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 8 - Integrity

They picked up where they'd left off when Ichigo returned briefly to the living world. Ichigo resumed his weekly sparring sessions with Zaraki, and once again led the extra training programs he'd initiated for the 3rd. Overall he seemed pleased with their progress, but some days Renji could tell it was a trial.

Renji checked the time; today's extra session should've been over more than an hour ago, but Ichigo was only now striding through the door and flinging himself onto the couch with a groan.

"Not goin' well?" Renji guessed, taking a seat beside the obviously frustrated man.

"Sometimes I wanna just kick 'em all in the ass." Ichigo scowled. "Some days they do really well, and some others… Why's it so impossible to get them to listen?"

"Ya know, ya might want t'—"

"I wasn't really askin', so don't tell me what to do!" the other man snapped, cutting him off.

Renji frowned. "Hey, I'm just tryin' t' help, here." Gimme a chance, dammit, I know what— He shoved away the petty thought before Ichigo could pick up on it.

Ichigo sighed. "No, I know… I'm in a rotten mood." He offered a smile that Renji understood was an apology.

"S'ok," he rested a hand on his lover's shoulder. "They're stupid, an' you'll kick their asses a few times before they figure out it's better t' just do what they're told the first time."

Ichigo shook his head, "I hope so," he muttered, "otherwise they're gonna get killed."

§

Ichigo's patrol the next day encountered the most peculiar Hollow he'd ever seen. Some of the other shinigami in the Division eyed it uncertainly.

"What is that thing?"

"Bad news for us," Kira's reply to the startled young shinigami was grim. "Ichigo, have you seen one of these yet?"

"Don't think so. What's it do? Breathe fire, throw lightning, split off miniature clones of itself?" Ichigo wasn't even a little bit sarcastic – they'd encountered Hollows that did all of those things and more on their 'routine' patrols.

"Worse. When those tentacles hit, they suck the target's energy, and then they throw it back at everyone else. If it hits you…" Kira grimaced, leaving the rest unsaid. "And you'll be drained for weeks."

"So definitely don't let it touch me, got it." Ichigo didn't want to think of the damage that could be done with that amount of spirit energy.

"Spread out!" Kira instructed the lower shinigami before turning back to Ichigo. "I'll try to slow those tentacles down. You're faster than I am even without your bankai, can you get behind it?"

"Gotta try." No way in hell I wanna hafta use bankai or the Hollow around somethin' that can steal my spirit energy and use it against my comrades.

"Omote o agero, Wabisuke!"

Ichigo flashed to the other side, looking for an opening. There were tentacles everywhere – the thing resembled three giant octopi mashed together at odd angles, and had about as many waving limbs.

Kira and Wabisuke took out several of the dangerous appendages, but there were too many more ready to take their place. Junior officers hacked at them whenever they came near, but they couldn't muster enough power to cut through with one slice and had to fall back.

There was no time to cry a warning as one limb swung low across the ground. It struck Kira solidly, crushing him to the ground and siphoning his energy.

"Kira!" Ichigo leaped over and sheared off the reiatsu-sucking appendage, but the damage was done. A wave of force rolled over the squad members, throwing several into the air and sending the rest to their knees. Ichigo held his ground, picking up the fallen acting captain and hauling him out of harm's way.

"If you can't handle this fight then stay out of it – it's ok if you can't keep up, and we don't need to be fighting your energy, too," Ichigo commanded. Most of the squad members fell back looking frightened, a few braver souls following his example and dragging fallen comrades back with them. Finally, they're doin' what they're told.

The approach of new enemies tickled his awareness. Three new Hollows, coming in fast. He tried again, barking orders as he wove frantically through the maze of spinning tentacles. "Three more coming in from the North – Squad Two take the lead, Three and Four assist."

The Squad Two leader saluted acknowledgement, and the teams raced off.

Fuck. Ichigo flashed out of reach again. I can't reach without gettin' hit. No offense, Zangetsu, but I'd give a lot right now if you could extend like Zabimaru. Got no choice now, they're all gonna die if I don't.

"The rest of you get back and protect the fallen… if I get hit, you gotta get the hell outta here because I dunno what it'll do with my energy."

"BANKAI!"

