Hi everybody! (dodges flying objects) Um...gomen? I know it's been F-O-R-E-V-E-R since I update and I'm really sorry! It's just I was sick, school work was intense, and I've hadn't really had the time. So please forgive me! Hope you guys like this chapter and I will update as soon as I can! Oh, and this chap is dedicated to Confusion no Hime for getting my butt in gear! Thanks dear!

Disclaimer: Don'. Plain and simple.

Legend:

"text." - Speech

'text.' - Thought

"text." - Ichigo speakin to Shiro/Flashback

"text." - Shiro speakin to Ichigo

Chapter 9

Waking

"I love you.

I will protect you…

Even if it means I can't be with you."

It has been three days since Ichigo was brought into Hitsugaya's care and one day since Unohana came to check up on him. Hitsugaya was currently lounging in Ichigo's room, working on some paperwork Matsumoto brought over. Glancing over for what seemed like the fiftieth time, Hitsugaya looked over at Ichigo.

Ichigo was sleeping, like always it seemed. His face didn't look pained this time, Hitsugaya noticed. For the past three days, it seemed Ichigo was always in pain, looking as if he could come awake screaming at any moment. Hitsugaya hated the fact that he couldn't really do anything to help the slumbering man, no matter how hard he thought about it.

Deciding to take a break the small taicho stood up from where he was sitting. Moving Hyorinmaru so that the sword was next to Ichigo, Hitsugaya walked out of the room. Walking down the hallway to the cooking quarters, Hitsugaya stopped and looked out the open door.

Spring was slowly giving way to summer, and it showed. The weather was getting warmer, and the ground was starting to show the signs of summer. Hitsugaya let out a small sigh. He hated summer. Not just a dislike he absolutely LOATHED it. That's what happens when you have an ice-type zanpakutou.

Letting out a sigh, he continued walking towards the kitchen when he heard someone running towards him.

"Hitsugaya-sama!"

Hitsugaya turned around to see his other servant, Kyoko stopping in front of him.

"What is it?" he asked, concerned at what has her so riled up.

"It's Ichigo-san! He's awake!" she said, still gasping for breath.

"What?!" Hitsugaya started running towards Ichigo's room, happy that the orange-head was finally awake.

xxx-IchixHitsu-xxx

Ichigo let out a small groan as his eyelids fluttered. He couldn't remember anything and he had no idea why he was here. Wherever here was anyway. His head had a dull throbbing and it felt like he was going to throw up at any moment.

He shook his head side to side slowly, as if trying to get something off of his head. Moaning a little, Ichigo gently fluttered his eyes open. Everything was bright so Ichigo closed his eyes and let out a deep breath. 'Where am I…?' he thought. Before he could think any more on the matter two voices floated in thru the door to his ears.

Keeping his eyes closed so he could focus more on what they were saying, Ichigo drew his eyebrows together in confusion when he realized they were talking about him.

"How long has he been awake?!" a gruff voice demanded.

"I'm not sure. I was coming in to see if he had a fever and I noticed his eyes were fluttering. Then his eyelids opened and closed." A small female voice said.

A pause, then – "I'm going to go in and talk to him. I want you to send a message to Unohana-taicho."

"Hai."

Ichigo wondered briefly who the voices were but his thoughts were cut short when he heard the door slide open. Sill having his eyes closed, Ichigo didn't know who it was until he heard the visitor speak.

"So you're finally awake huh Kurosaki?"

Ichigo's brows furrowed even more at the voice. The voice sounded so familiar…

"T-T-Toshiro?" Ichigo asked hesitantly, his brows furrowed in uncertainty.

Hitsugaya blinked. Ichigo's eyes were still closed and his head was tilted to where he thought the tenth captain was.

"Yes, it's me." Hitsugaya walked over to Ichigo and sat down next to him. "How are you feeling?"

"…A little dizzy though I think that's cause of the light." Ichigo said his head tilted towards the right.

