Decisions [Bleach, Kensei/Shuuhei, PG]
Title: Decisions
Author/Artist: ann89103
Rating: PG
Warnings: A few swear words
Prompt: March 5 - Bleach, Kensei/Shuuhei: Abduction as seduction - subtlety was wasted on some people
Word count: 2,295
A/N: Requestor, my apologies for the late post and appalling lack of smut: maybe in a sequel? Shuuhei doesn’t put out on the first abduction 'date.'
***
Muguruma Kensei normally wasn’t an indecisive man, but he had been struggling with this choice for nearly six months. Ever since the successful end of the winter war and improved relations between shinigami and vizard, he had spent as much time in Seireitei as he had on Earth: a part of both worlds, but committed to neither.
He was almost jealous of how easily his fellow vizard had made their decisions to return permanently to their old home: only Lisa hadn’t made a firm commitment to Soul Society, and that was only because she was holding out for more groveling (and cases of higher-quality sake) from her former taichou. Kensei had no doubt she’d get it, too.
The thing is, it should have been a simple matter: Kensei trusted his instincts - they rarely led him wrong - and his gut feeling said it was time to reclaim his life, his home, his division.
Only… it wasn’t his division anymore, was it? Over a hundred years had elapsed: a hundred years of treachery disguised as piety and justice in the hands of a blind man bent on destroying the division from within. No-one from his time as captain remained in the barracks: the only person who recognized him was someone he recalled as a snot-nosed Rukongai kid with uncommon strength and determination shining though large, tear-stained eyes.
That kid - Hisagi Shuuhei - was now a grown man serving as vice-captain and acting captain of the Ninth and Kensei still wasn’t sure how he felt about that. Hisagi had impressed him on the battlefield with his smarts and fortitude, even as Kensei cringed over some of the philosophies the man had picked up from Tousen. Kensei was torn between wanting to mentor the young man as he matured into captain material and giving him a good, hard slap to the head.
The unexpected, stubbornly insistent twinges of desire he was experiencing for the man during each recent encounter didn’t help matters at all.
Life on Earth had been comfortable, and certainly allowed for more freedom: returning to Seireitei and its more rigid, military-based culture chafed on his individualistic nature. But with each day spent in Soul Society, he recognized parts of his previous life he missed: the brash, easy camaraderie with the captains he’d once worked with; the simple enjoyment of a productive, hard day’s work; testing his skills and strength against talented, worthy opponents; and enjoying the simple pleasures of a life - tasty meals and strong alcohol, shared with good company.
He enjoyed spending time with Hisagi. Kensei had initially expected more of the same hero-worship he’d remembered from the then-child, especially considering the stunned, hopeful, revealing look Hisagi had given him upon first seeing him on the battlefield against Aizen’s warriors. If there was one thing the young man would need to work on, it was schooling his facial expressions better: Hisagi was far too easy to read once he was roused to stronger emotions. Kensei tried not to consider how appealing that characteristic would be in bed.
But in this case Hisagi had surprised him: the young man was indeed enthusiastic about Kensei’s proposed return to the Ninth division, but conducted himself in a professional, serious manner. It took a few weeks - and a few discussions with people who’s opinion he still trusted, such as Ukitake and Unohana - for him to accept and appreciate this as Hisagi’s usual personality and to start developing a strong working relationship with the vice captain. He was pleased with the intelligence Hisagi showed and his strong work ethic - especially since his former fukutaichou had decided to join forces with Kusajishi Yachiru in wreaking havoc upon the Eleventh division, much to Zaraki Kenpachi’s expressed dismay (and hidden delight) - and only worried about the younger man’s penchant for restraining his power, abilities and emotions behind that controlled, stoic outward persona.
If Tousen wasn’t already dead, Kensei would make him pay for that as well.
But Kensei was more concerned with his reaction to Hisagi: the physical attraction he felt was immediate and compelling, and over the past six months had shown no sign of abating. He risked putting the vice captain in a very uncomfortable position both professionally and personally, especially if the attraction remained (as it appeared to be, from Kensei’s perspective) one-sided.
