There for Each Other Chapter Three (Bleach, Rose/Love)
Title - There for Each Other Chapter Three
Disclaimer - Don't own any of the characters, I just lock myself in my room and make them bend to my muse's will.
Rating - Doesn’t start out at M but it will find its way there, we’ll just start out with T for now.
Word Count - 4,650
Warning - There is het in here (Lisa/Love & YoruHara) but this will be yaoi so there are some overtones, if that bothers you (or vise versa).
Summary - It began with a stranger rescuing a stranger and went on from there. Love & Rose's story from Academy, Soul Society & beyond. There will be angst, UNF to the max, meddlesome YoruHara with help from a certain raven-haired be-spectacled visored - & let's throw in a Kuchiki!
Back to Chapter Two!
Matriculation
The applicants that were on the list went first. Rukongai-born or noble, each went in order by date of sign-up, until the last was reached on the long list under Honorary (real after graduation) Fifth Seat of the eighth division Lisa Yadōmaru’s glasses.
“Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō?”
The noble’s blond head soon poked through the doorway and searched the room. “Oh, didn’t know it was a spectator event.”
“These are just the representation of some of the organizations that seek students from the Academy,” Yamamoto explained evenly, making sure to only partly contain a fraction of his reiatsu. Most couldn’t handle its full weight and unfortunately for most of the recruits a fraction of a percent of it was too much.
“Yamamoto-soutaichō,” Rōjūrō stepped just inside the room, his hands picking at the sleeves of his kimono. “Could another applicant join me?”
“I don’t need --” Protested loudly from nearby and Rōjūrō moved faster than Aikawa was prepared for, pulling him into sight by his arm. “Man!”
“C’mon Love!” Rōjūrō laughed.
Just being in close proximity to this room proved they should be applying. Neither seemed to have difficulty in the face of a roomful of spiritual pressures.
“Stand there, the both of you,” Yamamoto indicated the spot a few feet from the panel, dead center, before the soutaichō. “Your name boy.”
Aikawa frowned a moment focusing on the sea of faces and the harsh pressure on his skin. “Aikawa.”
Yamamoto nodded at Aikawa and tilted his head to peer along the panel to Lisa, who was leaning back nonchalantly to eavesdrop on Chikane Iba as she scolded her eldest boy. It only took a polite cough, its intent rippling through the small bit of relaxed reiatsu that couldn’t help but touch most of the room. “Lisa-chan?”
“Hai, soutaichō,” She quickly peered up and caught Aikawa’s gaze blushed and scribbled his name on her list. “Got it.”
“You are both here to attend Shinōreijutsuin, tell us your reason. Why should we spend money molding you?”
“I need to learn better control of my reiatsu,” Rōjūrō made himself fidget with his sleeves behind his back.
The answer was a gruff nod with a grunt and a slight angle change toward Aikawa.
“I…” Aikawa felt like he should stand up straighter, Rōjūrō looked like a damn board! “I didn’t really know about having reiatsu until earlier today,” He admitted with a shrug. “I’ve had it since I woke up here, it seems as natural to me as talking, walking, breathing…but still…New…So I’d like to learn about it…Rōjūrō here said you teach that here.”
“How did you find your way to the Academy then?” An older sage-haired woman dressed in the Academy’s Board of Governors grey kimono asked.
“Got tired of wandering aimlessly,” Aikawa shrugged and concentrated on the oppressive air, even Rōjūrō’s was harsh next to him. Kisuke’s warning about not passing out turned out to really help.
With the way his breath was stealthily and steadily being wheezed into his lungs in shallower, shorter gasps he might have not noticed until he lost consciousness if not warned beforehand. He was sure they would notice before long as they kept asking him questions.
“So you decided to walk towards…?” The same woman prompted.
“I was already goin’ this way when I decided to pick a direction, tried a straight line…”
Although Aikawa’s words were still smooth and hitchless Rōjūrō still leaned close to him and asked, “You all right? Yamamoto-jiji’s spiritual pressure is hard to stand sometimes.”
“Air’s heavy.”
Rōjūrō nodded, “Let your reiatsu relax and flow out around you. It’s supposed to protect you, support you, against another’s spiritual pressure.”
“Yes boy,” Yamamoto grunted. “You must learn how to breathe if you wish to stay here. I only teach a few classes here but there will always be reiatsu around you.”
“I…” Aikawa’s eyes moved to Rōjūrō’s and he marveled at the concern he saw in his lavender eyes. Collectively he’d only known the blond about an hour…the few weeks he’d walked alone glowering and half-worried about the blond didn’t count. Such a fool, he wondered at the noble’s friendly behavior.
‘You rescued me and you didn’t even know me,’ he’d said when Aikawa had inquired about it the first time. Rōjūrō had surprised him with an inescapable hand on his elbow guiding him to the classroom after he had attempted to leave the moment the noble’s attention was taken by the call of his name for his interview.
“When you came to my rescue…” Rōjūrō’s words were soft as if he could keep them from the reiatsu enhanced ears in the room. “I could feel your spiritual pressure through the wall. If you just relax and let it go like that, it will keep their pressure at bay so you can breathe easy.”
Wrinkles appeared in the smooth dark skin of Aikawa’s forehead as he digested the blond’s words. Relax? He hadn’t been relaxed when he felt through the walls of the bordello…that was the last thing he had been!
The press of the room’s reiatsu on his lungs was distracting to say the least but knowing it would ease granted Aikawa focus on the extra sense that was his spiritual pressure. As soon as he felt the quivering worry in the noble’s reiatsu beside him he found his breath came easy.
“Got it,” Aikawa nodded and looked over for a moment only to see that melancholy smile of Rōjūrō’s.
“Very well done Aikawa-kun,” The maze of Yamamoto’s wrinkled face rearranged and both applicants realized the old man was smiling a little under the misleading lines of his age. “Continue with your accounting.”
With a deep breath to boost his voice Aikawa spoke about Suwa and his decision based on the idea that his choice in direction might have been guided this way so he could become a student. A shinigami, who Aikawa had come to think of as protectors, something he just couldn’t seem to keep himself from doing when the need arose.
“Yamamoto-soutaichō,” Rōjūrō’s voice sliced in cleanly between Aikawa’s voice and the soutaichō’s next question. “I would like to mention this man’s footsteps took him near enough to me to save me from an ambush.”
Grey bush eyebrows lifted and Yamamoto nodded. “Thank you for broaching this subject Ōtoribashi-kun.”
The faculty member to the soutaichō’s right spoke, peering critically through two tiny-tiny circular pieces of smoky glass. “We have a missive here,” He held up a sheaf of parchment. “From Ito Hanta, under-signed by your father.”
