Hey guys! I know you guys probably hate me for not posting in so long but, to put it simply, a lot of things happened in my life and I had to take a break but I'm back now! Not every day, just once every week or two so I'm writing pieces that I like and don't cringe when I reread haha. Anyway the one big difference is that there will be no more first person. I've grown into a slightly better writer, I believe, and writing in third person is part of that change. Anyways tell me how you like this chapter and tell me if I'm on the right track. Hope to hear from you guys soon!

" The Sokyoku healed all her injuries minutes after she was brought here. It's all up to her to wake up," one voice murmured.

" A rate of healing like this for a human is completely unheard of," another voice murmured in a deeper tone.

" The price was entering this deep sleep. She was practically in a coma for most of the day but I suspect she'll wake soon," the first voice murmured.

Right on cue Hoshiko found her eyes cracking open before shutting once more to block out the light. She blinked her eyes open, slowly adjusting to her surroundings. " Good morning sleeping beauty."

Hoshiko turned to the source of the voice finding Captain Unohana and Shunsui by the door smiling softly at her. The events of the previous day flashed through her mind and she immediately tried to sit up before the female captain rushed over. " Don't rush to get up the muscles in your back are still healing," Unohana said kindly as she gently pushed her back down.

" Ichigo he-" Hoshiko began.

" Is fine. He's been up and about for a few hours now," Shunsui said with a smirk as he leaned against the doorway.

Hoshiko sighed in relief and relaxed as Unohana commanded. The muscle pain Unohana spoke of was definitely still there and she wouldn't mind laying in bed a little while longer. " Any news on the zanpakuto?" Hoshiko asked.

" Right back to work hm?" Shunsui asked amused before sitting up and moving to a chair beside the bed. " These sword beasts as we are calling them have been twisted under the influence of a man called Muramasa. We don't know how but he draws out their dark desires making the zanpakuto temporarily leave their masters. So far the sword beasts have been attacking only their own masters and only one has failed to sedate his zanpakuto."

Hoshiko nodded, looking out the window briefly. " What do you need me to do?" she asked.

" Rest," Unohana said, " We can't put your life at risk with you injured as you are. All I ask is that you spend another day here before heading out."

" Another day where innocents are being killed by wild zanpakuto? Pass," Hoshiko said and tried to sit up before Unohana pushed her back again.

" Just a few more hours then. That's all I ask," Unohana said with an all too sweet smile.

Hoshiko huffed but nodded. She finally had her powers back, who knows how long this time, and the opportunity to be useful the last thing she wanted was to lay in a bed all day. Before she could ask about Ichigo again the orange haired wonder ran into the doorway, panting heavily as he looked around the room until hazel eyes met hers. " Hoshiko!" he shouted worriedly and rushed to the bedside.

" Gah don't shout moron!" Hoshiko hissed, " I just woke up. And where is your shirt hm?"

Of course Ichigo would be clad only in gauze on his upper half. " Sorry I kind of got distracted when they told me where you were," Ichigo admitted sheepishly in a quieter tone.

" Better leave these two be," Shunsui said as he stood with a groan and Unohana nodded in agreement.

" No you can stay I don't mind," Hoshiko plead to no avail as the male captain winked from the doorway before leaving.

Hoshiko sighed and rubbed her brow. " So um how are you feeling?" Ichigo asked after taking Shunsui's seat.

" Not too bad, definitely been through worse," Hoshiko admitted, " What about you? I didn't run you through the ringer that bad did I?"

" No I'm fine," Ichigo smiled and nodded.

There was a moment of awkward silence as the two avoided each other's glances. " Ichigo there's something I've been meaning to tell you," Hoshiko sighed.

" Can I go first?" Ichigo asked.

Hoshiko sighed in mild annoyance. She was never going to be able to tell Ichigo she and Arisu weren't in fact dating would she? " Sure, go ahead," she said giving in.

" I just wanted to say… the way I handled things with the necklace was completely my fault. I thought pushing you away was the best idea because I couldn't stand hurting you but the truth is I don't think I can be without you anymore. I miss your smile, your laugh, even your teasing more and more each day Hoshiko. Seeing you with that track guy only reminded me more that I want to be with you. What I did was horrible but… I want another chance, a chance to start over not as friends but as your boyfriend again. I know I don't deserve it but if I could get just one more chance I promise never to betray you again."

