Friend or Foe? Nobody know.

(Fullbringer Arc)

::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Ishida Uryu was concerned about Ichigo to the point where he has decided to go to Urahara and seek the mans advice. Not certain if that is actually a good idea or not he throws caution to the wind and decides if anyone can reach through to Ichigo it would be the crazy guy who trained Ichigo.

"I'll look into it. But you know his father already said it's best to leave him alone. He might need time adapting, you should know." Urahara says then sighs and looks over at the Quincy who's suddenly quiet.

"What's got you so concerned?" The shopkeeper inquires.

Ishida closes his eyes at that question. What doesn't have him concerned is more like it.

"You've seen him, so you already know. If you need more evidence I suggest you go stalk him for a day or two it won't take long and it's not like he can sense you following him. He's so defenseless..." Ishida clenches his fist in anger at the unfairness of it all.

"I'll see what I can do."

—-

Ishida had been stalking Ichigo as well as the suspicious men for a week now. The tall dark haired man dressed formally and the tall brown haired man he hangs around with has been lurking around Kurakura town for some time and he doesn't know why but his gut tells him there's something about them he needs to watch out for. It was one of the things he failed to mention to Urahara but he'd been so focused on Ichigo...

Chad and Orihime has been keeping clear of Ichigo as well, all he did was try to pry into business he doesn't need to be involved in. Ishida sighs remembering his days of being powerless, he can empathize with him but what he's been doing hasn't been helpful. He's

skipping school, smoking more and more often, beating up thugs to take up his time. If Ishida thought he wouldn't make it worse he would confronted him already.

He spots the suspicious guy standing above a building, he's waiting for him. "Who are you? And what is it you want!" He glares.

"Hmm, so you're part of that motley crew too. Yes, I've seen you following Ginjo and I, as well as your friend Ichigo. What is it you think I want, you have me curious now." Suddenly he's before Ishida swiping his sword down to which Ishida dodges just in time.

Ishida growls and dodges the next on coming attacks then draws his bow shooting an arrow.

"Oh, a Quincy, how odd I thought you were all wiped out." The tall man takes out a book. "my name is Shukuro Tsukishima. You'll be familiar with my name soon enough."

Ishida jumps out of the way as his enemy comes forward and draws his bow again this time releasing multiple arrows at once. If he's going to defeat this guy he's going to have to get some distance.

"Running away?" Tsukishima laughs, "Ok!" He's about to attack again when his phone starts going off. He stops and looks down at the Quincy before taking his phone and answering it. "What, I'm busy."

Ishida takes his chance and attacks again but the man dodges and closes his phone.

"That's not polite, if I knew you were such a dirty fighter I would've ended you a while ago. But looks like I'm out of time. Till next time!" Tsukishima takes off.

For a second he wants to chase after him but the guy was clearly holding back and he's not an idiot. That guy was targeting him... and who knows who else. Having a gut feeling he takes off to find his friends, they'll need to know about this.

—-

"Fuck..." Ichigo takes a drag and watches the sun set. "Fuck!" He says again, completely over the amount of frustration brewing inside of him.

He had an itching suspicion he was being followed but by who he doesn't know and every time he tries to find out the feeling is gone, like his stalker caught on and disappeared.

It could be friend or foe and he wouldn't know. He takes another drag of his joint and scans the town before him. The sky getting darker and darker and slowly all the town lights flicker on gradually.

He thought it could have been Hat'N'Clogs so he had gone to the Shoten hoping to get some answers but it was dark inside and didn't look like anyone was there which was unusual. Nerves getting the best of him he had decided to retreat and take a smoke break. Seems like all he can do anymore anyway.

As he's walking home, slightly in a daze from the amount he smoked he catches in the corner of his eye someone familiar. Chad! His friends don't see him from where he is standing and he ducks for cover when they turn towards him. It's Chad, Orihime and Ishida huddled near a street lamp in deep discussion over something, he can't quite hear what they're saying though.

He puts his hand against the brick wall he's at and leans closer struggling to get something, any words they're saying he just wants to know!

"...can't find...-' Ishida is talking so quietly he can't hear anymore.

"As...don't...' Orihime's waving her hand in front of Ishida then looking at Chad. "...safe."

The group starts back to their homes and Ichigo stays still as he watches them walk away. Once they're gone and he's still standing there with his hand still on the cold brick kinda dazing off he feels the blackhole in his soul grow larger. The feeling of numbness washes over him once again. He turns back around and walks back to where he was before to go and smoke some more. There's no point in going home tonight anyway.