Your Smile

Part IV

Ichigo had a horrible day at school. Renji was asking him stupid questions all the time, like “how does it feel to kiss a guy” or “did you sleep with him”, and it was enough to make him angry. At least the shinigami didn’t tell anyone about what he had seen, but probably only because he didn’t want to admit he had been in a gay bar.

Shinji wasn’t at school that day. Maybe he had decided there’s no need for him to come anymore, but Ichigo preferred to check on him. He called him as soon as he got home. He heard Shinji’s voice through the phone and he instantly felt better.

“It’s nice to now you’re ok, Hirako.”

Then he heard a stranger on the other end.

“Tell him to fuck of, and come here!”

“I’m sorry, Ichigo. I can’t talk now.” With that Shinji disconnected, leaving Ichigo speechless.

He’d been trying so hard to show Shinji how much he cared about him, and now he found out nothing changed at all. Hirako was still bringing customers to his place.

Ichigo couldn’t stand it any longer. Maybe he was naive, but he had his pride. He decided he will tell Hirako that if he want to be with him, he has to stop being a hooker. Ichigo still wasn’t sure if it’s a good solution, but he wanted to take a risk.

He went to Hirako’s apartment, without even calling him. If Shinji didn’t have time, too bad for him. Ichigo would make sure he will listen.

Shinji was surprised when he saw Kurosaki. However, Ichigo tried to be nice. He didn't want to dash in and set an ultimatum. It wasn’t an easy situation for him and he wanted to say everything in the most polite way possible. He didn’t come straight to the point.

“I was passing by, and decided to drop in.” Said Ichigo.

“Want some tea?”

“No, thanks.” Ichigo sat on the sofa. He felt tensed.

“I can easily tell something is bothering you, Ichi-kun.” Hirako sat beside him.

“Actually I wanted to talk about something. You see, I...”

The phone interrupted them. Shinji apologized and picked it up.

“I already told you, I won’t come! Stop bothering me!” He finished the conversation quickl, and returned to the sitting room.

Ichigo stood facing the window, with his hands crossed on his back.

“So what did you want to talk about?” Asked Hirako.

Next thing which happened was so quick and unexpected that Shinji didn’t even have time to react. Ichigo punched him with such a force that Hirako collided with a table, making a big mess. The crazy laughter could be heard. Now Shinji knew it wasn’t Ichigo. But how was it possible? How the hollow could control him in his human body. There wasn’t a mask or any other difference in appearance, but it definitely wasn’t Ichigo.

“At last I won this body.” Said the creature in ecstasy. “Lets play.” He laughed again, trying to get Hirako.

“First Restraint! Obstruction!” Shinji used the spell to bind Hichigo. It worked. For a five seconds. Now the vaizard looked pretty shocked.

“Maybe I’m in a human body, but I still have a power much bigger than him.” With that Hichigo attacked again. Hirako only avoided his blows. He considered using kidoh, but dropped the idea. He might seriously damage Ichigo, and it was his body after all. “What’s wrong? Why don’t you deffend yourself? Are you afraid you can hurt him? Don’t worry. There’s no “him” anymore, only me.” Hichigo smiled cruelly.

“I don’t believe you.”

The “hollow” wasn’t pleased. He grabbed Hirako by the throat and pushed him against the wall. He started touching him in most intimate places, but Hirako didn’t react.

“You’re not fun at all. I thought you would resist me. Are you still afraid that you’ll hurt him? I told you, my king is gone.” He threw Shinji on the sofa. Then he tore his clothes to shreds. “You’re trying to be tough, but I’ll break your confidence.”

“Just do it, and leave Ichigo alone.” Shinji didn’t show any fear, but in fact he was scared. He could resist, but he told himself he won’t hurt Ichigo. If he used his full power he might kill him. He preferred to suffer, than take a risk.

