Yeaaahhhh been a while. So just to let you all know, there are three chapters left till this story ends. Let's hope all goes as planned.

Enjoy!

'Hi.'

'Hi.'

'How's Ichigo?'

Shinji heard a door slam and he winced. Guess that answered his question over his phone call to Renji.

'Not too good,' Renji muttered. Then he snorted with laughter. 'He's trying to fit a kitchen set for his mom in his duffel bag.'

Shinji couldn't help chuckling then either. Even in this horribly fucked up moment, Renji still had a reason to laugh. It was what Shinji liked about Renji.

Shinji's hand tightened around the cordless phone.

'How're you?' he murmured.

He could just imagine the pink tinge on the redhead's face. The guy still wasn't used to having another guy fawn over him. He was straight, after all. Though by the way he was acting around Shinji he might just be willing to play for the other side.

'Doing much better,' Renji said in a gruff voice, as if trying to hide the obvious embarrassment of having Shinji worry about him. 'Wish I coulda seen more of Germany but Ichigo's just in a hurry to leave.'

Shinji started nodding but froze at Renji's last sentence. His eyes rounded and he pressed the phone closer to his ear.

'What did you say?' he demanded, panic rising.

'Shit, I wasn't supposed to say anything,' Renji cursed and Shinji could hear him smacking himself on the forehead.

'Renji, what the hell is going on?!'

'Look, I'm not supposed to tell anyone, especially Grimmjow!'

'You're telling me, Renji, so for fuck's sake just spit it out!'

'Alright, alright! Jeez! Ichigo and I are leaving for Japan tomorrow! He booked the first flight out of here.'

'What the hell? He's that pissed?!'

'Well…'

'It's been a week and he still hasn't cooled down!?'

'Hey, that was one hellava shock for him when he walked into Grimmjow's room that day! So don't blame him for being mad right now!'

'Well, yeah, I agree, I gave Grimmjow hell for that ever since! And the poor guy's trying to make amends but every time he called Ichigo just never picked up!'

'Well, can you blame him?!'

'No! But still, Ren, can't you see? This is just messed. Up!'

'It damn well is, Shin! But there's nothing we can do about it!'

'What the hell are you saying?! 'Course there is! There always is! Just let me bring Grimmjow down and-!'

'No! Last thing Ichigo wants to see is Grimmjow's face. He's really…Shin, he's broken. You…didn't see him that day when he walked out. That guy…Ichigo…he was a wreck…'

Shinji bit his lower lip, listening to Renji breath shakily. Renji and Ichigo were as tight as him and Grimmjow. So while Renji may have seen Ichigo breaking down, Shinji had seen his closest friend slowly drown in misery. And that wasn't any prettier from Ichigo's reaction.

Grimmjow cried. The guy locked himself in his room and cried for days. The entire house was depressed. Onkel Gin would come by as often as he could but Grimmjow refused to see him. And when he had tried to enter by force, Shinji had to bodily shove him away which immediately put him in the guy's bad books. He felt sorry for the man but Grimmjow's needs came first. And he didn't want to see anyone. Anyone except Ichigo.

He glanced towards the stairs. He was standing in Grimmjow's kitchen and talking to Renji on the house phone. He was practically living at Grimmjow's place to watch over the poor guy. Grimmjow's mom was worried out of her mind. Even Nel was being quieter than usual. Mother Jaeguerjacques kept asking what was wrong with her "poor baby" but Shinji was sworn not to say anything. Though being a mother, she sort of guessed what was going on and after asking the first time, she didn't ask again. Her only words to Shinji, because she hoped he would pass it on to her son, was, "I hope he does the right thing in the end. That's all a mother can hope for."

Shinji hoped so too. But Grimmjow never could if Ichigo kept avoiding him!

'I know this looks rough, Ren,' Shinji murmured softly. 'But as their closest friends, we need to realize that this is hurting them. And they need to fix it themselves. All we have to do is give them a little push.'

