Chapter 16

Toshiro was frustrated. Here he was lying in an uncomfortable hospital bed being pestered by his boyfriend. The only word Toshiro could come up with to describe what Ichigo was doing was hovering. Ever since Toshiro had arrived at the hospital all Ichigo could do was hover. The injuries weren't that severe, the worst was his throat, as it was very bruised and Toshiro's voice would be a little rough for a while. The scratches were bandaged and unfortunately they would probably scar, but Toshiro had been told they would fade in time. He could honestly not care less about the scars; he was more worried about how Ichigo would react to seeing the scars.

"You sure you don't need anything Toshiro?" He sighed. This was the sixth time Ichigo had asked him the same question.

"No, Ichigo. I've told you before I'm fine. Now would you please sit down and stay there?" Toshiro ordered a little harsher than he meant to. It did make Ichigo stay sitting though, albeit somewhat fidgety. It was almost as if Ichigo was trying to distract himself for some reason. "Do you need to talk about something Ichigo?"

Ichigo looked momentarily surprised before he took on a more thoughtful expression. Toshiro momentarily regretted asking him. But he realized that if it was something that could make Ichigo serious it was obviously important and needed to be talked about. "Can you tell me what happened?" Toshiro was shocked but the look in those chocolate eyes. He could see the guilt and worry there. The last thing Toshiro wanted to do was add to that.

"You know, just an attack. Some random guys just wanting to mess around." Toshiro wasn't exactly lying; he was essentially telling the truth. He just didn't want to make Ichigo feel worse.

But Ichigo didn't buy it. The look in his eyes clearly said that. "Toshiro if just some random guys had attacked you, a lot worse would have happened." Ichigo stated, clearly watching Toshiro's face. Toshiro couldn't keep the eye contact and looked away, both embarrassed and frustrated Ichigo had caught him. After a moment's silence, Ichigo continued. "Since it wasn't a random person it means it was someone with a grudge." Toshiro could feel Ichigo's eyes on him, but still refused to reestablish the eye contact. "It was Shiro wasn't it." The defeated tone in Ichigo's voice brought tears to Toshiro's eyes but still he nodded. "What did he say to you?"

Toshiro finally looked back to Ichigo. He had a blank look on his face as if he was schooling himself for Toshiro's answer. "Threats. Just pointless threats." Toshiro conceded, not wanting to tell Ichigo the full conversation as it would just hurt him more.

"Toshiro this is serious! Shiro's not someone to mess with! I need to know what he said to you."

"I was unconscious Ichigo. I couldn't make out more than him saying I stole you." Toshiro hedged, still not exactly lying. This time, however, it seemed to work on Ichigo. He seemed to nod subconsciously as if processing what Toshiro had said. Toshiro decided that Ichigo need a distraction from his own mind. "Ichigo, has anyone called Rangiku?"

This seemed to thoroughly pull Ichigo out of his thoughts. "I know I haven't." He said, looking suspicious.

"Well will you? She will fuss and whine if no one tells her." Ichigo continued to stare at him. "For me? Please?" Ichigo sighed dramatically, a small smile on his face.

Just as Ichigo was pulling his phone out there was a knock on the door. Ichigo went to answer it but Toshiro already knew who it was.

"Oh hey Byakuya." The orangette said. Byakuya nodded in his direction before coming over to Toshiro. "I'll step outside and call Rangiku, alright Toshiro?" He nodded, believing that was best.

Once Ichigo stepped out Toshiro turned his full attention to Byakuya. "I trust you're here in a professional capacity Byakuya?" He made it sound like a question even though he knew the answer.

"I am Toshiro. Since I know you personally the department thought it would be best if I covered it."

"Isn't it supposed to the opposite?" Toshiro asked.

"Usually but you had to go and get involved with a former member of the Arrancars. That throws a lot of the rules out the window, Toshiro." He nodded. "I need to know everything Toshiro. What you know about Ichigo and what happened today." Toshiro sighed, he felt uncomfortable telling Ichigo's personal life but at this point it seemed necessary given the danger Shiro possessed.

Once Toshiro finished the story he watched Byakuya's reaction. The older man seemed rattled. Ichigo's story was truly heartbreaking. "So you do not want to tell Ichigo what Shiro said?" Byakuya asked.

"Of course I don't! I know what it would do to him to learn that psycho killed his family. He'll blame himself." Toshiro told him, angry he even asked.

"Shouldn't he know that you are threatened at least?" Toshiro could see the cop coming out of his friend. He could see Byakuya analyzing all the angles that could be possible.

"He knows I've been threatened but not the specifics. What should I tell him, that Shiro said if he didn't go back to the gang he'd torture me? That would go well Byakuya. He would be selfless person he is and give himself up." Toshiro told him.

"I see." Byakuya replied, lost in his own thoughts. While he understood his friend's concern, he knew keeping the truth from someone always ended badly.

Ichigo stood slouched against the wall outside Toshiro's hospital room. He had not meant to, but once he finished listening to Toshiro's whining assistant, he had come back to the room. As he started to walk in he heard the last past of Toshiro's story. The revelation shocked him.

It seemed so obvious now, Shiro had killed his family. He had killed them because they were trying to keep in contact with Ichigo. And now Shiro was threatening Toshiro, the man he loved. It was just too much. Ichigo stayed still in the silent hallway, hot tears falling down his face.

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