Rukia wasn't happy, to say the least. She'd finally managed to catch up with Renji and ask how Ichigo was doing with the eleventh. She herself had been busy with duties for Ukitake-taichou, and now she'd just returned with Uryuu who had sent word through Urahara that he wanted to come to Soul Society to do some research on his Quincy powers in the reashi rich environment. He also wanted to check in on Ichigo, since it had been a few days. Currently she was standing glaring at the red headed fuku-taichou of the sixth division as he stammered through a very poor explanation of what was happening with her very close friend at the moment.
"So you know, it just was…was the thing…with the hollow, and so there's this thing about how to help him with the control thing, and then it happened, and well it seems to work, but then there's…" Renji ran everything together because for one thing, he didn't want to be the one to tell her what was going on. He had hoped he could have gotten Ukitake-taichou or even Byakuya to do this. "So that's why you have to ask Yumichika, because he's staying there and it just is starting to work out and you don't want him to get in trouble…"
"Renji, tell me what you mean, and quit dancing around it," she said, putting both hands on her hips and staring at him with narrowed eyes.
Renji ran a hand over his head. "See, it's like this, they didn't really let you know how bad it was. Um, Urahara, Ichigo's dad, and the sou-taichou, they were pretty much waiting to see how long it would be before they had to…uh…well…kill him."
Rukia's brow arched. "What?"
Renji sighed. "It…well…they didn't think he could handle it and after the incident where he got hurt and the hollow took over…they just figured eventually he'd lose it and the hollow would take over and they'd have no choice but to kill him. I mean, he's strong and all, but after he consumed those souls in a shinigami form…and hogyuku…it just…didn't look good."
Uryuu glanced between them and sighed. "It makes sense, just seeing what he was like when the hollow was in complete control, that thing is nothing but destruction incarnate."
Rukia glared at Uryuu. "Shut up, Ishida."
Uryuu blinked and looked away. Apparently she was irate. He crossed his arms and waited for the inevitable explosion. He'd gotten used to Rukia being around of late, and had taken to missing her when she was gone. Considering Uryu's complete disdain for shinigami, he was confused by this fact.
"So what happened and why can't I see him? And stop trying to confuse me," she growled at him. That, of course, had been what initiated her anger. She had mentioned going to see Ichigo. Renji had told her that she had to talk to Yumichika. She didn't like that.
Renji shifted again. "Okay, well, first, Ichigo agreed to try this. He knew that he might lose control and it scared him because he didn't want anyone to get hurt because of him. And Yumichika and Ikkaku, they thought that something this…um…extreme might be necessary."
"Extreme," she said, arching both brows.
Renji swallowed. "Look I wasn't sure at first, either, when Ikkaku told us, but it makes sense, and the head captain approved this course because he didn't know what else to do, and Urahara and his dad know, and agreed that it might be their only chance to let him control the hollow…"
"What?" she said stiffly.
"Yumichika…well, I didn't know this, but Shuhei and Izuru knew about it, but see, Yumichika, he's um…he's a Dom, and Ikkaku is his um, sub, and they've been like that forever, and I didn't even know that they were doing that stuff, but they've done it since before they were shinigami, even, and Yumichika even longer…" he said, looking anywhere but Rukia's face.
"What does that have to do with Ichigo?" she asked.
Renji sighed. "Ichigo gave up control to Yumichika."
Rukia blinked rapidly for a minute. "What does that mean?"
"Ikkaku does a better job at this than I do," he said, trying to remember what Ikkaku had said to explain it so well. "Yumichika took Ichigo as a sub, like Ikkaku, but more because Yumichika is controlling everything about his life all the time so he can focus on controlling the power and the hollow. It's like a big sparring match, and you can't do everything all at once…" he started, but he couldn't remember how Ikkaku had explained it. Rukia interrupted him anyway.
"He's turned Ichigo into…what? A slave?" she asked, her violet eyes beginning to blaze in that way the Renji knew was bad.
"No! Not at all, he's turned him into his pet, not a slave, completely different," Renji said, shaking his head and waving his hands.
"How is that better?" she asked.
Renji wasn't sure how to answer that. "Look, I don't know all the details, but whatever they're doing seems to be working. He hasn't lost control, and Ikkaku says he's less anxious and much more relaxed and stopped having nightmares already. And they just started this two days ago. So there is progress…."
Rukia glared for a moment, then flashed away, leaving Renji and Uryuu watching after her. "I hope she doesn't give Yumichika too much trouble," Uryuu said, pushing his glasses up his nose.
"I wouldn't count on it," Renji said with a sigh and shook his head. "Anyway, I've got a meeting with the Kuchiki-taichou. I'll talk to you later, Ishida," he said and was gone himself.
