A/N: Sorry for the long wait guys! I've been very busy lately but I've already got started on the next chapter so it won't take half as long for it to come out. Oh, and I passed my driving theory test recently! So all I have to do is the practical and I'll be a fully qualified driver. It's a shame I won't have a car isn't it...
Also, I've updated Instant Messenger too, so check that out! :D
Ichigo walked through the streets of the Seireitei, nodding in greeting to the Soul Reapers that passed as he stretched his legs for a while before his morning paperwork. Nothing had been said about his and Toushiro's relationship yet, but Toushiro had only been released from the fourth division the day before so nobody had really had a chance to see them together.
Ichigo had helped with the repairs somewhat during the clean-up of the devastation Akane had caused, but had also been swamped with paperwork related to the incident and had therefore been trapped in his office more often than not.
The shinigami worked fast though, he often thought, as in the week since the incident, most of the destruction had been cleared up. Of course, Sokyoku Hill would always have a slice missing from it, but below it the majority of the damage was rectified.
As he rounded a corner, he came face to face with Renji and Shuhei, who were walking his way. Ichigo had yet to speak to Renji, with them both of them being Captain's and both of them being as busy as each other.
Ichigo smiled at the pair. "Hey guys."
"Captain Kurosaki." Shuhei smiled back.
"Ichigo." Renji nodded, smiling slightly. He gave Ichigo a long look, as if he was weighing up his option, before he turned to his lieutenant. "Hey Shuhei, can we have a minute."
"Yeah, no problem. Catch you's later."
The two stood there, the silence between them being a relatively awkward one. Ichigo just looked a Renji, waiting for him to speak while the redhead just gazed around, trying to look nonchalant.
"So...you and Captain Hitsugaya, huh?" Ichigo couldn't help but grin himself when Renji's face split into a shit-eating one of his own.
"Yeah, we're together." It felt strange, confirming it to someone other than the women who already knew. A light blush had covered his cheeks but he was expecting this kind of thing now.
"Well, good for you! I didn't know you were gay but, hey! Who cares?" Renji clapped him on the back, showing his approval in the only way he felt comfortable. Making jokes.
"Thanks." Ichigo said, knowing that his words would never convey how thankful he actually was. "I'm sorry, by the way."
Renji's grin morphed into a look of confusion. "For what?"
"For, you know, nearly killing you and all that."
Renji laughed, "It wasn't you! And besides, I clearly could have survived that alone. It's only because I hadn't eaten much that day, my blood-sugar level was low..."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever excuse you can come up with. I don't think a day can go by where you don't eat your body weight in food."
Renji continued to laugh. "It's only an excuse if it's not true. Anyway, I have some captain-y shit to do. I'll catch ya later."
Ichigo waved goodbye, laughing at His friends eloquence as he walked away. He really was seriously lucky to have such amazing and forgiving friends. Zaraki had been trying to convince him to let Akane take him over again so they could fight, crazy bastard, and Ikkaku and Yumichika held no grudges.
Ichigo made his way to his own division to make a start on his paperwork with Momo. The pair had been working on it for about an hour, trying to clear the massive amount of work they had as quickly as possible, before a hell butterfly fluttered in through the open window. It was Momo who noticed it, what with Ichigo concentrating so hard that his head was practically only a centimeter from the paper in front of him.
"Ichigo," she said, making him look up. "There's a hell butterfly."
As if timing it perfectly, the black insect landed on the tip of Ichigo's nose as she spoke. He tried to look at it, going cross-eyed, as it conveyed it's message. He visibly paled, contrasting greatly to the hell butterflies ebony wings as it fluttered away.
"What's wrong?"
Ichigo gulp loudly. "There is a captain and lieutenants meeting in half an hour."
Momo gave him a sympathetic look, sensing his reason for fear. "You never know, it could just be about the clean up or something?"
"Yeah." Ichigo nodded but, deep down, he knew his and Toushiro's relationship was going to come up, regardless of what it was about.
Momo and Ichigo left the barracks with the strawberry knowing full well that he couldn't avoid this. They had walked only a little way when a cry from behind caught their attention.
