Title: Unrequited Love

Author: Tara Kitaide

genre: romance/angst/humor

Pairing: Ichigo/Renji

Disclaimer: Wouldn't it be so cool to own bleach? Unfortunately, I don't. If I did, there'd be hot yaoi smut every chapter.

Warning: Yaoi, language, fantasy violence

Rating: M for yaoi scenes

-/-/-/-

Ichigo looked at his former friend with nothing but loathing. He was sure, so sure, Rukia had been on his side from the beginning. After all the things he'd told her, the way he'd let her comfort him, he couldn't believe what malicious intent she could have had.

Somewhere in the back of Ichigo's mind, he registered Rukia's worried look but it didn't last long. Soon he was yelling. "What the hell do you want? How the hell'd you get in? Where you following me?!"

Rukia said nothing but lowered her head with a sad look on her face. Ichigo furrowed his eyebrows, irritated at the lack of response. "Answer me, damn it!"

Rukia looked back up at him and for a moment, Ichigo couldn't possibly be mad. There was a fear in Rukia's eyes that Ichigo had never seen before. Not when she was about to die saving his family, or when Renji and Byakuya came to take her to Soul Society, or when she was about to die. No, this was an unrivaled fear in his friends eyes that he'd never seen and he couldn't think of why.

"Ichigo..." Rukia spoke so softly it was almost a whisper. "I need you to know the rest of... what I had said..."

Ichigo's scowl came back. "Why should I believe what you say? For all I know, you could be lying..." he growled. "...again."

"Then listen to the rest of it! It's on the tape I swear! Just please listen, Ichigo." Tears were swelling in the shinigami's eyes, something Ichigo had never seen before. "I can't stand it... having you hate me... having... Renji hate me..."

"How do I know it isn't just more lies? You and Chizuru--"

"IT'S NOT A LIE!"

"THEN PROVE IT!"

There was now anger amidst Rukia's sorrow and fear. She stopped to him, knocking over several chairs and pushing desks noisily out of the way. Ichigo prepared to be hit or ever get into a fight but the girl just pushed past him and furiously reached into the closet, rummaging for only a minute before producing a video tape.

"Here!" She shoved it at Ichigo, glaring intently at him. "Put it in the VCR and watch it."

Ichigo glared at her a moment before taking the tape with a snap of his wrist, practically ripping it out of Rukia's hand. He forcefully shoved it into the television, turning on the black box and flipping it to the proper channel before pressing the play button.

"Ichigo has gotten weaker." The television repeated as Ichigo cringed. "I mean, he use to be all independent and didn't rely on anyone but now he can't even wipe his nose unless Renji's there with him! He's gotten so pathetic now. When Renji left he went completely emo on us! I don't know what happened between them before then but he just shriveled up and died. Now he depends on Renji for everything. It's ridiculous."

Ichigo growled at the image of Rukia on the television. "This isn't helping you in the least bit, ya know."

Rukia shushed him at stared intently at the television from behind him.

"It sounds like you hate Ichigo, Rukia!" It way now Chizuru again. "Say, didn't you like Renji yourself?"

"That's none of your business! And as for Ichigo... I guess... I do."

This was now where the tape left off last time. Ichigo's ears perked as he listened closely.

"But..." Rukia continued. "Just because I'm... jealous doesn't change the fact Ichigo is my friend. I may feel envy towards him now but it's nothing compared to the gratitude I owe him. He makes Renji happy... that's something I couldn't do. Not the way he does. I may be jealous but he's still my friend... and one of the most important people to Renji. Ichigo is my friend and I would never abandon him!"

That was where the tape cut off into a loud white noise. Ichigo stared at the static, dumbfound by his friend's declaration. It was all starting to fall into place now. Rukia hadn't tricked him. Rukia didn't hate him. She was still his friend. She was still...

"Do you see now?" Rukia asked, her voice low and cracked. "Not once... not once did I doubt or hate you Ichigo... If anything... I'm thankful..." Her voice trailed off as she felt a sob come up and tears spilled over.

