Thank you for the reviews and follows as well as favourites. Means a lot!

And I got accepted into the collage I was aiming for! XD


Chapter: Coiling strings

"Breathe."

Ichigo didn't know what the damn voice in the darkness was thinking but he still tried to hold his breath as it was the human way when falling into any sort of liquid.

"Breathe Ichigo."

Again the voice said in a calm manner, as if trying to calm Ichigo's frantic movements. The feeling of hands, multiple hands moving around his body made him jerk and shiver all the more frantic to get away. One hand each went to his hands grabbing them and pulling them away from his mouth he was so desperately trying to keep close.

Another hand moved for his throat. It didn't squeeze but the hand straightened his neck out making it easier to breathe if he were to. One final hand finally closed his nose. The panic finally consumed Ichigo and he opened his mouth to scream but the moment his mouth opened the black liquid he fell in rushed in.

It burned as it went down his throat, he could feel it burning its way into his lungs and stomach. Soon Ichigo passed out cold due to the burning sensation reaching his nerve system and a different kind of darkness consumed him whole.


Out back in the temple no one could move. Ichigo's shout died down and the air was deathly still. Nnoitra was oddly first to move. He walked or rather stalked over to the other raven haired man and heaved him up only to throw him an alarming distance.

"You fuck…" Nnoitra was cut off when the black liquid started to sizzle loudly as if it was burning. They all turned to watch the black mass moved in a sluggish way. It was almost as if it was getting less.

Or coming together as they watched the black liquid come together at the middle pool, it climbed the statue covering it with its dark sludge like state. They all watched as the seemingly creepy statue form into black smog.

Said smog drifted to the ground before them. With a sudden thud Ichigo appeared before them out like a light. Isshin not caring anymore ran to his son seeing that he was no longer wearing his clothes he wore his morning but a similar cloak as the statue once wore. Rolling Ichigo onto his back and lap he gasped when he saw that his son's hair had grown to hip length. He gently lifted his son into his arms to get him out of the god forsaken temple.

Once they were into the light of the sky Isshin carried his son's limp body to the medical team where Chad, Orihime and Ishida senior were. They were all shocked when Ichigo's slack face appeared. Szayel joined in asking if he could take a blood sample to see if he could check Ichigo's blood for any abnormalities. Isshin gave a curt nod. However they both froze along with the entire following team and medical team when the silver haired male lifted Ichigo's hand.

Once slightly tanned skin was pitch black. Long finger nails about an inch were now where trimmed normal peach pink nails were. Swallowing bile that wanted to rise from his throat Isshin continued to check his son's vitals.

To his amazement Ichigo's heartbeat was fine, his blood pressure, breathing and even the dilation of his pupils were all perfectly fine. Szayel safely pulled a vial of blood that looked the correct shade of red and even consistency. Ichigo appeared perfectly fine.

Urahara watched unsure how to react. The moment Ichigo fell his heart nearly dropped to his stomach. When he vanished his eyes started to water. When the red head appeared suddenly his heart leapt for joy.

Now he was worried. Ichigo wasn't the same. First his hair had grown considerably.

And his arms seemed to be black with long nails no human could possibly have. Isshin deciding his son was fine for now looked up at Urahara. "What now?" he asked looking at the man. Said man looked at the temple.

The startled gasp of the medical team drew all eyes towards Ichigo whose eyes were open but not the eyes they all knew. Gold on black eyes stared at the temple before a black hand rose. With no warning the hand clenched in a fist, the next seconds the temple tumbled into itself imploding with no help from any outside help.

When eyes returned to the red head they found him unmoving yet again with closed eyes looking as if he was just taking a nap. "Well… the temple is ruined… I say we return." Urahara said with only Ichigo's safety in mind. The temple was in ruins now so it was pointless in staying.

