A/N: Righty ho then, sorry for the long wait. Updated LOAHSB first coz it had been waiting longer :P
And I've been mighty distracted by Final Fantasy XIII recently so I haven't been writing much at home.
But it's here now so…enjoyyyyy! :D
Ichigo walked away from the 10th squad barracks feeling utterly dejected.
'Dammit dammit dammit! Why didn't I just tell him anyway?'
Feeling like an idiot, he walked in the direction of the Kuchiki mansion, his feet carrying him rather than him particularly wanting to go there.
He walked through the front gates, Kuchiki servants bowing to him as he passed, and made his way into the large building and towards his adopted room. Or at least he would have, had a very familiar giggle caught his attention. He turned just in time to catch Yachiru before she jumped into his face.
"Hi Ichi!" She shouted as Ichigo held her at arms length.
"Hey Yachiru…what are you doing in here?"
She giggled, "I'm trying to get Bya-kun to chase meee!"
Ichigo laughed, putting the little girl down, "Good luck with that."
She grinned, closing her eyes with her face up, before taking off and disappearing around another corner. Damned, that little girl was fast. He stared after her, amazed that Byakuya had put up with all the attention she gave him, if it had been him, he'd have gone crazy by now.
As he continued to his room, he went to turn down yet another corridor, colliding with a man. He caught his balance back and looked up, when he realised who it was, he smirked.
"Hey Bya-kun. Trying to avoid Yachiru?" He saw the man's jaw clench.
"Kurosaki, call me that again and I'll tie you up and hand you over to the 11th Squad."
Ichigo's smirk dropped off his face. "Touché."
Byakuya smiled and motioned for Ichigo to follow him.
"Rukia has asked, seeing as how you go back to the world of the living soon, that we have dinner together."
Ichigo blanched, why would Rukia suggest he dine with her brother just because he's going home? "Oh, okay…can I ask who will be there?"
"You, I, Rukia and Renji."
"Okay, sure, sounds good." He couldn't refuse whether he liked it or not, it just wasn't polite to do so after Byakuya had been so generous as to let him stay here.
Byakuya nodded. "Dinner starts at 8, do not be late Ichigo."
Ichigo nodded, surprised to hear Byakuya call him by his first name, then bade his goodbyes, before changing route and taking one of the numerous ways that led to his bedroom.
He fell onto his bed, rubbing his eyes then throwing them outwards. He lay sprawled on the bed, mulling over the stupidity of the day. So first, he woke up a captains bed not remembering how he got there, then he remembers thanks to his stupid hollow…
'Hey!'
'Shut up.'
…Then has a fight with a psycho and destroys a good portion of a wall then misses his moment to confess his feelings.
'Reeeetarrrrd.' His hollow chided.
"Just shut up!"
"Who are you talking too?"
Ichigo jumped at the sound of another voice. "Oh, just err, talking to old man Zangetsu."
'Pssh.'
Rukia walked in and sat of the bed next to him.
"So I saw Rangiku earlier…she told me about what happened at her Captains room…"
Ichigo blushed, "You didn't tell her-"
"Of course I didn't, baka…So you, didn't tell him did you." It wasn't a question, it was a statement.
Ichigo sighed heavily. "No…her and Momo ruined it, just as I was about to tell him."
"Hmm, I guess that was your last chance to tell him."
"What?"
Rukia looked down at him. "Well, I suppose if you don't do it before you go back to the world of the living, then there's no point, is there?"
Ichigo didn't answer, surely she wasn't saying that he couldn't tell him in the future? Why couldn't he?
"Anyway, did my brother ask you about dinner?"
"Yeah, he did. He looked at his little clock beside his bed. "It's only 6 o'clock, I think I'll get some sleep before hand."
"Okay, I get the message." She laughed, getting to her feet and walking to the door. "Remember, don't be late. Punctuality makes you look good."
"Huh?"
But she didn't answer. She only walked out and left him alone in his slowly darkening room.
He looked out of his window and up at the sky. Rukia hadn't let him sit in the courtyard long enough to watch the sunset and he couldn't see it from this side of the building, but she could see the sky slowly changing into different shades of blue, to pink to orange and then eventually, black. Well, midnight black, dotted with bright, shining stars. He hadn't slept like he told Rukia he would, nor had he wanted to in the first place. He just couldn't be bothered to speak to anyone.
**
Time passed by as Ichigo just lay staring contentedly out of his window. So much so that when he turned to check the time and saw it was five to eight, he just stopped and stared for a few seconds.
