Chapter Eighty Six:
Byakuya let out a muted groan of discomfort as he sat back in his chair, rubbing his eyes as weariness finally caught up with him. He glanced at the candle sat opposite him on the tabletop. It had burnt almost to the very base, suggesting he had been working far longer than originally planned. Steel eyes lowered back to the piles of paperwork, the stacks of books and scrolls.
How many hours had it been since he'd sat down with this latest instalment of research? Seven? Eight?
The nobleman sighed and stiffly rose from the wooden seat, he was sure his joints were creaking as he returned everything to its correct shelf, tucking his notes under his arm as he cast a last look around the Archives. Everything seemed good and proper.
As he left the Seireitei Archives, Byakuya was forced to shield his eyes against the overly bright sunlight that still crept through the horizon of trees and buildings. He was sure it would have been night already. Though time seemed to move slower without his own personal sunrise in orbit around his life.
"Again, Kuchiki Taichou?"
"Renji..." He murmured, choosing not to look at the redhead as he continued walking down the pathway.
His former Fukutaichou fell into step at his side, smile small and concerned, "You're gonna exhaust yourself... Spending day after day, hour after hour among those books. What are you trying to find?"
The raven haired nobleman responded bluntly, "My task is my own. Must you follow me here every day? Surely it must have grown dull for you by now."
"Ichigo would never forgive me if I let something happen to you. I don't entirely trust that Izanshi is gone... You'd be a good target for his anger and I don't want that to happen."
Byakuya resisted the urge to roll his eyes, "Who do you think I am, to consider it worthy of your time to fear for my safety?"
"You missed another meeting." Renji ignored his comment, "I made notes again, but... Kuchiki Taichou don't you think it's time you started selecting a new Fukutaichou? You need help running the Division."
His jaw set into a firm line, "I will not select a new Fukutaichou until Kisuke Urahara informs me he is unable to restore Ichigo's powers."
Renji sighed, and made a point of doing it loudly, but he said no more on the matter as they arrived at the Kuchiki Estate. He followed Byakuya into the study and flopped into one of the sleek leather seats nestled between the bookshelves, watching as his former Taichou took a seat at the desk at the head of the room.
"Will you at least tell me what it is you have been researching? It's kept you captivated for months."
Byakuya hesitated, shuffling a few papers and organising the new additions to his enquiry, "Will you agree to stop following me if I tell you?"
"I'll at least agree to consider it." Renji muttered.
"Very well." Steel eyes narrowed as he made himself comfortable, "I agree that something seems amiss with Izanshi's disappearance. It was my belief that the Hollow would try to free Aizen, however no such attempt has been made. Instead, we have this report that Izanshi has fled to the World of the Living."
"I agree it seems strange." The redhead nodded, "But what could you possible find in the Archives?"
Byakuya touched his fingers to his lips as he considered his words carefully, "To put my theory simplistically for you, I have been trying to discover if there is an alternative way to create an Ōken. Aizen, of course, discovered the use of a concentrated spirit zone which is what put Karakura town at risk."
"You're working on the assumption that Izanshi left Soul Society to enact some... Secondary attempt at creating an Ōken?"
"I'm concerned that it is a possibility. It is the only reason I can think of as to why the Hollow would not attempt to free its master." He hummed.
"What about self preservation?" Renji argued, "I mean, I still don't believe Izanshi has actually left. But if he has then... Surely it could be a result of having the Espada living in Seireitei? He must realise that he could never succeed."
"And yet he survived in Seireitei for well over a year surrounded by some of the strongest and smartest Shinigami of our time. It simply doesn't ring true to me that he fears the Espada, according to the reports he could have been one of them based off his reiatsu levels alone, to say nothing of his particular talents." Byakuya stood up slowly and let out a small yawn, "No. I will continue my search until I am certain there is no other way to create an Ōken. I will not have the World of the Living put at risk after Ichigo sacrificed so much to keep it safe."
"Well... As excuses go for filling your time with anything and everything to ignore the quietness around here... It's not bad." The Division Nine Taichou shrugged.
"I'm so pleased to have your approval." The current Head of the Kuchiki Clan drawled humourlessly, "Now, if you will excuse me, I need to get changed before Rukia arrives. She is bringing some of the Espada. I do believe they are planning to abuse the dining table for the sake of playing poker this evening."
"You should have a rest to recover for it then, otherwise they will be placing bets on who falls asleep first. You or Starrk."
Byakuya shot him a pointed glare as he walked passed.
Ichigo slumped on the cool leather couch, passing his beer from one hand to the other, Keigo had dragged him out for an evening on the town. They were in the club, in the private room along with Tatsuki, Mizuiro, Ishida and Orihime, Chad was there as well but he was so silent it was as if he wasn't.
Music was pounding through the room, pulsing with the overhead lights and drowning out any chance of conversation they might have had. Keigo was plastered, dancing across the tables while trying to convince Tatsuki or Orihime to join him. Ichigo was sure that Ishida was only a few seconds away from shooting the club owner with a well placed arrow.
