The moon shown through the dense clouds, its full glory brightening the dark world below it. The tree branches swaying in the slight breeze, it was what you could call a perfect night. But for some people, it was just one of many.
Quiet footsteps rustled the leaves on the ground as they got closer to the house in the middle of the forest. Staying at a short distance away, two shadowed people watched three odd looking people walk out of the house and look up at the sky.
One had bright orange hair and a fiery spirit, another had white hair and pale skin, his soul strong, and the last one looked like a mix of the two people. Th oranget took a hold of the third person and held them close.
"I'm glad we have you Kei."
Kei smiled and hugged his mum, "I wouldn't have it any different mum."
Ichigo smiled and looked over to the pale man and moved over to hug him. The pale man hugged him back tightly, never wanting to let go of his loved one.
"Shiro, you're going to crush me," Ichigo breathed with a small smile.
Shiro finally let go and ruffled Kei's hair, then looked up at the moon, "The moon is so beautiful. Without it, I think I would go insane."
Ichigo smiled and rested his head against Shiro's shoulder, while Shiro wrapped an arm around Ichigo's waist and held him close. Kei sat in front of them watching the stars, "I agree with dad. How could someone live without something so beautiful?"
Ichigo shrugged, "I don't know son, but this moon reminds me of when your dad made me what I am today."
Shiro chuckled, then his eyes grew distant, "I have mixed feelings about that now though..."
Ichigo and Kei looked up at Shiro with sad eyes, and Shiro continued, "Sure it would have been sad and lonely without you two, but I wouldn't have killed my son, or hurt my love," Shiro took a breath, "and Kaitey would still be here..."
Kei looked down with tears stinging his eyes, and Ichigo rubbed his head against Shiro's shoulder. Kaitey's death hit them all pretty hard. Her joy was an essential part of their lives, she was like their moon, it felt wrong without her there with them.
Shiro held Ichigo closer, and Ichigo pulled Kei up and hugged him. The three grieved over their lost friend as the two shadowed people watched them.
One started whispering into a band on his wrist, then both turned and vanished into the night.
Shiro turned his head to glare in the direction the two were just in, Ichigo questioned him but Shiro just shook his head, "It's nothing, I'm fine."
The three stood outside for a while longer then went back inside, Kei said goodnight to his parents, and headed back to his room. Shiro walked behind Ichigo, up the stairs and to their bedroom.
Ichigo got dressed for bed in the bathroom, then walked over to the bed to find Shiro lying on top of the sheets with only a pair of black sweats on. His pale body glowed in the moonlight and Ichigo felt awed.
Shiro grinned at him and patted the spot beside him, Ichigo crawled onto the bed and snuggled up to Shiro. Once in a comfortable position, Shiro started petting Ichigo's hair, and spoke quietly, "So I got word from Sammy today."
Ichigo looked up hopefully, "What did she say?"
"She said that they had made a conference with Yamamoto and some of the other higher ups. Such as Kuchiki, Unohana, Kyoraku, Soi Fon, Abari, Hitsugaya, Urahara, and Rukia."
Ichigo's eyes widened at the last two names, "So, they're still okay?"
Shiro nodded and laughed slightly, "Why wouldn't they be? They can hold their own just fine."
Ichigo looked down, "I know, but the last time I saw Urahara was when I ran away from the Hunters. And the last time I saw Rukia..." A memory of blood and screams filled Ichigo's head and he shook it.
Shiro held him closer, "It's okay. Ya know what? Orihime Inoue was there as well and she told Sammy that Rukia had been doing just fine."
Ichigo's head shot up, "You mean she is there too?"
Shiro nodded, "Yep, so is Uryu and Chad. They joined the Hunters after you left, they had told Sammy that they wanted to help in any way they possibly could."
Ichigo shook his head in disbelief, "But Uryu would never join the Hunters, and Orihime is too gentle to be there."
Shiro shrugged, "They were determined, but when Sammy explained your situation to them, they calmed down a bit. Renji was a bit of an ass but that's his usual self."
Ichigo nodded and Shiro continued, "But back to the main event. Sammy had convinced Yamamoto to send some of his best Hunters back here to help find Zero and put a stop to his rein of terror. And," Shiro paused and looked at Ichigo's neck, "they are also sending someone close to you to help with the problem of Zero's blood being fused with your own."
Ichigo tilted his head, he didn't understand completely, but Shiro made him calm his mind and try to get some sleep.
~
Sammy let out a huff and looked over her shoulder, back at the person who landed on the branch behind her, "Ya better hurry up. We might just leave yer ass here."
Beth and Grimmjow appeared on a couple branches away from Sammy and watched the newcomer with unwavering eyes.
The person stood up from their crouch and let the moon shine on their hair. It was long, and a beautiful black with a light blue streak going through the bangs the swept off to the side. Their eyes glinted and icy blue that reflected the moon and hidden memories in their depths. Short black shorts held her nicely, with the button undone, and a belt that hung loosely from one loop around her waist. Her black belly tank top was tight, but not enough to not let her move around freely. A pistol holster laid on her waist, while a sword lay sheathed on her back. She grinned showing pointed fangs that glinted in the light. She raised one hand and covered her mouth, her black claws glinting dangerously.
Her voice was soft, yet had a sinful appeal to it, "You're one to talk Sammy. Who was it that kicked yer ass how many years ago?"
Sammy tisked and whipped her head back forward, "That was then wasn't it?"
Sammy's eyes widened when she felt a breeze on her neck, then a deadly whisper in her ear, "I wouldn't want to test it to see if you could bring me down. It may be harsh to say, but I'm not the one missing a key member in my little group now am I?"
Beth growled, but Sammy shook her head once then turned to face the girl, her eyes like stone, "That's pretty cold to say," Sammy's eyes hardened further, and as she said the girl's name, the girl's eyes flashed red, to black, and back to their crystallized blue, "Toshi Hyo."
Toshi smiled and bowed a bit, "I can't wait to see my little brother."
Sammy felt her insides clench, Ichigo was in for a bit of either pain, or anger. Being involved with the mirror image of the panther was not something you wanted to do.
Toshi straightened and ran forward, past Sammy, her black hair whipping across her face as she ran from branch to branch.
Beth glared after her, while Grimmjow looked back at Sammy, "Are you sure it was the right decision to bring her first?"
Sammy nodded, "It's what Yamamoto wanted. But," Sammy's eyes grew distant as she spoke, "It's not going to be easy on Ichigo.
Toshi ran faster, the idea of seeing her long lost little brother made her giddy. Her grin grew wide, 'Don't worry little brother, I'll make sure we finish what father wanted.'
A dull glow shone from Toshi's back, then faded. She was determined to fix what was broken all those years ago.