Chapter Twenty Six:

Ichigo laid uncomfortably on his bed, staring up at the bland ceiling with a small scowl that left a crease between his eyebrows, and crinkled the corners of his eyes. He wasn't sure what was stranger, the fact he had woken from his coma to see his friends all healed and in perfect health, or the sight of Byakuya asleep beside him. Slightly broken, feverish, resilient.

Questions from Rukia, from Renji, from Urahara and Unohana had left him reeling. Unable to give tangible answers.

What had happened to him after he had blacked out on Sôkyoku Hill? What had happened to entrap him in his Inner World? Had he sensed Byakuya venturing through the winding corridors of his mind? Was he aware of the trials he had faced to reach the core?

The truth, for all that he could give them, was simple. Just as Zangetsu and Shiro had explained, Grimmjow's attack had forcible separated his entity from Shiro's upon unconsciousness. Forcing Shiro into the limbo like world surrounding his most precious Inner World, while Ichigo himself had been cocooned within. Frozen in time. Unseeing. Unhearing. Unaware.

He remembered looking up between the skyscrapers, he remembered seeing the threatening and tremulous storm clouds overhead. And then nothing. Nothing at all until Zangetsu had woken him. Nothing until he had set eyes on the devastation of his inner city. Whatever Byakuya had done, whatever he had been through... He would only gain those answers from the nobleman himself.

Chestnut eyes peeled away from the ceiling, coming to rest on the haphazardly placed bed on the other side of his private room. It had taken a lot of begging, pleading and protesting to convince Unohana to allow Byakuya to remain nearby. The idea of the man being stowed away in a different room had made his chest throb with pain, he wanted Byakuya close. Wanted him nearby. Wanted to see him.

Somehow, his desperation had struck a chord with the woman. She had taken mercy. Byakuya had been allowed to remain and an awkwardly placed bed now squeezed into the slightly too small space of the room.

Ichigo licked his lips nervously, eyes scanning the pale form. It had been a few scattered days since he'd woken himself, but Byakuya still slept. According to Unohana's report, the nobleman had sustained his injuries during the tousle to reach Ichigo's Inner World, whatever defences protected his head... They were effective.

The terrible wound in the man's gut was his worst injury by far, and Ichigo continuously felt Shiro's grief and regret. If the Hollow was to be believed, he truly hadn't wanted to hurt Byakuya. Instinct... Instinct had taken over. In truth, Shiro truly liked the nobleman. Cared for him even. He was remorseful.

Pushing himself up into a sitting position, he groaned softly. It was hard, his muscles were still stiff from sleep. His body was sore from the strain his Soul had been under. But as his bare soles brushed the cool tile floors, he knew he could muster the strength from somewhere deep inside.

He slid from the bed, grateful to no longer been trussed up to all manner of machines. His legs wobbled from the knee for a few brief minutes as he put all his weight into his legs and stood up straight. He hadn't been allowed out of bed since waking up, Unohana was strict and thorough. She didn't want him putting himself under any strain. But still...

He shuffled across the room awkwardly, uncomfortable hospital gown chaffing against his skin, and nearly fell just as he reached the edge of the nobleman's bed. He caught himself, barely, and perched on the mattress beside the sleeping raven. A soft sigh escaped him, and he reached out with tentative fingers, allowing the pads to gently brush against pale cheeks.

Byakuya's skin was just as soft as he remembered, and thankfully he was no longer clammy and feverish, instead he bore a healthy glow. His long black hair was a little tatty, his kenseikan missing from his attire, he looked a little strange without them. Even while the noble looked fragile, even while he looked weakened and less regal than normal... He still made the strawberry's heart skip a beat.

Ichigo was jarred, out of touch with reality. His memories a little jumbled, foggy. He could recall awakening briefly on Sôkyoku Hill, speaking with Aizen. Aizen had tamed Shiro, somehow. He remembered the sky tearing open, the traitors leaving through the Negacíon of the Menos Grande. He remembered falling, collapsing, dying. He remembered speaking of his fears, of his terror. He remembered speaking of his love for Byakuya.

