Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters and this plot is solely made up. Warning for gore, blood, boy/boy relationship(s). Those of you who cannot handle a lot of waiting should turn back now. I plan on taking my time with this fanfic, that means character development is a must and chapter updates may come slowly. Please be patient.

-P.

It was dark, and he was breathing heavily. Sweat beaded down his jaw and he tilted his head to wipe his chin on his arm, his eyes never leaving the man who turned slowly around. He recognized the man as his partner.

"Kago?" He asked his voice filled with disbelief.

There was no way, no way in hell that the man he'd been tracking for nearly two months would turn out to be the person he trusted most. This was the man that'd killed all of those people? Beaten, strangled, mauled, burnt; his partner had done all that? How didn't he know this sooner, he was the closest to this man.

"Not you Kago…" His chest felt like a forty pound weight had just been dropped on it. The adrenaline that coursed through his veins put a massive burden on him; he watched his hands shake around his issued .45 glock.

"Yes Ichigo, me." The man, his partner, Kago, said. Even as he said it an insane piano-like smile plastered itself across his face.

Ichigo's stomach flipped again, he felt sick and the amount of sweat he was perspiring increased, especially when Kago, who he trusted most in the world, withdrew a gun from his jacket and aimed it calmly at him. He could feel the color draining from his face when Kago cocked his gun.

"Don't do this Kago, please god don't do this." Ichigo's voice came out hoarse and his throat felt like sandpaper as he swallowed his disbelief.

"Naïve Ichigo, this has to happen, you've seen too much. You know too much. By the end of tonight, one of us won't be leaving this room." Kago's voice was venomous.

Ichigo's shaky grip tightened around his gun, he'd just wound Kago and bring him in. Yea, wounding him was the way to go and once he recovered he could be tried and put to justice. Ichigo had found his resolve.

"Put your gun down Kago, and put your hands behind your head." Ichigo said firmly stilling his shaky hold on his gun.

"Sorry Ichigo, no can do."

A gun went off in the moment.

XXX

Ichigo sat straight up in bed woken by his own strained cry. His bed sheets were tangled around his waist and legs and his chest glistened with a light sheet of sweat. The orangette cupped his face with his hands massaging reality back into the tense muscles.

"Just a dream." He murmured into his palms. A small canine whine came from the foot of his bed.

"Come on up Tez." Ichigo patted the bed and listened to the small jingle of the dog's license and then felt the weight of the mattress shift a bit. Tez's muzzle poked Ichigo in the chest then drifted up to lick his cheek.

"Worried about me huh boy?" Ichigo whispered rubbing the dog behind its ears.

"I'm alright now, it was just a dream."

He looked over to his beds nightstand and read the blue digits on his clock.

6:23 am huh? Guess I should get up and go to work.

Ichigo dragged his feet to the side of his queen size bed and shuffled out from within his warm sheets. His feet planted on the cold dark-wood floor he stood and stretched, wearing nothing but his silver chain necklace.

With Tez bumping into his legs Ichigo made his way down the hall and into his bathroom, his hand fumbled for the light switch, finding it he flipped it on momentarily blinding himself. He squinted after rubbing the sleep away from his dark-ringed eyes. Ichigo looked at himself in the mirror rubbing the back of his neck and then smoothing his other hand over his stubble covered jaw.

"Good morning handsome." Ichigo muttered to himself, in truth he looked like shit. His eyes looked aged from the sleepless nights he's been having, his stubble had started to curl slightly; how many days has it been since he last shaved? He hadn't had a clue.

Reaching for his razor and shaving cream he squirted a generous amount into the palm of his hand before lathering his face with the white cream. Turning on the faucet he forgot all about his nudity, but he was alright with that he'd always slept nude. Returning his attention back to the matter at hand he pressed the razor against his upper jaw dragging it down to his chin in one swift motion.

Five minutes later he was leaning over the toilet taking a leak. One shake, two shakes, done. He roamed back into his bedroom gathering a fresh pair of clothes; tattered dark jeans, socks, a clean pair of boxer-briefs and a grey t-shirt. He pressed the grey t-shirt to his nose smelling it for some sort of sign that it wasn't washed.

He shrugged his shoulder with a kind of 'Eh' attitude. It smelled clean, and didn't appear to have any stains. Ichigo made his way back down the hall and into his bathroom shutting the door behind him so that Tez was left out in the hallway.

Ichigo turned on the shower, the water already hot and steaming up the bathroom in seconds. He turned and yanked a fresh towel from the closet shelf, setting his clothes on the marble-topped counter. He drifted his hand under the hot water testing it for his satisfaction. After he deemed it good enough he stepped between the glass doors and slid it shut behind him.

Hot water poured down his back and chest as he shifted under the showerhead. His toned muscles flexed with each movement, he grabbed the shampoo and soaped up his orange locks repeating the same motion with the conditioner.

XXX

After dressing himself he threw his towel over his head, drying the orange mass. Leaving the towel on top of his head he wiped his ears and headed out into his kitchen. He passed by his nicely furnished living room; it contained an over-stuffed black vinyl couch with two square-shaped chairs to match. His eyes drifted over the tinted glass coffee table that sat in the middle of all the unused furniture, covered with newspapers and old Chinese food cartons. His nose scrunched with disgust. Finally he looked at the overly-priced flat screen TV that hadn't been used as much as he hoped when buying the damn thing.

He sighed wiping his other ear as he continued towards his kitchen. Sunlight glared through the windows that lined the east and west side of the room, with Ichigo entering through the south. Along the north side of the kitchen stood a stainless steel fridge with a pull out bottom drawer and two doors that opened like wings at the top. Next to it was an electric black-glass-topped stove, both appliances were surrounded by dark marble top counters, to finish the room off there was a marble topped island that was dead center in the room. Like all the other rooms in his house, except his bathroom which was tile, the floor was a darker-polished wood.

