Chapter 6

Ichigo stood on a balcony. He was overlooking the grounds that were now covered in snow. It had been a couple of weeks since Chad had arrived. And speak of the devil, there was boy now. The beast watched as the boy walked his horse about, letting the stead stretch its legs. Though Chad was interrupted in his activity when the dog like footrest came bounding over to him. He smiled softly at the animated furniture's actions before crouched down and opened his arms wide. The footrest didn't need to be told twice and bounded into the boy's open arms. Chad chuckled happily at the footrest as he stood up with the dog like furniture in his arms.

Ichigo smiled fondly at the scene below him, but a moment later a confusion settled over his features. The inside of his chest felt all nice and warm inside. Not to mention he was sure that he could feel the phantom fluttering of butterflies in his stomach. He never really felt something like that before. He mentally shook his head and glanced down at his injured arm. It was still wrapped up in bandages, but it was almost completely healed. Though the warm fuzzy feeling came back the longer he stared at his bandaged arm. "You know...I've never felt like this about anyone before. I want to do something for him." The beast replied. A small smile formed on his lips at his last words.

Unfortunately though his face fell a second later. "But what should I do for him?" He asked as he turned to Uryu who was on the railing to his right. The clock became thoughtful for a few seconds before he spoke. "Well there are the usually like, like flowers, chocolates, promises you don't intend to keep." He listed off. "Oh come on, tha's no way ta go about it." Renji replied as he made his way over to the two. "If ya want ta do it th' right way then it has ta be som'thin special. Som'thin that sparks his interests." The candelabra added. He became thoughtful for a moment before a smirk made it to his face. "Wait! I think I've got it." He replied in triumph.

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Ichigo lead Chad down a sunlit hallway. They came to a stop in front of an arched door. The beast cleared his throat to get the boy's attention. "Chad...There's something I want to show you." He said a bit nervously. He grasped the handle of the door, but stopped short and turned his eyes to Chad. "But first...you have to close your eyes." He replied. Chad raised an eyebrow in question at the beast a bit curious. "It's a surprise." Ichigo quickly added. Chad gave a mental shrug, but he complied this time. Ichigo quickly waved his hand in front of Chad face to make sure that the boy really closed his eyes. At seeing that the boy's eye were closed made the beast feel almost giddy.

Ichigo beamed brightly as he pulled open the door. He then gently grabbed Chad's hands and lead him into a dark room. "Can I open my eyes?" The boy asked curiously after taking a few steps inside the room. "No, not yet." The beast said quietly. He pulled Chad in further till he brought themselves to a stop. "Now wait here." Ichigo said politely yet excitedly before he rushed off. He bounded over to each window and hurriedly pulled the drapes of each one. While he did so Chad's head followed the sound of each movement and of course he kept his eyes closed the whole time like he promised. His curiosity grew with each noise.

"Now can I open my eyes?" He asked little bit excited and oh so curious. "Alright...now." Ichigo replied eagerly with a bright smile. So Chad didn't wast a second longer and finally took a look at the room. He looked about in awe. He was standing in the middle of a giant library that was finely styled in white with gold trim. It had three floors with the walls lined with books. "I can't believe it...I've never seen so many books in my life." He replied in amazement. "So...you like it?" Ichigo asked hopeful. "It's wonderful." Chad answered as he continued to examine the library. "Then it yours." The beast offered. "Really?" Chad questioned. Ichigo simply nodded his head. "Then thank you so much." The boy said gratefully as he enveloped the beast in a hug of gratitude.

Ichigo was shocked by Chad's action and stiffened. At noticing the beast rigid posture Chad quickly let go. "Sorry..." He mumbled sheepishly embarrassed. Yet ichigo didn't know what to say, so an awkward silence filled the air. "Do you...have any Shakespeare?" Chad asked after a moment. He couldn't really stand the silence that was choking them. That seemed to be the right question to ask. "You like Shakespeare?" Ichigo asked curious. "Yes, I find his works to be intriguing and interesting." Chad replied with a mental sigh of relief. "Well, then it looks like we have something in common. Come, I'll show where the all the Shakespeare books are kept." Ichigo said happily and started to lead the way. It had been awhile since talked about Shakespeare's works with another and even better he had found some common ground with Chad.

Though unknown to Chad and Ichigo some of the staff had been and was watching them from the library's doorway. "Oh just look at that." Orihime gushed in excitement. "See, I knew tha' it would work." Renji stated proudly. "What? What worked?" Yachiru asked confused as she tried to get a look at what everyone else was looking at. "Well, it's very encouraging." Uryu replied pleased and started to walk off, ignoring the young teacup's question. "Isn't this exciting?" Rukia asked ecstatic as she followed after Uryu and Renji. "What are they talking about? I didn't see anything." Yachiru said annoyed with a pout. Orihime giggled at the teacup. "Oh just come along Yachiru, there are chores to do." She said before she started to follow after the others. "But what are they talking about? What's going on? Come on Orihime!" Yachiru questioned as she quickly followed after the teapot.

