Man, I've really gotten myself set up in a system. Every time I come to the library I get something done! Either it be a one-shot or a whole chapter. It took me four hours to do this, and I'm very proud of myself for it.

This is where things start to really get intense for the main characters...

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of the characters associated with the Anime/Manga. They belong to Tite Kubo and Shonen Jump Magazine. Please support the official release.

-Renji's Not Okay-

"Where's Renji?"

The question hung in the air as Ichigo and Rukia stood atop the school roof waiting for their friend. They had minutes before the warning bell would ring, and they were growing worried Renji wouldn't show up.

"You think he's sick?" Rukia asked, her violet eyes scanning the skies.

"He seemed fine yesterday," Ichigo said, obviously ignoring the fact yesterday at this time Renji was trying to send him through a building. "He might already be inside."

"But we always meet up here!" Rukia retorted. "Why would he just slip inside without us?"

"It's possible..." Ichigo said lightly, frowning as he scratched the back of his head. "He might still be bitter about...ya know, us."

Rukia's expression eased into one of worry. "I hope not..." She said. "I mean...I know it's got to suck but...it's not like we can do anything about it."

Ichigo nodded. "Yeah...well, let's hope he's inside."

Rukia returned the nod, intertwining her fingers with his as they walked inside. They made their way down the stairs, listening as the warning bell went off and the rest of the population of students began to make their way into class.

Ichigo was happy no one seemed to notice that Ichigo nor Rukia came in from the front like everyone else. They moved against the crowd, walking towards their classroom hand in hand. As they walked, someone took notice of their interlocked fingers.

"Yo, Ichigo! Rukia!"

The two of them turned as Ikkaku and Yumichika came running up to them from within the throng of students. Ichigo raised a brow at the fact Ikkaku's nose was covered by a white patch, the skin around his cheeks slightly purple and bruised.

"Damn, Ikkaku, what happened to your face?" Ichigo asked.

Ikkaku raised a brow, as if confused by the question, but then crossed his eyes to look at his bandaged nose and shrugged. "Tripped and fell on my nose." He said. "Nothing too bad."

"Looks pretty bad to me," Rukia remarked. "It looks like someone took a hammer to your face."

"I've been saying the same thing for years," Yumichika said, flipping his long hair over his shoulder.

"Screw you, pretty boy." Ikkaku growled nasally, his rough tone agitating his wound slightly. "It's not that bad." He said, picking at the bandage.

"Seems a bit much for just a trip," Ichigo said. "What did you do? Fall off a cliff and land directly on your nose?"

Ikkaku made an odd noise in the back of his throat, as if trying to snort but unable to with his crooked nose. "It actually was the weirdest thing. We were walking out of your classroom when suddenly the desk moved right into my path and knocked me over!"

"Oh, Ikkaku," Yumichika sighed. "How many times do I have to say it? Your clumsy self knocked into the desk and fell over. It didn't just move on its own into your path."

"It did!" Ikkaku protested. "I was nowhere near the damn thing and it just slides right in front of me!"

"What were you doing in our classroom?" Rukia inquired, cutting into their argument. "You guys aren't in our class."

"We were talking with Renji," Yumichika answered.

Ichigo's eyes widened slightly, glancing at Rukia as she made the same realization.

"So...you say the desk just moved on its own?" Ichigo asked. "Was Renji the only one in the room when it happened?"

Ikkaku nodded. "Yeah, why does that matter?"

The scowl on Ichigo's face was one of contemplation. He looked at Ikkaku's nose and shook his head slightly. "I was just asking," He said.

"Whatever," Ikkaku said. "So, what's with the hand holding?"

Rukia smiled slightly. "Jealous?" She teased.

Ikkaku made that half-assed snort sound again. "As if," He said.

"I believe he is," Yumichika said, chuckling. "But forget him! You two are cute together! Dare I say...even beautiful together!" He gushed.

