Wow… I have to be honest I did not expect to finish this chapter so soon! Especially since I took a break from it to write the first chapter of my newest Bleach Fanfiction: Karakura Incubus (please check it out! Demon AizenxIchigo and StarkxIchigo :3)
Anyways! On another note… 103 reviews! OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG! I can't BELIEVE it! It's so amazing that you all enjoy this story so much and have stuck with it for so long. Undoubtedly without your continued support I could not have continued this far into the story so thank you all very, very much!
Without further ado… Chapter Sixteen! Please continue to review my dear friends and readers :3
Chapter Sixteen: A Way With Words:
Ichigo sat in a comfy seat in the clinic side of the Kurosaki household; he tucked his long legs up and put his arms around them as he waited for Unohana to arrive for his latest appointment. It had been two days since his birthday party, two days since he's received a gift from his estranged lover and two days since Byakuya had opened up to him and told him exactly what he thought for the first time.
Things had been tense in his house since the 'incident' and both Tensa and Shirosaki had been all but murderous when Byakuya had forced them to continue to attend Karakura High School, they had been adamant about remaining at Ichigo's side and not leaving him for a second. But after four hours of shouting, screaming, attempted murder (Shirosaki had a temper) and kido casting (for Byakuya's protection) the two had been forced into submission and had agreed, very reluctantly, to continue to leave Ichigo in the care of Byakuya, Renji and Isshin.
Ichigo sighed and dropped his head on his knees and closed his eyes, he guiltily rubbed his fingers against the cord bracelet around his wrist. He couldn't resist wearing it… Even though he knew it was a little stupid and a little nostalgic, and just a little bit sick.
The door opened suddenly, making him jump out of his skin and look around with big; wide eyes. He relaxed when he saw Unohana stood in the doorway and smiled weakly.
"Afternoon Unohana-san." He murmured and sat up a little straighter in the chair.
"Hello again Ichigo," she replied with a kind smile, she moved closer and took the seat opposite him, "Kuchiki-taichou told me what happened on your birthday… How are you feeling?"
He glanced at her before dropping his head back on his knees and sighing, "I don't know…" he murmured, "I… I don't wanna talk about it."
She sighed, "Ichigo… You need to let it out or you'll go crazy. Please, as I've said many times now, what you tell me is in strict confidence and I won't tell anyone what you say to me. What is discussed in his room goes no further. You have my word."
There was a pause and Ichigo looked at the floor, his hands trembled slightly and he swallowed the lump in his throat, "I feel stupid…" he mumbled quietly, "I fell for the bullshit he kept feeding me… I believed him and…" he ran a hand through his hair, "… He… He took my first time you know… I mean… I was saving it for someone special and he drugged me and just took it…" he blew out a breath, "… And even then I still went and fell for him… I mean… You'd think I'd hate him for doing that but… He kept… Being so nice…"
Unohana tilted her head slightly, silently scribbling down several notes in her journal and glanced up at him. She put her journal to once side, "Ichigo listen to me… You don't need to feel stupid. You are not stupid. Aizen Sousuke has fooled so many people; it is not your fault."
He looked up at her, "Yeah that's what Byakuya said." He sighed, "It made me feel better for a little while but… It didn't last."
"Ichigo, what do you want me to say? Do you want me to agree with you? Tell you that you're a terrible person? I'm not going to do that. Because it's not true! Ichigo… You are not going to get over what happened in a month and a week." She sighed and stood, walking over and crouching in front of him and resting her hands on his knees, "You are a good person Ichigo. You have to try to forgive yourself if you're blaming yourself so much. You have to forgive yourself so that you can move you."
He met her gaze reluctantly and sighed, "I… I know… But it's so hard…"
"I know it is Ichigo. I know." She murmured softly, "But you will only start to feel better once you start to forgive yourself. Trust me."
"I do."
"So you'll try?"
"Y… Yeah." He nodded and swallowed, "Unohana… Do you think it's possible that he felt something back?"
