Road to Redemption Chapter 1, a bleach fanfic

A/N: Hello everybody! I'd like to clear up a few things before you begin reading. This fanfic completely disregards the cannon storyline from the fight with Ulquiorra onwards. Many things remained as they did on cannon but there are plenty of changes, such as characters being brought back, changes in story, new characters and the omission of both the Fullbring Arc and the Blood War Arc. I hope you enjoy, and thanks for reading!

Chapter 1: Awaken the Warrior

There was blood everywhere.

Orihime gasped as she ran towards Ichigo's lifeless body. A hole was gaping at his chest, dripping crimson into the white sand, his eyes were empty staring into nothingness, and his spiritual pressure was almost completely gone.

For a moment she couldn't breathe. 'This can't be happening' 'It can't!' 'Kurosaki-kun...Kurosaki-kun...'

Ulquiorra suddenly appeared in front of her. Orihime started at the pale Espada standing between her and Ichigo's bleeding body. It was mesmerizing to see that eyes never showed any emotion, especially when she was crumbling to pieces under his stare.

"It is useless, even if you could reach him it would be wasted effort on your part." His monotone voice was dripping with venom. "Your powers are not nearly strong enough to keep him alive."

'No' she told herself. 'You can't let that stop you.' The way he said those words made their weight all the more heavy. Her mind drifted to all those times she was told she was weak, told to step aside. They were always protecting she had let them. But where did that get them?

"Inoue-San!" Ishida's voice snapped her back to reality. She could see her quincy friend shooting arrows at Ulquiorra. As the Arrancar doged the attack she took the opportunity to run towards Ichigo.

"Soten Kisshun, I reject!" The glow of the Shun Shun Rikka soon fell upon Ichigo. As she got closer Orihime noticed there wasn't any change in his injuries. 'No! I know you're still there! Wake up Kurosaki-kun!'' Orihime's hands trembled as she tried to pour more of her power into Ichigo.

"Kurosaki-kun please wake up!" She sobbed. It wasn't until Ishida came back that she realized she was crying.
"Ishida-kun."

"Don't worry about me Inoue. Tend to Kurosaki's injuries."

Ulquiorra returned soon after. Ishida ram towards Ulquiorra, evading the attacks the latter threw at him. After he had closed their distance Ulquiorra took the opportunity to hit him with his tail. After two more attacks Ishida was immobilized.

Despite telling her to concentrate on Ichigo Orihime couldn't leave Ishida unprotected. "Santen Kesshun, I reject!"

Her shield didn't last more than a few seconds before Ulquiorra broke it with his tail. Before she could react Ulquiorra attacked again, just with his tail he tore a gash in Ishida's chest. Blood squirted from the wound staining the Quincy's white uniform.

"Ishida-kun!" A new wave of panic set over Orihime. Now both her friends were gravely injured. "Soten Kisshun, I reject!"

When her light enveloped Ishida she realized his injury was worst than she thought. She glanced back at Ichigo. His spiritual pressure was completely gone. Tentatively she held his hand, it was icy cold. 'Please, Ichigo please hold on! We need you! I need you! You can't...'

"You can't be gone!" she screamed.

Ulquiorra appeared before her once again. She didn't care, all she could do was hope her power could finally break through and save her friends.

"Do you not understand? It is over woman. Succumb into despair. The one who you entrusted all your hope to, is dead."

Dead. The word echoed in her head like a curse. It was over. Without Ichigo the war was lost. They won.

'Orihime! Orihime! Can you hear me?!' A familiar deep voice spoke to her tired mind.

"Tsubaki." She whispered.

'Yes. It's me. Took you long enough to hear me you airhead!'

Her friend's playful teasing relaxed her for a moment. Tsubaki was back to full health finally. 'Why are you talking to me now?' she thought.

'Because you need us now more than ever. I know you're scared. We all are, yet we can't just stay here and hope the others wake up. You are the only one who can save them now.'

Only she remained. Only she could stop this. If she failed at least she'd go down with a fight. She stood up, staring straight into Ulquiorra's emerald eyes. "I shall not give in to despair. You'll have to kill me before that."

