ＤＯＮＴ ＬＥＴ ＧＯ (Byakuya Kuchiki/Ichigo Kurosaki)

ＤＯＮＴ ＬＥＴ ＧＯ (Byakuya Kuchiki/Ichigo Kurosaki)- 7

After the bell rings, Ichigo pushes open the door to the locker room, walking around the blue walls of the locker room he sees Byakuya. Ichigo stops near the corner and moving his brown eyes to the left; they drift up from the floor halting on Byakuya's lean torso. His appearance isn't much different, Ichigo notes as his eyes travel over the pale, smooth skin of his face. He still has that superior air about him though, like the world exists for him. No, that's not it; Byakuya's pride isn't just for show. He can, and has, backed it up with some amazing skill. Ichigo looks at his hair lying across his face without his Kenseikan. He doesn't have the title or the notoriety anymore, yet his mannerisms and presence still speak for him. Byakuya sits there on an old school bench with his eyes closed in deep thought, with his back straight and his hands in his lap; he looks striking in a perfect way, unblemished by anything. Ichigo's eyes slip over his lips and he sucks in his lower lip. The dark brown eyes, full of curiosity, blink as people walk in behind him, forcing him to look away.

"Hey, you ready to go?"

Byakuya stands up, "We are leaving?"

"Yeah, the pool is closed after school so I made a call to Urahara and we got full access to the underground sauna. Don't worry, they are going to get supplies, no one will know you can't swim." Ichigo whispers the last part behind his hand, leaning toward him.

"Thank you." He says quietly, and follows Ichigo to Urahara's Shop in silence. Ichigo's badge growls and flashes in his pocket as Rukia appears in the distance.

"Shi-"

"Nii-sama," She holds up a duffel bag and gives it to him. "Some things from home I thought you might want."

"Thank you Rukia."

"Where's the hollow?" Ichigo pops out of his body quickly, setting it down on the shop floor.

"Not sure, the color is light pink. Fraccion or Arrancar class."

"Yeah, I feel the reiatsu, let's go." He motions to Rukia and she darts out the door. Before leaving, Ichigo turns to Byakuya and nods. "I'll be back."

Opening the duffel bag, he finds basic items: socks and his favorite pillow; the bottle of saki and his sleeping nemaki are the last items he pulls out. He pours a drink, and then slips on his sorely missed navy blue kimono. Lounging on a mat in the front room, he stretches his body out and feels more like himself than he has in days. Two, three, and four hours later he begins to get anxious and paces the floor. He considers going out to find them, but what could he do? Downing his third drink, he feels lightheaded and frowns at the weakness of his human body. Feeling buzzed and frustrated, he walks to the door to go outside when it opens. Ichigo's broken shinigami form falls inside, pale and blood pouring everywhere with his bankai still intact.

"What happened!?" Byakuya gasps, pulling Ichigo over to the mat by the arms.

"Eh, there was one, then it divided into two. Then it tried to kill Rukia."

"Rukia?" Byakuya, subconsciously reaching for his sword, growled, finding nothing. "Where is she?"

"Relax, I made her go back to Soul Society." Ichigo grins and then dismisses his bankai. "She was so pissed. I had that afro wearing shinigami open a portal, and then I threw her in it. Ha ha." He tries to sit up and lurches forward on Byakuya. "I am going to be so sore tomorrow. Downstairs, there's a special spring down there with healing water."

"They're dead I hope?" He asks climbing down the ladder behind Ichigo.

"Yeah, Kurosaki 2, Fraccion 0. Go team!" He mumbles before hitting the dirt floor and blacking out.

"Kurosaki..." Byakuya shakes his head and drags him over to the green water. Edging him into the water, Byakuya tries to balance him in the water by draping his hands over the side, but he slips on the wet stones and falls in next to Ichigo. His hair is drenched and now his favorite kimono clings to his body and Kurosaki is passed out dangling in his arms.

Byakuya sits on the bottom of the spring, the warm water rising to his chest, and positions Kurosaki between his legs. Wrapping his arms around Ichigo's shoulders, he pulls his back against his chest and tilts his head to rest on his shoulder. Byakuya watches as the water closes up his wounds and he breathes a sigh of relief. Ichigo's long legs stretching out next to his, their thighs touching, the vibrant orange hair near enough to smell. The closeness of his warm body sends a torrent of emotions over him.

Byakuya bites down on his lip and lowers his eye lids to the neck arching near his mouth. He leans his nose down to Ichigo's neck, and closes his eyes as it lightly touches his earlobe. Breathing in the fiery scent, his lips tremble and his heart pounds in his chest. The temptation not to touch him was becoming near impossible.

"Ichigo,.." He whispers and sees his head begin to move.

"Hmm?" Ichigo stirs and feels the warm water around him and a strong arm pulling him up. Opening his eyes, he sees Byakuya at his side, holding him by the waist. "Did I pass out?"

"Yes." Byakuya releases him and climbs out of the spring, his clothing heavy with water and gaping open, showing his toned chest. Both men avert their eyes and wring the water from their clothing. Ichigo notices the soaked captain's thin kimono and exposed chest. Raking a hand through his orange hair, he climbs up the ladder to find his body. Byakuya stays behind, breathing a sigh of relief that Ichigo didn't catch on to his secret. He couldn't have been more wrong......