Waking up the next morning, Ichigo saw that his bed did not contain a certain shop keeper. He sighed, hoping that he would be waking up to the blonde, but knew that it was probably better this way. He spied a note on the desk that was addressed to him. He picked it up and grinned like a fool.

Ichigo - Rather than get you in more trouble (yes, I heard your father last night), I felt it was

necessary to slip out before you woke up. I'm sorry if you're sad. But don't worry. I have

an idea I want to run by you later today. Will you come by my shop after school?

Well, it's not like you can answer, seeing as I'm not there. I'll hope to see you later today.

If not, then I'll just have to hide in your closet until you get home.

Your faithful lover - Kisuke

Feeling lightheaded, Ichigo slipped the note under his pillow. He got out of bed and stretched. Grabbing his school clothes, he made his way to the bathroom - this time not running into his father. Since it was still early, he took his time in the shower, then shaved the minimal stubble on his face. Once he felt good with the result, he quickly got dressed. He put his clean towel in his room and picked up his book bag, heading downstairs.

Walking into the kitchen, he grabbed a package of Pop-Tarts and began to head to the front door.

"Ichigo."

He stopped in his tracks, turning around. He saw his father sitting at the kitchen table, wearing his doctor's coat and drinking a cup of coffee.

"What is it? I'm going to be -"

"Sit."

Ichigo sat at the table, fiddling with the packet of Pop-Tarts. He was afraid to look at his father, knowing full well what was about to be discussed.

"I know there was someone in your room last night."

Feeling his shoulders sag, he knew it would be better to just admit to it than try and deny it. He nodded his head. "Yeah, there was."

"Was it a boy?"

Trying not to laugh, he nodded his head once more. Boy? Not so much. Man? Probably a better description.

"Were you safe?"

For the sake of not wanting to get a lecture, he nodded his head.

"Does he make you happy?"

Ichigo nodded and looked at his father. "He does. Does it bother you that I like guys?"

Isshin shrugged. "Not really. It could be worse. You could be in love with a donkey. I just want to make sure that you're happy." Isshin looked at Masaki's shrine and sighed. "Well, Masaki. There's still hope for Karin and Yuzu."

Getting up from his chair, Ichigo looked at him. "Can I go to school now?"

"Go. I'll be working late at the clinic. Just...be safe, okay?" Isshin looked away from Ichigo, staring at Masaki's poster.

There were only a few moments when his father would act like a father. Ichigo nodded his head. "I will, dad. Thanks." He walked out of the house, not saying anything more to him. He wasn't expecting to start his day with that serious talk, but considering all things, it wasn't as bad as it could have been. Thank the maker my sisters weren't up yet.

When he got to school, he saw his friends waiting outside. He walked up to Sado and Ishida. "Hey guys." He scratched the back of his head. "Where's Renji and Rukia?"

Sado shrugged. "They should be along in a bit. Orihime is here already." A man of a few words, he didn't bother to continue.

"She's inside with Tatsuki," Ishida chimed in. "I'm sure the two of them weren't far behind."

Looking back behind him, he saw the two he was inquiring about, as well as Shinji, walking towards them. He raised his hand in greeting. He really didn't want to start on the wrong foot with Rukia this early in the day.

"Ohauyo, Ichigo," Rukia said as she walked up to them. "Have a nice night?"

Ichigo shrugged his shoulders. "I guess. Just did homework after we left." He saw Shinji looking at him with a smirk on his face and felt his face grow warm. "Did you want to head back there after school today?"

For once, the petite shinigami was being polite. "I think that would be a good idea."

They walked to class together. "Kurosaki-san?" Ichigo turned and looked at Shinji. "Can I speak to you before class?" Ichigo nodded and fell back behind the others, allowing him and Shinji to have a second to themselves.

"What is it, Hirako?"

The short-haired blonde looked at him. "Has Urahara spoken to you about me yet?"

"What do you mean? How you're a shinigami?" Ichigo had no clue what Shinji was getting at. And he could see that Shinji was clearly frustrated by that.

