Chapter 4

Byakuya woke the next morning slowly. He didn't really want to get out of bed. He was pondering the events of the previous day. He mulled it over and over in his mind. How could he have let himself get so worked up over a human?

Not just any human, he reminded himself. Ichigo Kurosaki, the one man who made his blood boil and his heart melt with an act as simple as a smile. It didn't even have to be directed at him. Good lord, what if he had directed a smile at him? Would he even be able to contain himself? Just thinking about it made him hard. He wanted to see him smile just for him. He wanted to be the reason he was smiling. If only he were so lucky.

Byakuya scoffed. When had he become such a simpering wuss. He'd turned into a damn softy without even realizing it had happened. He rolled onto his back and covered his eyes with his forearm. He closed his eyes and thought about the young man that broke through every barrier Byakuya had forged. When had that happened? If he was honest with himself, it happened the moment he met the lad. He never wanted to leave Ichigo lying in the middle of the street, but he hadn't had a choice. At the time, he was more involved with how to maintain his clan's honor and save Rukia. In the end, he had chosen the clan over his sister.

Something interrupted his thoughts, and when he recognized it, his zanpakuto voiced it.

'Master…I feel it. It's here. That reiatsu.'

Byakuya felt it. He would never forget the way that reiatsu washed over his very being every time he was near. Ichigo. Ichigo was here. Ichigo was in the Seireitei. He jumped up and dressed quickly. If he Ichigo was here, then he was alright. He had to be.

He darted out of the manor in great haste and was following Ichigo's spiritual pressure like a dog would follow it's master's scent.

'Master…if you are not ready and willing to admit you love the boy…perhaps you should slow down. They will wonder why you are all worked up. You're not yourself.'

Senbonzakura was right. If anyone saw him at the moment, they would know something was wrong. He was not behaving the way a noble member of the Kuchiki Clan should. He slowed his pace and made his way toward the cause of his desire.

As he neared, something strange in Ichigo's spiritual pressure caught his attention. It was just as strong as it always was; just as vibrant and powerful, but something was off. The strength of it seemed to fluctuate. It was somewhat unsteady.

He turned the corner gracefully and saw the backs of his sister and Vice-Captian. They were busy fussing over a bundle in Renji's arms. He looked around for Ichigo, but he was nowhere in sight. His reiatsu was close. He didn't understand. Then he caught a glimpse of orange and his breath caught in his throat. He calmed himself before approaching them.

"What is going on here?" he demanded of the pair. When they turned to face him, jaws dropped in surprise, he continued, "What is he doing here?"

He was sure to leak distain into his tone. He had to keep up appearances. If anyone knew the truth about his feelings for the substitute soul reaper, he would be the laughing stock of the Seireitei. Deep down, he was horrified. Ichigo wasn't on his feet. He seemed to be unconscious. He wasn't okay.

Renji, scared of invoking his Captain's wrath, answered with an all business tone.

"Sir! Ichigo Kurosaki was severely injured in the World of the Living. Urahara Kisuke requested that we bring him here to the Soul Society to recover. We were on our way the fourth division barracks." Renji would have saluted, but his hands were full.

Byakuya said nothing. Instead he eyed the limp figure in Renji's arms. It broke his heart.

"Brother? Are you alright? Captain Hitsugaya said that you were unwell."

"I'm fine. I'll have a word with Hitsugaya on my own time. He had no right to call you both back here." Rukia started to speak, but he held up a hand to stop her, "But since you are here, I suggest you get to work. Renji, take him to the Kuchiki Manor."

They stared at him. Since when did he take any interest in anyone's well being? It was so very unlike him to care about anyone, especially a human, and Ichigo on top of that. They couldn't have heard him right.

"Sir?"

"Take him to the manor. The fourth division is busy. Those beds are for people who are seriously hurt. It seems that Urahara, regardless of how unworthy he is to be a soul reaper, has done a satisfactory job of mending the boy. He will be fine at the manor." Byakuya said.

Renji hesitated for a moment, "Are you sure that this is okay, Captain?"

"If I have to repeat myself, Vice-Captain Abarai, I'll be extremely annoyed. Do as I say."

"Yes, Sir." Renji moved to do just that and almost tripped. He nearly dropped his injured friend.

Byakuya felt his stomach clench when his second in command almost dropped his precious cargo. He shook his head and walked forward, his arms extended.

"Give him to me. I'll take him."

"No, it's alright, Sir. I've got him."

"Nonsense. I can't imagine that he's light. Hand him over. I will take him home…to the manor. He will be well cared for," Rukia was about to interrupt again, "Rukia, I know that you care for him. I promise I won't harm a hair on his head. With any luck, he will recover quickly and be out of the Soul Society and out of my hair."

"Yes, Brother."

Renji handed Ichigo to his superior and stepped back. "I should get to work then. I'm sure my desk is full."

