Strawberry Protector

Chapter 3: Wounds of the Heart

For the next few days their routine was the same, Ichigo would try to go to school but end up by the river. Then he would spend some time walking along the river's edge, which would eventually lead to him insisting on training with Shiro for a few hours before heading home for the night. And through it all the hollow would rarely leave his side.

At that moment was one of those rare times and that was because Ichigo was having dinner with his family. During those times, Shiro would simply sit in the kid's room and wait for him to return. They did it this way because Shiro had informed the kid that he sensed that his sisters had spiritual energy, this of course led to an explanation about spiritual power. Neither of them wanted Ichigo's sisters to see him since they didn't know how the girls would react, that and Shiro suspected that the kid kind of liked the idea of secretly keeping a monster in his room.

Currently he was curled up on Ichigo's bed and listening in on the conversation taking place downstairs with his heightened hearing. Ichigo's father seemed to be trying to keep the chat lighthearted but as usual Shiro heard no response from the kid. All too soon he heard the telltale signs of dishes being returned to the kitchen, indicating the inevitable return of the orange haired boy.

As if on cue the door opened at that moment as Ichigo quickly entered and shut the door with a heavy sigh. Without a word to his hollow roommate, the young boy walked over and plopped down on his bed. He had been a bit more depressed today then he had been on the previous and that was due to one big fact, tomorrow was his mother's funeral.

"Yer father sounded cheery as usual." The hollow commented in an attempt to break the silence. Unfortunately the only response he received was a muffled groan from the child.

Shiro let out a soft sigh as he glanced away from the boy. "Ya know I can't go with ya tomorrow, right?" He stated abruptly, although he never returned his gaze to the other. This was a topic he had been avoiding up to this point, in fact he hadn't spoken anything regards to the deceased mother since their initial meeting.

"Why not?!" Ichigo snapped abruptly as he shot up into a sitting position.

The hollow clicked his tongue in slight annoyance as his tail flicked slightly, as if to visibly show his mild irritation. "Ya know the answer ta that... Unless ya want yer sisters ta see me." The kid lowered his head slightly, a sad expression on his face.

Signing slightly, Shiro lifted a clawed hand to scratch his head slightly. "Although... I GUESS I could stay nearby and just outta sight... Would that be enough?" The hollow grunted slightly as he was abruptly hugged by the orange haired boy, answering the question with that simple gesture.

"Okay! Okay! I'll stay nearby... Geez ya can be so clingy sometimes." Shiro teased the kid lightly, a slight smirk on his hidden face.

"Am not..." The child snapped slightly as he abruptly pulled away now trying to seem more mature than he really was. Although truthfully he was failing miserably with that pouty face that he was making.

With an amused chuckle, the hollow finally withdrew himself from the bed to settled down upon the pile of blankets, sheets, and pillows that Ichigo had arranged as a makeshift sleeping place for him. "Whatever ya say kid..." There was still an ever so slight teasing tone to his voice but Shiro wasn't planning on teasing the child further.

Silence descended upon the room after that, not an uncomfortable one by any means. "Shiro?" And of course it would only last for so long due to the curious nature that was a common factor in most children.

Humming in response to hearing his name, Shiro turned his focus to the orange haired form that was still lying on the bed. "What did you do before you met me?" It had been a while since the last time that Ichigo had asked such a personal question like that.

And for a moment the hollow debated on what to say, his gaze shifting to the ground as his tail twitched a bit more than usual. "Nothin' special really… Mostly wandered… Observed others… Avoided others." There was more he could've said, so much more and yet he didn't. Did he want to spare the boy the heartache that was his entire existence? Or was it because he felt the child wouldn't understand that he was nothing more than a failed experiment made by madman? What Ichigo think any less of of the hollow if he knew and understood the truth? Shiro didn't want to find out even if he didn't fully understand the reason why he hid it. Perhaps when the kid was older he would share that that hellhole portion of his life but for now the child would have to settle for vague answers.

"Why?" And of course the orange haired kid was only going to continue to question things he didn't want to give an explanation.

Taking another moment to consider his words, Shiro finally settled on a half-truth that he felt he could share. "I'm different from other hollows and because of that interactin' with others of my 'kind' would be dangerous for me. So I'd stay away as much as possible and watch from afar." He explained while glancing in the direction of the bed, although there was no way to see Ichigo's reaction to his words from this angle. "I mean, would ya wanna interact with bullies that ya saw nearby?"

