Hey y'all! Finally, I have completed the revision of this story. This is the last chapter that wasn't updated to my new style so I have y'all enjoy this revision!


Five months has passed since Ichigo started living in the Kuchiki mansion. Five months have passed since Ichigo felt something different about the older. Five months have passed since Rukia has been seeing the signs but nothing ever happens.

At first, it was only Rukia and Renji that noticed. Then, Urahara, Yoruichi, Kyouraku, Jushiro and Unohana. Finally, even the others have noticed. They said nothing because it was only a speculation and fueled by rumors but it certainly was entertaining. Hell, the 6th Division members noticed it after the first two months for how the orange haired shinigami visited their stoic and cold captain almost every single day and was totally unfazed by him. They were surprised someone could handle him aside from the current lieutenant, Renji, Rukia and the captains.

"Hey there, Kurosaki-san," The raven haired lieutenant greeted Ichigo as he walked through the 6th Division hallways.

Ichigo grinned in response, "Yo, Sato. For the nth time, call me Ichigo!"

Satoshi chuckled, "I apologize, Ichigo-san."

The orange head shook his head, "Is Byakuya in his office?"

The other nodded, "Yes. Why ask? And why are you in the corridors?"

Ichigo's grin faltered and turned to a scowl, "Byakuya likes to lock his windows when I annoy him in the morning."

"I bet you insulted his calligraphy again."

The orange head raised his hands defensively, "You caught me. Hey, all he did last weekend was calligraphy! He always growls at me when I try to disturb him."

Satoshi laughed, "Taichou? Growled? That's a first."

Ichigo laughed nervously, "Although, I think I kinda crossed the line today."

The lieutenant gave an amused grin, "You want his attention all on you huh?"

The younger shinigami scoffed, "What am I? A teenage girl?"

The raven head shrugged, "Could've fooled me.

"Very funny, Sato," Ichigo glared, "I can't believe you have both Renji's and Byakuya's sense of humor."

Satoshi shrugged in response, "What can I say? I'm amazing."

"Yeah, yeah. I'll go and visit your captain now. Wish me luck."

The lieutenant patted the latter's shoulder, "Try not to make him draw Senbonzakura. Please."

Ichigo laughed, "I'll try, man."

The orange head walked towards the captain's office nervously. He may seem confident around the man, always fighting with him with banters but he always feels small when Byakuya actually gets angry at him. He then arrived at the door. Ichigo knows that Byakuya felt he was already here but he gulped and opened the door regardless.

"H-Hello?" He peeked in to see the raven haired captain looking down on his papers with a frown.

"You dare enter my office without my permission, Kurosaki Ichigo?

Ichigo winced. The older man lately calls him by his last name so he was really really mad if he uses his full name. He entered slowly, "Look, Byakuya."

The orange head then felt an intense reiatsu surrounding the whole barracks. It was confirmed when he heard multiple groans coming from the outside. Only he and Satoshi could withstand such intensity coming from the Kuchiki heir. Ichigo marched over the desk and placed his hands on it, trying to cover the paper Byakuya was working on. It only made the older look up with a glare and released more intense reiatsu.

"I'm sorry, Byakuya. Please don't kill off your men with your reiatsu. Focus on me," Ichigo's nervousness vanished and his place was plastered with softness. He looked intently at the opposing gray ones that are almost void of any emotion.

The heir looked back down and let his reiatsu go back in control. Ichigo could hear the sighs of relief from the suffocating members of the squad.

"Let's talk."

"We have nothing to talk about, Kurosaki Ichigo. Please leave my office," The coldness of the latter's voice pained the younger's heart.

Ichigo swallowed up his fear and took Byakuya's free hand and clasped it with both of his hands. This startled Byakuya and made him glare, "What are you doing?"

The orange head leaned down and placed his forehead lightly on the latter's hand and mumbled, "I'm sorry. I was being a brat."

"You're right. You were being a brat," Byakuya commented almost bitterly. He wanted to pull his hand away from the younger but he couldn't bring himself to do so after seeing how upset the latter is when he is mad.

"Yes, I was and I'm really really sorry, Byakuya. I know how much calligraphy means to you."

"How can I be so sure you are sorry?"

Ichigo slowly looked at the latter's cold gray eyes with pleading warm brown eyes, his lips lightly brushing on the latter's hand which made Byakuya slightly shiver.

