[Dicontinued] Fire and Ice

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Title: Fire and Ice

Author: BrucesGirl and R. Brightside

(Please look up Brightside-chan and rate and review her stories. It is because of her kindness that we were able to publish this story for you!)

Pairings: Kurosaki Ichigo/Kuchiki Byakuya (Hints of Other Pairings)

Summary: Ichigo is called to replace Renji as Vice Captain temporarily. Sparks fly between Byakuya and Kurosaki, and they aren’t necessarily the nice sparks.

Warnings: Yaoi, Anal, UST, Angst, Thar Be Lemons Ahead!

Disclaimer: We don’t own Bleach or Ichigo or Byakuya because we are not Kubo Tite. If we had a change to, however, we would steal Kubo-san and hide him in our basement.

Note: Here’s where the plot bunnies start to hop out! Beware, my little plot carrots! Muahahaha!
Chapter 8: The Confession of Renji’s Heart

The celebration was a grand sight, all the Shinigami invited were out of their usual garb and in more relaxed forms of wear. Byakuya had told Ichigo to meet him there since he had other things to do, and the Shinigami had disappeared. Mysteriously, he arrived right on time, and in his arms he held a small, cherry wood box, elaborately laid with gold and platinum, and he set it on the gift table under a cheery tree in full bloom. He looked up, only to find the others staring at him in shock.

The usual outfit had been exchanged for a striking, bright red haori that wrapped around his lithe figure like a second skin, closed by a golden obi, and the scarf had been abandoned, leaving nothing of Kuchiki Byakuya to the imagination except his lithe legs that were encased in golden hakama, the same color of the obi. In all, he was a sight to see, obviously a higher class Shinigami. Jyuushiro cleared his throat, and everyone went back to what they were doing, and Byakuya sighed. Where was Ichigo, anyway?

Ichigo was 'fashionably late' - he didn't have anything aside from his Shinigami robes, so he'd had to search for one of the men who did have something. He had finally realized that Shuuhei was just about his size, and had gone to him for help, to emerge with a dark blue haori, and a darker blue obi for it.

He wasn't used to wearing such things - living in the Real World, he'd never attended festivities, and so there was no need for things such as this. Ichigo sighed, grinning sheepishly as he stepped towards the group of Shinigami and announcing his arrival. Shuuhei stepped forward, dressed in a dark purple haori similar to Ichigo’s, and laughing softly.

"Late for your own celebrations, Ichigo! Geez, you could have come on time." His already mussed hair was messed up further as Zaraki put his hand on the teen’s head.

“It’s ‘cause he’s a brat.” He growled, grinning. “All brats are late like that.” Yachiru giggled on Kenpachi’s shoulder, waving heartily.

“And Byakuya-kun got here before you, too!” Ichigo looked over in the general direction that the small Shinigami was pointing at, and his breath was promptly stolen from him as he caught sight of Byakuya.

He waved at his lover with a wide grin, and moved over to greet him. “You look gorgeous, koi.”

Koi. Byakuya slightly nodded to Ichigo and offered him the box off the table. “Open this now.” Byakuya had racked his brain trying to figure out what to get Ichigo, and he couldn’t quite put his finger on what he wanted to offer him until Matsumoto had been complaining to Hitsugaya that she was tired of a regular wooden Vice Captain’s badge on her arm.

She wanted something better and prettier. Maybe in a shade of pink. So Byakuya, not wanting his lover to be anything close to mediocre, went to a goldsmith, and carved from the finest light ivory and light beaten gold and copper, they had fashioned a beautiful fukutaicho’s badge and hidden it away in an exquisite box, the only one of its kind. On the badge itself, Ichigo’s name, delicately carved in Kanji was backset by a Kanji of a more Royal nature.

The Kuchiki name was carefully and subtly crafted into the name “Kurosaki” only a few strokes of the character out of place to make an elegant work of art. Byakuya was almost beside himself with worry as he put the box in Ichigo’s hand. A few captains gathered around them, and called out that Ichigo was opening his first present.

