YAY I HAVE FINALLY DONE A FANFIC ON MY FAVORITE CRACK PAIRING! I AM A MEMBER OF THE HITSURUKI ARMY! Too bad it would never happen...

Before you read, know this:

This keeps up with the manga. If you haven't read and want to wait for the anime's return, THEN STOP READING NOW!

I prefer the Japanese translation "Vice-captain" and using terms like "reiatsu".

Reiatsu = Spiritual Pressure

Zanpaktou = Soul Slayer

San = Mister or Miss

' = thoughts

" = spoken out loud

italics = Hyorinmarou speaking

*WARNING! SOME CHARACTERS MAY BE OOC. I TRIED TO KEEP IT WITHIN, BUT IT WAS HARD!*

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. Kubo Tite does.

NORMAL P.O.V

Despite the sneer and feeling of repulsion that comes to mind when one thinks of Captain Kurotsuchi Mayuri, you had to admit he was a brilliant scientist. The simple fact that he was able to counteract the zombie blood within Captain Hitsugaya from that Sternritter is proof enough. His treatments would create a fever within the victim strong enough to evaporate the zombie blood from the victim's bloodstream without killing them (just barely, but hey! They live. Who's complaining? *Ignoring the screams from Captain Hitsugaya*). It was a miracle that Captain Hitsugaya and Vice-Captain Matsumoto were able to survive; however, seeing as how they were alive when the zombie blood was placed within them, it went to show that they could survive Mayuri's treatments.

Now that both Captain Hitsugaya Toushiro and Vice-Captain Matsumoto Rangiku had been cleansed of the zombie blood, they were in the care of Vice-Captain Kotetsu Isane. Mayuri left with the zombified Kensei and Rose to find any other possible test subjects *cough* survivors. Though Isane initially demanded that they also be healed, Mayuri said it would be impossible seeing as how they were already dead when the Sternritter turned them into zombies. Isane then sadly turned all her attention to healing Rangiku and Hitsugaya.

Rangiku had made a fabulous recovery (as always ;] ), but Captain Hitsugaya was a different story. His fever simply wouldn't go down.

"He's burning up!" yelled Rangiku as she frantically tried to help Vice-Captain Isane heal him.

"I am aware. We need to find a way to lower his body temperature" replied Isane calmly.

"Captain needs to be cold at all times! Can't your zanpaktou do anything? Doesn't it have to do with snow?" yelled Rangiku. You could see from the desperation in her eyes how much she cared about her little captain.

"My zanpaktou simply conjures up snow from which I can sometimes create snowstorms. It won't help him at all" said Isane.

Calmly thinking of a way to help the fallen captain during this time was difficult. Without access to the fourth division's medical supplies, it was next to impossible to lower his fever. Both Isane and Rangiku combined didn't have enough reiatsu to generate sufficient healing kido, since they were also both injured. Suddenly, Isane was struck with a wild idea.

Isane turned to Rangiku and said "Rangiku, go find Kuchki Rukia. Her zanpaktou is ice-based like Captain Hitsugaya. She might have the strength to help"

"Kuchki-san is still alive? How do you know?" replied Rangiku. Last she saw of Kuchki was when the Quincy first attacked Seiretei.

"Yes. She was the one who brought the bodies of Captains Kensei and Rose. I could feel that she has grown tremendously in power. She is our best bet. She will be with her brother and Vice-Captain Abarai Renji"

Rangiku look determinedly at Captain Hitsugaya. "I will find her".

'That's odd. The Sternritter just disappeared' thought Rukia as she made her way to Renji.

"It seems their leader believed their worth to have come to an end" replied Captain Kuchki Byakuya as he stumbled (somehow gracefully) to Rukia.

"Nii-sama! You're hurt" cried Rukia as she sought to steady him.

"Captain, we need to find someone from the Fourth to help you" said Renji as he took in Byakuya's wounds.

After walking for some time they decided to take a quick rest. However, they sensed someone quickly approaching. They got on their guard and tried to sense who it was. After a few moments, Renji lowered his zanpaktou and said "Rangiku?"

