Bleach: Beyond the Gates Chapter 3: The Circus of Night, a bleach fanfic

Hey guys, welcome back to the next chapter! Again, i'd like to thank everyone for a fantastic response. I hope you all enjoy the world still, I attempted to build upon it a little more in the last chapter and give you guys some description, this time, Ichigo truly begins his journey. Please REVIEW, everyone! The reviews keep the chapters coming ^^ Without further ado, thank you to Clayden, shadowgouf, IchigoKurosakiSotaicho, fuzzibunniez and X-Burner 27 for their reviews! :D

The Circus of Night

The sky is darkening above Ichigo as he jogs towards the town of Rukon. High above him in the backdrop sits Urahara's tower, now merely a ghostly silhouette from where he fell. His landing didn't go as smoothly as proven by the tight bandage pulled around his forearm. As he runs, the skies open with a thunderous roar, soaking, cold rain unleashing upon the ground. His orange hair becomes matted to his forehead and he looks around, the water heavily thrashing down now onto his back, his newly acquired weapon heavy on his shoulders.

'This countryside goes on for miles…' he thinks to himself, squinting to barely see through, what was now an accumulating fog before his eyes. Sighing, he keeps running, his feet chilled by the stones on the pathway, now splashing through the puddles forming. Skidding to a halt, he turns his head, looking down at a sign in the road, multiple directions scrawled onto it.

'North huh? Apparently Rukon isn't too far from here…' Ichigo says to himself, looking around. '…but where exactly is here anyway?' He stands on his tiptoes to try and see Urahara's tower in the distance again, but it's hidden behind a barrage of thick cloud and tall, lean fur trees. In a fleeting moment of anger he punches the crossroads sign, splintering the wood with his bare hand. The boy opens his palm, the raindrops catching each other in the cup of his fist.

'I…broke that sign with a single punch? Is this what Yoruichi's training has done to me? I still don't understand…' he says in his head, looking down at his dirtied feet and allowing the rain to run down his back.

'…four years? Why go to so much trouble, why would she dedicate her time to me? I still don't know anything about those two, or how they knew dad.' It suddenly occurs to him he never even got a chance to ask who this Inoue Orihime is or why he had to find her. He presumes the locals of Rukon will recognise the name, or at least he hopes they will, seeing as he has no description of the girl. Shaking the rain from his hair, he collects himself and starts to move again, dashing down the path in the hopes of finding this town. Finally, after what seemed like hours of running through blistering winds and battering rain, he sees a light on the horizon. Not a bright one, nor a large one, but a small, flickering, fiery light.

'Yes!' he exclaims, punching the air. Making his way over to the light, he realises that it is a small fire, hanging from a metal pole which protruded from the grass. It was a lantern, swaying and being flung about by the howling wind. Behind the lantern, only visible in the lights small glow, was a wooden shack, creaking in the weather. There were cobwebs hanging from the corners of the roof and gaps in the woodwork forced the chill through. There were no windows and only a rickety front door. Rapping on it, Ichigo waits for an answer.

'There's no one home?' he wonders, rapping again on the door. However, this time his hand pushes it open, the lock clicking off the handle and allowing the door to swing ajar. Ichigo takes a look inside, every step causing the floor beneath him to creak.

'Hello?' he shouts over the roaring howl of the weather outside. '…anyone around?' Pushing through, he takes a look around. The shack is a mere one room, with no windows and a single rocking chair in the centre of the room, creaking backwards and forwards from the wind. Behind the furniture sits an empty desk or at least it would be empty but there sits a bundle of flyers on the corner. Ichigo takes a step up to them and grasps the first one with his hand, turning it over and reading it down with the tinny light provided.

'Circus of Night…?' he says softly to himself, his eyes moving down the paper. '…Rukon's number one attraction?' then he realises the location and clenches the flyer close with glee. There is a small map to the circus on the bottom and he turns towards the door to leave.

'Who the hell are you?' comes a cold voice and Ichigo looks up in shock to see a shadowy figure standing in the doorway. Reaching for his sword slowly, the orange haired boy holds out the flyer.

