Keeping Secrets

Keeping Secrets
~~~

Ruri'iro Kujaku disdainfully swept aside the grains of dirt before sitting down on a rock beside Hôzukimaru. As much as he disliked this grimy cave that Muramasa had chosen as their hideout, he had to admit that he’d much rather be here than lumbered with that irritating master of his: Yumichika. He hated him, and told Hôzukimaru all about it.

“My Shikai is so powerful and yet that idiot refuses to ever use it, and he even has the audacity to hate me for it! He doesn’t deserve a Zanpakutô as good as me. Muramasa didn’t need to try very hard to convince me to leave Yumichika, I’ve hated him for a long time-”

Hôzukimaru looked at his friend in confusion. “Your Shikai? But Yumichika has used that, hasn’t he? It’s that four bladed sickle.” Hôzukimaru, being part of Ikkaku’s soul, knew his master’s mind and his memories very well. Ikkaku knew about Yumichika’s Shikai, didn’t he?

Ruri'iro Kujaku paused mid rant and then smirked, letting out a little laugh. “That’s not my full Shikai. He calls me by the wrong name so that I won’t use it. I have vines that bind my enemy and steal their Reiatsu.”

“Kidô based?” Hôzukimaru said thoughtfully. “Ikkaku definitely doesn’t know about that, he hates Kidô- oh wait! I wanna tell him, and you’ve got to show him! It’ll ruin their pathetic little friendship. Ikkaku thinks they’re such good friends, but Yumichika has been hiding this from him all along!”

Ruri'iro Kujaku laughed cruelly at the thought of his ex-master’s distraught face when Ikkaku and the rest of the 11th division found out his secret. Then he had a thought, this was not Yumichika’s only secret.

“I know an even better secret of Yumichika’s to tell you. Ikkaku will hate him for sure!” he turned to Hôzukimaru with a conspiratorial grin, “Yumichika wants to shag Ikkaku! Seriously, he’s madly in love with him, it’s ridiculous!” Ruri'iro Kujaku knew that same sex relationships were frowned upon and seen as immoral in Soul Society, he had no doubt that Ikkaku would be disgusted. But his smirk slowly faded when he saw the serious expression on the large ogre’s face.

“Ikkaku is just as perverted as Yumichika is. He wanted to have sex with him too.”

“Oh, for the love of God! You can’t be serious!” Ruri'iro Kujaku yelled and threw his arms up into the air angrily, turquoise feathers swaying with the movement. “We must not lose to them in battle! If they ever find out about each other-” He shuddered, trying not to think of the constant sex that would take place. Another thought crossed his mind, and he turned to his friend hopefully. “We know our master’s minds quite well, but they find it a lot more difficult to communicate with us! Just think how long it took for them to merely find out our names! I’ll never tell Yumichika what you told me! Tell me you’ll never tell Ikkaku, even if they do defeat us and win us back!”

Hôzukimaru thought about this. He remembered what things were like before Muramasa. How close he and Ikkaku had been. They’d never hated each other like Yumichika and Ruri'iro Kujaku did and the old Hôzukimaru would delight in seeing Ikkaku’s joyous face at the news. As much as he couldn’t imagine being friends with Ikkaku ever again, as much as he hated the idea, he knew that if he were defeated he might very well go back to being how he used to be. He looked at Ruri'iro Kujaku’s hopeful face and didn’t want to worry him - or set him off in a mood.

“No. I’ll never tell him.” He said, and just hoped that he would not be given the chance to.

***

Ruri'iro Kujaku grinned fiendishly at Yumichika. “You don’t look half bad holding a katana,” the Harpy told him with a smirk, delighting in the confusion that knitted his ex-master’s brow. “I know those feather’s on you face are fake but they look good on you. I’ve never really looked at you before, but I’m loving the view.”

Yumichika stared at him in disbelief, and then felt his cheeks blush in answer to Ruri'iro Kujaku’s obvious flirting. He glared at him angrily, trying to hide his embarrassment, and knowing that his Zanpakutô was only saying these things to humiliate him, to tease him. This colourful and pretty harpy was the only person that knew about Yumichika’s sexual preferences, but not because he’d told him - he certainly hadn’t - but because the bond between them had allowed this creature to know his most personal secrets, and Yumichika really wished he didn’t know, especially right now.

Ruri'iro Kujaku plowed on, clearly enjoying Yumichika’s awkward demeanor. “You might want to spruce up your uniform. And to show off your pretty skin you should-”

“Enough! You’re just making fun of me!” Yumichika screeched loudly. “You know why I brought you all the way out here away from the others, don’t you?”

Ruri'iro Kujaku nodded and casually flicked his blue bangs away from his eyes. “You don’t want the others to see my abilities, right?”

“Exactly, Fuji Kujaku.”

Ruri'iro Kujaku’s playful attitude was gone in a flash. His eyes narrowed at the use of that most hated nickname. “I told you I’d kill you if you ever called me that again,” he hissed furiously, and the fight began.

Yumichika had never felt so much pressure to win a fight before. He was worrying about what Ruri'iro Kujaku would do and say in front of the other Shinigami if he got the chance. Yumichika was scared that his friends would find out about his Kidô based Shikai, scared that he’d get kicked out of the 11th squad, that Ikkaku would shun him. He had to defeat Ruri'iro Kujaku quick. And as if his mind wasn’t already all over the place, the next thing Ruri'iro Kujaku said made his stomach twist into knots.

The Harpy grinned. “Haven’t you noticed the Reiatsu surrounding us? Madarame Ikkaku’s Reiatsu just disappeared a minute ago.”

Yumichika glanced over to where his friend was fighting, trying to push down the rising panic. “Ikkaku didn’t lose. Hôzukimaru’s Reiatsu disappeared too.”

Ruri'iro Kujaku was talking but Yumichika wasn’t listening, he was too worried about Ikkaku, he couldn’t help it. Through the haze of anxiety he heard Ruri'iro Kujaku say something which dragged him sharply back to reality.

“Unlike you, I don’t mind showing off my powers,” the Harpy warned him coldly, raising his katana into the air.

