Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Learning To Fly trilogy ❯ 1 Relaxation Techniques ( Chapter 1 )

Authors Note: I don't own Bleach and make no claims on it. If I did, there'd be a whole hell of a lot of kinky shit going down.

 

Relaxation Techniques

 

Byakuya knew Ulquiorra was waiting to be noticed. He had, after all, been sent to his office out of sheer exasperation by the other Captains who refused to deal with him. While the ex-Espada had been taken into Soul Society when he made the decision to defect to the side of the Shinigami and he performed whatever duties asked of him, he was still having trouble adjusting to the new life he'd been granted. Byakuya finally set his brush down and moved the paper he'd been working on to the out box on his desk before looking up at the former Espada.

 

“What seems to be the problem, Ulquiorra?”

 

“There's no problem, Captain. I don't know why I've been sent to see you. I do all my duties as required.”

 

Byakuya nodded his head slightly. Ulquiorra was as fastidious in fulfilling his obligations as Byakuya himself. The noble appreciated that in a man and it was part of what had made him recommend that Ulquiorra be accepted into Soul Society and eventually the ranks of the Gotei Thirteen. But, the stacks of complaints about Ulquiorra's attitude and demeanour towards the other Shinigami that hit his desk with startling regularity were beginning to cause open dissension in the ranks. It was all well and good to be proficient in weapons or kidou or even in the often clerical nature of the job of Shinigami but, if a person couldn't work as a team with the other Shinigami in their division, they were ultimately of very little use to that division and drummed out.

 

“Do you want to continue as a Shinigami, Ulquiorra?”

 

“Sir?” the barest hint of confusion and worry was in Ulquiorra's eyes. Byakuya wouldn't have seen it if he hadn't been watching the man so intently for his reaction.

 

“I've received reports that you don't appear to trust your fellow division members and that this is making the planning of missions difficult. We don't expect you to get along with everybody you meet. That would be unrealistic. Some effort on your part to attempt to find your place among the other Shinigami would be helpful. While I realize that you were an Espada for a long time, things are different here in Soul Society. Nobody here is trying to take your position in the Gotei Thirteen. Nobody is going to try and eat you to gain your powers. If you can't trust the members of your division, you're not going to stay in that division and I'm sure I don't need to remind you of how limited your choices are in that regard.”

 

Ulquiorra stiffened slightly and his hand tightened on his weapon, the only outward signs that he was nervous. Even his reiatsu remained rigidly controlled with the barest flickers of energy escaping him. Since Byakuya had been the one to initially grant Ulquiorra asylum, the responsibility for helping Ulquiorra adjust to life in Soul Society fell on his shoulders. Ulquiorra would never be as open and brash as Grimmjow was. Already the sixth Espada was a solid part of the eleventh division and even managed to win grudging praise from Kenpachi for both his fighting and drinking skills. Grimmjow needed no help in acclimating to life in the Gotei Thirteen. He was taking to it like a fish to water. Ulquiorra was more like a fish out of water. Byakuya picked up his brush and wrote directions in flowing script on a clean sheet of paper, pushing it towards the ex-Espada when he was done.

 

“Be at that address at midnight tonight. We'll settle this matter of your trouble adjusting to life in Soul Society then. Although I'm not your Captain, that's an order, Ulquiorra. Dismissed.”

 

Ulquiorra took the paper, memorized the words and tucked the note into his robes. He gave Byakuya a short, formal bow and left the Captain's office. Anyone seeing Ulquiorra walk away from his meeting with Captain Kuchiki would've thought he was unaffected by being called to the Captain's office. They would've been wrong. Although nothing showed on his face or in his tightly controlled reiatsu, Ulquiorra's stomach was in knots and he feared that he was going to be sent back to what was left of Los Noches. That was the very last thing Ulquiorra wanted. He liked living in Soul Society and he enjoyed the sense of purpose being part of the Gotei Thirteen gave him. Ulquiorra did his best to push the depressing thoughts from his head. Nothing he did now would change whatever Fate had in mind for him that evening.

