So the fated day is finally here Ichi & Shiro's 18th birthday!

The sun was barely up and Shiro was already awake and dressed. Today was Shiro's 18th birthday and the day the revenge plan went into motion, the pale boy was a cocktail of emotions. The main one being anger, the king and his royal guard would pay for what they had done to him and his family. Shiro had been back to the castle a few times and the result had always been the same, he was called a demon and chased away. As he got older Shiro realised he was different to everyone else but that was no reason to chase and beat him, and that made him angry. Matsumoto had always comforted him and nurtured him after each attack, and reminded him of their plan. For that they needed to bide their time. Each time she reminded the snowy boy that on his 18th birthday he would go to the castle again and on this day the gates would be open to him and the kingdom for it is also Prince Ichigo's 18th birthday and it is a joyous occasion to be celebrated by all. Then he would confront the prince and tell him their story and how he was stolen from a pauper by the king because the queen could not have her own children. Matsumoto told Shiro the queen was unaware of where prince Ichigo had come from and had been told he was an orphan, so she was not to blame. The king however was.

Shiro ate his breakfast in silence while Matsumoto sat opposite him, watching his every movement. The witch had bought Shiro a new suit that was navy blue and brought out the gold in his eyes, it was the nicest thing Shiro had ever worn and that made him slightly uncomfortable. Like it was too good for him.

So lost in his thoughts was Shiro that he didn't notice Matsumoto take a long thin package and place it on the table before pushing it towards him.

"Happy birthday Shiro!"

The boy paused and looked at the parcel.

"What is it?"

"Open it and see"

Shiro pushed his breakfast aside and reached for the package and tearing off the wrapper to reveal a box and inside the box was a beautiful sword. Shiro didn't know what to say, so instead he said nothing. Gently he picked up the sword, it was a beautiful silver from end to end. The sword itself was a basket hilted broadsword, and when Shiro held his finger out the sword balances perfectly. The blade and the hilt being exactly the same weight. It was perfect in every way.

"It's one of a kind you know." Matsumoto interrupted Shiro's thoughts.

"Thank you mama, it's beautiful." Shiro stood to give her a hug and she welcomed him with open arms.

"You're welcome baby, now off you go. Todays the day we get your brother back"

Shiro smiled softly before making a swift exit. He could barely contain himself, he was scared, excited and happy all at once.

Matsumoto watched the boy go, before excusing herself from the table. Finally she could get rid of these disgusting paupers clothes. 18 years she lived in tatters and rags and it made her skin crawl.

"A little bit of magic..." Matsumoto concentrated for mere moments and with a little flourish her rags turned into a skin tight black velvet dress which clung to her like it was painted on.

"Muuuch better" a beautifully cruel smile twisted its way onto her lips. "Now for the real plan." And without a moment to lose she left the dank cottage she had lived in for 18yrs.

Prince Ichigo was bored, he had been standing on the main palace balcony that overlooked the kingdom for the last hour whilst his father waffled on about this 'joyous day' it was only his birthday! He'd had 17 others, he really didn't see what the fuss was all about.

"Try not to look so bored my dear"

Ichigo looked to his left to see his mother smiling at him.

"...So let the festivities BEGIN!" the King yelled and the crowd gathered below cheered in response.

Ichigo couldn't move fast enough as he left the balcony. All he wanted to do was find Renji & Toshiro and spend time with them. He'd barely seen them recently with all of his studies and lessons to become King and the preparations for his birthday and even though he'd never admit it to them, he missed them.

Queen Retsu laughed to herself as King Isshin wrapped his arm around her while they walked back into the castle.

"What a son we have raised my love"

"He will make a fine king when the day comes. I have some important matters to attend to, my queen, please excuse me." and without another word he kissed Retsu's cheek and departed down the opposite corridor.

Retsu sighed, she didn't know how she could get any happier. 18 years earlier all her dreams had come true. She loved Prince Ichigo with all of her heart and soul, but she would never forgot the baby she lost and now just like every year she was going to her chambers to spend 10 minutes praying for the baby she never got to know.

In her dresser drawer was a little box and inside said box was the only possession the other baby prince would have owned. A small royal blue onsie lay folded and untouched since the last birthday he should have celebrated. Ever so gently she removed the tiny outfit and held it close, Queen Retsu moved to her bed and sat on the edge, closing her eyes she imagined what he would look like now, what he would be like as a young man, the adventures the two princes would have had as children... A single solitary tear rolled down her cheek and splashed on to the baby clothes. So lost in her thoughts, Retsu almost didn't hear the gentle tapping at the door.

"Enter."

The door slowly swung open and in stepped a pale, ghostly version of Prince Ichigo.

Queen Retsu screamed, and the ghost came running towards her, arms outstretched.

Shiro was in shock. He wasn't really sure what reaction he'd get from the queen but this surely wasn't it. At the sight of him the queen had screamed and then fainted, he had only just managed to catch her, and now he didn't know what to do. Shiro was saved the hassle of deciding though as only moments later a carrot coloured version of himself ran through the door he had left open.

"Who the hell are you, and...why...do you look exactly like me...?"

Shiro gently laid the queen on her bed and took a step towards the prince.

"My name is Shiro, and I'm your younger brother..."

Dun dun duuuuun! Cliffhanger! The boys finally meet! I wonder what will happen next...? Please review! Ch. 7 coming soon! :D

Ciao~~