Gezellig
(adj.) Cozy, nice, inviting, pleasant, comfortable; connoting time spent with loved ones or togetherness after a long separation.
Hello everyone, we are here with chapter 25. Can you believe it's been 25 chapters already? In this chapter we finally have Ichigo and Byakuya's reunion (which in my mind was titled: Byakuya pines). I hope you enjoy!
Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo
X= Used to indicate change in perspective or timing/scenery.
Old man Zangetsu speaking.
Shiro speaking.
X
Ichigo woke with a gasp, shooting forward from the heavy warmth of the blankets that felt all at once suffocating in the wake of his sleep clouded mind. He was trembling, choking on invisible blood, and the words that could never leave his lips. Night furrowed it's wings around him as the curtains swayed precariously sending eerie shadows to chase at his heart. Drawing his knees into his chest Ichigo attempted to calm his shuddering form, watching with a distant apathy as his hands shook in front of his eyes.
His breath continued to rattle from his lungs and Ichigo hastily wrapped his arms around his knees tucking his features into the small crevice as he continued to try to breathe. Zangetsu's calming waves of reaitsu hummed around Ichigo, but the young Shinigami was numbed to the sensation.
It was his fault, their deaths every single one of them. The thought was swirling in his mind an endless vortex, his own mind turned against him as it constantly tormented Ichigo with their last moments played over and over in gruesome detail. How could it not be his fault? He was too weak to save anyone in the end.
Kami he felt sick, some part of him deep inside was aching pounding in his ears, forcing him to live even as the excruciating pain of loss rattled every bone within his body Ichigo was falling apart. Every day spent seeing the dead walk by him, feel their touch upon his brow. Knowing that they would never be the same as the ones he knew, they would never be the people he had given his life to.
He had changed the timelines, changed their fates. The world was screwed up because of him and the young lieutenant had no way of predicting what would happen. It snagged at the borough of his mind that he would lose them all again, hold limp corpses in his arms because he had failed once more.
What meager attempts at regaining his calm faded as Ichigo's breath became ragged, reaitsu tearing around the room and ripping at whatever it touched. Glazed amber orbs were slowly revealed as Ichigo lifted his head a low keening sound left his lips. He needed fresh air, the cloying heaviness of the room was chasing like the darkness of his soul, what greedy clawed talons dragged him down.
But he couldn't find the strength to move, as if suspended in that moment by invisible marionette strings, forced to hear their last words play and rattle in his mind. Kami he was so useless! It hurt deep within him and Ichigo duly thought that he deserved to have to deal with the nightmares for what he had let happen to his family.
A light seeped from the thin shoji doors at the far end of the room, a small orb of sunshine bounced along and illuminated sharp features. Reaitsu leaked out from the man standing there rushing forward to envelop Ichigo and tame the swirling miasma of emotions that bubbled out violently. Ichigo felt the tenseness evaporate slightly as Kaien's familiar presence danced around him soothing away the pain in his heart and reminding Ichigo of what he was here for.
Their assurances became heavy at the forefront of his mind, their voices humming with honesty as they told him it wasn't his fault, as they carded through soft hair and soothed away his fears. Kaien's reaitsu hesitantly drew back and Ichigo let it, grounded in the moment and pulled from the veritable hurricane of disaster he had been rolling in.
Ichigo's older brother's presence whispered against the shell of his ear, softly brushing stray strands of orange in a comforting gesture and soothing restless nerves. Then Kaien continued on his way a soft sigh leaving his lips audible even to Ichigo, one not of exasperation but the weight of the hour.
Summoning strength from Zangetsu whose worried calls echoed resonantly in the back of his mind, along with the curl of their reaitsu. Ichigo slipped from the covers and dove towards the window flinging open the heavy frame, he stood there panting illuminated in the moonlight and chased by night's errant winds.
Stealing once last glance at the shadow enslaved walls of his room Ichigo in a rather gale movement slipped onto the roof. The crisp night air teased feathered orange locks and brushed away the dwindling sense of panic. The sting of cool air as it brushed his lungs helped Ichigo to reign in his erratic breathing, and with slow and controlled movements he lifted his head to stare at the moonlit surroundings.
With a pulse of Zangetsu's reaitsu his two spirits were resting on either side of him. Zangetsu-Ossan's calming and steadfast presence was wrapped around Ichigo's still lightly trembling frame and a large warm hand carefully brushed aside stray orange locks and settled ochre glasses on the crown of Ichigo's head. Zangetsu-Shiro wrapped his arms around the still slightly trembling frame, drawing a sharp breath to Ichigo's lungs at the cool skin even as comforting waves of reaitsu emanated from the contact.
