Ichigo's Insomnia
IchigoXYoruichi

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.

Chapter Three

Ichigo's Room

"Yoruichi!" Ichigo gaped. "What do you mean you're my new roommate? What are you doing here?"

Sitting down on his bed, Yoruichi smiled. "Well, I thought you might like it if I was here at your place so instead of walking all the way to Kisuke's whenever you have a nightmare, I can be here for here at your home. It'd save you some walking."

Ichigo understood the logic behind her words although it made it sound like he would be having nightmares indefinitely. "Yeah but…" he looked around and saw that Yoruichi's bags were by his bed and desk. "You're not actually planning on staying in my room, are you?"

"Why not?" Yoruichi patted the spot next to her on the bed and gestured for Ichigo to sit. When he sat down next to her, Yoruichi continued, "I'm not staying in Rukia's closet, you know. Even in cat form there's no way I'd agree to that. And Isshin doesn't have a spare room either. Besides, we've slept together how many times?" she asked, "The only thing that'll change is that it'll be your bed instead of mine."

Part of Ichigo wanted to protest but he couldn't help but appreciate the fact that Yoruichi was trying her best to help him in her own way. And he couldn't deny that having her here would be better for him. "Okay. Thanks, Yoruichi."

The werecat hugged him tightly in response. "Good. Now that we've cleared the air, why not come down and enjoy some lunch," she said as she got up and headed for the door. "I'm sure that from what I can smell, Yuzu's making something that's absolutely-Gahh!"

Ichigo leapt to his feet when Yoruichi staggered and fell to the floor. He managed to catch her before she could hit the ground and cradled her gently in his arms. "Yoruichi! What happened? Are you okay?"

Yoruichi clung to Ichigo, burying her head in his shoulder while she felt the pain hit her body. She put a hand on her stomach, the place where she'd been initially poisoned, and grimaced in pain. "It hurts…" she whimpered.

"Hang on!" Ichigo lifted her up and carried her to the door. "I'll get Dad!"

"Don't…don't bother," Yoruichi said, the pain gradually fading away. "Just…take me over to the bed." When he laid her down on the bed, she sat up and looked at her trembling hand. "Sorry, that caught me by surprise."

"Yoruichi, are you okay?" he asked, the concern written all over his face. She'd mentioned her condition before but had no idea it was that bad.

The pain faded and Yoruichi said up. "I'm fine, Ichigo. The pain flares up every so often. Sorry if I worried you. Although," her face neared his and her eyes were filled with salacious intent, "It was so romantic when you held me in your strong arms and carried me."

Pink was the color of Ichigo's cheeks as he remembered holding her. "I…uh…" he muttered, his tongue tied in knots.

The werecat giggled and patted his head. "It's alright. Still, it's a sweet feeling to know that you'll catch me whenever I fall." Getting back up, she walked to the door, this time without falling to the ground. Ichigo, taking a moment to readjust his pants, followed her out of the room.

Later that night….

"Ahhh…" Yoruichi sighed as she stretched out in Ichigo's bed. As Ichigo entered the room, she turned her head and smiled. Ichigo had just gotten out of the shower and wasn't wearing a shirt.

Ichigo felt uncomfortable being Yoruichi's eye-candy. Before, Yoruichi had been kind and tender when he'd come to her but she had been light-hearted and flirty all day and it was starting to make Ichigo feel a bit tense. It certainly didn't help that instead of a nightrobe, Yoruichi had opted to wear a tanktop and shorts, putting her voluptuous body on full display. He slipped a t-shirt on and climbed on into bed. As he pulled the covers over them, he looked at Yoruichi's exposed stomach and remembered the conversation he had with his father. He had his problems, to be sure, but seeing Yoruichi so hurt and in pain made him worry about her.

"Dad," Ichigo said as he entered the kitchen. Yoruichi was busy sitting on the couch with his sister, Yuzu, who was in absolutely awe of the beautiful woman. Karin was busy doing homework and left the others to do their devices. "I need to talk to you about something."

Without turning around, Isshin replied to his son, "Yoruichi and I talked about it at length, Ichigo. We both agree that it might be best if you're close to her for a while until your nightmares stop." He turned to his son and gave him a caring smile. "I can tell that she cares deeply about you. How could I say no?"

Ichigo looked back at the living room and heard Yoruichi talking. Somehow, just hearing her voice was soothing. "Yeah, I'm…actually okay about that. It's about Yoruichi's health. Earlier today she almost collapsed. Is she going to be okay?"

Isshin leaned back against the counter and his face didn't make Ichigo at ease. "It's…complicated. She's not sick in a normal sense. After Nel pulled her out of that deathtrap, Kisuke had me examine her."

"How bad is it?" Ichigo asked, scared for his friend.

