Chapter II
Gilded Cages with Ornate Keys
It had been a week since the girls' birthday party, and only a couple of days since Kisuke left to speak with the ladies of Hueco Mundo. Ichigo was sitting at the desk in his room as he worked on getting his essay written before his next day off. He was excited to get to spend it with his friend who had been away for 6 months and didn't want anything distracting his mind. His body was in serious need of a drinking night that made him completely numb in order to get fucked so hard he would pass out. Everything had been putting him on edge these last few months. Especially with all the talk of the white sanded plain. The night the two shared drinking a week ago was nice but had not really scratched the surface of needing to be fucked so hard he cried while cumming. The night had just ended in them languidly making out in his room until dawn when they finally passed out holding each other. It had been nice, if Ichigo was being honest. But he expected more than that from the Espada, it was the whole reason they got together most nights. He was surprised Grimmjow was worried about being caught by the shopkeeper. Ichigo didn't really care if Kisuke heard anything, as rude as that may sound, since the older man already knew he was gay, and it's not like the Espada and him hadn't been openly talking about fucking each other senseless in the dining room.
"Dinner is ready!" Ururu yelled from the kitchen. Ichigo saved the file and closed the small silver laptop. A gift from Ishida's father for trying to save him. It hurt if Ichigo thought on it too long. He shouldn't have been rewarded for failing to save his friend. He could still remember the calm and slow passing in his friend's eyes while he tried to hold his bisected body parts together. It was one of many pushing points before his imprisonment. He quickly blocked the train of thought from spiraling as he reached high over his head to stretch his body while a yawn slipped. His red shirt pulled over his stomach, showing a new gold jewelry piece with a crystal ball piece. A little flashy, but he knew a certain feral cat would like it. He pulled the shirt hem down again and clicked the light off. He liked the band that was on the back of it, but it was honestly a little too small for his older body frame nowadays.
He stood and felt the rush of blood from getting up make him sway. Damn, and he still had at least three more pages to knock out before sleeping. Maybe he could just bring the food in his room to work and eat at the same time. Then again, he'd hate it if he accidently got anything on the treasured device. He considered downing just the main dish now and getting to the others later. Heading down the hall toward the dining room he wasn't surprised to see Jinta sitting restlessly while Tessai served hot tea and Ururu served the food. Broiled mackerel fish alongside a freshly made cucumber salad served with miso and rice. There was also a plate of fried tofu with a sauce dish to the side of the main plate. His stomach fought for dominance at the sight and aroma of the food.
Okay, maybe he should just focus on the freshly cooked home meal for right now. It's piping steam of delicious aromas were far too inviting to just gobble down one part. He could use the short break anyway. His eyes felt the strain of all the research and typing on the computer, and he vaguely wondered if Urahara always felt it. Ichigo had come upon the blonde numerous times over the years being pent up in front of his giant pc monitor, just staring at it like it held the key to saving the world. And who knows, maybe it did? Speaking of the man, Ichigo wondered why the girls needed him to analyze the new hallows coming to their home. Hopefully everything was alright. According to Grimm it wasn't anything serious, more just annoying. Ururu finished serving the rice and Kurosaki thanked the sweet girl for the meal as she sat down to enjoy her hard work. She blushed looking away saying thank you before everyone started in on their plates. She was older now, like his sisters, with her longer black hair pulled loosely into a ponytail. Jinta, having opted recently to try a short hawk hairstyle that complimented his red hair and his taller, lanky build, practically inhaling his while everyone else ate like normal humans. Tessai gestured to Ichigo with his hashi.
"So, how goes the schoolwork, young Kurosaki-kun?"
"Oh, uh, pretty good. I'm probably pushing myself a little by trying to get it all done tonight, but I'd rather leave my weekend open."
"Pressing yourself is never a bad thing if it is something within your reach. You'll finish it nicely, I'm sure." He took a huge bite of the fish.
"I can bring up some snacks later." Ururu said shyly. Ichigo smiled at her and she averted his eyes. "If you'd like it that is."
"Yea, that sounds great. Thank you so much, Ururu-chan!" He smiled before taking in a huge mouthful of fish and rice. He hummed at the taste and chewed quickly before he rinsed it down with the cooled tea. He continued at a pace not to Jinta's level, but faster than the other two. They all fell into a comfortable silence with only music from the turntable softly playing while they all ate. After a few minutes Jinta downed the rest of his tea, slamming the cup down while he exhaled.
"Done!" He barked out before grabbing his dishes and running them into the kitchen to rinse off. He was wanting to get back to his new game, everyone was sure. The others finished while hearing jabs and other miscellaneous sound effects from the game in the other room. After eating Ichigo offered to do the rest of the houses dishes since they both helped in making it. Tessai tried telling him he would do it all himself and let Ichigo get back to his essay sooner, but Ichigo wanted to contribute at least this much. Besides, it only takes a few minutes to clean fresh plates. He scrubbed the surface while letting his mind wonder off. He heard Jinta yell in excitement about getting some rare item unlocked. He huffed out a laugh at the youth's display. He remembered playing games with his friends and sisters years ago. He still played with the guys when they came over, and when he spent nights over at Grimmjow's, but he didn't actually own any systems himself nor keep up with any current games.
Grimmjow. The Espada punk had been so calculated and caring the other day. He still felt like everyone was giving an air like he had suddenly turned to glass, but the following morning Grimm was as catty as ever, and the blonde man was as teasing as ever. Especially when the two emerged together from Ichigo's room yawning, Grimm's arm slung over Ichigo's shoulders. They of course walked right into Kisuke coming out from his own room upstairs. The three just stared at each other before Urahara made some sly remark that lead to the teal cat and him getting into a pissing contest. Ichigo had opted to just go take a shower by himself, locking the door behind him much to Grimmjow's dismay. He could still remember the prick of fangs on his human tongue. It had left an iron taste in his mouth. And he relished it so. He also loved feeling the ball of the older man's tongue piercing roll over the inner parts of his own mouth. As well as when he would explore his nether regions with said piercing and fangs. He just wished the cat would push him more, sometimes what they did did not get the job done. He still craved to be back in that white room sometimes.
While drifting in thought he remembered the new side lip piercing. It was simple silver ring right now, no doubt to be changed later like he did with all the others. How many was that now? Most people knew that the hallow's nipples were pierced. A few knew of the man's tongue piercing. Ichigo humorlessly wondered if anyone else knew about Grimmjow's prince albert. Ichigo hated it when he felt jealous. It wasn't like the he or the other man were actually interested in dating, so it was futile to think of them as anything more than fuck buddies. He was sure someone, somewhere, is aware of the way it felt having that piece of jewelry breach them. What other piercings did the teal haired heart throb have? Ah, his ears had a few on each side, the tragus on his left being a nice off set to the other cartilage ones. Eight piercings now? Maybe Ichigo should get the one he was thinking of a few months ago. He saw a guy at a local rock show at a bar with one through the bridge of his nose, and Ichigo had to admit it looked pretty nice. He was sure his dad would whine to him, his sisters would question him, Rukia would lecture him, Kisuke would tease him and the rest would probably not care. At least, that's how it went when everyone found out he had his navel pierced last spring when there was a pool party to celebrate Abarai's new position as the 5th Taichou. He laughed a little again as he rinsed and dried off the dishes.
