As had what had recently become his usual routine Ichigo Kurosaki was spending his afternoon getting rid of the hollows that had decided that Karakura Town was a good place to go hunting. He had always had the ability to see ghosts but now he had the power to destroy the monsters that haunted the earth.

"Behind you, idiot" Ichigo scowled at the black haired girl as he turned to destroy the hollow behind him.

"Yeah I know. Are we done yet midget?"

Rukia Kuchiki chose that moment to kick the orange haired boy in the head. "Don't call me midget and yeah we're done."

"Ichigo?"

Ichigo turned with surprise in his voice and body language, "Yuu, you can see me?"

The girl tossed him a glare. "Of course I can. You're standing right in front of me."

Ichigo's surprise was fair. As per Rukia's instruction he hadn't told anyone that he was working as a Substitute Soul Reaper. He didn't tell his family and he didn't tell his childhood friend Yuu Katsu. In addition as far as he knew Yuu couldn't see ghosts.

"Monster behind you" Yuu's voice penetrated his thoughts. He turned to face the hollow. When he was done he turned back to Yuu.

"So you must be wondering what's going on."

"You think Ichigo. Though that does explain a bit about Kuchiki's odd arrival. I couldn't figure out why everybody but me seemed to know who she was. But you can get back to killing monsters. You can explain it to me tonight at our study session. Which in case you've forgotten is in a hour and half at your place." At Ichigo's stunned face Yuu said "Shall we make it two hours?"

Ichigo nodded in the affirmative and the two of them exchanged "Goodbyes" and "See you laters"

Ichigo turned to see Rukia's angry face "Who was that?"

**Scene Change**

Yuu Katsu and Ichigo Kurosaki had been friends for as long as they could remember. Her father had been one of his father's main sponsors when Isshin Kurosaki had started his clinic like hospital. That only led to a friendship between the two men. So much so that when Masaki Kurosaki past away Dai Katsu moved his family so that way they were within half a mile of the Kurosaki Clinic. In fact Yuu and Ichigo first met at his mother's funeral.

**Queue Flashback**

"Hello"

"Go away"

"Oh I just wanted to know if you wanted some candy."

"Candy?"

"Yeah. I've got Orange M&M's and Strawberry Starbursts"

That earned her a small laugh

Yuu smiled "Okay I've also got the rest of the colors and flavors but, I've never seen a boy with hair like yours. I've never meet anyone with hair like yours. I think it's cool. And strawberries are my favorite. But that's not what your name means right? Your name means first protector right?" She waited for an answer.

"You're right. That's what it means. Can I have an Orange Starburst?"

Yuu nodded and dug around in her pocket for the sweet. "I'm sorry about your mom." She handed over the Starburst. "You must have heard that a lot today. But I really mean it. I can't imagine life without my mom. Would you like another?"

They spent the rest of the day sharing her candy. When her mom came to collet her she turned to tell Ichigo goodbye.

"Just remember you may have to look after your sisters but that doesn't mean you can't be sad. If you need to talk or just be with someone remember I'm your friend and that's what friends are for. See you later Ichigo."

Two months later Dai Katsu was hit by a car. Many people would say that two tragedies hit two families. But that wasn't true. By that time two tragedies had hit one family. The second funeral was quiet and somber and Ichigo came to stand by Yuu.

"I'm sorry."

"Not your fault. Neither of them were your fault."

"Um I've got Starburst."

At these words Yuu started crying. Ichigo wrapped his small arms around the black haired girl. When his father and her mother came to collect them they found them asleep on the ground their arms entangled. The two parents shared a look. With a simple ease Isshin picked up both children up. Haru Katsu collected the Kurosaki twins.

That night the Kurosakis and the Katsus spent the night at the Kurosaki residence. Isshin was asleep on the couch after insisting that Haru take his bed. Karin and Yuzu were asleep in their beds. Ichigo had woken up on the way home and after seeing his father's actions had his dad put Yuu (who was still asleep) on his bed. He then he crashed on his bedroom floor.

**End Flashback**

Haru Katsu and Isshin Kurosaki never got married but, they did band together to raise all four children. After a period of time she became Aunt Haru to the Kurosaki children. In response Yuu started call him Uncle Isshin.

As for Ichigo and Yuu, the two became inseparable. They told each other everything. And while Ichigo's interest in martial arts grew Yuu chose track and cross country. But whenever Ichigo got in trouble with street thugs because of his hair she was right beside him. The black haired blue eyed beauty surprised the thugs. She wasn't the fighter he was but she could hold her own. Ichigo would start and end things with a punch. Yuu would duck and weave until she could kick or them in the places where even a little force would do some awesome damage.

Yuu truly was a beauty with straight black hair that fell to the middle of her back. Her eyes were bright vibrant blue. As early as her first year of middle school boys were lusting after her. They didn't dare confess their love because Ichigo Kurosaki was her boyfriend. Well at least that was what people thought though they didn't much act like a couple.

Finally in their last year of middle school Tatsuki Arisawa asked Yuu, "So is Ichigo your boyfriend?"

Yuu laugh "No although we did promise to be at each other's wedding. He's going to be my Maid of Honor and I'm going to be his Best Man."

**Scene Change**

Ichigo and Rukia had finally returned to his room. As Rukia ranted about how they needed to erase Yuu's memory as soon as she got here Ichigo thought to himself

"Yuu is my best friend. Dad jokes about how we are twins. We promised to be each other's Maid of Honor/Best Man. I want her with me in this whole Soul Reaper business"

Authors Note: Yea! for . Please review. Any constructive criticism is welcome. No flames please. Unless I start turning Yuu in to Mary Sue. If so flame away and let me know So Yuu is Ichigo's childhood friend and I'm just going to write till the time skip. If I get a bunch of reviews that ask me to write the stuff after the time skip I will. Or if I feel like it. There will be romance I already know who Yuu is going to end up with but I don't know about Ichigo. I might hold a vote but not Orihime or Rukia. I ship UryuxOrihime and RenjixRukia. I might make my Ichigo gay. Btw I do not own Bleach. I did think up Yuu and her powers.