I am absolutely exhausted! I thought I would never get this chapter done, especially since it was fighting me from the beginning. Right, but hopefully I managed to get the flow of this story into a more reasonable pace again. I'm feeling fairly accomplished now because I just wrote something I've never done before.

I'm not going to say much here because it's 11:30 PM and I'm very tired, I didn't get any sleep last night. Please know that this chapter contains a very graphic lemon between Zangetsu and Ichigo. There are also spoilers for the newer chapters of the Manga. That's it my honeys though, I can't think of anything else to say.

I apologize for the long and agonizing wait until this story was finally continued but hopefully this chapter will make up for it in more ways than one.

A huge thank you to Quetzalcoatls who's been keeping me in line and helped immensely with this chapter by agreeing to be my muse. I really appreciate all your help and the lovely cover than can go with this story now. I am in your debt yet again.

Please enjoy, I'll see you at the end of the chapter.

Shield Me:

'Hurry, Karin...please hurry!' Ichigo repeated those pleading words over and over again. An echoing sear skittering painfully across his forehead as he clenched bleeding fingertips into frustrated fists by his side with the hopes that it would tether his fading consciousness to some semblance of unwavering reality. Even when the brush of pain didn't seem to do his state of mind any good at all, restless eyes were dazedly observing his little sister's retreating form as she moved further and further into their family home with hurried footsteps. It was impossible, Ichigo cursed himself openly now. Dulled chocolate brown eyes, tainted silver under the influence of his rising instinct, absently measuring the set distance from the kitchen table to the backdoor and the time it would take to reach it in the depths of an unsettled mind. Ichigo was completely devoid of any real concern for his own health in those moments. All that mattered was that he get away from those who could possibly be harmed by his unstable reiatsu that was only rising in intensity with every second that ticked by.

He really couldn't keep it contained for much longer...

Left to rapidly blink away the edges of his blurring vision; the orange haired teen only briefly acknowledged that whatever it was that had been stirred so painfully and deeply within his soul, simply wouldn't stop despite the valiant attempts he made to keep it back. It was only brewing darker and far more intimidating inside of him than ever before, placing immense strain on the newly formed bond that had been forged between him and his beloved Alpha a week ago. The soul deep connection that existed between them was already teeming with unsettled sensations; completely overrun with rising emotion that was enough to send a dazed mind spinning into the darkened depths of panic at its oppressing power. And Ichigo was desperately biting back his hitched sobs because of it; his body and mind struggling to comprehend Shiro Zangetsu's soothing instructions that were flowing through his mind and only sought to keep the panicking Beta's emotional turmoil calm. But it simply wasn't working anymore.

Ichigo didn't know how to keep his unsettled reiatsu back and as he shakily forced himself to stand from the kitchen table; the orange haired Substitute Shinigami transversed the short distance to the back door with uncoordinated and dizzy footsteps. His father wasn't going to make it in time. Ichigo just knew that intimately and as his mind frantically grasped a hold of the last of his sanity, he urged himself to move away from the house before he lost absolute and complete control of himself. His heart was already beating a painful tattoo against his chest, bloodied fingertips trembling uselessly by his side as Ichigo shakily made his way out into the darkness that blanketed the entirety of Karakura Town early that spring morning. The backdoor slammed shut behind him several seconds later; the orangette flinching violently at the deafening sound as he never once looked back at the home that he had left behind as he ran forward. He had already marked his destination as the one place in Karakura where he was sure that his soul would become unable to harm those that were close to him.

Even though the orange haired seventeen-year-old could feel his father's familiar reiatsu stirring in their home a lengthy distance behind him an indiscernible amount of time later, he kept on moving forward. Flickers of bright lights were licking irritably at his bare feet, Ichigo drawing upon the aid of his Fullbring powers without really noticing the startling feat that he was achieving whilst still being captive to his human form. But it wouldn't matter if he displayed his powers both in human and spirit form. Ichigo simply couldn't afford to stop now. Not while he still had some sense left within him. His own footsteps were already echoing loudly in his ears, fading breaths of strain rasping painfully in his throat as Ichigo transversed the complex pathways of his hometown in search of a little reprieve for the instability present in his soul. He was moving in a blur of inconceivable speed by now, his powers pushing him forward harshly as the orangette followed the well known streets that somehow managed to lead him further into his unnamed confusion. He was still stubbornly following the familiar direction that lead to the small town's flowing river however, even if it meant he would have to take to the sky to do it properly.

The one place which had been the source of his greatest despair as a child, was about to become his only saving salvation. But only if he could make the twenty minute run there much shorter. As it was now; to Ichigo it truly felt as if he only had seconds left before his soul would be separated into two unknown pieces that were tied irrevocably to Shiro Zangetsu's influence and Ossan's newly revealed Quincy existence. But he was clinging desperately to his fierce determination and will alone, knowing that he had to accomplish this current task without fail. A bloodied palm was already resting against Zangetsu's claim mark against his neck, fingertips digging into tanned flesh as the orangette reached deeply into himself in search of the stabilizing reiatsu that only his white haired doppelganger had the ability to offer him so irrevocably these days. When he found none, Ichigo abruptly drew on the soul that was present in the air to better mark his path across Karakura's skyline without yielding to the anxiety that was spreading so wholly across his heart.