He tossed the damp towel on the back of one of the island chairs before walking over to the fridge and pulling out a small package of bacon and two eggs. He set a frying pan on the right front burner and turned the dial to medium-high, he waited a couple minutes letting the pan heat. While he waited he press the button to the answering machine and listened to the twelve missed voicemails.

Six messages from his dad, reminding him about Karin and Yuzu's birthday this weekend.

"We're all looking forward to seeing you Ichigo, we miss you. Bye."

The remaining six were from his friends Orihime Inoue, Uryu Ishida, Sado 'Chad' Yasutora and Renji Abari; all were saying how excited they were for the twins' birthday this weekend and Orihime couldn't wait to see Ichigo.

He saw Uryu, Chad and Renji weekly since they all had joined the police force also. Uryu was the medical examiner that autopsied the victim's bodies and gave reports to the investigators assigned to the cases. Chad and Renji were both detectives along with Ichigo they all worked in the same station, but the three had different partners. Well, except Ichigo for the time being, his Chief has been telling him to look for a new partner.

"It's not safe to work alone, you need backup." Chief Yamamoto patronized.

"I'm doing just fine on my own."

"Ichigo, it's been almost two months. Let it go."

"Yea, yea."

Ichigo pulled himself from his thoughts feeling his chest tighten, he shook his head and returned to the now heated pan. He cracked the eggs and pulled six pieces of bacon from the packaging, laying them evenly in the frying pan. He returned the left over raw-bacon to the fridge and grabbed a spatula from the drawer to the right of the stove.

Tez bumped against his leg reminding Ichigo that he had yet to feed him. He quickly placed a bowl of dog food out and refilled the small bowl of water for the German Sheppard.

Ichigo made quick work of his breakfast, quickly plating it and then scarfing it down when he looked at the clock on the wall. He grabbed his phone off the charger pocketing the device and then sliding on his expensive-looking watch, snapping the clasp shut he pulled the jacket off the coat rack and even quicker shoved his feet into his boots lacing them up.

Finally he dash through the hallway and grabbed his car keys from the dish that was placed on the wooden table. He turned the houses security on and shut the door, locking it with the house key. The older lady next door waved at him from her garden as he unlocked his imported black charger.

Ichigo could afford his life in semi-luxury, he was frugal for most of his college life and quickly got a job as an investigative detective at the department he's been working for nearly six years now. Ichigo earned quite a sum of money since he had the degree that he did, and halfway through his college experience he brought down a burglar and got the reward money; which was about fifty grand.

After paying off his college tuition he divided up the rest between Yuzu and Karin making sure they only had to keep a part-time job throughout college for food.

Ahh yes, life was good for Ichigo, but his job came with a price. Not a currency price, but a price far more valuable to a human being. Their sanity. For nearly six years Ichigo put the bad guys away, from rapists to serial killers to arsonists. But the last big case he worked on it had cost him his partner.

XXX

Ichigo parked in the same spot he had for the past four years from when he got his promotion from desk-jockey to on-the-scene detective. That promotion had earned him the respect he got today, everyone feared him; he was rarely approached to 'just chat' and if he was it was from his childhood friends or unfortunately some of the other detectives who he much less cared for.

He unbuckled his seat belt and swung the black door open, catching it just before it hit the car next to him. Ichigo grabbed his laptop case and jacket from the passenger seat and pocketed his keys before dragging himself from the car. He then stretched catching the gasps and awes from the women who worked within the building. Ignoring them he shut the car door and headed inside.

The building was about eight stories tall including the underground parking lot. He ignored the long line to the elevator and took the stairs, running up them two at a time. Without breaking a sweat he reached the seventh floor, after taking a minute to compose himself; brushing off his shirt and readjusting the hold on his laptop, he pushed through the door.

"Good morning Detective Kurosaki." The levels secretary greeted him, she was blonde with a nice bust and had tried to invite him over numerous times but mixing work with pleasure was a no-no.

Ichigo was fairly popular with women, but he hadn't dated anyone since college, even now he couldn't remember the girl's name. He made it a rule not to sleep with someone he worked with it'd complicate too many things and he didn't need complications in his life.

Not that all women he'd come across were complications, he just didn't have the time for them or even on the side. All he had time for was work and to take care of himself and occasionally see his family on the holidays, but sometimes he couldn't even do that.

He grunted a greeting and opened the glass door to the room filled with eight desks, seven of which were in use as of today. Ichigo sat in the desk farthest from the entrance with his back against the windowless wall. The desk in front of his was the only empty one, it used to belong to his deceased partner.

The remaining six desks paired in twos belonged to the rest of the detectives in the building; Renji, Chad, Ulquiorra Cifer, Nnoritra Gilga, Gin Ichimaru and Starrk Coyote. Renji partnered with Nnoitra, Chad partnered with Starrk and Ulquiorra paired with Gin. Leaving Ichigo partner-less.

It wasn't that bad that Ichigo was alone, some days, he preferred working solo now. He didn't have to worry about the other person getting in the way or fucking something up on the crime scene. He could just do the things that needed to be done, and do it his way, no arguments no over-thinking. On other days though, he could use the company, those days are the worst.

The days when Ichigo can't be fucked with anything, he needed to be kicked in the ass to even get out of the bed in the mornings. He'd go the full twenty-four hours without so much as drinking anything. Those days were the worst and they'd been coming more often, suffocating him slowly with his own self hate. One time it got really bad.