"I promise I won't do it again. Hell, I'll even take up your calligraphy classes. Just please don't call me by my full name again." Ichigo mumbled, "I don't break promises, remember?"

Byakuya sighed deeply. He knows that the boy was sensitive to the people around him but he didn't expect this and especially he's at the receiving end of this warmth, "Fine, Kurosaki. I expect you to be in my lessons once a week from now on. I won't go easy on you."

The raven's heart almost stuttered when the nervous and slightly pained expression slowly dissipated from Ichigo's face and was replaced with a bright smile, "Couldn't have it any other way."

The noble retrieved his hand reluctantly, "Now, go. I have too much paperwork already."

Ichigo grinned, "No way. I'll stay here."

Byakuya raised his eyebrow, "Why?"

"I dunno." the orange head sighed in relief, "Thank you again, by the way. I could really hug you right now if I could."

Byakuya scoffed, trying to hide his amusement, "Don't push it, Kurosaki."

Ichigo chuckled, "This wouldn't be fun if it ain't a challenge."

The captain glared, "What do you mean?"

Ichigo shook his head, "Nothing, Byakuya."

Just then, Satoshi entered the room with 2 cups of tea and chocolate biscuits. It was Ichigo's favorite snack every time he stayed at the office.

"Done with the lover's quarrel you two?" He teased.

Ichigo could only blush and Byakuya simply glared.

"Jeez, taichou. You almost killed the whole squad. Please only kill Ichigo if possible."

The orange head glared, "Hey! I thought you would support me?"

Satoshi feigned innocence, "What do you mean, Ichigo-san? I don't remember saying anything."

Ichigo simply clicked his tongue.

The lieutenant looked over his captain and spoke back with a serious tone, "Taichou, a reminder that you will have the captain's meeting in an hour."

The captain nodded in acknowledgement, "Very well. You are dismissed, Takashi-fukutaichou."

Satoshi simply bowed and exited the office, leaving the two alone. Ichigo looked at Byakuya, thinking of a topic to clear the former tension in the air, "What do you think of me joining the Shinigami Academy?"

Byakuya didn't manage to hide his shock, "What made you come down to that decision?"

"Well, if I wanted to join the Gotei 13, might as well start from scratch right?" Ichigo lightly scratches his head. He knows that he is definitely overqualified but he doesn't mind taking his time to climb up. After all, he almost got nothing to do but spend time with Byakuya but he isn't complaining about that.

Byakuya nodded in approval, "That is a wise decision, Kurosaki. I am genuinely surprised."

Ichigo snorted, "I'll take that as a compliment."

Byakuya chuckled slightly, tension from his shoulders was slowly leaving.

Ichigo then pondered, "Can I crash the meeting and tell Kyouraku-san?"

The noble deadpanned, "Do not 'crash' the meeting, Kurosaki or I swear you will be living in the streets."

Ichigo chuckled, "Kidding, kidding. I'll probably tell today at the meeting though. I'll tell him in advance."

"Very well."

The captain slowly stood up from his desk which startled the latter. He was surprised when Byakuya approached the windows and opened it once again to let fresh air enter the office. The heir looked over his shoulder, "What's with that horrendous face, Kurosaki?"

The orange head shook his head, "First, that's rude. Second, you finally opened my real doors." Ichigo then gave a cheeky grin which earned him a small smirk from the noble.

"You're really insufferable."

Ichigo scoffed lightly, "You're really huggable right now. I seriously can't handle it." The orange head immediately face palmed, "Fuck, what the hell am I saying?"

Byakuya couldn't hide his amusement, sometimes Ichigo could really wear his heart on his sleeve but the heir decided not to think of further possibilities, "Am I now?"

Ichigo groaned, "Fuck, forget whatever I said okay? Save me from my embarrassment."

The captain chuckled and thought to himself, 'It's cute when he's like that. Wait... did I say Kurosaki is cute? Am I going insane as well?'

Ichigo stretched his arms, "Well, I better prepare some shit to say to Kyouraku later." He walked over the window and stood on the window sill. He looked back at Byakuya, "Eat lunch together?"

The latter nodded, "After the meeting. See you at home, then?"

Ichigo's heart pounded loudly, 'Home, huh?' "Yeah, see you." With shunpo, Ichigo left.

