Chapter Three
Iba's car had been surprisingly clean. When he was in high school with them, he was always a bit of a mess. Mind you, in those days, Iba's car had been the crappy broken down thing he'd bought with his wages, working at the car wash.
Yumichika chuckled, he hadn't been on speaking terms with Ikkaku back then, but he remembered seeing Ikkaku and Iba walking together, Ikkaku singing 'Car Wash' by Christina Aguilera, to piss the older man off.
Right now, they were sat in a shinny blue Volvo, it wasn't the most dynamic car, and he could hazard a guess, and say Iba had picked it so he could pick up his mother in it. The older male had already made it quite clear (to Ikkaku) that if he was to scratch the shinny leather seats, or the dash board, or the paint job; he was going to castrate him. On the other hand, Iba had opened the door for Yumichika with a smile.
Yumichika was sat back in his seat, glancing out of the window as they neared the campus; he half-contributed in the conversation, before allowing the other two to 'catch up'. He knew Ikkaku had missed his old friend, so let them snigger and bicker childishly in the front; occasionally getting excited about particular songs on the radio.
"Oh, yeah," Iba jerked his head back a little so he could address both of them, "There's a party, sort of a welcoming thing, in each dorm, but everyone sort of migrates towards the field," he laughed, ruffling his own hair, "You guys in?"
"Are we ever?" Ikkaku beamed, looking back at Yumichika, "Right?"
He nodded his head, "Yeah, we haven't been to a party in ages, Ikkaku."
"So, are you guys still love-birds?" Iba teased, battering his eyelashes behind his shades, sort of defeating the object of the gesture.
For the first time, Yumichika felt a slight stab at his chest as he heard the other man say that, he hoped it didn't show on his face, but he got the feeling he'd gone pale.
"None of your business, perv; why you want me for yourself?" Ikkaku teased him.
Iba laughed sarcastically, "Every damn day. Urgh, no! With a face like yours, baldly?"
"I'M NOT BALD!"
**
It seemed like an eternity since they'd gotten into the car. Shuuhei groaned, leaning his head back against the head-rest. He was so exhausted, he almost didn't recognize Renji's excited cries of 'We're here – we're here!'
He blinked in surprise, elbowing the red-head back, after he'd shoved him hard. It was sort of exciting to be back here again, his lips twisted into a wide grin.
"See, Momo, I told you we weren't lost," Izuru said brightly, folding the map over.
"I should have listened to you," she laughed nervously, "With my driving and your navigating, we can't go wrong, right?"
"We make quiet the pair," he beamed at her, "Oh, you should park there! We need to find out what dorms we've been allocated too."
"Well remembered, Izuru," the girl grinned, instantly checking her reflection in the mirror; clearly hoping Aizen-Sensei would be around.
"I need to take a leak," Shuuhei groaned suddenly, slapping Izuru on the back, "C'mon, park fast, Hinamori-san, I'm begging you!"
*
"Hey – Gin – Gin – wait for me!"
He blinked, turning around to see Rangiku running towards him: A sight for sore eyes that gave freshmen a serious nose-bleed. It was nice to see her wearing pretty clothes, designer shirts, expensive make-up, not that she needed it. It was such a contrast to how she'd looked when they first met; dirty from living on the streets, dressed in rags, her full lips shaft from the cold, bags under her eyes from a lack of sleep, her shaking hand in Gin's.
Gin smiled gently at her, "Are ya coming to greet the first years too?"
"Of course, there's nothing else I can do to avoid my work," she pouted, hooking her arm into his, "A gentleman should escort a lady, Gin," she teased.
"Would I have it any other way?" he teased back, "It should help you avoid first-year love confessions for a while."
Gin was so scary to the boys of the first year, that many of them asked Rangiku is she and Gin were… getting married or something, before openly gaping at her.
"Oh, I found that we aren't alone," she giggled, "Nanoa-chan is going insane because Kyoraku-Sensei hasn't even started his work either. Chances are everyone will be too pissed at him to care about us."