"Yes, work on my stack as well. Whatever you cannot handle yourself, send to me at the manor. I'm on leave for a while. I'll work from home. Rukia, you are to return to your squad as well."

They saluted and left to carry out their orders. They only looked back warily once before disappearing.

He waited until he was sure they were completely out of sight. He turned and dashed toward the manor. Byakuya looked down at his lifeless charge as he hurried home. It worried him that Ichigo had been unconscious so long. His gaze held on the bandage around Ichigo's head momentarily. According to the rumors that had been flying around the Seireitei, the incident had occurred almost a week ago. Something was seriously wrong.

Senbonzakura felt his master's unease. It was never a good sign when Byakuya was worried. It didn't happen often, but when it did, he wasn't himself. His behavior of late was already questionable. Having the ryoka so close would affect him far worse than it had having him just think and wonder from afar.

'Master…are you sure this is the best solution?'

Byakuya ignored his zanpakuto. He didn't want to think about how he would explain his behavior. When Ichigo woke, he would have a reason for his stay at the Kuchiki Manor all figured out. Until then, he trusted no one to look after the boy. He would do it with his own two hands. He wasn't able to show his feelings normally, this was his chance to do something for the person he loved, even if it was in secret.

Once they reached the manor, he carried Ichigo to the vacant room two doors down from his own. He would have used the room next door, but to others that might seem suspicious. He would have preferred it that way, but he didn't feel like having to explain himself.

He lay the boy down on the bed, made him look as comfortable as he could, changed his bandages and then covered him up to his chin. He made himself comfortable and sat beside him. He would see to Ichigo's recovery himself.

He lay down after a few hours and stared at the orange-haired teenager till his eyes could no longer fight sleep. The last thought he had was his hope that Ichigo would wake soon. Anything, even fighting and bickering with the boy, was better than the waiting and not knowing.

Days went by and Ichigo didn't show any signs of improvement. His wounds were getting better, but he was still completely unconscious. The only positive note to lean on was that he did not get worse. He never suffered from fever and his wounds were healing just fine. They were almost completely gone.

News of Ichigo's return to the Seireitei had circulated. Everyone who was a friend to the boy wanted to know how he was doing. During a Captain's meeting, Yammamoto informed the rest of the Lieutenants and Captains of Ichigo's whereabouts and current condition. That of course raised a couple of eyebrows. When people questioned Byakuya about it, he waved them off at first, saying it was none of their business. When that wasn't enough to appease them, he changed his story. He told them that he wanted Unohana focused on soul reapers that mattered, like his men, who were still recovering in the fouth's barracks. For now, that seemed to be enough, though some wondered if there was something he was leaving out, Jushiro and Kyoraku for instance.

Unohana, the Captain of squad four, was informed of Ichigo's condition and presense in the Seireitei. Renji told her everything that happened in the world of the living and what Urahara had done to help him recover. He also told her that Captain Kuchiki insisted Ichigo rest at the manor. Unohana thought that strange. Therefore, she made daily visits to the manor to tend to Ichigo. She had every intention of changing his bandages and administering aide to him, only every day she found both things had already been done. All she could do was give him new treatments and assess his progress.

Byakuya always left her alone with Ichigo, though she had the impression that he was rather annoyed by her visit, as though she were interrupting. She found it sweet that he was taking such an interest in the boy. She had no doubt in her mind that he had been a constant vigil beside Ichigo unless interrupted by visitors.

Other than Unohana's visits, Ichigo had several others come to see him. Renji and Rukia were obviously daily visitors. Captain Ukitake and Captain Kyoraku also came by. Ikkaku and Yumichika stopped in to no surprise. Even Yachiru and Zaraki came to check on his progress. After a few days, even Hisagi and Izuru stopped by nervously. The officers that were sent to the World of the Living came back only once to check on him. They all sat next to him and talked to him, hoping that he could hear them somewhere in the depths of his mind.

Byakuya was forced to find other things to do during these periods of time. He found himself working on past due paperwork. He had been out of work for the days Ichigo was in the Soul Society. It needed to be done anyhow.

When a week passed, Byakuya took to sitting in the garden just outside Ichigo's door. He enjoyed the peace and quiet and took the time to think about what he would do when the boy did wake. He had several plausible ideas, but none seemed particularly appealing.

He was just creating a new excuse for Ichigo's presense in the manor when a lazy shuffling of feet alerted him that he was no longer alone. He looked up to snap at whoever it was that about to bother him, then froze. His eyes locked onto the person before him. Ichigo was leaning against a pillar, breathing carefully and looking rather lost.

Ichigo looked up at him once he caught his breath. The butterflies that were swirling in the noble's stomach for days went into a tizzy. Ichigo was all disheveled in his soul reaper robes. The top was open more than it should have been and exposed a very toned chest. His hair was all messed up and sticking out at odd angles. It was completely and utterly sexy.

