Author's Note: So, I have to say that this chapter is a little late but not without cause. You guys didn't review as much as I would have hoped. It made me die a little on the inside, I checked every day for reviews and most days I found nothing. So, thank you to GrimmIchisgrl and ZyiareHellsing for being so kind to leave me some encouragement! You're so sweet! And to all of you that didn't review, but wanted this chapter you should shoot some love to those two. I dedicate this chapter to them, (am I allowed to do that?) anyway. To all of my little babies I love you and I really hope you review. If you guys want to see more of something let me know because this fic is slowly coming to an end soon.
There is still plenty that I have to write yet but if you want to see more of a pairing that I haven't already covered or whatever shoot me a PM or review and I will do my best. I have the plot worked out but I'm going to tell you it's more story line then lemony goodness so you need to let me know what you want to see! Don't be concerned with not seeing Ichigo and Byakuya getting some action there is plenty more to come. So, anything you can think of would be helpful and taken into consideration!
P.S. This chapter is a little light. I watched Little Miss Sunshine last night and then I watched Stuck in Love and it's got me feeling RomCom-ish.
HEY GUYS: I have a poll going, it regards this fic. So go check that out for me! I'm hoping to get 50 votes before I make my ultimate decision. It will help me decide what I would like to do with this fic. Basically, what it boils down to is I feel the lack of reviews is your way of telling me my story sucks (i have serious anxiety issues okay i haven't been sleeping well) so I decided to post a poll. You can answer the poll and I will base my decision on that. Or you can all ignore it and that will ultimately lead to the immediate deletion of this fic.
So, only you know how you feel. You can yell at me all you want if i'm wrong about you guys not liking this story. But, I really need a shove in the right direction. I have some serious doubts about this fic and I need you to help me out here!
Disclaimer: If I owned bleach, there would be no need for a disclaimer. Right? Right.
Chapter 14
The bastard is finally getting what's coming to him. Looking down the stairway to the cellar Yoruichi signaled her team to head in to make the arrests. It was only luck that they were killing two birds with one stone; Grand Fisher, a man that evaded capture for over forty years. He's killed well into the hundreds; a gross fraction of them being women and children.
The Hospital
Ichigo had arrived at the hospital and has been in surgery for a good two hours now. Byakuya put up a fight to do the surgeries Ichigo needed himself, but his kid sister insisted he was too close to the victim. It wasn't without a just cause; he knew he would probably end up more in the way than anything.
Ichigo had sustained serious injuries in that cellar. From what Byakuya could tell in the car he had three broken ribs, several open cuts that needed stitching, probably internal bleeding, battered feet, shattered bones in his hands. It was going to be a long night, and Byakuya knew that. He just wished he could be in there with him. Byakuya was after all the best surgeon in the tri-state area and his expertise would probably be useful; but he knew he wouldn't be able to think clearly now.
Anyone could tell you that Byakuya was never one to show much emotion. He always held a 'noble' air to the way he worked, how he carried himself and in the way he spoke. 'Hell would freeze over before he let something get under his skin' people would say. Some even went as far to say that he had no heart at all and that was how he remained so refined and elegant in any situation. Even during the worst cases in the hospital Byakuya retained his grace; that's how he managed to defy the odds of every situation.
Today was different. Byakuya's hands were shaky, his skin clammy and his heart pounding. They were half way to the hospital when Ichigo had started coughing. Blood dusting Byakuya's shirt, Ichigo's lips covered, drops falling from his chin. Yachiro had only looked back for a second and decided that a smooth ride was not the way to go.
Like in a car chase one would only ever see in the movies, Yachiro dodged every car in both lanes of traffic, turning every corner with a cause, cutting through stopped intersections and finally skidding to a halt in front of the emergency room doors.
As instructed, Rukia and the assembled team stood there waiting. Only pausing for a moment to gather themselves; after all Yachiro only left a foot of space between them and the car, it's a wonder they weren't dead. Byakuya was the first out of the car, calling over to the staff to bring over the bed; he already had Ichigo in hand and was laying him on the bed.
Keeping in step with his co-workers Byakuya was telling them what was going on. Instructing them what to do until he felt himself hit what felt like a wall. He looked down to see his sister holding him in place. He knew what she was doing, but that didn't stop him from asking.
It was stupid to think that he would have been able to help Ichigo. He couldn't even keep his hands from shaking; his voice wavering with struggle, pain, despair, worry and lack of control. The only thing he could do was keep himself from crying. It was silly really, he had seen several people come into this hospital in far worse conditions, yet he couldn't help that dark gummy feeling in his stomach.
