Chapter 3: Sealed with a Vicious Kiss

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(Byakuya remains pretty level headed and he is a thinker, so he probably thought about Shirosaki's sudden departure and drew a reasonable conclusion that he couldn't get out while Ichigo was awake. Too bad Shiro doesn't play by the rules. He'll be back, teasing Byakuya again very soon! Like, in this chapter soon!), PrivateCaller, LittleGizmo, Wildwind13, Periwinkle and Winterheart2000 (Here's that update, guys! Enjoy!), Hellcat1138 (Yeah, this runs pretty hot on the Spunky-scale. Can't help that Shirosaki is extremely horny.), Picklez80 (You've got it!), Aizenfan6969 (Oddly, neither did I. It's a very evil little fetish now.), Jess0409 (Spunky disclaimers will be posted on future chapters to only read in privacy! Lol, jk), Guest (Ichigo will learn about it soon, and his reaction will be...well...you'll see!), Yukino76 (I think you're right that Ichigo will be regretful, thinking that the hollow hurt Byakuya, but the three will learn together the truth of what is between them. I don't think any of them understand yet, not even the wiser Byakuya.), TMP3475 (Tetsuya will do even more in a future chapter, when he finds that Renji is still suffering inside. Oh, and Shirosaki will be back in Byakuya's arms soon!), and Lilbit1016 (Glad that you're enjoying it! I'm surprised how much I love this one. I think even though it's winter, I might turn on my AC!) Enjoy the new chapter! Love to all, Spunky)

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Ichigo's eyes cracked open, then squinted at the bright light that streamed in through the open garden doors. He blinked and waited as his eyes slowly cleared, and he found himself in a handsomely decorated room in a bed so soft that he wanted to just close his eyes again and sleep for another day.

I guess this is Byakuya's place. Kinda weird that he allowed Rukia to have me brought here after. But then, I didn't exactly expect that he was gonna be the one to take a sword in the heart, protecting Rukia when he'd been so determined to see her killed.

Yeah…

It must've hurt when he found out that the order to kill Rukia wasn't Central 46 at all, but just Aizen playing his games with everyone. He was a real jerk about going along with the decision when he thought it was a real order, but when he learned how he'd been manipulated, right along with the rest of us, that changed.

Byakuya's not a bad guy. He just felt he had to honor the law, even if it meant letting Rukia be exacuted. It was stupid, but he wasn't being heartless. He was raised differently than I was. I still think he was wrong, and Byakuya even admitted he was. So, I guess this is him showing his gratitude.

He really confuses me.

"Are you feeling better, Kurosaki-san?" asked a soft male voice, using the same polite, formal tone that Byakuya usually did, "I am glad you have awakened. Rukia-chan and Renji-san have been in to see you several dozen times while you slept. They would be with you now if Byakuya-sama had not given orders to the staff to make sure they slept."

Ichigo blinked and squinted at the young man, noting the more delicate build of his body, the pale skin and raven colored hair that marked Byakuya and gentle blue eyes that looked down at him curiously. Ichigo started to answer, then focused more closely on the blue energy that flowed from the young man's hands and into his healing body.

"Who…?"

"Oh," the man said quickly, a little flush rising on his face and throat, "sorry. I am Kuchiki Tetsuya, Byakuya-sama's bodyguard and house healer. I also lead house security."

"Nice to meet you," Ichigo replied, smiling and trying to sit up.

Instantly, pain lanced through his insides and he winced and grunted. Tetsuya's hands touched his chest and he pushed the ginger-haired man back down gently.

"Please, do not try to get up yet. We have done what we can to treat your injuries, but you were injured several times over while trying to reach Rukia-chan. You fought some very powerful men. You are lucky to be alive, Kurosaki-san."

"Just call me Ichigo," the young man suggested.

"You are lucky to be alive, Ichigo-san," Tetsuya corrected himself, "Now, be assured that Rukia-chan is safe and the rest of you are going to be all right."

"Byakuya's doing okay?" Ichigo asked, earning a curious look from the noble's younger cousin.

"He is uncomfortable," Tetsuya admitted, "but our treatments are allowing him to sleep through a lot of the discomfort."

Ichigo let out a soft breath, shivering slightly as he remembered watching Gin's sword impale Byakuya's crouched body as he defended his sister from the sudden, brutal attack.