Byakuya was so caught up in the look that Ichigo portrayed, that it took a minute before he realized something was wrong. Ichigo was walking slowly toward him, gazing around the yard and looking confused. He thought at first that he was just disoriented as most people were when first waking up, plus he had the excuse of his head injury to put toward that.

Ichigo was almost right in front of him, but he seemed hesitant to speak. Byakuya straightened and tried to look stern. Keeping things normal was key.

"Ichigo Kurosaki…."

"Thank god….you know me then?" The boy smiled, sighing in relief, "I have been lying in that room back there for like twenty minutes trying to figure out where I am."

Byakuya almost dropped his jaw. He had been right to be worried about that head wound. Ichigo could be a joker though, he could just be messing with him.

"You don't know who you are?" He said.

"Not really. I mean, I know my name. I know how old I am, but that's about as much as I can remember at the moment. It's good that I found you."

As far as his personality went, Ichigo seemed normal, he just didn't have a clue who or where he was. The Captain Commander was not going to be happy about losing his secret weapon. Though, Byakuya couldn't care less about the up and coming battle against Aizen. He would rather Ichigo stay out of it anyhow. Can't get hurt if he's not there…but there was no way that they could keep him out of it.

Byakuya stepped a bit closer, "How do you feel?"

"I feel fine. Why? Should I not be feeling fine?" Ichigo asked, feeling slightly panicked.

"No, you should feel good. You have been unconscious for a long time. I'm," he paused, trying to find the right word, "glad to hear that you feel better."

"Unconscious? What happened to me?"

Here would be the true test. He would be sure to drop names the soul reaper was familiar with. If he was joking, he would slip up eventually.

"You were hurt. I'll explain later. Right now we should get you some food and I'll call Captain Unohana. She'll be happy to hear you're awake. Rukia and Renji will be happy as well."

"Who are they?" Ichigo looked truly curious.

It was as he had feared. This was no joke. His head wound knocked his memory out of whack. With any luck it would return in a few days.

He helped Ichigo turn around without toppling and started for the dining hall. The first thing was to get some food into his belly. Half way there, Ichigo froze and held onto his stomach. Byakuya thought he was going to be sick.

"What is this? What is this pressure?"

At first Byakuya had no idea what he was talking about. Then the spiritual pressure hit him. It was more than one. It seemed that no one needed to be informed of his condition. Many people were already on their way. They probably felt the difference in Ichigo's spiritual pressure the second he woke.

"What you feel is spiritual pressure. It is completely normal. You are very used to this sort of feeling normally." Byakuya explained.

"Okay, thank you….um…." Ichigo struggled with the name that was on the tip of his tongue.

Byakuya was about to recite his rank and title, but something stopped him. That lost little puppy look in Ichigo's eyes touched his heart. The boy was normally confident, brave, strong, and determined. At the moment, however, he looked so damn innocent. He looked worried, unsure of himself and even a little scared. Byakuya couldn't remember the boy ever looking scared. Not even when he should have been.

"Byakuya." He said, softening his voice. He didn't want to scare him more. He needed to feel safe.

"Byakuya?"

"Yes, that's my name. Byakuya Kuchiki. I am the Captain of Squad Six here in the Seireitei."

"Okay, thank you, Byakuya. So, this place is called the Seireitei?"

"Well, this is the Kuchiki Manor, but the place we are in is called the Soul Society. This particular city I guess you could call it, is called the Seireitei."

Ichigo looked like his head was going to explode. Too much information too fast, Byakuya thought. He had to take it slower.

"We'll talk about that later. I'll get you all caught up. I promise, Ichigo."

"Thanks."

"Now, back to your earlier question. The pressure you feel is the spiritual pressures of your friends. Can you feel how each of them are different in strength?"

Ichigo nodded, not understanding how exactly he knew that.

"Can you feel how they are getting closer?"

He nodded again, his eyes widening. He suddenly came around Byakuya and put himself between him and the incoming power. Whatever was coming, it was strong. Ichigo knew it was more than one and that, he and this man could probably be beaten. They were probably in danger. Even though he didn't seem to remember, he was still willing to protect a complete stranger. In that respect, it was obvious nothing could wipe out Ichigo's protective nature.

"Ichigo, relax. Those people are friends I said. They can feel the changes in your spiritual pressure as well. They know that you're awake now and are coming to see you. You have nothing to worry about."

"Oh. When will they be here?" Ichigo relaxed.

"They are not far. They will find you, we should get you something to eat. Let's go."

The second they sat down in the dining hall, Byakuya was bombarded with questions. He started to explain one thing and then Ichigo would jump to another. He was certainly curious. He secretly wondered if this was how Ichigo was in school….eager to learn. It was a side of Ichigo that Byakuya had never witnessed. That reminded him of Ichigo's request to teach him kido. Perhaps when he had his memories back, he would do just that.

The door to the dining hall burst open and there was a flood of greetings and hugs before Ichigo could even say hello or process the new faces. When everyone was done hugging him and backed up, they noticed the blank, but apologetic look on his face.

"Who are all of you?"