General Disclaimer: Bleach, and all its characters, are the intellectual property of Viz Media. No profit is being made from this production of fiction, and is meant solely for the entertainment of you, the readers.
Late Night Confessions
The war with the quincies was over, almost as quickly as it had begun. After eight days of intense battle on multiple fronts, with the stakes higher than they'd ever been before, everything had come to a head as Ichigo, with Zangetsu in hand, reforged, and now truly whole for the first time, ended the reign of the quincy king Yhwach, splitting him in two within the confines of the soul palace.
Victory however, had not come without a price. Though the war had lasted barely more than a week, a great number of soul reaper lives had been lost, either in battle, or through sacrifice. all in the name of peace. A significant portion of Soul Society's fighting force had been lost, including Captains Yamamoto, and Unohana, their strongest fighter, and most gifted healer.
In the immediate weeks that followed, the dead were collected, and laid to rest, the costs were calculated, and through the efforts of the remaining captains, and lieutenants, order was eventually restored to the chaos that had overtaken the soul society.
Fast forward to almost six months later, it's now Christmas Eve, and life for one Ichigo Kurosaki had been steadily returning to normal, or whatever could hope to pass for normal, in the rather abnormal life of such an individual.
Within the span of only a few years, he had fought in a war, lost, and regained his powers twice, and charged headfirst into a foreign world to save one of his friends, also twice. After what seemed like only the briefest of respites, he found himself pulled into yet another war, fighting for the safety, and preservation of all creation, against a literal godlike being, alongside his friends, and allies. all before he even managed to turn 18, which had happened a little less than a month later.
Night had fallen, and as the rest of the household now lay sleeping, a restless Ichigo found himself alone, standing out upon the second floor balcony facing out the front of his house, sipping from a mug of warm hot chocolate, his back to the world, as he leaned backwards against the guardrail. Despite the festive atmosphere of the last few days, sometimes, on quiet nights like this, the young hybrid would stand out here thinking; anything from school, past memories, or like now, the current peace they were enjoying, the costs paid to achieve it, and how long it might last, before the next inevitable conflict arose to threaten it.
The last thought cause a tired frown to cross his face. Though it may have been a bit pessimistic, it seemed justified to think as such, given his recent tendencies for being drawn into trouble, and conflict.
"You're gonna get wrinkles if you keep frowning that way. Be a shame to ruin such a handsome young face like that." Having just taken another sip from his mug, Ichigo sputtered, choking slightly on his drink, at the voice that suddenly came from behind him. Spinning around, he came face to face with an amused Yoruichi, smiling at him from her perched; crouched, and dangling upside down from the overhang on his roof. "Hey," she greeted him.
Realizing there was no danger, Ichigo slowly calmed himself, before greeting his friend, and mentor with a mild glare. "Christ Yoruichi, you trying to give me a heart attack? Say something before you do that."
"It's your fault for not paying attention to your surroundings my dear pupil," she stated matter-of-factly, with a grin. "Always be aware of the environment around you." Knowing she was right, Ichigo breathed a tiny sigh, deciding not to argue with the former stealth specialist.
"So what brings you by Yoruichi?"
"Just out stretching my legs. I felt your spiritual pressure fluctuating while in passing." Gripping the edge of the roof, Yoruichi casually rolled forward. Twisting in midair, she gently landed feet first upon the guardrail, facing Ichigo, before plopping down to sit upon the crossbar next to him. "Saw you were awake, and decided to drop in." Seeing the mug in his hand, and easily smelling the heavenly coco within, she lashed out with her hand, swift as a flash, snatching it from his grasp, before draining it's content with a few hearty gulps. "Ah, delicious," she moaned softly, with a satisfied grin,
"Hey!" Ichigo squawked with indignation at the loss of his drink.
"Still too slow Ichigo." Yoruichi handed the empty mug back to the now grumbling teen. "So what are you still doing up? Shouldn't you be in bed with everyone else, waiting for Santa to visit," she teasingly asked.
Ignoring her for a moment as he shook his cup, confirming it was empty, he set the mug aside before addressing her. "I had to wait for Karin, and Yuzu to finally fall asleep, before I could sneak their presents downstairs, and under the tree. After that, I just grabbed a cup of coco, came outside, and here we are," he answered nonchalantly, as he stuffed his hands in his pockets before leaning against the side of the house across from her.
Yoruichi's eyes took on a shine at the mentioning of gifts. "Oh, I love presents!" Leaning forward slightly, she fixed him with a look. "So, what did you get me," she asked playfully.
"I...I didn't really think about it." Ichigo confessed, scratching the back of his head. He felt a bit guilty as Yoruichi pouted cutely at him. "Sorry, was there something you wanted?
Yoruichi thought for a moment, her head tilted backwards while pondering, a finger to her chin, before staring back at him with a mischievous smile. "Well, there is one thing I wouldn't mind..." She slid off the railing. Slinking slowly towards him, Ichigo tensed with nervousness as the beautiful werecat laid her arms upon his shoulders, lacing her fingers together behind his neck, "How about a little kiss?" She smiled seductively.
"Yoruichi, I-I..." Ichigo stammered, the beginning of a blush creeping into his cheeks at the woman's abrupt forwardness.
"Come on," she coaxed, one of her hands reaching back to play with some of the finer hairs on the nape of his neck. "It's not like you haven't kissed a girl before, right?" Her playful expression slowly morphed into one of stunned disbelief as young man in her arms remained silent, his eyes shifting away from hers awkwardly. "Ichigo?"
