Chapter IV: The First Day of the Rest of Your Life

Hey, guy, so I've updated this chapter soon, like I promised (although I'm not sure that after this weekend there will be so many updates...actually I'm pretty sure *sighs* T.T). But, moving on, I hope this chapter will be to your liking, although I don't really know what kind of idiotic things I might have written there because I'm currently like a zombie because of the lack of sleep...-.-' Meh, carpe diem, or whatever! I'll just try to work harder on my writing skills and mak thi story a lot better because you deserve it, guys ^^ Enjoy your reading! ^^ If you don't like something just tell me, I'll be around (as much as I can) ^^.

The characters belong to Kubo Tite-sama.

Ichigo stared back confused at his brother. Something didn't seem right...

'I... I love you too, Kon. You know it, I mean, we're brothers... that's how brothers should be like...'

Kon gave the orangette a broken hearted look, shaking his head exasperated.

'No, Ichi... That's not what I meant at all... What I'm saying is that I love you in a romantic way.'

Ichigo's heart stopped for a moment, then started beating in a out of control pace as his jaw dropped. Kon politely avoided his gaze to allow him to recollect himself. When he looked back at him, Ichi felt as if those eyes, the same eyes as his, could see right in the core of his being. He felt felt his mouth go dry and a drop of sweat was rolling down his jaw as he was standing there dumbfolded. How could he have missed such a thing? His mind could barely function and he felt as if the whole world had slowed down around him. The last thing he could remember was his vision slowly going blurry and some distant voices calling out his name.

The first he saw when he came back to his senses was a worried-sick Rukia. Apparently he had passed out and the two males brought him home, then left Rukia alone to take care of him. Ichigo felt somehow relieved that he didn't have to face the two men, he was still trying to digest the news, but he the truth was that felt lonelier than ever. He spent the following days(which later turned into weeks)alone, just trying to function, taking one step at a time and after a while he came to a conclusion: those two bastards were certainly avoidig him. The thought was making his eyebrow twitch in annoyance, but he had to face the truth. If that wasn't the case, then why the hell didn't they try to contact him by now? Not even a 'Hi!How are you?'... Initially he had thought that maybe he had offended them and guilt took over his mind, but that wasn't the case anymore, was it? Why the hell wouldn't they call him already? The little ginger was getting more and more frustrated as each moment elapsed. Well, he was right... but his solution was quite radical.

It was a beautiful, bright day in the outskirts of the town, in front of Shirosaki's house, where Ichigo was currently standing. Well, to be more exact he was behind a tree in front of Shirosaki's house... stalking him... or metaphorically speaking, 'watching him really close'.

'Ok... maybe this time I went a little bit overboard...'thought Ichigo as his ivory subject was getting out of the house, rapidly walking on the leaves covered sidewalk. He just couldn't help it, he wanted to know just what was going on with the two males, and since talking to either of them would be too awkward he decided to sneak up on them... and he ended up stalking Shiro. 'I'm just trying to figure out this situation. That's all.' he tried to convince himself as he followed the albino making sure that he won't be discovered. 'Ok, this is lame,even for me. God, please do not let Shirosaki realize that I'm stalking him!I promise I won't do it anymore, just this once!' As he was mentally praying and making useless pacts with God,Shirosaki went straight over to a church nearby and got in it, making sure that no one saw him... except Ichigo.

'Ok... this is somewhere you don't see Shiro going every day.' he thought as he examined the church in front of him. It looked just like a traditional gothic church, with it's dark, elaborate structure. It was even surrounded by a thick fog, although that day was mostly sunny and the sun was up in the sky. It made Ichigo feel a few chills down his spine and he even expected to see or hear a witch laughing mischivievously. Yet another detail caught his attention: a small, alert, orange cat was studying it's surroundings before it disappeared behind the stone doors too.

Without a second thought, Ichigo got out of his bush (where he had been hiding up until now), walked over to the huge door and got into the church. A strong smack on his head welcomed him as soon as he closed the door behind him.

'OWWW! What was that for?' he asked indignant as he was trying to ease the pain on top of his head, stroking it, not realizing who were the two males standing in front of him.

'Ichi?' Shiro's voice made the carrot top freeze. 'Sorry, didn't know dat was ya...Wut exactly are ya doin' here?' he asked with a puzzled look on his face. Kon, who was standing right begind him (when did he get in here?!), had the same expression on his face.

Ichigo felt as if his cheeks had been set on fire. He barely managed to stammer a few words.

'I...Actually...I... was passing by.' He knew that was the lamest excuse someone had ever said, but it was the best he could come out with. Shirosaki immediately smirked amused at the bad lie, but he didn't say anything. The orangette realzed that he was trying to not get on the male behind his back nerves. He thought that it was very considerate of him, taking into account the given circumstances. He immediately blushed when he remembered their last encounter, but his attention was caught by a man wearing a hat and clogs, whom he hadn't previously noticed. The strange man locked eyes with him and smiled at him with a zen like expression.

'Well, well, didn't know that we were going to have guests today. I would have brought some snacks and a couple of drinks... Especially when we have such a gifted guest, such as yourself.' his smiled gradually changed into a knowingly smirk as the words escaped his lips. Ok, now Ichigo was absolutely certain that this guy was bizarre. His thought were cut off by his brother, who had a defensive look on his face.

'He may be. But that has nothing to do with why we came here.'

'Oh, come on, Kon-chan. You know fully well that if he hadn't been really gifted (even more gifted than you perhaps) he wouldn't have been able to come into this room, a sealed room, at all.' the odd man defended himself with a mysterious grin on his face. His sharp eyes looked back at Ichigo, then shifted back to Kon to give him an intense look. 'You do know we will need his help...even if you or even him won't agree to this. We need him.'

Kon glared angrily at the hat and clogs man and gritted his teeth. Aaargh, everything was so frustrating, it made Ichigo nearly scream his heart out. Just what the hell was going on that he didn't know about? He took a deep breath and butt in the conversation, although his brother was practically growling in annoyance.

'Excuse me, but ... just what the hell are you talking about? About me being gifted and being needed? And also, why does Kon-nii think that I will be in danger?'

The peculiar man met his serious gaze and gave him a dazzling smile, as if the whole thing was extremely pleasant to him.

'Oh, I'm very sorry to be the one to tell you this, Ichi-chan, but you're a dragon slayer. Just like these two idiots, here. I can see why Kon-chan decided to hide this unbearable truth from you, but right now I'm afraid that you will have an important part in the upcoming events and Kon-chan knows it. I'm quite sure that this is quite a big news to you, but you'll have to deal with it, my dear... because right now, you'll have to face a whole new world and adapt to your new life.'