Cherry Lips

Review Replies- AnimeAngelSisters: I don’t think that spraying Grimmjow with some water is what Aizen has in mind, either.
Usmorgan: Thank you! I do feel a *teensy* bit bad for Ichigo.
ChappyTheRabbit: I’ve been criticized before for my cliché use of having lots of guys after Ichigo…but he is very attractive so I guess I don’t really see what’s wrong with it… But anyways, I know that’s not you were saying, I was just commenting on it =D
Lady_Pippy: Don’t worry, this is just an AizenxIchigo.
ShadowofLight: Ah yes, Stark… that’s all that really needs to be said, isn’t it?
MasterAkira: Now I can’t get the image of kitty-Grimm out of my head…
Blue-eyed Fox: I know! Such a perfect uke… not whimpering and weak, but fiery and bad ass.
Kunitsu: Well I think Ichigo’s friends are for the most part accepting… that’s why Ichigo likes them, after all. He doesn’t stand for prejudices (as seen in the anime/manga) and I think that it’s more in character for them to be so =D Anyways, thanks!
Ajj7sunhawk: I am definitely exploring Renji’s infatuation more, which you’ll see in this chapter.
Kai: Big BIG twist =D
VioletEyes: haha, Stark the cock blocker! That made me laugh…
Halloween: I hope you like virtual popcorn with extra butter.
Meshala101: If you read the author’s note below, you will understand the last chapter more. I didn’t explain is sufficiently, and that’s my bad. Thank you for being honest with me.
Nuksu: >=3
Golden Kitsune: Thanks!
Lynzee: Ooh…well…uh… can’t promise that D= Just cuz it’s in AizenIchi… but I do love GrimmIchi, just not in this story.

Important note on the last chapter: I’m very sorry for the confusion, I should have clarified that Grimmjow’s inner monologue in the last chapter was set over the first time that he met Ichigo to when he attacked him. It’s important to note because Grimmjow didn’t just immediately try and rape Ichigo, but waited for the time in which he though Aizen had discarded Ichigo.

Beta’d by WarriorNun- thank you =)

Cherry Lips: Chapter 7

In the morning, Ichigo rejected Sousuke’s offer to have him stay there another night because he wanted to get home and take a shower in his own apartment and get into some of his own clothes. He could set an alarm to make sure he got up every hour, or if Renji was there, he could do it.

Ichigo was still a little sore in some areas of his body, but he blamed yesterday’s activities with Sousuke for that. A hot shower soothed most of his pains, and some aspirin would probably take care of the rest. He stepped out of the shower and dried off before wrapping the towel around his waist and walking back to his room. As he walked back he heard the news that Renji was playing in the living room and froze.

“The body of 23 year old Grimmjow Jeagerjaques was found in the river today. Investigators say that he was killed executioner style, but refuse to comment more. There is some speculation that Jeagerjaques has connections with the Yakuza…” Ichigo tuned the rest out as he stood there in shock. No way…this couldn’t be happening. The only one who knew about what happened and would have motive to kill Jeagerjaques was Sousuke.

“Ichigo, Ichigo!”

Ichigo blinked and turned to face Renji who had been trying to get his attention.

“Did you know the guy or something?” Renji asked but Ichigo just numbly shook his head. Renji nodded and frowned. “Listen, about yesterday…”

“Forget about it Renji, it was just in the heat of the moment, right?” Ichigo said, although he knew it wasn’t.

Renji looked a little deflated. “Yeah…right…” He turned back to the news and Ichigo went to his room and slammed the door.

“Fuck, this isn’t happening!” Ichigo sank to his knees and buried his face in his hands. “This isn’t happening!”

He knew that Sousuke was Yakuza and that he had probably done some bad things, but this was the first time that he was really faced with that reality. He didn’t want anyone to die for him! Now he understood what Aizen meant by ‘taken care of.’

His phone rang. He picked it up without checking the caller ID and said nothing. “Ichigo? This is Sousuke.” Ichigo said nothing. “Did you see the news?”

“Yeah…” He whispered.

“I didn’t do it, Ichigo.”

Ichigo felt tears run down his face and tried not to sob as he thought about how much he wanted to believe Sousuke.

“Please believe me, Ichigo.”

“I have to go.” Ichigo said, and he knew that Sousuke could hear his tears through his words, but he didn’t care.

“Ichigo, wait-”

He hung up.

His phone kept ringing, but he didn’t pick it up. Outside of Ichigo’s door, Renji pulled his head away from where he was listening and walked away, trying not to let Ichigo’s sobs get to him. Ichigo was strong.

…

“Ichigo, I’m going out!” Renji called out to Ichigo who hadn’t reappeared since the morning. He sighed heavily and grabbed his keys.

He drove and drove, barely paying attention as he considered the situation with Ichigo and Aizen. Finally he arrived at his destination and got out of the car. He walked up to the house and rang the doorbell. A moment later, a butler answered.

