Right so we have major trouble ahead of us.

Again I received quite number of reviews on Ch.11, thanks to everyone. I do respond to every single review individually (although I'm not sure where you receive that message). Looks like some are getting impatient that Ichigo and Toshiro are still not together, haha. And I got threatened to update because someone's going to length of even missing out on sleep. I also take sleep very important so as appreciation for the effort, here's another daily update.

Part of response to reviews, but I'm sorry if it seems to take long for Toshiro and Ichigo to get together. I just don't see Toshiro suddenly having an epiphany one night then turn around saying 'I love you!'. Frankly, I've kinda done that with Ichigo already to some extent. But honestly, if I write again, I think I'll have them set up right from the beginning like I do in my oneshots.

Well, time to go and watch our Strawberry taking Luppi on. Enjoy!


Empathy by HeukYa Ch.12


As time went on, Hitsugaya's reiryouku returned at aslow but steady speed and they assumed his empathy was disappearing at almost thesame speed; with Ichigo usually in control of his emotions, it was hard to tell theexact level of his empathy. Or that's at least what Ichigo thought.

Hitsugaya hadn't mentioned anything about his discovery of Ichigo's feelings for him and even though Kurosaki didn't show much outside, the affection was not something he could hide completely from Hitsugaya's empathy. Even using the constant fondness as a marker, improvement in empathy was still difficult to tell with the intensity spiking up at some moments when Hitsugaya just knew without having to look that Ichigo's soft gaze was fixed on him. However one night not too long ago, when he feigned to be sleeping and Kurosaki had stayed up, watching him, he realised that it felt like there was ashredded curtain around him in his empathy; as if the empathic feed was coming through holes; huge gaping holes but nevertheless, with some interference unlike before. With its return, his reiryouku was definitely disrupting his empathy.

It was thefirst time that he wished his reiryouku would not return so soon. Just the fact that he actually wished for aslow recovery was enough to surprise him but what shocked him even more was that in fact, he was frightened of losing that love Kurosaki was giving to him, the affection that surrounded his heart and mind. He wondered if too many things had happened to him these days that his mental strength had gone so weak to a point where he actively sought for emotional comfort.

"……We need to go to Urahara-shoten."

Ichigo looked up from the book he was reading to find Toshiro in front of him with afrown on his face. He was closing and opening his hands, looking very uncomfortable. Ichigo had been getting a bit worried about him; Ichigo wasn't as non-perceptive as Hitsugaya made him out to be. He knew something was bothering Toshiro quite a lot even though the boy rarely showed signs of it and he was starting to get bad feeling that Toshiro might know more than he lets on.

"Urahara-shoten? Why?"

"Need Souma-fixers. I don't really like using them but…"

"Souma-fixers?"

"It helps the synchronisation to the gigai… It's getting difficult to move in this thing."

"I'll ask Chad…"

"No, we'll go."

"But your empathy…"

Ichigo's face turned into frustration as Hitsugaya cut in again.

"Has been getting better, so I think I can cope with afew more people around, although I don't really want to imagine what I would get from Urahara. Anyway, there's something I want to ask about this gigai."

Ichigo wasn't comfortable with the idea; things had been quiet around them nowadays when they were out but Urahara-shoten was visited by uninvited guests rather frequently, namely hollows. He got up, grabbing Kon's soul candy. He had asked Yuzu to bring it over (it had been something he wished he would never have to do again) and had taken the gikongan (AN:Soul candy) out before Hitsugaya would freeze the lion toy out of irritation.

"It's not like you are going to listen to me even if I tell you no, right?"

Hitsugaya smirked.

"Of course not."

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"Ah, spring's always nice. I think the sakura trees are blossoming as well, they were talking about Sakura festival on the news."

"Don't tell me you are planning to go there."

"Well, I'm not too eager about it. I don't need to be reminded of Byakuya's Senbonzakura out of Soul Society as well. I'll never be able to enjoy sakura blossom for therest of my life."

