Title: Destined Fate

Chapter: 14 of 16? – Sleeping Strawberry

Author: mysticarchangel
Beta: xtrek

Pairing: Ichigo/Renji
Rating: PG
Warnings: plot bunnies out of control
Word Count: 5903
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, it belongs to Tite Kubo

--- Chapter 14 – Sleeping Strawberry -----

Cabu was the first to wake up that morning. Its friend was still sleeping and it knew that he would not wake up soon.

He had always protected it. He had healed its wounds. It had not been able to do anything. The few fruits that it had found had only been a drop in the bucket. But the teen - „Ichigo" he was called by the others – had always thanked it. He had even been thankful for the company.

It did not think that it deserved his friendship. He had taken it home without wanting anything in return. Cabu had panicked as it had seen its only friend disappearing. In that moment, back at its home with its friends and family, Cabu had known that Ichigo was its world. It had to find a way to make it up to him. Ichigo deserved happiness. And a happy Ichigo would make the little chimera even happier.

But Cabu didn't know how to make it up to him yet...

Ichigo had always understood it. He had known what it wanted to say. It would not let him down. Never!

At the moment Cabu could not do anything. Ichigo was sleeping. But it would protect his sleep.

It stretched its wings. Carefully it put its ear to Ichigo's chest, listening to the steady heartbeats. But his breathing was laboured.

Ichigo's head fell to the side, dropping the wet towel off his forehead.

What had his little sister said? The towel would help to bring down his fever? So it had to be back on his forehead.

Cabu picked up the towel. It had to fly to do so. It put the towel back on his forehead. Ichigo's face was flushed from the fever. His lips were parted in attempt to breathe easier.

Where was the redhead when you needed him? - What was his name again? Renji? - His presence and reiatsu had the ability to calm Ichigo. Cabu liked how it had spread over Ichigo. It had been a very comfortable blanket. Renji should do that again.

Cabu looked up and tried to decide if he should stay or search for Renji.

The towel fell again. It was warm by now. A warm towel did not help anymore...

„Meow!" Ichigo's new pet yelled for Renji.

„MEOW!"

Cabu did not dare to leave his beloved friend. It adjusted the towel again and affectionately licked his face.

-.-.-

Renji walked into the room; in his arms he held a tray with tea, medicine and a bowl of cold water. He stopped at the door, seeing the little chimera. It was licking Ichigo's face! His chest ached at the sight. But he forced himself to walk forward. He placed the bowl on the nightstand.

Immediately Cabu took the towel and dropped it into the bowl. Then it tried to get the soaked towel out. Renji stopped it and took the towel from the little pet. He wrung it before he placed it back on Ichigo's forehead. Yuzu had given him another lecture of how to properly care for a sick person, before the twins had left in the morning.

Renji sighed. Now he was alone with a sleeping Ichigo and a worried pet. He had to admit that he was worried, too. Ichigo's fever did not want to go down. His breathing did not sound very healthy and he was sweating a lot.

„Sooner or later you will have to change his clothes and wash him."

Don't remind me...

„What are you going to do? He won't sleep forever."

I don't know Zabimaru... I don't know.

„You love him."

I wouldn't say I'm in love...He's just a good friend.

„Right, you always kiss a good friend. Why haven't I ever seen you kissing Rukia? And you don't blush when I mention her."

I'm NOT blushing! And I didn't kiss him, well, not for real.

„Renji, you already admitted it. Why are you denying it again now? He's back! It's time to take the next step!"

But...

„Meow!"

Renji looked up at Cabu. He could swear its gaze was teasing him. It touched Renji's hand with its ear. This time he really blushed.

How long had he been caressing Ichigo's face?

„Even the little ball of fur can see through you."

He heard Zabimaru laughing and he could swear Ichigo's new pet was laughing, too.

Renji took the already warm towel and threw it on Cabu. It squeaked... which made it sound even more like it was laughing.