“Abarai-sama.” The butler bowed and let him in. “Kuchiki-sama is waiting for you in the garden.”

Renji nodded his thanks and found his way to the garden where Byakuya Kuchiki was calmly sipping tea. “Kuchiki-sama.” Renji knelt and let his forehead touch the ground.

“Abarai.”

Renji sat back on his heels but kept his head bowed.

“I saw the news today.”

Renji said nothing. He wouldn’t speak until directed.

“How did Ichigo take it?”

“Badly, I think it was quite a shock for him to think that Aizen killed someone because of him.”

“Hm, there is no doubt that Aizen would have, if given the chance.”

Renji’s eye twitched.

“You don’t believe he cares for Ichigo, do you.”

“That bastard only wants Ichigo for his body! He’s not good enough for him.”

“And you believe you are?” It was a rhetorical question.

“Now you’ve killed for Ichigo. Do you think that his opinion on you would change knowing that you yourself are a Yakuza member and you were the one who killed Jeagerjaques?” Byakuya said bluntly, but not cruelly.

“Yes…it probably would.”

“Hm.” Byakuya took a sip of his tea.

“Does Rukia know about you yet?”

“She knows nothing. I don’t intend for her to take over this business, which is why we moved here in the first place. She is content to believe that our apartment is our home, and that our lives are simple.”

Renji was silent for a few moments. “What should we do about Aizen?”

“Nothing.”

“But he’s taking advantage of Ichigo!”

“I care about him just as much as you.” Byakuya said coldly and glared at Renji’s kneeling form. “Despite what you think, Aizen actually cares for Ichigo. One of my spies told me that Aizen ignored his duties in favor of watching over Ichigo.”

“Tch.”

“Even if Aizen was taking advantage of Ichigo, he is a senior advisor and I am just a Shateigashira. I still have to answer to Aizen.”

Renji said nothing.

“Go back to Ichigo. He needs a friend now.”

“Yes, Kuchiki-sama.”

…

Ichigo was pacing in his and Renji’s apartment. Renji was thankfully gone and therefore didn’t ask why he had unplugged their home phone and was acting so agitated. He still couldn’t get over the fact that Aizen killed someone. Although he knew that Aizen did something like that, this death was something so obviously connected to him that it made Ichigo’s heart throb.

A loud knock came from the door and Ichigo jumped. “Ichigo, I know you’re in there.” Aizen’s voice was easily recognizable.

Ichigo winced and looked around the room in a panic. “I don’t want to talk, Sousuke!”

“Listen, Ichigo, I didn’t do it!”

“Right!” Ichigo said through a half sob, half laugh. “Who did then? Stark?”

“No!” Aizen denied and kept pounding on the door. “Let me in or I’ll break the door down.”

Ichigo flinched and looked around quickly before grabbing a letter opener that was on the desk. He warily approached the door and looked through the peephole to see Aizen looked frazzled. Taking a deep breath, Ichigo undid the chain at the top and opened the door. Aizen stepped in immediately and closed it again. He eyed the letter opener in Ichigo’s hand and raised an eyebrow.

“Stay back, Aizen…”

“What happened to ‘Sousuke’?” Aizen asked; his brown eyes unmasked by glasses were particularly dark and watchful.

“Sousuke…” Ichigo trailed off, trying not to cry again.

“I didn’t kill Jeagerjaques.” Aizen said again and stepped closer to Ichigo but he raised his weapon again.

“I said stay back!”

In a blur of motion, Aizen grabbed Ichigo’s wrist and twisted it. Ichigo let his only weapon drop with a cry of pain and then grunted as he was thrown face first into the pillow. Aizen released his grip on Ichigo’s wrist but kept him pressed down.

“Ichigo.” Sousuke whispered into his ear, making Ichigo draw a ragged breath. “I promise that I didn’t kill Jeagerjaques.”

“You’ve killed people before.”

“Yes I have.” Sousuke said honestly and rubbed his nose against Ichigo’s soft hair. “I’ve only told you the truth Ichigo.”

“Right.” Ichigo said sarcastically, making Aizen nip his ear sharply. “Ow!”

“How’s your head?” Sousuke said, changing the subject quickly as he took some of his weight off of Ichigo and felt for the bump on Ichigo’s head.

“It’s fine.”

Both of them froze as the heard the click of a hammer being pulled back on a gun. They turned their heads and saw a very pissed off red head pointing a gun at Aizen and glaring at him.

“Get off of Ichigo now!”

Aizen slid off of Ichigo slowly and smirked at the red head. Who scowled.

“What the hell Renji!? Why do you have a gun!?” Ichigo shouted and quickly got to his feet.

Renji swallowed harshly but didn’t answer Ichigo. Sousuke chuckled darkly making both of them turn to look at him.

“Bright red hair, bandana, tattoos…I should have known that it was you.” Sousuke said and narrowed his eyes and Renji. “Renji Abarai, code name: Zabimaru. A yakuza kobon that serves underneath Byakuya Kuchiki.”

