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: 65,500ish
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 11 - Acknowledgement

When Ichigo woke, he found the worst of his injuries had been healed, though his spirit energy was still drained almost to nothing. How long've I been out? He looked around, trying to orient himself in the all-too-familiar 4th Division infirmary.

Ichigo had been put temporarily in a semi-private alcove at the back of the main hall. He tried to ignore the groans of the injured shinigami around him by running through the last fight in his mind. Something wasn't right about it… His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of slamming doors in the outer room and sandals slapping hard against the floor.

"Clear the way! Move it, now, they're bringing Abarai-taichou through!"

"Get Unohana-taichou!"

"I'm here, Isane. Everything is alright."

Fear stabbed through his heart. What the hell happened?! Renji! He struggled to sit up, cursing the fact that his spirit energy was drained so low he couldn't reach out to feel for himself.

"Put him in with Kurosaki-taichou-dairi." Unohana's calm voice floated over the rest.

"T-taichou, that's highly irregular!"

"Nevertheless, please do as I say."

"Yes, Unohana-taichou!"

A shinigami raced toward him, hastily shoving a second futon into place in the small alcove. Four others entered and deposited a tightly wrapped stretcher on the floor, Unohana arriving on their heels.

"It's alright, Kurosaki-taichou-dairi." She projected calm and reassurance as her assistants freed Renji from the wrappings and transferred him to the futon.

Relieved, Ichigo let out the breath he hadn't realized he was holding as he felt the thin tendrils of Renji's reiatsu mesh with his.

"He's been treated, he just needs rest now. His energy is very low, as is your own." Unohana looked at them consideringly. "I'll be back shortly. I know you'll want to discuss the battle, but please try to rest soon." The 4th Division shinigami trailed out in their captain's wake.

Renji's dark eyes were clear and alert as he turned to Ichigo. "Looks like we got busted up again."

"Pretty good this time." Ichigo leaned back on the wall, trying to get comfortable.

"Never thought I'd miss bein' at one a' those meetin's, but damn…" Renji winced a bit as he sat up and stretched his arms. "It might hurt just a li'l less. What'd I miss?"

"They figured somethin' out finally, about the Hollows. But it's not good news, Renji," Ichigo warned before Renji got the wrong idea. "Some of the mutated Hollows being studied lately… they weren't Aizen's creations. They were always that way."

Renji frowned, thinking hard. "So it's 'cause a' what Aizen did to Hueco Mundo, then." It was more of a statement than a question.

"They're trying to figure out how to undo it, or fix it," Ichigo confirmed. "They were just gettin' to that in the meeting when all this happened."

"It was really weird, Ichigo," Renji shook his head. "These attacks weren't a coincidence. Was almost like they were testin' the best ways t' hit us." They shared a sober glance as the truth of that sank in.

Ichigo nodded. "That means they're gettin' smarter, too."

"So we gotta be smarter, too, an' stronger. Gotta be more careful, gotta be ready, at any time. An' you 'n me, we gotta be right there at the front a' the action." Renji paused. "How come they let the 3rd go out t' meet the other attack?"

"We were on duty," Ichigo shrugged. "We were ready." He told Renji about Byakuya's seemingly backhanded support.

"Still won't bend, huh? Least he's got it right, though. We can't afford not t' be prepared," Renji said grimly. "No one can."

Sorrow filtered through their bond. They shared a look as the painful memory surfaced...

§

-4 years ago-

"Abarai-san! Ichigo-san!" Hanatarou's excited voice carried across the battlefield as he fell to his knees before the badly injured shinigami.

"Hanatarou, Ichimaru got him in the lung." Ichigo's hands and chest were drenched in Renji's blood.

"Ok, Ichigo-san, you can get up now."

Ichigo rolled to lie beside his injured comrade. Hanatarou's hands were already glowing as he began to repair the damage to Renji's chest.

"This is terrible, Abarai-san! A few centimetres more and…"

Ichigo blinked. Hanatarou sounded… angry? He watched the 4th Division relief team swarm around the injured lieutenant for several minutes.

"Ichimaru-taich— Ichimaru did this?" Hanatarou finally stood. The hole in Renji's chest was closed, and members of the 4th were splinting his arms and wrapping him in bandages.