The strawberry let out a small gasp at the thought. That small, tiny moment which eclipsed everything else. The realisation that he... He felt love. He'd feared it wouldn't happen. Feared himself incapable. He'd never wanted to lead Byakuya on with false hope, he'd been honest from the start of their... Changed relationship. He'd truly believed he would never recover the ability to love and yet somehow... Somehow!

It burned bright like a beacon in his chest. Stuttering his breath, making his chest swell with hope and joy and a cataclysm of other things he could barely name. It made his head ache and swim and swirl with intoxicating thoughts of the future. It made his eyes sting with tears. Happy tears. Hopeful tears.

Before he could contain himself, before he could control himself... They were breaking free and rolling down his cheeks. He was biting down on his bottom lip, stifling the sobs that wanted to break free.

He loved Byakuya Kuchiki. He loved him. And he wanted him to get better, heal and wake up. He wanted to kiss him and hold him and make love to him. He wanted them to be together without fear. There was no fear now! Aizen was gone! Gin was gone! They didn't have to hide. Surely there would be awkwardness with Byakuya's family, but at least as far as their own survival was concerned... They didn't have to hide. They didn't have to worry that a single word or look out of place would lead to their death.

To an extent, they could be free.

Fingers reaching towards the noble's beside table, he picked up the antique bristle hairbrush Rukia had left behind. It was silver with ivory and amethyst embellishments. Sucking in a breath, well aware that he was most likely holding something worth more than a mansion in Seireitei, Ichigo began running it through the sleeping man's locks of hair. He was careful, gentle, tender. Combing away the knots and tangled until it was once again sleek and refined.

"I'll take care of you." He found himself saying, his voice a little croaky with emotion, "You spent months looking out for me, helping me and taking care of me... Now it's my turn. If your pride will allow it, I'd like to care for you. To make sure you heal and get strong again. It's the least I owe you."

He smiled to himself, putting the brush down when he was quite sure he'd finished. Byakuya looked more like himself, although odd without his kenseikan.

"You know, you turned everything on it's head. My whole world. I had everything laid out in front of me. I was so sure of my path. So sure of everything I was doing for Aizen... Then you came along like a hurricane and whisked everything away." He chuckled, looking down at his hands, "For someone like me, that kind of change is terrifying. I was plunged into the unknown. I would have been utterly lost without you to guide me. You really did save me, Byakuya. I know it won't be easy, I have no idea what is going to happen with the Goeti Thirteen... Surely they must know about my past... Even if the worst happens... I'll never stop being grateful that you gave me another option."

"The worst won't happen, Ichigo."

The strawberry turned sharply, eyes wide in surprise as he saw Yoruichi leaning casually against the wall behind him. He hadn't heard her enter the room. She was as stealthy as he'd been lead to believe.

"What... Do you mean?" He asked uncertainly.

She grinned, mischievous eyes twinkling, "Consider it a favour to Little Byakuya. He asked for my help and I gave it. Just after your battle on Sôkyoku Hill, I made short work of erasing all evidence that you had ever knowingly been involved in Aizen's treachery. You are a free man, Ichigo."

He stared, mouth hanging open, "You... He... They really don't know?"

"They know nothing. You've been given a second chance, make sure you make the most of it. Okay?"

"I will." The strawberry said quietly, "Thank you, Yoruichi-san."

She simply smiled, eyes moving to Byakuya's form for a long moment before she stood a little straighter, "You take care of him Ichigo. If you break his heart, I'll break your neck."

He was sure she was more than capable of fulfilling that promise, but somehow he wasn't afraid. She cared about Byakuya, cared about his well being and his future. Of course she wanted to keep him safe. Of course she wanted to see him happy.

"I'd sooner break my own heart, than his." He said quietly.

"I believe you." The purple haired woman chuckled softly and headed towards the door, "Look after yourself too though, Ichigo. You have people who care about you. Probably a whole lot more than you realise."

