A/N: Thanks so much to everyone who reviewed this. I have in fact decided to continue it. Though I have no idea how long it will be and it may be sporadic in being updated. For those of you following my other stories, this one quite literally stole my entire focus for two weeks. XD I'll be getting back to A&B and Soul Music this week, I promise. Enjoy, minna!
The lithe body of his lover twisted and turned as the younger man danced around his private sitting room. A fine-boned hand was wrapped around the handle of the vacuum in a way that made him wish he had his fan to hide behind. The orange haired male had his mp3 player tucked into the back pocket of those oh-so-tight jeans and was oblivious to the way he was being drooled over because of the earbuds.
Though Kisuke couldn't hear the song the delectable figure in front of him was grinding to, he certainly appreciated the view. The orangette spun around fast enough that when his hand left the vacuum he caught it again before it could fall. It made the blonde's breath catch in his throat at the pure joy on the usually scowling features. Not only amazing from behind, but downright stunning from the front. The body of his lover dropped to the floor, using the cleaning equipment as a prop, and shot back up in a sinuous curve, displaying the younger man's incredible flexibility. That move made the blonde's mouth go dry and reminded him of the first day he'd stopped thinking of the substitute Shinigami as a boy several decades ago.
It had been a long day and all Kisuke wanted to do was relax. Soul Society was trying to convince him to come back and head up the Research and Development Department again. More reasons than what he told them rattled around in his head demanding that he avoid taking them up on that offer. So, at the insistence of Yoruichi he found himself standing outside of one of the newest dance clubs in Karakura.
In the last ten years the small city had leapt into the twenty-first century like it was going out of style. Clubs and the J-Pop scene had invaded the downtown area, shoving the more traditional and sedate sake bars out to the fringes. All in all it wasn't so bad for Kisuke, because it meant that he had more customers visiting his candy shop storefront. One of the biggest excuses he'd told Yamamoto that he couldn't just leave.
What he hadn't said was that he couldn't stand the thought of being back in the place where sharp chocolate eyes had tricked him into bed more times than he liked to admit. He'd be constantly looking over his shoulder and just knew that the newly re-appointed captains would be trying to get his mind off of it. As nice a distraction Shinji and Kensei had been over the years, he just wasn't up for something like that again. Then there was Yoruichi, herself, and Kami help him, Shunsui and that pretty little Matsumoto from the Tenth. No, no, going back to Soul Society full time was out of the question until he had his head on straight again.
So, he joined the crowd of thirty-somethings entering the club, resolved to give in to some liquid libation and maybe find a little somethin'-somethin' to take back to the shop for an evening of distraction. He'd even changed up his usual attire in the hopes of being more appealing to the younger set. Gone were the traditional clothing and fan. Though he kept his hat and Benihime, in the pretense of being the business owner that was his cover. Instead he wore a relaxed suit in the same dark green, with a pale shirt and a striped tie.
As he entered the main body of the club, he loosened his tie just enough to appear to have been there for a while, left his hat, jacket and sword-cane with the bouncer, and opened the first three buttons on his shirt. He frequented this particular club enough that the bartender knew what he wanted when the scientist gave a short wave to the man in the tight tee-shirt displaying the logo of the establishment across his broad chest. The bottle was set in front of him with a wink and a smirk, which Kisuke freely returned knowing full well both were only playing.
He turned away after their exchange and surveyed the dance floor much like a lion looking over a herd of gazelle. His head bobbed to the music slightly and the corner of his mouth turned up to match the amusement dancing in his grey eyes as he nursed his drink. One or two of the trollops on the floor caught his eye, but nothing worth really chasing after until a flash of vibrant color caught his eye. In the center of the floor, grinding and bumping with three or four others was a head of hair he hadn't seen for the better part of six years.
