I'm really late this time, an I'm sorry about that. I can't even say why this chapter was so long in the making. It's a bit shorter than the last one's but I hope you will still enjoy it. I at least spent a good amount of time on the lemon, as I know most of you out there wanted more XD Thanks to all of you reviewing and to those faving my story and once again to AdaraLove for helping me getting through this one.
Warnings for this chapter: Nothing I can think of.
14. Beautiful Afternoon
"Is it ready yet? Have you packed the food?" Ikkaku asked his slender lover impatiently. He just couldn't wait to be off. It had taken some time, but he was more than ready to finally present his Shikai to Yumichika.
"Yes, yes, I am done!" Shaking his head with an exasperated smile, his hair flew and the feathers teetered slightly. "Why will you not tell me, where we are going?" Even though he asked, the mystery of their destination and of what they were going to do once they got there, was actually kind of romantic.
"It's a surprise, that's why!" Taking Yumichika by the hand, he pulled him along, leaving the other one just enough time to slip his hand through the loop on the Sake bottle and grab the Bentos. As soon as they had left the building, they were flash-stepping off the compound and out of Seireitei, Ikkaku leading their direction.
Their current speed was threatening to tear open the Kimono Yumichika was wearing. It was a gift from Ikkaku. The fabric was pure silk in a violet so dark it almost looked black depending on how the light played upon it. The dark color served perfectly to highlight the design of pristine white yarrow on the Kimono. Even though Yumichika loved this new piece to his collection, in a way he envied Ikkaku wearing his Shinigami uniform at the moment, the Hakama protecting him from the rushing winds and showing way more naked flesh than what was decent!
Arriving at his training ground in the woods by the brook, Ikkaku finally halted. He pulled his beautiful lover in a tight embrace and kissed him slow and deep, tasting his sweetness to the fullest. Softly he stroked the small of the slender man's back. When they parted, he grinned at a slightly dazed Yumichika.
"I want to show you something. That's why I brought you here." Taking the hand of his beauty once again, he lead him to the flat stone where he had meditated and gestured for him to sit.
The kiss had Yumichika's toes literally curling. A little hot sex in the woods wouldn't be the worst idea Ikkaku had ever had. But then he learned, that that did not seemed to be on the menu. Curious and more than a little intrigued what was going on, the raven-haired Shinigami sat down, putting the Bentos and Sake bottle at the shadowed side of the stone. Legs crossed, hands lying lightly on the upper knee, back straight, Yumichika looked at Ikkaku. "I am ready. Show me."
While the slender beauty sat down, the bald warrior shrugged out of his Shihakushou. As he looked again the perfect picture of pure, graceful chastity that was his lover almost undid him. A big part of him just wanted to rush over and ravage that beautiful creature. Ikkaku shook his head to clear it. He had different plans! But... but later...
Yumichika's eyes trailed over the now naked chest of his lover. He would never get enough of the sight of the well defined muscles. The perfectly toned chest and abdomen always turned him on. Nonetheless he could see that this was important to Ikkaku as he looked at him pretty seriously, so Yumichika concentrated, too.
"Watch this." Ikkaku held his Zanpakutou, in front of him and drew it. Turning his hand he slammed the handle to the hilt. "Grow, Houzukimaru!" In a flash he held the Yari sized, spear-like Zanpakutou in his hand, twirling it expertly first between his two hands, then around his body, too.
Yumichika's eyes went wide. He had had no idea Ikkaku had learned Shikai! How had his lover kept such a secret from him? In utter disbelieve he watched the sword turn into a Yari with a dark pink tassel on one end. The sure way Ikkaku handled the strange form, made it clear to Yumichika that he must have trained with his Shikai for a while now. The Yari was twirling and dancing around Ikkaku's body, like it was a part of him, perfectly controlled. There was a stab to Yumichika's heart, as he saw it. He would never find this way of harmony with his own Zanpakutou. He was pretty sure Ruri-iro Kujaku hated him by now, as he had not uttered its name ever since that first time.
