7. The Conversation
Byakuya's head was in turmoil. He has been deceived. He hasn't seen through the psychological game – never mind the fact that he was not the key person in that scheming. But still even when he was called in to play his part, he hasn't noticed. This has not happened yet.
Yamamoto had to know what will happen, when he announced such a thing to him and Ichigo. The young hot-head would yell at him at the spot, call him names and just be noisily pissed at the time of hearing of Yamamoto's plan. But as he is quick with getting worked up, he is also quick to calm down – once he has his share of yelling and swearing. But Byakuya? To tell him that he has been just a means to "greater goal"? He sure as hell would not yell at the old man for the audacity. No, that is not how he operates – he could have in the past, when he was young and reckless as Ichigo, but not now. The head of the Kuchiki clan always, always, keeps his cool – which does not mean that the old man will not feel his wrath for being used, for being deceived.
He understood that teaching Ichigo was a very important mission. He was able to get the strategic meaning of the newly appointed captain to the Society. Maybe he did even grasp, in a way, that him teaching Ichigo the art of kido was not restricted only to the without-sword combat. But it was just Byakuya's way of teaching – to teach through explanation and understanding of the way how things work. He wanted Ichigo to grasp the subtle differences which show up when you are deeply concentrated – because for someone with such a massive power that was important. But he never took it for something like father-son's passing on of experience. If he had any feelings towards the orange-haired man, he would definitely call them anything other than fatherly.
But now he has been forced in this role – in the role of the more experienced man who teaches the youngling about life. Byakuya never wanted that. And now he will have to explain himself to Ichigo – explain why he hasn't stood up for him even when he is his teacher, why he didn't speak up his mind when he was told of being a marionette in someone else's hand. This made him angry. Really angry. Because even though it seems that the old man's plan blew up on him when he was forced to explain himself due to the way Byakuya wrote his report, it actually didn't – Byakuya was still forced to act as an example of maturity for Ichigo, he was still being forced into the role of fatherly figure.
Byakuya didn't believe for a second that he was invited in for the revelation just because the old man did not want to repeat himself. Yamamoto counted on the influence his presence would have on Ichigo. He counted on Byakuya's sense of proper etiquette and self-control. Captain Commander wanted for sure for Ichigo to see how someone with such a level of self-control and sense of responsibility handles a situation like this. It was yet again a teaching lesson for Ichigo, but the boy didn't see that. And how could he? He became a Shinigami just a little while ago – it seemed like yesterday for Byakuya. Ichigo has neither training nor knowledge of how these psychological wars and scheming work. And it is yet again Byakuya's responsibility to teach him that.
And he will. He will tell Ichigo about everything and he will do it his way. Self-control be forgotten and proper etiquette thrown out the window. He will speak to the boy in his own language, so that he would instantly get everything.
Byakuya passed one of his many servants and gave him a meaningful look. He understood immediately and went running towards one of the doors.
In a few strides he reached a banquet room, as they call it so aristocratically. It was a quite spacious room with tapestries hanging on the walls and one big round table standing in the middle. Around the table there were some pillows for the nobles to have somewhere comfy to sit. By the time of Byakuya's arrival was everything already set. The servant was clearly not a newbie. Good. Byakuya seated himself and waited for the other party to come.
The only thing that made Ichigo follow Byakuya right now was his curiosity. This feeling only intensified when he saw a servant, who only glanced at his master, ran off to somewhere suddenly looking like he had very many things to tend to.
I wonder why he didn't want to talk about it in the open. Why are we in his mansion again? Huh? Does he plan to kill me? Nah, he is not stupid and even if he was planning to kill me, he would not give a damn about anybody else seeing it. And why did the servant start to run as soon as he looked at his master? Kuchiki Byakuya…just what are you planning…
Ichigo soon had to pick up his pace since he came dangerously close to losing sight of the raven-haired Shinigami. Thank god for his shawl which indicated the direction of his turns. Finally, he entered the door where he saw Byakuya go to. This whole place was a maze. Unbelievable.
