Ladies and Gentlemen

Ladies and Gentlemen 4

**Thank you Sesshomarus-Lover and Prexistence for the lovely reviews! It is appreciated!

Shiro and...Ichi?


It was out of worry and obligation that I crawled into the ambulance to accompany the attractive, unconscious, orange haired stranger to the hospital. Though I have no reasonable account for what compelled me to stay afterward. The doctor had already assured me that the carrot top would be fine, and that it shouldn't take long for him to regain consciousness . She said once they got the boy re-hydrated and brought down his fever, that he could go home. Even after all the assurances, I still can't bring myself to leave. Fishing out my phone, I decided to call in a favor.

"...H-ello?" Wow Grimmjow sounds like shit in the morning.

"Grimm, it's Shiro. I can't make it ta work today. I'm callin' in that favor ya owe me." Looks like having covered for his ass when Daddy dearest was in town is finally paying off.

"Shit...wait, don't you open shop today?"

"Sure do blue, and actually it's a double. Bar 9-6, and stage at 7 and 9. Better start movin' yer ass."

"A little warning would'a been nice, bastard. What's so damn important about today anyway?"

"I'd tell ya, but yer runnin' short on time as it is. Now quit yer bitchin' an' pay up."

"Che, fine but yer fan club ain't gonna be happy. I'll tell 'em that you'll make it up to them so ya better think of somethin' before yer next stage." I grin at that. Of all the strippers at Pleasure Harbor, 'Tenshou' is the most popular. When I first cut back on nights to gain bar experience, a few of the nightly regulars actually held a 'Tenshou Memorial' outside the bar. I still haven't lived that one down.

"S' alright. I'll promise 'em a few stage nights in a row or something." I watch the doors in front of me open and Orange's doctor step through. "Gotta go Grimm, have fun ta' night." Snapping the phone shut I give my attention to the doctor.

"Well, he's awake now and seems to be doing fine. We will wait to make sure the fever stays down before we clear him to leave, but it shouldn't be too much longer. We told him you were in the waiting room, and he said it was fine to send you in. Just through the doors and to the left, room 302." I nodded to the doctor and made my way to the room. Despite coming this far, I was slightly, and uncharacteristically, nervous about meeting the man who fell into my arms earlier this morning. Stopping just outside room 302, I give the butterflies in my stomach a chance to settle before pushing open the door and stepping inside.

Shit, if I couldn't take my eyes off of him when he was unconscious and pale, I'm in big trouble now. With his color returned to a beautiful sun-kissed tan, and those deep honey rich eyes focused in my direction, I, Tensa Shirosaki, was for the first time ever left completely and utterly speechless.


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When I came to, the first thing I noticed was the stiffness in my muscles and my sensitivity to the brightly lit room. Well, at least with the suns blinding rays came the comforting knowledge that I haven't been out long. When my eyes adjusted enough, I located and pressed the nurse's call button. A few minutes later, a middle aged woman with long black, braided hair came in and asked how I was feeling, got some of my basic information, and re-took my temperature.

"Well Kurosaki-kun, it looks like your fever has gone down, and your blood counts are returning to normal. You should be free to leave by this afternoon if all stays well. Is there anyone you would like to call?"

I thought about that. There really wasn't a need to worry my family, and the only person here that was expecting me back today was Chad, but he will be with his grandfather until Sunday. "No, it's alright. As long as I will be okay, there is no need to worry anyone." She nodded and hung the clipboard back on the door.

"Oh, Kurosaki-kun, your friend is in the waiting area, would you like me to send him in?" ...What?

"I'm sorry miss, but what friends could know I'm here?"

"The young man that accompanied you here. He insisted on staying until you regained consciousness, and seemed so worried that I assumed you were friends. I must have been mistaken. I can ask him to leave if it makes you uncomfortable." She looked slightly worried.

"No, it's fine. Please send him in. The least I can do is thank him for taking the time out of his day to help me." She nodded and exited the room. I wonder what this person is like...

A few minutes later the door opened, interrupting my thoughts and strengthening my curiosity. The first thing I noticed was his white hair and skin. It wasn't until my eyes met his golden one's that I recognized him as the man who caught me on the train. He's been waiting on me this whole time? I feel my face heat up in embarrassment when I realize that not only has this gorgeous man seen me at my worst, but had to go out of his way because I failed take care of myself. Belatedly, I notice that he hasn't said anything since he entered the room. Probably waiting for the jerk who ruined his morning to say something.

"Hey, look I am really sorry about this. I normally don't go ruining people's days by fainting into their arms, I swear." He gave an amused smile at that, which if possible made him even more attractive.

"No need to apologize. I really didn't have anything important to do today anyway. Besides, it would take a lot more than an attractive man falling into my arms to ruin my day." With that statement, my previously diminishing blush returned ten fold. He chuckled and took the seat next to the hospital bed.


"Name's Tensa Shirosaki. Just call me Shiro. And you are?" Huh, I was so caught up in my embarrassment that I forgot introductions. "Kurosaki Ichigo." He looked thoughtful for a minute and this had happened enough times where I immediately went on the defensive, "if you call me strawberry, I will hurt you." He hesitated for a minute before almost falling out of his chair laughing.

"Wasn't even thinkin' it. I am now though. You any good in a fight...Strawberry?" I suppose I set myself up for that one, so I guess I will let it slide this once.
"Yeah, I can hold my own. So, if it wasn't to tease me, what had you so deep in thought at the mention of my name?"

He composed himself while answering, "I can't place it, but I know I've heard that name before." Before I got the chance to question him on it, the nurse came back into the room and announced that I was cleared to leave once I filled out the necessary paperwork. Shiro accompanied me to the lobby saying he wanted to be close in case I decided to fall into his arms again. I shook my head.

"You shouldn't tease the sick ya know."

"Hmm, yer right. I'm sorry Ichi. Let me make it up to ya?" Ichi? I was never really a big fan of that nickname, but for some reason it didn't bother me when Shiro used it. How odd. I looked at him skeptically.

"Dunno. What did you have in mind?" I probably shouldn't be out running around, even if I am feeling a lot better right now.

"Nothin' major. Ya are sick so I'm not gonna ask ya for more than ta join me for lunch. An' I'd like to make sure ya make it home ok. Can't go faintin' in strangers arms ya know." Great, I know I won't live that down. At least for as long as he hangs around. Maybe I should get his phone number. I mean he does seem like a pretty cool guy.

"Sure, I will take you up on that, under one condition..." He looked excited.

"Anythin'."

"You let me buy, since I caused you so much trouble today."

Raising an eyebrow he replied, "Sure, under one condition..."

"What's that?"

"I get to buy next time." The thought of 'next time' made me smile.

"It's a deal."