Chapter 6

Author's note: A lot longer than my normal chapter's but I like it. Hope you like it too!

Ichigo woke up slowly. His body was sore but it felt good, Ichigo sighing through his nose as he cuddled further into the blankets. He felt a hand slide up his thigh, a small smile touching his lips. He looked over his shoulder, smiling wide when he saw Shiro.

"Morning," he whispered, Shiro smiling back. He gently pulled him onto his back, rolling on top of him with a grunt. He became boneless, Ichigo gasping when the air was suddenly knocked out of him.

"Shiro," he giggled, pushing against him with laughter. His eyes accidentally looked to the clock, Ichigo's blood going cold.

11:50.

"We only have ten minutes," he whispered, Shiro lifting his head.

"Wanna see how far we can get?" he whispered, Ichigo's cheeks becoming red. He nodded after a minute of thought, Shiro putting a hand over his member. The blankets were in the way, but the friction as he rubbed strangely felt good to Ichigo who arched with a moan. He felt dizzy but went with the flow, finding himself sitting on Shiro's face.

Ichigo couldn't find the will to be embarrassed even though everything screamed he should, placing his arms on the windowsill. He could feel Shiro's tongue over his hole, his ass hovering just slightly over his mouth so he wouldn't suffocate him. Ichigo didn't know why he enjoyed licking him there, but he couldn't help but moan as he felt the wet sliding of his tongue.

The wetness he left behind would become cold and Ichigo would rise up slightly, but then Shiro would grab his waist and pull him back down, licking over that place. Ichigo shivered with a whimper, his mouth falling open as his thighs began to shake.

Just from the feeling he was getting hard, his hand reaching down and stroking his cock. He rose up slightly with a moan when Shiro nipped his skin, looking down to him. His eyes at first were locked on his ass, but they turned up, the once blue eyes now a beautiful yellow. Ichigo shivered, crying out when his tongue slid deeper, a finger teasing its way in.

"Oh god," Ichigo whispered with a shiver, the finger working its way deep, sending sweet tingles all over his body. His sharp nails hurt him a little but the pain felt so good, Ichigo clutching the windowsill as he threw his head back.

Shiro closed his eyes when hot cum spurted onto his face, Ichigo trying hard not to fall on him. He looked down to Shiro, chuckling breathily when he saw his tongue lap out to taste his cum. Ichigo scooted back, pressing his ass against Shiro's cock, rubbing against it as he lapped at his own cum on his face.

Shiro licked his tongue, Ichigo thrusting it into his mouth. Right when Shiro was about to position his cock to enter him, there was a knock on the bedroom door. Ichigo frowned, looking to the clock.

12:00.

He rose up slightly, looking down to Shiro with a frown of sadness and anger.

He didn't want to leave him. He wanted to stay with him forever. But sadly Shiro coaxed him off his sensitive cock, getting dressed as did Ichigo in clothing he gave him. It was more of an object of love, rather than because he had tore his clothing. Ichigo opened the door, seeing Shinji standing there.

Leave, he wanted to say, leave and never come back. But instead he forced a smile, Shinji returning a more sincere one. Ichigo raised a finger, Shinji turning away. Ichigo walked quickly over to Shiro, his arms embracing him.

"Bye baby," Shiro whispered against his lips, Ichigo closing his eyes as he pressed his nose to his neck. He breathed in deeply, taking in that smell that had always been so unique. He pulled away and kissed him.

The kiss was desperate and messy, but at that moment it felt like it just should be. This was going to be their last moments together, and the last thing Ichigo wanted to do was say good bye. He pulled away, pressing a hand to his chest, feeling for something that wasn't there. He leaned up, his lips barely brushing his. He grit his teeth, pulling himself away.

"Bye."

With that Ichigo turned away, trying hard not to cry as he brushed past Shinji, the short man looking to Shiro. His yellow eyes narrowed at him, Shinji's lips pulling up into a smirk.

"Enjoy being alone bloodsucker."

Ichigo slammed the door closed, the driver from the day before looking into the mirror. He looked away out of respect as Ichigo finally broke down, hunching over as he put his head in his hands. Shinji got in, putting a hand on Ichigo's back. He frowned when Ichigo pulled away, his sobbing stopping silently. He sat back up slowly, wiping his eyes.

Shinji felt like a foreigner as Ichigo fixed himself, the sign of his sadness suddenly gone.

"Let's go," Ichigo ordered, the driver nodding. He took off slowly, Shinji unable to look away from ichigo. He had never seen his friend cry. He had never been so weak and hopeless. At that moment, he wondered if all of this was worth it.