Renji and Chad had shown up at his door after a week of missed work, they'd complained about what he looked like. Hair stuck up in all directions, dirty unkempt clothing, big dark rings under his eyes from sleepless nights. Only a week after losing his partner and he'd become that bad.

Ichigo shook the thought from his mind and continued past the bodies already seated in their desks, not very many bodies at that. It was only Chad, Gin and from the desk lamp that was on Starrk as well; Starrk was probably sleeping on the couch in the break room. He was good at his job and was always there when needed already caught up in the investigation so Ichigo had no complaints. In fact he looked up to the older gentleman, he was skilled in shooting long range and close range. Not to mention he did his job very well and had given Ichigo a warm welcome when he'd first started.

Chad looked up from his computer his chocolate brown hair parting over one equally brown eye, he lifted his chin greeting the orangette silently. Ichigo returned the slight head nod as he passed the rest of the desks.

That's how the two of them communicated, silence. Chad could remain completely silent through a whole conversation and Ichigo would still know his feelings on the topic of discussion. He'd grown up with Chad, fighting alongside one another saving each other's asses time and time again.

"Good morning Berry-kun." The low baritone voice that he knew belonged to Gin greeted him.

He set his belongs on his desk chair before flipping the silver haired investigator off watching as the man feigned being physically hurt by holding his hand over his chest where his heart was - if the bastard even had a heart.

Ichigo worked a few cases with Gin before; they didn't work well together at all. Gin would tease him and then solve the case way before he had even gotten to the scene. He hated being upstaged but Gin knew just how to do it. And like Starrk, he could get the job done quickly.

He shuddered remembering the humiliation he suffered last year on his birthday. Shaking his head he pushed the memory to the back of his mind and pulled his laptop from the bag.

On his desk he had two separate piles of paperwork, the shit he'd gotten done and needed to send off and the shit he needed to get done. The pile of 'shit' he needed to get done was slightly less than the pile of 'shit' he had done. In truth Ichigo avoided sending off his things until the last minute, he didn't like talking to people or giving them time to send his reports back to be edited when he'd only had a few mistakes. That was their job to do, not Ichigo's.

That was another frustration that came with the job though, people not doing their jobs. All the secretaries would gawk at the officers, making small talk with the others and gossiping about the recent fashions or complimenting one another on their hair, sometimes Ichigo caught a bit of their conversation. He hadn't liked what he heard and made a mental note to start repeating song lyrics when he passed by so that he didn't catch anything.

He quickly flipped open his laptop so that he could get some work in before this morning's meeting. New cases to be assigned, hopefully he'd get assigned to something more difficult than last week's string of robberies and assaults. Not that he minded doing those small jobs, he just wanted something more challenging this time around, something to distract him.

That's what Ichigo needed right now, a distraction.

The door opened alerting the three already working men that more of their colleagues had finally shown up and not a minute too soon either, Ichigo read the time off his watch, it was nearly nine am.

He grabbed the finished reports from his 'done shit' pile and left the room and delivered them to the secretary telling her which file went to whom. After she wrote it down Ichigo went back to his desk and sat in his chair. Renji, Nnoritra and Ulquiorra had joined the earlier trio and were either opening their laptops, grabbing coffee, or putting together their copies at the printer.

"Morning Ichigo." Ulquiorra greeted with his usual emotionless voice.

"Morning Ulquiorra, how's the kidnapping case going?" Ichigo asked folding his arms across his chest as he reclined in his chair.

"Same as it has been, he said she said. This little girl has been missing for nearly twenty-four hours and the two parents have nothing to say but to blame each other, even Gin's irritated by the lack of information." He finished his statement by rubbing his temples, files in one hand.

"Oii Gin, can't solve this one 'ne?" Ichigo teased.

"Shaddup Carrot top." Ichigo's eye twitched at the nickname.

"Prick." Gin smiled widely at the comment knowing he'd won the small bicker, which pissed Ichigo off more. He turned back to the pale man standing awkwardly between them.

"You'll get a lead within the day, the wife's gonna crack with guilt before too long. I'd bet on it." Ichigo said freely waving his hand about.

"There's no evidence pertaining to the woman though."

"Well, if the couple's fighting no doubt the wife has a secret account. Check the bank statements on there no doubt in my mind that she hired someone to snatch the kid up and then pin it on the husband. Or just switch around the idea to make the husband the bad guy. Either way it's one of them." Ichigo watched the pale man's lips struggle from smiling.

"Gin said you'd say that, he's looking into it now actually." Ichigo frowned as the pale man made his way back to his desk. He looked over to the silver haired man who was smiling at him cheerfully. Again the orangette flipped him off.

Ichigo closed his eyes and sat up in his chair, his desk phone rang loudly startling him. He banged his knee underneath his desk earning a string on laughter around the room as he cursed under his breath. After a few more rings he lifted the receiver to his ear.

"Detective Kurosaki speaking."

"Ichigo! Sorry to call you at work, you weren't answering your cell phone or house phone." Yuzu's voice drifted into Ichigo's ear.

"Ahh sorry, I haven't been home much. Lots of cases have been piling up, you know how it is." Ichigo turned from the numerous glances drifting his way.

"Oh it's no big deal, Karin and I are wondering if you're still going to make it down this weekend?" He could practically see Yuzu crossing her fingers and holding her breath.

"Hmm, I think so. I've never missed you two's birthday before now have I?" He laughed scratching his neck. Ichigo felt the stares burning holes into the back of his head, everyone except Chad and Renji had yet to meet his younger sisters. Although they knew what the two of them looked like from the family picture sitting on Ichigo's desk. They'd also heard a few childhood stories about the two of them not from Ichigo though, Renji was the one with the big mouth.

