Chapter 6:

:~:

When I looked up I saw him there on the futon next to me. Ichimaru. He had a white kimono on and was sitting up and looking down at me. But... His eyes were open and he wasn't smiling when he was looking down at me. I tried to sit up but my body felt too heavy to even breathe properly. Than I tried to look around. Everything was blurred into black smoke and shadows. I panicked as the darkness crept closer. But I still couldn't sit up no matter how much effort I had put in it. Ichimaru said something but it was too distorted for me to understand. What is it he said..? I couldn't understand but I had no voice to ask what it was he wanted. He leaned in closer and did the unthinkable. He was sobbing. Not laughing or crying, just silent sobs as he laid his head on my chest. What was going on..? Ichimaru Gin was sobbing over me..? Was I dead? As my thoughts whirled about the corroding darkness slowly snaked up and than finally engulfed us both with a painful grip.

:~:

"Gin..." I awoke and my eyes stung with the cold tears that slid down my cheeks. I slowly sat up and than wiped the tears away with the white blanket Shuuhei had provided. I sat hunched over trying to recall the nightmare that had just played out in my head not a minute before. But it was no use. It was nothing but fogged thoughts drifting into nothingness quickly. It must have been pretty bad to make me cry, but than again I hadn't been on those pills for about a week now, so that might have something to do with it, too. I sighed deeply and than sat up. Looking around I found the clock and realized I had slept in to 1 in the afternoon. My mouth dropped open and my brows creased. "1:12!?"

I yanked the blanket off and ran over to where my uniform was folded and quickly got into it. As I was tying off the white sash I debated on getting something to eat from Shuuhei's kitchen or actually treating myself. I bit my lower lip softly and thought of Shuuhei. I thought to bring food to the 9th for him, but than it was already past the time for his regular break, so it was out of the question. I walked over and picked up the purple pouch that I had gotten from Yumichika. I found it made a very nice pouch to keep money and anything small you'd like to take with you places. Luckily I had brought it with me to Matsumoto's place. I recalled being sick and than the morning after I had spent with Shuuhei. There was no one around so I let myself smile openly at the dirty thought of seeing Shuuhei so passionate so early. I held the soft little pouch close to my chest and than closed my eyes for a moment. After a moment I walked into the bathroom to fix my hair and tidy up before I left.

It was bright and very sunny outside much to my dismay. I don't mind a little sun, but too much is just a sunburn away from Hell. I tucked the little pouch into my kimono top and started down the pathway. I started to think where to eat. The 9th wasn't exactly known for it's restaurants and I didn't feel like something made quick and greasy from the Barracks at the 3rd. Than I thought of the places I had seen at the 11th. Not a place I particularly travel normally, but I needed a place to keep my mind from pestering me about that awful dream that I couldn't even recall now. I crouched half way and than took off using shunpo to the 11th Division. I leaped rooftop to rooftop taking in the trees, people and sounds. After awhile I came to the street that had the Cutting Crows. There were little shops, one on either side, though mostly consisted of alcohol, restaurants, weapons or just things I would prefer not to mention. After glancing in the windows of some restaurants I saw Yumichika and Ikkaku in a soba shop and decided to take Yumichika up on his offer to hang out some time. I entered the small restaurant and took a moment to look it over. It was rather plain and had about six to seven rectangular tables and the back wall had an open door to the kitchen along with an opening to the kitchen where the waitresses and waiters picked up the orders. Before anyone had a chance to get to me Ikkaku was yelling out across the place.

