Yoruichi opened her eyes, her vision blurry as she glanced around. It took a moment for her to register the place they were in. She hadn't been there in quite some time, at least not since before she and Kisuke were there. The small hospital room of soul soicety was easy to distinguish from the hospitals in the real world. This one really took the meaning of cleanliness seriously. Their place was sparkling white. Yoruichi glanced over, seeing Ichigo beside her. Funny thing was he was in the same bed as her. If anyone there knew about their relationship, they would NOT have put them in the same room, and of all things, the same bed. They were asking to walk in on something meant to be private. She felt pressure on her hand, looking down to see Ichigo's hand encasing hers. She looked up to see a smile grace his lips. Ah, little sneak. He was awake the whole time.

"You were a vizard." He whispered, grasping her hand firmly as he looked over at her. He knew soil society would try to listen in on any conversation transpiring there. The smile on Ichigo's face held both worry and excitement for her new transformation. "But how?"

"I don't know.." She said truthfully, eyes gazing into his. "All I know is that I was on my knees, ready to take those bastards out or die trying. All I remember is seeing a purple mist seeping into my opened wounds. And then I didn't feel any pain, and a mask hand materialized over my face. I didn't have time to think about it. I felt your spiritual pressure drop slightly and my first instinct was to find you."

And she had done just that too. In the nick of time, no less. He had to thank her for that, in the best way known for the two of them. Lifting up, he leaned over her, looking down at her as she turned onto her back. Screw the wounds they had. He remembered the way her half hollow form had made his vizard form shiver in desire. He wanted her. He lifted his hand, brushing her purple locks away from her face; tucking a strand behind her ear. The dark skinned goddess smiled up at him, eyes half closed as his other hand, which had previously been holding hers, drifted down her body.

"I'm glad your mine, Yoruichi." He whispered against her lips as he kissed her, slowly capturing her lips. Yoruichi wrapped her arms aroundhis neck, closing her eyes as she relished in the moment. She remembered all those time she had made advances on the poor kid; often hoping he'd just give in to temptation. But that was just it. She had made it seem like she were nothing more than a tease. He hadn't thought she were looking for anything to hold onto too. And in truth, she didn't think that either. It wasn't until he'd left soul society, and she couldn't stop thinking about him before she realized she had fallen for the kid. It took her almost a full month to realize that what she had felt were feelings of love. The cat had never actually given her heart to anyone before; afraid that in the end it would be broken. And yet, here she was, laying her heart in his hands and trusting him to take care of it. Ichigo sure proved her right, though. He'd only gave her heart more protection that anything. He was willing to do anything for her. Adn the goddess knew it. If she were any other person, she could play with him like putty and then leave him for trash. But no, she felt the need to say with him, be with him. She wanted to be his, and his only. She wanted him to be hers; forever. So she could say that he was her Ichigo, her man, her love.

"You have no idea how glad I am to be yours."

She smiled, hand caressing his cheek. This had to be one of the sweeter moments between the two. And moments like these were precious now. Neither lived a normal life; constant dangers threatened them. They knew they had a tough trial to go through, but they decided long ago when they had first made love that they would stick it out, and see where their new relationship lead. Whether it were to go down in flames, or soar high above clouds. Marriage and children were still far ahead. They weren't that serious, at least, not yet. Goddess knew Yoruichi would love to be his wife. Yet, could she make such a commitment? She loved him with all her heart, there was no question about that. But she was a free spirit; would he be able to keep her tied down? Ichigo had long since threw out the idea of marriage, figuring they would be married in their own way. Marriage was simply a promise on paper, and nothing more. At least, thats what he had told himself. Ichigo pressed his lips to hers once more, fully ontop of her now as she spread her legs in order to allow him a much better position. It was then they noticed they were almost fully naked. Bandages separated their bare skin from mingling. Yoruichi gave Ichigo her perverted smirk, eyes sparkling as she rubbed a bare leg along his. She bit her lower lip, desire replacing any other expression but happiness. Ichigo leant down again, smirking.

"Ho, ho! My son!" Isshin's loud mouth followed by the door busting open interupted the two. Both sighed as Ichigo plopped down beside her, grunting. "Oh, now, were you two thinking of getting all hot and heavy?!" Isshin wiggled his eye brows at them, preparing to make a pass at Yoruichi.

"Shut up dad. Cut us some slack. We just finished fighting one hell of a fight, we're tired." Poor boy. His dad brought a whole new meaning to the phrase, 'my parents are embarassing.'

