Chapter 2 is up! Thanks for the review~

~Angel

Kiyone followed the men to a gazebo while clinging onto Ichigo's sleeve, obeying his order although she should be the one ordering him around; too dangerous around drunk men, he had told her quietly when no one else was listening.

"You are authorized to punish them when everything becomes normal tomorrow, Aruji-sama," said Ichigo quietly when they sat down beside each other in the gazebo.

"It is unusual to see you acting gentle towards me, Ichigo-san," Kiyone replied and poured herself a cup of tea, like Uguisumaru who sat across from her.

"Ichigo?" asked Tsurumaru, who offered him a cup of sake. Ichigo hesitated for a few seconds but took it anyway.

"Now that I thought about it, I've actually never seen him take even one sip of alcohol before," Jiroutachi grinned cheekily and chugged his portion quickly. Kiyone stared at the oodachi and wondered just how much he could drink.

"Ah~ the sweet aroma of rice wine," Jiroutachi sighed gleefully and chugged yet another cup of sake. Nihongou too, as if in a competition, decided to simply drink from the bottle.

Kiyone glanced at her watch then reverted her attention to the semi-drunk men. It was almost eight o'clock -there was still a while to go before the fireworks would burst and colour the sky.

"Aruji~ since Hasebe isn't here to stop us, will you have a sip just for fun?" Tsurumaru taunted and offered her a cup. Kiyone was about to grab it when Ichigo took it from her.

"Wow, what's that? Are you perhaps... thirsty for more?" Tsurumaru teased. Ichigo glared at him angrily. As far as Kiyone was concerned, it seemed like Ichigo was nowhere near drunk yet.

"Just because Hasebe isn't here doesn't change the fact that aruji is a teenage girl," said Ichigo boldly. Jirou and Kanesada, drunk, cheered for no reason, although Ichigo deciphered those "ooh's" and "ah's" as "you're protecting the girl you love". With that in mind, he suddenly slammed his fist on the table and shouted:

"Don't drag this kid into this type of gatherings! She is far too naïve to observe this drinking game..."

Whatever else Ichigo had to add to his rant, Kiyone was too shocked. She might have heard what he said, but it went in one ear and out the other. Apart from Ichigo, all the other swords found watching a shocked Kiyone was more than just amusing. It was funny to learn that Kiyone trusted Ichigo so much that she couldn't believe that he actually became drunk.

"Didn't know that he could be a beast?" Tsurumaru whispered in Kiyone's ear. He was, although quite witty, sharp enough to know his limits with alcohol.

"No, I didn't know," replied the girl. Tsurumaru laughed quietly and refilled her cup. Nervous, Kiyone drank the tea.

"Tarou~ won't you accompany me the next time I go and visit the area's most beautiful girls next time?" Jirou suddenly spoke loudly.

"No." Tarou replied and snatched the sake away from his brother.

"Tarou~ let's have some fun! Loosen up a bit and come with us," urged Jirou again.

The drunk boys were starting to blabber about things that made no sense to the innocent Kiyone. Tsuru only observed the situation and laughed at Kiyone's uneasiness. However, he also saw that the girl had her eyes fixed on the boy sitting beside him. Did she really just figure out that Ichigo isn't just the older brother responsible for a bunch of other kids? Tsurumaru thought. Just how innocent is she?

"Aruji, have you ever been kissed before?" Tsurumaru asked. All the boys stopped talking and stared at their mistress.

"What?" Kiyone replied, face redder than that of the drunk boys'.

"Like, have you ever kissed someone on the lips before?" Tsurumaru cleared his throat and clarified his question.

Then as expected, Kiyone blushed even harder. But what was not expected was that an ill-mannered beast leaned over and stole a quick kiss. This night sure escalated quickly, and so rapidly that not even Tsurumaru could follow.

"There, I answered it for all of you. All of you." Ichigo slurred his words and wiped his slightly wet lips with those rare ungloved hands. Then as if nothing happened, he picked up the small cup and chugged the remaining liquid.

The boys stared at him intently and silently and initially, Kiyone was too shocked to react. But then the red hue on her cheeks faded and she turned around. All was heard was the harsh sound of a beating and the chirping of the cicadas. Ichigo's golden eyes widened and Kiyone stared at him in pain.

