Flowers For Ichigo

Authors Note: Please forgive the long wait. I just recently started a new job so things were getting a bit tough for me to write. I’m not 100% happy with the chapter but hopefully you guys will still enjoy it. I’m hoping to get the next chapter out faster but we will see. Don’t fret though this story will be completed without a doubt. Thanks always to my beta who’s also been waiting patiently for me to send her this chapter. ^^;

Someone really had to have hated his guts. There was just too much going on and he was starting to get a headache. Looking over at Byakuya, Ichigo still couldn’t figure out what he was doing in his house. Running a hand through his hair, he continued to stare. It just didn’t make sense.

Was he doing this to piss him off? If so, he wasn’t in the mood to deal with the cold aloof beauty. Sighing heavily, Ichigo looked in the cool eyes of the main reason for his stress at the moment, besides the self-loathing and the plot to get Rukia back in the worst possible way.

“Do you intend to stare at all day?” Byakuya asked, equally staring down at Ichigo. He still couldn’t believe he had accepted his sister’s idea for staying with the substitute shinigami. How he allowed her to persuade him still didn’t make sense, even now that he was face to face with the man. She did have that charm about her; even if he wanted to deny her he sometimes found it nearly impossible. Hence his presence in the substitute’s home. He could remember it now.


Flash back

“So you can stay at Ichigo’s,” she said, beaming.

“Ichigo…said I could stay with him?”

“Yeah, that’s what he said. Aren’t you glad you get to stay with Ichigo?”

Raising an eyebrow, he stared at her. “Glad? I feel white hairs growing already.”

“Oh, you don’t mean that. I know for a fact that you have a soft spot for Ichigo.” She said
with a certain look in her eyes. The look she had was something that bothered him some.

She knew something.

“Soft spot isn’t what I would call it.”

“Sure, Nii-sama, whatever you say. So make sure you get packed up. I’ll let him know
your coming.” She said, darting out the door and waving back at him.

“Wait, Rukia!” Putting a hand over his face, Byakuya knew he was in for a long week.


end of flash back


“No, I don’t intend to stare at you all day,” grumbled Ichigo, who shifted on his feet to get a better look at Byakuya. Not much had changed with the Kuchiki head, other than the possibility that he had grown more beautiful over the past few years. He was far too pretty to be a man. That fair skin flawless without a hit of a battle scar, that disgustingly dark as midnight hair that seemed to flow down like a river. Soft looking lips that looked too soft to be human flesh. Closing his eyes briefly, Ichigo shook his head, not even waiting to go down that path.

Over the time he had spent in Soul Society he had grown accustomed to the beauty of the Senbonsakura owner. It wasn’t that he was interested or anything- maybe it was because he hadn’t seen the man in forever that his eyes were drinking in the sight of him. Licking his lips, he looked down at the man’s frame. Still fit as usual. He knew what was hidden beneath the clothes of the man that held his head high with dignity and power that dared you to say otherwise. The body that moved just like the sakura petals that fell silently and beautifully.

Shaking his head again, Ichigo tried to focus. He really needed to snap out of his daze. Then again, he had admired all that was the powerful and respected 6th division captain.


“Are you positive? Because you’re still doing it.” Byakuya said, coughing a little. The man’s eyes were intensely on him and it was slightly embarrassing.


Putting his hand on the table with his hands folded, Ichigo looked Byakuya right in the eyes. “Do you really want to stay here for a couple of days? You don’t have to force yourself just because Rukia said so.”


Looking back at Ichigo with the same even stare, Byakuya sat up some and leaned his head on his hand. “Why, if I didn’t know any better I would say you don’t want me in your company, Kurosaki.” Byakuya said, tucking a few strands of hair behind his ear. He hated not wearing his Kenseikan. Without it he had to deal with the trials of having long hair in his face.


Taken aback, Ichigo coughed slightly, a hint of blush on his cheeks. “I never said that! I mean, wouldn’t you rather stay at your own place by yourself without a nuisance around?” he asked.


“How right you are. That’s why I’m staying here. I find you to be much less of a nuisance than the other two. Also about being alone, there were no accommodations that I found that suited my needs.” He said, sitting back up in his chair.


“Riight…” Not completely convinced, Ichigo decided not to press the issue. Even though he was itching to know why the man was in his house, he decided to let it go because if he dug any deeper things might get out of hand.


Feeling that was the last of Ichigo prying anymore into his sudden decision to intrude on his life, Byakuya put the flower on the table. “This was on your door step. I didn’t know you like flowers, Kurosaki.”


