Reborn Into Innocence - Bleach (boyxboy)

Chapter 6

AN: Hey again! Haven't really got much to say, other than I hope you'll enjoy reading this chapter!

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Chapter 6:

The next time Ukitake found himself fighting through the heavy, suppressing but somewhat comfortable darkness to consciousness, he could hear voices; three very distinct voices talking in hushed tones that were so close and yet seemingly so far away. Even through his dizzy sleepiness, he immediately recognised the voices and knew that they were indeed discussing something of great importance.

The next thing he was made aware of was that he was still in a small amount of pain, even though he was lying down on that comfortable surface from before. Soft blankets were tucked around him as a moisten cloth rested against his brow. There was also a heady scent of flowers and strong alcohol from something as soft as silk tucked under his chin.

And the realization of what that was made his aching body relax and tender reassurance touch him. This scent, that voice, it told him that Shunsui was indeed still there with him, in the same room as he, just as he had promise.

Shunsui had always kept his promises.

Slowly forcing his eyes open, Ukitake found that his vision was once again blurred and he had to squeeze his eyes shut and then force them open again a few times for the un-shapely figures to start to make sense to him. And, of course, the first thing he saw was a vision of pink and he knew that Shunsui's kimono that was always draped across his shoulders was now draped across him, shielding him, protecting him.

Letting his head slowly roll over to the right, Ukitake was slightly surprised to see that Aizen had been placed on the bed next to him, the little one still sleeping soundly. And his Zanpakutō had returned to the form of his blade, they too lying on the bed, placed there purposely on the other side of Aizen.

A smile touched Ukitake's lips when Aizen rolled over in his sleep, tugging at Shunsui's kimono with his hands, his brow knotting in slight annoyance.

Carefully snaking his hand out from under the blankets, Ukitake pulled at the kimono so it was now covering Aizen like a blanket, an act that immediately made him settle down and drift into a peaceful sleep.

Casting one last glance over the child, Ukitake allowed his head to roll to the right, toward the sound of the voices. There, standing in the threshold of the door way was Shunsui, surprisingly not wearing his captain's haori with his back to him. He couldn't see around his hulking form, but he could hear that Isshin and Ichigo were both standing not far from him. They must have moved their discussion out in the hallway.

They were, however, unaware that he was awake, so he continued to lay still on the bed, not wanting for them to abruptly stop conversing because of him. He still felt very shaky and he knew that his body needed more time to rest and recover. There was really no need for him to get up as he knew that he could be in no safer place.

To find a place that offered sanctuary after so much uncertainty was a wonderful feeling.

"How can we be sure he won't just turn back into that bastard when our backs are turned?" Came Ichigo's slightly raised voice, worry and concern clearly abundant in his tone.

A loud sigh was heaved as Isshin's voice drifted in as well. "We don't know, Ichigo."

"What we do know is that he is indeed a child now," Shunsui responded with his usually drawl with a not so usual feeling of weariness.

However Ichigo's concern wasn't that easy lifted. "It could be a trick!"

"You tell us, Ichigo," Shunsui interjected before Ichigo could say anymore. "You can see through Aizen's illusions, can't you?"