Chapter Three

He reached the bottom of the stairs and ran into Rangiku, who was staring at him confusedly.

"Toshiro, what's going on-!" she was suddenly pushed out the way and she started panicking, "Hey! Wait!"

He refused to listen, he clutched his book to his chest and kept running. He had to get away, far, far away from this place. It was best for everyone… and best for Ichigo and his family, why should he bring such a good hearted boy with such a pure soul into this? it was just all too unbearable.

He never noticed, but he was actually a far way from the hospital and he could feel the stares of people on him, some were concerned while some just smirked and laughed at his appearance, not actually knowing what had happened early that day. Toshiro looked up at the now darkening sky but kept running. He ran round a corner and kneeled down, rummaging in his pocket for the little money he had left.

He barely had £100. He refused to spend any of it on food unless severely needed. With that money, he could get a train into the next town and start afresh there. Sakura Town was smaller than Karakura, but it was quite a deadly place. It was rumoured that a lot of the criminals that had escaped were from that area. He could go to the other down which was the opposite way which was known as Limye village, but it was considerably smaller than Sakura village.

He chose the smaller of the two, deciding that it was safe to go to a place where there weren't people out for his guts. He ran forwards, gasping when he reached the entrance of a train station and went up to one of the machines. The assistant raised an eyebrow and then started muttering.

"Sorry, children aren't allowed to go on a train without an adult-" he looked down at the I.D that was placed on the table and smirked, "Heh, you're very small for someone who's sixteen kid, but Identification is Identification. Where to?"

"Limye Village." Said Toshiro quickly, scanning the area.

"Yup, sure thing." He said, "The only train available for that village is to go through Sakura Town first, is that ok?"

Toshiro hesitated momentarily before nodding. He brought out the £7 that it cost, before picking up his book and scurrying off and going through the scanner and waiting for the train that he had just caught. Last time he was in a train was when he was travelling from Junrinan, which was up north. If he remembered correctly, Rangiku was from a town called Gomandai, which was a bit further down.
He was thankful when the train came to a halt and the doors opened, allowing the other passengers to go on first. As he boarded, he looked round and saw one available cabin that was empty. He sighed with relief and sat down, placing his book on the table that came with it. A few moments later, however, a small girl walked through, her hands clasped together nervously.

"Excuse me." She said timidly, "May I sit with you, all the other cabins are full and I-I d-d-don't really want to sit with the older ma-males…"

"It's fine." Said Toshiro, understanding fully on what she meant. "Take a seat, miss…?"

"My name is Momo, Momo Hinamori." She said cheerily, "And you name is?"

"Toshiro Hitsugaya." Offered Toshiro, moving his book so she could put her bag down. "Where you headed?"

"Limye village." she said happily. "I recently got a placement in Karakura College so I got my own flat over there."

Toshiro gave a stiff now and looked down. Great, she was going to see him totally lost in a village he didn't know.

"Where are you going?" she asked suddenly, looking him up and down "I hope it's not Sakura Town?"

"No, I'm going to Limye Village too." He said, and then muttering under his breath, "Homeless, but whatever…"

"Did you just say homeless?" she gasped. Toshiro shook his head and sighed.

"No, I'm just muttering to myself." Replied Toshiro crossly, turning away from her.

"Don't lie to me!" she shouted, banging her fists off a table, "Your homeless and you decided to go to Limye village cause it's far safer than Sakura Town!"
Toshiro ignored her and began flickering through his music book in an attempt to block her out, but it was failing terribly.

"Fine, if you have no where to stay, stay with me!" she said, causing Toshiro to look up at her with confused eyes before frowning.

"What the hell? You don't even know me damn it!" shouted Toshiro, "I could be this psychopath killer out to kill people and now you go 'Stay with me!'? What the hell?"

"You think I don't know that?" she snapped back, trembling slightly "I just don't want you to stay out in the streets in the freezing cold, because, because… I don't want someone as nice a person as you to get hurt!"