XXXHeartXXX

Shinji stood in front of Yamamoto, Ichigo next to him. Today was the day of Knowing. They would test to see if Ichigo could even touch the power he harbored. In front of him was a flower that had yet to bloom, a young dying pup, and a small clear glass of water. These same things had been put in front of Ceasar. He had made the flower bloom, healed the pup, and turned the water into fresh air.

They were not easy tasks, and it took him an entire decade to finish. Then again, he had started when he was very young. Ichigo was an adult.

Ichigo's eyes were downcast, drawn away from the task. Shinji glanced to him, frowning when he saw his eyes misted over.

"Ichigo Kurosaki." Yamamoto's voice was a low rumble that dragged Ichigo from his thoughts, his brown eyes blinking into awareness. Yamamoto stood, pressing his cane onto the floor with a loud thud.

"Today, you are to complete three tasks. These three tasks will determine if you are in fact ready to do what we have asked. If not, you will return everyday till you can complete them."

Ichigo had stopped listening.

"First, make the flower bloom. Second, heal the sick pup. Third, turn the water into fresh air."

Ichigo looked to the pup, frowning when he saw that he could barely stand. It looked like his back legs were messed up, Ichigo taking a step towards it. When no one protested he continued till he stood in front of the pup that was placed on a small wooden table. He kneeled, touching a folded leg.

The pup looked to him, it's eyes heavy with sleep. Ichigo felt like if he didn't hurry, he wouldn't last long.

"The flower first."

Ichigo sent a glare to Yamamoto, standing up and kneeling in front of the table the flower pot was set on. He stared at it for a long moment.

What was he supposed to do?

He didn't want to ask so decided to talk to it.

"I wonder what flower you are," he whispered, touching the flower pot. Nothing responded, but he had expected such. He ran a finger over the smooth dirt, closing his eyes.

'I don't know what to do,' he thought, smoothing the dirt again. 'But it would be nice if you could try and do what they ask.'

Nothing happened again and Ichigo tried not to frown in anger. he knew he was not that patient. he couldn't help but chuckle when he heard Shiro's voice tell him he should at least try to have just a little patience. He felt something press against the pad of his finger, his eyes opening. But then the thing disappeared, Ichigo removing his finger. There was nothing.

"I-I feel w-weak."

Ichigo's eyes widened at the sound of a small voice in his head, his hand leaving the dirt completely. He felt like something was cut off, leaving him feeling weak and alone. He put a finger back to the dirt, tilting his head to the side.

'Was that you?' he asked through his mind, but there was no reply.

"Why do you feel weak?" he asked aloud, immediately feeling stupid for it. He tried not to look around to see the faces of the people around him, concentrating back on the flower pot.

He tried to think back to how he had triggered that voice, sighing deeply. He let his mind wander for a moment, thinking to the puppy when it had looked up to him. He smiled softly when it reminded him of Shiro, his chest hurting.

'Maybe he would have made you feel stronger.'

He jolted when he felt that soft push again, his mind shocked. Once his thoughts were diverted from earlier, the small push disappeared. Ichigo frowned, feeling like he understood something.

'Shiro. Is that it? Is he the one that is helping us?'

There was no response, but the small push returned. Ichigo smirked, feeling confident now. But with his rise in confidence, the push disappeared. Ichigo felt frustrated now, wanting to throw the pot away. But then he remembered something Shiro had once told him.

"A plant has a soul Ichigo. It can feel pain and emotions just as we can. Wouldn't you not want to bloom if the only emotion you were shown was disregard?"

Ichigo felt slightly bad after that, looking down to the dirt.

"I guess not everyone can understand huh?" he asked aloud, feeling ridiculous once again. But with those words, the push returned, a small cry echoing in his ears.

"I-I'm s-scared. I-It's d-dark."

Ichigo frowned, smoothing out the dirt once again, a small leaf shown, Ichigo smiling.

"You have to come out," he encouraged aloud, feeling even stupider. But no one judged him, the little leaf growing just a tad bigger.

"I-I can't." Ichigo smiled, touching a finger to the plant. He looked to the glass of water, standing up. He picked up the glass, looking around, ignoring the others in the room.

A flower needed sun and water he knew, and the only window was up real high.

"Shinji open the window," Ichigo ordered, Shinji confused but doing as told. The light landed on the plant directly, Ichigo pouring a little bit of water on it and around it.