Going through different sets of movements with his Zanpakutou, Ikkaku bent, jumped, sidestepped all the while twirling and stabbing the air with Houzukimaru. Letting the Yari rotate overhead, Ikkaku commanded it. "Split!" The first time he had used this command at the direction of Houzukimaru's spirit, he had finally understood what it had meant, when it told him, he wouldn't understand it, just by releasing it. And he also knew, why he needed some extensive training. The three parts of his Zanpakutou disconnected, disturbing the rotating balance, as the connecting chains extended. Before the weapon could get out of control, however, Ikkaku gave it another spin and threw it up. With practiced ease he caught two parts, laying them around his neck, while his right hand let the third, blade part, spin, grinning self-satisfied at his lover.
Even though Yumichika felt a deep sadness in his heart at the incredible display, there was no way he could not be impressed by Ikkaku. With superb ease he swung and guided the released Zanpakutou that was in form so different to the others they new. As he gave the second command, Yumichika watched in awe, as the Zanpakutou showed its true form. It was no Yari, it was a Sansetsukon!
He watched as Ikkaku proved, that he could handle this form with the same proficiency. Fascinated now, Yumichika saw, that in this form the Zanpakutou could connect and disconnect at Ikkaku's will and he knew very well how to use these different forms. As it was a warm summers day, the physical exertion was taking its toll on the bald man, Yumichika realized. There was a sheen of sweat all over his upper body and even his dome was glistening in the sun. It was just dead sexy and had Yumichika lick his lips unconsciously.
After Ikkaku was done showing how he could make the Sansetsukon form of Houzukimaru reconnect in different forms at will, he finally stopped his display, looking at his lover with expectancy shining I his eyes. He had trained hard to reach this level of proficiency in such short time. There were so many Shinigami, that never reached Shikai and more than enough of those who did couldn't fully handle their Zanpakutou anyway.
Slowly Yumichika stood up and approached Ikkaku. "That was absolutely incredible. I had no idea. You really surprised me. How ever did you manage to keep this a secret from me?"
The bald warrior became slightly insecure at the last question. Usually, the two of them didn't have any secrets from each other. Was Yumichika angry? "I wanted to surprise you. I wanted this to be special and to prove to you, that I am strong." His eyes were pleading with his lover to understand why he had kept a secret from him for a short time.
A smile graced Yumichika's lips as he reached his lover. "I know you are strong. I have always known." His hands touched Ikkaku's chest, stroking the skin, feeling the muscles. "You are a born fighter, a warrior. I have seen it the first time we met. You were strong already then, and you are even stronger now. That is your true strength. You never stop improving your skills. You want to become stronger, you have a will of steel. That is something I love about you."
One finger caught a drop of sweat making its way from Ikkaku's neck along his chest. Looking into his lover's eyes he brought the wet finger to his lips, licking up the sweat and moaning in delight. "You even taste of strength," he whispered.
Ikkaku rammed Houzukimaru's blade into the soft, green ground and wrapped his arms around Yumichika possessively, pulling him in tight. As he had imagined earlier, he pressed his lips to the beauty's and ravaged that sweet mouth thoroughly. One hand grabbed hold of a firm, round ass-cheek, kneading the flesh and pulling in the hips even tighter to grind into them hungrily. He only let go of Yumichika's mouth, when all air had left him and his lungs started to burn. Sucking in one deep breath, his mouth went on to torture the beautiful, long, creamy neck.
Need flooded his system, as Ikkaku ravaged his mouth savagely. Yumichika clawed at the other one's back, moaning into the kiss. His lips burned after only a moment under this forceful assault but he ignored it. He felt light-headed from lack of oxygen by the time Ikkaku set him free. He was gasping for breath, as his neck was kissed and sucked at. His lover's desperate grinding had both of them hard in mere moments. When he felt Ikkaku's teeth graze his neck, his hands came up to claw at the bald dome. Yumichika was whimpering, as his lover placed vicious love bites in his most sensitive, tender spots.
