He Followed Me Home, Can I Keep Him?
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, simple as that.
Just to give you all a heads up, I'm not quite use to writing dialogue for someone who talks as interesting as Shiro does but I will do my best. So bear with me. Anyway on with the chapter!
'They thin.. yer crazy...' Shiro is clearly amused.
"Right..." Ishida says slowly adjusting his glasses. Once Ichigo is looking at him, he continues. "I suppose now the question is, what will the Hollow Military do? It's clear now that they're after your inner hollow Kurosaki."
'Real... I couldn' tel... ya ass fuck...' Now that Shiro knows Ichigo can hear him, he doesn't seem like he wants to stop talking. Ichigo chooses to ignore his other half at this point since he is clearly seeking attention.
"It's quite obvious the Hollow Military is after power." Kisuke states his white fan held before his face. "My guess is that they are going around collecting powerful or unique hollows and then 'tame' them. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if the Unknowns are actually hollows belonging to this organization. It would explain why the Unknowns seem so organized and controlled." The others nod, clearly seeing where Kisuke is going with this. "I've been doing some research and although I found nothing about the Hollow Military itself, I was able to find a few things in regards to the people we have dealt with." The shopkeeper pulls out a picture setting it down on the table, the others move in to look. The picture appears to be that of a younger Jim. "This man for example, as you will know, is named Jim. Based on the information I found, he's from America." The others glance to Kisuke a little bit surprised at this.
Shiro finally picks himself up and moves over to take a look at the picture himself. Some of the others tense at this, Shiro glances to them slightly. 'They thin.. I'm gonn... bite.' Ichigo feels a bit of amusement from his hollow. Shiro finally looks to the picture taking a good look at the man. 'Hey! It's th.. guy I slugged!'
Ichigo can't help but roll his eyes at this. Then he glares up slightly at his hollow who is standing over him, Ichigo pushes the hollow a bit. "Back up some will you! You don't need to hover over me like that." He says with annoyance.
'Awww... What if I like ta hover above ya?' Although the voice is low, Ichigo can make it as clear as day. And clearly Shiro is being a bit perverted there.
In response to this, Ichigo proceeds to elbow Shiro in the stomach hard enough to knock the hollow back. "Like I want to hear that kind of shit from you?" Ichigo says while glaring back the hollow. He looks back to the others, upon seeing the questioning gazes he simply says. "You don't want to know..." They just give very short slow nods.
'Ow...' Shiro rubs at the spot where Ichigo elbowed him. 'That wasn't very nice...'
"Quit whining you baby." Ichigo says his back to his other half. But Shiro isn't going to let it pass. He quietly moves up closer behind the teen. And once he's close enough he lifts one of his clawed hands and proceeds to flip Ichigo in the back of the head and none too gently either. "OW! What the hell!" Ichigo yells jumping up and turning to face his hollow, he can hear the other laughing in his mind. "That's it!" Ichigo says as he makes a grab for his hollow. Shiro on the other hand, is able to easily dodge Ichigo's grab. Then proceeds to wrap his tail around one of the teen's ankles and trips him. Then he laughs outwardly with his odd and somewhat creepy hollow laugh. As the others watch the odd exchange they can't help but relax a bit. Their are beginning to see that Shiro wasn't as bad as they initially thought he was.
Kisuke clears his throat to get their attention again. Once everyone is settled back down again he continues. "As I was saying... Jim here is from America, but he hasn't been seen or heard from in years. Based on the information I was able to gather, I learned that he disappeared shortly after the deaths of his family."
At these words their full attention is on the shopkeeper. "So what? This guy lost his family and in his grief joined some sort of military group? That seems kind of dumb if you ask me." Ichigo says while tilting his head to the side slightly.
Kisuke eyes the teen for a moment before responding. "I have a theory about that, but please remember this is just a guess. According to the information his family died in a house fire. It was believed to be arson but it was never proven. My theory is that the Hollow Military was behind it for the sole purpose of getting Jim to join their group."