"You always make it a habit to laugh to yourself, Kurosaki-kun?" Ichigo nearly dropped the glass teacup when images of Ichimaru flickered through his mind's eye. He steeled himself emotionally before glancing back to Kira with as cool and nonchalant as possible. The blonde was in his Shinigami uniform leening against the doorframe with his arms crossed and gave an apologetic look that had a hint of mocking. What sly look. He was certainly trained well by Gin. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you. Just thought I'd say hi while we were in town."
"Yea, no problem. Just lost in thought, you know?" Ichigo finished toweling the teacup and set it out to dry. "Oh, you said 'we'?" He wiped his hands dry as well before folding the towel and putting it aside to finish after addressing the Shoten's guests. Izuru vaguely gestured back with his thumb.
"No one you'd really know yet. Just some new kids. It's only their second or third time in the human world. Soutaichou asked me to take them around Karakura Town. I figured we could stop in to check with you and Urahara-san. I had something to ask of Urahara-san." Kira half stepped back while unfolding his arms to look down the hall on either side. "I don't sense him though."
"You wouldn't right now. He's out of town on business until a few days from now." Ichigo came up to the slightly smaller man. They're height was only a fraction different, but it was there. His silky, gold hair had grown more than when he last saw him, past his shoulders a bit below where his collarbone would be. It was parted in the center now, Izuru no longer caring if people saw the scar on his temple. It was his and only his. And he cherished it much to some people's concern. Ichigo thought about talking to Kira about Gin and what transpired while he was Aizen's prisoner. He never did though, he just smiled and played nice whenever he saw Kira. Though, they were alone right then Ichigo realized. "What'd you need to see him for? Anything official, or can you just leave a message with Tessai or me?"
"No, well… Nothing official. And… more private, so I would prefer to speak to him directly on it. If you don't mind."
"No, course not. If it's something private than that's your own personal business. I won't press on it. Want something to drink or anything? There should still be some tea, if you'd like?" Kira laughed a short huff of a laugh.
"No, it's fine, but I appreciate it. Besides, if I did, I'd ask for something a whole lot stronger than tea." He smiled a tired smile. Ichigo had heard he had some adjustment issues with Hikaro as his new captain. He wondered if that was what he needed to speak to Kisuke on. The older man certainly had his ways to get along with the eccentric 3rd Taichou. "Anyway, I'll take my leave. Have Urahara-san get in contact with me when he gets back, please?"
"Yea, definitely, of course." He felt it happening. He hastily followed the quick paced trot of the blonde as he walked away down the hall, toward the main family room were distant voices could be heard along with Jinta's game. "Are you sure you want to leave so soon? We have drinks other than tea, and Ururu was already talking about making snacks for later. There are the spare rooms opposite. You guys could always stay the night, or-"
"Ichigo, really, it's fine. Just stop already!" Ichigo was taken by surprise with drop of formalities and the sudden stop. Izuru swiveled on his heel to look him over before he settled with an unwavering eye to eye stare. His words were even. "You don't always have to be such a people pleaser. I came just to talk to Urahara-san, maybe let the new guys check out the training ground and gigai. I don't know. But, really, sincerely, you don't have feel guilty we're leaving. You were hospitable, and I politely refused. Don't let that get to you. You didn't do anything wrong. And..." His eyes lowered to stare at the hallow Ichigo's bobbing throat for moment before returning up. His eyes were less hard now. "It'll eat at you if you let it. I know from experience." A sad smile of understanding. He grabbed Ichigo's shoulder for a moment of reassurance. This was a lot to take in, on multiple levels. This was probably the first time they were alone together, talking directly to each other in a place other than the battlefield, and he was hitting some exposed nerves no one else had hit yet. No one ese ever brought up his need to make others happy. Izuru let his hand drop back to his side.
"I… Sorry. I just. Suck, at this," he gestured between them. "Ah, but really, it was nice seeing you. It's been almost a year since I saw you. You kind of took me by surprise, saying my name like that." Why was he feeling bashful suddenly? He was avoiding the blonde's unwavering stare, and he got the feeling Kira liked that.
"It got your attention though. And yea, it has. The last time was at the cookout in Soul Society. You, ah, left that early though, didn't you?" It was almost like he knew. Ichigo felt exposed under the blue eyes staring holes into him and opted to pull his lower lip in to chew on it. He hadn't told Abarai exactly why he had been bothered physically that day, other than liking men, so Renji couldn't have said anything to him. And he certainly didn't say anything to anyone else. Kira sighed and stepped closer, grabbing the redhead's bottom lip between thumb and index finger pulling it down as scolded softly. "Don't. It'll get chapped worse in the heat of the upcoming summer."
"Right!" Ichigo took a sharp step back. Izuru was close. Too close. He instinctively licked over the spot the blonde had grabbed on to. Why the hell was his face heated and his heart pounding in his ears. He didn't recall being particularly interested in Kira, but this was a little too intimate for his liking. Maybe it was because it was a well-known fact that Izuru was openly, and unapologetically, gay. Maybe it was because he had already considered asking what he knew would be a regret. He swiped a thumb over his lower lip. "Nervous habit, my bad. Though, that's not how most people would've stopped it though…"
"I'm not most people, Ichigo." The blonde smiled lopsidedly.
"Yea, I can see that…" He licked his lip from nerves this time. "Hey, actually I would like to ask you something. If… that's okay to?" Izuru was reading Ichigo's sudden change in demeanor and looked on puzzled. He crossed his arms and nodded curtly.
"Yea, what about?" He was interested, if a little defensive, but still casual. He hated being asked most of the questions that came up. His reiatsu was slowly rolling up and inward with anticipation.
"Oh, uh… well. About… Gin?" And there was the worst subject of them all. Kira went cold, as cold as ice. His reiatsu suddenly chilled and clashed onto Ichigo. He had been ridiculed, questioned, and judged for loving such a man for years now, and became defensive the moment his former lover was inquired about nine out ten times. Of course, this being one of them.
"Go on." His arms were tight, and his face emotionless. Eyes a field of cold blue water. The reiatsu was snaking its way over a stammering orange haired youth.
"No… well, you see, it's not. Not anything bad. Or, er, not like that per say…" Ichigo was fiddled his hands, as he clasped and kept his fingers moving over the skull ring Grimmjow had gifted him on his last birthday.
"Just say it then." Izuru was the stone and Ichigo a fluttering bird.
"Ah, well. It's just that it's-" Ichigo looked around everywhere other than Kira as he tried speaking.
"Ichigo, what about Ichimaru-sama?" His voice was one of limited patience, and the tips of it were laced with frost. Ichigo shouldn't ask. Not here, and not now. He needed to just stop and walk away. He clamped his eyes desperately trying to shut the situation he once again placed on himself out.
"Did he ever mark you with his Zanpakuto when you were intimate?" Shit. Why was his mouth always working before his head? He snapped open his eyes as if he suddenly dreaded life. He didn't mean to blurt it out like that. He said it loud, and rushed, and without taking Izuru's feelings into account. He regretted not just walking away immediately. If looks could render someone dead Izuru would have taken Ichigo's life by now. Ichigo felt he needed to reel it back in. And fast.
"Why..?" His arms unlaced as his stern face melted into one of an offended sneer. "Seriously? That's your question?" He paced forward; hands fisted. Not only had he been asked about his former lover, but about when they were intimate. The cherry blossom was his only knowledge that what happened was real. Something ate at the back of the blonde's subconscious but his frustration blinded him. "I don't know, Ichigo, he felt fine scarring my face, why don't you just guess?"