Not wanting to spoil a good night, he downed the rest of his drink and got up to get the next round in. He was sure it was his turn.
"I'll be right back!" He shouted over the heavy bass, hoping someone heard him.
He could subtly feel the swirling warmth of intoxication touching at the edges of his focus, he wasn't drunk but he was sure a few more drinks would change that. Ichigo leaned against the bar, glancing around the main room while he waited to be served. It was a busy night, the club was heaving with people again. He was just glad he wasn't having to work for it.
"Ichigo, what are you guys havin'?" Kamin, the bubbly natured barmaid tapped him on the shoulder with a bright smile.
"Another round, and a round of saké shots please." He replied, a smile twitching at his lips.
"I'll get those." A new voice said quickly from behind him.
Ichigo swivelled on the spot, just enough to peek over his shoulder at who had spoken and almost immediately felt one of his eyebrows quirk upwards with interest. Easily a head taller, with a crop of long black hair and the most startling shade of green eyes, the man was muscled but lean and carried himself with a confident air. He seemed familiar... Faintly...
"And... You are?" Ichigo asked.
"Makoto Natsume." There was a carefree grin that came with the introduction, as well as a sly wink, "And you?"
"Ichigo Kurosaki." He replied almost mechanically, clearing his throat as he dragged his eyes away, only to snap back as he recognised him, "You were the dick who knocked me over at the carnival the other month!
The man seemed to splutter, "That's how you're remembering that? It was an accident, and I said sorry. And I am not a dick."
He narrowed his eyes pointedly and sucked the side of his cheek fitfully, "Fair enough, it was an accident and you said sorry. But you also disappeared pretty damn quick."
"Well... That's true." Makoto flashed a wide smile, "Let me get your drinks as a proper apology?"
"So... Who's payin'?" Kamin asked loudly, "Is Keigo gettin' them or are we lettin' the hot newbie get them?"
"I insist." Makoto leaned over Ichigo and passed his card over, "And I'll have a beer as well, thanks."
"Pretty bold, aren't you?" The strawberry chuckled, though admitted the brief puff of breath he felt roll across his face smelled deliciously sweet with a hint of musk.
"I don't believe in lingering back when I see someone I like the look of."
"Smooth. Real smooth." Ichigo laughed, looking away.
Makoto leaned on the bar beside him, arms folded casually, "So, you're here with friends?"
"Yeah, Keigo runs the place." He murmured, running a hand through his hair, "They kind of bullied me into it, I'd rather be sat at home."
"But they'd you'd have missed out on meeting me again." Jade eyes lit up with amusement.
"Ha, I appreciate the drinks... But no amount of alcohol is going to make me wish I was anywhere other than at home."
"Here you go Ichigo!" Kamin slid the drinks across the bar towards the pair, "Enjoy~!"
"Thanks." He replied, before glaring as he realised she had purposefully neglected to give him a tray to carry them all on, "Right... Don't suppose you fancy giving me a hand with all these?"
"It would be a pleasure." Came easy response from his new companion.
Ichigo carried the beers, grateful that his finesse hadn't disappeared along with his Shinigami powers, and Makoto carried the shots of saké. Together they squeezed through the ever growing crowd of clubbers and slipped into the private rooms. Ichigo instantly regretted returning as he saw Keigo up on the table, pelvic thrusting for all to see.
"Interesting friends."
"Tell me about it." He muttered as he set the drinks down.
It only took a second glance of Keigo's awful dancing for Ichigo to down one of the shots and to snag his bottle before he beat a hasty retreat, as fast as humanly possible. He didn't even realised that Makoto had followed him at first, it was only when he broke out of the staff exit and into the back alley to feel the coldness of the night air on his face that he noticed his shadow.
"Keigo's unique dancing not to your taste either huh?" He snorted, running his fingers through his spikes of orange again as he leaned back against the wall.
"Not particularly. I don't think I've ever been seduced by someone pelvic thrusting their way into my life."
Ichigo laughed. It felt good to laugh and he couldn't help but let it out as he rolled his eyes, "Keigo is a... He's an idiot. But a good friend. Actually, thinking about it I should go and take pictures to humiliate him with tomorrow."
Makoto snorted at that and pulled a pack of cigarettes from his coat, "Do you mind if I..."
"No go ahead."
Muttering gratitude his admirer lit the end and took a long drag, smirking to himself as he blew out a long trail of smoke, "Honestly, Karakura sure is interesting. Full of... Interesting people."
"You're not from around here?"
"Nah, I only arrived the day of the carnival. Some friends kept telling me that the grass was greener over here so... Figured I'd shut them up and visit. Then, just my luck they're all out of town for the foreseeable."
"That's shit." The strawberry winced at his bad luck, "They're away working or on holiday?"
