AHHHH I just realized I write smaller chapters then I thought…that saddens me…so this chapter I am going all out! Enlightenments, some good old BYAXICHI fluffy moments and you know Plot. I like plot haha. Black Bankai, thank you! I am glad you are enjoying the story! Ctofl1, yes, your correct! Glad you picked up on it! Also, there is always chances of more strawberry moments haha. Now let's continue with the story!
Byakuya was not one to be easily surprised. However, he felt the last few days warranted that very sentiment. Ichigo had not tried to escape, in fact, except for picking strawberries on that very first day, when he had requested more independence, he hadn't even gone outside unless accompanied by the noble. Currently he appeared to be perfectly at ease just chatting and laughing with the inn's cooks. It was late morning and nearly lunch time, but the two giant men were presently arm wrestling the orange headed man. Ichigo was winning. Byakuya marveled at his increase in strength this past week. Then again, he had not had to deal with any of the negative effects the soul reapers seemed to give him for several days now. Byakuya had been very careful they didn't accidently meet eye to eye in the dinning room, and he never spoke when around him. A young woman glided over, giggling at one of the men now nursing his wrist after loosing to Ichigo.
"Kia, I thought you were the strongest in this area!" He glowered up at her then laughed.
"I ain't taken it down miss, I will get my revenge on this upstart tyke!" He watched as Ichigo beat the other cook just as spectacularly as he won his last match.
"Tch! Tyke? there isn't no kid who can be that strong" Grumbled the other cook, he too rubbing his sore wrist. "Seriously boy where did you get them strong arms?" Ichigo chuckled.
Byakuya watched in enjoyment, if only these guys knew where Ichigo had gotten his strength. He sipped at his tea, watching with down cast eyes the scene before him. Ichigo leaned over and asked the girl a question, she smiled delightedly.
"If it won't be a bother to you sir! I won't turn down help mister Ichigo!" He smiled and waved it off.
"Not a bother, miss Lila, I hate sitting around and you know how much I liked picking the strawberries, gardening is the least I could do!" She nodded happily, her pony tail bobbing up and down behind her like an excited dog's tail.
"If it doesn't rain tomorrow we can pick some then, the squash is ready and the potatoes too." She made her way back to the other customers, lunch was beginning. After eating Ichigo went back to where the noble was sitting. The older man closed his eyes as he approached.
"Ya know you could have joined us at the other table if you wanted, just because I wanted out of the room doesn't mean your banished." He chuckled. Byakuya smirked. Pulled his notebook forward and scribbled a remark that had the younger man going silent.
"Ichigo, I am not one for large gatherings and I would find it difficult to keep my eyes closed in a bigger crowd. Plus, I did not think it would go unnoticed if I wore a blindfold while we were eating.
He could almost see the man's face. The boy undoubtedly had a sheepish look about him. He probably felt guilty. When he responded his tone was indeed embarrassed, "yeah well, did you get to eat then?"
They made their way back upstairs. Ichigo entering his room, the noble following. As he closed the door behind him he removed the white cloth from his kimono, wrapping it about his eyes. Then he made his way to the chairs they sat in. He could hear the boy sigh. It had entertained the noble that the young man had been bothered at his continued insistence of the blind fold. However, unless he was eating he did not dare to risk hurting Ichigo. He had been through enough as it was. They sat there for a while, from time to time Ichigo would speak, Byakuya would write, and then they would repeat.
What are you doing with Lila?
"Lila? Oh yeah, well, the innkeeper's daughter has so much work, she has to garden every few days and comes in so tired, I am bored so thought I could help her out, its relaxing." Byakuya was surprised that Ichigo was getting close to her so fast. Matsumoto had not been able to get near her yet. Though she was much busier with Renji being gone and had not had much time to talk to the woman.
Ichigo your always so kind hearted, always helping when you see there is need.
After reading the noble's words the young man spluttered in another wave of embarrassment.
