#ginjo

There was a part of you that thought you were going crazy. Those masked monsters, well it was terrifying, but like a guardian angel he was just there. 

That sword, those robes, that striking orange hair that looked so bright it was almost impossible for it to be natural. 

There was part of you that thought you imagined it all. But when the monster disappeared right before your eyes and he moved to check on you, well, maybe it was then you decided that he was a friend you didn’t want to lose. 

“Ichigo.” 

He turned at the call, bag over his shoulder casually. 

“Hey, you got out early.” 

You nodded. 

Activities tended to take long, that’s why it was just the two of you. You were sort of looking forward to walking home with the rest of your friends, but you understood. It was nice that he’d been able to stick around. There was also a slight appreciation for the one on one, because there’s something you needed to talk to him about. 

“I found a sword.” 

He turned at you words, confusion on his face. 

“A sword?” 

You nod. 

“I think it might be mine, but I’m not sure where it came from. Maybe..maybe it’s the same as Orihime-chan or Sado-kun.” 

Your eyes were trained ahead and Ichigo just observed. He’d heard Kisuke explain that each of their abilities manifested differently, so it’s possible this was another expression of that. After all, you could see hollows. It wasn’t so hard to believe that you might have been sporting the same kind of spiritual pressure as the rest of them. 

“I’ll take you to Kisuke.” 

Your head lifted. 

“Kisuke?” 

“Yeah, he might be able to help you figure it out. He’s a creepy bastard, but he’s good at that stuff. He’ll show you how to use it, how to control it.” 

Ichigo trusted this guy, so you saw no reason not to. At the moment you were grateful for any assistance. 

“Arigatou, Ichigo.” 

You were smiling at him and his face flamed up as he placed his hand on top of your head. 

“Don’t go getting smug.” 

You were flapping your hands around wildly, because his hand was blocking your vision. 

Life was somewhat simple then. 

There were hollows, and you needed to protect people. You never really saw yourself as much of a fighter, but you’d seen Ichigo and Renji train one time and you were amazed. They were extraordinary. Fearless almost. 

Every battle that came seemed scary enough, but Ichigo had faced it without fail and still managed somehow to support and protect his friends in the process. He was there for you when you were still figuring it all out. Your abilities, that power. He stood by you even when he was battling his own demons. Literally and figuratively.

“Oii!” 

You stumbled and Ichigo flash stepped, pressing a hand to your shoulder to keep you upright. With the battle between the Soul Society and Aizen quickly approaching, you needed to be stronger. Although, you might have been pushing a little too hard. 

You sent Ichigo a bashful smile. 

“Gomen, I overdid it.” 

He was frowning as you finally regained your footing, sword at your side. 

“Quit being an idiot.” 

He whacked you on top of the head and you glared. 

“That hurt!!” 

“Good, maybe next time you’ll be more careful!!” 

You wanted to argue further but he was right, you were being reckless. You deflated, eyes moving to your sword and Ichigo’s hand lowered from its raised position. You knew he’d intended to give you another thump for good measure, but his gaze softened when he saw that look on your face. 

You were scared. 

It was impossible to hide. This time when his hand came down, it dropped on the top of your head softly, ruffling your locks. 

“Don’t worry, I’ll protect you.” 

Your eyes locked with his and you saw it, the determination that followed every time you’d all run into an obstacle that felt impossible. When Rukia was taken he’d said the same thing. That he would protect her, he would save everyone, and he’d done it. The reapers that were once enemies were now comrades, fighting on the same side. It was incredible and something you felt like only Ichigo could accomplish. 

Now you’re once again facing a big bad and instead of worrying, or showing fear, he was giving you another guarantee that it would all be okay. That he would be there. 

There was nothing that could describe how amazing he was, because his words were never empty.  

So you fought. It was terrifying, but you won. 

Just as he promised, he’d protected you, he protected everyone. 

The Vizards had stepped in and Aizen was sealed away.

He did it, it should have been a joyous occasion, but when the realization of what tapping into that power meant, it was heartbreaking. 

“My abilities are disappearing.” 

It was like a gut punch. You were seated on a swing set when he broke the news and your eyes grew wide. Despite what he just told you, he was smiling, staring at the sun that was hanging low in the sky. The red and orange hues gave off a glow that even now made him seem like some angelic figure. 

“I can’t stop it, and I can’t say that I regret anything that has happened until this point.” 