Golden lashes slammed down on what had to have been righteous anger in sharp lavender eyes. Rōjūrō lowered his head and although his spiritual pressure lessened, Aikawa could tell it was still protecting the noble. “Hai?”
“Although the landlord was quiet pleased at the aborted arson, the owner thought you were involved…Said you had used your combat training - taught only to protect your noble self - on whomever you fancy,” The bespectacled professor let his eyes scan over the paper in his hand.
“That was an accident.”
Aikawa couldn’t keep himself from swiveling his eyes around to the noble in barely contained disbelief. Rōjūrō’s blond head was still bowed but his eyes were studying his toes. “Naw.”
“Aikawa-san?” The professor paused.
“I didn’t know he was the owner,” Aikawa saw Rōjūrō’s head turn in disbelief much like he himself had been treated to mere moments ago. “He tried to warn me against it.”
“Is this true?” Yamamoto asked Rōjūrō, who only shrugged. “Ōtoribashi-kun?”
“H-hai,” Rōjūrō nodded.
They were quiet a moment, taking notes. “So you can fight Aikawa-kun?”
“Not like fancy feet here, but I get the job done,” Aikawa then voiced something he’d never let past his own silent thoughts. “Died fightin’.” Aikawa felt uneasy as a loud collective murmur filled the room at his words.
“Aikawa-kun we thank your feet for choosing this direction, and you for choosing to defend those that need defending and coming before us today,” Yamamoto stood. “Lisa-chan.”
“Hai!” Lisa got up and moved over to the two applicants. “Aikawa-kōhai,” She held out a scroll sealed with brilliant green wax.
“Your name has been transcribed in the student directory. Questions?” Yamamoto paused to take a breath.
“That’s it?”
Laughter tittered from a few spectators in the chairs. The spectacled professor nodded, “Now your job is to learn, we’ll take care of the rest.”
Fuck. Aikawa was wise enough not to blurt that out loud. “Domo arigatō.”
“Take that with you, there should be a senpai waiting just outside…” Lisa answered softly. “Congratulations.”
Aikawa nodded unable to see the girl’s gaze from behind the glare along her glass lenses, his eyes moved to melancholy lavender a moment before Rōjūrō’s gaze lowered to look back down at his feet. “Thank you,” He moved his gaze out to the panel and some of the audience, Yoruichi and Kisuke.
“Sayonara,” Rōjūrō murmured as Aikawa moved to exit out the indicated door.
Aikawa lifted his hand and placed it on Rōjūrō’s to deliver a reassuring squeeze. “Jaa ne.”
“Domo,” He whispered, barely audible and Aikawa left the reiatsu-choked room.
The hall outside looked much like the one they’d been kept waiting in, only less populated. There were three students sitting together, one talking animated while another seemed to be asleep sitting up.
Aikawa only stood there a moment before the sleeping one opened silver eyes and peered right at him. He lifted the scroll, “M’supposed to --”
“We know,” A vibrant green haired girl interrupted and before she could get up the silver-eyed student stood. “Your turn finally Mira?”
“Got to get away from your prattling Kuna,” He answered, a hand lowering to pat the shoulder of the man sitting across from the neon green-headed teen listening to her “prattle” in a one-sided conversation. “Good luck Kensei-kun.”
Kensei grunted and hunched his shoulder as the woman started up talking at Kensei again as if never interrupted.
“Welcome,” Mira gave a bow of his head. “Mira Izuru, sixth year.”
“Aikawa…uh, first I guess.”
“Aikawa,” Mira nodded. “Tough part’a town.”
Since two minutes into the district had been a fight in a bordello Aikawa nodded, but only mentioned, “Not really from there jus’…liked the sound of it.”
“If only we could all be so lucky as to choose our names,” Mira gave him a half-smile. “Your reiatsu seems adequate…Know your zanny’s name yet?”
“Zanny?”
“Heh, never mind…” Unexpectedly a gentle hand was at his elbow turning him to walk down the hall into the school. “This way --”
“Actually I went in with someone,” Aikawa turned to point back over his shoulder to the exam room, figuring it was the polite way to pull his arm out of the stranger’s gentle grip.
“If he didn’t get a scroll he’s not coming.”
#
“What!” Rōjūrō’s usually soft voice shouted in surprise.
“Watch your tone boy,” A wispy-looking man with a bald pate in the middle of crusty green hair snapped back and Yamamoto lifted a hand to silence the professor.
“You are of noble stock, you can learn control at home,” Yamamoto lowered to rest his hands together on the table before him. “I believe your mother has turned down several offers to teach the advanced kidō course here.”
“Is it because of the bordello because I’ve gotten --”
“No,” Yamamoto shook his head. “You don’t need to waste our time and money when you can easily procure education elsewhere.”
“But my collection…” Rōjūrō tried not to pout but his babies were at stake here!
“Collection Ōtoribashi-kun?”
Blushing Rōjūrō gave a shake of his head, “Um, musical instruments.”
“Ah,” Yamamoto held out a hand and Lisa passed a sheath of papers his way down the panel. “Let’s see…Yes…Your father made mention of this ‘collection’.” He didn’t even look at the papers but Rōjūrō recognized the blazingly brilliant violet wax used by the Ōtoribashi clan as a seal. “I’d say it was the true reason you’ve come here today.”
“I…” Wanting to protest Rōjūrō met Yamamoto’s piercing gaze and dropped his head in silent acceptance of the words. “Gomenasai.”
“This is not an artists’ school. There must be no distractions.” Green-haired Baldie hissed.
“Some students need pastimes devoid of the expectations of education,” Professor Smoky Glasses spoke up. “Or the curriculum can burn them out early.”
“Ōtoribashi-kun,” Yamamoto’s voice cut in and cut off further talk. “If your clan can pay tuition I would not regret admitting you. You have great potential.”
“Domo arigatō,” Rōjūrō politely met his gaze again.
“Or…if you can tell me you aren’t here to save a few bits of wood and string…I might reconsider,” Yamamoto ignored Baldie’s indignant sputter.
Rōjūrō paused before answering because he wanted very much to save his collection but knew most of the people in the room could tell if he lied. “I can’t say that isn’t motivation…”
“Then --” Baldie started.
“But!” Rōjūrō let the volume of his voice raise. “It’s not my reason to enroll.”
“Excellent!” Yamamoto gave a loud reverberating clap. “Lisa-chan…”
“No!” Baldie actually pushed the teen back in her spot as she tried to stand. “Why should we believe you? What is this new reason you’ve made up --”
“Tch Wantabe-sensei I know Ōtoribashi-hime denied you but Rōjūrō-sama hasn’t harmed you…Show him you’re superior in the classroom like you always do to upstarts,” A familiar male voice cajoled.