With a deathly silence they all packed up as Isshin carried his son to the medical bay with a stern face. A face of someone trying hard not to explode with rage, a rage that was aimed at his co-worker's son… for a good reason; said co-worker was being informed by Urahara of the whole ordeal.

The man wasn't amused.

Packing up was easily done and dusted, with that everyone was on the ship and the ship set into motion. The ship's captain was informed of the situation and was rather wary of allowing Ichigo on board without knowing what was happening to the man.

The entire ship was silent. No one spoke. Isshin was fretting over his son the entire time with Szayel at his side working the machines he brought along doing blood tests on the vial.

Five hours into the trip back the machine beeped.

Both men looked over the results flabbergasted when the results showed that nothing was wrong with Ichigo's blood. Well he was a little low on iron but other than that he was perfectly healthy. Isshin sighed and said he was going to the bathroom.

Szayel nodded to the man having much sympathy for said man. He looked down at the seemingly sleeping Ichigo. He lifted one of the black hands to inspect it. Looking at the nails he noticed that there was a small hole at the sharp point. Looking under the nail he saw something that looked like a small sac underneath the base of the nail going into the finger. This was very interesting.

Taking a cotton swab he gently pushed on the sac and watched in morbid curiosity as a small bead of black liquid emerge from the hole in a thicker state than what it was when in the pool in the temple. Blindly grasping a handful of vials sending most to the ground he grasped one firmly and held it underneath the bead of black sticky liquid watching with fascination as the bead dropped but a thin nearly invisible string remained attached to the point of the nail for a few seconds before breaking.

That was when Isshin came in, he wanted to be mad and accuse the man of whatever came first to his mind but once he saw the vial with black liquid inside he remained silent in hopes that the man would have discovered something. The bubblegum pink haired man looked up and motioned Isshin closer.

"Come and look at this." The man said holding Ichigo's hand out for him to see. Isshin looked closely and saw the small holes in each of the five pointed nails. It was peculiar; in a sense Ichigo's nails resembled a snake's fang.

The sacs behind the nails near the beginning of the fingers going underneath the nails were like the sacs of venom a snake would have. "Do you think it's poisonous?" Isshin asked as he watched how the pink haired male pressed down on the sac of a different finger to get a little more of the sticky black substance.

Szayel looked perplexed.

"Maybe I don't know. We will just have to test it." Szayel worked quickly as he used a clean swab and got it full of the black mess and placed it into a new tube before going on to the steps of processing. There was a knock on the doorframe. Both men saw the other two scientists looking in and waiting for a sign they could come in. Isshin nodded.

They both walked closer with different looks plastered onto their faces.

Mayuri looked at Ichigo liked an experiment he really wanted to test while Urahara looked worried. "How is he?" the blonde man asked not taking his eyes off Ichigo's peaceful face.

"He's heartbeat is sound, his pupils dilate perfectly when in contact with light, his blood pressure is good and his blood came back as clean." The man said holding his son's hand that was pleasantly warm. Mayuri looked a little deflated but didn't comment in fear of evoking Isshin's ire.

Kisuke looked relieved.

"So he's just sleeping?" He asked looking over to Isshin who just nodded.

"We'll keep him on a drip to keep him hydrated and so forth and also to keep him asleep till morning." Isshin said nodding to the sickbay doctor who promised to keep an eye on Ichigo. All the men walked out and into the mess hall for dinner.

Grimmjow and the rest looked up with worry in their eyes. Ishida was to the one side alone, Orihime was a little distance away so he didn't feel all too alone but the woman was still unsure how to go about the situation. No one would tell her why the two fought.

Isshin gave a small smile. "He's fine as far as we can tell." That relaxed them all but a sense of fear still lingered over them as they forced themselves to eat.


"Ichigo… wake up… WAKE UP!" Ichigo's eyes snapped wide open. He was looking at the ceiling of metal and bolts. Looking around he saw the sickbay doctor out like a light snoring away. No one else was in the room, thankfully as Ichigo didn't want to talk at the moment.

