Chapter 14

Ichigo was smiling as he wheeled Renji towards Rukia's large estate, her brother out on errands. Renji was really excited, bouncing in his seat. Ichigo couldn't help but grin.

The moving had been a pain in the ass, since Renji had a lot more stuff than Ichigo expected, but it all payed off. Renji would have assistance from their many house helpers, and had his own limo. Ichigo just hoped that all the stuff that Rukia was giving him wouldn't go to his head.

He was surprised that Byakuya even agreed to half the shit she had done.

"It looks like it got bigger!" Renji exclaimed, wobbling in the wheelchair. He wanted to walk, but would have to wait. He had just started to learn how to use his prosthetic leg, only able to stand in it at the moment.

"Don't move so much," Ichigo laughed as they entered the large estate, the ramp on the side proving to be very helpful. The doors were opened by the butler, Ichigo giving him a wide smile as they entered. It was bigger on the inside than it looked on the outside. Ichigo had only been here once, but never inside.

"Welcome." A thousand maids bowed, ichigo stopping out of pure shock. He calmed though when he saw Rukia rush down the stairs, her lips turned up in a wide smile. She ran to them and hugged Renji before hugging Ichigo.

"Sorry for making you come at this time of day," Rukia apologized with a bow, Ichigo waving his hand in dismissal.

"I managed to get a ten minute nap. That's enough to keep me going for a while longer," Ichigo replied, Rukia straightening up with a smile. The trio turned around at a low whistle, Ichigo's face lighting up when he saw Shiro. He looked to them with a wolfish grin, walking up to them like he owned the place.

"Your best wine madame!" he bellowed, Rukia laughing as she went up to him and hugged him. They were all happy. For the past month it had been only sadness and stress. Ichigo was barely in his apartment anymore, spending his time with Shiro. But the gloom of death had still lingered over his head. Now that Renji had finally been released, he cheered everybody up.

As long as he was around he promised no one would be sad.

Ichigo wondered for a long time where this Renji had gone.

"I literally have work in like an hour though, so I can't stay long," Ichigo informed, Renji sighing as Rukia frowned.

"You promised you would celebrate with us," Renji reminded, Ichigo feeling like a workaholic father. He felt like he was betraying Renji, but he couldn't afford to skip work. He had just started to get the hang of things. He looked at his watch, sighing.

"Wait! I can videotape it all!" Rukia exclaimed, Renji's frown brightening into a handsome smile. He nodded, Ichigo sighing in relief as his neck was saved. He was thinking of coming after work, but he had plans then too.

He and Shiro were moving in together. In simple terms Ichigo was just gonna dump all his shit at his apartment, giving up his old one. There were too many memories there that haunted him.

Ichigo smiled, looking to Shiro. He was standing behind him, his hand snaking around his waist. Rukia noticed before he could pull away, her eyes going wide. She was about to speak up but Renji stopped her.

"So, you two go to work. Me and Rukia have to start celebrating!" he exclaimed, Ichigo smiling at him before looking to Rukia. Her eyes were narrowed in question. Ichigo decided he might as well spill the beans.

It may have had a rocky start, but he was glad to be with Shiro. Rukia of all people should know.

"Renji, Rukia. Before I leave I have something to tell you." Rukia's eyes went wide as Renji turned his wheelchair around so he could face Ichigo. Ichigo cleared his throat, looking up to Shiro. He looked a tad nervous, his eyes set on Rukia.

"Me and Shiro are officially a couple."

"What?!" Ichigo spun around, his eyes going wide when he saw the gang. There was Rangiku, Chad, Uryuu, Orihime, and Keigo, all standing there stunned. Ichigo felt like drowning himself. Rangiku walked up to Shiro, her eyes narrowed. She had only met him once at the hospital, and they were quick friends. Ichigo wasn't so sure anymore.

"He moved on quick," Uryuu muttered, Ichigo glaring at him. He didn't have to be rude about it.

Rangiku took a step back, Orihime coming to stand next to her. They both had calculating looks in their eyes.

"Question One: Do you promise to treat him with respect?" Shiro was confused, Ichigo covering his face with his hands in humiliation. They had done this with Grimmjow and it had been the most embarrassing thing ever.