Scrunching his nose at the thought, the child shook his head to the question asked of him. "No I wouldn't... I understand. But..." Here he set up to gaze down at his monstrous friend with a slightly confused scowl. "But you seem so strong so I don't get why it would be dangerous for you."

Clicking his tongue slightly the hollow tilted his head as he gazed up at the boy from his makeshift bed on the floor. "Looks can be deceivin', always remember that Ichigo. Example, I look like some sorta monster and yet here we are havin' a nice little chat. Where I come from, there are primarily hollows and a lot of 'em. They come in all shapes and sizes and I am nowhere near one of the strongest. Although I can grow stronger, like all thin's it takes time. Anyone can grow so long as they push 'emselves." He had said the last two lines as an afterthought when he saw the frown on the human child deepen and was satisfied when he received a nod of understanding. He didn't want to lessen the boy's opinion of him but he wanted Ichigo have a more realistic view on things.

After that silence fell between the two of them and eventually the orange haired boy settled for watching TV to pass the time until he had to go to bed. And the hollow knew he would need his sleep due to the emotional roller coaster ride that he was about to endure.

And what an emotional little coaster it was, the boy's father was unusually quiet and solemn the entire time. Even still, he kept his arms firmly wrapped around his two daughters who both couldn't seem to stop crying. Although strangely enough little Ichigo was more collected than Shiro thought he would be, the kid was still crying but it was more silent tears. Perhaps he was trying to be strong for his sisters? He wasn't entirely sure as he watched from his hiding spot.

Every now and again Shiro would spot that bright orange head of his turning this way and that and he knew the child was looking for him. So during those moments he would position himself in a spot where Ichigo could see him but with a hiding spot nearby so he could disappear quick enough. It was weird for him to bring such comfort to this child in such a manner and yet it was satisfying to him. Satisfying to be wanted, satisfying to be needed.

The funeral eventually ended without incident and the family went to go home, however Ichigo was quick to detach himself from them with some excuse or other. Shiro was too far away to hear all of what was said but it didn't matter as he continued to shadow the orange haired boy.

Eventually the child came to a stop along the river where that 'incident' had occurred. There he sat down, pulled his legs up to his chest, and wrapped his arms around him; his head resting on his means. Without a sound or word, Shiro sat himself down with his back facing Ichigo and yet slightly pressed against him. This was his way to try and give the boy silent support since he didn't know what else to do. Immediately he felt Ichigo lean back against him a bit more but otherwise continued to remain silent. And the lizardlike hollow was more than willing to give the boy all the time he needed.

They remained like that for a long time before Shiro finally realized that the sun was starting to set because of the red hues that painted their surroundings. Yet still Ichigo continued with his silent grieving and he was still unwilling urge the boy to return home. It was in that's still moment when the hollow heard it, the sound of running footsteps and someone calling the name of the boy who sat behind him.

Gaze snapping up and to the side, he quickly spotted Ichigo's family hurrying his way. So with a sudden burst of speed, he dashed away from the orange haired child for the safety of cover nearby.

Thankfully Ichigo had also heard the call and set up a little straighter so he didn't end up falling backwards at the sudden absence of his friend. Blinking slightly in confusion he glanced back in time to see his two sisters running up to him, their father casually walking behind the girls. And Shiro watched as he gave them an awkward smile and a wave. Shortly after that it was obvious they were holding some sort of conversation, one that was long overdue for looks of it.

Eventually the family seemed to come to some form of understanding and began to make their way home, the hollow still in tow. When they arrived at the house, Shiro entered through the window that had been left open for him and curled up on his bed as he listened to the activity of the house. Surprising enough, Ichigo spent the rest of the evening with his family until it was time for bed. And he was glad to see that the kid seemed to be in higher spirits, although he couldn't help but wonder if this would change the relationship between them.

And that's it for this chapter, I would've made it longer but this felt like an appropriate stopping point. Especially considering how long it's been since the last time I wrote fanfic. Life, writer's block, a lack of inspiration to write and hate mail caused me to put all my stories on hiatus for five years. Then there was a time I lost all inspiration for Bleach stories in general but it is what it is. And now I have a bit of my inspiration back so I'm going to try and continue with one of my shorter stories, as well as one that I have a better idea of where I'm going with it. Although I do know where I'm going with He Followed Me Home, Can I Keep Him? but the entire story needs a rewrite in my personal opinion and I just don't have the energy for it at this time... Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter and I'll see what I can do about getting another one up in the near future but I make no promises. Until next time. R&R.