A/N: Fluff, but fluff with a purpose. Again, sorry if there are some major editing problems. I know how that can kill a story, but I don't think there is. I just really wanted to get this out because I'm also trying to get another chapter for another story out today.

Terms to know

Kava tea: Tea made of the Kava herb that makes a person feel completely relaxed and in a rather "mellow" mood. Despite popular belief, it doesn't make you high, but instead, does wonders for anxiety. Also, typically, it taste like pure dog shit.

Haha/Okaasan: The formal Vs. casual way of saying mother.

Ojiisama: Grandfather

Otosama: Dad

Dango/Chadango: A sweet Japanese dumpling/ Green tea flavored dango. Typically served with green tea.

Song: "Pot Hole" by Modern Baseball

My Dearest Darkness

xXx

"You are the ember of my heart, rather you like that or not."

Ichigo Kurosaki knew fear. It would be a misconception to think otherwise, though an understandable one. With the way he ran into dangerous situations with a single minded resolution, one might think he cared nothing of his own life, but that wasn't the case. Ichigo just feared losing people more than he did losing himself.

Yes, Ichigo didn't just know fear, he was driven by it. Fear gives you direction, it let's you know what's important. In moderation, fear is good, but when not managed, it can control you.

It was no longer a question of if Ichigo loved Byakuya, but love was a language of its own, ancient hieroglyphics to be discovered and deciphered. There was nothing straightforward about it.

For Byakuya, love had always meant sacrifice. For Ichigo, love had always meant protection, and now, Ichigo wanted to protect Byakuya from himself, from his uncertainty. He wanted to protect what he and Byakuya had from the disastrous possibilities of what they could have.

Before, his fear directed him forward, placing him knee deep in the grit of a battle, a battle to keep the ones he loved. Now his fear anchored him for the same reasons.

But what caused such a fear? Byakuya's life wasn't in danger. He was falling for Byakuya in the remnants of a war, not in the thick of it. He understood Byakuya may not return his feelings. He understood that he was simply a child when it came to love, and he could ruin them with his inexperience and often careless hands. He understood that Byakuya could take a wife and he'd lose him anyway. Ichigo understood all the grisly possibilities, but still, driven by fear or not, he never let it control him in the past. He had long ago learned to stop pushing his friends away and carrying the burden of their live on his shoulders alone out of fear. So why now?

He wasn't sure, but one thing he did know was that he wouldn't take chances with Byakuya's heart. Byakuya broke himself apart for the ones he loved, and if he did return Ichigo's feelings, Ichigo could have the noble on his knees. Ichigo wouldn't carry something so precious with uncertainty. He wouldn't be another block of ice added to Byakuya's fortress. He wouldn't thaw him out just to freeze him again.

Because he did love Byakuya, Ichigo would safeguard his heart. Meaning, until he could understand his own reluctance, he would make no attempts to further his relationship with Byakuya.

Walking back from an afternoon of division training, these thoughts were Ichigo's companions.

'Then maybe you should do some soul searching so you won't be so uncertain,' Zangetsu offered. 'That is what I'm here for.'

'Like I have time for that. The festivals tomorrow and the Grand Noble Council's Galla is two days afterwards. Not to mention that weird thing that happened a couple of nights ago...'

'Love isn't really known for its patience, King.' When Ichigo said nothing, Zangetsu scolded, 'Then at least stop being so distant towards Moonbeam. For a guy who claims he doesn't want to hurt him, you're doing one hell of a shity job.'

Ichigo halted, fisting his callused and clumsy hands.

"I know."

xXx

When Byakuya was a child, he took many classes, but his favorite was painting. His mentor once gave him a piece of advice that resonated till this day. She said, when judging your work, always take three giant steps back. Change your perspective, because when you look too closely, you can't see the full picture.

Until he stepped back, Byakuya didn't realize he'd been standing too close to see the truth of his feelings for Ichigo. Up close, all he could see was a cluster of colorful dots, but after he changed his position, it morphed into romanticism on fire.

Blindness made it even harder to see them for what they were. It was a darkness that touched everything, warped his perspective on more than what he took in visually.