Shiro nodded, Rangiku grabbing him by the collar.

"Say I promise," she ordered, Shiro feeling a tad small. He had never been so intimidated by a woman.

"I promise," he replied, Rangiku releasing him.

"Question Two: Do you promise to not to separate him from us?" Rangiku asked, Shiro almost nodding again. He caught his mistake, clearing his throat when Rangiku narrowed his eyes.

"I promise." Rangiku smiled, taking Shiro into a hug. Shiro gasped for breath as his face was pushed into her breasts, his muffled protests ignored.

"Good! Now treat Ichigo good or i'll kill you," Rangiku exclaimed, releasing him. Shiro was shaken, moving away from her. Ichigo laughed, for sure he was doubting becoming her friend.

"How long?" Rukia asked, her voice dark. Ichigo looked to her, seeing her eyes downcast. Ichigo felt like she was trying to get him to confess. But since he and Shiro didn't become an official couple till two months ago, he felt no need to bring up the affair.

"Shortly after Renji woke up. I had been a wreck and he comforted me. I didn't realize it would lead to this," Ichigo replied, Renji looking from Ichigo to Rukia. He could feel the tension radiating off from her and felt like it was his fault.

"Well, i'm glad you moved on!" Renji exclaimed, sighing in relief inside when Rukia's tension dwindled. She was staring at him in shock, Renji grabbing the sides of the wheelchair. He grunted as he slowly lifted himself up, waving Rukia off when she tried to come to his side and help him. He was sweating from the effort, but he wanted to do this himself.

"Renji…" Ichigo watched entranced, his heart stopping when Renji stood. He took a step, wobbling slightly and nearly falling over. He raised a hand though when he tried to help him, Renji's eyes determined. His steps were slow and small, but he made it, standing in front of Shiro. His face looked pained, but he smiled. He outstretched his hand, Shiro puzzled. He reached his own out, taking his hand in a handshake. Renji grinned.

"Treat Ichigo good. I may not remember what happened between us, but I know he deserves you," Renji told him, Shiro's puzzled frown lifting into a wide grin of his own.

"I will," he promised, Ichigo looking from Shiro to Renji.

Would he approve after he got back his memory?

XXX

Ichigo was exhausted. He washed his hands, jumping slightly when a hand clapped on his back. He looked behind him, giving a tired smile to his assistant.

"You'll get used to the evil hours," he joked, Ichigo's smile falling. He looked back to his hands, seeing that they were clean. He had just done a surgery on a five year old girl with a pole through her chest. There were so many times he nearly messed up. But it had gone well and she was perfectly fine.

"You made a lot of good calls, she would have died if you hadn't been there," his assistant told him, his hand leaving his shoulder. Ichigo sighed, turning off the water.

"Well you know what they say, I do well under pressure," Ichigo said over his shoulder as he dried his hands.

"Ichigo?" he looked up from the cloth, his assistant looking unsure.

"Me and my friends are going out tonight, wanna join?" Ichigo smiled but shook his head.

"I'm going to move into a new place today. Sorry James," he apologized, laughing when a blush erupted over his cheeks. He was cute, but Ichigo already had his eyes set on someone else. For such a big man to be such a teddy bear... Ichigo just shook his head and threw away his paper towel.

Ichigo left hurriedly, wanting to get home and nap before moving. He would have waited longer to move in, but he couldn't last another day in that apartment. Plus he had till tomorrow till the doors would be locked for good. He had to hurry.

The Supra purred when he turned the keys in the ignition, speeding home. He rushed into the elevator and to Shiro's door, knocking like a man who was desperate to sell his product. Shiro opened the door and caught his fist when it almost hit his face. Ichigo pulled away with a sheepish chuckle.

"Calm down will ya?" Shiro grumbled, obviously tired. Ichigo wondered how many nights he stayed up this time. His manga was getting better and better and Ichigo couldn't wait to see the finished product, but it wouldn't do if he was dead from exhaustion.

