Part of their soul
Endless cries of pain was all that filled the cold evening air of the Rukongai. Young cubs opened their mouth to let out their cries of pain, as they were assaulted by their peers. Child after child fell as they ruthlessly killed each other to survive, and get just the tiniest scrap of food as a reward.
The battle arena was crowded by adults cheering and holding money in their hands as they shouted threats to the one they had placed their bet on. Brown eyes watched from inside their cage, watched as another one of his kinsmen fell to the claws of a pure bred canine soul.
He snarled loudly when one of the guards went past his cage, tugging at the restraining collar and chains that were clamped down on his feet, hands and around his throat. The guard merely grinned in response, kicking some dust into his eyes before continuing down the small street of caged children that were waiting for their death.
The brown eyed child's body didn't react as the dying cry of another child broke through the air, and his eyes flashed golden as he realized his turn was next, however he never expected to be facing anything else than one of those pureblooded souls. Standing in front of him was one which he had believed to be dead, someone very dear to him.
Permanent golden eyes looked back at him, white fur gleaming in the faint light that was cast on the arena, the light shunning the black spots in the child's fur. There in front of him stood his very own twin brother, whom had been exiled for his strange appearance.
He had of course objected to his twin's exile, and he had fought with teeth and claws for his brother to stay in the family but it had failed. He had nearly killed himself in the attempt to follow his brother, and he had been imprisoned by his own parents for a few days until his brother was safely gone. Now here he was, put up to fight his own brother to the death, how ironic.
The crowd watched as the young cheetah was pinned to the ground, long white canines clamping down on the scruff of his neck hard enough to pierce the skin. He let out a pained cry as his body was forced down to the ground. He never failed to notice those warm wet tears that left trails in his golden fur as his brother pinned him down. He was crying for his younger twin, whom found himself mercilessly in the others fangs.
When he heard the command to kill, something snapped inside of him. It was like all life was drained from him, as his mind went completely numb. The slightly revolting feeling of smelly drool dripping from his fangs reached his nose, as he slowly lost what little grip he had left on his own mind. When the light was completely blocked out, he snapped completely.
Seconds later the white albino laid torn on the ground, half dead as his brother had completely reverted to an animalistic beast, its mind set on survival only. If survival meant killing his own brother then the beast would do it.
The albino knew, he knew that his brother did not want this and he had already forgiven his golden counterpart as he felt his energy drain. When he was finally rendered completely unable to fight, his brother finally regained his mind and woke up from his instinctual driven trance.
He watched his brother kneel down at his own pale side, digging his head into his stained fur with silent sobs. He smiled as he veered back to his human form and reached lean fingers up to cup the still feline head of his younger twin.
"S'okay Ichigo, ya didn' mean tah," he said with a smile, the echoing voice from his throat seeming divine to the crowd whom heard it for the first time. He had never spoken, not even once since he had been caught and forced into battle after battle. But he had never anticipated that Ichigo would fall into the hands of the same criminals, not while their parents were still alive.
When he finally felt his consciousness slip, he gave Ichigo a final warm thought as he realized he was dying, or so he thought. The last thing he heard was Ichigo crying out his name loudly, veering back into his human form, cradling his own limp body into his arms while tipping his own head back as his name was cried out from between those lips.
"Shiro!" Ichigo cried out loudly as he cradled the albino close to him, being struck with ironic rain right there and then.
...BMBD...
Ichigo looked at himself in the mirror with an approving smile. He shifted his arms and feet, and tried a few battle stances and moves to test out his new outfit. In secret he had made an appointment with the royal armor tailor, and he was now admiring the custom made battle attire he wore.
His lithe built body was crowned with a tailed version of a haori, which was black as obsidian on the outside, while red as crimson blood on the inside, with slightly torn edges. It was completely closed over his chest, and did not open up until the beginning of his waistline, its arms snuggly fitted but not restraining at all.
