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04:

Ichigo was taken completely aback when he return to the cave he now also considered as his home along with the usually downtrodden teen he thinks as his brother who needed protecting, and saw how much Harry's face changed from before he left to the time he returned.

As far as he knows, he had only been gone for a week. How could, in that short amount of time, Harry change so much when he had been inside that cave for literally centuries?

At least according to Death and he believed him. It's not as if Death had ever lied to him. What purpose would he have for lying to him about that anyway?

Not to say that Harry has been grinning widely, or bouncing in his step, or even went outside the cave because he hadn't done those things. Not yet. Not that he could picture him doing those things. Even if he did though, that wasn't that change that would stop him from his tracks because those could be faked anytime.

It was in the lightness in his eyes, the relaxed way his shoulders rested contrast to how it was always unconsciously tensed, the way his usually dull green eyes lit up a little bit and his lips to twitch occasionally into a smile – far more frequently – that managed to give life to his whole being and how he initiated body contact willingly.

Even if that action rarely happened.

Still, it did, and he couldn't help but feel bewildered. It didn't scream fake. It screamed genuine.

Somehow, in the span of one week, Harry became much healthier than in the centuries he had been in the care of Death, and even with him.

It made him surlier than he usually is. He wanted to know what happened to make him look like he managed find some resolve to live.

At first, he took the changes in stride. He just looked out for his brother and tried to think of what could have been one of the greatest factors to make that drastic change in him. Who could have made that much difference in him that even Death and he hadn't succeeded.

But it was no use. He didn't find anything.

Not much anyway.

He still had his melancholy and depressed moments, still forgot to take care of himself – though not that often anymore. He was surprisingly becoming dedicated on not forgetting any of his meals for some strange reason – and still didn't venture outside of their home no matter how much he tried to have him do it.

But he was becoming better now, that's for sure. He's even better now than he was when he first came to him. The changes were subtle and to the eyes of those who hadn't known Harry, hadn't observed him for a very long time now or even talked to him, Harry is the kind of soul who carries so much loneliness in his delicate shoulders. While that was still true, it was not as encompassing and overwhelming as before.

The change was vastly different from then and now.

He wanted to know the reason.

So he asked him when his curiosity finally got the better of him.

"What changed?" Ichigo inwardly winced at his blunt question while they were eating. He had always been someone who bulldozed through something. He might not have that much recklessness as he had before as he couldn't afford to have it in spades anymore, but that bluntness has always been a part of his personality that he couldn't and wouldn't change.

He never even usually feel guilty about it, but he found that when it comes to Harry, his normal reactions were nonexistent.

Not to mention that this slight teen really is Death's Master. He didn't want to anger the entity when he could end his existence with just a snap of his finger, especially when his sole purpose for accepting the offer of returning back in ttime hadn't even started yet.

He could just easily kill that lunatic King, Ichigo heard his hollow, Shiro, suddenly speak. Zangetsu sighed in exasperation that he could feel deep inside him.

You don't want to fight him? That's new, Ichigo mused to his darker half. Shiro growled.

No! I want to pound that smug bastard's face until he's a pile of bloody flesh under me. It's just that, he's Death. He could do it more easily than we could.

He was about to answer Shiro that they could handle Aizen without bothering Harry, that this time it would be easy because they already know all of the megalomaniac's insane and grand plans along with his experimentation, that they were only delayed because they need to find proof and give it to the old man so he could be the one to decide what to do and not them, so they wouldn't be hunted down for killing a supposedly respected Captain of Gotei 13 along with his associates and that they only have to watch to make sure everything goes smoothly when he heard a voice cutting in his thoughts.

"Why should I kill this Aizen person?"

Ichigo snapped to look at Harry in shock, eyes going wide in surprise. He felt both Zangetsu and Shiro literally freeze alongside him. He forgot about his initial question before his Hollow distracted him earlier at the look of unconcealed curiosity in Harry's eyes.

'Ichigo...' Zangetsu said, voice pitched lower in worry.

King, don't say anything. We will die, Shiro immediately followed through, voice going uncharacteristically wary.

Ichigo heard them, but he couldn't even speak. He was frozen, not only at that but also at the very big question going through his mind that he knew both Zangetsu and Shiro could hear.