"Momo! Ichigo!"
The pair turned around to find Rangiku waving her arm in the air, her being the one that shouted, along with Renji, Shuhei and Toushiro.
They stopped, waiting for the group to catch up. Ichigo fell into step between Renji and Toushiro and was surprised when he felt Toushiro's hand snake into his own.
He looked at the smaller man and saw fear dancing in his eyes.
"What do you think this is about?" Toushiro whispered.
Ichigo merely shook his head, "I really don't know."
The walk to the captains meeting was a long one. Ichigo tried not to think about it, joining in with the others chat, but Toushiro was being reserved. It felt like they were walking towards judgement day.
They entered the first division barracks and headed to the meeting room. Outside, Toushoro hung back, holding Ichigo back with him. As everyone walked ahead, Toushiro reached up and kissed a confused looking Ichigo.
"I love you." He said, making the strawberry smile.
"I love you too. No matter what happens."
They walked in, freeing their hands from each other and taking their positions in the lines, Ichigo standing next to Komamura, joined by Momo, and eyeing the empty space beside him. He scowled at the place where Akane would have been standing, had she not been a crazy bitch.
"Good morning Officers." The Head Captain boomed from his seat at the head of the group.
The Captains and Leiutenants repeated the greeting. "What are your progress reports on the clean-up process?"
Each captain reeled off their squad duties and how they were going well, the majority of them being finished with the repairs they had been allocated.
Yamamoto then turned to Soi Fon. "And what is the status of the prisoner?"
"The prisoner is being held in a secure cell and is under high presence supervision at all times. She has been bound by Kido and her cell is also the same, to make sure her mind cannot move outside of it's walls." Soi Fon spoke, hard and cold, her gaze not swaying from the Head Captains.
"Very good." He spoke, before addressing the entire group. "Akane Katenashi's trial at the Central 46 will be held a week from today. As always, the trial is not open for anyone, but I will have the verdict delivered by Hell Butterfly once I have received it myself."
The congregation nodded. Ichigo met Toushiro's eye and tried to give him a reassuring smile. Toushiro was wearing a poker face but his eyes still betrayed his worry and fear. Toushiro sent a small smile back, but looked away almost instantly, not wanting Ichigo to see his distress.
"Captain's Ichigo Kurosaki and Toushiro Hitsugaya." The pair flinched, their heads snapping up to their leader. "Please, step forward."
They did as they were told, feeling exposed without the safety of the captains lines to obscure them.
"In the one thousand years that I have been Head Captain, not once has a relationship between two top ranking officers ever became public. As the Captain Commander, I have to wonder about the suitability of such a relationship and whether or not it is professional to allow it to continue."
Toushiro and Ichigo's faces fell, the worst was really happening. They flinched when a voice rang out again, only, this time it wasn't Yamamoto's.
"Head Captain, if I may?"
"Proceed, Lieutenant Matsumoto."
She stepped out of the line, taking her place by her Captain's side. "This relationship has went on for a number of months and not once has it effected the way that both Captain Hitsugaya and Captain Kurosaki do their jobs."
Momo stepped forward now, resignation written on her face. "If anything, in a battle situation, it may be their love for each other that gives them strength. This was shown through Ichigo's victory over Akane Katensahi's mind control."
The Head Captain went to speak, but was cut short when Renji, Kyoraku and Ukitake stepped forward.
"A relationship doesn't have to ruin professionalism." Renji spoke, giving his two cents worth.
"If you have a problem with the relationship Yama-jii then it isn't right to hide behind questions of suitability." Came Kyoraku's lazy drawl, a smirk clearly hidden under his straw hat that suggested he was playing with his old sensei.
"You shouldn't joke like that Shunsui. Regardless, sensei, this relationship will do no harm to the Thirteen Court Guard Squads." Ukitake said, chiding his friend on his blunt words.
The annoyance in Yamamoto's voice was clear. "Captain Kyoraku, despite what you are suggesting, I have no personal qualms with this relationship. But, as Head Captain, I must make sure that it does not affect the work ethic and professionalism of my charges."
