Shattered
Chapter One: Memory
FLASHBACK
He sat on the bank of a beach, in the soft tan sand and under the warm rays of the sun in the middle of a sunset. His knees were drawn to his chest and his forehead rested on his knees. His arms wrapped tightly around his legs as he continued to sob. He was so young and so alone. The waves crashed at his feet, sending cold chills up his spine. He lifted his head and rubbed his green-ish blue eye.
"Why am I always alone? What did I do wrong to make God and everyone else hate me?" He thought. He stopped rubbing his eye and he looked at the water, color-coated in the beautiful colors of the sunset. He sighed and tried to stand up, but his knee backfired and he flinched. He couldn't stand up after what those bullies did to him. They've been so harsh to him since his parents died. They saw a way to his shattered heart and took it as an advantage.
"Yo, daijoubu?" Someone unfamiliar said. The boy froze. That question...was that asked to him? The boy slowly turned his head and looked at another boy, about the same age as him. He had grey-ish eyes and spikey orange hair. He wore a white t-shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and grey pants on. He had one hand stuffed in his pocket and the other holding the blue jacket over his shoulder. His eyebrows were furrowed a little in concern. The boy didn't recognize him. He must be new.
"W-Who are you?" The boy said, in the most innocent yet frightened voice. The stranger reached forward and put his hand ontop of the boy's head, softly tangling his thin fingers in the boys' spikey white hair.
"My name is Ichigo Kurosaki. I'm new here." Ichigo said, with a polite smile on his face. The boy stared at him before slapping his hand away from his head.
"What do you want?" He said, in a more tense tone. "Are you here to beat me up?" He asked, looking angry. Ichigo looked confused.
"Beat you up? Now why would I do that? You didn't do anything wrong." Ichigo said. The boy's eyes widened. "Besides, I just met you." Ichigo said. Then suddenly, he got a little tense. "And what did you mean by 'beat me up'?" He said. The boy stared at him before wrapping his arms around his knees, drawing them back to his chest, and resting his chin on his knees. He stared into the sunset.
"Ever since my parents died 2 years ago, people started looking down on me." He said. He didn't know why he was telling him. "Some kids at my school saw my broken heart and took advantage at it. That's when they got the pleasure of beating me up everyday. No one stopped them. No one helped me. I was alone and defenseless...and I still am." He said. Ichigo bent down and sat down next to him.
"Well, you don't need to worry anymore." Ichigo said. The boy looked at him, his eyes halfway shut. "I'm here. I'll protect you. When I'm around, I won't let ANYONE lay a finger on you without your permission, okay?" He said. The boy stared at him before closing his eyes and nodded. He didn't feel like argueing. "So, tell me something." He said. The boy opened his eyes. "What's your name?" He questioned. The boy raised his head and looked into the sunset.
"My name...is Hitsugaya Toshiro." Toshiro said. Ichigo stood.
"Nice to meet you, Toshiro. Do you have a place to stay?" Ichigo asked. Toshiro shook his head no. Ichigo stared at the injured boy. He looked so exhausted and weak. Ichigo knew he needed help. He needed some shelter and food. He needed...a place to call home.
Ichigo extended his hand to Toshiro, who looked at his hand before looking at Ichigo's eyes with curiousity lurking in his green-ish blue ones.
"You can come to my house, Toshiro." Ichigo said. Toshiro stared at him.
"No, thanks." He said, looking away.
"Why not?" Ichigo questioned.
"Because. I don't accept invitations from strangers, Kurosaki." Toshiro said and went to stand. His knee gave out again and collapsed on his side.
"Toshiro!" Ichigo said, dropping his jacket and running to Toshiro. "Daijoubu?" He asked, panic in his voice. Toshiro's eyes were tightly closed. Ichigo gasped. That's when he saw EVERYTHING. He saw the scraps, scars, and bruises on Toshiro's creamy skin. There were so many, Ichigo could barely see his skin. Ichigo stared at his scars before looking at Toshiro.
"I-I'm fine." Toshiro stammered.
"No, you're not, Hitsugaya-kun. You're coming to my house, whether you like it or not. You need some shelter and some medical attention. And I've got that. So, you're coming with me. Got it?" Ichigo said, sounding protective. Toshiro opened his eyes and looked at Ichigo, who was determined. Toshiro opened his mouth to say something.
