Keeping My Brother

Genre: Crossover
Universe/s: Two FMA'ers land in the Bleach world.
Spoiler Warnings: Set around Bleach anime eps 15-18, but references manga knowledge from a little farther on. Involves the end of the FMA storyline.

Chapter 6 : Do I Have To Leave Your Side?

Ichigo's eyes flew open. As expected, he had a killer headache, but also that feeling that he just knew he wasn't gonna get back to sleep. At least it was morning enough that the sun was up.

Kon was sprawled backwards on the bed between Ichigo's head and the desk. If it was possible for a stuffed lion to snore, Kon was snoring. At least, he was making very soft snore-like noises. Ichigo shook his head, then wished he hadn't shaken his head, and sat up. And wished he hadn't sat up.

He slowly stood and slowly padded his way to the door. And stopped next to the closet, and tapped lightly. He heard Rukia shift, then the closet door opened a crack.

"'Hayo," he ground out.

"'Hayo," she returned. More noises that sounded like her trying to make sure she was decently presentable. "You don't sound so hot. Isn't that the way the phrase goes?"

"Heh. Don't make me laugh, it hurts too much. You wouldn't happen to have some kind of ass-kicking pain killer in that arsenal of wierd stuff, would you?"

"Arsenal of weird stuff?" Apparently she had decided that she was presentable enough, and slid the closet door open enough to see him face to face.

He wasn't sure if the sun had moved up over a house just enough to let in a lot more light, or if his pounding headache was playing tricks on him... but in yellow and white plaid flannel pajamas, with her hair a bit mussed, kneeling on white bedsheets, lookingupathimlikethat URUSAI AHOYARO just keep walking!

He looked away and tried to make his feet move. "You know... the stuff. You always have stuff. Pills that have Kon, I've seen you take other pill-things, and sometimes you pull out three little containers when you get your phone. I don't know or really care what they are, just wondering if you have anything that would make this cement in my head go away."

"My Gigai medicine." Against his will, he looked back at her. "The stuff you've seen me take. It keeps me in sync with this body. It's probably not safe for you. I can see if I can get anything that is, though."

Again he closed his eyes and this time took a step towards the door. "If you could, that would be... very good. Please." It's all just the headache, it's just in your head, you bastard.

Rukia dialed the only number she ever called.

"Urahara Shop, how are you this morning, Rukia dear?"

Rukia blinked. "Apparently not as good as you, since you sound happier than I generally hear you."

"Nani itteshimasu, I'm always happy to hear from a customer. What may my humble shop provide you with this morning?"

If he were human, I'd say he either had the best woman of his life last night, or he's drunk already. But I know it's neither, and therefore... he is in an odd mood. Definately. "Ichigo is feeling the effects of yesterday, so I thought I'd ask and see if you had some kind of extra-strength pain killer, perhaps a healing medication. Something that will work just well enough and not have any reaming consequences."

"If you don't mind my observation, it's a rather small errand for making such a trip over here."

"Kankeinai. You're a businessman, as you like to remind me. I make an order, you fill it, I pay you."

"And bless you, somehow, you manage to pay up front. The best kind of customer. And for only a tiny fee more, I'll even have my new couriours run to meet you, so you won't have to come all this way before school."

Rukia blinked. "New... couriours?"

Urahara gave her the address of a street corner. "Two boys, blond hair, light eyes. This is Japan, you won't be able to miss them."

Ichigo wasn't moving much faster after breakfast. Yuzu gently chided him for getting into fights, she thought he was still being picked on for his hair. Ichigo slurringly assured her this was not the case, and managed to sneak a cream bun outside for Rukia. He met her a block away, where she normally waited after jumping out of the window.

"I got some medicine for you."

"From Getaboushi?"

"He has a name, you know."

"Shiranai and don't care. As long as the it makes the pain stop. I'll thank him next time he mysteriously shows up."

Rukia gave him the address. "He said we'd know them on sight..."

Ichigo shrugged and set off... at one-third his normal pace.