The sweet sounds his beautiful lover was making, turned Ikkaku on even further. He let go of him, only to fumble open the Obi, to get the Kimono off Yumichika. "I want you so bad...," he rasped, licking underneath the ear. "I need to feel your tight heat swallow me... I want to fuck you, Yumi-chan..." Ikkaku shrugged the silk off the creamy shoulders, baring his lover. He growled deep in his throat when he saw that the beauty wore nothing underneath. His eyes burned into Yumichika's full of desire and need.
The words made the raven-haired beauty shiver. He helped taking his Kimono off. "Then take me...," Yumichika whispered back. Turning his back to Ikkaku, he walked the few steps to that flat stone, making sure to let his slender hips sway enticingly. Looking over his shoulder he bent at the hip. Arms stretched, hands resting on the low rock, he parted his legs, presenting his ass as eagerly as possible. Even though this still was not Yumichika's preferred position, he had lost his inhibitions about it. More open to it, he had learned that it had its own merits. "Don't worry, I've taken measures," he assured the hungrily approaching Ikkaku.
As Yumichika let his hips sway, the bald man licked his lips. No woman he had been with before had ever looked so incredibly sexy doing it. But it was the position his beautiful lover offered himself in, that had Ikkaku groan, his cock weeping at the sight alone. With fast movements he lost his Hakama, staring at that firm, hot ass. As the thighs were spread, he could even see the gleam of the oil already applied. The thought of Yumichika preparing himself made him groan. Stepping behind his lover, he ripped off his Fundoshi. His hand wrapped around his cock, spreading the pre-cum, in a few pumps. His other hand stroked along Yumichika's spine, down to his ass. "You are incredible... you look so damn sexy..."
A deep moan escaped the raven-haired Shinigami's throat, at the gentle stroke along his spine, that left goosebumps in its wake. When Ikkaku's hand had reached his butt, he pressed into it. "Hurry up, Ikkaku," he half moaned. "I need your cock... I need you deep inside... I need to feel your desire."
No force in Soul Society could have stopped Ikkaku right then, not even the raging fires of Yamamoto Soo-Taichou's Ryuujin Jakka itself. He let his thumb slip into the oily cleft, stroking the hot muscle, that was twitching eagerly at the touch. "Oh yeah, you want it... you need it," he groaned, guiding his hard flesh with the other hand. Spreading the cheeks, he positioned himself. As it had to have been at least an hour ago, that Yumichika had prepared himself and he had only used his own pre-cum as lube, he took it slow. Growling deep, he pressed at that tight entrance which let him in only reluctantly, but as the heat swallowed his head, he moaned roughly. "Aaaaah... so hot... so tight!"
Yumichika bit his lower lip until he tasted blood, as Ikkaku breached his entrance. He only barely swallowed the groan, that wanted to escape him, as his fingers tried to bury themselves in the unyielding rock. He was glad at that moment that Ikkaku, even with their passions running so high, was going slow. Taking an unsteady breath, he concentrated on relaxing more, accommodating the big, hard flesh stretching him more and more. He sucked at his own lower lip, swallowing the few droplets of blood, as Ikkaku buried himself to the hilt. Panting through the burning sensation, Yumichika nonetheless loved the feeling of being one with his lover, of feeling him so deep. With a moan he pushed back a bit then, giving Ikkaku the sign that he was ready.
The bald warrior felt the tension drop finally from his beautiful lover's body. Stroking along his spine once again, he pulled back a bit and pushed again, his movements becoming wider with every repetition.
Yumichika's first hiss turned into moans of pleasure, as the burning subsided, buried underneath the returning passion. "More, Ikkaku... harder... faster," he begged, pushing back, impaling himself. As his bald lover let loose and plunged into him with a hard snap of his hips, Yumichika arched his back, crying out his name.
The moaned pleading turned any inhibitions to nothing. Ikkaku slammed into the willing body, making his beauty scream his name. There was nothing he loved to hear more, than Yumichika shouting his name in ecstasy. Grabbing the slender hips, he pulled, as he plunged into the tight heat again and again. "Ah! Yumi-chan... so incredible!" At the pace they were going, they couldn't last long. Feeling the climax built already, Ikkaku leaned over the raven-haired Shinigami, wrapping his arm around his chest. When he straightened again, he took Yumichika with him.