Byakuya pursed his lips. He doesn't understand why he was simply swayed by the boy. He does not forgive easily. Not even his own family elders. But he forgave the latter so easily like he doesn't want to see the pained expression even longer. Is his feelings that he's been denying all this time couldn't take it anymore being in the shadows?


The captains were already in the meeting hall, aligned in two perfect lines leaving the center open. The Sotaicho wasn't in the room yet so Urahara, Yoruichi, Renji and Rukia were chatting while giving small glances at the Kuchiki heir who was simply standing, hands entangled at his back and his eyes closed, ignoring the noise. Shinji was talking to Kensei, Rojuro and Toshiro. Silence immediately fell on them when their ridiculous soutaichou showed up.

When Kyouraku and Juushiro took their right place in front, they eyed all the captains. Kyouraku grinned, "Ah, it seems like everyone attended this time."

Renji coughed for being guilty of being absent last meeting due to overdue paperwork being on his table and he tried to finish it within the day. Kyouraku smirked when he felt a familiar presence by the door, "Well, good day everyone. Let's start the meeting with a special guest."

All of the captains, except Byakuya, raised their eyebrows. They couldn't guess who could enter the hall outside the captains and lieutenants.

"You may enter." The door was slowly pushed open to reveal the orange head with a shit eating grin.

"What the fuck, Ichigo?" Renji exclaimed in shock.

Ichigo chuckled, "Hello to you too, pineapple."

The orange head searched for a certain slate gray eyes and when he found them, he gave a bright smile which earned him a curt nod.

"What do we owe you with that grand entrance, Ichigo-kun?" The commander inquired. He was curious to what the boy had to say. Ichigo didn't specifically say what it was through Jigokucho.

Ichigo walked over to stand in the middle, "I would like to ask for permission, Kyouraku-san."

Kyouraku raised his eyebrow, "Permission for what? I immediately decline if it is a visit to the World of the Living."

Ichigo shook his head, "No, it's not that. I... would like to join the Shinigami Academy next year first before joining a squad."

The rest of the captains' eyes widened in surprise, even Kenpachi.

"Aren't you too overqualified, Kurosaki?" Toshiro asked.

"Yeah, Ichigo. I bet 'ya can kick everyone's asses there with just a swing of yer sword." Kenpachi snickered.

Kyouraku nodded, "Indeed. You are overqualified for the academy and I dare say even for a captain. So, why?"

The orange head simply shrugged, "I got all the time now that I'm a full fledged shinigami. I might as well start like how everyone else started."

Kyouraku nodded in approval, "I don't know how and why you want to do it but I approve. I also recommend the squad captains to let Ichigo-kun choose his own division when the time comes. Any complaints?" There were snickers from Kenpachi and Shinji but everyone nodded regardless.

"How's your stay here, Ichigo-kun?" Kyouraku inquired.

Ichigo grinned, "Pretty great. I mean, my host is pretty accommodating. He's been taking care of me." This earned a scoff from the heir which made the captains' eyes direct to him. Ichigo chuckled, "What? I'm only speaking the truth, Byakuya."

This earned a glare from the raven head which made the latter laugh nervously, "I mean, Kuchiki-taichou. Kami, that was hard to say."

Byakuya grunted, "Maybe I'll teach you some manners while you are there, Kurosaki."

Kyouraku smirked amusedly, 'He isn't calling Ichigo-kun by his full name anymore.' His thoughts were the same with the other captains as they saw the two interact. The others only heard the rumors but seeing their interaction in person is interesting.

The commander then cleared his throat, "Are there any more things you need to discuss, Ichigo-kun?"

The latter shook his head, "Nope. That's it."

"Very well. You may stay and observe or you may leave."

Ichigo nodded, "I'll be staying in the corner over there."

Ichigo gave Byakuya a last look and went to the corner and sat cross legged there and rested his head and back on the wall. Kyouraku nodded, "Very well. Let's start with the fated partners that were discovered this week."


Ichigo was already dozing off when the meeting was over. The captains looked at the younger and laughed at how if Ichigo would ever be a captain, he wouldn't be able to survive any meetings at all.

Byakuya gracefully walked over the sleeping boy and knelt in front of him. The captains, except Kenpachi and Iba stayed to watch the small interaction between the two. Hell, even Toshiro was curious if the rumors are remotely true.