"Right before Hitsugaya-taichou and Matsumoto-fukutaichou turned him t' confetti." Renji's voice was a little stronger than before. "Thanks, Hanatarou. Seems you're always patchin' us up these days."

Hanatarou drew his zanpakutou awkwardly.

"Hey be careful with that thing! Wait, what—" Ichigo's eyes bulged as Hanatarou sliced across his chest with precision he hadn't dreamed possible of their mousy little comrade. He clutched at his chest, but— no wound?

"Hana, what on earth did you do to me?"

"Just charging up, Ichigo-san." Hanatarou motioned his people to stand clear before slashing down across Renji's abdomen. Again, nothing appeared to happen. "Please excuse me Abarai-fukutaichou, Hisagomaru and I just needed a little assistance." A faint red glow appeared to surround his zanpakutou.

"Uh… sure." Renji exchanged a puzzled glance with Ichigo.

Hanatarou faced them both and bowed deeply. "Thank you for everything." He darted off as a contingent of 6th Division members arrived to check on their lieutenant.

"Hanatarou, where are you going?" Rikichi called after his friend.

"What does he think he's doing?" Ichigo demanded.

Hanatarou's small stature was an asset on the field. He zipped around individual fights, not even pausing as he slashed a half dozen shinigami as he passed. Hisagomaru began to glow a violent red.

"Dammit!" Renji coughed. "Ichigo stop him, he's gonna get himself killed!"

"Right, I—" Ichigo attempted to stand, but was forced back down by a hand on his chest.

"Stay still, Kurosaki-dono. You're in no shape to fight."

"Like hell!" Ichigo snarled. "That's our comrade out there, our friend!" He shoved the shinigami away and pushed himself to his feet. "Hanatarou!" He ran a few paces before the blast of power dropped him to his knees. "Oh no… no…"

The little 4th Division shinigami flashed unnoticed behind a hideously mutated Menos Grande that was pressing their defences dangerously.

"Hanatarou!" Rikichi's scream cut over the sound of battle.

Fighters for a quarter mile around watched in disbelief as the blast of power dissolved the immense Hollow and knocked three others away, leaving a gaping hole in the attackers' line. A small body in a shinigami uniform fell bonelessly into the gap.

"LET'S GO GET THOSE WORTHLESS BASTARDS!!" Zaraki Kenpachi charged, the entire 11th Division roaring behind him. Three sturdy shinigami attempted to keep Rikichi from racing after them, but he tore out of their grasp with a strength born of agony and vanished into the melee.

Ichigo blinked against the prickling in his eyes as he watched the fiercest shinigami captain in memory fight like a demon to reach the fallen 4th Division member. Zaraki hefted Hanatarou's broken form, then whirled and carved a path back out of the battle – out of the battle?! – to deposit the lifeless body gently at Unohana's feet.

"Never seen anyone with more guts'n that guy. Does your Division proud." He offered the 4th Division captain and her officers a maniacal grin before he raced back toward the fight.

§

The fight had raged long and hot, but the defenders were eventually successful in driving the bulk of the attacking forces back into the rift. The casualty list was relatively short, but after hours without any news, Renji began to fear the worst for his enthusiastic shadow.

When Yumichika appeared at the 4th Division treatment room leading the vacant-eyed Rikichi, Renji wasn't sure whether to be relieved or even more worried. The young shinigami was battered, and as blood-soaked as any 11th Division member could wish – which was to say, completely unacceptable for a respected member of the 6th. It was a relief to learn that most of the blood belonged to the enemy, but when Rikichi became alert again a few hours later, the look in his eyes was heartbreaking.

Renji's broken arms were mostly healed, and the lung stab was almost a memory, having been treated expertly within minutes by Hanatarou and soon after by the captain of the 4th Division herself. As soon as he heard Rikichi had been cleared, he sat himself up and sent a formal summons for the young shinigami to attend him.

"You wanted to see me?" Whitened fists trembled at his sides.

"Sit down, Rikichi, hurts my neck starin' up at ya. I'm a hero in recovery, yanno." Renji attempted to lighten the mood.

Rikichi knelt beside the futon, and before Renji could speak again, the dam burst.

