Title: Covenant
Series: Amaranthine (third in series; sequel to Nexus and Apotheosis)
Author: Akuni
Universe: Bleach
Genre: Drama/Romance
Rating: M for 'Much Smut' (NC-17)
Pairing: Renji/Ichigo (Note: I always write them reversible)
Spoilers: read through Soul Society, Arrancar, & Hueco Mundo Arcs
Warnings: By this point, everyone reading this story should know that this is futurefic, with all that that implies – character development, interpretations of events not yet seen in canon, etc. There's more talk of the war with Aizen, and mentions of character deaths during the war.
Word Count: you wouldn't believe me if I told you yet ;)
Summary: Three years after Ichigo began a rewarding life as a full-time shinigami captain, an unexpected challenge changes things for everyone, and Ichigo and Renji face their biggest trials yet.
More info and author's notes on chapter 1.
Chapter 11 – Recrudescence
Their return to Soul Society was quiet. Ichigo and Renji slipped through the gate in the early morning hours and went straight to their quarters, where two stacks of mail and paperwork waited for them. The notes on both their piles were in their lieutenants' handwriting. Ichigo made a mental note to have a word with Kira about the meaning of 'time off'; he suspected Renji would simply tell Rukia she was dumb for giving up one of her days off to push papers around.
"I didn't miss this part." Renji grimaced at the reports that would need to be read and signed.
Ichigo nodded glumly, but not even the prospect of paperwork could ruin the comforting feeling of being home after a refreshing break. "There's only so much paperwork an off-duty Division can generate in a week. How bad can it be?" He picked up an official notice. "This better not be what I think it is…" he groaned. "Senior officers' meeting first thing tomorrow morning."
"Were they waitin' for us to get home? Why can't they just send out memos and reports like corporations?" Renji shoved his reports far across the table and threw himself onto the couch with an exaggerated sigh. "I'm not doin' those 'til later," he declared. "We're still on vacation 'til tomorrow morning."
Ichigo shook his head. "Yeah, but I have other plans for later," he said as he began reading over his paperwork.
Renji sat up. "Plans? What plans?" he frowned. "We're supposed to be enjoyin' our last day off."
"That's why I want to get this out of the way now, so I can enjoy later," Ichigo said meaningfully.
Dark red eyes widened, and a broad grin spread across Renji's face as he scrambled to get started on his own work. It didn't really take all that long, after all.
§
-Later-
Ichigo let his knees and elbows slide over the bedding and came to rest on his stomach, Renji pressing warmly against his back, following him down. Tattooed arms wrapped securely around his waist, shifting them so they were spooning comfortably, bodies still joined.
They drifted off before their breathing had evened out.
§
Ichigo woke to a gentle rocking motion and pleasure curling in his belly. It was still night and he was still lying on his left side; judging by the stiffness in his joints and muscles, he decided he probably hadn't moved since he'd passed out.
The other proof of this was that his lover was still inside him. Behind him Renji shifted, moving their bodies together rather than simply moving himself in and out, his arms still holding Ichigo close. Each movement barely brushed that spot inside that often had Ichigo seeing stars; it was just enough to send his attention straight into his groin despite his waking grogginess.
Ichigo reached back, running his hand over Renji's thigh in the same broad circles as the hand rubbing over his stomach. Soft lips pressed against the back of his neck as he leaned into the rhythm. Warm energy spilled around them, unrestrained in the privacy of their home, adding to the intimate atmosphere.
He kept his eyes closed as he turned his head, bending his arm to cup the back of his partner's neck and guide himself to Renji's waiting lips. The kiss was an almost delicate meeting of mouths, breathy and light.
"Morning," Ichigo whispered against his lover's lips. He finally opened his eyes, blinking in the pale moonlight. Renji wore a small, sleepy smile as he leaned his head against Ichigo's.
"Always wanted to try this," Renji murmured. The easy roll of their bodies continued, and the slow burn of desire grew stronger.