Slightly smirking Ichigo picked up the flower and examined it closely. This would be number three. Taking a closer look, Ichigo was able to determine the type: an ivy flower. What did this one mean?


“Would you know the meaning of this flower?”


Raising an eyebrow, Byakuya looked at the flower. “Since when were you so interested in flowers?”


“Since I’ve gotten a stalker.” Sarcasm dripped from his voice.


“Stalker?” Byakuya looked at Ichigo incredulously and with a little of something Ichigo couldn’t recognize. “You have a stalker?”


Shrugging, Ichigo twirled the flower around his fingers. “Not really a stalker but an admirer I guess. Someone who thinks way too highly of me.”


“Really?”


“Yes, and I want to find out who. That’s why I’m glad you’re here.” Looking at Byakuya seriously, Ichigo set the flower back down on the table. “Whoever this person is, they have the ability to mask their presence from the normal eye. When I got the first one my sister couldn’t see it at all. Then when I took a closer look I realized they had made it invisible to the normal eye.”


“Fascinating,” Byakuya said with a strange look on his face.


“Fascinating? You find this fascinating?


“Yes, whoever this person is, they are smarter then you think. Masking one’s aura within an object is not something so easily done. Not only that- for you to be able to break the seal on the locked reiastu is something extraordinary in itself. You’ve gotten stronger,” Byakuya said with an uncharacteristic smile.


Ichigo’s breath caught in his throat. Not only had Byakuya complimented him, but he also seemed to be delighted at that fact and had even smiled. This day couldn’t get anymore bizarre.
Coughing and clearing his throat, Ichigo stood from the table and grabbed the flower. “Enough about this, how about we put your bags upstairs?”


Standing and giving a nod, Byakuya followed Ichigo upstairs.


“It’s just going to be the two of us in the house, I hope you don’t mind.”


“The two of us? What happened to your family?”


“They all decided to have other plans,” Ichigo said with a hint of bitterness.
Raising an eyebrow Byakuya said nothing except, “where will I be staying?”


“….”


“Kurosaki?” Byakuya asked, stopping as Ichigo stopped right in front of him. He had just remembered something very important that he should have remembered before he agreed to Byakuya staying.


“Fuck.” Turning towards Byakuya, Ichigo froze.


“You don’t have a problem with us sharing a room do you?” Even though he had other rooms in the house, he didn’t feel right letting Byakuya stay in his sisters’ or his dad’s room; anyway, he doubted Byakuya would have agreed. He himself didn’t feel comfortable without being in his own bed as well.


Eyes going slightly wide, Byakuya looked at Ichigo. “Why would we need to share a room? You don’t have any other accommodations?”


Ichigo scratched the back of his head sheepishly. “You see, we did have a guest room but my dad doing some random remodeling crap completely destroyed it,” he said, shrugging. “You can take a look if you don’t believe me.” Leading the way, Ichigo stopped in front of a door at the end the hall and opened the door revealing… not a room- no. It couldn’t even be called a room. Was the man insane? Looking around the room even for a few seconds had him on the verge of losing his early dinner. The room was just, for lack of better word, ‘gaudy’. He had painted the room in different colors; everything in the room looked like it didn’t even belong in there. It was like he was either color blind or slightly off.


Turning fast on the heels, Byakuya left that room before he might lose all control and destroy it.
Noticing Byakuya had turned on his heels and left the area where he was standing, he closed the door and tried to catch up with the noble. “Hey, wait!”


Stopping in front of a random door, Byakuya turned to Ichigo. “Staying with you is fine.”


“Oh, okay.” Feeling slightly relived and yet still nervous, Ichigo noticed that by coincidence or luck the room Byakuya had stopped in front of was in fact his own. “Well, this is where I call ‘home’.” Opening the door, Ichigo walked inside.


Following him inside, Byakuya took a quick look around. This room unlike the ‘other room’ was simple but had an air of comfort to it. With the bed by the window and warm colors gracing the walls, Byakuya could feel himself relax . He had a desk by the wall across from the bed and the room was quite spacious.


“This will do fine.” Setting his bag down, Byakuya turned to Ichigo. “Where will I be sleeping?”


Crossing his arms across his chest, Ichigo thought. “You could take the bed and I can grab some blankets and sleep on the floor.”


The floor?


“I wouldn’t make you sleep on the floor; this is your house. I’ll take the floor.”


“No, I insist. You can take the bed, I have no problem sleeping on the floor.”


Shaking his head, the noble had to disagree. He just didn’t feel right having the substitute shinigami give up his own comfort to quell his own.


Sighing, Ichigo came up with the only thought he could, hoping that it wouldn’t get him killed in the process.