Jyuushiro and Shunsui stood together, watching with a knowing smile. “Open it!” Yachiru cried. Byakuya, accustomed to the attention, kept his eyes trained on Ichigo. Koi…Yes, that sounded about right.

Ichigo grinned, and opened up the box, only to be stunned by the beautiful peice of art within. It was gorgeous, much more outstanding than the regular wooden badge. Yachiru jumped onto Ichigo's shoulder and gasped, her already bambi-like eyes widening considerably.

She pointed at the badge, and breathed out a soft 'Sugoi', evidently wishing that she had one too. She jumped off as the teen moved forwards, and the newly-made Shinigami hesitated. He wasn't sure if there was a thank you to express the gratefulness he felt for the badge.

"You… this must have cost you.” Smiling, he leaned forwards to give Byakuya a soft kiss to the cheek, whispering his thank you into the stoic Shinigami’s ear. “Domo arigato, koi.”

Byakuya actually flushed slightly at the kiss, and all the captains started clapping and hollering happily and bonked Ichigo on the back a few times before they disappeared back to the festivities. Byakuya stepped forward, his expression unreadable, and he reached for Ichigo’s arm and gently strapped the badge to it.

“It suits you.” He complimented emotionlessly. While he strapped the badge on, a commotion started in the corner of the courtyard. Sure enough, several people showed up at the edge, and one of them waved, her hazel shining.

“Kurosaki-kun!!!” Ishida looked decidedly annoyed to be there as always, and Renji was present there as well, his arm discreetly around the Quincy’s waist. Chad seemed tranquil as always, and surprises of surprises, Urahara Kisuke stood behind them, dressed in his usual garb, sans the hat. Byakuya looked down at Ichigo.

“Does it please you that they’re here?” He’d convinced the old man to let Urahara back in for a few days at least, and Byakuya had invited the others. He was glad that Renji came as well although he noted with a small tinge of jealousy that the redhead’s arm was around the Quincy.

Ichigo smiled at Byakuya. "Aa. They're my friends, after all." He cupped Byakuya's cheek, his thumb smoothing across the prominent cheekbones of his lover. "Thank you for inviting them." He murmured, daring to give the captain a kiss before he moved over to greet his friends. Ishida looked slightly uncomfortable, but he managed to smile and congratulate Ichigo on getting the Vice Captain badge, and asking him why it wasn't made of wood, while Inoue inspected it with wide eyes, the beautiful ivory and gold catching her gaze.

Chad remained silent, and Urahara was bantering on about how nostalgic Soul Society was, looking over at the old and new captains, waving with a wide grin and getting surprised looks in return. Ichigo looked over at Renji, a questioning look on his face. "Healed already, Renji?" Ichigo growled at Renji.

“No, baka.” He pulled his arm from around Ishida and stepped up threateningly to Ichigo. “But I’m well enough to kick your ass into next week. I’m allowed to now.” Renji slapped Ichigo on the shoulder playfully and then turned to Byakuya. His gazed softened and he bowed to the stoic man, his eyes averted. “Good evening, Kuchiki-taicho.”

"Yeah, you wish. I can kick your ass into two years from now, Renji." He grinned, however, showing his playfulness, and waved as Renji and Ishida disappeared into another crowd.

Byakuya nodded to Renji, and the redhead flashed him a rakish grin before grabbing Ishida and dragging him off to a crowd of other Shinigami. Byakuya watched them go with a bit of trepidation in his eyes, knowing that they too would have to make a decision, and theirs would not be so easy.

“Ichigo.” He turned the orange haired boy. “You can enjoy yourself with your friends.”

Orihime smiled at Byakuya. “How are you, Byakuya-kun?” Byakuya actually inclined his head to her politely, and she beamed.

Urahara had (almost literally) skipped off to see some old and new faces, and Chad had vanished into the crowd, smile already gone as he spoke with the Shinigami that had arrived, some steering clear of him because of his size. Ichigo stayed where he was, his hand brushing over Byakuya's discreetly, and Inoue didn't even noticed.