He grinned, "I think we can get away with bluffing another year, right?"
"Of course we can, dear Gin, of course we can."
**
"Yumichika, want a hand with your bags?" Iba asked kindly, as he noticed the slender man struggling to carry his suitcases up the stairs.
"I'm managing," he mumbled, "Don't worry about it," he leant up against the wall to try and support the weight a little better.
The house they were staying in was pretty large, the sign on the door had said that he and Ikkaku would be sharing a bedroom; Yumichika gave a little sigh as he spotted Ikkaku leaning out of the front window, casually chatting to some people outside.
"What a gentleman," Iba laughed sarcastically, "Seriously, Yumichika, you're gonna do your back in," he scooped up one of the larger cases; "Let me take at least one if you're going to be stubborn."
He gave a little sigh of relief, and gave Iba a little smile, "Thanks, Iba-san," he said a little exasperatedly, "I appreciate it."
The older man kicked open the bedroom door, and gave a little whistle, "I'm jealous, my first room was a broom closet; two beds too, and it's own bathroom" he gestured to them with a jerk of his head; walking to the one Ikkaku had already put his bags on, he swung them off, and layed Yumichika's down in their place. "You prefer the bed by the window, right?"
"Ikkaku already tabbed it," he shrugged, looking a little uncertain, but hiding it well behind a cunning smile.
"He should've helped you with your bags then," Iba grinned, taking the other bags from the slender man and laying them on the bed. "I'll leave you to pack," giving him a salute, he headed for the door, as he was about the close it behind him, Iba glanced back, his lips formed a gentle smile, "Listen, whatever's got Ikkaku acting strange, I bet he'll come around soon."
Yumichika blinked, then shook his head, "Everything's perfect, Iba-san," he lied, knowing if he told him something was up, the older man would try to talk Ikkaku round; all ending in tears… "There's nothing Ikkaku does that I wouldn't be comfortable with. So don't worry."
"Hmm, if you're sure," he nodded politely, "Oh, and I better see you at the party tonight."
"You will, you will," the beautiful man laughed, waving him off as he shut the door.
**
Shuuhei's eyes narrowed as he looked at the new list for those who'd be boarded in his house this year. Momo was stood up on tip-toe infront of them, trying to crane her neck for a better look.
"Hey – we're together, Renji," Izuru gasped suddenly, clapping the red-headed boy on the back, a big smile on his face.
"Awesome – what about Momo?" Renji scowled, leaning in a little more to try and spot her name on their list.
She turned to face them, looking absolutely delighted. The two boys frowned, why would she look so genuinely happy about being separated from them?
"I'm in the same dorm as – the staff member in charge of my dorm is – oh my God! I can't believe how lucky I am!"
Shuuhei rolled his eyes, "Aizen-Sensei, right?"
"YES – YES – YES!" she jumped up and down for a minute, before regaining her composure, going bright red and looking at her feet, "I-I mean… its quite lucky…"
"Idiot," Renji laughed, ruffling her hair and hugging her close to him for a minute.
"It looks like there are quite a few girls in your dorm," Izuru said encouragingly, "And if any of the guys give you trouble, promise me you'll come to me and Renji?"
"For the love of God though, don't let that demented white haired kid find out," Shuuhei laughed loudly.
Momo rolled her eyes, "Be nice, Shiro-chan is very sweet."
"Are ya alright there?"
"Shuu-kun, it's been so long!"
Izuru winced a little hearing someone refer to his senpai as 'Shuu-kun' of all things… looking up to see the largest pair of breasts attached to a woman, he'd ever seen in his life. Going bright scarlet in the face, he looked away…
"Ya alright there, blondie?"
The blonde looked up to see slender fingers on his shoulder. He turned his gaze upwards, to see a beautiful man with perfect features; yet there was something about his gaze which made him look… sinister. He had short silvery hair, pale skin, wearing a loose fitting white shirt, the first three buttons undone, and tight black pants.
