Toshiro was quite pleased, it could have been a lot worse than to end up in a locked room with his friend for 15 minutes. He shuddered as he thought about what would have happened if it had been Renji or Shuhei who had been selected as the dominant. Toshiros little shudder didn't go unnoticed by the blond boy who sat on the edge of the bed and quirked a blond brow at him.

'Nothing, just thinking what would have happened if it was Renji or Shuhei instead of you,' he muttered and reached up to tug at his scarf before remembering it wasn't there and instead tugged at his collar of his shirt. His movements didn't go unnoticed by his friend who watched him curiously with his emerald eye.

'You don't think anything will happen because it's me?' The boy asked and Toshiro gave a nervous laugh. Wait was he being serious? It was often hard to tell when the boy was being sarcastic or not. He continued to stare at Toshiro with that deadpan expression of his he was so famous for.

'Well, what did you have in mind?' Toshiro asked, trying to make his voice sound playful but he was struggling against his elevated heart rate that the alcohol was comfortably trying to numb. Yukio leaned back on the bed with his elbows propping him up, a dramatically thoughtful expression on his face as he stared off.

'Hmmm… when did you first have sex?' He asked and Toshiro snorted shyly.

'When I was 15, what about you?'

'No, no, I'm the dominant, you answer my questions only.' That rare smirk appeared for a moment on his face and Toshiro scowled at him as he returned to his thoughtful face. 'Alright, how many people have you been with and what were their genders?'

'What's with this interrogation?' Toshiro threw his hands up in the air an embarrassed flush mixing with the flush from the alcohol across his face.

'You're not a very open person this may be my only chance to learn something personal about you.' Yukio shrugged his shoulders innocently.

'Fine. I've only been with one guy that's it.' Toshiro scowled and looked down at the floor.

'How long were you two together?'

'Please, I'd rather we did something physical than you asked me all these questions.' Toshiro shuffled as he leaned against the door to the room.

'Alright,' Yukio lifted a hand and beckoned the younger man forward with his index finger. Toshiro raised an inquisitive brow at his friend but removed himself obediently away from the door and towards him. Toshiro climbed onto his lap on the bed straddling him their faces about two feet away from each other as Yukio was still leaned back on his elbows.

Toshiro wasn't exactly disliking the closeness, he was very good friends with Yukio and he had even begun to debate about telling the boy about his disguise. Rangiku kept encouraging him to do this too as she wanted the three of them to be able to hang out and see the 'cutie Shiro' as she put it. That was what she called him whenever she came over and he had his white hair and teal eyes uncovered. Thanks to his closeness with Kurosaki while rehearsing lines Toshiro had started to resist the urges to look away when he got too close to someone for fear of them seeing his real eyes through the contact lenses. Yukio was looking at him with an amused looking expression and Toshiro felt his body move under him as the boy sat up.

This was the closest he had ever been to his friend and he inhaled his scent deeply, the boy carried an unusual aroma, Toshiro could smell the alcohol they'd been consuming but also the lavender from either his shampoo or his washing powder, either way the smell was rich and enticing. While he sat perched on his friends lap their faces naturally began to close the distance, both boys being drawn into each other and eyes fluttering shut, soon Toshiro felt his friends' lips pressing gently against his own.

Though Toshiro knew the kiss was happening and certainly the alcohol had pushed him into thinking it was a good idea, somewhere in his mind he was a little shocked that this was happening. He liked Kurosaki so why was he kissing his friend? It's an experiment. A small voice seemed to call from the back of his brain, the voice was slurred and clearly drunk but Toshiro just decided to enjoy his new position anyway. The blond boys' lips tasted of alcohol and Toshiro slipped his tongue out across his lower lip to lap at the taste, this earned an approving grunt from the older male. He was aware his friends hand had now began to gently run up and down his thigh as they began to move their mouths against each other. Opening and closing their lips and Toshiro whimpered into the kiss as his friends hand glided dangerously close to the clothed half erection he was now sporting. The kiss broke and the two boys sat catching their breath for a few short seconds before Toshiro met his friends' eye. What the hell were they doing?

'One last personal question just because I'm curious… but I think I already know the answer.' Yukio asked, his voice a little huskier than it had been before as his hand continued its assault on Toshiros thigh.

'Oh yeah? What is it?' Toshiro mumbled his eyes fluttering shut at their proximity.

'Are you a top or bottom?'

'Bottom.' Toshiro opened his eyes and saw a rare grin flash across his friends face.