Rukia didn't even bother flash stepping. She figured that if she walked, she would have a chance to cool down before she got there. How could Yumichika and Ikkaku do this to Ichigo? He had been through enough already, and he needed to take time to deal with things. How in the world could they ever think that Ichigo needed to be pulled into a perverted, sexual relationship just because they were…were…whatever they were. She had heard of this before, of course, but she couldn't imagine Ichigo giving control to anyone. He was so protective of others, she could not imagine him needing any protection or turning himself into a slave to someone else. A few moments later, she was beating on the doorway of Ikkaku and Yumichika's quarters in a way that left no one in any doubt she was angry.
"A moment," came Yumichika's voice from inside and she heard murmured voices and another door closed. Yumichika opened the door and smiled at her. "Kuchiki," he said. "What can I do for you, dear?"
"I came to see how Ichigo was and Renji informed me of the little…arrangement you convinced him to try," she said, eyes dangerously narrowed at the taller shinigami. The coldness that radiated off of her was quite apparent.
Yumichika sighed. "Ikkaku said that you would not take this well, but I would advise we go talk elsewhere, I don't want you upsetting Ichigo, he's in a delicate place…"
"I will see him, now," she said, glaring hard at Yumichika.
"Just a moment," he said, opening the door. "Sit down here on the couch, I'll have Ikkaku bring him to you, and you'll go to his room to talk."
"Why can't we talk here?" she said, crossing her arms.
"Because his room is his safe room where he can say whatever he wants and explain to you in his own words what is happening. Outside that room, we maintain our roles, if we don't, this won't work, and everything we're doing will be for nothing," he said, opening the bedroom door and going in, shutting it behind him.
Inside, Ichigo was sitting on his knees on the bed waiting for Yumichika's return, as he'd instructed. Ikkaku was sitting beside him. The rest of the day yesterday had been rather quiet. Yumichika was not going to push Ichigo beyond his limits. The small training session had been more than enough for him. He instead had given him some household tasks to complete as instructions. They were minor things, but they reinforced the idea that he was following Yumichika's instructions. Today, so far, they had gone over the day's lessons, and Yumichika was going to discuss his control and how he felt it was going with the hollow.
"Ikkaku, dress him in a yukata, and take him to his room to speak to Rukia."
Yumichika moved onto the bed and kneeled in front of Ichigo and lifted his head gently. "Pet, you may speak freely in there, remember? And if you get uncomfortable, I'll be in the kitchen preparing some tea, and Ikkaku will be with you. Don't be scared, she's your friend, she just doesn't understand what we're doing, okay, love?"
Ichigo nodded. "Yes, Yumi-sama. Um, Yumi-sama?" he asked, looking up at him, wide eyed again. Yumichika thought that look was going to be the death of him.
"Yes, pet?" he said softly.
"I don't want to take off my collar, or my cuffs, please, Yumi-sama, please don't make me take them off," he said, and Yumichika could feel the increase in his heart rate at the thought.
Since he'd left him bound the day before, he hadn't even wanted to remove the cuffs from his ankles or wrists, and Yumichika had decided that he should keep them on if they made him feel safe. The subtle pressure of the restraints seemed to be enough to make Ichigo more comfortable.
"Shh, no, sweet pet, you don't have to take them off for any reason," he said, and kissed him gently on the forehead.
He got up and left, heading into the kitchen, feeling Rukia's eyes on him the entire time. He hoped that this went well, but a part of him expected to have Ichigo come running back to the kitchen moments after speaking with her. This was the first time he'd interacted with another besides them, and Yumichika knew from experience, he was nowhere near ready for this step. After only a few days, the routines and the expectations were still new. His control was not secure yet, and in Ichigo's case, that was dangerous. Unlike other subs, Ichigo's submission was somewhat not his idea. He appeared to be doing well with it, but at the back of Yumichika's mind, he still felt that Ichigo had been forced into this. That, truthfully, was the only part of this that Yumichika did not like. He wanted his sweet little pet to give himself completely, by choice. When death is the other option, how could Ichigo ever choose something else? Still, here they were, with Ichigo not near ready to deal with someone outside the relationship.
Rukia was persistent, and he really didn't want to deal with her angry. Moments later, the door opened and Ikkaku came out, leading Ichigo quickly to the other room, Rukia watching every movement. She was up and after them in a second. Yumichika heard the door close and stopped what he was doing, closing his eyes and hoping that this didn't do any harm to him. He didn't think he could take seeing him upset again. Ever since he'd laid eyes on the Ryoka so long ago, he'd felt a distinct pull to the poor boy. Brought into this world by anything except his choice, he was just trying to survive.
The second the door closed, Ichigo's eyes lifted and he glared at Rukia, crossing his arms at her. His brow etched immediately into his familiar scowl.
"Rukia, what is it?" he asked, sighing.