His knee nudged the other one's, urging the beauty to lift his leg and put one foot on the rock. This allowed for more room and a nice angle as Ikkaku snapped his hips again and again. His hand, that had held the hip was wrapping around Yumichika's cock then, pumping in time with his hard thrusts, making his lover whimper and moan. The fingers on the chest found a nipple to twirl and tug. Once again Ikkaku was sucking and nibbling at the neck, that showed colorful marks already.
Yumichika was very close, with his throbbing flesh being pumped by the rough hand and the deep, hard slams into his body, it tensed up, craving its release. Arching his back, leaning more onto the lifted leg, he slightly changed Ikkaku's angle, making the next stroke hit his sweet spot. Crying out in ecstasy, Yumichika came hard all over his lover's hand and the rock upon which the other one had trained.
As the orgasm swept through his beauty's body, Ikkaku felt the inner muscles twitch around him, gripping him. The ecstatic cry of his lover was music to his ears. It took two more hard slams, before his own release swept through him. In his passionate daze, he bit down hard on Yumichika's shoulder, making the other one cry out and shudder in a mixture of pleasure and pain, as his seed filled the tight channel. As the last tremors of ecstasy had subsided, Ikkaku wrapped both arms tightly around Yumichika, holding him tight. "Ah... Yumi-chan... that was... just incredible. I... love you so much... so much."
The beautiful Shinigami moaned deeply as Ikkaku's warm seed filled him, the pain of the bite already forgotten. When those strong arms held him tight, another warmth flooded him, his love for the bald warrior. Lifting one arm, he grasped behind himself and into Ikkaku's neck. While he turned his own head, he made his lover do the same until they looked at each other and their lips met in a passionate kiss. When they parted for air, Yumichika smiled softly. "I love you, too." For a few moments longer, they stayed this way, kissing and just holding each other.
It was Ikkaku that finally extricated himself, leaving Yumichika to mewl at the loss of his filling and the contact at the same time. Only a moment later though, he found himself in Ikkaku's arms, held bridal style. "Ai! Ikkaku, what are you doing?" Even though he was crying in his surprise, Yumichika could not deny that he liked it, when his lover did something like this. His arms were already wrapped around the bald man's neck.
"I made you dirty, so I thought it only fair, I'd be the one to clean you up, too," Ikkaku declared, as he started on his way to the brook. "It's just deep enough, that it reaches to your belly, but that's enough to get us cleaned up a bit." He stepped into the water, that was almost lukewarm, the brook being shallow enough to get warmed up by the burning sun. Still it felt refreshingly cool to Ikkaku's heated body. When he had almost reached the deepest part, he very slowly let down Yumichika, so that he had time to get used to the temperature.
A deep sigh left the beautiful man's lips, when the water cooled his body. "Hm, that's nice." Taking up water with his hands he started to spill it over his shoulders, only to get gently stopped by Ikkaku who then did it for him. Never one to turn down getting spoiled, Yumichika enjoyed the tender attention. His lover spilled the cooling water over his shoulders, back and chest and then stroked him with fresh water in his hand, as if he wanted to rub the cooling fluid into his skin. Moaning softly Yumichika arched into the touches.
Putting his arms on Ikkaku's shoulders, he stroked his neck and the back of the bald dome. Stretching on tiptoe he kissed his lover, the tongue snaking into the warm, wet cavern. Leisurely it wandered around the well known territory, meeting with its opposite for a slow dance. Soft moans drowned in their kiss, when Ikkaku's thumbs gently rubbed his nipples, getting the peaks to rise again.
With their hot passion spent, the bald warrior took his time now to make Yumichika feel good. He enjoyed the soft skin under his rough hands, touching and stroking the slender and sinewy body. He growled low, as he was pulled into a slow, sweet kiss, his own arms wrapping around Yumichika, holding him close.
