Thank you for your lovely reviews! I've just noticed this story has one year and it only has three chapters (four with this one), I'll try to update more frequently now. I haven't had internet for a year now and it makes it harder to update. I'm sorry c':

(Hollow Ichigo-Ichigo): Oops hehe I'll try not to forget about it again!

(Mayuzu): I can't say why Ichigo can't talk (or doesn't want to). That'd be an ugly spoiler *chuckles*. Also I don't have anything against Ichigo's friends or Isshin. I'm sorry Isshin is so cruel in this fic but he has his reasons.

(Akane Ume): *whimpers in a corner* I'm sorry for taking so long, I really am! Renji is just frustrated that he couldn't help Ichigo, he doesn't hate him or anything I swear.

This chapter is also un-betaed. I need a beta so your eyes don't bleed while reading my mistakes (?)

PS: The song Ichigo plays comes from 'Pieces' by Red. Beautiful song tbh.

xxx

Ichigo was already at the music shop's back room readjusting the strings of his guitar. Meanwhile, Shirosaki had stayed behind with Kisuke trying to convince said man to teach him sign language. Shiro sounded almost too desperate when he asked Urahara. He was acting out of character by using that tone just to tell, no, beg him. It was still unclear to Shiro why would he go so far as begging just for Ichigo. He met the guy four days ago! Not being one to believe in love at first sight, this was completely unbelievable to anyone who happened to know Ogichi too well. Truth to be told, he had never been interested in someone for too long but Ichigo was different. The mute teen had awakened something inside him that he couldn't describe.

Urahara scratched the back of his head at the request, throwing the albino an interesting look. Kisuke knew Ichigo had more friends, if he could call them that, but none of them had really tried to communicate with the young Kurosaki. In fact, Shiro was the first he had ever seen having such interest in Ichigo. Kisuke didn't know the story behind his silence and he wished Ichigo would trust him enough to talk about it; however, every time the topic was brought into the conversation, Ichigo simply ignored the questions. Maybe, he thought, Shirosaki would be able to know the story and if he was positive enough, Shirosaki could be the one to break Ichigo's silence. It wouldn't hurt him to teach the pale teen how to understand Ichigo for now, right? With a sigh escaping from his lips, Kisuke finally agreed to accept Shiro's request.

"Ya' won't regret it." Shiro smirked and walked to the back door to reunite with Ichigo.

Kisuke stared at him as Shirosaki disappeared behind the door, a small smile appearing on his face. It wasn't too late. Ichigo could still be saved. It was time for him too to make his move.

xxx

"Ichigo before anything else…I want to ask ya' something. " Ichigo lifted his eyes from the guitar, his hands unmoving and his head tilted to the side as a sign that he was waiting for the question to be made. "Why did ya' lie?"

Shirosaki received a puzzled look from Ichigo since he had no idea what was he talking about. What did he lie about? Ichigo hadn't made up any lies to hide some things from Shiro… yet.

"Yer vocal cords aren't really damaged, are they?"

Ichigo snorted and looked away. Ah, so that was it. No doubt one of his friends talked too much about his past. Did they really tell someone's personal problems to any stranger who asks? Ichigo closed his eyes for a brief moment before sighing. He trusts Shirosaki even if he didn't know much about said teen. Although Shirosaki just stated he lied when he never did… Ichigo couldn't be angry at him. Ichigo never told him what happened after the accident; he only said his vocal cords where damaged on it.

Shirosaki frowned then shook his head. Why wouldn't Ichigo tell/write him the truth behind his silence? He still believed he didn't need words from Ichigo and didn't want to force him to talk. However, Shiro wanted to help Ichigo. There was something that was pushing him to do so. The teen looked like he needed help anyway, no matter how much Ichigo may have denied it.

"Haven't ya' considered on seeing a specialist?" Ichigo shook his head frantically throwing a Shiro an angry yet scared look. No, scratch that, he looked terrified. "Yeah, they ain't helpful." He shrugged his shoulders trying to act normal after seeing Ichigo with such expression which got him more worried than he intended to.

Shiro didn't have any other pressing things to discuss with him, so he turned the conversation to a lighter subject. "Urahara-san agreed to teach me sign language."

Ichigo stared at him blankly before he smiled. That sounded great. If Shiro managed to learn it he'd be able to have an actual talk with someone of his same age. Not that Urahara was bad, he liked the man as if he were a part of his family but there were always some matters he would never discuss with an adult.

And then the wait was finally over for Shirosaki. He really was excited about listening to Ichigo playing the guitar and this excitement was written on his face with a grin. Long and skillful fingers played along the strings, the melody coming from the guitar as they do so was really beautiful and yet it was sad too. Shirosaki couldn't describe it quite well but it was as if the melody actually transmitted Ichigo's feelings. Sadness, loneliness and then out of a sudden, even if the rhythm of the song didn't change at all, he felt hope. What Ichigo hoped for he didn't know. Shiro had the feeling that he would know rather sooner than later.

After some entrancing minutes were they both were submerged in the melody in each one's own way, Ichigo tried teaching Shiro how to play a simple song but they were failing miserably. Either Ichigo was a terrible teacher or Shiro was a terrible student. With a chuckle, Ichigo took Shiro's fingers between his (again) and tried to place them in the right strings for him to play. Shiro stayed still after that and then threw his hands into the air startling the teen behind him.

"I'm done!" He protested while crossing his arms and frowning like a little kid.

