Not Alone

Tuesday morning. Light shined through the blinds in Ichigo's room and landed perfectly on his eye. He grumbled and pulled the cover over his face. It was Tuesday now. Yesterday, he stayed home from school. Ishiin caught him and asked him why he would want to miss his first day, and he could not give a good answer.

Things just felt wrong.

All day he had sat about his house in silence. That is, until Yuzu and Karin came home. He changed his demeanor as soon as he saw them. The last people he wanted to worry about him were his little sisters.

Without warning, Renji burst into his room and shouted his good mornings. Rukia followed behind and smiled when she saw Ichigo.

"Renji, what are you doing here?" Ichigo asked irritably.

"Good morning to you too bedhead! I guess I'll just have to take Rukia to school all by myself." The redhead responded.

"R-Rukia?"

Throwing the sheets back, Ichigo was surprised to see Rukia standing in the center of his room. It had been a whole summer they'd spent apart and he missed her terribly.

"Morning Ichigo." The short girl smiled.

"It's good to see you Rukia."

"You too, Ichigo. I just got back last night. I hate that I missed the first day of school, but there was nothing I could do to get here sooner."

"Did you hear? Ichigo got a job at some weird shop." Renji informed.

"It's better than being a waiter slash dishwasher!" said boy snapped.

And just like that, Ichigo was thrown from his thoughts back to the world that was still moving around him. It was a temporary switch, but one he needed none the less. He was glad to see Rukia, so he could only imagine what seeing everyone else would be like.

That was all the initiative he needed to get out of bed and get ready for the day.

"Kurosaki-kun!" Inoue chirped when she saw him in his desk.

"Hi Inoue." The boy responded.

"How was your summer vacation? Did you have lots of fun?" she asked, taking her seat in front of him.

"It was good. I spent a lot of time with Grimmjow…but I really missed you guys more than anything."

Inoue. The bubbly, beautiful girl with the most sincere heart a person could possibly have. It was hard to believe she spent a whole summer away at Tatsuki's. Things were admittedly much duller when she wasn't around. Ichigo was glad to see she had returned safely and that she hadn't changed either. She was currently going on and on about how great her visit was.

These two had met one day when her brother was brought to his family clinic years ago. They were unable to save his life as he was mortally injured. But even after losing her only known relative, Inoue still befriended Ichigo and cared deeply for him.

He frowned after realizing what was actually going on with her visit to Tatsuki's. Inoue had no family of her own to visit. Sure she had "distant relatives", but no one even knew who or where they were. He was still set on the idea that she was some kind of princess. It was hard to believe someone like her didn't hail from royalty.

"Good morning, Kuorsaki." Ishida spoke as he took his seat a few seats ahead of the two.

"Hey Ishida. How was your summer?"

"It was decent."

"Didn't you go to South America?" Inoue asked.

"Yes. I did some research with my father on various parasites, medical plants, and diseases. Nothing to brag about."

"Nothing to brag about…?" Ichigo asked under his breath.

Ishida. One of the most condescending people Ichigo had ever befriended. How on earth they were still friends was beyond him. But Ishida was one friend he was glad to have. The two were able to discuss, on a more basic level, a lot of things in their medical experiences.

When he needed assistance at the clinic, Ishida was the first one to come and help out. Possibly because he wanted to escape his overbearing father whenever he could. There was a strange love those two had for each other. Strange indeed. Well, not in any freaky kind of way. They just did weird things together to bond.

"Hey Ichigo, Inoue. Good morning Ishida." Chad said as he entered the row and walked to his seat behind him.

"Chad! Hey! How was Mexico?" Ichigo asked.

"It was good. I learned to cook a new dish I had been failing at."

"We should cook together sometime!" Inoue beckoned.

Chad. Someone who stuck out of the crowd as much as Ichigo had. They got along well since freshman year when Chad had first moved to Karakura. They stuck their necks out for each other and their other friends. For some reason, they were drawn to each other. It may seem strange to outsiders, but sometimes misfits make the best of friends.

The last two to enter the classroom, Rukia and Renji took their seats on the row next to Ichigo. Everyone spent their time catching up before class began.

