((SXH: Hello, everyone! I am pleased to say that here is the next chapter and that I am again very sorry for the wait. I am also sorry to say that I will not be posting over the summer. I have no internet so I will not be able to post chapters, but will be working my arse off over the summer. Please find it in your hearts to forgive me for it. I hope that you all enjoy this chapter and tell me what you think at the end. Enjoy!))
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or its characters. I only own this storyline.
Warning:
Enjoy!
/
Strawberry Mistletoe
Chapter 9: Almost Friends
/
Needless to say that the freeloaders, as Urahara had always taken to call them, were shocked at how hard Ichigo worked every day. They had assumed that since he was always so happy that he didn't have any sort of stress on him whatsoever. Now that they listened to Byakuya's explanation, it made sense. Ichigo had almost constantly said that everyone needed a vacation, but in reality, he was really talking about himself. It surprised Byakuya that they all seemed to ignorant to their friend to such an extent. Then again, he really couldn't talk. He didn't know until Ichigo told him.
"Man, Ichigo's got a lot on his plate," Ikkaku commented, feeling really bad about what he had said.
"Yeah, who knew that he had to marry someone to be around us permanently?" Yumichika added.
"Well, no one was supposed to know aside from the people who attended the meeting," Ukitake informed.
"Speaking of which," Shunsui began. "I seem to recall that you weren't even there for the meeting, Byakuya. How did you come across that little piece of info?" Byakuya, in all his bluntness, didn't bad an even and answered.
"Ichigo told me," he replied. Byakuya shot a glare over to Renji. "My lieutenant seemed to have forgotten to inform me of this when I gave his specific orders for him to report back to me." Renji looked away sheepishly. Hisagi gaped at Renji for a few long moments.
"That explains a lot," he grumbled. "I was actually starting to wonder if you really flirting with Kurosaki the past few weeks." Renji seemed to go redder than his hair.
"Absolutely not! I would never do that to him! Besides, we were all ordered not to marry Ichigo out of pity, those of us who knew. He had to marry someone who did not attend the meeting," Renji defended. At this moment, Yuzu and Karin appeared with the blankets and some pillows, beginning to hand them out to people. Though some of them only took one blanket to share with another person.
"Well, it does not matter now," Byakuya began. "It is best that you all get your sleep." Byakuya turned to go upstairs when Izuru called back up to him.
"Captain Kuchiki, where will you be sleeping?" he wondered innocently. Byakuya answered, again with a very blunt answer.
"In Ichigo's room," Byakuya stated. With that, Byakuya went upstairs, not before being caught under the mistletoe by Yuzu, who kissed him on the cheek. He left almost everyone in the room gaping. Ikkaku, Yumichika, Renji, Rukia, and Rangiku stared at the spot he had previously been while the others either smiled knowingly or cheekily.
"Should we stop him?" Hanatarou asked, worriedly.
"Nah," Kenpachi answered, laying down in a spot as he threw his blanket to Hanatarou. "Let the strawberry have his fun."
"I don't think they're that far yet," Shunsui commented as he and Ukitake curled up together on the couch.
"I think it'll take a lot more time together before that happens," Ukitake added and yawned.
"I wonder how long…" Renji murmured to himself as he lied down with Hisagi.
/
Meanwhile, Byakuya walked into Ichigo's room and found him working restlessly on his homework. Byakuya didn't say a word as he changed into the pajamas Ichigo had lent him. Almost awkwardly, Byakuya opened the closet door. He was about to step inside when he heard Ichigo's voice.
"You helped me with my work," he said, almost inaudibly. Byakuya went still and felt his heart race for a moment.
"You have enough on your mind," Byakuya reasoned. "A person of your age should not have to juggle so much. Taking on so many things practically requires that a person lend their help." Ichigo didn't turn to him. Byakuya listened as the boy was scribbling down everything he had written and more.
"That's cheating you know," Ichigo replied, though Byakuya could sense just a touch of humor.
"Cheating is too broad of a term," Byakuya began, turning to face Ichigo. Now that he looked at him, Ichigo had that blanket wrapped around him again. "Now, it could mean anything from copying off another's work to a mere friendly explanation." Ichigo felt the corners of his lips rise a little.
"So the notes that you left are just a friendly explanation?" Ichigo questioned playfully, leaning back in his chair. In the process, some of the cover fell off of one of Ichigo's shoulders. Byakuya moved forward by instinct and pulled it back up.
"What else could it be? For questions like those it would require a discussion with another party. Since you were not here at the time, I took liberty to just write my thoughts about it," Byakuya offered. Ichigo didn't look convinced by this, but smiled none the less.
"That's still cheating," Ichigo commented.
"Think of it this way," Byakuya started. "How is it cheating when the person who thought of it is dead?" Ichigo burst into a fit of giggles and gust bursting laughter. Byakuya even smiled. Once the laughter died down, Byakuya took Ichigo's hand. "Better?" he asked. Ichigo turned around to stare at Byakuya. Byakuya's smile faded as Ichigo continued to study his face. "What is wrong?"
