A/n: As usual, unbetaed. Forgive my mistakes. ;_;


FIVE- Family

Kira was the first to wake up. Ichigo felt someone shaking him gently by a shoulder, while a whispering voice echoed in his ear. «Hey… it's five pm. Let's get up, before Hitsugaya catches us like this.»

The mention of the white-haired midget made Ichigo jump with a definitely comical expression on his face, and Kira laughed heartedly, seeing him so unnerved. The blond was still naked, sitting on his heels on the floor, and he was smiling to Ichigo.

Reaching out to kiss Kira's lips, the orange-haired boy took him by his hand, leading him into the bathroom and locking the door behind their back. «Come. Let's have a good clean up.»

They took all the time they needed. Ichigo filled up the tub, pouring into the water some of his favourite bubble bath, which was sandalwood-scented, and he helped Kira settling in, before joining him. He sat on the slippery bottom, before comfortably leaning his arms on the cool ceramic edge. Shivering contentedly, he sank into the water until his chin, thanking whole-heartedly the wealthy founder of Seireitei High for providing students' bathrooms with comfortable, spacious bathtubs. Underwater, Kira's foot brushed against his, and the blonde boy smile at him, resting his head on his bent knees. «Wow» he murmured, dreamily. Ichigo couldn't agree more, while he lathered up his hair and quickly dove under to rinse off. He emerged sputtering, shaking his head like a dog and making Kira laugh. Then he gestured the blond to turn over, as he took care of his magnificent blonde hair, lathering it up before rinsing with the detachable showerhead, lingering with his fingertips on the warm scalp of the boy.

«Hey, Ichigo, and now?» Kira murmured, after a long silence.

«Uh?» Ichigo replied, getting off the tub to grab a towel.

«I mean...» Kira said, resting his elbows on the edge, «what did we become, now, you and me?»

Ichigo hesitated before replying. Actually, he didn't know. He had the feeling he just went over a door it should have stayed closed. But Kira's sweet smile, his trust-filled blue eyes, the emotions they shared and that still made him blush...

He reached out for him, handing him a towel. «It's not a big deal, I think. We are okay like this, aren't we? Let's not ruin everything with silly classifications.»

Kira seemed lost in thought for a moment, then he nodded, satisfied by his answer. He let Ichigo take care of his hair, combing and untangling it before drying it up with the phon. He looked happy, and Ichigo was glad of it.

They got dressed, and Kira made Ichigo choose through the contents of his closet. The other handed him a tight-fitting jean and a red-blood tee, a colour that suited Kira's fair complexion perfectly. Ichigo then chose trousers and a long-sleeved shirt for him, getting dressed without even combing his hair properly.

«What time is it?» Kira asked, sitting on his bed.

«Er» Ichigo replied, checking his watch, «half past six.»

They exchanged a dazzled look. «Already?» Kira exclaimed. «It's almost dinner time!»

«Now that you make me notice» Ichigo grumbled, sitting next to the blond and frowning, «we skipped lunch, today.»

«And breakfast» Kira added.

«And I'm HUNGRY!» Ichigo yelled, grabbing Kira by the waist and tickling his sides. The blond shrieked, pretending to defend himself, and soon they were both rolling on the bed, laughing like children.

«I've just had an idea» Ichigo murmured, nipping on Kira's jaw between kisses. «And if I'd eat you?»

«I'm afraid I'd be quite stodgy» Kira smiled, gaining enough control to stand up and go look for a pair of shoes to put on. Ichigo did the same, wearing his All Stars, before they both headed for the canteen.

Along the corridor they didn't hold hands or got lost in mawkishness, trying to behave the most normal way possible. Also because, along the path, they met many of their classmates, which eyed them quite strangely.

«And where exactly have you two been, today?» Renji asked, popping up from nowhere and trapping Kira's head under his muscular arm, ignoring the blonde's protests. «Shiro-chan was so worried he freaked out.»

«Hitsugaya-kun was worried for us?» Ichigo repeated, incredulous. «That's crazy.»

«What if they just needed to sober up after your damn party?» Byakuya Kuchiki speculated, coldly. It was like a cold shower for poor Renji, which instantly let Kira go and looked at Ichigo as asking for help.

Ichigo felt rather resourceful, that evening, probably because staying with Kira galvanised him, but more probably because that bastard Kuchiki really got on his nerves.

«Listen, you...»

The bell announcing dinner rang loudly, and Byakuya smirked. «Yeah?»