How did Harry know about that? Did he hear what Shiro just said? And how did he even know the name Aizen? I never said the bastard's face out loud, much less say killing him!

"Ichigo? Are you going to answer?"

He felt his heart beat fast.

. . . . .

"Guess what I saw a week ago Juu-chan?" Shunsui flopped his body right on the empty chair in front of Juuichirou's desk. The captain took a quick glance at his best friend and became instantly intrigued.

"Why do you have that face?" he asked curiously. Shunsui was currently sporting a curious, confused yet gleeful expression on his face. Such complexities from Shunsui's was enough to make him wary, especially when he saw a glint of mischief in his eyes when he asked.

He was the only one in the office since Kaien had been called by a meeting of their clan. Since he is the Clan Head, he had to attend.

"I saw Kaien-kun's twin!" Shunsui happily said, only after dragging a few more seconds that had him rolling his eyes at the dramatic pause his friend put. At that words though, his eyes went wide, unable to stop himself from reacting.

In all the years he had been Kaien's captain, even before he was still a student in the academy, never once had he seen someone who looked like him that could be his twin.

He didn't even think Kaien has a twin, much less know.

"Kaien doesn't have a twin," he said, his composure returned.

"What if the Shiba's were keeping him?" Shunsui said in a playful tone. Nevertheless, he answered full of seriousness.

"Why would they? Kaien was a prodigy yet they didn't hide him. He has full potential and that brought only prestige to their clan," Kaien was one of the best, that's why he had persuaded him relentlessly about accepting his offered position as Lieutenant in his division. He also has a good heart. He would have been proud to have a twin and wouldn't have hidden him.

Or her.

"Maybe his twin didn't have the potential to be shinigami. Or maybe Kaien-kun's twin was considered defective and was disowned," he said, fingers flicking as if checking a mental list.

"The Shiba clan are different from the other noble clans, you know that. They wouldn't do that to a member of their family," Shunsui just shrugged his shoulders lightly and he sighed. "Is this... twin a girl or a boy?"

"It's a boy. Lithe body yet obviously have muscles that suggests he works out and is in shape. And..." his friend paused and gave a wide grin when he waited expectantly.

"Shunsui..." he said in exasperated fondness. He was already used to his friend's dramatic attitude. It doesn't mean that he can't get fed up from time to time. He pouted but at least he finally answered.

"He has orange hair and tanned skin,"

Opposite of the Shiba's then, he thought to himself. They usually have dark hair and pale skin.

"That's not my lieutenant's twin then,"

"Juu-chan! They really did look alike! I was struck speechless!"

Juuichirou sighed at Shunsui's whining. Already a captain yet still acts like a child, he thought while he shook his head.

"Alright, I'll ask Kaien," Shunsui cheered and his lips twitched at that. "If you can see this 'twin' again, maybe take him to see Kaien?" he suggested, making his friend's face lit up.

"That's a good suggestion!"

"Kyouraku-taichou!" Suddenly, Shunsui's face paled when his office door opened and Lisa came out looking vaguely homicidal.

"Lisa-chan!" Shunsui exclaimed enthusiastically and he had to stop himself from snorting in amusement at how fast his friend's expression changed.

"You can't leave me with all your paperwork! Not now!"

"Aw! But I'm only resting for a bit,"

"I will not allow you to get away taichou. You're paperwork are now tripled! You didn't touch them for a week! They're all over the floor!" Lisa's voice now rose higher, face completely torn between horrified and pissed.

He winced at that. Paperwork being tripled? That's a nightmare to finish, even with Lisa helping.

Shunsui pouted before sighing. He knew he couldn't afford to leave them for another day. He shuddered remembering all the papers he had to read and sign.

All talk about Kaien's possible twin temporarily left their minds as the 'evilness' of paperwork were discussed.

. . . . .

"Ichigo,"

Said man's eyes blinked rapidly, uncharacteristically nervous at the completely closed off expression on Harry's face. Even his voice was devoid of any emotion. Not a hint could be seen in his body language.

It made him think very carefully of what he would say next. Despite Harry's apparent... brokenness, this fragile teen that looked like he was on the verge of death - which was all kinds of wrong since Harry is already a soul. But then again, souls die to be rebirth so maybe it wasn't strange - was Death's master.

Harry was probably the most important and the most powerful person in the whole universe.