“Stop it!” Yumichika screamed, knowing exactly what Ruri'iro Kujaku was going to do. He raced towards him but he wasn’t quick enough. He heard Ruri'iro Kujaku give the command, Split and Deviate, and Yumichika watched helplessly with cold dread as the blade split and started to glow brightly. The azure vines leapt from the hilt and he felt them collide into him and wrap around his upper arms as well as his waist and throw him through the air like a rag doll to then slam him against the wall. His head spun with the force of the blow as the air was knocked out of him. He took a deep ragged breath but the dust and debris that drifted through the air made him cough and gasp. The vines tightened around him and he made a pained noise through gritted teeth as he felt the vines suck at his Reiatsu.

“How do you feel about being attacked by that power you detest so much?” Ruri'iro Kujaku asked with a sneer.

“I don’t want anyone to find out about it!” Yumichika found himself crying out hysterically. “I’ll be kicked out of the 11th squad!”

Ruri'iro Kujaku rolled his eyes, “You’re still going on about that.”

Yumichika felt the buds on the vines growing, tapping into his energy. He could feel himself growing tired as the vines sucked away his Reiatsu, his eyelids felt heavy as he grew weaker. It was becoming increasingly difficult to keep his head up. He felt himself shivering, felt the beads of sweat on his face.

“What a lovely expression,” Ruri'iro Kujaku said, smiling at him, “everyone trembles in fear when facing death. Please wilt away beautifully.”

Yumichika whimpered and tried to struggle but the vines held him tightly. He heard footsteps coming towards him, and slowly he lifted his face and saw that Ruri'iro Kujaku was now right in front of him.

“You don’t have to die like this, you know. Surrender now and I might just let you live-”

“I’ll never surrender!”

Ruri'iro Kujaku chuckled to himself. “Are you sure? It really is such a waste to destroy a pretty little thing like you. A crime against beauty even.”

“Shut up.”

“But we do have that in common, don’t we? We both like beautiful things. Yumichika, do you think I’m beautiful?”

The Shinigami laughed, “You never give up. You’re pathetic and far too ugly.”

“Oh I don’t know, I’d like to think I know you quite well. I know the type of guys you find attractive. Like… Ikkaku for instance. You think he’s beautiful.”

“Shut up! Don’t even-”

“He doesn’t want you, you know. Not in the way you want him. Hôzukimaru told me.” Ruri'iro Kujaku lied maliciously.

Yumichika’s eyes widened and his face went white, when he spoke his voice was quiet and shaky. “You… you told Hôzukimaru?”

“Yes. I wonder if he’s told Ikkaku yet. Hôzukimaru told me that Ikkaku would find the very thought of it absolutely disgusting.” Ruri'iro Kujaku laughed, reveling in Yumichika’s obvious panic. He was struggling wildly to get out of his bonds. The buds on the vines started to open and Yumichika screamed as more of his Reiatsu was stolen. He stopped fighting and just stayed still, shivering slightly. Ruri'iro Kujaku reached out a hand and lifted Yumichika’s chin up so that he could see his face. Yumichika glared fiercely back at him and Ruri'iro Kujaku was pleased to notice that the Shinigami had tears in the corners of his eyes.

“He… he won’t believe it, he’ll think Hôzukimaru is lying.” But Yumichika sounded as though he was trying to convince himself rather than Ruri'iro Kujaku.

“Oh now, don’t get all upset. You always knew that you never stood a chance with. Ikkaku will probably be dead soon anyway, so what does it matter. He’ll die despising you, of course-”

“Ikkaku is not going to die!” Yumichika hissed. “I hate you, Fuji Kujaku!”

Ruri'iro Kujaku sighed, “You shouldn’t be trying to make me angry. Don’t you understand that I’m the only one that can save you? I don’t want to kill you, not really, you’re too pretty. But none of the other Zanpakuto care about aesthetics like I do, they’ll want you dead.” He moved his face closer to Yumichika’s, and lowered his voice. “I can protect you from them, if you’re a good boy and do as you’re told.”

“What… what are you trying-?”

“You know what I’m saying,” Ruri'iro Kujaku said with a smirk, his hand was still cupping Yumichika’s chin whilst his thumb and forefinger started to stroke Yumichika’s jaw-line and cheek in little circular motions, making him flinch and try to move his head backwards. “You’ll quickly learn to enjoy it. I was part of your very soul, remember? I know how lonely you are at night, and how badly you want another man to touch you, to fuck you. I know how impossible it has been for you to find somebody likeminded-”

“I can’t believe you are honestly suggesting this to me, you are insane! There is no way in hell that I – Aghhh! Get you’re hands off me you disgusting pervert!”

Ruri'iro Kujaku chuckled and just pushed his hand further under Yumichika’s kimono running his fingers over his chest and completely ignoring Yumichika’s very vocal disapproval.

“When was the last time somebody touched you like this? Can you even remember? Wasn’t there some guy way back when you were little more than a kid? Was he really the last guy that-”

“I’d rather never have sex again than even touch you-”

“You do realize that what you just said is the alternative, right? You will never find any man who will want to have sex with you. Mostly because I’ll kill you if you refuse me so you won’t actually get a chance to look, but even still – I’m the only man who will ever be willing to fuck you.” He leant forward and pressed his lips against Yumichika’s, momentarily stopping the barrage of insults that were pouring forth from the captive’s mouth. Yumichika’s face creased up in disgust and he struggled wildly until he managed to pull his face away and tilt it to the side.

“Try that again and I’ll bite your lips off!” Yumichika yelled and then wrinkled up his face again in revulsion as he felt Ruri'iro Kujaku’s tongue run across his jaw. Strands of the harpy’s blue hair brushed against Yumichika’s face as a hand pushed up under the orange material around Yumichika’s neck and the harpy stroked his fingers over Yumichika’s collar-bone.

Ruri'iro Kujaku’s hands were so warm and his lips were so soft. Yumichika closed his eyes tightly. It really had been a long time since anyone had touched him like this, and as much as he hated Ruri'iro Kujaku, Yumichika found that his body was reacting against his will to the stroking and the kisses.

Ruri'iro Kujaku laughed before nibbling on Yumichika’s earlobe. “You can pretend I’m Ikkaku if that helps.”

That really was the final straw. Yumichika felt anger, hatred and shame all boil up together inside of him and release itself in the form of a massive explosion of Reiatsu. The vines fed on the energy and the flowers started to unfold their petals.

“You’re insane! The more Reiatsu you release, the faster the flowers will blossom! You are hastening your own death! Is the thought of Ikkaku hating you making you suicidal or are you so dead-set against having sex with me that you’d rather just die as soon as possible?” Ruri'iro Kujaku frowned and looked at Yumichika’s blushing face and parted lips. “Ha-ha! Maybe you don’t find me disgusting at all. Are you enjoying it? Is this display of Reiatsu just because you’re feeling a little bit ashamed?”

