Disclaimer: Bleach isn't mine or IchiRuki would be an item already.
Well i did it in time, here is another chapter before i leave for holidays, I hope you guys enjoy :)
Wincing in pain as her knees slammed the concrete path, all previous thoughts vanished from mind as she struggled not to scream out in agony. Forcing herself she looked behind to check on the others, Chad and Uryu were in the same position. Except Orihime, who knocked to the ground unconscious by the sudden overwhelming Spiritual pressure.
Turning back to face Ichigo she watched him step forwards to the source, unaffected by the immense spiritual pressure. "Ichigo" she screamed in shock as she he lifted his hand towards the three Arrancar and the closing Garganta behind them. A red ball of energy was slowly growing at the tip of his finger, letting of small pulses of red light.
"Kurosaki Ichigo, it's a pleasure to meet you" bowed the middle Arrancar his shaggy blond hair falling in front of his face hiding the stripe of mask that ran down the centre of his face.
Snarling "What the fuck do you want?" returned Ichigo not in the mood for games after hearing Rukia's cry of pain.
Looking to each of his men "You see you took something dear from us, so we are here to take something dear to you" his grin send shivers through Rukia's spine .
"I don't know what the fuck you're talking about but I'll tell you this, you lay one finger on someone I care about I'll kill you, all of you".
"Kurosaki-Kun you can't" whimpered Orihime gain conciseness.
Slowly pushing herself up a little Rukia retrieved the soul dispenser from her jeans an ejected one into her palm, "Chappy Take Orihime and the others away from here".
"Aye, Aye Miss" smiled the mod soul scooping Orihime up and bounding off, before the girl could protest.
"No" Chad said softly as he pushed himself up from the ground and gave Uryu a hand up. "We trained for this; it was only there unexpected spiritual pressure that caught us off guard".
"Chad, Uryu, Rukia I want you three to stand back, these are Privaron Espada."
"Ichigo we have all fought the Espada before" argued Chad
"Chad, look at the middle ones left leg" Ichigo answered not taking his eyes off the Privaron Espada. " I'm guessing you're the top three Privaron Espada?" Ichigo questioned.
Grinning, the middle Espada took a step forward but stopped as Ichigo's Cero pulsed bigger, "Yes, I am Muerte Mortalidad and my rank is Privaron Espada 101, my comrades don't have names but go by 100 and 102. We were removed from the Espada since Aizen was in process of restoring their special minds when you invaded".
"Special minds?" question Uryu.
Shrugging Muerte turned back to his companions "Aizen might have not approved but I believe if you catch your kill, then you should be able to play with your food before you eat it".
"Rukia get behind me" screamed Ichigo as both of the twisted Espada disappeared in a buzz of Sonido.
"Ichigo" screamed Rukia, as the larger Arrancar grabbed her and disappeared in another buzz of Sonido returning next to Muerte, shortly followed by the other Espada holding Orihime up by her neck, as if she was his trophy.
"I think I'll have fun with this one boss" smiled the Espada dumbly through his clown like mask as he ran his hand over Rukia's head, "she will make a good little pet if not ill just twist like the last one". With his last comment he gripped his fingers around the top of her skull and twist a little.
"Kill them King, nobody touches the queen and gets away with it" screamed his hollow.
Letting go of the burning anger he was holding, Ichigo throw his head back letting out a hollow like scream as the white clay like substance exploded all over his body.
"I don't think so" growled Muerte as he whipped out his sword holding it to Rukia's neck, flicking his other wrist, opening a Garganta. "Killing us will only mean watching her die, is it worth it?" laughed Muerte.
"I will never lose her" whispered Ichigo in a blood curdling voice as he drove his clawed hand through the back of Muerte's head, shattering his mask from the inside out. The Espada wouldn't have even seen him move. Slinging the body off his arm he let out a large victory howl as his eyes locked on to the smaller Espada.
Dropping the girl, the smaller Privaron Espada drew his sword "Venado de Carga" he screamed dropping to all fours as he small stubs in his mask extended into a large spiked antlers, resembling that of a male deer. "She will be broken before you can get close" screamed the deer like hollow lowering his antlers charging a blue Cero.
Gripping the base of both antlers in an instant, ignoring the buzzing sound of the Cero forming around him, Ichigo started to tear the antlers apart ignoring the bone chilling screams of pain from the creature below him. "No body touches her but me" he swore giving it the antlers a finial pull tearing the creatures head in half in the attempt.
Covered in the blood spray he tossed what was left of the Espada to the ground, all rational feelings gone; only his desire to protect now remained as he tore into the Garganta after Rukia. He was going to bring her back, Soul King or not he was going to tear the worlds apart if that basted had done anything to her.
