Forbidden Love

Chapter 5 - This Afternoon

Ichigo's POV

As I fell asleep, my dreams took a strange turn. Images were passing, blurry at first but the more that passed, the clearer they got. All of them were of Shiro and I as small children playing together, each one slowly growing older and older in age, so close to the present. I smiled softly at the growing warmth in my stomach. They were like moving pictures, so real that I could practically feel the dew covered grass, blazing morning sun, and the warm summer breezes of the good old days; the feel of the hot sand beneath my feet at the beach, salty ocean water lapping at my toes like sloppy, wet kisses; the frozen, wet snow hitting my bundled, soaking body during a snowball fight... Then, something warm and persistant was pressing against my lips. All of the images before were so bright and colorful and felt so familiar like far-off, forgotten memories but this one... it appeared to me from the recesses of my unconscious mind and it was dark, as if at night and my senses were expanded as if it was actually happening to me now.

The lips, as I now realized, were dead set on opening my closed mouth. As I complied to their harsh movement, I felt a warm, wet muscle being thrusted into my mouth and rubbing against my own sensually. A body rolled on top of mine and the mouth moved to my throat. My body reacted on it's own and I felt my erection growing as I moaned loudly. Kisses and bites were being spread all over my throat and I felt myself mewling deep in my throat as a leg slipped inbetween mine and made my erection known. Moaning, I wrapped my arms around the person's neck and pressed against him...her...whatever. Suddenly, an image flew across my vision. It wasn't very familiar like the others, sort of a photo-shopped picture. It was of Shiro and I, lying in bed and... kissing. At the sight of the image, I felt my whole body tense and shudder and I moaned loudly when I felt my release. Lips captured mine again after a moment before all of a sudden the warmth left, only to return in a short, soft kiss. I was left panting and only an image to remember it by. My brown eyes fluttered open and I tilted my head to see Shiro facing me but still asleep, unfazed by my fading dreams. As I lay my head back on my pillow and fell back asleep, my last thought was:

'Was it really Shiro? Or just my imagination?'

When light hit my face later that morning and lit the underside of my eyelids red, I groaned and rolled over to face my cold, empty bedroom. Curling up in the freezing bed, I reached out for my usual source of warmth. When I came up empty-handed, a thought hit my slow, half-asleep mind.

'Where's Shiro?'

I opened my eyes and lifted my head, searching the room and coming to an obvious conclusion: He's not here. I groaned once again, flopping my head onto the cold, fluffy pillow that offered no warmth to my cold body. Sticking out my lower lip in a indignant pout, I rolled over again to look at the alarm clock sitting on my cluttered desk. 10 o'clock.

'Damn! Staying up late does have it's downsides... I missed breakfast!'

I got up, stretching until I heard the satisfying pop that I loved. Sighing with satisfaction, I rubbed away the sleep from my eyes. Throwing on some sweat pants and an old t-shirt, I went downstairs to see if I could find some cereal or strawberry poptarts. Walking into the kitchen while rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I was met with a neatly folded note stuck up on our off-white, picture-covered fridge. Pulling it off the fridge with a yawn, I opened it to read the fancy curls and loops of well written cursive obviously written by Yuzu.

"We've already left to go on the trip Dad was taking us on. Sorry for not being there to cook breakfast for you this morning, you were still sleeping when we left. I'll miss you Ichi-nii!

Love,

Yuzu"

I sighed and crumpled up the now useless note, throwing it to the trashcan that was full of leftover un-eaten food and paper plates by the back door. Just as I was turning away, I noticed the back door was open a crack. A slight breeze blew it open a little more and I cocked an eyebrow. What was it doing open? Shrugging it off, I just placed it as the wind's doing and shut the wooden door with a click. I heard my stomach growl noisily and I blushed as I walked back into the empty kitchen. Walking across the freezing tiles, I felt a shiver run up my spine and I rubbed my arms to recover some lost warmth as I rummaged through the cabinets. Grinning victoriously when I found a somewhat old box of Cherrios, I filled up a bowl full and poured some milk in. Making a mental note to buy some more later when I went out, I threw the empty carton in the nearly-full trashcan before plopping down on the couch, intent on watching some good television. I curled up in the corner and yanked a blanket over my cold body as I piled a load of cereal on my spoon and stuck it in my mouth. I shuddered again as the cold crept through my thin blanket. If only Shiro was here to keep me warm.

