A/N I'm SO sorry for not updating lately! My mom fell in the driveway and I've had to help her and make sure she takes her medicine so I haven't been writing. Also, we had a science benchmark that I only heard about the day before we took it, homework, and all that great shizz. Thanks for waiting patiently for the next chapter, though! I really appreciate it! Also, since a reviewer ( too lazy to check for their name at the moment) said not bold was better, non-bolded it is! I really thank you for your input :) Anyways, on with the story...

Bleach: For the, what, 6th time, I don't own Bleach. Just this story's plot!

Day Two

Karakura High School

Ichigo's POV

FUCK... What the hell was I thinking? Was I some kind of emotional masochist? Apparently, since I was doing something like this. Letting my rivals from my music career and two people that I acutally don't generally like in or outside of work eat lunch with me and my friends. I must be a idiot. Stupid. Retarded, even. I could only pray that something wouldn't go wrong. Maybe Grimmjow and Shiro would get so bored that they would just leave and not ask any annoying questions. Yeah. Something like that will probably happen. God, I hope so. It would make my life today so much easier. I reached the top of the stairs that led to the rooftop where my friends and I ate lunch. Groaning internally and mentally preparing myself I took a deep breath and opened the door.

All my friends turned to look at who opened the door and smiled when they first saw me. However, their smiles quickly turned to frowns and confusion flitted across their face at my scowl. Sighing, I started to walk toward the little circle everyone was in. I could hear Renji, Shinji, Shiro, and Grimmjow following behind me. I could tell immedietly when the last two came out from behind Renji and Shinji because my friends all suddenly wore deep frowns. At least I wasn't alone.

Ishida was the first to look at me, his expression clearly stated he thought I was stupid and an idiot. Rukia looked like she wanted to throw them off the roof, and I was suddenly concerned. Knowing her she might actually try to. Chad just sat there staring at them. Orihime looked like she was about to start panicking, which really wouldn't help the situation. The first to speak was Renji.

"As you can probably see," everyone turned to look at him, "we have two guests joining us today." He stressed the word 'guests'.

Shinji spoke next. "Yea, what happened was we got put into groups of five in our homeroom class and Ichi, Renji, Grimmjow, Shiro, and I got stuck in one group so Grimmjow and Shiro wanted to join us to get to know the group better," he sighed when he was finished.

Ishida felt like he needed to add his two cents worth. "How exactly was the class divided into these groups?" He asked, pushing his glasses back up the bridge of his nose.

"We all wrote our names on a piece of paper and stuck it in a bowl. Aizen, our teacher, picked the first name, which turned out to be Ichi and then Ichi drew the other four that were to be in his group," Renji explained, sounding tired.

"Well that seems a little unfair, don't ya think?" Rukia finally started getting into the conversation.

"Nothing we can do about it now," Chad, Rukia, Orihime, and Ishida all turned to look at me. "Aizen-sensei told us we had to stay in the same group no matter what happens until we graduate," I ran my hand through my hair.

I heard loud laughter behind me and I looked over my shoulder. Grimmjow was trying to cover up his laughter, his hand over his mouth. Shiro was holding his stomach, cackling insanely loud, a tear escaping out of the side of his left eye.

"Well, snowflake, I don't know what you think, but it appears we aren't welcome here or in the group. Shocking, isn't it?" Grimmjow finally got out between his newfound snickering.

"No joke, Grimmy-Kitty. I think it's becaus' a ya' though, not meh," Shiro was still laughing just as hard as before.

After what felt like a lifetime they finally stopped their laughing and snickering and Orihime looked just as panicked as before. Thinking that she had to save the situation she tried to fix a mistake that was never really there.

"Oh, I'm sure that's not it! I mean, Kurosaki-kun isn't like that, right?" She glanced at me in mild panic. "I'm sure it'll all turn out fine! Right, RIGHT?" She started yelling a bit towards the end and rubbed her hands together in her lap nervously.