Ikkaku smirked as he sat in the chair opposite the bed to watch. He half expected Ichigo to start yelling at her. After all, submissive didn't mean weak or quiet. He didn't think that Ichigo could ever stand back and be that sort of person.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
Ichigo sighed and rolled his eyes. "Trying not to get myself killed by half the Gotei 13. In case you didn't notice, I am having a bit of trouble with containing the hollow and the power he consumed."
"But…this?" she said, pointing to his wrists, still covered in the cuffs.
Ichigo's hands went to them and he frowned. "There's nothing wrong with this, Rukia. I know you don't get it, but it helps. I…I can focus. I don't have to fight to control every little thing around me while I'm keeping the stupid hollow in check. Rukia, I don't dream about it."
"About what?" she asked, frowning.
He sat down on the end of the bed with a flop. "The killing, every time I've slept since I woke up in the fourth, I've seen what the hollow did with my body. And it feels good, Rukia. And I want him to take control, so I can feel that again, Rukia, that's the problem. And there's this hunger, Rukia, I can't explain it. I feel that hollow drive, that need to consume those souls and it is eating me from the inside. I can't do it. I can't control everything. I needed help."
"Help is one thing, but this…this is…perverse," she said, straightening her back and crossing her arms. "To be forced into this stuff, did you even know what you were doing? Did you understand what kind of kinky, weird sex they were into?"
Ichigo rubbed his forehead. "Look, this isn't even about sex, Rukia. This is about control. Yumi helps me by giving me a structure and it feels good. I don't have to deal with the outside world. And okay, yes, sex is nice, and a good release, but that's the least of what this is about. Rukia, I feel like I'm alone up here," he said, pointing to his head. "There's no noise, there's no worry…" His eyes widened. "Shut up, Shiro," he mumbled. "I said, shut up, dammit," he muttered, standing up.
Ikkaku stood. "Ichigo, don't let him take over."
Ichigo blinked and stared at Rukia for a moment, and she stepped back, seeing one of his eyes bleeding into black and gold.
"Okay, Ichigo, come on, out," Ikkaku said, grabbing him by the wrist. Ichigo shook his head and started to giggle in the high pitched voice they really didn't want to hear. "Ichigo, Yumi can't come in here, remember, that's why he doesn't want you to leave him right now. You need Yumi, come on," he said, and Rukia's eyes widened as Ichigo's other eye started bleeding into black.
"Help me," Ikkaku said, and Rukia grabbed his other arm and they hauled him out into outer room.
"Yumi!" Ikkaku said, and Yumichika came around where they were holding him. Ichigo was trying to shake them off, but he also seemed to be fighting the internal battle.
"I was afraid of this. It is far too early," Yumichika said with a sigh. He moved forward and with one quick move snapped the cuffs onto each other and hooked a finger under the front of the collar, snapping his head upward to look him in the face.
"Ichigo!" he said, watching as the black was nearly overtaking his right eye. "Control him! I have control of you, you control him!"
The giggling faltered and stuttered in his throat. The black seemed to pause and begin to slowly recede. Yumichika yanked harder on the collar, nearly lifting him off his feet, getting a harsh gasp.
"Remember what happens if you lose control, pet," Yumichika said as stern as he possibly could.
"Y-yes..." he said softly, fighting to regain control. "Y-yumi-s-sama…"
"Good, good, keep going, pet, come on, you can do this, pet, I know you can," Yumichika said, relaxing his hold on the collar and lowering him down as his legs gave under him.
Yumichika kneeled with him as he bowed his head and breathed harshly with his hands clutched to his chest. "Control him," Yumichika said. "I have control of you, you have control of him," Yumichika repeated. "Look up, let me see," he said, hooking his other finger under his chin and lifting his face up. The black was nearly gone from his right eye and starting to edge out of the left. "Good, good, you are doing so well, just a little more, my pet," he said, reaching up with one hand to stroke his head, while the other held tightly to the collar at his throat.
He whimpered from the effort and it was obvious the hollow wasn't making it easy to push him back. Yumichika watched as the black fought the white in his eyes, and he felt him tremble against him.
Yumichika looked up toward Ikkaku. "Get a blanket, and bring me the shortest chain, he'll be more comfortable if I secure his wrists to the collar so he doesn't have to hold them up like that."
A moment later, Ikkaku returned, dropping a blanket around Ichigo's shoulders and handing him the small length of chain. He snapped it into the collar and released it, then snapped it into the wrist rings. He watched as Ichigo's shoulders relaxed and his hands quit clutching against his chest as he let them rest against the support of the collar.
"There, now, come on," Yumichika said, taking both hands and stroking his hair and tipping his head upward to see the last of the black receding. He smiled at him as Ichigo blinked up at him.
"W-was that…good…Yumi-sama?" he asked quietly, nearly whispering.
Yumichika smiled and pulled him forward into an embrace. "Very good, pet, very good, now you need to rest, that was very stressful. Do you want me to remove the chain?" he said, hooking a finger under the chain between the collar and the wrist cuffs.
