Chapter 7! I originally thought this will be a 10 chapter-ish fic but i think it'll be much longer than that since i'm not even half way through the storyline -siiiigh-

It seemed Yumichika wasn't ready to talk about Bonzo or anything else right now. Ikkaku simply watched as Yumichika got the ofuro ready for them to have a nice relaxing bath.

They were flushed and sweaty from their fight earlier that Yumichika insisted they take a quick shower and sink their bodies into the hot bath.

"ya really know how to spoil yer self dontcha" Ikkaku said as he stripped off his yukata, then stepped into the tub and waited for Yumichika who was getting his oils and salts as well as Ikkaku's sake.

Ikkaku sat completely bare under the steaming water, it burned so good. Ikkaku relaxed his body, noticing how small the ofuro was, it could barely fit in two people- or maybe he was just a big guy, he wasn't sure.

Tree leafs were falling into the tub. Bringing Ikkaku's attention to the ancient tree spirit only a few feet away.

Ikkaku and Hekma rarely- if not ever spoke. The spirit preferred to avoid any confrontation with him it seemed. Well, no harm in trying now given the circumstance.

"ya hate humans too huh?" Ikkaku said more than asked the spirit. She looked magnificent. Ikkaku was sure he'd be compelled to look away if she looked at him with her deep hollow eyes long enough.

"That's an idiotic thing for a clever man like you to say." Hekma answered.

Ah. As brutal as ever.

Ikkaku tch'ed before saying, "the part where i'm assumin' ya hate humans or not knowin' why ya hate em?"

Hekma hummed. "We don't hate humans. I have deep regards for Yumichika and he's a human." Then after a short pause she added, "What we fear is human nature."

Ikkaku should've known she was going to say something cheesy like that. "Well there aint nothin' we can do about it." Ikkaku said nonchalantly, rubbing the inside of his ear with his index finger. It was known that the discrimination between spirits and humans in the east was bad, but he didn't know it was this bad. The humans and spirits here were living in the exact same place but they were still separated because of this mountain. or was it something else..

Ikkaku sighed and slid deeper into the hot water, relishing in its heat. The soft breeze hit him just right so he won't suffocate from the steam. He couldn't help but wonder why Yumichika was so different.

"You've tainted him you know." Ikkaku was pulled out of his thoughts by Hekma's statement.

'what?'

Ikkaku sat up at that, "tainted who now?"

She said it pretty plainly. But Ikkaku couldn't help but note the accusatory undertone in her voice. and.. the tint sadness attached to it?

"You know who-"

"Yeah but it's about time ya say what's on yer mind cuz I've just about had it with y'all assumin' i'm up to no good"

The silence between them stretched then. Hekma was looking at Ikkaku now, her seemingly empty eyes baring on him like a million unblinking eyes. But she was just quietly looking, almost as if she were disappointed.

"I wish you were." Hekma said. "For Yumichika's sake I wish you were."

It was clear that she was dreading something. But Ikkaku didn't understand what the issue was, he was going to leave this god damn mountain without even knowing it's secret and for as long as he knew he didn't kill anybody during his stay. But Hekma was still talking as if the damage was already done. And Yumichika was going to be relieved of him anyway so there Ikkaku was, stuck and clueless yet again.

But what Hekma said next gave him the slightest of clues,

"Then he might not miss your presence as much"

At that, the bald man stood up. She was just making him angry now, "ya better start talkin' straight lady," So she just wanted to isolate Yumichika from humans was that it? It wasn't any of his business. Why was she bringing him into this? Yeah he might've been angry because he felt like they were abusing the younger man but Yumichika made his own choices.

When Hekma said nothing Ikkaku said, "and ya say we're the ones who're evil."

"I leave you for 10 minutes and you pick a fight with Hekma? You're helpless Ikkaku."

Ikkaku almost forgot Yumichika was supposed to join him. He was startled a little. He turned in the direction of the man addressing him. Yumichika had his hair up in a bun, a few strands escaping, not long enough to join the others. He was carrying a small basket containing the wooden plate for the sake and other bath necessities. Ikkaku could really use that alcohol right now.

"And will you sit down already? I don't want Pabu and the others seeing you like this." Yumichika said as he placed the floating plate on the hot water, delivering the sake to Ikkaku.

"In my naked glory?" Ikkaku said as he sat back down. Immediately reaching for the sake.. He decided to put his conversation with Hekma to rest; he was leaving anyway, so it really didn't matter either way. He took the sake bottle and took a swig from the bottle feeling the fiery liquid burn down his throat and heat up his chest. Leaving the cup abandoned. He had no idea why Yumichika bothered; he always drank straight from the bottle.

"Yes, it's vulgar." Yumichika said. He was now stripping off his yukata and folding it neatly. Despite what he'd just said, he couldn't take his eyes off Ikkaku's body and who could blame him? When the bald man had a body like that; tall and tanned, more on the muscular side, how every scar on his body complimented him perfectly and only added to his appeal, how his skin looked smooth but felt rough, how the damp hair on his arms and chest clung to his skin. The epitome of masculinity Yumichika thought— beautiful.

