After a while, he sat up again to try and think this through, even though he really didn't want to.
He needed to get out of the Soul Society, he decided. If there was going to be another rebellion, he didn't want to be around for it, especially if Gin was responsible. He just didn't think he'd be able to handle it. But where could he go?
Then it occurred to him. He had a friend living in West Rukongai, Deruko Asama. She'd likely understand, if he could find her, then he'd be fine.
About two hours later, under the cover of night, Izuru made his way through West Rukon to where he knew Deruko to last be living. Lights were on in the house, and when he knocked on the door, she answered almost immediately.
"Who...?" she said, at first not recognizing him.
"Deruko? I-is that you?" Kira asked, afraid of having the wrong house.
"Izuru? Come inside, quickly, there are mosquitoes out there."
"What brings you out here?" she asked him after she'd served both of them tea.
"Things... I don't really want to talk about it in detail... But I needed to get away for a while."
"I see."
"I was wondering, Sempai... Would you be willing to let me stay with you until I'm... ready to go back?"
She smiled at her former underclassman. "Of course, Kira-kun. We are old friends."
Deruko, Izuru learned, actually had a husband and child now; the former was away for a while, the latter a little girl, Murasaki.
"How are you and Gin doing?" she asked. When he didn't answer, she just nodded slowly. "I understand."
Deruko threw him a puzzling look when he started a little and rubbed his side; the baby had just moved, but it hadn't really kicked so far.
Catching her look, Izuru blushed. "Um, well, Gin and I are... expecting," he finished awkwardly.