[Dicontinued] Fire and Ice

Title: Fire and Ice

Author: BrucesGirl and R. Brightside

Pairings: Kurosaki Ichigo/Kuchiki Byakuya (Hints of Other Pairings)

Summary: Ichigo is called to replace Renji as Vice Captain temporarily. Sparks fly between Byakuya and Kurosaki, and they aren’t necessarily the nice sparks.

Warnings: Yaoi, Anal, UST, Angst

Disclaimer: We don’t own Bleach or Ichigo or Byakuya because we are not Kubo Tite. If we were guys, this wouldn’t half as much fun.

Note: Sorry for the delay in updating! BrucesGirl has been working 12 hour days to save up for Ikkicon, and it’s really tiring. Plus, she’s got an 18 month old son to take care of! ^^ We are updating as often as possible!

Chapter 13: The Pain of Ghosts in the Past

Ichigo was roused from sleep by the hands running through his hair, eyes opening to narrow at Shuuhei. "You offer beds for the night and then keep your guests up? What's up with that?" He murmured, his arms wrapping around the Shinigami's neck and fingers teasing the messy purple hair. "Thanks, anyway."

He hadn't realized that this - the domination, the rough, unruly casual sex and the non-formal speech - was what he had wanted from Byakuya, and there wasn't any way that it was going to happen. So, instead, he pushed his lips against Shuuhei's, inhaling the wonderful, masculine scent that he reeked of. "You're just hot, anyway, you dominating bastard."

Shuuhei chuckled deeply and pulled himself up onto the bed and sprawled out next to Ichigo, letting his long fingers play with the bright hair. “Yeah…I don’t bottom.” He smiled at Ichigo with a boyish smirk and rolled to his side, propping his head up on a hand and looking down on the boy.

In truth, he’d never bottomed. Even Tousen had submitted to him easily, and Shuuhei had loved him and respected even more. While Ichigo had been wild and uninhibited, Shuuhei had treated his former captain as if though he were glass. The 9th Division leader’s fingers ghosted over Ichigo’s cheek. “Stay here with me. You know, not because of undying love or anything. Just to keep me company.”

Ichigo sprawled out lazily, watching Shuuhei with half-closed eyes. "Aa. I don't have anywhere else to go, anyway." He murmured, his eyes catching an amused glint. "Bed for the night, good casual sex, hot captain - not sure I could ask for much more." The teen grinned, his eyes closing. "Byakuya isn't the most amazing company, anyways. Doesn't talk, hates me... great fuck, though."

It felt nice, to be simply dishing out the dirt on Byakuya - he'd been cold, and this was his punishment. Although, he had said that he needed to leave... that he didn't deserve whatever they had. He'd let out the Hollow... and it was his fault that the Kuchiki had broken. He shook himself out of his daze, edging closer to Shuuhei with stoicism.

Shuuhei considered the words for a moment before resting his hand on Ichigo’s side and running his fingertips down his Ichigo’s ribs tenderly. “You shouldn’t talk so much shit about him.” Shuuhei admonished gently. “He’s a good man. If it weren’t for him, Rukia would still be on the streets with Renji, just ordinary Shinigami with nothing special about them.”

He leaned forward and brushed Ichigo’s fiery locks away from his forehead. “Did you know he was married a long time ago? To Rukia’s sister. Hisana. Everyone loved her. Her best friend was Shiba Kaien. Ring any bells with that name?” The eccentric Shiba family had helped Ichigo from getting him into Soul Society to teaching him how to ride boars.

“Hisana died from some disease, and told Byakuya that she wanted him to find Rukia and take care of her. So his reaction to that was to make her part of the family so she’d never be on the streets again. He loves her, whether he shows it or not.” Then, Shuuhei grinned. “Renji told me he’s a rough top. Is it true?”

Ichigo looked surprised at that. "He was..." He paused, and then shook his head, returning the grin. "He hasn't had the chance." The teen snickered softly, evidently pleased with himself. "I've topped him every time." Shiba Kaien... Kuukaku and Ganju's family, but that name... And then, he realized. After Byakuya had woken up from that nightmare, he'd called him Kaien.

