Chapter 4: Stolen Kisses
"I'm really s-sorry about this, Byakuya," Ichigo said, leaning against the Kuchiki leader's side as the two walked through the darkened street, "I didn't think that s-sake was so s-strong."
"You are more recently come of age and haven't much experience drinking alcohol," Byakuya concluded, "You actually did not drink that much, but it appears to affect you quite strongly. But do not worry. I will protect your honor and reputation as we walk back home."
"Oh my kami," Ichigo groaned, "Why does it have to be so damned far?"
"It is not too far now," Byakuya assured him.
"Ugh, I need to stop," Ichigo said, hiccupping and wiping a hand across his sweaty forehead, "My mouth is still burning from dinner and I've gotta pee."
"I would suggest looking for a pub, but you have had enough to drink."
"Well, we're on the edge of town," Ichigo noted, blinking to clear his vision, "I could just find a stream for water and a bush to pee behind."
"That is a bit undignified for a noble heir," Byakuya sighed, "but if it will make you more comfortable."
Byakuya looked around briefly and spotted a suitable cluster of brush.
"You can go over there," he said, pointing.
"Uh-huh," Ichigo said absently, "and what are you gonna do?"
"Me?" Byakuya inquired, "I am going to wait here and watch your back to make sure you are not approached from behind while you are relieving yourself."
"Oh, thanks."
"It is nothing. I feel a bit responsible in that you only ate and drank as you did in politeness to me."
"It's not your fault," Ichigo insisted, rubbing his aching belly and wincing as another strong, warning twinge jolted his uncomfortably full bladder, "But ah…sorry, have to…you know."
"Go on."
Byakuya turned his back as Ichigo proceeded in slightly unsteady steps to the thick brush. Fumbling hands moved his clothing and he began to relieve himself, smiling as he thought about the events of the day. He thought he might have noticed a slight movement in the brush, but quickly wrote it off as perhaps seeing things. He continued his efforts, loosing a long stream into the bushes and humming softly. One moment, he was in the midst of urinating, and the next, the bushes in front of him seemed to explode, and a large, tentacled hollow rose up in front of him. Ichigo stared in surprise.
"I peed on a hollow?" he mused, blinking.
The hollow hissed warningly and Ichigo heard Byakuya's quick flash step. In the back of his dizzied mind, he knew he should move, but his words from before echoed in his mind, and unexpectedly, Ichigo began to laugh.
"I peed on a hollow!" he giggled, grinning and backing away, "Oops!"
He grunted in surprise and pain as a whipping tentacle slapped him hard across the face, then Byakuya shoved him aside, sending him tumbling to the ground.
"Hey, what th'hell?" Ichigo mumbled dazedly.
"Get back, you fool! You could have been slaughtered!" Byakuya snapped, summoning his blade, "There are claws on the tips of those tentacles."
"Oh man," Ichigo groaned, blinking and trying to clear the oddly fuzzy image of Byakuya sending his petal blades in to slash at the snarling hollow, "You okay, Byakuya? Or d'you need s-some help?"
"And what help would you be in that condition?" Byakuya scolded him, watching as blood exploded from the hollow and it swiftly disintegrated, "Besides, it was not particularly powerful, just dangerous because you are inebriated and you were caught off guard."
"Y-you can say that again!" Ichigo giggled shamelessly, "I pissed all over him. Did you see that?"
"Unfortunately, I was distracted by the very real threat to your life," Byakuya said dryly, moving closer and helping him to sit down on a hollowed out log.
"Did'ya check this log for hollows?" Ichigo teased, "I mean, you were the one who pointed out that bush."
"The hollow was obviously able to hide its reiatsu," Byakuya said icily as he carefully looked Ichigo over, then began to heal the bright red welt that ran across one soft cheek, "Be glad you cannot feel this wound. It would probably be burning and stinging quite painfully if you were not drunk."
"Y-yeah?" Ichigo mused, rubbing his belly and starting to turn slightly green in the face, "Well, I uh…I don't feel so well."
"I imagine," Byakuya said more sympathetically, "If it makes you feel any better, you are welcome to vomit. Just…"
Byakuya barely stepped back in time to avoid a violently expelled stream of toxic looking fluid.
"I was going to suggest returning to the bushes," he finished, moving around to Ichigo's side and wrapping an arm around him, "but that seems somewhat pointless now."
