Gratitude

He could feel it, the madness lurking in the corners of his mind waiting for the moment when they could snatch away his control. It was like being drawn down into a pit of quicksand, a slow process that left the victim panicked as the inevitable downfall was agonized upon. That sand was dark and heavy, it choked him even before it covered him because he could feel it so well, too well. Ichigo was much too aware of every little thing because the teen was just waiting for the moment, that last moment he would have in control before he had to claw his way back.

The concerned looks of his friends were unnoticed by his preoccupation with his current state. Ichigo didn't notice Chad's silent assessment and sqeamish countenance. Nor did he see Uryuu's eyes wrinkle at the sides when he fixed the red head with worried glances. He was blind to Orhime's fretting and didn't detect the aura of general unease at his troubled state. Even Rukia's narrowed eyes and slapping didn't draw him away from his current state of mind. All that the substitute shinigami was aware of were his own shaky standings in his own body.

It wasn't until lunch that he was pushed the last little way from his control. His friends had finally decided to confront him about his behavior and it had escalated to harsh words, particularly from Uryuu and Rukia. The argument had taken away that previous tight knit focus and now he was slipping, trying desperately to take a hold but failed.

As darkness came to the corner of his eyes, hands tightly grasping his head he heard the shouts of concern, pity and fear. Heart beating a mile a minute Ichigo was fearful himself, afraid that they would see the monster that he kept caged and used to his convenience in battle. Most of all he was afraid that the beast within him was going to go through with some of those taunts, the ones that left him in a cold sweat in the middle of the night.

"Ichigo!"

"Kurosaki!"

"A-are you alright? Do you need..." The words faded away just like he was, still fighting but the fear and darkness was swallowing him up. That mad chuckling filled his head, making him feel weak stomached.

The sudden weight behind his back and hand on his side startled him, stiffening and holding his head all the tighter Ichigo waited for something he didn't even know. Instead of pain or fear he found a rough, strong chin resting against his shoulder before a low humming sounded by his ear. The hand wasn't on his side any longer and and arm slid around his waist pulling him back against a warm, secure weight.

Against his will his eyes began to drift closed the tenseness in his frame falling away as did his consciousness but the fear that had dug claws so firmly into his heart before was drawing away as well. Fingers slid out of short, unruly hair hanging at his sides. The song sounding by his ear continued and in the back of his mind he heard a much softer, sweeter accompaniment.

"Mom..." The word was whispered in the last moment the teen's mind remained in the living world before everything faded to black and he trusted himself to that song.

The red head's body went completely lax and the group on the roof looked wide eyed, frozen where they stood just observing in shocked silence. The humming was loud enough that they could hear it as well in the stillness around them. Mutely they watched the blond shopkeeper raise up to his feet scooping up the lanky limbed Ichigo in his arms as well.

Rukia opened her mouth to ask but was caught by the soft, sad way that Urahara was looking at Ichigo. It looked like guilt was abound in the man's eyes and his smile was softly sincere without a trace of the usual amusement that hung about the lazy, perverted ex-captain. "W-what?"

"He'll be fine. I'll take care of him." Kisuke said in a gentle tone but it was firm enough to state that anyone who attempted to stop him would find themselves hurting. "You should all continue your day and I'll inform you once you can see him again. Ichigo just needs a little assistance."

The dark haired shinigami didn't look convinced. "What's wrong with him?" It was a demand, her eyes narrowed with determination.

Kisuke was shifting the weight in his arms to make sure the red head was properly supported before he would go, plus he had anticipated questions. "It is not may place to say anything on the matter, ask Ichigo once he returns to you." Turning to go he was halted once more by the persistent group's concern and in a way he was pleased they were so dedicated to one another.

"U-Urahara-san, thank you." It was Orihime that time. She had withheld asking about how he had known what to do or even if Ichigo would be alright.

The shopkeeper looked back at them and smiled. "Relax, all of you. I would die before I would let anything truly take Ichigo from us." When he noted the rigid postures dropping Kisuke said it was alright to go now. They were trusting him because they knew he was a man of his word when he spoke so seriously.

Hopping up and off from the high school the man glanced down at the teen in his arms and smiled. "Ichigo don't worry I will always be there to catch you. I promised Masaki-san I would protect her family with my life and I am a man of my word." Words spoken firmly but in a kind tone it just made the blond smile when he noted some of the creases in Ichigo's brow melted away. "Rest Ichigo, when you wake up you will have something terribly difficult ahead of you."

The last bit of the way to the shop was made in silence. Stepping in he ignored the glance from Jinta that was perturbed and Ururu's wide eyes, going to his room without a word. The red head was laid in his bed and tucked in. Kisuke brushed a hand over Ichigo's hair lightly willing the teen to take the rest while he felt safe enough, taking up a seat by his bed and grabbing something to read he sighed. Urahara knew very well that this would only get worse but there were small things he could do for Ichigo, like this, but he could not protect him from it. The teen would have to subdue this demon himself, because there was no slaying it.

There was one other thing he could do though he hated to admit it he was hesitant to do so. "No helping it..." He'd have to get into contact with Hirako because if anyone could help Ichigo it was them.

Running a hand over his jaw he let his eyes close, book resting in his lap because he'd get no reading done, leaning back against the wall. Staying reclined against the smooth surface of the wall he began to hum again to continue to be of some help to the boy he had vowed to protect.

Hours later when Ichigo Kurosaki opened his eyes to see a strange room he was oddly comforted to see the slumped form of the lazy, unshaven shopkeeper close by. Urahara always was there when he needed him to be and it was something the red head was grateful for, more than words could say.