Ichigo looked back at her, still in mild shock. It took him a moment but he eventually registered the tears streaking down Rukia's face and reached out to her. She let herself be gathered up into his arms as he comforted her, like she had done for him.

"I'm sorry Rukia." Ichigo said slowly. He thought for a moment before asking. "So you really love Renji then?"

She nodded and continued to cry but not as hard as she was before. "Yes. But that doesn't change anything."

Sighing, Ichigo smiled and looked down at her. "I think it does. You really should tell him yourself. He'd understand."

Rukia looked up at him and swiped at some of her tears. "You think so?" Ichigo nodded. "Alright then. I don't have to tell him now do I?"

"No," Ichigo shook his head. "Do it when you're ready. But for now, I think he'd be glad to know you had nothing to do with any of this. We'll go tell him now."

"Now?" Rukia's face scrunched in confusion. "Isn't he in soul society."

Now Ichigo's face was confused. "What? No, he's been with me this whole time. He's at the house now."

Ichigo watched in confusion as Rukia's eyes widened. For a moment, it looked as if his friend had forgotten how to breath. She stood, absolutely still as realization dawned on her face. Ichigo began to feel worried. What could possibly have his friend so worked up?

"Rukia? What's with that face? You okay?"

Rukia looked at him and put her hands on his shoulders urgently. "Ichigo! We have to get back to Renji!"

Now Ichigo was sure something was wrong. "What? Why? Is something wrong with him?"

"I think..." Rukia paused. "I think Orihime might have gotten to him."

-/-/-/-

Renji stared at Orihime, a dumbfound expression on his face. "You... what?"

Orihime sighed. "I love you." She repeated.

Renji stared at her a moment more, scanning the girls face for any sign. Anything that would tell him this is some sort of trick. On the off chance she was telling the truth, it would make sense. Hurting Ichigo, threatening him, trying to separate them. It would all work in her favor.

In his calculating state of mind, Renji didn't notice her get closer or the fact she'd leaned in. It was only when a pair of lips were on his, a pair other than Ichigo's, that he realized she was kissing him. Quickly he moved to get away but she beat him to it, pulling back for a moment as her hands held his face.

"I'm not lying." She whispered softly. "I'm not trying to trick you. It's true."

Renji stared at her, a small trickle of sympathy working through his heart. "Then why'd you do all that to Ichigo?"

Orihime winced at the harshness in his voice and averted her eyes from his. "I don't really know... I just hopped... you'd get sick of him or he'd get sick of it and you'd drift apart or something..."

Renji sighed. Orihime's voice was beginning to crack as tears filled her eyes. "You should know me better then that." He whispered. "You know me nor Ichigo would just give up like that. We're too stuborn."

The young girl looked back to his eyes. "Can you blame me for trying?"

Renji couldn't think of an answer to give. Would he really do that to someone just to get to Ichigo? He asked himself over and over but each time the answer was no. But in a situation like that, being faced with the heart break and rejection, he might have done exactly the same thing. Love made people do crazy things all the time.

He was going to give his answer when he realized he was being kissed again. He sighed to himself and put his hands on Orihime's shoulders. He was going to push her away when the door practically burst open and two rather flushed, panting people came in.

Orihime quickly separated from Renji to whirl her head around and see who it was. Renji looked up and almost smiled.

Lo and Behold, Ichigo and Rukia were there, staring wide eyed at the two. Quickly, without hesitation, Rukia marched over to Orihime, anger written across her face.

"Damn you!" She barked loudly, grabbing Orihime by the shirt and dragging her away from Renji. Orihime watched frightened as Rukia drew her hand back to slap her. The younger of the two flinched, closing her eyes tightly. Rukia went in to slap her when her hand was caught. She whirled her head around to find Renji had grasped it, halting her attack. "What the hell, Renji?" She growled.

"Don't be so hasty, Rukia." He gave her a small smile and she seemed to understand.

With a grumble, Rukia let Orihime go and turned her back, crossing her arms. Ichigo shut the door and made his way to Renji, touching his arm lightly in confusion. "Renji...?"

Renji turned to him and gave him that same small smile. He gave Ichigo a quick hug and kissed his cheek before looking to all of them and taking a deep breath. "I think we all need to talk."

