Hybrid Protector
Chapter Two
Beta:DazLex
A\N: Sorry it took a bit. For those of you who don't know I write on my phone but it broke and I was forced to use my old one which would be fine if I had the hands of a six year old so it was tough to write. Now I have a bigger phone so things should go back to being relatively normal updates. Thank you all for your patients
Ichigo and Yoruichi started their search for Tatsuki at the places she most frequented. First the dojo then the park. They even went all the way to Tatsuki's house only to be told she wasn't home. They searched a few more places before heading towards Ichigo's favorite spot near the water. As they approached Ichigo saw a tuft of black hair. Hearing someone approach Tatsuki looked over only to see Ichigo. She stood up from where she was crouched, running and crashing into him. "What gives Ichigo this is our normal meeting spot and you show up late. Also who's the woman with you?" Ichigo gives her an apologetic look before looking towards Yoruichi. " Her name is Yoruichi Shi...Shi... how do you say your last name?" Yoruichi gave him a soft smile. "Shihoin" He nods his head in thanks. "Her name is Yoruichi Shihoin, from today forward i'll be living with her." Tatsuki looked at him confused. "Why will you be living with her?" Ichigo just shrugs his shoulders. "I'll tell you later, for now let's go play in the park." Tatsuki looked at Ichigo for a moment before agreeing.
They spent the next few hours playing at the park. During the last hour Tatsuki looked at Ichigo. "Hey Ichigo do you want to spar a little?" Ichigo thought about it for a moment before looking over towards Yoruichi. She gives him a slight nod indicating it is ok before he turns back to Tatsuki. "Sure sounds like fun." They separate from one another while Yoruichi acts as ref. Once the kids start sparring Yoruichi is surprised by the skill and ferocity the two are displaying. She does notice that Tatsuki is a lot better than Ichigo but that doesn't deter him from trying. Towards the end of the spar there fists connect Yoruichi can't help but be surprised when a thin red spirit ribbon comes from their sleeves and connects just above their fists. The spar continues a few more minutes before Tatsuki finally wins. However Tatsuki is confused when she doesn't hear crying. When she looks down at him, she notices he has a disappointed look on his face but isn't crying. "You ok Ichigo usually your crying by this point." She gives him a slight grin and offers a hand. He takes her hand. "Yeah well I decided I won't cry anymore. As the two kids finished their spar Ichigo runs over to Yoruichi. " Hey Yoru if it's alright with Tatsuki's mom can she spend the night." She kneels down and whispers. "You going to tell her tonight?" Ichigo nods "Then I don't see why she can't stay over."
(Half Hour Later)
Yoruichi brings Tatsuki home to ask her mother and grab clothes before heading back towards the shop. When they arrive Kisuke and Tessai introduce themselves as well as Tatsuki. "Hey Ichigo where is your room, so I can put my bag away for now." Ichigo looks at Yoruichi for a moment before Kisuke chimes in. " Head down the hall it's the second door on the left." While Tatsuki goes to the room Ichigo looks at Kisuke surprised. " Even if you want to stay in Yoruichi's room a young boy should have their own room for when guests come over. So I made sure Tessai prepared a room for you. Go play with Tatsuki we'll call you when dinner's ready." Ichigo thanks them before running to his new room. When he walks in Tatsuki looks him in the face. " What's wrong with you? I can tell you're forcing yourself to be happy." Ichigo gives her a sad look. " It's nothing Tatsuki I'll tell you after dinner. Can we please just play or something?" Tatsuki notices how sad Ichigo sounds and decides to wait till later. She then smiles, grabbing her bag she pulls out a little baby doll. " You remember her don't you. It's been two years since we last played with her." Ichigo looks at the doll. " Of course I do how could I forget Lilynette she's our baby. We spent so many sleepovers taking care of her."
( One hour later)
Yoruichi decides to check on them she slides the door open and is surprised by what she sees. There in the middle of the floor sits Ichigo and Tatsuki. Ichigo is cradling a plastic baby in his hands while Tatsuki has her head on his shoulder. She can tell they're not speaking but it's almost like they're conveying everything about themselves just by being next to one another. Yoruichi walks away with a smile on her face.
(Half hour later)
" Ichigo,Tatsuki it's time for dinner. Wash up before you come to the table." They did as instructed before making their way to the dining room. Yoruichi couldn't help but smile when they entered just as Ichigo was handing the doll to they got seated and dinner was served Kisuke's curiosity finally got the better of him. " What's in the blanket?" Tatsuki looks up from her plate. "Mine and Ichigo's daughter." Kisuke already knew it was a doll but decided to go along with it. "Oh What's her name?" Ichigo answered this time. "Her name is Lilynette Kurosaki." She's our beloved daughter and when she grows up she's going to be a famous world martial artist like her mother." Tatsuki decides to cut him off. " She's also going to be a protector after her father's name sake." The adults present atr stunned by the certainty and conviction in the words of these two kids. The rest of dinner was full of laughter from kids and adults alike as each shared some funny stories.
Once dinner came to a close Tatsuki took a shower first followed by Ichigo. After their showers we find the two sitting on Ichigo's bed. "So are you going to tell me what's bothering you so much that you're forcing yourself to smile." Ichigo stared at Tatsuki for a moment before the smile fell and the floodgates opened. "I...I killed my mother." Tatsuki looks at him confused. "What do you mean when how?" Ichigo tried to stop crying long enough to tell her. *it happened last night we were walking home in the rain together when I noticed a girl she tried to jump into the river. I broke from moms grip to try and stop the girl but then I blacked out. When I came to mom was laying over me covered in blood I tried to shake her but she wouldn't move. It's all my fault if I didn't run after that girl mom would still be alive if I just acted like I didn't see anything she'd still be alive."
As he continued to cry Tatsuki wrapped her arms around him shift so he could cry into her shoulder. " It wasn't your fault. You don't know what happened while you were out so don't blame yourself your mother wouldn't want that and I don't want to see you hurt. So please smile again, your real smile." Ichigo started to calm down. "How can I smile when my own father abandoned me that's why I'm here he didn't want me so how can I smile." Tatsuki looked surprised before shaking her head. "It doesn't matter if your dad abandoned you. You have a new family now, and seem to care for you a lot plus I'm here for you. Just know even if everyone leaves you I'll continue to stand by you always." Ichigo gave a half smile to Tatsuki. "I know you will and I will always be there for you. Let's make it a promise, even in the worst of times we can always look to each other." They sealed the promise with pinkies before deciding to spend the rest of their time reading a book together.
Yoruichi went to check on the kids one last time before heading to bed. She walked into the room to see Ichigo and Tatsuki asleep with the doll between them. She stood there a few minutes before closing the door and heading to bed.