'I got a question thought,' Renji said suddenly. 'And I know it isn't any of my business but I've wanted to know this for the longest time. And I'm not badmouthing Grimmjow in any way. Why did he have an affair with this…Onkel Gin of his? Did he not love Ichigo or something? Was he getting bored? What was it?'

Shinji inhaled sharply. He could lie. He could very well just let Renji hear what he wanted to hear and then try to convince him to help get Grimmjow and Ichigo talking again. But this entire situation was wrapped in lies. It was time to start telling the truth.

'I don't know,' he admitted. 'I honestly don't know why Grimmjow did that. All I know is, he never loved Ichigo any less. He loved the guy with his entire being. Which why I think he deserves a second chance with Ichigo.'

There was silence on the other end and Shinji wondered whether Renji would even believe him. They two barely knew each other. But Shinji felt something towards Renji he had never felt towards anyone he had ever dated. There was something real about Renji that Shinji couldn't help admiring. The guy was loyal and caring. He took care of his friends and he would never abandon them. It wasn't just about getting a second chance for Grimmjow with Ichigo. Shinji wanted a second chance with Renji.

'Bring him over, Shin,' Renji finally answered. 'And quick before Ichigo decides to open up that kitchen set. Those knives look damn scary.'

Shinji grinned widely.

'Thanks, Ren,' he whispered. Then he barked a laugh. 'You noticed how we're calling each other by nicknames now?'

'Yeah? So what?' Renji's gruff voice was back in place.

'Well, don't lovers get that privilege?' Shinji couldn't help purring and almost laughed his head off when Renji screamed, "Asshole!" over the phone before slamming it shut. He hoped he was getting a second chance with Renji. And this time, he was going to treat the redhead right instead of like a one night stand.

He bounded up the stairs to Grimmjow's room, skipping steps as he went. His heart beat happily against his ribcage. He hoped Grimmjow would be willing to get out of his room. This was his one chance and he better not blow it.

'Get out!'

Shinji froze on the landing when he heard Grimmjow shout. His eyes widened when he saw Grimmjow's door slightly ajar and a figure standing with his back to the crack.

'Grimmjow, calm down,' came a steady voice. Shinji gritted his teeth. It was Onkel Gin.

'Get out of my room, Gin,' Grimmjow ground out. Shinji winced. The guy was pissed. He wasnted even using an honorific to address Gin anymore.

'I just want to talk,' Gin continued. The figure moved forward in the room.

'Oh yeah? Last time we did you fucked things up between me and Ichigo!' Grimmjow snapped furiously.

'Watch your tongue.'

'I can do whatever the fuck I like! Now get out of my fucking-!'

SLAP!

Shinji's jaw dropped. Did Gin just…slap Grimmjow?!

He heard someone sniffling in the room and almost rushed in. Grimmjow was not in a good state and slapping him wasn't the best solution. Just what the hell was Gin thinking?

'Now you listen to me and you listen good, Grimmjow Jaegurjacques,' Gin said firmly. 'I may have done wrong but that is why I have been coming here every single day to apologize to you, you hear me? I know, what I did to you, you felt trapped and I realized too late that it was almost...reminiscent...of Aizen and what he did to you…'

Shinji's hands balled into fists when he heard Grimmjow hiccough.

'And that is why I am begging for your forgiveness,' Gin said, almost pleading. 'Grimmjow, you are very precious to me and the idea of letting you go…to have your love directed to someone else…I think I went into a panic attack. And…Grimmjow, will you please look at me? I'm sorry for what I did to you and Ichigo! Just please don't push me away anymore. It…it hurts…'

Silence elapsed in that tiny room. Shinji thought he was breathing too loud because of how quiet it had gotten.

'Please leave,' Grimmjow said quietly. 'I don't ever want to see your face again.'

The silence was getting too much for Shinji now. Time to barge in.

