One is Too Many

Second last one! Look for the last one late Sat. or early Sun, depending on how late I get stuck at work. Moving back in time a little here to pick up With Ikkaku again. Thanks for the reviews and keep 'em coming!



~Ikkaku~


Fuck, shit, dammit all to hell, I know that sword, that energy. Fucking Ichimaru. If I could move, I'd kill him; that would be good. He hit something vital, I can feel it, blood is pumping, pouring from my chest, my life draining away as I try to stand; fuck, I can at least kill this bastard. Kira's cry echoes in my ears, sobs clear even from across the field.

Shit, no! I won't... The ground is hard, dirt too saturated with my blood to even fly up when I hit. My hand grips my weapon before sharp claws dig into my side and throw me over to my back, taking chunks of skin and muscle, flinging them everywhere. One last stab and my arm falls to thud beside me, blade too heavy to lift. No, Kira!

He's crying, I know it, I have to get up, help him. Between one blink and the next, he's standing over me, sword held in both hands, trembling but ready, determined. I can't hear anything, my voice is gone and I ache to tell him how proud I am, how much I love him. Color fades first, his bright eyes turning grey, hair vanishing until all I can make out is the white of his skin.

His lips move slowly, forming the word perfectly. “Bankai.” Light flares before it all fades; I smile. He'll be fine, my strong Kira.

When I wake next, I'm tied to a bed, heavy metal chains holding me down. “Fuck! Hey, get me the fuck out of here!” Rattling and I think I feel them give. Hard yanks cut into my wrists but I'm sure I felt them give this time. “Get this shit off me! Kira!”

Small bodies pounce on me and I kick them off, bucking and swearing. “Honestly, Ikka, must you be so loud? It's terribly rude.” That snotty little voice!

“You are dead when I get these off! This was your idea, wasn't it? Fuck you, let me up!” Frantic hands run over me, trying to hold me as I try to get to that bastard of a best friend of mine.

A soft step and I freeze, power washing over me, commanding and gentle. “Now Captain, please calm yourself.” Unohana stands in the door and her subordinates scatter; I would too if I could move. She may be the second gentlest person in existence but she's damn scary. Even Kenpachi gives to her. “Very good. I will allow you one visitor. Who would you like?”

“Kira.” No hesitation, I only want to see him.

A sad smile; no, he can't be. Kira! “I'm afraid he can't be moved. He's still unconscious.” He's not dead. He's not dead! “Your third seat is here and has been waiting for you to wake up.”

“Yes, thank you. I'll see him then.” Maybe he can tell me what the hell is going on; I know I died. Or close enough to not make a difference.

“You know, you could say thank you. I broke two nails and had rough edges on all of them! My manicure was ruined and I had to spend hours getting my hair fixed too. It was awful and you just call me names.” Oh great, now he's going to pout. “You're so cruel and awful to me, I just don't know why I'm your friend.”

“Cause no one else would have you. Shut up, I'm getting a report.,” The indignant huff and sulking I'll have to put up with will be worth it. “Tetsummi! Get your ass in here!”

“Sir! I'm so glad you've woken up. We've been waiting for days now.” Days? Then Kira...

“And Kira hasn't woken up yet?” Dark eyes turn away to stare at the floor. “Tell me what happened.”

“Yes, sir. We beat them, sir, there was only one left and Ichimaru arrived, walked right up to the Lieutenant. He had more with him, strong ones. We fought our best, got a message through for help. But, the Lieutenant killed them all on his own. He performed Bankai, shot them all down in one strike. Only the arrancar you fought was left and he sliced it to pieces before it was too much.” Admiration and respect glow in his voice. “I passed out after that. Ichimaru left without killing us and more than half of us, everyone but you and the Lieutenant, woke before we even arrived back here, completely healed.”

“It was Kira.” Yume's voice is soft from the chair, eyes on the bedspread. “He tried to heal you all with the excess energy. The rebound nearly killed him before” His voice cut away abruptly and he looked at the wall.

“Before what?” Now I'm really suspicious; what does that skinny little pain know? “Tell me.”

