(Tatsuki's pov)
'Something is going between those 2.'
A few months had passed since we began training with Yoruichi and I can definitely say I like the catwoman. She's fierce, bold, strong and absolutely beautiful but does he have to stare so much?
For the past few weeks now Yoruichi would have this weird smile while talking to him. He'd also go beyond his usual sets when she was around as if he was showing off. She'd also be more gentle when beating him in their spars. At this point everyone's probably noticed that something's changed between them yet no one wants to ask about it. Well I do.
I've finally found someone I like more than that idiot Ichigo. I can't just be passive anymore. And besides no way he has a chance with Yoruichi right?
Right?
***************
It was the morning of the first day of exams and the trio was walking to school. As usual they had met up at Kisuke's but when leaving Yoruichi actually kissed Kagami! It was on the cheek and she said it was for good luck but there was no hiding that look in her eyes. And Kagami seemed to treat it as if that was completely normal.
'Could it be? That he and Yoruichi is....? No way. Look at her. She's gorgeous. No way she'd settle for a kid like Kagami... but what if she did? Age doesn't matter much to them and Kagami is pretty good looking.....but surely he'd tell me right? Arghh Damn it! I finally fall for a guy since Ichigo and he's an idiot too!' (Tatsuki)
"Oii Tatsuki! You okay in there?" (Kagami)
"I can't believe I fell for such an idiot!!" (Tatsuki)
"Eh?" (Kagami)
'Oh shit'
"Ehhhhhh????"
"..."
"..."
'That was a confession right? I mean I knew it was coming but that's way too sudden.' (Kagami)
After Tatsuki let slip her sudden confession the trio stopped and an awkward silence descended. Orihime looked stunned at what was said while Tatsuki simply regretted it happening.
"Silly me. I could've sworn I heard that Tatsuki liked Kagami. Guess I should really pay better attention to my surroundings." (Orihime)
"That's not it!... Sigh Look I'm not looking for an answer right now or anything but I meant what I said....I l-l-like you okay. But I can't deal with exams and training and these feelings right now so were not speaking of this until after exams okay?!!" (Tatsuki)
Although it sounded like a question Kagami had no doubt she'd pummel him right here if he said a word in objection. Seeing the tsundere all flushed while still threatening him made him struggle to hold in his laugh. Instead he just pat her on the head and smiled.
"Okay tough guy let's go. Before I thought of this as a waste of time but now I can't wait for exams to be over. Seems like something good just might ha- Uggh!" (Kagami)
Tatsuki delivered on her promise and after an elbow to the gut the 2 of them could be seen arguing. Both could be seen with smiles on their faces as if it was just their usual walks. Orihime looked on at both of her friends with conflicted feelings.
'Tatsuki likes him too...I shouldn't then. I like him too but not as much as she does....and part of me still likes Ichigo. What should I do? I can't like them both! And what if Rukia likes Ichigo as well? What should I do?' (Orihime)
And so the trio continued on, each thinking about different things.
That day Kagami passed on eating lunch with the group and instead collected information on the local Quincy. Despite the changes to everything it seemed like he stuck with the idea of waiting till the end of exams. Either that or he aborted the plan completely due to the number of Soul Reapers in town.
He was relatively easy to find and after asking around a bit it turned out that he seemed rather irritated recently. He was originally cold and stoic but now he could periodically be seen with a grimace at various times in the day or muttering angrily to himself.
Kagami suspected that those times might be either when he had met Ichigo or when a stray patrol passed by the school. Either way he was approaching a breaking point which might lead him to doing something rash. Better to be safe than sorry so he called a meeting and told everyone about what was coming.
That evening he took the girls and Rukia to meet up with Kisuke. He made sure to phrase it in an obscure way and pass it off as a mixture of observation and speculation. By now everyone trusted his senses enough that they kept their guards up. Kagami advised that for now they keep Ichigo out because he was too rash and he might only make matters worse and Rukia agreed.
Usually he would be far too stubborn but Rukia had gotten quite good at persuading the him. Kagami said nothing but his teasing smile said it all which Rukia's blushing face answered. He suspected they weren't dating or anything but she definitely had feelings for him. This was new change but not necessarily a bad one. Maybe she even liked him for a time in canon but certain events changed that.