Shiro's POV

I woke to quiet voices seeping into my room from beneath my closed door. Clenching my eyes shut, I tried to ignore them and fall back asleep, but after a few moments, I regarded it as useless. I rolled over to look at the alarm clock over Ichi's shoulder on my messy desk, trying to carefully dislodge his arms that were wrapped tightly around my waist. As I squirmed out of his hold, our legs untangling from one another, I finally noticed that it was time to get up for breakfast. Looking back at the sleeping teen beside me, I decided to leave him to sleep for awhile longer before waking him up to face the unforgiving cold day. Sliding out of bed, I shivered when my bare feet hit the cold floor. I wormed out of my dirty clothes and threw on some fresher clothes for the day. When I walked down the stairs, I was met the sight of Karin hitting Isshin with a scowl and Yuzu cooking breakfast in the kitchen. Isshin began complaining again about his abusive children before running to the Masaki poster on the wall across from me. As he groped at it with tears in his cobalt eyes, I rolled my own golden orbs. When I walked into the living room, I noticed the backpacks and suitcases by the door and on the couch and rose a questioning brow. I looked back at Karin when she spoke up.

"The trip?" Karin had obviously noticed and I nodded my head in acknowledgement before walking into the kitchen and grabbing a piece of bacon off the plate. Yuzu whipped around slapped my hand with the spatula she was using, a deadly glint in her usually innocent brown eyes. I dropped the bacon back on the plate and grabbed my hand, waving it up and down to try and numb the already disappearing pain.

"Ow! Yuzu, tha' hurt!" She turned around, facing her back to me to continue cooking the scrambled eggs in the pan before her on the stove.

"Well, don't touch the food then, Shiro-nii!" I stuck my tongue out at her small back, narrowly missing the second attack leashed out on me. Walking back into the living room, I shoved a backpack off the couch to make room for my body, flicking on the televison. After surfing through the channels 4 times...,

'Why is there never anythin' on television on Sundays?'

...I heard Yuzu's tiny voice from the kitchen as she peeked out her head from around the corner to call all of us for breakfast. I returned to the kitchen and sat down in my usual seat, noticing out of the corner of my eye that Yuzu looking around the table. She turned to me with a questioning look in her round, brown eyes.

"Where's Ichi-nii?" I swallowed a bit of food in my mouth before answering her.

"He's sleepin'. He didn' get ta bed till late las' night, so I thought I'd let 'im sleep in." Yuzu nodded with an appreciative amile and sat down beside Karin to eat her own breakfast.

After finishing up my breakfast, I watched Yuzu write a note in her neat cursive handwriting for Ichi and stick it up on the fridge with a small heart-shaped magnet. I scanned over it quickly before heading into the living room behind them once again to help them carry their stuff to the car. After I finished loading up the over-loaded van, I give Karin and Yuzu a quick hug before hurrying them into the van with a grin. They clambered into the car and as I waved goodbye, I searched my mind for something good to do while I waited for Ichi to get up. I returned to the living room, looking around curiously. Cocking a hip, I pursed my full lips and tapped my finger on my chin in thought.

Suddenly, an idea came to mind. I crept up the stairs silently and sneaked into our bedroom, prying open the closet to grab an instrument case. Wrapping my hands around the handle, I carefully pulled the instrument from the dusty top shelf of our nearly empty closet. Sliding the door shut, I crept back out and carried the instrument downstairs, trying to determine a nice, quiet place to play with no interruptions. Flickering my gaze around the now empty family room, I figured that almost all of the rooms were out of the picture, including my dad's bedroom, the twin's bedroom, the family room, the kitchen, and our room, only because Ichi was sleeping in the latter. I sighed deeply, growling deep within my throat in preserved frustration. Plopping myself in a chair with a groan, I looked into the kitchen again, wondering if I could play in there since it had such great lighting. My gaze lingered onto the locked backdoor and I smirked.

"Perfect." Wrapping nimble fingers around the knob, I twisted it, pushing open the white door. I kicked it shut behind me and sat on one of the white chairs on the porch, breathing in the fresh morning air. Smiling in satisfaction, I opened the guitar case and placed the instrument on my lap, running my fingers over the familar parts with precision.

Flashback

"'Ey Mom?" Masaki tightened her grip on the pale hand within her own, larger own, silently telling her son she was listening as they walked down the sidewalk. The setting sun lit the puddle-covered concrete before them as they walked home from the twin's karate class. Ichigo looked around their tall, pretty mother, looking at his twin brother with a confused expression. Did he know something Ichigo didn't? Ichigo didn't like that thought. "Can we learn ta play th' guitar?" Now he looked even more confused and his face twisted into a curious expression. Guitar?