Shifting a bit he felt the small stab of pain in his arm, looking down he saw he had a drip inserted into his left arm, his arm being as dark as the night. With shaking eyes and wide eyes Ichigo gently took out the drip as best he could.

With a little bit of effort Ichigo got into a seated position. He was now looking down at his black hands that had claws.

"Impressive aren't they?" Ichigo's head slowly looked up at the voice he heard while he was in the black mass of liquid. What he didn't expect was to see a white version of his face looking back at him with a smirk. His mouth fell opened before he stared to move frantically. This wiped the smirk off the white doppelganger's face.

"Now now no need for that, I'm not here to hurt you. In fact I saved you." That made Ichigo calm down enough to just sit in the corner of the bed near falling off. The white being was dressed in a white cloak as he was. Ichigo suddenly squinted his eyes at the man.

This wasn't what the white figure expected.

The red head went from dazed, scared to suspicious.

"What are you?" Ichigo asked not letting the suspicion lift from his face. The white man sighed and rubbed his neck.

"That statue you called… what was it? Creepy? That was me by the way." Ichigo's eyes went wide. He stared at the smirking white being that had his face for a full minute without making a peep or even moving. Hell it didn't even look like he was breathing.

"How-What… ah this can't be true… how can a statue come to life?" Ichigo asked in a harsh whisper. The white being sighed and walked over to sit on the edge of the bed looking everywhere but at Ichigo who was watching him with hawk eyes.

"First off I am not a god. I am a deity of sorts I guess." The man looked back at Ichigo with a serious face. "I had worshipers but the island was hit with an earthquake making most of it sink into the ocean. After that with no one to serve I slipped back into my temple and collapsed the entrance thinking that no one would find the small island.

Unknowingly I still let my power seep through and that power drew all living things close. Once your ship got close enough however I sensed someone strong. Someone with a body and soul strong enough to survive merging with me and not dying along the way. Now guess how shocked I was when said someone was pushed into my essence.

I took the chance and saved you from dissolving into the essence. I infused myself within you. I never had a face before. So I took yours." The man smirked.

"Now I live inside you so to speak. You have gained my powers. They will stay as will I till the day you die then I will be freed but I am in no hurry so don't worry I won't kill you. I am curious to see how you will use what I have granted you." The man's smirk grew.

"What… powers?" Ichigo asked softly looking at his hands then back up at his look alike.

The white haired being fully got on the bunk and crawled closer. Once he was close enough he mounted the red head's thighs. He lifted one of the black hands and held it out before pressing his own hand against Ichigo's, both men had long nails.

"On the island they all called me the Puppet master. I have the power to control anyone who gets injected with this…" The white haired man gently pushed a small sac underneath Ichigo's index finger making it release the black substance. Ichigo watched with horror as the black liquid made a bead before lowering and hanging on what seemed like a string made out of the black stuff.

"How…" Ichigo looked up utterly confused and lost. This made the man give a somewhat sympathetic smile. "Don't worry I will help you along the way. For now all you need to do is sleep and rest. Oh and don't worry about actually saying what you want to say to me out loud I can hear your inner thoughts. Also only you can see me." The man said and gently pushed Ichigo down to lie down wiping off the small bead of black from his finger.

Ichigo looked into the gold and black eyes. "What's your name?"

"My name?" The being asked not believing what he was being asked, he was never once before asked for his name. Ichigo nodded and looked him in the eyes. "Yeah I am not going to call you puppet master." Ichigo huffed and got a more comfy spot.

A frown came on the man's face making them look more identical.

"I don't have one." The being looked to Ichigo who was now looking at him in thought. "Well seeing as you look like me… why don't we call you Hichigo?" Ichigo suggested watching the odd eyes go wide. Then a wide grin nearly tore the white face in two. In that moment Ichigo promised himself that he would never smile that big. He didn't even think he could.


