Tamix- Finally!!!!!!!! I am so lazy with this story, I'm sorry! -bows frantically- School is almost over so I'll (hopefully) stop being lay and update moer. As usual, beta'd by TealEyedBeing who has most graciously put up with my lazy self. Enjoy!


Chapter 7

When Ichigo woke up, he had a vague feeling that something was wrong. It was much too quiet.

There was no sounds at all, save for his own breathing.

No Kisuke making tea.

No Kisuke making clanking noises in the kitchen.

No noise at all.

Ichigo shot out of bed, padding down the hallway to the kitchen. But when he peeped in, there was no one in there. He spun on a heel, making his way to Kisuke's bedroom.

"Kisuke?" He called, hesitantly knocking. When there was no reply, he knocker harder. When there was no answer to that, the orange head swung the door open.

Kisuke wasn't there.

Ichigo stared in vain for a couple minutes before he remembered the secret room under the shop. The room where Kisuke had made him a Shinigami.

~Vaizard.~ whispered a strange voice in his mind. Ichigo shook it off and quickly made his way to the back room, spending a couple minutes trying the floor tiles before finding the right one. Ichigo was really, really hoping Kisuke was down there, because he was starting to get a fluttery, slightly panicky feeling. The orange head made his way down the ladder carefully.

"Kisuke?" He called once he was all the way down.

When there was no reply, Ichigo really started to worry, chewing on a fingernail while he thought. He was snapped out of his reverie by the sound of the telephone ringing from upstairs.

Hurriedly making his way up the ladder, Ichigo lunged for the phone before it went to the answering machine.

"Hello, Urahara Shoten," He answered, slightly breathless.

"Um, hello? Is Kisuke-san there?" said a familiar voice.

A voice Ichigo recognized. He just stood there in shock, holding the receiver stupidly.

"Ah…hello?" The voice on the other line said curiously. This snapped Ichigo out of his trance. He put the phone back to his ear hesitantly as if any quick moves would shatter this dream he seemed to be in.

"M-Mom?" He managed. The person on the other end sucked in a sharp breath.

"Ichigo?" Masaki said in disbelief. "Is that really you?"

"Yeah, it is. Listen mom," Ichigo said hurriedly. "Kisuke's not here. Do you know where he is? I checked everywhere, even that weird underground place, but he's not there."

There was a pause from Masaki's end.

"Ichigo you…listen hun, I'm coming there. Don't go anywhere okay? Just stay there," She said firmly. Ichigo blinked, slightly confused by this set of instructions.

"Do yo hear me Ichigo?"

"Y-Yeah, I'll stay right here," Ichigo stammered.

"Okay." Masaki sounded relieved. "I'll be there in a few minutes. I can't wait to see you again."

"Yeah…" Ichigo murmured. It had just hit him how much he missed his mom.

"I'll be right there. Remember, don't go anywhere." Masaki then hung up the phone. Ichigo slowly hung up, more than slightly confused now.

Why had she seemed so urgent, so convinced he shouldn't leave?

~~Later~~

When the familiar bells on the shop's door jingled their cheerful melody, Ichigo practically ran to the front. As soon as he saw his mom, he flung himself into her arms, inhaling her familiar perfume. Her arms wrapped tightly around him in a breath-squeezing hug.

"Oh, Ichigo, my baby. It feels like I haven't seen you in years! Are you okay, is Kisuke-san taking good care of you?" She held a broadly grinning Ichigo at arm's length, studying him.

"Yeah, he's really nice," He said reverently. Masaki smiled, studying her son curiously.

"Good, good. Now…" She clapped her hands briskly. "How much has Kisuke-san told you? Has he told you about…Shinigami?"

"Yeah…he…um, made me one…" Ichigo muttered, hesitantly. There was a flash of something on Masaki's face, but it quickly passed.

"Good, then I don't need to waste time explaining. Though I should tell you…I'm one too."

Ichigo's mouth gaped open.

"I-ah-wha?" Masaki chuckled faintly. Then she sat, instantly going from "laughing" mode to "serious-business" mode.

"So Kisuke isn't here you say?" Ichigo nodded.

"I searched everywhere, he isn't here," The orange head said. Masaki propped her chin in her hand in thought. The silence dragged on, and Ichigo felt that panicked feeling start to come back. He wanted Kisuke back; the blonde was like a parent to him, maybe a little more…

As soon as he thought that, the panicked feeling changed to the fluttery feeling he got sometimes, like when Kisuke had kissed forehead. Ichigo made a soft 'mrph' sound, and squelched the thought. When he looked up, Masaki was looking at him, grinning.

"What?" Ichigo asked nervously, worried that his thoughts had shown on his face.

"I think I know where Kisuke could be."

"What?! Where?"

"It's not for sure, but if he's not here, then he could be in the Soul Society."

"Ah!" Ichigo snapped his fingers. "I heard unfamiliar voices last night…you think…?" Masaki nodded gravely.

"They could have come to take him back. Though for what reason, I have no clue…"

"I have to go there."

"What?!"

"Can you send me or take me to the Soul Society mom?" Ichigo asked. Masaki made a slight face.

"Well, I can't take you. I can send you, but I don't like the idea of you going alone."

"Mom, I need to go! Please!" Ichigo had a desperate look on his face. Masaki held out for a couple more minutes, and then gave in with a sigh.

"Fine, fine, come with me." She led him down to the underground room again.

"You could die Ichigo."

"I'm willing to, if I can save Kisuke," Ichigo said firmly.

"You don't even know if he's in any real danger."

"If he wasn't, he would have at least left me a note. These people came unexpectedly."

"True, true. Stand back."

As Ichigo stood off to one side, Masaki murmured something under her breath. Ichigo yipped faintly when a sparkling portal type entrance appeared out of thin air.

"This is the entrance to the Soul Society," Masaki said softly. "Oh, Ichigo do be careful I don't want to lose you." Ichigo went over and hugged her tightly.

"Don't worry. I'll come back alive and with Kisuke," He reassured. Masaki nodded; eyes hopeful.

"I'm sure you will. You'd be no child of mine if you didn't."

Ichigo chuckled, then saluted and stepped into the portal. As soon as he did so, he was separated from his human body, and flung into darkness. The last thing he saw before blacking out was his mom's hopeful face, and her words.

"Come back alive my precious son…"