Well here it is the real eighth chapter of this story, glad to be back my friends, lets blow the dust off this baby and get back in business shall we?

In an unremarkable room, on an unremarkable street, in a unremarkable sweet shop, four people sat around a low tea table, their tea sitting cooling in front of them. The air was tense with expectation as three of the people looked at the fourth man who had just finished speaking and now eyed them cooly.

Juushiro Ukitake stared at the man in disbelief, "No" He whispered, it wasn't possible. Byakuya Kuchiki looked as stony as always but his eyes held a grave look to them.

"I'm afraid it's true Ukitake. Renji told me he woke up screaming one night, I've also learned from Sado that it wasn't the first time he's been having nightmares." He said evenly.

"That doesn't prove anything though." Yoruichi commented logically. A sigh was heard and the four guardians turned to see Unohana coming in the room.

"Retsu, what took you?" Juushiro asked, frowning, it was odd for the normally collected woman to look so despondent.

"Very bad business Juushiro, very bad indeed." Unohana replied gravely, shaking her head, a weary look to her otherwise young features. She came and sat down between Yoruichi and Juushiro, who sat in front of the door, with Byakuya on his right and Urahara next to him.

"What have you found?" Urahara asked seriously, an odd look on the eccentric shop owner.

"Blood, Kisuke, out in the forest 10 miles south of Karakura, along with faint traces of spirt energy." The healer said,

"Blood and reiatsu? It may just be an animal couldn't it?" Yoruichi asked, frowning.

Unohana shook her head, "It is not an animal, the grass was black and withered where the blood had struck it." The room was still with shock as they all absorbed this new information.

Byakuya was the first to speak, "And of the reiatsu?" Unohana turned her head away, before murmuring, "It was, the reiatsu of a fallen and..." Here she cut off, pursing her lips.

"Retsu? What else?" Juushiro asked warily.

Unohana looked up at them, her eyes held a grim look.

"It was the prince's" Her words hung heavy in the air. No one spoke, their hearts beat a little faster, the meaning of the words ringing in their ears.

"So" Kisuke murmured, looking pensively into his cup, "He has awakened then."

Unohana nodded, looking miserable. "Yes, he-he came to me for medicine for headaches but I didn't think- if I had known why then I could have helped him! But...I didn't see what was right in front of me." Unohana gasped and squeezed her eyes shut trying not to cry. She brought one hand up to press over her mouth, shaking slightly as tears escaped the corner of her eyes, her sadness and despair in herself washed over all of them, Juushiro leaned over to wrap an arm around her shoulder while Yoruichi held her hand, lending the female healer their strength. Soon her shaking ceased and she leaned wearily into Juushiro's embrace.

"What should we do? The prince needs to be protected! We should go get him!" Yoruichi cried desperately, her motherly instincts of the prince making her frantic and overriding her usually calm demeanor, she began to stand up, despite the slight dizziness from her former illness.

"No Yoruichi! The prince is fine for right now, this needs to be explained calmly or he won't listen to us!" Urahara said sharply,

"Were you able to identify the fallen?" Byakuya asked after a pause,

Unohana shook her head slowly, "No it was one I had never met before."

"Well, we can't do much sitting around here, we should all go get some rest, especially you Retsu. We can decide what to do once we see the prince again." Urahara said decidedly, standing up, the rest of the guardians nodded and got up as well, Juushiro and Yoruichi helping Unohana up. With that, the royal guardians disappeared, leaving their cold tea on the table.

Shiro looked on at Ichigo from the doorway with worried eyes, his brow pulling together as he watched his mate get ready for school.

"Ichigo are you sure-" Shiro tried to say but was interrupted by a hand descending on his lips.

"Sure that I want to go back to school when I just got out of the hospital? Yes, Shiro, I'm sure. I'm not injured, thanks to you, theres no reason I can't, or shouldn't go back." Ichigo said, smirking when Shiro frowned.

"Your getting too good at that" Shiro murmured, taking the hand against his lips and kissing the back of it. Ichigo's gaze softened at the sad expression on the face of the man he loved.