Shinji shook his head. "No, not that...you know what? I'll just wait until he talks to you. Just, be nice to him, okay? It's a lot to take in."

What is he even talking about? Ichigo nodded his head. "Yeah, okay." The two of them walked into the class and took their seats. He hated that it seemed that once again, Urahara was hiding something from him. Don't jump to conclusions. Just ask him later.

All day long, what Shinji said bothered Ichigo. He wanted school to just end so he could go to the shop. He wished he hadn't opened his mouth and asked the others if they wanted to go with him. He could feel his blood boiling. "Ichi - calm down." What the fuck do you want? "If you get any angrier, we might cause a scene." Taking a deep breath, he listened to what his Hollow was saying. Of course the demon would be correct. At last, the final bell rang, signaling the end of school. He quickly grabbed his bag and bolted out of the classroom.

"Kurosaki-kun?" Orihime called out as Ichigo ran past her. She turned to look at Rukia. "Why isn't he waiting for us?"

Rukia shrugged as Shinji came up beside her. "Don't know, don't care. It's not like we don't know where the shop is, right?"

Ichigo didn't care that he didn't wait for his friends. He had to see Urahara, even if it was for a brief few seconds. He ran as fast as he could, arriving at the shop in no time. He saw the mod souls out on the porch.

"Konnichiwa, Kurosaki-san!" Kurōdo said, his pink floppy ears waving about.

Not even bothering to acknowledge the three of them, he stormed into the shop.

"That was rather rude of him!" Ririn pouted. "Even if he's pissed off, he should be more polite." She crossed her tiny arms and huffed out some air.

Noba shrugged. "He's upset."

Ichigo saw Urahara sucking on a lollipop and felt himself grow hot as he watched the man suck on it. He glared at him. "What aren't you telling me about Hirako?"

Urahara's face fell as he saw the boy's demeanor. He had been hoping that the teen would be in a different mood than what was presented to him. He walked over to him. "Good afternoon to you, Ichigo." He reached out to put his hand on his shoulder.

Ichigo pushed him away. "No. Don't touch me. Tell me what you're hiding from me." He glared at Urahara, hating that he was right. As soon as he had seen his face when he mentioned Shinji, he knew. He groaned as he felt the reiatsu of the shinigami fast approaching the shop. "You know what? Forget it. I don't want to deal with this right now. We'll talk when everyone leaves." He pushed past Urahara and went back out on the porch. He put on a false smile and waved to his friends. "Sorry I took off guys! I just had to get out of there."

Orihime smiled at him. "It's okay, Kurosaki-kun! I have those kind of days as well. Sometimes class can be so boring, and all I can do is think about the other fun things I could be doing with my time. Like cooking. Or even cleaning." Everyone looked at Orihime with a weird look. "What? What's wrong with cleaning?"

"Nothing, Orihime-chan." Urahara appeared outside, standing behind Ichigo, waving his fan in front of his face. "To what do I owe this pleasure? You all are going to go downstairs?" He turned to look at all of them.

Rukia nodded her head, holding on to Shinji's hand. "Is that alright, Urahara-san?" Why is she being so nice? Urahara couldn't help but wonder what it was that she was playing at. He lowered his fan and smiled at her.

"Of course, Rukia-san. You're always more than welcome to use my training facility." He watched as everyone walked into the shop. He looked down and saw Kurōdo looking at him. "Yes?"

The pink purse scratched one of his ears, waiting for the others to be out of earshot. "Why is Kurosaki-san upset?"

"Because I'm an idiot, that's why. Don't worry. Once things are straightened out, I'll make sure he apologizes to you three." He gave them a soft smile and wandered back into the shop. He saw that not everyone had gone downstairs. "What did you say to him?" He felt his anger begin to rise, looking at Shinji standing next to the counter.

"What did I say to him?" Shinji asked, in a somewhat mocking tone. "Shouldn't you be asking, what I didn't say to him? Really, Kisuke. You're being ridiculous. He needs to learn about what he is. Why do you keep lying to him?"

