Every time I realize this story needs to be updated, I completely draw a blank. I forget where this story is going, and then I reread my chapters and then the little hints and I'm like OHHH. But I'm still drawing a blank 0-0. But, I tried for you all! Here's ch. 10!

-No one's POV-

The hospital where Ichigo was admitted was overflowing with people, the sheer amount of humans able suffocate any child. It was a pain for Ishida, Chad, and Tatsuki to see him at the crowded hospital so, instead, the group decides to walk home and meet to see him the next morning. Yet, none seemed to move from their spot in front of the hospital, as if they were all frozen in place.

They stood a little off from this slowly growing chaos, the moonlight shining in their backs. Not one of them moved, scared to break the comfortable, yet worry-filled silence they had created.

"Ichigo will live, right?"

The males turn to the only female within the group, whose voice was slightly higher than usual, with salty tears in her eyes. Ishida narrows his eyes in sympathy, and turns away. The sorrowful sight could cause him to lose it, also. It hurt him, and dearly at that, to see his close friend shot down again. The constant tugging in his heart made him want to do nothing but sit and break down, releasing his frustration via tears, but he couldn't. Not only for his pride, but for his friends. He needed to be strong for them.

The black haired teen smiles. "Of course," he says, mustering as much reassurance as possible. The darker skinned of the group didn't seem to believe his words. "Ishida," he says softly, quietly, not wanting for the silence they had created to disappear.

The three relapse into their old quiet, staring at the skies and hoping, praying, that Ichigo survives yet again. It pained the three, knowing that there was nothing that they could do. Inoue was who knows where, and their friend was in the hospital, while his hollow was there, too. Neither could be accessed, neither, so what could the three do?

Sighing, Ishida glances at the bright moon. He turns to go home. Leaving his two friends when, suddenly, a spike in reiatsu. His dark, deep, ocean blue eyes widen, and he glances at Chad. Also sensing the change, the buff man nods slightly, starting to hurriedly follow the Quincy.

Left all alone, and with no where else to be, Tatsuki heads home. She is confused, worried, and doubtful, but she would stand strong. For Ichigo. For Inoue. For her friends.

Ichigo said he wouldn't die, and she believed him.

} - {

Chad and Ishida ran against the cold, sharp winds. It was as if nature itself did not want them to peek into the business. "What was that, just then?" asks the pale skinned, flying by the trees on quick feet.

The wavy haired behind him shrugs, and gives a low reply. "I'm not sure."

Blinking against the harsh weather, Ishida turns right. They were nearing some sort of river. "Well, whatever it was, we must hurry." It was a few minutes later when they discover the river, flowing gently and slowly. Furrowing his eyebrows, the Quincy looks around the water. He could've sworn the river was not as tranquil as this, not nearly as peaceful. The surge of reiatsu here was one of hot, short bursts of energy, usually signaling some sort of danger.

Both pairs of eyes were peeled, looking and searching for anything, even a small sign would help. It didn't take long. It was Ishida who found the body, and, alarmed, immediately ran to help the person. Chad followed suit not more than a few seconds after, splashing through the water ungracefully. The woman looked blue, her eyes rolled back in her head, her limbs heavy and waterlogged. Yet, her flesh looked relatively new, thought the man with glasses. That must mean she—

"Wait," says Chad suddenly, pushing a few wet strands of hair from her pale, face. "Isn't this..?"

"Holy hell..." mutters Ishida, flabbergasted, as he finally recognized the woman. "Inoue!"

Quickly, the man put his ear over her open mouth. A few seconds went by, and no breath came. Terrified, he put arm over her abundant chest and sank his hand into the folds of her breasts, feeling for a heartbeat. The most he got was a few weak beats, the intervals between each becoming longer and longer.

This was not good. This was definitely not good. Silently hoping Ichigo would later forgive him, the man quickly lifted the woman out of the river and onto the land, and, without a moment's notice, seals his lips onto her blue ones, blowing much needed oxygen into her lungs. Without having to be told, his companion calls 911, the second time they were needed that afternoon.

Everything was going to hell, their normal lifestyle, gone. How could two of their friends need life and death treatment, not more than three hours apart? Cold wind blew through the dark leaves that surrounded the river on both sides, and the woman below him shivered slightly, only barely noticeable. Ishida pulls back, counting his blessings, thanking the heavens his friend was alive. If they didn't act fast, however, she would quickly be lost. Chad offers his coat silently, and Ishida takes it gratefully, combining it with his own to wrap around the cold, cold body of their comrade. Gritting his teeth, the man switches from blowing air into her to pushing hard against her chest, hoping to being the brittle heartbreak back up to a strong, resilient one.

The state of his friend was scaring him, more than words could describe.

Chad, not exactly the best person at sharing his emotions, simply gives Ishida a light shoulder squeeze, telling him that he was there, that he could help, and that he cared. Although Ishida knew Chad couldn't see his face, he smiled.

Thanks.

