A/N: I've only just paid attention to how many chapters are in this story and I realised that I never expected it to go past 15. But now that it's on 17 I'm half tempted to try and push to exactly 20 chapters, but I'd have to think of saomething to fill an extra chapter... I'm sure I could do it... couldn't I? Either way, if any of you have something you would particularly like to see happen, just tell me in a review and I'll see if if I can whack it in, okay? :D
Toushiro sighed, staring out of the 4th division window at the birds flying above. The sky was clear again, the smoke he'd last seen long gone and everything seemed quiet and at peace. But Toushiro couldn't help but wonder if that was really the case. What was going on outside of these barracks? Unohana had told him that everyone had made a full recovery, but what was happening to Ichigo? Unohana had only been able to tell him so much.
He'd been awake for an hour or two and had been checked over again by Unohana. His wounds were healing nicely, but the elder woman wanted to keep him in because of the severity of them, just to make sure.
Momo and Matsumoto had been by and had even been kind enough to bring him a book to read. Though he found that he hadn't the concentration for it at the moment. He'd asked for his paperwork but Matsumoto had just shook her head and told him she'd 'have it all taken care of'. Something of which he pleasantly suprised at but, thinking of it later, she probably has some other unsuspecting captain doing it. Or maybe Hisagi, that would be a high probability.
As happy as he was for them visiting, the one person he'd wanted to see hadn't came, not even while he was asleep. The last time he has seen Ichigo, he wouldn't look at him and that thought hurt. He knew what Ichigo would be going through and all he wanted to do was tell him it was okay, that he was okay. He'd been the same after he'd hurt Momo. He wanted to hold him and kiss him and for everything to go back to how it was just one week ago. He hated that bitch for ruining everything.
He sighed again, watching as the sky began to turn orange with the setting sun. Orange like his strawberry. He cringed slightly at the thought but smiled all the same. He closed his eyes and lay back against his pillows. He'd slept plenty already but his healing body craved more. He fell back into a light slumber, wanting, waiting and wishing.
Ichigo looked up at the 4th division hospital area, the building framed by the the orange sky. He had be determined in his destination, but looking up at the building now, he felt a moments hesitation. Would Toushiro really want to see him?
He had been standing there for a while, deliberating on whether or not to enter. It would be easier to go visit Renji, to apologise to him. Losing a friend was probably easier than loosing a lover. But he wanted to see Toushiro, even if it was hatred and disgust that shone in his eyes in replacement of love, just so he could see for himself that he was okay. He had massive amounts of faith in Unohana's ability, he just needed to see what he already knew. But he wasn't sure if he was ready to see the change that his mistake may have caused. He inwardly laughed at himself, at his sudden cowardice. If he'd been this uncertain in his battles, he could have cost lives.
'Why are ya so scared King?' His hollows voice echo'd. 'I thought love was supposed to be a strong feelin'.'
'You're putting to much stock in soap operas and romance films.'
'But ya saved him. Ya saved everyone again by beating her. If people don' appreciate that then they're not worth it. I don' think they're worth it ta start with but -'
'That's enough horse. What's with all the philosophical shit anyway?'
'I thought I'd try my hand at been clever, what d'ya think?'
'I think it's not working.'
'Fuckin' asswipe.' The hollow growled, 'Fine, stop being such a pussy and get your ass in there.'
Ichigo was pulled out of his now slightly heated discussion when he suddenly felt a presence next to him. He turned to see Rangiku looking at him with understanding eyes.
"Are you going in?" She asked, motioning towards the building.
"I don't know. I don't know if he'd want me too..."
"He does. One of the first things he asked was if you'd been by."
Ichigo nodded, maybe there was hope after all. He turned to her, his eyes burning with emotion. If anybody would know, she'd be one of them. "Do you think he'll forgive me?"
She took a second to answer, looking up at the hospital and then back at Ichigo's almost pleading face. "I think he already has."
Ichigo needed no more prompting. He took off at a run, making his way into the building and towards the room Unohana had told him earlier that day.
'I get it! So I tell ya to go in but no, ya don't listen to me. But then SHE tells ya to go in and ya do! Double fucking standards!' Shirosaki cried indignantly. Ichigo ignored the hollows comment and just concentrated on finding the right room. When he reached the door, he took a deep breathe and entered, not allowing anymore time for hesitation. Toushiro lay there, his eyes closed and resting comfortably against the pillows. Tears sprung to his eyes as he stood and looked at the man he loved, lying in a hospital bed. And it was his fault. Toushiro hadn't stirred when Ichigo had entered so the orange haired man approached the bed, taking a seat and the smaller captains hand at the same time. Toushiro finally stirred, his eyes cracking open and blinking at him sleepily before a smile spread over his face.
Toushiro had been half in a slumber. He'd heard the door open but he hadn't registered it, as well as the footsteps coming towards him. It was only when the person had taken his hand that he reacted, opening his eyes. His vision was blurry at first, but a splash of orange could clearly be seen. He blinked a couple of times and smiled as Ichigo's face came into focus. His heart almost burst from his chest as he fought back the tears of joy he felt. He squeezed Ichigo's hand. "You finally came."
