Title: Apotheosis
Series: sequel to Nexus
Author: Akuni
Genre: Drama/Romance
Rating: M for 'Much Smut'
Pairing: Renji/Ichigo
Spoilers: read through Soul Society & Arrancar Arcs
Summary: One year after Nexus, Ichigo and Renji face personal challenges and a new crisis that threatens everyone.
Word Count: 65,000ish
Warnings: There is more talk about the war with Aizen that I wrote around in Nexus. There are mentions of character deaths during the war, but they're mostly minor. Should also be noted that there's some definite Shuuhei/Yumichika subtext, and off camera Hitsugaya/Hinamori.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, I'm just borrowing it for a while.
Distribution: Also posted to my LJ. Please ask if you want to share it :)

Dedication: To my wonderful beta Shelagh, for putting up with my writing process and for drawing the amazing art that goes with my stories. She keeps me on the path of reality when my feet try to take me down sugar plum lane. And for Sara, our partner in fangirling and BL love, for helping us stay silly and sane. And I suppose even for my husband, who has had to endure my mental love affair with Renji, my extended hours on my laptop writing this beast, and my ups and downs while writing it. One night we got drunk and he let me read all my fics out loud to him in one night (yes, even all of Nexus) - my voice was ruined the next day, but we had a great laugh. He laughed in all the right places, and wouldn't let me chicken out and stop reading at the sexy bits. :)

And as always, to all my fellow Renji/Ichigo fangirls/guys out there. We know it's impossible, we know it's silly, and we know it's damned hot!

A/N: I said Nexus ate my life - I was wrong. So very wrong. The idea for Apotheosis came to me while I was still writing Nexus, and I scribbled down a couple pages of notes as I went along. Nexus was posted at the end of August, and it's now December. I've only taken a handful of days off writing this story - I even took my notebook to work and scribbled lines and scenes as they came to me. This is definitely an obsession. And I loved every minute of it. I hope you all do, too.

Chapter 5 - Turmoil

Ichigo wasn't having a very good day. The Division had been making progress, but they still had a long way to go. Training for the 3rd that morning had been one disaster after another, sending three members to the infirmary at the 4th. After that, Ichigo had spent several hours sparring with Zaraki Kenpachi, "just for fun". Unfortunately, Zaraki's idea of 'fun' was running full tilt to the edge of the 'kill or be killed' cliff and stretching over it as far as possible without falling off, laughing the whole time. After another trip to the 4th and a quick patch-up – they'd been getting ready for him as soon as they got Ichigo's message about the planned spar – Ichigo had finally been able to go home to get some rest for the next day and a half.

When he arrived home, tired, hungry, and a bit cranky, he was hit with another set of challenges. The place was a disaster – they hadn't had time in days to do anything but fight Hollows and catch up on Division work that piled up while they were out fighting. There'd been no time for picking up after themselves. Uniforms in conditions varying from 'dirty' to 'torn and bloody' were strewn across the floor beside empty cartons from the hasty meals they'd snatched in between shifts, since there'd been no time for stocking food supplies. Ichigo's rumbling stomach was displeased with that in particular.

A glance at their disorganized bedding underscored his extreme frustration that there'd been no time for that all week, either. The thought of spending their day off putting this place back into order was the final straw for his foul mood.

When Renji stormed in only a few minutes later, the energy in the room swelled unpleasantly as their reiatsu crashed together. Renji flung himself down and began growling before he'd even hit the couch.

"Ya won't believe what that Soi Fong suggested," Renji practically snarled. "She wants t' use my people as bait, t' train her new batch a' special operatives. She implied we're really good at runnin'—"

Ichigo snapped. "What the hell is wrong with you?!" he shouted. "Ya burst in here and start yelling without so much as a 'hello'?"

Renji's eyes widened, then narrowed angrily. "You're the one doin' all the yellin'," he said hotly. "'The fuck'd I do t' deserve that?"

Ichigo couldn't rein in his temper. He knew it was stupid, he knew it was irrational, but it felt so good to let out the pent-up frustration. "I had a rotten day, too, yanno, and ya just came in here and started right away!" The energy in the room was spiky and uneven.

"Well, 'scuse me if I figured ya'd give a damn, an' want t' know what was goin' on!" Renji stood and stalked over to face him.

