Ichigo had searched everywhere around the spot where he lost the presence he had followed, but he couldn't find a trace left of it.
Something like that never happened before, and it angered him, for he sought the fault for it in himself.
What he didn't know, or even notice was a shadow, hiding on top of the roofs and watching him.

"Anitsvats ts'yegh. * "

The orangette spun around, his gaze snapping up.
Had he just heard someone speak?
Of course he didn't find anyone, if there had ever been one, he was long gone already.
Sighing, Ichigo chose to head back to the V.A.S.T. tower, Rukia had to be gone crazy of worry already and he would swear, that an livid albino wasn't far from her.
Again a sigh left his lips, and his fingers combed through his messy mob of hair.
"Such a pain."

He just caught sight of the entrance of the V.A.S.T. building, when his shin received a rather hard kick.
"You damn idiot. Where have you ran off to? I looked everywhere for you."
Hissing, when the pain registered in his brain, and lowering his gaze to the petite female that attacked him, Ichigo answered.
"I had some business to do. It's not my fault when you sleep while on duty."
Rukia began to pout and curse at Ichigo and their bickering went on, until a third party arrived and went in between the two.
"Cool down, both of you. Nothing happened, even when you both are at fault."
While Rukia obediently stepped back, making room for Shiro to lecture his mate, Ichigo fixed the albino with a stolid gaze.
"So, where have you been, that Rukia calls me to help her find you, completely desperate?"
The stern look in Shiros eyes, then let Ichigo falter and look away, like a beat puppy.
"I sensed a S.I.N. nearby. I followed it, but lost it about 6 blocks east from here. There's not a trace of presence left. It's like it disappeared into thin air. I've never encountered something like that."
Shiro embraced Ichigo suddenly, startling the younger Vampire.
"I'm glad you're ok. Whatever happened out there, it doesn't matter. Think about it like this; you've one less S.I.N. to worry about."

Letting his mate go again, Shiro said.
"Now, I suggest you close up shop for today and come with me. We have a guest of honor to welcome."
"Who?"
"You'll see."
Rukia, looked from one to the other, wondering what they were talking about.
"Does that mean I'm free of guarding that traffic cone for the rest of the day?"
"Hey! Watch your mouth, midget!"
"Yea you are. If you want to go somewhere feel free to do so. Just give me a call when you want to get back to the mansion, I'll send someone to pick you up then."
With a cry of joy, Rukia sprinted off to the malls, down in the city center.

"Why are you so nice to her?"
Ichigo asked, his disliking of the treatment the female received from his mate, clearly audible in his voice.
"Why aren't you?"
The pale one returned the question, then continued without waiting for Ichigo to answer.
"Sometimes I don't recognize you anymore. Where has the boy gone who'd do everything to protect two girls that are just like her and at the same time, struggled to adjust to his new life?"
Ichigo turned to the office building to get to the underground garage.
"He grew up, while carrying the weight of a world with billions of lives on his back and learning that getting too close to the frail beings, will lead to their death someday."
Shiro followed behind him.
"So you don't dislike her after all."
"I don't remember ever saying that I did. I'm keeping my distance, for her sake."
That let the other one listen up.
"What are you implying on?"
"Nothing really. Just that she is a human,while I've gotten rather far from that title, with proof."
"Ichigo - ."
"I'm ok with the way I am, Shiro. So, no it's not because of the incident with Ishida back in the beginning."
The orangette answered Shiros thoughts before he had a chance to voice them out.
"Come on. I don't want to let our guest wait any more than needed."

Half an hour later they arrived at the mansion.
All the while on the ride there Ichigo had thought about who their guest could be, but he couldn't imagine anyone so far.
Shiro pulled him out of his musings, when he took up something form the last conversation.
"You didn't carry the weight on your own, you had your comrades taking parts of it from your shoulders."
Ichigo raised his head and looked unfazed at Shiro.
"Yea and then they stepped on my back with it again, increasing the weight just a bit more."
He told the pale Vampire sarcastically.
In the mean time, they reached the grand living hall and Ichigo was mildly surprised to see blonde hair under a dark hat, matching the black business suit the person wore.

"Kisuke?"
The addressed one turned around, smiling widely and waved.
Ichigo returned the smile and walked around the booth to welcome the man.
"Nǐ hǎo, Kisuke. Nǐ zěnme yàng? **"
"Nǐ hǎo, Ichigo. I'm fine and I'm still able to speak my mother tongue."
He answered, chuckling lightly.
The two sat down and began to chat about various things, since they hadn't seen each other for several years in person.
Shiro joined the conversation some times, but mostly he just listened from the sidelines.
Two hours went by, before Kisuke turned serious and spoke of the reason for his being there.
"There is something I want to talk about."
"What is it?"
The younger one asked, his curiosity piqued by Kisukes tone of voice.
"I got calls from the others regarding some unusual happenings."
"Which were?"
The blonde hesitated for a moment.
"They said that they lost track on S.I.N.'s they hunted."
Ichigos forehead knit together, deeply thinking about that matter.

Shiro as well thought about it for a moment, then rose from his seat and headed to the doors to leave the living hall.
"If you'd excuse me."
He said before he left.

Just as Rukia unlocked the door of her house, the pale Vampire stood behind her, scaring her almost to death.
"God, Shiro. At least announce yourself, before you're trying to kill me."
Omitting the comment, he handed two folders to the raven haired woman.
"Here I got something for you."
Rukia took them, then sighed.
"So you finally chose to give them to me."
"Pardon?"
"Oh, come on. Don't play dumb. You're the head of this countries council and you work closely with the boss of V.A.S.T., who just so happens to live with you and be your...mate."
Shiro grinned and raised an eyebrow.
"You're saying?"
Huffing the female continued.
"That you damn well knew who I meant when I told you my parents names and you know what happened. You're playing this game to test me, aren't you?"
Still grinning Shiro replied in a singsong voice.
"So what if I am? It's not like you can do anything about it."
Rukia wanted to yell at the man, then thought it over and took a deep breather instead.
"Right. I'm at your mercy about this. Well, thanks. I guess."
She finally gave up on arguing and Shiro brushed her last words aside with a wave.
"Don't sweat it. I'm sure you find all you want to know yourself. Ichigo will never tell you and so won't I."

While leaving he called back.
"Next time, you have to tell me something in turn for my information."
Rukia mumbled to herself, as she opened the door of her house.
"Good luck with that."
Shiro answered on her monologue, and his laughter followed Rukia inside.
Of course Shiro had heard it.
Rukia sighed and closed the door.

Chapter 7
End

* Damned breed (Armenian)
** Hello Kisuke. How are you? (Chinese)

So, I hope I haven't messed the story up so far.

I will give some information here, about me using different languages.

I use the Armenian as a substitute for an ancient Language, which one I'll reveal in the later chapters.
Further into the story I will use Breton, that will serve as a substitute for another language that doesn't exist anymore.
I tell you when it will be the time.

Until next time

See ya
Shiro Yue