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Chad and Ichigo sat at a dinner table big enough for two for breakfast. The curtains of a window that was next to the table were drawn open so that they could see the wonderful winter morning was as bright and sunny as the day before. As for breakfast they were having porridge. The 'servants' were kind enough to add some cream and sugar to Chad's serving. The boy kindly thanked them as he stirred the contents together.

After a moment he brought a small spoonful to his mouth to see if he had mixed it all well enough. He was pleased that he had mixed it well, but a gasp of surprise unconsciously left his lips at the sight of Ichigo. The beast had his face in his porridge and eating messily out of much like a dog would. Though he did pause at hearing Chad's slight gasp. Ichigo looked like a deer caught in headlights. The beast had been by himself for so long that he wasn't used to using table manners.

Orihime, who was on top of the table with them, winced at such an action. Her, along with Yachiru, glanced worriedly over at Chad for his reaction. The boy glanced away sheepishly in slight discomfort. This caused Ichigo to quickly wipe his face clean with one of his hands. As for Orihime and Yachiru they bounded over to the beast. The teapot glanced at the spoon that was next to Ichigo's bowl, but when he didn't get the hint Yachiru nudged the spoon toward him. He hesitated for a moment before he grabbed the spoon.

He held it awkwardly for his claws made it hard for him to grip the spoon properly. It was even more awkward for him as he tried to use the utensil. Yachiru couldn't help but giggle at the sloppy way Ichigo ate his breakfast, but she soon fell silent when Orihime gave her a disapproving look.

Chad felt a very small twinge of pity for the beast. Ichigo was trying so hard to be proper. It didn't seem fair that he was having some difficulty with a simple task like hold a spoon because how his body was shaped. There had to be some way to make it easier for the beast. That's when an idea hit Chad.

The boy cleared his throat to get Ichigo's attention. Once he had gotten it he raised his bowl. It took the beast a few second to figure it out, but when he did Chad gave him a soft smile. They both brought their bowls close together in a form of 'cheers' before they brought them to their lips. They both drank their meals as a pleasant silence settled over them.

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Hours later Chad and Ichigo were in the snow covered garden together. The boy scattered some seeds about before he put some in beast's cupped hands. They were feeding the birds that had yet to fly sough for the winter. Speaking of the little feather friends a few started to gather around the two. Ichigo kneeled down and held his cupped seed filled hands for the birds. When the little animals didn't come any closer the beast thrusted out his hands to them. That made the birds scatter and move further away. Ichigo moved closer and thrusted out his hands again, but it had the same effect as before. He felt slightly chest fallen at scaring the birds away.

Chad gently shook his head at the other's actions before he went and kneeled next to the beast. Ichigo meant well, but he did a need a little help. So the boy took some more seeds and put them in the beast's hand. He then carefully took ahold of Ichigo's clawed hands and slowly lowered them to the ground. Unfortunately all the birds scattered again, but all except one. The brave little feathered animal came a little closer curious. Chad, who was happy that not all the birds flew off, picked up some of seeds from Ichigo's hand scattered them in a trail leading to the beast's hands. The bird jumped back at the action, but didn't leave. Instead it came closer again. The bird ate the seed trial and jumped into Ichigo's hands to get at the rest of the seeds that the beast held. The beast's lit up like it was Christmas morning. He bird wasn't scared of him.

Soon the rest of the birds started to come back. Some perched themselves on Ichigo while a few others perched on Chad. The boy smiled happily as one bird landed on his out stretched hand. He got up and cooed at the bird as he walked. Ichigo watched the boy. For the last couple days they had actually tried to get to know each other. He had learned that even though Chad was of he silent type the boy loved cute things likes animals, especially fluffy ones, and stuffed animals, the plush kind. Ichigo found that quirk odd yet endearing. He thought that the fact that Chad was a (very) gentle giant was kind of cute.

The beast felt warm inside as such thoughts filled him. Chad was not scared of him. The boy no longer flinched at his presence nor did he hesitate to seek out the beast either. He was comfortable around him. It was more then the beast could ask for. Perhaps he really did have a chance? Ichigo mentally shook those thoughts from his head. He could just be over analyzing the whole thing. Yet he couldn't throw away that small little hope as he gazed at the other.