"This doesn't change anything...you know that right? No one has to know about us." Here Ichigo brought his hand up to caress Shiro's face and hold it gently between his hands, looking into Shiro's eyes. "They can't do anything about it anyway remember? Your mine, and I'm yours...forever" Ichigo whispered, reaching up to kiss Shiro gently, smoothing away the fallen angel's irrational worries.

Shiro sighed in happiness and wrapped his arms around Ichigo's waist and brought them closer, electricity zinged through both of them sharply, making Ichigo gasp into the kiss. Shiro's hands roamed over Ichigo's body, settling on Ichigo's hips to grasp them firmly, rocking his hardness into ichigo's, creating friction, making them both groan. Ichigo broke away with a gasp, bringing his hands down to grasp at Shiro's shoulders desperately as Shiro started licking the tanned neck

"Shiro, ah! No, I have to go to school." the boy moaned, Shiro growled and nipped the tan skin, Ichigo gasped and moaned when Shiro bit down possessively. Just then Ichigo's phone rang, Shiro growled lowly but let Ichigo squirm out of his hold.

Ichigo fumbled for his phone, opening it and saying a little shakily, "Hello?"

"Yo, Ichigo, how ya doin man?" Renji voice crackled on the other line, Ichigo beamed and conversed with his friend. Ichigo was turned away from Shiro so he missed the dark look that passed over Shiro's features.

Shiro tried to contain his malice for the redhead who his mate was talking to, but it was difficult. He was really starting to hate that bastard, Ichigo obviously had no fucking clue what that dick's real intentions were. A low snarl slipped out when he heard the kid offer to come over to Ichigo's house. Ichigo turned and gave him an odd look, tilting his head while Renji exclaimed vehemently how school was stupid and Ichigo should try to milk his vacation, not shorten it. Ichigo grew concerned when Shiro avoided his gaze and when he couldn't find the albino's feelings like he usually could.

"Yea, hey I gotta finish getting ready ok? I'll see you at school Renji." Ichigo said, not waiting for an answer he snapped his phone shut. He paused a moment, just looking at Shiro, trying to discern what the other was feeling.

"Shiro?" He asked quietly, Shiro shook his head and pushed his anger back, smiling at Ichigo,

"Its nothin, love. Come on, we'll be late if we don' leave soon." He said, Ichigo nodded, still troubled but appeased for now. Shiro snatched the keys off the bedside table and went down with Ichigo down to the garage

Soon they arrived at the school building, the car drawing awed looks as it parked in front of the school. Ichigo got out and smiled at the crowd sheepishly. Suddenly a loud squeal was heard.

"Ichigo-kun! You're back!" Orihime shouted across the parking lot, jumping up and down excitedly. Ichigo sighed slightly and sent an apologetic glance to Shiro.

Shiro hid his slight jealousy well, only allowing it over the link he and Ichigo shared.

Tch, just because he knew his mate didn't desire the annoying creature didn't mean Shiro had to like the sight of her practically throwing herself at Ichigo. He sent a wave of love (and not so slight possessiveness) over the link to Ichigo as a goodbye. Ichigo lowered his head slightly in acknowledgment, Shiro felt answering love and sadness intertwine with his own. Shiro nodded to Ichigo and walked away, instincts screaming at him to turn back, to take Ichigo in his arms and whisk him away from here where there was no one but themselves. Shiro smiled to his coworkers as he walked into the office to grab some paperwork, but inside he could feel his memories bubble to the surface, remembered pain of when he had had to live without Ichigo. Shiro closed his eyes as he sat dawn in his chair in his classroom and sighed, pressing a hand to his eyes.

He was being ridiculous, it was just a day, Ichigo would still be with him at home. That thought cheered him slightly and Shiro was able to concentrate on the papers in front of him.

Ichigo grimaced as he once more had to listen to Orihime's high pitched voice, he nodded along to whatever she was saying. A chuckle brought him out of his stupor, He looked over at the accused Mexican who had humor glinting in his eyes.

'Ah shut up' He mouthed to him, scowling. Chad came over pressed a hand to Orihime's mouth,

"Can I borrow Ichigo from you for a second, Inoue?" he rumbled, Orihime looked downcast but nodded, bouncing off when she saw Tatsuki. Ichigo let out a relieved sigh,

"Thanks man, I owe ya one" He said smiling. Chad smiled back and they talked about mostly nothing trying to pass the time, when the bell rang they both said goodbye and went inside.

