Chapter Fourteen:

Another month had somehow ticked by. The close calls with Aizen had grown more and more frequent, harder to avoid and even harder to escape. Ichigo was coming to terms with the very real possibility that he might not have any choice other than to submit to his former superior's desires, if only to cover his tracks. It wasn't a pleasant thought, and any discussion of it between himself and Byakuya often led to a stagnant disagreement and more recently, arguments.

Byakuya didn't want him to offer himself up as bait, or as a way of keeping his new found emotional state secret. Ichigo understood, he didn't want it either. While he could still admit to finding Aizen attractive, the idea of allowing the man to use him for sex made his skin crawl and his gut churn. He didn't want that anymore. He didn't want him.

His eyes were firmly focused on the Kuchiki heir, the past two months had been a whirlwind. Discovering his past, recovering his ability to feel, acknowledging that he had been lied to and manipulated. Learning that Byakuya had some form of feelings for him, feelings which he was almost certain he was willing to reciprocate. The Kuchiki heir felt as necessary as breathing these days. Ichigo was embarrassed to admit, even to himself, that he was finding more and more excuses to spend time around the man.

Rukia's predicted assault on Renji hadn't gone according to plan for either of them. She didn't use Kidō. She didn't use her fists. A firm kick in the balls had sent Renji to his knees. Somehow the redhead had managed to keep the nature of his watch a secret. But his pain was one both Ichigo and Byakuya sympathised with, even if it meant their gamble had come to a stalemate.

Amused at the memory of Renji's tear stained face as he recounted his struggle to them both, Ichigo shook his head. Currently sat in an armchair in the corner of Byakuya's study at the Kuchiki Mansion, he flicked through his third book of the night, making notes where he could on the paper he'd brought with him, trying to find anything and everything he could on removing foreign matter from souls without damaging them, he was finding most of his best information from medical books seeing as it was practically a common occurrence for Division Four to tend to similar conditions.

He had no doubt it would have been hugely useful to be able to bring Unohana in to help them, but it was impossible without revealing why they were researching it, and it was too dangerous to have too many people knowing about their investigation, on the off chance that it found its way back to Aizen.

Groaning, he allowed his head to drop back against the plush texture of the chair, glaring upwards.

"What has the poor ceiling done to deserve such ire?"

Byakuya's voice from the door way startled him from his dark mood and he sprang to his feet, "Taichou! I mean... Byakuya... I wasn't expecting you back this early."

"Early?" The noble repeated, sweeping into the room like he had every right to be there, which of course he did, "Ichigo it is gone midnight."

"Huh? Really?" He looked towards the large windows and frowned at how dark it was outside, he hadn't even realised, "Sorry for intruding, I got lost in my research."

"There's no need to apologise." A lazy wave of a hand, "I am truly grateful for your hard work."

It was the weekend, so Byakuya was technically off duty, hence his current residence at his family home; Ichigo had decided to sneak in to do some extra research after the man had gone to a meeting with the Kuchiki Elders, but had apparently become so engrossed he'd lost all track of time.

"Was the meeting alright?" He asked, carefully putting the books back that he had been reading.

"It was fine." Was the simple response, there was a slight edge to his tone.

"Are you sure?" Ichigo frowned faintly.

Sighing, the noble leaned back against the desk at the head of the room, not far from the other man's current position, "They are being troublesome. It appears it has reached the time of year where they feel they can infringe upon my personal affairs and attempt to convince me to remarry."

"They can do that?!"

"No, but it doesn't mean they don't try." He shook his head, "They didn't approve of my last marriage, so they are insistent that they choose a suitable wife for me this time around, likely another noble."

"Hmph, they sound like a bunch of annoying old timers." He folded his arms, scowling faintly, "I'd be pissed if anyone tried to make those kinds of choices for me."

"Oh believe me, I am." The noble huffed, "They try every year around this time, threatening to line up suitors for me to choose from. I remember when they tried two years ago and I point blank refused to talk to a single one of them for the next three months."

