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 2:

Zangetsu looked back as the hallow placed his hand on his shoulder, his form already starting to dissipate. "So the time has come." He sighed as the hallow continued to absorb his form. Fight Ichigo! Remember the words of Urahara and win.

The last of his form fading as the Hallow stepped forward smiling. This was his domain now and it was only a matter of time until Ichigo opened up the door and the world was laid bare. It would all be his all he needed was a trigger…

The spirit pressure was rising steadily as the mask began to form on Ichigo's face. The hallow he had been fighting began to back away as the mask finished forming, crouching into a ready stance. "Heh? Running away already?" The hallow Ichigo snapped his head up, gaze locking on his opponent. "We haven't even gotten started yet!" he yelled as the hallow started to move again.

In a flash Ichigo was beside it Zangetsu raised in the air prepared to strike. "What's the matter huh? You got really slow suddenly." He taunted as he brought the sword down breaking the mask of the hallow. Laughing as he raised to the sword to his shoulder.

He could still Ichigo screaming at him in his own little world. "How's it feel Ichigo? How's it feel to be the one who can't do anything?" The hallow taunted him, "Can't protect everyone now huh? Can't even save yourself?" He laughed again as Ichigo continued to scream at the hallow all the while locked inside himself.

"Ku..Kurosaki-kun?" Inoue said quietly from the other end of the street.

No! Inoue stay away! Ichigo screamed in his mind.

The hallow Ichigo laughed as he turned to face Inoue, "Looks like you can't even protect your friends anymore." It raised Zangetsu as it stepped towards her. Ichigo continued to scream in the hallows mind but it was too late now. Step, Zangetsu raised high. Step again, the street disappears in a blur of motion. Step a final time, blade raised high swings in to kill…

It was dark for a moment, but he could still remember. He'd been fighting the hallow, but what happened? It was all so fuzzy, wait where was he now? He glanced around, he was in his inner world again. Something wasn't right though, the sky it was black and not with storm clouds like the last time he had been here. Not only that but where was old man Zangetsu?

The laughter came then, thundering from the sky. That voice! Ichigo jumped to his feet reaching for Zangetsu.

"Looking for this?"

Pivoting quickly he turned to face his opposite. The hallow part of him held Zangetsu it's cocky grin spreading as he saw the look of surprise on Ichigo's face. "Why so surprised?" It taunted taking a step forward and beginning to swing Zangetsu by the hilt wrap. "I told you it'd only be a matter of time before you'd be mine."

"Shut up! You don't belong here!"

"Tch, sure are touchy. Don't you get it? It's over, this is my world now, you belong too me." He took another step forward taking Zangetsu by the hilt again.

"Ku…Kurosaki-kun?" Inoue's voice!

"No! Inoue stay away!"

"It's pointless she can't hear you. I told you I'm in control now." The hallow said as he broke into a run.

Ichigo dodged franticly out of the way as Zangetsu crashed into the ground. Scrambling to his feet he broke into a frantic run across the sideways landscape.

"Running away again? That really is all your good at!" The hallow laughed as it gave chase occasionally throwing Zangetsu by the hilt wrap. "I'm amazed we've survived this long with you just running away all the time!" Accenting the last insult with a vicious swing of Zangetsu causing Ichigo to bounce across the ground. "And how in the hell did you manage to survive against Kenpachi?"

Wait a minute Kenpachi? Zangetsu said something about running then too.

The hallow charged again as Ichigo rose to face him.

Turning you back will only make you old.

The hallow charged him Zangetsu at the ready. The blood lust contorting its face into a hideous grin.

Cowardice will lead only to death.

"Finally decided to stop running eh? Fine I'll end it quick then! Farewell Ichigo!" It screamed as it brought the blade down. And for a single moment the world stood still. Blade suspended mere inches from Ichigo's skull. The deafening silence split suddenly by a cry of desperation.

"Kurosaki-kun!"

Inoue's voice pierced the world, breaking the silence and resuming the flow of time. Ichigo quickstepped to the side narrowly avoiding the blade. "I won't let you cut me!" Repeating the edict that Urahara had taught him.

Laughing the hallow came in with another vicious slash, "It doesn't matter Ichigo! You're mine now! Even if I can't kill you here yet, I'll just kill your friends in the real world!" Screaming as he finished the sentence "GETSUGA TENSHOU!"

The blade descended bringing forth that blast of Black energy. "I will not…" Ichigo started as sidestepped to avoid the blast spinning on his heel to keep the momentum from the dodge, "Let them…" Charging forward and grabbing Zangetsu by the back of the blade. "DIE!" Wrenching the blade free from the hallow's hands. Swinging the blade in a sideling cut letting his hands slide down blade until he gripped it by the hilt wrap.

Shearing through the hallow Zangetsu completed it's arc, the hilt landing in Ichigo's out stretched palm. The hallow continued to laugh even as it's form began to dissipate. "This isn't over yet boy. I'll be back again."

As the hallow disappeared it's laugh continued to echo in Ichigo's inner world. Looking up at the sky as the pure darkness slowly became nothing but dark clouds. He fell backwards to the ground as the first drops of rain landed on him. An ironic grin crossed his face as the rain deepened and his world started to go black once again. "So this is what happens when it rains…"

Alright Chapter 2 is up now and baring any writers block I'll have chapter 3 up shortly hope you like the story so far.