"...Hai, Kurosaki." He said. Ichigo smiled a little. He grabbed his jacket and puts in on.
"Now, I'm gonna have to carry you because of your need, alright? Try not to squirm around." Ichigo said. Toshiro slowly nods. Ichigo puts one arm under Toshiro's knees and Toshiro flinched. "Easy. It's alright. I'm not gonna hurt ya." Ichigo said. Toshiro bit his lower lip. Ichigo put his other arm around Toshiro back and pulled Toshiro up to his chest. He was so light. Toshiro rested his head on Ichigo's shoulder and weakly wrapped a arm around his neck. Ichigo turned around and headed home. It started to sprinkle out once he reached his doorstep. He saw his mother in the window, doing the dishes. Ichigo stopped in his trackes and watched his mom, hoping she would notice him. It started to softly pour when his mom finally looked up. She had a gentle smile on her face that turned to horror as she saw the limp body in Ichigo's arms. She quickly wipped her hands off and ran to the door and opened it.
"What happened?" She said. Ichigo looked down at his unconcious friend.
"I was walking home when I saw him at the shore of the beach. He was beaten up by some kids at the school. He said that they have been doing it for 2 years. They beat him up everyday and no one helped him or stopped them. He's...hurt, mom. He needs help." Ichigo looked up at his mother, who walked over to him and put her hand on Toshiro's cheek.
"He's got a fever. A high one." She said. Ichigo's eyes went wide and he quickly looked down at Toshiro. "Bring him inside, hurry. We'll take care of him." She said and went to the door. Ichigo stayed put.
"And mom?" He said. His mom stopped and turned around.
"Hai?" She said. Ichigo looked up at her, eyebrows furrowed in sadness.
"He doesn't have a home." He said. His mom stared at him, shocked. She then smiled.
"Well, now he does." She said and gestured for him to come in. Ichigo smiled and walked into the warm house. Karin ran up to him.
"Ichigo!" She said and stopped infront him. "Who's he?" She said.
"This is Toshiro Hitsugaya." Ichigo said. Karin gasped at the sight of Toshiro's injuries.
"What happened to him?" She said. His father joined the side of Karin.
"He's in pretty bad shape. What happened?" His father said.
"Toshiro told me he's been beat up everyday for the past 2 years. I found him on the shore of the beach down the road from walking home from school." Ichigo explained.
"Oh my! I'm so sorry he had to go through that." Karin said and gently stroked Toshiro's cheek.
"Mom said that she will take care of him." He said.
"Yay! But, doesn't he have a home?" Karin said. Ichigo sadly shook his head no.
"Well, this is his home now. Honey! Get the First-Aid Kit!" His father said.
"Hai!" His mom said. There was a knock on the door. Karin ran to the door and opened it. Ichigo turned around.
"Oh! Big brooootthhheerr! It's your friends!" Karin said.
"Orihime? Rukia? What are you guys doing here?" Ichigo said. Karin invited them inside.
"We're here for Karin's sleepover." Orihime said and smiled. Ichigo blushed. He's had a crush on her since he first laid eyes on her.
"Who's this? I saw him at school today?" Rukia said, putting her bags on the ground.
"This is Toshiro." Ichigo said.
"Oh, I heard about him!" Orihime said and walked over to him. "Poor guy. They've been so harsh to him." She pouted.
"You don't hate him?" Karin said.
"Of course not! He's so innocent." Orihime said.
"I don't hate him. I don't even know him." Rukia said.
"Well, he told me he doesn't have a home. So, now he's living with us." Ichigo said. Orihime smiled.
"That's so sweet of you, Ichigo!" She said. Ichigo blushed.
"Aww! Ichigo's blushing! Kawaiiiii!" Karin cheered.
"Would you shut up?" Ichigo yelled. Karin giggled and skipped off. Toshiro groaned. Ichigo looked down at him. Rukia and Orihime bent over and also looked at him. His eyes opened.
"Wh...Where am I?" He said.
"You're home." Orihime said. Toshiro lifted his head and looked around.
"Home?" He said.
"Well, this is my house. My mom said that she will take care of you." Ichigo said. Toshiro looked at him. "Welcome to your new home." He said. Toshiro smiled a little. "Oh, these are my friends." He said. Toshiro looked at the 2 girls.