'I knew it,' he mumbled as he leaned forward and began to kiss under Toshiros jaw. Toshiro tilted his head back to expose his neck and Yukio laid tentative kisses across the usually covered flesh.

'You?' Toshiro asked, trying to keep his voice steady as he threatened to pant.

'I prefer being bottom but I can go either.' He muttered against Toshiros' neck and Toshiro tried to keep his thoughts coherent and clean but nearly lost it when that teasing hand finally brushed over his clothed arousal. Yukio hummed happily against Toshiros neck and the prodigy felt a shiver run down his spine. Then Yukio began to move his hips, effectively grinding against Toshiros ass at the same time his kisses turned to very light sucks and nips on his neck. Toshiro groaned and before he knew it his hips were moving back, desperate for friction against his hardened member. Yukios hands made their way around to clutch at Toshiros backside and gave it a gentle squeeze and then there was a fog horn sounding outside that caused both boys to jump.

'TIMES UP!' Someone called, likely Renji and the two friends broke apart. Toshiro didn't even know what to say; friends weren't meant to do things like that together were they? He didn't have feelings for Yukio and yet that closeness had felt… so good. Luckily Toshiro didn't need to come up with anything coherent to say because Yukio spoke for him.

'Well that was fun,' he chuckled letting Toshiro slide from his lap and standing up. 'You're a very good kisser,' he mused with a small smile.

'T-Thank you,' Toshiro shuffled and nodded back to him, 'you too, that was odd we're meant to be friends.' He couldn't stop the nervous chuckle that came from him as the two boys went and opened the door to the rounded hallway.

'Wait you've never kissed any of your friends before?' Yukio sounded surprised and Toshiro blinked at him. There was the fact that he didn't have any friends before the two so he just shook his head.

'Oh wow, that's just like a common thing we seem to do around here.' Yukio shrugged his shoulders, his entire demeanour returning to his usual deadpan and lazy essence that it usually held.

'Wait you've kissed Rangiku?' Toshiro asked genuinely surprised as they waited in the rounded hall for the other couples to finish emerging from their rooms.

'Yeah, loads of times, she's actually a really good kisser too.' He shrugged his shoulders again and allowed a further explanation as Toshiro stared at him confused, 'ya know if we're out together and guys start hitting on her I just pretend to be her boyfriend and vice versa.'

Toshiro couldn't help but laugh at the thought of the two of them dating it looked so ludicrous in his head, Rangiku was well over a head taller than him not to mention there was something so fundamentally gay looking about Yukio that it just didn't seem to add up. Yukio watched Toshiro laughing with an amused expression himself, when they finally heard the last door open and Yumichika and Ikkaku spilled out looking flushed and ruffled.

Yukio and Toshiro shared and a look and a knowing grin before following the others back through to where everyone was sat. Even though the rules of the game stated that nothing was meant to be discussed everyone started to bombard the couples with questions they finally arrived back. Thankfully both Toshiro and Yukio were masters of the stoic expression and just shrugged their shoulders and shook their heads as their friends pressed them. Most of the focus seemed to be on Yumichika and Ikkaku anyway so the horny friends went undetected.

Renji and Shuhei called everyones attention and they all spread out once again around the empty vodka table, another round was spun for and the pairs were matched up; Nemu and Renji, Shuhei and Rukia and Tatsuki and Orihime. As the pairs went off and the 15 minute timer was set the rest of the group chatted away. Toshiro and Yukio went to get more alcohol, Toshiro hopped up onto one of the bar stools since he could barely see over it while just standing and Yukio surprised him by agilely and gracefully leaping over the bar and landing smoothly on his feet like he'd done it a million times before. The blood haired boy pulled out an expensive looking cocktail shaker. He turned to Toshiro with a towel clutched in his hands and leaned across the bar.

'What will it be?' He asked role-playing the part of a bartender very well.

'Hmmm,' Toshiro grinned, 'let's go with a mojito?' The blond boy grunted his approval and set about measuring out white rum and lime juice. While the two were at the bar Rangiku and Kurosaki wandered over together.

'What happened then?' Rangiku questioned lowering her voice to her friends and Kurosaki glanced behind them to ensure no one else was listening.

'Nothing, he just asked me some very personal questions.' Toshiro threw a glare at his blond friend as he stood mixing the ingredients in his cocktail shaker with ease.

'What kind of personal questions?' Rangiku looked right at Toshiro and he knew where her thoughts were going and he shook his head. She was wondering if Yukio now knew about his little disguise.