"Look, that's not what I meant! Please, Izuru." Ichigo didn't know how to regain his footing. He shouldn't have asked, not without setting the initial expectations of the conversation he thought he wanted. He felt himself being backed down the hall to keep some space, though Kira had closed the gap significantly already. "Please, I didn't mean-"
"To upset me?" His eyes were roiling storms of ocean and rain. The cold reiatsu felt like needles that pricked at his skin.
"Yes…" It was a small and regretful sound.
"Well, it happened." Kira stated in a hard matter of fact fashion. He motioned with his hand as he stalked forward. "So, go on then! What else did you want to know? Which angle was his favorite on hot summer eves?"
"No! Please, just listen." He was anxious and frustrated at his own misleading's and the blonde's blind simmering.
"Why I followed and loved him even though I knew he loved Aizen?" It felt like he was being stalked by a dangerous predator that had cornered its prey. Ichigo stopped with his back to the wall in the long hall. The clank of dishes in the short distance gave an indication someone, either Ururu or Tessai, was not far off down the hall.
"Izuru-" He gestured with his hands for the blonde to slow and calm down. Ichigo didn't want anyone else getting involved, he didn't want everyone knowing his deepest and cruelest secret. Izuru was mere inches from him now, he could feel the pressure and deep seeded emotions in the reiatsu that boxed him in.
"What?" It was a low voice in a firm, angry, and hurt all at once tone. It made Ichigo feel horrible.
"Just, look!" Ichigo wasn't thinking in the moment. He just wanted to deescalate the situation before whoever came out. He dropped his head as jerked his jeans down on the left, exposing his lower hip, low enough that some bushy hairs snuck out. It also exposed something else. Something that took the sneer from Izuru's face, leaving his face struck with a blank expression. The anger slowly melted away and allowed the blonde to process what was there; a small, precisely carved sakura blossom shaped scar. Izuru was familiar with that scar for it was on his body as well. Izuru knew why the youth knew about something only an exclusive few others from Seireitei knew of. The redhead knew because he had one on himself. Ichigo was hunched over, eyes averting Kira's as what he just had done sunk in. Hus breathing was heavy; panic was set in his chest from the laxk of proper communication and the feeling that he was exposed. "I… in Hueco Mundo. I…" He gripped his jeans and pulled them back up as he dared to look up, tears and a roil of emotions threatening to leave. "I just.. I just wanted to talk to someone who… Who knew."
"How..?" Kira shook his head slightly, still staring at the spot Ichigo was covering with hand over his pants. The youth felt exposed, even though he had pulled the jeans back in place. Kira finally looked up, and Ichigo did then as well, their eyes locking. "When did…" They were still close, words hushed and intimate. He squeezed his eyes shut and inhaled deeply through his nostrils and exhaled forcibly as he reined in his reiatsu. When he opened his eyes, they were still full of emotion, but just simmering, reeling back along with the warming reiatsu. Only his fisted hands indication of the hurt and anger. "Ichimaru-sama did that?"
"Yes." Ichigo felt incredibly small. But he needed this. He wanted to have this conversation. But right now, with a room full of new Shinigami in the house along with the kids and Tessai, Ichigo had been too hasty. He tried a smile at the blonde opposite. "I didn't…" He paused to get a breath in before continuing. "Look, really, we don't have to talk about it now. I rarely see you, and we've never been alone, so I felt this sudden urge to ask something private. Like, if I didn't right then the moment would have passed, and I would never have the opportunity to again. But there are still others here, and it was horrible timing on my part, really." Kira took everything the other said in, and backed up a fraction, shoulders losing some of their tension.
"No, I overreacted and overwhelmed you without ever giving you a chance to speak properly. I jumped to conclusions on your questions based on what others have asked, and that wasn't fair to you. The moment you mentioned Ichimaru-sama I put my shields up." He closed his eyes before bowing apologetically, hands still fisted. Kira was embarrassed by his lack of control. Ichigo jumped slightly, not feeling he needed to be bowed to. He came up and grasped Izuru's shoulder, nudging him up. When Kira stood again Kurosaki realized his hand was still on his shoulder, yanking it back like he was going to catch fire. A peachy blush bloomed over his tan face. The blonde watched him try and be formal, standing tall next to the blonde. Ichigo was stumbling with his body language, and it almost made Izuru laugh. He smiled at the other man. He had overstepped, allowing his emotions to spill over so easily. Many of his friends and colleges would often press about Gin over the last several years, and it made him uncomfortable. Especially when out drinking, like at the cookout Ichigo had left early from. Ikkaku had been asking about Izuru and Gin's sex life in a boisterous manner. At the time he opted to just laugh it off and redirect the drunken man's questioning. The last time was a few days ago when Hirako and Kyoraku were drinking and asking about the fruit trees in the courtyard as Kira watered them, the questions slowly becoming more personal the more they drank. He had not realized he had become so on edge on the subject until now.
"Please though, if possible, in the future I would very much like to have some time, just the two of us, to talk. About him. About Hueco Mundo. Well, I guess everything?" Ichigo smiled a small and exhausted smile. His young eyes tired beyond his years.
"About your time imprisoned in Hueco Mundo I'm assuming?" Izuru crossed his arms loosely again. He was still and watchful, but no longer fuming. His reiatsu back to normal. Ichigo looked to the side, nervously rubbing at the back of his neck. He felt his tight muscles after the stressful moment and stretched back pulling his red shirt past his navel, revealing a glinting crystal. It caught the blonde's eye for a moment, a moment long enough for Kurosaki to know he had looked to take it in. Then he lowered his arms, pulling the shirt hem back down, clearing his throat and sliding his hands into his pockets. He shrugged his shoulder a tad before looking back to Kira.
"Yea… And, other things, too. If that's not too much to ask of you, Kira?" He felt his chest still throbbing, but his breathing was fine. The situation was deescalated, if only for a moment. It was enough to feel grounded, the air clearing. Izuru knew well the shape and meaning of the sakura. He himself had a blossom nestled in the deep V of his lower abdomen. He was taken aback when he saw one on the human. But remembering the year he was caged in Hueco Mundo, it seemed more reasonable. Ichimaru enjoyed marking his prey and keeping pets. Kira knew that well. In a small way he was still Ichimaru's pet, even though the silver haired man was gone. "And once again, seriously, I'm sorry for being so blunt a moment ago. It was rude."
"And sincerely, I apologize for not being more in control. I acted like some emotionally driven Academy student, not the Fukutaichou I am."
"Is everything alright out here, Kurosaki-kun?" Tessai was drying the serving plate, standing at the doorframe to the kitchen. When had he peaked out? Ichigo was a little unnerved, but just smiled and waved to him.
"Yea, sorry for the noise, and thanks for finishing up. Sorry about that."
"No need to be, I already offered to do them earlier, so no skin off my back. Feel free to go finish your class work once Kira-Fukutaichou and the other Shinigami leave."
"We will be shortly, after a short rest. Thank you for letting us take a moment inside." He half bowed to Tessai. "And I apologize, it was me who caused the ruckus, not Kurosaki-kun."
"I've felt thousands of reiatsus flare and dance while living here, and so have the children, it'll take far more than that to cause a ruckus, young Kira-Fukutaicho."
"Of course, sir, I find myself being presumptuous tonight." He smiled at the older, far more experienced man.
