Hello everyone I hope you are loving the story. Well that's all I have to say.

Have a super awesome beautiful day.


Fall 2013

"Can we buy some chocolates?" Half whine, half pleading voice beside my hand rang out.

"No." I was not going to fall for it. Again.

"Can we buy some skittles?" Still a whine. I sighed.

"No," I stated, crouching down to look at my ten-year-old brother in the eye. "You ate the whole king size Kit Kat all by yourself. No more sweets for today." Seriously, this kid could eat sweets until he popped if I let him. No, we had enough issues; my kid brother developing diabetes was not on the future agenda.

"But big brother..." Shiro pouted. Damn, was he cute when he did that.

My little brother isn't the average looking ten-year old boy his age, he is completely different. He has white hair, and gold-amber eyes. We didn't know why he was like that. But the doctors told my mom and dad that he was an albino, so that's why he had white hair and pale skin. They couldn't quite explain the strange variation of his eyes, however. Usually albinos had red eyes, missing the coloration. Nope, Shiro, once more had to be different. His sclera were black, and the iris was gold. He got stared at a lot because of it. Shiro is a mischievous little bother sometimes, but he was the type of person that you couldn't help but to fall in love with. There was something about his exotic look. Oh, and he looked like a copy of me, only in white. Some part of me was proud of that fact.

Shiro just kept looking at me with those infamous puppy dog eyes that everyone always falls for so easily. It's funny how he thinks I would fall for it but I'm not that gullible. I'm his big brother after all. I pride myself on being immune to his charms. Most the time, anyway.

"No, Shiro. You can't," I told him once again. I was doing my best to hide a smile. He was a lot like me in this fashion.

He grumbled something smart, crossing his arms to his chest. "Whatever. Uncle Kisuke will buy me some when he gets here," he said, looking away from me.

"If he ever gets here."

I sighed, rolling my eyes. It'd been three hours of waiting, and there was still no sign of my scatter brained uncle. It was bad enough I had a shit ass of a phone and plus I forgot his cell and house number. Sometimes I wasn't as smart as my test scores indicated and I didn't write the information down. When the stupid phone died, so did my only record of the numbers I needed. And of course, we didn't have any money to buy another charger.

I'm sure he will be here, but he didn't forget about us did he?

So here I was, standing with my brother at this big ass airport with our luggage, and I was wearing one of those lost people who looked like they lost their best friend expressions.

I looked around, nervously biting on my nails. It was a bad habit I'd picked up a long time ago. I was shifting uneasily. I really didn't know what I would do if he forgot to pick us up. I had no idea what to do here. This wasn't a place I was familiar with at all.

The day was so beautiful – the sun was shining brightly, typical Florida weather, and the sky looked like it was a painting, streaked with red, pink and gold. At least the weather cheered me up a bit, even though it was warmer compared to North Carolina.

Growing up in a small town called Lenoir, where there were days that left you saying what the hell in a heartbeat. But here in Florida, I can tell it is going to be a huge change for me and Shiro.

I circled around pacing like an idiot, waiting on my uncle; my brother was messing with the kids in the airport. I rather have him get on their nerves then mines. Then I stopped pacing and questioned myself. Should I ask for help? What if Uncle Kisuke don't show up? What am I supposed to do? I never been here before – shit, I've never actually been 50 miles away from Lenoir.

"Ichigo! Shiro!"

I heard a familiar voice from behind, so I turned around, and sighed in relief the moment I saw him.

He is a tall, well-built guy, wearing a lime green shirt, and a pair of gray camouflage cargo shorts was standing a few feet away from me.

He has messy blond hair, but the shade was dirty blond though, plus his hair was a little shorter than ours. He was smiling brightly, and he looked like he was going to explode with excitement anytime soon. We have that effect on people, well most of the time we do.

"Shiro!" I called him to come over here.

"Uncle Kisuke!" he squealed, and he immediately ran up to him and jumped on him asking for candy. All I could do was just shake my head and watch.

"Whoa, whoa, hold on a second mini Ichigo. I just got here and you're asking already asking for candy." Kisuke said, ruffling up his hair. "Don't you miss your favorite uncle?" he said dramatically holding his chest.

