Chapter 13:

When Ichigo woke up the following morning he wasn't surprised to find himself alone. Grimmjow had mentioned the night before he had a busy day today so he had expected the man to leave earlier than usual. Not that he minded since this wasn't the first time Ichigo had been alone in Grimmjow's apartment, in fact he was started to get used to it now. The first time it had happened he sat quite still on the sofa, not daring to move in fear of breaking something. Grimmjow had found this highly amusing when he returned home to find him in the same spot as when he'd left.

However now Ichigo was completely comfortable in getting up and using the shower, making himself something to eat and even flicking through the TV channels aimlessly for half an hour just to have some background noise as he prepared for another gruelling day at University. As he settled on the news channel Ichigo watched as the news reporter informed him of recent happening in Karakura, which was nothing. There had been a few car crashes, a fundraiser for homeless kids and a reminder of the upcoming festival in a few days time. No deaths which Grimmjow was sure to be relieved about.

Finishing his toast Ichigo quickly grabbed his school bag and coat, preparing to leave. Making sure to lock the door behind him Ichigo set off down the alleyway next to Grimmjow's flat, his usual route to University. Halfway down the alley Ichigo paused to check his bag, making sure all his badges were still securely attached, a bad habit of his. His fingers had just brushed over a slightly loose one when someone grabbed him from behind.

Ichigo jerked in shock, his immediate response to knee his attacker. His leg missed, kicking at the empty air between the assailants legs and before Ichigo could do anything else a rag had been pressed over his mouth a nose and he choked on the foul smelling cloth. Everything started to go fuzzy and within moments he had passed out.

Waking up was not pleasant. Ichigo groaned as his eyes flickered open, flinching in the harsh illuminated light bouncing from the white walls. Trying to move his arms he quickly discovered they were bound to the chair he was sat in by metallic restraints. A quick assessment proved his legs were bound too. He couldn't move.

Struggling for a few moments Ichigo quickly gave up as the metal started biting into his skin and as his eyes adjusted, he could see he was the only thing in the room, other than his chair. Turning his head Ichigo spotted a blinking red light and squinting at it, he found it was a a era, so he was being watched too.

Then the full force of what had happened hit him.

He had been kidnapped.

Panic surged and with it a spike of adrenaline and Ichigo started struggling again. But it was fruitless, his restraints didn't give even a millimetre. Giving up on this again Ichigo closed his eyes, thinking fast and hard.

Who would want to kidnap him?

Why would someone want to kidnap him?

Sure it was possible people he knew didn't like him, but surely they would go as far as this? If this was some stupid prank it wasn't funny. Ichigo doubted it was, this felt like the real deal. So why him? Nothing came to mind, as far as Ichigo knew he hadn't gotten any enemies, hadn't double crossed anyone or got on the wrong side of a gang, even during his law-breaking days. Then an idea came to him. Maybe he wasn't the target, but a ransom.

Grimmjow.

It was the only thing that made sense. Ichigo was willing to bet Grimmjow had some enemies out there, people he'd pissed off by jailing their friends. If that was true than he felt confident Grimmjow would be able to find him soon. If they truly were after the man they would contact him and he would have no trouble finding him. Ichigo knew Grimmjow was one of the best detective Karakura had, it was only a matter of time. If Grimmjow was the target.

The door to the room opened and Ichigo's eyes snapped open. The person who walked in had their face covered by a plain white mask, but Ichigo was a pretty sure that it was a man. Without saying a word he approached Ichigo, grabbing his chin roughly to force his face to the side. Without warning his fist connected with ichigo's jaw and his head snapped back. Four punches later, the man stopped and stepped back, allowing Ichigo to lift his head and wince at the pain.

A clicking sound forced his eyes open and Ichigo saw the man was taking photos of him. So he was right, he was being used as a ransom, or bait. Maybe even both. Ichigo was also willing to bet Grimmjow was the target. But this led to another question, how did this person know of their relationship, which was supposedly a secret. If they had been watching Grimmjow's apartment, it was easy to put two and two together he supposed. This made the most sense.

After the man was done taking photos, he left and the door slammed shut behind him. Throughout the entire thing he hadn't said a single word. Ichigo didn't even know where to begin in thinking who this man was. Only one thought came to mind, Mr Heart. He quickly dismissed this however. He and Grimmjow weren't married and from what Ichigo knew, the man only targeted couples married for at least ten years. Relaxing at this thought, Ichigo could only wonder who the man was.