All around them the brook was rippling merrily around some rocks and stones. As Ikkaku had been here as often as he could for the last month's, he knew the territory very well. Taking Yumichika by the hand, when they ended their kiss, he lead him to one of the larger rocks. Right before it, he dropped down into the water, sitting down on a low, flat ledge, that was a little below the waterline. "Come here," he beckoned Yumichika, holding out his other hand, too, to help him up onto his lap. The form of the rock was just perfect, as the higher part was like a backrest. After some hard training, he had sat here and relaxed a bit to rest his sore muscles.
At first Yumichika wasn't too happy as they broke up their little make-out session, but when Ikkaku sat down against that rock, he felt almost like they were at a natural spring resort. With his lover's help he climbed onto the rock that could barely be seen in the twirling waters. Settling in Ikkaku's lap the brook still reached just above his hips. "This is really nice," he said, again wrapping his arms around his lover's neck. "I like this place." He buried his face in the crook of Ikkaku's neck, just enjoying their closeness and listening to the sound of the swirling waters.
Ikkaku chuckled as the feathers around Yumichika's eyes tickled him. Wrapping his arms around his lover once again, he stroked his back gently. "Yeah, I chose it, as it's really out of the way so I could train in secret, but this spot being so nice and peaceful did help, too." He nuzzled Yumichika's neck.
A soft moan escaped the beauty's lips. "Hm... I still can't believe you kept this from me. I never suspected anything." Fighting back the sting of envy, as he squeezed his eyes shut, Yumichika still was able to congratulate Ikkaku. "I'm really happy for you. You look very comfortable and confident with your Shikai." He wished he could say the same for himself. Why in all Soul Society did he had to have a Kidou-type Zanpakutou?
Again Ikkaku chuckled, this time it had nothing to do with the feathers, though. "You have no idea! When I first released it, I was baffled by the Yari-form. I've never fought with a Yari before, and believe me, Houzukimaru had his fun with my inexperience. Just when I thought I got the hang of it, he then gave me the second command, and I felt like I was back to square one! He can be a sneaky bastard, that one."
At least you can talk to your sword's spirit, Yumichika thought. Was there any way he could at least make some sort of peace with his Zanpakutou? Maybe he should try to talk to it even though he had a feeling Ruri-iro Kujaku did not like him too much at the moment.
"You're very quiet, Yumi-chan," Ikkaku said softly. Gently, he made the other man look at him. "Are you sad you haven't coaxed your Zanpakutou into telling you its name yet? I bet, if you trained again, it would happen soon. Don't feel bad. You are so incredibly strong all on your own." He stroked his lover's cheek with his thumb. Even though he had worked so hard to surpass Yumichika just to show him how strong he was, he had done it for the very man. Making him feel bad in the end, had never been his intention. "I... I can try to help you," he offered.
Yumichika did not want to ruin Ikkaku's accomplishment with his moping. There was nothing to be done anyway. Even if he should confess to his lover and Ikkaku would somehow be able to accept it and not look down on him, his squad would never understand. He would most likely have to leave, which absolutely was no option at all. Softly massaging the back of Ikkaku's head then, he answered. "Thank you, but I will get there on my own."
"Yeah, you will, I know that," the bald man said with conviction. Burying one hand in the soft, raven hair, he kissed Yumichika then. First licking tentatively over the lips, he growled excited when they parted. His tongue roamed the sweet mouth, playing with the eager resident. Another growl rumbled in his throat, as his lover softly sucked at his appendage. The hand, that had still stroked the small of Yumichika's back, moved lower, grasping and massaging the firm ass.
The raven-haired beauty did not want to think any further of the topic, as it only ever held frustration and pain for him, so he was happy to get distracted by something decidedly more pleasurable. He opened himself to a deep kiss, soon moaning wantonly. As his lower cheeks were grabbed, Yumichika's short nails dug into the back of Ikkaku's head once again. He began to move his hips in growing desire, rubbing himself against his lover.