"Arigato, Byakuya." He grinned, showing the promise that he'd speak to him as soon as he was allowed to. After all, it was a date of sorts. Orihime chatted to him, almost tripping over her words with the speed of her voice, and they moved off into the crowd, where Inoue struck conversation with Shunsui and Jyuushiro, and Ichigo found himself absorbed into their conversation about nothing and everything.

Ichigo did look around for Byakuya every once in a while, enjoying socializing, but missing the companionship of Byakuya. It had only been a few days… and he was so attached. He hated to think about what would have happened should he have been sent out of Soul Society.

It was a little later that Byakuya ran into the Quincy, and he stopped in his tracks, gazing at him full of warning. They were the only two to have had both Ichigo and Renji, and he would know this boy that had been so able to take his Renji for himself and make such an impression on Ichigo. He cornered him as Ishida grabbed a plate of food and stood in front of him, blocking his path back to the party.

While he didn’t’ seem inclined to have a conversation with the boy, he raked his eyes over his body, assessing his abilities and Riatsu. He was a pleasant looking boy with sharp blue eyes and a determined gaze in those steeled eyes, and he held his chin high. Byakuya had a sudden bout of respect for the last Quincy, and he gazed evenly at him. “You will leave Renji with me.” He stated flatly.

Ishida frowned, and hitched his glasses up his nose with some difficulty. "Gomen, Kuchiki-san. I didn't realize that I posed such a threat. I'm not against going back to the world of the Living - Renji belongs here, after all." Ishida bowed his head slightly, holding back what else he had to say. 'Ichigo wouldn't approve of your possessiveness of Renji, would he?”

“You cannot stay in Soul Society.” Byakuya stated flatly. “You are a Quincy. There is no need of you here.” The captain looked down his nose at the boy, only to find himself quite taken with the stubborn set of the boy’s jaw and his rebellious eyes. “Renji must fulfill his dreams without distraction. He is my Fukutaicho, and he belongs to me.”

His voice left no room for argument as he gazed down at the Quincy with a small bit of respect and a lot of indifference. However, inside of him, his heart burned with jealousy. Renji was his Vice Captain. Renji’s dreams were his responsibility. Not the Quincy’s. “Do not test my resolve.” Byakuya warned.

"I do not plan to, Kuchiki-san. However, I will ask you to take good care of Ichigo. He's new to the ways of a division, and new to the ways of a relationship. Watch over him. Abarai-san is strong enough to care for himself." Ishida's tone was emotionless, but his face radiated the concern and hidden anger that whirred through his mind. His expression softened, and he sighed softly.

"Ichigo is intelligent. He'll know if you and Abarai-san are going behind his back, and he'll get you back for it twice as hard. That's his unspoken rule of punishment." Once again, Ishida hitched his glasses up his nose. "Kuchiki-san, if you'll excuse me... I believe our short conversation has come to an end. There is little else for us to talk about."

Byakuya gazed at the Quincy as he started to walk away and then he stopped him by his name. “Ishida.” He looked directly into the boy’s eyes, his own gaze hard as the steel that Ishida presented him with. “If you had been born a Shinigami, we might have been friends.” Byakuya turned then, walking away from the boy, his thick silk hakama flowing with his movements just as the strands of his jet black hair moved about his throat.

The boy was noble enough for Byakuya’s respect, and that in itself was an unheard of feat. They were the last of their kind. One a warrior and the other a nobleman. If Ishida had been born a Shinigami, Byakuya would have never had spared him a second glance.

Ishida was slightly confused, but he walked into the crowd, and he found himself sitting with Renji, sharing the food on his plate. He lay his head on the red-head’s shoulder, a smile on his face as he watched the sun sink into the horizon, the sky quickly darkening, so much so that he was .

He’d be sad to see Renji go, and there wasn’t much excuse for him to come back to the Living World, but eventually, they’d see each other again. After all, they were friends in the bodies of lovers. There was no attachment between them - or so the Quincy convinced himself.