"With everything that's happened the last few years, it wasn't really a priority," he answered truthfully. "Between all the fighting, and training, I never really gave it much thought."
Despite her initial surprise, Yoruichi recovered quickly. "Well that just won't do." Giving him a smile, her left hand held the back of his neck, while laying the right one gently against his cheek, bringing his attention back to her. "How lucky am I, getting to be the first," she stated cheerily.
"Actually..." Ichigo interrupted. "I was planning on waiting. You know, until I finally got around to getting a girlfriend, or something."
Yoruichi let her hands slide down to rest against Ichigo's chest. She watched his face become a bit flushed. "That's so sweet," she cooed at her pupil. "How are you going to find one though, if you're always so serious? You need to learn how to lighten up, and relax a little." Her smile widened a bit as she leaned in closer, the swell of her chest now pressing comfortably against his own, as her arms reached up to encircle around his neck once more.
"How about I pretend to be your girlfriend," she ask teasingly. "That way we both get what we want. Trust me," Yoruichi purred lowly. "It'll be a kiss you'll never forget." She grins as he brings his hands up, placing them on her waist. Taking the action as a yes, Yoruichi leans up, only to be unexpectedly thrust backwards. Caught off guard, she stumbles back a step, or two, before catching herself, regaining her balance. Confused, and upset, she frowns at the teen. "Ichigo, what the..."
"Will you just...just stop it already?!" The strained tone of his voice halted her. Staring in confusion, she took in the stiffness of his posture; hands, now balled into fists, hanging at his side, trembling slightly, his head tilted downward, hair shadowing his now closed eyes, his teeth clenched.
"Ichigo." she laughs lightly, but its tinged with nervousness. "What's wrong? It's was just a little harmless flirting. why are you taking it so serious?" This obviously wasn't the first time she'd had a little fun with her student, at the expense of him losing his composure, but it was the first time she'd ever seen him have such a volatile reaction to her, and to be honest, it concerned her, if only the slightest bit.
"Cause you're not being serious at all! You never are," he yells at her, shocking the woman into stunned silence, eyes widening marginally at the raw pain in his voice.
"Ichigo..." She tries to respond, to try and offer some way to calm the distraught young man before her, only to be cut off as he continues.
"From the very beginning I've endured everything; the teasing, the jokes, the innuendoes...god there were so many of those..." he trailed off, pausing, seemingly collecting his thoughts, chuckling sadly to himself.
"I could ignore them at first, you know? Maybe get embarrassed, or even lash out over them. I was only 15, just some clueless kid, having to deal with some woman I barely knew making all these jokes at my expense. Ichigo absently looked to the side, staring seemingly at nothing, before a small, cheerless smile crossed his face.
"Then as time passed, I got older, and with everything that's happened since, we started getting closer, especially the last couple years." His mind briefly flickered back in time, specifically to an afternoon spent together under a tree in the park, and the conversation they shared during it. His smile, while still glum, turned a bit wistful. "That same crazy cat lady, whose teasing, and antics I couldn't stand at first, became so much more to me; a mentor, a comrade, a confidant, and one of my closest friends. Still relentless with her obnoxious sexual jokes, and teasing, but now?" Ichigo snorted in amusement. "I find myself wishing those same offers were genuine." He turned back, eyes opening as he looks up at the woman in question before him, visibly shaken, thunderstruck by his unexpected confession. "Imagine that."
Feeling emotionally drained, yet somewhat lighter after unloading such a burden from his mind, Ichigo turned away from his guest. Reaching out, he laid his hand upon the handle of the sliding door leading back into the house, before pausing.
"You know, when you mentioned being my girlfriend just now? A part of me really wished it would have been a sincere offer." He gave a short, self depreciative laugh at the thought. "Guess that was just the naive kid in me talking again, right?" He slides open the glass door, preparing to leave. "Goodnight Yoruichi."
His dismissal snapped the former captain out of the dazed stupor she found herself in since he started talking; her mind a jumbled mix of thoughts, and feelings, reeling from the surreal conversation taking place between them. She watched him move to leave.
"Ichigo, wait!" She called out to him, reaching out with her hand, as if to grasp him, her voice had the faintest note of pleading in it. "We need to talk about this." Things were spiraling out of control. She didn't know what was happening right now, but they couldn't let it simply end like this.
"It's late Yoruichi, I'm tired." Ichigo sighed, running a hand through his hair. "We...we can talk about this later, goodnight." With that, he walked back into the house, closing the sliding door behind him, leaving Yoruichi alone out on the balcony. She stood there in silence, her arm falling back to her side. Her face turned pensive, her features pinched as she thought silently to herself. Inhaling, her eyes falling shut, she sighed deeply, exhaling, before silently flash stepping away, a frozen, wispy breath of air dissipating in her wake, the only evidence of someone previously there in the first place.
A few hours later, Yoruichi, having changed into a pair of simple dark lounge shorts, and an oversized, purple knit sweater, found herself sitting legs crossed, alone in the greeting room of the candy shop, a small paper lantern hanging from a hook nearby glowed faintly, casting a dim light throughout the room; enough to see, and navigate, but not so strong, as to irritate anyone trying to relax in its presence. In front of her, a simple ceramic tea pot sat upon the middle of the low table over a hot plate, keeping its contents warm. Hands wrapped firmly around the coffee mug within them, she raised it to her lips, sipping slowly, inhaling the comforting scent of chamomile as she did so.