As always, the digging nails, the slight pain, were turning Ikkaku on massively. The hand on the ass was massaging in time with Yumichika's movements, pressing him down and against him a bit more, making both of them moan at the increased friction. He finally let go of the soft lips, pulling slightly at his lover's hair, to urge him to expose his neck to him. He licked and nibbled along the jawline and chin, trailing his tongue lower then, circling around Yumichika's Adam's apple.
The dark-haired beauty enjoyed the tenderness, giving off sweet sounds of pleasure. Leaning back a bit more, he gave Ikkaku more room to move. He let one hand drop, stroking his lover's chest, his firm abdomen. His moving hips already had Ikkaku half hard by now. Stopping those movements then, he let his hand stroke the flesh. A grin flashed onto his lips, as he whispered "Grow, Houzukimaru."
When the hot, rubbing movements stopped, Ikkaku wasn't too happy. That changed, as he felt the skillful hand of his lover stroking his cock. He growled excitedly, trying to buck his hips into the touch. A dark chuckle escaped him at the joke, he was thinking of his cock as a sword after all. "Oh... he'll grow, Yumi-chan, just the thought of your tight, hot sheath is enough..." While he said this, he let his fingers slip into the still slippery crack, rubbing over the ring-muscle.
"Ah-h!" An unsteady groan escaped Yumichika as he arched his back. He wrapped his hand around Ikkaku's flesh then, pumping it to full hardness. "I will give you more than just a thought," he whispered, raising his hips. His hand still around the hot shaft, he guided it to his entrance, the oil from before mixing with the residue of his earlier lovemaking for lubrication. One hand gripping Ikkaku's shoulder tightly, Yumichika lowered himself slowly then, moaning deeply, as the big cock stretched him once more.
Ikkaku's eyes burned into his lover's, when he heard the promise. A growl rumbled deep in his throat, as the beautiful man before him rose only to impale himself. "Oh... Yumi-chan... damn... you still feel as tight as a virgin!" He let his hands roam the creamy skin, stroking his lover tenderly. Only when he was fully sheathed, did he pull Yumichika into a tight embrace. "I'll never, ever get enough of this, never will get enough of you," he rasped at his ear, licking the outer shell.
Enjoying that feeling of being filled so totally, Yumichika let himself being held. He moaned softly as his ear was licked. "I hope so, for your sake." He had no intention of letting this man slip through his fingers. He was happy with him. Yumichika would fight for him ferociously. His hands returning to Ikkaku's head, he let his nails rake over the gleaming dome. "No one will ever take my place... I'll make sure of that." With these words he began to move his hips in leisurely circles, for intense friction, while still keeping that deep, deep penetration.
The self-confident answer of his lover sent a shiver down Ikkaku's spine. He adored Yumichika for being so fearsome a fighter, while still remaining so beautiful and graceful, a rare, utterly deadly flower. Growling, he just took the warning scratching of his head, knowing it was a marking, too. "No one ever could!" He groaned back. It was an incredibly intense feeling, being buried so deep and stirring around that hot, tight channel. "No one is as beautiful as you are... no one has ever turned me on the way that you do... and nobody ever felt as good as you." He leaned in for a kiss, as his hands stroked Yumichika's back.
Ikkaku's loving answer sent warmth through his body. As their lips met, he opened himself, eagerly sucking on the wet appendage invading his mouth. His body's movements became wider, the hard flesh now sliding in and out, as he moved back and forth. Yumichika let Ikkaku plunder his mouth then, surrendering to his lover's dominance.
The raven-haired beauty's willing compliance was belied, once the bald man ended the kiss, though. The hands on his head guided him emphatically to an exposed neck. It was a silent command Ikkaku followed with pleasure, licking and sucking at the soft, warm skin, discoloring it even further, as he made new hickeys.
As their first round was hard and fast, Yumichika made this one last. Riding Ikkaku slowly, he let himself be spoiled, enjoying every lick, kiss and bite. Only when he started to finally get cold, did he speed up, granting them both release.