Hitsugaya nodded. "Okay. Hold on." Standing back up Hitsugaya went over to the doors leading outside and closed it. Turning around he walked back towards Ichigo's bed. Sitting down once more, Hitsugaya glanced at Ichigo.

"Why are your eyes closed Kurosaki?" Hitsugaya asked as he noticed that Ichigo's eyes were still closed.

"It's bright." Ichigo said.

"I closed the doors leading to outside. It shouldn't be that bright now." Hitsugaya said.

Ichigo nodded and then, slowly, opened his eyes. He blinked them a few times before moving his head so that he could look at Hitsugaya.

Hitsugaya held in his gasp when Ichigo turned to look at him. His eyes were not the normal color, the deep, dark brown he loved. Instead they were a deep, dark, pitch black. Hitsugaya realized as he stared that his iris had an outline to it, the same with his pupil. Hitsugaya didn't know why, but they reminded him of a hollow's eyes. He was brought out of his musing though when Ichigo spoke.

"What's wrong? Why are you staring?" Ichigo asked as he put his hands to his face, searching for something that wasn't there.

Hitsugaya got up and walked over to the door. Sliding it open, he called for Kyoko. Waiting a few minutes, he asked her when she arrived if she could get him a small mirror. Giving an affirmative she left to go find what he asked for. Returning a few minutes later, she handed him something small from what Ichigo could see. Saying thanks Hitsugaya gently closed the door and turned around to go back to his place by Ichigo.

Giving him a serious look, Hitsugaya said, "Now Kurosaki," he waited until he was Ichigo was paying attention, "don't be upset. Unohana may be able to explain it."

"Explain what?" Ichigo asked, now becoming concerned.

Not saying anything, Hitsugaya handed him the mirror. Nervousness filling his every nerve, Ichigo took the mirror. It was light in weight and was as big as his palm. [A/N: Which is pretty big. XD] Taking a deep breath Ichigo looked into his reflection.

The first thing he noticed was how pale he looked. But when he looked closer, he realized what Toshiro meant when he said don't be upset. His eyes. His eyes looked…dark. Evil. Eyes widening slightly, Ichigo slowly lifted his left hand and gently touched the skin under his eye. His eyes were not the brown they used to be. They were black. Pitch black. Ichigo moved his eyes to see what else was different but his eyes seemed to be the only thing that changed.

They reminded him of something but he couldn't put his finger on it. Then out of the blue a thought struck him. Hollow. That's what his eyes reminded him of. They looked like a Hollow's eyes. The dark, empty, bottomless eyes of a Hollow.

Realizing that Hitsugaya was staring at him, Ichigo put the mirror down and looked away. Thinking that Hitsugaya was staring at him because of his eyes, Ichigo closed his eyes and kept his head at where it was; staring at a wall.

Hitsugaya was startled when Ichigo suddenly turned his head away and closed his eyes. Concerned, Hitsugaya said, "What's wrong Kurosaki? Are you hurt?"

When Hitsugaya reached out Ichigo gave a small flinch and said, "No. I'm fine."

Startled, and a little hurt at Ichigo's action, Hitsugaya drew his hand back. "Look Kurosaki. I know you might be upset right now but Unohana will be coming by later to check on you."

Ichigo just nodded, still not opening his eyes.

Getting irritated now, Hitsugaya said, "Look at me Kurosaki." When Ichigo didn't the small taicho went forward and jerked Ichigo's head so that he was facing him. Ichigo's eyes flew open at the action and were staring at the white-haired tendo in shock. "I said look at me Kurosaki."

Ichigo did and couldn't help but feel afraid. He was afraid that Toshiro would look at him in disgust, in hatred. And he didn't know what he would do if Toshiro looked at him like that.

"If you are worried that I'll be freaked out by how your eyes look then you're wrong." Hitsugaya said with finality. There was a look in his eyes that silenced any protest that Ichigo had on his tongue. "I don't care about trivial things like that. Yes I liked the color but so what? You'll get the color back so don't worry. Unohana is on her way to see if there's anything she can do to reverse this. All right?"