He began reminiscing how he had first met both of t them.

It was freshman year. Rukia had been new to town and wasn't fitting in very well. It was a shame to see such a nice person all alone all the time.

Every day at lunch, she sat alone in one of the study rooms.

Ichigo had walked up on her one time while she watched some anime on her laptop. He had seen it himself and began to wonder how well he would get along with her.

That's when he made his move. Upon inviting himself to eat with her one day, she didn't deny him or shy away. It actually seemed as if the whole time she had been hoping someone would force themself into her life.

And from that day on, Ichigo invited Rukia to eat lunch with him and his group near the tennis courts. She fit in better than he could have hoped.

Then during sophomore year, Renji transferred in. In the beginning, he didn't fit in at all. Rukia was his only friend, but even with that being so he stayed to himself. It didn't help that his style of clothes and tattoos made him stick out like a sore thumb. He was also kind of obnoxious and moronic.

One day at lunch, Ichigo sat next to him and randomly began a conversation. That's when he found out that they both liked soccer and had similar taste in music and television. His desire to befriend Renji stemmed from the fact that Renji was actually a nice person under his appearance and he was quite attractive.

From then on, they had been close. As time progressed and the two got closer, Ichigo started developing romantic feelings towards the other. He successfully hid those feelings from him for quite some time until one day Renji jokingly felt him up in the locker rooms and his erection gave him away. But even that didn't ruin their friendship. The redhead took the boy's attraction as a compliment.

Despite having known about those feelings, Renji seemed even more interested in being friends with Ichigo. It was the complete opposite of what he had expected to happen.

"Rukia, did you bring extra lunch? I didn't bring any and I don't have the money to pay the cafeteria." Renji spoke.

Rukia turned around and shook her head disapprovingly, "You can be such a mess sometimes. Unfortunately, I'm on a diet right now so all I have is fruit and yogurt."

"You can share my lunch, Abarai-kun!" Inoue offered happily.

Seeing that he had no other options, he accepted her offer.

The way everyone got along was great. Looking around him, Ichigo was glad to know that even though Grimmjow was gone, his friends were still here and he was not alone.

He vaguely caught a comment from Renji who was glad Senna wasn't in their first period class. Then Rukia busted his bubble by reminding him neither was Shuhei.

Senna. Hearing her name was reminiscent for Ichigo. It was freshman year when she moved to Karakura from Hokkaido. She got popular and met a group of girls who said she fit in perfectly with their group.

One day, they told her to meet them in the gymnasium after they got out of fourth period class. He saw her making her way over to the designated meeting point and took a shortcut. Upon arriving, he found out the girls had planned to douse her with a bucket of oatmeal when she stepped through the doors. He was utterly disgusted to notice a small crowd on the opposite end of the room. He had to think fast to save her from the humiliation. Then he noticed the locker room doors were open.

Just as Senna stepped into the gym, the school mascot pushed her out of the way and had the downpour fall on it.

The girls started laughing and so did the crowd. But Senna was shocked. It hadn't taken her long to figure out what was going on.

Pulling off the mascot's head, she gasped to find that it was the strange, delinquent boy with orange hair and the notorious reputation.

Ichigo, unable to take the laughter any longer, stood and left the gym and a speechless Senna. Later, Ichigo and his entire entourage were surprised when she joined them for lunch. She was quiet at first, but Inoue and Rukia helped her come out of her shell.

After lunch, she pulled Ichigo aside and thanked him sincerely for what he had done for her. From that day forth, she spent all of her time around him and his gang.

Early sophomore year, just after meeting Renji, she moved back to Hokkaido due to her father.

She was back now though and everything went back to normal for the little lunch bunch.

Ichigo was drawn from the memories when he saw Stark enter the classroom and give him a wave. He smiled, and then frowned when the other's eyes left him. He was glad that Stark was still attending school, he was, but that reminded him that Grimmjow was no longer here.

School without Grimm would be tough to get used to. There was no doubt about that.

Miss Misato entered the room and started happily announcing a camping trip scheduled about a month or so away from today at Daisetsuzan National Park. Great, camping.

Ichigo rolled his eyes when Rangiku asked if there would be a place to bathe and tidy up. There very well could be, but it probably wasn't anything like she was hoping for.