Setting it back on the table, she gave a barely audible sigh, the latest in a long string uttered over the past half hour or so. Tired, half lidded eyes, gave testament to sleep that continued to elude her, as the words she shared with Ichigo earlier continued playing over, and over in her mind.
Upon returning to the shop, she had shared what transpired between the two of them with Kisuke, after he happened to notice her troubled expression. Suggesting that she try to rest, and think about it tomorrow with a clear head, Yoruichi wished him goodnight, before retiring to her room. She tried to sleep, she really did, unfortunately it wasn't to be. After nearly an hour of lying with her eyes closed, tossing and turning, unable to become comfortable, she opened her eyes.
Unlike the number of times previously, where she had fallen asleep alone, and without trouble, she found her gaze lingering on the empty space of her futon. Where before it meant nothing in the slightest, now, a niggling sense in the back of her head, made her reach out a hand to caress the cool flat surface, wondering what it would feel like to have another occupying it beside her. perhaps a certain someone with burning locks of orange hair?
Shaking her head, Yoruichi sat up. Deciding sleep wasn't in her immediate future, she dressed, made her way to the kitchen area, and prepared a pot of tea, before moving to the dining area where she now sat, and had been sitting ever since. It was here Kisuke found her when he emerged from his own room, his usual green robes, and dark cloak in place, but without his trademark striped hat, or cane present, having come out to investigate when he saw the light on. Sharing a look with his closest friend, he moved silently to grab an available mug, before sitting opposite of her. Pouring himself a cup, before replacing the pot back to the hotplate, he blew on the liquid gently, before taking a gulp, sighing pleasantly as he swallowed the warm tea.
"Couldn't sleep after all huh," he asked. She responded with a small shake of her head. "Still thinking about it?" She snorted lightly at his question.
"I must be going crazy," Yoruichi mused, with a small, lazy smile of disbelief. Setting her left elbow upon the table, she rested her chin in the upturned palm of her hand, the other still grasping the handle of her cup. "I don't know what's worse; the fact that I'm letting what he said affect me so much, or that I'm actually considering the possibility of it." Kisuke took a sip before responding.
"What's crazy about that," he asked, giving her a childish little grin. "I think you two would look cute together," he teased, a quiet chuckle escaping as he watched her eyes widen, before sputtering. Getting a hold of herself, Yoruichi stared incredulously at the mad scientist, and shop owner.
"It's not funny Kisuke," Yoruichi exclaimed. She couldn't believe he was taking this so lightly. "This isn't some dalliance, or random roll in the sack we're talking about here." She sighed, her voice becoming quieter, softer. "We're talking about an actual relationship," she paused. Her mind scrolling through the list of possible reasons such a union couldn't work, seeking to prematurely sabotage any effort to even try. Seeing her brows furrow in contemplation, Kisuke discarded his previous playfulness. his smile becoming more easygoing, perhaps a touch melancholic as he watch his feline friend begin to mentally worry. Knowing her for as long as he had, the former Squad 12 captain could read the thoughts passing through his friends eyes like a book. Taking another sip of tea, he set the cup down with a dull thump, drawing Yoruichi's attention back towards him, before setting it to the side, and folding his hands over one another upon the table.
"Age, lack of experience with relationships, and your already existing relationship, not only as mentor, and student, but your more recently growing one as friends. Among all the thoughts swirling around in that beautiful little mind of yours, I'm betting those are the loudest, fighting it out for the top spot in your list of concerns. Am I close?" Kisuke smirked victoriously as Yoruichi's cheeks gained the tiniest hint of red at being called out so easily
"Is it that obvious?" Taking another sip from her own cup, before setting it down, she rhythmically drummed her fingernails against it, as she frowned pensively. "He's still a child Kisuke, barely a man, with no idea what he's possibly getting himself into, especially with me. As for the bonds we already share, it wouldn't be the first time such relationships developed into something...more, but I can't help wondering if he's ready for such a thing."
Kisuke stared shrewdly across the table at Yoruichi, his eyes narrowing at her.
"Since when has any of that mattered to you," he asked patiently. "We both know age is irrelevant when it comes to people like us," he stated, referring to the decades, even centuries that soul reapers had been known to live for. Hell, Yamamoto, and Unohana had managed to live for multiple millennia. "On top of that, when's the last time you've seen a 'child' do the things that our dear Kurosaki-kun has accomplished in so short a time?" Seeing her turning his words over in her head, he continued.
"As far as relationships go, Ichigo wouldn't be the only one breaking new ground, so to speak, would he?" Kisuke raised a brow in question. "Please, remind me, when was the last time you were in a serious relationship yourself, Yoruichi?" He watches the woman across from him stiffen, her body language showing uncertainty as she struggled to find an answer to his question. His eyes soften, his posture becoming more relaxed. "Perhaps it's you, whose unsure about becoming seriously involved with someone?"
"I-I..." Yoruichi starts, but trails off uncertainly. Sensing her trying to pull in on herself, Kisuke verbally prods her.
"Then again, maybe you simply don't trust him," he stated plainly with a careless shrug. "It's understandable." That got an immediate reaction from the now scowling werecat. Slamming her palm on the table, she growled softly, offended on behalf of both her, and Ichigo. Where did he come off saying such a thing? After all he'd done for them?
"I trust him with my life!" Her words rang with unwavering conviction. Kisuke smiled happily, proud of her for standing up for their mutual friend/student.