Kira dragged Ichigo away just in time before he threw himself at Byakuya. «I can't stand that guy» Ichigo hissed, furious. «He does nothing but trolling on Renji-kun.»

«You're right» Kira replied, taking a tray and looking worriedly at the food counter, as usual blocking the queue that was forming behind him. «He makes me angry too, when he behaves like that, but he's not that bad, overall.»

Ichigo stared at him for a moment, while Kira tried to choose what to eat, and then he reached out, grabbing a sandwich, a canned drink and an apple, shoving them all on the blonde's tray. «But...» Kira protested, pouting, but Ichigo cut him out sharply.

«No whining» he threatened, taking fish and salad for himself. Kira looked at his meal, frowning, while taking his seat next to his mate at the table.

«But I don't like this stuff...»

«Hey, you two!» a known voice yelled, and Toshiro Hitsugaya suddenly popped up, so mad that he looked like a fierce Chihuahua. «You assholes!»

«Watch your tongue» Kaname warned him, quiet and formal as usual, keeping his tray with one hand and reaching out with the other one, looking for his chair. Ichigo moved it for him, helping him to sit down in the empty chair next to him.

«Thank you, Kurosaki-kun» the blind boy thanked him.

«Where's Hisagi-kun?» Kira asked, splitting his sandwich open and beginning to take away the ingredients he didn't like. Ichigo looked at him a little irritated: Kira was always so picky in terms of food… or was the mention of Shuuhei's name, that got on his nerves?

Suddenly, the memories of that night attacked him, literally crashing onto him. He thought he went over the whole thing, but it obviously wasn't true. Far from Kira's arms, that offered him a mere momentarily comfort, the memory was still alive and painful. He could still feel Shuuhei's rough and big hands on his skin... he shivered, trying to think about something else.

«We had an argument, yesterday» Kaname explained, casually, while Renji and Byakuya sat at their table too, «and it's not really surprising that he didn't show up. I bet he still doesn't feel like meeting me.»

«Damn, Kaname-kun. You really must be one of those who become scary when they are angry» Renji observed, cheerful. The tattooed boy piled up an enormous amount of food on his tray, while Byakuya was neatly cutting his steak into tiny and regular pieces before bringing them to his mouth and chewing on it.

«Kurosaki-kun» Kaname murmured, suddenly, «can I have a word?»

Ichigo almost choked on a mouthful, and Kira had to pat on his back to help him swallow. He drank greedily from his canned tea, trying to regain his composure while Kaname patiently waited. «Don't worry» the blind boy added, «there's no hurry. We'll talk after dinner, there's something important I need to tell you.»

Ichigo nodded, feeling slightly sick at the mere thought. He had the feeling that Kaname wasn't bringing good news.

«Hey, isn't tomorrow visits' day?» Renji exclaimed, all excited. «Who comes to see ya?»

«My aunt and my uncle» Kira replied, with a smile. «They're always so concerned about me. They are way to apprehensive! They're convinced I don't eat enough, that I don't work out enough and that-»

«They're perfectly right about that» Ichigo observed, frowning. «Eat your meat too, I saw you taking it out of the sandwich. What were you up to?»

«But I don't like it...» Kira whined, and Ichigo reached out for him, ready to shove the food down into his throat, if necessary.

«You are going to eat, now, or I'll get really mad. And you aren't going to like it either.»

Kira giggled, finding a spicy implication in that statement, and his smile made Ichigo laugh too. Without trying to cheat again, Kira gupled down all his dinner.

«And who is going to come to see you tomorrow, Hitsugaya-kun?» Renji asked. «No, wait, I think I already know. Your stunning auntie Matsumoto, and also…»

«Shut up» Hitsugaya hissed, deadly.

«Oh, yeah! Your GIRLFRIEND!»

«You bastard!» Hitsugaya hollered, almost climbing over the table to go and beat Renji down. Kira managed to grab him by the hem of his blazer just in time.

Taking advance of the ruckus, Kaname stood and moved his chair, ready to go. «Would you help me, Kurosaki-kun, please?» he murmured, and Ichigo felt trapped, while he reached for the blind boy. While they walked away slowly, arm in arm, he frantically thought about the whole situation. First of all, what did Kaname know exactly? Did Shuuhei tell him everything that happened between them? And then, why such a sudden need to talk to him in private? Could he... be jealous? Was he mad at him because he went to bed with his boyfriend? But Shuuhei himself told Ichigo that he wasn't in love with Kaname in the first place... Kami-sama, what a mess.

