((SXH: Hi, everyone! Again, I am not dead. I just wanted you to know that I am working my hardest on my stories, and now I can finally post another chapter. I hope you like this chapter, especially with the little twist in the last one. Enjoy!))

Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the storyline of this story.

Warning: Cursing, violence…

Enjoy!

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Strawberry Mistletoe

Chapter 7: Time to Talk

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Ichigo shivered a little bit as he walked up the hill from the graveyard. When he had left he decided to go and visit his mother's grave. Now, he was going back home. On his way, he passed a shop. The shop itself wasn't that interesting, however what was in the display case is what caught his eyes. Ichigo noticed a pair of earrings with diamond studs that hung down. Ichigo, very briefly, wondered if Byakuya had any piercings.

/

Byakuya sat down in Ichigo's room after his bath. He could not even bring himself to look into the mirror out of shame. And he definitely did not want to see that orange headed man again. Byakuya moved toward his bag and pulled out his only other outfit from the world of the living. It was a pair of blue jeans and a rather large tee-shirt that hung very loosely around him. Byakuya put them on and realized just how big they really were. The pants had a few holes in them but they stayed around his waist only with the help of a small belt that had been packed as well. The shirt's collar, however, had a tendency slip off his shoulder from time to time.

"Aisuru must have picked this out of his brother's closet," Byakuya said to himself. Though it was a little annoying to have to pull the collar up on his shoulder from time to time, he didn't really mind. Byakuya would never admit it to anyone, but he rather liked the bigger clothes (and the tighter ones at times), but he never really fancied fitting clothes.

He briefly wondered how big Ichigo's clothes were. Although, that thought was thrown out of the noble's mind before it had time to blossom. I am not going to think about this. It is not proper and would definitely get in the way with my work. And what would my family think? Me going out with another commoner, a mortal, not only that but a man at that! It would be such a scandal! I would be the laughing stock of the entire Soul Society! Byakuya ranted within his mind.

Once he was dressed, he went downstairs. He had expected Ichigo's absence, and had even thought it nice not to have the rude, loud-mouthed brat around. But... Now that he was gone... what was he supposed to do? He didn't know much about the human realm and certainly didn't want to venture out alone and embarrass himself by doing something wrong. What was he supposed to do?

"Caught you, Kuchiki-chan!" said a rather hyperactive voice of a man.

Uh oh...

Just before he could be tackled, Byakuya stepped aside with much grace, almost like a dancer. He watched as Isshin Kurosaki slammed into the stairs where he previously resided. He had gone down face first making an almost comical cracking noise. But, the man just stood up with as much energy as he had before, almost as though nothing happened, had it not been for his now broken nose and mock offended look on his face.

"Oh, Kuchiki-chan! How could you be so mean?! I caught you under the mistletoe. I get to kiss you now!" Isshin whined.

"Not my problem," Byakuya mutter as he walked the rest of the way down the stairs.

"That's okay, Dad," Yuzu chirped. "I'll just give him one for you!" Seeing no way out of it, Byakuya rolled his eyes and just leaned down to her height to get it over with. She lightly pecked him on the cheek and skipped off to the living room to finish her show.

"That's no fair! I was supposed to kiss him!" Isshin cried, literally. "Byakuya, why would you let her kiss you but not me?!" Byakuya glared at him.

"Last time I checked, we were not on a first-name basis," Byakuya spat.

"Quit changing the subject! That's no fair! Karin!" Isshin went on. Karin just rolled her eyes as well and continued to lay back against the couch.

"You snooze you lose, old man," she stated bluntly. Just as she said that, there was a knock on the door. Karin and Isshin didn't seem to notice because they began to argue on something stupid again. Yuzu was about to get up to get the door, when Byakuya passed her.

"I will get it," Byakuya spoke in a bored tone. When he opened the door, his eyes met with one of the least likely people. "You're the Quincy." Ishida just gave him a light glare, telling him to be quiet.

"You know it is only polite to invite a person in, correct," Ishida commented. Byakuya stepped aside and allowed the younger inside.

"Hi, Ishida! What brings you here?" Yuzu greeted.

"Ichigo called me and wanted me to meet Kuchiki-sama. And to bring over his college work," Ishida replied. "He said that he was going to be out for a little while longer before coming back." Ishida turned to Byakuya and held out his hand. "Nice to finally meet you. Ichigo talks about you all the time."

"Really? I do not see why he would. I barely know him as it is," Byakuya replied, giving Ishida the look, telling him to go along.

"Sorry, he must have been talking about someone else then," Ishida quickly corrected. "Shall we go up to his room and wait for him." Byakuya gave a curt nod before leading the way, making sure to avoid the mistletoe this time. Ishida, on the other hand, didn't even know it was there.

"Ishida!" Isshin howled, leaping into the air. When his face came close, it was met with a suitcase, a rather heavy one at that.

"You, Dumbass! Save it for someone who cares!" Ishida yelled and made his way past the nobleman. Byakuya followed behind him.

