Chapter 3
Disclaimer: I don't own bleach.
Author Note: Did you see the last chapter of Bleach yet. Kinda disappointed but what could Kubo do with SJ on his $$. Rukia and Renji are cannon I love those two and so is Ichigo and Orihime but no surprise there really easy to see it end that way. Still does anyone have a good nickname for Toushiro.
Next Day
Both Ichigo and Toushiro listen to the crazy story the memory replacer gave Orihime. Toushiro look sideways seeing the look Ichigo had on his face. "What is it?"
"I don't have the resolve to do this yet. I'm not such a fine human being that I can promise to risk my life for a stranger. However, I'm not a total slime who'd watch someone get hurt before my eyes." Ichigo said to Toushiro. He reaches out his hand. "Thanks, I'm counting on you." They look at each other's eyes showing promise not to fail the other.
"Oh and Ichigo."
"Yeah."
"We're training after school."
"What? Why?"
"Ichigo you need training. Swing your zanpakuto around like that would get yourself killed one day." Ichigo sigh knowing Toushiro was right. He's putting himself in danger and if when others are around they could get killed as well. Orihime and Tatsuki both could have died last night. Ichigo look at the white hair boy next him. Toushiro who was with him since the night he came a Shinigami. Toushiro was in the most danger of being hurt and he didn't want him to be in danger in anyway.
After school Toushiro grab Ichigo hand and drag him to a river bank. Lucky for them not many people take the path by the river. Toushiro pass Ichigo a wooden sword. Ichigo look at him a little confuse on where Toushiro got the wood swords but decided not to question it. "Now get into stance like these." Toushiro said as he got into a fighting stance. Ichigo copy the stance but his footing and way he held the sword was all wrong. Toushiro correct him.
"Okay, I'm going to attack and I want you defend against my attack."
"Got it. Give it everything you got." Ichigo said. Toushiro rush forward bring his wood sword down and Ichigo eyes widen on how fast Toushiro was and quickly blocking, but the force was too much. Ichigo drop the sword and stumble back. "Your stance was off again." Toushiro said. "Let's go again." Ichigo said determine picking up the practice sword. They continue to practice for another few hours lucky for them there wasn't a hollow that show up. Ichigo brought his sword down and Toushiro block it.
They didn't see that Toushiro was near the hill and when Toushiro move his foot back to get in a more stable stance. He lost his footing and tumble backward with a shout of surprise and Ichigo who was putting most of his weight on Toushiro tumble forward as well.
They roll down the hill when they came to a stop Ichigo back on the ground and half of Toushiro body was on Ichigo. Their legs were tangle together and Toushiro face was buried into Ichigo chest. Toushiro groan and got up. He ends up on his hands and knees. Looking down he saw Ichigo face and both of them blush realizing the position they were in. "Ahh…"
"I-I…" Toushiro started. They stop talking and look away for each other and Toushiro slowly got off Ichigo and sat next to him. Ichigo slowly sat up, they both were to embarrass to look at each other. Before either of them could say anything Toushiro phone started beeping. "Let's go."
"Right."
Next day
Ichigo and Toushiro were on the roof having lunch. "Geez…I can't believe my injuries healed in a day." Ichigo said after getting hurt with a hollow last night because he was a little distracted by the white hair boy. "Surprise? I was the best in my Kido class. That was easy." Toushiro simply said. Ichigo look in surprise at him. "Kido class? So what? Shinigami go to school."
"Huh? Well yes how else you think I learned what I know…But Ichigo…How you drink this?" Toushiro ask holding a juice box. "Huh? You just poke a straw in it and drink." He explains to him. "Straw?" Toushiro question before Ichigo answer a voice question them. "Hey, you're together again."
"Huh?"
"You two are pretty close, right?" Mizuiro said.
"Mizuiro…Fool! Do we look like friends?" Ichigo said
"Am I wrong? Oh well, if you say so. I mean you guys are like glue to the hip. Others may think otherwise." Mizuiro said. Toushiro wasn't even paying attention he was trying to figure the juice out. 'Come on you're a genius for a reason!' he thought as he glared at the box cutely. Ichigo put the straw in his juice box then replying to his friend. "Stupid, if I cared about what people thought, I'd have dyed my hair black."
"That's true." He answers him. Toushiro watch Ichigo and try to imitate him, taking pity on the confuse boy Ichigo took the drink and poke a hole in it and give it back. "Thank you…Ichigo."
"Yeah, your welcome Shiro." Ichigo said. "Hello Ichimaru!" Mizuiro interrupted before Toushiro said anything to Ichigo. "Huh? Hello! Err…Kojima." Toushiro shyly said. Ichigo rolled his eyes at him. "Right! I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Mizuiro Kojima, age 15. I like- "
"Picking up girls." Ichigo interrupted. "Huh? No way! That's mean!" he wain out. "He looks like a dork, but he's a real flirt. Be glad you're a boy or he try something on you." Ichigo calmly said. Toushiro sip on his drink watching Mizuiro defend himself. Then Keigo show up, wondering why Toushiro was there. Mizuiro tease of luring him here. Keigo whisper good job to Ichigo. Toushiro was the shy, innocent, and beautiful new transfer student he was proud of his friend. Ichigo even know as a bi person didn't show interest in anyone before.