Byakuya spoke quietly, "Kurosaki, wake up. The meeting is over."

The sleeping orange head slightly stirred, nose scrunching but still sleeping regardless. The captain sighed and lightly tapped Ichigo's cheek, "I will leave you here if you don't move, Kurosaki."

Ichigo mumbled, "Five more minutes, Byakuya." The captains snickered. It seems like it was Ichigo's habit to say the captain's name.

Byakuya stood up, "I'll ask Takashi-fukutaichou to fetch you here then."

The orange head slowly opened his eyes and looked at the latter sleepily, "Kidding, kidding. I'm up." He slowly stood up from his position and gave a lazy smile.

Byakuya glared with slight amusement, "I actually expected to leave you here."

Ichigo shook his head to remove his sleepiness, "I told you we'll eat lunch together, right?"

"Indeed. I think you owe me for this morning?"

The orange head laughed, "Yeah. Let's go already so we can still call it lunch." He looked over Rukia who was looking at them expectantly, "Yo, midget. We'll head out now. See you guys."

"Did you just call my sister a 'midget' in front of me, Kurosaki?"

Ichigo laughed nervously as he grabbed the older man's wrist and dragged him out of the office, "I was kidding, Byakuya. Let's go already. I'll treat you to your favorite food."

Byakuya sighed almost defeatedly, "Very well." He was surprised with himself that he let himself get dragged by the younger in front of the captains which he later realized that they were still in the room.

When they disappeared from the captains' sight with shunpo, they left them with their eyes widened.

"Huh, I didn't expect the rumors to be true," Toshiro commented. The cold captain was being dragged by the younger shinigami with little to no restraint and that scene itself speaks volume on how their relationship changed.

Yoruichi smirked, "Our little Byakuya-kun is in love."

This made Renji choke on his own spit, "That sounds so weird no matter what way you can even put it."

Yoruichi looked over at the redhead, "Hey, I think I'm speaking for everyone in this room here. I think you all see it but our two idiots can't even see it."

Unohana smiled, "They are fated, are they not?" This shocked the rest of them.

"Wait, what? Ichigo is fated with the statue?" Shinji commented which earned a glare from the younger Kuchiki.

"Well, they were already drawn to each ever since they met even as enemies. I think the Soul King sees the potential."

"That would be amusing to see if it even went through," Kensei muttered. He wasn't interested in their relationship but his silent respect for Ichigo made him slightly curious.

Rukia then grabbed Renji by the wrist and started dragging him out the office, "Let's go find a way to literally put their heads together, Renji! No complaints."

The redhead sighed. He was already in the mess before he could even retort.


Rukia and Renji sighed deeply. They were in the Kuchiki mansion by the gardens where Byakuya and Ichigo usually have their late night tea. Ichigo and Byakuya were out to eat lunch and will definitely take their time. Rukia was sitting down on the porch while her partner was lying down beside her.

"I thought I would be able to think of something since I know both of them but I realized that it's nowhere enough," Rukia said and sighed again.

Renji slightly shifted to get a comfortable position, "I mean, I also know taichou and Ichigo but I can't think too. Maybe it's because they are so different?"

Rukia shook her head, "I don't think it's that. They are different and similar at the same time. Also, doesn't the saying goes that 'opposite attracts'?"

"Yeah but I don't know now. I'm kinda curious on how long their thread is now," The redhead let out a breathy laugh, "They've been together for months and they spend almost the whole day together so it must've grown shorter by now." Renji then furrowed his eyebrows, "Or maybe they are already connected and they didn't tell us?"

Rukia shook her head, "I doubt they would hide it. The elders won't complain and it's not like the captains and the whole Soul Society would complain either so I don't see that happening."

Renji sighed, "You got a point there. Besides, Ichigo sucks at lying so when I asked last week if he met his match and said not yet, he wasn't lying at all." He sat up, "Honestly, he actually looked sad when we talked about it."

The raven haired captain sighed as well, "Maybe it's because his close friends are already fated. You and me, Kyouraku-soutaichou and Ukitake-taichou. Even Ikkaku and Yumichika!"

The redhead then folded his arms, "Does that mean he felt pretty lonely?"

