Hey folks,
Yeah, it's been ages, i don't actually know how long except too long. Been thinking about this chapter for ages but I have just not been able to sit and write it! And yeah, it gets a bit cheesy and unrealistic in this one. So not like me i know, the whole magically healing boy thing just makes it so realistic.
I hope someone is still waiting for this, I know i'm waiting for loads of chapters of stories that i'm reading. I am so grateful to the folks that have been reviewing this, makes me so happy when i get a message that someone is liking it, when someone gets excited for my stuff!
Anyway here it is, and not many more chapters. One, maybe two depending if i get lost in more plot (or smut) ((or and smut?))
Hehe,
Phoe
xxxxxx
Chapter 8
Sousuke knew Ichigo wanted to go to the fires so it had been a no brainer to be there as well. Not just himself obviously and the four others with him had an image of Ichigo and instructions to get him back by any means. Sousuke was sure the Hirako boy knew exactly where Ichigo was, the way he answered was so full of insolence and disrespect made it very clear he knew he'd been lied to and did not trust Sousuke in the slightest. Oh well, Ichigo can make new friends. He believed the Inoue girl that she hadn't seen him, the terror in her voice when she spoke was very clear. Possibly choosing the Hirako boy was a mistake all along, as he'd grown up he'd just got more and more independent, and his parents just let him.
Sousuke didn't like the park, didn't like walking in the mud with his nice shoes and didn't like the crowds around him, pressing on him with their noise and boisterous actions. He was still in disbelief that Ichigo would actually go out voluntarily but all the evidence said he did. His best suit was missing, along with his best watch. How he got out was still a mystery however, the doorman and the security cameras both having not seen him ever. Sousuke had maintained the agoraphobic story for years with various people like the tutors, trainers and the delivery companies and to save the 'poor boy's' feeling, he had insisted that all knowledge of the outside was left there.
And it was perfect. Ichigo lived in luxury, not wanting for anything and healthier than any of his peers could be. He never complained about using his gift, always happy to let Sousuke slice him up to help others. Sousuke had been squeamish at the start, cutting up a young child would turn most people's stomachs but once he stopped crying about it, it had become easier to slice him cleaner. Sousuke had worked on a pattern for a while but it had been too difficult to keep it neat and not over use an area.
Only once had Ichigo passed out from it, when Sousuke had brought one of the area's top politicians to him to get rid of the years of alcohol abuse from the man's liver. Ichigo could read the level of damage, or at least could tell the amount of healing he had to give and it took three large slices on Ichigo's abdomen, the last being too deep and had the boy unconscious in a pool of his own blood. That had been the reason for the most recent redecoration of the living area, the cream carpet that had been down was ruined with the blood stains and the new deep grey one was definitely easier to clean. Or have cleaned anyway.
There was no way he was losing the boy. He was priceless to everyone Ichigo helped but even more so to Sousuke. He'd been middle aged when Ichigo was a baby, now at seventy four he was an official old man and would appear so if he didn't have Ichigo's aid every week. It used to be every month but as the damage age did to him grew worse, the time between sessions shortened. That and the money he got from everyone he helped kept him and the boy in luxury and he didn't want to lose that either.
The park was busy and so loud. The insufferable music from the rides coupled with chatter and laughter was too much for him but he had to find the boy. He kept to the outside, knowing Ichigo would be shy and overwhelmed by everything. He was curious enough to venture to the area, Sousuke was sure about that but he didn't think he'd be anywhere near the crowds.
Or at least that's what Sousuke thought until he saw the vibrant hair on the boy on one of the plastic horses on the carousel. Sousuke stood and watched for a moment, needing several passes for his brain to confirm that yes, the smiling, happy face belonged to Ichigo and that he looked comfortable on the ride, clearly enjoying himself.
Sousuke was stunned; it was so far from what he had been expecting that he didn't think he could be more shocked. That was until the ride came to a halt and another man came off the horse next to Ichigo before helping Ichigo down, holding his body close and pulling him in for a brief kiss. Ichigo's eyes drooped close for the short touch and his smile returned afterwards, ducking his head and pressing his body close to the other.
Sousuke felt the frown on his face draw down, this was getting more complicated.
iiiiiiii
Ichigo wasn't just comfortable. He was happy, loving being pressed against Grimmjow and he happily stood and listened to his boyfriend chat to Starrk and his girlfriend Halibel. Halibel was a little intimidating initially but when she pulled Ichigo in for a tight hug the moment he was introduced, he relaxed, knowing she was grateful for him helping her man.
