Just a drabble I decided to write after watching Ikkaku's battle with Edora leones. I'm new to this fanfic field so NO FLAMES! Constructive criticism is always appreciated. R&R :)

Stubble though there

The sun was setting, marking another end of the day. But yumichika found enough time to marvel at its beauty, how the yellow changes to orange and then to red, the colour of blood. Though instead of repelling the crowd, it attracts them. A sigh escaped his lips, beauty can be found in most unexpected places. Currently he was sitting outside the urahara shop getting his wounds healed. Earlier, lirin and her annoying team who are very unsightly dared to put their hands on him! Those BASTARDS! But he can do nothing since they are under the care of urahara and if he tried anything, he wouldn't even have a fraction of second before he becomes one of his guniea pig in his experiment.

Calm yourself, you don't want to look ugly? Now do you? No matter how much they try, no one can compare to my utter beauty. They are just beasts, very unsightly beings.

...

(Flashback):"I'm Ikakau Madrame, third seat of the zaraki squad. I won't bother spelling it for you... I doubt your brain can absorb that much information. Just know I'm the person who's about to KILL YOU...!"

Though he was busy at that time giving reason why he shouldn't help him to that kid, what was his name again? Probably not a beautiful one, not necessary to keep it in mind, but his mind was somewhere else.

The first time when he met Ikkaku, he was the most ugliest thing he has ever seen. A knee-length kimono, barely covering his decency, tore up at places with patches of mud and blood here and there and his smell was revolting. He felt it was his duty to clean him if he didn't want to see ugly things. He gave him a decent enough cloth and told him to was himself at the bank of river and if he did so, he will be getting food for as long as he lives in this village. Food was enough of a motivation to get himself cleaned. Yumichika was not much well off but he earned pretty handsome amount of money to fend himself off and fulfill his basic necessities. Ikkaku was the only one to ever see him as a man. No matter where he went, he was always the center of disgust and inferior glares directed at him.

Ikkaku has always been his comanion and he, his. He has always been hard to read but Yumichika, with time had learned his stumble change in body language and speech. They only get together in earlier days of their lives because Yumichika ensured food and information of strengths and ability to fight. Ikkaku and his indifferent attitude towards him was the most formidable pillar of their long-term friendship.

Years has come and gone by and he has been witness to the change in Ikkaku's attitude. One day when they were having a bowl of rice when suddenly Yumichika asked him why there is always eagerness and excitement when he was fighting. Ikkaku answered "cause 's fun" but he was able to read between the lines- the only thing which made him feel weather its pain or feeling of victory and defeat.

There was a drastic change in their lifstyle after their short encounter with Zaraki and his mighty and somewhat free power. Kempachi gave a meaning to his life- survive to kill the one who left you alive. No matter what he says, the main reason he went after him was solely for this purpose. And gradually he changed, training renji has also given him some refinement. If his eyes are deceiving him then his earlier statement confirmed it. The sole reason he identified himself as 3rd seat of zaraki squad instead of kempachi or juuichibantai confirmed. Sure taichou named himself kempachi but it's just a title, zaraki is what is closer to his identity. "Ikkaku..."

Another day came to end with a lot of things unsaid. Both were aware of each other but didn't bother to say it aloud.

AN: Just a little drabble I decided to write after watching Ikkaku's fight with Edra leones. I didn't watch the Japanese version and sure it is dishonorable to call someone by their first name in Japan. This thought came to me when I was midway through this chapter but hey, kempachi squad would have made much sense since squad won't ever lose this title, sure kempachi will change but this name will be theirs always.

The most important thing I learned while writing this fix that you don't have to like the character in order to write, just intrested is...enough. :)

Ja Ne!