Review Replies for Chapter 4

clio1111 - The best is on its way. ~

xodoorslx - (; yay back.

Kidou - It's true, they're very useless. Hint hint, for the rest of the fanfic...they continue to be useless.. *wink* haha.

SpiderlilyPrincipessa - It will come out soon. (: Also no, no they haven't.

GrimmIchisgrl - I'm very glad you love it. Makes me feel like I'm doing a good job when I read these kind of reviews. (:

Okay! First, I want to thank all of the people who followed and favorited Outlasting Affection and those who followed and favorited me. (; Thank you all it means a lot to me! Second, time to get on Shiro's case in this chapter! (:

Shiro: What the fuck are you talkin' about?!

Me: ...*slowly slides away then bolts for dear life*

Shiro: Hey I ain't done with you! *chases after me*

Me: No! Leave me alone! I'll kill you off next chapt-AH! *gets tackled*

Ichigo: ... *sigh* on with the chapter... Shiro leave her alone! *runs over to separate us*

Chapter Five

...previous chapter...

"No! Never come back! Fuck off and stay gone!" Ichigo screamed as he started to fight against Gin. "I-I hate you! I never want to see you again! Just leave me alone! I moved away to get away from you!" Shiro sighed sadly, before walking to the door. He stopped at the doorway and sighed.

"I...I know it doesn't count for much...but I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that to ya. Bye King." Shiro left in defeat and Ichigo deflated in Gin's arms. Aizen walked over and shut the door silently before turning to the strawberry. He was sobbing and tear streaks were streaming down his once content face. Sosuke wanted to wrap his arms around him and stroke his hair while reassuring him it was alright...

..."I'm sorry I let him visit you. I did not intend to upset you, Ichigo." He apologized, honestly feeling bad for letting this happen. Brown eyes lifted and locked on concerned chocolate-brown. Ichigo shook his head lightly to deny the apology.

"No, you didn't know, it's okay. Thank you for asking him to leave." Ichigo smiled at him...

...He shut his book with the bookmark still inside, ignoring the failed attempt at reading. He sat back in his chair and exhaled deeply.

I will do my best to bring that smile to your face and dry your tears... Ichigo Kurosaki.

~-::-~

Screeching. The loud sounds of metal colliding and a sick crack of someone's spine. Flashing red and blue lights and wailing sirens as the vision faded to black.

Shiro let the memories replay in his head as he held his face in his hands, elbows on the low table. He sat crisscrossed on the small sitting cushions surrounding the table for use. Two men sat at the other end of the table. A raven-haired male with three scars running down the length of his right face sat next to a blonde man. The black-haired man's name is Shuuhei Hisagi. He was hastily hired along with his friend, Kira Izuru, to search for Shiro's missing little brother, Ichigo Kurosaki. The two men also work for the albino's uncle, Kisuke Urahara. Ever since the fighting group "Soul Society" fell apart, they've joined the "Visoreds". Shiro fought tooth and nail with his uncle to keep Ichigo out of the group for certain reasons.

"How long are we going to sit here watching you think? I thought we came here to talk with promises of breakfast." Shuuhei complained as he continued to pet the purring cat next to him. Gold on black eyes opened and glanced at him before closing again.

"I never promised food. Ya must've heard what ya wanted to hear." Shiro shot back in an irritated tone. The two men across from him glanced at each other before looking back at the depressed albino. They sat in silence for another moment before a heavy exhale from the snow-white male gathered their attention once more. Shirosaki picked up his head from its down-facing position and looked up to the other two. "Let's get to talkin' then." Shuuhei and Kira nodded their agreement at the statement, though it wasn't needed.

"Now, you two and everyone in the Visored know how badly I didn't want Ichigo fighting for the company. Sadly, he was found by Aizen and now, if my assumptions are correct, he has a job offer from the Espada."

"Seriously..!" Shuuhei breathed in shock.

"That's horrible..." Kira trailed off.

"Yeah yeah, I know. I wanted to talk to you two because this doesn't change your job. I want you to continue following him and reporting back to me." Shiro scrubbed a hand down his face and paused to pinch the bridge of his nose, wincing when he pressed his bruised nose too much.

"Shiro, no offense or anything, but why don't you just go up to him and apologize?" The raven-haired male asked like it was the simplest thing ever. The albino glared at him and Shuuhei froze at the rage ready to burst.

