Brothers

Chapter 9

Ichi: Why...

Why what, Ichi-berry? 

Ichi: I can't believe you've done this...  (meme intended)

Naru: You tormented poor Kurono! 

I'm the author... I have the power. 

Ichi: You did not... wait... NO WAIT, DEMON!

*Chases Ichigo around with a pencil, threatening to change him*

Urahara: *Waved a flag with my profile pic* Go, Demon-san! 

Naru: *Chases me around* DEMON, DON'T... 

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Ichigo was soon sound asleep, and Kurono was snuggled next to him. Rukia sat by him, hoping he would wake up. This 'curse' was scaring her. What would happen to Ichigo? A soft mumble made both Rukia and Kurono's heads snap to the orange haired teem. His eyes slowly opened and he looked around confused. 

"Kurono, go get Kisuke," Rukia ordered, and the wolf ran to the front of the store.     

"Where?" Ichigo grumbled, blinking, getting used to the light. 

"Urahara's shop," Rukia answered. 

"Hat n' Clogs? Huh," Ichigo let it register. "Kurono, come here," he called. 

On cue, the large, black wolf bolted into the room. A familiar man in green and white entered behind her, a wide grin on his face. 

"Ichigo! Your awake!" Kisuke cheered. 

"I'm not dreaming, dang it," Ichigo huffed, rolling his eyes, a smile on his face as he sat up. 

"You wound me!" Kisuke exaggerated, clutching his chest, "but I do have a reason for bringing you here!" 

"You wanna know more about this," Ichigo stated, resting a hand on his left shoulder. 

"That thing seems dangerous, and I wanna know if we can use it or get rid of it. Here, let me see," Urahara pondered, moving closer to Ichigo. 

To everyone's surprise, Kurono got in between the two men and sat there. Kisuke blinked, and stepped forward, causing the wolf to growl lowly in warning. 

"Kurono, down. What's wrong?" Ichigo questioned, laying a hand on her head, rubbing gently. 

"What's wrong, Kurono? Is there something you wanna tell us?" Kisuke asked. 

King... I don't like the idea of him messin' with that mark, Shiro piped up.   

-I, to, do not find that appealing-, Zangestsu spoke. 

"But why? Would it not be smarter to learn more about it?" Ichigo said out loud, getting odd stares. 

What if something goes wrong?! Then we're all screwed! This is a group decision, Shiro complained, though he had a point.  

Ichigo furrowed his eyebrows in thought. They were right, they didn't know what would happen. 

"Ichigo?" Rukia asked, snapping him from his thoughts. 

"Zangestu said he doesn't wanna mess with it. We don't really know what it does except that it wont allow me to use larger moves. It senses the change in spirit energy and reacts," Ichigo stated, Urahara sighing. 

King, I don't think th-

Shiro?

-Ichigo! H--

Zangetsu!?

Panic settled onto Ichigo's face, the others in the room looking at hi in worry. 

"Ichigo? What's wrong, your so pale," Rukia muttered. 

"Something happened. I have to go to my inner world for a minute." 

With that, Ichigo went straight to his inner world, the sideways buildings all to familiar. Ichigo, finally coming to all his senses, started to look around cautiously. He knew it wasn't a gag, Zangestu would never allow that. Walking cautiously, Ichigo ventured out, looking for his fellow spirits. After a while, Ichigo gave up. There wasn't a place in his mind-scape that the two were. Then a chilling thought then ran though his head. 

What if they weren't in his mind at all?

 There was no way they could simply be removed?! A memory flashed past Ichigo's eyes, remembering Zangetsu's words. 

"If you are in your mind-scape, you can do anything," Ichigo mumbled. 

He closed his eyes, sealing away the chocolate brown. He cleared his mind, and then searched for Shiro's presence. A small spark went through his body, making him move. He let his instincts drive him, and he came to his door. It was black, the hollow mask painted on the door. It was the door that connected the three oddities together. 

I never thought to check this, Ichigo thought as he opened the door.  

The two other doors made him smile, but it faltered into a determined frown. He went to Naruto's door first, it being a vibrant orange with the picture of the nine-tails on it. Ichigo went to turn the knob, but it didn't budge. He was locked out. A chilling presence made itself known, and Ichigo froze. He turned slowly, and looked at the new arrival. 

He had short, black hair, his face covered by and orange mask. The one thing that Ichigo noticed, though, was the man's aura. He was frozen, he couldn't move. 

"KING! DON'T LOOK INTO HIS EYES!" Shiro shouted, banging on the orange door behind Ichigo, his voice muffled by the wood. 

"Ichigo Kurosaki, right? The world jumper," The man's low voice cheered like a kid finding a lost toy. 

"Who are you?" Ichigo growled, keeping his eyes on the floor, minding Shiro's words. 

"How rude of me. I am Toby," he responded. 

"- Be careful, Ichigo,-" Zangetsu warned. 

Ichigo's head shot up as the sound of a door filled the small space. 

"What is going on?" Gaara's gravelly voice rung. 

"Gaara! Don't look at his eyes!" Ichigo warned, and he seen Gaara walk to his side.  

"Hm, it seems there is someone else here. Where is the third person?" Toby asked mockingly. 

"Out of your reach, Akatsuki scum," Gaara hissed. 

(Dang, savage) 

"Ah, the nine-tails." 

That's when a fist pounded on the door behind the two boys, and they both turned around. 

"I can't open it!" Naruto's voice rang. 

"Naruto! Is Shiro in there?" Ichigo asked. 

"Still here, King. What is going on?" Shiro demanded. 

"I need to go. I've had my fill," Toby shrugged, and disappeared, seemingly turning into ash and blew away in an imaginary wind. 

"What is going on?" Gaara asked. 

The door behind them flew open, Shiro and Naruto came flying out, landing on top of one other.  Zangetsu stood behind them, shaking his head, making everyone laugh.