Ichigo flushed slightly, scratching the back of his head with his free hand as Rukia giggled. "Thank you," She said. "We're together now."

"I had my suspicions you'd get with one of these idiots," Yumichika said. "You're too adorable, Rukia, to just stay single like you've been."

Rukia blushed, but smile. "Thank you, again." She said.

"Yeah, yeah." Ikkaku said, rolling his eyes. "Let's hurry up and get going. Class is about to start."

The four parted ways, saying their goodbyes and walking down the hall in opposite directions. Once Ikkaku and Yumichika were out of earshot, Ichigo turned to Rukia.

"You think Renji did that?" He asked lowly.

Rukia shook her head. "Why would he?"

"If Ikkaku was being...well, Ikkaku, Renji might have gotten a little angry." Ichigo offered. "Yesterday was a perfect example of how Renji doesn't know how to handle himself when he gets upset."

She frowned, staring straight ahead in thought. "I guess..." She mumbled. "What should we do?"

"We'll ask him," Ichigo said firmly. "At lunch we'll have to have a talk with him"

Rukia nodded in agreement as they made their way into the classroom just as the bell rang. They separated ways and sat down at their desks, both glancing back to see Renji's desk empty. They exchanged worried frowns, but said nothing as the teacher walked in and class began.

[–]

When lunch time finally came around, Ichigo and Rukia left their bags at their desks and made their way back up to the roof to figure out what to do, ducking under their other friends so they could have some private time.

"What do we do?" Rukia asked. "Should we wait for Renji to come back?"

Ichigo shook his head. "No, I think this time leaving it be isn't the right answer. He can't just avoid us." He said. "Maybe I should fly over to his apartment and see what's going on."

"Well, I'm coming too." Rukia said.

"No," He said, placing his hand on her shoulder. "I'm the one who needs to talk to him. It's me he's mad at, I just know it. So he and I need to sort this out...man to man."

She scowled. "I'm not just going-"

"Rukia," Ichigo cut her off. "Don't forget he likes you. I don't think you being there will help, no offense."

She pursed her lips in indignation, staring down at the ground in frustration as she clenched her fists. "But what if I can-"

"Rukia..."

"Fine..." Rukia sighed. "But don't take too long alright? Lunch is only half an hour."

Ichigo nodded. "I know," He said. "I'll try to get him to come back with me. Then we both can talk to him about Ikkaku."

Rukia nodded, reaching up to give him a quick kiss before he bid goodbye and rose into the air and jetted off into the clouds towards Renji's apartment.

[–]

Ichigo soared through the clouds, shivering as the wet puffs of smoke dampened his clothes and hair and chilled him to the bone. He shook his head and flew a little lower, feeling the wind ruffling his orange hair and ease his hectic mind. He was worried for his friend, worried he was not on the right path. He hoped that Renji would listen to him when he talked.

When Ichigo neared Renji's apartment building, he noticed red and blue lights flashing around the parking lot. He scowled, furrowing his brows as he lowered himself towards the ground and saw the lights were from...police cars?

Ichigo landed quietly behind a couple of bushes where he knew no one would be able to see him. He crouched low and watched the scene, seeing two ambulance trucks parked next to the three squad cars that were inspecting the area in search of something. What were they doing here? Why were there ambulances?

Ichigo walked from out of the bushes and placed his hands in his pockets as he walked towards the scene, looking as casual as possible despite the dread growing in his stomach. One of the officers took notice to him and ran over to him, placing his hand up to halt him from coming any further.

"Hold on, son. This is a crime scene." The officer said.

Ichigo frowned, looking around at the yellow police tape set up around the stairway to the apartment building. He could see faint traces of blood on the ground, currently being inspected by two of the other officers. The back doors to the ambulances were closed, and he could see there was movement going on inside of them, meaning whoever was hurt was already taken inside for treatment.

"Um...if you don't mind me asking...what happened here?" Ichigo said, looking back to the officer.