"I do give a damn, and you know it! I just came home hoping to find some peace and quiet, and some time with you for a change, and I get this!" Ichigo gestured violently at the chaos in their quarters. "I miss you, and I don't wanna waste any of our time!"

"Well I miss ya, too, dammit! I hate that this's the first time in nearly a week we got time t' do somethin' other'n race 'round from one crisis t' the next!"

They stared at each other, almost nose to nose, breathing hard from the shouting.

"Er…" Renji blinked. "So why're we fightin', again?" His expression was so comical that Ichigo's anger melted away, replaced by the usual warmth they felt when they were together.

"'Cause today sucked?" Ichigo offered sheepishly.

Renji looked abashed. "Heh, ya remember the last time we fought over somethin' stupid?"

"Oh yeah." They were still standing so closely, Ichigo took the opportunity to press their lips together to reinforce the memory, and the apology. They were both unprepared for the flood of desire that shot through their still-intensely charged energies.

"… the hell was that?!"

Ichigo thought for a moment before it came to him. He eyed his lover suggestively. "Renji," he mused, "do you suppose that qualified as a proper fight?"

Renji's answering grin was immediate. "Well it was kinda short, but we were pretty mad." He untied Ichigo's sash with slow, deliberate motions. "I think soooo—" he groaned as Ichigo attacked his neck. "Ichi…"

The sudden ache in his groin was demanding attention. "Then I think it's time for the making up part."

They grabbed for each other urgently, tearing off each others' uniforms and scattering them with the rest on the floor in their frenzy. They tumbled onto their futon in a tangle of limbs, mouths devouring each other hungrily.

"I've waited for you for days," Ichigo panted. "Needed you." He bit Renji's neck hard right below the ear, pulling another groan from the shinigami.

"Well ya got me now, what do ya want t' do with me?" Renji's hands squeezed Ichigo's thighs before sliding up to tease him. "How do ya want t' do this?"

"Don't care, as long as we do it right now," Ichigo growled, latching onto Renji's neck again.

"Works for me." Renji pulled Ichigo on top of him and turned his head to bring their lips together. "I could use a good fuck," he flashed a sharp grin. "An' after," Renji's voice dropped down low, "I want t' take my time makin' love t' you."

The energy roared through their bond like fire, the passion triggered by this promise setting every nerve ablaze. Everything else fell away as their focus narrowed to satisfying the burning need to savour each other.

§

There was another attack the morning of the day before Ichigo was scheduled to return to the living world. It was brief but brutal; three squads took heavy casualties before it was over. The rest of the day passed quietly, but it felt too much like the calm before the storm for anyone to relax.

Ichigo and Renji returned to their quarters directly after the end of their shift. Ten weeks had flown, and the time until Ichigo's departure was now measured in hours. When they arrived, Renji paused only long enough to throw off his cloak before sinking onto the couch, gently pulling Ichigo down beside him.

They rested against each other wearily, leaning their heads together and wrapping their arms loosely around each others' shoulders. The silence stretched comfortably as they relaxed together, feeling the peaceful swirl of energy around them.

"I hate that I have to leave tomorrow," Ichigo eventually mumbled, closing his eyes.

"Me too."

"I really hate that I have to sleep alone again."

"Don't remind me." Renji's sigh brushed across his cheek, sending a pleasant shiver down Ichigo's neck.

"I'm still here tonight, though." He pressed his lips to Renji's neck, and felt the arms around him tighten.

"It'd be a shame t' waste it." Renji's low laugh was accompanied by a surge of energy through their bond.

Ichigo lifted his head and turned to meet Renji's lips with his own. The kiss started off slow and sweet, but the growing desire between them soon sparked into passion.

A brief hammering was all the warning they had to break apart before the door was flung open.

"Renji! Ichigo-san! I'm sorry, I'm really sorry, but—" Rikichi stood panting in the doorway, eyes quickly averted, trying desperately to catch his breath. He needn't have bothered, though – they could sense the growing disturbance for themselves now that they'd been shocked into alertness.

"Calm down and breathe, Rikichi, it's ok." Renji stood and shrugged back into his cloak as Ichigo straightened his uniform.

