Training Ichigo was difficult. Sure, it had been hard for all of the Vaizards, maybe even harder than the training for their high Shinigami ranks had been. Inner hollows were different from regular ones after all; they were part of you, they already knew all of your abilities and weaknesses, and how you fought, and how you were most easily defeated. Even Mashiro, who was able to hold her mask for hours on end on the first try knew the difficulty of your own icy glare staring back at you.
Still, Shinji continued to pity Ichigo, helping him with his control and the formation of his new abilities. He wasn't sure why though, it felt like Ichigo was only doing it for himself, that bastard. Or did he know?
Having been in the 13 Court Guards for years as a captain, and a ranked officer for decades before that, he had seen people like Ichigo come and go; people who wouldn't stop before they defeated everyone in the way of the height of their ability. People who fought not only for their own strength, but for the strength and weakness of others as well. Even so, Ichigo was different.
Yes, he was fighting for himself, just like all of the others.
Yes, he was fighting for his family, just like all the others.
Yes, he was fighting for his friends, just like all the others.
But he still managed to be different.
Distracting Shinji from his thoughts, and for what felt like the hundredth time, Ichigo fell to the ground against Hiyori's attack, all but cracking his head wide open. But then again, just as Ichigo did, he picked himself up and went back to the fight. Shinji smiled to himself, he knew what it felt like to fight like this. He knew what it felt like to want to pursue power to protect those around you.
"Ichigo…" he said to himself.
…
After fighting, Ichigo collapsed into the Vaizard's couch, tired. "What, exhausted already?" Kensei said, smacking Ichigo in the head with a rolled up magazine. "Honestly, how do you expect to become strong at this point?" Shinji rolled his eyes. Punishment was in no means a good motivator. "Lay off, Kensei. He deserves a break…" Love said, trying to stifle a giggle over the contents of his own magazine.
"Whatever…"
"No, I really should get back to work…" Ichigo said, getting back up on his feet and heading to the underground training area.
"Hey, at least eat first!" Mashiro shouted, running after him.
"Don't bother, that's just how people like him are…" Shinji said, following.
…
A few weeks after training began, Ichigo left without a trace. Not that any of the Vaizard's were concerned at his death or not; only the people in their own little troupe counted in their minds. Shinji, however, seemed a little more quiet about it.
"What's with you?" Hiyori asked, or more of yelled. "You miss your little boyfriend or something?"
"No, Hiyori, can't I wonder what's going to happen to that idiot?"
"Not without me calling him your boyfriend, you can't!" she said, leaving Shinji on his own. Good riddance, he thought to himself. But was it? After all, Hiyori too had been known to run off after hollow training in order to get some time alone. Sighing, Shinji stepped outside, looking up into the night sky. Thousands of stars, twinkling against the black blanket of the night sky. One for each fool I've come across, exactly like him, Shinji thought, snickering. But Ichigo was different, and deep down they both knew it.
It's because he's fighting for a girl he doesn't want to screw, isn't it? Shinji thought, snickering.
…
FfoJ2 day 2!! IchigoxShinji today! Sorry if it's a little rushed, I spent a majority of the day watching Gurren Lagann rather than working on this…Oh, and I know some IchiHime fans will challenge that last comment, I just know it…