'I'm sorry, I was lost and I needed to find my way to Rukon. This flyer has a map; I'll just be on my way.' He says lightly, rubbing the back of his neck. Suddenly, as he attempts to pass the figure, he feels a hand grab his shoulder tight, the hairs on the back of Ichigo's neck standing up on end.

'Hold it.' The gruff voice says again. 'That flyer is for the Circus of Night. You're not thinking of going there right?' Ichigo shakes his head in response quickly.

'No, I'm just using the map to get to Rukon…' he begins again as the figure walks further into the shack.

'Rukon? How do you know the circus is there? That circus…it doesn't ever stay in one place at one time. It only appears at night, hence the name and people say that what goes on in there isn't entertainment, but is hellish and twisted. The circus has run three areas out of business and turned them into ghost towns…' the figure explains, Ichigo's eyes widening at the description.

'…I'm just going to Rukon…' Kurosaki whispers. There is silence, aside from the eerie wind almost dead outside now. With that, the wooden door slams shut in front of the boy, Ichigo standing in quiet awe for a moment before holding the flyer up in front of him, his eyes panning over it again.

'…Circus of Night…?'

The flyer was flapping vigorously in the wind. Ichigo looks down at it, then back up again at his surroundings. In the distance, he could make out the outlines of small houses, each one crammed next to the other, but he couldn't see anything else. Suddenly, the flyer floats from his hand and blows away along the wind, disappearing from sight. Cursing, Ichigo spins round to chase it.

'Crap…' he mutters, raising an eyebrow as the flyer drops to the ground before him, the boy leaning down to pick it up. However, by his hand he notices a rope flailing and twirling in the air and follows it with his eyes to see it was connecting a rusty, dangerous looking nail shoved into the floor, with a canvas sheet pulled over a gigantic dome.

'This is…?' Ichigo whispers, his eyes quivering at the sight. The tent was enormous and shaded a dull black in colour. There was a gothic, iron fence encompassing the tent, the wind whipping through the sheet. The flaps for the door were half open and there was nothing coming from the inside but the musty smell of dried blood. A tatty red carpet was half rolled out of the doorway and the iron fence creaks ominously. Ichigo looks around before taking a step forwards.

'I don't see the harm…may as well check it out…' he thinks to himself. The orange haired boy steps through the silky doors, brushing past them. Inside, there is nothing but a pitch black darkness and complete silence. After looking around, Ichigo makes his way around the outside of the ring, a tiered seating structure lining the outside of the centre. Ichigo finds himself a seat in the back row, perching himself down upon it. Then, from the sky, a light beams down into the middle of the tent, revealing a tall man, hunched over in a bow, his features hidden by shadow. Now, Ichigo begins to notice things about the circus tent. There are gaping holes in the walls, tears and rips shredded into the canvas, patchwork stitching holding certain pieces together. Around the lanky figure are splatters of red and scratch marks etched for eternity into the floor. From the ceiling hangs a ghoulish, gothic ornate chandelier. Ichigo begins to sweat, a cold chill sweeping through the tent. The figure in the centre of the light is extremely tall and thin, skeletal even, stringy black hair falling down over his face. He is clothed in clown like attire, red and black striped tailcoats trailing from the figure's lengthy jacket. Atop his head is a comical, exaggerated top hat, but, everything that would have the traits of a happy, likeable clown, are tarnished. The clothes are stained with blood and he holds in one of his spider like hands a weapon much like a scythe. His shoes reach his knees and are curled at the toes and he wears dirtied gloves.

'Shall we begin…?' the ringmaster hisses. '…welcome to the Circus of Night.' Standing up, Ichigo realises the man's true height as he towers high above the first row of seats, his black hair draping down his back. His features are sharp, with a wide mocking smile and one of his eyes covered with a red scarf. His squinty eye surveys the area, falling slowly on Ichigo. '…I…am Nnoitra Jiruga, ringmaster of this fine attraction. You have all been brought here today to witness something wonderful but perhaps you would be wise to leave now…' Nnoitra says darkly, Ichigo clenching his fists tight. '…I will not mince my words, dark things occur in this tent. Here…you will observe the greatest attraction we have.'