Byakuya had been inside a hand full of men and women before Hisana. Not out of love, but out of curiosity or lukewarm lust. He'd never experienced desire without the assistance of vision. He'd never known he could sense physical attraction through the sound of someone's breathing or the feeling of someone's body heat alone, and because of that, he could never give a name to the way his heart squirmed in Ichigo's presence.

When Byakuya made love to Hisana, he held her like a paper doll, with a sweet delicacy. The lust he felt for her was born from a purity, a fervent need to shelter her from the storm of the world, but it was different with Ichigo. Ichigo was the storm.

Knowing Ichigo was like willingly standing on the tip of an ocean side cliff, arms out, welcoming the fury of a rebellious tempest, imploring that it wreck you with its chaos. Knowing Ichigo was passion, and Byakuya built his house in that fire.

Ichigo was changing everything in his life, even the way he felt love.

The noble stood in the kitchen, exasperated yet unable to sleep. Carefully, he made himself tea with the aid of his echo location abilities. He placed the tip of his finger in his cup as he poured in the milk, stopping once he felt heat against his skin. Only, as he turned to put the milk away, he knocked the cup off the counter, scattering the floor with glass and hot tea.

Byakuya braced his palms against the counter, pressing his frustration into the granite. Then he sighed as he knelt down and slowly picked up the shards.

He noticed his hands were shaking ever so slightly, and he clutched them in reprimand as he closed his eyes. He hoped to find composure in a moment of stillness, but the stillness of his body only seemed to highlight the franticness of his thoughts. He tried to avoid it, thoughts about Ichigo, because if left unchecked, between the words he'd never say and his own insecurities, monsters would make their home in his head.

However, Byakuya realized that the calmest corners of his mind were found when he focused on his happiest times with Ichigo.

xXx

Byakuya and Ichigo exchanged blows right as rain began to fall heavy one the ground.

Metal against metal rang in Byakuya's ear as they clashed once more. Ichigo flashed back from their exchange, panting as he skidded across the dampened earth.

"Maybe we should hold off. It's starting to come down pretty bad."

"And what if it begins to storm during a battle? Will you hold off then too?"

"Hey! I was just concerned about you, Byakuya. I know how touchy you are about your hair. You wouldn't want to get it wet."

Byakuya relished in the smirk Ichigo wore in his voice, so much so, he put on one of his own. In retaliation, he used Ichigo's divided attention to his advantage and shunpo behind him. He pressed the edge of his blade across Ichigo's exposed throat and spoke in the man's ear.

"I see that both my hair and shunpo are still better than yours. Perhaps if you gave as much attention to your fighting as you do your banter, you would not be at the mercy of my blade."

Byakuya released his sword and jumped back into a defensive position. Ichigo chuckled and said, "Okay, Byakuya, I guess I better start taking this seriously then."

"Anything else would be an insult to my pride."

"Well here," Ichigo said, extending his sword and preparing to charge the noble, "let me help you restore it."

The two engaged in a fierce back and forth as the rain fell relentlessly, and Byakuya found that the storm was aiding his echo location technique tremendously. As he continued in their spar, the typically empty contours of the landscape were detailed by the barrage of droplets. Everything was a see-through blue, like a world underwater.

After several more hits, Byakuya changed his tactics and directed a low level kido towards Ichigo. He flew back into the mud, and Byakuya quickly pressed the tip of Senbonzakura to his chest.

With his forearm slung across his face, Ichigo said, "No fair, Byakuya. You said only swords."

"Have you never heard the expression 'all's fair in love and war?'"

"I was right," Ichigo said, shifting his arm to his side, "You take this way too seriously."

Any response Byakuya had was abandoned at the sight of Ichigo's heavenly translucent face looking up at him. A thousand rain drops drenched him, contouring every nook and cranny, from the slight twist of his lips to the way his eyes pinched at the corners. Byakuya was trance induced, silently ingraining Ichigo's face to memory. Had he'd alway been this beautiful?

Byakuya fell in love with the rain all over again.

The moment was stolen as his sword was knocked from his grasp. He felt himself hit the ground, but just as suddenly saw Ichigo's out stretched hand dangling in front of him.