Ichigo tipped his head back for a moment realigning his thoughts as he steadily cleared his mind of the fog of his nightmares. The sky was dyed a deep indigo and the lady moon was luminous and full in her starry canvas winking down at Ichigo.
In a controlled manner of deep breaths, with fists clenched in the available fabric imbued with his spirit's presence, Ichigo slowly went through a small mantra. He assured himself that he was not weak, that it wasn't indeed not his fault, and that in the end he didn't kill them.
It was a routine that had instated itself on Unohana's and (surpassingly) Shunsui's advice, even if Ichigo usually didn't believe the words he muttered under his breath it helped to settle his heart and mind. Shiro purred contently waves of reaitsu open in the bleached spirit's way cocooning around Ichigo and easing the strain of his body.
"Damn King and we were doing so well."
Shiro muttered under his breath lacking any mal-intent and possessing only a concerned sincerity. Ichigo had to agree, the nightmares that had ruthlessly chased his dream while they trained with the Vizard had eased as the month drew to a close leaving him able to grasp some much-needed rest. Yet here they were again in full terrifying force, Ichigo wanted them to stop but could see no viable option.
Instead he reached out taking Shiro's cool hand in to his own feeling a matching mirror of callouses and scars. Zangetsu-Ossan hummed thoughtfully long spindly fingers trailing through vibrant orange locks.
"You did well though Ichigo, you managed to calm yourself. You are healing, though perhaps it is taking a time, I believe you can."
Zangetsu-Ossan spoke softly and deeply reassuring Ichigo's own thoughts on the matter. Ichigo sighed softly gazing up warmly through tired fluttering lashes in gratitude at his two spirits before he settled into their forms eyes gazing at the horizon around them.
The Shiba compound stretched for miles on end, a vast rolling plain of green where forests steepled themselves upon the land. Ichigo remembered times when Ganju and he had embarked into those forests, run wild beneath limbering boughs for hours chasing their shadows. The memory brought a faint smile to his lips and quelled the simmering discomfort of his soul.
In the distance, the land stretched on fading into shadows and soft blues, Ichigo sometimes stared at the horizon and wanted to just go. Walk along those paths and see what mystery they held, embrace the world for all it's wonder. It was a deep spark within himself that he had carried all his life, always repressed but for that one year when he had been free, itching beneath his skin and urging him to embark.
Kami how he would love to leave it all behind. The responsibilities, worries, lies, power struggles, and everything that made up this mundane life of his (mundane was a relatively loose term). But he couldn't because he had family to protect and so he stayed, as he always did.
He contented himself with the thought that one day he could grace those roads and never look back, maybe even with Byakuya by his side; tasting the fruits of other worlds, interacting with complete strangers.
With a wistful sigh Ichigo blinked and tilted his head to gaze at the moon once more, settled with his thoughts of the future. One day everyone would know or at least understand and it would be worth it in the end, but for now he would tame that infamous Shiba wanderlust and merely stare at the deepening sky
X
Byakuya craned his head up, slightly startled at the familiar reaitsu that caressed his skin warmly, a heady evanesce of night fluttering about the room in the familiar grace of Ichigo's reaitsu. His presence had flared into existence once more only a few nights prior, after nearly a month without it and the Kuchiki heir felt a touch of spite like simmering spices that only now was he seeing his friend. Those weighted emotions had been accompanied by the unaccountable relief that Ichigo was back. Now in the quiet moments of the afternoon where lazy pastimes occurred and the mind wandered, the orange-haired Shinigami was waiting there in front of him.
Ichigo leaned against the doorframe of the office, a casual smile settled on his lips and a relaxed easiness in his posture even as it was underlain by the sorrow and guilt painting his brow. It sent Byakuya's nerves ringing around his head in glee or some other sparked existence. Whatever control he possessed of his emotions was lost the moment he appeared, though the Kuchiki mask remained as impassive as always.
Ignoring ensnaring amber eyes, Byakuya glanced at Ginrei, his grandfather who was by now familiar with Ichigo's untimely appearances, the old man sighed as if having expected this interruption to their schedule and knew that Byakuya would not likely return.
There was something deeper in the movement, a sharpness that struck Byakuya as distrust or some instinct hit like the gongs of war. The older man looked up at his grandson with that softer steel of his eyes that was reserved for very few. Then his captain shook his head in an amused manner before gesturing with a fond push of his reaitsu that ruffled Byakuya's locks.