As he says this, the floor beside him opens up, a thick, puerile smoke billowing out, Ichigo squinting to see through. Rising through the floor was a cage, enormous, intimidating spikes protruding from the metal, blood stained on their sharp points. As the smoke clears, Ichigo gasps. Slouched in the cage is a girl, pretty as a sunset and as delicate as a flower, her orange hair falling over her face. Her clothes are torn and dirtied and she looks up, her bright eyes sullied and dull. Nnoitra unhooks the latch on the cage with his scythe and she falls out, lying face down on the floor.

'Huh…?' Nnoitra growls, raising an eyebrow. Bringing his foot up, he stamps on the girl's back, the orange haired girl spluttering, crying out. '…ON YOUR FEET, BITCH!' he roars, hauling her up by her hair. Ichigo curses under his breath, struggling to watch. Cackling nastily, Nnoitra grabs the girl's arm in his fingers and clenches hard, the woman shaking her frantically.

'No…' she whispers. '…please, I don't want to do this anymore, I want to go back…' she pleads with him but she is silenced quickly as he hits her with the back of his hand, the woman spitting blood as the towering devil looks down on her.

'Ladies and gentlemen…you will witness…' Nnoitra coaxes, a gleam in his eye as he looks down at the shattered girl. '…the daughter of God…observe.' With that, he raises his hand, the girl beginning to scream. Ichigo watches in horror, unaware of what could possibly happen. The orange haired victim tries to break free of the ringmaster's grip as his hand is held high above him.

'WAIT…!' she tries to scream, her voice caught in her throat. Deaf to her cries, Nnoitra swings his hand downwards upon her arm, a sickening crunch heard. Ichigo's eyes cannot be averted and he watches as she hits the floor, clutching her broken arm in her hand, tears streaming down her face.

'Now, watch! She will heal herself back to normal! Surely that is a feat, only a God can do? But no…' Nnoitra hisses again, repulse lacing his serpentine tongue as he licks his lips. '…this witch has powers. HEAL YOURSELF!' he screams suddenly, his mood changing instantly, the girl cowering underneath him. She shakes her head slowly and his eye scrunches up in anger, his teeth grinding together. Raising his scythe, he holds it above his head, the light of the spotlight sending a gleam across the sharp edge.

'Then, die.' he says simply, not a hint of remorse in his voice. 'Beg for forgiveness in Hell.' Without a second thought, he swings his blade downwards in a wide arc, aiming to slice the girl's head off when, suddenly, there is a rush of wind and Ichigo stands before him, the man's scythe in his hand. Nnoitra's eye widens in shock, the orange haired girl whimpering, looking up at the boy standing in front of her, staring into Nnoitra's eye.

'Who…the fuck are you…?' Nnoitra whispers, narrowing his eye at Ichigo. Kurosaki pushes the ringmaster back and swings his sword, holding it out at the man, anger boiling over in his eyes.

'I'm Ichigo Kurosaki. You got a problem with this girl?' he asks dangerously, Nnoitra watching him in silence. Suddenly, the tall man perks up, removing his top hat and taking another bow.

'This is him then…Kurosaki Ichigo. Guess I need to get him.' Nnoitra thinks to himself, his eye hidden under his straggly hair. Suddenly, the man whips his scythe towards Ichigo, the orange haired boy's eye widening as the blade swung towards him. Flipping over backwards, Kurosaki narrowly dodges the weapon, Jiruga swinging it round himself in a full circle. The scythe catches the circus tent's canvas and tears a giant hole in it, ripping the back of the tent open. Cursing, Nnoitra jumps at Ichigo, the boy locking weapons with the man, sparks flying everywhere.

'Why do you treat her like this?' Ichigo demands, Nnoitra chuckling.