He held Ichigo against him and turned away as the Shiba heir threw up several more times, then sagged wearily against him.
"Are you finished now?" he inquired.
Ichigo gave no answer.
"Ichigo?" Byakuya said, more stridently, turning him slightly, so that he could better see Ichigo's too pale and sickly face, "Ichigo, can you hear me?"
He quickly examined the younger man, sensing his reiatsu and frowning at the presence of a touch of the hollow's residue. He focused on the bit and quickly eradicated it, then gave Ichigo a penitent look.
"It seems that hollow had a disruptive reiatsu that was damaging to you," he explained, well aware Ichigo could no longer hear him, "It must have been transferred to you when it struck your face. Do not worry. I have eradicated it now. You are feverish and need to rest for the night, but I am sure you will be fine."
He looked back at the town and spotted an inn and pub in the distance. He lifted Ichigo into his arms and carried him back into town and to the inn. The innkeeper looked up and smiled kindly, then frowned at Ichigo's obvious incapacitation.
"Ah, did your friend have too much to drink?" he asked.
"That, and we had the misfortune of encountering a hollow with toxic reiatsu," Byakuya said wearily, "I can care for him, but we will require a room for the night."
"I have only one left," the innkeeper informed him apologetically, "and it only has one bed."
"That will be fine," Byakuya assured him, "You may charge the room and any accompanying costs to the Kuchiki clan."
The innkeeper's eyes widened.
"You are Kuchiki taicho!" he exclaimed, "And this looks like Shiba Ichigo!"
"It is," Byakuya said, frowning, "But we require complete discretion on your part. It would be unseemly for people to know that we shared a single room for the night. I assure you, it is only necessary because of Ichigo's illness."
"Of course," the man agreed readily, "Come, I will show you to your room, sir. Would you like me to send for the town healer?"
"That will not be necessary," Byakuya assured him, "I am familiar with this type of hollow and can care for Ichigo, myself."
"Certainly, Kuchiki taicho," the man said, bowing, "Please, come this way."
He glanced back over his shoulder as he led Byakuya to a room at the end of the first floor corridor.
"I am sorry the room is small."
"It will be fine for our purposes."
"Yes sir. Would you like me to bring you some tea?" the man offered.
"That would be good. Hot water would also be appreciated. I will need it for his healing. Some healing ointment could be useful as well, if you have it."
"I have some," the innkeeper said, smirking very slightly at the request, "I will be happy to bring those things for you."
The innkeeper unlocked the door and opened it for Byakuya, who carried Ichigo into the room and laid him in the soft, comfortable bed. Ichigo groaned and tried to hang onto the flustered Kuchiki leader, but Byakuya gently extricated himself and began to loosen Ichigo's clothing. The innkeeper stared for a moment, then exited the room, returning later with the promised tea and ointment.
"Are you sure there's nothing else I can bring you, Kuchiki taicho?" the man asked.
"Thank you, no," Byakuya said, leaning over Ichigo and spreading some of the ointment in the place on his cheek where the hollow's tentacle had slapped him.
The innkeeper shook his head, smirking more prominently and left the room. He walked back to the desk and found a rough looking man in a heavy jacket waiting for him.
"Manzo, you'll never guess who's here!" he exclaimed softly, looking back at the room he had just left."
"Who?" the other man asked, greeting the innkeeper with a rough kiss.
"Mmmph-mmmm, it's Kuchiki Byakuya and Shiba Ichigo!"
The bigger man rolled his dark eyes.
"Don't yank me off, Rikona," he snapped, nipping at his lover's lips again, "You're full of shit. Kuchiki taicho wouldn't be caught dead in a place like this, and he wouldn't be shacking up with Shiba Ichigo. That new-noble bum has every rich noble girl in the Seireitei lusting after him."
"Maybe," Rikona mused, "but it looks like Kuchiki taicho wants to have some fun with him first."
"And what's that got to do with us?" Manzo chuckled, "You wanna go and play with each other while you're all hard, thinking about what's going on with them? Pervert."
Rikona grinned and snickered, turning around a small monitor and punching in a combination of numbers, including that of the rented room Byakuya and Ichigo occupied.
"No," he laughed, "I want to watch what they're doing and play with each other. How's that?"
"Now you're talking," Manzo said approvingly, "I locked up. Let's go in the back and watch this."
