A Word of Advice

Ichigo had awakened early the next morning, idly sitting in his room, his back against the headboard as he twiddled his sheets between his fingers. He allowed his rampant thoughts to run madly, finding that it was easier to let them come to him than trying to stop every thought and analyze its meaning.

Renji hadn't come to his room all morning, and somewhere in the back of his mind he was happy, but also worried. He knew he wasn't ready to face the redhead just yet. He wouldn't know the first thing to say to him. The entire conversation would turn belligerent and their friendship would go to hell. Every time Ichigo came across a conversation and he didn't know what to say he found himself saying some snide remark, and this wasn't the time for that.

But the morning had come and gone and he was left bedridden. The only way he managed to make it to his room before Renji came back last night was because of Rukia. Ugh! I hate this. What the hell am I supposed to do? He glared. To hell with this, I am not going to be stuck in this bed.

Ichigo's head snapped up when he heard a knock on the front door. Where is Renji? When the knock came a minute later he assumed that he'd have to answer it. All the more reason to get the hell out of this bed. He shifted himself carefully so that his legs dangled over the edge of the bed and he slid off, landing on his feet and catching himself on the edge of the bed before he toppled over.

He scrunched his face as pain shot up his legs and he groaned. Alright. That's step one. Step two: walk. He pushed off the bed and tried to stand, groaning before he fell over, stumbling until his side collided with the walk and he let out an agonizing moan. He took a few steady breaths and pushed off the wall when he heard another knock resound.

He used the wall to guide him towards the door, his steps hesitant and unbalanced. He slid open the door to his room and grabbed the door frame as support. He stopped to catch his breath. Damn this is exhausting, but he pressed on, finding security in the walls as they guided him down the hall and to the door. He pulled it open, nearly falling over from fatigue as he was hunched over, breathing heavily.

"Kurosaki-kun!" Hanataro exulted anxiously, his eyes growing with anxiety as he watched the orange-haired shinigami doubled over before him. "A-are you o-okay?"

Ichigo looked up at the timid boy, offering him a smile. "Never better," he breathed. His hand clutched the doorframe and he tried to compose himself. "Last day…right?" He asked through his shallow breaths, discerning the boy nod stiffly, staring wide eyed at him as if he were a foreign object. "Alright…help me…to the couch."

"Oh! Yes!" The boy moved franticly as he allowed Ichigo's arm to fall limp over his shoulder and he carried him to the couch before laying him down. Hanataro cleared his throat nervously. "A-are you re-ready?"

"Whenever you are." Ichigo answered and again Hanataro gave him a stiff nod before falling to his knees and attending to his ministrations. Ichigo sighed allayed, and he let his body relax completely under the boy's fingers and closed his eyes.

"Wh…where is Abarai-san?" He heard Hanataro asked before cracking open an eye and looking down at him. He wondered why Hanataro was so nervous. It's not like he was going to attack him. Maybe because Byakuya lives he too. Ichigo thought. He closed his eye.

"You know…you don't have to be nervous." The berry said as he recomposed himself. He heard Hanataro make a sound in the back of his throat before humming and he felt the healing power intensify around his body. "I don't know where he is," he answered before groaning, his fractured bones closing and his muscles expanding in his arms and legs.

Hanataro worked in silence.

Ichigo felt his strength returning to him as every muscle contracted, and every bruise disappeared. He remained silent as the medic shinigami exhibited his teachings over his body. He felt rejuvenated, and while he had the quietness in the room he decided to reach out his reiatsu to find the redhead.

It didn't take him long to find him. Ichigo picked up his faint reiatsu. It was calm and undisturbed by grieve or any emotion the berry felt reverberate from the man since he'd been there. Ichigo sensed him in the next room, asleep. I guess it's for the best. He thought. It hadn't looked like he had any sleep in a long time, and he sighed.

Ichigo screamed impromptus when he felt a bone in his back shift back into place, crackling loudly, his back arching into the air as he shut his eyes tighter. He tried to muffle his screams as he settled down onto the couch.

Hanataro flinched, his eyes quivering. The substitute shinigami frightened him with his unexpected cry of pain. When Ichigo calmed himself, his shaking hands resumed to recover his bruised body. After another ten minutes had gone by Hanataro rose from his knees.

"O-okay, Kuro-saki-kun." He stuttered.

Ichigo opened his eyes.

"Try…to stand now." Hanataro looked him in his eyes when Ichigo turned to look up at him, but the healer looked away quickly.

Ichigo tested the result and shifted to stand, surprised at how easy and painless it was. He stood up and felt the blood rushing through his body and he stretched his arms and legs to limber up before he cracked his neck and twisted his back and hearing it pop. There was definitely a difference than when he struggled with his body to answer Hanataro's feeble knocks.

The taller man sighed in contentment. His body felt completely refreshed; not an ache in his muscles. "Thanks, Hanataro. I feel a hell of a lot better." He smiled. Hanataro smiled in return and gave him a nod.

"Good. But I have to go now." Hanataro said motioning towards the door and stopped when his hand cuffed around the handle and he turned back to face the still stretching berry. "Are you going to be okay without Abarai-san, Kurosaki-kun?"

"Hm?" Ichigo halted his limbering to wave him off. "Yeah, yeah. I'll be fine. You go ahead." He didn't notice the smile spread across the boy's face before he departed, continuing to work his muscles.

"Okay," Ichigo began, talking to himself once he finished exercising. He turned, sensing Renji's reiatsu spark suddenly before drawing back. Hm. Ichigo moved in the direction of his friend's serene reiatsu until he was confronted with the already open door. He noted a ball of covers curled in the middle of the bed and a crimson ponytail.

Back to the basics, huh? The young substitute shinigami smirked. He, as meticulously as possible, walked over to the sleeping shinigami. He smiled at his peaceful form before brushing a stray strand of hair from his face. He's beautiful. He thought, frowning the instant after it entered his mind…and he's taken. He reminded.

He turned to Renji's closet before stalking over and opening it, disclosing a plethora of lieutenant kimonos. Ichigo grinned before snatching one. I'm sure he won't mind if I borrow this…especially since mine is tethered and torn to pieces. He closed the closet and turned back to Renji, and his grin faded from his lips. He sighed to himself and took the kimono and walked out.

He grabbed what necessities he need to take a bath from the closet in the hall before heading to the bathroom. It took him twenty minutes to wash up, get to his room, dry off and dress in the kimono he stole from Renji's closet.

He moved out the room, feeling Renji still sleeping soundly in his bed before he bounded for the front door, sliding it open before closing it behind him.

X:~/~:X

It had been a while since Ichigo walked the habitual walkways of Seireitei, but he had nearly forgotten his way around the place. He uttered affable greetings to recognizable people and to others he didn't exactly remember.

Ambling up and down random paths for about fifteen minutes just enjoying the frequent evening breezes wafting over his face he finally figured he'd found somewhere to sit and relax before heading back to Renji's. He yielded in the middle of the walkway and looked to his left before looking to his right.

Everywhere he looked buildings laid in ruins. Then images began coming back to him of Komaru tearing through everything and everyone in search of whatever it was he wanted.

"That bastard," he snarled and balled his fist at his side as he glared at the debris that surrounded him. Then memories of his mocking grin and that loud cackling laugh that pierced through his ears inundated his mind, causing a growl to vibrate in his chest.

"Once the reconstruction teams finish in the West Wing they're to immediately start repairing the South Wing." Ichigo turned around and saw the Tenth Division Captain, Hitsugaya Toshiro and his lieutenant, Matsumoto Rangiku approaching him.

"Hitsugaya…Matsumoto…what are you doing here?"

"We have strict orders to search the Daireishokairuo. Yamamoto-sama believes that whatever Komaru is looking for is in there somewhere." Matsumoto said, her captain moving ahead, passing by the orange-haired man.

"The Spirit Library?" Ichigo questioned. "What could possibly be in there that he wants…he's like, ten."

"A seal." Ichigo turned to face the silver haired Captain, noting his teal eyes focused on him from his peripheral. "He wouldn't go into much detail," he turned back to the rubble, "but Yamamoto-sama said that he was looking for a seal…or something to break his seal."

Ichigo's eyes widened slightly. "His seal? What seal?"

"We don't know," he turned back to Matsumoto. "But we've been going to the Great Spirit Library every day since our last encounter with him." Ichigo hummed earnestly before his eyes shifted to his feet. "Hm? Well now that you know why we're here…what are you doing in this area? Shouldn't you be with Captain Unohana?"

