ＤＯＮＴ ＬＥＴ ＧＯ (Byakuya Kuchiki/Ichigo Kurosaki)

ＤＯＮＴ ＬＥＴ ＧＯ (Byakuya Kuchiki/Ichigo Kurosaki)- 25

"Oi! We've been at it for hours and I haven't fired a single Shakkaho!" Ichigo stomps off through the small space between two buildings that leads to the front gate.

"Hey, where are you going?" Renji steps in front of him, with his arm touching the closely situated buildings, blocking his path out. 

"To ask someone who can actually do kidou," Ichigo rolls his eyes. "I'm outta here." He ducks his body under Renji's arm to walk past him. Instead, Renji grabs hold of the substitute soul reaper's arm and pulls him close and pins him to the cold building wall. "Dude! What are you doing? Renji!" Ichigo wiggles under his grip, but to no avail. 

"You're going to him, aren't you?" Renji's face contorted to a face of jealously as his grip on Ichigo's arm tightened, and the substitute winced. 

"Knock it off, Renji. If the him you're referring to is Byakuya, then no I wasn't. " Ichigo shoves Renji off him. "He has enough on his mind lately. He doesn't need me hanging around and bugging him all the time."

"You think I don't know about you two?" Renji pressed on. "How the hell do you stand him?" His cold voice became a growl. 

"Why the hell does everyone talk about him like he's a disease?!" Ichigo gets up to Renji's face, his light chocolate eyes flaring. "He isn't a bad person. I don't see why you're so upset over that."

"It is my problem! I'm trying to protect you!" Renji said hotly. He once again grabbed Ichigo by the arms and pinned him harder against the wall, covering his mouth in a crushing kiss before Ichigo could process anything. Ichigo felt tears lingering against the sides of his stinging eyes as Renji's body began growing hot against Ichigo's.

Pain suddenly shoots through Renji as Ichigo's knee slammed into his chest.

"Don't you ever do that again!" Ichigo shouted, knocking Renji into the stone building between them, the impact knocking some loose rocks off the wall. 

"What? You seriously think he gives a damn?!"

Ichigo narrowed his eyes, his fists tightly clenched against Renji's arm.

"You really think a machine like him is capable of feeling and processing emotions? Ichigo, think!"

"You have no idea what you're talking about," Ichigo drops his head to the ground, his bright orange hair falling across his angry eyes.

"I know more than you. I know because I've known this man longer.  What will you do when he grows tired of you? Your body will wear down and he'll move on to someone better."

A sudden thought occurred to him. Was... Byakuya with Renji?...

What...?

Ichigo shook his head. "No. I'm willing to take the chance." Ichigo flash stepped away, leaving a desperate and shameful Renji sliding down the stone wall, swearing and mumbling under his breath.

Neither one noticed the light green scarf floating in the wind nearby. With parted trembling lips, Byakuya swallowed the heavy lump of guilt in his throat. I... could see the hesitation in his eyes. I almost lost you, Ichigo...