Sorry to make you all wait a little longer for this one, once again. Real life is packed at the moment and with summer approaching even more things are getting crammed in. I was trying to stick to a round about two week schedule, but I fear I have to make that three weeks. Sorry folks! But I think it's way better than me writing either shorter chapters or shitty ones because of the pressure.

Once again there is much going on in this chapter, as I have to lay the foundations for some things to come. Please enjoy the lemon, as I fear we hit another dry-spell ;D

Warnings for this chapter: Role play and for people very sensitive to the subject hinted underage sex

11. Beautiful Teachings

They were both sitting in their new garden. Their eyes were closed, their Zanpakutous were balanced on their knees, while they meditated, trying to find their calm center to enter their inner world. Yumichika had told Ikkaku about his recurring dreams. His lover had been happy for him, but as was typical for the man, it had also awakened his competitiveness. So they had started to perform Jinzen, the meditation technique to communicate with your Zanpakutou, for about an hour every day.

Even though Ikkaku had had no dreams, his will to catch up to his lover apparently was enough. They both had reached a stage, where they were able to reach their inner world quite easily and they even had started to talk to the spirits of their swords. Still the spirits kept their names a secret, but it was only a matter of time, as the two men got more and more in tune with their Zanpakutous.

#

Yumichika was looking up at the azure sky. This place really was beautiful. It befitted him and he knew his Zanpakutou had to love it here. He heard the high-pitched piercing call of the peacock and looked to the shadows of the trees, from whence he was prone to emerge. Head held high and proud he stalked onto the clearing. This time though, he again emitted the piercing call, only it held a much more irritated air than usual and he turned his head away.

"How dare you? Take it off! Get that hideous piece out of here!", the peacock squealed.

Looking around confused Yumichika was trying to understand what the spirit was talking about.

"What do you mean? What is it, that is offending you?"

"That hideous Yukatta! Do not bring those colors to my world! Look around you! It does not fit! It is ugly. Everything here is beautifully tone in tone. I thought you had more taste than that."

Looking around once again, Yumichika had to agree that almost everything was blue or green or mixed like in the glowing, bright azure. The tree trunks and the earth itself alone were allowed a different color, it seemed, but their tones of brown only served to highlight the glowing, azure flowers of the vines. Never before, though, had the peacock fussed about his clothes. It was the first time he wore something other than his Shinigami uniform, he had to admit. They were having two free days and Yumichika was wearing a violet Yukatta, which indeed did not fit the scenery. But he did not like the peacock calling it hideous, it was a gift from Ikkaku after all.

"And what am I supposed to do about it, now? Do you want me to talk to you naked?"

There was an unmistakable air of defiance about this question. He was definitely not going to strip and prance around here naked.

"Wear the Kimono instead!"

Still the peacock did not look at him, but lifted a leg to point at a tree, where the Kimono hung, he had seen in his dreams, azure in color and embroidered with a peacock. Sighing Yumichika changed into the other garment. He needed to have a good relationship with his Zanpakutou to get him to tell him his name and reach Shikai. If he had to compromise in his clothing for that to happen, it was a little sacrifice. Yumichika had to admit the Kimono was beautiful and it felt very good on his skin.

"You can look again," he said with a smile, after he had put the Yukatta aside.

The peacock turned its head and fanned his tail.

"I do not want my beautiful world soiled by other colors. Especially wisteria is just ugly. I do not like ugly things. I cannot bear them around me."

"Oh, I absolutely know how you feel," Yumichika assured his Zanpakutou's spirit.

#

Ikkaku walked into the separate backroom of an inn. Three sides were closed rice-paper walls and doors. One opened to a vista of three soaring, snow capped mountains. A green valley at their feet was strewn with blooming plum trees, their pink blossoms shining brightly in the sun.

There was a low table in the room with a Sake bottle and two cups. Lying lazily behind the table was the Spirit of Ikkaku's Zanpakutou. He was a half-creature. His lower body was that of a dragon with three tails. One he used at the moment to prop up his head, as he was lying on his side. The other two curled behind him. His whole lower body was covered in shiny black scales, they even crept up his back to his shoulders. One of his strong, muscular legs was propped up too, his arm resting on it relaxed. His feet were ferocious looking claws. Except for the scaly back, his upper body was that of a well trained human male. There was only one thing about him, that bothered Ikkaku quite a bit. It was like his swords spirit wanted to mock him. The striking face of the spirit was framed by a wild, long, full mane of deep pink hair.