Ruri'iro Kujaku smirked and reached out his hand, pressing it against Yumichika’s crotch and chuckling to himself at the obvious bulge, and the way Yumichika’s breath caught in his throat. He looked into his face, red with humiliation, anger and a hint of lust. Yumichika’s mouth opened and Ruri'iro Kujaku fully expected a muddle of insults and threats to come pouring out, or even excuses or pleading, but the words that Yumichika did confidently exclaim took him aback.

“Way of Destruction number 31: Red Flame Cannon!”

Ruri'iro Kujaku barely saw the red glow in Yumichika’s palm before it hit him full force in the chest and sent him flailing backwards. The harpy managed to maintain a firm grip on his weapon which still had the vines pouring from it, but the movement had weakened them, and the blast had even managed to damage some of the vines. The attack had left Ruri'iro Kujaku sprawled in a heap on the ground and he watched, stunned, as Yumichika fought against the remaining vines that bound him, reached for his katana and sliced vigorously through the final few until he was free once again, glowing petals danced in the air around him for a moment before fading into nothing.

Ruri'iro Kujaku was barely on his feet before Yumichika was running towards him, murder in his eyes. But despite his intense fury it was clear to the both of them that he was severely weakened. Their blades collided, metal screeching against metal but the harpy had the upper hand. Yumichika fell to his knees, panting for breath. His hair was a mess and his face was covered in scratches.

Ruri'iro Kujaku laughed. “I bet you wish you could use my powers now, just look how weak you are. I’ve already drained most of your Reiatsu, I bet I could easily kill you without even using those vines again. Maybe I should try that!”

“Oh yes,” Yumichika laughed, getting back to his feet. “Despite your constant complaining that I refuse to use that attack, you decide that you don’t want to use it either. It’s as though you have no confidence in it. Are you really admitting that there is no point to it, just as I’ve always thought?”

“Well, maybe I will use it!” Ruri'iro Kujaku said angrily. “I can use this technique as many times as I wish. Split and Deviate!”

The glowing vines burst forth and raced towards Yumichika, but he was ready this time. “Way of Binding Number 4: Crawling Rope.”

Bright, golden rope twisted itself around the turquoise vines, stopping their movement and rendering them useless. Ruri'iro Kujaku stared at his incapacitated weapon, and then back up to where Yumichika had been stood only a moment before, but he had vanished. Ruri'iro Kujaku looked around with rising panic and then froze with surprise when he felt breath on the back of his neck as Yumichika gave a little laugh. “I’m lucky that you are as egotistical and self confidant as me. If you’d have fought me fair and square and not used that attack again, I wouldn’t have stood a chance. We’re so disgustingly similar.”

Ruri'iro Kujaku felt his master’s katana slice through him, and then everything went black.

Yumichika smiled to himself. Maybe everything would be okay, maybe nobody saw those vines and his secret was still safe. His adrenaline rush that had kept him fighting died down and, feeling absolutely exhausted, he dropped to the floor unconscious.

***

Yumichika opened his eyes slowly, feeling the memories of the events of earlier all come flooding back to him.

“Ikkaku?” he asked weakly, but all he got in reply was an irritated grunt. He looked around at his surroundings and saw that he was in one of the little hospital rooms of the 4th Squad. The only other person in the room was Ruri'iro Kujaku, who was sat in a chair, hunched over and looking thoroughly unhappy.

Yumichika seemed surprised for a moment and then shot Ruri'iro Kujaku a suspicious look.

“You needn’t look so worried,” Ruri'iro Kujaku told him sulkily. “You defeated me. I’m under your command again.”

Ruri'iro Kujaku was not in a good mood. Not only was Yumichika his master again, but no more than half an hour ago he had deserted the sleeping man for a few minutes and eagerly gone to Ikkaku’s hospital room which was nearby to see if Hôzukimaru had told Ikkaku about Yumichika’s Kidô attack and to find out how the Shinigami had reacted.

When he’d got there Ikkaku had been fast-asleep and Hôzukimaru, looking slightly embarrassed, told Ruri'iro Kujaku that he’d got so wrapped up in the enjoyment of the fight, and the chance to perform the lucky Dance that he’d completely forgotten all about Yumichika’s Kidô-based Shikai and had entirely forgotten to taunt Ikkaku with the news.

Ruri'iro Kujaku told the ogre that this didn’t matter, they could still tell him, but Hôzukimaru said that now Ikkaku was his master again, he didn’t want to do or say anything that would upset him. The harpy had tried to argue, had even suggested that he would tell Ikkaku himself but Hôzukimaru had been so insistent that Ikkaku should not find out that he had been very threatening towards the harpy.

But at least Hôzukimaru agreed with Ruri'iro Kujaku on one thing, he didn’t want Ikkaku to know about Yumichika’s feelings. That was the one thing that the harpy definitely did not want Ikkaku to know and so he agreed, although not without Hôzukimaru threatening him quite a bit, that they should just leave things as they were. So Yumichika’s Shikai would remain a secret, but at least he wouldn’t have to put up with his master being all lovey dovey with Ikkaku.

He was stuck with Yumichika now. Stuck being underappreciated by a master that resented him.

Yumichika studied the miserable looking man who sat in the corner with his arms crossed. The other Zanpakuto had all become bestest buddies with their masters again once they had been defeated by their Shinigami, no matter how much they had seemed to hate them while under Muramasa’s command, but Yumichika suspected that it wasn’t going to be as easy for him and Ruri'iro Kujaku.

“Do you still hate me?” Yumichika asked.

Ruri'iro Kujaku looked up at him. He laughed and raised an eyebrow, “Depends. Do you hate me?”

“I never hated you, Ruri'iro Kujaku,” he said, using his real name to try to win him around, “I just… your Kidô based Shikai makes things difficult for me is all, you know that.”

“Well, it’s not like I chose to be like that, you know. I can’t help the way I am. Just like you can’t help the way you are.”

“Yeah, well, if Ikkaku has been told about ‘the way I am,’ as you put it, then I’ll hate you for sure.”

“Hôzukimaru didn’t tell him anything about our Shikai or your… personal inclinations.” The harpy paused and then decided to twist the truth a little. “I saw him earlier and Ikkaku wasn’t awake yet so I told Hôzukimaru not to tell Ikkaku anything, he said he’d keep it all a secret.”

“You asked him to keep my secrets? Maybe you don’t hate me as much as I thought then… thank you.”

Ruri'iro Kujaku smiled sweetly, and spoke in a voice like honey, “Oh, Yumichika, I could never stay angry at you for long.” He moved across to Yumichika and perched on the edge of his bed, “You are my master after all and I want you to be happy, I do care about you.”

“Yes, well-”

“I am sorry about Ikkaku though,” Ruri'iro Kujaku said gravely, trying to keep the amusement out of his tone and to keep his demeanor as friendly as possible whilst thriving in Yumichika’s obvious disappointment. The harpy smiled to himself that he could easily bring Yumichika and Ikkaku together but was instead keeping them apart. “I’m sorry about how cruelly I told you about him not being attracted to you. That wasn’t fair of me, it must have been very upsetting.”

Yumichika sighed sadly and then shrugged before laying back down in the bed, on his side facing away from his Zanpakuto. “You weren’t in your right mind, I suppose. And I… I never really thought he would feel the same so it’s not really that much of a shock to me, to be honest…”

“Still not nice to hear it though, is it. I’m sorry, I know how much you like him.” Ruri'iro Kujaku put his hand on Yumichika’s shoulder as casually as possible, and rubbed it soothingly. Yumichika sniffed and breathed in deeply, as though he was trying to hold back tears. Ruri'iro Kujaku shifted a little closer to his master and ran his fingers over the Shinigami’s dark hair. Yumichika pulled away from him slightly, and peered back over his shoulder at the harpy who smiled down innocently at him.

“I’m just trying to make you feel better,” Ruri'iro Kujaku said, rubbing his master’s shoulder gently.

“Oh, I know exactly what you’re trying to do.” Yumichika said, remembering the things Ruri'iro Kujaku had suggested to him during their fight. The Shinigami sat up and moved away from Ruri'iro Kujaku’s reach, but the harpy just followed him, crawling up onto the bed beside him.

“It would make you forget everything that’s been happening, you can just loose yourself. And we are both so beautiful it would be a crime against nature if we didn’t!”

“Forget it, Fuji Kujaku!” Yumichika scolded angrily.

“Please don’t call me names, I’m not trying to make you angry. I just want to make you happy. Who knows when you’ll get another opportunity like this, to have somebody who knows you as well as I do, and who wants you. We both know how difficult it is for you to meet other homosexual men, but you’ve got a perfectly willing one right here.” Ruri'iro Kujaku looked Yumichika in the eyes. His plan was working, the Shinigami was confused and didn’t know what to do. The harpy plowed on, marveling all the while at how good he was at manipulating people, “And I already know everything you like. I know where you like to be touched and I know all about the things you keep hidden in the top drawer of your bedside table.”

Yumichika gasped, his face had gone bright red and he looked horrified, “You know about that?”

“About your toys? Yes. I know all about the dildo and the bottle of lube you keep so carefully hidden.” Ruri'iro Kujaku said, watching Yumichika’s hand go up to cover his mouth in embarrassment. “I can fuck you way better than any toy can.”

He pulled the Shinigami’s hand away from his blushing face and moved so that his own face was only inches away from Yumichika’s. “I’ll be gone soon. Once Muramasa is defeated I’ll change back to just being a Zanpakuto. This is your only chance.”

Ruri'iro Kujaku crushed their lips together and he heard his master gasp. He roughly threw aside the bed sheets and straddled Yumichika. He could felt the Shinigami’s hand pushing against his shoulder and felt him struggle slightly as he pushed him down into the bed. The harpy wondered vaguely if Yumichika was really going to allow him to do this, and if not, whether the Shinigami was still so weak from the battle that he’d just be able to force him anyway. But he didn’t wonder about it for very long because Yumichika’s struggling was only halfhearted and he soon stopped fighting the harpy’s advances altogether. Yumichika started to kiss back and his arms went up around Ruri'iro Kujaku’s back, fingers gliding up across the feathers at the small of the harpy’s back to the smooth bare skin of his shoulders. Yumichika whimpered as Ruri'iro Kujaku pushed the night-shirt that the hospital had given him up over his head and threw it onto the floor, leaving him naked. Ruri'iro Kujaku removed his few items of clothing and laid his full weight down upon the panting Shinigami. Yumichika gasped as their naked torsos pressed together and the warm, soft feathers on Ruri'iro Kujaku’s lower arms and stomach tickled against his skin. Their arousals pressed together making Yumichika shiver with anticipation. He had been waiting for such a long time to feel like this, to have somebody touching him, and Ruri'iro Kujaku’s hands were all over him and it felt so good. Ruri'iro Kujaku flipped his master over onto his stomach and, spitting onto his hands and using the saliva as a lubricant, pushed his fingers deep inside of Yumichika who let out a little cry. Ruri'iro Kujaku impatiently rubbed some spit onto his cock whilst the Shinigami moved up onto his knees to give the harpy better access. Ruri'iro Kujaku positioned himself in front of Yumichika’s hole, before pushing deep inside of him. Yumichika stifled his gasps of pain at the invasion by pressing his mouth against his pillow. He clung onto it tightly as Ruri'iro Kujaku thrust into him. The pain subsided quickly, just as it always did whenever he did this to himself, and the pleasure swept through him as he found himself moaning into the pillow every time Ruri'iro Kujaku hit that delicious spot deep inside of him. His mind was all over the place and yet the image of Ikkaku would always rise to the surface. He often thought about his friend when he masturbated, but right now it felt so much more real because it was an actual person fucking him and not just Yumichika’s own fingers or a toy like it usually was. He imagined the hands clinging to his waist were Ikkaku’s, that the dick driving into him was Ikkaku’s, that it was his best friend fucking him whilst all the while Yumichika tried to forget about the fact that he knew Ikkaku didn’t love him, and that he would think that what was Yumichika was doing was entirely disgusting.

***

Ikkaku opened his eyes and grunted at the bright light shining in through the window. He could hear a strange noise like a chainsaw and so he quickly sat up in bed and scanned his eyes around the room until he spotted Hôzukimaru. The ogre had tried to sit in the chair that had been left in the room for visitors but he was so big that he had been afraid of breaking it and had therefore decided to sit on the floor, but then he’d decided to have a lie down while waiting for Ikkaku to wake up and he had fallen fast asleep and was snoring so loudly that the sound had woken his master up. Ikkaku watched him with a grin. He considered waking him up but the first thing he wanted to do was make sure Yumichika was okay – he wouldn’t be able to relax otherwise - and then he’d come back to this room and wake up Hôzukimaru.

He climbed out of bed and got dressed in his Shinigami outfit, careful not to wake up his sleeping Zanpakuto. He went out into the hall and saw that there were lots of doors leading off into little rooms but he had no idea which one his friend was in and there was no one around to ask. He noticed that each door had a little window near the top of it so as he walked along the corridor he glanced through each window, deciding to do this until he either saw Yumichika or found somebody to ask. He found Yumichika first.

The small windows always had a view of the bed, and when Ikkaku glanced through the window to Yumichika’s room he saw immediately that there were too people having sex, he turned away and started to walk straight past, smirking to himself, but then he paused for a moment. All those orange and turquoise feathers were just like Fuji Kujaku, but surely he had to be wrong. As much as people teased Yumichika for his feminine appearance there was no way he was really gay, and if he was he’d hardly be doing Fuji Kujaku, now would he? Ikkaku knew he had to be making a mistake but he might as well check and make sure.

Ikkaku glanced to his left and right along the corridor to make sure that there was no one who could accuse him of being a pervert, then he walked up to the door and peeked through the window.

Yes. It was definitely Fuji Kujaku. Ikkaku looked at the figure writhing underneath him, the dark chin length hair was distinctly Yumichika’s style and Ikkaku watched in wide eyed disbelief as the head shifted against the pillow and he saw Yumichika’s face. His eyes were closed, his lips were parted, and his face was contorted with ecstasy.

Ikkaku staggered backwards from the door until he was leaning against the opposite wall. The second he’d realized that it was Yumichika getting fucked he’d had half a mind to go in there and rescue him but it was clear from his friend’s face that he was thoroughly enjoying himself and probably wouldn’t appreciate being rescued.

But Ikkaku couldn’t believe it. Yumichika was gay! He should be happy, he’d always hoped that his friend was gay, but instead he just felt incredibly jealous, because it wasn’t him who he was being gay with. He suddenly hated Fuji Kujaku. That evil harpy was so beautiful, almost as beautiful as Yumichika was, and maybe that was why Yumichika liked him. Ikkaku knew that his friend liked pretty things, and at the end of the day, Fuji Kujaku was beautiful, and he, Ikkaku, was not. There was no contest, and so Ikkaku stormed off back to his room, viciously attacking an innocent potted plant along the way.

***

Ruri'iro Kujaku pounded relentlessly into Yumichika who was making desperate little noises and rocking backwards to meet every forward thrust. The harpy loved feeling so in control of Yumichika, enjoyed being so dominant over the man who was supposed to be his master. He was in charge here. He felt Yumichika’s body tense and heard him cry out, his fingers digging into the pillow as he came, but then he did something that ruined the magic for Ruri'iro Kujaku. He cried out Ikkaku’s name.

Even now, it was still Ikkaku who had true power over Yumichika, and it made Ruri'iro Kujaku so angry. “What are you thinking about him for?! I told you he finds you disgusting!”

Ruri'iro Kujaku pushed his full weight over Yumichika, pinning him down into the bed whilst he reached over and grabbed Yumichika by the hair. His other hand pushed down firmly between Yumichika’s shoulder blades, holding him down in the bed, continuing to thrust into him and getting off on the Shinigami’s cries of anger. He came quickly but didn’t get much time to bask in his orgasm before Yumichika managed to fight his way out from under him and punched him in the face. The Shinigami practically fell out of bed in order to get away from him and quickly pulled on the nightshirt he had been wearing and grabbed a hospital issue robe from the back of a chair. He turned to the harpy, shooting him a look of sheer venom. “What the hell is wrong with you, Fuji Kujaku?!” He wrapped the robe tightly around himself, spun on his heel and left the room, noting with a little bit of apprehension the little window in the door.

He made his way back to his own quarters. It was getting dark outside and he knew that he must look a strange sight wandering around in a hospital issue robe so he decided that if anyone asked him about what he was wearing he’d just say he was going to his rooms to put on his own much more beautiful clothes, or he’d say something equally vain, and no one would think twice about it.

***

Hôzukimaru had lied to Ruri'iro Kujaku. He had no intention of keeping Yumichika’s love for Ikkaku a secret - he wanted Ikkaku to be happy. When the harpy had visited him in Ikkaku’s room Hôzukimaru had pretended that he didn’t want Ikkaku and Yumichika to get together, because he believed that although Ruri'iro Kujaku would eventually agree to not telling Ikkaku about the Kidô vines, he’d only make that compromise if he thought that Hôzukimaru would keep Yumichika’s other secret safe. Ruri'iro Kujaku was somewhat intimidated by the Ogre’s enormous size and strength, but Hôzukimaru knew that the harpy’s trepidation would be instantly forgotten if he thought he was going to spill that most secret of secrets. He was convinced a fight would have broken out between them and he didn’t want to draw attention to their argument or have people asking questions.

And so he had sat guard, waiting for Ikkaku to wake up and then Hôzukimaru could tell him that Yumichika loved him! But unfortunately Hôzukimaru had fallen into a deep sleep and when he had awoken Ikkaku was nowhere to be seen. However, before Hôzukimaru had a chance to get too worried about Ikkaku’s absence the Shinigami returned, but he was in an extremely bad temper.

“Hôzukimaru, I am so pissed off! I just went to see Yumichika, and Fuji Kujaku was there too. You would not believe what I saw! You would not believe what Fuji Kujaku was doing-”

The Ogre’s face fell. “So you’ve found out then. Try not to get angry-” He’d been worrying that the harpy might tell Ikkaku about his Kidô Shikai if he got him on his own, and to Hôzukimaru it seemed that this was exactly what had happened, and it also sounded as though the harpy had physically shown him it too.

“What?! You knew about this? Why didn’t you tell me?” Ikkaku yelled.

“Well I didn’t think you needed to know, to be honest. It’s not like he can help it.”

Ikkaku gave him a look of pure disgust, “Can’t help it? They should have a little more self control!”

“Well I think he has quite good self control. At least Yumichika only does it when he knows you lot can’t see.”

Ikkaku just stared at him in confusion for a moment. “Well, I should hope so! Anyway, how can Yumichika like it with all those feathers!”

