A/N: Here's the second idea for a jealous Renji. Jealousy is challenging to write so I hope I hit the right tone with this.

Friends to Lovers

By: bleachfanficfanatic

Renji can feel an eye twitch developing the longer he watches you, your words becoming a white noise as a headache makes itself known. It's not that he dislikes talking with you, quite the opposite in fact. You've become one of his best friends because you're just so damn easy to get along with. Unlike other women he's befriended you don't bring about unnecessary drama and the simplicity of your friendship is refreshing. Plus you've seen him at his absolute worst and are still around.

"So why do I feel like I'm being stabbed in the chest?"

"So what do you think?" you ask turning from your closet. You frown. Renji is staring at the wall. Walking up to him you flick his ear and he jerks his head to look at you.

"What?" he asks gruffly and you almost flinch. What's got his panties in a bunch?

"I asked you a question asshole. What's going on with you?" you ask crossing your arms.

"Nothin'," he grumbles, "what was the question?"

You sigh. If Renji doesn't want to tell you what's wrong you won't push it, it'll just make it worse. Taking a deep breath you ask holding up your new dress, "What do you think of this dress?" You're surprised to see him appear to actually be thinking before answering. Most guys would just spout out "Fine" or "I dunno know" or even more irritatingly just shrug. Finally he looks up with a slight grin.

"Not sure, I'd have ta see it on ya," he replies. This surprises you but you smile at his reinvigorated (however slight) interest. You really do want an opinion on this before your date shows up and you end up looking like a fool.

"Ok, give me a minute," you say and head into the bathroom.

As soon as the door shuts Renji lets out a frustrated breath. What the hell is the matter with him? Spacing out, ignoring you, this isn't how he usually is when he's with you. Usually you have all of his attention or he's teasing you or you tease him or something. But ever since you'd announced that afternoon you were going on a date with Ikkaku he's been feeling unease, which doesn't make any sense because the cue ball is, while irritating and a bit too fight obsessive, overall a good guy. He should be happy that someone he trusts as much as him wants to take his best friend out. So why-

His thoughts abruptly cut short as you emerge from the bathroom. No one should be allowed to look this good in such a simple dress. But the navy blue sets off the red highlights in your hair and the shimmering green eye shadow contrasts the brown of your irises making them brighter. Your lips are tinted a faint pink and he realizes just how infrequently he's seen you wear makeup. Not that you need it, but there's something about the way you look now that is short circuiting the synapses in his brain.

"So? You think it's a good choice?" you ask him nervously. The blank expression on his face either means it's really good or really bad. But before he can answer there's a knock at the door. Your eyes shoot to the clock. "Shit! I didn't realize it was already so late," you exclaim and rush back to your closet to grab shoes. Over your shoulder you say, "Well, I hope it's good because I don't have a choice now."

You chuckle as you walk by Renji ruffling the top of his head and making him grunt in irritation at you messy up his pony tail. "Thanks for nothin' you bump on a log, see ya later," you say good-naturedly and walk to your door. Opening it you find Ikkaku standing there in dark blue jeans and white button shirt, though the sleeves have been ripped showing off his biceps. It's a look you're sure only he can pull off.

"Heya, _-chan, you look great," he says grinning.

"Thanks, um, one sec," you say and turn to shout over your shoulder, "Renji, I'm leaving, can you make sure to lock up before you go?" You hear a muffled affirmation of your request and turn back to your date. "Let's go!" you say excitedly.

He takes you to a simple restaurant, a basic first date but that's fine with you. You don't think you can handle anything more complicated. To your surprise, Ikkaku proves himself a fairly good conversationalist even if most of stories are about battles. But you don't mind. At the end of the evening he walks you home.

"I had a great time tonight," you offer and he grins.

"Me too, _-chan, I'm glad you finally agreed to go out," he replies and you blush. It's true you've been making excuses to not go out with him, your troublesome heart waiting and hoping for a particular shinigami to take his red head out of his ass but deep down you know that's not likely. The last time Renji allowed himself to open his heart to a friend in that way it crashed and burned all around him.

That was part of how you and he became so close. He needed a safe place to mend his broken heart and you were there. You've always been there but he finally saw you, at least in terms of being a reliable friend.