"Not at all, please, Ururu has already taken refreshments to the newly enlisted Shinigami. Feel free to enjoy some yourself." With that he disappeared back into the kitchen before waiting on a reply from either of the two in the hall. The door closed and the sounds resumed of water splashing and dishes being clanked. The hall felt empty for a moment without the bright light of the kitchen and the loss of the third person. Kira turned back to Ichigo, pausing to look him over before smiling.
"Hey," Kira rubbed the knuckle of his index finger on the side of his chin, eyes averted. "Maybe we can show the group the gigai and the basement with Tessai later?"
"Oh, really?" Ichigo had his hands in his pockets still. His shoulders were still a little tight.
"Yea, why not? The longer I'm out here, the less time I have to be in the office when I get back." They started walking towards the family room side by side.
"Yea, I feel that." Ichigo dropped his head back and groaned recalling his essay. He had forgotten about it completely until Tessai brought it up. His shoulders slacked with exaggerated agony.
"What? Staying not an option anymore?" Kira said it in a teasing fashion. A sly smile on his lips.
"Nope. Had nothing to do with hanging out. Just schoolwork." He held a hand up in a 'don't go there' fashion. Kira chuckled at the display, and that felt nice to hear. "I can just definitely understand not wanting to deal with paperwork right now." The red head laughed. Kira smiled. They neared the family room of the Shoten where the others must've been. He felt a familiar reiatsu.
"I would happily sit and do all of my divisions paperwork. It's not that that I'm avoiding." Ichigo glanced at the blonde then the door to the room. He could hear his obnoxious father boisterously retelling Shinigami tales. He rolled his eyes before elbowing Kira.
"Hirako?" Izuru spared him a look over from the side. Ichigo wasn't focusing on him, and somehow that made it easier to talk.
"Yea, sort of…" Ichigo stopped before they reached the room. The sounds were clearer but still muffled behind the closed door. The hall wasn't lit down on this side, and shadows were long.
"Sort of?" Izuru had taken a couple of more steps before he stopped, he tilted his head back and inhaled through his nose and out his pursed lips. He turned to Ichigo, a small smile set in place.
"It's personal, Kurosaki-kun. If. When I feel like I'm ready to discuss it, I will. Okay?"
"Yea. I understand." Ichigo smiled. He thought for a moment, eyes searching Kira's deep ocean blue ones. "Hey, do you have a cell?"
"A phone? Yea, why?" He stepped to Ichigo and pulled out the small flip phone, it wasn't anything advanced like Abarai's or Shuuhei's, but it got what he wanted done done.
"Woah, what's with that relic?"
"Stop it, the guys give me a hard-enough time already." Ichigo laughed a hardy laugh at hearing the blonde's dismay.
"Hey, I'm just saying, there's newer versions of the flip phone if that's really your thing, you know?" He laughed a bit more before snagging it. Kira watched the silent redhead as he typed away on his small phone. Then he paused and waited until a soft charm started up from his pocket. He pulled his out of his pocket, tapped the smooth glass of the touch screen and the sound stopped. "Here, that way we can stay in contact without the need of a third party getting involved, you know?"
"Thanks, I forget these kinds of things sometimes. Good call, Kurosaki-kun." He closed the phone and tucked it away.
"Please, you really don't have to be so formal with me." Kira smiled at him and stepped closer.
"Old, bad habits, just like that is." He poked at Ichigo's poor lip that was currently being bitten. Shit, he had been biting it again. When did he even start that time? Kira's finger fell to his chin and lingered for a moment. The intimate atmosphere from earlier crept in. He couldn't really deny the blonde was attractive. His long golden hair complimented his pale skin and blue eyes, and he had taken it upon himself to bulk up more over the years. It wasn't anything noticeably large, but a lot more definition and a healthy weight, not his frail build Ichigo remembered from a few years back. "I'll take a look at my calendar when I get back, and we can work something out."
"Yea, I'm sure we can come up with a date." Kira still had his hand up and moved to stroke his cheek. Ichigo felt like he was kind of losing himself in those ocean blue eyes.
"Date? Who? You two?" the door slid open suddenly and Isshin all but fell on his face. The two in the hall were already parted and Ichigo stomped on his idiot father's back.
"I'll murder you, old man!" Kiara chuckled; Ichigo found it was nice seeing him do so. Ichigo had never seen him smile, let alone laugh, so genuinely. He took his foot off when his dad started getting up. "What're you even doing here?"
"Ah! Can't an old man come visit his lonely son from time to time?" He leaned into kiss Ichigo, hands clasped together. Ichigo punched him square in nose, flinging him past Kira, who gracefully stepped back to avoid getting hit himself. His eyes were indifferent to what was happening. The young Shinigami gathered in the room went from laughing to shared expressions saying they weren't sure if they should laugh or check in on the previous captain. A big one was playing on the game with Jinta, who was ecstatic to have someone playing the game with him. "Spry as ever I see."
"No thanks to you. Hey." He waved to the group of four; 3 guys and a girl. They all looked rather plain, no one standing out really. Maybe the big muscled guy with long black hair to the left playing with Jinta, but that was more because Ichigo thought he was hot, not interesting. The girl was round and thick in areas that probably drove her classmates crazy, but had an average face with her dark hair pulled into a tight bun. The guy to the left of her was lean, smelled of Kido, and had short shaved brown hair, with no distinct features. The guy to her right was lean and with some muscle definition, cute yellow eyes with a medium hair cut parted to the side, a light strawberry blonde color. Nothing special or defining in any of them. Maybe the guy with huge muscles and long hair, but even that is plain when you take in most of the squads' people. "Are you guys all from 3rd Division?"
"No, only 2 are." Kira came up along side him and used an open palm to point to the girl "This is Shibamei, she excels in hand to hand combat and…" then the guy to her right. "Shotou here he is skilled with martial weapons."
"Okay, and you are from?" Pointing with his index finger, which Kira faintly thought to be a little rude, to the brown-haired guy that was obviously a Kido user. He perked up and smiled with a warm, open smile. What a kid.
"That's Gosuke, from 8th Division. He excels in Hado and Kido. And the other is-"
"Takara, from 11th Division!" He spoke over Izuru, much to the blonde's annoyance. His voice was rich, lined with just a touch of Rukongai attitude. He had his eyes locked on Ichigo from the side, still playing games with Jinta and a grin etched on his handsome face like he knew he found him attractive. He really had to stop being so easy to read. The redhead knew he was being stared at and chose to ignore the big guy in favor of facing Kira and his dad who was walking up to them nursing a bloody nose. He wiped it with his sleeve and sniffed up what he could. Ichigo and Kira both gave a disgusted look, and then a humored exchange of glances. Isshin took a mental note on that.
"So, why're you here? Really?" Ichigo crossed his arms, feigning annoyance.
"We'll talk later on that, once everyone leaves." The more serious side of his father had Ichigo narrowing his eyes at his father's ambiguous answer. It was both annoying and made him a little nervous. Isshin said this and gave him a fatherly it's okay smile. "Later, it's not a big deal."
"If you say so, old man." Then he remembered the gigai. He turned his attention back to the room, luckily the big one, Takara, was back to the game. "You guys want to check out the basement and gigai?" A pause. There was quizzical look of varying degrees across their faces who were paying attention. The girl Shiba-whatever-it-was, raised her hand, definitely a 3rd Division officer. "Yea, what's up?"
"What's a gigai?" He looked at her deadpan. Then looked at Kira.
"Seriously? Isn't that taught in the academy?" He asked in a hushed tone out the side of his mouth while he looked back to the girl.
