Author's Note: Here is the second installment on today's update. And let me say this: I really LOVED writing this chapter. It's short but that's because I want to leave a HUGE impression on you guys about our sweet Keitaro-kun. This chapter is really special and you'll find out more in future chapters. Readn and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bleach

Chapter 6: What's Up, Stranger?

Keitaro looked around him and sighed.

Here he was again, standing on this lonely, grassy hilltop, overlooking the sunset in front of him. The young Kurosaki sat down on his usual spot and waited.

For who?

"Keitaro."

A nameless stranger.

Keitaro looked behind him and smiled at the stranger behind him. He was a tall man, taller than his father, and wore a long, white cape that covered his entire body like a shield. And around his neck a long, red scarf was wrapped around it with the ends flowing down to the ground.

"Hi, ojisan," Keitaro greeted, "How was your day?"

The older man took a few more steps forward until he was standing next to the sitting Keitaro. "I'm doing very well. How about you?"

Keitaro shrugged. "Otousan got called away to Soul Society, taking his Badge with him."

The stranger let out a small chuckle. "Were you planning on stealing it again?"

"Yeah, but I guess my parents already figured that out. Otousan carries his badge with him all the time now," Keitaro sighed. He really wanted to use the badge like his parents when they needed to be in their Shinigami form. "When will they ever let me become a Shinigami?"

The stranger was quiet before replying, "When they think you're ready."

"But I'm ready now!" he argued back.

"But they're not," the older man responded. "You're parents are afraid of the dangers you will have to face once you gain this new power, and that is something they don't ever want you to know."

Keitaro sighed. It was impossible to argue against him since he was always right. So he turned his attention back to the sunset that never seemed to move from its position: the upper half shining brightly to the world, while the lower half was hidden by the earth.

"I want to get stronger," he whispered.

The stranger looked at Keitaro and let out a small smile. "And to what extent are you willing to go through to get stronger?"

Keitaro thought about this for a second before answering with determination shining in his eyes. "Whatever it takes."

Swish-swoosh!

Keitaro turned around by the sudden rustling of the bushes and tree-branches behind him. The stranger also looked back for a second before turning back to the young Kurosaki.

"It is time to leave again, Keitaro."

The said boy looked at him for a second and nodded. "I'll see you tomorrow, ojisan."

The stranger smiled. "Of course. Now, wake up."

In the next second, Keitaro jerked open his eyes. He was in his room, lying on his bed with his blanket tossed off to one side.

"Augh," he cringed at the morning sun shining brightly into his face from his window. He sat up and looked at the clock on his desk.

7:00 am.

Time to get ready for school.

Keitaro stretched his tired body before jumping out of his bed. He looked over to see his younger brother still snoring away on his bed with Kon in his arms.

He was about to open his bedroom door when he suddenly stopped, remembering something.

Why does ojisan always wake me up whenever it feels like there's another presence with us? Keitaro asked himself before sighing. Great, another question that nobody is going to answer.

Fed up with how shielded his life was, Keitaro opened his door and went to the bathroom to get ready for school.

So? How was it? Did you figure out who that 'stranger' is? lol

Now do you know why I really liked this chapter? If not, maybe you should reread the chapter with a more open mind. There's a reason why Keitaro had to 'wake up'. Did you notice it?

Well, let's go to the next chapter! (sadly it doesn't have too much more on what's happening here but it will in another chapter soon).