She paused for a moment and looked up at him, "Who knows what goes on in that head of his." She smiled weakly and returned to her seat, "If you feel up to it, please continue."
Ichigo hesitated but nodded, "Okay." He murmured.
It was without a doubt the longest conversation he had managed to have with Unohana since she had started coming to see him, he even entrusted her with the bracelet Aizen had given him. And although she had suggested he would do better to remove it and throw it away he had refused, saying that it just didn't seem right. So she had conceded and suggested he just tried taking it off every now and again, to this he agreed cautiously.
However, after their session, Ichigo felt stifled and stressed. He refused Byakuya and Renji's company and left the house.
Once outside he leaned against the wall and looked up at the sky, watching the white trail left behind from an aeroplane. He sighed heavily and hung his head, pushing away from the wall and walking down the street slowly; he shoved his hands in his into his pockets and glared at the tarmac as he walked aimlessly trying to clear his overstuffed head.
He sighed heavily and looked up finally, his eyes widened as an arm shot around his waist from behind and a hand clapped over his mouth to silence him. He let out a muffled scream against his hand as he was flash-stepped away from the street with no warning, his arms flailed about as he tried to escape the grasp of his captor.
Abruptly, they came to a stop and Ichigo was released; he pooled on the floor as his head spun in the aftermath of how fast they had flash-stepped. He held his head in his hands and groaned quietly as his head spun at a fast pace.
He looked up slowly and frowned as he found himself looking at the banks of Karasu River in the Minamikawase district, about two and a half miles away from Chad's house.
He shook his head slowly and pushed up to his feet, "What the hell is going on you, son of a bi-" he broke off as he turned around and his face paled, his eyes widening.
"Oh… Please don't stop on my account Ichigo." The smoothness of his voice made the hairs on the back of Ichigo's neck stand on end.
"A-Alright… What the hell is going on, you son of a bitch?" he yelled angrily, "What the hell are you playing at coming down here with the attitude and the grabbing and potential kidnapping!"
"I wanted to see you of course. Did you get my present?"
Ichigo faltered and he cursed inwardly as he felt blush spreading over his cheeks and across the bridge of his nose, "Yes. I got it… Thanks." He grumbled and folded his arms, turning away from him, "Maybe I didn't want to see you though." He pouted.
Aizen smirked in amusement and walked over slowly, resting his head on Ichigo's shoulder from behind, "Aww… Don't be like that… I came to apologise. For everything."
Ichigo frowned and pushed his face away, returning to his pose with folded arms and a scowl, "I'm not interested. I'm getting over you."
"Ichigo… Ichigo… Ichigo…" he sighed.
"Yes that's my name. Stop saying it with that expression… You're making it sound filthy." He blushed harder.
"I apologise." He smiled, "Look… Ichigo, please hear me out. I know I messed up, and if after I've told you everything and you still aren't convinced I'll… I'll leave you alone."
Ichigo's ear pricked in interest and he slowly unwound his arms, "You… Promise?"
"You have my word."
The berry head narrowed his eyes but huffed in defeat, "Alright. I'm listening."
Aizen smiled widely and moved closer to him, sneaking his hands onto his waist and holding him against him, "Alright… The truth is I've never met somehow who has enough brains to satisfy my mental capabilities, or enough beauty to please my visual appetite, or someone who has enough balls to appease my challenging nature. But you do. You are the whole package and more. From the moment I met you in Soul Society I knew you were interesting… And you appealed to me. But it wasn't until you had grown slightly, in strength; body and appearance that I realised it was more than just a simple attraction."
Ichigo frowned as he spoke and swallowed as his mouth went a little dry, "Aizen… What are you saying?" he breathed.
The brunette smiled and leaned down, "I am saying… I'm in love with you Kurosaki Ichigo."
Ichigo's eyes widened and he swallowed, pushing him back suddenly, "Stop it." He said bluntly, "Don't you dare say it. Don't say it if you don't mean it." He half growled.