He learned later that the orangette had been attending college in the United States for art, but that night all he knew was that the teenager he'd trained to become Seireitei's Weapon of Mass Destruction had grown up and was most definitely NOT a gazelle. The young man's frame twisted and moved to the beat. His chunky orange spikes were highlighted in black now, and he had both his eyebrow and his lip pierced. His time overseas had increased his delinquent aura, dressed as he was in a tight graphic tee over a long-sleeved undershirt and form-fitting jeans, both torn in strategic places to flash hints of tanned flesh. At current moment, the orangette's hands were raised above his head, the lights of the club flashing off of the rings on his fingers and the exposed metal studs on his belt. He spun and dropped to the floor in a move that jutted his hips forward and spoke of pure sex. It seemed that art wasn't the only thing he'd picked up in college.
Another move like that had Kisuke setting down his drink to join the throng on the floor. A couple of the airheads who'd tried to catch his eye before quickly had their hopes dashed as the predator slunk through the twisting bodies until he was directly behind the only person in the club more dangerous than he. Without even considering who this was that he was making up to his hands found places on those sinful hips, and then they were grinding together. Denim-clad rear end pressing back against his crotch, hands running up and down the athletic thighs, and nose buried in the soft hairs behind the berry's ear. He quoted some of the cheesy lyrics to the song that was playing and a tinkle of brilliant laughter burbled over the pounding bass.
The figure in his arms spun and grey-green met amber for the first time on equal footing. Ichigo almost lost his rhythm when he saw who his dance partner was, but Kisuke smirked playfully, daring the orangette to continue. He figured at the very least he could play it off and get under the previously modest young man's skin. But the tilt of clean shaven chin and hands that wrapped into the loops of his belt told him that Ichigo was definitely no longer the blushing, flustered teenager that he'd been as Kisuke's student. A flash of teeth between peach lips, the faint narrowing of the orangette's eyes, and their pelvises met when the lithe young man pulled himself to align against Kisuke.
If the substitute Shinigami drove him crazy from behind, being eye to eye with him was maddening. Ichigo's hands traveled along the scientist's belt to dip into his back pockets massaging the flesh beneath while pressing up against his chest. The orangette twisted his spine into S-shapes rolling his shoulders alternatively and held Kisuke's gaze with a smoldering promise of things to come that the blonde found himself praying would be fulfilled. Then the electricity between them shot straight to his groin as Ichigo pulled his bottom between his teeth and literally purred. The orangette let him go with a small lick and a flash of amusement in his eyes that could easily have been the color of the lights.
All too soon the song was over and the delicious strawberry was pulling away, leaving him aching with a need that he had believed himself too jaded to feel. When his dance partner turned to exit the floor towards the bar, he let his eyes travel down that flexible spine and found himself licking his lips when his vision rested on the tightly framed cheeks of the younger man's posterior. Kami, but he was amazing! Just where had all that come from?! And instantly, Kisuke's possessive nature screamed that he had to have the berry for himself.
Once again coming up behind the boy-turned-man, he rested his chin on a shoulder that was only short enough to do so because of the way the orangette was leaning on the bar. "So, just what are you doing here, Berry-kun?" He teased, fully expecting to be scowled at.
When what he got was a playful smirk, he yet again had to remind himself that this young man was no longer the angry teenager he'd once been. "Out for a little fun after a long day. You?"
"I have to say the same." He played off his amazement as amusement but he had the sinking suspicion he wasn't fooling anybody.
Showing off, Ichigo again twisted to be facing the scientist, this time he had a bottle of water in his hand, which forced the older man to back up marginally. He flicked the cap off and took a long draw. Letting the liquid splash down his chin for a moment his eyes burned with the same teasing light then he flicked out his tongue to catch the droplet. Holy sweet Konpaku! The boy had that pierced too. Kisuke swallowed and his slacks felt quite a bit tighter than before. Shinji's had been sinful, but with the flexibility the strawberry had? He wouldn't be able to walk for a week, he was sure of it.
He must have been discovered because Ichigo smirked, running his tongue along his lips pretending to lick up water that wasn't there. He offered his bottle and the ring in his eyebrow raised perceptively in a smug question. Kisuke was almost dumbfounded and it took all of his willpower to tear his eyes away from that burning gaze to take the drink.
