Chapter 7: Dressed to Kill
(Sorry for the wait, but this one's coming back to set things on fire. Next chapter will be extremely hot! Thanks to Grimmichisgrl (Aww, thanks so much! I am flattered.), NGBW (Glad you enjoyed it!), Purple Light Snow (All that plus what happens after school is sure to please!), CrimsonNight41 (Aha! Good question! I have a few ideas about that, so we'll see. I could go with a concealing gigai, but I've been thinking of using his developing body as a part of the school story. We'll see!), Nyu (You will see Bya with more of Ichigo's friends very soon. There will be something going on at school that will bring some enjoyable danger to the story!), Cerucci (Aww, thanks! More cuteness will be along soon!), NamineLily (I'm still working out the particulars, but I will have an answer to that soon! In the meantime, Bya will just have to fend off the hormonal teens as he braves high school!), Blood87 (Thanks so much! You're too sweet!), Kyuumihaira (Oh, I'm sure Ichigo will get on his bad side again, here and there. Bya's hormone induced mood swings should be cute and dangerous!), Siwon611 (I'm really glad that cheered you up! I love to read to brighten up a lousy day too. Hope things are better for you now! If not, I'll have another 'dose of cure' up for you soon!), LeAwesomeOne IX (You are going to have Aizen/Bya coming out your ears! I am really feasting on that lately. It's a surprisingly enjoyable chemistry they have. Pity they didn't interact much in the manga!), BassoonGirl114 (Thanks a million!), Guest (I will keep it going!), Kuchiki (You've got it! That next chapter's coming soon too!), BlackButlerQueen666 (Yup, the plot thickens and more interesting stuff will happen at school!), and Mrs. Passionate (Oh, Bya will have Ichigo wrapped around his finger! This will be soooo much fun!). Whew! I think I'm all caught up, but if I missed you, Spunky loves ya! Enjoy the chapter!)
"You get your class list?" Ichigo asked, admiring the way the school uniform gently hugged and revealed the attractive curves of the young noble's muscular shoulders, fine hips and tight, shapely bottom, "Do you want me to walk you to your first class?"
"That is fine, as it appears we are both in the same history course."
"Cool," Ichigo replied, slipping an arm around Byakuya.
"What are you doing?" the noble asked, eyeing him curiously for a moment.
"Establishing territory," the orange-haired youth said, exchanging glances with another boy whose eye spent a little too long admiring the youth at Ichigo's side, "In case you aren't aware, that uniform is attracting a lot of attention. And being that you are trying to keep a low profile, the less attention you draw to yourself the better, ne?"
"Well, that is true," Byakuya agreed, "although I don't think it's the uniform, but what is beneath it that has their attention. But I have to say that I don't understand the problem. Everyone is dressed the same here, are they not?"
"Yeah, but...not everyone, um, well..."
"Hey Ichigo, nice catch!" a young man called out, prompting the others with him to gather around the orange-haired youth and his comely boyfriend.
"So, who is this?" asked one of the boys, "I haven't seen him around here before."
"I am Bya K...erm...Urahara," Byakuya offered, "I am new to Karakura Town. Ichigo was just helping me find my first class. If you gentleman will excuse us, we are attempting to get to class on time."
"Hey, hey wait a sec," the scraggly-haired youth said, placing a hand on Byakuya's shoulder to stop him.
He yelped in surprise as Byakuya took hold of the offending hand and used it as leverage to drop the young man onto the ground at his feet.
"I'll thank you to keep your hands to yourself," Byakuya said shortly, "Please excuse us."
Ichigo grinned despite himself.
"Well, you heard the guy. Scram!" he chuckled, "unless you wanna be next."
He smiled as the youths scattered off in the directions of their respective classes, leaving Byakuya and Ichigo alone again.
"My apologies," Byakuya said quietly, "I just did not appreciate that young man's attitude."
"That's fine," Ichigo answered off-handedly, "You had to show them you mean business. I get it. just don't do that in front of a teacher or they'll feel they have to give you detention."
"Is that supposed to be a deterrent?" the noble inquired as the two continued down the hallway, "Because, I would rather face a number of detentions rather than be touched by the young ruffian again."
"Heh-heh, I think he got the picture," Ichigo assured him, "but look, there's something you need to do if you are going to fit in with the kids here."
"What is that?" the noble asked, catching a glimpse of himself in a classroom window and studying it for a moment, "Did I dress incorrectly?"
"No, not at all," Ichigo laughed, "It's the way you talk! Kami, you look like a kid, but you're still talking like you just came out of your manor and we're all beneath you. Try to...I don't know, try to talk more like me?"
"Talk like you?" Byakuya repeated, frowning, "You mean by using abbreviations and truncating things?"
"Yeah, exactly. See, proper speech is fine if you're addressing your Kuchiki elders, but you do that here and everyone's going to think there's something wrong with you."
"Hmmm, very well..."
"Huh?"
"Oh, I mean...all right, Ichigo," the noble corrected himself, "Shouldn't we...get to class, then?"
"Yeah, come on," Ichigo said, looping an arm around his shoulders again, "It's this way."