'Grimmjow!' Shinji exclaimed as he barged in. He completely ignored Gin and walked up to his best friend. He winced when he saw the red tint across Grimmjow's face plus the obvious fact that the boy had cried some more. 'Grimm, guess what? You've got a chance to talk to Ichigo right now! Renji said that they aren't leaving until tomorrow so you better hurry down there and-!'

'Leaving? Where are they going?' Grimmjow cut in suddenly, eyes widening as he stared in disbelief at Shinji.

'Japan. They…they're going back…'

Without warning, Grimmjow shoved Shinji away and began to yank his shoes on quickly.

'C'mon, Shinji,' Grimmjow muttered. He averted his eyes from where Gin was standing, pretending that the man wasn't even there. 'Let's go.'

That's when Gin stepped in front of the door. Grimmjow's eyes flashed.

'Get out of my way,' he growled. 'You're wasting my time!'

'Let me go,' Gin murmured.

'Excuse me?'

'I said let me go,' the man repeated, face devoid of emotion. 'Let me go and talk to Ichigo.'

'I don't think so,' Grimmjow laughed mockingly. 'I'm not going to have you do anything to Ichigo! This is my fault and I need to handle it!'

'It's just as much as my fault!' Gin said fiercely. He was angry now. Just as angry as Grimmjow. And he wasn't going to back down so easily. 'Ichigo is pissed at you and I believe if I could talk to him, I could probably-!'

'Look, I don't need your help!' Grimmjow was getting desperate. If anger wasn't going to work he was going to plead his way out. 'I can do this on my own! I'm not a kid! I make stupid mistakes but let them be my stupid mistakes! Please, stay out of this!'

'As with my stupid mistakes,' Gin breathed. He placed his hands on Grimmjow's shoulders, making the boy flinch. Shinji didn't know whether he should intervene or not. Right now, it looked like he didn't even exist to the two so he best stayed out of it. 'Grimmjow, let me do this. Let me go and explain things to Ichigo. I need to tell him personally that it was not your fault for what he was and that I was to blame in entirely. I didn't just do you wrong but I did him. Let me go and apologize to the boy. And I promise, as soon as I am done, I will call you and you can come see him. I won't do anything to hurt him. You have my word.'

Grimmjow licked his lips nervously, his eyes darting to the floor. Shinji held his breath, wondering what the answer would be. If it was him, he would be to confused and emotional to give a straight answer. But Grimmjow, well, the guy was made of stronger stuff. One could always expect the unexpected from him.

'Shinji,' Grimmjow said slowly. 'Soon as they're done, gimme a call. 'Kay?'

Shinji blinked in surprise.

'Er, yeah! Sure!' he replied quickly when he realized that they were all waiting for his answer. Gin's body relaxed.

'Thank you,' he whispered and was out of the door. Shinji walked out too but he was hesitant. He glanced back the stoic boy standing in the middle of his room, looking more lost than ever.

'I don't know if I've done the right thing, Shin,' he uttered in a dazed voice. Shinji tilted his head, as if observing the boy.

'That's the thing with chance, Grimm,' he finally answered. 'You never know the outcome. But you take it anyway and hope for the best.'

'You did what?' Ichigo exploded. Renji winced and took a step back, in case Ichigo decided to test those knives.

'Look, I can't have you leaving here all depressed and shit, Ichigo,' Renji said hastily. 'It's best if you talk things out with Grimmjow and-!'

'I don't want to talk to that slut,' Ichigo growled. Renji flinched. Shit, this was worse than he thought. 'He can go curl up in a ditch and die for all I care! I don't know why you told Shinji but there is no way I am forgiving that bastard! I just want to go home, relax, and move on with my fucking life!'

He turned around and kicked his bed hard, making his suitcases jump up and the knives in his duffel bag to jingle. Renji thought it wise not to say anything now. He just hoped that Shinji knew what he was doing and prayed he was wise enough to bring a shield of some sort 'cause it looked like Ichigo was ready to go all Wolverine on anyone who walked into their room.

