I would like to apologies for the long wait with the update of this chapter. 3 weeks ago i fell into a deep depression that thankfully my friends, and family managed to pulled me out of. The following week and up till now I had a massive case of writers block.

I would like to give a personal shout out and thanks to my new friend ScreamOfTruth who helped me out of my writers block, and help me brainstorms idea's for this chapter. Please read and review. The more reviews i get the faster i seem to write a new chapter. My readers are what fuel my creativity and I really need that fuel some times. So if you have the time please review. Good reviews or bad reviews all are welcome

o0o

Chapter 3: Confession

Ichigo ran as fast as he could away from his school. He could barely see where he was going because of the tears in his eyes that were cascading freely down his face as he ran. He dodged the people in his path as he ran through town. He had no idea where he was going, and he didn't care. All he wanted to do was put as much distance between himself and his school. Before he knew it he found himself staring out over the river in the exact spot where his mother had died thirteen years ago. Ichigo sat down in front of the river. He wrapped his arms around his knees and set his head on them. He sat there staring out at the lake when the sudden realization of what he had done caught up with him, and the tears started to cascade down his face as his body began to shake from his crying.

He had done it, he had actually assaulted one of his friends, and on top of that it was Tatsuki, his childhood friend. He had hurt her because he wasn't able to face his problem head on like a man. Instead he had run away from it with his tail between his legs. Ichigo hung his head in shame as his tears continued to travel down his face soaking the part of his pants that were covering his knees.

"I'm so sorry Tatsuki" Ichigo said out loud.

"I'll forgive you, IF you tell me what's wrong." Tatsuki said in a commanding yet sincere voice from behind Ichigo.

Ichigo jumped at the sound of Tatsuki's voce from behind him. He turned around slowly and looked her directly in the eyes. However, he was only able to hold her gaze for a few seconds before he dropped his eyes and hung his head in shame once again.

"T-Tatsuki. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in class?" Ichigo said with his voice a little more than a whisper.

"Nah. I told my teacher I wasn't feeling good and left, and what do you think I'm doing here? I came here to see if you are okay." Tatsuki said in her normal combative, yet sympathetic voice she uses when she is trying to be sincere

"I'm ok, but the real question is, are you?" Ichigo said his voice still little more than a whisper, but was now filled with hurt from trying to hold back his tears that were now trying to fight their way to the surface.

"I just got a sprained wrist but I'll live" Tatsuki said with a smile, just as Ichigo's eyes drifted up to land on her wrist that was wrapped protectively in a restraint bandage. The tears that Ichigo had been holding back managed to break free and began to drip down from his eyes as he just stared at Tatsuki's wrist as it slowly began to sink in that he was the one who had done that. Tatsuki sat down next to Ichigo and pulled him into a hug.

"Shh. It's ok Ichigo." Tatsuki said as she began to rock Ichigo back and forth to get him to calm down.

Ichigo buried his head in Tatsuki's shoulder as he grabbed onto her sleeve for support and began to cry even more. Ichigo cried into Tatsuki's shoulder for five minutes all the while saying he was sorry before he finally managed to stop crying. When Ichigo pulled away the skin around his eyes was red and puffy, and his eyes were bloodshot. Ichigo was still shaking so Tatsuki rubbed Ichigo's back in a circular motion until he stopped. Ichigo finally stopped shaking and just resigned himself to looking out over the river as the sun began to sink further in the sky causing the river to shine a multitude of colors, and Tatsuki sat there and stared out over the lake with him. The silence between lengthened between them, it was comfortable and welcomed after a long day.

"Thank you, Tatsuki." Ichigo said with a smile as tore his eyes away from the river and towards his childhood friend.

"For what?" Tatsuki asked as she looked at her friend

"For forgiving me"

"Oh, I haven't forgiven you yet." Tatsuki said mater of factly

"What!" Ichigo said with wide eyes and an serious expression plastered on his face

"I said I would only forgive you IF you told me what is wrong with you"

"I-I can't tell you." Ichigo said as he tore his eyes away from his friend.

"You may think that you can't tell me but you will." Tatsuki said sternly

"Yeah, and why would I do that?" Ichigo asked

"Because I have a right to know." Tatsuki said

"What makes you say that?" Ichigo asked his face showing disbelief

"Simple. Whatever is bothering you caused this to happen." Tatsuki said as she held up her bandaged wrist in front of Ichigo's face.

Ichigo looked at her wrist then back at her face. He shook his head in frustration.

"The fact that I caused that isn't enough for you to blackmail me with." Ichigo said sternly as he got up and began to walk away.

Tatsuki's arm shot out and her hand wrapped around his wrist preventing him from going anywhere.

"Tatsuki, let go of me." Ichigo said as he turned to look at his friend.

