Both watched the full moon shine, while they sat next to each other and Ichigos head rested on Hichigos shoulder.

"Zangetsu talked with me."

The hazel eyed suddenly said.

"Really? What did he say?"

"Well, he compared you with an empty book and said that I'm the one filling its pages."

"Didn't know Zan was such a poet."

"Me neither. But I wonder since than,"

Ichigo looked up into gold and black eyes and placed his right palm on Hichigos left cheek.

The albino leaned into the touch.

"What is it that I wrote down? We live together like this for so long now and I thought I knew everything about you all the time. But I don't. Because I don't know your past, that isn't based on our interactions."

Hichigo sighs.

"You think that there is much to tell?"

"Even if it isn't I want to know, so please tell me."

"Fine."

Hichigo looked up to the moon again and started to tell Ichigo about him.

"The first time I opened my eyes, all I saw was a blurry blue. So very slow my eyes got used to see, until I finally made out the sideways skyscrapers around me. Well I didn't know what they were than. The next thing I saw was Zan. He said something like: 'I'll share my knowledge with you.' and than I knew everything I needed to."

Hichigos gaze turned back to Ichigo and he smirked at him.

"And than, I felt the huge power of Kenpachi and your defeat. My whole body tingled in excitement and if Zan hadn't held me back I would have taken over and fought him. Well, instead I had to wait for him to get you. After our first fight I watched all of your fights and in my opinion you had no skill to fight properly. It disgusted me somehow, but on the same time I couldn't look away either. Later I learned that it must have been because I actually cared about you. I could sit on my place for weeks without moving an inch. Zan often said I would grow roots if I wouldn't move some times. The only times I did something else than watching you, was when you cut me off of the outside world. Than I either trained with Zan or I looked for a way to see your life again."

Hichigo finished his speech with one statement.

"You also could say that I didn't exist when we didn't fight, in any way."

Ichigo blinks and lets out a deep breath.

"Sounds like I really haven't missed much of your life."

"Yeah."

"Ohh, so ya're all happy 'gain, ne?"

'I thought I locked your trap.'

"Eh? Warui, bu' I shut up maself, 'cause I though' ya woul' need some time ta let ma words sink in, so ya woul' see tha' they're true."

'As if I'd buy your shit.'

"Bu' see, yer pretty life's all fine 'gain. Wonda how long it'll stay like tha', until someone mess's it up 'gain an' ya get the joy of fixin' it one more time."

'I already said I am not like this.'

"Huh? Well, maybe ya haven't fully recovered than."

'What nonsense are you talking about?'

"Interested now? I mean tha' ya haven't fully merged with me 'gain. All tha's left o' me is tha' pretty voice gnawin' on yer nerves. Come ta think abou' it, somethin' 's blockin' the merge ta complete.

I shoul' thank tha' ol' fart for puttin' tha seal on ya, cause I can bug ya some more now."

The voice echoed in Hichigos head while slowly disappearing.

"Tsk."

"What is it?"

Hichigo blinked, not having noticed that he let the sound out loud or that his body had tensed up and he was sitting like that for some time already.

He relaxed himself and smiled at Ichigo.

"Nothing. Everything's fine."

"Really? You don't look like that."

The albino rolled his eyes and hurried to change the topic.

"I'm feeling cold, what about you? Shall we get back to our room?"

Ichigo could feel that his lover felt uncomfortable and nodded.

"I'm tired. Lets hurry over and get some sleep."

'He hides something. Is he trying to protect me?'

In bed, Ichigo snuggled against Hichigos chest and minutes later he fell asleep.

The albino watched his peaceful sleep, while he himself still brooded in silence.

'I will protect your happiness from any harm.'

"Ya really think ya can do it?"

'I will. Even if I am the one trying to harm it.'

"Big words, aibou. Ya better be ready ta make them real."

Hichigo tightened his embrace around Ichigo and kissed his forehead.

'I will.'

Chapter 21

End