Ichigo had never flash stepped so fast in his life. With Yoruichi in his arms, he made his way over to the nearest hospital. Despite his injuries and blood loss, he kept his mind focused on the goddess in his arms. She couldn't die! Not now, not ever. He was too much in love with her to go on without her. As he set her down on the hospital bed, Ichigo stepped back and let soul societys finest medical staff take care of her. All he could do was stand near the window and watch as they hooked his love up to several machines; pumping her lungs with oxygen, while draining bad blood.

He didn't know she had contracted the disease. How could anyone have known? She never showed any signs of it, none that he could tell. She was always so strong around him. Despite her inner turmoil, the cat failed to let it show. Ichigo had often wished she would allow him into her completely. He may have been a fighter; a badass. Bu that doesn't mean he can't lend a shoulder, or an ear. A kid he may have been, he still had advice to give. Now, the only woman he could ever love was laying on her death bed. He knew she was fighting. After all, Yoruichi never was a sore loser. In many ways, she was like him. She was independant, strong willed, and passionate. There was no doubt she was fighting tooth and nail to get through this. Her body may not have been able to defeat the virus, but it sure as hell could hold it off. If only he could've killed Achikawa before he made his getaway...

"DAMNIT!" Ichigo shouted, landing on one knee as he came barreling down into the earth. If only he had been falling faster, he would've killed Achikawa before he escaped into the black hole. Sighing, Ichigo balled his fist, relinquishing his hold on his power as his hollow form faded. Ripping off his mask, he ran towards Yoruichi, kneeling beside her as he lifted her into his arms. "Yoruichi!" He shook her gently, setting his head against her chest. She was barely breathing, barely alive. How could this have happened!? Everything was fine the night before when he had made love to her. Why? Why did this have to happen when things finally seemed to go right? "No...I won't let you die, Yoruichi. I love you!" Tears threatened to fall from his eyes as he picked her up, ignoring the other captains and lieutenants.

Ichigo's attention was suddenly caught as Yoruichi's heart beat increased rapidly, a shrill cry erupting from her as she arched her back and coughed up more blood. The medical team backed up, watching as she struggled.

"Don't just stand there! Help her!" He shouted frantically as he ran over and grabbed her hand. Yoruichi's hand clasped around his, her eyes fluttering open despite her bodys struggle. Ichigo smiled softly, leaning down as he caressed her cheek with his other hand. "Yoruichi.."

"Ichigo.." She whispered, clutching his hand more. Leaning his forehead on hers, Ichigo shut his eyes, whispering softly to her, cooing her to calm down. The medical team watched in amazement as her body stopped its jerking, her heart rate returning to normal, breathing steady as she sleeped. Pulling back, Ichigo brushed his lips across hers.

"I'm right here, and I'm not going anywhere." He stated, giving the team a death glare. One by one, the staff left, letting the two alone. Ichigo spent most of his time watching her sleep. She looked so peaceful, laying there. Her long hair was set free of its pony tail during the fight, her clothes slightly torn. Although she was covered in blood, her beauty still remained. Her skin was still smooth, but her complexion was pale and sickening. Her eyes were as beautiful as ever, even when closed. He couldn't help but smile faintly at the goddess. Brushing her hair away from her face, Ichigo sat beside her, thumb tracing up and down the back of her hand. He gazed at the woman who had claimed his heart, the woman he knew he could never be without. If it were up to him, he would say the two of them had spent all their time together as a couple. In some, intimate, friendly way, the two had indeed been a couple. It went without saying; the two were always seen together. Whether it were training, or not. Even after Rukia's rescue, they'd spent a few precious, treasured hours together. Mainly walking and talking, dicussing their lives from that point on. And of course, she had to mention getting in his pants, or rather, getting him to get in hers.