Toshiro softened his eyes and sighed. Now that he thought about it, staying with her wouldn't be so bad, as long as he didn't drag her into his troubles it should be… near enough fine.

"Fine, if I stay with you will you shut up?" said Toshiro, trying to sound like he still didn't want to do it. Momo brightened her eyes and nodded.

"Sure thing." She said, beaming.

Ichigo sat in the hospital, grumbling to himself as he flicked through the channels and then stopped at the news one when it came to the Shopping mall in Karakura. It showed lots of people at the door, the backs of medics showing as a figure in a stretcher was picked up and whisked away.

"Look at me, I'm famous." thought Ichigo, watching as the doors suddenly opened and a white haired boy ran out, panic-stricken. Ichigo widened his eyes as the boy was easily identified as Toshiro, who was now covering his face from all the flashes and clenching his eyes shut as questions were bombarded at him.
Ichigo continued to watch as he kept running; many of the press and television reporters still following him. He raised an eyebrow as his doctor sense came in as he saw him limping slightly.

"He's hurt!" thought Ichigo, continuing to watch as all the camera's stopped following as Toshiro ran into his hospital, the hospital he was in. How long had they been chasing him for?

"Due to these television reporters wanting the latest gossip on the case, this poor kid was chased mercilessly for more than three hours." She said. Ichigo frowned. Three hours? He wondered how much pain the Snowflake would have been in. the question that was bothering him, however, was the fact that he didn't know where the boy was now!
The Strawberry looked down and sighed, staring at the piece of paper that was still in his hands. The music was still intact, but it was confusing. He was brought up learning Piano music from his mother and when she died, he continued it for her sake. But this piece… it was actually a full-fledged song.

He placed it next to his bedside table and then reached for his bag, pulling out his music and comparing the sheets. Nope, they were nothing alike. His was more… basic yet complicated while his mothers were all swirls and italic notes. The only thing Ichigo was disappointed about was that he never managed to show Toshiro it.

3 MONTHS LATER

Toshiro watched as Hinamori Momo left a spare set of keys on the table and some money along with it.

"Shiro, if you don't mind…" she said, "could you pick up some milk and bread while I'm at college? Nothing too expensive!"

She turned to leave but the she felt his hand wrap round her wrist.

"Momo, can you do me a favour?" asked Toshiro, his eyes slightly tired from lack of sleep.

"Sure thing, but what is it?" she asked quietly. She was growing worried for her friend, he hadn't been sleeping well and even though he was welcome to food, he wouldn't eat. She watched as he pulled out a letter and handed it to her.

"Could you give this to Ichigo Kurosaki while you're there?" asked Toshiro, "He's tall, had a laptop bag on his shoulder most of the time and his bright orange hair. When you find him, tell him it's me but don't tell him where I am, understood?"
Momo nodded again and allowed worry to crease her forehead. What on earth was going on?

"Ok Shiro." She said quietly, "You know where the food is, take a bath or shower if you want, go on the laptop, I don't mind really…"

Toshiro nodded and watched as his roommate walked out the door, locking it behind her. He went to the kitchen and buttered a piece of bread, but he only nibbled at it. Most of these days he sat on the laptop or tried to write music, the music not going very successfully at all. He sat on Facebook, Bebo and Twitter, but he could not find Ichigo on any of them.

He logged onto Facebook, seeing as it was his favourite network site and looked to see that he had multiple notifications form Rangiku, Rukia and Yachiru, who he hadn't seen in years. The bottom of the screen had a red bit flashing and as he clicked it, Matsumoto had sent him a message instantly.

"Shiro, I've been worried sick about you!" she said.

"I'm sorry, I've… been busy." Offered Toshiro, his typing far faster than Rangiku. He looked up to see that he had been tagged in photos and posts, but none of them really interested him. A few game requests, but he didn't really like them either. He then looked to the far left to see one friend notification.

"Shiro, there's gonna be a party in Karakura tonight, wanna come?"

Toshiro thought about it and shook his head.

