Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast: Chapter 7

Kenpachi sighed forlornly as he watched Ichigo get glomped yet again by Komamura the foot stool. Ichigo yelped in response and chased after the ‘puppy’, cursing as he slipped and fell on the ice. His horse was watching impassively, sighing himself as Ichigo tried to untangle himself from his own clothes.

“I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.” The beast grumbled.

“Do you think its gas?” Asked Ikkaku curiously.

“Idiot! He doesn’t mean it like that.” Yumichika scoffed.

“I want to do something for him. But what?” Kenpachi scratched his head as he thought of ways to molest- cough, cough- woo, his Ichigo.

“Well, there are the usual things--flowers, chocolates, promises you don't intend to keep...” Yumichika added in helpfully, but was paying more attention to his reflection in the glass than the conversation.

Ikkaku looked at Yumichika like he was an idiot. “That won’t work, baka. Listen Captain, what you need to do is find something that sparks his interest- wait a minute!” Ikkaku’s eyes lit up as he remembered that conversation with Ichigo.

Kenpachi dragged Ichigo down a hall he had never been before. Rolling his eyes, Ichigo allowed himself to be manhandled and hoped this wasn’t another ploy for Kenpachi to get into his pants.

“Ichigo, there is something I want to show you.”

“Kenpachi, I told you already, the size of your penis isn’t going to convince me to have sex with you.” Ichigo sighed in exasperation.

“Eh? No, not that.” Kenpachi shook his head. “Although you really should just see-

“No!” Ichigo blushed red and raised his hands up.

“Anyways, you have to close your eyes first. It’s a surprise.”

Ichigo still looked a little uncertain, but at Kenpachi’s grinning face, shut his eyes with a scowl. Kenpachi waved his hand in front of Ichigo’s face to make sure they were closed and then opened the door and pulled the orange-haired boy into the room.

“This better not be your bedroom.” Ichigo muttered, then a little louder, “Can I open them yet?”

“No, no. Not yet. Wait here.”

Kenpachi grabbed the curtains and drew them back, allowing light to pour into the room, some of it landing on Ichigo’s face and making him frown in curiosity.

“Can I open them yet?”

“All right, now.” Kenpachi answered affectionately.

Ichigo opened his gorgeous brown eyes and inhaled sharply at the sight that befell him. “I can’t believe it! I’ve never seen so many books in my entire life!”

The books where everywhere, along every wall and to the top of the very high ceiling.

“You—you like it?” Kenpachi asked, his sharp teeth gleaming as he grinned.

Ichigo turned to Kenpachi with a genuine smile that made the beast’s heart beat so fast he thought it was going to explode. Was he having a heart attack or something? No, he was too fit for that…and it wasn’t the spell, so what was making him feel this way?

“It’s wonderful.” Ichigo said.

“Then it’s yours.” Kenpachi thought he would give Ichigo the world just to see another one of those smiles.

“Thank you!” Ichigo turned to the books, eyes wide and he traced a finger over their bindings.

The objects eyed the two in amusement and a happy sheen appeared on Ikkaku’s bald- er, waxed head.

“Oh, would you look at that!” Unohana beamed.

“Ha ha! I knew it would work!” Ikkaku yelled in delight.

“What? What work?” Yachiru asked in confusion.

“It’s very encouraging.” Yumichika agreed.

“Isn’t this exciting!” Rukia the feather duster chimed in.

“I didn’t see anything.” Yachiru pouted.

“Come along, Yachiru, there are chores to be done in the kitchen.” Unohana nudged Yachiru to the door.

At breakfast, which Ichigo grudgingly got up at a decent time for, Kenpachi sat across from him at the other end of the very long table. Ichigo thought the arrangement was ridiculous, but after he saw Kenpachi splashing oatmeal all over the place, he was thankful. Not that Ichigo was the epitome of good manners, but he managed to get the food into his mouth and not all over himself. Kenpachi paused mid bite and looked over at Ichigo who was lifting a spoonful of oatmeal to his mouth.

Glancing over at Unohana who was pouring some tea, Kenpachi sighed and lifted the spoon- a utensil he hadn’t used in awhile- to his mouth and chomped down. Pulling it away, he realized with some surprise that only the handle of the spoon remained. Blinking, he swallowed his mouthful and choked, coughing around the spoon part he managed to bite off. Ichigo sighed and rolled his eyes before setting his spoon down and lifting his bowl to take a sip. Kenpachi took he cue from Ichigo and did the same, sipping on the porridge with delight and managing not to spill it all over himself.

