Getting exciting! Hope this still interests you – enjoy!

Ichigo looked up at the run-down ceiling above him and grimaced at the droplets of rain coming through from the storm outside. It was cold in there as well but Ichigo refused to show it. Ever since the incident in the bedroom, the blunette had been extra careful around him and tentative to every detail. He didn't want to be treated like a baby but at the minute that was how he was acting even if he wouldn't admit it yet. This was exactly why his mother had died in the first place, and it needed to stop. Ichigo glanced at Grimmjow who had his hands in his pockets and was kicking at the dirt – like him, he was getting impatient.

They had received the text at around 8:00pm with a further one indicating the meeting place and time. That was why they were currently under the battered roof of Grimmjow and Shiro's 'headquarters', the time nearing midnight. Ichigo hadn't complained about why the albino chose this specific time but it was definitely bothering the blunette.

He hadn't said it yet, but he thought the whole thing was slightly suspicious. It wasn't just the time and place that was making him feel uneasy. Other factors such as Shiro contacting through another phone had Grimmjow's hair on ends, but not that he would declare it. The only thing that had stopped him from preventing Ichigo from going was that Shiro wasn't in the right frame of mind. After all, he had just revealed unintentionally to his boyfriend that he was a murderer and a rapist! That was probably the reason for the weird text and time.

Ichigo smiled at Grimmjow, who was now muttering to himself – maybe he wouldn't be so worried about these things if he didn't care deeply for him. Ichigo unconsciously thought back to a few hours ago and quickly shook his head dispelling the thought. He would never do that again; it was just a result of his hot-wired brain. His eyes snuck another peek at the blunette his cheeks instantly warming when he found him staring. "I-I'll wait near the front and look out f-for Shiro," he stuttered, wanting to get away from tension filling the air.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!"

Ichigo sighed as a hand grabbed the back of his shirt pulling him back. "It's dark outside!" he protested.

"So?"

"Weird people are about," he pouted slightly; his eyes shifting constantly as if those 'people' could hear him.

"I'll be careful," he promised, rolling his eyes.

"There could be rapist-!"

Grimmjow hastily shut his mouth and let go of the berry's collar. "Fine," he reluctantly agreed. "But be careful!"

Exhaling loudly, Ichigo turned back around, throwing a casual "I will," in Grimmjow's direction.

Grimmjow stared at the retreating back but not shamelessly – he really was worried. Grimmjow hadn't known Shiro all his life but during the years he had, he liked to think he knew the albino more than he knew himself! And one of the things was that he wouldn't be meeting them now. It wasn't anything to do with pride or that he was just stubborn . . . he felt guilty no doubt. The normal Shiro would be wallowing in self pity and most likely reverting to old friends such as vodka.

Grimmjow ran a hand through his hair whilst looking down at the handful of texts from the unknown number. Why would he use a different phone? Biting his lip he re-read the messages noticing that even the way he texted him sounded dodgy and, in Shiro's case, way too formal! He needed to hear his voice confirming these things. The blunette glanced back at the door where Ichigo was standing and decided - It was the only thing that would calm him down so he found the albino on his contacts and rung him.

Rain was falling; pounding down relentlessly on the paved ground and splashing against the windows of Shiro's small apartment. He sat on the windowsill, one leg pressed to his chest whilst the other lay limply to the side of the wall whilst he watched the storm. A glass containing dark, oily substance was held in one hand, the bitter liquor slowly disappearing every time he lifted the container to his cracked lips. In the other hand, was a cigarette, the embers scorching him as it burnt down to his fingers.

The albino was still in the office where the orange-haired man had left him. The phone was also on the ground. Papers littered the room as well as broken glass from glasses and picture frames that he had smashed. Even now he was debating on whether to put all of the things in a pile and burn them. It would get rid of all the junk and it would keep him warm from the cold that was seeping through the cracks in the window. But nothing would warm him up.

Golden orbs hovered over the front door when the berry had run through. He didn't see it but he guessed that the door was still open in Ichigo's desperate attempt to escape the monsters cave. Shiro's mind still kept replaying to his frightened eyes – they were piercing him at every angle. Not even on the night he had raped him had he seen such terror. He could still feel his touch burning him from when he had reached out to comfort him.

Get off me!

Shiro flinched. Both from the memory and the sudden ringing that had disturbed the quiet air. Lazily, he looked around for the offending thing and glared when he saw his phone vibrating on the floor but didn't bother getting up to stop it. It was probably just Grimmjow again, this time telling him what an idiot he was. But what if it's Ichi? his mind prompted. Shiro flung himself off the window and launched at the phone, cursing when it stopped before he could answer. So what if it was Ichigo? He might be ringing to make him feel worse.

His thoughts were cut off when the phone started ringing once more sending tingles up the albino's arm. Quickly he pressed the green button wasting no time in answering in fear it would cease. " 'ello! Ichi is that ya? I'm so sorry-!"

"Shut up fuck nuts! It's Grimm!"

"Oh,"

Shiro slumped down against the window and sighed – he didn't have time for this right now.

"It's 'bout time ya picked up the goddamn phone! Where are ya, we're here like ya told us to!"

Shiro scrunched his eyes in confusion and placed a hand over the growing headache he was getting. He wanted to drink and sleep and this nut job was getting in his way. "What ta fuck ya on 'bout, ya deluded bastard!" he shouted, taking another swig of his whiskey.

"At headquarters – midnight. Ring any bells?"

"Seriously what ta fuck are ya on about!?" he demanded. "I'm tryin' ta drink," he added.

"Wait – so you weren't the one who sent us the text?"

Shiro's stomach clenched painfully. "What?"

Shiro ground his teeth listening to the frustrated mumbling of Grimmjow and then felt all reason snap when he heard Grimmjow shout Ichigo's name. "Grimmjow," he seethed. "Ya better start explaining,"

"We got a text from an unknown number claiming to be you – wanted us to meet to talk things over. I'm assuming it meant what happened at ya house,"
"Where ta fuck's Ichi," he growled, getting up and starting to find shoes.

It was a set-up. He didn't know who by and he didn't really care but he needed them to get out. Silence. Shiro waited for an answer and grew frantic when he heard Grimmjow's breathing accelerate followed by a long string of curses. "Oi, where is-!"

"Get off him, ya bas-!"
A gun shot. A loud resounding shot from a gun and then the phone went static . . .

Heehee! Until next time ;)