"Ichigo? Are you busy?" Yuzu's voice pulled him from his thoughts. He'd completely missed whatever Yuzu had just said.

"Oh… sorry, what did you say?" Ichigo asked dodging the paper ball that was thrown at him, the pitcher left anonymous.

"I can't wait to see you, it's been a long time and my hair's pretty long now. I've been growing it out." Ichigo smiled at the thought of his matured little sister, man how long has it been? Since Christmas that's for sure, he was working a hard case just before that with Kago and they'd nearly missed the holiday because of it.

Another pang etched its way into Ichigo's mind. Why'd he have to remember that at a time like this?

"Same here Yuzu, I've got to go though. Meeting in about five minutes, I'll call you after work sound good?" He listened to her quick goodbye before setting his phone back on its holder.

"I can't wait to see you Oni-chan." Renji taunted from behind Ichigo.

"Stuff it fire crotch." Ichigo hissed grabbing his laptop and his meeting journal. The small comment earned him a hard punch on the shoulder and a round of laughter from all the others.

"It's time for the meeting." Chad stated joining the two of them.

XXX

Somehow Ichigo knew this day wasn't going to be his day when he first woke up. With the dream he had and the shitty cases he was being assigned at the moment nothing was going to turn the day.

It was going to be one of those days.

"There's no big case to work?" Ichigo asked resting his pen next to his opened journal, the page filled with black ink scribbles and notes.

"Unfortunately no Ichigo, there is no big chaos to fix this week." Kenpachi, his captain replied sarcastically.

Ichigo was tempted to flip the superior off had the Chief not sat in on today's meeting.

"So then I guess the meeting's over and I can go back to my desk. I could jump for joy right now." The room remained quiet until the older man starting laughing.

The Chief, Yamamoto, was like a second father to Ichigo, not necessarily treating him like a special brown-noser, but keeping Ichigo in his place and giving him small tips to make himself of better use when times were slow. Even when Kago died Yamamoto didn't sugar-coat things with Ichigo, Yamamoto had directed the investigation against Ichigo to better prove Ichigo innocent of the charges against him.

Another depressing thought, way to go Ichigo. He thought to himself watching Yamamoto stand from his seat.

"No you can't go back to your desk yet Ichigo." Yamamoto said clearing his voice and motioning for his assistant to come closer so he could give her secret instructions. At least that's what he always did in a meeting that he joined. Again Ichigo never questioned it and only took it as a blessing he didn't have to run those errands for Yamamoto, surely his assistant was overworked.

As the woman left the room a few eyes followed her, she was quite beautiful after all. Ichigo sighed waiting for her to return. The meeting wouldn't go on without her in it, nor would it go on if any of the detectives weren't in the room yet, that's how it always was.

The orangette drummed his fingers on the mahogany table impatiently. Silence again fell over the room threatening to strangle everyone in it like a snake strangled its prey. Finally the assistant reentered the room, but this time not alone.

Ichigo's jaw nearly dropped when the man stopped in front of the door letting it swing close again. The man stood six foot five, no he was closer to five foot six in Ichigo's mind. His height wasn't what had drawn Ichigo's attention, it was his hair - the color of the sky on a bright sunny day.

"This is Detective Grimmjow Jaggerjaquez, he's joining our department as of today and will be your new partner Ichigo." Ichigo stilled turning to the old man once again, just like earlier this morning he felt all eyes on him once again.

"This guy's a newb, Old man Yama. Send him back, I'd work faster alone." Ichigo stated clearly rising from his chair.

"Newb?" Everyone seemed to stiffened at the deep, gruff voice that growled in his direction.

"Sit down." Yamamoto instructed. The bearded man had one eye open and was staring daggers into Ichigo's soul, he quickly reclaimed his seat. "Grimmjow is far from being a newb, Ichigo. If you had looked through the stacks of paperwork on your desk more than once a week you'd have noticed there was a certain file with his Jacket in it."

Ichigo felt the words slap him hard across the face, his shoulders folded inward. This old man could make a man older than himself feel like he was a subspecies to an ant.

"I'll look at it after the meeting." Ichigo looked at his wrist watch it read 10:34a.m.

"Then you are dismissed, and Ichigo." Ichigo stopped from standing looking at Kenpachi. "Try to treat him kindly, he's rather useful and you're a dick."

Ichigo pursed his lips at the spiky haired man, if only old man Yama wasn't in the room or at least had his back turned. The other detectives muffled their laughs at Ichigo, even Ulquiorra was having trouble keeping his usual composure.

Oh yes, today was not his day.

XXX

Ichigo dumped the journal onto his desk much more carefully placing his laptop back in its normal spot. Dragging a hand down his face he looked at the blue haired beast across from him and then his gaze dropped to the second picture on his desk. The picture was of his ex-partner and two younger sisters. His arms around both Yuzu and Karin's neck, each girl held a peace sign and wore a million dollar smile.

Ichigo felt a small smile tug at the corner of his lips, and it soon turned to a frown when he looked over to see his new partner surrounded by everyone, everyone but him. Chad was smiling at the blunette obviously something funny was said or it was just an affect Grimmjow had, Renji actually patted the man on the back welcoming the stranger with open arms. Then there was Gin, Starrk, Nnoitra, even Ulquiorra was standing with a wide smile.

Welcoming him with open arms indeed. Ichigo thought with a frown as his eyes looked down at his desk again, he saw a manila folder on the stack of 'Shit to do'.

Must be Grimmjow's Jacket that the old man talked about.

He grabbed the file slowly opening and scanning the contents. A jacket was an officer's, or detective's, records, it withheld their accomplishments, reprimands, cases investigated and solved. That's when Ichigo looked up from the file to the blunette and then back.

