13- I'm Home…
Renji returned like he said he would, yet, Ichigo had his back to the door, staring out the window with half-lidded brown eyes. The redhead stood in the doorway with his arms crossed, leaning against it with his right shoulder, a small smile forming on his lips, just knowing that the vibrant haired teen had talked to his inner Hollow the night before.
Releasing a heavy breath, the pale boy shut his eyes his right hand holding a firm grasp on the pillow, trying desperately not to cause anymore pain than necessary to his neck wound, which pulsed constantly.
He damned that Hollow.
Ichigo quickly pushed that thought aside, going back to what he was musing about originally: if he would miss Shirosaki or not.
The Assistant Captain turned, figuring he should return later, after lunch so the teenager could get some food in his system. Walking out, he didn't even realize that Ichigo had opened his eyes and turned so he was laying on his back.
…or…do I…
His eyes shut once again, the world fading from all his senses, only standing in a pit of darkness, chills rushing past. It was everything he didn't want.
An empty world, an empty life…and no one to be there with him.
Do I like him…
Like a blank page.
More than I realize?
The eldest Kurosaki reopened his eyes, sitting up slowly, clenching his teeth with a pained hiss slipping past his lips. Sucking in air, Ichigo turned, placing his socked feet onto the wooden floor, standing slowly and heading towards the door with half-lidded eyes.
He grabbed hold of Zangetsu near the exit of the door and bolted out, heading straight towards where Hanataro was, a feeling in his gut telling him he needed to get to Urahara's as soon as possible.
Turning the corner, the vibrant haired teen screeched to a halt, seeing Hanataro look away from Renji while they talked. A look of complete worry crossing the dark haired boy's features.
"I don't really understand," the fragile youth admitted, slowly looking back up at the redhead with uncertainty flashing in his eyes, "why would…Ichigo hide something like that…from us?"
"He has his reasons, Hanataro, I'm sure they're good ones as well."
"B-but, Assistant Captain Abarai…"
Renji lifted his right hand, waving it from side to side in front of his face, a frown evident on his face. "Just Renji, when we're alone, you can call me Renji, 'kay?"
Hanataro lifted his hands, fiddling with his fingers as a small blush spread across his cheeks, nodding slowly. "Okay…Renji…"
"See, that's better! No wasted breath!" A grin spread on the red haired Zabimaru possessor's face and Ichigo could crystal clear tell that the tattooed man was trying to lighten up the situation. "Oh…" Reddish-brown eyes glanced toward the corner the teen was behind. "Speak of the devil, Ichigo…I know you're over there, come on out."
And hearing that made the seventh seater's face flush a deep crimson, whipping around to see Ichigo slowly walk towards them with a sigh.
"I was hoping I wouldn't get caught," the bright haired boy smirked, "you're pretty sharp, Renji."
"Isn't that hard to track your spiritual pressure."
The pale form shrugged, turning his attention to Hanataro, "Hey…got a way to get me out of here? I can't stand staying in one place too long."
Hanataro nodded slowly, turning to look at Renji for permission. Sighing, the redhead planted his left fist on his hip, nodding with a sturdy frown, musing over why Ichigo would tell him almost everything, then up and leave.
Smiling nervously, the dark haired form walked over to the vibrant haired teen, summoning a Hell Butterfly. "N-now place an image in your mind where you want to go, and then step through the gates."
"Thanks," he spoke, turning towards the opening doors, shutting his eyes and constructing an image of Kisuke Urahara's shop, reopening his eyes and stepping through.
888
Said blond man lifted the gigai up, looking it over and quirking a brow, realizing that he had accidentally made the skin a little too pale, but still almost the color of peach. Swallowing, he set the naked body down, turning and walking into his room to choose some clothes for the nude corpse.
888
Standing before the shop, Ichigo frowned, obviously questioning what exactly told him to go here.
"Shirosaki…"
"Yeah?"
"Do you have business with Mr. Hat-and-Clogs?"
"Yes, let me take over."
The vibrant haired teen closed his eyes with a protesting voice in the back of his mind telling him to demand answers; yet, there was another voice…one telling him to do as the albino wished.
Taking in a steady breath, he nodded, letting his other half take control, auburn eyes opening and flickering to a deep caramel. Smiling, Shirosaki walked up to the door, pushing it open and tilting his head to the side.
Wonder where that pervert went…
"Ah! Mr. Kurosaki!!" a familiar cheery tone came, until the Hollow glared at the blond.
"Shirosaki!"
"Oh, yes, so sorry about that," The shopkeeper waved the fan in front of his face until he snapped it shut, bending his wrist and pointing towards the guestroom bed, where the albino's gigai was located. "There it is, just like I promised, though your skin tone was a little difficult to pull off."
Shirosaki slowly removed himself form Ichigo's body, gently settling it down on the floor while stroking the orange strands out of his face, ignoring the knowing look he was receiving from the exiled shinigami.
Bending his knees, Kisuke sat beside him, looking at the dark half. "You…love him, don't you?" he questioned, seeing the albino jump and look at him with wide golden-black eyes. "Ah…don't deny it, I know love when I see it, even if it's…odd, but love is –"
"Keep it up," the Hollow hissed, "and I'll tear you to shreds."