"Of course I missed you!" Shiro chattered. "You're the greatest uncle in the whole world because you get me candy when Ichigo says no." Kisuke grinned like a cat. I thought he was going to break his face from grinning, looking like an Aristo cat. He then turned to me.

"Hello, young strawberry." He called me by that stupid nickname, because of my hair, and well, my name. My name meant "he who protects". Unfortunately for me, it also was a homonym for the Japanese word for Strawberry. Considering the color of my hair, the name stuck.

I frowned. "Look, you stupid old pervert, I told you I hate that name," punching him in the back of the head. I didn't hit him too hard.

"Ichigo, why do you abuse me so?" he cried, rubbing the back of his head rather dramatically.

I started laughing – I had forgotten I was supposed to be mad at him; forgotten that he was late by 3 hours, and forgotten he almost made me call the police or security for help.

He held open his arms to me for a hug, and hey what can I say, I can never be mad for long with my uncle. I came from beside him and hugged the hell out of him.

When we finally let go, I frown. "You're late."

He simply gave me an innocent look, scratching the back of his head. "Er, I know. Sorry, Ichi, but I had to catch up on some work, but I'm here now, aren't I?" Kisuke said apologetically.

"I know you are lying." I said crossing my arms behind my neck.

I shook my head, and stared at him for a minute. I smiled, thinking about the time he came and saw us in Lenoir, nothing has changed about him, not even his style.

His hair was messy as usual, though, it seem like it got worse than it usually was. I could tell that he might have just got out of bed not too long ago because his shirt was crumpled. I hoped it was clean because I hugged him again.

Letting go again.

"I know I'm irresistible and all, Ichi. But you don't have to dreamily gaze at me like that." Kisuke joked, crossing his arms to his chest.

I snorted. "Is. Irresistible. But nah, I was looking at your shirt to see if it's dirty. Because since I just hugged you, I do have the audacity to know if it is clean or I will have to take an hour long shower."

"Don't worry, mom, it's clean. But really Ichigo I did wash this shirt. I washed it yesterday to be precise, so now you don't have to run up my water bill."

I gave him a flat look.

He shrugged. "Whatever. Let's just get out of here, I need some food in my body." Kisuke annouced. He bent down and put Shiro on top of his shoulder, and wrapped his left arm around me. Being an ex-marine I could tell my uncle was in good shape because his arms was really muscular.

It was a few seconds before he said, "Hey! You have got thinner and more muscular!" he said proudly, squeezing me tightly. Yeah back in Lenoir I played a few sports like soccer, baseball, and wrestling.

"Yet I still remain the same height." I sighed as I realized I was only at his neck, which makes me 5'9, and in Florida most of the men I see are a little taller than me.

He laughed, "Don't fret dear nephew of mines. I'm certain that you'll grow up even more this year," he tried to cheer me up.

"I won't. My body is different and you know that." It was annoying to keep reminding him.

"Really? You know what, I forgot that we found out you can have kids like a girl."

"You're some type of stupid for someone who has a degree?" I said sarcastically, teasing him.

"Keep talking that shit, Ichigo. Keep talking, punk." Kisuke said, and we made our way towards the airport door.

"Aww, is the big ass baby mad or nah." I said.

"What's a big ass baby, Ichigo?" Shiro asked innocently. I knew the boy wasn't that innocent.

"It's nothing." My eyes squinted the moment we stepped outside of the main door. Wow, the sun really did shine more around here!

Kisuke chuckled as I blocked the sunshine from hitting my eyes using my hand "We need to get you some sunglasses ASAP, Ichi. At least, well until you're used to the weather around here."

"Is it always this bright here?"

"Not always, but most of the time it is, like eighty percent," he pointed out before looking at me upside down. "Oh dear."

"What?" I asked, turning my head side ways to look at him.

"You're wearing too much clothes." He said shaking his head in disapproval.

I looked at the people around us, and he was right. Most people around here was either in shorts, capris, dresses, or skirts. I might have to just break the Florida dress book of rules for wearing a long-sleeve, tight black shirt, a white and black jacket, and black skinny jeans.

But don't judge me you guys, I didn't know what to wear because it was cooler in Lenoir and it was raining there.

I sighed. "I don't think I can survive around here long, Kisuke."