Byakuya let his head rise once more to truly glimpse Ichigo, see what he had passed over in his accessory glance. It had been a month since they last saw each other, and time longer since they spoke in that grove; Ichigo's word like the desperate cry of a mad man as he spoke fevered sentences to Byakuya.
The young man before him was Ichigo, yet there were changes that he easily grasped, having known Ichigo for far too long. His hair was longer since it was last cut, curling upon the nape of his shoulders, and it was always the first thing to attract Byakuya's attention because that colour was so eye-catching and defying like an embodiment of chaos and Ichigo's soul. Next, he noted the way Ichigo's body was tensed, not in the typical alertness he carried with him everywhere; this was a nervous kind of tense, pushed aside for the false display of calm and ease.
Byakuya observed the bright catch of light as it hit ivory, and crimson stained silver orbs widened, because he knew Ichigo sometimes went to extreme lengths and was as stubborn as mule. To see a piercing though, was shocking enough to leave a smile stretching Byakuya's lips because that was something so inordinately Ichigo.
From there his eyes traced the familiar structure of Ichigo's features, the ones he had spent countless hours staring at. Whether that be training when their breaths mingled like their will, or under the curtains of stars on a bed of soft glass, where soft whispers of the future pervaded.
His roaming gaze centred on Ichigo's eyes and what was found drew the breath from Byakuya's lungs and made his heart skip a beat. Ichigo's eyes had never been so open, at least not in broad daylight. When they had crashed together in one of the dorm rooms after whatever project had nabbed their attention. There were those moments in the dead of morning, when Ichigo would jerk awake panting and heaving. His pupils would be blown wide and Byakuya felt he was looking into a void unable to pull back.
It was almost that feeling, except this wasn't a void pulling and tearing at him, this was the sky. That blue arc so tempestuous could cloud over and rain upon the world with thunder and lightning, and yet at the same time clouds would lazily glide burnished in soft hues of the sunset.
Emotions swelled there as they stared into the other's eyes and Byakuya could see the recognition and soft fondness that always hummed beneath the layers of uncaring stoniness. There in great waves of sloughing weary could Byakuya see a deep tiredness, as if Ichigo's time away from Soul Society had not served to recuperate his strength. Merely drain him all the more so. It clanged furiously in Byakuya's chest and he wanted to command the younger to spill his ire but he refrained.
Byakuya realized then considering deep eyes full of sentimental emotions that he had missed Ichigo. Time as always seemed to drag on incredibly slow and be gone in the blink of an eye. The month had whipped by, yet occasionally Byakuya would find himself looking for a presence that he knew wasn't there, there had been a tugging in his soul. A fraction of pain like a splinter that relentlessly pestered him and grew sharper with each day. Soul Society without Ichigo's presence had been hollow and devoid of some other worldly touch.
He had missed the laughter and subdued touch of his friend's reaitsu, the way they curled and mixed together, their spars and the sake under moonlit nights. Looking at Ichigo seemed to bring those emotions into center so that he was suddenly breathless in understanding; there had been a feeling of wrong for so long and only now did Byakuya guess as to what it might be.
The lieutenant's heart thudded in his chest as if painfully aware of the faint burning in his eyes, he could almost hear Senbonzakura's chiding laugh and feel the reassuring press of reaitsu from his zanpaktou spirit.
Byakuya swept his eyes over Ichigo once more, taking in the appearance of his friend as his reaitsu tentatively snaked out to entangle with the fire-haired lieutenant's. Ichigo's surged out in a mess of excitement and eagerness and crashed into him like waves breaking upon the shore. It was feral, with the tangible taste of the night, and it was Ichigo.
Stealing one last glance at his grandfather, who had been watching their reunion with amusement (all the while managing to direct half-glares in Ichigo's direction as if the Kuchiki Head couldn't be decided whether he was the caring grandfather or clan head). The old man shared a look with his grandson before he nodded and Byakuya bounded from his seat striding across the short interval of space between them.
They shared a loaded gaze heavying the weight of their brows and furrowing the corners of their lips, they were going to speak, and likely walk but for now their main goal was to leave the office. Ichigo turned first a step ahead of Byakuya the tails of his clothing and locks of feathered orange whispering out of sight a step ahead of Byakuya. In an awkward half-pivot Byakuya waved to his captain and darted after Ichigo.
Ichigo stood at the entrance to the secluded gardens of the Sixth division, seemingly immobilised in the moment set in stone. The sun in it's hasty retreat across the sky fawned over Ichigo embossing him in gold, tangling his hair into actual flames. For a moment Byakuya's eyes deceived him and the man before him was like a being of pure light, tall and firm with a will that was radiating like the luminescent beings of the sky.