Since the scientist had to stand back to enjoy the liquid, the orangette was able to straighten. A hand on his hip, the other toying with the cap of the water bottle, and his head cocked slightly to the side. After a moment, he reached out and grabbed Kisuke's tie. This brought the grey eyes down to the complicated woven metal band on his thumb. They shot back up when that hand pulled slightly just in time to widen as that lip piercing met his skin. The next thing he knew he was answering that kiss with a hunger he hadn't meant to make obvious. His eyes drifted closed and vaguely he noticed the water bottle fall to the floor as the pair leaned against the bar.
His hands on the polished wood behind Ichigo, the orangette had his fingers gripping the collar pieces of his shirt, pulling him in closer. Those mind-numbingly long legs were spread to frame his own, and the denim covered pelvis pressed deliciously up into his own. It may have been his imagination but he swore he felt an answering hardness coming from the younger man. Just as he was about to run his hand down to grip a hip, the lips retreated and he opened his eyes to meet the dancing amber of his tease. They flicked to the side quickly and Kisuke felt his pants tighten again. He didn't even know if he nodded but the next thing he knew he was being led to the door by his tie. He barely registered grabbing Benihime, his jacket, and his hat before they were out in the open air of the night.
As soon as they were away from the building those lips crashed against his again, this time long arms wrapping around his neck, and he trailed his own hands down to grip the sinful hips grinding imperceptively against him. He answered it and a moan like none he'd ever heard before erupted between them. They stumbled toward the parking lot, still kissing and gripping, caught up in the heat and hunger of the moment. Then he was pressed against a car, once again straddled by those long legs, and that pierced tongue was trying to climb its way down his throat. He had his hands tucked into the waistband of the other's jeans, and felt answering fingertips of fire on his chest, which had somehow been revealed to the night. He wasn't even sure where Benihime had gotten to and his beloved hat was on the ground, knocked off the second he'd tried to put it on.
Then the moment was shattered by a shrill buzz and an electronic voice chanting something in English. It repeated itself twice, then went quiet. They had a few moments of silence then it went off again. The orangette groaned against his lips and pulled back with an apology on his face. He dug his phone out of the front pocket of his jeans and flipped open just before the ringtone repeated itself.
"What?!" He growled, that familiar scowl crossing his features. Evidently whatever the other person said displeased him because it grew darker as he listened. "Aa. I'll be there…MAH! I said I'll be there…When have I ever broken my word?...Kary…" He growled again, downright glaring. Then he winced, holding the phone away from his ear as the person on the other end started screaming at him. He curled his lip and shouted back, holding the microphone up to his mouth, "I SAID I'LL BE THERE, BACK THE FUCK OFF!" Then he slammed the phone shut with a violent snap. He closed his eyes and ran a hand through his hair, displaying that the black was really dyed into the soft orange spikes. When his head fell forward the hand slid back to rub the back of his neck and tension melted from his shoulders. He looked up at Kisuke with an apologetic smile. Whatever the substitute Shinigami saw in the scientist's frame had him slinking back over to press against the blonde. He recaptured the kiss-swollen lips of his dance partner and moaned, but this time had an air of finality and regret to the sound.
"Raincheck, Berry-tan?" Kisuke asked, his voice slightly husky.
Ichigo bent, snatching up the green and white striped hat. Plopping it on top of the wavy blonde locks. "Definitely, Kissu." Light danced in his amber eyes again, and the scientist shivered, though from the promise or the use of his old nickname he wasn't sure.
The orangette pulled car keys from his other front pocket, and opened the door of the car the scientist was leaning against. The younger man brushed his hand along Kisuke's belt-line with another purr, and it was like his hips were connected to those fingers. He stepped off of the car following the trail of fire across his midsection, but as soon as he was clear the door shut.
