Warnings: there will be some violence, but not much. I suck at fight scenes.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Bleach.

Waking up with his eyesight return to him had been one of the best days in Ichigo's life. He now didn't have to rely on the King and Queens kindness and could get out of their hair. Of course, they insisted that he stayed until spring so he may have time to get use to his new home, they even had clothes already made for him. Ichigo reluctantly agreed. Styled in in what could be close to tight boot cut pants with dark navy blue, forest green, and deep red dye tunics with silver, brown, or black inlaid. He even had his own room, which was way too big and it was placed between the two princes. Ichigo felt uncomfortable when the royals were only being nice, but he doubts that they did this for everyone.

So for the past few weeks he has had several tutors teaching him all that he needed to know on how to live in this world. From history and economics to even sword play, which at first seemed like a good idea since he figured that he wasn't able to use Zangetsu when he was in his human body. However, during one spar when his practice sword was hit out of his hand, Zangetsu trench knife appear in its place to say Ichigo was shocked was an understatement, it cost him to get hit by the sword master. He even manages to get a reaction out of the stoic sword master who was training him that day. When he questions the two spirits, they had replied that they didn't know how it happen either. After a round of questioning from both the royals to Kisuke, it was decided that Ichigo learn on how to summon his other sword but he was to be watched by the sword master, Ulquiorra, until he could perform this feat subconsciously. He did find out that fighting with is blades he would tire more quickly, but he figures that he just needed to get use to wielding them then he should be alright.

Along with his new ability to manifest his zanpakuto was his instant regeneration, he found out that he could regenerate or heal most of his wounds on his living body. As well his Quincy abilities thought he can't explain why he can use these when not in soul form. It was as if with the exception of bankai and flash-step he could do just about everything he could do when he was in soul form now in his body, however he gets pass exhausted after using each technique.

The second thing to happen in those few weeks was Ichigos…introduction…to Aizen. Though that may have been more to how he met him. Ichigo was having another verbal fight with Prince Shiro when Kisuke comes ambling out with someone in tow. Ichigo had stop long enough to give a quick hello until his eyes landed on the person next to Kisuke. His short brown hair, not slicked back, wearing eyeglasses and an all-knowing smirk had sent the already riled up teen into a frenzy. The power flare he sent out caused all those present to be fling back in all directions, and if hadn't help that he somewhat damaged to one of the fountains and the surrounding walls. It was only by the good timing of Masaki that had Ichigo calming down to the point that his power was low enough to call it a low buzz instead of the inferno. After a good scolding by the Queen, who treated Ichigo more like a mother then a stranger, and to the amusement of Kisuke and Kaien did he find himself under Aizen's care both as a tutor in how the country work and to help Ichigo reign in his immense power. Neither liked the idea but with wanting to live they silently came to a small truce, that only counted when they were in the same room.

"He still can be a bastard though." Grumble the orange headed boy, who after today's lesson was out laying in one of the gardens. He had spent the whole day indoors listening to a boring history lesson, normally it wouldn't have bother him but today there would be no sword practice so his lesson with Aizen had been longer. He had taken to having his larger blade with him more than the other mostly because it felt normal for him to have the bigger size close to him.

Sighing in contentment, Ichigo was about to fall asleep when a shadow blocked the sun. "Look what I found." The familiar teasing voice that had Ichigo opening one eye to glare at Shinji.

"What do you want Shinji?" Ichigo scowled at the blonde's ever present smile

"Nothing really just thought you would like some company since now that yer free from old strict and proper."

"What did you do this time?" Ichigos suspicions grew when Shinji only smiled bigger showcasing all of his teeth.

"Nothing too bad."

Ichigo slowly rose up scowling at the grinning blond, he takes in his surroundings looking for a way out in case whatever Shinji did wouldn't spill over onto him. Ichigo had quickly found out that this Shinji loved to play pranks, whether they be on the royals or castle servants. If Ichigo hadn't already been to use to his Shinji he wouldn't have been so hard for this one to prank him, at least not with any of his more damaging pranks…yet.

"Who are you hiding form this time?" he asks again

"Shiro…and Grimmjow, maybe Neliel…oh and Kaien."

"…you want to get me killed?" getting up to quickly get out of the garden before a torrent of pain comes crashing down on him.

"Wait, I was actually wanting to talk to ya." Shinji voice has Ichigo stopping, he keeps a good distance between them just in case his victims came a calling.