Ichigo shook his head quickly and looked at him with wide eyes. "No, please, leave it, Yumi-sama…I'm not…sure he's gone…"
Yumichika helped him to his feet and took him back into their bedroom. A few minutes later, he reemerged and gestured to Ikkaku who stood and went into the room. Yumichika shut the door quietly and went back out and saw Rukia staring at him, though her face had changed somewhat. She looked on Yumichika with less anger, and with more understanding.
"You wouldn't believe that unless you saw it in person, it was why I let you see him. I was sure something would happen. I had hoped it wouldn't. He isn't ready to deal with his own emotions. Any loss of control leads to the hollow taking the opportunity to surface. He has two weeks to consider what this is, Rukia. At the end of two weeks, we sit down and decide if this continues. If it isn't working, we stop. I think it is, as you saw. He finds being bound a comfort, because it shackles his mind, not really his body. He could easily break that chain, but he doesn't because it is a symbol," Yumichika said with a sigh as he sunk into the sofa. "Everything, and I do mean everything, Rukia is for him. It is so much more than a power game for me, dear, it is…all for his mind."
Rukia found herself staring at Yumichika for a long time as thoughts ran rampant around her head. She didn't want to admit it, but he was right. Ichigo without the control Yumichika was exerting was quite literally out of control.
"I suppose I thought that it was the weak who were controlled by the strong," she said finally, looking up at him.
Yumichika smiled. "Not at all. Sometimes it is the strong that need to be controlled more than the weak, and it is sometimes the weakest among us that need to be in control. We live such long lives, Rukia, and we do so many things. Death gods indeed," he said with a smile. "We are not gods, nor are we angels, and we get tired, and we get bored, and we find ways to entertain ourselves. Some of these things are healthy releases, some are not. Sometimes, like Zaraki-taichou, we dye our world red with blood and thrive in the fight and the slaying of lives, no matter if they are hollow or shinigami. Sometimes, like Kyrouku-taichou, we dive into our work and alcohol that doesn't affect us like it should. Sometimes, like me, we find out giving up control is nice, and then we decide that instead of giving up control, we want to take control. I spent many years, Rukia, as a pet to my Master. He's gone now, and I took Ichigo in as I was once taken in."
Yumichika paused and looked thoughtful. "When I met Ikkaku, my master had already been killed by a hollow. I was alone, and I was looking for something. Ikkaku was also very much alone and he was so strong. I took him, and we decided that we would be together, behind our bedroom door, and I would dominate him in some ways, but not all, of course. So I have been…unfulfilled. Ikkaku fills my needs in some ways, but not in others. I need to care for someone completely, and you understand that?"
Rukia moved to sit beside him as she listened and then she sighed. "I think I do."
Yumichika glanced over and saw the expression of confusion on her delicate face. He recognized that face. "You feel weak, do you not?"
She looked up, her eyes wide. "I am weak, Yumichika."
"No, you perceive yourself as weak. I can show you how to be strong, dear. I will show you how to assert yourself in ways that will influence you in so many ways. If you desire it. I've seen the yearning and curiosity on Renji's face as well. Each time I see him since this began, he glances at me, and I read his eyes as he wonders what it is like to assert this control over another. Speak to him. I would be happy to introduce you to what it is that I do, if you desire it. I also know a certain Quincy that may be interested in a bit of…ah…loss of control. As well as a certain older brother you have. And I have it on good authority that your red headed friend has more than a desire to chase after his captain in the sense of Shinigami abilities…" Yumichika said, standing, and going quietly into the bedroom, leaving Rukia to think on his words.
After a long moment she stood and went to find Renji, to see if what Yumichika said was true. Did she yearn to make herself stronger? Would it help her? She was so weak compared to the others… Before long, she found herself at the sixth where her brother and Renji were in their office. She knocked lightly.
"Enter," came Byakuya's voice.
She entered and glanced at her brother thoughtfully for a long moment, then looked at Renji, who sat seemingly immersed in his paperwork. She caught the glances he cast at her brother now and then. There was more in those glances than simple devotion to his captain.
"Nii-sama, I am sorry to disturb you, but I was wondering if I could speak with Renji," she said finally.
"I take it you have been to visit Kurosaki," her brother said, not looking up from his work, his gloves pristine even with all the ink around him.
"I have, Nii-sama. Indeed, and I…think I need to talk to Renji about a few things," she said, glancing at her confused friend.
Byakuya glanced up at her and tilted his head to the side. "You do not seem as disturbed by the situation as I anticipated, Rukia," he said thoughtfully. "Considering your attachment to Kurosaki, I assumed you would disapprove of the course of action."
"I did, at first, until I saw first-hand what Yumichika is doing. And I have to admit, I…am fascinated. He asserts control over even the most violent of the hollow's instincts with a word, and he has only done this for a couple days. He isn't ready to see others yet, though, so I will not disturb him like that again," she said with a smile.
