Hey yall! Sorry I didn't post over the weekend :( I had unexpected plans! But anyway, here's chappie 5!

CHAPTER 5

Soul Society

Rangiku Matsumoto entered the squad one barracks for the urgent meeting; she would yet again have to make an excuse for her taicho's absence. She stopped and pondered the situation he had put her in the last several months. Toshiro would make it a habit to visit the World of the Living without permission. Of course, only she knew he would do this on a regular basis. Rangiku was surprised that the sotaicho had not noticed the lack of icy reiatsu when Toshiro would leave. When he was stressed over certain things, ever since he started leaving, she noticed that the temperature would drop drastically and Toshiro would huff off without saying so much as a single word. No scolding her when she refused to do paperwork, or even when she would be found drunk in some part of the Seireitei that no one knew existed. She was even surprised to notice that Toshiro's sparkling aqua eyes were losing their shine each time he returned from the World of the Living. Maybe he goes to check on Ichigo from time to time… Rangiku Matsumoto found herself worrying more and more with each passing day when her tiny troubled taicho would leave the Soul Society. She missed the rare days when Toshiro would come back from visiting the strawberry with something that resembled a smile and, one time, a possible blush on his face. Although she had not told him, she was overjoyed to see her taicho… happy.

Rangiku's mind suddenly returned to her dilemma. Toshiro had left for the World of the Living almost two weeks ago, just in time for the schools there to let out for winter break. She was concerned because he had never left her, without communication for that fact, for this long. Especially not when Ichigo was concerned. She could never forget the look on her frail taicho's face when he came back from his breakup with Ichigo. He tried to be so strong… but when he secluded himself in his room for days, and when she went to check on him, she had heard soft whimpering coming from behind the closed doors.

From that day on, neither Rangiku Matsumoto nor Momo Hinamori, fukutaicho of squad 5, had spoken to Renji Abarai, fukutaicho of squad 6. After she had finally convinced Toshiro to let herself and Momo inside his quarters, he had spilled everything. How Renji advanced him, how he tried to stop the man from coming on to him, and how he had seen his beloved boyfriend with a look that no one should ever cause the one they love to make. The snowy haired boy had whimpered on Rangiku's shoulder for an hour, and then switched his head to Momo. The two women fukutaicho had despised Renji for daring to cause their taicho and their best friend, as well as his boyfriend, such pain and despair.

Rangiku wiped a tear that was making its way down her cheek. Oh damn, I'm gunna look horrible going up in front of all the taichos now! Damn it all!

Although she did feel sorry for the poor icy boy, he had put her through hell trying to come up with lame excuses the past several months as to why he was not able to attend these emergency meetings. She made her way down the hall and came face to face with the only door that stood between her and the sotaicho. You owe me big time, taicho! I don't know how many more times I can get away with lying for you until at least Ukitake and Kyoraku start asking questions!"

Before she was tempted to turn back and let this one fall on Toshiro's shoulders when he came back, Rangiku Matsumoto opened the very same door that was keeping her safe from possible fury and questioning…

World of the Living

"There is no way in hell that I am letting you do this, baka! Not in your condition!" Toshiro hopelessly paced the floor of Ichigo's tiny bedroom, soft white face now wrinkled with fury and worry.

"I have to agree with Hitsugaya-taicho on this one, Ichigo," Rukia stated with a serious voice also laced with concern. "Your body is barely able to function now, let alone sitting in a room getting lectured for an hour and a half, and walking a half a mile to and from each day!"

Ichigo looked up from where he sat on his bed, his eyes instantly making their way to rest on Toshiro. The icy taicho was running his fingers through his hair, sighing in exasperation at Ichigo's stubbornness. Since the whole deal a week ago, Ichigo had visibly noticed that his yuki no hana's eyes were becoming more and more dull as each day passed. No matter how much he wanted to reach out and take his little snow flower in his arms and say it was alright, the more he realized that everything was in disarray. And no matter how much he wanted to kiss away Toshiro's pain, the more he asked himself… Does he even love me any more? Or does he absolutely hate me for throwing him away like I did without even giving him a chance to explain himself? I am such a horrible person! Having left him the way I did! He was hurting! He was scared! And I just left him to… that bastard Renji! Oh god! I'm a monster! I can't live with myself! Unconsciously, Ichigo began to pound into his head with his fists, muttering to himself.

