A/U: Ahh, a one-shot, maybe two-shot!

The Lonely Soul

There was a nymph, once known for her beauty and unusual powers. Unusual as in spread out, different than most that focused on one object such as nature, water, the sun…but this one nymph, was unique, yes, very unique. Not only were her many powers bright, but her looks and personality as well. Strawberry-blonde hair unsightly for a magical creature such as herself went perfectly with her serious yet teasing nature. Many others-magical beings pined after her, she turning away from each one until she met him.

He was a mere human, but with a purely good heart and brilliant mind. Modest was he, kind to all, overlooking no one. She fell, and fell hard. This man took to her and they fell into a deep and powerful love that caused the birth of a baby boy.

A wonderful boy, able to lift a smile on to everyone's face no matter how pained they were-he truly was a gift. Despite what he already had, this boy had obtained his mother's beautifulness, and yet he had his father's kind eyes. A perfect blend, of magic and human, a child blessed with love and care of a loving family. A beyond glorious baby of magical talent is given, but it is only time before those decide what they want.

***X***

The god stared forlornly at his reign from his lonely perch. The King of the Underworld, Osiris, Hades, Pluto, Death God…there are many things he is called. He is feared, he is respected, but because of that, he was always, always alone. Since the beginning of time, he had ruled over the dead, the souls that could no longer return to the light unless reborn.

His ghostly features resembled that of the dead, snow white hair and lily skin, with a lithe muscular form. It struck fear into the very hearts of humans to see his pale whiteness, but his eyes-his eyes brought up fear into everyone, not always much, but his eyes could bring that fear you have in the back of your mind to stir. The source of so much terror were of a demon's, gleaming gold orbs that swirled hypnotically were surrounded by a sea of endless black. Those golden disks showed craziness, never-ending sorrow, and pain. But that was all nothing compared to the loneliness reflected there, the emptiness that showed in the hole in his chest.

This god often left for trips, leaving his duties to his court, while searching for something to fill the void. It was on one of these trips that he found something that interested him. A human child, or rather, a boy-barely a man. This teen was hunting, moving with a rather inhuman grace as he swiftly shot down his prey precisely with a knife. Grinning, the child lifted the heavy animal easily and headed back to his village. The god was intrigued by this boy, his skills were well honed, but the dark hood of the boy's cloak prevented the other from seeing the face of this child. Before he knew what, the pale god was following the boy from the shadows.

The God of Hell watched the man sell off the meat and skin, buying other things to suit his needs and then pocketing the rest of his money. The child walked for a while, the god still following in the dark. The teen finally stepped into a small, yet well-kept home. There, the paler of the two noticed two people sitting at a table. One small with black hair, the other tall with long red hair.

"Ichigo!" The smaller one leapt up and hugged the boy that had walked in. The god growled as the boy still did not remove his hood, instead hugging the girl and setting down his provisions. "How's the baby?"

The raven haired girl giggled and sat in the grinning red head's lap while patting her rounded stomach. "Very well."

"Well, I brought you guys all you'll need." The boy said and the taller one smiled, thanking the other. After they chatted for a bit, the boy stood and the god followed as this graceful child bid farewell and walked outside.

The god noticed the evil presence that lurked a little ways off of the child and watched as the young one tensed. A snake-like being rushed at the boy, causing the man to fight with that same grace that awed the god watching the fight silently. Suddenly, though, a strange dark magic flowed and cut a deep wound that quickly spread blood through the shirt of the valiant child. Though he saw the child's very life start to leave, in a burst of energy, the boy stabbed his knife into the demon's heart, making the monster disperse into dust.

The child fell to the ground, eyes half open and dulling. The god, who had seen many perish, could not understand the tug in his chest. He watched in pain as the boy clutched to life, and the pale god made a decision: he would not let this young one die.

***X***

Ichigo opened his eyes, noticing the soft bed he was on, and that there were bandages on his chest. The boy tried to sit, wincing slightly at his throbbing head. He then observed where he was. A white room-probably a medical room-with large windows open to a beautiful scenery of silver trees and other otherworldly plants. A smile escapes pink lips as a warm breeze carrying the sweet aroma of flowers touches Ichigo's nose.

The door opens and a person comes to check up on him. Carefully removing bandages, and then forcing the orangette to swallow medicine. Ichigo slumps back, as the pain killers haze his vision.

Ichigo blinks, eyes darting around realizing he is still in the same room. He sits up, also noticing that though there is pain, it's more manageable. His eyes swivel back to stare out at the lush garden, wondering, where the hell he was. The teen gets up quickly, shaking off some dizziness and dressing in the clothes draped on the chair beside the bed. He silently steals through the vast halls, trying to find a door.

