(Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of the characters associated with the Anime or Manga. I am writing this short story just for fun and it should be taken as such.)

*My story is rated MA for mature audiences only due to graphic language, graphic violence and some strong sexual situations in later chapters. Reader has been cautioned.

Chapter Two

Grave Suspicions

(POV: Ichigo)

With a deep sigh, Ichigo crashed down face first upon his unmade bed. He was tired. Wait… no, that's not entirely true was it? He was utterly exhausted. His muscles screamed of fatigue while his mind seemed to be processing thoughts at the pace of a turtle. What a long, frustrating day it turned out to be. Thank Kami for some peace and quiet. Wait… why was it so quiet?

Lifting his head up ever so slightly, Ichigo scanned the confines of his bedroom for the certain little antagonist in question. There were no movements to be seen, nor any loud noises to be heard from the little stuffed lion. Come to think of it, Kon was usually giving him holy hell about now on how unfair it was to be cooped up inside all day long, especially when there were plenty of honeys out there to keep him warm at night. Ichigo had to smile then "What a little pervert Kon had turned out to be".

Wasn't it just his luck that he was the one who got stuck with such a degenerate mod soul?

In fact, Kon was probably out at this very moment causing chaos… making himself as useless as possible as per usual. "Although", Ichigo mused quietly to himself. Perhaps his sisters were terrorizing Kon at this very second. That thought suited Ichigo just fine in fact. He preferred the peace and quiet offered up at this very moment.

Grunting Ichigo rolled over so he was now facing the ceiling. Man what a day it had been. The Soul Society had been making the necessary preparations for the up coming winter war against Aizen when it happened. He, Rukia and Renji had been in a labor intensive training session when the attacks took place. Several Arrancar had appeared through a series of garganta's placed throughout Karakura Town. It had been total chaos. The surrounding buildings sustained large amounts of damage from all the fighting.

Captain Hitsugaya and Matsumoto had been in a very heated battle between one very crafty Arrancar by the name of Luppi, if he remembered correctly. Luppi had a few tricks up his sleeve apparently. From the reports that were issued, Ikkaku and Yumichika both had been present during the battle with this particular Arrancar as well.

Matsumoto would have been killed by Luppi if it hadn't been for Urahara Kisuke. He had made it just in time before she got stabbed to death. Apparently Ikkaku and Yumichika had both been immobilized to the point of being as useful as a paper weight while Captain Hitsugaya had been beaten out of commission.

Even the Visoreds had taken part in this surprise attack upon Karakura Town. Shinji had been there to save Rukia from a final punishing blow while Ichigo had been in a death lock with an Espada by the name of Grimmjow. As the battle quickly progressed, things weren't looking so hot for certain members of the Soul Society, although considering all sides, Visoreds, Shinigami, and Arrancar alike had they all had been beaten and bloodied up pretty good during when the first match was over with. According to the reports, three of the Arrancar's had lost a few limbs here and there, while two of the Arrancar's had been killed. Yawning, Ichigo shut his eyes. "Man what a day." What he wouldn't give right now for a hot shower followed by a weeks worth of sleep.

A yawn quickly escaped from Ichigo's thin jaw. Lucky for him his inner hollow kept himself in check, well throughout most of the battle.

That's because you were being a pussy King.

"Shut up."

No, I'm serious. His hollow grinned. If you really were bucking for a good fight, you should have tagged me in.

"That's enough."

I sure as shit would have never let that blue haired Espada leave the battle field alive, much less in one piece King.

"Who asked for your input on this subject anyway?" Ichigo sighed.

It's not my fault that you're constantly holding me back.

Ichigo scoffed at the hollow's accusation. "You're nothing but trouble and you know it."

You want to talk trouble King? His hollow mused. The trouble you must be referring to is the fact that you are quite the scared little prick when it comes to fighting.

"WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU JUST SAY?" Ichigo hollered throughout his mind.

Isn't it obvious king? The hollow laughed. I am a way better fighter then you. Not only that, I am also stronger, faster and more ruthless then you'll ever hope to be. Plus as an added bonus I am sure I'll be a better lover for the queen then-

"Bastard! That's enough!" Ichigo growled out. "How dare you talk about Inoue in such a manner?"

