Response to reviews!

Strawberry-Ringo: Yes, there were no sad moments! XD

Tiana Misoro: Glad you do…you filthy minded person! Kidding!

SinfulNekoRose: Never had someone die of fangasm! XD

Yukiko and Chibiussa: Uhh…maybe. You'll just have to wait and see if you want him! XD

AizenSosukeLoveoByakuyasama: Wow, your name's long…uh…I'm glad too! XD

BonneNuit: Although, the doc would rather have Ichi healed, correct?

herRhi-chan: Yes it is!

Miszxbrii: Simple and to the point…nice!

Biank-the-Raven: Well, you need not wait, for the chapter is here! XD

Raicheru: Well, that's something I can't seem to avoid, sorry , but thanks. And yes, it is sweet when they cuddle!

Aya-ItaLover: …Great, you ruined it now…DX

Avgirl10: Then…why'd ya read it? O.o? I did give a fair warning…

Watermelondrea: Aww, that sucked! XD

Cherry-Duck: I do too! But…I just had to do this story! I'm glad ya like it though!

Narlth: Neither can I…oh wait! XD

IceDragon5683: Glad you're enjoying it! And yes, poor Ichigo...but no poor Shiro? O.o?

Well, I'm glad that the majority of you enjoyed the smex! There won't be another scene like this…but it will be hinted at! Given their current situation, I think y'all can forgive me, right? XD Well…the writer's wall of evil has hit me rather hard, but have no fear! I do have some ideas as to what I'm doing! *looks at chapter number* Ugh…13…unlucky for me, Ichigo and Shiro…well, let's get it over with, neh? -

XxxxxX

Chapter 13: Reappearing agony.

Ichigo's POV

I slowly opened my eyes and squinted at the dim light of the room. It felt bright in here compared to the darkness of that…that room. I turned my head slowly, to realize that I was leaning on Shiro. I could feel a soft pressure on my hand and I looked down to see him gripping mine slightly. When I saw his face, I saw the most peaceful look on his face that I've ever seen. It's nice…I thought. I laid my head back on his shoulder for a moment, but he stirred slightly and I sighed. I really wanted to stay like this for longer…

"Mmm…" he moaned and when his eyes opened, he seemed stunned that I was awake…or was that it? "Please…tell me that wasn't a dream…" he whispered. I knew what he was talking about, so I decided to have fun with it his still cloudy mind.

"What was?" I asked. His eyes grew huge. "You were making this funny noise." A deep blush turned his white skin pink and I laughed. His completely flustered face looked too damn funny! I know he caught on because I received this rough punch to my shoulder.

"Ya asshole…" he grumbled. I just smiled and lifted myself up. But the simple move felt painful for some reason and I collapsed against his shoulder again. The world looked a little blurry and off. "Ichigo? Ichigo, are you alright?"

"What a redundant question… asking me if I'm alright when I'm obviously not." I sighed. "No…just getting up suddenly felt…difficult." He slowly pushed me up, just in time for the door to open, Dion walking in. He took one look at me and sighed.

"I'm glad to see that you're doing better." He said, sounding relieved. I couldn't help but stare; why was he so…so relieved?

"Why do you care?" Shiro asked for me.

"Well…if you died on my watch, I'd be in deep shit…" he said, rather quickly. There was more to it, I know there was, but my chest suddenly felt tight and I lurched forward, puking my guts up again.

XxxxxX

Dion's POV

His condition was worsening physically. Mentally, he was just fine, but if he didn't eat something soon…it was going to kill him. And since Hichigo was still linked to him, he would die, and then I'd be killed for Grimmjow's entertainment. But…I wasn't allowed to help them unless absolutely necessary. What the hell are my superiors thinking exactly? I'm supposed to keep them from dying, but I'm not allowed to heal any wounds they receive, or apparently, feed them. Bandaging their wounds was all I could do. And, for some odd reason, it made me feel worse. "Ichigo!" Hichigo was yelling his name and patting his back as the Soul Reaper coughed violently. After a few minutes, he stopped coughing nothing up and leaned back, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

"Whew…that was-" His eyes suddenly rolled backwards and he collapsed in his hollow's arms. For just a brief moment, I saw a look of absolute horror on Hichigo's face, but it quickly faded, being replaced with mild concern. He couldn't hide it from me; at least, very well. He cared for Ichigo more than he wanted to admit. I walked over, avoiding the rather pathetic pile of sick and felt his forehead.

"He'll be alright, he's just really tired." I said. Hichigo released a breath I didn't know he was holding.

