"Really? Hmm well I was on my way to see Urahara then I went down his stupid latter and then bam I was here." He said smiling to his son. He stared at the ground before looking up seriously at him. "Ichigo, I missed you. I know I don’t always act like it but I worry. I worry when I can’t keep tabs on so, even though you’re here and not at the soul society, I’m glad to know that you’re safe and unharmed." He took him by the shoulders and pulled him into a big hug, something he used to do when he was little. 

No. 

Ichigo’s eyes widened a considerable amount as his father met his gaze and somehow he found he couldn’t pull away. This wasn’t fair. How he wished he could just block his ears, ignore everything his father was saying to him, ignore the pull of heart strings and the stinging behind his eyes. But it was too late, what’s said is said. 

He couldn’t pull away when he felt hands on his shoulder, nor could he stop himself from hesitantly burying his face into his Dad’s shoulder. No, he wouldn’t. As he slowly brought his hands up around his father, Ichigo felt the tears well threatening to drip over the edge, to drop onto Isshin’s shirt, proof of his son’s inability to keep the cap on his emotions. 

"Shit." He murmured, his body tensing slightly as he growled at himself, shame burning his cheeks as his fingers now gripped the doctor’s shirt, like a drowning man clasping to a life line. The trail of curses soon followed, never-ending and yet remaining ever-so quiet, muttered on the ragged breaths, frustrated tears staining his face. 

Ichigo had missed life as a normal teenager with a home, a family, school and friends. He’d missed it all and most of all he had missed one of the only stable figures in his life, the only person who was ever constant, unchanging, the perfect support for when the shit came pouring down from the sky and onto our hero’s already heavy shoulders. 

"I missed you, Dad…" Came a soft whisper from bitten lips during  pause between the cursing, barely audible above the weighted silence. 

A Battle of Wits? || Carrot-top and Shortcake

"I’m not that short."

"Ever hear what the school gardener does to the hedges when they get too tall?”

"I'd like to see you try, Shortcake. But fine, you win..."

"Did you want to swap seats or something?" 

Hero meet heroine; Ichigo & Ino

Some children were embarrassed by their parents (Sakura, Shikamaru, Kiba- the list went on), but Ichigo’s answered made it sound like he was almost… bitter towards his dad. What had happened? All the interactions she had had with Isshin had proven him to be a good dad in her eyes. He was caring, he was bursting with love for his children, he was a healer and he was filled with warmth.

"Why? Your dad is great," she replied, tilting her head in confusion.

"Did your dad embarrass you in front of the girl you like?"

It could be. Some fathers just got awkward about those things.

"Ohohoh, you think I’m pretty like a real life heroine?" She blushed, flattered and poked his shoulder.

"Ichigo-San, please, we’ve just met. And anyway, my best friend is the heroine in my village," she added, raising her brows in thought.

As a kunoichi, Sakura, with her monstrous strength made a better, real life heroine.

Sakura was Tsunade’s apprentice and was considered to be even better than Tsunade was in her prime. She was going to be a legendary Sannin, equal to Naruto and Sasuke.

"Well, who is the heroine in your world?"

Ichigo couldn't help but chuckle softly at her inquiry, after all he'd never really needed his father's help to embarrass himself in front of any girl he'd had an inkling of a crush on.  "Nah, just well...He's an idiot is all. Like a massive, clingy idiot. It gets pretty irritating, that's why." He explained with a shrug, it wasn't a big deal in his eyes; that was just how their relationship worked. Not that he needed to delve any deeper into their relationship at all; the girl hand already blathered her way onto a different topic. 

"Huh? Do all heroines have to be pretty?" He questioned bluntly, not realising that in such a tone it could be taken as though he thought the blonde wasn't attractive. However even if he had meant it that way there was no doubt her large ego wouldn't be able to cover the slight wound. But what was all this talk of heroines? Was she trying to compare herself? He wondered, and if so; was it to bring herself up or push herself down? 

"The heroine in my world? Well...I guess there's Inoue...Rukia as well, but she's not from the human world, but I guess there's this girl called Tatsuki. She's pretty kickass," Ichigo murmured listing off some of his female friends, continuing on to mention Yoruichi and Rangiku. He glanced at Ino before sighing and rolling his shoulders as he massaged the nape of his neck. 

