Getting heated up now! Please, please, please review – I want to know what you guys think (*does puppy dog eyes*) In advance I am sorry – you'll know what I mean . . .

It was a quiet and dark night; the street lights flickering and alternating between on and off, the moon above offering nothing but a soft glow. Even the stars seemed to be dimmer than usual especially as black clouds rolled overhead.

The loud gunshot, stuck on replay in his head, was counteracting his pounding heart and harsh footsteps as he ran through the darkness. Its reverb was making the sound echo continuously in his head, the effect causing a headache.

The albino had never been more terrified than this moment. There had been times when he had a fleeting trace of it but he soon pushed it aside knowing it was ridiculous to be feeling such a meaningless emotion.

That was different now . . .

Every inch of his body was shaking uncontrollably and his heart, that was beating so loud, felt as if it would burst from his chest! Dilating from terror and rage were his pupils, his golden orbs glistening dangerously the closer he got to the hide-out. None of the effects were due to the alcohol he had been consuming constantly just mere seconds ago. In fact, if it weren't for the alcohol he'd probably be feeling a whole lot worse!

Shiro's mind was throbbing as he desperately tried to figure out who the culprit was. At first he thought it could be the media trying to get some solid evidence that they were together – but they wouldn't grab Ichigo and pull the trigger of a gun.

A gun . . . Just thinking about it made his blood boil. Orange locks, mocha eyes and a warm smile began to invade his mind, its picture tinted in crimson blood. The prospect alone had him speeding up, his breathing ragged from running so far and so fast.

Then he saw it. Normally it looked a little sinister with its looming structure and smashed windows. Even the lack of graffiti on the old building gave it a feeling of 'stay away'. However now it seemed to be the personification of everyone's nightmares. He already had a sense of dread just looking at it accompanying the lurch in his stomach.

It wouldn't be long now. All he would have to do is turn the corner, entering the main room, and beat everyone who he didn't recognise into a bloody pulp! When he did turn the corner, he was too shocked to even do that.

The first thing he saw was the figure of Isshin Kurosaki, aiming a gun into the distance, his son lying at his feet staring up at him in fright. Shiro had mixed feelings at this point. Foremost was the anger towards the psychotic man; fist already twitching with the need to kill him.

The second was the immense relief he felt when he saw his Ichi, albeit a little shocked, completely unharmed (at least physically!). He was even about to sigh in relief until that shock of orange lunged towards the weapon. "Ichigo, no!" a voice shouted.

That sigh soon turned into a gasp as the trigger was pulled releasing an ear splitting bang. Everything seemed to go in slow motion at that point. He watched as Ichigo froze where he was, his arms locked around his father's in an attempt to move the gun away. But from what? Who was Isshin aiming at? Then it dawned on him.

The voice that had called Ichigo's name, the person on the receiving end of the gun and the person who had call him warning him of the danger. Shiro turned, his eyes instantly connecting with azure ones that were staring off into the distance.

The blunette looked confused at first as he looked at Ichigo's gaping face – he clearly didn't see what the problem was. That was until the scarlet liquid began to seep through his top right over his heart. Then he began to fall. "Grimmjow!"

Ichigo spun at the voice, surprised to see the albino who was now racing towards them, his pupils now consuming his entire eye. He looked every bit the demon people had often been on the receiving end of and Shiro could clearly see that even Ichigo looked a little scared. But at the minute he didn't care. His target was Isshin.

Shiro didn't even give the man time to cower in fear before he whacked the gun away, sending it flying across the room and then punching him.

Ichigo chose the opportunity to pick up the gun and run to Grimmjow's side, his eyes already blurring as he approached the seemingly lifeless body. Shiro wasn't paying attention though . . . currently his anger was consuming him letting the beast within take over. And it was not feeling merciful this time.

Forgetting his humanity, Shiro grasped the man by his neck making sure to apply just the right amount of pressure to make him suffer and not kill him. He didn't want to do that just yet. It was kind of amusing watching his hands helplessly scratch at his neck trying to pry the others iron grip off of him. Shiro couldn't help but think that the shade of purple his face was going was beautiful.