Another thing the Ichigo has found out about this Shinji, he was a bit more protective of him and others then the one that Ichigo knew. He found that out when he had mention that he felt like he was being watched and the little glimpses he saw of a white being with a tail found him with at least one of the Vizards in shouting distance at almost at all times. When the Captain found out about Ichigo being part of the Vizards in his world the blond had force him to be included in this worlds group. Not much difference between the two, but the orangette was becoming the center of attention that he wishes that he wasn't. After Shinji put him in the Vizards as an honorary member, Kaien had taken to join him every now and then when Ichigo was between lessens then add in Grimmjow wanting to spar and Neliel ambush hugs. Ichigo just wanted time alone, but this little family was making it an impossibility.

"I thought that we went through this and I think that I told everything you wanted to know." Ichigo was confused, he didn't want to get attach to any of the castle residents but he was slowly losing that fight. It showed when he felt more comfortable talking to those who come up to him.

"Well," Shinji was hesitant which had Ichigo even more confused. "There is something that needs to be discuss that the royal family is afraid to tell ya."

"Should we be talking about this outside?"

"Well-

Shinji jerked up when sounds of panic could be heard from the one of the open doors. He grips his sword and pushes Ichigo behind him before slowly walking towards the castle.

"Ya stay with me at all times ya hear?" he says sternly to the orangette who also drew Zangetsu. "I don't want you leaving my side for anything."

Ichigo only nodding, he wanted to help but he wasn't about to get into a situation where he became a liability even if he was strong in his spiritual form, his human body was not use to wielding Zangetsu for long periods of time. He had been frustrated when he couldn't do half the things he could before and Shiro Zangetsu snickering just made his temper flare.

They kept to the wall as they followed the screams and the sound of clashing metal. Ichigo stayed one step behind Shinji the larger blade of Zangetsu in a tight grip. He kept his head on a swivel looking behind him and to the sides. At one point he could have sworn that he saw a flash of white.

"Shinji," he whispers. "Where is Shiro?"

The habit of his of not calling people by titles stayed with him as he was transported between worlds, and he like to annoy the other.

"He was out in the court yard last I heard, why?"

"I thought I saw something white but I could be wrong." The look Shinji gave him was now all too familiar. "Look it could be nothing and I can take care of myself in a fight."

"It's not that, just stay close I really don't want to explain anything to the royals if anything were to happen to ya. Regardless of your freaky healing power."

Ichigo snorted and was about to reply when a flash of silver has him ducking as a clang rings in his ears. His cheek is stinging a bit and when he wipes it his hand comes away bloody, but he doesn't care since it was only a small scratch.

"Shit" Shinji cruse as he gets between Ichigo and his assailant. Ichigo just catches the blond as he rushes after a man in black armor, the man seems familiar but Ichigo couldn't place him. Trying to catch up with the blond, Ichigo was separated and now was alone during a castle raid with the same face as the princes.

'fuck me.'

"why are ya worried, we can take them and leave no trace."

As if he didn't know that, but that was beside the point. His senses had heightened to the point that he could make out where everyone was, it was like sensing spiritual pressure but not.

"well, well, well is one of the little princes lost?" a mocking voice came from behind him. Ichigo was annoyed that he let one sneak up on him, not in the mood to trade insults he swings his blade sending the guy through several walls.

'seriously, do I look like the white bastard.'

He hadn't taken two steps before he was surrounded, Ichigo was really not in the mood. As the intruders converge on him, he dodges left and right trying to find a way out of the close knit circle. He manages to get out by jumping off one of the taller guy's shoulders, before he lands he manages to fire off a getsua tenshou. The hallway and the ceiling are destroyed and only the idiots that were near him were cut down.

"Was it always that powerful?" Ichigo stared at the damage, it never accrued to him that firing one indoors would leave it like that, scar it yes but blow it to bits and he didn't put much energy into it. Staring at open sky he wonders why it seemed to be the destroyed walls were rising, that is until he hit the floor.

'oops, forgot about that.' He muses as his head hits stone.

Struggling to get back on his feet, he barely blocks the oncoming hit. Growling at his attacker he is stun when he sees red hair tied up in spikes.

"Renji," he whispers not noticing the speeding white bullet heading towards them. He gets yanked by clawed hands and all he sees is white, red, and orange. The beings tail was firmly wrap around him keeping him safe from the black armor goons.

The being was tall and the first thing that Ichigo thinks is that the creature looked too similar to his hollowfied form from when he was training with the Vizards, but without his mask. But what Ichigo wanted to know was why the begin protecting him. press behind the beings back Ichigo could just make out the red light forming.

"A cero?"