 

*********

 

Ulquiorra showed up at the place he'd been ordered to at exactly midnight. The area was deserted and Ulquiorra wrapped his fingers tight around the hilt of his sword. He wondered if Captain Kuchiki had set him up to be taken out quietly instead of being sent back to Los Noches. Such a move would make more sense than sending him back to Los Noches with all the information he'd learned about Soul Society. It was what he'd do if he was faced with such a decision. His blood pounded through his temples when he felt the tightly controlled reiatsu of Captain Kuchiki approaching. Ulquiorra exhaled slowly and waited for the strike he was sure was coming.

 

“Shall we?” Byakuya asked as he gestured for Ulquiorra to proceed him into the small wooden building they stood in front of.

 

Ulquiorra stared blankly at Byakuya for several seconds before walking into the building. He wondered if he was walking into a trap even though he could sense no such thing. There appeared to be only him and Byakuya in the area. Once inside, he could smell water and the air felt humid. Even after spending months in Soul Society, Ulquiorra still wasn't accustomed to the casual use of so much water.

 

“Hang your clothes on the pegs there. Your weapon will be safe here. No one will touch it,” Byakuya said as he removed his scarf and folded it carefully before placing it in a cubby-hole.

 

Ulquiorra stood still and watched in growing surprise and confusion as Byakuya methodically removed his clothes and the ornaments from his hair. Byakuya soon stood in front of Ulquiorra clad only in a fundoshi. He raised a delicately arched eyebrow at the still clothed Ulquiorra.

 

“While I realize Los Noches was primarily a desert, I'm fairly certain you know that a bath works best when you aren't wearing clothes.”

 

“A bath? I don't understand.”

 

“There is a certain vulnerability when a person bathes. You're naked or nearly so and generally unarmed. You need to place a modicum of trust in your fellow bathers not to do you any harm. It's also relaxing to soak in a hot bath. Given what has been reported to me, you have very little trust in others and are in desperate need of some relaxation before you break. I'm not here to harm you, I'm trying to help you. Get undressed, Ulquiorra,” Byakuya said with a hint of command in his voice.

 

Ulquiorra looked at Byakuya for several seconds before shrugging his shoulders. Regardless of what Byakuya had just said, even without his sword, he was far from defenceless. A little calm trickled over him when he realized that. He wouldn't go easily if Captain Kuchiki thought to lull him with talk of trust and a relaxing bath. He slipped out of his Shinigami robes, hanging them on the pegs and placed his sword on top of the line of cubby-holes. He faced Byakuya when he was down to his fundoshi and waited to see what was supposed to happen now. He bathed to wash blood off his body and to remove the stink of sweat. The idea of sitting in hot water to relax was a completely foreign concept to Ulquiorra. The Captain looked the ex-Espada over, his eyes lingering on the hole at the base of his throat and the number four over his heart but said nothing and asked no questions.

 

Byakuya gestured for Ulquiorra to go through an arched doorway. With a slightly suspicious look, Ulquiorra went where he was directed. Byakuya handed Ulquiorra a wooden bucket and dipper before he turned and proceeded to wet down his body. The former Espada watched Byakuya until the Captain glanced at him over his shoulder and directed a pointed look first to the bucket of warm water and then to Ulquiorra himself. Ulquiorra took the not so subtle hint and followed Byakuya's lead, dousing himself as Byakuya had done. Once he was satisfied that the ex-Espada had removed any dirt or impurities, Byakuya gestured gracefully to another arched doorway and waited for Ulquiorra to walk through.

 

Ulquiorra stepped through the door and his eyes widened in surprise at the pool in front of him. Natural stones and lush plants lined the pool. The roof was open to the night sky. Flower petals floated on the surface of the water releasing a delicate scent that seemed vaguely familiar. Small, night time insects chirped and whirred softly in a soothing background noise. Ulquiorra wasn't sure what he'd expected but the calming feeling in the air around the pool certainly wasn't it.