"Bollocks!" He flew from the bed and tore from the room. Fleeing down the corridors, he tried to take the quickest route, taking a couple of wrong turns until he came to the door. He stopped leaning against the wall for a couple of seconds to catch his breathe before he stood in front of the door and slid it open, bowing. Although he never normally showed much respect to a lot of people, he was still dining with nobility and they had fed him and gave him a bed for the last week.
"Good evening, Ichigo." He heard Byakuya.
"Cutting it fine aren't you?" Renji asked. He heard Rukia's little chuckle at the comment.
He straightened up, offering apologise. "Sorry, I was busy and err-"
He stopped short when he saw who was at the table. There was Rukia, Renji, Byakuya and…Toushiro?
"Errrr…?" Rukia chided, trying to suppress a smile of triumph.
"I errrr, lost track of time." When Ichigo sat on the spare cushion, he knew his face was bright red. He dared not look ahead of him in case his gaze caught the turquoise ones of the man opposite him.
"What were you busy doing?" Toushiro asked.
"Well, just, erm-" He was saved by coming up with something other than 'thinking of you' when the servers entered the room, carrying pates of food that were set in the middle of the table, along with a pitcher of saki.
Byakuya thanked his servants and they left, leaving five people sitting at the table in silence. It was the Head Kuchiki who broke it. "Please, help yourselves, there is plenty," he smiled, reaching over for a plate and taking a helping of whatever was on it.
Ichigo chose his selection, but ate without tasting it (although it probably was very nice.) He shot a sly look at Rukia who he could see was smirking, he scowled.. 'Damn bitch, she set me up!'
'God king, why dontcha just go with it? She's only giving ya every opportunity to do what you want to do.'
'Since when did you stick up for anybody but yourself?' Ichigo shot back, a little sheepish.
'I don't. I just want ya to get it over with. I'm sick of hearing ya think about it all the time. And I'm soaked in here, make the damned rain stop!'
Ichigo mentally shook his head, ridding himself of his counterpart's voice. He chanced a glance up, but instantly wished he hadn't. Toushiro was staring right at him and, when their gazes met, the younger looking-but much older man-smiled at him, although, Ichigo didn't notice the light tinge of pink that coloured the boys cheekbones.
Toushiro couldn't help but blush over being caught staring at the orange headed boy opposite him. 'Shit. Just smile and act like you don't care that he caught you.'
'Master?' He heard his Zanpaktou's voice.
'Yes Hyorinmaru?'
'Forgive me but, why don't you tell him.'
Toushiro frowned, unnoticed by the group.
'What do you mean?'
'Well…it seems you are waiting for him to show and tell his feelings towards you but…have you not considered showing yours for him instead?'
'I have, but I don't think I can. I've never done it before…'
'Well, maybe it's time that you tried it.'
Toushiro didn't respond. He knew his Hyorinmaru had a point but, it was just easier, and much less embarrassing, for him to wait to see if Ichigo did reciprocate his feelings, or whether it was just a drunken mistake. It had only been a day after all.
As the meal pushed on, everyone began rounds of idle chatter, a lot of it descriptions of things that happened the night before. One particularly funny story was that of one of the numerous times Kira managed to fall over, this one involving a table that, for some reason or another, Kira was absolutely sure he could just walk through…But the chatter didn't make Ichigo any less aware of Toushiro's presence, no matter how much he wanted it too.
**
When dinner was over, Byakuya moved to his 'sitting room' area for tea, followed by his adopted sister, his lieutenant and his fellow captain. Ichigo excused himself, making his way to the nearest bathroom before heading to the reception room. Taking one of the sheltered pathways that lined the building, Ichigo meandered past the courtyard, not exactly in a hurry to return to the awkwardness. As he looked out over the moonlit courtyard, he noticed that it was just as beautiful at night as it was during the day. He looked around and saw that the area was completely deserted, just the way he liked it. He stopped walking when he came to the nearest steps and sat down, looking up at bright full moon. It was big tonight and casted long shadows from the trees and bridges that were dotted all over. He decided to stay a while, after all, he didn't need to get back to tea right away did he…?
**
"Where's Ichigo? Surely it doesn't take that long to use the bathroom?" Rukia asked, looking at the other three.
"Maybe he's fallen in?" Renji offered, earning three rather weird looks. "Or he could be lost." He added sheepishly.
Byakuya nodded, "Yes, he does get confused around the mansion sometimes. I've come across him many a time during the night searching for the nearest restroom."
"I'll go look for him," Toushiro said, standing up from the small sofa he had occupied.
"There is no need, I could send one of the servants." Byakuya replied.
"No, I don't mind. I need to stretch my legs anyway."