Alarms and bells could be heard throughout the Seireitei's Department of Research and Development Surveillance Division. "Somebody get me Kurotsuchi-Taichou now, we have a sev-0 in the world of the living".
"Yes, yes calm down, I'm sure it's nothing; now give me the readings you incompetent fool or ill-use you for my next experiment" screamed Kurotsuchi snatching the read-outs from an unknown squad member. "Now let me see, Karakura… three Privaron Espada… What's this?" turning to the computer "This can't be right, let me run the tests again".
Stepping away from the computer "Contain the area; make sure that the citizens are safe, this is a high emergency procedure, sev-1, we have three Privaron Espada in the world of the living, the last reading was a mistake, ignore it" he spat out. "I must report this to the Soutaichou."
Stepping out of the hall he flashed to the entrance of the squad's compound, "Lady Yoruichi, I take it Kisuke is aware of our current predicament".
"Yes he sent me here right away, he believe he managed to contain Spiritual pressure of Kurosaki Ichigo"
"No, but I have re-ran the results again, and this time he had it contained. I will destroy the first copy since this news must not be released. However I need to notify the Soutaichou of the Privaron Espada unless you want an investigation I believe I should be leaving."
"Hai" replied Yoruichi as the mad doctor flashed away.
Turning Yoruichi looked up at the sky from were they had first entered the Seireitei "Ichigo you fool what have you done."
"All captains please report directly to the meeting hall, we have a sev-1 in the world of the living" lowering his finger from the hell butterfly Byakuya turned to his left. "I'm correct in presuming you are here about this emergency, is my sister alright Yoruichi Shihouin?"
Walking next to the noble, she is with Ichigo so she will be safe. But Byakuya you must lead this investigation, Ichigo when I left he was drawing upon his hollow side since he was in a Gigai".
"Does she know?" he questioned her.
"I don't believe he has told anybody yet"
"I see" Byakuya replied softly.
"You're not angry?" Yoruichi asked slightly surprised at the simple answer.
"No he is doing the right thing. He maybe vulgar and disrespectful but he has a good heart, look at his current situation Yoruichi. He is known as a Shinigami, nevertheless by the sounds of it he is just as much a Hollow as he is Shinigami. He might be the hero of the winter war but do you believe that Central 46 will grant him Immunity?"
Hanging her head low "I see what you mean. If the hollow side is to show it will course chaos, this can go two ways, a statue built-in his honor or a call for for his execution".
"I must take my leave now, but you understand my point precisely. Think about it and convince Isshin, only the name Shiba can protect him from the Central 46".
"How?" called out Yoruichi as Byakuya stepped forwards ready to shunpo.
"Old Noble protection" was her answer as he disappeared from sight.
"Orihime" screamed Uryu as he dived for her falling form, why didn't Ichigo attempted to catch her. No it wasn't Ichigo anymore, Ichigo wouldn't murder in cold blood like that. Jumping for Orihime he caught her in his arms, attest the demon was gone from the world of the living.
"Uryu, Ichigo he… he…" she whispered softly before turning her head into his chest crying.
He was going to kill Kurosaki.
Sprinting towards Uryu and Orihime, Chad stopped as he felt a Senkaimon open up behind him, slowly turning to face the doors as they opened. He stood frozen as Captain Kuchiki and Captain Kyoraku walked out from inside the white light.
"Hello Yasutora, can you tell me why I can't feel the spiritual presence of the Privaron Espada" smiled Kyoraku as both nobles came to a stop in front of the young man.
Standing straight, he knew the man in front of him was a fair man, but Byakuya Kuchiki was cold and followed the rules to the T, how was Ichigo going to get out of this one. "Ah sir, Ichigo took care of two of them and the third escaped into a Garganta" Chad replied honestly, although leaving out the fact that Rukia was taken and Ichigo chased the Espada.
Softly nodding his head "I see, do you know where Kuchiki-San and Ichigo might be?"
Turning he bowed slightly to the cold noble " I'm sorry Kuchiki-Taichou but the Espada took your sister into the Garganta, Ichigo just made it in before it closed. He should be back shortly with her" If Ichigo had the power he demonstrated just before he highly doubted that his friend would take long.
Rising and eyebrow Kyoraku looked towards Byakuya "I guess we should just pull up a patch of grass and wait for their return if that is the case" grinned Kyoraku as he pulled out a small flat bottle of Sake from inside his robe.
"I don't want to be disrespectful sir but don't you think we should be helping Ichigo not sitting around here waiting" asked Chad as Uryu carried Orihime over, the look on the Quincy's face told him more than enough.
Speaking up for the first time, "If you believe they will return soon I agree with Kyoraku, plus without knowing their location it would be difficult to track them" stated Byakuya.
"Is Kurosaki-Kun and Kuchiki-Chan going to be alright?" whimpered Orihime from where Uryu had sat her down.
