Jealousy

"Hey, are you ok Shuuhei?" Yumichika asked. "You're looking a little pale."

"I'm fine. I've been having a little problem sleeping is all," Shuuhei answered. "I had to admit I'm kind of bored too." He hadn't realized how much time he spent with Ichigo. They had been friends for less than six months but Shuuhei had really gotten used to automatically assuming that he needed to make food for two, or that anytime he was up to it he could just show up on Ichigo's doorstep or at his office for lunch. The last weekend had been especially dull. He knew that he could hang out with Kira, but he was afraid that Kira might want to make him talk about…things…so instead he just laid in bed sleeping or listening to music. He didn't want to make that mistake this week so he had dragged himself along with his friends to a bar.

"Hey guys!" Kisuke said, walking up.

Shuuhei groaned. Great, did he have to go in and do something? He definitely wasn't feeling up to it.

"Er, hi Captain Urahara," Ikkaku said, hoping that the bizarre man wasn't planning on hanging out with them.

Kisuke had obviously invited himself along for the ride though, and took a seat at their booth. "I brought some pictures I thought you guys might like," he said, taking out a large envelope. "I know that some of you got close to the humans you were with during your stay in the world of the living." He handed a picture to Rangiku, who was immediately on his right.

"Oh, how adorable," she said. "Did they throw him a welcome home party?"

"Who, Ichigo?" Renji asked.

"Yeah," Rangiku passed the picture over to him.

Renji smiled at the photo and showed it to Shuuhei. "Those are his sisters. The one on the right is Yuzu and the one on the left is Karin," he said, pointing. "I think you've already seen his dad."

Shuuhei smiled. Ichigo looked genuinely happy surrounded by his family. Once again, he wondered what it was like to have one. He supposed that his friends now probably counted as a family, but it wasn't quite the same, at least he assumed it wasn't.

More pictures were passed around. Shuuhei stared at one for awhile. "Who is that?"

"Orihime, I thought for sure you'd remember her," Renji said.

"What, you just assume I remember any chick with huge cans?" Shuuhei replied, amused.

"Well…yes," Renji answered.

Shuuhei sighed. Great, my friends all think I'm a pervert. Although, to be fair…

About a week ago

"I have a great idea! I'm going to treat you all to a nice dinner," Isshin told the group.

"What do you mean?" Ichigo asked.

"Oh don't worry I'm not going to tag along. I'll just call in some reservations for you and foot the bill. You guys can all go some place fancy."

"Wow, really?" Keigo said, excited.

"I can wear my new dress!" Orihime said.

"Alright, everyone should probably go home and change and then meet back here around 7, ok?" Isshin said, looking at his watch.

"What the hell are you up to, old man?" Ichigo asked suspiciously.

"I just want to get pictures of you all dressed up is all," Isshin admitted.

"Oh…ok," Ichigo decided that his dad was weird enough that that was probably true.

It mostly was.

The next day Isshin had happily mailed off the newest batch of pictures to Kisuke with the note, "The best yet. I'm thinking of making them go to the beach next, what do you think?" Kisuke thought that was a brilliant idea.

Current Time

"Wait, so are they on a date or something?" Shuuhei asked, looking at the picture that Isshin had conveniently gotten of just Orihime and Ichigo in their formal wear.

Kisuke shrugged.

"Wow, they look really cute together!" Rangiku cooed. She had always liked Orihime.

Kisuke was eyeing his lieutenant thoughtfully. Hm, it's going to need more than this, he thought to himself. I think Isshin is on the right track with the beach idea though.

"I always thought it was so sad how oblivious Ichigo was to the fact that she was totally in love with him," Yumichika chimed in, with a twinkle in his eye.

Kisuke smiled.

"I know, she was practically crying when Rukia was able to cheer him up in one afternoon when she'd been trying for weeks. She's so nice, I have no idea why he never went for her," Rangiku said.

"Yeah, not to mention she's hot at hell," Ikkaku added.

Shuuhei looked at the picture more closely. Oh well, he thought, she's definitely barking up the wrong tree. God knows that I wouldn't have hesitated with someone like that if I were in his position.

