AN: I really shouldn't be writing this. I got a cross over I need to work on.

Still…I have bleach fever and I can not stop myself.

Well anyway thanks for the reviews. And thanks for thandiwe telling me what Hollow Ichigo is called. I'll have to get around to naming him later.

I'm finding this…different than my other stories, simply because of the pace it seems to set itself at. When I normally write any given scene I try to get at least 3 pages before switching to something else. I can't seem to do that here. Maybe its because Bleach is a more fast paced anime. I dunno. Still if ya'll think I'm moving to fast just tell me and I'll try to slow down. I'm just going with what feels natural right now.

OH and I guess if I'm going to keep writing this I'll need a beta. That's one thing people always bitch about in my stories is my grammar. I really hate proofreading and sometimes its shows :P

So anyone want the job?

000

What the hell was that?

Rukia asked herself for the hundredth time as she walked toward the Urahara store. She had finished at the warehouse as fast as she could. She sent those souls to soul society. Not a moment to soon, they only had a few hours a day at the most, before they turned hollows themselves. They were so scared and in so much pain she couldn't even interview them. She had no idea what had happened.

Why did Ichigo do something so…so unlike him. It wasn't normal. No normal person does that. HE…he tried to give me the still living masks of hollows for crying out loud.

She couldn't face him…and had left as soon as she was done. She needed to talk to Renji, or someone. She needed to think as well.

She wasn't even sure she wanted to go back to Ichigo's tonight.

He did look confused. He said he didn't do it. But…of course he did it. His sword was drenched in blood. He was drenched in blood.

What was even worse was how the feeling of the strong hollow had been coming from him. It was almost like….

NO! what the hell am I thinking. There is no way. Ichigo may be acting weird but he's not…no way he's a hollow. Duh how stupid can I be even wondering about it. Obviously I miss judged where the energy was coming from. Ichigo is a death god…not a hollow.

She was disturbed and worried about his behavior. He had been acting weird after school and now this.

"Yo Rukia!"

Rukia startled out of her thoughts as Renji called out to her. He was sitting out from of the Urahara store. Looking comfortable like he'd always been there. Being called a freeloader might keep him from eating second helpings, but it didn't stop him from loitering.

"Renji. Is Kisuke-san in?"

Renji nodded.

"Ya last I looked. Rukia…is something wrong?"

He asked his eyebrows dropping in what Rukia liked to called a worry stare. The look was accented even more by his tattoo's.

"I don't know."

She said looking away. She shuddered as she remembered the dismembered bodies of the still living Hollows. She had see death and guts. It was a part of her job. Blood and viciousness didn't affect her at all.

But…

Its that damn ribbon. That fucking ribbon soaked in blood.

She kept seeing the ribbon, perfectly tied. As if someone had taken a great deal of effect to make it just right. The way it hung low heavy with blood, the way the blood dripped off of it.

Renji frowned harshly. He did not like the look in Rukia's eyes.

"Kisuke is inside."

He paused.

"Rukia, your not in trouble again are you?"

Rukia laughed, it was forced and they both knew it. Still she couldn't help it, for so long she had pretended for Ichigo's sake that everything was fine. It was hard to show real emotions to anyone. Especially when something bothered or worried her.

"Of course not. This isn't about me."

Renji didn't look convinced, he pouted harder.

"well I'm here you know."

"Ya I know."

Rukia whispered softly as she went inside. As Renji stated Kisuke Urahara was inside. Looked like he was rearranging some of his items.

"Ah well if it isn't the beautiful Rukia. What can I do for you today."

Rukia stared at him a long moment. Urahara's smile faded to more of a goofy confused grin. As always his hat hid his eyes.

"Something happened to Ichigo today."

Urahara nodded turning suddenly to continue his work.

"Hmm well Ichigo does a lot of things. So its expected that things will happen. Tell me Rukia…exactly what is this something you speak of?"

Rukia related exactly what happened. She left nothing out. The strange feeling of the strong hollow, the blood…that damn ribbon. Even the words written in blood.

Urahara's movements became slower and slower before he stopped even pretending he wasn't listening.

"Strange something indeed."

"What is going on?"

Urahara touched his chest in a 'you're asking me?' gesture.

"What makes you think I know?"

"Because you always do!"

Rukia snapped. Urahara sighed.

"I really don't Rukia. It is…unsettling. My advice is to keep an eye on him. Ichigo is after all Ichigo. He's just a human, a human with an amazing amount of power."

Rukia lowered her head. She didn't know if she wanted to be around Ichigo right now, much less keep an eye on him. Still that was a good idea. She would watch him. If anything was to out of place she would…well she didn't know what she would do. But she would do something!

"Alright. But you had better be telling the truth."

Urahara didn't answer which didn't help Rukia's nerves any.

"Do you think he's dangerous?"

Urahara sighed again and finally turned toward Rukia.
"Oh course Ichigo is dangerous. If he wanted to he could probably kill us all. He's stronger than over half of the Captains in Soul Society. He's violent and unpredictable."

Urahara leaned forward, using his cane to support his weight.