"Two hundred seventy-eight cases investigated, two hundred seventy-six cases solves." Ichigo muttered to himself. This guy really was a monster; that topped even Ichigo's record.

But wait how long has he been on the fields?

"Nearly five years…" Ichigo's eyebrows pulled together, the newb had been working for a couple months less than Ichigo and have so many more cases solved than him. Ichigo didn't know whether to feel anxious about his career's future or depressed over his career's past. He chose the latter, closing the file he sank in his seat, folded his arms, and sulked.

"It's not very often that I get to see you pout Ichigo." A light feminine voice whispered next to his ear. He caught orange from the corner of his eye and relaxed from being startled.

"Orihime, you shouldn't sneak up on someone who isn't paying attention. One day I might have PTSD and attack you or something." He joked turning to face the busty younger woman.

Orihime was a florist and usually came by to see Ichigo, bringing flowers for all the detectives and even Kenpachi. Her job really suited her, she was so sweet and still very beautiful that would never go away for her.

"You'd never hurt me Ichigo." She assured with a small smile and pat on Ichigo's shoulder.

She'd always been gentle to Ichigo, in high school they'd been best friends, still were. He remembered men gawking at her all the time, it'd infuriate him but back then he was pretty loose with his fists and would kick anyone's ass that would even look at her inappropriately. Like Karin and Yuzu, she was practically family and he protected family.

"What are you here for today Orihime?" Ichigo asked almost wishing he could take back the question when her face contorted with mixed emotions.

"I was told to come here to be questioned, a witness to something or something. Actually they told me to talk to you, 'Detective Kurosaki will fill you in, I'm aware that he's an old friend so you might be more comfortable speaking with him.'" She waved a small hand in front of her face still frowning.

"I haven't been tol—" Ichigo was interrupted by his desk phone ringing loudly making both him and Orihime flinch. He really needed to get a quieter phone, this made him feel like a paranoid schizophrenic.

He pulled the phone to his ear muttering his usual 'Detective Kurosaki speaking'. He hmmed and ahhed, opening his journal to write down the small facts, and froze when he heard the details.

Homicide, female late 30's out walking her dog, someone found her dog a couple blocks away with its throat ripped out. She more or less was in a bad condition herself, although being dead is probably the worst. Not raped. Single blow to the head and she bled out slowly.

He put the phone back on the receiver and looked towards Orihime slowly. She hadn't been the one to find her, had she?

"Well, I've been filled in." Ichigo rose from his chair, he towered over the five foot four woman as he led her away journal and pen in his other hand. She wore a white sundress and had a sunhat in hand, the dress showed off her curves.

Don't get him wrong, Ichigo loves curves on woman. It was more pleasing than rubbing a bone on more bone, besides curvy women were the best they looked and felt soft. He drifted his arm around her shoulder as they walked, it was more of a protective hold but you could misread it had you not known him for a long time.

"Let's go to the break room its private and I can get you something to drink while I get your statement." He spoke as they walked past the group of welcomers, although the group had now gone silent a heavy atmosphere replacing the happy one.

They all knew what was up. A murder. That's the only time they ever had witnesses in their office area, other than that they'd be called to the scene and they'd take the statements there. He got a small look from Chad silently asking if anything was wrong, Ichigo pursed his lips. Yes something was very wrong. Normally Orihime was the bouncy energetic girl. Always bringing up everyone's spirits, now she was just barely smiling anyone who knew her would know something was up.

Ichigo caught Grimmjow walking towards him and ushered Orihime into the room telling her to take a seat as he closed the door and turned back to the blunette.

"What do we have?" Grimmjow asked lowly.

"We don't have anything. I have a homicide witness to speak with, so if you'd excuse me." Ichigo was pulling open the door just when a big hand closed it shut again and turned him around forcefully.

"We have a case to work, Partner. I won't have your petty lone-wolf shit getting in the way of me doing my job correctly." Ichigo seemed to shrink beneath Grimmjow's gaze but swallowing his small intimidation of the man he twisted from the man's grip, with a little more effort than he thought he'd need.

"Listen, you and I we're not a thing. You do your shit, I'll do mine." He snapped. Ichigo's impression of this man was slowly fading to black as anger clouded his thoughts. He pushed away from the door making the larger man take a few steps back.

He obviously liked his space but didn't mind invading others. The thought alone could piss Ichigo off for months if he dwelled on it. Before he could do anything he turned back to the door and opened it, replacing his frown with a wide smile when Orihime's smile caught his attention.

Ichigo stepped into the small room ready to shut the door when Grimmjow pushed his way in. He found himself frowning again as he watched the blunette close the door and take his seat in the chair opposite of Orihime. His eyes looked like they could kill anyone with a look, but the rest of his face remained plain.

Ichigo couldn't read him at all, he settled into the seat on the couch beside Orihime and ran a hand through his hair again before opening his journal to a blank page and clicking his pen once.

"You want anything to drink Orihime?" Grimmjow asked Orihime.

"Water please." She replied softly with a small smile.

"Always water with you, you're like the flowers you grow." Ichigo chuckled.

"You two know each other?" Grimmjow questioned and before Ichigo could answer Orihime beamed at the blunette.

"Yes, Ichigo and I have known each other since High school." Orihime's smile returned completely the thoughts that plagued her smothered by a happier time. "Chad, I mean Detective Yasutora and Detective Abari went to high school with us too. I think you'll meet Uryu soon though, he's the medical examiner, right Ichigo?"

"Yea." Ichigo said feeling Grimmjow look at him before moving his gaze back to Orihime. He filled a paper cup with water and handed it to Orihime before taking his seat again.

