Never Fade Away

Chapter 5

The rest of the week was spent pretty much the same way. Kenpachi steadily came against Ichigo harder and harder with his attacks. Ichigo constantly felt like he was drained of all energy. Event though his body healed all of his injuries, he could definitely feel the strain. Even his dad had noticed and had asked him if he was okay- in his own way of course. It was Saturday morning and Ichigo was feeling relaxed. Byakuya was going to pick him up today because there was a meeting for the Shinigami at Seritei today.

The meeting made Kenpachi slightly disappointed because he didn’t get to fight with Strawberry today. But Ichigo was also going to get assigned a partner, so maybe it would be him and Yachiru. It would mean that he would get to spar with the Strawberry even more often. Not that Ichigo getting assigned a different partner other than them would stop him from wanting to fight Ichi-Chan.

Ichigo arrived at the castle a lot less nervous than the last time he has been in a meeting. He was just happy that thus far the meetings had been informal. Hopefully when the time came for formal meetings he would be a lot more comfortable in them. He was a little excited to be meeting his new partner or partners, then he could start some real training.

Not that he didn’t learn a lot from Kenpachi’s spars, but there were different ways of fighting that he wanted to learn other than the brute strength Kenpachi specialized in. True that he had also taught him basic form, but there was more to fighting than just that. Especially when going against hollows.

Rukia dragged him into the same room as last time, but now there were a lot more people. Rukia pulled him into the front so he didn’t get a chance to see all of the people were there and he didn’t want to look so obvious by turning around an eyeing people. So instead he talked with Rukia until Byakuya entered.

The meeting started out pretty boring with just reiteration of old meetings that Rukia had already filled him in on. “There have been a lot more sightings of hollows in the city. We suspect that this is because of the increase in spiritual pressure there. In order to do that we are going to assign some Shinigami to stay within the city, it would be easier to send our new member Kurosaki Ichigo and his partner since he already lives there as well as two other members.” Byakuya said smoothly.

After that there was nothing more of interest to Ichigo and strangely he was thinking he would rather be sparring with Kenpachi than going through this meeting. Was it really necessary to have? It didn’t seem like anything that should be mandatory, and he guessed that other members didn’t consider it as such since this was obviously not all of them here.

At last Byakuya called the meeting to an end and asked Ichigo and another member to stay behind that he didn’t recognize the name. Before Ichigo could move a muscle Kenpachi was in front of him with Yachiru and grinning like a mad man. He opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by Byakuya. “You can talk to him in a second Zaraki.” Kenpachi glowered at him, but stepped back to reveal a man that Ichigo hadn’t seen before.

~DUN-DUN DUN!!! Who is Ichigo partner? Why am I putting this here? Because I was actually going to end it here, but decided not to. ~

The man had white skin and white hair and strange eyes that were black where there should be white with golden iris.

“This is Shirosaki Hichigo. He is going to be your knew partner Kurosaki.” The pale man looked Ichigo up and down and then leered at him, making Ichigo feel very uncomfortable.

“He’s a cutie,” Shirosaki said to Byakuya before turning to Ichigo, “Very nice to meet you, partner.”

“Err, nice to meet you, too.” Ichigo said cautiously. Shirosaki chuckled lowly and then looped an arm around Ichigo’s shoulder and grinned at Ichigo’s blush.

Kenpachi was watching the interaction with an uncharacteristic scowl. He wanted to be the Strawberry’s partner. But maybe he could get Byakuya to send him into the city as well. When Shirosaki called Ichigo a cutie and then put an arm around him Kenpachi narrowed his eyes and it was only Byakuya appearing in front of him that kept him from starting a fight with the white haired bastard.

“You wanted to join Kurosaki in the city, correct Zaraki?” Kenpachi nodded and looked over at Ichigo and Shirosaki. Shirosaki was laughing at something and looking like he was undressing Ichigo with his eyes.

“We have already arranged to rent a house in Ichigo’s neighborhood. You and Yachiru should be ready to move in tomorrow.” Kenpachi grinned as Byakuya moved away and then sidled up to Ichigo and hooked his own arm around his shoulder and jerked him away from Shirosaki.

