Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who read my first chapter. This is the next short story based on the song "Broken Open" by Adam Lambert. Let me know if you like my story or if I could be doing something better. :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, it is the 'soul' property of Tite Kubo. I also do not own "For Your Entertainment", the rights go to Adam Lambert and RCA Records.

Second Chapter: Broken Open
Pairing: Ichigo/Byakuya
Rating: T

Ichigo, almost at his breaking point, ran from Urahara's shop. There was only so much that he could take. Even if it was for fun, it still hurt when the people he thought of as friends made fun of him or his ignorance. To be perfectly honest, the façade that he was so use to displaying had hairline cracks on the verge of becoming worse. He didn't mind playing his role as the hero and actually enjoyed his life as a substitute soul reaper for the most part. He had been spending time with Kisuke, Yoruichi, and Renji at the shop, just having a good time and joking around. Really what they had said back at Urahara's shop wasn't even that bad and he figured he was overreacting a little bit. Renji had made some crack about Ichigo being a playboy, following with some line about when was Ichigo going to stop two-timing with Rukia and Orihime. Ichigo had taken offence to this joke and told Renji that maybe if he had some balls he could actually ask Rukia out and then he stormed out of the shop leaving a stunned looking Renji.

"Oh, well isn't this interesting," Urahara said, peeking from under his hat. To which Renji and Yoruichi sighed and stared at Kisuke.

"I have to go find him and apologize," the red head said as he stood up and headed outside. It wasn't difficult to find Ichigo in the nearby park as he was never very good at hiding his spiritual pressure. "Ichi-" Renji started after getting closer to his orange haired friend.

"I know it was only a joke, I didn't mean to get that upset. Guess I've just been thinking a lot lately and it got to me more than it should have," Ichigo's voice sounded sorrowful as he looked his friend in the eyes.

"I'm sorry, Ichigo. Let's just go back to Urahara's it's pretty late anyways," even though Renji had apologized Ichigo still couldn't shake this feeling, but nodded anyways. The two used shunpo to get back to the shop in under a minute. Everyone else was still in their same spots, talking and waiting around when the two got back.

"I'm just going to turn in now," Ichigo said and received a round of good nights from the people gathered at the shop. He headed to the room that Kisuke had let him stay in several times before. Ichigo lay awake on his mat staring at the ceiling before placing an arm over his eyes and letting a single tear fall. For all the brave things Ichigo had done, he was still human and at the core, vulnerable. He was just usually able to keep himself together better. After what felt like hours of lying there, Ichigo fell into a fitful sleep.

The sun that was entering the room alerted Ichigo to the fact that it was mid-morning by now. Slowly getting up, he decided to go find some food after the fifth grumble from his empty stomach. He exited the room he had been sleeping in, whether from not sleeping well or still being lost in thought, Ichigo soon found himself on top of someone in the hallway.

"Get off me, right now." Ichigo knew that annoyed voice.

"Byakuya," Ichigo asked inquisitively.

"Yes, now get off," the older male was clearly flustered by having someone topple him over that easily.

"What are you doing here?" Ichigo asked, not accustomed to seeing the 6th division captain in the world of the living.

Byakuya started at Ichigo before responding,"That is no concern of yours, Kurosaki Ichigo." The older soul reaper wondered just who did this human think he is, and the nerve of him never calling him by his proper name.

"Geez, I was just asking. Don't ge-" What's with this guy, thinking he owns the world, Ichigo thought as he was interrupted by the older male.

"I don't really have the time for this," Byakuya said pushing past the groggy teenager.

"Hold up just a minute, I wasn't done talking to you," the younger male said while grabbing the sleeve of the noble who promptly yanked it away from him.

"What is it then?" He asked staring him down with piercing grey eyes.

"Well, I…never mind," Ichigo said defeated.

"Is this about last night?" Byakuya asked in a clipped tone.

"What! How do you know about that?" The younger male was a little embarrassed that the 6th division captain knew all about his outburst from the previous night.

The Kuchiki family head kept his cool as the younger male was getting flustered, "I make it my business to know what happens to my lieutenant, Kurosaki Ichigo. It seems to me that that big ego of yours is all for show."

"You don't know anything," Ichigo said while glaring at the older man. He couldn't believe that Byakuya would be so bold as to talk about someone else's ego, on the other hand, he should have expected it.

"No, I believe it is you who doesn't know anything. Naïve child. I know the battle of chasing the shadows of who you want to be," his voice resounded in the quiet hallway.

"What? You know all you ever do is talk in riddles," Ichigo was quite agitated by this whole ordeal as he had been insulted and now some strange metaphor was being spewed at him.

"Before I was head of the Kuchiki family I was very much like you," Byakuya continued despite Ichigo's jab.

"Well that's nice to know," the young substitute soul reaper said before turning away from Byakuya and walking down the hallway.

"I know how hard it must be to be so young and have so many burdens on you," Byakuya meant this in the best way as his voice was filled with sincerity. This comment made Ichigo stop dead and without turning around said, "Like hell."

Byakuya felt the teen's spiritual pressure rise slightly, but that did not deter him as he walked toward the obviously flustered younger male and put a hand on his shoulder. The substitute soul reaper shrugged the hand off and turned to face him. With much determination in those amber eyes, Ichigo let him have it.

"Do you know what it feels like to lose your mother at a very young age? I was right there when it happened, but I couldn't do a damn thing. Or how about being able to see souls and hollows everywhere. Until Rukia came here and gave me her power I was so confused about my life. Now I finally have a purpose and can save people from the same fate my mother suffered. But you know what? After all that, I'm still not happy, still there is this empty hole in my heart."

Byakuya noted the few glimmering tears that moistened the younger male's face. Keeping face, as always, the noble replied, "And you think it was easy for me when I lost Hisana? I feel that ache every day, Kurosaki Ichigo. My life isn't as perfect as you probably think it is. I have struggles I face as well. So don't you dare tell me I don't know what kind of pain you're going through. I have experienced things that would surely make you regret what you have said."

The two stared at each other in the silent hallway. To Ichigo's surprise it was the Kuchiki who made the first move. Wrapping his arms around the younger male, Ichigo stood there in shock before returning the gesture. Byakuya placed his forehead against Ichigo's and stared deeply into those enchanting amber eyes. Neither needed to say a word as they both knew this comfort was what they had each been searching for. Ichigo tilted his head and let Byakuya's lips rest on his own in a kiss that was comforting and warm. Ichigo could feel his façade being broken open and he gladly welcomed this feeling.