So here's ch 2! XD I hope you guys continue to like it and please continue to leave reviews.

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2

Ishida's focus drifted for a second and his foot slipped from the edge. He managed to regain his balance however he didn't manage to catch his slipper in time and it went tumbling into the deadly embrace of the serpentine body of water. A sudden fear gripped his heart as he watched the item get swallowed, fear he thought he'd already mastered. Was he afraid to die? Yes. Who in their right mind wasn't? But wasn't that better than living trapped in a never ending nightmare?...

Ishida would have loved to say that everything changed that night when he ran away from the manor. He would have loved to say that his father never found him and he managed to reconstruct his life far away from the older man. But there were no fresh starts for him...At least not that day. Again, the memory began spreading through his mind like gaseous poison and he didn't fight the toxic cloud...

He'd caught the bus just as it began pulling away and, weather he looked so out of breath or because he was so young, the driver stopped to wait for him. Ishida could see the old man's questioning eyes when he stepped on but fortunately he didn't say anything. Uryu assumed the man didn't want to get tangled in some running-away-from-home child's problems but in truth the grey-haired grandfather, for he had two children of his own, had seen the pleading look in the dark blue eyes and let the child be.

He assumed Uryu had a fight with his parents and was putting on a show. God knew, his own two whipper snappers had done a few stunts across the years...But they always calmed down and returned back home where he would welcome them with open arms, letting bygones be bygones, because he was their father and he loved them more than his own eyes. He smiled kindly at Uryu as the boy, he couldn't be more than 15, handed him a crumpled note to buy his ticket. It was a little short of the full price but the driver didn't say anything and handed Uryu his full ticket, thanked by a shaky nod from the skinny boy.

Uryu made his way to the back of the bus, keeping his head down and ignoring the strange looks he received along the way. Well, he did look a bit out of place...A young child, traveling alone in the middle of the night to...Actually he didn't know exactly where he was going. He just hoped the bus would be one of those out of the city night links. The more distance he placed between himself and his home the better.

He settled himself in the seat, happy to find he was the only one in the back. He hugged his meagre belongings to his chest and let his eyes drift to the scenery outside. Bright lights, gone in the blink of an eye, were the only thing visible in the dead of night but Uryu didn't mind. His closing eyes followed the glows lazily, letting their calming glimmers lull him into a restless sleep.

Uryu woke with a start when his head bumped against the thick glass. He rubbed the sleep away and glanced around, realizing everyone was shuffling and getting ready to disembark. They must have reached the final stop...Uryu wondered where that was. The scene outside his window looked unfamiliar and he knew Karakura pretty well. A sigh of relief left his lips when he realized he was at least out of the city. He wished he had a watch to see what time it was but alas, that hadn't been one of the essentials he'd thought to bring. However he could see dusk was approaching. It wasn't yet sunrise but he estimated there would be only a few hours left before the golden rays would bask the world in the glow of a new day.

Following everyone else's example, Ishida grasped his bag and began making his way towards the mechanically sliding door, realizing he was the last passenger to get off. When he reached the steps he hurried across, keeping his eyes down. He could feel the driver's look and he knew the old man was about to ask him something. Something he probably wouldn't be able to answer... But he never had the chance and Uryu hastily walked away before anything could happen. A few seconds later he saw the bus drive by from the corners of his eyes and in a second it was nothing but a blur in the distance.

Another relieved breath left his cold lips and he looked around, trying to pinpoint his location. There were no signs and no people around. He was in a suburb of sorts since there were no shops or towering offices like one would find in the always busy city centres. There also didn't seem to be any places where he could buy a room for the night... He felt the fatigue in his bones and every step, no matter how light, seemed to shoot paralyzing pain up his thighs. He needed some rest, badly.

He remembered his grandfather telling him that no matter how desperate the situation there was always a ray of light at the end of the tunnel. He remembered his kindly eyes and loving smile and tears began to overflow. Why did he have to die? What would he say if Uryu went to him for help and confessed what Ryuuken had done to him? Would he protect him, would he be able to, or would he take the side of his father and tell Uryu he was imagining things?

A large tear rolled down his frozen cheek and Ishida could feel the trail freeze almost instantly. The wind was more violent and large snowflakes powdered the pavement before his feet. He rubbed his eyes vigorously with the back of his sleeve, chastising himself for being weak, and relied he had to get out of the wind. He needed some sort of shelter or else he wouldn't make it past the first night. He remembered reading Hans Christian Andersen's 'The Little Match Girl' with his grandfather and pity for her as much as his sorry self-filled his heart.

Uryu took a deep steading breath, attempting unsuccessfully to reign in all those sharp emotions. He tried to clear his head and think logically, his keen eyes searching the perimeters, and his gaze fell on a little park. It was fenced but the gate was open and inside he could see broad oaks and sycamores. His grandfather had thought him about trees and about forests, about poisonous plants and medicinal ones. He'd thought him how to survive in the wild. Though this park was far from a wild forest full of deceptively innocent looking poisonous mushrooms, it was his ray of sunshine at the end of the dark tunnel.