For some reason, Izuru felt he couldn't look away; his heart was beating faster and faster, his mouth slightly agape.
"Gin, you're gonna scare the little guy," the boobs said, bending down a little, so big blue eyes were directly opposite Izuru's. She smiled; she had a really pretty smile, "Hello, you're new, right? I'm Matsumoto-Sensei," she offered him a hand.
Nervously, he reached up and shook it, "H-Hello, I'm Izuru Kira."
"Hello, Matsumoto-Sensei," Shuuhei said adoringly, Renji was gazing too, trying his best not to judge Shuuhei for his unwavering stare.
"Did you have a nice summer, Shuu-kun?" she asked, reaching up and ruffling Shuuhei's hair, like he was a cute little boy, rather than a lecherous nineteen year old.
"It was great, really great. But I'm really glad to be back – there are really great breasts – Aahh – I mean – there are always really great things going on here!" he gabbled, going violet in the face.
Izuru rolled his eyes, his head in his hands, glancing up to see the silver haired man pulling the same expression.
**
"Hey, man, can I have another look at the list of names?" Ikkaku asked, tapping Iba on the shoulder, "I want to see if Renji Abarai is in this house?"
Iba rolled his eyes, and handed him the list, "Here ya go. Just don't crunch it up, okay?" he added jokingly, Ikkaku rolled his eyes, then let out a whoop, "Good news?"
"He's in the house too," he grinned, handing him back the list, "I haven't hung out with Renji in ages – you remember him right? He had really long red hair? We gave him those cool tattoos?"
"Yeah, yeah, I remember. So that unfortunate brat is sharing with you again," Iba laughed out loud.
"How rude," he grinned, elbowing him hard, "Hey, where's Yumichika?"
"Unpacking his bags," Iba shrugged his shoulders, bending down to start work on the television. "Hey, what's going on with you two, Ikkaku?"
Ikkaku blinked, "Nothing's going on."
"When you were younger, you could barely take your eyes off him," Iba frowned, taking off his shades for a moment, to fix him with a long hard look, "Are you bored of him or something?"
"I could never be bored of him," he said firmly, "We've just… changed our relationship a little bit."
"How do you change a relationship? You either together, or you're not."
"No, we're like… together, but it's open to other people," he said, not quite sure how to explain this to his more traditional senpai, "Like it'd be okay for me to sleep with other people, and the same for Yumi."
Iba frowned, a little confused, "Ikkaku that sounds… a bit ridiculous to me."
"I've never had anything serious before," Ikkaku muttered, bending down to talk to him closer, whispering the words quietly, "It was too much too soon. I was with Yumichika before I really got to explore with girls, or anyone else. I just want that chance."
He rolled his eyes, brushing his hair back, "It just sounds dumb to me. You could lose him forever," he rose to his feet, "Anyway, I meet to go and meet Hisagi."
"Meet me? I'm already here," the tattooed man called from the doorway. Ikkaku gasped as he recognized the other man.
"Hey there, Hisagi, oh, and I see you bought some people with you. No girls, though?" he pouted, pretending to be completely disappointed.
Hisagi shrugged, "Renji has long hair, and Izuru's really thin?"
The two younger boys slapped him hard on the back of the head; before Renji spotted Ikkaku and yelled out, pointing wildly at him.
"Oh my God, I was hoping I'd find you, you bastard," Renji gasped, aiming a punch for Ikkaku's head, the bald man ducked and shoved the other against the wall, laughing happily.
"It's fate, we're sharing a house, and you better keep it clean, fire-crotch!"
"Fuck yeah, I will!" He laughed loudly, before remembering Izuru stood awkwardly behind him, "Oh yeah, Ikkaku, you remember Izuru Kira, right?"
Ikkaku frowned a little, his dark eyes focusing on the pale blonde behind Renji. He did remember him; he'd gotten cuter since Ikkaku had last seen him too. Of course there was no comparison between him and Yumichika, but there was something undeniably attractive about him, and Izuru Kira clearly hadn't realized this yet. Insecurity was always pretty cute.
