Angelchan2012: Okay, here's chapter 10! Enjoy!

Shiro: Please read and review!

Grimm: Angel doesn't own Bleach or its characters!

Ichi: Hope you all enjoy this chapter!

Angelchan2012: And this story is not over yet!

Shiro rushed to the hospital, his thoughts completely focused on his love. Ichigo, please be alright…please… Rukia and Grimmjow followed behind the ivory male's car in their respective vehicles, their thoughts the same as well. When the trio arrived at the hospital, it was eerily quiet. Shiro walked up to the nurse's desk and asked for Kurosaki, only to be told that he was still in the ER, the albino's heart stalled, and sweat covered his face. Rukia placed a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder, squeezing gently and said, "It'll be alright, Shiro…he'll pull through, I know it." Shiro couldn't help but give a small-albeit strained-smile at her words, no wonder Ichi's always thought of her as a sister…she does and says so much that makes ya wanna believe her…I just hope she's right…

Grimmjow looked towards the emergency room and saw through the tiny windows how busy the doctors were working to help the poor berry. The blunette looked back towards his pale friend and said, "He will pull through Shiro…he loves ya enough, and he's pretty damn stubborn, so I know for a fact that he will make it." Shiro's head snapped up, and he looked towards his taller friend in awe, eyes wide and said, "Tha sounded so unlike ya…why?" Grimmjow cursed under his breath and said, "Well, we all care about the berry, and I know you care a lot about him…and since I know the guy a lil' more, I figured saying something might help ya." The albino pondered this for a moment before smiling softly, looking back towards the blue haired male, he said, "Thanks, Grimm."

It had been two weeks. Two weeks since Ichigo had been admitted into the hospital, and they were still here! "When are they gonna let 'em out?" the ivory male exclaimed, getting irritated. "Calm down, Shiro, I'm sure they have a very good reason for keeping Ichi here-" Rukia began. "No, something's wrong," Grimmjow said, clenching his fists, "Ichi woulda been outta here by now…something's wrong." "Grimm's right," the albino agreed, "I'mma go talk to the doctors to see what's up with my boyfriend."

Shiro walked over to the door and was about to open it, until it opened on its own, revealing a blonde haired male wearing a melancholic face. The albino glared at him and said, "What's wrong wit Ichi? Why isn't he out yet!" "So I take it you are Kurosaki-kun's friends?" the doctor asked in a peaceful tone. The trio nodded, awaiting the news. Shiro could tell the doctor was serious by the look on the guy's face. "Oh, my apologies, I am Kisuke Urahara, ER doctor here, and currently working Kurosaki-san's case. Anyway, I'm sure you all wish to know of the boy's current state, yes?" the blonde said, locking gazes with them, specifically Shirosaki. Once again, the trio nodded, wondering why the man was taking so long.

Urahara simply said, "Follow me, I will take you to Kurosaki's room." The four walked to Ichigo's room in silence, the tension gradually building, especially for Shiro. I've got a really bad feeling 'bout this, he thought, biting his lower lip, only to jump slightly at the feel of a hand on his shoulder. He looked to his right to see Grimmjow, the blunette smiled comfortingly at the albino, as if to say, 'It'll be okay, trust me.' Shiro hesitantly returned the smile, before coming to a stop in front of room 15, thinking, Ichigo's room...Ichi… When they stepped inside, they were horrified at what they saw:

Ichigo was on life-support, a breathing tube connected to his nose, and two IVs for him-one on each wrist-as well as a heart monitor. Rukia gasped in shock, and the hand that was on Shiro's shoulder clenched, while the albino could only stare in utter horror. Urahara saw their reactions and sighed before saying, "I won't sugar coat it for you, he's in a coma. As for how long, we don't know…but this is the best we can do for him…I'm sorry. But I will allow one person to stay with him, although it must be-" "I'll stay." Shiro interrupted, determined not to let anything stop him, I won't leave Ichi alone. I'll be damned if I can't help him.