"Then why not with your heart?" The simple question made Yoruichi recoil backwards, as if struck solidly in the stomach. Kisuke waited, letting the question sink in, then continued as he watched her seriously think about it. "If you don't want to be in a relationship, or feel you aren't ready for one, that's fine, There's nothing wrong with that, but if your hesitating because of who it's with, you could do much worse that Kurosaki-kun." Yoruichi looks at him with curiosity, silently asking him to explain. Reaching across the table, he smiles kindly, taking her hand in his, squeezing it supportively.
"Sure, right now he's young, and inexperienced in the ways of love, and relationships, but that won't be the case forever." Yoruichi remained silent, smiling fondly, as she listened intently to the wisdom of her friend, and resident genius. "You know what else he is," Kisuke asked with a smile. "Loyal, dependable, protective, kind, dedicated," he counted off each point, raising a digit on his free hand. "Most importantly," he paused for emphasis, "You trust each other completely. With an experienced hand to guide him," he looks pointedly at Yoruichi. "I'm confident he could make someone a very happy woman."
Releasing her hand, Kisuke sits back. Taking his cup, he finishes the rest of his tea with one last gulp, setting it to the side, before rising. Watching her begin to think over everything they had discussed, he spoke once more.
"Something else to consider..." he offered, waiting till he had her attention once more, before continuing. "However foolish, or reckless some might consider it, that young man willingly charged headfirst into enemy territory, against seemingly impossible odds, without a single thought, or concern for his own safety, not once, but twice, all for the purpose of rescuing his friends, one of whom he barely knew at the time, and he succeeded." Kisuke smiled slyly down at Yoruichi.
"Imagine what he'd do for the person who held his heart." Having said his piece, Kisuke padded the short distance back to his room. Sliding open the door, he looks back over his shoulder at her with a small, cheeky grin. "Lock up on your way out." Disappearing from sight, he closed the door behind him with a light click, leaving Yoruichi in quiet solitude once more.
Sitting in silent contemplation for another solid ten minutes, she drains her cup, before standing. Turning to stare off into the distance, one direction in particular, the flash goddess' eyes become firm with resolve as she disappeared in a burst of shunpo, befitting her title.
It was nearing midnight, and despite having retired to bed hours ago, shortly after the two of them had parted, Ichigo laid in bed, beneath the warmth of his comforter, also unable to find rest as he thought about the last words he said to Yoruichi, before leaving her behind on the balcony. The plain tee shirt he'd chosen for bed rode up marginally, exposing the smallest sliver of skin as he folded his hands behind his head as it rested upon his pillow. As he stared up at the ceiling of his room he sighed tiredly, knowing he could have handled things better than he had, especially when she had asked him to stay, and talk to her, but he wasn't lying when he mentioned how drained the whole exchange had left him.
In a way, it felt good to finally get that confession off his chest, to openly admit to the feelings that had steadily been building inside him since they had reconnected. Though now he had a whole new problem, and that was dealing with the object of his growing affection. The next time he saw her, would she treat him differently, act like it hadn't happened? Should he do the same, let her make the next move, if any?
Absently casting his awareness out towards the direction of Urahara's shop, where he knew she'd be, the teen's eyes widen as he sensed a familiar spiritual energy accelerating at incredible speed towards him. Scrambling backwards, Ichigo pulled himself into a seated position against the headboard of his bed, just in time to see Yoruichi phase through the window of his room, and land in a crouched position upon his bed. He nervously swallowed at the look in her golden eyes, almost seeming to glow in the dark, as she stared at him with an intensity that he usually associated with her when she was preparing for battle.
"Yoruichi?"
"We need to talk Ichigo, now." The teen simply nodded, unwilling to argue with the powerful woman before him when she was in such a mood. Seeing him agree with her, Yoruichi let out a small sigh, her face relaxing, losing its previous sternness. Uncoiling from the crouch she landed in, the former heiress relaxed upon the bed, her back slumping against the wall as she stretched her legs out, her feet hanging loosely over the side. Watching her from his own position, Ichigo could see the subtle signs of exhaustion beginning to creep into her; the dip in posture, the slight creases forming beneath her eyes, eyes that were showing weariness, not necessarily from lack sleep, but from mental duress. A pang of guilt went through him, knowing that he was almost certainly the reason it was there.
The two of them sat there silently, each wondering who should make the first move, to start what they knew was going to be a very important conversation, for both of them.
"Did you mean it," Yoruichi asked, causing Ichigo to look up at her. "The part about being your girlfriend?" He nodded towards her.
"Yeah."
"Why," she asked. "Why me?" Seeing him begin to respond, she raised a hand, cutting him off. "Besides the obvious of course," she stated with a relaxed half smirk. "We both know just how attractive I am, that's a given." The remark drew a snort from her young companion.
"Not to mention modest, and humble," he jested. The comment caused the two of them to laugh lightly. It did the trick though, as the tension and unease that had previously hung over the pair began dissipating, until it was replaced with the more familiar comfort they had both grown accustom to while in one another's presence.
Seeing her slowly rubbing her legs together, as a result of the light chill that still penetrated the room from outside via the window, Ichigo frowned, mumbling under his breath about shorts in winter, before folding open his comforter, offering an escape from the cold, an invitation Yoruichi quickly accepted happily.
Diving in headfirst, Ichigo couldn't help the blush that flared across his face, as for the next few minutes, the playful werecat practically slithered across his entire body beneath the comforter, causing him to slip downward from his upright position, as she sought to make herself comfortable, eventually popping her head and neck out next to him from beneath the cover. Shuffling closer, she laid her head upon the pillow next to him, letting out a content sigh, before looking at him expectantly.
