Chapter 03

Sinful Kisses

Now –

"Do you know how long Kurosaki will stay here?" The small captain asked the much taller female captain.

"I'm afraid a few days," Retsu replied softly as they both looked into his private room. "You see, he gave a request to give him a few days to heal himself, and if he can't…" his attention went to her, away from the sleeping Shinigami Representative. "The he would like to keep these wounds, regardless of its price."

Toushirou nearly flinched. "That would mean most of his body could be damaged."
"He is aware of what is a stake." She bowed before leaving. "Do not stress him in any way."
His cheeks barely tinted. "Unohana-taichou…" to think that this is what she would think of him!
Retsu giggle with a soft gentle smile. "I will come back later to check on how he is doing around sunset."

Just as she was about to leave, Ichigo began to thrash on his bed violently as if he were being attacked by someone, and the two captains hurried to his side. Right before they were about to touch him, his upper body shot up to place him into a seated position, sweating a storm heavily while cringing in pain. In truth, he could move his lower legs and upper arms, they were the only limbs that were a bit more distant from the rampaging reiatsu. Both captains looked at him with worry as he leaned over while gritting his teeth to enduring the pain though could not, and fell back against the bed.

"Ichigo, what's wrong?" Toushirou asked worriedly, hoping for answers. "Did something happen?"

"I'll go mad if I stay in this bed any longer." He growled lowly, trying to get up again. "Nh… damn it."
"You have to stay until you're healed." His hands touched the bedding. "Please… for me…"
Brown hues turned to him, sighing. "I need to train Toushirou, you know this as well as I do."
"I won't let you, you've suffered a great deal of damage!" What could he do to stop him though.

"It will be a good practice, perhaps I can learn to fight without my hands no less." Before Ichigo could continue, someone knocked at the door, and it was Toushirou's lieutenant. "What an interesting surprise."

"Ichigo, you know making taichou worry is bad!" Rangiku rushed over and clung to him, snuggling against him to make her captain jealous. "But if you insist on training, I'll watch over you while you do so, okay?"
"I think I'm better off with Hanatarou watching over my training." He grumbled, and she cracked his neck.
"Okay, that's fine! Hitsugaya-taichou, Unohana-taichou, I want to talk to Ichigo alone really quick please! Maybe I can convince him to stay and rest!" She sounded so happy that it might be possible for her.
"Don't make me regret this," with that, Toushirou turned away with Retsu not far behind him.

However, after Retsu closed the door behind herself, Toushirou could already hear the two talking.

Retsu left so he could listen in on the conversation if he wanted to.

"What are you planning, Rangiku-san." Ichigo asked dangerously, not happy about being alone with her.
"Oh relax Ichigo," she helped him get dressed. "We never get to spend any time together anymore."
"You were intentionally trying to get Toushirou riled up, I can't say that I'm happy about it."
"But he's so cute when he's jealous, you can't deny it!" The woman grinned widely.

"No, I can't, but I don't like when he becomes self aware." Ichigo was dressed, and he looked out the big window. "When I can, I try to avoid most others when he feels threatened. I don't want him to wonder 'what does that person have that I don't,' but if I said not to worry, Toushirou would hide his fears." He closed his eyes, basking in the sunlight. "We both know that he's insecure when it comes to trust…"

"You're amazing," Rangiku whispered, causing him to look at her softly. "You know taichou so well." She knew her captain was outside listening, but did not know if Ichigo knew this. "Have you ever cheated?"
"No," it was like, one second he is defensive, calm the next, then alert. "I will never do something so…" he could not think of a word for it, "vile." Ichigo sighed. "And I will never betray Toushirou, Rangiku-san."
"Has any one cheated on you—" she instantly shuttered at the sinister reiatsu leaking, and knew that it meant it was true. "What happened Ichigo?" Her form sat on the bed, patting it. "You want to tell me?"

"No," Ichigo replied quietly. "But I am curious why you brought up the subject. I told you that I would never betray Toushirou, which would have led you to stop there." He looked at her with a raised brow. "Yet you continued on, asking if I was cheated on by someone. Which means you're worried that Toushirou will be cheating on me." As she was scooting away, his body turned towards her direction. "So now I have a little question for you. Why do you think Toushirou would cheat on me, Rangiku-san, have I treated him bad?"

"N-No! Of course not!" The lieutenant laughed nervously, now standing up. "I was just concerned for you!"
"If it came down to it, your loyalties lie with Toushirou. Your only concern would be if I hurt him. But why?"
Rangiku stared at him, finally seeing it in his eyes. "That's what they were talking about… so this is the—"
"Again," his attention went back to the window. "Why are you worried Toushirou would cheat on me?"
"I-I'm not… but if it happened, what would you do? Especially if you somehow decided to cheat on—"

"I, will not, cheat, on Toushirou." There was a knock on the door, and he looked to the floor. "Get out."

