A few months after the fight with Momo found Toushirou in the same position as before. The tension between Momo and himself was almost unbearable.
Two weeks before winter break brought chilling winds, snow, and the beginning of the unit on bulling , harassment, and child abuse. Harassment and bulling Toushirou could handle, however he didn't know how he would react to the sensitive subject of child abuse.
He felt Ichigo's hand tighten on his as they entered the classroom and not for the first time Toushirou wondered what he would do without him. They sat down away from Momo as Toushirou didn't think he could deal with her chatter.
Matsumoto entered the classroom much more solemnly than she ever had before. She paused, gazing out at the bright faces of her students, but her eyes went to Toushirou's grim set face. Finally she sighed and turned to the chalkboard.
"Most of you have loving parents or guardians that love and care for you above all others." she began and she heard murmurs of agreement and a few sullen voices stating the opposite. She turned back to face the class.
"But there are a few children who have never gotten a hug from their Mom, or an 'I love you' form their Dad, children that have only know fear and pain for most of their lives."
A shot up into the air.
"Yes Momo?"
"I don't understand. Why would anyone hurt their own child?" she asked, sounding confused.
"Who cares?" came a harsh voice suddenly, and everyone turned to look at Toushirou.
"It doesn't matter what their reason is! The why is unimportant!" he told her.
Momo frowned, "That isn't what I meant! What I wanted to know was how could anyone bear to hurt their own child!"
"Oh, grow up! The whole world isn't full of rainbows and butterflies! Pull your head out and take a good look around!"
Momo's face turned red from anger and embarrassment.
"Yeah well I hope you never have children because you would probably be one of the people that would abuse them!"
The blood drained from Toushirou's face and quite suddenly he felt sick to his stomach. An image of himself holding a crowbar in his hands, eyes as insane as his father had been on that horrible night, rose before his eyes.
Oh gods, he was going to be sick.
Clamping a hand over his mouth Toushirou stood, knocking over his chair with a loud clatter, and bolted from the room, ignoring both Matsumoto's and Ichigo's calls. He didn't stop until he had retched a bathroom stall. Once inside Toushirou fell to his knees and began retching violently, hot tears pouring down his cheeks.
He heard the sound of hurried foot steps on the tile floor but it only dimly registered in his head. He felt a large hand begin rubbing soothing circles on the small of his back.
"Easy, baby, take it easy, you're all right. . . ." came the soft murmurs of Ichigo's soothing voice in his ear.
Slowly Toushirou manged to gain enough control over his body to stop the endless vomiting. As he sat back on his heels he looked up to see those brown eyes he so loved ready to swallow him hole with love and affection.
With a muffled sob of anguish Toushirou collapsed into Ichigo's welcoming arms. He serious could not deal with this, not a year after his father's arrest, not a year after the beating that haunted his dreams. To make matters worse it was getting close to winter break and . . . it was simply to much for him to handle.
His body trembled and he was racked with dry sobs but for some reason no tears came. His breath started coming out in short gasps and Toushirou heard Ichigo curse.
"Calm down Toushirou!" Ichigo said in a panicked voice, as he listened to Toushirou hyperventilate.
"Breath slowly." he commanded as he rocked Toushirou. Toushirou, hearing the fear in his boyfriend's voice, forced himself o clam down, to breath. Slowly but surely his breaths returned to normal and the violent tremors subsided.
Once Toushirou's breathing had returned to normal Ichigo helped him clean out his mouth and they left the bathroom in silence. They were part way back to class when Toushirou stopped and began shaking again.
"Toushirou?"
"I can't . . ." he whispered
"Can't what?"
Toushirou looked over at Ichigo, his eyes wide as he choked out, "I can't go back in there, I-I just can't! Please don't make me, please . . ."
The panic in his voice was evident and Ichigo quickly wrapped his arms around him.
"Shh, shh, it's okay, it's okay, we're not going back, I promise, I'll go in, get our things and we'll head to my house. Alright?"
Toushriou nodded, finding himself unable to speak.
Ichigo slipped quietly into Matsumoto's classroom to find that she had returned the class back to the lesson. As Ichigo walked in she looked up from what she was writing on the board. Their eyes met and understanding passed between them.
Matsumoto nodded, letting him know that she would take care of the rest. As Ichigo quickly gathered up his and Toushirou's thing he felt a hand catch his wrist. Glancing up he came face to face with Momo.
Her eyebrows were creased with worry.
"Is hie okay?" She whispered. Ichigo shook his head, pulling his hand harshly out of her grip.
"No, he's not." he growled before he quickly turned and left the room without a backwards glance.
Author's note:
First I would like to a dress what I meant with Toushirou says the why of child abuse doesn't matter. I feel that there is absolutely no excuse for a parent to abuse their child, I don't care what their excuse is. As for Momo's attitude, keep in mind she had no idea that Toushirou had been abused, I am trying really hard to make her seem naive, not like she is intentsionaly trying to hurt Toushirou. I have a feeling that I haven't succesed.
Also I would like to say a happy, day late birthday to my reviewer, Yogi, who requested that I update yesterday for their birthday. As you can see I did a great job of that didn't I? Sorry about not updating for you're birthday Yogi, but I hope you had a good one :)
Anyway, thank you to all that have reviewed, it means a lot to me.
Zx14ninja