"Naa, d'you reckon Kaien and Byakuya were fucking? I remember him calling me that when he woke up, once." He'd heard Hisana's name that same night, too... He sighed, and tucked his hands behind his head, careful of Shuuhei. "Byakuya doesn't tell me anything. He knows everything, but he doesn't tell me. I didn't know any of that... not even that he'd been married."

Ichigo frowned, angry, and then his expression softened, and he closed his eyes. He'd just get to sleep, and forget about it. It was likely the best thing for him to do, anyway - if Byakuya hadn't told him, it meant that he didn't need to know.

Shuuhei sputtered. “You TOPPED Kuchiki Byakuya? You were definitely the first then.” He said confidently. At the question of why Byakuya called Ichigo by Kaien’s name, Shuuhei’s eyes softened.

“Don’t be mad at Byakuya. When he brought Rukia to live with him, he put her in Ukitake’s division where Kaien was a Vice Captain at the time. Rukia and Kaien became close as Byakuya had intended, and they took care of each other. “I’m sure you know the story of how Kaien died. As far as I know, Byakuya had no sexual relationship with Shiba-fukutaicho since Kaien was married to a seat in his division, but there’s one thing I do know.”

Shuuhei ran his fingers across Ichigo’s face, tilting his lips up and pressing his own to them heatedly before pulling back. “If you were to darken your hair to a nice brown, you and Kaien would be twins. In fact, I don’t know if anyone would be able to tell you apart.”

Ichigo understood, and smirked softly. "I wonder what would happen if I did darken my hair. Soul Society would have a fit, I bet." He sighed contentedly, and looked over at Shuuhei. "Thanks for answering my questions." He murmured, one hand moving to run his hand through the thick, dark hair. "I'm pretty sure no-one else would have, even if I asked."

He leaned over and nipped at Shuuhei's earlobe, draping his arm over his chest in a more friendly gesture than romantic. "Now, I'm tired. 'Night, Shuu." He was quite ready to fall asleep again, and it wasn't long before he did. After all, he was tired after the night's romp.

~*~*~*~*~

In the coming dawn, a rift opened over the fields of Soul Society, and two hooded figures stepped out from it, their eyes surveying the scene before them. A dark hand closed the rift quickly, hoping no Shinigami had felt the Riatsu from the Hollows, and he turned to his partner.

“We’ll meet back here once our duties are done. We have one day.” With that, the two figures flash stepped away from each other, one heading for Seireitei, and the other heading to an uptown District in Soul Society. The hooded figure that had set out for the District arrived on the doorstep of Hisagi Shuuhei’s house, and his dark hands escaped the white robe, pressing against the wood.

There was someone sleeping in the guest room. He could feel the vibrations as he rolled in the bed. His unseeing eyes widened. Shuuhei was sleeping in there with him. He knocked on the door lightly, a distinct noise that had graced the house so many times.

Shuuhei sat up at the sound of the knock, Ichigo grumbling about being woken up and turning his back to him. He knew that sound... it had been embedded into his memory after Kami-knows how many years. He slipped out of the bed, and walked quickly through the short hall to get to the door, and opened the door, his eyes wide. "T-Tousen... Taicho, you came back."

He sounded upset and relieved, and he resisted the urge to wrap his arms around his former-lover. He paused, suddenly hesitant. "Shinigami have been ordered to kill you on sight." He grit his teeth, and then stepped out of the way to let him into the house, almost routine.

"Come in, Taicho. You'll have to be quiet... I have a guest." He knew that his former captain was likely informed of that, but he may as well say. "Would you like tea?"

“Arigato, Hasagi-kun.” Tousen stepped in quietly, and recognizing the unchecked, sleeping Riatsu immediately, he felt his insides quiver slightly. It would have been easier if Kurosaki Ichigo hadn’t been attached to anyone to just take him away as he needed to. He’d never expected to find him here in bed with his former lover, and he’d never expected to find this level of satisfaction in Shuuhei’s Riatsu.