"Again Ichi, don't think so much about it. There's a reason why you have such an amazing and wonderful uncle." Kisuke winked his eyes "You'll be fine. And you can start over everything here. Just trust me this once on this."

I curved a weak smile. He was right. It wasn't just a chance for me to turn over a new leaf – it was a chance for me to have a whole new life. It's my senior year – My last year to actually be somebody, anybody I wanted to be or portray, and not just this stupid, hideous-looking boy who everyone thought they could mock everyday.

Kisuke gave me an assuring smile before before he suddenly sighed, "Oh, I almost forgot to welcome you."

"What you mean?" being as curious as I am.

"Welcome to your new paradise, Tampa Bay, Florida!"

My Light in My Darkness

I've been here in Florida for ten days, and counting so far. And I loved every single day of it already – everything seemed so perfect enough for me. Our house was only a five to ten minute walked to the beach which was really cool to me.

It was almost about two-thirds of my parents' house back in Lenoir, and it had no pool or game room, but it was everything a house needed.

A room for my uncle, a room for me, a room for my little brother, a guest room, three bathrooms and a middle-sized kitchen, and a lounge – which was the perfect size for the three of us.

Uncle Kisuke worked as a pediatric neurologist at the St. Joseph's Hospital. So far I know that he is working on getting his doctorate degree online – it's nice that my uncle is still continuing the family tradition of becoming some type of doctor, and I'm completely sure that he loves his job.

I could tell.

He'd said to me that we could live here together with him in Florida when he finally got done taking all of his courses in the medical field and got his masters – even without any kids, he was really confident that he was capable of raising us as his own. It was almost a last promise to my parents.

It'd been a while since my uncle had a decent home and everything. But finally he got us here with him.

I was happily enough to oblige – seeing the fact I didn't really have anything left for me in Lenoir except for my Aunt Lisa whom I'd never liked.

I took a picture of our family together from the nightstand, and stared at it. It had been more then six years since it happened – since my parents and my unborn twin sisters died in a car accident.

Shiro and I weren't in the car that evening. I was only eleven, Shiro was just four and Uncle Kisuke twenty-nine.

I could still remember everything perfectly. Uncle Kisuke and I had been watching a movie together in the living room, and Shiro was already fast asleep on his lap, after watching his favorite movie.

Kisuke then picked up a call, and suddenly cried – and I never in my life seen my uncle cry like he did that night before. I was like something really terrible had happened – and it was true; my parents and sisters left us forever

Everything was still very vivid – their faces, their laughter, and their love for there family.

"Oh my dear Ichigo. Knock, knock," I heard a playful voice from behind the door, pulling me out of my thoughts. "Can I come in?"

"Yeah, you can come in."

Kisuke poked his head through the open door like we was trying to make sure he wasn't going to be attacked. "What are you doing?" he asked in a singsong voice, grinning.

"Nothing. I was just sitting around being in my thoughts like the little nerd I am."

He laughed, and walked into my bedroom. It was just a normal sized room for a teenager. I knew Kisuke tried his best to make it look like my room from back home so it can be all cozy and comfy, but with a new twist – it had black wallpaper decorated the wall with some white rectangles and squares that looked like a place where picture frames should be at on the walls – and he had some anime posters in the white rectangles and squares. He had One Piece, Fairy Tail, Naruto and more. I bet he knew I would like what he did with my room. And a white mac computer displayed on a smart black desk that matched the rest of the furniture.

Did I mention how there are times that my uncle was the best?

"Well that's new, I never took you as a nerd but as a fighter, Ichigo" he said as he made himself comfortable lying next to me on this great bed.

"I do have to keep my grades up if I want to go to college soon."

"I know that. I just see you as a smart boy with extraordinary intelligence."

"I wonder where I got my so called extraordinary intelligence from. I know it wasn't you."

"Hey!" Kisuke exclaimed.

I chuckled a little bit and smiled, and kept my eyes to look on the picture I was holding up. There was silence between us and we just laid there, looking at our family picture on our last Christmas with everyone together at home, before the death of them.

Shiro hugged dad while I stood beside mom with her hand around me and my hand on her huge belly, Uncle Kisuke had draped his arms lazily around his brother and his sister-in-law; big grins decored our faces, and there were snowflakes on the windows behind us.