-/-/-/-

Rukia wasn't one to fidget. She was always calm, even under pressure. She didn't want people to know if she was worried or nervous because it would ultimately effect the people around her negatively as well. So when Ichigo looked over and caught her bouncing her leg, he could only think it was not out of nervousness but fear. He figured she must have that same gut feeling as him, the feel like something earth shattering was to be said.

"Here." Renji came back from the kitchen and handed them each a cup of tea. Ichigo and Rukia took theres but Orihime refused hers and it was set on the coffee table. The redhead sat down on the couch, next to Orihime and across from Ichigo, and looked at each of them. "Before anyone starts talking, I don't want any fighting. I don't care what's said, if a punch is thrown, I will stop it. No mater what."

They each nodded in turn. When Renji was satisfied, he took a deep breath. "A lot of things have happened in the past month as we know. The problem is, everyone's completely mixed about what's what. A lot of backs have been stabbed, people framed... Kinda hard to tell who your friends are now and days, isn't it?" Renji looked at Rukia as he said this.

Rukia met his eyes momentarily before looking away with a grimace. Renji looked at Ichigo and spoke again. "So, who wants to go first?"

It was silent for a moment. The tension was so thick in the air, you could cut it with a knife (as they say). The all waited for someone to volunteer, no one was willing to speak up first. Renji's eyes went from each person until Orihime sighed and looked at her hands.

"I guess I'll go." She said quietly like she would when she wasn't so malicious.

Ichigo and Rukia's hateful eyes fixed on the muttering girl in a menacing glare. Orihime cringed a little but shook it off.

"I know sorry wouldn't cover it so I wont say that." She started. "I'm not sure what to say other then this; I was jealous and it wasn't over you, Kurosaki-kun."

Ichigo blinked, a dumbfound look on his face. "Not over me? You mean you weren't after me in this whole mess?"

Orihime shook her head. "I did love you but that was a long time ago. I just... wanted to split you and Ren- Abarai-kun up and then..."

"What? Then what? Did you think Renji would go running to you if I ditched him?!"

"Ichigo, calm yourself."

"How can you sit there and tell me to be calm after all she's done, Renji?!" Ichigo pointed at Orihime while his eyes fixed on his boyfriend's. "How can you just sit there like nothings happened?! Or have you forgotten this?" He pulled back his sleeve to reveal the fresh scar across his wrist. Orihime gasped as Rukia averted her eyes.

Renji reached out and touched the scar lightly. "I haven't forgotten, Ichigo." He said calmly, quietly. "Just please, calm down."

Ichigo looked in his eyes for a long moment before huffing and slumping back down in his seat. He crossed his arms like a child and pouted.

"Thank you." Renji almost smiled before turning to Orihime. "You can continue now."

Orihime's tear filled eyes locked onto his. She sniffed a little and clasped her hands hard in her lap. "Abarai-kun, I-"

"Don't get me wrong, Inoue-san. I'm not doing this because I forgive you."

The young girl gulped and swallowed back her tears. Quickly she looked down at her lap and bit her lip. "It was because I... I guess I was so tired of always... losing."

Ichigo bit back a comment he desperately wanted to make but he knew it would make him fly off the handle. "'lose'? Was this just a fucking game to you?"

"I don't know what drove me to do it but... Kuchiki-san is innocent. I never wanted to drag her into this but it turned out that way."

Rukia snorted, not buying it. It was planned and executed by both her and Chizuru. How could she expect her to believe that? "I told you, Renji. At least I tried to tell you." Rukia said to her friend. "I wouldn't do anything to hurt ether of you. Ever. That's what real friends do." She glared momentarily at Orihime.

Renji went over everything he remembered from that video and asked the question that had been nagging at the back of his mind sense he saw it. "Rukia," He crossed his arms and closed his eyes to take a breather. "Rukia, do you... love me like she said?"

Rukia's face paled and she gripped her dress. "No."

"Are you lying?"

She looked down for a moment before closing her eyes. "Yes..."

Renji sighed and stared hard at his childhood friend. "Why didn't you ever say anything?"