Unknowingly using pure reishi to guide him forward, Ichigo unconsciously transcended the two parts of his soul that were each attempting to suppress the other in a perfect balance of reiatsu and impulse instead. The Substitute Shinigami soon finding his newly awakened instinct and unwavering strength eluding his senses the longer that he stayed suspended in the air, though. His lingering confusion was only spurring on harsh, panting, breaths that were spilling past parted petal pink lips fairly shallowly as Ichigo valiantly ignored the blurring black dots that were threatening to consume his vision entirely. He was rushing forward in a blur of speed again, having no need to hold himself back now that he had finally noticed the significantly shorter distance he had to travel in a straight path. Ichigo really did not need to have another stain on his conscience if he were to harm anyone with his power, and like this...Zangetsu's soothing presence within his soul was slowly but surely intensifying despite the control on Ichigo's reiatsu that was starting to slip from between his fingertips.

'Ichigo! Would you stop, PLEASE! Why are you running away?!' Ichigo barely even heard those words, only briefly glancing over his shoulder to see a familiar Shinigami form chasing behind him before he was forced to cry out when his reiatsu crashed painfully across his skin at the unexpected distraction. His father's presence was drawing ever closer, having an advantage with shunpo whilst Ichigo struggled to reign in the new instinctive control over his unsettled powers that were leading him forward. But the orangette's inherent talent for speed seemed to keep him just steps ahead before a sudden and unexpected rush of pain sunk into the depths of his heart the moment that another ragged cry was pulled from the depths of his soul in unrestrained sensation. Ichigo could hear rushing water that indicated the river was close by; his bare feet, flickering in Fullbring lights fairly erratic, died out the instant that a steady palm gripped a hold of his shoulder to still him. 'Damn it, Ichigo! What the hell is wrong with you, get down from here! You're not in your Shinigami form, it's dangerous!'

Ichigo gazed over his shoulder forlornly, deeply unsettled emotions displayed in the depths of his eyes as he saw serious chocolate brown eyes, in a hue much the same colour as his own; searching his silvery orbs for an explanation to his actions before Ichigo abruptly stiffened at his father's overwhelming power that only antagonized his unsettled reiatsu further. 'Dad?' Ichigo called out despondently, frustrated tears clinging to black lashes as glowing silver eyes frantically scanned the world below his feet before Ichigo suddenly found reality crashing down around him in a mind numbing sensation of loss and pure helplessness. 'Put up a barrier, Dad! Put a barrier! NOW! I can't―.' Ichigo cried out frantically, his words stalling in his throat just as he felt the beginnings of his control slipping away from his consciousness. A ragging explosion of pure reiatsu instantly flowed past his skin, Ichigo stubbornly clinging onto the impossible task of restraining himself as best he could now that there was a presence he could place in danger.

But it was a useless endeavour; the smallest slip was enough to cause a cascading torrent of uncontained power as it rumbled up from deep within him and clawed painfully against his skin. It was seeking to break free, its touch making it difficult to breathe against the restriction that his body now held over soul as a ragging howl of anguish was suddenly pulled from the depths of his lungs and Ichigo lost it completely. No longer having any support beneath his feet, the world suddenly tilted dangerously around him as he plummeted towards the ground that only seemed to be growing larger and much more intimidating than before. He only had a second to contemplate his father's shocked expression before an overwhelming explosion of reishi instantly broke free from the depths of his soul, swirling wildly around his form in a sea of pitch black that was pouring from him in waves of uncontrolled sensation. Ichigo knew that he was screaming by now, he could hear his own voice echoing inside his head, nearly deafening him in its intensity, as dazed eyes gazed up at the moonlit sky that was spread above him almost comfortingly.

The river's banks were near black below him, only mere meters away from breaking his fall before a steady voice from above called out a number that Ichigo could hardly comprehend and a ball of blue light ignited below him to create an oddly shaped kido that was woven intricately with very a familiar reiatsu. It captured his falling form in a blue net that had suspended itself from the steady structure of Karakura Bridge's towering metal construction. Giving Ichigo only enough comprehension to hear another call of power before a wall of clear reishi sprung up in front of his father protectively the second that the orangette's own reiatsu blacked out his vision and ignited across the sky in an uncontained rush. He could feel it intensely now...there was something within that wanted out desperately. Something that wanted to break free and the instant that Ichigo let go of it, a rising bliss of strange and overwhelming euphoria raced pleasurably across the depths of his heart.

Creating an out of character sensation in comparison to the pain that he had felt moments before; it forced the orange haired teen to arch back against the snapping strings of kido below him. A blissful cry rushing past his lips unexpectedly as it somehow managed to urge Ichigo to right himself before he leapt away from the kido's influence to land on his feet by the river bank. Blades of long grass were tickling his skin, brushing bare ankles as the flowing river was finally spread securely around him in a welcoming sight. The orangette was left shuddering under the pleasurable rush igniting his soul, though. His arms curling restrictive around his waist as he sunk to his knees and gazed up at the sky in utter confusion and bewilderment. Ichigo could see his father rushing towards him from the sky, silvery eyes watching the scene with a detached interest before they fluttered shut under the sudden strain of sensations that captivated his senses so wholly.

It was achingly painful, blissfully rapturous and deeply satisfying all at once; leaving Ichigo to rock back and forth against the growing bliss as his dazed senses were only vaguely aware of pitch black reiatsu that was dancing across the sky to black out anything in its path. It was as if the world had faded away from around him, separating itself from reality as he absently gripped blades of grass between his fingertips and his awareness drifted far away from him. Ichigo shuddering deeply at the sensation of fingertips that buried themselves in messy orange locks supportively, a soothing presence pressing close to his back in a protective barrier of reiatsu. Long legs were providing a resting point for his back as Ichigo struggled to regain control of his rushing breaths and the lingering aftershocks of bliss that were still skittering so powerfully across his soul. He could finally draw a proper breath into his lungs, his reiatsu drawn back into himself as Ichigo tilted his head upwards to thank his father for his help. He was forced to tug in a breath of surprise, though. His clearing vision gazing up at an ethereal being that was standing behind him instead of the spiky black haired Shinigami he was expecting.