"Nothing, Byakuya," Ichigo assured. "It's just that you look good when you smile." Byakuya felt his face heat up and turned his gaze. When had been the last time he smiled like that. Certainly it hasn't been since… Seeing the change in the man instantly, Ichigo took Byakuya's hand before he could pull away completely. "Thank you, Byakuya," Ichigo said.
"You are…" Byakuya was struggling. He had never really said this to anyone before, but it seemed like he should say it now. "You are welcome to… do the same…" Ichigo smiled brightly and gave Byakuya a hug that made him feel uncomfortable at first. But, it looked like Ichigo wasn't going to let go until he hugged back. He tentatively wrapped his arms around the other and squeezed lightly. Once he did this, Ichigo did let him go.
"Good night, Byakuya," Ichigo whispered. Byakuya nodded and went to the closet, closing the door behind him. Ichigo did not find sleep for a few more hours.
/
The next morning, Byakuya woke up to find Ichigo in his bed still asleep. The boy had some books around him while many of them were back in his bag, signaling that he had finished the homework within them. Byakuya changed his clothes and went downstairs without a sound, only to find that most of their guests were already awake and eating. This meant that everyone was up except for Renji, Hanatarou and Izuru.
"Morning, Byakuya," Shunsui greeted.
"Good morning," he replied as he took a head count. Everyone seemed to be here except for four three people. "Where is Karin? For that matter, where is Captain Zaraki and his lieutenant?"
"They all went to the soccer field. Yachiru wanted Karin to show her how to play the game," Hisagi replied, sipping some coffee.
"Do you want anything, Kuchiki-san?" Yuzu asked politely. Byakuya felt a little pity for the girl because she was still at the stove cooking for everyone. But, contrary to the sight, she was smiling brightly as though she loved every minute of it. She is such the people pleaser. Byakuya thought and let a small smile loose.
"Thank you, Yuzu. But, do not bother making me anything," Byakuya began. "Though, you might want to set some aside for Ichigo. He was up late working last night and will not likely be waking up soon." Yuzu nodded and went about cooking again, when she was not refilling a person's coffee.
"Do you want any coffee?" Yuzu asked. To be nice, Byakuya agreed and allowed the enthusiastic girl to pour him some coffee. "How do you like it?"
"Black," he answered. Yuzu handed him the cup and went about her business. Byakuya took the cup gingerly and leaned against the counter, seeing all the seats in both the living room and kitchen were taken.
"Anyone want to tell me why all the Captains and Lieutenants decided to appear here all at once?" Byakuya questioned, before taking the first sip of his coffee, loving the bitter taste that filled his mouth.
"Well, we've all been thinking," Rukia began. Kami, this cannot be good... Byakuya thought, suppressing the urge to say it out loud. "We were thinking that we all could go somewhere fun today! Orihime told me about a few places that her, Chad and Ishida are going. So I thought that it could be neat if we all went with her!" Rukia finished.
"I would like to go, but I wonder what there is to do here in the winter," Ukitake commented from his seat on the couch, sipping at his warm tea.
"I'm sure there are a lot of things to do! Oh, I can't wait! This is going to be so fun!" Rangiku squealed out before everyone shushed her.
"What do you think, nii-sama," Rukia said. They all waited in anticipation for Byakuya's answer. Byakuya merely raised an eyebrow at the question before looking back upstairs.
"It sounds fun," he said. Everyone had now begun to beg for him to agree until they realized what he said.
"Really, Byakuya? That's an odd answer even for you," Shunsui began. Byakuya still reused to look at them. His eyes were firmly fixated on the door up the stairs.
"When you have been stuck in this house for a couple of days with nothing to do, it s not all that surprising," he countered. "Besides, it could help Ichigo relieve some stress." They all stared at him for a few moments before he spoke again. "Is it just me or is it cold in here to you all too?" Byakuya looked around, seeing many nods of agreement.
"Sorry, the heater tend to short out from time to time," Yuzu explained. "I'm sure it'll come back on soon." At this, Byakuya went into the kitchen, catching everyone's eye again as he made a cup of hot chocolate with whipped cream and a cinnamon stick.
"I will take his to Ichigo. You all should either use your spare blankets or give them to the ones sleeping," Byakuya advised as he walked up the stairs, avoiding the mistletoe.
/
Byakuya went back up to Ichigo's room and quietly opened the door. Only, when he entered, he immediately noticed Ichigo shivering a little. Byakuya set the cups on top of his desk and moved all the books that laid around Ichigo. He then went to the closet and took out his blanket and laid it across Ichigo. It took a few moments before the boy's shivering faded. The Kuchiki took Ichigo's desk chair as a seat and stayed there for the longest time. He could not take his eyes off the other as he slept peacefully. Byakuya could imagine waking up to this sight every morning.
Byakuya had to shake his head when his thought turned more than just unholy. He looked back down at the orange haired boy, not quite understanding why he felt the way he did. Byakuya had never felt anything like this with anyone after Hisana's death, let alone a man.