Noticing this sudden outburst right away, Toshiro ran over to Ichigo and tried to wrap his hands around the substitute shinigami's wrists, pleading him to stop. "ICHIGO! STOP HURTING YOURSELF! Rukia, come and help me! ICHIGO! LISTEN TO ME!"

As his mind hurled from the suddenness of Ichigo's outburst, Toshiro's mind ran through the events that transpired exactly one week ago, the horror still very real and close…

Toshiro's POV

When I had arrived, I was way more than terrified by what I witnessed… I was utterly mortified… Ichigo's face was completely distorted in a way that no one should ever experience. Even though there was no mask on his face, I could tell that Ichigo was quickly losing control. I knew that in his weakened condition that he couldn't and wouldn't be able to control himself for much longer. He suddenly turned his face towards me, briefly showing his own fear and confusion that I knew was himself.

"TOSHIRO! GET OUT OF HERE BEFORE HE KILLS YOU!"

I heard what was said, I just chose to ignore it. "I will not leave you to struggle alone, Ichigo. Let me help."

As I started walking towards the bed, I recognized Ogichi's voice. "It's too late for ya to be tryin to help king, babe. He's mine and there's nothin in the entire damn world that ya can do! I wanna play with ya Shiro-chan! You such a pretty 'lil thang! I still don' understand how ya could love a dumbass like king!"

Although terrified from head to toe, I continued to make my way towards the foot of Ichigo's bed. I was so focused on what I was about to do that I hadn't seen Rukia enter the room and start yelling for me to stop. And what I was about to do was risky in more ways than one…

It would either kill me, give the hollow a chance to entertain himself with me, or save Ichigo's life.

"I fell for him because he's a dumbass. I love him because he is everything I wish I could be. He is so carefree, so determined to protect the ones he loves… he's perfect. He has so much strength that I'm surprised that a retard like you was able to gain control so quickly."

"HAHAHA! Ya still think I'm gunna give back king just 'cause ya think you're tough and can throw a few insults? Who's the dumbass now? There's nothin ya could to do to make me gi…mmmfff!"

I felt the hollow tense as I sharply pressed my lips against his, dazing him just enough to slip my tongue into his mouth. As the kiss continued and out mouths crashed, I felt the form against my own soften and start to lean into my contact. When I felt it was safe to stop, I did so, slowly opening my eyes.

What awaited me was a sight that was so beautiful and breathtaking that I thought I would cry out in joy.

I stared into Ichigo's own chocolate eyes, although dulled with illness, exquisite and almost happy. He sighed and was about to say something when his head hit his pillow, sleeping contently with no care in the world.

I stroked his warm flushed cheek with the back of my cool hand, his face hot with a fever. I stopped and cupped his cheek, staring at his peaceful face.

"Sleep, Ichigo. I'll always be here… whether you want me to or not. I'll always love you. You are my everything. I just wish I could have told you what really happened that night…"

Although Rukia had seemed surprised and uncomfortable with the situation at first, she had learned to accept Toshiro and Ichigo's bond, saying to Toshiro that she would have done something similar to what Toshiro had done.

The white haired taicho was now gripping Ichigo's wrists, holding them down against his chest, whispering into his strawberry's ear.

"Come back to me, Ichigo. That's right. I'm here."

Ichigo calmed down and sunk his head into Toshiro's shoulder. "Toshiro," he started. "How can I protect the ones I love if I'm weak? How can I protect Yuzu, Karin, Dad, Rukia… and you if I can't even carry out a normal life? That is why I am asking you… let me go back to college. To school. To get an education. I can't let my family see me like this. Never again. Yuki no hana…"

Toshiro tensed at the name but instantly calmed himself. Did… did Ichigo just call me that? Oh god! Finally, after so long! Oh Ichigo! Please don't leave me again. He lifted Ichigo's chin from his shoulders and pulled the baka into a passionate kiss. It wasn't a rushed, desperate kiss, but one that had been waiting to reveal itself for almost a year. There were no clashing of teeth or tongues. Just a tasting of each other.