"What the.."
That was as far as he went before last of his breath was knocked out of him from the sight. Byakuya was seated by a humongous table, which was full of food and most of all - drinks. Alcoholic drinks.
Since when does Byakuya drink?
The room was very big and bright. Ichigo liked the decoration very much. While his wandering, wide-open his eyes finally came back to the owner of the mansion, he was forced to hold back laughter. Byakuya's usual mask of I-don't-really-care-leave-me-out-of-it was gone. The expression currently residing on his face was…well, was as if you killed his puppy or something. He was clearly pissed and decided to do something about it, probably something he hasn't done in a very long time – judging by the trouble he had maintaining that face. All in all the result that Ichigo was looking at was hilarious.
"Are you done staring? Sit, would you?" Byakuya finally snapped.
"You were planning some party for today?" Ichigo chuckled.
"Christ, just sit!"
The older Shinigami was cute when he made faces like that. He had to be fun, when he was young, Ichigo thought. He obeyed and sat down as far from the other one as possible. Byakuya might be looking cute and funny now, but it is always good to be cautious with the man.
"I am not going to kill you. You can sit closer, you know. It will be very uncomfortable for either of us to get up every time we want to pour ourselves some drink if you sit that far away."
The way he was speaking…
"Oi, Byakuya…Did you suffer a stroke there or something? Are you sure you are feeling ok?" Ichigo sounded profoundly concerned now, but still a slight hint of amusement was detectable.
The addressed just shot him a look. "I was under the impression that you had something you wanted to tell me back at the First Division."
Good, so he still is Byakuya.
"You piss me off." All the joking gone now as Ichigo recalled the not so distant memory of the conversation with the Captain Commander.
"Is that so?" The mask was back on for a second, but instantly disappeared. "Because I didn´t back you up with Yamamoto?"
Ichigo just stared at the man, now sitting next to him.
"Yes, that too. ... Seriously, what is wrong with you? Why are you being so open all of a sudden?!"
"Because you need to understand. Here, have some." He handed Ichigo a cup with sake.
"Why are we drinking?" There was suspicion in Ichigo's voice.
"Because you need to understand everything of what I am about to tell you just now. I figured this might help. I know it did help me, when I was young and had serious conversations with my grandfather. He would always insist on us drinking together, although he would call that ´bonding as grown men´." Byakuya smirked at the last part, memories of those evenings suddenly flooding his mind.
After that Ichigo didn't argue. Byakuya was weird, though he could hardly complain – Ichigo kind of liked this "new Byakuya".
"So why didn't you? Why didn't you stand up for me practically any time I needed it?"
"I thought it was better that way. If I did, I could hurt your pride or the way everyone else perceives you. When you want to look like a grown man, you have to fight your battles alone. And it would hurt mine as well, because it would look like I was not good enough teacher. There are many things you have to consider when opening your mouth. I know you don't see it, but most of the battles in here are fought with words." Byakuya drank his second cup.
"So, you were just looking out for me, then?" Ichigo sounded dubious.
"No."
"What? But you just said that.."
"I was not looking out for you. I wanted to see how you behaved, mostly I wanted to figure you out, so I would know how to teach you. And I was looking out for myself. After a while I could see that teaching you the way I was taught has no meaning at all, but I didn't know how to do it differently. After all I saw you fight, but I never saw you train or learn new techniques."
"Why didn't you ask Urahara or Renji, then? Or even Rukia?"
"Pride." He shrugged his shoulders. "But that is not really the issue here. Did you understand what Yamamoto just told us?"
Ichigo drank. He had to - Byakuya was making a conversation for crying out loud! He should take advantage of that.
"Oh, so letting me be beaten up to a pulp is your way of educating then?"
Byakuya's face was slightly redder compared to the color it had at the beginning of their conversation. But his speech was still coherent and well articulated. One wouldn't expect him to get drunk with a few cups anyway. It would be unbecoming of someone like Byakuya, as he would most certainly call it.
