loggity log loooooooooooooog \o/
Who: Ichigo and Shirosaki
What: Talkin'~
When: After his huge fight with Rukia last night. ~__~
Where: Ichigo's head
Why: Because Shiro had something to say.
Also: Shiro sounds a lot like Shinji. I BLAME YOU, SNUZZ. >OOO
Also2: Timelines? What? o.O
His Hollow had always had a knack for choosing the most inopportune times to communicate with Ichigo, so the boy wasn’t surprised when he collapsed on his bed and felt that familiar discomfort starting up in the back of his mind. He sighed and buried his head in the pillow, stretching his arms out underneath it. What a wonderful addition to a perfect day.
You didn’t think I’d miss the party, did ya~? Shame on you for not invitin’ me in the first place.
Ichigo squeezed his eyes closed and tried to shove that itch in his skull back down. It only rippled around his mental nudge like water closing over his finger. The Hollow chuckled.
That was such a weak attempt I’m beginnin’ to think you actually want to talk to me. For shame, I~chi~go~
Sighing again, Ichigo moved his nose down low enough to breathe and gave up. “What do you want.”
That reddish black color behind his closed eyelids began to move as if something was there. Now why do I always gotta want somethin’ in order to come out an’ talk to you? That’s just cruel, aibou.
Ichigo wished his brain would turn off so that he could nap. His body felt heavy and exhausted. “I’m not your aibou, idiot. And you always want something. I’m not letting you out.” He felt a bit silly talking to himself in his room, but at least Rukia wasn’t around to hear it. His gut dropped a little at the thought, and for once his Hollow’s words echoed his own thoughts.
Yeah, nice goin’ Einstein. I was actually thinkin’ ya might wanna come in.
Come in? Ichigo blinked his eyes open and peered in confusion at his headboard, but the Hollow replied before he could ask for clarification.
Yeah, dumbass, come in. Zangetsu’s got somethin’ to say to you.
Ichigo closed his eyes again, his stomach turning over. Great, he’d managed to piss off his best friend and his zanpakutou all in the same evening. He was on a roll.
Just get in here, the Hollow told him, and began tugging at Ichigo’s consciousness. It’s better than what’s out there, right?
Ichigo didn’t see much of a difference between the two, but he was much too tired to argue right now, especially with himself. There was a moment of vague nausea, then cool air on his cheeks, and he opened his eyes to see that night had fallen over his inner plane as well. Unsurprising. He’d come here at night before, and he knew how to find the Hollow; that almost glowing white figure watching him from his left, hands tucked into his hakama comfortably. Ichigo raised an eyebrow at the smirk on his face.
“Well? Happy now? Where’s Zangetsu.”
The Hollow shrugged. “Dunno.”
Ichigo glared. He was about to demand to know where the old man was when he remembered, not for the first time, that Zangetsu was the Hollow, however the hell that worked, and that he’d just been tricked. Again. He sighed and turned away instead. “Great. You idiot. You could have just talked to me like we were.”
“It’s more fun this way,” the Hollow replied with another shrug. Ichigo snorted.
“Yeah, I’m having a blast.”
“Aw, now don’t be that way, aibou. We’re one ‘an the same, remember? If I enjoy your company, ‘s gotta mean you enjoy mine too. Pervert.”
Ichigo wondered if he was a natural masochist, or if the Hollow simply brought that out in him. “Like it even matters,” he scoffed back. “What did you want to talk to me about.”
“Us~”
“I’ve got nothing to say about us.”
“I do~”
“I don’t want to hear it right now.”
“Too bad~”
Ichigo stopped and sighed. “Honestly,” he said tiredly, “is there a point to you dragging me here, or did you just feel like taking my frustrations out on me?”
“’Course there’s a point,” the Hollow replied breezily. “There’s always a point, dumbass, you just like to pretend there isn‘t. Zangetsu’s pissed.”