He bent over intent on getting a final tease in on his part, but Ichigo had a better idea. The window rolled down fully and that amazing lithe body twisted to hang out of it for one more mind-numbing, soul-sucking, table-turning kiss. "Ja ne, Kissu." The sinful lips murmured against his own, and then the orangette was gone.
Benihime giggled in his mind and all the blonde could do was blink. His toes curled and he licked his lips, trying to capture every last atom of the strawberry's intoxicating taste. He mentally examined the new and definitely improved substitute Shinigami. Holy test tubes but Kurosaki Ichigo had grown up.
That thought halted him, and he blinked again, much to Benihime's sadistic amusement. The delicious young man he'd been necking with was Kurosaki Ichigo! Son of the one and only Kurosaki Isshin, insanely powerful former captain of the Tenth, grandson of Yamamoto Sotaicho, and one of the shopkeeper's close personal friends. His brain, for the first time ever, shut down, his eyes wide at what he'd just done. When the volatile former Shinigami got wind of what had gone on between them, he'd be dead. Well, more dead. Like, back on the path to reincarnation dead.
There was no helping it, he'd had to bury himself in work, and try his hardest to forget about the addicting young man. No matter how badly he mourned that truth, there was no changing it. If the father didn't dissect him, the great-grandfather would have barbequed candy man for the next Seireitei cook out. He shivered again and began the long walk back to the Shoten, his mind spinning. The whole time, Benihime tittered in diabolical amusement. Nothing quite got the crimson princess going like the pain of others. Sadistic bitch.
Only a few blocks from the club, just long enough for him to have gotten tied up in knots and for the chill in the air to settle into the bones of his gigai, a sleek car pulled up next to him. He vaguely noticed the color was the same as the one he'd been pressed against earlier. Then the window rolled down and a playful voice called, "Want a ride, sexy?"
He stopped and froze. There in the car was the very object of his frustration. He almost said no but the lanky orangette flipped the door open. Sinking into the seat before he realized what he was doing brought a chuckle from the younger man.
"Yanno, I wouldn't have left you if I'd known you walked. It's getting cold tonight." Ichigo intoned as they pulled away from the curb.
"I would never impose on your goodwill, Berry-tan." Kisuke laughed, more playfully than he really felt.
The flirtatious orangette echoed the laugh. "Don't call it goodwill, call it chivalry. I only give it to those who are worthy of it." They met eyes and the spell was set again. Ichigo smirked, "So, what's got you so deep in thought that you didn't realize it was me until after I rolled down the window?"
"Mah, you know me, Berry-tan. I am always deep in thought." He sorely wished he had his fan. At least he had his hat to shade his grey eyes. For a moment, the scientist was quiet while the substitute Shinigami laughed.
Sparing a hand from the wheel to wipe a tear from the corner of his eye, the orangette nodded. "Too true, but that raises the question, why would someone like you be out walking these streets at this hour of night all on his lonesome?"
"I wasn't going to be all on my lonesome, but my partner was called away by a rather rude message on his cell phone. It seemed to be something quite urgent, though I am insanely curious just who could have needed his complete and utter attention at this hour of night?" Kisuke threw a shameless grin to his driver.
Ichigo actually dropped his playful attitude and snorted. "Stupid, Goat Face. He thinks because I'm living under his roof again I have to follow his rules, and he's not accepting that I'm not going to just marry some pretty little Japanese girl and pop him out tons and tons of grandbabies. So, on nights like tonight where I've spent all day in the studio and I want to unwind, I go out, but Kami forbid I go where I want to go. And so help me, if he thinks that 3am is an acceptable curfew then I'm a paint brush. And what's worse? If I was out until all hours of the morning with some chick, he wouldn't care. He'd just ignore it, but because I don't, because I can't stand girls, he insists that I be home at a 'decent' hour. Oh, and do you have any idea of how many offers I've had to turn down because of shit like this? Is it so bad to want to actually enjoy fucking to relieve stress?!"