Ichigo concentrated on eating his candy floss, Grimmjow stealing clumps with one hand while he stroked Ichigo's hair with the other. Starrk checked his watch before leading the others over to the lake, the time growing close to when the fires were to start and he knew Ichigo really wanted a good view. There were some boats on the water but they were for security reasons, years ago people had tried to be in the water at the same time as the barges of fire which had been dangerous.
There were people standing around with piles of fliers, handing them one each as they approached the water edge. Ichigo opened his, seeing the photos on the inside page and wanted to look at them. The top picture was of a man and woman, holding each other. One of the man's hands was on the swollen stomach of the woman as they looked into each other's eyes and the love between them was clear. Ichigo turned to Grimmjow, the other wrapping his arms around Ichigo's shoulders and resting his chin on them.
"That is the Shiba's, richest family around. But really nice apparently. Masaki was heavily involved in charity work as well as Isshin funding environmental developments. The baby was too long in coming and everyone was waiting for it." Grimmjow had heard the story so many times he didn't have trouble relaying it to Ichigo. "It was a stupid accident, a fall or something at the mall and Masaki hit her head. The baby survived the accident apparently but didn't live long after he was born." Grimmjow turned the flier over, showing the photo of the baby on the back, a small scrap of a human staring back with huge dark eyes in its head. A dusting of pale hair covered its head and a simple white onesie covered the rest of him. "A cutie, and a poor shame."
"Why fires? And rides and stalls?" Ichigo felt Grimmjow shrug.
"Dunno, guess he wanted to remember them somehow. Masaki's hair was red like yours; maybe he decided to use fire to remember her for that."
The crowd grew quiet and Ichigo looked around to find out why, spotting a lone man standing to the side on the lake side of the barrier. Everyone seemed to be looking at him and nothing happened until he lifted a hand, a booming sound following and then the whole lake ignited.
Ichigo's mouth was open, shocked at the sight of the huge flames taking over the water, barely able to see the barges they were set on. The heat was incredible and his hair moved with the air, disturbed by the heat in front of him. Grimmjow's arms remained around him, and he relaxed into them. Music started up, the barges starting to move in the water which caused the flames to dance in the air. Ichigo started to look around seeing the crowds staring at the fires. He stared at the lone man for a while, the figure standing with his hands in his pockets. It appeared the figure was looking around as well, glancing into the crowd, once right at Ichigo it seemed. Ichigo looked away, not wanting any more attention on him. He craned his head round, seeing children smiling and pointing up into the flames. The light up toys that had been for sale at the stalls were in their hands, spinning and twisting LED lights in the night. The music had a sad note to it, Ichigo feeling the emotion in the tune and he leaned more into Grimmjow who squeezed him gently in response. Grimmjow's face peered round with a grin on it, pulling an answering smile from Ichigo and he leaned his head over. Grimmjow pecked him on the temple before leaning his head on Ichigo's and releasing a sigh.
The fires were the main attraction for around twenty minutes, with lights and music making a spectacle but the barges would burn into the night and it was only so long that burning wood could hold a crowd. The people started drifting, some heading back to the other attractions in the park and some for home.
"You want to see anything else? Go on some more rides maybe?" Grimmjow's arm was firmly around Ichigo's shoulders and they walked connected through the grass. Starrk and Halibel had decided to head back to her's, Starrk taking advantage of his good feeling to spend more time alone with his girl. They had yet to spot Nnoitra or Shinji in the crowds but both males seemed content to spend the time together, still learning about the other.
"What am I going to do now?" Ichigo stopped walking for a moment, Grimmjow halting at his side, a half step slower.
"That's up to you, rides, food, home?" Grimmjow glanced about, looking for options he could take the other to.
"No, I mean with my life?" Ichigo turned to Grimmjow, the other arm coming to enclose them together.
Grimmjow frowned; he didn't want to worry the other and also didn't want to give him any false promises of a future that he was unsure of. "What do you want to do? You're smart, eager to learn and I promise you'll catch up on the technology thing quickly enough so that won't stop you. Be a doctor, be a teacher. Whatever you want to be."
"I want to be with you." Ichigo's voice was small when he spoke and his head was down but Grimmjow pulled his head up and leaned down for a small peck.
"Then be with me. Be a musician, how about teaching music?"
