So Byakuya won… which in all fairness was pretty damn obvious… end result was 13 Byakuya, 3 Toshiro, 2 Grimmjow, 2 Ulquiorra, 2 Hisagi and 1 Urahara.

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So!

Still a few chapters before they actually get together so be patient they first have to fall in love or at least grows feelings on Ichigo's part…

Lol oh well…

This one Zangetsu and Senbonzakura will be playing a roll.

Thank you for the wonderful reviews ^^

Chapter 10: Wait… what?

Unohara walked into Ichigo's room the next morning to find that the man was still sleeping; it worried her because the last time Ichigo was up so soon after fainting.

'Well he did fight for a much longer period…' Unohara thought as she neared Ichigo's cot where he was resting, his breathing was even and deep which was a relief. She undid the bandages of smaller wounds, cleaned them and rebandaged them.

When she got to the larger wound she paused. The bandaged was a little red meaning either Ichigo woke up during the night or he had a dream where he moved. She loosened the knot and pulled the bandaged off slowly, just as she did this Byakuya came in. Unohara being so into her work didn't feel or hear the captain come in or closer.

Byakuya wanted to let his eyes go wide but refused to. The wound was far more worse than he thought. It was an angry red all over gash, it would no doubt leave a nasty scar. It was a shame really. Such smooth skin to be tarnished by scars… however the idea of scars on Ichigo didn't seem like it would make him look ugly. Even the small one on his right cheek.

The other wound though had Byakuya a little worried, it was inflamed and some stitches had open. "Did he wake up last night?" He asked startling Unohara a bit. She looked over her shoulder at Byakuya and gave him a small smile.

"I wouldn't know, the nurses all told me that there was no sound coming from this room so it might have been from when he moved in his sleep." She explained. Byakuya nodded and looked back at Ichigo's face, he frowned not believing what he was seeing.

Leaning closer Byakuya saw that indeed Ichigo had tear tracks down his face, Unohara had yet to change this bandage. The tracks were dry but still noticeable.

He looked to the side when he felt Unohara shift, she was now on the other side of the cot looking at Ichigo's face with a concerned frown.

"He cired?" She asked while she gently cleaned his face. It was a rhetorical question so Byakuya didn't answer. Once Ichigo's face was once again clean and bandaged did he suddenly stir but yet to wake up.

He mumbled something incoherent and turned onto his good side and mumbled something again. He breathed in deep through his nose before releasing it as a sigh. His body looked boneless as he slept deeply. His hands twitched now and again as did his feet.

"He's have a very active dream isn't he?" Byakuya asked frowning when Ichigo suddenly kicked off his blanket and curled in on himself aggravating his wound.

Unohara sighed and stood up. "There is nothing I can do to fight against nightmares I'm afraid. I must however wonder what on earth he can have a nightmare about." With sad deep blue eyes directed at Ichigo Unohara left to check on other patients.

Byakuya took the seat where Unohara sat and looked down at Ichigo who had his back facing him. With a hesitant hand Byakuya rested it on Ichigo's tense back.

"Ichigo." He said softly shaking the man even more gently. Ichigo released a loud gasp before trying to sit up but Byakuya held him down to prevent that. "Easy there Ichigo, don't want your wound to reopen do you?" He asked in a hushed tone.

Ichigo's eyes were wide and looking around frantically never staying at one spot for more than a second. His breathing calmed down and so did his over tense muscles. He gave a shuddering breath before turning slowly onto his back so he could at least look at his captain.

Tired brown eyes met with gun metal grey. "Ohayo captain." Was Ichigo's response. Ichigo looked less vibrant than normal and it worried Byakuya greatly, even if Ichigo didn't show emotions all that well he still had a fire in his eyes that he couldn't hide.

Ichigo looked to Byakuya and gave a sheepish smile. "Can I do something before I go into work today captain?" he asked loosing the smile half way.

Byakuya arched a brow. "Are you sure you are up for travelling?" He looked around before adding. "I don't think Unohana-san will let you go." He said and looked down at his lieutenant to see the man was clutching his hands into fist around his blanket.

He released a sigh that sounded rather sad.

"I… understand…" He sat up a little complaining that his back hurt from lying on it for so long. Byakuya called for more pillows as well as captain Unohana.

The captain came in with the asked for pillow and smiled when she saw Ichigo was up and at least talking a little. There as a sad aura around the man. She frowned a little when he just smiled and greeted her with a hollow smile and empty eyes.

