Note: This chapter mostly revolves around Yumichika's true feelings and dropping hints of Shuhei x Izuru. :)
"What about me?" Izuru suddenly appeared behind Yumichika.
He walked past him and up to Shuhei.
"Oh, uh, Izuru!" Shuhei chuckled nervously. "Um, I was just telling Yumichika how I was about to meet up with you."
"That's right," Yumichika cut in. "It's such a beautiful day and I was wondering if Shuhei would join me on a small picnic in the Rukon district. I told him he could bring someone with him if he wished and he said he'd ask you."
"Oh really?" Izuru asked.
"Yes!" Shuhei said. "That's right."
"Well sure I could go with you two." Izuru said. "I just have to take this to Captain Zaraki and then I'm free for the day unless I'm called back."
"Wonderful," Yumichika beamed. "You'll love it there! The place where Ikkaku and I grew up." He started feeling a little homesick just thinking about it. "It's also the most beautiful place to watch the autumn leaves fall..."
He noticed the looks on Shuhei and Izuru's faces and blushed a little. "Sorry. I'm just rambling. Get that delivered to the Captain while Shuhei and I get the stuff for the picnic."
"Alright then," Izuru said. "Want to meet up here?"
"That's perfect," Yumichika nodded. "Let's go Shuhei."
"Yes sir!" Shuhei said, following him.
Yumichika smirked, then whispered, "Look at that. I just got you a date with Izuru."
"Yes," Shuhei said. "Thank you so much Yumichika."
"No problem." Yumichika said. "It's the least I can do for a Lieutenant such as yourself. And speaking of which... You called me 'sir' earlier. Do I look like I am in a higher position than yourself?"
"No," Shuhei said, a bead of sweat ran down his face. "You're 5th Seat, and I'm a Lieutenant... Although, if I'm honest, you probably are strong enough to be a Lieutenant... Using...Ruri-"
"Don't say it,"Yumichika snapped. "My Zanpakuto is Fuji Kujaku." He looked at Shuhei, putting on his intimidating face. "Nothing more than that. I am not strong enough to be a Lieutenant either. Quit spouting non-sense Hisagi."
Shuhei rubbed his hands together nervously. "Why do you insist on-"
"Because of Ikkaku!" Yumichika shouted suddenly, stopping in his tracks.
Shuhei halted to a stop. "Ikkaku?"
Yumichika squeezed his eyes shut, trying to prevent tears from escaping his eyes, but the tears wouldn't stay back. He hung his head down, "It's because of Ikkaku..." He paused. "If they find out...They'll transfer me to another Squad...I can't...I belong with Ikkaku...And if Ikkaku is in the Zaraki Squad...Then that's where I belong too.."
Shuhei didn't say anything, so Yumichika continued. "We've always been together. For everything. We grew up together, joined the Zaraki Squad together, fought together, drank sake together, ate together... If I am transferred because of Ruri'iro's power...No, I'd rather die than leave Ikkaku!"
He pulled his Zanpakuto from his belt. "All these years, ever since I heard his voice, and discovered his power, I've been struggling with the guilt of restraining his true power. I've been putting Ruri'iro Kujaku down all these years, just so I could stay in the Zaraki Squad."
"Yumich-"
"I am so selfish." Yumichika continued. "I always think of myself before anyone else. Well, everyone else except Ikkaku.." Yumichika paused and lowered his voice. "All for Ikkaku, the man I respect the most.. The man whom I want to respect me, as long this life lasts.."
He heard someone clear their throat. Yumichika looked up and through misty eyes, he saw Lieutenant Hinamori.
"Are you okay 5th Seat Ayasegawa?" she asked.
"Yes," Shuhei said, putting a hand on Yumichika's shoulder. "He's fine."
Momo didn't look to convinced. "Are you sure?"
"Yes," Yumichika said, straightening up, and smiling, his eyes squeezed shut. "I'm fine. Just got something in my eye is all."
"Okay," Momo said, giving up on prying any further. "Where were you two going?"
"Oh that's right." Yumichika said, starting to walk again. "Come on Shuhei.." He looked back at the slightly taller man. "You can't be late for your... date."
Shuhei blushed, as Yumichika expected.
Momo gasped. "You're going on a date Shuhei!?" She smiled widely and was clearly excited. "With who?! Tell me who!"
Yumichika chuckled at this reaction.
Shuhei blushed more. "Uh..." was his response to the small Lieutenant.
Yumichika flashed a nice, but equally dangerous smile at Shuhei. "Why, he's going on a date with-"
"No!" Shuhei interupted, covering Yumichika's mouth with his hands.
"You don't want me to know?" Momo asked, looking down, knowing she had lost.
Shuhei removed his hands from Yumichika's mouth. "It's not like that Momo. "I'd just... rather tell you after the matter. If this doesn't go well.."
"Don't worry!" Momo said. "I'm sure it'll go just fine!" She paused smiling a bit. "And besides...I have a rough idea of who it might be."
Shuhei blushed. "W-who do you think it is?"
Momo smiled. "Izuru of course!"
Shuhei blushed even more.
Upon seeing his reaction, Lieutenant Hinamori knew she was right. Her eyes glittered with joy. "I knew it!" she squealed. "Even Izuru likes you too! I can just tell. It was ever since that training assignment that I knew Izuru liked you. And you like him too now! This is great!"
"Izuru..likes me?" Shuhei asked.
Momo nodded. "Mhm. Though he never told me flat out. But I asked Rangiku to interpret what he said and she says that Izuru is head over heals for you Shuhei."
Yumichika smiled a little. It looked as if this picnic would bring those two together for sure.
Yumichika cleared his throat. "I'm going to go on ahead Shuhei. I'll get the stuff and meet you and Izuru at our rendezvous point."
He didn't wait for an answer from him, instead used flash step to get away. He took out his Soul Phone and made a call, placing his order.
After a few jumps, Yumichika arrived at his destination. He walked inside the building. He didn't see anyone.
"Hello?!" Yumichika said rather loudly. "It's 5th Seat Ayasegawa here! Where is my order? I called not too long ago."
He walked around. He didn't see anyone.
"Great." Yumichika muttered.
"Oh," a voice said. "Can I help you with something sir?"
Yumichika turned around and saw a girl with brown hair pulled up in a ponytail, blue eyes, and a small scar on her right cheek. She wore a Shihakusho, the same that all Soul Reapers wore, except she wore a purple sash instead of the typical plain white one. She wore a Zanpakuto in a sheath on her back.
"Yes," Yumichika said finally. "I placed an order here not too long ago. Where is it? Knowing the service here, it should be ready by now."
"I'm new here sir," the girl said. "I don't know about this. Let me ask the manager."
She bowed to him, then rushed off to find the manager.
Minutes later, she arrived with a picnic basket filled with all sorts of things. "This is what you ordered right?"
"Yes." He answered, exchanging his money for the basket. "Thank you very much...Uh.."
"Avado." The girl beamed. "I'm Avado."
"5th Seat Ayasegawa. A pleasure." He left the store, heading off to the rendezvous point.
He hoped he wouldn't be the last to arrive.
Note: Avado is an OC of mine. :)