Okay, I know this chapter took kinda long, but I got distracted… sadly. But here it is!

Disclaimer: I wonder how many more times I have to type this… Don't own Bleach, it all belongs to Tite Kubo.

EDITED VERSION.

Almost a Year Ago

Orihime stared out the high window at the "moon" that lay high above. The door opened behind her and Ulquiorra called out to her.

"Lord Aizen wishes to see you."

Orihime didn't say anything and turned around slowly looking at him. Ulquiorra turned around and walked out of the room. She followed him with her head hanging low. They walked down a few corridors until they reached a large grey door. It opened by itself and the both of them entered within the room.

"Lord Aizen," Ulquiorra bowed in front of his master and then stood up straight. "I have brought the girl you had asked for."

"Thank you, Ulquiorra." Aizen stayed seated in his chair having his left leg propped up onto his right. Ulquiorra knew when he was being dismissed so he let himself out of the room and left Orihime alone with Aizen. "Orihime, why such a sad face?" He then stood up and walked up to her. He tilted her head up and stared into her large grey eyes. "Such a beautiful young girl with great abilities shouldn't be sulking around." Orihime still didn't respond. "I can't have a depressed girl under my control. I need you to do my bidding and you will do it happily."

"I am under Aizen-sama's service…" Orihime mumbled.

"Of course you are, child." Aizen moved a strand of hair away from Orihime's face and his hand slid down her arm. He then began mumbling something unintelligible and before Orihime could move away, she fell limply in his arms. "That should keep you asleep for a bit." Aizen reached for a small pill within his white kimono and pulled it out. The small circular orange pill glistened in the light. "But this will stay with you forever." He dropped the pill into her mouth and smirked.

Present Day

Ichigo stared at Orihime as she lay soundly on a bed in one of the many backrooms in Urahara's shop. At first the owner had opened the door happily and with a huge smile, but it soon faded away when he saw the wide, scared eyes of Ichigo and the limp Orihime in his arms. Kisuke had immediately called Tessai and the big man brought Orihime into the room in which Ichigo was in, staring at his love. Her face was pale, her lips were partly open and she was barely breathing.

"Hang in there, Orihime… please…" Ichigo reached out to hold her hand and Kisuke only lingered at the door for a moment before stepping into the room.

Orihime's Inner World

Dark clouds hovered above my head and I heard thunder rumbling in the distance. Slowly standing up, I felt the ground beneath me moving like waves. I got unsteady once more and fell. What the-? I got up once more and was able to stay standing. Even though the ground was still moving, I somehow got used to it. Still stumbling, I began to slowly walk to who knows where. I felt small drops hit my cheek and soon it began to pour of rain. I didn't mind getting wet, but I just felt so alone…

"Oh, but you're not alone my princess."

I knew that voice all too well. I slowly turned around and my eyes widened. There she stood. There I stood.

"Are you seriously surprised to see me? My, you're very naïve."

"W-who are y-you?" I stuttered.

"Why I'm you. Well, your instinct you. But still you either way. Can't you see the resemblance?" Her mocking laughter filled my ears, but she soon stopped. "Sorry, princess, but a new ruler must rule and it isn't going to be YOU!"

I immediately called out Santen Kesshun and the barrier lay in front of me with my other self laying a sword against it.

"Impressive that you called out your Santen Kesshun so quickly. But not impressive enough!" She disappeared from sight and my heart pumped with fear. "I can smell your fear, your cowardliness. And that is what is going to get you killed!" She hissed in my ear and my eyes widened as I turned my head around.

Regular World

Ichigo's eyes widened as he watched Orihime thrashing on the floor. Kisuke had been in the room for a couple of minutes and didn't look very surprised.

"I didn't expect this so soon. Tessai!"

"Didn't expect what so soon? Wait, you mean to tell me that you've been expecting this?! And you didn't fucking tell me?" Ichigo was yelling at him and Tessai entered the room. He did kidou on Orihime as to bind her and he slung her over his shoulder.

"I was going to tell you, but then Orihime… well, you know. I'll explain it to you as we go down."

They entered the hidden underground chamber and it seemed that Tessai had used up the hole that Ichigo had used in the past when he was turning into a Shinigami.

"Why is…?"

"Orihime is turning into a hollow."

Ichigo's eyes dilated twice their size and he stared down into the hole where Orihime was still squirming and thrashing around. Her head lifted up and Ichigo saw her face. Her eyes were turning black with gold pupils; a mask was slowly forming on her left side of her face, but even Ichigo realized it was forming quickly. And that was when the hole formed in her chest and her scream filled his ears and into his heart.