The man quickly raised his hands defensively, "Okay, okay…but, Mr. Shirosaki, I would hurry up and get into that gigai before Ichigo wakes up."
"Yeah…" he muttered, standing and walking into the room silently while Urahara glanced down on Ichigo's facial features, seeing that they were relaxed, right after the tingling touch the albino possessed.
Lifting the body up, Shirosaki sighed, slipping into it with halfway shut eyes.
Walking out a few minutes later, Shirosaki looked down on his attire, frowning at the bad taste. Black lacy gloves, a white tank-top that went down to his mid-thigh, and black leather pants with white strings holding them around his legs.
"You have no taste," he scowled, obviously displeased.
The green clad man waved his left hand, looking up at him with deep grey eyes, "I'll give you some spending money to buy more…tasteful clothes, and I am enrolling you into Karakura High."
The pale teen, since he was in gigai, blanched, "W-what?! That's Ichigo's school, are you insane?!"
"Of course it is, and what if I am?"
Shirosaki frowned, settling himself down on the wooden flooring, lifting his right hand, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Don't you get it? I want to protect Ichigo from them finding out he had me…so he wouldn't be tortured and…this just messes up my plan."
"You'll still be protecting him, Shiro,"
"What's with the nickname?" he hissed, looking up at him with narrowed golden orbs.
"Since you don't want anything to happen to Ichigo, that'll be your alias, like a secret spy!"
"I'll…" the white haired teen frowned, "take him home." The Hollow stepped over to the vibrant haired teen, carefully lifting him and stepping out the store, biting on his lower lip.
Kisuke sighed while shaking his head, "Deny it all you want, you love him…and you definitely don't want to be apart from him for too long. Ignorance is bliss nowadays…sheesh."
888
Ichigo's eyes fluttered open, blinking and questioning how he got home and was in his own bed. The aroma of grilled cheese lifted up to his room, causing a state of alarm. Leaping out of bed, with only his pants on, the tanned teen darted down the stairs, taking a sharp turn and stopping with wide eyes.
There was a boy he didn't know standing over the stove with a spatula, cooking…making one of his favorite foods.
"Uh…h-how did you get into my house?"
The white haired teen turned, golden eyes warm as a soft smile appeared on his face. "I saw you unconscious in the park and I asked some people where you lived and…well…here you are."
"That doesn't really explain how you –"
"You had the keys hanging out of your pocket,"
"Oh…" A small embarrassed blush spread on his face, "okay, now, who are you?"
"Shiro," the golden eyed teen grinned, turning and flicking the stove off, coiling his right hand's fingers around the handle to the pan and lifting it off the stove. "I'm kind of new around here, so…I don't really have a place to stay, but, this blond guy's offering to let me stay until I can get a place."
Ichigo's brown eyes widened, staring at the figure before him. Shiro didn't look exactly like him, but some of their features were the same.
"So, you'll be going to Karakura High, then?" the vibrant haired teen questioned, his brown eyes studying the pale form. Placing the food onto a plate, Shiro set the pan back on the stove and picked up the plate, swallowing nervously.
"Y-yeah…"
"Why so nervous?"
The pale teen turned, walking over to the eldest Kurosaki sibling, handing him the plate. "I'm not, I'm just…I got to get used to getting around in that place." he explained, taking a step back once Ichigo grabbed hold of the plate, accidentally brushing their fingers together. "I hope they aren't too bad, it's my first time making them actually."
Ichigo nodded, both walking over to the table and sitting down. Setting the carrier down, the brown eyed boy grabbed hold of a sandwich, lifting it to his lips and taking a bite.
"So, family out on vacation?"
Ichigo chewed for a while, staring at Shiro with a determined gaze, trying to figure out why this guy reminded him so much of Shirosaki. Swallowing, he nodded.
"Yeah, they won't be back for a while," he explained, eyelids falling so his eyes were halfway shut, "my father's a doctor, you see…and my sisters are his assistances. So, they left to get some training." He looked up to see those golden orbs widen and sparkle brightly. "Not that I care," The lightly tanned teen frowned, looking away, "I can handle myself."
"Oh," the pale teen complied, "I…see…"
Ichigo's auburn eyes trailed back to the boy, seeing that he was staring down on the table, eyes halfway open with hurt flashing through them. Well…I guess it's fair, he doesn't want seem crazy to a new person in town…so of course he wouldn't mention me…
"But…this grilled cheese is really good, for your first time, it isn't that bad." the vibrant haired teen muttered, obviously embarrassed with complimenting people, or not used to doing so. "So, this blond guy you're staying with…is he your uncle or something?"
Shiro swallowed roughly, poking his pink tongue out and tracing his dry lips, then looked up with an uncertain look, as though worried he'd give the wrong answer. "Family friend."
"Well," Ichigo took another bite out of the bread, leaning back in the chair, slinging his right arm behind it, "if he's a family friend, where's your parents?"