"It's my fault. I know it is. I'm the one who tried to teach him to fight, I'm the one who gave him the stupid idea he could be a hero!"

"Rikichi, that's not—"

"I was so proud… he wasn't as hopeless as he thought. He could've learned to do it alright, but I never should've—it's all my fault!"

"Riki—"

"My fault… my fault… my fault!" Each cry was emphasised by Rikichi's fists pounding on the ground, wide, dry eyes staring.

"Rikichi!" Renji's bark turned into a cough.

Despairing eyes turned to him; shame and remorse flooded the younger shinigami's face before he bent his head low, the tokens in his hair clicking against the floor.

"Don't look at me like that, please, Abarai-fukutaichou," Rikichi begged hoarsely.

"'Abarai-fukutaichou'? I thought we were on friendlier terms than that," Renji said lightly.

"I don't… I…"

"Enough, Rikichi. Enough." Renji put the steel back in his voice. "I ain't blamin' ya. Unohana ain't blamin' ya. No one's blamin' anyone. It's war, Rikichi, that's how war is. Get used t' losin' friends, an' get used t' the fact that sometimes it's their own damn fault when they get killed."

Rikichi made a strangled noise. Renji couldn't tell if it was a sob or an angry growl. Either way, I gotta push just a li'l harder an' he'll crack.

"Hanatarou wasn't ready for battle," he said brutally. "He knew it as well as anyone. But…" he softened his tone again. "…he did what he had t' do, an' he bought us one helluva victory today. That's what war's about, Rikichi."

Rikichi raised his head at last, tears running freely down his cheeks. "Renji-san, I…" His face crumpled and he collapsed weeping against Renji's side. Awkwardly, Renji put a bandaged arm around the young shinigami's shaking shoulders. He made no move to wipe away the single tear that escaped his own battle-weary eye.

§

-present-

"Hanatarou…"

"Did what he had to do. What we all hafta do. Hanatarou chose to make that sacrifice so we wouldn't lose." Ichigo's throat was tight and his heart ached at the thought of losing the important people in his life. Especially the most important person sitting by his side.

"We can't afford t' lose, there's too much at stake," Renji agreed firmly. "Soul Society, the living world – no one can afford for us t' lose."

"Not only that, but…" Ichigo pulled Renji into an embrace; he didn't give a damn who was watching or listening, he burned with the need to get the words out. "…I can't afford to lose you."

He pulled back just enough to look Renji in the eyes.

"I love you." Ichigo didn't even bother lowering his voice.

They'd both whispered those words in those moments right before the ecstasy crashed over them, the sentiment escaping effortlessly on the crest of the wave, but they'd never been said so openly and abruptly.

"Ichigo…" A surprised smile spread across Renji's face. "We said forever, an' that means I love you too much to lose ya."

Ichigo's heart skipped as Renji leaned in to seal the declaration with their lips, heedless of the 4th Division shinigami who were suddenly very busy on the other side of the room.

"We already knew that. Never thought hearin' it right out like that'd mean so damn much, though," Renji said softly. They wore identical silly grins.

"I needed to say the words." A weight Ichigo hadn't noticed before had lifted, leaving him giddy.

"Best words I ever heard."

"Best words you ever said."

"'Cept 'welcome home'. I like sayin' those words just as much." Renji winked and grinned suggestively.

Ichigo smirked. "Yeah, I like those, too."

§

They were deep in discussion about how to improve their defences and step up training when Unohana returned.

"Can we leave now?" Renji asked.

Unohana gazed at them for a moment before responding. "We don't have the people to spare to make sure the two of you stay put and do what you're told. So I'm offering you a compromise. Stay here overnight and I'll let you go home in the morning, provided you give me your word you'll rest for two full days before going back out. Otherwise I'll be forced to separate you right now and sedate you both for a week."

"Yes, Unohana-taichou." Ichigo bowed his head.

"We promise t' behave, Unohana-taichou."

Unohana smiled serenely. "Thank you very much, Abarai-taichou, Kurosaki-taichou-dairi. Rest well." She glided out of the room.

"Man, she's scary." Ichigo shivered.

"No kiddin'. Like a quieter, female version a' Zaraki-taichou," Renji mused. They looked at each other for a moment before clutching their sides with laughter.