"Sit down, will you? I don't like straining my neck, to look up at you", he stated with a grin.

Ikkaku dropped down at the other side of the table, where the spirit had pointed to.

"Have a drink and let's enjoy the view."

"Don't mind if I do," the bald man agreed.

He filled his cup with Sake and lay back, too, sipping at it and looking at the tranquil scenery. They were doing this for quite a while. Just lying there, drinking Sake and looking outside. Ikkaku finally turned his head, to look at the spirit.

"You're not about to tell me your name today, either, are you?"

"Nope, didn't plan on it," the spirit answered with a wide grin so very reminiscent of the warrior himself. "You really wanna know? You have to fight me for it. But not today. It's a nice day and we've still got Sake..."

Even if it was only an illusion of his inner world, the Sake was good, Ikkaku had to agree. The day was really nice, too. He now knew the answer, he would have to fight his Zanpakutou, to get it to tell him his name. He had achieved enough for today. Maybe tomorrow he would return with a different mindset. Today he would just enjoy the view.

#

"Madarame Sempai, Ayasegawa Sempai? It is me, Hisagi Shuuhei!"

Yumichika smiled at Ikkaku. Their young friend had arrived. They had invited him to their new home. Even after their graduation, they had kept in touch with the promising young man. While usually they had met at an inn or Sake bar, this was the first time they had invited him over into their new quarters. Even though Yumichika was far from satisfied with the place, he had already worked quite hard to make it comfortable and turn it into a home.

"Please come in," he called, walking to the door to greet their guest.

The door was pushed aside and Hisagi stepped inside. Wide eyed he looked around the spacious room.

"Wow, this is really big."

He took off his Waraji straw-shoes, as was custom, and walked further into the room, still looking around.

Yumichika's face only barely betrayed how proud he was of their new home, but the awed gaping of the youngster did make him feel good. He had supplemented the low table with matching chairs that were decorated with engravings of yarrow, the eleventh company flower. On the chairs were pillows in pink and violet. There were two pictures on the walls. One depicted a soaring dragon, the other a garden with a peacock. Two vases at different places held beautiful arrangements of flowers. Though there was still work to be done, it did look homy already.

"Yes, it is. Actually these were the quarters of our Fuku-taichou. But do to her age and special relationship to the Taichou, she did not use the rooms anyway and was kind enough to offer them to us."

Something for which Yumichika still was very grateful. Yachiru already had inspected what had become of her quarters and approved of the changes. She actually liked to come over to play, a fact Ikkaku was not too happy about. To Yumichika their relationship was a source of amusement. Even though his lover had not stopped calling Yachiru a freak and scowling around her most of the time, he was the one, that reminded Yumichika to stock up on candy, when they were shopping. Also Ikkaku had shown a talent formerly unbeknownst to him. He was really good at building things and had made a Kendama (a wooden toy with a ball that is attached to a catching-stick) for her. She was seen playing with it quite often these days.

"Please sit down. I'll get you some fresh green tea."

There was a delicious looking choice of cookies and rice-cakes and some more hearty crackers set out on the table. When Yumichika had left the room, Hisagi turned to Ikkaku.

"He seems quite happy..."

The bald man grinned. He could see the surprise in the other one's eyes.

"Yeah, I never knew he liked to play house that much, either. But damn, I enjoy it. Try the rice-cakes, they're to die for. Made them himself. And just you wait, 'til he cooks. Incredible."

Grinning Ikkaku slumped down at the table, pushing one of the chairs aside. They just weren't his style, but Yumichika liked the look it gave the room. He popped one of the cakes into his mouth, moaning at the delicious taste.

"Damn, shouldn't have told ya, how good they are."

He grabbed another two, just to keep them safe.

Never one to turn down free food, Hisagi tried one of the recommended cakes. He had been pretty sure Ikkaku exaggerated because of his feelings for Yumichika, but he had to agree, the cake was totally yummy. Knowing now how his Sempai loved the sweets, though, he refrained from eating another. They did manage to fit in some training still and Hisagi definitely did not want the other to harbor any kind of hidden resentment. That would only hurt pretty bad. He rather tried the crackers.