«No, I don't want to return to my room» Kaname stopped him, when they entered the dorms' corridor. «Let's go on the balcony.»

«Balcony?» Ichigo asked, in a huff. He knew he couldn't escape that talk, and he was terribly nervous about that.

«On your right. You should be able to see the glass wall.»

Ichigo followed the instructions, leading Kaname to a sliding glass door which introduced them in a big, spacious balcony. From there, he could see the whole garden, with its graceful Gingko trees a few students were hanging out under. He even thought he spotted Kyoraku-sensei and Ise-san, but then he averted his gaze. «Kaname-kun... why such a mystery? What are you supposed to tell me?»

«Nothing really serious, don't worry» the other said softly, his enigmatic opal eyes staring into nothing. «I just wanted to make a couple things clear.»

Slowly, Kaname reached out to rest his soft and warm hand on Ichigo's cheek. «Hey, but what are you-» Ichigo exclaimed, taken by surprise. Kaname frowned, brushing lightly against his skin.

«This is the only way I have to look at you. You are tense» he whispered, touching his frown. «I guess it's his fault, after all.»

«What do you mean by his fault?» Ichigo asked, starting to get angry. «Stop talking nonsense.»

«And you, stop pretending nothing happened» Kaname retorted, aggravated. Ichigo shut up, intimidated by his tone. «How long are you going to deny you've been with Shuuhei, last night?»

Ichigo averted his gaze, momentarily forgetting that Kaname couldn't see his face. «Who told you? Was it him?»

He found the idea that Shuuhei could have boasted with his best friend about his adventure simply hideous. But Kaname just shrugged. «Nope, he said nothing, as usual. He never talks about these things. Simply, last night he came back to our room at three in the morning. And he smelt of you.»

Ichigo chewed on his lip. «I'm sorry.»

Kaname's hand was still on his cheek, and Ichigo felt it move a little, caressing his face. Oddly enough, that contact wasn't soothing at all. «It's not your fault.»

Ichigo closed his eyes, remembering how it felt being enclosed in Shuuhei's strong arms, and he felt himself shiver. «Shuuhei can look cruel, even insensitive. Only who knows him well can understand him fully.»

«And then?» Ichigo muttered, irritated, shoving his hands into his pockets. He couldn't look forward that talk to end. He never felt at ease, when Kaname-kun was around: the blind boy was too mysterious, too formal, too distant. And too attractive, if he had to be sincere.

«You stroked him, Kurosaki-kun. If he took interest in you, he must have seen something, in you, that reminded him of his old self.»

«Kaname, I don't understand!» Ichigo admitted, disoriented. «His old self?»

«I've known him since we were little» Kaname murmured. If his eyes had pupils, Ichigo could be sure that, in that precise moment, his gaze would have been lost. «I know he always did his best to hide his soul's scars under a shell. Unconsciously, I think he wanted to show you the most obvious way, for him, to be strong, dominant and powerful. He saw you were weak and disoriented, and you reminded him of who he once was.»

«I hope you are kidding» Ichigo growled, furious. The evening's air turned cooler, and he felt cold. «He was drunk, and he raped me. I see no hidden meanings in such a thing! Are you telling me I should just forgive him because he had a difficult past? It's completely crazy. It's just a bunch of bullshit!»

Angered, he walked away, not really caring about leaving a blind one alone on a balcony. Kaname stayed where he was, hearing him go away, lost in his past's painful memories.

«Shuuhei...» he murmured, shaking his head. «I'm so sorry, Shuuhei...»

The day after was Friday, parental visits' day. Many, among Seireitei High's pupils, chose to return home in the weekend, leaving the splendid school building and the silent garden behind, but some of them (the minority, actually), stayed, hanging out in the common rooms such as the canteen, the library or just spending their free time in the dorms.

As scheduled, Kurosaki family showed up on that morning. Karin and Yuzu wore their good dresses, and they apparently did their best to look cute and collected in presence of their big brother, but something in Karin's grumpiness, or in Yuzu's exceeding politeness, seemed a little odd. The only one who was at his usual was Isshin, who just greeted his eldest son with a flying kick that Ichigo dodged easily, sending the man to crash on the nearest wall. «If that's all you wanted to tell me» he grumbled, «you could stay at home.»

After hearing those words, poor Yuzu couldn't take it anymore and she literally jumped right into Ichigo's arms, tears streaming down her face. Karin rolled her eyes, exchanging an amused and moved glance with her brother.

