Red Riding Strawberry

Lost and Alone?

Ichigo pulled up his hood as he ran, his father's words echoing in his head.

"Ichigo, this is Rukia Kuchiki. She is the sister of the noble that lives nearby, and she has grown a liking to you. Her brother and I have gotten together and made an arrangement for your marriage."

Ichigo shook his head violently, the rage building, 'Who does he think he is!? He can't just tell me who to spend the rest of my life with!'

He didn't know, but his blind storming brought him further and further into the darkest part of the forest. Finally taking the time to look where he was going Ichigo noticed that he didn't know where he was.

"I've been in here millions of times. Why can't I remember where I am" Ichigo thought aloud. Looking around, Ichigo felt a sense of dread crawling up his spine.

Ichigo shook his head and straightened his shoulders, why should he be scared of trees?

Looking up, Ichigo noticed the moon rising in the sky, 'How the hell did it get so late?'

Ichigo looked around for a tree he could climb, found one, and ran over to it. Grabbing the lowest branch, Ichigo hoisted himself up; climbing a few more branches, Ichigo found a big enough branch to sleep on.

Ichigo looked up at the sky again, then closed his eyes, welcoming the awaiting dreams.

Ichigo opened his eyes and clouds entered his vision, sitting up, he realized that he had been lying on his back on a hard glass surface. Ichigo found it strange, he had never seen such a shiny, reflective surface.

He reached out and touched it, finding it cold; Ichigo brought his hand back and then stood up. Looking around, it felt like he was standing on something sideways, but it was a dream, so why should he care?

Ichigo felt the air around him ripple, so he turned around and saw a black, curtain like substance. Getting closer to touch it, Ichigo reached out, then jumped back when it rippled and started to disappear.

Ichigo watched as a person in a white kimono appear, when he saw the face, Ichigo gasped. The person was albino, his hair just as white, his eyes gold on black, and when he grinned and licked his lips, Ichigo saw a blue tongue. But the worst was down right the worst.

The guy looked just like Ichigo, apart from those minor differences.

"So what is a delectable strawberry doing in a place like this huh love?" His voice echoed and sounded watery.

Ichigo frowned, apparently there were other differences that needed to be noted. The guy took a step closer but Ichigo glared, "My name is Ichigo. Who are you?"

The guy smirked then bowed exaggeratedly, "My name is Hichigo Shirosaki and I," The guy straightened, "am a part of you."

Ichigo held back a spurt of laughter and Hichigo growled, "You wanna laugh huh? Fine." Hichigo pulled out a large sword and pointed it towards his gut, "This won't hurt me, but," Hichigo pushed the tip into his gut slowly and Ichigo grew tense and looked down.