"However he is also a good kid. A scary kid, but deep down he's good."

Rukia nodded. That she could agree with. Ichigo was a good guy. He was always trying to protect people and do what was right.

Urahara lowered his head, completely shadowing his face in darkness.

"Rukia, promise me you'll be careful."

Rukia blinked. This wasn't like Urahara…in fact this entire conversation wasn't like him.

"Why?"

"Because…if something happened to you. I'd hate to see what Ichigo would do when he found out."

Urahara suddenly lifted his head, a huge smile on his face. Rukai jumped not expecting the change in attitude.

"Now now how about I give you something to drink on the house and you go home. I think I'll close up early today!"

Urahara handed her a juice box. Something he had been keeping in stock since Rukia told him about her trouble with them. He then grabbed her shoulders and forcible turned her around.

"But…"

She tried, only to be cut off by Urahara's happy voice.

"You will keep me updated right? That's a good girl."

He walked her to the door keeping his hands on her shoulders and damn near threw her out.

"But…"

"Good night Rukia!"

He said in a sing song voice. As he closed the door however he spoke in a more serious tone. It made Rukia feel uncomfortable. Kind of twitchy and for sure as hell didn't make her want to go back to Ichigo's.

"Remember to be careful."

The door shut.

There was silence that seemed to last forever. Then Renji spoke. Rukia jumped having forgotten he was there.

"Did he just lock me out?"

0000000000000

Whitey sighed contently as he watched the clouds. That had been fun and it was harder to give back the control than he thought it would be. He knew he wouldn't but he couldn't help but want to fight for it. To continue to be the king. It was a heady sensation, like drinking to much sake. It overwhelmed his senses and made me long for more.

However…he had refrained. A promise was a promise.

He had retreated back into his world.

Cursing the fact that Ichigo got to be the one to give Rukia his gift.

He had made it especially for her. He'd taken a lot of time making sure the bow was perfect. Ichigo was so damn lucky. He got to spend most of the day with her. He got to sleep in the same room as her.

Closing his eyes he tried to imagine the smell of her perfume. Light and flowery, with a hint of her own womanly scent.

She was such a tiny little thing. But there was such fire in her eyes. He longed to piss her off just to see it blaze hot and wild.

"Wonder what I should do next."

Thing was. He had no idea what he wanted to do. He had the time to look forward to, but he just couldn't stop thinking about a raven haired woman. When he had first thought of this compromise. He had a dozen things he wanted to do. Kill hollows, have fun scaring the shit out of ghosts. Maybe get in a 'friendly' fight with that annoying bastard Renji. Now however…he didn't want to do anything but be near that girl. He wanted her to notice him.

"I want to see her again."

He said softly, knowing Ichigo would have a fit. Ichigo he knew cared for her to, but the hollow didn't know how much. He never made an moves towards her. He never said anything that suggested more than friends. It was weird, they were parts of the same person. Had the same thoughts and feelings, but they had a totally different mind set about those feelings. A mind set that was totally alien to the other.

"Gods above. She's so beautiful and she fuckin sleeps in the same room as you. How can you not think of her that way Ichigo!?"

Whitey lifted his hands into the air as he exclaimed to the clouds. With an annoyed sigh he let them fall back down.

"Maybe you're gay. I may be you and you me, but we're still different. Maybe I'm the straight one and you like guys. That Quincy is kind of pretty."

The hollow stuck out his tongue.

"Yuck, I hope not."

Today had been good. To short for his tastes, the three hours seemed to fly by. Even hurrying to finish off those three weak hollows and get his present ready had cut it close. He had been there, right up to the point Rukia walked up to him. He had fought it for half a second then retreated. He had really wanted to give Rukia his gift. Still he supposed it was ok for Ichigo to do it. After all they were the same person. He wouldn't be jealous if Rukia liked Ichigo.

The King was sooo lucky. He couldn't imaging living with the girl in the same room. That would drive him insane (er). He wouldn't be able to keep his hands to himself.

"Hee she'd probably slap me. Then yell and get really mad."

Whitey bit his lip closing his eyes imaging that. Her chest heaving her eyes on fire…hell she would look even better if she drew out her zanpakutō.

He hadn't seen it himself, but the King's memories were clear enough that Whitey knew she was graceful when she fought.

With another sigh Whitey waited for his turn. He had to wait at least 24 hours. Then he could go out and play again. He smiled.

Maybe he could invite Rukia to play with him this time.

000

Ichigo sat in silence as he ate his dinner. He ignored his sisters, and he mostly ignored his father (except when the ass was trying to land a fist in his face) He had gotten home a few hours ago. Rukia wasn't here.

Not that I don't blame her if she disappears forever.

Pushing some veggies around on his plate he wondered if he would ever see her again.

I can't believe I agreed to this. On his first night out he tortures three hollows, scares the shit out of a bunch of almost hollowed souls, and takes a chunk out of another soul.

Ichigo made a face. He could still taste it in his mouth. It was horrible. He couldn't imagine why Hollows liked it.

Did my other self like it? Did he lick his lips and wonder when he could break the rules and eat someone.