He decided to ignore both, his zanpakutou and the chimera. Instead he tested if the tea had cooled down enough. Eventually he had listened to Yuzu and was now following her instructions. The tea was lukewarm by now. He mixed the medicine into the tea. Carefully he lifted Ichigo's head. He had to support him with his arm. Renji held the drink to Ichigo's lips. Renji watched Ichigo drinking with relief.

„You notice what you are doing, don't you?"

Of course, I'm giving Ichigo his medicine.

„Do you notice what your reiatsu is doing?" Zabimaru grinned.

Renji blinked... his reiatsu?

He checked...and blushed furiously...again...

„This is quickly becoming a bad habit, Renji." Zabimaru was still smirking.

His reiatsu had tucked Ichigo in.

Renji cleared his throat and pulled his reiatsu back. But he could not prevent that a strand stayed connected. He lay Ichigo back down.

„So...do you want to continue to ignore me or are you planning to confess to Ichigo when he wakes up? You could always kiss the sleeping beauty. Maybe he'll wake up."

Shut up...I'm going to sit here and watch his sleep just as Yuzu wanted me to.

„How boring...seriously, I know you, sitting down quietly and watching a sleeping person doesn't fit...ah! How could I forget! You'll never get tired of watching your beloved strawberry."

Shut up!

„Ok... what are you going to eat? You can't cook for shit."

Instant ramen for me, Yuzu's dishes for Ichigo. They'll kill me if I feed him instant food...

It was late at night when Ichigo's fever finally broke. His breathing evened out. Cabu chirped happily. Renji grinned in relief. Now they could go to sleep without fear. Ichigo's sleep was more peaceful than before.

-.-.-

„Yeah, his fever has gone down..." Renji told Ichigo's father on the phone the next morning. He listened to Isshin's answer.

„He's still sleeping...no, peacefully....Yeah, I know where you put the meds.... Er....a sponge bath?" Renji gulped.

„Er... yeah.. sure, no problem.... yeah bye." Renji hung up.

„I can't do this..."

Sponge bath implied a naked Ichigo and that implied Renji stripping Ichigo. Renji felt blood dripping out of his nose.

„Drag your mind back out of the gutter! You shouldn't think of a sick person like that, Renji. You can do that when he's awake!"

Stop suggesting weird things!

Renji snapped back. He pulled himself together. He went into the bathroom and gathered the bathing supplies. With an armful of supplies he walked into Ichigo's room.

„Meow?" Cabu chirped curiously. It watched Renji put down a bowl containing warm water and several other items.

„You'll have to strip him..."

You're not helping, Zabimaru!

Renji sighed and sat down next to the bed.

He took a deep breath.

I'm not thinking of Ichigo's naked body... No, I'm not thinking about it at all. I'm not...

„Are you actually trying to convince yourself? I can tell that it isn't really working."

I'm not attracted to Ichigo...I'm not thinking about him like this...

„MEOW!"

„OUCH! Oi, fur ball, what do you want now?" Renji snarled at the little chimera. Then he examined his hand. Cabu had bitten him as he had reached out to remove Ichigo's pyjama top. Cabu hissed. It landed on Ichigo's chest. It glared at Renji.

„What?!? Beat it! I can't wash him if you bite me, you little ...."

Cabu was not impressed and stayed in its postion.

„Move it!"

„Renji..."

„Stupid ball of fur, MOVE!"

„Renji..."

WHAT?

„Don't you think it only wants to protect our little substitute shinigami?"

Protect him? From me? But I have to take care of him!

„It's obviously very fond of Ichigo and now you want to strip him...I don't think your intentions are very clear. "

Oh great! Not only does he have a protective family, he has a protective pet now, too.

„Try to convince it that you're only helping Ichigo."

Convince it... Zabimaru we're talking about an animal!

„My, thank you very much. I'm actually very similar to a chimera, you see."

No, you're my zanpakutou and this... this.. this is simply a pet.

-.-.-

Cabu really liked Renji's reiatsu blanket but what he was doing now was just too much. Ichigo was not awake. He was helpless, defenceless. How could the redhead dare to do this to the sleeping teen?

