Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Assumptions ❯ Chapter 4

Assumptions

Chapter 4

By: eternalsailorsolarwind AKA youkai_girl

 

Disclaimer: Bleach and all of its characters are owned by Tite Kubo, his Japanese publishers, and Viz. I only play with them for grins and giggles.

 

A/N: I had to re-write this chapter five times. The original versions just did not work until I hit on using Zangetsu to help knock some sense into Ichigo while he waits for Byakuya decision on what he wants to do. This chapter picks up right after the events of chapter three.

 

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Ichigo left the Sixth Division, trying not to feel like he was fleeing. Between the kiss, and offering Byakuya a second chance at what he was sure they both wanted…the former ryoka didn't have the strength to face the noble's stoic face right then. He knew it would be a schooled stone wall, offering no clue to the other man's true thoughts. No idea if he had guessed right - or not.

 

Fighting was easy. Living - even in the Soul Society - was hard.

 

Restless and irritable, the captain briefly considered tracking down Zaraki for a match before deciding against it. In his current state, he'd at least get badly injured. Instead, he turned and flash-stepped to the Seireitei walls. Jumping to the top, he ran flat out - as fast as he could go without Shun-po.

 

After a couple of circuits around the outer walls, he changed his path, leaping from rooftop to rooftop - still at top speed. Ichigo knew it was reckless, that there were loose tiles on some of the roofs, lending his run an added air of danger. One misstep would land him in the Fourth Division - and under the mild gaze of “Captain Mom.” Shuddering slightly, the orange-haired shinigami slowed just a bit. He'd rather face Grimmjow with nothing but a pair of chopsticks then her quiet disapproval.

 

After running across every rooftop in Seireitei, headed towards Sokyoku Hill, seeing if his speed was equal to the task of climbing the sheer side of the ridge. Ichigo just managed to make it to the hidden entrance to Urahara and Yoruichi's “playground” - the old training area under the former execution grounds. He entered, slamming the door behind him. Looking around as he caught his breath, old memories from his days as an “infamous” ryoka surfaced. Good memories, mostly.

 

His thoughts led him back to his latest predicament. Not that the noble was ever far from his mind. Tired as he was from several sleepless nights and the run, the Fifth Division captain knew he needed a distraction. Maybe that old doll - the one he'd learned his bankai in three days with - was still here somewhere. He began to poke around, not knowing where it was. It might help.

 

“Huh. It's still here.”

 

It was hidden in a corner, behind a small stalagmite. Hauling it out, Ichigo found the doll was smaller than he remembered. Then again, he was taller now; of a height with Renji. With adult-sized problems to match.

 

Grinning wryly, he carried it down to the main chamber, propping it against a pile of smaller, loose stones - positive he had smashed them all those years ago during training. Once sure the doll wouldn't topple over, the former ryoka drew his zanpaktou. Shaking it free of the white ribbon, he ran it through.

 

` “You called, Ichigo,” asked Zangetsu a moment later, his deep, gravelly voice amused. “What can I do for you?”

 

“I need a distraction.”

 

“Byakuya have you on edge again? Why don't you just go see Renji or Ikkaku? I'm sure they would be more than willing to help `distract' you,” replied the older-looking man. Taller and leaner than Ichigo, with ever-present stubble and eyes hidden behind sunglasses, Zangetsu had a dangerous edge to him that even Ichigo lacked. “Or is there a better reason why you chose me?”

 

Gritting his teeth at the jibe, Ichigo said nothing, merely tightening his grip on Zangetsu's hilt.

 

The zanpaktou chuckled. “I thought not. You worry too much, Ichigo. He either will want you or he won't. Driving yourself to distraction - literally - will not change that, no matter what you think.”

 

“Shut up and fight.”

 

Irritated, the shinigami threw himself at the manifestation of his sword. A mirror image of the blade in his hand appeared in Zangetsu's as he blocked the thrust. Of course the zanpaktou knew of his thoughts and feelings regarding the other captain - he usually knew Ichigo better than Ichigo did himself.

 

The two traded blows as they danced around the cavern. Dozens of small rents and tears appeared in Ichigo's hoari and shihakusho as if by magic. His skin still intact for the moment, the captain threw a Getsuga Tensho at his opponent, who dissipated it with a bored flick of the wrist. Pissed off, Ichigo barreled in close.