"It was…really brave, what he did. You know, stepping in front of Gin's attack like that."

Tetsuya nodded and leaned forward to address Ichigo's wounds again.

"You and Byakuya-sama may not see eye to eye on some things, but you both are brave, honorable men."

"Thanks," Ichigo said, blushing, "and thanks for the healing, Tetsuya. It's nice to meet you. How are you related to Byakuya?"

"Our fathers were first cousins," Tetsuya explained, "and they were best friends."

"It sounds like you and Byakuya are pretty close too," Ichigo observed, "Did you grow up together here?"

"Ah," Tetsuya said, turning his eyes aside as though studying another of Ichigo's wounds, "not exactly. I did not come to live at Kuchiki Manor until Byakuya-sama was in his late teens and I was in my early teens. After my arrival here, we did become as close as our fathers were."

Ichigo smiled more sadly.

"Rukia told me that Byakuya's father was killed in a battle with some powerful hollows," he explained, "Your dad must have been torn up about that."

"Y-yes," Tetsuya said, shifting slightly and biting his lip gently.

"Sorry," Ichigo apologized, "I didn't mean to be rude to you, asking personal questions. I was just curious about you. I'll stop asking personal questions, but do you mind if I ask about your healing powers? I've seen different types of healing that people can do. You know, the healers who use that green energy, Orihime, who uses her reject power, the twisted concoctions that Kisuke comes up with? But I've never seen a healing power like yours. That blue light…"

"It is the power of my zanpakuto," Tetsuya explained, "My sword's spirit is a healing spirit, but one that also lends me the power to protect those who need it."

He gave Ichigo a meaningful look.

"You can be sure that Re-kuhime will be here to comfort, heal and protect you. I appreciate what you did to unburden Byakuya-sama's heart."

Tetsuya paused again, glancing in the direction of the Kuchiki leader's master suite.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Byakuya-sama might not be able to tell you, but he appreciates your efforts too."

"Does he?" Ichigo chuckled, holding his aching ribs, "It's so hard to tell with him."

"It isn't so difficult," Tetsuya said, returning Ichigo's kind smile, "You simply must look past his words. Look into Byakuya-sama's eyes. They will tell you where his heart is."

"Yeah," Ichigo reflected, his own eyes softening, "I've noticed. I guess that's why he doesn't often look people in the eyes."

"You are right about that," Tetsuya agreed, standing, "Please rest now, Ichigo-san. Your attendant's name is Akio. You need only call softly, and he will come. I will be back in awhile. I believe Renji-san needs more attention to his wounds."

"Yeah," Ichigo laughed ruefully, "He got beat up as bad as I did. He's doing okay, though, right?"

"Renji-san will be fine," Tetsuya assured him, turning and heading out the door.

"Thanks, Tetsuya," Ichigo answered, "See you later."

Ichigo sat up slowly, arranging the pillows behind him and more closely studying the dark cherry wood furnishings in the room and the little touches of surprisingly simple décor that added warmth to the environs.

This place is really beautiful…like Byakuya.

He bit his lip, flushing more darkly as he felt a heavy twinge in his insides when the noble's handsome face appeared in his mind. Footsteps outside his room made him snap out of his reverie, and he grinned as Renji limped into the room, partially supported by a frowning Rukia.

"Rukia! Renji!" he greeted them.

"Don't forget us," Sado said, entering behind the others with Orihime and Uryu at his side, "We're here too."

"You gave the healers quite a scare," Uryu scolded him gently, "You slept a long time."

"We were all really worried," Orihime added, "Are you feeling okay now? I can give you another pain block, if you are hurting."

"I'm okay," Ichigo assured them, "I was just talking to Tetsuya. Did you see him?"

The others shook their heads, except for Rukia and a suddenly flustered looking Renji.

"Hardly anyone sees Tetusya," she mused, "It's one of his jobs to be invisible, so he can protect Nii-sama."

"He was quiet," Ichigo recalled, "but he's a really good healer."

"Yeah, he put me back together too," Renji said, his face growing more flushed.

"And he's cute too, huh, Renji?" Rukia teased, smirking and gently elbowing her longtime friend.

"Ow! That hurt!" the redhead complained, "You do realize that Aizen nearly cut me in half!"

Rukia nodded, still smirking.

"And that was after both Ichigo and Nii-sama beat the stuffing out of you."

