Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Winter Kisses ❯ Part 3 ( Chapter 3 )

Title: Winter Kisses - Chapter 3

Author: TheaBlackthorn

Series: Bleach
Pairing(s): Hisagi/Kira/Hitsugaya

Rating: 14 +

Warning: BL kisses.

Ukitake stood quietly for a moment looking out from the doorway, hand pressed to the smooth wooden frame silently admiring how crisp green grass was dappled with little flakes of white slowly solidifying until it was hidden under a layer of inch thick snow. His brown eyes lingered on the cool crisp surface before lifting to the small wood beyond and the clearing he knew was within.

He sighed softly at the feel of his fellow Captains reiatsu emanating from beyond the treeline and slowly stepped down from the wraparound porch into his zori and walked across lush green grass that whispered under foot and onto crunching freshly settled snow heading into the wood and his young friend within.

Ukitake came to a halt a little way in and took in the stark contrast of deep brown bark and flawless snow appreciatively, the bare tree branches heavily laden with white crisp flakes. He could feel the crisp, almost frosty edge of his fellow captain's reiatsu from just up ahead, and as he walked a little further a young man came into sight.

Ukitake could feel the soft kiss of snow against his bare skin as he approached; the cold flakes still falling here so close to its source. He watched Hitsugaya for a moment as he sat in the crook of fallen log and its neighbouring oak tree now glittering white with snow. Hitsugaya had one knee drawn up to his chest; arm's lax in his lap as bright turquoise eyes watched sightlessly, even though Ukitake wasn't hiding his approach.

Ukitake frowned at his young friend's pensive expression, brows furrowed but gaze wandering aimlessly across the snow glazed clearing. Hitsugaya's reiatsu was a flood of cool crisp frost over his bare forearm's and hands that the deep burgundy kimono didn't cover, he breathed in his nostril's filling with the sharp scent of winter frost.

Ukitake sighed softly, his own brow's furrowing as concern squeezed at his heart. He approached slowly, Hitsugaya's reiatsu parting before the halo of his own reiatsu that he wrapped around himself like a cloak keeping the winter chill at bay.

When he stood beside the young man, Hitsugaya's distant eyes finally focusing on him he spoke softly, almost reverently as though he stood in hallowed halls, “Toshiro?”

The Captain of the sixth division didn't speak for a few moments, gaze turning to the pond that lay just beyond where he reclined against the tree glazed in with ice, his mouth pinched at the corner's forming small lines of tension, “Sorry.”

Ukitake looked in the direction of Hitsugaya's gaze turned and he sighed, brow lifting slightly, “I do not mind Toshiro. It is natural after all; spring always battle's winter before she flourishes.”

“But…” Ukitake could hear the slight trepidation in Hitsugaya's tone, as though he was still a child waiting for a reprimand - not that he had received many as a child. He was a Captain of the Gotei thirteen and well beyond a parental reprimand.

Ukitake smiled softly, gaze returning to his troubled friend, “There are no `but's'. Will you not tell me what seems to be troubling you? You have been gone for a while now.”

Hitsugaya sighed, the weight of confusion a heavy cloak over his shoulders. He looked out over the frozen pond once more, the snow that was falling all around him a stiff reminder that he still had some issues with control when he was troubled by certain things. Hyourinmaru was a strong presence inside him, the concern in Ukitake's voice mirrored by his zanpakto. Hitsugaya found it was oddly comforting to see the snow falling gently down to the ground like a clean slate, a blanket of white to start a new.

But this was Ukitake's home and he had ruined the first spring flower's that had been trying to bud when he had slipped from the confines of the house his reiatsu bubbling as his emotion's surged and seethed as they tried to find equilibrium after seeing them.

Hitsugaya turned and looked at the man standing beside him, Ukitake's relaxed demeanour even under the pressure of his reiatsu and the unseasonable cold was oddly reassuring. But he couldn't rightly bring himself to speak of his turmoil just yet, still trying to decipher it alone. “I needed some air.”