Meanwhile as the beast was preoccupied with his thoughts Chad took notice of the other looking at him. The boy felt somewhat bashful of the yellow eyes that were upon him and looked away. He turned his attention to the bird an and watched as it flew away before he went behind a tree, as if to hide from the Ichigo's gaze. For some reason he could feel his heart beat a little faster at the beast's stare. Could it be that he felt more then friendship for Ichigo?

It was true that the beast was fierce and had a temper, but he also had a softer side too. He treated his servants like equals, like they were his friends. Around his little sisters Karin and Yuzu, Chad was shocked when he learned that they were related, he was kind and loving. The soft true heartfelt smiles that Ichigo would sometimes give his sisters made him look handsome. At least in Chad's opinion. All in all the beast tried his best, even if he was kind of socially awkward.

Chad peeked from the tree and stifled back a chuckle at what he saw. It looked just about all the birds were perched on Ichigo. The majority of the little balls of feathers were on his hands and arms, but a few were bold enough to roost on his shoulders, head and even his horns. The poor beast didn't know what to do with all of them. It was quite the comical sight.

The beast tried to gently shake them off, but the movement seemed to be to much for the birds because they all took off in a rush. Ichigo hurriedly shielded him self from the little fowls abrupt departure. He was relieved when they all were gone. Unfortunately the left him wide open.

Barely a moment later a snowball slammed into his face. Ichigo shook off the snow in his face and scanned for his attacker. It didn't take him long. The sight of Chad holding back laughter was one heck of a clue.

So the boy wanted to have a snowball fight? Well then, he would get one.

Ichigo crouched in the snow and started to gather the frozen water up. He smirked at Chad as he made a giant snowball. Once down, he stood up and took aim, but Chad was faster. He was put a bit of balance when another snowball flew into his face, which caused him to drop the huge snowball, that was held up high, onto his head. It looked like making such a big snowball wasn't the brightest of ideas, so on to plan B. The beast chased after Chad, causing them to turn the snowball fight into a game of tag.

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Renji was walking past one of the castle windows with Uryu and Orihime, but paused when he saw something out of the corner of his eye. He took a few steps back and looked outside. A smile graced his features at what he saw.

"Hey Uryu, Orihime, com' look a this." He called excited. "What is it?" Uryu asked blandly, he would not admit that he was little bit curious. "Ya have ta com' and look." The candelabra urged. Uryu raised an eyebrow at him, but it was Orihime who bounded on over.

"Oh how cute." She giggled the sight she saw. Well, that was enough to finally fully quip the clock's attention. Uryu wonder over to them and peered out the window. He smiled softly at what he saw. Ichigo and Chad were playing and goofing off in the snow.

"Well, they're definitely making some good progress." Uryu stated. He was glad that the two were finally getting along. "Good progress, what do ya mean good progress. They're mak'in great progress." Renji boasted happily. The clock gave him unimpressed look. "Well, if you say so." He said bit sarcastically. The candelabra glared at him.

Renji opened his mouth to shoot back a retort, but Orihime quickly cut him off. "Oh come on you two, don't start. Wether it be good or great progress, they're at lest making progress.' Those words put an end to any argument the clock and candelabra might have had.

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Ichigo and Chad played together in the snow till started to get dark. They made their way inside just as the sun disappeared over the horizon. They had a nice warm meal for dinner to help melt away the chill that had come over them by being outside for so long.

After they ate Chad had asked if he could read a book before bed in front of the fireplace. Ichigo readily agreed and he was even bold enough to (shyly) ask if he could join him and read the book aloud to him. The boy agreed with a small smile and slight blush adorning his face. So it was moments later the two were found cuddled up together in front of the roaring fire sharing a book.

Unknown to the two Karen and Yuzu accidentally happened upon them. The twin were strolling around the castle when they went past the doorway that let to the den. They had stopped and stared. "Karen do yo see that?" Yuzu asked happily in awe. "Yeah I do, and about damn time." Karen replied just at happy as her twin. "Do you think...do think that there is finally something there that wasn't there before?" Yuzu questioned softly, she could barely contain her excitement. "Well, if you're talking about what I think you're talking, then yeah there is." Karen said just as softer, her own excitement starting to leak out.

"Do you think we should?" "Nah, just leave them be." With that Karen dragged her twin away. There was no need for them to trespass on the moment that their brother and Chad were having.

I'm so sorry for taking so long with ch. 6, but better late then never right?

*get's shot*

Anyway, sorry for taking long, I got caught up with college and because of that this fanfic kind of got throw to the side. For that I greatly apologize to you all. Though, unfortunately, the next chapter is gonna take awhile because like I said, I'm in my first year of college and finals are about a month or less away. I'll try my best, but I can't really give you all any grantee.