"You don't think I tried that? You don't think I've apologized over and over? You know the situation! Don't act like this is like solving two plus two! The last time i saw him in the Espada mansion he gave me this with a first aid kit." He pointed to his nose, which was starting to bruise on the bridge of his nose and somewhat under his eyes. "And then said to me 'Never come back! Fuck off and stay gone!'" Shuuhei let out a small apology and Kira shook his head.

"We'll continue to follow him." Kira stated, and then stood along with Shuuhei as they both left. Zangetsu stared after the raven head as he left and nearly pouted at the lost comfort. He stood and walked under the small circular table and crawled into Shiro's lap. The pale adult looked down at the cat before a small tired smile tugged his lips. The dark cat laid in the male's lap as the affection began. All was quiet when suddenly the traditional Japanese sliding doors slammed open and a very energetic dark-skinned woman strutted on in and plopped down on a cushion. Upon seeing the woman, Zangetsu practically bolted out of Shiro's lap to lay in the new comer's. "He always liked you more than me."

"No, I just have a way with cats. Also, you can start talking normal now. You don't need to be stiff in front of your mama. ~" The woman with golden eyes spoke mirthfully. Shiro scowled before looking away.

"Tch, whadaya want?" He asked in a very irritated tone as he leaned his cheek against his pale, propped up fist. The female across the table rose a brow before her face turned serious, making Shiro lose his attitude just as fast. He stiffening under her blank and serious cat-eyed gaze.

"Now, do you want to repeat that...Shirosaki?" She asked with an underlying warning in her tone. The albino gulped before shaking his head, his abnormal eyes wide and hinting with fear.

"Use words."

"No, Aunt Yoruichi. I-I'm sorry, mama." He rushed out and bowed. Yoruichi laughed after dropping the seriousness and looked at her nephew. He wasn't related to her by blood but she was gleefully married to his uncle. Though he and his brother weren't related to her by blood she still treated them like her own after the accident. She loved them and would give her life to see them be safe and happy. As she looked over the older twin she noticed his depressed vibe and sighed. She apparently would be giving up her life sooner than she thought.

"What's wrong, Shi-chan? Is it your brother again? Do you want to talk about it?" The purple haired woman asked gently and carefully. She watched the colorless young man sigh and look to her with saddened eyes.

"M-Mama... I'm lost. I don't know how to get Ichi to forgive me. It was so long ago and he still refuses to even look at me." Shiro heard his little brother's words repeat over and over in his head. "Y-Ya know... He told me he... hated me yesterday." He chanced a glance up at Yoruichi to find she was even shocked. "He'll never forgive me, Mama. Not even when I'm dead." The snow-white male's voice trembled and Yoruichi was automatically at his side, within seconds, to hold him as he let out tears no one but her and her husband got to see. Speaking of her husband; the door slid open silently and a curious blonde's head popped in to look at the woman protectively hugging her 'baby boy'. She looked at him and shook her head and he paused before nodding and leaving without the younger noticing.

"Dont worry, baby. He'll come around. Shh shh... he doesn't hate you, baby, he doesn't." Yoruichi rocked back and forth with the boy's head resting on her chest. She held him close and ran a hand through his head as her other rubbed his arm.

Outside the room, the blonde took off his green and white bucket hat and sighed. Urahara Kisuke, rival of Aizen, leaned against the door while he looked at the ceiling. "Shiro will be missing another fight." He mumbled to himself. He walked through the store and home to go make the call to reschedule the fight for the seventh time.

~-::-~

Yoruichi left her boy in his room and made sure to tuck him in. He may act tough and be a smart ass to his friends, but when it came to herself and his family he softened up instantly. Recently he had broken down more and more and she steadily grew concerned. It wasn't healthy for twins to be separated for so long. She walked through the wooden hall, her footsteps silent as she traversed to a room which she entered without knocking, and walked right in. Her husband looked up from his phone call to her and smiled before returning his attention to the phone to finish quickly. The feline-like woman sat on Kisuke's desk after clearing a corner of the chaotic organization of files, paper work, and folders. Once his call was completely done he hung up and walked over to his wife. The blonde placed the phone on the desk beside her hip and gave her a kiss before placing their foreheads together.

"Is he alright?" He questioned quietly, as if it were taboo to speak it out loud. He watched his wife's worried eyes show some sadness in the depths. "That bad..? He's getting worse." He sighed. "Only if my brother were here...he would know what to do."

"We all wish Isshin was here. But no one can change the past. Shiro is heartbroken. And apparently according to him, our dear Ichi is perfectly fine without him. I tried to tell him it's not true, but he insisted that Ichigo would rather be with the Espada than him." Yoruichi explained. Kisuke raised a brow at the mention of his rival's team.