The begin pressed Ichigo further into the wall as the red beam hit the center of the destroyed hall. Debris fall on them but Ichigo was covered by his white protector, who was currently purring. When the sound of debris had stop the begin tosses the stuff that fell on them and lift Ichigo out of the hole. The hallway wasn't even a hallway anymore just an open space and Renji's double was nowhere in sight. He stares into eyes that were close to his hollows and it hadn't escape him that the creature still had its tail around his waist.

"Um, thanks?" the being again purrs, it leans in close but Ichigo doesn't move. He doesn't feel threaten by the creature in fact he was more curious then anything. But before he can say anything else the being dashes pass him and back into the shadows. Running feet has Ichigo whirling around and his sword hits another but not an enemy.

"Kensei, man I' am I glad to see you." Lowering Zangetsu then placing it back on his back Ichigo heard the other man grunt.

"Yeah well with the fireworks you were giving off it was hard not to find you." The older man growled. "Man what was Shinji thinking leaving you by yourself?"

"Hey, I can take care of myself and Shinji didn't leave me, I just got lost is all." It surprises Kensei that Ichigo came to Shinji's defense when they really didn't know each other.

"Well you did good, though I don't think that this wing will be used for a while."

"Yeah sorry about that, but I can't take all the credit." Gaining the raised eyebrow from Kensei. "I had help from someone but I didn't get his name."

"Oh, describe him I may know who it is." Kensei grab hold of the younger man's arm as he lifts him out to a more stable part of the open hall.

"Um tall, white, had a thick lizard tail with red stripes, his face was covered, spikes on his shoulders, and he had long orange hair…. Kensei are you ok?" Ichigo had stop when he notices that the other man was growing paler as he describes the being.

"We go now." Kensei order grabbing Ichigo and walking fast out of the damage hall. Ichigo shouts out questions but is ignore. He goes quiet when he is thrusted into the throne room where everyone was waiting for them.

"Your Majesties, I found Ichigo but not before the guardian found him."

The room was dead quiet, everyone looking at the dust covered teen. "What?" he finally asks when he saw all the eyes on him.

oOooOooOo

the room was large and surprising tidy, but Ichigo still felt like a cage tiger. After everything from two days ago had settle down and after he told his view of events did he find himself several shadows. it was also why he was in this room with Kisuke doing nothing and bored out of his mind. The King never explain why he had to be with the man just since Ichigo told everyone about the being who helped him the royals had either Aizen or Kisuke with him at all times or with Kaien and his group or with Grimmjow and his. No one would tell why though.

"So why am I here again?" Ichigo asks as he leaned against a bookshelf, he had made a small book fort since he had been there.

"hmm?"

"Don't hmm me, why did you and the others get tense when I describe that creature…um…I think Kensei called it the guardian or something." Crawling out of his fort the orangette walk over to the other towering over him before plopping down by the low table.

"I don't know-

"Urahara, how does anyone expect me to understand this place if I don't know anything?"

"That's not a good enough argument, but I see your point." Urahara was silent for a few moments thinking, but with a flick of his hat and a smile he got up, "Follow me."

The blond man left the room and Ichigo scramble to catch up. He was lead through old stone tunnels filled with cobwebs and dust. He expected many things but none when Kisuke lead him into a room with a small pool of water in its center. It was lit but there was no light coming from anywhere that Ichigo could see.

"Here is where everything can be answered and yet not, all you have to do is step into the water." The man was smiling and Ichigo knew that if the man had a fan it would be in front of his face. "But I must warn you that if you want answers be prepared to have others see what your hiding. This pool goes both ways."

Ichigo stop his trek towards the pool at the man's serious tone, he didn't think that his memories would be exposed to the world but he wondered if he really wanted to get his answers this way.

"Is there another way for me to get the answers I want?" he asks hopefully

"sure there is, lots of reading through old tomes by biases old men who went off of legends, but if that's what you want."

"Uh no but how is this any different?"

"This water acts like a window into the past so this way you can see the guardian come to be but like I said, while these memories you can see others can see yours. So what is your choice?"

Ichigo still was hesitant but a mental push from Shiro Zangetsu had him tumbling into the water with a splash.