Then Ichigo turned and the eminence of the moment was lost to be replaced by the pure curl of Ichigo's lips. That invigorating smile was directed in Byakuya's direction followed by a beckoning hand.
Byakuya never one to be able to resist those eyes, came to stand beside Ichigo the two stared out upon the garden, where the koi pond soothed the world around them with it's methodic melodies.
"So, a piercing?"
Ichigo choked out a laugh, head whipping around to catch the light airy bubble of Byakuya's own mirth. Subconsciously or not the Shinigami lieutenant moved away the locks of orange so that Byakuya could clearly glimpse the new addition to his friend. Tentatively reaching forward to grasp the irregular shape clinging to the shell of Ichigo's ear Byakuya shuddered at the presence coating the bone like material.
"Needed a change… and it was maybe an impulsive decision."
Byakuya wanted to retort to that subtle wording, change indeed like his disappearance from Soul Society but he let the matter fall to where it simmered in his heart; they would discuss it all eventually. Letting his hand drop to rest at Senbonzakura's pommel Byakuya let a fond chuckle escape his lips, Ichigo was impulsive and it was nice of the younger male to finally admit to such, it was something he could only expect of Ichigo.
Silence lingered between the two undisturbed by the roll of reaitsu against their skin, as they realigned themselves with one another, fitted into the slots they had carved into the other's soul. Ichigo shamelessly reached out to hold Byakuya's hand drawing strength from the contact.
Ichigo wasn't a man for touch, or at least outwardly it didn't appear so, but Byakuya knew sometimes the orange-haired Shinigami needed to feel that confirmation that it was all still real. His pulse hummed beneath Byakuya's fingertips fluttery and fast like life itself, and the familiar callouses of the long days spent with katana in hand made themselves known.
Eventually Ichigo sighed and released Byakuya's hand before slumping to the wooden steps, amber eyes looked up from a hood of tangerine into Byakuya's own eyes. The Kuchiki heir let out a soft sigh before joining his friend on the wooden deck, the air between them was calm and serene and they both took the time to bask in the other's presence.
Words were hard when for them it had always been the telling press of reaitsu and their profound understanding of the other, so the words like a multitude of choruses remained within Byakuya's lungs as they watched the endless skies stretch on.
"What next? Any other adventures I should be warned about?"
Byakuya questioned softly turning to gaze at his friend with a deepness in his own eyes that thrashed like a sea beneath his skin. Ichigo stared assessing before he shrugged in a nonchalant manner, the wind blew around them suddenly ruffling their clothing and tearing at their hair. Ichigo tilted his head back and laughed, it was a wild soft kind of laugh that incited Byakuya's lips to turn in a knowing smile.
"Who knows… according to my zanpaktou I am merely an instrument of chaos."
Ichigo spoke after taking a calming few breaths, his eyes were alight in the outside air and so very open that Byakuya felt he could drown; like a man cast adrift into the wide plains of the ocean.
Ichigo shoved teasingly at Byakuya's shoulder and under his breath mumbled, "Missed ya."
Byakuya nodded the words caught in his throat dying to be replaced with an exasperated huff and a ruffle of feathered orange locks. Like that the anger that simmered at the emptiness inside was gone. They were together once more and even though the worry and chaotic nature of being friends with Ichigo was there, so was the fiery Shinigami's smile and presence.
Ichigo swatted at his hand an annoyed expression playing across his features, before with a wink of sunshine mischief took over his visage. Duly in the back of his mind he could hear Senbonzakura's groan mirroring Byakuya's own. Before the ebony-haired lieutenant could dart away Ichigo's hand zipped in lightning fast and tapped him on the shoulder and in a blur of ebony and orange he was springing away with a yelled. "Tag!"
Never one to let such a challenge hang between them, Byakuya darted to his feet and sprang after Ichigo reaitsu circling through his body as flash-step brought him closer to the beaming figure.
They darted around the lush greenery with bright soaring reaitsu and laughter light on their lips. Kami Byakuya hadn't felt this alive and exhilarated in a long time, because as much as Soul Society was what he fought for (on a lower level perhaps than family) these times were quiet and only the incident with the Vizard had sparked action. So, to have mindless fun with his friend soothed that restless part of him.
Springing forward from the low crouch Byakuya had dropped into, he flicked his eyes forward sharp as a hunter. Ichigo's head shot up like a deer caught in the eyes of a predator, the innocent expression remained for a half second before Ichigo was darting away like a gazelle. With a huff Byakuya picked up speed always one step behind the trailing tails of Ichigo's shihaksho.
