"So… the world of the living, huh?" I asked, staring at Ichigo over our food. "What's that like?" He shrugged.

"It's alright. Nothing special, really."

"It must be nice, though — always being surrounded by friends, going to school, going shopping or on trips or things. It isn't like that here."

"Huh, yeah I guess you're right. I never really thought about it that way," he said, taking a sip of his drink. "You could always come visit, if you wanted to."

"Visit the world of the living?" My eyes lit up. "Do you really think I could?"

"I don't see why not. There are plenty of people in the world of the living who I'm sure would love to get to know you. Renji gets called there all the time — I'm sure you could go with him next time." I frowned and averted my eyes.

"Yeah … I don't really see that happening."

"Really? Why not?"

"I mean, Renji is still my lieutenant and all, but I doubt he'll want to work with me ever again," I said sadly. "Not unless he absolutely has to."

"What are you talking about? Why would you think that?"

"The whole time I was healing in the squad 4 barracks, Renji didn't come to see me … well, actually, that's not true. He did come once. But he only looked at me in horror and disgust and then ran off without a word."

"What, really? That doesn't sound like Renji …" I shook my head.

"I don't blame him. I could have killed him. I almost did."

"That shouldn't matter, though. I mean, yeah, I guess I get what you're saying and everything. But … it's all a part of the job. Renji knows that. It's not like you wanted to hurt him — things just got out of control. It happens," Ichigo said. His eyes bore into mine. "For him not to see you, to make sure that you're alright, is unacceptable. Whatever happened, you're still a member of his squad." I sighed. Maybe he was right … I mean, even Captain Kuchiki came to visit me, and I don't even think he likes me much. I wasn't really sure what to think, honestly. We had such a great first day together and I couldn't help but feel connected to him, deeper than I could have thought. But that fight … that was enough to break a lifelong friendship, let alone one only lasting a single day.

"Hey …" Ichigo whispered, grazing my fingers lightly with his own. "Don't worry about it, okay?" My fingertips tingled.

"Okay …"

"And besides, you don't need Renji to take you to the world of the living," he said with a big grin. "You've got me now." I couldn't help but smile back — it was contagious.

"Another bottle of sake?" Our server asked, coming up to the side of our table. Her eyes flicked to where our hands were still touching slightly on the table and a smile quirked at the corner of her mouth; we quickly pulled our hands back, awkwardly laughing.
"Uh, yeah sure, that would be great," Ichigo said, clearing his throat. "Thank you." She bowed her head and scurried off to get it.

"So …" I started. "Is, uh, is Orihime your girlfriend?" Ichigo nearly choked on his drink.

"What?!" He coughed. "No. What would make you think that?"

"Dunno," I shrugged. "Just thought maybe she was. I mean, she's beautiful, and clearly very talented. Seems like a great girl. Plus you both live in the world of the living."

"Well, yeah, I mean Orihime is a great girl; she's one of my best friends," he said carefully, meeting my gaze. "But she's definitely not my girlfriend." Something about the way he was looking at me made my face heat. I bit my lip lightly, hoping a little bit of pain would stave off the embarrassing blush, but that only made his stare more intense.

"Here you go!" Our server said, placing the full bottle of sake on the table and flitting away. Ichigo let out a low chuckle and poured us both new glasses.

"Damn, she's just everywhere isn't she?" He said under his breath. I laughed.

"How long are you staying here in the Seireitei, do you know?"

"Mm, no, I'm not sure. I was really only called here to make sure everything went alright with Orihime." He must have seen the look of disappointment on my face because he quickly added, "But I know Unohana still has some work for her to do, and as long as I'm not needed in the world of the living, I'm sure it'll be alright for me to hang around for a bit."

"Right," I said, trying to keep my cool and wishing I had a better poker face. "Well, hopefully you won't have to leave too soon." He smiled at that; seems like he didn't have much of a poker face either.

"Nah, I think it's safe to say I'll be sticking around for a bit."

"Good."

—

The Seireitei sure was quiet at night; only the sounds of crickets and the occasional gust of wind blowing lightly through the trees. Ichigo and I walked peacefully towards the squad 6 barracks together, still laughing and chatting as we had been all night. Occasionally our arms would brush up against each other and warmth would coil in my gut. Every time I felt that I cursed myself internally. I was acting like a young girl, letting these boys make my stomach flip every time they touched me, or even looked at me a certain way.

"So, where do you usually stay when you're here in the Seireitei?" I asked, immediately regretting the question when I realized how that sounded as we neared my room. "Not that I'm asking for any weird reasons or anything! Just, y'know, just curious where visitors stay, is all." I stifled a groan as I cursed myself yet again for being a bumbling fool. Ichigo's laugh rang out in the otherwise silent air.

"There's a guest house at the squad 13 barracks — usually I stay there."

"Right, right," I said quickly with a sigh. "Please excuse my idiocy, I don't usually get this flustered. Must be the sake or something."

"Don't stress over it," he assured me. "Honestly, I think it's kind of cute." This time I did groan; it only made him laugh more. As we turned the corner to my barracks, the two of us faltered as we saw a dark shadow hovering by the door to my room. My hands immediately flew to my side to grasp Shokyakuro, and my heart stopped when I remembered I didn't have him with me. Panic started to set in as I felt the strong spiritual pressure in front of me. Ichigo reached his hand out and placed it on my arm. I looked to him and saw that though he was entirely calm, there was something that burned behind his eyes, just a little.