Ichigo shifted his gaze to her once, before looking up at the ceiling above, letting his thoughts wander as he searched for the right words, as well as the nerve to say them.
"Ever since I discovered my powers, I feel like I've been fighting, trying to get stronger for one reason or another. To support, and protect others, to be the person everyone can count on when there's no one else. I carried that weight without question, rose to the occasion every time it was asked of me."
Ichigo turned on his side to face Yoruichi. swallowing his nerve, he tentatively reached beneath the cover, grasping her hand with his own. "So much of that was because of you, your support made it possible."
Yoruichi's eyes widened in surprise, of all the things she expected, this wasn't one of them. "Ichigo, I..." she trailed off. Undeterred, and gaining confidence, the young reaper pushed forward.
"When I went to save Rukia you were there beside me the entire way. When I needed the strength to fight, you helped me achieve it. When I was too stupid, or stubborn to know what was best for me at the time, you knew, and forced me to see it as well." Yoruichi stared silently as his eyes began to flicker with the light of his strengthening resolve.
"It was the same during the war with Aizen, and later the Quincies. No matter who, or where I fought, you were always there, fighting right beside me, supporting me...protecting me." Yoruichi didn't know when her heart began to beat faster, but by now the tempo had noticeably increase with every word the young man beside her was confessing.
Closing his eyes for a second, he opened them, his gaze softening as he gave her a small smile. "Between all that, the time I spent without my powers, it was hard. I thought I'd be fine, but not being able to help protect others, to be there for them, to even see them...it hurt so much." He gave her hand a small squeeze.
"Then you came back, and suddenly everything felt...right. Like I could finally breath again. All the time we spent together afterwards, growing closer, sharing with each other. Through it all, you were helping me, protecting me all over again, this time from loneliness. I realized I had someone I could rely on, who I could trust, that was strong enough that she didn't need me to protect her...though I want to just the same." Resting his eyes for a minute as he thought, he felt Youichi's grip on his hand tighten. Opening them, he saw the slight tremble of her lower lip, as her eyes begin to glisten ever so faintly. Encourage, he pushed forward.
"You remember that afternoon we spent together beneath the tree in the park? The time when you simply couldn't let me read in peace," he asked teasingly, raising a brow at the purple-haired princess beside him. Yoruichi gave a helpless shrug, smiling unapologetically. He returned the smile with one of his own.
"As we sat there, you lying against me, I had a thought just before passing out." A tinge of red color his cheeks. "I thought about how nice it felt, and how I wouldn't mind it happening again. I suppose, that's when it started, when I started wishing all your teasing, and flirtations were something more real... including the offer to be my girlfriend."
Next to him Yoruichi laid silently, holding his hand, for comfort as well as strength. When she came here tonight, she was expecting to deal with the unsure, verbal stumbling of a kid with a crush, maybe a bit of actual affection. She really needed to stop underestimating the boy...no, the young man beside her. With the skills she'd learned, and honed over the years through interrogation, and information gathering, she knew all the signs, and the little tells, to know when someone was lying to her, it was one of the many things she prided herself on. Suffice to say, there wasn't a single dishonest word to be found in his entire confession, he believed every word he said completely.
With one heartfelt confession, he wiped out every argument she had been preparing to make against him, shattered every barrier she had erected to shield herself from possibly pursuing such a relationship. This incredible young man before her had opened his heart to her, laid out his feelings, and intentions completely, knowing that he was giving her the power to potentially destroy him emotionally.
Yoruichi felt herself begin to tremble; uncertainty, and desire, battling within her. For so long she'd been wanting, yearning for something real, something lasting, even if only subconsciously. Prior to her exile; she had been her clan's heiress, as well as a captain of the 13 court squads, and commander of the special forces. She was no innocent maiden by any means. She indulged in the occasional one night stand, maybe a meaningless tryst here and there, but come morning she was always alone, never letting any of them stay, knowing that when the time came, she would have to fulfill her duty as heiress, and eventually marry someone approve of by the clan. She had resigned herself to such a fate, and had decided to enjoy her freedom while it lasted.
Unfortunately the decision to aide her friends, running away in the process, left her in the unfavorable position of being denied even those brief nights of physical comfort, however temporary they might have been, and for the next century she lived without. Kisuke, and Tessai were out of the question. They were her closest friends, but engaging in anything more would have just made the time spent together on the run all the more awkward. Her hollowfied comrades weren't an option either. While she didn't blame them for the fate that befell them, traces of bitterness still remained at the idea that if it wasn't for them, the three of them wouldn't have become exiled in the first place.
Now here she was, free of all the restraints that had previously bound her; no longer a captain, a commander, an heiress, or a rouge, forced to hide in solitude on the run, laying beside a young man whom she had over the past few years, not only become fond of, but who had earned her trust, respect, and admiration. A man who was now offering her something that she had been desiring for so long without even knowing it, an end to her to own private loneliness, perhaps even more. So why was she still hesitating to simply reach out, and grab it?
She could worry, and over think everything, argue with herself internally over the pros and cons until she went mad, but in the end, it was all quite simple. In the end, it came down to a leap of faith. Did she let her fears, and concerns hold her back, or did she take the chance, dive in headfirst, and trust Ichigo would be there if necessary to catch her? Thinking about it like that, the answer she sought was clear as day.