Ichigo had a hard time imagining the man being that petulant towards his Elders, but at the same time it was oddly satisfying, "What is your tactic to be this year? Silent treatment or something even worse?"

"I haven't decided yet." He admitted, "Silent treatment is always a good option, however it leaves me with a lot of extra paperwork."

Chuckling softly, the strawberry haired Shinigami strolled forwards, coming to stand in front of the noble with a confident smile in place, sliding his hands up the firm chest before him as he leaned up and pressed a kiss against his lips.

It was returned with the sensation of hands sliding around his hips to clasp him closer, warmth embroiling the two of them together in a clash of teeth and tongues, eventually drawing a small whine from the younger of the two.

"You're oddly... Responsive tonight." Byakuya commented, pulling back for air.

"Well, it is the weekend, I'm not on duty so I don't have to show my face to anyone... Dangerous." He mused, "So I skipped the modified Gikon today."

"Really?" An eyebrow quirked, "Are you feeling alright? You said it gives you some nasty side effects when you miss them."

"I'm fine, I had some dizziness earlier but it has passed." Ichigo shrugged his concern aside, not because he didn't want it but because he wanted to put Byakuya's mind at ease, "I wanted to spend at least a little bit of time actually... Feeling."

A straight nose nudged his head back gently as Byakuya traced his lips along Ichigo's jaw, coming to rest just under his ear, brushing his teeth on the spot and enjoying the shuddering response it drew, "I can't decide if you are brave or foolish."

"A healthy dose of both." It was a shaky reply at best.

Gently testing the area again, sucking softly at the skin, the noble purred at the reactions he received, "If we are to be certain you aren't caught out by prying eyes... Perhaps it would be safest for you to stay here over the weekend."

Swallowing, Ichigo raised his eyebrows, "With you?"

"Naturally." A simple answer really.

Ichigo barely contained the groan that rose in his throat as he felt the sucking resume, his knees wobbled slightly and he gulped, eyes fluttering slightly. It had been so long since he'd experienced real intimate touches with someone. Sure enough their kisses and stolen moments had been devolving into less than innocent, sly gropes recently but it was different when he could actually show how those touches made him feel.

"Will you stay?" The question itself was innocent, but the look in Byakuya's eyes was anything but.

Ichigo was certain that his agreement would be to more than simply spending the weekend at the mansion. There was a heavy lidded lust barely contained on the nobleman's features. It made his knees weak and his heart thunder in his chest. Was he ready for that?

"Yes."

They met in another battle of wills, mouths prying and investigating, hands dancing against clothed skin as Byakuya's hands slid down to clasp the firm buttocks of the younger man, lifting him roughly. Ichigo wrapped his legs around him willingly.

Ichigo released a moan as his arousal rubbed between them, and he gasped out as he was carried easily from the study, the world moving in a blur of Shunpo. But he didn't care, his lips were working their way down the noble's throat while his fingers danced through his hair, unfastening the kenseikan that would undoubtedly annoy him at a later date if left untouched.

Reiatsu colliding as their movements grew more needy, the strawberry barely recognised that they were now in the main bedroom of the house, he was being utterly consumed by lust and desire, hard cock throbbing painfully within the confines of his uniform.

A chair was knocked aside, books disturbed from their shelves as Ichigo's back was thrown against the bookcase in the room, he groaned deeply, arching his back as he felt fingers digging into his thighs just enough to elicit the desired response.

He looked mildly confused as Byakuya slowed his actions, allowing the younger man to stand on his own again, he looked up to find intense steel eyes longing to seep into his own.

"Wh-What is it?" He panted, knees shaking.

Byakuya seemed to hesitate, leaning in and kissing his forehead, "I want to be sure that you want this."

Surprised, but also deeply touched by the concern he heard, he wound his arms up around the other's neck, pulling him in close, "I couldn't want anything more right now."