Yumichika returned to the room with the tea then. As he put down the tablet, he saw Ikkaku with the two cakes.

"Do not be so greedy. Leave some of them for Shuuhei, he is our guest."

"But they're the best damn rice-cakes in all of Soul Society and I just can't help myself."

Hisagi almost had to close his eyes, so brightly Yumichika beamed at the compliment. Holding one hand up to hide his mouth while he was giggling, he waved his other hand at Ikkaku in a very girlish manner.

"Nah! You only flatter me, Kaku-chaaan! They are not the best..."

"Oh, yeah, they are. And we've got an independent and uninvolved judge here, who can confirm my assessment."

Ikkaku's gaze settled on Shuuhei. A fierce fire was burning inside of them, telling the younger one in no uncertain terms, that he really better confirmed the man's words, if he wanted to see another dawn. But there was no need for that, not really.

"Oh yeah, Yumichika. He is right, they are absolutely yummy, I never tasted any better."

"Ah, you two!"

Again Yumichika giggled, but the way he beamed just showed how self-satisfied he really was. Ikkaku was grinning from ear to ear now. It was his duty to keep his lover well supplied with compliments. The beauty just needed that kind of flattery like he needed the air to breathe. It was pretty easy to positively comment on Yumichika's cooking and baking, too, as it really tasted damn good.

The raven-haired beauty filled their cups with the tea and then set down. Though he did look at the pushed away chair, he did not comment. He was still feeling way to good about the compliments on his baking. He took a sip of the hot green tea, before he looked at Hisagi.

"I hear congratulations are in order. You were actually chosen for your first mission to the world of the living? Still a third year student, that is pretty impressive!"

Now Shuuhei was beaming at the compliment. In his strive to become like the great Muguruma Kensei, he had taken a very big step, he felt.

"I'm actually the best fighter in the advanced class. I know this is thanks to you, mainly, Ikkaku-Sempai. Even though I sometimes felt, I hadn't even enough power left after training, to get myself back to the dorm, I knew it would all pay off and it did."

At the title Ikkaku rolled his eyes. He had told Shuuhei to just use his first name in their first lesson. Even with Yumichika, he was on first name terms, ever since they had graduated. He let it pass though, as Hisagi obviously just wanted to show his deep respect for him. Grinning, Ikkaku scratched the back of his head.

"I rode you pretty hard, huh? But you see, it did work out. Getting assignments as a student already is a pretty big thing. You're gonna go on to become some big shot, believe me."

"All I really want, is to save souls from Hollows."

Even though this sounded like some trained, humble answer, Ikkaku knew this was how Hisagi truly felt. Yes, he wanted to become like Muguruma Taichou, so he would be aiming for a high seat at least, but not because of the prestige or the money, only to get the most dangerous assignments with the highest chances of saving souls. He liked the boy's attitude, even if it totally differed from his own. Also this was, why he never would encourage him to join their squad. Shuuhei didn't fit in. He had always regarded the fighting as a necessity to achieve his goal, never as something fun.

"And that is admirable," Yumichika agreed. "Very soon now, you will get to do just that."

They were talking a little more about Hisagi's progress at the academy, about their own new duties as seated officers and the two elder ones shared some of their combat stories. The rice-cakes were gone, when Ikkaku fetched a bottle of Sake. As they had their first round, Yumichika remembered something.

"Shuuhei, was there not something you wanted to talk to me about?"

A slight blush crept onto Hisagi's cheeks. It could very easily be blamed on the Sake warming all their stomachs.

"Eh... yeah... there is," Shuuhei started a bit hesitant.

He drained his cup in one go, blushed profusely and spurted it out in one go.

"Howdoyouknowwho'sgoingtobethegirl?"

Yumichika blinked confusedly at Hisagi, trying to make out what he had asked, as it all came out in one, jumbled sentence. When he had deciphered it, he smiled warmly. Ikkaku on the other hand burned up. Not only his cheeks were sporting a bright red, but his whole head.

"And that's my cue to head over to the Taichou's quarters. That little freak's been pestering me all week about some fucking wheels she wants for her sword of all things!"

With an exasperated huff he jumped up.

"You two make that out between yourselves..."