"I know you've both just come off your last shift, and I know it's your last night here…" Rikichi looked at Ichigo apologetically. "Everyone's being called back in. Something immense is trying to break through, and they think it'll be here in less than an hour."

"It's ok, that's why I'm here," Ichigo reassured the young shinigami even as he squirmed a bit inside at having their closeness witnessed.

Rikichi was aware of their relationship, of course; when Ichigo had first visited Soul Society after it had begun, Rikichi had told them, "I've known since Renji-san came back from his mission in the summer. He talked about you for days, but he couldn't seem to decide if he was happy or sad." Ichigo hadn't been able to stop his burst of laughter at the disconcerted look on Renji's face at his comrade's ingenuous revelation.

"Who sent you here?" Renji asked as they headed out.

"Ah, I was at headquarters when the message came down for all officers to report in. Kuchiki-fukutaichou had to go ahead, and I didn't think…" Rikichi coloured faintly, "…didn't think you'd want just anyone coming in."

"That's very thoughtful," Renji said. "This ain't a secret, though."

"Well you're both sorta private people, and you deserve to have your intimate moments stay that way." He spoke with such earnest sincerity that Ichigo found most of his discomfort falling away.

Renji coughed. "We got a fight t' be at, or did ya forget?" he growled, but the effect was spoiled as he gripped the younger shinigami's shoulder briefly in thanks before they started running.

§

Nearly all senior officers and a large number of lower seated shinigami were gathered at the site of the disturbance. Sickly green energy swirled overhead, shot through with angry black lightning. It covered a large area, larger than any of the other breaches they'd seen.

They joined Kira and Shuuhei at the edge of the crowd. Renji scanned the familiar faces, noting that Rukia already had their team ready to go.

"Any news?" Renji asked.

"Not yet," Shuuhei frowned. "Still waiting for Yamamoto-sou-taichou to arrive."

"You two must be exhausted," Kira sounded concerned. "Ichigo, you're supposed to be leaving in the morning."

"Guess I'll be goin' out with a bang," Ichigo shrugged and smiled, but Renji could feel that his lover regretted the loss of the night as much as he did.

Shuuhei nudged them to be quiet. "Hey, he's here."

"Captains of the Gotei 13," the old man's voice boomed. "We face a great challenge this evening, one that will take all our resources to combat." The fire in Yamamoto's eyes burned brightly. "Your assignments. The 2nd and 12th Divisions, surveillance and precision strikes. The 4th and 13th, fall back and establish a relief base and protected supply line. The 1st and 6th Divisions to the North, 7th to the East, 8th to the South, 9th to the West. The 5th, 10th, and 11th Divisions cover any hot spots and destroy anything that breaks through."

The 3rd Division wasn't mentioned, a fact no one missed.

That's a cheap trick. Kira ain't even got the authority t' protest. He knew most of the shinigami present didn't know the acting captain of the 3rd well enough, but Renji recognized the frustrated set of Kira's shoulders. He stepped forward, not knowing what to say but with his conscience demanding he say something.

Yamamoto ignored him completely as he continued. "Kurosaki Ichigo, you will—"

"Fight with my Division, of course," Ichigo stated smoothly. "It's been my privilege to serve with Kira-taichou and the 3rd, and I'll continue there as long as they'll have me." He bowed his head politely to Kira before turning and facing Yamamoto steadily.

The murmur that ran through the assembled shinigami died quickly as Kuchiki Byakuya's chilly gaze swept the crowd.

He sure knows how t' play the formality game. Renji struggled to conceal his pride as Ichigo calmly challenged the Commander-General of the Gotei 13. He was fairly certain no one else could feel the irritation simmering below the surface of Ichigo's energy. An' the other Captains definitely noticed he didn't say he was serving under Kira.

'Very well. The 3rd Division will assist the 5th here."

Renji barely stopped himself from sucking in a breath at the further insult thrown toward the 3rd, and the fact that his Division had been used to do it. "Yes, Yamamoto-sou-taichou." He didn't dare interfere in whatever game Ichigo was playing with the old man.

"You have your orders. Dismissed."

Ichigo lifted the corner of his mouth in a smile as the Commander-General turned to his own Division without another word. "Kira-taichou, what role do you want me to take as we fight beside the 5th?"

This time there was no quelling the whispers that broke out as the assembled shinigami spread to carry out their orders.