Letting their father free to wander around freely, the three Kurosaki siblings took a stroll in the beautiful school garden, chatting about simple things like food and homework, just to be able to taste some domestic atmosphere again. After a while, Ichigo spotted Kira. He was sitting on a bench next to two people, a strict-looking businessman and a thin, blonde woman with his same blue eyes, that seemed to do nothing but desperately try to comb back with her fingers the rebellious golden hair of the boy. Kira didn't look that happy to be in his aunt and uncle's company, Ichigo thought.

«Is that guy over there your roommate?» Karin asked, pointing with her finger, when Kira waved a little miserably at Ichigo.

«Yep, he's Kira-kun. I told you about him when I called you last time, remember?»

«Yeah. Looks like a good guy» Karin approved, even if a little acidly. Ichigo stared at her with a raised eyebrow, and the younger girl shrugged at him, adjusting her baseball hat on her head. «It's just that this school seems so fool of weirdos, so I believed-»

«Everything is alright» Ichigo interrupted her, before the conversation could touch worse matters. Yuzu went on being silent, while Ichigo held her hand.

«That one over there, for example, looks like a hooligan» Karin growled, pointing right at Renji, who was talking to some people. Ichigo frowned, wondering who could have come visiting him, since Kira told him previously that the redhead was an orphan. After a while, he even saw him putting an arm around a petite girl's shoulders, whose ink-black hair and pristine white skin couldn't remind Ichigo of a certain brunette he already knew. The men who were escorting the girl could be either bodyguards or composed businessmen.

Ichigo wondered where Byakuya was, and he looked around curiously. Suddenly, someone roughly pushed him aside, almost hurting him. «Hey! Watch out-»

But Ichigo was so surprised, when he saw Byakuya Kuchiki running in an extremely vulgar and unelegant way towards who looked like his sister, hugging her tightly. He scratched his head, surprise, thinking that, after all, even bastards have a heart.

Renji smiled, kindly stepping back to respect the two siblings' privacy, and when he noticed Ichigo's presence, he waved at him. «Kurosaki-kun! Are these your younger sisters?»

«Yeah» Ichigo replied, proud. «This is Yuzu» he explained, and the little blonde clung to his hand, staring wide-eyed at Renji, «and this is Karin.»

«Hello little ladies» Renji greeted, charming. The dark-haired girl didn't act as shy as her twin, because she glared at the redhead, grumpy. Renji didn't seem to realise, though, because he grabbed Ichigo by a shoulder, pointing at something. «Hey, look over there. You'll die of laughter.»

«Oh, Shiro-chaaaan!» a woman was shrieking hysterically, while Hitsugaya was struggling in her powerful hug. «I missed you sooooo much!»

Ichigo and Renji burst into laughter. The woman who was holding the younger boy was a well endowed girl with a curvy figure. And poor Hitsugaya, squashed against her ample bosom, was surely experimenting a condition of apnoea.

«Just wait and see» Renji whispered in Ichigo's ear, before walking casually towards the couple. «Good morning, Matsumoto-san. Do you remember me?»

«Oh, Abarai-kun!» the woman exclaimed, suddenly letting a half-suffocated Hitsugaya go to shake Renji's hand, «How are you? Please, keep taking care of my poor little Shiro. I'm so worried, thinking that he has to attend a school filled with guys who are older than him! Thanks Kami he has a true friend like you, who sincerely worries about him...»

«Oh, sure Matsumoto-san» Renji replied, reaching out to ruffle Hitsugaya's white hair and lean his elbow on the shorter boy's shoulder, «... I do worry indeed, for our Shiro-chan!»

From where he was, Ichigo could enjoy the whole scene. Hitsugaya was obviously straining to behave like a good kid, because if his family hadn't been around, he would have tried to strangle Renji with his bare hands, since he hated that nickname more than anything else. But it wasn't because of his aunt's presence, that Hitsugaya kept smiling forcefully. Among the trees, standing on tiptoes to look at the azure sky, a petite, dark-haired girl was waiting calmly. Once he got rid of his aunt's hug, Hitsugaya immediately ran to her side, grabbing her hand as to shield her from Renji. No doubts, that was Hitsugaya's famous girlfriend, Ichigo thought.

When Renji approached Ichigo again, he was smiling wickedly. «See? Nothing makes him go nuts than when I call him Shiro-chan.»

«Is that his girlfriend?» Ichigo asked.

«Uh, yeah, she's Hinamori-chan. Cute, isn't she? She's very sweet and shy. I've known her since middle school, we are friends.»