It lasted for a full minute, Toshiro being the one to break it. He now had to stare up at Ichigo, looking into the chocolate eyes that had regained their sparkle. In turn, he could feel his own teal eyes glowing with excitement. "Then let me come with you. Let me enroll in college with you and help you with your journey."

Rukia, who had witnessed the whole exchange with a gleam of happiness in her own raven eyes, showed visible concern, speaking up for the first time in a few minutes. "Hitsugaya-taicho, you do know the consequences of what you are about to do, right?"

Ichigo's face cocked with his oh so infamous curiosity. "Toshiro, what is she talking about?"

Toshiro decided to tell Ichigo everything he had been doing. Going over the details of how he would leave the Soul Society for periods of time, how Matsumoto would be making up horrible excuses to keep him out of trouble for as long as possible, and how homosexuals were almost as horrible a crime as robbery or mutiny, but not as horrible as murder… or betrayal.

The substitute shinigami absorbed all the information his yuki no hana gave him. A sly smile crossed his lips as he pecked the icy boy on the cheek. "Then I guess I'll have to protect you with my own life. My life means nothing if it's without you, after all. I learned that lesson the hard way. And am still learning it."

Ichigo's head suddenly slumped against his chest, hands gripping Toshiro's shoulders. "Toshiro, it's all my fault. My stupid attitude has caused me damage. I have pneumonia. And it's in an advanced stage."

Toshiro's sea green eyes widened in horror at the news. As his mind fully processed the horrid news, Ichigo lifted his head and stared into his with visible pain.

"Toshiro, I want you to be mine again! Please come back! I'm sorry for not believing you and leaving you to… him afterwards! I was selfish. If you don't want me, I understand, but at least consider it."

"You don't need to ask, baka. I'm yours. And I'm going to college with you, whether you like it or not."

"And I have both of your backs whether you want me to or not!" Rukia said with excitement! "I'm coming too, Ichigo! I want to see everyone again. It's been so long."

Both men looked at the girl with black hair and purple eyes with gratitude.

Next week, they would start college.

Back in the Soul Society

Rangiku could feel all the eyes of her superiors upon her. She knew what was going to happen. The sotaicho would ask where her icy taicho was and she would come up with a lame excuse and hope she could make it stick.

But today took a turn for the worse.

The door suddenly burst open the moment after she had shut it, a shinigami she had never seen before panting heavily.

"What is the meaning of this intrusion?" Yamamoto-sotaicho demanded. "You had better hope that I find it worthy of such an outburst!"

"My apologies, sotaicho, but I have just received word that Hitsugaya-taicho has been seen 'with' Ichigo Kurosaki in the World of the Living! They looked well acquainted, if you get my meaning, sir!"

Rangiku's eyes became as wide as tennis balls, mouth dropping in surprise. How could this have happened? Who would spy on taicho? Oh damn…

"Matsumoto-fukutaicho, do you know anything about this?" Yamamoto asked. "If so, I suggest you speak up now."

"I know very little, sir. Please pardon me."

As she exited the room, outside, she was stopped by none other than Jushiro Ukitake, a concerned look on the white haired father figure of a shinigami. "Rangiku, what has been going on with Toshiro? Please tell me! I want nothing more than to help! Shunsui is in there listening to Yamamoto's orders to give us an advantage on helping Ichigo and Toshiro!"

Rangiku pondered his offer for a moment, and then told the sickly taicho of squad 13 everything.

Meanwhile Somewhere Else… Again

Gin Ichimaru's fox smile never left his face as he watched the events of the meeting unfold. "Well, Aizen-sama, did ya hear what ol' man Yamamoto said? Their gunna hunt 'em down! How excitin' and entertainin'! How do ya plan to work this one out?"

Sosuke Aizen stared at his right hand man with a wicked smile of his own on his face. "Well Gin, if we wanna pull this one off, we'll let those idiots do the work for us. If they somehow seem to fail, you know what to do."

Gin's smile widened. "Of course I do, Aizen-sama."

Well? How was it? Was it ok? Please review so I know you enjoyed it! I love reading all y'alls reviews!