Orihime saw that and once again felt conflicted which was of course noticed by a certain black cat. Remembering her conversation with Kagami she knew exactly what had to be done. Wasting no time Yoruichi called both girls over to hold a separate meeting and even invited Rukia just for the heck of it.
It was obvious what Yoruichi was trying to do but Kagami paid it no mind. He made his stance clear so to him whatever was supposed to happen, would happen.
It was now just him and Kisuke left and seeing as most of his training was done by Yoruichi, it had been a while since they had last fought. The constant patrols from Soul Society had even started irritating him so maybe making a crater or 2 might help.
"Well well Kagami-kun. Seems like the ladies have business to attend to. in the meantime let's have a talk shall we?" (Kisuke)
"Huh? Sure I guess..." (Kagami)
Following Kisuke as they moved in the direction of the training field he couldn't help but feel something different about Kisuke today. Could it be about his date with Yoruichi? Or maybe it was to discuss more precautions for what was coming? Either way he'd know soon because upon meeting the field, Kisuke had started taking distance from him.
Kisuke simply stood there in silence, with his back turn even, yet Kagami could feel something in the air. It wasn't a threatening feeiling neither was it something like rage or any other emotion. Whatever it was made feel like he was a cornered animal. He could almost taste a battle forming and unknowingly a nervous smile could be seen forming on his face.
'Whatever it is, seems like he's serious. If I really go all out I can handle him pre bankai...right?'
"Did you know....." (Kisuke)
"Huh?" (Kagami)
".....that I took Yoruichi's first time?" (Kisuke)
"?!!" (Kagami)
***************
If one had extremely good senses, one could see 2 figures causing what looked like a sandstorm. These figures moved at speeds faster than the human eye could see, their every strike sending waves of sand which could have easily have parted a normal fight. But not theirs.
As Kagami was sent flying after their last collision, he couldn't help but be distracted. 'Why would he say this now? So what, is he just jealous? Does he feel that because he was her first, she belongs to him? Damn bastard.' All trace of a smile gone as Kagami regained his footing and rushed back towards his opponent.
Kisuke stood waiting with an unreadable look on his face. He stood with one hand simply holding his hat as if he was facing nothimg but a strong wind. His poise exuding such calm it was obvious he felt no threat from the approaching Kagami. Angered at his nonchalance, Kagami attacked ceaselessly leaving no room for relatiation.....or so he thought.
Time slowed as he could see Kisuke casually jumping over his last slash. One hand on hit hat and the other....thrusting his sword towards his eye. Instantly his anger was doused and he felt threatened. This wasn't like any of his previous practice injuries....this could potentially take his out eye. But worse yet is that both fighters had completely forgotten that Kagami had not transformed. He was fighting as a human so this stab could kill him!
The point was a mere few centimeters away from his eye and Kagami couldn't help but feel wronged. 'This bastard! Does he really want to kill me? All because she chose me over him?! No way! No way I'm just going to stand here and take this shit!!'
Kagami released his sword hoping to lose the forward momentum of his last move while moving away from the incoming stab. Instinctively his other hand moved in retaliation but what could his empty hand do when Kisuke wasn't even in arms reach? Yet almost instantly after he had let go of his sword in his right hand, it appeared in his now moving left. And his blade was much closer than Kisuke's. A choice had to be made.
These changes happened in a split second and right after a large plume of sand could be seen where both men were standing. There was silence and no further movements but a large cloud of dust prevented anyone from knowing the state of either combatants. As the dust cleared one could see an unharmed but exhausted Kagami laying in a crater. Next to him lay Kisuke's sword while his was in hamd. Above him stood Kisuke with bleeding from a wound across his cheek.
Nothing but the sound of heavy breathing could be heard as both men recovered from what almost happened. One of them could have died! Kagami recovered first and in a burst of anger he approached Kisuke.
"What's the big idea? So hung up on Yoruichi, you can't stand seeing her with someone else so you try to kill me?! I really thought you were better than that. I really liked your character too. Dammit!" (Kagami)
"..." (Kisuke)
"Well? Say something?" (Kagami)
"Sigh... I didn't say that to try to scare you off. I just wanted to tell you about us.....about her." (Kisuke)
"What? What about her?" (Kagami)
"I've known her for hundreds of years and right now we're no more than friends. But before that.....I fell for her."