His feet were fitted with loose obsidian hakama, which allowed him to move freely. He wore a white sash that was just barely visible underneath his top, and entwined into it was the scabbard of an excellent Katana which he had bought with the salary he earned for working as Grimmjow's personal assistant.
Beneath the clothing was something he had ordered to be custom made, and it was a one of a kind item. His body was covered in light metal rings that functioned as an armor, which only covered his most vital parts. His clothing was crowned by thick leather armor on the outside, which in turn hid plates of steel inside them creating a thick and tough hive that gave him protection.
He grinned at himself once more, before he stripped himself of the armor, and donned one of his more formal outfits that befitted a royal servant as he decided to go out for a stroll. He was used to wearing his rather extravagant royal clothing wherever he went, so it didn't bother him as much having to go out in such clothing.
His feet took him down the stone pavement of the main street of Seiretei, people bowing their head in respect or greeting him with smiles, some even halting him for a quick chat. In the short time Ichigo had lived in the large city, he had become a known and welcomed figure, the people welcoming him with warm hands. He finished a quick chat with one of the shop keepers and turned to continue his little stroll down the street.
He eyed his surroundings calmly, and his posture was relaxed as he moved further down. Then his eyes caught something that disturbed the normal picture that was the town of Seiretei. From a side alley, a limp hand just barely presented itself to his eyes and his usual scowl deepened. He jogged up to check if the person owning the arm was alright, and what he saw was no less than horrifying.
Ichigo didn't vomit, nor did he become nauseous at the gory sight. He knelt by the body of the dead man, noticing the shaggy clothing that he wore. He was definitely not a citizen of Seiretei. Had he been one he would have worn much finer clothing.
He eyed the body of the man, and the cause of death was easy to find. His throat had been clawed out by something that couldn't be anything but hooked feline claws. He dipped his finger into the blood, and the blood warmed his finger. This man had died nothing short of an hour ago, and his face was marred by a serious frown as he tried to come up with different scenarios.
The most likely scenario was that he had been a burglar trying his luck with one of the noblemen, most likely getting his ass kicked. Ichigo was so deep into his musings that he did not notice the shifting steps that approached him from behind.
He gave of a pained grunt when he was slammed head first into the clay wall of the nearest building, and he could feel a moist liquid running down the side of his head, indicating his skin had been broken. He groaned slightly at the pain before taking in the hooded person in front of him. He snarled lowly, increasing the strength of his soul's presence, forcing the assaulter to release the grip on his throat.
Ichigo coughed a couple of times, dodging a well-aimed kick that was heading for his solar plexus. He snarled louder this time and made a move of his own, as he sent his palm straight into the middle of the man's chest with incredible force.
The attacker groaned loudly in pain as he coughed up a bit of blood, before he bared his fangs and lunged for Ichigo. The punch hit as Ichigo slipped on the pavement, rendered unable to dodge it in his moment of unbalance. Ichigo gave a small grunt of pain when the fist connected to his gut, and he crouched slightly before lunging forward.
The man readied himself, but did not expect Ichigo's next move. Like an acrobat Ichigo sprung into the air and did a front flip over the hooded figure's face, landing behind him and quickly delivering a single but strong kick which sent the man forward. When he got up Ichigo was there at the ready, and with the side of his palm he hit a pressure point where the man's neck met the muscles topping his collar bone, and he watched as he fell limply to the ground, momentarily paralyzed.
Ichigo was panting slightly as he bent down to get a look at the attacker. He buried his head into the crook of his own neck with pure willpower, hiding his identity from Ichigo and snarled whenever Ichigo's hands attempted to touch his face.
"Don't touch me," he snarled and Ichigo's eyes widened. That voice sounded so familiar, it was like it echoed from several places at once.
"Hey now, I won't hurt you," Ichigo said, meaning it as well.
"Who tha 'ell don' hurt tha' one tha' tried to kill 'im?" he scoffed with a disbelieving voice.
"You're looking at him, well partially at least," Ichigo chuckled. "Now tell me, did you kill that poor bastard lying over there?" Ichigo asked, only receiving a nod from the man.