He began making his way towards the enclosure, hugging his arms around his numbing frame. He slid in between the iron rails and followed the path, the slight illumination from the moon being the only source of light, until he found a bench placed close to one of the huge arbores he'd seen from outside. Uryu thought it was an oak but he didn't pay much attention as he huddled together on the wooden seat. It was cold, but it was still better than the ground.

With numb fingers he took out his far too thin blanket and stretched it over himself, his knees raised to his chest. It was only a little bit warmer but Ishida smiled for the first time since before the 'incident'. No, he didn't want his thoughts to go there. He didn't want to remember!

He shook his head as if hoping to physically throw out the memory and something black with one green button caught his attention. The cat's head was poking out of the bag and its sightless eye seemed to look at Uryu with what he wanted to believe was compassion. He stretched an arm out and took the toy, wrapping the blanket around it as well. The black head was the only thing poking out, resting just below Ishida's chin, and the boy hugged it close to him. He didn't do this for the added warmth but for the comfort of having someone, something else there beside him.

'What are we going to do now?' He murmured softly but of course, the zipped lips were stuck in an endless grin. He'd thought of Lewis Carroll's 'Alice in Wonderland' when he'd began working on the cat. It was his interpretation of the Cheshire Cat and he wished desperately the toy would have the fictitious character's wise, guiding riddles to give. Like Alice, he was hopelessly lost though his land was far from wonderful.

'Maybe I should give you a name...' Ishida was trying to fight his exhaustion. He didn't want to fall asleep because he knew what form his nightmares would take. He didn't have to close his eyes to see them. But it was so difficult...His entire body was screaming for rest. His adrenalin had run out a long time ago and the only thing which had kept him going was his need to get away. He blinked but each time he tried to open his eyes again it became more and more difficult. The leaves swayed in the wind and shushed him, singing their own lullaby to all who chose to listen.

'How about...about...' His eyelids dropped heavily and his head fell forwards, his cheek pressed against the grinning, one-eyed cat.

'Relax.'

Ishida gasped and woke up. He was hugging the cat to his chest with all his strength. Any harder and the green eye was surely going to pop. He sniffed, fighting back the threatening tears, as he membered his father's voice again. Ishida wished he would have screamed at him, insulted him, been a monster in and out but no, Ryuken had used that terrifyingly parental voice. It had been kind and gentle and Uryu sobbed. It was easy to hate a monster but how could he hate one disguised as a loving father?

It took him a good five minutes to calm down again and he wiped at his face much like the previous night. Which begged the question, what time was it? Ishida glanced up and realized it was just after sunrise, the morning light still crisp and fresh. A large drop fell on his raised knees and he looked up, having to squint against the light. The leaves, and he had been right about them being oak leaves, seemed to be alight. There weren't many, most having danced their last dance until they reached the carped below the thin blanket of snow, but some stubborn foliage clung to the outstretched branches. Uryu was grateful since they'd been his only cover against the snow and he could see that same snow melting and dripping down along his temporary leaking roof.

Uryu shivered slightly but he ignored the stinging bite of the winter's morning and began packing the blanket away. He placed the cat gently on top so it wouldn't suffocate, smiling at his own childish self. His stomach growled, sounding the alarm of hunger, but he didn't have any appetite. He knew he needed the energy but he figured he could always eat a little later.

He thought it was still too early for any shops to be opened. His plan for the day was simple. He would find a cheap place to stay in and he would recharge his batteries properly. Nobody would pay him any attention if he looked dirty and unkept... He wasn't sure what to do after but he hoped his mind would spring back to its intelligent self once he got some proper sleep and a good meal inside him. He hoped...

'So for now we wait, but I have a feeling things will get better soon.' Uryu looked at the cat but didn't sound convinced at all. He put on a brave smile though and turned to look at the winding path wondering where his own path would lead him?... That's when he saw the man in the distance. Uryu immediately shifted his gaze, hoping he hadn't caught the stranger's attention. He didn't have enough time to see much detail but judging from the stained trench coat and the shaggy hair and beard he was a homeless guy.

Ishida unconsciously reached to put his hand on his bag. It contained everything he had, except for his money which he kept on his person at all times, and he couldn't afford to lose it. He desperately hoped the man would change direction but he kept nearing Uryu and a frugal look told him the stranger was interested in him. Dark orbs, fringed by a baseball cap, were glued to him and he shuddered, this time not from the cold. There was nobody else in the park except them two and Uryu didn't know if anyone would hear him should he scream. He contemplated running away but as soon as he moved his leg blinding pain crawled up his spine. It was even worse than yesterday! Having slept in a very uncomfortable position on a hard bench certainly didn't help either.

He waited, counting the seconds with his heart in his mouth, until the man was one step away from his bench. He stopped and the last of Ishida's hopes sank. Up to that point he'd still hoped that maybe the stranger would just continue on his way and everything would turn out okay but he knew that was just plain naiveté on his behalf.