"Do you miss them, uncle?" I asked, breaking the silence.

He breathed out. "Yeah. I really do."

"Me too." I said immediately, sighing. I held myself together, trying to control myself from spilling any tears. "I miss them dearly, I wish we could see Yuzu and Karin be born and be able to say I'm a big brother again." Kisuke had slipped his arm around me, to make me feel better. I realized that you don't know what you have until it's gone. Uncle Kisuke and Shiro are all the family I've got left.

There was nothing left for me in Lenoir I'd pretty much stopped trying in class by the end of my junior year. It wasn't like I had millions of friends, and a busy social life I was leaving behind.

So when Uncle Kisuke tentatively asked me on his last visit, "Ichigo, you remember I promised to let you and Shiro stay with me in Florida when I got myself situated. Well. Do you think you'd really, really be ok with moving in with me after summer ended?"

"Can I start packing now?"

My uncle laughed, "Sure thing, dude."

Believe me or not, I couldn't wait to move here, and for this day to come. Because moving to Florida meant I could have a new start in life. I could start all over if I wanted to.

"School starts tomorrow, you know."

I scoffed. "Obviously."

He let out a chuckle. "Got everything you need? Books, clothes, pens, notebooks, papers…"

"Yeah, yeah. I got it all covered old man."

"I'm not old." Kisuke said pouting.

"Then how come you forgot about it yesterday."

I had brought everything he though I might need to survive around here. My closet was now full of brand new clothes, like Shiro – mostly skinny jeans, shorts, sweat-pants, and some new shirts and hoodies.

And technically, Uncle Kisuke became my unofficial wanna be stylist.

I cleared my throat. "Do you think my first day will be fine? What if everyone hates me or some shit and start rumors. Like they did back in Lenoir." I asked, my tone decreasing as I utter each word.

"Ichigo, you're not in fucking Lenoir, you in Tampa, okay?"

He turned his eyes to mine, giving me his usual, assuring smile. "You will be fine Ichigo. Remember you're a fighter not an insecure chick, just be you and anyone will love or like you, if they don't I say fuck 'em."

I laughed. "Sometimes, you really are the best uncle in the world, Kisuke."

"What can I say, I am the best. And you will always be my stubborn nephew, Ichi," and we both laughed together – just like old times when mom and dad was with us.

My Light in My Darkness

I spent almost my entire weekend trying to decide what to wear on my first day of school. I know I sound like a girl, I am a perfectionist and I will, no need to look my best on my first day of school. People always told me that it was always important to make a great first impression and damn it, I'm going to do the best first day of school impression ever. This is exactly why I'd been trying on almost everything inside my closet.

The suburbs around here were all the higher end of the middle class; huge houses, perfect front lawns, and shiny cars on their driveway. Our house would be considered as the second or third smallest around here compared to the others. To me this was a pretty big house from what I saw in other neighborhoods on my way to the house from the airport.

I had got a feeling that there will be a lot of kids around here that where rich and didn't show it or partially rich or just had were in the just had money category. But even though Hillsborough High School was a public school. I wished it was one of those schools that made you wear a uniform instead. At least then, I wouldn't have to worry about what the heck I was going to wear on my first day. Oh my god this was so frustrating.

But usually I don't worry so much about what I wear to school, but this time it's different; I can feel it. Back in Lenoir, I'll be like fuck it. I put on my red converses, a black hoodie, and gray sweat pants; there was no reason to get all dressed up. I had no friend there and I always got into fights because of my hair color, which I love, it came from my mother. They were just mad because orange is my natural color and it looks good on me.

I had no boyfriend – wait boyfriend, yeah I'm gay, so everybody don't get your panties in a bunch. I had no real friends except for a few people I'd known because of a science project; nothing more.

I was completely hated for no reason, saying I'm a trouble maker. It wasn't my fault I'd been born different any more than it was Shiro's fault that he was born albino. Try to explain that to kids who based their opinions on appearances alone.

Monday morning had come, I got up a little earlier than I usually do, and started to search for the right outfit. It was hot and humid outside. Hmm, that calls for wearing light colors.