Before long, an insane smile was creeping its way onto the albino's face as he slowly choked the life out of Ichigo's father - after all, he deserved it. Shiro thought it was a shame he couldn't dispose of him in a more messy way, therefore fully satisfying his revenge, however he needed this to be quick . . . despite the fact he was getting lost in the lust. He needed to get this over with to get back to-! What do I need ta get back ta? he thought, still clutching the man's neck.

"Shiro!"

Suddenly, Shiro snapped out of his stupor, his eyes widening in realisation both at what he was about to do and what he had forgotten. "Shiro!" Ichigo cried again sounding frantic and on the verge of breaking down completely.

The albino looked down at the man one last time before giving an extremely hard punch causing him to fall into unconsciousness then rejoined with Ichigo. He ran up to him, falling short when he saw the blood pooling around them. All that could be heard was Ichigo's small sobs and Grimmjow's coughing as he tried to clear his throat of the blood and bile.

Powerlessly, Shiro looked down at the blunette, his mind wandering back to when he had always saved him . . . this time at a price too high to return. Slowly, Shiro knelt down beside him, looking over the wound before glancing at Ichigo. Ichigo caught the glance and knew what was happening – he had done medicine after all. He shook his head ever so slightly so Grimmjow wouldn't notice, tears rolling down his cheeks as he did. Shiro clenched his eyes, willing himself not to cry as well and turned back to the blunette. "Ya fool," he whispered.

Grimmjow, who was closing his eyes in pain, opened them to stare at Shiro, the look breaking Shiro's defences. "Yeah . . . Imma fool," he joked before coughing.

"Don't talk," Ichigo butted in, his mind automatically turning professional making his hands work on the wound.

Grimmjow attempted to swat away his hand but in the end settled for grabbing it and holding on. Ichigo hung his head; his gaze averted trying to hide his tear-stained face. They all knew, even Grimmjow. "Ichi," the blunette rumbled softly forcing him to look up.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, using his thumb to wipe at his face.

"Don't ya dare say that – we're gonna get ya ta a hospital and then-!"

"Shiro!" he interrupted. "Ya know as well as I do that it's impossible,"

"Not if we get ya there now!" he argued, his hand now gripping his wrist for comfort – both for him and for himself.

Ichigo grabbed his phone from his pocket and seemed to text someone, his hands shaking as he did. Obviously he was texting for help despite that he too knew that the chances were slim. "Sorry, I led ya to this place, Ichi,"

Ichigo shook his head, placing his phone back in his pocket, before resting a hand on his chest, a subtle hint that he should stop talking. Grimmjow chuckled at the gesture before another horrendous cough shook his entire body, this time worse than the last.

Shiro could see the first signs of panic coming from Ichigo. He was shaking, pale and of course beginning to hyperventilate. He thought that not talking back would mean that they could save him in time; he wanted to keep that distance so he wouldn't be hurt. But now as Grimmjow was getting worse he just couldn't take it anymore. And to be honest, neither could he. "I-I forgive you," he stuttered quickly, watching as Grimmjow's eyes began to close.

"Okay? Listen, I forgive you!"

Ichigo shook him a bit making the blunette open his eyes wearily, but it was a struggle. "I heard . . .," he whispered, trying to smile through his pain to reassure him before turning to Shiro.

"Look after him . . . he's definitely a keeper,"

Shiro grinned even if Grimmjow was slowly fading away and glanced at the berry who was also smiling through his tears. "Course,"

Grimmjow nodded. "I mean it. I'm glad I found ya in that alleyway and I'm glad ya came on the voice," he spoke to the pair, pausing to cough. "Ya perfect for each-other – least I won't be in the way anymore,"

"Don't say that," Ichigo cried.

Grimmjow rested his hand on Ichigo's face, gently persuading him to look him in his eyes. "Don't let him go back on himself . . . please,"

"I promise,"

Grimmjow smiled and closed his eyes before his hand that was resting on Ichigo's cheek slid off. Finally he drew his last breath but not after saying his final farewell.

"Don't cry,"