Second Request - dr_nee
This is the second request I received from bleach_yaoi from the user dr_nee .... enjoy
Title : Mere Coincidence
Rating : PG
Prompt : How Ikkaku and Yumachika first met - from dr_nee
Word count : 1026
Disclaimer : Still don't own Bleach - woe is me
Mere Coincidence
Madarame Ikkaku was bored, he hadn’t had a fight in two days and he was beginning to get bad tempered. At fifteen he was tall for his age and his rangy muscles showed promising signs of turning into significant bulk in the future; his shaved head gave him an air of danger in an already dangerous neighbourhood - or so he liked to believe - and his expression was always one of scowling challenge.
Muttering to himself about how cowardly the residents of this district were Ikkaku meandered down the dirty streets looking for a challenge, it was by sheer coincidence that the tatty notice displayed on the side of the building caught his notice; as he read it a slow grin began to spread across his features - this would be fun.
*
Ayasegawa Yumachika shivered as he pulled the tatty clothes around him for warmth, he swore if he ever found a way out of this slavery he would wear nothing but warm full clothes in beautiful colours. As rain started to slowly fall he cursed loudly and tried to protect the basket of food his master had ordered him to collect; as he turned the thick steel collar marking him a slave stood out in sharp contrast to his pale skin.
Although slavery was technically illegal in all parts of Soul Society it was a common practice in the deeper seedier districts of Rukongai; Yumachika had been born a slave and the only possible way out was to earn enough money to buy himself.
Like that is ever going to happen, he thought dismally, remembering the tiny amount of coins he had saved. It was hard for him to find the time to make money of his own when he was running errands for his master night and day; his eyes were constantly darting as he moved along, looking for any potential source of income, so he easily spotted the handbill taped to the wall. As he read it a slow burning sensation spread through him as hope fired in his brain, this would be it - freedom.
*
The huge warehouse was crumbling now and rarely used, but tonight it was packed solidly with the sweaty stinking bodies of the scum of Rukongai; the event of the year was happening and nobody wanted to miss it.
Ikkaku was high on the adrenaline of the fight; he couldn’t believe there was really a tournament for people like him with no rules as long as only one man was standing at the end. Of course he had won every fight so far - Madarame Ikkaku never lost a fight.
Yumachika was gasping for breath as yet another round ended with him as the victor, his tattered clothes were almost indecent now and a large purple bruise marred the side of his face; but for some reason he couldn’t describe he was enjoying himself. The sheer adrenaline of knowing he was fighting for his freedom had seen him through the first few rounds and, slowly but surely, he had begun to realise he was enjoying the fight just for the sheer joy of fighting.
The hours had passed in a blur of the roar from the assembled crowd who bayed and screamed whenever blood was drawn or a blow landed, the stench of sweat mingled with the coppery tang of blood and at last the final two contestants stood opposite one another.
Ikkaku looked at the scrawny specimen in front of him with barely disguised contempt, there was no way this skinny scrap of a boy would pose any threat to him; he grinned and rudely gestured to the poor boy.
Yumachika’s heart sank when he observed the man he was to fight, barely a year or so older than him but almost half again as tall with muscles that rippled when he moved. He barely had a scratch on him, whilst Yumachika was already bloodied and bruised; but a fierce determination shone in his eyes and in the set of his jaw - there was no way he was going to lose now.
Those who were watching could scarcely believe what happened next; it only took an instant and the fight was over, the favourite - the tall, strong boy - leapt forwards over-confidently swinging his fists furiously. The other side-stepped in a curiously graceful manner completely surprising the bald-headed man who stumbled off balance; Yumachika, sensing a turn in his fortunes, spun swiftly and landed a blow on the back of Ikkaku’s head knocking him clean out.
The crowd was silent for a long moment before erupting in cheers, as the prize money was placed in his hands Yumachika could feel tears stinging his face - he was free.
*
It took several days for Ikkaku to track down the boy who had beaten him; burning with rage and embarrassment he had worked tirelessly until he finally found who he was looking for. When he first saw Yumachika again he wasn’t even sure it was the same boy; he was clean now and had managed to find some odd feathered decorations which he had stuck proudly to his eyelashes; his clothes were still poor but at least they were clean and repaired.
“HEY YOU!” Ikkaku yelled, striding over to him with his face contorted with rage. “I owe you another fight.”
Yumachika looked up disdainfully at the older boy ranting and raving; that would normally have reduced him to apologies and tears in the old days but since winning his freedom in that brutal contest he was no longer prepared to put up with that.
“You shouldn’t shout; it makes you look so ugly.” He said, surprised at his own words.
For a moment Ikkaku just stood there with his mouth open in shock at the ridiculous statement but then he threw back his head and laughed; holding out a hand he looked at the other boy with a newfound respect.
“I’m Madarame Ikkaku.”
Yumachika looked at the outstretched hand for a long moment, somehow aware that if he took it his life would be forever altered; slowly he stretched out his own and the two men shook hands.
“Ayasegawa Yumachika.”