Ichigo couldn't hold it in anymore. At Toushiro's words and expression, the tears that had been building in his eyes spilled over more than he could ever remember. He'd never cried like this since his mother had died. Sobs wracked his body as he held Toushiro's hand in a death grip.
"I'm so fucking sorry," he choked out. "I didn't- I couldn't- if I'd realised what was happening..."
Ichigo couldn't finish his sentences. He'd been devastated by what he had done but he'd never come undone like this in years. He just couldn't face the fact that he'd hurt someone so close to him again.
Toushiro watched on, unable to react to the amount of sheer emotion his lover was giving off, the only thing he could do was let his own tears win, feeling them roll down his face.
Ichigo soldiered on, "I never wanted to hurt you Toushiro. I never wanted to hurt anyone. But I did. And I'll never be able to forgive myself. How can I expect you or anyone to truly forgive me?" With that last sentence, he could no longer speak. He buried his face in his arms, bringing his other hand to clutch Toushiro's even tighter. He sobbed into his arms as Toushiro searched for the right words.
The white haired capatin shuffled closer to the crying man, pulling his hand free and grabbing his face, forcing him to look him in the eyes. "Why should I forgive you for something that wasn't your fault? I forgive you for not realising what was happening earlier. And I never want to lose you. You're the best thing that ever happened to me and I'll be danmed if I ever let anyone ruin that." He placed his lips on the others softly, letting his own wayward tears mix in with Ichigo's. "Please don't cry. Just sit with me and be happy that it's over."
All Ichigo could do was nod, reaching up and entwining his hands in that white head of hair, pressing their foreheads together.
Ichigo moved up onto the bed, pulling Toushiro close as he could, choking on his tears as he tried to stop. "I'm so fucking sorry." He repeated, burying his face into the white mane of hair.
"Stop apologising," Toushiro laughed, happily wrapping his own arms around his lover.
He felt and heard Ichigo chuckle before sniffing loudly. "I'm sorry but I'll never stop." Ichigo said, his voice muffled.
Toushiro shifted so that he could look the strawberry in the face. "I love you. I always will. Please don't forget that." He kissed him softly, his lips lingering long enough to feel Ichigo smile.
"I know. I don't know why, but I know you do. And I will never stop loving you back."
Toushiro kissed him again, this one deeper. Ichigo's lips parted and their tongues started a passionate dance for dominance.
What could have been seconds, or even minutes later - neither knew, somebody cleared their throat and caused them to draw apart, heads whipping in the direction of the door.
Unohana smiled at their shocked expressions, red with both embarrassment and lust. "I'm just here to check on Captain Hitsugaya."
She busied herself with checking the mans wounds while Ichigo removed himself from the bed and sat back in the chair with a sheepish look on his face. He noticed that Toushiro was trying not to look Unohana in the face out of awkwardness.
"Everything looks in order," she said when she was finished, "And Captain Kurosaki, I'm glad everything worked out okay at the Department of Research and Development...and that you were able to come here. Happiness helps the healing process."
Ichigo nodded to the woman in thanks before she left the room.
The pair remained silent for a couple of seconds before Toushiro spoke. "So...the secrets out. Unohana didn't seem to bothered about it."
Ichigo nodded again.
"So what happens now?" Toushiro asked, hoping Ichigo would have an answer.
Ichigo sighed and rubbing his hands over his face, "I don't know to be honest. I guess we'll just have to see..."
It was Touhiro's turn to nod. He patted the bed next to him with a small smile on his face and Ichigo obliged, climbing back up beside his lover and wrapping his arms around him, so that Toushiro was resting against his chest.
They stared out of the window at the - now purple - sky. Both were thinking about what may happen once the topic of their relationship became the biggest news. The best that could happen was obviously people being accepting and such, but the worst... What was the worst they could do? Jailling them was highly unlikely. Forbadding them to carry on their relationship would mean they could still sneak around. The worst either of them could come up with is if one of them was exiled and sent to the World of the Living. It would most likely be Ichgio, being still technically alive and all, and Toushiro probably wouldn't be aloud to go down frequently and when he did, he would be watched. Taht would be the worst.
Toushiro sighed heavily and snuggled further into Ichigo, closing every gap between them and making Ichigo wrap his arms tighter. ichigo kissed the white mane of hair softly before he lay his head back against the pillows. As the room got darker, the two half-sat/half-lay there, happy in silence with just the company of the other until all that lit them room was moonlight and until both had fallen asleep.
MisaxMisa: D'awwwww, look at the happy couple. :3
Shirosaki: Nope, I'm not gonna talk to King until he apologizes for not listening to me.
Ichigo: Technically I did, I wasn't just gonna ignore Rangiku when she was standing there.
Shirosaki: You should have -.-
Ichigo: Well unfortunately, Horse, not all of us are dicks like you.
MisaxMisa: Now now children. You're negating from the positivity of the ending. Stop it before I fuck you both up.
Ichigo: ... o_O
Shirosaki: sorry... D: