There is another version of this fic that is/will be written by the user Kazuki Kuchiki and posted to this site. I encourage you to read both fics. Though the general events are the same, there are slight differences in how we wrote the story. It would be wise to read at least some of both stories and decide if you want to follow both, just mine, or just Kazuki's.

Disclaimer: Sure as hell isn't mine. If it was, I'd be making the pairings more obvious. And not killing off certain characters.

Chapter 1

The Healing Touch

Following the daring rescue of Rukia Kuchiki and Souske Aizen's shocking revelation, Ichigo Kurosaki, fifteen-year-old substitute Soul Reaper, was spending time in the Kuchiki manor, recovering from his wounds at the insistence of the lord of the manor, Byakuya Kuchiki. Said lord just so happened to be standing in the doorway to the guest room, where Ichigo was laying on a white futon in the center. Byakuya was simply looking over him.

Ichigo's eyes opened when he sensed the other man's spiritual pressure. He was surprised to see Rukia's brother watching him. "You want something?" he asked.

Byakuya shook his head slowly. "Not in particular. The healer had to run out for something and I volunteered to make sure you didn't do something to hurt yourself."

Ichigo sat up with a groan, letting the blanket fall from his bare chest. "Yeah, after you tried to kill me."

"Ah, I apologize for that. I let my pride get in my way," Byakuya said, staying by the door and forcing a blush down. "If you wouldn't mind..." He held out a robe for him. Ichigo stood and took it and shrugged it on. The robe at least covered his battered and bandaged chest. Byakuya turned slightly when Ichigo stood to give him a sense of some dignity, even though the boy was nude and wounded. "The healers unfortunately had to strip you of your clothing to heal you."

"I noticed. Why are you helping me?" Ichigo asked as he tied the robe shut.

"You proved to me that I should follow my heart and not my sense of duty when it comes to family. For that I am grateful."

The noble's sudden change of heart had the substitute reeling. "Are you hitting on me?"

"No. Trust me, Kurosaki. If I were as you so elegantly phrased it, hitting on you, you would know it."

"First you try to kill me, now you're thanking me? Sorry to sound skeptical, but I'm having a hard time buying it," Ichigo said with a scowl.

"Then do not, and remove yourself from my property," Byakuya said, turning to leave.

"I would, if your damn healers would let me leave!" Ichigo shouted. He then winced, as his shouting sent a wave of pain through his injuries.

The noble reacted on instinct and rushed forward to steady Ichigo. "Perhaps you should lay down and let me call the head healer."

He leaned into the other man, exhausted. "Good idea."

Byakuya led him back to the futon and laid him under the blanket before leaving to fetch the healer. I cannot believe he called my bluff so quickly, he is more perceptive than people give him credit for.

Ichigo panted, wondering what Kuchiki was getting at. He doesn't seem the type to keep an eye on me like that, grateful or not.

Byakuya soon came back with the head healer. "Are you feeling any better?" he asked the orange-haired teen on the floor.

"A little. That shouting really took a lot out of me."

"Then refrain from shouting...idiot..."

Ichigo scowled. "It's your fault. You pissed me off."

Byakuya scowled right back. "It is not my fault that you were being stubborn about things that at the time were none of your concern!" he shouted, which made Ichigo flinch. Byakuya took a deep breath to calm himself. "My apologies. I did not intend to start yelling."

"Uh huh."

"I know that you will not understand what is going through my mind right now, but to give you some perspective. Imagine the young girl up on Sokyoku Hill had been your sister and not mine."

"I'd never let anyone kill Karin or Yuzu! I only became a Soul Reaper so I could protect them!"

"Now you understand what I feel. Having failed in protecting my own sister." Byakuya looked down at the floor. Ichigo got to his feet shakily and patted Byakuya's shoulder awkwardly. "Lay back down before I am forced to lay you out, Kurosaki. Do not think I will not stoop that low."

Ichigo nodded, a fearful look on his face, and laid down. "Just thought I'd help."

"You have already helped. Now it is my turn to return the favor." Byakuya sat near to Ichigo on the floor.

Ichigo rolled over to face him. "How?"

"How what?" The noble raised one eyebrow.

"How are you going to return the favor?" Ichigo's heart pounded nervously.