"You talked to him?" Renji asked.
She nodded. "I…I'm going back to talk more to Yumichika, he suggested you come with me, Renji," she said, eyeing the red-head.
Renji swallowed and glanced up to see Byakuya staring at him, and then looked up at Rukia. "What for? Ikkaku told us all about what was happening…"
"Not about Ichigo, about…what Yumichika is doing for him," she said, shifting. "I'm interested, and he seemed to believe I could use some help being more…assertive in my life, and perhaps it would help me."
Renji opened his mouth and closed it then saw that Byakuya was practically glaring daggers into his lieutenant. "Hah, yeah, you know, Rukia, you and I…we're not…we're friends and all, but I'm not into that whole…"
Rukia grinned. "No, gods, no, Renji, I'm not talking about you and me," she said, rolling her eyes. "That would be like…like…eh, you're my brother, Renji. Besides, I happen to know you're interested in someone else, anyway."
Renji's face colored slightly at her words and his eyes darted to where Byakuya was watching, no longer glaring at him but with great interest now. For a second, his eyes locked with his taichou and then he swallowed and looked back to her.
"Sure," he said, with a decidedly unmanly squeaking sound as he stood and followed her, completely forgetting to ask permission to leave. Byakuya watched them go, putting down his quill and tapping his lip thoughtfully with his gloved hand. What in the world did Rukia have in mind, anyway?
-oooooo-OOOOOO-oooooo-
Rukia knocked once more on the door to Ikkaku and Yumichika's quarters. Ikkaku opened the door this time, and she could see that Yumichika had changed, wearing a pure white yukata, his hair pulled back from his face. Yumichika was going through a duffel bag over to the side.
"Rukia, Renji, I did not expect you so soon," he said, smiling softly. "Come, I believe that you may enjoy yourself if you choose to stay. I have a certain loss of control from earlier to deal with when Ichigo wakes from his sleep," he said.
"What do you mean?" Rukia asked, entering before Renji.
"We have agreements, each time he loses control, he receives a punishment, granted, I think he likes the punishments so far…" he muttered the last, turning and going to the kitchen. "I know Ikkaku is a brat just so I'll flog him."
Rukia and Renji exchanged glances. "So you'll punish him even though he regained control?" she asked, frowning.
Yumichika nodded. "Of course, we're trying to get him to avoid losing control at all, aren't we?"
The door opened to the bedroom and Ikkaku emerged, stretching as he came out. He was dressed in a set of white hakama at the moment. He glanced over to Yumichika who sat in the larger chair sipping from a glass of water. "Yumi-kun, are you certain he'll be up to having others around?"
"Ikkaku, now, you know as long as he's under my control he'll be fine. Remove that control, and he'd have problems. But I believe that Rukia and Renji may be interested in what we're doing. Granted, I prefer to train the way I trained you, but it would take too much time, and to be honest, having some others around may help our plight to assist our dear substitute shinigami," he said with a sigh. "Did you go over today's lessons with him?"
"I did, this morning while you were at the practice field," he said with a nod.
"Let's hope he remembers his lessons, then," Yumichika said with a smirk.
"Lessons?" Rukia asked with a frown.
Yumichika nodded. "During the two week consideration period, each day I teach him three things. His first day, yesterday, was simple. Answer immediately when I say something to him, never question me without the proper format, a format I instructed him in, and never use his distress signal for anything other than true distress."
Renji tilted his head to the side. "What do you mean by questions in a proper format?" Renji asked curiously.
"Vocal training," Yumichika said with a sigh. "It is a way to encourage a system of responses based on stimulus. It becomes almost automatic that when certain things are said, they are returned in a rather exacting format. It is a trial, currently. Some people do well with vocal training, and others do not benefit from it. Just like most the things we do right now, it is to understand Ichigo's needs."
"Are there that many different things to learn?" Rukia asked, frowning.
"That, and more, my dear," he said with a smile.
Ikkaku leaned over and kissed Yumichika on the cheek. "I notice you're in white, Yumi-kun."
"Yes, love, I am, it will be a long night I believe, if it is your desire to have my, ah, attentions, sweetheart," he said with a smirk.
"I thought you'd forgotten me with your little Pet keeping you so busy," Ikkaku said, smirking in return.
"Oh, is my painslut in need?" Yumichika said softly.
"Oh, yes, Yumi-sama," he said, turning and walking into their room, and shutting the door softly.
"Yes, my two dears, you shall see two versions of what you may encounter."
Yumichika stood and went to the door, beckoning the pair of them to follow him into the bedroom. "Now, I must ask you remain quiet and watch only," he said as he entered.