Yumichika was oiling himself, rubbing every inch of exposed skin. He then dumped the bath salt in and climbed into the water. Unlike Ikkaku, Yumichika kept his underwear on for the sake of modesty.

They talked for a while, Ikkaku was getting more and more laid-back the more he drank, he was a heavy drinker but the sake was still taking affect, cracking silly jokes, telling stories of his travels and even flaunting his luck. They were now laughing about how many time he just barely survived death. "I swear death don't want nothin' to do with me, it's like I'm too much to handle or somethin'"

"I'd say" Yumichika giggled. It was ridiculous how many people confined themselves to the safety of their homes in a useless attempt to avoid death but then there Ikkaku was, chasing death like it's nobody's business and is still well and alive.

"Got lucky with you too didn't I?" Ikkaku smirked at Yumichika. Making the younger man roll his eyes at Ikkaku proving his point. The bald man took one more sip of his sake, seemed like it was about time they brought up Ikkaku's parting. Now that Yumichika's relaxed, the larger man thought he could thank him properly before he left. He still had a lot of travelling to do to find Futsunushi.

"I'm leavin' as soon the sun rises so dontcha worry yer pretty little head about that anymore." Ikkaku announced.

All traces of smile and laughter left the smaller man and were replaced by complete silence. He hesitantly nodded once at Ikkaku then looked down at his hands, the skin of his delicate fingers wrinkled from spending too much time in the water. His heart was beating faster suddenly and he was feeling uneasy, 'I'm so scared.' Yumichika felt like a baby and he was utterly ashamed of his thoughts. He knew what he was scared of but he didn't want to admit it even to himself because then it will stick in his head forever. He's going to be alone again, bored to death again. And there was nothing he could do about it unless he tied Ikkaku up and kept him as his prisoner. But he wouldn't do that to Ikkaku, especially when he knew what that felt like. But what was he going to do now? His chest hurt and there was this annoying tightening in his throat.. He couldn't think anymore.

Yumichika looked up at the larger man, spotting the sake bottle in his hand. "Ikkaku can I have that?" Yumichika scooted closer to the bald man, god he really needed a drink.

"Huh?" Ikkaku questioned. He had his arm leaning on the edge of the ofuro, holding the sake bottle in question. Ikkaku looked from Yumichika to the alcohol and then back to Yumichika and grinned. "ya aint worried about bein' ugly anymore?"

"Shut up" Yumichika snatched the bottle from Ikkaku's grip and took one large sip, regretting it immediately. The burning sensation and the bitterness was too much for the poor man. Of course, Yumichika couldn't care less; he needed this. But midway through his second gulp Ikkaku took the bottle back and placed on the floating plate.

"I think it's time we got outta the water yeah?" With that Ikkaku stood up and waited for the smaller man to get up in turn. If Yumichika was celebrating his departure it didn't show. Ikkaku didn't want to jump into conclusions but it didn't look like Yumichika was the least bit glad about him leaving, quite the contrary— Yumichika was dreading it. If Hekma was really keeping Yumichika prisoner then Yumichika ought to know; he was a very smart guy from what Ikkaku could gather. He knew how to take care of himself.

—

It was too late for dinner, and all Yumichika wanted to do was sleep. He was so tired physically and emotionally. He wanted to talk with Ikkaku too but he couldn't even do that— the spirits were pestering him about dinner and were noisily chattering about how scary Bonzo is. And he was, there was no denying that but he wasn't bad or evil in the least bit; he was just committed to his duty, and Yumichika found he couldn't really blame him for doing his job in keeping the secrecy and peace in the mountain. He was reckless and unreliable in allowing a human up here, Bonzo was right. Had Ikkaku been with ill intentions then it would've definitely been the end of everything everyone on this mountain had fought so hard to keep.

And oh how Yumichika wished he were.

"Ikkaku-san are you really leaving in three days?" Pabu asked. The spirit has grown attached to Ikkaku so much that he had teamed up with him against Yumichika many times. Upon hearing this Yumichika couldn't help but feel bad for his little companions. He looked over to Ikkaku, wondering what he was going to say. Ikkaku was scratching the back of his head now, a frown on his face.

"Well yeah. I wasn't supposed ta be here this long anyway." Ikkaku held the back of his neck and shrugged as if he really didn't care.

Yumichika didn't want to hear this so he busied himself with making some rice. He wanted to get dinner done and go to bed.

