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Chapter 14

Shuuhei's blood boiled.

It ran through his veins like liquid fire, it pumped through his racing heart and spread to his limbs, it made every part of him seethe with rage; burn with a passionate hatred. He felt his reiatsu roll off him like black smoke from an irrepressible wildfire. It pulsed and flexed around him as he flew over the tops of houses and apartment complexes, his feet barely touching the concrete and steel rooftops.

Seeing Kira's broken and bleeding body had jarred something loose in Shuuhei's neatly folded and perfectly packaged control. Seeing the one person he had worked so hard to help, to protect – to fix – had awakened something deep inside his soul. Awakened a slumbering beast that had until this moment, lay dormant as it waited patiently to uncurl its tail and stretch its limbs.

Shuuhei felt Ichigo's reiatsu less than a mile ahead of him and quickened his pace. His hands clawed at metal tile as he launched himself off another building and tore through the air towards his foe.

No… not his foe… his prey…

X x X x X

Renji felt a hand come down hard on his shoulder.

"What the fuck was that about?" Ikkaku growled. "And what the fuck are we supposed to do now?"

Renji turned to look at Ikkaku with an expression of mixed confusion and anguish. Why was he asking him? What the hell was he supposed to do?

"Abarai?" Yumichika gently pushed Ikkaku aside and moved in front of Renji. He looked up at the redhead. "Abarai-kun where are you? Are you okay?"

Renji felt Yumichika's graceful hands cup his cheeks, but his focus was fixed on the wall over the smaller shinigami's head.

…I'm going to fucking kill that son of a bitch…

Shuuhei… Ichigo… Shuuhei was going to try to kill Ichigo! Fuck!

"Hitsugaya Taichou!" Renji barked. He looked down at Yumichika and blinked as his senses returned. "Get Hitsugaya Taichou, tell him what happened and tell him I went after Shuuhei!"

Yumichika nodded and immediately exited the room. Renji turned and knelt beside Orihime. Her hands shook over Kira's body, but the wound was almost completely closed.

"Inoue," Renji said into her ear. "He's going to be alright isn't he?"

Orihime's face was set in concentration but she nodded stiffly. "I think so Renji-kun."

Urahara had his hand spread over Kira's brow, a soft light emanated from his palm. He looked up at Renji and sighed.

"Find them as fast as you can, Abarai-kun. I will contact Ishida-kun and send him as well. We must not forget there are still enemies lying in wait for us out there. Kurosaki's reiatsu will be far too much for them to ignore so be careful."

"I'll go with you," Ikkaku said as Renji stood.

Renji nodded to him as he moved out the hole Ichigo had blasted through the wall and leaped onto the roof.

X x X x X

The hollow turned in time to see Shuuhei land on the gravel walkway about thirty feet behind him, reiatsu pulsing violently sending small rocks and dirt flying in every direction. Rage poured off the dark – haired man in waves and Ichigo licked his lips. A moan escaped from his throat as he thought about what he would do to this sinfully sexy shinigami. Rage was such a turn on; it fueled a person's resolve and made them much harder to break. Shuuhei would put up a good fight and when he did crack, it would be oh so satisfying.

Shuuhei stood slowly and the hollow took a second to take in the tall man's appearance. Gone was the stoic my-shit-smells-like-fucking-roses demure, and in its place was a much more feral composition. The shinigami was almost animalistic. He stood hunched over, teeth bared like some kind of predator. His hair bristled like hackles on a dog's back. But the best part was his eyes… they gleamed like rubies in firelight, or blood pooled on the floor in a candle – lit room.

The hollow decided he would start by tearing those eyes out.

Oh this is going to be so fucking fun…

"Why hello there, pretty," Ichigo's voice purred. "Kira and I were just talking about you…"

X x X x X

Following Ichigo in hollow form was never hard. The asshole tore through everything like a typhoon leaving destruction and chaos in his wake. The steady hum of his reiatsu pinpointing his location was helpful as well.

Ikkaku spared a glance at Renji as they made their way across the town toward the two clashing reiatsus. What did he plan to do? What could they do? It's not like they were chasing an enemy, this was Ichigo.

"Abarai…" Ikkaku said to the redhead's back. "You have a plan, right?"

Renji was silent for a few seconds before he answered.

"I think so…"

"How are we gonna stop Ichigo?" Ikkaku asked.

