Time. It was a very strange thing. Soul Reapers weren't always aware of time, even when visiting the World of the Living. Humans have any number of sayings and beliefs about time. "Time flies when you're having fun." "Time will tell." "It was so, very important to them, yet they often squandered it, pretended that they had an infinite amount, that their lives would go on forever.
Along with time, they had sayings about change. "Nothing is permanent except change." and "Times don't change. Men do."
Shirosaki hadn't known many humans or any ex-Captains before, certainly none with such…force of personality as Isshin. At first he was often bewildered by his King's father's sudden fits of rage at his son's enemies and his inappropriate, childish humor. But as time went on he realized that the one thing Isshin hated above all was feeling helpless. Being unable to save people, or make the world fair, or stop Shiro from becoming a part of Ichigo.
He couldn't help but despise the older male, who seemed to feel the need to tell Shiro that he forgiven him for becoming Ichigo's hollow.
That was why he kept railing against being Ichigo's horse, refused to accept it. As a horse, he would not be in control. And, nor would he have much control over his dealings with his King's Dad.
Recently though, the worst seemed to happen. The clinic was packed, Ichigo was missing, Isshin was struggling to hold back the latest living being claiming to share some of the same blood as Ichigo, and Shiro seemed to be the only one that could fix it all. Patch things up.
At first Shirosaki had seen nothing worth saving about the Living World - and yet he didn't know why he resisted. Worse, tried to help and protect the ex-captain.
But he had slowly learned to see the world through Isshin's eyes, and realized that yes, there was corruption and violence and hatred, something he loved but there was also family and love and people trying their best to do the right thing.
All those peaceful moments of allowing the Shiba to treat his latest wounds, or watching as he dealt with keeping the clinic running, really had gotten to him.
No...had changed him.
Shirosaki suddenly saw, no….understood how Isshin felt and why humans cared so much for things like time.
And as Shirosaki dealt the final blow and felt something pierce his own body from behind, he couldn't help but chuckle bitterly.
He really wished he had more time.
Preferably with the old man.