In the courtyard Kenpachi and Ichigo grudgingly fed the birds due to Yachiru’s pleads. Ichigo scowled at the chirping birds that were probably carrying some horrible disease and spread out some seed for them, cringing as one landed on his finger. Flicking it off, it gave a little chirp and fluttered over Yachiru who had some bird seed in the cup.

He glanced over to Kenpachi who was attempting to lure the bird closer with bird seed in his hands, but was thus far unsuccessful. Heh, lucky bastard. With a glare at the twittering birds, Kenpachi threw back his head and gave a loud roar, sending them fleeing the skies in fear of death. Ichigo laughed, smiling at Kenpachi in gratitude for sending them away.

Ichigo’s POV

There's something about his eye that draws me. A power about him that you can almost taste in the air. Girls may go for sweetness and dignified gentlemen, but there’s something about Kenpachi… I wonder why I didn't see it there before.

Kenpachi’s POV

He glanced this way…I thought I saw… those brown eyes burning as he laughed, grinning at my angry roar… No it can't be, I'll just ignore it. But then again, he's never looked at me that way before.

Ichigo’s POV

Lewd… and a bit perverted, how could I feel these things for him? True, that he’s no Romeo... but there’s something in him that I simply didn’t see.

Third Person POV

Ichigo scooped up some snow and ducked behind a tree, packing it together as Kenpachi tried to convince Yachiru that she didn’t want the birds to come down. Throwing it hard, Yachiru giggled at the beast’s affronted expression as snow splattered all over him. With a devious grin, he started gathering snow in a large pile to make an even bigger snowball, but before he could throw it, Ichigo hit him in the face again, making the large pile of snow that he was carrying fall on top of him.

Kenpachi darted forward to chase after Ichigo but the orange haired teen darted away, laughing as the beast skidded on the ice. With a threatening growl, the larger man lunged forward and tackled him down. Yachiru watched curiously as Kenpachi started growling and rocking his hips against the lithe body underneath him, ignoring Ichigo’s attempts to get him off.

“Yumi-chan, what are they doing?” She asked curiously. Yumichika blinked and glanced over before gasping and covering her eyes.

“Nothing, they’re doing nothing! How un-beautiful!”

Ikkaku just smirked at the pair as he watched from the window with Unohana. “Heh, Kenpachi just can’t keep his paws off of Ichigo.”

“Ichigo doesn’t seem to be fighting as much as he could be.” Unohana commented as Ichigo finally gave up and allowed Kenpachi to cuddle him.

“Well maybe there’s something there that wasn’t there before.” Ikkaku said, sharing a knowing glance with Unohana.

Kenpachi wasn’t much of a reader, even when he was more human than he was now. But he found that he did enjoy Ichigo reading to him. His slightly sarcastic tones as he described the characters and their exploits amused him. Plus he got to sit close to Ichigo without his little Strawberry throwing a fit. That was always a good thing.

In Kenpachi’s bathroom, he got ready for the night ahead, scrubbing his body down roughly as he sulked.

“Tonight is the night!” Ikkaku cried optimistically.

“But what if he doesn’t love me back?” Kenpachi growled, glaring at the candlestick.

“What’re you being timid for? Be aggressive.”

“I can do aggressive.” Stepping out of the tub, Kenpachi toweled himself down, glaring at his penis as though it had spoken instead. “You hear that?”

Yumichika sighed and hopped onto the sink, directing the coat rack to do Kenpachi’s hair.

“There will be music. Romantic candlelight, provided by myself, and when the time is right, you confess your love.” Ikkaku exclaimed this like it was the simplest thing ever.

“Huh. Why couldn’t this damned spell be about becoming the strongest fighter?”

“Because that’s not the point!” Yumichika said in exasperation. “You care for the Strawberry, don’t you?”

“More than anything.” Kenpachi replied truthfully, his heart burning in his chest at the very thought.

“Then you must tell him.” Ikkaku said simply.

In Ichigo’s room, there was a very violent struggle going on. Ichigo out right refused to wear a dress in any shape or form, despite Hanataro’s pleadings.

“No! No dresses!”

“But this blue one would compliment your hair so nicely!” The wardrobe persisted.

“NO!!!”

Hanataro sighed heavily and looked over at Unohana who shrugged as much as a teapot could shrug. “Well how about this nice suit, then?” Ichigo eyed it, before nodding shortly.

“…Fine…”

LINE

So next chapter is the ballroom scene. Will Hanataro get Ichigo to wear a dress? Can Kenpachi convince Ichigo to dance?

Please review!!!