"Let him brother, it might be nice." Rukia said, get a confused look from Renji. What the hell is nice about a captain looking for you…?
"Very well," Byakuya looked just as confused as Renji.
Toushiro nodded, not really listening to the exchange, and left the room. Although he had a basic knowledge of the Kuchiki residence, he had no idea where Ichigo might be. He didn't even know which room he was staying in. One thing was on his side. He could feel Ichigo's spiritual pressure, meaning he could follow that and find him. Thank god. He could have been here for hours looking for him otherwise.
He left the building and came onto the house-lining sheltered walkways, but stopped short after only a couple of steps. Not far ahead of him, he could see Ichigo sitting on one of the steps propped up by his arms with his legs stretched out. He was looking straight up at what he could only assume was the moon with a small smile playing on his features. Smiling himself, Toushiro approached the other almost silently, only making his presence known when he was almost at arms reach.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
Ichigo jumped, swearing loudly as he spun around.
"J-Jesus Toushiro, ya scared the crap out of me. Don't sneak up on people like that."
"Well, if you were any good at sensing spiritual pressure, you would have known I was there." He laughed, sitting on the step next to Ichigo, much closer than he really needed too.
Ichigo noticed Toushiro's proximity, his heart reacting accordingly. "W-What are you doing out here?"
"I came to look for you, you've been gone quite a while and everyone was wondering where you'd gotten too. Renji offered some suggestions but…it's Renji so…"
Ichigo chuckled, knowing full well that, although Renji was an excellent fighter, he wasn't always the brightest bulb in the box.
The silence that followed was almost deafening. Ichigo wanted to speak but he could do it. He knew if he did, he'd say the wrong thing and completely mess it up, if only he could think of the right words…
Toushiro sat there, thinking over what Hyorinmaru had said. Maybe he should tell Ichigo how he felt and just found out his feelings that way…he looked over at the young boy and opened his mouth to speak, but stopped. What if he really didn't feel that way about him, and it had just been a drunken accident? Would the strawberry completely reject him? Never speak to him again? He'd rather have him in his life as a friend than not at all. The white haired boy sighed, getting to his feet. If he stayed, he knew he might say something he could later come to regret.
"I'm going back for tea, I'll tell them you're getting some fresh air and that you'll be back soon." He got up and turned his back on the boy, heading the way he had come.
Ichigo watched his retreating back with thoughts shooting through his mind faster than he could comprehend them.
'Should I?', 'No', 'His hair looks so soft', 'I should get it over with'.
'JUST FUCKING DO IT KING!'
"I LIKE YOU!" Ichigo blurted out, freezing straight after he said it.
'Well done, really smooth.'
'Shut. Up.'
Toushiro turned slowly to face him. Had he really heard him right?
"What did you say?" He asked quietly.
Ichigo got to his feet with his head down, orange hair falling over his eyes.
"I said that I like you. I really, really like you." He took a deep breathe, "I told you this morning that I'd forgot what happened last night, and I really had, but then I remembered and well…I kissed you." Toushiro's heart skipped a beat, he really had remembered. "And I'm sorry if you didn't want that. I just need you too know that. I like you as…" Ichigo gulped, "As more than a friend."
Toushiro stood frozen to the spot. Ichigo really did like him, he was so happy that he was speechless.
"Err-Ichigo…I…errr…"
Ichigo's head seemed to drop, if possible, lower. "It's okay, I understand you don't feel the same way. I'm going to my room, just please, do me a favour and tell everyone I wasn't feeling to well and went to bed or something."
Ichigo's words made Toushiro's heart hurt but not as much as when Ichigo turned his back on him and began to walk away. Finding his voice again, he called after him.
"Ichigo, wait!"
Said Ichigo turned at the sound of his voice and rushed footsteps, just in time to catch the white haired boy as he threw his arms around his neck and prevented them from tumbling backwards. Toushiro's face was inches from his and he could see that his turquoise eyes were swimming with happiness.
"Toushiro…?" He asked nervously.
"I like you too."
Ichigo's eyes widened in shock at his words, and even more when the others lips met his own. It took him a few seconds, but he relaxed and pulled the boy closer.
As cheesy as it sounds, he really did enjoy his first kiss in the moonlight.
'Thank god.' His hollowed sighed, the rain-that had intensified a minute before- was gone. Ichigo laughed in response, nothing was gonna ruin this.
Misa, Shiro, Rukia: FINALLY!
Ichigo: Leave me alone! Please??!!
Toushiro: What?
MisaxMisa: We've been waiting aaaaages for him to tell you.
Toushiro: …Oh, okay then.
Rukia: Read&&Review!!