Toushirou poked his head in, mainly so that the two would stop talking and that Ichigo would hopefully settle down. He came over and embraced the irritated carrot top in hopes that he would also not shove his aggression towards the lieutenant, but was obviously too late. Rangiku did everything in her power to get out of that room as fast as she possibly could. She was quite wary when she was in danger, and she was flirting with it when she attempted to stay a little longer. Ichigo's demands of any sort were never to be questioned no matter what the reason—he could even tell something to any captain. He was desired by the Commanding-General, so his status was very high in Soul Society, and everyone had to obey.

"You didn't have to startle Matsumoto." Toushirou leaned into him more, engulfing his scent.
"I understand her reasons of worry, hasn't even been ten years since Ichimaru betrayed her." He replied.
"Will you answer her question to me?" The captain was looked at. "Have you been cheated on before?"
His eyes then drew away. "It was a while back. Orihime cheated on me with …Ishida, I was annoyed."

That was understandable, but gently tugged his robe. "Only annoyed? You weren't angry that Ishida Uryuu cheated on you with Inoue Orihime?" He watched the tall one flinch slightly. "You were angry?"
"Even now, I still don't know what my emotions are to that. Inoue had claimed to love me for so long, but then he comes along and takes her for a ride." Ichigo looked at him. "Can we not talk about this please?"
"What would you do… if I cheated on you? Is there something I can do to make things easier, can I do something to avoid being unfaithful? Would you be able to—" he was interrupted by a kiss by Ichigo.

"Look at me, and listen," Toushirou looked up at him. "I love you, I will never attempt to hurt you. Though I can't I can't say the same on your behalf, I trust you with my soul and everything else." He gently kissed his forehead as the captain looked to the ground. "If you ever decided to be unfaithful, it really depends." Turquoise hues met brown hues confusedly. "Is it love, is it sex? When you tell me or if I find out myself."

"Would I be in less trouble if I told you, saying that I did? Also, would it hurt more if it's with a female—"
"That's enough questions Toushirou," Ichigo began to walk out the door. "It sounds like you want to."
"No! I don't! I never want to betray you!" His heart ached all over again, and tears began to form.
He sighed before coming back over to hug him. "You are becoming quite the dramatic little man."
"I want to make love," the captain stated suddenly, cheeks flushed. "Is that okay with you?"

Seeing him being cute and embarrassed, how could anyone resist that look? "I guess I'll go talk with Unohana-san to heal my body then." Ichigo then grinned slyly. "Unless you would like to be naughty…"

"I don't care where, I just want to be with you and only you."

Ichigo nearly shivered with please once hearing the declaration of his love, and so he found the taller more terrifying woman and asked her to heal him. Once finished, she made sure to mention not to stress out his body any time soon no matter whatever the reason could be. He know that Retsu meant that she believed his body would not be ready and could not handle the stress in his body, but Toushirou came. The little captain said that he would make sure Ichigo would be fine once he was escorted to his lodge, though the Captain of the Fourth Squad did not believe him, she had to let them go.

"I almost miss having feeling in my body," Ichigo mumbled, walking behind Toushirou.
His eyes rolled. "Why would you not regret having the feeling back, you idiot?"
"It was a reminder of what happened, but now, it's only a memory."
"And why would you want to remember what happened?"
He stopped in place. "I guess you wouldn't understand that yet."
"Understand, what?" Toushirou did not like being out of the loop of things at all.
"You're so innocent and yet not…" The tall one picked him up and set him on the rail.

Hands held him steady on the rail to keep him from falling backwards. "You know I don't like having public affection, Kurosaki." Despite saying this, he recalled showing public affection the other day. "You know I don't like being teased either." Ichigo leaned forth, placing his head against his shoulder to rest. "Wha—"

"Bite me Toushirou, do what you always do." His voice sounded in check, but his idea was illogical.
He blushed at the demand though. "I-I'm not going to in public, there are others passing by."
"Toushirou," he called casually, and repeated. "Bite me." His hand went to his small region. "Otherwise we can have real fun right here in front of others. I have before, so I'm not afraid to do anything in public."
"Y-You wouldn't dare," two small hands tried to get the one large one away from his male organ as he blushed deeply. "W-What's got into you Kurosaki? You're usually never like this—Kurosaki stop it!"