Ichigo stayed quiet, watching as she opened the door and disappeared into the hallway beyond. The soft tock of the door sliding shut again had him slumping. She was a powerful presence, even with her spirited and humorous behaviour.

Looking back down at Byakuya as a wave of weariness took him, Ichigo released a small yawn. He was still easily worn out, a side effect of his Soul's discord during his coma, and the injuries sustained on Sôkyoku Hill. He glanced blearily over at his own discarded bed, acknowledging that he should probably make the short journey back.

Eyelids reluctantly heavy, he instead found himself laying down on his side, snuggled up against Byakuya. He came to rest his head on the man's shoulder, inhaling deeply as the wash of the noble's scent took him away. Soft musk blended with a delicate flutter of blossoms and warmth. It smelled like home. Smelled like safety.

Sleep carried him away far easier than he liked. His head drooping as his eyes slipped shut. Yet it was undeniable how right it felt. Falling asleep beside Byakuya Kuchiki. It felt good, felt right. He liked it. He wasn't sure what they were, whether they were partners or lovers or more. But in that moment, it really didn't matter.

The next thing he was aware of was soft fingers brushing through his tousled hair, gently massaging his scalp and bringing a soft purr of pleasure from his lips. His eyes fluttered open slowly, chestnut meeting steel.

He sat up sharply, a gasp leaving him as his throat constricted.

"Byakuya?" His voice was barely above a whisper, his hands reaching out to cup the noble's face.

"Ichigo." Came the slightly hoarse reply.

"Oh my... Fuck, I should let Unohana know you're awake... Everyone will be so relieved! I... I..." He trailed off, mouth hanging open limply as a small, very small, whimper rose up and choked him, "I've been so worried. When they told me the extent of your injuries I... I was..."

"I'm fine, Ichigo." A small, wry smile tugged at soft lips, "A little sore, perhaps. But I will heal."

"That's... Good. Really good. I... I..." He trailed off again, simply slumping as he stared at Byakuya, "You were willing to die... To save me."

"You did the same."

"What, is this a competition now?" He tried not to laugh.

"I certainly hope not. I, for one, have no desire to toe the line of Death's doorstep again anytime soon." The Kuchiki heir's eyebrow twitched before he winced and stretched a little, "How are you?"

Ichigo rolled his eyes but gulped back the tears threatening to make themselves known yet again, "I'm fine! I'm completely... Fine. Just a little sore and... Disorientated. I'll recover. Fully. Because of you. You... Wonderful, selfless, brave, stupid, reckless fucking idiot!"

He failed miserably as a few spattered tears rolled down his cheeks, he saw Byakuya's eyes widen a little before they seemed to warm at the sight. His right hand lifted, Ichigo felt the warmth of the man's palm against his cheek and nuzzled into the contact. He sniffled in spite of himself.

"After such a declaration on Sôkyoku Hill," Byakuya was beginning to sound more like himself, "How could I not do whatever it might take to bring back the man I love, when he gave so much to make amends for his previous darkness?"

"The man you..." Ichigo trailed off, his cheeks flushing as his scowl faded from sight, "Really?"

"Oh yes."

"I-I mean... You said you were attracted to me, I hoped that your determination to help me came from something more but..." He was twiddling his thumbs nervously, plucking at his white yukata restlessly.

"I may not have realised it at first, but yes. Ichigo Kurosaki... I do love you." Byakuya's head tilted slightly to the side, "Everything about you. The good and the bad. The light and the dark. The courage and the fear. The future and the past. I will accept all of it, as I always have done."

The strawberry haired Third Seat let out a shaky breath, kissing Byakuya's palm softly as he closed his eyes, he felt shy. Exposed. Vulnerable. It scared him, but at the same time... Nothing could have made him feel more Human about it.

"And I... Meant what I said on Sôkyoku Hill." He breathed, "I... Love you. It terrifies me but... I wouldn't change it for anything."