'It's not safe for a kid your age to be all alone at this time of day.' He said it like a statement and Uryu swallowed drily at the sound of his voice. It was hoarse, like a drunk's.

'I'm not alone.' Uryu wished his voice sounded more certain but it was shaking and there was no way the drunk hadn't heard. The man gave a gruff laugh and sat on the bench beside Uryu. The young boy moved as far away as possible, the slight movements setting his whole nervous system on fire.

'Oh really? Who are you with then?' The man looked around mockingly. He reached a hand forth and placed it on Uryu's shoulder. The youth wanted to shake it off and run screaming but he was afraid of provoking the drunk...especially since running was out of the question. At best he could hobble or crawl away, but that would never do.

'My...My father. He's a police officer.' Maybe he could scare the man with empty threats. There was a pause in the hand's movement along Ishida's arm and he dared hope that maybe he was successful but then the drunk gave another laugh.

'You know what happens to lying boys? They get punished.' Ishida shook and pushed the hand away violently, jumping to his feet and nearly crumbling from the agony. He gave a sharp yelp and caught the bench to steady himself. The drunk didn't seem bothered and his grin turned lecherous. He was reached for him again and Uryu couldn't move, the pain stopped him in his tracks, but then the homeless drunk paused. His eyes darted to stare at something behind Uryu and they widened in fear. Ishida wanted to turn and look but he didn't dare move. 'Shit.' Cursing in that gruff voice, now coated with anger, the stranger leaped from the bench and ran the way he came. Ishida's eyebrows furrowed in confusion but relief spread through him like quicksilver.

When he felt a hand on his shoulder he jumped away, this time stumbling and falling to the ground. Immediately the uniformed police officer came over to help him and Uryu understood now why the drunk had ran away like that. It seemed his 'father' had come to his rescue.

'Are you alright? Did he do something to you?' Uryu nodded at the first question and shook his head at the other dumbly. He gratefully accepted the help of the strong arms helping him to his feet. The man was tall and well-built, the sort whom set cons running even before he pulled out a gun. He had a scruffy stubble, weather left like that intentionally or because he had been too lazy to shave was a mystery, and light hazel eyes. They matched the coppery colour of his short hair and Ishida thought they looked kind.

'What's your name son?' The man crouched to be at eye level with Ishida who was once more seated on the bench. He smiled softly, clearly careful not to spook the boy any further.

'Uryu...' As soon as the word left his lips Ishida realized his mistake. He should have used a fake name, an alias. What if his father would call the police to find his runaway son? What if this man was one of the search party members? If he couldn't get away from a drunk hobo how could he even begin attempting escaping a strong police officer?

'Well Uryu, are you lost?' The man didn't give any hint of having recognised the name and Ishida relaxed a little. He nodded. 'Where do you live Uryu?' He pointed vaguely in the direction of where the bus had left him the previous night, choosing to play the role of innocent and clueless child. He had nearly been molested by a drunk man so the act wasn't all that farfetched.

'I-I don't know the address...'

'That's okay. Do you know your house phone number?' A shake of the head. 'How about your parent's numbers?' Another shake. 'Well, then can you tell me the names of your parents?' Ishida's mind raced, trying to come up with two fake names.

'Um...Alice. My mother's name is Alice.' The officer nodded.

'And your father's?'

'He's dead.' The lie came out so smoothly it frightened Uryu and the scariest part was, it felt like the truth...

'Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.' The man was clearly not good at that sort of thing and he kept awkwardly silent for a moment before he asked the next question. 'Can you tell me your second name?' Ishida realized that it would only take a minute for the officer to realize he was lying if he gave a name which wasn't in the records.

'That's okay. You don't have to bring me home, I can find my own way back.' The man quirked an eyebrow.

'I thought you said you were lost.' Oops... Uryu didn't manage to hide his panic. 'Here's what we're gonna do. I'll bring you into the section and you can have a hot cup of chocolate okay? We'll continue this talk after alright?' The man smiled again and Uryu found himself smiling back, albeit shyly, while nodding his head slightly. Maybe he'll manage to leave the section and things could still turn out okay. 'Great. Then follow me to my car, it's just outside the park, and we'll get going then.'

The man rose to his feet and Uryu did the same, fighting hard to hide the pain flashing across his face and trying not to limp. If the officer noticed he kept it to himself. Uryu was too tired to think straight. Had he been fully awake he would have realized the strangeness of the situation. Like, why was the officer so quick to let the subject drop when Ishida was clearly lying? And how come he was in the park at such an early hour as if searching for something, or someone? And why didn't he question the fact that Uryu had a bag of stuff with him which clearly showed a blanket? That wasn't normal...

But Ishida was too tired and as soon as the police car door slammed shut he sunk into the back seat cushions and fell asleep.

Poor Uryu...Eventually his suffering will come to an end, i promise. XD I hope you guys liked it and if u can, please leave a review! It only takes a second and I will appreciate it A LOT! Thank you in advance! X3

Till next time,

HAVE A LOVELY BUNCH OF DAYS!