I wonder what everyone else is going to wear. What if I make any real friends? So many what if questions. If Shiro was in my room he would say "Ichigo, you will look fine in anything." He was such a kiss up sometimes; that little knuckle head.

I shrugged, and decided to wear a pair of white skinny jeans, black and white checkered suspenders, a white wife beater that clung tightly to me, a checkered black and blue shirt that I left unbuttoned, and we can forget my new pair of shoes, my retro black, white, and blue Air Jordan's. My outfit to me wasn't that fancy or too simple, it just right for me. I went to my full body mirror and fixed my hair. I stepped back to inspect myself. I gave myself a whistle.

"Damn Ichigo, your one sexy ass devil." I said to myself.

I slipped on my backpack into one shoulder before storming down the stairs, heading towards the kitchen. Man, I was hungry.

Since I was up early today, I decided to prepare some breakfast for my love ones. I supposed that they were getting ready for their days too.

Shiro would be here any minute. That kid was like me, incredible, and he never needed any help to get ready for school.

"Morning, Shiro." I greeted my brother as he showed up in the kitchen wearing blue converses, tan cargo shorts, and blue sleeveless hoodie. I put some toast on the table, as Shiro slipped into one of the chairs.

"Morning Ichigo. You look nice today."

"Thank you, so do you. Did you knock on Uncle Kisuke door?"

He nodded, and I nod my head. This kid, I told you he knew what to do with out even having to be told.

It was always amusing on how he coped with everything that happened in our family these past few years. He was my little brother and I was his big brother, and I love him more than anything in the world. If he had to fight I will fight with him in a heart beat.

I grabbed a piece of toast, buttering it before putting it in my mouth, I heard a yawn behind me. I turned around to see my uncle walk in wearing a pair of boxers His dirty blond hair was sticking up everywhere as he rubbed at his eyes.

"You really could put your clothes on. No one want to see you dick flapping around." I said, cringing away from him as he touched my butt.

"My dear Ichigo, you have such a firm butt." He said as he try to reach out and touch me again.

I punched him. "Get your hands off of me you old pervert, you're so gay!" I cried angrily

"Ichigo stop abusing me, you're so mean to me," putting a hand to his heart. "And for your information, I'm only thirty-five and I'm bi-sexual unlike someone here." He got up from the chair he was in and put two pieces of bread in the toaster.

"Ichigo what is gay?" he asked with big wide eyes looking at me.

"In the dictionary; it means happy, but in the way I said it, it means you like boys," going in professor mode

"Cool! Can I be gay?" being as enthusiastic as he could be.

I raise an eyebrow at him and shooked my head. He murmured something about being weird and went to get another piece of toast and his new school map. Like me, he was excited to start a new semester at a new school.

Especially when he knew his school was three times bigger than his old one.

I grinned at Shiro wickedly and took the toast he was eating.

"Ichigo!" he cried "Give me my toast back."

"Oh, you want this," holding the toast out in front of him. He nodded, and went to take it, but I pulled it back at the last second - and ran my tongue over the whole top of it, licking every inch of it that had butter on it, making a loud "Mmmm," sound.

He gasped as I held it back out to him, my eyes crinkling with laughter. "Ichigo you're such a jerk! Jeez, you're seventeen not twelve, so grow up." He scolded me, as he pushed my hand, and the now licked toast away from him in distaste.

"So you're telling me to act my shoe size or not," eating the toast that's in my hand.

"Umm. Is that a trick question?" I just laughed, and finished the toast, shrugging.

"I really did miss you guys," Kisuke stated, laughing and wiping the tears from his eyes. He then looks at us, "I promise, I'll take care of you two with my life, even if you I don't act like it most of the time."

"We know." Shiro and I said in unison.

We both smiled, and I knew he was telling us the truth. Kisuke Urahara-Kurosaki might be the most disgusting, annoying, and childish uncle in the world.

But sometimes – just when he wanted to, he could be an adult when he wanted to.

The big happy assuring grin that stretched across his face was on of the times His gray eyes were soft, and caring.

My life would be fine. And even better, well I hope so.

My Light in My Darkness


Okay everyone that is chapter one of my, I meant our story. Don't forget to review, follow, and favorite this story.

And don't forget to go and check out phoenixreal stories.

Untill then, Tiger and Phoenix signing out.