"Then you saying that it's possible that that poor woman was also forced to join?" Orihime questions with her hands on her mouth.
Kisuke looks at her from behind his fan a serious expression on his face. But instead of answering her question he says instead. "I have information on her as well but it's not much. She matches the description of a little girl that had been kidnapped a long time ago. I have yet to be able to find a picture, but this kidnapping also took place in America." The group remains dead silent as this information sinks in, so he continues. "The local authorities have long since declared the girl as dead. But I believe the family and friends are still looking for her."
Ichigo hears a humorless laugh in his head. 'Like they're really goin' ta find her all the away out here...' It was the longest sentence Ichigo was able to understand fully without it breaking up. But due to the seriousness of the moment it doesn't quite register to him.
"Is that all you were able to find out?" Finally questions Ichigo after a long moment of silence.
Kisuke nods at this. "I'm sorry to say, but it is. I did after all have very little information go by in the first place."
"Ah..." Ichigo replies while rubbing at his head thinking. Finally he sighs picking himself up, the others glance to him questioningly. "Well sitting around here feeling sorry for them isn't going to get anything done. And it isn't like they're going to stop attacking us anytime soon. Since we have no idea where they are or what they'll do next. All we can really do is get ready for the next time that they do show up." The others nod in agreement at Ichigo statement. "I don't know about you guys, but right now I'm in the mood to train. I really need to blow off some steam."
'A good match might be fun...' Replies the voice within his mind.
Ichigo blinks looking to his hollow half. "Oh?" He thinks about that for a moment before replying with. "I suppose it wouldn't hurt as long as you don't go to far." Ichigo then smirks slightly. "That is if you think you can beat me."
The hollow lets out a laugh both inwardly and outwardly. 'Ya think yer so big and tough don't ya! Oh this is gonna to be fun!'
"Yo Hat and Clogs, mind if we use the training grounds?" Ichigo asks the shopkeeper.
"They're always open to you." He replies, his friendly mood returning. "You should know that by now Kurosaki-san."
Ichigo nods at that smiling at the shopkeeper. "Thanks Urahara-san. Come on Shiro, let's go see how badly I can kick your ass. "He says while looking to his hollow half and Shiro lets out another laugh in response. After the two have left the room the others glance at one another.
"What exactly just happened?" Orihime can't help but question while looking to the other two teens.
Ishida adjusts his glasses while replying with. "I think Kurosaki was just challenged to a match with his hollow."
"Oh..." Is all Orihime could think to say. "Should we go cheer him on?" As if in answer Chad picks himself up and heads out after Ichigo. Orihime glances to Ishida then shrugs and follows after.
The Quincy sighs shaking his head then picks himself up. "Oh Urahara, I have that chain I told you about right here." Ishida says to the shopkeeper while pulling out the wrapped up chain.
Kisuke nods taking the bundle from him. "Thank you Ishida-san, I'll take a look at it later. Right now I think it's time that we join the others." He is silent for a moment then says while looking the way the group has gone. "I still can't help but worry about Kurosaki-san. I still don't know the extent of damage to his soul. It might be a good possibility that his power might have been cut in half due two his soul being split."
Ishida raises an eyebrow at this eyeing Kisuke. Then spends a moment in silence pondering what was said before finally looking back to him and asks. "Why are you telling me this?"
Kisuke smiles at him in that friendly way of his. "Oopes! Did I say that out loud? Please forget everything you just heard!" He says while waving his white fan at Ishida. The teen stares at him for a moment before shaking his head and finally moves to catch up with the others.
Soon enough, the entire group is in the training grounds below the shop. They are all curious to see the power of Ichigo's hollow. At the moment Ichigo and Shiro are having a standoff as if trying to decide who should make the first move. "So are you sure you're really up for this Shiro?" Ichigo can't help but question.
Once again Shiro's voice comes through his mind. But unlike the previous times he can hear it loud and clear. 'HA! I could kick yer ass with my eyes closed! ... Wait... I get it now yer scared, aren't ya!'