A shudder of slight trepidation was racing across tanned skin, Ichigo's eyes widening in surprise by what he saw as he simply stared in absolute disbelief at what had become startling reality. Ignited beneath the light of a full moon, all Ichigo could see was pitch black armour. It was thick and elegant; creating menacing black spikes across the being's shoulders as it encased a tall frame from head to toe in darkness and the Hollow's form became accentuated with billowing hip-length white hair that trailed in streams of pure silk behind him. Those white locks seemed to come alive in its thickened texture now, dancing erratically at the whimsies of the wind behind a proudly straightened back as a powerful reiatsu, which only Ichigo could sense, poured powerfully around the creature in waves of comforting sensation that was teeming with a welcome familiarity. Upon the Hollow's back, kept secure by a black segmented sash, was a single white hilt that was in the form an inverted Zangetsu before Ichigo looked straight into a menacingly, long horned mask that was concealing his beloved's features from his curious silver eyes.

Despite the menacing aura that he seemed to carry now, Ichigo felt no fear.

This was undeniably the being that had claimed his soul a week ago.

'Zangetsu?' Ichigo called softly, his voice surprisingly steady for his unsettled state as those deadly red eyes gazed down at him with a soft hint of emotion before they cast their intent gaze across their surroundings and gentle clawed fingertips came to rest against his cheek in consolation. Zangetsu's right hand was already in the process of drawing an inverted Zanpactō from his back, the white haired being gazing over his shoulder at the Shinigami that had come to a halt in the air behind him several seconds ago. Isshin's unusually serious brown eyes were widened in shock, not sure to make at the sight as he sought to draw his own Zanpactō to protect his son. But Ichigo's sigh of pure relief, finally rested reiatsu and unthreatened reaction to the creature's presence standing so close to him momentarily threw his resolve. The orange haired teen's tensed shoulders were sagging in pure respite, clearly showing no fear as he even leaned back into the fingertips that were tenderly tracing the two curving red marks that were running beneath a left eye lovingly.

Now that he could no longer feel the intense conflict inside his soul, Ichigo finally felt more rested. With the mere touch of his beloved's reiatsu flooding the depths of his veins so deeply, Ichigo sighed softly in consolation as Shiro Zangetsu bent down so that he could bring himself closer to his unsettled Beta's kneeling form. Shielding him from sight protectively; Ichigo was left reeling in shock at the events that had happened through the last few hours and the harsh revelations that had been dealt to his form from the part of his power he held no understanding of. But even that unsettled upset was starting to fade away from his awareness as silvery eyes, bathed in pure awe, gazed dazedly up at the elegant Hollow form without even hearing his father's voice calling out to him in concern or the rumbling growl of unrestrained anger and warning that was rising in his Alpha's throat when another soul dared to stray closer to them.

'Zangetsu.' Ichigo said contentedly; smiling softly as black clawed fingertips suddenly curled around the edge of that menacing Hollow mask and pulled it off irritably. There was a definitive crack that only Ichigo could hear, the spread of that impressive black armour fading away in flecks of black reiatsu as it left behind a being that was much more familiar to Ichigo now. Zangetsu was still changed somehow; his thick hip-length white hair falling forward to brush against Ichigo's pale cheeks as he came to kneel in front of him protectively. A black clawed thumb brushing the skin beneath the orangette's left eye to trace the mark that his claim had burned there as a white shihakusho fell flowing around his form once more. A large, unsheathed white blade was still resting in his right hand, driven into the ground between them as the edges of a broken black mask left behind in an attractive pattern. It was resting over his left eye, a startling prelude to a long tapering black horn that was jutting menacingly from the side of his head. A single red eye, hidden behind the remains of that black mask, bathed in the same light of affection as its twin that remained a familiar gold that rested upon a sea of black sclera.

'Ichigo...I told you not to return to your body. It must have made experiencing our separation very painful to you. Such a silly Beta, you never listen to what I tell you. I should punish you for that, King.'

'Zangetsu...please...I―.' A black clawed fingertip instantly sealed a rush of protests; pressing firmly across petal pink lips as a hushing noise spilled from pale lips and Zangetsu stood absently now that Ichigo seemed to have calmed down into a more coherent state. He was holding out his hand to Ichigo, an irritable frown furrowing his brow as Ichigo merely stared up at him in confusion and askance. 'Stand up, Ichigo.' He demanded, re-sheathing his white blade and laying it across his back as he turned his attention to the Shinigami that was standing a good few meters away from them wearily. 'You are not weak, King. I am by your side, beloved. I told you that I would come to you if you ever felt threatened, someone was infringing on our bond or you simply wished for comfort. Now stand up, Ichigo and lose that fear of yours. Your soul is desperately trying to settle itself again after the shock from that man's revelation but you stubbornly sealed yourself into your body to counter your uncontrolled power. I know that you are afraid of what Juha Bach told you, but face your new found power, Ichigo, or I will force you to face it.'