Ichigo had gotten fast, or maybe he had always been fast and had stopped holding back on his monstrous reserves of power. The latter option seemed the likeliest choice as Ichigo always had secrets tucked up his sleeves and threaded through his hair, along with a sense of power that just swamped his form. Byakuya narrowly thought this as he ducked out of the way of a sweeping jab to the chin. Somewhere along the way of their 'friendly' game of tag had devolved into a half spar.
Where they weren't rathe throwing punches so much as trying to tackle the other into the vibrant earth below. Ichigo stumbled as Byakuya swept out his leg intercepting the other's attempt at a kick. The orange-haired lieutenant wobbled for a moment thrown off balance before he righted himself, or appeared to. Because the next thing Byakuya knew his arms were full of Ichigo and he was firmly pressed to the earth with the air leaving his lungs in a parted gasp.
Ichigo looked down upon him innocently, eyes glimmering like a fae spirit, and oh Byakuya was a little uncomfortable with their position but he shrugged it aside in an effort to throw the demon off his body. Ichigo just grinned down at him laugher bubbling from his lips and Byakuya couldn't help but join in.
Senbonzakura purred deeply in his mind chasing Byakuya's thoughts incessantly, and he pushed those tangling words aside. Instead with a bright gleam of silver Byakuya reversed their position so that Ichigo was the one sprawled in the long grass. Orange sprawled like a halo, and Ichigo gazed up at him wonder and fondness glimmering brightly in his expression. They rolled around in the grass for a few moments, trying to topple the other as the sun beat down upon their figures; And if there were a few grass stains and breathlessness to accompany their play-fighting they were none the wiser.
Panting Byakuya settled into the firm earth below, his breath escaping his lungs as the exertion of their tussle caught up with him. Ichigo was right there beside the black-haired lieutenant, a peaceful smile that was small but sincere freed his lips and Byakuya wanted to immortalize that smile; it stirred his heart and coiled his own lips. Not to mention seeing Ichigo happy just brightened the world around him. The skies were endlessly blue above them with nary a sign of puffy white clouds in sight, it reminded Byakuya of their days in the academy and he felt familiar nostalgia thinking of those days.
Everything always seemed so much simpler in the past, there wasn't the endless paperwork (rather essays and reports but those were less numerous), there wasn't the overbearing weight and responsibility of the division weighing one's shoulders. Byakuya knew and acknowledged somewhat reluctantly at the back of his mind that he would have to assume captaincy within a few years, the thought both terrified and invigorated him.
The recent meeting still stood stark in his mind, like Hirako-taicho's words. Byakuya could only agree with the blond, Ichigo would make a damn excellent captain, he possessed some unnatural charisma that turned one's enemies into allies. The older lieutenant had seen it before, saw it at that meeting; because while Byakuya was far from the loop of information he understood what Ichigo hadn't said that day in the clearing.
Lieutenant Aizen had always rustled Senbonzakura the wrong way, even while he appeared as a benign and caring man. Yet the reports had detailed things from behind the lines and though an instigator wasn't clearly named Byakuya could draw conclusions. Seeing that man standing with the Vizard (primarily near Kisuke) was only evident to Byakuya's belief in Ichigo; the cunning lieutenant was now allied with Ichigo and that devotion they all possessed in regard to Ichigo had radiated.
There was also Ichigo's presence; one that commanded and drew you in. It was like that at the meeting, all eyes riveted on the orange-haired Shinigami as he spoke through the report and challenged them all with fiery risen amber.
A rustle and shift of the presence next to him dragged Byakuya from his trailing thoughts that the serene atmosphere had captivated. Turning his head, a fraction Byakuya was met with wide chocolate eyes that stared into his soul unerringly.
Rolling over so as to better face Ichigo, Byakuya let an amused smile dance across his lips. Soft laughter left Ichigo's lips in the space between them and kindled Byakuya's own laughter. It was the kind of laughter that could occur when two friends stared at each other; for absolutely no reason at all.
After settling down some after their sudden unplanned laughter with breathless glee and ache in their stomachs and cheeks, Byakuya considered Ichigo and asked, "Are you happier now?"
Ichigo quirked at an eyebrow, a small frown furrowing his brow as he thought over the question before with a slight shrug he answered, "I think so, the time away from Soul Society was good for me. It's… cloying… choking to be in the same place for so long, surrounded by the same routine. I'm also allowed to be free now… everyone accepts that we have a hollow nature within us."
