Warning- The content you are about to read is laced with large amounts of Yaoi.

Although in my defense It could have been a lot worse I kinda scaled it back some. Anyway I said I would warn people and I did so if you want to turn back now you can wait for the next chapter. This one is not that important so you can miss it but I had to do it. Anyway I'll stop talking now.


Chapter 7 - Flowers of Life, Seeds of Doubt

Takahiro kept stepping back until he had almost stepped off the roof retreating from Yumichika's writhing blade.

If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes he wouldn't have believed such a powerful sword existed. He had only heard of impossible soul blades before but he had never seen something like this in person. The captain blades were offensively powerful but this was bringing down a hollow without Yumichika having to even move from his spot and this was just the first form what would the ultimate form of this blade be?

Even so had it been ideal conditions Yumichika would have come out of this battle with a broken bone or two. But this was not ideal, Takahiro could see the strain in Yumichika's very bones and if that wasn't enough he had already burnt out most of his spiritual energy, this was using the last bit of it.

Once that was gone Yumichika's soul would have nothing left to hold it to this world and he would only he had been able to acquire this power before he was forced to learn what normally takes decades in only a couple of minutes.

As he watched the manic man drain the very life out of the hollow he had to say it looked like one monster fighting another. This damn place was meant to bring souls peace but why did they end up sacrificing their very lives of eternal peace to fight a soldier's life for eternity? Never finding peace until your enemy consumes you.

When the deed was done only the sound of Yumichika's body collapsing on the roof was left. Everything became very silent, the night finally recapturing its composure. Everything seemed to still as even the breeze stopped, causing the white flowers to almost freeze in mid fall. It was surreal.

Takahiro rushed over knowing it was probably too late for the man. Even his own extensive knowledge of the medical arts couldn't stabilize what was happening to Yumichika's soul. He didn't know what to do. If he exhausted his own spiritual energy Yumichika would only live as long as the energy was being pumped into him. Picking up the dying man he took him to the ground. Speaking a couple of words the walls around the terrified group dissolved.

Laying Yumichika next to Ikkaku's unconscious body he decided it was only right to keep the duo together for as long as possible. Looking over Ikkaku he debated whether he should wake the man so he could say goodbye but he wouldn't know what to tell him to explain how this had happened. What he had let happen to Yumichika. The old man felt the centuries of his life culminate to this very moment. This moment was everything he was running away from and everything he wished he could escape.

He heard a sharp intake of breath as Mina caught sight of the damage. She flew into her brother's arms unable to keep looking at Yumichika's burnt body.

"Takahiro, will they be ok?" Rei fearlessly asked what everybody was dreading.

"Madarame will be fine but I don't know how much longer Ayasegawa will last. His body has suffered damage that is irreversible." Shibuya angrily shouted at him.

"He saved us all! 'Living as long as you have' isn't that what you said!? Can't you do something? Where is all that knowledge you spoke of?" Takahiro took the lashing but was silent his head deeply bowed. He didn't have the bite to respond with anything more than a whisper.

"I don't know. I don't know what to do. Believe me if I could have changed places with him I would. I never wanted it to end this way." Shibuya was going to beat away at the already hopeless man but Rei raised a hand to silence him.

"Stop it dad. It was never Takahiro's fault any of this happened." And they lapsed into silence becoming a vigil, watching over Yumichika until he finally passed. It was somber as Yumichika's ragged and shallow breathing slowly diminished to almost nothing at all. The wind picked up the grounded white flowers and blew them over Yumichika almost like an offering for a grave. Takahiro watched as a flower landed on the man's cheek and dissolved like ice on a hot surface.

His eyes widened. Where the flower had disappeared on the black and useless skin it was renewed, pale and soft. Catching a flower as it floated by, he analyzed its composition. It was made purely of spiritual energy. As he passed it to his other hand he couldn't believe his eyes. He had a large gash in his hand that had been created when he was covered in the horrible little creatures. When the flower touched his wound the spiritual energy in the flower filled in the gash as if molding his hand back to what it was before the cut.

Mind trying to take in the information, Takahiro tried to alert the others."The flowers!" The others looked at him like he was crazy. "Gather up all the flowers before they're all blown away. It's the only way to save Ayasegawa!" They all scrambled to do as they were told. Takahiro gathered the ones closest to Yumichika and began applying them to the body trying to heal all the vital areas first before they completely shut down.