Rukia and Renji exchanged a glance and followed him into the next room. Inside both stopped and stared at the scene set before them. Ichigo was still sleeping, hands bound together to his collar with the short chain, and his collar hooked to the ring at the head of the bed. He was still wearing the cream yukata he'd worn when he spoke to Rukia earlier. Ikkaku however was wearing a fundoshi and nothing else, kneeling at the foot of the bed facing them as the door opened. Across his lap lay a riding crop with a white wrapped hilt.
Yumichika motioned over to the side where there was a two seat sofa. Renji and Rukia went to it silently and sat. Yumichika stopped before Ikkaku.
"You've chosen the white crop, love, tell me, why?" he said, holding out his hand.
Ikkaku moved without looking up and held the handle to Yumichika. "I crave the marks you leave, Yumi-sama."
Yumichika took the leather pad of the crop and walked around Ikkaku trailing the smooth leather against his jawline. "And shall I whip you before or after I punish my Pet?" he asked.
"Before, Yumi-sama, I wish your pet to watch," he said, attempting to hide a smirk.
Yumichika narrowed his eyes and laid a swat on Ikkaku's jaw sharply. "Now, now, you know better than that, love."
"Yes, sumimasen, Yumi-sama."
Yumichika nodded and placed the crop back across Ikkaku's legs and moved to the head of the bed where he leaned down and cupped Ichigo's face and kissed his forehead gently. "Pet?" he said softly, stroking his jaw as he spoke. Ichigo hummed and his eyes fluttered open to see Yumichika looking down into his face.
"Yumi-sama?" he said questioningly.
"Yes, pet, please, what are your lessons today?" he said softly.
Ichigo blinked and faltered a second. Yumichika waited patiently. He had just woken him from sleep. To expect an immediate response would have been too much at this stage. Ichigo nodded, biting his lip.
"Do not say 'I'm sorry', say sumimasen when the protocol is broken, Yumi-sama," he said. "Protocols may be changed in the safe room, Yumi-sama, and…" Ichigo paused, obviously having a bit of difficulty with the last thing he'd learned that morning. Yumichika wasn't surprised, in fact, he was honestly impressed he could collect two of the three so easily. "And if my control is breaking, seek out Yumi-sama to help."
Yumichika smiled and kissed him gently on the forehead again. "Good, good, my sweet pet. Now, Ikkaku has a desire to have you watch me flog him before your punishment."
Ichigo blinked. "Yumi-sama, punishment?" he said softly, brows threading together in concern.
"Hush, now, love, you didn't seem to mind too much the last time. You know the consequences of losing control…" Yumichika said with a gentle smile.
"B-but I didn't…it was…and…" Ichigo started to stammer, eyes wide.
Yumichika arched both sculpted brows at him and Ichigo's eyes went wide. "Sumimasen, Yumi-sama, please, I didn't mean…"
"Shh, come now. Here, sit up, and watch as I fill Ikkaku's needs," Yumichika said, pulling him upward to sit on his knees.
Despite his efforts to keep his eyes trained on the bed, he noticed another presence, of course it was hard not to notice the other reiatsu in the room. Ichigo's eyes widened and he stared directly at Rukia and Renji who were both watching the scene intently. Ichigo's mouth opened and closed, and he was truly unsure of what to do.
"Focus on Ikkaku," Yumichika said into his ear and turned his head toward the end of the bed where Ikkaku was still kneeling in anticipation. "They are here by my permission, pet, that means you will accept their presence. Do you understand?"
Ichigo nodded and exhaled. "Yes, Yumi-sama," he said and looked down the end of the bed to the top of Ikkaku's bald head. He swallowed nervously. He hadn't expected Rukia to actually come back, let alone watch…
Yumichika moved around and reached for the crop. Ikkaku handed it upward and Yumichika took it. He swished it through the air a few times, moving around and snapping it against the bed.
"Up, over the bed, Lover," he said. Ikkaku stood and turned, kneeling and leaning over the end of the bed with his hands linked over his head. His eyes locked on Ichigo's and he winked at him as he leaned down.
Yumichika stroked the tanned flesh of his back a few times. "It is unfortunate we heal so well, rarely to scars remain behind. It simply means I should mark you more often, love."
"Yes, Yumi-sama," Ikkaku said, and Rukia and Renji saw the smirk he tried to hide against the bedsheets.
"You're smiling, aren't you, love? You do want a stiff punishment, don't you?"
"Yes, Yumi-sama," he said, biting down on his lip.
"Very well, love," he said.
The first strike with the crop caused Ikkaku to release a pent up groan and Ichigo flinched at the power behind it. An immediate welt rose on his shoulder blade. Yumichika was strong, and the hits were completely random, and Ichigo could feel a feeling of anticipation building in his stomach, thinking of what Yumichika had planned to punish him this time. Ichigo watched Yumichika's face intently. Yumichika's face was focused and he seemed to be absorbed in what he was doing. His eyes never looked away from what he was doing. After a solid twenty strikes, Ikkaku's skin split in a spot and Yumichika stopped, putting the crop down on the bed. Ikkaku was panting heavily by that point. Ichigo noticed that he didn't tell Yumichika to stop. Yumichika reached under the bed to reach a cloth. He gently dabbed away the blood. Ikkaku moaned under the pressure.