"Hey, I was only fighting Ichigo because…w-well because I was ordered to do it if he came to Soul Society. And well, when he defeated me, I realized I just really wanted to protect you."

Rukia's mirth faded, and she slipped a warm hand into Renji's.

"Thank you for getting cut up like that, protecting me. I won't thank you for hurting yourself and Ichigo. That was a little stupid."

"Yeah," Renji admitted, gritting his teeth, "Fine, it was. I admit it."

"You're not the only one who made mistakes, Renji," Rukia said soberly, "I should have appreciated that Ichigo came to save me. When he arrived, already all cut up and ready to face Nii-sama, I thought he was a fool, and that he was going to die, and it would be for nothing, because I would still be executed. I didn't believe in Ichigo or any of the rest of you. That was wrong, and I am very sorry."

"It's okay," Ichigo assured her, "You live, you learn."

"Well, I wouldn't have lived without all of you. I am grateful. And Nii-sama may not say so, but he is grateful to all of you as well…especially you, Ichigo."

"Yeah, he looked it when I broke his sword and cut him up," Ichigo sighed, "I don't think he needs to…"

"Fool!" Rukia snapped, shaking her head, "You don't understand Nii-sama at all!"

Ichigo gave her an amused look.

"Who does?" he laughed, "He should just say what he's thinking, like the rest of us do. I don't get why he does that…that thing he does. You know, saying one thing and meaning another. Can you really blame me for being confused? The guy's a little messed up!"

Ichigo sucked in a surprised breath, coloring as he realized that Byakuya stood in the doorway of his room, and had to have heard.

"Uh, hey Byakuya," he said awkwardly, "Ah…thanks for letting me stay here to be healed. Hanataro and the other healers are good people, but I hate hospitals…or at least, I hate being a patient in one. Your home is beautiful, and Tetsuya has been really great. He's a good healer."

"I will pass on your clumsy attempt at gratitude to my cousin," the noble said stiffly, noting the way Ichigo clenched his jaw angrily in reaction.

He turned his attention to the others in the room.

"May I have a moment alone with Ichigo, please?" he requested.

"Um, yes, Nii-sama," Rukia answered, bowing, then grabbing Renji's arm.

"You sure you don't want me to stay, sir?" Renji asked, "Adjutants usually…"

"I know your function, having held the position, myself, at one time," Byakuya said shortly, "Go, Renji."

"Y-yes sir. Going," Renji answered, hurrying towards the door.

"He's pretty scary," Sado whispered to Orihime as the others exited the room.

"He did apologize to Ichigo," Orihime noted, "Maybe he just doesn't like other people listening in because he's embarrassed about not helping Rukia before and being tricked by Aizen taicho."

"Maybe, but he's obviously just heard Ichigo insulting him in his own home," Uryu reflected, "I'd be pretty angry about that."

Byakuya waited until the others' footsteps had faded before turning and raising his eyes to meet Ichigo's.

"I trust that my staff is taking good care of you?" he inquired, returning to his more polite, but aloof tone.

"Yeah, I told you that," Ichigo answered, blushing, "Look, I'm sorry about what I…"

"You do not have to waste your breath, apologizing to someone who you defeated in battle. Even if I did not deserve the condescending words, you are impulsive and you do not filter your words."

"Not really," Ichigo said defensively, his fingers gripping the covers in reaction, "But, I said that I didn't mean to offend you."

"Those words were not meant for me," Byakuya said simply, "Consider them forgotten. I have made sure that you are comfortable and healing well, so I will warn you. As soon as the healers decide that you are well enough, I expect you will return to the living world. The courtesy I have extended to you is because you protected my sister and because you defeated me in battle. It does not change things."

Byakuya lowered his eyes again, but not before Ichigo read the flash of sadness behind the calm, collected expression.

"Rest now. Your friends will return in awhile when the staff arrives with your midday meal."

"Right," Ichigo said sourly, "thanks."

Byakuya started to leave, then he paused in the doorway, with his back to Ichigo.

"So that you know, I will honor my agreement not to pursue Rukia anymore. You do not need to worry about her. I will care for her when you have gone."

"I believe you," Ichigo said quietly, "Thanks."

Byakuya stepped out, onto the walkway, completely aware of the others who returned to the room as soon as he was gone. He tuned out their quick questions and Ichigo's grumbled answers and stepped back into his own room.

He despises me.