Sighing, Isshin tried to reassure his son. "Don't worry, she's not going to just drop dead at any second. But her body was badly poisoned; worse so because she was poisoned before she got trapped in that deathtrap. So she was the worst when it came the group that got trapped. Kisuke detoxed her but the damage was done. Her body was damaged and there is no way to fix it. It's not a matter of medicine or surgery. And before you ask," he warned before Ichigo could get any ideas, "It would be dangerous to have Orihime try to heal her. Sickness isn't the same thing as injury," he warned.

"Oh…" Ichigo frowned. He looked back at Yoruichi with concerned eyes. "Is there really nothing we can do for her, Dad?"

Isshin put a hand on his son's shoulder. "You being there for her is medicine enough. Her coming to stay here is beneficial for the both of you. You're helping her just as much as she's helping you."

Nodding in understanding, Ichigo thanked his father and left the kitchen.

Laying his head on the pillow, Ichigo wrapped his arms around Yoruichi and slowed his breathing. Yoruichi likewise closed her eyes and laid her head on the pillow next to Ichigo's head. "Goodnight, Yoruichi," Ichigo said softly.

"Sweet dreams, Ichigo," Yoruichi whispered, her voice alluring to the teen. As the minutes ticked by, Ichigo felt the pull of sleep overtake him, drifting into slumber….

Ichigo looked around and his face descended into sadness. He had returned to the Soul King's Palace to make sure that everyone was okay. Orihime and Rukia were doing fine while the other captains were recuperating. He had yet to find a certain friend and he was scared. Her last words were that she would take care of Askin Nak Le Varr but he was worried that he'd left her to her death. "Please be safe," he whispered. Guilt ran amok in his heart as he made his way through the ruined cities until he came upon the spot where he'd first been taken down by the poisonous Quincy.

When he spotted something laying in the rubble, Ichigo's heart almost broke in two. Lying there was Yoriuchi. "NO!" he screamed as he ran over towards her. He cradled her in his arms and gently shook her. "Yoruichi! Yoruichi, open your eyes! Please!" he begged, wishing against hope that she would awaken.

Yoruichi's head merely rolled backward and didn't make a sound. Ichigo, with tears falling down his face. Desperate, Ichigo put an ear to her chest and searched for a heartbeat, a faint breath for air. He needed something to tell him that she was still alive.

There was none.

"No…" Ichigo cried, holding her in his arms as he felt despair sink in. "I'm so sorry…" he whispered, bringing her close to his chest. "Yoruichi…I'm so sorry…."

"Ichigo…."

"Why didn't I stay? Why didn't I help you? Why?"

"Ichigo, wake up…."

"Yoruichi…please come back…I need you."

"Ichigo, snap out of it!"

When he felt a gentle shaking, Ichigo opened his eyes and saw to his relief Yoruichi's golden orbs staring down at him. "Yoruichi…" he breathed, thankful that it had been just a dream. He sat up and realized that his face was wet. "Oh…" he turned away, embarrassed when he realized he'd been crying in his sleep.

Yoruichi put a hand on his shoulder and frowned. "Are you okay? You seemed to be having a terrible nightmare." She had up to this point never seen Ichigo in the grip of a nightmare and after waking up to find him holding onto her for dear life and crying in his sleep she realized that his troubles were much worse than she feared. "Here," she turned his face towards her and wiped his eyes. "Calm down, Ichigo. I'm here."

Closing his eyes, Ichigo took deep breaths and felt a sense of calm rise within thanks to Yoruichi's guidance. "I'm fine."

"What were you dreaming about?" Yoruichi asked. "You just kept saying "Why?" in your sleep."

Ichigo was reluctant but felt like he was compelled to answer by her caring golden eyes. "I dreamt I returned to the Soul King's palace and…found you…dead…."

Yoruichi nodded, understanding the root of the problem instantly. "I see. This is about earlier. You think you're the cause of my condition."

Slowly, Ichigo nodded. "I should've stayed behind to help you. Maybe if I did-"

"Then we'd both have been in trouble." Readjusting her sitting position, Yoruichi laid her head on his shoulder, her lavender locks coloring his white shirt. "Ichigo, you are not to blame for how I ended up. I told you to go on without me. Yes…I was defeated," she said, although it pained her to admit the truth. "But neither of us could've known what'd happen. You are not to blame for this. None of it. And it doesn't matter how bad my condition is. I'm not dying nor am I crippled. The pain comes and goes and it's been lessening so sooner or later it will end." She cupped his face with her soft hand and smiled the warmest of smiles. "I'm alive. We both are. That's all that matters."

The guilt that had been chaining Ichigo's heart came undone and Ichigo felt happiness from Yoruichi's words. "Okay," he said before laying back down. Yoruichi pulled the covers back over them and smiled. "I think I'll be okay."

"Remember, Ichigo," Yoruichi said as she laid next to him. "I'm here for you. Always."

Silence was once again the music of the night as the two friends fell asleep, Yoruichi squeezing Ichigo's hand as she followed him into dreamland….

To be continued