"It requires a lot of practice; you can't expect to play a piece in one single day."

Both teens looked up to the door where Urahara was standing with a smirk marring his face. "I know you two are having fun but it's getting late. It's almost past ten and I have to go home."

They shared a surprised look. Time sure flew away! They better get going or some trouble was coming ahead to meet them. Shiro handed Ichigo his guitar which he cautiously took and put it again inside his case. After everything was in place, they got out from the room, Urahara locking it up after them. When the man turned around he saw Ichigo's worried and terrified expression while he stared at his phone's screen. He may have been wrong but the orange haired looked a little pale too.

"What's wrong Ichigo?" Ichigo almost yelped when Urahara approached him from behind but managed to keep it to himself.

He had a bunch of texts from his dad and a ton of missing calls. A whimper was threatening to escape from his throat at the thought of going home now. No doubt his dad was really mad at him and those messages in capital letters asking, no, obligating him to come back home immediately scared him. With shaking fingers, he hid his phone inside his pocket yet again and tried to act like nothing happened.

"They don't have to know," he thought.

"Did something happen?" Shiro asked from his side.

Ichigo shook his head and forced a smile out. Readjusting the guitar case on his back, he waved goodbye to Kisuke before opening the front door to go out.

Urahara frowned and it was an expression that rarely crossed his face so it was an indicator that there was something going wrong. Leaning a hand over Shirosaki's shoulder, he leaned into him to whisper in a very quiet but serious voice:

"I have to ask you a favor."

Shiro arched an eyebrow at this but he didn't protest and instead of that he agreed to listen. "What is it?"

"Don't let Ichigo get home today. I have a bad feeling that something is going on over there and it's not good. I know it's too much to ask but… can you invite him over your house?"

Shirosaki had no problem with it. However, what would he do if Ichigo refuses? Sighing, he shrugged. Something would come up, he was sure.

Asking Urahara to give him Ichigo's phone number, he quickly saved it before texting to the teen a brief 'Shiro: Wait 4me'. Shiro wasn't sure if Ichigo was going to wait or if he was going to see the text but it was worth a try. Suddenly, an idea popped up in his mind. He knew a way to make Ichigo agree to his proposal of staying over his house. Ah… but he had to be fast or he wouldn't get to Ichigo in time.

xxx

His phone vibrated again inside his pocket. Still trying to decide between taking it or ignoring it completely, his shaking fingers had already fished it out to open the new text. A relieved sigh was heard when he saw the remittent was unknown. Opening the message, he smiled while reading the few words it had. Leaning against a wall, he looked up to the dark sky and waited. Shiro was worth waiting for even if that meant an angrier Isshin.

xxx

Running up the street he cursed aloud as the pale teen tried to remember the path they took to the shop from Ichigo's house. The teen had to be somewhere! How could he be lost? Or maybe Ichigo went home already? Groaning in frustrating he turned to another street and he finally saw him leaning against a wall, distracted. Calling him, Shiro ran to Ichigo, panting.

"I thought ya' left already… I guess it was me that got lost." Shiro managed to chuckle between pants making Ichigo smile too. Straightening himself, he suddenly wore a serious expression which got Ichigo worried for a second but it was briefly. Making signs with his hands as best as he could even if he knew he was failing quite miserably, Shiro told him to stay over his house for the night.

Ichigo blinked, trying to make sense of what Shiro just told him. It was messy, the position of his hands almost told him a total different message but he understood. It was a tentative offer to say the least. As far as he could get from his dad better it'd be. However, this meant that later on it would only be worse. Taking a deep breath, he stared at Shiro while he still pondered about the offer. At the end he nodded with a smile, accepting Shiro's offer of staying with him that night. It was sudden and unexpected and he still knew very little about Shiro but maybe it was the perfect opportunity to know him better.

What surprised yet got him happier the most… Was that Shirosaki was a fast learner.

xxx

Omake time! : Sign Language.

"Ah I see! So you want to ask Ichigo to stay over by using his own language? That's a really good idea!" Urahara chanted happily.

"Will it take long? I may only have… five minutes."

"Oh! It isn't a long or complicated sentence so sure, if you believe you can do it, five minutes are enough."

After Shiro finds Ichigo…

Straightening himself, he suddenly wore a serious expression which got Ichigo worried for a second but it was briefly. Making signs with his hands as best as he could even if he knew he was failing quite miserably he tried to tell Ichigo to stay over his house.

After the sentence was finished, Ichigo gaped at him, face turning red as the second meaning of his name before covering his face with his hands and turning around in embarrassment.

"What's up Ichi? Is it too soon?" He heard a whimper. "Oh god… is it? I knew it! Don't worry Ichigo. I may be a little harsh sometimes but I'll be gentle with ya'."

Ichigo turned to him, face still red, fists clenched tightly at his sides and looking completely mortified. Unexpectedly to Shiro, the orange haired directed a punch to his abdomen making him double over. What went wrong?

What Shiro thought he was asking Ichigo: "I'd like you to stay over my house tonight."

What Urahara actually taught him: "I'd like to fuck you tonight."

"DAMN YOU URAHARA!"

xxx

N/A: I'm sorry but I'm not. I had to. Shiro knows nothing about sign language and he had no idea what Urahara was teaching him *chuckles*. It'd have been fun to make it part of the story but I wasn't sure so I added it as an Omake. Reviews? :3