"Hello, Madarame-san," the blonde bowed politely, "It's nice to see you looking well."
"It's nice to see you again too, Kira-kun," he grinned at him broadly, "I kind of got the best room. But I'll help you guys get second best?"
"I'm not sharing a room," Renji said bluntly, "I've roomed with Izuru for too long."
"Renji snores," Izuru cut in, not wanting it to sound like he was the problem.
"That's not the point, you're a clean freak!" the red head retorted, "And you make me look like a slob!"
"You are a slob," Shuuhei said bluntly, "Urm, listen, I couldn't help but notice a name I was interested in on the signing in list on the door," he pointed, "Ikkaku, did you bring Yumichika Ayasegawa with you?"
Four months ago, a guy who looked like Hisagi asking after Yumichika would have thrown him into a rage. But with the current situation of their relationship, he could calmly smirk and say, "Yeah, I did."
Shuuhei looked absolutely delighted, "Seriously? You mean he's here? He's in this house too?"
"Senpai, he obviously is, if his name is on the door," Renji rolled his eyes, elbowing him hard.
"Do you know if he still does kendo?" Shuuhei asked, elbowing Renji back, "I've been meaning to challenge him ever since he beat me in the finals in junior high!"
It seemed so strange for Ikkaku to hear someone talking about the 'old' Yumichika; he'd almost forgotten how Yumichika used to be completely serious about kendo, how he'd play soccer with the boys at lunch time, and hadn't cared the slightest about his hair, clothes or how he smelt.
"Kendo?" Iba was completely surprised by the idea too, and then he chuckled, and picked up his bag of tools, before heading upstairs. Shuuhei blinked, watching him go, giving Ikkaku a look as if to say 'what's with him?'
Izuru laughed nervously and picked up his case, beginning to follow Iba up the stairs, Ikkaku saw him stagger, and reached out, one hand catching onto the back of the skinny boy's lower back.
"Careful there, you could hurt yourself," his other hand slipped down and took the heavy bag from him. The blonde was blushing, his eyes on the ground, nibbling his bottom lip.
"Thank-you, Madarame-san," he said in the tiniest voice, before stepping away from him.
Shuuhei rolled his eyes, and Renji walked up behind Ikkaku, whispering into his ear, as Izuru headed up the stairs, holding one end of the bag, while Ikkaku held the other. "I thought you were with someone?"
Ikkaku shrugged, "I am."
They'd reached the top of the stairs, onto the third floor, when Izuru noticed his name on the door.
"It's like a closet," Renji scowled, as he noticed the size of the room his friend would be sleeping in. Izuru on the other hand, just shrugged, saying something about how he didn't need a big room; which Ikkaku thought was particularly adorable.
"This is the only room on the third floor," Shuuhei shrugged, "because it's next to the shower."
Ikkaku groaned, remembering how much Yumichika had complained about sharing a bathroom. Infact, it had gotten them the largest room, with the attached bathroom. He smiled to himself, wondering if the beautiful man had finished packing.
"My rooms on the fourth floor," Renji grinned, dashing up the stairs, his room was next door to Hisagi's, and he wasn't sure whether that was going to be a good or a bad thing.
Ikkaku rolled his eyes, and went to follow, giving Izuru a teasing smirk, before heading up the stairs. He could almost feel how red the blonde's face had gone. Once he was upstairs, he discovered Shuuhei and Renji fighting over the biggest room. The room with Renji's name on it, was bigger than Shuuhei's, who thought it was disgraceful a first year could get a better room than him.
He leant against the wall to watch, laughing to himself, when a hand layed itself on his back.
"Ikkaku, I was looking for you." He turned to see a very clean looking Yumichika behind him, smiling brightly. He'd clearly been experimenting with the shower; and was now peering over the bald man's shoulder at the two fighting teenagers.
