OMNOMNOM. ichihitsu. its kinda lk an epilogue to Diamond Dust Rebellion. Again, TAI AND SABER R BUTTING IN. mehehe, tell me when i should stop making them butt in X3 nya~~ oh yea, no hard stuff

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The lavender-colored ice shattered and cascaded in fountains down the sides of the icy palace. The Soul Society rumbled and shook as giant boulders of the frozen waste hurtled onto the ground, creating scores, gashes, and cuts where it struck the cement floor. Atop the highest point of the tower, Toushiro Hitsugaya and Ichigo Kurosaki stood, facing each other. They stared at one another as if stuck in a trance. Their eyes were level even though their height difference was great. Ichigo blinked, the spell was broken. Toushiro looked away and turned his back on the orange-haired shinigami.

"Thank you," he murmured with a slightly annoyed tone. Ichigo, oblivious to the displeasure in his voice, was startled by the sudden act of gratitude. His stance wavered a little and he started forward towards the 10th Division Squad Leader, smiling and shaking his head.

"Being coy really doesn't work for you does it?" he asked, "Not that it really matters now. Let's go to the others." Much to Toushiro's disapproval, he ruffled his hair as he walked by.

Infuriated, he growled, "I'll have you know that even though you have my appreciation, I am still a captain and I do not have to —." He broke off as he noticed a sudden movement behind them. He heard the soft swish of metal as it sliced through the cold air and his eyes caught the bright sheen of light reflecting off a blade. "Look out!" he shouted and shoved Ichigo aside. As he did this, he felt pain erupt from his back and sear down his spine. Numb with agony, Toushiro collapsed onto the icy top of the pillar, his breathing coming out in short, excruciating gasps. Ichigo stumbled clumsily to the side, but quickly regained his footing.

"Hey, what gives, Toushiro?!" He turned around and was rooted to the spot. He watched in horror as bright, crimson blood seeped through Toushiro's haori or captain's cloak as he called it. He saw Toushiro's fists clench and unclench. His eyes were shut tightly. Suddenly, Ichigo heard wild laughter coming from his right. He swiveled his head around and saw the red-haired, female espada. Her hair was completely disheveled and her clothing was in rags. She had numerous cuts and bruises covering her entire body. She had on a maniacal smile and her eyes glinted crazily. She laughed again and swung her sword through thin air, as if trying to cut an unseen enemy.

"How do you like that, huh?" she screamed, "I will have my revenge for Master Kusaka's death!" She continued to battle the invisible foe. Ichigo felt his anger churn and he lunged forward, sword held high.

"Damn you!" he yelled. With one powerful slash of his sword, he sliced her in half and she screamed with agony. Her spiritual pressure began evaporating and he could see black trails rising up and vanishing into thin air. Suddenly, a black flame engulfed her and whisked the remnants away. Her tortured scream still hung in midair. Hastily sheathing his sword, Ichigo ran back to where Toushiro lay. "Toushiro?" he called, getting no response. Damn it, he thought, why the hell did he protect me? Clumsily, he grasped Toushiro's arm and hauled him upright. In his weakened state, however, the silver-haired captain merely crumpled onto the ground again. "Come on," he hissed though clenched teeth. He was about to attempt again when a pair of hands stopped him.

"Allow me," said a voice. Ichigo looked up and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Tai. Shuffling aside, he watched as she gently picked up Toushiro, lifting his shoulders off the ground first, then his legs. He heard him whimper softly in pain as splatters of blood splashed onto the ground. Ignoring the crimson stains that slowly stretched across her clothes, Tai cradled Toushiro's head softly on her shoulder and faced Ichigo. "Let's go."

Taking a few steps, Tai leaped off the pillar, followed closely by Ichigo. They bounded through the air on invisible platforms of their own making. He noticed that each time she took off, a few droplets of blood would fall through the space. Ichigo shuddered and thought, Is Toushiro's wound really deep? He felt a strange sense of worry overtake him, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake it off. What's wrong with me?

Lower and lower they went, each movement bringing them closer to the ground. When he was close enough, Ichigo dropped down onto the ground and began sprinting. Tai, however, chose to land farther ahead of him on the roof of a squad building and flash-stepped along the slippery tiles. He watched her figure disappear and reappear constantly, leaving a trail of blood behind her. Ichigo's gaze involuntarily fell onto the limp body she carried in her arms. He felt his heart clench and his throat constrict. Why is it so hard to breathe when I'm near him?

Sprinting along, he spotted Rangiku Matsumoto, Toushiro's lieutenant. She noticed him and waved, beckoning him over. He signaled for Tai to come with him and she leaped nimbly off the roof. Ichigo slowed his pace and walked besides her as they approached Matsumoto. He watched as her smile vanished as they came closer and her grey-blue eyes turned watery.

"Tai, what happened to Captain Hitsugaya?" She looked at Tai, as if pleading her to tell say that it wasn't true, but Tai returned her gaze with an unreadable look. Afraid that Matsumoto might look his way, Ichigo turned his head away and stared in the other direction. Luckily for him, Matsumoto seemed so at lost that she had forgotten his presence and continued to direct her questions at Tai. "You will heal him won't you?"

"Of course," she replied, "he is my nakama and Ichigo's as well. He is your captain and even if you didn't wish for it I would have done it anyways." Without waiting for an answer, she leaped over her head and onto the roof again, vanishing in the blink of an eye. Matsumoto turned and looked around wildly for Tai.

"Tai, wait!" She was about to run after her when Ichigo grabbed her by the shoulder and spun her around to face him.

"Toushiro will be fine," he said, trying to calm her, "If anyone, Tai should be the one to look after him. Though I should warn you, she doesn't like being disturbed when she's in the middle of treating a patient unless they're well enough already. Well, I do it all the time but still… I think we should just go on with cleaning this place up. It's best for now."

Matsumoto looked down and sighed, trying to gather her thoughts. "You're right," she replied, "Thanks." After a moment, she continued, "Where do you get off having the right to call Captain Hitsugaya by his first name? As lieutenant, I will not stand for this rudeness towards my captain. Desist immediately and go clean something!" She huffed and stormed off.

Damn it, thought Ichigo, she's returned to her old, bitch-like self. Though I suppose it is better this way. He scratched his head like he often did when he was irritated and looked up at the sky. You better get well soon, Toushiro, because I'm not sure how long I can put up with that woman!

To be continued…

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still wrkin on eet