Hisagi respected him, it was clear: he took Kensei’s ideas and advice seriously when given, asking detailed questions when needing more specifics about the concepts. He also studied Kensei intently, especially in training sessions with their zanpakuto. Kensei found it arousing, challenging, to sense those dark, intense eyes focused exclusively on him: he didn’t want that look to ever change into a remote, guarded distance, or worse, disgust.
Kensei knew he had to make a decision about returning as captain: it wasn’t fair to the division or Hisagi for him to keep them in suspense. As he walked from the Ninth division training grounds after an intensive workout towards the temporary quarters assigned to him during his visits, he promised himself to do so tonight, after a quick dinner and a few stiff drinks.
Relieved the uncertainty would be over, Kensei smiled - a wide, almost scary stretch of facial features that exposed large, white teeth - as the intensity of the wind gusts around him rose unexpectedly, causing more than a few red and gold autumnal leaves to escape nearby trees and swirl around the area, a large clump of them close enough to temporarily obscure his vision.
Sometimes he didn’t know his own strength, Kensei smugly decided. It was only when he felt a chain swiftly wrap around his left ankle and the sharp burst of electricity from a kidou spell upon the iron links race though his body that he recognized the winds generated were not his own, though very similar.
But by then it was too late: one abrupt blow to his temple later and Kensei was unconscious.
***
He couldn’t have been insensible for more than ten minutes, but when he awoke, Kensei found himself in an unexpected, but completely familiar location: his old private quarters at the Ninth division.
Of course, he usually wasn’t chained with reiatsu-dampening shackles to a sturdy wooden chair in the large main room, facing a table with assorted simple appetizers, a bottle of sake and two porcelain cups. And normally there would not be a cool, composed fukutaichou seated across from him, pouring sake into both cups and waiting patiently for Kensei’s first words.
He was curious - and certainly intrigued - by Hisagi’s unexpected behavior, but naturally Kensei expressed his feelings in his customary, blunt manner:
“What the fuck is wrong with you, kid!?!”
In a polite, even tone Hisagi answered, “I was hoping to have a discussion with you, Muguruma-san. In any event, please do not address me as ‘kid’: I haven’t been one for quite some time now.”
Kensei snorted inelegantly at the request while pulling at the restraints with no success. “And you couldn’t ask me for a meeting? I had no idea you were into the rough stuff, kid.”
Hisagi’s responded with a wry smile that touched just the very corners of his mouth and, “It appears you have very little understanding about anything I am into: that is one of the things I would like to talk about. Of course, more important to me is your intentions regarding Seireitei and the division.”
That made Kensei pause for a few seconds, studying the young man before him with greater scrutiny and respect before replying, “That I can understand, though not why you felt you had to kidnap me to do so. Your behavior is usually far more circumspect than this, Hisagi.”
Hisagi placed the bottle back on the table and pushed one of the cups across to Kensei, just within arm’s reach… if his hands weren’t shackled to the chair. Kensei grimaced, more than certain he would need that drink as the younger man said, “I do prefer more traditional methods and actions, Muguruma-san, but subtlety seems to be wasted on you. I assume I have your full attention now?”
Kensei didn’t need the drink: he needed the whole fucking bottle. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, Hisagi, I give up: get these damned chains off me and we’ll talk,” Kensei growled. “I promise not to beat you into the ground tonight for this stunt you pulled, but won’t guarantee that I won’t kick your ass from here to the main gate and back tomorrow.”
Hisagi rose from his seat in one swift motion, producing a key from a hidden pocket in his shihakushou as he made his way to Kensei’s side.
Kensei’s eyes widened in disbelief as the other man approached. “You’re not actually going to release me, are you?” he asked, the shock easily conveyed in his voice. “Are you really that stupid, Hisagi, or just insane?”
Hisagi paused in his movements, the key held mere inches away from one of Kensei’s restrained wrists. “Are you saying I should leave you tied up?” he inquired with an unexpected, charged intensity.