"You used my distraction to your advantage." Byakuya interlocked their hands. "I see you are learning."

"Im sort've disappointed, Byakuya." Ichigo pulled the noble up, grinning all the while. "You know better than to count me out in a spare. You practically have to break my arm before I call it quits."

"And you say I take this too seriously."

"If I'm going to have to deal with your smug attitude, I'm going to make you earn it."

Byakuya looked down to where their hands were still interlocked. He reveled in its heat before looking back up to Ichigo's rain-lit face.

"You say this, but I know you also take great pleasure in besting me."

"You're one of the strongest fighters I know," Ichigo explained. "Our spars are always a challenge. So yeah, beating yous pretty satisfying."

"Especially when you do it so infrequently."

"Shut up, and pick up your sword, Byakuya. I'm ready to kick your ass again."

Byakuya flashed a tiny smirk before he shunpo over to retrieve Senbonzakura. "Do try to keep up, Ichigo."

xXx

In the hush of night fall, Byakuya laid in peaceful slumber. That was until he was awoken by the sound of a thud and a loud groan.

Ichigo laid like a crumpled up piece of paper with half of his body discarded onto the floor and the other half face down against the futon. He looked up through liquor drowned eyes and made out the sleepily confused features of the noble.

"Ichigo, what are you doing in my sleeping chambers?" Byakuya asked as he tugged at the fabric of his garment in hopes to retain a modicum of modesty.

"Bkuya... You..'re..not ah tea kettle."

"I would hope no- Wait, what do you think you are doing?" He asked as he felt the futon shift and creak beneath him.

Ichigo crawled on his hands and knees, dragging himself onto the futon. He landed on his stomach and sunk into the plush fabric. "I was lookin' for ahh.. kitchen... but mhh, this is much better. What's this stuff made of anyway? It's probably somethin' 'spensive." He yawned. "I likes it."

"Ichigo, how did you get to be in this state? What possessed you-"

"I'll tell ya' howls!" Ichigo shouted, jerking his head up to rest on his elbows, all sleepiness momentarily forgotten for the sake of his drunken diatribe. "It thm' drunkards at the eleventh. They funneled sake down my throat! I mean, okAY, it was kind've my fault for takin' 'hat bet, but I reaLLY thought I could win." He scowled, slamming his fist into the futon. "Damn 'hat Kenpachi." He laid his head back down, talking through a mouth full of futon. "I'm goin' ta' kill 'em. No!" He suddenly jerked up again. "He'd like 'hat. I'm never fightin' 'em again. Yeah," he grumbled, "that's what I'lls do."

When he lowered his groggy head once more and wallowed against the futon, Byakuya said, "Ichigo, go to your room. Now."

"You go ta' your room!"

Byakuya huffed. "This is my room."

"Just go sleep in my bed thenss," Ichigo whined, his red face sitting somewhere between a scowl and a pout.

"I will do no such thing."

"Thenss we gonna' havta' share."

"Now you are just being ridiculous."

Ichigo made some nonsensical ramblings, but said nothing else of use.

"Ichigo?"

Nothing.

"Ichigo?"

Snoring.

Byakuya sighed, dipped his head, and shook Ichigo's shoulder.

"Wake up, or you will not enjoy the way I make you wa-"

The noble's eyes widened when three finger pads pressed against his lips. "Shhh," Ichigo slurred, his sloppy applications slipping down the noble's face. "You..'re too loud."

"You are too intoxicated."

"Havesumm sim-pathy!"

"You did this yourself."

"Okay, oKAY, imma' get up." Trying to push himself up, Ichigo grumbled, "Heartless bastard."

"Oh, so you can say that with perfect execution?"

He managed to worm his way onto his haunches, but that was as far as he got before he placed a palm to his pounding forehead.

"Why is everything movin' so fast, Bkuya? I can't... keep... up." Ichigo rested his wobbly head against the noble's collar bone and clutched his forearms. "You make everything stop spinning."

Byakuya sighed and resigned himself to the man's helplessness. As he placed a hand on Ichigo's side to help anchor him, he said, "Take a moment to compose yourself."