This only caused the two idiots to start laughing again. I felt an annoyed tick mark start to form and I almost yelled at them, but stopped myself. If I got upset it would probably only add more fuel to their fire. I made my way over next to Rukia and sat down, Renji taking a seat next to me. I pulled out my lunch and tried to ignore the stares from my friends, the consuming, awkward silence, and the laughter dying out in the background.

vvvvv

Rukia's POV

I was not pleased. I debated throwing the two that followed Ichigo off the roof, but quickly decided that they weren't worth the trouble. I noticed how stressed and nervous Ichigo was and that alone had my blood boiling. Ichigo was one of my earliest and best friends and just knowing who or what made him uncomfortable made me want to... eliminate the threat. I hated seeing my friends like this. Ichigo made his way over to sit next to me and I was relieved and immensly pleased. I would just love to see those two laughing bafoons come and sit within arms distance from me. One smart ass remark and I would teach them to mess with my friends again. I was a Kuchiki, and I meant business.

Ichigo pulled out his lunch and I could tell he was making an effort to end the tense atmosphere that was weighing everyone that knew his secret down. It felt thick enough to be cut through. I continued to eat my barely touched lunch that I had been eating before our unwelcome guests made their appearance. I glared at everyone and they quickly got the message, turning back to their own food.

Noticing that nobody was paying them any attention Shiro and Grimmjow stopped laughing and walked over to the circle. Grimmjow took a seat next to Orihime and Shiro took the seat next to Grimmjow, which was next to me. I grinned wickedly. Perfect. I looked at them and noticed they didn't have a lunch with them.

"Do you two not bring lunches to school?" I asked incredulously.

Shiro just shrugged and Grimmjow gave me a 'Are you stupid?' look and I snorted. I heard Shinji give a slight giggle and even Orihime laughed a little.

Grimmjow frowned "What's so funny?"

I started to pull out something from my bookbag and I saw Ichigo's eyes flash with recognization and then his face settled into an amused expression. I saw Orihime smile and start to pull out something from her bookbag, also, and Shinji followed suite. Every two days or so after the new chart topping singers, actors, and the like were announced three magazines published the newest gossips, rumors, and dirt that was out there at the time on the top three in every category. Since Tensa, Grimmjow, and Shiro were the top three singers they were featured in the magazines. Our group liked to go through them and laugh at the ridiculous stuff that was claimed against Tensa, or Ichigo, correctly speaking. It also kept Ichigo up to date on his career.

Clearing my throat I turned to the second page and started reading. "A local resident in the Karakura residential area claimed that the popular singer, Grimmjow Jaeggarjaques, lives off a strict diet of raw meat and enery drinks. Another person to back this up claims that they spotted them at the local slaughter house purchasing fresh meat. Therefore, several rumors have appeared claiming that he was raised in the wild by feral animals which is where he gets his horrid temper and violent personality from."

Rukia stopped reading and looked up at Grimmjow's horror struck face. Shiro looked like he was about to double over laughing, holding his stomach for dear life, but a small cackle still escaped his lips. Grimmjow glared and snarled at him, but Shiro only continued to laugh. I continued reading.

"Number two on the charts, Shirosaki Ogichi, has been plagued with multiple rumors. The first being that he is involved in a gang which is why he dyes his hair white and shows up frequently with bruises and cuts. A tatoo parlor deep in the lower part of town claims that he was the one who gave Shirosaki his permanently inked eyes."

Pleased with myself I looked up to see Shiro with much the same expression that Grimmjow had wore only seconds before. I was expecting Grimmjow to be laughing Shiro, but both of them were silent.

"You both seem shellshocked. What? Don't tell me you never read this stuff. It comes out every month and it tells everything about the top three in the media. I can't imagine the juicy gossip you've been missing out on," I sighed and they looked up at me like I was some evil devil in disguise. I smiled.

Suddenly I was something click in Shiro's eyes and he gave me a feral smile and I had to supress a shiver.

"So, if it's tha top three, Tensa would be in that magazine, correct? What does it say abou' him?" His grin grew which I would have thought impossible had I not seen it right then and there.

I looked back down at the paper and started to read.

"The top artist, Tensa, is claimed to be involved with shady figures in the industry. One person claimed to have spotted Tensa in black clothing in a low pay area. Also, specualations have been announced claiming Tensa to be gay as he was in a private room with the popular DJ, Hisagi Shuuhei, at the party on Monday. It is also stated that people believe Tensa to be in some type of gang as he had attempted to start violence at the party as well before Hisagi pulled him away."