Keigo went up to Toushiro. "I'm so glad you've come, Captain! To this garden of masculinity!" Ichigo narrow his eyes, getting up he went over to them and hit Keigo upside his head. Toushiro sweat drop. "Hey leave Shiro alone, you idiot."
"You don't have to be jealous."
"I'm not jealous."
"Sure you're not." They sat down to eat when Chad show up with badges and a bird. Chad explain the bird was a gift and how he got hurt. Both Toushiro and Ichigo both felt a soul in the bird. Toushiro said they do a Konso later which Ichigo agree to. Toushiro watch Ichigo start to understand what it truly means to be a Shinigami. Ichigo started to explain to him where and how he met Chad. How they became friends in the first place. Later, Ichigo came home to see his sisters running around and his dad yelling at the phone.
"Anything I can do to help?" Ichigo offer. "No! Get back in some corner and stay outta the way!" Isshin reply irritated. Ichigo sat down waiting in the hallway. He heard his family talking about another patient. Isshin called Ichigo over for help. He was surprise to see Chad. Karin stare at the bird seeing it's memorize. When they sat Chad down and got his shirt off. A Hollow print was on Chad back. Ichigo felt the evil on it and went to his room to see Toushiro sitting on his bed. Toushiro felt it as well but still didn't sense anything from the parakeet Yuichi.
But Chad's injury was from a Hollow, there was no doubt. During the night Chad left while Karin had trouble sleeping thinking of the memorize she saw. In the morning Ichigo went down to breakfast and notice Karin wasn't down yet. Yuzu mention her not feeling well then Isshin came busting in stating Chad was gone. Ichigo went to the school to see he was there and Toushiro search the nearby area. They meet up not finding any sign of the boy and his bird. Toushiro mention no word on the Hollow seeing it most likely in the in between space.
"A Hollow is targeting Chad. It'll be too late if we wait until he's attacked! There has to be something!" Ichigo said then the parakeet came in mind. He asks if it was possible to track it but Toushiro shook his head. Ichigo close his eyes concentrating. Toushiro eyes widen knowing what Ichigo was doing. 'With my weaken state even I cannot sense the weak spirit unless it's right in front of me! To track it with it mix spirit of the bird. It would be unclear.' Then spirit ribbons appear and Ichigo grab one.
"Found him!" he yelled taking off running. 'That was reiraku but only high-level Shinigami could do that. Ichigo you continue to amaze me.' Toushiro thought with a small smile running after him. After some running they found Chad that came around the corner but continue to run off. They were going to continue to follow but Karin showed up, Ichigo rush to her side. "Ichigo." Toushiro called out not look at him. "You should take her home. I will follow Chad."
"But wait…"
"Don't argue! It be a problem for us if she were left here. Since that would distract your mind during the fight!" he said. Ichigo worriedly said. "Shiro. Your powers haven't return still. Don't do anything rash."
"Don't worry I won't. Plus, you have to come save me if something happens. Wouldn't you?"
"Yeah…I come running." They smile at each other taking off in separate direction. Ichigo carried Karin bridal style home. She explains to her brother what she saw and beg her brother to save the boy. Ichigo realize it was first time Karin cried since their mother died. Toushiro on the other hand was having trouble keeping up with Chad.
'Stupid Gigai why does it have the physical capability equal to a normal human. Great now I'm running out of breath…. why are my legs so short?' a voice next to Toushiro ear caused him to stop running. "You smell nice. You've got a very tasty scent. Let me eat that soul of yours!" Toushiro turn to see a moth/bat like Hollow. He quickly moves to dodge its attack. He quickly kicks the Hollow face and expertly move so he was on its head. "The one who reigns! Mask of flesh all creation, flap of wings the one who carries the title of human! In the name of truth and temperance, dig your claws into the wall of sinless dreams! Hado #33 Sokatsui!" Toushiro fire but he knew it would do much but hoping to blind the Hollow. Toushiro land thinking of a plan but as the smoke cleared the Hollow wasn't affective by the attack calling it weak. The moth/bat like Hollow said he knew that spell was a Shinigami spell and Toushiro must be a Shinigami.
'Damn it. Haven't recovered as much as I thought.' He thought. With Ichigo, he ran outside after tuck Karin in bed and look for the others. Toushiro continue to dodge but the Hollow got lucky and gab him slamming him against the wall. The Hollow taunt Toushiro ask if he really was a Shinigami as he squeeze his hand. Toushiro groan in pain, he could not breathe till Chad out of no were punch the Hollow. Both Toushiro and the Hollow were surprise thinking Chad can see the Hollow, but that idea quickly left their heads seeing Chad punching the air. He was able to punch the hollow again sending it flying. The moth/bat like Hollow spread his wings and took to the air.
