AN: Thanks to Guest and AgeIsJustANumberBaby and Phoenix220 for the reviews. Guest – yeps correct we are not far from ByaIchi goodtimes… in fact... well you'll just have to read to see where abouts we are with the story :) Credit as always to Tite Kubo and S Meyers for the chars and plots! Mistakes… yep all mine sorry!

Chapter 13

Byakuyas POV: Sunday lunchtime

"You're back? I thought you were gonna be watching the kid for the weekend vampstalker styles?" Renji jumped down beside me as I landed on the deck of my room mildly wondering about my early return.

"As did I." I brushed past him into my room and thumped down onto the recliner.

"Sooo, why are you here then?"

"I live here." My blank stare and clipped response did nothing to dissuade him from continuing to ask stupid questions.

"Yep, you do. But last time I checked Ichigo didn't soo again… Why are you here?" Renji tilted his head trying to contain a smirk.

"Because, Ichigo and his father didn't stay at their house last night… and I spent the morning chasing our classmates around Forks trying to find information about where he had gone."

"Really… So you didn't find out where they went? Why didn't you just ring him and ask him where he was?"

"I… fuck! That would have saved a lot of time." I closed my eyes as I tried think about why that simple thought hadn't crossed my mind as I'd raced around town trying to locate the Kurosaki's since dawn this morning.

"So where is he?" Renji was almost openly laughing at me by this stage.

"I think they stayed on the reservation last night. I finally found Chad Yasutora who was thinking about Grimmjow and Ichigo yesterday. I can't exactly sneak onto the reservation lands to check though can I?"

"Hell no!" Renji balked at that thought. "So message him about your hike and how great it is and then ask him what he's up to. It might calm you if you know where he is. I'm going hunting in a couple of minutes if you want to come along?" With that Renji jumped off the deck leaving me alone to sulk.

I already knew that Grimmjow had feelings for Ichigo. But seeing them in Chad's mind earlier, the carefree way they interacted… It had pissed me off. Would he be that free around me? Could I make him shine the way he did naturally with Grimmjow? I could certainly fluster him, but that wasn't all I wanted. I growled and stalked off to find Renji. Maybe I'd find a grizzly to take down in the forest.

I didn't bother to message Ichigo before I left. Hopefully he was home in a few hours and I could visit him and call instead… This whole distancing tactic was a massive pain in the ass! One thing I learned after floating around our classmates mind earlier was that the only time Ichigo had mentioned my name had been to ask about where we went hiking. And no one had answered him. I was also certain the response he'd gotten had shut him down, but then I hadn't been able to check Grimmjow's mind to see if anything further was revealed. Like Ichigo he was most certainly on the unsearchable Quileute land.

Ichigos POV: Later that evening – 9pm.

Spending the night with Grimmjow and his friends had been tiring. I enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere with the Quileute's and it helped to keep my mind off a certain someone else. I wasn't exactly pining for him... but still, unless I was occupied my mind would somehow end up coming back to him.

I flopped onto my bed with my cell after taking a shower. I was about to check it when it called in my hand. My heart skipped a beat at the suddenness of it and a slight flutter within me hoped it would be Byakuya.

It wasn't.

"Kaien!" I recognised his number on the screen and answered quickly.

"Nearly Ichi! Its me honey!"

"Mom! How are you? I've missed you guys!" I had.

"I'm good. We're good. Kai says hi. I'll let you two talk in a bit though hun."

"Ok, so what have you been up to?"

"Oh you know us, Kaien's been doing well on the circuit and I've been sight-seeing and shopping. Are you still ok to meet us in Seattle next weekend for a few hours as we travel through?" She sounded happy and in good spirits.

"Yep, I'm looking forward to it. It's over lunch time isn't it?"

"Yes, I'll get Kaien to send you the details from his itinerary. So tell me everything that you've been up too since we last talked. I want the run down on all your classmates and teachers and everything." I could literally see her jumping up and down on the other end of the phone trying to glean as much information as possible from me. It occurred to me not to mention the near death experience this week – it would only worry her.

"Ahh well, there's not much to tell Mom. I mean, my classmates are a pretty normal bunch… I have this really beaut- umm I mean my lab partner's probably the smartest person I've ever met... Oh, do you remember Mayuri and Grimmjow Black? Well I went to the beach yesterday with some classmates and ended up staying up their last night. Isshin came up for dinner and he stayed as well after he and a few of the other tribesmen came up for a poker game." Masaki made the appropriate yes and mmm's as I spoke.

"So tell me more about this lab partner of yours. Is she pretty?" Huh?

"Byakuya? I guess he is… Yeh I'd probably get punched by him if he heard me call him pretty though Mom. He's more an angelic beauty if you had to give him a- wait…" I couldn't believe my mother had got me to tell her about Byakuya and that I said that out loud about him and oh dear god this is the worst…

"What's wrong honey?"