Renji glanced over his shoulder and the look on his face gave Ikkaku chills.

"I don't think we'll be able to stop Ichigo," Renji said. "Right now, my only goal is saving Shuuhei."

Ikkaku tried to find the right words to reassure his friend, but nothing sounded right. He had never been good with words, he always let Yumichika do all the talking. But feeling the need to say something, he murmured the first thing that came into his head.

"We'll get him back, Ren… We'll get them both back…"

X x X x X

Shuuhei released his shikai and crouched low to the ground. He held the Kusarigama out and away from his body, the light of the setting sun reflected off the shining surface of the blades. He felt untamed, like a wild animal facing off against an attacker of his territory. Every thought except this fight vanished, the world around him disappeared, his thoughts focused on Ichigo… only on Ichigo… on his kill.

The hollow opened his mouth and said something about Kira. Shuuhei's skin crawled at the sound of that underwater voice and his rage intensified; he had no right to talk about Kira.

"You shut your fucking mouth," Shuuhei growled in a voice he didn't recognize.

The hollow laughed and reached for the Zanpakuto on his hip. He slowly pulled the katana from his saya and let it hang comfortably at his side.

"Ah shit," Ichigo said. "You mean business huh? I'm gonna actually have to fight you before we have any fun, aren't I?"

Shuuhei braced his feet and waited for the hollow to make the first move. He knew he wasn't as strong as this creature, so he would have to fight with brains and cunning if he were to have a chance.

"It's too bad about Kira," Ichigo waved a hand. "We could have had a lot of fun with that pretty boy. I don't mind sharing. I hear he likes pain…"

Shuuhei fought to stay still. He blocked out the hollow's words and concentrated on preparing to attack.

"But you don't seem to be into the pain thing…" Ichigo continued. "It's no wonder you two didn't stay together… Is that what happened? He wanted you to fuck him up but you wouldn't do it? I can see that happening…" Ichigo took a few steps closer and put a hand to his hip. "Why you wouldn't want to do it though is beyond me, that little bitch would look delicious with a few bruises."

Shuuhei's reiatsu flared again and he snarled at the hollow before him. His hair stood up farther and his nails dug into the earth. The bastard was hitting all the right chords and it took almost more restraint than Shuuhei had to stay where he was. Kazeshini's spirit wove through his reiatsu and whispered in the back of his mind.

(It's only talk… Ignore what he says and watch his movements… Steady… He'll be close enough in just a few moments…)

Ichigo sneered then, and lifted his Zanpakuto to rest it on his shoulder.

"I think he was a little bit in love with you… The way he reacted when I talked about you… too bad I had to kill him, you guys might have been able to patch things up…"

"He's not dead," Shuuhei spat. "Urahara-san and Orihime got there in time… and it's over between us, Kira and I both know that."

The hollow looked up at the sky and sighed. "Oh yes, that's right. You've got a thing with Abarai now…"

Ichigo looked at Shuuhei then and cocked his head sideways. The movement was very birdlike and was emphasized by the hollow mask covering Ichigo's face.

"So what do you plan to do exactly? Kill me? Kill Ichigo? That's a good idea, kill the savior of Soul Society," he moved to the side, eyes training on Shuuhei as his feet took him closer but at an angle. "But on the other hand… if you don't kill me… and let's say Ichigo gets to be king again… you think things'll be different between him and Abarai now that all their feelings are out in the open?"

"Fuck you. I already know that was you… not Kurosaki… I'm not fucking stupid…" Shuuhei growled deep in his throat. "It's going to take more than that to break me down… Try again."

"Oh Hisagi… Hisagi…" Ichigo tisked and moved forward another step. "It's all over now that Ichigo knows… What do you think is going to happen when Ichigo comes running to that pretty redhead and begs Abarai to fuck him? You think there'll be room for you?"

"Kurosaki won't do that."

"Wrong!"

(One more step… Just one more…)

"Fuck you, Kurosaki," Shuuhei heeded the words of his Zanpakuto and braced himself.

"Well," the hollow said as he moved forward. "Think what you want, but I don't think you're gonna get any from Abarai anytime soon, so you might wanna work things out with Izuru."