The others had gathered a small pile next to him and he got to work. He laid five flowers on the man's chest and slowly color spread around the area. It was simple but, oh how powerful. Again he was dumbfounded by how amazing this power was. Not only did it completely destroy your opponent but it healed you and your allies. This is what the soul society needed. Not some old coot with lame shooting stars.

He smiled as he applied flowers to Yumichika's face and the man finally looked as if he was just sleeping. Pulling his head onto his lap he put a flower in his mouth allowing the flower to dissolve and be ingested. If the flowers healed an external wound by just touching it internal injuries could be solved by eating the glorious flowers. The awkwardly angled broken hand seemed to morph back into place. He would not know for sure until Yumichika awoke but it seemed his deduction had been correct. He applied the last flower on Yumichika's abdomen watching as the man returned to an almost normal state.

He was still unnaturally pale like rice paper and his breathing was ragged as if his body was having trouble adjusting from being so close to death but not only did he look normal his spiritual energy seemed to have been restored by the hollows taken energy. They sat around all smiling happily like they had all just gone outside to enjoy the cool night air.

Takahiro, glad the danger had passed, asked for the others to take the man inside to an undamaged room so he could finally rest. Riku picked up Yumichika's limp body and allowed Shibuya to lead him to where he would sleep.

He stayed outside not ready for sleep. Not only did he still have people to heal but he also just wanted to continue feeling this sense of complete and utter relief. The night was late and the damage was done but life survived and he could only be grateful for that much. Mina spoke nervously as she watched the two men disappear into the run down building breaking Takahiro out of his reverie.

"May I heal Ikkaku?" She held many white flowers in her arms and looked anxiously at the unconscious man at their feet her hair swaying in the gentle breeze. Takahiro glanced at the young woman seeing a look in her eyes that he had previously seen in Yumichika's own eyes when. Maybe it was a trick of the dark that those eyes matched or maybe they really did just strikingly resemble each other? Or did they both hold the same feelings behind those eyes for the bald warrior. He smiled nodding his head and decided this night had run his mind amuck. He turned to Rei and began to slowly unravel the bandages so he could apply a flower or two.

Mina deposited the flowers next to where she sat. Her heart was beating fast.

She knew it was wrong. This night had been horrible but she couldn't help herself. She brought the man's head into her lap and stared at his solemn features. He was dirty with blood, grass stains and what looked like soot. She gently wiped away the black and red stains from his face with the end of her pink sleeve smiling at the warmth of his skin.

When she thought he could have died her stomach felt like it had dropped into hell itself. She couldn't help feeling love for this man. She held one of the silken flowers in her hands gently rubbing the petal. It felt so soft against her skin so she smiled more. She began applying the healing agents watching gleefully as they returned this man to perfect health. Picking up the last flower she gently raised the man's head in her hand.

Silently she debated the action she was about to take but in the end she couldn't hold herself back. Placing the white petals on her lips she bent down low. As she pressed her lips to Ikkaku's the flower dissolved into liquid that flowed into his mouth. She moved back watching Ikkaku's face twitch. Ikkaku swallowed his arm moving languidly as he slowly awoke from a darkened state.

Rousing he could feel the warmth of somebody holding him close but in his daze he could barely register his surroundings. Moving his arm he caught strands of thin and soft as silk hair in his fingertips. He immediately knew who this person was.

The only person who had always been there to guide him through the dark and even blood and pain could never tear them apart. He brought his hand up to touch the face. He smiled as Yumichika lovingly leaned into it.

Everything was fine. They had survived and they were fine. Opening his eyes the blurry image of his partner's striking eyes shining in the waning moonlight served to make him whisper with that gruff voice of his.

"Yumichika."

They were close, so close he could feel the warm breath escape the slightly parted lips. Something in his heart seemed to falter and try to compensate by beating faster. His partner stiffened before doing something Ikkaku would never have imagined was in his nature to do. The kiss was awkward and the bald man stood stock still his mind running around in circles trying to find some reason in such an action. His heart too was ready to burst.

He felt the warmth and he remembered the sight of Yumichika bloodied and in pain. Slowly he returned the gesture. Maybe it was wrong he didn't know his mind was not letting him work in such heat but the hurt he felt from Yumichika being hurt washed away as he held him close and their lips tingled. Ikkaku brought the man as close to him as possible to make sure they would be together forever.

He noticed the mistake when too his shock his hand fell upon a round breast. His eyes widened and he pulled away from the young woman. The words died before they had a chance to leave his was going to say 'I'm sorry I thought you were Yumichika' but as that thought ran through his head it suddenly sounded so crazy instead he began to babble incoherently.

