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originally posted on fanfiction.net by myself. I may have to change things a bit to fit in with the rules.

DISCLAIMER: Bleach and all characters therein are not owned by me, I'm just borrowing them for the duration of this fic. If they were owned by me - I'd have Renji! (tyvm goodbye lol)

aka Episode 67a. This follows on from Ichigo pouncing on Renji in Episode 67. rated M incase of later chapters. Ichigo has to tell Renji how much he loves him, but how easy can it be?




Part 1

"What?"
"..."
"What are you looking at me like that for?"
"..."
"You frickin' pounced on me in the corridor and now your saying nothing?"

Renji looked at him again. Ichigo got up, "doesn't matter, I'm going home." Renji caught his arm, "you really want to undress me?" Ichigo shrugged out of his grasp and walked off. Things hadn't gone well, he was in two minds what he actually wanted/meant. Did he want Renji only out of his body or out of his clothes too? The latter was very tempting and over the last few months that idea had been in his thoughts constantly. But however much he thought about it, his mind wandered to Renji's chest - a 6-pack in action and something like that was impossible to ignore. But how could he tell Renji that he liked him like that?

Renji sat and watched him leave, it was impossible to talk to Ichigo when he was like this, and persuing the matter further at this point, would only increase tension.
"Hey Renji, what's up?" Rukia sat down next to him. "That was a bit of a display in class today, you speak to him about it?"
Renji shook his head, "I tried, but he was saying nothing. I think he's trying to forget it happened. I wish he'd talk to me and tell me what he wants."
Rukia smiled, "but what do you want, Renji? You've always been strong and you know your mind. Do you like him that much?"
Renji looked away, "is it that obvious? Maybe I'm putting him in a position that's hard for him to decide. What should I do Rukia?"
She kissed him on the cheek and stood up. "Give him time, there's alot he needs to realise, plus I'll have a word with him for you - I'll drop some subtle hints."
Renji looked shocked "Rukia - no!"
She grinned at him, "ok, then if you're sure - but that means you have to speak to him yourself." She took his hand "Let's go back to the store - I'm sure you're hungry." It was true he was - but he wasn't sure what for.

Ichigo got home and laid on his bed, his thoughts were worrying him. What the hell was he thinking? 'Renji must be thinking I'm a pure idiot after that position I put him in today - and why there and then - in front of the class?' He put his hands over his eyes, he knew he was an idiot, and then Kon went and made the day worse.
"Did he tell you? Did he? Did he?"
"Tell me what?"
"That he likes you."
"Huh?...What?...Who?" he sat up sharply "Kon, what are you talking about?"
Kon jumped up and down on the window sill, "Renji's got the hots for you!"
"..."
"He told me not to say anything, but I can tell that its breaking his heart that you've not noticed him and..."
Ichigo picked up Kon and zipped him up in a bag muffling the sound.
'Damn', he thought, 'that's why he was trying to talk to me about the incident' Well, if he felt the same way as Renji did then it should make it easier, but how does one broach such a subject... ah! Training!
He unzipped the bag and pulled Kon out "Hey what you doing?" Kon protested as Ichigo felt inside the mouth for the pill and popping it quickly as Kon looked down at his body, "Oh no, not again!"
"I'm going Training," Ichigo said as he hopped out of the window.
"Ah, Training with Renji!" Kon called after him with a grin on his face.

It didn't take Ichigo that long running over the rooftops to get to the store. Rukia was in the yard and was surprised to see him arrive "Ichigo?" he stopped briefly to talk to her "I want to do some Training" he walked inside and went into the basement.
Rukia was a bit surprised with his attitude, she had seen all kinds of moods of Ichigo, but this was a new one. She walked back into the store and into the living area. "That was Ichigo, he's gone to do some training" There was a twinkle in Renji's eyes. "Ha, I'll go and see if I can help him on his way!" He got up and attempted to leave his faux body, "I hate this thing, why is it so difficult to get in and out of?"

Ichigo was concentrating. What should he say to Renji when he turns up? Maybe he should have left this a bit longer, so he could think about it and prepare his words better, but as they say, there's no time like the present and situation could only get worse if left. But what if Renji doesn't turn up? Maybe he should've told Rukia that he wanted Renji to help with the training - how would Renji know otherwise? Then he remembered Kon earlier 'Renji's got the hots for you!' So as soon as Rukia mentioned that he had arrived, then Renji would probably be making excuses to turning up for Training too - and sure enough, he arrived.