'Just things like who he'd slept with, what age he was when he had sex, all that boring stuff.' Yukio began pouring the contents of the cocktail shaker out into tall glasses filled with ice and set about adding segments of mint leaves into each glass before pushing all four of them a glass each.

'Ohhh I don't even know any of that.' Rangiku pouted and looked sadly at Toshiro who just simply shrugged his shoulders.

'Sorry but what happens in the room stays in the room.'

'So no kissing or touching then?' Kurosaki pressed and Toshiro quickly looked away, Yukio just shook his head innocently.

'No, he's my friend.'

'I know that's what worries me I've seen what you and Rangiku can get up to.' Kurosaki commented.

'Why would you be worried Ichigo?' Rangiku pressed leaning across the table to gaze intently at him. 'Why would you be worried about the prospect of someone else kissing our little Shiro?'

The usual round of 'don't call me that' was lost as Toshiro joined his two friends in gazing at Kurosaki as they waited for an answer. He seemed to have realised he'd made an error in his wording and colour began to rise across those beautiful cheeks of his.

'Because I don't need him getting distracted from the play,' he offered up pathetically, 'if he gets a boyfriend that means less time spent practicing.'

'He has a boyfriend-' Rangiku started but Toshiro shook his head at her.

'He knows,' he muttered and the four of them dropped their voices as they discussed, 'he knows that Ichimaru and I are no longer dating.'

'I understand why you said it though to get rid of the whole Fresh Meat game gang.'

'That included you too once Ichigo or have you forgotten?' Yukio pointed out and Kurosaki chuckled at him.

'No believe me I've not forgotten.'

'Good.'

Toshiro glanced between the two of them, neither boy was looking at the other and instead they were both taking large gulps of alcohol. Sighing, Toshiro decided to join them and nearly downed half of the well made mojito in one go. Looking rather impressed at Toshiros guzzling Yukio busied himself once again behind the bar, this time pulling out four shot glasses and lining them up, he pulled a bottle of sambucca off the shelf and surprised everyone by spinning and tossing it then pouring all four shots with a flourish that had even Rangiku squealing with delight. The shots were passed out and all four of the friends threw them back with ease.

Not long after this the ridiculous fog horn sounded and the couples returned and the four grabbed their cocktails and headed back to sit down. Once again Renji reached across the table and unleashed the bottle. Toshiro still felt a small amount of butterflies every time the tip of the bottle passed over him. God he hoped to be avoided. The bottle spun and then landed on Uryu and there were a couple of chuckles around the table as the tall man pushed his glasses up his nose with a middle finger. The bottle was then spun again and everyone awaited eagerly for it to stop and it slowed to land on Orihime.

'First pair chosen, submissive is Uryu and dominant is Orihime.' Shuhei recapped and then Renji grabbed the bottle and spun it again, Toshiro tensed thinking it was about to land on him but last moment slipped past him and fell right onto Yukio. Toshiro couldn't help but turn to his friend with a grin.

'Oh submissive this time Yukio, is this bringing back memories?' Renji teased as he span the bottle again. Yukio simply looked bored as the bottle spun around but tensed when he saw who it landed on.

'Finally.' Rangiku stood up towering over her small friend who scowled up at her. 'And I know exactly what questions I'm going to be asking you.' She smirked, a glint in her eye. Toshiro chuckled he would have to ask her for the details later since she was no doubt going to be asking all about what happened between Yukio and Kurosaki last year. She sprung off the sofa and grabbed Yukio by the scruff of his clothing as the boy tried to scamper off. Everyone was too busy laughing at the scene that when the bottle stopped, Toshiro almost hadn't realised he'd been chosen again. He sighed as his heart sunk. Submissive and this time it wouldn't be with one of his friends because they'd both already been chosen for each other. The bottle was spun again and his heart leapt into his throat when it slowed down and pointed directly at a broadly grinning Kurosaki.

There was a beat of silence that hushed around the room as everyone stared between Toshiro and the damn strawberry, even Rangiku had paused in her attempts to yank Yukio into a room to gaze with amusement between the two. The older boy stood up and ushered for Toshiro to follow him as the whole room erupted into wolf whistles and cheers of; 'go get 'im tigers.'

Toshiro followed quickly behind him not making eye contact with anyone as he rounded a corner and into a room. Kurosaki closed the door behind them and Toshiro heard him turn the lock on the door with a 'click'. The room boasted a light violet feature wall against three pale grey walls. A king sized bed with black sheets was sitting boisterously in the middle of the large space and there was desk with maths papers skewed across it.