Hitsugaya snorted as Ichigo grimaced at the memory. Kuchiki Byakuya was definitely a strong ally in their fight against Bountos (even though he had been bit of arse during the fight with Kariya) and Senbonzakura was always beautiful. But when you have been on thereceiving end of it, there was no way you would forget just how fatal that beauty was. Ichigo took a glance at the boy walking next to him.

'……Fatal beauty, huh… I guess that describes Toshiro as well.'

Hitsugaya tensed a bit as he felt the adoration enveloping him again although to an onlooker, the only change was the scowl on his face getting slightly deeper. However even with the tension, he could feel his every muscle wanting to relax and give into the comfort. How it could take away his control so easily was quite frightening yet the warmth was so welcoming he couldn't stop himself letting out a content sigh.

"Oi, you've been sighing way too many times these days."

Hitsugaya could feel his eyebrows twitch; and just who was it that was putting him in this situation? Hitsugaya just scoffed and Ichigo wondered whether he should prod the boy abit more or not. The captain hadn't denied something was weighing him down. I'll take my chance, he thought.

"You sure it's not something I can help?"

"Yes, Kurosaki, I'm sure it's not something you can help."

"Fine."

Hitsugaya swore under his breath. He hadn't meant to snap so hard at Kurosaki, who was now looking rejected and offended at thesame time. The captain knew what kind of person Kurosaki Ichigo was; they both had high pride and did not forgive easily when it was hurt, whatever the intention had been. He stopped and really, spoke to Ichigo's back, constantly telling himself he cared about Ichigo's reaction because they still had long time to stay together, nothing more.

"……I didn't mean to snap."

Ichigo turned around and eyed Toshiro with mild surprise and curiosity. The boy's demeanour was as aloof as ever but the tone of his voice had been sincere. Ichigo smiled and reached out to ruffle the small captain's hair, only to have Toshiro dodging it with practiced ease. Hinamori had done that quiet enough times already in the icy captain's opinion. Ichigo smirked at Hitsugaya's annoyed frown.

"Don't mind."

Then when they were about to take off again, Hitsugaya's mobile signalled a message from Soul Society. Both of them went stiff at the sound and after exchanging anxious glances, Hitsugaya quickly took his phone out. His face grew serious as he read the message.

"What is it?"

"………We have an espada on our tail."

"!! Are you…"

"I'm fine. Yet, anyway. But I'm in no condition to fight a hollow, let alone an espada."

Hitsugaya almost spat the words out; he never thought there would be time he has to rely on others for his protection. Ichigo simply nodded.

"Well, that's where I come in, isn't it? Stay here and keep your mind clear if you can, okay?"

Ichigo swallowed the soul candy and left his body which soon stood up, now looking quite different with Kon in it.

"Kon, stay with Toshiro, don't leave him alone whatever you do."

"Huh? What?"

"Just stick with him, okay?!"

"Ok, ok."

"Toshiro, do you know how many are coming?"

Hitsugaya's eyebrows twitched again but given the emergency of the situation, he decided to forget about the name.

"I don't know, my gigai deflects reiatsu, remember? I can't sense anything."

"Do you think you'll be okay if I use my hollow power?"

"………You have control over it… It should be fine although I cannot be…"

Then out of theblue, there was an arrancar standing in the air just above them. Ichigo sensed the espada's strong reiatsu which was almost dancing with glee, giving off powerful will to kill. Hitsugaya's eyes widened as he recognised the espada.

"You are…!"

"Toshiro, do you know that guy?"

"Yes, his name is Luppi, it's the espada I fought be…"

Hitsugaya suddenly swayed, his eyes going out of focus. Ichigo instantly forgot about the espada and ran to check the boy whose behaviour was too similar to the New Year eve's night for his comfort. However he was relieved to find the captain back to himself although it seemed like he was having trouble keeping himself upright.

"Toshiro…"

"…Don't… turn your back on theenemy… moron…"

"Why do I always get told off for helping people out?!"

"Ho This is something I hadn't expected… What's going on with you, taichou-san? Too frightened that one you couldn't kill has come back?"

