Chapter 3: The Runaway

(Still feeling horrible and hoping this awful bellyache will go away soon. But writing this cheered me up a little. I hope you all enjoy it! Love, Spunky)

Tetsuya returned slowly out of blissful senselessness to find his naked body back in shinigami form and locked in a sweet, erotic tangle with the equally naked and contentedly purring Shihoin prince. He was stricken with how heartbreakingly beautiful Yuushiro looked when so completely relaxed and undone and he couldn't help but wonder if he would ever experience something so wild and playful as their lovemaking had been.

He was so different and our lovemaking was unlike anything I've known. When I was in the prison, Orochi was always cruel and controlling. Naoki was comforting and very kind and gentle with me, but there was a sadness between us as all of our moments were stolen ones that had to be hidden. Yuushiro-sama was excitable and so passionate, it was overwhelming. And we couldn't resist the compelling urges of our resonance.

Then...that once, he convinced me to penetrate him. I was never able to do that with anyone. Orochi never would have allowed it and I cried when Naoki said he wanted me to do it. I was so scared because it seemed such a violent kind of thing. But even though I was shaking all over when I finally gave in to Yuushiro-sama's desire for it, it didn't feel violent and he didn't show any sign that it hurt him. He only looked enthralled, pleased and wonderfully sated. I didn't know that my love could make anyone so happy.

How am I going to leave him now?

Tears of regret rose in his eyes as he carefully disentangled himself from the exhausted and deeply sleeping prince's arms, and the first escaped and trickled down one porcelain cheek as Tetsuya yielded a final kiss of farewell and retrieved his scattered clothing. more tears leaked down his face at the thought of never being with his resonant again.

But what can I do? Resonance is no longer used to determine arrangements for marriage. And many of the elders of the clans still look down on mixed bloods like me. I don't want Yuushiro-sama to suffer their ill will because of me. We weren't supposed to be together at all.

But I am so happy for this mistake of circumstance...

I will never forget this night or how much Yuushiro-sama stole my heart.

Tetsuya smiled sadly as he heard the soft click of the lock on the door releasing as morning arrived. He turned back one last time summoning a flicker of his returning power to make a gift for the sleeping prince. A bright silver chain manifested and he conjured a single large snowflake that he captured and preserved in a small glass charm. This, he placed on the chain and fastened around Yuushiro's neck.

He fled the room then, concealing himself from the others by engaging his waterform. He remained invisible as he returned home in scathing flash steps, shedding more tears and unable to bear the thought of being alone again.

But for one night I was happier than I've been in a lifetime.

Thank you, Yuushiro-sama...truly.

He emerged into the gardens at Kuchiki Manor and shed his waterform, then stumbled to his bedroom, where he feel into bed in a state of complete exhaustion.

"Tetsuya-san?" his attendant called softly, sensing the return of his master.

Koji stepped into the bedroom and found Tetsuya fully dressed and collapsed across his bed. Noticing the lingering tears on his cheeks, he sighed sadly and tucked the young man into bed.

"Tetsuya-san is too often sad," he whispered, "It makes me sad too."

He retreated to the attendant's recess, where he laid down, positioned to watch over his sleeping master.

It will be all right, Tetsuya-san. We are all sad sometimes, but it will pass and you will smile again. Sleep well.

XXXXXXXXXX

Byakuya felt warm fingertips gently tracing the lines of his face and throat, then sliding through the satin lengths of his tumbled hair. Even with his own eyes closed, he could feel the caress of Ichigo's powerful golden brown eyes as they watched him sleep.

"Have you slept at all?" he asked, letting his own grey eyes open and meet the Shiba heir's.

Ichigo gave him a sleepy smile.

"You didn't, did you?" the Kuchiki heir concluded.

"No," Ichigo confessed, "not at all. I was too busy watching you and I was hoping that if I didn't sleep, I wouldn't forget."

"Fool," Byakuya yawned, closing his eyes again, "did you forget already our resonance? We aren't going to forget, even with what we were given. Resonants never forget each other."

"I was wondering about that," Ichigo said, nuzzling under Byakuya's chin and letting a hand slide down to explore his nether region as they kissed several times, "I was wondering if it's true our souls resonate so strongly, why didn't we know that until now? When we met we tried to kill each other. Why would that be if we were meant to be together?"

Byakuya's eyes opened and met his again.

"A resonance is a marker of deep and compelling passions. It doesn't have to turn into love. It can result in a passionate hatred. Resonants have the capacity to greatly harm or fastidiously embrace each other. It is all a matter of what the resonants choose."