The next morning Isshin and the rest of the lead groups came to check on Ichigo. They found him on his side sleeping soundly drip nowhere near his arm showing that Ichigo had somehow woke up in the middle of the night.

It was amazing because they gave the man a strong sensate. Isshin walked to his son's side and gently ran his fingers through the long orange strands. The stroking must have been enough because long dark lashes fluttered before opening showing clear brown eyes. Said hues moved to his father to see who was touching him. Seeing that it was his father Ichigo gave a small smile before slowly getting up and swinging his legs over the edge of the bunk.

Before anything could be said Ichigo's stomach gave a very, very loud growl. Ichigo blinked owlishly before bursting out laughing, he laughed so much he fell backwards on the bunk bumping his head against the wall. He groaned still chuckling softly.

This made the five men and sickbay doctor relax. If Ichigo was well enough to laugh like that he must be fine.

Ichigo rubbed his head while getting up and off the bunk. He wobbled a little when he was hit with a dizzy spell. His father helped him regain his footing before Ichigo was out the door quicker than they could keep up with.

"Well… he seems… perfectly fine." Aizen said with an arched brow still looking out the door. The five men decided to go and have breakfast as well as keep an eye on Ichigo. They were surprised when they stepped out so see Ichigo waiting for them.

"I forgot to say good morning." Ichigo said with a sheepish smile before his frown was back on his face. Inside Ichigo's head he was unsure as to where that sudden behaviour came from. He heard a snicker inside his head. "Sorry that was my influence. It will happen a few times more before we settle fully." Ichigo groan and slouched his shoulder turning around to head to the mess hall.

The five men followed after Ichigo still somewhat worried.

Silence greeted Ichigo when he stepped into the mess hall. Grimmjow was openly gawking along with Nnoitra, Stark looked more awake than Ichigo had ever seen him. Harribel and Ulquiorra had wide eyes for the first time ever.

Chad had rose to his feet and was watching Ichigo in case he needed help. Ichigo looked around before bringing a hand to scratch his short hair only to find that his 'short hair' was now long orange locks. He looked down at his hand that was grasping a long piece of hair with wide eyes.

"The fuck?" Ichigo nearly screamed before the voice in the mind told him. "Calm down will you? This was because of us merging. Though I would keep it if I were you. It suits you."Hichigo said and Ichigo knew that the man was smirking.

"I'll decide when I see it for myself." Ichigo mumbled in his head.

Calming down he looked around once more only to be surrounded by concerned faces. They all talked at once making Ichigo's head spin. The constant sounds and tugs made him slightly panicked, without knowing it Ichigo tapped into his new powers with the only thoughts to get away. With his panicked thoughts suddenly came a weightless feeling before it felt like he was pushed through the air before he felt the ground with his face.

There was a chorus of gasps.

No one knew what the hell just happened but one moment Ichigo was in the middle of the human circle before he morphed into black smoke and floated over their heads and only for Ichigo to reappeared on the ground gasping and withering on the floor as if electrocuted.

"Calm down Ichigo just breathe." Hichigo gently stroked Ichigo's forehead as the man looked at him sightlessly.

Hichigo was honestly impressed but worried at the same time. He never expected Ichigo to be able to shift so quickly, it seemed that it was instincts for the red head which was good yet bad as emotions played a part in it too.

Isshin was at his son's side in an instant. Hichigo watched as the man gently patter Ichigo's cheek before giving a more forceful one. That seemed to work as Ichigo blinked a few times before clear brown eyes looked up into his father's own darker brown hues.

Still breathing a little raspy Ichigo was helped up. His stomach made summersaults in his body when he remembered the odd feeling and suddenly being a few feet away in a blink of an eye. His father led him to sit down at one table while Urahara got Ichigo and Isshin a tray of food before quickly getting one for himself. They all sat in silence as Ichigo tried to get his bearings.