As Ichigo reached his locker, he felt slight trepidation about the day, how was he going to take not being able to see Shiro all day? He bit his lip as he felt the loneliness creep up on him slowly in his heart. Suddenly he felt comfort come over his link with said angel as he walked into his first hour, dispelling the feelings. Ichigo was able to smile as he sat down, maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.

But as the lesson progressed with Byakuya sensei, Ichigo grew more and more confused, not by the lesson, but by the almost imperceptible looks he was receiving from the normally stoic teacher. At first Ichigo thought it was just his imagination but as the class wore on he realized it wasn't. No one else noticed the looks of course, even Ichigo only caught fleeting glimpses of the teacher looking at him. They were piercing and assessing, like they were evaluating him. It was weird, he didn't understand why the teacher would looking at him like that, he'd never really had a problem with the man before. Sure, he didn't like him very much, too stuck up in his opinion, but he'd kept to himself. So why?

Then a thought struck him, Renji. The boy idolized the stoic teacher, maybe Renji told him about the incident with the dreams! He wouldn't be surprised, the idiot probably just thought he was helping, well shit. Ichigo sighed slightly and ran a hand through his hair. He would just try to avoid the teacher, he really didn't want to try to lie to Kuchiki, he was sure it wouldn't work, the man was just too observant.

The bell rang and Ichigo gathered his stuff preparing to rush out of the room but was stopped by the teacher's voice,

"Kurosaki, please remain after school, I need to speak with you." He said as Ichigo came to his desk, the boy tensed, well so much for that plan.

Ichigo looked toward his teacher and forced out, "Hai, sensei." he then bolted out the door to his second hour class.

The rest of the day passed slowly, Ichigo was a wreck as more and more time passed, he wished he could keep the link open but it was just too distracting and draining for him to constantly keep it up. So it was with a glad and near desperate heart that he walked to Shiro's room. As he walked in the classroom he felt Shiro's presence wash over him like a calming wave, the man in question looked up and smiled broadly at Ichigo, who had a tired grin on his face.

I missed you... Ichigo sent over the link, watching as Shiro's eyes softened and he sent back,

And I missed you, my little angel...

Soon others started coming in so Ichigo moved to his seat to listen to the lesson. Well, more like stare at his teacher and try to remain still. As ecstatic as he was to see Shiro again, it was a bittersweet feeling. He longed for the albino's touch so much that it practically burned.

The class moved in a blur, Ichigo, didn't even remember what the lesson was about, all he saw was Shiro, his hands as he moved, When the bell finally rang Ichigo told Orihime and Renji to go on without him. Orihime was as bubbly as ever while Renji scowled. As the door shut behind them with a snap Ichigo found himself staring into molten golden eyes, he suddenly was standing and walking over to the man casually leaning against the desk, he stopped in front of him and stilled waiting for Shiro to make the next move. And move he did, bringing his hand up to twine in Ichigo's hair, leaning forward to brush his lips against Ichigo's ear.

"Do you know how much I missed ya? How hard I had to concentrate to keep my thoughts off ya? And how many times I failed?" he murmured huskily, Ichigo moaned and grasped Shiro's shoulders and whispered back,

"Then why aren't you kissing me yet?" With that Shiro's control snapped and he growled, whipping around and pressing Ichigo to the wooden desk and crushed his mouth against the younger male's. Ichigo groaned and gave as much as he got, kissing back passionately, the pent up frustration that had been building all freaking day making him desperate.

He panted as Shiro moved down to lick at his neck and slid those God forsaken hands under his uniform shirt, Ichigo gasped as Shiro brushed over his nipples. He suddenly remembered first hour, and that Kuchiki would be expecting him. He groaned this out to Shiro and the man snarled. He brought his head up to claim the boys lips one last time and pulled away, lust darkened orbs stared into Ichigo's. he growled out,

"If I didn't know what that bastard is like then I think I would be jealous." He straightened up and caressed Ichigo's face gently,

"I'll be waitin' in the car 'kay?" He said huskily, Ichigo nodded and forced himself to turn away and walked away.