Shuuhei sensed the presence of another, and more disapproving individual, and released Renji, or rather, Renji's arm, and gave Yumichika a charming smile, "Hi, there, sorry about that."
Renji chuckled, clearly from the tone; he'd mistaken Yumichika for a girl.
"Oh, don't worry about it," the slender man shrugged his shoulders, brushing back his fringe, "It beats the miserable people I've noticed skulking around outside," he laughed, clearly that was queue for the others to laugh, as Shuuhei went pink and erupted into nervous laughter.
"Renji, it's nice to see you again," Yumichika offered the other a hand, which the red-head shook.
"Ditto," he was examining the other man's face. He'd gotten the impression something was wrong from the way Ikkaku was blatantly flirting with Izuru; there was a sense of uneasiness in Yumichika's eyes. Something had to be wrong.
"I'm Shuuhei Hisagi," he smiled at him, "I didn't realize a girl would be living with us. The house seemed to be all guys."
Instantly there was a pause, then Yumichika's lips twisted into a malicious smile, "I'm Yumichika Ayasegawa."
Shuuhei laughed, "Oh really," then he paused, his eyes widened, "W-What?!"
Ikkaku laughed behind his hand, Yumichika had always been sly like this; he remembered back to when he was on the receiving end of it.
"Shuuhei Hisagi… His-agi – I think I should know that name," his brows narrowed in concentration. "Have we met somewhere before?"
Shuuhei's eyes were still wide with confusion, "You're really Yumichika Ayasegawa?"
"Yes," he said stubbornly.
"What the heck happened to you?" he gabbled, "You used to… urm… well, you didn't look like that!" his cheeks flushed as he said that, "And you used to do kendo and –"
"Ah – I knew you from kendo, didn't I?" he pointed at the other man, "You were that guy I beat in the finals in my first year of junior high!"
"You still want that rematch?" Renji joked; he found this whole awkward situation hilarious.
"You were sore about loosing, weren't you?" Yumichika asked, clearly amused by the confusion and embarrassment on Shuuhei's face.
"Well I can't fight you now; there'd be no honour in it! I bet you didn't even pack any fighting equipment!"
Yumichika sighed and shook his head, "Nope."
Shuuhei groaned and shook his hand again, "Urm… sorry… it's nice to… see you… again," and with that, he vanished into the smaller room; leaving Ikkaku and Renji howling with laughter outside.
**
"Gin," he felt arms wrap around his waist, and pull him against a firm strong body, "Gin, where are you going, off, all on your own?"
He looked back at Aizen, with a soft and almost sad smile, "I ain't a little kid no more, Sosuke."
His eyes narrowed as he watched the others face, lifting a hand to trace along his skinny torso and up to his throat, "My Gin, you look as though there's something on your mind? Is there… something you'd like to say to me?"
"Yes," he said in a stronger voice, taking the hand on his chest, and removing it, turning to face the older man. "I want… some space," he said, trying to keep himself calm and collected.
"Space?" Aizen repeated, as though he clearly wasn't satisfied with this.
"I'm not a child no more, I want to be in control of my own life, an' I always around me. To be honest, I feel like I'm suffocating when yer around."
"This life you want control over now," Aizen piped up, his eyes seemed cold and without emotion, "Do not forget who gave it to you. I doubt little Ichimaru Gin would have made it to his 16th Birthday if I hadn't come to your rescue."
"I'm grateful, Sosuke, for everything," he assured him, lifting his hand, and kissing the palm very softly, "Yer gave me space before, when yer pursued Tousen-san, maybe if I leave yer for a while, Sosuke, maybe yer'll find a new pet? I know yer'd like that."
Sosuke smiled, and raised a hand to stroke Gin's hair, "I knew you had unselfish intentions, Gin," he kissed his cheek with surprising softness Gin wanted to flinch from; "Very well. I understand, you're at an age of independence."
"Thank-yer for understanding," Gin stood back a little.
"But," he drew him very close to him, gripping his wrist almost violently, "You'll never be completely rid of me, Gin. One day I'll want you back at my side. It's where you belong. Do not forget."
