Ichigo is a Senior in High School in July he turned 18. Reminder the war manga timeline would start around now but I did not use that for this story. There are things we learn about Ichigo but for this story that hasn't happened.
000
17 months went by in the World of the Living. Ichigo took actions to regain his powers teaming up with a group of humans with powers called Fullbringing. Calling themselves Xecutioners they banned together with their unique abilities. Ichigo defeated Ginjô Kugô the Fullbringer leader and former Subsititute Shinigami. The Fullbringers go their own ways after defeat. Ichigo is reunited with Rukia and gains new powers in the fight.
Sado learns more about his abilities. Dokugamine Riruka helps Ichigo in the fight leaving the Xecutioners.
Part Two
Chapter Seven
Enjoy Your Time…
Theme park lines were always filled with interesting people. Tatsuki leaned against the railing observing the crazy activity of her friends. Ichigo and Rukia were in some sort of wrestling match over candy. Orihime chatted away with a group up ahead of them about friendship bracelets. The group turned out to be crafters and both Orihime and Uryû rambled on and on with them about different projects. Renji leaned on the railing opposite of her.
"Want to ditch this line," she asked as he turned his focus back in her direction.
"Yes," he replied eagerly.
"You guys are leaving," Ichigo asked.
Losing his advantage with Rukia it suddenly became clear the object she was after was his wallet which she proudly held up like a trophy.
"Yeah we'll meet you guys later," Tatsuki said ducking beneath the barriers towards the exit.
On the way out they were passed by Rukia who went back to the concession stand using Ichigo's money to buy snacks she asked for. Renji laughed telling her they'd call and meet up later.
"So where to," Renji asked as they walked the park.
"There are some real rides over on the other side of the park. The trill seeking rides that those chickens will take forever to work up to," Tatsuki said.
"Thrill seeking rides," he asked.
"Don't you chicken out on me now," she said.
"That's not the only reason we left them and as for chickening out give me a break," he said.
"I wanted to spend more time with you is that so wrong," she asked slowing her pace.
Sounds of screams, laughter and conversations mingled with pop music. The atmosphere seemed designed for people to forget it all and get lost in its magic.
Renji wanted to try the especially delicious fragrant foods that hung displayed in various booths. He could hardly blame Rukia for her exuberance but wondered if Ichigo's wallet could handle it. This started to sound like a date to him.
"We aren't on a date," he said suddenly.
"Just hold my hand and be quiet before you ruin the moment," she said stopping in the walk way.
He took her hand interlocking her fingers with his. It was a good change of pace as they walked toward the thrill seeking looping coaster. He stopped in front of a bench knowing where they were headed. If she wanted to spend time with him sitting on a bench seemed better than standing in another 15 minute long line.
"Sit with me for a while," he asked.
"Alright," she agreed still holding his hand she rested her head on his shoulder.
"We are supposed to be just platonic you know," he said staring at their interlocked fingers.
"I can't help it. Your hand is almost super glued to mine," she said following his gaze.
"Are you taking anything seriously," he asked.
"Today is my day off for seriousness," she shrugged looking up at him.
"You make this easy…far too easy and at peace for me. We aren't in an easy situation you and I," he said.
"I'm relaxed because whatever the circumstances you worry far too much about everything. In this moment sitting here I'm happy holding your hand and resting my head on your shoulder. You are clear as crystal when it comes to your feelings about me so why would I cloud things up," she asked.
"Then if serious is on vacation I guess worry can go with it," he said pulling her up to her feet.
She wrapped her arm around his waist and he draped his over her shoulder as they walked towards the coaster.
000
Conversation flowed freely as Renji and Tatsuki stood in line for the coaster. She leaned against his chest his arms around her. In all her dating life she never felt this comfortable with anyone.
Public displays of affection just weren't her thing. For some reason the ambiance of the theme park put her at ease. Typical of any dating spot there were other couples around as well but for once she didn't notice them. Perhaps when you are that couple you forget the rest of the world.
In the past she had plenty of moments when she noticed the couples in line annoyed as they crabwalk inched their way forward in line. They talked about hobbies that they enjoyed. Somehow the conversation was picked up by another couple in line and they became the Uryû and Orihime of this line.
000
Renji and Tatsuki stepped off the ride laughing together. It was as thrilling and fun as she promised. Renji had the urge to kiss her but Orihime's voice in the background made him crash back down to reality.
"There you guys are," Orihime said.
