**Because someone hasn't updated since late February…A recap for your troubles:

Ichigo, orphaned as a child due to his parents' murder, is raised by his hated 'Uncle,'(who isn't really his Uncle) Aizen Souske. His desire to get away from his 'Uncle' drives him to do well in school and get a scholarship to study medicine in New York. It is here that his dreams start becoming terrifyingly vivid and realistic, sometimes leaving behind physical evidence in their wake. The one consistent presence in these dreams, an Incubus/Ghoul known as Shirosaki to those he likes, Algol to everyone else.

Desperate to find a solution for his 'sleeping problem,' Ichigo visits Psychiatrist Gin Ichimaru, who has his own ties to the supernatural world- Particularly, a hatred for Aizen, or Chaos, the demon of Illusions. Dosing Ichigo with enough meds to tranq a horse, he begins plans to liberate Ichigo from Aizen's hold by taking his life in their next session. On the way home from obtaining his sleeping pills, Shirosaki reveals his true self to Ichigo, and after some questions concerning his sanity, he is finally convinced of the existence of the supernatural.

Assured that Shiro would only take him willing, Ichigo takes the 'sleep aid' prescribed to him by Ichimaru Gin. After he's out, Shiro examines the bottle and becomes curious about the borderline dangerous dosage of the drug, not to mention becoming livid that he can't 'play' with his human while he's so heavily sedated. So, the next morning he pays a visit to the bold psychiatrist, posing as a patient until he reveals his connection to Ichigo.

Recognizing Shirosaki as a powerful demon, Gin tells him of Ichigo's connection to another demon, Aizen, who wronged him and led to the death of his fiancée, Rangiku. When Gin refuses to reveal his plans with Ichigo, Shiro forces his way into the man's mind and finds out the psychiatrist planned to kill the boy both for revenge and to set his soul free so the demon couldn't claim it. With no intention of releasing Ichigo, Shirosaki learns the true name of Aizen, Chaos de Illusios, and kills Gin so he can't pose a threat to Ichigo.

When Aizen learns of Gin's death, he becomes concerned that one of his 'enemies' was in such a close proximity to the human he wants to claim he becomes concerned and sends underlings to investigate and keep an eye on his charge. Enter Ulquiorra, or Despero, the demon of Despair, who had been trying to keep a quiet eye on Ichigo, until his presence disappeared behind an unknown barrier, forcing closer inspection…

When Ichigo learns of Gin's death, he decides it might be more than a coincidence and goes to confront his not so unwelcomed anymore, demon stalker. Easily sidetracked by the demon's charm, good looks, and a little lustful power boost, Ichigo quickly becomes hazy on the reason for his visit, until he passes out from getting a little too drunk on Shiro's energy. Upset that he unintentionally knocked out his human, Shirosaki decides that Ichigo's dreams should still be fair game, but gets interrupted by incessant knocking at the door…

Dropping the towel, he threw on a pair of black silk sleep pants before heading to the door. The knocking had increased in frequency and he was already finding himself annoyed with the person on the other side. Pulling open the flimsy wooden door, his scowl was quickly replaced with a blank face of well concealed fury, "Despero…"

Snow White Queen (11)

"I see you managed to make it out of the burning city. Centuries of hiding, and you decide to show your miserable existence now. So what, you finally ready to die?"

To the smaller demon's credit, he did not back down, however Algol could sense the cautious uncertainty in his demeanor. "Honestly you are the last being I expected to be on the other side of this door. Your cloaking abilities have progressed far beyond what I thought you capable. You would fight me again? Sacrifice another unfortunate city in a futile attempt to eradicate me?"

The words stung, as he was certain they were meant. He could never allow himself to forget the cost of his impassioned recklessness all those years ago. The humans may have simply written it off as another unfortunate page in history, but the Fire of Rome was still an all too fresh, healing wound on his conscious.