"There," he sighed as he kneeled again, petting the small leaf with a smile. He felt like he was talking to a child, his smile becoming a grin.

"Can you come out now?" Ichigo moved his finger away when the plant began to grow, a stem coming out. It grew slow but a lot quicker than it normally would, Ichigo touching a soft pedal as a full flower blossomed. It was a beautiful red lily, one of Ichigo's favorite flowers.

"It's so beautiful." Ichigo's grin became a warm smile as the once weak voice was stronger, swearing the flower tilted a tad towards him.

"Thank you."

Ichigo gasped when the flower was picked, the warmth he had felt slowly fading. Ichigo stood with anger, the flower slowly dying in the mans hands. Ichigo raised his hand to slap him, but Shinji stood in front of him, the man who had picked the flower handing it to someone so it could be thrown away.

It felt like his child had been murdered.

"Ichigo, it's alright," Shinji soothed, pointing towards the puppy.

"He needs help too," Shinji urged, Ichigo growling lowly at him.

"So what? I save him and you kill him too?" Ichigo was furious, and with his fury, the pup began to whimper loudly, Ichigo looking to it. It's legs seemed to slowly be twisted, Ichigo's anger shifting to horror. With the shift it's legs were left alone, the pup going silent, seeming even weaker.

Ichigo felt like a monster.

He had done that, hadn't he?

"He needs help, Ichigo you have to help him," Shinji urged, Ichigo looking to him with wide eyes of fear and horror. He nodded slowly though, walking over to the pup. He touched a shaking hand to it's leg, pulling it away quickly when it yelped.

What had he done?

The water began to boil, Ichigo looking to it with terrified eyes. He covered his ears as the pup began to whimper again, tears falling down his cheeks. He was a monster, he hurt the pup. He hurt it and it didn't deserve such, he was nothing but a cruel monster!

"Would you kill to save a life?" Ichigo's beating heart slowed at the sound of Shiro's voice, his eyes opening slowly.

"It all depends on the situation and person. For my family, I would kill to save them. For you, I'll take down an entire nation."

Ichigo looked to the pup, sniffling. He removed his hands from his ears, reaching for the pup. He picked him up gently, the pup barely breathing.

"I'm so sorry," he croaked, the pup opening one little eye. It looked so tired, so weak. Ichigo sat back, holding the pup to his chest.

"Please don't die," he whispered, the pup whimpering softly. It was fighting so hard, but it's eyelids were slowly falling.

"Come on little guy," Ichigo croaked, rocking him gently, tears falling down his cheeks as the pup took a small breath, it's small body going still. He seemed like a statue, it's eyes left open. Ichigo looked into those eyes, looking for some type of life. But there wasn't any.

Ichigo tried not to sob, taking in sharp breaths as he rubbed his little lungs.

"Wake up," he whispered, feeling a hand touch his shoulder.

If he hadn't been so mad when that flower had died, if he had just controlled his temper!

The water began to boil over the top, the other's a tad nervous now.

"Would you kill to save a life?"

Ichigo took in a gasping breath, looking down to the pup.

"I had to die. I had to die so he could live." Ichigo sobbed at the sound of the flower's voice, touching his nose to the pup's neck.

"I'm so sorry. I couldn't save you!" Ichigo sobbed against it's fur, feeling he had lost another child. He heard Shiro's voice in his head, remembering when he had lost his cat to a car accident.

'Ichigo, cheer up. Things die. But we shouldn't cry about them, because their memory was all they had wished to leave behind.'

Ichigo took in a sharp breath, whispering against it's fur for only it to hear.

"Please wake up."

Ichigo gasped when he heard a heartbeat, pulling away from the small pup. It's front leg twitched, it's eyes blinking, focusing on him. Ichigo smiled as the pup moved in its arms, it's back legs shaky but moving. Ichigo held it close, the pup yipping in want to be let down. Ichigo put it on the floor, watching to make sure no one touched him. The pup stumbled over itself at first, it's small head turning to Ichigo.

Ichigo chuckled, motioning for it to keep walking. He placed a hand on it's bum, the pup yipping happily as it took it's first real steps. Ichigo stood up abruptly when the pup was picked up, the water boiling behind him.

The guy from earlier raised his hand, the pup whimpering in his hold.

"We have to return him to his mother," he told him, Ichigo growling lowly at him.

"Bring her out here," he growled, the pup yelping loudly. Ichigo felt an anger that was not his own, a woman's angered cry echoing in his mind. In the room it was a loud howl. Ichigo saw a large golden retriever enter the room, it's eyes narrowing in anger and warning.