"Hey! Blondie! Get over here already!" Yumichika seemed to wilt and die at that as everyone looked over at them. He covered his face in defeat and looked down as I myself tried not to retort for Ikkaku's lack of mannerisms, regardless of being in the 11th. Most everyone else seemed not to mind though as they turned back to whatever they were doing or eating. I took a deep breathe and than sighed before making my way over to the two. Yumichika had a large bowl of Tsukimi soba* already half eaten and Ikkaku had a huge Kake soba* that was pretty much polished off at that point. Ikkaku eagerly ushered me to sit next to Yumichika whom was sitting across from himself. Poor Yumi. He looked miserable and completely embarrassed. I don't blame him really. I was as well, whether or not Ikkaku had good intentions. When I sat down on the bench it was apparently too far from Yumi for Ikkaku's liking as he pushed on my shoulder until my thigh was touching Yumi's. I tried not to think of it as Ikkaku handed me a gray cup and thankfully it was full of warm green tea. Ikkaku finally sat back down after getting yelled at by Yumi whom was obviously trying to avoid eye contact with me. My fingers started to fidget with the glass and my eyes lowered to look into the cup at the awkward situation. Ikkaku waved a waitress over and she came trotting up. "What 'ya wanna' eat, Kira?"

"Oh, um-ah... I-I would like, um, t-tanuki soba*, p-please, miss." I inwardly cursed myself. I thought I had been doing better at stuttering. sighed after the waitress left and than Ikkaku slapped me on the shoulder, almost affectionately. Almost.

"Ikka! Cut that the Hell out! Leave. Him. Alone." Yumi stared down Ikkaku until he sat down all the way grumbling something under his breath. Yumi sighed heavily before turning to me with an apologetic look. "Sorry, he's... just being enthusiastic. About the-ah-meal."

"The meal..?"

"Yeah, the meal. Right, Ikkaku?" Yumi looked over to Ikkaku who wasn't even paying attention.

"Huh?" Ikkaku looked up at Yumi and than it must have hit him what he was supposed to do. "Oh. Yeah, the food here's great! Ah, hey, I remembered I had to go and find Fukutaicho to fix on the wheels on her zanpakuto. So I'll see 'ya guys 'round!"

"Oh, um, o-okay! G-Good bye, Ikkaku-kun!" I stood to be polite when Ikkaku left and was considering moving to the other side when the waitress came back and set my food in front of me.

"Here you go, hun. It's hot, so be careful, okay?"

"Y-yes, miss. Thank you." I inclined my head to her and the girl smiled.

"Just enjoy it!" And than she turned and walked off to another table. I sat back down a few inches from Yumichika as to give him (and myself) some space. I picked up the hashi and started to gather some noodles when I heard Yumi mumble something under his breath. I looked at him and he was actually blushing. I forced myself to not laugh. He was so adorable at times. I never dared to tell that to him though. I feared he'd take it as an insult or something and go off on me. I've seen his outbursts of stuff being 'ugly' and 'not-beautiful.' Yumichika faced me with an annoyed face and his eyes looking to his side.

"Sorry. About him and being such an idiot at times." He talked fast and than faced his plate again before I even had a chance to reply to him directly.

"It's, uh, o-okay. I didn't mind that much, Yumichika-kun." Yumi jerked his head up to look at me with wide eyes. "Wh-what?" Yumichika broke out into a huge smile.

"You called me Yumichika!"

"Well, y-yeah! I mean, th-that's okay, isn't it?"

"Oh! Of course it is! I told you to! Ah, I just didn't think you actually would. Hahaha... Ha." Yumichika fidgeted with his orange strap as he rolled his eyes to the side. I looked back to my plate and took a bite of the soba noodles and tempura batter. Well, at least Ikkaku wasn't lying about the food being good. "Anyway, what are you doing here in the 11th again?" I looked over and Yumichika gave scowl. "Or are you here with high and mighty Hisagi-Fukutaicho?" I winced slightly at his words. Did not seemed too happy at all about the other night. He was obviously jealous, though I'd be the first to admit he goes from adorable to hot when he's mad or jealous.

"N-no, I'm not here with Hisagi-fukutaicho. And do not talk so harshly about someone of higher rank than you, even if you dislike hem. It's very bad mannerism and shows poor respect."

"Hmph. 'Respect' for who? Hisagi? I could beat him in combat and I need to show him 'respect'..?" Sometimes Yumichika's arrogant attitude does get to me though. He must have saw this that I was becoming annoyed at his obvious display of disrespect for his ranked superiors because he softened again and than looked away as he crossed his arms. "Whatever, just eat up already. It'll get cold soon and it will most certainly not taste beautiful than."