Ukitake's brow furrowed deeper before he spoke, voice laced with open concern, “That is not all, Toshiro. It isn't often that this,” he looked up at the gently falling flakes, “happens. Tell me please, what troubles you?”

Hitsugaya frowned and looked away; Ukitake's knowing gaze felt heavy, especially when he'd been trying to put all the pieces together alone as he always did. But he thought silently, perhaps Ukitake was the best person to talk to - possibly the only one for he wouldn't get a sensible answer from Shunsui, not today anyway, or any answer from Stark.

He looked back at the pale haired Captain, watching Ukitake silently as he looked out over the crisp wintery display, “Ukitake.”

Ukitake turned to look at him then and his welcoming look eased the tightness in Hitsugaya's throat at the question he wished to have answered. “You love them both - don't you?”

Hitsugaya watched attentively as Ukitake's head tilted to the side for a moment as if considering before his cheeks coloured a soft pink in contrast to pale skin. Hitsugaya waited, thinking that this particular question was a little too personal - even for Ukitake. But the Captain of the thirteenth division surprised him once more, Ukitake didn't shy away from the question, those rich brown eyes softening as he responded to his question, “Yes, I do, very much.”

Hitsugaya bit his lip, gnawing subconsciously on the tender surface as he thought through the puzzle of emotion's he didn't quite understand but taunted him constantly. “How do you do it?”

“How...?” Ukitake frowned as he considered Hitsugaya's question for a moment, puzzle pieces shifting, moving and then slotting into place. He sighed internally in recognition. So that was it, a surprise to say the least but a welcome one.

Ukitake smiled gently, eyes looking at Hitsugaya with compassion, “Toshiro, it is not a question of how it is done - it just is. Shunsui and Stark are very important to me and I care for them both deeply. It is no more an equation to be calculated than it is to breath.”

Hitsugaya took in Ukitake's words and mulled them over quietly, shifting to change position against the tree's bulk. It was not an equation and yet, how can he love them equally? And how do they love each other as well? It didn't add up in his mind. Hitsugaya understood partnerships, the likelihood of one person and another finding common ground, experiencing the emotion of love between them made sense, but when it became three people, the likelihood of all of their feeling's being the same was low at best -so how?

“It doesn't add up at all.” He didn't realise he'd spoken out loud until Ukitake chuckled softly.

Ukitake smiled down at Toshiro and stepped closer, “It doesn't have to add up, relationships are a sum of various part's and people input different things and they find their equilibrium. It is the same with three of us. I do not deny that it takes a set of special people to make it work but it does and can work well.”

Ukitake knelt beside Hitsugaya, sometimes he truly did forget just how much the young man had left to learn. Hitsugaya was a master of strategy, battle and guiding other's in their duties but when it came to things like friendship and love he was still very socially stilted. Ukitake reached out a hand and squeezed Hitsugaya's shoulder with obvious affection, having learnt that the young Captain did not appreciate having his hair ruffled like a child. “As with all relationships they need work and time to reach that balance. The key to that is that you have to try.”

Hitsugaya looked up at Ukitake when he squeezed his shoulder searching those brown eyes that had shown him a great deal of patients and kindness over his years as a shinigami for something and seeing an understanding and reassurance that made something inside him eased. His own turquoise gaze softened slightly, though he never truly smiled, Ukitake did that for them both. He nodded his assent and that warm hand on his shoulder released on a gentle pat.

“Come back when you're ready. Your friends are missing you.”

Ukitake watched with amusement as Hitsugaya snorted softly at the friends comment, though he did see warmth flicker in his gaze for a moment before he turned to look out over the frozen pond once more. Ukitake turned and started to head back the way he'd come.

“Thank you.”

Ukitake paused at the almost whisper of gratitude from Hitsugaya but smiled and continued on, his own voice soft, releasing a puff of cloudy air as warm breath hit air, “My pleasure, Toshiro.”