Your grip tightened on the metal as your body slowly stopped rocking. It’s not like he was giving up. He was graciously accepting the situation. Another show of his strength. You should have been supporting him, but you just started crying. Ichigo turned, startled. 

“W-What the hell!”

“Y-You’re so cool Ichigo!!” 

You just continued to wail. 

“I-I get it so quit crying!!!” 

Even then he’d managed to keep it all together. When Rukia left you knew it was tough, that’s when you decided that it was your turn to protect him. To be his guardian, the way he’d done for you and so many others. 

“From here on out I’ll protect you!” 

Ichigo just sweatdropped. 

“What are you going on about?” 

He looked generally confused and you just huffed. You worked up all that courage to look cool and unaffected and with one look you felt silly. 

“Never mind, fend for yourself jerk!!” 

“Oii!! Why are you getting angry!” 

He was clueless, but to be honest, so were you. You never really thought about why it was so easy to be at his side. You were friends, it was natural. He was there, he’d always been there. You just assumed you admired him. After all, he was the one who helped you find your strength. 

That’s why when the fullbrings showed up and he was able to regain just a fraction of what he lost, you were ecstatic. You could tell he was too. Ginjo was an ally, a friend. 

At least that’s what you thought. 

The enemy was supposed to be Tsukishima. When your friends started talking about the guy like he was a buddy, you were convinced you were going mad. But you weren’t the only one. Ichigo had encountered the same. So the only option was to ask Ginjo for help. Except when you both got there, the truth became clear and it was painful. 

You hadn’t even been able to move when he stuck his sword into Ichigo's chest and stole his powers. The rain beating against your clothes should have been at least sobering, but all you could do was stare from your spot on the ground after he’d knocked you down. 

Ichigo was on his knees and at that moment you knew you’d failed the very promise you made him. You were supposed to look out for him, protect him, but you’d so easily been taken down. 

Even without power, Ichigo had still faced off against Ginjo.

Then when you saw that dark hair and those eyes, in some crazy way you just felt like it would be alright. Rukia had stuck her sword into Ichigo’s back and in a blink, everything changed. He was stronger, much stronger than before and you felt like there was nothing else to worry about. 

A few years later, another war was overcome. 

Old enemies had come back to join the fight. 

It was strange, getting help from some like Aizen, Grimmjow, Harribel, Tsukishima…Ginjo. 

You realized that now that Yhwach was defeated, everyone could relax. Standing in the Soul Society conversing with Ginjo, it was still hard to grasp. Rukia and Renji were discussing it with Kisuke. Ichigo at the side. Ginjo and Tsukishima were standing right in front of you and the entire time you just kept your glare in their direction. Ginjo looked over with a smirk. 

“Ichigo, I see you still have your guard dog.” 

An irk mark popped up on your head. 

“I’m stronger than the last time we met Ginjo!!” You were furious, and you intended to attack but Ichigo grabbed you by the collar. 

“Calm down, he’s on our side.” 

With an agitated scoff, you finally stopped, sheathing your blade. Tsukishima stood at the side with a smile of his own. 

“So you haven’t realized yet.” 

Your brows were furrowed.

“Why are you speaking in riddles, realized what?” 

“The reason why my fullbring didn’t work on you.” Tsukishima’s words weren’t making sense and now everyone is invested. 

“What are you talking about?” Rukia asked. 

“I was able to manipulate all of Ichigo’s friends, even his family. At the time it was simple. Yet (Y/N) was unaffected.” 

Now that you thought about it, he was right. You were strong, there’s no doubt about that, but even Sado had been tricked, Uryuu too. Now that you weren’t trying to rip Ginjo’s head off, you really wanted to know. 

“Why didn’t it work?” 

He was looking at you as if it were obvious, but the curious tilt of your head must have spoken for itself. He chuckled. 

“It’s because you’re in love with Ichigo.” 

The statement caught everyone by surprise. For a moment you could just stare, as if still trying to process his words. When you finally got yourself to look at Ichigo, it finally set in. 

“I’m..in love with Ichigo..” 

You repeated as if doing so would make it somehow make sense. You expected him to look just as startled as you by the revelation, but his expression showed neither. There was understanding, longing..hope..

“(Y/N)..” 

He took a step forward and you flinched, flash stepping. They all blinked, because you were in a building quite a distance away. 

“I-I have to go!” 

That’s all you said, just like that, you were gone, no doubt running back to Karakura. 

Ichigo sighed in defeat. 

“Looks like she’s just as dense as Ichigo.” Ginjo commented. 

“SHUT UP!!”