Chapter 9

Disclaimer: I don't own bleach.

Author Note: Sorry it took so long. I want to thank all the people for the support. I really mean it truly. Thank you again.

Toushiro groan in pain. He hated the feeling of being so useless and weak. He looks up from where he was seating in his Gigai, the menos was coming out. He had to do something it was his duty to protect the living and take the menos out. He winces as he sat up and move to stand.

Both Ichigo and Uryuu watch in shock as the menos consumed another hollow. "What? It's eating…it's fellow hollows!" Uryuu exclaim. Ichigo chuckle quietly to himself. Uryuu turn towards Ichigo. "What's so funny Kurosaki?"

"There's no way we can figure out how to fight this sort of monster."

'What?' Ichigo raise his sword up and yelled. "WE'LL CUT AND CUT AND CUT WITH ALL ARE MIGHT TO TAKE HIM DOWN! THERE'S NO OTHER WAY! LET'S GO ISHIDA!" He screams as he ran ahead.

"WAIT KUROSAKI!" Uryuu yelled chasing after the Ichigo. Toushiro move towards the sound of Ichigo voice. "Ichigo…wait…it's to…dangerous." Toushiro panted out. "And what can you do about it? Hmm…Little Captain?" Urahara said approaching behind. Toushiro glared at him.

"Seeing how you're not helping, someone needs to kill this monster."

"You're in no condition to do anything. Now sit and watch." Urahara said pushing down Toushiro to his knees. Toushiro tried to get up but used up a lot of his reminding energy already. The small captain had no choice but to watch Ichigo and Uryuu fight.

Ichigo ran straight to the hollow leg and attack but with little damage done. The Hollow kick him away. Uryuu grasp Ichigo shoulder to check on him. His bow grow bigger as soon as he touches Ichigo shoulder. 'Hun…my bow...How? Wait a minute. Uryuu lift his hand and saw that the bow shrink again. "Kurosaki, I have an idea." Uryuu said.

"Now we're ready to fight that thing." Uryuu said. He was on his knees with Ichigo sword tied to his head. "You're not serious; this won't work." Ichigo said. "Quiet. Just do what I say."

"Man you sound like Shiro." Ichigo mumble. Uryuu either ignored him or didn't hear him. Uryuu told him to release his energy so they can have a stronger arrow to fire. They ended up arguing for a moment, only to notice the hollow come up to them.

Toushiro eyes widen. "A Cero. They be killed if they get hit by that." Toushiro force himself up. "Going somewhere?" Urahara question. "I'm not letting two innocent humans be killed by my mistake." The young Shinigami said pushing himself to move. 'Please Hyorinmaru if you can hear me. Please if you could help me.'

"Ichigo, grab that sword and let's do this." Ichigo did just that and charge at the hollow ignoring Uryuu yells.

"Ichigo! Stop!" Toushiro yelled rushing after him. Only to have Uryuu to stop him from getting closer.

The hollow fired at Ichigo, Uryuu and Toushiro where push back from the blast. Uryuu look up to see if Ichigo was alright. The blast wave was making it difficult to see exactly what happen to Ichigo. Soon both the Quince and Shinigami could sense the Substitute power increasing. From a distance an ex-captain smirk to himself. Everyone watch Ichigo push the cero back resulting the hollow to be injured. Injured the menos retreated.

Toushiro stare in amazement for a second, but notice movement from the corner of his eye. 'I was wondering why they didn't show themselves…I guess even they were a bit surprise by the turn of events.' He thought. Looking at Ichigo sadly but quickly change his mask to indifferent. Only the Quince seen the look in Toushiro eyes.

"I WIN!" Ichigo scream. "What in the world is he?" Uryuu mumble helping Toushiro to his feet. "Beats me." The young captain said.

It wasn't long before Ichigo fell from all the energy he loss. "That's weird. I can't move."

"Of course, you can't move you released too much of your spirit energy. It put too much strain to your body." Toushiro said. "Let's get you fix up before something happens."

"Yeah, yeah." Was all Ichigo could say. Uryuu shook his head at them. Before Toushiro could help him, his zanpakuto stared to glow. "What's happening?" Ichigo said as Toushiro was force to cover his eyes. "Damn it! I was afraid this would happen! The zanpakuto, it's breaking down." Uryuu rushed forward.

He tried to finds ways to help Ichigo. 'If I release Ichigo spirit energy bit by bit, I can stabilize his energy level.'

"What are you doing?"

"Shut Up!"

"But your arm is getting torn apart."

"I said shut up! How many times I must tell you? I got to make sure you survive so I can have someone to pummel in the future. Stay alive, Shinigami, so I can beat the hell out of you and so you can try to do the same to me, Ichigo." Ichigo couldn't argue. Toushiro did the only thing he could; he grabs Ichigo hand and bit back the pain he was experiencing. He can feel a little of Ichigo energy go through him.

Finally, Uryuu stabilize Ichigo energy, the young Quince slump to his knees tired. Toushiro quickly check on the students to make sure they were both okay. "Ishida, are you alright?" Toushiro ask kneeling by his side.

"Yeah. You don't have to worry about me. You?"

"Find. Only a small burn." Toushiro turn to Ichigo. He went and help the taller boy up. "Ichigo, are you alright?"

"I'm find Shiro. It's you I'm worry about. You got burn by me."