"Why the sudden interest in playing the guitar, my little angel?" Shiro giggled at the nickname, tugging on her hand to gain her attention before pointing at a man playing his own guitar for some pocket change. The man was dressed in mere rags, but the grin stretching on his face was enough for Masaki to smile right back at him and she left the two boys for only a moment to place some loose change in the man's nearly-full hat. He stopped long enough to thank her and bow, before standing up again and strumming on his guitar. She gathered up her little boy's hands again, leading them down the soaking wet sidewalk once again as they got ever farther away from the man's sweet melody.

"I wanna play like 'im!" Shiro looked up at his mother with a crooked grin. She smiled back at him and laughed at his giddy expression. From behind them, Ichigo pouted before he tugged on his mother's warm hand.

"I wanna play like him too, Mommy!" Masaki laughed at him, pulling out of his small hand's tight grip and tapping his nose. Shiro laughed along when Ichigo wrinkled his nose, Ichigo silent for only a moment before he joined in on their laughter. Masaki smiled at the two of them when the giggles subsided and nodded her head in approval at their idea.

"Alright, I'll take you guys to guitar lessons. But you've got to promise me something first." The twins tilted their hands to the side in confusion before nodding their heads hesitatingly. They looked at each other before they spoke together.

"Anythin' Mommy!"

"Promise me you'll keep playing as long as possible, even after the lessons end. Music should be very important to you. Use it to express your feelings, your heart, and your soul." The two nodded again without heisitation this time, not quite understanding what she meant, but still wanting to learn badly. Masaki smiled softly at the children, knowing the two would someday understand what she meant...

End Of Flashback

Shiro smiled as he fingered his guitar, finally understanding what she meant. After all these years he still played his guitar with a passion even when he was busy with too much schoolwork. The instrument called to him like a loudly beating heart, and he always yearned to play it. If it wasn't for the rest of the world, he'd be playing 24/7. It always brought back the memories of his late mother and how much she loved Ichi and him. The three were always together, and he remembered her when he made his life decisions. Shiro tuned his guitar and tapped his finger against it, trying to think of a good song to play. Suddenly, he remembered one he learned during his 3-year stay in America. He cleared his throat and started playing.

"Lookin' like another Bob Marley day.

Hittin' from the bong like a diesel train.

And I'm down with hangin' out this afternoon.

We've got weeds in the backyard 4 feet tall.

Cheech and Chong prob'ly woulda' smoked 'em all.

So I'm out on the couch this afternoon."

Ichigo's POV

As I flipped through the channels lazily, I heard a melodic voice coming from outside. I turned the televison off to hear better, the sweet sound like music to my ears. I hummed in pleasure before jumping up and heading into the kitchen to press my ear against the white backdoor. Closing my eyes, I listened to the strumming of a guitar and a melodic voice.

"Beer bottles layin' on the kitchen floor

If we take 'em all back we can buy some more

So I doubt we'll go without this afternoon

You better hang on if you're taggin' along

Cause we'll be doin this 'till 6 in the mornin'

Nothin' wrong with goin' all night long

Tough to put the brakes on,

Doesn't matter when you'd rather."

I hummed along to the familar tune and pressed my ear harder against the cold backdoor, trying to determine who the voice could belong to.

"Get up, and go out.

Me and all my friends.

We drink up, We fall down.

And then we do it all again.

Just sittin around, hangin out this afternoon.

Landlord said I should buy a tent.

But he can kiss my ass cause I payed the rent.

So I doubt he'll kick me out this afternoon."

I pushed open to back door just a crack and choked back a gasp. There, sitting on one of the off-white, plastic chairs facing the dew-covered grassy yard, was my albino brother. I grinned into my sleve as he continued to play and came up behind him as quietly as a could, sliding around the chair to sit across from him on the swing.

Shiro's POV

As I got lost in the song, I didn't notice the back door opening up, nor a certain orange-haired brother of mine that came up from behind me. When he sat in front of me with a huge smirk covering his angelic features, I heistated for only a mere second before strumming to the tune again.

"Don't wanna wristwatch or an alarm clock.

To see what time it is.

From the moment I wake up.

I just love being with my friends.

We barely get by, but have the best times.

And hope it never ends.

We drink all day till we fall down.

So we can do it all again."

Regular POV

Ichigo grinned, licking his lips sensually and singing along with Shiro. Shiro watched his brother's rosy lips open and close to form the lyrics, shivering slightly when his pink tongue peeked out to lick a pair of rosy lips. He tried to ignore the blood gushing to lower regions as Ichigo sang out the words in a breathy voice. Shiro bit his lip harshly, his teeth ripping the fragile skin and causing it to bleed. His thoughts turned perverted as the song went on but he managed to ignore it by looking away from the orange-haired singer.