"Damn you Shiro!" was the last thing he shouted before he mind was overcome with images that weren't his own. People places flew by in his mind only to come to a stop when an orange mop of hair enter his view. Ichigo kept his eyes on the man who looked but still was different then himself, if they stood side by side they really could pass for twins but this man was still different. There was no sound so Ichigo could hear what was being said but he watches the man's life in fast forward. The guy was a farmer, a fighter, then a leader, he had a family, fought against invading armies, and was welding some kind of energy that Ichigo had no name for. Near the end, Ichigo watched as the man fought someone who welded the same energy, bodies covered the floor and blood stained the walls. He watched in horror as a ball of the energy was shove into the man's body and with that it started to transform twisting and bending, Ichigo saw the man turn into the lizard creature he saw earlier. Before he could finish watching he felt someone grab his tunic and yanked him out of the water. As he laid on the stone floor he looked into startle worry gold on black eyes. Too daze to say anything he didn't protest when the Prince pulled in up and lead him out the tunnels and into his room. The Shiro proceeded to strip him them pushed him into the waiting bed.

"Get some sleep idiot, we'll talk later." It was a command one the usually Ichigo would fight, but for once he follow and drifted off. Ignoring the fact that he was in the white prince's room his bed or the fact the prince was acting out of character. But his dreams where filled with the images he saw and he didn't know if it was more of his own old fears just resurfacing or nothing worth remembering till now.

oOooOooOo

Prince Shiro would never have thought that he would give up his bed to the orange headed teen that has been a part of the castle for nearly a month. He wanted nothing to do with the orange menace, but when he saw the images in the throne room he couldn't leave it alone. He had no idea how he found them but Shiro was glad that he was able to yank the teen out of the pool and away from the blond.

The memories that he saw of Ichigo's past had hit him harder then he thought and looking at his family they thought the same. He never thought that there would be anything the same between them, but he was wrong and it takes something big for him to admit that.

"I guess I could try to tolerate you." He mutters to himself more then to the unconscious teen in his bed.

"Glad to hear it." Looking up to the door Shiro release the grip he had on his sword, it was a habit when he was surprise. Kaien was one person who could sneak up on him like that.

"I take it that dad sent you to find us." More a statement then a question.

"Yeah," Kaien came to sit across from Shiro. "He was concern when the images started and then when you rushed out and no one could find either of you." He runs his hand through Ichigo's hair and smiled when the teen lean into the touch. "Mom and dad is dealing with Kisuke, but, I wonder why he took Ichigo down there. He knew what would have happened if you hadn't pulled him out in time."

Shiro snorted at that first the guardian had come out of hiding and now Kisuke nearly kills someone, well that's not new there.

"You think that he knew that we would have seen his memories uncensored?" Kaien asks.

Shiro only shrugs, when he saw how Ichigo got his powers to seeing his pain when his little sisters were killed right in front him he just started to feel weird. As of now he didn't know what to think, he wasn't sure if he wanted the teen to stay in the castle by himself anymore.

"what about Ichigo? What does dad planning?" he finally asks

"Well I guess that all depends on him." Kaien says looking at Ichigo, "I mean we can't do anything till we figure out what the guardian wants with him. You know that he doesn't come out just for anybody."

"Fine, but he stays with us. No more plain guards he either stays with us, the Espada's, or the Vizards." Shiro didn't trust anyone else with the teens safety. "I think that he should come with us on our next patrol." He suddenly adds getting a little excited.

"I don't know it that's a good idea." Kaien says uncertainly, "Let's wait till-

"Ow my head, where am I?" Ichigo woke to find himself in a bed that was not his and two people with identical faces looking at him. "Um."

"Good afternoon sleepy head," Kaien says cheerfully as he helps the orangette sit up. "You had everyone worried."

"I did? Sorry about that." Ichigo look to Kaien then to Shiro, "Um what am I doing in your bed?"

"Well," Shiro smirk leaning in close to Ichigo. "it was just closer."

"Bull, our rooms are the same distance." Ichigo was getting annoyed.

"Now ,now no fighting…yet, but seriously Ichigo what happen to you today will have to be discuss with everyone soon." Getting Ichigo's attention again Kaien smile encouragingly, "Then you can ask all you question without drowning."

"Drown?"

"Don't worry about it, just go back to sleep." Shiro says pushing Ichigo back down into the pillow

"And where are you going to sleep?" rising an orange eyebrow at the white prince.

"Oh right here…on this bed…with you."

"Same here, we can have a slumber party."

"What?" Ichigo deadpan.

"Dogpile!" twin shouts fill the room as two bodies fall on Ichigo.

"HEY!"

Minutes later Ichigo is sandwich between Kaien and Shiro both are asleep; he had tried to wiggle out but they keep tightening their hold. Giving up he gets comfortable and lets himself fall back to sleep. He figures that tomorrow he'll get his answers to what he saw and maybe he'll get a chance to search for the guardian.

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Chapter End.

Thanks for reading.