Toshiro tried to stop panic rising in him, the nervous energy and excitement was enough to be contending with in his alcoholic abused state without the need for any other kind of overwhelming emotions. Toshiro was only half aware that they must have been in Yukios room since this one looked more lived in but as he turned to examine it Kurosaki was on him. Pressing him up against the back wall of the room – which he'd backed him into – the tall strawberry looked at Toshiro with lustful eyes.

'Finally,' he breathed against Toshiros lips and he closed his eyes. Then hot lips were pressing against his own, moving with urgency that Toshiro hadn't experienced before. The feeling caught the boy off guard as he pressed his body up against the wall, Kurosaki wasn't wasting any time and Toshiro felt him draw his lower lip into his mouth and bite it gently. With whimper Toshiro pushed their lips together again and Kurosaki was making amazing sounds. Sounds that made Toshiro want to have the man undressed and on the floor of the room that instant. The strawberry blonds tongue soon entered his mouth and Toshiro could taste the mojito in his breath as he moaned into the kiss. Toshiro hadn't even been aware that the mans hand had slipped down the waistband of his jeans and into his boxers until he felt fingers gently closed around his hardening length.

'Fuck,' Toshiro whimpered as the mans expert hands began to move, his other hand popping open buttons to allow more room for him to play with. Toshiro broke the kiss, his entire head swimming with want and pressed his eyes tightly closed as he tried to comprehend what exactly was happening through his drunken haze. He made the mistake of leaning his head back against the wall and exposing his neck which Kurosaki took no time at all in attacking. His mouth moved with urgency that Yukios hadn't had. His sucks were harder and his kisses were more firm and fuckkkkkk his hand continued to stroke him. Toshiro tried to bring his hands up to fiddle with the buttons on Kurosakis trousers but his hand was swatted away. The strawberry blond pulled away from him and he grinned at the younger boy letting go of his erection – which was still contained in his boxers – and meeting his eyes.

'I'm the dominant don't forget.' He grinned and leaned back in to plant a tender kiss on Toshiros lips, his hand slipped under his shirt and lightly across his back and he froze. Toshiro froze and then quickly reached around to pull the boys hand out.

'Toshiro?' Kurosaki asked his voice confused as Toshiro slipped away from the older man and quickly buttoned back up his jeans. 'Toshiro what was that?'

'What?'

'Your back, let me see your back.'

Toshiro straightened up and turned to face him, a deep frown on his face as the heat of the moment passed.

'No.'

'Toshiro.' The voice was warning him now and Kurosaki stood his eyes flashing dangerously and Toshiro sunk away from the glare the boy now sent him. 'Let me see your back.' His voice was so authoritative and so demanding that Toshiro faltered. He didn't want to play this game anymore, but the alcohol was mudding his thoughts. He was over it. He was over everything that had happened to him two years ago. However he knew that if he were to get close to someone else, if anything were to happen that there'd come a time he'd have to talk about it. Kurosaki watched as Toshiro stood panicking in the middle of the room, his hand instinctively going for his scarf which still wasn't there and he scowled. Then Kurosaki's voice lowered and his eyes filled with concern.

'Please Toshiro.'

Toshiro whimpered turning around to lean against the desk, one hand clamping it for support, more emotional support than physical and his other small shaking hand rose around his back and lifted his shirt up a little. He heard the intake of breath and Kurosaki was suddenly behind him, pushing his shirt further up his back and he felt the strawberrys gentle fingers trace across the hundreds of scars that laced his back.

'What the…' Kurosakis voice whispered, 'who did this to you?'

'My ex Ichimaru,' Toshiros voice was so quiet that he was surprised Kurosaki had even heard him. 'He used to whip me….'

The strawberrys fingers traced the pink scars and raised bumps of the sensitive flesh and Toshiro tried to cringe away from the touch but the strawberry held him in place.

'Why didn't you call the police?' The older boys voice sounded like he was in pain and Toshiro shook his head.

'I'm over it; it happened so long ago it's just not nice to look at.' He tried to lower his shirt but Kurosaki wouldn't let him. Instead the tall strawberry bent down and pressed his lips against Toshiros back. The sensation was so exotic and unlike anything that the young prodigy had ever experienced. It was tender and caring and it confused him and comforted him at the same time.