Ichigo just sat there, stunned. Did he say that he like the color of his eyes? But before Ichigo could question him about the subject Kyoko walked in.

"Gomen, but Unohana-taicho is here Hitsugaya-sama. Do you want me to bring her here?" she asked.

Hitsugaya turned his head towards her to give her a curt nod before he turned back to look at Ichigo.

"Everything will be fine Kurosaki. Don't worry." Hitsugaya said. He was about to stand up when Ichigo snaked his hand to his wrist. Hitsugaya was about to ask what he was doing when he saw fear and worry in his black eyes.

"You aren't leaving right?" he asked, his voice sounding like a child's for a moment.

Hitsugaya was surprised at his question and couldn't help but soften his gaze. "I'm not going anywhere Kurosaki."

xxx-IchixHitsu-xxx

"This is peculiar."

Hitsugaya tried not to roll his eyes at the fourth division captain. She was currently examining him and was looking at his eyes. Ichigo was looking slightly nervous, and Hitsugaya couldn't blame him. She did have a frown on her face, even though it was small.

"I have never seen this before…" Unohana murmured. She pulled back from examining Ichigo's face and turned to Hitsugaya.

"What do you think could have caused this Hitsugaya-taicho?" she asked.

Hitsugaya looked at her in surprise. "You don't know what's caused this?" he asked.

She gently shook her head. "I have a theory but I want to know another captain's too." She said.

Hitsugaya didn't say anything for a moment before he spoke. "I think it might be a side effect of the poison. Maybe there are still some small amounts in his system." He suggested.

Unohana nodded. "That's what I think as well. However," -Hitsugaya didn't like the pause- "I can't seem to sense his reiatsu."

Hitsugaya blinked as well as Ichigo. So what did that mean? "What does that mean?" Ichigo asked. "Is my reiatsu like, gone gone or as in gone like it'll come back?"

Unohana had a thoughtful expression on her face. "Tell me Kurosaki-san, can you communicate with your zanpakutou?"

Ichigo looked at her. "I don't know…I mean, I haven't really tried and when I was asleep I couldn't sense anything…except a cocoon like feeling."

That statement piqued Unohana's curiosity. "What do you mean Kurosaki-san?"

Ichigo struggled inwardly, wondering how to word it. "It's like, I was being shielded or something. Like I could feel the pain but not actually feel it. Like I was outside myself, just distantly realizing I was in pain."

Unohana thought for a moment. While she did so, Hitsugaya looked at Ichigo. His hands were clenched and it looked as though he desperately wanted to close his eyes. 'He really doesn't want people looking at his eyes…' Hitsugaya thought.

And he was right. Ichigo didn't want them to look at his eyes because he thought they would become disgusted even though they didn't show it now.

"Aw. Poor King. Don't want anyone to hate you now right?"

Ichigo's eyes widened in surprise. "Shiro? Is that you?"

A scoff was heard. "No King. It's the other voice in your head. Of course it's me you baka!"

Ichigo inwardly reeled back. "No need to get snippy! Jeez. I was just curious 'cuz in case you didn't know, I've been out of it for a few day." Ichigo said.

"I know King. Who do you think lowered your body temperature so that the poison wouldn't spread so quickly?"

Ichigo's eyes once more widened in surprise. "It was you?"

Ichigo heard an exasperated sigh before a reply was heard. "Yes it was. You forget that I don't want to die and the only way to do keep that from happening is to keep you alive."

Ichigo was silent, then, "Where's Zangetsu? I haven't heard from him."

There was a small silence. Ichigo patiently waited while outside Hitsugaya and Unohana were speaking to each other. Soon the silence stretched into a longer one and just as Ichigo was about to speak- "He's not here King."

Silence. Then- "WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE'S NOT THERE?! I THOUGHT YOU COULDN'T' LEAVE MY MIND!" Ichigo shouted in panic.

