A/N: Hey guys, sorry. I had meant to get this out on Sunday (5/3) but my great grandmother had passed away, so my husband and I had to trek up north to her viewing and funeral and be back in time for him to return to work on Monday. It's been a roller coaster. Anyways I hope you all enjoy the chapter.
What felt like seconds later, Ichigo woke to find herself on a soft bed, canopy curtains hanging on all four sides, closing off her view to the rest of the room. Sitting up, she felt the silk sheet slip down her frame, revealing her torso had been bandaged and soft black palazzo pants covered her lower half.
As she shifted her weight to stand, she felt small twinges of pain shoot through her back from the whip lashes she received. Pushing the curtains to the side, she noticed her footing wasn't as stable as usual. That along with the lack of extreme pain she has a feeling her rescuers have given her a strong numbing agent for her back.
With a hand holding her steady against the bed, she took a mental inventory of all her wounds. The bandages that wrapped around her upper half connected to her left shoulder, greatly diminishing the range of motion for her arm. The soft pants brushed against her legs, alerting her to the scraps covering her shins and knees she acquired when she had fallen to the concrete. The bottoms of her feet were sore, but she was able to walk on them at least.
She turned her attention to the room, noticing the lack of any windows. However lite candles throughout the room provided enough light to allow her to see where she had been left. The wall directly across from the bed was filled floor to ceiling with books. Making her way over, Ichigo noticed books that had been banned under Lord Aizen's rule. All of them worn to a degree. Some seemed to have broken spines that were tapped back together.
Looking to her right, she noticed the door that sat alone on the wall. Slowly making her way over, she heard muffled noise seeping from around the door. Indicating that this would be the exit from the room. Placing a hand on the door handle, she was only able to move it a fraction, telling her what she had already figured. 'Of course', she thought, a small frown gracing her face as she turned back to the room.
On the back wall of the room stood a wide desk. Papers littered the top and around the floor, while some where pinned to the wall. Some of the papers had things circled, while others had crosses in red ink all over them. Walking toward the wall, a piece of paper that caught Ichigo's eye was the picture of Lord Aizen. The ever confident smirk gracing his features, while underneath she could faintly make out hand written notes. Before she could take a step closer to read what was written, she heard the door behind her creak open allowing the muffled sound to fill the small room.
Laughter, singing, music rang the loudest followed by sounds of plates thunking on tables and utensils clanging against each other. In the doorway stood the very man that had held her against him as she fell into unconsciousness. A plate of food piled high in each hand, and the skeletal mask still covered his face. Using his foot, the man closed the door, once again dulling the outside noise.
Not moving from his spot, his gazed trained on the girl as she used her right arm to try and hide her state of undress from the man. While the bandages covered her chest all the way down to her hips, she still felt exposed and uncomfortable.
"Heh, didn't think you'd be awake. You've been out of it for three days. You probably shouldn't be out of bed, that asshole made a mess of your back. Your wounds are deep and Tessai wasn't able to do much other than clean and bandage you, while pumping you with some hard ass pain killers. He won't be happy if you cause yourself to start bleeding again." A distorted voice sounded from behind the mask. With the smell of food filling the room, a warm blush skittered across the bridge of her nose as her stomach growled rather loudly.
A quiet chuckle came from the man as he started to make his way toward the girl. Even knowing that this man saved her from her kidnapper, she couldn't help but be weary of his presence, especially with the mask still covering his face from her. The distance she maintained with the man didn't escape his notice as a soft sigh was released. Placing both plates on the desk, allowed him to free his hands so that he may remove the mask that seemed to be causing the poor young girl to be anxious.
Removing the mask as well as the black gloves that covered his hands, the man turned toward Ichigo so that she could fully view her savior. Her eyes widened as she took in the snowy white features of the man. Short, choppy hair sat atop his head as bangs fell into his eyesight, not truly covering golden eyes that were surrounded by black sclera that seemed to glow in the dark room. While his features were truly unnatural, it was the similarities in his features from hers that baffled her.
As the man watched confusion and fear spark across Ichigo's face, he felt hesitant with how he should approach the young woman. "I know you don't remember who I am Ichi, but you have to know I would never hurt you."