'Finally, finally, FINALLY! I FOUND THEM!' thought Rangiku as she sped up towards the direction she sensed Renji. She knew that wherever Renji was, Kuchki-san would be close by.

"RENJI, CAPTAIN KUCHKI, KUCHKI-SAN, THANK GOODNESS I FOUND YOU! I NEED YOU THREE TO COME WITH ME TO WHERE ISANE AND MY CAPTAIN ARE! HE NEEDS MEDICAL HELP AND KUCHKI-SAN IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN HELP HIM!

The three looked wide-eyed at Rangiku as she looked more distressed than usual. Given this was a time of war and had to do with her captain, it was understandable.

"How could I possibly help him?" said Rukia.

"He was infected by a Sternritter but Mayuri got rid of the infecting blood by creating a fever within his body to burn it out. However, his temperature won't lower and he could die. No matter what Isane does, he won't heal. PLEASE YOU HAVE TO HELP HIM!" cried Rangiku. Tears slipped out her blue eyes as she recalled how weak he last looked.

Rukia looked towards her brother. He simply met her gaze and a silent conversation was quickly exchanged. She turned to Rangiku and said

"Lead us to them. While I try to help Captain Hitsugaya, Vice-Captain Isane will help my brother".

Rangiku used all her power to refrain from crushing Rukia in a hug. "THANK YOU SO MUCH KUCHKI-SAN!"

Rukia softly smiled in return, hoping to reassure Rangiku. "Please just call me Rukia. Now let's hurry".

After some time, they made it to where Isane and Hitsugaya were hiding. They had found an old barrack that was more secure than the other buildings in Seiretei.

"I found them and Rukia-san said she'll try to help" said Rangiku excitedly. "How is he doing?"

"He hasn't gotten either better or worse since you left" replied Isane.

Rukia helped Renji lower Byakuya onto a cot and allowed Isane to take a look at his wounds. While Renji tried to calm Rangiku down, Rukia made her way to Hitsugaya.

'He looks pretty bad' thought Rukia as she examined the white-haired captain. He was sweating profusely, shaking, and mumbling incoherently. His face was flushed, eyes closed, breathing erratic, and his lips were fairly chapped. 'Well, considering what he just went through, I suppose it's a miracle he's still alive. Of course, I would expect nothing less from the Captain of the 10th'.

Rukia raised her palm to cup his forehead to check his temperature. As she placed it upon him, he stopped shaking and turned towards her hand. She yanked her hand back at the heat she came into contact with.

HITSUGAYA P.O.V

In his delirious state, he tried to search for the cool palm that had touched him. He kept seeing images of the entire war- who he fought, how many in his division had fallen, and how he had fallen prey to that weird Sternritter girl while he was recovering from a previous battle. He could also hear voices, but couldn't pinpoint any of them. All that mattered now was finding that cold within this uncomfortable heat that threatened to consume him.

Once again, he felt that wonderful coolness, this time on his cheek. Not thinking about his actions, he snuggled closer to it, trying to let the cold travel throughout his body. It felt SO GOOD.

He felt another coolness brush something away from his forehead. Surely not his hair? That would've burned away long ago in this heat. Not that he really cared at this point. It was such a sweet relief that nothing else mattered except keeping this coolness for as long as possible.

RUKIA P.O.V

Rukia brushed his fringe away from his forehead to cup her palm there while her other hand rested on his cheek. He seemed to react to his because he stopped thrashing around and mumbling. Then Rukia came to a conclusion.

"I need to lower the temperature of the room. His body will react and hopefully he will recover a bit. Everyone needs to evacuate, otherwise you'll freeze to death."

Renji and Byakuya simply nodded their assent. They trusted Rukia and her judgment. Also, they didn't have enough strength to withstand the freezing temperature her zanpaktou would generate. Renji helped Byakuya stand and they both said their goodbyes to Rukia as they made their exit.