“Urahara-kun --”
“Ne! Ne!” Yoruichi stood with her hands on her hips the barest trace of a smirk on her luscious lips. “Wantabe-sensei I beg you remember respect.”
“Urahara-fukutaichō if you wish to put your oh-so-illustrious name to this whelp’s cause…?” Wantabe said saccharine sweet.
“I would if it would help sway you at all,” Kisuke called from his seat where he was slouching indolently, just as he had in every one of Wantabe’s lectures. “Congratulations Rōjūrō-sama!”
Rōjūrō blushed as most of the eyes returned to him, even if he’d been the center of attention this entire time. “Domo…”
“Otorobashi-kōhai,” Lisa had made her way over so quietly she startled the noble.
Repeating his thanks as Lisa bowed her head he stared at the seal, his name neatly written along the top, then he turned his gaze to the panel. “Domo arigatō, I will not make your regret this.”
“Good!” Yamamoto waved him off. “Get on with the walk-ins!”
Rōjūrō quickly left, his gaze darting to a fellow blond head only to find Kisuke sitting up straight already grinning, green eyes on him. His mouth moved over a congratulations and Rōjūrō nodded and quickly escaped the room.
“There y’are,” Aikawa had just been about to let Mira know they’d waited long enough. “How’d it go?”
“Almost sent me home,” Rōjūrō gave the scroll a wiggle as he tucked an errant blond hair behind his ear. “Um…hey Mira.”
“Rōjūrō, he didn’t tell me it was you he was waitin’ for,” Mira’s silver eyes practically lit up, even Aikawa noticed.
“So nice,” Rōjūrō smiled at Aikawa and he saw the curiosity in those expressive brown eyes. “Mira comes from a noble family too, we’ve known each other decades…”
“Long enough that I remember when you were born,” Mira started but Kuna took notice of the newcomer finally.
“Congratulations!” She shot to her feet and Mira sighed. “Mashiro Kuna, Fifth year!”
“Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō third --”
“Stick to name and year,” Mira interrupted. “I’ve got them Kuna.”
“But Mi-i-ra-a,” Mashiro whined, glomping onto his arm. “We’re supposed to each escort one!”
“Hune isn’t back yet, ya can’t leave Kensei-kun alone.”
“Fuck you senpai!” Kensei actually barked and Mashiro merely giggled.
“I’ll wait for Hune-kun,” Her cheeks blushed and she slowly meandered back to sitting by a glowering Kensei. “I don’t mind bein’ alone a little, you should escort Rōjūrō-kōhai Ke-ensa-ei.”
Kensei was up and away before she finished his name.
“Ah, c’mon boys,” Mira put Rōjūrō’s hand in the crook of his elbow. “First Administration, then Wardrobe.”
“I’m gonna get Yasu working on two sets of forms,” Kensei called back as he turned a corner and disappeared.
They passed the turn Kensei made and didn’t take it.
“Hey,” Aikawa gave Rōjūrō a bump with his arm. “What’d they say…Didn’t blame you for shit at the…” He lowered his voice over the word, “Bordello…did they?”
“Nothing that wasn’t true, Love,” Rōjūrō grinned at him. “You didn’t have to tell them the truth.”
Aikawa shook his head and actually managed to look affronted that it was even suggested. “No. Not a coward.”
“I know idiot,” Rōjūrō had been his damsel hadn’t he? He felt Mira’s hand squeeze his where it rested on his senpai’s arm.
“What’s the fuckin’ point of being a man with strength if he doesn’t stand up for what’s right,” Aikawa looked away, using the edge of his scroll to scratch his head.
“Kuso!” Rōjūrō surprised him by plucking his scroll from his hand. “Oh…It…” He looked at the scroll and Mira caught his attention craning his neck to read it as well. “No!” He tucked the scroll in Aikawa’s kimono out of sight.
“I thought I heard you say ‘Love’ Rōjūrō…no wonder you picked up Aikawa,” Mira smiled and paused at an open door to usher Rōjūrō inside.
Aikawa stopped outside the door as he pulled his scroll out and found where it was inscribed at one end, “Aikawa Love.”
“Aikawa-kun,” Mira appeared at the door. “The clerk needs to see you.”
Before the small woman with what looked like scaled skin behind the counter could even speak to Aikawa, Rōjūrō blurted out, “SorrySorrySorry.”
“Ōtoribashi-kun!” The clerk chided the blond her speech only a little sibilant. She turned her attention to Aikawa, “Please, your scroll?”
Aikawa handed her his scroll, “That’s not my name.”
“Love?” The woman read, one white sculpted eyebrow raised. “Or Aikawa.”
“Wadda ya think?” Aikawa frowned.
“Well there are over a dozen Aikawa enrolled so you’ll have to differentiate yourself somehow. We don’t have an ‘L’ if you want,” She suggested with a grin growing on her face.
“’L’ is fine,” Aikawa nodded slowly and kept his gaze on his hands or the clerk. He knew his eyes showed his feelings too well. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the small male clerk that was helping Rōjūrō fill out the same paperwork he was currently pretending to watch, the clerk’s capable hands work through with the smallest of verbal contributions from him. Mira was leaning nearby…Aikawa’s eyes slid ever so slowly over to redescribe the distance between them as cozy.
The slightly taller blond senpai couldn’t have had a foot of space between he and his kōhai even less space between their blond heads, Rōjūrō’s of a slightly more golden hue than Mira’s. Even though the two of them were less than a couple feet away whatever was being whispered between them was meaningless to Aikawa’s ears.
Most of the clerk’s questions weren’t really things he could answer her easily, so she marked something extra on his form and nodded. “Off to Wardrobe with you L. Aikawa.”
Turning to see the other two already waiting at another open doorway Aikawa nodded and moved to follow them. There was more space between them now but Rōjūrō’s hand was still in the crook of Mira’s arm. Aikawa made his eyes take in his surroundings knowing he'd have to be able to navigate on his own, unable to distract his ears as the two nobles started going on about a master craftsman of instruments that was unknown, but the best in Soul Society.
They arrived in a slightly cluttered room, the bolts of cloth and apparatus of the half dozen seamstresses were visible from the door and seemed to cover every horizontal surface and then some. The senpai that had come ahead of them was nowhere in sight and the answer to why was made clear when a semi-familiar voice shrieked out in a giggly voice from a rounder filled with kimono’s at different states of completion.
“Izuru-sama please,” The large head seamstress in charge (Yasu) practically scraped the floor with her bow as she pointed toward the now-shaking collection of clothes.
“What happened to waiting for Hune-kun?” Mira’s called to Mashiro as he left Rōjūrō’s side and walked up to the rack of clothes stopping a scant foot from it before talking.
“Oh!” Suddenly the vibrant-headed Mashiro of before tumbled out ass-first and landed with a grunt of surprise, looking up at Mira in surprised chagrin. “Ken-sei and I were…” She looked around and noticed that the silver-haired student was gone. “…Playing hide and seek.”
“Well Yasu isn’t pleased you’re using her department for your playground,” Mira said with a stern face that Mashiro was apparently having nothing to do with. “Remember your oniisama wanted you to behave--”
“Ungh,” Mashiro surprised the two present unfamiliar to her behavior, by rolling over and extending a leg, pushing at Mira’s middle with it. “Ne! Ne! Don’t talk about oniisaaaaaan!” She then lowered her leg, curling into a ball with an irritated huff.
“Kuna!” Mira cajoled looking over toward the new students with a shrug.
“Oi,” Aikawa’s deep voice rang out and anyone that wasn’t looking his way changed that, including Mashiro, who was sniffling with watery eyes. “You got it wrong you’re the one that’s seekin’.”
“Whaaat!?” Mashiro jumped to her feet, her toes leaving the ground by at least a foot or two, she landed with her hands planted on both hips. “That’s totally not right!” She stomped up to Aikawa and even if he was taller she didn’t seem to notice. She glared right up into his surprised gaze and yelped, “He’s got such a head start!”
They watched her scoot around them shunpoing away her wake making clutter on several nearby tables hit the floor. Mira gave a soft curse and was suddenly shaking hands with Aikawa, “Took us forever to figure out how to handle Kuna, but now…” He did the same with Rōjūrō plus he leaned in to put his other arm around the kōhai in a hug. “I’ll be back before you have to leave here, if not wait a bit.”
The two then proceeded to be prodded and ordered about by two little old ladies with measuring tapes and unerring accuracy with their straight pins.
“It’s nice to know someone when you’re in a strange new place,” Rōjūrō murmured, lifting his arms out as commanded as if he were used to the chore of being measured for clothes.
“I guess,” Aikawa stared off into the labyrinth of Yasu’s Wardrobe Department. “Don’t really know nobody…s’good yer friend’s here.”
In the relative quiet of the measuring attendants Aikawa heard a huff of indignation, drawing his eyes to Rōjūrō. “You know me.”
“I…” Aikawa stared a moment not understanding how the blond could make him feel guilty. “Yeah, huh.”
They shared a smile each maneuvered into position facing each other. “I never really moved in the same circles as Mira…We went to all the same parties but he was more into being the Izuru heir.”
“S’at mean?” Aikawa said, instead of commenting on how they seemed to be the best of friends. Giving himself a mental shake he berated himself with a what the hell? And shoved the thought away.
“I was admiring the musicians at the party while he was admiring all the noble girls,” Rōjūrō gave a frown without changing the line of his mouth; tiny wrinkles appearing between his golden eyebrows. “His mother made him play the harp when he was little instead of letting him be a kid, so he hates music.”
“Y’looked close,” What! Why would…?! Aikawa was glad when the lady crouched in front of him told him to turn away.
“We did?” Sounded bewildered, thinking maybe that no one had noticed? “Um…” Stuttered and then both of them were interrupted by Yasu as she dismissed them, letting them know they would have their uniforms before they had to attend class.
Aikawa turned and watched Rōjūrō leave the seamstress’s dais and head toward the door out into the hall, waiting for them there was Mira and Kensei. As Aikawa caught up with the three he was in time to watch Mira try to move back in on Rōjūrō’s personal space only to get gently rebuffed by his kōhai.
“Did you find Kuna-senpai?” Rōjūrō asked as they started deeper into the school, Kensei leading the way.
“Hell no,” Kensei answered gruffly over his shoulder.
Mira smiled softly, “We didn’t look very hard.” He leaned forward a bit to see Aikawa around Rōjūrō. “There’s a good selection of dorms left, they’re all two or three people bunking together but Hune says there are a handful of empty ones.”
Rōjūrō gave a small jump and Aikawa looked over at him wondering if he’d gotten surprised. “You don’t mind being my roommate do you?”
At first Aikawa’s only answer was a shrug, then, “Gave me my name might as well get to know you.”
“I did not…!” Rōjūrō started to try and sound indignant but he was interrupted by Mira’s laughter. “Stop, you!” He turned and delivered an open-handed smack on Mira’s shoulder, after seeing similar moves down Rukongai thugs it was weird for Aikawa to see it in such an ineffectual way.
Lavender eyes leveled on Aikawa and he treated the noble to a silent shrug and no other answer, even though the blond’s face begged. The silence went on after they were shown a map of the dorm in the Housing office, and directed toward the quarters Rōjūrō had insisted he get to share with Aikawa until the clerk gave in.
“So no ‘thank you’ then?” Rōjūrō asked Aikawa as he gave a parting wave to Mira, Kensei having already disappeared. “I think it’s the best room.”
“They all looked the same on the map.”
“Of course, but you could be sharing your space with a total stranger,” Rōjūrō reminded him with a lift of his golden eyebrows before turning to enter the room, there were shallow alcoves on opposite sides of the living space an undressed half-unrolled futon in each.
“Kind of small,” Aikawa commented, moving without hesitation to one of the futon spaces.
“Really? I thought that would be my line,” Rōjūrō gave that soft sad smile again. “Not one of the four noble families but I am spoiled.”
“I can see that,” Aikawa agreed and the blond’s smile grew and took on a touch of disbelief.
“You’re not supposed to agree with me!” Rōjūrō moved away and leaned into the space he’d probably only sleep in, unfortunately.
“Used to being outside,” One shoulder came up in a half-hearted shrug and Aikawa sat down on the unrolled half of his new futon (well new was relative).
“Oh?” Rōjūrō copied the move on his own mattress and sat across the room from Aikawa, the room was just large enough that the distance was awkward to hold a face-to-face conversation across. “What were you doing in that alley then?”
Wondering if he should really say what had brought him into town the day they’d met, and how his quest had been completed better than he’d imagined it could. “Just passin’ by seein’ if I’d find a district name I liked. Gotta ask people for that.”
“And you’ve decided you’re going to keep Aikawa as a name even after what happened there?”
“Things look different the longer you stare at ‘em,” Aikawa tried to explain that what he’d looked back and saw as a reminder of his foolishness had changed over time. “Either way, I like the sound of it.”
Feeling like he should feel complimented Rōjūrō got to his feet, “It does fit.” He nodded and pointed toward the shoji out into the hall. “I’m going to go make sure my things get to the right room.”
“Things? Do we got enough room?”