"Oh I'm sure Ichigo isn't having any type of fun in the Espada head quarters." Kisuke scoffed. There was no way that Ichigo would ever think of anything that happens there as fun.

~-::-~

Pure white-tiled walls and marble squared floors - which had black colored grout between each slabs - were thinly covered with a layer of steam. The wall on the left side of the room had a counter that extended the entire length of the wall, along with the mirror that took the entire wall starting from the pristine white counter to the ceiling. On the right half of the room there was a foggy glass wall, separating the actual bathroom from the spacious shower where there was now activity. Tan hands ran over equally tan, mile-long legs as the soapy water ran off and made its way into the drain in the center of the big shower. When he was clean he rinsed off and stepped out of the spray. The water continued to shower down until the lithe male touched the curved metal handle on the door. The skin contact of his hand made the water stop instantly. He paused and looked back before he stepped out of the glass shower and grabbed a fluffy white towel. Right when he wrapped the towel around his slim waist, the door opened to the bathroom to show a bandaged blunete on the other side.

Shocked brown eyes stared at shocked, blinking blue. "Oh, I didn't know ya were in here, Kurosaki" Sexta said after clearing his throat. Ichigo rolled his brown eyes and fixed the towel on his waist so it would stay.

"Could've knocked, but luckily, we avoided the 'You see me naked and I kick your ass' part of the situation. On the other hand, we both could've ended up more injured then we already are." The strawberry muttered off to Grimmjow; but mostly himself. A blue brow rose at this and he leaned against the door with his arms crossed over his broad chest.

"Oh? Ya sayin' ya can beat me inna fight, Strawberry?" A shit-eating grin consumed the cat-lover's face when enraged amber orbs landed on him.

"My name doesn't mean 'Strawberry'! It means Number One Guardian! Get it straight!" The orange head yelled before storming out past the laughing Espada. He ignored the calls of, "C'mon, take a joke!" and "Yo, I was just kiddin'!". The orangette left in a huff and stormed around a corner. Grimmjow rolled his eyes and entered the bathroom and noticed on the counter Ichigo had left something behind. Upon closer examination, he discovered it was a white chained necklace with a charm hanging off it. The charm had a yin yang symbol hanging from it. It was a typical yin yang symbol, except the dot in the white was colored orange. He poked his head out and shouted for the young man. When Grimmjow got no reply or even a 'Fuck you!' he sighed and decided to find the orangette later.

~-::-~

Ichigo stormed to the rooms in the facility dedicated to recovering. After entering his designated room he slammed the door, making the oak wooden object rattle violently at force. The blue haired maniac has pushed his buttons since he's met him. Not that it mattered he would pay them for the medical treatment and return to his shit life. Cold, angered emerald eyes entered his thoughts. That pale guy certainly wouldn't like if he stayed. He didn't usually let ego bruised people take the reins of his decisions, but this crap was the last thing he need in his fucked up life. He didn't need drama, he didn't need friends, he didn't need a lover, he didn't need a caretaker, and he didn't need his family. He was fine on his own and it would stay that way until he decided to change it. Not the Espada, not grumpy Ulquiorra, not Gin, not Aizen, not Shiro, not Ginjo, and not Yoruichi or Kisuke. He would change it when he wanted to.

Knocking filled the room and Ichigo turned to the door. He narrowed his eyes at the wood.

"Who is it?" He asked cautiously.

"It's Nel! Can I come in Itsygo?" The green haired girl chirped from the opposite side. Ichigo walked over and opened the door. Outside the door stood the very hyper Espada. She was wearing a light green tang top that was showing her tan stomach, mostly from her huge breasts, black skinny jeans, and a white belt that slanted on her curvy hips. As soon as the door was fully opened she pounced the berry and hugged him tightly. He gasped and tried to breathe, however there were two gigantic boobs blocking him from doing so.

"N-Nel! C-Can't breath!" He yelled, muffled into her breasts. She noticed, thank god, and let him go. He stumbled back and brought air into his abused lungs. "You.. Y-You can't d-do that...every time we m-meet." He stuttered between his gasps. She patted his back gently and looked apologetic.

"I'm sorry Itsygo, I just get really excited when I see you. You're the only guy friend I have around here! Mostly everyone is gay and thinks I'm annoying or their straight and want me." She pouted as Ichigo stood from his hunched position.

"It's okay, lets just avoid death. Besides I need to relax, Szayel's orders or whatever."

"Oh I can help you with relaxing Itsygo! Lets go to the sauna downstairs! Aizen had one built-in last month and it's fabtastic!"