He’d never felt anything like before. “When do you take over the Division?” He asked as they quietly walked through the house. Even in his blindness, he could see Shuuhei through his brilliant, powerful Riatsu that curled around him like a waiting cat in the sunshine. Tousen found his familiar seat in the kitchen and sat down on it as Shuuhei made tea. “I’m not here for long. I have to discuss Kurosaki Ichigo with you.”

"I take over two months from now. Ichigo is acting 6th division Vice Captain, and then he'll be taking over as Vice Captain of the 9th once Renji is back." Shuuhei replied easily, pulling the green tea leaves from a jar on the countertop, so recently used from Komamura's visit.

He looked over at Tousen in surprise as Ichigo was mentioned. "Wha-- Ichigo?" He remembered his half-masked face, and shuddered, a frown passing over him as the Menos Grande rung clear through his mind.

"You want him for that... thing that he becomes, don't you?" He murmured, putting an equal number of leaves in the bottom of each cup before heating the water to make the tea.

“Yes. His power is needed to ensure a lasting peace in Soul Society. Our place here has become a safe haven for war mongers like Zaraki Kenpachi and Kuchiki Byakuya.” He tilted his head to the side, watching Shuuhei’s Riatsu shiver and tense around him, a sure sign that he was upset with the turn of events.

“I’m sorry. I’d never have come to you if I’d known…” If he’d known that Shuuhei and Ichigo were lovers. “It had been reported that his affections were…elsewhere.” He was quiet about that, but it seemed that had no less affect on Shuuhei’s Riatsu.

“I have to take him back with me, Hisagi-kun, there is no other way.”

Meanwhile, in Seireitei, two Shinigami captains met with each other on the outskirts of the city by the huge gates. One looked at the other. There was no doubt about it. Kaname Tousen and Ichimaru Gin were back. But to what goal? They split, headed off, following each Riatsu in a different direction.

Shuuhei felt the thundering Riatsu of Zaraki, only minutes away, and he was torn. "I can let you go, or you can stay here and continue to convince me as Zaraki-taicho comes closer. But, Taicho, I ask... please leave. I don't want to have to watch you die. You cannot take Ichigo... he means something here. Peace will come on it's own." Closer, closer... the Riatsu, filled with the hate and the excitement that Kenpachi felt, made Shuuhei shudder.

"I don't want to, Taicho, but I will if I have to." Shuuhei was filled with regret and anger, and it showed. He felt Kira, roused from sleep by the other presense, and then disappear towards it. It was cruel... the blond was sensitive, and Gin knew that. He didn't say anything more, and he turned away. "Go... Zaraki will kill you. You know he will."

Tousen took a sip of his tea, and he sighed. He hated violence, and more than anything, he hated Zaraki. He could feel the Riatsu outside, menacing as the bastard waited for him, and he could feel the innocent child clinging to the man’s shoulders. The blind Shinigami stood and bowed to Shuuhei sadly.

“Hisagi-kun, eventually, we will take Kurosaki-san from you, and I will weep for you then.” He turned and walked away from Shuuhei, passing Ichigo’s room and pausing to feel the bright blue Riatsu curl around him quietly in sleep. “Gomen nasai, Kurosaki-fukutaicho.”

He exited out the front door to see Zaraki standing menacingly in the street. Tousen sighed, not drawing his Zanpaktou. “I’ve done nothing here. I wish to go home, Zaraki-taicho.”

Zaraki grinned widely, Zanpaktou drawn and at Tousen's throat. "Yare, yare, Tousen. You were so eager to fight me before. What's changed, ya traitor?" The tall Shinigami leered above the former captain, and stepped closer, his blade digging into the tender skin of Tousen's jaw.

"And o'course you've done something. You just entered the house Kurosaki happens to be sleepin' in tonight." His grin widened, his excitement showing in his heady Riatsu. "And as far as I know, you ain't got no fuckin' home. Ain't tha' right?" He sneered, tilting Tousen's head upwards with the flat of his blade. "Fight me, ya blind fuck. Or are you too scared you gonna get yer weak ass kicked again?"

