Chapter Thirty:

The Gigai was just as uncomfortable as ever, he found himself shuffling around as he tried to get used to it, Urahara had teased him relentlessly when he had complained about having to wear one while in Karakura, despite the fact it would be necessary to be physically visible if he wanted to investigate his past properly.

Ichigo looked down at the file Urahara and Yoruichi had put together for him, it contained any details they had managed to comprise in order for him to track down people he would have known. In all honesty, there wasn't much there, just a few scatterings of names and a few rough outlines of where the people would be. He was grateful for their help regardless, at least it gave him something to start with.

Their hosts had been incredibly accommodating, but didn't pry which Ichigo appreciated more than anything else. Though he noticed Yoruichi occasionally looking at him when she thought he wouldn't notice, there was no judgement in her eyes, but there was something he couldn't identify.

He wondered if it was because of how he and Byakuya seemed to gravitate around each other. She had been the man's tutor for a long time, she was bound to be protective.

Lifting his gaze slowly, he glanced across the room to where Byakuya was sat, the man was perched on his futon with his legs folded and his eyes shut, apparently he was meditating in order to converse with Senbonzakura, something he did on a weekly basis to ensure their bond remained strong.

Casting a brief look towards where his own Zanpakutō was sat propped up against the wall, Ichigo let out a breath. He remembered his conversation with Byakuya, the idea that Bankai might be reachable if he started talking to Zangetsu more. During his employment to Aizen he hadn't been overly pleasant to the Zanpakutō, using him to perform brutal and senseless crimes. It was a surprise that Zangetsu was still willing to speak to him at all, he could hardly be shocked that the Old Man was reluctant to reveal the secret of his Bankai.

Humming it over, he set the file of information aside on the floor and shuffled back on his own futon, mimicking Byakuya's posture before he closed his eyes. He wasn't great at freely travelling between his Inner World and the real one, it took him a great deal of concentration, and it was draining every single time. But maybe it would be worth it if he could improve his relationship with the Soul that had already given him so much.

Ichigo forced himself to relax every muscle in his body one by one as he allowed his mind to drift. It was different doing it when he wasn't under duress. Somehow it was harder to do when he wasn't under pressure. Just about, after several minutes of trying, he could feel the connection to the world inside his Soul, he reached out and coiled his hands around it, giving it an experimental tug.

Ichigo frowned faintly, feeling something out of place, something missing. He felt a chill wash over him, raiding a shiver which crept up his spine like icy fingers dragging steel talons in their wake. It was a feeling of danger, hunger, imminent death. It was powerful. Suffocating. Choking. A hand around his throat. Squeezing.

His eyes flew open and he let out a weak croak of discomfort as he found himself flat on his back, glaring up into a pair of glimmering gold eyes, a single pale hand gripping his throat tightly.

Shiro grinned widely as he straddled his lap, pinning him in place with the weight of his body alone, shifting just enough that he could lean down, his free hand pressing into the futon. Drawing their faces closer, until their noses almost touched, the Hollow inhaled deeply, releasing a slight shudder.

"Yo, Aibou." He purred.

Ichigo couldn't have explained the peculiar sensation that washed over him when he heard Shiro's voice aloud instead of in his head, it seemed all the more menacing and even less sane. His eyes widened as the pale mimic of himself stuck out his tongue and slowly ran it up his cheek, he flinched at the wet contact and tried to turn away, hissing venomously.

"Might I suggest you release Kurosaki-san, immediately." A calm voice came from behind the albino as a long, squared off Zanpakutō blade slid down against his pale throat.

"I would second that." A traditional katana appeared on the other side of his neck.

The strawberry squirmed slightly, gritting his teeth as he felt the Hollow give his cheek one last lick before he sat up slowly and held his hands up in the air in a mocking symbol of surrender. Ichigo coughed, wriggling out from under the pale menace, wiping his cheek furiously on his sleeve. Chestnut eyes slowly moved away from the grin he was being fixed with, swallowing gently as he saw Byakuya and Urahara stood side by side.

"How did you get in here, Hollow?" Urahara's usual cheery mood was gone, replaced by coldness.

"Regretfully," Byakuya sighed, lifting a hand and pointing towards Ichigo, "I believe it is a question of how did he get out of there?"

"Sorry?" The blond raised an eyebrow.

"He's..." Ichigo swallowed, "My Hollow. Shiro."

Shiro raised a hand and carefully pushed the two blades away from his skin as he stood up, brushing his white shihakusho down as if he had been tarnished, "Jeez, it's not like I asked to be here."

"What do you mean?" Urahara asked, hesitating for a long moment, only to sheath his Zanpakutō back inside his walking stick.

The Hollow glanced over his shoulder towards Ichigo, gold eyes scanning his face, he snorted, "Aibou called me out."

"I did what?" The strawberry blinked.

"What? Ya didn't do this on purpose?" The albino suddenly glared at him, "Are ya kiddin' me?!"

"Of course I didn't do it on purpose you moron!" Getting to his feet, Ichigo folded his arms across his chest, scowling.