Inoue accompanied Ichigo into the cafeteria at lunch. She had, of course, offered to share her lunch with him, but he turned her down. She had to share with Renji after all.

After getting the dishes he wanted in a togo box, he and Inoue made their way over to the trees near the tennis courts.

He sat down and noticed their lunch group was quite large. Ishida, Inoue, Chad, Rukia, Renji and Senna were part of the main group. Then there was Tatsuki, Chizuru, Michiru, Mahana, Ryo who sat just a few feet away from them. Then there was Keigo and Mizuiro who sat off playing their new handhelds. Oh, and Shuhei. He usually sat with Renji and Rukia.

He listened in as everyone discussed their plans and new jobs.

Renji worked part-time as a waiter and dishwasher at a sushi shop. He was saving to buy a car and pay for college in case he didn't get any scholarships.

Senna worked at the sub shop he and Grimmjow visited as a cashier. Her mother drove her to work and her father picked her up on his way home from his job.

Inoue worked at a bakery. It was quite fitting that she worked surrounded by pastries and sweets. It wasn't far from her apartment so he wasn't concerned for her safety as she went home. She only worked Wednesdays to Fridays.

He himself worked at Unagiya's establishment. It was a place that didn't really have a specific duty. They just went around doing jobs for people in the city. He only worked there Mondays through Thursdays from one to five.

Shuhei worked at a guitar shop as a cashier and repair man. It was a cool job indeed. Ichigo had visited him and spent a few hours just watching him repair the instruments.

Chad worked Fridays and weekends in the warehouse at a department store. Warehouse work was work fit for people with strength like he had. And the pay was eleven dollars per hour.

Rukia was a cashier at a major bookstore. However, she and everyone else wanted Ishida's job.

He worked at a game store. It was a job all of them had applied for at some point or another but never got called back for. He said it was just something to hold him over until he got into medical school.

Everyone was now working and becoming real adults. There would be much less time to spend being teenagers, but true friends made time for one another. He knew he would see them no less throughout this last school year.

Then he was reminded that he would need to make time for Grimmjow too since he could only see him on the weekends.

Rukia noticed his expression and moved over to him.

"You aren't really eating your food. Are you okay?" she asked.

"Y-yeah. It's just…"

"Just what?"

"…Well, Grimmjow is in Tokyo and I won't get to see him as much." He frowned.

"Is that what you've been so down about lately?" Renji asked, joining them.

Senna crawled over to them and smacked the bottom of her fist to her palm, "I saw your picture up on our wall! You two looked so confused."

"Oh. That's because the cashier was being a fangirl. We also weren't expecting to have our picture taken." Ichigo smiled.

And just like that, everyone gravitated to him. In the beginning, for most of them, he had gravitated to them. But now the tables were reversed and everyone seemed to be drawn to him. For some reason, they all found a home at his side. And he was fine with that. If they were misfits, then so be it. Bonds like these were indestructible. Just like it was with them, his bond with Grimmjow was one that would never be torn asunder.

With that in mind, Ichigo became somewhat relieved and continued conversing with the friends he worked so hard to get.

Wednesday was an important day to the obnoxious, tattooed redhead. Tryouts for the soccer team were held on this day and he had been anticipating it all summer. Renji grinned up at the group watching him up in the stands.

It was just after fifth period so the group in the bleachers was small. It consisted of Ichigo, Inoue, Rukia, Rangiku, and Shuhei. Shuhei blushed when the goofball blew him a kiss.

"You shouldn't be so shy." Rukia smiled.

"I know… I just wish he'd be more serious and stop acting like-like a…"

"An idiot?" Senna asked, making her way up the stairs and over to the group.

"I wasn't really gonna say that, but I guess that description fits his behavior..."

"Get lost, Senna!" Renji yelled from the field.

"You want me here and you know it! You need my support!" the girl retorted.

"You wish!"

Ichigo, ignoring the two's familiar banter, let his eyes run over Renji's outfit. More specifically, to his calves. The socks and guards he was wearing showed off how strong they had gotten in the past years. Although he was over his crush on him, Ichigo couldn't deny that Renji was attractive.