Ikkaku held onto Yumichika for a while longer, but when he felt his lover tremble slightly, he took care of him. Washing him down a bit, he then lifted him again and carried him to the warm grass, laying him down onto the Kimono to warm up and dry. He got the Bentos and Sake, unceremoniously flopping down in the grass beside his lover.
As the oil did not wash off without soap, Yumichika knew he would have to shower at home, nonetheless he let Ikkaku wash him as best he could and smiled satisfied, as he was carried again. As soon as he was lying in the sun, he felt much better, getting warmed up again pretty fast. They enjoyed the food and a little drink in that beautiful place, until the sun was setting and they returned home.
#
"Don't pull that face!" Tetsuzaemon Iba warned, cheeks slightly flushed from intoxication and gesturing so wildly with the Sake cup in his hand, that it was a wonder nothing spilled. "It's the best for everyone! I don't have to put up with that annoying little brat anymore and I get more money with that promotion, too, mind you!"
Ikkaku nodded, slapping Iba on the back in a manly, congratulatory fashion. They were in a separate room in their favorite haunt, celebrating and lamenting Iba's promotion to Fuku-Taichou of the Seventh Division. "Yeah, you earned it, man, you earned it!" He chugged the last sip in his cup and refilled them both. Although Iba did not make it public, he was caring for his mother and the raise in income did make it easier on him. It was something admitted halfway through the fourth bottle of Sake in a long, long night of drinking and Ikkaku had kept it to himself (except for Yumichika), knowing his fellow Shinigami did not want his tough macho-image marred. "But I'm still gonna miss ya, you know?"
"Man, I won't miss looking at your ugly face at all!" Iba laughed, blocking the fist aimed at his face. "You just be glad, now that my seat's free, Zaraki Taichou will promote you, too. That should make you look good in Ayasegawa's eyes, too, huh? But don't think you'll ever get higher than that!" He warned with a little bitterness, taking a draw from his cup. "I'll never understand that girl being Fuku-Taichou! But it's as it as, that's why I'm off!"
A dreamy look crossed Ikkaku's face, when he thought of telling Yumichika he would become Third Seat. It all wasn't official yet. When he had shown his Shikai to Zaraki Taichou, it had been clear there would be a shift in the seating, but his Captain had asked him to wait a few days. Today Ikkaku had learned why. Iba's promotion had been in the process of being decided.
Although Ikkaku had his own misgivings with Yachiru, he had to shake his head. "That kid's stronger than you think, she's got that insanely strong Reiatsu, like Zaraki. And anyway, I don't much care which seat I am. I'll get to fight alongside Taichou, I'm happy, that's all there is to it."
"Hm... yeah, I guess you will. You guys are special that way. Usually Zaraki Taichou grabs all the action, if he really deigns to join a fight. But you two? You get to go in with him. He likes you. Never seemed to do me though..." Iba grumbled, looking into his Sake cup as if that held the answers. "But I'm gone and out now."
"Hey, don't take it too personal. We've got history with'im." Ikkaku tried to explain. They did have a different relationship to their Taichou than anyone else. It had to do with their history, yes, but mostly it was the hard work they put into it and their strength. Maybe it really was better, Iba changed squads. Ikkaku never had quite realized how unhappy the other seemed to have been. "I hope you'll get happy at your new division. And just 'cause you got another boss and new guys to hang around with, doesn't mean we can't meet here and have a drink, right? And you can come over to our place any time, you know that," he offered.
Iba rolled his eyes. "Yeah, but only if you keep Ayasegawa off your lap! You guys are unbearable together! That's something I definitely won't miss." He shook his head. Looking at Ikkaku then, he grinned. "But yeah, we will meet. I bet there won't be anyone in my new division who can keep up with my drinking habits, the way you do."
"We just get turned on by the way you get all flustered around us. Yumi-chan likes to see you blush!" Ikkaku laughed. As Iba searched his eyes, Ikkaku knew, the other one told him something more than the words said. He grinned his trademark, face-splitting, impossibly wide grin. "Now, don't you get all mushy on me, you're the one who's leaving!" He lifted his cup. "To promotions. Kampai!" They both drained their cup to that.