Unfinished Gems

Soul Brothers - 8

Yoru landed on a sideways building. Ichigo had materialized his sword's spirit, so he was relatively alone.

Well, almost alone.

Sensing the intruder, a white blur flashed before him. He would have thought it was Hedwig, except he remembered where he was.

It was Ichigo's hollow self.

Instead of the black and white uniform, the colors were completely reversed.

Yoru was completely at ease, as he held up a two fingered salute and said, "Yo."

The hollow form grinned at him evilly.

"You have a lot of balls coming here, kid."

"Why thank you!" chirped Yoru. If nothing else he could annoy this spirit form.

The hollow form scowled at him. Why wasn't he afraid?

"You know if we're going to talk, I'll need to know your name."

"King hasn't given me one."

"Would you mind if I gave you one?"

The hollow-form looked interested.

"How does Shirosaki sound?"

The newly named Shirosaki laughed...evilly.

"Shirosaki isn't much of a name, brat."

"Shirosaki Mamoru."

That had Shirosaki sputtering. Of all the names he could have chosen, why did he have to go with one like Mamoru?

(Mamoru means protect)

"So why did you come in here anyway? How did you get in here?"

"You know Ichigo and I share a bond. I followed that, since I was curious as to who I kept hearing alongside Zangetsu and Ichigo."

Shirosaki looked surprised. This kid heard him?

"You...heard me and the old man?"

"I can hear any Zanpakuto. You were just a mystery voice until now."

"So what do you want?"

"I was hoping to make a deal with you."

Shirosaki looked at him with interest.

"I can see if Ichigo would be willing to let you have control of his physical body every once in a while, in exchange for you helping him in his fights."

"And what restrictions would I have?" asked Shirosaki, interested. Ichigo's inner world was somewhat boring.

"No eating souls...well, except Moldy-shorts, since I could care less what happens to that bastard. And you would have to tone down some of your hollow impulses so the Soul Reapers don't get on your ass."

"So Ichigo gets a power-up when he needs it and I get to leave this world for the outside? Said Shirosaki.

It was a better deal than most would have given him.

"Do we have a bargain?"

Shirosaki's smirk, while terrifying, did give Yoru some relief.

"I like the way you think, brat. You have a deal!"

Before Yoru left Ichigo's inner world, he heard a parting shot from Shirosaki.

"What's your name, brat?"

Yoru grinned mischievously.

"Yoru Shihoin. Also known as Yoru Kurosaki. Welcome to the family, Mamoru Shirosaki!"