Hello again! Time for the next update ;) Hopefully this will be better than the last so enjoy! Thank you for all the reads and review so far - REVIEW!
Ichigo woke up to a blinding light piercing his eyes and turned to confirm that it was the morning sun coming through the half-closed curtains. His eyes scrunched slightly at both the light and in confusion as he tried to push past his sleepy haze and figure out where he was. He looked at the thick velvet curtains letting his eyes adjust to new light, and turned his head so he was staring at the ceiling. Was I drinking? he thought although dismissed the idea when he found that he didn't feel like throwing up nor did he have a splitting headache. He stared up at the small, and faintly damp ridden ceiling and rolled over before an object stopped him from doing so; well rather a person. Ichigo's eyes widened considerably as he gazed upon the soft, white figure that lay next to him and wondered if he would hyperventilate. What the fuck is he doing in my bed – wait . . . what am I doing in his bed!? Memories came flooding back causing a blush to crawl onto his face. His blush deepened when he thought of that embarrassing line he had used twisting a serious matter into one of lust. He had wanted him badly despite what he body was thinking when those cool fingers slipped under the waistband of his jeans. He growled at himself in embarrassment and shame and glared into space when Grimmjow came to mind. This was supposed to be a simple competition and now look what happened. I'm sleeping with the 'enemy' and my mentor wants to rape and kill me. . . Ichigo banished his grim feelings when the albino snuggled closer to him and wrapped his arms around his waist. Ichigo smiled and curled against him, deciding to go back to sleep again but not before placing a soft kiss on the albino's lips. Before he could close his eyes, gold ones opened to stare back at him, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Mornin' Ichi," he whispered, his voice husky from either sleep of morning lust; not that it mattered – it sounder sexy either way.
"Morning," he whispered back, wrapping his arms around his neck drawing him closer for an embrace.
Ichigo felt Shiro's smile against his skin as he rested his head in the hollow of his neck breathing in his familiar scent. He felt the top of his hair ruffle slightly as Shiro placed a small kiss on the top of his head before spooning him, his eyes already closing again. Ichigo sighed in content before a distant ringing, namely his phone, began sounding breaking through their blissful silence. "I'll get that," he exhaled despite not knowing where the small device was and made a move to get up before arms pulled him back down.
"What are you doing?" he chuckled, as Shiro began nuzzling his neck.
"Leave it,"
"I need to tell my Dad where I am," he replied, although staying in bed with him did seem like a better idea.
"Ya can call 'im in a bit – stay with me," he mumbled shifting so that Ichigo was now underneath the albino stopping him from going anywhere.
He moaned quietly as Shiro began nuzzling his neck again and tangled his hands gently into snowy locks and angling his head to give the albino more access. Shiro let his hands wander under the duvet until they reached slim hips and massaged them slowly, his teeth now nibbling and sucking patches of skin leaving dark marks. Ichigo lifted his head and brought his mouth to his lips, the kiss instantly becoming deeper as Shiro plunged his tongue in making the berry moan again. Somewhere, the phone rang again but this time they ignored it, letting the shrill rings accompany their moans and occasional pants. Ichigo knew that Shiro would stick to his word but it didn't mean that he could enjoy a good make-out. He broke the kiss when he heard that the phone had ceased ringing, and gulped in air, staring at those golden orbs. Shiro got the message and pecked his lips before pulling him up. "C'mon – bet ya hungry,"
Just as he said that Ichigo's stomach growled making the berry blush and causing Shiro to laugh. "C'mon,"
"Ah! That was good – I never knew you could cook!" Ichigo exclaimed as he placed his fork down and sighed in content at finishing his large plate of food.
"Glad ya liked it," he chuckled, sipping his cup of coffee.
Ichigo smiled at him and placed his chin in his hands, memories of last night crashing down on him forcing the smile down. "What is it?" Shiro asked his eyes filled with concern.
"What are we going to do about Grimmjow?" he asked.
"He won't say anythin' if that's what ya mean – he's too proud fer that. And he won't try anythin' in public but make sure ya never alone with 'im," he presaged.
"Agreed," he nodded, grimacing at the last time he was alone with him causing him to shudder.
Shiro eyed the berry worriedly and clasped his hand in his trying to determine what he was thinking about. "Same goes for you," he mumbled, his head shooting up to look him in the eye. "Don't go confronting him," he warned.
"I can look out fer myself," he argued.
"You said he was capable of killing," he muttered, the fear in his eyes palpable.
"It won't come ta that,"
Ichigo didn't say anything more as the phone rang again making him groan. "What is wrong with that twat? He's never this worried," he rambled to himself, leaving the phone to go to voicemail again.
"Ya mean he doesn't normally worry?"
"Actually no – the only time he called like this was when . . . doesn't matter,"
Shiro noticed the sorrow in the other's eyes but didn't pursue the topic any further. Ichigo grabbed his mobile and began to scroll through the missed texts both from Rukia and his Dad. He opened up the first message from Rukia and froze when he read the simple two words. I'm sorry. "Ichi? What's wrong?"