The two picked up the monitor and walked into the room behind the desk, closing and locking the door behind them. They undressed and climbed onto the bed, teasing each other's privates as they watched Byakuya undress down to his yukata, then remove Ichigo's clothing. He conducted another close inspection of Ichigo's slightly sweating and feverish body as Ichigo mumbled incoherently and tossed an arm around his shoulders.
"Whoa! Was not expecting that," Manzo snickered, graduating to a full blown laugh as Ichigo dragged Byakuya down into a long, hard kiss.
"Y-you're very pretty," Ichigo babbled, giggling and tickling Byakuya's flushed cheek.
"Ichigo, stop," Byakuya objected, "You are tempting me, I admit, but it is not proper behavior while you are so intoxicated."
"Mmm…ah," Ichigo sighed, hiccupping and giggling again, "It's just harmless kissing, right? Although, I'm getting a little hard. Are you?"
Byakuya moved out of the way of Ichigo's seeking hand, watching in dismay as the move caused Ichigo to lose his balance and fall gracelessly onto the floor.
"Ichigo, are you all right?" he asked worriedly, looking over the edge of the bed.
He gasped as Ichigo flash stepped clumsily and crashed into him, bringing him roughly down onto his back.
"You don't mind if I kiss you more, do you?" he asked, smirking crookedly, "That first one was my first kiss, y'know. This one'll be better, I promise."
"Ichigo, that's terrible!" Byakuya exclaimed, struggling, "You should not have done that. Your first kiss should be special, or at least it should happen when you will remember it!"
"That's really s-sweet of you to say," Ichigo said, smiling dazedly, "You've got good manners, even when you're telling me no."
He clamped his mouth down on Byakuya's, holding the sputtering Kuchiki leader in place and plundering his mouth hungrily. Byakuya kept up his resistance for several moments, but gradually found himself completely entranced by the firm grip of Ichigo's hands, the comforting press of that intensely warm body against his, surprisingly soft, insistent lips, and a naturally (he thought) precocious probing tongue. He held himself back for as long as he could, then sighed and gave in to one long and deeply passionate kiss. He felt Ichigo's hand touch the ties at their waists and pulled back instinctively. A moment later, he heard an odd hissing sound and looked up to find Ichigo still staring down at him, but through eerily malevolent golden and black eyes.
Oh no!
It is the hollow.
"So, you like kissing the king, eh?" Shirosaki cackled, "But you know you shouldn't be stealing kisses while he's out of it, right? Or did you forget? Need a reminder?"
"N-no!" Byakuya objected, trying to pull free as Shirosaki clamped down on his mouth and ground wildly against him, "S-stop!"
"I'll teach you to be indecent with my master, you pretty noble princess!"
"How dare you!" Byakuya snapped, shoving Ichigo hard and scrambling away as Ichigo crashed to the floor again.
Byakuya made a sound of dismay and rushed to find Ichigo's eyes returned to normal and the Shiba heir looking up at him and rubbing his aching head gingerly.
"Wh-what happened?" he mused, "W-was Shirosaki misbehaving? I thought that I sensed him."
"Ah, you…fell out of bed," Byakuya hedged, helping the younger man to climb back onto the bed.
He tucked Ichigo in and brought him a cup of hot tea. Ichigo's eyes continued to clear as he worked at the tea, and he stole a curious glance at Byakuya, who carefully avoided his gaze.
"Hey uh, Byakuya?" Ichigo inquired, "Can I, uh, ask you something?"
"Hmm?" Byakuya answered, keeping his eyes averted and almost closed.
"Byakuya, this is gonna be a weird question, but…um…were we really kissing or was I just, uh, having a weird dream?"
Byakuya sighed.
"You did kiss me while you were not cognizant," he confessed, "and again, when your inner hollow decided I deserved to be punished for allowing it."
Ichigo blushed brightly.
"Y-you let me…kiss you?" he asked haltingly.
Byakuya met his eyes for the barest of moments.
"Yes."
"Why?"
Byakuya's dark eyes blinked slowly as he considered the question.
"Because it seemed kinder than hurting you to avoid your kiss," he lied.
"Oh," Ichigo said softly, blushing more brightly, "Sorry. I think I should just not drink any more sake. I don't handle that stuff very well."
"That is probably a wise decision."
Byakuya moved over to sit in a chair by the window, where he had a lovely view of the night sky. Ichigo laid down in the bed, breathing slowly and trying to drift off.