"Well, the person that stays with him has to be a family member or spouse, and since you're not family…" the doctor said, eying the ivory male suspiciously. "I'm not family, but I am his boyfriend," the albino confirmed, I love Ichi, and I won't leave him alone…never…I love him too much to do that. The blonde haired doctor smiled at this and said, "Okay, and you two can visit when you like, but must leave when visiting hours are over I'm afraid." Rukia and Grimmjow nodded, keeping their eyes on Shiro and Ichigo. Once the doctor left Grimmjow finally spoke up, "I'm glad ya decided to stay, I would've hit you if you didn't say anything sooner." The albino chuckled at this and said, "Thanks Grimm…I just hope Ichi gets better soon." Rukia walked up to the albino and embraced him, saying, "He will Shiro…he will…"

Darkness.

Ichigo was surrounded in a dark abyss. Shiro…where are you? Why can't I see you? Help me…my love… The red head felt his mind fall back into a dreamless slumber, only to hear a faint voice call out,

"Ichigo!"

Sh-Shiro? Is that you? Ichigo thought, his voice failing him, almost as if some other life form was taking it from him on purpose-not wanting him to be able to communicate with his love.

"Ichigo, please…come back to me," a sorrowful voice-Shiro's voice said.

Shiro, I'm right here! I'm not leaving you, I'm right here! The berry thought, pounding on the glass that was separating him from his physical body. It was as if he was an outsider looking in, he could see everything that was happening to the world around his body, but he couldn't open his eyes. Oh my god…I'm-I'm in a coma…is this what doctors call an out of body experience? …Shiro… Ichigo-or rather, his spirit, could see the albino, who was currently sitting by the berry's bedside, petting red locks. "Please wake up soon Ichi…Rukia needs ya, Grimmjow needs ya…I need ya," he whispered, kissing the unconscious berry's lips, tears rolling down his cheeks, as he smiled softly and said, "I've been staying 'ere fer a while now Ichi…ever since ya been admitted inta dis hospital…" his smile disappeared as he said, "about four and a half months ago…"

I've been asleep…for four and a half months? Ichigo thought, shocked, Shiro…I'm so sorry…I wish I could be awake to comfort you, and tell you all the things I've been meaning to tell you for so long…I'm so sorry…my love… at this point, the berry's spirit fell to the floor and he sat, with his knees tucked under his chin and cried. Shiro, I'm sorry! I love you so much and I'm sorry! I've done nothing but brought you pain and made you worry about me and I'm sorry! I did that to my own mother and for that she's…she's…

'I'm right here, Ichigo.' A soft voice called. Ichigo looked up, his chocolate colored eyes meeting the same matching colored. He gasped, and thought, M-mom? The ghostly apparition was that of a woman with warm, tea colored eyes, strawberry blonde hair, and a caring smile. She nodded and said, 'Yes, my son, it's me.' B-but how…? I mean…I thought, you… Ichigo couldn't comprehend what was in front of him and his mother laughed, the same warm laugh that always made him smile, even now he held the tiniest of smiles on his lips.

It is you…mom… 'Yes, now I need you to follow me Ichigo,' Masaki said, holding a pale hand out for her son to take. The teen hesitated a moment before finally taking the hand and followed his mother. She led him closer to the albino on the bedside and said, 'You really care for him…don't you?' Of course I do! Ichigo said, if I didn't then I would never have gotten with him, then I would still be with Renji, then I would be- at this point he froze. Masaki's eyes darkened in anger and rage, 'I saw everything, Ichi…and I didn't like what I saw…that other man-Renji you said-was hurting you. That I did not like, not one bit. But when I saw you leave him, I was so proud! Ichi…if you had stayed with that man…we would have met a lot sooner than you think."