Ichigo's eyes widened, he loved his music tutors and the idea of getting to help someone realise the beauty of playing an instrument was appealing. He grinned up at Grimmjow and pulled him close for a hug, Ichigo's arms wrapped around Grimmjow's waist. Grimmjow hugged Ichigo's shoulders and laid his cheek on the soft orange hair. He still had a grin on his face just at the feeling of holding the other man so close.
"How about some Candy Floss?" Grimmjow grinned at Ichigo's confusion. He pulled them over to a stall and picked a bag of white cloud, paying with a smile.
Ichigo was sceptical of the bag of puffed sugar. Grimmjow lifted what looked like a handful of cotton wool and shoved it into his mouth, grinning at the look Ichigo was giving him. "Is everything made of sugar and grease?"
"Only the best stuff. C'mon, you wanted to experience new things." Grimmjow pinched a small piece and held it out expectantly. "Open wide." Ichigo obeyed, closing his lips around Grimmjow's finger and sucking on it slightly to pull the candy into his mouth. It felt like smoke on his tongue but quickly dissolved into sugar that he swallowed. Licking his lips he looked for more, trying to ignore Grimmjow's smug look.
The pair of them walked through the park more, Ichigo now holding the bag of candy floss and feeding some of it to Grimmjow, mostly eating it himself. He found it difficult to laugh at the things his boyfriend was saying with a mouth full of cloud but he managed to not dribble sugar on himself.
Ichigo elected to stand outside the toilets when Grimmjow had to go, leaning against a nearby fence to watch the fires burn themselves out. The height had reduced a lot but the heat was still there and Ichigo could feel his skin tighten a little.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
Ichigo's blood froze in his veins, the voice over his shoulder lifting the hairs on his neck as well. He turned slowly and his eyes widened as his father's face came into view. Sousuke was looking at the fires, his handsome face lit in the night's darkness which highlighted the age marks that Ichigo had grown to know well.
He disliked the times his father needed help the most. Not that he disliked helping his father, it was just the age damage was worse than an injury of even just one organ malfunctioning. To change the cellular structure in an adult man to reduce his age took its toll and hurt a great deal. Ichigo had become accustomed to reading his father's temper through the age marks, the more that showed, the angrier he was until he needed Ichigo's assistance to reverse it. With two to three week between times recently, there hadn't been much time when he wasn't angry.
"You know, when I saw you on that carousel I could hardly believe my eyes. The scared, insular little boy I'd raised in that tower seemed to have disappeared. Good to see that he hasn't gone far, Ichigo."
"Father, I,"
"I don't care for your excuses boy, I only care that I have you back. Now I want you to get into the car I take you to without a fuss and we'll go back to your rooms. If you come quietly then there will be no punishment given once we're back."
Ichigo glanced over at the portable toilet block Grimmjow had disappeared into, there hadn't been a queue and he was wondering what was taking Grimmjow so long. His next thought was if he could dodge his father and just run in there. His father would never cause a scene in a toilet in front of others, he'd sooner die.
"You're little friend might be a while. He's learning exactly how much trouble you really are and will have to decide if you're really worth it. My guess he'll be smart and walk away now you're taken care of. Do you think he can protect you from the kidnappers, the ones who'd sell you to the highest bidder for your abilities?"
Ichigo's head was dropped as it usually was when his father was there. He closed his eyes as his father spoke, trying to ignore what he was saying. His whole life the only one who'd ever told him the 'truth' was his father. His father had 'protected' him and 'loved' him but then what kind of love was built from a lie? His head crept up and he frowned up at the man who'd raised him, but even then, did he really?
"How much did you charge Father? How much did those people pay to watch you cut up my back so I could heal them? Nothing is free here Father, therefore these scars weren't for free."
"Ichigo, you do not raise your voice to me. And yes, those people did pay but do you really believe I'd hurt you for free? You're my son."
Ichigo had been backing off since he started talking back and glances over his shoulder showed him he was heading towards the edge of the park, away from the crowd unfortunately though. His plan was to bolt as soon as he could see a clear path. He didn't want to trap himself anywhere and was pretty confident that he'd be able to outrun his much older father. "I am not going back to that house. I don't want to be trapped in, lied to and sliced up so you can make money from it." Ichigo's voice was raised even further as his anger mounted against his life.
Aizen's eyes narrowed. He never thought he'd have to beat obedience into the boy he'd raised; Ichigo had been afraid of him and had respected him all his young life. The change was unsettling. Aizen wasn't a violent man; he had people for that sort of thing.
