Title: On Brothers
Author: Saigo no Hajime
Summary: Chad thinks about what Ichigo means to him.
Disclaimer: Bleach (and Kubo Tite) seems to own me, not the other way around.
Author's note: This is the first story I'm posting, so please be gentle! Hope you enjoy it, and both reviews and constructive criticism are eagerly accepted.
Chad had never wanted a brother. When he was little, he selfishly thought having one would be a huge bother; just another person to anger him. After learning gentleness from his Abuelo, Chad decided that any brother of his might have learned from his bad example and grown up to be as much of a bully as he had once been. It was just as well he was an only child. But then he met Ichigo.
He'd been wandering aimlessly through his new town, half-listening to the song playing through his earphones, when sounds of a scuffle broke through the music. He immediately turned off the player and followed the noise. It wasn't far before he reached the end of an alley and, looking in, saw a boy with shockingly orange hair surrounded by a group of older boys. The orange-head was being restrained, and was bruised and bleeding, but it was obvious he hadn't given up without a fight. Almost all of his attackers were bruised, and two were only just climbing back to their feet.
The sight of the metal knuckles the leader was slipping onto his hand was enough to bring Chad into action. No one had noticed him yet, so it was easy to slip closer and throw a fierce punch. Several seconds and a few more punches later, Chad had reached his goal, planting himself firmly between the gang and their victim. Taking a deep breath he fixed an image in his mind of the charm hanging around his neck and braced himself for pain.
Years later, thinking back on it, Chad had to wonder just how he had been so lucky that day. At the price of a mild beating, he had gained something he had never wanted, but always needed. How many times had Ichigo saved him? How many times had the orange-haired boy jumped into a fight to protect him from harm? How often had his companionship been enough to cool the anger that still ran hot through Chad's veins? As the name Yasutora implied, Chad was a tiger at heart, fierce and protective, and no mere words, however important, could keep that spirit at bay. But in Ichigo's presence the wildness of the tiger became calm. No longer did Chad have to focus completely on his Abuelo's charm to prevent an instinctive and violent response to an attack. His power was his own to control and use without fear.
Chad no longer tried to guess how deeply in debt he was to Ichigo. He had long since realized that it no longer mattered. Family, true family, doesn't care about such things. They just stick together no matter what life throws at them.
And every day he wordlessly renewed his promise: Wherever his brother went, he would follow.