Silence fell between them. Not uncomfortable or awkward, but peaceful and meaningful. Allowing them the time to simply look at one and other and take in all that they could see. Ichigo couldn't quite believe how joyful he felt in that moment, in fact he had experienced such an overwhelming conclave of emotions in just a few short minutes that he was sure his head and heart would explode with the effort to understand them all. But he knew that with Byakuya there, he could muddle through and make some sense of it all at his own pace. Because what Byakuya had given him, more than anything else, was time to learn to be himself.

"Your arm..." Ichigo said finally, staring at the unmoving left limb that rested on the bed.

"Was a necessary sacrifice." The nobleman didn't follow his gaze, steel eyes remaining trained on Ichigo's face, "Your Hollow is powerful, determined, and a little bit scary when he wants to be."

He felt Shiro's sudden flare of embarrassment and chuckled, "He's not to bad when you get to know him."

"And have you?"

"I like to think we've made a good start." He shrugged, "Shiro... He... He wants you to know that he's sorry. Truly sorry. He wants you to know that it was real, he was real... When he was acting as your guide, helping you, he meant all of it. He wanted to help, wanted to be good. When he reached my Inner World he was flooded with instinct and the need to consume. It took over. He never wanted to hurt you."

"I suspected that was the case." Byakuya murmured, searching Ichigo's eyes for a long moment, "Please assure him that he is... Forgiven."

The surprising wave of relief he got from Shiro made his eyebrows raise, he found himself smiling small, "He's grateful. As is Zangetsu. As am I."

"Do you remember much? Do you know any of what happened while I was traversing your Soul?"

"None of it until Zangetsu roused me when you battle with Shiro concluded. Was it terrible? I can't even imagine what my mind is capable of conjuring up." He tilted his head to one side.

"It was... An experience." Byakuya stared up into warm chestnut eyes, he seemed to be holding something back but Ichigo didn't want to press him on the matter, "I would do it all again if I was forced to."

"While I appreciate the notion, let's leave it... At least a few days before we have another world ending catastrophe, eh?"

The Kuchiki heir laughed loudly at that, the sound warmed Ichigo right down into his toes and made him smile joyfully. The nobleman ended up holding his bandages as he panted for breath, but their smiles remained in place.

However, their peace was broken as the door slid open to reveal three familiar faces.

"Nii-sama!" Rukia was first, dashing into the room and hovering at her brother's bedside, hands clasped tightly as she seemed torn between hugging him and clasping his hands in hers.

"Taichou." Renji followed after her, standing at the end of the bed with his arms folded over his chest, there was a small smile on his face, but Ichigo could see the relief in his friend's eyes.

"Byakuya-san! My, my it is a relief to see you awake!" Urahara came in behind Renji, fan fluttering softly in front of his goofy smile as he perched on the empty bed on the other side of the room, "You look quite well, considering everything."

They devolved into meaningless chatter almost immediately, with Rukia and Renji both fussing over Byakuya and Ichigo respectively. Their conversations roamed various topics. Aizen's defection, the damage done to Seireitei, the costs of repair, the rumours circulating about Ichigo's actions on Sôkyoku Hill, and the future of the Goeti Thirteen.

"At the very least, I know where my future is." Ichigo said quietly, hugging one knee up to his chest as he glanced at them all, "My future is right here, doing my best to help Soul Society, helping any way I can. I have no desire to be anywhere else."

Urahara's eyes scanned Ichigo's face and he grinned, "We believe you."

"And we will keep you on the straight and narrow, Ichigo." Rukia said confidently, "Even if you struggle with your emotions as they return more and more, even if you struggle to interact with people, even if you have bad days... We are all here for you. You never have to be alone again."

"Too right." Renji nodded once in agreement, "And if you seem like you're drifting, you can be sure that I'll give you a solid punch back in the right direction."

Smiling, the strawberry chuckled, "I know now that I can trust you all, I can put my faith in you to keep me good and honest. So, if you don't mind... I'll lean on you and learn to be a better version of myself. But even while I'm leaning on you, please lean on me too. If I can protect you, I will."