It was Cabu's time to protect its friend. It growled again. Renji's attempts to shoo it away did not make it any better. Cabu thought that the red-haired shinigami was touching Ichigo a little too often. This was becoming more and more dangerous. It snapped at the offending hand that was reaching for Ichigo again.

„Oi, fur ball. I don't want to hurt him..." Renji sighed. „Please stop biting me so I can take care of our friend."

Cabu hissed but it knew the redhead was right. Until now Renji had not hurt Ichigo. It looked at Ichigo's face. He still looked peaceful. In the past weeks the little chimera had learnt that Ichigo could sense danger in his sleep. His aura had changed every time before they had been attacked in their sleep. Maybe there really was no reason to bite Renji...

It hesitated. After a few moments of looking back and forth, it walked to Ichigo's face and nuzzled him. The tiny chimera licked his ears a last time and flew to the nightstand, making room for Renji.

-.-.-

„I'll take that as an ok, fur ball..." Renji carefully came closer. Cabu stayed where it was. The shinigami took a deep breath. He moved Ichigo's blankets aside and glanced at Cabu. It did not move. It only glared at the redhead. Slowly he undressed the sleeping teen. At the first sight of exposed skin and a hint of strong muscles he blushed hard. Soon his face was competing with his hair for the brighter red.

„Have you reverted into some blushing virgin? Start washing Ichigo before his pet bites you again!"

Renji sighed and reached for the sponge. Under Cabu's watchful eyes he washed Ichigo with gentle strokes. Renji admired Ichigo's soft skin. He had to admit that he enjoyed every second. Probably he would not get this close to his strawberry ever again.

After a few moments even Cabu relaxed. It stopped glaring but it continued to observe Renji. He was blushing. His eyes were shining with soft warmth. Every move was gentle. There was no danger. But there was something else...if it had known how it would have smirked. No, ... Renji would never hurt its friend. Well, not on purpose.

It threw a final glance at the two males and left the room quietly.

-.-.-

Renji finally dropped the washcloth into the bowl. He had managed to finish washing Ichigo without having another nose bleeding attack. He turned around to Cabu...

„Satisfied? That ok with you?"

or where Cabu had been earlier.

„Meow!"

Suddenly Cabu landed on Renji's shoulder. It dropped something into Renji's lap. Renji picked up a bottle.

„Lotion..." He read on the label. „Oi, fur ball. First you don't want me to touch Ichigo and now you want me to apply lotion?"

Cabu chirped affirmatively. Renji gulped.

„Hopefully Ichigo never finds out about all of this..."

He poured a generous amount of lotion into his hand to warm it up slightly. This time there was no cloth between his massaging hands and Ichigo's skin. He sighed and tried to block out any tempting thoughts.

He spread the lotion over Ichigo's skin. He tried hard to ignore the feeling that the soft skin under his fingers evoked. Ichigo's muscles had weakened over the last weeks and he could feel every rib.

Renji was relieved that he was back and safe. Ichigo shouldn't experience coldness and darkness anymore. He applied lotion on Ichigo's torso and gently spread the substance on every limb. Soon he was lost in his daydreams. He wanted to caress the tension away...

„Renji, stop molesting a sleeping person!"

Eh, what?

Renji was forced back into reality. He looked down at his hands...Blood dripped out of his nose. So much for the victory over his perverted thoughts.

His hands had been wandering...dangerously down...his left hand had stopped mere centimeters from Ichigo's nether region while his other hand was playing with his nipples. Ichigo's face was slightly flushed and his breathing was not so calm anymore...

„ARGH.... What am I doing?"

„I would say that you're molesting a defenseless Ichigo. Can't you do this when he's awake?"

Renji sighed. Unsure of what to do with a flushed and still sleeping Ichigo, he grabbed a fresh pyjama and quickly redressed Ichigo. Then he tucked him in under the blankets.

Immediately Cabu was back at Ichigo's side.