Ichigo's eyes flared at Luppi's slithering voice. He turned around, taking his position in front of Hitsugaya, who had now slid down and was leaning against Kon. His effort to stay awake against the black waves in his mind was affecting his breathing. However managing to keep the look of cold calmness despite ragged breathing, Hitsugaya kept his eyes on Luppi while telling Ichigo what he knew.

"……His zanpaktou… gives him eight tentacles… when… released…"

"Okay, you focus on your mind now. I'll take care of it."

Hitsugaya shut his eyes tightly. The darkness of the arrancars were at acompletely different level compared to that of normal hollows and even with Hyourinmaru's help, he could feel himself slipping away, barely holding himself to the ground. His vision kept getting blurry and noises around him were disappearing then coming back again when he forced himself to get hold of his mind.

"You, orange, get out of my way, I'm not here to fight you. Get the brat over here."

Ichigo glared at the arrancar.

"Over my dead body."

With that, Ichigo drew his zanpaktou and his reiatsu started to flare up immediately. Ichigo was determined to finish this off as quickly as possible; it was obvious Hitsugaya was under the effect of empathy again even though he was doing his best. He wasn't about to risk Toshiro almost going through hollowfication again.

"Bankai! Tensa Zangetsu!"

Thick dust rose around Ichigo from the force of the explosion of huge reiatsu. Even before the dust had calmed down, Ichigo shot out into the air clad in the trademark black coat, wielding a completely black sword.

"!!"

Luppi was thrown off with the speed and had barely managed to avoid a blow with his arm. Seeing his white sleeve turning red with blood, Luppi turned to face Ichigo.

"…So, you want to die, do you…? Fine! I'll kill you first then kill that brat!!"

"We'll see about that."

And in a blink, Ichigo had pulled on his hollow mask.

"Getsuga tensho!"

"Kubire, Trepadora!" (AN: incantation to release Luppi's zanpaktou; 'Strangle')

The air around them exploded due to the collision of two enormous reiatsu. Luppi's tentacles had managed to block Ichigo's attack but not without any damage. Most of his tentacles had quite deep cuts where they had been hit by Getsuga tensho. However it was thesame for Ichigo as well; he had been hit square in his chest. He winced at the sharp pain shooting through when he breathed in; he must have broken one rib at least. Luppi wriggled his tentacles a bit before he glared at Ichigo.

"……I know who you are… You are the one that Grimmjow fought, the one with some weird power."

"So what?"

"I heard about that mask… You won't be so smug after I break that!"

A tentacle shot out at starlight speed but Ichigo managed to deflect it and using shunpo, got behind of Luppi with Zangetsu aimed for the middle of the espada's back. However just before he had chance to stab him, another tentacle came round, knocking him out of the air. Ichigo was now starting to think he'd rather get cut up then pummelled.

"You are good, kid. But not good enough!"

Ichgo took his position again. Even with his hollow power, those tentacles would be annoying. Eight tentacles all flew towards him again as Ichigo's voice rang out.

"Getsuga tensho!"

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"Hitsugaya taichou…"

Kon was panicking now. Grabbing his chance when Luppi's focus was on Ichigo at the bankai, Kon had moved them to theside of the road, hiding behind a telegraph pole which was just about the only thing on the street. With Ichigo pushing Luppi to his heels, Kon thought they would be safe but Hitsugaya was slowly losing his grip, barely managing to get back to himself. As time went on, it was taking longer and longer and when he fell blank, he wouldn't react to Kon's shouts or the fight above.

Hitsugaya knew this was a losing battle; the deep taint of the arrancar when compared to hollows had as much difference as in their power. The darkness was now all around him; he could feel his spiritual barrier cracking and falling down. He had just enough time to call out for his guardian before the defence was bulldozed down with the tidal waves of darkness with incomprehensible depth.

'Hyourinmaru!!'

"…Taichou…? Taichou! Hitsugaya taichou, you need to stay awake! Taichou!!"

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"…Why is your mask still on… I thought it doesn't last long!"

Ichigo smirked with glee as Luppi looked furious with him.

"Heh. I was still practicing when I fought Grimmjow, now I have mastered it. You are not going to survive this one, espada."