"Not too tired though." Death glare, as expected. Isshin held his hands up in front of him, looking away as he grinned. Who to come in next was none other than hat'n clogs himself.

"Congratulations you two, you've held off one of soul societys' toughest foes, although, I'd like to know how you two mananged to survive with those wounds." Well, he certainly wasted no time in getting to the point. They wanted to rest, not go straight into discussion about what happened while they were in hollow word. Ichigo sat up, glancing to Yoruichi. She nodded, sitting up beside him, their hands intertwining. They both inhaled, exhaling at the saem time as he squeezed her hand.

"I'm a vizard." She said, looking up to see surprised looks on both Isshin and Kisukes' faces. The air was thick, it could've been cut with a knife. Yoruichi laughed, looking down. Kukaku, who had been standing outside of the room, chuckled, walking into the room. She too had been bandaged up. Ichigo smiled to her. He was happy she was ok.

"Well now that takes the cake right there." The fireworks expert commented, plopping down on the bed beside Yoruichi, hugging her friend gently. Yoruichi sighed, smiling as she embraced her friend back. "Yoruichi's a vizard. Now that is unexpecting."

"Yeah, but how did that happen?" Urahara asked. Ichigo could sense something was wrong. "Yoruichi, how did you become a vizard?"

"I was about to die, when a purple mist started melding into my wounds." Yoruichi said, breaking away from Kukaku. "And then the mask appeared, and now I can feel its power inside me."

"How is that possible?" Kukaku asked, looking from Yoruichi to Urahara. Kisuke was silent of moment. He had figured it would be possbile. The mist from Ichigo's form, seeking out all of his dna. And since Yoruichi and Ichigo had been having unprotected sex, it was only logical that she would contain some of his dna.

"So, Ichigo's hollow mist sought out the rest of his dna, which was found within you." Nodding his head and stroking his beard, Urahara sighed. "Well, I did have nothing but good news." Ichigo narrowed his eyes.

"What do you mean did?"

"Achikawa has caught a virus." Isshin began, looking out of the window. "A disease that tears your soul apart. He'll die soon, but not before he tries taking you out again."

"So, wheres the bad news?" Ichigo asked, feeling Yoruichi's had squeeze his own. He squeezed hers back, giving her a smile.

"The bad news..." Isshin turned to Urahara, letting his friend break the news since it involved his ex lover.

"The disease attacks impure vizards." Ichigo felt his heart sink. He turned his head to Yoruichi. She looked down, afraid to look up. For once, she felt afraid to die. She held back her tears as she looked up at Ichigo. She gave a half-hearted smile.

"Well, that sucks." She chuckled out, tears filling her eyes. Urahara, nodded to Isshin who stepped outside.

"You guys aren't permitted to leave yet, so take it easy." Kukaku said, patting Ichigo on the leg, then leaving the room. Urahara stood for a moment, looking at Yoruichi. He would give anything to hold her, but, she was no longer his. Tipping his hat, he left the two alone. Silence fell upon them. Neither speaking as they looked at everything and anything other than eachother. Ichigo's heart burned in the pit of his stomach. What if she caught the disease when she had fought him. He silently cursed having her go with him; mentally beating himself up as he clutched her hand tighter. He turned to her, wrapping his arms tightly around her.

"I won't let it happen, Yoruichi." He promised, squeezing her tightly as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She nodded against him, feeling herself being lifted onto his lap. She straddled his waist, head buried into the crook of his neck. "I won't you die! I love you too much." He felt tears sting his own eyes as he pulled back to kiss her. To hell with what Urahara had said. Nothing would happen to her. He wouldn't let it! He'd die before anythig happened to her. He would protect her, he could, couldn't he? As he held her, Ichigo glanced out of the window, noticing the darkening clouds. Even if he couldn't, he would damn sure try.

A/N: Chapter 19, otherwise would have been chapter 20 if my dumb ass wouldn't have mad chapter 18 so dull and boring. See, chapter 18 was supposed to be a long battle, and then end with Yoruichi's transformation. But nooo, as always, me, busy fingers, had to type away in a hurry and sum it all up in few paragraphs! Grr, me! (Bangs my head against a wall) Ok, now that I've knocked some sense into myself, I'm good to go. (Does that 'good to go' taco hell, yes, hell, thing.) And no, I do not have pyscho tendancies. I'm just..to simply put it, being me, heh. R&R Pwease :3