'If it's part of you, it's nice to look at.' Ichigo muttered against the skin before helping Toshiro lower his shirt over it, he spun the boy around and Toshiro met those chocolate eyes. 'If I ever meet this ex of yours, I'm going to break his fucking face.' He spoke with a voice that was so full of promise that Toshiro just smiled sheepishly.

'I already got to him.' He muttered, 'eventually I snapped, I broke three of his ribs and his left arm. Think I maybe got some other bones too, can't be too sure.' He shrugged his small shoulders and looked down at the floor, and then Ichigo had engulfed him in a warm embrace, arms wrapping carefully around his back to pull him against his chest.

'Number one: you're fucking terrifying, number two; is that why you came to our college?' He asked and Toshiro nodded into his chest.

'This ex of yours sounds like he was possessive.' Kurosaki snarled the sentence and tightened his grip on the smaller man, Toshiro felt a warmth pass through him. Since he'd taken the role of Sam he'd wanted Kurosaki to cuddle him like this, to be able to inhale his masculine scent so deeply and have him hold him just as he was doing now. It was an unusual feeling because he also felt like the strawberry was a friend to him now too. However a boyfriend couldn't be a friend too could they?

'He wasn't possessive, he just liked to hurt me since no one else wanted me.' The words were flying from his mouth as the alcohol made his lips move without his coherent consent.

'No one else wanted you? I find that impossible to believe.' He retorted and they stood embracing for the rest of their time and when the fog horn sounded they'd been expecting it. Kurosaki sighed and pulled away from Toshiro. 'Would you come and stay at mine after the party tonight?'

Toshiro felt his stomach flip and he pressed the palms of his hands together nervously as his eyes went wide.

'W-why?' He squeaked looking at Kurosaki.

'Because I want to treat you right, I won't do anything you don't want to do but I want to make you feel good.' He moved over and brushed a finger against Toshiros flushing cheeks as he leaned down to capture his lips in a gentle kiss that made Toshiro melt with warmth.

'I can't,' he breathed back, 'I really want too but I can't.'

'At least think about it the rest of the night, I won't pressure you but I promise I'll make you happy.' Kurosaki gently ran a hand up and down Toshiros arm and the younger boy felt colour creep into his cheeks.

'I'll think about it.' He promised emptily, if he hadn't exposed himself to Yukio yet there was no way he'd do it to Kurosaki first.

Someone rapped on their door with a snigger.

'Oi you two stop shagging and get out here.' Kurosaki growled and walked forward unlocking the door and yanking it open. Renji and Shuhei were standing outside and they peered into the room with a disappointed look on their faces.

'We weren't shagging.' The drama club leader snarled at them and they backed away from the door. Kurosaki straightened up and turned to Toshiro waiting, the prodigies little legs decided to continue working and moved him forward and out the room as the door shut behind them. Toshiro walked past the two and towards the main room where everyone was sitting and he turned in time to see Rangiku and Yukio exiting their chosen room. She looked very satisfied and Yukio had a scowl etched onto his face. The moment looked incredibly hilarious as Rangiku strutted around with the new knowledge she now possessed and made her way towards him. Toshiro was turned towards her when he heard his sneer.

'What's this Angel?'

His entire body went rigid. Frozen. Eyes going wide as his head snapped around and his voice caught in his throat. Standing just beside the bar, leaning against it like he belonged there was Ichimaru. His entire body was relaxed but his face held that unusual sneering grin, hair pushed back away from his closed over eyes which had briefly opened to take in the sight of Toshiro with brown hair and brown eyes. Toshiro noticed that he looked thinner than when he'd last seen him, more lean and his face was almost sunken in giving him an even more sickly look.

The mans long legs kicked him off the bar and Toshiro realised he was flanked by his two friends Azien and Kusaka. Someone had clearly given Ichimaru a drink and Toshiro whimpered confused, who the hell had invited him?

'I invited your boyfriend for you Toshiro,' Renji called happily from the background and Toshiro scowled. He'd been foolish to believe that none of his fellow fourth years would know Ichimaru through their own means, that thought never crossed his mind when he decided to proclaim the man was his partner when they were at the bar.

'What's this Angel?' Ichimaru sneered again as he approached Toshiro.

'What do you mean?' Toshiro whimpered, wondering where Kurosaki had wandered off to.

'Brown hair, since when did yeh have brown hair?' Ichimaru chuckled, 'an' brown eyes? Wha' on earth is this about?'

Toshiro was frozen as they walked over to him, fear and panic rising through his body as he willed his feet to move, to run. Everyone in the room had gone silent watching and listening to the exchange, probably wondering what the hell he was talking about.