Ichigo grinned at Luppi's anger but he was actually looking for a way to finish this quickly. The broken ribs were making his breathing difficult, theache on his side was getting worse and he had let his guard down for a second, letting a tentacle snake around his arm, spraining it. Every swing was rather painful. However he knew he was close; Luppi was in FAR worse condition than him.

Ichigo held up his zanpaktou again and started to run around the confused espada at the fastest speed he could. There were multiple images of Ichigo all around Luppi and the espada started to go berserk. This was not the way it was supposed to be; he had finally tracked down the brat who had dared to lecture him about fights and lock him in ice prison, his plan had been to fight and kill the brat in amost painful way, crushing that little head of his.

"Don't get cocky, you are just a shinigami!"

Luppi's eight tentacles started to swing fast around him but not fast enough for Ichigo who was in bankai, a hollow form, no less. Ignoring the pain, he weaved in and out of the tentacles and in a blink of eyes, was facing Luppi's stunned face just few centimetres before it.

"!!"

"Getsuga tensho."

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!"

With blood splattering, Luppi started to fall and Ichigo was about to follow him when he felt familiar reiatsus approaching them. Sending another Getsuga tensho at the general direction of Luppi's fall, Ichigo quickly took off his mask. He cursed under his breath, he had really wanted to finish this before anyone from Soul Society came. He had been sensing something he should not feel from the boy on the ground and knew Hitsugaya had fallen under the empathy. Oddly, something seemed to be different from last time but it wasn't exactly comforting either. He just hoped that the two who were coming would not notice any difference in Hitsugaya's weak reiatsu with his own hopefully strong enough to dull their senses.

"Ichigo!"

"Ichigo!"

"Rangiku-san, Rukia."

"Are you okay? We came as soon as we could but…"

Matsumoto looked around with aslight frown. She was pretty sure she had felt another strange reiatsu apart from the espada's. It had asomewhat similar feeling to that of hollows but not quite the same. Ichigo was getting uncomfortable as he watched Matsumoto looking around. He really did not want them to know about his vaizard state if he could help it. Salvation came in the strangest way just at that moment. Bloody tentacles shot out at them from below; it seemed Luppi had survived the direct hit.

"That's…!"

"You know him as well?"

"Yes, Ikkaku, Yumichika and I fought with him and taichou had nearly finished him off…… He came for taichou?!"

"Yeah, Toshiro's on the ground with Kon, don't worry."

"You… you think you finished me off with that!!"

Matsumoto stared at the furious espada with surprise. He had anasty gash across his chest and half of his tentacles were cut with the rest heavily bleeding. Rukia asked dumb-founded.

"Ichigo, you did that?"

Ichigo just shrugged.

"We need to finish it off quick."

"As if you can!!"

Before they could do anything, a tentacle shot out and tightened around Rukia.

"Rukia! You bastard…"

"What are you going to do now, huh? I'm going to crush every single one of you one by one!"

Matsumoto and Ichigo looked at Luppi with great hatred. Ichigo couldn't decide what to do; if he pulled out his hollow's power again, he would definitely be able to finish off that bastard before he had chance to do anything to Rukia, but they would find out about him being a vaizard. He took a quick glance at the ground and stiffened. Kon was shaking the unresponsive boy in his arms and now that he focused on it, he could feel Hitsugaya's reiatsu was off the mark. It wasn't like last time where Hitsugaya's and hollow's reiatsu were mixing together but what Ichigo was sensing now wasn't reassuring either. He frowned.

Didn't he promise himself he would protect the boy no matter what?

Matsumoto was trying to decide the best course of action when she suddenly felt Ichigo's reiatsu exploding. Her eyes widened as she watched Ichigo pull out a hollow mask over his face and realised that the strange reiatsu she had felt on the way had been Ichigo's. Without a word, Ichigo suddenly disappeared from her view and was instantly behind Luppi again. Luppi had just enough time to look back before Ichigo's final blow.

"This is the end. Getsuga tensho!"

There was no way to avoid the black crescent blade of reiatsu this close. It sliced through the espada's waist and the rest of tentacles. Ichigo watched Luppi disappear with aloud scream then took off his mask. Matsumoto had caught Rukia from falling and looked at him sternly.