Ukitake walked slowly back the way he'd come, hands slipping deeper into the sleeves of his kimono for added warmth, he felt two reiatsu's ping of his senses. He looked up to see two young men heading towards him as different in colouring as night and day. He could see that they hadn't noticed him yet, still talking quietly and he smiled at the two lieutenants'.

So, these two?

Ukitake stopped and waited for them to draw closer, knowing they would notice his presence within a few more step's and was rewarded with a curious brown and startled blue gaze.

“Hisagi-san and Kira-kun. Where might you both be headed?”

He couldn't help but smile when Kira's gaze turned away, hair covering one side of his face more completely as a flush spread over his cheeks. In contrast Hisagi looked at him with grim determination as he spoke, eyes sharp, “We are looking for Hitsugaya-taicho. Have you seen him Ukitake-taicho?”

Ukitake looked at the pair before him with a critical eye his gaze far from the soft warmth he normally expressed. He could see Hisagi calculating swiftly, but Kira's gaze remained on the ground as if unwilling to speak. “I have Hisagi-san. Kira-kun, tell me why do you seek Hitsugaya?”

When Shuuhei went to speak Ukitake halted him with a slight shake of his head, “Kira?”

“Ukitake-san...” Hisagi went to speak for the quiet blond.

“Do not.”

He watched as Shuuhei's jaw bunched as he tried to prevent himself from speaking. He could feel the young man's reiatsu bubbling just under the surface and he flared his own slightly in response and watched with interest as Hisagi's pupil's dilated briefly and then his reiatsu seemed to calm. “Better Hisagi-san. You are doing very well. But Kira still has not answered my question.”

Ukitake watched Kira quietly, brow furrowing in concern as the man still refused to speak. He caught movement and watched as Shuuhei curled an arm around his friends back in a clear show of support. And that was what Ukitake had wanted to see. Ukitake raised his hand slowly, reiatsu pulled tight inside him as he gently took Kira's chin between his thumb and forefinger, gently guiding his face up so they could meet gaze's and he smiled slowly. “You do not need to hide your face Kira. Now tell me, why is it you seek Toshiro.”

He watched as a wide sky blue eye met his gaze surprise evident before it was quickly hidden away. Ukitake chuckled softly and watched as tension seemed to ease from both their bodies and they pressed slightly closer together.

“We... that is, we wanted... to give Hitsugaya-taicho a gift Ukitake-san.” He watched as Kira flicked a glance at Shuuhei and the older man nodded his encouragement and Kira's body eased farther still. Perhaps they would be alright? His concern wasn't just for Toshiro, these two had been through a great deal of personal trauma during the Winter War but it seemed they were making headway and perhaps with Hitsugaya in the mix they would find that balance he had spoken of.

Ukitake smiled and leant forward slightly, whispering conspiratorially, “A gift you say, something sweet perhaps? Toshiro does have a bit of a sweet tooth it seems.” He chuckled softly and drew back and watched as a small smile curled Kira's lips.

“Hai, taicho.”

“Then I am certain he shall accept it.” There was an undercurrent to his words that he could see the other two picking up on slowly, Kira's cheek's pinking further and Shuuhei's garnering the palest tint of a blush. His smile faded slowly and his tone grew more serious once more, “May I impart something to you before you go?”

“Hai, Ukitake-taicho.” Shuuhei said, gaze intent even as he held Kira close, one arm loped around his waist hand gripping hip lightly.

Ukitake chuckled softly at the title, “I will break you of that habit Hisagi-san, now to other things. I understand that you are quite serious about what you are trying to do.” He held up a hand when both men went to speak, “Please hear me out.” When no further interruption was forthcoming he continued, “Toshiro is a fine Captain, a master strategist and straightforward beyond sometimes what is healthy, but please understand he is younger than both of you. His experience of more intimate relationships is limited and friendship's are few and far between.”

Ukitake looked at the pair before him intently and they nodded solemnly, “We understand Ukitake-san.”