Byakuya nodded and grinned at those words, the infamous Shiba wanderlust lingering in Ichigo's voice; they all carried it, some held onto it stronger than other clan members. Byakuya remembered with a slight tinge of fondness that was overwhelmed with the other vibrant emotions of the memory when Ichigo had just disappeared. They had all awoken between one day and the next to find Ichigo gone. He had appeared a week later with a beaming smile and a lightness to his step, and when they questioned him he had only winked and carried on humming some new rhythm under his breath.
The later half of Ichigo's words resonated with Byakuya, because it was true. Oh, there had already been complications but that was much the manner of Soul Society, Byakuya himself found no ire or trouble with the concept of the hollowfied Shinigami. He knew others struggled with it, but when Byakuya had known Ichigo through thick and thin, held him in the darkness of the night and shared their demons, it was easy to settle into the idea.
"That's good. How was training?"
Byakuya grinned and questioned wanting to know more about the month that had been lost between them. Ichigo laughed blinking slowly and in a relaxed manner, idle fingers carded through his hair as he stared at Byakuya.
"It was hellish but fun. We first had to make contact with their zanpaktou spirits and reignite their bonds, which were quite tattered and in danger of collapsing. Then we had to move to technique- which I'll show you some eventually- and then master that."
Ichigo laughed and then spoke tone light and Byakuya knew the man could go on for days and talk about all the experiences he had gained, so Byakuya let him continue to speak. He listened as Ichigo detailed the captains and lieutenants who had been hollowfied (and some of them he knew, but others he was unfamiliar with). He talked about the scientists and their midnight discussions (because Ichigo was an insomniac through and through- though that didn't bely the weariness in his eyes). The dinners and breakfasts and all other manners of conversation and humour that would drift between them on whatever wispy thoughts occupied him.
The flame-haired Shinigami's eyes sparkled in that brilliant untapped happiness that was rare but bountiful as the plains when it was left free. Byakuya was happy that these Shinigami could bring such emotion to Ichigo's eyes, even as he wished he could have done the same. But Ichigo thrived on people, protecting them, cherishing them, living with them.
In Soul Society, he could do that but he was far from close to everybody, too many people and clashing personalities. It was different when one was crammed into a living space for a month and told to get along Byakuya supposed.
"What about you Byakuya? Get up to any mischief without me?"
Ichigo asked having fallen silent as the lulling hum of the world surrounded them, Byakuya rolled his eyes slightly racketing his mind for thoughts of the past month. Had he done anything interesting? It had seemed routine as usual just empty, but then again nothing was normal or ever stationary within Soul Society.
"Nothing half as crazy as what you whipped up but…" Byakuya paused wondering if he should speak about her or just whisk away to the antics of the Eleventh division. But Ichigo was pinning him with those curious eyes and Byakuya with a resigned sigh began again, "I met a lady. I doubt you recall that time some many days ago when we exited a restaurant and bumbled into a woman?"
Ichigo gave him a blank stare, though Byakuya felt he could see touches of recognition within amber orbs. Shaking his head in amusement Byakuya thought of her and began to speak again, "Her name's Hisana and we met again when I was on patrol. We went out for tea and it escalated from there."
Byakuya turned his head gazing into Ichigo's fathomless soul, asking if the man wanted him to continue. A tiny smile was painted on Ichigo's lips one that was both content and distant eyes hazing in that thoughtful way they sometimes did. But Ichigo nodded wanting his friend to continue, and so Byakuya with a half-sigh spoke of Hisana.
"She's from Rungokai and I doubt Ginrei will be happy with her, but she's… wonderful and beautiful, and so kind. We've only gone out twice but I feel as if I've already fallen…. Or at least I think I have? Have you ever fallen in love Ichigo?"
Byakuya's eyes were dreamy as he spoke about Hisana, the young soul who often occupied his thoughts as much as Ichigo often did. Yet Byakuya was relatively unexperienced with these kinds of circumstances. As a noble he had been introduced to droves of women, all emblazoned in kimono's and the epitomize of grace and refinement. They had never interested Byakuya, always seeming two-dimensional and lacking personality; few people caught his attention like that in any case.
So Byakuya was left somewhat confused, and Ichigo his confidant and friend seemed to be one of the veritable sources to turn to (even if Ichigo didn't strike him as an overly amorous person).
Ichigo blinked somewhat surprised before he cocked his head and giggled quietly into his palm. Then he was staring into Byakuya's eyes with that lingering sadness that always haunted his past even if it was tamed under the happiness of their reunion.
"Yeah… many times I guess. But each time was different, and each level of love is different. Sometimes you love a person for what they represent, like freedom, or even love itself. Other time it's the person who has your heart, their smile, the curve of their features. In the end, sometimes it's their soul and you can't escape so much as you wish to run to them. Love is fleeting and fragile, yet contradictory in that it is unmovable and tempered like diamonds."