It was about ten minutes later when the ambulance arrived, and the paramedics didn't seem all too pleased to see the same faces from earlier that day. Regardless, they took Inoue, who was gaining consciousness as slowly as grass grew, into their care, and sped off to the busy hospital. It was certain now,

They were getting in that hospital, no matter what.

Chad was in charge of alerting Tatsuki, who would, no doubt, meet them much earlier than previously decided. Ishida was to follow the ambulance as quickly as possible to the hospital, and somehow get in contact with his father to set up a special room for them. As he runs yet again in the dark, chilly night, questions bombarded him. Why was Inoue there, in the river? Had someone attacked her? Wasn't that impossible, since her arrancar would probably come out and fight for her? Was this incident intentional or accidental?

The flurry of questions hurt his head, as the headache he had been hiding until now had finally come to light. Ishida raised an arm to his hot forehead, sighing. Being depressed took too much energy, and he was tired of being left behind. If only Ichigo would hurry up and heal, stop worrying them, and come to grips with Inoue, who also needs to heal, they wouldn't be in this stupid mess. But he had faith, as that half shinigami wouldn't die easy. Cursing himself at the grin that just had to appear in his face, the Quincy hurried to the hospital.

"That idiot better hurry up and heal."

} - {

-The Next Day-

-Hichigo's POV-

I have been stuck in this bed for who knows how long, and I want out. I want out now.

It had been days, I'm sure, since I have last seen someone besides a nurse, and I was just itching to find her. Inoue. The girl with the strange, powerful reiatsu, I want to fight her. The thought went over and over in my head, the only thing that kept me sane and stable during the days of rest.

Sunlight peeked in through the windows, blinding me for a second, and I sat up with a start. How could I think about Inoue in peace without something getting in my way? There was a commotion next door, something about a new patient, from the little snippets of conversation. My doctor, who just had to be that idiotic teen's father, strolled in as if it wasn't hell o' clock in the morning.

"How are you doing, Hichigo?" he asks, checking my clipboard.

"Fine," I seethe, ripping my blanket off. "I'm completely fine. Fucking healthy as shit. Dandy. Can I leave?"

Blinking against the foul language, the doctor simply sighs. "You've asked that question about fifty times since you've got here, and fifty times you've received the same answer. Shall I spell it out for you?"

Scoffing, I narrow my eyes. "No thank you, teacher," I seethe, spitting towards the old man. His glasses flash, catching the sunlight, before he answers. "I think someone in the hospital should be a bit more grateful to the man saving his life."

"I never asked you to, old geezer."

"But your counterpart did. Technically, you are like two in one, am I wrong?"

"Did I personally—"

"So you would rather die? Taking Ichigo with you?"

That got me. I stood there, staring at Dr. Uryuu, and he returns the stare with a hard glare. Defeated, I slump against the sheets, looking out the window in shame. I cannot believe this. My pride suffered a major blow.

Clicking his pen against the wood in his hands, the doctor hums appreciatively. "You're actually just about ready to leave. Just hang on tight for a few more hours, alright? We'll put you in a room, not for a patient, so you can wait for Ichigo to heal."

My eyes widen. "Ichigo?"

Stopping the racket he was making, the blue eyed sensei glances at me. "Oh, right, I haven't told you about Ichigo yet, haven't I?"

I grit my teeth. "Hell yeah, you haven't. What happened to that idiot?"

Sighing, the man looks to the right, out of the room, and into the hallway. "Want to take a guess at who's your next door neighbor?"

Cursing loudly, I get up and walk over the the door. Lo and behold, the swarm from last night was crowded around the room. Why hadn't I sensed this before?

Grunting, I plowed headfirst into the dense mass of humans, shoving my way to the front door. It was there that I saw him.

And the blood.

There was just about as much blood as there were people, it decorated the walls and floors and the lab coats. Pausing, I looked around and realized that most of the people were wearing white coats, most likely doctors. Were they all here for him? My anxiety grew, and finally, I was within full view of Ichigo.

He was a mess.

A large, gaping hole, filled with instruments and metals of some sort, adorned his chest. His limbs were caked in both dry and new blood, and his face, well, it could be much better looking. His eyes were rolled back in his head, and his jaw looked dislocated. His mouth was open, much more than normal, and new blood dribbled out slowly. Ichigo was a mess.

Within mere seconds of capturing this scene, I was shoved out by the doctors, and I found myself in the presence of Dr. Uryuu. "So, will you listen to me? Not only is Ichigo very sick, but your life is also on the line. If he dies, then you do also. Not to mention that Inoue is trying to kill you."

I'm about to ask for an explanation, but the man waves off the inquiry with a wrinkled hand. "Will you simply trust me?

I don't want to, I want to be free, to go to Inoue, as if the delicate woman I kidnapped had the strength to kill me. I glance into the eyes the older, and sheer determination rests there. I sigh. There was really nothing else I could do, was there?

"Sure."

Ohhh yes! Finally done wit this chapter! Lots of description, not a lot of action, in my opinion. But! I updated! At least give me that!