“It’s not that much!”
Onward to Chapter Four!
Disclaimer - Don't own any of the characters, I just lock myself in my room and make them bend to my muse's will.
Rating - Doesn’t start out at M but it will find its way there, we’ll just start out with T for now.
Word Count - 4,650
Warning - There is het in here (Lisa/Love & YoruHara) but this will be yaoi so there are some overtones, if that bothers you (or vise versa).
Summary - It began with a stranger rescuing a stranger and went on from there. Love & Rose's story from Academy, Soul Society & beyond. There will be angst, UNF to the max, meddlesome YoruHara with help from a certain raven-haired be-spectacled visored - & let's throw in a Kuchiki!
Back to Chapter Two!
Matriculation
The applicants that were on the list went first. Rukongai-born or noble, each went in order by date of sign-up, until the last was reached on the long list under Honorary (real after graduation) Fifth Seat of the eighth division Lisa Yadōmaru’s glasses.
“Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō?”
The noble’s blond head soon poked through the doorway and searched the room. “Oh, didn’t know it was a spectator event.”
“These are just the representation of some of the organizations that seek students from the Academy,” Yamamoto explained evenly, making sure to only partly contain a fraction of his reiatsu. Most couldn’t handle its full weight and unfortunately for most of the recruits a fraction of a percent of it was too much.
“Yamamoto-soutaichō,” Rōjūrō stepped just inside the room, his hands picking at the sleeves of his kimono. “Could another applicant join me?”
“I don’t need --” Protested loudly from nearby and Rōjūrō moved faster than Aikawa was prepared for, pulling him into sight by his arm. “Man!”
“C’mon Love!” Rōjūrō laughed.
Just being in close proximity to this room proved they should be applying. Neither seemed to have difficulty in the face of a roomful of spiritual pressures.
“Stand there, the both of you,” Yamamoto indicated the spot a few feet from the panel, dead center, before the soutaichō. “Your name boy.”
Aikawa frowned a moment focusing on the sea of faces and the harsh pressure on his skin. “Aikawa.”
Yamamoto nodded at Aikawa and tilted his head to peer along the panel to Lisa, who was leaning back nonchalantly to eavesdrop on Chikane Iba as she scolded her eldest boy. It only took a polite cough, its intent rippling through the small bit of relaxed reiatsu that couldn’t help but touch most of the room. “Lisa-chan?”
“Hai, soutaichō,” She quickly peered up and caught Aikawa’s gaze blushed and scribbled his name on her list. “Got it.”
“You are both here to attend Shinōreijutsuin, tell us your reason. Why should we spend money molding you?”
“I need to learn better control of my reiatsu,” Rōjūrō made himself fidget with his sleeves behind his back.
The answer was a gruff nod with a grunt and a slight angle change toward Aikawa.
“I…” Aikawa felt like he should stand up straighter, Rōjūrō looked like a damn board! “I didn’t really know about having reiatsu until earlier today,” He admitted with a shrug. “I’ve had it since I woke up here, it seems as natural to me as talking, walking, breathing…but still…New…So I’d like to learn about it…Rōjūrō here said you teach that here.”
“How did you find your way to the Academy then?” An older sage-haired woman dressed in the Academy’s Board of Governors grey kimono asked.
“Got tired of wandering aimlessly,” Aikawa shrugged and concentrated on the oppressive air, even Rōjūrō’s was harsh next to him. Kisuke’s warning about not passing out turned out to really help.
With the way his breath was stealthily and steadily being wheezed into his lungs in shallower, shorter gasps he might have not noticed until he lost consciousness if not warned beforehand. He was sure they would notice before long as they kept asking him questions.
“So you decided to walk towards…?” The same woman prompted.
“I was already goin’ this way when I decided to pick a direction, tried a straight line…”
Although Aikawa’s words were still smooth and hitchless Rōjūrō still leaned close to him and asked, “You all right? Yamamoto-jiji’s spiritual pressure is hard to stand sometimes.”
“Air’s heavy.”
Rōjūrō nodded, “Let your reiatsu relax and flow out around you. It’s supposed to protect you, support you, against another’s spiritual pressure.”
“Yes boy,” Yamamoto grunted. “You must learn how to breathe if you wish to stay here. I only teach a few classes here but there will always be reiatsu around you.”
“I…” Aikawa’s eyes moved to Rōjūrō’s and he marveled at the concern he saw in his lavender eyes. Collectively he’d only known the blond about an hour…the few weeks he’d walked alone glowering and half-worried about the blond didn’t count. Such a fool, he wondered at the noble’s friendly behavior.
‘You rescued me and you didn’t even know me,’ he’d said when Aikawa had inquired about it the first time. Rōjūrō had surprised him with an inescapable hand on his elbow guiding him to the classroom after he had attempted to leave the moment the noble’s attention was taken by the call of his name for his interview.
“When you came to my rescue…” Rōjūrō’s words were soft as if he could keep them from the reiatsu enhanced ears in the room. “I could feel your spiritual pressure through the wall. If you just relax and let it go like that, it will keep their pressure at bay so you can breathe easy.”
Wrinkles appeared in the smooth dark skin of Aikawa’s forehead as he digested the blond’s words. Relax? He hadn’t been relaxed when he felt through the walls of the bordello…that was the last thing he had been!
The press of the room’s reiatsu on his lungs was distracting to say the least but knowing it would ease granted Aikawa focus on the extra sense that was his spiritual pressure. As soon as he felt the quivering worry in the noble’s reiatsu beside him he found his breath came easy.
“Got it,” Aikawa nodded and looked over for a moment only to see that melancholy smile of Rōjūrō’s.
“Very well done Aikawa-kun,” The maze of Yamamoto’s wrinkled face rearranged and both applicants realized the old man was smiling a little under the misleading lines of his age. “Continue with your accounting.”
With a deep breath to boost his voice Aikawa spoke about Suwa and his decision based on the idea that his choice in direction might have been guided this way so he could become a student. A shinigami, who Aikawa had come to think of as protectors, something he just couldn’t seem to keep himself from doing when the need arose.
“Yamamoto-soutaichō,” Rōjūrō’s voice sliced in cleanly between Aikawa’s voice and the soutaichō’s next question. “I would like to mention this man’s footsteps took him near enough to me to save me from an ambush.”
Grey bush eyebrows lifted and Yamamoto nodded. “Thank you for broaching this subject Ōtoribashi-kun.”
The faculty member to the soutaichō’s right spoke, peering critically through two tiny-tiny circular pieces of smoky glass. “We have a missive here,” He held up a sheaf of parchment. “From Ito Hanta, under-signed by your father.”