He felt dark tendrils of energy creep around his aura and snapped out of his exaggerated self-loathing. The mention of the consequences from his loss of control in Rome was not coincidence. Despero was already fighting. Planting the seed of despair by tearing open old wounds, allowing the little parasite to feed from the negative energy produced. It wouldn't matter though; this little roach could suck up enough energy to clone an entire army of himself, and Algol would still have enough left over slaughter them all. Pathetic little fool.

To prove his point, he allowed the others' power to close around his own tightly confined energy, before releasing his restraints and allowing his dark Getsuga flames to lash out, obliterating the filthy green tendrils surrounding him, and knocking their owner back into the wall hard enough to send him crashing through it.

"You seem to be forgetting something very important, little worm. We never fought. You were smarter back then, you hid. The cities destruction just showed how good you were at that feat."

A door opened somewhere across the hall, nosy human neighbor sticking his nose in where his face might get blown off. The ghoul easily hacked the unimpressive mind, and sent the dumb ass to bed as his 'real opponent' climbed up from the rubble in the vacant apartment directly across from his own.

Brushing drywall and flaked paint from his ugly white trench coat, the dark haired, mossy eyed demon sneered, "Still concerned for the trash, I see."

He ignored the weak jab in favor of something he overlooked in his earlier anger, "What the fuck are you doing here if you didn't know who'd answer the door?"

He stood tall, defiance written across his normally expressionless features, but made no further move to attack. "My master has an interesting habit of letting his pet run loose. I believe it has wandered into your...living space."

A smooth, slightly sleep heavy voice interrupted from behind, "Shiro, who are you talking to?"

Well, that certainly was not a few hours, damn. "A cockroach."

Green eyes focused behind him and the emotionless mask made itself at home once more, "Kurosaki Ichigo, your Uncle has requested your presence back home immediately."

Not willing to take his eyes off of the unpredictable ghoul in front of him, he had to ignore the urge to turn around and face his human, who was now moving closer, discontent rolling off him in waves.

Ichigo stopped next to him, looking ready to lash out as well, "So, he has his sneaky little snake following me around now? What the fuck are you doing here Ulquiorra?"

Shirosaki smirks as the very same question he asked just minutes prior gets restated in much the same way by his hot tempered human.

Despero didn't bother masking the distaste in his voice, "I see the two of you share more in common than just looks. You are not fit to be beside Aizen-sama."

Ichigo snorted, "Well, at least we can agree on that."

"In any case, under the circumstances, it is imperative that you return to Japan. Aizen-sama will not stand for you being in this man's vicinity."

Tan arms crossed over the chest of his black t-shirt, "No. Not going back. You can tell 'Aizen-sama' that his hold over me ended when I became an adult and moved half way across the globe. If that doesn't get the point across, the phrase 'go fuck yourself' seems pretty effective."

Just as Despero moved forward with a clear intent to reach Ichigo, a stark white arm slammed into the doorframe in front of the foolish demon's face. In reaching for the lamb, it was obvious that the little weasel forgot about the tiger. And the growl the bigger demon was emitting would definitely do the animal justice.

"Touch him and I'll rip your arm off and beat you to death with it."

Not being his first run-in with the volatile incubus, Despero knew when to call it quits. Algol would indeed follow through with that threat. His death here would only hinder his master's investigation. He had to get out and report his findings immediately.

Next to the simmering demon, Ichigo huffed, "You really think I can't take him?"

Shirosaki allowed himself to relax some as the smaller ghoul stepped back, "He's a demon, Ichi."

Orange brows shot up toward an equally bright hairline, "Bullshit! That little tightwad?"

Green orbs glared accusingly at the incubus, "You have made him aware of our existence?"

Shirosaki shrugged, "Look, I don't screw around like your master. I know how to get what I want."

"The boy has been spoken for by another demon. Your actions violate his claim and will be deemed unlawful."

"Ichigo wandered into my territory pure as the day he was born. If Chaos wanted him, he should' a marked him before he ran away. His loss is my gain. Have fun relaying that message."

"Are you willing to start a war over that?" His long, boney finger pointed at the human. "Aizen-sama has many demons already at his side."

