"So you have to go back as soon as possible?" Rukia asked Renji, sitting across from him and Ichigo. They were at Ichigo's house, sitting on the floor.

"Yeah," He looked over at Ichigo sadly. Ichigo tried to smile reassuringly, but it wouldn't come. Rukia bit her lip nervously. Renji noticed this and grinned amused.

"What would you like to know Rukia, how big I…" Ichigo hit him, making Renji laugh.

"What are you doing baka?" A blush was threatening to appear at that thought of that.

"What? I wasn't going to say anything inappropriate." He tried to look angelic, Ichigo only glared at him.

"Just how long, I don't want details." Rukia has no idea how badly Renji will take that…

"Well I haven't really m…" Ichigo hit him again.

"Since last time he was here," Ichigo answered, trying to act natural.

"That explains it…" She said thoughtfully .Renji started to laugh, at what Ichigo wasn't sure.

"Explains what?" He asked curiously.

Rukia just smiled and said, "A lot of things."

"Whatever Rukia…what's so funny Renji?" Ichigo asked as he noticed Renji trying to cover his mouth to mute the laughing.

"Not…hing," He said between laughs.

"He's crazy."

"Try growing up with him." They exchanged smiles, then suddenly his face grew serious.

"You mean why I've been distant, right? I'm sorry, you stay here I should be paying more attention to you."

"No, it's ok. I understand. I suppose I was hurt before, but now I know what's going on."

"I'm still sorry."

Renji's cellphone went off suddenly. He pulled it out of his pocket and looked at the name soberly.

"Um it's my captain…" He said, biting his lip.

"Oh," Was all Ichigo managed to say, looking at him with sad eyes.

"Ok I'll see you Renji," Rukia said, getting up to hug him.

"Bye Rukia," He said, hugging her back, smiling slightly.

"I'll just leave you alone then…" She causally slipped out of the room. They smiled at each other and in an instant their lips were on each others, moving urgently together.

Rather reluctantly Renji left, promising to come back in a few weeks. All Ichigo could do was watch him disappear, feeling hopeless.

What more paperwork? Does it never end?

"Hey Renji."

"Hey Shuuhei," He said lazily, continuing to read the paperwork.

"How's Ichigo?"

"I don't know, I haven't talked to him for a few days."

"That's surprising since you two are so close," He said, looking away, trying not to smile.

Renji dropped his pen and looked at him, surprised.

"How did…"

"Ichigo told me." Ichigo? Why? Wait what's going on here?