"Bkuya?"

"Hm?"

"We're friends, right?"

"I have not yet killed you for your obscene intrusion, have I?"

"Thenss...don't ahh be mad if I get sick, kay?"

Byakuya grasped Ichigo's shoulders and gently shoved him back to obtain a safe distance. "I said I have not killed you yet. Regurgitate on me, and that may change."

Ichigo's eyes bounced around in his sockets like pinballs as he let out a sickly groan, and Byakuya softly shook his head at the sight.

"Turn around so that your back is to me. I will take away your nausea."

Ichigo groused and grumbled but complied all the same, collapsing with his back against the noble's shoulder. Byakuya's arms encircled Ichigo's waist, and he placed both hands flat against the squawking stomach.

"'Im ah sorry...for this, 'Kuya."

"It can't be helped," Byakuya said with a sigh. "I suppose there is something endearing about seeing you in such a pathetic state."

"Ims not pathetic!" Ichigo hissed.

"If that is the case, I can stop and you can walk to your room."

"Okay, yeah, maybeee Imma little pathetic." Ichigo sputtered out truncated curse words in his loopy state before he muttered, "Bastard.."

As the curdling of his gut started to settle, Ichigo moaned in satisfaction and turned his nose into the ivory of Byakuya's neck. The noble's skin flushed, but he ignored the reaction and kept his hands steady.

"You smell good," Ichigo garbled, "like sakura. No one should smell thhifs good all ta' time."

"Thank you," Byakuya deadpanned, "It is my D.N.A."

Almost inaudibly, Ichigo mumbled, "I wonder if ya' taste like tat too."

"I-" The noble jerked back at the feeling of Ichigo's warm, sake scented mouth closing in on his neck, causing Ichigo to lose his balance and plop onto the floor with a groan.

"God damn, Bkuay! I was jusf cure-ious!"

"You can sleep on the floor. Now be quiet. We must wake in an hour for training."

Ichigo rattled out obscenities about how he'd be damned if he slept on the floor as he used all his strength and coordination to crawl back onto the futon.

He flopped down right beside Byakuya and fell into an instant sleep, but this time, the noble decided not to wake him.

xXx

Because their schedules and duties often caused a good majority of their days to be spent apart, Byakuya and Ichigo rarely ate dinner together. However, on the one day they did, it was interrupted by the elder's personal arran boy.

The young man handed the Kuchiki Lord a folder filled with documents, documents Byakuya noticed were not in brail.

"The elders would like your immediate response. They also informed me that this document was classified and to be seen by your eyes only."

Byakuya let out a tiny, imposed sigh. He did not enjoy being bothered during his dinner nor did he enjoy being directed to drop everything for something of such low priority. If that wasn't enough to miff him, the elders had thoughtlessly dropped the ball by giving him these documents in regular print. That was, if they truly meant for this to be read by him and only him.

He wondered if the attendant had just made a poor word choice or if he actually intended for Byakuya to fulfill such a ludicrous, and frankly impossible, demand. He would've usually asked the attendant to clarify, but he couldn't find it in himself to care at the moment.

So, with his normal stoic mask in place, he looked down at the document as if he was actually reading it. He even made sounds of intrigue here and there.

He was sure Ichigo was bringing out the worst in him, or possibly, the best.

Ichigo sputtered in barely contained laughter when Byakuya extended the papers back towards the attendant, and in his usual aloof manner, said, "Everything looks to be in complete order here."

The attendant stood flabbergasted, unsure of what to say or do. He just looked at the out stretched papers for a few passing moments before he asked, "Lord Kuchiki... are you, um, are you joking?"

Byakuya sighed and placed the papers back on the table. "Tell the elders that Kurosaki Fukutaichou and I will look over them at our earliest convenience."

When the attendant said nothing, just stood there with a loose jaw and shifting eyes, Byakuya said, "You may take your leave."

"Ri-right away, Lord Kuchiki," the attendant said before hesitantly stepping away.

Once left alone, Byakuya huffed in annoyance. "I have lost my sense of sight, not my sense of humor."

Ichigo lost it, leaning his head down in a fit of laughter.