Smiling to herself, Yoruichi swiped away the moisture that had formed near the corners of her eyes. Sitting up, she let the comforter fall to her waist, before turning her body. Lifting her leg, she slowly slid it over Ichigo's hip, allowing her to straddle the now surprised teen's waist. Taking both his hands in hers, she stared down at him with a reserved smile as she sat back, her toned, firm rear resting comfortably upon his thighs.
Seeing her smile, Ichigo became hopeful, but tried to remain calm until she gave him an answer. "Yoruichi?"
She squeezed his hands lightly, her eyelids lowering a fraction as she smiled sadly down at him. "I've never been in a relationship before Ichigo," Yoruichi confessed quietly. "Not a real one anyways. Prior to being exiled, my life had been one of duty, and commitment, to both my clan, and the Soul Society as a whole. Suffice to say, anything resembling a personal life suffered as a result." Seeing the muted disbelief in his expression, she grinned coyly at him. "Don't get me wrong, I had my fun, so to speak, but nothing...lasting, a night, maybe two at best." Yoruichi gave a small, quiet laugh. "I guess neither of us have much to brag about in that department, do we?"
Ichigo was silent, but offered a small smile as he squeezed her hands again in silent support. An act that earned him a warm, appreciative look in return from the woman sitting atop of him, before she became serious once again. "I can't promise forever, Ichigo. This is something new for both of us, and I have no idea what might happen, or what to expect."
Yoruichi released their hands, and leaned forward, prompting Ichigo to push himself up till he was eye level with her. Shuffling himself backwards to rest against the headboard of his bed, Ichigo felt his pulse quicken ever so slightly, as the attractive former assassin braced herself upon her arms, her hands splayed out on top of the bed at his sides.
"Though, if it's with you, I'm willing to find out." Yoruichi smiled warmly as she gazed at him, little more than a foot and a half separating them. "So what do you say Ichigo? Do you want me...as your girlfriend" she asked huskily, though with a playful edge to it, as she watched him begin to blush.
He knew his answer before she had finished asking the question. As they sat there, Ichigo stared at her, as if he was seeing her again for the first time.
It wasn't the only time she had acted like this; the sultry tones, the half-lidded bedroom eyes, the suggestive mannerisms, not to mention that teasing little smile of hers that managed to turn him cherry red on more than one occasion.
Unlike before however, this time there was an intent in those beautiful golden eyes, as they stared back patiently into his own. The air around them felt charged, lending weight to the seriousness of the situation, as if the very moment was holding its breath in anticipation of his answer. Trapped in her gaze, Ichigo finally managed a short, breathless response.
"Yes."
Grabbing the bottom of his tee, Yoruichi slowly stripped him of the garment, tossing it to the floor beside them. Taking a moment to drink in the sight of the strong, toned, naked torso in front of her with admiration, she took his hands, bringing them to the bottom of her sweater, she helped him grasp it. "Take it off," she ordered him softly.
Ichigo steeled his nerves, hesitantly, he slowly lifted the fabric up, revealing inch, after enticing inch of smooth, milk chocolaty skin. He slowed momentarily as he approached the underside of her chest. All the times previously he had embarrassingly told her to cover up, and now here he was, on the cusp of willingly exposing her for the first time. He looked at her in apprehension, silently asking permission. Yoruichi nodded, smiling encouragingly. She raised her arms up, allowing him to finish removing the top, absently allowing it to fall away, joining his on the floor.
Yoruichi felt amused as she watched Ichigo freeze, staring at her now exposed chest as if she hadn't flashed him with it so many times beforehand. "They're only breasts, Ichigo," she tittered.
Taking his hands in both of hers, she brought them up to her chest. She stifled a tiny gasp, the only sound uttered as his hands made contact with her naked tit flesh. She watched him slowly become comfortable with the situation; curiosity taking the place of apprehension as held the sizable mounds in his hands.
Yoruichi placed her hands on top of his shoulders, causing him to look up at her. "Well then, now that its official, your first task, is to kiss your new girlfriend." Yoruichi leaned in. "Think you can handle that," she asked huskily.
Despite his nerves, Ichigo nodded. As he leaned in though, uncertainty began flashing through his mind. However irrational it was at this point, the fear of somehow screwing up caused him to slow down.
Seeing him begin to falter, his confidence slipping away, Yoruichi reached up, cupping his face gently between her hands. "Ichigo, look at me." Having his attention, her eyes softened, her smile became more relaxed, projecting an aura of warmth, and comfort to the teen in front of her. "It's just us; you and me, nobody else."
His eyes widened slightly at the revelation. She was right, it was just them. So what if he messed up, or somehow didn't do it just right? He knew she wouldn't hold it against him, or judge him for it. Here and now, it was just them, both wanting the same thing. There was no need for fear or doubt.
Feeling the tension leave his body, Yoruichi's smile widen as she watched the previous hesitation disappear, replaced with a renewed well of confidence, and resolve. Taking the lead this time, she leaned in, guiding him forward, their eyes gradually closing as the distance between them became shorter, and shorter. Now close enough for their noses to lightly graze one another, they paused; a second passing between the two, before feeling the softness of one another's lips pressed upon their own, as they finally shared their first kiss together.
It lasted less than a minute, a chaste kiss shared between two people for the first time. Pulling back, giggled lowly at the stunned amazement on Ichigo's face.
"Well," she asked with a small, satisfied grin. "Was it everything you hoped?"