Shuuhei sprang from his crouch, brandishing Kazeshini in a whirl of blue and glistening black. Ichigo brought up Zangetsu just in time to parry but was knocked to the ground. Shuuhei landed on his chest and snapped his teeth a hair's length from the shell of Ichigo's mask.

"Don't ever call him that you bastard."

The hollow threw his head back and crowed. Shuuhei felt his opponent's leg coming up and was able to roll out of the way before Ichigo's foot connected with his head. Ichigo sat up and Shuuhei could tell he was grinning madly underneath the mask.

"Oh, Hisagi!" he screeched. "You're a fucking riot! I'm gonna have so much fun ripping you to pieces!"

The next few minutes were a blur of clashing steel and black shinigami robes. The hollow continued to laugh in that high pitched shriek, but Shuuhei held his own and managed to block out the deafening sound.

Shuuhei had never felt like this before. His reiatsu was surging around him, pushing through him, touching him in ways he had never experienced. Kazeshini directed him as black steel scraped and screamed against the blades of his Kusarigama.

(You are almost there… Hisagi… Just call me out…)

Energy pounded in Shuuhei's veins. The more he fought against Ichigo the more alive he felt. Everything was coming together at this moment; the cool air against his sweat – soaked skin, the electric feel of his reiatsu clashing against Ichigo's. Every sense was enhanced, every sensation was heightened as Shuuhei felt himself coming closer and closer to a fundamental precipice. He knew what he was nearing and every nerve in his body screamed in anticipation. The very core of his soul cried out as he climbed his spiritual mountain towards his second release; towards the power he had been craving for so long.

(Call me out Hisagi… You are ready…)

Shuuhei flew back and ran his blade into the ground. He braced both his hands on the handle and grinned through his shaggy hair at his opponent.

"I have to thank you, Ichigo," he growled. "Without you, I don't think this would have been possible…"

Ichigo stopped and stared at the taller man. He raised Zangetsu to shield his face as he whined.

"Ah shit. No fucking way, Hisagi. You're not gonna-"

But Ichigo never got to finish what he was saying.

Shuuhei heard a high pitched whistle and white light streaked across the park. It slammed into Ichigo's back and the Vizard screamed in pain as he fell to his knees.

Shuuhei didn't have time to react. Another whistle and a bolt of white raced through the air and crashed into his chest directly above his heart. He tried to cry out but his lungs constricted and he fell to the ground as well. The energy, the elating spiritual power that had been coursing through his veins only moments ago, started to dissipate. Shuuhei felt his strength leaving him and his vision started to darken. He looked up though the haze to see Ichigo clawing at his back, his shrieks ripping through the air and dancing off Shuuhei skin.

The dark – haired shinigami lifted his hand to press against the wound and startled when he felt an arrow protruding from his flesh.

An arrow… he thought. What were they saying about arrows? If only I wasn't so dizzy… Wait… the horsemen! The fourth is here!

(HISAGI!)

Kazeshini's voice echoed through his thoughts. Shuuhei's eyes focused and his senses began to clear.

(Hisagi! The arrow! It's draining your reiatsu!)

"Fuck!" Shuuhei wrapped his fingers around the thin metal and pulled. "FUCK!" Pain shot through his side and swirled around in his head, but he steeled himself and gripped the arrow harder.

(You can do it, Hisagi…)

The pain tore through his body again and Shuuhei screamed in agony as he pulled the arrow from his chest. Blood sprayed the ground as the metal projectile slipped from between Shuuhei's fingers.

Kurosaki… he thought.

Shuuhei stood and stumbled to the Vizard's side. Ichigo lay curled on his side, twitching and choking. Shuuhei slipped his arm around the smaller man's waist to brace himself. As his fingers closed around the metal shaft, he whispered into Ichigo's ear.

"I'm sorry, Ichigo."

The hollow's scream could no doubt be heard for miles as Shuuhei pulled the arrow from his shoulder blade. Shuuhei held Ichigo's convulsing body until the pain subsided and the Vizard stilled. He watched in fascination as the hideous mask fell away like peeling paint. Ichigo's unconscious face was uncovered and Shuuhei found it in himself to hope that it really was Ichigo.

"Kurosaki…" he shook the boy. "Ichigo come on, we have to get out of the open and I'm too weak to carry you."

Suddenly, Shuuhei heard the whistle. Another arrow was coming and there was nothing he could do. Kazeshini was several feet away and his muscles wouldn't even help him to stand. He turned toward the sound and saw the white streak heading straight for him. He couldn't move, couldn't do anything… he was going to die.