Ichigo backed off another step or so until he felt a body behind him. Large arms came round him, holding him close and for a heartbeat he relaxed, sure it was Grimmjow holding him but the arms tightened, choking him. He reached up and grabbed the forearms across his chest, kicking out and screaming a bit. "Let me go."
Aizen walked up to him, suit still uncreased and hair still slicked back neatly. "I'll never let you go boy, you belong to me."
Ichigo looked up into the smug face of the man he thought loved him. He scowled up, baring his teeth in anger and pushed his back against the man behind him, pulling his legs up and donkey kicking Aizen in the chest, the force sending the older man to the ground on his ass. Ichigo spread his arms and lifted them, forcing the restraining arms to lift a bit as well and he then sank his teeth into the bare hand on top. He bit down as hard as he could wrenching back a little to make it really hurt and it worked enough to loosen the arms and let him struggle out. He kicked back as he struggled, hitting the man in the knee and felt him go down. Ichigo glanced at his father, seeing he was starting to get up and bolted, using all the physical training his father had paid for to get him as far away as possible. His way out of the park was blocked by the guy who'd grabbed him, his way into it was blocked by his father so his only choice was to follow the railings round the lake with its fire still burning and hope he could fine somewhere to hide or an escape route in that direction.
There were at least people in that direction that looked at him strangely as he bolted away. He had to put the brakes on when he was faced with two large men in suits, their hands outstretched and walking towards him. He knew straight away that these two weren't to be tangled with but his only choice was to hop the fence, pulling his body over the five foot fence to land at the other side.
"Ichigo!" He heard his name being shouted and he turned, seeing his father's angry face at the fence. He smirked to himself before heading round the lake.
"Find that boy, don't kill him but bring him down. He'll heal." Aizen was furious and watched the three men he'd brought leap the small fence and chase after the boy.
Ichigo felt the fire's heat grow as he got closer. It was uncomfortable and he turned away from the lake a bit, trying to get distance from the flames as well as get away. His way was blocked by a temporary metal fence that he grabbed with two hands but it wouldn't take his weight, the whole fence leaning towards him. He chanced a glance behind him, seeing two large figures approaching him in the darkness which made him let go of the fence and start running around it, hoping for a way out of the park and onto the street. Even with his high level of fitness, the panic that had set in was making his heart pump too loudly in his ears and his feet kept stumbling on the uneven ground.
His foot caught on something which made him tumble to the ground, the breath getting knocked out of him as he landed. Tears filled his eyes as he fought to breathe, to stand and to keep moving. He used the fence to pull himself to his feet, feeling the fence give again as he got upright and leaned on it. The fence gave more than he thought it would and he glanced to the side, seeing the length of fence ending at a tree before continuing on with a new length. The chains holding the fence in place were near the top and the bottom, leaving the centre just leaning on the bark of the tree. Ichigo glanced into the trees, hearing rather than seeing his pursuers, and he pushed through the fence. His face scraped on the bark of the tree and the fence caught on his clothes as he made his way through. It took longer than he liked and the two men following him burst from between the trees and spotted him easily. Ichigo jerked himself through more, yelping when his skin caught on the metal. He was still wrestling his last leg through the fence then the men got to him and grabbed his foot. Ichigo pulled and kicked with it but was yanked towards the fence which made him lose his balance.
"Heh, nice try boy. Now make your way back through the fence before I twist your foot off." The man gave him a warning twist, yanking Ichigo's foot round. Ichigo scowled at the other before shuffling forward to give him more leverage to kick at the man. He took him by surprise by booting him in the face which made his hands slip to Ichigo's shoe rather than his ankle and Ichigo took the opportunity to slip out of his trainer and bolt away. His ankle was sore after being twisted so he was slowed but there was no way the two large men were making it through the fence gap. Ichigo heard them swear which made him smirk and he looked back in time to see one of them pull a gun out, brown eyes widening as the trigger was pulled and he was hit on the leg.
"Thought you were clear there, eh boy? You sit pretty while we come and get you." The two men chuckled to each other, both sure that the young man there would be immobilised with a bullet hole in his leg. Neither realised that he'd been living and working around pain his whole life and was gone the next time they looked. "Aizen isn't going to be happy."
