Edited and Rewritten

I don't own Bleach

A shiver raked Renee's exposed body, making her pull the thin blanket closer. Opening her eye's she realized Renji was gone. His uniform was missing as well. Sitting up, she looked around for her jeans and shirt. Finding her jeans at the foot of the bed, she stood. Pulling them on she went in search for her shirt and bra. Spotting both on the green couch, Renee quickly walked over and put both pieces of clothing on. Just as she was pulling her shirt over her head, the bedroom door opened.

"Well, I see you're up and dressed." Renji said. She could hear the smugness in his voice.

Once the black wife beater was in place, she looked over at him with a smile. "Yeah, but only because I was freezing my ass off. Where'd you go this morning?"

He shrugged and lifted the brown bag in his hand for her to see. "Figured I'd go get us something to eat before Ikkaku showed up."

"You mean, I'm training with him today. I didn't think we'd start so soon." She said a bit frustrated and sat down on the couch.

Renji sat down next to her and dug through the bag. He handed her a plate with some rice and eggs. "Don't worry so much, you'll do fine."

She took the plate and looked down at the food with a sigh. "Man, what I wouldn't do for some French toast covered in syrup. No wonder you're all so skinny." Renji shook his head, before digging into his own breakfast.

They ate silently, her thoughts on the upcoming training session with Ikkaku. 'Why the hell does he want me to train with that crazy guy? He's gonna beat the shit outta me.'

The sound of the someone knocking on the door pulled Renee out of her own thoughts. While Renji stood to answer it, she was scanning the mind of the person on the other side, only to pull out when she touched it. Ikkaku had arrived.

Putting the food back in the bag, Renee listened to Renji greeting the man. "Hey Ikkaku," when he paused, she looked up to see Renji letting in the bald headed man, and another. This man was beautiful, to say the least. He had feathers on his right eye, with an orange piece of cloth on his shoulders and around his neck. It was connected to an orange sleeve on his right arm. A quick scan of his mind told her his name and why he was there. All without Renji having to ask.

"So you're coming along too? Great, an audience to watch me get my ass kicked." Renee said the sarcasm dripping like venom.

"You'd be pretty if you didn't have such a smart-mouth." Yumichika said, flipping back his jaw length black hair.

"You're beautiful enough for the both of us, honey." Renee retorted, meaning for the comment to be an insult.

"You really think so?" He asked, a huge smile on his pretty face.

"Sure, whatever floats your boat." She turned to Renji, "And what are you doing today while I'm getting my ass handed to me on a silver plater?"

He frowned at her, before answering. "I'm going to be here doing paperwork."

"Sounds exciting, sure you don't want to trade places with me?"

"Renee," his voice sounded stern, but she saw the slight smile on his lips.

Throwing her hands into the air she walked over and picked up her shoes. "Hey, don't say I never offered to help you."

"Remember to concentrate on one mind at a time, and don't forget to not get distracted." Renji reminded her, while she pulled on her shoes. Effectively changing the subjest.

Nodding she looked back at the men in front of her. "Yeah I know, but it's going to be tough without you there."

"I know, but I won't be around all the time. You need to learn to control it on your own. Ikkaku and Yumichika will help you."

She glanced at Baldy and Pretty Boy. "Whatever you say." Standing she clapped her hands in faux excitement. "Well boy's, are we ready to get this beating over with. 'Cause I know I am."

Ikkaku scoffed and walked passed her to open the door. "Let's go."

She saluted him, "Yes sir." Waving to Renji, Renee followed behind the two men. The farther she got from Renji, the harder it became to block out the thoughts of all the squad 6 members. But she straightened up, and placed the best shield she could on her mind. 'I can do this. I can do this.'

Sweat covered her whole face. Her nose was bleeding and there was an open wound on her eyebrow, causing blood to run into her eyes. They'd been at it for hours. First they worked on her blocking out their thoughts. Then they had her focus only on one of their minds, while blocking out the other. When she got that, Ikkaku decided it was time to up the ante. She was to read the move in his mind and then try and counter. Easier said then done, in her opinion. He'd gotten in more hits then she countered.

"I think I've done all that I can today." She said glaring at the man.

Ikkaku shrugged, "Fine, we continue tomorrow morning."

Nodding, Renee sat down hard on her butt, before collapsing onto her back. Everything hurt. She'd never been in this much agony in her life. If this was what it meant to be stronger, then she'd stay holed up in her little apartment the rest of her miserable life. Nobody should go through this much pain just to grow.

"Hey Yumichika, go get Renji and let him know we're done for the day."

"Right," and just like that, Pretty Boy was gone.

Closing her eye's she gave a sigh of relief. Laying there she took in the sun's rays, peaking through the tree above her. She felt Ikkaku sit down beside her. "You're never going to get stronger if you don't put your full power to use."

"What makes you think I'm not doing just that?" She didn't even have the strength left to look at him.

"From what Renji says, if you were to use your full power against me, you'd win with no problems."

"Well it's not easy to use my full power when I'm up against a man whose been fighting his whole life. Not to mention I'm tryin to block out another's thoughts at the same time." She gave a shrug, "If I could effectively block out everything around me, then yeah, I'd take over your mind and beat your ass. But not only can I not block out everything around me, your mind is nothing but chaos and it's hard to navigate around." This time she looked at him, "Plus I can't fight worth a damn."

He laughed as Renji and Yumichika arrived. Glancing at the men, Renee smiled before closing her eye's again. "See, I told you I'd get my ass handed to me."

Renji took in Renee, her nose was bleeding, and a cut over her eyebrow caused blood to run into her left eye. Walking over to her, he carefully picked her up and looked over at Ikkaku. "How'd she do?"

"Surprisingly well," the man stood, placing his sword over his left shoulder. "But there is still a lot to do."

Renee gave a laugh, "Great, because I always look forward to getting my ass kicked first thing in the morning."

"When did you become so sarcastic?" Renji asked.

"I've always been like this, just ask Ryan, he gets the brunt of my sarcasm. But in my defense, he puts himself in the line of fire." She shrugged, "I've told him countless times that if he wants me to stop picking on him, then he needs to stop giving me the perfect opportunity."

"You know, it's a wonder you have friends at all." Yumichika said folding his arms.

"Well it's a wonder you ever get a date." She mumbled under her breath.

"I heard that," he yelled pointing at her.

Renee laughed, "Just kidding Yumichika, you're alright."

"Well, thanks again for doing this Ikkaku." Renji said, tightening his hold on her, before jumping onto a near by roof. "Same time tomorrow."

She didn't see Ikkaku nod, but knew he'd done so. Closing her eye's, she let Renji carry her back to his room. When they got back, she was going to take a long hot shower, eat some more rice, and then hit the sack. Tomorrow's beating would be worse then today's, she just knew it.

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