Author's Note: Ahh! It's good to see you again! *hugs all reviewers* Thanks for the reviews and favs! The internet's down again so I decided to update this! I know, not the greatest reason right, but at least I updated! I dedicate this chappie to all my reviewers and also, to CrystalMoon23's Strawberries and Vampires. A very good fic I tell you, a very good fic, I suggest you read it.

Disclaimer: I know I don't own anything so don't rub it in my face! T-T

Okay, now on to the story~

Sugar into Salt
Day into night
The living into the dead
And finally,
Dark blue turns into gold

- Claude, Alois' Butler, from Kuroshitsuji

Ichigo was staring intently at one of his textbooks on which they were having a test on tomorrow.

Whenever the sun is up, a vampire's body is able to adjust
and turn humanlike, therefore incorporating most of its traits.
But after the sun has set, the vampires have a mutilation of some
sort, and are able to move their bodies to its full potential.
But no matter day or night, the only things that can kill
a vampire are either a wooden stake to the heart, being beheaded
or the death of….

The words suddenly became blurry to Ichigo's vision as his orange head started dropping along with the chocolate brown eyes. And as he was about to go to la-la land, a strong knock on his door startled him out of his seat.

Unbeknownst to many, Shiro always thought his plans ahead of time. He always thought of the pros and cons, the steps, and of course, how it will benefit him.

Now he was on his first item on his To Do list which was, talk to Ichi and see if he has any doubts about his relationship. And with his goal in mind, he knocked on the door with a strong white fist, not knowing the startle he caused for his cousin.

He heard shuffling and a small string of curses, and after a few more seconds, the strawberry came out with his hair disheveled and with bags under his eyes.

The albino vampire chuckled at how the strawberry looked and said, "You sure are a sight for sore eyes, Ichi."

The said Ichi glared daggers at him and spat out, "Fuck you, Shiro."

Just as he was about to close the door, a foot prevented him from doing so. Shiro said in a semi-amused and mock hurt voice, "Aww.. My cuz doesn't even want to talk to me?"

Ichigo just sighed knowing he couldn't get rid of the nuisance. So instead, he opened the door for the vizard and said in a sarcastic voice, "And to what do I owe this pleasant surprise."

"Well, first of all I'm here to check up on you." The vizard said with an unusual tone of caring and endearment which matched the look in his eyes.

"I'm fine. Just like every other week that you "check-up" on me." Ichigo replied with the roll of his eyes. But Shire knew better, he knew that the orange headed vampire only did that as a defense mechanism to hide his true feelings.

After a silence settled upon the room- one that was not tense but full of unspoken emotions- Ichigo resumed "What else are you here for, Shiro?"

And all of a sudden, a mask of seriousness was plastered over the albino's usual grin. "How's your relationship going? Pineapple not doing anything unacceptable to you is he?"

The berry all but spluttered at the bluntness and suddenness of the question and quickly replied "Of course not! Shiro! And if he ever does, do you really think I'd simply follow whatever he wants like a love-struck fool?"

Golden and black eyes did not look convinced as they narrowed but Shiro still raised his two pale hands and defended "Okay, okay. I get it. He's being good. Anyway, where were you this during feeding time? I didn't see you with the others."

Tan cheeks turned a soft shade of pink and Ichigo scratched the back of his orange tresses and said softly "Well…actually…Renji and I got a bit caught up in something."

Shiro's lips widened in a large grin that could gobble you up in one bite while his expressive eyes remained passive "Oh really? A bit caught up huh? A bit caught up with what Ichi? Studying? Or rather studying each other's anatomy?"

The soft shade of pink magically transformed into a whole new shade of red and he hastily answered. "Oh God! Not that kind of thing Shiro! I'm not even ready for that kind of thing yet! He was just asking me to be his mate again!"

Realizing what he said, Ichigo covered his mouth with the palm of his hand and begged that Shiro didn't hear that last part.

Unluckily for Ichigo, fate wasn't on his side and Shiro's eyes did pick up that last part and his entire demeanor changed- his body tensed like a tightly coiled spring, his eyes hardened like metal that could easily pierce you and his fists balled up, poised to hit something at any second.

"What did you say?" He asked in a tone dripping with blood.

"N-nothing!" His colored counterpart weakly denied.

"That shit-head's forcing you to become his mate?" Shiro shouted out while jumping, and toppling his chair over in the process.

"No! He's not forcing me! He's just asking! And it's my choice who's mate I'll be! Now will you just calm the fuck down!" Ichigo yelled back with just as much fury.

After releasing his anger in a few haggard breaths, the now sedated Shiro picked up his chair and sat on it once more. "Yes, it's your choice Ichi. But you do know that I give a damn about your life?"

Ichigo just gave a meek nod as the other continued "So, did you say yes?

He averted his chocolate brown eyes to something else as he said curtly "No."

Wanting to get more information, Shiro continued to interrogate "Why?"

Patience running thin, Ichigo answered snappily, "I'm not ready, okay? And something's telling me that I should wait."

Almost letting out a grin of triumph at getting the answer he wanted, Shiro just smoothly replied, "No need to get defensive now."

Looking at the white and black rimmed clock on the former's room, the later let out a low whistle and announced to the other, "That late already? I best be on my way back now."

Once the two finished giving each other their goodnight's and Shiro started to leave, he turned back to Ichigo who stared fixing up his stuff "I'm really happy you're waiting cuz. Take your time. You will be with your mate for the rest of your life after all."

And with that, the door closed; closing not only the room, but also the relationship of Ichigo and Renji. Yes, Shiro has succeeded in his first phase. Now, nothing can stop him.

Author's Note: I have entered a whole new unit so I just realized how hard it is to adjust so I hope you all understand why I'm usually disappearing from the face of FFN. Plus, all our teachers are pressuring us because we're the "cream class" whatever that means.

But my life has good news as well. I've entered a literary writing class that will hopefully improve my writing and whatnot. I do hope I get better. ^_^;