Hichigo had an angry expression on his face. He punched Shinji, then did it again, and again. The blood trickled from the vaizard’s nose, but he didn’t produce a single sound while being beaten. It hurt, but he could handle it. He was strong.

The “hollow” didn’t prepare him, didn’t even give a warning. He just freed his erection and thrust it brutally into Hirako’s unwilling body. Shinji couldn’t hold back any longer, and he let out a scream.

“Shut up!” Hichigo slapped him, and started moving.

Stop! Stop that! – Unlike what the hollow said, Ichigo was still there. He saw everything. He saw his lover suffering. Blood, pain, but surprisingly no tears. It seemed Hirako didn’t want to show any emotions. He clenched his teeth and let Hichigo do whatever he wanted. But Ichigo knew it hurt. Hurt like hell. – Leave him alone! Stop doing it to him! I won’t let you! I won’t!

Hichigo landed on the floor, grunting, and holding his head. He looked like he was in pain. After a minute of struggling, Ichigo was back to his normal self.

“Oh my god, Hirako!” Ichigo caressed his lover. Shinji didn’t move, what was quite reasonable considering the wounds. His body was bruised, his nose was bleeding. He was also bleeding from his rectum. “I’m sorry. I wanted to stop him, I swear.” This time Ichigo didn’t hold up and started crying, for the first time in many years.

“I’ll be fine.” Shinji comforted him.

“I’ll call my father. He’s a doctor.”

“There’s no need. I’m not seriously injured.” Hirako stayed calm, but it was obvious he’s in pain.

“But you’re bleeding. At least let me take care of you. I have some basic knowledge about medicine.”

“Fine.”

In the bathroom Ichigo found all he needed. He came back and spilled some alcohol on the gauze.

“It may sting you at first.” He warned and started cleaning Hirako’s wounds.

The blond hissed. It really hurt, especially between his legs. He looked at Ichigo. The boy sniffed and whipped the remaining tears with his cuff.

“Don’t blame yourself, Ichigo. It wasn’t your fault.”

The boy said nothing. He finished his work in silence. Fortunately Hirako’s body wasn’t seriously damaged. Ichigo had been worried that he would have to contact his father or Urahara, and it would be really hard to explain to them what happened. However, it wasn’t necessary. Hirako should heal without professional help.

“I think it’d be better if you stay in bed for a while. Can you walk?”

“Sure.” Shinji managed to stand up, but it wasn’t so easy. Ichigo helped him to get to the bedroom.

“I’ll bring you some clothes.”

Ichigo would do anything to repay Shinji for what had happened, but he realized there wasn’t much he could do.

“I’ll stay with you for the night.” He proposed after dressing him.

“What about your father?”

“I’ll call and tell him I’m staying at Keigo’s.” It was a good idea. At least he could take care of Shinji. But then his expression changed. He looked frightened. “What if the hollow will take control again? You won’t be able to stop him in this state.”

“Don’t worry, he won’t do it.” Hirako looked pretty confident.

“How can you know that?”

“He was sure he got rid of you, and still, you were able to fight him. I think you've won the final battle and he won’t control you ever again.”

“You also thought he wouldn’t hurt you, but he did.”

“Just trust me.”

Ichigo let out a sigh and laid beside Shinji, embracing him from behind.

“You said you wanted to talk with me.” Said Hirako.

“Oh...” Now Ichigo remembered why he’d come. “Well... can we talk about it later?” It wasn’t a good moment.

“No, I want to hear it now.”

It was more difficult then Ichigo thought, but there was no way back.

“I wanted to tell you... that if you won’t quit prostitution, I... I...”

“But I already did.”

The answer surprised Ichigo.

“What?”

“I quited. I don’t do it anymore.”

“But when I phoned you some time ago, there was a man with you.”

“It was my friend, Kensei. He was angry that I didn’t come to vaizards’ meeting.”

“Oh...” Now Ichigo felt really stupid. But happy at the same time. So Shinji also cared about him. Ichigo held him closer. He didn’t want to let him go.


The end