«Hitsugaya doesn't even look like himself, when she's around» Ichigo observed, seeing the white-haired boy smile at the girl. He never saw him smile before, and it felt weird, thinking that a guy like that could be in love with someone.

«Hey, Ichi-nii, where's dad?» Karin questioned, after a while.

«No idea» Ichigo replied, yawning. «Go look for him.»

While the two Kurosaki twins ran away to search for their degenerated father, Kira approached Ichigo, looking a little dejected. «Are you okay?» Ichigo asked, frowning. «You look sad.»

«It's alright. It's just that my uncles aren't much fun» Kira replied, evasive, forcing himself to smile again. «Aren't you coming home for the weekend, Ichigo?»

Renji, who was eavesdropping their conversation, blinked hearing that appellation. Since when, those two were so intimate they casually called each other by their first name? He was too depressed to investigate further, though. For him, who nobody ever came to visit, Fridays were always the worst day of the week, and he returned to his room to take a nap.

«No, I think I'll stay here» Ichigo said, shooting a meaningful glance at Kira, who smiled more broadly.

«Then I'm telling you a secret» he said, speaking into Ichigo's ear. «Shiro-chan goes to his aunt's home until Sunday. The room is all for us!»

Ichigo looked rapidly around. Everybody seemed busy, and no one was staring at them. Quick as a hawk, he leaned a feather-like kiss on Kira's silky cheek, parting immediately to glance around casually. Kira chuckled, a little embarrassed, shoving his hands into his pockets. Ichigo and him walked calmly towards the canteen to get something to drink at the vending machines.

Along their path, though, Ichigo almost bumped into Hisagi Shuuhei. He was walking in the opposite direction, his expression as dark as the purple circles around his eyes. «Sorry» he muttered, raising a hand and walking past them.

«Did your mom come, Hisagi-kun?» Kira asked. Ichigo realised, with a certain embarrassment, that his left hand was holding Kira's, and that Shuuhei's eyes were staring at their entwined fingers. He was him frowning and scowling, before shaking his head to reply.

«No, obviously. Not that I was expecting her to come, though.»

Ichigo pondered those words, watching as Shuuhei put a coin in the vending machine to get some canned coffee. He caught himself staring at the brunette's lips, when he brought the can to his lips and took a sip. «I hate Fridays» Shuuhei hissed, shaking his head again. Then he suddenly looked at Ichigo.

«Oh, I was forgetting. I spoke to your father, a few minutes ago. For some unknown reasons, I found him in my room, where he was talking endlessly to Kaname, and then your sisters came to get him. He's a fun guy, and he loves you, just as your sisters. I saw how they kept clinging to you, outside...»

«Good» Ichigo murmured, evasive. I didn't want to look Shuuhei straight in his face. He held Kira's hand tighter, trying to dominate the images who were flowing freely into his mind.

«The school empties itself, when Friday comes» Kira stated, looking at the deserted corridor. «Freshmen will remain a few too... what about hanging out, tonight?»

«What do you have in mind?» Ichigo asked, curious.

«A break» Shuuhei offered, sly.

«Yeah, but a clean one though» Kira added, with a wicked smile. «We'll ask Kyoraku-sensei to accompany us to have dinner at a restaurant and then to a club, tonight. Knowing him, he will invite Ise-san too, and he will be too busy courting her, to care about us.»

«Are... are you sure he will accept?»

«We did it plenty of times already» Shuuhei brushed it off, gulping down his coffee. «And we always made it smooth.»

They chatted for a little while, then Shuuhei greeted Kira and headed for the garden, ignoring Ichigo. Kira didn't notice it, but the orange-haired boy did. He was furious, furious for how that bastard talked to them calmly, not even bothering to show him some kindness. He behaved as if nothing happened.

Ichigo felt like telling Kira, but in the end he refrained from doing it, when the blond raised his head to share a kiss.

Returning to their room, they spend the rest of the morning listening to music and chatting. Kira was lying on the bed, and Ichigo leaned his head on the blonde's belly, listening to his heartbeat, smelling his scent. Kira's hand was playing with his hair, curling and uncurling his locks around his slender fingers. «I can't wait for tonight» Kira murmured, staring dreamily at the ceiling.

Ichigo caressed his side, pensive. If he had to be sincere, he didn't have a good feeling, about the upcoming night...

TBC


Next chapter's teaser line: He was lonely, completly alone. Ichigo didn't love him, as he didn't love him sincerely as well. In the end, Kira did nothing but... the mere thought was sickening... use Ichigo to stop thinking about Ichimaru.

Watch out for some major angst coming...