Tousen sighed gently and he stepped away from the nameless Zanpaktou, his Riatsu still gentle and curling. “Now is not the time, Zaraki.” As he turned his back on the captain, the sky exploded in a whirl of sakura blossoms as Ichimaru Gin landed beside Tousen in a graceful, seductive crouch.

“I think I might’a piss’d ‘em off a lit’le.” His lazy accent grated on Tousen’s nerves, but he didn’t refuse Gin’s touch as the white haired Shinigami wrapped his arm around the blind man’s waist. A rift opened in the sky above them, and Ichimaru’s wide grin became mocking towards Zaraki. “Too slow there, buddy.”

The sky exploded with blossoms again as Byakuya landed in a crouch next to Zaraki, covered in blood and his blue eyes blazing. “You will not take Kira OR Kurosaki from Soul Society. You will die if you do.”

Gin only laughed and flash stepped up into the rift, and Yachiru screeched as it closed. “COWARDS!”

The rift in the sky stirred something within Ichigo. That calling of the Menos Grande... the Hollow within him was mourning, and it forced his limbs to move. He ran through the house, and jumped at the rift, the Hollow trying to get at the tear in the sky, and he grasped onto the edge, creating a larger gap, before being forced backwards by a Riatsu he'd never even dreamed of, crashing to the ground in front of Byakuya with a thud, his breath lost from the impact.

He gripped his hair, his eyes shutting tightly as he forced the Hollow back, and sat up, exhausted. He'd slept through an invasion of the two former captains. How smart of him. Although, they'd probably return soon enough, now that they knew that the being within him yearned to join them.

Zaraki bent over to inspect him, and noticed the fading Riatsu of a Hollow. "So, that's why they wan'ed you." He murmured, ruffling his hair. "Dumb brat. Keep it under control."

Shuuhei had burst out the door just to watch the rift close and Ichigo fall to the ground, his fingers grasping in his hair. Not forgetting his place as Ichigo’s captain, he cried out his formal name even though he knelt next to him and tilted his head up to watch one eye revert to black and yellow and the other the normal chocolate warmth he loved.

“Kurosaki-fukutaicho…Control him. Like I know you can.” Byakuya’s eyes narrowed at the two, and he sheathed Senbonzakura, an expression of disgust covering his features. His captain’s robes and his scarf swayed as he walked away, a feeling of intense jealous in his heart. He was stoic as always, but only Yachiru noticed that his usually relaxed hands were clenched in tight fists.

Ichigo's unfocused eyes settled on Shuuhei, and then over to Byakuya. The Hollow began to bash against the walls he'd put up, and his voice was higher than usual. "I'm trying..." He grit out, and slowly, layer by layer, the walls he'd so carefully put up against the thing pulled up once again, and he fell against his captain, gasping for air.

“Ken-chan…Something’s funny about IchiIchi.” Yachiru whined softly.


“Sh-u-uhei…” Ichigo closed his eyes, and Zaraki folded his arms as he slipped into unconsciousness and out again.

“Maa, d’you need my help? O’erwise, I’ll get going.” He pet Yachiru on the head fondly, as if assuring her it was alright. She would understand when the time came… but otherwise, she was still too young for these matters.

Byakuya’s back made Shuuhei growl as he helped Kurosaki to his feet, and he snarled out after Byakuya, his usually respectful voice deep and full of anger. “How…dare you turn your back on him when all he wanted to do…was to love you. Bastard. Fuck you, Kuchiki Byakuya. Hisana would be rolling in her grave if she knew how fucked up you’ve gotten!”

Even Zaraki’s breath hitched, and Byakuya came to a complete stop. He turned, a furious scowl on his usual stoic face. “You’ve signed your death, boy.” Shuuhei straightened and gently helped Ichigo sit down on the front steps of his house, then turning to Byakuya after words.