I'm just saying that I could probably make her scream out-

"I said that is enough!"

Tsk… What ever King. I was just stating the obvious. Not my fault that you can't handle the truth.

Man, what an asshole his inner hollow was being. In all manners of speaking, he and Inoue had been good friends for the longest time, since they were kids in fact. They had seen each other through love, laughter as well as the heartache of losing loved ones. He had lost his dear mother and Inoue had lost her brother. But that's were it ended right? They were just friends. Turning back over on to his stomach, Ichigo took a deep breath and let everything go as his exhaustion consumed his consciousness bit by bit.

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(POV: Ichigo's Dream State)

He had been walking for what seemed like hours upon hours with no breaks, hell for all Ichigo knew, he could have been walking that same beaten path for days on end at this point. He wasn't sure where he was going or why he was being drawn farther and farther in this particular direction, although he know deep down in his soul that he had somewhere important to be. He only wished he knew where exactly that place was and how much longer it was going to take to get there.

The farther into the forest he roamed, the more and more puzzled he was becoming. It was as if a blanket of confusion had been thrown on top of him, which indecently seemed to be smothering him alive at that very moment. Maybe he was sick or perhaps he was just dreaming. "Who knows…?" Ichigo quietly stated to himself. Unfortunately, Ichigo's thoughts were gradually slowing down while his movements were becoming more subtle. He was tired.

Glancing around to take in his current surroundings for the hundredth time, all he could make out for miles in all directions were endless rows of Cherry Blossom trees. The trees seemed to be growing in evenly spaced rows and were in full bloom. The branches that touched each other were intertwined as if they were holding hands. The bloomed blossoms exhibited the soothing color of a light pink blush and were to put it simply, just lovely. Strange that he hadn't seen anyone out and about enjoying the beauty these trees had to offer within this enchanted forest. He could stay here forever.

No, he couldn't get caught up in such thoughts. Not when he had somewhere to be. Shaking his head, Ichigo tried to clear away the bewitching confusion. Something didn't seem quite right about this whole situation. What's worse was Ichigo couldn't quite put his finger on what exactly that something might be.

Okay, back up. What did he really know about the situation? Thinking hard, Ichigo tried to remember something. Anything would be something. Wait a minute… he remembered entering this enchanted forest of Cherry Blossoms through a gate that was located just on the outskirts of the Soul Society but nothing else. He hadn't seen a soul, Shinigami or otherwise for miles and miles. Furthermore Ichigo was quite unsure if he was even headed in remotely the right direction. Wait…

There in the distance...what is that?

King? What the hell is that...?

Ichigo had been almost startled at the voice in his head. It seemed weird that his hollow should finally speak up now after all that time walking in the forest of Cherry Blossom with out uttering a single peep. Why was his devious inner hollow quiet this entire time? Although, the hollow seemed just as intrigued at the moment as Ichigo was. However, Ichigo didn't dignify his inner hollow with a response, because quite frankly, he wasn't entirely sure himself.

Something quite large and white could be seen off in the near distance. Studying the layout of the image in question, Ichigo thought it quite possibly to be a pond, but that didn't make sense. Ponds weren't white...right?

Ichigo continued at the same pace he had been traveling until he reached the clearing. As he stepped out of the cherry blossom forest the fog of confusion seemed to be lifting with each step he took. Taking in the magical sight, he saw that indeed it was a pond, a frozen pond to be exact.

What the fuck King… a frozen pond in the middle of summer?

Scratching the top of his head, "That is strange." Ichigo answered truthfully.

Cautiously making his way to the edge of the frozen pond, he studied it carefully. Ichigo took notice of a very light dusting of snow that seemed to be gracing the top layer of pond. It seemed strange that there would even be snow here on a day like today; say nothing about a frozen pond.

Bang.

A light noise caught his attention. Bang, bang. There it was again. Ichigo glanced around at his surroundings once again to find it free of any movement. When he was sure that he wasn't being watched, he turned his attention back to the pond at his feet, but just where had that noise come from?