While Hisagi was inspecting the grain of the table overly interested at the moment, Yumichika smiled amused. He got up and walked Ikkaku to the door.

"You know how much we owe her."

"Yeah, yeah..."

Yumichika was looking over at Hisagi, who was slightly hunched over, looking a bit miserable. He turned back to his lover and smiled.

"You said this would happen someday, remember? You go on, have fun."

Ikkaku huffed again, like what he was about to do, was anything but. It got lost in a sweet kiss he received. With a bright grin Ikkaku looked over to Shuuhei. Before he left, he turned back to Yumichika speaking very loudly.

"You tell him how it's done real good..."

The barking laughter was audible even after the slide door was closed again.

Shaking his head Yumichika returned to Hisagi.

"Do not mind him. He can be quite like a little boy sometimes, making fun of things he is uncomfortable with. How about we take things outside?"

Shuuhei was still flushed and happy to comply. Ikkaku's reaction had flustered him totally. Taking along the Sake set and the crackers they made themselves comfortable on the terrace. The garden also had seen some changes already. The Wisteria hanging from the enclosing walls had been lopped into shape, there was a new flower bed and a plum tree had been planted. Also Ikkaku had shown off his skills in creating a small pond with a fresh spring and a Shishiodoshi. For a few moments they set there, listening to the soft, rhythmic clicking the bamboo shaft created when it was filled with the fresh water, fell onto the stone basin to empty it's contents and drop back into its original position. Slowly the calm and cool atmosphere of the garden soothed Hisagi, the way Yumichika had planned.

"So you have found someone interesting?"

"Hm? Yeah. I... I think so. It's someone from my class. He's totally... hot... and... and we've like... kissed... and yeah... I'm... I'm not so sure about... about..."

Again Hisagi was flushed and he trailed off. All alone with Yumichika he didn't try to find interest in the grain of the floorboards, but actually looked at the other man. There was a mixture of pleading and hope in his eyes. He really hoped he didn't have to spell it all out, but that Yumichika would know what he meant.

"As you've already kissed, you can be quite sure of his interest. That is a good start. And now you're not too sure about how to go about the more interesting things."

Yumichika smiled warmly. He filled up their cups and realized the bottle was empty.

"I think we'll need more."

He got up and got another bottle, taking along the little phial usually tugged underneath their pillow in the bedroom. Again he set down next to Hisagi, putting the Sake bottle between them and keeping the phial at his other side.

"Coming back to your initial question, no one is the girl. That is the point. Otherwise you are wrong with a male partner."

The reprimanding words weren't really uttered harshly, but they hit their mark nonetheless. Hisagi duck his head.

"I... I didn't mean it that way..."

"I know, Shuuhei, but you should keep that in mind, still."

After the younger man nodded, Yumichika smiled again. He knew only too well, there were people who regarded him as the 'girl' of his relationship with Ikkaku. He very much resented any such notions.

"There are different forms of relationships. There are those, where one will always bottom, while the other one always tops. In other relationships they take turns. It really depends on the two involved. Usually you will just know by the behavior of your partner. A very shy and sweet guy will most likely rather be taken of, while you will have trouble getting a macho alpha-male to bottom."

At this Yumichika sported a grin, looking pretty self-satisfied at Shuuhei.

"But it definitely can be fun."

The younger man's eyes widened a bit at that.

"Yes, I bet you thought I was submitting to Ikkaku all the time, too. Just know that I do not... and believe me when I tell you he very much enjoys it."

Hisagi had taken a sip of the Sake to hide his again blushing face behind the cup. He liked the two of them, but this might be a bit too much information about them! When he heard the last sentence, he choked on that last sip of Sake and was coughing, making Yumichika laugh in his crystal, ringing tone.

"You do not have to obsess with that question. It happens quite naturally. If you are the one who is most active, taking the first steps in kissing and touching, you will be the first to take it further, too."

The younger man seemed to take that information in, as they both looked at the garden and listened to the sound of the water and the Shishiodoshi. Very softly then, Hisagi asked the question he had been thinking about quite a while now. He stared at the Wisteria, not wanting to show Yumichika the anxiety he felt about it.

"Does it really hurt badly?"