"Shoulda said somethin'." Ichigo released Renji's neck, shifting his grip to his lover's backside and pulling gently.
"Kept forgettin'…" Renji responded to his unspoken request, pushing in and thrusting shallowly. "Shame, 'cause I loved it. You?"
"Beats wakin' up to an alarm any day. You'll see," Ichigo promised with a smile.
Renji nuzzled his face in the crook of Ichigo's neck and made a low sound of approval. Each slow grind pulled them a little farther apart until they settled into a rhythm of long, deep strokes. Renji's quickening breaths near his ear sent a shiver down his spine; Ichigo groaned softly as his lover's hand slid away from his stomach and curled firmly around his arousal.
Ichigo felt the tingle in their reiatsu, and he tilted his hips just as Renji shifted so that every thrust sent a shock of pleasure through him. The tingle turned into lightning racing between them as they moved together toward ecstasy.
Breathless, loving whispers against his neck made his heart thump in his chest and sent him tumbling over the edge, sticky warmth coating his belly and his lover's long fingers. The wave in their energies pulled Renji over with him, his body stiffening against Ichigo's as he released inside him.
Renji's soft breaths stirred his hair, and Ichigo felt his lover's heart beating hard against his back as they slowly relaxed. They let their bodies finally separate, and Ichigo lifted a corner of the sheet to wipe them off. He tilted his head, pressing his lips against the tattooed shoulder as Renji nipped at his ear.
Comfortable and sleepy again after their love-making, Ichigo turned in Renji's arms and nudged him until he turned on his other side. Ichigo wrapped his arms around his partner and pressed his nose against Renji's neck, the long red mane tangled loose on their pillows soft under his cheek. Their energies settled over them calmly.
"More sleep," Ichigo mumbled, grateful that they had several hours yet before they were on duty and could indulge.
"Mmh..." Renji was already snoring softly.
§
The senior officers gathered early the next morning; the rumours being whispered around the meeting room agreed that there must be news from the Research and Development Institute about the situation in Hueco Mundo, but beyond that speculation ran wildly in all directions.
Against all odds, the meeting was brief and to the point. The same short, round scientist – Ichigo could never remember his name – who'd made the previous reports was ushered in and given the undivided attention of every captain and lieutenant in the room.
As it turned out, a great deal had been discovered in only a few short days, from the information so painstakingly gathered over the previous months. The strange Hollow activity in Hueco Mundo was confirmed to be the result of the peculiar resonance tainting the previously undetected low-level energy blanketing the entire dimension. The levels of that energy fluctuated throughout each region, making it difficult to pinpoint the source of the corruption, but it was almost certain that it was emanating from a single source.
The working theory was that the massive amount of energy released in Hueco Mundo during the war had amplified the changes to the very nature of the dimension wrought by Aizen Sousuke even before his treachery was revealed. The residual energy running through Hueco Mundo was slowly being absorbed into the fabric of the dimension, but not all of the excess energy had dispersed as it was supposed to. Instead it appeared to be flowing away, somewhere vaguely toward what passed for north in Hueco Mundo. The consensus among the researchers was that it must be being drawn to power whatever mechanism was responsible for emitting the resonance that tainted the spirit particles, which in turn twisted the Hollows that lived there and fed on them. It also provided the perfect environment for the population explosion.
The Gotei 13 officers all wore expressions of thoughtfulness and concern as the explanation wound down. "We don't know where it's coming from, but we know what's responsible for the resonance now. Or I should say, who. This, all of this, was done deliberately." The scientist's expression was grim as he glanced around the room at the suddenly tense faces. "It's Aizen."
It was deathly silent for a single heartbeat – then pandemonium erupted.
"Aizen?" Ichigo snarled. Something cold and uncomfortable shot through his body and squirmed around in his gut. Not again, fuckin' hell please not that again!