Not that you blame Rukia, well, not any more. At first you were out for blood when you'd heard she rejected him. He had been surprised at your violent reaction, clearly unaware of how much you cared about him. Quickly he had insisted it wasn't her fault and he wasn't angry, at least not at her.

Her hands were tied. As a noble woman she had no say in whom she could be with and the Kuchiki clan is dead set against another "commoner" being added to their ranks. Even Byakuya's influence did nothing to sway their decision and so Rukia was left with the choice of marry who they approve or not marry at all. Unsurprisingly she opted for the latter, electing to step into the captaincy of the thirteenth division offered her when Ukitake stepped down, his health finally pushing him into retirement, though he still frequents the office to check up on his former subordinate.

And so over the last few years you'd grown even closer to your fellow fukutaichou, your heart being filled with him more and more but you won't put him in that position. He always comments on how he enjoys the simplicity of your friendship and to your ears that means that's all it will ever be. So you finally decided to give into Ikkaku's advances in an attempt to move forward with your life sans romantic inclinations towards Renji.

In your musings you've failed to notice Ikkaku is leaning his head down closer to yours. Your heart skips a beat; is he going to kiss you? Do you want him to kiss you? "Too late now," you think as inches become centimeters which become millimeters. When he's a hair's breadth away from your lips you squeak in surprise as your door opens behind you. You were leaning on it and presumably turned the knob unconsciously in your fidgeting. As your ass hits the ground you groan. When you open your eyes you can see Ikkaku trying desperately not to laugh and failing miserable.

"Go ahead, I'm a fucking moron," you grumble and he chortles loudly as he reaches down to pull you to your feet. "Alright, alright, that's enough," you say as dust yourself off. Leaning forward you peck his cheek making his laughter stop abruptly. "Good night Ikkaku," you say sweetly and enter your home on your feet this time.

The next week you have another date set up with Ikkaku, this time in the living world to go to a dance club. You've never been and are quite nervous but he insists you'll have fun. You've opted to wear black shorts and a halter top showing off your strong back and shoulders and high heels on your feet, all recommendations from Rangiku. With your hair tied up in a tight pony tail and make up done you're ready for him to pick you up.

A knock at the door pulls you to it but when it's opened you're surprised to find Renji standing there. He looks equally surprised but you're sure it's because of your outfit.

"Where're you goin'?" he asks before you can ask why he's there.

"Ikkaku is taking me dancing," you answer bubbly.

The wind is effectively ripped from your sails when he asks roughly, "And you're wearing that?" His eyes are hard, clear disapproval in them. You feel a swell of anger rip through you.

"So what if I am? Who are you, my dad?" you ask heatedly and slam the door behind you. You need to walk off some of this irritation before seeing Ikkaku so you stride down the path you know he'll be headed to get you leaving Renji behind.

"The nerve of that guy!" you think as you walk quickly down the road. Soon enough you spy Ikkaku coming up towards you and force a smile for him.

"_-chan, what are you doing out here? I would haven't come an' got ya," he asks.

"Just needed to cool my head, Renji's being an ass," you say and he looks surprised.

"Tch, never thought I'd see the day where you two were fighting," he comments as you make your way to the official senkaimon.

"Yeah, well, insulting a girl's appearance right before she's set to go on a date tends to lend itself to less than a positive reaction," you grumble.

"He did what now?"

"He disapproves of my attire apparently, but whatever, doesn't matter. I mean, unless, do you think I should change?" you ask, suddenly aware that maybe there really is something wrong with what you're wearing.

"Hell no, you look fucking hot!" Ikkaku exclaims and you giggle.

Eventually you are at the club trying to have a good time. The room is packed making it easier for you to hide your awkward movements but pressed up against Ikkaku you feel a mixture of pleasure and guilt. You are for the most part having a good time and there is some part of you that is attracted to him, but your mind is constantly wandering back to your tiff with Renji. You don't like being at odds with him, or him thinking less of you.

Suddenly you feel a familiar ripple of reiatsu. Both of you look up to see Renji barreling through the throngs of people surrounding you.

"What the hell?" Ikkaku's voice echoes your thoughts but you find yourself unable to move or speak. The look in Renji's eyes is fearsome. Reaching forward he plucks you none too gently from Ikkaku's hold.