"I don't think I should hope that I can at least take a walk huh captain Unohana?" Ichigo said with a tilt of the head. Unohana thought about it. Ichigo's wound was to his side not his legs if he kept to walking he would be fine and he could easily just come back to replace his bandages each morning and each night. He smiled and held out her hand.

"Let's see how you fair with just standing up and taking a few steps before we decide." She said and watched as Ichigo gave a small smile and give one hand to her the other to Byakuya who decided he'd help as well. Ichigo was slowly raised to the ground on his feet. He swayed a bit but that was because he was on his back for so long. He released their hands and took a few steps forward. He stumbled a little but regained his composure just as quick. His next steps were more stable.

Unohara nodded and looked to Byakuya. "He can go back to his normal routine just no strenuous activity like shunpo till the wound is at least scabbed for three days. I would also advise for you Byakuya to accompany him for the time being."

Both men nodded though Ichigo did fidget a bit. Ichigo was given leave from the fourth division with the promise to come twice a day to change his bandages. They made a quick stop at Ichigo's room so he can change into his uniform.

Byakuya was allowed in as Ichigo had a screen from where he could change behind, Byakuya looked around surprised by how… empty the room looked.

There were no trace of personality in the room, it was the same as any room just a bit bigger than the other seated officers' rooms and non seated officers but even they decorated their rooms. Ichigo didn't have anything.

The room was a perfect square, one side of the room was a futon that was slightly raised by a wooden platform, in the corner closest was a big chest for clothes next to it opposite the door was the screen Ichigo was busy getting dressed in rather slowly but Byakuya was glad the man was taking caution. On the other side was an empty desk where the lieutenant could do more personal writing but there was nothing on it besides a few books he was given by either him or captain Hitsugaya. They were well taken care of and dust free, the entire room was spotless and… dull.

Ichigo stepped out form the screen clad in his shinigami uniform with lieutenant badge in place. He gave his captain a more normal smile before they left the room and walked to the entrance of the sixth division base, on the way there their gave orders and such to those who needed them to keep the division functioning till they came back.

They walked a slow and easy pace, Ichigo's eyes darkened when they got closer to the edge of Seireitei, he took a deep breath and kept walking while a slightly confused Byakuya trailing alongside him.

Byakuya knew his lieutenant came from the darker parts of Soul society but why were they going there now? Was this was the man looked like he was going to a funeral?

They walked through each district till they reached the lowest. There were no pretty buildings, it was a wasteland of hurt and pain. Byakuya having never been here was in shock. This is where Ichigo was before he became a shinigami? How awful.

The tired and sad faces suddenly lit up when they saw Ichigo. Some even ran up to him and gave him hugs all around. Those were mostly children that looked close to being teens. An elderly man came forward and Ichigo gave a gentler smile. "Hey old man." He said softly making the man laugh a little. The laughter died down when he saw the bandages on Ichigo. "What happened?" He asked pointing to his own cheek where Ichigo was still bandaged.

Ichigo gave a shrug. "Had a spar yesterday." The older man nodded and smiled again.

"I see you became a shinigami and a lieutenant to boot eh?" He asked crossing his arms. Ichigo gave a lopsided grin as the older man smiled back proudly.

The smile dropped down to a more sympathetic one. "Here to see them?" he asked gently.

Ichigo's face became solemn; he nodded and started to walk towards a hill close to the town. Byakuya was only then spotted and mouths dropped in awe at seeing a real live captain in front of them. Byakuya nodded and bowed to them before following his lieutenant.

Once they were almost up the hill did Byakuya see a tree, just behind the tree overlooking the town were three small graves. He took a side glance at Ichigo and saw he was void of any emotions what so ever, he looked like a doll being dragged by strings.

Once they stood in front of the small graves did Ichigo move to sink down onto his knees before sitting down on his ass cross legged looking at the small graves with a mix of pain and affection.

Byakuya didn't say a word only stepped closer.

"These three where the first to find me when I crossed over." Ichigo said in an affectionate tone. Byakuya didn't say anything which Ichigo was thankful for.

"They were like little brothers to me, I treasured them dearly. I wish I went with them that day… I…" Ichigo sighed and stood up with a little struggle but waved away Byakuya's hand. He was now standing next to his captain.

"Noble boys beat them to death." Was all Ichigo said, his voice laced with venom.