Sighing, Ichigo replied before the Hollow could continue. “Yeah, which is code for you’re pissed, which is super code for I’m pissed, which is what you dragged me here to figure--”
“Nah,” the Hollow interrupted, stepping closer. “I ain’t pissed, an’ I don’t think you are either. Least not yet. I’m just kinda amused, ‘cause it’s funny watchin’ you run around bein’ a dumbass, an’ proud, ‘cause my little kingy-king finally picked his drooping ass off that nice, shiny throne a’ his and tried to get himself a queen for a change.”
Ichigo felt his face flush at the analogy, and at the fact that his Hollow was the last person in the world he could pretend that wasn’t true with. “You idiot,” he all but stammered. “That’s not--”
“You didn’t fuck up,” his Hollow continued, dark black eyes on him as he walked slow circles around Ichigo’s prone form. Ichigo narrowed his eyes as he watched him.
“What do you--”
The Hollow leaned in from behind his shoulder and grinned, face inches away. “For once,” he added slyly, “you sucked up that royal pride a’ yours an’ went for the crown. It’d a’ been admirable if ya hadn’t tripped over your own damn feet.”
Ichigo glared at him. “I didn’t trip,” he said forcefully, and then spent the next few moments trying to think of a suitable response to that analogy. “She--She declined.”
Raising an eyebrow, the Hollow continued his slow trek around the boy, hands clasped curiously behind his back now as if he were studying him. “You don’t decline the king, dumbass.”
“Well she just did,” Ichigo repeated, crossing his arms with a scowl. The Hollow smirked.
“Nah, she’s just frightened as a little filly. You should giver her to me. I know how to tame wild horses~”
Ichigo reached out to hit him and the Hollow laughed as he danced nimbly out of the way. “Don’t you wanna know what to do next?” he teased, obviously amused.
“Like you know,” Ichigo growled, following to swipe at him again. “Just shut the hell up!”
Chuckling, the Hollow managed to keep just out of his reach while simultaneously remaining close enough for Ichigo to continue chasing him. He tripped suddenly, stumbling over an unseen rise on the building’s surface, and the Hollow burst out laughing as he moved to tumble fluidly over Ichigo’s back like they were playing leapfrog. “You should come here more often, aibou!” he snickered. “Might actually know what you’re doin’ here if ya did~”
Ichigo growled and spun to swipe at him again as he stumbled the few steps it took to right himself, fingers catching in the back of the Hollow’s haori briefly before the creature managed to twist away again. “Like I would want to come here!” he said irritably. “You’re here!”
The Hollow turned to give him a pouty look. “Aw, aibou, I’m hurt.”
“I am not your aibou!”
“Exactly. Don’t that bother ya~?”
“No!”
The Hollow tsked as he danced kept out of Ichigo’s reach, and snorted when Ichigo stumbled again. “I’m finding it kinda difficult to pay homage to a king that hasn’t even mastered the grand art a’ walkin’ yet,” he murmured. “Verbally speakin’, of course.”
“And what the hell is that supposed to mean,” Ichigo growled, glaring at him as he set his feet again. The Hollow shrugged.
“I dunno. Whaddaya think it means?”
“I think you’re trying to make fun of me again,” Ichigo said irritably. “You just said I didn’t do anything wrong!”
“Never said ya did anything right, either.”
“And what the hell is that supposed to mean?”
The Hollow shrugged again. “It means what I just said it means, of course.”
Ichigo fumed for a moment before turning away in frustration. “Whatever, you never make any sense.”
“Maybe that’s ‘cause you don’t try very hard to figure me out,” the Hollow suggested, hands in his pockets again as he skitted around Ichigo’s side. Ichigo briefly considered swiping for him again, but stopped himself.
“And how am I supposed to do that,” he gritted out instead. The Hollow grinned.
“Why, I thought you’d never ask! Firstly, I’m your aibou whether you like it or not.” He shrugged. “I know ‘cause I sure as hell don’t. You’ve been neglectin’ me~” He pouted. Ichigo glared.
