Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I don't own bleach.

Author Note: A little warning Toushiro would be OOC at times. Sorry for being late again, I got called into work and my family wanted to spend time together last night. Plus, does anyone have a good nickname for Toushiro other than Shiro. Let me know. Also I like to thank the person for the review and I try my best not to use Ichimaru while referring to Toushiro a lot and soon Isshin and Toushiro reunion would happen.

The next day Ichigo was awoken by his father's yelling. Ichigo knock him down and look confuse and worry remembering what happen last night. "Wait. What happen to your injuries and the girls? Are they alright?" Isshin look confuse at that "What injuries?" then he explained to his son about a truck crashing into their house. They went outside to see the damage. Ichigo stare at the damage the Hollows cause and the Shinigami Toushiro who had gracefully killed them and saved his and his family lives but getting hurt in the progress. 'Their wounds are gone. Everyone thinks it was some truck. Is this the work of a Shinigami?' Ichigo thought.

"Ichigo, hurry and eat breakfast or you'll be late." Yuzu sweetly said. "Oh yeah…" he mumbles out. Toushiro came to mind. 'I wonder if he went back to that place he called the Soul Society.' Disappoint ran through Ichigo for some reason he couldn't explain.

Lunch time at Karakura High School both Orihime Inoue and Tatsuki Arisawa were sitting in the classroom for lunch chatting. Orihime was looking around for Ichigo who had yet to show up and Mizuiro Kojima mention going by Ichigo house see a large hole cause by a truck. Finally, Ichigo showed up his friends asking questions and Ichigo explain a truck crash into his house and no one saw. He asks them what period it was and they answer third.

A familiar small white hair boy walks up to the group. "Oh, are you Ichigo Kurosaki?" a shy voice asks. "Huh?" Ichigo turn around and his eyes widen in disbelief, the boy from last night was standing in their school uniform making it look cute on him. "I'll be sitting next to you from now on. My name is Toushiro Ichimaru." He shyly said playing the shy new kid. Ichigo yelled at him pointing "Y-You!"

"What's wrong, Ichigo?" Keigo Asano ask him. "You know each other?" Yasutora Sado or Chad some people called him question. "Oh no, this is our first meeting. Right, Kurosaki?" Toushiro smirk slightly at Ichigo face. Who know acting like this could be a little entertaining. "He's a transfer student." Mizuiro stated. Toushiro reach out his hand for Ichigo to shake. "Nice to meet you." Ichigo stared at his tiny hand which turn to reveal a message stating if he made a scene Toushiro would kill him. Ichigo remembering what the petite boy could do and he was a little scared.

Ichigo somehow was able to get Toushiro outside and away from everyone. "Hey you! Just what the hell are you thinking?" he yelled at snow hair boy. Toushiro smile for some reason he couldn't explain why this boy made him want to smile. "My, how scary are you going to hurt. What is the matter?" Toushiro innocently asked. "First of all, quit acting like that!" Ichigo angrily said. "Find." Toushiro said acting normally.

"So why are you here? Weren't you going back to that Soul Society or whatever?" Toushiro face turn indifferent. "Don't be stupid. Only Shinigami's can go back there. Right now, I don't have that ability to return." Toushiro look down slightly in disappointment in himself. "What?" Ichigo question.

"Last night…Most of my powers as a Shinigami were taken…by you." Toushiro look into Ichigo's brown eyes. "W-what? I don't know anything about that." Toushiro sigh "Thanks to you, I'm stuck in this gigai form."

"What's a 'gigai'?" Ichigo question. Toushiro explain what a gigai was. Ichigo now understood why everyone can see Toushiro now. Toushiro told Ichigo he now had to take over for him which Ichigo straight out refuse. Toushiro frown then slip on a red glove with a flaming skull on it. He ran up to Ichigo knocking him out his body. Ichigo got up blinking than saw Toushiro holding his body.

He looks down and saw he was a Shinigami again. "Ahh…my body! What did you do to me?!" Toushiro ignore him and drag the body to a nearby bush hiding it the best he could.