“Feathers? No, I think they’re flowers or something. Feather’s don’t grow on vines - that would be stupid.”

Ikkaku continued to stare at Hôzukimaru, waiting for what he was saying to make sense.

The ogre sighed and shook his head. “I was worried Ruri'iro Kujaku might try something like this-”

“Ruri'iro...?”

“Oh yes, that’s his real name, I guess he’s just angry at Yumichika for keeping his Shikai a secret, but that’s no excuse really, there was no need for him to ‘split and deviate’ right in front of you. No wonder you’re angry at him.”

If this was some sort of weird Zanpakuto slang for sex then it really didn’t make any sense. “Split and – that’s his Shikai?!”

“Yes,” said Hôzukimaru impatiently, “That’s what I’m saying! Yumichika calls his Zanpakuto by the wrong name so that it doesn’t release properly. When he says the correct name that’s when all the vines leap about and suck away the victim’s Reiatsu – didn’t they explain all this to you when you were in there?”

“No! They were too busy having sex!”

“Wait… what? They were having sex?!”

Ikkaku sat down on the bed angrily, trying to take in all this new information on top of the fact that Ruri'iro Kujaku was banging Yumichika.

“Yumichika has a Kidô based Shikai? Are you serious? Has he been hiding it from me all this time?”

It was beginning to dawn on Hôzukimaru that he’d just told Ikkaku all about Yumichika’s secret Shikai for no good reason. “Ruri'iro Kujaku didn’t show you his Shikai then? I thought that was what you were so angry about,” said Hôzukimaru guiltily. After all that effort to keep the harpy quiet, he’d gone and spilled the beans himself.

“No, they were having sex. That’s why I’m angry,” said Ikkaku moodily, crossing his arms and glaring at the wall.

Hôzukimaru’s eyes widened in realization. “This explains why Ruri'iro Kujaku wanted to keep it a secret! Because he wants Yumichika for himself!”

“Keep what secret?” Ikkaku requested irritably.

“The fact that Yumichika’s in love with you.”

“Yumichika loves me?” Ikkaku asked with a grin.

“Yes,” the ogre said distractedly, then realized that he hadn’t actually told Ikkaku this yet, “Yes! That was what I was going to tell you! Yumichika loves you.”

“Wait, wait. So Yumichika and Ruri'iro Kujaku had sex, but Yumichika is in love with me and his Shikai is Kido-based so he’s been keeping it a secret from everyone?

“That’s pretty much it. Yes.”

“Right then. Okay. I’d better go and talk to him.”

***

The second Yumichika got home he had a shower and then dressed himself in his own clothes. He obsessively brushed his hair, re-applied the feathers on his brow and the corner of his eye, and then laid down with a sigh on his bed.

When he heard the door to the main living space open he sat up nervously and reached for his sword, convinced Ruri'iro Kujaku had come looking for him. But instead he heard Ikkaku’s voice, “Yumichika? Are you in here?”

Yumichika paused for a moment, suddenly scared that either Ruri'iro Kujaku or Hôzukimaru had told Ikkaku everything. But his friend’s voice sounded more concerned than angry.

“Ikkaku?” Yumichika called out.

Ikkaku pushed open the door to Yumichika’s room and peered inside. “Ah, there you are.”

The second Yumichika saw his face it reminded him of his fantasy, of how he’d been thinking of Ikkaku whilst having sex with Ruri'iro Kujaku. He concentrated on moving back a little further onto the bed, not wanting to meet his friend’s gaze.

“I saw Fuji Kujaku but he didn’t know where you were so I thought I’d look for you,” Ikkaku said, using Ruri'iro Kujaku’s fake name as he always had because he didn’t want to let Yumichika know that he already knew the truth about his Shikai.

“Oh…yes, I just wanted to wear some of my own clothes. The ones Fourth Squad hand out are not beautiful enough.”

He looked up at Ikkaku’s face. The man was grinning happily, but in a very suspicious sort of way Yumichika thought.

“I’ve been talking to Hôzukimaru,” Ikkaku said as nonchalantly as possible. Yumichika kept his expression carefully blank whilst Ikkaku sat down on the bed next to his friend. “He told me about your Kidô Shikai.”

Yumichika’s breath caught in his throat and his eyes widened in horror, he couldn’t believe he was hearing this. He suddenly felt sick and dizzy, he’d always said he’d rather die than have anyone ever find out about his Shikai. He was going to get kicked out of the 11th Squad, and even worse, Ikkaku must hate him so much right now!

Ikkaku noticed how deathly pale his friend had gone and hurriedly continued, “It’s okay, don’t look so worried. I honestly don’t mind, and I won’t tell anyone.”

Yumichika stared at him with nervous eyes. “Does it really not bother you? You hate Kidô attacks, I know you do.”

“You’re right, I don’t like Kidô. Using brute strength makes you more dominant and powerful in a fight but then that’s exactly what you do anyway, isn’t it. I know you hate to use your full Shikai, Hôzukimaru told me you hardly ever use it, and I think the fact that you are as powerful as you are without even using the full strength of your Shikai, and only half releasing it, is very impressive.”

A small smile crept onto Yumichika’s face. “You won’t tell anyone, will you? If Kenpachi finds out-”

“He’s not going to find out. Don’t worry, I won’t tell a soul.”

Yumichika let out a sigh of relief. He’d always dreaded this day but now that it had arrived it wasn’t so bad and he felt like a great weight had been lifted off his shoulders. But even still why had Hôzukimaru told Ikkaku? Ruri'iro Kujaku had promised Yumichika that he’d convinced the ogre to keep his secrets but the Shinigami knew that he couldn’t trust anything which the harpy told him and he became even more nervous at the thought of his other secret. But surely if Ikkaku did know how he felt about him then he would not be sat here so comfortably. “Why did Hôzukimaru tell you? Was it while you were fighting?”

“No, it was after I defeated him. It just sort of slipped out. He didn’t mean to tell me.” Ikkaku shot him an apologetic look, and looked slightly embarrassed.

“What? He told you by accident?” Yumichika turned away from Ikkaku and stared at the floor. If the ogre had accidently told Ikkaku about his Shikai then he might easily reveal the other secret by accident too. That was if Ruri'iro Kujaku had even told the ogre anything about it at all, Yumichika just didn’t know what to believe anymore. Ruri'iro Kujaku had told him that Hôzukimaru had said that Ikkaku was repulsed by the though of anything happening between the two Shinigami, or was that just a lie?