Orihime's Inner World

"Arg!" My body flew across the field and I rolled onto my side. I could barely breathe and blood was falling down the side of my face and lip. I already had many cuts and bruises and maybe a broken rib, but that was probably it. It could be worse… I propped myself up with my elbow, but was brought down to the ground with a sudden force. My hollow self lay her foot on my back and kept it there for a lingering moment.

"Tsk, tsk. Honestly, I should kill you now, and I can. But it's just so much fun to see you run around like a chicken that got their head cut off." She chuckled and put the blade up against my arm and put a small cut. I hissed in the slight pain and she finally got off of me. "You always say that you want to protect your friends, to be there for them. But that's just full of shit. You know that? You're full of shit. And you think that everyone loves you? They're doing it out of pity. They feel bad for you that you're so useless. You are just in their way, you-,"

"Shut up." My eyes were casted down and something within me burst.

"Well, looks like you got something in you."

I closed my eyes and I saw a woman. She had flaming orange hair, and there was a glow about her… I asked in my head who she was, but I could only hear muffled sounds. I saw her mouth moving, but I couldn't hear was she was saying.

"Pay attention to your enemy!" My hollow came at with her sword and I rolled away in time. I stood up and glared at her. "What are you gonna do? Come at me with Tsubaki? Like as if that small thing could affect me." She ran to me once more and I lay my barrier before me and it only held for a couple of seconds before it broke into pieces. "I see your Santen Kesshun is now not as strong. Is our princess getting tired? Hehe."

I lay on the ground kneeling, panting. I wiped the sweat off of my forehead and stood up again. I averted my eyes as to where the hollow me was standing, but she wasn't there.

Regular World

Orihime's screams had filled the underground cavern. Shinji and the others had come by to help, but it seemed as if Orihime was already becoming a hollow. Her body was practically covered with the white and bright orange covering. The straight distinct lines, but the bright orange had flowed around her body, like brush streaks. Her mask had horns on the side and was white. On the left side of the mask had a flowy design with the bright orange and a black star on the bridge of her nose. Her eyes were a burning gold and black. Come on Orihime… Ichigo thought to himself.

Orihime's Inner World

I can't…

"Aw, poor princess Orihime. Do you give up your throne?" My hollow slowly walked towards me. I couldn't move. I couldn't do anything. My eyes were closed and I just wanted everything to end. "I'll happily take it from you. I'll take care of your duties. And a couple of my own duties. First, I'd…" Her voice drifted off and the woman came before my eyes once again. Who are you? I am your sword. I am a part of you, Orihime. You need my help and I will help you. All you need to know is my name, Orihime. Listen carefully and you will the both of us will be able to defeat your hollow. What's your name then? My name is-

"I said to stop daydreaming!" Her sword came down upon me, but I had sensed it, not seen it. Instinctively, my hand reached out in front of my face and my hand grabbed onto the blade of her sword. I opened my eyes and I saw that my hollow was surprised. Her eyes widened and then squinted. "I see this will be fun. Come to me, Orihime." I stood up, but didn't take any steps. She ran to me and then disappeared. To your left! My hand grabbed out to my left and I quickly kicked her on the side. She grunted out and then disappeared again. She was a couple of feet away from me and was holding her side. "When I'm done with you, the first I'll do is kill your little boyfriend. Then your friends. Not that they really are." She smirked and ran to me once again, but head-on and I closed my eyes.

"Burn and protect, Tenjitsubaria!" A sword with a bright orange and black hilt appeared in my hand and I raised it high above my head. My hollow's eyes had widened and at that same moment, a burst of bright orange and black hit her like fire.

Silence.

The dust settled and I saw that my hollow was lying on the floor, and she was disappearing.

"You may have beaten me for now, but this isn't over." She hissed.

"It never will be." I replied back.

She smirked and was gone. The skies cleared and a soft wind came. The ground was still.

Normal World

"Ichigo, I'm-," Kisuke began, but then stopped. All eyes went to Orihime and she was just standing there. Still. Her body coverings had cracked and her mask fell out perfectly. All eyes gaped open when they found a sword in her hand as well. And its hilt was bright orange and black.

Orihime then fell to the floor and Ichigo ran to her. "Orihime!" He caught her as she fell and he laid her head down on his lap. Her auburn hair spilled over her face and he softly moved her hair away.

"Ichigo…?"

"Hey. Are you okay?"

She nodded in his lap and yawned. "I'm just… tired…" Ichigo felt her breathing go steady and smiled in relief.

Okay! Here it is. :D Please review! And sorry for going back and forth so constantly...

Next Chapter: Orihime is going to train with Yoruichi and a couple others so that she can gain the strength of her sword and hollow! Now Ichigo and Orihime are a perfect match. xD