Hello all! Here is Chapter Seventeen; I hope you all enjoy it. Again it is about fairly mundane life but as ever is not without importance to the overall plot so please do read it :) In Chapter Eighteen there will be a dramatic return to the upbeat plot to look forward to ^/^
As ever I want to thank everyone who has read and reviewed on my story, I appreciate it greatly! I hope you continue to enjoy and review as I do love reading your comments ^_^
WARNING: Contains Yaoi, smut and scenes of a sexual nature
Enjoy! *And review please! :)*
Chapter Seventeen: Of Tea and Cake:
Ichigo hummed the tune to his favourite song as he pulled on a pair of oven gloves and pulled out the cake he had been baking. He smiled and set it on the counter, shutting the oven too and picking up a knife, gently testing the moisture of the vanilla sponge before setting the blade back down and taking off the gloves again.
He let out a cry of surprise as he turned around and found Ichimaru Gin stood right behind him, "G… Gin! W… w… what the hell are you doing here? How did you get in?" he squeaked.
The sly fox smile widely and his eyes remained closed, "I just popped in ta give ya a message from Aizen-Taichou." He replied ominously.
"O… Oh? W-what is it?" he asked curiously.
"Aizen-Taichou… Is gonna be 'ere in ten minutes… Comin' ta see ya." He told him without his expression changing.
His eyes widened, "What?" he exclaimed, "He can't! The others could be back any minute!"
"Don't go worryin' yer pretty lil' head Ichi… I'll keep 'em away for as long as ya both need." He smirked widely.
His cheeks flushed slightly, "O… Oh… I see… Well… Umm… Okay…" he swallowed, "Thanks for the message."
Gin merely remained grinning in his usual manner and abruptly flash-stepped away, disappearing without a single trace.
Ichigo took a few deep breaths and felt his heart race slightly at the thought of Aizen in his house. For some reason it felt strange. He felt nervous. It just didn't seem right, seemed unlikely and impossible.
He shook his head and bit his lip as excitement coursed through him, jumping on the spot for a couple of moments and squeaking before running a hand down his face, "Calm down you great buffoon. You don't want to make yourself look like a complete twat. Calm… Cool and collected…" he nodded and turned back to his cake.
Ichigo spread a layer of strawberry jam over the sponge; then rolled a thick layer of marzipan over the top of the jam and sponge, cutting it neatly and folding the sweet confectionary over the edges of the soft cake. He stepped back for a moment and slyly ate a piece of the cut off marzipan before dusting his hands off and moving forwards again.
He rolled the cream colour icing with a wooden rolling pin before setting aside the wooden piece of equipment. The berry head then picked up the
flat icing and laid it over the marzipan. He rested it down and gently folded the icing so it covered the sides of the cake before picking up the knife again and cutting away the excess and ensuring the icing was completely snug against the bottom layers.
The berry head smiled to himself and picked up some orange icing and cut it into separate little segments around the size of a fifty pence coin. He then began rolling the segments together and made elegant orange rose buds. He made five of these roses and set them to one side, instead picking up a tube of white icing. He uncapped the tube and started squeezing the icing onto the cake. He aimed three blobs in the very middle of the cake and then picked up two of the roses and pressed them gently into the icing.
Ichigo smiled and added three further blobs of white icing out of the tube, one was an inch and a half above the middle of the two centre piece roses and the other two were at twenty five degrees left and right of the first.
The young male then stuck the remaining three roses into position in the icing blobs and stood back to admire his handy work. He was quite happy with it.
"That looks utter delicious." The familiar smooth voice of his former lover spoke close to his ear as a pair of arms found themselves entangled around the younger man's waist.
Ichigo gasped softly and let a shiver run through him at the breath on his ear, "T-t-thank you." He stuttered as a pale pink blush spattered across his cheeks and the bridge of his nose.
"Hmm… You're welcome." Aizen smiled slightly and pressed a delicate kiss against his neck before dropping his chin gently onto his shoulder.
"How are you?" Ichigo asked as he turned on his arms to face him, he blushed as he realised how close he was and smiled weakly.
"I'm very well thank you." He replied with a warm smile, "How are you?"
Ichigo blushed a little harder, slowly putting his arms around his shoulders, "I'm good." He murmured, "I felt like doing some baking so here is the semi-finished product." He grinned.
"I had no idea you had such culinary skills." Aizen said in amazement, "It looks utterly delectable… Much like you my dear Ichigo." He added with a smiled before nuzzling into the younger man's neck and trailing warm wet kisses from his ear to his collar bone.
The orange haired substitute shinigami gasped softly at the attention to his neck and quivered as he felt a spark of arousal shoot into his groin. He bit his lip and swallowed heavily before gently pushing the brunette back, "H-h-how… about s-some tea?" he offered, "Would you… Mind making it while I finish the cake? Then we can have some of it while we drink the tea." He said slightly flustered.
Aizen chuckled at his expression and leaned back slightly, "Very well. You may have to inform me of how to operate the 'kettle' as I am only used to utilising a pan of water and the cooker." He smiled.
Ichigo nodded and walked him over to the kitchen appliance in question, "You fill it with water to this line here, put the lid down, flick the switch on the wall to 'on' then push this button here. The kettle will start to boil the water and when it's finished you'll hear a ping. Then all you need to do is pick up the kettle and pour the water in the mugs. Alright?"
The brunette nodded and smiled, "Got it." He replied.
Ichigo returned to his cake and looked thoughtful for a moment before he picked up the box of green icing; pulling it open he cut off a small amount and sliced it into ten leaf shapes. He then spread an amount of white icing from the tube onto the cake again and stuck the leaves onto the icing blobs. He stepped back and smiled as he looked at the cake which he now felt was fully attired.
"Finished?" Aizen asked from the counter where he was setting up the mugs with tea bags and sugar.
"Yep! I'm happy with it." He replied with a smile in his direction.
Aizen took a quick peek and slyly pressed a quick peck on Ichigo's cheek, "It looks amazing. You should be proud." He smiled and returned to the tea as the kettle pinged.
Ichigo's face lit up like a red light bulb and he smiled, "I am. Thanks." He blushed again but smiled to himself and got two saucers from the cabinet above his head. He sliced two segments out off the bottom corner of the cake and quickly made another orange rose out of the remnants of the icing and he carefully and shyly plopped it on top of the piece of cake he was going to give his guest.
"Umm… Shall we go up to my room? It'd be more comfortable and more private." He offered as he turned to face Aizen.
The brunette nodded, "Very well. The tea is ready so lead the way." He smiled.
Ichigo nodded and lead him out of the kitchen and up the stairs. He turned down the hall and continued down to his bedroom, nudging open the door and showing him inside before shutting it again.
Aizen headed into the younger man's room and took a seat on the bed, slipping his sandals off his feet before pulling his legs up and folding them. He waited for his host to join him before exchanging one mug of tea for one of the plates that Ichigo was holding. He smiled as he saw the orange rose seated on his piece of cake and set his tea to one side as he picked up the sweet treat and took a bite, not missing Ichigo scrutinizing his face for his first reaction.
His first reaction was the overpowering blend of sweet icing and marzipan with the moist savoury of the sponge cake. He blushed very faintly as he let out a small moan of delight and swallowed the mouthful, "That… Is… Most pleasant…" he told him, "Very nice." He nodded and took another bite.
Ichigo smiled at his words and happily tucked into his own slice of cake.
Aizen took the empty plate from Ichigo as he saw him finish the last mouthful of cake and finished his own before setting both white dishes on the desk beside them. He then picked up his tea and took several deep sips. He tilted his head slightly as he watched Ichigo stare absent-mindedly out of the window and smiled genuinely.
The substitute shinigami caught Aizen watching him and sat back, blushing heavily, "So… Why are you taking such a risk? Coming to see me in my own home? Anyone could walk in…"
"I wanted to see you." He replied simply and without hesitation.
Ichigo's eyes widened for a moment, he met his gaze and smiled shyly before leaning over and pressing his lips to the brunettes softly.
The self proclaimed Lord of Las Noches looked surprised for a moment before cupping the back of his head and kissing him back with a little more force, he eased his tongue past the orange haired male's lips and into his mouth, brushing his tongue over his.
Ichigo let out a moan and moved closer to him, resting his hands on his shoulders and kissing him back deeply, curling his tongue around his and flicking it over his teeth and the roof of his mouth. Before he knew it, Aizen had pulled him onto his lap and had a gently hold of his waist with one hand; the other laced in his orange locks securely.