Apparently all the confirmation that was required, he felt himself spun around, being walked backwards until his legs hit the end of the bed and Ichigo fell back, feeling as if the mattress would swallow him whole. Leaning up on his elbows, he raised an eyebrow in invitation, teeth tugging at his bottom lip expectantly.

He wasn't sure what he had expected, but as the noble crawled over him and settled between his thighs, he saw a tenderness amidst obvious lust and desire. Ichigo became startlingly aware that this probably wasn't going to be anything like the sex he was used to, rough and more about release than actual feelings and exploration. It made him nervous, almost like it was his first time, and he let out a keening whine as nimble fingers worked his shihakusho open.

Layers of clothing were discarded one by one, Byakuya's hands were skilled yet tentative, the pads of his fingers roaming the flesh he was exposing as Ichigo allowed his head to fall back, groaning through clenched teeth as every movement only increased his need.

Impatient at the best of times, the strawberry leaned up, yanking at the noble's robes until they gave way, and whatever refused to move was swiftly torn and tossed aside on the floor until they were both bare. He was sure he heard Byakuya laugh.

Despite having seen the man naked before, during their after training soaks at the bathhouse, there was something surprisingly different as Ichigo's eyes roamed the naked expanse of flushed skin in front of him. He took in the prominent scar running across the man's shoulder and while he felt a pang of guilt knowing he had caused it, he couldn't bring himself to sulk as his lips were captured in another breath taking kiss.

They tangled together, arms and legs entwined as they enjoyed the presence of each other, daring to drag things out for as long as they could. Ichigo's back arched sharply as he felt steady fingers curling around his ready arousal, moaning out at the slow but firm tugs of the nobleman's grasp.

He relaxed into the feeling, giving himself over to it completely, rocking his hips against the contact and groaning as the tempo occasionally shifted, to keep him on his toes. His breath hitched as his lips were claimed again, tongues battling furiously as Byakuya slowly shifted to hover above him, hand never moving from his aching manhood as his stomach began to tie itself in knots.

His first climax washed over him with a pleasant warmth only moments later, leaving him heady and breathless. He gazed up at the noble who was hovering just out of his reach, his gaze warm and enticing, just a mere suggestion of what he was going to give him.

Despite having experienced sexual pleasure so many times before, this felt different, felt right and felt good, Ichigo bit his lip as Byakuya pulled his legs up around his waist. He watched with bated breath as Byakuya's tongue swirled over two of his fingers, the digits disappearing between his lips for a long exaggerated moment before they pulled free and began trailing a wet line of saliva down the inside of Ichigo's thigh.

He was already hard again, and if nothing else was pleased that his returned emotions hadn't dampened his renown stamina in bed. Ichigo's mouth fell open as he felt the first finger dip into his body, the familiar sensation making his skin tingle.

He could tell that Byakuya was enjoying every cry and whimper he released, the man's face almost as blushed as his own, a thin layer of sweat covered his pearly skin giving it a startling shine. Ichigo released a purr as his neck was assaulted, teasing bites and wet kisses trailed a path of bruise like marks, his back bowing as he felt a second finger slide in along side the first, only to nudge the bundle of nerves inside him that made his world catch fire.

His lover had clearly noticed because the new abuse continued, driving him towards the bring of madness as his cries grew more desperate and urgent.

Mercy came when Byakuya pulled his fingers free and shuffled into a more central position between his strawberry haired lover's legs, fingers grazing his own aching erection as he slicked himself, and swiftly but carefully penetrated the younger man.

Movement began slowly, testing the waters. A roll of the hips, a gentle thrust back and forth. As confidence grew, the pace became firmer and more definitive, each rocking sensation tearing sounds from Ichigo that he wasn't sure he knew he could make, mewls and whimpers lingered in the air as his fingers clasped at long locks of raven hair, in an urgent attempt to draw the noble even closer.

Each jerk struck nerves, he was seeing stars as his body quaked under the unrelenting pleasure, his hips rocking upwards to meet each forwards movement, their pelvic bones kissing briefly each time as they grew ever more synchronised.