Hoshiko sat in shock, eyes slightly widened as she looked down at the blanket beneath her. All the pain she felt the night Ichigo put the necklace on still resonated in her core. No one had betrayed her trust as badly as Ichigo had but no one had also made her as happy, made her heart beat as loudly as Ichigo did. Just thinking about a few of the good memories they shared together made a small smile spring onto her face. She tensed briefly in surprise as he put his hand on hers, gliding over her skin carefully before gripping her hand softly. His thumb ran across the top of her hand and smiled softly at her with gentle, pleading eyes. Before she knew it Hoshiko found her heart pounding again just as it had so long with him. She never felt this way with Arisu only with Ichigo and even after all the pain the simple action seemed to wash away the bad memories. Now more than ever she longed to have him back again.

" Ichigo… I-" Hoshiko began.

" Ichigo! Come on we've got to go some of the captains know where the head captain is and-" Renji began bursting into the doorway then paused when he saw Hoshiko and a big grin covered his face. " Hoshiko glad to see you're back!"

Hoshiko glared at Renji in silence, Renji's smile slowly falling as he gulped. " You left me Renji, knowing what was going to happen you didn't say a word," Hoshiko said coldly.

" I didn't want to hurt you anymore-" Renji began.

" You left because you didn't want to have to deal with my pain! You were my best friend you bastard!" Hoshiko shouted and before she could think her hand extended and a spray of fire shot out.

Renji yelped as the ends of his hair lit on fire. He hissed as he tried to pat the fire out before grabbing a vase of flowers beside the bed and dumping it on his head. The room was silent minus the dripping of water from Renji's hair, now sitting flat on his head as he blinked pushed some of the hair away from his eyes. Only a moment later did it burst into laughter from Ichigo and Hoshiko while Renji grumbled flicking stems and petals off of his hair and shoulders then examining the singed tips of his hair. " Happy now?" Renji asked bitterly.

" Oh yes, very much so," Hoshiko barely got out as she kept laughing, taking another minute to calm down. " Ok I forgive you now."

" Great. Ok Ichigo let's go," Renji said with a nod for the doorway.

" Think about what I said ok?" Ichigo said giving her hand one final squeeze before getting up to leave.

Before she could protest the two were gone and she sighed. She already had her answer for him if he only stayed a minute longer, the idiot. Hoshiko sighed and laid back once more, a small smile on her face. She couldn't deny it anymore, more than anything Hoshiko wanted Ichigo back in her life. After only a minute in bed she sighed in annoyance. Well this was boring as hell. Hoshiko stretched then immediately regretted as she felt her back muscles being ripping open. Ok maybe just a bit more in bed. " One little hit and you're out for the count?" Kuro asked from the doorway in a mildly annoyed tone before entering.

" Nice to see you too," Hoshiko sighed with a smile.

" We're on the 'keep Hoshiko in bed' security team," Kuro said and took the vacant seat before propping her feet up on the bed.

" We?"

" The area is secure," G said walking into the room and standing at attention in the doorway. " Kuro you monitor the window and-"

" Chill out G.I Joe ok?" Kuro yawned from the seat. " She's not going to bolt out of here anytime soon. Drop the kiss ass soldier routine before I go crazy."

" Is he like this all the time?" Hoshiko asked grinning.

" You don't even know the half of it," Kuro sighed horribly annoyed.

G- slowly relaxed then leaned against the doorway awkwardly as if he didn't know how to unwind out of soldier mode. " Any food around here?" Hoshiko asked with a yawn.

" We aren't servants ok?" Kuro said aggressively and clearly not moving any time soon.

" I would be happy to retrieve you a meal Ms. Hoshiko," G- said standing abruptly and bowing before running out the door.

" Damn that's annoying," Hoshiko muttered.

" You've been with him 5 minutes I've been with him for weeks!" Kuro hissed.

" Did you miss me at least?" Hoshiko asked.