While this argument was going on, Toushiro and Ichigo merely stood there, awe struck. They didn't know what to say and so chose to stay quiet, watching the captains and lieutenants verbally sparring with their leader.
They were brought out of their stunned silence when they were directly addressed. "Ichigo Kurosaki and Toushiro Hitsugaya. Will this relationship affect your work?"
The two shook their heads at the old man. "Will it get in the way of completing your duties?"
Again they shook their head. "And in a dangerous situation, if harm should befall one of you, will the other still do what is necessary? Or will you betray your ranking and waver from you job?"
There was a short pause. That was a lot to ask, especially from Ichigo, who cherished those close to him like nothing else. Ichigo took his life in his hands and opened his mouth. "I can give no guarantees. I will not waver from my duties if I can help it but I will also try and help Toushiro any way I can, just like I would anybody else. I'm sure my attitude on these matters have been obvious since the day I invaded the Soul Society to help Rukia." His words were so formal that his little speech almost sounded rehearsed. "I...I love Toushiro," He finished, "And nothing will ever change that."
With renewed bravery, he reached for the smaller mans hand and took it, making the white haired captain freeze under the old mans scrutinising gaze.
Silence filled the hall as everybody watched the the Head Captain, waiting for his verdict. Yamamoto stood up and the group held their breaths. "I can accept that."
Ichigo felt Toushiro's grip tighten and he looked at the smaller man, seeing relief and happiness flooding his features.
"You are all dismissed."
Everybody left the room, congratulating the pair as they passed. Toushiro couldn't help but laugh, actually accepting hugs off Momo and Rangiku.
They walked back in the same group as they had came with, the air around them much more jovial than before.
"You know," Ichigo spoke. "You'd think we had gotten married or something, the way everyone was congratulating us."
"We're all just happy for you." Shuhei smiled, clapping Ichigo on the back.
Ichigo looked at Renji, who grinned back at him in a way that spelled trouble. Or deep embarrassment. "Ya know, I've been wondering since I found out, and I just have to ask... Who's the girl?"
Everybody laughed except for Toushiro, who looked shocked at being asked such a question.
"I - You can't just - That is - !" Toushiro sputtered, only succeeding in making people laugh even more.
"Well, I guess that answers my question, doesn't it?"
"Awwww, leave my Uke Captain alone!" Rangiku chuckled, smacking Renji playfully and making him grin even more.
Toushiro flushed a deep shade of red and Ichigo put his arm around him. "Don't worry, they're only joking around."
"It's still embarrassing." Toushiro mumbled sheepishly, leaning into Ichigo's side.
The group made their way back to their respective barracks, Ichigo and Momo being the first to leave. Ichigo had kissed Toushito softly before leaving, to many catcalls from the others, and almost felt bad for leaving Toushiro with the rest of them.
He settled back at his desk, intending to finish the work that had been interrupted by the Captain's meeting, finding his motivation to do it was ruined by his happiness.
He and Momo had regrettably set to work in silence, but after ten minutes, she spoke. "That went well."
Ichigo made a sound of agreement, only glancing up to flash her a grin.
"The jeering will stop eventually. Well, the thick of it anyway."
"It won't bother me too much." Ichigo replied, "It's Toushiro who'll suffer the most."
Momo nodded, "But he'll get used to it."
Ichigo nodded as well, turning his attention to his work. He was just glad it was over. There was no doubt that Akane would be punished severely, so he didn't have to worry about her for a long time and even then, they would probably destroy her zanpakuto completely.
He couldn't help but feel a slight amount of disappointment though. He'd found the feeling of being back in battle, protecting people in a difficult situation, fulfilling. Like it was filling a hole that could only be filled by the clash of swords and desperate measures.
But he could ignore that, because now he had Toushiro.
And nobody was ever going to take that away from him.
MisaxMisa: You tell that old man Ichi!
Ichigo: Don't call me Ichi.
Renji: Yeah! His real name is Tramp.
MisaxMisa: ...?
Ichigo: Excuse me?
Renji: You know, coz Toushiro is Lady... and you're Tramp. Lady and the Tramp.
Ichigo: LMFAO
Toushiro: I hate you so much right now.