Ichigo's gaze fell upon her and her scowling face. "Uh, no…I'm with Renji now," he looked back down and heard her make a questioning sound and he look up at her lifted eyebrows and small smile. "…Um, no I meant…that I'm staying with Renji." He watched as her smile wavered and she noticeably deflated.

"Oh…" was all she said.

"…And I was just taking a walk since he was still asleep." She again looked at him as if she wanted to ask something.

"So you're feeling better?" The small Captain asked, his question being more of a statement, and both shinigami's shifted to look at him. His back was still turned to them, as he again looked out his peripheral. He turned his attention forward before suggesting, "…Matsumoto." She answered him with a hum. "You and Kurosaki should take this opportunity and go somewhere and relax. I'll handle things for today."

"Captain…I think it would be best if we both —"

"I'm actually telling you that you deserve a break," he stared out his side view. "And you know how rare that is…so go take a break for now, and I'll inform you of any new information."

"Once, twice was enough, you don't have to tell me a third time!" She rejoiced before grabbing the substitute shinigami by his wrist. "Let's go, Ichigo!" and she broke out into a fierce sprint, the orange-haired man towed.

"W-wait!" Ichigo protested. He looked back at the silver haired Captain just before he vanished in a flash. He turned his eyes down at his dragging feet.

"Renji, huh?" He heard her say as she slowed her pace until they came to a mild walk, and he met her gaze. "Why him?" She gazed up at the sky conscientiously . "…No wonder you never liked the twins."

"W-what?" Ichigo stared wide eyed, halting his mild saunter. She stopped and her countenance fixed in bewilderment. "What are you talking about?" She giggled, and smiled at him before proceeding to walk.

"It was obvious." Ichigo followed after her, his eyes growing wider from her comment. Had she really picked up on it just from what I said a minute ago? "And it wasn't just a moment ago when you said his name and blushed that I found out either." She laughed again when his breath caught in his chest and he stopped moving again.

She stopped and turned to him, her lips curved into a small smile. "It's always been obvious, Ichigo. The only reason I hadn't asked you before was because you were gone for three years…" she continued to walk. "…but yeah. I've always known. Did you really think you could hide that from me?" She turned and winked, but stopped when she noted his still flabbergasted expression.

"Oh?..."She walked back to him. "Are you okay?"

"How'd you figure it out?" He asked, blinking his eyes. She only smiled.

"Well, when you used to struggle to control your reiatsu," he looked up at her animated stature, "sometimes you'd reach for him even when he wasn't there. I don't even think you noticed you were doing it half the time," she laughed before moving dangerously close to his ear and whispering, "…just a heads up, but I think he likes you too." She bounced, elated.

"I know…" She ceased her exultation hearing Ichigo's defeated tone and his head fall to his chest. She looked on solemnly.

"I see." She pondered for a few seconds on what to do, all the while feeling Ichigo's reiatsu grow colder. "C'mon," she chirped, once again vice-gripping his wrist. His sadden eyes looked up at her, confused. "I know exactly what you need," she grinned. Then she took off into another sprint, dragging him along.

X:~/~:X

"Uh…Matsumoto I don't think this is what I need." Ichigo argued, jerking his arm against her iron-like grip. She easily pulled him, his body jerking forward.

"Of course it is," she smiled. "Who doesn't need a drink when they need to clear their head? Now c'mon!" She gave one last potent tug before he flew forward and she happily bounded into the bar listening to the berry groan in acceptance.

"Hey, Matsumoto!" She turned and looked to the back of the bar to see the bald shinigami, Madarame Ikkaku shouting and beckoning her over. She smiled and pulled the oranget over to the back table.

"Hey guys." She grinned, Ichigo looking elsewhere as he chided her. He heard people greet her; a lot more people than he thought were at the table, and only turned to face them when he heard someone address him.

"Kurosaki-san." He turned and saw Shuuhei greet and nod cordially. He saw Yumichika under his arm as it was slung unconventionally over the petite shinigami's shoulder. He nodded to Hisagi and did the same when Yumichika and Ikkaku addressed him.

"Take a seat," Shuuhei offered. Matsumoto did immediately, sitting directly across from them and ordered her usual four large bottles of sake. "…you're welcome to as well Kurosaki-san." He said after noticing Ichigo's reluctance.