Ichigo’s eyes widened. “Wh-what..? Renji...?” He turned to look at the red head that looked particularly white but didn’t say anything. “Is this true Renji?”

“Ichigo…”

“Is it true!?”

“Yes.”

“Oh god.” Ichigo slumped onto the couch with his face buried in his hands. “Oh god, oh god, oh god…”

“Ichigo…” Renji looked guilty but kept his gun pointed at Aizen. “I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to worry.”

“You were the one who killed Jeagerjaques, weren’t you?” Renji glared at Aizen who looked genuinely curious.

Ichigo looked up, his eyes red and slightly moist but he wasn’t crying. “Killed…Renji!?”

“I heard what he did to Ichigo through Kuchiki-sama.”

“Shit!” Ichigo ran his hand through his hair and this time Renji holstered his gun and went to Ichigo’s side, ignoring Aizen.

“I’m so sorry, Ichigo…” He took one of Ichigo’s hands and pressed a kiss to it.

Across the room, Aizen narrowed his eyes but didn’t do anything yet.

“Byakuya and Rukia are a part of this too?”

“Byakuya is, but not Rukia. She has no idea that her brother is a Yakuza…”

“Fuck…” Ichigo pulled his hand away from Renji and stood up. “So Sousuke really didn’t kill Jeagerjaques.”

“Yes…but that doesn’t make him a good person!” Renji tried to grab Ichigo’s shoulder but Ichigo backed away.

“Neither are you!”

Renji froze, his face twisted in anguish. “Ichigo…”

Ichigo sighed and ran his hand through his hair, glancing at Sousuke who was still calmly watching them. “I’m not really mad that you’re Yakuza, Renji…I told you that my dad used to be involved with them so I couldn’t be mad. I’m just pissed you kept this from me.”

Renji nodded fervently. “I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to get hurt.”

“I know.” Ichigo looked at Sousuke. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you, Sousuke.”

Sousuke nodded. “We’ll talk about it when we get back to my house.”

“Okay.”

“Wait!” Renji shouted, making Ichigo pause and turn back to look at him. “No…why do you still choose him? Why not me!?”

“Renji, I love you, but only as a friend, nothing more.” Ichigo said sadly and stepped forward to give him a chaste kiss on the lips that made Sousuke bristle. Renji leaned forward as Ichigo pulled away but Ichigo turned his head to the side so he missed.

“I’ll call you later, Renji.”

Renji looked heartbroken as Ichigo left and fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face as he realized that he had lost. He pulled his gun out and put the trembling barrel to the temple of his head, his breath harsh and frantic as he cried.

“FUCK!” He threw the gun across the room and it skidded across the floor into the kitchen. “I don’t have the guts to take Ichigo from Aizen, and I don’t even have the guts to kill myself. Pathetic.” He fell forward on the ground and cried out his sorrow for nothing but empty rooms to hear.

…

Ichigo shifted nervously in Sousuke’s car as they drove back to Sousuke’s house. “You know I’m starting to spend more time here then my own home.” Ichigo commented.

“You should just move in.”

Ichigo laughed, but trailed off once he saw Sousuke’s expression. “Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

“But we haven’t even been dating that long!”

“So?”

“So it’s not appropriate!”

Sousuke looked amused. “Since when do you care what is appropriate?” He asked.

“Er…” Ichigo gaped at Sousuke and shook his head to clear his thoughts. “Can we talk about this later?”

“Yes. Because right now I want to talk about that kiss you gave Abarai.”

Ichigo laughed nervously and shrank in his seat as Sousuke narrowed his eyes. “It didn’t mean anything; it was just a good bye kiss.”

“Didn’t I already tell you that you’re mine? That means you don’t kiss anybody else.”

Ichigo eyed Sousuke for a second and then grinned. “You’re jealous!”

“I am not.” Sousuke said, looking a little bit miffed. “Who would be jealous of that stupid monkey-”

Ichigo leaned over and kissed Sousuke on the cheek. “You’re the only one I like, you know.”

There was the barest hint of pink on Sousuke’s cheeks as his grip tightened on the steering wheel. “I know. But that won’t stop me from reestablishing it tonight.”

“Eh!?” Ichigo turned red. “Er…you know my head still kind of hurts…”

“You aren’t getting out of this.”

Ichigo slumped in his seat and grumbled to himself, but Sousuke could see the pleased smile on his face. As they stopped for a light, Sousuke leaned over and tilted Ichigo’s face towards him before kissing Ichigo on the lips. “You’re the only one for me as well.”

If it was possible, Ichigo turned redder. Sousuke might be a Yakuza, but that didn’t stop Ichigo from liking him. Ichigo wasn’t the type of person to deny what he really wanted for long anyways, and he wanted Sousuke. Only Sousuke.

LINE

Remember that a Shateigashira is a local boss and a kobon is an underling (first chapter)