-.-.-

He was floating in darkness. He couldn't see anything else. But the darkness was different from the black dimension. It was warm and comforting. He had never felt that save lately. Here he didn't have to worry. There was no need to be frightened. He couldn't see anyone but he felt he was not alone. Outside of the darkness someone was there and taking care of him. It felt good.

Every muscle seemed to relax. It was a strange feeling. It got warmer. No, it was really hot. His mind was blank, it felt too good. Warm and gentle hands were everywhere...

Then suddenly the sensation stopped.

It simply stopped. Leaving him longing for more. He was aroused and somehow... frustrated. His mind was confused. He could not understand what had happened. What a weird dream....

-.-.-

It was the fourth day of Renji's job as a nurse. Ichigo was still sleeping. Renji spent his time watching TV or entertaining himself with his new favourite hobby: Ichigo-watching. He was worried that Ichigo had not woken up yet. The substitute shinigami had to eat but he could not feed a sleeping person. Hanatarou had checked him the day before and had said he would wake up soon.

But soon was such a vague word.

Plus he was running low on instant food.

I'll need about 15 minutes to the supermarket and back... Can I leave him alone? He's sleeping peacefully. He wouldn't notice that he's alone and his pet will stay here... I could set up a barrier for his protection...

„And risk setting everything on fire? Don't be ridiculous. I don't think Ichigo would appreciate you burning down his room."

Renji sighed.

„Oi, fur ball! Watch him until I get back. I'll buy you a snack, too."

Cabu meowed and lay down on Ichigo's bed. Renji fetched the house keys, his wallet and left.

-.-.-

Cabu watched the redhead leave. He would be back soon so there was no need to worry. Plus, it would get a snack. The little chimera remembered Ichigo's father talking to the weird guy with the strange hat and haori. They had been talking about a soul bond. Did Renji and Ichigo belong together? Then it was not allowed to be selfish. The consequences of an unacknowledged or denied bond sounded fatal. Ichigo would suffer even more. Cabu could not accept any more torture for Ichigo. Now it knew what it could do for Ichigo. It needed to push Renji into the right direction. But wouldn't Ichigo forget it over his bond?

It had thought about that quite often in the past days.

But Ichigo wouldn't be Ichigo if he forgot his friend. Cabu could only hope to gain a new friend in Renji through the bond between them.

It nuzzled Ichigo's face. Renji and Ichigo belonged to each other. It could see that. The way Renji cared for the sleeping teen made it obvious. Not to speak of Renji's actions when he was lost in thoughts...

Stop! Something was wrong.

Ichigo did not breathe deeply anymore. His still weak reiatsu was pulled together and he started to suppress it unconsciously. That was not good. The important-looking lady with the braids had said it could worsen his condition.

Cabu squeaked helplessly. It was like back in the dark dimension.

It licked Ichigo's face, trying to calm down the substitute shinigami.

„Meow!"

-.-.-

Renji was packed with shopping bags. He had not only bought his instant food and snacks for the chimera but also fresh fruits. Ichigo would need the vitamins. He took the keys and unlocked the door. After entering the house he closed the door behind him.

Something was odd.

Something was missing.

„Meow!" He heard Cabu's pitiful squeak from upstairs.

„Fur b...?" Renji started but didn't finish the question.

His eyes widened. Ichigo's reiatsu was gone! He could not feel him.

„Shit!"

Renji dropped the bags. He rushed upstairs and stormed into Ichigo's room.

Ichigo was still in his bed. His breathing was laboured. His face was flushed. But the reason was different from the last time. He was suppressing his reiatsu.

„Shit... Oi, Ichigo! Don't do that."

Renji was immediately at his side and shook him slightly. The only reaction was Ichigo's head rolling to the left.

„Please, Ichi. Stop suppressing your reiatsu. It's not good for you."

„I don't think he can hear you!"

His reiatsu stayed tightly reined in.

„Shit... What to do... what to do?"

Renji jumped to his feet and paced nervously up and down.

„Geez calm down. You can't help him by running around like a headless chicken. Remember Yuzu's lecture."