"Nothing kind about being bored! Hey don't laugh!" Byakuya wasn't laughing, but Ichigo had spotted the upturned corners of the man's lips, which had been the closest thing to the man's laugh since he met him.
There was a knock on the door, both men turned towards it.
"Captain!"
"Ah…that Renji guy is back."
Byakuya stood and made his way back to the door, taking off the covering from around his eyes, he opened it and looked down the hallway. Renji stood to the left, his arms crossed. A bemused grimace on his features. The noble stared in shock. His hair was pulled back by a long cloth, because of the length the man almost looked like he was wearing a wedding veil. The man was glaring at the wall.
Deciding not to comment, not that he could speak with Ichigo so near, he glanced at the green cladded mad scientist standing at the right of Renji. That man was grinning, his stripped hat blocking most of his face. "My-my young Kuchiki, your more silent than usual, and that is saying something." He chuckled at the Nobles narrowed eyes. "So where is our Kurosaki?" Byakuya gestured behind him, but hesitated. What if Ichigo responded to this man too?
"I need to see him to find out what's wrong Kuchiki, so we will need to face this hurdle sooner rather than later." The captain sighed, the man had guessed his hesitance. He beckoned him in reluctantly. Urahara handed his hat to Renji before facing the entrance.
"Kurosaki?" Urahara asked. Standing in the doorway. Ichigo stared at him, for a few moments no one said anything. Nothing happened. Grinning Urahara raised his hands taking a few steps forward to his long last pupil, "I am glad I am not damaging you my old friend, now lets find out wha-"
He froze. The young man was spluttering, grabbing his stomach as his knees hit the floor. His hands came up and covered his ears. Another trigger was found.
Byakuya rushed forward, almost having to cover his own mouth as he grabbed hold of the boy's shoulders, desperately wanting to call out to him. Instead he pulled the agonized man into is arms. Rubbing his hands up and down the man's trembling back as he coughed and gasped in pain. Slowly it settled. He glared up at Urahara.
For once the scientist looked a loss for words. Sadness flittered across his features. "I guess something of me is a trigger too?" he mused. The boy wasn't reacting to his speech, and he wasn't reacting when he looked up at him through red eyes. What had set him off?
The ex-Shinigami scratched his head, he had handed his hat to Renji before entering so that the boy could look at him fully. He took one step toward the boy. Again, the man convulsed on himself. Gasping and tearing at Byakuya's haori. The noble gripped his shoulders bewildered. This didn't' add up, what had Urahara done to cause the reaction? He glanced back up at the shop keeper, who had a strange look on his face. He was still mid step, he waited till once again the boy was calmer before letting his foot hit the ground. Ichigo spasmed in pain.
"Ah…well that is interesting." The noble glared, what the hell was interesting about Ichigo's continued terror? The shopkeeper smiled somewhat in understanding then reached down and pulled off his clogs.
When he walked back towards the door again Ichigo didn't show any more signs of pain.
"You always did call me hat and clogs. It's a good thing I left my hat with Renji just now, it may have caused a similar reaction." Again silence…then:
"So, wait…your stupid clogs are making me fucking hurt!?" Urahara couldn't' help the smile that lit his face at the sound of his ex-pupil's voice. He had missed Ichigo too. Renji was smirking in the doorway, the outburst had been highly amusing to the man.
..
An hour later Ichigo was laying on the bed, bare-chested, with lots of strange wires protruding all over his body. The now barefooted green cladded man, that went by the name Urahara, was busily messing with the strangest thing Ichigo had ever seen. It looked like a long black pole… except it had weirdly opened at the top, spreading out in four directions. The man was now typing over these four smaller pieces…without a keyboard. The Noble was nearby, sitting with his eyes closed in a chair beside Ichigo. Ichigo didn't know this Urahara man, but he weirded him out with all his tests. Having the noble next to him had relaxed him enough that he relented to have the wires attached to his body.
"Kurosaki, I-"
"Ichigo."
"I'm sorry?" The scientist asked.
"Just Ichigo, I haven't accepted the whole name yet." Urahara blinked, then grinned.