Kuro scoffed looking away. " Maybe just a little," she grumbled making Hoshiko smile.

G- returned minutes later with tray of food in hand to the girls laughing over stories. " I wasn't aware Ms. Kuro could laugh," he noted as he set the tray on Hoshiko's lap.

" Shove it soldier boy," Kuro said and stole Hoshiko's cookie.

" Do you require food as well?" G- asked.

" No of course not."

" Then why did you steal some of Ms. Hoshiko's food? If you need food then-"

" I need you to back off and shut up!" G- gave a curt bow and took a step back to stand in the doorway once again making Kuro's brow twitch while Hoshiko enjoyed the TV dinner spectacle before her. " So you and Ichigo getting back together?" Kuro smirked.

Hoshiko paused with her mouthful and halfway to cramming in more rice from her chopsticks. What she hadn't eaten in a day cut her some slack. After barely swallowing her mouthful she cleared her throat calmly. " I don't know what you're talking about," she stated simply.

Kuro scoffed. " We were standing outside the door the whole time waiting for you to finish and I saw that dopey smile you had after he left."

" It's not that simple Kuro. He-"

" We know already ok? Ya he fucked up guess what? Guys fuck up all the time! He's obviously head over heels for you so cut him some slack."

Hoshiko sighed and looked at the sheets. " The boy's intentions were pure. He believed what he was doing was the correct thing to do. He has watched over you and maintained vigilance from afar even as the loneliness and separation pained him more and more each day. As an outsider to the situation one more chance seems worth it for someone that loyal to you," G- said staring at the window.

The room was quiet as the girls stared at G-. He blinked and looked at them confused. " Holy shit," Kuro finally said.

" What?" G- asked confused.

" Didn't know you had an ounce of emotion in you," Kuro smirked.

" Just noting the facts, nothing more," Gintama said.

Hoshiko ate the rest of her meal silently while Gintama kept up the soldier routine and Kuro napped. She wanted more than ever to talk to Ichigo. " Ok hasn't it been long enough now?" Hoshiko asked after getting a full stomach.

" It has been one hour and twenty three minutes, not 'a few hours' as Ms. Unohana suggested," G- said.

" Let me kill him. I'll hide the body and everything," Kuro sighed.

Hoshiko laughed a little until soft screams were heard in the distance. " What's going on" Hoshiko asked sitting up as Gintama moved to the window.

" Trouble," he said simply as Kuro stepped beside him.

" Two of those sword beasts fuckers heading straight for the hospital," Kuro said and stepped away from the window. " Stay in bed we got this."

" You need my help," Hoshiko protested.

" Nope. If you come out to help I'll just knock you back into this bed," Kuro said as she and Gintama walked out.

Hoshiko sighed and gripped the bed sheets as only a minute later she heard clanging of blades outside. No, fuck this. Hoshiko grabbed her original clothes and quickly threw them on before extending her hands and forming her halberd. A quick stretch and a small sting of pain later she ran for the hospital entrance as doctors, nurses, and patients rushed past her. There were two sword beasts out front, one holding a trident and obviously in control of water while the other held a blade saw.

The blue haired trident holder fought with Kuro, currently with the upper hand against her as her shadows struck at his water. Hoshiko built up some fire at the tip of her spear before firing it off at the trident wielder. He struck his trident into the ground and water burst up, blocking her attack as a light fog covered the surrounding area. " Finally a worthy challenger!" one of the sword beasts called out in a heroic, masculine voice.

" Kuro, Gintama you guys ok?" Hoshiko called out.

" Get back in bed you dumbass!" Kuro called out.

" We can handle these two don't worry about us," Gintama shouted back.

" You should pay more attention to your surroundings," a voice whispered behind Hoshiko.

She spun on her heel and barely blocked the saw blade of a man dressed in dark, gothic clothing. He wore a jacket that covered the lower half of his face and a triangular hat, only crazed eyes could be seen. " Won't you give me your blood?" he asked.

Hoshiko grit her teeth and pushed the man away before shooting a fireball at him. The saw blade man jumped away, Hoshiko uncertain if she actually hit him. " Ignore Hunter, he's a bit psychotic," Trident man called out.