Tatsuki expected a phone call warning first. If she wasn't mistaken she was sure two seconds ago Renji would have kissed her for the first time.
"That was so much fun," Tatsuki said smiling at her friend.
"You should have come with us," Renji said exasperated.
"Everyone is trying to decide on food," Orihime explained.
"Sounds good," Renji said sure that Orihime was oblivious to what Renji and Tatsuki were doing together.
Orihime pulled her friend ahead and the two chatted. Renji walked behind the two the worry creeping up again. He couldn't help imagining what the scene would have been if Orihime hadn't shown up.
Ahead of them Rukia proudly showed off her Chappy winnings. Ichigo looked completely whipped and happy with himself. Uryû was grinning like an idiot at Orihime with no shame at all.
What have these women done to us?
Renji was sure that each person in this circle were either in denial or completely ignorant of the coupled that went on right before their very eyes. Perhaps Uryû got it as he followed Renji's gaze he had a knowing smile on his face.
000
Renji was convinced as the girls gathered to talk and find a suitable place to eat that he wasn't the only one who snuck off with his love interest.
"If we all go in together we can afford a nice sit down restaurant," Uryû suggested.
"What do the girls want to do," Ichigo asked.
"How should I know…do you know how bad we all look now," Renji asked.
"Tatsuki is their ringleader and what do you mean by looking bad," Ichigo asked.
"Ichigo you're throwing money around and giving Rukia whatever she wants and Uryû you are slobbering like some lovesick puppy every time Orihime comes around…we're being manipulated into taking these girls out for dinner don't you realize what is going on," Renji said.
"What about you sneaking off like that," Ichigo asked.
Uryû chuckled to himself. They both seemed unfazed by his comments like they were downright fine with looking like lovesick fools.
"Riding the baby rides didn't excite us," Renji defended.
"Exciting to us eh," Uryû pestered.
"Well you disappeared too Uryû," Ichigo said.
"Leaving you and Rukia alone of course," Uryû countered.
"What difference does that make Rukia's always disappearing with Ichigo and you are always with Orihime," Renji said.
Uryû did disappear with Orihime but it was hardly like always. He spotted her in front of the restaurant with the others she was the woman he adored. Spending any time with her could never feel as ordinary as Renji inferred.
"I think we've been set up on dates," Ichigo said snapping Uryû back to attention.
"Yeah and we're neatly coupled up and only the six of us are here since the others bailed at the last-minute," Uryû agreed.
"That does seem odd," Ichigo agreed.
Renji was glad they were finally coming to their senses somewhat.
"Especially when Keigo is always willing to spend time hanging out with you," Uryû added.
"That is true," Ichigo said.
"Renji hasn't spent time hanging around us like this either," Uryû said.
That was true as well but Renji did spend plenty of time with Tatsuki and she wouldn't need to be round about to ask him on a date. Even if they hadn't gone on a date yet or enter that territory he was sure she'd be more direct with him than this scheme.
"Tatsuki is too clever to come up with such a dull scheme. She's direct," Ichigo said as if reading Renji's thoughts.
"Rukia seemed ecstatic about Chappy so maybe she knew to come to this park," Uryû said.
"She's always ecstatic about that damned bunny but that isn't it," Ichigo said.
"Well Orihime wouldn't set this up," Uryû said.
"She could be sending you a message," Renji suggested.
Or finally reciprocating and returning Uryû's feeling s for her. In any event they came to the conclusion that Tatsuki thought of the get together. Orihime organized the thing and Rukia went along for the ride.
They didn't have much time to talk more about their theory when the girls returned from scouting out menus around the food courts.
"Nothing is really appealing here," Orihime said.
They were trying to go to a restaurant so of course nothing was appealing, Renji thought.
"We should all go to a sit down restaurant," Rukia suggested.
Of course we should, Uryû thought.
"Maybe we should call for reservations," Tatsuki said.
Right reservations…you probably already called, Ichigo thought.
"Is something wrong with you guys," Rukia asked.
All three guys had looked as if they were tired of being manipulated. The girls of course didn't seem to know what was going on.
"We could always eat here if you guys want to," Orihime said.
Uryû was the first to crack he didn't want to make her sad.
"No we'll go to a restaurant how much time should we spend in the park before our reservations," Uryû asked.
"We haven't even decided on a place yet," Orihime reminded him brightening suddenly.
Ichigo fell next.
"We should go back to the arcade," Rukia said.
"You already won the bunny," Ichigo said.
