The fox and the hunter

17- finally home

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chapter 17

Shiro lead his father and Ichigo to his cabin home as it looked like an ethnic log cabin complete with a matching stable.

"Go ahead inside and make yourselves comfortable. I am going to put Zangetsu and Kon into the stables." Shiro stated. Tensa wagged his tail as he followed his master sniffing at everything. "I suppose I should make a spot for you two?" Shiro asked Tensa.

*But I want to stay by your side.* replied Tensa mentally. Ever since Shiro had heard his father communicate with him mentally. He has been hearing other voices that he wasn't familiar with. Shiro stopped what he was doing as he looked at the wolf. Shiro shook his head.

'Nah.... It couldn't be.' Shiro thought to himself as he went back to his tasks. Once Shiro was done he headed into the house being followed by Tensa.

Once inside the three talked about a variety of things.  Shiro didn't want Ichigo to think that he owed the hunter anything.

"Now tell me some more dad.  What am I capable of?  I have only discovered a small portion of it since you sealed up my memories and my powers." Shiro asked Ulquiorra.  Ulquiorra sighed softly as he knew that his son was going to ask him some questions about his demonic powers.

"Much like all demons, you are capable of taking on a form other than that of a human.  But since you were born of a human mother, your body is more accustomed to staying in a human form.  But during times when you are in great rage or using the full extent of your powers, you will transform into a demonic form.  Over time you can learn to transform at will much like Ichigo and I can.  You have the ability to sense other demons knowing if they are good or bad."

"Like how I knew that the villagers weren't telling me the whole truth when I first meet Ichigo." added Shiro.

"Precisely.  You also have the ability to manipulate energy similar to my own.  We have dark energy as we can wield it separately or through objects like weapons.  Then there is the fact that you will be able to hear other demons and/or animals thoughts through telepathy."

"So that is what I have been hearing." Shiro stated as both Ichigo and Ulquiorra looked at him in confusion.  "Ever since I had heard you speak to me in my mind, I have been hearing these other voices that I am not familiar with.  I think I am hearing Tensa, Kon, and Zangetsu's thoughts." replied Shiro.

"Shirosaki..... do you know of a prophecy?" asked Ichigo.

"Ichigo please just call me Shiro.  You don't have to be so formal.  My dad told me a bit about it." replied Shiro.  Ichigo looked at Ulquiorra in question.

"What my son says is true Lord Ichigo.  I realized you as a forest guardian when I first saw you unconscious in my son's arms.  I have served other forest guardians in the past as I had witnessed Aizen slowly killing them off.  Any and all demons who don't follow his rule were terminated.  Before I meet Shiro's mother Orihime, I used to be rather cold to others.  I was placed within the outskirts of the Quincy Village as humans were told to pay homage to me in order to protect their lands from my wrath.  I think it was Aizen who started this rumor.  But I always turned back their female offerings as I only took the food and a bit of their company.  I didn't care much for humans." replied Ulquiorra.

"That was until you meet mom."

"Exactly.  Orihime was different.  Where all the other villagers would just talk about how they had a life within the village and people to go home too.  Orihime was young and full of life.  She asked me how I was and why I turned everyone away every year when it came to the tribute.  She was actually interested in me and not herself.  The longer I hung around her, the more I began to experience human emotions.  They were small at first.  I sent her home demanding that she come back every year as I appreciated her company.  Over the years I watched her blossom into a fine young woman as I began to fall in love with her.  I didn't know about the prophecy until after the day I asked her to become my mate and we made love.  I then realized what Aizen was doing and turned away from Quincy village in order to live my life peacefully with Orihime." explained Ulquiorra.  "It is a same that you will never get to know what a wonderful woman she was and how carrying she was.  I can see a lot of her spark within you Shiro."

"So you learned of the prophecy much in the same way that I did.  The forest or the woods spoke to you didn't they?" questioned Ichigo.

"I don't know if it was that.  I heard a mysterious voice within my mind as it told me the prophecy.  This was before I had learned that Orihime was pregnant.  Since then I have severed my ties with Aizen and kept Shiro a secret.  That is why I allowed that human woman to raise you.  I approached her one day telling her who I was and that she mustn't tell you about your demonic heritage.  She must keep it a secret because of Aizen who is trying his hardest to find you in order to kill you before you have a chance to complete the prophecy.  It is the same reason why he had killed off all the forest guardians except for you Ichigo."  Ichigo said nothing as he absorbed what Ulquiorra had told him as he could sense that the demon was telling him the truth about everything as he wanted to help his son and the forest guardian stop Aizen no matter the cost.