A knock resounded in the room. Ichigo glared at Renji accusingly. The redhead gave a weak smile before quickly hurrying to the door and opening it. He raised both eyebrows.

'What's he doing here?' Renji muttered, eying that Onkel Gin guy. The man didn't have his characteristic grin in place and he looked so serious it was just as scary.

'Erm, long story,' Shinji uttered, looking over Renji's shoulder at Ichigo. The boy's eyes were narrowed angrily and his hands clenched into tight fists. He waved heartily at the orangehead as he walked past Renji into the room. 'Yo! Ichigo! What's up?'

'Get the fuck out,' Ichigo hissed. His eyes locked on Gin and they seemed to flare red. 'Especially him. I don't want him anywhere near me.'

'Ichigo, you need to calm down,' Shinji coaxed, easing his hands out like he was handling a dangerous animal. 'We just wanna talk. That's all.'

'Talk when I've left. I don't care to hear any of your bullshit. Now leave.'

'We're not going anywhere.'

'Fine. I'll leave.'

And with that, the orangehead stormed past Shinji and Renji and purposefully shoved his shoulder in Gin as he stomped past that man.

'Charming as ever,' Gin remarked dryly before he walked off after the boy. Shinji sighed and was about to follow.

'Shinji?' Renji called out. The blonde stopped. 'Why didn't Grimmjow come?'

Shinji sighed and scratched his head.

'His Onkel convinced him to stay behind,' he replied and crossed his arms as he turned around to look at the redhead. 'Kinda wondering if he was right in the head though.'

Renji laughed softly and ruffled the hair under his ponytail.

'You're really leaving, aren't you?' Shinji asked suddenly. Renji raised his eyebrows.

'Looks like it,' he answered, glancing back at his half-packed bag.

He remembered walking in and finding out that Ichigo had booked their tickets. He was pretty shocked and tried to talk his friend out of it. But Ichigo was as stubborn as ever and refused to budge. Eventually Renji gave in.

He wondered what was going to happen now. If he couldn't convince Ichigo to listen to reason what chance did Onkel Gin have? He worried that it was a lost cause. It hurt him just as much to see Ichigo in so much pain. He was lost without Grimmjow but he refused to admit it. Grimmjow should've come instead. It would've been better. Ichigo would've listened. Wouldn't he?

'Hey…'

Renji looked ahead and fell back on his bed in surprise. Shinji grinned broadly down at him.

'What was that for?' Renji snapped, trying to make his flushed face look like it was out of anger instead of embarrassment.

'You looked like you were ignoring me,' Shinji teased, half-pouting. He got down on his haunches so that he was level with Renji. The redhead averted his eyes, feeling way too conscious having those sharp, cloudy eyes looking straight at him. 'Hey, Renji, can I ask you a question?'

'Mmmm,' Renji mumbled, leaning back a little when Shinji got too close. It wasn't just about personal space but having Shinji so near was making him feel all hot and bothered. And it was pissing him off!

'When we first met, what did you think of me?'

Renji tried to hide his laugh but it escaped nonetheless. Shinji pouted for real this time.

'Whaaat?' he whined and placed his hands on Renji's knees, making the redhead jerk in surprise and accidentally look straight into the blonde's eyes. Renji gulped. those eyes were blown so wide and innocent it was doing strange things to his insides. Strange, explode-y things.

'Ermmm,' Renji struggled to answer, trying to find the right words. 'Welllll, I kinda thought you were creepy.'

'That's not very nice,' Shinji sighed, scooting a little closer. Renji shifted back on the bed, only thing keeping him level with Shinji were his elbows. The guy better stop coming so close all the time! 'What do you think of me now? After everything that's happened?'

Renji blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected that question to follow. He swallowed.

'I guess…' he started slowly. He licked his upper lip before biting a corner of it. 'You're not as bad as I thought…'

Shinji sighed and hung his head, as if in defeat. Then, to Renji's surprise, he stood up and began to fix the creases in his shirt.