"I won't be long" he said over his shoulder. Ichigo straightened his clothes and hair as he proceeded down the hallway.

Ichigo soon came to a door that read Kuchiki, Byakuya. He took a breath and entered the room. Kuchiki sat at his desk and looked up as the boy entered. He nodded at Ichigo then stood.

"Thank you for coming Ichigo." He said politely

"You wanted something sensei?" The boy asked cautiously, a bit surprised the teacher used his first name, usually the man only ever used a persons surname.

Byakuya peered at his student a moment before answering, he would have to choose his words carefully he didn't want to frighten the young boy off.

"Kurosaki, do you remember where you were three nights ago?" The man asked calmly.

Ichigo froze, his eyes darted to his sensei's and attempted to keep his voice calm. "I don't know what you mean sir." He said tensely.

Byakuya saw the fear and tension in the boy and attempted to calm him, "Ichigo, there are things you don't understand right now, you're not in trouble but I need you to try to remember, a dream you had or something like that."

Ichigo backed up, did the man know about Shiro? No, that was impossible! No one was in that field except for them! Who was this man! Suddenly the world spun and Ichigo cried out in pain and clutched his head, his eyes wide. Shitshitshit, not now!

Ichigo backed up, trying to keep the images at bay but he couldn't. He collapsed against the wall, shaking. He heard someone call his name but he was too deep in his memories to acknowledge them.

Ichigo smiled as he ran and leapt across the field, his little five year old bare feet barely touching the ground, he laughed and chased the butterflies that were in the field his little hands reaching up and grasping the air in an adorable attempt. He stopped and turned when he heard someone calling him, he giggled as he ran to the person,

"Bya-kun!" He cried out happily and latched onto the man's legs, laughing. The man in question sighed fondly and chuckled, reaching down and brushing the boy's unruly orange hair back from his forehead.

"Now, what are you doing out here little one? And how did you manage to escape Zangetsu?" He said, amused.

Ichigo giggled again and said, "I told Zan-kun that Sofu-san* wanted to speak to him and then I climbed down the walls!" He beamed up at the usually stoic man happily, ecstatic with his little getaway, Byakuya couldn't bring himself to scold the boy and merely shook his head fondly, He wrapped his hands around the boy's waist and hoisted him up onto his hip,

"Well, we don't want to worry your grandfather, now do we?" He said gently, tapping the boys nose with a finger, Ichigo's eyes widened and he shook his head vehemently at the thought of his beloved Sofu-san worrying about him. Byakuya smiled and turned, flash stepping away.

Ichigo gasped and snapped his eyes open, panting as he looked into Byakuya's eyes.

"Byakuya?" he murmured, the man's eyes widened in disbelief,

"Ichigo? Are you alright?" He asked, reaching out for the boy, Ichigo nodded as his thoughts became his own again, He got up shakily, avoiding his teacher and went to the door,

"I-I'm just tired, I'll see you to-tomorrow sensei." He said shakily and left before the man could recover. He walked quickly through the halls, still shaken

As he saw Shiro's car, the passenger door opened, Ichigo climbed in quickly and the door snapped shut. The car drove away quickly and Ichigo sat curled up in the seat, he sensed rather than saw Shiro loosen his grip on the steering wheel as they got farther from the school but he could feel Shiro's concern through the link they shared.

He felt the car stop and the driver side door open, Shiro walked around to the passenger door quickly and took Ichigo out, Ichigo let him because he was just too drained to protest. They reached their rooms far quicker than normal but fortunately no one noticed. Ichigo buried his face in Shiro's chest and felt his back come in contact with the bed. Shiro immediately started checking Ichigo over for wounds, ensuring that he wasn't hurt in any way. Ichigo wasn't, but his emotions were wild which worried Shiro to no end. Softly, Shiro laid next to Ichigo, pulling the boy against him. Ichigo wrapped his arms around Shiro; he needed comfort from his wild thoughts.

"Ichi..Love what's wrong? What happened?" He said, gently rubbing his mate's back soothingly.

Ichigo shook his head, not wanting to talk about it, he was so unsure and confused; what did this all mean? All these visions and dreams-that-weren't-dreams, what was he to do with all of this chaos?

Please drop me a little line/review if you'd like another chapter. :)