Once inside, Ishida plopped down onto Ichigo's bed and Byakuya took a seat in the chair beside Ichigo's desk. The sat there in silence for several moments, neither of them wanting to say anything. Finally, Ishida got fed up of waiting and decided to speak.

"Lord Kuchiki," Ishida began. Byakuya made a small sound of acknowledgment. "Do you have any idea of why I am really here?" Byakuya raised an eyebrow.

"Not in the slightest," he answered, still calm as ever. Ishida seemed to sigh, and Byakuya didn't know if it was from frustration or relief. Either way, he didn't really care.

"Ichigo asked me to come here and get your measurements for clothes," Ishida stated flatly. Byakuya felt his jaw slacken. Seeing the subtle change in the noble, Ishida couldn't help but be curious. It was very rare to see the noble's expression change in the slightest other than the frequent raised or knitted brow.

"Why would he do that? Does he wish to buy me clothes or something?" Byakuya questioned.

"No, he actually wanted me to make you some clothes," Ishida replied rather quickly without thought. Byakuya seemed a little pissed at the answer. Ishida could tell by the man's perfect eyebrows knitting together.

"What? Does he intend to have clothes make for me like some child?" Byakuya spat. Ishida, wishing to restore the peace between the two, quickly added to his previous statement.

"He said to make them to your preferences, but to keep it a little modern," he said. Byakuya's eyebrows stayed knitted together, but this time it was in confusion.

"I... am not very familiar with the more... modern styles of this world," Byakuya admitted rather reluctantly, looking away from Ishida. Hearing another sigh, Byakuya turned his head only to see the four-eyed bastard in his face. "What are you-?!" Byakuya tried but his chin was quickly gripped and his faced turned from side to side. This was done quite a few times until he was pulled out of his seat and examined all over. Byakuya felt like, for lack of better expression, a slave being examined for purchase. This went on until Ishida got too close...

"I hope you have everything you need after that thorough examination," Byakuya seethed. Byakuya was standing near the closet with his arms crossed over his chest. Ishida now sat against the wall on Ichigo's bed, rubbing the side of his head from where it had a date with a prissy noble's fist.

"I'm sure I have everything," Ishida stated before pulling out his cell phone. "I just need to tell Ichigo something before I go. And while we're still on the topic, are there any particular styles or symbols that you would like to keep?" While speaking, Ishida was texting Ichigo his message. "Any jewelry that you favor?" Ishida asked.

"None that you can afford," Byakuya bit before he had time to stop himself. Ishida looked a little pissed at that, but slowly cooled down.

"It was just a question," Ishida stated, pausing in his typing. "Don't you like necklaces or earrings? Anything?" Byakuya paused.

"The only jewelry worn in my clan are piercings given to us by our spouses," Byakuya spoke, going quiet. Ishida seemed to do the same before continuing his typing. "It is similar to the traditional wedding ring. In my case, my ears are pierced."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend," Ishida murmured before getting up off of the bed and going to the door. "I'll try and have a couple sets of clothes ready for you in a day or two. In the mean time, from what it looks like," Ishida's gaze shifted to Byakuya's bag, which still lay open, "you may have to borrow a pair of clothes from Ichigo or something."

Upon hearing this, Byakuya turned to remark. Ishida, however, knew better and left Ichigo's college bag on the ground and ran out the door. Byakuya could hear the man stumble down the stairs. Not only that, but he could hear the calls of Isshin catching the poor boy under the mistletoe, before there was another crash.

Byakuya walked down the stairs and saw the Isshin's imprint in the wall and the door still swinging from the hasty escape. Byakuya huffed continued down the stairs. Again, he slipped past the mistletoe and headed for the kitchen. Yuzu popped up from her seat again and looked to him.

"What are you doing?" she asked curiously.

"Pardon me. I was merely fetching myself some tea," Byakuya stated, pouring himself a glass. Yuzu jumped up at that and ran into the kitchen.

"You don't have to do that," Yuzu started. "If you need anything, just say the word. I'll get it for you!" Byakuya looked at the girl's smiling face and couldn't help a small smile of his own.

"No, that is all right," Byakuya replied softly, patting the girl's head. "You do so much around here as it is. Rest a bit. Besides, it is only a glass of tea, not a bag of lead. I can get it myself." He stepped passed Yuzu and back up the stairs.

Yuzu, on the other hand, stood there completely stunned.

/

It was about noon when Ichigo returned. He opened the front door to see Yuzu and Karin watching TV. He stepped inside and closed the door, careful not to let too much of the bitterness inside the house. Before he could say a word, Karin said, "Dad's in the clinic and Byakuya is in your room." Ichigo gave his sister a light glare.

"I wasn't going to ask in the first place," Ichigo stated.

"Oh, and Ishida came by to give you your books," Yuzu piped in.