The Espada scoffed. "Very well. Then I shall show you the true hopelessness of your situation" Ulquiorra created another spear and prepared to fight. "Whenever you're ready woman."

'Ayame, Shun'o listen to me, your only concern now is healing the boys. Take all the time and energy you need. Don't worry about me, whatever it's that you see hear or feel, do not abandon Kurosaki-Kun or Ishida-kun.

Hinagiku, Lily, Baigon. I'll need you with me, please be ready when I call for you.

Tsubaki I know we've had our differences, but we need to be in synch today. I want you to be as ruthless as possible. Is everyone clear? We cannot fail!'

'Yes Orihime-Sama! We're here for you!' They all answered in unison.

'I believe in you. Now let's go everybody!'

Orihime felt her hairpins get warmer. They were glowing gold, getting brighter by the second. A rush of power was flowing through her consuming every part of her body. The light from the pins was soothing, it relaxed Orihime as she began running towards her opponent.

Her heartbeat raced as she got closer to Ulquiorra. His expression didn't change, even after what he had witnessed. 'Does he ever show any emotion?' she wondered as she prepared to attack.

"Koten Zanshun, I reject!"

"You're going to use that technique? Yammy shattered before. What makes you think this time it'll be any different." Ulquiorra extended his hand and grabbed it, ready to crush the yellow flash to bits.

To his surprise the attack didn't shatter under his grip. The small flash managed to actually cut him, it wasn't a big wound but it was deep enough to spill blood. Ulquiorra didn't flinch, his eyes only widened slightly.

"Interesting. It seems your power has increased."

Orihime sighed in relief. Perhaps she couldn't deal as much damage as Ichigo, but at least she cut through Ulquiorra's hierro skin.

"I told you I won't go down without a fight!"

"You will soon come to regret that." Ulquiorra responded. He threw his spear at her, certain that he would not miss.

Orihime bearly had time to react as the green spear drew closer. "Santen Kesshun, I reject!" Her shield surrounded her like a bubble. The spear crashed against it sending Orihime tumbling backwards, the bubble however, remained intact.

'How can this be? Just a few months ago they broke Tsubaki and my shields and now...'

She shook her head. It wasn't time to dwell on this. All that mattered was the safety of her friends. She glanced at both Ichigo and Uryu. Only Uryu's injuries were healing properly.

As if reading her mind Ulquiorra appeared before her. "Kurosaki Ichigo will not heal. I've already told you. He's dead."

She frowned. "I don't care! I believe in Kurosaki-kun and he's always been able to come back from death's door! So I'll just fight until then!"

For a split second she thought anger had crossed Ulquiorra's eyes. "Can't you understand! It is hopeless for you to continue fighting!" He created another spear, reading himself to crush Orihime's shield.

The words came to her in a daze, yet she knew she could trust them. They had come from her friends. "Shiten Koshun, I reject!" As she recited the incantation the spear collided with her shield. Instead of breaking it, the shield reflected it's attack back at Ulquiorra. The Espada turned back, easily evading the attack.

'It worked.' Orihime drew back her shields, it was time for her to take the offense. Once again the words were drawn him her mind. She hesitated, for this was technique she wasn't the least bit familiar with.

'It'll be okay. Just trust us.' they whispered to her.

'I do trust you. It's myself I don't trust.'

Still she knew what had to be done. "Megami no Ha, I reject!"

Just as she finished the incantation Orihime felt it's effects. A long blade appeared in her hand. It was golden and sparkly with a hilt resembling her hairpins.

"I know you're not proficient with a sword. Aizen-Sama himself told us about your strengths and your limitations. You cannot win."

"Why do you keep saying that?! Why do you want me to give up so badly?!"

"It is the nature of all things. In the end there is only emptiness. No matter how hard you try to beat me, you and your friends will perish here. That hope you speak of so ardently will soon vanish. Then you'll finally understand."

So that was it. He wanted her to see things the way he did. He had been trying to break her since she came here, but instead she'd been the one breaking through his walls. This wasn't the same Espada that asked her to come to Hueco Mundo. She could see the subtle changes. The way he was slowly becoming more human.