"He's trying to teach you what a bond is." A female voice called, and they both look to see Kuchiki Rukia. "Something left by another makes them feel closer, that's why he wanted to keep the wounds given to him by Hyourinmaru." Her attention then went to Ichigo. "Although he never returns the favor unfortunately."

"Morning," Ichigo replied, stepping away from Toushirou so he could get down as she came closer. "I've already told you why I never marked you Rukia." He kissed her cheek softly as a sibling greeting to her.
"I thought he would have already permanently marked you. That's why I was coming by your room to tell you to get your wounds healed, Karin has been worried." She then smiled. "I have a question for you too."
"Now what could one of my favorite ex-girlfriends have to ask me?" It was a game they played since they became a pair after the war. "If it's about deal with babies, I'm not telling you, you're going to be a m—"
"No, no, not that." Her attention went to Toushirou for a split second before asking Ichigo. "I know Karin won't tell us who got her pregnant, I was curious… what if it was someone you've been with? Like—"

"Rukia, don't do this." If she were just a friend, he would have been angered already. "Byakuya would never do that because he's always busy now. Renji was with you, meaning that he would have cheated on you and betrayed me." He then sighed heavily. "But if its Ishida, then I'll castrate him after donating his sperm to a sperm bank. Ichigo then glanced at Toushirou. "And I trust Toushirou enough to leave her be."

"But what if it was Renji or Hitsugaya-taichou?"

Kurosaki Ichigo could not lie to her, "I would probably go insane, a betrayal like that… it's not something that I can handle. At that time, Toushirou was with me, and Renji was with you, if one of them did it… I don't know what I would do, after making my vow, I won't—I can't…" His fists clenched tightly now.

"It was just a question, I didn't mean to make you upset." Rukia hugged him. "I have to speak to your boyfriend about a meeting Ukitake-taichou was to arrange with him. Can you excuse us for a minute?"
"Of course," Ichigo turned to the captain. "I'll head to the administrative office to apologize to Rangiku-san for what I said, I'll wait for you there." With that, he somewhat bowed to them in a teasing manner and left.
Toushirou then looked at the woman, believing that she was telling the truth. "What sort of meeting does Ukitake want to—" before he knew it, she slapped him across the face, and he stared blankly at her now.

"I hope he never forgives you, Hitsugaya-taichou." She knew he would not do anything to her, not now. "He may seem dense, but he's anything but. I can see in his eyes that he is concerned about something." She dared to point at him. "If you break him, we'll make sure that you regret it." She looked behind him.

Toushirou looked to see Abarai Renji, Kuchiki Byakuya, and even Shihouin Yoruichi along with Soi Fon; it was impossible that all of these were aware of what he did. Suddenly, he turned to the other side to see Kyouraku Shunsui, Ukitake Juushirou, and even Unohana Retsu… all of these people knew? He stepped back, bumping against the rail when feeling cornered by everyone—feeling threatened by everyone even. No one looked particularly happy about the situation, but it was obvious how every single person knew about what he did. The Captain of the Tenth Squad wanted to stand his ground in front of everyone, but he knew he stood no chance, so all he could do is escape with a flash step.

Only to be stopped by the Commanding-General himself.

"What you have done, is unforgiveable to both Kurosaki Ichigo and to all of Soul Society." His staff turned into his zanpakutou, taking the hilt and scabbard in hand. "And you know the penalty for your crimes." He knew he had to make his death quick, otherwise there would be Hell to pay. "Say your goodbyes."

As he pulled out the zanpakutou to lash out at the shorter captain for doing such improper actions, the latter lowered his head to accept the punishment. However, as quickly as he felt the flames near him, his turquoise hues caught sight of black rush by before a loud clashing noise hit his ears. Looking up to see none other than Kurosaki Ichigo fighting off the strongest man in Soul Society, but not the strongest alive.

"What is the problem here, Jii-san." Ichigo demanded in a dangerous tone. "I suggest you back off."
"Hitsugaya Toushirou has done a serious crime—" Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni was interrupted.
"Is there any proof that he's the culprit of the crime he supposed committed." He glared sternly now.
The elder remained quiet, meaning no. Toushirou grabbed Ichigo. "Stay out of this Kurosaki!"

"Toushirou, please be quiet." Agonizingly slow movements with a hand, Ichigo raised it into the air. "What will it be Jii-san? You obviously have no proof, and you were going to attack?" He glared at him darkly.

Shigekuni backed down; turning and walking away. "We will gather evidence then."

Ichigo growled lowly at him before turning towards a small group of watchers, which did not exactly please him, and they knew this. "Byakuya," Renji jumped in front of said man. "Yoruichi-san," Soi Fon went in front of her. "What do you think you're doing here?" He began to walk over to them with nothing but pure dominance; something Toushirou had never seen before. "Why are you here, Byakuya?"