The young officer shook his head. "You don't need to know," He said. "What is your business here? Shouldn't you be in school?"

Ichigo glanced up at Renji's apartment door, room number 16, and then back down at the officer. "I'm here to see my friend. It's lunch time and I came to make sure he's alright since he didn't show up for class this morning."

"Does he live here?" The officer asked.

Ichigo nodded. "Yes, apartment 16." He said, motioning his chin up to the door with the number on it.

The officer frowned, glancing up at the door and then down at his fellow officers. He turned back to Ichigo and then shook his head. "Fine, follow me. And don't try to look around into the trucks."

Ichigo mumbled his consent and followed the officer as he led him under the police tape and past the bloody stains on the ground where the other officers were crouched by and up the stairway. Once they reached the top the officer let Ichigo go on his own, but stayed where he was to wait for when he returned.

Ichigo glanced at the crime scene one last time before walking along the ledge and stopping in front of apartment number 16. He knocked on the door, listening for any sign of movement inside. Usually there would be the scuffling of Renji running to the door, but this time there was complete silence. He frowned, knocking again, harder this time. Once again there was no answer, and Ichigo was starting to get frustrated.

"Renji!" Ichigo called, loud enough for his friend to hear but low enough so the cops didn't catch notice. "I know you're in there! Come out!"

Finally, Ichigo could hear the familiar shuffling coming from inside the apartment. He heard the lock on the door click and Renji's pale face appeared between the crack of the door.

"What do you want?" Renji asked tiredly, scowling.

"Why aren't you at school?" Ichigo asked. "What's wrong?"

Renji shook his head, not opening the door any more. "I'm sick..." He said quietly.

"Bullshit," Ichigo said. "Why aren't you at school, Renji? Is it because of Rukia and me?"

Renji's eyes darkened for a split second, but then he covered it up with a shake of his head. But Ichigo noticed it. "No, I'm sick." He said again, this time more firmly.

Ichigo scowled. "I don't believe you, man." He said. "We need to talk, okay? We seriously need to talk about a few things."

Renji shook his head. "I need to rest," He said. "I'm tir-"

"We're talking now."

Ichigo slammed his shoulder against the door, knocking Renji off his feet and to the ground as Ichigo stepped inside and closed the door behind him. Ichigo frowned, looking around the apartment in surprise as he noticed just about everything had been destroyed. The couch was overturned, the pillows torn, the feathers of the pillows strewn out along the floor like bloody entrails. The TV was on the ground, the glass smashed in and the antennae snapped in half. The pieces of glass were stabbed into the wall, leaving little cracks along the molded plaster. Ichigo could also see within Renji's room that it was completely destroyed.

"Renji..." Ichigo looked down at his friend, who pulling himself up from the ground. He was still dressed in his uniform from yesterday, his back to Ichigo as he stood. "What's going on here? Why did you tear up your apartment?"

Renji didn't turn around, keeping his back to Ichigo as he spoke, "I had to...blow off some steam last night."

"'Blow off some steam'?" Ichigo repeated incredulously. "Renji, why? Why did you have to blow off steam? Is it because of Rukia? Because of us being together?"

Renji's fists clenched in anger. "No...it's not because of that." He said. "I just...I had a rough night."

"Renji, talk to me." Ichigo sincerely. "We're brothers, remember? Please, talk to me. I'm sorry about what I did to you, I really am. But Rukia and I...we just-"

"I get it," Renji said. "I get it, okay? I already said I got it yesterday."

"Renji, look at me." Ichigo said. Renji made no move to turn. "Look at me!"

Ichigo reached out and grabbed Renji by the shoulder, ready to yank him around so he would look at him. But before he could do so Renji roared and swung his arm, blasting Ichigo in the chest and sending him flying back to slam against the wall, hard. Ichigo groaned, the wall cracking under the pressure of his back slamming against it.

"What the hell man?" Ichigo yelled, pulling himself up. "Why did you just..."