He's still too secure, guess I'll just have to try harder, Kisuke thought. There was no particular reason that it was really his business, but he was bored and once he had talked to Isshin about his son's obsession there was really no going back. Isshin was someone who really committed, and if Kisuke didn't find a way to get the two of them together he wasn't going to hear the end of it from his old friend.

"Did you really have to come with us, dad?" Ichigo groaned.

"When is the next time I'm going to get to spend time with you?" Isshin pointed out.

Ichigo felt a little guilty hearing that, and he really was happy to have his sisters along.

"I can't believe you actually threw sand at me," Uryu said to Keigo. "Are you 12?"

"I can't believe what a stick you have up your ass, are you 50?" Keigo replied back.

Mizuiro just sighed.

"What, too boring for you without a dozen half-naked college coeds?" Tatsuki said.

"Yes," Mizuiro answered.

"Hey Chad, let's go swimming," Ichigo suggested.

"Wait! Pictures first!" Isshin said.

"What is up with you and pictures of all a sudden?" Ichigo asked, but let his dad take pictures anyways, he didn't want another guilt trip.

"Got some more pictures," Kisuke said back at the Squad 9 office.

"What, are you stalking Ichigo or something? Why do you get these pictures all the time?" Shuuhei asked.

"Well, you certainly don't have to look at them if you don't want to," Kisuke mentioned as he looked over one. He sighed. "Ichigo looks really good in a swim suit," he said.

"You pervert!" Shuuhei grabbed the pictures away from Kisuke. "Don't say things like that!"

"You're no fun at all."

After Kisuke left Shuuhei flipped through the pictures. He grinned at the picture of Ichigo with his sisters making a giant sandcastle, and at one with Chad and Ichigo cooking marshmallows over a fire pit in the sand. He frowned at the picture of Orihime hugging Ichigo's arm. Ichigo was blushing furiously, which was understandable considering how much skin was left exposed by Orihime's swimsuit. He imagined it wasn't really her fault; all the swimsuit in the world wasn't going to hide her figure. Still, he found himself glaring at her (or rather, the picture of her).

Ichigo had gone all the way to Hueco Mundo to save her…but then again, he had risked his life to save Rukia too, so that didn't necessarily mean anything…probably. No, if Ichigo had liked her they would've been together, it was as simple as that. Yumichika had said that she loved him, so it's not like there was anything standing in the way…aside from the fact that he was going to be stuck in the Soul Society for the rest of his life. Shuuhei could see Ichigo not wanting to make someone wait for him, but Renji had never mentioned that he liked Orihime, in fact he had said that Ichigo had had a crush on him. Ichigo is gay, Shuuhei told himself, and that's that.

It's stupid, because I don't honestly think that he likes her, but it still bothers me for some reason. I have no valid reason for it though, it's not like I have any claim on him. I can barely even admit to myself that I…might…you know…

Shuuhei yawned. I wish I could get to sleep, he thought to himself. I'm too damn tired all the time.

It was a month since Ichigo had been gone and Shuuhei was really starting to feel lonely. He wished that Kisuke would stop annoying him with all of these damn pictures too.

"Where's Renji?" Kira asked.

"Where do you think?" Ikkaku grinned.

It was a Saturday night, so Shuuhei assumed that meant that Renji was with Captain Kuchiki. He had to admit that he still thought that the match was odd but Renji seemed happy and the couple of times that he had seen Captain Kuchiki he had seemed a lot more...well, not laid back exactly, but definitely a little less uptight.

"Did you know that Ichigo was going to be staying in the world of the living longer than he thought?" Kira asked.

"What?" Shuuhei hadn't heard that.

"Yeah, maybe even another month."

Another month? Shuuhei sighed. I've become such a baby. Since when have I relied this much on someone for company? What did I do with all of my time before?

Well, for one, Shuuhei realized, dating. I haven't dated anyone for a long time. Did it really take up that much of my time before? Everyone always joked about me chasing women (or rather, the other way around), but I never really thought that I was that bad. He looked up, noticing that a woman sitting at the bar alone was glancing over at him. I wonder how long she's been looking, he wondered. It's like I don't even care anymore.

Because I don't, do I?