"... Did you just say 'Fabtastic'?" Ichigo laughed. Nel pouted and then smiled brightly.

"You don't even need to change. Just take some clothes with you because you're going to end up in a towel anyway."

"Okay okay, take me there." The orangette relented and followed the bouncy, green haired woman to the sauna. He didn't have any clothes anyway. Nel fell into step next to Ichigo suddenly looking serious. It made the strawberry slightly nervous and scared. How does someone go from totally happy to the most serious poker face in the universe. Bipolar? Mood swings? "W-What is it, Nel?" Ichigo asked nervously.

"What happened last night? There was a big commotion and Gin says your brother was here." She prodded.

"... I can't. I'm sorry. I can't talk about it."

"Will you tell me soon?" She asked hopefully. Ichigo couldn't deny her. She was really growing on him. He smiled at her. So much for needing no one.

"Yes, Nel. I'll tell you soon." He promised. She beamed at him and held out her pinky finger to the vibrant male. Amber eyes rolled before the lithe male pinky promised his friend. "Promise."

"Yay! Now let's get you to that sauna!" She squealed before skipping away. The orangette chuckled at her enthusiasm and followed the leader.

~-::-~

The two friends entered the basement of the mansion and Ichigo looked around the training room, that he missed the chance to check out before. Thanks to the blue haired nuisance. The room was huge. Multiple punching bags lined the wall and on the opposite side of the room it was neatly arranged with exercise machines ranging on all types. In the center of the room was a ring for practice fights. They walked towards one of the doors connected to the massive room of training equipment. Ichigo was suspicious of the other door which had multiple locks and bolts that someone would need a whole ring of keys for, keypad codes, the right fingerprints, and to scan their eye. What the hell? Nel opened the door and nodded for Ichigo to walk in first with a wide smile. Ichigo rolled his eyes with a smile and ignored the fact he felt like a woman getting the door held for him as he entered.

The entire room was wooden and so were the built-in wall benches, obviously for skin protection the floor was thickly layered with fluffy towels. The berry's eyes got too much of a sight when seeing a very naked brown-haired man sitting on the benches, legs spread as he slept. How do you sleep in a sauna? He took in more and immediately noticed emerald-green eyes narrowed in a glare at him. He turned fully to him and noticed it was the same male who shoved him on the sidewalk in front of his apartment. The pale man continued to glare at him as Nel walked in and put her arm around Ichigo's shoulder, completely oblivious to the usually stoic man's behavior.

"Okay Itsygo! This is the sauna where you're going to feel better in no time!" She exclaimed and shook him a bit before letting go. She noticed Starrk and rolled her wheat-gray eyes. "Starrk, c'mon! You can't fall asleep in the sauna! It's dangerous!" She chided him as she tried to shake him awake. When he continued to snore she huffed then reeled her fist back, before Ichigo could stop her, and she socked the sleeping man in the jaw. He blinked himself awake, to Ichigo's surprise, and looked at Nel.

"What's wrong?" He asked with a yawn.

"You fell asleep you idiot!" She scolded him with her fists on her hips. She continued to scowl at him and the two of them didn't noticed the fourth person in the sauna stand. Ulquiorra walked out with a rough shoulder shove to Ichigo's own shoulder. The orange head rubbed his shoulder and glared at the doorway the snow skinned male left through. Nel and Starrk stared at the doorway with disbelief. Ulquiorra usually never showed emotion or bothered with anyone other than calling them 'Trash'.

"What's wrong with him?" Nel finally spoke breaking the silence in the room. Ichigo turned to her and shrugged. The third wheel in the room yawned before getting smacked.

"Ow.. What did I do to deserve that one." He asked. The sea-foam green haired woman narrowed her eyes dangerously.

"You yawned. Get the hell out Starrk! If I have to rush you, naked, to the emergency room again this month, I'm going to kick your ass when you're better. I don't want to comfort Lilinette again because you're an idiot!" She scolded and Starrk sighed in defeat. Low blow.

"Alright, alright, I'm going." He grunted before standing, naked as the day he was born. Ichigo turned the color of his namesake and turned away. There was a sound of a harsh smack on flesh and a small grunt. "Jeez Nelliel, what is it now?"

"You're embarrassing my friend!" She hissed pointing to Ichigo's blushing form. The wavy haired brunette tilted his head and picked up the abandoned towel before wrapping it around his waist. He chuckled and walked out at a leisurely pace. Ichigo finally turned around and walked over to the wooden benches, but before he could take a seat the towel around him was promptly yanked from his waist. With a scream, that he would never admit to being anything but manly, he covered himself and sent a shocked expression to the victorious Nel. She held the white fabric in her hand with a smug smile.