 

Byakuya stepped into the pool with a little sigh of pleasure. He seated himself and leaned his head back against the ledge and closed his eyes, seeming to ignore the former Espada. Ulquiorra hesitated for a moment before following Byakuya into the pool, sucking in a soft breath at the feel of the warm water caressing his bare skin. He sat across from the Captain and watched him warily for several minutes, sure there was some kind of trick or attack that was going to be sprung on him the moment he let his guard down.

 

“You're here to relax and enjoy the calming influence of my pool. I typically don't allow anyone to share my private bath with me but I believe this is the only way to get you to understand that sometimes, you need to bend. Close your eyes and let yourself sink in the pleasure of a quiet, shared soak where you're safe and can let down your guard a little.”

 

Ulquiorra was silent as he contemplated what Byakuya just said. From what he knew of the man, Captain Kuchiki was aloof and rarely did anything that fell outside of what was required of him as a noble and a Shinigami Captain. He'd heard that when Kuchiki Byakuya gave his word on something, nothing would make him break it. Byakuya said he was safe. Ulquiorra let out a slow breath. He was going to take Byakuya at his word and trust him. After all, Byakuya had never lied to him or mislead him and had even taken a chance on him when he wanted to defect to the Shinigami side of the battle.

 

Ulquiorra finally relaxed, closed his eyes and let the hot water work its magic. A barely audible sigh left him and he mimicked the pose of Byakuya. Ulquiorra's mind drifted pleasantly in the heat and quiet and, for a time, he forgot that he shared the pool with another person. Tension he hadn't realized he'd been carrying around since almost the first day he'd set foot in Soul Society slowly ebbed away. The subtle scent of the flower petals further relaxed him and Ulquiorra found the gentle lapping of the water against his shoulders tickling and soothing at the same time. He found he liked the barely perceptible, soothing flux of Byakuya's reiatsu and the absence of the pressure to talk to fill the silence. He thought that if this was what soaking in a bath was always like; he'd have to see about adding such a thing to his regular routine.

 

“Does it hurt?” came the soft question.

 

Ulquiorra slowly opened his eyes and stared at Byakuya. He had no idea what he was being asked about. He had no injuries emotionally or physically. He was actually feeling surprisingly content at the moment. Ulquiorra said nothing and waited for Byakuya to clarify whatever it was he was asking. Instead of repeating the question or adding information, Byakuya glided through the water and leaned into Ulquiorra's personal space. The former Espada tensed slightly and held his breath when Byakuya lifted his hand and brought it close. Nobody touched him. Ever. Not in Los Noches and most certainly not in Soul Society. Was this the attack he'd been waiting for?

 

“I've always wondered if it was like an old wound that ached sometimes or if it was something that was just there, like a birth mark or a tattoo,” Byakuya said as he traced a finger delicately over the edge of the hole at the base of Ulquiorra's throat.

 

The breath stuttered out of Ulquiorra at the touch. Byakuya would have no way of knowing what it was he was doing and how it was affecting Ulquiorra. Some of the finer points of Arrancar physiology had never been discussed between the former Espadas and the Shinigami. There hadn't seemed to be a need to. Never would Ulquiorra have thought the very proper Kuchiki Byakuya would do something as improper as touch him in so intimate a way without permission. Colour rushed into Ulquiorra's pale cheeks from arousal and a tiny sound of want escaped him.

 

A faint pink blush stained Byakuya's cheeks in embarrassment at acting so forward. “I apologise. That was beyond rude. I hope I didn't hurt you. I'm not sure why I did that,” Byakuya said with a little confusion in his voice and expression. Ulquiorra noted that Byakuya didn't remove his fingers although they stopped their gentle movement and simply rested lightly against the edge of the hole.

 

Ulquiorra tried to calm his racing heart and the unaccustomed feeling of arousal pooling in his groin. To have his Hollow hole touched or stroked was a highly erotic thing for the Arrancar. He'd never had anyone's hands touch it in such a way but his own and even then, it was an infrequent thing. Byakuya's fingers had been whisper-light and felt very different but just as erotic as when he touched himself for pleasure.

 

“It doesn't hurt. Rather, that feels very good,” Ulquiorra said in a husky voice.

