Strawberry Protector

Chapter 9: Time Waits for No One

After learning about his monstrous friend's unique ability, Ichigo ended up insisting upon bringing the other with him to places that the hollow would normally not go. Of course this was done with Shiro riding along within Ichigo's soul, not that he minded spending more time with his charge. But despite the new level of closeness that the unusual friends had gained, a different dilemma appeared. They hadn't seen Uryu for a number of weeks now and that was unusual for the dark-haired boy that would always appear on time.

After a month and a half without a sign of their human friend, the orange haired boy asked Shiro to look for the little archer. Agreeing without hesitation, the lizardlike hollow spent a number of days searching for glasses but what he uncovered was anything but pleasant. Uryu was grieving the loss of his grandfather. So he chose to watch from afar for a bit but when the dark-haired boy seemed to finally notice him, the child's distant gaze turned into a glare. This immediately brought a thought to Shiro that maybe hollows killed the man. That would mean the last thing the boy would want is to see him. So without ever approaching Uryu, Shiro left and simply told his charge that the little archer was going through a tough time right now and they should leave him alone. While Ichigo was sad, he didn't question further. Neither knew they wouldn't see the dark-haired child until a great number of years later...

Not too long after that, another incident happened that was a bit too close to personal experience for his liking. A young redheaded girl appeared outside their family clinic one day, her bloodied brother in her grip. Ichigo was quick to call for his father but after a quick exam, Isshin at the young man transported to the hospital. Although the orange haired child was never told what happened to the pair, his father's expression when he had asked was all the answer he needed.

But despite all of these tragedies time continued to move forward and before the pair knew it three years had passed since their initial meeting. Ichigo was now twelve years old and quite the little fighter, seen as a young punk by his teachers and fellow students. The kid had one more year until he was considered a teenager since his birthday had just recently passed. But he certainly acted like one, walking around with a permanent scowl on his face and the attitude to match. Neither of these bothered his hollow companion who believed that this showed that his charge had toughened up quite a bit and that was a good thing in his opinion.

Currently the pair were making their way home when the orange haired boy was jumped by a group of local punks looking for a fight. Words were exchanged briefly before fists began to be exchanged. The end result was the same as always, Ichigo being a little bruised and battered while his opponents were knocked out cold.

And Shiro didn't interfere even once, he hadn't had a need to in at least over a year. It had also been that long since the pair had trained due to the fact that the hollow didn't know what else to teach the kid. That and the fact that the constant fights against bullies and punks helped to keep his skills sharp.

"Pathetic opponents as per usual." Commented the lizardlike hollow with a chuckle from where he stood upon a nearby wall. "Always think that they're big shit until ya knock their teeth in."

"Ah." Came the sound of agreement from the orange haired boy as he stuck his hands in his pockets and continued walking. His monstrous companion followed along without further comment. However when they were a few blocks away from the house, Ichigo paused and began to speak the hollow without turning to face him. "I think it's time we stop this Shiro."

"Stop what?" Came the confused inquiry with a slightly tilted head as the hollow paused on the wall beside him.

The orange head of hair lowered slightly as he let out a heavy sigh, one hand lifting to rub the back of his neck briefly. "I been trying to figure out how to go about this so maybe it's best to be blunt. I don't need an imaginary friend anymore, I can take care of myself."

This brought the hollow up short as he stared at Ichigo in surprise and confusion. "Imaginary...? Ya can't really think that I'm...? I'm not just a... I mean no hollows have shown up but..." Shiro found he was unable to finish a sentence as his earlier feelings began to fade away to a dull ache in his chest.

Finally Ichigo looked up at him with a serious yet solemn expression and spoke words that hurt worse than any wound could. "You helped me out a lot in the past but it's time I grew up. I don't need you anymore Shiro but thank you for all that you've done." Without another word he turned away from the one he had viewed as his white guardian and friend, conjured up by the mind of a depressed child who had lost a vital part of his life and was simply trying to fill the gap.

Shiro stared with wide eyes at the retreating form, his gaze firmly set upon the orange head of hair. Then he shook his head and bristled up slightly in anger, his tail lashed back and forth aggressively. "Ya're bein' stupid!" He called after Ichigo, who didn't even show any reaction to the yell. At this the hollow seemed to deflate some as he glanced away from the only one that meant anything to him. "But if that's what ya want... Who am I ta say no..." He said in a low voice before turning his gaze in the direction of the house. "But that doesn't mean I won't at least stay by yer side and hope ya stop bein' an idiot."

With that the hollow followed after and watched from the shadows like he used to do when around other hollows in the past. However when night fell and the orange haired boy had fallen asleep, Shiro snuck in his room through the window. There he sat on the windowsill and watched the sleeping form of his charge for a long moment. Eventually he let out a soft sad sigh then used his hollow ability and entered the other's soul. Here is where he would stay and continue to watch over Ichigo even if the other never knew it. He could only hope that Ichigo would stop being an idiot but for now Shiro would remain hidden within the depths of the boy's very being.

And time continued to march forward but instead of interacting and living beside his charge, the lizardlike hollow watched from the sideline. He never even spoke with Ichigo through all that time and the young boy grew into a teenager.

Shortly after his 'disappearance' Isshin began to surprise attack the boy in the morning or when he came home for the day. And Ichigo continued to fight the punks and bullies that would pop up, even the occasional small gangs that came due to his growing reputation. And as his charge grew he gained other friends, such as a tall dark skinned individual who was rather quiet.

In what felt like no time at all to the lizardlike hollow, Ichigo had turned fifteen. This marked that three years have passed since he had gone into hiding and not once did the teenager ever think about him. And Shiro couldn't help but wonder if his charge had forgotten about him in general. These sort of thoughts always depressed him but were the only things he could think of in the solitude that he now lived in. But there was still always the hope that maybe one day the orange haired teen would call upon him in a time of need, and that kept the hollow going.

Little did Shiro know that soon a series of events would take place that would change his and Ichigo's lives, not to mention their relationship, forever...

And that's another chapter done, this one turned out shorter than I expected and I could've made it longer but that didn't feel right. And as you can see this chapter has a sadder tone to it. But we will definitely be getting to the beginning of the series now and it will mainly be from Shiro's perspective for a time. That's all for now, until next time R&R.