One's Tender Embrace.

Author: Chihiro

Warnings: Language, Violence.

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach..Damn..

[A/N - This is an Alternate Universe ('AU'). It's based on Ichigo's and Uryuu's lives if they lived like we do: Just normal, modern day lives without Spiritual pressure, ghosts, Shinigami, Hollows, The Soul Society, Hueco Mundo ..etc. The story focuses on Uryuu and Ichigo's developing feelings for one and other and the painful confusion that accompanies it. The 'M' rating will come into play later in the story, but until then, i'll warn you at the top of every chapter of some things that might offend certain readers. Now enjoy my first ever yaoi fanfiction! Review it with some feedback on what I messed up or what I wrote that pleased you XD, so I know how to improve my writing for future fanfiction! Thank you!]

"Ishida…wake up…Ishida.. Oh c'mon! ISHIDA!"

Roused from a deep sleep, annoyance was etched deep on Uryuu Ishida's face as he lifted his head slowly from the wooden desk and turned to face his tormentor.

Ichigo Kurosaki stared down at Uryuu, his trademark scowl marring his brow.

"Kurosaki…I believe it's rude to shout…" Uryuu grumbled, still half asleep, his bespectacled eyes squinting up at Ichigo and his dark hair fanning out haphazardly across his face.

"You slept through the whole lesson, Ishida, it's taken me at least five minutes to wake you up..." Ichigo mumbled as he watched the smaller teen push his raven-coloured locks from obscuring his face and started collect his belongings from the desk. The larger teen huffed at Uryuu's non-committal attitude, shifting his weight from one foot to the other impatiently.

'He looks like crap…looks like he hasn't slept for days..' Ichigo thought curiously as he gazed down at Uryuu's put-out expression. Uryuu's shoulders where ridgid with obvious annoyance at his presence. Ichigo never understood why the other boy despised him so passionately.

Ichigo watched as Uryuu started to rise from his chair, wobbling a little from fatigue and letting out a weary sigh.

"You NEVER miss a lesson, let alone sleep through one.. What's up?"

Swinging his school bag over one shoulder, Uryuu exhaled loudly and turned to glare at the boy pestering him.

"That is none of your business Kurosaki, and even if I wanted to confide in someone, you are the last person I would ever consider!" With that, Uryuu gave Ichigo one last annoyed glance then swept from the room as fast as his legs would take him, leaving Ichigo with a record breaking scowl on his face and a hint of confusion in topaz irises.

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Shaking his head to clear it of sleep, Uryuu pushed his way through the crowded corridors and marched straight to the boy's toilets, leaning over the sink nearest the door and splashing his face with chilled water. He breathed slowly in and out for a few seconds, regaining his composure. He lifted his head to meet his reflection in the grimy mirror in front of him.

'Gods… I look pathetic' he thought, grimacing slightly. Uryuu's features were exhausted; His sapphire coloured eyes had dark bags underneath them and he was somehow paler than usual, looking almost grey in complexion. The past few months had been the most stressful of his school years, the workloads and sleepless nights catching up with him.

Uryuu Ishida had just turned eighteen and was almost finished with his last year of high school. He held the infamous title of "smartest guy in the year" and had a reputation to uphold. Falling asleep in class was far from what others expected of him. If he didn't do something about his situation, his grades would surely start to slip. Cursing himself inwardly, he thought back to why he'd been getting a lack of sleep and shivered, repressing the thoughts he had denied and feared for so long now. He couldn't be..

'Damn that fool!' His mind screamed, as he closed his eyes tightly and scrubbed a hand down his face in frustration.

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Bright sunlight temporarily blinded Ichigo as he walked casually out onto the rooftop floor of the school, where his group of friends usually met for lunch. He planned to let them know he couldn't make it to join them for lunch today.

After rubbing his eyes, he spotted a cheery looking Orihime sitting on the floor with her friend Tatsuki, who waved for Ichigo to come over and join them. Sitting down by Orihime, Ichigo slumped against the wall, declining when she offered him some of her home-made lunch.

"Ichigo-kun, are you okay? You seem as if something has bothered you.." Her eyebrows contracted in confusion as she pulled a lock of ginger hair away from her face; it having fluttered there in the slight breeze. Ichigo turned to gaze at the young woman, his brain working to think up a white-lie to placate her. She always held particular concern and care whenever she noticed something bothering him. Ichigo had never been able to figure out why.

"Yeah Ichigo, you look even more pissed than usual, come to think of it." Added Tatsuki after drinking from a juice box and narrowing her eyes suspiciously at him.

"It's nothing…. I'm fine, I'm just tired I guess" Ichigo hoped he'd sounded convincing, there was nothing worse than being caught out lying to Tatsuki. Orihime's confusion disappeared at once, trusting Ichigo's word and happily started conversing with Kiego, who had just sat on Orihime's other side to join them for lunch. Tatsuki held his gaze for a while, analyzing him, but then let it drop. He felt himself sigh internally and ran a hand nervously through his messy locks.

"ICHIGOOO!" screamed an over-dramatic Keigo, a stupid grin plastering his features as he addressed Ichigo excitedly. The orange-haired teen turned his famous scowl on Keigo, watching as the boy almost vibrated with excitement.