Byakuya now at least knew where the man's hate for nobility came from. Ichigo was looking down at the graves. "It happened today. I wished that Kenpachi did a worse number on me so I stayed out for the whole day but I guess it wasn't meant to be."

Ichigo gave a bitter laugh. He sighed and then knelt down at the graves. "I'm sorry I hadn't come in a while for a visit even though I know your souls aren't here anymore it still brings me closure I guess. I just wanted to let you know that I miss you three little guys." Ichigo gave a small smile before he stood and nodded to himself.

"We can go now captain." Ichigo said and turned to leave. Byakuya remained a few minutes behind to look at the graves. He felt sorry for Ichigo. Life in this district was hard and most of the times unbearable.

He moved to Ichigo's side before he finally decided to talk. "Come you have yet to eat and so have I, my treat." Byakuya said and watched as Ichigo turned to look at him and gave him a smile. "Thank you captain."

They walked till they were back in the high end first district and moved to a tea shop that served all sorts of teas and tasty food. They sat in a less crowded corner while they drank and ate, Ichigo was a little more calm. Byakuya liked this Ichigo more.

They ate and chatted idly.

Ichigo took in his captain for the first time.

Sure he knew what his captain looked like but never really took the time to truly take his entire captain in. The man was rather… beautiful for a man yet he didn't look feminine at all like Yumichika. No Byakuya looked all male. The man also had moon kissed skin, it looked so soft to Ichigo. The man's eyes were also so striking as well being a deep gun metal grey. A sharp nose and a firm mouth that looked soft, Byakuya was a very attractive man Ichigo realised and cursed himself for thinking so about his captain.

He looked to the side with a small frown. No he won't let another person inside…

'But he's a captain he can defend himself…" Hogyoku said in his mind making him arch a brow, Zangetsu just had to put his two cents in as well.

"Yes and that would cure the lonely nights…"

Ichigo groaned and dropped his head to the table while mumbling 'Shut up'. Byakuya had gathered that Ichigo was talking to his zanpakuto when he suddenly looked off to the side. He had notice that Ichigo was looking at him but for what reason he didn't know. What he did know was that he… didn't actually mind Ichigo watching him. Ichigo mumbled shut up and laid his head onto the table, it was somewhat amusing knowing he didn't have the only annoying zanpakuto.

He felt his zanpakuto bristle a little, Senbonzakura huffed and puffed where he was in Byakuya's mindscape filled this sakura trees. Senbonzakura did however mumble that he liked it whenever the other male looked at his master.

Byakuya wanted to arch a brow at that but luckily didn't.

They ate their meals quietly afterwards and walked back to their shared office. Once there both began to work. Ichigo felt a little bit better now that he food in. He could work at a slower pace due to most of the work being done already.

Byakuya also had less work to do due to Ichigo's accidental workload overtake. He did go through it and saw that it was done like a captain and it was odd that Ichigo didn't even seem to know what he was doing. After an hour or so a knock came from the door.

Ichigo looked to his captain. "Enter." The raven called out.

Hisagi and his friends where standing at the door, when their eyes fell on Ichigo they froze. "Well… guess we don't need to ask now." Hisagi joked. He stepped into the room with a hesitant Momo and a shy Kira.

Hisagi bowed at Byakuya and gave a grin. "Sorry captain but we wanted to know how it was going with Ichigo but it would seem that he's fine."

Byakuya flicked his gaze to see his lieutenant giving his friends a gentle smile. His heart tighten, Ichigo had only given him small smiles. Ichigo's eyes also softened greatly when he smiled like that.

The other three gave smiles back.

"How are you feeling?" Momo asked. Ichigo leaned back and winced a bit as the stitches stretched. "A little sensitive and I have to be careful lest I want to reopen my wound but other than that I'm fine." He answered with a grin.

The three stayed and chatted for a few minutes before Ichigo shooed them away to get back to work.

It was somewhat entertaining for Byakuya.

After the day was done Ichigo went to the fourth division to get his bandages replaced. He bid his captain good night and walked away.

As Byakuya walked back to his manor his mind was filled with Ichigo. Senbonzakura joked that when he did his mindscape bloomed a litter brighter before he informed his master that he wasn't actually joking.

"What do you mean?" Byakuya asked him in his mind. Senbonzakura sighed where he sat under the biggest tree overlooking a small pond with a red arch over it.