"Sorry Rangiku, not tonight. I'm saving up money to go back to college so I can't really afford it."

He rose to his feet to get a glass of water and by the time he returned Rangiku had already responded, adding a smiley face right at the end of it.

"It's fine, Byakuya hired a limo to take us there, actually, where are you right now?"

"Limye village."

"Oh really? Well, I guess that is quite a safe place to be I suppose…"

"Fine, I'll come, but only for a few hours, got me?"

"OK, that's fine! I'm so excited now XD"

Toshiro felt close to ripping out his hair. Why, why on the name of all gods, why did he just say yes? Any other place but Karakura would have been good, but… Toshiro slapped himself for his stupidity and then picked up the phone, dialling Momo's number as quickly as he could.

Ichigo had just finished reading the note he had received from the small girl before him and smile, showing his thanks. She turned round and then her phone went off. She widened her eyes in surprise before answering.

"Hello?" she said, "Shiro?"

"Momo, would it be ok if I went to a party with my cousin?" asked Toshiro quickly. Momo smiled brightly, glad that this might be the thing to cheer him up.

"Sure thing!" she said, "Where is the party?"

"Somewhere in Karakura town, I think it's in a club near the university." Replied Toshiro, "I was just phoning because I won't be there when I get back, Rangiku is determined to make me buy clothes before I go and it's a real pain in the neck."

"Well, you'd want to look good for a party, wouldn't you?" she said, laughing lightly. They continued talking, but unknown to her Ichigo stood, abashed. She actually knew where he was? His emotions got the better of him and he snatched the phone of her.

"Hey! Give that back!" she shouted, before freezing, "Kurosaki-san?"

She blinked a few times before she nodded lightly, looking to the ground as Ichigo pressed the phone to his ear.

"Toshiro?"

… Silence. The phone was quiet at the end until a sharp intake of breath could be heard.

"Kurosaki, when I hang up hand the phone back to Hinamori." Said Hitsugaya sharply, "No arguments."

The phone line went dead and Ichigo growled to himself, handing the phone back to Momo before whacking himself on the head. He should have seen that coming, but then again, his feelings were getting in the way. He looked at Momo.

"I'm sorry, I just really had to talk to him." Said Ichigo, scratching at the back of his head as Chad, Uryu and Orihime stood behind him, staring confusedly at him before the idiot Keigo distracted them.

"What is your connection to Shiro-Chan, Kurosaki-San?" asked Momo nervously, staring at him, "Because I think he… he thinks about you a lot."

Ichigo smirked. That was predictable, the idiot snowball probably blamed everything on himself, but then again, who knows what could be going on in his head?
"I'm concerned about him. He won't eat, sleep and I think he's suffering from depression."

Ichigo blinked and then opened his mouth to speak, but no word came out. He didn't really know what to say to that. It was likely true but then… why would she tell him? She didn't even know him till today!

"Kurosaki-San, can you please go to that party tonight?" Momo pleased, clasping her hands together, "I want to know what's wrong with him, but it's near enough impossible!"
Ichigo nodded before kneeling slightly, patting her head comfortingly.

"Don't worry, I'll find out what's wrong." Said Ichigo confidently, "Just you wait, when he comes home he'll be happy as Larry."

Toshiro stared at the laptop screen and froze. That one friend request was from Ichigo himself, who he had just been talking to. He already felt guilty on hanging up on him like that and he couldn't bring himself to decline the friend request, so he had accepted it.
After scanning his page for a few minutes, most of the people on it were asking if his injury he received more than three months ago was better now. Some of the people he knew. Rukia was one, Abarai was another. How did the orange haired teen have so many friends in common with him?

Right at that moment the door was chapped, making Toshiro shut down the laptop quickly and the bolt to the door, standing on his tiptoes to peer through the spy glass before opening the door. He was greeting with Rangiku stuffing his head in her boobs and laughing maniacally. He frowned and pushed her away, shouting his head off.

"BAKA!" he yelled, gasping for air while she just laughed.