"Umm you always make me do that you know…"

"Oh hon! I don't mean too honest. You know you can tell me anything and I'll love you no matter what. So my strong handsome son thinks a boy looks like an angel and speaks wistfully about him. That's nothing to get upset about is it?"

"You're right. I haven't been able to talk about how much I think I've fallen for him to anyone else... How could you tell? Don't answer that. You read me like a book even over the phone." I was shaking my head at my psychic mother.

"I'll let you in on your tells another day honey. But just be careful ok. Keep your heart protected and don't let him control who you are."

"Ahh we aren't really at that point yet. I've only been here 2 weeks. And he's been gone most of that anyway…" Well he had been. And when did I admit I felt something for him? Damn my mother! No not really.

"Sometimes at your age Ichi… love at first sight… I hope I get to meet him soon."

"Well we'd have to actually have proper conversations first… He… I… Ha! I'd have to introduce him to Isshin… I wasn't even into guys when I got here... How did you know?" Great... now I couldn't even finish sentences properly.

"Oh Ichigo! It's 2013! Gender doesn't even factor into things these days. Your father won't judge you either. He was Kyoraku's best man remember." I wasn't really worried about Isshin's approval… having him be a sheriff might be more troublesome considering he kept guns in the house and locked in his car…

"Honey, I have to go – Kai's battery is about to die. Sorry you two don't get to talk tonight. We love you." I heard Uncle Kaien's voice yelling in the background his goodbyes.

"Love you guys too. Don't forget to send me the… details." The phone call cut off. No doubt Masaki's phone was already flat and now she'd flattened her husbands. Still the same as ever.

I sent them both a message to remember to charge their phones and send me the times and place to meet them in Seattle in the weekend. I wished they were here in Forks now. Mom was always such airhead, but even with that quick phone call she'd managed to hone in on the one thing or rather one person that had me all messed up right now.

I contemplated sending Byakuya a text. I'd sent him one every night since I'd last seen him, but had only heard back once when he let me know he'd replaced his phone. I was hoping it was because he was out of cell reception wherever he and his family were hiking… but part of me thought I'd just read more into things. Another part of me was wondering about the accident while I held my phone in my hand. And part of me was desperately trying to ignore Grimmjow's tribal history; that mentioned Byakuya and three of his family members by name being Cold Ones who had visited this area 25 years ago…

My phone buzzed in my hand and I dropped it as I got yet another fright. The open conversation I had been looking at showing four unanswered responses now had a new message from Byakuya.

Ichigo… My iPhones been off to save the battery out here and only now found reception.

Oh right, well that explains it I guess… Another message came through.

All these messages Ichigo… Do you miss me?

Yes… Not that I'd message him that though. I quickly sent a message of my own.

We still need to talk Byakuya. I didn't want you to forget!

Just talk? Hmm, so you just want me for my voice do you?

Staring at the words as they come through… why did I always think he was making things more complicated?

Yes. I want you…

To explain how you saved me.

Ok, well two messages. Let him see how he likes being played with. The sound of a tree branch cracking loudly outside my window pulled me out of the slight daze of the screen I'd been focusing on. I blinked and walked over to the window and looked outside. I couldn't make out anything so I turned and went and sat back on the bed. My phone buzzed with another message.

Of course Ichigo… I'll give you what you need… Good night… And sweet dreams…

I smirked. If he knew I dreamt about him he wouldn't say that…

Good night Byakuya… And only girls have sweet dreams… mine are M rated! I held my finger over the Send button before I deleted everything after his name and then pushed send. Nope. I wasn't going to give him anything further to use against me.

I looked down at the tent that had sprung up in my boxers thinking about the dreams I'd had of him… They were definitely porn rated that was certain!

Byakuyas POV:

Ichigo… My iPhones been off to save the battery out here and only now found reception.

I had tried my hardest to avoid talking to him, but listening in to his conversation with his mother I couldn't contain myself… He'd practically confessed to me!

All these messages Ichigo… Do you miss me?

Toshiro was rubbing off on me… erm perhaps wrong phrase to use now.

We still need to talk Byakuya. I didn't want you to forget!

Watching his reaction when we conversed was so intriguing. If I could read his mind this type of stalking would be completely unnecessary.

Just talk? Hmm, so you just want me for my voice do you?

From my vantage point I saw his eyes light up before he answered me.

Yes. I want you…

When that text came through my hand that I had resting against a tree branch applied a little too much pressure and it snapped loudly throwing my weight off. The surprise had me flitting into the treeline just as another message came through.

To explain how you saved me.

Why that cheeky brat!