“We can share….” Noticing the look of pure surprise on Byakuya’s face, Ichigo’s face started to turn red. “I mean, the bed is big enough and we can sleep in different directions….you know, feet to head….oh, I don’t know, never mind…


Shaking his head to clear the surprise that briefly showed on his face, Byakuya made up his mind. He didn’t really understand what was going on with him today... “That would be fine.”


“What….I mean, cool…” Coughing a little and clearing his throat, Ichigo couldn’t believe it. Byakuya was actually going to sleep in the same bed as him…feeling slightly conflicted as well as another strange feeling, Ichigo decided to put it out of his mind for now.


‘Smooth, king. Real smooth.’


“Shut up.” he growled.


“I’m sorry?” Byakuya asked, confused.


“No…nothing.”


‘Sure it’s nothing, king.’


‘Would you disappear?’


‘Sure…whatever you want, king…I’ll leave you to your own devices with the stick but I will leave you with a few words. That feeling you’re feeling might lead you to the answer you’re looking for.’


Brown eyes widened in shock as the link shut off.


“Kurosaki?” Byakuya looked at Ichigo questioningly.


Gathering himself together, he looked back to Byakuya. “No, I’m sorry. It’s nothing.”
Saying nothing more, Byakuya opened his bag and pulled out a yukata for sleeping. “May I use your shower?”


“Huh? Yeah, sure. It’s the first door on your left down the hall.”


Nodding his thanks, Byakuya headed to the bathroom.


“Wait, he’s going to take a shower in my house….” Shaking his head, Ichigo decided not to think anymore of it. Sighing and plopping himself down on his bed, Ichigo could feel the exhaustion of the day finally hit him. These next couple of days were going to be a real test of endurance. He just hoped with everything that was going on he could handle it, especially considering the fact that he still had to deal with his secret admirer. Laying down on his bed and looking at the ceiling, Ichigo pulled the flower out from his pocket.


“Now what is it this time?”


Gratitude


‘Grateful…


It’s what I feel towards you.


Without even realizing it you stepped into my life like a hurricane. Grateful towards you for many things…I hope one day, if you will…


That you would allow me to show you that gratitude one day.’


“Kurosaki?!” Byakuya said for the thousandth time and shaking the inattentive boy.


“Huh? He said, cracking his eye open a bit. “Byakuya? What’s going on?” Sitting up some, he noticed the sleeping attire of the 13th division head and shook his head in awe. Could something really be that beautiful?


“You were moaning and shaking your head. Are you alright?” He asked, sounding somewhat worried.


“Yea…. Don’t worry about it.” Looking down he noticed the flower was on the windowsill. He must have passed out again after the vision.


Giving him that strange look again, Byakuya didn’t press the issue further.


“I would like to retire for the night, if you don’t mind.”


“Huh? Oh sure.”


Scooting over, Ichigo moved closer to the window. “Are you sure you’re okay with this arrangement…I can really sleep on the floor”


Getting into the bed next to Ichigo, Byakuya turned towards the door.


“It’s fine. Now sleep. I require your assistance tomorrow.”


“You need my help?”


“Yes. We will discuss it tomorrow. Good night Kurosaki-kun.” Closing his eyes, Byakuya feel asleep.


“Right…Night.” Closing his eyes and trying his best to ignore the scent that was positively surrounding him, Ichigo fell asleep.


Turning around after feeling the substitute shinigami fall into the land of dreams, Byakuya looked at his sleeping form.


“Very much grateful…” Smiling a little and turning back around, Byakuya fell asleep. Tomorrow would be another day.


Feeling the light on his face, Ichigo cracked an eye open to the morning sun.


“It’s morning already?” Turning over to his side, Ichigo noticed that Byakuya was already up. Looking over to his clock he saw it was blaring 7:00. “Damn, he wakes up early.”


Deciding that there was no point, Ichigo got up and headed into the hallway. Ichigo guessed that Byakuya was in the shower when he heard the water running, so going downstairs and into the kitchen, he grabbed a cup of water.


“Today’s going to be a long day.” He was getting the eerie feeling that things where just beginning. As he was trying to squash the feeling of anxiety, the door bell rang.


‘Ding dong!’


“Who the hell could that be?” Going to the door, Ichigo opened it.


“Why hello, Kurosaki-kun!” Said a voice he knew all too well... Looking him straight in the eye was the smiling face of the Shinigami Item selling shop headman he knew all too well.


“Urahara…”


“Why yes, it has been a long time… But before we get down to the formalities…Kurosaki-kun, I didn’t know you liked flowers.” Holding up said flower Ichigo knew for sure…


Today was definitely going to be one of those days.