"Of course, Ichigo, I think it is best if we do a series of tests. Some might be better if I have our Captain here able to see clearly, as I might need his assistance." Ichigo nodded hesitantly.
"If your worried we can possibly put the blindfold on you?" Ichigo sweat dropped. He felt a hand close on his lower arm, looked up and saw Byakuya, his eyes shut, shaking his head at Urahara. A wave of guilt washed over him. He has had to deal with a blind fold for over a week.
"I can do it, Byakuya give me yours." This startled the Captain, but he pulled out the white cloth. Ichigo went to retrieve it but was stopped by all the wires. "Dammit, how am I supposed to move?"
"Captain Kuchiki would you mind putting it on him for now?" Urahara was obviously really entertained. Ichigo glared up at him. "Come Ichigo we need to hurry, you could just close your eyes though they might open accidently." Ichigo grumbled loudly about crazy ass scientists, before telling the noble to hurry up.
Byakuya reached out, his hands touching Ichigos face. The young man couldn't help but feel startled, Byakuya's fingers were cool to the touch and soft.
Blind fold in place Byakuya could now stare down at the boy. It was strange to seem him laying in the bed connected to the computer. Ichigo's face was flushed, probably from a mixture of the earlier pain, embarrassment and irritation at Urahara's teasing. It was rather endearing to the noble.
He must feel nervous, laying there in the dark, but having to trust people he can't remember. This thought and more crossed the Kuchiki heir's mind. He felt that Ichigo was brave and loyal no matter where he went or what he could recall. The noble didn't realize he was smiling at the boy so fondly. Urahara, meanwhile, had highly amused eyes dancing in their directions. He gave the man a moment before clearing his throat. Byakuya jumped then the cold stern face was in place again.
"Now Kuchiki I need to enact the reaction, with this I can see what it is doing to Ichigo's soul." When the noble just stared at him, with a slightly blank expression on his face the man smiled, "I need you to speak to him Captain Kuchiki."
Byakuya's mouth widened in surprise, Urahara felt he was staring at a very handsome looking fish. For a second no one spoke, then, "So is he hesitating again? I bet his face shows nothing but stupid shock." They both looked down. Ichigo, though appearing calm showed signs of stress. His skin was paler and sweat was dripping down his forehead. He was also clenching the sheets harder then necessary.
"Do we have your permission then young Kurosaki?" The barefooted man asked with a smile. The boy grunted.
"What the hell, you seem to have an idea of what is happening. After all, I would rather get it fixed, this shitty problem of mine."
The scientist felt a pang of fondness at the gruff words the boy spoke with, the he looked up at the Kuchiki heir. "Shall we start then Captain?" Byakuya caught his eye then looked away stubbornly.
"For fuck sake Byakuya! Just open that mouth of yours already!" With Ichigos indignant voice breaking the silence again, the noble's eyes squeezed shut. He knew the boy was being brave, but Ichigo obviously wanted Byakuya to go along with it. The noble was uncertain, he just didn't want to hurt him ever again.
"Please Byakuya." Byakuya opened his mouth, unsure what to say.
"Ichigo." For a moment nothing happened. Urahara marveled at the Kuchiki choose of name when referring to the younger man, Ichigo felt a strange relief at hearing the nobles deep voice. Byakuya contemplated the fact the he was pleased to finally say the name out loud.
Then Ichigo felt intense pain in his head, it spread to the nerves in his body and caused his heart to thud dangerously fast. He screamed.
"Hold him down!" Byakuya, desperately held the boy's shoulders down. Renji, who had been in the room watching the exchange, and thus far held silent, jumped in, laying his weight down on Ichigo's legs. Urahara was shocked at the intensity of the reaction. The boy was wreathing on the table, gasping in such agony. He quickly scanned the readings he was getting from the young man's body while trying not to focus on the boy's endless yells of distress. A few minutes passed then Ichigo's body shuddered, and he went silent. He was shaking and pale, but it seemed as if the pain had fled.