"You...you think everything is meaningless. That isn't true. There's an infinite number of meaningful things to live for, to fight for and to die for. I'm sorry Ulquiorra. I cannot think the way you do. Maybe you cannot understand me either, but I want you to know that I don't see you as my enemy."

If she had blinked she would've missed it. Ulquiorra's features finally showed a flicker of emotion. She couldn't quite pin down what it was. He looked sadder than before, but his eyes glimmered dangerously too.

He didn't say anything, yet Orihime could tell he wasn't going to stop fighting. It made her heart ache to see how far he was willing to go. 'I wish it wasn't this way. I'm so sorry.'

She tried to remember the few times she'd see Tatsuki practicing kendo. The way to hold a sword, how to swing and how to block.

When the first strike came she almost lost balance. Blocking Ulquiorra's attacks was near impossible. After a few strikes he got to her, slashing her right arm slightly before she could retreat.

The wound burned slightly, like a jellyfish sting. Still she was surprised her arm was still attached to her body. 'He's going easy on me. I can hold out like this, but if he fights me at full power I'm done for.'

Her hands were wrapped so tightly around the hilt of her sword they began bleeding. Orihime ignored the pain and kept trying to slash Ulquiorra. He elegantly evaded all her attacks.

Just as she was growing tired Orihime felt her whole body tense. Something was tying her up.

'It can't be...'

Ulquiorra had her tied up with his tail. His features were back to their usual state of indifference. "I think it's time we end this." He said with a spear in hand.

Orihime closed her eyes and waited for the end. Even faced with death she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of falling into despair.

She waited for the end, yet it didn't come. As her eyes opened she realized that what Ulquiorra was planning was not her death, but it was too late.

Before she could try to stop him. His spear was already soaring across the sky. The only thing she could do was scream as the spear hit Ichigo. The shield was instantly shattered and all she could see was smoke.

'He tricked me. I lowered my guard and...now I cannot feel his pressure at all.'

"Kurosaki-kun!" She screamed at the top of her lungs. As if he could hear her, but she knew better.

"I believe I told you it was useless. Now do you understand woman?"

Orihime could not speak. Her whole body felt cold, tears were dripping down her cheeks. There was no excuse this time. She had fought but Ulquiorra had outsmarted her.

She turned to look at him. Same expression as always. Before she could try to speak again the ground began shaking.

Both of them felt a strange overwhelming pressure nearby. Orihime felt her heart drop to the floor as she saw Ichigo. Only it wasn't truly him. He looked just like a hollow, if it hadn't been for his hair she wouldn't be able to tell it was him.

"So he's finally at full power." Ulquiorra observed.

The Hollow fired a cero at Ulquiorra and Orihime. Ulquiorra managed to evade the attack, he gently let go of her and headed back to the battle.

"Inoue-San!"

Orihime saw her friend fully healed waving to her. She ran towards Ishida and hugged him as soon as she saw him. "I'm so glad you're ok! Are you hurt? Do I need to heal anything else?"

"No. I'm fine. Thanks for the help. Where's Kurosaki?"

Orihime bit her lip. "To be honest I'm not sure what I should tell you. I think that's Kurosaki-kun over there."

She pointed towards Ichigo, still in his hollow form. Ishida gasped. "It can't be! That's Kurosaki?"

"I think so."

The two watched as Ulquiorra and Ichigo fought. Orihime couldn't help but fear this new form of Ichigo's. He had control over his mask before. Now he was being utterly ruthless.

Ichigo emerged the victor as he finally defeated Ulquiorra. Orihime felt a wave of relief wash over her, along with a deep sadness she couldn't explain.

Just as everything seemed to be finally over. Ichigo grabbed his zanpakuto headed towards Ulquiorra's body.

'What is he? No... Kurosaki-kun isn't like this.'

Just as she began to run towards him she noticed Ishida was already there holding Ichigo's arm back.

"Let it go Kurosaki. You've won the battle. There's no need to desecrate his body."

Ichigo still lowered the sword.

"Didn't you hear me?! I said let it go!"

By now Ichigo's arm was shaking.

"If you do this you will not be human again!"