"Well, that answers a bit. I heard a few stories about Detective Kurosaki here. Hot headed, loner, pessimistic, a true opportunist and hopelessly rude." Grimmjow smiled at Orihime his overly size canines peeking Ichigo's interest.

Turning to Orihime he watched as she smiled back at Grimmjow, she too welcoming him with open arms. Ichigo's irritation with the newbie returning in full, again the man had been welcomed without so much as a second glance.

Ichigo's welcoming here hadn't been quite so warm, he'd been teased and patronized about his hair. He was used to it though, everyone thought he dyed it. It wasn't his hair that had made his welcoming here shit. It was that he had no idea how to act around the lot of men. Especially when they irritated him, he'd been taught never to pussy-foot around a problem, because the problem would never go away unless there was something done about it. That mindset had gotten him into a bit of trouble from time to time, speaking out of place, pointing out a flaw in someone's thinking. Little things like that would set off something in some of the older detectives, whom were now retired.

"Sorry to ruin the small talk Orihime, would you answer a few questions? I realize what you saw might have been traumatic, please try your best to answer them." Ichigo spoke softly.

"I'll do my best." There was that smile again, half-hearted and distressed. Ichigo frowned again, sometimes his job really sucked.

"Explain what you saw then, please." Orihime nodded before going into an elaborate explanation about her morning, starting with her odd breakfast. Grimmjow's nose curled but Ichigo remained indifferent, writing down key points, oblivious to the abnormality of her diet. She then told him how she'd come upon the dog's body, she thought she heard something whimpering and went to investigate, although her actions were dangerous and reckless Ichigo ignored the instinct to scold her.

"There was so much blood Ichigo, the poor dog. I called the police not sure who else to call, I asked to talk to you but the woman at the desk said you were in a meeting and had other officers dispatched to my location. When I entered the building I overheard the secretaries gossiping about someone being found only blocks away from where I was? Are they alright? Was that their dog, the one that I found?" Ichigo stilled at the question fighting an inner battle to tell her the truth and to lie.

He could tell her they were fine, but when she found out in the news he'd have hell to pay. He frowned at her shaking his head.

"I can't really tell you the details Orihime, the case being as new as it is. Either way I still wouldn't be able to tell you, it being a case and all…" Ichigo's drifted off leaving Orihime to process his words.

"I see. Do you have any more questions?" Orihime asked softly after a small amount of time had passed.

"Uh, no not that I can think of. I can always ask you later though." Ichigo closed his journal sliding his eyes to the fire-eyed blunette.

If looks could kill.

Grimmjow cocked his head to the side before saying, "I don't believe I caught your last name."

"Inoue." Orihime smiled at him softly before setting her cup down and standing. "I should get going, the shop opens at one."

"I'll see you out then." Ichigo stood with her stretching slightly.

"You're getting old Ichigo." Orihime teased.

"It comes with the job." Ichigo watched as she stopped in front of the door and turned emotions flickered over her face; pain and concern being the only ones Ichigo could make out.

Before he could ask what was wrong she swung the break room door open and started to walk again. A few brisk strides and he was at her side opening the offices' door for her.

Ichigo caught Nnoitra staring after her and threw a murderous glance his way. He'd been caught and would get an earful when Ichigo returned.

Ichigo shut the office door behind them and returned his attention to Orihime. Her heels clicked against the floor as they made their way to the elevator. He reached past her and pressed the down button watching the elevator light change from the first floor to the second and then stopping on the third floor.

"Grimmjow's your new partner then?" Orihime asked breaking the silence. Ichigo scratched his chin nodding.

"Yeah, Old man Yama introduced him during this morning's meeting."

"Are you okay with that?" Ichigo was surprised with the question. Was he okay with it? Hell no.

He shrugged turning towards his childhood friend. "He's good at what he does, from what I can tell."

"Ichigo…" Ichigo knew from her tone what she was about to say.

"No he's not Kago, I know this." His voice had risen a bit with irritation and the people that passed by stopped their conversations and quickened their paces. Orihime frowned touching his arm then changed the subject as the elevator arrived with a ding.

"Yuzu and Karin's birthday is this weekend. I'm so excited maybe Karin will let me dress her up for once." Ichigo laughed at that, a sound so sweet it turned heads.

"Karin wouldn't let you near her with anything sparkly or pink and you know it." Ichigo laughed even harder as the elevator doors closed and the thought of Karin in some big frilly ball gown crossed his mind.

XXX

Ichigo rubbed his jaw feeling stubble already forming. He'd been back and forth from his laptop to the printer and then back for about the third time since Grimmjow had left to go get the autopsy report, brushing off Ichigo's offer to go with him. Irritated by the way Grimmjow had taken over Ichigo let him go alone hoping the Elevator would break down and the blue haired ass would get stuck in it for hours.

Frustrated from the long wait Ichigo scattered the pile of undone papers on his desk he was ready to pull out his hair. Looking at the photo of his ex-partner on his desk he frowned again.

"Kago, what would you have done?" Ichigo finally stood from his desk stuffing the undone papers in his bag. He glanced at the watch on his wrist noticing it was nearly six pm, time to go home. How long was that bastard going to take?

World Ichigo had already finished delivering his reports to the secretary and was waiting for the elevator just when the door opened and out stepped Mr. Take-All-The-Time-In-The-World.

"Took your fucking time." Ichigo snapped drawing the secretary's attention.

"Ishida took his time with introductions, and then I researched a bit, calm down Carrot top." Ichigo's mouth tightened in a fine line at the nickname.