Ichigo sat there, his mouth agape, as he tried processing what just happened. It may have been rather short, and sweet, but for him, those seconds they spent together, the soft, yet firm pressure of her lips on his, sent a thrill through his body, straight to the core of his being, greater than any high he had felt prior. To say he liked it would be a massive understatement.
"Yeah." The somewhat silly expression on his face saying more than that one word ever could.
"Want to do it again," she asked, smiling when he simply nodded.
For Ichigo the moment was surreal. He sat there, staring up into her hooded gaze, a serene smile upon her face, devoid of the usual teasing, or taunting he had come to expect from her. So entranced by her, he offered no resistance when she leaned in, capturing his lips once more, nor when she pressed further, submitting completely as she deepened their kiss, her tongue slipping out, invading his oral cavity, rolling, and entwining with his own, slowly coaxing him to return the gesture.
Unconsciously, he squeezed her breasts lightly, earning an aroused moan of approval from the half naked werecat currently sharing his bed. Following his lead, Yoruichi trailed a hand down between them, her nimble fingers grazed his chest, and defined abdomen, before caressing the now noticeable bulge in his shorts.
Gasping, Ichigo broke the kiss. Pulling back, he instinctively grabbed her wandering hand. Surprised, Yoruichi watched his face cycle from shock at what he did, to nervousness, and finally averting his eyes in shame, at having ended their fun so suddenly.
Observing his reactions, her surprised faded, realizing that despite being in the heat of the moment, he still wasn't ready to go that far yet, and thought she might be upset, or disappointed with him. Smiling gently, Yoruichi slowly took her hand back. Grasping his chin, she turned his head back to face her. Meeting her eyes, and seeing nothing but understanding, Ichigo released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
"Sorry," he apologized weakly. Yoruichi shook her head.
"There's nothing to apologize for Ichigo." She kissed him once. "Something to look forward to, another day," Yoruichi remarked, smiling wistfully. Seeing him relax, she grinned, her eyes turning seductive. Reaching back, she undid the wrap holding her hair, allowing it to spill out behind her, shimmering like an indigo waterfall, before draping her arms over his shoulders; one hand grasping the back of his neck, the other splayed across his back, she leaned in. "Until then, how about we continue where we left off?"
Ichigo chuckled, leaning forward to meet her, his arms coming up to wrap around her waist, pulling her flush against him securely. "Where was that," he asked, the lowered tone of his voice sending a small shiver down Yoruichi's spine,
"Right about..." her lips brushed against his, less than a breath apart. "...here," she finished, kissing him soundly.
Holding each other tightly, they slowly tumbled back upon the bed, the rest of the world forgotten, as they proceeded to lose themselves within one another.
Nearly an hour later, laying there together, his arms holding her close to his side. Yoruichi sighed comfortably, her arm draped upon his chest, gripping his shoulder, her leg over his hips as she sprawled halfway across the top of him. The two of them basked in the aftermath of their first, rather intense make out session, their breathing leveling off as they relaxed. Absently catching the glow of the digital alarm on his desk, Ichigo noticed the time reading 1:45 am.
"It's after midnight," he mused. Tilting his head to regard the dozing, dark skinned beauty slipping in-and-out of consciousness beside him, her head resting in the crook of his neck, he felt himself smile. Brushing away a few loose strands of hair, Ichigo pressed a light kiss against her temple. "Merry Christmas Yoruichi."
Looking up at him, her eyes tired, but sparkling with happiness, Yoruichi smiled cheerfully. "Merry Christmas Ichigo."
With morning still hours away, and even longer before anyone was expected to be up, Ichigo gripped the covers. Pulling her close, he tucked the covers a little tighter around the both of them, till little more than their head and necks were left exposed. Closing their eyes, the two new lovers let themselves drift contently off to sleep. It would be an interesting sight to explain in the morning, but for now, they took joy from the early gift they had both received, in the form of each other.
*FIN*
Omake 1: Wake Up Call
Ichigo groaned quietly as he laid huddled close to Yoruichi, holding the still asleep woman in his arms. He could sense him coming, well before he heard the telltale sound of his dad's footsteps coming down the hall. Even Christmas couldn't stop the man from attempting to wake his son, in the form of what Isshin considered 'awareness training'
"Grr...annoying bastard," Ichigo grumbled, quietly trying to prepare for the inevitable invasion of privacy. Moving slowly, he tried to extract himself from his now official, girlfriend's hold, in an effort to intercept his dad for once. It wasn't to be.
The door suddenly flew open, hitting the wall next to it, as Isshin ran in, clad in his blue, and white striped pajama set. "Good morning Ichigo," Isshin yelled boisterously. "I've got you no...urk!"
Ichigo's eyes widen in surprise, startled as a dark blur suddenly flew from his side, and across the room, taking the eldest Kurosaki off his feet with a strike to the gut, driving him into the floor. As his dad lay groaning on the ground, Ichigo stared gob smacked at the sight of Yoruichi, still clad only in her lounge shorts, staring furiously down at the gasping man, her eyes ablaze, a scowl upon her face.
"Damn it Isshin, you're still pulling this crap," she asked, her tone incredulous. "Grow up already..." Reaching down, she grabbed the man by the legs, before comically proceeding to slam him back and forth upon the floor a half dozen times or so, before dropping him. Grabbing him by the back of his top, she drags him outside the room.
Lifting him seemingly effortlessly, she winds up, spinning him like the blade of a windmill, before launching him down the hall, and down the stairs. "...And knock that shit off!"