Isane then followed them, nodding her agreement to Rukia. Though she didn't know her well, she trusted that Rukia would do all she can to help the captain. Before she left, she gave Rukia a basin filled with water and a cloth to help bring down Hitsugaya's temperature.

Unsurprisingly, Rangiku tried to stay put.

"I'm not leaving my captain again. He needs me here".

Rukia met her gaze and stated "Vice-Captain Matsumoto, if you stay here, you will die. Which do you think your captain would prefer? Please trust me. I know this will help him. Hyorinmarou is the strongest ice zanpaktou. Surely his wielder can survive Shirayuki's lowered temperatures. If you won't trust me, trust in your captain."

Rangiku lowered her gaze and sighed resignedly. She then turned to her captain and said, "Get well captain. This war isn't over, and Seiretei needs you."

She then looked at Rukia. "I leave him in your hands Rukia-san". She then left and locked the door behind her.

Rukia sighed as she grabbed Shirayuki's hilt. She called out her shikai and observed as Hitsugaya seemed to relax under the freezing wind of Shirayuki's release. Stabbing the ground behind Hitsugaya's head, she controlled the room's temperature to below freezing and began to run a healing kido over his entire body. Once she was sure all his wounds were closed, she got the basin and started to wipe the sweat off his face and neck.

Throughout the night, she would constantly check his temperature and happily discovered it to be steadily lowering. 'Hopefully he'll be better by morning'.

HITSUGAYA P.O.V

Finally, these visions are clearing up and the heat is fading. I feel as though a cold wind is embracing me, pushing away this horrible heat and slowing everything down. This coolness previously on my face leaves for a while, and then comes back, slowing my breathing and calming my entire self. Whatever it is, I want it to stay forever. It's so soft and soothing, gentle and cool.

I want more. I want this coolness all around me. As I feel it touch my face again I grab it and pull it towards me. I think I hear a gasp, but it's probably nothing. All that matter is now this gentle coolness is next to me. I grab it and hold it close so that it cannot escape. Its mine and I'm not letting it go.

RUKIA P.O.V

Rukia gasped as Hitsugaya grabbed her hand and pulled her with surprising strength towards him. A blush blossomed on her face as he wrapped his arms around her and sighed contentedly.

'He's sick. He doesn't know what he's doing. He's the Ice Prince and doesn't do perverted things. He's simply sick and reaching out for my cold kido. He's THIS strong when he's sick?!' yelled Rukia in her mind.

Being this close gave Rukia a chance to get a good look at his face. His face was back to its normal tan and he was no longer sweating. He also wasn't thrashing or mumbling at all, but instead was slowly breathing in and out.

'Good, he's asleep. He definitely needs a good long rest. I'll keep Shirayuki out so his temperature doesn't spike again.' Rukia then tried to get up off the cot, but Hitsugaya seemed to have an iron grip on her waist, intent on having her next to him while he slept.

The tips of Rukia's ears were red as she realized she would have to remain in her position until morning. Well, if she turned the opposite way….

Rukia turned so her back faced Hitsugaya and willed herself to sleep. If she were to maintain her shikai, she would need to rest. She would just have to wake up before everyone came back. Then Rukia closed her eyes and slipped into unconsciousness.

A few hours later, Rukia sensed the others approaching. Using all her strength, she tore herself from Hitsugaya's grasp and raised the temperature to a range more suitable for the others.

In addition to those who were there yesterday, Captain Hirako Shinji and Vice-Captain Hinamori Momo came to check on Hitsugaya's condition.

"How is Shiro-chan?" cried Hinamori. Her captain tried to console her as tears ran down her face.

As Isane ran a full-body scan on Hitsugaya, she was surprised to find him almost completely healed. He simply needed more rest. She turned to Rukia with a smile on her face and replied to the rest of the group:

"All he needs is more rest. His temperature is back to normal and all his wounds are healed. Kuchki-san did a fantastic job".

Rangiku cried tears of joy as her and Hinamori wrapped Rukia up in a fierce hug.

"Thank you so much for helping him. He's like a brother to us, and we don't know what we would've done without him" cried Rangiku.