"Shuuhei!" he heard someone scream.

The white arrow rushed at him, but was deflected inches from his face. Shuuhei's vision swam as a tall figure moved to shield him.

"Ikkaku, grab Ichigo and get the hell outta here!"

Shuuhei lifted his eyes and saw crimson hair. Renji… he thought. Thank gods, Renji…

He felt a strong arm wrap around his shoulders and lift him off his feet just before he blacked out.

X x X x X

Renji sat with his back against the wall, his hair fell around his shoulders hiding the tired lines on his face. The others had been talking for over an hour, but Renji hadn't heard a word. He just sat with his arms crossed staring at the floor. Rukia had come to sit beside him for a while, her small hand holding onto his, but she had left a while ago to help Orihime clean wounds and prepare bandages.

Renji had been pulled from his brooding briefly, when Urahara brought a mug of his terrible energy replenishing concoction for Hitsugaya. The small captain had taken it without a comment and downed the entire thing without so much as a grimace… or a single cookie.

Damn… Renji thought, Hitsugaya Taichou has got some serious gonads…

Renji sat, not knowing what to think. His mind was in chaos trying to make sense of everything that had happened that day. First, he had been hit on? molested by? Kira. Then he had fought, kissed, fought again, and then almost been killed by Ichigo… or his hollow or something. Kira had almost died, Ichigo had almost died… and Shuuhei had almost died… twice! Oh yeah, and let's not forget Shuuhei going crazy and looking like a fucking demon before he ran out of the shop.

"Ahhh…" Renji moaned as he knocked his head against the wall. "Make it stop."

"Did you say something Abarai-kun?" Matsumoto asked from the table.

Renji shook his head and stared out the window.

"So then, what's happening to him now?" he heard Hitsugaya mutter.

"I really have no idea," Urahara said with a tired sigh. "I've never seen anything like this. His reiatsu is almost completely gone. Hisagi got to him just in time. I don't know how he's still alive, or for that matter if Kurosaki will ever be Kurosaki again."

Renji closed his eyes, he didn't want to hear this.

"Renji-kun?" Orihime appeared in the doorway.

Renji turned to look at her. "Yeah, Inoue?"

She motioned for him to come and moved into the hallway. Renji stood and followed, worried by the expression on her face as she stood leaning against the wall.

"What is it, Inoue?" he asked.

Orihime bit her bottom lip and leaned close. "I think you should go talk to Hisagi-san."

Renji's eyes widened. "Shuuhei's awake? When did he wake up? Is he okay?"

Orihime looked up at him and he was stunned into silence when he saw her eyes fill with tears.

"He's not okay, Renji-kun. H-he yelled at Tessai and Jinta because they wouldn't let him see Kira, and then… then he left before I could look at his wounds and l-locked himself in your room."

The tears left her eyes to travel down her cheeks. Renji put his hands on her trembling shoulders.

"It's alright, Inoue. I'll go talk to him, everything will be fine, okay?"

Orihime nodded and stepped aside. Renji made his way down the hall and stopped in front of his door. He thought about knocking, but quickly decided against it. He pulled on the shoji and found it locked, just as Orihime said. He fished around in his jeans pocket and pulled out his keys.

Inside his room it was dark, Renji moved inside and closed the door. He looked around but here was no sign of Shuuhei. The bed was still made, and he wasn't sitting at the desk or beside the small shelf. Maybe Orihime was wrong… but then why was the door locked?

Just then, Renji thought he heard noise coming from the bathroom. He moved towards the door and placed his hand on the handle, but froze when he heard violent coughing, followed by Shuuhei's pained gasps. Renji placed his forehead against the door and listened until he heard the water running in the sink.

"Shuuhei…" he tried softly.

The water shut off and Renji could hear Shuuhei breathing hard behind the door.

"Go away, Renji," Shuuhei moaned. His voice was scratchy, harsh like he had been yelling for hours.

Renji put his hand on the handle again. "No," he said. "I'm not leaving until I know you're okay."

"I'm fine," Shuuhei said almost too quietly for Renji to hear. "Please go away, Renji."

Renji was silent as he stood outside the bathroom door. After a few moments, he heard Shuuhei slide to the floor and tensed at the other's hiss of pain. He couldn't stand there anymore.

