Ichigo gripped Zangetsu's hilt, watching as Yoruichi took care of Takashi.

They were back at the condo. Yukio had called his private chauffeur to take them home, since Takashi was very stubborn about staying unconscious. Now the pale man was sprawled out on his bed as Yoruichi tried to revive him.

"Calm down, Ichigo." She said soothingly and Ichigo's eyes narrowed.

"Calm down? Are you joking?" He glared at the limp, peaceful form. Yoruichi had removed his glasses, but they hadn't seen Takashi's eyes yet. But he knew what they would look like. "You know what happened last night." He couldn't help the pain in his voice. He felt deeply betrayed. Yoruichi glanced up at him with a small frown.

"If your hollow was telling the truth, he didn't know what he was. We'll have to consult with Urahara, but I really wouldn't be surprised if he was very confused." She said and Ichigo frowned. "He hasn't been acting like a hollow. That was why I decided it probably wasn't him." She'd suspected when she caught a ride in his shirt, but the way he'd behaved afterwards and the fading of his reiatsu had made her think otherwise. Ichigo frowned, hard.

"Maybe, but we still can't trust him. He – " The teen stopped as Takashi's eyelids fluttered. They both watched as he blinked, revealing dazed, inhuman eyes.

"Ohhh. Haven't felt this bad since the last time I was in withdrawal." He muttered, pushing himself up. "Why are you both staring at me? …Oh." He reached up to adjust his glasses and paled as he found that the shades weren't there. He looked at Ichigo, swallowing hard as he took in the soul reaper robes, the sword in his hand and the scowl on his face. Then he raised his chin defiantly. "Are you going to kill me?" He said calmly.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't." The other teen spat out and Takashi responded without thinking.

"I love you, Ichigo." He said simply and smiled as he saw the stunned look on the redhead's face. But then his eyes went wide as it was replaced with a frightening fury. The sword flashed out and for a brief moment, Takashi thought he was about to die. But Yoruichi caught Ichigo's arm, stopping him just as the tip of the blade pricked Takashi's chest. "Ichigo…" He'd still wasn't afraid of death, but the thought gave him a sense of deep and profound regret. Yuki would miss her horsey.

"Liar. Hollows can't feel love." Ichigo said harshly and Takashi took a deep breath, glancing down at the sword. Ichigo reluctantly withdrew it, although Yoruichi was watching him closely.

"…Look. Why don't you tell me what you think I am? Because I have no damned clue." He said and Ichigo looked at him suspiciously, as if he was trying to figure him out. Then he launched into the story. Takashi listened silently as Ichigo told him about his inner hollow, the gikon and how it was lost. A sinking sensation in his gut told him that the story was true. But what did it mean for him now? "Ichigo…" Takashi swallowed, hard. No wonder Ichigo was so angry at him. He decided that absolute honesty was the only thing that could save him and his relationship with the teen. "Look, I don't know if what I'm feeling is love but… let me explain." Takashi took a moment to marshal his thoughts. He needed to make this good.

"Back when I was the old Takashi, I was filled with emotions." He said, remembering how it had felt to be like that. It hadn't been good. "I was so guilty, Ichigo. I felt shame, disgust and hate, all for myself. I knew I was doing the wrong thing, but all those feelings never stopped me. I just took more drugs to make the pain go away." Takashi paused, then took a deep breath. "Then I ate that pill and everything changed. I'm cold, compared to the old Takashi. The things I did, they don't bother me anymore. I've just decided I'm not going to do them, because it was weak and stupid. My dad is dying and, you know, I don't even feel bad about it. People live and people die, its how life is, right? But I'm still there holding his hand." He met Ichigo's eyes, wondering if he could understand. Wondering if any human could understand. "My old self would have been crying and shit, and you know what? He'd have been worse than useless. He'd have been expecting everyone to take care of him and his feelings, because in his world, everything was about him. He was a taker, Ichigo." It was mildly painful to admit that. Although knowing that that person wasn't really him did help. "So, do I love you? I don't really know. Maybe I'm not capable of real love, the way a human would feel it. But I do know one thing… I'd be a good boyfriend to you. Because I know how to give, not just take."