"Do you have to act like I'm your property?" the noble complained, nudging him aside, "I don't need you to protect me, This is a school, not a battleground."
"Oh, that's what you think," Ichigo joked, "If I don't do something to make people understand you're with me, then they'll be all over you, just like that jerk was."
"Why is that? No one is jumping all over you."
"W-well, I've been here a while. People know me. You're new, so they're going to be curious. And being that you want to keep a low profile, you don't want to be asked too many questions, ne?"
"I suppose you're right," Byakuya sighed, accepting Ichigo's arm around him again and proceeding along the hallway.
They reached their classroom and stepped inside to find that the class had already started. The teacher started to glare at Ichigo, but her stern face softened and her green eyes widened as they took in Byakuya's lovely form.
"Well, I was about to ask why you were late again, Mr. Kurosaki. But, I see you were just showing our new student to class. And you are?"
"Bya Urahara," Byakuya said, extending a hand and showing her his admission slip, "I am living with my uncle now and will be attending this school from now on."
"Ah, welcome, Bya. You may sit over there, between Ichigo and Shou."
"Arigatou, erm..."
"Ms. Saito," Ichigo supplied.
"Ms. Saito," Byakuya said politely, moving to take his seat.
Shou grinned widely and motioned emphatically towards the seat he was to take.
"Bya, darling!" he whispered enthusiastically, "this is great! Now, we can make all of our plans for the performance."
"Knock it off!" Ichigo hissed softly, "We have to actually pay attention right now, okay?"
"Killjoy!" Shou whispered back, "Bya could probably teach this class for her."
"What? How do you know...I mean, how do you figure that?"
"Well, he...the way he talks, he sounds really smart."
"Mr. Kurosaki, please pay attention," the teacher said, frowning.
"Sorry, Ms. Saito," Ichigo said, bowing his head and scowling at Shou.
"I was thinking that we should go and find something for you to wear for the exhibition."
"Exhibition?" Byakuya queried, "Shou, I haven't even..."
"It's cool, it's cool!" the young man assured him, brushing several purple hairs out of his eyes, "We will get your costume today and practice the song we're going to play after, okay?"
"W-well, I h-have to...erm, I have homework!"
"But this is your first class!" Shou laughed, earning a glare from the teacher.
"I know, but I am sure to have..."
"Never mind that. I will meet you at the end of the day and we will take care of everything. There will still be plenty of time for you to drown in your homework after."
"Mr. Yukihana, one more time and I will see you after class!" said the teacher.
"Sorry, Ms. Saito," the youth apologized.
The three youths leaned over their books, turning their attention to the lesson. At the end of the class, they started out of the room, but paused as the teacher called after them.
"Bya?"
"Ah, yes, Ms. Saito," Byakuya answered, turning and walking back to her desk, "Is there a problem, ma'am?"
"Oh, not at all," the teacher answered, "I only meant to offer you extra tutoring if you feel you need it to catch up to where we are in the text."
"That won't be necessary," Byakuya assured her, "I am familiar with most local history, and that should get me through this class all right."
"Is that so?" the teacher queried, her eyes looking into Byakuya's dark, pretty gray ones.
At the door, Ichigo and Shou's eyes widened and they exchanged knowing glances.
"Why don't you let me quiz you on the material from class...erm...just to be sure."
"Hmmm, all right," Byakuya agreed, sitting down in a chair next to her.
"Okay, first question. How was Karakura Town founded and to whose memory is the bridge over the river dedicated?"
"Karakura Town was founded upon the arrival of Tobu Karakura and his love interest, Shira Ishiki from one of the greater provinces. They left because he was of a lower family and could not get their permission to marry her. So, they came here and were married on the bank of the river, where they also conceived their son," Byakuya explained, trying not to notice that the teacher was blushing as he told the story, "Her family came after them, swearing vengeance and demanding both of their lives. But the residents of the area gathered around the two and the family was expelled from the town. Shira birthed a male and a female child and all was well until hired assassins invaded in the dead of night, taking Tobu from his bed and hanging him from the old bridge that ran across the river. Shira and the babies escaped them, but Shira was devastated and was never the same after. The town grieved and vowed to protect Shira with their lives from having to return home. With their assistance, she remained in the town and her children became the town's governers, as well as eventually slaying the leader of their mother's clan in vengeance for their father. The bridge was memorialized after the lovers, who remain alive in local lore, often said to be seen walking on the bridge and holding hands."
"A perfect recitation," Ms. Saito said approvingly, "Very well, then. You may go, Bya. I am here after class every day if you need a review or want to discuss the lesson."
"Arigatou, Ms. Saito," Byakuya said respectfully.
"Oh, my dear Bya!" Shou exclaimed as they left the room, "Ms. Saito looked ready to eat you alive! I think Ichi is going to have his work cut out for him preventing girls and boys from trying to get a piece of you."
"Eh, shut up," Ichigo sighed crossly, "Don't you have an art class to get to?"
"Yes. What's your next class, Bya?" Shou asked.
Byakuya looked down at his schedule, then back at Ichigo.
"Art," he said, frowning.