"Your personality hasn't changed!" she laughed, "Anyway, let's go! I need to get you a new outfit!"

At the shopping centre, Toshiro shivered as the memories that horrified him flooded back, but he ignored them as Rangiku continued to press shirts against him to see what would go. She was struggling on the blue/teal one or the blue/grey one. She eventually chose that one with that suited his eyes and a pair of ripped jeans, much to the Hitsugaya's disliking.

"Rangiku, what are you trying to do?" muttered Toshiro crossly, "Get every single person at this party staring at me?"
"C'mon Shiro," she said, "You have to like, you're like… a total babe magnet!"
"Shut up." He muttered, turning his back from her, "I'm not, it's just my hair that attracts people. Why is my hair white while everyone else had darker hair? It's like I was destined to be a bright light that attracts trouble…"
"Don't ruin the mood!" moaned Rangiku, picking out a pair of trainers and dragging him to the till, the woman smiling brightly as he took the clothes of the apparent 'child'.

"That is £124.98 please." She said brightly. Toshiro reached for his wallet but Rangiku stopped him, smiling.

"Don't worry about it, I can pay." Said Rangiku. Toshiro began to protest.

"But Rangiku, that's too much money-" he was quickly cut off.

"Think of it as the birthday presents I've never given you." Replied Rangiku, placing her credit card in the machine and then taking the bag off of the clerk. "Lets go! We need to get ready now!"
She gave a bow to the clerk and dragged an annoyed Hitsugaya away, who was grumbling to himself in fury. He was going to a party, something he hadn't done since he was little.

"Rangiku, are you sure this is a good idea?" questioned Toshiro slowly.

"Of course, you need some time out Shiro!" said Rangiku, grinning at him.
Somehow he didn't think this was a very good idea at all.

Ichigo was in his bathroom, frowning at the piece of hair that just wouldn't spike. He wouldn't normally bother with his hair, but a party was a party, he had to look at least half-decent. He was glad he had his own flat or else his family would just be nagging at him to get out the bathroom.

He stares at it and with one finally tweak it went into place. No dancing for him then, if he did go dancing then he would be pretty much screwed, considering her was not to take part in any sports for at least a year. The only reason he was going was to make sure Toshiro was all right… right?

His phone gave a bleep and he smirked as Momo texted him: 'You nearly ready to go? Shiro just said he was about to go with Rangiku.'
Picking up the cell phone he very rarely used, he text back 'Aye, I'll be there in around ten minutes.' And with that he took off, grabbing his leather coat on the way on and double locking his door. Who knew how rough the night was going to be.

He stood near the entrance, watching as a sleek black limo pulled up and a strawberry blonde woman with a rather large bust came out, Toshiro soon after him. Ichigo remained in a shadow, determined not to get caught just yet as the both walked past him, Rukia and Byakuya at their heels. The older noble had his arm wrapped round a smaller woman who had her hair done in two pigtails and wore a black dress, simple yet beautiful.

A few minutes passed before he decided to move and walked into the place. It was… one of those up and down dance parties that could last until 3am, that definitely was not going to happen. He sat in a corner and watched from a far.

Toshiro stood still, looking around and covering his eyes as they flashed round. He was not used to this, not on bit. Due to him looking different from other people, he was always cast out, in school he was never invited to parties, nights out etc. He looked at Rangiku hopelessly.

"Shiro, why don't you go get a drink?" said Rangiku suddenly, "I'm sure you need one."
"And get what, a coke?" snickered Hitsugaya distastefully, "Rangiku, I look like a twelve year old!"

"I'll deal with that." Said Rangiku, winking as he was dragged over to the bar. He was grumbling to himself; what would people be thinking when they saw someone who looked no older than twelve years old drinking at a bar?

"Yamada, remember me?" shouted Rangiku, appearing next to a bar with a big, confident grin on her face.

"Matsumoto-san… it's been a l-long time." Uttered the boy, cleaning a glass, "Is there something I can help you with?"

At that exact moment Toshiro felt himself getting picked u and sat down on a chair. He scowled and glared at Rangiku who burst out laughing.

"Ah, you see my friend, this boy here is actually sixteen years old but due to his growth problems he looks a lot younger." Said Rangiku, ruffling Toshiro's hair, "Do me a favour and make sure the bartenders know to serve him whatever he wants? Oh, and… as a warm up, give him a Miller beer or somethin'."

"Sure thing Matsumoto-San." Replied Yamada, kneeling down and bringing out a fresh glass before going over to the spray, bubbly beer pouring into the cup and then placing it gingerly in front of him, "Here you go sir, nice and fresh."

Toshiro stared at it before looking at Rangiku, who gave him the thumbs up before she rushed off to dance a little while with Rukia. He turned back to his drink and narrowed his eyes, wrapping his hand round it with great difficulty. The glass was too big for his hand!

"Excuse me sir, would you like a straw?"

Toshiro looked at him unbelievably. A straw? What age did they take him for?

"No thank you." He said for gritted teeth, noticing that he still left the straw right next to him. He face-palmed and then resorted to using two hands to lift the damned thing up. After taking a few sips, he noted that it didn't really taste that bad.

On the dance floor, Ichigo was narrowly dodging the woman that were launching themselves at him, flirting and pleading with him to dance with them. He swerved another drunk woman and then bumped into someone else.

"Oh, sorry-"

"Ichigo, its been ages since I last saw you!" the woman behind him gasped. Ichigo whipped round and widened his eyes in surprise.

"Rukia?" said Ichigo hesitantly, "I thought you were at college in California?"

"I was, but then I got transferred to a college in Sakura Town." Replied Rukia cheerily, "From what I've heard, you're studying medical skills in Karakura, right? I bet you're a natural!"

"I guess you could say that." Said Ichigo smoothly, looking to the side. "Hey, Rukia, I'll catch up with you later."

She nodded and turned back to Rangiku, who had mysteriously vanished from sight. She sighed and then went hunting, it wouldn't take her long to find her since it was near enough impossible not to see her. Ichigo watched her run off before scanning the area before spotting him.

Toshiro was still at the bar, trying drink after drink after drink. He walked towards him hesitantly before blinking, unsure what to say.

"Sir, I think you've had enough to drink!" said a quite frightened Yamada, watching as a snowy white head rested itself against the table.

"Guess your right…" mumbled Toshiro, looking at him with glazed over eyes, "I'll just go find Matsumoto…"

He tumbled off the seat and walked a bit unsteadily towards the crowd until he felt a hand being placed on his shoulder.

"Toshiro, I think you should sit down." Said Ichigo sternly.

"It's Hitsugaya Kurosaki-" Toshiro stopped before he turned round, confusion written on his face as the orange haired teen stared at him. "Kurosaki, w-what the h-hell are you doing h-here?"

"Toshiro, it's a night club, I just happened to show up and you were here too." Replied Ichigo.

"Yeah right, you heard I was coming here from when I was talking to Hinamori."

"And what if I did?"

Toshiro thought about it for a moment before he shrugged. Even though he had warned Ichigo to stay away from him, he couldn't really do much to stop him. He stood, swaying for a few moments before Rangiku appeared next to him, laughing.

"Ah Shiro, looks like you've done yourself good!" she laughed, "Normally its me that's drunk, not you! And who's this? A friend?"

"Ichigo Kurosaki." Said the teen, letting go of Toshiro's shoulder slowly, making sure he didn't topple over, "I met Toshiro around three months ago."

"He's a pain in the ass." Mumbled Toshiro, causing Rangiku to laugh harder.

"You make such funny jokes when you're drunk!" she laughed, ruffling his hair, "I'll leave you to and check up on him later."

"Sure thing." Said Ichigo quickly, kneeling down as Toshiro tripped over his shoelace, scowling.

"I was b-being deadly s-serious…" muttered Toshiro.