"It's more healthy for one to be nude in the sauna Itsygo! Towels are forbidden from being worn in here! For you at least. Now sit down and get comfy I'm going to get us water, small towels, and I'm going to strip as well." With that said the overly happy woman skipped out the room with Ichigo's towel. He sighed and looked at the benches, seeing there were towels already laying on the most likely scolding hot surface. He sat and waited for the return of his friend. He started to recall the past few days. In the past few days his life has changed in a more dramatic turn then it did a few years ago and a few more years before that. Maybe this was better. Maybe the Espada would help him out more than he thought. Ichigo shook his head stubbornly. No! He didn't need anyone but himself and his future. Besides, if he even did accept the job offer to be a fighter for them that Ulquiorra guy would probably murder him in his sleep. As the orange head shivered at the thought, his bouncy friend strolled in completely nude with two small towels and four bottles of water.

"I'm back Itsygo!" She chimed and sat next to him. He blushed scarlet and looked away from her naked form. She gave him a look of confusion he couldn't see before smiling knowingly. "Itsygo, are you embarrassed that we're naked?" She asked with a mischievous hint in her tone. He sputtered at her and then huffed.

"No! It's just... I-I don't know." He stuttered and cursed his attempt. The smile consumed Nel's face when she got an idea. She suddenly hugged Ichigo close to her. Big breast were firmly pressed against his arm and side and she hugged him. "N-N-Nel! What are you doing!?" He shouted and tried to pull away. She snorted and laughed out loud.

"Oh Itsygo, you should've told me you were gay! Don't worry I won't tell anyone! I have to say I'm glad you're gay, all this male beauty would've gone to waste with some bitch. Ha! Those whores wish! I'm gonna help you find a nice man to settle down with m'kay?" She teased and promised him with a goofy grin. Ichigo hung his red face with a sigh.

"First woman who finds out I'm gay and doesn't still force themselves on me." He looked to his new friend, seeing her pale yellow-gray eyes light up with mirth and friendly affection. He couldn't help the gentle and genuine smile that curls his lips. "Thanks, Nel."

"No problem, Itsygo." She pulled away and handed him a bottle and a cloth as they sat there. After a moment of silence, exception of crinkling bottles and sighs, Ichigo finally spoke up.

"Hey Nel?" He started to get her attention.

"Hm?"

"...Should I join the Espada? I mean, I know you want me to join, but is it right for me?"

"Well Itsygo, it's up to you. I can say you will make a pretty decent amount of money, have a nice place to stay, grade A meals a day, and get to take your frustration out on your opponents face. It's ultimately up to you though. Why are you so hesitant?"

"...I'm a runaway. I ran from my uncle and aunt's home because of my brother and started living on my own. Ever since then it's just been rough and I know this job will make things better. I just don't want to join, have the time of my life, then if I get fired have to adjust to the hard knock life again you know? Also... never mind."

"I understand that, and what were you about to say?" She prodded hoping to extinguish all fears of joining the Espada. He shook his head and used the cloth to wipe off some sweat. He decided against bringing up the Ulquiorra issue. It would just cause more problems to acknowledge his behavior.

"Nothing big. Do you... Do you think this is a good idea?" The berry asked her.

"For your current situation? Yes! I mean look at your form! How old are you again?" She asked while flopping his arm around.

"...I'm twenty-one." He answered and the green haired woman stared at him in shock.

"Twenty one?! You're twenty-one and you're this skinny! How long has it been since you've had a decent meal?!" She shouted out questions. Ichigo looked thoughtful before turning to her once more.

"...Actually the last time I remember sitting down and eating was... the day before yesterday. I had Tesla's amazing food. I don't remember eating since." He shrugged off, but Nel wasn't letting it go that easy. She felt the sudden urge to take care of the boy until he had someone to do it for him.

"Join the Espada. You need it."

"...Okay, Nel. I'll join the Espada."

AN.: : This chapter is beta'd! ...halfway. To the bathroom scene. Yay! :D I hope you all enjoy chapter 5! This one took me a bit because I was thinking of what should happen. Not much happened but Ichigo took the job! Ulqui isn't going to be happy!

Grimmjow: Fuck that Emo bitch, I'm getting my fight!

Ichigo: Ass.

Me: That and Ichigo's getting a boyfriend. ~

Ichigo: ... wait. What?

Me: Nothinggg. ~