I'll try to finish the story up in the next chapter because I just got a great idea for this one and it would be torture to leave it the way I plan to. So therefore there must be another chapter. Might be a little long, but oh well. :D

Disclaimer: Don't own Bleach D:


They found themselves in a rather familiar position. Ikkaku had tried to procrastinate their meeting by wandering around the barracks for some time, during that time he found himself getting lost in his thoughts and his feet, having a mind of their own, took him right to Yumichika. He cursed knowing that he could no longer delay their meeting. Unless . . . nope Yumichika had spotted him. He had no choice, except he'd rather not have this discussion in such a public place; the dining hall. Or as the eleventh squad used it, the drinking hall. Yumichika sat on the far end with a bottle in his hand, but he looked rather disinterested in the drink. His chin rested in the palm of his hand with his elbow on the table. Other men sat around him drowning themselves in drunken pleasure. Yumichika stared blankly at the wall, listening to the conversations around him, but their ramblings weren't really registering. He had glanced a few times at Ikkaku, who remained near the doorway, leaning against the wall with his arms folded across his chest. Ikkaku knew Yumichika wasn't one to drink much, but by the look in his eyes he could tell that he'd drunk more than he normally would have. When Yumichika stole another glance at Ikkaku their eyes met. Ikkaku motioned for Yumichika to follow. His former friend looked startled, but nodded and stood. He carefully made his way over, being sure not to stumble over any unconscious bodies that were sprawled across the floor. When he got near enough Ikkaku panicked. What was he going to say? What could he say? As Yumichika approached Ikkaku knew it was too late to turn back. He had to think of something and quick. "Dammit . . ." Ikkaku continually cursed himself mentally.

Yumichika had taken his time to approach the bald man and when he did he stayed a good few feet away. That now familiar awkwardness tainted the air around them and people began to stare. Ikkaku looked at a loss, but despite that he took a deep breath and looked at Yumichika with hard eyes. Now it was Ikkaku's turn to be the coward. Despite Rangiku's comment, "Tell him the truth," Ikkaku just couldn't do it. But unlike Yumichika, Ikkaku wasn't going to just dismiss it. If he couldn't come out with the truth he would come out with something cruel.

"Can we just forget it?" Ikkaku stated. If Yumichika was hurt or started by this (which he obviously was) he did a good job of hiding it. However he did ask, "Forget what?" It was almost a demand.

"Everything that happened since the World of the Living incident." Ikkaku said trying to be broad with so many prying ears about. In fact the dining hall had gotten slightly quieter. (This may have contributed to Ikkaku's cowardice.) "Can we just pretend it never happened? Go back to the way things were before," he said lowering his voice. Yumichika just stood there stunned, otherwise unreadable. Little did Ikkaku know that he was fulfilling Yumichika's greatest fear: rejection. There was a reason the fifth seat had kept so many secrets, so much of himself a secret. Not necessarily because he was ashamed of anything, but because he was afraid of rejection. Now his heart was breaking with every word Ikkaku spoke. Numbly Yumichika nodded then whispered, "Fine." But things would never be the same and they both knew that. Yumichika gave Ikkaku a final look, then turned and left the third seat behind. Ikkaku couldn't help the sinking feeling in his gut as he watched Yumichika walk away.


"Sooooo! How did it go?" Rangiku questioned as she nudged a rather absentminded Ikkaku who was sitting on the courtyard deck. He gave a start and looked at her bleary eyed. Suddenly her smile turned to a frown. "What happened?"

"I couldn't do it," the bald mad told her. All Rangiku could do was blink. Then out of nowhere (although he deserved it) Rangiku's polished hand came in contact with the back of Ikkaku's hair-lacking head. Ikkaku cursed at her while nursing the back of his head at the same time Rangiku scolded him and called him numerous names. They made quite a scene. When things finally settled down Rangiku murmured, a last, "You're an IDIOT," thus ending the dispute temporarily.

"Do I need to talk to him for you?"

Ikkaku sighed, "No. I don't think there's anything to talk about."

Rangiku looked at him curiously, "What happened?"

Ikkaku sighed again and explained the whole situation to Rangiku. This time however, he was managed to duck in time. After a second dispute Rangiku vocalized the question that was on both of their minds.

"What are you going to do now?"

Ikkaku had to think about that one and eventually he settled on one answer, "Forget about it. About him." Rangiku stared in horror at what she was hearing, but this time she was too stunned to strike him. "It'll be better for both of us and it's not like things can go back to normal." He went on to explain. After another moment of silence Ikkaku got up and headed inside. His face hardened and serious, but if you looked close enough you could see the sadness within his eyes.


Once Yumichika had turned his back on his former friend he headed back to the table where he had left his bottle of alcohol. He picked it up then grabbed a few extras and headed back to his room. Eyes following him all the way out. He tried to conceal his emotions until he got behind the closed door. Then he let the sadness and hurt seep through and even allowed himself to shed a few tears. Then drowned himself in the cheap alcohol. The ironic thing was, was that he didn't blame Ikkaku. He wasn't mad at Ikkaku. He blamed himself, was angry with himself. It was his fault. He let himself get hurt. He let himself open up to Ikkaku. It was his fault.

That night both of them wallowed in their grief, in separate rooms, just down the hall from each other. Neither of them could believe what happened. Both of them wished they could take it back. But only one of them had the ability to change the situation. All he had to do was summon the courage to speak those three little words, "I love you."


Hehehe :D I love suspense. Like I said though there will be one more chapter ... maybe. This is a very good ending in my opinion, but I know it's not to some people (Kaela). :D