Urahara glowered at him. "And why do you think I'm lying to him? I'd never lie to him."

"But you're not telling him the truth."

"He doesn't need to know about it right now!"

"What don't I need to know?" Ichigo appeared from behind him.

Urahara turned around. "Ichigo! I thought you were downstairs with your friends..."

"What don't I need to know, Kisuke?" Ichigo felt his anger boiling. He looked at Shinji. "What are you guys hiding from me?"

Shinji sighed. "Look, if you don't tell him right now, I'm just going to show him."

"Show me what?" Ichigo couldn't take it any longer. "Someone better fucking tell me what the fuck is going on right now!"

Not wanting to piss off the teen any further, Urahara looked at him. "There's no need for that kind of language, Ichigo. I understand you're upset, but don't forget who you're speaking to."

Instantly feeling regret, Ichigo nodded and bowed his head. "I'm sorry, Kisuke. But whatever you're hiding from me - just tell me."

"Hirako is like you."

"Hirako likes me?"

Shinji cackled. "No, no. I don't like you. Well, I mean, I like you, but you're not really my type. I prefer vagina, but am always open to experimenting."

Urahara threw another glare at him. "Not helping the situation, Hirako." He turned back to Ichigo. "What I meant to say is he's like you in respect to your Hollow."

Ichigo just stared at him. "My...Hollow?"

"Do you know what this is?" Shinji looked at him as he produced his Pharaoh mask. He held it to the side of his face, watching Ichigo's reaction.

Stunned, Ichigo nodded. "That's a Hollow's mask."

"So, you're aware that you have one as well, yes?"

Ichigo rememberd the first time he had felt the mask form on his face. He looked at Urahara, yet continued to talk to Shinji. "Yes, I am aware. But...what does that have to do with anything?"

Urahara looked at him. "I want him to train you on how to keep your Hollow under control. When you let him out the other day, Hirako felt it downstairs. If you're going to become more powerful, you need to learn how to control." Urahara dropped his voice. "And learn to control your anger with you still in charge."

Blushing, Ichigo understood what the shop keeper was trying to say. He still felt upset at the secret. "But...why didn't you tell me about this?" He looked at Urahara with sad eyes. "Why don't you just give me more credit? You can sleep with me, but you can't be honest? How is this," he pointed towards himself and the shop keeper, "supposed to work if you're not honest with me?" Ichigo sighed. "You know what, I...I can't deal with this right now." He turned around and walked back towards the ladder leading to the training facility.

"Thanks, Hirako." Urahara felt like punching a wall. He never allowed himself to feel anger, so he was doing his best to control his own emotions. "Was that really necessary?"

Shinji nodded. "Yes. Because you know that I'm right. He needs to know. Kisuke, I don't care how much into kink you are, he could have seriously hurt you yesterday."

"I had control of the situation," Urahara sighed. If he thought about it, he knew that Shinji was correct in his assumption. It was dangerous ground he had been treading on. But that's part of the thrill, isn't it?

"I won't train him until when you said. But you and I both know that he needed to find out. I'm doing this to help you. Not harm you." Shinji began to walk the same way Ichigo had gone. "If he asks me questions, I'm not going to lie to him. I'm going to tell him the truth." Shinji sighed. "You better hope he asks you first. It should come from your mouth, seeing how you put him into this position." He left the room, leaving Urahara to sulk alone.

I did not put him into that position! He grabbed his lollipop and continued to lick it. He knew that Shinji was looking out for him as an old friend. How he was going to make it up to the boy was something he was going to have to figure out, and figure out fast.

After a half hour of avoiding them, Urahara made his way down to the basement. He saw that everyone was fighting each other. He felt his stomach drop as he saw Ichigo laughing with Shinji. He didn't want to push the boy away, but he somehow couldn't help it. He felt a little lost, watching everyone.