Golden lashes slammed down on what had to have been righteous anger in sharp lavender eyes. Rōjūrō lowered his head and although his spiritual pressure lessened, Aikawa could tell it was still protecting the noble. “Hai?”
“Although the landlord was quiet pleased at the aborted arson, the owner thought you were involved…Said you had used your combat training - taught only to protect your noble self - on whomever you fancy,” The bespectacled professor let his eyes scan over the paper in his hand.
“That was an accident.”
Aikawa couldn’t keep himself from swiveling his eyes around to the noble in barely contained disbelief. Rōjūrō’s blond head was still bowed but his eyes were studying his toes. “Naw.”
“Aikawa-san?” The professor paused.
“I didn’t know he was the owner,” Aikawa saw Rōjūrō’s head turn in disbelief much like he himself had been treated to mere moments ago. “He tried to warn me against it.”
“Is this true?” Yamamoto asked Rōjūrō, who only shrugged. “Ōtoribashi-kun?”
“H-hai,” Rōjūrō nodded.
They were quiet a moment, taking notes. “So you can fight Aikawa-kun?”
“Not like fancy feet here, but I get the job done,” Aikawa then voiced something he’d never let past his own silent thoughts. “Died fightin’.” Aikawa felt uneasy as a loud collective murmur filled the room at his words.
“Aikawa-kun we thank your feet for choosing this direction, and you for choosing to defend those that need defending and coming before us today,” Yamamoto stood. “Lisa-chan.”
“Hai!” Lisa got up and moved over to the two applicants. “Aikawa-kōhai,” She held out a scroll sealed with brilliant green wax.
“Your name has been transcribed in the student directory. Questions?” Yamamoto paused to take a breath.
“That’s it?”
Laughter tittered from a few spectators in the chairs. The spectacled professor nodded, “Now your job is to learn, we’ll take care of the rest.”
Fuck. Aikawa was wise enough not to blurt that out loud. “Domo arigatō.”
“Take that with you, there should be a senpai waiting just outside…” Lisa answered softly. “Congratulations.”
Aikawa nodded unable to see the girl’s gaze from behind the glare along her glass lenses, his eyes moved to melancholy lavender a moment before Rōjūrō’s gaze lowered to look back down at his feet. “Thank you,” He moved his gaze out to the panel and some of the audience, Yoruichi and Kisuke.
“Sayonara,” Rōjūrō murmured as Aikawa moved to exit out the indicated door.
Aikawa lifted his hand and placed it on Rōjūrō’s to deliver a reassuring squeeze. “Jaa ne.”
“Domo,” He whispered, barely audible and Aikawa left the reiatsu-choked room.
The hall outside looked much like the one they’d been kept waiting in, only less populated. There were three students sitting together, one talking animated while another seemed to be asleep sitting up.
Aikawa only stood there a moment before the sleeping one opened silver eyes and peered right at him. He lifted the scroll, “M’supposed to --”
“We know,” A vibrant green haired girl interrupted and before she could get up the silver-eyed student stood. “Your turn finally Mira?”
“Got to get away from your prattling Kuna,” He answered, a hand lowering to pat the shoulder of the man sitting across from the neon green-headed teen listening to her “prattle” in a one-sided conversation. “Good luck Kensei-kun.”
Kensei grunted and hunched his shoulder as the woman started up talking at Kensei again as if never interrupted.
“Welcome,” Mira gave a bow of his head. “Mira Izuru, sixth year.”
“Aikawa…uh, first I guess.”
“Aikawa,” Mira nodded. “Tough part’a town.”
Since two minutes into the district had been a fight in a bordello Aikawa nodded, but only mentioned, “Not really from there jus’…liked the sound of it.”
“If only we could all be so lucky as to choose our names,” Mira gave him a half-smile. “Your reiatsu seems adequate…Know your zanny’s name yet?”
“Zanny?”
“Heh, never mind…” Unexpectedly a gentle hand was at his elbow turning him to walk down the hall into the school. “This way --”
“Actually I went in with someone,” Aikawa turned to point back over his shoulder to the exam room, figuring it was the polite way to pull his arm out of the stranger’s gentle grip.
“If he didn’t get a scroll he’s not coming.”
#
“What!” Rōjūrō’s usually soft voice shouted in surprise.
“Watch your tone boy,” A wispy-looking man with a bald pate in the middle of crusty green hair snapped back and Yamamoto lifted a hand to silence the professor.
“You are of noble stock, you can learn control at home,” Yamamoto lowered to rest his hands together on the table before him. “I believe your mother has turned down several offers to teach the advanced kidō course here.”
“Is it because of the bordello because I’ve gotten --”
“No,” Yamamoto shook his head. “You don’t need to waste our time and money when you can easily procure education elsewhere.”
“But my collection…” Rōjūrō tried not to pout but his babies were at stake here!
“Collection Ōtoribashi-kun?”
Blushing Rōjūrō gave a shake of his head, “Um, musical instruments.”
“Ah,” Yamamoto held out a hand and Lisa passed a sheath of papers his way down the panel. “Let’s see…Yes…Your father made mention of this ‘collection’.” He didn’t even look at the papers but Rōjūrō recognized the blazingly brilliant violet wax used by the Ōtoribashi clan as a seal. “I’d say it was the true reason you’ve come here today.”
“I…” Wanting to protest Rōjūrō met Yamamoto’s piercing gaze and dropped his head in silent acceptance of the words. “Gomenasai.”
“This is not an artists’ school. There must be no distractions.” Green-haired Baldie hissed.
“Some students need pastimes devoid of the expectations of education,” Professor Smoky Glasses spoke up. “Or the curriculum can burn them out early.”
“Ōtoribashi-kun,” Yamamoto’s voice cut in and cut off further talk. “If your clan can pay tuition I would not regret admitting you. You have great potential.”
“Domo arigatō,” Rōjūrō politely met his gaze again.
“Or…if you can tell me you aren’t here to save a few bits of wood and string…I might reconsider,” Yamamoto ignored Baldie’s indignant sputter.
Rōjūrō paused before answering because he wanted very much to save his collection but knew most of the people in the room could tell if he lied. “I can’t say that isn’t motivation…”
“Then --” Baldie started.
“But!” Rōjūrō let the volume of his voice raise. “It’s not my reason to enroll.”
“Excellent!” Yamamoto gave a loud reverberating clap. “Lisa-chan…”
“No!” Baldie actually pushed the teen back in her spot as she tried to stand. “Why should we believe you? What is this new reason you’ve made up --”
“Tch Wantabe-sensei I know Ōtoribashi-hime denied you but Rōjūrō-sama hasn’t harmed you…Show him you’re superior in the classroom like you always do to upstarts,” A familiar male voice cajoled.