“I’ve been busy, you idiot--”
“Yup, yup, I know,” the Hollow nodded, grinning again. “It’s been snowin’ here a lot lately. We like~ it.”
Ichigo frowned. Every time the Hollow mentioned snow, he knew he was talking about Rukia and Shirayuki, who he and Zangetsu seemed to know somehow. He let his eyes fall away when he realized scaring Rukia off had scared her zanpakutou off as well. “I’m sorry,” he began. “I didn’t think about--”
“Ah, ah, ah,” the Hollow stopped him, ticking his finger. “I know what you were thinking’, aibou. Zangetsu does too, even if he’s a little more annoyed about it. He likes the stuff, see, even though he won’t admit it. You should see him playin’.” He grinned.
“What the hell. What does that have to do with anything.” Ichigo was growing annoyed. Making him feel more guilty wasn’t helping.
“Everything,” the Hollow replied, stuffing his hands back into his pockets and leaning in with a wide grin, as if sharing a secret. “Silly Ichigo, you just don’t get it. I’m on your side. I like her. I want her back. Plain enough for ya?”
Ichigo watched the white figure warily. “And why should I believe you,” he asked evenly. “You’ve only tried to hurt her before.”
“Nah, never hurt,” the Hollow replied with a smirk. “Not that one. Only help.”
Ichigo’s eyes narrowed. “Help what.”
“Help prevent this, for one thing,” the Hollow said, shrugging and flicking his chin at their surroundings. “Didn’t really work, though. I think she’s about as stubborn as you are. Maybe even stubborner.”
It sounded as thought the Hollow was trying to have an actual conversation, and Ichigo frowned. This had only happened once or twice in the last month or so he’d spent randomly talking to him, and none of the incidents had lasted long. He suspected this one wouldn’t either.
“This what, exactly.”
“This everything, a’ course. All the things she said. Been thinkin’ about ‘em for a while.”
Ichigo’s frown deepened as he watched the Hollow skeptically. “How the hell would you know about all those things.”
“Well they’re kinda obvious, aren’t they?” the Hollow scoffed, raising an eyebrow. “Like the age thing, for example. Can’t argue that.”
Ichigo held back an exasperated sigh. “You’re not helping.”
“Ain’t tryin’ to. Just sayin’.” He shrugged. Ichigo felt his temper begin to rise again.
“And why are you just saying it to me?”
“’Cause it’s true. Not like it really matters. You’re half-shinigami, you ain’t gonna die of old age or whatever.”
Momentarily confused by the response, Ichigo frowned. “It doesn’t matter, there’s still the stupid life and death thing--”
“Can’t live without your body, can ya?” the Hollow asked, lifting an eyebrow. “An’ if I remember correctly, you seem kinda fond a’ leavin’ it.”
“And Yamamoto?” Ichigo demanded, frustrated.
“Eh, he’s old. Together, you an’ me can beat that old man into the ground.”
“And if we can’t?”
“Since when can’t we?”
Ichigo scowled. “She’ll just come up with something else. She always does. And anyway, she doesn’t--She told me none of it--”
“Aw come on, Ichigo,” the Hollow drawled, his tone bored. “I felt it when ya kissed her. It was nice~”
Ichigo flushed. “Shut--”
“Zangetsu felt it too,” he continued as if Ichigo had never spoken. “You humans and you shinigami both, you’re always forgettin’ about your zanpakutou, ‘specially when you really shouldn’t, when they’re a part of you. And zanpakutou don’t lie, Ichigo. They can’t. Did ya know that?”
Ichigo blinked in confusion. “No, I--”
“Didn’t think so,” the Hollow snorted. “It’s what ya got me for, anyway. Rukia, on the other hand, is lacking that more intellectual and well-spoken part of herself.” He grinned proudly. “In short, you got help, she’s as stupid as you‘d be if I wasn‘t here, an’ I don’t like seein’ my partner upset. You’re gonna fix things with Rukia, an’ then you’re gonna let Zangetsu see his girl again. You got it?”