'Guess that's better than nothing,' he answered cheerily, although it sounded forced. He gave a lazy wave. 'See you around then!'

'Wait!' Renji blurted out, grabbing a corner of Shinji's white shirt that was sticking out from under his grey sweater.

He felt his face heating up. He just acted without thinking right now. He actually didn't know what to say next. Shit, shit, shit! He needed to come up with something fast! Why the hell had he even stopped Shinji to begin with?! Was he scared of not seeing Shinji again? That was ridiculous! Why would he feel that?! It wasn't like he cared so much about the blonde! Well, not in that sense!

Did he?

'Well?' Shinji mused, his tone slightly formal. 'Got something to say?'

Renji gulped and opened his mouth.

'I don't like you,' he said. Shinji raised an eyebrow.

'Uh-huuuuh,' he said skeptically. Now Renji's face was on fire. But he had to continue. Otherwise he'd just like a big, fucking idiot.

'But I don't hate you either,' he mumbled out, his eyes focused on the stitching in Shinji's sweater. 'I wanna see where this goes but I'm…I'm kinda scared. I've never done this before…with a guy. But I'm…' he breathed deeply, letting his eyes flutter shut before opening and smiling genuinely at a bewildered Shinji, '…I'm willing to go for it with you. 'Cause, well, guess I trust you.'

He let that sink in, hoping his heart would stop pounding so damn loudly in his ears. He wondered how Shinji would react. The guy looked like a playboy. And he had probably treated Renji as some kind of thing to conquer and move on from. But maybe there was more to Shinji. All he needed was a chance. After all, you never know what you were going to get. You just had to dive headfirst and hope for the best.

Well, he had definitely not expected a kiss so forceful he was literally shoved into his mattress. And he hadn't expected his face to go so red or his body to start shaking because of having Shinji so close and, oh my fucking God, slipping his tongue into Renji's mouth.

Renji began to flail his arms, unable to breathe. Shinji suddenly realized Renji was probably not squirming out of pleasure and immediately pulled away, breathing hard but not as much as Renji. The redhead was gasping like he had been drowning.

'What? Never kissed with tongue or something?' Shinji panted as he sat back to straddle the redhead's hips.

''Course I have!' Renji snapped. His lips tingled weirdly and he touched them. 'Just…never with a guy…'

Shinji grinned widely.

'So I'm definitely your first,' he crowed. Renji scowled at him.

'Don't get so cocky!' he snapped. 'I ain't having sex with you until I'm ready!'

Shinji's shoulders actually slumped in disappointment.

'How long will I have to wait?' he complained. Renji raised both eyebrows.

'Unbelievable,' he muttered and lay back so that he faced the ceiling. 'You wanna get with me because you wanna have sex. Wow. Just…wow…'

'That not true,' Shinji remarked seriously.

Renji yipped as he felt something wet on his collarbone and his sight was blocked by blonde hair. He sucked in air sharply and shivered when he felt Shinji nibble his sensitive skin. He wiggled a little but not because he was uncomfortable. It was strangely nice, having the blonde press his body against his own and having that hot breath fan over his exposed neck. It made him excited and relaxed at the same time.

Maybe he might reconsider about the sex…

'I really want things to work out between us, Ren,' Shinji exclaimed, kissing Renji's jaw. The sensation tickled the redhead. 'And I don't want to force you if you're not ready. For you, I'm willing to wait. 'Cause it's going to be worth it.'

'How do you know?' Renji said breathlessly.

Shinji raised himself higher till he was level with Renji's face. He grinned seductively and leaned down to capture the redhead's lips in another kiss. But this was slow and gentle, his tongue just licking shyly over Renji's lips but not pressing to be inside his mouth. Renji actually liked it and almost pouted when Shinji withdrew.

''Cause it's you,' Shinji answered simply. 'And that's all the reason I need.'