Finally we get back to 'The Voice' xD This is just a filler – the good stuff should be starting soon ;) Enjoy . . . while you still can xD To those people who think i is 'rambling' – it is going somewhere you just have to be patient okay? (Bare in mind I am halving the chapters and splitting them into two updates :P )

Ichigo peeked through the backstage curtains and into the crowd that were eagerly awaiting his arrival and sighed. No matter what happened they would still love him. Great; I've not even won and already I have a fan base! Mocha eyes flicked to the screen that was showing his performances and 'how he got here' videos before he himself would go on stage. Flashes of white showed up more than blue making him grit his teeth in annoyance. Why did they have to show stupid montages at this point anyway!?

He had made it to the semi-finals. It wasn't everyday you could say that to people but Ichigo didn't exactly feel in the mood to bloat about it – he was extremely pissed off. After the fiasco at the apartment, no-one had exactly been the same. Grimmjow grew freindly but this, it turns out, was in fact his usual self just without the drugs! Now that the dodgy substance had left his system he could actually be a very nice guy – the key word being could. The blunette was still an infuriating asshole but at least he didn't molest him in public anymore which Ichigo decided was a big plus!

Grimmjow, of course, wasn't the only one who had changed. Ichigo had decided after his chat with Grimmjow that he would stop acting like a wounded animal and actually get off his ass and get this mess sorted out. That basically meant that he was pissed off all the time because he wasn't allowed to do anything. But it wasn't himself that he was worried about - it was Shiro.

He wasn't sure how to put it; Ichigo just knew that something serious was bothering the albino more than the media finding them. Recently, he had been ignoring him as well and was insistent that he spend time with his actual mentor (and he had stated this in a rather harsh matter). Shiro wasn't normally one to back down from something even if things got a little hairy so his behaviour was more than a little weird – Ichigo hardly ever saw him anymore!

A firm hand to his shoulder brought him out of his musings and he spun to find the blue-haired devil himself making him scowl – something he had been doing a lot of recently. "What do you want?" he grunted, turning back to the crowd.

"Just wanted to see how ya were holding up," he shrugged, crossing his arms over his broad chest.

"Yeah, well you didn't need to," he replied curtly.

"Someone's on their period! Sorry, I bothered," he growled making Ichigo turn around in guilt.

"Sorry," he muttered, grabbing him by the wrist to stop him from leaving. "I'm just pissed off," he admitted, pointing to the screen where they were showing shots of himself and Shiro despite Grimmjow being his mentor.

Grimmjow, seeming to understand, sighed running a hand through his effervescent blue locks before placing his hand on Ichigo's shoulder. "That's what they're trying to do – don't let it get to ya,"

"How can I!? Because of it Shiro won't even speak to me let alone touch me!"

"Maybe he just needs time to figure some stuff out," he replied.

"Like what?" he snorted, ignoring the blunette and continuing for him. "Like deciding on whether to end it with me or not"

"Ichi – he loves ya. He wouldn't end it unless it was in ya best interest," he argued.

"That means the same thing, dumbass," he retorted but found himself laughing afterwards.

Grimmjow smiled, and walked by him ready to take his seat. "Use that fire in ya performance," he reminded him making Ichigo grin.

Yeah – they had come up with one hell of a song to sing and they were certain shit was going to go down after but who cared! He looked down at his new guitar that he was holding and smiled at the white and orange fusion paint work that he done at the weekend. If the media didn't get that then nobody would.

The berry still wasn't sure why they were so bothered on whether they had a relationship or not, but he was lucky that so far, despite the picture of him in his apartment, the TV producers had turned a blind eye. It may not be the wisest idea in the world to mock them with the upcoming song and new guitar but who was he one to care.

As if on cue, the montage finished announcing that it was his turn to go on stage. In one fluid motion, he pushed the curtains that were in front of him and stepped through, a manic grin plastered on his face. He was going to enjoy this so much . . . Swaying to the middle of the stage with the drums beating around him, he cast a fleeting glimpse at the judges and enjoyed the wide gold eyes that were lying on his guitar. Yeah, he hadn't told the albino that he had done this. Well, he's in for a treat, he thought as he began to sing.

You don't like me, I don't like – It don't matter

Only difference, you still listen – I don't have to

In one ear and out the other

I don't need you

Your words don't stick, I ain't perfect but you ain't either

Ichigo smiled at the faces of the judges who were all smirking . . . albeit one. He didn't care for now that that one person who he wanted to see smile wasn't – he was too lost in the music. He wanted to laugh at the camera crews anxious faces as they filmed him.

If you're feeling froggy leap

I ain't even losing sleep

There's more to me than what you see

You wouldn't like me when I'm angry . . .

God, he felt a thrill of excitement when he saw everyone shudder at that last line, even the albino who was currently trying to look everywhere but him. Che~ Ichigo mentally tooted. Talk about obvious!

Mr Photographer – I think I'm ready for my close-up

Tonight, make sure you catch me from my good side

Pick one – these other (HA) just wanna be me

Is that money in your pocket?

Or are you happy to see me!?

Before he had time to react, magenta pink flashed in front of him. Ichigo's eyes widened slightly as his past rival, Riruka, jumped up from the crowd and joined the backing singers on stage shooting him a wink before accompanying him. He couldn't help but sneer at that and started singing again, this time noticing the way even the presenters were at a loss of what to do and say.

Kill the lights!

