Hi, I am Semper Tardius, and this is my first Bleach Fanfic. I fixed all the errors I could see, but please tell me if you catch any in this fixed version.

Chapter 1

Prologue

Ichigo Kurosaki had a twin brother named Shiro Kurosaki. They were mirror images of each other, like the negatives of a picture set side by side. Ichigo possessed vibrant orange hair and warm brown eyes. His skin spoke of countless years of hard work under the sun. The rippling muscles beneath his skin was a testimony to every fight he had ever been in. Shiro, not to be outdone by his colorful twin, was an albino and unusually colored at that. The white hair was by far more common than his eerie yellow-within-black eyes. He often layered sunscreen on his flesh to preserve the alabaster shade and his muscles were more a trophy of the fights he got into from his brother as well as his own attempts to make himself stronger.

Ichigo and Shiro were often compared to as 'black and white'. Whereas one was a protector, the other was described as an avenger. The two never got along as teenagers, despite being thick as thieves when they were younger. Ichigo claimed it was Shiro's fault for never listening to anything he had to say. Shiro blamed the constant arguments on Ichigo's stubborn and naïve nature.

During their second year in high school, Shiro became friends with two people named Grimmjow and Nelliel. He hung out with them more and more often, even staying overnight despite his brother's attempts to make him return home. One night, Shiro never came back. It was after a long argument from both his brother and Isshin about him never being home. He left, shouting that he never wanted anything to do with them again, and slamming the door shut.

。o.0.o 。o.0.o 。

~Six Months Later~

Ichigo crouched down by the large pole. He set down the small bouquet of flowers next to the picture of a raven haired girl in a karate uniform. His brown eyes were darkened with mourning and sadness. The triumphant grin that she bore made Ichigo feel all the more bitter about her death. Only a month ago, after receiving the trophy for internationals, Tatsuki had been violently torn to pieces by some animal at the very spot that Ichigo was crouched at. The bloodstains had long ago been washed from the concrete by the police and by nature. But he still felt as if his friend's death had been yesterday. The wound in his heart was that fresh.

"At least you died having your dream come true," Ichigo murmured thoughtfully. He lifted his gaze for a moment to see if anyone was around. He half expected to see Chad or Orihime walking towards him. Even Uryu wouldn't have been a surprise to him. But no one was in sight, let alone one of his friends. He turned back to the photograph apologetically.

"Looks like the gang is still getting used to you not being around. It isn't the same without you. Or even without Shiro." The orange-haired boy snorted. He looked mysteriously close to tears.

"Shiro, if you're alive and well I'm going to personally kick your ass," Ichigo whispered."Because Tatsuki can't do it for you anymore."

。o.0.o 。o.0.o 。

~Somewhere Not Too Far Away~

Shiro sneezed unexpectedly and in the middle of Aizen talking. It was strong enough to make his eyes water and he could have sworn that someone was talking about him.

"Are you done interrupting the damn meeting?" growled Grimmjow. He sounded hostile but his eyes were alight with mischief. Shiro's own narrowed.

"Screw you," he retorted.

"Now that wasn't a nice thing to say," teased Gin. As Shiro's sire, he had last say in any conversation that the albino had. So with no small amount of irritation, Kurosaki clenched his mouth shut.

"Thank you for taking control over your fledgling. This meeting is nearly through Grimmjow, Shiro." Aizen gazed around at the faces around the table. "Soul Society has become an increasingly dangerous entity. They have discovered new ways of utilizing our weaknesses and their success rate has increased by ten percent."

Everyone in the room had been shocked into silence. Such an increase had not been seen since the creation of guns. It was curious what the slayers had come up with this time to make such a drastic change. It made everyone attentive, even Stark. They all sat just a little straighter, listened just a bit harder. Shiro had only been a recent member of the supernatural and this was his first time hearing about the slayers on such an open level. Gin didn't really talk about them, saying that they were all rather weak mortals and that they weren't really important. However this meeting seemed to contradict the silver haired vampire. It wasn't that Shiro was afraid. He just had a foreboding feeling that settled deep in his gut. It gave fuel to the longing he had for his brother. A longing that he resented.

Gin noticed the variety of expressions on his fledgling's face and made a mental note to talk to the albino after the meeting to try to discern what was bothering him.

"It would be wise to send someone to infiltrate the slayers' territory," Szael finally said. He didn't look particularly worried. More like he had a mild curiosity. After all, something had to have happened for the slayers to suddenly become that lethal. A supernatural serial killer, perhaps?

The blue haired werewolve grinned maniacally when he heard those words, his blue eyed gaze flickering over to Shiro.

"This kid is from Karakura. He would undoubtedly fit right back in as well as have a solid background."

