Warnings: some suggestive things and this and that but however you take it, is nothing bad.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Bleach.
It had been a few days since Ichigo was able to talk with his sisters, and he had wanted to leave that very night. But Keith and Shiro had told him in no uncertain terms that he wouldn't last an hour against one of the higher level soul reapers. So with Shiro and Zangetsu, Ichigo has been sparring almost non-stop. Keith sometimes helps or he shows up to drag them both back to the house to sleep and eat, he likes to remind them that since they were in physical bodies they have to eat and rest every now and then. Then add in Aunt Jay who would sweetly smile at them when they leave to head out again to come back, which sent shivers down their spines.
Maverick had suggested that if Ichigo can get the go ahead from both his zanpakuto then he could head to Japan. However, Zangetsu has yet to give the green light and Shiro won't say why. So for now Ichigo is left with nothing more to do with no stronger opponents he wasn't sure how he would get back up to the same power level he was at before. He was currently in a clearing with the trees marked with gashes from his many sparring sessions with either Zangetsu and/or Shiro.
"Taking break with being told, mmm, who are you and what have ya done with Ichigo?" Keiths playful tone has Ichigo turning his head and coming face to face with the man with a delicious smelling basket. "I have come baring gifts of fried chicken and lemonade."
"Sounds good, but Shiro isn't here so-
"So it's just you and me. Shiro decided to help Maverick today, something about losing a bet, you wouldn't happen to know what that's about do ya?" sitting down the basket so he could spread the blanket out, Keith could see the grin that Ichigo was sporting.
"Nope," he answers slyly. Keith return the grin knowing that with Maverick, he properly has the white being cleaning something.
Handing Ichigo a plate and a glass Keith was trying to act busy so he wasn't caught ogling Ichigos panting and sweating body. He had taking off his shirt and the sight had Keith wishing he had a camera, if only to use in his private album.
"No luck yet?" taking out the chicken and jar of lemonade and a pair of tongs.
"No," Ichigo lets out a long sigh. "I have no idea what they want me to learn or reason but I know that I will be fine, I wasn't near lieutenant when I invaded Soul Society so what so different bout this time?"
"I don't think that's what happening here," Keith said. "I think it's more to do getting use to using your power when you can't expel your soul. Think about it Shiro had to separate from you so who knows the side effects of that, so maybe it isn't about your levels but something else."
"…huh, maybe, I'll have to talk to Zangetsu but I think you may be right." He says taking a bit of his chicken, "But I just don't like being here with them, I mean it wasn't like I didn't think about them for two years but with how I couldn't even see spiritual beings I figure that I wouldn't be much use to them when they needed me."
Keith didn't know how to respond, since he never been an elder sibling he couldn't tell Ichigo anything that could help him but he knew what he could do and he knew about not wanting to be a burden to those you care about.
"I'm sure that they wouldn't see you as a burden Ichigo," he says softly ignoring the flinch from the orangette. "I think that you could protect them from things that have nothing to do with the supernatural, but I may be bias on this."
"Yeah but I think that I would have felt useless if I couldn't help, I think that I would have done anything to regain my power."
"That's most likely, but I am glad that you did with someone who knew what they were doing. Despite that old codger being a total ass during it."
Ichigo couldn't help the smile off his face from Keith's colorful description of the old hermit that help to undo the seal. Brushing off the crumbs from his pieces of poultry he handed his plate and glass back to Keith.
"So how long are ya staying out today?" Ichigo looked over to Keith who was putting away the small lunch he brought.
"Don't know."
"Well come in around six, it looks like it will rain and you don't won't to get sick now do ya," he said getting up. "If I don't see that orange head of yours I will be coming and dragging ya back and throwing ya in front of Aunt Jay, then we'll see if you can come up with a good reason why ya didn't come in like ya supposed to." Sending a knowing smirk at the paling orangette who, if it was possible, was sweating bullets.