 

Ulquiorra captured Byakuya's wrist, stopping him from withdrawing the pleasurable touch. The sudden action had Byakuya's finger pressing firmly on the edge of the hole. Ulquiorra gasped and squeezed his eyes shut tight, excitement zipping straight from his Hollow hole to his cock. He hadn't expected the feel of another's fingers caressing his Hollow hole to be so arousing or that it would make him want more than just simple touches. Byakuya started to murmur an apology and tugged on the hand Ulquiorra now had in a death grip.

 

“Don't apologise for something so erotic,” Ulquiorra said in a low voice. He opened his eyes, letting Byakuya see the lust rising through him. When Byakuya didn't recoil but instead leaned slightly into Ulquiorra, the ex-Espada let out a soft breath he hadn't been aware he was holding.

 

Ulquiorra slid a hand up into Byakuya's hair and pulled his head down for a demanding kiss. Byakuya was surprised at the desire in Ulquiorra's aqua eyes and the gentle aggression of the kiss but not opposed to it. He'd thought the ex-Espada was a handsome man and wondered at the oddest moments if Ulquiorra's quiet intensity would translate over into his bedroom activities. Byakuya had simply never had the opportunity to pursue his interest or even find out if his interest would be returned. He was very pleased that not only were his half-formed assumptions correct, but that Ulquiorra was returning his interest. With the way his cock was hardening, Byakuya now wondered how far things would be allowed to go. He hoped for things to progress further than touches and kisses, as arousing as those were, but he wasn't going to push Ulquiorra for more than he was willing to give.

 

Lust was quickly building in Ulquiorra's body. If he was alone, he'd know exactly what to do to take care of that problem and be done in less than five minutes. He'd never trusted any of the other Arrancar or even his fellow Espada enough to allow them the kind of close intimacy Byakuya now enjoyed. Byakuya continued to play with his Hollow hole driving him pleasantly insane with need. Ulquiorra released his grip on Byakuya's wrist and plunged his free hand under water. He wrestled with his wet fundoshi and wondered what moment of insanity had prompted him to wear the thing when he used to go without any undergarments under his Espada uniform. Byakuya pulled back from the kiss and a tiny smile came and went quickly on his face.

 

“Let me,” Byakuya said as he stopped his erotic teasing and pulled Ulquiorra up from the submerged seat so that he stood next to Byakuya.

 

The noble undid both their soaked fundoshi with what seemed practiced ease. Ulquiorra was not sad to see the cloth sink to the bottom of the pool and made a mental note to stop wearing the garment. His eyes travelled over the toned expanse of Byakuya's body and found what he saw pleasing to his eyes. Byakuya hooked his fingers in the Hollow hole and tugged gently, bringing them chest to chest. Ulquiorra groaned and clutched Byakuya's shoulders for support. The tender roughness Byakuya was using to play with his Hollow hole was better than anything Ulquiorra had done for himself over the years. He wracked his mind how to get Byakuya to do it again without sounding like he was already nearly breathless with arousal and begging for more. Ulquiorra never begged anyone for anything.

 

“How far shall we go, Ulquiorra?” Byakuya whispered in Ulquiorra's ear as he stroked his thumb over the edge of the Hollow hole.

 

Ulquiorra shivered in response to the fingers stroking what was a direct line to his libido and the warm breath puffing against his ear. He responded by sliding his hand down Byakuya's chest and wrapping his fingers around the cock bushing teasingly against his. Byakuya chuckled softly and thrust his hips lightly into the firm tunnel of Ulquiorra's fist.

 

“I do appreciate a lover who knows what they want,” Byakuya said before he ran his tongue along the edge of Ulquiorra's Hollow mask above his eye.

 

Ulquiorra felt almost dizzy from the sensations of his Hollow hole being played with and the erotic feel of Byakuya's tongue running over the edge of his mask. He'd never known of that sensitivity. Not wanting to be the only one who was turning into a creature of want and need, Ulquiorra slipped his other hand down Byakuya's chest and took his own cock in hand. He'd heard Grimmjow bragging once about a sexual conquest and how good the act he'd described in detail had felt. Ulquiorra now had the opportunity to see if the sixth Espada had been telling the truth or simply spouting more bullshit.