"Well, at least you're honest," Ichigo said, his voice serious again. "Now I want to know, why did you attack me?" He questioned the still paralyzed man.
"Cuz 'm broke, need tha money ya obviously have," he said. Ichigo arched an eyebrow at that.
"Who are you?" Ichigo asked, but received no answer. He scowled and reached forward again, but was to his surprise stopped by two pale hands.
"Don't ya dare touch me!" he snarled startling Ichigo to fall on his butt.
His assaulter had recovered rather quickly from being struck at a pressure point, which Ichigo realized. When he scrambled back to his feet he was surprised to be pinned to the wall yet again, he would have thought the man would run at the first given chance. This man's presence triggered something deep inside Ichigo, and it felt so familiar, like something he had lost a long time ago. Curiosity began to fill him, as he desperately wanted to see what was underneath that hood.
He had a vague memory of a man with a similar voice, and with much effort he managed to reach the hood of the man even though he was pinned hard to a wall. Surprising the culprit he yanked the hood off and instantly froze, his eyes wide open.
The man snarled when the hood was removed, but he quickly let that emotion go to be replaced by amused curiosity as he arched an eyebrow at the stunned noble which he so effortlessly pinned to the wall.
"Wha'sa matter, cat got yer tongue?" The man taunted.
"No way…It's not possible," Ichigo choked out.
"Wha' s'not possible?" The man asked with an irritated scoff.
"You," Ichigo said pointing a shaking finger at the man. "You're supposed to be dead!" he hitched.
"Stop ramblin' nonsense damn noble," he snarled and tightened his grip.
"I don't understand…I killed you with my very own hands…Shiro," Ichigo cried, tears running down his face.
When that name was spoken from the noble's mouth, the once hooded man stiffened. His eyes locked with the brown ones belonging to those of the noble, and for a moment he remembered a cry as he was on the verge of dying. An orange haired boy had cradled him while crying out his name, the young boy covered in fresh wounds and gashes, like his own shredded frame was. As realization dawned on him, his grip faltered and he stared blankly at the assumed noble in front of him.
"Otouto?" he hitched, his distorted voice echoing with emotion. Ichigo soon found himself cradled close to Shiro's chest, as recognition flashed through those inverted eyes. Ichigo could feel Shiro's body shaking, and he sobbed loudly as he returned the hug wholeheartedly.
"I thought I killed you," Ichigo cried as he fisted his hands into the ragged shirt his older twin wore, burying his face into that chest with the same musky scent that he remembered so well. "I'm so sorry Shiro," Ichigo wailed and clung even harder to the albino.
"Ichigo!" Shiro cried out as he buried his head in his brothers neck, drawing him closer if that was even possible. "Ichigo…Ichigo…Ichigo…" Shiro chanted as he tried to grasp the fact that he was cradling his younger twin, trying to convince himself that it wasn't a dream.
"I can't believe 's really you," his distorted voice called out as his hands instinctively reached up to run through orange locks to calm his agitated little brother down.
"Shiro!" Ichigo hitched again and continued his rather loud sobbing.
"Shhh…s'okay, everythin's okay Ichi. 'm here now, here fer ya. Everythin's alright otouto," Shiro soothed, the sobs leaving his body as reality struck him hard and his protective side reached out for his hurting counterpart.
"I thought you were dead," Ichigo whispered as his sobbing came to an end, and he looked up into those inverted eyes which he had missed so much. "Do you hate me Shi?" Ichigo asked with a sorrowful stare directed at his brother.
"Ya idiot! I'd nevah be able tah hate ya bakayaro. Wha' happened wasn't yer fault, they pushed ya to loose yerself like tha'. Dun blame yerself otouto, 'm alive ain' I?" Shiro argued and shook his younger twin gently.
Ichigo replied by hugging him tightly again, and Shiro didn't mind returning the gesture one bit. He had finally recovered the piece of his soul which was lost, and Ichigo's heart which had been lacking a crucial part was finally complete once again as the brothers stood there in a silent embrace, curious looks given by the few whom noticed them.