Feeling his chest rising and falling rapidly, Gin smiled and bowed low, "I would never forget, Sosuke."
"Good boy," he cooed, in the same voice he'd used when the silver haired man had been a silver haired boy with bruised cheeks and ragged clothes. "Now go, I still have some work to do."
"O' course," Gin turned and headed for the door, feeling his sins wash away slightly as he left, his heart in his mouth.
**
"Are you all unpacked?" Renji asked, glancing down at Izuru who was sat on the sofa, picking the beat off his pizza. Because frankly, nobody could be bothered to cook in this house Iba had ordered pizza, and as Ikkaku had put it, 'When there's pizza, all is good in the world'.
"Yeah, I'm just about," Izuru smiled nervously, taking a bite and flopping back into the sofa. "Where is that party tonight? Because I'm not sure if I should go…"
"Izuru, don't be a wet blanket," Renji pouted, sliding into the seat next to him, Izuru mumbling something about that being Shuuhei's side, before just going with it; "I know we all have class tomorrow, but it doesn't matter. The first college party is meant to be awesome! You could meet someone nice –"
"And they'd probably be drunk," he rolled his eyes, taking another bite of pizza.
"It's more about having fun, we'd have a laugh," he encouraged him.
Izuru shrugged, "Well… okay, I guess."
"Oh – hold on a second," Renji got to his feet, "I have to ring Rukia – I promised her I'd ring again once I had a minute!"
He laughed, his eyes following Renji as he rushed off towards the stairs, "Didn't you ring her this morning?"
"Yeah, but she was worried about me going to college," he said this with quite a lot of pride. Izuru smiled as he watched the red-head vanish upstairs.
"Ikkaku, no – you've already eaten yours!"
The blonde turned to see Ikkaku leaning over Yumichika at the table, his head pressing against the crook of his neck, an arm around his waist, reaching around to try and snatch the pizza from his plate.
"I just want one bite, Yumi – c'mon, you can spare me a bit of pizza!"
Izuru blushed a little bit, they looked like such a happy couple, but Renji had told him earlier that they were having some problems. He felt sorry for Yumichika-san, that guy was stunning, and so obviously in love. He looked almost radiant whenever Ikkaku was in the room.
"Fine, just one bite," Yumichika elbowed him off, and turned, holding the pizza up. Ikkaku just opened his mouth wide, his eyes closed. "Say 'Aahh'," the beautiful man teased.
He took a large bite and swallowed it up; stroking Yumichika's back gently, "Thanks, Yumichika."
"You're only thanking me because I gave you food," he rolled his eyes and turned back to eat, though he was undeniably smiling.
Ikkaku noticed Izuru watching them out of the corner of his eyes, and grinned, getting up, "Hey, Kira-kun, come and sit with us!"
He felt guilty as he saw Yumichika's expression, clearly he was enjoying being in his boyfriend's light for the moment, nevertheless, he budged over to make room for Izuru, who nervously sat beside them.
"Tell me you're coming to the party," Ikkaku sighed, leaning on the table, surveying the two other men, with a raised eyebrow.
"I dunno," Izuru shrugged, then laughed nervously, "I get the feeling if I say no, Renji will drag me out. Well, I usually end up keeping an eye on him and Senpai at parties."
"That's sweet though. Seriously, you should come anyway, you look like you could use a good time," Ikkaku nodded encouragingly.
Yumichika did his best not to roll his eyes, leaning on one hand, surveying Izuru with calculating azure eyes, "It's the first college party, it's the best way of working out who not to talk too in future."
"Hey, guys – hey – hey – you have to see this!" Shuuhei called from bathroom, "I've just found an old bag of porn."
The beautiful man cringed; Ikkaku laughed, and then got up to go to the bathroom, Izuru rolled his eyes and took a nervous sip from his drink. And that was the moment Yumichika decided he was going to get on better with the awkward blonde than he first thought.