Shiro stiffened and gave the werewolve his best glare. "If you send me, my presence will raise up questions about why I had disappeared in the first place. It isn't like someone with my appearance could go unnoticed."

Gin saw the tremble of fear in the albino's body. He opened his eyes more than the usual slit and tried to figure out what could possibly be bothering him. Then he recalled that this...boy had been taken from his home without a choice in the matter. And it was Gin's fault.

"Did you leave family behind?" Nelliel asked curiously. Her gaze was soft and kind. Shiro gave a hesitant nod. He didn't want to admit it, but now that he was involved with vampires and werewolves it might be necessary to keep them safe.

"We had an argument. I left. Simple as that," he replied. Gin could feel the guilt radiating from Shiro and began to pity his little fledgling.

"You would not have been sent anyways. You are only a recent addition and still too green to be taken from your sire yet," Aizen replied. Shiro's lips tightened but he silently agreed with the man. He held his tongue in check. "I conclude that this meeting is adjourned. I will send a few of our people in, they will be of my own choosing. I want all of you to finish whatever work you have and prepare for tomorrow."

As everyone murmured their acknowledgments the brunette man turned back towards the albino. Shiro stiffened under the gaze but met it without falter.

"You have much to learn, young one. This is a hard life to adapt to and the first step is in accepting what has happened in your past."

The albino's eyes dropped onto his lap. "Yes sir."

"See to it that you and your fledgling have a long talk about whatever he is hiding, Gin," Aizen ordered. "You are all dismissed."

Shiro shot out of his chair without a moment's hesitation. Gin followed his fledgling out of the door silently. They were nearly to their respective rooms when the silver haired vampire grabbed a hold of the albino's arm and forced him to face him.

"What do you want?" Shiro snapped angrily.

"Weren't you listening? Aizen wanted you tell me about what you're hiding," Gin replied in a hard tone of voice. It made Shiro falter slightly.

"Th-That's not what he said nor is it any of your business."

Gin opened his eyes fully. "It is my business. I'm your sire. I have the right to know everything about you, yet you never even gave me your full name."

The yellow eyes filled with fury.

"You practically kidnapped me! Why the hell would I tell you something like that?" he demanded. The silver haired man raised an eyebrow.

"I thought we were past the whole 'kidnapper' thing," he said honestly. The albino blushed slightly.

"It didn't seem relevant to give my last name to you all. I met Nel and Grimm while they were about to be shot and figured it wouldn't be wise to tell them my whole name. At the time I thought they were mafia or Yakuza or something," he explained slowly. "And now I just want to forget about my life from before."

Gin looked around carefully before turning his attention back onto Shiro. He let go of him, figuring that was enough for now. Shiro was very temperamental and pushing him too far would get him nowhere.

"I won't ask you about your family, but be aware that us not knowing could possibly put them in danger," he warned. The albino nodded in understanding. Gin tightened his grip on the pale arm. "And remember: you will have to tell me more about your past soon."

"I know. Thank you. For understanding," he added. The sincerity in his voice rang true, full of honest gratitude. Gin immediately felt a pang in his chest as Shiro turned away from him and headed down the hallway towards his room. Gin sighed as he watched Shiro disappear into his room. He loved Shiro so much more than he had ever thought was possible. It felt so ironic that he was the one to thrust the young man into a volatile and dark world. It was his fault that Shiro was in so much pain. Grimmjow and Nelliel had brought a friend with them on an outing. He had felt drawn to Shiro, more than he had towards Rangiku even. He couldn't help but use his powers to lure Shiro towards himself. Gin had bitten the pale neck, drank the sweet blood, and then given the albino his own. Gin accepted his punishments for turning an unwilling human who had no involvement in their world, but he certainly didn't regret his actions.

It took two weeks for Shiro to wake up from the deep sleep that all fledglings had. And it took another few weeks before he said a word to anyone. He hated Gin for what the vampire had done, but even that faded after a few months. By that time he had begun to integrate with the other people that Gin worked and lived with. It wasn't perfect and Shiro was still wary of everyone, yet that was slowly changing. That reward was enough for Gin to feel that he had nothing to be guilty for. He would do everything all over again if given the choice.

There was also a secret that Gin and Shiro shared, and it gave the silver-haired man a sense of companionship between them. After waking up, Gin could not smell or taste a difference in his new fledgling. Shiro had not become a vampire. He hadn't even changed in any way. Shiro didn't seem to be vampire or human. Gin himself didn't mind, but he didn't want the others to know about it until Shiro was an accepted member of the close knit group of Aizen's coven. Gin didn't know what he was and he was irrationally afraid that his fledgling would be rejected.

Gin scratched his head wearily. "You just had to pick the most complicated person to fall in love with," he complained before starting off towards his own bedroom for a bit of shut-eye.