A/N: I AM REALLY SORRY!

I've been gone for a whole MONTH! :o

I had a pretty rough end of the year. I got out of school on the 7th but the day before I had to be rushed to the emergency room because of an infection on my lung and appendix. It was rough...my doctor says it happens commonly in young people, but they don't know the cause or reason why. So I spent the entire night and morning in the awful hospital. I hate hospitals...they always smell like sickness and death. :P

For some odd reason, every year at the end of it all, my teachers decide to give us a fuckload of work. Why? I have no idea. That's just the way it goes.

I've been recovering from treatment for this week, so I'll try to make those missing weeks up in this chapter, Ok?

I'm out of school now! So before I go to camp and get a job, I'll be able to upload on time!

While writing this, I listened to Young and Beautiful by Lana Del Rey.

Enjoy!

When Shirosaki woke up, he was surprised to be in his bedroom. He sat up quickly then looked around. On the side of his bed near the wall, the bag of heroin laid untouched and still. He reached down and shoved it under before his door opened. Ichigo stepped in with a steaming cup and a tray of something else. He walked over then sat on Shiro's bed and set the tray down. The albino flinched a bit when Ichigo leaned in and kissed him.

"Are you Ok? Did I hurt your nose?" The red-head asked worriedly.

"Nah, just gotta get used ta that," he replied and touched his lips.

"Oh. Well, let me help you..." Ichigo said before leaning in and kissing the other teen. Shiro smiled before he broke into a fit of coughs. "Here." He handed him the warm cup.

"Thanks." The albino took a big gulp of the hot liquid inside.

"I think we're both a little sick. We were sleeping on the wet floor so I guess we caught a cold," the red-head informed before he let out a sneeze. "I'm kinda too tired to work today..."

"Maybe you should just stay home with me instead," Shirosaki suggested and tried to hide his grin.

"Yeah," Ichigo nodded and agreed. "Maybe." He got up and left the room to go get his cellphone.

Fuck, Shiro thought remembering for the umpteenth time what was going on.

He scratched at the irritating itch on his forearm and sighed. He knew what was up. Ginjou used to itch like this all the time. When his weekly supply of drugs would run out, he'd itch like crazy and go off on an angry tirade. And it wasn't always verbally. Shiro shut his eyes and tried to forget those thoughts and focus on something else. Thinking of Ichigo always made him feel better, so that's what he went with. The two were apparently in some weird sort of relationship that neither of them could define. They weren't quite dating since Shiro didn't want to get too close, but they weren't single either because they both wanted each other. It was hard to explain. He thought for sure that Ichigo was head over heels for that Grimmjow guy, but he guessed he was wrong.

And though they could not define their relationship yet, he had Ichigo. And that's all that really mattered right now. Said teen walked in and retook his seat next to his best friend.

"So what happened?"

"I called Grimmjow and told him that I'd be missing for a few days. I let Nel know what medicine to give him and what exercises to have him do. They should be fine," Ichigo told him.

"That's good," the albino uttered before yawning and stretching his arms behind his head. Ichigo blushed at the flexing of his muscles before he noticed something.

"Shiro?" He spoke.

"Hm?"

"When did you get this tattoo?" Ichigo poked at the small strawberry right above his armpit.

"Uh..." The older teen thought it would be a bit awkward to tell him why he got it, but it didn't really matter at this point. "I got this while I was gone. It was so I wouldn't forget ya." He said with a slight smile.

"But why a strawberry?" Ichigo asked with a confused face. Shirosaki sat up because could not believe he was serious.

"Geez, yer so dense," he said with a chuckle then laid back again.

Ichigo awkwardly laid next to him and the two stayed apart in silence. That is, until Shiro strangely rolled on his side and placed an arm around Ichigo's back then pulled him close. Ichigo blushed because his face was gently pressed up against Shiro's bare muscular chest. He unconsciously took a deep breath and smelled the scent that could only be described as Shirosaki. He remembered when the albino used to be thin and scrawny, but he guessed they had both changed since then.

"Uh—" Ichigo started.

"Sh." Shiro quickly shushed him then placed his nose in his hair.

Strawberries...Always helps, he thought after he took a deep breath.

"Shiro..." Ichigo groaned when they were like that for a long time. His arms had been pressed between them and they were starting to cramp up.

"I..."

"You what?"

"I'm...happy that you want me. I'm happy that you want me, too. I'm just...happy..." The albino said quietly in his hair.

Ichigo had nothing to say because he didn't expect that. Instead he just hugged him back. The two fell asleep like that and never moved throughout the day. A little later, Shirosaki's eyes popped open. He started scratching at his skin furiously. He got out of the bed and walked to the bathroom. His skin felt like it was burning and the spot on his forearm was aching. The albino turned on the tap and splashed his face with water. He propped himself up on his arms and looked into the mirror.