"A few of us are planning to head to the cinema tonight, You in? PLEASE say your in! Mizuiro pulled out on me!" Keigo had leaned over Orihime and gripped the front of Ichigo's shirt, shaking him frantically.

"For Gods sake Keigo! Ill go if you just shut the fuck up!" exclaimed Ichigo, exasperated, planting a hand in the middle of Keigo's face and pushing him away roughly. Keigo hit the rooftop with a muffled thud but bounced straight back up, grinning madly at Ichigo.

"Brilliant! Meet me, Orihime-chan, Tatsuki and Ishida at Karakura square at 8pm!". Kiego shouted happily. Ichigo nodded slowly, toying with his orange locks; a frustrated gesture. Then something dawned on him.

"Ishida? Why the hell is Ishida coming?"

Orihime turned to gaze at him; confusion lacing her features.

"Why not, Ichigo-kun? I managed to persuade Uryuu-kun to come along in craft club the other day.. He seemed reluctant.. but agreed eventually! He's always on his own and gets left out a lot, so I thought it was time he came out with us for once. Don't you agree Ichigo-kun?" Orihime's pretty eyes shone up at him, hopeful and kind.

Ichigo shuffled uncomfortably under her scrutiny. "Well.. As long as his over-inflated head doesn't ruin the night, then that's just fine with me I guess…." Ichigo grumbled. He rose from his slumped position against the wall, staring down at his friends.

"I'm going to head to the next class early so I guess I won't be eating with you guys today, I didn't revise for the test last night. See you all later."

Orihime cracked a pretty smile and waved at his retreating form.

"Okay Ichigo-kun, see you tonight!" she shouted.

"Bye Ichhii!" drawled Keigo.

"See you around" Mumbled Tatsuki.

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'Pull yourself together!' Uryuu screamed internally, gripping the basin of the sink, his knuckles turning white.

Uryuu Ishida led a relatively relaxed, but lonely life. He lived on his own in an apartment east of the school. Every day consisted of the same old routine; Wake up, go to school, come home, complete school work, make dinner then go to bed. He'd been accustomed to this lifestyle for the past few years.

He had never minded the secluded life he led, but lately that had started to change. He had never considered himself having any friends, only acquaintances. Lately, he had found himself thinking of one of those "acquaintances" more than he knew he should, craving a certain sort of company with said person. It confused him, brought the reality of his preferences into sharper detail and he wanted nothing more than for those feeling to disappear. His father already looked down on him for minor mistakes and misgivings as a child and had already disowned him, he didn't need the man discovering his preferences and dubbing him as deluded or tainted on top of everything else.

Uryuu combed a nimble hand through his hair, flattening his ruffled locks and willing the thoughts to disappear. He straightened up and took another deep, calming breath.

Just as he had deemed himself half-sane and straightened up, the subject of his wandering thoughts walked through the bathroom door, reflected in the mirror Uryuu was staring into.

Utter horror painted Uryuu's usually schooled features.

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Ichigo strode into the boys toilets, not noticing anyone else present until he heard a sharp intake of breath. Whipping his head to the source of the sound, his eyes met Uryuu's back, his posture ridged as he beheld the boy inclined over a basin. Ichigo's eyebrows shot into is hairline, and he cautiously approached the slumped form.

"Ishida..? Are you okay?" Ichigo prepared himself for the usual snappy retort, but nothing came. He crossed his muscular arms over his chest, observing Uryuu intently.

"…Uryuu…c'mon.. what's up? I know you hate me and all but... humour me a little.. " Uryuu stiffened at the use of his first name. He turned and met Ichigo's gaze for half a second, before shaking his head furiously and pushed off the basin, half running in the direction of the door.

Something hard stopped him in his tracks, the obstruction pressing against his chest. He looked down, and traced the length of an arm holding him back until his eyes met the worried face of Ichigo Kurosaki.

Goosebumps crawled over Uryuu's body at the sudden, unsuspected contact. His sapphire eyes locked with topaz ones, observing the unusual colour, feeling lost. One could drown in those enticing depths.

"Ishida.. What's wrong? You're really pissing me off now.. You look exhausted, something's bothering you, admit it..." Deeply clouded, blue eyes continued to stare at Ichigo, observing all of his features, expression blank.

Ichigo growled, his scowl deepening.

"For FUCKS sake Ishida!" Uryuu suddenly snapped out of his reverie, His expressionless face breaking into a scowl deep enough to match Ichigo's.

"Kurosaki! Get your arm away from me!" He roughly hit the arm away and stepped back from the taller teen.

"I don't want to be pestered by the likes of YOU!" finished Uryuu bitterly, looking up into Ichigo's face angrily. Ichigo watched when Uryuu walked around him and started in the direction of the door again. He sighed deeply and turned to watch Uryuu leave.

"Uryuu….." Uryuu froze at the use of his first name once again and dared to shoot Ichigo one more glance; His face was saddened, eyebrows contracted with worry and his posture slouched, hands deep in his pockets. Uryuu felt a sudden pang of guilt.

"I'm sorry.. Kurosaki." Uryuu murmured quietly.

Uryuu was gone in the blink of an eye, the door slamming back on its self with a creaky thud, Leaving Ichigo alone to ponder the boy's bizarre behaviour.