A/N: There ain't any lemony goodness in this chapter, but there will be soon, I promise :)

Also, for those of you who have asked about the OC I have created for the purposes of this story, I'm sorry to tell you that she will be in it throughout but I hope this doesn't discourage you from reading on! Again, Sorry!

Well, the plot will thicken soon, but I'm trying to not to rush and trying not to drag it out, so bear with meeee pleeeeease! :D

Just got back from a week away at the caravan with my friends, hence the longer wait, and now I don't think I could possibly touch alcohol again XD

Ichigo sighed, getting up from his desk as the sun sank low in the sky. The paper work Momo had given him was finished and he'd already attended a squad training session to get a grip on their fighting skills. He was going to have to train them personally, for the squads skill was sorely lacking in his opinion. Half of them were like him when he first became a soul reaper. Brash and running in to every fight with absolutely no strategy. He couldn't blame them though, he had been naïve and thought that it would always work until he met the Grand Fisher. But training so many people at once could be rather difficult. He'd find a way somehow though.

He stretched, cracking his stiff back and adjusted his haori. He still couldn't get used to it. He walked out of the office and headed to the squad eight barracks. Momo had instructed him to make his way there for about eightish, so he was taking his time.

When he did get there, he could hear people being shouting and having a good time from outside.

Kyoraku had really pulled out all for the stops, having tables and candles and such arranged in the courtyard, and people were milling around and drinking. Blankets had also been laid out so that people could sit in open spaces among the night flowers were in full bloom and music was playing in the background. Someone was obviously utilizing the appliances Ichigo had introduced from the world of the living.

He made his way over to the table where Renji sat with Rangiku, Shuhei and Izuru.

"Sup guys."

"Heyyy Captain," Rangiku teased, leaning over the table towards him, her boobs dangerously close to falling out.

"Stop trying to seduce him with your assets," Shuhei laughed, earning himself a playful punch from the woman in question.

"Hey, it doesn't work on him. I've tried it before a few years ago when I needed somewhere to stay in the world of the living."

Ichigo thought back to the time, surprised she even remembered it, and blushed at the thought.

"The strawberry is blushing!" Renji laughed, pouring a drink from the pitcher and handing it to him.

"Shut it pineapple."

As Ichigo conversed with his friends, he couldn't help but scan the area, looking for a particular white haired captain. When he caught Rangiku's eye, she smiled knowingly and covertly tilted her head left. Ichigo looked and, sure enough, Toushiro was sitting a few tables over, laughing with Kyoraku, Ukitake and Akane. He smiled thankfully at her and made some excuse about wanting to thank the old captains for the party.

He stood and made his way over, Akane noticing his approach first.

"Hi Ichigo!" She shouted, waving her arm in the air, "Come drink with us!"

Ichigo obliged, greeting the group and thanking Shunsui and Jushiro for the party.

"It was our pleasure Ichigo, it's something to be celebrated."

"And I'm always up for any excuse to crack open the saki. My darling Nanao can be rather strict."

Ichigo laughed at this, pouring himself a drink.

"How was your first day?" Toushiro asked, smiling at him.

Ichigo smiled back. "It was okay, but who knew doing paperwork could be so tiring!"

"I could have told you that." The

"I also watched the squad train. I don't want to be too critical but they need a hell of a lot of practice! I think Momo is the only good fighter out of the lot of them."

"Yes, that tends to happen when a squad is without a captain for a long time."

Akane leaned towards them then/ "I think you and I should fight."

Ichigo met her eyes and frowned at the random proposition. "What for?"

"Because I want to see the legend at work!" She smiled, "Plus, even a captain needs to be on their toes and practice."

Ichigo thought about his fight with Zaraki and how exhilarating it had felt to finally fight someone of caliber again. "I think you might be right," he said after a while.

"Then it's decided," she winked.

Renji and Ichigo stood side by side, arms over each others shoulders, singing along to some song and waving their cups of saki in the air. People watched and laughed and clapped at their performance as the song ended and the pair stumbled away.

It had been several hours since he had arrived and they'd been through a lot of saki and now, all he wanted was to be with Toushiro.

The man in question was sitting at a table, closest to the entrance to the squad building. They caught each others eyes and Toushiro stood, sending a silent message before disappearing through the door. Ichigo grinned and stumbled away from his singing partner, entering after him. The smaller man waited just inside.

"I've missed you all day," Ichigo stated as he reached for him, warping his arms tight around his waist.

"I've missed you too." Toushiro somewhat slurred. He'd definitely took advantage of the amount of alcohol Kyoraku had at his disposal.

He stretched up and placed his lips on Ichigo's softly, lingering for a few seconds before pulling back a little. Ichigo stared into his beautiful orbs before pulling him back into a kiss which, though it started off gentle, became more forceful and burned with passion. He brought one hand up and dug his fingers into the white mane of hair as his tongue brushed against the man's lips, attempting to gain access. When it was granted, the pair's tongues dance together, each trying to fight for dominance but neither winning. Toushiro backed up against the wall as Ichigo pushed him, wrapping his arms around Ichigo's neck and, if possible, pulled him deeper into the kiss. Ichigo's leg found its way in between Toushiro's and was rewarded with the captains groaning into the kiss as it rubbed against his crotch.

They were like this for a long time before it happened. The door opened quietly, but the two were oblivious until they heard a gasp. They tore apart, panting, and looked to the door in horror as Akane stood there wide eyed with her mouth hanging open.

"You…and you?" She asked, her tome full of surprise as her gaze switched form one to the other. "Oh my god."

The pair wasted no time, dragging her off to an empty room. Much like one they should have went to had they no been so careless.

"You cannot tell anyone." Toushiro said quickly as soon as the door was shut.

"Huh?"

"It's a secret," Ichigo said, "We don't want anyone to know."

Comprehension dawned on the girls features. "Why is it a secret?"

"Because…we don't know how people would take it. And we don't know the policy on captains dating other captains."

"Okay…"

"Look," Toushiro spoke again, "Just please don't tell anyone. Only a few people know and we'd like to keep it that way."

She looked slowly between the two, reading the worry that filled both of their gazes before nodding. "Okay, sure. I won't tell anybody."

Toushiro visibly relaxed while Ichigo sighed with relief.

"So who else knows?" She grinned suddenly.

The pair exchanged glances before Ichigo answered. "Our lieutenants and my friend Rukia Kuchiki."

She nodded before sticking her arm out, making a peace sign with her fingers. "I'll help you keep it secret!"

The two sweat dropped, "Err, thanks…"

She giggled and bounded over to the door, "Now, I'll leave you two love birds alone. And don't forget about our fight Ichigo!"

Before they could even respond, she was gone, leaving two blushing captains in her wake.

MisaxMisa: Love birds :)

Toushiro: Shut up.

MisaxMisa: Aww, Shiro-chan is cranky!

Toushiro: *temple throbs* I'll show you damn cranky!

MisaxMisa: AHHH! Put Hyorinmaru away! D: