When the Sunshine Can't See the Light

Alright, this one is going to be a multi-chapter so just hang tight. It starts out pretty angsty but I will promise you all, right now, that I intend to see them to a happy ending.

A strange surge of hollows have been invading Karakura and when the hero is just not fast enough, the damsel will be disabled. Now Ichigo must deal with his short comings and so must Orihime.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach

It appeared to be a small shop selling mundane things, in a mundane town, run by mundane people. A passer-by might see it and conclude these same thoughts but they would be wrong on all counts. This shop invested in the creation and transaction of products which utilized and enhanced the power of otherworldly beings. The town, though inhabited mostly by people of little importance, had an uncanny habit of attracting the unwanted attention of monsters; creatures purely out of nightmares and phobias which haunted the night in search of souls to feed their massive appetites. For this reason, the shop-keeper -and all of those who often graced it's seemingly humble doors- were beings that held powers that most humans only dream of.

This band was an odd assortment of characters encompassing a wide range of shapes, sizes, attitudes, and hair colors. They were brought together through countless battles in sake of the innocent as well as their loved ones. These brave allies were tied together by an intangible and unbreakable bond. A bond forged by the sweat and emotions of the battle-field. Their courage, determination, and strength a thing to be marveled at. Every day saw them celebrating the ties of friendship and joys of togetherness no matter what opponents or obstacles hindered their advances.

However, on this eve their countenances bore the weight of their grief. An event far beyond unfortunate befell them and not a single face present escaped the clutches of a crestfallen expression. Their shoulders slumped with an impressive burden rooted deep within their hearts. Their lips both stiff and trembling refused to open amidst the tragedy about them. Not a single one there could be convinced to move let alone speak when misery drenched their aching souls.

Among these gathered warriors tread a whimsical creature of beauty and vibrant life. She could never be admired for grace because her behavior often resulted in her own clumsiness, which surprisingly only made her more endearing. With an appetite -literally- for the outrageous and a mind for the unpredictable, she was undoubtedly the most unique and enchanting individual this miss-matched group had to offer. That was a feat to behold since every member was that last of their kind, unheard of hybrid, experiment or some other brand of peculiar rarity.

She was a humble and often lonely creature with an ability to break through hearts of stone with unyielding kindness which she carried in a smile to shame the brightness of the stars. Like the warriors around her in that she too possessed a gift of magical proportions. This young girl, once celebrated for her abundant joy and vivaciousness lay unconscious upon a mat in the back room.

Delicate hands softer than a swan's feathers to soothe and mend the woes and wounds of her dearest comrades. Porcelain skin so pure and without blemish, slit with lips pale as coral that wove nonsensical tales of imaginary beings of mischievous nature. Lastly, her crowning glory, silken tresses of bright auburn which flowed gracefully past shoulder, breast and waist mimicked only by the setting of a long day's sun.

These features of loveliness were the only thing witness-able under the layers of the bandages and blankets of makeshift medical assistance. The room had settled form the scurry and pandemonium which burst through the opening with her unanticipated arrival earlier that evening. Now a pale and mournful picture which

Outside of her quarters, a young hero paced with rage and dread. Though hurried and intense, his footsteps made no sound upon the polished floorboards beneath him. The scowl upon his face deepened as he ran a hand through his disheveled orange locks again. The heart wrenching screams had stopped hours before. The blood-curdling pitch and agonizing length still hung in his mind. Long after the echos faded. Far later than the blood, so crimson and pungent, had cooled and been washed away. He remained vigilant and he had been waiting until this moment for any word at all.

"Ichigo."

Halting immediately at the sound of the voice he turned with an eagerness and hope unparalleled. Instantly, his eagerness withered and died upon noticing the expression on the older man's face. An emptiness began to settle within him.

"I'm sorry Ichigo." Eyes darted back and forth across the face before him searching for any sign of jest or uncertainty but the grim line of his jaw held firm. "There's nothing we can do..."

The feeling of emptiness lasted for but a fleeting moment before a strong hatred boiled up with in him.

Noticing the swift change in the boy's demeanor, another man stepped forward with raised hands in attempt to settle him.

"Now, now Kurosaki-san." His shadowed eyes held a stern look toward the youth. "There's no need to-"

"Bullshit!" roared the youth. "This is all my fault!" Gripped his hair with both hands he returned to his pacing only this time at a much quicker pace.

bellowed out to him. "Don't be such an idiot! You can't-"

He turned and with a loud groan, put his fist through the wall beside him. "The hell I can't."

Placing a hand on the other man's shoulder he offered a shadowed gaze to curb his temper in hopes of better of dealing with the orange haired tornado before them.

With a sigh, the gruff man scratched the dark stubble upon his jaw. "Ichigo." He counted to three, but the pacing did not stop. Catching sight of the fresh blood dripping from the youth's injured fist he sighed again and continued. "We've done all that wee can do. We can't do anything more for her. If she's going to get better she will have to do it on her own."

Watching the orange blur switch back and forth before him his eye began to twitch. "Grrrrrrrrrrr."

WHACK

"The hell was that for old man!" The youth sat crookedly on the ground with a hand to his head.

"Did you even hear a thing I just said?"

"Yeah! So what's you're problem!"

"Ichigo..." Letting go of another sigh the man began again. "My son...Inoue-san is blind."

Consider this something of a prologue for the time being. Also as I have mentioned before, I'm working on a Bleach/Mid-summer Night's Story so what I would like right now is some suggestions on Puck. I have most of the characters picked out but I'm a little Unsure of who could fill his shoes. Any other character suggestions will be welcomed. Fell free to throw a few in just for laughs.

Best,

Aijou