Ichigo was hobbling on his injured leg, glad they'd hit the one that had the sore ankle so he had at least one good leg. He was heading back towards the light of the fires, hoping to follow the lake round to the other side to get some help. He remembered Shinji lived on the lake side of the park so he at least could lay low there until he could take care of himself. He couldn't risk sitting and fixing things yet, not wanting to be caught sitting on the grass. He stumbled through a close set of trees and stopped abruptly as he came to a set up area with a fold away table standing near two cars parked on the grass. Three people stood at the car side, black silhouettes against the fire and staring at the boy who'd stumbled across them.
Ichigo back stepped a bit, worried it might be his father and he stumbled again, slumping against a tree at his back. He didn't have the strength to get back up again and resigned himself to being taken; he didn't have any fight left in him.
One of the figures approached him and it became clear that it wasn't Aizen when the stranger's face was concerned and kind. Ichigo frowned back at him, recognising him from somewhere and he tilted his head, trying to remember.
"Son, are you alright?" The man knelt on the ground in front of him his hand on his waist which spread the wool coat around him to show the suit underneath. Another man approached, standing just behind the one who'd approached. The man extended a hand, cupping Ichigo's face when he didn't answer and he pulled Ichigo's chin up, the warm palm big enough to hold half his face.
Ichigo closed his eyes for a moment as the heat sank into his skin. After years of little human contact, the treatment from Grimmjow had made him crave human touch. He opened his eyes and met the brown ones in the man opposite. "Help me, please?" Ichigo's voice broke as tears filled his eyes to run down his cheek. "Please, my father is trying to catch me; he wants to trap me again. Please, I need help."
The stranger's eyebrows met over his eyes, fury on the other's face. "Your father is chasing you? Did he hurt you? Your face is all cut up."
"His men shot me; he tried to take me back in the fair. I ran, I'm sorry for crossing the fence but I didn't want to go back."
The stranger turned to the man at his side, the one standing bending down to listen to the other whisper in his ear.
"Right my lad, let's get you up alright? I'm sorry if this is going to hurt but I want to look at you a bit. We'll help you boy, don't worry." The larger man scooped Ichigo's body up, holding him like a child, close to his body. Ichigo closed his eyes again, sinking into the heat coming from the other and inhaling the smell. Ichigo was put onto the table that the third man had cleared and he was quickly seen to. "Right, we've called the police and I don't want to move you if there are people looking for you until they get there alright? Can you tell me your name please?"
"Ichigo, can I ask yours?"
The man took a breath, his smile becoming tight for some reason. "Hi Ichigo, I'm Isshin. This is Kenpachi and Shunsui, my friends."
Ichigo looked at the other two men in the dark, both nodding when their names were called. The first's smile was a little scary and the second winked at him but he still felt at ease. The man closest to him kept an arm around his body and he appreciated the heat as his body went into shock. He tried to breathe through it, to contain the shivers but his saviour felt them and stripped his wool coat off, wrapping him in the too big fabric. The smell combined with the heat was comforting and with his leg wrapped he was almost comfortable, could have almost drifted off.
"Oh no lad, no sleeping after blood loss. And if you bumped your head you might not wake up. Come on, talk to me."
"I'm sorry to ask sir, but are you Isshin Shiba?" The name had helped jog Ichigo's memory.
The man smiled sadly back at him again. "Yes boy, I am. It's always hard meeting someone with my boy's name, but some people used it as a tribute after I lost him."
"Your son was called Ichigo?" Ichigo's eyes were wide, he'd never heard of anyone with the same name as him.
"Yes, he would have been eighteen today." Isshin sniffed a bit, discretely wiping at one of his eyes.
"It's my eighteenth today. My boyfriend took me out to see the fires to celebrate. We went on the carousal." Ichigo smiled at the memory of it.
Isshin looked down at the boy sitting on his picnic table. The same name, same birthday and the same kind of sweet smile his wife used to have when talking about him. He turned his back to the light, cupping the boy's face again and turning it into the light still being generated by the fires. His eyes were like liquid chocolate, little flecks of gold in places lightening it. His hair was wild and dancing like flames in the evening breeze, in a shade just brighter than Masaki's. Isshin let the boy go, missing the look of despair that flashed over Ichigo's face at being released. He had to take a moment to swallow the hurt that still lived in his chest after eighteen years. Shunsui was at his elbow a second later with a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Where are those damn police?" Isshin wanted the boy helped and well again but also wanted him as far away as he could get.
Five figures approached from the lake side, blacked out in the light but Ichigo knew who they were. His father's profile was easy to pick out and he was devastated to see Grimmjow caught up by a man of equal size to him. He'd been messed up a bit and looked pissed until he laid eyes on Ichigo when he sighed with relief.