"No, or at least not as thoroughly as you would imagine. Kind of why I figured we'd wait until Urahara-san was in some time originally." Izuru used his hand to direct the soft soundwaves to his current partner in crime.
"Right… that makes sense now." He raised his voice back to normal. "Well, it's what you would use to walk around here on earth and be able to interact with humans. In your current state only people who can see spirits would be able to see you."
"Why would we want to walk around in something obviously weaker than our current forms? What benefits are there to that?" The pale haired guy asked prudently.
"Well, I'm sure lots of reasons, you know?" It was obvious Ichigo felt unsure how to answer. He glanced to Izuru, who closed his eyes for a moment before sighing as he stepped forward to address them. They had been getting on his nerves for a while now anyway.
"Because once you start getting through more training and move up in the ranks you may be asked to come stay for extended periods. Periods where you'll benefit being able to interact with the humans, the food, and many other situations that would arise. Just because you do not see the value in it now, does not mean that it has no value, officers." Kira was blunt and gave no room for comebacks. He was calculating with his answer. No wonder he was a Fukutaichou, and Ichimaru's former lover of decades. The newly and lowly ranked officers all nodded back.
'Well trained kids,' Ichigo thought. Tessai, apparently and timely done with the dishes, rounded the corner.
"I heard something about using the basement?" The younger Shinigami looked up to him.
"Yea, just to show them the training grounds for minute before they heard back." Ichigo poked his thumb in their direction, looking to Tessai. The older man grinned, eerily so. His glasses glinted. "What?"
"Isshin, care to help me show them around? Urahara-dono has a new training arena he hadn't had the chance to test on anyone. I'm sure he'd be delighted to find it was of use while out on business." Tessai raised a pumped and muscled fist, still smiling.
"Fantastic idea!" Isshin gripped Tessai's fist in his and they shared a cringe worthy exchange of manly proportions. Sometimes he wished someone would just tell him he was adopted, and this was all just a mistake. The new officers were pretty excited, and Izuru seemed more than okay with getting a break from them which didn't involve heading back. Well, most of them were excited.
"Wait, I thought we were just looking?" Everyone looked to the obviously less than excited brown-haired guy. The Kido one was really a stick in the mud, wasn't he?
"It's fine, there are showers and spare uniforms downstairs, no need to fret, young man!" Tessai's reply was not at all reassuring to the kid, and he looked horrified as Isshin grabbed him up. "Follow us then!" Ichigo laughed at the noisy display, and then considered the fact he still had his homework. The almost sad look wasn't lost on Izuru.
"What's up?" They watched the group disappear, Jinta included surprisingly enough. The game was paused, controllers left here and there. It was quiet again.
"Huh? Oh, I was thinking of hanging out, but I really got to get that paper finished tonight. I have plans on my next day off, and don't want to be worrying about it then."
"Being responsible can be annoying, but it'll be better to do now then wait and have it distracting you later. Or worse still, not get it in on time."
"Exactly, I feel the same. But… Hmm…"
"Something else on your mind?"
"Well, it is a laptop, so I could go grab it and hangout downstairs."
"Wouldn't that be distracting though?"
"Yea, probably, but at least I'd be getting some of it done while everyone is here and still getting to see the sparring and even get to hangout with you a bit more before you guys take off?"
"That sounds more like getting nothing out of either then, personally. You'd be too distracted to get any efficient work done, and not focused enough to appreciate the spars. I guess I'd be there either way, but that's beside the point."
"You two sound like opposite ends of a spectrum." Ururu was picking up cups from the table. They both started when she spoke. They hadn't realized she was there thanks in part to her quiet demeanor. She finished loading the tray with the cups and got up, smiling to them before she headed past them to the kitchen.
"Opposites, huh?" Ichigo fought the urge to chew on his lip, instead opting to rub at his nose, which if Izuru was to be completely honest with himself, was incredibly adorable. He liked the younger Shinigami, and often stole passing glances at his lithe form when they hung out with their friends. Knowing they shared a similar experience made him feel connected. He caught the blonde's attention years ago when Kira had visited with Abarai and Shuuhei. Now that he thought on it, probably not long after Ichigo had been recovered Hueco Mundo. He had been much quieter than the blonde recalled from before the imprisonment and went along with whatever the two boisterous tattooed friends were deciding on while out on the town in the human world. Izuru can still remember the feeling when Ichigo had helped to adjust an amethyst beaded bracelet Izuru had picked up. The clasp was being difficult to do with one hand, and Ichigo laughed a small laugh before muttering under his breath and taking over the job of getting it together. The other two having gone ahead, eager to get to the next shop together, and that gave the two a moment of calm lidded stares. It was a nice memory since everything, and he wondered if Ichigo remembered that day. Kurosaki sighed, and rubbed at his jaw. "I guess it's not a big deal to miss out on some new guys training right now. It'd be better to get this done tonight."
"Want any help with it?" Izuru offered and Ichigo smiled to his kind offer. Ichigo was taller, but not as toned since he stopped training regularly. Izuru felt he was tall enough that Kira could feel his eyes lift in order to look into those honey amber eyes.
"It's about current events in the world of the living, so as much as I appreciate it, it probably would be outside your scope of expertise. Have fun down there though, okay? Feel free to come say goodbye before leaving later." He patted Izuru's shoulder and turned the corner. Kira made a split-second decision and turned the corner as well. Ichigo noticed and decided not to mention it. If the blonde Shinigami wanted to follow, then so be it. He still felt bad about earlier and didn't want to ruin another good moment. He trotted up the stairs with a sense of familiarity and Kira followed with agile ease. He went in to the first room on the right, going right up to his desk, and rolling his chair out. He opened the small laptop on his desk. He had thought on it seriously and didn't want to risk it getting broken. He could spar anytime. He couldn't replace such a precious gift.
Kira paused at his door. Kurosaki's room was surprisingly barren considering how long he had been there. A futon, desk, office chair, lamp and a small bookshelf with a mixture of fantasy and sci-fi novels, manga, and magazines. Tattoo, piercing and gay porn magazines to be exact. Kira only recognized that last one from the title on the slim spine because he owned that one himself. He suspected Ichigo was gay as well, but he didn't have any real proof. Not that the magazine proved it entirely. He looked up on the walls, noticing a few of the bands that adorned his walls. A fan of metal music, then. Izuru smiled. He continued until he happened upon a tiny red crane origami encased in a glass dome sitting on top of a small wooden nightstand. His smile shrunk and his eyes saddened. "Everything okay?"
"This was from Ichimaru-sama, wasn't it?" He walked over and gently touched the top of the small dome. He hadn't turned to face Ichigo yet. Ichigo looked at it for beat before getting up from the rolling chair and going over. Izuru looked to him for moment.
"Yes. But it wasn't given to me. I took it. Just… don't ask why. Please." Ichigo had the look of someone recalling a bittersweet memory. He didn't look at Kira when he placed his fingertips over the top of the dome, eyes viewing the red piece, his fingers touching Kira's still lingering tips. They looked to each other. There was that feeling again. A sudden shuttering erupted for a second breaking up their moment. Ichigo withdrew his fingers, looking to the door. "What the hell are they doing in there?"
"Don't ask me." They shared a small laugh before Ichigo walked over and closed the door. Izuru wasn't sure if that was intended for anything more than keeping out the noise. "You… like men then?"
