I can't believe it! I managed to complete one story and start a new one! A few of the ideas in this story I kinda based off of a couple of other fic's namely Empathy by Heuk Ya and Comfort by Neko Oni, (both of which are very, very good) hope nobody minds.

Also I was going to try to make this one have longer chapters and more chapters so I may not update as often as I did before, sorry.

Thoughts Italicized

Hyormaru's thoughts Italicized and bold

Toushirou Hitsugaya, Captain of the tenth division closed his eyes and rested his head on the hard surface of his desk. He honestly couldn't remember that last time he had slept or even eaten a decent meal. In fact the only reason he was still awake and functioning was because of some very, very strong tea and the known that if he did not get the work done then it wouldn't get done.

The winter war had ended inconclusively, the only good thing was that Tosen was dead and the Soul Reapers that were in Huecco Mundo along with Ichigo and his friends had made it back safely. On the other hand Aizen and Gin had escaped leaving behind both physical and worse, mental scars.

Particularly in two of the most important people in his life, Momo's fragile mind had finally shattered and at the moment she was staying with granny, it was hoped that in a familiar setting with nothing to remind her of Aizen that she would heal. Unfortunately Toushirou was forbidden to see her; there were just too many memories of him that were connected to Aizen.

Needless to say he was sick with worry and so in order to make himself feel useful he had volunteered to do the fifth divisions' paper work, not realizing that the other person in his life was going to add her own paper work to his already overloaded work load.

In Rangiku's case she was simply depressed, really, really depressed, so depressed that the young captain was seriously worried that she would try to hurt herself, or worse. Rangiku was now almost constantly drunk, which really wasn't all that unusually but she was no longer the happy, bubbly, person she used to be, she just seemed lifeless.

Toushirou was at a lost for what to do about either of them, Momo was out of reach and every time he tried to comfort Rangiku he ended up saying the wrong thing and succeeded only in making things worse, in fact Renji had told him bluntly that if he wasn't going that he had better just leave.

All of this lead up to him having a massive amount of paperwork; he was doing all of the fifth divisions', his own and Rangiku's because he didn't have the heart to make her get it done.

It really it my own damn fault, he thought as he lifted his head from is desk.

I could just go and ask one of the other captains to take some of it, but honestly, everyone else has enough to do without me adding more work, and besides, this really is the only way I've found to be of any use.

Toushirou blinked and rubbed his eyes, trying to clear his blurred vision.

You push yourself to hardcame the deep calming voice of his zanpaku-to.

I'm fine Hyormaru, just a little tired that's all he tried to convince both his sword and himself.

The worried dragon snorted Liar, you're dead on your feet, and on top of that you're ill.

Toushirou cursed that dragon quietly under his breath, for a while now he had been feeling under the weather which he, of course, chose to ignore and to do more of what had undoubtedly made him sick in the first place, more work and worrying.

Toushirou stood and began to stagger over to the kettle, intent on making more tea in an attempt to keep himself awake. Suddenly he froze, swaying dangerously, he began coughing violently; it was three whole minutes before the fit passed. He looked down at the hand he had been coughing into and was slightly surprised to find it covered in blood. That can't be good was the only thought his tired brain registered before the floor came rushing up to meet him bring the darkness along with it.

Rangiku made her way to the tenth division office where she knew her captain was sure to be. It was about 10:00 in the morning, a little later than the time she usually dragged herself out of bed and went to the office. That is before the winter war and Gin's harsh words, now she didn't even visit the office anymore.

She was going there now because Renji had finally shouted at her being so selfish and that her poor captain deserved to be treated better than this.

"He's worried sick about you!" Renji had shouted at her "The very lest you could do is show up sober and do a little bit of work before he collapse!"

She sighted, she knew he was right and that if what she was hearing was true then her captain really did deserve a break.

Rangiku paused in front of the office door, steeling herself for the tiny captain's reprimands for not doing any of her paperwork. Taking a deep breath she knocked on the door to announce her presence before opening it.

Her eyes went to the desk he sat at only to find it empty.

"Captain?"

Her eyes wonderd about the room and then she saw something or someone lying on the floor.

"CAPTAIN!!!"

She hurried over and knelt beside him, her eyes went to the blood on his hand and the corners or his mouth. Panicked, she gentle shook him.

"Captain?!?! Captain, please, please wake up! I can't lose you as well!"

Slowly, far too slowly for the frantic lieutenant, the tiny captain managed to open he eyes with a soft moan.

"R-rangiku?" his voice sounded thin and weak, his eyes were glazed over and his hands where trembling.

"Oh, Captain!"

She watched as he tried and failed to stand, his whole body shaking for the failed effort. Quickly she laid a hand on his shoulder to prevent him form trying again; the other hand went to his forehead and his cheeks.

"Oh gods, you're burning up!"

He shook his head weakly, sweat dripping off from his white hair that was quickly losing its usual spikiness.

"I'm f-fine."

He mumbled and Rangiku snorted as she gently lifted the small boy into her arms, she frowned again, he was much lighter than normal and when you only weight around 62 pounds losing any amount of weight is a big deal.

"R-rangiku, p-put me d-down I'm f-fine." He murmured again, trying vainly to push her away but was far too weak to.

He gave up and collapsed, falling once more into unconsciousness.

He awoke for the second time to find himself in a room that could only be in the fourth division. Toushiou sat up, grimacing at the pain that shot across his head. Whatever that had him on was keeping his muscles from aching but not doing much for the massive headache.

After the room had stopped spinning the young captain pushed back his covers and slipped out of bed. His legs threaten to give out on him as he grabbed hold of the bedposts for support.

What are you doing little one? You should not be out of bed. Toushirou ignored the concerned voice of his zanpaku-to as he walked unsteadily towards the door and slipped out into the corridor.

Toushirou! You need to stay in bed! You are ill!He winced at the loud voice of Hyormaru.

Unohana has enough on her hands without me adding to it and besides, I feel fine. He told his anxious companion who growled in frustration.

It took the small captain nearly an hour to make it back to the tenth division office, by which time his already pale skin was bleached of all color and the white robe he was wearing was soaked with sweat.

He pushed open the office door to find Rangiku for once doing paperwork. The busty woman looked up at the sound of the door opening and cursed herself for not seeing this coming.

She set down the brush and went to stand in front of him, placing her hands on her hips.

"You should be in bed."

He shook his head and tried move around her but he was so weak he that the only reason he was still on his feet was sheer willpower.

"N-no . . . paperwork . . . I have . . . paperwork."

Rangiku scowled "I will do the paperwork, you need to rest." She told him but nothing she said stopped him from attempting to work.

This is not gong to work, if I take him back to the fourth division he will just keep trying to leave and restraining him will likely do more harm then good so what am I . . . Rangiku's eyes lit up as an idea came to her all she need was to send a message and get permission, which, given the current state of her captain, shouldn't be that hard to get.

Authors Notes: Yeah I know how could I possibly have more to say with that big long paragraph at the beginning?!?!? I didn't put a disclaimer at the top so it's going down at the bottom! I do not own bleach in any way shape or form. And as usually please, please, please review! Ok I'm done now ^_^