"I don't think they know you have one. You should've seen that guy, Byakuya. I think he thought you lost your mind. You scared the hell out of him."

Byakuya made a 'hmp' sound and continued to eat his meal while wearing a discreet smile, letting Ichigo's laughter fill him up.

xXx

"Lord Kuchiki."

Byakuya blinked at the sound of Fujita's voice. He realized he'd been kneeling over this pile of glass in complete idleness, though for how long, he was unsure.

"May I help you, Lord Kuchiki?" Fujita asked as she took tentative steps towards the man.

'I can only imagine how I must look.'

"Yes," he said, clearing his throat, "your assistance would be welcomed."

Fujita knelt beside him and began to pick up the shards and place them against the brittle skin of her wrinkled palm.

Byakuya sighed and closed his eyes. "Thank you."

"It is my pleasure." She looked down at the tea leaves and then back to the noble. "You're drinking kava tea, I see."

Byakuya stood up and walked over to a cabinet where he knew the servants kept spare cleaning rags. "You see correct."

"You hate the taste of kava tea."

"Doesn't everybody?" He asked as he slowly made his way back, feeling his way around the counters. "People do not typically drink it for the taste."

"The only time I remember you drinking it was after Lady Hisana's passing," she said nonchalantly.

Byakuya made a noncommittal noise as he knelt down to wipe up the mess he had created.

"In fact, I also noticed that you have intensified your workout regimen."

"Are you perhaps fishing for a confession of some sorts, Fujita-san?"

"Now that doesn't sound all too much like myself." Fujita stood and moved to an empty waste basket that the cooks utilized for their scraps. As she disposed of the glass, she said, "I know you do not go around handing out your most confidential thoughts freely. However, I also know when you're troubled. Sometimes even before you know it yourself."

"Yes," Byakuya said as he stood. "I know."

"Then you also know that you can talk to me if you need to. Sons, they do not like to confide in their Haha. I think it is partially out of fear of disapproval, but even more so, I don't think anyone enjoys being read so well by another person." As Fujita's washed her hands, she hummed in consideration. "However, they also know that their Haha are there whenever they can confide in no one else, not even themselves."

"You so easily place yourself in the shoes of my Haha?"

Fujita turned as she dried her hands on a dishcloth, a ridge stiffness holding her lips. "Now Lord Kuchiki, I could only dream of having half the grace and beauty that Lady Midori did, and I often wish she had lived if only so you could have been influenced by her. I will never be Lady Midori or fill the void of her absence. Still, like with your Otōsama and Ojiisama, I played a large role in raising you, and I do not think it to be so arrogant of me to considered myself more than a mere attendant."

Marginally, Byakuya declined his head in repentance. "I did not mean to offend you Fujita-san. You are, of course, an irreplaceable fixture in both my home and my life." Byakuya tilted his head back up and corrected himself. "In our home."

"I know this even without you speaking it." Fujita walked over to the Kuchiki lord and cupped her hands around his proud features. "But sometimes words need articulation to avoid miscommunication."

"What are you implying, Fujita-san?"

"My boy," she said with a smile, "I recognize the functions of this routine well. You are fine with day to day stress. So I know it is not the elders nor your position that is giving you trouble. It is typical for you to bury yourself under work, but only when you're having an internal crisis do you do it to such an extent." She put her hands back against her side, but not before tucking a strand of hair behind the noble's ear. "You like to preoccupy your mind."

When Byakuya said nothing, she walked over to the stove and began preparing a fresh pot of tea. "If I had to take a gander, I would guess you have found yourself enamored by someone."

"I suppose it would be silly to ask how you have figured this."

Fujita hummed in agreement as she filled the kettle with water.

"Some things are left better unsaid."

"So you intend to do nothing about these feelings. Why?"

"Because," Byakuya responded honestly, "I can see only the ways this would end badly."

"You believe they would not share in your feelings?"

"They couldn't possibly," Byakuya explained. "They are loved by many, and I can not see anything I have to ofter them. At least, nothing that they would want."

Fujita put the kettle on the burner before walking back over to the noble. "I have always found it amazing how you can be both so confident and yet not at the same time."