"Tensa Zangetsu." Ichigo poured on the speed. He slipped through the limbs more easily this time. He ducked and dodged for nearly a minute before finding the mask buried in the middle and shattering it with a single powerful blow. The Hollow vanished with a shrill squeal that scraped a shiver down Ichigo's spine.

He focused; the three new Hollows were weakened, the teams were having no trouble dispatching them. Ichigo let his bankai fade and ran to check on the fallen Division members.

"Squad Five, please send a runner to the 4th and let 'em know we're comin' in with heavy casualties."

Ichigo surveyed the area; the shinigami crowded together, uncertain and confused. He quickly organized them into teams and they began carrying their injured comrades back to Seireitei.

He hefted Kira over his shoulder. Wait 'til the captains hear about this. It ain't gonna be pretty. Ichigo fought to contain the anger rising from his gut as he pictured the reaction the rest of the Gotei 13 would have to this disaster. It's their own damn fault this Division is crumbling…

§

Renji was hard at work when a familiar feeling tickled his senses, distracting him from the papers scattered across his desk. He concentrated, trying to pinpoint the source. The flare of energy that erupted brought his head up sharply – he sensed a surge of reiatsu that he, better than anyone, knew belonged to Ichigo.

That's Ichigo… but he's supposed t' be on patrol with Kira an' the 3rd for another two hours.

He focused in on the sudden surge of energy, leaning back in surprise when he felt its angry edge.

…the fuck is goin' on?! He tried to analyze the blazing power but the sensations were nearly overwhelming.

A loud crash from the outer room pulled him to his feet before he could think; war-time reflexes had Zabimaru already extended with a mental bark.

What'n hell was that?!

"I need to see Abarai-taichou right now, it's an emergency, dammit!" The urgency and authority in Rikichi's voice got Renji's immediate attention.

Rikichi fell into the room as Renji yanked the door open. "Renji!"

"Someone better tell me what the hell is goin' on, right now." He didn't like the way things were adding up – Rikichi's anxiety plus the furious swell of reiatsu equalled trouble.

"It's Ichigo," Rikichi panted. "He's… he's lost it. The 3rd got hit bad, and Kira-taichou-dairi's down. Ichigo's hollering at everyone, even Zaraki-taichou, and his spirit pressure's gone crazy! No one knows what to do."

Ice flooded Renji's veins. Did he lose control a' his Hollow?Injuries… insane spirit pressure… hollerin' at Zaraki-taichou… shit!

He checked himself firmly. "Go find Kuchiki-fukutaichou," he ordered a startled squad member. "Tell her I've gone ahead, she'll know what t' do." The shinigami sketched a quick salute before he flashed away.

"Let's go." He didn't need Rikichi's guidance; the angry beacon of power drew him like a moth to a flame.

§

Ichigo was still in full voice when they arrived at the scene – they heard his angry yells before they saw him.

"You're all a bunch of hypocrites, an' I'm fuckin' sick of it!"

What the hell happened out there today? Renji was surprised by the tone and language.

"If you fuckin' idiots would stop t' think for two seconds, ya might remember there's another war brewin' here, an' we can't afford t' be fightin' ourselves!"

One more flash step brought them to the edge of the commotion. At the centre, Ichigo stood alone, glowing brightly as his reiatsu flared; shinigami all around from every division trembled on the ground from the immense spirit pressure he exuded.

And then Renji picked up on something very interesting. He noticed immediately that Ichigo's reiatsu was under perfect control, and it was very clearly Ichigo's control, not the Hollow. Scanning the crowd of shinigami, he spotted Zaraki Kenpachi calmly observing the spectacle, and while everyone else was quaking where they stood, Zaraki merely looked… expectant? Renji's eyes narrowed as he peered more closely at the furious substitute shinigami and his former captain.

"We're dangerously under strength, an' ya just dismiss an entire Division like it ain't there, 'cause ya don't understand an' ya don't wanna," Ichigo roared, pointing Zangetsu at the crowd.

"Renji…" Rikichi wobbled as he stood, but he was still standing. "He sounds kinda like you."

Renji blinked. Rikichi was right.

"I've had enough a' this shit!"

"Yes, Kurosaki Ichigo, I think that is quite enough."