"Have confidence in your friends" Byakuya answered formally as a rip opened in the sky just above them.
Stepping out of the Garganta covered in blood, Ichigo dropped to the ground holding Rukia's small frame within his arms bridle style. "Byakuya" he called out in a wavering voice through his hollow mask, the rest of his body returned to normal.
"Kurosaki is she?" asked the cold noble no emotion visible in his features.
"No she is just unconscious" Ichigo replied hiding his surprise at Byakuya's question as his mask crumbled away.
Smiling Kyoraku spoke up "Ichigo I must gather a report to explain the situation to the Soutaichou. I gather that these Privaron Espada just wanted revenge and kidnapped Rukia-Chan here. Chad and Uryu here stopped two of them, allowing you to chase the third into Hueco Mundo. It was there that you rescued Rukia and returned by a Garganta open by your friend Nel, one of the ex Espada that assisted with the war effort."
Opening his mouth to speak Ichigo was cut off by Byakuya with raised eyebrow "I believe that is correct Kyoraku-Taichou".
Waving his fan in front of his face Urahara stepped forwards "You forgot one part old friend. Ichigo here didn't change into his Soul Reaper form into after I had raised the protection shield that's why the Soul Society doesn't have record of him changing to a soul reaper".
"Kisuke you old dog" grinned Kyoraku.
"Thank you, all of you" smiled Ichigo as Rukia stirred in his arms.
"Kurosaki I do believe it is time you put my sister down and do something about that blood" glared the older Kuchiki.
"Hai, can I ask why tho?" he asked as he gently laid Rukia on the ground.
Remaining silent as he knelt by his sister's side, he rested his hand on her forehead temporally until a soft green light hummed from under it. "Kurosaki you have done more than enough for the Soul Society and the Gotei 13, in saying this there are those of us that wish to protect you from Central 46 and their prejudice ways."
Silence fell among the group at his words, "Ichigo" mumbled Rukia opening her eyes breaking the silence a few minutes later. Mentally freezing as she focused on her brother's face, "Nii-Sama I'm sorry I didn't mean too".
"Relax Rukia" Byakuya stated calmly moving his hand to her shoulder as the green light faded.
"Mmkay, but where's Ichigo?" She replied softly closing her eyes again still a little dazed.
Kneeling down next to her Ichigo grabbed hold of her hand not caring that Byakuya was directly across from him "Im here Rukia don't worry" he answered loud enough that only she and Byakuya would hear.
"My nice clothes, where is Pyon? Did she return when, oh my god is Orihime ok?" asked Rukia opening her eyes worried as she spoke up that last part.
" I'm ok Kuchiki-Chan, how are you?" asked Orihime feeling a little guilty at the worry Rukia was showing for her safety, when her own thoughts were of jealousy towards the girl. That guilty feeling quickly changed back to jealousy. It was her fault anyway that Ichigo hadn't even checked on her, Rukia always stole his attention from her.
Rukia let out a breath of relief for her friend "I'll be alright, if it wasn't for Ichigo tho. I…" she died off as her body shuddered a little".
On instinct he ran his thumb over the back of her hand "It's alright nothing happened and nothing will, his gone Rukia".
"Nii-Sama, would it be alright to get up now? I need to talk to Ichigo alone" asked Rukia shyly.
"Kurosaki I trust you will call me if she needs help?" returned Byakuya setting his cold gaze on the young man.
"Rukia what happened between you and Byakuya?" asked Ichigo as they walked out of earshot from the others "You two are different; he acutely treated you like a sister back there. He was still emotionless and cold but his actions were caring.
Looking back at her brother talking to Kyoraku and Urahara, "When I was forced back to the Seireitei after Orihime went missing, I wasn't thinking clearly and enraged. I had started screaming in anger at a statue in Byakuya's presence, once we had returned to the Kuchiki grounds. I was wild, screaming about how important my friends were and how the Central 46 along with the Kuchiki Elders can go fuck themselves. I think I shocked Byakuya a little with my vocabulary but once I had calmed down he asked me to follow him to his office. I was terrified but once we got there he gave me orders as the head of the Kuchiki clan to gather missing information on the substitute Soul Reaper at once".
"He sent you?" ask Ichigo in disbelief that the stiff noble could shift the stick in his ass if he wanted to.
"Hai"
Watching the soft smile form on her face, "Does he really mean that much to you?" asked Ichigo.
"He is the only family I have Ichigo, he might not be the normal brother type but he has always looked out for me, it's the only reason I'm still a Soul Reaper".
"What do you mean?" by that Ichigo asked confused.
Letting out a groan of annoyance, had he listen to anything about noble life? "Ichigo for the last 30 years Byakuya has fought off the elders for me; I may not be Kuchiki clan by blood but I'm the head of the clans sister so my marriage is still of high value".
