To Protect

Day 1: Type type type
Day 2: slack off
Day 3: Stumped, beats muse.
Day 4: DOA
Day 5: Done but only in writing.
Day 6: Done, AND GET DOWN ON YOUR KNEES AND WORSHIP TRUELY WISHED, The first person to review this story, and the one who betaed it(using her split personality/ego?? I can't tell) //Quote// True Love: "The only thing I can imagine worse than spending my life with you is being without you" //Unquote//

**-_-**

It had been three days now and Karin had managed to avoid Ichigo. Running out of the house or locking herself in her room. Time and time again Ichigo tried to reach her but...

"Karin, please, I brought you sweets."

The door opened, and before Karin could grab them, Ichigo pulled them away. He towered over her by more than a foot. Wiggling the bag Ichigo stared down at her, smug look on his face. If there was one way to get a woman to forgive you, it was through sweets. However, Ichigo didn't take into account Karin was a tomboy. A tomboy that didn't care for girlish rules that messed with her style.

With a force unbelievable for her tiny body, she kicked Ichigo in the shins. Then punched him in the face as he reached down to grasp his shin. With a growl the young brunette snatched the bag of sweets. Heedless of Ichigo's toes, Karin shoved the door shut. In reply Ichigo kicked the door with a third of his might.

"Ungrateful little-"

"Oi, Ichigo." Renji paused. "What are you doing on the floor?"

"I got my ass kicked by a little girl that has yet to hit puberty."
"Ick, that doesn't do much good for your reputation... Well unless it's Vice-Captain Yachiru." The redhead smirked.

"Get to the point. What do you want, Renji?"

"Me and Yuzu are going grocery shopping for otou-san. I figure I can carry more groceries then her."

Ichigo's eye twitched, maybe Renji was taking this half brother thing a little too far. "Do whatever you want, I don't care."

"Good luck with your sister." Renji chuckled.

"You know she's mad at me because of you jack offs."

"Right back at you."

Ichigo observed Renji as he walked away. This whole family thing seemed so second nature to Renji. Opposite of what Rukia had always told him. A pang of jealously went through Ichigo; it was not right a soul society reject was better then him with his family. But it was quelled when he noticed Renji's new head band, one of Yuzu's creations. It was lacy and full of shiny flowers made out of fabric.

"HEY NICE HEAD BAND!" Ichigo called out before he could stop himself. "IT FITS A FAIRY LIKE YOU!"

"FAG!"

"NO THANKS RENJI, I DON'T SMOKE!"

**-_-**

"Are you ready to go, Onii-San?" Yuzu asked meeting Renji out front.

It was about lunch and the day was almost at its hottest. For shade, Yuzu held a decorative umbrella that matched her shirt. Her shorts were tan as her hair and on her back she carried a small pack. She smiled sweetly at Renji, as always full of energy. Politely he pulled the back pack from her shoulders and put it on his.

"I got it Yuzu, what's with all the stuff?"

"Before we go shopping, I want to see Mrs. Ryuuki." Yuzu blushed. "She's been sick lately, and she can't get the clinic so I take her medicine to her."

"Just so long as we don't miss lunch it's fine with me."

"INITIATION OF THE NEW SON ATTACK!"

"Huh?"

Catching his son off guard was Isshin's style and now Ichigo had brought him home another son. One defenseless and slow; Isshin suddenly felt so alive! It had been awhile since his foot last connected with anything. Twisting around with the force of impact Renji went face first into the cement. Proudly, Isshin put his foot up on Renji's ass and did a pose reminiscent of an American Captain Morgan commercial

"Ah ha, no one can beat Kurosaki Isshin!"

"Um, otou-san, do you think you should really do that... I mean." Yuzu looked at Renji with concern.

"Don't fret Yuzu," Isshin smiled.

"HEY WHAT DID YOU DO THAT FOR OLD MAN?!" Renji screamed.

"You forgot your money." Isshin handed Yuzu a small purse.

"Oh, I'm sorry... Thank you otou-san."

"OI! GET YOUR FOOT OFF MY ASS... LET ME UP!" Renji screamed nearly busting a blood vessel in his forehead.

