Thanks to all of you who commented with interest to the story! Just so all of you know, I try to update on a weekly basis. I'd also like to point out, yes this will be a yaoi, just give it time.
Shirosaki was pushed to his knees once they arrived in the throne room. Ichigo frowned at the guards before his face lit up with a smile and he waved at the albino.
"Hey Shiro! Aren't you excited? You get to live with us in the big castle!" Ichigo spun around with his arms wide to show for large it was. Shirosaki squirmed and looked down at the ground. He didn't ask to be here, be barely knew the orangette and yet, Ichigo asked his father if he could live here. Ichigo stopped twirling when he saw the discomfort in Shirosaki's eyes. The vibrant- haired male crouched in front of the pale boy.
"Hey, I know you're confused but the living quality here is surely better, right? Since you're a personal servant you get treated even better. This probably isn't what you planned to do with your life, but would you rather live alone or in a place where you're going to be cared for?" Ichigo murmured so only the albino could hear him. Shirosaki thought about it, before he slowly nodded and lifted his head to meet eyes with the orangette. Ichigo smiled and pulled Shirosaki to his feet.
"Come on! I'll show you around!" Ichigo pulled on Shirosaki's arm and ran into his father's chest.
"Whoa now, calm down. First we should get Shirosaki some new clothes, don't you agree Ichigo?" Isshin stated. Ichigo scratched the side of his face and grinned sheepishly.
"Well, yeah. I hadn't thought about that.." Ichigo mumbled and glanced at Shirosaki to see his was still in the same torn up clothing that he met him in. The albino blushed when he looked and saw that everyone else was in nice clothing made of silk and he was just in old rags that he had taken from clothes lines.
"I-I d'n't need knew cl'thes! These have been d'ing me just fine!" Shirosaki stammered, he was just a sick kid; he didn't need to be treated like an esteemed guest. Isshin turned and stared him in the eye.
"So what you're telling me is that you want to be seen in that when I have guests over? Unacceptable. You will be dressed in something better than those ratty clothes; I will not have my guests thinking that I treat my servants like trash." Isshin turned on his foot and motioned for the two boys to follow him.
Ichigo sent Shirosaki an apologetic look; he knew that the snowy male hadn't meant it the way his father took it. The albino just shrugged and followed Isshin into a large bathroom. The room was made of pristine white marble and maids were waiting the door for orders.
"Ladies, please clean up our newest member and get him some new clothes, when you are done show him to his new room." Isshin said with much authority in his voice. Ichigo waved at Shirosaki before he left the room with his father. Shirosaki was left alone with the two maids.
"Okay newbie, get out of your clothes and get in the bath!" A black-haired maid sung as she stepped closer to the uncomfortable male. The other maid, a strawberry-blonde with huge breasts stepped around them to gather clothes for Shirosaki.
"You are very close to Ichigo's size, so I will be fitting you with some of his clothes." Rangiku, the blonde, said as she left the room. "Rukia, behave." The brunette, now known as Rukia, pouted.
"Yeah yeah, just as long as the kid strips." Rukia gave a pointed glare at Shirosaki. The albino swallowed and quickly rid himself of his rags and stepped into the lukewarm water. Rukia gave a small pity smile at the lesions and pulled out different scented soaps and oils. She motioned for the albino to come over to her. Shirosaki hesitated before leaning back so she had access to his hair.
Rukia hummed as she scooped up water and poured it over the ashen hair to wet it before she massaged a minty soap into the soft locks. Once all of the hair was covered in the bubbly substance she poured water over Shirosaki's head to rinse it out. The albino took the offered soap bar once Rukia was done with his hair and began to rub it over his body.
When Shirosaki was stepping out of the bath with a fluffy towel wrapped around his waist Rangiku came back in with a bundle of clothes.
"Here, but these on. They're some of Ichigo's riding clothes so they should stretch to fit you." She said as she handed Shirosaki the neutral colored clothes. The snowy haired male took the towel off his waist and vigorously rubbed his hair with it and took the bandages Rukia was holding out to him to wrap himself up. Shirosaki pulled on the tan cotton pants. He then pulled the brown shirt over his shoulders and laced up the front. Rangiku handed him a pair of lace-up leather boots and he slipped them on. Once he was presentable, he was lead out of the bathroom and up the winding stairs and into a large foyer.
"This is where the King and his son live, this floor is mostly to them. Your room with be located near the young master's room so you may attend to him whenever it is needed." Rukia said as she led him down the hall and past a cracked door. Shirosaki could see through the crack and saw Ichigo curled up on his bed with a book. The brunette stopped in front of a door across the hall. She pushed the door open to show a small room with a bed and a dresser on either side of the room and a window on the wall across from the door.
"This will be your new room, the young master or King may choose to tell you that you will be moved but from here you will be able to hear if the young master chooses to call to you. Good day." Rukia bowed before she left and shut the door behind her. Shirosaki flopped onto the bed and sighed, it had been a long day.
Ichigo looked up from his book when a knock brought him out of his fantasy world.
"Come in." The orangette called, ready to get back to his book. Rukia stepped in and bowed to him.
"Shirosaki is settling in to his room. It is across the hall so if you need anything, he will be there. Also, dinner will be ready soon." The brunette said to the boy.
"Thank you Rukia, I take it he has been cleaned up to father's liking?" Ichigo asked, wondering what the boy had been dressed in.
"Yes, he was fitted to some of your clothes that you won't miss. Now as much as I would like to stay and talk, I must go help with dinner." Rukia bowed again and left Ichigo to his book. Ichigo cuddled back up with his book before he could hear his father calling him for dinner. The orangette set his book down and walked across the hall to get Shirosaki.
When the door opened Ichigo could see the white hair of the other boy under the covers of the bed, his chest slowly rising and falling, indicating sleep. Ichigo smiled and gently shook the other awake. Shirosaki rubbed his eyes and yawned in a way that Ichigo could only classify as adorable before he pushed himself up to look at the orangette.
"What d' ya want?" Shirosaki murmured sleepily.
"It's dinner time Shiro, let's go eat." Ichigo pulled the thin boy out of bed and took his hand to lead him around. Shirosaki felt his face heat up and the feeling of the other's warm hand on his own.
Dinner passed quickly with small talk between Ichigo, Shirosaki and Isshin. The fancy foods were a new experience for Shirosaki so Ichigo took great pleasure in watching his new friend's face light up when he liked something. Isshin was just happy that Ichigo had a friend, even if he was a sick boy they took in off the streets. After dinner the males all went to their respective rooms. Isshin went straight to bed and Ichigo sat down with his book while Shirosaki just hugged his pillow.
'What was that? Why did I blush when he held my hand? I don't like guys, do I?' Shirosaki thought and hugged his pillow tighter. The snowy male violently shook his head, 'No! It must have been the lack for touch until now, that's it!' Having come up with a reason for his unruly thoughts, Shirosaki lied down and fell into a deep sleep with dreams full of Ichigo.
Thanks again to all of you! Drop me a comment on how it is!
To anyone who's interested- a week from today (March 8th) I will be at Momocon in Atlanta, Georgia; I would be so excited to meet you if you're also going, send me a PM if you are!