Rukia groaned, "Why can't Nii-sama and Ichigo just admit it? It's frustrating!"

Renji rolled his eyes, "I think they would rather die than admit it."

"Their string is quite short now."

A deep voice suddenly spoke and the pair immediately looked at the direction where it came from. The uninvited guest bowed, "Good afternoon, Renji-taichou. Rukia-taichou."

Rukia sighed in relief when she saw the familiar figure behind them, "Ah, it's only you, Sato. I don't know what I would've done if it was someone else."

Renji huffed, "Don't scare us like that, man!"

The raven haired lieutenant chuckled, "I apologize. I shouldn't have hid my presence after all."

Rukia raised her eyebrow, "What are you even doing here?" The lieutenant inserted his hand in his shihakusho and rummaged through it. After a few moments, he took out two envelopes and handed it to the captains. "Iba-taichou kindly asked me to give this to you two while I was on my break."

The redhead looked at the envelope with confusion, "Huh, alright. Thanks. He could've left in the division though."

Satoshi simply shrugged, "Maybe he figured it's easier if I was the one who delivers it."

Rukia furrowed her eyebrows then inquired, "Wait, Sato. What did you mean by the string is short?"

"I mean the string is short," he replied as he chuckled.

"Whose?" Renji raised his eyebrow in confusion. Women really love jumping topic to topic.

"Byakuya-taichou and Ichigo's," was the lieutenant's simple reply.

The captains looked at him incredulously. How was that possible?

"You can see the strings?!" Renji exclaimed.

Satoshi nodded, "I guess I have enough reiatsu to see them."

Rukia thought with a frown, 'Does that mean he surpasses captain level?' She then pursed her lips, "How short is it?"

Satoshi looked up at the bright blue sky and pondered, "It's been closely short to the breaking point for sometime actually." He then looked at the younger Kuchiki, "I think their stubbornness outclassed their fate." Renji snorted at that. It sounds quite right.

Rukia eyed the lieutenant, "Sato, are you willing to help in banging their heads together?"

Satoshi chuckled in amusement, "I don't have a death wish but sure, why not? I'm not blind to see that the two have something that both of them deny every single goddamn day."

The smaller captain laughed, "I'll make sure you and Renji won't die in this special mission of ours."

Satoshi was about to speak when they all felt two strong presence entering the mansion. The lieutenant groaned, "Fuck. They're already here, huh?" Before he could escape, he felt cold eyes drilling on his back and he froze. He looked over his shoulder to find an amused Ichigo and an indifferent Byakuya with an icy glare.

"What are you doing here, Takashi-fukutaichou?" Byakuya's smooth voice pierced through the silence.

Satoshi visibly gulped, "Ah. Well-"

"I requested for his presence, Nii-sama." Rukia cut the other off and gave her brother a smile.

Byakuya's eyes darted over Rukia's partner and the redhead nodded, "Hey there, taichou. We just wanted to talk to Sato while he was on his break."

"I see," was Byakuya's doubtful reply. He looked over the slightly nervous lieutenant and sighed.

Ichigo walked over to Satoshi and gave him a fist bump, "Yo, Sato."

Satoshi copied him, "Hello there, Ichigo-san." His eyes looked over his captain, "You two had a great lunch?"

Ichigo huffed, "It would've been if he actually let me drink sake."

Byakuya, who was now sitting beside his sister, scoffed, "I do not wish to drag you from Rukongai to here, Kurosaki."

The orange head glared, "But you already did it once!"

"And I would prefer that would be the last," Byakuya deadpanned.

Ichigo and Byakuya were doing a stare down and the other three could only watch with a single thought in mind, 'This is gonna be hard.'


Firm hands clasped on the warm ceramic cup filled with tea. It was already a cold night and Ichigo looked up at the dark clouds and the moon that was slightly hidden and sighed. He looked back down at his tea. His face shows confusion and it seems like he is fighting something in his head.

"What 'ya thinkin' about?"

Ichigo sighed when he heard his hollow in his head, 'Nothing.'

The hollow snickered, "I think you forgot I'm in your inner world, King. I can see that you're thinkin' of something or someone."

Ichigo furrowed his eyebrows, 'If you actually know, why did you even ask?'

"Simple. I didn't know but I got my answer," The hollow laughed.