Crystal blue eyes looked over at him.

"He really is eye-catching isn't he?" Rangiku asked him quietly.

"Uh…"

"Don't worry. It's okay to find others attractive even when you're with someone. As long as you don't act on your thoughts, you'll be okay." She smiled.

This was different. Of all the people in the world, never would Ichigo have imagined Rangiku would start a conversation with him. Especially about Renji's sex appeal.

And she had a point. It wasn't terrible to find someone attractive while you're committed. Just so long as you have the decency to keep your thoughts from being verbalized. But...when did she get to be so nice and friendly? Is this why Inoue hung out with her so often?

The honey blonde girl stood and ruffled his hair, "You're one lucky kid, you know that? Take care of that oaf you love, and the bad boy you're in love with."

Without another word, the girl smiled and left the bleachers.

What was that all about?

Ichigo irritably fixed his hair and turned his attention back to the field. Renji was now seated on the bench, tired and seemingly out of breath. His legs were currently wide open. He must have been giving himself room to breathe down there.

Quickly looking away when the redhead looked over in their group's direction, Ichigo sighed. Why did Renji taunt him like this?

Brown eyes looked over to Shuhei. Maybe the grand view was for him… That would make more sense.

As soon as practice was over, Renji ran over to the group panting, sweaty, and exhausted. In complete disregard to all of that, he grabbed Shuhei in a tight hug and kissed him all over his face excitedly.

"Wish me luck, Shuhei!" he ordered.

"Renji! Let go of me! You're sweaty!" Shuhei demanded, putting his hand on Renji's face and pushing him away.

Dark brown eyes turned to Rukia.

"Don't even think about it, Renji." She said.

"I hope you make the team Abarai-kun!" Inoue smiled.

"I'm not aiming for just making the team. I wanna be Varsity Capitain." The redhead exclaimed excitedly.

"Aren't we hopeful…" Senna said under her breath.

"What was that?" Renji asked.

"Oh, nothing."

"Oh, I have a car picking us up. You guys can spend some time over at my place if you want. But Renji, maybe you should shower before it gets here. You're kind of ripe…"

Taking the hint, Renji promised he'd be back and headed for the showers.

Rukia, followed by the rest of the group, made her way to the parking lot. On the way there, Ichigo noticed that Renji had left his bag at the bottom of the bleachers. He walked over to it, picked it up, and entered the showers.

He was going to give it straight to Renji, but then he noticed there was no one in the open area. All the showers were running so knocking and telling him he had brought it was out of the question. He really didn't want to just leave it. People steal like there's no tomorrow especially in locker rooms.

Just then, a shower door opened and Renji stepped out. He smiled big when he saw Ichigo standing with his bag in hand.

"I was just looking for that! My shampoo, clothes and towels are in there." He ran over to Ichigo and took the bag, "Thanks!"

The whole time, Ichigo was frozen. Renji must have been used to people seeing him naked like this because he didn't seem to mind at all right now.

"Renji…"

"Huh?"

"Cover up… What are you thinking?" he said, looking away while blushing.

The redhead looked down, jumped, and blushed himself. He immediately threw his hands over his privates and started laughing.

"Sorry Ichigo. It's kinda habit to walk around this place naked."

Ichigo turned to leave. He had seen more of Renji than he wanted to right now.

"Don't take too long. Our ride will be here soon." He said.

"R-right."

When he reached the door, the other called out to him.

"Hey Ichigo."

"Yeah?"

"You know I got a better package than Jaegerjaques. It's just too bad you're with him and I'm with Shuhei. Nothing we can do about us now." He said regretfully.

Ichigo exited the room without comment. Renji had a point. It was too bad. If things had worked out in their favor, then yes, they could be together. But the other waited too late to tell him how he felt. Grimmjow was his world now. His love for Renji might never be the same as it was back then, but he would always love him none the less.

And he was wrong about the package part. Grimmjow was bigger, even if only by a little.

Reviews are lovely so please give one. And thanks for the ones I got so far peeps! When a story has a lot of reviews, it draws more attention to it so please toss this story some. Even if it's just one word or one paragraph lol :)