"Follow me." He stated leading Ichigo to a nearby park. He looks down at a cell phone. "Hey, where are we going?"

"It's around here."

"What is?"

"An order…from Soul Society. A spirit who lives in this park will probably be attacked." A scream of a little boy made them turn their heads. They saw a little boy was being case by Hollow. Ichigo move to help but only have Toushiro stop him saying if he save that boy he has to help the rest of the spirits. Ichigo was conflicted but made up his mind and help the boy. "Are you committed to this, Ichigo?" Toushiro ask softly.

"No! Who cares about commitment?! I saved this boy because I wanted to! What about you?" Ichigo ask Toushiro who look confuse for a second. "You risked your life to save me last night even though you were badly injury and yet you still jump in. Did you think about your duty as a Shinigami when you acted? When you put yourself at risk it doesn't matter!" Ichigo yelled.

Toushiro study the half-human or human he wasn't sure what Ichigo was but then the Hollow appear again. Ichigo program he was different then killed the Hollow. He then used kanso to send the boy off. Toushiro was a little impress with him. They head back to school with Toushiro telling Ichigo he cannot be seen and to stop hiding for people.

Next Day

After school Toushiro was reading a book following Ichigo around. Ichigo question him about it and Toushiro easily saying if Hollow appears he needed him. They heard a screech of tiers to see a girl laying on the streets slowly getting up. Ichigo and Toushiro rush over, she looks familiar to Toushiro but he couldn't place it. "Orihime?" Ichigo called worriedly.

"Huh? Ichigo!" Orihime said. "Did that car just hit you?"

"Oh…maybe…"

"Maybe? Are you okay?!" she jumped up saying she was find, but he didn't believe her. They talk a little while then Orihime notice Toushiro next to Ichigo. "Ichimaru."

"Yes and who are you" he asks bored and Ichigo whisper they were in the same class and change his attitude quickly. "Oh hello, Orihime!" Toushiro said in a shy voice.

"Oh yes, hello." Toushiro mention Orihime bags on the street. She quickly grabs them happy that her stuff was okay. Toushiro notice a mark on her leg. He looks closely to see a Hollow mark. Orihime look down to see Toushiro staring at her leg, she questions him and he apologize and back off. "What me to walk you home?"

"Oh, no…I'm fine, really. See you!" she started home. The boys continue walking Toushiro ask Ichigo if they were close and she have any family lost recently. Ichigo said she was friends with someone he knew and she lost her brother a while back. Toushiro ask about his spiritual pressure then but Ichigo explain it wasn't as strong than. Toushiro walk away and Ichigo question where he was going. He said home with a questioning look from Ichigo and Toushiro ask did he really want to know.

Later that night Ichigo was in bed doing homework. Karin knock asking if he seen her white soccer shorts and Ichigo reply no and ask her if she seen his black shirt. Karin shook her head and left. Toushiro was lying in bed with a long black short sleeve shirt that reach mid-thigh, and white short shorts. A beeping sound brought Toushiro out of thoughts he took it out his eyes widen.

Ichigo look around wondering where that sound was coming from suddenly the closet door open revealing Toushiro in Ichigo shirt and Karin shorts. "Ichigo!"

"W-what're you doing in there?! And is that my- "

"Save it for later. We have an order!" Toushiro said taking out the glove. "Order?!"

"It's coming." He said rushing up to Ichigo. "W-wait a minute!" he said but to late he was knock out his body and a large hand came through the wall smashing the bed. Toushiro quickly moved Ichigo's body out of danger. "Don't just stand there! It's coming! Aim for the head!" Toushiro yelled at Ichigo who took his zanpakuto out but the room was to mall making Ichigo miss. The snake like hollow move its tail to hit Ichigo.

"Ichigo!" Toushiro yell out showing worry. Ichigo dodge the next attack than cut the hollows arm. "Idiot! Don't just swing the sword around! *Groan* That's it we're training after this!"