Aizen blinking but grabbed his wrists and pulled him against him, "I mean it." He murmured and put his arms around the orange haired male and held him closer, "Ichigo please believe me… I am sorry for everything… I've never had these emotions before and although it is no excuse, I am still getting used to them."
Ichigo swallowed and with all his hearted wanted badly wanted to hug him back and tell him he forgave him. But the lump which had formed in his throat prevented him from doing so. Instead his arms pushed between them again and he pushed him back a second time.
Aizen faltered and let his arms fall awkwardly at his side again, "Ichigo I don't know what to do for the best… W… What if I helped you, Tensa and Shirosaki-san return to being one person?"
Ichigo frowned at him, "Why would that make me trust you? And no, we're fine as we are for now."
"Okay… What about… Err… Information about Kurosaki Isshin? I can tell you anything you want to know about his past as a shinigami."
"No! That is for him to tell me!" he snapped, "And… You're going completely the wrong way about this! Blackmail isn't going to make me forgive you… Or trust you… Or believe in you!"
Aizen frowned and sighed; he sat down on the bank of the river and looked at the water thoughtfully, Ichigo sighed a little guiltily and followed him, sitting down next to him and leaning back on his hands, "I'm sorry… I know you're trying…" he mumbled.
Silence followed as the two just sat and watched the water and the fish swimming past every so often. Ichigo gasped as Aizen suddenly rolled over him and straddled his lap, making his arms quake and give out; leaving him flat on his back beneath them older man.
Ichigo swallowed and his cheeks flooded with colour again, he watched as Aizen leaned in slowly, his single strand of disobedient hair tickling his face, his eyes slipped closed as he felt warm breath over his ear. His breath hitched before he shuddered as Aizen's lips brushed the shell of his ear.
"You don't think… You can honestly resist me do you?" the brunette purred into his ear, nibbling at the shell teasingly, "I can make you feel… So good... You just have to let me… Ichigo…"
Ichigo let out a breathless moan at his words, arching against him slightly before his eyes flew open as he felt Aizen's tongue probing his lips for entrance, as he gasped the man above him took full advantage and slipped the moist muscle between his lips and into his wet cavern. Ichigo lifted a hand and slid it through his hair, kissing him back suddenly and moaning out, smiling against his lips.
"Ichiiiiigooooooo!" a voice called from nearby, making them both jump with a start, "IIIIIIIIIIIchigooooo!"
Aizen reluctantly pulled back but kissed Ichigo's cheek and smiled, brushing his hair out of his eyes with his fingertips, "I will see you soon… Ichigo…" he breathed before vanishing from Ichigo's sight.
The berry haired male sat up so fast he went dizzy and nearly fell back again, he looked around for Aizen and chuckled slightly, his cheeks flushed and his eyes sparkling slightly. He could believe how happy one five minute visit had made him. Aizen was like a drug.
Stark frowned as he sensed Aizen's reiatsu surrounding Ichigo and hurried towards him, "Ichigo? Ichigo are you okay?" he asked in deep concern, helping him to his feet.
Ichigo merely smiled and nodded, "Yeah… Yeah I'm good."
"Are you sure? What… Ichigo… What did Aizen want?" he asked quietly.
The substitute shinigami frowned at him and his anger sparked suddenly, "Nothing! I hardly see what business it is of yours!" he spat and shoved passed him and stormed away from the river in a foul mood.
Stark faltered and watched him go, his heart sinking slightly as he looked around at the river, half afraid Aizen was going to swoop out and kill him for his betrayal. He shuddered and half sonido-ed back to Urahara's shop for protection and to update the genius.
Ichigo arrived back at his house soon after, he felt guilty for snapping at Stark and sighed inwardly as he dodged his father's round house kick and punched him in the face before jogging up the stairs with calls of: "You are truly my son!" following him.
He pushed open his bedroom door and closed it behind him, smiling to Tensa and Shirosaki who were both sprawled over the bed doing homework.
"Hey! How was school?" he asked as he grabbed a towel and large fluffy dressing gown from the wardrobe.