"It's find Ichigo. It was only a small burn after all." Ichigo grab the small male hand to look at it. Uryuu roll his eyes at the display. After getting some healing from Tessai and having the energy to move they all went home.

As they walk home Toushiro sense someone watching him, but it vanishes quickly. 'Ichigo looks like this be are last night together…'

Next Morning

Toushiro left early to go pick something up. Ichigo went to wake up his roommate only to find the closet empty. He quickly got dress and ran out.

"What's the hurry?"

"There you are! Where did you go?"

"No were important. Let's go or we be late." Toushiro said walking ahead.

"Hey Shiro, what's wrong?" Ichigo said grabbing Toushiro shoulder. "I'm just tired from yesterday's incident that's all." Ichigo didn't look convince. Toushiro started walking again. "If we don't hurry we be late for sure." The morning was the same. As the rest of the class was at gym, Toushiro decided to skip, see he was too preoccupied by his thoughts.

'I can feel it, they be here soon.' He thought. Toushiro sigh, it was no use of running they get him easily.

Later

"Hey has anyone seen Ishida? He wasn't here earlier."

"Yeah, yesterday I saw him in the park. He was talking to himself and running, and acting like a weirdo. It's like he was having some battle with imaginary monsters or something."

"He is kind of overdramatic." Ichigo sweat drop. 'Was Asano there yesterday. That could be trouble.' Ichigo listen to the rest of his friends' conversation. 'Thankfully Kegio is an idiot.'

Uryuu finally showed up with bandages around his hands. He made up some excuse to explain to the teacher. It wasn't very convincing but she accepted it anyway. "Don't let it get to you." Toushiro whisper to Ichigo starting him. "His injuries aren't your fault. He knows the risk. He brought it on himself."

"You've gotta be kidding. I'm not the least bit worried about Ishida."

"I never said you were worried about him. All I said was don't let it bother you." Toushiro smirk a little letting his worries go for a minute. Ichigo turn and glared at him. "Why you…" Toushiro turn and face the front. The feeling of being watch came and go throughout the day. Knowing they will come when he was a lone. Must likely at night.

Lunch time came. "I have something to do. I see you after lunch break." Toushiro said to Ichigo. "Oh, oh okay. See you later than." Keigo came up to Ichigo asking if they could have lunch on the roof. Ichigo agree. "Mind if I invite someone?"

"Sure." Ichigo walked up to Uryuu desk. "Hey, Ishida, what's up? You want to come have some lunch with me and the guys?"

"No, thanks."

"Oh, come on. It's no big deal. Besides Asano's buying."

"I'm buying?!" Keigo yelled out. "Well if you insist."

"Oh, it's like that, huh?"

Back with Toushiro. He stood away from the others looking at his phone. He looked to see if he got some sort of message from Soul Society. Nothing. "I see…an ambush…not like I run." He said walk back to the school. He just happened to walk by the group of girls in Ichigo class. "Hey Toushiro!" Orihime called. "Hmm."

"I was wondering if we could talk for a minute."

"Yeah, sure."

"Great. I was wondering what you're doing this summer."

"Oh, I guess nothing really." Toushiro said. 'Other than being arrested.'

"Well there this firework festival in August. I was wondering if you and Ichigo would come?"

"Ichigo?"

"Yeah, since you two are always together." She said softly. Toushiro didn't say anything at first. "Sure. I ask him."

"Really thanks!" Orihime said before hugging him before going back to her friends. Tatsuki look at her. "You didn't ask, did you?" Orihime look down before sighing. "No. I couldn't."

Toushiro continue his walk towards to schools. "WAIT!" He turned to see a girl with short hair. "I want to ask you something? And I'm sure the others were to know as well." She said in a determined voice.

"Okay. Ask away."

"What's your relationship with Ichigo?" The question honestly shock the young captain. All the girls stare, eager to know. "Ichigo and I are only friends. Nothing else. I got to go. See you in class, ladies. "He said waving with a small smile. He heard a groan in disappointment.

After School

Ichigo waited for Toushiro at the school gate. 'Tonight, is my last night here.'

"There you are?"

"Huh." Toushiro said looking up to see Ichigo with his arms cross. "What's up with you today?

"Oh nothing. Thinking that's all." It wasn't a full lie. "About what?" Before he could answer Kon came out of nowhere hugging Toushiro. Kon blab about how sorry he was and how he wanted to go home. "Home…Yeah home sounds good." Toushiro mumble. "You look terrible Kon. Luckily for you I know someone who can fix you up." Ichigo said grabbing Kon. They went to go see Uryuu and after some persuading Uryuu fix Kon up. The two boys went home.

As they walk by a river Toushiro stop. He started at the setting sun. "Hmm…what's you doing?" Ichigo ask. "A few days ago, was your birthday and I got you something."

"You didn't have too."

"I wanted to. Here." Toushiro pulled out a small present and headed it to Ichigo. Ichigo unwrap it and open the box. Inside was a locket. "Open it." Toushiro whispered. Ichigo grab it and open it. He stared in shock. Inside was a picture of his family when his mother was still alive. On the other side, it was a picture of Toushiro and him smiling at each other.

He remembers when it was taken. It was at Kairn soccer tournament and Yuzu was taking pictures that day. "Your sister was kind enough to let me borrow these pictures for the locket. I hope you like it." Ichigo pulled Toushiro into a hug. "Thank you. It's perfect." Toushiro smiled hugging him back. 'At lest you have one nice memory before I leave.'