"He can't take much more of this…" he mumbled as I walked into the restroom to get a wet towel. "He's already reached his limit on how much his body can take…"

"And you're a bad liar." I said as I knelt down, wiping up the mess. Hichigo laid the teen's head down on the ragged pillow and sat next to him, head down and hands pulling his silver hair.

"Damn…you're good."

"Don't have to be, since you don't hide how you feel well when I'm around." I stated. He flinched a little at that and sighed.

"Well, you're not the one out to torture and kill us, so I think it's ok." He said. I couldn't help but feel my stomach clench for some reason. He had no clue as to what my real mission was, and I knew he was wary of me, so, why show so much? I didn't get it…not one bit. Ichigo moaned softly from where he was laying and Hichigo was up in a heartbeat. "Ichigo, are ya ok?"

"Quit asking that damned question already…no, not really, but enough to get by." He said, sitting up and rubbing his head. "I…I think there's nothing left for me to sick up anymore."

"No shit there…"Hichigo sighed. I just rolled my eyes and headed towards the door. But before I could open it myself, it was suddenly swung open…revealing the 4th Espada, Ulquiorra Cifer.

XxxxxX

Normal POV

Ulquiorra scanned the three beings in the room and Ichigo could feel himself backing up and slowly pulling himself into the corner of the room. The way he's staring at us…it's like everything to him his trash…he thought. The Espada then pointed at Ichigo and he could feel his blood turn cold.

"You are coming with me." He said in his monotone voice. Ichigo's face grew hard and angry.

"Fuck that." He said. Ulquiorra's face was unresponsive, but a small hint of anger flashed in his green eyes, but too quick for anyone to notice. He pulled the sleeve back on his wrist and pushed a small button on the thin, red and green band on his arm. Electricity suddenly shot up Ichigo's back, more painful than ever. He screamed and began shaking violently, and the only thing Dion and Shiro could do was watch.

"I will not be as…tolerant as Grimmjow was. If you refuse to come when called too much…I will throw you back into the Kurai Heya." Shiro and Dion's eyes widened in horror at the thought.

"Master Ulquiorra, if you do that, and he dies, then the hollow will-" Dion felt a cold hand smack his face and sent him sprawling on the ground. He got on his knees, rubbing his cheek.

"The same goes for you, Novia." He replied. "I am well aware of his limits, and exactly how much he can take. After all…" he clicked the same button and the electricity finally ceased, causing Ichigo to crumple on the bed, his muscles twitching. "…there is only so much the soul can take before becoming useless." He then walked over to grab Ichigo, but Shiro stood up in front of him.

"Killing him is my job, you mother fucking arrancar! Don't fucking mess with him, ya hear?" he snapped angrily, once again hiding his true feelings.

He's good at that when he wants to be…Dion thought. Which leads me to believe that he's screwing with my head… Ulquiorra didn't flinch at Shiro's course language and, instead, gripped his arm tightly, looking at the black ring.

"This traps you here, keeps you in this world. You can no longer help him heal, hollow. If you do not tell us your name, he will die, as will you." He said. Shiro tried yanking his arm out of the Espada's cold grip, but Ulquiorra's grip was too tight.

"I don't have a fucking name!" he snapped angrily. "Don't need one either!"

"Oh, I beg to differ. You wouldn't be acting this way if you didn't have one." Ulquiorra replied calmly and released Shiro's arm, a nasty black blotch appearing where he had squeezed his arm. Shiro rubbed his arm, glaring into the Espada's green eyes with his golden/black ones. "You are protective of this…human garbage, as instinctive as it may seem. Killing him, no matter who does it, will still end in your death as well. Remember that, hollow." He then grabbed Ichigo by his wrists, pulling him harshly to stand. Ichigo crumpled as he was yanked from the bed. Ulquiorra's face twitched slightly, almost forming a scowl. He pulled again, even harder, and pulled Ichigo's arm out of its socket.

"Ngh!" he cried through clenched teeth. I…will not give this monster the satisfaction of hearing me scream! He told himself. No matter what…

"Hmph, biting our tongue are we? It does not matter to me." Ulquiorra said. He then grabbed Shiro's arm and began dragging them both away. "Come Novia. I will need your assistance."

"Y-yes Master Ulquiorra…" Dion said quietly and quickly, shutting the door as they all left.

Believe me…Ulquiorra thought. When I'm done with you…you will wish that you had never stayed quiet this long…

XxxxxX

Chapter 13 end

Ok, maybe this wasn't so bad. A little pain, Shiro being awesome, and Ichigo being slightly OC'd. Well, reviews are rewarded with cookies and rum! …Wait, it's gone! Why is the rum always gone! T_T Oh, and sorry that this chapter was kinda short. And we shall return to the present soon!