Isshin looked down at Renji with a hooded look. A look that only Renji would get; instantly Renji was silenced. His eyes became trapped in Isshin's. It was almost like they were being held there. Sweat began to bead up on Renji's skin as he swallowed a lump in his throat. Suddenly Isshin smiled like a normal old man.

"Take of your little sister okay, and don't be gone too long, I'm hungry." He beamed down at his captive. "I'M SO HAPPY! I am blessed with a new son."

Renji sighed. This was getting ridiculous.

**-_-**

Mrs. Ryuuki, Renji learned was a sweet old lady. It had been four years since she lost her husband. All his life Mr. Ryuuki took care of her. Many days he didn't come home just so she wouldn't go without. Together they had two children; one died in infancy from crib death, the second was forty-seven now. Her second child had moved to America shortly after he turned eighteen. Her son never called, never wrote, as a matter of fact Mrs. Ryuuki didn't even know if he was still alive.

He didn't even know his father was dead.

Carefully Renji set down a picture of Mr. Ryuuki from World War II. A man of honor, he had intended to give his life to his country. One twist of fate and he found himself alive. Looking at the rest of the pictures there was no regret in the smiling faces. Mr. Ryuuki lived his life to the fullest when he wasn't at work. One could say Mr. Ryuuki's heart was still here even though his spirit was gone.

"Please stay for lunch," Mrs. Ryuuki pleaded, her voice shaking like her pruned hands.

So they, rather Renji, decided to stay for lunch. While she prepared food Renji cleaned the house that was falling into squaller. Being in her nineties, she could hardly move. Even sweeping the floor took a lot of effort. In doing so Renji learned something important to a Shinigami; the true value of human life.

**-_-**

The streets around Mrs. Ryuuki's home were relatively carless. Every now and then one would drive by. In reality this was a lot more peaceful neighborhood then were the clinic was. There, cars always whizzed by at all hours non stop. They stopped at an intersection and Yuzu pressed the cross walk button. Renji didn't understand why they couldn't cross now, no one was coming. Looking up at the red-head her brother brought home, she studied his features. For someone supposedly from Japan he could be quite arrogant, maybe he was really related to Ichigo's classmate Orihime.

When the walk signal came up Yuzu took Renji's hand and started across the street. The sound of squealing tires made Renji tense. In the human world that sound never meant anything good. To his left there was a small blue compact car headed straight towards them. There was no chance to jump out of the way.

Pulling on Yuzu's arm Renji wrapped his large body around hers. Something Renji figured for the grill connected with his leg, breaking it instantly. Rolling up the hood, Renji's shoulder smashed into the windshield; he could feel the the glass break with impact. The car sped up and Renji found himself hitting the cement hard. Renji and Yuzu rolled a several feet before coming to rest in the middle of the road.

He lay on his right side, his face pressed to the hot cement. His body remained protectively around Yuzu, but she wasn't moving. His body throbbed and ached with pain, it took all he had just to move. Sitting up his head spun as Renji struggled to stay awake.

"Yuzu... Yuzu." Renji gently shook the small body in his arms.

Except on her leg, there appeared to be nothing wrong with her. Running his hands though her hair he found no obvious signs that she hit her head. The blood in her hair was Renji's, not hers. He cursed and pressed her small form to his chest. Yuzu's heart still beat strong, at least she was alive.

"Well, well, I was right. It was Kurosaki Renji, Ichigo's big brother."

Looking up Renji saw the man from the jail cell Ichigo mentioned having a vendetta with him. Angrily Renji spat on the street, leaving a red spot.

"BASTARD!" Renji screamed.

"Now, now, that's not a way to greet a friend."

Ignoring the pain Renji struggled to his feet. His leg screamed in agony but he ignored it. The man before him was a threat. If Renji knew what Ichigo did maybe he could smooth over this situation. Gritting his teeth Renji prepared to fight; he would take him out. A coughing fit shook the redhead, splattering little red droplets on the cement.

"Give me the girl then you get medical attention." The man offered his voice like the devil's.

"Why?"

"So I can get Ichigo to come to me of course."

"It won't work." Renji hissed.

