WHYYYYYY?

Shizuka: *Bored* what's wrong?

Brandi: I had this chapter almost done last night, but then I go to put it on Fanfiction and it was deleted! NOW I HAVE TO RE-WRITE THE ENTIRE THING AGAIN!

Shizuka: Whatever, all I have to say...I'm not dead.

Brandi:...

Shizuka: You're gonaa kill me off?

Brandi: ...I never said that.

Ichigo: You do and I kill YOU! Although, it ,might be an amusing story.

Brandi: Strawberry, you have no idea.

Ichigo: I AM NOT A FREAKIN' STRAWBERRY!

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN BLEACH, NO MATTER HOW AGGRIVATED I AM!

Also as a side note; this chapter will be filler, kinda the calm before the storm. Slight Fluff, only if you squint. :P AND MAJOR ONE-SIDED RENJIxOC IN THIS CHAPTER!

xXx

Shizuka groaned as she became semi-consious, again. "Damn." She whispered and squeezed her eyes shut to prevent light from filtering in. She then became semi-aware of someone holding her hand tightly, and the almost suffocating Spiritual Pressure engulfed her. She blinked rapidly and turned her head slightly, trying to blink the cloudiness from her gaze. She saw Ichigo have his hand clasped around hers. His head laying on the futon as he slept, but he still seemed rigid. "Ichigo." She rasped.

He seemed to stir and let out a content sigh. Shizuka noticed how young he seemed to look. His frown was gone from his face, and he seemed more peaceful.

"Ichigo." Shizuka said with more force this time, slightly shaking her arm to jostle him.

Ichigo moved his head up to blink at Shizuka sleepily, "Hey." He yawned.

"Go and get some rest. If I know what's going to happen, then you'll need it." Shizuka stared at him with tired eyes.

He seemed fully awake now as he gave her a look, "No, I'm staying here." Ichigo's frown came back.

"I'll be fine."

"I really doubt-!" Shizuka cut him off by pressing her soft lips to his.

"Really Strawberry, she's right. Go and get some rest."

Shizuka gasped and looked to the entrance, where Renji was smirking and leaning against the doorframe. "Renji, don't do that. You nearly gave me a heart attack." Shizuka blinked.

Renji moved to sit beside Ichigo, who was glaring at the red-haired Lieutenant, and grinned at the injured Captian. "Wow, you really must be out of it to not notice my Spiritual Pressure." He joked.

Shizuka's blue eyes narrowed, "If you hadn't noticed, I was kinda unconsious. Twice in three days." But then she gave Ichigo a scrutinizing look, "You, need to sleep. I don't want you to get ill." Shizuka was now in 'Captain' mode.

"Just go, Ichigo. I'll look after her." Renji said, without any inclination of what he just said.

Ichigo looked at Shizuka, then at Renji and sighed heavily. "Fine." He gave Shizuka's hand one last squeeze before getting to his feet and placing Zangetsu on his back. He glared at Renji, "Your duty, protect her, at all costs." And with one last look at the captain, he strode out of the room.

Renji sat closer to Shizuka now, placing Zabimaru next to him and smiled at her. "So, how are you feeling?"

"Better than I was." Shizuka said simply. "So, what happens now?"

"We're allied with some of the Espada, now." Each word was full of disgust, either directed at the fact of having the Espada and the Shinigami working together, or just directly at Aizen. Shizuka sighed.

"Well, we're gonna have to use this to our advantage." Shizuka used her good arm to prop herself up, but hissed in pain as she did so. Renji jumped up.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Really, don't worry." Shizuka gritted her teeth, "It's only to be expected, after all." She relaxed as she got into a comfortable position. The only reason I'm in here is because of Aizen. For some reason, he wants me dead. It shows in how Momo attacked me and how Kori attacked me. He gets into their heads. I don't feel safe anymore, if I'm caught off-guard one more time, it might be the death of me.

"You're deep in thought."

Shizuka almost had another heart attack, "Yeah, but that doesn't give you the decency to interrupt whoever is in that thought process." She lightly glared at the red-head.

Renji grinned and it faltered slightly. Oh he so wanted to kiss Shizuka right now, like he'd done so many months ago. It was Ichigo's fault, really, He thought. If he hadn't come around, maybe he and Shizuka would be dating. But, of course as long as they're together, that will never happen.

"Now, who's the one deep in thought?" Shizuka laughed lightly.

"Yeah, now I know what you mean."

Shizuka smiled, "Thanks, Renji. For staying tonight." She got quiet.

"No problem, we're friends, right?" He grinned.

"Yeah, and thank's for taking me to the relief center when Momo attacked."

"Like I said, we're friends."

Shizuka exhaled and laid back down, so her head rested on the pillow. "I'm gonna go back to sleep. I trust you, Renji." She closed her eyes.

"No problem, I'll be here when you wake up." Renji said, softly. He watched as Shizuka's breathing got slower and deeper until he knew that she was out cold. He inched his hand to hers and held it. He felt how cold she was and tried to warm up her hands with his. He looked around, sensing the area for Ichigo's spiritual pressure and leaned down to Shizuka, careful not to wake her up. And pressed his lips to hers. He kept his eyes slightly opened in case she freaked out, but instead she moaned lightly. Renji smirked as he pulled away. "I'm a way better kisser." He said to himself, and sat back down next to the bad and kept watch for the rest of the night.

Shizuka woke to the sounds of slight snoring in her ear. She opened her eyes to see Renji passed out next to her head. She laughed slightly and moved to get up, she noticed that she wasn't as stiff and the pain had been reduced to an aching. She moved Renji's head slightly so he'd wake up. "Lieutenant Abarai." She said sweetly in his ear. "RENJI!" She shouted.

Renji shot up and grabbed Zabimaru, only to find no one but himself and Shizuka in the room. "Damn." He growled. He glared at the blue-eyed Captain, "That was totally uncalled for."

She shrugged, "Hey, I just had a lot of fun."

"Whatever." Renji snorted. "So, how are you feeling?"

"A lot better, I think I'm gonna get up and get dressed. And I'll meet you, Ichigo, and Rukia after I attend with my Squad." Shizuka said, a little formal.

Renji shrugged, "I'd better check in with Captain Kuchiki, anyway. Be careful." He slipped his Zanpaku-to under his obi.

Shizuka glowered at him, "It's not my fault."

Renji laughed mockingly, "You're just a danger magnet."

Shizuka sneered, "Bakudo number 1: Sai!" She said the kido spell a little more forcefully than it called for, and Renji fell to the ground, paralyzed.

"Damn you."

Shizuka laughed and got out of bed, only to grab her uniform and haori, and her Zanpaku-to. "I'll see you later, Renji."

"SHIZUKA!"

lol, I laughed during this chapter. Of course, i just ruined it by saying i basically laughed at my own jokes. oh well. i hope you enjoyed the chapte. if you didn't or absolutly hated it, then i don't even know why you even read this story.

Love ya all!