"Impossible!" Renji's bark drowned out both Shuuhei's curse and the flurry of Unohana's robes as she hurried to assist Ukitake, who'd taken a violent coughing fit after a startled gasp. Komamura's fangs were literally bared, and his growling was the bass note to Soi Fong's high-pitched demands for more information. Rukia had gone very pale, and even Kuchiki Byakuya's face was tight and pinched.
Ichigo swayed from the effort of filtering the sudden burst of panicked energy filling the room. He was distantly aware of the fear and distress rolling off Kira, but he could only spare a single hand on the shoulder to help steady his overwhelmed lieutenant. Ichigo wasn't surprised to find he'd moved instinctively – he and Renji and Rukia had drawn closer together and adopted side-to-back stances that shielded Kira and gave the group at least one wary eye in every direction – old habits for old team mates, still buried in the subconscious.
Are we ever gonna escape that fucking war?! His grip on Zangetsu was reassuring, though the rational part of his mind told him that enemies probably weren't about to leap out at them in the heart of Seireitei. Probably…
The sharp rapping from the front of the room failed to quiet the chaos, but the loud bellow didn't. "That's enough!" Yamamoto's voice rose above the rest. "You are senior officers of the Gotei 13!"
Uneasy order was achieved, but most hands still strayed toward hilts and the 10th Division captain still looked ready to sweat ice cubes.
"No no, no!" The scientist waved his hands frantically. "I didn't mean like that!"
"Explain it fast then, and make it crystal–fuckin'–clear, understand?" Zaraki Kenpachi's harsh command seemed very loud in the charged silence.
"It's only Aizen's spiritual signature – the resonance is his doing. This trap has been set for years, just waiting to go off when the conditions were right," was the quick reply. "It's not Aizen himself," the scientist hastened to assure them all.
Even the 6th Division captain looked relieved at this clarification.
"You made quite certain he wasn't going to be a problem anymore," the round man continued, smiling nervously around the room; his gaze lingered briefly in Ichigo's direction before his eyes jerked away.
Ichigo tensed up again immediately, and a tiny tendril of pure angst from Renji wormed through their bond. Aizen Sousuke's death at the end of the war was something no one who'd been there wanted to think about, and never talked about – ever. Ichigo stuffed the memory as far back in his mind as it would go; he knew was going to pay for that later, but right now he just didn't have time to fall apart.
"Yeah, that's what we thought," Renji ground out from between clenched teeth, his voice barely audible.
"What's our next step?" Kyouraku Shunsui wore a look as grim as Ichigo had ever seen on the easy-going captain's face.
Yamamoto gestured, and the scientist took a deep breath and continued his report. "We need more data to track the source of the resonance; there's so much fluctuation throughout the entire dimension, it's hard to get a clear fix. Once we know roughly where it is, we find it and destroy it."
"It's that simple?" Soi Fong asked incredulously.
"This time, it really is just that simple." Yamamoto took over the meeting again. "This week the 7th, 9th, and 10th Divisions are off duty. Next week we will resume the data-gathering expeditions to Hueco Mundo. You'll all be asked to once again give a little more, but we've devised a more sophisticated schedule to ensure your teams are not overburdened for long."
The meeting was dismissed shortly after. Ichigo spent the rest of the day in his office with Kira and the 3rd seat officer who had taken charge while they were off duty, catching up on the week's affairs and analyzing the new schedule. Overall he was pleased with his Division's performance, and he hoped that the improvement would continue when the Hueco Mundo expeditions started again.
Ichigo went home that night with only one concern, but it was a big one. They hadn't spoken of it in a long time, but after lingering far too long over dinner he couldn't avoid it any more.
He put down his tea and shared a resigned look with Renji. "It's gonna be bad, isn't it?" It wasn't a question.
Renji sighed. "I don't think this one'll ever get better," he agreed sadly.