 

“Pay attention, Ichigo. As I'm sure you've realized, I won't kill you, since that would negate my own existence. But that doesn't mean I can't take large chunks of your flesh to remind you to concentrate on the battle at hand.” A large stinging slice appeared across the shinigami's chest, and the sword grinned balefully. “Have I taught you nothing over the years? Or is Byakuya that important that you're willing to risk yourself like this as a `distraction'?”

 

“Of course he is,” grated Ichigo, checking the wound. Painful but shallow. “If he wasn't you think I'd be this riled up otherwise?”

 

“Hmm….good point,” agreed Zangetsu. Parrying a sharp thrust, he leapt over Ichigo, trying to come in from behind. “So what worries you most? That he can't love you at all, or that his words were true?”

 

Whirling around to meet the threat, Ichigo just managed to block the strike. “Does it matter?”

 

“It does to you, or we wouldn't be here.”

 

Ichigo knew his zanpaktou was right. It wasn't that Byakuya might not - or could not - love him that bothered the former ryoka so much. Dictating to another's heart held no interest for him; a painful incident with Orihime just before graduation showed him that. Luckily, she had eventually forgiven him for being unable to return her feelings. But he would never hold it against Byakuya if the noble was truly not interested in him.

 

Being used and thrown away, however….

 

Using main force, he pushed Zangetsu back, flinging another Getsuga Tensho at him - and the place he expected the zanpaktou would go to evade the maneuver. This time he guessed right, winging the sword's left arm. Ichigo grinned in triumph - and flash stepped out of the way of a retaliatory blast of the same move aimed back at him.

 

“Byakuya can be…cold and unfeeling sometimes. Okay, most of the time,” amended Ichigo at the disbelieving look on his opponent's face. “But you and I both know most of that is a mask. And his pride tends to make things worse, since he feels he has to set a standard, what with being the head of the Kuchiki clan and all.

 

“He'll deny himself anything if he thinks that's what he's supposed to do as a noble, head of the family, and a captain of the Gotei 13,” Ichigo finished sourly.

 

Picking up speed, he caromed off the walls, trading blows with the stationary zanpaktou. Bouncing like an orange-and-black rubber ball, the captain tried to make his strikes random-seeming. As Zangetsu continued to parry and block his blows, he suddenly pulled himself up short, landing behind his opponent, reaching around him to press the blade against a bared throat. “I win.”

 

“Yes,” agreed Zangetsu, allowing the manifested version of himself to disappear from his hand. He turned to face his wielder. “I wasn't expecting that. Keep it in mind, since your opponents won't either.”

 

“Thanks,” said Ichigo wryly.

 

“Regarding your problem, Ichigo…all you can do is be yourself, cliché though it may be. Byakuya is, if anything, honest about his motives.”

 

“Yeah, I know.” Thrusting Zangetsu's blade into the rocky soil, the Soul Reaper walked over towards the healing spring. Opening his shihakusho he poured water on the wounds on his chest, wincing at the sting as they began to close. “I remember that from our battle up on Sokyoku Hill. Any other advice?”

 

“Show him how to think outside the box,” replied Zangetsu after a moment's thought.

 

Inspecting his closing wounds, Ichigo was about to reply when the door swung open with a slow creak. He moved towards where Zangetsu was standing in the dirt a few yards away, but stopped in surprise when he saw it was Byakuya himself striding through the door. He'd half-expected Renji, trying to get the whole story.

 

Grey eyes slitted against the dust in the air, the noble looked around the cave, taking everything in. They paused and narrowed when they saw Ichigo and the manifested form of Zangetsu still down by the spring. Shutting the door carefully behind him, the Sixth Division captain began the short walk down towards them.

 

Nodding at Byakuya, Zangetsu disappeared, giving Ichigo a hard glare as he faded away, leaving the doll behind. The noble's elegant black eyebrow quirked upwards while giving the doll a quick examination; Ichigo explaining its use.

 

The eyebrow arched higher, taking in the state of his shihakusho and haori. “You were fighting.”

 

Hearing the unspoken question, the former ryoka nodded, rubbing the back of his orange-haired head. “Yeah. I needed a, uh, distraction.”

 

Hoping to throw the other man off the fact that he was fighting with his own zanpaktou as a distraction from the question of what was going to happen between them, Ichigo asked one of his own. “How'd you find this place, anyway? It's pretty well hidden.”

 

“This location would suit Urahara and Yoruichi's sense of humor admirably.”

 

Intrigued by Byakuya's answer, he was about to ask for more details when the full weight of the noble's gaze fell on him, heavy with intent.

 

“Kurosaki Ichigo, we need to talk.”