Kisuke took in the way the substitute Shinigami gripped the steering wheel, there was some contention there. What he wouldn't give to have his fan. Looking out of the window for a moment, he honestly wasn't sure what to say to the younger man. Being both as old as he was, and, well, dead, he'd never had to deal with the problem of convincing his family that his preferences ran away from the fairer sex.
"Sorry." The orangette frowned concentrating on the road. "I didn't mean to go off like that."
"Quite alright." The scientist waved him off. "Nothing to worry about. Your father is definitely something of a stubborn man. It's genetic, I believe."
The car was quiet for the next few blocks. As they approached the Shoten, Ichigo sighed. The blonde glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. The tension was still there and the Visored seemed to be debating something. Time stretched between them when the car pulled up into the open space in front of the candy store. Kisuke was just about to say something else when the younger of the two cut him off, turning to stare deep into his eyes.
"I know that you're probably thinking that this is stupid, and that I'm both way too young for you and that you could never betray my dad by going out with me, but I want you to know that it doesn't matter. If this attraction was going to die out without me experiencing the real thing it would have years ago when I was a horny teenager with a crush on his sensei." The orangette burned with his resolve, "Kisuke, I'm twenty-seven. I've been out of the closet since I was twenty-three. I haven't been a virgin since I was twenty-four. I know I didn't imagine the way you kissed me at the club, and I don't give two shits about what anybody else thinks. I want you. For a night, for a week, for whatever, but I want you."
Kisuke was stunned. Articulate, to the point, just this side of vulgar, and boy, did it ever turn him on. His conscience warred with his memory as the words that were just spoken into the still air of the sporty two-door car rattled around in his brain. He tried to make words form in response but for once, since that same sharp confectionary gaze had held him captivated, Urahara Kisuke had absolutely none of his own thoughts occupying his mind. His eyes wide and filled with wonder, his cheeks flushed a delicate pink he hadn't known he could produce, his nerve endings burning in a state of cold he couldn't attribute to the weather, his stomach clenched tightly around a swarm of jigokuchou, and his mouth actually watered.
This vision of the former captain of the Twelfth undone drew Ichigo to lean in closer to him. The substitute Shinigami chuckled slightly, lips inches from his own, brushing the flushed skin as he spoke, "You know, Kisuke, if this is how you get when someone knocks you down at your own game, I can only imagine how incredibly overwhelming you'll be post-orgasm."
The shopkeeper gasped, and the Visored took it as an invitation, hungrily capturing his lips again and shoving his tongue into the older man's mouth. A muffled sort of sound brought another tug at Ichigo's mouth, but as busy as it was this time, Kisuke could only kiss in response, allowing his eyes to fall closed. Fireworks lit up in the scientist's head, and had only just begun to really get big when Ichigo pulled away.
"Ah, ah, ah. You'll get more when you've agreed to my offer." Silence reigned again as both parties tried to tone down their arousal so they could think. Reluctantly Kisuke grinned again, mimicking Shinji, trying to provoke continuation. Ichigo chuckled darkly again.
"I don't know if I'll be able to refuse, Berry-tan." The shopkeeper breathed.
The substitute Shinigami smirked, "Meet me outside of that club tomorrow before 8. Come alone."
"It's a date." The blonde continued to grin, apparently unable to stop himself. Hearing Benihime echo the Visored's chuckle, Kisuke dipped his head. "Mata ashita." He exited the car and swung his can to try and silence his blade.
On his way back to the shop, Ichigo called, "Kisuke!"
He turned and raised an eyebrow, taking the two steps back to the orangette's window. "If I don't let you go, Berry-tan, there will be trouble."
Again his tie was grasped and he found himself lost for thought and breath in another of the younger man's soul-stealing kisses. After he was released, he rocked back on his heels to the sound of the substitute Shinigami again laughing at blowing his mind. Ichigo shook his head and drove off, still amused.
As soon as the tail lights of the vehicle were gone around the corner that was the end of the alley leading up to the Shoten, Kisuke sighed. 'Definitely trouble.'