'She's my property. I found her and rescued her, the bitch is mine!' Nnoitra screams, smashing Ichigo away, the boy skidding to a stop and placing a hand on the girl's arm. He is grinning, the girl looking up at him into his determined eyes.

'Yo. What's your name?' Ichigo asks, the girl fumbling with her hands.

'I…Inoue Orihime…' she whispers. With that, Ichigo smirks and vanishes, reappearing beside the exit of the tent, Nnoitra clenching his fists.

'Isn't that lucky?' Ichigo smiles warmly, the girl slowly and meekly returning a smile. Suddenly, there is an immense build of yellow, golden light and Ichigo spins round as the ringmaster unleashes a laser of energy towards him from the tip of his tongue. Spinning his sword rapidly in his hands, Ichigo deflects the attack, the blast shooting off into all different directions, tearing burning holes through the tent's roof and walls. Cursing, he is pushed back by the light, the tiered seats breaking away and being thrown aside, Ichigo realising he was the only person in the audience.

'This place is messed up…' he thinks to himself, narrowing his eyes at Nnoitra, the man still firing his attack. '…time to leave!' With that, Ichigo swings his sword like a golf club, the remainder of the yellow blast rocketing past Nnoitra, the villain's eye widening in horror as the attack connects with the centre post of the tent, causing it to go up in flames.

'DAMN YOU!' Nnoitra shrieks, turning to the flaming pole, the licking fires latching onto the canvas and burning it up. Turning round to attack again, Nnoitra curses as he sees the flaps of the tent whipping in the wind, Ichigo and Orihime gone. The ringmaster curses again and again as the fires swallow up the circus, the canvas and the seats disappearing into an inferno that scorched the night sky.

They ran and ran for a little while before finally, Ichigo sets Orihime down, the girl clambering off of his shoulders. He wipes his brow and looks back, there's no trace of any smoke in the air, nor fire in the sky. They must have run far, he thinks. Looking back at the girl, he helps her stand and she looks into his eyes.

'Are you alright?' he asks her. Instantly, she throws her arms around him and pulls him tight, sobbing into his shoulder, the boy's eyes widening.

'Thank you…' she whispers. It's all she says. Ichigo puts his hands on her back and hugs her quickly before she pulls away, moving her hair from her eyes and wiping her tears away. '…you must be wondering who I am…' she sighs.

'You said you are Inoue right?' Ichigo ponders, the girl nodding.

'But some things you learnt are untrue about me. I was not found by that man, instead I was kidnapped.' she whispers, Ichigo cursing under his breath. 'I used to be enrolled within the Great University, along with all the other scholars. However, one day, I ran into this scholar with pink hair and glasses. I don't remember much after that besides waking up in that horrible place…' she says, beginning to cry again. However, Ichigo places his hand and cups her cheek, wiping the tears away early.

'You don't need to cry, it's alright now. I was told to find you and I did. I'm…not sure why I was, but still, I have found you. There are some things I'd like to know however. What is the Great University?' he asks, Orihime sitting herself down on the grass, Ichigo following suit, resting Zangetsu by his side. They look up into the stars, Orihime smiling warmly.

'It is a wonderful place, where the great can learn and read literature unlike any other of this world. Hmm…really, I never suited it, I didn't have an interest in it. My parents enlisted me from a young age and so there was no escaping it.' Orihime explains, Ichigo listening intently. 'I was there for three years before being kidnapped. I've been in that circus now for almost a year…' she says to herself, drifting off now. '…I think, had you not come along, I would be dead now. I can't thank you enough.' she continually expresses her gratitude, but the compliments merely slide off of Ichigo. He doesn't know her well enough to appreciate them, that's the type of person he is.

'Well, I should be thanking you also. I was told to find you. I was also told to go to Rukon, I figured finding the circus would show me the way there but apparently not…' Ichigo mutters, resting his head in his hands. Orihime places a soft hand on his shoulder and squeezes it tight.

