Chapter 3
In which we are introduced to the Kurosaki family

The walk to the Kurosaki residence was boring. Well, at least to Ichigo. Dipper had never been to Japan, and thought that it was just the best thing that ever happened to him, (but then he quickly reminded himself that he was still furious with Grunkle Stan.) But never the less, he couldn't help but look around him with awe. There were so many differences between Oregon and Tokyo, it was like he was in a completely different world. The signs, the shops, the culture, everything. If he wasn't here against his will, he would've never wanted to leave.

They rounded a corner, and Dipper found himself in a more suburb part of the city. A they walked past a street lamp, Ichigo stopped abruptly. Dipper looked at what the boy was looking at: a vase that used to be full of flowers was now knocked down.

"Dammit! I swear, if this happens one more time, someone's gonna get their head kicked in." Ichigo gently picked up the vase, and patted it gently "Don't worry. Ill get some new flowers, okay?"

Okay, that was kinda weird, Dipper worried. But he had just met the guy a couple hours ago, so he couldn't really hold anything against him…even if the kid wasn't good at first impressions.

"So," Dipper asked, trying to make conversation, "where do you live?"

"Oh, I live in a hospital." The reply came matter-of-fact.

WHAT?! No…what? He's messing with me. Yeah, that's it.

"Um..a hospital?" Dipper laughed nervously.

"Yeah. I live there with my two younger sisters and my dad."

Are we talking imaginary, or real? Dipper looked around nervously. He was becoming less and less inclined to stay with this kid any longer.

"Anyway," Ichigo continued, "Its right up this street. Cmon, kid."

"Ah, no, I really shouldn't," Dipper trailed off nervously

"Well, it's not like you have a choice in the matter. I'll bet you don't last a single night in the streets of Japan. Actually, wait, I take that back. You'd probably be mistaken for a little kid, kidnapped, and shipped off to God knows where. But I don't think you want that to happen. C'mon. Like I said, my place isn't that much farther." Ichigo started to walk away from Dipper.

Now's my chance, Dipper thought, now I can get away from this lunatic, and his stupid hospital home and his "family". But, Ichigo DID have a point. Dipper looked around him, and saw that the sun was setting. And the streets that looked so warm and welcoming before, now seemed dark and foreboding. A tall, rough looking guy was eyeing Dipper, and leaned up against his motorcycle, lighting a cigar. Another man, shorter than the first, but just as rough, joined his friend, and together they resembled some sort of monster, looking at Dipper in such a way that made him almost convinced that he probably tasted good. Dammit, I guess I really DON'T have a choice.

Ichigo turned around "Hey kid, are you coming or what?"

Dipper took one last look at the men, and ran towards Ichigo. "Yeah, I'm coming."

"Alright. Now I should probably warn you, that my family can be…dysfunctional. Especially my dad. His only redeeming quality is that he is willing to take in anyone into his care, even people outside of Karakura Town. My sisters are amazing, though. They may be twins, but they are total opposites. Karin is athletic, a major tomboy, and she's got a short temper. Don't get her mad. And Yuzu is calm, cooks, and is basically the mother of the whole fam. She's the one you thank for the meals that are prepared. And my dad, if you even wanna call him that, he's batshit crazy. You'll understand when you see him."

Now, when one is supposed to make a difficult choice, in real life situations, the person usually makes a choice that will benefit him the most, and the one that requires the least amount of sacrifice. But, this isn't real life, dear reader. So Dipper can make any choice he pleases to. But he still has to deal with the consequences of them. And with whatever choice Dipper makes, another, alternate universe is created. There is a universe where Dipper runs away from Ichigo, and gets shipped off to God knows where. There is a universe where Dipper doesn't bother to go help his Grunkle Stan in the first place, and therefore, never goes to Japan to begin with. And there is still another universe, where maybe Dipper is a girl, and everything is just jacked up.

But, in this case, this is the universe where Dipper walks up to the building in front of him, with sign that reads "Kurosaki Family Clinic", takes a deep breathe, and walks in.

"ICHI-GO!"