"I am going to make sure that you are in one piece, and that that piece is functioning the way it is supposed to be before you leave my manor. Are you feeling unwell again? Your face is bright red." He put his hand against Ichigo's forehead to check his temperature.

"I'm fine," he mumbled. No, I'm not. What the hell is going on?

"Are you sure?" God, what am I doing? This is beyond inappropriate conduct.

"I dunno. My hands are really sweaty." What would Rukia think? Byakuya found a dry cloth and ran it slowly and carefully over Ichigo's hands to dry cloth tickled his hands. He clenched them into fists. "What's wrong with me?"

"I have a guess, but I do not wish to embarrass you." Byakuya put the cloth down and continued to just sit by the substitute.

"I don't think I could be embarrassed any further," Ichigo said simply. It was partly true, since the older man was making him feel some very strange things. Things he wasn't going to admit out loud.

"Trust me, Kurosaki. This will mortify you." Byakuya gave him a slight smile. Ichigo just blushed slightly and tried to hide it. "I can only assume that you are blushing, your palms are sweaty and your heart feels like it will burst from your chest at any moment?" Ichigo nodded. "I have displayed those exact same symptoms before. I know what is afflicting you." Byakuya turned his head away from the teen. "The only time I have felt those particular symptoms is when I met Hisana."

"Who's Hisana?"

"My late wife. The only time I can recall myself having the same symptoms as you are now, was when I realized I was in love with her. She is Rukia's older sister. Unfortunately, Hisana passed away 50 years ago."

Ichigo just nodded again, unsure of what Byakuya was getting at. Me? In love? No, that's not possible. Especially not near this stuffed shirt.

Byakuya subconsciously brushed his own sweat-covered palms on his uniform. "I wish Rukia would have gotten a chance to actually meet her."

"How is Rukia? I haven't seen here the whole time I've been here."

"Fine. She is in Hueco Mundo on a scouting mission. All is well that I know of."

"That's good." He rolled onto his back and winced as the hard floor hit a sore spot.

Byakuya picked him up and started walking down the hall to a more lavishly decorated room. "Rest in here." He laid Ichigo on a Western style bed.

He looked up into those steely eyes with his warm brown ones. "You sure?"

"The bed in here is far more comfortable than the one in the guest bedroom. And I will be much closer if you need anything."

He nodded. "Thanks for letting me stay here."

"I do not think you quite understand where you are."

"What do you mean?"

"Do you know whose bed that is?" Byakuya looked at Ichigo pointedly. "You are not in any of the guest rooms."

Ichigo shook his head. "I'm still all woozy."

Byakuya sighed. "That is my bed. You are in my personal chambers."

Ichigo blushed a deep red. "I...err...I think I'll be okay in the guest room."

"No. You were wincing and laying on the softest futon I own. I insist that you spend the rest of your recuperation time here."

"But where are you going to sleep?"

"Over there in the attendant's alcove." Byakuya pointed to a moderately sized sleeping area. "Normally Torio sleeps there, but he is visiting an ailing parent right now." Ichigo nodded, wishing the blush would just go away. Byakuya's face broke into a smile slowly. "I do not mind at all." He started removing his uniform as Ichigo quickly covered his eyes to hide the sight. "No need for that. I am not ashamed of my body."

"Yeah, but I am." He slowly lowered his hand, still very uncertain. After all, this was the man that had tried to kill him.

"What reason would you have to be ashamed of my body?" Byakuya stripped nude and started rummaging through his closet.

"I'm not gay." Ichigo hid his head under the blankets, not thrilled with the view. What was with this guy?

"I do not understand your comment..." He pulled out a pale blue sleeping robe and put it on. "What does your orientation have to do with my getting changed?"

"I don't like seeing nude guys." A few locks of bright hair were all that were visible of Ichigo.

"I do not recall forcing you to look. We are in my bedroom, where my clothes are kept." Byakuya sat on the futon in the alcove.

"Well, you...never mind."

He looked down. "I am sorry. I should not have done anything to offend you...I will go sleep in the guest room."

Ichigo peeked out, his eyes wide. "No, I don't mind if you slept in here. Like you said, you'll be closer if something happens." He felt the blush return. "Besides, if Aizen or his goons come looking for me, I'd rather have you protecting me." What was he saying? Did he really want Byakuya protecting him? The man who almost killed his own sister?