Toushiro yelled at Chad stating it's in the air. Chad was surprise that the transfer student can see it but he moved and pick up a telephone pole. Chad ask Toushiro where to aim and he told him where. Chad knock the hollow down breaking the pole. As the Hollow got up and aim at both Chad and Toushiro knocking them down by mushroom frogs. Toushiro eyes widen seeing Chad get up and knock off the frogs. Toushiro yelled at him to kick above him which he did. The hollow once again flew in the air and Toushiro told Chad he had idea. "I think this a bad idea." Chad said.
"I know but do you any other idea to get it down. Just catch me after I'm knock down."
"I still think it's a bad idea." Toushiro knew he was right but it was the only way to get him down. A pole would not reach him. Toushiro directed Chad where to throw him. Chad launch him as he grew closer the hollow had its frog shot something at him knocking him down. Lucky Chad caught him before he hit the ground. Toushiro saw leaches on his arms, legs, chest, and felt one on his head. He pulled at the one on his head but it would not come off. The Hollow land near them saying those were not ordinary leaches, he opens his mouth and his tongue sent out an echo location. The leaches exploded making poor white hair boy fall and stain with blood.
Chad rush to his side upon seeing the boy white hair turn red he worry even farther wondering what happen. Chad stood up ready to fight and Toushiro slowly move up. Upon the move of the Hollow reveling it had Yuichi the bird. The Hollow ask Toushiro to play a game with him. Toushiro for the safety of Chad and Yuichi agree and took off running with the hollow given the chase. He was able to dodge some of the leeches but some still got on him and exploded causing more blood loss. Toushiro continue to run sensing Ichigo nearby. The hollow grab the captain squeezing him again as Toushiro didn't fight back. "Huh? What? You're giving up? How boring. It's a rare opportunity to chase around a Shinigami."
Toushiro give a sharp reply. "I'm not giving up. There is no need to struggle anymore. My knight in shining armor is here." Before the hollow could question him Toushiro slam his foot into the Hollows face. Another weight hit his head making him drop his captive. Ichigo jump off and caught Toushiro bridal style. As the hollow recover the boys talk. "Didn't you say you be careful not to worry me?!" Ichigo said looking down at the boy still in his arm. "I also mention you come save me." Toushiro retorted. The hollow interrupted them. "Would you two quit flirting." He yelled attacking them. "We're not fliting!" Both boys yelled as Ichigo jump to dodge and Toushiro put the glove on after being set down. "Who are you?"
"Ichigo Kurosaki, age 15! A substitute Shinigami. I don't appreciate you hurting Shiro like that now I will kill you."
"Kill me you say." The hollow attack again but Toushiro was able to knock Ichigo out of his body in time. Ichigo slash the hollow arm and landing in front of Toushiro who was holding Ichigo body. Toushiro warn Ichigo of the frogs and what they can do. Ichigo and the hollow fought as Toushiro put Ichigo body against the wall and watch them fight. Chad show up wondering why Ichigo wasn't moving but Toushiro told him he was find. Chad set Yuichi down as Toushiro question him. Yuichi started to explain the hollow promise to bring his mom back if he out run him for three months.
During the fight with the hollow he explains to Ichigo that he was a famous killer and the kid was able to kill him. He tricked the boy to play the game and he bring his mom back. Ichigo got mad at him for doing something like that. The Hollow throw one of his frogs which Ichigo caught and then broke a hole in the hollow mask with the frog now in the Hollow month and the hollow wouldn't dare set it off. Ichigo grab its tongue ripping it off then brought his zanpakuto down killing the Hollow. Something different happen, two doors showed up with the upper half of a skeleton body. Toushiro walk up and explain what it is. They watch the hollow get drag to hell. They boys went back to Chad and Yuichi to see if Toushiro can help the boy.
"How is it?" Ichigo softly ask Toushiro who shook his head. "It's a shame but the Chain of Fate was already disconnected. No traces are left, too much time has passed. It's impossible to return to your body anymore."
"No way." Yuichi sadly said. Toushiro explain how great the Soul Society is but he didn't believe himself. Every time he says the Soul Society is great he feels like his lying to people. Ichigo interrupted Toushiro thoughts. "At least if you go to the other world, you can see your mom. It's not possible for her to return to life here but…If you were to go over there…This time your mom really will be waiting for you!" Yuichi look happy at that and thank Chad. Chad said it was nothing and ask when it's his time he can carry him around again. Ichigo perform a Konso and the boys left home.
Toushiro stare at the closet ceiling thinking about the hollow said. 'Was I really flirting with Ichigo. Ever since I met him I haven't been acting the same. It's almost like Kusaka all over again. I don't want to be betrayed again. I don't want to be hurt again.' Toushiro continue to stare blankly at the ceiling.
"I'll never let love in…again." touching the scar that just refuse to fade from memory like the burden he carries.