Renji flashed through the crowd, recognizing the voice from the first word. One quick step brought him next to Ichigo. "Ichigo, what—"

"Abarai-taichou, stand down." The Commander-General of the Gotei 13 cut him off. Yamamoto and his lieutenant stood easily in the midst of the roiling reiatsu.

Renji frowned; he sealed and sheathed his zanpakutou but stood his ground.

"Control yourself, please, Kurosaki-dono."

Ichigo rested Zangetsu on the back of his neck and faced Yamamoto squarely. The incredible spirit force lessened. "Yamamoto-sou-taichou," he said. His tone was just within the bounds of civility, Renji noted.

"What is the meaning of this display?"

"Education," Ichigo replied. "A lesson in manners."

"It looks like you could use a lesson in manners yourself, young man," Yamamoto's reprimand was stern.

"Yeah well at least I'm not wastin' lives by holdin' on to an ancient grudge!" Renji felt Ichigo's real temper rising underneath the calm façade he now projected.

"You have a problem with the way we do things in Soul Society?" The old man sounded curiously neutral for someone who was being goaded.

"Damn right I do!" Ichigo didn't bother hiding the contempt in his voice. The shameful behaviour expressed toward the struggling 3rd Division clearly infuriated him.

"You're very good at righteous indignation, but how far will that get you?"

"Huh?"

"You think you can do better? Fine, let's see you try. You're hereby granted the rank of Acting Captain of the 3rd Division for the duration of Kira-taichou-dairi's incapacity."

§

Ichigo stared. He wants me to… run the Division? Is this some kinda joke?

"Kurosaki-taichou-dairi, report to me after you've seen Unohana-taichou." With that, Yamamoto and his lieutenant simply vanished.

Guess not.

"Ichigo, what'n hell happened out there?" Renji's voice was pitched low enough that no one around them could overhear – not that anyone was still within even ten metres of the confrontation.

"It's a long story," Ichigo sighed, then straightened. "And apparently I have a Division to run now, so…"

"I know how it is. Go – see t' your people." Ichigo clearly felt the edge of the pride that Renji was struggling to suppress in front of the crowd, and it eased a bit of the tension from his shoulders.

Ichigo managed a smile. "I'll tell ya all about it at home tonight. Maybe you can help me figure out what kinda game Yamamoto is playin', 'cause I sure's hell don't have the first clue."

§

When Ichigo left, presumably to check on his people – his people! Renji gloated silently – in the 4th, the crowd began to disperse. A tinkle of bells reminded him that he needed to have a few words with his former captain. He told Rikichi to return to headquarters without him before approaching Zaraki.

"Zaraki-taichou," Renji began cautiously. "Can I talk to ya before ya go?"

"Eh Abarai, whatcha want?"

"Want your opinion on this li'l display, captain t' captain, so t' speak."

Zaraki's rough laugh sent the last remaining shinigami in the vicinity running. "Think it's 'bout damn time, yeah."

He wasn't exactly surprised. "Huh."

"Don' play dumb with me," Zaraki chuckled again. "I know whatcha think of the situation. I know you'n Hisagi'n Kira go way back, hehe."

"It's more'n feelin' bad 'cause an ol' school friend's in a tight spot," Renji declared. "An' I think you know it, too. Ain't right."

"Nope, it ain't right at all."

"Then why'd ya not say anythin' all this time? Hard enough watchin' it, but knowin' nothin' ya say's gonna matter 'cause you're too new t' the job..." Renji ground his teeth.

Zaraki gave him a look. "Yer bein' dumb again, Abarai. Think fer a second, will ya? Who's gonna listen ta 'that fight-crazed Kenpachi', hey?" Zaraki grinned widely at this. "No good comin' from me – I'm crazy. No good comin' from you or Hisagi – yer old pals, and like ya said yer still new. But Ichigo, now… an outsider… someone who ain't got nothin' ta win or lose by speakin' his mind. Someone who ain't got an ulterior motive. Someone who just calls 'em like he sees 'em, who's got a reputation strong enough ta make an impression, ya see?"

Renji did see. "Yeah, I gotcha. All ya can do is stand an' lend your support, that it?" Who woulda thought Zaraki-taichou woulda thought it through that far?

"'Bout that, yeah."