"Same ol'." Shiro drawled, rolling onto his back and looking at Ichigo upside down, "'Ow was Unohana?"
"It was okay… Same old." He smiled, "I'm gonna grab a quick shower."
He disappeared into the bathroom and stripped off, throwing his clothes in the wash basket and hastily clambering into the shower and turning the water on. He leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes as his hair was soaked and his fringe fell into his eyes and his hair stuck to his neck.
He smiled faintly and let out a soft sigh, standing up again and picking up the shower gel and sponge. He washed lethargically and stretched under the water; setting the sponge aside and picking up his passion and papaya fruit shampoo. He scrubbed his hair clean and made sure all of Aizen's reiatsu had been washed away before rinsing his hair and climbing out. He patted himself dry with the towel and pulled on the large fluffy gown.
Tensa and Shiro shuffled apart quickly as Ichigo jumped between them and laid down eagerly, curling up happily and yawning quietly.
While the two inner souls finished their homework assignments, Ichigo took a nap between them. One of his arms stretched out and landed across Shiro's lap. He chuckled and glanced down, about to push his hand back when he saw the glitter of silver on his wrist. He carefully lifted his arm and looked closer, "Tensa…" he murmured and showed him the bracelet, "It… It's got and 'A' and an 'I'… Do you think… It means Aizen'?"
The black haired male frowned and swallowed, "I… I don't know. It… It's possible…"
They shared a worried look and glanced down at their most precious third, the settled down beside him, both cuddling against him and looping an arm around each others at the same time.
Meanwhile, Aizen sat casually on the roof top of the nearby church, sat beside the pewter crucifix with one leg dangling over the edge of the building and the other was tucked loosely to his chest, one arm was resting over the crouched knee and the other was pressed against the roof as he looked out over the town.
He cleared his throat and looked up at the sky, "Like I doubted it for an instant… No I didn't… I didn't doubt it. No one could resist my magnetism… Least of all a hormonal virgin…" he muttered to himself, "Yep… I knew he was still keen on me… Like he would just try to forget it all… He even wore the present I got him…" he sighed and rubbed his forehead, "Argh… Shut up talking to yourself you sound like a nut job."
He lifted his gaze again and looked towards the Kurosaki household where he sensed Ichigo's reiatsu to be. He smiled to himself and leaned back on both his hands and tilted his head, "If I just keep my nose clean… I'll be able to convince him to come back with me. Hell… If he agrees I'll even stop sleeping with the Espada." He decided and nodded, "Yeah... He'd appreciate that."
Aizen stood up and leaned against the crucifix, propping his chin on his palm and smiled lazily, "Hmm…" his eyes sharpened suddenly and snapped to the right, "Gin. What have I told you about creeping around?" he snapped, spinning around and gripping the silver haired man's throat, "What did you hear?"
Gin's eyes flew open for once and he looked back at his boss, gasping slightly for breath, "Ya love it really when I sneak up on ya Aizen-taichou!"
"I asked you a question!" he hollered.
Gin's grin faded slightly as he realised his captain as actually concerned about the answer, "Nuttin' Aizen-taichou… I swear. I didn't hear a thing!"
Aizen's eyes narrowed and he tried to figure out if he was being lied to or not, "If you are lying to me Gin… And I find out one breath of what I was saying has been gossiped around Las Noches I will know who to come to as the culprit… And I will reprimand you." He yanked him closer and glares straight into his eyes, "And it will hurt. A lot." He growled.
Gin swallowed and struggled, "Y… Yea'… Yea' Aizen-taichou… I understand… I ain't gonna tell anyone anythin'… Mainly cuz I didn't hear anythin'… I swear…"
Aizen threw him back and brushed his own clothes down, clearing his throat, "Excellent. Now I have a mission for you." He walked closer and circled his subordinate, leaning in towards his ear from behind, "Listen carefully… I will say this only once Gin."
"Yes Aizen-taichou… Mah ears are peeled."
A/N: So what did you all think of the latest Chapter? Please review and let me know :) Thank you again!