WARNING: This story is not for Kira fans. I don't like him, nor do I have any sense of respect for the man and I have my reasons. I will gladly explain them should anyone want to know but for those who do like him, be warned that he is the antagonist in this story. I have tried my very best not to bash him and I intend to keep it that way. I don't feel I am being unjust to him, this is my honest impression of him. So be warned!!!

Reviews and criticism are welcome. Please back up your opinions if you would like for me to take the criticism seriously. This is my first attempt at a YumIkkaku fic so I'd much appreciate your thoughts. Thank you for reading!

Karakura town was safe for the time being. Aizen had retreated to Hueco Mundo and all the Shinigami, back to Soul Society. While everyone was still a bit on edge, there seemed to be an unspoken agreement that they would all pretend everything was back to normal. For the while, they would continue to train and better themselves but their lives seemed to remain relatively untouched by the recent battle.

All battle wounds were dealt with quickly and efficiently by the 4th Division. But even with their Captain back there were certain injuries that the 4th could not mend. Hinamori Momo put up a strong façade but it was clear to all those close to her that she was still as fragile as ever. Matsumoto Rangiku had turned to the sake bottles once again and was driving her Captain insane with her temperamental moods. Madarame Ikkaku had suffered a severe blow to his pride, not to mention his body and was more brooding than usual. By all appearances, Ayasegawa Yumichika was doing well but below the beautiful veneer a grudge was festering.

It was an odd occurrence for Yumichika to do any such thing, having always said that carrying grudges caused wrinkles and made the soul unbeautiful. And yet, this was one grudge he could not forgive nor despite his best efforts, forget. The resentment grew and grew until it turned into something ugly and dark, something the beautiful shinigami tried to cover with all his charm. Had Yumichika's performance been any less than flawless, anyone should have seen the confrontation coming. But Yumichika was well versed in the art of appearances so when the rumours and gossip began their rounds, it took everyone by surprise.

"Good evening, Yumichika," Kira said placidly one evening.

Kira had been on his way home and Yumichika was alone on guard duty this evening. Ikkaku was at home still recovering from his injuries. The air was cool that evening but it was nothing compared to the icy blast of angry reiatsu that washed over the blond man at his casual greeting.

"Unless you have Shinigami business to discuss with me," Yumichika whispered terrifyingly low, "never address me again."

With no further explanation, Yumichika turned on his heel and continued down the path. Taken aback, Kira could only blink in astonishment at Yumichika's retreating form. What had he done to deserve such a cold response? All he had done was to greet his friend. Why on earth would Yumichika be so angry with him? He would get to the bottom of this right away.

"Yumichika," He called out and was promptly ignored.

The insolence! Kira flash stepped to Yumichika and grabbed him by the elbow. The murderous reiatsu stabbed at his gut making him falter for a moment.

"Yumichika, what is going on?" Kira asked incredulously.

"I told you never to speak to me," Yumi's voice was cold as ice.

"I don't understand. Why are you so angry with me?"

"You aren't worth the energy it would take for me explain it," Yumi sneered.

"That's enough," Kira snapped, the Lieutenant in him finally kicking in. "You will speak to your superiors accordingly…"

He had barely managed to get the sentence out when he found himself landing heavily on the ground. His jaw ached and there was a gash on the inside of his cheek where the skin had torn open against his teeth. He raised a hand to cup his cheek tenderly. Across from him, Yumichika stood still as a statue and as rigid as board.

"You are not my superior," Yumi stated, his hand still clenched in a fist. "Keep your filthy hands off of me."

"Yumichika, you attacked a Lieutenant! Are you aware of the punishment for such an act?"

"Stop hiding behind your title, Izuru. If you're angry, fight me like a man."

Pulling himself to his feet, Kira brushed himself off and maintained his composure.

"I have no need to fight you, Yumichika. I will look the other way this time and not report you. If you have some grudge against me, tell me what it is instead of pouting about it and lashing out like a child."

"Get over yourself, Izuru," Yumichika chuckled but there was no mirth in the sound. "I have no idea how you manage to look so snide and pathetic at the same time."

"Hold your tongue," Kira said as fiercely as he could manage.

"Or what? You'll tell on me? That would be very childish, Izuru."

"Enough, Yumichika! You're overstepping…"

"Save it, Kira. I won't listen to someone weaker than me. You think you can order me around because you hold the title of Lieutenant? The only reason you made it to that position is because Aizen saw the potential to manipulate you. How many captains have used you so far? Aizen, Ichimaru, oh and we can't forget Amagai. Really Kira, that snotty attitude of yours is completely unfounded. Do you think you're special because you're a minor noble? At least I have beauty to be vain about."