Ichigo was talking with Shuuhei and Kira, who were both drinking sake, but the newly-appointed Vice Captain relented from doing so. There was a loud announcement from Komamura, and the entire party looked upwards at the darkened and at the stars that had started appearing.

The teen grinned, weaving his way through the crowd to grasp one of Byakuya’s hands in his own, looking up at the sky with him. The fireworks lit up the night, the wide variety of colors lighting up the night, rousing a loud cheer from the Shinigami below, Ichigo letting out a loud whistle.

Several followed suit (Yachiru tried to do so, but couldn’t get it right, merely making exaggerated blowing noises), and the divisions commenced the true celebration, copious amounts of sake being poured for each attending. Ichigo refused his sake, and looked over at Byakuya to see if he would do the same.

Byakuya raised his cup and sipped it with a cool air, and then casually, he set the cup down on a table and watched Ichigo, his eyes on something much more favorable to him than the bright lights that flew across the sky in puffs of smoke. He didn’t even notice when his feet carried him to Ichigo, and he wasn’t sure why all of the sudden the Shinigami turned dim and altogether disappeared, but he was pretty sure that it had something to do with the only being that he could see at the moment.

His fingers slid into the orange hair, and while everyone’s eyes were trained on the sky, Byakuya slanted Ichigo’s mouth and kissed him with hard, passionate lips that demanded nothing less of Ichigo than his very heart. And Ichigo gave want Byakuya wanted - he would have offered himself on a platter for the stoic Shinigami, should he ask for it. He wrapped his arms around his lover, his fingers rubbing over the cloth-covered flesh that they encountered.


The fireworks went on, and Byakuya kept kissing Ichigo until the lights flickered and died, and all eyes were on the beautiful Shinigami who were currently engaged in one of the most powerful scenes of passion any had ever seen. When Byakuya broke the kiss, no one cheered or clapped, and no one said a word. There was not an air of anger or resentment from the present Shinigami save for one. Renji’s eyes narrowed, and it was not Byakuya he was angry over.


When Byakuya broke the kiss, Ichigo smiled at him, tucking a strand of dark hair behind his lover’s ear. It was then that he noticed that everyone was watching him, and he felt that one Riatsu radiating anger. He locked eyes with Renji, a silent question. Why was he so angry? He had Ishida – he didn’t need Byakuya.

Renji’s fists clenched slightly, his garnet eyes flashing in the pale light of the moon as everyone began an uproar after the initial silence, thoroughly mortifying Byakuya and giving Renji the time to disappear into the night. Sometime after the festivities died down, and the guests disappeared, Byakuya still held Ichigo close to him underneath the blossoming cherry tree, his arms around him as his eyes remained expressionless.

His energy laid dormant, contented in his position in Ichigo’s arms. Renji, who had been sitting, watching, quietly stepped forward from the shadows of the trees in the evening, and Byakuya didn’t seem surprised.

He sat Ichigo back from him and a bit back from Renji, ready to take the brunt of the redhead’s fury. Renji, looking at both of them at once, his eyes trained on neither one, growled his accusation. “You knew he was mine. Why did you take that from me?”

Ichigo growled, standing. He regretted not bringing Zangetsu, now. "How was I meant to know? You spend all your time nagging on about how strong you are - I'm not fucking psychic!" The teen stood up, quite ready to face off with Renji. He didn't understand - the redhead never talked about Byakuya, and he expected him to know about some crush?

Knowing Renji was so much older, the crush would be older than he was. His hands clenched into fists, and he glared at Renji, almost daring him to lay a hit on Byakuya. He left the threat in his Riatsu that he'd be quite willing to kill Renji should he dare lay a finger on him.

Renji drew Zabimaru from his sheath and pointed him at Ichigo, his garnet eyes resting on the boy’s face.

“Not you, baka.” Renji growled.

He moved to point the Zanpaktou at Byakuya, and he glared at him. “First, you took Rukia. Then, you took Ishida. And now? You take him?!” Renji’s wrath escaped his throat in a vicious snarl of fury as he shook the sword at Byakuya. “You knew I wanted him! YOU KNEW!”