They stared at each other, falling silent as they realised they were mirroring each other with how they were standing and instantly tried to look more casual. Byakuya and Urahara shared a look, neither entirely sure what to think about the sight.

"What exactly were you doing before this..." The blond man waved a hand in the general direction of the Hollow, "Happened?"

"I was... Trying to get into my Inner World, I was going to talk to Zangetsu." The strawberry shot a look in the direction of the sword behind him, "It's... Hard for me to do normally, but it was even more difficult this time. I thought I felt the right connection and... Oh." He broke off sharply.

"Oh?"

"I gave it a yank." He muttered.

"Idiot." Shiro hissed, rolling his eyes at him, "How the fuck ya manage to be King I'll never know."

When it appeared that Ichigo was about to lunge at the Hollow, Byakuya moved between them, eyes closed as he considered his words before speaking, glancing at the pair after a long moment.

"Ichigo, you told me once that you were able to manifest Zangetsu's Soul in the real world while trying to achieve Bankai. Perhaps this is... Similar." The noble offered, "After all, they are both sources of your power. It would make sense for you to be able to summon both of them."

"I guess so..." He shrugged, relaxing slightly, only to scowl again, "Why were you trying to kill me? I thought we were past all that."

The albino raised an eyebrow questioningly, "Tryin' to kill you? I wasn't tryin' to do that."

"The hand around his throat somewhat suggests otherwise... Shiro-san." Urahara mused, chuckling slightly, his aloof demeanour returning now it appeared there was no danger.

"The hand... Oh..." The Hollow rolled his eyes again, "I wasn't tryin' to kill him, I was surprised at bein' called out and thought there was danger, so I... Grabbed the first person I saw. Then, when I realised it was him I..."

"Licked me?" Ichigo grumbled.

"Uh..." If it was possible, the Hollow appeared uncomfortable for once, pallid cheeks tingeing pink.

"It was instinct, wasn't it?" Byakuya frowned at his expression, "You are constantly at battle with yourself, aren't you? You've learnt to temper yourself, to work along side him instead of against him. But that doesn't change what you are. The desire doesn't disappear entirely."

"Tch, damn you." Shiro clenched his jaw.

"What do you mean, Byakuya-san?" Urahara asked, tipping his hat slightly.

"Fight or flight instinct is something every living creature learns from the moment it wakes, it isn't something you can truly control or fight. And yet that is exactly what he's doing every moment of the day." The noble shifted his weight to his other foot, "He is fighting the need to consume Ichigo's power and make it his own. Being summoned into the real world so suddenly, believing there was danger only to find there was none... Your instincts pulled you to claim him."

"Excuse me?" The strawberry haired Shinigami stared, "Claim me?!"

Shiro huffed, clearly unable to hide his discomfort, "Sorry, okay! It's not like I had a choice in it. It won't happen again, not now I know about it. I'll be able to... Block it."

Ichigo stared at him, feeling his anger fade away as he saw just how awkward he was feeling, "Sorry. I really didn't mean to yank you out."

"It's fine." The albino version of him muttered, shoving his hands in his pockets, "But I'll be goin' back now, seein' as I'm not actually needed."

The three Shinigami watched as Shiro walked towards Ichigo, the Hollow reached out, resting a pale hand over his host's heart before he faded from sight. Ichigo's eyes momentarily shone gold and he lurched forwards, feeling like a bucket of ice water had been thrown over him.

"Well, at least it ain't rainin'."

Ichigo almost rolled his eyes at the comment, but was merely pleased that the weird experience was over. He swallowed hard and blinked to clear his vision, staring at the other two men in the room a little gracelessly.

"Sorry about that." He rubbed the back of his neck.

"Are you alright, Kurosaki-san?" Urahara's fan was out, fluttering aloft in front of his face.

"I'm fine." He shrugged off the concern and glanced at his Zanpakutō again for a long moment, "It's... A terrifying thought to know he can walk around freely. Even if he chooses to behave, at the end of the day he's only doing it because he wants to."

"You will undoubtedly clash again in the future." The blond said softly, "The battle for dominance is never truly over. But he seems to respect you, which gives you a good head start."

"I guess so."

Urahara hovered for a long minute, watching the strawberry with interest, "Anyway, I shall leave you alone now. It is long past time for me to sleep. Good night, gentlemen."

"Goodnight Urahara-san." Byakuya nodded his head without ever removing his eyes from his lover.

The noble moved only when the door clicked shut, pushing Ichigo against the wall firmly with one hand, he saw the surprise on the younger man's face and yet he was unable to remove the frown from his own.

"Byakuya?"

"Just when I think I have a grasp on who and what you are... You do something unexpected and it changes everything again." His voice was quiet, yet sullen.

Blinking, the Third Seat tutted, "It's not like I do it on purpose. What's wrong anyway?"

"It is one thing to manifest your Zanpakutō in front of your own eyes," steel eyes narrowed faintly, "But actually having it visible for other people to see is something utterly different."

"Huh?"