"Shut up! As long as I kill it, right?!" Ichigo charge forward and jump to dodge then brought the sword down. The cut wasn't deep enough. The Hollow grab the zanpakuto it was a struggle on the sword. Ichigo push down harder and crack at top left corner of the mask. Ichigo recognize the face of Orihime dead brother. The hollow push Ichigo away and left in a painful yell.

"Come on we're going after it." Toushiro turn to Ichigo and saw the look on his face. "What's the matter Ichigo?"

"I have a question…"

"What is it?" Ichigo explain what the face look like and which Toushiro realize Orihime was in in danger. He tried to get Ichigo to move but he didn't listen till he got an answer. Toushiro move in front of him and grab his face bring it close and stared directly into his eyes. "Do you remember what I said when we met. We Shinigami don't kill Hollows we purify them cleansing them so they can go to the Soul Society." Toushiro softly said. Ichigo eyes widen and blush once he realizes how close their faces were. He slowly moved back and Toushiro move to open the window.

"Now let's go your classmate Orihime is in danger." Ichigo eyes widen and simple said. "What?" Toushiro explain a hollow is a fallen soul that wasn't save in time and Hollow attack the one's they care about first and needed to hurry. Ichigo carry Toushiro on his back to Orihime place while Toushiro explain the bruise on her leg meant and why Hollows attack their families.

At Orihime's place both Orihime and Tatsuki were talking about Ichigo whom Orihime had a crush on. Ichigo was an openly bisexual person and Toushiro was really pretty person and they been hang out a lot are they friends or more. The girls talk and Orihime started to daydream about her and Ichigo on a date then it turns into something way off. Tatsuki watch her friend wondering what's going throw her head. A bear fell and Orihime move to pick it up and notice blood on the tear. She felt a hand pierce her chest, Tatsuki shouted out only to get knock to the side and have her shoulder to start bleeding. The Hollow made itself known and continue to crush Tatsuki but Orihime knock it's hand off her. Orihime touch her friend shoulder only for her to freak out.

"She can't see us Orihime." The Hollow stated. Tatsuki pass out. "How… how do you know my name?" she asks the hollow who answer her. "How sad, Orihime. Have you forgotten my voice? It's me…can't you tell?" Orihime got scare as it got closer to her. "Stay away!" she cried.

"How sad…I'm so sad! So sad!" It yelled as it moved to attack her. The attack was block by Ichigo. "Aren't I the one you're after?!" he yelled pushing the brother back but the brother disappeared before Ichigo could cut it. Ichigo look to see Tatsuki to see she had a bloody shoulder and out cold. "Ichigo?" Orihime ask timidly. "It IS you! But why?" Ichigo turn to her in surprise that she can see him. "Orihime…Say, how come you can see me?" he questions till he saw the chain of fate on her chest, that lead to her body. He remembered what Toushiro said that Shinigami are spiritual beings and only other spiritual beings can see him. "Spiritual being?"

"That's right. In other words, she's a spirit. Orihime is dead!" the Hollow said appearing again. Ichigo attack him but miss and the hollow grab the chain. The hollow knock Ichigo out the window. The substitute got mad but he stayed seeing the hollow holding Orihime hostage. The Hollow use this distraction to hit Ichigo to make him hit the ground hard. He landed next to Toushiro whom (was outside) rush forward to see if Ichigo was okay. Toushiro move Ichigo body over and started patting his face and shake him to wake him up. In the apartment the hollow and Orihime talk and she discover that the Hollow was her brother.

Back with the boys finally Ichigo go up. "Good your awake. Are you alright?"

"Of course I am." Ichigo said grabbing his head. Toushiro look concern at Ichigo wondering how bad this head was injury. He moved to touch but Ichigo grab his hand. "Forget it. I'm okay." He softly said and Toushiro sigh. "Ichigo, he may have been Orihime brother, but he's a monster now. He doesn't have a human heart. Kill him without fail. He be alright remember what I said." Toushiro said. Ichigo go up and jump into the apartment to see the hollow squishing Orihime to death. He quickly stabbed its tail to drop her. The hollow tried to grab Orihime but Ichigo slice his hand to stop him. Ichigo crouch to see if Orihime was alright.