"Here, shh," Yumichika said as he applied a bandage gently over the wound and blew gently on the heated flesh of his back. "Now, there, love. Do you wish rest, or do you wish to participate with pet's punishment?"
"Yumi-sama, I wish to play with your pet," he said, cutting his eyes up at him. Yumichika shook his head and kissed his back between his shoulder blades.
Ichigo for his part was hiding more than a bit of arousal at watching Ikkaku be flogged. Ichigo, though, flinched a bit when Yumichika came toward him. Even though he had trusted him, he still was not sure that he wanted such an extreme punishment. After all, he had gotten control back. Surly his punishment wouldn't be that severe…
"Oh, no pet, shh, don't worry, that is not for you, my dear," he said, motioning to the crop where he had left it on the bed. "I will not use that on you, sweet pet, you are far too delicate for such a thing."
Ichigo watched Yumichika as he unhooked his collar from the bed and then released Ichigo's wrists from the collar. Yumichika brushed a hand over his head gently and tipped his face upward. "You did so well today that I will not punish you too harshly, my dear sweet. Just enough to remind you that you cannot get to the point that you need to fight to regain control. The whole point is not to lose control at all, yes, my dear?"
Ichigo swallowed hard and nodded. "Yes, Yumi-sama, sumimasen."
Yumichika moved and sat at the end of the bed and motioned Ichigo to come to him. Ichigo swallowed and stood beside him, still unsure of this whole process. Yumichika patted his lap. "Over, pet," he said.
Ichigo hesitated again, still taking too long to move on his own. Again, he felt the world tip as Ikkaku, who he hadn't realized was behind him, tipped him forward onto Yumichika's waiting lap. He tensed immediately but didn't fight to get up this time, at least not very much.
"Do I need to chain you again, pet?"
"No, Yumi-sama," he said tensely.
"Relax, pet," Yumichika said, and Ichigo felt him lift the hem of the Yukata over his rear. He whimpered a bit when he felt Yumichika's hands on him rubbing gently. He heard Yumichika snap twice and then Ikkaku moved away and returned, and he sensed he was kneeling beside him. He glanced to the side and saw that Ikkaku was indeed in front of Yumichika. Then he felt something slick and wet sliding against him and he jerked.
"Easy," Yumichika said softly. "Like yesterday, that was nice, was it not?"
"Yes, Yumi-sama," Ichigo breathed. That had indeed been pleasant…torturously pleasant.
Once again, he felt the plug pressing against him and then sliding inside. He closed his eyes and let out a long drawn out moan as Yumichika's expert hands rotated the plug against that sweet spot inside. Yumichika moved and then Ichigo felt the smoothness of the leather covered paddle sliding against him. Yumichika was wonderfully random, and before Ichigo could even think, four heavy swats had landed and set him to gasping and wriggling against the lap he was laying against. He bit his lip, because that same sensation somewhere between pleasure and pain was rushing through him. For a moment he debated earning more. After six more swats landed, he was hiccupping back whimpers and his lip was nearly bleeding from holding back. But at the same time, he was aroused so much that the pain from being paddled was nothing compared to the pain from holding back an impending orgasm. Honestly, he was whimpering more from need than pain by that point.
Yumichika smoothed his hands over his oversensitive flesh and Ichigo flinched, burying his head into the bed beside Yumichika's thigh. He was going to explode.
"Goodness, Pet, I don't think I've ever seen someone so aroused by a little bit of paddling in my life," he said, stroking him gently, then gripping the base to stave off his oncoming orgasm. Ichigo gripped both hands into the sheets and whined loudly at that.
"Oh, my what a needy little pet," Yumichika said, rubbing one hand over his back under the yukata while he held his cock firmly with the other. "Are you a needy little pet?" Yumichika asked.
"Yes, Yumi-sama," he said, tightly, whimpering at the end. "Please, Yumi-sama…"
"Please, what, Pet?" Yumichika asked, motioning Ikkaku to get up.
"Yumi-sama, I need…I need…" he said, panting heavily now.
Then Yumichika slid a ring down over him to replace his hand and Ichigo really did whine loudly. At the same time, he enjoyed the sensation of being held in check like this. It made the whole thing mean so much more it seemed. He panted, and he was really glad that Yumichika used these rings, as annoying as he thought they were initially. They kept him from going over the edge too soon, and he could learn to control that too.