"Ow!"

"Damn that hurts!"

Laughter gave way to exhaustion, and, mindful of their promise to Unohana, they settled down to sleep. To the casual observer they appeared to be sleeping apart, but anyone who cared to take a closer look would see the backs of their hands pressed together on the floor between them. Anyone with the ability to look deeply enough would see their drained energies were still somehow firmly meshed.

§

They were released first thing the next morning. Isane allowed them a few minutes to check on Kira's condition before sending them home with a look that said there'd be hell to pay if they didn't keep their promise.

Messengers from their Divisions were waiting for them when they approached their quarters. The 5th Division messenger simply handed Renji a small packet and a stack of reports and left, after offering wishes for good health and a brief nod to them both. The shinigami from the 3rd Division shuffled his feet as he waited his turn.

"This came into the office for you this morning, but we thought you should stay home and rest." He handed Ichigo a small packet.

"What's this?" Ichigo turned it over in his hands. It looked like…

"Your pay," the young shinigami explained.

"Pay?" Ichigo blinked.

"Well you're part of the Gotei 13 now, you get paid like everyone else," the messenger smiled hesitantly.

"Oh. Ok… thanks for bringing it over." Ichigo eyed the nervous shinigami. "Was there something else?"

The messenger swallowed heavily. "We're glad you're all right, Kurosaki-taichou-dairi, and… and we're glad you're staying with us," he finished in a rush. He bowed quickly and left in a fluster.

"What was that about?" Renji asked, bemused.

"Don't ask me." Ichigo shook his head. "What'm I supposed to do with this?"

"Buy something?" Renji grinned, then shrugged. "Dunno, do we need anything?"

"Not really." The phrasing caught Ichigo's attention and gave him the answer – the answer he suspected his lover had just figured out as well. He opened the bottom drawer of the desk and took out the jar where Renji kept his money, and added the contents of his packet to it.

"Put mine in there too, will ya?" Renji tossed Ichigo his pay packet. He turned away, but Ichigo caught his smile and felt the pleased tingle in their reiatsu.

The issue of money hadn't come up before; Renji didn't care much about money, and the only thing they ever really bought was food and drink. It was logical that they should share, and they'd just decided rather casually to do so. They already shared everything anyway – it wasn't a big deal, but the way their energies were dancing said otherwise.

"Now what?" Ichigo looked around.

"We're supposed to be resting," Renji reminded him.

"Right." Ichigo was so relieved to be home that he actually did try to rest. After just twenty minutes of inactivity, however, he cracked.

"I hate not bein' out there. We're fine now, we don't need any more rest."

"I know, but ya heard Unohana-taichou. We promised, so we're stuck here," Renji reminded him.

"Practically under house arrest, for two days!" Ichigo grumbled. Then he blinked. "We're stuck here," he repeated, "for two whole days." A slow smile worked its way across his face.

Soft breath tickled as Renji chuckled against his neck. "Now you're thinkin', lover."

§

Ichigo lay awake quietly as Renji slept beside him. Somehow the shinigami had managed to sprawl on top of Ichigo and still be snuggled into the crook of his arm at the same time. The position suited them both just fine; Ichigo loved feeling Renji's weight on him, and, though he'd never admit it to anyone but his lover, Renji loved to be held.

Guess we both like feeling wanted. Mutually possessive, hehe. Ichigo smiled to himself. Proved that today, too. His heart sped up as he remembered the open, earnest declarations they'd made that day. The memory sent a pleasant tingle through the warmth of the energy surrounding them, and Renji curled closer in his sleep. Ichigo rested his cheek against the face pressed against his neck, closing his eyes and relaxing into sleep.

§

-just over 1 year ago-

He was late.

Ichigo gnawed his lower lip in frustration. Three weeks, it had been. Three weeks since his lover had left, and now when he had time off for the first time since his return to Soul Society, Renji was late.

What if his leave got cancelled? What if there's some big crisis and they didn't bother to tell me? What if—

There was a distant surge of energy that was instantly recognizable as the opening and closing of the gate at the Urahara Shouten. The faint tickle of familiar reiatsu made Ichigo's heart pound and his knees weak. He's here… he made it. He forced himself to sit still and not launch himself out of his body and out the window.