"What the hell!" Renji lifted off his friend, shock and sadness in his eyes. "What the Hell old man, that is way worse then before!" Urahara glanced at him sharply.
"Worse then before? Is this true?" He directed the question at Byakuya.
The man nodded, terrified to speak again.
"Shit" Renji spat. "What did you get from that test Urahara?"
The noble's eyes were unfathomable. The scientist could feel pain and anger rippling off the stare he was receiving from the Kuchiki. Obviously Byakuya had not enjoyed being forced to hurt the younger man, and blamed Urahara.
"Give me a moment." When Byakuya's glare became colder, Urahara hurriedly added, "I think I have a solution, but I am checking Ichigo's vitals." Byakuya conceded, by staring down at the boy worriedly. This act did not escape the other two Shinigami. Renji was watching his captain suspiciously, the scientist with more amusement.
A few minutes later Urahara felt a sense of dread at what he would have to tell the Noble. He might be breathing his last breaths with how protective the man had gotten over Kurosaki. "I have a solution, though it might be slightly painful for our friend here," He sweat dropped at the looks he got, cleared his voice and addressed the patient. "Ichigo, it is your decision, but we can help you recover."
Ichigo had been listening, blindfolded, for several minutes. Content to remain silent as his body slowly recovered. "What do you suggest?"
"First let me explain what is wrong with your soul, as there is, fundamentally, something very wrong with it presently."
"What do you mean wrong with it? Is this why I can't remember anything?"
"Hmm yes, this problem is probably the main cause to your continued memory loss."
"Will I remember things if you fix it?"
"I can't guarantee how much you will remember, but yes, I think it will be a step in the right direction."
The boy nodded, "I want to remember, even if is a little. I hate not knowing shit, it is like I am missing things, vital things." The three men exchanged glances over the boy's bed. They desperately wanted to help this man.
"Ichigo first, have you recalled anything at all? Even flashes of faces, voices, anything is important." The boy bit his lip, trying to think back.
"Yes, sometimes… When I heard Byakuya's voice, I would get these flashes, of his back, or him holding a sword. At times I saw him facing me with that sword or standing beside me fighting something together." The boy bit his lips again, "Also him telling me to go back, though back where, I have no idea." Urahara glanced up at the noble, his face had flushed at Ichigo's words, his eyes clouded. Ichigo, oblivious to the discomfort he had caused, continued speaking.
"Sometimes when that woman, Matsumoto, was around I would get a picture of her with someone shorter then her, someone fuzzy but wearing the same thing as Byakuya, the white haori." Renji chortled, thinking of a certain icy captain. From Urahara's smile he was thinking the same thing.
"When did you get these images? Was it when Matsumoto walked, talked?" The boy shook his head.
"No…when she spoke, most of the time I was fine, and I could obviously look at her. Actually…thinking about it, I would say I frequently had reactions when she was joking around, her humor causing me to get sick seems stupid though."
Urahara scratched his chin, eyes narrowed in thought, then he smirked. "Did she perhaps laugh?"
Byakuya blinked. Ichigo's mouth opened and Renji said loudly, "That is so going to piss her off!"
With his characteristic smirk in place the scientist waved it off, "one mystery solved, we should inform her not to laugh too much around young Ichigo." The boy snorted, not amused.
"Wait!" Renji looked down at his friend, hesitantly, "what about me…is it really my hair color that gives you pain." Renji loved his hair…he didn't like the idea of it hurting someone. Especially one of his best friends.
"Uh...yeah, the color just sends these scenes flashing through my head." Renji felt a deep pang. Both from sadness and a slight trepidation at what Rukia might do when she heard of this, maybe shave Renji's head.
"Scenes?" Urahara inquired.
"Yeah…like a movie, I saw his hair flying all over the place, he was fighting, again like Byakuya he was fighting me…then beside me. Oh, and he kept asking me, 'Do you think you can save her?' all the time. That kept playing in my head again and again, seemed important to you Renji." Everyone froze. Byakuya had a guilty look on his face. Urahara looked somewhat sad.