"I shouldn't." He declined. "I should actually be getting back before Renji wakes up and freaks out."

"Oh no you don't!" Matsumoto grabbed his wrist and pulled him into the space next to her on the floor. "You need this, Ichigo!" He futilely tried to emancipate from her grip.

"I told you I didn't! Damnit, leave me alone!" He growled.

"I said you need this," she snarled behind clenched teeth, her countenance becoming noticeably somber. Ichigo stopped moving altogether as she stared intensely into his eyes. "…you need it, don't you?" He didn't dare argue, so he nodded. "Wonderful!" She exclaimed ecstatic, her grip never loosening from around his wrist. "The sake should be here momentarily…I wish they'd hurry up."

The other three Shinigami stared at the orange-haired man sympathetically. They knew there was no way he was getting out of his situation with Matsumoto, especially with her having been working the Komarus' case for three days without anything to drink.

"Okay…" Ikkaku drawled. Yumichika broke through the lingering tension between the two.

"So, Kurosaki-kun." Ichigo looked over at his name being called and seen Yumichika pushing against Shuuhei's chest in order to sit up. "You said something about Renji waking up and freaking out?" Ichigo noticed his smile, which was stretched far too wide to be innocent. He can't know too. He thought to himself and looked to Matsumoto for confirmation, noting that she was far too intrigued with the server with the sake running back and forth to notice his quizzical expression. He scoffed to himself, irritated. Useless…I'm sure he doesn't know. I couldn't have been that careless.

"Yeah…I'm living with him now." He admitted. Yumichika's smile spread further.

"And how's that going?" It was obvious that it was hard for the petite shinigami to ask the question without breaking into a grin that devoured his face.

"Okay."

"Oh don't be coy with me!" Yumichika scowled. Ichigo felt his eyes widen, undoubtedly prominent. It couldn't be hidden. He knew his shock was written on his face. Damnit! He must know too!

"Don't Yumi," Shuuhei berated, pulling his mate to him. "If he isn't ready yet then you can't force him to tell you." He noted the pout on his beautiful face before smiling. "Lay back, love." Yumichika sighed but lied back anyways.

"Wait!" Ichigo shouted alarmed. "You know too!"

"Finally!" They all turned to Matsumoto when she shouted delightedly. Then they saw the server step in front of their table with the four large bottles of sake she order. "What took you so long?" The server didn't respond. He simply bowed after placing the order on the table and leaving.

"Pass one of those over here!" Ikkaku necessitated. His words were falling from between his lips so fast that it all sounded like one really long word. Ichigo looked over in his corner and saw the four bottles of sake that were hidden behind his back. He was heavily buzzed, and it was palpable that that one bottle he was asking for would trip him over the edge. "Bastards gave me a four bottle limit." He growled.

"No. I think you've had enough." Yumichika said, pushing the bottle away from him that Matsumoto had slid across the table.

"Not until I'm completely wasted and can't remember the last two weeks of my life. If I can then I haven't had enough…I can still remember. Pass it."

"Is that a challenge?" Matsumoto smirked before again sliding the bottle to him and saw him grin sluggishly. He ripped out the cork and held up the bottle in a silent toast, and he downed half its contents, the warm liquid running down his chin before he pulled it from his lips. His grin widened.

"Bring it, Matsu." Yumichika sighed and gave up when he distinguished the mischievous glint in his eye and Matsumoto's smirk form into a grin. She slid another bottle his way before ripping out the cork to one of her bottles and lifting it in a silent toast and brought it to her lips, guzzling it down.

"And the liver poisoning begins." Yumichika sighed again and shook his head before he lowered his head back against his lover's chest again, Hisagi's fingers drumming and caressing his pale skin.

"Ichigo," said boy looked away from the two drinking Shinigami and turned to the Ninth Division's Captain. Shuuhei had to force himself to tear his gaze from the other two before he started to speak again. "…it was obvious." He offered a smile.

"It was." Yumichika added.

"It was actually a matter of when you were going to open up about it." Shuuhei finished.

"Does everyone know?" Ichigo asked, distraught.

"Just about everyone that you've been around with that unstable reiatsu you use to have." Yumichika answered. Ichigo noticed a pattern in the way everyone answered his question, and he looked elsewhere.

"Why does everyone say 'use to'?" Ichigo's intonation detained his sorrow as he managed to whisper the words.