The orange head simply sipped his tea. He was outside and sitting on the porch looking over the pond and gardens which gave him an odd sense of peace. He was having an inner turmoil and thought it would help seeing this view but it wasn't on his side tonight. His hollow didn't help either.

"You didn't ask for my help anyways, King," The hollow was amused by the teenager's thoughts. It was obvious he wasn't used to feeling something aside from family and friendly love and the strong feeling to protect someone. It was something more than that. A certain raven haired captain appeared in his mind and he immediately groaned.

'What the fuck is going on with me? Am I going crazy?' Ichigo sourly thought. He has been having these thoughts for a while now and he was not liking it as the feeling grows stronger each time.

"Man, I already thought you were dumb but I didn't expect to be to this extent," His hollow mocked.

"Shut up!" Ichigo growled out loud in annoyance.

"Excuse me?"

The orange head jumped from his position when he heard a smooth voice. Ichigo snapped out of his thoughts and looked at the very same raven haired man who was at fault for making him feel things he doesn't understand.

'Kami, why am I blaming him?' The younger shinigami's cheeks flushed slightly, "Ah, Byakuya?"

Byakuya raised his eyebrow, "You told me to shut up before I could even say anything."

Ichigo immediately shook his head, "It wasn't for you. It was for my dumb hollow. I didn't even know you were there."

"Because you were focused on your thoughts about him."

Ichigo frowned at this. He wanted to strangle the other sometimes.

"Is he still talking to you?" Byakuya inquired as he gracefully sat down beside Ichigo, helping himself with tea. Ichigo always requested two cups in case the captain decides to join him - which he usually does.

"He's telling me I didn't notice you there because I was thinking about-" Ichigo froze.

"About?"

'You.' Ichigo shook his head, "Something." He looked everywhere but the handsome captain beside him. Handsome? Well, he definitely is with that black yukata hung loosely on his body. His raven hair was smooth and silk, free from the kenseikan. He was really captivating.

Ichigo groaned inwardly, 'What am I saying?'

He could hear his hollow mocking him once more, "What a lovesick fool you are. It's getting disgusting."

He could hear Byakuya grunted in response, respecting the younger by not pushing on the topic. Ichigo glanced at Byakuya who was sipping his tea with his eyes closed. He noticed that Byakuya seemed to relax every time they had this evening tea. It wasn't obvious because the raven haired man always had that blank mask on his face but Ichigo could see it clear as day.

"You are staring at me again, Kurosaki," Byakuya lowered his cup and the orange head saw a small smirk.

Ichigo scoffed as he averted his eyes, "I wasn't."

Byakuya looked at the pond, "You always prove that you have difficulty lying."

The orange head groaned, "Yeah, yeah. I know I suck okay?" The younger finished his tea and set it down the tray.

Byakuya merely hummed and continued drinking his own beverage, enjoying the cold evening. Ichigo sighed. He was still confused how and goddamn why he fell in love with B- Ichigo's eyes suddenly widened, 'What the fuck? Did I say love?' He shook his head violently as if he was trying to remove the unidentified object that was latching on his head.

"Are you alright?"

Ichigo froze from his stupid act and looked at Byakuya who has a slight concern in his gray eyes. Ichigo was frustrated with himself. He was overthinking again and he knows that overthinking would not help him at all. He sighed in defeat, "Yes."

Byakuya raised his eyebrow, "Did you just have a fight with your hollow?"

Ichigo shook his head in response, "Nah. I was fighting my thoughts lately."

The noble simply eyed him as if he wanted the younger to explain.

"I was overthinking lately. I guess I'm sorta confused?" He looked at the older with soft brown eyes, "Though I got it all figured it out. I think."

Byakuya was slightly surprised with the warmth in the other's eyes. It was quite different compared to the other times Ichigo looked at him with that warmth. Byakuya nodded in understanding, "I see." He finally finished his own tea and set the cup down right beside Ichigo's. He was feeling more relaxed as time passed.

"Byakuya," Ichigo suddenly spoke.

"Hm?" Byakuya glanced at the younger who was slightly shifting in his seat

"Ever since the red string of fate shit happened, have you wondered who your partner is?"

"I do not. If it was actually 'fate', I rather let everything go as whatever fate has planned," the noble replied.

Ichigo chuckled, "I only meant wonder and not actually looking for them and maybe changing their fate. I meant if you were curious and all. It could be anyone for all you know. Heck, it might be someone you least expected."