There had been letters back and forth, but it wasn't the same as having a conversation. There was never anything more intimate than 'Looking forward to seeing you next week.' in those letters. And it definitely wasn't the same as being able to share an embrace, or a kiss… it wasn't strong fingers digging into his hips, or calloused hands running down his back…

Ichigo swallowed heavily, shifting to relieve the uncomfortable tension in his groin. His hands gripped his knees as the familiar reiatsu drew near; he felt his own energy quivering against his skin, and he fought the nearly irresistible urge to let it fly free to join with the other.

Light footsteps on the window ledge had Ichigo's pulse hammering even faster. He closed his eyes, focusing intently on getting his flustered emotions under control. When he opened them again, Renji was there, standing in the late afternoon sunlight.

Ichigo couldn't bring himself to look his lover in the eyes right away, inspecting him first from the feet up. Nothing had changed – of course it hadn't, it had only been a matter of weeks, but it had felt like an eternity. It was obvious from the way their energies quivered together that Renji felt the same way.

Ichigo stood and finally raised his gaze to his lover's face. He looked into eyes so dark that the red almost looked black; eyes that stared back at him, an impossible depth of emotion mirrored within.

"Ichigo…"

The sound of his name in his lover's rough voice, tinged with the same anxiousness racing through him, broke whatever was holding him. They crashed into each other, arms gripping tightly as they embraced. Ichigo leaned into the cheek pressed to his and breathed against the sensitive ear. "Missed you, Renji."

"Too long." Renji's reply was just as quiet. "Too damn long!" Then Renji's hands were on his face and his lips were covering Ichigo's, cutting off any further conversation for several minutes.

Ichigo steered them over to sit on the bed when they finally broke apart. Renji leaned his forehead against Ichigo's and gave him a small grin. "Guess I missed ya, too."

"Then why're you late?" Ichigo teased.

"I just came off my last shift, I needed t' wash up first."

Ichigo couldn't help smirking. "I coulda helped you with that, yanno."

"Yeah, but that's for fun," Renji's grin grew wider. "I actually needed t' get clean this time."

They shared a laugh, thinking back to the number of times they'd ended up washing in lukewarm water after they'd lost track of time in the shower. The happy memories triggered a wave of warmth and affection through their linked energies.

"Got any other complaints?" Renji asked before he tilted his head and captured Ichigo's lips again with his own.

"Didn't even knock first," Ichigo mumbled in between kisses.

Renji's mouth brushed across Ichigo's cheek and down his jaw. His tongue traced the dip in Ichigo's throat, the warm breath over his wet skin making Ichigo shiver. "Didn't know I needed t' knock when I came home."

Ichigo's chest thumped, and he pulled back just a little. "Home?"

Renji straightened to meet Ichigo's questioning look. "All day, I felt like I was preparin' t' go home," he explained. "Couldn't figure it out, 'til I realized it wasn't a place I was thinkin' 'bout, it was bein' with you." He flushed a little, but continued on. "Home is wherever we are," he said simply.

"Then I guess I should say 'welcome home'." Ichigo was nearly overwhelmed by the flood of desire that shot through their reiatsu. They were already pulling at each others' clothes, but a sudden thought stilled Ichigo's fingers. "Actually I have somethin' else to say, just as important." He stood, hauling Renji up with him.

"Wha?"

"Take it off," Ichigo insisted.

"Thought that's what we were doin'," Renji resumed his assault against the buttons on Ichigo's shirt.

"No, not the clothes," Ichigo grinned. "The gigai. Take it off."

Renji looked perplexed, but he complied anyway. "Any reason why? We've done that before." He continued peeling Ichigo out of his clothes as he was stripped of his uniform, stopping only long enough to shake his hair out of its practical tail and let it fall around his tattooed shoulders.

Ichigo gently pushed the shinigami back down on to the bed. "Yeah, I know." He leaned in and sucked on the sensitive earlobe. "But we didn't the first time… and I don't feel like making love with your gigai," he whispered, grateful that he could hide his face against his lover's neck even though he knew Renji would feel the shift in his energy. He still wasn't used to saying these things so openly.