"Is that right?" Ichigo mused, "So...we essentially tried to kill each other...?"

"Because of the compelling passions within our souls that collided when we met."

"But you're saying that because we worked things out and became friends..."

"We chose a path that led to a more positive type of passion, yes," Byakuya finished.

"Does that mean that you'll go out with me now?" Ichigo asked, earning a curious look from the surprised Kuchiki heir, "What, does that really surprise you? I mean, we're having each others' kids, right?"

"We are."

"And we like each other, right?"

"Y-yes. And I admit I am flattered that you requested to be paired with me. But, are you sure you wish to court me? You are...somewhat younger than me. And you certainly have many attractive peers who are interested in you. Why me?"

"I'm not interested in anyone else," the Shiba heir said matter-of-factly, "The only person who gives me feelings like this is you. I felt that way when I chose you and I still feel that way. I'll understand if you don't return my feelings, but I have to be honest about them."

"You don't have to worry about me not returning your affections," Byakuya assured him, "I am likewise attracted to you. But...despite having engaged in the ritual pairing to recover our noble population, I think it best if we go back to the beginning and proceed more slowly."

Ichigo chuckled.

"I guess that's probably best," he agreed.

The hand exploring Byakuya's privates began a more amorous invasion.

"But...before we leave and start over, is it okay for us to be together one more time? I know it's morning and we have to go soon, but you've got me aroused again."

"I see."

"And it would be kind of cruel to rile a guy that way and not offer him some relief," Ichigo said, smirking.

"Oh, is it my fault that you are so easily aroused?" Byakuya asked, arching a fine eyebrow.

"It is right now, with us both being naked and touching all over," Ichigo pointed out, "And it seems to be that I'm not the only one aroused here."

"You are not," Byakuya agreed, "But one shouldn't always give in to his passions recklessly."

"What's reckless? We came here to have sex, didn't we?"

"I think the point was to conceive children, actually."

"Well, we don't know if we were successful, do we?"

"Not yet," Byakuya agreed.

"Then, it's kind of an obligation to be really sure we gave it our best effort," the Shiba heir concluded.

"Oddly, that begins to make sense," Byakuya said, his breath catching as Ichigo's touches became more intimate.

He spread his thighs easily and watched with a quiet, affectionate expression as their bodies joined. They made love more slowly, looking into each other's sleepy eyes and each regretting that their time together was almost at an end.

It is good though that it doesn't really have to end here, Ichigo thought, letting his hands explore the lovely planes and curves of Byakuya's slender body, I'm glad he'll see me again. He's so beautiful. I can't think of anything but that when I look at him. I wonder if he looks at me like that...

He found in Byakuya's returned expressions of affection that there was every reason to believe the Kuchiki heir did. Ichigo watched raptly as Byakuya's eyes went nearly black and his body went taut for a moment, before surrendering to the heavy shudders of a powerful climax. The sensation sent his own body instantly into release and he collapsed again on top of Byakuya, panting hard and devouring the lovely man's soft lips. He crashed down into a deep sleep.

And when he woke, he found himself alone in the room with only the light, sweet scent of sakura to remind him who had been with him. With a resigned sigh, he climbed out of the bed and started to dress. As he did, his eye caught a slip of paper on the nightstand. He picked it up and read as he continued to dress.

Ichigo,

Again I am glad that, given a choice, you chose to be with me. I apologize for leaving without waking you, but I had some obligations to see to, and you were sleeping so comfortably that I didn't want to wake you. I look forward to seeing you again.

Affectionately,

Byakuya

Ichigo smiled and tucked the note into his pocket, then left the room and started down the hallway. He paused, frowning as loud voices erupted in the hallway ahead of him.

"Next time, you morons should do a better job of matching people with someone who actually has something in common with them. I couldn't stand that insipid, brainless girl. Any children she has are likely to be as useless as she is!" a dark haired man with angry black eyes snapped furiously, "This was a complete waste!"

Ichigo stepped aside, scowling and shaking his head as the man blew past him, leaving the attendant he had been yelling at, and the enraged young woman who had been his partner glaring after him.

What an asshole...

XXXXXXXXXX

Yuushiro groaned and hissed softly as his senses returned, then his golden eyes opened and blinked in confusion for a moment. He lifted his head and looked around for the young man who had been with him during the night, but found himself alone. He started to speak, then realized.

He never told me his name!

He could still picture every detail about the young man...his lovely, pale skin, large sapphire eyes and delicate features.