§
They'd been separated almost as soon as they entered Hueco Mundo. Chad and Orihime hadn't made it to Las Noches, instead stopping to help Kira and Hinamori. Kira had taken a vicious stomach wound from the first wave of defenders that threw themselves at the portal, and Hinamori was fighting furiously to protect them both against two enormous arrancar. Chad had dropped the one about to squash the fallen 3rd Division lieutenant underfoot, and Orihime immediately began healing the near-fatal wound. The two of them waved the rest of the team on, promising to meet them before the end.
The bulk of the Gotei 13 army pushed ahead. The 6th and 10th Division captains blew a hole in the wall to Las Noches without breaking stride, and they led the charge as the shinigami clambered over the rubble and poured into a huge, Hollow-packed courtyard.
Battle cries blended with screams of agony as the invaders crashed into three companies of Aizen's elite soldiers. Ichigo tore Zangetsu off his back and sheared through two dog-sized Hollows that sprang for his face. The Quincy dove for cover behind the debris of the wall and began firing spirit arrows faster than anyone's eye could follow. Renji swore repeatedly under his breath, frantically clearing the area around Rukia as she chanted steadily; when she reached the end, he ducked out of the way just long enough for her to release a fiery blue cone of destructive energy, then scrambled back into position while she began again.
"Go!" Ishida snapped, letting several bolts fly into the pack. "The longer you wait the less chance we have of getting this done!" A blast of lightning from Rukia's outstretched fingers spread havoc in the ranks, but the army of Hollows quickly formed up and charged again. "We're counting on you!"
"Hurry," Rukia urged, pulling back to stand beside Ishida and leaning her hands on her knees as she fought for breath to start another chant. "It doesn't matter who goes anymore, as long as they're strong enough to get the job done. Leave this to us."
"Shit! They're right." Renji swept Zabimaru in a wide arc, obliterating a dozen Hollows. He leaped back and sealed the blade, gripping Ichigo's elbow urgently. "C'mon, I can feel Kuchiki-taichou ain't far off, an' Hitsugaya-taichou was with him. That'll be enough."
Ichigo nodded. "You better catch up, or we won't forgive you!" he yelled as he spun to follow the red-haired acting captain. He saw Rukia's brief wave of acknowledgement turn into another devastating attack as she and Ishida covered their backs.
The two captains they sought weren't far off, and the four of them broke away from the front lines and ran to complete their primary mission. Tearing their way through the corridors brought back memories for Ichigo and Renji of their invasion to rescue Orihime, though this time they stuck together and made a beeline for the reiatsu being carelessly projected.
They found Aizen Sousuke on his throne, leaning casually on one elbow as he repeatedly tossed a small, round object in the air and caught it with the tips of his fingers. The room was empty save for the former captain and one of his monstrous pets. It slavered disgustingly as it slowly devoured something piled untidily beside the throneThe sudden lack of opposition was a physical shock after the heated battle and mad dash through the halls, and the four shinigami moved through the room warily.
"Welcome to Las Noches," Aizen said genially. "Welcome back, for some of you. I've been expecting you since Ulquiorra returned."
Then you know why we're here." Kuchiki Byakuya answered the former captain emotionlessly. "Where is your subordinate, he is supposed to facilitate this… exchange
"Ulquiorra?" Aizen's smooth voice filled the throne room as he stepped down from his dais. "He was a traitor – your presence here confirms that. I have repaid Ulquiorra's treachery appropriately." He gestured to the hideous creature still crouched beside the throne, and every last member of the team recoiled in horror as they recognized its grisly 'meal' as the dismembered remains of Ulquiorra Schiffer.
"Ulquiorra was right… he's mad," Hitsugaya whispered. No one had expected any of the espada to turn on their leader, least of all the cuarta espada who had proven his loyalty to 'Aizen-sama' countless times. But then Ulquiorra had appeared, cutting through their defenses to offer to get them through the barrier around Las Noches, in exchange for a sworn guarantee that the Gotei 13 forces would capture Aizen carefully and use every agency at their disposal to cure his master's madness. Losing the war, he claimed, was better than losing everything else.