"Ah, ye-yeah." I took a gathered a heap of noodles and stuck them into my mouth and ate it. The whole time I was eating I had to keep from looking over at Yumichika. He was watching me out of the corner of his eye and I knew it. Trying to keep a straight face and not blush I ate until it was all gone, washing it down with the warm tea. After a bit of rest and mindless chatter over ridiculous things Yumichika asked if I wanted to go to the onsen*. I was reluctant, but gave in to the thought it'd help with my achy body. Apparently Matsumoto let me fall asleep on the floor and left me there.

We reached the outdoor onsen and the hostess showed us to the room were we could get out of our clothes and put them into a side basket. Than with the towel wrapped around our waists we walked to the outside springs. Yumichika went ahead and slipped into the spring first as I closed the large shoji behind myself. I have to admit Yumi was quite gorgeous to watch as he slowly let himself slide into the hot springs. His skin was already pinking when I got in myself. I hissed slightly at the heat inching up my sensitive areas, though I really couldn't feel much of anything on my inner thighs. When I finally got in all the way I waded further in to be nearer Yumichika. He had gone and leaned up against the larger boulders and rocks at the other side. I came a foot or so away from him not wanting to be too intimate now knowing how he felt about me. We sat in the hot water for awhile without saying anything to each other. Just taking in the serenity. Than Yumi spoke softly.

"So..? How is it, I-zu-ru-chan?" Well, the concept of not being intimate was thrown out the door. He smiled feverishly at me and stared at me with lowered lids. I took a deep breath before replying.

"It's very nice, Yumi-kun."

"I'm glad. I come here a lot. It's good for the one's health and body. Some say mind, too. Your choice." It was nice that the nervousness hard lightened up at least. I wasn't feeling like I was going to die in my place. I figured out it was Ikkaku that must have made me feel that way. I nodded so he didn't think I was ignoring him and sunk in the water as I closed my eyes. The heat and waves and lapping of the water was rather soothing. I felt Yumichika's reiatsu reach out and glide against mine so I opened my eyes halfway to see that he had come closer to me and was slightly grinning. "You know... You are very... honorable. And... very... handsome."

"Yu-Yumi-kun... I don't think we sh-should do anything r-rash! I- with Hisa-" Before I could finish Yumichika had his lips pressed firmly against mine. He slowly pressed it further and tasted my lips. I sort of wanted him to kiss me more deeply. But than I thought of Hisagi and how kind and caring he had been for me so I forced myself to get control. Slowly I gripped onto Yumi's tender shoulders and pulled him a few inches away. He looked at me with heat in his face and desire in his eyes. I felt a pinch of guilt but I knew I would regret it if I let myself go. I inhaled sharply before I found my voice again. "I'm sorry Yumichika-kun, but I cannot do this sort of thing with you. I am in a good relationship for the first time in my life. I do not wish to ruin it. You are attractive and a good person, but I cannot loose Shuuhei-san. I can't... I'm sorry." I loosened my grip on Yumichika and looked down. I knew he was furious by the way he shunpoed out of the bathhouse with a raging flare of reiatsu. My arms dropped to the water and I tried to tell myself that I did the right thing, but it seemed hard for some reason. "I'm sorry, Yumi-kun, but I love Shuu-san far too much. He's my everything right now."

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Haha, yes Yumichika calls food beautiful tasting or not. Like the episode with the whole cake thing. He tastes it and says it tastes beautiful. LOL. Hope his was cutesy/lovey for you guys. :p

*Tsukimi soba - Soba served with a raw egg over it, which eventually cooks in the hot broth.

*Kake soba - Soba topped with sliced up scallions and served hot.

*Tanuki soba - Soba topped with deep fried tempura batter.

*Onsen - Japanese springs. In this case a traditional outdoors one. Medium sized I would assume.