Two Halves Can Fill a Whole

Ichigo really wished people could be installed with mute buttons. Or, more accurately, he wished voices inside people's heads came with a mute button. Or, even more specifically, Ichigo wished that Hollow manifestations inside the soul of a person which then gave him the power to become a Vizard came with their own built-in mute button that would always remain active. If that were the case, Ichigo would have far fewer headaches.

'Oh, c'mon Kingie,' said the abovementioned Hollow manifestation, 'You know you love me.'

"Yeah," replied Ichigo in his mind, "I love you as much as I love arsenic or a month long migraine."

Ichigo's Hollow gasped in a tone of mock anguish, 'Oh! Your words cut me up real quick!'

Rolling his eyes, Ichigo thought irritably, "The phrase is 'cut me to the quick'."

'How does that make any sense? What's a 'quick'? Is it like a quick death or something? Quick deaths are never any fun. Not messy enough. I prefer to-'

"Just shut up already."

"Excuse me."

Ichigo looked down in confusion only to meet the shocked and slightly hurt gaze of Orihime. It took him a moment to realize that he had actually said those four unkind words out loud. Now that he thought about it, while he had been carrying on his mental conversation, Orihime had been excitedly telling him about her day at work or something like that. He desperately wanted to kick himself right about now for being so stupid.

Ichigo's Hollow sniggered as he said, 'I'm sure we could arrange that.' Ichigo growled back, "How about I come in there and just kick you around for a bit?"

The next moment Ichigo felt extremely ridiculous again as he accidentally said them aloud just as a couple was walking past him. They gave him the strangest looks before slightly speeding up their walking speed.

Ignoring the strangers' stares, Ichigo said apologetically, "Orihime, I seriously didn't mean to say that out loud just now and I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention to what you were saying."

Before either of them could say anything, there was a flash of light from Orihime's hairpins (that were dutifully nestled in the pocket of her shirt) and an irritated voice said, "Yeah right, you jerk! Who're you trying to fool anyway?"

Unconsciously, Ichigo took a step back as the small figure of Tsubaki flew straight at Ichigo's face. Tsubaki stopped just inches away from Ichigo's nose and stared menacingly at the young man.

"He almost looks like a male version of Tinker Bell, only with a temper ten times worse than hers," thought Ichigo.

Unfortunately, Ichigo had forgotten that his Hollow was currently 'listening in' on his thoughts and communications with the outside world, and so Ichigo heard the Hollow snickering as he said, 'I dare you to say that to his face! See what happens! Maybe he'll explode into pixie dust!'

"I'm not going to tell you again to shut up!" growled Ichigo out loud again before immediately beginning to mentally kick himself.

At Ichigo's words, Tsubaki's glare turned murderous as he growled back, "Oh…you're asking for it, Buddy…" and then launched himself forward.

Ichigo ducked his head back to avoid Tsubaki's first attack only to have his head thrown forward from a vicious kick at the back of his skull. This did nothing to improve Ichigo's temperament, especially with the Hollow inside his head cackling and nearly screaming with laughter at the whole, stupid situation.

Never having been one to really pay attention to the things going on around him as he is fighting, Ichigo didn't notice the humans staring at him in bewilderment, shock, amusement, irritation and looking at Orihime with pity, surprise and wariness in their eyes. Obviously, any girl with a boyfriend so demented that he would swat and grumble and threaten to fight with thin air MUST be desperate enough to scrape the bottom of the 'boyfriend barrel'. Also, if someone of her beauty and poise had to stoop THAT low, it meant either one of two things. First, that the 'boyfriend pool' to choose from was drastically depleted or second, that this girl wasn't right in the head.

Also never having been one to notice when the outside world didn't approve of the way she did things, Orihime thought quickly before calling out, "Would the rest of you come out here please? I need your help!"

Five more flashes of light and the rest of Orihime's fairies appeared next to her. Immediately, Baigon and Hinagiku flew after the still enraged Tsubaki and each one firmly grasped one of his arms in a restraining hold. Lily and Shun'o followed close behind in order to hem Tsubaki in from all sides. As for Ayame, she turned and bowed apologetically to Orihime and then to Ichigo, who happened to be rubbing the back of his head ruefully.

From where he was helping to restrain Tsubaki, Shun'o spoke up apologetically, "Our deepest apologies. Our companion was in the wrong for attacking you like that and we deeply regret his actions as it reflects on all of us as well as the heart of our mistress."

At those words, Tsubaki stiffened and then slumped in irritated remorse. A rather odd combination, to be sure, but one that was most appropriate given the circumstances and his personality.

Ichigo's reaction to Shun'o's words was one of surprise at first before he shrugged his shoulders and said carelessly, "Ah, forget about it. It all started because I was arguing with my stupid Hollow and I lost my head."

Smiling slightly, Shun'o said kindly, "No matter the reason or provocation, Tsubaki was entirely in the wrong to attack you. We are the manifestation of our mistress's heart and for Tsubaki to begin attacking you…well, we don't want to damage any relationship or bond of our mistress's because of a misunderstanding and hotheadedness on one of our companion's part."

All six fairies bowed (Tsubaki being forced to do so as well) before they said in unison, "Please accept our apologies and continue to take good care of our mistress," and then they all disappeared in a flash of light.

Still rubbing his head, Ichigo looked down at Orihime and said, "While I appreciate the apologies from them, I really should be the one asking for forgiveness for losing my head."

Smiling up at Ichigo shyly, Orihime replied, "There's nothing to forgive. I'm sorry that I misunderstood what you were saying and that Tsubaki hurt you."

Grinning, Ichigo said, "Your Tsubaki can pack quite a punch when he wants to, but you know I've dealt with worse then him."

He then gritted his teeth and said, "I only wish I could summon my Hollow and then make him go away like you do with your fairies. The Hollow REALLY knows how to push my buttons when he wants to."

Orihime's eyes lit up as she reached up to cup Ichigo's face in her hands as she said, "Let's see what we can do to help you take your mind off of him then."

The kiss definitely did the trick. Now all the people around them saw was a couple of teenagers kissing tenderly and sweetly on the sidewalk. Nothing weird or strange about that sight. Most found it very endearing since it wasn't lewd or seeming like they wanted attention from anyone. They were simply expressing their love to each other.

Author's Note:

I don't know...I think this one turned out good in the end, but I'm sure I can do better with the next five chapters.

It was fun to write, I just think that it could have been better in some way. However, fluff is fun to write and extremely adorable.

Hope you liked it!