'I only want to see you revel in the heights of your pleasure, King, not bind yourself away from reality. You are my mate, Ichigo. As I am yours. There is nothing that can separate us. If you falter, I will catch you. If you stumble I will help you stand up and if you are afraid, I will shield you. I shall forever protect you, my King. So stop trying to suppress me just because you became aware of that man's filthy power running in your veins again. It makes me feel rejected in your love that is rightfully mine.'

...

Your Comfort:

'Zangetsu?! Can you put me down, please! I can run by myself!' An irate tenor suddenly sounded through the early morning air. Forcing a lingering smirk to curl across pale lips; Shiro Zangetsu was left chuckling in sheer amusement at his Beta's pleading words that were caressing his ears so lovingly now. Like hell he'd let Ichigo run as he was. After all the unnecessary pain and drama Ichigo had put himself through because his King could not listen to him when he told him earlier not to return to his body, it was a well deserved beginning to punishment in his eyes. Besides the King was still in his human body, a very vulnerable being that could get hurt much easier than before. He wasn't about to let Ichigo go just so that he could hurt himself in the end, especially since he was travelling at such inconceivable speeds as he was now. Shifting a trembling form closer to his chest protectively, mismatched eyes gazed out over Karakura's forested outskirts in search of a secluded area where he could better settle the lingering dregs of upset that were still clinging so irrevocably to Ichigo's soul.

Karakura Town itself was spread behind them on the other side of the river; bright lights igniting the early morning hours as a howling wind rushed in his ears despite the warmth of a spring morning clinging softly to exposed skin. It was still dark, the moon lighting his path across the sky where the two of them had left behind a very confused Isshin on the riverside only minutes before. It was a miracle the man hadn't attacked him on the spot or chased after them now. But then again...Zangetsu was concealing Ichigo's reiatsu in a blanket of his own, indiscernible, power. A simple task that worked to hide the both of them from the world as the white haired Hollow's presence should only be detectable to Ichigo's senses. Their souls stood on an entirely different plane than everyone else, unnoticeable to all others besides the ones who were on the same level as them. But whether that was because Ichigo's soul was made up of a different power combination that had never been seen before or because the King had used the Saigo No Getsuga two years before, Zangetsu could only guess.

The only reason why most people were able to sense Ichigo's reiatsu these days was because the orangette's power was eternally captive to a restless struggle of oppression and suppression between him and the Old Man. But it wouldn't matter now either way; Zangetsu just wanted to get his beloved Beta's vulnerable form away from prying eyes and what was upsetting him so much in the first place. It was a great relief that they had gotten so far away already. Especially considering that Ichigo's spiky black haired father hid his immense power and capabilities from his son so well. Isshin was a force to be reckoned with, Zangetsu knew that intimately because the older man had been suppressing him with the help of Ossan for most of Ichigo's life until the orangette had awoken his own Shinigami powers. Something that could not have been achieved by any ordinary Shinigami. Zangetsu was not weak, he was a very powerful and uncontained existence. He was the first and most complete Arrancar in a released state, a Hollow that could easily stand at the top of all others in his evolution. And in strength alone, he stood above even his beloved King.

But despite all that...the white haired doppelganger only had one desire. And that was to protect his King. To keep his most beloved Beta content was Shiro Zangetsu's greatest desire just as he would destroy all who stood in his path no matter what the consequence. He gravitated around what his instincts dictated after all; a being that was not made up of reason and rationality...

'Z-Zangetsu? W-why did you bring me out here again?' A lilting tenor breathed softly in confusion several minutes later. Leaving a soft sigh to rustle across the top of messy orange locks, Zangetsu slowed his descent just as waraji clad feet landed on a blanket of soft grass. A small clearing, surrounded by a high canopy of trees, opened up around them now. Enclosing them in a world of natural privacy and seclusion; two different coloured orbs observed his King's moonlit frame intently as he placed the orangette back on his feet and gripped an upper arm to steady Ichigo's swaying form in support. He had probably come to a halt too quickly, he cursed himself openly. Ichigo was struggling to find his equilibrium again, leaning towards him instinctively as Shiro Zangetsu helped him sit down on the grass with a guiding hand and a frown of concern tugged harshly at white brows. A small keen of want at their close proximity and the unconscious whine spilling from his Beta's lips however, told the hip-length white haired doppelganger that his beloved was not entirely calmed down yet even though he seemed to have run out of things to say in reprimand and desperate question a while ago.

'I need to heal your wounds, Ichigo. Did you think I'll allow you to walk around with cuts on your hands after everything that's happened? Really now, picking up glass in the dark whilst in such an emotional state...I wonder if you have any sense of self-preservation at all. I also need to work out the lingering upset and unsettled reiatsu that you have. Now that, I'm sure you're going to love but your pleasure is going to have to wait. Give me your hand please and sit still like a good boy.' Settling himself cross legged in front of Ichigo, Zangetsu took a proffered hand in his as he carefully inspected the cuts that were scored across a pale palm and several fingers for any serious damage. Even though they were only superficial cuts and scrapes, the long white haired Hollow still tsked at the sight in concern. Mismatched eyes were fluttering half-mast seductively though; the white haired Zanpactō spirit binging the appendage to his lips gently as he watched with pure delight the intense reaction that his beloved was having to his rising reiatsu and the simple exchange of affection between them.