"Ichigo … you…"

"Later, Rangiku-san."

Leaving astunned Matsumoto behind, Ichigo sped towards his charge. He grimaced at what he saw; Hitsugaya now looked not much different from last time they had come across hollows. He scooped up the boy in his arms ignoring the pain from strained shoulder.

"Taichou!! Ichigo, what was just now.. And taichou…"

"Rangiku-san, please."

Matsumoto stopped when she saw the serious look on Ichigo's face. There was a silent conversation between them then Matsumoto nodded.

"Okay. Take care of taichou."

"Look after Rukia, please. Kon, come back to my place."

"Ha?!"

"It's much faster if I move in shinigami than in my body. I'll leave the door open, don't go anywhere, come straight back home, okay?"

Kon would have usually complained loudly at this point but he seemed to have caught on the gravity of the situation and nodded, standing up. With last look at Matsumoto and Rukia, Ichigo took off with fastest shunpo, vanishing in an instant.

None of them noticed a white robe billowing at the wind from the speed of the wearer disappearing from the scene.

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'Toshiro, open your eyes.'

'…Hyourinmaru?'

'I'm sorry I could not protect our world; with your reiryouku so low, it was all I could do to prevent the darkness reaching you.'

Hitsugaya looked around. He was currently encircled within the dragon completely and the usual snow-covered field was nowhere to be seen, replaced by sea of black outside Hyourinmaru's casing.

'…How can we…'

'Do not worry, for I know what is keeping them at bay and that would be what helps us out here.'

Hitsugaya blinked at the dragon's words. Wasn't it Hyourinmaru keeping them safe from getting engulfed in the shadow?

'Physically, it is I that protects you here. However, mentally, it is what Kurosaki Ichigo has given you that prevent them from getting any closer to you.'

'……What Kurosaki has given me…?'

'When you called out to me, you had already fallen yet the shadows could not get their hands on you. I merely pushed them further away.'

'What?'

'Toshiro, the love Kurosaki has given you directly through your empathy is what makes you unattainable by the darkness. Even if you have not yet accepted it, his affection keeps you here safely.'

'…!!'

Then suddenly Hyourinmaru lifted his head, looking out into pitch-black space around them.

'Hyourinmaru?'

'And it is him that will rescue you from the depth of your mind.'

And just as he was about to ask what it meant, a voice he had grown familiar (and if he would admit, rather fond of) echoed around him.

'Hitsugaya Toshiro! Come back right now!'

With the words, his empathy started to pick up Ichigo's feelings; anxiety that he might have been too late; faith that Hitsugaya was strong enough to pull through; love which he would not give up on; affection he longs to give and longs to receive. As Kurosaki's voice continued to ring out, the darkness started to retreat as if they were near something so unbearable and the dragon started to uncurl itself.

'It is time to wake up, master.'

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When Ichigo got away from Matsumoto and Rukia far enough, he could focus on Toshiro's reiatsu more clearly; he was bad at sensing it even now. What he felt got him confused a bit. The reiatsu was clearly split into two; the arrancar's and Hitsugaya's, although Hitsugaya's was nearly overshadowed in the arrancar's. Despite the blank state, it seemed Toshiro was keeping himself well against the empathic invasion. Then, why was he not waking up? He did just about the only thing he could think of.

"Hitsugaya Toshiro!! Come back right now!! Toshrio, I know you are there!! Get out of there and come back to where you belong!! Hitsugaya Toshiro!!"

He grimaced at the pain shooting through his torso every time he shouted. His strained shoulder was screaming for readjustment and the hit he took to theside of his waist seemed to have done its fair share of damage as well but he couldn't care less at this moment. He felt the taste of rust at the back of his throat and covered his mouth just in time before coughing out blood. He had definitely broken a rib, maybe few. He placed his clean hand on the boy's forehead and whispered gently.

"Toshiro. Wake up."

He wiped the blood on his hand on hisshihakshou and held one of Toshiro's dainty hands in his own. It was small enough for him to have held in one hand but he clutched it in both and leaned his forehead on the soft skin.