Bang. Bang. Bang…

There…there it was again. What the devil is that noise?

How the fuck should I know?

"Who asked you?"

You know King; no one likes a grumpy ass…

"Will you just shut up already?" Ichigo growled. It was bad enough that he had to live with his foul mouthed roommate twenty four seven, but just once he would like some peace and quiet.

Bang… bang….

Ichigo scowled. Where was that noise coming from? Taking a cautionary step out on the ice, Ichigo tested it's durability by lightly stomping on it. "Well it seems to be rock solid, so it must be safe enough to travel on", he thought to himself. Stepping further out on the ice, that's when he heard the noise again.

Bang.

There it was again King.

"I know! What? You think I haven't noticed that noise since we got here?" Ichigo shot. "Tsk bastard. How dumb do you think I really am?"

His hollow's grin widened even more. Well…

"Never mind, don't answer that." Ichigo sighed while running a hand though his wild orange mane.

Well he couldn't just stand there all day. He had come out here for a reason, didn't he? Taking his chances, he carefully stepped out even further on the frozen pond. Bang…bang… bang. The pounding seemed to be getting louder and louder each step he took upon the frozen pond. Following the noise to the middle of the pond, Ichigo waited for another pound to confirm the noise's true location.

Bang. Ichigo's eyes widened ever so slightly. The noise seemed to be coming from somewhere below him. Using his foot he quickly shuffled the snow around until the ice below came into view. It was beautiful. A blue glacier glow seemed to radiate from beneath the surface. At first glances Ichigo couldn't see below the glow of the surface. Well that's until something silver and shiny caught his attention. Kneeling down onto the ice's surface he noticed something seemed to be stuck within the first few layers of the ice. Taking out a small pocket knife he began to dig around the object. He dug and dug working at the object until it broke free.

Closing the knife back up, he returned it back to his pocket.

What is it King?

"Give me a second will you?" Reaching back down Ichigo grasped the object with in his hands. It was very small, very light weight, and somehow looked very familiar. Turning it over his heart seemed to skip a beat. What the…

It was a blue Hibiscus barrette.

King isn't that the queens-

Bang!

Ichigo felt a slight tremor beneath his knee cap. Looking down he came face to face with the girl in question.

KING!

"INOUE!" Ichigo screamed.

Inoue Orihime was trapped underneath the surface of this very unusual white frozen pond. She was pounding with all her might to escape from her watery grave. From what he could see she was wearing a skimpy white gown that encased her body like a glove. Her hair fanned out framing her pale white face and blue glossed lips with ghost like charms. Orihime kept mouthing the words "help me" with a terror stricken face.

Bringing his hands down on top of the ice he screamed out to her once more. "HOLD ON ORIHIME!"

For the first time in his life he was scared to death for his friend. Fear was the only thing keeping him semi-sane at the current moment. Standing up Ichigo took out his Zanpakutou and began hacking away at the ice. Orihime's pounds where becoming less and less auditable. "I'm coming Inoue! Hold on!" Ichigo hollered. "Don't you dare give up Inoue!"

Hurry King, hurry…

Finally after what seemed like an eternity, a small section of ice gave way. Landing back down on top of his knees, Ichigo plunged his hands into the frigid water to try and grab a hold of her. "Inoue, grab my hand!" Ichigo commanded. Stretching his hand out to meet hers, he could only touch the very tips of her fingertips with his.

This can't be happening. Kami why was this happening to Inoue? What the hell was going on here? Watching in complete horror, Inoue's eyes slowly drifted shut and her body became lifeless. She had stopped struggling. Death had been consuming her fragile little figure from the moment he had stepped into that clearing.

He could do nothing but watch as her body began to sink into the dark endless abyss that the pond had become. "ORIHIME!" Ichigo cried out, tears streaming down his paled cheeks. "Don't leave me." Getting up he ran off the ice, only to stumble and fall at the edge of the pond. Gagging, he threw up until his stomach was empty and raw. He had lost her. She was gone.

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Thanks for reading my story so far. So what did you think? Reviews or thoughts are welcome! ^_^