Response to reviews~!

Ok, now we may have a time skip fairly soon~! I dunno when, exactly, but we will. I don't think this fic will be very long, but worth it, neh? O.o Ok, onwards~!

Chapter 5: Hunger pains

The next day, Ichigo noticed something a bit off about his Hollow. He appeared to be really sluggish, and he wasn't talking much. Ok, that is automatically weird... he thought. As they walked to school, he couldn't help but notice that Shiro's face kept flinching. "Is something up, Shiro?"

"None of your damned buisness..." Shiro growled. Ichigo sighed and just shrugged.

"Suit yourself. But you're obviously suffering for some reason." Ichigo said, walking and leaving his Hollow behind. Shiro stopped and stared at Ichigo's retreating back and sighed.

I don't know what's wrong...with you or me...I'm useless here.... he thought. He wasn't sure why, but ever since he had helped Ichigo against the Hollow the other day, he'd been confused as to what he now wants. Now he was getting 'upset' because he had no idea what was even wrong with himself, let alone what happened to Ichigo the other day. This is bullshit... He shook his head and continued walking to school. Ichigo noticed that shiro was a bit further behind and he took the time to look at him.

He doesn't seem well.... he thought. A part of him wanted to comfort him and seriously ask him what was wrong, but the other half, the sadly more dominant one, told him not to. This is my Inner Hollow still...he reminded himself. I can't trust him... Yet even as he thought that, another part of his mind decided that it would rebel, scolding him for acting like this, but he ignored it. Whatever...

Shiro sat by himself during lunch, instead looking out at the small town. This is the place Ichigo protects with his life, huh? He thought, sighing and looking at his hands. Must be nice, knowing exactly what ya want... He shut his eyes tightly as a sharp pain came from his chest and he hissed a bit. Damnit...it all hurts... He opened his eyes again and sighed as the pain dulled. "What's wrong with me?" He muttered.

Meanwhile, Orihime had been watching Shiro from where they all sat and couldn't help but feel a bit bad for him. She turned over to Ichigo. "Umm...why isn't Shiro sitting over here?" She asked quietly.

"Because he doesn't want to, obviously." Uryu replied and Orihime shook her head.

"No...I think he feels we don't want him over here." She said, glancing at Ichigo, and then at his Inner Hollow. "I mean, it isn't like everyone's treating him nicely."

"There isn't a reason too." She turned to stare at Ichigo, almost in shock. "I don't trust him, Orihime, and you shouldn't either. He's tried to kill me, and all of you, before."

"But he isn't now. Actually...he looks like he's in pain." She whispered the last part. Ichigo looked at his Hollow and couldn't help the small clench his heart did. Shiro did look uncomfortable. Sighing, Ichigo stood up and walked towards him. As he sat down, Shiro looked at him, completly shocked.

"Wh...what do you want?" He asked.

"To know what's really bugging you." He said. Shiro humphed and continued to stare out at the town.

"Since when have you ever worried about me, eh King?" He hissed out, but his words were quiet, filled with an emotion he couldn't name, but Ichigo could.

"Are you...sad because I don't?" He asked. Shiro shot him a look before hurriedly standing to walk away. But as he did, he felt dizzy and stumbled backwards. Ichigo caught him and time and he watched as Shiro passed out.

"What happened?" Orihime called as she ran over.

"Dunno, but we better get him to the nurse." He said. The group rushed to the nurse's office, wondering what had happened.

After the nurse told him and sent Ichigo home with Shiro, he wanted to laugh and punch the albino so badly. That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard... he chuckled a bit. He had put Shiro on the couch, his sisters still at school and his dad visiting the main hospital. He heard a groan and looked up to see Shiro sitting up, looking around.

"What the hell?"

"You awake now?" Ichigo asked.

"Obviously, ya dumbass. Where are we?" He huffed.

"At home. The nurse sent me home, along with you. You passed out, remember?" Ichigo watched as Shiro's face gained a confused look before realization and smacked his forhead.

"God that was lame..." He muttered. Ichigo shook his head and stood up.

"Not as lame as the reason, mind you." When Shiro gave him a blank stare, he rolled his eyes and walked into the kitchen. when he came back, he had a plate with poptarts and toast. "You need to eat something."

"I'm not hungry. I don't-"

"The nurse told me you passed out due to fatigue and hunger. You have to eat." Shiro huffed and turned away and Ichigo shook his head. It's like dealing with a stubborn child... "You've had chest pains, yes?" Shiro didn't look at him, but he nodded. "That's your stomach telling you that it's empty. You'll feel better when you eat."

"...The pain will go away?" He asked quietly. Although Ichigo nodded, Shiro wasn't sure what kind of pain he meant, the pain in his stomach, or the area above it. He gingerly took one of the poptarts and bit into it slowly. As he swallowed, he could feel some of the pain vanish. Ichigo almost laughed as Shiro devoured everything else. Shiro glared at him, crumbs stuck to his face.

"Better?" Shiro grunted and he laughed some more. "From now on, you're eating with us." Shiro's eyes widened at that and he stared at him.

"You...you want me to?" He asked quietly, looking into Ichigo's eyes. He wasn't sure why he felt hopeful, but he did nonetheless.

"Well, I can't honestly have you passing out again like that, and I'll still be able to keep an eye on you." Shiro felt his new heart clench and he sighed and looked away.

"Why is it you feel that I need constant survellience?"

"You're a Hollow, a powerful one at that, and my responsibility." Ichigo replied.

"I"m more sensible then that King! I'm not gonna fucking kill everything in sight." Shiro argued, and it was true. He only wanted to return to where he belonged, wheather or not he liked being there.

"How am I supposed to know that? ! You could snap at any second!"

"Like you? !" They both glared at each other for a few moments before Shiro sighed. "Why won't you try to trust me?"

"Is that what this is all about?"

"I heard you the other day..." Ichigo didjn't respond and Shiro continued. "In all honesty, I didn't want you to trust me...before all of this. But...I saved you back there, ya know."

"And you think that compensates for everything else you've done?" Shiro flinched at the words and he sighed. Although the words were quiet, they still felt like a harsh slap to his face.

"Sorry King, won't bother you with the idea again." He grumbled and dragged himself up the stairs. Ichigo watched him go and he smacked his forehead.

Fuck, I'm always saying stupid shit! He thought. But why...why is he like this?

Chapter 5 end

Time skip next chappie, although only by a few days, I promise~! OK, review pwease!