After the spirits made their peace with Ikkaku leaving and ate the rice Yumichika made, they left the cabin giving both Yumichika and Ikkaku their privacy. They were now laying in the complete darkness of the cabin. Yumichika was laying on his futon and staring out the window. The soft glow of the moonlight blurred by the fog looked a lot like what he was feeling right now. The situation eerily similar to that night two weeks ago. Ikkaku was asleep on the futon behind him. Their breathing was the only sound in the quiet. Yumichika was convinced he wasn't going to get any shuteye tonight. His thoughts were all over the place and he had to let them out because if he didn't he was going to regret it and the remorse was going to be painful. He sighed for what was the hundredth time that night and sat up then looked in the direction of Ikkaku's sleeping form. "Ikkaku," He tried. Taken aback by how small and choked the larger man's name slipped through his lips.

Yumichika shook his head and gathered his strength despite feeling vulnerable, he needed to talk and sort this out. He crawled to Ikkaku's futon and sat with his legs bent beneath him. "Ikkaku wake up." Yumichika tried again, causing Ikkaku to stir and groan slowly emerging from sleep. As Yumichika waited for him, he wondered what he was going to say, he had no plan or any idea what he wanted to say. He only hoped the words would just come out on their own. When Ikkaku opened his eyes and rested them on Yumichika he let out a deep sigh and rubber a hand over his face sleepily.

"What is it Yumichika?"

"…"

"Out with it-"

"Don't leave."

The forwardness in which Yumichika said it surprised Ikkaku a little bit, it surprised the smaller man as well. He didn't think he would actually say it. Yumichika had his fists clenched while he waited for Ikkaku's response. He was looking at the larger man's chest in attempt to avoid his eyes. Yumichika was getting more nervous by the second because he knew how ridiculous he sounded and his heart fluttered slightly when he heard Ikkaku uttering an annoyed 'tch' before turning around, giving his back to the younger man and saying, "go ta bed."

It angered Yumichika that Ikkaku wasn't taking him seriously. But he wasn't letting out, if it had to take all night so be it. Yumichika reached his hand out and touched Ikkaku's arm, running his thumb over a horizontal scar there. "Ikkaku, please." Yumichika said in the gentlest, softest voice he could summon. Ikkaku had a weakness for fragile things, he despises them but at the same time he's helpless against them and although it wasn't in Yumichika's nature he couldn't help it. He was starting to feel desperate and confused. And Ikkaku's short-temper wasn't helping.

Ikkaku groaned again and sat up swiftly. Removing the hand that was caressing his arm and holding it his tight grip. "d'ya hear how pathetic ya sound?" He was now glaring at Yumichika. "Are ya really that much of a lightweight that only a couple of drinks are enough ta get ya this way?"

Yumichika didn't attempt to remove his hand from Ikkaku's grip and was looking right back at the bald man's glare. As impossible as it may sound but maybe he was a little drunk, otherwise he would never in a million years say what he said next, "I'll beg if I have to. Please don't leave." Yumichika's face was heating up rather quickly and his heart was almost at his throat but he didn't care anymore; he couldn't imagine his life without Ikkaku. His gaze determined and fixed on the man before him.

Ikkaku stared wide-eyed at the confession. He was genuinely worried, just what has gotten into the smaller man to get him like this? He ceased his grip on Yumichika's hand that had probably gone numb now and held the side of Yumichika's visibly flushed face. Running his finger over his ears and his hair in an effort to comfort either himself or Yumichika, he wasn't sure. He also took note of how the younger man leaned into his touch. 'so docile.'

The room was drowning in tension. "Yumichika Imma terrible guest who was lucky enough ta end up here— well, not here, but with you. Since everyone is outta get me on this shit of a mountain." Yumichika chuckled at that and thought about mentioning Pabu and the other squad of spirits for a second but went quiet when Ikkaku started talking again. "I want ya ta remember I'm just a wounded stranger ya nursed back ta health yeah?"

"No." Yumichika said. Because that wasn't true and Ikkaku knew it; they had too much fun together, they were too comfortable around each other and they were the most compatible opposites this world has ever seen in Yumichika's opinion. "You're my friend."

Ikkaku then groaned, removing his hand from Yumichika's face to scratch his head in thought. He would've blamed this on the alcohol too, but Yumichika's eyes were as clear as day when he said it. There was no escaping the truth it seemed now that it was said out loud.

"I aint staying Yumichika."

"Then I'm not staying either."

"What the fuck is wrong with ya?"

"You're saying you don't want me?"

"I didn't say that ya bitch"

"Then what's the problem?"

Ikkaku didn't know. Yumichika's role seemed crucial up here and it seemed a little odd that he was so willing to leave.. just like that. Yumichika had his arms crossed in front of his chest, almost daring Ikkaku to refuse and for a second, Ikkaku almost wanted docile Yumichika back.

"I'll help you find Futsunushi." Yumichika said. Trying to appeal the idea to Ikkaku further.

Ikkaku didn't know what Yumichika was going to get out of this. But his best guess was he was desperate to not being so alone and jaded anymore.

"And then what?" Ikkaku asked.

"I'll fight alongside you."

awh they're /friends/