"A hollow knows how to give?" Yoruichi asked but her tone was more curious than hostile. Takashi paused and tried to delve into his feelings. Then he shook his head.

"I just can't remember. If you want, though, I can leave my body again and you can question the other me." Takashi knew they were the same person. There were no voices in his head, not really, just feral thoughts that seemed based on his instincts. "He could probably tell you." Although he wasn't that eager to leave his body again. It had been so draining. Yoruichi shook her head.

"Maybe in a few days when you have your strength back up. Oh, are you hungry? I made those steaks." She said cheerfully and Takashi blinked as he realized he was ravenous.

"Please." He said and she brought out some steaks that were badly charred around the edges, but raw on the inside. That suited Takashi just fine, he liked his steaks rare anyway and he tore into them like a starving man. Ichigo just watched him eat with a frown on his face. "These're good." He mumbled, actually enjoying the burnt flavor. "Why don't you go back to your body and have some?" He said to the spiritual version of Ichigo. He made a face.

"I already did. I don't know how you can like them." He did go back to his body, though. But the scowl on his face was just as impressive as always and Takashi felt the need to tease him a bit.

"You know, if you keep your face like that too long it might get stuck that way." He said and an unwilling smile tugged on the other teen's lips. Ichigo hesitated before sitting down on the bed beside him.

"I just wish I knew if I could trust you." He said in a low tone and Takashi frowned. How could he get past that? "You made so many threats against my friends, my family…"

"Well." Takashi considered it a moment. "I must have been really pissed off. Why was I so angry?" He ventured and Ichigo hesitated before answering.

"You wanted control of my body and I wouldn't give it to you." He said and Takashi blinked. For just a moment he remembered an underwater world, light shining from above. Then the vision vanished.

"Well, I have my own body now. And while I do want yours, it's only for an hour or two at a time." He said with a playful leer and Ichigo gave him a severe look. "Seriously, why would I be mad at you now? I don't think I'm really that vengeful." Takashi was fully capable of letting insults and slights slide off his back. He needed that, his past often came up in very unpleasant ways. "It's all worked out for the best." Takashi said and felt a deep contentment inside. He liked his new life. He loved his family and Yuki especially. He would like it to have more danger, but if he wanted that he could just walk through the bad part of town at midnight. That would get him some danger pretty quick. Ichigo sighed, looking down.

"I suppose." He sounded depressed, though. Takashi frowned, his mouth full of food. Then he set down his plate, even though he was only half done.

"Ichigo." Acting more out of instinct than anything, he flopped over on his back and squirmed around, putting his head in Ichigo's lap. The teen looked down at him, surprised and wary. "Can't we just start over? I want a chance to prove myself to you, King." The word slipped out without thought. Ichigo stiffened before giving him a searching look.

"Would you feel that way if you could really remember?" He asked, but the hand that touched Takashi's cheek and stroked through his pale, nearly white hair was gentle. Takashi sighed then nuzzled him in a very intimate way, making him squeak and shove him away.

"Ask me in two or three days, when Yoruichi says I can get out of my body again." He said with a grin, amused by that reaction. He sat back up, picking up his plate again. His stomach was still quite empty. "But I don't think I could be liking you so much if my instincts hated you." He was pretty sure his heart had moved on. Picking up his fork, Takashi began eating the rest of the steak. The raw meat was heavenly. Ichigo watched him a moment before standing.

"I'm going to call my family." He said and Takashi nodded, swallowing a chunk of meat.

"Good idea, I should do that too." He'd been keeping in contact with texts and e-mails, but they'd probably like it if he called. And he should call his mom and dad, too. They would be pleased to hear from him.