...BMBD...
"Ya really live 'ere?" Shiro asked with awe in his voice as Ichigo stopped him in front of large wrought iron gates.
"Yeah, it's a long story but I'll tell you soon enough Shi," Ichigo said, a curious glint in his eyes which Shiro noticed. Ichigo took a few steps forward and the guards immediately noticed him. Ichigo watched as they eyed Shiro with suspiciousness clear in their eyes and Ichigo's scowl deepened.
"I assure you, he will do no harm to his majesty. He is a person I trust with my life," Ichigo was quick to assure the guards and they shared a look before finally nodding.
"You may pass Kurosaki-sama," they said and pulled the heavy gates open.
"Sama?" Shiro mused and earned himself a glare from his auburn haired twin.
"Don't even mention it, I hate being called that," Ichigo complained as he guided Shiro through the gates. Upon arriving at the entrance path Orihime caught notice of her master and she immediately rushed over to his side.
"Kurosaki-kun, is there something you and your company might need?" she chirped making Ichigo want to rub his temples. Shiro could literally feel how Ichigo's fingers where itching to do just that, and he gave of a lilting chuckle which earned him a curious stare from the orange haired girl.
"No thanks Inoue, we'll be fine on our own. Dismissed," Ichigo said sharply and Shiro watched the hurt look in her eyes with amusement as she immediately left them. Ichigo sighed gratefully and nudged Shiro's arm as he began walking up to the impressive main doors.
The guards saluted him with a "Welcome home Kurosaki-sama," and pushed the doors open for Ichigo and his twin.
"Seriously Ichi, did ya become a King or somethin' while we were apart?" Shiro mused and earned himself a chuckle.
"Not quite, you'll see why soon enough," Ichigo answered before greeting a few of Grimmjow's advisors whom bowed their head in respect for him as they crossed paths.
Ichigo guided Shiro down the confusing halls of the royal estate, and soon Shiro found himself in a large room with marble floor and the most inviting futon he had ever seen. Ichigo didn't say anything, he just went straight across the room and slid the door to his walk in wardrobe and began rummaging through the attires he had.
He heard a satisfied groan and a thump and he smiled, realizing his counterpart had made himself comfortable on his heightened futon. He grinned when he walked out of the closet with an attire he believed would fit his twin's tastes and laughed when Shiro gave off a muffled yelp of surprise as the bundle of clothes were thrown straight into his face.
"Wha' was tha' for?" Shiro complained and glared at his otouto.
"You need to dress up if you're going to stay here for a couple of days, those were tailored for me so they should fit," Ichigo explained.
Shiro glared at him and held up the clothes with the eye of a critic. In his hands was a tight fit white west, with dragon themed embroidery which went up one side only of the piece. An approving glint appeared in his eyes as he went to the next part of the attire. A completely black diagonal cut skirt with golden linings matching his eyes was the next piece of clothing, and it too went into the approved section as he picked up the next piece.
It was a set of loose but now wide white trousers, which he instantly knew where to be tucked into the black leather shin high boots that laid at his side, and he grinned. Now this was clothing he could like, and he picked up a very beautiful hair ornament that laid at his fingertips. He eyed the golden dragon that curled around the hair pin which was meant to keep hair up, and he dragged the fingers of his other hand through his long ashen locks. He hummed as he coiled his hair up and put the pin in, keeping the hair in a loose ball which made it end up with a flowing tail to caress the now exposed part of his neck.
"You can change in the wardrobe," Ichigo said and watched with a happy smile as his brother went into the large wardrobe. When he came out Ichigo hummed with an appreciating tone and Shiro chuckled.
"See somethin' ya like Ichi?" He said and Ichigo grinned at him.
"You bet I do," Ichigo said with a smile, before hugging Shiro close again drawing in the musky scent which he remembered so well.
"Now that you are all dressed up, there's someone that I'd like you too meet," Ichigo said and guided Shiro out of the room. A few minutes later they found themselves at a nicely decorated door and Ichigo sighed, pulling the door open.