"Shuuhei," he said carefully. "I'm coming in."

"Fine…" he heard his friend say.

Renji opened the door and found Shuuhei sitting with his knees pulled up to his chin, leaning against the wall by the sink. He was wearing only his hakama and his kimono was bundled up in his lap. His shoulder was heavily bandaged but blood was seeping through the white cloth. His skin was ashen and the dark circles had returned beneath his eyes. A fine coat of sweat covered his entire body, and he was trembling almost violently. Renji's eyes glanced at the blood in the sink and he hoped it hadn't come from Shuuhei's lungs.

"Shuuhei," Renji moved from the doorway and knelt beside his friend. "Why haven't you let Orihime heal your wound?"

Shuuhei looked at him with tired eyes. "I told her to heal Ichigo first… By the time she was done… she didn't have enough energy left for me… Her and Tessai… they're used up from trying to h-help… trying to heal…" Shuuhei looked away and his bottom lip trembled slightly.

"Trying to heal Kira?" Renji finished for him.

Shuuhei nodded slowly.

Renji ran his hand though Shuuhei's damp hair. "Kira's going to be alright you know. His wound is healed and he's sleeping right now."

Shuuhei let out a shaky breath and brought his legs in tighter to his chest. The pain in his eyes was so evident that Renji felt his own heart breaking.

"Shuuhei," Renji prodded gently. "Sitting here on the floor half naked and bleeding isn't going to make anything better," he stood and offered his hand. "Let's get you cleaned up and back into your gigai, then you can sleep. Maybe when you wake up, Urahara will let you see Kira."

Shuuhei didn't look at him, but nodded and took his hand. He was silent as Renji stripped off his hakama and removed his bandages. He kept his eyes closed as Renji gently guided him under the shower spray and washed him for a second time that day. The warm water washed away the dirt and blood, leaving angry red welts and purpling bruises on his pale flesh.

About a half an hour later, cleaned and back in his gigai, Shuuhei sat on Renji's futon in soft black sweatpants. Renji rummaged around in his desk retrieving a small bottle, fresh bandages, and gauze to redress Shuuhei's shoulder. He sat beside his dark – haired friend and poured a few drops of Urahara's ointment on a gauze pad.

"This'll sting a little," he warned.

He pressed the gauze over the seeping wound, but Shuuhei remained silent, staring at something on the floor in front of him. Renji watched Shuuhei's eyes as he wrapped his shoulder and chest. The older man's gaze had turned from anguished to haunted.

Just as Renji finished and moved to return the leftover gauze to his desk, Shuuhei spoke.

"I used to do things to Kira…" he said softly.

Renji slowly set the bandages down and moved closer to Shuuhei until their thighs pressed against each other. He made no move to touch the other man, just waited for him to continue.

"He begged me…" Shuuhei continued. "I didn't want to… but Kira…" Shuuhei pressed the heels of his palms into his eyes. He took a deep breath. "Kira didn't like it unless it was painful… He'd do it normally for me once in a while, but he didn't really like it unless… unless it hurt… In the beginning… he couldn't do it at all unless it hurt…"

Renji was starting to feel a little sick to his stomach. He reached out to put a comforting hand on his friend's back. Shuuhei's hands fell to his lap and he turned his head away. Renji could tell by his breathing that he was crying, but the redhead didn't move. Shuuhei wanted to talk to him, so he would listen no matter how painful it was. If Shuuhei could endure it, he could damn well listen.

"What happened?" Renji asked gently.

Shuuhei let out a soft moan and covered his eyes with his hand.

"I told him I wasn't going to do it anymore… I told him I cared about him too much to do those things to him," Shuuhei's voice was strained. His breath was coming short as tears coursed freely down his cheeks. "But no matter how many times I told him, he said I… I didn't really love him because I wouldn't g-give him what he wanted… Because I wouldn't… wouldn't hurt him…"

Renji caught the older man as his grief overtook him. Violent sobs wracked the slighter man's body as Renji cradled him against his chest.

"I couldn't help him, Renji… I couldn't help him… I couldn't fix him… I couldn't fix him…"

The redhead felt tears slide from his own eyes as Shuuhei's words ceased and he silently shook in Renji's arms. For a long time the quiet in the room was broken only by short fits of Shuuhei's gasping for breath.