'Toshiro run!' Rangikus voice sounded too late and Toshiro felt an iron grip clamp around his throat and shove him roughly against the wall, the pain of being slammed into the wall with his sensitive back causing him to cry out.

'Let him go!' Shuhei and Renji and a number of other startled adults in the room were suddenly circling them.

'Ne, he's been lyin' tae ye.' Ichimaru snarled and the others froze, listening, 'isn't tha' right Angel?' He lifted the glass of alcohol in his other hand Toshiro only realised a split second too late what was happening when the alcohol was stinging his eyes. Toshiro snarled and gasped.

'It's a wig, he's not dyed it.' Kusaka hissed his voice full of amusement from the side and Toshiro heard Rangiku and Yukio push forward towards them only to be stopped no doubt by Ichimarus two buddies. Toshiro couldn't see what was happening the alcohol was burning his eyes and blurring his vision, mixing with the contact lenses. Then he felt a rough hand rip the wig from his head in one solid move, ripping strands of his delicate white hair under it as it ripped off. A scream gurgled in his throat and he heard several startled and audible gasps from his fellow classmates.

'His hairs white?'

'White hair!'

'What the fuck!?'

Then Toshiro heard another familiar voice.

'Are you Ichimaru?' It was Kurosaki and he sounded livid.

'So wha' if ah am?'
Crack. Then everything happened so fast, Toshiro was dropped to the floor his blurry vision opening for an instant as he tried to collect himself. It seemed everyone had moved now and were seizing Ichimaru and the others. Toshiro felt strong and comforting hands grip his arms and pull him, he didn't need to be able to see to know the first warm and tender hand belonged to Rangiku and the second smaller and more skilled hand belonged to Yukio.

'Take the contacts out quick Toshiro.' Rangiku called, her voice laced with concern as the scuffle continued in the background. Without thinking too hard about it he tilted his head back and quickly removed the first contact lens followed by the second. Instantly his eyes felt better even though they were still stinging from the alcohol.

He blinked his blurry vision and he saw that the three sources of his nightmares were being held by the rest of the fourth year class. Ichimaru was being restrained by Uryu and Tatsuki, Aizen was being restrained by Chad and Shuhei and Kusaka was being restrained by Ikkaku and Renji.

'Ne, ye'll always belong tae me because nae one else will want ye.' Ichimaru spat at Toshiro and for the first time Toshiro stood tall, he straightened up and marched forward towards the boy whose nose had been smashed all over his face – likely as a result of Kurosaki.

'No shut up and listen.' Toshiro snarled at him, 'I was with you once Ichimaru and you ruined it, maybe there was a time that the hurt and fear you installed in me ruled my life but it doesn't anymore.'

'Is tha' why ye were wearin' a disguise then Angel?' He mocked as he pushed forward to try and get a closer look at the boy, Toshiro scowled at the pet name. He'd been given it because of his blindingly white hair and he always loathed it.

'I wore a disguise because you had me believe I'd never be able to have friends who'd accept me well guess what I've found them. You abused me and hurt me and…' Toshiros voice was cracking, he didn't want to do this in front of everyone he didn't want everyone to know all the personal things about him but he needed this chapter to be closed so his new ones could begin. 'You made me believe no one would ever want me or accept me, you broke me down piece by piece in the hopes I'd never be able to rebuild myself but I have.'

'Are yeh done now Angel?'

'One last thing.' Toshiro drew his fist back and slammed it hard into the side of Ichimarus jaw, there was a definitive crack as his jaw went slack and Toshiro turned on his heel without looking at anyone and ran for the back door.

XxXxX

The cold night air felt good against the heat of his face, the alcohol bubbled at the back of his throat and his eyes stung with what had just happened. He knew he wouldn't be out here alone for much longer and soon enough he heard footsteps coming outside. He'd run out the open door that Yukio had propped open to let the air circulate down into the basement. The decking he'd run out onto was wide and at the edges rose a wood railing with one opening to allow you to walk out onto the grass of the massive back garden. Toshiro was fighting back tears and drinking in deep breaths of the cool evening air when he finally turned around to see who had followed him out onto the wood decking. Rangiku was walking towards him closely followed by Kurosaki and Yukio, the girl opened her arms and looked like she was about to engulf him in a hug but he leapt away from her. He was only just holding himself together and he knew if she hugged him that'd send him crashing over the edge. It was easier to hold yourself together than it was to break apart and try and rebuild.

