Disclaimer: I am not Tite Kubo, though I'm probably about to make a mockery of his work

Warning: This fanfic may contain fluff, canon-based relationships, and utter madness, reader discretion probably doesn't exist

And now without further adieu, my pre-emptive rant: Ok so this is my first Bleach fic and should be interesting. It's got IchigoxOrihime since it makes the most sense (my opinion at least) and they need more love. Kinda AU after episode 213 of the manga and definitely contains spoilers so you've been warned

Chapter 1:

It was raining again, and somewhere alone in that empty world Zangetsu sat staring at the sky, looking hopefully for a sign of ceasing. "Ichigo…I thought you would keep the rain away?" He questioned wearily as the heavy torrent continued. Letting his head drop down as a masked figure walked toward him, it was only a matter of time now…

Ichigo sat quietly on the roof of the high school, staring out at the other students as they went about their business unaware of the Battle that he and his friends had just finished. He closed his eyes for a moment recalling all that had happened on his reckless quest to rescue Rukia. He cursed himself silently for not being able to protect Ishida from losing his powers, and cursing himself again for not being able to stop Aizen from taking the Houkouku from Rukia. He especially cursed not being able to protect Chad and Inoue from the arankaru. I have to get stronger still, strong enough to protect everyone, He vowed silently to himself as he sat looking out at the rest of the students.

"Hey Ichigo, you gonna come eat or what?" Tatsuki called from across the roof, "lunch will be over if you just keep brooding over there."

Sighing he walked over to the group of people gathered to eat lunch. The usual scowl he wore furrowing further as he noticed Keigo, being as lecherous as usual, ogling Inoue as she sat enjoying her lunch. It was bad enough that she was injured, she didn't need the perv being all over her. At that thought though he winced again, it was his fault Orihime had been injured. If he had been in control of the hallow in him he could have…

"Um… Kurosaki-kun, are you ok?" Inoue asked hesitantly, concern clearly evident in her voice.

"Huh?" Ichigo muttered snapped suddenly out of his thoughts. Realizing he kinda blanked out for a second he muttered quickly, "yeah I'm fine." Sitting down to join them the finished lunch and returned to class.

In class it wasn't much better, Ichigo spent most of his attention on the clouds through the windows. Even his usual scowl seemed more tense then usual. Inoue sat in her usual spot watching him stare out the window. This isn't like Kurosaki-kun at all, she thought, he must be worried that Sado-kun and were hurt again. A slightly sad look crossed her face for a moment before she remembered where she was. Ichigo was strong but he took on too much, and she wished that she could help him carry all that guilt so he didn't have to worry so much anymore.

After school everyone said their good-byes and headed their separate ways. Inoue couldn't help but glance back one more time at Ichigo as he headed off towards the Kurosaki Clinic. Don't blame yourself so much Kurosaki-kun she thought as she watched him walk away.

Not too far away standing atop a local building, two other figures stood watching the young orange haired boy walk down the street. "It'll happen soon, won't it Urahara?"

Tilting his hat to better block the sun he looked at the shinigami standing on the roof next to him. "Yes, much sooner then I had hoped." He replied with unusual seriousness. "And he'll need all the strength he can muster if we're to weather this, Isshin-san."

The voice was getting louder. It was insistent, demanding him to let it out. It wanted to kill. He knew he couldn't let it happen, but he also knew he couldn't continue to fight knowing he might lose control. The hallow knew it was winning the fight too, and that only further frustrated Ichigo. Damn it, he cursed silently, I can't let it win, but how am I supposed to protect anyone if I can't even control myself? What happens if I lose control, what then…

The morbid thought was cut suddenly short as the badge Ukitate had given him suddenly began shouting.

"Shit, worst possible time as usual." He lamented as he quickly changed into shinigami form and hiding his body, before rushing off to find the hallow.

Heh, your losing it already, came the voice as he rushed off.

"Shut up!" he yelled too himself trying to concentrate on where the hallow was.

Ha just admit it, you know I'm gonna win.

Ignoring the voice he rushed onward coming to an empty street. Standing not far away was a fairly large hallow it's black body resembling that of a slightly deformed cat while the mask looked more like the face of a bird. Raising Zangetsu he charged the hallow hoping to kill it in one blow.

The ground cracked as Zangetsu crashed into it. It dodged Ichigo lost his composure for a moment at this realization. It could match his speed, which meant he couldn't waste anytime on distractions. Raising up his sword as the hallow rushed he managed to parry the attack and knock the hallow back. Stepping forward into a run he readied another attack.

Man your slow, just crawl and hide let me handle this.

Not now he needed focus, Shit it moved, where? Pivoting and bringing up Zangetsu, where?

"Kurosaki-kun!"

Shit Inoue, not now, where'd it go?

The claw descended cutting deeply into his ribs. Damn it, I can't lose here I have to protect everyone, I have to protect… The second claw descended gashing his shoulder and leg. Must protect…

YOU'RE MINE NOW!

Spirit pressure came blasting out as Ichigo slumped, his practiced stance becoming more of a hunch. His eyes snapped open again revealing the black and orange eye's of the hallow. Inoue yelled something, he didn't hear it. The hollow roared, he didn't hear it. Ichigo the hallow raised Zangetsu up over his head laughing. "It finally happened Ichigo, I'm free!"

Well first Chapter's done hopefully it turned out ok. I couldn't get it quite the way I wanted it but that's ok cause this is good too. Anyway I'd really appreciate any reviews and hopefully I'll have the next chapter up in a few days depending on my brain sorry for any inconvenience.