As the kiss deepened further Ichigo felt his blood rushing south, he stirred inside his jeans and moaned a little loudly, pressing against Aizen and grinding their hips without realising he was doing so. His actions were not missed by a more than slightly flustered brunette; the former Division Five Captain lifted Ichigo and rolled them so he was hovering above the orangette, he started kissing down his neck heatedly and rubbed their hips firmly again as he hardened inside his hakama.
Ichigo reached up suddenly and ripped at the other's clothing, tearing it away and whining loudly as he felt skin under his hands. His fingers deftly moved to the other's hakama and shoved it aside, followed by his underwear. The orangette blushed and looked up at Aizen, feeling his now naked member against his thigh.
It was only a moment of hesitation before Aizen stripped Ichigo bare as well and laid him back down on the bed and lifted his legs, kissing his neck roughly and pressing against him.
The smaller male panted and moaned as he hardened completely before he gently pressed his hands against Aizen's shoulders and pushed him back gently, "N… Not here… It wouldn't be fair… Tensa and Shiro have to sleep here too…" he murmured breathlessly.
Aizen nodded wordlessly and scooped him up, flash-stepping into the bathroom and into the shower. He turned the water on and pushed Ichigo against the shower wall, kissing him heatedly and deeply, hitching his legs up around his waist.
Ichigo moaned and kissed him back, shivering as the warm water cascaded over them both; he slid his arms around his shoulders and arched against him, "A… Aizen… Ahh… Aizen please touch me…" he moaned softly and pressed against him firmly.
The brunette smirked slightly at the tone of his lover's voice and complied, sucking two of his own fingers for a moment before reaching around and pressing them against his entrance. He gave him a moment to prepared before gently easing both into him and thrusting his hand at a fast pace, nudging into his nerves impatiently after a few minutes.
Ichigo moaned brokenly, arching and panting heavily as he pressed against his hand, whining as he turned his head and nibbled his earlobe restlessly. His hips jerked as his nerves were continuously pressed against and threw his head back, cracking it against the wall and whimpering loudly.
Aizen finally pulled his hand back and lifted Ichigo's legs higher and pinned his against the shower wall before slowly easing himself into him. He gave the smaller man a few minutes to adjust to his size before he began rolling his hips against him and kissing him heatedly.
Ichigo could only moan and squirm against him as he jolted with each thrust of his lover's hips, he arched against him and dropped his head onto his shoulder, groaning heavily and weakly meeting his thrusts.
The brunette pulled Ichigo away from the wall and turned him, pushing him chest first against the shower wall as he kicked his feet apart and slammed back into him and let out a small hum of satisfaction as he set up a pace of pulling back and slamming back into him and ramming his prostate repeatedly.
He reached snaked a hand around Ichigo's hip slowly and wrapped his fingers around him, pumping him in time with his forceful thrusts. Ichigo half wailed and scraped at the wall with his nails as his climax approached all too quickly, his head hung and he moaned continuously, bucking into his hand and whimpering his name.
Aizen kissed his shoulder and the back of his neck, panting gently against his ear and shuddering as he felt his muscles twitch around him in anticipation. He picked up his pace and rolled his hips against him between thrusts, nibbling the join between Ichigo's neck and shoulder.
Ichigo half screamed suddenly as his muscles spasmed around him and he released hard over his lover's hand, he bucked his hips against him eagerly as he spasmed and his legs trembled as he moaned and pressed against him. He trembled as he heard Aizen let out a breathless groan of pleasure and quivered as he felt his release fill him.
Aizen panted heavily and gently pulled away, turning Ichigo and leaning in, kissing him deeply but softly, "Y… You alright?" he murmured quietly as he looked down at the berry haired male.
"Y… Yeah... You?" he replied with a weak smile.
"Oh yes." He nodded and smiled in return.
He then pulled back, taking Ichigo's hands and pulling him further under the water's flow. He turned the young man so his back was to him once again and picked up the sponge and shower gel, squirting some of the latter onto the sponge before he gently but firmly began washing Ichigo's back for him. He handed him to sponge to continue washing with and lathered himself up with soap and washed quickly, giving his hair a quick scrub as well before freezing as he heard and sensed Stark down stairs.
Ichigo cursed and looked up at the brunette, "I thought Gin was keeping everyone out of the way?" he whispered.