It was no riddle to see whom would win the orange haired reapers heart. Yoruichi was understanding among all things. If he needed the space, she'd gladly give it to him. Where as Rukia was emotional. She was nothing short of the teenage term emo. Always seeming depressed and emotionally distrought. She was a burden indeed. Yoruichi, however, was a goddess in every way of the word. She was both beautiful and sexy. Both smart and intelligent. Both kind and caring. Both sweet and cliche-ly innocent. The girl was a temptress, a seductive woman who had the curves to get any guy to fall for her. Though, it took a while for her to obtain Ichigo. At first, she had thought it would be a sinch, taking candy from a baby. Funny how she was wrong. He had turned out to be the most arrogant and innocent teenaged boy she had ever known. While guys would be practically begging to be in his shoes, the poor boy hadn't really fully acknowledged her for what she really was. That is, until he had gotten to know her. Those few times they spent alone together doing something other than training. To both of them, those times would be treasured within their hearts for a long, long time.

Slowly, her eyes opened, causing Ichigo to smile and come close to her once more. Yoruichi smiled faintly, her eyes half open as she stared at him tiredly.

"Hey there.." She whispered hoarsely, pain evident in her face. Ichigo clutched her hand, leaning in to kiss her softly on the lips. The cat wasted no time in painfully but pleasurably returning the kiss.

"How do you feel?" He asked, sitting beside her on the bed. Yoruichi positioned herself to look up at him, her eyes never lost that spark; the spark which Ichigo almost breathed for. The spark that let everyone know she was alive. He lifted his hand as she struggled to speak. He gently stroked her cheek, watching as her eyes closed momentarily.

"Alot better..now that I can feel your touch." Her voice was nothing but a whisper, in which Ichigo had to almost strain his ears to listen. "I'm sorry.."

"Sorry? Sorry for what?" Raising his eye brow, Ichigo stared at her in confusion. Why had she said she was sorry? She hadn't done anything wrong? Did she think it was her fault she contracted the disease? And more importantly, why hadn't he gotten it when he made love to her, and kissed her. Not to mention her blood had mingled with his several times. "Yoruichi, its not your fault your sick. None of us seen it coming."

"No.. I promised you I'd always be with you.." Arching her back slightly, the heart monitor jumped as pain spiraled through her and more blood spurted from her mouth. Ichigo quickly grabbed a towel and whiped it away, eyes never failing to show his concern.

"You will be. I'm not going anywhere, and your gonna be fine." He whispered as he laid down beside her. Yoruichi held back her tears as she scooted over for him, resting her head on his chest.

"Ichigo.. I can feel it tearing me apart." The words surprised him. She had always been the one to brush off worry and concern. Things were definitely bad if she herself admitted to her undenying pain. "I'm doing my damndest to hold on."

"Yoruichi, I won't let you die. Your not going anywhere, your staying right here, with me." Feeling the need to reassure her, Ichigo lifted up, looking down at her as he stared into her eyes. "I'll save you."

Nodding, Yoruichi sighed as he hugged her, her tears falling. She didn't want to leave him; she didn't want to be without him. He was everything to her, like she was everything to him. The two just weren't complete without each other. Nevertheless, Ichigo was going to save her, no matter what. Closing the door slowly, Ichigo took one last look at his peacefully sleeping goddess. She hadn't much time left, he needed to find Achikawa and kill him. Stepping out of the small hospital, he spotted both Kukaku and Byakuya walking towards him. Just what did they want? And where had they been? Especially Kukaku, she wasn't at the fight, wasn't anywhere to be found.

"Ichigo!" Kukaku called as she approached, her signature grin spread across her face. "We've got a surprise for ya." Wit the two power houses before him, Ichigo had no other choice than to shut up, follow, and listen to them.

A/N: Its Christmas Eve, I have a very very very loud roomful in the other who won't quiet the F down. Bunch of fags. Anywho, I gotta gig pretty soon, so yeah, thought I'd write this chapter while I had a few spare minutes. Its not that good a chapter, but I'm pretty stressed out with the holiday season. But I love to write and it helps calm me down, even if my writing turns out shitty, I apologize for that. As always, I vow to hopefully make the next chapter better. And its aweful funny how Sheer Heart Attack has almost as many reviews as this one has and it hasn't even reached its eleventh chapter lol Thanks a bunch for reviewing everyone! Especially you, Maurice! Yer a saint! Merry Rockin Xmas! R&R Pwease :3