"Yea, honestly I'm beginning to feel it's pretty obvious. A few years ago, I would've denied it. Hard. But now..?"
He smiled a sly smile to Izuru before turning in the chair and focusing on opening the file he was working on. He clicked a few things open and closed, and Kira felt it was time to make the decision to settle in or leave. He had already followed the other man up here, so he mise well stay up here with him. It's not like it wasn't calming. There was the buzz of the laptop, the soft glow of a desk lamp, and he looked down to the well-made futon with a neatly folded blanket next to it. He disarmed, placing his Zanpakuto against the nightstand, and arrogantly laid down on the futon. He usually would never do that with someone he hardly spoke to, but the redhead didn't seem the type to be easily offended. He rested his head on his arms, closing his eyes when soft Indie music started to play from the buzzing device. Not what he expected to come from Ichigo when there were hard metal posters plastered over his walls. He was studying though, so maybe he liked to switch it up. The blonde rested as he heard the clack of keys, the occasional pause, clicking, and more typing. The music was wistful and on the verge of being either incredibly sad, or incredibly sexy.
A soft knock sounded on the door. Izuru cracked an eye open to look to Ichigo. It was his room, and he had domain over who to let in. It was Ururu no doubt, so Ichigo clicked something, turning to get out of the chair. He opened the door and Ururu was there with her aforementioned snacks, including his favorite light snack; crisp seaweed snaps. She also included some apple juice; it not being lost on him there were two cups. He took the tray from her and thanked her for being considerate of his guest. She pinked lightly and said something soft like enjoy it. Too soft for Izuru to really pick up. Ichigo closed the door again and took the tray to the nightstand, scooping up the seaweed crisps and leaving Izuru with the apple slices and candy. Ichigo popped one into his mouth, crunching down on the salty snack. It was delicious and he hummed a happy sound over it. After sitting down, he set the dish down and wiped his hands off on his jeans before scooting in and returning to the laptop. The sounds of him working picked up and the song switched over to a guitar melody. This was nice.
Kira couldn't recall the last time he just laid and relaxed without Ichimaru present. Izuru opened his eyes, stealing a long glance to Ichigo. So, the young Shinigami had been Ichimaru's precious pet in Hueco Mundo then? It didn't surprise the blonde as much as he probably should have been. It was pleasant for once to be asked about his former lover and it not be a mere snide remark in hiding. Kurosaki had been honest in his words, Izuru could tell by the wisp of reiatsu coiled around him. He wasn't lying, and he wasn't trying to condemn Ichimaru. It felt like he genuinely just wanted another person to speak to about him. Kira smiled. He had always wanted someone to just listen to him as well. Renji had tried many times to listen, but he still felt a bias against Ichimaru, and that always led to fights. The blonde slid a hand over the spot his sakura laid nestled under his coarse hair. He remembered everything from that night, his first night as an official officer in the 4th division, and his first night as only Ichimaru's. The silver haired man treated him like he was something precious, caressing him the whole while taking his time etching the scar in deep enough to stay, and clean enough to be visually appealing. It was an experience, and he wasn't sure why he wasn't even a little jealous that Ichimaru marked someone else. Who knows? Maybe it was apart of some grand scheme for them to find each other afterwards and be able to cope together. Izuru let out a laugh.
"You always make it a habit to laugh to yourself, Kira-Fukutaichou?" Ichigo looked over his shoulder with obvious mockery. Izuru grabbed the pillow and chucked it against the back of his chair, causing Ichigo to burst out laughing. He turned around in the chair to pick up the pillow and toss it back over to his futon. Kira picked it up and tucked it under his head, turning to lay facing Ichigo. They smiled a moment before an unexpected yawn tore through Ichigo, quickly tried to cover it and found his body was demanding another long stretch. Kira saw the piercing again, and vaguely wondered if there were any more elsewhere. He himself had a frenum down low. His main preference being tattoos, personally. Few knew about that, and even fewer knew of his ink, only the two others who were there when they were done after the trio's betrayal of Soul Society. Abarai and Shuuhei had gone to get new tattoos, and Izuru decided he wanted to go as well, getting a traditional branch of peonies along his right thigh, then a small tribal design on his lower back when the three returned. He was curious now. "Do you have any other piercings, or any tattoos?"
"Yea, well, one more piercing." He motioned his crotch. "No tattoos. Yet."
"Oh? What are you thinking of getting?" Izuru was still laying on his side, fully attentive to the conversation.
"Well, I've had this idea for a while, of a black and red koi going upstream on my arm." He rolled up his left sleeve and gestured his to the spot he was thinking of.
"That'd be nice. You should get it!" Kira gracefully sat up and placed his right leg forward, grabbing the hem of his pants and pulling it up and over his thigh to reveal the pink and red peonies. "There's this one, my first one. And one more on my back, though that one's just a tribal design like Abarai's."
"Oh, nice, the detail is really good!" Ichigo got down on one knee and admired the ink up close, a foot or two from the Fukutaichou. Kira pinked a tad at the proximity, and visibly looked to the side shyly when Ichigo touched one of the flowers. Ichigo looked up, and felt the sense he had intruded a bit, pulling back onto his hunches. He changed the subject. "Grimmjow just got another tattoo, a flaming skull with fangs on his forearm." Ichigo energetically patted his arm, to show the placement of his friend's ink. "As well as a lip piercing." He jabbed a finger at his lower lip. "It really made me want to get this one bridge piercing I saw when out not long ago." He pinched at the soft skin between his eyes to indicate were the piercing would be. "And I've already been saving when I can to get the tattoo done. It'll be pricey, but totally worth it!" This is the first time Kira saw Ichigo so talkative and alert. It was nice to find common ground with someone other than just the few friends he had hung out with for decades. The door suddenly swung open, Isshin popping in only to pause and stare at the blonde's show of skin: Izuru still had the hakama pulled up over his leg. He blushed a light pink tone, he pulled the black fabric back down. Well, that was embarrassing. Ichigo stood up, visibly annoyed at his father. "The hell, old man? Learn to knock first!"
"Well, you two never showed up, so I wanted to come check in! Ururu-chan kindly informed me you guys were up here." He looked between the two, arms crossed like he was passing a silent judgement on the two. Ichigo rolled his eyes in an obvious 'go fuck yourself' manner. If Kisuke knew his orientation, he was certain his dad did as well. He was sure a lot of people did, and just never mentioned it. And with Kira being very open about his own sexual preference Isshin probably thought he would be interrupting something else.
"Are they done in the training course already?" Kira asked while crossing his legs. He had hoped it would last a while longer; he had been enjoying the peace of the redhead's room. The music was still playing, a more tempo rhythm going now.
"No way, Tessai has them running it with Jinta and Kon right now. They'll be drained by morning."
"Well, I guess that means we're spending the night then." As if taking the news as an invitation Kira plopped back onto the sacrificed pillow. He stretched out and placed his head on his arms, Ichigo mused that he looked like a content house cat and smiled in his direction.
"Oh, for sure! Like I said earlier, there are spare rooms, so no need to feel like you guys' are putting us out or anything. Plus, tomorrow is a day off for me, so we could do something in the morning before I head out." Ichigo was practically brimming with a heady excitement, like a kid getting permission to have a classmate stay over for the first time. Isshin was inwardly glad to see him getting along with more people outside his unusually small friend group. He wasn't exactly sure if Grimmjow would appreciate Ichigo staring at another man's thigh behind closed doors, but who was he to judge. At least it was keeping his son above water so to speak, and they obviously had more in common than he would have guessed, judging by what he had heard while heading to the room and seeing Kira's tattoo. Isshin didn't think the blonde would have had anything like that.
"Oh, maybe that date you were talking abou-"
"No." It was quick, firm, and filled with embarrassment. "What did you need to talk about though?"
"I"ll wait until next time, like I said, it's not a big deal."
"Then if it's not a big deal, get lost already!" He was pushing Isshin out as he started talking. Not that the older man was really putting in any effort to stop the pushing. "You should put more effort into other things. Like maybe tying your decrepit ass up and teaching them what a pinata is."
"Oh, excellent idea, my son! Wait, hey!" Ichigo slammed his door shut and made sure to latch the bolt Kisuke was kind enough to add on just for these family friendly occasions, despite his father's muffled plea. Ichigo heard Isshin retreat and huffed, earning a rich laughter from behind him. Izuru was practically rolling with laughter, rich and fulfilling.
"What the hell is so funny to you, huh?" Ichigo walked over and nudged his side with his foot, enjoying the moment. Kira grabbed onto the leg and used it to pull himself up.
"No, it's just, who actually talks with their family like that?" He was still laughing while he tried to sit back up, a smile on his face and a tear in his eye. Ichigo was surprised at how handsome he was when he smiled. He laughed and grabbed his hand, hoisting him up a bit. The laughter died to just smiles and Izuru looked up. "I never got to have those moments with either of my parents, I was raised by my aunt until even she passed. So, it's nice to see families together, even if they're a weird family." A playful push to his shoulder as Ichigo dropped down next to him.
"Whatever, dude. You can take him if that's what you want for in a father." Ichigo chuckled as he sat with his knees to his chest, arms hanging over them. The music had changed back to another low-key tune with a female lead and jazzy undertone. "Hey."
"Yea?"
"Why haven't you tried asking about earlier?"
"Because we said we would set a date on the calendar to talk it over, and from what I saw it should be a conversation in private, and we both know there's people," He tilted his head toward the door, implying his father, "wandering all over this house tonight. Why? Did you want me to press you about it?"
"Well, no… I guess I'm just not used to having someone be so considerate of the situation." He was fidgeting with his fingertips, picking under his nails and playing with the small skull ring on his middle finger. Kira watched the ring catch the light a few times while they both sat in silence.
"I try to be. In all honesty I'm ripe with curiosity, and though this may be a little tasteless I'm a bit.. excited for the conversation. No one has ever wanted to discuss Ichimaru on this level. If I may be so bold in speaking on the situation."
"You may. And I'd rather you be excited than telling me that I'm just some victim. It's all everyone always does, in the end. It's why I never revealed anything beyond what Unohana and Kisuke came up with." He was still moving his hands around, making a diamond shape with his hands, holding it up to capture the silver device and then the lamp.
"Mm. It's their own coping mechanism. Other people care too much sometimes, to a point they themselves become blinded by a sense of normalcy and justice. They don't understand you when you try to express you didn't feel any pain in the same sense they would have or feel any hatred toward them. They project their standards for what should make a happy, healthy couple. Never understanding there are interests beyond what is commonplace." Kira was looking to his Zanpakuto, and the look he had was one of silent acceptance. Ichigo felt like he wasn't speaking about just his current situation. It felt too rehearsed, like he knew from experience.
"Hey."
"Hmm?" Kira turned his attention back to Kurosaki when the redhead didn't respond. Ichigo captured his lips in a chaste kiss. Izuru was surprised. He had heard the boy was dating the panther hallow awhile back. But, he couldn't deny the feel of chapped, warm lips against his made something in him stir. How long had it been since he was intimate with anyone? He leaned into it after a paused moment, raising his hand to rest it against Ichigo's jaw. There was the slightest feel of stubble, so small you hardly noticed it looking at the redhead. This felt good, and he knew it had been nearly a decade since he had been physical with anyone. Ikkaku and Yamichika had offered to let him join a few times in the past, but he wasn't sure if he should. Having this moment now, with the redhead felt good. Ichigo leaned into the kiss as well, tilting his head to indicate he wanted more, and Kira gave it to him, pressing his tongue to dry lips, easily gaining entrance. Their tongues danced over each other, small mewling sounds escaping Ichigo's throat. Sounds that riled Kira up. Ichigo grabbed the long golden locks at the base of Izuru's skull and pressed himself closer. Kira moaned into the kiss, and laced his arms around Ichigo's shoulders to pull him down with him as he laid back. Ichigo followed happily as he enjoyed the fresh taste of persimmon fruit and tea. He was hard, painfully so in his tight black jeans. And judging by the prodding on his hip, he wasn't the only one. They laid there, basking in the heat of the moment. They felt each other's tongues, tasted each other's mouths, their eyes closed, hands exploring over clothing, music drifting. It felt amazing.
Ichigo lifted and broke the delicious kiss, honey eyes looking into lidded blues. A different, deeper blue than he was used to. His chest was heaving with arousal. His skin flushed a deep peachy tone, Kira's a pleasant pink. He licked his lips hungrily, eyes searching and finding. He lowered himself down, keeping a hand on the sweet blonde's chest to let him know not to follow. Kira watched over his chest as Ichigo lowered to just above his crotch, his hard on visible through the fabric. The redhead smirked, proud to know he could get the Fukutaichou to such a pleasant state. He pulled his hand down and undid the knot there, delicately removing the cloth for his treasure. Kira made a small sound when he was freed, the cool air touching his very hot and very hard erection. Ichigo was rather impressed, he hadn't expected the man to be so well endowed. It was rather pleasant to look at and had a good girth to it. He licked his already wet lips and looked to a heavily breathing blonde.
He held a finger up to indicate for Izuru to keep quiet and waited until he nodded silently. It wasn't his first rodeo. Kira had mastered playing in public when his previous Taichou was around. His adam's apple bobbed when Ichigo paused over his sakura and laid his tongue flat against it and savored the skin and hair there, nipping at the skin. Kira squirmed making Ichigo chuckle over his deep golden pubic hairs before he headed to the main course. He pressed his moist tongue thickly against the pink shaft where he found a small silver metal piece horizontal to the tip. He made a pleased sound while licking from bottom to top, stopping only to suckle at the piercing for a moment before continuing on and suckling the tip which caused the recipient to inhale sharply. Precum was already leaking, thick and creamy. Kira was definitely in need of this. Ichigo let some saliva dribble over the hot cock, moving his hand over it to spread it evenly as he scooted up a tad bit and angled so he had a good balance before taking the thick, as in holy shit is this actually bigger than Grimm's, cock as far down as he could in one go. He paused and adjusted, swallowing saliva before it bothered his throat, making Izuru hum. Ichigo looked up as fingers carded through his hair, encouraging the act. His blue eyes predatory in nature. It hit Ichigo low, and he set an even pace as he bobbed and twisted his wrist and swallowed, eyes closed to concentrate on the task he had happily given to himself. He could feel the captive balls of the jewelry rubbing on his tongue and smelled the musk from Kira being out all evening, and though he tasted a little salty from the dried sweat, it wasn't a bad taste at all.
He felt Izuru shift under his ministrations, his reiatsu trying to stay close to them and level, yet still slowly he enveloped Ichigo in a low currency of energy, most likely too sustained for the others of the house to feel, but the redhead certainly felt it. It was electrifying. The fingers in his hair started gripping the ends and pulled on the nerves there, adding to the energy that pulsed around his body. Kira buckled forward suddenly, the tip blunt against the back of his throat which made him gag around the thick, pierced member in his mouth. He looked up and was rewarded with a lustful looking Fukutaichou, his uniform disheveled, and long golden locks fallen around the pillow like a halo. Ichigo moaned and snaked a hand down to his own pants to unzip it hastily before he pulled himself out. There were no briefs or boxers, him choosing to always wear the minimum. Kira took notice of him doing so and whispered a soft encouragement, telling him how gorgeous he was. The sound he had made when he had gagged made Izuru feel the heat burn under the sakura. He placed his second hand in the orange hair, gripping tightly and moved his head a bit to test the waters. Sucking as he pulled up, Ichigo kept eye contact with Izuru.
The other man was close, he could tell by the sway in his hips and firm grip in his hair. Ichigo let the cock out using his tongue to guide it there and pressed the flat of his tongue to the thick vein over the piercing before regripping the base with his free hand. Kira jerked again which pressed his wet, cum leaking cock against Ichigo's face, from jaw to cheekbone. He moaned wantonly at the feeling of Izuru's cock against his cheek, he reopened his mouth to allow it back to his awaiting tongue and guided it there. He sucked hard on the tip and licked up the vein that protruded nicely on the underside before swallowing to the back of his throat in one long go. Kira lifted from the futon, back arching up. It felt amazing. Ichigo was amazing right now. Kira knew he was very close, voicing his need to the younger man who bobbed on him. He was trying to get him to back up, but Ichigo flickered his gaze up, eyes clouded with need and knew that if he didn't pull away, he'd need to swallow, and it was something he both did well and enjoyed.
The younger Shinigami pumped himself loosely while he tried to concentrate on the juicy thick morsel in his mouth, savoring it thoroughly. He felt the grip on him tighten to guide him and he let Izuru take over with a pounding finishing pace. It had been ages since anyone used Ichigo's mouth as a fucking hole, and it made his cock burn with a need to release. He was close, and so was Izuru. He let go of the base in favor of rubbing his own leaking head while he stroked the shaft. Both the men lost their focus and just felt each other for a moment before the heat overtook Izuru, and he bit his lip to help silence himself while emptied himself into the back of Ichigo's throat, the redhead hummed in delight before hitting that point himself, buckling while the firm member was still pumping a thick and creamy stream into his greedy mouth. Izuru tasted wonderful, he was most certainly not used to the taste being pleasant, and this excited him further as he unloaded his own strings of semen on his futon. It was a long and beautiful moment of suckling the softening cock and slowly stroking himself.
"Hey… I'm sorry, but that's too much." Kira whispered as he bucked again, and pressed Ichigo away gently as he felt sensitive with the continued effort. Ichigo laid himself on his right side and began to shower him with kisses and tiny nips over the blonde's sensitive skin, which earned him wiggling and a moan. "It was amazing, I feel like my skin's on fire."
"You're welcome." Ichigo smiled up at his partner in crime, licking his lips in a seductive manner. "You know, you taste really good."
"That's something new. I've never been told that one before." Kira stifled his own yawn now, feeling the haze over his senses. He shifted and half sat up, gesturing for Ichigo to move up a bit to lay with him. Ichigo happily moved up and pressed his lips to Kira's, both sloppy and enjoying the bask in the afterglow. They held each other, their hands explored each other's bodies while they lazily kissed. An unexpectedly loud and upbeat song broke the trance after a while, and they broke apart so Ichigo could go switch the song, his pants still open. Kira noted the lack of underwear. Ichigo opened a desk drawer and pulled out some wet wipes and pulled some out. He turned and tossed a few to Kira, then wiped himself off as best he could for the moment. Izuru studied him for a moment and then wiped his penis off, though he didn't really feel like it had anything left on it after such an amazing skill. He never experienced someone offering to swallow it all up like that. It was incredibly sexy. Specially to watch. Ichigo redid his pants before helping Kira up to get his hakama and tops tucked in properly, almost leaving nothing for Kira to do other than watch. It had been a very long time since he felt this way. It was a bittersweet feeling.
"What's wrong..?" He was focused on tying the sash. Kira's heart swelled, and he cursed the emotions.
"You're… incredible, you know that, right?" He lightly touched Ichigo's hand while it finished tying the knot, the other man looking up with surprise. It turned to a look of dismissal.
"I'm not, really. I appreciate you saying that… But I'm not at all." Kira stepped in close, taking Ichigo's face into his hands to bring his face level with his own.
"Maybe you just need to be shown you are?" Sounds echoed from downstairs, new reiatsus filled the home. Ikkaku and Renji seemed to be making a visit. But that all seemed trivial at the moment, the two close and seeking each other's faces, Kira smoothing his calloused thumb over Ichigo's ear, caressing his earlobe gently. They kissed again, slow and deep. Chaste lips pressed together. They pulled apart, Ichigo still held on to Kira's firm waist and Izuru still caressed the stubble on his jawline. "You really are great."
"I'll think about it." He pressed his forehead to his friend's.
"You don't need to think about it if it's true, Ichigo-san."
"I'll think on whether it's true or not, Izuru-kun." A loud knocking startled the two. Kira stepped back, grabbing the folded blanket next to the futon and opened it to cover the obviously messed up futon and still wet cum stain before Ichigo unlatched the bolt and opened the door.
"Yo, what's up?" Ichigo was glad to see his best friend. He was drunk, and that meant it wasn't anything serious going on, just them visiting. So much for finishing his paper before the weekend. "Oh, shit! Izuru, what're you doing here? Wait…" Renji leered for a moment. "I'm not interrupting something, am I? I can go back downstairs if you two need a minute."
"Ass, I was trying to finish my report, but there just seems to be an abundance of loud jerks who want to keep interrupting that tonight." He socked the taller redhead in the shoulder playfully. They shared a laugh, and Renji wasn't nearly drunk enough to miss the familiarity that Izuru was displaying. It wasn't like him. He usually didn't touch other people's personal belongings, and that laptop was very personal for Ichigo. He didn't even bat an eye when the blonde went up to his laptop and used the wireless mouse to turn the music that had been playing off.
"Hey, do you want me to save the file you were working on?" Izuru sat in the chair, something else he usually wouldn't do, and looked over to Ichigo with a soft smile. This felt strange to the older redhead.
"Oh, yea, I don't remember if I did that, so please do. It'd be a nightmare if I lost everything I got done tonight." Ichigo walked over, leaning on the back of the chair to grab the seaweed snacks. What was this atmosphere Renji walked in to? It felt so… comfortable. They were talking about something in a low tone, something on the laptop, judging by the way Kira had pointed at the screen and looked up to Ichigo for a response. Ichigo balanced the small serving dish in one hand and reached over to the mouse, which still had Kira's hand on it, and moved it over and clicked and then moved it and clicked again. They muttered a few things back and forth, the bright redhead finding himself crossing his arms to lean against the doorframe smiling at them. There he observed them, watchful of their smiles and the small laugh Kira let out at whatever Ichigo said before he closed the laptop. Oh, Renji finally got it. He was feeling like a third wheel right now. He had interrupted the flow of the room, but he was glad he did, because as selfish as it was, he liked seeing his two friends getting along like this. They both looked genuinely happy. Ichigo helped Kira up and they both headed over to Renji. "Want to go down with us to Urahara's basement?"
"Sounds good. I'll follow you two."