I was in a good mood this week, so this chapter may be a little happier than the others… I hope you like it!

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"Reveal, Kazerokumaru," the Head Captain shouted. A pinkish reiatsu surround her and her Zanpakuto, the Zanpakuto changing. Its hilt was black with six golden rings hanging gently of the back. The blade was silver, nothing too special about it except for a gold line through the center. "You're finished Kurosaki!"

"Oh, really?" Shiro questioned mockingly. His arm tightened around my waist reassuringly, though it didn't help the feeling I had in my stomach.

Something wasn't right with the head captain's Zanpakuto. If it was a wind type, then why couldn't I feel it? I've always been able to feel the power of a Zanpakuto. Toshiro and Rukia's are cold, Renji's is brute, Byakuya and Rangiku's are free, but only darkness came from Kazerokumaru. It wasn't free like wind. So, was what blew me through the air her spiritual pressure? Not her Zanpakuto?

Shiro's POV

There were several things going through my mind right now. The main one being the incurable hunger I had for the orangette currently tucked under my arm. How I loved the feeling of his skin, the taste of his lips, the pleasure of being whole, something only he could bring me. But now wasn't the time. I had to focus on keeping that hunger at bay which would soon consume me if I didn't.

The next thing on my mind matched Ichigo's concern. Our enemy's spiritual pressure was great. After all, it did knock Ichigo off his feet. And my Ichi was great at hiding his fear from others, but I was in his head, there was nothing he could hide from me. He was terrified of losing.

"Ya should know by now, Ichigo. It is impossible fer ya to die in battle," I spoke, softly, in his ear, purposely breathing down his neck. "Yer holdin' such a magnificent sword an' ya've got me. Me an' Zangetsu won' letcha die."

I could feel waves of relief coming off of Ichigo. I smiled, glad that his resolve to fight had been restored but also a little happy that I myself had been the one to fix him.

"She's comin'," I warned. Our opponent flashed from in front of us to behind, a trick that wouldn't work. My arm unhooked itself from Ichigo, much to my displeasure, and then caught her blade. I grinned at the fear in her eyes. How the hell could the old man be defeated by a shrimp like this?

"Fine then," the little bitch squeaked, "Bankai!"

It was then that pain took a hold on my stomach. I sensed a wound there, but no blood stained my body. I felt something hit my back, a person. I recognized his scent immediately, Ichigo, mixed in with the smell of blood. I turned to catch Ichigo. His lifeless body fell into my chest. Ichigo's blood stained my hands. His lifeless eyes didn't stare back at me.

She came for me next, but I didn't move. I didn't have to. Her Bankai clashed with my arm and blood poured out. Her hand to her shoulder cracked in half. My arm remained perfectly intact. I snarled. Rage mixed with spiritual pressure came out in waves.

"Getsuga Tenshou," I couldn't have said that calmer. My attack came out in the shape of a crescent, white surrounded by blood red. She flashed to my other side preparing to strike again, but I had already planned ahead. Gathered in front of my finger was about ten percent of my spiritual pressure formed in a small ball using the same color patterns as my Getsuga. It was a cero.

The beam spread wide and hit her directly, the remainder of the attack spreading throughout the Seireitei. Most of it hit nothing but the air, but the small portion that hit ground destroyed a small village's worth.

I let scatter the reiatsu I had gathered beneath my feet. Ichigo and I dropped to the ground, him resting in my arms. I held him close. I wouldn't let him go, ever.

Author's POV

Captains and Lieutenants alike watched with shock as half the Seireitei was destroyed in a single blow.

Their old friend, Ichigo Kurosaki had been stabbed by the Head Captain's Bankai, a fatal wound.

A hollow, Ichigo's inner hollow sat with Ichigo in his lap. Tears fell from his eyes and landed on Ichigo's lifeless face.

Inoue Orihime approached the two with caution. She observed Ichigo's face and wondered if what she was about to do was pointless. Inoue got down on her knees and reached towards Ichigo's wound.

"Don't touch him!" Shiro hissed, pulling Ichigo away. His eyes turned hateful as they glared deep into Inoue's.

"I'm not going to hurt him," Inoue protested.

"Fuck off!"

"Let her help," Rukia insisted.

Shiro bit his lip to keep from retaliating. He didn't want to let go of Ichigo, but he knew the extent of Inoue's healing powers. Shiro himself could always try his instant regeneration ability. Both options had the availability of working or failing.

"You can trust us, we won't hurt Ichigo and by law-"

"Ya won't hurt Ichigo!? Look what yer fuckin' Head Captain already did," Shiro spat angrily. His grip on Ichigo tightened and his mind was made up to not let the girls help.

A sudden cry of pain filled everyone's ears. Crushing reiatsu crept through the air causing every lieutenant to fall to their knees and every captain's knees to shake. The only one not feeling pain was Shiro. The only thing he felt was shock as he watched the sight in front of him.

Ichigo dug his elbows into the pavement, his chest lifted high in the air. His mouth was wide open letting out a fierce scream. His wounds seemed to peel off, the hollow and wounded hole covering up fast.

When all was done, Shiro was the first to his side. The orangette panted heavily, but managed to smile when he saw the hollow's familiar face.

Captain Unohana begun to silently make her way through the other Shinigami. Just as she reached the front line, she and all the others froze completely with surprise.

Ichigo and Shiro, plain as day, kissed.

Inoue's heart both shattered and melted. While she was heartbroken that the boy she had a crush on was currently kissing someone else, she was also happy for him. Ichigo didn't seem confused. He didn't seem angry. He was happy.

Sunlight peered over the nearest roof tops slowly breaking the night. Shiro lifted himself and Ichigo off the ground; their Bankai's fading with the moon. Both versions of Zangetsu returned to their backs.

Unohana continued to walk towards them. Her arrival only noticed when she cleared her throat. "If you don't mind, I'd like to take the both of you back to Division Four's barracks. After a battle like that, the both of you need plenty of rest."

Shiro looked unsure, cautiously taking in all of the faces that had surrounded him. Ichigo, however, nodded tiredly.

"You can relax…" Unohana directed to the albino. "Umm…"

"I call him Shiro," Ichigo informed.

On mention of his name, Shiro turned to look at Ichigo. Ichigo smiled before his eyes started to close. Just when he was about to fall, Shiro swept him off his feet and held Ichigo close again. "Lead the way," Shiro said in the kindest voice he could muster, though it still came out a little bit scary.

Unohana returned his gesture of peace with a small and kind smile.

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Not only is this a perfect ending to this story, it's not the ending at all! *evil smirk* Nope! I am having waaaaay to much fun with this story to let it end there! So, now I need to come up with another plot for the next few chapters (believe me I already have a few good ideas) and I need to write a lemon. Whether it is long or short, dark or good, happy or sad, it's up to you! :D