"Hm?"

"What do you mean?" Shuuhei asked when Yumichika didn't. Ichigo's eyes fell to the table, his entire mien changing abrupt. His reiatsu held so much loneliness and hurt.

"When I ask how someone," his voice was thick, sustaining much more grief, and he paused to try to compose himself. He couldn't. "Every time I ask how someone found out about…that, people…they always say 'the reiatsu you used to have'." He cut his eyes up, allowing them to distinguish his prominent anguish. "…as if I don't know already I'm going to eventually lose my powers…as if…" He trailed and looked away before shutting his eyes tight. "As if I don't know I'm going to lose him." He slammed his fist on the table. "Damnit! It isn't fair!" He was causing a scene.

Shuuhei looked at all the eyes that shift to gander in their direction before he noted his mate doing the same and then he saw Yumichika turn to Ichigo. "Ichigo…" Yumichika said tenderly. The berry's fist began to shake on top of the table and Shuuhei watched it sympathetically as he heard a small sob escape the boy sitting across from him.

"If I may," the Captain began. "Kurosaki-san." He called and waited until his fist stopped shaking and the boy looked into his eyes, his honeyed eyes glossy and brimming with tears. "Renji cares deeply for you…you weren't the only one whose feelings were obvious to detect." Ichigo turned away to prevent the tears from falling. "…a word of advice," he continued. "When a Shinigami loves, we tend to share a connection with our other half that allows both to love hard," he squeezed his companion, "harder than nearly any other person or specimen to walk this realm or yours…and that love lasts for a very long time." Ichigo turned back to him. "And it's believed that nothing can break that connection we Shinigami feel for our significant other…and the last time I checked, you and Renji are indeed Shinigami yourselves." He smiled then. "So why would you both not share this connection if you were truly meant for one another?"

Ichigo was still trying to process all that he was saying and then his smile suddenly fell from his face. "I guess what I'm saying is…"

"There is still time, Ichigo." Yumichika supplied for him with a smile of his own. Then he looked up at his companion, and in turn Shuuhei was smiling down at him. "You still have time to love him…however long that time allows you before you lose your powers." He explained, his eyes never breaking away from his lover's, but then he turned to the berry while his smile was still intact. "So take it, and love him for however long you can…there is still time for you, Kurosaki-kun…stop crying, and take it."

Ichigo's heart had stopped sometime in the middle of his speech, realization dawning on him. That's right. It isn't over. He might be with Byakuya, but I know he still loves me…I know he is truly my other half so he can't love Byakuya more…it's impossible. I haven't lost my powers yet, which means I haven't lost Renji yet either…and I refuse to lose him without giving him a chance to love me…I refuse to lose him without giving myself a chance to love him…I refuse to give up on him this easily...not while there was still time…not while I still have him. He smiled once he gathered his thoughts.

Ichigo stood from his space on the floor, a small smile gracing his lips. This newfound hope that found him pushed him eagerly to return to his redhead infatuation that consecrated his dreams. "Thanks." He murmured.

"Where are you going?" Yumichika asked as he stared up at him bemused.

"The answer to that question is as obvious as his uncontrollably flaring reiatsu right now." Shuuhei smirked. His beautiful mate looked up at him.

"Well I know that…but what I meant was: where is he going without taking his baggage with him." He said pointing to a drunken Matsumoto who slurred incoherent syllables at him. Ichigo sighed. Shuuhei smiled to himself and chuckled.

"Don't worry about it, Kurosaki-san. We'll take care of her and Madarame-san." He paused and turned to Yumichika who made a noise and pouted at his comment before he chuckled again. He didn't turn from his lover when he continued and told Ichigo, "…love him…for as long as your heart, body and mind allows," Yumichika met his eyes, "…and even then you must continue to love your other half because without him who could make you whole?...Because without you…how could I truly be happy?" Yumichika blushed, his face the color of crimson roses, and Shuuhei placed a kiss on his delicate lips.

Ichigo's smile broadened as he stared on at them, and he nodded before turning and walking out the open door. He looked up at the sky and silently wondered just how long he'd been in there with them. Stars ubiquitously littered the sky, a silver moon looming over head and a chill ran through his body, but he shook it off.

He smiled up at the sky. There was still time…still a chance. There was still hope. He thought, and vanished into the night sky, a whirling chill lingering in the air.