I glanced up at his window to see him standing at it scanning the yard for the cause of the noise. It was likely a sign that I should probably finish up this conversation anyway. Life would be safer for Ichigo if I wasn't in it… but hearing him tonight there was no way I could walk away from him.

Of course Ichigo… I'll give you what you need… Good night… And sweet dreams…

How much could I hope that he would dream of me…?

Good night Byakuya…

From my vantage point I had watched him tap out a lot more letters – what I wouldn't have given to know what he had deleted before he hit the send button.

I smirked at his evident state of arousal. My self-restraint was being tested as I stood captivated by him. The monster in me wanted to stay and watch him take care of himself, but I begrudgingly took off for a yet another run. I'd be back soon to watch over him while he slept.

Port Angeles – the following afternoon (Monday)

Still in Byakuyas POV

"Can you believe the senior committee mucking up the Prom dates like that?" From the alley across the street I watched Ichigo and his human friends Chad and Uryuu in the menswear store in the seaside town of Port Angeles. Being out in the afternoon on a sunny day wasn't my brightest idea ever. I pulled my hoody up. My hands rested lightly in my pockets but I still felt very deviant. I had been lucky to catch them before they left school to find out they were making the drive here. Something in me just didn't want to let Ichigo out of my sight while he was out and about.

"Nnn." Chad grunted and shrugged while Ichigo barely paid them any attention.

"Does this mean you'll be able to make it now the date's been moved out a couple of weeks Ichigo?" I could see Uryuu was only mildly curious now that he was happily dating Orihime Inoue. Apparently that had happened over the weekend.

"Umm what?"

"You know you were busy this weekend, but that dance was cancelled and the Prom is being organised for 3 weeks instead."

"Oh, I hadn't really thought about. I thought you guys were getting a suit for this weekend."

"Huh, have you not been listening this whole time? We need to get sizes and fabric choices for Chad. Then I'll make him his suit. Tsk, you'll hopeless today. Why did you even want to come along?" Uryuu pushed his glasses up frowning at Ichigo.

"Uryuu? Does this shirt go with these pants?" Chad stood beside Ichigo in dress pants that were too short and a shirt about 3 sizes too small.

"What the fuck Chad? Get that crap off and come with me. You'd think this is the first time I've dragged you in here." From where I stood I could see the big giant shrug to Ichigo who smiled at the distraction.

The sun shifted and started setting. Once it had set I could move around, but for now I needed to move back or find a better stalking spot.

I moved keeping in shadows. Only about 10 minutes before sunset.

I picked up on Chad's mind again. It was quite a lot quieter and peaceful compared to Uryuu. I could see why Ichigo enjoyed his company.

"Why did he come along if he wasn't interested in getting a suit?" I saw Uryuu ask Chad.

"He said he was wanting to visit a book store. He'd meet us at the restaurant in 10 minutes."

Hold up. Where did Ichigo go now?

"A bookstore? Who goes to bookstores these days? E-books are the way to go!"

"What about this tie?"

"Do you want me to slap you?"

"Hmm." Chad wasn't one for gossiping about Ichigo. I was really starting to like this guy. But what the hell? Why didn't Chad know which bookstore Ichigo went too? Where the hell is he?

I raced through the shadows trying to pick up on Ichigo's scent. From this distance it was a pain in the ass. I stopped when I caught my reflection. I looked like a panicked girl. How much trouble could one teenage boy get into in seaside town?

I stood and flared my senses hopping from mind to mind looking for people who had seen a striking orange haired teen. Anger flared when I found a group of thugs who had seen him. The thoughts of two men seemed particularly disturbing…

That kid looks like he might be a fun to play with… Hopefully he'll put up a fight and make it interesting… We got his attention now boys… I can smell his fear… Checking over his shoulder and walking a bit faster… He doesn't even realise we're herding him… Like a little lamb… God those pouty lips wrapped around my cock… I'll make him scream before I tear out that orange hair while I pound his…

Fuck! Finally I saw where they were and it was finally dark enough for me to move about but I needed to move fast. They were close to where I'd parked the car at a marina. Those guys better not touch him! Rage was surging through me directed at the men, but partially at my own error in failing to keep close enough watch on Ichigo...

Only Ichigo could find trouble just by breathing…

Ichigos POV:

I left the bookstore and put the Quileute history book I'd bought in my bag. I still had a few minutes to meet up with Chad and Uryuu at the restaurant. When I looked up I realised that darkness had descended and I was… well ok a little bit turned around. I hadn't really been paying attention to where the restaurant was and I'd seemed to maybe take a wrong turn somewhere.

As I was looking around I bumped into a big gruff looking guy and his friend. I mumbled an apology and kept moving. They threw some insults at me, but I didn't really pay them any notice. It was only two of them. I was pretty certain I'd give them a run if they felt like taking it further.