"Idiot! That was my first kiss!" Kiyone cried and disappeared into the crowd of the festival.

"I feel like... you should go after her...?" Nihongou, with a worried tone, advised the blue-haired tachi. Ichigo, his hand rubbing the slap's area of impact, remained silent.

"Are you aware of what you just did? Ichi, she's afraid of you. She thinks you hate her. And you go and do that." Tsurumaru sighed and shook his head.

"It's okay. This will intimidate her even more." Ichigo spat coldly and refilled his cup.

"I feel like you... drank too much." Nihongou said.

"Do you actually know how much you can drink?" Even Taroutachi became concerned.

"Leave me alone!" Ichigo growled and licked his cup clean. Then all of a sudden he stood up and walked -rather steadily- out of the gazebo. The rest of the party stared at him until he also disappeared in the crowd.

Then, unsure of what type of situation this was, all the boys stopped drinking.

"I feel like we should go and wait for the fireworks now," said Uguisumaru, breaking the silence.

"Mhm," the boys agreed quietly.

"...damn, I will never invite Ichigo to another drinking party ever again," whistled Kogi.

"Mhm." This agreement was much louder and clearer.

"I bet he likes her." Kogi sighed.

"He's just unpredictable." Tsurumaru replied.

"No, no. He just need time. Actually, they both need time. Like, one more century or so." Kogi petted Tsuru's shoulder.

"More like ten centuries..." Tsuru sighed loudly and stared at the sky. He was, not jealous, but very worried.

一期一振 x 聖音

Ichigo, who was finally free from the curse of alcohol, was contemplating on what he should do. He bought a soda and sat down by a pond. His heart was racing too quickly from both his actions and worrying if he would be dismantled. But aruji-sama isn't that cruel, is she? The most she would do is probably schedule me for internal affairs non-stop, right? But what was I doing? Am I the kid now? Am I not the one who can scare her?

Ichigo, who finally gave up on thinking, curled his legs up and rested his head between his knees. His arms, slightly shaking, hugged his legs tightly.

He, trying to calm down, listened to the children's laughter and the adults warning their children to follow them so they don't get lost. Ichigo couldn't help it but wonder, this night would be much better if I just stayed with my brothers, right?

The tantous had all gone home. Kousetsu and Souza had taken Sayo back to Amatsumaru, and Hotarumaru had taken both Aizen and Imanotsurugi back as well. The swords who were still at the festival were only the adults and the older teens. Even aruji-sama must have wandered off with her human friends, no doubt, Ichigo thought.

"Hey," Ichigo felt a slight tap on his shoulder. Gathering all the strength he had left, he raised his head up, only to lose all the energy again. He snuggled back to his original position and hid his face once more. However, he did feel relatively sober compared to when he was still sitting in the gazebo... Did hours pass already? he thought curiously.

"What are you doing, I'm the victim here." Ichigo raised his head once more to see his mistress whose arms were crossed and whose face exhibited pure disappointment.

"Never mind that; just don't get drunk anymore. Here, medicine," Kiyone held a small bottle in her hand. Ichigo, after a moment of hesitation, grabbed it gently from her grasp and opened it. He drank the whole bottle in one go and coughed violently.

"Is this the first time you've gotten so drunk?" Kiyone sat down beside him and rubbed his back. Ichigo, as strong as he might seem on the surface, was actually on the verge of tears. Deep down, he was just a kind-hearted individual.

Sighing, Kiyone said, "I forgive you, all right? Don't worry, I won't dismantle you. Just promise me you'll try to be happy during your stay at Amatsumaru and let's enjoy the fireworks tonight."

The two sat in silence; Kiyone was still too shocked to speak and Ichigo, on the other hand, was too embarrassed to apologize. He knew that Kiyone was probably waiting for one, but this didn't seem like it was the right time. He opened his eyes and looked at his mistress, perhaps she isn't that bad after all.

"Do you think you can join everyone by the river for the fireworks? Trust me, you don't want to miss that," said the saniwa. Trust her? Just this once, Ichigo, just this once.

"Okay," he replied and stood up.