" What do you two want with the hospital?" Hoshiko shouted trying to find the source of his voice.

" Well since we worked together to kill our meisters the only thing left to do is kill all shinigami," Trident man said as if it were obvious, " And where better then a place chock full of weakened shinigami?"

" You ass hole," Hoshiko hissed.

" We just need to get you out of the way," Hunter muttered behind Hoshiko.

Hoshiko hit the ground and a wall of fire spread out all around her. Though Hunter wasn't hit the fog dissipated and revealed the two sword beasts standing side by side. " Ah my good Hunter you want to take her or shall I?" Trident asked.

Gintama and Kuro came to Hoshiko's side. " I'll take the shadow girl. I want see what it looks like when I slice her neck open," Hunter said all too casually as he sprinted forward.

" I won't let you lay a finger on her," Gintama said coldly and jumped up to block Hunter.

Before Kuro and Hoshiko could even cock a brow at the chivalry Trident was in front the two. He raised his trident to strike but was caught in one of Kuro's shadow traps. Hoshiko raised her halberd to strike up at trident but he broke free of the shadows as Kuro had to jump back to avoid an attack by Hunter. " You'll be good preparation for when I fight the head captain. Unless you want to give in, understandably, since water always beats fire," Trident smirked cockily.

" Bring it ass hole. I've been waiting months to let these powers loose," Hoshiko smirked.

Trident laughed maniacally and smirked again. " My name is Longma, prepare to die by my hand," he said.

Hoshiko and Longma clashed in a mix of spinning blades and jabs with their similar weapons clanging against one another. Longma waved his hand up and water burst from underneath the ground for Hoshiko. She extended her own hand and shot a fireball, vaporizing the wave of water. This was pointless! As long as he had water Longma would be a nuisance. Hoshiko struck her halberd into the ground and with a growl of exertion shot a blast of fire underground. This, however, left her briefly open for attack and long enough to strike at Hoshiko. Longma stabbed at her, Hoshiko barely able to dodge while still holding her halberd. She jumped to the side but Longma still struck her stomach with two of the prongs from his trident. Hoshiko cried out in pain but remained firm for another moment before jumping back with her halberd in hand.

Hoshiko panted heavily and put a hand to her side, covering the wound as she purposefully burned herself to cauterize the wound. " Giving up so soon?" Longma asked.

" Not a chance," Hoshiko hissed as she gripped the halberd tightly with two hands.

Hoshiko quickly built up her power attack then lunged at Longma with her halberd pulsating in energy. " You think THAT can stop me?" Longma asked then extended his hand.

When no water came out he looked shocked for a split second until Hoshiko hit his blade. The metal disintegrated on impact, slipping through like a knife slicing butter before piercing his chest. In a burst of fire Longma disappeared, not a scrap left of him. Hoshiko panted and looked down at her halberd. Months ago that attack drained her completely but now she felt fine. Hoshiko smiled and clenched her fist before looking up for Kuro and Gintama. The two had just beaten Hunter by themselves, the sword beast disintegrating moments later. " Are you alright?" Gintama asked.

" I'm fine you dummy," Kuro muttered not meeting his eye.

" I would have been very worried of you had been injured," Gintama said.

" I get it! Yeesh," Kuro muttered and stepped over to me hastily. " So now what?"

" Find Ichigo," Hoshiko said.

" Of course," Kuro sighed. " We're coming with you."

" Wouldn't have it any other way," Hoshiko smirked.

Kuro smirked as Gintama stepped over and gave a simple, curt nod. " They headed east I believe," he noted.

" East it is," Hoshiko said and made her halberd disintegrate.

" Uh Hoshiko what are you-" Kuro began

" Just give me a chance," Hoshiko said rubbing her hands together. She put her palms down and shot fire out, hovering off the ground a little. " Woooo!"

She shot out more fire but only got a little higher, not getting more than a few feet off the ground before falling a minute later and panting softly. " Wow that was fun. Ok Gintama you got her let's go," Kuro said.

" Alright just don't carry me- bridal style," Hoshiko huffed as she was indeed picked up that way before being carried off.

The sooner she found Ichigo the better.