"Hitsugaya Toshiro. Wake. Up."

Just then, the hand he held twitched and Ichigo quickly looked up. The usual frown (Ichigo had to laugh at that; how typical of Hitsugaya Toshiro) was returning then soon the brilliant teal orbs showed themselves again.

"Toshiro."

"…………Kurosaki."

Ichigo smiled as those sea-green eyes looked at him, still a little hazed.

"You scared the shit out of me, kid. Look where your stubbornness has landed you."

Toshiro ignored the words and tried to get up when he realised Ichigo was holding one of his hands. Ichigo hadn't realised he still hadn't let go and startled, only to wince at the pain that sudden motion caused. Toshiro didn't miss it and quickly sat up, his eyes blazing.

"Kurosaki, are you injured?"

"Ha? Just a bit, nothing serious."

Ichigo tried to get away but Toshiro was faster; as Ichigo got up, Toshiro shot out from the bed and pushed Ichigo onto the bed.

"AAAHH!! Oh, FUCK! Oi, what the hell do you think you are doing?!"

"Shut up!"

Ichigo temporarily forgot about the pain and the taste of blood coming back up again in his throat as he watched Toshiro pressing him down and undoing his top. This was so unexpected that he was frozen to the spot, his eyes the size of saucers.

Toshiro stood by the bed with one of his legs bent on Ichigo's to stop him from moving and started to open the shihakshou after a quick glance. He couldn't see any bleeding anywhere, so it must have been some internal damage Ichigo had received. He scowled when he spread the shirt open. From the wheezy and shallow, irregular breathing, he knew Ichigo had broken ribs somewhere but on the side, there was a huge angry-looking bruise; it was quite serious internal bleeding. He glared at Ichigo who was gaping at him and growled.

"Don't gape like a fish, bakayaro! You've broken ribs and got massive internal bleeding! What else?"

Ichigo knew it was asking for afrosty death to hide anything at this point. Smiling sheepishly, he answered.

"Sprained shoulder."

With his usual calmness returning, Hitsugaya grabbed Ichigo's phone and after going through some names in the address book, pressed 'call' button, all the while Ichigo still looking at him stunned. It was painful but weren't exactly life-threatening injuries in Ichigo's eyes; he had been worse than this before and he knew Hitsugaya had been through some serious wounds too. These should not have thrown Toshiro off so much like that.

Moshi moshi.

"Inoue, this is Hitsugaya taichou."

Ah? Toshiro-kun, I mean, Hitsugaya taichou!

"I need you to come over to Kurosaki's place right now, he's been injured and has bad internal bleeding."

"Oi, what are you doing?! You've woken up from anempathic attack only a minute ago, you know!"

Toshiro just sent death glares at Ichigo and placed his hand on Ichigo's chest. He had only put his hand on with gentle pressure but Ichigo had to hiss from the pain that shot through.

But, will you be okay?

"Fine. Just come here as fast as possible."

Hitsugaya hung up and chucked the phone on the desk carelessly. Now that their positions were swapped and the phone conversation over, Ichigo didn't know what to say. Toshiro was looking at him like he wanted to kill him personally but a faint tremble of his gaze stopped Ichigo from saying anything. More than anything, he could easily see Toshiro's swirl of emotion quite clearly in the cerulean eyes; confusion, sadness, anger, worries, embarrassment. Ichigo learnt that day that even though face didn't give away much, Hitsugaya's brilliant eyes spoke of the prodigy's mind in their own words.

"You sure you are gonna be okay with Inoue here?"

"I'm FINE."

"Hey, it's not like I'll die or anything."

"I know how persistent you are but your internal bleeding is more serious than you think."

Then as if he only just realised his position, Hitsugaya looked up and down then quickly got off Ichigo, sitting down on the chair next to the bed. Ichigo tried to sit up but quickly laid down again when he saw the look on the captain's face. Whatever the reason was, Toshiro was definitely worried about him, and quite a lot as well. He couldn't help but feel smug a bit. Hitsugaya scowled.

"What are you smiling for?"