'Please don't,' he moaned and she lowered her arms, 'I know I'll breakdown if you do just give me a moment to compose myself.' He took deeper lung fills of air and placed a small hand on the wood railing to keep him steady. Soon another set of footsteps made their way to him and he opened his blurry eyes to see Yukio offering him a wet towel. He took it appreciatively and used it to try and wipe at his eyes. The stinging alcohol had dimmed into a dull throbbing but the cool towel was welcomed against them. His three friends gave him space and no one said a single word as Toshiro enjoyed the coolness of the towel against his eyes.

Once he felt calmer he removed the towel and set it over the wooden railing that he was leaning against. His vision was less blurred but he was sure his eyes would still be bloodshot. He gazed between the three of them, Rangiku was watching him intently with a face full of motherly concern. Yukio's one green eye that shone out from under the mass of blond hair was inquisitive and worried and Kurosaki looked like he had a million emotions crossing his face and wasn't sure which one he wanted to roll with.

'I'm sorry.' Toshiro started not really sure what else to say, 'sorry about everything.'

'You have nothing to be sorry for.' Rangiku said firmly and Yukio nodded beside her.

'I lied to you, Ichimaru made me feel like no one would accept me for looking like this. He had me convinced the only person who could ever love me or care about me was him and I believed him.'

'Him the only one?' Toshiros head snapped up and he saw Kurosaki crossing the decking towards him, the young white haired prodigy tried to back up and scamper away but Kurosakis arms encircled him and pulled him close. Toshiro tried to push free but Ichigo was having none of it and eventually Toshiro shyly looked up into those warm chocolate eyes.

'My god you're gorgeous.' Kurosaki let out a breath as if he had been holding it and somewhere behind him Toshiro could hear Rangiku.

'I told you!'

'No I'm not, I'm a freak.' He tried to struggle free of the hold but Kurosaki growled at him and he obediently went limp in his arms. 'Look at me.' The strawberry muttered and Toshiro once again did as he was told, raising teal eyes up to his own and Kurosaki breathed out, his eyes becoming half lidded and he pressed his forehead against Toshiros. 'I have a theory…' he murmured and the young prodigy gulped deeply. He didn't want to discuss theories he wanted to kiss the taller boy and grind against him and allow himself a chance at forgetting this whole night ever existed.

'Mmm?'

'I think Ichimaru did all those things to you to make you feel secluded so that he could have you all to himself. The reason he did so was because he was so driven by lust for you that he couldn't stand the thought of you being with anyone else, even as a friend.'

The embrace Kurosaki held him in was gentle and comforting and soon Rangiku and Yukio had wandered over to the wooden railing as well and leaned against it to get closer to the pair. Toshiro froze in the strawberries arms as he processed this information.

'No that cannot be right… he didn't want me all to himself because he… he…' Toshiro gulped and his eyes drifted from Rangikus concerned baby blue eyes to Yukios emerald eye which was full of apprehension.

'He what?' Kurosaki pressed, running a soothing thumb up and down Toshiros arm.

Then the tears were coming, they spilled down from the corner of his eyes and he couldn't stop them. He squeezed his eyes shut and turned his face away from everyone and nuzzled into Ichigos chest.

'Shiro, it's just us I promise you can tell us anything.' Rangiku muttered and he knew that Yukio was nodding his agreement.

'He tried to hold me down while Aizen and Kusaka…' he shook violently at the memories and he heard his friends' audible gasps.

'Shiro! He didn't!' Rangiku hissed and Toshiro shook his head.

'That's when I snapped. That's when I realised that what we had wasn't love, that it couldn't be because two people who love each other would never do… would never want…' The tears were still spilling and he groaned into Kurosakis hold.

'Of course not!' Rangiku called and she moved forward and Toshiro felt her join in on the hugging. Her heat engulfed his back but her busty breasts created a soft intrusion on the scars that he didn't leap away this time, then to his left he felt more warmth and turned his face towards Yukio who had joined the group hug. Kurosaki removed one of his arms from Toshiro and wrapped it around Yukio and the four of them remained in the embrace. Yukios eye was staring at Toshiro and it was full of several emotions that Toshiro didn't have the strength to try and comprehend. Instead he just smiled sheepishly at his friend and closed his eyes against their embrace.

Ran moved and the belt that clasped her dress dug into his back and he yelped and jumped forward into Kurosakis chest.

'Watch his back!' The strawberry instructed with kindness and Rangiku stepped back Yukio moving away too.