Aizen didn't hesitate, marching up to Ichigo and grabbing him by the upper arm, pulling him off the table to his feet. "You should have come back quietly." The words were snarled at Ichigo who was shaken roughly.
Ichigo shoved at his father, scratching and punching out until he was dropped. "I'm not going back Father; I'm not your lab rat to be skinned when you need the money."
Aizen reached out to grab the boy again but was roughly grabbed himself by someone larger than him.
Isshin was more than angry, unhappy that the poor boy he'd help was on the ground again but absolutely furious that a father could treat their son like that. "How can you call yourself a father? How can you hurt your child?" Isshin crouched to Ichigo again, taking the thin arm over his shoulder and standing with his arm around Ichigo's waist. "You will be waiting for the police to come then we will see who'll be going quietly." Isshin nodded to Kenpachi to keep a hold of the man while he comforted the terrified boy at his side. Shunsui had his side arm out and pointed at the three men holding the other boy at the water side who were all not moving.
Isshin walked Ichigo away from his tormentor, heading to his car to sit the boy down when he moved into the light enough to glance at the so-called father's face. He stopped dead when his old colleague was revealed. "Aizen?"
"Shiba, like you can comment on my parenting. What do you have to compare it to?" Aizen smiled wickedly at him knowing the comment was going to hurt.
"My boy would have been loved, would have been cherished, not running for his life on his birthday. If I got to hold my son in my arms even one more time, I don't think I'd ever be able to let him go." Isshin rearranged his grip on Ichigo, turning him so he wasn't looking at his tormentor. It did mean that Ichigo was pressed against his front. ""You'll not get the chance to hurt this child again."
"Oh, I think I will." Aizen wrestled with Kenpachi, using the man's blindness on one side to his advantage to roll to the ground. He pulled a small hand gun out and aimed it, pulling the trigger before Kenpachi managed to do the same. Aizen's bullet hit its mark, the body hitting the ground before Aizen was disarmed and knocked out cleanly. Kenpachi turned to his friend, shock on his face as Isshin struggled to hold the boy in his arms.
Ichigo screamed, fighting against the hold on him as he fought to get to Grimmjow. Isshin let him go when he begged and was surprised when the boy with the bullet through his leg managed to run over to the four men on the shore. Two were down, Grimmjow and his captor both in the water and not moving. The other two were listening to Shunsui and had sunk to their knees, both just watching what was happening in the firelight.
Ichigo hauled Grimmjow's wet body out of the lake, laying him in the silt at the side as he shook the boy. "Grimm, please. Grimmjow!" He screamed his love's name, yanking at the wet t-shirt under his hands. He pressed his ear on Grimmjow's chest, hearing his heart still beating and he knew he didn't have long. He scrambled through Grimmjow's pockets, swearing when he couldn't find anything sharp.
"Ichigo," Isshin hurried to the lake side, trying to pull the boy out of the way but he was thrown back.
"I need a knife, something sharp." Ichigo leaned over Grimmjow's body to the other man in the water. He searched through his pockets too, finding nothing sharp but found the man's gun. Isshin tried to take it from him but Ichigo shoved him away again. He handled the gun carefully, not really knowing what he was doing but he pressed it into his thigh, grabbing Grimmjow's hand and leaning his forehead on Grimmjow's chest.
Isshin shouted at him and went to stop him but was too late. Ichigo pulled the trigger and winced at the pain, turning it and pushing it into Grimmjow. He felt the click quickly, the pain was worse than a slice but he could feel it wasn't enough. He re-aimed the gun further down his leg and pulled the trigger again.
This time he felt the right level, pouring it into the man he loved. It flowed fast, faster than he could control but he'd never healed someone from dying from a gunshot. He looked at Grimmjow's face, seeing he was starting to wake up. Ichigo leaned back onto Grimmjow's chest, closing his eyes as he felt the healing come to the end. He knew Grimmjow would be fine, feeling his body knit back together. His own pain was also less, fading away until he could barely feel it.
Grimmjow's body moved under him, arms coming to hold him in place as he started to slip to the side. Grimmjow sat up, pulling Ichigo into his arms. Ichigo turned, smiling up as he saw Grimmjow's blue eyes on him. He could see Grimmjow speaking to him but couldn't hear him. He was just happy to be held and he was so tired.
Oh er, is that a cliffhanger? Anyone hanging on? I know it's been a while...