Renji's arms wrapped around him reassuringly. "Actually, I'm kinda glad ya feel that way," he admitted. "I never feel quite like myself in those things." He cleared his throat. "An' I'm glad that we didn't the first time, too." He turned, pulling Ichigo to his side and bringing their lips together.

The evening was a haze of sometimes awkward passion as they reacquainted themselves with each other. They'd only had a few short weeks together before, so there was still a great deal they had to learn together. For instance, the backs of Ichigo's knees were apparently too ticklish to be kissed, and Renji didn't mind at all when Ichigo tugged at his hair. They were both startled when Renji's teeth and lips grazing Ichigo's nipples sent a shockwave of intense pleasure through their energies.

Renji was surprised to find that he liked best being taken from behind on his knees, while Ichigo had taken a liking to straddling Renji's waist and lacing their fingers together. And they both enjoyed having the other underneath him on his back.

They discovered it was more intense and they were more vocal when they were looking into each others' eyes… and that Renji was the most talkative, especially when he was breathing hard against Ichigo's neck in the heady minutes right before their pleasure peaked. He proved it again late that night, when he held Ichigo beneath him.

"…soft, an' hot, an' so tight… love the way ya feel 'round me. Want t' feel that way for you, too." The murmured endearments always went straight to Ichigo's heart. Renji was whispering endlessly as they moved together; the soft, slow pace they'd set had grown more urgent, and they were fast approaching release. "So good… so right. Love it, an' you." The last was the barest whisper against Ichigo's ear – it sent a thrill through his whole body that fed the wave of pleasure rising around them.

He wrapped himself even tighter around Renji, energy flaring in response to the emotion washing over his heart and mind. "I love a lot of things 'bout you." The whispered words came out of nowhere. "Love how we move together, how we feel together… love… just you." The atmosphere was overcharged; the fire swept through their bond, driving them past the point of rational thought. Ardent eyes found each other – half-formed thoughts and phrases flowed between them as the tension snapped.

"Don't let me go."

"Never…"

"Need ya with me forever, Ichigo."

"I'll always… don't stop, I… Ren—!"

"Gonna—"

The stream of words ended; raw cries were torn from their throats as they were overwhelmed completely.

No more words were needed. They curled up together when the passion settled, arms and legs entwined, tangled hair stuck to heated skin, holding each other close throughout the night…

§

-present-

Two days later, Ichigo stood in front of the crowd assembled in the training yard. Nearly all junior members and several officers still wore bandages, but they wore them like badges of honour – and as far as he could tell, not a single face was missing.

"Anyone not recovered from their injuries can be excused from this morning's session," Ichigo offered.

"We're ready to get back to work when you are, Kurosaki-taichou-dairi," the most senior officer declared. The other shinigami in the yard nodded their agreement as they faced him unwaveringly. "We're still a little light with Kira-dono in the infirmary, so we have to be that much better."

Pride swelled in his chest, and Ichigo smiled. "Let's get started, then."

§

Omake
Chapter 11 omake

Akuni: (fangirls) So… sweet… you guys, you did it, I'm so proud of you!

Renji/Ichigo: (grumbly noises)

Akuni: What's wrong? Aren't you happy to have said the big words out loud for a change?

Renji: It ain't that… it's…

Ichigo: It's just, a bit uncomfortable.

Renji: (nods) Yeah.

Akuni: I don't understand. You guys love each other. You've said it before, this was just, eh, more formal.

Renji: Well yeah.

Ichigo: 'Course we do.

Akuni: Then what's the problem?

Ichigo: I can't believe we said that in front of all those people. (wide eyed)

Renji: I can't believe we kissed in front a' all those people. (equally wide eyed)

Akuni: But… you didn't seem to mind then.

Ichigo: Heat of the moment.

Renji: Kinda got swept away by the whole thing.

Akuni: Do you regret it? (worries) No one was really staring, I promise. I mean, they saw, but…

Renji/Ichigo: (look at each other)

Ichigo: (softly) Nah, not really. We meant every bit of it.

Renji: (smiles) Nothin' else matters.

Akuni: (wibbles)

Rikichi: You might want to pull it together… what kind of reactions do you think you're going to get over that death…?

Akuni: Oh crap…