It's stupid that they focus so much on blood, he mused, He was perfect! I was aroused the moment I saw him and I stayed aroused all night.

The Shihoin price giggled softly.

He was so surprised when we took cat form, then he was amazing! I never did anything like that with anyone before. And once I did it with him, I wanted to keep doing it. I was dizzy with how good it felt touching him all over and putting it inside him.

He slid a hand down his torso and touched the lingering dampness between his thighs.

He looked ready to faint and he blushed so much and tried to refuse when I wanted him to do it with me. I'm glad he finally gave in. It felt good to be touched deep inside like that. I thought I would be afraid, but he made me feel happy to try anything.

I wonder who he was...

The Shihoin prince loosed a softer, more regretful sigh and dragged himself out of bed, then started to dress. As he slipped back into his top, he felt his fingers brush against something cool that was fastened around his neck. Blinking curiously, he turned to look in the mirror, then broke into a wide, sweet smile. He captured the glass charm between his fingertips and stared raptly at the large, lovely snowflake imprisoned within it.

What a beautiful gift!

He ran out of the room, bursting into the hallway and crashing into someone and bouncing off, then colliding with the unforgiving wall and ending up in a surprised heap on the floor.

"Watch where you're going, fool!" snapped the black-eyed man.

"Yikes!" Yuushiro gasped, cringing as the bigger man flash stepped away, "Not him again!"

I'm so glad he wasn't my partner!

"There you are!" exclaimed a feminine voice.

A swift flash step sounded and a hand grabbed hold of the prince and dragged him back onto his feet.

"What are you doing, Otouto?" Yoruichi greeted him, grinning, "Why weren't you in your assigned room? I heard there were a few mix-ups last night."

"Y-yeah, there were," Yuushiro agreed, "but it's okay. The guy I was with was sort of shy, but he was very kind."

"Oh? Was it anyone I know?" his sister asked curiously.

"Eh..." the prince mused, scratching the back of his neck anxiously, "I-I'm not so sure. The...um...elixir acted really quickly and I sort of forgot to ask his name."

"You what?" Yoruichi exclaimed, "Yuu!"

"S-sorry! Sorry, I didn't mean to, Nee-san!" the youth apologized profusely, "B-but he was just so beautiful and I couldn't help it!"

"Hmmm," Yoruichi huffed disapprovingly, "But that certainly was an appalling lack of manners to not even ask his name. I hope he wasn't offended."

"Oh no!" Yuushiro moaned, blushing at the thought, "You're right. He's probably very offended, but now I don't know how to find him!"

"Oh, don't worry about it," the elder Shihoin chuckled, "Maybe he doesn't remember much either. That's what the sedation was for. Everyone was a little uncomfortable having to do it with a stranger or someone they only knew a little. There was only one person who got to choose his partner, and even the partners that were assigned got a little mixed up, I heard."

"Well, it turned out fine. The person I was with was way better than that big scary man that I was assigned to mate with."

"A...big, scary man?" Yoruichi inquired, frowning, "Are you sure?"

"Uh-huh," Yuushiro confirmed, holding up a slip of paper and pointing to the room he had originally been assigned to, "He was in there."

Yoruichi took the slip of paper and squinted down at it, then burst into laughter.

"What is it, Nee-san?" Yuushiro demanded, "What's so funny?"

"Baka!" Yoruichi howled, "You were supposed to be in that room over there with Mai-chan from the Aomori clan! I don't know who that big guy was, but he wasn't supposed to be with you."

"Oh!" Yuushiro said, blushing furiously, "I read the paper wrong..."

"Well, it worked out all right, I guess. You lost your virginity with someone gentle, right?"

"He wasn't just gentle, Nee-san," Yuushiro said, smiling dreamily, "He was beautiful...and he was smart and funny, wise and kind. I never met anyone like him!"

"Well, who knows. Maybe the two of you will meet again. At very least, once the baby comes along and starts to shape shift, it will become obvious who your mystery lover is, right?"

"You're right!" the prince exclaimed, brightening.

A moment later he deflated slightly.

"What's wrong now?" asked Yoruichi.

"Well...it's going to be a while before the baby is born," Yuushiro complained.

"Eh, we'll worry about that later," Yoruichi laughed, "Come on, let's go home. Everyone's tired from being up most of the night!"

"Yeah, I am too. We must have done it ten or twelve times!"

"Goodness!" Yoruichi mused, "You must have liked him."

"I didn't just like him," Yuushiro sighed, "I really, really loved him!"