(Take 'em out, Turn 'em off, Break 'em down)

Kill the lights!

(Don't be scared, make a move, see me now)

Kill the lights!

(I feel you, watching me, watching you)

Kill the lights!
You can't handle the truth, what happened to ya?

He could see them out of the corner of his eyes. The flashing lights that were capturing this 'rebellious' mood and glanced at Grimmjow who was giving him a subtle thumbs up at the good work - of course he also noticed the glare Shiro was giving the two of them.

I KILL

(the lights) Pure

(the lights) satis-

(the lights) faction

I KILL

(the lights) Lights

(the lights) Camera

(the lights) Action!

Yeah!

"Thanks again Riruka!" he shouted after the pink-haired girl as she ran back to her mentor.

"Anytime berry!" she yelled back, making him roll his eyes but chuckle nonetheless.

He gazed around at the looks people were now giving him and felt his spirit lighten ever so slightly. At first the idea of mocking the media and the TV producers had been a massive gamble and more than a little daunting. But now he was starting to think that it had been a good idea. That had been one of the most terrifying and equally electrifying moments of his life even if the albino in the corner didn't see it like that. Speaking of Shiro, where is he? I would have thought he was going to lecture me? he thought, glancing around for a sign of his snowy companion.

"Ichi!"

Ichigo barely had enough time to turn before something pounced on him like cat, wrapping their huge arms around his shoulders in a fucking tight embrace. "You're just like Rukia – always trying to fucking kill me," he muffled into Grimmjow's chest. "Get off!"

He would never admit it but his arms around him felt nice . . . more than nice. Of course, that wasn't the only reason why he wanted him off – he generally was being hugged to death. "Can't breathe!" he elaborated, pretending to drink big gulps of air.

"Ya such a drama queen," the blunette chuckled, letting go of him so he could see his eyes.

"Yeah, well it paid off," he smirked, annoying the blunette.

"Smart ass," he mumbled before grinning. "Enjoy the show?"

Ichigo matched his grin, it edging on demonic, and clutched the guitar closer to his body. "Hell yeah,"

"Good – Let's go grab a beer," he declared before continuing when he saw the berry's hesitant eyes. "Drinks are on me,"

"Well, since you so kindly offered," he beamed, sending the blunette's heart in a flurry at the glow in his eyes.

"Oi!"

The pair turned around in time to see Shiro who was storming up to them, his face one of thunder; he was extremely pissed off. Even in Ichigo's dazed and happy state he could tell something really bad was about to happen. "Hey Shiro!" he chirped.

"Don't 'hey Shiro' me Ichi," he growled, stopping so their faces were inches away.

"Whoa, whoa – what the hell's wrong?" Grimmjow interrupted, stepping in between them sensing that the albino was ready to punch something; and he didn't exactly want him to punch Ichi.

"Ya're in on this as well, so don't think ya gettin' away with it either!"

"What the fuck are ya on about!?" Grimmjow asked, his voice rising along with his patience.

Ichigo watched Shiro's eyes seem to glow dangerously and wondered too what the hell was wrong with him. "Shiro, what's going on?" he asked calmly, making the albino's harsh golden pools land on him.

The intensity of his gaze was burning holes through his head so much so that he was forcing himself not to look away from that smouldering gaze. "Why ta fuck are ya tryin' to anger ta media and the TV producers!?"

"What? Shiro we not trying t-,"

"Do ya want to leave an' get a court order? 'Cause that's what ya gonna get!" he snarled, directing his fury at Ichigo.

Ichigo flinched, his body instinctively going behind Grimmjow's form for protection who glared at the albino. "Shiro, stop this!" he mumbled urgently, both the blunette and the albino knowing he was directing to a un- discussed topic; it seems Shiro was still trying to push Ichigo away.

"It's fine! If ya want ta go ahead an' never see me again, I'm fine with that!"

Ichigo shrunk further behind the blunette, his fiery resolve staring to crumble at such harsh words resulting in the small tears that were gathering in the corner of his eyes. "Shi-,"

Before he could finish saying just his name, Shiro leapt forward grabbing his guitar by the neck before walking towards the stairs. Ichigo stared at him incredubuosly and began to follow him, his heart beating a thousand miles per second the higher he climbed. "Shiro! Shiro, look at me!" he shouted continuously confused at his abrupt behaviour.

"Shut it!" he growled, climbing quicker.

Ichigo glanced at the spiral black writing on the side of a wall and felt his heart tug in his chest at the word rooftop. "Shiro, stop it!" he cried, tugging on his sleeve.

The albino whirled on him, his hand quickly hitting away his comforting arm making the berry lose his balance. He only saw gold eyes widen for a fraction of a second before falling backwards and into a pair of arms. "Jesus Christ Shiro, ya going too far!"

Ichigo looked up at Grimmjow and exhaled shakily at the thought of what could have happened if he weren't there to catch him. He watched as Shiro continued hastily climbing and at first wasn't sure whether to follow him or not. Shaking his head, he ran after him – he wasn't going to push him over the edge.

He flung the door to the rooftop open, Grimmjow not far behind and gasped when he saw Shiro violently throw the guitar over the edge, hearing the shatter of wood and strings not long after. Shiro turned around and gave him a hard glare before storming past him and back down the stairs leaving a mortified Ichigo on the top. He couldn't help but think that their relationship was in the same state as that guitar - broken.

Bit longer than last so hope you enjoy! As I said getting to the good stuff soon ;)