Yuzu's lecture? ... The LIST!

Renji rushed out of the room. He bolted down the stairs and reached Isshin's office in record time.

„The list... the list... where the heck is the list?"

Finally he located the list on Isshin's desk.

„Let's see... in case of fever.... use this..." He walked around with the list and took the suggested medicine out of the prepared basket.

„Coughing... no, Ichigo doesn't cough. Why didn't Kurosaki write down what to do in case of Ichigo suppressing his reiatsu?"

-.-.-

Cabu followed Renji after he had left the room. Why didn't he do something? It could not calm Ichigo on its own. Their bond was not strong enough, although they were already bonded by a strong friendship. Only family ties would be stronger and...

That was it! The soul bond between Renji and Ichigo. What if Renji didn't really know about it? That Ichigo didn't know about the bond was no surprise, he had had enough to do and think about.

What did Isshin say to the guy with the hat and clogs? If necessary he would hit Renji with the book. The book... that was the solution. Cabu had to hit the redhead with it. Then he would know that Ichigo was his soul mate and use their bond to calm Ichigo. That was a perfect plan!

But where was the book? It looked old and was leather bound. Finding it was not an easy task in a room filled with books. An old looking one...

Cabu found it while Renji was still searching for medicine.

„Why didn't Kurosaki write down what to do in case of Ichigo suppressing his reiatsu?"

Cabu rolled its eyes. It picked up the book – it was really heavy – and hovered over Renji's head. It tried to aim and...

-.-.-

„Ouch! Oi, what's up?" Renji rubbed the back of his head. He looked down at the object that had hit him. A book lay on the floor. It had opened at a bookmarked page. But it was not the bright red marker that attracted his attention. The title of the article was even more interesting.

„Soul mates"

Renji picked up the book and read the pages about the soul bond. After only a few paragraphs his head was already spinning. He blushed as he reached the part on symptoms like connected dreams and visits to the inner world of the partner. His face went white when he reached the paragraph about the consequences of a denied bond...

Zabimaru? Don't tell me...

„That you probably share a soul bond? It's very likely. Although I really like that you are finally thinking about your relationship with Ichigo, but wasn't there something more important right now?"

„Argh, Ichigo!!!!"

So much for being calm. He panicked again.

„Meow?" Cabu stepped on the paper with Isshin's instructions that Renji had lost earlier. Confusion was written all over Renji's face. Cabu tapped the last point on the list.

„Call Urahara if anything else happens..." Renji read.

Renji wanted to hit himself. He should have come to that conclusion by himself... He grabbed his cell phone and dialed Urahara's number.

„Yeah?"

„Urahara? SOS!IchigoissuppressinghisreiatsuwhatcanIdo?"

„Freeloader-san? Calm down, I can't understand you."

„Ichigo is suppressing his reiatsu. I need..."

„When did he learn how to do that?"

„That doesn't matter right now! Tell me what to do! It's already affecting his health!"

„Try shaking him."

„That doesn't work!"

„Then speak with him, cover him with your reiatsu, pet him, cuddle with him or wake him up."

„Wake him...Urahara, his family will get my head if they ever hear about this. Plus, it looks like Ichigo would sleep through the apocalypse. How am I supposed to wake him?"

„My, my, can't you think of anything? Well, I'll give you a tiny hint. There's a fairy tale called Sleeping Beauty I think you might know it."

„Sleeping Beauty? You better don't suggest..."

„Bye bye!"

„Urahara? Damn, the idiot hung up on me."

Renji repocketed the phone and climbed up the stairs. He entered Ichigo's room and sat down beside Ichigo's bed.

„Fur ball, whatever I do, don't bite me, ok? Your tiny teeth hurt a lot." Cabu chirped worriedly in response. The shinigami sighed and checked their friend.

Ichigo's fever had returned. His breath was flat and irregular.

„Hey, Ichigo. There's no need to suppress your reiatsu. Calm down already."

Renji felt silly talking to a sleeping person.

„I don't want to interrupt, but it doesn't work. You'll have to try something else."

