Response to reviews~!

And now for the next 'arc' of sorts in this story~! I know y'all will love it~! After all...angst is my forte~! *wink* So do enjoy my wickedness!

Chapter 13

Ichigo sighed as he continued to stare at the celing, lost in his thoughts. Why did I lose it like that? Talk about asshole much... He thought. He grabbed his hair and let out a groan of frustration. "Fuck this...what the hell is up with me? !" He shouted in the empty room. "I don't understand it..." He closed his eyes and gently brushed his lips. They still tingle...it's like he's still there...kissing me... Suddenly, his badge roared to life, signaling a Hollow in the area. His eyes snapped open and he shifted to his spirit form. Damn...well I'll apologize later...got this for now.

"D-done!" Shiro smiled and held up a small, bead bracelet.

"You did it Big Brother! It's soooooo cool!" Ami clapped. Miko just smiled, standing next to Rukia and Orihime. Kiya walked in and smiled.

"Alright, it's time for bed kids."

"Aww c'mon Auntie! We wanna play more!" Miko complained. Kiya just laughed and shookj her head. "Ok then..."

"Well...night night Big Brother, Orihime and Rukia!" The three waved as they left the house. Orihime looked as Shiro stared at the bracelet.

"Can I see it Shiro?" Shiro handed it to her and she looked at it. It had a few colors, white and orange and black. "Who's it for?" She asked.

"Ichigo..." Shiro admitted. "If...if he...w-w-wants...it..."

"I'm sure he'd take it." Rukia said. "If not, you can always give it to someone else!" Shiro smiled and nodded, but he simply stared at the bracelet around his own wrist.

"I want...him...to have it." He said slowly.

"Shiro..." At that instant, Shiro froze, Orihime almost bumping into him. "What is it?"

"...Hollow close by..." He murmered. He dahsed off, leaving the two girls behind. When he reached the Hollow, he saw Ichigo holding it back with his zanpakuto.

"Damn this thing..."

"Ichigo!" Shiro felt a familiar energy hum in his hand and his sword formed. He could see Rukia, a soul Reaper now, and Orihime rushing from behind, but he didn't wait for them. He rushed in and attempted to strike the Hollow's side, but a tentacle shot from under it's deep maroon fur and swatted him away.

"Stupid souls, the lot of you..." It hissed. Ichigo took its distraction and pushed back on the Hollow. It staggered backwards a bit, but quickly regained its composure.

"For a big Hollow, you sure do quickly regain your balance..." Ichigo muttered. He Flash Stepped to where Shiro was standing up. "You ok?"

"F...fine..." He said, shaking his head. "It...smells funny..." Ichigo chuckled at that.

"Yeah well...we gotta take care of it."

"Orihime...Rukia..." He froze as he glanced to the left. "Another..." Both girls turned to them and nodded, running off in the other direction.

"They'll get it." Ichigo turned, noting how Shiro wasn't looking at him. "Hey...I-"

"We...need t-t-to kill...it..." He murmered. Ichigo sighed and scracthed his head.

"Yeah...alright." He said as they both took a defensive stance as the Hollow walked towards them.

"You two chat too much." It growled in annoyance.

"It's...b-because you...bore us." Shiro taunted, grinning slightly. Ichigo couldn't help but shiver a bit at the smile.

Almost like his old self... Ichigo blinked.

"Tsk, you Soul Reapers are...wait..." The Hollow glared at Shiro, who squirmed a bit under the gaze. "You...are not a Soul Reaper are you? Your soul...smells weird." Shiro scowled and swung his sword out at the Hollow. "It's like us...but it's not...more raw and powerful than that..."

"Sh...shut up!"

"Shiro, stop that!" Ichigo grabbed Shiro's arm just as the Hollow swung its claws down. Ichigo moved away, but his arm was caught, and he hissed as the claws made contact, tearing thin scars into it. "Damnit..."

"Ichigo! I...I'm s-s-s-sorry..." Shiro murmered and looked back at the Hollow.

"Hmph...stupid souls. Oh well...you will not last for long..." It smirked. Ichigo suddenly swung upwards with Zangetsu, cleaving the Hollow in two.

"Neither will you..." He grumbled as it faded. Shiro was over there in an instant, reaching out to heal his arm. Ichigo smacked his hand away. "Don't."

"I...I'm sorry I-"

"Don't let them rile you up like that! That's a great way to get yourself killed!" Ichigo snapped back. Shiro's eyes widened briefly before they suddenly grew hard and angry.

"O-oh yeah? ! W-w-w-well you...you st-start y-yelling at me...for an accident! Wh-what did I...do to deserve...this hatred? !" Shiro snapped angrily.

"I don't want you to get killed from sheer stupidity!" Ichigo retorted. He was a bit shocked at his own words, but shoved the shock aside.

"Wh-why do...you care? ! You...p-p-pretend...t-t-to like...me...then you...g-g-get an-gry at me!" Shiro shouted, tears clinging to his eyes. "I...w-w-want to know...why!" Before Ichigo could say more, he stumbled a bit, his forehead feeling hot and his body sluggish.

What...what is this? He thought, trying to keep his balance as the world blurred around him. He noticed Shiro's concerned look and the last thing he felt was Shiro's arms as he came crashing to the ground.

Shiro felt himself panic as Ichigo crumpled to the ground. He wrapped his pale arms around his shoulders and he watched as Ichigo's brown eyes fluttered closed. "Ichigo...Ichigo!" He shook him, but he recieved no response. "No...no don't...please..." He looked around frantically and, in a desperate moment, he spiked his spiritual pressure briefly, in hopes of bringing the two girls to him. He watched as they rounded a corner as he supressed his spiritual pressure once more.

"Ichigo! What happened Shiro?" Orihime asked as she knelt down next to them.

"Don't...kn-know..." Shiro shook his head. "H-h-he just...fell...won't get...u-u-up." He closed his lavander eyes, trying to will away the scene in front of him. What...what can we do?

Chapter 13 end

Ha! I'm ending it right here, so y'all will need ta be patient with me's~! XD So...what ya think? O.o What oh what will they do? XD