Shuuhei just took another drink, and tried to listen to whatever it was that Yumichika was talking about. In the back of his mind all he was thinking was, "another month, another month without Ichigo."

Ichigo was finally coming home, and all of Shuuhei's friends thought it couldn't come soon enough. It wasn't like they always were gossiping about him behind his back, it's just that he had been looking pretty sickly and sad lately and they were a little worried about him. None of them were as blindly stubborn as Shuuhei was, so they all knew what was going on. So when Ichigo finally came through the Senkaimon and Shuuhei started walking towards him, but then stopped abruptly looking confused and at a loss for words, Yumichika sighed and took matters into his own hands.

"Ichigo!" Yumichika said, throwing himself at Ichigo, giving him a big hug.

"Um…hi," Ichigo replied, confused.

Yumichika stayed in Ichigo arms and looked up at him. "Hey, can we talk in private in a little bit?" he asked.

"…sure?" Ichigo said.

Shuuhei was twitching slightly.

"Hi, Ichigo," he managed to get out, after Ichigo had disentangled himself from Yumichika.

"What's up?" Ichigo asked, with a wide smile.

After some general chit chat with his friends Ichigo followed Renji back to his office to get filled in on everything he had missed while away from his squad. There were some new people, a couple of promotions, someone had had a baby, and repairs had been completed at their second training location.

Yumichika popped in after a couple of hours. "Oh, hey," Ichigo said in greeting.

"So here's the deal," Yumichika said. "Shuuhei is practically falling apart because he missed you and yet I can just tell he's still going to be a stubborn ass."

"Excuse me?" Ichigo was taken aback.

"Look, he's almost there, I can feel it. You have to shove him just a little harder though."

"I'm not really sure what you're getting at, and I don't know why everyone feels it's ok to just jump into my personal…"

"Did you notice how pale he looks? That he's thinner?" Yumichika asked.

"Was he sick?"

"No. He's stressed out because he's not letting himself finally make a step," Yumichika pressed.

"What is it you want me to do?"

"Date me."

"What?" Ichigo was shocked.

"Not really. In fact, I'm just going to be chasing you, you don't really have to do anything aside from not look like you want to hit me while I'm doing it," Yumichika said.

Ichigo frowned. "Won't that piss off Ikkaku?"

"We have an open relationship."

"What, so you just date whoever you want even though you're together?"

"No. We have rules. People know that we sometimes allow each other to go after other people though, so it won't seem weird. He won't care because it's not like I'm really trying to have sex with you," Yumichika explained.

Ichigo reddened a little at that.

"You don't have to do anything," Yumichika said. "Just sit back and let me do all the work. Trust me. He's this close and I'm fairly sure that he'll break within one or two weeks this way."

"If he doesn't like me enough to come after me on his own then I don't see why I should make him," Ichigo replied.

"For one thing, that's totally not true, and for another, I'm sure it would happen anyways, why not just make it easier on all of us and get it down quicker so that everyone can get to being happy and lovey-dovey before a decade passes?"

"A…decade?" Ichigo gulped.

"Who knows? It could be."

Ichigo looked at the man in front of him.

"GO FOR IT!" Renji suggested, yelling from his office.

"YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE LISTENING TO MY PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS!" Ichigo yelled back.

"You know, if you just opened that door you could do a lot less yelling," Yumichika suggested.

"I'll do it," Ichigo said.

"Good."

"Hey, Shuuhei," Ichigo said, walking up to Shuuhei's desk.

Shuuhei looked up with a broad smile.

"You know, I missed you annoying me during the day and making me behind on my work," he said.

"Oh boo hoo," Ichigo said. "You can't take ten minutes off to let me catch up on gossip?"

Shuuhei laughed and they continued to chat. "Do you want to come over for dinner tonight?" Shuuhei asked.

"Um, actually I'm already busy," Ichigo said a little nervously. "For some reason Yumichika invited me out."

"Oh…" Shuuhei said. He wondered what was up with Yumichika. It's not like he and Ichigo weren't friendly, but they definitely weren't on terms that Yumichika should feel comfortable to run up and hug him like he did when Ichigo arrived.