“What happened? I know you know too, Zaraki! Don’t even try to hide it.” Shuuhei glared at the both them. “What is going on that I don’t know about!” Byakuya’s eyes averted, his face still furious. He couldn’t tell Shuuhei that Ichigo’s Hollow raped him. It would put Ichigo in a bad light with his future captain and embarrass the hell out of Byakuya. “WELL!” Shuuhei snarled.

"Shuuhei... stop it." Ichigo murmured, passing in and out of consciousness. Shakily, the teen got to his feet, eyes downcast to hide the flickering of color. "I'm not safe, Shuuhei. This Hollow... is dangerous." He raised his head to look at Shuuhei, a frown on his face. His eyes said everything else, and then he averted them, unwilling to look him in the eye once again.

He sighed heavily, the leap to the rift in the sky having exhausted him. Ichigo bowed low to both Byakuya and Zaraki, murmuring an apology to the both of them. Kenpachi merely shrugged, taking off and leaving the three of them in an awkward situation. "...Hisagi-taicho, do you want me to leave? I'm a danger to you, as well... I shouldn't have burdened you."

Shuuhei whirled on Ichigo, ignoring the pain in his eyes, and he crossed his arms. “Bullshit. You can control it, Kurosaki-fukutaicho. We all know you can.” He turned his eyes to Byakuya. “You gonna kill me now, Taicho?” Byakuya was still furious, but seeing Ichigo pull himself further and further away from those who cared about him was concerning the stoic man greatly.

He forced himself to calm, and he gazed at Shuuhei calmly. “You’re not worth the effort.” He snorted coolly.

Shuuhei nearly smirked and then he turned towards Ichigo. “No more of your whining bullshit, fukutaicho.” He growled. “You didn’t beat the fuck out of half of Soul Society because you were a weakling. You saved Rukia-san. With the Hollow intact. You can control it.”

Byakuya stepped closer to them, his steps swaying and elegant as always. He stopped next to Shuuhei and looked down at Ichigo. He said nothing, but his gaze said he agreed with Shuuhei, regardless of what the Hollow had done to him.

Ichigo locked gazes with Byakuya for just a moment, and then ran a hand through his hair and sighed softly. "Aa. You're right." He managed a weak smile, and bowed his head to the both of them. "That doesn't change the fact that I've disturbed everything here, but you're right." He looked up at the rapidly rising sun, and for just a split second, his hair looked a burnt brown.

"But the next time a rift that big opens up... I'm not sure I will be able to control him. I'm not at that stage yet, no matter how strong I am." Ichigo's smile grew, and he scratched the back of his head. "Oi... I'm going to turn in. Again." He quirked an eyebrow at Shuuhei briefly and accusingly, and then slipped back into the house.

"See you both around. 'N don't wake me up again." He murmured, moving into the guest room and flopping onto the bed face first, putting the pillow over his head and falling asleep almost instantly, his exhaustion helping his current sluggishness.

Up Next: Chapter 14: The Kuchiki Heir and His Claim

“My seed will wash him out of you.” He whispered into Ichigo’s ear. “And I will be the only one you think of.” He pushed himself cruelly in again, picking up the pace as Ichigo begged, his heart singing along with the term of affection that was whispered off of Ichigo’s lips. “No one will have you!” Byakuya snarled. “Not your lover, not Ichimaru, Aizen, or Kaname. I will protect you because you are goddamn well MINE.”

BIG HUGE Thanks to the following reviewers! Wakisashi Girl (Don’t worry… Byakuya gets what belongs to him.), Dracoqueen 22 (Wow, I’m so honored you reviewed our fiction! Hope you enjoy the next few chapters!), Setsuna (Just wait for next chapter.), Hanyou- Elf (Baby…. I love you so much.), Akume (You think he makes a niceuke for Shuuhei? Wait till 14!), Ashke (Yes, wasn’t it hot?), Gysecune (Wow, thanks so much! Incoherence is good!), M and Necr0mantic (We like your addiction. Is this good fuel for it?), Setsuna and Skydreamer (Here’s the update! Thank you so much for your kind words!)