"Listen, here. Do you know why big brothers are born first? It's to protect the little brothers and sisters that follow. Yet you're threatening to kill your own sister?" He said with no emotion. Toushiro came in during his speech listening. "Don't say that, even if you are dead!" he angrily said. "Shut up! Orihime is mine! I raised her when out parents abandoned us! It was when Orihime was three…I've protected her ever since! Orihime! Come to me! If you listen to me, I won't lay a hand on the others." He offers. Toushiro responded quickly. "Wait, he no longer has the feelings of a brother."

"But…" Orihime started but suddenly it started to freaking out banging its head. "Brother!" she cried out. "What's happening." Toushiro called out, trying to understanding the hollows behavior. "Orihime is…MINE!" The hollow attack but Ichigo block it again. "As if! She doesn't belong to anyone!" Ichigo said pushing the Hollow outside, he chased after it and jump to attack. He saw an opening, he brought the zanpakuto down. But he hesitated too long it was hard to bring the final blow on someone he knew.

"Why are you hesitating! Finish him NOW!" Toushiro yelled at him. The hollow spits an acid like liquid at Ichigo hands that made him drop his sword. The Hollow swing his tail at Ichigo. As he turns to face the Hollow which came charging in too fast. Blood splatter but It wasn't Ichigo blood it was Orihime's. She is hugging her brothers head stating she was sorry. She didn't mean to make him lonely because she asks him not to leave her. She wanted to show him she was okay now he can move on. Ichigo and Toushiro silently watch then Orihime fell down. The Hollow scream and the mask crack causing the others to see part of his face. "What's going on?" Ichigo ask and Toushiro answer. "He's fighting the Hollow inside him. He didn't become a Hollow by choice. He probably was taken over by a hollow."

"Why?"

"Don't you get it? His target was supposed to be you. A soul that is devoured by a strong Hollow is manipulated by that Hollow. In other words, a Hollow who is after you took over a soul whom you would hesitate to fight, and force him to attack. Right now, he is desperately fighting that Hollow. For his sister sake…" Toushiro explain. They watch his mask break to reveal his face. Orihime smile happily but she fell down again. Both her brother and Ichigo rush forward to see if she was alright.

"Don't worry." Toushiro called out walking towards them. "The chain attached to her chest, the Chain of Fate, is still connected. As long as it is connected she will not die. I need to treat her, now move aside. I can use my kido to save her." Toushiro started to heal her, his hands glow green to repair her wound. The Hollow look at the clips and Ichigo ask if he gave them to her. Sora nod his head as Ichigo explain she wears them every day. Sora grab he zanpakuto to stab himself. No one move to stop but a voice pipes up.

"Wait brother. That hairpin that you bought me that day. We had a fight over it, remember? Because I said it was too childish. I let you go to work without saying anything. That was the last time I would see you alive. So, I want to say it now…" she moves to sit up and sadly smile. "Brother, have a nice day." Sora smile back. "Yeah, I'm off now." He stabs himself sending himself to the Soul Society. Orihime turn and buried her face into Toushiro chest crying her eyes out. After she was able to move again they went back inside and Toushiro move to finish healing Tatsuki and Orihime than spray something in their face.

He explains what it does to Ichigo as he got Orihime in her body. The boys went by home to discover Ichigo family in his room worrying over his body. Toushiro move and spray them before Ichigo can stop him. "Now get in your body and help me move them." Toushiro order as Ichigo glared half heartily and did as he was told. He grabs his dad and brought him to his room. Toushiro was gratefully Ichigo grab his father, he did know if he can handle being around Isshin for more than a minute. He went to the girls and pick up Karin and move to place her down on her bed. He walked back to the Ichigo bedroom to see Ichigo coming towards him with Yuzu in his arms. "Good night Ichigo." He softly said pasting by. "Good night, Shiro."

"Don't call me Shiro."

"What?"

"You can call me something else anything but Shiro."

"I guess I think of something." With that he left to his sister room and Toushiro to Ichigo's room.