"He was… I guess you just can't get the staff these days…" he sighed and pulled back, "I suppose I should go… I presume it would cause problems for you should I be found here."
"Yeah… I guess it would." He sighed and looked up at him, "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. I'll come and see you again soon… Or we can find a way to arrange to go out." He murmured.
Ichigo smiled and nodded vigorously, leaning up and kissing him deeply, "I'll see you soon then." He murmured.
"Of course." He smiled in return before disappearing.
The substitute shinigami faltered slightly as he was left alone in the shower and felt a slight coldness edge through him, he swallowed as he found himself feeling empty as well and suddenly wanted to cry and curl up and never show his face again.
The feeling was indescribable.
He turned the water off and stepped out of the shower, pulling a towel around his waist and throwing one around his neck. He walked out of the bathroom glumly, scrubbing his hair dry as he walked into his bedroom. He sighed as he saw all of Aizen's clothes had gone and the bed had been neatly made.
His head snapped around as the bedroom door opened suddenly, Stark graced the doorway and smiled as he saw him, "Ichigo… I've been calling you."
"Yeah sorry… I was in the shower. I couldn't hear you over the water until I sensed your reiatsu." He replied and swallowed heavily.
"Ah that' alright-" Stark broke off as he looked over Ichigo's shoulder at the desk, his eyebrows furrowed as he saw two plates and two empty mugs, his eyes then moved towards Ichigo again and he noticed the slow forming bruises on his neck, love bites.
Ichigo grew nervous as he saw Stark's eyes move around the room slowly before settling on his neck, he swallowed heavily as the former Espada moved over to him and reached out, resting a fingertip on his neck.
Stark felt a flood of jealousy and anger course through him as he also sensed Aizen's reiatsu remnants around the room, "What was the point of rescuing you from Las Noches is you are just going to continue to see Aizen behind everyone's backs?" he yelled, "Do you have any idea how worried your friends were when you were kidnapped inside Las Noches? Do you? And you are betraying them now! You could say no now you're on home turf! Why are you still seeing him?" he exploded, "WHY?"
"I… Its none of your business Stark!" he snapped weakly.
"Yes it is!" he exclaimed, grabbing Ichigo firmly and pushing him against the bedroom door, not batting an eyelid as the towel around Ichigo's waist fell to the floor revealing him and all his assets, "People risked their lives to get you out of Las Noches and away from Aizen! People nearly died to protect you! I betrayed my kin! I left because I thought a life here with you and your friends was better than the one I had there! I will never be able to return to my home! I gave that up because I believed you were worth it!"
Ichigo swallowed and looked into his eyes before tearing his own away and looking at the floor as his eyes welled up, "Let go of me." He croaked.
Stark faltered as he saw his eyes well up and felt guilt replace his anger, "Ichigo… You are a kind and caring person. You deserve someone who can reciprocate that nature… Who can cherish it rather than smother it." He murmured, "Ichigo… You have people who love you. People who love you so much… If you would only open your eyes and see that… You might be able to be happy again."
Ichigo looked up at him slowly, "Like who?" he said tearfully.
"Tensa, Shirosaki for a start… They both love you… They'd die for you… They nearly did remember! They care about you! Please stop degrading yourself!" he replied as he cupped his face in his hands.
Ichigo's eyes widened as he spoke before spilling over, he tried to push his hands away but failed and instead started crying silently and covered his face with his hands before falling into Stark's embrace and bawling into his chest.
Stark sighed in relief and hugged him tightly, pulling the towel over to cover the younger man's modesty, "Shh… Shh sh… It's okay… It's going to be okay… Shhh…" he murmured softly, brushing his locks of orange hair out of his eyes, "Everything is going to be okay now… Shh… Shh…" he soothed.
The crying man took several minutes to calm down, and when he did it was only due to him falling asleep in Stark's arms. The former Espada looked down at the sleeping shinigami and sighed quietly before scooping up, trying to ignore the pressing desire to take a small peek under the towel.
He shook his head and chuckled to himself, "Stark Coyote… You bad, bad man…" he pushed the thoughts of glancing at Ichigo to the very back of his mind and laid the sleeping man on the bed before pulling a pair of pyjama bottoms from the wardrobe.
He moved back over to the bed and sighed as he stood at Ichigo's feet. He rolled his eyes, "It's not like you haven't seen him before you over hormonal pervert." He hissed at himself before pulling the towel away and lifting Ichigo's legs, pushing them into the pyjamas.