"Ichigooooooo!" His dad shouted while he came flying in to kick his soon, and Ichigo ducked with a groan. He immediately turned to pick his dad up by the collar of his haori and snarled into his face.
"Seriously, do you have to fucking try and kill me the second I walk through the door!" Ichigo hollered and threw his dad into the room.
Behind him Shiro had frozen as Ichigo ducked to avoid the incoming figure, and he was now staring at the black haired man whom tried to scramble to his feet from the heap he'd ended up in. Ichigo looked back at his twin and smiled a slightly sad smile, stepping to the side allowing his twin entrance to the room. Shiro took a few hesitant steps forward and called out shakily.
"D-dad?" his lilting voice sounded and Isshin's eyes went wide as that echoing voice reached his sensitive ears. This time he had no trouble getting to his feet and he immediately froze as he saw the pale figure of his shunned son in front of him. "Dad?" Shiro's uncertain voice called again and something seemed to snap inside Isshin.
"Shiro!" Isshin wailed as he ran over to the albino and hugged him close to his chest with a sob. "Shiro, my son!" Isshin cried and dug his face into the frozen albino's neck with a loud sob. Shiro stood there, embraced by his father not knowing how to respond. He glanced over at Ichigo whom only smiled with tears flowing down his face, and Shiro lifted shaky hands to return the hug.
"Otousan!" Shiro cried out, turning more emotional than he had ever been in his entire life as he clung to his beloved father with all of his might.
"My son, you've returned to me at last," Isshin sobbed and ended the hug to grab at Shiro's shoulders so that he could look at him. "Look at you," he said with a smile. "How much you've grown my son," Isshin said with pride eminent in his voice.
A minute later a door was shoved open and Karin entered her family's living space, and she immediately froze as she saw a pale figure being released from a hug by her father. She dropped the tray of food she had in her hands, which led to the attention being drawn to her. When she saw the inverted eyes and the ashen locks of the pale figure her face was stained with tears.
"Shiro-nii!" she wailed as she flung herself into the arms of the equally surprised Shiro whom hugged his little sister close.
"Karin!" Shiro cried and hugged his sister close. "I've missed you all so very much," Shiro cried and looked around finally realizing Yuzu wasn't there. Ichigo noticed his searching glance and he approached him and Karin with sorrow in his eyes.
"She's not here Shiro," Ichigo hitched.
"Whattaya mean she's not 'ere?" Shiro said with a disbelieving tone.
"Yuzu's walked through the white gates," Ichigo said as his eyes brimmed with more tears.
"No…No…No! She can't be, my lil' Yuzu would nevah give into tha' fevah!" Shiro cried out and pushed Karin off to grab Ichigo by his collar with a snarl.
Just at that moment Grimmjow and Starrk decided to walk in, Hitsugaya hanging limply around Grimmjow's neck in his caracal form, and Shiro soon found himself on the floor with a snarling blue haired man pinning him to the floor.
"Who the hell are you and what were you thinking of doing to Ichigo!" Grimmjow snarled into Shiro's face as the whole room went quiet.
"Oh shit" Ichigo thought as he rushed over to help his brother.
First of all, sorry for not updating in a while. The thing is, there's been a lot of stuff going on lately and I have been occupied with other stuff. You see, I had a full week of work at the elders home, and then I was invited to visit my aunt and uncle, so that I could celebrate my goddaughters birthday with them. Then my pregnant sister was rushed to the hospital the same day I took the bus to the city due to several reasons, and she gave birth at the city's hospital while I was staying there at my Uncle's place. I just got home today and decided to finish this chapter since I had already written a quarter of it before I left for the town, and I hope you can forgive me..
So a lot of emotion and drama in this chapter, I know… Anyways, I will probably start the war during the next or the 12th chapter, and I am not sure as to how long it will end up to be. Hope you enjoyed the read ;)
Please Review, it is what helps me keep my inspiration up and going!