Sitting in a chair outside of the operating room Byakuya tried to steady his breath. Pulling his hands apart and laying them flat on his knees. He tried to slow his heart rate; he didn't like this feeling, he wasn't in control.
"Byakuya?" a soft voice asked. Byakuya took one more deep breath in before looking up to his sister. "He's out of any immediate danger. The worst of the surgery is over but they still have a lot to do. You should probably go home for a little bit and get some rest and maybe…" Rukia looked down to Byakuya's shirt then back to his eyes, "take a shower."
Byakuya only nodded. He knew he wasn't going to be able to help. As much as he didn't want to leave Ichigo here he knew he wasn't to anything to help his cause either. "You'll call me if anything changes and when he gets out of surgery." It wasn't a question, but he looked over to Rukia who nodded her head. Standing up he walked down the hall and before he turned to leave he looked back to Rukia who gave him a small smile.
Byakuya's House
Turning on the light he looked to himself; the reflection in the mirror, the man in the mirror who looked unfamiliar. As pale as he was he never considered what he would look like; well, pale. Byakuya looked at his hair watching the reflection of his hand tuck loose hairs behind his ear. The black strands were damp with sweat and drying blood. His shirt was wrinkled and ruined.
Byakuya only managed to take out the tie in his hair before he couldn't look anymore. Turning from the mirror he stripped down not caring if the ruined clothes remained in a lump on the floor. He walked over to the shower and turned it on. Letting it fog up the entire bathroom; fogging up the mirror, he pulled a comb from a drawer under the sink.
He combed his hair slowly, breathing the steam from the shower in and then out. Snarl free he laid the comb on the counter and walked over to the shower. He didn't hiss as the hot water touched the surface of his skin; soon turning a soft pink. He turned the heat down only a little before he went head first into the streams of water. Byakuya looked down as reddish liquid swam and swirled around his feel before going down the drain.
Once the water ran clear through his hair Byakuya stood straight. Turning the water to a cooler temperature he began washing himself; conditioning his hair, scrubbing the blood from his hands. He only took a few minutes before the water was shut off, the door was opened and he was wrapping a towel around his waist.
He left the bathroom and headed into the closet. Picking out his best casual clothes; he didn't have many. He laid the clothes out on the counter and cleaned up his mess from earlier before opening the door to the bathroom. Steam flooded out of the bathroom into his room, Byakuya only watched as the fog began to clear from the mirror. He grabbed the comb and dryer and went to work. After his hair was dried and braided into his usual wear he grabbed his clothes and shook off the towel.
From the bathroom to the bedroom Byakuya had changed into dark green, tight fitting cargo pants, a grey t-shirt, a black and white flannel; the sleeves pushed up to his elbows, and ankle high black suede combat boots. Even in the simplest attire he looked elegant.
He walked out of his bedroom to the phone in his living room. He dialed down to the front desk, "Yes, I need you to send Kisuke up here as soon possible please. There isn't a rush, just before two please."
He hung up and left the living room to walk up the stairs to the loft. Turning on his laptop he pulled out a pad of paper and pen from the nightstand. His fingers pressed a bunch of buttons on the laptop before he picked up the pen and wrote some things down. Once he was finished he went back down to the phone.
Before he could pick it up and make his phone call his door bell was chiming. So, he walked over to the door and greeted the manager of his apartment complex. "Kisuke, thank you for coming, please come in I have some things I would like to discuss with you."
"Certainly, Mr. Kuchiki." It didn't shock Byakuya to see the man with an oversized green robe on, a green shirt and pants of a darker shade, Geta sandals, and his favorite white and green striped hat. The man seriously liked his green. It didn't matter to Byakuya, the man may have his quirks but in the end he is very good at his job. He used to be the supply manager at the hospital but after a year or so he decided he didn't like the hustle and bustle.
Now sitting on Byakuya's couch, feet tucked under him he looked over to Byakuya who was standing at the counter in the kitchen. "So, what's up?"
"The floor below me, there's an available room am I right?" Byakuya waited for Kisuke to nod. "Good, I would like for you to hire a maid and have her stock the house. I have guest's that will be staying there for an undetermined amount of time. The room has two bedrooms?"
"Yes, of course." Kisuke replied.
"Well then, that's settled." Byakuya then walked over to the couch across from Kisuke; sitting down he held his gaze. "Ichigo was taken some night's ago. He was taken from the greenhouse, with no struggle. They left this apartment and this building undetected and I want to know how. It is your job to ensure our complex doesn't fall victim to theft. Now that it has, you need to figure out why and fix it." His voice held an edge that Kisuke shuttered at.