Ichigo only gulp in fear of the idea of being in front of Jay soak and wet and getting a cold on top of it. He makes a mental note to leave the area thirty minutes early so he would have plenty of time getting home. He also has Zangetsu remind him just in case he forgot. Watching Keith leave the clearing, Ichigo had been looking at his rear before jerking up when the other man had turn back to him. he could see the self-satisfied smirk on the man's face making Ichigo blush at being caught. He hopes that the mess with soul society wouldn't spill back onto the Andersons. He didn't think that they would blame him for anything but it still didn't sit well with him. he never would have believed that he had added to his circle of people he would protect.
oOooOooOo
"Shouldn't you be outside with Ichigo?" Maverick asked as he was looking through several documents pertaining to his business.
"Yeah, but I'm giving him his Keith time." Shiro had taken up the office couch when he came barging in Maverick's office. The white man was giving Maverick a sneaking suspicion, but he ignored it for now.
"Keith…time?" giving his guest a questionable look.
"Yep, King better not screw this up."
Not bothering to comment, Maverick went back to his work. He needed to find a secretary his business was generating too much paperwork for his taste, but on the plus side his profits had skyrocket since he allows Ichigo to help out occasionally. The orange head was a hard worker and had even gotten the respect from several of his sternest employees. He had been hoping to employ the orangette full time, but now he may have to find someone else. The idea was not an enjoyable one.
"What are the chances that you two might come back here after your done with those loose ends?" the question had pop out of his mouth before he could stop it. It was unusual that that happen to Maverick, he had been good about keeping his thoughts in his head.
"Don't know, that would be up to King." Shiro answer honestly, "He may want to come back but then again he may stay over there so as not to lead Soul Society back to you guys. I may be part of King but even I at times don't know what he is thinking."
Sighing the oldest Anderson could guess what was going happen. He already knew that Ichigo would be leaving and he could tell that Keith would be following even when Ichigo told him to stay. His little brother was a suborn man, and he very much doubt that Ichigo could change his mind.
"I think Keith coming along will do King good," Shiro pipe up. Maverick wonder if the albino could read minds. "It's a full time job keeping King in check, just ask his friends."
"I knew that which is why I have your plane tickets ready, all three of you will be ready to leave when Ichigo has the green light."
"oh so you already have things plan out?"
"of course, did ya think I would send you out without so much as a way home?" Maverick ask looking up from his paper work.
He stared back into Shiro's gold eyes, those eyes seem to be searching his for what Maverick could only guess.
"So this is home? Even if me and Ichigo never merge back together? And we bring a crowd back with us?"
"Yes to all, we already had included Ichigo since Keith found him and then when you come along, a few more people won't change that nor the fact the both of you may not be human. Besides Keith want be giving Ichigo and you up anytime soon." The last was said with a knowing smile as Shiro tried to hid the red creeping over his face. "If you hurry you can walk with Keith, alone, back to the house since Ichigo just had alone time with him."
Maverick looked out of the corner of his eye at the other man. who had been inching ever so slowly towards the door, the older man hid his grin with a piece of paper as Shiro finally bolted out the room and down the stairs.
'even if he is considered an adult, both him an Ichigo are amusing when they think no one is looking.'
The thought has Maverick thinking, he picks up his phone and waited.
"Hello," the voice of his aunt answers.
"Aunt Jay, do you still have the special drink in your arsenal?"
"Oh, and why would you need that?" his aunt sounded confused. "You do know what I use that drink for right?"
"Yes but I think you need to serve some to our love birds tonight." A cat ate the carney smile appears on Mavericks face.
"oh, oh such a naughty boy you are. Well I don't think that they'll appreciate that but I don't see a problem with it."
"Thank you Aunt Jay, I love you." Maverick ends his call and goes back to his work, leaving his baby brother and Ichigo with Shiro to his Aunt. They may be angry with him later but they will thank him in the long run.
oOooOooOo
Ichigo was on his way home, his body aching but he had a skip in his step. Zangetsu finally gave him the green light and he could now go to Karakura and see his sisters. He was just entering the dirt path that was used for the ATV's when a blur of white nearly hits him. instead of hitting him he sides steps and the white object hits a tree.