Even if the younger man tried not to show it, Yumichika could hear it in Hisagi's voice. He did not look at him when he answered, not to make him more uncomfortable than he already was. It did not seem too easy for Shuuhei to talk about this, and Yumichika did not want to make it any harder.

"It might," he answered truthfully, "but it does not have to. I will not lie to you. Especially the first time it will feel awkward and be a bit painful, but there are ways to make it tolerable. The most important thing is preparation with this."

Yumichika took the phial and gave it to Hisagi, who inspected it carefully. Sipping some more Sake he told the younger man how to use it exactly and some of the things he could do to distract his partner from any kind of uncomfortableness. He also told him about that special sweet spot and why it was all worth it in the end.

When they were done talking, Hisagi was pretty drunk. Yumichika himself was quite a bit tipsy, too.

"I think you should head on back to the dorm and get a bit of sleep."

"Thaaa' souns niiiice," Hisagi slurred as he got up a little unsteady.

When they both reentered the room, Ikkaku was sitting at the desk, doing paperwork. Yumichika giggled, when he saw him.

"See? He rather did some paperwork, which he hates, than sit with us talking about sex."

As the two had entered the room, Ikkaku had hidden some paper he had been working on. Lately he had tried his hand on writing Haikus, but he wasn't too sure about his prowess. As his lover was into beautiful things and loved the arts, Ikkaku really wanted someone independent to assess his works first, before Yumichika saw it. Contempt for his writing would be very hard to bear from his lover, but pity even more so. Looking at Yumichika then, Ikkaku realized his actions might have been unnecessary, as his lover was quite intoxicated. Hisagi even more so, judging from the way he was staggering. Ikkaku flashed his trademark grin at the last remark.

"That's 'cause I'd rather do it, than talk about it."

Yumichika's giggling grew in pitch and even Hisagi had to laugh at that.

"Iiii'll head on hoooome," he slurred again.

The raven-haired beauty accompanied the younger man to the door.

"You head on straight home now and off to bed."

"YessssssSempai."

Almost Hisagi was out of the door, when Yumichika saw the younger man still had the little bottle. He took it back.

"That is ours, get your own!"

Hisagi giggled at that, and staggering only slightly, took off, heading back to his dorm. Even if it had been awkward and embarrassing at times, he had all the information he needed, he felt. He was damn grateful he had someone like Yumichika he could turn to.

After he had closed the door, the beautiful man took a deep breath. His gaze settled on his lover, who was still sitting at the desk. A smile formed on his lips.

"You two had quite the long talk. Do we know the other boy?"

Ikkaku was looking up from his papers to gaze at his lover, who was approaching him. One look was enough to set his groins afire. There was that certain sway to Yumichika's hips, that look in his eyes full of desire. Reaching the desk, the raven-haired beauty turned, leaning against it. His hand went through his hair as his tongue wet his lips. He was ignoring the question of his lover totally, his mind set on other things.

"Did I ever tell you, that you look very sophisticated sitting at that desk? You remind me of a very, very strict teacher..."

The soft suggestive voice did not leave any doubt in Ikkaku's mind as to what his beautiful, slightly drunk lover was thinking about. An almost feral grin split the bald man's face. He pushed back with his chair a bit form the table, leaned back, folding his hands, interlacing the fingers in a contemplative gesture.

"Do I, now? Do you know why you've been ordered here, Ayasegawa-kun? There are certain rumors circulating about you. And now you dare show up before me smelling like a whole bar! What do you have to say for yourself?"

Slowly the relaxed attitude had changed to anger, Ikkaku's voice getting sterner and louder, sending a shiver down Yumichika's back. Hanging his head he whimpered.

"I am so, so sorry, Madarame-Sensei. I really did not want to drink any of that vile stuff. The elder students made me do it."

"Don't you think I've heard that particular excuse about a thousand times? You should have refused!"

"Oh, but Sensei, I tried. I told them I should not, but they would not listen. I... I was taught to mind my elders and be respectful."

Gripping the desk in a show of anxiety Yumichika looked pleadingly at the bald man.

"Is that why you're said to be easy, too? Because your elders tell you to?" Ikkaku asked getting up.

With Yumichika making himself even smaller than he already was, the bald warrior was practically towering over him now.

"Do they only have to tell you to spread your legs, and like the slutty little boy you are, you just do it?"