"I'm not letting go until you tell me what the hell is bother you." Tatsuki said with determination in her voice.

"I'm not going to tell you, because it is none of your business." Ichigo growled as he ripped his wrist out of Tatsuki's grasp and began to walk away again.

After several long seconds of Tatsuki just staring at the back of Ichigo she felt her control snap, and she got up and chased after him. Ichigo heard Tatsuki running after him. He would have started to run from her but he was to slow and she jumped him from behind, which sent him crashing to the ground with her on top of him.

"It became my business the moment you did this to me!" Tatsuki screamed at Ichigo as she shoved her wrist in his face. Ichigo tried to get up but was pushed back down.

"Tell me why you are so upset." Tatsuki demanded.

"NO!" Ichigo screamed from below her.

"Ichigo, I am your friend and all I want to do is help you, but I can't do that if you won't tell me what is wrong." Tatsuki said

"And who said I wanted, let alone needed you help." Ichigo snapped.

*SMACK*

"OW! What was that for?" Ichigo screamed

"That was for being and idiot. I am one of your best friends Ichigo. I don't care if you don't want my help because I am going to help you anyway whether you like it or not. I can't stand to see you like this. Whatever you are holding in you need to let it out before it destroys you Ichigo." By now Ichigo could hear the pain and hurt in Tatsuki's voice as she screamed at him.

The fact that he was causing her even more pain sickened him to his stomach. He buried his face in the ground trying like he was trying to escape from this situation when he felt Tatsuki bury her face in the crook of his neck. He felt her tears on his skin, and he felt even more disgusted with himself. Ichigo had never 'seen' Tatsuki cry before. She was a strong person and could face pretty much anything that the world threw at her, but to 'see' her cry and to realize that once again he was the cause made him feel worthless. He knew that only one thing would make her stop, and that was telling her. So with a sigh he decided that he would tell he.

"Tatsuki, I'll tell you. Just please…don't cry anymore" Ichigo said just loud enough that Tatsuki could hear him.

With a sigh Tatsuki got off of Ichigo's back. She offered Ichigo her hand as he flipped himself over. He took it and she pulled him up.

"You better tell me, and so help me if you ever tell anyone about this I will personally kill.' Tatsuki threatened playfully with a smile on her face.

"Don't worry I won't." Ichigo said with a small chuckle. Then he added "As long as what I tell you stays between us. Deal?' Ichigo asked as he offered his hand to Tatsuki

"Deal." Tatsuki said and grabbed Ichigo's hand and shook it.

Ichigo led her back down to the river and sat down, and motion for Tatsuki to do the same. When Tatsuki sat down Ichigo sighed one final time as he began to tell her everything. He told her about his dreams, what happened after he woke up, he even described Grimmjow in great detail with a deep red blush pasted on his face.

Tatsuki sat there in silence just staring at her friend as he told her everything. When Ichigo was finished they just sat there in silence. Tatsuki was the first to break the silence.

"Well from what you described of this guy named 'Grimmjow' I can see why you would have these dreams." Tatsuki said with a small chuckle

"S-Shut up" Ichigo snapped

"So, what do you think these dreams could mean?" Tatsuki asked Ichigo

Ichigo remained silent for a long time lost in thought. He had asked himself that question countless times over the past month, which of course he had never received an answer to.

With a loud 'huff' Ichigo finally spoke

"I-I'm not sure, I have asked myself that question so many times that I have lost count, and every time I have asked myself that question I have come away with more questions than answers." Ichigo said

"What is the question you have asked yourself the most.' Tatsuki said unable to contain her curiosity.

"That's a hard question to answer, but out of all of the questions I have asked myself I would have to say that the question I have asked myself the most is 'What is my sexual preference'. I have never been in a relationship before so I have no idea. Heck I haven't even kissed a girl before let alone a guy, so these dreams just confuse me even more." Ichigo said

"You, never kissed a girl before?" Tatsuki asked

Ichigo just simply shook his head.

"Have you ever had a 'crush' or what you thought was a crush on a girl before?" Tatsuki asked

Ichigo nodded his head in confirmation

"Who?" Tatsuki couldn't help but ask

Several minutes passed and it didn't seem like Ichigo wasn't going to answer he just stared at her trying to think of an answer. Tatsuki was about to tell him he didn't have to tell her but he finally spoke up.

"I-I had a crush on . . ." Ichigo turned away not sure if he should tell her or not.

"On who Ichigo?" Tatsuki pushed the question

"I had a crush on you" Ichigo said with a small blush dusting his cheeks. He turned away quickly as he saw the shock on her face.

"You had a crush on me?" Tatsuki asked in disbelief.

"Yes." Ichigo said

"Do you still have a crush on me?" Tatsuki asked?