No. I can beat this. I don't need that shit. I don't, he thought.

Shiro decided to take a cold shower to shake off the jitters he was having, but it didn't work. Nothing did. Not drinking a beer, not any kind of deep breathing. He even tried touching the stove to take his mind away from the itch. But it wouldn't go away. He was at the point of almost crying. Nothing could fix this. Nothing but...No. He couldn't. Not while Ichigo was just in the other room. Not ever. But...he wanted it to stop. He knew how to fix it—he'd watched Ginjou plenty of times—but he didn't want to. The teen had a choice to make: Don't use the drugs and go back to bed, risking his relationship with Ichigo because the red-head would eventually discover it once he saw him start to wig out. Or, he could take the heroin while the other was sleeping and keep it a secret, keeping the relationship afloat. With a sigh, Shiro walked back to his room and slowly opened the door. Considering both his physical and emotional situations, it would be a hard decision.

When Ichigo woke, he found himself alone in Shiro's bed. He sat up then walked out the room. The house was dark, so it must've been well into the night. The TV was on in the living room. The teen could tell by the bluish glow cast on the walls. Shirosaki was sitting on the couch alone and still as a statue. Ichigo shook his head and assumed he was asleep. The albino always did sleep better in front of the television. He hung a blanket over Shiro then went back to his own room to sleep. But he didn't see that Shiro's eyes were open.

The teen was awake, but he wasn't at the same time. Before he'd gone to the couch, he went to the bathroom.

With a needle in his hand.

Shiro had made his decision.

He chose to not tell Ichigo about what had happened to him and try to act normal as possible. With a mind full of guilt, he went to the bathroom and opened the small bag of drugs. The teen dumped it into the spoon he'd retrieved, spilling some into the sink. Hands shaking furiously, he put his lighter under and lit it. Shirosaki's eyes filled with tears as he watched the white powder turn into a brownish liquid. He almost sobbed when he sucked it into the barrel then looked at himself in the mirror. It was only a matter of time until the image that stared back at him was a pale, shriveled, weak being. He didn't want that, but if he did this now, it'd be inevitable. He could still turn back. But the urge...and Ichigo...Ichigo was too important to him.

Shiro would be damned if he lost him. He wrapped a shoestring around his arm and pulled it taut with his teeth. A few seconds passed until he saw the vein he was looking for appear within his pale skin. With a heavy, shaky sigh, the albino stabbed the large vein and pushed the plunger. He groaned and fell against the wall as the white heat coursed through him. It burned like hell, but sent a jolt through him like no other.

Oh...Fuck yeah... He thought as he focused on the feeling.

Shiro supported himself on the wall as he made his way to the couch in the living room. He sat down and turned on the TV. He didn't know why, but it always soothed him. When he leaned back, he could feel his senses deaden. It was the most euphoric feeling he'd ever had.

This shit was intense.

This was better than sex.

This was nirvana.

He looked down to his hand, and found he couldn't move it. Shirosaki remained still in his state of artificial bliss, eyes cold as they stared off into nothingness, and his brain, God knows where that drifted off to. The teen didn't move for hours until he heard footsteps. It must've been Ichigo. Something warm was placed over him, much to his displeasure since he was burning up already. He knew Ichigo thought he was asleep because the younger said nothing to him. When the red-head went back to sleep, Shiro regained control of his limbs and shoved the cover off. It was too hot.

After a few more hours, the sun started to come up. He regained his senses and got off of the couch. Using the wall for support, the teen shuffled back to his room. He was surprised to see Ichigo curled up in his bed. He thought for sure that Ichigo was in his own room. With a shrug, he tried to gently slide into the bed so not to wake the other. When he finally got into a comfortable position, he was startled when Ichigo placed his arm over him and curled up to his back. The albino thought it should feel right, but right now, it just felt weird. Still, he slept soundly next to the person that mattered to him the most.

Over the next few days, Grimmjow found himself bored beyond belief. Usually he would mess around with Ichigo and tease him, but the red-head had been sick with a cold. All he did was sit around and do nothing. Nelliel tried to get him to get up and do his exercise, but he just lacked the motivation to do anything.

"Grimmjow you're not gonna get better if you don't keep your entire body healthy," the green-haired woman scolded him.

"Eh...I'll be fine," he replied and waved her off.

"Whatever. Don't come cryin to me when you can't get off that couch."

"I won't." Nelliel sighed and shook her head then walked out the door to go somewhere with Ulquiorra.

"Someone's missing a certain ginger, huh?" Starrk said and plopped down on the couch across from him.

"Shut tha hell up, Starrk," Grimmjow growled. "I'm just bored."

"Because a certain ginger's not around?"