Byakuya fought the blush and lost. "Perhaps you are right and it is better that I stay here."

Ichigo found himself smiling slightly as he folded down the blanket. "Thanks."

"For?"

"Everything."

Byakuya scrunched his eyebrows and looked at the orange-haired Soul Reaper beore him. "What have I done besides make sure you are fixed up?"

"I don't know. But that's the main thing. Otherwise I'd be dead."

"I see." Byakuya moved over to a chair by the bed. "If you do not mind my asking, do you like my sister?"

"Yeah, but just as a friend. I don't think she'd ever see us as much more than that."

"I...see..." Byakuya looked down, trying to hide the blush that had returned. "Do you want her to see you both as more than that?" he asked.

"I don't know." Ichigo looked at his hands on the blanket. "I'm really grateful to her for giving me my powers, but were just so different. I don't think it could ever work. I mean, I'm still alive and she's...well..."

Byakuya took a few breaths. "I understand. I will leave you to rest now." He went over to the alcove and laid down, while Ichigo rolled over, closed his eyes, and tried to calm his racing heart. He shot me down before I even started...I do not understand why it hurts as much as it does...it shouldn't, Byakuya thought, pulling his arms closer to his body. How could Kurosaki make him feel this way?

What was I saying? I really do like Rukia. Then again, this is her brother, the bastard that almost had her killed. What was I supposed to say? Ichigo thought to himself. He didn't need Horse or Zangetsu making snide comments about his emotions.

Byakuya got back up and left the room, unable to stay near the substitute Soul Reaper. "I apologize, but I simply cannot sleep in there."

He sighed, still unable to fall asleep, his mind racing. Everything's just gone topsy-turvy these last few days. Ever since Aizen went nuts.

He moved into the guest room and laid on the futon where Ichigo had been just moments before, trying to get some sleep. I do not like feeling the way he shot me down.

Meanwhile, Ichigo rolled over to face the doorway. Did I offend him somehow. Shit, I almost said they were all technically dead! What's gotten into me?

As Byakuya curled in on himself and tried to make his heart stop thumping, Ichigo had finally calmed down enough to fall asleep, slipping into a nightmare world where the Hollow took over completely. Those dreams terrified the orange-haired teen. He could barely control Horse. How could he keep his sanity when the Hollow took over every time his life was in danger?

Byakuya jumped up from the futon, feeling the sudden spike in Ichigo's spiritual pressure and runs to his bedroom. "Ichigo! Ichigo!" he shouted, shaking the boy, who woke up in a cold sweat. Byakuya pulled him close to his chest and tried to soothe away the shaking. "Are you okay?"Ichigo curled into him and shook his head. "What happened? Tell me about the dream?" Byakuya tightened his hold on Ichigo.

"I dreamed that the Hollow inside me took over completely." Ichigo shuddered at the thought.

Byakuya ran his hand through Ichigo's hair to soothe him. "We will not let that happen. You will be fine."

Ichigo sniffled "It almost did happen. When we were fighting."

Byakuya kept running his fingers through the bright orange hair as he spoke. "You did not though." I wish I could...but...I cannot...

This feels good. I…I don't ever want him to stop. Ichigo closed his eyes, enjoying the sensation of the noble's fingers in his hair. "If I could've, I would've killed you myself. I wasn't going to let him do it."

"You may have injured me, but I do not think you would have been able to kill me." I wish he would ask me to stay here with him, to stay in my bed beside him.

"C-Can you stay? That dream feels less real with you here," Ichigo said quietly.

Byakuya blinked a few times, surprised at the substitute's sudden question. "Did you just read my mind?"

"I d-don't think so. In the dream, the Hollow killed you and Rukia and everyone else blamed me. If you stayed here, then I know that didn't happen." Ichigo looked up at the older man with tear-filled brown eyes.

"Of course I will stay here" Byakuya held him close to his chest "As long as you need me, I will be right here."

Ichigo leaned on his chest. "Then don't ever leave." I don't know why, but I feel so much better like this.

Byakuya tilted Ichigo's head up and very tentatively kissed him.