his two invited guests were leaving the gang of people. After Grimmjow had fun teasing Ulquiorra about his relationship with Orihime. Orihime laughed a little with no reassurance in her laugh that it was funny. They all noticed that Renji was being different from before, but if they had asked the only answer they would get nothing with Renji turning the conversations. That's why they didn't bother asking why he has been almost cheerful throughout the movie.

Ichigo sighed then looked at Nnoitora. "Guess we should be going."

Nnoitora looked at Ichigo with his eyes. "Why the hell is that?"

"Your parole officer wanted you to come home straight after knowing your record, remember?" Ichigo told the Jiruga.

Nnoitora scowled. "Who fuckin' cares about that shit! Any fucker would go against their damn parol."

Ichigo sighed heavily. "Come on, Nnoitora."

Ichigo had started walking off realizing that he can't even talk to his friends for a little bit. Ichigo said his good byes to his friends while noticing that Nnoitora Jiruga was walking with him. Ichigo was smiling as Nnoitora was walking up behind him to walk in front of him. Uryuu shook his head not understanding how Nnoitora and Ichigo would ever last with each other. Rukia looked at Uryuu seeing that he didn't understand that much either about those two.

"We should do this again sometime." Orihime admitted truthfully.

Rukia nodded. "Yes, but we can't do it all the time now."

"I agree." Chad agreed with Rukia.

Uryuu pushed his glasses up. "Really? Why don't we wait until we get out of college or at least in it?"

Shuuhei smiled. "That's a great idea."

Uryuu was shocked. "What?"

Orihime smiled cheerfully. "We could! At least then there would be a gap where we all could learn something new about each other."

Izuru looked at Orihime. "We all are graduating this year."

Rukia nodded. "That's true which would mean we all won't be able to see each other as much."

"Wait a minute! I wasn't serious!" Uryuu exclaimed.

Kaname smiled. "It's a good thing to keep in contact with those whom are close."

Uryuu looked at Kaname. "Not you too!"

"I have kept in contact with my friends from high school as well and we're still meeting up till this day." Kaname inquired.

"You're right." Uryuu admitted with a sigh.

At that moment the one's that had stayed to stay and chat for a bit decided to meet up later in life. They planned on how many years that would be the gap for them to meet up again. Then they all had decided when would be the best time to do so. They all made the decision without Renji and Ichigo, but they know that the two would comply with the arrangements. The group of people then started to head out in separate directions with their guests heading home.

The next day would be the start of their separation for their new meetings when their out of school. Their separation had already begun during the stages of new development in the school in which two of their friends had to leave.

A/Note: This is the second to last chapter. It finally ends. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing. Please review!