Ichigo processed this for a moment before the final bits sank in… wait, you said we would have met sooner, do you mean that I'm dead now? That I won't ever be able to see Shirosaki? And never tell him what I really wanted to? He thought, getting fearful. Masaki smiled softly at her son's words and replied, 'No, you're not dead, I simply came back to visit you and tell you that I'm here to protect you Ichigo. You are my son, one of my three pride and joys, just like Yuzu and Karin. I love you all and I came here to help you.' Ichigo smiled at his mother's words and embraced her, before furrowing his brows in confusion, how will you be able to help me? She laughed and said, 'I'm going to wake you up!' He stared at her, dumbstruck, um…mom; I've been out for a while now, in case you didn't notice… She simply flicked his forehead with two of her fingers, causing him to flinch, as she snapped, 'I know that! I'm going to wake you up the same way I used to back when you were little! Besides, this Shiro-kun is going to try and wake you up again, and that's when the magic will happen.'

Ichigo couldn't help but feel excited as she said this, and suddenly, he felt sleepy, his eyes growing heavy. Wait, mom! She turned to him before walking towards a dazzling golden light, he couldn't help but feel proud that his mother would be an angel, as he said; will I ever see you again? She flashed him a brilliant smile and said, 'Of course you will Ichigo, but live your life to the fullest first…then we'll talk.' He felt a soft smile creep on his lips as his eyes finally shut closed.

Shiro looked over to his red haired love, the heart monitor beeping quietly. "Ichi," he murmured, running an ivory hand through orange locks, "please wake up soon." He silently stood and walked over to the window, looking out and watching as the townspeople hurried through the streets, buying gifts for each other and their family for the Christmas holiday. He sighed softly and reached into his pocket, pulling out a small black velvet box, containing the berry's gift inside. Ichigo…Shiro thought, a single tear making its way out of clenched shut eyes, and flowing down his pale cheek, please, please wake up soon… he sat on the small sofa, and ran a quivering hand through his now dull white locks, deprived of sleep for being worried and not wanting to miss his love wake up, Shiro slowly felt his eyes grow weary. Maybe shutting my eyes fer a few minutes wouldn't hurt… he closed his eyes and soon enough was out like a light.

Ichigo could feel himself being drawn to something. A warmth. What is this feeling? It feels familiar but…I just can't place it… He finally opened his eyes only to close them again, to let them adjust to the light of the room. When they did adjust he looked around, his view finally locking on the albino sitting on the sofa across from the bed. Oh my god…Ichigo thought, eyes wide with worry, Shiro looks terrible…it's all because of me, isn't it? The albino, who was asleep, had tear stained cheeks and dark rings under his eyes, giving him an older appearance. He also wore a dark black shirt and blue jeans, and on the side of the sofa on the floor, the berry could see a duffle bag. So he brought clothes…and has been staying here…? The whole time? The berry thought, his heart fluttering at the gesture. He does care, Ichi thought, a small smile gracing his lips, before he whispered in a hoarse voice, "Shiro…"

The albino's eyes snapped open at the sound of his name being said. Gold then locked gazes with tea, "I-Ichi…?" he whispered, eyes wide, and almost disbelieving, "y-you're awake?" Ichigo smiled softly and nodded. Shiro dashed to the red head's side, placing a pale hand to his (Ichi's) cheek and said, "Ichi…ya came back ta me." The berry let out a soft laugh, leaning in to the albino's touch and whispered, "Yeah Shiro…I came back."

Angelchan2012: Okay, I hope ya'll like this chapter! I know it was sad, but it had to be for the story!

Shiro: *holds Ichi* Ya came back ta me

Ichi: Yes, yes I did

Grimm: *sniff*

Angel & ShiroIchi: *gasp* O.O Are you crying?

Grimm: N-no! *turns away to hide tears*

Angelchan2012: Aww~! That's so cute! *holds Grimm* It's okay… it'll get better in the next chapter

Grimm: You promise?

Angelchan2012: *smiles* I promise! You just have to say the phrase!

GrimmIchiShiro: Please review! And look out for the next chapter!