All Rukia could manage was to shake her head. She didn't want to think about this right now, none the less talk about it. Especially not with Ichigo so close. This was suppose to be about Orihime, damn it!

"Rukia?" Renji called, now concerned.

"Um..." She tried to muster up an answer. "You... you had Ichigo." She said, fighting back tears. "And I saw how much he needed you and... I just couldn't take that away from him..." She felt her body shake and fought against it. "Even if it meant..."

Ichigo leaned over and put a hand on Rukia's shoulder. "It's okay, Rukia. You don't have to say anymore."

The shinigami girl nodded and leaned into Ichigo who gave her a hug.

Renji closed his eyes and breathed in deep. "Is that all?"

Orihime nodded to no one. "Please don't be mad at Chizuru-chan. She was just doing this because I asked her to. It's really not her fault. I'll... talk to her about everything later."

"Okay." Renji nodded. Rukia was breaking into sobs now. Ichigo gave him a pleading look. Renji sighed and turned to Orihime. "I think you should go, Inoue-san."

Orihime nodded and got up. "Thank you for listening." She said brokenly. She bowed to Ichigo and Rukia before exiting quickly. When the door slammed behind her, Renji got up from his spot and went to sit next to Rukia.

Ichigo let the shinigami girl out of his arms carefully into Renji's. The redhead held his childhood friend in his lap and stroked her hair softly, whispering to her soothingly.

"I-I'm s-s-sorry, R-Renji." She sobbed.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Rukia. If anyone should be sorry, it's me." He kissed the top of her head. "Hey, Rukia. Do you remember when we were kids and you'd get scared during a thunder storm?"

Rukia nodded, unable to vocally produce an answer.

"You were always bigger then me but I found a way some how. The guys thought it was the funniest thing. They always made fun of me for my height. I'm bigger then you now though. Bet they'd never believe it." Renji laughed a little sadly.

Ichigo watched silently was sympathetic eyes. It was odd hearing Renji, his lover, talk about things he'd never known himself. It made him realize what a deep bond Renji and Rukia shared. They had been together sense children while Ichigo had only known Renji for a short time. He began to feel bad for taking Renji so selfishly.

"I'm sorry." Rukia sobbed again.

"Please, don't be. I love you, Rukia but not the same way. You're like a sister to me. I could never hate you... I'm so sorry for not believing in you, Rukia. I'm really sorry."

Rukia continued to cry for a while as Renji comforted her and Ichigo watched. It wasn't long before the poor girl fell asleep in Renji's arms, her eyes and cheeks red.

"Will she be okay now?" Ichigo asked, touching Renji's shoulder.

"I don't know. Unrequited love is a heavy burden." Renji sighed and squeezed Rukia lightly. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." He sighed. "Sorry for flying off the handle."

"It's okay."

Ichigo leaned his head against Renji's shoulder and breathed deeply. Renji used a hand to stroke Ichigo's hair and kissed his head. He knew in the morning it wouldn't be as easy as it was now. Rukia wouldn't feel like being as opening; she might even try to deny the whole thing happened or act like it's no big deal...

"I had a thought today." Renji said.

Normally Ichigo would have come up with a smart comeback to this like "That's a first" or something along those lines, but right now wasn't the time for something like that. He would make fun of him latter.

"What about?"

Renji sighed. "This whole... situation, this whole thing... It's like a really bad romance novel."

Ichigo scoffed. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Those things never really have great endings though."

"Yeah, well..." Renji looked down at Rukia in his arms. "I hope this ending doesn't turn out so bad."

Ichigo kissed Renji's cheek and smiled. "It'll be fine Renji. For all of us."

Renji smiled at him too and kissed his lips.

"Yeah... as long as I have you."

A/N: Almost a year! It's been almost a year sense I updated! I'm so so so so sorry!

Btw: I don't really hate Orihime. Heh. I started writing this when I was like "omg I hate her she must DIE!!" but now I understand her and actually kindda relate to her.

It's RUKIA I'm really starting to have a problem with...

One more chapter!

Thanks for sticking with me through it all!