Ichigo spoke in a kind of fervent tone as if desperate to get his message across to Byakuya, he paused at the end as if considering continuing speaking of his own experiences, before he dismissed the idea. He looked at Byakuya eyes taking in his form with an intense wonderment and Byakuya felt a light blush dust his cheeks at the heated gaze before he was staring at Ichigo in return trying to see the meaning behind Ichigo's carless choice of phrase.
"If you ever want to hear about my exploits, well let's just say sake will be involved. Otherwise you'll know, there will be that fluttering in your chest, and you want to be with that person all the time. And usually your zanpaktou knows before you.
Ichigo spoke in a laughing tone as he glanced at the sky a wry sort of longing and nostalgia clinging to his brow. Byakuya thought on Ichigo's words considered them and listened to Senbonzakura's own hum that resonated along the back of his mind. The spirit was chuckling in amusement, though for what reason Byakuya couldn't say, he could feel Senbonzakura's laughter and mumbled words distorted by the fact that they weren't speaking face to face (or his spirit's intentions).
"It's all rushing so close, live currents surrounding me and passing in the breath of a moment."
Ichigo was quiet as he spoke, drifting into that tone of voice where his mind was far elsewhere but his heart was weighted to the earth below. Byakuya shifted slightly so he could stare at Ichigo, the Shinigami was staring up at the skies above features soft and open. The moments hung between them silence drifting like the lazy waves of air that playfully ruffled their locks and chastised their clothing.
Ichigo's reaitsu like the warmth of the sun above snaked around them and Byakuya felt the familiar presence of his friend brush over his hands and trail hesitantly over his heart as if assessing that the organ still stuttered out a familiar rhythm. Byakuya let his own reaitsu surge from his skin, tangle with Ichigo's and assure the man of whatever his soul was asking.
The stillness was broken as faint laughter left Ichigo's lips before it grew louder ringing throughout the empty courtyard. Byakuya felt resounding laughter slip from his own lips, in the way the Ichigo so often incited. With a cocked eyebrow Byakuya turned to his friend catching amber orbs fluttering under the press of heavy eyelids, for a moment Byakuya paused reluctant to disturb Ichigo before he shoved it aside in the face of curiosity.
"What were you laughing about Ichigo?"
Ichigo hummed for a moment as if debating whether to answer Byakuya before he flashed the startled lieutenant a small smile and shrugged. Orange locks were shadowing amber orbs between one moment and the next, so that Byakuya couldn't glimpse the tell of his soul, and Byakuya sighed acknowledging the rather flippant mood of his friend. Ichigo seemed to sway from happy to contemplative between the span of a second.
"Just happy to be alive, and here."
Ichigo responded with his normally cryptic message, that Byakuya steadily over the years had come closer to decoding. Still the ebony-haired lieutenant doubted anyone could truly guess the more than two-fold meaning behind Ichigo's statements. He could empathize with Ichigo's words though, sometimes a chase of nerves chilled his spine and there was a darkness clouding his heart. Then he would see the sun, or the markets crowded with laughter, and life would snag away that pain.
Byakuya guessed it was much the same for Ichigo, though perhaps on a deeper level as Ichigo possessed a knowledge or wisdom that allowed him both deep insight and great sorrow. That was just the way Ichigo was; mysterious to the last drop but as open as a child at other times. Senbonzakura sometimes nagged him to search deeper for something he couldn't see beneath all the layers of his friend.
"Think I'll still be able to keep up with you in a spar? Though I doubt I ever came close to challenging you."
Byakuya spoke pulling the two friends away from the contemplative hush that settled as it usually did between them. Ichigo scoffed in an amused tone (one that was bereft of the pride the nobles usually carried with such a gesture), and turned to consider Byakuya.
"Hmm I don't know… last I remember you were pretty close to Bankai no?"
Ichigo spoke in slightly teasing tones with that razor-sharp grin that carried only a light mischief. Byakuya considered Ichigo's words, it was true that he was able to manifest Senbonzakura in the outside realm, and he had been training extravagantly to reach Bankai (because damn did Ichigo provide competition), but he doubted he was anywhere near that state with the blade.
Byakuya had long ago accepted the fact that he would hardly ever reach Ichigo's level no matter how much training they completed (but that didn't mean he didn't try). Yet he still strived to grow stronger for his friend, he wanted to be able to stand by Ichigo's side, spar with him and lock their blades together, feel their souls through the screeching metal. Ichigo had always been kind enough to encourage Byakuya to do such, always placing limits in their spars or helping Byakuya grow in whatever way possible.