 

The fourth Espada rubbed his cock against Byakuya's. Satisfaction filled Ulquiorra's eyes when Byakuya groaned and gripped the base of the horn on his Hollow mask, holding his head steady for a hungry kiss. Byakuya's tongue teased and tormented Ulquiorra, alternating between forceful stabs into his mouth and delicate licks to the edge of his Hollow mask.

 

Ulquiorra pressed the heads of their cocks together and slowly pulled Byakuya's foreskin forward, sheathing his cock with Byakuya's foreskin. A rumble of pleasure sounded in Byakuya's throat and he increased the pressure of the fingers he'd pushed into Ulquiorra's Hollow hole. Ulquiorra stroked them both, his senses reeling at the unique sensation. Byakuya broke the kiss and let his fingers fall away from the Hollow hole he'd been teasing. Ulquiorra made a noise of protest that was short lived as Byakuya tilted his head and licked the rim of the Hollow hole.

 

A strangled moan left Ulquiorra as heat pooled low in his belly. Byakuya tongued the Hollow hole again and was rewarded with a tightened grip on his cock and faster strokes. Ulquiorra was beginning to pant and tiny sounds of pleasure escaped the ex-Espada with every breath. Byakuya licked inside the Hollow hole and was rewarded with a soft, startled cry of delight. Ulquiorra's hips bucked and Byakuya felt slick, liquid heat spurt against the sensitive head of his cock and coat the sheath of his foreskin. Byakuya groaned and finally released his tightly held control. His orgasm ran through him, his drawn out groan of pleasure vibrating against the Hollow hole he'd been teasing with his lips and tongue. Ulquiorra shuddered and panted harshly, his head thrown back and the line of his throat exposed. His free hand drifted into Byakuya's hair and held the Shinigami's head in place, his mind buzzing with pleasure.

 

Byakuya released the horn he'd been holding tightly and slowly straightened, a quiet hum of pleasure leaving his lips at the feel of Ulquiorra's fingers sliding through his hair. Ulquiorra's let go of their cocks and both men groaned softly when Ulquiorra's cock slipped free of the tight foreskin sheath. Ulquiorra slid down to sit heavily on the submerged seat of the pool, his knees suddenly feeling like jelly. Byakuya joined him on the seat and leaned his head back against the ledge of the pool, his eyes closed and the barest of smiles graced his face.

 

“It's all or nothing with you isn't it?”

 

“Yes,” Ulquiorra answered simply as he tried to get his breathing back under control. He'd never had a release as powerful as what he'd just experienced with Byakuya. He wondered if the Captain would be opposed to doing something similar again but couldn't bring himself to ask.

 

“If I invited you here again to enjoy a relaxing soak with me, would you?” Byakuya asked, opening his eyes and looking at Ulquiorra.

 

“I believe I like your idea of a relaxing soak. Should you invite me, I would accept,” Ulquiorra said firmly with the beginnings of anticipation in his eyes.

 

Byakuya gave Ulquiorra a tiny, pleased smile and a small nod. “Then I suggest you meet me here next week at the same time. Being a Shinigami is a stressful job and a nice soak is a wonderful relaxer. I regret that it's time to go before we end up permanently wrinkled.”

 

Ulquiorra admired the view of pale, firm flesh when Byakuya climbed from the pool and followed the Captain back to the room they'd undressed in. They towelled themselves dry and dressed in silence. Ulquiorra was slipping his sword into his sash when Byakuya stepped in front of him, tipped his chin up and placed a lingering kiss on the ex-Espada's mouth before he turned and left without a word. Ulquiorra adjusted his sword and stepped out of the bathhouse feeling better and at peace with himself for the first time since his decision to leave Los Noches. He'd always had excellent instincts for doing what was in his best interests and joining Soul Society was becoming one of his smartest decisions for a variety of reasons.

 

Ulquiorra never noticed that he was humming softly to himself as he walked back to his quarters or that his skin now carried the same, faint scent of cherry blossoms that people associated with Kuchiki Byakuya.