Renji's mouth fell open. "Ah…you mean Rukia."
"Rukia?" The young man asked, then he gasped, clutching at his heart. His back spasmed off the bed.
"Shit! Ichigo!" Renji held legs again, as Byakuya forced down the young mans shoulders. Urahara, quickly scanned the computer. For a few seconds no one said anything. The computer beeped. Then Ichigo relaxed again breathing heavily.
"W-what the fu-fuck was-that?" he asked angerly.
"What set him off?" The scientist glanced at the gasping man.
"Ichigo, at what time did you feel the pain increase?" The boy breathed a few deep breaths as he thought about it.
"When I said Ru- That name."
"What about when Renji said it?"
"No, only when I said it I think." Urahara glanced at Renji.
"I am going to say it once more Ichigo, tell me if you feel anything." The man nodded, reluctantly.
"Rukia." Ichigo didn't react. "Arabria, you try." Renji hesitated, then:
"Rukia." Again nothing.
"Ok, now Ichigo you try…sorry but we need to be sure, this is different then the other reactions." The boy sighed.
He opened his mouth, "Rukia, Kuchiki Rukia."
Everyone's eyes opened. He had spoken the whole name. He shouldn't remember that. Then he gasped again. Urahara watched the whole time, the boy seemed to suffer less the second wave. After he shuttered back to normal however his next words shocked them. "I remember something, or I can see something. A girl, dark haired, pale, big eyes and short. She game me her name…I gave her mine. It seems so important…that moment." There was silence.
Renji smiled, Rukia would be happy that he remembered her, even if he didn't' know who she was, he was connected to her, "She told me, that you two exchanged names, right at the beginning. The moment was very important to ya'll, I think."
"Who is she? Her name…I remember her name…it's the same as yours Byakuya, is she your wife?"
Renji chuckled. "No, he is her brother, though adopted. His late wife was her sister." The noble had gone slightly stiff. He always looked solemn when his deceased wife was brought up.
"Your-your sister? I see." Ichigo ignored the relief that she wasn't Byakuya's wife, though he had no idea why he felt this way. "Who is she to me?"
"A very good friend, and you to her." Whispered Renji, a smile in his voice.
"Hmm you sound like she is very important to you." Renji blushed. His captain was eyeing him now.
"Um…well yes she is, we have been friends since childhood after all and well… we stayed close."
"I am glad, tell her I am trying."
The red head grinned, "I will"
"One thing I guess I got from that…I can finally believe I am this Kurosaki Ichigo." There was a warmth that spread through the room. The man had never once agreed to being who they said he was, and now he had accepted it. It was improvement.
Urahara coughed. They all jumped. "Shall we continue where we left off?"
Ichigo chuckled darkly, "Well what did you find out then?"
"The biggest thing is that these reactions have a very interesting cause. Learning about Rukia has almost cinched it for my theory. Ichigo when you hear or feel or in the case of miss Rukia, hear yourself say something, you react in a violent way. The causes, Renji's hair, Rukia's name, my clogs, Matsumoto's laughter, and Kuchiki's eyes and voice, they all are important to you in some way."
"Important?"
"Hmm yes, think of it as pieces of your soul, they are tied with you, you remember me most by the clothing I tend to wear, Renji by his fierce fighting and hairstyle." Renji glared at the older Shinigami, who chuckled. "These things represent the pieces of you that are missing. They were significant in some way."
Renji asked, "Ok, but how does learning about the reaction he gets from Rukia support your theory?"
"That was actually what helped me cement my theory. Young Rukia and Ichigo have a very colorful past, in their first moments they nearly died and then they exchanged their names. This signified their bond and thus that is what Ichigo's soul remembers, though we may never know what transpired at that moment and why the names were so important to them, it cannot be denied."
"So, her name is part of my…of my soul then?" Ichigo was trying desperately to hold on to what the man was talking about. It seemed so farfetched. "If it's a part of me then why does it hurt to speak it?"