When someone had made the mistake of suggesting that Ulquiorra had switched sides, calling his actions a betrayal, the espada hadn't even blinked before beheading the offender, leaving the 6th Division without a lieutenant for the second time in as many months and leaving no doubt as to where his loyalties remained. After that, even the 12th Division captain had stopped speculating about experimenting on an espada. Aloud, at least.
That Aizen had murdered his devoted subordinate as soon as he'd returned to Las Noches and created the flaw in the barrier, barely an hour ahead of the invaders that had broken in during the brief window of opportunity was the final proof.
Ichimaru had been evil – Aizen was simply insane.
"How could you do that to your own man?" Ichigo fixed his gaze on the murderer and did his best to block out the smack and crunch and what it meant. He hadn't liked Ulquiorra, or any of the arrancar, but he respected an opponent who fought honourably for what he believed in.
"There can be no mercy to traitors," Aizen said, gently chiding. He tossed the small object again, and Ichigo's stomach lurched as they saw it was Ulquiorra's eyeball.
"He was loyal to you, Aizen, not your cause," Hitsugaya spat. "He came to us so we could help you, you fool!"
A small smile graced Aizen's lips, and he shook his head lightly. "I don't need assistance from you kids."
"I see. It is pointless to continue this discussion." The Kuchiki's cool, clipped tones were markedly different from Aizen's patronizing warmth. "We've come to bring you back to Soul Society, where you will be cared for until you are well."
"I already told you, I don't need or want your help." Aizen's smile grew wider. "What need has a god for anything other than loyal worshippers?"
"Are we done negotiatin' now, Byakuya?" Ichigo drew Zangetsu off his back. Beside him he heard the metallic slide of Zabimaru extending to Renji's silent call, and the temperature in the room dropped sharply as Hitsugaya drew Hyourinmaru.
"Have you kids learned any new tricks since we last met? I have, would you like to see?" Aizen raised his hand and began chanting in a strangely hollow tone, but stopped mid-word as the doors to the throne room crashed open and three more people raced in.
"Wait!" Hinamori cried. Ishida and Rukia were right on her heels as she rushed toward the confrontation.
"Hinamori!" Hitsugaya gasped. "Stay back, you're not supposed to be here!"
Ishida and Rukia tried to restrain the distraught shinigami, but Hinamori tore out of their grasp and threw herself toward Aizen.
"Please, Aizen-tai—Aizen-san, come back with us," she begged, clinging to his coat. "We can help you, we can make everything better, like it used to be!"
Aizen looked down into her earnest face, and a flicker of amusement briefly lit his features. "Hinamori-kun, I don't want to have to kill you again."
Anguish filled Hinamori's face at this bland statement, and there was pity in her eyes as she stepped away and let Rukia step in front of her. "Please don't hurt him," she said quietly.
"Now, where were we?" Aizen resumed his eerie chant, and Hinamori went very pale.
"Don't let him finish that spell!" she screeched. "S-stop him!" she choked.
"Chire, Senbonzakura!" Byakuya gestured sharply, and a blizzard of pink flew toward the former captain. Aizen flashed across the room, the echoing syllables rolling endlessly off his tongue.
"BANKAI!" Hitsugaya roared, and the room exploded in ice. "Dai Guren Hyourinmaru!" The 10th Division captain charged, but Aizen vanished again, too quick to follow.
Ichigo made a quick assessment; only he and Hitsugaya had room to bankai without bringing the entire place down on their heads. "Renji, Byakuya! Keep him off balance!" he shouted, then focused hard.