"Oh, the things you do to me, Ichigo..." Byakuya said to himself. He then spotted a loose stand of hair that decided to caress Ichigo's lovely face. Before he could convince himself against the idea, gently moved the strand with his finger, allowing it to draw over Ichigo's soft features. The touch sent tingles through his finger and Byakuya had to force himself away. Byakuya stood up, leaving before he could lose his self control. Before he took what he desired to terribly.
Not only did Byakuya want to be taken by Ichigo, he wanted to take him, and make him his. He would make Ichigo scream his name so loud that everyone would know who he belonged to and what was being done by to him. He wanted to leave marks over all of Ichigo's body. The images of Ichigo writhing below him had Byakuya seeking a much needed shower. Even then the images did not stop, nor were they going to. Byakuya could not keep them out. Especially not the one of Ichigo covered in the piercings he could never ask Hisana to bear.
/
Later, when Ichigo awoke. He felt groggy and so very tired, but very warm. Ichigo sat up slowly, stretching. As he did this, he felt much better and warm, though the air around him was cold. Ichigo looked in his lap, not finding a book but another blanket instead. When did this get here? Ichigo wondered.
When Ichigo scanned the room, he found the closet open and immediately knew who was behind this. Also, when he looked for his books, he found them on his desk, with a tray of food, still steaming, and hot chocolate. Ichigo smiled and reached for the tray.
When he did, Byakuya entered the room, in his clothes again. Byakuya's hair was damp, telling him the Byakuya had already been in the shower. But, Ichigo also noted something odd about his hair, though it was still out of its normal kenseikan, it had a small braid in it. Ichigo drank in the sight, loving it all. He could get used to this.
"Breakfast in bed? I didn't take you for that type of person, Byakuya," Ichigo commented.
"There are many things that no one knows about me," Byakuya began. "This is just one of the many." Ichigo listened intently to Byakuya, loving his voice as well. It sounded to melodic today. It was all Ichigo heard. Wait a minute. That wasn't supposed to be all he could hear. Weren't there supposed to be other sounds? Sounds that should be coming from their house full of friends?
"Were is everyone? I think I should be worried since they would normally be getting into an argument right about now. But, I don't hear anything. They haven't killed each other, have they?" Ichigo wondered, getting a chuckle out of Byakuya. Ichigo loved this sound as well. He should really laugh more. He thought.
"They are out and about in the town, doing Kami knows what," Byakuya began. "They'll be back later though."
"Speaking of which," Ichigo began, taking a sip of his slightly warm hot chocolate. "What time is it?" Byakuya took a seat in Ichigo's desk chair and took a sip of his black coffee.
"About eleven o'clock," Byakuya stated. "I am sure you were exhausted. After all, you were working until about two this morning." Ichigo blushed a little at this.
"Can you blame me? I just wanted to get the work done as soon as possible," Ichigo defended.
"No need to worry," Byakuya assured as he stood to leave. "I am not patronizing you or anything. I merely find it amusing that you still have some red marks on your face from the book you used as a pillow." Ichigo's eyes widened and he quickly began running his hands on his face to find the supposed mark on it. Byakuya chucked again and waited until Ichigo's eyes narrowed at him.
"You asshole," Ichigo said, clearly unhappy.
"Now who is the one who needs to lighten up?" Byakuya replied playfully. Ichigo sent him a fake glare as he began to eat.
"You still need to improve. Though I am happy you are working to remove that stick that you've had in your ass since the day we met," Ichigo countered. Byakuya laughed a little more.
"I suppose I should leave you to eat and get dressed. I will see you downstairs whenever you decided to leave this depressing room," Byakuya spoke and moved to the door.
"Byakuya," Ichigo called. Byakuya stopped all movement when he said this, not turning to look at Ichigo. The orange haired boy had been meaning to ask this since last night. It had been eating at his mind, the whole time he worked and even into his sleep. "What are we exactly?" I took a long while before Byakuya answer.
"I do not know for sure," he started. "But, if I had to put a title to it. I would have to say that we are... almost friends?" With this, Byakuya made a hasty retreat.
/
SXH: Sorry for the short chapter, but I am running on a little tight schedule and am trying to post something up as fast as I can.
Byakuya: Don't worry about it.
Ichigo: Yeah, it's just a little rush. It's no problem. You've still got four weeks less.
SXH: NO, I DON'T! Every day not working is a day wasted and I cannot afford to waste days or even seconds for that matter, I will devote most of my free time to writing my stories and post them for others to read.
Byakuya: Are you not concerned about sleep?
Ichigo: Yeah, how are you going to devote most of your free-time to write when you have to have sleep?
SXH: *robotically* Sleep is for the weak minded. Your argument is invalid.
Ichigo & Byakuya: *sighs and they watch SXH typing on the computer* We hope you enjoyed this chapter and will stay tune for the next. We love all our readers, even the inpatient ones, and continue to write for you. Don't be shy and drop a review!
Byakuya: Oh, for heaven's sake! Stop that! *takes away keyboard, but her fingers are still moving*
Ichigo: O_o
Byakuya: *sets the keyboard back in place*
SXH: Begins typing obscene language directed at the two of them.
Ichigo: We can never win, can we?
SXH: *Typed* Nope.
Bye~!
