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Ok...next! I kinda left you off evilly, no? Well this is the end of the flashback chappies, so enjoy it!

Chapter 3

Ichigo shivered as he and Shiro huddled for warmth. He wasn't sure how long they'd been there, but it was getting colder now. Winter's almost here... he reminded himself.

"I-Ichigo." He turned to look at Shiro. He looked paler than normal, granted he was sure he didn't look much better. His normally bright eyes were dulled with sleep, cold and pain. The men that had taken them had not been very gentle with either of them 'punishing' them whenever they simply asked for something. Ichigo knew their situation wasn't good, and he knew Shiro was aware of this as well.

"Y-y-yes?" They huddled closer trying to warm each other up.

"I-it's too d-d-d-d-damned c-cold..." Shiro muttered, making Ichigo chuckle.

"The f-f-act you're st-st-stuttering takes the e-edge from y-your language." HE joked, making Shiro laugh in return. The door opened again and the men tossed something at the kids.

"Here. Now shut the hell up and quit whining." The man grumbled. Ichigo reached out and let the tattered blanket cover them both. Using Shiro as a pillow, he did the only thing he could do; sleep.

Grimmjow stared out the window as snow began to fall from the sky. Guys...where are you? He wondered. It'd been three days and still no sign of either of the princes. He had done what his father had said; he prayed to the gods every night, especially Kazeshini, his home's patron god. Please...please help them Kazeshini...

"Isshin, I swear, you have done nothing to find these men!" Masaki snapped at her husband.

"Masaki, I'm trying my hardest, but they are not making themselves easy to find. And we still don't even know if they're still alive!" He said, feeling frustrated.

"Of course they are! Don't worry Alexander like this!" Masaki said, glancing at the King of Karakura. "You know how guilty he feels..."

"The fact that he ignores his son is his buisness."

"Yes, but they are in our country, and deserve our hospitality and concern!" Msaski snapped back. "If you refuse to move, then I'll do it myself!" She stormed off down the hallways, intent on having time alone to pray. When she made it to the painting on the wall, she fell to her knees. Please...please give me the strength to help my son and his friend...and give them hope. I'm going to find them!

One of the men grabbed Ichigo by his hair and yanked him up. "Oww!" He tried squirming out of the man's grip, but it resulted in Shiro getting kicked and he stilled. Everytime one of them struggled or complained, the man would hurt the other instead. A coward's ploy, Shiro had called it, but an effective one.

"You know the rule, kid." The man hissed in his ear.

"Don't...don't you dare hurt...him!" He called out. The tall man smacked Ichigo's face and Shiro remained quiet, butr hie eyes were speaking many things at once. He hated being this useless! The only people that cared about him were his friends...he wasn't about to let this go. He struggled to stand, but his hands were still bound. He shakily got to his feet and charged at the man, who was taken by surprise and fell over, releasing Ichigo. "Run Ichigo!" Ichigo did, but he had grabbed Shiro and ran with him, slowing him down. "No, leave me here Ichigo and go!"

"No! I won't leave you!" Ichigo snapped. He knew they had to find their way out. After making a swift turn, he watched as the man ran past them. Shiro was panting heavily and slid down onto the ground, slightly surprised to be sitting in foul smelling water.

"We're...in...in the sewers..." He deducted. Ichigo found an old shard of metal and used it to free Shiro's hands. The skin around his wrists was inflamed and dull, almost black.

"We need to get out of here." Ichigo helped Shiro up and they both did their best to support each other; neither had much to go on but hope...hope that they could still escape.

Masaki opened her eyes and stared at the painting. Thank you Mugetsu! She rushed as fast as she could to tell her husband what she now knew. We can find them!

Grimmjow didn't really know where he was, but he didn't like it. "Mm...nervous boy?" He shivered at the teasing voice behind him. He turned to see a figure he recognized well; he looked like a demented jester, wielding two scythes.

"Y...you're..."

"Kazeshini, at your service, young one." The god bowed, grinning the eintire time. "You are asking me of a favor, no?"

"I want my friends back! I...but I can't help them...what can I do?" He asked, almost begged. The god seemed to ponder for a moment.

"I shall take care of everything. However, as the rules apply, you will owe me."

"What is it you want? My father-"

"Has nothing I wish to possese." Kazeshini leaned down and grinned. "I don't want my payment now, but when I do want it, you will know."

"How?"

"You'll be asking for my aid again by then, and I will come. So, until then, rest easy, young one." He pat the boy on the head and watched as he faded away. Kazeshini waved his hand in his dark relam and grinned as two boys, trudging through the sewers filled a small orb of fog in front of him. His gaze was on one in paticular, one that would soon be the cause of great distress. Ah yes...I may wait, but I will have you soon... He grinned and cackled.

Ichigo was getting tired of running, especially since know he was being forced to carry most of Shiro's weight. He had been beaten worse because he hadn't stopped fighting. Shiro had constantly told him not to stop, but what had that done? It had gotten Shiro beaten and hurt. "I'm sorry..." Hw whispered it, glad that the albino didn't hear him. When he reached a crossroad, he was confused. Which way? He was about to go left when loud footsteps from that direction had him instantly turning around. He didn't notice the sisnter figure grinning at him from the shadows.

When he came to a dead end, he noticed a ladder leading upwards. Yes!

"Ichigo...we almost out?" Shiro asked, sounding dazed and tired.

"Yup! Just lemme move the manhole cover." He placed Shiro down gently and climbed up the small ladder. It took a lot of effort, but he managed to push the cover away and climbed back down. "Can ya climb up?"