"Yumichika," Kira said, his hand gripping his sword, "This is the last time I'm going to warn you."

"Then what? You'll attack me? Bring it, bitch," Yumi taunted, borrowing a saying he heard too often by the goons in his division.

"You leave me no other choice," Kira said. "I will take no pleasure in doing this but you need to be taught a lesson. Raise your head, Wabisuke!"

Yumichika dodged the first blow with ease. "Even your Zanpakutō is ugly," he scoffed.

He insulted me, Kira heard Wabisuke scream.

He's just trying to get us riled up, Kira countered, keeping his calm with an extraordinary effort. Stay composed and we will defeat him easily. Watch his movements, there must be a way to incapacitate him without hurting him too much.

He insulted me! Wabisuke was furious, I want his head!

No, Kira hissed, Ikkaku would never forgive me. He could almost feel Wabisuke's smirk but he pushed it out of his thoughts.

"Release your Zanpakutō, Yumichika," Kira demanded. "It wouldn't be right if I didn't at least give you a fighting chance."

"Bloom, Fuji Kujaku," Yumichika said with a secretive smirk.

Kira felt the rage build up in him. Such an insolent man! First he had insulted him, accused him of things that already weighed heavily on his shoulders, reopened wounds that had never really healed and now he was laughing at him! He wanted to wipe that smug grin off of Yumi's pretty face. No fifth seat would get away with speaking so rudely to his superior if Kira had anything to say about it.

"If you don't take this fight seriously, Yumichika, you may find it will be the last you see for a long time," Kira warned.

"I almost want to cover my eyes," Yumichika said. "Your eyes are even beadier when you're angry. You shouldn't wear so much product in your hair. It's as stiff as you are. It's very ugly. I wonder what Gin ever saw in you. Even as a puppet you're pathetic."

"Never say that name around me," Kira shrieked.

He charged forward sword crashing down several times in rapid succession. Yumichika dodged most of the blows but a few he had to block with Fuji Kujaku. Once, Yumichika barely noticed the difference, twice, still manageable, three times, getting heavier now, finally a forth. The now heavy blade thudded on the ground and Yumichika could not seem to lift it anymore. Satisfied, Kira backed off, his condescending sneer back in place.

"It was futile for a 5th seat to challenge a Lieutenant," Kira said, sheathing his sword. "Now you cannot deny that I am your superior. From now on, you will address me appropriately."

Yumichika's eyes were glued to his Zanpakutō. For a long while, he remained motionless and silent. Kira was about to walk off, having already made his point but then he noticed the shaking of Yumichika's shoulders. Immediately, guilt sliced through his stomach. He rushed over to his friend, scolding himself thoroughly for getting so caught up in heated words. He should have known better.

"Oh, Yumichika. I'm sorry. I should never have… Please don't cry…"

Yumi's head shot up but instead of tears, Kira saw delight. Yumichika wore the grin that was usually seen on Kenpachi in the throes of battle. His shoulders were shaking but not in anguish. Laughter burst into his ears and Kira shivered at the sound. There was a wild fire in Yumichika's eyes, a bloodlust that belonged only to the men of the 11th division. Never had Kira ever seen it directed at another Shinigami but this look was for him alone. He stumbled back, stunned and confused, his hand groping automatically for Wabisuke.

"Split and deviate, Ruri'iro Kujaku," Yumichika called.

Blue vines burst forth from peacock feathers and a sense of dread filled the air. Kira tried belatedly to flee but it was too late, the vines wove around him, stilling him, draining him of his energy. What in the world was this? He could move, he couldn't even reach for Wabisuke but even if he could, what would his sword do against such an ability? Kira's breathing became laboured and he vaguely took notice of pretty, blue buds amongst the vines.

As Kira fell to his knees, Yumichika plucked a petal free, popped it in his mouth and then promptly spat it back out.

"Ugh! I should have guessed. Hisagi tasted so much better."

"Bankai?" Kira gasped.

"No. That was only my Shikai. Funny isn't it, a lowly 5th seat defeating a Lieutenant with such ease? I guess you can no longer deny that I am your superior."

"Why?"

"Stay away from Ikkaku," Yumichika warned, cutting straight to the point.

"What?"

"I know what you're up to. I know why you stopped me from going after him in Karakura. Stay away from him."

"Ikkaku is… my… f… friend… You can't… keep… him from me…"

"So you haven't learned you lesson yet," Yumichika tisked. "Well now what should I do? I don't want any more of your disgusting reiatsu tainting Ruri'iro Kujaku beautiful petals so… Ah! I know. Since you're a kidou expert, I'll use that!"