"Hardly..." Ichigo replies glaring at his hollow with a frown on his face. Finally he shakes his head then says. "If you're not going to make the first move, then..." He doesn't a chance to finish the sentence since at that moment Shiro has closed the distance between them by suddenly appearing in his face with the use of Sonido. The hollow comes at his Shinigami half fast and furious and it seems Ichigo is having a hard time just blocking the attacks.
The others watch on in shock at the speed and ferocity of the hollow. But after a few moments of Ichigo being forced back he starts getting into the flow and begins encountering. Soon enough they're standing on equal ground trading blow for blow. Very quickly the two fighters become in sync with their moves, it is also like watching to rivals face off. But at the same time it is like watching two old training partners spar. 'Ya can do a lot better than that!' Mocks Shiro. 'Come on give it all ya got!' When those words enter into Ichigo's mind Shiro hits him with a particularly powerful blow knocking him back several feet. The strike has also hinted that maybe the hollow is holding back.
Ichigo frowns at his other half. "You bastard, you're holding back on me." Their audience looks at each other in surprise before turning their gaze to the two. "You want me to go all out? Then fine. Just don't complain about it after you lose. Bankai! Tensa Zangetsu!" Before the smoke even clears Ichigo appears before his hollow swinging his sword at him. Shiro ducks the attack and quickly counters by sending Ichigo flying into one of the rocks. Ichigo can hears his other half laughing at him in his mind and he can't help but twitch in annoyance. "Getsuga..." Shiro's head snaps up this and quickly moves to dodge. "Tensho!"
The hollow just barely moves out of the way of the attack in time. 'Hey, watch it!' The hollow snaps into the mind of the other. 'And ya told ME not ta go overboard... Heh! Well since ya broke the only rule...' At that Shiro quickly charges a small but powerful Cero and fire it at the teen. This time, Ichigo is the one that just barely dodges the attack.
Very quickly after that the pair are sending a mixture of melee attacks as well as their spiritual attacks. "Isn't this starting to get a little bit out of hand?" Questions Orihime with a concerned look on her face.
"If they keep this up, there is a real chance that they might kill each other." Ishida says with a shake of his head. "But getting them to stop is going to be tricky..."
At that Chad steps forward his right arm changing. He takes on a fighting stance aiming carefully as his attack charges. He waits until a moment when the two are charging at one another then unleashes the attack right down the middle. At the sudden attack, that seemed almost to come out of nowhere, the two jump back and away from each other. Both of them look in the direction that the attack has came from to see Chad standing there. "That's enough." Is all the tall teen states.
"Yes, I would say that's quite enough." Kisuke says with a smile on his face. "I don't think my training grounds can take much more!" At that the pair actually look over the training grounds and it was pretty torn up from their fight.
Ichigo can't help but get a slightly embarrassed look. "Sorry about that... I guess I went a little overboard..."
Shiro can't help but laugh at that. 'A little overboard? Not that I'm complainin'... That was fun!' He turns his gaze towards Chad. 'Bit annoyed that the big guy over there stopped us...' Ichigo cannot help but shake his head at this.
"Interesting..." At hearing Kisuke's voice they all look to him. "Kurosaki-san... How you feeling?"
Ichigo gives a slight shrug while replying with. "I feel fine. Why do you ask?"
"You don't feel weakened or perhaps even overtired from that little sparring session of yours?" Ichigo raises an eyebrow at him but shakes his head. "Interesting..." Kisuke mutters again seeming to be deep in thought for a moment. Finally he lifts his gaze back to Ichigo and says. "If you don't mind, I'd like you to try and materialize your mask."