"How about tomorrow?" Ichigo suggested.

"Yeah, that's fine."

It was a couple of days later and a Saturday, so the gang was predictably grouped up at a bar. Even Renji was there this time, since Byakuya was out on an away mission.

"Hey, Ikkaku, what's up with Yumichika and Ichigo?" Renji asked, trying to not be completely obvious. He had never been a very good liar, but luckily Shuuhei was a little too tightly wound to notice anything was up.

"Eh, Yumichika's running after him a little is all," Ikkaku said.

"What?" Shuuhei asked. "Why?"

Ikkaku shrugged. "It's not like anything is really going on between them or anything, but you know how determined Yumichika can be once he sets his mind to something."

"Don't you think that Ichigo is a little too innocent to be a part of Yumichika's games?" Kira asked. He wasn't in on what was happening and was definitely starting to get a little worried for Shuuhei.

"He's an adult, he can make his own decisions," Ikkaku replied.

"Sorry we're late," Ichigo said, walking up with Yumichika.

"No problem," Shuuhei answered, scooting over to give Ichigo a place to sit. He was annoyed when Yumichika plopped himself down next to Ichigo as opposed to over by Ikkaku, but didn't say anything.

The evening was pleasant enough. Ichigo had been worried about it, but nothing really happened aside from Yumichika sitting a lot closer to him than he would have normally been comfortable with. It was near the end of the night that Yumichika somehow managed to worm his way under one of Ichigo's arms. Ichigo just looked over at him. I guess this isn't too bad, Ichigo thought, it's kind of nice actually. He hadn't dated anyone before, so the experience was a little new to him.

Shuuhei looked up at exactly that instant and caught the slight softness in Ichigo's eyes. What the hell, Ichigo? He thought. Don't you know he's just playing with you?

"I'm kind of tired," Yumichika said. "Want to leave? I doubt you want to hang around and watch everyone get drunk," he mentioned to Ichigo. No matter how hard Renji had been trying, Ichigo still wasn't really a drinker.

"Sure," Ichigo agreed.

As they got up to leave, Shuuhei was remembering when Renji had been all over Ichigo that one night, and how angry he had been. He was feeling the same way now, but he didn't have a reason to follow them this time. That time, Ichigo had been grateful for a rescue, but he doubted that he'd get the same reaction if he tagged along tonight.

He waited for about thirty minutes, made his excuses, and left, not really feeling up to hanging out anymore.

"What the hell is going on?" Rangiku asked. "I know Ichigo can't possibly be interested in Yumichika."

"It's just a ploy," Ikkaku said.

"A ploy?" Kira said. He thought about it for awhile. "I wish Shuuhei didn't have such a hard head," he sighed.

"A party!" Rangiku squealed.

Everyone just looked at her.

"What? Everything happens at parties and I haven't thrown one for awhile," she explained.

"That might actually be a good idea," Ikkaku replied.

"Oh yeah, Friday?" Shuuhei said.

"Yeah, at Rangiku's. You coming?" Ichigo asked.

"Why not?"

"This is fantastic," Ichigo said, taking another bite of food. "I love my sister's cooking, but I had to admit, I really missed yours."

It's silly that that makes me so happy, Shuuhei thought. "Thanks."

"Oh, I got a whole bunch of new music too. Are you free tomorrow? There are a couple of new bands I think you'll really like."

"Yeah, I'm free," Shuuhei said. I missed you so much, he thought.

At the party, Ichigo walked up to Shuuhei. "Hey, how was your mission?" he asked.

"Nothing really happened, I'm happy to be back," Shuuhei said. "At least it was short so I could get back in time for a little fun."

Ichigo laughed. "You look like you need it. It was a pretty boring week with you gone. I missed you."

Shuuhei smiled. "Hey, Ichigo…"

"Yeah?"

"Um, about you and Yumichika…I mean…"

"Ichigo!" Yumichika said suddenly.

Both Shuuhei and Ichigo jumped a little. Yumichika said something unintelligible and then dragged Ichigo off. Shuuhei felt a little like punching him. He watched as Yumichika took Ichigo into the hallway and started boldly flirting with him.