Why did he want to kiss Yumichika?! What had just happened? He pushed Mina away his mind in a daze from a lot of things. Her eyes began to water obviously embarrassed by the whole situation and she was already half way to the inn before he could stop her.

Looking around he noticed that actually he didn't know where Yumichika was or what the hell had happened after he blacked out. He glanced to the roof but the golden cube was gone. Takahiro's voice caught his attention."What happened?"

Ikkaku wasn't sure how to respond to that. 'I thought I was kissing my best friend but wouldn't you know it I mistook Mina for a man!' He couldn't say that so he tried to change the subject his voice trying to sound authoritative although he just came off as nervous.

"I should be asking that question. Where's Yumichika?" Rei seeing he wouldn't contribute much to the conversation went after Mina leaving Takahiro to explain what had happened to the dazed individual.

"He's fine. They took him inside to rest. He went through a lot but he should be fine after a day or two."

"What the hell happened? Are you sure he's ok?" Ikkaku had begun pulling the man by the sleeve leading him toward the inn forcing him to lead him to his fallen friend.

"Ikkaku! Relax he's fine." He finally obliged and walked through the damage. There were a total of eight rooms left, four on the ground floor and four on the second floor. The other eight rooms had all been destroyed. As Takahiro looked around he saw Riku standing in the door way to one of the ground floor rooms. Walking to the end of the hallway Ikkaku pushed his way forward.

The room was dark, the moon only shinning into a corner casting a pale light on everything. Shibuya was adjusting the covers so that Yumichika was completely tucked in. Ikkaku swallowed hard before walking over. Pushing the older man aside he rudely shouted.

"Move!" Takahiro frowned at the action and was about to speak but Ikkaku wasn't finished. His voice was softer now as he finally had his friend in his sights. "Yumichika likes to have his head farther up off the ground." He softly took the pillow from beneath Yumichika's head and folded it before returning it, elevating the limp head. His hand rested for a second on the man's forehead. He was cold and too pale almost like a dead body. If he couldn't hear the ragged breathing he would be thinking the worst at the moment. He felt somebody come near him.

"He'll be fine." Ikkaku realized he was frowning. His brows wrinkled in intense worry, his lips thin. "We're all exhausted. We should all get to our respected rooms and sleep."

"Well my original room is in ruins so I'll be staying here tonight."

"I think it's best to...."

"I said I was staying here tonight." There was an edge in Ikkaku's voice that sounded dangerous. Takahiro backed off and instead extended his hand to Shibuya who had not moved from where he had been pushed. Sighing he rushed the others out of the room leaving Ikkaku in his sitting position next to Yumichika. Shutting the door he left hoping everything would be alright in the morning.

Ikkaku listened to the uneven breathing for a while before moving to set a bed roll next to his friend. He left a space between the beds but as he went to lie down he remembered how cold Yumichika had felt and inched their beds closer together. Crawling into the sheets he got as close as he could so his warmth may somehow spread.

He had never felt this way before like Yumichika was farther away than ever before. His mind raced again to the fiasco with Mina. How would he explain this to her? How could he explain this to himself? He had called her Yumichika and then kissed her. He turned his head and looked over the sleeping features beside him. He was somewhat saddened that it hadn't actually been him. Shaking his head he growled.

'What am I thinking!? He's your friend! Not some woman to protect.'

Those last words had slithered out of his head in Yumichika's own voice. How had he let this happen? He had always known how others were taken in by Yumichika's beauty but he knew better than to let that façade take him. He had never seen him like that. He was a friend, a sparring mate and a helpful hand. He was the only thing that was solid, that wasn't complicated.

He was going to ruin it with these stupid feelings. Sitting up he did what he always did when he was pissed and alone. He rubbed the smooth part of his head. His eyes closed he listened to the loud blood pumping through the veins trying to just calm his train of thought, trying to just think straight. Something struck his brow and he swatted it away.

"Ugh. Asshole.... my hand is still tender." Ikkaku's eyes shot open. Yumichika's voice was a low rasp and it sounded painful to speak but he did so anyway.

"Takahiro said you'd be out for a couple of days." Yumichika laughed and then coughed painfully into his covers.

"I might take him up on that offer." He smiled. "I just felt you close and I wanted to make sure you were ok."