Startled from her thoughts by the hand reaching toward her and the fact that this man before her knew her on an intimate level scared her. A sadden deep frown filled his face as she took another step back. He tossed his gaze to the room, as if hoping something would jump out and help him. His gaze landed on the chest at the foot of his bed, knowing that this would be his answer he looked back at the woman offering her a small smile before making his way over.
After rummaging around for a few seconds, a small exclamation sounded as he stood, in his hand a thick volume. Looking at her, he sat the book on the bed and backed away. Taking the hint, Ichigo made her way over the bed and looked at the volume. Like the books in the wall, she could tell that this was read through often. Opening the book, she was surprised to find that it wasn't a book for reading. Instead it was a photo album. The first page held black and white wedding photos. Both bride and groom had smiles on their faces. The pair couldn't look any happier holding each other's hands, smiles wide on their faces as they looked at the camera and their guests. One picture showed them cutting the cake, the next showed that both decided to smash their pieces in each other's faces rather than really feed each other. Pictures of them dancing and kissing, a look of pure happiness and joy evident in every picture.
The next couple of pages contained colored photos, showing the couple enjoying married life. Random snapshots of the man and woman together. Always with smiles gracing their faces. Ichigo couldn't stop the smile from growing on her face, their joy infectious even though photos. The man had jet black hair and allowed a small beard to start growing. The woman had long wavy hair that was a shade lighter than Ichigo's own locks.
Trembling hands turned the page, showing her a photo of the woman rubbing a very pregnant belly. The man giving a thumbs up sign to the camera, and the joy and excitement shining in both their eyes. More pictures showed a tiny screaming baby and new parents with tired eyes but the joy still shinned through.
The next couple of pages showed a much younger version of the young man in front of her growing through the years. While his skin wasn't has white as it was now, his eyes held still gold eyes that were surrounded by white not black and orange hair topped his head, not white.
The next page showed his holding a small bundle of blankets, his skin just a shade darker than the current snow white color it holds, his once bright orange hair, pale and his eyes looking dark. The poor boy looked sick and dying, but he didn't let that stop the giant grin from filling his face as he sat with the bundle in his arms. Flipping through the pictures, Ichigo's surprised grew as she saw that the little bundle the boy held was a little girl growing up before her with bright orange hair and brown eyes to match the mans. Most of the pictures showed the young boy and girl holding hands, playing together. One even showed both of them had fallen asleep in an oversized chair, her brother's arm wrapped around her, keeping her close and warm.
Looking up from the album, her vision of the man in front of her wavering as tears filled her eyes. Noticing this, he made his way toward her; wrapping his arms around her, mindful of her injuries, he comforts his sister he hasn't seen in years.
Laughter fills the room as Ichigo clutches her stomach. Shiro was just telling her about their father's crazy antics, how he would wake Shiro up in the morning, testing his strength and reflexes with surprise attacks. "I'm telling you, I would be his ass so bad, he would be black and blue, lying there bleeding and he'd tell me I would have to 'be strong to protect my younger sister's virtue' or some crazy shit like that. I don't know why mom put up with him."
Being eight years older, Shiro had many memoires to share with Ichigo. Telling her about their parents, how she and Shiro grew up. "You would always get a few hits in yourself, telling dad to quit irritating me. Of course then he would whine and cry saying that I was turning you against him," Shiro chuckled, smiling affectionately at his younger sister. Being separated from her for six years was not what he wanted and constantly fought trying to make it to where he could see her. The time apart had been long and hard on him, but he was happy to see just how much she blossomed in the last six years. She was beautiful and looked so much like their mother, Misaki.
Pulling Shiro from his thoughts, Ichigo gave a small laugh. "I only wish I could remember everything," she said looking to her brother. "Shiro, what happened? Why can't I remember anything past waking up that one day, six years ago?"
Ichigo watched as a dark look shadowed her brother's features. Shiro stood from the bed, gathering their empty plates to place on the desk. Looking up at the dictator's picture, his glare seemed to have intensified. "Growing up, mom and dad never really gave me a lot of details. I just know we moved a lot and we kept our head down. As I got older I realized we were hiding and running, and it got worse when I got sick. For whatever reason Aizen had it out for our family."
