I know I know, I'm a terrible author for not updating sooner. Blame my school and all the blasted homework they give us, not me. Just so you all know, this was a hard chapter to do. I've read many scenario's of what Ikkaku's reaction would be, but none of them, in my opinion, fit his character. Hopefully interpretation will fit better, but who knows? It's all a matter of opinion. Anyways . . . let us go onward to the story!

Disclaimer: Do I really have to do this again? I think everybody knows by now that I don't own Bleach . . . yet.

Suddenly, everything fell into place. Why Yumichika had been acting so strangely and why he hadn't left Ikkaku's bedside while Ikkaku was in a coma. Ikkaku seemed to freeze, eyes on the fifth seat. He blinked a few times and wondered momentarily if he'd heard correctly, but the sincerity in the man's eyes erased any doubt Ikkaku might have. Slowly he released his grip from Yumichika's robes and let his hand fall by his side. He had been prepared for absolutely anything, except that. He made an attempt to say something, anything, but found his voice had abandon him. He stared blankly at his friend, unable to determine what to say. The air around them was tainted heavily with the awkward silence. It was Ikkaku's turn to direct his eyes away from his friend, while Yumichika searched his face desperately for a clue to what Ikkaku was thinking. While Ikkaku remained stunned Yumichika began to panic. What now? Things could never go back to the way they had been before and they were both aware of that.

"Ikkaku?" Yumichika's voice broke into the silence sounding small. This reaction wasn't what he had expected, yet he didn't know what he had expected. Ikkaku looked up at Yumichika and as their eyes met, mixed emotions portrayed in Ikkaku's eyes. Yumichika felt a flutter of hope when he realized there was a chance he may not be rejected.

"For how long?" Ikkaku didn't recognize his own voice. This shocked Yumichika, it hadn't been the response he'd prepared for. Yumichika looked at Ikkaku for a moment then opened his mouth to speak and found, he didn't have an answer. Hadn't he just barely discovered his feelings for Ikkaku? Exactly, merely discovered them, but how long had they existed.

"Since we became friends," he answered hestitantly. "But I didn't know about my own feelings until the accident in the World of the Living." Although it didn't make sense that it was this particular situation, Ikkaku had been in many life threatening situations before. Why was this situation so different? He cursed not being able to know why this was happening all of a sudden.

"I see . . . " Ikkaku turned away once more, his back to Yumichika. Ikkaku couldn't say he was extremely surprised, I mean he was Yumichika's best friend and it hadn't taken long to discover that Yumichika was gay, but he hadn't expected Yumichika to fall in love with him. In fact, this was the reason Ikkaku avoided the topic of romance and relationships. He took a deep breath and after a moment's hesitation he turned back towards his friend, still undecided on how to handle the situation. Yumichika had expected Ikkaku to walk away and became hopeful when he turned back around to face him. "Dammit Yumichika," Ikkaku said, a smile playing at his lips. Not a smirk, but a smile. Yumichika stood stunned and intrigued by his friend's behavior.

"Why do you have to make things so complicated?" He said shaking his head. Yumichika didn't know whether to be relieved or disappointed. For a moment longer they stood there in silence. Their eyes met and Yumichika found his voice, asking a question that would remain unanswered for some time, "What now?"

Days had passed and Yumichika was still waiting for an answer. And Ikkaku was still searching for an answer among all the questions he had. He hadn't had the chance to ask how he had survived. Both of them had avoided each other unless it was necessary and when they met their was always that awkward tension that hung between them and Yumichika felt the dread that came with knowing that their friendship had been severed. All because he had to come to terms with his feelings. But he also knew deep down, even if he wouldn't admit it, that this was the only way it could have happened. Otherwise Ikkaku would've died and Yumichika would have had to live with the guilt.

To everyone around them it was no secret that they were avoiding each other and why. Especially to their friends who were the first to find out their situation. Rangiku of course was probably the one who'd spread the news to the whole soul society. No one really treated them any different, but everyone waited anxiously for the outcome. Whenever the two were seen together people listened intently, trying not to seem as if they were. Finally the awkwardness could no longer be stood by either men. They stopped trying to pretend nothing was going on, it was time to deal with the situation.

"You know you're going to have to face him eventually," the strawberry blonde told her bald friend.

"I don't know what you expect me to do," Ikkaku scowled. Rangiku, who sat opposite him in the small room stared hard at him for a few moments. She stood and walked over to him. Ikkaku met her glare with one of his own.

"Do you really need me to tell you what to do?"

"Be my guest, because I'm at a complete loss."

"Tell him the truth," she stated firmly. That hit home for Ikkaku. He knew exactly what she meant, but how did she know? He vocalized his question and she gave him a how-stupid-do-you-think-I-am look. He only looked at her surprised and stunned. "God Ikkaku! How oblivious can you be?" That had done it. They were now face to face, starring each other down. "Stop denying your feelings Ikkaku and just tell him!" She nearly shouted. He knew she was right. Finally he dropped his gaze and shifted it towards the door. She gave him a shove and whispered, "Good luck." Once the door shut behind him a grin broke out across Rangiku's face. "It's about time," she thought. Oh how she was enjoying every moment of this!

I think I've dragged this out longer than I had anticipated. I had planned to finish the story in this chapter but now I'm not so sure it's over . . . let me know what you think!