'What's wrong with his back?' Rangiku asked and Toshiro whimpered, his friends had already heard everything they knew everything and so they should know this too. Carefully he brought a hand around and pushed his shirt up a little for the duo to see and they shared Kurosaki's horror. Toshiro felt smaller colder hands than Rangikus or Kurosakis gently lift the fabric of his shirt and gently finger the scars. It was Yukio.

'That's why I broke his nose.' The strawberry growled, clearly he could see the emotion crossing his friends faces but Toshiro couldn't from his position with his face buried almost entirely into the strawberries chest.

'I'll kill him.' Rangiku snarled behind Toshiro and then another equally hard and violence voice sounded.

'I'll help.' Yukios tone caught Toshiro by surprise, he'd never heard the boy be malicious before.

'This explains so much.' Rangiku sighed and Toshiro turned to try and see her as Yukio gently put his shirt back down. 'Now I understand why you wouldn't change in front of me or let me touch your back.'

'Now you know everything.' Toshiro sighed and Kurosaki's comforting strokes returned to his arms once again.

'I think Ichigo was right.' It was Yukio who spoke now, softly. 'I think that he did this because he wanted to keep you to himself, what happened with the others was maybe just his way of dominating you further to try and prove with every ounce that you were completely under his control. Standing up for yourself and getting out was very brave and I admire you so much for it.'

From above him Toshiro could feel Kurosaki nod along with his friends words. Toshiro was thoughtful, could that have been it? Did Ichimaru only do all of this just to try and make him completely his? To prove he alone could own the white haired prodigy? If so it would explain why Ichimaru looked so thin when Toshiro saw him, like a drug addict coming down from an addiction.

'But why?'

'Toshiro, he may have had you convinced that your white hair and teal eyes were ugly-' Rangiku started.

'But they're not Toshiro they're fucking stunning, like if this wasn't a serious moment and I was seeing you for the first time I'd ravish you myself kind of stunning.' Yukio attempted his usual sarcastic humour and Toshiro chuckled darkly.

'I'm not kidding,' Yukio clarified and Kurosaki sighed.

'They're right Toshiro, these unique qualities you've tried to hide make you one of the most beautiful creatures I swear I've ever seen.' Toshiro felt his heart skip a beat at the strawberries words.

'Look who's talking,' Toshiro leaned back and poked Kurosakis chest with a hard finger. The strawberry blond grinned down at him.

'I don't suppose you want to face the rest of the fourth years just now do you?' He asked and Toshiro's face drained of colour, after everything that had happened he couldn't face seeing anyone. Not to mention he was sure his eyes were still red from the alcohol and the crying.

'I didn't think so.' The delicious strawberry leaned in so their lips were only an inch apart and Toshiros eyes closed over. 'Come back to mine tonight. Please.'

Toshiro gulped, he didn't have an excuse now not to go. He could always head back home alone but the thought of laying in a bed alone tonight scared him, he didn't want the events of the day to catch up to him and leave him feeling empty, cold and alone. He wanted to wake up next to Ichigo and cuddle into him. Ichigo. He wanted Ichigo.

Slowly Toshiro nodded against the older man and Ichigo crossed the remaining distance so that their lips met gently. He pulled away after a few moments and Toshiro turned to his friends, finally leaving the strawberries warm embrace.

'Sorry to be skipping out so early,' he sighed to Yukio, 'and sorry for all the drama.'

'Nothing to apologise for Toshiro, you're my friend and I've grown to love you the same way I love Rangiku. I'm just sorry we couldn't have all been friends earlier and helped you.' The gamer shrugged his shoulders but his voice gave away a lot more emotion behind those words than his simple shrug could pass.

Toshiro smiled and stepped forward and accepted the gentle embrace of his friend whose hands lightly touched his back in a tentative manner, not wanting to hurt him. Next Toshiro was engulfed into Rangiku and her bust circled his head and blocked all access to breathable air as he heard her speak.

'You take care of our boy Ichigo Kurosaki or you'll have us to deal with.' She threatened him and finally released Toshiro who gasped for air when Ichigo agreed.

'We'll tell everyone else you two left early, I'm sure they'll understand,' Yukio smiled, as he and Rangiku waved the two off.

They walked around the side of the mansion and back towards their cars, the evening air felt amazing on his skin and even though Ichigo offered to call them a taxi they ended up choosing to walk, he night air giving a chance for them to sober up and at the same time healing some of the night's events with its gentle peace.

XxXxX

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