"Both." The other man shrugged, "Neither. I don't fucking know."
Ichigo took a sip of his beer, "You need better friends."
"Tell me about it. Know any?"
"Hah. I mean... If you can survive the pelvic thrusts Keigo will be anyone's friend." The strawberry pulled his phone out to check the time.
"Does that mean you're off the table?"
"Huh?" He looked up and found Makoto was a lot closer than he had been a few minutes ago, he found himself momentarily flustered by the lack of space between them and his face flushed as a result.
"I'm asking if you're single." Those green eyes were like pools of emeralds.
"Uh..." Swallowing thickly, Ichigo glanced away, "My relationship status is set to 'complicated' right now."
Makoto tilted his head to the side, "Long distance? Married man? Social difference?"
Chuckling, Ichigo rolled his eyes, "How about all three in some way or another? I don't think the distance could get any bigger, he's a widower and he's... Old money."
"Wow, definitely summed up easily by 'complicated'." They laughed together for a moment before Makoto spoke again, "So, you're off the table then?"
He hesitated, a playful smirk tugging at his lips, "Believe me... I've been on several tables in my time. Whether or not I feel like it right now... Is something I'd have to think about."
He hadn't meant to say it, he hadn't meant to flirt but... The alcohol was swimming in his senses and it felt good. It felt nice. Having someone take notice. Having someone take interest. His words to Grimmjow a few nights previously still swished around in his head. He'd practically given the Sexta permission to pursue Byakuya in his stead. It wasn't fair for the nobleman to sit around waiting for something that was never going to happen. It wasn't fair for him to wait either.
"I'm guessing your long distance happened in a pretty ugly way..." Makoto broke his train of thought.
"Huh? What makes you say that?" He asked.
"Well... The way your friends were watching you in there. Like you might snap at any second. It's got to be suffocating."
Ichigo blinked, he hadn't given it much thought but... He was right, he'd felt Ishida's eyes on him. He'd felt Orihime's worries. It really was like they were expecting him to break. He wasn't sure if it annoyed him or made him happy to have such caring friends.
"Yeah... It was ugly and unexpected. I guess... They're not entirely sure how I'm coping with it at the moment." He sighed deeply, "Do you always take such good notice of your surroundings?"
"Always. Besides, you deserve the extra attention in my eyes, you're the first decent looking guy I've seen in this town." Makoto gave a throaty chuckle as he finished his cigarette, "Pass me your phone."
"Why?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Because I'm going to give you my number, dipshit." The black haired man grinned, "And that way, if you ever make your mind up about being on a table again... You can let me know."
Ichigo hesitated, he couldn't help but feel like he was betraying Byakuya in some way just by entertaining the thought. Yet, he found himself pulling his phone back out of his pocket and handing it over to the dark haired male. Watching silently as he punched in his name and number for him to keep.
"So, while you're making up your mind... What are we gonna do?" Makoto raised an eyebrow suggestively.
"Go back inside for another drink, where you can join me in being tortured by Keigo's pelvic thrusts." The former Shinigami snorted, opening the door for them both.
Makoto chuckled, "I'm sure I'll... Survive somehow."
Ichigo tried to resist the urge to smile, "I hope so. You're the first sane person I've met in years."
"You must know some very strange people."
"Oh you have no idea." Even as he said it, Ichigo shook away the tingling tendrils teasing the nape of his neck, that unnamed feeling. He didn't want to know. Not tonight.
As they returned to the V.I.P room, they found that Keigo was very much still pelvic thrusting his way through his drunkenness and had also begun singing loudly, and badly. Ichigo sat with Makoto near the back of the room, it was good to simply have a laugh with someone... And Makoto was a stranger. Someone he didn't have to pretend around.
He was aware of the man's bright eyes on him, despite their conversation outside it was more than obvious that his new found friend was still taken by him. It made his face flush with heat at the thought.
He'd almost forgotten entirely that now he was Human, people wouldn't be giving him attention because he was powerful and influential and dangerous. It would be because they were interested in him. He wasn't entirely sure how he felt about that. It was strange, it was nice... It was new.
All his partners in Shino, all those one night stands and flings... They'd been drawn to him because he'd been willing to do almost anything to get that momentary buzz of emotion. Aizen had been drawn to him because he was an experiment, and he was strong. Byakuya... Even Byakuya had admitted that it was his attitude that had first caught his attention. Someone taking an interest purely because they thought he looked attractive... That was new.
Could he move on? Could he learn to set aside the life he'd had, in place of a new one? He wouldn't see Byakuya again... Even in death, without reiatsu he likely wouldn't remember his Shinigami life. He'd be a Rukongai Dog all over again. Alone. Was it better to seize something for himself now while he was still able to? Or should he live a celibate life, boring and alone? Sex didn't mean he was looking for a relationship... It was just a bit of fun... Just a release...
He'd have to give it serious thought before he made any decisions. If he made any decisions at all.