Made him sick to his stomach thinking about it.

The thing was…that message. It had been to Rukia. That Hollowed bastard had noticed her. He didn't know what to do about it.

He sensed…that going back on the deal was a bad idea. The hollow would not take to being denied very well and for sure would fight it out.

He really didn't think that was a fight he wanted to fight. Still what could he do to protect Rukia, protect his family and anyone unluckily enough to come in contact with him during those three hours?

"Nii-san. Is your dinner ok?"

Ichigo blinked.

"Uh ya ya, of course its ok. Tastes good."

He muttered lamely.

"Well…"

Yuzu said holding a wooden spoon in front of her.

"You looked so disgusted. I thought something was wrong with it."

"What? No Yuzu it's nothing. Just something that happened during school."

Ichigo finished lamely. Ya like he could tell his sister he wasn't thinking about her food, but rather about how nasty a soul tasted. That would go over really well.

"ICHIGO!"

Ichigo barely dodged in time as his father launched himself across the table. He fell to the floor with a crash. For a moment he laid there twitching.

"Ah you are my son. Evading such an attack."

"WHAT the HELL are you doing old MAN!"

Ichigo screamed, waving his chopsticks around like he might stab someone with them (namely his father).

"How dare you hurt your sisters feelings so!"

Isskin screamed as he jumped to his feet.

"She worked long and hard for this lovely meal. The least you could is enjoy it!"

"I'm NOT HUNGRY!"

"YES YOU ARE!"

"NO I'M NOT!"

"YES YOU ARE!"

"Idiots."

Karin muttered as she took a bite of the rice ball. She turned her back to the fighting men.

"This is really good Yuzu."

"Thank you!"

"YES YOU ARE!"

"NO I'M NOT!"

"YES YOU ARE!"

"NO I'M NOT! NO I'M NOT! NO I AM NO…GAG"

Isskin smiled smugly as he finished shoving the rice ball down Ichigo's throat.

Ichigo coughed violently turning blue in the face.

"Yes…you…are."

000

An hour later Ichigo finally collapsed onto his bed. The side of his face was swollen where his father had managed to get a hit in. The old man wasn't doing any better. Ichigo had fought dirty (literally) He had dumped a container of soy sauce on his head and then kneed him in the nuts.

Harsh he knew, but he was not in the mood for the old mans shit. Besides it wasn't like he had hit him THAT hard. Just enough to make his face go all red and fall over. That was when Ichigo had high tailed it to his room, letting his sisters help the sorry excuse for a man and father off the floor.

What am I doing?

Ichigo closed his eyes. He felt like shit. He was dreading tomorrow as well. Scared out of his mind of what the hollow would do with his body while it was in control.

There was a noise. A familiar one at that. Someone was opening his window. Opening one eyes he blinked as Rukia gracefully jumped out of his window.

"Rukia!?"

He said as he sat up. He had not been expecting her to come back tonight.

She turned to look at him. Her face scrunching up as she looked him up and down.

"You sane yet?"

She asked simply. Ichigo turned several colors of red.

"THAT WASN"T ME!"

"Then who was it Ichigo!"

Rukia said moving to the end of the bed. Her eyes were narrow and searching. Ichigo found himself speechless. He couldn't answer her. He didn't know how to answer her.

"It wasn't me."

"Ichigo."

She whispered a whole flash of emotions back behind her large eyes. She looked away as she gingerly sat down on his bed.

"Ichigo…please. What is going on? What happened today?"

He looked away as well. The silence rang long and loud. Ichigo could hear his own heart beat. He tried to open his mouth, trying to find an excuse yet nothing came to mind. He couldn't force himself to lie to her. So he said nothing.

Rukia sighed and stood up.

"You don't want to tell me. Fine."

Rukia walked over then opened the door to the closet. She turned eyes downcast as she chewed her bottom lip nervously.

"Just…Ichigo…"

Again the silence seemed to roar through the room. Rukia suddenly shook her head, her hair flying around her face. So unable to complete the sentence, Rukia jumped into the closet and slammed the door shut.

Ichigo's breath went out in a rush. He hadn't even known he was holding it.

Maybe I should tell her? She could maybe help control him. Make sure he doesn't do anything…

He shook his head, and pulled at his orange hair. He was hoping the pain of hair getting pulled out by the roots would help him focus. He needed something to grab onto, some sort of emotion or feelings or than confusion or fear.

It didn't work.

NO NO NO! I can't do that.

He didn't know anything about the hollow inside him. Granted he didn't have a Death God education, but he did listen when others talked. There was nothing he could gather about Death Gods with a Hollow self inside of them. He never asked but still, one would think that would be something talked about.

What if he was really fucked up.

What if something was really wrong with him? Would Soul Society take Rukia away, fearing for her. Would they take away his substitute death god license. Would they send that freaky 12th Captain after him?

Would they…try…and kill him.

Worse would…would Rukia hate him.

He didn't think he could take it. He couldn't take Rukia hating him. He couldn't…he just couldn't handle it.

Maybe tomorrow would be better. Today was the first day. First days were always hard. It had to get better.