This was a warning and Kisuke knew that. "Yes sir, I will get on it and you can rest assured knowing it will not happen again." Kisuke heaved a sigh; he hated apologizing especially when it was his fault. He didn't like commotion and he didn't like mishap and he had unintentionally caused both.
Later on that day...
He arrived at a small community school. Earlier he had called the school principal, requesting permission to meet with a few of the school's students. Walking up the sidewalk to the schools entrance he opened the door into an open hall. Paintings and signs littered the walls, his eyes looking around for the sign that would lead him to the principal's office.
"Hello there, is there anything I can do for you sir?" A young woman looked at him; he could see a small blush dusting her cheeks. It never failed; wherever he went women would look at him like a piece of meat to impress.
"My name is Byakuya Kuchiki, I set up an appointment earlier with your schools principal." Holding no regard for the woman's feelings he wore a straight face.
"Ah, well, if you would follow me his office is right down here." She almost pouted at the way he carelessly spoke to her. Walking him towards the office she kept glancing back at him hoping she would catch him staring at her, but he never even flinched. "Here you are Byakuya, you can go inside, he doesn't appear to be too busy."
"Thank you." Byakuya said, walking by her careful not to make any physical contact. He accidently brushed shoulders with a woman once and she took it as a sign of affection he made sure to never repeat that mistake.
Inside the small office there was a pine desk with two maroon chairs in front of it. Bookshelves cluttered one wall, posters and certificates cluttered the other. The wall behind the desk had a shorter table along the width of it, papers and forms all stacked miles high. There was a coffee pot in the corner, picture frames scattered all around. In front of the microwave underneath the table sat a fairly pudgy man in a common desk chair. He clumsily swiveled around and fumbled with the hot container of food he pulled out from the microwave. "Oh, I did not see you there." Rolling his chair to his desk he set the food down on his calendar/placemat. "You must be Mr. Kuchiki; would you like me to call down the students you asked about now?"
"Yes, but no. I actually wanted to ask you a few questions; before I talk to them, if that is alright with you? I didn't realize it was your lunchtime." Byakuya signaled with his hand to the steaming bowl of; what the hell is that, food in front of him.
"Oh, that's quite alright. Take a seat, take a seat. I'm just going to throw this in the fridge and we can talk, okay?" He swiveled about in his chair; putting his hot mess in the mini fridge that resided under the long counter. "What would you like to discuss."
Byakuya sat down in the seat he was offered, noting its lack of hygiene. There were deep stains in the chair's cushions. "Well, I was wondering about the subjects you offer the student's to study…" Byakuya asked about all the subjects that were offered here and was even offered a pamphlet that went over everything that the student's studied. He asked about the cafeteria food and what the course of a child's day here in this school consisted of. Overall there were several questions' that were all answered by the principal. If the man couldn't answer the questions he would hand Byakuya a pamphlet or a packet of papers.
At the end of the interrogation Byakuya decided he didn't like this school but didn't mention that to the fidgeting man in front of him. "Would you mind calling the girls up now?" Byakuya eyed the man in front of him, watching him as he nodded with a cheery glow.
He picked up the phone on his desk, pressing a few buttons and talked to whoever was on the other line. After thanking the unknown person he nodded to himself and hung the phone up. "They are on their way now."
After several minutes of watching the principal fumble around his office; he managed to knock over a stack of papers on the back counter, spill some coffee on his shirt and miraculously fell out of his chair, the girls arrived. "Ah, take a seat girl's."
The one girl did as instructed, sitting in the chair next to Byakuya. The other girl stood by the girl trading glances between the two men in the room. "What's going on."
The principal was about to reply but Byakuya took the reins, "you must be Karin," looking to the girl at the door, "and you must be Yuzu," looking to the girl seated next to him, "my name is Byakuya Kuchiki. I'm a friend of your brothers." He looked to both girls who seemed to be a little unnerved by his words.
"Ichigo was recently taken captive, we managed to rescue him yesterday and get him to the hospital. He was in surgery until about five o' clock this morning. He's doing well, my sister is his attendant and she estimates he will be able to leave tonight. Which brings me to answer the question I'm sure both of you are asking, why I'm here."
After a few moments of silence, all of the words sinking in, Karin looked at her sister who was looking at her. Karin knew her sister well enough to see the 'what do we say,' look in her eyes. "So, why are you here?" Karin looked to the man that seemed to be waiting for that exact question.
