"True Love burns the brightest, but the brightest flames leave the deepest scars."

Me: And were back with another exciting chapter

Nowaki: So what's gonna happen this time

Me: Lot's of stuff, like a look into deep emotions and the beginning (maybe) of love.

Ichigo: Nowaki where the hell have you been?

Nowaki: Sitting with this psycho –points to me-

Me: You're mean!

Ichigo: -glomps Nowaki-

Me: -nosebleed- I do not own Bleach

This chapter takes place in the past during Nowaki's freshman year of high school up to the present day.

High School a place of education and of all around drama. A place that gave him a headache. It was the first day and already Nowaki was tempted to punch someone in the face. The teacher's he had were rude and the students were ten time's worse. Girl's and guy's alike stared at him for his multiple piercings. He had already had an adapted on a nickname. Pincushion. It was fourth period aka lunch. Nowaki made his way up to the roof and found it empty. It was a wondrous sight. Nowaki leaned up against the chain link and looked out over the soccer field. The field was empty and all he could hear was the breeze. The door flew open. Nowaki turned and saw a teenage boy with spiky orange hair, peach colored skin and intense chocolate brown eyes. He stood at 174cm, taller then Nowaki who stood at 170cm. The boy was panting trying to catch his breath. Nowaki stared for a moment before asking

"You ok?"

The boy jumped and turned to look at Nowaki. His chocolate brown eyes staring at Nowaki. Nowaki blinked and walked over to the boy.

"You look like you just ran a marathon" Nowaki said.

The boy sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

"Damn people are trying to beat me, got a nickname on the first day" the boy said.

"Can't be any worse then my nickname, its pincushion" Nowaki said.

The boy snickered.

"I don't mean to laugh at you but it suit's you, a nose, ear, eyebrow and all those piercings just give you the name" the boy said.

"Well then what's your nickname?" Nowaki asked.

"Well, my name is Ichigo but everyone is calling me either carrot-top or strawberry" Ichigo said.

Nowaki smiled.

"I like strawberry, it's cute" Nowaki said with a grin.

That was his first memory of Ichigo Kurosaki and from then there friendship blossomed.

Freshman year October

2nd period gym class. Nowaki had gotten to school late due to his piercing appointment running late. It was the end of gym class and Nowaki was patiently waiting for the guys in the locker room to finish and leave. Nowaki hated being around them and wanted to be able to shower alone. When the door to the locker slammed shut from the last guy leaving Nowaki stood up from his hiding spot and walked over to his locker. He opened it up and pulled out his towel and stripped down. He walked into the shower farthest from the door and hung his towel up and stepped into the small enclosed area. He turned on the water and let it run all over his sore muscles. The gym teacher was a beast when it came to gym.

Nowaki didn't hear the locker door open and didn't hear the footsteps. Nowaki turned up the heat on the temperature dial and more steam enveloped him. The shower curtain flew open. Nowaki spun on his heels.

"Hey there Kurai I knew you would be here"

Katashi Nori was the school's soccer captain and Nowaki's worst nightmare. He had been tormenting Nowaki since the first day of high school. Nowaki took a step back. Katashi took a step into the hot stream.

"You know Kurai I love tormenting you, and today is no different, I see you got some new piercings, on your nipples that's kinda stupid" Katashi said.

Nowaki was trying to weigh his options. Running seemed like the best option.

"You were always a strange one Kurai, but it's one of the many things that I find so cute about you" Katashi said.

Nowaki blinked. Did he hear right? Did the captain just call him cute? Katashi grabbed Nowaki's arms and pinned him against the wall.

"So Kurai what do you say, wanna be mine?" Katashi asked.

Nowaki's brain was in overload. This man had tormented him for months now and was asking to go out with him. It was a joke, a sick joke. Nowaki had his answer. He lifted his leg and smashed it dead on into Katashi's jewels. Katashi howled in pain and let go of Nowaki. Nowaki grabbed his towel and escaped out of the shower toward his locker. Nowaki quickly yanked on his pants and threw his towel into his locker and was about to yank on his shirt when he was grabbed from behind and smashed face first into his locker.

"You fucking piece of shit, no one does that to me and gets away with it" Katashi growled.

The sound of the locker door flying open got Nowaki's attention.

"OI LET GO OF NOWAKI!"

Nowaki felt the pressure of Katashi being yanked off him. He turned and saw Ichigo as he flipped Katashi over his shoulder and onto the ground. Katashi was unconscious. Ichigo turned to Nowaki.

"You alright?" he asked

"Never better Ichi" Nowaki said and pulled on his shirt.

"You gotta learn some damn self-defense I can't always be around to save your ass" Ichigo said.