"Well, then, let's go!" Shou said, taking a bemused Byakuya by the arm, "Ichi's got a math class, so I'll beat off anyone who tries to bother you."
"Y-you will...?"
"I'll see you at lunch," Ichigo said in parting, stifling a laugh as the Kuchiki clan leader was hurried away.
XXXXXXXXXX
"So, how did you like your first day of school?" Ichigo asked, stealing a kiss as Byakuya emerged from the science building.
"I actually rather enjoyed the lessons," Byakuya mused, "I knew much of the material, but there is something to be said for learning amongst one's peers."
"Except that those kids aren't exactly your peers, are they?"
"No," Byakuya agreed, "But, I suppose being educated among my peers would have been like this, except for everyone knowing I was going to be a clan leader and, what do you say...kissing up to me for it."
"You sound like you think you missed out," Ichigo observed.
"Maybe," the noble said, glancing back at the building, "but it is like I have a second chance at being a young person, and I don't have the weight of the kenseiken holding me apart form everyone."
"You make it sound kinda lonely," Ichigo said, pausing and pushing him back against a blossoming plum tree to gently assault his mouth until Byakuya's lips smiled.
"I'm not lonely now."
"I know it's not forever, but I'm enjoying this too," Ichigo chuckled, pulling him close and kissing him again.
"Ahem," Shou said, making the lovers part and gaze back at him questioningly, "Weren't we supposed to go to the mall and find you some clothes?"
"Well..."
"It's fine," Ichigo said amicably, "Didn't your uncle say that you should shop for a few things? You didn't bring that much with you, ne?"
"I suppose you are right," Byakuya agreed, "All right, lead on."
The two fell in with Shou, smirking at each other at the other boy's proud bearing and almost seductive gait. They walked to the central shopping area and meandered through the mall together, studying the clothes and trying to imagine them on Byakuya's slim body.
"I think I'm gonna get a drink, okay?" Ichigo said, ducking into a soda shop, "You guys want anything?"
"No thanks," Shou answered, nudging Byakuya into one of the shops.
"I am fine," the noble assured him, just before disappearing.
Shou led Byakuya through the punk styled shop, where the more flamboyant youth took several items off the racks and shoved them into Byakuya's surprised hands.
"Go in there to change," Shou directed him, "I'll guard the door. Locks don't always work, you know."
Byakuya stepped into the small changing room and carefully removed his school uniform. He gazed curiously at the black leather pants, form fitting shirt and leather vest.
"I am supposed to wear this?" he mused, shaking his head and resolving to just try the outfit on for Shou's benefit.
He has been kind. I should return the favor.
But when he stood, dressed that way and looking more human and more like a sex object than he ever remembered, he wondered if he dared step out the door.
"You all right?" Shou teased gently from outside the door, "I can get some looser pants if those are too unforgiving."
"N-no," Byakuya answered, blushing at his reflection, "I just..."
"You ready?"
"I..."
The door flew open and Shou's voice made the blush on Byakuya's face deepen. He stood in the dressing room doorway, watching in surprise as Ichigo's jaw dropped and the drink he carried tumbled from his nerveless hand and hit the floor.
"Sh-shit!" he breathed, "Oh my kami...!"
Byakuya swallowed hard.
"I will take it off."
"No!" Ichigo objected, "I mean...erm...it's fine. I just...I wasn't used to seeing you in those clothes...I mean, in clothes like that!"
A wide smile broke out on Shou's face and he clapped his hands together.
"Well then, we are done here."
"B-but we only just started looking," Byakuya objected.
"Bya, darling," Shou said, watching as Ichigo hastily cleaned up his spilled drink, "if you can have an effect like that on Ichi wearing these, I think going any farther might become dangerous! Let's call it a day and go practice that song for the exhibition."
"Okay, but what is this exhibition?" Byakuya asked, trying to ignore Ichigo as the other youth's arm slid around him and gently caressed his hip, stopping just short of touching something likely to get him slapped.
"Oh, it's something they do at lunch each day this week. Ours is in a couple of days. Don't worry, we don't have to be fully outfitted. We just go up on the stage in the quad and perform a song during the lunch period to kind of show off our talent and give a taste of the competition."
"I cannot be ready to perform in front of people in a couple of days!" Byakuya gasped, "Shou...!"
"Come on, now," Shou said reprovingly, "If I can turn that little wretch Otto into a singer, imagine what I can do with someone like you, who already has the looks and the talent!"
"But you haven't heard me sing!" Byakuya said, frowning.
"Well, I will now."
He moved closer, whispering into Byakuya's blushing ear.
"And you'll be learning to shake that ass of yours properly too," he added, "If he dropped his drink just seeing you in those clothes, I think he'll spill it in his pants when he sees you shake that pretty booty of yours!"
"Really..." Byakuya managed, sneaking a rather wicked glance at Ichigo.
"Oh, no way!" complained the shinigami substitute, "What are you two planning?"
Byakuya shrugged.
"I suppose I do need some practice, after all. I would hate to give a less than enjoyable performance."
"Heh," Shou laughed in his ear, "I think you and Ichi are going to be performing all night long after this!"