Shiro and Ichigo continued on for a while in silence. There were questions that Ichigo wanted to ask, but he couldn't bring himself to say anything. Not right now anyway. Shiro was obviously bothered by those two even if he hadn't said anything about it. When they were a little over half way to school, Shiro suddenly veered off with a growl.
"What the. . ?" Ichigo followed after him, trying to figure out what he was doing. "Where are you going?"
Shiro didn't say anything. He stopped next to a parked car and knocked on the window, his knuckles rapping hard on the glass. When Ichigo came closer, he could see Urahara rolling down the window with a rather sheepish look on his face. Ichigo blinked in surprised. He hadn't even noticed them. Shiro leaned down and braced his hands against the door so he could peer into the car. The woman was sitting in the passenger seat, her expression passive.
"So you're stalking me now?" Shiro's words were playful but there was an edge to his voice.
"I was merely. . ."
"Following me. Yeah, I get that part, no matter what you were going to say. Why?"
"There are some unanswered questions that need attention." Urahara pulled out a notebook and flipped through some pages of notes. Shiro raised a brow as he watched him carefully. "Two years ago, a fifteen year old boy was admitted to Karakura hospital." Ichigo watched Shiro stiffen slightly but it was so subtle, he may have been the only one who noticed. The blonde man continued, seemingly oblivious to the reaction he was getting. "He was unconscious for nearly three days but even when he woke, he wouldn't speak to anyone. Not even his father when he came to see him."
"Bullshit, he never even showed up. . ." Shiro shoved back from the car and shut his mouth with a click before he said anything else. His breathing had become a little heavy and he forced himself to calm down. Sparkling grey eyes regarded him calmly from the car.
"We just want to talk to you. Just like we did then. You disappeared from the hospital before we got the chance last time."
"He doesn't have to. My dad was right about that, whoever you are." Ichigo came close, his arms crossed tightly over his chest as he stood next to Shiro. "You know, as a matter of fact, I don't remember seeing any badges. Who did you say you worked for?"
The glint in the grey eyes sharpened as they narrowed. The woman leaned forward to catch Ichigo's gaze before speaking. "We didn't."
"Yeah, that's what I thought."
"Who gives a shit?" Shiro caught Ichigo's sleeve and steered him away as he muttered under his breath. "Don't worry about those assholes." The albino quickened his pace, glancing quickly over his shoulder to see of they would follow. But the two seemed content to stay in their car for now. Shiro changed direction and went down a narrow side street just in case. When they were out of sight, Ichigo turned to him.
"Are you in trouble with them?"
Shiro was quiet for a moment. "No." He wasn't. Not really. But he remembered them now. As soon as the blonde guy had mentioned the hospital, there were flashes of recall that brought up images from back then. Shiro remembered the two of them visiting his room and asking him things before they were shooed away by the nurses. But it was hard to tell what was reality and what was his imagination. He'd been in an incredible amount of pain at the time and the meds had been strong. Not to mention that he was doing his best to ignore everything. As soon as he was able to stand, he'd snuck out one night and never gone back. Beside him, Ichigo frowned.
"Wait. If they've supposedly been needing to talk to you, why did they wait all this time? That doesn't make any sense." Shiro chewed on his bottom lip as he thought about it. That was a good question. "It probably wouldn't have been hard to find you." Ichigo's gaze turned wry. "I mean, it's not like you blend in completely or anything. No offense." He held his hands up helplessly at Shiro's angry expression. But after a moment, the albino sighed and chuckled.