Finally, the shaking subsided and Shuuhei lay sniffing in Renji's lap. The redhead leaned down to press his lips to Shuuhei's temple. Tears clung to his dark lashes and Renji brushed them away with his thumb.

"Shuuhei," Renji whispered.

Shuuhei sniffed again. "Mmm?"

Renji hesitated. He already knew the answer to this question, and he wasn't sure he wanted to hear the answer.

"Do you… do you still love Kira?"

"Yes," Shuuhei said quietly. "But not like I love-… used to love him. It can't be like that for us anymore."

Renji let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. He watched as Shuuhei's eyes fluttered closed and smiled softly as his friend curled in his lap like a puppy.

"You know, I'm not sleeping like this," Renji said gently.

"Oh yes you are," Shuuhei mumbled. "This is comfortable."

Despite his words, Shuuhei slowly sat up and moved off of Renji's lap. He winced as he turned and grabbed his shoulder.

"You okay?" Renji asked.

Shuuhei nodded and moved to the pillow. Renji stood to turn off the light before climbing in beside him and pulling the covers over their bodies. He pulled out his hair tie and had just settled, when he felt Shuuhei push him to his side and press up against his back. Shuuhei's arm came around his waist and Renji felt the older man burrowing his face in his long hair.

Renji was surprised but delighted at the same time. He laced his fingers with Shuuhei's and pressed back into his friend's embrace. Shuuhei responded by tangling his feet with Renji's and pulling his arm tighter around the redhead.

"You gonna be okay?" Renji asked.

Shuuhei nodded into his neck and whispered softly. "I have you in my arms… that's all I need right now."

Renji smiled as sleep started to engulf him.

X x X x X

Yumichika jerked the tape over the bandage a little harder than he intended, but the hiss he got from Ikkaku was worth it. The man deserved it, going off with Renji to fight Ichigo – Ichigo – without telling him. Without warning him! The bastard could have been killed and the last thing Yumichika would have done to him was push him! He tried to stop his hands from shaking but it wasn't working. He sat back on the futon and folded his arms tightly over his chest. He'd seen Shuuhei do it a thousand times when he was trying not to play with things.

Ikkaku watched Yumichika try and hide the fact that his hands were shaking and he sighed inwardly. His lover had stood by him for hundreds of years while he got himself almost killed over and over. He never scolded or told him to stop, but the bald shinigami knew how Yumichika felt about his passion. It didn't stop him from almost getting himself killed, he couldn't change who he was, but he did feel bad for always scaring the man he loved; and gods, how he loved him. The very fact that Yumichika stayed with him no matter how stupid or selfish he acted was testament to their bond.

"For the last time, Yumi," Ikkaku scowled. "I'm sorry."

"I know," Yumichika pouted. "It's fine."

Ikkaku knew it wasn't fine, but he didn't argue. Instead he reached out for Yumichika's hand, untangled his arms, and pulled the smaller man into his lap.

Yumichika went reluctantly. It had been weeks since they had made love, and if Ikkaku was just going to light a fire and then go to sleep like he had done the last few nights, Yumichika was going to kill him. The fifth seat was frustrated and still shaken from the sight of his lover returning to Urahara's shop, covered in blood with Ichigo thrown over his shoulders.

But then Ikkaku's hands were on him. His calloused palms caressed his face and his neck. They moved lower and untied his obi before Yumichika could register what was happening. In seconds, Ikkaku had stripped him of everything but his hakama, and the bald man was leaving hot kisses on his pale chest.

As Yumichika felt Ikkaku's lips close around his nipple, he hissed and pushed his lover away.

"I thought you said you didn't want to because Abarai and Hisagi were in the next room!" His voice was a whisper, but he felt like he was yelling.

Ikkaku grinned up at the beautiful fifth seat and gripped Yumichika's slim hips. He pulled the smaller man against him hard, grinding their erections together. He watched as Yumichika's eyes closed and his head rolled back. A soft moan slipped from his perfect lips, and Ikkaku felt his cock twitch at the sight.

"I feel bad," Ikkaku said huskily. "I thought this might be an acceptable apology."