"I am confident that I am a self aware man. I know my own shortcomings."

"Shortcomings are to be loved too, and feelings are to be shared." She placed a tender hand against his arm. "If you love this person, you should give them the benefit of choosing for themselves what to do with these feelings. Is it so impossible to think they could share in them?"

Byakuya's eyes shifted in consideration before he said, "Even on the off chance that they do, I would not ask them to tether themselves to such a complicated life. Despite our privileges, the life of a Kuchiki is both strenuous and filled with sacrifices. As is, they have made more than enough of those for me."

"Well," Fujita said with a knowing grin, "anyone who has earned your love is undoubtedly a fighter."

"Byakuya, Fujita," Ichigo said, drawing the pairs attention. "I guess I wasn't the only one who couldn't sleep, huh?"

As if in reply, the tea kettle began to whistle. "Ah, it looks as if you're just in time," Fujita said as she moved over to prepare the tea.

Byakuya's tongue sat awkwardly in his mouth as Ichigo walked towards him. Things had been different of late, as if the air around them was thicker, more difficult to move through, and Byakuya wasn't sure how he should act.

Luckily, where his words failed, Ichigo's succeeded. "Hey Byakuya, I just wanted to say I'm sorry," he said in a hushed tone, "you know, about the other night. I shouldn't have ran off like that, and I shouldn't be acting weird around you."

"Have you been?" Byakuya asked flatly. "I haven't noticed."

Ichigo chuckled lowly and said, "You've never been good at lying to me, Byakuya."

Byakuya's feigned apathy deflated. He closed his eyes and said, "I suppose I have not."

He opened his eyes at the feeling of Ichigo's strong grasp around his upper arm. It sat there as it had a dozen times before, as if it simply belonged. Although, Ichigo's presence was like that no matter what it surrounded, uncaring about those who said it was an intrusion, making room for itself anywhere and everywhere it saw fit.

For Byakuya, a man who did not crave the touch of anyone, let alone need it, Ichigo's hands against him felt like a necessity he'd been blinded to. In the same way he didn't understand what his sight meant to him before he no longer had it, he hadn't realized what Ichigo's touches meant to him before he understood that they would never truly be his forever.

That hand felt heavier than it ever had, and he shifted under its pressure. "It wasn't anything you did. I just- I don't really know how to explain what happened without sounding like I'm crazy."

"Many things that may seem insane for someone raised as a human are perfectly normal for those of us raised as a soul. Perhaps I can ofter some insight."

Byakuya could feel Ichigo's hesitation in the way he squeezed his arm before releasing the grasp all together. Finally, Ichigo said, "It was like I was in someone's else's body. The way I perceived things were different, and the feelings I had, they weren't mine."

Byakuya went silent for a moment as thoughtfulness turned into realization. It felt as if he was trying to swallow his own heart. He was no longer cold and impenetrable, but melted, a puddle at Ichigo's feet.

He had to close his eyes to hide away this edifice of misery that erected inside of him. He didn't want Ichigo to see that weakness in his eyes, to see the loneliness inside of him. Ichigo wasn't his. He never was, and he never would be. At most, Byakuya was borrowing him.

'Ichigo, you have the ability to break me and not even realize it.'

"I knew it. You think I'm craz-"

"No, actually, I do not," Byakuya explained. "From the sound of it, you have entered into soul lock with somebody."

Internally, Byakuya focused on the part of himself that wanted only for Ichigo's happiness, and he held tightly to it.

Opening his eyes, he said, "It's a beautiful occurrence."

"What is it?" Ichigo asked.

"It is when two souls are so compatible that they tether intensely, making them lock into place. When this happens, you can tap into their consciousness and vice versa. It's rather rare."

Ichigo went silent for a moment and then asked, "How do I know who I soul locked with?"

"Typically, it is actualized when one soul has an extreme emotional reaction. The other soul involved will be overcame by their consciousness. Usually, there are hints of who that person is in what you perceive through their eyes. Did you see anything that may have been an indicator of who this individual might be?"

There was another long silence on Ichigo's part.

"No, not really," he said finally, his voice teeming with uncertainty and conflicted emotions.