"Dumbass!" Ikkaku shouted at his friend trying hard not to smile. "You're in no position to be worried about me. Look at yourself!" Yumichika's eyes grew large at the statement. "Your weak but it seems like Takahiro fixed you up good." Yumichika looked at his hands first and realized for the first time they were normal. Touching his face he traced his soft skin scared at what he might find.

"Was it only a dream?" His world went dizzy and he plopped his head back onto the pillow.

"Oi, Yumichika?" He was suddenly struck with the fight and its intensity. That had surely been real, he thought.

"Ikkaku?" He turned to look his friend in the eyes.

"What?" Yumichika took his friends cheek in his hand.

"I'm so glad you're ok. That's all I ever.... wanted." His hand went limp and Yumichika was out once again. Ikkaku looked at the hand that had fallen in his lap. Taking it in his hand he brought it up to his lips and gently laid a kiss on the knuckles. Lying down he got as close as he would dare still holding Yumichika's hand in his. His friend was fine and he realized he was just as tired. Closing his fingers tightly around Yumichika's palm he allowed all his fears and questions to fade away.


He awoke with a start his head pounding loudly against his skull. It felt like his head had exploded and then been pasted back together. The sun was bright and flooded the room with yellow light. Yumichika held his hands on his eyes trying to make the pounding lessen. Blinking he removed his hands. They were peach pale and wound free. Looking around he saw someone had brought their bags here. Ripping one of the packs open he wrenched a tiny and cracked mirror out. Despite his throbbing temples he stared into the reflective glass. All was normal.

A wispy voice spoke from somewhere behind him."Of course you're ok."

Turning the glass he spotted the man with white hair in the reflection. Whipping his head around it caused the room to spin and his head to protest painfully. Looking around nonetheless he was alone. Right near his bed was his blade. It vibrated without being touched and Yumichika stared wide eyed.

Touching it the pounding stopped. He smiled but his vision blurred.

Falling onto his hands and knees he passed out onto the bed roll.


"Ugh.... what happened?" Popping out of the knee high flowers he struggled to stand. A hand grabbed him by the arm and he was lifted up to his feet. When his eyes focused on the person he exclaimed. "You!" The man with the white hair and blue petals for clothes raised an eyebrow.

"Forget my name already?" He let go of Yumichika and walked away his arms crossed indignantly.

"You weren't a dream!?" The man huffed and rounded on Yumichika.

"You ungrateful bastard! I save your life and you treat me like a hallucination."

"I never said you were a hallucination. I just didn't think you were real." He touched one of his temples frowning at the ground. "I mean I'm still pretty out of it. Who says I can't be dreaming right now?" As he mused quietly he was caught off guard by a smack across the face.

"Real enough for ya?" Yumichika grabbed the inflamed cheek looking bewildered. "You have some nerve. Who do you have to thank for your beauty back and the life of your precious friend?"

"What?" The man started pacing, kicking some of the flowers and uprooting them completely.

"I risk both our lives by pumping you with a power you can barely control to the point where we were almost drained of our own spiritual energy. If Takahiro hadn't figured out the secret to the flowers we both would have been nothing more than a myth!"

"The flowers." Yumichika remembered the last thing he saw before he blacked out was the drift of white petals."You gave me that power to kill the hollow and to save...." His voice faltered as he remembered the fight.

"Yes! And that power also fixed you up. You were a mess!" Yumichika scowled at the man and then saw behind him the tree. Its vines looked like the swords blades. Walking over to the tree the pool from before was still there. Looking over the edge his reflection stared back within the still waters. A head popped up next to his reflection his long braid falling into the pool.

"See."

"The flowers did this." He touched his skin trailing lines with his fingers.

"Yes. With my power you can drain as much spiritual energy from an enemy as you want. That energy is transferred into these flowers." The man touched the pond water and a flower appeared. Plucking it from the water, he held it for Yumichika to take. "Apply it to wounds to heal them. You can also ingest them to heal internal injuries." Pale fingers gently held the fair flower. After a while it dissolved and lightly soaked his hand.

"This is my power."

"Yes." The man took Yumichika's down turned face and held it in place so he could lock gazes with him. "This is your power. It's unique and comes from your undying devotion to the preservation of beauty."

Yumichika turned to him confusion in his face and his eyes a little glossy. "But I sacrificed my beauty and almost our lives so easily."

"You did it for something even more beautiful Yumichika. You did it to save the thing you treasure most. What's more beautiful than that?" The man smiled sweetly and Yumichika's cheeks flushed. Slapping him once more he folded his arms once again.