Ichigo seemed to think about this before he answered

"Yes. No. I don't know." Ichigo said shaking his head as he buried his face in his hands.

"Ichigo." Tatsuki said

"Tatsuki, don't say anything I know it is foolish for me to have a crush on you but –hmph" Ichigo was cut off from his rant as Tatsuki pressed her lips against Ichigo's. Ichigo just stared don't at his friend.

Tatsuki broke the kiss with a red blush dusting her face

"Feel anything?" Tatsuki asked

Ichigo just stared at her unable to comprehend what just happened. As it slowly sunk in that Tatsuki had kissed him. He felt sick to his stomach as he realized that he felt nothing in the kiss.

"No." Ichigo said with a huff as he turned his attention to the ground as if it was the most important thing in the world right now.

'Well then you have your answer then" Tatsuki said with a smile

"I'm still not sure if I do. I have never kissed anyone before so I have nothing to compare it to." Ichigo said

"Then go find that guy that you have been dreaming about and kiss him and see if you feel anything with him." Tatsuki said

Ichigo just stared at her as if she had just grown a second head.

"What?" Tatsuki asked as she saw how Ichigo was staring at her

"N-Nothing, it's just I don't know where he is." Ichigo resigned himself to say as he realized that Tatsuki had no knowledge about Espada's, or soul reapers, or anything of the sort. However what he said to Tatsuki was another part of it. He actually had no idea where Grimmjow was. Ichigo was snapped from his thought as Tatsuki spoke.

"I can help you find him, that is if you want me to." Tatsuki said

"Tatsuki, that's very nice of you, but I don't think you can find him." Ichigo said

"Well I can at least try can't I? And besides if I find him you may at least have an answer to at least some of the questions right?" Tatsuki asked

"Thanks." Ichigo said with a smile. He knew she would never be able to find him, but the excitement in her eyes as a new challenge was presented to her was too much for him to say no to.

"Right. Well I have to get home and make dinner. I'll let you know if I find anything, and just remember if you ever need anyone to talk to I'm always here." Tatsuki said

Ichigo got up and smiled at her. He walked up to her and wrapped her in a hug which she returned quickly.

"Thank you. I need to get home too before my family starts to freak out and worry about me, and if I ever have something that I need to talk about I'll come to you." Ichigo said with a smile as they parted from each other's embrace.

"Good, don't want to have to tackle you again if you refuse to talk." Tatsuki chuckled

With that they walked away from each other, each heading towards their own homes. Fifteen minutes later Ichigo was walking through his front door. He kicked off his shoes and made his way to the kitchen when he smelled his sister Yuzu's delicious cooking.

"Ichigo, where have you been, we have been worried sick." Yuzu said as soon as she saw her brother walk into the kitchen

"I was just down at the river thinking to myself." Ichigo said with a smile

"Well you could have at least called." His sister said.

"Yeah, I'm sorry it won't happen again, I promise." Ichigo said

Ichigo looked around and he couldn't help but feel as if something was missing, but that feeling died when he heard what he felt was missing.

"ICHIGO WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN YOU DADY HAS BEEN WORRIED SICK ABOUT YOU!" Isshin cried as he flung himself at his son, but only met his sons foot as it connected with his face

"SHUT UP GOAT FACE, AND LEAVE ME ALONE!" Ichigo screamed at his dad as he planted his foot firmly in his dads face, and with one powerful shove he launched his dad into the wall. Is sin connected with the wall with bone crushing force, and crumpled to the ground.

"A FINE KICK MY SON, BRUTAL AS ALWAYS." Isshin said from his spot on the floor

"So Yuzu, what's for dinner?" Ichigo asked as he turned his attention back to his sister.

"I made Curry your favorite." Yuzu said with a smile as she handed him a bowl.

Ichigo took the bowl from his sister and sat down at the table and began to each. Isshin finally managed to drag himself off of the floor and joined his family at the table just as Ichigo finished his dinner. Ichigo slid his chair back and stood up.

"Thanks for the dinner Yuzu, it was delicious. I think I'm going to go to bed, night guys." Ichigo said with a smile, and with that he turned and made his way to his bedroom. He opened his door walked in and closed it behind him. He dropped his bag at the foot of his bed and made his way over to his dresser. He pulled out a pair of sweat pants and an old T-shirt. He stripped himself of his school uniform and replaced them with his night clothes. He layed down on his bed and rested his head on his pillow. For the first time in months he felt like a great weight had been lifted off his shoulders, and within minutes he was fast asleep with a smile on his face. Even a new dream about Grimmjow couldn't wipe the smile off his face.

o0o

So what do you think. Please review if you have the time. I really enjoy reading the reviews i get. They push me to write the next chapter for they fuel my creativity which keeps me writing and lessens my writers block. Thanks for reading til; next time \(^o^)/