“Urahara-kun --”
“Ne! Ne!” Yoruichi stood with her hands on her hips the barest trace of a smirk on her luscious lips. “Wantabe-sensei I beg you remember respect.”
“Urahara-fukutaichō if you wish to put your oh-so-illustrious name to this whelp’s cause…?” Wantabe said saccharine sweet.
“I would if it would help sway you at all,” Kisuke called from his seat where he was slouching indolently, just as he had in every one of Wantabe’s lectures. “Congratulations Rōjūrō-sama!”
Rōjūrō blushed as most of the eyes returned to him, even if he’d been the center of attention this entire time. “Domo…”
“Otorobashi-kōhai,” Lisa had made her way over so quietly she startled the noble.
Repeating his thanks as Lisa bowed her head he stared at the seal, his name neatly written along the top, then he turned his gaze to the panel. “Domo arigatō, I will not make your regret this.”
“Good!” Yamamoto waved him off. “Get on with the walk-ins!”
Rōjūrō quickly left, his gaze darting to a fellow blond head only to find Kisuke sitting up straight already grinning, green eyes on him. His mouth moved over a congratulations and Rōjūrō nodded and quickly escaped the room.
“There y’are,” Aikawa had just been about to let Mira know they’d waited long enough. “How’d it go?”
“Almost sent me home,” Rōjūrō gave the scroll a wiggle as he tucked an errant blond hair behind his ear. “Um…hey Mira.”
“Rōjūrō, he didn’t tell me it was you he was waitin’ for,” Mira’s silver eyes practically lit up, even Aikawa noticed.
“So nice,” Rōjūrō smiled at Aikawa and he saw the curiosity in those expressive brown eyes. “Mira comes from a noble family too, we’ve known each other decades…”
“Long enough that I remember when you were born,” Mira started but Kuna took notice of the newcomer finally.
“Congratulations!” She shot to her feet and Mira sighed. “Mashiro Kuna, Fifth year!”
“Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō third --”
“Stick to name and year,” Mira interrupted. “I’ve got them Kuna.”
“But Mi-i-ra-a,” Mashiro whined, glomping onto his arm. “We’re supposed to each escort one!”
“Hune isn’t back yet, ya can’t leave Kensei-kun alone.”
“Fuck you senpai!” Kensei actually barked and Mashiro merely giggled.
“I’ll wait for Hune-kun,” Her cheeks blushed and she slowly meandered back to sitting by a glowering Kensei. “I don’t mind bein’ alone a little, you should escort Rōjūrō-kōhai Ke-ensa-ei.”
Kensei was up and away before she finished his name.
“Ah, c’mon boys,” Mira put Rōjūrō’s hand in the crook of his elbow. “First Administration, then Wardrobe.”
“I’m gonna get Yasu working on two sets of forms,” Kensei called back as he turned a corner and disappeared.
They passed the turn Kensei made and didn’t take it.
“Hey,” Aikawa gave Rōjūrō a bump with his arm. “What’d they say…Didn’t blame you for shit at the…” He lowered his voice over the word, “Bordello…did they?”
“Nothing that wasn’t true, Love,” Rōjūrō grinned at him. “You didn’t have to tell them the truth.”
Aikawa shook his head and actually managed to look affronted that it was even suggested. “No. Not a coward.”
“I know idiot,” Rōjūrō had been his damsel hadn’t he? He felt Mira’s hand squeeze his where it rested on his senpai’s arm.
“What’s the fuckin’ point of being a man with strength if he doesn’t stand up for what’s right,” Aikawa looked away, using the edge of his scroll to scratch his head.
“Kuso!” Rōjūrō surprised him by plucking his scroll from his hand. “Oh…It…” He looked at the scroll and Mira caught his attention craning his neck to read it as well. “No!” He tucked the scroll in Aikawa’s kimono out of sight.
“I thought I heard you say ‘Love’ Rōjūrō…no wonder you picked up Aikawa,” Mira smiled and paused at an open door to usher Rōjūrō inside.
Aikawa stopped outside the door as he pulled his scroll out and found where it was inscribed at one end, “Aikawa Love.”
“Aikawa-kun,” Mira appeared at the door. “The clerk needs to see you.”
Before the small woman with what looked like scaled skin behind the counter could even speak to Aikawa, Rōjūrō blurted out, “SorrySorrySorry.”
“Ōtoribashi-kun!” The clerk chided the blond her speech only a little sibilant. She turned her attention to Aikawa, “Please, your scroll?”
Aikawa handed her his scroll, “That’s not my name.”
“Love?” The woman read, one white sculpted eyebrow raised. “Or Aikawa.”
“Wadda ya think?” Aikawa frowned.
“Well there are over a dozen Aikawa enrolled so you’ll have to differentiate yourself somehow. We don’t have an ‘L’ if you want,” She suggested with a grin growing on her face.
“’L’ is fine,” Aikawa nodded slowly and kept his gaze on his hands or the clerk. He knew his eyes showed his feelings too well. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the small male clerk that was helping Rōjūrō fill out the same paperwork he was currently pretending to watch, the clerk’s capable hands work through with the smallest of verbal contributions from him. Mira was leaning nearby…Aikawa’s eyes slid ever so slowly over to redescribe the distance between them as cozy.
The slightly taller blond senpai couldn’t have had a foot of space between he and his kōhai even less space between their blond heads, Rōjūrō’s of a slightly more golden hue than Mira’s. Even though the two of them were less than a couple feet away whatever was being whispered between them was meaningless to Aikawa’s ears.
Most of the clerk’s questions weren’t really things he could answer her easily, so she marked something extra on his form and nodded. “Off to Wardrobe with you L. Aikawa.”
Turning to see the other two already waiting at another open doorway Aikawa nodded and moved to follow them. There was more space between them now but Rōjūrō’s hand was still in the crook of Mira’s arm. Aikawa made his eyes take in his surroundings knowing he'd have to be able to navigate on his own, unable to distract his ears as the two nobles started going on about a master craftsman of instruments that was unknown, but the best in Soul Society.
They arrived in a slightly cluttered room, the bolts of cloth and apparatus of the half dozen seamstresses were visible from the door and seemed to cover every horizontal surface and then some. The senpai that had come ahead of them was nowhere in sight and the answer to why was made clear when a semi-familiar voice shrieked out in a giggly voice from a rounder filled with kimono’s at different states of completion.
“Izuru-sama please,” The large head seamstress in charge (Yasu) practically scraped the floor with her bow as she pointed toward the now-shaking collection of clothes.
“What happened to waiting for Hune-kun?” Mira’s called to Mashiro as he left Rōjūrō’s side and walked up to the rack of clothes stopping a scant foot from it before talking.