Urahara grinned, "That part is more interesting Kurosaki," He picked up Ichigo's arm, bending it at the elbow back and forth. "Think of it as a pulled muscle or ligament, when you hurt your body in such a way it is extremely painful to move it or touch it yes?"
"Ok, but what does that have to do with my soul."
"Your body is now your soul, you're technically a spirt, therefore you feel the pain as though its physical." He let Ichigo's arm go. "Let me explain, like a pulled muscle, pieces of your soul have been pulled, or stretched out. Like someone has grabbed hold of pieces of you and pulled them to almost breaking point. That explains the stress you go through when something 'touches' your soul in some way in areas that have become…pulled and sore."
"So, wait...my soul is broken!?" The genus chuckled again.
"Broken isn't quite the right word. Like if you pulled a muscle in your back, your back would not be severely broken, maybe out of commission for a while, but it would be fixable."
"Fixable, how?" Renji asked excitably.
"How do you fix a pulled back or muscle?" Urahara asked smiling.
"Ok old man, out with it already!" grumbled Ichigo.
Urahara picked Ichigo's arm up again, lifted it and started to stretch it this way and that, "With physical therapy of course." He said with a sneaky smirk, and over the top of the younger man he caught Byakuya's eyes.
A few hours later, after they took it in turns trying to convince Byakuya that it was a good idea, the man was being very obsidian, the noble agreed to speak about it after Ichigo had had some supper. Freshly fed and again laying blindfolded and hooked up to the green cladded man's computer Ichigo was listening to the scientist attempt to persuade the stubborn noble to perform, "Physical Therapy." Though there wasn't nothing physical involved. Ichigo dubbed it, "Soul Therapy." Urahara had explained that the adverse reactions would get better if they slowly used parts of the soul that were damaged.
Basically, by allowing one of the triggers to be used in Ichigo's presence for small periods of time, it would theoretically, mend the soul. Though from what Ichigo understood, where muscles became less inflamed, the soul was being pulled back into place after being stretched very thin and far. It still gave him a headache trying to comprehend it.
Urahara was explaining another thing to Byakuya that Ichigo found interesting.
"I believe that his memories can return, if we are able to work on parts that are broken then these parts of his soul will heal with time and he will recall aspects of himself. However, if we leave it alone, then the reactions will become worse. Like a pulled muscle that becomes stiffer if never worked."
Byakuya had his arms folded, he was pointily glaring out the window. Renji was staying out of it, he sat near Ichigo, fighting a loosing battle to keep the grin off his face. He thought his captain was being…cute. He really did care about Ichigo, which caring about anyone other than Rukia was bizarre. However, it was his overprotectiveness that was endearing. He couldn't wait to tell Rukia about it.
"Byakuya, the reason you must do it is that, according to you, he has already felt the reaction several times from your voice. This happening when you first found him. Therefore, most likely, he is closer to gaining a part of his soul back that is attached to memories of you, then if either of us attempted it." Byakuya glared up at him, not convinced.
Urahara sighed heavily, "Ok I can have Renji do it and then young Ichigo will suffer longer, because he has felt Renji's effect less. If that is ok with you?" Byakuya whipped his face back around, eyes wide, at Renji who gulped. Byakuya motioned for the scientist to follow him from the room. Outside and out of ear shot they continued where they left off.
"What of the reaction Urahara? It was much worse then it was originally."
"Ah, that is probably because he had not felt the reaction for several days, like what I explained before, if a muscle that is sore isn't worked, or used, it stiffens, therefore hurting more later when it is finally used."
"I am not happy about hurting him more then he needs to be."
"I understand how you feel, it's very beautiful to see you taking an interest in someone Byakuya." At the noble's glare Urahara chuckled. It was interesting to see this protective side, though it was getting in the way, it served another purpose. Urahara was insisting on Byakuya because he could tell there was a bond there, one that went deeper now that the two had spent so much time together. The noble had the young man's trust. This would work better with that.