"Why no one can deny their little sisters, besides I-"

"It won't work cause she's dead!" Renji yelled.

"Dead," The man smiled. "What kind of fool do you think I am. I saw you covering her when we ran into you. Your big enough to cushion her fall. DON'T FUCK WITH ME!"

"I'm not fucking with you, she smashed the back of her head, you just can't see it through all the blood." Renji forced tears to well up in his eyes; just like Rukia taught him. "Please look for yourself so they can have evidence against you."

Instantly the thug drew back; he was falling for Renji's bluff. Renji swayed, fuck he felt so much like passing out. While he tried to shake his head clear Renji took the time to limp to the side of the road. There, he settled Yuzu carefully in the shade of a wall, crossing her hands across her chest. Then untying his hair band he laid it under her small hands. Reaching into his pocket he thought to leave his cellphone with her, but only found shattered fragments.

//Shit!//

"I'll go with you, if you leave her here for somebody to find her and take her body home." Renji said in a flat tone. "You saw what he did for me in the jail."

The world was still fuzzy when Yuzu opened her eyes. Nothing made sense, all she could recall was taking Renji's hand to cross the street. They had taken five steps when... Yuzu closed her eyes and turned her head towards the road. When Renji had wrapped himself around her. Yuzu's eyes snapped open realizing that she and Renji were struck by a car. In a haze Yuzu watched as two men man-handled Renji into a blue car. The windshield was caved in and she could see crimson highlights. The men who struck them were abducting Renji. This wasn't right, was this a dream? Yuzu fainted again.

**-_-**

Ichigo slept in Karin's doorway. During the three hour stand off he had fallen asleep against her door. First glance it was like no one was home, but as Karin put Yuzu's makeup on him, he stirred. There was some sort of peace in knowing her brother waited so long to make things right.

"Thank you," Karin whispered before she had threw a blanket over him.

Now he slept undisturbed, dreaming sweet dreams about Renji. Moaning he rolled over putting a hand down his pants and began to rub vigorously

//"Ichigo."//

Complaining softly, Ichigo remained in his dream.

//"Ichigo!"//

Ichigo's dream faded into darkness. Renji was gone, the emotions he felt went dry. Turning around in his dream world, Ichigo searched for the one that violated his dream. Needing to regain his control, Ichigo closed his eyes.

//"Ichigo!!"//

His eyes shot opened, Ichigo screamed as his hollow's face was in his. Snapped out of his dream state, Ichigo stood up. Sweat beaded his body while his heart threatened to tear out of his chest. Fuck, nothing scared him more then his hollow.

'King, I keep calling, yet you do not head me.' A distorted voice came from down the hall.

Fearfully Ichigo looked down the hall. It was impossible, yet Hichigo stood in the hallway looking at him with that same stupid look on his face. Ichigo reached for his badge, it was gone.

'Looking for this,' Hichigo laughed as he held it up. 'Why don't you come and get it, King,'

How he hated that hollow, time and time he had wished it away. Now it stood free from his mind. Free to harm Ichigo's family. Ichigo's body became attentive, ready for a fight.

'When I'm King we won't move this slow.'

"BASTARD GET BACK HERE!"

"OI Ichigo what's all the yelling about?" Kon asked walking out of Ichigo's room.

Kon jumped back just as Ichigo nearly trampled him. The little lion plushie shook its fist at Ichigo. His complaints went unherd. He would get Ichigo back for ignoring him.

In a flash Hichigo rounded a corner and was gone. Both of them where on high speed chase around town. The hollow easily out pacing his ruling counter part. Another corner and the white haired, white skinned version of himself was gone. Cursing Ichigo slowed to a walk searching for his escaped hollow. It still troubled him how Hichigo got free, wasn't he a part of him... Or maybe it was the other way around.

"Hichigo, heed your king, where the fuck are you?"

"I... Ichigo?"

It was a cold realization that froze his bones making it almost impossible to turn around. There on the ground was Yuzu. Blood caked her hair, her clothes were stained. Her one leg was curled off to the side and it was black, blue, and a little greenish tinge to it. Yuzu pushed herself to sit up, tears welling up in her eyes.

"I'm sorry," she cried.