"You saved my brother. I am forever in your debt Kuchki-san" cried Hinamori.

Rukia softly smiled at both women and stated, "It was nothing. I kept the room below freezing all night and tended to his wounds, which helped bring down his fever. The rest was all Captain Hitsugaya."

Rukia then turned to Byakuya and checked his wounds. It seemed that Isane had healed him as well. She smiled at her brother and stated that she was glad he was well. He nodded in thanks.

Renji then turned to the two and said, "We should go. Ichigo and the others left Seiretei, but I'm pretty sure they're coming back. Something tells me that they're gonna bring the enemy with them. We should get ready."

Rukia nodded and went to grab her zanpaktou. They said their goodbyes and left the others in search of their comrades.

HITSUGAYA P.O.V

The next day, Hitsugaya groaned as his eyes adjusted to the light. He felt light-headed and had no clue where he was. All he knew was that pleasant coolness had left, leaving him feeling a bit empty.

As he tried to raise himself off the cot, his Vice-Captain and childhood friend sought to keep him down.

"Captain, you're recovering. Please lie still. What is the last thing you remember?"

Hitsugaya struggled with his memory. Then it hit him.

He snarled and said "that bastard Kurotsuchi. He treated me like a damn experiment".

Rangiku looked sympathetically at him. "I know. He did the same to me. However, he evaporated the zombie blood that Sternritter infected us with by spiking up our body temperature. I recovered, but your temperature wouldn't go down."

Hitsugaya then looked towards Hinamori. "What are you doing here?"

Hinamori responded "After Matsumoto-san left you in the care of Kuchki-san, Captain Hirako and I ran into her. She told us you were being healed and brought us here. Captain, Matsumoto-san, and I took turns as watch guard while Isane observed your progress. Captain is outside right now taking his turn."

Hitsugaya tried to sort out all the information at once. Okay, so he was down for at least two days. Isane, Matsumoto, and Hirako are here. And Kuchki helped heal him.

Wait…WHAT?!

"What do you mean Kuchki was here? How could he have helped?"

Rangiku chuckled. "Not Captain Kuchki. Kuch….Rukia-san. She helped lower your temperature and cared for you until you were well."

Hitsugaya was confused. Last he checked, Kuchki was simply a Vice-Captain. Her reiatsu level was not strong enough to heal him.

"I could tell she's gotten a lot stronger! Her reiatsu is now on par with a captain! I wonder if she attained bankai!" said Hinamori dreamily.

"All I know is that she was strong enough to control temperature for long periods of time and healed my captain" said Rangiku.

While they blabbered on about how strong Rukia was, Hitsugaya laid back and thought.

'If she took care of me, she must have been the source of that coolness. Her zanpaktou is ice-based as well. But I had no idea she could control temperature.'

'It seems Kuchki has unlocked Shirayuki's full potential'

Hitsugaya was surprised to hear his zanpaktou. 'Hyorinmarou? Who is Shirayuki?'

'Sode no Shirayuki is Kuchki's zanpaktou. She has the ability to fully control temperature, just as I can control the weather. She can even lower her wielder's body temperature and surrounding areas to Absolute Zero. She is quite powerful; and therefore, Kuchki Rukia must be extremely powerful to be able to wield her.'

Hitsugaya took in this information and stared out into the ruins of Seiretei. If what Hyorinmarou said is true, then it is very possible that Kuchki attained bankai. For some odd reason, that calmed him down. She would be safe.

Strangely enough, Hitsugaya felt the need to worry about her. He was just curious is all! After all, they are the only two ice wielders in Seiretei! And he still needed to thank her for saving his life. Yes, he just needed to show his gratitude. Its what any man would do. He looked to the distance and had one thought running in his head:

'Thank you Kuchki. Survive so I can thank you in person.'

AN. Thank you for reading! Please review and let me know how I did! This is my first Bleach story so I know I need work.

Let me know if you guys want me to add more chapters to the story. I originally intended this to be a one-shot, but as I was writing more ideas poured in. If not, I'll leave it as is. I'm satisfied with ending it there.

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