The rest of the night was a bit awkward, and Takashi could guess why. There was still a great deal of sexual tension between the two of them. He was carefully ignoring the occasional glances Ichigo gave him when he thought he wasn't looking. There was heat in those brown eyes, but also suspicion and wariness. Takashi was debating whether or not he should approach Ichigo tonight, but hormones finally decided him when they were eating dessert. It was something he'd put together on the spur of the moment, a concoction of real whipped cream, fried apricots and a bit of brandy. There was a bit of cream on Ichigo's upper lip and the teen hadn't noticed. It would drive him absolutely mad if he left it there.

"Hey Ichigo." Takashi smiled as he reached out. He caught the errant bit of cream with one finger, wiping it away as Ichigo looked at him, surprised. Then he brought that finger to his mouth, slowly and sensuously licking away the cream. There was a soft sound of fabric moving as Ichigo shifted on the couch, watching the way his tongue was moving over long, white fingers. "You know, we could do some really interesting things with this cream." He said in a smoky, lustful tone and saw Ichigo shudder.

"We really shouldn't…" The teen muttered but Takashi could tell his resolve was weak. Hormones (instincts) were screaming at him to take the pleasure being offered.

"Why shouldn't we? We both live dangerously, you never know when it'll all be over." Takashi slid off the couch, kneeling in front of Ichigo and putting a hand on his knee. He smiled as he glanced between the teen's legs. There was definitely a little problem there. "Enjoy it while you can." He reached out to pull down the zipper and Ichigo's hands rested on his shoulders, not really fighting him but clearly uncertain.

"What about Yoruichi – oh…" Ichigo moaned softly as Takashi freed him from his pants. Then he shivered as a bit of cold cream was stroked along his hardened length.

"She can watch if she wants. An audience can be hot…" Takashi murmured before slowly, teasingly licking the cream away. It tasted good, sweet and thick on his tongue. "Mmm." He gently prodded Ichigo's head with his tongue, swirling it over his slit. The teen gasped and Takashi glanced up and saw that his head had fallen back. His face was adorably flushed and his deep brown eyes were wide and staring. Perfect. Smiling to himself, Takashi went back to his self-appointed task. He rested a hand on Ichigo's hips, holding him back from thrusting as he treated his cock like a sweet, sweet lollipop, licking it up and down. When Ichigo was hard and aching with need, Takashi took him into his mouth again.

"So good…" Ichigo groaned softly, his hands sliding through pale curls. They had lightened again, probably from that brief stint outside his body. Takashi enjoyed that touch, the signs that Ichigo's resistance to him was fading. He increased the suction, loving all the little sounds he was pulling from his partner. Then he deep throated the teen, not stopping until his nose nudged bright orange curls.

It didn't take long after that. The hot tension of his throat was too much and Ichigo came with a cry, his fingers digging into Takashi's scalp. He didn't mind the mild pain, just concentrating on swallowing Ichigo's cum. Then he pulled back, breathing hard and wiping his lips as he looked up. The look on Ichigo's face was adorable, flushed and breathing hard, his lips slightly parted.

"You know, you've done that to me twice now but I've never done it to you. Would you like me to…?" Ichigo murmured as he caught his breath. Takashi shook his head with a grin as he moved up, straddling Ichigo's waist on the couch.

"Nah. I love that cute little uke face you give me." He said teasingly and Ichigo's eyes narrowed dangerously. That was all the warning he had before the teen under him abruptly turned the tables. Takashi yelped as he was suddenly shoved back onto the sofa, landing on his back against the leather cushions, Ichigo firmly on top of him.

"Who exactly are you calling an uke?" The other teen said dangerously and Takashi squirmed for a moment before lifting his chin in an instinctive gesture, baring his throat in submission. And while Ichigo probably didn't understand the meaning of that, he saw the opening and took it. Teeth nipped pale skin and Takashi gasped at the mild, pleasurable pain.

"Uh… me?" He managed to say and Ichigo laughed.

"I'm glad to see you know where this is going." He said and crashed his lips against Takashi's. The kiss was hot and feral, not the least bit tender. It inflamed the former hollow like nothing else and he found himself grinding against Ichigo, desperate for more friction on his cock. Clothing was in the way, though, and as Ichigo started to unzip him Takashi thought of something.