'Zangetsu...' Ichigo called pleadingly. Unknowingly showing his white haired doppelganger the deeply arousing sight of a subtle flush that ignited across pale cheeks and the deep need that were saturating the depths of his eyes; Zangetsu purred softly as the action coloured sensually curved marks beneath Ichigo's left eye a darker crimson than before. Hushing his beloved's words gently, the white haired Hollow could only revel silently at the rush of desire that began to cloud over those silvery eyes in a deep and provocative light. Damn it! He really couldn't take it anymore! Ichigo's desperate need for comfort and reaffirmation of their intimate affection was searing across the depths of his heart, tugging incessantly on their bond as Zangetsu heard a shuddering breath being tugged into resisting lungs the instant that the Alpha ran a sly blue tongue across several superficial wounds tenderly. Swiping away the lingering blood before cupping a warm palm between his hands; Zangetsu reached into the depths of his Beta's soul to bring forth his natural instinct to seal the barely there cuts on his own.

'The other one, Ichigo.' Zangetsu breathed commandingly once he was done. Briefly resting black clawed fingertips against petal pink lips licentiously; the orangette's white haired doppelganger pressed his lips against a warm forehead to still Ichigo's inherent trembling as he sought to manipulate the string of reishi that bound their souls in an attempt to convert his beloved's lingering reiatsu and unsettled emotions into arousal, contentment and love instead. Shivering himself when he began to notice the pleasure that his Beta was taking from their closely entwined forms and his presence; Shiro Zangetsu took his time sealing the other wounds as he shifted closer to the orangette's form to heat up the early morning cold that was beginning to affect his beloved so wholly. Nestled between parted thighs, long legs propped up on the grass and pressing against his hips intimately, the two of them were mere inches away from each other in tender affection. Luscious moonlit lips were parting to let out several pleased mewls, Ichigo's breaths caressing pale cheeks as curious fingertips rested against the broken hollow mask that was concealing a small part of Zangetsu's features from a lust filled gaze.

Settled in pitch black across a pale cheek, left eye, and the beginnings of a white brow; Ichigo unconsciously managed to tug a rumbling growl of possessiveness from his Alpha's throat when uncertain fingertips traced the long tapering black horn from the sharp angled base at the side of his head, to the deadly sharp tip that was long enough to rest against the orangette's temple at their close intimacy. Zangetsu's eyes were dilating in pleasure at the touch, an unusual and unsettled warmth burning in the pit of his stomach as he suddenly leant forward to seal his lips with another pair in a sensual and demanding caress. He couldn't hold himself back anymore; not with those silvery eyes, finally drained of their distressed instinct and forcing red marks to fade away from beneath Ichigo's left eye, urging him on as they were. Causing the white haired Zanpactō to grin in triumph against the erotic entanglement of their tongues when full blown chocolate brown orbs were revealed to him once more at his playfully nipping teeth, Zangetsu practically purred his internal pleasure and rising delight to possess Ichigo all over again.

Ichigo was leaning towards him eagerly now; long fingertips winding through hip length white locks with several pleasured sighs as Zangetsu tenderly guided the orangette to rest his back against soft grass. His King was absolutely beautiful as he was now. Whatever form he took, whatever emotions crossed those newly revealed chocolate brown orbs and whatever touch of bliss he was willing to gift him with, Zangetsu would take and make his own. He wanted to possess his King all over again, to burn his scent into his skin, to sear across his mind the utter rapture that only Ichigo could ever grant him. He would claim his Beta beneath the lightening sky and waning rays of the moon that night, would chase away the unsettled pain and emotional distress that that man had created within his beloved with sheer rapture instead. So when two palms came up to cup his cheeks gently, breaking their kiss so that Ichigo could draw a breath into straining lungs; Shiro Zangetsu hummed softly in appreciation as the moonlight glinted off of the string of saliva that still connected their tongues intimately and his hip length white locks spilled over his shoulders to shield the both of them in a world of their own making.

'Ichigo,' He called softly; his baritone ringing in the air around them as he revelled happily in the sensation of his King arching sensually against him as the orangette seemed to have lost his ability to speak any coherent sentence. Ichigo was always overly responsive to Zangetsu; losing himself in the depths of his passion so wholly that he unconsciously dragged his beloved along with him and made it extremely difficult for the white haired doppelganger to contain himself in these situations. Messy orange locks were falling into chocolate brown eyes evocatively, showing just a peek of uncontained lust from behind a sprawl of orange strands as a deep flush settled across pale cheeks and the white haired doppelganger felt himself groaning in enjoyment when Ichigo unconsciously ground their hardening arousals together by arching his hips wildly against him. He curled clawed fingertips against grinding hips several seconds later though; stilling Ichigo's movements as he suddenly leant forward to dig his teeth against his claim mark rather harshly.

A blue tongue was tracing across tanned skin sensually, pouring an overwhelming flood of reiatsu into his beloved's soul as he sought to drown him pure sensation alone. Zangetsu was left wincing internally though, when tanned fingertips tugged desperately at long white locks as a way to ground Ichigo against his shivering bliss. Sheer pleasure was resonating across their bond, the orange haired Shinigami making the most addictive wailing cries that were tainted with nothing but his climbing pleasure as he called out to his mate softly in deep need. 'Z-Zangetsu...o-oh god! S-top! P-please...n-not here...I―.' Zangetsu easily silenced his beloved's words by tracing his palm against the inside of a parted thigh; feeling the outline of a hardened arousal that was straining against loose black pyjama pants with a grin of pride and a lingering fire of want himself. Zangetsu was fairly reluctant when drew away from the delectable flesh of a tanned neck though, tracing his tongue against Ichigo's cheek in soothing consolation to calm his King's overwhelming heated pleasure for several seconds.

