"Madarame-san?!?" exclaimed a stunned Renji, his face flushing to match his crimson hair. "I-I'm… you…. Left the door open."

"What is it Abarai-kun?" Asked an irritated muffled voice from under Ikkaku, "Could it not wait until morning?"

"S-sorry Ayasegawa-san… I didn't know… please excuse me," he mumbled bowing low.

"Yumichika!" said Ikkaku in a warning voice, frowning at his companion whilst sitting up and straightening his hakama.

Renji jumped back apologetically:

"No, no, no! Really – it can wait – I'm sorry Ayasegawa-san, Madarame-san. Forgive my rudeness." After an embarrassed pause, he bowed again then awkwardly stumbled out of the room.

With the mood completely ruined Yumichika turned his back on Ikkaku stared fixatedly at the wall, after that he must have fallen asleep as the next thing he knew he was vaguely aware of someone leaving the room and sunlight pouring in. Groaning he pulled the duvet over his head desperate for more sleep.

"OIIIIIIIII! RENJIIIIIIIIII!" yelled Ikkaku catching up to the redhead and clasping his shoulder, "what's up?"

Renji yelped and jumped away from the other man, colour flushing to his cheeks:

"N-no-nothing's up – why would there be? Who've you been talking to?"

"What?" Ikkaku asked, surprised by Renji's defensiveness, "No-one, I was just gonna ask what you wanted last night."

Renji looked away, his face purple. I'm such and idiot, he thought, why the hell? I just had to go over last night – there's no way I can win against Ayasegawa-san…I'm such a retard.

"Yeah… um… about that – it…" Renji took a deep breath gathered up his courage: "it… doesn't matter anymore!"

With that Renji turned on his heel and ran as fast as he could, leaving a bewildered Ikkaku standing in a cloud of dust and debris.

"Ayasegawa Yumichika-san?"

"Yes – and you are?"

"Hisagi Shuuhei – 9th squad fuku-taicho."

Yumichika surveyed the young, dark haired man in front of him. He took in the defined biceps, the broad shoulders, the horizontal blue stripe across his left cheek along with the "69" tattoo and the long scar down the side of his face, which Yumichika found more intriguing and alluring than ugly. This Hisagi Shuuhei-san was quite a surprisingly beautiful person in Yumichika's eyes.

"What might you want with someone like me Hisagi-fuku-taicho?" Yumichika asked flirtatiously.

Hisagi shuffled his feet and looked uncomfortable, not looking Yumichika in the eyes he said:

"My captain… Tousen-taicho has heard that you…. Well he…" Shuuhei cleared his throat and reganed his professional manner, "Tousen-taicho was speaking with Zaraki-taicho and the conversation lead to talk of a fifth seat in the 11th squad who as Zaraki-taicho put: " is an idiotic pretty boy who didn't shut up about my hair until Yachiru let him into my sleeping quarters and he did it while I slept."" Shuuhei stifled a grin, which soon turned into a grimace "Tousen-taicho was… very interested and would like to know if… that 5th seat would consider taking some time to… help him find a new look…"

Yumichika stared at the other man, absolutely stunned.

"Tousen-taicho said that you do not have to answer right away but please consider it as a favour to the 9th squad."

Yumichika continued to stare at the assistant captain his thoughts racing: What is there to gain? Hmmm… I could spread beauty in the world… Tousen does need it… I could do something interesting with his hair… add something orange… and shades… yes I can see it now – but I mustn't do something for nothing, that would be completely out of my nature…

Shuuhei watched the 5th seat surveying him and felt his heat radiate off his cheeks; clearing his throat he took a step back. For reasons unknown to him, the other man made Shuuhei very uncomfortable. His mouth became dry and his heart beat at an alarming rate every time he and Yumichika made eye contact.

"What, Hisagi-chan," he smiled, "will I get in return?"

Ikkaku sat cross-legged, leant against the bed, glaring at the door of the room he and Yumichika shared. It was nearly midnight and Yumichika had still not returned. Ikkaku wasn't worried - he had a pretty clear idea of where Yumichika was and whom he was with. No, the emotion consuming Ikkaku was blazing jealousy. Yumichika was one of the most beautiful men in the Soul Society, more beautiful than most of the women. Ikkaku knew he had many admirers, he was also aware of how much of a flirt and a tease Yumichika could be. Ikkaku rolled his head 360 degrees clockwise and then anti-clockwise as he had been sat like this for a while and his neck was becoming stiff. God knows what he's doing now, Ikkaku thought, slightly worried.

A shadow appeared on the door as it was slid open elegantly and a tall, dark haired man appeared from behind it.

"Ikkaku?" Yumichika said pleasantly, closing the door tossing his hakama aside and sliding on a yukata.

Ikkaku continued to stare fiercely at the door, doing his best to ignore Yumichika.

Noticing what he was attempting to do Yumichika grinned mischievously, embracing the challenge and determined to win.

Plonking himself down directly in front of Ikkaku, Yumichika crossed his legs and moved his face forward so that it was inches away from Ikkaku's. Unable to continue ignoring him without seeming childish Ikkaku grunted and said:

"You were with him again, weren't ya?"

Yumichika chuckled and pushed Ikkaku down onto the floor, placing a hard kiss on his lips.

"With who?" he asked feigning innocence.

"You know who."

"Hisagi-chan? You are aware it's a favour to his captain?"

" I can tell just by looking at Tousen – but why are you still hanging around with him? If you're done you've not got any more business with the 9th squad do you?"

Yumichika grinned as realisation dawned:

"Ikkaku," he sighed, "green is not beautiful."