Damn you!

Ichigo was sitting on the ground. Debit and stones around him. The remains of one Aizen Sosuke no more than 10 feet away from him. The seal Urahara had placed on him was holding up well, Ichigo could tell, no slither of Aizens Reiatsu managed to escape the cross shaped prison. Looking up he saw Urahara standing next to him, green robes billowing slightly in the breeze that ruffled Ichigos hair, his long fringe almost tickling his cheeks. They had yet to speak a word. Urahara looked exhausted, a decade long fight finally won, and the battle fought not an hour ago making his shoulders sack with relieve and tiredness. Ichigo simply let his gaze wander. He was going to lose his powers, in his mind he had already said his final goodbye to Zangetsu and Shiro, he was at peace with himself for once. Ichigo tilted his head slightly to the side as another spiritual pressure made its way into their direction.

He couldn't believe the difference it made to be aware of every spiritual energy in the vicinity. He could feel the steady thumping of his friends Reiatsu miles away, assuring him of their safety. Sitting up straighter he concentrated on the spiritual pressure to identify its owner. Hirako Shinji, he realized, when he felt the yellowish aura drawing nearer. Landing in front of them with a lightning speed Shunpo Shinji gasped a little to catch his breath. Ichigo took in his heaving appearance, he had a bandage around his head and torso but otherwise seemed to be fine, slight Reiatsu exhaustion aside, his fringe seemed to have been the only thing taking permanent damage from his fight.

"Damn ya!" Shinji finally wheezed out. Menacingly stepping closer to a very confused and taken aback Ichigo. Urahara stepped a little away at Shinjis murderous aura, sweat dropping slightly and looking at Ichigo in pity. "Damn me?" Ichigo asked, breaking a sweat at Shinjis death glare. "Yes, damn ya! Fuckin' vanishing like that, running of to safe your friend! Ever thought we might have been willing to help ya? Ya Idiot!" With that Shinji drew his fist back and hit the still sitting Ichigo right on the head. "OW! What the hell?" Ichigo yelled. "Of course, I knew you would likely help me! It's why I left like I did, you stupid…baldy!" Ichigo yelled back at him, clutching his throbbing head. In desperation of finding a fitting insult he simply stole Hyoris typical nickname/ insult for Shinji, it seemed to rile him up often enough.

"Who's a baldy?" Shinji snapped back, angry red tick mark on his forehead. "And why the hell would ya leave if ya knew we were gonna help?" he asked, arms crossed in front of him and glaring down at Ichigo. Ichigo glowered slightly. "Because…you guys had your own battle to fight. Orihime was my problem, Aizen was yours. I left to get her without saying anything because it was you guys who had waited 100 fucking years to beat his ass. I simply wanted to keep my friends safe." Ichigo snapped back, getting up from the ground and dusting himself of. Shinjis arms had unwound from his defensive stance, all fight left him as he exhaled a long, suffering sigh after Ichigos explanation. "And ya didn't think we would worry about ya, running of like that?" Ichigo looked down a little guiltily at Shinjis tone of voice. Swallowing a little at the taste of regret coating his tongue. "Sorry." He mumbled dejectedly.

Urahara had remained stoically silent at the exchange, arching a brow from now and then when he realized how deep the connection between these two men ran. Shinji started cursing softly. Completely ignoring Urahara he took two long steps into Ichigos direction, taking his chin into his hand he tilted his head up and pressed a deep kiss to Ichigos lips. Ichigo simply stood there, shocked at Shinjis actions, which seemed so out of context in their current situation. He couldn't move, his mind was completely blank in absolute shock. Shinji drew back, snorting at Ichigos flabbergasted expression. When Ichigos brain finally caught on his cheeks started burning red, the blush crawled all the way to his ears and some way down his torso, he lifted his hand hiding his blush and desperately looked anywhere but at Shinji.

Shinji had stood there and watched Ichigos reaction minutely, fascinated by the way his entire body seemed to blush at once. He grinned a little. Urahara chocked on a laugh slightly, shocked at the turn of events but more amused by them than anything else. Having his suspicion fulfilled, that his feelings were definitely not one sided, Shinji stepped close to Ichigo once again. Plucking the hand from his face he made Ichigo look at him, blush still burning on his cheeks. "For the record, the next time my boyfriend runs of to safe one of his friends, I want to be told beforehand." Ichigo blushed some more at the boyfriend comment but simply nodded. Shinji grinned at Ichigos quick acceptance of their new relationship status. He frowned when he realized that he had to look up at Ichigo, brushing some of Ichigos fringe away with his fingers he reached behind his neck and dragged him down into another kiss. This one finally returned.

And if Ichigos friends where surprised upon finding Ichigo locked in a deep kiss, with a fan waving and slightly blushing Urahara to their side, nobody mentioned it.