Update - Melting Chapter 11

I enjoy your comments, thanks for taking the time to review this little ditty of mine. Sit back and relax…well at least for a while cos it going to get a little steamy and then a little worrying! Enjoy.

Italics mean the character is thinking. Oh, at one point this represents Byakuya's handwriting.

Bold mean Zangetsu

Bold Italic mean Hichigo

' ' means Ichigo talking to his Hollow/Zangetsu.

Melting.

Previously –

"The situation is a little different from Rukia and her execution. I am the only pure blood. It can only be me who does it…if I do not…the family would began a feud that lasts many generations. Much blood would be spilt and I would be the cause of it…it is not what I desire... It is expected of me…There was a time when I expected Rukia and yourself to be married. That in its self would have brought much trouble to our clan and she is not a pureblood. Should I propose such a thing between you and I, then…it would not be allowed."

"You seem to find loopholes in most things."

"I do and my mind is awash with ideas that would not work…Ichigo…you have a life here and a life to lead. To further this relationship would not cause us anything but pain…I cannot take that pain." Ichigo was surprised by such an admission of vulnerability that accompanied a single unrestrained tear. "I cannot put right what I have done. I cannot deny that I already know the pain this will cause…I cannot help it, I'm sorry."

If he had been able to, Ichigo would have stopped him walking out the room. He laid his head back and closed his eyes. That was the outcome he really didn't want.

Two Weeks Later –

"Nii-sama?" Rukia wandered into the messy Kuchiki Mansion study. Messy? What was he doing? Strewn all around the room were vast piles of large leather bound books. Some open, some discared, but many many more left to read.

"Rukia I'm busy?" The irritation in his voice was clear as he knelt on the mats flipping pages of a large book.

"Renji and I wondered why you weren't at the Captain's meeting?" She waited for a response and watched him run his finger over the pages of the rather old crusty looking volume. "Nii-Sama?"

"Just open that book there, find me anything unusual about past marriages." He pushed the large leather bound book at her.

"What are these?" She asked kneeling down.

"It has always been our family's role to record the events of Seireitei. These volumes are our family history." He turned the page of his own book.

"Is this anything do with your wedding to Michiko?"

"Partly." He nodded pausing at an entry and sitting reading it for a moment before looking up at her. "How is Kurosaki?"

"Weird." She shrugged. "He's back to his usual miserable bastard mode. He went back to school yesterday."

"That was quicker than I thought." Byakuya had only been home for two weeks.

"It seems his Hollow had refused to heal him before. Dunno why."

Byakuya looked at turning the pages of the old book and tutted internally. He should have realised.

That damn Hollow, would use it to keep them closer together, but now there was no point. Byakuya was going to make sure that there was a point if he had to read every single volume of his family history, back to the start of the beginning of time.

Time as it was, wasn't going to let him fuss over this for long, the wedding plans were gathering speed faster than a speeding bullet, with the Shinto shrine already being built in the garden for the private ceremony. He hadn't met his bride yet, but he was sure that Michiko was already being primed and her white shiro-maku robes were in the process of being sewn. Two months seemed like a huge death sentence.

Damn there were so many volumes. "Renji!" Byakuya yelled, he knew that the scared fool was hanging around outside, he could sense his nerves.

"Me?" He appeared a little flustered at the simple use of his name.

"I need your help." He shoved another volume towards him. Renji and Rukia looked at each other a little surprised.

"Oh…Right… Why?" The Crimson hair bristled with tension as the man glared at him and he regretted the question. "You are acting a little weird." He offered as an explanation scratching those irritating hairs on the back of his neck.

"I…" The internal battle raged and Byakuya tried to think of a logical reason why he shouldn't tell them. Surely they needed to know what they were looking for? He let out a sigh and sunk back on his heels looking at them in defeat. Renji and Rukia were both looking at him as if he was about to declare his impending death anyway. "This marriage is obviously not my idea." They nodded. "I need to find a way that I can keep seeing someone else." Rukia's mouth fell open in surprise. This didn't sound like his words falling from his lips and he seriously didn't know why they were both looking at him so intently instead of falling over laughing at this outrageous admission of love. "I can't marry them…But… You get it don't you!" He pleaded to Rukia hoping she would save him from any more humiliation.

"Who is she?"

He looked at her with wide eyes and hoped that was the one question wouldn't need answering.

"It's a man." He shrugged and looked at Renji who was coughing heavily into his hand from nearly swallowing his tongue in shock. This couldn't get worse could it? "Kurosaki Ichigo."

Renji was almost flat on the floor as his coughing increased. Rukia was patting him heavily between the shoulder blades. By the time his coughing had settled, Byakuya was already hoping the ground would open up and let him die in peace. It was agony.

"But… I mean… When?" Rukia now seemed to be the one struggling with words.

"The day the lorry nearly ran him over."

"That long!" Both said in unison.

"Actually…I…" He couldn't say it, he shook his head.

"If you want our help, say it." Rukia dared him.

"I've always found him… interesting. The man beat me." Well for Byakuya to fall for someone it had to be for someone he could respect and see as near his equal. Who else than a man who could beat so many of the elite here?

"Ichigo is gay?" Renji said then looked at Byakuya realising that worked with him too.

"We'll help. Of course we'll help. So what do you want? To stop the wedding?"

"To have his cake and eat it I think Rukia." Renji said. Of course he would he was the clan leader after all.

"I am being pressured to have an heir." He replied. "Not to fall in love with the woman."

"And Ichigo, does he feel the same?" Renji asked.