"Listen, Blondie. I don't get why you think there can only be one heroine. Isn't everyone the hero of their own story? I don't think you should have to limit yourself to supporting chorus member." 

Hero meet heroine; Ichigo & Ino

Instead of looking flattered, he appeared positively bamboozled by her knowledge. Wow, not exactly the face of a great hero. A little too thin and pointy, actually… and the orange hair just made her think he could be related to Pain. Not exactly the best association.

Either way, he was a famous boy from Ulquiorra’s world. He only relaxed when she smiled at him.

"Oh, the Doctor? Yes, yes! He was kind enough to look after me when I needed his help," she nodded with a fond look in her eyes. His dad was a nice person.

"You don’t look anything like him," Ino pointed out, eyes roaming his smaller jaw and bright hair. He was just… such an ordinary school boy.

How could this civilian boy pick up a sword? Perhaps his heart was stronger than his appearance.

"So, how did you like my acting?"

"Like a movie star heroine, ne?"

A sigh escaped his parted lips, filled with dreariness, slight frustration and a sprinkling of envy. So what, he didn't have his dad's strong jaw or broad shoulders, or even stubble on his chin. So what, he had his mothers eyes, chin, stature. It didn't stop him from doing his duty, though it also didn't stop him from feeling slightly bitter about his luck of the draw from the gene pool. 

"Does it matter? The less I look like him the better. That way people won't associate me with him." The hero grumbled, massaging the nape of his neck gently. 

Glancing at the upturned thumb he rolled his shoulders, considering his answer before offering, "I suppose so, though I don't care much for movies...Isn't better just to be a heroine in real life than in make-believe?"

"NEVER, YOU WILL LEARN TO LOVE ME!"

"G-GET AWAY FROM ME! AND STOP PULLING SUCH A CREEPY ASS FACE!!"

"Now son, there’s no need to be rude. Come, give your beautiful father a hug." 

"QUIT IT, OLD MAN!"

A Battle of Wits? || Carrot-top and Shortcake

"Did I stutter, carrot-top?"

"I was here first."

Carrot-top?

"You know, I heard that on stage when an actor gets blocked; it's their job to move. So scram, shrimp."

"Loud as usual, Ichigo."

"If you would stop for a moment and think about it, you would also realize this place is taken care of … a rather cute plushie. Nothing really makes sense starting from there.”

"Even though, assuming that club did intended to kill you, don’t go around crying, you’ve been through so many other hard tasks already, nothing can’t really stop you now.”

Ichigo halted his yelling and lowered his head, hiding the smile that warmed his features. He knew that voice just as well as he recognised her softly pulsing reiatsu, so much so that one could wonder why he even bothered to turn to face the shinigami. However he would never admit how he somewhat longed to see her with his own eyes, and so happily glanced over his shoulder at Rukia, a smirk tweaking his lips.

"That was one of the nicest things you've ever said to me." He joked before turning fully and slipping a hand into his pocket. "Besides, just because I've survived a lot of shit doesn't mean I want to go through trying to survive more shit. Y'know?"

Shortcake?

"Do you even understand the notes you’re blocking me from reading?”

"Oi, what're you trying to say, pipsqueak?"

"And if you're so bothered then, as I suggested; move."

"No."

"You’re blocking my view, beanpole."

"Then move, shortcake."

"I sure as hell ain't."

"We share the same DNA. This weirdness lies within you son."

"Crap. That very thought makes me want to vomit."

"Ouch!! What the hell, Dad?!" 

His hands immediately flew to his wound as he glowered at his father, despite the fact that he had somewhat expected the assault. But before he had a chance to continue what was sure to become a yelling match, he got a good look at his father and sighed. Like he would ever admit how much he’d missed the violent dork. 

"Good to know. At least you’re not over-worked…" Ichigo commented, rubbing his head one last time before slipping his hands into his pockets. "And I…was one my way to the Seireitei to lend a hand. But somehow…I dunno…The Soul Palace’s stairs…They led to here instead of the Soul Society."