"What the hell was that?" Ichigo asked feeling his body still trying to figure out what happened to it in those few seconds. He could feel the man inside him fidget. "As you probably figured, that is one of my abilities you gained. It's called shifting. You basically dissolve and move to where you want to and then just solidify again when you are where you want to be." Ichigo nodded numbly as he ate his food he could hardly taste.

Once his fork made a clang on the metal tray was when Ichigo looked down to see an empty tray. This made most snicker or giggle.

He looked up to see Urahara looking at him with eyes filled with worry and oddly enough guilt. He like the blonde and didn't want to see the man with that look on his face. He gave a smirk.

"What?" he asked his voice had no anger, malice or accusation in it. Only pure curiosity.

"Are you alright?" he asked worry clearly showing in his voice. Ichigo's smirk softened. "I feel better now… after that…" Ichigo said frowning. Urahara was about to speak but Grimmjow butter in. "What was that anyway?" he asked looking pointedly at the red head showing he wasn't going to get out of it. Signing Ichigo pushed the tray away so he could rest his arms on the table where his chin rested.

"I don't know myself, you all just started to talk too much and at the same time that I panicked and it… just… happened." Ichigo made a motion with his hand to show how it was just a 'swish and it happened' movement. Urahara looked curious but didn't press for more.

After breakfast Ichigo took to walking. He walked everywhere he was allowed to, soon he stood in front of the doorway to the blonde's room. Said blonde was busy scribbling away on something. Ichigo tapped lightly on the door making the blonde look up.

The moment their eyes met his heartbeat accelerated. Ichigo could feel Hichigo stir at the suddenness of the faster beat.

"Oh? Seems Ichigo has a crush." The man cooed at Ichigo in a teasing manner. "Heh at least you have taste." The comment brought a slight flush to his cheeks. "Um… can I come in?" Ichigo asked unsure if the man would allow it now that he wasn't all human.

Intrigued by the adorable blush Urahara smiled at Ichigo. "Of course you can come in." the tone was warm and affectionate. It allowed Ichigo to relax his stiff shoulders. He walked over to the blonde's desk and made sure there was an open spot for him to sit down.

"Hey Hichigo can I tell Urahara what you told me about the island? I mean… he was so excited about finding it…" Ichigo could sense Hichigo was smirking at him knowing well that Ichigo liked the blonde man looking at him,

"Sure tell him everything. He doesn't look like he would betray you. He looks like he'd rather hug you amongst other things." Hichigo joked getting Ichigo to blush more deeply.

The now rosy cheeked Ichigo was looking around not knowing what to make of his new companion's remark. Taking a deep breath Ichigo looked to Urahara. "There is… more to that island than what you all saw." Ichigo started off slowly.

This had Urahara's attention. He held up a finger telling Ichigo to wait. The man rose and walked to the door. He locked it insuring that no one would hear. Ichigo gave him a grateful smile, taking another breath Ichigo lifted his hands allowing his hands to be shown. Long black nails arched slightly inwards.

"This, all this." Ichigo said wiggling his fingers before tugging a lock of hair.

"When I fell into the water… I thought I was a goner I mean I saw what it did to a piece of glass and metal. So imagine my surprise and utter shock when I didn't dissolve. I couldn't see shit but I felt these hands trying to get me to release my hold over my mouth. They succeeded and well after that it was all lights out for me so I don't know how I got back out." Ichigo said lightly scratching his head with a lone finger, he was careful of the nail even though Hichigo told him his nails could never harm his own skin.

"When I woke up I was in the sickbay looking up at the ceiling." Ichigo glanced at Urahara to see the man was looking at him like a child to a parent telling a bedtime story that was getting to the good part.