It was several hours before the man returned and to Ichigo's surprise, he carried a plate of food which he set on the arms of Ichigo's chair. He reached over, ignoring Ichigo's flinch and undid the metal restrains on his arms.

"Eat." He said shortly.

Cautiously Ichigo picked up a sandwich and examined it. It was cheese. "You haven't poisoned it, have you?" he asked and the man actually chuckled, shaking his head. "No of course not, you want me alive." Taking a bite Ichigo suddenly found he was starving and quickly ate it, picking up the second half. "Who were the photo's for, Grimmjow?"

"You are astute, aren't you?"

Ichigo chose not to answer, sipping from his drink instead. "So what did he do?"

"That doesn't concern you. All you need to do is sit here and play nice. Maybe you'll get out of this alive if Grimmjow plays according to the rules."

"Rules?" Ichigo asked before finishing his sandwich and downing the remainder of his drink. "You sound quite sadistic you know."

The man didn't reply, he just redid Ichigo's restraints, picked up the tray and left the room without another word. As the door closed Ichigo began to ponder their conversation since he had nothing else to do. What did he mean rules? Was the man playing a game or something? And how did Grimmjow fit into it?

…

It had been three days since Ichigo had been kidnapped.

In those three days, the same man visited him every day, he never saw his face as he always wore the same white mask. But Ichigo was beginning to think there was something familiar about the man, Ichigo was sure he had heard his voice before. But he couldn't place it, no matter how much he tried to remember where he'd heard him before.

The man didn't hit him again, in fact he didn't do anything to him. Every day like clockwork he brought Ichigo a meal three times a days, two toilet breaks once in the morning and once in the evening. Throughout the ordeal so far, Ichigo hadn't seen anyone else so he assumed the man was working alone. He still had no idea who the man was and no matter how many times he asked, the kidnapper wouldn't reveal anything to him.

So when on the fourth day the man entered the room only a few hours after Ichigo's third meal, the teen was surprised by the visit. He was even more surprised and confused when he saw what he was holding, a radio.

Freeing one of Ichigo's arms he pressed it into his hand. "Wait."

Ichigo frowned, but knew nothing he said would change the man's mind so he sighed, staring down at the radio. Nothing happened. Several minutes passed and still nothing happened. Eventually he looked at his kidnapper, raising an eyebrow.

"Is something supposed to happen?" The man was looking at his phone, doing what Ichigo couldn't tell. It looked like he was watching something and he didn't respond to the teen's question. "What am I waiting for?" He asked in a louder voice.

The man sighed but didn't say anything. He didn't have to however because a short burst of static from the radio made Ichigo jump, almost dropping the thing. He stared at it, waiting with held breath and another burst of static, but he heard a voice too.

"Hello?"

Ichigo's heart gave a jolt as he recognised the voice. "Grimmjow?" He asked, holding the radio to his face and pressed the button to respond.

"Ichigo is that you?" Yes it was Grimmjow, his voice came though it static bursts. He could barely understand the man but it was him.

"Oh god Grimmjow where are you?!" Ichigo couldn't help but feel panicked, how was Grimmjow on the other end? "Please tell me you're safe!"

"I should be asking you that."

Ichigo sighed in relief, if something was wrong Grimmjow would have told him. He must be safe, wherever he was. With a quick glance at his kidnapper to see the man watching him now Ichigo swallowed nervously. "I-I'm fine I promise. Please you've got to get help, you've got to find me-" The radio was ripped from his hand and Ichigo tried to snatch it back but it was too late, it was out of his reach.

"I'm going to find you Ichigo I promise, just hold on." Grimmjow's voice was barely audible, but Ichigo heard it and with it he felt a slight trickle of hope. He did believe the man would find him. If he promised it, then he would.

His kidnapped pocketed the radio as the static stopped. "Well done."

"What?" Ichigo asked in confusion. But he received no further explanation, the kidnapper just restrained his arm again and left without another word. What did the man mean well done? Had Ichigo said something to Grimmjow that he wanted? All he'd done was ask for help.

Suddenly he realised that was exactly what the man had wanted him to do. Asking for help meant Grimmjow would do anything and everything to find him. He had just baited Grimmjow. Swallowing thickly, Ichigo closed his eyes and lent back again his chair.

What had he done?