"You don't have to worry about that Harry," he said. Harry gave him a too intense stare, forehead creasing a little bit before it eased up after a couple of seconds and he shrugged, the aura that seemed to thicken in tension inside the cave easing up too.

"Alright," Ichigo heaved a discreet sigh of relief that his two soul companions also followed alongside him.

Death maybe a passive entity at the moment, but he knew that he could be the greatest enemy when his master is concerned.

He didn't want to see that side of him. Not to mention he still has no idea what Harry was capable of individually. One doesn't just become the master of Death just like that,even he knew that.

He then remembered what he had first asked before they were distracted by Harry's terrifying question in return.

"Harry, are you going to tell me?" he asked tentatively, feeling like he had to be careful since that question that had almost made him had a heart attack was still echoing inside his brain.

"About what?"

"... what changed?" Harry looked at him in confusion before his eyes widened in realization. His usually dull green eyes brightened and sparkled. The brilliance of his eyes at the moment put any type of gem he had ever seen in his life. It temporarily froze him.

He looked full of life with that eyes of his, he couldn't help but think fondly. It made him feel warm inside and the worry he always had for the person in front of him that he considered as his brother lightened considerably.

"I met my mom and dad! Though they looked like ghosts, I could still touch them! Mom looked so beautiful and warm and loving and..." here, Harry sighed with a contented smile on his lips. Ichigo didn't speak. He just looked at his little brother - even though he was sure Harry was several centuries older than him - with a small smile.

Harry continued to prattle on about his father and how he had that warm smile and had that hug that apparently made him feel safe, how his uncle Padfoot and Moony - Ichigo wasn't sure if those were real names or just nickname. If they were real names, he feel sorry for them - was also there and were proud of him along with his few friends.

Harry was still rapidly talking about his family when he was suddenly hit with a thought.

It's rare for a person's entire family in the human world to retain their memories when becoming a soul. Those that did though was because their reiryoku has the potential to grow, be unlocked and useful in case they wanted to be shinigami.

How did Harry's entire family and even apparently his friends retain their memory? Where are they? How did they meet when Harry literally never went outside this cave?

There was also something that made him realize that he never even bothered to think about.

Was Harry a human before?

"Wait Harry," said person stopped talking and looked at him curiously, eyes still had that brilliant shade of green. "How did you see them? Meet them? You never went out of here, not even when I forced you,"

Harry's eyes, if that was even possible, brightened up even more.

"They had always been here with me. I just didn't know," Ichigo's forehead creased in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

"They're reishi. All of my kind turns to reishi instead of souls when they die,"

All of MY KIND?Reishi?

"They're in that crystals!" Harry pointed at the imbedded crystals on the ceiling of the cave. He looked up and saw that the lights the trapped reishi inside the crystals are emitting became brighter.

"Hey guys! I want you to meet Ichigo!" Harry's eager voice said. He looked at the other in doubt. He was half thinking that Harry had probably gone mad with how long he was cooped up in this cave and half thinking it was probably his coping mechanism.

So it was with shock when he saw the reishi getting brighter before it escaped the crystals and descended on the floor. It then turned into human-like form. Suddenly, there were ghost-like people inside the cave smiling at him in varying degrees of amusement.

"Hello Ichigo," a beautiful woman greeted him with a warm smile while the rest echoed her greeting. Harry then proceeded to enthusiastically introduce the ghost people that was inside the cave to him. Harry's current attitude was a new and refreshing one, but he couldn't help but be distracted by what he was seeing.

He looked at Harry's wide eyed happy smile and the ghost-like people looking at him with expectation then back again before he shook his head a little.

He shouldn't have been surprised.

This is Harry. Nothing in the teen was ever normal. He already realized that the very first day he had seen him.

Not that he minded.

TBC.

A/N:

HA! Update here for the month of February! I so far like this story more than the others at the moment. I think I'll be updating monthly for this fic, usually in the first week of the month. I hope I'll stick to that.

Sorry if you have to wait for a long time for the next update. I have to write chapters for my other stories too as I was concentrating in this story too much.

Anyway, comment?

P.S.

Who wants to be my "Bleach Wikipedia" that I could go to and ask for info? I don't want to go back to reading the manga and watching the anime. Call me lazy but *shrug*. Anyway, PM me if you're interested. :)