I stopped and peeked up to see Ichigo with a calculating look that hid poorly concealed fury. I figured as much. Nobody would be happy to be claimed as gay when they clearly weren't and, from what I had heard from him earlier, he was the one to stop the fight, not instigate it. I then looked over and was immensly suprised. Why would Grimmjow and Shiro look so pissed off? If anything, I thought they would be pleased, not angry beyond belief. What the hell was going on here. I looked around and I saw everyone else looking at the two with confused expressions, probably much like the one I was wearing.

vvvvv

Shiro's POV

Why the hell did I feel this way? I should be amused. Pleased. Fucking estatic. But no. Here I was, pissed and outraged at what I had just heard. Not at mine or at Grimmjow's. To start with, Grimmjow's was just fucking hilarious. Raw meat? Raised by animals, no, feral animals? HA! It fit so perfectly that it could be true, which is why it was funny. I was shocked at what was written about me. Where do people get this ridiculous shit? Is it even fucking possible to get your eyes tatooed? That would be painful as hell if it even was possible, which I highly doubt it is. I could vaguely believe the gang part. I mean, honestly, it isn't natural to have white hair at my age. And if you are wondering, the white hair is totally natural. The cuts and bruises from being in a gang is also pretty believable, but the reason why I question that is I don't remember going somewhere that involves the media with cuts and bruises.

But Tensa's review or whatever it was. Ridiculous and unbelievable. First of all 'shady figures'. Where the hell is there somewhere in the music industry or anywhere for that matter that doesn't have at least one shady figure? I'll even admit, I'm not exactly involved with the best of people all the time. Second, gay? I don't even know what to say to that. If he was gay why the hell was he dating that Neliel or whoever the hell she was. She was a very popular, very feminine singer. I mean, she had the biggest chest I have ever seen! To add to that, Hisagi Shuuhei. Sure, it was rumored that he was gay, but I mean come on! Think, people! When Tensa first started off his company required them to partner up with a DJ and Tensa had teamed up with Hisagi. They were friends from the beginning of their career. But, I admit, the thing that pissed me off the most was that they state Tensa started the fight. I was a witness. I saw him stop the fight before it really ever started. I have no doubt that Hisagi would have ended up with a black eye, broken nose, and a split lip if he had stopped Ikkaku's punch. Ikkaku wasn't a weakling, he enjoyed fighting and did it in his spare time. Everyone knew that.

That brings me back to the question that was on my mind at that time. I had never heard anything about Tensa being able to fight. For all anyone knew except his manager and probably his few choice friends he was pretty much just a singer. Nobody knew anything about him. Tensa was like a shape shifter. Everytime you thought you knew something about him, he would just go and do something that made you wrong. You thought he always wore one color, but the next time you see him he's wearing the exact opposite. It was fucking frustrating. He was just out of everyone's grasp.

Then I realized something. Why did I care? What made him so special that I needed to figure him out? Why did I always find myself thinking about him now? Ever since last night I coudln't get him off of my mind. The first time all day that I had not been thinking about Tensa was when I was with Ichigo and his friends. Why was that? I was dumbstruck. It just didn't make any fucking sense! I don't even understand myself anymore.

Thinking about Ichigo I looked up and I felt my eyes grow wide with surprise. Ichigo was sitting there and on the outside he appeared as if he was trying to figure out some difficult problem in his head, but I could see it. I could see that rage swirling in the back of those warm brown orbs. Then it hit me. It couldn't be! I gasped to myself. It explained everything! Why hadn't I seen it earlier? How dense was I?

But, what if he wasn't? What if I was just imagining it. If he wasn't and I thought he was then I would be even more of an idiot then I already was. Guess I would ask and find out. Not that there was a guarantee he would answer me.

"Yo, Ichi," Ichigo looked over to me and if I wasn't in shock I might have laughed. I had forgot how he didn't like me calling him that and it showed on his face. "Are ya' a fan of Tensa? I mean, ya look pretty pissed off abou' all tha' crap," I saw surprise flash across his features. Damn, I was right. Well that just fucking sucks.