"Nothing."

Actually, the empathic captain didn't even have to ask. He had taken those actions without even thinking about it when he saw Ichigo trying to hide his injuries and now he was rather embarrassed with himself; he had lost control too easily. They stayed in anuncomfortable silence until Kon and Inoue arrived together. As soon as Kon stepped through the door, Hitsugaya did the honour of pushing the soul candy out of Ichigo's body on the owner's request. Today was thefirst time they had met but Ichigo knew full well that Kon would grate on the prickly captain's nerve quite badly; Toshiro was already in bad mood, it wouldn't do to make it worse.

"Kurosaki-kun! Ouch, that looks painful… Who were you fighting against? I did feel your reiatsu few minutes ago."

"An espada, managed to finish him off. Sorry to call you over."

"No, it's no problem! I'll get started right away."

"Arigato."

Orihime smiled and called out two of her Shun Shun Rika. Hitsugaya was standing at the door, silently watching them with his arms crossed. Soon, a warm yellow light covered Ichigo and he could feel the pain subsiding and the usual drowsiness that he felt every time he was under Orihime's healing light (which was far more than he would have liked). He was trying to keep his eyes open when he heard a low voice behind Orihime.

"Kurosaki, sleep. I'll see her off when finished."

"Nah… I'm fine…"

"Kurosaki-kun, it's part of the Souten Kishun's effect. It would be better if you didn't fight against it because it might slow down the healing speed."

"Oh, right… Well, okay then, but wake me up before you go, Inoue."

"Okay, don't worry."

Ichigo closed his eyes and almost immediately his breathing changed to quiet, regular ones. Hitsugaya walked up to the bed next to Orihime.

"That was a lie, wasn't it."

Orihime smiled.

"Yes, but he looked really sleepy."

"He's an idiot."

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"Aizen-sama."

"Ulquoirra. How did it go?"

"Luppi died."

"Oh?"

"It was Kurosaki Ichigo who defeated Luppi."

"I thought Luppi had gone after Hitsugaya taichou?"

"Yes, but Kurosaki was there with him. And there is something you should see."

Ulquoirra took his eye out and crushed it. Aizen closed his eyes as the scence Ulquoirra had witnessed was played as if he was there.

"I will have to watch this in more detail but you have done well to bring this to my attention, Ulquoirra."

"Arigato gozaimasu, Aizen-sama."

When Ulquoirra took his leave, Aizen played the scene again in a big screen. His eyes darted between Ichigo with his hollow mask and the corner of the screen where Kon was holding Hitsugaya. Aizen's eyes sparkled of curiosity as he watched Hitsugaya constantly blanking out and coming back, eventually going limp. He smiled.

"…This is interesting."

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Omake

Ichigo: I can't believe Aizen is going to get involved just when Toshiro is starting to open up to me.

Toshiro: …………

HeukYa: Don't worry, you guys will have some GOOD time before anything happens… (eyes flashing)

Ichigo: (eyes flashing as well) Really?

HeukYa: (smirks) Yeah, trust me.

Toshiro: (blushes) I'm leaving.

Ichigo: Ah! Toshiro, come back! I promise I won't do anything you don't like!

HeukYa: Ichigo, you guys are not in relationship yet so…

Ichigo: (swats) Ah, I don't care, we all know what's going to happen anyway (smirks) But, Toshiro, you were scary when you pushed me down on bed and stuff. And you prodded my broken rib!

Toshiro: You got beaten the crap out again and didn't bother to do anything until I woke up, am I not allowed to get pissed off?

Ichigo/HeukYa: …… (wide eyed)

Toshiro: What?

Ichigo: (grins) Didn't know you swear like that. Nice one, that was hot.

Toshiro: (blushes again and walks out for real this time)

Ichigo: Sorry, gotta catch my prince (runs out after Toshiro)

HeukYa: Ah, just cuz I'm getting used to it, doesn't mean I like being left out… Oh well. We have Aizen thrown in to play now and Ichigo successfully breaking Toshiro's ice wall. Can anyone guess what happens when Ichigo wakes up? Hehehe…