"BANKAI!" Another surge of power rocked the walls. "Tensa Zangetsu!" Ichigo dragged his hand across his face and brought forth the Hollow's power. He immediately tried to break past Aizen's guard, but the man was good even while focusing intently on his incantation, and Ichigo wound up dodging his allies' attacks as they converged on the spot Aizen had just been. Arrow, lightning, ice, and blades smashed into the ground at his heels – one of Zabimaru's teeth caught the edge of his coat as he sped away.
The hairs on the back of Ichigo's neck suddenly stood up, and a strange tingle zipped down his spine as Aizen's chant turned harsh, his pupils going very wide. Through it all, Aizen's pet continued its gruesome feast, but its glowing yellow eyes followed the action keenly.
"Aizen-san, please, please stop before it's too late!" Hinamori implored her former captain, who didn't even spare her a glance.
Ichigo circled the room looking for an opening, feeling his feet grow heavy as the energy in the room began flaring wildly; pressing in one second, then pushing out the next. He couldn't land a blow, but his comrades had begun scoring minor hits as the tension mounted. One of Ishida's arrows scraped Aizen's calf at the same time as Rukia's lightning seared his hand. The traitor flashed away, right into the path of Senbonzakura which left a deep slice across his back.
"Hajike, Tobiume!" The cry came from behind. A burst of pink energy slammed into the floor at Aizen's feet. The chant slowed for the first time, and a look of incredulity replaced the anticipation on Aizen's features.
"Ichigo, now!" Renji cried. Ichigo zoomed forward beside the serrated blade as Renji extended it straight toward Aizen, and Hitsugaya was closing fast from the opposite side. At the last second Ichigo broke off, swerving to the left and burying his zanpakutou in Aizen's side as Zabimaru wrapped around the traitor's legs, which were then trapped in a thick layer of ice.
A grunt of pain interrupted the weird incantation. The blood drained from Aizen's face as the room began to shake with a deep rumble. Bits of stone and dust rained down, and Aizen's pet monster leaped to its feet and roared.
"You fools!" Aizen rasped. Ichigo and Hitsugaya sprang away as he began glowing with a sickly green and black aura. "You've no idea what you've—" The world went white as the energy contracted and exploded around the former captain.
Large cracks appeared in the ceiling, and chunks of it began raining down on them. Ichigo saw this because he was flat on his back, like almost everyone else. Renji was on his knees, clutching his head with one hand and the hilt of his broken zanpakutou with the other.
"Grab him and let's go!" Ishida picked himself up awkwardly. "Come on, Kurosaki, snap out of it!" Next to him, Rukia and Hinamori began pulling each other up, and Byakuya stood as ungracefully as the rest of them in the violently shaking room.
Ichigo rolled and staggered to his feet. "Gimme a hand, will ya?" He dropped his hand on Renji's shoulder and carefully shook his injured team mate. Renji groaned, and hauled himself up leaning on Ichigo's arm. A sharp crack from overhead had them looking up nervously.
"Is he still alive?" Hitsugaya got up and moved with them toward the fallen traitor, but a low growl stopped all three in their tracks.
Aizen's pet leaped, landing squarely between them and its badly injured master. The Kuchiki raised his blade, but another violent shake had them all scurrying back as another section of the ceiling collapsed, blocking them from their quarry.
"We need to leave," the 6th Division captain stated plainly.
"No!" Hinamori started crawling toward the debris. "Aizen-taichou, please!" A muffled groan answered her, and she moved faster.
"We didn't come this far t' just let him go!" Renji argued. Ichigo agreed. They began climbing over the rubble, but the next quake threw them back down on the heaving ground and deposited more rock on the pile.
"Fuck!" Ichigo swore. They were out of time. "Damn it!!"
"If it doesn't kill him, he'll be in no shape to do anything, and we can come back and retrieve him later," Byakuya said with a rare expression of frustration. They picked themselves up again and headed for the exit, dodging the deadly rain and tripping over the lurching floor.
"Hinamori, we have to go!" Hitsugaya pulled at her arm, but she paid him no mind.