"My name is Kuchiki Rukia." Rukia said and bowed. "Nice to meet you." She said. Toshiro slowly bowed his head at her.
"I'm Orihime Inoue. Pleased to meet you, Toshiro." Orihime said, politely.
END OF FLASH BACK
Toshiro opened his eyes after he recalled that memory. It's been 6 years since he's been living with Ichigo and Karin. And today is his 15th birthday. Toshiro rubbed his eye and sat up. He stretched his arms over his head and yawned. There was a knock on the door.
"Come in." Toshiro said. The door opened and Ichigo came in.
"Yo." Ichigo greeted him. "Ready for your first day of being a freshman?" Ichigo said. Toshiro smiled a little and nodded.
"Good. Now get up. We're gonna be late. Don't be stubborn this morning." Ichigo said.
"I can be stubborn if I wanna." Toshiro teased and laid back down. Ichigo went into chubby-mode.
"WOULD YOU GET THE HELL UP! THIS IS NOT THE TIME OF GAME, HITSUGAYAAA! NOW GET UP!" Ichigo yelled, waving a fist in the air. Toshiro smiled and throws a pillow at Ichigo, hitting him square in the face. Toshiro froze. He's so dead. As the pillow slid down Ichigo's face, Toshiro jumped and panicked a little. Ichigo had a look that said: "You're-gonna-be-squashed-into-a-box-and-shipped-to-hell". Toshiro nervously laughed and held up his hands.
"Gomenesai, Ichigo." He said.
"You...are..so.." Ichigo slowly made his way over to Toshiro, who kept on panicking. "DEAD!" Ichig jumped on the bed, wraping his hand around Toshiro's neck and rubbing Toshiro's head in a noogie.
"Stop! That hurts! Knock it off!" Toshiro said, trying to squirm out of his grasp.
"HOW DO YOU LIKE THESE APPLES, YOU LITTLE PUNK?" Ichigo said.
"I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY! Stop it!" Toshiro begged.
"Ichigo!" Karin yelled. Ichigo stopped and looked at Toshiro's bedroom doorway. Karin stood there, hands on her hips.
"Stop hurting him! Today is his birthday! Knock it off!" Karin said. Ichigo looked down at Toshiro, whose hair was messed up and he didn't look happy. Ichigo nervously laughed. TOSHIRO IS SO GONNA KILL HIM!
"Gomenesai, Toshiro." He said. Toshiro growled, grabbed Ichigo's arm, and bit him as hard as he could. Ichigo cried out and tried everyway possible to get away from Toshiro.
"That's what you get, Strawberry." Karin said. Ichigo glares at her [in chubby mode].
"DIDN'T I TELL YOU TO STOP CALLING ME TTHHAATT?" He yelled. Karin stuck our her tongue at him and ran off. "Why I outta!" Ichigo went to go after her but then realized...he can't move. Toshiro was still biting him. Ichigo wriggled his arm as hard as he could. There was a thud and that's when Ichigo stopped. He looked at his arm, which had teethmarks in his skin. He growled in irritation.
"...Ow..." Toshiro said.
"Huh?" Ichigo said and looked to his right. Toshiro was on the ground. Ichigo exclaimed. He must of accidentally flung him.
"Oh my God! Gomenesai!" Ichigo said.
"It's alright, baka." Toshiro said. Ichigo held up a fist and Toshiro stood up. "Now get out of my room so I could get dressed." He said, pushing him out of his room.
"But, wait. I was just-" The door slammed in Ichigo's face before he could finish his sentece. He glared at the door. "That was rude." He said. Toshiro was half-way naked [in his boxer] when Ichigo opened the door.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!" Toshiro yelled, throwing pillows and anything else he could get his hands on, at Ichigo, who covered his face.
"I'm sorry! I thought you were done!" Ichigo cried.
"WHO THE HELL SAID I WAS DONE!" Toshiro threw a book at his head. Bullseye.
"OW!" Ichigo grimanced.
"GET THE HELL OUT! PERVERT!" Toshiro said. Ichigo closed the door and leaned against it. Toshiro walked toward the door and locked it, also leaned against it. They both smiled and walked off.
THE END
AUTHOR'S NOTE: HAHAHAHA! isn't the ending HILARIOUS? probably. I: lemme know what you think. Maybe i'll continue if you like this story *grins evily* who knows though...REVIEW...uhm...please?