Ichigo ignored Shiro and pressed the mobile to his ear listening to the voicemails that had been left behind but only needed to listen to one to confirm everything. "Get here now . . .," a voice on the other end threatened lowly making Ichigo tremble from head to foot.
Shiro didn't have time to ask before Ichigo was out of his chair and grabbing his coat. "I need to go,"
"I'm coming with ya,"
"I really don't think that will help," he said, the fear making his voice waver.
"I'm goin'. I'll stay outside if ya want me ta,"
Ichigo paused for a second before nodding his head, his head instantly dropping on Shiro's shoulder when he gathered him in his arms. "Sorry," he mumbled against his chest.
"Fer what?"
". . . .For landing with a pompous ass like me," he mumbled, clearly wanting to say something other than that.
Shiro placed a chaste kiss on his lips before leading him to the car. With a few directions, it didn't take long to get to his house and when they arrived Ichigo knew that Shiro regretted driving him here without knowing the story. "I'll be fine," he reassured him, despite his violent tremors.
Shiro grimaced but agreed knowing that Ichigo wasn't going to stay longer than necessary. "I'll be here when ya done," he reminded him.
Ichigo nodded before climbing out of the car and heading towards the front door. He knew what to expect – it had been happening for years. Maybe it was because this time it might involve someone he loved that was scaring him. He opened the door and as expected his father was standing a little further down the hallway, his steely gaze piercing him like daggers. He didn't need to be told to follow him when his father moved into the front room, his arms crossed over his broad chest. He walked into the small room, his coat still on, and stared at his sadistic father, trying hard not to show his terror. He had learnt not to show these emotions for the sake of his sisters, but now, when they weren't in sight, it was difficult than usual. Ichigo was just about to ask him, why he had called but Isshin was the one to speak first. "Where is he?" he demanded.
"Where's who?" he asked calmly, knowing full well that he meant Shiro; what he didn't know was how.
"Rukia told me everything – I won't ask again Ichigo; where is he?"
Ichigo gulped nervously, his mind cursing that raven-haired midget and wondered what the hell she had seen and why the hell she didn't think about consulting him first! "What exactly did she tell you?" he ordered, his anger pushing aside any fear he had previously felt.
"That you are doing everything but trying to become a doctor! You think singing instead of curing people will make me forgive you for what you did!" he roared.
"I didn't do it!" he screamed back.
Isshin stepped forward, his eyes darkening with anger and fury; his son had never stood up to him and when he did it didn't last long. "So you didn't run off in a tantrum making her follow you into an alleyway? You didn't push her away into a knife? You didn't call her name causing her to step up and take your blow!?" he hollered, his voice rising with each new blame.
Ichigo winced knowing that it was true but he hadn't meant any of it – he hadn't meant to get his mother killed. "She was protecting me," he replied feebly. "Just like any parent would do for their child," he spat, accusing him of not being the father he used to be.
"I would have done the same," he agreed, his face softening slightly. "If it was a normal kid who had just had a bad moment – the boy I used to know. . . I would have protected him,"
Ichigo clenched his eyes shut, forcing the tears not to overflow. His father had tried guilt tactics before but never this one and Ichigo knew where it was headed and he didn't want to relive that memory. "Not the boy who was too weak to fight back and then goes into withdrawal – I wouldn't go near him," he snarled.
Ichigo's eyes snapped open, his fists about ready to abuse his father like he had done to him on several occasions. "How is it my fault that that happened!?" he shouted. "I was 15 years old!"
"And what about when you left your mother to die! You were old enough then to protect her!"
Ichigo flinched at the memory; it was true he could have prevented it somehow but his stupid trauma of before had come back paralyzing him – the same as when Grimmjow tried to touch him. "And instead of honouring her memory you abuse it by going on a talent show where you decide to sleep with one of the judges! Looks like you picked some tips of those men the first time they came for you!"
That was when he tears overflowed. His father was saying, as usual, that he had caused his mother's death but was now admitting to never wanting him and calling him a whore. It stung so much that he thought his heart would burn up any moment. His father began stalking towards him, no doubt about to give him punishment for forgetting his place. Ichigo remained still ready to receive his punishment and face it like a man but his trauma was kicking in. He backed away until his feet hit the edge of the carpet sending him backwards, landing on his back with a thud. He scrambled trying to get up but only succeeded in clambering into a corner. "See," his father gestured to him. "Pathetic,"
He raised his hand and Ichigo flinched, his eyes closing, waiting for the familiar stinging sensation as his face was hit but was met with nothing. He opened his eyes and saw a white hand grasping Isshin's so tightly that he was grimacing in pain. He turned to the figure now standing in front of him for protection and felt both relief and panic. "Shiro," he breathed.
"Sorry I'm late,"
I really liked this (as you can tell by the length!) It took all of my self-restraint not to continue but I'll make you wait till next time? Maybe I'll do a double bill? ;) Please review!