Dear you ~destruction~

The fight was short but deadly. Ten hollows, thirty 11th Division members. Only two casualties, but many injured. The forth Division hurries over, the tough shinigamis too weak, tired and hurt to even complain about what they call 'a few scratches' and being healed by a bunch of pansies. They need the help, and they know it.

One Zaraki Kenpachi lies on the battlefield, his clothes tattered and strewn about. His breathing comes ragged but he doesn't try to stand or even sit up. One of his ribs is broken, perhaps even two or three. His leg is pretty bad too and there's another cut in his face that will join his collection of scars.

Suddenly there is a cry of his name and Kenpachi turns his head towards the voice. He can see an orange head running towards him. He is crying, Ichigo cries heavy tears as he runs towards Kenpachi, falling to his knees as soon as he is close enough.

Soft hands touch all over his wounds, two or three tears landing on his bloodied, dirty skin. Ichigo cries even harder when he looks at Kenpachi's leg. 'What a child,' Kenpachi thinks with a smirk.

Slowly, he reaches a hand over and places it on Ichigo's cheek, surprising him. Ichigo keeps crying and Kenpachi wipes one of the tears with his thumb, attempting to smirk or even smile a little.

"Hey....don't cry..." Kenpachi's voice is hoarse as he speaks, but Ichigo can feel the gentleness in it. He leans over and caresses Kenpachi's lips with his own, but Kenpachi pulls him closer and moves his own lips for a harder kiss. Obviously he won't take a gentle kiss, those are reserved for goodbyes.

The kiss is passionate despite Kenpachi's condition, Ichigo knows this kind of kiss, it's the kind they share when Kenpachi feels particularly happy at night, during the day it's a different kiss, softer.

It's this kiss that often finds them fumbling around for the keys to Kenpachi's flat, hands ready to undo the loose clothes in both men.

Kenpachi’s hands always feel rough against him, but the gentleness with which he tries makes up for it just right. Comparatively, Ichigo's hands are always soft to Kenpachi, perhaps even a bit clumsy when the passion is overwhelming, but even so, Zaraki appreciates the fact that Ichigo is willing to touch him.

Ichigo sobs a bit, unable to stop the tears from falling down his face. Kenpachi chuckles and grins up at him. "Stop being such a girl.....don't cry...." Despite the insult, Ichigo smiles very lightly, sniffling a bit.

"Y-yes..."

Gently, moving slowly, Ichigo cradles Kenpachi's head, pressing it lightly against his chest. Kenpachi give an inaudible sigh and closes his eyes, Ichigo is warm, so very warm, Kenpachi loves that about him too.

Every night, Kenpachi relishes in Ichigo's warmth. Despite his ow body temperature, Kenpachi prefers Ichigo's, which is soft and accepting. Sometimes Kenpachi will hold Ichigo against himself, and sometimes he will nuzzle against the ryoka,letting Ichigo hold him instead.

"Kenpachi?"

"Mmmm?"

"Kenpachi?"

"Mm..?"

"You love me?"

The 11th Division captain mumbles his answer.

"Kenpachi?"

This time he doesn't answer. Ichigo's eyes widen a little. He shakes the older man a little, calling his name softly, then louder, and louder, until he is screaming and sobbing as he hold his unmoving lover.

"I love you Kenpach." Ichigo sobs loudly. "I love you please...so come back to me! Come back to me Kenpachi!!"

Kenpachi, however, remains unmoving.

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Kenpachi wakes. Slowly. From his place, he looks around the bedroom, obviously a 4th Division room. Raising his head the best he can he looks around for Ichigo.

Ichigo sits on a chair nearby, and even though his eyes are closed in sleep, Kenpachi can read perfectly the emotions in his face. He looks so sad, so broken, so...destroyed, Kenpachi thinks.

Gently, ignoring the bandages along his arm, Kenpachi reaches over to touch Ichigo. The boy jerks awake as soon as he feels Kenpachi's rough skin brush against his cheek.

He smiles, relieved that the man is alive. As he parts his lips to say something, one of Kenpach's fingers over them prevents any sound from coming out.

"Yes." Is the only thing he says to his younger lover, for the first time giving him a completely gentle smile.

Ichigo's eyes start to water again, this time in happiness as he moves to half-lay on top of Kenpachi, breathing in his manly aroma.

Kenpachi tilts his face up to kiss him, softly, but it's not a goodbye kiss. A gentle kiss is also their hello kiss, but right now, it's their "I love you" kiss.

THE END