Sonuva bitch, he's got a set a' steel! Renji nearly laughed aloud as Ichigo turned the insult into an honour with a single word. The Commander-General was still within earshot, but gave no indication that he'd heard.

"Kurosaki-dono, please apply your skills in this fight where they are most needed." Kira could play the game, too, Renji noted with amusement.

"Understood, Kira-taichou."

"The 5th is honoured t' fight beside Kira-taichou an' the 3rd. An' a' course Kurosaki-dono's always our welcome ally." Renji chose his words deliberately to show his support. To his utter surprise, Kuchiki Byakuya gave him the faintest of nods before leading his own forces into position. He stored that startling bit of information for later.

Renji dropped the formality as the others flashed out of sight. "Damn, Ichigo, ya got a lot a' nerve!" he chuckled.

Ichigo let out a heavy breath. "Too much, maybe. Thought he was gonna roast me! But it's just not right the way they stomp all over 'em."

"Looks like we ain't the only ones t' think that, either. Some a' the others looked a bit put out."

"That looks like a good place for you two to set up," Kira pointed, obviously uncomfortable with the conversation.

"Good call, Kira. Ya not comin' with us?"

"No, I need to see to my people," he smiled faintly. "I don't have a trusty lieutenant, remember."

Renji's shrill whistle caught Rukia's attention. He pointed to himself and Ichigo, then to the hilltop. She nodded, a wave of her arm indicating her intention to direct their forces down below.

Ichigo looked at him inquisitively as they climbed to the top of the low rise. "Kuchiki Byakuya," Renji whispered quietly. Ichigo's eyebrows shot up. "Yeah, tell me 'bout it."

From their vantage point on the hill, Renji watched Rukia efficiently organizing their people. They'd do well; they made him proud, every time.

There was a terrible screaming, tearing sound as the sky began to split. Renji felt Ichigo's solid presence at his side. No one I'd rather have beside me.

"Hoeru, Zabimaru!" The wicked blade extended smoothly under his hand, eager for the fight. Renji turned to face his other partner with a grin. "Let's do it."

Ichigo drew Zangetsu off his back in a single fluid motion, the wrappings snapping in the stiff breeze. "Oh yeah," he grinned back. "Let's give 'em hell."

They stood side by side waiting for the horde to appear.

§

"That's it! It's closed, it's over!" the cry went up from the exhausted kidou team.

Ichigo slashed through the last Hollow in front of him and looked up wearily. The light staining the sky wasn't from the rift anymore, it was the false dawn – and the rift was closed. "Oh. We're done."

"Good." Renji was still right behind him, leaning heavily on his zanpakutou. "Dunno how much longer we coulda kept that up," he huffed.

Ichigo peered at him curiously. Renji's uniform was badly slashed, and one foot was soaked red with the blood running down a gash in his exposed leg. "You're a mess," he said, surprised.

"What?" Renji looked down, then shrugged. "Heh. You, too."

Ichigo looked at himself. His own uniform was in a sorry state; he didn't even remember when he lost his right sleeve.

"Ya got a nasty cut on your forehead," Renji observed. "Bleedin' all over the place."

A burly shinigami wearing a 4th Division uniform trotted over to them. "Abarai-taichou, Kurosaki-dono," he bowed. "Unohana-taichou requests your presence at the aid station as soon as you've taken care of your men."

"We'll be there," Renji nodded to the shinigami as he bowed again and hastened away.

They met up with Rukia and Kira before heading to the aid station to get patched up. Every Division had casualties, but so far there were no fatalities from the 3rd or the 5th. The 11th had a number of members being treated by members of the 4th, their usual banter entertaining the injured.

After the war with Aizen, an odd respect had grown up between the two Divisions, due to the heroic actions between members of both. Now it seemed as if members of the 4th took pride in how well they could patch up the members of the 11th, who seemed even more eager than before to get themselves busted up as an odd sort of challenge to their counterparts. A bittersweet memory skittered through the back of Ichigo's mind, but he was too tired to acknowledge it.

There were only a few hours left before Ichigo was supposed to leave, but he made a point of sharing a few words with each of the injured shinigami from the 3rd before they left. Their responses ranged from shy smiles to steady gazes and firm nods, but they all seemed pleased to see him, and repeated the farewells they'd already made earlier in the day. The faces of the young recruits struck him especially hard, and the nagging worry he'd been feeling for weeks grew stronger.