Pink rushes into his cheeks and I frown; have I ever seen Yumi truly blush? That faking it crap for effect doesn't count. “Ah, well, you see. Fujikujaku has a, special, ability.”

“Yeah, and?” I know that already, hell, I helped him learn to use the damn thing.

Purple looks up, meeting my eyes. “No, Ikka, a very special ability.” His lips tilt a bit. “Don't be mad. Fujikujaku siphons an opponents energy and transfers it to me.”

What? Yumi's sword is a kidou type? Since when? Obviously since always, but how did I never notice? I just stammer and stare, watching his cheeks turn a dull red. “Well, it's your own fault! You always make fun of kidou, say it's only for those who can't fight!” His shoulders round a bit and he glances away, nibbling his lip.

Aw, hell. Now he's sniffling. Fuck. “Tetsummi, find someone to get this shit off me.” He's a smart guy, he'll fuck off. “Yume, come here.” Long hairs shakes at me. “Get your ass over here before I rip this thing apart and drag you over. I'll mess up your hair.” A shaky smile and he scoots from the chair to lay beside me, head on my chest, fingers tangled in mine. My pretty guy, always so touchy feely. “So why didn't you tell me?”

His shoulders stiffen but he doesn't pull away. “I didn't want you to think you had to protect me.”

My eyes roll almost painfully. “Hey, you know I've never felt I had to protect you. Hell, you kick more guys' asses than I do.” My eyes close as he nuzzles into my neck, curling around me. “S'ok, I don't care. As long as you've got it under control and don't go crazy with it.” Cause he's such a weirdo, he would.

Soft giggling and I roll my eyes; he's such a fruitcake. “Ikka! I don't do things like that! Even if it does make me extra pretty.” Quick shifting around and he's sitting on my stomach, feet dangling off the bed, little toes wiggling in the air as he fiddles with his bright neck protector. “Soooo, want to go see Kira?” A sly smile and he tugs a key out of heavy cloth.

“I love you.” What else do you say to the guy who makes your dreams come true?

Delighted laughter and he fiddles with the locks. “You're taking me out somewhere nice, right?”

“Sure, sure, anywhere you want. Hurry up!” The key is tossed to me while he scrambles off; I fight with the last lock, awkward with the angle required to reach my foot. “Where is he?”

“Two doors down. Don't get caught!” His warning is nearly unheard as I dart through the door and down the hall, bursting into the dim room.

He's so pale, thinner, smaller. The light hospital clothes make him look too delicate to still survive, to be alive. His chest is barely moving as I sneak over, afraid to make any noise that might disturb the fragile balance of his life. Kira? Wake up, Kira. Please, please, Izuru, my beautiful boy, wake up for me. Silent entreaties have no effect and I risk whispering. “Izuru, I need you to wake up. Just for a second, ok?”

Not even a flick of the eyes or a twitch of the fingers, and I wrap my hand around his, feeling the bird-like bones like glass against me. Ah, Kira, there are so many things I should have said to you, told you how precious you are, how beautiful. How much I love you, need you. I think this is the first time I've ever regretted something; I've always done as I pleased, taken what I wanted and lived every second for all it was worth.

“There you are, Captain Ikkaku.” I jolt around then back immediately, afraid I've hurt him. “He's not as delicate as he looks. You won't break him by touching.” Soft steps and the long dark braid swings into sight as she leans over him, pressing her hand to his face. “He can hear you, if you want to talk to him.” A faint smile and she turns away. “I'll have another cot brought in.”

A second of staring after her and I grin. “Hear that Kira? I'm gonna be your new roommate. Poor thing.” Still nothing but I hope again; he will wake up and smile that tired little smile and tell me not to fuss.

********************

It's another week and a half before he wakes, blinking slowly up at me, gaze unfocused. “Hey there, Lieutenant. Done feeling lazy?” A gentle smile and he closes his eyes again, fading back into sleep. But his hand clings to mine, short nails digging into my skin hard enough to leave tiny crescents of white.










Yeah, so anyone who thought we would have a sad ending is clearly delusional. *L* I'm a huge fan of make you cry happy ones but no more hints! Check in for the end later, k?