He was running as fast as he could. But it was as if his movements were made in slowmotion. He could hear the echoing sounds of his feets hitting the ground. his heart beating in his ear and his breath was heavy.
Something was closing in on him. Something was moving fast towards his position. He had to run, flee. But his body was so slow that it was painful.

"Ichigo," a voice called out.

Who was calling for him? That thing chasing him? Or was it someone safe?

"Ichigo," the voice called again.

This time it was more clear though and he could recognize it. But who was it? He kept running and running, the forest seemed to never end.

"Ichigo!"

Shirosaki? It had to be. Ichigo opened his mouth to cry out the name, but he had no voice. He tried again but to no avail.

"Ichigo!"

Shirosaki sounded desperate. So was Ichigo. Where was Shirosaki? He wasn't there. He couldn't protect Ichigo. He opened his mouth and tried one more time.

"SHIRO!" Ichigo shouted as he sat up in bed.

Shirosaki was there, next to him in the bed. Holding him close.

"Fuck, I never thought you would wake up," Shirosaki said as he hugged a panting and sweating Ichigo close to him.

Ichigo instinctively clinged to Shirosaki and searched for his mouth with his own. When they met, he gave a hasty kiss.

"I though it would catch me," he whispered before he gave one more desperate kiss.

"What would catch you? What did you dream, Ichigo?"

Ichigo didn't answer as he gave more desperate kisses on Shirosaki's mouth.

"Calm down, Ichigo. It's alright. That bad thing won't catch you."

"I heard you call out to me, but I couldn't answer you," whispered Ichigo.

Ichigo leaned his head against Shirosaki's shoulder.

"Promise you won't leave."

"Ichigo..."

"PROMISE!" Ichigo cried out in desperation.

Shirosaki smiled at him.

"I promise," he said and hugged Ichigo closer.


Ichigo was making some porridge for breakfast when Shirosaki came in through the door. He grabbed Ichigo's ass, but his hand was immediately smacked away.

"Don't do that," hissed Ichigo.

"Give me a kiss then."

"No."

Shirosaki pouted and grabbed Ichigo's hips, turning him so they were face to face.

"Just one small," begged Shirosaki, though with a wicked grin on his lips.

"Go die," hissed Ichigo and turned back to his cooking.

Shirosaki chuckled and let his head rest on Ichigo's shoulder.

"Just one small," he whispered into Ichigo's ear.

"I said no," grunted Ichigo, but leaned his head against Shirosaki's.

Shirosaki nuzzled his nose into Ichigo's shoulder and sniffed at him.

"You smell disgusting. You reek of that stupid party," he mumbled.

"Don't get jealous now. I realize I shouldn't have gone, I should have been home with you."

Shirosaki gave a small nip on Ichigo's shoulder and Ichigo couldn't help but smile at the gesture.

"As I said, I shouldn't have gone," he said and turned his head and kissed the side of Shirosaki's head.

Shirosaki quickly shot his head up and connected their lips. Ichigo opened his mouth, letting Shirosaki's tongue invade it. The kiss was slow and Ichigo couldn't help but moan. After a while Shirosaki broke the kiss.

"You're burning the porridge," he whispered to Ichigo who went into panic mode.

"Shit," he hissed as he took the pot from the stove.

Shirosaki only chuckled and smacked Ichigo's ass before leaving the kitchen.


Ichigo was soaking in a bath when he thought about what had happened last night. Now everyone knew and Ichigo knew there would be no end to the harassments. Luppi would be on his back like a leech, happily sucking away on Ichigo's pain and thrive off of it. What was he to do?

"Don't look so sad, Ichigo," Shirosaki said as he sat down next to the bathtub.

Ichigo yelped as he instinctively splashed water on Shirosaki. Ichigo looked at Shirosaki who was glaring back at him. Ichigo couldn't hold it as Shirosaki looked like a drowned cat and he started laughing.

"I'm happy you are happy. But could you please be happy about something else?"

Ichigo held his stomach as he laughed even harder. Shirosaki sighed and pulled off his shirt, he stood up and pulled off his pants and boxers. This made Ichigo calm down.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"What does it look like?" Shirosaki countered.

He put his leg down in the water and Ichigo grabbed it.

"Whoa, you're not joining me," he said and glared at Shirosaki.

"Oh, don't be shy now, Ichigo. We took a bath together just a week ago, remember?"

Shirosaki ignored Ichigo's protests as he sat down in the tub. He leaned back against Ichigo, closed his eyes and sighed happily. Ichigo couldn't help but smile as Shirosaki looked so content. He kissed his head before leaning back himself and relaxing.
They sat there for a good ten minutes before Shirosaki spoke.

"What happened at the party that made you cry yourself to sleep?"

Ichigo stiffened before he relaxed as Shirosaki started massaging his legs.

"Nothing serious," he whispered.

Shirosaki opened his eyes and turned around, looking at Ichigo.

"I-chi-go. What. Happened?"

Ichigo couldn't believe how stern Shirosaki's voice was, like he was reprimanding a child. Ichigo sighed, looked away and told him about what had happened. When he was finished he was scared to look at Shirosaki, but he did nonetheless.
Shirosaki's face was twisted in rage, his eyes glimmering with murderous intent.

"I'll kill that fucking bitch!" he roared and stood up.

He stepped with one leg outside the tub when Ichigo grabbed his arm.

"What are you going to do?" he asked, panic clear in his voice.

"I'll teach that bitch a lesson. You don't go fucking things up like that and then blame it on someone else."

Shirosaki's voice was girm and a shiver ran down Ichigo's spine.

"Please, Shiro. Listen to me. You can't do anything."

"Watch me."

"It's wrong what you are intending to do. You know I don't like violence, so please stop it."

Shirosaki stepped fully out of the tub and grabbed a towel. He shook off Ichigo's hand and started drying himself.

"She is supposed to be your friend and she goes and do such a thing. Unforgivable."

Ichigo left the tub as well.

"Please, Shiro. Am I not the one who should decide if it's unforgivable?"

Shirosaki snorted.

"Sorry Ichigo, but you're a pussy and you will just forgive her and you have to deal with feeling you can't trust her every day. Instead of telling her straight and knowing you're better off without her."

Ichigo grabbed Shirosaki's arm.

"Look at me, Shirosaki," he said sternly.

Shirosaki looked at him and they stood there silent for a while.

"Look, it's weekend anyway. Let's just take it easy until Monday and I see what I'll do then," Ichigo said and stepped up close to Shirosaki.

"No. She has to be taught a lesson."

"Sssh, no she doesn't. Not right now," whispered Ichigo and let his hand travel along the side of Shirosaki's face.

Shirosaki pulled Ichigo in for a kiss. Ichigo was somehow happy Shirosaki had gotten so mad for him, but he was more happy that he had made Shirosaki calm down.