"Ow, that was cruel King." Shiro whines
"Don't go trying to run me over then, idiot."
"tch, your no fun."
"Whatever."
The two walk back in silence neither wanting to talk, but they both have a lot on their minds. Since the separation Shiro could no longer hear his King's thoughts but with Ichigo it was easy to tell what he was thinking.
"Thinking about leaving Keith behind? We both know that that won't be happening." Shiro watch as Ichigo's shoulders twitch, a sign that the albino had hit the nail on the head. "So are we going to go through the stick of telling him not to come or are you just going to let him come?"
"I don't want him to get too involved, but I already knew that he won't let us leave without him."
"Well yeah, he has his own brothers over there and of course there's you." Shiro pointed out.
The house came into view and the smell of dinner drifted up to them. Ichigo stayed there looking at the house and thinking of the man inside. So many thoughts fly around in his head but each one was center on the Keith and just what he wanted to do with the man.
"Don't think too much King, ya might kill ya brain." Shiro teased
"Shut up." Ichigo said giving his other half a glare before heading down to the house below. He figured that he would talk to Keith after dinner. But unknown to the trio, two older beings had other plans for them.
oOooOooOo
the next morning Ichigo woke to found himself wrap in Keiths arms and not just him, but Shiro who was on the other side. He can't remember much of what happen after dinner last night and he had to wonder how he and his zanpakuto ended up in his love interest bed and naked at that. He also figures that he should be freaking out more but he just can't seem to bring himself to do that at the moment. Instead he lays his head back onto the man's rock hard chest and wished that he could remember last night.
"Did ya have fun King?" Shiro yawns out.
"If I say yes would you tell me what I did?"
"Oh just some loving from soldier boy here and ya should thank me or ya might be feeling the other side of love this morning." The albino stretches showing off the many love bites adoring his skin, he looks at Ichigo with his insane grin. "Like them? Your carrying a couple yourself."
Ichigo gives a confuse look and had to have Shiro point towards his chest. Looking down he can see several purplish marks ranging from small bites to large claim marks, looking further he can see that the marks go all the down pass the sheets. Blushing at the implication of last night's activities, Ichigo now understood what happen.
"I lost my virginity didn't I?" it was a rhetorical question and Ichigo threw a pillow at Shiro when the blade was about to answer. The other fell from the impact and landed on the floor with a grunt.
"Harsh King," he fakes whines from the floor. Ichigo snorts before he is grab by two scarred arms and his mouth is covered by his.
"Good Morning." Keith whispers once he is done kissing Ichigo. He leaves the orangette gaping as he leans over the bed and captures Shiro's lips. "and a good morning to you too."
Keith smiles at the look on the younger men's faces, but he not going to draw attention to it. He instead leaves them alone in his bedroom as he goes to the bathroom, he lets them stew a bit before planning in returning.
Alone in the room the two men stare at each other in silence neither know what to say. For Ichigo it is the first time that he is in this type of situation he had never been that into romance before, he knew of Orihime's crush but he never saw her as nothing more than a friend and the same went with every other person that had a crush on him.
"Well, I guess that I should stop beating around the bush, huh?"
"Ya think," Shiro deadpan before grinning again. "Make sure that it is a long good kiss King."
Ichigo watched the other leave the room, while Shiro could have stayed they both knew that one day he would be returning back into Ichigo's inner world and while it was nice that Keith has accepted both of them Shiro rather not get too attach.
"He still could have stayed to listen." Ichigo mutters to the room.
"Yes he could but we already had our talk and now I want to have our talk now." Keith's voice had Ichigo jump in place then whirling around facing the man in the doorway with a towel around his waist. The sight has Ichigo trying to sallow around a lump in his throat.
"Oh? What talk is that?" his voice sounded more nervous then he intended.
"Why, the relationship talk." Keiths matter of fact tone had Ichigo staring at him as if he has sprouted a second head.
"you're kidding right? You actually call it that?" the thought has Ichigo's lips twitching.
"Of course, you want to it name something else? Well, we could call it a new lover's guild to the day after a night of love make-
Ichigo had jump the distance between him and Keith and cover the man's mouth before he could get the last word out.
"Please don't the first title was fine." He tried to fight off the reaction of punching the smirking man in the face. Keith has come to close of sounding like his crazy father and Ichigo did not want to have another idiot like him as a lover.
"As much as I would like to have such a talk I think that we have more important matters to discuss." Keith say when he pulled Ichigo's hand away from his mouth. "Like a certain trip you want to take without me tagging along."
Ichigo felt like the carefree feeling in the room had flew out the window and can guess at what his zanpakuto and Keith had talk about. He hopes that he wouldn't have to fight Keith on this but if he wouldn't let him leave then the man was in for a rude awakening.
"-and that's why I'll be going with you." Catching the last bit caught Ichigo off guard.
"Sorry what?"
"I said, in short, I will be going with you." Keith said determinedly.
"You-want to go with us into what could be hostel territory with little to no information and the possibly of dying? What are you thinking?" the last part more of a shout then the rest of the sentence.
"Oh so the situation that you found when recusing your friend in the same circumstances can't be consider something of the same?"
'well when he puts it that way.'
"Besides, you're going to need help just to get there. So you might as well stop while you are ahead."
"Fine," Ichigo conceded Keith was just as suborn as him and the man did have a point.
'Think of it as having an extra body to watch your sisters since you could argue that you need him to take them back to his home. That way he and your sisters will be off the battle field.' Old Man Zangetsu pointed out.
And that was something that Ichigo hadn't thought about and this was he be killing two birds with one stone. Glancing back at Keith he could see that the man had a smug self-satisfied look on his face and for once it didn't drive Ichigo to throwing punches.
"Just because I agreed doesn't mean nothing." He adds stubbornly. Keith still grinning leaves the room with an air of happiness. "I only agree to let you come just so you can bring Yuzu and Karin back!" he yells after the man.
After a few minutes Ichigo walked into the kitchen where Keith, Shiro, and Aunt Jay was eating their brunch. Since they had over slept it was late for breakfast but still early for lunch. Seeing that Keith was sending his Aunt a glare Ichigo turn to Shiro was a confused look.
"She and maverick's the reason why we ended up in Keiths bed naked. Took longer for Keith to get drunk but he can hold his liquor better than us so he remembers more than we do." Shiro said around a mouthful of eggs. "But he still got drunk so, yeah."
Looking back to the two silently arguing people, Ichigo could see why Keith was a bit miff but it didn't matter anymore. "Whatever." He says taking his own plate and filling high with food.
"Oh boys, great news, we got you three tickets on the next plane out of the country so you better get right up and pack." Aunt Jay says cheerfully, "You leave in five hours." With that she leaves, leaving the trio watching her go.
"Well that's that. Now King pass that bacon." Getting eye rolls from the other two in the room but only half-heated scowls aim at him.
oOooOooOo
Two years since Ichigo was in his home town, and two years since all the drama that happen in it. Slinging his duffle bag over his shoulder he went out of the terminal to wait on Keith and Shiro who was having trouble with airport security. Luckily Keith was able to keep Shiro out of jail after the stunt that he pulled on said security guard.
"I understand that he might have had it coming but in this day and age you don't go and antagonize Airport security guards Shiro." Keith could be heard chastising the other man.
"But it was funny." Ichigo could hear the mocking smile gracing his doppelgangers face.
"That's not the point," Keith said sounding exasperated. "Ichigo you talk to him he might listen to you."
"I really don't that." Ichigo answer with his own grin.