"We can't leave him!"
"Hinamori—" Renji started to turn back to help the 10th Division captain restrain his former classmate, but Hitsugaya waved him off. Hitsugaya's jaw was set as he slammed into his friend's side, knocking her off balance and scooping her up over his shoulder.
"Shiro-chan let me go, we have to help him!" A vicious growl and a cry of pain from beyond the wall made his steps falter as he ran for the exit.
"W-what… it can't be…" Rukia was as white as a sheet, and Ishida looked like he was about to throw up. A loud snap and another agonized scream answered her question.
"Aizen-taichou!" Hinamori shrieked, flailing fists and feet against Hitsugaya in vain. "Nooooooo!"
They ran on, chased by Aizen's terrible screams as he was slowly eaten alive by his own creation. Ichigo wasn't sure if it was better or worse when the screams abruptly stopped.
Ichigo awoke with a horrified cry that caught in his throat and came out as a strangled groan as he sat right up in bed. Beside him, Renji was leaning over and retching into the wastebasket; combined with the sickened reiatsu flooding the room, the sound and smell made Ichigo's own stomach heave once before he lurched out of bed and into the bathroom. He ducked his head under the cold water tap and breathed deeply, spitting a mouthful of sour bile into the sink and willing his body to settle.
After a minute he'd calmed his shaking nerves. Ichigo quickly towelled the water from his hair and reached for his toothbrush.
"Well that was fun." Renji staggered in behind him, face pale as he wiped the sweat off his brow. Ichigo grunted in response, moving aside as he brushed so Renji could do the same.
Ichigo forced himself to deal with the memories in his mind. It was no wonder that Hinamori had left the Gotei 13 after the war. She hadn't stopped screaming until they were out of Las Noches and halfway back to the gate to Soul Society, at which point she'd gone catatonic in Hitsugaya's arms. It had been the better part of a year before she was anywhere near to getting over the trauma and joining the Kidoushuu, and most of another before she'd rebuilt herself and recovered enough to wed her childhood friend. The light-hearted laughter on their wedding day was a happier sound, but nothing would ever erase their memories of tortured screams as they ran toward safety and the end of the war.
"Nice first day back," Ichigo said weakly when they'd finished. Renji just shook his head, leaning wearily against Ichigo's shoulder as they shuffled back to bed.
§
Omake
-Chapter 11-
Renji: Fuck, I don't like rememberin' that.
Ichigo: Ugh.
Akuni: I feel a little sick myself.
Hinamori: It's not her fault the war was awful. We all did the best we could.
Hitsugaya: Hinamori, are you sure you're up for this?
Hinamori: Ah, I'm ok now Shiro-chan. -smiles- It was such a terrible thing, but it was a long time ago now.
Akuni: Er, is it normal for him to address her so formally even though they're married?
Ichigo/Renji: Uh oh…
Hitsugaya: We're in public!
Akuni: Relax, Hitsugaya, it's just us.
Hitsugaya: That's Hitsugaya-taichou!
Akuni: Still sensitive about that, I see…
Hitsugaya: -pops a vein-
Renji: Er, we'll just be goin' now, heh, we gotta talk to her 'bout the next chapter. -grabs Akuni's arm-
Ichigo: -grabs Akuni's other arm- Yeah, lotta details we gotta, uh, finalize and stuff.
Akuni: -being dragged off- Wait a sec here, it's not like I called him 'Toushirou' or 'Shorty' or anything. He's supposed to have loosened up over the years!
Hitsugaya: -in the distance- I heard that!
Renji/Ichigo: Oh shit. -run faster-
Hinamori: -in the distance- Shiro-chan don't get so angry, it's too cold!
Art
See the story posted on LJ or ygal for links to the art that goes with this chapter. Link to my LJ – where this story is very prominently featured – is on my bio.
'Ulquiorra Schiffer'
Music
♫ 'Brothers in Arms' – Dire Straits