"It's not the human walk.

It's the human race.

If you aint livin on the edge.

You're takin' too much space.

So I doubt I'll figure out.

Just what to do.

'Bout to kick it around .

Hangin out this afternoon."

Ichigo scowled slightly when Shiro turned his head to face the yard but ignored it. It wasn't a big deal...was it?

"Get up, and go out.

Me and all my friends.

We drink up, we fall down.

And then we do it all again."

Shiro couldn't help it, his head turned back to face Ichigo, his gaze falling to those sinister lips. Ichigo raised a brow when Shiro turned back and grinned, obviously not noticing where Shiro's gaze had fell.

"Just kickin' around, hangin out this afternoon.

Sittin around hangin out this afternoon.

Just kickin' around, hangin out this afternoon.

Just sittin around hangin out this afternoon.

Just kickin' around, hangin out this afternoon.

Just sittin around hangin out this afternoon."

Ichigo sang out the last words before looking at Shiro causally. Shiro lifted his gaze slowly and their lidded eyes locked, both of them silent for a time. Ichigo suddenly cleared his throat and Shiro jumped slightly. Ichigo chuckled softly, earning himself a glare that he just ignored.

"You still play after all these years?" Ichigo said it like a statement instead of a question and it made Shiro raise an elegant brow.

"No shit, really?" Ichigo scowled at his brother's tone and opened his mouth to reply angrily, but Shiro raised his hand to cut him off. "Of course, ya baka. Mom always said ta never give up on this fer 'er so I figured this is the best I can do fer 'er since she's... ya know, gone an' all." Ichigo nodded, eyebrows furrowing. Ichigo licked his lips again and Shiro's bricked, mental walls broke down. Leaning forward, his guitar sliding out of his lap and onto the floor, he snatched up one of Ichigo's hands and the carrot-top lifted his head, chocolate eyes filled with confusion. Shiro locked his eyes with the brown eyes for only a second before leaning forward. Ichigo's eyes widened before he closed them. He leaned forward too, his lips pressing against Shiro's softly. Moaning breathily, he pulled Shiro closer to him and wrapped his arms around the pale neck tightly. The two twin pair of lips moved against each other in a slow, lazy kiss. Neitherr dared pull away to face the other.

Suddenly, Shiro froze, eyes flying open, and he stood up quickly. Ichigo's eyes opened dazedly and he looked at his brother. As he reached out with a hand to pull him back, Shiro slapped it away. It snapped Ichigo out of his haze and he watched with a confused expression as Shiro whipped around on the heel of his foot. Ichigo barely heard Shiro mumble an apology to Ichigo before Shiro threw open the backdoor.

"Shiro, wai-" He reached out again, trying to stop Shiro from leaving him alone. The teen was cut off by the slamming of the back door and he slumped in his chair after a few, silent moments. A hand rose to brush his lips and he licked them to savor the taste. The hand fell again and he closed his brown eyes, sighing softly.

'What the hell just happened?'

"Everyone has their tea?" No one replied, but the brunette continued anyway. "Good! Ulquiorra, Yammy, tell us what you've found." The 4th and 10th Espada stood and Ulquiorra held out his eye, clenching it tightly in his hand to show the rest of the Espada what he had seen. Everyone was silent as they watched the occurence. The Espada's reactions to what they saw varied. Nnoitra whistled under his breath with a smirk, while Harribal scrunched up her small nose in disgust. Stark slept onwards, not disturbed by their muffled voices spreading around the table. Yammy and Ulquiorra were silent since they'd already seen it, as was Baraggan, Zommari, and Aaroniero. Szayel rose an elegant, pink brow before scoffing.

"Tch, knew that Shinigami brat had such a secret." Grimmjow smirked, head tilting to get a better view.

Who knew the Shinigami and his brother had such a relationship?

"I believe this may help. You all may leave now." Aizen sipped his tea. as the Espada filed out of the expansive, dimly-lit room.

"Mah, who knew th' boy held such a secret?" Gin chuckled, crooked grin growing ever-wider. Aizen sipped his tea again before answering the fox-like, grinning man.

"Mmm... Well that secret is about to give us a very valuable weapon."

A/N - CHEESY ENDING WARNING! Heh, sorry, had to say it~ So Ichigo and Shiro finally kiss (not really but who cares?) while both of them are awake. What's gonna happen to them? Find out in chapter 6 of Forbidden Love~

Well, sorry this is like... MONTHS late but I was on major writing blockage... Two things to say~

1) I need everyone to vote on my poll please~ It's important for a new story I'll put up later.

2) Please review!

Edited: April 25th, 2011

Word Count: 4,206