"You were supposed to stand up and continue the fight."
When Ichigo realized he meant that, he started to laugh. It seemed really funny, but it could have been the alcohol roaming through his system already. They kept drinking on a steady pace.
"Kurosaki Ichigo, you think it ended with what Yamamoto told us, don't you?" Byakuya pressed his point.
"No, Byakuya, you were supposed to do something - like...I don't know, yell at him or something. Or tell him to go shove it...or..."
"Are you drunk?" Byakuya raised one eyebrow questioningly.
"Nah.." Ichigo waved a hand at him. "I am fine. So? ...ehm..it seems like you wanna tell me something?" The way he spoke did not really support his statement.
Byakuya assessed him carefully and decided that now was the perfect moment to break the news to him.
"Yamamoto's plane did not blew up on him, when he was telling the truth." He waited for some kind of reaction, but when it didn't come, he continued: "I was still being forced to teach you...like a father would his son."
This did it for Ichigo. He slammed himself on the floor and laughed so hard, coughing up in between laughter the words father and son. Byakuya just drank more. He figured it would be better to be on the same level as the young Shinigami, since that way they would avoid misunderstandings.
Well whom is he kidding - Byakuya just wanted to be so carefree too, even if it was just for tonight. Getting off his mask and responsibilities felt nice.
When Ichigo finally collected himself, he sat up and placed his hand on Byakuya's shoulder.
"So which part bothers you the most - fatherly figure or being forced to teach anyway?"
So is he drunk or not? But he wouldn't have touched me otherwise, so has to be.
Byakuya just looked at him surprised. This was a fine example of the youngster doing something so unexpected. Byakuya would have guessed that he would be also pissed - since the meaning behind his words was clearly that Ichigo is too still manipulated. But the orange-haired devil comes up with such a question instead? How fascinating. Why did he say such a thing? Did he notice something even Byakuya had no idea of saying in that sentence?
"Oi, Byakuya" Ichigo laughed, "it's not like it's a problem from nuclear physics! Which one?" With the last part his eyes got serious.
"Why?" Byakuya was on the defense now. His body felt warm, which he attributed to the big amount of alcohol he consumed.
"Do you see yourself as my father, Byakuya?" Ichigo pressed. His eyes were different.
"You are drunk. Besides that is not the point here! You should be getting pissed again. Why aren't you?" Byakuya's articulation was not perfect anymore.
All this time Ichigo's hand was resting on Byakuya's shoulder. Neither of them made any movement as to take it off.
The orange-haired devil chuckled. "Why would I be pissed?"
"Because you are still being manipulated too! You don't see it? Really?!"
Ichigo removed his hand.
"You sure it is me, who is being manipulated?" he chuckled once more. "'Cause it sure as hell looks like you are the only one who thinks so. The captain himself told us that I have passed the maturing part or whatever. So..."
They managed to drink two bottles of sake and started the next. The effects of alcohol became more and more obvious on the behavior of both of them.
"God! You are lucky you have the looks, Kurosaki, for there seems to be not much of brains in the head of yours! Why do you think I was present at this revelation, huh?"
"You are my teacher, well were obviously." The younger man calmly replied and laid on the floor, hands behind his head.
"No," Byakuya also laid down. He was propped up on his elbow and facing the other from the side. "I was there so you would see how to handle such a stressful situation. I mean, I was the one, who stopped you from yelling and other very `pleasant things`, weren't I?"
"Huh?" Ichigo turned his head to look at Byakuya. "Oi, Byakuya - the stuff we are drinking...it's good what is it?"
"Are you listening to me at all?"
"Yeah, yeah..I heard ya´, I am being manipulated too. Cool...So how is that thing called?"
"Cool?!" Byakuya's face was hovering above Ichigo's.
"Well, there is not much I can do about it now, is there? Besides, I am kinda happy since it made you talk to me - like a person, you know." Ichigo's eyes were half dropped from the booze.
There was silence for a second and whole array of emotions occurred on Byakuya's face. He was staring on the other party, until Ichigo turned his head to look back at him.
"What?" The younger one asked. "You look like it is the first time anybody told you they like to be with you or something."
There were so many things running through Byakuya's head. Why is this boy acting so much out of the ordinary? Why does he see things so differently from everybody else? Why do his words have such an impact on me? Am I that drunk? Why is my body so different now when I am lying close to him? Why?
Without thinking he was leaning closer to Ichigo's face.
"Oi, Byakuya! What do..." Ichigo seemed much more sober, when he spotted the slow movement, but was cut short by a hand pressing him harshly against the floor.
Byakuya was now directly above Ichigo, whom he was holding down. But it seemed it was not needed anymore. Ichigo was calm and looking directly into Byakuya's eyes.
"Why..why did you say that?" Was about all the raven was able to get out.
"So you really did hate the fatherly part, huh?" Ichigo said still looking at Byakuya.
"I just don't understand you, Kurosaki Ichigo." The raven mused and kept on examining the body underneath him.
Ichigo crooked his mouth into a half-smile, which made Byakuya focus on his lips. He felt heat rising within him.
It is the alcohol. It has to be.
He was drawn in and before he knew it their lips were touching. Both of their bodies went rigid for a second as they realized what has happened.
But Byakuya's body seemed to have a will of its own. Even though his head was screaming in protest, his body felt the connection and acted accordingly. But the weirdest thing was that Ichigo responded to his moves.
They kissed.
"I am telling you guys something happened. Kuchiki-taicho is acting really weird." Renji complained to his usual drinking companions.
"Yeah, well, at least he is not making you do as much paperwork as Hitsugaya-taicho makes me." Rangiku whined.
"You guys, you're so pathetic." Kira made a contribution to the conversation.
"Yeah, you say that because you still don't have a captain above you, so you have nobody to complain about!" Renji shot back.
"Oi, I have a captain and I don't say a thing, man!" Ikkaku joined.
"God! You are not listening at all to what I am saying. I am saying.."
Renji was cut short by Ikkaku: "Yeah, yeah..heard ya´ the first time, buddy. Kuchiki is weird. So? When is he not weird?"
The redhead was trying for quite some time to express what was so different about his captain these days. But it was hard, the changes were very subtle - the way he handed him a report, the way he entered the room. Renji noticed these little things since he has been working with his captain for quite some time. He knew his routine. He knew the little signs that predicted a huge storm coming onto Renji. He knew all those bad and even good signs. The way that Kuchiki-taicho would sit in his chair just before he was about to say something nice to his lieutenant - it would be very brief and hardly presented as a nice thing, but it was nice anyway. But the signs that could be observed now were none of the kind Renji was familiar with. That made him uneasy.
"You obviously don't understand.." He muttered and supported his head with his hand.
"Oh, and by the way - did you hear?" Rangiku was very alive all of a sudden.
"About what?" The boredom on Kira's face was all too clear to read.
"Wait! You mean Ichigo, right?" Ikkaku straightened.
"Yeah! Weird, huh?" Rangiku responded.
"What are you guys even talking about?" Came from Renji's corner.
"You mean, you don't know, tattoo-boy?" Rangiku taunted him.
"How many times have I told not to call me that, huh?!" He snarled.
"Will anyone tell me what it is about Ichigo already?" Kira cut the childish teasing.
Lately there was one basic theme in everybody's conversation - Kurosaki Ichigo. It seemed that with him in the Seireitei there will never be a time of boredom ever again.
"He will not be stripped of his post even though he didn't pass the exam. Yamamoto's orders." Ikkaku announced as if it was yesterday's weather he was talking about.
"And you say it just like that?" Kira was exasperated.
"Yeah, Captain Commander sure seems to like him a lot..." Rangiku mused.