'Stop?' He purred incredulously, a blue tongue swiping across pale lips to gather Ichigo's taste into himself as a deadly predatory leer curled across his lips in the form of a smirk. 'I thought I told you that I was going to work out your lingering upset and reiatsu, King. Don't fight me Ichigo. Your body is already teeming with want, your soul crying out to me in desperate need. It's only your mind that is trying to interfere again. Rely only your instinct, that and nothing more. No one will come here and if they do, I will simply rip them apart for daring to cross the reiatsu barrier I have drawn across this area.' Zangetsu said forcefully, chuckling mirthfully at the uncertainty that coloured his Beta's eyes in a moment of clarity before he parted petal pink lips to protest his words. The orangette was silenced unceremoniously by black clawed fingertips that slipped inside a warm and wet mouth though; a glaze of lust once more clouding over chocolate brown orbs and fogging up Ichigo's mind with sensation as Zangetsu carded his free hand through messy orange locks and pressed his lips to his beloved's forehead tenderly.

'Hush, Ichigo. I'll look after you, I promise. Just relax into your pleasure, beloved. I'll give you an entirely different type of rapture that you've never felt before, King. So trust me to take care of my Beta's needs today. There's nothing to fear anymore, no more hesitating. I am forever beside you.'

My Pleasure:

'Nnngh...Zangetsu...I...' Hushing his King's incoherent words with the lazy swipe of a blue tongue; Zangetsu hummed thoughtfully against the bared neck that he was pleasuring as he slipped sharp clawed fingertips beneath a tight black t-shirt that was clinging so provocatively to Ichigo's torso. Winding his arm around a squirming waist once Ichigo shifted restlessly against his lap, the white haired Hollow tugged his King more fully against his chest as he dug his teeth against the nape of an arched neck with a little growl of warning. He could feel Ichigo's every breath rising and falling against his chest, their close proximity providing a heady position where Ichigo was sitting between his propped up thighs and wound tanned fingertips through white hakama in search of a way to ground himself against the flood of reiatsu that his Alpha was pouring so irrevocably through his soul. Pinching a hardened nipple between his forefinger and thumb, Zangetsu found himself shivering deeply at the muffled shout that Ichigo let out as he tried to valiantly stifle his pleasured cries with the palm of a hand.

The Hollow could scent Ichigo's slight hesitation though; the true anxiety that Ichigo felt in fear of someone discovering them entwined in such an intimate embrace. It was tainting the seventeen-year-old's skin harshly, permeating the air with a pure sweetness that was sending the white haired doppelganger's mind spinning with a heady flood of possessiveness, burning desire and the deep instinctual need he felt to settle his Beta's previous upset. Zangetsu was cooing softly in comfort, seeking only to ease his beloved's unsettled emotions that were concealing his pleasures from his senses. Only after he told his King to calm himself once again, did the orange haired teen separate his awareness from his fears, though. His tensed form relaxing slowly, falling limply against Zangetsu's chest as the white haired being hummed softly in delight to the reaction. He was absently untangled his hand from beneath Ichigo's shirt, tipping a chin upward so that he could press a lingering kiss to a furrowed orange brow in soothing promise.

Ichigo was trembling in his arms, half lidded brown orbs gazing up at him pleadingly until the white haired being was forced to let out a lingering sigh once he recognized the sheer desire that was reflected in those beautiful, fathomless, depths.

'Nuh uh, King. You're going to have to do your own preparation tonight.' Zangetsu noted playfully. Chuckling mirthfully at Ichigo's reaction when the orangette suddenly pulled away from him in surprise and twisted against the restrictive arm wound across his waist; mismatched eyes could only glitter with amusement when Ichigo turned widened brown orbs upon his Hollow with sheer trepidation. At his breathless and incredulously breathed 'why'; Zangetsu brought his right hand forward to show his King the little problem that they had. His pitch black nails were definitive claws now. His transformation into a more recognizable existence from the fully hollowfied form he had had before had gifted him with a shattered mask possessing a long tapering horn and pitch black nails that were deadly claws. They were lengthening at his will, changing form and shape as they extended to become long, circular and reached near two and half inches in tapering length alone. 'See, King? These ones are for a different use now. I can blow your mind with a single one. But I'll show that dangerous pleasure a little later. First do your preparation.'

'If you're too hesitant, King...I'll guide you through it.' The white haired Hollow breathed soothingly. Capturing Ichigo's right hand in his, Zangetsu pressed himself closer to his beloved's back so that he could rest his chin against a warm shoulder. Pressing his palm against a perfectly sculpted abdomen to keep Ichigo steady, the orangette's near perfect doppelganger pressed his lips against a sweaty temple to calm several hitched moans that were spilling so headily from parted petal pink lips. 'Here, I'll wet them for you. Just lean back, King, relax and push your pants down your hips.' Cooing softly in praise when the orangette eventually obeyed his instructions after a long time of internal debate; Shiro Zangetsu brought Ichigo's hand towards his lips as a pleasurable reward. His King was so sensitive towards everything that Zangetsu did though, that even the smallest sensual act was enough to charge up his need for release as the orangette mewled needily to entice his Alpha into speeding up his slow and pleasurable seduction.