Wide eyed Yumichika looked up at his mad Sensei. Oh, this little game was so good. He was all hot, anticipation making his knees feel weak. His Fundoshi felt pretty tight. Nonetheless he shook his head.

"No, no, it is not like... I do not do that... Madarame-Sensei, please believe me!"

"Just look at the way you dress, your hair, those girlish feathers! You practically beg for it..."

Closing in on Yumichika, Ikkaku pressed him to the desk with his body. His lover positively looked desperate. A beautiful blush flushed his cheeks. As close as they were now, he could feel his lover's hard bulge not unlike his own. He couldn't deny how Yumichika's little show turned him on. But his own performance seemed to have a similar effect. Putting his hand possessively on his lover's thigh he closed the hand grabbing the fabric and pulling it up, bit by bit. His face came very close to Yumichika's.

The beauty turned his face away, whimpering at the closeness, his thigh being laid bare.

"Please don't... Madarame-Sensei... I don't..."

At his denial Ikkaku's hand went between his legs, grabbing the more than obvious evidence to the contrary. Yumichika uttered a pained sounding moan and pressed into the rough hand.

"Oh, yes, you do. Don't try to deny it. Don't lie to me," he said, rubbing the bulge, making the raven-haired beauty moan even more. "You're a little slut, who needs it pretty damn badly, I'd say."

Ikkaku's hot breath was ghosting over his skin. Shivering with anticipation and need, Yumichika whimpered pitifully, when the hand stopped its motion.

"Confess it! Tell me, Ayasegawa-kun."

Eyes dark with desire, cheeks flushed, he turned to face Ikkaku. He knew only too well, what the other man wanted to hear. Slipping him the little phial, he had kept in his Obi, he complied.

"Yes... yes, Madarame-Sensei, I need it. I need you to shove your big, hard cock deep into me and fuck me so hard, I can't remember my name anymore. Please... fuck me, Sensei."

The deep growl he received as answer made him shiver again. Roughly Ikkaku grabbed the back of his head and crashed their mouths together. He was ravished mercilessly. Moaning he clung to his lover, until the man was satisfied. With one swipe of his arm, Ikkaku cleaned the desk, roughly shoving the slender man onto it.

"Spread them, little slut and I'll fulfill your dreams!"

The harsh demand and tough behavior of his lover had Yumichika panting and dripping with desire. Loosening the knot, he made it easier for Ikkaku to strip him of the disturbing loincloth, after which he hooked his hands under his knees and spread himself for his lover as far as possible. Lustfully he looked at him, biting his lower lip.

After he'd dropped Yumichika's Fundoshi, his own went the same way. His sword was dripping at the sight before him. His sexy lover was just waiting for him. That tight as hell rosy hole was beckoning him. Using the oil he probed it, moaning in tune with Yumichika at the feeling.

"Ai! Sensei... yeah... that... is good... yeah... more... need more! Please..."

The sweet, hot words urged Ikkaku on, shoving in all three fingers then, making his lover groan.

"Yeah, take it, little slut... more's to come!"

Yumichika knew that only to well and he craved it.

"Yes! Yes, Sensei! Give me that big, big cock!. Stuff me! Fuck me so deep I can taste you in the back of my throat!"

Somewhere way back in Ikkaku's head, he remembered the day after they had moved in. Iba had mumbled something about their Taichou's smothering Reiatsu and how the two of them would need to shield their rooms against it. When Ikkaku told him, they didn't have any trouble with it, since the Taichou's own shielding seemed to be more than enough and that they had slept soundly, he had taken another sleepless night, before he broke and begged the two of them to get that damned shielding, so he could finally get some sleep. So they went to the twelfth division and asked for the same shielding as Zaraki Taichou had for themselves. As they're Reiatsu wasn't nearly as rampant as their Captain's and Urahara didn't believe his erstwhile shielding was not enough, they actually had to tell him about the soundproof qualities the shielding held, too. From the lecherous grin plastered to Urahara's face afterward Ikkaku was pretty sure he never believed the lie about his snoring.

Knowing what would follow now, Ikkaku was glad they had gotten that shielding, otherwise they might wake their whole squad. After he used some more of that oil, he sheathed his powerful sword in Yumichika's receiving body. Giving him, what they both needed, he rammed into him, making him scream in ecstasy, til they both came hard.