The boy finally comes to one, without having been seen at all. Ichigo throws the dark doors open to find he is in the garden he had been eyeing earlier. As if in a trance, the male walks through, touching odd flowers, the silver and white trees, coming to stop at the plant that almost looks…normal. Closed black and white rose bushes sway slightly, filling the air faintly with their wonderful scent. Ichigo closes his eyes, unaware to the presence standing right behind him until they step forward, their back turned toward him.

"Who are you?" A clear voice asks. "Ichigo, Kurosaki Ichigo."

The person smirks, unknown to the other. "You are probably wondering why you are here, as you have probably noticed this is not…normal."

Ichigo nodded, knowing the other can sense he did so. "Then might I ask who you are?"

The person turns, revealing pale features and those haunting eyes. "Hades, the God of the Underworld."

He searched the boy's eyes for fear, hatred, something against him but found none. Those melted brown orbs showed nothing but…gratefulness? The shocked god hid his surprise behind a calm mask as the orange haired boy bowed.

"Thank you…for caring for me." He stood straight and looked the other in the eyes. "Does this mean…I am dead?"

Again surprised at the direct eye contact, the god answered coolly, "Yes, and no."

He motioned to bench where they both moved to sit at. "You were fighting a demon when I found you…and took you back here to be treated. You still live, breathe, but since you are here, you are technically dead in a sense."

Ichigo nodded, accepting it, as his life had never been normal. The god beside him stood suddenly and in a quiet, polite tone spoke again. "I do not expect repayment, but-"

Fawn brown eyes narrowed, there always was a catch in life, wasn't there? "I would like you to stay until you are well rested and your wound completely heals."

Ichigo immediately softened his hard look and bowed his head, "Of course."

***X***

The pale god didn't know what to do with this boy. When he had brought the child back and set his best healer to him, a weird feeling burned his chest. After pacing in the gardens and scowling for a while, he finally came to the conclusion that he had been worried. These feelings were weird, but not…unwelcome to the hollow being.

With those ochre orbs lighted with a fiery determination, colorfully hued locks, and near ethereal beauty, the god caught himself acting like a lovesick woman over a mere human!

A very beautiful and skilled human. His mind decided to add. The ruler sighed in frustration because he simply could not understand why he wanted the boy to stay here, to be able to have that delicious orangette for himself. Soon, a knock at the door stopped the god's thoughts and a servant peeked in.

"Dinner, is ready sir." He nodded. "Please bring our guest as well."

The servant nodded and set off to do what she was told.

Hades stood once Ichigo walked into the room, and his eyes drank in the other. A black silk kimono decorated in red swirl and camellia patterns adorned his lithe frame, complimenting his unruly hair. Orange spikes framed a vibrant face with full pink lips and warm honey eyes. A blush started to rise in that delicate face, and brows furrowed, "I-is something wrong?"

The god chuckled and motioned to a chair to his right. "No, nothing is wrong."

Ripe fruits, breads, and cheeses were laid out in assortments. The paler of the two lifted his glass to the other and they drank. They ate in silence, but oddly not an uncomfortable one. After the table was clear, the god asked Ichigo to walk with him through the gardens as they are far better to view in the dark, rather than light.

Taking in the awed and joyed face of his companion, the god felt another pang to his chest. Ichigo walked alongside his mysterious savior, gazing at the numerous glowing and exotic plants. He soon came to stop in front of the roses he had seen earlier.

The ruler of the dead watched curiously as Ichigo inspected the previously closed white and black roses that were now glowing faintly, and etched with designs of the opposite color. Their petals were now also fully open, giving off a strong, sweet smell.

Ichigo closed his eyes and asked, "What are these?"

"Lunae inluminabit, moon shine. By the light of darkness, it shines as if the moon's equal." Hades gazed at the moon shine, its silvery light reminding him he was a ruler of a dead moon and sunless place. He then turned his golden eyes upon the boy, whose face was illuminated by those same flowers.

"They're beautiful." The boy breathed. The god continued to watch Ichigo, to agree that yes, he was beautiful.

***X***

Ichigo laid on the plushy, soft bed, contemplating the day. After dinner with the pale god, he had walked in the gardens with the other. They had made small talk, until the god had escorted Ichigo to the room where he would stay. He thought of Rukia and Renji-were they alright? Were they wondering where he was?

The orange-haired boy sighed and closed his eyes wearily, his thoughts going back to the albino god that had rescued him. Though his unusual appearance, Ichigo couldn't help but think the other was…attractive to him. The god's body was fit and tall, with defined lean muscles. And those eyes-golden eyes that gleamed with mischief and dark secrets-on the outside, but Ichigo always had been able to read others easily and could make the pain and loneliness lying underneath. He just wanted to take all that loneliness away…always being the one to protect, the boy could not help but want to help the god. Ichigo's thoughts soon slowed as his weary body demanded sleep and the child was soon slumbering deeply.