He walked closer, inclining his head at me to tell me to follow. I did. I knew there was nothing to worry about — even if Ichigo hadn't been there with me, I know I'm a strong enough fighter to take care of myself, even without Shokyakuro. That's not to say I wasn't relieved to have Ichigo by my side. With my injury still healing, I was nowhere near as strong an opponent as I should be, especially unarmed. Stupid.

"Yo," Ichigo called out as we neared the shadowed figure. "Renji, what are you doing here lurking in the shadows? It's late." Renji's figure came to light as we neared him; he was leaning against the wall beside my door, arms crossed over his chest. He pushed off the wall to face us, his expression a mix between surprise and rage. I felt my heart constrict.

"I could say the same to you, Ichigo."

"I was just taking Katsumi home." I watched a nerve twitch in Renji's neck.

"'Taking her home'?" He echoed angrily.

"Ichigo was just walking me home, Renji," I said, my breath shallow. "Cool it." He turned his eyes to me and I forced myself to hold my ground, despite the emotions blazing in his eyes.

"Walking you home from where?"

"Walking me home from dinner, Renji."

"He took you to dinner?"

"Yeah, he did," I replied, crossing my arms, exasperated. "Seriously, what are you, my dad? Back off." He gritted his teeth, stopping himself from saying more, until his eyes drifted down to my waist.

"…Where's your zanpakuto?" He asked, his voice just short of a growl.

"Where's my … are you kidding me?" I challenged. "I left it at the squad 4 barracks. I just needed a break from him for a night." In two steps he was standing right in front of me. His big hands were grasping hard at my arms, holding me to look at him as he bent down slightly to match my height.

"You 'needed a break'? What were you thinking Katsumi?" he asked, panic lacing his voice. His fingers were digging into the flesh of my arms. "You're still recovering! What would you have done if someone attacked you, or tried to kidnap you, or something worse? How could you be so reckless?" I didn't move from his grip, but I could feel my body starting to shake; anger and hurt were coursing through my veins.

"And what the hell do you care about that, Renji? What the hell do you care what happens to me?" He looked at me, stunned, like I had just slapped him across the face. I almost wanted to. But I steeled myself against him. And against my better judgement, my feelings came pouring out from my lips. "You're really going to sit here and pretend to be worried about me? You, who wouldn't come to see if I was alright the entire time I was laid up in a bed, and who finally grew a pair to do it and couldn't stand more than five seconds of being near me?"

"Katsumi … I —"

"—no, Renji. Seriously, it's fine. I get it," I said, digging my nails into my palms to keep myself from crying. "I'll speak to Captain Kuchiki in the morning and make sure we never have to work together again. That way you don't have to be around me anymore, and I don't ever have to see you look at me with horror and disgust like that ever again." His dark eyes searched mine; his face had softened, as did his grip on my arms.

"Katsumi …" His voice was quiet, almost inaudible. I turned my head, refusing to let him see me cry over him.

"Just go, Renji."

"You don't understand, Katsumi …" Ichigo reached over and placed his hand on Renji's shoulder.

"Renji. I think you need to leave. Now," he said sternly. Renji stared at me for another second, his eyes pleading. When I didn't move, he shut his eyes and let go of me, standing up fully to meet Ichigo's stare.

"Tsk. Screw you, Ichigo, stay the hell out of it."

"She asked you to leave. So leave."

"Or what?" Renji taunted, getting in Ichigo's face.

"You really want to find out?" Renji smirked, but there was nothing behind his eyes. Before he could answer I stepped in and placed my hand on his chest; I could feel his heart racing beneath my palm. He stopped instantly, looking down at me.

"Please," I whispered. "Please just go, Renji." He swallowed hard. Still, he made no move to go. Finally I looked up at him, my eyes glistening with tears I was desperately fighting against. He looked at me like the breath had been knocked from his lungs as I silently pleaded with him to leave. He dropped his head in resignation and turned on his heel to walk away. Expecting him to simply stalk off to his room, I was surprised when after one more glance at me over his shoulder, Renji disappeared into the night.

I stared after him and took a shaky inhale, attempting to breathe away the need to cry; I had no interest in facing Ichigo with a face full of tears. He placed a warm hand on my back, his thumb softly tracing the bones in my spine.

"Are you okay?" He asked, his voice quiet. I nodded.

"Yeah." A lie.

"Do you want me to stay with you tonight?"

"No." Another lie. My voice broke a bit on the word. Ichigo pulled me into his body, wrapping his arms around me; I don't remember the last time I had felt this small. It took a second before I melted into him, my arms moving to touch his back. I inhaled his smell, burying my face in his broad chest. He leaned his head down to nuzzle my hair.

"Renji is an idiot," he murmured on my head. "I'm sorry." I said nothing in return. I only tightened my grip, digging my fingertips harder into his back. I felt him place a soft kiss on the crown of my head and then rest his chin lightly on me. I pulled away from his embrace to look into his eyes, hating myself for how nervous I suddenly was. His gaze slid to my lips. There was no question that I wanted him to kiss me, and from the looks of it, he wanted to kiss me, too.

But, "I should get to bed," was what I said instead. He paused, and I hoped he understood why I was saying no right now. He shook his head softly and smiled, a warm smile that gave me butterflies all over again.

"I know." He leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on my forehead, lingering there for a second before resting his forehead against mine.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" I asked, barely above a whisper.

"Definitely." He placed another chaste kiss on my brow and let me go, waiting outside my room until I was safely inside, doors closed. I listened to him walk away until I couldn't hear his footsteps anymore, and as soon as it was silent once more, I wept.