Just as she came close to them Orihime saw the moment Ichigo's sword pierced Ishida's chest.

"Ishida-kun!" Orihime ran towards him as fast as possible. "Soten Kisshun, I reject!" The light enveloped Ishida once again. He gazed at Orihime and muttered a thank you.

As she was about to reach him Ichigo got in her way. A mere glance was enough to tell her his humanity was completely gone.

"Kurosaki-kun please let me through I need to help Ishida-kun!"

Instead of answering Ichigo growled. A red glow come from his horns.

This time she didn't bother trying to reason with him. "Santen Kesshun, I reject!" She made sure to shield both herself and Ishida.

"Orihime run!" Ishida screamed at her.

'Im not going to run. It's my fault he's like this. I need to stop him.'

"Megami no Ha, I reject!" When the golden blade reappeared in her hands Orihime swung it as hard as she could, trying to get a direct hit on Ichigo's mask.

A cold chill went down her spine when Ichigo caught the golden blade and shattered it to dust. He then proceeded to shatter the shield and wrap his hand around her neck.

"I-chi-go!" Orihime choked on the words as Ichigo lifted her up, his horns glowing red yet again.

Just as he was about to fire, Orihime noticed Ulquiorra sneaking up behind Ichigo, cutting off his horn before he could fire the cero.

Everything else felt like a blur. When she fell backwards, when ran towards Ishida, when she took out Ichigo's sword out of the wound. The only thing she could see was Ichigo's mask had cracked.

"Is he back to normal?" Uryu asked.

"I don't know." she answered. Her voice was raspy and she was dragging out the words.

Orihime stood and walked towards Ichigo. The moment he looked at her she froze.

"Inoue?" His voice sounded as it always had, but Orihime still doubted.

Ichigo's eyes scanned the perimeter. He saw blood all over the sand, and an injured Ishida being healed by Soten Kisshun.

The most terrifying sight however was the hand shaped red mark he saw on Orihime's neck. She also had three smaller scars that gushed out tiny crimson drops.

"Did I...Did I do this?"

His expression was heartbreaking. A mix of fear and self loathing present in his eyes.

"Yes." As much as she didn't want to upset him further, Orihime simply told him the truth. "I took care of Ishida-kun. You don't need to worry."

"Kurosaki Ichigo. It's time we end our battle."

Both if them were startled by the sound of Ulquiorra's voice. He threw Ichigo's sword at him. "Now, pick up your sword."

Ichigo didn't seem to be listening. He stared blankly at Ulquiorra who had lost an arm and had a completely wrecked leg.

"No. I can't fight you like this. If we are going to fight you'll have to cut off my arm and leg!"

Orihime almost screamed when she heard those words. Was he crazy?!

"Have you lost your mind?" Even Ulquiorra seemed slightly surprised by the suggestion.

"Don't you get it. If I beat you like this. It won't be fair. This isn't the way I wanted to win!"

"If you won't attack then I will." Before he could act on his words Ulquiorra felt his wings dissolving into ashes. He mearly scoffed at the sight. "How troublesome."

Again he turned to Ichigo. "Kill me Kurosaki Ichigo. Do it now."

"No!"

"If you don't kill me out duel will remain unfinished. I don't even have the strength to walk."

"I cannot kill you."

Ulquiorra sighed. "Even at the very end you just won't do what I want."

Orihime was sudenly beckoned to gaze at the Espada. Despite everything that he had done she didn't want to see him die.

He returned her gaze. "It's quite a pity, just as I was becoming a little more intrigued with the way you people behaved."

She could tell it was true. During their fight she had seen it. His neverending curiosity towards humans, it was perhaps the reason he disliked them. He could not understand. Only now he was beginning to see it clearly.

He streached his remaining arm towards her. "Do I frighten you, woman?"

The same question he had asked her back at the throne hall. The same glimmer in his eyes. It was all too much for her to handle.

"No. I'm not afraid."

"I see..."

She reached out to him. Trying to hold his hand, but just as she finally touched him his fingers turned to ash.

'No. I won't let you die.' That was the only thought rushing through Orihime's mind, as she decided to save her jailer.