Now though he worried that the divide between them was too great. Ichigo had been training for a month straight, pitting Zangetsu against lieutenants and captains. Not to mention his (relatively) new hollow powers. The changes from the training were already evident within Ichigo, there was a new grace to his steps (because Ichigo had always been graceful and poised) as if he had finally settled into his own skin. Not to mention the ambience of his reaitsu, it was like a well deep and seemingly endless with dark shadows playing at the sides.
Ichigo slid to his feet hand resting on Zangetsu's pommel with an inviting grin lining his lips. Byakuya sighed, though inside his chest his heart leapt at the chance to fight against Ichigo once more, and accompanying that was Senbonzakura's rustle of agreement; the faint scent of cherry blossoms that always seemed to surround him growing potent. Heaving himself to his feat Byakuya glanced at Ichigo with a raised brow.
There was a brush of air and then Byakuya's instincts were snapping at him and Senbonzakura was in his hands flicked up to defend against Zangetsu's heavy clash. Lengthening his stance Byakuya pushed back against Ichigo's force with a swell of reaitsu, the sharp crash of metal against metal fading in the intensity of their joined blades. Byakuya sprung back feet sliding in the slick grass, he flicked Senbonzakura in his hands settling the katana in a firm grip and angling the blade forward.
Ichigo smiled eyes catching the light and like a mirage in the desert he was gone, the image wavering in heated sunlight. Byakuya swung up as Ichigo aimed an overhead strike towards Byakuya, deflecting the blade to the side Byakuya ducked low and side-stepped so that he could slash at Ichigo's exposed spine. The orange-head made a chiding noise as he whipped around intercepting Senbonzakura with Zangetsu's own silver blade.
Ichigo leaned in close their breaths mingling in the space between them, voice breathy and rough with exertion he said, "I can't show you anything here, would give your grandfather quite the conniption but some other time?"
Byakuya nodded understanding well Ichigo's reasoning, the abundance of hollow reaitsu that would come from such ventures would surely worry not only his grandfather but likely half of Soul Society. Ichigo smiled and pushed back swinging Zangetsu towards the ground and sending the air swinging in heady vortexes.
They pushed forward once more blades batting at each other in rapid movements that would leave any viewer awestruck and straining to even catch a whisper of metal. Byakuya could sense the difference in strength, while Byakuya perhaps possessed a body slightly more muscular than Ichigo. The fire-head was always quick fleeting movements accompanied by blunt force. Now it was backed by an easy fluidity and reaitsu enforced movements.
Snapping his wrist forward to deflect Ichigo's incoming strike he darted away and raised his hand to hastily cast a byakurai. Byakuya ducked under Zangetsu's sweeping graze and pushed himself flush against Ichigo their blade locked tightly between them. Ichigo smirked and reaitsu gathered along his blade in great heaving crescents that sent shivers of warning down his spine.
Byakuya darted across the small outdoor sect and hastily raised Senbonzakura to deflect the incoming wave of screaming energy. The crescent shaped arc of power slammed into him bodily and Byakuya struggled against the current drawing on the tranquility and sentience of the sakura petals furrowing through his spirit and power.
Byakuya was left panting heavily as the crashing storm of energy finally dispersed and with it a large portion of his strength. Before he could think to raise a blade to counter Ichigo's strike the cool touch of metal traced his neck. Looking up through parted ebony strands that cloyed around his sticky skin like honey, Byakuya could see Ichigo's eyes from under the crown of orange. They were vibrant and raging with a soft joy, it was there Byakuya noted in the strands of grass that it was okay that he didn't necessarily pose a challenge to Ichigo. It was instead the clashing of their souls that excited them both, the kinship and ease of blade like a dance with no one else.
Ichigo extended a calloused palm and with a returning smile Byakuya grasped it and pulled himself up, at eye level he could once more see the weary ache of sleeplessness in Ichigo's eyes but it was muted and hidden from Byakuya's prying gaze. Wrapping and arm around Byakuya's shoulders Ichigo pressed himself against the ebony-haired lieutenants frame and asked, "Should we head to Rungokai, you can tell me all bout the new stores the latest gossip?"
Byakuya laughed and nodded at the light tones, feeling the ache that had wormed its way into his heart in Ichigo's absence settle disappear. With a ruffle of orange locks Byakuya fled towards the gates of the Sixth ignoring Ichigo's cheerful yelling behind him.
X
Thank you all for reading. I hope the pining wasn't too obvious and that their reunion lived to it's expectations. Reviews/Comments are always appreciated and I will see you all in the next chapter.
Tombstone!