Keith sigh before grabbing Ichigo's bag before the younger man could protest. He could hear Shiro laughing behind him before the other purposely bumping into him before following Keith. Ichigo sent a glare at his blade who he knew was mentally laughing at him.
"Oi! Wait up." He yells at the other two.
They check into their hotel then heading out with Ichigo leading the way. The plan was to stay overnight in town then meeting up with Ricky and Damon somewhere on the outskirts, but right now Ichigo was happy to be home. He had a black cap covering his hair, but if someone want to get real close he would be instantly recognized. Shiro had cover up almost every part of his body so as not to draw too much attention to himself. Keith was still dressing in his rugged attire with faded blue jeans, scuff boots, and a worn out plaid shirt.
Despite trying not to draw attention they seem to be doing to total opposite. Keith was getting to usual looks that foreigners get but add to his allure it was twice as much. While Shiro seem to thrive on the attention he was getting Ichigo showed off his scowl at any who stared at him too long.
"So where to first?" Keith asks.
The two look a likes look back at Keith who was twitching from all the eyes on him. Shiro moved up on the man's left while Ichigo took the right and before Keith had to time to say anything Ichigo kiss him in front of all onlookers he was follow shortly by Shiro.
Keith was at first stun and judging by the blush on Ichigo he guesses that he wasn't planning on doing that, at least, no in front of people. But either way he was glad that the orangette did.
"Well that might of dissuade a few, but what do you want to do before we head back?"
Ichigo had to think it over what he really wanted was to go see his mother, but it was also a huge risk. But there was taking him to the river where it happens or even trying to get to his house, still risky.
"I want to introduce you to someone." He finally said taking the man by the elbow and leading him towards the cemetery. With a silent talk between him and Shiro, having to keep his sword out, they left the albino to keep watch while they talk.
oOooOooOo
the next day the trio went out taking only what they needed, Keith had paid for the room for the whole month so leaving their extra stuff was okay. Ichigo and Shiro made sure that they had cover all recognizable features and made sure that Keith was protected on both sides. Whether it was from their enamines or the many fan girls that seem to grow over night.
"So where are we meeting up with the twins?" Ichigo asks
"They said that either they would find us or one of your friends will meets us half way."
"Which friends?" Shiro asks.
"They didn't say."
A look passes between the two, with silent understanding they have their swords ready to summon if the need arises. They walk about a half mile before coming upon a clearing, the tense atmosphere had the group keeping one eye on each other and the other on everything else.
"Hello there strawberry!"
The name and the fact that Ichigo knew the owner of the voice had him visibly twitching in irritation. Out of the tree canopy came Shinji with Ricky.
"Huh," Ichigo stared at the other who was floating down on a pair of draconian wings. "When did he have those?"
"I have known idea," Keith was just as confuse. "Ricky did you have those all along?"
"hehheh, yeah but if it makes you feel better Maverick doesn't know about em."
"Somehow I very much doubt that." Causing a whine from the red hair man.
While the brothers catch up Shinji had pulled the young Vizard off to the side. "So I take it that is your inner hollow?" he asks side glancing the white being.
"Yeah, but he isn't just my hollow, he is one of my zanpakuto." Ichigo loved the god-smack look on the blonde's face. It was very satisfying when he could get one over the older man. to prove to the other Vizard Ichigo had summon both his blades, Shiro had inched closer during it.
"What do you mean one of you zanpakuto? Not to mention that you're not in soul form and he is outside your body."
"That's a lone story and really I don't know much how it happen myself." Putting the larger blade across his back while tucking the other into his belt.
"Don't ask me either I have no idea how I was separated from King." Shiro said as he flop over Ichigo's shoulders leering at the blond.
"This may be hard to get used to. Can you two merge back together?"
"Haven't tried yet." Ichigo admitted looking over to Keith. The man was waving around his arms and it caused the orangette to snicker.
"Ohh, does our little Ichi have a crush." Shinji teased.
"Shut up," Ichigo hated that Shinji was the one to find out but at least he won't be telling him that he already slept with the man.