Ichigo readjusted the strap on his shoulder angrily, grinding his teeth together. Finally he pushed past the taller man blocking his way and into the elevator hitting the button marked 'B'.

"Where are you going?"

"Home."

"We have a case to work." Grimmjow argued.

"Well newbie, gather the research you so greatly appreciate taking your time getting. I'm going home." The elevator doors started closing Grimmjow held them open.

"Newbie?" Grimmjow smirked down at Ichigo making him feel rather small, again. Puffing his face Ichigo sized the blunette up putting on his best smile.

"A new person, naïve to the job, beginner, small fish." Ichigo elaborated making Grimmjow's smile only widen.

"Says the kid that has a 180 to 240 solved cases." Ichigo's anger flared at the taller man's words, "Also, it seems you're the small fish here."

"Hey guys…" Someone attempted to get between the two as they sized one another up.

Ichigo felt his face getting hot with anger watching his Partner remaining completely composed while he was a hotheaded mess. Irritated with himself he grabbed Grimmjow by the collar and pulled his face down to his height.

"I may not be taller than you, or have as many solved cases as you. But I can kick your ass to Tokyo and back." Ichigo snarled.

"I'd like to see you try, Carrot top."

"Ichigo calm down." Chad warned Ichigo, him being the person who attempted to stop the two of them earlier. His tanned hand landed on Ichigo's shoulder calming him before he threw the first punch.

"Piss off." Ichigo muttered shaking the hand off. "Have fun with the newbie, I'm heading home."

"Have a good night, Carrot top." Ichigo silently flipped the man off as he left go of the elevator doors.

One of those days indeed. Ichigo thought to himself when he felt his shoulder slump as he leaned back against the cool metal that lined the inside of the elevator car.

*.*

"Unbelievable, he's the brat I get partnered with? I thought I was a detective not a babysitter."

"He's rough around the edges and going through a hard time right now." The tall darker-skinned man said almost apologetically. If he remembered correctly this was Chad, childhood friend of Ichigo as he remembered the busty girl's words from earlier.

"I have a feeling it's more than just a little rough around the edges." Grimmjow tightened his grip on the papers he'd gathered earlier pertaining to the case he was supposed to be working on with that Brat.

He waited for more to be said from the brunette, after about two minutes of silence he shook his head and headed back into the office to his desk. He flopped into his chair and resumed his earlier work.

"Go easy on 'im okay? He's had a hard life." The older man known as Starrk said through a yawn.

"Everyone who has a hard life would rather not be treated differently because of it." Grimmjow muttered over his shoulder.

Grimmjow rubbed his neck and searched through the stack of papers he'd accumulated. Reading the autopsy report first he made himself comfortable for the next three hours of reading and thinking.

Hard life huh? How hard was hard.

XXX

Ichigo shoved his hands in his pockets making his way across the parking lot and into a small bar he frequented. When he said small, it was a little larger than what you'd usually think, it was a bar made for dancing that's for sure. Ichigo reached for the door handle and could already hear the blaring music which blared louder as the door was opened and he was enveloped into the noise.

Avoiding the crowd dancing he slinked on the edge of the room to the bar where he recognized an old friend of his pouring shots left and right. He stared after the gentleman who took the shots back to his group of friends.

Being noticed by his old friend his lip curved in a slight smile and he closed the space between him and the bar in a couple strides, dodging the oblivious dancing bodies and women that tried to get his attention. Taking his usual seat he slid onto the stool with a confident ease.

"Those kids are going to ruin their kidneys." Was the first thing spoken between the two. Ichigo watched the raven-blue haired man look up, a strip of silver tape ran along his left cheek and over his nose and on his cheek was there was the number sixty-nine tattooed. Shuuhei Hisagi, a very good and old friend of his.

"Can I get a whiskey?"

"And you say they're going to ruin their kidneys." His smooth voice soothed Ichigo's memories of the fighter that stood before him dressed in a black turtleneck sweater and dark blue jeans. "You haven't come here for awhile, Detective Kurosaki." A smirk slid over his features.

"Shuuhei, you know how I like you to call me Ichigo." Ichigo visibly pouted accepting the drink that was handed to him and then pulling a few bills from his wallet before slipping it back into his pocket.

"The job been keeping you busy Ichigo?" Shuuhei asked leaning on the counter.

"You could say that I'm married to the job, for better or for worse." Ichigo laughed together with his old friend then threw back the glass of whiskey.

"Had a bad day huh?"

"Got a new partner." Ichigo said setting the glass back down.

"Oh my, what are they like?" Shuuhei asked with interest.

"He's a giant Smurf. Yea, exactly like a smurf, but over sized. At least that's what his hair reminds me of. And everyone thinks my hair's wild. From what I can tell he's an asshole, and takes his sweet fucking time gathering information without even telling me what he's doing. Leave it to the newbie's." Shuuhei's laughter stopped him from continuing with his rant, he frowned inwardly twiddling his thumbs.

"Give him a chance to grow on ya'. You're a bit hard on the kid, I bet he'll do ya' some good." Shuuhei sauntered away to greet another customer quickly putting together their order.

Grow on him? Definitely not. He'd be gone before the week was over Ichigo was sure of it.

Carrot top. Ichigo clenched his teeth remembering the distasteful nickname the bastard had called him. He hadn't worked his ass off for the past six years to be nicknamed Carrot-fucking-top. Damn that silver haired, blue eyed fucker.

"Glare any harder at that empty glass and it might just melt." A woman slid into the seat next to him, her skirt any higher and Ichigo would see the color of her panties, if she even wore any. "You have a name handsome?"