As they trudged back to their quarters, Renji handed Ichigo a small round pill. "Got some a' the 4th Division's pep pills," Renji said before swallowing one himself. "Isane-fukutaichou let me have 'em on account a' I'm on duty again in about…" he peered at the sky, "…five hours, an' you gotta get back in your body in about three. Can't have ya keelin' over in the street."

Ichigo popped the little pill, feeling the tingling energy spread through his weary limbs almost instantly. "It'll hafta do," he replied. "If I fall asleep now I'm not gonna move for the next day." And I refuse to spend our last few hours together sleeping – or worrying. He put his concerns firmly out of his mind.

The trip to their quarters was thankfully short. They left their ragged uniforms in a heap by the door and headed for the bath. Tired, stiffening muscles protested as they helped each other wash off the blood and grime.

After a short soak in the hot water, they'd loosened up enough to crawl under their blankets and wrap their arms around each other.

"Not a lot a' time left before ya got t' go." Renji squeezed the back of Ichigo's neck gently.

"Uh huh." Ichigo ran his fingertips down his lover's chest. "Don't wanna think 'bout that now. Just wanna think 'bout you." He pressed their lips together, Renji's heartfelt approval washing over him. An arm pulled tight around his waist as the kiss deepened.

Some things were more important than rest, and more rejuvenating than sleep.

§

Three hours later, Renji and Rukia accompanied him to the gate. Ichigo felt a bit odd when Renji reached out to grasp his hand, but it was just Rukia and she was like one of his sisters – Renji's, too, for that matter. If he hadn't been so stressed, Ichigo would've rolled his eyes at the thought of doing something as… affectionate as holding hands outside of a private moment. As it was, he needed the contact just to keep his feet moving.

As they stood in front of the shimmering portal, Ichigo's worry finally got the better of him. "Be careful."

They nodded.

"If you need me…"

"It's ok, Ichigo. It'll be fine." The dark circles under Rukia's eyes twisted Ichigo's gut.

"I'll be back as soon as I can," he promised. Rukia smiled as she hugged him, and then pointedly drifted away to examine the greenery, humming a little tune to herself.

Ichigo met Renji's gaze. "Four weeks," Ichigo's voice was low and rough. "If you can't make it…" His reiatsu flared briefly, but was quickly soothed as Renji's energy bolstered him. "I'll come back instead to help. Extra paperwork and classes be damned." Ichigo tried a smile.

"We'll manage somethin'. We always do." Renji sounded as confident as always, his tone conflicting with the tiredness in his face from responding to the midnight alert.

Ichigo swallowed his guilt; he had no choice. He pulled his lover into a rough embrace, memorizing as he always did the feel of the arms gripping him back so strongly and the warm lips that pressed swiftly against his.

"Right." His eyes held Renji's one more time, eyes that mirrored the loss he felt as their reiatsu separated.

Ichigo stepped through the portal.

§

"You ok?"

Renji looked down at his petite companion. "Gotta be, don't I?" He wrapped an arm around her slender shoulders for a brief moment before they headed back to the division offices and the work ahead.

§

Shuuhei and Yumichika watched the lovers embrace from their vantage point in the bushes.

"You get it?"

Yumichika held up Nanao's camera. "Perfectly."

Shuuhei grinned.

§

Omake
Chapter 5 omake

Yumichika: Oh Rukia-san, this was a very good idea

Rukia: (beams a smile)

Shuuhei: How do I let you talk me into these things, Yumi?

Akuni: Because—

Shuuhei: Never mind! Rhetorical question!

Renji: You guys are acting very suspicious!

Ichigo: No kidding. And since when do they get so much attention, huh?

Akuni: Aw, are you guys jealous that you have to share the spotlight?

Renji: Che. 'Course not.

Ichigo: No way. Just a bit suspicious, is all. We're watchin' you guys.

Shuuhei: I think you should be more concerned with who's watching you, Ichigo.

Ichigo: You guys think Yamamoto's pissed at me?

Renji: Hard t' say, really.

Shuuhei: He's a hard man to read.

Ichigo: Maybe I'd better practice a formal apology…