Yumichika rolled his hips to continue the friction. He cupped the sides of Ikkaku's face and brought his lips down to meet his lover's. His tongue slid against Ikkaku's with a rhythm and balance the two had perfected centuries ago. Ikkaku untied Yumichika's hakama, and slid his hand under the waistline to run his palm over Yumichika's swollen flesh. The smaller man gasped and thrust against Ikkaku's rough skin.

"So," Ikkaku breathed heavily. "This gonna work? For an apology I mean?"

Yumichika responded by climbing off Ikkaku's lap, shedding his hakama, and lowering himself to the futon. He basked in the hungry look Ikkaku gave him as he lay on his back, propped up by his elbows, his long legs spread wide.

"Come here," he said breathlessly.

Ikkaku moved to his knees and pushed his hakama down. Somewhere between there and crawling in between Yumichika's spread thighs, he shed the garment completely. He sat back on his heels and pulled Yumichika's legs around him.

Yumichika looked up at Ikkaku with heavy lids. "Are you okay with them hearing us?" By 'us' he meant 'me' because Yumichika was aware he was very vocal. Ikkaku was modest when it came to sex. This would be their first time making love in the real world.

"I don't care," Ikkaku growled as he licked his palm and slicked his swollen length. "Maybe it'll get them to finally fuck each other."

With that, he slid into Yumichika. His lover excepted him eagerly with a throaty moan. "Be as loud as you want, babe," Ikkaku gripped the slighter man's thighs. He pulled out slowly to thrust back in, eliciting a delicious cry from Yumichika. The pale shinigami before him flushed prettily and fisted his hands in the sheets.

Yumichika usually loved this part; the part where Ikkaku tried to be gentle, tried to pretend that the two of them had an ounce of self control. Ikkaku would fuck him slowly, carefully like he was breakable. His hands would slide over Yumichika's thighs and he would whisper beautiful things against his skin. He would purposefully miss Yumichika's prostate to prologue the smaller man's pleasure. If he wanted, Ikkaku could have him screaming and coming all over himself in a matter of seconds. But Ikkaku was a generous lover, he went to great lengths to make sure Yumichika was satisfied. It was just another of the thousands of reasons Yumichika loved this man.

Tonight though, Yumichika didn't care about loving touches or whispered endearments. He wanted completion, he wanted to be pounded into the futon, he wanted to come, now.

"Kaku…" he moaned. "Kaku, love… harder… gods harder…"

Ikkaku loved it when Yumichika begged. He loved it even more when Yumichika begged like that. His lover's sensual moans sent pleasant shivers down his spine. He kept his slow pace as he leaned down to whisper into his lover's ear.

"Let me hear it, Yumi," he nibbled a soft earlobe. "Tell me how you want it."

"Mmm," Yumichika gripped Ikkaku's shoulders. "I don't care how, Kaku… just fuck me hard."

Ikkaku bit into the flesh of Yumichika's neck as he kept his agonizingly slow pace. Their bodies were beginning to sweat and their skin started to slide easily against each other.

"I'd rather you do it," Ikkaku whispered. "Would you like that? Would you like to fuck yourself on my cock?"

Yumichika almost screamed as Ikkaku emphasized his point with a particularly hard thrust.

"Yes!" Yumichika cried out. "Gods yes… roll over…"

Ikkaku complied and pulled Yumichika over on top of him. Before the bald shinigami's back hit the futon, Yumichika was already rolling his hips. Ikkaku bent his knees to give the slighter man something to grip as he moved. He seized the slender thighs, thrusting up to meet every one of Yumichika's frantic bounces.

"Gods, Yumi," Ikkaku growled as he watched the beautiful man writhe over him. "You're fucking incredible."

"Ah… are you close?" Yumichika gasped.

"Yeah," Ikkaku grunted.

"Turn me over then," Yumichika purred. "Take me from behind."

Ikkaku did as he was told. He lifted Yumichika off his lap and flipped him over, pressing his shoulders to the mattress and pulling the smaller man's hips up. He thrust back in, and moaned immediately at the new sensation. Yumichika rarely let Ikkaku take him this way. He said it made him feel 'dirty' and the position was 'unbeautiful' no matter how arduously Ikkaku insisted it was not.

The sight before Ikkaku now was anything but 'unbeautiful'. Yumichika's back arched gracefully and his skin glistened under a fine sheen of sweat. The muscles in his back flexed and waned as he turned his head to gaze behind him at his lover. His beautiful eyes shone bright with passion as he panted and moaned over his shoulder.