"Before your brother's capture he was living with me for a while. He talked about you two frequently, wondering how you were doing. A few days before he asked about seeing you again, he wanted you two to come and live with him. Since he is living with me and I only have one room I suggested you stay in an apartment of your own." Byakuya took a brief moment to catch his breath and think about how to word the next parts. "We came up with a plan. See, I own the hospital your brother is currently recovering in. I also own the apartment complex he and I live in. There is a room available for both of you to occupy if you wish."
Seeing the girls questioning looks he could only assume what they were thinking, "If you're concerned about payment there is no need. I told your brother that you could live there all expenses paid. You wouldn't have to pay rent, or pay for groceries. All that you would concern yourself with is school, visiting your brother and finding a part time job to earn money for yourselves if you wish to have spending money."
"I don't understand. Why would you do that for us?" Karin asked, she knew better than to take open ended offers, she saw what happened to Ichigo.
"Well, I wouldn't say I am doing it for you. I'm offering this to you for Ichigo. Certainly you would have your doubt, that's why I arranged for you to come with me to the hospital. You can talk to your brother; he can answer any questions you have about the apartment and about me." Byakuya simply looked to the two girls. Holding their gazes he waited for one of them to speak.
"Karin, we can go see Ichigo! I don't think he's lying to us and if you're so concerned we can take a bus or something, Karin?" Yuzu looked to her sister with pleading eyes. She wanted to go see her brother and everything else could wait.
"Fine. But, it takes about half an hour to get there so if you don't hear from by then call the cops and report us kidnapped." Karin pointed to the principal who suddenly seemed to shake a little in his chair.
"Yes, I will wait for your call!" The man stood up and bowed to the three of them as they left the room.
Back at the Hospital
"Did you finish your call?" Byakuya asked.
"Yeah, now where's our brother?" Karin crossed her arms in front of her chest and mumbled a few obscenities under her breath. Yuzu looked at Karin with disappointment in her eyes.
"Follow me if you will." Byakuya lead the way to Ichigo's room. It was only a matter of time before he woke up. He'd been sleeping since six this morning and it was already half past two. He opened the door to a room. There was one bead on wall, monitors and equipment around the head of the bed. In the bed was Ichigo; Byakuya pulled the curtain back so the girls could see him and to his surprise he was met with a smile.
"Hey," Ichigo said only to be caught off guard when four arms were slung around him, "what are you doing here?" He looked down at the two girls smothering him. If you couldn't tell by his difficulties producing a sentence then you could tell by the blush on his face and his wide eyes; he was surprised to say the least.
"I picked them up from school and told them about the apartment. I told them about everything but, uhm," Byakuya at a loss for words was truly something no one would think to see, especially Ichigo. Byakuya looked to Ichigo trying to speak with him through simple eye contact, when Ichigo smiled in response Byakuya knew he understood.
"So what's going on?" Karin pulled away from the hug, glaring at the man who now stood next to Ichigo's bed. "Who the hell is this creep Ichigo?" Karin looked the man over only satisfied when the man stifled a blush and proceeded to put a little distance between them.
"Well, uh, he's my…" Ichigo lifted his free hand to scratch the side of his temple, laughing softly, "I guess he's my boyfriend." It sounded more like a question than anything else; Ichigo looked up to Byakuya who seemed to be a little taken back by his new title. "Is that okay? I don't know how else to explain it."
Byakuya simply shrugged and leaned over to kiss Ichigo softly on the lips. "It's perfect Ichigo." Moving his hand to the back of Ichigo's neck, pulling him in closer for a deeper kiss; Byakuya looked out of the corner of his eye to see Karin dazed and a little disconcerted, running his tongue along Ichigo's bottom lip he pulled back and placed a final kiss on his forehead.
Karin stood a little baffled, her face a deep red, her eyes wide with horror and a little drool peeking out of the corner of her mouth, Serves her right, damn brat, call me a creep again. He looked to the girl eyeing her, almost saying with facial expression alone that he wanted her to try something, daring her to try something or daring her to say something.
Yuzu simply blushed and leaned to Ichigo's ear, "isn't he a little pretty for you Ichigo." She knew her brother was gay, but she never thought he would get someone that good looking. Ichigo only grunted at her obviously not liking her comment.
"What you think I can't get someone that hot?" Ichigo's hand's motioning to the man next to him who was still in a staring contest with Karin. Yuzu only blushed a little while giggling at her brother's outburst.
"Well I've clearly underestimated your appeal Ichigo, I'm sorry." Yuzu pretended to pout, like she was the one that should be upset about Ichigo's rating on the hotness chart. Ichigo didn't fall for it, he knew she was trying to get him to apologize for his outburst but he also knew she wanted him to have an outburst to begin with.