'If it were me Ichigo had soul locked with, he'd know instantly. He would've been blind for that instant we locked. It was delusional to even hope for such a thing, but it could not be helped.'

"Well then perhaps it is the person you fell in love with. Soul lock is not always an indicator of romantic emotions, but it is inclined to those sort've bonds." When Ichigo said nothing yet again, Byakuya asked, "You are in love with someone, yes? This was the assumption I made from the question you asked me that evening."

Meekly, Ichigo said, "Yeah, I am."

Byakuya had never been a man of many words, but maybe he didn't give them enough credit, because no three simple ones had ever rang with such a painful finality as those did.

"Here you are," Fujita said, sitting down two tea cups.

Byakuya picked up his cup promptly, thankful for the distraction.

"You know what would go good with this," Ichigo said after sipping his tea, "Dango."

"Ichigo, it is one in the morni-."

"Ohh," Fujita enthused, "What about some Chadango?"

"And coated in chestnut paste?"

"I'll get the supplies!" Fujita said as she scampered off to the pantry.

"You two are a ridiculous pair," Byakuya said dryly.

"And unstoppable." Ichigo grinned before he explained, "My Okaasan use to say pastries taste better at night, because you know you're not suppose to eat them."

"I see that rebellious root was ingrained into you from childhood." Byakuya sighed before recounting, "My Otōsama preferred time to make pastries was also at night. He would sometimes wake me so we could bake together. He would tell me not to tell my Ojiisama."

"Sounds to me like we should honor their memory." When Byakuya perked a brow dubiously, Ichigo pressed, "Come on, you know you're a much better baker than Fujita and me combined."

"I suppose it would be a shame to watch you two desecrate such a delicacy. Although, do not think I am not wise to you, Ichigo Kurosaki. I know you only want my assistance because you are much too lazy to prepare these by yourself."

"That's not the only reason!" Ichigo declared. "I actually enjoy your company for some strange reason. It's fun watching you break rules, even if their your own personal ones."

Byakuya couldn't help it, the way his heart fluttered. He was pleased by this normalcy that flowed between them so easily. In some small way, he hoped he could always keep this.

"Yo, Byakuya, your eyes..."

Byakuya sucked in a breath. He had been letting his emotions run freely again. "What of them?"

"The specks, their pink," Ichigo marveled with an almost child like wonderment. "Kind've like your sakura blossoms. I've never seen them that color. What do they mean?"

'That I am completely yours to break, Ichigo.'

"That I am hungry."

"Hungry?" Ichigo echoed before chuckling to himself. "I never knew you felt so strongly about food."

"Well I do. Which means we should get started, as I am sure I will be doing most of the work."

"Hey, I'll help! Every cook needs an assistant, right?"

As they walked over to help Fujita, Byakuya savored the moment. It was too late to run away. If this would break him, he'd enjoy every second of it.

…

Up next: Fires and Feelings

xXx

Siwon611: Thanks love! I know it took a hella long time to get here, and this rollercoasters still not close to being over.

Tiffany91: You know how Ichigo can be. Real dumb. lol. Just thoughtless. But, in all honesty, he is thinking of Byakuya. Loves hard for anyone, but he's young and that makes it harder. There are things he has to discover about himself before he's ready to be what Byakuya needs, which he realizes, and that in an of itself is pretty mature. Next chapter will push them closer to their climax. Be warned!

Haikha: I thought so! I understand, I'm a FF author myself, so I always try to comment because I understand the struggle, but I often forget. Thank you for the feedback. It's highly appreciated.

Jlarayos15: Hey, love. Thank you, Byakuya's inner world scene was one of my favorites so far. This story is all about delving into their characters, so I've worked hard on their development. Hope you enjoyed the update

Dust-of-moon: Hope the wait wasn't too late on this one. :) I tried to explain more Ichigo's mindset. To me, he's always been a pretty complex character. Very broken and at times unsure of himself. Thanks for your comment, love!

Engkantada1905: And trust that this rollercoaster his still on the tracts. lol. Don't worry. They'll get there(Eventually) Thank you for your review, love! I'm excited for your reactions of how this plays out.