"Just don't try to kill yourself again, please." Urahara's voice as strangely stern as he fixed his pale grey eyes on the strawberry, "You are no good to anyone if you're dead, Kurosaki-san."

"I'll do my best, Urahara-san!" He grinned sheepishly.

"You had best make sure you do." Byakuya's tone easily matched Urahara's for seriousness, "I for one, do not have the stomach nor the heart to see you break again. So please, for the love of all things, start taking care of yourself. Powerful Hollow or not, you are not invincible."

"Yeah, yeah I know. I know." He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, "I promise. I'll be careful from now on."

"I'm glad to hear it." Steel eyes warmed a little and Byakuya's lips twitched towards a smile.


It was some hours later, when Ichigo had returned to his own bed and fallen asleep through sheer exhaustion, that their guests began to funnel out of the room to give them both peace. Byakuya's gaze moved from the strawberry's relaxed features to the back of his Fukutaichou's head as Renji moved to leave.

"Abarai." The noble winced when his voice came out harsher than he'd meant it to, "Renji?"

"Taichou?" The redhead paused in the doorway, peering around curiously, "Did you need something?"

The Kuchiki heir paused, hesitation was not something he enjoyed being gnawed by, "If you are not busy, would you perhaps give me a few moments of your time?"

Renji seemed to dither for a long moment before he turned to Rukia and asked her to go without him, at which point he then stepped back into the room and slid the door shut behind himself. He looked nervous, apprehensive. There was definitely an atmosphere hanging in the room between them.

If Byakuya was being truthful, there had been that atmosphere ever since the redhead had appeared with Rukia and Urahara. Not through any fault of his own, but mainly because it roused the memory of his battle with Renji's likeness within Ichigo's Inner World. The recognition he'd been bludgeoned with, the acknowledgement that he had been foul to his Fukutaichou. It had weighed heavily upon his shoulders, making it hard to meet Renji's gaze throughout his visit.

"Taichou?" The man's voice broke through Byakuya's revere, "Is everything alright? You... Don't seem yourself."

Steel eyed slipped shut, a long sigh breaking free from between pursed lips as the nobleman forced himself to sit up. This was not a conversation he would have while flat on his back. His eyes flashed open when he felt hands on his shoulders, on his back. Renji was right in front of him, all concern and worry and thoughtless help. It choked him. Suffocated him.

After everything he'd ever done to break him... Renji still treated him with the respect his position demanded.

"Renji..." He said quietly, holding his head as high as he could bare as he met the man's warm gaze, "You have achieved Bankai, haven't you?"

The redhead's eyes flew wide, his mouth falling ajar as he spluttered, "I... How did..."

Byakuya looked down, "So it was true. It was real."

"What are you..." Renji still seemed flustered, frowning faintly, "What was real?"

"I have spoken nothing of what I encountered in Ichigo's Inner World, uncertain of how much was mine to share. However, it appears that he knows nothing of my venture, save for the moment he was roused from slumber by his Zanpakutō." The nobleman glanced at his sleeping lover for a brief moment, "I faced challenges, defence mechanisms, resistance. One of those defence mechanisms... Was you."

"Me?" A blackened eyebrow raised questioningly.

"Indeed, it appears Ichigo holds you in high regard, more so than anyone realises. As his Inner World created a version of you to defend him." His lips twitched, "You unleashed the power of your Bankai upon me in his Inner World. And I came to wonder if... You truly had such power at the tips of your fingers."

Renji's back straightened just a little, "I understand. Ichigo is the only person who knows I reached Bankai. He was there when I finally did it, I begged him not to tell anyone."

"Why would you hide such a gift?"

"Because of why I fought so hard to achieve it." The redhead looked away.

Byakuya wetted his lips thoughtfully, "To prove to the world that a Rukon could do just as well as a noble."

"You know about that?" Renji's face flushed.

"Yes, I know." He paused, "Renji..."

A frown found his features as he found his head hanging. It was so hard to look him in the eye. Guilt weighed heavily in his heart.

