Here is the next chapter! This should be it unless I get another idea . . . :D

Disclaimer: -_- Don't own Bleach blah blah blah

"There's no use to try and suppress It's always there reminding/ The one wound that never forgets/ Open and undying/ Always alive, always inside/ And no one comes out the same/ Love always leaves a mark/ The scars give it all away/ Burned in your heart/ Love will leave a mark."

- Love Will Leave a Mark by Red

So basically he had saved the man's life, risked his own life, greatly injuring himself in the process, worried for two weeks about him, fallen in love with him (more like discovered his feelings for him), risked his life again, saved him again, confessed his love, then was rejected.

Brilliant. -_-

Could it have been worse? Possibly. Could it have been prevented? Absolutely. Was there anything that could be done? Nope. The only thing Yumichika could do now was move on. Begin a new chapter of his life. One that didn't involve Ikkaku, even as a friend. It was a shame. They had been good friends for a long time and Yumichika had to go and ruin it by falling in love! Oh how he regretted those words. Couldn't he have just sucked it up and hidden it, just like his zanpakuto power? Come to think of it, Ikkaku was probably still wondering how he'd survived. If that was the case then that secret would be out soon as well.

This sucked.

It just goes to prove, love will always leave a mark. Yumichika had known that, but he'd remained true to the belief that it would be worth it. See where that had gotten him? Now he was a heartbroken, drunken mess. Confined to his room wallowing in his depressing thoughts and regret. Blaming no one but himself. Ikkaku on the other hand wasn't faring to much better. However, being Ikkaku, he handled this kind of situation a different way. While both of them used alcohol, Ikkaku preferred to spar rather than dwell in thought. Between matches he would down a bottle of alcohol.

"Enemy, familiar friend/ My beginning and my end/ Knowing truth, whispering lies/ And it hurts again/ What I fear and what I've tried/ Words I say and what I hide/ All the pain, I want it to end/ But I want it again/ ... / I'm still the same, pursing pain/ Is it worth all that I've gained/ We both know how this will end/ But I'd do it again."

- Fight Inside by Red

Ikkaku was becoming reckless. His fighting was more sloppy and he was beginning to fall apart. He tried to blame the alcohol, but he'd fought drunk before. So what was different now? He knew, but he still wouldn't admit it to himself. Maybe that was why he couldn't do it. If he couldn't admit it to himself, how could he to Yumichika? Ikkaku was completely aware of what he was doing, he'd had plenty of time to think about the ins and outs of the situation (plus he'd had a good lecture from Rangiku to help). All he had to do was get up the damn courage to do something about it, but it was just so much easier just to pretend nothing happened between them and let things slowly resolve themselves.

Now this wasn't the direction Ikkaku would normally take. He was usually the one who was telling everyone else to grow a spine, but when it came to matters of love . . . well he was totally clueless. So with that being said he found that all his courage had abandon him. Which is why he was becoming a total disaster. His other friends (Rangiku, Hisagi, Izuru, Hinamori, Renji, even Hitsugaya) had even taken notice. Few had offered advice and encouragement. But really all that did was piss Ikkaku off. All of this whole Yumichika being in love with Ikkaku didn't really come as a surprise to the group, but Ikkaku's reaction? That was different. No one knew how he felt about the whole thing - besides Rangiku - so no one really knew how to help. So their advice, wasn't helpful at all.

"Oi! Ikkaku! You ready?" someone called. Ikkaku glanced over and examined his next victim. He stood and stretched; it was time for another match. He took a swig of his drink then cracked his knuckles and got in his fighting stance. It wouldn't take long to bring this sorry sucker down.

Days of this went on, both of them slowing recovering. Ikkaku angry with himself for being a coward and no doubt hurting his friend. Yumichika angry with himself for allowing all of this to happen and letting himself get hurt. However, you could only be angry for so long. After some time they returned to their normal lives, well almost normal. The only thing missing was their best friend. They did their best to avoid each other and ignore the rumors going through the Seireitei. But the wound, even though it appeared to have healed, was still repairing itself. Neither of them were the same, as much as they pretended to be their old selves it just wasn't possible. Some things would just never be the same.

Indeed, as it would seem, fate wasn't done with them yet. Another mission, the two of them leading a group to fend off a small group of hollows in the Rukon Districts. Joy. Neither of them made much fuss about it, but they weren't happy about it. However, both did a good job at hiding their feelings and putting on their 'business' facade. They acknowledged each other only when necessary, took care of the situation without so much as a scratch and returned to their squad barracks quietly. It was that evening that got them both to thinking.

Yumichika was rather pleased that they had been able to work together without too much awkwardness being exchanged. However, Ikkaku wasn't so pleased. In fact his emotions might better be described as: chaotic. So many emotions raced through him it was hard to describe. He was hopeful, because he had gained a bit more confidence after the mission. He was angry for usual reasons. And he was slowly coming to terms with his feelings. Time passed quickly that night for Ikkaku as he got lost in his thoughts. It was the most thinking he'd done in a long time (granted it was for a good reason). Overall he came to one conclusion: nothing made any fucking sense anymore. It was nearly dawn when he became so agitated he couldn't stand it any longer. He pounded his fist on the wall and muttered under his breath, "To hell with it." And before his courage could escape him he made his way for the door.

Yumichika awoke to a pounding on the door. It was only 5 in the morning. Who would be bothering him at 5 in the morning? Well there was only one way to find out. Yumichika made his way to the door and opened it cautiously. He was rather surprised to see Ikkaku standing there. Surprised would actually be an understatement, he was baffled.

"Ikkau? Is something wrong?"

"Yes there is. Everything is wrong."

"What do you mean?" Ikkaku seemed he was desperately searching for the right words and suddenly looked nervous. Then he shook his head in defeat and sighed looking calmer. He looked Yumichika in the eyes and said, "Screw it. I'm no good with words." And without the slightest hesitation they both leaned in, their lips meeting. It was a good thing that no one else was awake at that hour, otherwise they would have been gawping at the two standing in Yumichika's doorway having a moment.

Of course Yumichika and especially Ikkaku weren't the mushy kind, so life almost seemed back to normal. Besides the kisses and butt grabs. Other than that they were just like best friends again, but even more inseparable. Only one secret remained. Both of them were aware of that one question that would soon have to be faced, otherwise their relationship didn't have a good chance of thriving. But how would it thrive when Ikkaku found out the truth?

It was interesting that one mission, one brief moment of life and death could be the gateway to so many emotions. (Not all of them wanted of course) And more was yet to come, I mean come on! It's Yumichika and Ikkaku!

:D And that's a wrap folks! Gotta leave a little of my friend suspense, but hey it wasn't as bad as the last chapter. Let me know what you thought of the story! I'd truly appreciate any feedback.