“Oh!” Suddenly the vibrant-headed Mashiro of before tumbled out ass-first and landed with a grunt of surprise, looking up at Mira in surprised chagrin. “Ken-sei and I were…” She looked around and noticed that the silver-haired student was gone. “…Playing hide and seek.”
“Well Yasu isn’t pleased you’re using her department for your playground,” Mira said with a stern face that Mashiro was apparently having nothing to do with. “Remember your oniisama wanted you to behave--”
“Ungh,” Mashiro surprised the two present unfamiliar to her behavior, by rolling over and extending a leg, pushing at Mira’s middle with it. “Ne! Ne! Don’t talk about oniisaaaaaan!” She then lowered her leg, curling into a ball with an irritated huff.
“Kuna!” Mira cajoled looking over toward the new students with a shrug.
“Oi,” Aikawa’s deep voice rang out and anyone that wasn’t looking his way changed that, including Mashiro, who was sniffling with watery eyes. “You got it wrong you’re the one that’s seekin’.”
“Whaaat!?” Mashiro jumped to her feet, her toes leaving the ground by at least a foot or two, she landed with her hands planted on both hips. “That’s totally not right!” She stomped up to Aikawa and even if he was taller she didn’t seem to notice. She glared right up into his surprised gaze and yelped, “He’s got such a head start!”
They watched her scoot around them shunpoing away her wake making clutter on several nearby tables hit the floor. Mira gave a soft curse and was suddenly shaking hands with Aikawa, “Took us forever to figure out how to handle Kuna, but now…” He did the same with Rōjūrō plus he leaned in to put his other arm around the kōhai in a hug. “I’ll be back before you have to leave here, if not wait a bit.”
The two then proceeded to be prodded and ordered about by two little old ladies with measuring tapes and unerring accuracy with their straight pins.
“It’s nice to know someone when you’re in a strange new place,” Rōjūrō murmured, lifting his arms out as commanded as if he were used to the chore of being measured for clothes.
“I guess,” Aikawa stared off into the labyrinth of Yasu’s Wardrobe Department. “Don’t really know nobody…s’good yer friend’s here.”
In the relative quiet of the measuring attendants Aikawa heard a huff of indignation, drawing his eyes to Rōjūrō. “You know me.”
“I…” Aikawa stared a moment not understanding how the blond could make him feel guilty. “Yeah, huh.”
They shared a smile each maneuvered into position facing each other. “I never really moved in the same circles as Mira…We went to all the same parties but he was more into being the Izuru heir.”
“S’at mean?” Aikawa said, instead of commenting on how they seemed to be the best of friends. Giving himself a mental shake he berated himself with a what the hell? And shoved the thought away.
“I was admiring the musicians at the party while he was admiring all the noble girls,” Rōjūrō gave a frown without changing the line of his mouth; tiny wrinkles appearing between his golden eyebrows. “His mother made him play the harp when he was little instead of letting him be a kid, so he hates music.”
“Y’looked close,” What! Why would…?! Aikawa was glad when the lady crouched in front of him told him to turn away.
“We did?” Sounded bewildered, thinking maybe that no one had noticed? “Um…” Stuttered and then both of them were interrupted by Yasu as she dismissed them, letting them know they would have their uniforms before they had to attend class.
Aikawa turned and watched Rōjūrō leave the seamstress’s dais and head toward the door out into the hall, waiting for them there was Mira and Kensei. As Aikawa caught up with the three he was in time to watch Mira try to move back in on Rōjūrō’s personal space only to get gently rebuffed by his kōhai.
“Did you find Kuna-senpai?” Rōjūrō asked as they started deeper into the school, Kensei leading the way.
“Hell no,” Kensei answered gruffly over his shoulder.
Mira smiled softly, “We didn’t look very hard.” He leaned forward a bit to see Aikawa around Rōjūrō. “There’s a good selection of dorms left, they’re all two or three people bunking together but Hune says there are a handful of empty ones.”
Rōjūrō gave a small jump and Aikawa looked over at him wondering if he’d gotten surprised. “You don’t mind being my roommate do you?”
At first Aikawa’s only answer was a shrug, then, “Gave me my name might as well get to know you.”
“I did not…!” Rōjūrō started to try and sound indignant but he was interrupted by Mira’s laughter. “Stop, you!” He turned and delivered an open-handed smack on Mira’s shoulder, after seeing similar moves down Rukongai thugs it was weird for Aikawa to see it in such an ineffectual way.
Lavender eyes leveled on Aikawa and he treated the noble to a silent shrug and no other answer, even though the blond’s face begged. The silence went on after they were shown a map of the dorm in the Housing office, and directed toward the quarters Rōjūrō had insisted he get to share with Aikawa until the clerk gave in.
“So no ‘thank you’ then?” Rōjūrō asked Aikawa as he gave a parting wave to Mira, Kensei having already disappeared. “I think it’s the best room.”
“They all looked the same on the map.”
“Of course, but you could be sharing your space with a total stranger,” Rōjūrō reminded him with a lift of his golden eyebrows before turning to enter the room, there were shallow alcoves on opposite sides of the living space an undressed half-unrolled futon in each.
“Kind of small,” Aikawa commented, moving without hesitation to one of the futon spaces.
“Really? I thought that would be my line,” Rōjūrō gave that soft sad smile again. “Not one of the four noble families but I am spoiled.”
“I can see that,” Aikawa agreed and the blond’s smile grew and took on a touch of disbelief.
“You’re not supposed to agree with me!” Rōjūrō moved away and leaned into the space he’d probably only sleep in, unfortunately.
“Used to being outside,” One shoulder came up in a half-hearted shrug and Aikawa sat down on the unrolled half of his new futon (well new was relative).
“Oh?” Rōjūrō copied the move on his own mattress and sat across the room from Aikawa, the room was just large enough that the distance was awkward to hold a face-to-face conversation across. “What were you doing in that alley then?”
Wondering if he should really say what had brought him into town the day they’d met, and how his quest had been completed better than he’d imagined it could. “Just passin’ by seein’ if I’d find a district name I liked. Gotta ask people for that.”
“And you’ve decided you’re going to keep Aikawa as a name even after what happened there?”
“Things look different the longer you stare at ‘em,” Aikawa tried to explain that what he’d looked back and saw as a reminder of his foolishness had changed over time. “Either way, I like the sound of it.”
Feeling like he should feel complimented Rōjūrō got to his feet, “It does fit.” He nodded and pointed toward the shoji out into the hall. “I’m going to go make sure my things get to the right room.”
“Things? Do we got enough room?”
“It’s not that much!”
Onward to Chapter Four!