"I am aware that over recent months our working relationship has improved a great deal, compared to what we were like when you first joined Division Six as my Fukutaichou." He felt his throat scorch with bile as he saw Renji flinch, "I know that after Aizen's defection we spoke about your troubles and anxieties, and found some sense of comradeship through our worry about Ichigo's health.

"However, your likeness in Ichigo's Inner World was driven by one thing, and one thing only. Hatred. Hatred towards me. Hatred towards what I am. Hatred towards what I did to you. And I came to realise that despite our... Cordial relationship... I have never once tried to make amends." He sucked in a breath and forced himself to meet Renji's gaze once more.

"It's true. I hated you." The redhead said simply, "I hated you for taking Rukia away from me, I hated you for turning her into a prim and proper shadow of her former self, I hated you for looking down on me and believing you were better than me just because of birthright. I hated you, hated you so much that I unlocked my Bankai so that one day... I could use it against you, to show you that the monkey can capture the moon."

He felt chills rolling over his skin, leaving prickles and stood to attention hairs as he saw the lingering embers of rage in Renji's eyes. He had every right to feel that way. He had every right to loath his very existence. To hear his own words reflected at him, however, his shame was great.

"The story of the monkey trying to capture the moon. No matter how he struggles, it's just the moon's reflection on the water which he sees. So he only sinks into the water. Time after time... He sinks." Byakuya said quietly, "Such arrogance, for me to have compared myself to the moon. To think so highly of myself to the disregard of everyone around me. You have every right to hate me, Renji. You have every right to wish pain and suffering upon me for the way I have treated you in the past. I would not blame you. I would not hold it against you. I would have earned it."

Renji seemed to mellow, surprise replacing his ire as his shoulders slowly slackened and his muscles seemed to lose their tension, "I have seen your cruel streak. I have felt the coldness of your indifference. I have seen the raw harshness of your grief when you believed Ichigo beyond saving. And now... Now I look at you and I see a man who regrets."

"You see a great deal, Renji."

"Not as much as Ichigo. He has always had better eyes than me. He sees what people don't want to show, he sees right down into their core and pulls it out for the world to witness." He smiled faintly, glancing at the sleeping strawberry, "He sees the good in you. And now, so do I."

"With your talents, your skill and your drive... Do you desire to remain in Division Six? Do you wish to remain as my Fukutaichou?" Byakuya asked softly, "I won't go easy on you, Renji. I see your potential now, and I want to help you achieve everything you rightfully deserve. But I can understand if you no longer have the faith in me to allow it."

"Kuchiki Taichou," Renji's eyes seemed to bore straight into his very Soul for a moment, "Despite everything we have ever been through, the bad and the good, there had been no where I'd rather be than at your side in Division Six."

His mouth dried at the sincerity of his words, and he began to feel some of his dishonor and disgrace lessen, "Then... Even if I say it only once, Renji Abarai... I am sorry for the past. You deserve to be treated with the respect you have earned. Should you be willing to give me a second chance, as your Taichou and your... Friend, I would very much like to give you that respect."

The younger man seemed to suck in a deep breath, as if a weight of his own was being lifted in the moment, he broke into a toothy smile, "I'm willing."

"You have my most earnest thanks." The nobleman whispered, "With that said and done, I thank you for your time. If you wish to catch up to Rukia, please feel free."

"Taichou." Renji bowed his head once and hurried to the door, sliding it open eagerly before he stopped and looked over his shoulder, "Taichou... Whether it's arrogance or not, you are the moon, and I will always been the monkey trying to reach you. But I don't think it matters anymore."

"And why is that?" He asked.

The redhead shrugged, "Because moon or not, you've met your match in Ichigo."

Byakuya remained silent, watching as the redheaded Shinigami left the room, sliding the door shut behind him before he disappeared completely from sight. The Kuchiki heir leaned back against his pillows, mulling over Renji's parting words as he slowly peered over at Ichigo's sleeping form. There was an eerie truth to Renji's words, a truth he couldn't deny.

He had met his match.

"There's no one in all three worlds I'd rather acknowledge as my true equal." He whispered to himself.