Kuchiki Byakuya visibly flinched, and had to tell him. "Many of us are assuming Hitsugaya-taichou has committed a serious crime." His eyelids shut. "I, for one, did not want to get involved in your relationship."
"We're not discouraging you Ichigo-kun, quite the—eek!" Juushirou squeaked when receiving a glare.
Shunsui tipped his hat to hide his eye. "Ukitake, I believe the conversation is for him and his exes."
"It's no secret that I have slept with the majority here, which is why I will ask you two to leave." Ichigo was not in a good mood, and the two left almost instantly before turning to the two men and four women. "Now then, will someone else like to explain this conspiracy group against Toushirou before I get angry?"
Yoruichi came over, wrapping her arms around him, "it's not like that Ichigo, it's your imagination. You've been really stressed out recently with everything happening in the real world. You need to relax some."
"That's not explaining the fact that Hitsugaya-taichou has been acting suspicious since yesterday," Soi Fon lied, and this earn her an intimidating glare. "I-It's obvious that he's hiding something from you!"

"Both of you can leave, just because of a 'get together' one night stand happened between us three, does not make me trust you." They had tried but failed; he was picking them off two by two practically. "Rukia, you should go rest, have Renji take you." The next pair left without argue, leaving Retsu and Byakuya until he gave the okay. "You said your share Byakuya, I would like to talk alone with her."

Toushirou walked over when thinking it was safe to approach the conversation, but it was far from safe.

"Please tell me you were not in on the theory of Toushirou committing a crime, if you do, I don't think I can handle anything, Retsu." Ichigo stated softly, startling the smaller captain, he did not know about them.
"My reason for trailing was different, but they were right about one thing. You are stressed, and need plenty of rest and stability." It was barely noticeable, but she smiled softly towards the carrot top.
"I was going to go rest right now." He looked to his side to see Toushirou standing next to him. "What else is there that you want to say?" Ichigo looked to her. "You always wanted things to be confidential."

"Kuchiki-taichou is right, your business is yours alone. Whatever the others believe they know, is nothing short but trivial. As for confidentiality." Retsu came over, and gave him a peck on his cheek. "I still do."

"Thank you," his form turned away. "You are always the one I can count on to be rational other than Byakuya and Toushirou." He bowed his head to her. "I'll check in with you later, hopefully for some tea."

As he walked away with Toushirou at his side, the latter grabbed the former's sleeve when they were far away from the division and in front of the lodge. Ichigo looked at him curiously for the sudden action as he was trying to slide open the door; he honestly was confused right now. Of course Toushirou was the one who self-claimed to be more confused, and so he immediately wanted things to be cleared up now.

"You had a relationship with Unohana-taichou?" His mouth wanted to hang open in shock.
"Shh…" he motioned him to be quiet. "It'll be our little secret, okay? She has a reputation to uphold."
Toushirou took a step back. "But you were with both Soi Fon-taichou and—" he was quickly interrupted.
"Hey, I was drunk." The carrot top did not mean to snap. "That entire situation is very complicated."
"Just how many people having you been with? How many Shinigami have you—" he was kissed softly.

"I have a fetish for those that are older than me," Ichigo kissed him again, "and who are cuter than me."

Ichigo wrapped his arms tiredly around the white-haired captain, gaining his energy after the few hours of working out with Toushirou, since said captain did not like to say 'sex' most of the time. His partner was wide awake, kissing his neck to the point where it would form a bruise; it was what was requested after all. He allowed Toushirou to do whatever he wanted with his body because he was not shy and knew that he had to share his body in turn. The carrot top would not be able to hold out much longer though—what with Toushirou constantly kissing and sucking on his neck for an hour.

"Toushirou," he whispered softly, and the captain stopped everything, "you've been acting differently since the administrative office incident—for almost a month or two actually if I really thought about it." Ichigo felt him bury into his chest to avoid the subject. "You see, just like that. You're being submissive and putting up with things in a different manner." His hand caressed the white strands of hair gently. "Is there something you would like to tell me? Maybe I can help you in the long run, right?"

"I just want to spend my time with you, alone, like this." He grumbled. "Is that so bad?"
"No, believe me when I say I enjoy it. But I can't help but wonder that something's wrong."
Toushirou wanted to dodge this bullet the best he can. "Then let's go another round okay—"
"Don't avoid me," he demanded seriously. "Please tell me what you did Toushirou."

"W-What are you talking about?" It was a shame that he should have remembered how this man became when you try to sidetrack him. "I didn't do anything, I'm just trying to spend my time with you while I can."