Before he can introduce the two the entire clearing was bath in bright lights. Ichigo, Shiro, and Shinji quickly get over to the two humans who no matter how powerful could never match soul reapers. Shiro and Ichigo take up Keiths front and back while Shinji has Ricky.
"Ahh, Kurosaki so nice for you to join us. We have been waiting for you."
'that voice, it couldn't be,' slowly turning to the original location of the voice. 'he supposed to be imprison.'
In front of them stood Orihime with a sickening smirk on her round face. Ichigo plus Shinji were confused they knew that they heard a male voice but here was Orihime before them.
"I see that you are confuse, let me help you then." That man's voice was coming out of the girl's mouth. Ichigo was seeing red. Ichigo was hoping that this was just an illusion his mind wanting that then what the current situation was telling him.
"Damn you Aizen; what did you do with Orihime?"
"What makes you think I done anything with her; She is right here." The person before them said lifting her hand to her chest. "Really Kurosaki can't you recognize your own friends?"
If not for the hand on his shoulder Ichigo would have been over there in a heartbeat beating the shit out of the imposture. But both Keith and Shiro where holding him back and despite his struggling attempts to remove them they held firm.
"I see that you have found a love interest, poor girl had such hope of being the one," the Orihime imposture sigh out. "Oh well, she already has someone else even though she didn't get a choice in the matter but I think I need to take care of your new friend before long, can't have you finding that annoying strength."
The girl was gone then she appeared behind the group a sword in hand, "But first let's deal with you." Ichigo was ready but he couldn't turn his body to face the oncoming blade. A shadow falls over him blocking his view, he thought it was Shiro and was about to yell at the other but a laugh stops him cold.
"heh, ya know you seem to get into so much trouble, but I love ya anyway." Looking more closely Ichigo found that Keith was facing him with his arms wrap around his middle.
"Keith you bastard why did you do that; I could have block it." Ichigo couldn't yell his throat was dry at the sight Keith with a sword in his back.
"Don't know just acted, but I-
Whatever he indented to say was cut off by him fallen unconscious and slumping against the younger man. Orihime was still smirking but a taking to standing further away from them.
"how nice you seem to have a habit of finding those who would do anything to protect you." The girl said drawing the orangette to into a frenzy.
"Aizen I am going to kill you this time, I'll take back Orihime and make you pay for hurting Keith."
"Words, Kurosaki, words." Aizen mock, "But I think that I prolong this for too long." He again disappears only to come up behind Shinji cutting him down and striking Ricky who just barely duck with only one wing cut off. Aizen then appears behind Ichigo and Shiro, who had taking Keith giving his King room to fight, and slash at them before taking the unconscious man away with him. "Come to Soul Society if you want him back Kurosaki, and see how much your so call friends have betrayed you." With that Aizen is gone and Keith with him.
Ichigo was going to go after them when several people came into the clearing he at first thinks that they are with Aizen but a familiar green and white bucket hat has him almost relax ignoring then he tried to move, but his feet wouldn't let him.
"Ichigo stop moving you're going to cause more damage."
"What happen here?"
"Get them to the hideout before they bleed out!"
The voices whirl around him but he didn't hear, he was only concern for Keith who was injured and in Aizen's hands. If he could just get up, he could go after them.
"King stop you can't help Keith if yer dead." Shiro's voice has the orangette finally turning his attention to something else.
"What?" he asks confused
"Just go to sleep King and we will talk later."
'why did he need to go to sleep?' trying to ask this very question aloud, Ichigo only falls against the others chest and goes into oblivion.
Looking at his King, Shiro was trying his best to not do exactly what he stop Ichigo from doing. He scoops the orangette up and follow the others back into the woods being mindful of the wounds the Ichigo had. It was like a repeat of when they had first encounter Aizen but at least his King hadn't been cut nearly in two.
"Don't worry King we will get him back, just like last time Soul Society won't know what hit them."
Chapter End
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