"Maybe he did something we didn't know about. Or..." Ikkaku started and shot a meaningful look towards Renji, who started laughing.
"No?" Ikkaku asked.
"You...you mean if my captain has helped him somehow?" He got in between laughter. "Yeah, right." Renji erupted into another spasm of hard laughter. "Oh, sorry I tried to envision the miracle, but..."
"Ok, so that is not an option." Kira chuckled.
"Wait, why not? He totally could have. You know, Kuchiki-taicho being his teacher and all..." Rangiku argued with a daydream-like expression on her face.
Renji was holding his belly from all the laughter. "Ran- Ran- Ran-giku...stop...drinking!"
Nah, Renji's captain would not do such a thing - like ever.
"But Renji, you are the one trying to convince us that Kuchiki is acting weird, aren't you?" Ikkaku suddenly saw some hidden logic behind Rangiku's wild dreams.
"Yeah - but that is unrelated to Ichigo, man." Renji answered.
"Oh, really? And how can you be so certain? How long has it been since he has been acting this weird?" Kira pressed their point.
"Wait, don't tell me you guys are again thinking that those two are..."
"Oh, but you are the one who said that." Rangiku winked.
"Shut up! I did not!" Renji even spilled some of his drink while delivering such a heated answer.
All three of them laughed.
"And stop ganging up on me, you idiots!"
"So, when did he exactly start to act so weird, Renji?" Ikkaku continued.
"I am not talking about that with you anymore." Renji gulped down the rest of his drink and ordered next.
"Ah, so he started about that time then, huh. How sweet..." Rangiku purred.
"This ain't one of your stupid romance books, Rangiku! They are two grown men for crying out loud! Kuchiki-taicho even had a wife!" Renji defended the pride of his captain.
"Well, aren't we a little touchy there, friend." Kira teased half laughing.
"Ok, let him be. We'll see soon enough anyways." Ikkaku tried to play the good cop here.
"That's right! The regular meeting is up - when is it again? In three days?" Rangiku rejoiced.
"Right." Kira added.
There was silence from Renji.
"And what about Ichigo? Did anybody talk to him? Renji? Ikkaku?" Kira continued.
"Nah, I am stuck at the Eleventh. It's crazy right now. I am glad I got some time off to see you guys."
All heads turned to Renji.
"Seriously. There has got to be a better topic for conversation than that. And no. I did not see Ichigo. You know I do have a job as a lieutenant at the Sixth Division and it's not like I can slack off there or something."
"Gee, ok." Kira lifted his hand in a mock defensive gesture and chuckled. " We won't ask you anymore then."
"Yeah, right." Renji uttered under his breath.
"Ah, you know what guys?" Rangiku jolted.
"What?" Kira and Ikkaku said in unison.
"I still haven't told you about my new discovery.." she winked at them.
"Yeah, that's right. So? Who is he?" Ikkaku winked back.
Rangiku started to describe all the qualities her current "discovery" had, not leaving one little detail out of the story.
This was their usual routine. They would sit and complain about the workload they have from their captains and then reminisce about their romantic achievements and talk about some new "discoveries" and drink. It was nice. But today Renji just couldn't bring himself to actively take part in that anymore. He hardly listened to what Rangiku was telling the guys, though it had to be funny since both of them were laughing. He should go see Ichigo sometime - to at least congratulate him on staying captain.
"Oi, Renji! Are you listening?" someone called on him.
Hey, so again - thank you very much for your support (reviews, favs, follows) and for some good advice, which I tried to incorporate in the text (thanks for the grammar hints :) ) I might have some bad news for you - I will not be able to write in the next two weeks, since it is the time of our finals and I should study. Rough estimate of the date of next chapter would be somewhere around Christmas. But I think it is not that bad, since I did not leave any massive cliff-hanger here. I hope you enjoyed this chapte,r too. And as always I am open to any hints or constructive criticism.
Enjoy the time of Advent :)