"Ichigo. Condom." He managed and the teen stopped for a moment, a frustrated look crossing his face. "In my bedroom, the first drawer. The lube is there too." They'd certainly need that. Takashi knew exactly how it felt to be taken without any and he was damned if he'd go through that again.

"Right." Ichigo quickly abandoned him and while he was gone, Takashi took the opportunity to get undressed. Then he settled back down on the couch and stretched invitingly before sliding his hand over his own cock, teasing himself. That was the sight that greeted Ichigo as he stepped back into the room and he froze a moment, his eyes wide. Takashi grinned as he saw how affected he was.

"Come over here, I'm dying to feel you inside me." He purred, wondering at the passion he was feeling. He'd never looked forward to this before. But things were different now. Ichigo swallowed hard before sliding onto the couch with him, the lube and condom in hand. Ichigo didn't bother to get fully undressed, just unzipping and pulling down his pants. Takashi heartily approved. He was in no mood to wait. Ichigo was impatient, too, going straight to stretching him out. Takashi moaned softly at the feeling of fingers inside him, gripping the leather cushions of the couch as Ichigo searched for his prostate. He gasped as the teen found it, arching into his touch. "Fuck yes!" He wanted more. "Shit, take me Ichigo."

"Fuck." Came the mumbled reply and Takashi whimpered as the fingers vanished. Then there was the sound of a wrapper opening and his legs were flicked over Ichigo's shoulders. He was flexible so the position was no problem, and it was better suited to the couch.

It hurt when Ichigo pushed inside him. Takashi hissed softly, but quickly adjusted to it. And the pain actually turned him on. Another surprise – he'd never enjoyed pain before – but instincts were coming to the fore again. And those instincts said that sex (mating) was supposed to hurt. The sensation of being filled, stretched so fully, also sent a jolt of fire through his body.

"Take me Ichigo!" He moaned out as the teen paused, giving him a moment to adjust. That was all he needed and Ichigo pulled out before roughly thrusting back in. The thrusts were fast and powerful, slamming Takashi against the couch, and he loved every moment of it.

There was no dark power rising this time, no hollow energy perfuming the air. Just the rise and fall of human bodies and the intense, primitive link between them. Takashi didn't care about the lack, his fingers tangling with Ichigo's as his body responded, trying to pull the teen deeper into him.

"You feel so good…" Ichigo panted out as he shoved harder into the hot, tight body beneath him. Takashi wasn't virgin tight but he was close, after so much time without sex. Hot muscles seemed to suck him in, actively aiding the penetration. "Takashi… love you…" The words slipped out almost accidentally. Despite the suspicion and the revelations, he still had deep feelings for his pale friend.

"Love you… too… ah…!" Takashi's fingers clenched tight on Ichigo's as his orgasm came on quickly. There wasn't much stimulation to his cock, but that didn't matter, not with Ichigo pressing so relentlessly against his prostate. "Ah!" He cried out, his black and gold eyes going wide as the pleasure jolted him. Semen splashed across his belly and chest as he spasmed, his insides clenching tight around his partner. Ichigo gasped, those tightening muscles taking him over the edge. Takashi could feel the spreading warmth inside himself, and it felt good. Not sick and wrong, the way it had when he was the 'real' Takashi.

They stayed linked together for a moment, just looking at each other. Then Ichigo smiled and squeezed his fingers before pulling away, letting him drop his legs back to the couch. But instead of moving away, he lay down on top of Takashi, supporting his weight with his arms. That was followed by a deep, intimate kiss. Their position before hadn't really allowed for that and Takashi gripped orange curls, enjoying that immensely.

"You do have such a pretty uke face." Ichigo breathed in his ear, making the other teen grin.

"Gee, thanks!" Takashi laughed, resting his head back against the cushions. "Oh look, it's the OMG cat." He said, glancing to the side, and Ichigo turned his head to look. Standing in the room was an utterly shocked Yoruichi. An open mouthed cat really was quite amusing.