Ichigo scowled. “There’s nothing to fix,” he said irritably. “She doesn’t want--”
“Do you want her back?”
“What does that--”
“Do you?”
“Well yes, but--”
“Then go get her back, shithead.”
“But I can’t--”
The Hollow scoffed. “Since when has that ever stopped us before? You want her back, go get her back, ya moron.” He was suddenly right behind Ichigo, grinding his foot into the human’s lower back and shoving him forward. Ichigo caught himself just before he could stumble and rounded on him, only to pause when he saw the Hollow watching him with a serious look on his face, black eyes narrowed.
“You an’ me are partners, aibou,” he said flatly. “Whether we like it or not, there’s no gettin’ rid of you and there’s no gettin’ rid of me. I’m as sick of fightin’ myself as you are, Ichigo. Watchin’ you fold before that shinigami is just like watchin’ you fold against that old man. Well I don’t know about you, but I’m not ready to be snuffed out like some rogue Hollow under their collective smelly foot. You’re gonna fight him an’ you’re gonna let me help, or I’m gonna fight him alone. You hear me, aibou?”
Ichigo watched the Hollow with narrowed eyes, and understood what he was trying to say. “I’m not letting you out on your own again.”
The Hollow grinned. “Then take me out with ya.”
Ichigo crossed his arms. “What the hell does that have to do with Rukia?”
“Who said I was talkin’ about Rukia?”
Ichigo sputtered. “You did! You just said--”
“I said you were gonna fix things with her, ‘cause Zangetsu misses the snow. I’m not in it for her, pretty as she is. I’m in it for the old man.” He grinned. “Always wanted to take on the top of the shinigami food chain himself. Think he bleeds like regular shinigami do?”
Ichigo sighed. He’d already lost him. “Probably.”
“Probably put up a pretty good fight, though.”
“Probably.”
“Well, then.” The Hollow’s teeth flashed in the darkness, alongside a gleaming white sword. “Wanna start trainin’~?”
What: Talkin'~
When: After his huge fight with Rukia last night. ~__~
Where: Ichigo's head
Why: Because Shiro had something to say.
Also: Shiro sounds a lot like Shinji. I BLAME YOU, SNUZZ. >OOO
Also2: Timelines? What? o.O
His Hollow had always had a knack for choosing the most inopportune times to communicate with Ichigo, so the boy wasn’t surprised when he collapsed on his bed and felt that familiar discomfort starting up in the back of his mind. He sighed and buried his head in the pillow, stretching his arms out underneath it. What a wonderful addition to a perfect day.
You didn’t think I’d miss the party, did ya~? Shame on you for not invitin’ me in the first place.
Ichigo squeezed his eyes closed and tried to shove that itch in his skull back down. It only rippled around his mental nudge like water closing over his finger. The Hollow chuckled.
That was such a weak attempt I’m beginnin’ to think you actually want to talk to me. For shame, I~chi~go~
Sighing again, Ichigo moved his nose down low enough to breathe and gave up. “What do you want.”
That reddish black color behind his closed eyelids began to move as if something was there. Now why do I always gotta want somethin’ in order to come out an’ talk to you? That’s just cruel, aibou.
Ichigo wished his brain would turn off so that he could nap. His body felt heavy and exhausted. “I’m not your aibou, idiot. And you always want something. I’m not letting you out.” He felt a bit silly talking to himself in his room, but at least Rukia wasn’t around to hear it. His gut dropped a little at the thought, and for once his Hollow’s words echoed his own thoughts.
Yeah, nice goin’ Einstein. I was actually thinkin’ ya might wanna come in.
Come in? Ichigo blinked his eyes open and peered in confusion at his headboard, but the Hollow replied before he could ask for clarification.
Yeah, dumbass, come in. Zangetsu’s got somethin’ to say to you.
Ichigo closed his eyes again, his stomach turning over. Great, he’d managed to piss off his best friend and his zanpakutou all in the same evening. He was on a roll.