So, with a huff of his own he looked away from Yuzu and replied, "clearly." Waiting for her to fall for his trap he crossed his arms over his chest and listened. Soon Yuzu had her arms wrapped around him and was apologizing. She then diverted his attention by telling him that his boyfriend and his sister hadn't moved or blinked for a minute or so.
"Byakuya?" Ichigo looked over to his newly made boyfriend and then to his sister. They looked pretty deep into their battle. Ichigo knew Karin could compete with the best of them if she put her mind to it but he's seen Byakuya do some serious damage with those looks. After another minute he decided to take things into his own hands.
Byakuya could easily win this staring contest, he hadn't even flinched yet. He had to admit though; Ichigo's sister was a tough one. She seemed to have all the 'rough and tough' qualities Ichigo had. He was starting to wonder after two minutes how long this would last when suddenly the eyes he was boring a hole into changed. Instead of black eyes he saw amber ones. "What's going on?" He looked up from the eyes and instantly recognized the orange hair that he was greeted with.
"What the hell do you think you're doing out of your bed?" Byakuya leaned forward and curled one of his arms around Ichigo's waist gently, then bent down halfway to reach under Ichigo's legs. He carried him around the bed and laid him back down.
"Well you didn't have to carry me." Ichigo said with a touch of embarrassment as his cheeks tinged dark red.
"You didn't have to get out of bed; you're supposed to be recovering." Byakuya said as he pulled the sheets back up and over Ichigo's body.
"You wouldn't answer me!" Ichigo pouted. He didn't really think it was that big of a deal. He felt fine, the pain wasn't that bad and some of his cuts were already scarring.
"You two quit bickering, Ichigo you shouldn't have gotten out of bed. Byakuya you shouldn't have been having an eye staring contest with Karin and Karin you shouldn't have called Ichigo's boyfriend a creep." Yuzu spoke matter of factly as she huffed and turned around heading for the door, "now I am going to go grab something for you to eat, Karin would you come help me please?"
Karin huffed as she headed for the door only to look back at Ichigo and his 'boyfriend;' more like a stuck up asshole if you ask me. She gave a final warning glare to the older man and left with Yuzu.
Ichigo watched the girls leave and once they were out of sight he reached his hand out and pulled Byakuya by the wrist to land right on top to him. Their faces but a breath apart Ichigo looked into Byakuya's eyes, moving fingers through his hair and giving a small tug that pulled him closer.
Byakuya melted into the kiss, propping himself up on his hand to ensure that he wouldn't crush Ichigo. His other hand was on the side of Ichigo's neck, thumb stretched to slowly rub soft circles across his cheek.
Ichigo moved his hand from Byakuya's hair, resting his hand on Byakuya's shoulder to mimic the other hand. Byakuya slid his tongue across his lips; Ichigo moved his arms to wrap around Byakuya's neck, he leaned back into the pillow pulling the larger man with him, and granted access to his unspoken question.
Byakuya somehow managed to get himself on top of Ichigo without break the kiss. He gently straddled Ichigo's hips, their chests occasionally in contact when they breathed. Byakuya had on arm lying next to Ichigo's head, his fingers playing with the golden locks on Ichigo's head. The other hand rested on Ichigo's chest, only putting light pressure there to feel Ichigo's heart beat increase.
Ichigo had moved one hand down to the Byakuya's side slowly pulling him closer. His other hand was tangled in Byakuya's hair crushing their lips together. They were doing what they didn't have a chance to do in the back of the car.
After several lust filled minutes; full of shaky breathing, soft moans of encouragement and hungry kisses, Byakuya pulled away whispering against Ichigo's warm lips. "I love you too."
So, if there are errors I'm sorry... I didn't feel like editing. You guys get to read the raw copy. Let me tell you I had about two pages written and I deleted them and then this happened. So, what do you think? Oh, also I've been spending my time reading a lot of NaruSasu fic and I swear to goodness the entire time I read them I was thinking about my fic. I thought about how crappy my fic was in comparison. One of the the fics the author mentioned plot holes... So yeah I've been feeling anxious and my insomnia has come back. So, if you guys could clue me on some errors (even the smallest ones) that would make me happy and I might be able to sleep soundly. If you didn't know I don't have a beta, and I'm not really sure how to get one, nor do I think I want one. (That's too much responsibility) I am relying on you! My wonderful viewers to be my guide! I always thought that the readers were the best critics!
I will update soon! Now, REVIEW! Please! I love you all!