"I…" The heart within the, still, Hollow skipped a beat. That was a question he was hoping deep inside he would never need to answer, it actually hurt thinking about why he didn't have any and would have to explain. Another hole in the plot. "I…"
Shiro pushed the chair away from the table, standing abruptly and causing Ichigo's eyes to widen.
"Shiro?"
"I don't…" It really hurt to think about it.
He has none…maybe that's why he's upset? The eldest Kurosaki concluded, standing and walking over to the shivering form, lifting his left hand and placing it on the teen's shoulder, capturing his attention and having those golden eyes stare at him. Maybe they were killed…
"You don't need to answer," he reassured, "I understand."
The white haired figure looked away and onto the tiled ground, his hands clenching into fists while closing his eyes. That's how it was, silent, for the rest of the time they were together, until night came and Shiro said his piece in the goodbye, then left.
And what Ichigo didn't realize…was that he was then truly alone.
888
Urahara shifted on the wooden flooring, glancing up to see Shiro push the shop door open, walking through with narrowed eyes as the blond quirked a brow, knowing something happen and also knew that it was best to talk about it, rather than be upset.
"Did something happen, Shiro?" the blond questioned, worry being shown in his tone.
"Yes!" he snapped, turning to face the shopkeeper with narrowed eyes flickering with fury. "He fucking asked me where my parents were! I don't have any! How can someone expect me to answer that?! Say something like, 'Oh, I don't have any, since I'm Ichigo's inner Hollow,' I don't fuckin' think so!!" His clenched left fist swung out, slamming against the wall while clenching his teeth, barely registering the pain. "I don't want to see him again, I don't!"
Kisuke blinked a couple of times, then pushed himself up into a sitting position, brows furrowed, unpleased with Shiro's choice of words.
"Shirosaki, calm down, Ichigo was just trying to get to know you; everyone will ask the same questions."
The teen tisked, crossing his arms and looking away while biting his lower lip. "I'm…going to bed," he muttered, turning and heading towards the room that was originally the guest and was now his, shutting the door once he entered.
Urahara sighed, shaking his head, "What am I going to do about him?" Lifting his left hand, he grabbed hold of the green stripped hat, taking it off his sun kissed strands, his right hand's fingers running through his hair while he lowered his head. "Surely he'll get along with everyone else at Kurosaki's school."
Ururu stepped out of her room, her left hand clenched into a fist and rubbing her eye, looking absolutely adorable. "Mr. Kisuke…what's going on?" she questioned, her plaid pajamas slightly glowing in the light above, since the fabric was made from silk. "Who was that?"
"Ah, Ururu," he smiled, looking over at her, seeing that her cheeks were a painted a small amount of pink form exhaustion, "that was Shiro, he's going to be living with us from now on. And I'll make sure he acts like an older brother to both you and Jinta, okay?"
The dark haired girl walked over to him, sitting down beside him and tilting her head so she was facing him.
"Shiro?"
"Yep, well…I guess there's no use hiding it from you," The blond lifted his right hand and, once again, ran his fingers through his hair, sighing, "remember when Ichigo came to learn how to regain his Soul Reaper powers?"
"Yes,"
"Well, do you also remember that Hollow mask he had on his face after the Shattered Shaft?"
Ururu nodded.
"Shiro is his inner Hollow. Actually…his name's Shirosaki, but, he wanted to separate himself from Mr. Kurosaki, to protect him." His deep grey eyes traveled over to her, seeing that her eyes were slightly wide, acknowledging this shocking information. "And now, he's living with us, but Ichigo upset him…"
"How?"
"He asked where my family was," Shirosaki's voice hissed, both form's eyes veering over to the door, seeing that the Hollow was leaning against the frame, his eyes half-lidded, golden orbs showing his pain, "obviously…I don't have one…"
"You're wrong," the dark haired girl spoke, standing and walking over to him, grabbing hold of his hand, "you…have us." And gave him a reassuring squeeze, her eyes soft and boring into his soul. "Right, Mr. Kisuke?" She looked over at him with a soft smile.
Said man scratched the back of his head, a thoughtful look crossing his features, then a smile began to appear on his face.
"Yeah, she's right, Shirosaki,"
"What?!" he chocked, looking down on Ururu then back up to Urahara. "How…is she right?"
"Well, Jinta, Ururu, Tessai and I aren't really related by blood, we still live together as a family, and now…" He looked up at the teen with warm, welcoming, eyes, "you live with us. We're a make-shift family, or something close to that."
A family… The pale figure's eyes welled up with tears of joy, his heart fluttering from bliss as he looked down on the raven haired girl, lifting his left hand and placing it atop the top of her head, ruffling her hair a bit with a genuine smile. So…even Hollows can have a family, eh?
Ururu giggled, lifting her hands to playfully smack the Hollow's away while lifting her head to smile at him.
"Welcome home, Shiro," the fighter spoke shyly.
Golden orbs widened, and then lowered to being half-lidded, a warm smile playing across his lips while Urahara smiled, taking in the sweet scene. "Thank you," he whispered.
A/N: All right…I got a favor to ask the readers, could you help me find a beta reader to help me out? And could someone also explain what it is…I'm kinda slow /nervous laughter/ Thanks for reading!