"Are you all right now?" Byakuya asked, still looking quietly up at the stars.
"Yeah, I'm better. I think when Shirosaki came out, he burned most of the sake out of my system. I just have a pretty bad headache."
"And you are still feverish from the toxic hollow reiatsu."
Ichigo made a sound of agreement, then, thinking back to his encounter with the hollow, he couldn't hold back an amused chuckle.
"I still can't believe that I peed on that hollow!" he snickered, "No wonder it slapped me."
"And attempted to devour you," Byakuya sighed, shaking his head, "This has been a rather odd day."
"Right," Ichigo laughed, "Hey, you know, Byakuya, you don't have to stay up all night. You can sleep on the other side of the bed. I'll, uh, try not to climb on top of you and kiss you again, okay?"
"I am fine here. Go to sleep, Ichigo."
"Are you pissed at me?"
"No. You did not attempt to urinate on me, you only kissed me, a much more pardonable offense."
"Right," Ichigo giggled.
"Go to sleep. You are delirious."
"Seriously, though, thanks for protecting me," Ichigo said, smiling charmingly.
"It is good to be able to return the favor," Byakuya answered, a touch of affection leaking into his voice.
Ichigo was quiet for a moment.
"Byakuya, you really can sleep next to me, if you want. I won't let Shirosaki out again."
Byakuya gazed up at the lovely moon, breathing softly and reliving the feeling of Ichigo's warm, hungry lips devouring his.
"I would appreciate that."
He rose and walked to the bed, sliding in and turning away from Ichigo to continue watching the night sky as he drifted off. As he was nearing sleep, Ichigo's voice sounded again.
"Man, I do kinda wish I could remember my first kiss. You're probably as good at kissing as you are at everything else."
Byakuya was grateful for the darkness in the room that hid the blush he felt radiating on his face and throat.
"It was not really your first kiss, because it was not intentional. It was just alcohol and fever making you reckless."
"Isn't that how a lot of first kisses happen?" Ichigo laughed softly.
"Go to sleep, Ichigo."
Ichigo gave him a teasing smirk.
"But you haven't kissed me goodnight," he joked.
Byakuya's eyes narrowed and his reiatsu flickered for a moment, before he turned and placed a warm, chaste kiss on the surprised Shiba heir's lips.
"Goodnight, Ichigo."
"Right," Ichigo managed, his face flushing, heart pounding, and a longing ache blossoming in his reactive loins, "Me too, eh, s-same. Goodnight, Byakuya.
Ichigo laid quietly in the darkness, stealing occasional glances at his sleeping friend.
It's comfortable being with him now. Things have really changed between us. I just hope that when I have to get married, I can get to feeling this comfortable with the girl I have to marry.
He sighed sadly and drifted off to sleep, wearing a little frown. Some hours later, he turned in his sleep and unknowingly curled into Byakuya's arms, waking the other man, who opened his eyes, smiled ruefully and closed them again, resting his chin on a crown of ginger hair.
In the room behind the inn's front desk, the innkeeper and his lover, laughed softly at the innocent antics of the two nobles and entwined their own bodies more amorously.
"You know," Manzo said, smirking, "I know a guy who would pay a lot just for a picture of those two cuddling."
"Don't you dare," Rikona chuckled, "Kuchiki taicho would come back here and kill me."
"How's he going to know it was you?" Manzo reasoned, "You can always say you have no idea who took the picture. The camera's angled so it could be someone who took it through the window."
He stopped the recorded feed and rewound slightly, capturing the image of Byakuya and Ichigo embracing as they slept, with Byakuya's chin rested on top of the Shiba heir's head and wearing a peaceful expression.
"Sweet!" Rikona said, looking impressed.
He nudged his lover aside and rewound further, to a more scandalous image of Ichigo lying on top of Byakuya and kissing him forcefully.
"But this one's my favorite."
Manzo shrugged.
"So, I'll sell the guy copies of both."
"Good idea," Rikona said approvingly, "Now, why don't you help me get rid of this hard on I got watching them?"
Manzo crawled on top of the innkeeper, rubbing against him and engaging him in a rush of hard, penetrating kisses. In moments, the two were thrusting wildly against each other, stealing glances at the frozen image of the two nobles as their lust overtook them and sent them together into long, hot throbs of a powerful release.