"I heard a voice as I woke. When I looked around I saw… well this might sound like bullshit but I saw myself only all white." Ichigo said and rubbed his face. "He then told me that he was the entity of the island. That the island wasn't always the shape it was. That the island was rather normally shaped, an earthquake made most of it sink. After he lost his worshippers he sealed himself into the temple." Ichigo kept the part where the white doppelganger sensed him to himself for now and well when I fell into the water that was actually his very essence he decided to hitch a ride." Ichigo poked his head a few times. "Wait." Urahara interrupted for the first time. "The entity is inside you?" He asked horrified at the idea. Ichigo gave him a gentle smile that made the man melt a little and also got a snicker out of Hichigo.

"He's a different one… he seems nice enough but I guess we'll have to see eh?" Ichigo shrugged a shoulder.

Another breath in and out made Ichigo continue. "I also gained his powers." Ichigo said and watched Urahara stiffen. He rose and gripped Ichigo hands with such gentleness that it caught Ichigo off guard. "Powers? Why on earth are you taking this so easily?" He asked a little loudly but the worry was evident in his face. Ichigo looked into Urahara's eyes with a serious look, his frown deeper than normal.

"Because what can I do to change it? If I said anything like this to Mayuri or a normal doctor I'd be sent off to a mental institution or worse experimented on." Ichigo said rubbing his forehead on Urahara's shoulder as said man still had his hands in a soft grip.

"Heh I wouldn't be surprised if the man tried to examine me or test on me." Ichigo's whole body slumped into the taller man's.

Urahara gulped his grip on Ichigo's hands tightening slightly before slacking.

"So powers?" he asked looking down at Ichigo's orange hair that was long much longer yet stayed spiky at the top, the tips were only now longer drooping slightly.

"Mmmm yeah that thing I did this morning was one of them." Ichigo said getting rather sleepy all of the sudden. When he realised how close he was to the man his heartbeat skyrocketed and he jolted violently while stepping back. This was such a surprise to Urahara that he stumbled forward as he didn't release Ichigo's hands. The two tripped over one another sending them both to the floor.

Both men blinked before the realised in what a compromising position they were in. Before they could move Hichigo pushed his influence onto Ichigo making him act like him for a few seconds. Those few seconds were enough for Ichigo's head to rise and their lips to collide.

There was a moment of utter silence as the world around them just seemed to fade away. Ichigo's soft lips were all Urahara could think of at that moment. Ichigo was mentally panicking and thinking up excuses for what he just did till he felt Urahara return pressure, a low groan left Ichigo at that point.

A shudder ran along Urahara's spine at the noise. He knew that they should stop that there was more important things to be held in regard but Ichigo was distracting him so perfectly. Once breath became an issue they slowly drifted apart. Ichigo was blushing brightly while frowning slightly.

"You should really stop that adorable face Ichigo." Urahara said softly running a finger over Ichigo's cheekbone. "I am not adorable." Ichigo grumbled softly while slightly leaning into the touch. This made Urahara's hope of maybe gaining the red head's affection rise. Well he just got kissed by the man…

"Well you are adorable to me Ichigo." Urahara said before gently getting off the red head where after he lends the man a hand to get him back on his feet. Ichigo grumbled under his breath looking away. The look just made the blonde want to hug the red head.

And so he did.

Ichigo stiffened at first before melting and returning the embrace.

Hichigo watched proudly nodding his head. He glanced over to the porthole of the door, Isshin was looking in. The white figure guessed he was looking for Ichigo and saw this now his reaction was pleasing to the white head.

The man looked on with a small smirk. It seemed that most on the ship have seen this coming. Now a shocked face would have been more entertaining but oh well.

Isshin nodded once to himself and walked away. Happy with how things turned out Hichigo returned back onto the red head's mind. Ichigo was feeling safe for some odd reason, it didn't make much sense to Ichigo but when he thought about what just happened to him sense was of a little importance. Besides he was attracted to Kisuke and it looked like it was mutual.

So why not see where it leads?

But the near future had obstacles that neither men nor supernatural could foresee.


Right before you all go Rambo on my ass, Hichigo's speech will change to what it is supposed to be. Hat and fan will be included in the near future.

I hope this didn't suck!