Dipper turned around in surprise, and saw a middle aged man attempting to round house kick Ichigo in the face. With lightning-like speed, Ichigo blocked the kick, and promptly bashed the mans face in with his foot.

Ah, this is probably his dad. Dipper thought as he saw his acquaintance and the man argue. He started to set his stuff down, but was caught in a huge bear hug.

"And you must be Dipper Pines! Aw, your even cuter in person!"

"M-Mr. Kurosaki, please...your crushing me." Dipper wheezed.

"Oh, sorry, sorry, my apologies. So, welcome to the Kurosaki Family Clinic! Your room will be upstairs. Im sorry, but you'll have to bunk with Ichigo. I hope he doesnt cause you too much trouble. Eh, son?" He grabbed his son in a headlock, giving him a noogie.

"Shut up!" the boy threw his dad over his shoulder, and stormed upstairs. Dipper looked over at Mr. Kurosaki.

"Is he always like this?" Dipper questioned

"Yup!" Mr. Kurosaki grinned, "that's my boy."

"But, how do you handle him being so...mean?"

Mr. Kurosaki seemed deep in thought. "I guess it's because I know what he's going through. That boy is tough...and he's gotta continue being tough. Besides, he treats his sister's like angels. And I hafta give him credit for that."

Dipper considered this, picked up his stuff, and walked up the stairs. He opened the door that led to Ichigo's, and scanned his surroundings. There was a huge closet, a bed that was neatly made, blueish window curtains, etc. he set his stuff next to the door, and took off his shoes (he noticed that that was kinda the custom around here.)

He got out his cot, and started to set it up, when he noticed a small black butterfly(or was it a moth?), wander into the room through the window. It landed on the desk, and started to crawl around, as if searching for something. But when Dipper went to touch it, it vanished. Okay...that was weird. He turned around, checked under the bed, trying to find any evidence of where it went. Now, here was something to look forward to. A mystery

"The disappearing butterfly" he whispered to himself, satisfied with the name he had given the creature.

"Huh? Did you say something?" a feminine voice behind him said. He jumped slightly, and turned around to see a curious brown eyed girl looking at him.

"Huh? Me? N-no. I didn't say anything. Nothing at all."

The girl's big eyes smiled with her "Okay! Anyway, I came up to tell you that dinner will be ready in five minutes."

"Thanks" Dipper turned back to set up his cot

"'Kay! See ya in a few!" Yuzu's honey coloured hair bounced with her head as she turned around and walked down the stairs.

Ugh, Dipper thought, those eyes. There so big, and innocent. No wonder she's the mom of the house...wait. What happened to Ichigo's mom, anyway? His thoughts were interrupted by the slamming of the front door. He heard people talking downstairs. Wondering who it was, he finished setting up the cot, and walked downstairs. He saw that people were seated at the table, and went to go sit at the nearest empty seat.

"Dude, cmon! Could you have walked any slower?" complained a cranky brunette seated across from him.

"I-" Dipper started to explain.

"Aw, cmon, Karin," Yuzu said, "He was getting unpacked. Now why don't have some sympathy for our new guest. Besides, I heard he had some trouble with Ichigo." She said with a laugh.

Dammit, he thought to himself, I didnt think they'd know. Stupid Ichigo, he probably told them while i was unpacking... He closed his eyes and tried to disappear, but alas, when he opened them, he was still sitting at the Kurosaki dinner table, about to dig into what looked like a sandwich wrapped in seaweed.

"It's Onii-Gratsu. Its REALLY good. try some! I made it myself" Yuzu beamed.

Okay, maybe this isnt really THAT bad, Dipper concluded, but I still wish i was back at home, with everyone i know. And with that, he concluded that he would pass the time trying to figure out what happened to the black butterfly.

After munching on a couple of those sandwich thingies, "Onii-gratsu," Yuzu had called them, Dipper went upstairs to get ready for bed. After getting changed, and brushing his teeth, he placed his pine tree hat under his cot, pulled up a blanket, and waited for sleep to overtake him.

"Night, Pine Tree." He heard Ichigo's voice coming from behind him. Aw fuck.