With that Ruri'iro Kujaku returned to normal and was promptly sheathed.

"Now, which spell shall I use?" Yumi mused in the manner of one choosing his favourite treat from the bakery.

Kira's heart sank. This was bad. Very, very bad! He was in no position to counter any attack at the moment. He hardly had the energy to lift his head. He couldn't run away. He had to try and talk his way out of this. Surely Yumichika would see reason. He wasn't like the other brutes in the 11th Division.

"Y… Yumichika… please… d… don't do… this," Kira stuttered out of a combination of exhaustion and fear.

"Don't beg, Izuru," Yumichika chided. "It's so ugly. Now let me see. So many beautiful spells to choose from… Which one? Ah, I know!"

"Yumi!" Kira shrieked, the terror evident in his voice, "I'm sorry!"

"Too late," Yumichika shrugged gleefully. Oh, he was going to enjoy this! "Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south…"

A red ball of flame appeared at the tip of Yumichika's dainty finger, growing steadily with each recited word of the incantation. Kira's eyes widened, his pupils shrank, sweat dripped down his forehead. There was no escape! He could be killed! He could die right here, right now and who would mourn him? He had never known the feeling of being loved. Loved so completely, like he had loved his Taicho, his ever present smile, his roguish accent, his silken silver hair… He had never thought it would end this way. He had just wanted to feel loved, was that so wrong?

It wasn't supposed to have been like this. He hadn't meant to fall for Ikkaku. It just couldn't be helped. He had seen the way Ikkaku loved Yumichika and he had been jealous and confused. How could Ikkaku love someone as completely opposite, someone so over the top and vain? But Ikkaku did love him, he loved him the way that Kira yearned to be loved. He wanted that love directed at him. So he had flirted and made a few advances but he had been so sure he was being subtle, he had never done anything in Yumichika's presence to set off any alarms. He hadn't wanted to break them up or anything… well, not really… not on purpose…

How had Yumichika found out? He hadn't even voiced his feeling aloud. Was Yumichika really all that intuitive or was he still sore that Kira had knocked him out during the fake Karakura battle? Kira hadn't done it maliciously. He was almost certain he hadn't done it so that he could go save Ikkaku himself. He had done it because Yumichika had been hysterical and he had spoken so rudely to Hisagi. Yes, that was why he had done it. He also hadn't wanted Yumichika to get hurt. After all, Ikkaku would have been furious if Yumichika had been hurt and he had done nothing to prevent it. Kira never wanted Ikkaku to be upset with him. What chance would he have had to win him over then? But what did it all matter now? What he had wanted, what he had meant, what his motives had been?

"Hado No. 31," Yumi continued, his voice light and airy. All traces of the anger and resentment that had been present when Kira approached him earlier had vanished.

Kira knew… hoped Yumichika wouldn't kill him but he also knew that this would hurt like hell. He would be incapacitated for a long time. How would he explain this to his fellow Lieutenants and worse, the Captains? How would he be able to look them in the face and admit he had been so easily defeated by a 5th seat? Perhaps they wouldn't look at him any differently. He already saw the pity in their eyes. Yumichika was right, he was pathetic. He closed his eyes and braced himself for the impact, for the pain…

"Red fire…"

There was an eerie silence. Was that it? Was it done? Was he dead? He hadn't felt anything. Kira's eyes were still clenched shut but he knew Yumichika hadn't finished the spell. Had he had a change of heart? He slowly opened one eye and peered over in the direction of his opponent but something or someone was blocking his view of Yumichika.

"What the hell are you doing, Yumi," came an angry voice.

"I… Ikkaku," Yumichika gasped, "How long have you been there?"

Thank the gods! Kira thought in relief. He doubted anyone else would have been able to save him.

"Long enough," Ikkaku growled.

"Ikkaku," Yumi began somewhere between desperate and defiant, "don't interfere."

"That's enough, Yumichika. Back off."

"You're protecting him?" Yumichika seethed. "Him? From me?"

"Back off, Yumi," Ikkaku repeated, his voice hard and tight, leaving no room for argument. "Get back to the patrol. We'll talk later."

With that, Ikkaku turned on his heel, tossed Kira's limp form over his shoulder and shunpoed away. Yumichika was left alone, watching the man loved leave with the man trying to steal him underhandedly slung over his shoulder. He felt a flurry of emotions but beyond the anger, the bitterness and hurt, there was an unshakable sense of dread pooling in the pit of Yumichika's stomach. How much had Ikkaku seen?