***X***

A couple weeks passed, many growing much attached to the fiery orange haired boy that brought so much life and light to the Underworld, but no one was as so deeply attached as the god that always watched the other from afar. Ichigo as well was aware of his attachment to god, and it was this attachment that led him to ask a rather…different question one evening as they walked the gardens together.

"Have you a name, Denka*?"

Hades looked up in surprise-no one had ever asked that question before. He soon composed himself and answered.

"Hades, Pluto, Osiris, I have many names, Ichigo." But the other just stubbornly shook his head and stared into the eyes so many feared.

"No, what is your real name?" The god blanked. No one knew his real name but perhaps the ones who had born him and the ones that had cared for him, but this one, the one he had saved wanted to know? The only one that had stayed for so long?

"No, I don't have one." The god turned his golden gaze elsewhere when he felt Ichigo suddenly turn to face him and forced his eyes to meet the other's chestnut ones.

"I know you have one, do not lie." Somehow, Ichigo always always knew when he was hiding something. This boy truly messed with him in many ways.

"Shirosaki. It's Shirosaki." He finally said. Ichigo smiled, a rare treat, making that pang rise again in Shirosaki's chest whenever with the orangette.

"Shirosaki-san." Ichigo tried the name, it suited him so much better. "Better than Denka, Shirosaki-san?"

The paler of the two smiled a bit, liking the way his real name came out of Ichigo's pink lips a whole lot more than Denka. They walked on more, Ichigo relaying stories of the living world eagerly, Shirosaki silently listening, nodding and smiling.

When it came to part, Ichigo had a wistful look on his face, making the god's chest pang and immediately want to make the boy smile. He didn't want the boy to leave-no, he wanted the boy, to claim him. But he knew, Shirosaki knew that he wanted Ichigo to be happy, regardless his own feelings. Taking a deep, pain-filled breath, and pushing his anguished heart aside, the pale god spoke.

"Would you like to return?" Ichigo's honey brown eyes widened, holding surprise and some other emotion-he looked at his companion.

"I…" He smiled. "I would."

Shirosaki, on the outside, was happy for Ichigo, but inside, his empty heart that had been slowly growing cracked. Ichigo-his happiness was leaving. Eyes carefully guarded, and face in a small smile, the god said he'd prepare everything so that the orange-haired boy could leave in the morning.

***X***

Ichigo woke to eat breakfast with the pale god as he had been doing for every meal since he had come, only to find that Shirosaki was busy and couldn't make it. The boy was disappointed-and sad that his friend wouldn't be eating with him one last time. Ichigo stopped eating suddenly. One last time. Rang in his head. This was it-wasn't it? This was the last time he would see the god-until he died. It made his chest hurt, and Ichigo pressed a hand to himself, alarming a servant that had been waiting for him.

"Are you alright, Ichigo-sama?" She asked worriedly. The orangette nodded and smiled weakly. "Yes, just got something stuck in my throat."

The girl bowed and backed away. Ichigo stood and declared he was finished. He then walked to the main hall as instructed. There was a large bag full of clothes-and coins. Golden ones. Staring dumbfounded at the bag, he didn't notice the pale god walk in and stand in front of him. Ichigo looked up, finding himself staring at Shirosaki's back, much like their first meeting.

"Everything you'll need is in that bag, and I thank you for staying." He said stiffly. The orange-haired boy noticed the tensed shoulders and quietly approached the other's slightly taller form.

His heart pounded, and ached, that same pressure against his chest as tears threatened to fall. Ichigo enclosed his arms around the god, and pressed his face into Shirosaki's back.

"Thank you, Shirosaki-san, thank you for everything." He tightened his arms. "I'll miss you."

He knew the god was shocked by the stiff way he stood and stepped back. The other finally turned. "And I you, Kurosaki Ichigo."

Golden eyes were devoid of emotion, face schooled into a mask. Ichigo's pain heightened, but he bowed, ignoring it.

"Thank you." He straightened and looked at the god in front of him one more time, as the other approached quickly and embraced Ichigo lightly. He took one of Ichigo's hands with both of his own.

"No, thank you. Goodbye, Ichigo." Darkness took over, and Shirosaki's comforting presence disappeared.

Ichigo blinked. Pain. Deep pain and that same loneliness he had wanted to dispel had been there, faint in Shirosaki's voice.

"I'm sorry." Ichigo opened his eyes to find that he was in front of his home, bag at his side, and his hand enclosed over something. He brought it to his face, the object bringing tears to his eyes.

It was a small, miniature moon shine, encased in some clear preserving spell, with a golden chain connected to it.

Thank you Shirosaki-san, my Denka.

Cliffy for you! Hahaha! I am EVIL! So, should I make it a two-shot, or keep it the way it is? If you guys say another chapter, I will include smut (most-likely anyway)

*Denka-your highness.

Thank you guys!