Ikkaku watched his friend who was still staring at the floor, he looked thoughtful and still nervous despite Ikkaku having assured him that he didn’t mind about his Shikai. Ikkaku wondered if Yumichika was worrying about his other secret. Part of Ikkaku was worried that Hôzukimaru had been wrong about Yumichika liking him as more than a friend, but there was no way Ikkaku was going to just forget about it, he had to find out. Anyway, what Ikkaku had seen through that window proved that Yumichika couldn’t be against same sex couples as Ikkaku had always thought. He felt excitement well up inside of him as he plucked up the courage to approach the subject.

“Hôzukimaru told me something else too – but on purpose this time, because he knew I’d like it. He told me that you’re attracted to me. Is it really true?”

Yumichika stopped studying the floor and looked across at Ikkaku, who was watching him intently. The dark haired Shinigami’s lips parted but he didn’t know what to say. All he could think about was what Ruri'iro Kujaku had told him – that Ikkaku could never love him and would find the very thought disgusting. But Ikkaku’s face looked so hopeful and Ikkaku had said that Hôzukimaru had told him on purpose this time, because Ikkaku would like it.

Ikkaku took Yumichika’s silence as a confession, believing that if he wasn’t attracted to him then he would have made it very clear by now. He leant towards his best friend and pressed their lips together gently, so unlike his usual aggressive and violent personality. Yumichika gasped in surprise, barely able to believe that this was really happening, he’d dreamt about this moment so many times, fantasized about it more often than he could count, and now Ikkaku’s lips were against his and a strong hand was moving up to stroke his hair and run a thumb along one of the brightly coloured feathers. Yumichika moaned as he felt Ikkaku’s tongue move across his bottom lip and slip into his mouth, he felt the vibration as Ikkaku let out a grunt as their tongues pressed together. Ikkaku wrapped his fingers around the back of Yumichika’s head, rubbing the soft skin at the nape of his neck, making the smaller man whimper with delight and reach out to wrap his arms around Ikkaku’s shoulders. They’d both turned their bodies towards each other, pulling their feet up onto the bed.

Their lips parted and they drew in deep breaths. Yumichika pressed his face against the side of Ikkaku’s, feeling the other man’s warm breath against his ear. “Fuji Kujaku told me you would hate me, he made me think that you’d never-” He shivered with emotion and anger, “I could have gone the rest of my life thinking you could never love me back!”

“Everything is okay now. Don’t worry about him-”

“You don’t understand! I would never have… if I’d known. He tricked me! He made a fool of me.” Yumichika sounded distraught and his voice was full of shame as he clung even tighter to his friend.

“Yumichika-”

“In the hospital room, me and him, we… I was so stupid.”

“Um… it’s okay, I know. I went to visit you and I saw you both through the window.”

“Oh my God! You saw?!” Yumichika buried his head in Ikkaku’s shoulder, feeling his face going red with embarrassment.”

“Only for a second, but yeah. I hated Fuji Kujaku from then on, I was so jealous of him. I thought you liked him more than me.”

“No, I hate that manipulative bastard. I could never like him more than you. I could never like anyone more than you. You’re my best friend and I love you so much.”

Ikkaku stroked Yumichika’s cheek with his fingers, and then whispered into his friend’s ear, “I love you too, Yumichika,” and then proceeded to lick and nibble the ear in front of him, making Yumichika laugh and forget about his anger towards his Zanpakuto. Ikkaku’s tongue moved from Yumichika’s earlobe to trail its way slowly along his jaw-line, until both their mouths found each other and they hungrily crushed their lips together.

Ikkaku’s hands stroked Yumichika’s back through the material of his kimono sending electric shivers down the shorter man’s spine, and then his hand settled at the small of Yumichika’s back, rubbing in a circular motion and making Yumichika sigh blissfully against Ikkaku’s mouth as he, in answer, rubbed Ikkaku’s broad shoulders which he was still clinging too, forcing his hands swiftly under the material of the taller man’s kimono collar.

Ikkaku grabbed the orange material around Yumichika’s neck, fiddling impatiently with the little orange button to release the tether that linked it to his arm, before pulling the accessory up and over his head. Yumichika’s hands went up to tidy his hair back into place and flatten down the static effect that the orange material had achieved, his face a picture of deep concentration, and Ikkaku couldn’t help but laugh affectionately which received a withering look, although Yumichika’s eyes also held a hint of amusement as his arms pulled Ikkaku towards him and he silenced the laughter by attacking him with quick kisses.

Ikkaku’s hands were strong and rough as they grabbed Yumichika’s arms and pushed him down suddenly into the bed, leaning over him and licking at his throat, drawing gasps from the smaller man as Ikkaku pulled Yumichika’s kimono down over one shoulder and nibbled and licked at the newly revealed skin.

Yumichika’s hands pushed into the parting of Ikkaku’s kimono, making the gap wider and revealing his bare chest before running hungry fingers over the soft skin. He grabbed the black material in his hands and pulled the ends free from the white tie around Ikkaku’s middle before pulling it down his arms and removing it from him altogether.

Ikkaku was still kissing Yumichika’s neck but his hands had snaked down his body and were currently undoing the knot in the white belt. Once it was gone there was nothing to hold his kimono and the trousers together and Ikkaku quickly pulled the kimono shirt from him. The sides of the trousers were low and Yumichika felt Ikkaku’s hands against the naked skin of his hips. He let out a gasp as he felt his trousers and underwear being pulled roughly down his legs. Ikkaku’s weight left Yumichika momentarily as he removed the last of Yumichika’s clothes and then his weight fell back down against Yumichika’s thighs.

Yumichika felt the cool air against his erect cock. He panted desperately as he felt Ikkaku’s hand move down through the dark hair at his groin, and after what seemed like an excruciating eternity he felt warm fingers wrap around his member. His eyes closed in rapture and his back arched off the bed as his panting grew louder and more breathy. He gritted his teeth to try to quiet the sounds, but Ikkaku was gripping him so tightly in his closed fist and pumped his flesh so mercilessly that Yumichika felt his lips part again and heard himself moaning as his head tipped back.