Renji sighed. That had been the easiest possibility. But why had he even bothered to try it? Ichigo had never been that simple. He needed to do something quickly. He went through Urarahra's other suggestions. There was not enough time to try everything. Renji changed his position and took Ichigo in his arms, covering him with his reiatsu. He ran his hand through the orange spikes and whispered soothing nothings into Ichigo's ear.

Ichigo stirred but did not wake up. He snuggled deeper into the embrace. Renji blushed. His eyes were soft as he looked down at the orange strands of Ichigo's hair.

„Looks like you were spared from having to kiss him. His reiatsu slowly returning to normal."

Yeah...

„Renji you still want..." Zabimaru sighed. „Just do it already. But only a tiny peck. Keep the rest for later. Ichigo won't appreciate missing out on the best."

Renji could hear Zabimaru laughing. But his zanpakutou was right, Ichigo's reiatsu became more relaxed. He could feel him again. He tightened the embrace. Renji didn't want to ever let him go again. He gave Ichigo a peck on the temple and listened his breathing evening out.

-.-.-

What a beautiful sight. Cabu chirped happily. Ichigo's reiatsu was back and not suppressed anymore. And it had to admit that they looked good together. It hovered over to them and nuzzled both, first Ichigo then Renji who absently petted it in return. It wondered if Renji would have the guts to tell Ichigo about his feelings when he woke up. Or would the cat-and-mouse game restart?

Cabu left them alone and flew out of the room.

Renji had said he would buy it a snack. The shopping had to be somewhere. It flew downstairs. It didn't have to search for long. The shopping bags and their contents were still spread out on the floor by the front door. That was not good...it wanted Renji to get some quality time with Ichigo whose reiatsu was still weak. But it could not move everything where it belonged and some of the food needed to be put into the fridge.

The little chimera started to pick up the smallest items and brought them into the kitchen. The box of strawberries disappeared berry by berry from the floor.

Then it tried to lift a larger box but could not move it a bit. It panted and changed its grip. It flapped its wings frantically. Suddenly the weight became less. Confused it turned around. It was greeted by a smirking Renji.

„Thanks, fur ball! I'll take it from here." He looked into the last bag and pulled out a bar of chocolate.

„Here, your snack!"

Cabu caught it. It meowed happily. While munching its chocolate it watched Renji cleaning up.

Renji left some instant ramen on the table and went to prepare it. He took a cup out of the cupboard and boiled water for his ramen and the tea for Ichigo. He took another small bowl and filled it with water for Cabu.

It followed Renji back upstairs after he had finished his dinner. Cabu immediately moved towards Ichigo. It perked its ears and tilted its head. Ichigo's face was not flushed anymore. The little chimera walked over the blanket and made room for Renji. The redhead sat down on the edge of the bed. He placed the cup of tea on the nightstand.

Cabu chirped quietly. The look in Renji's eyes was so soft and utterly smitten. Wherever Renji's thoughts were right now - he was definitively lost. Cabu watched closely. Renji leant down, caressing Ichigo's face. He traced every line of his face. That was frustrating to see. It knew it had to share its Ichigo with Renji. It had accepted the fact that there was a deep bound between those two. Ichigo would not forget it over a relationship. But did the redhead want to kiss Ichigo or did he not?

Should Cabu interrupt and stop him from doing so or should it push Renji into action? For a sleeping person Ichigo sure managed to create a lot of chaos.

-.-.-

Cabu was not the only one who thought that at the moment. Renji was relieved that Ichigo's reiatsu had returned out of its shell. But what if it happened again? What had been the trigger for the suppression? Renji was worried. Maybe he should wake the sleeping boy to prevent a repeat. Unohana-taichou had said Ichigo's condition could worsen if he hid or suppressed his reiatsu. On the other hand Ichigo needed to sleep more to regain his strength.

Ichi won't wake up soon...right? That must have been a setback for his health...

"Do you want to wake him up?"

Na... I don't think so... I wish he would wake up...but he needs to sleep more than before...