Renji stood in front of Ichigo, his robes open to the waist, showing that gorgeous chest of his off. He looked Ichigo in the eyes, "we need to talk."
Ichigo wasn't ready for such an upfront conversation, he still hadn't decided what to say, he needed more time.
"I came here for training," he said stubbonly.
"Fine, we'll talk first, THEN you can train, IF you feel you need to." Renji tried to be forceful. "What the hell is going on Ichigo? You pounce me in school, you want to undress me in front of the class, yet you don't want to talk to me about it. Well?"
Ichigo made to move past him, but Renji grabbed his arm. "No, we are going to talk about this." He pulled Ichigo round to face him.
"Renji get off me", Ichigo snarled.
"NO" and he held his grasp.
"I WILL fight you", Ichigo was trying to buy time to think of something to say to him, but it seemed that in the current situation, time was running out. He tried to pull away again, but Renji pulled him closer and their lips met.
Ichigo was stunned, even this brief contact shocked him, and he slumped down on a rock.
"Now can we talk?" Renji sounded impatient.

Part 3

School the next day was unbearable for Ichigo, to be in such a close proximity to Renji, and not been able to do anything. He knew he needed to sort things out, and he would prefer it if people left him alone. Rukia was getting to be annoying.

"So what did you and Renji talk about last night?"
"We didn't talk, we were training."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes really."
"That's not what I heard."

So Renji had spoken about it to Rukia. Ichigo got up and stormed out. This was just what he didn't need. His feelings were not something to blab to the school about, and he expected better from some people, especially not from the man he loved. He needed to speak to Renji, he just needed to find him.

Renji was on the roof, alone, staring into the distance. It took Ichigo long enough to find him and by that time, Ichigo was seething. His anger had overtaken any other emotions that he felt.

"Hi Ichigo."
"What did you tell her?"
"Tell who?"
"Rukia, she knows that we were talking rather than training last night."
"Calm down Ichigo, I didn't tell her anything. I haven't spoken to her about you at all today. She was probably assuming something and thought she'd ask you to see if you would tell her anything or to get any juicy gossip from you."

Ichigo felt like a real fool. If this was the case then he'd fallen for her trick - hook, line and sinker, and the way he'd acted would've made her know for certain that something was going on.
"I'm an idiot." He said out loud to no one in particular. "Now she definitely knows something's going on."
"But do you care what others think?" Renji said behind him. "Why should you? It's your life, not theirs. If they do have a problem with it, they aren't very good friends."
This was good advice; Ichigo was so worried about other people's thoughts on the matter that he had forgotten about his own.
"Well I don't think I care what they think, but..." Ichigo was unsure himself as he was getting quite confused.
"In fact, lets see what other people think," Renji said with a mischievous grin on his face. Grabbing Ichigo by the arm, he dragged him down to the school grounds.
"No, Renji, let go!" Ichigo was worried what was going to happen. He had every right to be. The grounds were busy; it was lunchtime and such a nice day everyone was sat outside. Renji pulled Ichigo into a open space.
"This'll do," he grinned at Ichigo.
"Wha...?" but didn't get chance to finish his sentence, as Renji grabbed him and started snogging him. It was shock at the time, everything happened so quickly, then Ichigo became aware of a large crowd gathered around them, it gave him a déjà vu feeling, and he wasn't enjoying it. He managed to disentangle himself from Renji and ran off.
Dammit Renji, he thought to himself why did you do that, it's ruined my rep. Another déjà vu feeling - these things seem rather common, can't we memory replace everyone in the school? Now his thoughts were trying to take over and he was talking to himself. Perhaps he needed to see a therapist or something.
He'd found his way back up to the roof again and he was the only one up there. That was good as he just needed some time alone.

Renji appeared sometime later, he didn't say anything he just hugged Ichigo tightly. After five minutes of just hugging he finally spoke. His voice was soft and apologetic.
"I'm sorry, I just thought it'd make it better if people knew about us, so you didn't feel that you needed to hide things. I'm sorry if I made you embarrassed and angry, I guess I didn't think things through."

Ichigo pulled away from him, "Renji go away" he growled.
"Ichigo..."
"I mean it Renji, GO AWAY!"

They stood there in silence looking at each other, until Renji turned to leave.
"I've apologised, if you need me - you know where I am."
And with that he was gone.

He didn't want to see her, but as is the norm in situations like this she turns up.
"Rukia you can go away too."
"But I think it's cute the two of you."
"Rukia I'm not in the mood for your jokes."
"It's not a joke, I think its great that you're so open with it. Most people would hide away and pretend that it's not happening"
"..."
"Anyways, I can see you're busy"
So she left him to it.

Ichigo was alone again on the roof, and still he felt like a fool. He really needed to control his temper, because he knew if he didn't, then he would lose everything.