"…I'd freak out, but it's entirely our fault." Ichigo said, but blushed and pulled away, taking off the condom and pulling his pants back up. Takashi just stayed on the couch, feeling spent and sleepy. "Takashi!"

"I don't care, she can look at me all she likes. Just no pictures and absolutely no videos." He said with a grin, lacing his fingers behind his head. Then his pants landed on his chest. "Oh hell man! I'm dirty and now my pants are dirty!" He complained, sitting up. Ichigo gave him an exasperated but fond look.

"Go take a shower. And put your pants in the wash, they're getting smelly." He ordered and Takashi sniffed his pants. They were a bit on the whiffy side. Grumbling, he pulled himself to his feet and walked past the stunned Yoruichi, still buck naked. He made sure to wiggle his butt as he went by, just to be a tease. There was a soft thump and he glanced behind him to see that either Yoruichi had passed out, or she was a bit of a drama queen. Snickering to himself, he went to put his clothes in the washer first. Then he went to take a shower.

When he got out, a towel wrapped around his waist, someone was kicking up a bit of a fuss.

"My virgin eyes!" Yoruichi wailed, which was particularly funny with her masculine voice. "Why didn't you warn me? I would have had my video camera ready!"

"See, that? That's why we didn't warn you." Takashi said as Ichigo covered his face with one hand. "I don't want to see pictures of us being used as wallpaper by that weird guy in the striped hat." And his buried memories said that was very likely to happen. Ichigo groaned.

"He would, too. So what's the plan now?" He said, changing the subject. Ichigo was fully clothed, not surprising since he hadn't undressed in the first place. Takashi frowned and glanced towards his bedroom.

"Hang on a minute." He didn't want to miss this, but he didn't want to stand there in a towel either. He quickly pulled on some sweatpants and a t-shirt before padding back. "Okay, shoot. What's the plan?"

"I think you boys should both stay here for a while. Go out, enjoy Tokyo, whatever you feel up for." Yoruichi said, licking her paw. "I'm going to scout out this new Yakuza boss. I'd rather do it by myself, however. Cats can go so many places that humans can't."

"Hmm, okay. But you can't get into the condo by yourself. When and where should we meet you?" Ichigo asked and they decided to meet up at the local coffee shop at eight tomorrow.

"And if I'm not there, don't worry, just come by the same time the next day. If I'm not there then contact Urahara." The cat shinigami advised them, then rose to her feet and arched her back, stretching out. "See you boys later!" The door popped open… Yoruichi could handle doorknobs with a bit of kido… and the cat walked out to begin her work. Takashi watched her go, then looked at Ichigo.

"So what do we want to do? Keeping in mind I've got…" Takashi checked his wallet. "Fifty bucks to my name." It was actually fifty dollars and some change. "I think Disneyland is out." He didn't think he could even make it through the door on that. He certainly couldn't make it through the gate and buy lunch. Ichigo laughed.

"We're both too old for that anyway. Let's go check the internet." Takashi grinned as he followed Ichigo to the computer room. This place had a room for everything and there were many computes available, all of them top of the line. They both quickly logged in and began searching for things they could do that were cheap or free.

After a bit of searching and chatting, they decided go have a picnic lunch at a local park. Then they would take the train to an artsy district and go for a stroll. Tokyo was a very pedestrian friendly city. They would take a look at the sights before coming home to make use of the DVD collection again. Takashi approved of the plans.

"I'll make us some bento boxes for the picnic lunch." He had plenty of rice and while he was no sushi chef, he'd be able to make a decent approximation. "Hey, speaking of which, what would you like with the pork chops?" He'd set them to marinating in a homemade glaze. "I was thinking I could just steam some vegetables." That along with the rice would make a very good supper tomorrow. Ichigo nodded.

"That sounds great. I'm not picky." He said with a smile and Takashi was pleased to see that all of the earlier tension was gone. No doubt the issue would come back to haunt them, but for now they were both happy.

And that was all that mattered.