“Hey Strawberry, let’s spar.” Shirosaki glowered at him and tried to reclaim Ichigo’s shoulder but Kenpachi was already moving him away. Yachiru stuck her tongue out at Shirosaki and then ran after Ichigo and Kenpachi.

Ichigo was actually fairly relieved that Kenpachi had maneuvered him away from his new partner. That guy was way too touchy feely with him. “I thought that we weren’t allowed to spar today?” He asked Kenpachi curiously.

Slowing down, Kenpachi paused to think. “Well it didn’t like you were too comfortable with that new partner of yours. Shirosaki is a pretty good fighter, though.”

“Well thanks for that, is he always like that?” Ichigo hadn’t thought that Kenpachi would care if Ichigo was comfortable or not.

Shrugging, Kenpachi answered, “Well I haven’t ever really seen him in a setting where he would do that. It could be that he just liked your feminine body, Strawberry.”

Ichigo growled and hit Kenpachi hard in the arm. “I am not feminine! And how many times do I have to tell you to call me Ichigo?!”

“Huh, well it’s not like you are girly. You just happen to have a feminine shape even with all those muscles.” An amused Kenpachi replied.

“So kind of you to notice what kind of body I have.” Ichigo said, grinning at a chance to rib Kenpachi.\

Kenpachi did blink for a second, but then grinned right back at Ichigo. “It’s hard not to notice such a cute body.”

Ichigo turned red amazingly fast and started to stammer. He really didn’t know how to reply to that. Yachiru saved him the chance to responding by leaping onto his shoulder and hugging him.

“We’re going to live by you Ichi-Chan!” Ichigo blinked and turned to Kenpachi for an interpretation.

“We’re getting sent into the city with Shirosaki to help you out with the hollows.” Ichigo smiled at Kenpachi and it made Kenpachi stare. When Ichigo smiled it transformed his face so much, usually his permanent scowl made his eyebrows furrow, but when he smiled his eyes opened up and it made Kenpachi want to look at him all day.

“That’s great! I can’t wait to see you hurt something that isn’t me.”

Kenpachi snorted, “I plan to do more than hurt them Ichi.”

Ichigo rolled his eyes, “Yeah, but you haven’t done anything more than hurt me so far.” That statement made something tighten in Kenpachi’s gut, a feeling he wasn’t familiar with. It couldn’t be guilt…he had never felt guilt before. Besides if he hadn’t hurt Ichi a little than Ichi wouldn’t have learned as fast as he had.

“Yeah, yeah, Ichi. Whatever you say. Want to get something to eat? I’ll take you back to your place afterwards.”

Ichigo looked slightly startled, “Uh, sure that sounds great. Let me just tell Rukia I’m leaving.” He set Yachiru down and she looked back and forth between Ichigo and Kenpachi curiously.

“You are taking Ichi-Chan out to eat Ken-Chan?”

“Yeah.” Kenpachi grunted.

“Do you like Ichi-Chan?”

“Yeah.”

“Yay, Ken-Chan!” Yachiru launched herself at Kenpachi. “I am glad you like Ichi-Chan, Ken-Chan!”

When Ichigo returned they set out with Yachiru to eat. They ended up grabbing burgers and Yachiru got a large sundae. Ichigo was surprised that there was no lull in the conversation. When Kenpachi finally took Ichigo home Ichigo it wasn’t very late in the afternoon, but it was definitely time for him to be home since he hadn’t been home much since this had all started.

“Thanks for the date, Strawberry.”

“Thanks for paying Ken-Chan.”

“No problem, Ichi-berry.” Ichigo glowered at him. “I won’t make you spar with me tomorrow, figure you deserve a break.”

Ichigo smiled and it made Kenpachi feel light inside. “That’s great, so I’ll see you on Monday?”

“Yeah, later Berry.”

“Later.” And then he was inside the house and he was gone from his sight. Kenpachi decided to pick up his Berry a jacket this weekend. It would give him more of an excuse to make Ichigo still hang out. He wasn’t going to let Shirosaki steel all of his Berry’s time.


Okay and now for a vote!!!

Should Shirosaki be interested in Ichigo romantically?

A) Yes, but just flirting.
B) Yes, but trying to push Ichigo into sex.
C) No, what the hell? Why did you have to bring Hichigo into this?