"Yes." Rukia answered for him. "That's why he's being the way he is right now isn't it?" She looked to Renji. It was him who noticed the difference in the kid anyway.

X

Renji tapped on the bedroom window surprised it wasn't already open.

"Its you." Ichigo groaned sleepily.

"Hey, is that anyway to greet a friend?" Renji said coming inside. "A friend with something for you!" He casually threw the letter and parcel on Ichigo's stomach and sat at the desk chair. "Jeez your such a miserable bastard these days!" He said no more watching Ichigo's every move.

Ichigo looked at the elegant swirl of the writing and frowned. Who would write to him?

Ichigo

I'm sorry for leaving the way I did, just as I am sorry for causing you so much pain. Pain I would gladly have taken from you if I could. I have not given up hope of finding a solution.

I don't much care right now if they send me to trial, but I want you to have your badge back. I do not believe that it is not still in my possession, as I feel that the most important part of my soul has remained by your side all this time.

Ichigo, believe my sincerity when I say my feelings towards you have not lessened but intensified. I aim to escape the madness here this week for a short time. Meet me at the apartment this Friday evening.

Forever

B

Having read the letter several times over, Ichigo looked at the parcel and ripped open the paper. He tutted.

"Stupid bastard." But smiled.

"So all happy in Ichigo land?"

"Shit. I forgot you were here!" Ichigo startled upright and laughed.

"I guess that's a yes then?" Renji and his smile was a little mystifying.

"You know?"

"I know."

"How did you find out?"

"He told me." Renji shrugged.

"Of course he did. How did you find out?"

"Honestly. Rukia and I have been bored as shit reading these damn huge books on his damn family. He's convinced somewhere back in the midst of time one of his ancestors caused a ruckus having two partners. Two legal partners that the family accepted. He thinks there might even be a family agreement about it hidden somewhere."

"No shit."

"Yeah shit and he says if it happened back then, the traditionalists can't argue with him. Still, my head is reeling. You two of all people…it just, well…surprising."

"You know suddenly, I feel on top of the world." Ichigo jumped off his bed and hit his chest with the badge. "Wanna find some Hollows?" He asked with a grin.

"Failing that, lets just beat the shit out of each other!" Renji laughed.

X

Ichigo sat twiddling the pen between his fingers. This essay was so boring. Who the hell cared about some damn trade route with Europe back in the dim dark past? Why did he have to pretend he was on a trading ship full of tea leaves? Bored. Bored. Bored! Why can't it be Friday already!!

"Ichigo!" Yuzu ran into his room causing him to swing around hearing her insistent and panting breath. "There's a man… in the clinic…hitting out…dad needs help!"

He leapt from his chair and ran through the house to the clinic door. He stood a moment taking in the scene of scattered medial trolleys, cowering patients and lots of strained grunting from his father who was trying to restrain a huge bulk of man against the wall.

The man's eyes swivelled in Ichigo's direction.

Something inside Ichigo told him this wasn't good. His badge flashed violently on his waist band and the man grinned. Hollow?!

"Kurosaki Ichigo." The man grinned and flung his father off with ease as if he'd only been toying with him up to now. Ichigo glanced at his fathers fallen figure and cursed as he didn't move.

"Yuzu?" Ichigo spoke to his sister who cowered in the door way, but keeping his eyes firmly fixed on the bulk of the man ahead of him, still grinning. "Get everyone out."

"But dad!"

"Just do it!" Ichigo lifted his badge to his chest as the demon lunched, Ichigo leapt from his body and looked back at the demon holding his empty shell by the ankle. "Oi!" he called the man. "Didn't you know its not polite to introduce yourself?"

"Itsuki." The creature inside the man sneered. Okay, so the boy can get out of his body now…"Aizen-sama sent me."

"He doesn't like you then? It seems he sends the ones that are disposable to me."

"Shut up and die!" He screamed back launching at the teen in shingigami clothes.

Ichigo leapt out of the clinic doors as he planned, taking them into a wider space. He swung his sword to block the oncoming blow and leapt into the air as the man crashed to the ground. This was too easy. What was Aizen thinking sending this guy?

The body didn't move from the crater in the road. Ichigo watched as the figure shivered and wriggled, it swelled and began to split spewing blood from the head down, to allow the tree shaped Hollow to emerge.

"Ewww. Man that's gross!" Ichigo grimaced as the tree shook off the body and looked at him.

"I can merge with anything."

"Yeah? And?" Ichigo settled on the roof top of his house looking down at the thing below.

"A lorry driver, the ebb and flow of a river…." The tree jumped to the garden wall.

"You!" He shot a accusing finger at the sage tree. "That was all you!"

"Rocks and teen boys!" Itsuki moved onto the roof top and slowly walked along the ridge tiles towards Ichigo.

"Oh man, how gross I kissed a Hollow!" Ichigo looked disgusted. "I kissed YOU!" His stomach churned wishing to lose the contents of his lunch.

The tree took his moment of distraction and leapt forward. Ichigo brought his sword around and looked wide eyed as the Hollow shimmered and vanished.

"Where'd he go?" He lowered the sword and looked around him.

Hey idiot! You better get your arse in here!

'You know right now, I'm kinda busy.'

You know right now! Old man Zangetsu seems to be acting all weird. He's got his hands around my throat…stranglllinnnng meeee.

'Well stop pissing him off.'

I can merge with anything…

Was that the old man's voice?... It wasn't quite right. 'Oh shit.' Ichigo looked at his sword. He merged with my sword! He's inside me!