The man lowered the pup at the sight of her, walking away slowly. The pup whimpered loudly, the mother walking up to it. She sniffed it, licking it's ear. The pup made a small grunting sound, licking her nose. She picked it up by the extra skin on it's neck, walking away.

Ichigo felt a sudden warmth enter his veins, relaxing. The water stopped boiling.

"There is one more task," Yamamoto spoke, the other's in the room wanting to leave, They had seen enough.

Ichigo gave the man who had nearly killed his other child a hard glare, growling low at him. The man took a step back, understanding he had pushed too many boundaries. Ichigo walked over to the cup of water he had left on the first table, looking into it's clear depths. He sighed, kneeling in front of it.

Turn the water into air? That seemed easy enough.

He took in a deep breath, wondering how he was supposed to perform that. Water was part of nature he knew, and he supposedly had control over it. But he didn't even know how he had done it with those two earlier. All he knew was that they had created a bond with him, like they were his own children. He looked to the water and felt far from being it's father. It froze slightly.

He flinched, looking to Shinji and frowning.

What was he doing wrong?

He thought back to what Shiro would have said about it, but nothing popped up. He dipped a finger into the water, hoping touch would work. he pulled it away with a hiss, the water freezing cold. He put his finger into his mouth, the digit near blue.

He glared at the water, feeling a tad hurt.

Nature wasn't always so nice he suspected.

"Neither are you."

Ichigo's eyes widened, blinking in shock. He felt like he should be used to random things talking to him now.

"I am not a thing, I am a he. Well part, they weren't able to take my entire body."

Ichigo quirked an eyebrow, removing his finger from his mouth.

"Which pool of water are you from?" he asked, hearing the water scoff. He smiled at that.

"I am from what you call the Atlantic Ocean. I am the entire body, and have several brothers." Ichigo was intrigued, crossing his legs in pretzel style.

"What were their names? And yours?" he asked, the water silent for a second.

"I am Deion. My brother's are more connected and are called Poseidon." Ichigo was in awe as the water began to explain it's life path from the now dry lands to the seas. The story was long and Ichigo was thoroughly intrigued, laughing every now and then when he cracked a joke.

"What might your name be?" Deion asked, Ichigo shifting his weight.

"I'm Ichigo Kurosaki. They call me the Soul," he replied, Shinji's eyes widening. Yamamoto frowned. Ichigo forgot they hadn't known he had known what he truly was.

Deion made a sound of understanding, the water sloshing over the edge slightly. Ichigo had a feeling Deion was slightly relieved and surprised.

"The Soul? It has been a while since I have spoke with you. I am guessing the trick before is to be demonstrated?" Deion asked, Ichigo nodding.

"I was hoping you would know how to do it yourself," he replied, Deion sighing.

"I'm afraid not. I can only do so if you grant it to be so." Ichigo frowned, all his hard work once again leading up to nothing.

"Remember, you are not alone. We are here to guide you. But we are merely a door, there has to be a key to open it."

Ichigo nodded in understanding, thinking hard. What had he done before to open the flower's and pups door? He knew he felt they were his children, but that didn't seem to be the key in this case.

"I don't know," Ichigo whispered, the water sloshing over the edge.

"Remember deep Ichigo. Who was the one you felt closets too? The one who gave you a reason to believe and love?"

Ichigo wanted to say his mother, but that had been the first time he thought of her. He relaxed when yellow eyes flashed in his vision, remembering when Shiro looked up to him that morning. He had looked so beautiful, so unearthly and perfect. Ichigo craved him more than anything, his heart beginning to pound in his chest as he remembered what they did that morning.

"Aw, there it is." Ichigo jolted when the water fell onto his pants, his entire body covered with goosebumps.

"Shiro…" the water whispered, Ichigo feeling like he was being molested.

"That hadn't been ne-" Ichigo wasn't able to finish his sentence though because the water slowly began to lift. It wasn't air, but actual water floating up into the air. Ichigo was amazed, watching the scene with awe.

The water from the cup and his jeans rose up, dispersing into fog with a small explosion. Ichigo smiled, feeling the droplets touch his skin.

Love. The key was love, and Shiro was the one who turned it in the lock.

Yamamoto looked to Shinji, his eyes opening. He slammed his cane down to the floor, the fog becoming water once again and wetting Ichigo till he was near soaked.

"This Knowing is over. Now, in three weeks time, the bride will be chosen."

The water on Ichigo became ice cold.

No.