'I do know the way to Rukon. That is where the Great University is.' she says, smiling. Ichigo raises an eyebrow. The girl nods happily, shaking her hair from her eyes again as she smiles. 'Yep. Legend says it was built in such a derelict town to revitalise the area. It certainly has done that, but for some reason, it has slipped into disrepair. My parents would go on and on about how the university isn't as good as it once was…' she trailed off again.

'Where are your parents now?' Ichigo wonders, the girl silent.

'They're both dead, they died just four years before I was scheduled to enter the university. I raised myself really and it would seem I didn't do a great job…' she laughs nervously. 'What about you? Where are you parents?' she asks, Ichigo shaking his head.

'The same. My mum died too long ago for me to remember and my dad died four years ago, saving the lives of my sisters and me. That's the whole reason I'm here doing this. I'm doing it for my dad. He had something stolen of his that night and I am going to reclaim it.' Ichigo says defiantly, standing to his feet and looking up at the sky, Orihime climbing up next to him, standing close to his arm. 'I don't know how, I don't know where or when, but I will find what was taken from him and I will set him at ease.' Ichigo announces, clenching his fist.

'I'll come with you.' Orihime says suddenly, Ichigo's eyes widening in shock as he turns to her.

'I…Inoue?' he whispers.

'That's right. If you are going to Rukon, I can show you the way. Maybe there I can visit my old friend in the university again. I miss him and it would certainly be nice to have a travelling companion…' she giggles softly, the warmth emanating off of her. She extends her hand to Ichigo, the boy looking down at it with his brown eyes, unsure of what to do. '…I notice you haven't asked me yet.' she then says, Ichigo awakened from his gaze.

'Asked you what?' he wonders.

'About…my powers…' she says quietly, her voice barely able to be heard over the solemn winds. Ichigo remains quiet, the girl looking down at the ground. Shaking his head, the orange haired boy takes the girl's hand and grins down at her, a twinkle in his eye now.

'Don't worry. I won't ask. I wouldn't trample on you like that. You can tell me whenever you feel ready.' Ichigo says, smiling at her, the girl laughing happily as they turn to head towards Rukon, the sun beginning to rise over the horizon, casting a beautiful, orange and fiery red overcast across the hillside, shadows sprawling down the mountains.

'The name is Ichigo.' he chuckles. 'Ichigo Kurosaki.' With that, they begin to walk to the town over the hills, Orihime chuckling to herself, thoughts swimming in her head until, one remained.

'I'm Orihime. Orihime Inoue. Thank you for saving me…' she thinks to herself, turning her head slightly to look at Ichigo, the boy pressing on. '…Ichigo.'

'They beat you? How embarrassing.' a mocking voice burns into Nnoitra's head, the lanky man turning and punching a hole straight through a tree. Beside him stands a feminine looking man, his carefully straightened pink hair flowing down to his shoulders, one of his hands prepping his bone white, pristine glasses up his nose, his sadistic yellow eyes flashing behind the lens. A cruel leer turned up his mouth as he sniggers, Nnoitra towering over him.

'Beat me?' Jiruga snarls, casting a shadow over his partner. 'Where the hell did you come up with that shitty logic?'

'I just figured, since your little circus act had been…met with a rather heated reception, they beat you.' the pink haired man says slyly, lifting his eyes to meet Nnoitra's. '…would I be mistaken?' Nnoitra remained silent.

'Szayel…you…bastard…' he spits, Szayel chuckling darkly, shifting his glasses and throwing back his hair. Turning away from Nnoitra, the bespectacled man smirks, striding away, his hair blowing slowly in the wind.

'You see, his lord won't be too pleased. You'd better get back on your feet, Nnoitra. The whole point of that circus was to lure Ichigo Kurosaki here and stop him. I analysed their directions, Kurosaki…already told me where he was heading…' Szayel grins, the light flashing across his glasses.

'No doubt, considering the girl is with him, they are heading for the university. I will stop them there.' Szayel explains, walking away from Nnoitra. With that, Szayel turns his head and looks out over the horizon, a cruel grin spreading across his face. 'Their journey ends there. Once and for all.'