"I love you, Kaku… I love you."

"Gods I love you, Yumi," Ikkaku growled. "Gods… fuck…"

Yumichika's cries were in time with Ikkaku's powerful trusts. He was lost, his climax was crashing down around him, he reached between his legs to help himself, but found Ikkaku's hand already there. His body convulsed, clenching tightly around Ikkaku and he spurted hot over his lover's hand. Seconds later, he heard his name cried and he felt Ikkaku pulse inside him.

Gasping, Ikkaku lowered himself to the futon and kissed the pale skin of Yumichika's neck. The dark – haired fifth seat lay smiling at him from underneath long lashes.

"So…" Ikkaku said. "Am I forgiven?"

Yumichika inched closer and placed a tender kiss on Ikkaku's lips.

"Of course."

X x X x X

Renji was severely uncomfortable. He lay in his bed listening to Yumichika's cries of pleasure, punctuated by Ikkaku's deep murmurings. What the hell were they doing that made him scream that loud?

"Kaku…" he heard Yumichika moan. "Kaku love… harder… gods harder…"

Shit. Fuck. Goddamn everyone… Renji's cock was throbbing and his balls were tightening painfully. He should probably get up and go rub one out in the shower.

He twisted his head to look at Shuuhei sleeping peacefully behind him. Carefully, he removed his friend's arm from his waist, and started to slip out from under the covers.

"Renji?" Shuuhei murmured.

Fuck. "It's okay, Shuu. I'm just going to the bathroom."

"Okay," Shuuhei looked like he was about to turn over, but winced and stayed where he was.

"You alright?" Renji asked.

Shuuhei nodded, but his eyes snapped open when Yumichika let out another shriek from the next room. Shuuhei turned to Renji with wide eyes and propped himself up on his good arm.

"Are they?"

"Yes," Renji muttered.

"Yes!" Yumichika cried out behind the wall. "Gods yes… roll over…"

Shuuhei threw back his head and clamped a hand over his mouth to stifle his laughter. Renji almost hit him.

"It's not funny Shuu!" he whispered. "I'm really hurting here!"

Shuuhei was switching between grimaces of pain and quiet giggles.

"Oh, so that's why you were headed to the bathroom."

"Shut up! It's been a long time for me!"

"It's been a long time for me too!" Shuuhei's grin widened. "When was the last time you had sex?"

"When was the last time you had sex?" Renji retorted.

"I asked you first."

Yumichika's voice cried out again. "Turn me over then… take me from behind…"

"Goddamnit…" Renji sighed and cringed as Ikkaku grunted not six feet away from him. "Two years ago, and you don't know him."

Shuuhei's grin widened even further. "Shit, that is a long time."

"Shut up…"

Shuuhei rolled to his good side to bury his face in the pillow. Renji poked his bad shoulder and Shuuhei squeaked.

"That hurts, fucker!" Shuuhei whispered.

"How long for you?" Renji pried.

Shuuhei lifted his head and the grin was back, wider than ever before.

"Year and a half… Yumichika… and Ikkaku…"

"Ha! I got a half a year-" the redhead's jaw dropped when what Shuuhei had said registered in his head. "Woa, wait… What the fuck?"

Shuuhei rolled slowly and painfully onto his back, as another cry from Yumichika erupted from the next room.

Ikkaku's growl followed soon after. "Gods… fuck…"

Renji groaned and pressed his flushed face into the mattress. "I hate everyone…"

Shuuhei chuckled and pulled on Renji's arm. "Forget the bathroom, stay here."

Renji looked up and met Shuuhei's hungry eyes. "But you're hurt, you can barely move."

"I know that," Shuuhei licked his lips. "I wanna watch."

That was almost too much for Renji's brain to handle. He climbed back into the bed, and pulled down the waistline of his sweatpants. Taking himself in his hand, he watched Shuuhei run his tongue over his bottom lip. The dark - haired man watched intently as Renji ran his palm over the tip, smearing precum over his length. As Shuuhei lifted his eyes to meet Renji's, the redhead grinned evilly.

"Tell me about Yumichika and Ikkaku."

TBC

A/N: If you like, I wrote a one-shot telling the story of Shuuhei's night with Ikkaku and Yumichika. The story is called 'Fragments', and you can find it here in my stories, or at my LJ page. X)