"I prefer to remain anonymous." Ichigo waved at Shuuhei to come over, meanwhile the woman was on a mission, blatantly crossing her legs offering Ichigo a little peep show. His eyes remained on the empty glass in his hand, even when the woman touched his shoulder affectionately.

"I'm Harribel, it's a pleasure Mr. Anonymous." Ichigo turned towards the woman for the first time. Her blonde hair was pulled back and what Ichigo had thought was a shirt was actually a very short black dress. Her enormous chest was what caught Ichigo off guard, you didn't see a lot of women with chests this size. Orihime was the only other woman he knew of with this size.

"Miss Harribel, it's been a nice chat but I'll be taking my leave." Ichigo slid off the barstool withdrawing his wallet again and placing down two fives. "Shuuhei, would you kindly get this lady another drink of whatever that gave her to confidence to talk to me."

Ichigo turned and walked straight into what felt like a brick wall, it wasn't in fact it was a giant. At least that's what Ichigo thought of the beefy man.

"Miss Harribel was speaking with you." He said as if it were a threat. He looked over his shoulder not at the woman, he completely ignored the sly smile that had made its way to her face, no he looked at his old friend Shuuhei.

"Sorry about the chair Shuuhei, bill me okay?" Ichigo said just as the bulky man grabbed his shoulder. Ichigo grabbed the man's wrist wrenching it awkwardly before smacking the man's head into the bar stool watching the wooden legs it stood on crack beneath the force.

The chair was ruined, and it had been his favorite. Ichigo had the sudden urge to mourn over the loss of the inanimate object he'd grown attached to over the years.

Shuuhei shook his head at Ichigo struggling with a smile as two security guards peeled the unconscious man off the floor. Ichigo sauntered out of the bar aware of the many pairs of eyes that tracked him until he disappeared out the door and back into the night's air.

XXX

Ichigo shot up from bed woken from the sound of his cell phone screaming from his pants pocket. He pressed the phone to his ear forgetting all about caller ID.

"Hmm what?" He mumbled grumpily into the speaker.

"I found some very interesting facts about Victim Doe."

"Wait, Grimmjow? How the fuck did you get my number?" Ichigo rubbed his face sitting up from his bed with something of a mumbled groan as his bones strained awake.

"I'm your partner I have you number, as I was saying though… Actually it'd be better if you just came in." Grimmjow said, Ichigo could hear from the tone Grimmjow used that he had no other choice and that pissed him off. He pulled the phone away from his ear and checked the time; 2:42 am.

"I'm not coming in right now!" Ichigo's voice raised.

"Suit yourself." And then the line went dead.

Ichigo pulled into the department's underground garage in record time, he pocketed his keys after locking the car and headed straight for the entrance. He didn't even bother with the stairs it was nearly three am and he was tired, he pressed the button impatiently. Finally the doors opened to let him in, he pressed the '7' button and then pressed the 'close doors' button repeatedly trying to speed up the process while he still felt angry through his tiredness.

The door shut and Ichigo felt the car jolt into motion, he took note of himself in the elevator looking at his just tugged on shirt and very messy hair. Dark rings made themselves at home beneath his eyes, nothing he wasn't used to.

The elevator dinged and the doors parted for Ichigo who pushed himself out just before they closed on him. He drudged through the office doors noticing more than one desk light still on, the bastard who woke him up nowhere to be seen. He put one foot in front of the other until he reached his desk and slumped into it tiredly, waiting for his Partner to come back.

*.*

"He fell asleep did he? That doesn't happen often." A voice startled the blunette from where he stood looking down at the peacefully sleeping orangette.

"I wouldn't want to fall asleep in my work place, too many people that'd fuck with me." Grimmjow laughed softly keeping his voice low. From the looks of the rings under Ichigo's eyes it looked like he rarely got sleep. He set the stack of papers on the only clear spot of his desk.

First day on the job and you're already working harder than the guy who's worked here for almost six years. Grimmjow could laugh at himself. He watched the silver haired man, Gin, pull his seat up next to his side. Grimmjow almost thought the man was going to join him with his research but instead the man fixed his eyes on Ichigo who groaned in his sleep and folded his arms over his chest.

"He really is a kid." Grimmjow thought aloud.

"He's no kid. That man's been through hell and back. Makes me glad I never made a serious enemy of him." For the first time since meeting Gin he opened his eyes revealing the iciest blue Grimmjow had ever set his eyes on.

"Everyone's been dropping hints to Ichigo's past, what's that about? I know it's not been accidental, there's a message I'm not getting so fill me in if you don't mind." Grimmjow's voice came out harsher than what he'd wanted it to be but didn't correct it, he really needed to know what 'hell' this boy had seen and why he should be careful around him.

Gin exhaled loudly turning towards him, his face heavy with sorrow. The only other emotion he'd seen on Gin's face since meeting him that morning.

"Has the thought crossed your mind as to what happened to his last Partner? As you read in his Jacket, 180 solved cases out of 240 investigations the 80 cases that weren't finished were because of his old partner. Their leads went cold, and they became cold cases hence unsolved. Now not all 80 were because of Kago, the ex partner, Ichigo's been trying since his death taking on the hardest cases over working himself to put himself at ease. Chad thinks it's from guilt that he punishes himself by over-working himself." Grimmjow processed the information he'd had to reassess the way he thought of his Partner. But one single question pegged him.

Grimmjow's primal instincts told him it was dangerous territory he was treading in now. He normally backed off when his gut told him to, but he needed to know, he didn't know why, he just did. "You said this Kago person was dead, how did he die?"

"I shot him." Grimmjow slowly turned towards the body the sleepy voice had spoken from, his eyes transfixed on the fierce brown orbs that closed and opened again betraying the owner.

Thanks for reading. Tell me what you thought.