"Yeah, he messaged me. Told me I had a lot," he said. Yuzu gave a sympathetic look. "But, I'll go see how Byakuya's doing." Ichigo ran up the stairs and to his door, though not very quickly. Once he opened the door, he was met with the sight of Byakuya holding his Drama book.

Byakuya lifted his head to see who it was. The instant he laid eyes on Ichigo, he glared his hardest. But, that wasn't the first thing Ichigo noticed. The first thing he saw was the loose clothes Byakuya was wearing. They were definitely not his size, nor would they ever be. The older man looked cute in the casual clothing, and the glare didn't do anything to lessen the effect. Ichigo sighed and shook his head.

"After working with you for over two years, your glare doesn't affect me," Ichigo informed.

"That's funny," Byakuya began. "I have been working with Abarai for over thirty years and he is still afraid of me." Ichigo couldn't help but laugh at that. Ichigo then walked over to his desk and took a seat. He picked up the bag of books left for him and his eyes widened at the sight of five of them. That did not include the one in Byakuya's hands.

"Man, he did bring me a lot of work…" Ichigo stated matter-of-factly. Ichigo reached for a pencil and took the first book off the top. As he did this, he thought to strike up a conversation. "So, Byakuya, what are you reading?"

"The spot Ishida had marked for you. Apparently your class has started Antigone," Byakuya replied, turning the page. Ichigo groaned.

"I knew we would be starting that this week," Ichigo spoke. "I'll no doubt have to write a paper on it over the holiday." Byakuya raised an eyebrow.

"I did not know that you disliked plays," he said. Ichigo then began on his assignments.

"It is not that. I do like plays, but I have so much more work to do. All of which are due at the end of the week. And I won't have time to read it over the holiday because I have to work," Ichigo explained. Byakuya looked up in disbelief.

"You actually work?" Byakuya asked. Ichigo snorted.

"Yes. For once in my life, I actually have a job," Ichigo answered, chuckling. "The money I earn in the Soul Society can't exactly pay for the classes I need to take. So while away from there, I have taken up a part-time job here. It's hard to manage time, but one manages to get around doing it all." Byakuya stared on at the man, who was somehow still working while talking.

"Why do you take classes here? I thought that it wasn't necessary to go to college here in the World of the Living," Byakuya commented. Ichigo seemed to pause in his work before continuing on with it.

"It isn't necessary," Ichigo replied. "That's why it cost so much to go." They sat in silence for a few minutes. Ichigo was beginning to wonder if he had bored the man to death. Then he remembered that this man lived in boredom. Just as it was setting into a comfortable silence, Byakuya spoke up again.

"You still haven't answered my question," Byakuya stated, his rich baritone voice sending a shiver down Ichigo's spine. "If it is not necessary, then why do you take the classes?" Ichigo stopped work completely. He set his pen down and ran his hands through his hair. Almost immediately, Byakuya knew he had touched a fairly sensitive subject. I had actually been about five more minutes before Ichigo talked again.

"Old Man Yama, said that I could come to the Soul Society more after I graduated High School, but not permanently," Ichigo began, "He gave me a pretty good lecture about it, too. The only way I could possibly come and stay permanently is if I meet one of his conditions…" Ichigo rested his head on his hands. Byakuya knew it had to of been bad if Ichigo really reacted this way to it. So, he listened on, setting down the drama book entirely. "It is pretty ironic really. After everything that has happened, you would think he would favor me just a bit, but no… That's not the case at all. It sounded almost exactly fucking like what a Head Captain or Central 46 would say."

Ichigo gave a loud sigh. Byakuya could feel the boy's stress levels rising rapidly. He felt that at any moment the other would snap. Just before it could, Byakuya reached out his hand and put it on the younger's shoulder. The younger jumped a little at the contact and whipped his head around to look at Byakuya.

Byakuya could see the tears brimming in his eyes. He looked so vulnerable and weak, worse than the time when they had first met. Ichigo looked very... fragile. It was so uncharacteristic that Byakuya found himself saying, "Ichigo, I'll be right back."

/

SXH: Okay! I hope you all like this chapter because the next one may take a little while or not. I have no idea!

Byakuya: So, what are those conditions?

Ichigo: Yeah. I would like to know what I'm getting into before I dive in head first.

SXH: Sorry! Can't tell! What kind of writer would I be if I just spoiled the next chapter for all my readers?!

Ichigo: They would still read it.

Byakuya: I have to agree with Kurosaki. They went nuts for the first kiss.

SXH: Only because you sucker punched him afterwards.

Byakuya: Touché.

Ichigo: But what about the last chapter? I thought they liked that as well.

SXH: True, but that was different.

Karin: What does it matter? She's not gonna tell no matter what you guys do so stop asking!

Yuzu: Karin's right. You should just give up. Instead, how about you guys do the out-

Isshin: We hope that you enjoyed this chapter in Strawberry Mistletoe and stick around for more. And don't forget to tell us what you think in a review. Stick around for more! *is punched*

SXH: That's everyone's line!