Yumichika opened his eyes and felt a fresh wave of desire sweep through him as he saw Ikkaku staring right back down at him, a huge, proud grin plastered across his face. Ikkaku’s smile widened as his fingers quickened their pace, reducing Yumichika to frantic cries of need, the sounds making Ikkaku’s own arousal even harder. Ikkaku laughed triumphantly, enjoying knowing that it was he that had reduced Yumichika to these moans and shivers.

“Ikkaku,” Yumichika moaned, “Fuck me… I want… Fuck me!” Yumichika begged breathlessly between gasps for air, before falling back into mindless panting again. His hands pawed at Ikkaku’s stomach before finding their way down to pull at the white belt, tugging it free to release the trousers.

Ikkaku tried to keep the steady rhythm of his hand going and also assist in the removal of his own trousers at the same time, whilst also not wanting to tear his eyes away from Yumichika’s flushed face and parted lips. Eventually he had to apply his full attention to getting out of his restrictive clothes, regretfully having to look away from his friends face and release his grip of his cock. Finally they were both naked and Yumichika sat up on his elbows and twisted to the side to reach his bedside table, catching Ikkaku off guard slightly and almost making him fall backwards with the sudden movement. He watched as Yumichika’s hand fumbled in the top draw and Ikkaku raised an eyebrow as he observed Yumichika reach into a secret compartment and grope around, knocking his fingers against something decidedly big and phallic, until he found a jar of lubricant which he instantly held in front of him. Yumichika shot Ikkaku a wicked grin whilst he dipped his fingers into the jar and then reached his hand down to massage the fluid onto Ikkaku’s straining cock. Yumichika smiled as Ikkaku laid his head against his shoulder, he could feel Ikkaku’s deep breaths against his neck and heard him grunting and moaning in response to Yumichika’s teasing strokes.

Yumichika grabbed Ikkaku’s hand in his and placed the jar in the other man’s palm whilst whispering, “use your fingers first,” and then he flopped back down on his back staring up at Ikkaku expectantly. Ikkaku shifted his weight and parted Yumichika’s legs so that he was no longer sat on the shorter man’s knees, but was now kneeling with one of Yumichika’s legs on either side of him, pressing against his hips. Yumichika gasped and his eyes fluttered closed as one and then two fingers pushed inside of him, stretching the sensitive skin. Yumichika moaned and gripped the sheets under him tightly in his hands.

Ikkaku removed his fingers and then scooped his arms under each of Yumichika’s knees and lifted his legs up to rest over Ikkaku’s shoulders. The movement pulled Yumichika’s body closer to him and raised his ass up onto Ikkaku’s lap. Yumichika breathed deeply in quiet expectation as he felt the tip of Ikkaku’s cock press against his hole and slowly push inside of him. Yumichika bit down on his lip to distract from the pain but Ikkaku kept himself still once he was inside of him and the ache soon died away. Yumichika’s lips parted and he let out a little sigh as the corners of his lips turned up into a smile at the knowledge that it was Ikkaku inside of him.

Ikkaku was panting for breath above him and Yumichika knew that it was taking all of the man’s self control to keep still. Ikkaku was staring down at him, searching his face for any sign of pain, but all he saw was Yumichika with flushed cheeks staring right back at him with light violet eyes and a blissful smile. Yumichika rocked his hips, making Ikkaku groan and finally yield into his desires as he pushed himself all the way in and began thrusting relentlessly. Yumichika was tight and warm and every movement filled Ikkaku with burning pleasure. He clung to Yumichika’s hips, liking the feel of his soft skin against his hands, and watched Yumichika’s euphoric expression as his face tossed from side to side, his hair becoming more and more disheveled as it splayed out around him.

Any last shreds of pain that Yumichika was feeling subsided quickly to be replaced by sudden overpowering pleasure. Yumichika had a naturally high pain tolerance anyway but even still, this didn’t hurt as much as it had done with Ruri'iro Kujaku. Maybe it was the lube, and the fact that it was Ikkaku that was buried deep inside of him.

Yumichika’s eyes opened and he trailed his gaze from Ikkaku’s muscular body, damp with sweat, to his elated facial expression, to then look into those eyes which stared right back into his own.

Ikkaku’s weight shifted and he moved further forward, putting his arms out to steady himself, his hands pressed down into the bed either side of Yumichika’s head. Yumichika gasped as Ikkaku’s change of position forced the smaller man’s body to bend double, his legs still hooked over Ikkaku’s shoulders. Ikkaku picked up strength and speed, pushing even harder and hitting that delicious spot deep inside of Yumichika who was trembling as he felt the familiar feeling deep down in his belly and knew he was getting close. He felt Ikkaku shift again so that he was holding himself up on just one arm, and his newly freed hand clumsily took hold of Yumichika’s arousal, making the smaller man gasp for breath as Ikkaku fucked him and stroked his cock at the same time.

An overwhelming sense of pleasure gripped Yumichika as he felt himself loosing control. His hands clenched and unclenched in the sheets, until he let go altogether and flung his arms around Ikkaku’s back. He felt himself being consumed by the sensation of being given a hand job and penetrated at the same time and heard himself cry out as he climaxed, waves of pure pleasure rippling through him as he came into Ikkaku’s hand. Ikkaku continued to pump Yumichika’s cock with his fist, drawing out every last spasm of orgasm, until he released his hold and flung his damp hand back down into the bed to steady himself as he thrust forward wildly, his movements becoming increasingly erratic and desperate until the rush of orgasm ripped through him, making him moan and pant loudly as he drew in ragged breaths.

Ikkaku’s hips slowed their gyrating until he was still. Yumichika’s legs slipped wearily from his shoulders and stretched out in the bed. Yumichika was panting for breath and let out a little whimper as Ikkaku pulled out of him and then lay down on him with a grunt, bringing their cocks into contact with each other, and resting his head on Yumichika’s shoulder. Ikkaku could hear his own deep breaths mingled in with those of Yumichika as they lay together.

After a few minutes Ikkaku rolled onto his side pulling Yumichika across with him. They rested together in Yumichika’s bed as it grew dark outside. The room had become cooler but they were both perfectly warm, both from their excursions and the fact that they were cuddled up so closely.

Yumichika smiled contentedly. Finally he didn’t have to hide anything about himself from Ikkaku any more and it felt wonderful. He was incredibly thankful that Hôzukimaru was completely useless at keeping secrets, Ruri'iro Kujaku had unwittingly done them a favour by telling him. Yumichika grinned, brushed his untidy hair back into place with his finger, and then fell fast asleep with Ikkaku’s arms wrapped tightly around him.


The end