Moving to her side, Ichigo pushed the tears out of her eyes with his thumb. "Don't be sorry, what happened Yuzu... Where's Renji?"

"I... I... I thought I was dreaming, but he was taken." She clutched the Renji's headband.

"Taken by who?"

"Bullies, the ones you used to beat up."

"Ones I-" Ichigo embraced his youngest sister. "Yuzu I'm sorry... You're covered in blood, is it yours?"

Twice, Renji and Ichigo met in battle. One he lost, the other he won. On other occasions they sparred. So Ichigo already recognized the smell of the blood that was on her. He didn't know but maybe it was his hollow. Hugging his sister he looked up, Hichigo was staring down at him from a utility pole. Both the hollow's posture and expression was one of disgust, loathing, and murder.

//"Now don't get the wrong idea, Hichigo, Thank you.//

//'Just stop the rain before we all drown.'//

"Um, Ichigo, why are you wearing makeup." Yuzu sniffled.

++-_-++

Bullying, often caused by physical abuse, was aimed to cause fear. Before Kurosaki Ichigo became a Shinigami substitute, it was part of his reputation. Fear was how it was, no one to betray him. Only the bravest souls dared to be friends with bullies. Not Ichigo's friends however, they were not only brave, but they saw him for who he really was. The lonely crying little boy that needed attention. Now Ichigo approached the spot in which he and Chad made their first pact. He reminisced the time he and Chad had been kidnapped by a group of bullies best described as thugs attention.

Now Ichigo approached the spot in which he and Chad made their first pact. He reminisced about the time he Chad had been kidnapped by a group of bullies best described as thugs. At that time he was almost lost down the path of violence. A path some students ventured down. The most extreme got shoved out of school as soon as possible so as not to tarnish the school's reputation.

That was right, a school's reputation meant everything, too bad they didn't know about the works Ichigo had done.

//Soon I'll be in high school.// Ichigo thought. //Grades mean everything. With all that's been happening in the soul society, I'm screwed. Even that stuck up Quincy boy is no longer on top.//

"Kon, are you still with me?"

"How can I not be? You locked me in this smelly little bag." Kon whined in reply.

"I'm sorry Kon," The sound of Ichigo's voice betrayed his troubled mood.

"Hmf, you better be." Kon crossed his plushie arms.

"Look." Ichigo puled Kon out of the bag. "I'm going to go kick some ass. If anything goes wrong I want you to call for help."

"How?"

Sitting Kon on the ground, he pulled out his cellphone. It was almost comical, the size difference between Kon and the phone. Distant thunder rumbled, he recalled earlier today the newspaper mentioning something about a big summer storm. Just Ichigo's luck it would strike before he got himself and Renji home. Worst of all he didn't know how Kon could take getting soaked.

"It's going to rain soon," Ichigo stated.

"I know," Kon used to phone jingly to pull the cell phone off the ground. "I'll be fine, Ichigo."
Kon stared up at Ichigo in awe, he couldn't help but admire the orange haired teen this time. Behind him the sky prematurely darkened. Lightning flickered behind Kon. Frowning Ichigo stepped away, Kon watched with a little bit of a pout; he never got to fight.

"OI ICHIGO, GOOD LUCK!" Kon called out after Ichigo.

**-_-**

ain was pouring down and the group of thugs were laughing around a
blazing bonfire. The river they sat by began to rise with the ever increasing amount of rain. The one with a nose stud that had a gold chain connecting it to his ear poked a limp body laying on the ground. Their captive was becoming more and more unresponsive.

Chain wrapped around him from head to foot, barbed wire held his hands and feet in place in case he fought. They found this image of their captive amusing.

"Looks like your little brother got smart, decided not to save your
sorry ass anyways." He sneered.

After his deal with the person from the jail, Renji was bludgeoned unconscious. He woke up on dry land comfortably far enough from the river. Now that it was raining the barb wire that cut into Shinigami's wrists was now no longer his concern. Water licked around his shins. It felt like cold, dead hands trying to pull him down into the pits of hell.

Faces appeared around Renji sneering at him like devils of old tales thirsty for human blood.

Ichigo stepped out of the rain into the fire light. "I'm here, let him go."