Kira's soft voice, laced with tenderness gave him some reassurance even as Hisagi echoed Kira's words,”Hai, Ukitake-taicho.”

“Thank you, one more thing though - you face two challenge's, though,..” he turned to look past the pair and to the house beyond and the doorway he'd exited via, where Matsumoto Rangiku stood, arms folded under her breast's as she leant against the doorframe, “...you seem to have passed one.”

He caught Hisagi's gaze flicker to the woman before they returned to him, “And the second, Taicho?”

Ukitake looked back into deep almost black eyes, “Hyourinmaru.”

Ukitake smiled softly and patted Kira's shoulder and inclined his head to Shuuhei, turning away to head in Rangiku's direction.

“Taicho?”

Ukitake spoke back over his shoulder, “He's by the millpond, you won't be able to miss it. And Shuuhei... please take care of them both.”

Ukitake heard the soft inhale from Kira at his request and the use of the lieutenant's first name but it was the sound of affirmation from Shuuhei that he'd been seeking. “Hai, always, Taicho.”

“Thank you.”

The pair watched Ukitake walk back towards the house, slipping of his zori sandal's and stepping up onto the wraparound porch, he leant in and spoke with Rangiku but they couldn't hear what was said, only that she smiled warmly and looped her arm through Ukitake's proffered limb and they disappeared back inside.

Shuuhei look down at Izuru, his other arm curling around the young man and gently rubbing up and down his lower back, his own nerves fretting in his stomach. “You okay?”

“Yes, Shuu.” Kira looked down at the small parcel neatly wrapped in his hands and then lower to see Shuuhei's bare arm's circled around him, he could feel nerve's cresting and rolling like the waves on the ocean inside his stomach but he couldn't help but feel a little better for Ukitake's words and Shuuhei's warmth at his side.

He turned a curious gaze up to his lover, brow's drawing together as he spoke softly in the open air, “Do you think Ukitake-san was trying to give us some encouragement or trying to warn us away? It seemed a little mixed.”

Shuuhei chuckled darkly, his gaze flicking to the house beyond, “I think it is a little bit of both. He wants Hitsugaya-taicho to be happy, but is warning us if we make him unhappy we should probably hide away for a good few hundred years.”

Shuuhei watched Izuru's eye widen and pressed close, lips easing over his lover's before pulling back to watch heavy lidded blue eyes through a veil of silky blond. He pressed his forehead to his long time friend, partner in crime and lover, “You still okay with this?”

Kira scoffed, brow arching slightly, the haze of pleasure induced by Shuuhei's attentive lips passing as he spoke with assurity, “Yes, we both want this...” His resolve faltered slightly, nerve's crashing inside him, “...but will Hitsugaya-taicho?”

He looked at Shuuhei, and watched the small smile curl his lips, words falling like a calm breeze across the nervous churning in his belly laced with warmth and reassurance, “Who wouldn't want you Izuru? I don't think he'll be able to resist.” Kira's lips twisted up into a small smile, leaning up he pressed a kiss to Shuuhei's lips in thanks and nodded in the direction that had soft footfalls depressed in the snow.

“Shall we?”

Shuuhei released Izuru from his embrace and curled his calloused fingers through the blonds and leant in to kiss his cheek, “Hai.”

88888

Hitsugaya could feel them coming, the taste of their reiatsu was distinctive and though he hadn't noticed Ukitake until he'd been stood that close, they were different. His awareness of them and the feel of their reiatsu had only grown over the last few months. He rose swiftly, turning on the fallen tree on nimble feet, seconds away from taking flight to somewhere - anywhere - else.

He didn't want to deal with this when he still hadn't figured everything out, but his choice was swiftly removed by the quiet call of his name from lips he wanted to know.