"I know" Nowaki said.

Ichigo sighed and handed Nowaki his bag. Nowaki took the bag. They left the locker room and headed to their class which they both happen to share.

Freshman Year December

Christmas time was a holiday of happiness and cheer and having your family around you. Nowaki sat in his apartment eating a small meal he had prepared. Christmas was a lonely time and he had always spent it alone. Baby Romantica by Script was playing on the radio. The doorbell sounded and Nowaki rose from the table. He opened the door and to his surprise found Ichigo standing on his doorstep.

"What a surprise, what's up Ichigo?" Nowaki asked.

"Well, you told me you were always alone on Christmas so I thought I would come keep you company" Ichigo said.

A blush formed on Nowaki's face.

"Well if you want, that's ok come on in" Nowaki said.

Ichigo walked into the apartment and Nowaki shut the door behind him. They sat on his couch and chatted about small things such as school, and work, and whatever the topic was at the moment. The minutes turned into hours. Nowaki looked up at the clock. It was past midnight. It was longer Christmas. Nowaki grinned. This had been his best Christmas so far.

"Well, it's pretty late maybe I sound head home before my old man has a heart attack" Ichigo said and stood up.

"Wait, before you go Ichigo I want to give you a gift I got for you" Nowaki said and leaned to the side table and picked up a small box.

Nowaki stood up and with a blush on his face handed the box to Ichigo. Ichigo took the box a small blush on his face. He opened the box. Inside was a cell phone charm and the charm was a strawberry.

"Merry Christmas Ichigo" Nowaki said his face as red as a tomato.

Ichigo blushed and smiled.

"Thanks Nowaki" Ichigo said.

Nowaki smiled. Then the most amazing thing happened. Ichigo wrapped his arms around Nowaki and held him close.

Sophomore year Spring Break

The sunlight shinned down on Nowaki's bare chest glinting of his silver piercings. It was spring break and he and his friends including Ichigo were visiting the coast for the break. Nowaki stood at the edge of the water starring out and watching the water. Ichigo came up beside him.

"You gonna swim?" Ichigo asked.

Nowaki shrugged.

"Maybe"

Ichigo chuckled and gave Nowaki a slight push.

"If you swim I'm swimming" Ichigo said.

Nowaki blushed and nodded and took a few steps into the cold water. Ichigo followed him until they were waist deep. Ichigo smiled and splashed Nowaki. Nowaki blinked and then smirked evilly.

"Oh so that's how you wanna play" Nowaki said in a voice like velvet.

Nowaki dove under the water and came up behind Ichigo and yanked him under the water. Ichigo yelped in shock and when they came back up Nowaki was laughing so hard he could barely stand up. Ichigo grabbed him and they wrestled in the water. It had been two months since Ichigo had become a soul reaper. Nowaki had found out, little to Ichigo's liking. Everything was still the same between them though. Nowaki although had feelings for Ichigo which had slowly developed over time he couldn't seem to come out and say it. They wrestled for a few minutes and then went back to shore to dry off.

Later that evening they were in there separate hotel rooms. Nowaki and Ichigo shared a room due tot eh lack of rooms there were. Nowaki didn't mind. They sat on the bed playing cards and trying figure out each other's poker face. Nowaki had a dead set face that not even Ichigo could seem to crack. Every round went to Nowaki.

"How the hell do you keep winning?" asked Ichigo after the fifth round.

"I'll never tell" Nowaki said with a grin.

Ichigo sighed.

After another few rounds Ichigo finally gave up. The clock on the wall red 2:48 am. Nowaki yawned.

"Good night Ichigo" he said and crashed backwards onto his pillow and was out like a light.

Ichigo stared at Nowaki's sleeping frame. Ichigo felt a blush creep on his face. He stood up and walked over to Nowaki and lower his head over Nowaki's. He kissed his lips slightly then pulled back. It was something he never told Nowaki he did.

Present Day Human World

Ichigo sat in his room stating out into the night. He was angry and worried at the same time. Nowaki had been captured by the Espada and he knew that Nowaki would be scared. Ichigo slammed his fist into the wall. He wanted to protect Nowaki, to be his shield and make sure no one hurt him. Ichigo couldn't contemplate his feelings for Nowaki. But, three words kept coming to his mind. I love you.

Me: Well that's all for now

Nowaki: That chapter was a diversion

Me: Such cruel words the people now know more about you

Nowaki: Admit it you're having writer's block

Me: It's true I am I have no inspiration right now

Nowaki: Well please review and maybe send her some ideas so she can get over writer's block.

Me: Flames will be used for cooking my marshmallows.