"Rukia"
"It's ok I have come to terms that I will have to marry a suitor one day, I just hope that day isn't for a long time" she sighed.
Pulling her against him "I will always be there for you no matter what happens ok, but we need to get going back shortly" he smiled gently down to her while making a silent promise to himself. It would be over his dead body that Rukia married some stuck up noble suitor that she hadn't chosen.
"I know, Ichigo are you alright though?" she asked quietly. It was the reason that she had pulled him away in the first place, she had just witness him brutally murder three Espada and now he was sitting here like nothing had happened.
"I was waiting for you to ask that" he commented quietly. "You know when you have done something before so when you do it again you don't really think about it. That's what it feels like to me, except it hasn't happened before, I think it's a natural reaction from my Hollows past experiences."
Sitting up gasping "Do you mean that you hollow was once a real hollow?" she stuttered.
"Yes and no, did you know how our Zanpakuto's have past lives? He asked curious to see how much she knew about her Zanpakuto.
Tilting her head to the side "Yeah Shirayuki won't tell me hers but I know of it, do you suspect your hollow is the same?"
"Yeah, I have tried talking to him about it but he always disappears. Common let's get back to the others".
"Ichigo wait" Rukia called out softly as she he stood up next to her.
"What's wrong?" he asked quickly, turning around to face her.
"Nothing" she mumbled as she stepped up onto the park bench. Looking past his confused face she checked if anyone was watching, seeing that the coast was clear. Seeing that it was she lent in giving him a soft kiss on the cheek "They say everyone has a guardian angel" she whispered.
Feeling his cheek burn again with the same sensation, "I don't know about an angel I think a demon is more fitting in my case".
Jumping down off the bench she looked up to him "A demons protection huh? I guess I can live with that. I do believe it is prince charming that girl's swoon over tho".
"You're not like most girls tho"
Raising an eyebrow "Well that's a bold statement and what makes you thing I'm not like them girls".
Grinning "I'm pretty sure killing monsters for a living is what the great and noble prince charming is meant to do, not his princess shut away in a tower".
"Well, don't forget i was shut away in a tower, thank you" she replied sticking her tongue out at him like a child.
"And did your prince charming came and rescue you?" he snickered not realizing what she was referring to.
"Yeah he did" she smiled sadly, before looking at him in shock at what she had admitted. "Ichigo I…"
Realising that they were talking about Ichigo smiled, "I guess that makes Renji the noble steed" he laughed causing her to join him.
"May I ask what is so funny?" smiled Kyoraku approaching the pair with Byakuya.
Looking towards Ichigo who nodded back with a wink "Hai Kyoraku-Taichou, we noticed that when Ichigo rescued me from the Soul Society it sounded like a fairy tale from the world of the living. A princess who is trapped in a tower and is rescued by the brave and handsome prince charming"
Clearing his throat "And how do you find this so funny?" asked Byakuya in a serious tone.
"Well you see that makes Renji the noble steed" Smirked Ichigo as Kyoraku joined Rukia in laughter, followed by a soft chuckle from Byakuya.
"What's wrong Kurosaki, did you not think I could enjoy a good laugh?" question Byakuya at the dean pan look of shock on Ichigo's face.
Shaking his head at Byakuya's words "No, I have just never seen you show emotion."
"I'm still a man Kurosaki, but now we must leave, since we have wasted too much time on this emergency report, the last thing we need is Kenpachi to be sent here".
"Hai Nii-Sama, Kyoraku-Taichou thank you for coming and helping us".
"It's no problem Rukia-Chan, just remember when it's us just call me Shunsui, and that goes for you too Ichigo".
"Thanks" Ichigo replied as he watched Byakuya open a Senkaimon.
Watching the Senkaimon close she lent up against Ichigo who put his arm around her. "It's cold" she mumbled softly.
"Let's head home then, they others seem to have already left".
Falling down on her bed Orihime whipped a tear away, she knew it was a bad idea to go back and check on Ichigo and Rukia but she had to anyway. Turning to her phone that lay vibrating in her lap, the front screen flashing as it displayed a message and Tatsuki name.
From Tatsuki
To Orihime
I can't believe that bitch would do that to you,
She knows about your feelings Ichigo.
Orihime we need to do something about this,
You and Ichigo are perfect.
Tatsuki
Reading the message Orihime looked out the window, Tatsuki was right. Rukia might be her friend but she needed to protect Ichigo and not let him make this mistake, he was meant to be with her and not throwing his life away for a dead girl. "I want to be the rain that washes your sadness away" she whispered tenderly.
I have always wondered if people have ever made the Fairy Tale connection; How Rukia is locked in a tower and Ichigo her prince charming is on his way to rescue her. Then again it might just be me :P
Well this in my last Chapter before I leave to go away :( but I will be back with another Chapter :D