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At what moment, exactly, had they become so inseparable?
Ikkaku couldn't tell when it had been, nor how it had happened. Yumichika had simply appeared in his life at some point, and the next moment he had been practically attached at his hip. He couldn't even remember what, exactly, had been the reason behind Yumichika's sudden fixation on him.
In fact, when he thought about it, wasn't that truly weird? He and Yumichika were so incredibly different that one would wonder what that beautiful, narcissistic man had seen in a simple guy like himself. And is not that Ikkaku had a problem with self-esteem, it was simply… weird, somehow, that two people so unlike each other would become so close without any effort, that someone like him would befriend a person so different than anyone he had met before.
At first he had thought that, maybe, Yumichika had just been curious— the Madarame family had a reputation, and as he grew up, Ikkaku had made one for himself as well. The moment Yumichika appeared, looking like he belonged somewhere else like the Seireitei, had made the bald guy wonder if he was some sort of noble looking for someone to do some dirty work for him.
But, as it turned out, Yumichika could deal with doing dirty work by himself just fine.
He wasn't a big fan of it, but when you live in the Rukongai you must learn to adapt to the harsh life. The pretty boy could certainly handle himself perfectly. So, it shouldn't have been a surprise that, at some point, he started handling the other as well.
Now, if Ikkaku had learned something from the Madarame family, that would be that they weren't suited for settling. Since he and Shino were kids they had been passed around like someone would do a ball in a game or sport. He soon understood that attachment was not something he could do, and started wandering around in search of someone to take all his anger out.
But something changed after meeting Yumichika. There was something welcoming about his presence, as if he had always been waiting for him to return. And indeed, no matter for how long Ikkaku might disappear, when he came back Yumichika was ready to treat his wounds and offer him a humble meal before hearing about his latest trip. And every time, he'd greet him with the same words and a smug smile:
"I knew you'd make it back, Ikkaku."
Arrogant, definitely, to say that as if he had been expecting a pet to come back. But honestly, that was part of his charm. Even in that dirty place, surrounded by brutes and crazy people, Ayasegawa sparked superiority over everything and everyone just by being himself. And even if his clothes were cheap, he made sure to keep them clean and pretty, sewing them over and over again after some fight.
And yet, for someone so egocentric, Yumichika hardly ever spoke about himself in depth. All he talked about was his beauty —and, in consequence, about everyone else's ugliness—, yet he wouldn't say a word about his family (that is, if he had any) or plans. It should have sparked some suspicion from Ikkaku, maybe, but at the moment he hadn't thought much about it.
Years later he would reflect on it, on how little he actually knew about Yumichika Ayasegawa, and wonder why he had never asked in the first place. It just hadn't crossed his mind, as he had never felt the need to know more about anyone. Other than one's strength and disposition towards battle, his interest in anyone else was lacking at best.
Was it truly necessary, tho? Even if he didn't know much about Yumichika, Ikkaku had never felt like it could cause a problem between them. The only thing that had always mattered was that they were loyal to one another, and he would never have a single doubt about Yumichika's loyalty. Because no matter what, he was always there, at his side or a few steps back, ready to take whatever path Ikkaku might guide him to.
So he had never had any doubt that Yumichika would follow him after Zaraki Kenpachi. And just as he thought, there had not been any doubt in those purple eyes of his when Ikkaku had told him his plan. Their plan, because at some point that became an unwritten rule between them, that no matter what, for everything one of them wanted to achieve the other would be there to witness it.
There was another unwritten rule, however, one well carved into their skulls: they'd be together for everything, but they'd do nothing together. Each would have their fights, and each would have their goals. It was just a matter of respect for a fellow warrior, and most importantly, a matter of respect for a close friend. Perhaps that was what made them such a good duo: they understood each other without having to say much, they knew what the other wanted without having to voice it out loud, they knew each other's hearts as if they were their own.
And so, when things had to change, they had both been aware of that, too.
"I fucked up." Was the first thing the third seat said, once Aizen and the Arrancar had been crushed and defeated in the same way his ego had been stomped over before.
"I noticed." Was the obvious response. It made his bald scalp twitch, but well, Yumichika certainly had a reason to be an ass this time, so he'd let it pass.
"So…" The pretty man continued, given that Madarame had gone silent. "What now?"
What now? What a good question. What were they supposed to do now?
Well, the answer should be obvious. "We become stronger." He said, looking straight at those purple eyes that had always watched over him. "Together."
The fifth seat smiled at that, wearing that smug face of his that seemed to say something like "I already knew that". And Ikkaku would hate to see it in any other, but not with him, because of course Yumichika would know without him having to say anything.
And so they did. They practiced together, becoming stronger during the months that came after that, and in the process became closer, too. It made him wonder why, even when they had always been together, they hadn't tried to do this before. Yumichika's natural talent for Kidō was a perfect complement to Hōzukimaru's range of attack, giving it openings that would otherwise require too much time. It was fun, and it reminded him of those first days when they'd team up to steal something to drink or have something to eat. Huh, what a long journey they've gone through…
Maybe that's why it doesn't bother him that Yumichika still won't tell him much about Fuji Kujaku. He must have his reasons, but Ikkaku is sure he'll show him whatever he's hiding someday. After all, they have always been together, from being thieves and troublemakers to becoming warriors and respected soldiers, the essence of their bond is the one thing that won't ever change between them.
Because he knows Yumichika is loyal to him, and he knows that he will always have his back whenever he needs it. And, just as well, he'd give his life happily if it were to be for his friend.