"Hush, now, you are going to be rewarded, love, you've been such a good pet today, and did wonderfully during your punishment. So I am going to let you pleasure me while Ikkaku has the honor of taking you for me to watch," he said smiling. "You will be allowed to come, do not fret," he said, seeing the pained expression. "If you do a good job, you will be rewarded so well."
Yumichika moved and sat against the head of the bed and opened his yukata, letting it pool on either side of him. Ichigo wasn't sure what to do. Ikkaku came up behind him and whispered into his ear. "When Yumi-sama uses the word pleasure, he wants you to take him into your mouth," he said, stroking a hand down Ichigo's chest and untying the sash on the yukata, removing it slowly from him as Ichigo moved forward slowly.
"Yumi-sama…I've…never…"
"I know, pet, I know. Remember what I did yesterday? Try to do that," he said with a gentle smile. "Carefully, and not too much."
Ichigo still wasn't sure exactly what he was supposed to do. Then he felt Ikkaku behind him pressing down on his shoulders, so he went with it, letting Ikkaku position him, using his forearms for support beside Yumichika's hips and bringing his mouth down to the dripping head of Yumichika's arousal. He stared for a moment and then swallowed, remembering what it was that Yumichika had done to him. Then, however, Ikkaku took that moment to begin to play with the plug that Yumichika had inserted, and Ichigo's world blanked for a minute as he moaned, his head dropping onto Yumichika's thigh. If it hadn't been for the cock ring he would have come right then.
Ichigo felt his head being guided and he blinked realizing that Ikkaku was helping him along. He vaguely heard Yumichika chiding Ikkaku for hitting Ichigo's prostate before he even got started. Then his mind cleared and he slowly licked at the head before him, and found to his surprise, it was salty and different but not necessarily bad. He laved his tongue around it and then tried to swallow like Yumichika had done and came up coughing violently.
"Oh, no, you can't just go straight to it like that, pet," Yumichika said, reaching out to stroke his hair again. "Easy, don't take it like that, put your hand here," he instructed, moving his hand to the base and then guiding him back onto it. This time he didn't choke.
Ichigo was proud of himself based on the sounds Yumichika was producing then he groaned as he felt Ikkaku lift his hips upward and slide the plug out slowly. The vibrations from Ichigo's moan were pleasing to Yumichika, though, so he didn't hold back when he felt Ikkaku move up behind him and press into him in one swift motion. Ichigo nearly collapsed, and if it hadn't been for Ikkaku shifting his arm underneath Ichigo's body to hold him up, he would have. Ikkaku was thicker than Yumichika, though, and it felt different but as he brushed against his prostate repeatedly he was nearly weeping from the pain of being unable to release.
Yumichika could tell Ichigo wasn't going to be able to finish this so he picked his head up and stroked him gently and smiled at him as Ichigo nearly melted into Yumichika's hold. Definitely too much sensation for him at the moment, Yumichika decided. He reached down and released the ring from him and Ichigo gripped him tighter, holding himself back.
"P-please…Yumi-sama..." he gasped into his shoulder as Ikkaku continued to set him whimpering with his powerful thrusts. Yumichika was honestly impressed at his ability to hold himself back without the ring.
"Come, pet," Yumichika whispered in his ear and Ichigo practically screamed as he went over the edge, followed shortly by Ikkaku.
Ichigo's head was again filled with nothing but whiteness and the soft blurring around his senses. He sighed and gripped tightly to someone, he wasn't sure if it was Ikkaku or Yumichika, but he felt the gentle hands that could only belong to Yumichika. He wasmoving, but the world was still blanketed in white as he breathed against someone, and a blanket was wrapped around him.
Yumichika stroked his back as he settled against the headboard with him. Ikkaku had grabbed his yukata and taken Renji and Rukia out to the living room until Yumichika was done riding out the subdrop with Ichigo. His own experience for tonight was more for Ichigo than himself, of course. He had wanted to let Yumichika gauge Ichigo's reactions to what Ikkaku enjoyed. Ikkaku came back and slid down beside Ichigo and let himself come down. It wasn't the same for him, as he rarely dropped like this. Yumichika petted Ichigo's head gently and spoke quietly to him as he snuggled tighter into him. Yumichika waited as Ichigo's heart rate began to slow to somewhat closer to normal. Yumichika smiled and kissed the top of his orange head gently.
He glanced over at Ikkaku and smiled. "Well, Ikkaku-sama, I'd say you had your first experience with topspace," he muttered.
"What do you mean?" Ikkaku said, frowning at him.
"I saw your face when you were in control of Ichigo, don't hide that from me. Now you see, don't you?" Yumichika said.
Ikkaku wasn't sure how to respond to that, but he had to admit it felt different. It was a heady feeling, something similar to what happened when he released and let Yumichika have full control. He fell into that subspace where everything Yumichika did was out of his control and he instilled every bit of trust into him. This, though, this was different. Even though he was doing what Yumichika asked of him, it was different, as though he was leading Ichigo somewhat.