Turning to face his sister, Shiro saw her watching him and listening to every word that passed his lips. Sinking back down next to her, he took her hands in his, his gaze never leaving their entwined hands as the memory that destroyed their lives played through his mind like a horrible nightmare he couldn't wake up from.
"We were just about to leave again, but his mercenaries found us. We were attacked late in the night. They set the house on fire, separating you and me from mom and dad. Unfortunate for them, they caused so much chaos, you and I were able to escape. Not without injuries of course." His gaze lifted to her face, a hand coming up to stroke the left side of her head.
"You go hit so hard, I thought they killed you. I lost it, I killed them. All three of them laid bleeding on the floor of the room we were sleeping in. I don't know how I did it, all I could think was I had to save you." Shiro's voice trembled as he recounted that dark night, the fear and adrenaline filling his body once more. He remembered running, holding his little sisters body so tight to his chest as he ran as fast as he could. Her breaths were so weak and she was bleeding so much from the head wound, he feel into a panic. He didn't know where to go, who he could turn to. It was the shine of headlights that brought him out of his nightmare.
Ichigo watched as the glazed look left Shiro's eyes and he once more focused on her. A small smile made its way to his face. "I don't think I was ever so happy to see his stupid ass, even when he almost hit me with his car. Damn kitty cat got wind of them finding us and tried to make it in time. Honestly I thought he was going to go and kill every last of those assholes. Of course he saw you and then I thought he was going to kill me. Don't think I've ever seen him so pissed off."
Noticing the look of confusion on Ichigo's face, he chuckled. "Oh come on, you know who I'm talking about. You know the one boy I couldn't keep away from you no matter how hard I tried. Damn ass was always there. Although now I can't complain, it's because of him that you've been kept safe for the past six years. He's been the one taking care of you, although I still owe him an ass kicking for keeping you away from me."
"Master wouldn't let you near me? Why? If he knew so much about me, why would he not at least allow you near me?" Anger coursed through her veins, she could have at least known about her brother, and the fact that her parents were dead. She couldn't remember how many times she would sit and fantasize about what kind of life she had before the Master had found her.
Looking back at the pale man in front of her, she noticed the dark scowl on his face. "Master? What the fuck? That pervert, what the hell has he been doing to you?!" Ichigo couldn't help but laugh, the look on her brother's face was priceless.
"He hasn't done anything to me Shiro, I haven't even met him. I call him Master, because that is how he is referred to by the estates staff. I don't even know what he looks like. My only contact with him was through my phone, by text message or email."
"Hmm, that doesn't sound like him. Here I would have thought he was keeping you all to himself on purpose. So you have no idea who he is?" Shaking her head, her eyes narrowed at the smile that grew on his face. "Not even his name, huh?" Shiro threw his head back as a deep laughter filled the room.
Huffing, Ichigo threw leaned forward, resting her chin on her knee. When she did this, she was reminded of her wounds on her back, causing her to wince. Shiro noticed the pained look flash across her face, he stood quickly making his way over to the hidden closet near the desk. Coming back out with more black fabric in his hands, he handed it over to Ichigo.
"Here throw this on, it's about time I get you back to the estate anyways."
Putting the cloak on had proven to be difficult, with her injuries and limited range of motion. With Shiro's help she was able to be completely covered. Throwing the hood up over her brightly colored hair, Shiro held her hand as he guided her out of the room.
The pain of her injuries grew more intense as she allowed Shiro to lead her, turning all her focus on trying to stay conscious. She was helped into a silver car, Shiro taking his place right next to her. Handing two white pills to Ichigo along with a bottle of water he turned to the driver, telling him their destination.
"They're pain pills, it's what you've been on the whole time you've been here. They're strong, so you will knock out pretty easily too." Nodding, she threw both pills in her mouth and chugged the whole bottle. She leaned over, resting her head on Shiro's shoulder and allowed the smooth gentle motions of the car to help lull her to sleep.