Ok...a new fic as a challenge from Fochi-chan. I have to do this merman fic ordeal lol So I guess I better try huh? :D no I promise to do my best! Tally-ho!
Chapter 1: The Sea
"Another one Ichigo?" An orange haired young man turned to see a short, black haired woman approach him. "Another one of the ocean?"
"What can I say? It's inspiring." He chuckled, finishing the last few strokes to his large wave. The painting showed a stormy sea, cascading against rocks with seals on them. "I just love the look of it, you know?"
"I know...maybe you should take a vacation." The woman sighed. "Maybe go there? Most of your pictures are gloomy...I think they need some cheer!"
"Rukia, cheer just isn't my thing..." He sighed. "You know that."
"That's why I'm saying you need to take a vacation! Go out and see the ocean, maybe fall in love with a handsome guy!" She swooned and Ichigo chuckled. "C'mon, feed my inner fangirl here!"
"You're ridiculous." He chuckled and sighed. "Ok...two months?"
"And not a day less." She huffed. "I'll take these pictures to the gallery, and you go get packed. I want you gone tomorrow, got it?" She smiled and patted his shoulder. "Maybe you will find something." She took the large paintings and left, leaving Ichigo alone and he sighed.
"Who knows? Maybe...but what are my chances?" He sighed and looked out the window at the dark, cloudy sky. Storm's coming...I better get ready now.
"And your room sir." Ichigo walked into the large suite his friend and manager bought for him for two months. It had a large, clear view of the sea complete with huge room and balcony. "Please enjoy your stay."
"Y...yeah..." He muttered. Holy shit this place is amazing! I don't even wanna think about the bill...he thought and plopped onto the bed. Damn that plane ride sucked... He pulled out a brochure and looked at the small island. "Seireitei Island...huh." He sighed as he gazed out the huge window. He grabbed a light weight jacket and headed outside to enjoy the breeze. He walked down to the beach and closed his eyes, enjoying the scent of the sea air. "This is wonderful..."
"Heh, first time out 'ere?" Ichigo turned around to see a pale man with gold on black eyes looking at him with amusement. "Name's Shirosaki Ogichi. I grew up around 'ere."
"Uhm, Kurosaki Ichigo. You're Japanese?"
"Yah, but my parent's moved out 'ere a long time ago and I was raised on this island." The albino said. "Oh and call me Shiro. My first name's annoying." Ichigo took the chance to look at the albino. He had a nice build, the white tank top he wore was tight enough to show the muscles underneath. He wore black swimming trunks, his pale feet clad in black flip flops.
He looks like some jocky surfer dude you see in cliché horror films... Ichigo thought. But...he is pretty hot...
"Ya done eyeballing me?" Shiro chuckled as Ichigo's face turned slightly pink. "Hey tell ya what. As a welcome gift, I'll get ya some ice cream, eh?"
"Uhh sure." Ichigo nodded. Shiro led Ichigo to the ice cream stand, golden eyes looking at him with interest.
A mortal soul drawn to the sea...perhaps...he is who I have been waiting for all this time... he thought with a smile. Should prove fun... "What flavor?"
"Vanilla is ok."
"Wow kinda boring. I like strawberry." He smirked as Ichigo scowled. "It's coincidence I swear. I've always liked it."
"Like I haven't heard that line before..." Ichigo grumbled. He felt a hand on his shoulder, firm yet gentle. He turned to see Shiro's eyes, filled with genuine concern.
"I am serious. I do not lie." He said, losing his slang. Ichigo nodded and Shiro smiled gently. "Ok, one vanilla cone and one strawberry cone please." He handed Ichigo his ice cream with a soft smile. "So is it yer first time seeing the sea?"
"Yeah, it's breathtaking. I've always been drawn to it, I paint it all the time."
"Ya paint?"
"Landscapes mostly." He shrugged. "A few animals here and there."
"Anything mythical?" Shiro asked and Ichigo looked at him. "What? They're animals too ya know."
"Real animals."
"How do ya know they weren't real?"
"No one's ever found them and some scientifically cannot exist."
"Doesn't mean they didn't at one point live." Shiro countered him with ease. "Something like them had to exist in order for the myths ta be born ya know?"
"I...I guess." Ichigo sighed. "Looks like you win this argument."
"I usually do. Let's just say...I honor mythical beasts and beings." He smiled. He looked out and saw the sun start to set. "We've been chatting awhile. Tide's coming up soon, so I suggest ya get back ta where yer staying." He said. "The sea around here doesn't take kindly to strangers sometimes."
"You speak as though the water is alive."
"It is, if you listen." Shiro said calmly, a peaceful look on his face. His long white hair made a soft 'swish' when he turned to Ichigo again. "Where ya staying? I'll take ya back." Ichigo gave him the addressee and Shiro drove his Hummer to the hotel. "Nice spot...out of the way of the sea, but gives a nice view."
"My room's the suite upstairs...my best friend rented it out for two months." Ichigo mumbled. "No idea how much she spent."
"Yer better off not knowing." Shiro chuckled. He handed Ichigo a slip of paper with his number. "Gimme a call ok? Text me yer number and I'll be yer personal guide for two months."
"Yet another cliché pick up line."
"Aww, ya know me well already." Shiro winked and walked away. Ichigo looked at the card in his hand and smirked.
"Maybe I will call..."
Later that night Ichigo walked out onto the balcony of his room, wearing a thin white robe and a Pepsi in his hand. He sat in a chair, gazing out at the night time sea. The sea was lit up by a near full moon and the stars, making it seem ethereal. "Wow...it's so amazing..." He smiled gently. Just then, something splashed across the surface, leaping in front of the moon. "Dolphin?" He wondered. He watched again and frowned when it leapt out. "No...it had a human shape..." Curious, he moved closer to the balcony. The 'dolphin splashed again and Ichigo's breath caught in his throat. Sure enough, the figure had a human shape, but the tail of a fish. "Mer...mermaid?" He shook his head and ran down to the beach. He looked out into the water as the person surfaced, and he heard cussing. He hadn't seen the clouds cover the moon or the sudden gust of wind.
"Ya dumbass! Get inside!" He heard Shiro's voice from the water as it began sloshing and growing fierce. "There's a storm and it'll get ya!" Ichigo blinked stupidly and the figure swam closer just as a wave swept Ichigo's feet from him. "No! Don't take him!" Ichigo felt himself being dragged, as if a strong, we hand had grabbed him and was trying to drown him. The waves splashed and he went under.
Wh...what just happened?! Ichigo's panicked mind tried desperately to work as he attempted to swim, but the strong current was dragging him under. As he began losing air, he saw a familiar face, white hair flowing behind him. Sh...Shiro?
"Sorry fer this, but this is the only way ta save ya." He heard his voice clearly, despite an odd, watery echo to it and before his mind faded, he felt lips on his own.
Chapter 1 end
Well here we have it! Hope it makes you happy Fochi~! Well if anyone likes it please review. I dunno how long it will be, but we shall see! Also, if anyone wants to do cover art for any of my fics, pm me! I think it'd be cool and of course you will be credited! And don't forget my little t-shirt contest!