Ichigo had most of his stuff packed in boxes, just needing to finish packing his clothes. He would have just carried it all over here one by one, but Shiro hadn't given him a key yet. He didn't really have the time, so he kept his door unlocked for Ichigo. Risky but Ichigo was glad.

"Come on, the sooner this is done, the faster you can finish and sleep," Ichigo urged, Shiro leaning his head against the door. He blinked a few times, sighing loudly to express his exhaustion.

"Please?" Ichigo whispered, moving closer and pressing his nose against his cheek.

"Please Shiro?" He leaned closer his lips brushing over his ear, whispering huskily.

"Please please Shiro? Oh Shiro please?"

"Fine!" Shiro gave in, heading to Ichigo's apartment. When the door was opened, he regretted it. He had boxes as big as boulders sitting in the living room, Shiro thinking of turning around and leaving. He didn't think Ichigo would be so glad about that though and huffed a breath, going up to one of the boxes.

He bent his knees, managing to get his finger's beneath the massive box. He took in a deep breath and lifted, grunting as gravity tried to push it back down. He picked it up though, clenching his teeth as he nearly fell backwards.

"What the fuck is in here?" Shiro growled, Ichigo walking into the living room and laughing as Shiro walked to the door. He was hoping to god it would fit.

"That holds all my stuff I kept from high school and college. You know trophies, jersey's, pictures, yearbooks and what not," Ichigo replied, watching as Shiro struggled to get the box through the door. He tilted it, nearly smashing his fingers but getting through. Ichigo clapped, Shiro sending him a glare. Ichigo laughed, picking up a box of his own. It was lighter than the one Shiro got, Ichigo walking to his apartment.

"You should be more excited," Ichigo huffed, Shiro rolling his eyes as he placed the box on the ground and walked out. Ichigo let him do that as he went into his room and began packing up all his clothes. They worked like this for a good hour, Ichigo sighing as he lifted the box of clothes and went to Shiro's apartment, dropping it down uncaringly over a box of his collected movies and Cd's. Shiro was sitting on the couch, asleep like a rock.

Ichigo grinned, walking around the boxes and standing in front of him, straddling his thighs. He didn't even budge. Ichigo bit his lip, leaning close.

"I love you." Shiro woke up from a dead sleep, his eyes opening.

"Love you too," he said in a clear voice, his eyes closing as he became a rock again. Ichigo covered his mouth, feeling like he just invoked a terrible yet beautiful curse. He decided to keep that to himself, getting off his lap and heading back to his apartment. He stood in the middle of it all, taking it all in. He remorsed over old memories and smiled over earlier ones, taking in a deep breath.

He wanted to say something dramatic, say something that would end this part of his life for good.

"Good bye."

He jumped when he felt arms encircle his waist, looking over his shoulder and smiling when Shiro yawned.

"What did you do?" Shiro whispered into his ear, Ichigo shivering. He leaned against him, humming when he kissed his neck.

"What do you mean?" Ichigo asked, Shiro kissing a trail up to the side of his lips. Ichigo tilted his head, giving him a chaste kiss.

"I got a boner, that means you did something when I napped," Shiro replied, Ichigo's cheeks going red.

He was kind of glad he didn't remember his confession. Ichigo chuckled when Shiro's hand slid up his shirt, his fingers running over his forming abs. He had started to work out more, wanting to be perfect for Shiro. Shiro said he liked his fat more, it gave him something to bite into.

Ichigo groaned when his phone rang, Shiro holding onto him tighter. He released him though instead of clinging, placing his arms on his shoulders lazily.

He could wait.

Ichigo had wanted him to continue but fished his phone from his pocket, answering with a frown.

"Hello?"

"Ichigo Renji fell down the stairs after trying to walk. I think he has a concussion," Rukia's frantic voice replied over the phone, Ichigo tensing. Shiro felt it, his eyes narrowing.

"Take him to the hospital now, i'll meet you there," Ichigo told her, hanging up. Shiro removed his arms, his exhaustion evaporated.

A slow shiver ran up his spine.

Something bad was about to happen. He felt fear, the lionesses eyes appearing in his mind.

He was about to face a monster.

Author's note: Rukia has suspicions. Are they gonna be confirmed?