Ichigo started out slow because he was getting away from the only land from miles and miles.
"Come on you big baby swim faster." Shiro said as he grabbed one of Ichigo's arms to pull him along. "At your pace we will get there by sunrise. If you ask me I would like to be out of the water by night fall."
"You're right but I'm still nerves because I might cramp up or…" Ichigo never finish his sentence.
Shiro planted his lips over Ichigo to shut him up for a minute. "Remember I'm a mer and I can't cramp up, I can help you went you need a rest, okay?"
"Okay, thank you Shiro."
With that Shiro let go of Ichigo's arm. When Shiro was about ten feet away from Ichigo. Ichigo went under water by force.
It only took a moment for Ichigo to realize that he was being dragged under the water. Ichigo looked around to see who or what is dragging him under. To his surprise it was a mer with blond hair. Ichigo tried to kick the mer to free himself.
Shiro turned around to see if Ichigo is swimming faster but Ichigo as not there. Driving into the water and started to back track. He found Ichigo trying to kick a mer that was dragging him under the water. "Damn you Kisuke, let him go." Shiro came charging in.
Kisuke pulled Ichigo even closer so that they were face level. Shiro saw the unforgiveable. That bastard Kisuke Urahara just kissed his Ichigo. What Shiro didn't know that Urahara just gave Ichigo a fresh breathe of air.
"Now calm down Shiro and listen. First thing first, come here and take Ichigo and breathe for him."
Shiro did as he was told and took Ichigo and gave Ichigo another breathe of air. "Okay talk," Shiro stated with a look that could kill.
"Now, now don't look at me like that. I'm here to help and keep you both alive. And I know a way to do it too."
"Okay spill, old mer." Shiro spat while slowly backing up towards the surface.
Ichigo pulled on Shiro's ear asking for more air.
Shiro got the hint and gave him more air.
"There is a tunnel under us that goes out for about sun click." Urahara said as swam to the tunnel's entrance.
"Why are you helping us?" Shiro asked before he entered the tunnel with Ichigo in his arms.
"I, also fell in love with a human, her name was Yoruichi.
"What happen to her and how did the elders not know about this?"
"Well I was shunned before I met her, so they never know. Now get going."
Shiro started after him thanking his friend. Going to the opening of the tunnel, he place Ichigo against his chest and told Ichigo to hold on to him tightly. Breathing into Ichigo one last time and swam head long into the tunnel hoping that Ichigo can hold his breath that long.
"Stay straight don't stop for nothing and swim fast as you can. For I fear that your lover may not make it to the other side before he needs air." Urahara yelled out to the love birds.
Ichigo held his breath for what seem like hours and all he can see is darkness. Turning his head to place his lips on Shiro's chest to keep him from blowing out the air in his lungs.
"Hey now, what are you trying to do?" Shiro giggled out because of Ichigo lips on his chest. "Please hang in there, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel."
Ichigo started to tap on Shiro's chest trying to tell him that he need air and fast.
"I hear ya Ichi, but we are almost out of the tunnel then you can have all the air that you want."
A few moments later they were out of the tunnel and swimming fast to the surface. The sea air is better than sea water air.
Shiro broke the surface of the water and pulled Ichigo away from him, in which cause Ichigo to gasp out for air. As soon as fresh air hit his lungs, he started to cough.
While holding on to Ichigo, Shiro lay down on his back and started to float in the direction they need to go in. It took Ichigo awhile to calm down.
"Shiro how long have we been floating?" Ichigo stated to show that he's okay now.
"Awhile, we are going in the right direction and WE been doing more than just floating in the sea. I was sun swimming. If we were just floating it would take about half a day to get there, however, we would have been about three times farther along. Oh well." Shiro said as he let Ichigo swim on his own again.
"Alright let's get going." Ichigo said as he started swim off course.
"This way Ichigo," Shiro pointed a little to the left.
Shiro was so concern about getting Ichigo air that he failed to notice a mer swimming by the tunnel's exit.
The mer stared down the two for a minute before slowly making his way to the pair. Because Shiro was on his back and Ichigo on his chest, they still failed to notice a mer following them. He was an old mer and understands what Shiro meant by 'to get there'. Since he recognized the mer he let them be and dip back into the sea to continue on his way much slower now, because there was no need to rush and pick something up at the mer village ahead.
After a few hours of swimming, Shiro started to panic because of sun was starting to set and feared that no ship will found them out in the sea.
"Shiro?" Ichigo said the twentieth time with fear clearly in his voice.
"I know, Ichigo I know, but we cannot stop or rest out here. Just get a look out for a ship thing." Shiro said swimming a little slower because Ichigo was tired hungry, and cramping up again.