"It will lesson, the pain I mean, it may hurt a lot in the first couple try's, but it will definitely become more tolerable. We will take it very slow too, if it seems to much we can stop. We also will only start with your voice, as I feel using both eyes and voice could overwhelm him. We don't want to hurt his soul by overstimulating him. Again, like a sore muscle, if you work it out its fine, but if you overdo it then they will have more pain." Byakuya let out an aggrieved breath. Urahara felt he had won.
"I promise, in no time the pain will be nothing but an annoyance. So minimal, it will feel like a pesky bug. I have no interest in damaging our hero Byakuya." With these last words said very seriously the noble relented.
"Very well…but I will stop it if it becomes too much for him Kisuke."
The scientist smiled. "Of course!"
Upon entering the room again, they were greeted with, "Bout the fuck time!" The Young man looked pissed, though they couldn't' see his eyes they could see a trade mark scowl that had them all reminiscing. "Byakuya stop dragging your ass and let's start, I am already sick of this bed and these stupid tubes!" The man gestured at all the things attached to his body. "Its itchy as hell."
Byakuya let out another breath but smiled. The impatient brat was so much like the Ichigo they knew.
"Ok take his shoulder's again Byakuya, Renji his feet, I will monitor his readings. This has two purposes of course. One to retrieve and pull back the pieces of Ichigo's soul, and two…I might be able to find out what on earth has hold of the other ends of them. What has hurt him."
"What seriously?! "
"Wait, something has hold of my soul?"
"Well yes, Byakuya doesn't seem too surprised. He undoubtedly picked up on the fact that the reason Ichigo's soul is so…stretched and damaged, is because something pulled out pieces of him and kept pulling. Ichigo is alive…or should I say his soul has not disappeared. There is a very good chance that something doesn't want that. Subsequently, let's begin, Captain?"
Byakuya took hold of Ichigo's shoulders, staring down at the man. He was glad Ichigo's eyes were covered, he didn't' want to see the pain enter those eyes.
"Hurry up Byakuya." The young man whispered to him, a smile curving his lips. This had a calming effect on the noble. He relaxed his tension.
Byakuya and Urahara had decided they would start softly.
Therefore, with a whisper he said, "Ichigo."
The Man jerked in his hands, pain traveling through his body. His nerves convulsing. He gasped, and then relaxed.
"That wasn't' so b-bad, maybe the softer sounds help a little Byakuya."
The older Shinigami kept whispering, "Ichigo, Ichigo, Ichigo."
Urahara watched, the boy would gasp, work his teeth and clench at his heart or the sheets. It was still painful, but it seemed to become less each time.
"Shit!" He Finally ground out, "Shit…can't you…can't you freakin say anything but my name Byakuya?!" The older man blushed…actually blushed. Renji who had chuckled at Ichigo's words had glanced up to see what sort of reaction his captain had made. His jaw dropped. How could the captain of the 6th squad have red cheeks? Urahara just chuckled darkly.
"Now-now Byakuya. Don't bore the young man…you should talk him through it, though I am sure his name is interesting to you." Renji bit his lip to keep from laughing. Ichigo flushed, Byakuya glared downwards, vehemently swearing to murder the green clad man the next time they were alone. To avoid the awkwardness, he started speaking.
"Ichigo…Rukia is important to me, I won't let her be hurt ever again." Byakuya didn't' know why he said it, but he felt that if Ichigo gained memories of him, he would remember that time he didn't step up to save her. As the boy spasmed in pain, Byakuya ignored Renji's face, as the red head was looking at him awe struck. Byakuya glared at Urahara, who was smiling like an idiot. The boy shook violently, the noble glanced at Renji who pounced on his legs again. A couple minutes passed.
Slowly the boy's anguished breath slowed…and he lay there motionless, exhausted. Lifting his hands off the younger man's shoulders, Byakuya glowered up at Urahara acidly.