"Um, Yumichika, I'm not really sure that…" Ichigo was saying, looking nervous.

Leave him alone Yumichika, can't you see he's not interested in you? Shuuhei was thinking.

"Just relax," Yumichika said. He put his hands onto Ichigo's chest. Ichigo blushed. Yumichika had to laugh at that. "You really are too adorable sometimes," he said, which only made Ichigo turn redder. Yumichika got closer to Ichigo, so close that Ichigo could feel his breath on his lips.

He…wants me to kiss him, Ichigo realized. I can't do that. Even as he was thinking that, he put his hands out onto Yumichika's hips. Well, what if I do kiss him? He wondered.

Ichigo, don't fall for his games, Shuuhei groaned. When he saw Yumichika give a sly smile, he just couldn't take it anymore.

"Ichigo," Shuuhei said, stepping in. "I need to talk to you…now." He figured it was less obvious than yelling "STOP TOUCHING ICHIGO!" at Yumichika, or even the more to the point "STOP TOUCHING MY ICHIGO!", which is what he was really thinking. "In private," he added, glaring at Yumichika.

Yumichika pretended to pout about it, but left.

"Ichigo…I…," Shuuhei started. For the first time he looked closely at Ichigo, who was still blushing both from Yumichika and from Shuuhei bursting in. His eyes were wide and his mouth slightly open. There wasn't really a thought process, Shuuhei just kissed him. Not a slow or romantic kiss, or an exploratory one like last time, but a completely passionate and almost panicky kiss, needy and hot. Ichigo moaned at it, and wrapped his arms around Shuuhei tightly, kissing back fiercely. Ichigo's response was too much for Shuuhei, he felt his adrenaline surge and his body come alive. He pressed Ichigo into the hallway wall, not breaking their kiss as his hands moved across Ichigo's back, reaching under his thighs and pulling him up. Ichigo leaned his head back and Shuuhei starting kissing at his jaw line and neck. Ichigo moaned again and clenched his fingers into Shuuhei's hair, holding him tightly even as Shuuhei was practically pulling Ichigo's legs around his hips.

"Shuuhei!" Ichigo panted loudly.

Shuuhei managed to stop himself and recall exactly where they were. "Let's go someplace," he said into Ichigo's ear.

"Please," Ichigo said huskily, his entire body shaking.

Shuuhei easily picked up Ichigo and quickly left the room.

Rangiku grabbed Ikkaku and kissed him passionately. As she pulled away Ikkaku was gasping for air. "What was that for?" he asked, their bodies still close.

"Ichigo and Shuuhei were incredibly hot," she said.

"Oh yeah?" Ikkaku said.

"Yeah, you could say it's gotten me in the mood," she whispered into his ear.

"Mmm," he replied.

"Off!" Yumichika said.

"What do you mean, 'off'?" Ikkaku said. "You had your fun with Ichigo."

"No, I had absolutely no fun with Ichigo," Yumichika clarified. "I didn't even get a kiss," he said with a sigh. "And I'm not going home alone," he finished, his arms across his chest.

"I…don't really mind," Rangiku said meaningfully.

"You…," Ikkaku got what she was talking about all of a sudden. "Oh my god, Yumichika you…"

"No," Yumichika said firmly.

"Give me a second," Ikkaku said to Rangiku. He took Yumichika by the arm and led him a little way off.

"It's not happening," Yumichika said. "You know I don't like women."

"You don't have to touch her. You guys could just both…," as Ikkaku thought the words "both touch me" his mind went a little into overdrive. "Oh come on," he begged.

Yumichika looked over at his long time lover and sighed. "I will do this if you promise me that you will do whatever I want for the rest of the weekend. I mean that too; anything."

"Anything," Ikkaku agreed quickly.

"Fine, let's go," Yumichika said. At least she's beautiful, he thought to himself.

Ikkaku walked out of the party with Yumichika under one arm and Rangiku under the other, gaining the absolute hatred of almost everyone else in the room. I'm so lucky, he thought to himself.

A/N: Hey guess what? Lemon next chapter! Yay for Shuuhei and Ichigo! Also, some more Byakuya and Renji (in that order too)