The older raised his eyebrow, "It is like you are the curious one, Kurosaki."

The orange head shrugged, "I just wanna know who it is."

"Kurosaki, have you ever wished that it was a specific someone to be your partner?"

Ichigo grinned, "Look who is interested."

Byakuya scoffed, "It was only fair that I can ask a question when you just did."

"Alright, alright," The younger then looked at the ground, "Honestly, yeah. I couldn't see myself with anyone else but him."

Byakuya's eyes slightly widened in shock, "Him?"

Ichigo immediately paled, "Ah yeah. You have a problem with that?" He decided to change the topic.

The noble shook his head, "I am not one to judge your preferences, Kurosaki."

"Well, good."

"Why him?" Byakuya then groaned inwardly, 'Indeed. Why did I ask?'

Ichigo was taken aback as he didn't expect that kind of question from the other, "What? What do you mean?"

Byakuya sighed. He was no coward to drop the topic now, "What do you see in him that made you wish?"

Ichigo's eyes widened, 'Did he really ask that question?! He. asked.'

The orange head gulped and darted his eyes toward the pond, tempted to drown himself rather than embarrassing himself "Um. Well. I don't really know," He laughed nervously. He saw Byakuya doubting him. "It's just that there's something about him that I'm drawn to. I don't understand him most of the time."

Ichigo scowled, "He's stubborn and sometimes an arrogant prick. He usually gets on my nerves and we fight a lot." His face then softened with a small smile, "Yet, you can see how warm the guy is. He's kind and always cares for the one he loves. Every time I see him, he always makes my day. He always hides how he feels but I can clearly see it in his eyes. I admire and respect him a lot."

Byakuya felt a pang of pain in his heart when he listened to Ichigo talking about a man with such love and warmth in his voice and eyes. He ignores the gnawing feeling of jealousy and wishes that it was him that receives such feelings but he knows it was impossible because it is Ichigo after all.

The orange head chuckled a bit awkwardly, "I'm sorry that my mouth ran off about him."

Byakuya nodded, "It is fine."

Ichigo immediately noticed the slight disappointment and pain in the latter's voice. He wondered if it was only in his imagination because he thinks it's impossible. He looked at the noble, "What about you, Byakuya? Did you wish for a specific person?"

"I did," was the latter's simple reply.

Ichigo raised his eyebrow, expecting the same length of explanation.

The noble sighed, "I did but unfortunately, it seems like they are interested in someone else."

Ichigo's heart immediately beat loudly. What if...? Ichigo shook his head, 'Stop assuming, Ichigo. It could be anyone.' He told himself that but he couldn't shake off the feeling. He was slightly amused by the thought of Byakuya being jealous of himself.

"How do you even know for sure that they're in love with someone else? Have you asked her?"

"No, I did not ask him," the captain corrected.

The younger's eyes widened in surprise, "Him..?"

Byakuya glanced at the younger, "Do you have a problem with that?"

Ichigo violently shook his head, "Of course not! I just didn't expect that." He eyed the captain from head to toe, "But I guess men and women tend to fall for you."

Byakuya scoffed lightly, "I do doubt that."

The orange head rolled his eyes in annoyance, "Please, Byakuya. Even I could see how attractive you are." The orange head immediately blushes after realizing his statement, "Ah, Well I mean-"

"I am flattered that you find me attractive, Kurosaki."

Ichigo groaned in frustration and embarrassment as he heard the latter's teasing tone in his voice.

"You are more than a pretty face, you know," Ichigo stated.

The noble raised his eyebrow in amusement, "I see."

The orange head looked away from the older to prevent saying anything more embarrassing, 'Please kill me now. I can't keep my mouth shut.'

"Heh, we're getting brave now King. Don't back off now."

Ichigo sighed deeply. He was too tired to even argue with his hollow.

He felt the captain stand up from his seat, "I must head to bed now, Kurosaki. I still have work after all."

Ichigo nodded defeatedly, "Ah, yeah. Okay." The orange head almost couldn't hide the disappointment that the older would go back already.

"Goodnight, Kurosaki."

"Goodnight, Byakuya."


Hoo! Thanks for reading. You can check out my other works which is also ByaIchi if you haven't yet!