"Whenever you think of Ichigo master it becomes… more beautiful in here." Senbonzakura sighed and took in the mix of pink and white blossoms. Byakuya grunted as he walked into his manor being greeted by servants along the way to the dining room.

The room was empty as normal dining time was over. He sat down and waited only a few seconds before his dinner was set out before him. He sighed and started to eat, he knew that the elders were worried about him and wanted him to find someone to settle down with.

He had refused all those they suggested much to their disappointment. The man didn't want some airhead of a woman who only valued material things as she was a noble. In fact he wasn't sure if he even wanted a woman. His thoughts moved back to Ichigo.

In all the years Ichigo had been his lieutenant he had never seen the man flirt back, look at someone who he thought was attractive, Ichigo didn't show any interest in that of any romantic relationships. However he did seem lonely to Byakuya, sometimes when the red head though no one was looking his shoulders would slump and he would reveal his true emotions in his eyes. They were dark, sad and lonely.

Finishing his meal he stood to go and bathe, after he entered the room that was already prepped for him he sighed walking to a mirror while slowly and carefully removing his kenseikan and undressed. With no more heavy clothing to hold him down he slunk into the deep bath with a small groan.

With the warm water causing steam to rise, skin to go sweaty and muscles lax. For the life of Byakuya he could not get the red head out of his mind. Tilting his head back to rest it against the floor he started to fantasise about said red head.

It started out rather innocent just a late night with paperwork when suddenly Ichigo stood up and walked his way with a heated look in amber eyes more golden lately. He was suddenly ripped away from his seat and pushed down onto the table with paperwork spewed everywhere. He looked up to see Ichigo was looking down at him with the gentle smile he wanted to be sent his way.

*I removed this scene due to rules and registrations. Sorry!*

He sighed and got out.

After washing himself with colder water to calm him down he got dressed in his sleeping yukata while combing his hair with his fingers. He was glad he didn't have the kenseikan in his hair anymore, that thing hurt a lot.

Walking into his bedroom he was once again forced to accept that he was indeed very lonely at night in this massive room with so little furniture. Sighing he got into his futon and closed his eyes praying he would not have any dreams about his lieutenant.

His hopes were in vain he knew.

When Byakuya opened his office door Ichigo was already there working with a frown, he growled something under his breath while glaring at the wall, he remained silent still looking while not seeing the wall. He thumped his head against the desk and groaned out. "Will you please drop it you abdominal wolf!" he moved his hands to his face before raising his head.

The hands fell to the desk and Ichigo's eyes were wide. "Um… ohayo captain…" Ichigo greeted with a nervous grin that oddly looked adorable. Byakuya walked to the front of the desk. "Zanpakuto giving problems?" he asked with a slightly tilted head.

Ichigo groaned again while nodding once and sitting back, this time he didn't wince. Each time he went to replace his bandages captain Unohara would do a small healing kido on him to speed up his healing. It was working wonders already.

Byakuya nodded. "I see, I am glad I don't have the only annoying zanpakuto." He commented as means to start a conversation with his lieutenant. He did work under Byakuya but the raven barely knew a thing about his own lieutenant.

Ichigo looked at his captain in wonder for two reasons. One was that his captain was actually talking to him and two was that his captain was… complaining about his zanpakuto of all things. Getting curious Ichigo sat up straight.

"What's… captain's zanpakuto spirit?" Ichigo asked while keeping eye contact. Byakuya had to fight the shiver that wanted to run up his spine, Ichigo's eyes were alive with curiosity.

Byakuya frowned slightly and looked to the side where his zanpakuto materialised; Senbonzakura blinked and looked around till his eyes met with wide brown ones. He immediately knew who was in front of him. He smiled but it wasn't visible however his eyes did show that he did. Ichigo took in the zanpakuto in front of him.

His was roughly as tall as Byakuya; his hair was tied up with a deep blue ribbon while the hair itself looked long. He was wearing a samurai suit with the traditional mask and everything. Ichigo stood up and walked till he was standing in front of the spirit.

Senbonzakura was surprised by how much taller Ichigo was over him. He saw that the man was indeed very attractive and applauded his master's tastes. Ichigo was looking at him with wide curious eyes, the frown that was always on his face was completely gone.

Ichigo circled him in slow strides, it made Senbonzakura feel like he was prey. For what reason he didn't know.

"So this is the first step to gaining Bankai. Ichigo said as he walked back to his seat. Byakuya nodded and watched as Senbonzakura look at Ichigo as if deciding something.

