AN: Another update! This soon? Well you'll have to review to thank me for my quickness. Lol Enjoy!

Things will be explained later if anything is unclear. I don't know if I should pair Grimmjow or Shirosaki up with anyone yet... But feel free to suggest any pairings.

NOTE!!: I AM HOSTING A POLL IN MY PROFILE AND THERE ARE FOUR STORIES THAT I WOULD LIKE TO START BUT CAN'T DECIDE WHICH. THERE ARE SUMMARIES THERE, SO VOTE AND CHECK IT OUT.


Three

Eleven years later (Ichigo is seventeen)

The sounds of harsh rapping came from the closed door and Ichigo groaned in annoyance and pulled the covers over his head, snuggling inside the warm covers. Loose limbs wrapped tighter around his arm and Ichigo snorted but allowed his twin to cuddle closer. Karen's voice sounded slightly muffled on the other side of the door.

"Get up, you lazy bum! You're gonna be late for the first day of school!"

Ichigo groaned again and couldn't help but agree with her in his head but his body stubbornly remained still. It was too early and too cold to get up. The heaters still hadn't kicked in yet and Ichigo was trying to linger in the warmth. A pale head of white locks pocked half way out of the covers and Ichigo sighed as he reached out his free arm and gently rubbed at the hair. Shirosaki gave a growl and cuddled deeper into the covers.

"Why are you in my bed again, Shiro?" Ichigo asked softly and poked an exposed cheek. Golden eyes slid open slowly and focused on the older twin. The younger of the two gave a small cheeky smile.

"You wouldn't believe it but I had another nightmare." He muttered and Ichigo watched his twin brother close his eyes again. The sheets rustled as the orange haired teen pulled himself out of the warmth and ran for the bathroom. Ichigo had a quick bath and dressed in a white turtleneck sweater and blue jeans before he pulled the younger twin out of the bed and forced him to get dressed. Shirosaki grumbled as they descended the stairs, rubbing at his pale white locks. The black sweater made him look even paler. Yuzu greeted her brothers at the kitchen island and handed out two plates of warm pancakes. Ichigo grinned at her and rubbed the girl's head in thanks.

"Did dad come back last night?" Shirosaki asked through a mouthful of food and Yuzu ducked her head and shook it slowly.

"He's so busy these days…" she sighed and sat down, her eyes staring into space and a sad expression on her face. Karen nudged her brother's ribs and the albino shut his mouth with an apologetic expression.

Ichigo tightened his grip on the fork unconsciously as he ate. Things had been going downhill for them for as long as he could remember. His mother had died in a freak accident eight years ago and the girls had been forced to grow up too quickly. He glanced at Yuzu as she mopped the countertop while eating. Ichigo felt his throat clog up at the subject of his father. Isshin had taken a huge hit from their mother's death. He tried to act the same around the children but Ichigo could see the emptiness in his eyes. Not soon after Masaki died, Shirosaki suddenly went terribly ill and the treatment had cost all of his father's savings. They had been forced to move to the city and Isshin got a job at a local hospital. It was a demanding job and Shirosaki's medical fees kept Isshin at the job post all day long. His childhood had really stopped at the age of nine.

"Don't forget to take your pills, Shiro-nii." Yuzu's small voice floated across the driveway as the twins made their slow trek down the slope. A white mustang came to a stop at the end of the street and Ichigo smiled as his friends got out of the car and waved. Shirosaki grinned and allowed the teal-haired teen to drape an arm around his shoulders.

"You guys ready to go?" Grimmjow asked with a devious grin and Ichigo pulled him into an awkward one-armed hug. "Long time no see. Man, I had a fucking bad vacation this summer." Grimmjow grinned and pulled the door open fort he albino teen. Shirosaki punched his arm and rolled his eyes at the gesture before slipping into the passenger seat.

Ichigo smiled slightly at the sight. Grimmjow was naturally protective of the weaker teen. Shirosaki was the baby of their group and all the other teenagers caught the habit of reminding him to take his medication. He said a quick hello to Nnoitra in the back seat and piled inside.

The drive to school was filled with laughter and Ichigo found himself relaxing as he joked with the other teens. Grimmjow turned into the driveway for students and they got out. The teal-haired teen immediately disappeared under a pile of girl worshipers. Ichigo rolled his eyes at the display and pulled his younger twin toward the school building. The sky was a gloomy grey and the weather report said there was going to be snow later on. Why it was snowing in September was lost to Ichigo but he couldn't let Shirosaki catch a cold.

He had changed his schedule to suit Shiro's so that he could watch over his younger brother more closely. Ichigo slowed slightly and walked alongside the tall lanky Nnoitra as he studied Shiro's back. A hand suddenly grabbed his arm and Grimmjow gasped as he made his way over to them.

"Damn, those man-eaters almost killed me…" he buttoned up his shirt and ran a hand through his hair. Ichigo grinned.

"Serves you right for being so rich. Say, do you think Shiro's gained a little weight?" he asked hopefully and Grimmjow frowned as he trained his blue eyes on the white haired twin. Shirosaki was the thinnest person he had ever chanced upon but he had to admit, Shirosaki did look better than last year. Grimmjow glanced at the other twin next to him and saw the clear affection in the amber eyes.

"Yeah, I think he looks great." He said.

They reported to first class and Ichigo suppressed his impatience as Orihime flocked over to his side. The girl was nice but not very bright. And the food she managed to concoct was toxic. She clearly had a crush on him but Ichigo refused to acknowledge her affection. He glanced out the window as her excited chatter faded away. He knew he was being stupid for waiting for that special someone to come back but Ichigo had been a stubborn child all his life and it wasn't going to change now.

The day ended without even seeing his new homeroom teacher. They stayed for five extra minutes while the principle spoke over the intercom. There were two new classes added for the third years (Ichigo's age group) and the teachers would be there tomorrow. Ichigo tapped his fingers against the table as the principle listed the names of the students for each class.

"We have organized your names into two lists. And the first list is for the music class…" Shirosaki blinked in surprise as his name was called and he grinned at Ichigo across the room. The other twin wasn't so happy. The list didn't have his name on it. The list continued. "This is the list for the performance arts. That will be including dance and arts etc…" Ichigo frowned when his name was called out.

His twin grinned at him from the other side of the room. "Sucker! You're gonna be learning dance…" he mouthed and poked his tongue out. Ichigo scowled.

They arrived home in Grimmjow's car at half past four in the afternoon. Isshin was still not back from the hospital. Both twins helped the sisters prepare their dinner and Ichigo asked Yuzu about how their first day of school went. He enjoyed it as the girl listed off her new friends and watched his twin messing with Karen at the table. They ended up throwing potato peels all over each other and Ichigo scolded both of them.

After dinner and after doing his homework, the carrot top found himself sitting at the large window and staring out at the snowing scene before him. Eleven years ago, he had found an angel on a snowy day like this. He leaned against the cold glass and closed his eyes, breathing carefully. The clear glass jar with the suspended white feather on the table caught the teen's attention and a flash of pain came into his amber eyes. Ichigo reached out slowly and took the jar into his hands. The smooth white feather lay gracefully inside its glass case and Ichigo cradled the jar to his chest, leaning against the window his eyes fluttering close again.

"So much for your promises, Stark…" he whispered softly. A single tear slid down Ichigo's smooth cheek and dripped onto the lid of the jar.


And...how do you think this is? Write a longer reiview if you value my work! =)