When the Zanpactō spirit slipped two tanned fingers past pale lips and into the depths of his mouth, he could only hum softly in delight when Ichigo moaned abruptly and mismatched eyes tracked the soft flush of red that was spreading so evocatively across pale cheeks. Running a sly blue tongue against twin digits, Zangetsu paid special attention to the sensitive pads before he bathed the appendages in as much saliva as possible. As a way to increase his beloved's pleasure however, he curled careful clawed fingertips around a straining arousal that was already wet with dripping pre-come in its need for release. He was smirking arrogantly around his treat though, mismatched eyes flashing in pure desire as he dragged a slow, unfulfilling pace across hardened flesh just so that he could watch his King start to lose control over himself. The orangette was already arching desperately against him, bucking impatiently into his firm grip as Zangetsu nibbled warm fingertips teasingly and slid his free hand beneath a black shirt to tease hardened nipples in a simultaneous rush of double pleasure.

'Z-Zan...Zangetsu! Hnnn, Zangetsu...please!' Grinning predatorily at his beloved King's desperate calls of his name; the white haired being suddenly clamped down around the base of a slick erection to stave off Ichigo's pleasure as he pulled his hand from beneath black fabric and curled knowing fingertips around a tanned wrist reassuringly. 'So beautiful, King, when you just let yourself live in your pleasure.' Zangetsu purred sensuously. Urging his beloved to part his thighs further with gentle words, the white haired being guided wet fingertips against sensitive flesh before he brushed them over Ichigo's entrance teasingly and slipped one inside the moment that Ichigo gave a hesitant nod for him to continue. The hitched cry was almost deafening; ringing out through the small clearing that surrounded them as Ichigo adhered to the stretch and found his own pleasurable pace when Zangetsu let him go and continued to drag a pattern of sheer rapture across his beloved's hardened cock. He was shifting restlessly against the orangette though, reaching a similar state of need with the overwhelming flood of ecstasy that was now searing deeply across their soul deep connection.

'Easy, King. Relax...you're straining too much.' Zangetsu warned gently. Feeling the uncomfortable tug in the pit of his stomach that indicated his King was trying to force their union into submission again; the Alpha could only close his eyes and wind his arm around Ichigo's waist to stop his undulating hips. 'Just breathe, Ichi. Add the other one when you're ready.' Brushing his lips against a sweaty temple when vibrant orange strands began to adhere to pearls of glistening sweat that clung to a furrowed brow, the white haired being hummed soothingly before taking away his firm grip from around Ichigo's arousal to twine his clawed fingertips with Ichigo's left hand instead. Untangling the hand that was twisting the fabric of his hakama so desperately, Shiro Zangetsu hushed the first traces of pleasurable tears that were slipping from beneath black lashes. Those chocolate brown orbs were near black with rising lust, the white haired Zanpactō spirit pleased to note that Ichigo's second finger slipped inside much easier and with much more enthusiasm now that he had started to relax into his pleasure.

'That's it, Ichigo. You're already doing so well already.' He praised in a seductive whisper. Smirking in anticipation as a low whine spilled from luscious petal pink lips the moment that Zangetsu turned Ichigo's head towards him to capture a slick pink tongue in an erotic entanglement of shuddering rapture. Zangetsu purred deeply in sheer satisfaction now that he had his beloved Beta trembling in his arms so needily. There was no greater pleasure than this sensation, no greater ecstasy than knowing he was the only one that would ever be able to give his beloved this satisfaction and soul deep, eternal pleasure for an eternity to come. A burst of laughter suddenly escaped pale lips though, Shiro Zangetsu watching as those lust glazed chocolate brown orbs became saturating with a fire of want and widened in surprise the instant that curious fingertips found a little button rapture deep inside of him for the first time. Ichigo instantly arched in a sensual bow, seeking to press his fingers deeper inside of him to find his own satisfaction with a keening cry of sheer desperation.

'That's enough, King.' Zangetsu purred softly in command. It was such a shame that he could barely contain himself anymore, he thought absently. He really wanted to watch his King revel in his own pleasure a little longer. But he was starting to take pity on the orangette, even if that pity was spurred on by his own achingly hard arousal that was throbbing painfully for release. 'Come to me, Ichigo.' He called hauntingly. Wrapping black clawed fingers around a moving wrist to still its movements, Shiro Zangetsu suddenly pulled away those wet fingers before he turned Ichigo around so that the orangette was kneeling between his parted thighs and a warm forehead came to rest against his cautiously. In the corner of his eye Zangetsu could see the tapering tip of his black horn resting against Ichigo's temple...almost scoring sensitive skin red with the deadly sharp point before his King's rushing breaths dragged the hip length white haired being back to reality when they spilled seductively across pale cheeks. The Hollow ran a blue tongue across his lips seductively though; mismatched eyes flashing in arousal as he loosed the black sash that kept a white hakama secured to thin hips and guided his beloved's hips closer to him.

'Brace yourself.' That was the only warning that Zangetsu was willing to give; his very breath stolen from his lungs the instant that he buried his erection deeply inside his lover with a single thrust. Ichigo cried out above him hoarsely, a litany of curses spilling into the air as a sear of pain danced across their intimate bond before the white haired Hollow instinctively stilled his hips to give his beloved time to adjust to a significantly larger stretch and pale lips sealed across Ichigo's own to twine their tongues in an erotic dance of heady distraction. Tanned fingertips were twining harshly in his thick white locks again, pulling colourless strands over the Hollow's shoulder as the orangette breathed shakily against their kiss and slowly but surely began to relax his vice-like grip around Zangetsu's cock the more that the seconds passed. The white haired being shifted his hips though, breaking their kiss when he noticed his beloved's breaths getting far too short and his Beta began to lean into his slow and experimental thrusts.

