Ichigo scowled at the familiar sight of Uryu Ishida disappearing into Hat-and-Clogs' store. Every day for the last month Uryu would disappear into the shop for hours- sometimes six or seven!- at a time. What the hell was going on?

Okay so technically it was none of his business. He wasn't Uryu's father or his boyfriend. He really didn't know why it bugged him so damn much. It just did.

What does a soul reaper hating Quincy like Uryu need from an ex-soul reaper's shop? Was he training? Chad and Orihime weren't going to the shop… unless he could be training with Renji. But why in hell wouldn't he just say so?

Wait Renji was on assignment with Rukia. Ichigo shuffled around on his perch to get comfortable. Surely he wasn't training with Hat-and-Clogs. Ichigo shivered at the thought just imagining the Quincy equivalent of Bankai.

"Ichigo Kurosaki."

Ichigo was frozen like a solid marble statue. He knew that voice. All too well. That was the voice of one Byakuya Kuchiki before he released Senbonzakura.

"Byakuya?" Ichigo said incredulously.

Byakuya flash stepped in front of the startled substitute.

"What are you doing here?" Ichigo asked stupidly.

"Helping me train." There was a pause. "Among other things."

Ichigo jumped looking around frantically before spotting Uryu.

"Other things?" Ichigo echoed feeling dazed.

Uryu slapped his forehead muttering about idiot soul reapers.

"Is there a reason you are stalking my beau?" Byakuya asked in that deadly quiet voice of his.

"I'm not stalking anyone!" Ichigo denied emphatically. "…and what's a beau?"

"You are the single most uncultured nitwit I've ever met." Uryu muttered rubbing his temples. "We're dating idiot! He's my boyfriend."

Ichigo's eyes nearly fell out of his head. "WHAT?"

"Do you really want me to spell it out for you Kurosaki?" Uryu asked with a menacing air. "I'd be happy to give you the highlights in detail."

Ichigo went absolutely white. "Please don't." He choked out horrified by the thought.

"I suggest you seek counseling for your stalker complex." Byakuya said wrapping his arm around the Quincy and leading him back to the shop.

Ichigo felt a shudder go through his entire body. Surely he had just escaped a gruesome death. Highlights, Uryu had said, Ichigo shivered again. Just thinking about what that word implied would leave him scarred for life.

Ichigo started to leave when another thought hit him. Byakuya said to get counseling… surely the Squad 6 Captain had better things to do then check up on him… right? Ichigo gulped. No way was he risking it.

Ichigo shuffled into Urahara's shop looking like a kicked puppy.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite pupil." Urahara said hiding a knowing grin behind his fan. "What brings you to my doorstep at this time of night?"

Ichigo muttered something indecipherable.

"Afraid I didn't catch that." Urahara's eyes flashed merrily.

Ichigo cleared his throat and tried again. "I have a… stalker complex…"

"Why don't you sit down and tell me all about it." Urahara patted the seat beside him invitingly.

Ichigo heaved a sigh as he plopped down next to the former Captain. Little did he know that he'd just fallen out of the frying pan and into the proverbial fire.