“Hitsugaya-taicho, a moment of your time - please?” Kira's voice rang out in the quiet clearing and he lifted slender finger's to cover his mouth startled by how his voice seemed to carry in this quiet place. He felt heat in his cheek's as he gazed at the Captain of the tenth division stood on top of a fallen tree, the indentation of where he'd sat the only place free of the still falling snow

Shuuhei stood behind his lover, hoping that Hitsugaya wouldn't choose to leave, after Izuru called out to him. He couldn't help but look at the smaller man, intrigued by the body hidden under his Captain's robes, the power he wielded and the person so few people truly knew. Rangiku had trusted Hitsugaya to them and he would not let that trust go to waste. He loved Izuru, he truly did but they had both felt something was missing and in the last few month's that had come to understand that what they were missing was the young man stood in front of them.

Izuru glanced back at his lover and felt a tiny smile tug his lips at Shuuhei's fixed gaze, he knew he was thinking about Hitsugaya and he didn't mind, because that was exactly were his mind was right now. His finger's clenched n the parcel he still held, and that brought his mind back to what they had come here to do. He stepped forward when Hitsugaya didn't speak, just remained were they'd caught him and he felt hope flicker in his chest.

“Taicho, we …well we wanted to give you something.”

Hitsugaya half turned, cursing silently when his body moved without his permission, eyes immediately searching out and lingering on the two men on the ground below him. The stark contrast of colour against pale snow just made it easier for his gaze to rove over the pair. Hisagi was all lean lines, controlled strength and fierce determination. Kira though quieter was no less determined but he was warmer in a way, approachable but no less intriguing in his slightly more willowy frame.

Hitsugaya almost physically shook himself but instead turned his gaze so he glared into the distance, talking nonchalantly whilst his body was humming with strange emotion's he had yet to fully grasp. ”What did you need to give me, Kira-fukutaicho?” That disinterested tone belied his genuine curiosity; these two had no reason to approach him and even less to have anything for him.

Hitsugaya had watched them interact together at the few social function's Matsumoto had dragged him to and had found himself intrigued by their closeness and that intrigued had developed into this unfamiliar and yet uncontrollable obsession and need to be a part of what they shared. At first he had consigned it to the fact that he had been lonely, but he soon realised that it was far more than that.

Kira easily jumped up onto the broad expanse of the fallen tree, compensating quickly for the slightly slippery surface as he felt Shuuhei land with a dull thump on Hitsugaya's other side. He stepped slightly closer and held out his neatly wrapped gift, the pale turquoise paper secured with a white ribbon. “It's a birthday present. We missed the day at Midwinter and have been in the human world for the last few weeks. Please except our belated birthday wishes.”

Shuuhei drew in from Hitsugaya's other side, listening to Kira's words. He studied Hitsugaya now that he was closer, he could see the tension in shoulders, the grip he had on the hilt of Hyourinmaru and the way his feet were almost ready to lift in steps away from them. It brought a frown to his face and he drew closer still, analysing the tight expression on Hitsugaya's scowling features. Something was making the man feel uncomfortable - could it be - them?

Hitsugaya was fighting the instinct to just vanish, they had effectively trapped him between them and he felt his hackles rise at the thought. He eased away from Hisagi, but that brought him closer to Kira. He turned to look at the blond haired man; brow deeply furrowed and glanced at the proffered parcel, the reason behind said gift seeping into his thoughts slowly.

He puzzled silently as he lifted a hand to take the gift from Kira, fingertips unconsciously feathering over Kira's own and causing heat to stir and surprise to widen his gaze. He backed up and tripped into Hisagi who was far too close. Kira stepped forward to try and help but they all ended up in a tangled heap on the floor after rolling off the tree they'd been stood on briefly.

Hitsugaya growled harshly, shoving Kira back so he could free himself from between the blond and Hisagi who was sprawled underneath him. “Let me up!”

Kira shifted back at the hard shove, but hovered kneeling between Hitsugaya and Shuuhei's sprawled leg's, worry dipping his brow as he reached out to help the Captain.