Dusting off her hands with a sigh, Yoruichi walked back into the room, kicking the door closed behind her. "Apparently some things never change." Looking up, she stops when she sees Ichigo sitting up in bed, staring at her in amazement. "What?"
"That was the single greatest thing I've ever seen in my life," Ichigo muttered in wonderment. Yoruichi smirked, walking back over to him, a small sway in her hips. Sliding down onto his lap, she lifts her arms over his shoulders, entwining her fingers behind his neck.
"You know, now that we're up, we still have a little time to kill," Yoruichi stated. Catching her meaning, Ichigo wrapped his arms around her slender waist. He gave her a small, half smile.
"Wonder what we should do with it."
Yoruichi leaned in, pressing her forehead to his as they stared into each other's eyes. "I'm sure we can think of something," she mused with a mischievous grin.
Omake 2: The Morning After (breakfast)
Ichigo sat at the table, eating breakfast quietly after joining his dad, and sisters. Expecting the room to be filled with noise, and energetic excitement over the fact that it was Christmas morning, he was surprised when after minutes passed, all he heard was silence. Giving them his attention, his calm exterior fractured faintly, his eyebrow ticking at the looks of open-mouthed shock they were all giving him.
He tried being patient, giving them the chance to say something, anything, but as the seconds dragged on, with no one saying a word, the tick in his eye increased.
"What? You never seen me eat breakfast," he asked, growing more, and more annoyed by their behavior. Plucking up her nerve, Yuzu spoke first, a small blush upon her face.
"So-sorry Ichigo, we just weren't expecting guests. Good morning Yoruichi-san, will...will you be joining us today?"
Ichigo's eyes widened slightly. It was a testament to how tired he still was, that he had completely ignored the fact that Yoruichi, after following him downstairs, dressed in her shorts from the night before, as well as one of his oversized tees that she had claimed for herself, had made herself comfortable by casually sitting across his lap, before snagging a piece of buttered toast off his plate, and was now nibbling on it happily as she relaxed against his side.
Having brought an arm up on reflex to wrap around her waist to support her, Ichigo looked down at Yoruichi. She stared back at him, mischief dancing in her golden eyes as she playfully smirked in amusement around a mouthful of toast. Swallowing, she turned to address Yuzu, as Isshin, and Karin slowly began to recover from their shocked states.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea." Keeping an eye on the three of them to catch their reactions, Yoruichi leaned back against Ichigo's chest. Raising her arm, she reached up, grinning as she hooked her hand around the back of Ichigo's neck, causing the young man to flush. "I can't imagine a better way to spend Christmas...than with my new boyfriend.
Ichigo groaned quietly as chaos predictably descended upon the once quiet household. Karin was kneeling on the floor next to a now unconscious Yuzu, rapidly fanning her sister, as she tried to revive the sweet little brown-haired girl as she laid there red-faced, muttering incoherently, her eyes now a pair of spinning swirls.
Predictably, Isshin had begun running around the room, crying tears of joy, exclaiming how his delinquent son was finally becoming a respectable young man. He ran out of the room, hugging the oversized portrait of Masaki as he cried, comically proclaiming loudly how they were on the way to becoming grandparents, much to Ichigo's embarrassment as he overheard from the table.
Yoruichi laughed quietly as she watched the mayhem that followed her statement. Seeing her reaction, Ichigo sighed. "You just couldn't help yourself, could you?
Sliding her hand from the back of his neck, to the side of his face, Yoruichi kissed his cheek as an apology, before she resumed eating. Joining her, Ichigo shook his head with a small smile. Apparently this was his life now. Looking out around, he snorted, at least it wouldn't be boring.
Author's Notes:
Two stories of 7K words or more in less than three months, an eternity for some writers, but for me, holy hotcakes that's fast. I tried to keep spelling, and grammar errors to a minimum, but if you happened to notice a shift in writing style by the third act, I was having the hardest time trying to figured of how to word what I was seeing in my head, and opted to go with a more simple, less descriptive style by the end. Let me know what you think; does it work, does it flounder? What could I do to improve upon it?
There you have it, the 'sequel' to Bonding, though I feel it's more along the lines of a companion piece, or continuation instead. I love this pairing, despite the unlikelihood that it could ever exist in canon.
When I think of these two together, most of my story ideas revolve around simple concepts; one-on-one interaction, slice of life pieces, living in the moment. Not so much world building, and creating new content, as just navigating, and living in the one created.
I've got one more, somewhat serious, emotional, and personal story planned for the two of them, to help solidify their relationship a little, let everyone know it's the real thing. It's only a series of mental notes at the moment, but I have the general idea of what I want to do. Hopefully it won't be as long this one was, since I doubt I have to drop anymore lore that any Bleach fan, whose seen the show, already knows.
After that however, once I've essentially established them as couple in this slightly AU reality, then I can start getting a little loose, and crazy with my ideas; a show-and-tell session, the two of them as parents, lord help them. a little fluff, a little insanity, hopefully a whole lot of heart, and if I ever get to a point I'm comfortable writing lemons, perhaps I'll even write out their first time together. It's difficult writing about something you've never experience yourself however.
Hopefully, that's where you, the readers, can offer your insights. If you've read up to this point, please offer a review telling me what you liked, or disliked about the story. What am I doing right, or wrong? any critique, or suggestions to improve my writing, or even ideas for this pairing you think I might like to explore. All praise, and constructive criticism is welcomed, while flames of any size, shape, or color, will be used to heat my fireplace.
Thank you for staying with me up to this point, until next time everyone!