"Tatsuki and Orihime have nothing," Rukia said.
"Eh, I'm fine really. I don't need a Chappy-
"I want an upgrade," Rukia said cutting Orihime off.
"Good luck with that Ichigo isn't all that great at games," Tatsuki said.
It was all the challenge that Ichigo needed. The look changed on his face he was suddenly dragged back in the game the girls were playing.
Renji's turn was up.
"You are pretty quiet Renji," Tatsuki said.
"I have no interest in winning toys," Renji said.
"Well Uryû can beat us all anyhow," Tatsuki said.
"I can beat him," Ichigo said.
Renji was quiet as he had taken far too many losses to Tatsuki to see being any good at these games. At the same time he wasn't about to lose to the likes of Ichigo and Uryû. His only disadvantage he reasoned was simply the lack of these machines in the Soul Society.
000
By games end as predicted Uryû scored the most arcade points.
Renji walked Tatsuki home stopping at a coffee shop to redeem her arcade winnings. Tatsuki ordered a coffee drink at the counter. Renji turned down the offer of coffee. Tatsuki stared at the menu and ordered.
"Renji I have to use up the balance of this card before I forget, you do at least like caffeinated soda right," she said.
"As long as it isn't bitter like that stuff," he said.
She ordered cherry cola and quickly handed over her gift card to the cashier.
She sipped on the iced cappuccino as he tried out the cherry cola. No surprise at all he enjoyed it. As they sat at a bench to finish the drinks they talked some more about the day. She cuddled up to him to get warm again wishing she had ordered a hot beverage instead.
They stood and walked the rest of the way to her parent's house as Renji had his arm draped over her shoulders. She leaned on him as they walked.
Of all the moments of the day Tatsuki chose to bring up Renji's last place finish among all six of them.
"Even Orihime," Tatsuki laughed and made her way up the stairs towards her parent's home.
"The rest of you have had more experience with those games. In time I could beat all of you," Renji said following after her.
She paused on the stair way and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I don't want you to go," she said.
He knew that already. They were alone again. His second chance came as he stood eye to eye with her. They were still on vacation from serious. She leaned closer to him completely comfortable as he held her.
"Never would I expect today to end up like this. It would be difficult to deny that I don't want to go either. We were friends this morning and nothing more…I don't know how to leave without you," he said.
She turned her eyes up at him. No trace of sadness in her eyes almost as if they brightened with his confession. Warm cherry cola colored eyes that sparkled in the street lights met his. He wondered what shade they'd take on in the natural light of the stars and not this artificial glow.
Her lips were too inviting to resist. Drawing her near him she closed her eyes instinctively anticipating his kiss. The pink color of her cheeks didn't go unnoticed and he took his time kissing her cheeks first. Her eyes flickered perhaps confused by his target.
Leaving her lips untouched he traced a path to her neck with his lips and tongue. The sensation made her eyes fly open immediately. If his hand wasn't supporting the small of her back she was sure she'd tumble… somewhere.
"Breathe love or you'll pass out," he said.
The sensation of his breath on her skin sent shivers through her entire body.
Love, I've never heard that before…I've never felt this before, she thought.
She was nervous and aware of how she pressed against him. So close she had to twist away slightly.
He pulled her closer now and began to kiss her lips. She relaxed again her lips parting as she tasted his tongue. His hands were wandering as much as his lips. The sensations caused her to shiver with pleasure.
Then he stopped. What was meant as an innocent goodnight kiss somehow transformed into a heavy-duty make out session. With him declaring whispering his love for her and connecting in such a way he felt out of control.
"I should go," he said suddenly moving three steps down.
"Then go," she challenged her hand covering her smiling lips. Her eyes stalking him like prey she took a step closer to him.
He couldn't leave he just wanted one more kiss. Before he could react she had closed the gap her arm framed his face as she kissed him again.
"Adorable," she said looking in his eyes.
She would never say goodbye instead she turned and jogged up the stairs.
He stood watching her making sure that she made it home alright. Before today they were platonic only occasionally hugging or holding hands. After tonight he knew there was something about her. He called her his love what was he thinking?
They could never go back now to just friendship. He had complicated a good thing. Uncomplicated and easygoing their relationship shaped from an understanding. Friendship and platonic was now complicated and off-limits.
In dangerous territory he would never be able to get her off his mind. Regardless of what he wanted he was due back at squad six headquarters to report for duty. With that thought in mind Renji returned to the Soul Society.