Being a zanpakuto spirit Senbonzakura was far more sensitive to the feeling of someone's reiatsu. Ichigo's felt wild yet human. Which didn't make sense, was his spirit or animal or humanoid? Ichigo smiled at him, his eyes glowed a little almost as it reached his eyes.

"Ha guess I could return the favour." Ichigo said making Byakuya and Senbonzakura look at one another. "You can materialise your zampactou?" Byakuya asked. Ichigo shrugged a shoulder. "Yes but not for very long." As he spoke the air around his left shoulder started to distort as Zangetsu began to materialise.

Both ravens watched in awe as they were met with two figure not one like they expected. One was human without flesh or skin, it was Ichigo's height while it was clad in a black cloak with tattered ends next to it was a black wolf with a skull bone like helmet, the wolf had his owner's eyes without the gold. The wolf's eyes were more alive than Ichigo's easily displaying that he was enjoying they two raven haired men's reactions.

Ichigo was also amused as he saw his captain's jaw slack a bit. The skeleton part of the spirit remained deathly still, the only movement was the tattered ends that seemed to move on their own accord.

The wolf however was moving, the four legged animal walked till he was standing in front of Byakuya. The eyes of the wolf looked deeply into Byakuya's eyes from behind the bone mask. It somewhat made his uneasy that this wolf had the same look his lieutenant got when he was busy judging something or someone's worth.

It was now clear to Byakuya that the wolf was the emotion part of Ichigo's soul what bothered him was the skeleton part…

What did that represent…?

The wolf suddenly made a yapping noise startling both Byakuya and his zanpakuto. When he looked back down at the wolf he was suddenly tackled to the ground. Ichigo jumped out of his seat and stopped in shock when he saw that Zangetsu… or one half of him was… snuggling up to his captain.

Byakuya just felt a warm weight on him as well as a cold nose under his chin nuzzling him, he glanced at Ichigo to see the man was as shocked as he was. "Zangetsu that's my captain you're cuddling with." Ichigo growled at the wolf. Zangetsu whined but stood from the noble, with a sigh Ichigo dragged Zangetsu back into his mindscape.

Ichigo moved to Byakuya's side and helped the noble and captain up. "I'm sorry captain I don't why he did that." Ichigo said chuckling awkwardly. Senbonzakura watched his captain closely, the man showed no signs of being angry. This man truly shook his master's world off its axis.

Senbonzakura faded when there was a knock on the door. Byakuya was annoyed that his chat with Ichigo was interrupted yet again. This time the person on the other side did give them a shock.

Kaien Shiba was standing there with a lopsided grin. "Yo Ichigo-san I need to talk to you." The grin dropped and he looked all too serious. "It's personal."

Ichigo nodded and followed, he looked over his shoulder at his captain and gave him a smile. A friendly one sadly not the one he wanted. "Can we continue after I get back?" Ichigo asked tilting his head. Byakuya nodded his head glad that they could continue once the taller was back.

Byakuya walked to his desk and watched from the window as the two taller men stood and conversed. Kaien looked worried while Ichigo looked concerned but as Kaien talked Ichigo's emotions went from confused to shock to confused again to an unreadable one that even made Byakuya a little worried.

Ichigo said something to which Kaien nodded and said something back. With a wave the raven man left the red head who just mumbled a greeting while he stared out in front of him. The frown that was normally on his face was gone, no emotions displayed on his face before a serious look on his face appeared.

With a sigh Ichigo walked back to the office, the door slid open and Ichigo remained by the door. "Sir?"

Byakuya looked at him and nodded his head once. "How long have you been a noble?" the question was so out of the blue Byakuya was a little taken aback. He answered immediately all the same. "I was so to say born into it. I was very young when I was adopted."

There was also the fact that Byakuya had to have died young too but neither said anything about that. The chances of Byakuya even remembering were slim to none. "Why?"

Ichigo cleared his throat. "The Shiba family wants to adopt me into the family…"

The silence rang over the room like heavy molasses. Byakuya's eyes were wide, he didn't care he was just that shocked. A noble family wanted to adopt Ichigo into their family… the very family that had a look alike in it.

"What are you going to do?" Asked Byakuya. Ichigo looked his captain in the eye unreadable look still there, the look made Byakuya wonder if Ichigo was actually thinking about accepting it.

"I don't know."

Lol…. So…

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