The shriek made the Captain flinch and he stepped forward, his hand laying on Senbonzakura at his side. “Shall we fight, Abarai-kun?” He asked gently. “I wouldn’t hesitate to cut you down.” He stopped in his footsteps, his eyes gleaming in the moonlight as if though he were an ethereal being from somewhere higher than Soul Society.

“You…took him from me.” Renji was furious. “You take everything from me so that the only person… the only foot hole I’ll have in the side of a flat cliff… IS YOU!” Byakuya’s eyes softened and his hand left Senbonzakura when he understood the brunt of Renji’s anger.

“No, Abarai-kun. I took nothing.” He looked up into those russet eyes with a pained, grave expression. “He kissed me first.”

Renji’s eyes widened, and he dropped Zabimaru.

Ichigo didn't know what was happening, and merely watched as Renji became more and more angry. And then, he realized. It all clicked into place, as soon as Byakuya spoke those four words.

Renji... wanted him.

It was such a weird concept, and suddenly, Ichigo felt sheer frustration that contorted his face into one of rage. "Baka!" He snapped, striding forwards and gripping his robes, shaking him. Byakuya stepped forward to stop Ichigo, his hand just barely missing his shoulder as the furious boy passed him and latched to Renji’s beautiful burgundy tunic. "Why didn't you ever say? Why not?" Ichigo snarled, his fingers weakening the fabric they held.

"You moron! You idiot! You stupid, fucking IDIOT!" He roared, eyes filled with the rage. "If you had told me, there's every chance that something could have happened. And now, it never will. I'm happy with someone else. You have dumped everything on yourself! Don't blame it on somebody else when it is so clearly your own fault!"

“Teme…” Renji stopped the screaming as he buried his hands in Ichigo’s orange hair, the stale scent of sake coming from him. He was drunk, Byakuya realized. Drunk and also bleeding from a bandage that wrapped around his chest.

“Kuchiki-taicho issued me an order when I left. Don’t engage with them. He told me. Don’t let them distract you from your goal. Teme, do you know what my goal is? To beat him.” He pointed to Byakuya over Ichigo’s shoulder. “If I had said something, I would have been disobeying him. I wanted to live long enough to kick his ass to the 80th District and back to Seireitei! How was I supposed to know that he would break his own rules and fall in love with you?”

"A confession isn't engaging, Renji!" Ichigo snapped back, shaking the Vice Captain harder until he realized that the red-head was bleeding. He swore, pushing Renji's hands out of his hair, and holding him against one side of his chest. He looked over at Byakuya, scowling.

"I'm going to take him to 4th Division." He slapped Renji neatly upside the head, grimacing at him. "Going out and getting drunk isn't a way to drown your fucking sorrows, baka." The teen snapped, tracing Unohana's Riatsu and flash stepping to the location, finding himself at the hospital.

He stayed there only as long as necessary before leaving to ponder the situation in the tree he was so regularly sitting in, threading his fingers through his hair and frowning before running the digits out of the orange strands and over his Vice Captain badge. Had Renji defied Byakuya's orders... would he have a wooden one of these, and would he have joined for the sake of being with the red-head? He groaned in frustration, his hands clenching into fists as he hit his head against the tree behind him.

Some damn celebration.

Up Next: Chapter 9: Senbonzakura and Abarai Renji

The redhead shivered as the breath ghosted over his ear, the heated air causing him to grit his teeth. He wasn’t going to sink back into those days, he had convinced himself. He wouldn’t let Byakuya steal his soul again. “Leave.” Renji wanted to stick to the promises.
“Leave, now. I don’t want to see you.”

Thanks to the following reviewers! Akume (Yes, we like Shirokun quite innocent!) xtraew (We’re glad you liked it! BG had fun writing it!, hanyou-elf-chan (Wall sex, eh? I’ll have to store that away for later use, baby.) random reader (we are so glad you posted for us! Thank you very much for your review!), ashke (No worries, hon…we explain everything in due time.)