Just get in here, the Hollow told him, and began tugging at Ichigo’s consciousness. It’s better than what’s out there, right?
Ichigo didn’t see much of a difference between the two, but he was much too tired to argue right now, especially with himself. There was a moment of vague nausea, then cool air on his cheeks, and he opened his eyes to see that night had fallen over his inner plane as well. Unsurprising. He’d come here at night before, and he knew how to find the Hollow; that almost glowing white figure watching him from his left, hands tucked into his hakama comfortably. Ichigo raised an eyebrow at the smirk on his face.
“Well? Happy now? Where’s Zangetsu.”
The Hollow shrugged. “Dunno.”
Ichigo glared. He was about to demand to know where the old man was when he remembered, not for the first time, that Zangetsu was the Hollow, however the hell that worked, and that he’d just been tricked. Again. He sighed and turned away instead. “Great. You idiot. You could have just talked to me like we were.”
“It’s more fun this way,” the Hollow replied with another shrug. Ichigo snorted.
“Yeah, I’m having a blast.”
“Aw, now don’t be that way, aibou. We’re one ‘an the same, remember? If I enjoy your company, ‘s gotta mean you enjoy mine too. Pervert.”
Ichigo wondered if he was a natural masochist, or if the Hollow simply brought that out in him. “Like it even matters,” he scoffed back. “What did you want to talk to me about.”
“Us~”
“I’ve got nothing to say about us.”
“I do~”
“I don’t want to hear it right now.”
“Too bad~”
Ichigo stopped and sighed. “Honestly,” he said tiredly, “is there a point to you dragging me here, or did you just feel like taking my frustrations out on me?”
“’Course there’s a point,” the Hollow replied breezily. “There’s always a point, dumbass, you just like to pretend there isn‘t. Zangetsu’s pissed.”
Sighing, Ichigo replied before the Hollow could continue. “Yeah, which is code for you’re pissed, which is super code for I’m pissed, which is what you dragged me here to figure--”
“Nah,” the Hollow interrupted, stepping closer. “I ain’t pissed, an’ I don’t think you are either. Least not yet. I’m just kinda amused, ‘cause it’s funny watchin’ you run around bein’ a dumbass, an’ proud, ‘cause my little kingy-king finally picked his drooping ass off that nice, shiny throne a’ his and tried to get himself a queen for a change.”
Ichigo felt his face flush at the analogy, and at the fact that his Hollow was the last person in the world he could pretend that wasn’t true with. “You idiot,” he all but stammered. “That’s not--”
“You didn’t fuck up,” his Hollow continued, dark black eyes on him as he walked slow circles around Ichigo’s prone form. Ichigo narrowed his eyes as he watched him.
“What do you--”
The Hollow leaned in from behind his shoulder and grinned, face inches away. “For once,” he added slyly, “you sucked up that royal pride a’ yours an’ went for the crown. It’d a’ been admirable if ya hadn’t tripped over your own damn feet.”
Ichigo glared at him. “I didn’t trip,” he said forcefully, and then spent the next few moments trying to think of a suitable response to that analogy. “She--She declined.”
Raising an eyebrow, the Hollow continued his slow trek around the boy, hands clasped curiously behind his back now as if he were studying him. “You don’t decline the king, dumbass.”
“Well she just did,” Ichigo repeated, crossing his arms with a scowl. The Hollow smirked.
“Nah, she’s just frightened as a little filly. You should giver her to me. I know how to tame wild horses~”
Ichigo reached out to hit him and the Hollow laughed as he danced nimbly out of the way. “Don’t you wanna know what to do next?” he teased, obviously amused.
“Like you know,” Ichigo growled, following to swipe at him again. “Just shut the hell up!”
