"I'll fight you until there is no strength left in my body... If I didn't, Ikkaku wouldn't respect me."
Yumichika grinned widely. He felt so giddy now that he knew Ikkaku wasn't mad.
"Oh," Ikkaku said suddenly. "You did forget something."
He brought out Ruri'iro Kujaku, which was dangling from the back of his belt.
"Thanks," Yumichika said, placing his Zanpakuto through his belt at his side. "I'm going to the Squad 11 barracks now.."
"Alright," Ikkaku said. "Just don't do anything stupid when you get there."
Yumichika didn't know what he was referring to, but still said, "Okay."
Ikkaku turned away, waving his hand. "Well catch you later Yumi. Captain Unohana insists I stay longer unless I want her to tell the Lieutenant.."
"I understand," Yumichika said. "I'll be waiting for your return to the barracks Ikkaku."
He continued walking, wanting to take his time, rather than use his flash step to almost instantly get to his destination. He wanted to enjoy the nature. In fact, it was now autumn in the Soul Society, Yumichika's favorite season.
He watched some leaves swirl around and fly up into the air. The colors; red, orange, purple, yellow, brown; so beautiful and soothing.
Yumichika stopped walking and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, soaking in the comfort lingering in the air. It reminded him of his younger days in the Rukon district with Ikkaku. Sometimes he wished that they never left that life. That quiet, peaceful life where they weren't risking their lives almost 24/7.
"Hey," he heard a voice.
He opened his eyes to discover the Lieutenant of Squad 9, Shuhei Hisagi, staring at him. There was something...odd about his appearance, but Yumichika couldn't point it out.
"Can I help you with something Shuhei?" he asked, putting a hand on a hip and turning his head away from the Lieutenant.
"Um, actually, I was wondering how you're doing now. I heard you and Ikkaku were hurt in battle, so I figured I'd go check on you."
"Well, I'm just fine, and Ikkaku's on Unohana's orders to stay in the Squad 4 barracks, or else he'd be with me right now."
Shuhei shifted his stance. Yumichika could tell what was weird about his appearance now. Hisagi was nervous. But what about? And his cheeks... was he blushing?
"Listen, Yumichika," Shuhei began, "can I ask you something?"
Yumichika sighed. "What is it? I'd like to get back to my Squad sometime today.."
"I'm sorry, but I really need your advice." He paused, biting his lip. "I would ask Rangiku, but she'd just laugh at me.."
"So I'm the next best person?"
"Yes," He said, then continued, "What would you recommend if you had a huge crush on someone but didn't know if they were interested in you or not and feared rejection?"
Yumichika blinked. "That was your question?"
The blush on Shuhei's cheeks darken. "Y-yes."
"I thought it would've been about something else, but okay." Yumichika paused before answering the others question. "I recommend making your move as soon as possible, that way no one else has the chance to take the person from you. I would also recommend not coming on too strong. Maybe drop hints about it, and then finally tell them when you are ready."
Yumichika wondered about his choice of words. He said they, meaning Shuhei could be interested in either boy or girl. He was wondering if that word choice would upset Shuhei. After all, one shouldn't assume someone's sexuality.
"Well, um," Shuhei once again shuffled nervously, and suddenly, a thought hit Yumichika.
"Wait.." Yumichika began, "this person you have a crush on... It doesn't happen to be me... does it?"
Shuhei's face was bright pink and Yumichika knew his answer.
Yumichika blushed in surprise. "Well, I'm flattered Shuhei, but I'm..." he paused, deciding his choice of words, "interested in someone else right now.."
Shuhei dropped his gaze. "I see."
He turned around and started walking away. "Thanks for that advice Yumichika."
"I'm sorry Shuhei, I didn't mean to crush your heart like that."
Shuhei looked back, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "It wasn't you I was interested in."
Yumichika was baffled. Had he read Shuhei's body language wrong? Now Shuhei knew he had a thing for males. Damn it all.
"Who was it then?" Yumichika said, blushing slightly from embarrassment.
Shuhei was silent, then said a single name: "Izuru."