The thought barely had time to form in his mind before strong, white arms curled around him from behind, and he felt a hard bite on his shoulder that caused an instant reaction in his loins.

"Shirosaki, how are you able to manifest without…"

"Ichigo's still fucked up form the fighting, and he doesn't sense things very well, even when he's not fucked up."

"You disappeared suddenly before. I assumed you wouldn't be able to come here if he was awake. Why did you come back now?"

"Are you kidding me?" Shirosaki sneered, his voice echoing warningly in Byakuya's ears, "You know, I get that you like the king, but that your spiffy place at the head of the stuffy Kuchiki clan gets in the way. But if you really want Ichigo, you're not going to get him to like you back by being a shit to him when you deign to speak to him directly."

"Who says that I want Ichigo to like me?" Byakuya snapped softly, trying to pull away, only to be gripped more tightly and to suffer another stinging bite on his shoulder.

"Ah!" he gasped, stiffening and closing his eyes as another hard throb struck his loins.

"The size and hardness of your junk is a pretty good indicator," Shirosaki hissed in his ear, making the tender lobe blush.

He slid a white hand down, over the stricken noble's soft belly, seeking his responsive privates.

"Also, Ichigo may be too stupid to get your unique way of wooing him, but it's not lost on me."

"I was not…"

"Bullshit. You and I both know what you want from him. But, you're afraid to ask because of what you heard him say."

"He said that I was, how did he put it? Messed up?"

"Heh," Shirosaki, "You're messed up, He's messed up. We're all pretty fucked up, little prince. That shouldn't surprise you."

He read Byakuya's downcast expression and grinned as he began a firm stinulation.

"Don't cry," the hollow spirit purred in his ear, "Ichigo will come around. And while you wait for him to figure it all out, I've got no problem giving you what you want from him."

"I do not need…"

"Yeah, you do," the hollow form scolded him, increasing the motion of his hand and tightening his grip warningly, "You've needed this for a long time. I heard the story you told about your wife. It was real sweet. I give you that, but there's something you don't want to admit to yourself or anyone else."

Byakuya started to give a scathing reply, but had his breath stolen by a brutal kiss that began with the two standing at the bedroom doors and ended with the noble lying on his back on the bed.

"She was sweet and kind," Shirosaki hissed, "but you and I know that the world fucking eats that kind of person! Hell, you probably had to hold back pretty hard, not to hurt her, yourself, being the powerhouse you are. Ain't that right, prince?"

"I did have to hold back carefully," Byakuya admitted, turning his head away as Shirosaki clamped down on the side of his neck and sucked hungrily for a moment, "Hisana had no powers, and she was weakened by the life she led."

"Ichigo's not weak," the hollow concluded, "You don't have to hold back with him, and you don't have to hold back with me. Let it rip, princie. I'm not going anywhere!"

"This is wrong," Byakuya panted, trying to clear his clouding mind, "Ichigo is your master."

"So? He doesn't decide what I do. And you want this, don't you, prince?" Shirosaki teased him, pausing and fondling his flushed nether parts, "You know what? Let's stop talking. I want you. Ichigo doesn't know it yet, but he really wants you. One way or another, you're getting screwed, the good way or the bad way. Why not take the more pleasant option?"

Shirosaki's mouth found his and silenced him before he could answer. Their hands ripped at each other's clothing, and in moments, both shinigami and hollow spirit were naked and rubbing hard against each other, kissing roughly as Shirosaki's fingers invaded the noble's body and swiftly prepared him. He plunged into Byakuya's waiting body, sucking at the beautiful man's lips and throat and growling with delight. Byakuya's hips bucked upward eagerly and his eyes closed tightly.

"It's okay," Shirosaki purred soothingly in his ear, "Pretend I'm him, if that makes you feel better. I don't mind."

He laced his fingers together with Byakuya's, thrusting wildly and groaning as the two began to climax together.

"Sh-shiro!" the noble gasped, his eyes glazing over and his face a mask of intense pleasure as he surrendered to a wickedly powerful release.

Shingami and sword spirit collapsed in an erotic tangle, still sharing lazier kisses as Byakuya watched the hollow shimmer and begin to fade. In moments, he laid alone in the tangle of bed sheets, his chest still heaving.

You don't understand any better than Ichigo would, he sighed inwardly, The thing I find most alluring about Ichigo…is you.