"Relax King. He's not gone like gone from your soul. It's just you have no spirit energy. Which means he can't share your soul with you. If he did then…well. You get the idea."

"Wait. So why is that you are still here?" Ichigo asked.

"I'm still here 'cuz I'm you. I'm the mirror version of you in human form. You know how people are always saying there is good and evil in someone?" Shiro waited for Ichigo to nod. "Well that's me. I'm sort of like your evil doppelganger."

Oh. That explained a lot. Ichigo was snapped out of his inner talk with his hollow by Hitsugaya.

"Are you all right Kurosaki?" Hitsugaya asked.

Ichigo realized he must have looked like he was in trance while speaking with Shiro. "I'm fine. I just wanted to see if Zangetsu was in my mind." Ichigo said.

"And?" Unohana asked.

"Zangetsu isn't but my hollow is. He's been lowering my body temperature to slow down the poison." Ichigo answered.

Unohana nodded. "I expected as much. But since we never had any vizards before I wasn't too sure. This could also explain your eye color Kurosaki-san."

Ichigo blinked. "What do you mean?"

"Usually, when one obtains their zanpakutou, they develop characteristics. Like Hitsugaya-taicho."

Hitsugaya looked startled at the mention of his name. "What do you mean?"

"You wield Hyorinmaru who is an ice-type zanpakutou. Your hair is white for snow and your eyes are turquoise/teal colored for ice are they not?" Unohana said.

Hitsugaya blinked at what she said. No one had ever really guessed why his hair and eyes were colored the way they were. As he mulled what Unohana said over, she turned to Ichigo and spoke.

"Your eyes are probably black due to the influence of your hollow. I'm sure they will return to their original color when you gain more of your reiatsu." Unohana said, giving him an encouraging smile.

Ichigo nodded. Hitsugaya looked at Unohana as she stood. "I shall be going now. Now that you are awake Kurosaki-san, I'll be coming in three days to check up on you. And if you are recovering nicely I will only visit every five days."

Ichigo gave another nod and said, "Arigato Unohana-taicho."

Smiling, she said, "I want you to rest though. And try to eat. I know you won't feel like it but you'll need to build up your strength. Eat as much as you can and try to increase how much you eat. But don't overeat."

Ichigo nodded and said good-bye as Hitsugaya escorted her out. Ichigo could hear the small taicho apologizing for not escorting her to the door. Unohana let out a small chuckle and merely said it was not a problem.

Ichigo heard a pair of footsteps receding and blinked when Hitsugaya came into the room. He looked sort of relieved.

"Why do you look relieved?" Ichigo asked.

Hitsugaya, startled at the question, looked at Ichigo. He was silent for a few seconds before he replied "I'm relieved because you are not in serious danger anymore."

Walking over and sitting down, Hitsugaya said, "Are you hungry?"

Ichigo thought about it and said, "Surprisingly, no."

The white-haired taicho nodded. "That's expected. I'll have Suzu or Kyoko fix you something small for dinner later."

Ichigo nodded and realized his eyelids felt heavy. Suddenly feeling drowsy, Ichigo fell slightly forward but was caught by Hitsugaya.

"Kurosaki! Are you all right?" he asked.

Ichigo gave a weak nod and didn't struggle when Hitsugaya laid him back down on his futon. "Rest Kurosaki. I'll check on you later."

As Hitsugaya got up from where he was sitting and went to the door, Ichigo called out "Toshiro."

Hitsugaya, trying to contain a reprimand, turned around. Ichigo was looking at him with fatigue filled eyes and said, "Arigato."

Surprised, Hitsugaya said nothing for a moment. After the small pause he said, "It's no problem Kurosaki. You would have done the same for me."

And with that he left the room, wondering why his heart was thundering when Ichigo gave him a small smile.

Okay guys! Here is that nineth chap! And be ready for the next update! Oh, and please review! Your reviews let me know how I'm doing and how well the story is going! So please, REVIEW!!!