"It takes an extraordinary amount of concentration to summon your Zanpakutō's Soul in such a way that they become a visible, physical entity for other's to interact with. Even I have never done so." Byakuya tilted his head slightly, "I can't believe he had the nerve to even consider claiming you either."

"You said yourself that it was out of his control." He shrugged but couldn't resist smirking, "Did it bring out your possessive side?"

The noble's hand slipped away and he chuckled softly, "More than I am comfortable with admitting." He offered a small smile and began walking back to his own futon, "Please, don't try going to your Inner World again tonight, I'm not sure I trust myself to fall asleep if there's a chance of that creature having his hands over you."

Prising himself away from the wall, he rested a hand on his hip, "I'm not sure that's a promise I can make. The idea of seeing you fight with the urge to reclaim what's yours might just be too much for me to handle."

Ichigo never even saw it coming, but he felt a swift kick knock his feet out from under him and he crashed down onto his futon with a gasp, barely having time to register the movement before Byakuya was on top of him, pinning him in place with the strength of his body, dragging his teeth down the line of his throat.

"In that case, perhaps I should save you the trouble of drawing out that side of me." The noble growled against his skin.

He laughed, dragging him up into a kiss as he allowed his tongue to steal itself inside the noble's mouth, groaning deeply as he smugly decided never to tell Byakuya just how easy he was to manipulate.


It was the early hours of the morning when they were woken by the annoyingly shrill chirp of Byakuya's denreishinki, the device detecting the presence of a Hollow within the area. Both Shinigami were sluggish at first, untangling themselves from each other as one checked the location of the Hollow and the other grabbed their Gikon.

"Where is it?" Ichigo asked, wincing at the ache in his spine as he swallowed the small green candy, instantly bursting out of his Gigai.

"Not far, about a mile down the road, it seems to be near a park." Byakuya followed suit, covering their Gigai with the bedsheets in case Urahara or Yoruichi checked on them, "Let's go."

They bounded across the rooftops together, matching their speed with ease as they made their way to the location given by the device still clutched in the Taichou's hand. Ichigo noticed somewhere in the back of his mind that the man's haori was missing, and assumed it was because they weren't officially collecting lost souls or banishing Hollows. He remembered the last time he'd seen him without it while they were working together, the memory wasn't a pleasant one.

Ichigo nearly fell from their current rooftop as Byakuya stopped suddenly, the noble was frowning deeply as he looked down at the denreishinki, "What's wrong?" He asked, peering over his shoulder.

"It's gone." The raven haired man stated, "The Hollow, it's gone."

"Gone? As in cleansed or-"

"Cleansed, or something similar." His frown deepened, "How strange. I wasn't aware that there were any Shinigami currently patrolling the town."

"Maybe we should check out the location, just in case?" The strawberry suggested, they weren't far away after all.

Byakuya opened his mouth to reply, but was interrupted by a fresh trill from the device, "No need, there's a new one appeared. It's nearby."

They changed direction, shooting off towards the new Hollow, only to have it disappear again when they got closer. It happened twice more after that, annoying them both in equal measure. Byakuya began to wonder if he'd been given a faulty device and planned to ask Urahara to check it in the morning, or at the very least, at a more reasonable hour than what they were currently working with.

As they made their way back towards the store, Ichigo felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end and he turned, looking out over the area they had come from, searching for the cause of his discomfort. He felt like he was being watched. It was a sensation he was growing truly tired of. If it wasn't a homicidal Arrancar, it was a treacherous snake like Gin, and now once again something was glaring holes into his head.

Huffing, he turned his back on the feeling and stalked off after his lover, glad when they arrived back at the store and he was able to shut the doors behind them.

They slipped back into their Gigai in silence, setting the denreishinki to one side, pleased it had stopped its inane ringing for the time being, suggesting the Hollows in the area had thought better of trying to find a meal for the night.

Ichigo curled up against the noble's chest, sighing softly as he tried to fall back to sleep, however he peeked up to see Byakuya staring at the ceiling, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, it simply occurred to me that your skills at sensing reiatsu are..."

"Rubbish? I did warn you." He chuckled, "It's true. I can sense strong reiatsu like yours or Urahara's, I can even tell where it is at the time I'm sensing it. But pretty much anything less than at least Fukutaichou level is a blind spot for me, unless I'm really familiar with the person."

"What about your own reiatsu?" The noble asked.

"Hit and miss." He shrugged, "I can tell its strong, but controlling it is hard. Well, its harder now my emotions are involved, when I was... I mean it was a lot easier when I didn't have a thousand things going on in my head at the same time."

Byakuya made a noise of understanding at the back of his throat, going quiet for so long he almost seemed to be asleep, only to murmur something else, "And yet your sense of those around you is incredibly sharp. When we came here before, you sensed the Arrancar before I did, and tonight you sensed someone watching us again even when I did not."

He shrugged sleepily, nuzzling against the man's neck, "Maybe that's Shiro's influence, his instincts are far sharper than mine."

"Maybe." Steel eyes closed finally as he held on more securely to the body pressed against his.