Ichigo centric. Set just after SS arc I guess.
A few thoughts on why he keeps fighting.

Universe: Bleach (both manga & anime compliant)
Pairing: Ichigo/Rukia (hints)
Theme: A bit angst
Rating: K
Lenght: 500 words.

IMPORTANT NOTES: First Bleach fanfiction.
Beware, this is not beta read and English isn't my native language. Feedback is welcome.
EDIT: A Big THANK YOU to Nicky Eira who kindly gave me advices and corrected some grammar mistakes.


Disclaimer : Bleach and its universe is the property of Tite Kubo. No money is being made with this fanfiction. This is all for our pleasure.


Moonlit

It was 4:17 am and he could not sleep.

It was not like he hadn't try but waking up to fight Hollows at unholy hour was not helping him. Sometimes he wished they didn't appear at night time. Sometimes he almost wished they never appeared at all.

Then, he would feel the bitter guilt. How dared he think so?

Being a shinigami –well, a substitute shinigami- was not a duty. It did not mean it was a favor though.

Sometimes he thought of it as a choice. Sometimes it felt like a burden.

Every Hollow he won against was a soul he released. It was a soul, maybe more, he saved.

He could have count them all to feel better, to welcome the days a little lighter but it was not why he was doing it. Because he could not ignore ghosts, he saw the bait. He was unlucky. His mother was.

Some may say he was trying to redeem himself, that he was trying to free himself from the guilt he had been carrying since the day his life drastically changed.

Some may say he was just doing his job or trying to be a hero.

They were wrong.

The rain was pounding, crushing against the window of his room. The light reflected by the moon was fighting to make its way in as the drops kept falling outside.

Ichigo Kurosaki was not a hero. He was a regular teenager who suffered from a loss caused by a Hollow. This was the wrongness that upset him. Losing someone earlier than expected was unfair and even more painful. He hated the innocent impotence.

No, he was no hero. He would fight for those who could not and there was nothing else to it.

With every Hollow he slayed, he did not feel any better because they would always be Hollows. It was life. So he would keep cleansing their sins and burying souls. He just hoped that somehow, he prevented the story from repeating itself.

One day, Grand Fisher wouldn't ever be. One day, when he was told or when he felt like it was "enough", he would stop. Until this moment arrived, he would keep carrying on, struggling with his own life and trying to do the right thing.

It was his role after all, wasn't it?

To protect those he held dear and those he just had to. Just like the kid on the park. That was how good-hearted he was.

To protect because he had the care and the power.

To protect because he did not know if could ever bear the pain coming along with losing anyone again.

Them.

Her. Even if she did not need nor want it.

Eventually, the storm faded. The moon was illuminating his small room just enough to let him perceive his closet.

To be frank, he never believed the rain could ever stop until the day she made it cease.

With a peaceful but confident glance, he fell asleep.


Review, please?