Double Trouble

17. Training

Shiro approached his brother and felt it, a slight twinge of Hollow power before it vanished as the odd mask that had appeared basically melted off his brother's face. He really hoped nobody saw that. Fortunately, the shopkeeper seemed more interested in training than examining his brother and apparently him as well. Allowing Ichigo to rest for a little while, Shiro pulled his sword from his back. The long black ribbons coming undone from the blade before wrapping around his wrist and forearm. Urahara only spoke two words to his sword before the shape changed. Raising an eyebrow, Shiro wondered why he didn't have to do the same.

Idiot. He heard his Zanpakuto say in his mind. I am an eternal released sword. Your spirit pressure is so high that I can remain in my released state.

That actually made a lot of sense to the teen. Smiling, Shiro prepared for the first strike, or so he thought. Urahara vanished before his eyes before reappearing behind him a split second later. He barely avoided decapitation. He was fast, very fast. Avoiding his strikes and going on defence seemed to be the best game plan, for Shiro at least. Golden eyes flashed with annoyance before Shiro pushed back at Urahara. Their swords clanged, sparks flew and suddenly Urahara found himself on the defence as Shiro's strikes felt as if he was going to break his Zanpakuto, Benihime.

Meanwhile Ichigo was smiling as he watched his twin put the shopkeeper on defence. Between the two of them, Shiro was better at kendo, it just took his brother a moment to warm up by getting a feel for his enemy.

Suddenly, Shiro jumped back a little bit before releasing his sword's handle. Grasping the black ribbon, Shio began to spin his sword around and over his head, forcing Urahara to keep back unless he wanted to be beheaded very quickly. It was an interesting tactic that the teen had taken. With this move, it became both a defence tactic and an attack tactic. The sword became a blur and suddenly the kid vanished from in front of him. The sound of a flash step caused Urahara to dodge quickly just as the overly large sword came down upon the spot he had just vacated. Shiro was smiling as on question went through Urahara's mind; who taught the boy flash step?

"My, my Shiro," Urahara began as he tipped his green and white striped hat back a bit. "aren't you just full of surprises."

The teen just smiled as he began to feel at home once more. He was really enjoying himself. He'd never been able to fully use his strength due to his human body. He'd only trained with his sword in his inner world. To find somebody capable in taking his powerful strokes was a relief. "Don't tell me I've already worn ya out, Getabushi?" he teased the former Shinigami.

A smirk appeared on Urahara's face. "Not even close." He responded before bringing up his fan and continuing. "However, now that I've got an idea as to your power, I want to practice with Ichigo now."

Huh? Both teens thought at the same moment.

~~

Ichigo collapsed on the fold out bedding that the man with braids had laid out for him and Shiro. He was so exhausted that he couldn't even go home right now. Truthfully he didn't want to. The anniversary of their mother's accident was just around the corner. This meant their father would either ignore Shiro for a while or make quiet snide remarks that would always leave Shiro feeling extremely sad. His memories of that day were a bit fuzzy, but he was certain that his brother had saved both himself and their mother, even if it did leave their mother in a state of shock or whatever new diagnosis she had this week.

Shiro suddenly came into the room with two heaping bowls of beef ramen. Ichigo licked his lips because of the scent coming from the bowls. "Thank goodness!" he sighed as the bowl was placed in his hands.

Tessai made this for us." Shiro explained though he was certain Ichigo didn't hear a word as he was currently slurping the noodles into his mouth. "Sorry it's not Yuzu's curry."

Ichigo paused. "Ah, that's right," he stated as if it had just occurred to him what day it was. "Tonight is her surprise curry night." Shiro gave a nod as he drank some of the broth.

Suddenly the sliding shoji door opened a bit fast causing both teens to jump slightly. They both glared at the black haired girl standing there. "What are you two doing?" Rukia asked impatiently. "You shouldn't be spending any more time here than need be."

"Huh?" Shiro asked confused why she would say that. "We've known Urahara from years." Now it was Ichigo's turn to look at his brother with confusion. "Ichi just doesn't remember. I do." He looked away from the woman. "Besides, I'd rather be here than at home right now." He went to continue eating when she spoke.

"He's a murderer." She stated. "Wanted by Soul Society for Hollowfying seven captains and lieutenants. Very good and important people." She stressed to them.

"I call bullshit." Shiro said before looking at his twin who gave a nod in agreement.

"Where is the proof?" Ichigo asked. "What witness o witnesses do you have?"

"Also, how do you know these witnesses weren't paid off to say these things?" Shiro shook his head "I don't believe it and won't."

Beyond them in the shadows or the hallway, Urahara turned around and let them be, a smile appearing on his face as he did so. Being defended by the two teens warmed his heart, but Shiro not wanting to go home made him wonder what was going on there that would make the teen want to stay away. Pulling a phone out from a pocket in his green haori, he began to dial his old friend's number to see what was going on.

Shiro place his empty bowl on the floor next to Ichigo's bowl. His black/gold eyes looked over to see Ichigo and Rukia were in deep conversation. The Shinigami woman annoyed him, but Ichigo seemed to have warmed up to her. Closing his eyes, Shiro felt himself sink into his inner world. The sideways buildings seemed to have grown bigger. Climbing to the top of one he saw his Zanpakuto standing next to a black haired spirit who suddenly vanished.

"Who was that?" he asked the Hollowfied Zanpakuto.

The creature's eyes gleaned with mischief. Fight me and I'll tell you. He replied before attacking Shiro who grinned at the challenge before rushing towards the spirit with his sword drawn.

Back outside Shiro's inner world, Ichigo took notice of how Shiro had gone silent. Looking over his shoulder towards him, Ichigo grinned. Rukia looked up from her drawing that she was using to explain a battle plan with a normal level Hollow. She still didn't believe that Shiro was someone she could trust. A reborn Hollow or not, his eyes made her skin crawl. They reminded her of when that Hollow began to take over Kaien Shiba and forced her to kill him. Her eyes turned towards the sleeping pale teen. How could anybody look at him and not see a monster.

"I guess he was more tired than he let on." Ichigo's voice startled her, causing Rukia to look up at him. "Shiro has had to deal with more bullies than I ever had to deal with. They've called him names like monster, demon, devil, killer." Ichigo looked at her. "However, people don't know the real Shiro. They judge him because of how he looks, not for what it in his heart." Ichigo scratched his head. "I guess that's why every time you call him a Hollow, it really annoys me. He's my brother, he's saved my life on many occasions."

"I understand, Ichigo." Rukia told him. "Now, let's do a review." She held up her note pad.

Ichigo gave her a blank look. "You do know your drawings suck, right?"

Rukia's face became red. "My drawings are wonderful!" she began yelling which started a round of teasing by the teenager causing her to really want to use kido on the boy as he was causing her to get irritated, however all that seemed to dissipate as she saw a smile spread across his face. It was dazzling. Clearing her throat, she continued her lesson with him, all the while Ichigo smiled at her ridiculous illustrations.