"When one has the ability to raise hell, the size of the opposing force is irrelevant. Best to inform your master exactly who it is he is dealing with."

With that, Shirosaki slammed the door between them and threw up every barrier he could call to mind. If Ichigo's look was anything to go by, he had some explaining to do and interruptions would only make things worse.

And the day had started out so promising…

**The references mentioned in Shirosaki/Algol's ties to ancient Rome (and Ulquiorra/Despero) will be addressed next chapter.

Chapter 10 Review Responses (I think I'm just going to admit defeat on trying to respond individually, I'm really bad at following through…maybe one day I'll make us all proud):

ArisuAmiChan- I shamelessly accept your bribe (even though it's been months and I don't deserve it). Your compliments on my portrayal of Incubus Shiro are greatly appreciated! And thanks for the week/weak correction…it is on my to do list.

Guest- Yes, Grimmjow will make a nice addition…oops did I let that slip?

YooKay- Glad I could give you a laugh…Shiro and his big words ;)

Jakondas- He wasn't alone…my brain short circuited shortly after writing that description.

Hollow Ichigo-Ichigo- I'm making myself at home in your closet…we both know I don't deserve to be let out.

Lil Mexican- Whoa tiger ;)…I'm sorry this took so long. I really don't type this slowly, I swear it.

TealEyedBeing- We'll let the towel go later. War you say? Perhaps…

PunkRockHolly- LoL, It really is OK to miss a review every once in a while…Especially since you've been with me for so long. Seniority perks. I think everyone is jonesin' for some Grimm.

ezcap1st- Not quite ready for the showdown yet. The boys need to do a little posturing before battle. The whole 'my side is way better than your side' smack talk.

KawaiiBerry-chan- Ah, it's ok because I'm so late at updating all the time. It has been conveniently escaping my knowledge quite often. So if anyone is lame, it's me. Yep, this chick that hasn't updated in like 4ish months…Anyway now I'm rambling. Glad you enjoyed the chapter!

LiveToTell- Welcome! Hope you're still with me. And yes, this is my first supernatural piece, although I read tons of science fiction books on it and love sci-fi. ;) Glad you like it!

MiSa-sama-MiSa-chan- Thank-you, I am glad you liked it! Well, this chapter certainly answered your question…yep, they definitely know each other lol.

anime-dark-fairy- Thanks! I am happy that you like my style. Though as I'm sure you are now aware, I'm afraid that it's an addiction that gets fed very slowly. Sorry about that, I'm working on it.

Illustrated One- Indeed!

Barranca- Aww, I'm so happy you liked it! That chapter needs more love.

GrimmIchiShiro-fan- Bet you'll like it even more if Grimmjow makes and appearance, eh?

anime-lover890- Glad you are enjoying the plot…it is taking forever to draw out lol. And yes, I love Latin and try to incorporate in in any story it think it will fit. As it turns out, Demons go well with a little Latin. Oh, poor Gin. Yeah, I'll get back to that one in a chapter or two. Ichigo's got a lot on his mind now.

AngelofDeath vs. EmmaAi- I know this isn't soon by any means, but can I make up for it by confirming that Grimm will have a role in this story?

TinkanaiT32- Why hello there! Now that I'm up off my lazy as-butt*, we can be formally introduced. I'm LyricalSin and yes, I love music and its incorporation in my fictional adventures. Glad you have enjoyed Snow White Queen thus far and I hope to keep delivering. By the way, how did calculus go? Man, I really hated that class. I don't mind a little history sometimes though (origins of sadism in chap 8 and the next chapter is going to take us back to ancient Rome-where the bad blood between Shiro and Ulquiorra begins). Hope to keep you interested!

xSunnyStarx- I am so happy that I can make you happy! Thank-you and I will try!

Love Psycho- What exactly did you put in these magic cupcakes? I find myself light as a feather and laughing at very inappropriate times…It's freaking awesome! Glad you are enjoying the story!

Thanks for all the Feedback! You guys rock!