The subtle drag of nails along his ribs caused his already arching back to lift higher, only for him to feel fingers grasp him firmly, holding him in his new position as Byakuya's thrusts became more urgent, more needy, the stuttering breaths escaping the raven haired man loud in his ear.

Ichigo could feel his second orgasm approaching, he clasped Byakuya's face between his hands, forcing their eyes to meet as he breathed heavily between his lips, eyes dark as his pupils dilated further. He released a choked sound, somewhere between a groan and cry as his body spasmed, his muscles tightening around the thickness that was buried deep. He watched as the nobleman's eyes widened, his teeth clenching as he let out a low guttural growl of pleasure. Byakuya's hips thrusted forwards and Ichigo gasped out as he felt the fullness of release which accompanied the Kuchiki heir's orgasm.

Both breathless and worn, Byakuya pulled back only enough to observe the beautiful creature beneath him, completely captivated by the warm flush that complimented sunset shades of hair, eyes which seemed in that moment to be closer to molten lava than chestnut; full and evocative with warmth that seemed to glisten. So far removed from the cold, dead look he'd once worn with such ease.

Ichigo wriggled slightly under his scrutiny, feeling more satisfied than he had in his life in that moment, the drifting afterglow seeping into his bones and making his body turn to jelly, he could barely muster the strength to pull the noble against him again, kissing him sweetly on the lips.

Aizen wasn't the kind of man to engage in any after pleasure contact, once it was over he was gone to the showers and Ichigo would be left to dress and show himself out, the only exception had been that one morning where he had woken in the man's bed. It still made him shiver, the idea that Aizen had allowed such a thing, it was out of character for certain.

Not entirely sure what to expect in terms of Byakuya's behaviour, he found himself pleasantly surprised when the man continued to treat him with the same courtesy as before, carefully parting their bodies before laying down on the bed beside him, pulling him against his chest in one simple motion.

A sleepy gaze briefly showed interest in the myriad of marks they'd left on each other, he was confused by his own body, usually he'd already be up for another round of heated passion but he couldn't lift so much as a finger, instead allowing his body to sink even closer, fingers gently splayed over the taut muscles, he found himself slipping.

The last thing he remembered feeling was the soft contact of bedsheets gently fluttering down over their entwined forms, and then he was gone.

Byakuya fought sleep off for a little longer, watching as Ichigo fell asleep against his chest; he allowed himself the privilege of running his fingers through his slightly damp sunset coloured hair, enjoying how soft it felt beneath the pads of his digits. He was glad, if nothing else, that he had succeeded in remaining controlled during their encounter.

He had spent a lot of time considering how Aizen must have treated the younger man to produce the bruises he remembered seeing so well, and he was determined to show that he was nothing like him, he wanted Ichigo to enjoy it, to come undone and bare his soul to him, even if it was only momentary. Any marks he left behind, he wanted mirrored on his own body. It wasn't a power play. It was an equality.

Pulling the young man impossibly closer, squeezing his eyes shut as his stomach knotted with an unfamiliar feeling of anxiety, he acknowledged that this was as much about his own undoing as the youth's. If anything, he had just sealed his own fate, knowing without a doubt that there was no way he could ever let Ichigo go. He was going to do everything he could to protect him from harm.


Gin rested his back against the wall surrounding the Kuchiki mansion, usual smile absent and replaced instead by a deeply downturned frown. He was aware of the orders Aizen had given the current Third Seat of Division Six, and had fully expected to sense him carrying them out at some point, however, what troubled him was just how different the man's aura felt, even at this distance.

Glancing towards the house he scratched his cheek in thought, he'd caught a brief sight of the strawberry earlier on in the day, lingering around the library inside the Estate, he hadn't been able to put his finger on what reason he'd have for spending so much time there unless it was to woo the Taichou.

And yet that smile he'd caught sight of suggested something far more concerning, groaning inwardly he sighed, "Ne, Ichi-Berry, what are ya playin' at?"