"Last month, you asked me not to leave you for something you did." Turquoise hues widened at this. "So whatever you did, is obviously illegal in Soul Society since Jii-san is on your back about it." There was so much fear in Toushirou's eyes that it made Ichigo sick. "In all honesty, I can't handle any more bad news after finding out some pig got Karin pregnant, and Renji got Rukia pregnant." Ichigo looked away in hopes of making it easier for the captain. "But I can share your burdens Toushirou, like I've always had."

"Y-You knew I was guilty of something and still stood up against Yamamoto-soutaichou?"

"Have you already forgotten that I have your back? Innocent or guilty, I'll be on your side." Ichigo kissed his forehead to make it easy on him. "Now then, would you like to tell me what's going on, Toushirou?"
"Why don't you ask someone who's dying to tell you?" He tried to make himself smaller in his arms.
"If it isn't you, then I won't believe them. Others can twist words and make them sound wrong, sometimes it goes farther than the truth." After a second, he sighed softly. "In the end, they could be lying to me."
"I could be lying too, and you would believe me?" Toushirou felt him chuckle, making him a little upset. "It seems that Kuchiki-taichou and Unohana-taichou would not lie to you though, right? Their important—"
"They've earned my trust and never lied, and neither have you." He sat up slowly, rustling his hair out of his face. "They wouldn't conflict themselves in our relationship, that is why my bond with them is strong."

"At least you can trust them more than me," this earned him all the attention in the world from Ichigo, so he stood up to get dressed. "I knew you wouldn't be happy with me—I knew you would probably want to kill me for it to." He placed his upper half on to make it easier to tuck in. "Ichigo… I've betrayed you…"

Silence filled the entire room, making the captain stop trying to get dressed so he could turn to look at him to see him smiling softly. Toushirou quickly turned away to dress himself in case this was a trick to get revenge on him—then felt him against his back. Ichigo always managed to get dressed two times faster than him, and now he would have to face that wrath hidden behind the smile. Nothing happened though as the tall Substitute Shinigami held the white haori out for the captain to slip his arms through.

"I knew that much, Toushirou." Ichigo held back a laugh as he smiled still. "You wouldn't have most of my previous partners going after you at once otherwise… and Jii-san." Toushirou stared at him in horror.

"If you knew, why didn't you say anything—do you even know what I did to you!"

"No, of course not, I told you I'll only hear it from you." His eyes rolled for being yelled at by the obviously tired captain. "It's up to you whether or not you would want me to mention the conversation since I won't."
"You know I've betrayed you… you know I've lied to you… but you haven't said this to anyone?" The captain was merely confused, frighten, and in shock. "You're planning some sort of revenge, aren't you?"
Ichigo heaved a heavy sigh. "I kept it to myself because it's no one's business. The only one I will talk to about our personal relationship issues, is you. Petty things such as opinions are asked to someone else."

"Do you know how stupid you're making me feel? Attempting to hide what I did from you?" His fists had clenched tightly now. "And yet you already knew that I was hiding something from you, son of a—"
"The question is, why didn't you confront me about this from the beginning?" He watched Toushirou's eyes widen. "Whenever it happened, why didn't you tell me right afterwards? Do you know how I feel?"
Turquoise hues were tightly covered with eyelids, cringing when hearing the last question. "I was ashamed after what I did. As soon as I saw you a few hours later… I felt so guilty that I… I wanted to—"

Ichigo turned him around and hung his wrists against the wall with one hand. "Think of it this way, okay?" The smaller one looked up at him weakly with fear. "To me, the most important thing from a relationship that I desire isn't sex or intimate touching; it's trust." Tears rapidly fell down pale cheeks when hearing this being said. "From what I can tell, you slept with someone, probably for the same reason as Renji left me."

"Y-Yes—" Toushirou hiccupped, and closed his eyes. "I-It was with—"
"I don't want to know the name of the person." He stated softly.
His wrists tried to get free. "No! I-I have to tell you Kurosaki! I have to!"
"Why?" Ichigo looked at him seriously. "So it can hurt me?"

"N-No, I don't want to lie to you anymore, I want to tell you the truth!" No matter how much he wriggled and wormed, he could not escape the grasp. "I never wanted to hurt you, I was confused and frustrated!"

"Toushirou," the captain froze at his name, and his forehead was kissed. "I forgive you."

He released his wrist, causing all of the dead weight of the captain to fall on his knees as tears flowed in an uncontrollable manner. The tears turned into deep choking sobs once Ichigo rustled the white strands atop his head before saying that he had to leave in case Karin needed him. Toushirou wanted to cry out and tell him that she was the one who that he chose to sleep with, but… maybe he knew it deep down…