'Tight.' He whispered with considerable strain. Sweat was beginning to trail sensually down the back of his neck, the Zanpactō spirit groaning softly in delight at the scorching heat that was engulfing his arousal so wholly and completely. He was going to lose himself in the next few moments, Shiro Zangetsu could feel it already. The instinct to possess his mate, to paint his insides with his seed was starting to bubble over in an uncontained rush...urging him forward as he increased his pace with harder, faster, deeper thrusts that only their erotically entwined forms could find ultimate pleasure in. In search of fulfilling both his and his beloved Beta's carnal instinct as quickly as possible; Zangetsu revelled in the feeling of Ichigo leaning back into his thrusts before he pressed his lips against his beloved's claim mark to force a rush of reiatsu into the healed wound to reaffirm his dominance over his yielding Beta that was baring his very heart to him so openly now. There was one more thing that he had to give his Ichigo however, before the Alpha could lose himself to rapture. He had promised his King something mind blowing after all.

'Open your eyes...Ichigo.' Zangetsu implored huskily, his breaths skittering across the skin of his beloved's chest as he rested his forehead against Ichigo's shoulder briefly to collect himself from the overwhelming rapture that was saturating his skin so powerfully. 'Look down, King.' He commanded again. Pulling away to give his beloved a chance to see what he was doing; the white haired doppelganger wrapped his left hand around Ichigo's straining arousal before he allowed his right hand's black claws to lengthen to two and half inch tapering tips again. He could feel his beloved stiffening against him, a scorching passage tightening against his arousal at the realization of what he was about to do before a raging 'no' echoed into the air with deafening intensity. There was a howling cry the instant that Zangetsu pressed a thin, circular black nail deeply into the slit of Ichigo's hardened arousal. The King's reaction was instantaneous, the orangette wailing his rapture and pain as a flood of emotions, several bursts of powerful reiatsu and an emotional tumble of overwhelming satisfaction flooded the depths of their bond so deeply.

'No! Zangetsu...ZANGETSU...it...it burns...oh god! Feels so good...more...more I want...PLEASE ZANGETSU!' The white haired doppelganger only had several seconds to chuckle in sheer delight at his King's reaction before he brought the both of them to quick completion. It didn't even take three harsh thrusts later before Ichigo wailed his name again. This time releasing a burst of reiatsu that was so powerful that Shiro Zangetsu felt his beloved's power pulling him along for the ride into sheer, carnal, rapture. He was groaning deeply in satisfaction, a ragging torrent of bliss flowing like liquid fire through his veins as he let go of himself when he pulled his nail from within Ichigo's slit. Watching through a dizzying rush of blood roaring deafeningly in his ears, streams of white flowed from Ichigo's arousal; pearly white liquid clinging to his hand and sticking to his fingertips in the irrevocable triumph of his task. Colouring his beloved's black shirt in stains before he released his own seed deep inside of his Beta, the white haired Hollow could barely keep himself coherent enough to lower Ichigo's exhausted form to the ground once his overwhelming climax began to reach its completion and before he could fall on top of his King to hurt him.

Time seemed to flow into an indiscernible measure of reality after those intense moments, Shiro Zangetsu gathering his beloved into his arms as he carefully resettled their clothes and pulled his deadly white Zanpactō closer towards him before he brushed tender fingertips through dishevelled orange locks as a way to lull his Ichigo into pleasurable dreams where no trace of his previous upset or unsettled reiatsu could be felt. For an Alpha, there was no greater achievement when he had an upset Beta on his hands. And the moment that a series of beautiful purrs spilled from within Ichigo's throat to caress his ears, he smiled to himself in joy. Only a contented Beta had the ability to make that sound; the only sound that an Alpha's instincts sought to create every time that they finished a coupling. The louder and more drawn out the sound, the more pleasure their mate had found in their intimacy. But that was a sound only for their beloved's ears. If anyone else besides Zangetsu heard it...he would rip apart the person infringing so deeply on him and Ichigo's bond.

It was meant only for his ears after all, no one else.

So when the orangette finally drifted off into a peaceful slumber against his chest and his purrs quieted down a long time after that; one very satisfied Alpha gathered up his beloved in his arms as he took to the open skies once more. The sun had long since risen; colouring his King's wild locks a lighter and much more vibrant orange as he prepared himself for what was to come. Hip length white locks, having taken on the length and thick texture from when Ichigo had used the Saigo No Getsuga, trailed menacingly behind him as if alive in its power as it concealed most of his menacing white Zanpactō from sight. It was time that he put his King to bed for real this time and then...there were a few choice words that he had to share with Ichigo's father.

'Sleep peacefully, King. I'll still be beside you when you wake and then hopefully, you can have your answers.' A deadly grin was curling at pale lips. Mismatched eyes scanning Karakura's sunlit plane as he increased the distance his leaps of shunpo could create for good measure. No one would ever get away with upsetting his King. And after having lied to him his whole life...the white haired Hollow was more than justified in his slow brewing anger.

He was absolutely furious.

Right, that's it. I'm done my honeys. Thank you for reading, I really appreciate it. If there are any questions, please don't be afraid to ask. I may not answer them if they'll spoil my plot but I'll try to let you know in a roundabout way. For now though, I don't think I missed any notes or so...

Please leave me a little review as a reward, I'll really appreciate it. Flames will of course be deleted. Now, I believe I deserve some rest and a nice warm bath. I'll see you with a new update soon...although what update that is, I'm still deciding.

Yours Always

Chocolate Carnival