"Sure Ichi. Just...gimme a sec." He watched as Shiro struggled to stand, but he managed and climbed up the ladder first. He waited and helped hoist Ichigo up onto the street they were now on. "I think we outrun th-"

"Ichigo!" Both boys turned to see Masaki and Isshin, as well as Alexander running up to the boys. Masaki bolted first, grabbing her son and his friend, hugging them both tightly.

"M...mommy..." Ichigo sighed, glad to be with his mom. GRimmjow ran up then, smirking and hugging his friends.

"Oh thank all the gods!" He said. "You both look-and smell- like shit!" He almost laughed if it wasn't for the pained smile Shiro was giving him. "you guys hurt?"

"Nothing...we can't handle." Shiro replied, ready to collapse. Grimmjow was just about to move when a loud shout came from behind. As fast as he could, he yanked Shiro off to the side and watched as Masaski gripped onto Ichigo. There were shots and everyone froze as blood pooled from the Queen's chest. Ichigo remained still as the guards seized the man that had kidnapped him, along with his counterpart, whom had fired. Grimmjow and Shiro both rushed over to pull Ichigo out from under his mother, who had yet to move.

"Mommy? Mo..." Ichigo began struggling in their grip as blood began to form a huge puddle. Both princes wrapped their arms around each other, sobbing with the screaming Prince of Seireitei.

Three days later...

Shiro finished getting itno his nice outfit; he was ready for the festivle, and to turn eleven. "Awesome! I'm good to go!" As he turned however, he saw Ichigo gazing dazedly out the window. He's been like this since... He walked over and placed a hand on Ichigo's shoulder. "Wanna know something?"

"Hmm?" Ichigo looked at him, his brown eyes dead looking.

"You saved me down there." Ichigo's eyes widened and he sighed. "I...in reality, I really didn't give a shit if I lived or died. My dad...he doesn't care for me at all. He ignores me and my mom thinks...that I'm some demon." Ichigo continued to listen as Shiro twisted the sash he was wearing, a small piece of his outfit meant to symbolize the peace between the kingdoms. "If it wasn't for you, I may have given up..."

"But what did I do? I couldn't protect mom...so how did I save you? !" He almost snapped, making Shiro flinch a bit.

"You listened to me; you never gave up. I knew that if I did...you might've followed me..." He wasn't proud of what his thoughts had been like then. "I'm greatful for you, and Grimmjow. You guys are the only family I feel I have."

"Good, now can we leave?" Both boys turned and saw Grimmjow, already in his clothes, tapping his foot impatiently in the doorway. Shiro nodded and stood up, holding his hand out for Ichigo. He took it and at the sight, Grimmjow couldn't help but feel something small twinge in his gut...and he didn't like it at all.

They were out on their hill again, this time accompanied by at least one guard. "This sucks..." Shiro goraned.

"Ah well, ya can handle it." Grimmjow joked, nudging the albino playfully. Ichigo chuckled andn Shiro couldn't help but smile.

"So, you get to make a birthday wish. What's it gonna be?" Ichigo asked.

"Already got it."

"Huh?" Shiro smiled.

"I just wanted you to be back to normal, that's it. C'mon, we're rich and can have whatever material objects we want, but that'll never make a person happy."

"What, did a gypsie tell ya that?" Grimmjow laughed.

"No, ass. But hey, what are friends for, eh?" Shiro grinned and wrapped his arms around the other two. "Hey...I hate to ruin the mood but...my dad said that we won't be coming back for a really long time." Ichigo stared at him in disbelief.

"Funny, my dad said the same." Grimmjow sighed. "It isn't fair!"

"Guess it serves us right...we are from different countries..." Ichigo sighed.

"So? ! We can't let that stop us!" Shiro reached down and pulled something from his pocket. "See these?" In his hand were three necklaces, each one held a small stone; a saphire, diamond and topaz. "My dad let me get these. So we can never forget each other." He handed the saphire one to Grimmjow and the topaz to Ichigo. "So, let's promise to meet again!"

"You're awfully excited. Did that guard accidentally slip something into your drinks?" Grimmjow joked.

"Nah, just happy, if not sad as well." They all looked as fireworks went off in the distance. "No matter what, this is the best birthday ever." As the three sat there, Ichigo looked up at the stars.

I promise not to be sad anymore mom...i'll protect my friends the right way from now one...thank you...

Present day...

And he was still wearing his topaz necklace, but he didn't let Shiro see. "You're...you're here..."

"Yeah, my father said we needed to come back for something. I can't remember what." Shiro couldn't stop staring at him. Ichigo had changed; he was no longer skinny for starters. He was tall, lithe and strong, his skin now tanned perfectly. His eyes still held his emotions, but what did it matter now? They were eighteen. And he needed to keep his distance...no matter what. "So how has it been?"

"How's it been? ! Man, I've missed you!" Ichigo went to pat him on the back, but Shiro shruigged his hand aside. Wha...

"Look, my father's here on buisness, and he told me to keep my presence here just as much so. Forgive me, but I'm tired and need to rest." Ichigo couldn't believe this. Was this really Shiro talking? ! It sure as hell didn't sound like it.

"Is something up Shiro?"

"Call me Ogichi please." Ichigo nearly flinched at the hard, professional voice Shiro now held.

What's happened to him? ! Ichigo didn't know what had happened to his childhood friend, but he wanted to find out.

Chapter 3 end

So? Maybe i'm making him seem like an ass, but i have reasons~! And Grimmy will show again in the next chappie! So reviews please~!