"Ah, not right now," she grabbed his wrist and refrained him from walking away, "it'll start in thirty minutes."

"I see," Ichigo said, sitting down, then to Kiyone's surprise, he turned around again, face definitely red. Then he muttered something quietly.

"Sorry, what did you say?" asked the saniwa. Ichigo slowly turned his head around, knelt down, and said:

"S-s-s-suman. Aruji-sama, I am deeply apologetic for my unforgivable actions."

Kiyone initially stared at her sword boy in silence until she finally resolved to pinching his cheeks. Then she laughed for a few seconds, her hands travelling from his cheeks to his cold hands, then opened her mouth:

"It's okay, you're forgiven."

Ichigo stared into his new mistress's eyes in disbelief; if he had done the same to his previous masters, they would've either dismantled him instantly or given him to another master out of pure infuriation. Her gentleness had penetrated the layers of ice surrounding his heart.

Kiyone noticed that his eyes had become unusually shiny.

"Are you okay?" she asked, releasing his hands.

"Suman, Aruji-sama. I didn't mean to make you worry," Ichigo turned around so Kiyone wouldn't see him wiping the tears. Meanwhile, the dense girl was still attempting to find out why he had turned away again even though she just forgave him.

"I-if you're okay, let's grab something to eat. I-I'm hungry." Kiyone stammered and stood up. Ichigo, who had returned to his usual self, stood up as soon as she did. I don't want to burden her, he thought, I should be stronger than her; it's my duty to serve her.

"Of course, Aruji-sama," he replied and followed her into the crowd. The progress Kiyone made earlier wasn't enough; the ice had once again enclosed his heart.

Nevertheless, he trailed behind his mistress obediently and tried to appear as if he was having as much fun as his little brothers did. And Kiyone, an insensitive girl, failed to realize that her warm actions had triggered Ichigo into thinking about his dark past. But after all, it would be better if she didn't know I was in pain, right? he selflessly thought.

"Close your eyes," she suddenly instructed. Ichigo obeyed but tears once again brimmed his golden eyes because all he could see on the inside of his eyelids was the image of a fire.

But then, for the first time, the fire that haunted his dreams was put out. What he thought of now was a joyous summer festival's night. Kiyone was the key to locking his past, and the force to shove logic into his brain. But he had yet to realize how important she might be to him.

"Isn't it good? You can open your eyes now!" Ichigo, mouth full of something round and delicious, opened his watery eyes only to find him staring directly at his mistress's pretty face. He blushed and thought, she may not be a capable saniwa, but I can't deny the fact that she's cute.

"Whad'z diz?" Ichigo asked, his voice making Kiyone laugh; he always spoke articulately.

"Takoyaki," she grinned and answered. Then she used a different toothpick and ate one herself.

"It'z good," he replied and finished chewing, covering his open mouth with his hand while he spoke. I must not be ill-mannered, Kiyone thought as she carefully observed the elegant man's actions.

After their empty stomachs had been filled, Kiyone led Ichigo to some of her favourite places. She asked him to win a blue stuffed cat at a game booth, then asked him to help her select a bracelet. Ichigo, although slightly annoyed, worn-out, and tired, still managed to follow the energetic girl with a smile on his face. I should enjoy festivals... but why am I upset?

"Last stop: fireworks." Kiyone announced and stopped walking when they finally reached the crowd.

"Are fireworks the most anticipated event during a summer festival?" asked Ichigo curiously.

"Of course! They burst open and paint the sky; it's beautiful," she answered.

The couple spoke no more after that. While Kiyone stared at the sky, waiting for the fireworks to start, Ichigo looked around, observing the crowd. He smiled and waved at every child who walked past him, helped anyone who tripped, and tapped on an adult's shoulder if they dropped something on the ground. His behaviour troubled him: I can be nice -no, I am nice- to everyone, but why is aruji the sole exception?

When Ichigo returned from his deep thoughts to the present, the fireworks already began. He stared at the colours in the sky but strangely found himself spending the majority of the time not looking at the sky but looking at the girl beside him. He, unaware of it, found Kiyone's reactions to the fireworks much more entertaining, and much more beautiful.

Hope you enjoyed it, and please review, thanks~~!