This kinda brings a whole new meaning to strange bed fellows, doesn't it? lol

NOTE: I do not own Bleach.

Chapter 11: Wake Up Call

He was dead. He just knew he was dead. It was strange, but Ichigo was not in any pain. He was covered in peculiar warmth, seemingly floating in nothingness. It was almost like a dream, a welcome one after the suffering he had endured. He had no idea how, but he somehow felt safe and secure.

Then, the floating feeling subsided. His body seemed to settle onto a solid surface, maybe a floor. No, it was just a little too soft to be on the floor, maybe a cot on the ground. It was then that he realized that it had to be a dream. He was alive after all. Of course, what happened next just about made him die…of a heart attack.

He slowly opened his eyes, trying to focus on where he was. His eyes cleared and came to focus on a darkened face right in front of him.

"GIYAAAAA!"

"Oh good, you are awake, then. Nice reaction as well."

"What the hell are you doing in bed with me? Get off!"

Ichigo grasped at anything he could on the giant atop him, pushing with all his might to get loose. The man simply turned his head in Ichigo's grasp to yell at the doorway to the right.

"Boss! Ichigo Kurosaki has awakened!"

With one last mighty shove, he flung the man off of him and into the adjacent wall. It was then that he recognized his face.

"Hey, I know you. You work for Mr. Hat-and-Clogs."

"Right you are, Ichigo. Glad to see you're recovering well" came the reply through the door, which promptly opened to reveal Kisuke Urahara himself. "And with gusto, I see. Tessai here is no push-over."

"What the hell was he doing in bed with me? And just where the hell am I?"

Kisuke opened his fan over his face, hiding his mischievous grin. "Tessai was just making sure you're body heat was kept up considering the severe wounds you sustained. As to where you are, you're in my shop, of course. We carried you here after your encounter with Captains Tosen and Ichimaru."

As Kisuke finished his words, Ichigo doubled over, just noticing the bandages covering his grievous wounds. 'So that fight really did happen. Then…' His mind was immediately refocused to Rukia. "Where is she? Where is Rukia? Is she-"

"Easy, my boy. You do not want to injure yourself further."

"Fuck that! Where the hell is Rukia?"

"Do not worry yourself, Ichigo. Rukia is alive and well. She is sleeping in the next room unless your outburst has changed that. She is recovering just as you are."

Forgetting his injuries altogether, Ichigo pushed himself up. He completely ignored his screaming body as he made his way toward the door.

"Ichigo, she is fine. You are far worse off than she is. Just take it easy."

"Shut up, Hat-and-Clogs! Get the hell out of my way!"

"I cannot in good conscience allow you to do that, my boy."

"Stuff your sarcasm, old man! I said get the hell out of my way!"

Without another word, Urahara stepped aside as Ichigo hobbled his way through to the next room. Though struggling, he managed to pry open the door. Just as he opened it, he dropped to the floor, the sight before him too much for him to bear.

His angel was covered in a cot on the floor similar to his own. All he could make out was Rukia's face, but that was enough. Small bandages were covering the left side, and pink stains could be seen through them. It was his fault she was like this. It was all his damn fault.

The jarring he had given himself was too much for his body. He began coughing savagely, doubling over on the floor. This was the first real indication he got of his state. The bandages he wore were completely red by now. Urahara was right after all.

Ichigo's fit stirred Rukia from her slumber. "Would you all be quie-" Another set of coughs cut her off, making her shift her unfocused eyes towards the source. She then realized the situation with a harsh gasp. "Ichigo!" She threw the blanket off, leaping up and over to his side. "Ichigo, you idiot! What did you do?"

The boy managed to stop coughing long enough to look up at her. As it turned out, the bandages on her face were the worst of her injuries. She was fine, other than the worried look she now possessed.

Between coughs, Ichigo managed to choke out a few words. "Heh, h-hey, R-Rukia. Glad you're al-alright."

"Of course I'm alright! Worry about yourself for once, you imbecile! You're half dead, lying on the floor for God's sake!" Tears began to stream down her cheeks as she continued berating him.

"Rukia, l-listen. I-I'm s-sorry. I-It's all my fault."

"Don't even say that! You are not to blame for this!"

"B-but they were after m-me. If it weren't for-"

"Shut up, you moron! This isn't your fault, so stop saying it is! They attacked us! They almost killed us out there! They're the ones to blame, not you! You're the one I almost lost, not the other way around! Don't you dare say it was because of you!" Rukia was nearly sobbing by this point, shaking with the effort to restrain herself.

"R-Rukia, please d-don't cry."

"I'm not crying, dammit!"

"It was my fault. If I had been s-stronger, I could've-"

"STOP IT! STOP IT! Don't blame yourself for this!"

Rukia finally collapsed against his chest, unable to hold back her sobs any longer. She had nearly lost someone else in her life, someone she loved so dearly. It would have been so much worse for her. Kaien was one thing, but loosing Ichigo…She didn't dare to try and imagine it.

Ichigo couldn't take seeing her like this. All he could do was cradle her against him. He swore then and there that he would never let something like this happen to her again, if it was the last thing he did. 'I will get stronger for you, Rukia…'

Urahara simply shut the door and let the two of them be. He didn't see the point in adding to the hysteria. He would explain Ichigo's condition later. For now, the two of them just needed to be alone.

After a while, Rukia managed to calm down. She finally lifted herself up to stare at him through reddened eyes. "You should've stayed in bed, Ichigo. You're in no condition to move."

He had to smile at that. "I needed to see that you were alright. I had to make sure."

"And look where it got you. We need to redress your wounds and get you back to bed."

He simply shook his head. "I'm fine now, Rukia. I'm just glad you're still with me."

"I told you that you weren't getting away from me that easily. You're not leaving me, and I'm not gonna leave you, so get used to it."

Ichigo nearly laughed. "You say that like I planned this."

"Just making sure you get the point, Berry."

His smile broadened at the new nickname. "You know I hate that, right?"

"Your smile says otherwise" she answered cockily.

"You always saw right through me. Can you help me up, Rukia?"

She turned deadly serious. "You're not in any shape to move, Ichigo."

"I just wanna get back to bed. Sorry I woke you, by the way."

She nearly slapped him. "Would you quit saying sorry? Give me your hand, Idiot."

Small as Rukia was, she managed to shoulder him over to her cot. She arranged him as gently as she could before retrieving her blanket and curling up next to him.

"I promise you I will never let this happen to you again, Rukia."

"Just shut up and get some sleep."

"I'm serious. I said I would protect you, and I meant it. I love you, Rukia."

She couldn't help but smile. She rose up to give him a quick peck on the lips before settling back in. "I love you too, Ichigo. Now get some rest, would you?"

Thanks for reading. Any reviews/comments are welcome and much appreciated.

If any of you were worried...shame shame. lol They are the stars of this particular fic after all. I'm not that crazy...or at least you can't prove that I am. lol

Next time: Bad news for our hero.