Several minutes of struggling and fighting with the young adults' legs while trying not to wake him back up; Stark stood back and blew out an exhausted breath, he brushed his brown hair back out of his eyes and dusted his hands down before leaning over and pulling the duvet up over the sleeping berry head. He tucked him in and closed the curtains before retreating out of the bedroom silently.
Jogging downstairs, Stark picked up the Kurosaki house phone and called Tensa's mobile, "Hey, you're on a free period now aren't you?" he asked as the solemn Zanpakto soul picked up.
"Yeah… Why what's wrong? How come you're calling from the house phone?"
"About that… I think you should pull a sicky." He sighed, "Aizen's been here. Ichigo's been a bit of an idiot and I think he needs comforting properly. I managed to get him off to sleep but you and Shirosaki would probably be better company." He told them.
"You mean he slept with him right?"
He groaned slightly in misery, "… Yes-"
"Shit! What is that prat thinking?"
"Tensa! Can you please just come home… I'll explain fully when you get here."
"Right yeah of course… We'll be there in ten."
Stark hung up and sighed, rubbing his forehead in exasperation and hoping the pair were willing to listen when they got home. He didn't have to wait long to find out, that was for sure.
Tensa opened the front door and headed towards the stairs with Shirosaki close behind him, they would have thundered up them if not for Stark sonido-ing over and grabbing them both. He steered them into the kitchen and forced them both to sit down.
"Listen to me." He told them sternly, "I know you are probably angry, upset and confused but you need to know all the facts before facing Ichigo. Is that acceptable?"
The pair shared a look before Tensa looked back at the former Espada, "Of course."
Stark looked relieved, "Alright… I have already spoken to Ichigo… And I think he saw sense but I could be wrong. After I spoke to him he broke down and cried for a while before falling asleep." He sighed, "He knows he was stupid and I'm almost certain that he regrets it."
Tensa sighed, "Then… Why did he do it?"
"This is Aizen we're talking about… Why do you think he did it?" Stark sighed as well, "We don't know the full extent of what Aizen did to him mentally yet… He's only just really started opening up to Unohana… For all we know he could have twisted Ichigo so far around his little finger he doesn't know which way is which anymore."
There was a silence which felt like it lasted forever, but which in reality was only seconds long, "I think the best course of action is for you both to… Show him how much you care. Try to… I don't know… Not so much smother him but to comfort him and to show him exactly how much you worry. It may help keep him on the straight and narrow." He told them.
Shirosaki nodded, "I guess tha's all we can do…" he murmured and took Tensa's hand under the table comfortingly.
Tensa nodded before looking at Stark suspiciously, "Stark… What do you think of Ichigo?"
The brunette's back stiffened before he slid into a seat in front of them, "He is strong, intelligent and Soul Society is lucky to have someone so talented on their side."
"That is true enough… But I asked what YOU thought of him."
Stark faltered again and swallowed, "I… Cannot lie to you both… I love him. I am not ashamed to admit it. He is without a doubt the most infuriating, fascinating and selfless person I have ever met. It feels like an honour to have known him."
The two souls looked at one and other before looking back at Stark, "That is what we feel as well. Although Ichigo has always strived to protect his friends, even at the expense of his own life, I personally have always wanted nothing more than to protect him. That is the reason I give him the power to protect his friends, because as long as he is strong he is safer. I would happily die protecting him."
"'Nd although I've tried ta take over 'is soul in the past… I do care for 'im greatly… I'd rather die than 'im get 'urt." Shirosaki reassured both of them.
"We know." Tensa smiled weakly and put an arm around him, "Well then it's decided. We'll have to help him together. I believe that you care for him as much as you say Stark so you will join us in trying to prove that we all love him."
Stark looked surprised for a moment before smiling and nodded, "Absolutely… I would be honoured." He stood up, "Do you want to go up now? I think he is still sleeping but we can sit with him till he wakes up."
The pair nodded and stood was well, following silently up the stairs.
A/N: So what did you think? Do you believe Stark, Tensa and Shirosaki will be able to help Ichigo get over his mild infatuation with Aizen? Do you think Aizen will continue to let the troublesome former Espada stick his nose in?
I hope you enjoyed the chapter and I await your reviews and comments hopefully ^_^