AN: here we go again! :D a new chapter. :) ...

okay, for the flashbacks, this is neccessary. really! Otherwise it'd be hard to understand Ichigo & his little change in personality..

I'm sure about what happened in the past in this story, but i've got not quite the right idea to actually go on, more some rough things. any suggestions?

Chapter 2: Aibou

There were Zangetsu, his Zanpakuto spirit, and of course his Hollow, Shiro. They looked worried. But there was someone else… a little girl. She was hiding behind his Hollows, and Zangetsu's leg, barely peeking her little eyes to the side, so she could take a look at him. Ichigo was confused. Since when was this girl here? How is it even possible to have 3 spirits inside his soul? He looked back at the two already familiar spirits. Those two were the two beings which were closest to Ichigo. They were friends, partners he didn't ever want to lose in any way. At first it seemed impossible for Ichigo to even accept his inner Hollow, but now… he even had a name. Shiro.

A smile became visible on Ichigos face, as he remembered the day, when he gave his Hollow a name.

Flashback

Ichigo just fell unconscious, after Aizen slashed him across his face, causing a nasty head wound. He felt tired, and worn out, so tired, that he almost welcomed the darkness of unconsciousness, and the ever present numbing of his pain.

Suddenly the black swirled into a pool of a deep, rich blue, and Ichigo felt himself being sucked into the void, which brought him into his mindscape. A sigh escaped his lips. He didn't want to cope with his spirits right now. Zangetsu kept too quiet these days of wars, he barely said anything to him, it seemed that he didn't care anymore. Shiro instead was the exact opposite. He was now ever present in his mind, taunting him, commenting everything in his life, distracting him from his fights and trying to take over his body.

Ichigo opened his eyes, more his one eye, since he was unable to open the other, after Aizen slashed across his face. The sky was blue, a calming color, and the clouds looked all the same. He knew that he was laying on one of the sideway skyscrapers, in a puddle of his own blood. He didn't feel any pain, but his vision blurred as the time went on. Nobody was in sight, and Ichigo wondered who brought him here, and why. He suddenly heard quiet footsteps, and two white feet appeared in his vision. Of course, it was his Hollow, finally killing him in his weak state.

"I knew you'd come. Do it, Hollow. You're not getting a better chance than this…" Ichigo managed to say aloud, without coughing.

Against all odds, his Hollow sat down on the floor next to Ichigo. The look on his face was different. He didn't look like his crazy, bloodthirsty Hollow. This look could be more described as… worry. Why was he worried? Shouldn't he be happy?

"Tch, King. How long will ya continue to live like this, huh?", his Hollow said, while he pulled Zangetsu from his back, and started to unwrap the sword.

"A-Aren't you going to kill me, or something like that?" Ichigo asked his counterpart.

His Hollow took some of the bandages which were wrapped around the sword and started to clean Ichigos wounds. Ichigo was so surprised by this, that he didn't even start to complain about that, he just continued to watch his Hollow.

"You'd really think that I'll kill you for good?" , his Hollow chuckled "I ain't silly. If I'd kill ya, I'd die, too. Did ya forget that we're one soul after all? I never meant to kill you…"

"Wh-What about taking over my body? Beating me into a bloody pulp? You just want to hurt me, you're a Hollow, a Monster. You don't feel and you're not able to understand such emotions as caring for someone! You.." Ichigo interrupted himself, as he saw the pained look on his Hollow's face.

"You don't know anything 'bout me, King." The Hollow hesitated before he decided to finally tell his King the truth behind his actions. " All those times we fought… I did this in order 'ta make ya stronger, for yer upcomin' battles. I tried to push ya to yer limits, so ya could get stronger 'n stronger. After all I do have the same motives as Zangetsu does… I just want to protect ya."

Ichigo looked at his Hollow, who had an honest look on his face, almost like he really felt regret for what he did. Before Ichigo could say anything, his Hollow went on.

"King, I'm sorry for what I did, I really am. But I had 'ta. Only under these circumstances ya were able ta reach yer full potential. Yer strong enough now for my powers, my real powers… I'll offer yer ta work as partners, doesn't that sound good t'ya, Aibou? "

Ichigo again was stunned at this. It was hard to believe what his Hollow just mentioned, but in fact he'd really welcome it, if he weren't at war with himself anymore. He had enough enemies to deal with, therefore Ichigo decided to trust his Hollow for once.

"I'd like that, Hollow. I'd like to learn how to use your powers" he said with a warm smile on his bloody face.

Fumbling with the fabric of his clothes the Hollow said one thing Ichigo never expected him to say ever.

"U-Uhm. O-One thing, King. C-Could ya stop callin' me 'Hollow'? I-I'd like ta have a name…"

Ichigo smiled at his white copy, and slowly sat up.

"Alright, Shiro. Tell me what you got"

End Flashback

Ichigo had to resist the urge to touch the right side of his face, where he knew a light pink scar was decorating his skin. It'll always remind him of this day, where he got his new partner. Since then he had full control of his Hollow powers, high speed regeneration, Cero, Soinido & Bala, just to name a few. Believe it or not, he was quite fond of them.

Ichigo looked up and took in the appearance of the new spirit residing in his mindscape.

A little girl. She was short, barely reaching his waist, maybe even shorter. She wore a light blue kimono, decorated with white flowers. On her feet were no shoes. Her skin was pale and seemed to glow from the inside. Her lavender hair was pulled up in a messy bun on top of her head, with a few strands hanging in front of her face. Curious green eyes stared up at Ichigo, as she continued to hide from him.

Forgotten about his grumpy mood he had, just a few minutes ago, he got on his knees, in order to go down to her level.

"My name is Ichigo. Tell me, little one. Who are you, and what are you doing here in my soul?" he asked her.

Curiosity seemed to get the better of her, as she took a step towards Ichigo and left her 'hiding place'. All of sudden she started to giggle and jumped onto Ichigo's back. Ichigo was taken aback, but let her be. Turning to Shiro & Zangetsu he asked again, "Can you tell me who she is?"

"It appears that, this" Zangetsu looked at the little girl climbing on his wielders back " is the spirit of the Hogyoku, you have in possession for quite some time now."

"But I never used it? There wasn't any spirit here until now. Guys, there is something you're not telling… spill it!" Ichigo was a little mad at this whole situation, because he was clueless at everything, and he hated that.

Shiro looked Ichigo in the eyes and said "We'd love ta tell ya, but that ya have to figure out yerself. Not gonna spill."

"Ichigo, what is the last thing you remember after you woke up in the basement?" Zangetsu asked.

Ichigo tried to focus, but he couldn't remember clearly what happened, he could tell that he'd been fighting, at least he knew that someone was with him, but every time he thought about it, he forgot.

He remembered a hat, that's when really everything rushed back to Ichigo, for the second time this day he felt overwhelmed with impressions…

…that's when he started to scream.

Thanks for the nice reviews! :)