Shuuhei grunted as Hitsugaya tried to get up; feeling the force of his shove against Izuru and feeling something hot and fierce spark to life. “Now why should we do that, Taicho?” Shuuhei husked in Hitsugaya's ear, arm's coming up to pin him in place. He knew what he was doing could be considered assault and punishable by death but he'd had enough of this dancing around. He and Izuru had both seen the way Hitsugaya looked at them, had felt the stir of arousal at his interest and felt the burgeoning need to have him with them, joining not just watching so it was at this stage undeniable.

“I…” Hitsugaya stuttered surprised by the sheer force of Shuuhei's strength pinning him back against his chest facing Kira. His cheek's heated and his gaze turned from the blond still knelt before him, concern clear on his features.

Kira reached out to clasp Shuuhei's wrist and spoke softly, doubt a heavy edge to his words, “Shuu, maybe he doesn't…”

“No, Izuru I think…” Shuuhei shock his head as he spoke but was interrupted before he could finish.

Hitsugaya felt anger, pain, need and confusion boil up in his chest and a cool blast of air pushed out from him as he shouted fiercely, “What do you know? Let me go!”

Kira sat back as cold reiatsu blasted past him but rather than making him shy away, the chill raised goose bumps on his skin and made pleasure shiver through his body and he quickly shifted closer, eyes trained on the two men before him.

Shuuhei felt the press of cold and reiatsu but ignored it completely, accepting that part of Hitsugaya even as he spoke softly but firmly, “No.” Shuuhei's finger's slipped beneath Hitsugaya's chin and turned his head just enough that he caught sight of wide turquoise eyes before he stole the breath from Hitsugaya's lips, kissing with a fierce tenderness he had only ever shown to Izuru.

They parted on a soft gasp, Shuuhei's dark eyes almost completely hidden by heavy lids as he murmured softly, “Taicho?”

Kira watched with a degree of shock as Shuuhei devoured Hitsugaya's mouth, but that shock swiftly shifted to heat and want. The two were such a contrast and the way Hitsugaya's eyes slowly slid shut and the soft little whimpers that filled the clearing just stoked that furnace higher. Kira slid closer; finger's lifting to stroke across Hitsugaya's back. When Shuuhei lips drew back from Hitsugaya's Kira leant forward and whispered softly, heat lacing his voice, “Hitsugaya-taicho, can I?”

Hitsugaya turned at the soft husky drawl that filled his ear, heavy lidded eyes looking into sky blue before frowning and reality trying to press in, “But you are…nahhh.” Lips, soft, insistent and warm moulded to his own and he mewled quietly as Kira's mouth took his in sweet kiss filled with a quiet need that he could feel humming in his own veins.

When Kira pulled free a contented sound falling from those supple lip's Hitsugaya felt his body humming with pleasure, heat bubbling under his skin as he slowly turned his head to look between the two men. He frowned and felt reality sliding in once more, “You both… I don't… what do you think you are doing?”

Shuuhei chuckled at Hitsugaya's confused expression, not willing to tell the man he looked a lot like a rumpled kitten at that moment. “Well, you were about to run away….”

“…And we wanted you to stay, here, with us.” Kira finished glancing up at Shuuhei before looking into cool turquoise eyes. “Please?”

Hitsugaya glanced between the two, slowly pulling his emotions back in check as he felt cool snow kissing his skin once more, the heat was still there, burbling in the pit of his belly but if he let go he might hurt them. They... they had kissed him?

“Why would you?”

Shuuhei spoke softly, garnering Hitsugaya's attention as he looped his arms around his smaller frame, “Because Taicho, we like you.”

Kira tucked himself closer, arm's slowly slinking around the Captain's body and lacing over Shuuhei's. Kira eyed his lover and Shuuhei closed in and they kissed over Hitsugaya's shoulder and then they turned facing the young man trapped between them and smiled softly, “If you don't want this Taicho, say so now.”

“Toshiro.” The pair blinked and Hitsugaya chuckled darkly, “call me Toshiro.”