"Whatever kid." Said Ichigo finding a corner where a sofa was and sitting him down on it, "Since you're so drunk I won't make you explain yourself but-"

"Hey, Strawberry," came a voice from behind him, "You own this kid? Would ya be willing ta sell 'im?"

Ichigo turned round and glared at the drunken man. Fox-like features and a grin that just gave people shivers. He had his eyes closed and had longish silver hair that framed his face. He wore a suit, as if he was a businessman on a trip.

"How much fo' tha' Chibi-chan?" he asked again, "Name yer price."

"Sorry, I don't do those kind of deals." Said Ichigo through gritted teeth, "He doesn't belong to anybody, he belongs to himself."

"Ah, a prize without a master," said the man, ruffling through his robes and bringing out a pad of paper, "Yer 'is frien' right? How much will make ya happy when I take tha lil' mite home?"

"He's not going anywhere." Growled Ichigo, standing in front of him defensively, "Get your perverse ass away from here."

"Ah, now tha' I think 'bout it, yer not too bad a prize either." He said suddenly, looking at the orange hair and the quite nice looking features on the boy, "Ma name is Gin Ichimaru, and am a collector. Ya see, when I find somethin' pretty, I can't help but snatch it away."

"Fuck off." Warned Ichigo, "Before I kill you."

"Ah, Feisty-Chan." Chucked Ichimaru, placing a hand on his head, "Yer coming whey me."

Ichigo had finally reached his limits. He raised a foot up and prepared to boot the man in the gut but had no success whatsoever when one of his guards came and defended him. The blonde glared at him and kept his foot in place, twisting it slightly so tha he would fall and hit the ground. A sudden stabbing feeling erupted in his side, causing him to shudder.

"Damn it!" He thought to himself, "That frickin' wound had to act now? Any other time than now damn it!"

"Ah, wha's tha matter strawberry?" said Gin suddenly, staring at him at he clutched at his side. "Hiding somethin' from meh?"

Ichimaru kneeled down and then used his right arm to block a flailing fist to the ground as he rolled up Kurosaki's shirt and smirked at the telltale scarring. It hadn't fully healed yet and was still causing him pain if he done anything too drastic, as in right now.

"Heh, yer've got ya self a wee bit damaged Feisty-Chan." Said Gin, running a finger over the old wound and causing Ichigo to shudder once more, "Are ya tha' Kurosaki lad that saved Chibi-Chan's book? Ya are, aren't ya?"

Ichigo glared daggers at him, forcing his other fist to move and aimed it directly at the fox mans face but that just got caught in his other hand.

"Nu uh, stop bein' so disobedient Feisty-Chan." Chuckled Gin, totally unexpected on what was about to happen. Toshiro was on his feet, vase in hand, and before the blonde bodyguard could react, the thing was smashed across Ichimaru's head, causing him to hiss and immediately let go of Ichigo. He whipped round and clawed at him, successfully grabbing at his throat.

He raised Toshiro up and pushed him against a wall. The Snowflake glared before clenching his eyes shut.

"L-let go…" he gasped, the bruising grip on his throat not once loosening. Ichigo stared up and then aimed his other leg at the blonde bodyguard, but was quickly flipped over onto his back and let out a cry of pain as an arm was twisted swiftly around his back, a foot taking a place on top. Toshiro couldn't pay notice as he felt the grip on his throat tighten and he let out a small whimper of discomfort. Unknown to Gin and the bodyguard, the music had stopped everyone was looking at them, their expressions horrified.

Ichigo was seemingly the only one to notice this and let out a sigh of relief. At least this time there were a lot of people he and Toshiro knew here and his sisters were at no risk whatsoever. Gin looked round at the crowd, blood running down the side of his face as he reached down into his pocket. Slowly he pulled out a sleek black gun and smirked.

"Everybody put yer hands up and leave tha building, or Chibi-Chan gets it." Said Gin, smirking as he pressed the bullet hole against the pulse in Toshiro's neck.

There was a sudden gasp and most people exited the building, leaving only a select few in the crowd who refused to move.

"RUN AWAY!"

A/N: Leave a review? Thanks