The book in my bag seemed to weigh a tonne though and I really just wanted to get back home now and look through it. I was certain I'd figure out more…

"Fisher… Looks like the kid is still ignoring you – maybe you're too much man for him huh?" Shit, they were following me…

"Hey! Punk! Come on! Don't make me chase you… It'll only get me more excited…" What the hell was wrong with these guys?

I hurried my steps as I took a quick look behind me. Still only two of them… where the fuck am I? I turned down a side alley and noticed a couple of other guys at the end of it, but there was another side alley I darted down. Shit, is that four of em now…

I exited the alley and found myself in the parking lot of a little marina but there were no lights on in any of the buildings or boats and it looked absent of anybody who could be of any use to me. I kept walking even though I could hear the leering and footsteps of more than four people behind me…

In the middle of the carpark I turned to face them. I kept my face as blank as I could. I wouldn't go easily, but cockiness often got me into more trouble.

"Look at em Fisher! You sure know how to pick em. He definitely looks like he'll play. All that fire in his eyes. Makes me hard just thinking about it!" Ok, so maybe I hadn't looked as blank as I'd hoped.

"Calm yourself Shrieker… Wouldn't want to get your hands dirty just yet! Plenty of time for that… Let the others play with him first." The guy called Fisher smirked at me.

So five of em all up. The Fisher and Shrieker guys I'd bumped into before looked like they'd cause the most trouble. I was unarmed, but the three thugs approaching didn't seem to have any weapons either. Then Shrieker pulled something out from under his shirt. The light from the moon glinted from the blade as he twirled it in his hand. Great… So I would need to keep him in my sights while I took out the three others.

I took a deep breath while I held my ground waiting for the lackeys. They were so sure of themselves. I could almost taste the overconfidence dripping off them. Idiot 1 had the audacity to laugh as he stepped into my face and grabbed my shirt with one hand and raised his fist to punch me.

"Oi! Not his mouth!" Shrieker yelled. Idiot 1 faltered but it didn't matter. I stepped into him throwing off his balance at my sudden advance and clapped both hands to his ears then a quick jab to his throat that dropped him to the ground. My knee came up and connected to his jaw as Idiot 2 charged at me. I dodged his shoulder charge and swept out with my leg to trip him using his body weight against him. He slammed into the ground with a yell, but I thought I'd have a bit of time to deal with Idiot 3 first.

I spun to face him and found a foot meeting my chest that knocked the wind out of me and a landed on my butt.

Shit.

Rolling back onto my feet I narrowly missed another kick and stepped inside it and rammed the heel of my palm into his nose. I was about to hit him again when I felt the blade of knife at my throat.

"Kid… I'm nearly jizzing in my pants watching you-". The squeal of familiar tyres and roar of an engine, coupled with the lights of a Porsche that came racing into the car park at unbelievable speed cut Shriekers words off. It barrelled straight towards us and for a second I literally felt like I was going to be killed twice tonight even as I held my ground. Rivalling Ken Block in precision; the ass of the car suddenly came round so the passenger door was right next to me.

Byakuya fucking Kuchiki-Urahara! I was happy to see him. For more than one reason. I breathed out slightly, the knife had disappeared as Shrieker had darted away from the oncoming car.

Right then, it didn't matter that I had been fighting to stop myself getting gang-banged by horny fuckwit morons and then stabbed to death on some shitty marina in Port Angeles. All that mattered was the guy that stepped out of the Porsche. Long black hair flowing, super strong arms, pale white skin... and of course eyes that looked like they could lightening bolts from them. Typical!

It hadn't crossed my mind that he wouldn't hit me with the car though… All I could think of was that he was here, rescuing me… again! I groaned inwardly even with my heart thumping in my chest.

"Get in the car Ichigo!" He voice sent chills through me. It was deep and rough and promised violent repercussions if I didn't obey.

I didn't need to be told twice.

"Oi fucker! Get your own toy-". The thugs had all given the car a wide at Byakuya's entrance. But when he walked closer he growled low and glared at them; he got them to stumble back. Yeh. His look was scary. But I found myself less scared. I borne the brunt of that look and survived. Who was I kidding he could melt me with a whisper much less one of his famous black death looks. I almost felt sorry for the thugs, until I remembered the knife at my throat.

Looking at Byakuya, for a moment I thought he was going to take them on and almost leant on the horn, but he was back in the car before I needed to do anything.

He growled again and he looked like he was in pain. He didn't look at me though, and instead threw the car into reverse at speed before flicking the wheel and throwing the car into a reverse 180. I bounced around in my seat and hit my head against the window.

"Ow!"

"Put. Your. Seatbealt. On!" His turned to face me and took my breathe away. As I took in his murderous black glare it occurred to me that even then he was still one of the most magnificent things I'd ever had the pleasure of knowing... How could I ever hope to become something important to him?