Ichigo sensed when Urahara appeared downstairs. He didn't turn to acknowledge him, seeing as how Shinji had just been telling him a joke. He wanted to go to him and still speak to him. It had just been too overwhelming, so instead of talking it out, he left. He knew it had been stupid, but he was still hurt by his lover. He felt him approach the two of them.

"And how are things here?" Urahara spoke in his normal voice, waving his fan in his face.

Shinji shrugged. "Okay, I suppose. I think we're going to be leaving soon." He walked off towards where Rukia was practicing with Orihime. "Oy! Rukia!"

"Ichigo, I-"

Ichigo turned to look at him. "Save it. Not now. I...wait until everyone is gone. I don't trust myself right now. Please - just give me that."

The shop keeper nodded his head. He didn't speak any more words. He walked back up the ladder and returned to the shop, leaving Ichigo in peace.

Soon, the others were making the trek back up to the shop. He saw Sado and Ishida conversing, followed closely by the three shinigami and Orihime. "Are you guys all finished downstairs?" He noticed that Ichigo wasn't with them.

"We are. Ichigo is still down there, working out. But we're gonna head out and grab some food. Did you feel like joining us?" Renji asked him.

Urahara looked shocked. "Why, thank you, Abarai. But I'm fine. There are a few things I need to tend to here. You guys go and have fun. You're always welcome here." He brought his fan to his face and watched as they trickled out of the shop. He saw Shinji pause by the sliding door. He raised his hand in farewell, not wanting to hear what the Visored wanted to say. Shinji nodded and stepped out of the shop, leaving Urahara alone.

Sighing, he felt his feet dragging towards the ladder. He could feel the boy's reiatsu ebb and flow with power as he made his way down. He saw him in his bankai state, a bit hesitant to approach him.

"You don't need to be afraid of me," Ichigo called out, turning around to face his lover. His longer kimono whipped around his body.

Like a dog whose tail was between his legs, Urahara approached Ichigo. He wanted to speak, but his mouth was suddenly dry.

"Why, Kisuke?"

"Why what, Ichigo?" Urahara exhaled, leaning against a rock.

"Don't give me that shit. You know what."

"I'm an old fool. How many times have I told you this?" Urahara's eyes met Ichigo's. He felt like he was about to cry, and he hadn't cried in over a century. "I'm sorry that I seem to keep making the same mistakes over and over. I shouldn't have withheld information from you."

Ichigo walked over to his body, which was propped up against a rock, and stepped back into it. He glared at the pale blonde. "When the fuck are you going to learn? No more secrets! I'm tired of this! I don't even know what to believe any more. My head is telling me to not trust you, but my heart is begging me to just let you have another chance."

Urahara began to feel sick to his stomach hearing that admission. "Ichigo - please have faith in me. I'm sorry that I'm an idiot." He walked over to stand in front of the teen.

"Is there anything else you need to tell me?" Ichigo stared at him. "I mean it, Kisuke. If you're hiding any more secrets, you better just tell me now. I can't keep second guessing what you're telling me. Do you know that I was miserable at school today? Do you know why? Because Hirako mentioned one little thing, and I began to dwell on it the entire day. THE ENTIRE DAY, KISUKE!" He pushed hard on Urahara's chest. "I'm new to this relationship shit. But I know that in order to have a functional relationship, there has to be complete honesty. No more with the lies."

Urahara bowed his head. "Of course, Ichigo. You're absolutely right. I shouldn't have hid from you what Shinji truly is. For that, I apologize."

"Just stop," Ichigo sighed. He wrapped his arms around Urahara's body He put his head against his chest. "I just...I can't take any more lies. Or hidden truths, Kisuke. It's hurting my heart too much. I love you. You need to just let me in and trust me. Even if you think what you're doing is in my best interest. Nine times out of ten, it probably isn't."

Hugging him close, Urahara nodded. "Alright, Ichigo. You're right."

"Come on, let's go upstairs." Ichigo smirked. "You owe me some fun time in the bedroom."

…

A/N: Oh man. Writing them angry is so much fun. And when there's anger, there's yummy make-up lovin! ^_^ Thanks for reading!