Life as a hollow is, or rather, should be simple: you go out to eat people and you stay in to become stronger. That's what your lambda hollow did. As an inner hollow, his time was split like the Grinch's : contemplating murder, wishing for release, eating despair, that kinda thing.

But then, he couldn't be like other hollows. Nah, he was Ichigo Kurosaki's Hollow. Meaning, he had been beaten by that guy a few times, couldn't go out until the King said so, had to watch whatever the hell he was doing. Including going from blushing with that girl to marrying her.

Without knowing, or willing it, he had become interested in this silly quiet life, which was so much more complicated than what he was used to. And, cherry on the cake, that King of his had managed to pop a child in his Queen. He wasn't surprised, after all, he had quite actually seen how it happened.

No, the surprise was how, despite his rightful wish to stay away from that sappy happiness, he liked it. Wouldn't openly admit it, but being a part of this life, of this joy of having that baby, thinking ahead, it made him feel good.

When Ichigo and Orihime got married, the Shinigami had been so at ease with himself, so at peace that he'd unwillingly unsealed the Hollow. Hichigo had popped in the real world, with his own body and clothes, for everyone to see. Urahara was making research on it, but, really, Hichigo wasn't waiting for answers. He'd live his life, with the other two yeah, but at least he wasn't stuck in a reversed building world anymore.

So now, his simple life had turned more complicated.

Not in a bad way, he'll admit.

After all, it wasn't bad to hold the little child while his mother was watching him with amusement. And Ichigo was there too, but trusted the hollow. Talk about progress!

"You secured his head?"

"Yeah, he won't fall. I ain't dumb."

Orihime gave him a small teasing look, getting up to touch her son's cheek. Kazui giggled, reaching for a finger to put in his mouth. Thank god, Hichigo was not his premium choice for that.

"He likes you." She smiled at him, and he rolled his eyes playfully.

"That kid likes everyone. Even hollows. Not a good point in parenting for you."

Orihime pulled out her tongue at him, not interested in bickering with him, and kept her gaze focused on the baby, caressing his fluffy little cheeks, watching him enjoy himself.

Some days, he was a baby holder. It didn't interest him much, but at least he was doing something. Other days, at some very exceptional moments when Ichigo couldn't spend time with Orihime, she'd request the hollow to come with her. Didn't matter where. He went. Even if it was grocery shopping, which made him feel like some kind of prized puppy, by the way.

"Alright, so we need several fruits, a lot of vegetables and baby stuff."

Orihime, dressed in a cute long blue dress, with her coat hiding her creme shirt, took a hold of the shopping cart, grey eyes scanning the list in her hand. Hichigo, still as pale as ever with his peculiar eyes, stood next to her, behind the cart, in jeans and a t-shirt. Surely, that little trip wouldn't take too long. People were staring at him way too intensely.

Not that he cared for him mind you. It was more for that distracted woman. Having talks of her husband going outside dressed in negative circulating in town was probably not what either wanted.

"Let's go. And watch your steps." He grumbled at her, one hand pushing the iron thing and another on her shoulder.

Orihime was used to him handling her, in a way. Before, when the hollow was still in Ichigo, they... well, they dug into his wilder side. Ichigo knew it, was fine with it, and it wasn't cheating : as hard it used to be admitted, Hichigo was a part, probably the darkest, of Ichigo. Being with him, like now or sexually, was being with Ichigo.

That's why she liked any contact with him. Why she allowed, greeted, loved every moment with him.

And he, well.