"What the hell was that for?!"He raised his fists as if he was ready to fight but the man just glared at him.

"Just because you did something noble for what you hold dear doesn't mean I can allow you to think I'm this reckless. This was a special circumstance. Before I allow you to use this power again you must train with it in this spirit world until I think you are ready." Rubbing his cheek he responded, annoyance in his voice.

"But how do I get here?"

"If I want you to come I'll just knock like I did today."

"That headache was you!? It was more like a pounding. What were you trying to do? Knock me out again?"

"Hey! I had been knocking for two days now but you were completely gone."

"Two days!?"

"Yes. No matter how loudly I called or knocked on that thick skull of yours, you didn't rouse."

"Yumichika" A loud voice rocked the world.

"Oh dear, we've run out of time. Look if you want to come here just hold your sword and concentrate on me and my name." Yumichika gave him blank look.

"I...."

"Don't you dare! If I hear you say you forgot my name, I swear to god I will beat you to a bloody pulp the next time I see you.

"Yumichika" This time the thunderous voice was softer and Yumichika could make out who it was. He smiled looking up at the round and bouncing clouds.

"He's what you treasure most right?" The man looked somber as he and his world began to fade away. Yumichika stared at him his eyes widened and his cheeks going red once more. Sadly the man smiled."He doesn't deserve you're beauty."


"Yumichika?" Ikkaku shook the body until the man opened eyes, cheeks flushed crimson. "Are you ok?" Yumichika was dizzy as he was helped up. Mumbling incoherently he could not regain his balance. The world gave a lurch and Yumichika was thrown forward. He thought he was going to hit the wood floor below but instead he felt Ikkaku's strong arms wrap around his waist and in a panic Yumichika threw his arms around his neck. "Are you ok?" Yumichika looked into those brown eyes and he realized they were very close.

"I...yes... you are... I need to...." He wasn't making any sense and this made Ikkaku laugh. "Stop laughing at me." He was bright red by now under Ikkaku's brown eyes.

"I can't help it. I haven't spoken to you in two days and the first thing you say to me is not even a complete sentence." Yumichika swallowed thinking about his sword's last words. My treasure is Ikkaku. "And you're naked." Yumichika's skin created a whole new shade of red from the embarrassment. Why hadn't he noticed before, he thought cursing his inner world. Yumichika punched the man hard in the chest causing him to reel back.

"Why didn't you say anything!?" He rushed over to his pack and removed clothes to change into while Ikkaku tried to breath. He was coughing and laughing at the same time.

"I'm sorry I wanted to see your reaction. Priceless!" He got a gourd thrown at him for his statement. Being decent once more he walked over to the doubled over Ikkaku and was going to smack him once more but his wrist was caught before he could. The bald man just held him still looking him in the eyes.

"I'm happy you're awake and that you're ok." Lowering the fist he cupped Yumichika's cheek instead, he stiffened some before nuzzling into the touch.

"You have a weird way of showing it. Teasing me is very mean." He closed his eyes, his voice low, just enjoying their proximity to each other.

"Yeah but you love getting me back for it afterwards." Yumichika smiled broadly opening his eyes. For some reason they were closer than before. Was it just him or was Ikkaku pulling him in slowly? If normally he would have been angry in this sort of situation than something was wrong because Yumichika didn't want to fight it but his sword's words echoed loudly in his head. He turned away his face almost lying on Ikkaku's chest.

"Ikkaku! Breakfast is ....." Mina stopped in the doorway not sure what to do. They both pulled away from each other suddenly the room feeling hotter than usual. Laughing awkwardly Yumichika tried to move the stillness along. Approaching the girl he tried to lead her out the door.

"Mina! What were you saying?" As the last word left his mouth he was slapped across the face before the girl stormed off. Ikkaku rushed over to him.

"Are you ok?"

"Of course I'm fine!" He snapped, "But I'm really sick and tired of being slapped. What the hell was that about anyway!?" Ikkaku's silence made Yumichika turn to him. "Did something happen?"

"Ugh, it's a long and complicated story."

"I'm sure." Yumichika's voice held some resentment as he walked out the door.

"Where are you going?"

"I can't do long or complicated right now." And he was gone. Left alone and thoroughly more angered than before Ikkaku cursed loudly.

"I guess I have some explaining to do."


"What are you talking about? What Yaoi?" As if I could be subtle about it XD

Anyway I put alot of love into this chapter so I hold no regrets.