"What the fuck Renji?" he asks and is answered with a punch to the face. A startled cry emits from the crowd around you, someone calling out, "Fight!" Immediately a circle forms around the three of you. Since when was there all this space?

Ikkaku strides forward teeth bared. "You're gonna regret that you fucking pineapple," he growls and whips out a kick in Renji's direction catching him in the gut. Renji grunts and throws another punch, this one to Ikkaku's temple. Soon they are punching, kicking and grappling all over the dance floor, people either screaming in fear or yelling encouragement, picking sides for men they don't even know.

And the whole time you stand there with your eyes wide and you're sure your mouth open. When two bouncers are effortlessly thrown back by both men you finally come out of your daze. You have to end this. Surging forward you put up your hands to block both men from advancing towards each other again.

"That's enough!" you shout over the din of music. Your eyes flash in fury at Renji. Striding up to him you poke his chest roughly punctuating each of your words, "Just who the fuck do you think you are, Abarai?" He doesn't answer and you continue your tirade, "You think you can just come in here and pick a fight? And why are you? Ikkaku is your friend! What the hell is your problem?!" You're shouting now.

Unexpectedly he grabs your shoulders and pulls you close to his face. You suck in a breath. Leaning forward he whispers in your ear, "I don't like him touching what's mine."

Before you can protest his arrogant statement his lips seal over yours, his tongue plunging into your already open mouth. With one roll against your own you feel your knees almost give out. He tightens his hold, squeezing your arms almost painfully. When he pulls back you open your eyes, unaware you'd even closed them, and find him staring into your face.

"Renji," you breathe out, "what is going on? Why…why are you doing this?"

"Because I finally figured out what it was I was feeling and couldn't wait another moment to tell you," he says heedless of the many eyes staring at the two of you. Swallowing once he goes on, "You mean the world to me, _-chan, and I'm sorry it took me turning into a jealous bastard to realize it."

You heart is pounding against your rib cage. Is he saying what you think he's saying?

A throat clearing draws your attention back to Ikkaku who is sporting a new shiner on his eye. Pulling forcefully away from Renji you go to him. "Ikkaku, I'm so sorry, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, _-chan," he says before moving you to the side. Striding up to Renji he grabs his collar and pulls his face to his own. "Treat'er right you moron, cause if you don't I'll be there to kick your ass."

Renji nods once and Ikkaku walks out of the club leaving you stunned but then Renji is tugging you out of the doors before the bouncers or management can make their way to you. Once you are far away from the club he slows his pace until you're walking side by side in silence, the moon lighting your path.

"So, you were jealous huh?" you ask nudging him with your shoulder.

His arm shoots around you and pulls you close. "Insanely," he mutters against your neck making you sigh.

Pulling back you look up into his face. "And just how did you figure out I feel the same way about you? I mean, it's not like I've broadcast it."

He grinned. "Ichigo, well, he and Orihime" he supplies and your face betrays your shock.

"What do you mean?" you ask.

He pulls you closer. "After you left tonight I couldn't get over how I'd treated you and how pissed off I was that you were out with Ikkaku again. When there was a call out for assistance with a hollow infestation I took it. Of course Ichigo was there. After it was all done he asked me what was wrong."

You can see his cheeks heating up as memory of the conversation takes hold and it makes you giggle at how cute he looks. "At first I told him nothing but then he asked if it had something to do with you." He chuckled, "I didn't hide well at all that it did. Orihime overheard us and asked if you'd finally told me how you felt. You should have seen Ichigo's face trying to signal to her to be quiet."

Your own cheeks heat up. Orihime has been your one confidant because if anyone knows about the pain of unrequited love it's her, though those days are long gone now since finally marrying Ichigo.

Renji shrugs. "Of course at that point it was too late and she told me. I got so pissed, mostly at myself, and Ichigo basically kicked me in the ass telling me to not be a pansy and go after what I really wanted. But when I came in and saw Ikkaku with his hands all over you, fuck, I'm surprised I didn't actually kill him." His voice is rough now, darker and you're thankful that some semblance of sanity remained otherwise Ikkaku may have gotten seriously hurt.

Touching his cheek you bring his eyes back to yours. "I love you, idiot," you say and his eyebrows rise. Then he grins and leans down kissing you firmly.

Pulling back he murmurs, "I love you too."