“You don’t give an opponent their freedom at the first sign of acquiescence,” Kensei nearly shouted, “and you don’t give an enemy an opening to attack! What the hell did that idiot Tousen do to you?”
Hisagi pinned him with a sharp glare, dark grey eyes looking almost black when this close, and flatly stated, “Muguruma-san, you are not an opponent to this division, and you will never be my enemy. I am prepared for whatever actions you take, taichou.” With that last harshly pronounced word, Hisagi slipped the key into the first shackle, then promptly opened the remaining bindings before returning to his original seat.
Kensei remained unmoving, because there were far too many conflicting actions he wanted to take. He wanted to lash out at his infuriating companion, Tachikaze eager to show the other man how to really command the wind; he wanted to yell at Hisagi for his recklessness and presumption; he wanted to drain the sake on the table, then head to the nearest tavern and down a half-dozen bottles more; finally, he wanted to reach across the table and grab Hisagi by that ever-present choker, pull the other man onto the table, strip him bare and fuck him senseless.
Finally, Kensei simply brought his waiting cup of sake to his lips and drained the contents easily. Then he eyed the other man, carefully, considering: he could be patient too.
Pleased that Hisagi remained composed while waiting for him to react, Kensei grinned, finally moving past the surprise of tonight’s events into a more relaxed, even amused, state of mind.
He’d always known the kid had guts.
“So, Hisagi-fukutaichou,” Kensei started, acknowledging the man and his title with ease, “what’s on your mind?”
***
For the next hour and a half they sat at the table, enjoying the food and sake (Kensei was both pleased and relieved to learn there was more alcohol available) while discussing the present - and future - of the Ninth division. Kensei enjoyed himself immensely - he found Hisagi’s hesitant explanation for the appetizer selection, finger foods chosen to eliminate the need for sharp cutlery in the room to be especially hilarious - comfortable with the younger man in a way he had hoped for but truly hadn’t expected to be.
Hisagi seemed at peace as well, the slight flush on heated skin indicative of both laughter rarely released and a low level of inebriation.
Kensei knew now that he had made the right choice to stay in Seireitei. He rose, and with a long, leisurely stretch of his upper body and a yawn he made clear his intention to return to his assigned room.
“Wait, Muguruma-san,” Hisagi started, but Kensei cut him off.
“None of that, kid. Outside of work it’s going to be Kensei, got that? I‘ve never been big on the formalities.”
For someone who ambushed and kidnapped him only a few hours earlier, Hisagi was still amusingly proper with him most of the time: Kensei looked forward to breaking the other man of the habit, even has he tried not to think of other things he could teach him.
“Only if you use Shuuhei instead of ‘kid’ when we’re off-duty, Kensei. Honestly, it’s annoying,” Hisagi replied, more than a touch of irritation in the comment.
“But you don’t have to leave,” he continued in a more assured manner before Kensei could reach the door, “this is your home now.”
Kensei turned back, raising an arched eyebrow at his companion. “I though you had taken these rooms as your own, Shuuhei. As acting captain you had the right.”
Hisagi replied, “No, I just had them readied for your return. Even if you didn’t realize at first that you belong here, Kensei, I did. You have unfinished business, you and the other vizard: I expect you all will be residing in Seireitei for hundreds of years to come.”
Kensei couldn’t help grinning at that comment, amazed at Hisagi‘s insight: he just knew Shinji and his fellow vizard would shake things up in Soul Society, and Kensei looked forward to helping them do so. The grin almost slipped off Kensei’s face, only to return doubled in intensity when he heard Shuuhei’s last remark before his lieutenant excused himself for the night:
“Besides, my private rooms are just across the hall from here. I’m in no hurry to push you out the door, taichou: I‘ll be sleeping in these chambers soon enough.”
Kensei threw his head back and laughed, a rich, vibrant sound. He found himself agreeing with his crafty, provocative fukutaichou: subtlety truly was wasted on Kensei, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Author/Artist: ann89103
Rating: PG
Warnings: A few swear words
Prompt: March 5 - Bleach, Kensei/Shuuhei: Abduction as seduction - subtlety was wasted on some people
Word count: 2,295
A/N: Requestor, my apologies for the late post and appalling lack of smut: maybe in a sequel? Shuuhei doesn’t put out on the first abduction 'date.'
***
Muguruma Kensei normally wasn’t an indecisive man, but he had been struggling with this choice for nearly six months. Ever since the successful end of the winter war and improved relations between shinigami and vizard, he had spent as much time in Seireitei as he had on Earth: a part of both worlds, but committed to neither.
He was almost jealous of how easily his fellow vizard had made their decisions to return permanently to their old home: only Lisa hadn’t made a firm commitment to Soul Society, and that was only because she was holding out for more groveling (and cases of higher-quality sake) from her former taichou. Kensei had no doubt she’d get it, too.
The thing is, it should have been a simple matter: Kensei trusted his instincts - they rarely led him wrong - and his gut feeling said it was time to reclaim his life, his home, his division.
Only… it wasn’t his division anymore, was it? Over a hundred years had elapsed: a hundred years of treachery disguised as piety and justice in the hands of a blind man bent on destroying the division from within. No-one from his time as captain remained in the barracks: the only person who recognized him was someone he recalled as a snot-nosed Rukongai kid with uncommon strength and determination shining though large, tear-stained eyes.
That kid - Hisagi Shuuhei - was now a grown man serving as vice-captain and acting captain of the Ninth and Kensei still wasn’t sure how he felt about that. Hisagi had impressed him on the battlefield with his smarts and fortitude, even as Kensei cringed over some of the philosophies the man had picked up from Tousen. Kensei was torn between wanting to mentor the young man as he matured into captain material and giving him a good, hard slap to the head.
The unexpected, stubbornly insistent twinges of desire he was experiencing for the man during each recent encounter didn’t help matters at all.
Life on Earth had been comfortable, and certainly allowed for more freedom: returning to Seireitei and its more rigid, military-based culture chafed on his individualistic nature. But with each day spent in Soul Society, he recognized parts of his previous life he missed: the brash, easy camaraderie with the captains he’d once worked with; the simple enjoyment of a productive, hard day’s work; testing his skills and strength against talented, worthy opponents; and enjoying the simple pleasures of a life - tasty meals and strong alcohol, shared with good company.
He enjoyed spending time with Hisagi. Kensei had initially expected more of the same hero-worship he’d remembered from the then-child, especially considering the stunned, hopeful, revealing look Hisagi had given him upon first seeing him on the battlefield against Aizen’s warriors. If there was one thing the young man would need to work on, it was schooling his facial expressions better: Hisagi was far too easy to read once he was roused to stronger emotions. Kensei tried not to consider how appealing that characteristic would be in bed.
But in this case Hisagi had surprised him: the young man was indeed enthusiastic about Kensei’s proposed return to the Ninth division, but conducted himself in a professional, serious manner. It took a few weeks - and a few discussions with people who’s opinion he still trusted, such as Ukitake and Unohana - for him to accept and appreciate this as Hisagi’s usual personality and to start developing a strong working relationship with the vice captain. He was pleased with the intelligence Hisagi showed and his strong work ethic - especially since his former fukutaichou had decided to join forces with Kusajishi Yachiru in wreaking havoc upon the Eleventh division, much to Zaraki Kenpachi’s expressed dismay (and hidden delight) - and only worried about the younger man’s penchant for restraining his power, abilities and emotions behind that controlled, stoic outward persona.
If Tousen wasn’t already dead, Kensei would make him pay for that as well.
But Kensei was more concerned with his reaction to Hisagi: the physical attraction he felt was immediate and compelling, and over the past six months had shown no sign of abating. He risked putting the vice captain in a very uncomfortable position both professionally and personally, especially if the attraction remained (as it appeared to be, from Kensei’s perspective) one-sided.
Hisagi respected him, it was clear: he took Kensei’s ideas and advice seriously when given, asking detailed questions when needing more specifics about the concepts. He also studied Kensei intently, especially in training sessions with their zanpakuto. Kensei found it arousing, challenging, to sense those dark, intense eyes focused exclusively on him: he didn’t want that look to ever change into a remote, guarded distance, or worse, disgust.
Kensei knew he had to make a decision about returning as captain: it wasn’t fair to the division or Hisagi for him to keep them in suspense. As he walked from the Ninth division training grounds after an intensive workout towards the temporary quarters assigned to him during his visits, he promised himself to do so tonight, after a quick dinner and a few stiff drinks.
Relieved the uncertainty would be over, Kensei smiled - a wide, almost scary stretch of facial features that exposed large, white teeth - as the intensity of the wind gusts around him rose unexpectedly, causing more than a few red and gold autumnal leaves to escape nearby trees and swirl around the area, a large clump of them close enough to temporarily obscure his vision.
Sometimes he didn’t know his own strength, Kensei smugly decided. It was only when he felt a chain swiftly wrap around his left ankle and the sharp burst of electricity from a kidou spell upon the iron links race though his body that he recognized the winds generated were not his own, though very similar.
But by then it was too late: one abrupt blow to his temple later and Kensei was unconscious.
***
He couldn’t have been insensible for more than ten minutes, but when he awoke, Kensei found himself in an unexpected, but completely familiar location: his old private quarters at the Ninth division.
Of course, he usually wasn’t chained with reiatsu-dampening shackles to a sturdy wooden chair in the large main room, facing a table with assorted simple appetizers, a bottle of sake and two porcelain cups. And normally there would not be a cool, composed fukutaichou seated across from him, pouring sake into both cups and waiting patiently for Kensei’s first words.
He was curious - and certainly intrigued - by Hisagi’s unexpected behavior, but naturally Kensei expressed his feelings in his customary, blunt manner:
“What the fuck is wrong with you, kid!?!”
In a polite, even tone Hisagi answered, “I was hoping to have a discussion with you, Muguruma-san. In any event, please do not address me as ‘kid’: I haven’t been one for quite some time now.”
Kensei snorted inelegantly at the request while pulling at the restraints with no success. “And you couldn’t ask me for a meeting? I had no idea you were into the rough stuff, kid.”
Hisagi’s responded with a wry smile that touched just the very corners of his mouth and, “It appears you have very little understanding about anything I am into: that is one of the things I would like to talk about. Of course, more important to me is your intentions regarding Seireitei and the division.”
That made Kensei pause for a few seconds, studying the young man before him with greater scrutiny and respect before replying, “That I can understand, though not why you felt you had to kidnap me to do so. Your behavior is usually far more circumspect than this, Hisagi.”
Hisagi placed the bottle back on the table and pushed one of the cups across to Kensei, just within arm’s reach… if his hands weren’t shackled to the chair. Kensei grimaced, more than certain he would need that drink as the younger man said, “I do prefer more traditional methods and actions, Muguruma-san, but subtlety seems to be wasted on you. I assume I have your full attention now?”
Kensei didn’t need the drink: he needed the whole fucking bottle. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, Hisagi, I give up: get these damned chains off me and we’ll talk,” Kensei growled. “I promise not to beat you into the ground tonight for this stunt you pulled, but won’t guarantee that I won’t kick your ass from here to the main gate and back tomorrow.”
Hisagi rose from his seat in one swift motion, producing a key from a hidden pocket in his shihakushou as he made his way to Kensei’s side.
Kensei’s eyes widened in disbelief as the other man approached. “You’re not actually going to release me, are you?” he asked, the shock easily conveyed in his voice. “Are you really that stupid, Hisagi, or just insane?”
Hisagi paused in his movements, the key held mere inches away from one of Kensei’s restrained wrists. “Are you saying I should leave you tied up?” he inquired with an unexpected, charged intensity.
“You don’t give an opponent their freedom at the first sign of acquiescence,” Kensei nearly shouted, “and you don’t give an enemy an opening to attack! What the hell did that idiot Tousen do to you?”
Hisagi pinned him with a sharp glare, dark grey eyes looking almost black when this close, and flatly stated, “Muguruma-san, you are not an opponent to this division, and you will never be my enemy. I am prepared for whatever actions you take, taichou.” With that last harshly pronounced word, Hisagi slipped the key into the first shackle, then promptly opened the remaining bindings before returning to his original seat.
Kensei remained unmoving, because there were far too many conflicting actions he wanted to take. He wanted to lash out at his infuriating companion, Tachikaze eager to show the other man how to really command the wind; he wanted to yell at Hisagi for his recklessness and presumption; he wanted to drain the sake on the table, then head to the nearest tavern and down a half-dozen bottles more; finally, he wanted to reach across the table and grab Hisagi by that ever-present choker, pull the other man onto the table, strip him bare and fuck him senseless.
Finally, Kensei simply brought his waiting cup of sake to his lips and drained the contents easily. Then he eyed the other man, carefully, considering: he could be patient too.
Pleased that Hisagi remained composed while waiting for him to react, Kensei grinned, finally moving past the surprise of tonight’s events into a more relaxed, even amused, state of mind.
He’d always known the kid had guts.
“So, Hisagi-fukutaichou,” Kensei started, acknowledging the man and his title with ease, “what’s on your mind?”
***
For the next hour and a half they sat at the table, enjoying the food and sake (Kensei was both pleased and relieved to learn there was more alcohol available) while discussing the present - and future - of the Ninth division. Kensei enjoyed himself immensely - he found Hisagi’s hesitant explanation for the appetizer selection, finger foods chosen to eliminate the need for sharp cutlery in the room to be especially hilarious - comfortable with the younger man in a way he had hoped for but truly hadn’t expected to be.
Hisagi seemed at peace as well, the slight flush on heated skin indicative of both laughter rarely released and a low level of inebriation.
Kensei knew now that he had made the right choice to stay in Seireitei. He rose, and with a long, leisurely stretch of his upper body and a yawn he made clear his intention to return to his assigned room.
“Wait, Muguruma-san,” Hisagi started, but Kensei cut him off.
“None of that, kid. Outside of work it’s going to be Kensei, got that? I‘ve never been big on the formalities.”
For someone who ambushed and kidnapped him only a few hours earlier, Hisagi was still amusingly proper with him most of the time: Kensei looked forward to breaking the other man of the habit, even has he tried not to think of other things he could teach him.
“Only if you use Shuuhei instead of ‘kid’ when we’re off-duty, Kensei. Honestly, it’s annoying,” Hisagi replied, more than a touch of irritation in the comment.
“But you don’t have to leave,” he continued in a more assured manner before Kensei could reach the door, “this is your home now.”
Kensei turned back, raising an arched eyebrow at his companion. “I though you had taken these rooms as your own, Shuuhei. As acting captain you had the right.”
Hisagi replied, “No, I just had them readied for your return. Even if you didn’t realize at first that you belong here, Kensei, I did. You have unfinished business, you and the other vizard: I expect you all will be residing in Seireitei for hundreds of years to come.”
Kensei couldn’t help grinning at that comment, amazed at Hisagi‘s insight: he just knew Shinji and his fellow vizard would shake things up in Soul Society, and Kensei looked forward to helping them do so. The grin almost slipped off Kensei’s face, only to return doubled in intensity when he heard Shuuhei’s last remark before his lieutenant excused himself for the night:
“Besides, my private rooms are just across the hall from here. I’m in no hurry to push you out the door, taichou: I‘ll be sleeping in these chambers soon enough.”
Kensei threw his head back and laughed, a rich, vibrant sound. He found himself agreeing with his crafty, provocative fukutaichou: subtlety truly was wasted on Kensei, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.