Ichigo's eyes widened when he saw Renji. He had finally turned to him fully, his chest heaving as he panted from his excursion of anger. On his shirt were a few blotches of dried blood.

"Renji..." Ichigo stood, leaning against the wall for support. "Why is there..."

Renji looked down at the blood, his eyes darkening as he clenched his fists. "It's nothing." He said. "I just got into a fight on my way home yesterday."

"A fight?" Ichigo said. "Renji, there are fucking blood stains on your shirt! And they don't look like from a normal fight!" His eyes widened in realization. "Did you...outside? Those thugs? Did you...kill them?"

Renji was quiet for a moment, and that was all Ichigo needed.

"Jesus man!"

"I didn't do a thing!" Renji yelled. "I didn't!"

"You did!" Ichigo said. "Why would you do that Renji? We aren't supposed to use our powers like that, remember?" He ran a panicked hand through his hair. "You fucking killed people! What is wrong with you?"

"They deserved it!" Renji screamed, paralyzing Ichigo with shock.

"What...? They what?" Ichigo said incredulously.

"They deserved to die!" Renji said. "All they ever did was sit there and pick on people, and beat the shit out of poor, undeserving kids, like us! When they weren't doing drugs or fucking some slut they were out there making fun of me!"

"That isn't reason to kill them!" Ichigo barked.

"Yes!" Renji said. "It damn well is! We were given a gift, Ichigo! Why shouldn't we use it to make the streets better?"

"Killing doesn't solve anything!" Ichigo protested. "You can't fix a wrong with a wrong!"

"You just don't understand," Renji shook his head. "I did a public fucking service by getting rid of those assholes!

"Renji, would you listen to yourself?" Ichigo said, gaping at his friend in horror. "This isn't you, man. This power has gotten to your head."

Renji glared. "The power has done nothing but strengthen me. It's with this power I'll finally be someone. I spent all these years thinking the only way to be set free of all of this bullshit was to be with Rukia; that she would be the one to save me. But I've realized...she can't do shit. Neither of you can. No one can."

Ichigo shook his head. "Renji, please, that's not true. We're your friends! We'll save yo-"

"Only I can save myself." Renji cut him off. "All of you...you're just in the way. You've always been in my way, Ichigo. And Rukia too. You guys held me back, and I won't let you do that anymore!"

"Renji, listen to me-"

"I want you out of my apartment." Renji said sternly.

"No, not until you listen to me."

"Get out."

"No,"

"Get out!" Renji shoved Ichigo, and Ichigo couldn't stop the frustration from taking over him. He balled up his fist and grabbed Renji by the collar of his shirt, throwing his fist straight for his face. But Renji was quicker, and caught the fist with his mind inches from his nose. Ichigo's eyes widened, his fist being held back by the force of Renji's will. He struggled against it, trying to muscle through it, only to feel his knuckle pop painfully as if punching a brick wall. He roared in anger, throwing his fist down and glaring at Renji.

"This isn't over," Ichigo said, turning and walking out of Renji's apartment, slamming the door behind him.

Man, Renji has really gone to the dark side huh? Oh, you guys don't even know what he's gonna do next! -CoughIdoCough-

Next chapter I have some pretty intense stuff planned. So be prepared, when it comes out it'll blow yer little brains!

I would have had this chapter out sooner, or at least would have started working on it sooner, but I've been preoccupied with my new one-shot Death Is Only The Beginning. I just posted it Friday, and spent the weekend writing another one-shot The Bitch which I posted yesterday. You all should check them out! They're both some of my greatest works!

I need to wrap this up. I'm still at the library and I have to leave in like two minutes. It's almost 9 at night and they close at 9. Prudes...I could stay here all day and night if they'd let me. It's my most favorite place in the world!

Anyway, see you guys next time! (Considering the roll I'm on, that might possibly be tomorrow. No promises, but just saying it's very possible!)

REVIEW!