Another voice popped into the conversation. "Yeah, Ken-chan helps Icchy!" The pink-haired lieutenant appeared out of nowhere, perching happily on Zaraki's shoulder.

"Yachiru, where ya been, hey?"

"Went with Braid-Lady to see Sad-Eyes. He's gonna sleep for a while, 'cause the tentacle monster got him," Yachiru said seriously.

Tentacle monster? Renji did his best to keep a straight face. "Ah, thanks, Zaraki-taichou. I gotta get back t' work now. See ya, Yachiru." Zaraki just grunted and turned to walk away.

"'Kay! Bye bye, Spiky-Hair!" Yachiru chirped. "Make sure you ask Icchy 'bout his tentacle monster so it doesn't get you, too!"

Renji bit his cheek and flashed away just in time.

§

Renji had an idea of what to expect when Ichigo arrived home late that evening. He'd been on the receiving end of a few upheavals in his time, and he knew that as soon as Ichigo stopped moving and had time to think about what had happened that day, he was going to be in a shock, to say the least.

He felt his lover's approach long before the door opened. Ichigo walked in with an empty sort of expression on his face; he was already wearing the sash, Renji noted. That'd be Yamamoto-sou-taichou's doin'.

"Well, I see they got ya tied up already, Kurosaki-taichou-dairi," Renji teased.

"Huh? Oh…" Ichigo blinked, and smiled a bit as he took in his surroundings. "Yeah, Yamamoto insisted." He rested Zangetsu against the wall, then pulled the acting captain's sash off and tossed it over Renji's cloak on the back of a chair. Renji waited for him to do or say something else, but Ichigo just stood there still looking a bit distracted. His reiatsu had an anxious edge to it, which filtered down through their link.

Guess it's up t' me. "How's Kira?"

"Oh… Two broken ribs, a lotta bruises. Unohana-taichou fixed those, though." Ichigo gave Renji another of those odd half smiles. "Can't do anythin' 'bout the energy loss, though. It'll take a few weeks. I gotta…"

"Ichigo," Renji made his tone as calm and neutral as he knew how. "Why don't ya sit down?" he gestured to a spot beside him on the couch.

"Oh." Ichigo blinked a few more times and finally looked at Renji instead of halfway through him. "Guess I'm still a little surprised by all this," he admitted with a small laugh as he sat close.

"Uh huh." Renji put an arm around his lover's stiff shoulders and pulled him against the back of the couch. "What happened with Yamamoto-sou-taichou?"

Ichigo relaxed just enough to lean into the embrace. "Nothin' really. Just had to sign somethin', and he made me put that thing on right away. Spent most of the day talkin' with the 3rd Division officers. My officers," he shook his head. "For now, anyway."

"Did Unohana-taichou say how long Kira'd be out?"

"Three weeks at least, probably more," Ichigo replied tiredly. "I won't even know everythin' I need to know by then."

"Ya don't need t' know anythin' more'n ya already do, really," Renji assured him as he quietly slipped his legs around Ichigo's, resting a foot on his lover's ankle. "Those officers a' yours can help ya figure out the paperwork, an' you're damn good at leadin' people. That's really the most important part."

"It is, huh?" Ichigo stiffened and sat up. "Easy for you to say," he grumbled.

"Hey, who's been wearin' the cloak for the past few years, here?" Renji appreciated that Ichigo was having a tough time, but he didn't feel like being a punching bag. "I told ya, I'm just tryin' t' help, 'cause I do know a li'l about it. You can stop takin' it out on me anytime now."

"I know… sorry, I'll just—" Ichigo tried to wriggle out of the embrace.

"Get back here, don't be stupid" Renji eased back into the corner of the couch, taking Ichigo with him. "Don't worry 'bout the job, ya know ya got what it takes." Without even tryin', he's already as good as anyone, an' better'n a lot – better'n me. How can he think he ain't good enough? He admired his partner's abilities, but something about that thought nagged him uncomfortably; he shook it off and continued. "I remember a loud-mouthed substitute shinigami who actually broke in t' Seireitei an' challenged the whole damn place. Took on everyone, captains included, leadin' a team a' fighters greener'n any first year Academy student."

Ichigo chuckled. "We got lucky a lot," he admitted. "Renji, if Hanatarou hadn't been there to patch me up after our fight, I'd've been a goner."