Renji traced Ichigo's face with slow motions. The feeling of Ichigo's skin under his fingertips was awesome. He stopped his caresses at the sight of Ichigo's nearly permanent frown and rubbed gently. The redhead was mesmerised when Ichigo's expression softened. The frown didn't disappear completely. Renji's reaitsu swirled around them, supporting his gentle strokes.

Renji listened to Ichigo's even breathes and felt his reiatsu under his own. It was relaxed and steady. The sleeping boy was still weak - his reiatsu gave it away - but it also contained the promise that he would recover. Renji hoped that the whole incident didn't leave permanent damage. Tentative reiatsu tendrils intertwined with Ichigo's weak ones. He had never felt so good before. Somehow complete. The tired reiatsu tendrils of his strawberry sent small shivers down his spine.

Renji stopped caressing the furrow between Ichigo's eyebrows and continued his exploration. His finger wandered around Ichigo's eyes, taking in every detail of his face. Ichigo's lids twitched slightly as a crimson strand of hair brushed over them. It had escaped Renji's hair-band and was now tickling the teen. Renji tucked it behind his ear before stroking over Ichigo's cheekbones. He could feel Ichigo's long eyelashes at his fingertips.

The redhead had never realized before how long they really were. They had usually wasted their time with sparring or arguing. Why had he not seen it before? Those beautiful lashes underlined Ichigo's expressive eyes. It was a pity that the brown eyes were closed at the moment. But what would have greeted him if they were open? Would they shoot him a dark glare or would they be soft?

Renji's finger moved on. He followed an imaginary path from Ichigo's temples over his cheek to his chin. Renji stopped there and repeated the same motion on the other side. His trail ended at Ichigo's chin. Meanwhile his eyes were glued to those delicate lips. Renji let his fingers hover over Ichigo's lips, feeling the even breath against them.

Slowly he lowered one finger. Renji was a little surprised. Ichigo's lips were not as soft as they had been in the dream. But that could easily explained by the hardships he had had to endure in the other dimension. As soft as his skin was - his lips were dry and slightly rough.

Renji unconsciously leaned closer. He was still caressing Ichigo's lips. Warm breath ghosted over his hand. It was even and deep. The parted lips seemed to beg for a kiss.

---

Zabimaru had a hard time to keep silent. If he said anything now Renji would withdraw from his actions and probably pretend that he had never done anything weird. And why did he have the urge to sing "Kiss the boy"?

"Well... maybe I can..." Zabimaru grinned mischievously. He only needed to manipulate Renji's reiatsu a tiny bit...

---

Renji leaned even closer. Their faces were only inches apart. Renji's breath ghosted over Ichigo's face and mingled with the steady breathing of the sleeping strawberry. Renji's free hand found its way into the orange spikes while he was leaning on his elbow.

The reiatsu around them became thicker and heavier. Their combined reiatsu felt fantastic. Slow tendrils were pulling Renji down.

A tiny peck...it wouldn't wake him... would it?

Renji closed the distance between the two of them and replaced his finger with his lips. The kiss was nothing more than a soft peck. But nothing else could make him feel this kind of bliss.

Renji vaguely remembered their kiss from before his dreams about Ichigo had ended. With a sigh he drew back. Again his strawberry had not kissed him back. This time because he was still asleep.

Renji heaved another sigh and caressed Ichigo's face. His kiss had not woken Ichigo. Renji leaned closer. He wanted to feel complete again. The redhead was about to steal another tiny kiss...

When Ichigo stirred. His eyes fluttered open, looking straight into Renji's that where hovering just a few inches above him.

Ichigo blinked.

Shit...

-.-.- chapter 14 end -.-.-.-

A note from the beta reader: Sorry for this chapter getting stuck in the beta process. That its this late is entirely my fault. If you want to read some more Destined Fate maybe you want to have a look at the alternative ending that I wrote for this chapter. You can find it here: .com/cabu_ (just change hxxp into http) and via my profile. Hope to see you around soon for more Destined Fate! – xtrek

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