Chuckling, the Hollow managed to keep just out of his reach while simultaneously remaining close enough for Ichigo to continue chasing him. He tripped suddenly, stumbling over an unseen rise on the building’s surface, and the Hollow burst out laughing as he moved to tumble fluidly over Ichigo’s back like they were playing leapfrog. “You should come here more often, aibou!” he snickered. “Might actually know what you’re doin’ here if ya did~”
Ichigo growled and spun to swipe at him again as he stumbled the few steps it took to right himself, fingers catching in the back of the Hollow’s haori briefly before the creature managed to twist away again. “Like I would want to come here!” he said irritably. “You’re here!”
The Hollow turned to give him a pouty look. “Aw, aibou, I’m hurt.”
“I am not your aibou!”
“Exactly. Don’t that bother ya~?”
“No!”
The Hollow tsked as he danced kept out of Ichigo’s reach, and snorted when Ichigo stumbled again. “I’m finding it kinda difficult to pay homage to a king that hasn’t even mastered the grand art a’ walkin’ yet,” he murmured. “Verbally speakin’, of course.”
“And what the hell is that supposed to mean,” Ichigo growled, glaring at him as he set his feet again. The Hollow shrugged.
“I dunno. Whaddaya think it means?”
“I think you’re trying to make fun of me again,” Ichigo said irritably. “You just said I didn’t do anything wrong!”
“Never said ya did anything right, either.”
“And what the hell is that supposed to mean?”
The Hollow shrugged again. “It means what I just said it means, of course.”
Ichigo fumed for a moment before turning away in frustration. “Whatever, you never make any sense.”
“Maybe that’s ‘cause you don’t try very hard to figure me out,” the Hollow suggested, hands in his pockets again as he skitted around Ichigo’s side. Ichigo briefly considered swiping for him again, but stopped himself.
“And how am I supposed to do that,” he gritted out instead. The Hollow grinned.
“Why, I thought you’d never ask! Firstly, I’m your aibou whether you like it or not.” He shrugged. “I know ‘cause I sure as hell don’t. You’ve been neglectin’ me~” He pouted. Ichigo glared.
“I’ve been busy, you idiot--”
“Yup, yup, I know,” the Hollow nodded, grinning again. “It’s been snowin’ here a lot lately. We like~ it.”
Ichigo frowned. Every time the Hollow mentioned snow, he knew he was talking about Rukia and Shirayuki, who he and Zangetsu seemed to know somehow. He let his eyes fall away when he realized scaring Rukia off had scared her zanpakutou off as well. “I’m sorry,” he began. “I didn’t think about--”
“Ah, ah, ah,” the Hollow stopped him, ticking his finger. “I know what you were thinking’, aibou. Zangetsu does too, even if he’s a little more annoyed about it. He likes the stuff, see, even though he won’t admit it. You should see him playin’.” He grinned.
“What the hell. What does that have to do with anything.” Ichigo was growing annoyed. Making him feel more guilty wasn’t helping.
“Everything,” the Hollow replied, stuffing his hands back into his pockets and leaning in with a wide grin, as if sharing a secret. “Silly Ichigo, you just don’t get it. I’m on your side. I like her. I want her back. Plain enough for ya?”
Ichigo watched the white figure warily. “And why should I believe you,” he asked evenly. “You’ve only tried to hurt her before.”
“Nah, never hurt,” the Hollow replied with a smirk. “Not that one. Only help.”
Ichigo’s eyes narrowed. “Help what.”
“Help prevent this, for one thing,” the Hollow said, shrugging and flicking his chin at their surroundings. “Didn’t really work, though. I think she’s about as stubborn as you are. Maybe even stubborner.”
It sounded as thought the Hollow was trying to have an actual conversation, and Ichigo frowned. This had only happened once or twice in the last month or so he’d spent randomly talking to him, and none of the incidents had lasted long. He suspected this one wouldn’t either.
“This what, exactly.”
“This everything, a’ course. All the things she said. Been thinkin’ about ‘em for a while.”
Ichigo’s frown deepened as he watched the Hollow skeptically. “How the hell would you know about all those things.”