Part 5

ADDITIONAL DISCLAIMER: I 'borrowed' the fairground from a book called 'The Forbidden Game - part 3' by LJ Smith, it seems very similar to the one in that book altho a few things may be different as I haven't read that book for a while. See chapter 1 for main disclaimer.

***************************************************

"Can I come?"
"No Rukia."
"But it'll be fun - its a nice day for it."
"I said no."
"Awww... come on."
"Its a date between me and Renji. Just the two of us - it isn't a threesome - you're not invited."
"Don't you want a threesome?" she giggled.
"I said NO Rukia."
"You're no fun," she stuck her tongue out at him and closed the closet door..

It was true, it was a nice day for it. However, Ichigo was nervous. He had no idea where Renji was taking him, and he certainly didn't want Rukia there taking interest in the events either. But he shouldn't be nervous - he was with Renji. He knew Renji - the guy with the flame red hair, the tattoos, and the wonderful 6-pack. Yeah Renji, the guy who wanted to strip him naked and have his wicked way with him... hmmmm... perhaps he should be nervous afterall.

He heard a noise outside and instinctively looked out of the window, Renji was walking down the street. He went out to meet him.

"Hey" Renji smiled and made to hug him.
Ichigo backed away, "not infront of the house, my family think i'm strange enough as it is without anything like this."
"Okay, but that's a kiss you owe me later."
They walked down the street.
"So, you were in a rush to meet me, I hadn't even got to your door."
"Yeah, Rukia wanted to come with us, but i wanted to get out before she noticed I'd gone."
"You weren't quick enough - she's following us."
Ichigo made to look round but Renji grabbed him arm "Don't get annoyed with her - she never has any fun in her life."
"Well I don't want to be the object of her fun today."
"You won't," Renji grinned evilly, "You'll be the object of MY FUN today." He pulled Ichigo into an alleyway, pushed him against the wall and started snogging him. A shiver ran down Ichigo's back, this was something he'd longed for for ages, but was too scared before to do anything about it. It seemed like a dream, but one that he didn't want to end. However, he soon came back to reality when he realised he was outside; in the street; in broad daylight; being kissed by a man - what would happen if someone he knew walked past?
"Hi guys" Rukia giggled and walked past.
Could she read his mind? but she didn't count - she knew about them already.
"Renji", he said between kisses "Can we do this somewhere more private?"
"Well I would've come to your room, but you were eager to leave 'cos of Rukia."
"Yeah, but she's stood behind you now."
"Oh. Hi Rukia."
"Hi Renji, having fun?"
"We were. Bye Rukia."
"You want rid of me so soon?"
"YEAH!" Renji and Ichigo chorused.
"Ok - I'm going. Where were you guys going anyways?" she smiled "I'll be following you whatever you tell me."

"Looks like we're stuck with her", Ichigo whispered to Renji.
"Don't worry," he said, "I have a wonderful idea."

"Ok then, this way" Renji took Ichigo's hand and led him through the alleyways for what seemed like ages, with Rukia trailing behind them.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"There" Renji stopped and pointed.
A huge fairground was in the field infront of them,
"Its big - must've taken them ages to put up."
"It arrived yesterday, they were setting up last night, I had a wander round, something about it felt strange" Renji said
"I want a go on that" Rukia pointed to the rollercoaster. It was a huge wooden one that seemed to dominate the park and from the construction of it made it look 'rickerty'.
"Ok, we'll take it in turns chosing the ride order. Rukia first, I'm second, Ichigo last"
Renji went and payed the entrance fee for the fairground and received 'ride tokens' for all the rides. They waited in line for the rollercoaster, to say it was early morning, the place seemed quite busy. They finally got to the front of the queue and Rukia stepped to one side.
"You first" she said
"No Rukia you first."
"Huh?"
"We're gonna sit behind you."
"Why?"
"How's Ichigo gonna feel, if we're making out and you're staring at us all the time. Don't worry we'll be right here."
She watched them climb into the car behind her, so she sat down and fastened herself in. The harnesses weren't like modern rollercoasters, these ones looked like car seatbelts. The ride was about to set off when Renji undid the belts, grabbed Ichigo's hand and they jumped out of the car. Rukia still had no idea and thought they were in there with her.
"That was a sneaky thing to do" Ichigo whispered as they made their way out of the exit.
"It will at least give us some time alone, no doubt she'll find us when she gets off. This way."
Renji led Ichigo down a little path to a water ride.
"Love boats? Isn't that a bit obvious?" Ichigo looked at the swan boats that were lined up near the edge of the lake "and she'll see us, if they only go round the lake."
"No they go through a tunnel and the ride takes about 10 minutes." Renji kissed Ichigo "10 mins of time with you alone, I could wish for nothing more, so lets not waste it!"