"Shut up, Starrk."

"No shame in admitting it, Grimm. I knew you had a thing for guys way before you even did," the brunette teased.

"What tha fuck are ya talkin about?"

"Oh c'mon, Grimm. You may not see it just yet, but you're into dudes."

"Say it again, Starrk. Say it again and I swear ta Jesus Christ on high I'll rip yer fuckin esophagus out," the blunette said with little threat.

"Please, Grimm," Nnoitora said as he entered the room. "Me and Ggio are tha only ones in this house who're aren't total fags."

"Oh yes, you are! You were all over Ichigo's friend that one night!"

"Yeah, but I was just messin with 'im. Sure I'd love ta fuck someone as good looking as him, but I've got my eyes set on someone. And for something permanent," the bean pole said with a smile.

"Who?!" Grimmjow and Starrk asked at the same time.

"Uh-uh. This is about you, Grimm. Just accept that yer a fag and deal."

"You guys don't know what yer talking about," Grimmjow said and rolled his eyes.

"Sure we do," Starrk scoffed. "We've known you since the 3rd grade. Though around 10th grade is when I saw the signs."

"What fuckin signs?!"

"Oh, I have my ways," Starrk said slyly.

Grimmjow frowned and crossed his arms. He was not gay. That was the last thing he'd be. There was no way, absolutely no way, he was into guys. That'd be too weird for him. Then...why did he feel like he missed Ichigo so much? The kid had only been gone for two or three days, yet he wanted him back as soon as possible. He was actually upset that he'd be away for even that long. It was weird how he thought of all the different things he missed about that teen. Like his big, chocolate eyes, when he smiled at his brothers playing video games, how he would laugh at an exauhsted Grimmjow after a workout. The blunette thought that maybe something in him had changed after that night. When Ichigo confessed to him, maybe a spark of attraction lit up in him, too.

Maybe...Maybe he did like guys. Well, really only Ichigo, but still...

"So...what do I do then?" He mumbled to himself.

"HA! He admitted it!" Nnoitora said triumphantly. "I heard it!"

"Shut it, Nnoi!" The injured man shouted. "Ah! This is fucking weird! What should I do?"

"Well, for one thing, don't pursue Ichigo. He's barely 17, so that constitutes jail time. Maybe in a couple of years you'll catch him. If someone else doesn't get him first," Starrk I formed thoughtfully.

"What do ya mean?" Grimmjow asked.

"Well, Ichigo's a pretty good looking guy. He's adorable and clueless, someone will definitely try to pick him up."

"I know I would," Nnoitora teased the blunette earning a glare. "Just kidding, dude."

"Well, I don't like any other guys. So do I just have to wait around for him?" The frustrated blunette asked irritatedly.

"I don't know man. Ya could always choose some chick," Nnoitora said with a shrug then grabbed the remote.

"Well then this entire conversation was a total waste of time!"

"No it wasn't. Ya came out ta yer closest friends," the raven said with a chuckle.

"Not all of them," Starrk corrected.

"Has anyone seen Ulquiorra?" Ggio asked as he walked down the stairs. "I wanna challenge him to a rematch."

"He's up at tha studio with Nel. Ya know it's rare that he's ever over here. Yer gonna have ta call him later for a rematch," Grimmjow informed his little brother, much to the latters discontent.

"I'll play with ya, Ggio. I can help ya practice so you can actually beat him this time," Nnoitora said and turned on the console.

Grimmjow watched the two set up until Starrk snapped to get his attention. He looked over and his brother nodded towards the kitchen then walked into it. Grimmjow got up and followed him.

"What is it?" He said and sat at the island.

"Look, Grimm, I know this is a little weird for you, but you know you've got Nnoi and me to help you out," Starrk said with a concerned look on his face.

"I'm fine, Starrk! I'm not 15 anymore! I don't need ya telling—"

"Grimmjow," the brunette snapped over him. The younger of the two quickly stopped talking. "I'm just saying...You don't need to go through this alone."

"...Whatever," the blunette mumbled and averted his gaze. Starrk just smiled and shook his head before walking over to him.

"We love you, oto-chan," he said and ruffled his hair a bit. Grimmjow swatted his hand away and rubbed his head.

Weird...he hasn't called me that since we were little...The blunette thought. With a sigh, he walked back into the living room with everyone else. He decided that the next time he saw Ichigo, he'd tell him how he felt, too.

NOOOOOO! I CAME UP WITH A NEW IDEA

It's a ShiroIchi one and I really like it...but I don't want to have anything else on my plate just yet...but I really want to do it! I'll figure it out later...

Anyway, how did you guys enjoy the last chapter? I know that not much happened in this chapter and it was more of a filler, but there is more to come in this story so hang in there!

R&R, please!

~EMAE