“Well they’re kinda obvious, aren’t they?” the Hollow scoffed, raising an eyebrow. “Like the age thing, for example. Can’t argue that.”
Ichigo held back an exasperated sigh. “You’re not helping.”
“Ain’t tryin’ to. Just sayin’.” He shrugged. Ichigo felt his temper begin to rise again.
“And why are you just saying it to me?”
“’Cause it’s true. Not like it really matters. You’re half-shinigami, you ain’t gonna die of old age or whatever.”
Momentarily confused by the response, Ichigo frowned. “It doesn’t matter, there’s still the stupid life and death thing--”
“Can’t live without your body, can ya?” the Hollow asked, lifting an eyebrow. “An’ if I remember correctly, you seem kinda fond a’ leavin’ it.”
“And Yamamoto?” Ichigo demanded, frustrated.
“Eh, he’s old. Together, you an’ me can beat that old man into the ground.”
“And if we can’t?”
“Since when can’t we?”
Ichigo scowled. “She’ll just come up with something else. She always does. And anyway, she doesn’t--She told me none of it--”
“Aw come on, Ichigo,” the Hollow drawled, his tone bored. “I felt it when ya kissed her. It was nice~”
Ichigo flushed. “Shut--”
“Zangetsu felt it too,” he continued as if Ichigo had never spoken. “You humans and you shinigami both, you’re always forgettin’ about your zanpakutou, ‘specially when you really shouldn’t, when they’re a part of you. And zanpakutou don’t lie, Ichigo. They can’t. Did ya know that?”
Ichigo blinked in confusion. “No, I--”
“Didn’t think so,” the Hollow snorted. “It’s what ya got me for, anyway. Rukia, on the other hand, is lacking that more intellectual and well-spoken part of herself.” He grinned proudly. “In short, you got help, she’s as stupid as you‘d be if I wasn‘t here, an’ I don’t like seein’ my partner upset. You’re gonna fix things with Rukia, an’ then you’re gonna let Zangetsu see his girl again. You got it?”
Ichigo scowled. “There’s nothing to fix,” he said irritably. “She doesn’t want--”
“Do you want her back?”
“What does that--”
“Do you?”
“Well yes, but--”
“Then go get her back, shithead.”
“But I can’t--”
The Hollow scoffed. “Since when has that ever stopped us before? You want her back, go get her back, ya moron.” He was suddenly right behind Ichigo, grinding his foot into the human’s lower back and shoving him forward. Ichigo caught himself just before he could stumble and rounded on him, only to pause when he saw the Hollow watching him with a serious look on his face, black eyes narrowed.
“You an’ me are partners, aibou,” he said flatly. “Whether we like it or not, there’s no gettin’ rid of you and there’s no gettin’ rid of me. I’m as sick of fightin’ myself as you are, Ichigo. Watchin’ you fold before that shinigami is just like watchin’ you fold against that old man. Well I don’t know about you, but I’m not ready to be snuffed out like some rogue Hollow under their collective smelly foot. You’re gonna fight him an’ you’re gonna let me help, or I’m gonna fight him alone. You hear me, aibou?”
Ichigo watched the Hollow with narrowed eyes, and understood what he was trying to say. “I’m not letting you out on your own again.”
The Hollow grinned. “Then take me out with ya.”
Ichigo crossed his arms. “What the hell does that have to do with Rukia?”
“Who said I was talkin’ about Rukia?”
Ichigo sputtered. “You did! You just said--”
“I said you were gonna fix things with her, ‘cause Zangetsu misses the snow. I’m not in it for her, pretty as she is. I’m in it for the old man.” He grinned. “Always wanted to take on the top of the shinigami food chain himself. Think he bleeds like regular shinigami do?”
Ichigo sighed. He’d already lost him. “Probably.”
“Probably put up a pretty good fight, though.”
“Probably.”
“Well, then.” The Hollow’s teeth flashed in the darkness, alongside a gleaming white sword. “Wanna start trainin’~?”