Ichigo blinks at that then looks to Shiro. He hadn't even thought of the possibility of not being able to use his mask since his hollow was no longer in him. Now that he is thinking about it, he is rather curious to find out. And he can feel that his hollow is thinking the same thing. With that he lifts his hand to his face then brings it down. Without hesitation the mask materializes across his face. But unlike the previous times the amount of power that flows to him is so dramatically different that he almost can't contain it as it starts to physically appearing around him. 'Woah...' At hearing the other's voice, Ichigo can't help but glance to Shiro who is also glowing with power. 'What a rush!' Shiro says obviously rather happy with the amount powerful flowing through his body.
Almost instantly Kisuke is standing before Ichigo scanning him. Then just as quickly he's before Shiro doing the same thing. "Amazing! It's seems my guess was completely wrong!" He says with a cheery tone.
Ichigo gives him a questioning look, then asks with his now watery voice that also seems to echo. "What you talking about Urahara-san?"
Kisuke looks to him and opens his mouth to say something but stops upon hearing an odd cracking sound fills the air. His head snaps back toward Shiro in time to see small cracks start to appear along his body here and there. 'Oi... Oi! I... Why am I startin' ta break up?' Ichigo looks at his hollow in shock, not only can he see his hollow freaking out but he could also feel the panic. 'Stop! Make it stop!' How could Ichigo make it stop when he doesn't even know what started it. The teen moves over to his other half quickly and the others do the same, they also can't help but panic at the sight. Once Ichigo makes its over to Shiro, the hollow looks to him with a pleading look. But upon spotting the mask on Ichigo's face, it hits Shiro. 'The mask! Take it off! TAKE IT OFF!' The other practical screams in his mind causing him to back off a step or two. Then he quickly recovers and removes the mask.
Almost instantly it stops and his body starts to heal. "What... What just happened?" Ichigo says, finally finding his voice. He looks to Kisuke who looks just as surprised as the rest of them. Kisuke looks to the scanner in his hand, silently glad that he had left it on as well had it pointing at the hollow. Upon not receiving an answer Ichigo grabs the man by the front of his shirt. "Answer me Kisuke! What just happened to Shiro?" He yells at the man, the others watch quietly, unsure of what to do or say. Shiro to is silent still a bit shaken up from what just happened, as well as bit surprised at the concern in his other half's voice.
Kisuke meets the teens gaze evenly, then says. "I'm not sure. Would you mind letting go of me?" Ichigo twitches, sighing he lets go. Kisuke brushes himself off then looks to the group. "I had thought that Kurosaki-san's power would have been cut in half due to his soul being split. But that does not seem to be the case, at least not entirely." The group glances to one another before looking back at the man. "It seems Kurosaki-san was only beginning to scratch the surface of his hollow's powers. As it stands right now Kurosaki-san's Shinigami powers and hollow powers have been split evenly between the two. But since they're still linked he is still able to access his hollow powers which drains them from Shiro, or so it seems."
"So you're saying... That if I use my mask I could end up killing Shiro?" Ichigo asks unable to hide the panic in his voice.
"Not exactly..." Kisuke replies eyeing the teen a moment. "At least from what I can tell from the data, as you were draining his power you are subconsciously replacing it with your own." They all give him questioning looks, so he continues. "I don't entirely know what it means. But if you give me some time to analyze the data, I should be able to get a more definite answer for you. For now I think it's best for you all to head home. It's been a very busy and emotional morning, not to mention it's almost lunchtime." His usual cheery attitude returns. "So go home, relax and enjoy the weekend! You should be out having fun! And possibly in the case of some, getting to know one another better..." At this he glances between Ichigo and Shiro, the two of them can't help but glance at each another.
It is going to be a very interesting weekend...
And once again that's it for this chapter. Sorry it took me a be little longer to get this one up, work tired me out yesterday. So I took a short break. Anyway, as usual I hope you enjoyed. R&R please! Seriously review please, it helps to fuel my creativity.
And for those who couldn't quite understand what Shiro was saying in the beginning here they are.
1 . Really I couldn't tell, ya ass fuck...
2 . They think I'm gonna ta bite.
3 . Hey! It's the guy I slugged!