"Yeah, an' if Kira hadn't found me right after, I woulda been just as dead beside ya," Renji acknowledged easily. "But that's the point. Ya knew how t' get the best from your team. Our team was number one in the war for a lotta reasons, but mostly because we knew how t' work together. That's what you can give t' your Division. You've already been doin' it, now it's just more direct."

Ichigo rested his head on Renji's chest. "We were a great team," he agreed, reaching to link their fingers together. The tension had gone out of his frame, and his energy had lost its edge, wrapping around them comfortably.

"Still are." Renji drew their clasped hands up against his chest and stretched out their curled legs together on the couch. "Ichigo, there's somethin' I gotta ask ya 'bout your li'l speech earlier. You were talkin' a bit different…"

"Ah, that." Ichigo shifted a bit, settling his weight comfortably between Renji's legs. "So ya noticed that, did ya? What'd ya think a' my impression? Got ya pretty close, ne Renji?" his voice was pitched lower in imitation.

Renji laughed quietly as he smoothed a hand over the bright orange hair. "Rikichi noticed, actually. I was too busy watchin' Zaraki-taichou watchin' you as ya bitched out half a' Soul Society. He agreed 'it's 'bout damn time' somethin' was done." He filled Ichigo in on the details of his conversation with the 11th Division captain.

"Huh," Ichigo was silent for a long while. The calm in their energies made Renji think for a moment that his lover had fallen asleep before Ichigo continued. "When I thought about what the captains were gonna say 'bout our Division gettin' hit so hard, I was pissed off. Good thing we weren't closer; by the time we got back I'd cooled down some. The words comin' out that way… just sorta made sense, yanno? Got their attention." His soft laugh vibrated against Renji's chest.

"Glad I could help," Renji leaned down and brushed his lips over Ichigo's. "Use me anytime ya feel the need, Ichigo."

They fell silent, enjoying the quiet and closeness for a while before Renji remembered something else.

"What was up with that 'tentacle monster' Yachiru was goin' on about, anyway?" he asked.

Soft breathing was the only response.

"Ichigo?" Renji concentrated again on the soothing reiatsu swirling around them, and smiled.

Ichigo had fallen asleep.

Renji remained awake for a while longer, wondering how someone so gifted could ever be uncertain. Don't he know there's only a handful a' people in Seireitei that could take him down if he was really determined not t' fall? Can't imagine what he'll be like centuries – even decades from now…

§

Omake
Chapter 8 omake

Renji: Damn Ichi, ya nearly went Akira on all those punks, that was great!

Akuni: … 'Ichi'?

Renji: Uh… pretend ya didn't hear that.

Ichigo: Hey, I knew what I was doin' the whole time.

Renji: Betcha didn't expect t' get a captaincy for it.

Ichigo: Hell no. When that fiery old guy showed up, for a split second I wondered how fast I could get to the Shiba place and whether they'd open a portal for me before I got chucked in prison for insubordination or somethin'…

Renji: Right behind ya, lover… he's freakin' scary.

Akuni: Temporary captaincy, guys… (blinks) 'Lover'?

Renji: Whatever. Shaddap. (flushes) He's a captain now, same's me!

Akuni: Not quite the same, but…

Ichigo: You're takin' some of the fun outta this, yanno.

ChibiAkuni: Sorry.

Ichigo: How do you know about Akira, anyway?

Renji: Er…

Ichigo: You've been giving him manga again, haven't you?

Akuni: Ehh… (sweatdrops)

Ichigo: And what was with that 'tentacle monster' anyway? Did ya really hafta put tentacles in?

Renji: I dunno, I thought that was kinda funny.

Akuni: Well, I mean… tentacles! C'mon!

Ichigo: You don't think it's kinda… I dunno, tacky maybe?

Akuni: Hmph. Just tryin' to have a little fun here.

Renji: She didn't really 'tentacle' anyone, though.

Kira: (is unconscious)

Renji: Ok not in a really bad way.

Kira: (is unconscious and badly injured)

Renji: Ok not in a perverted way… uh, right? Do I even wanna know this?

Akuni: Well I didn't write anything like that in.

Renji: Phew, good.

Ichigo: I can't believe you two are havin' this conversation…

Kira: (is still unconscious and injured)