His look needed no voice: We are done for today. Ichigo, too mentally and physically tired to speak, didn't' object. The scientist agreed. The noble made to leave the room. A pull on his sleeve stopped him. Glancing down he found a very tired Ichigo gripping its edges uncertainly.
"Can you stay?" The man was trembling, sweaty and in pain because of Byakuya's voice, but he wanted the captain to stay with him. Why is he like that? The noble sat down beside the bed. The boy kept his hand on the noble's arm, not letting it go. The older man placed it on the bed, so the weary boy wouldn't need to raise his arm. Is he taking comfort from me?
The other two men left them, Urahara smirking as he carried his computer out, he had readings to look over, but the scene behind was interesting too. Renji stopped at the doorway, after a brief peek at the two of the them, he smiled and left. It was odd for either to show such vulnerability, and he felt he was in the way.
For a long while the dark-haired man stared down, watching over the orange headed boy in the bed. The young man was still breathing in and out laboriously, like he had run several miles. His fingers were entwined in the sleeves of Byakuya's kimono. The older man could feel the heat of his skin, and the shivers that, occasionally, ran through the younger's body.
"Byakuya."
The older man glanced at the boy's face. He still wore the blind fold, but his eyes were directed in Byakuya's direction.
"I saw it, saw what you were talking about…with that girl…your sister." He avoided saying Rukia's name, a testament to how drained he really felt. "How you tried to stop her from being saved." Byakuya felt his heart clench painfully. Would Ichigo hate him. He always felt he might hate anyways.
"It's ok, I know you care for her, I know you wanted to save her." Byakuya took in a sharp breath. His arm tensing under Ichigo's arm. Guilt still flooding his mind.
"Byakuya!" The boy said again, his hand tightly gripped the nobles arm. "Its ok, she knows too…you won't ever let it happen again." When the noble continued to be tense the boy groaned and pushed himself up. He felt dizzy, but this was important. "Baky-"his body didn't have the strength to even sit up long, he fell forward slightly. Two hands grabbed his shoulders, steadying him. Ichigo placed his hand over one, squeezing it. "Byakuya…I remembered …so many times you saved her after that, so many times you rescued her. I was proud of you for that. I know she is happy, that girl." If Byakuya had been able to talk he would have been speechless…he was at a loss for words. The young man had alleviated his fears, quieted his worry. It was shocking. How can he reach me like this?
The boy shuddered, falling forward again, if the noble had not had his arms out he would have fallen off the bed. Instead he fell against the older mans chest. Byakuya could feel the shivers in Ichigos shoulders. The younger man gripped the front of his haori. Breathing on Byakuya's neck, he whispered, "Thank you Byakuya." The dark-haired man felt his heart skip a beat.
The noble hesitated then slowly wrapped his arms around the boy. He squeezed, Ichigo clenched his fingers tighter in the cloth. Byakuya tried to ignore how his heart was reacting, it felt too good, way too good, to embrace Ichigo like this.
They stayed that way, till Ichigo's depleted body stopped shivering. "Will you stay nearby?" He asked softly. His breath cascading against Byakuya's neck again. The older man ignored how that made him feel. Byakuya untied the blindfold, then laid the boy back onto the bed, covering him up. The boy was too drained to move at all.
Ichigo thought the noble might leave, but felt a cool hand rub down his arm and then slowly grasp his hand. The young man smiled, squeezed the fingers back, then fell asleep. Byakuya stayed there the rest of the afternoon. The sun set, night had started. For several hours he never let go of that warm hand.
Oh my gosh! That was long, I wished it could have been even longer! I just felt this was a good place to end this chapter. Did my explanations make sense? I was trying to explain it as best I could. Urahara is very difficult to write. I feel I can't get his character down…I hope it improves. Hope you enjoyed the BYAXICHI moment... its not much but I promise more! I am going to sleep now, when I wake I will reedit…I always edit what word points out to me, then come back to the chapter the next day…. fresh eyes can catch what we missed before after all. I will post tomorrow after that!
Thanks for reviews! Please keep them coming, they really inspire me haha.
Till next Chapter!
Anavas88