"Um... yea, kinda?" he ended it with a sort of questioning tone and I saw the midget with black raven hair shoot him a glance. I raised a pale eyebrow.

"Wha' ya mean 'kinda?' Its a simple yes a' no question, Ichi," I smirked at him with my eyebrow still raised.

You see, I don't normally mess around with fans of Tensa, but this promised to be fun. Oh! Ichigo looks pissed. Heh, guess I hit a soft spot. Perfect. It would make it that much more entertaining.

He raised his index finger. "First off, don't call me Ichi. It's Ichigo to you, asshole," my grin intensified and he raised a second finger, "Second, yes I am a fan of Tensa. Now, if you don't mind answering, why the hell does that concern you?" He was scowling at me at this point.

I shrugged. "Nothin' really. Just curious. I mean, you looked so pissed I coudln't help but wonder if you're just a fan," I emphasized 'just' and raised my eyebrow again and I saw his eyes open commically wide.

After seconds of the awkward silence before the storm, the storm finally decided to make an appearance.

Standing up, Ichigo looked down at me, fists clenched at his sides. "What the hell do you mean by that? Do you think I'm gay? What the hell? Where did you get that crazy idea, you bastard?" Ichigo was seething by now and I must admit, it was pretty fucking hot.

"Calm down thar', Ichi. No need ta get so upset. I was jus' askin' a question," I stated, hoping that my face didn't show my amusement.

Just then a hand came out of nowhere and hit me on the back of my head and I yelped. What? It fucking hurt. I looked over and I saw the midget glaring daggers at me.

"Aww... how sweet. I think someones got a crush," I laughed when she started stuttering her answer.

"Y..y..you! I'll kill you!" She launched herself at me, magazine forgotten and I actually found myself slightly frightened to be on the recieving end of those manicured nails that could claw your skin and draw blood easily.

Her lunge towards me was abrubtly stopped by large hands and I instantly recognized my temporary savior as Renji, judging by the black tatoos on his hand. I know I shouldn't have, but I couldn't stop myself.

"Aww, it's nice ta' know I'm not hated by everyone here. I guess the red pineapple likes meh' more than he leads on'," I started cackling again.

Hands disappeared from the midget and she looked up, confused and angry being held back to see Renji now cracking his knuckles with a vicious smirk.

"So, Rukia, care to go first so I can warm up?"

Rukia laughed wickedly. "It'd be my pleasure," she drawled out the word pleasure and then lunged at me again.

Fuck, I'm screwed. I tried to scramble away only to have a foot smacked down in front of my face. I looked up to see brown amber staring down at me, an amused evil look marring his features.

"Paybacks a bitch, ain't it?" Ichigo sneered down at me, holding no particular malice, but pure amusement at my current predicament.

The last words to leave my mouth were "You fucker! You knew this would happen!" and then all hell broke loose. I heard booming laughter somewhere behind me and I recognized it as Grimmjow. I only prayed that the bell would ring before I suffered permanent damage to my body or pride.

Grimmjow's POV

Fucking hilarious. I resolved right then and there to make sure to drag Shiro up here every day at lunch with me, hoping that this would happen more often. After thinking this to myself, I went back to pondering my previous question. Why was I so upset that Ichigo had such an obvious reaction to Tensa? What was this feeling? I didn't even fucking understand myself anymore!

OMG. Sorry it took so long for the next chapter! I started writing this Thursday and I just couldn't find my inner muse and whatever I wrote was absolutely horrible! I started writing again today and it still wasn't that good, but it was decent and started to improve near the end so I figured it was time to give ya guys another chapter. Again, sorry ;-; Thanks for the new reviews! I'm SO happy to get them. Also, I'm now going to be doing the story itself in regular and A/N's in bold. It looks alot better :) I also went back and made changes to past chapters. Well thats about all... I'll try to write another chapter tomorrow, if not a full one then half and try to get it out on Tuesday or Wednesday! Once again, Thanks for the reviews! They're VERY much appreciated!

Also, over 20,000 words! Another milestone reached! Only 20,000 more words to go until the next one? *Cries*