Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach in anyway but am inspired by the work created by Tite Kubo

Author's Note: Holy moly guys, another freaking long chapter and we still aren't to the actual break up! Lots of artistic lenience requested because I have NO IDEA if how Hachi is training Orihime or using their powers would work. I've altered enough of this that it's almost an AU but hopefully it all makes sense.

Suddenly There Was You

By bleachfanficfanatic

Chapter 8

The next morning Hachi arrived early and headed to the underground with Orihime to begin their training.

"Hachi-san, I didn't even know something like this was possible, are we sure it will even work?" Orihime asked as they settled themselves comfortably on some mats.

The huge man smiled down at her, "Well, we both know Urahara-san is an inquisitive man. I'm sure he's been observing you quite a bit these last few years. You've only ever tried to reject injuries or damages, but by doing so have proven the ability to shift and change physical material. Since that is so, perhaps you can reject entire beings or energy too; we won't know until you try."

"But Hachi-san, I'm so scared that I'll hurt Ichigo, what if…what if something goes wrong?"

Placing a massive hand on her shoulder he said kindly, "That is why we are going to practice before you start and I'm going to help you. I know Soul Society is putting pressure on you to do this sooner than later but I won't allow them to force you until you are ready. So put any idea of failure out of your mind otherwise you won't be fully focused on what you need to do."

Orihime took a deep breath and nodded her understanding, clearing her mind and waiting for her tutor to begin his lessons.

"First, we need to see if you can create a sphere using Shuno and Ayame. This way you can focus all your attention on one object instead of trying to split it between two."

The healer looked slightly confused at this but did as instructed, calling out her Soten Kishun. They had heard everything Hachi said and so she did not have to repeat what she needed to try. The sprites focused their attention and though it was slow going the first time were able to form and keep a sphere in place.

"Good job! Ok, let's have you work on that for a little while. Try to form it as fast as you can," Hachi complimented and left her to her task saying he would be back in half an hour. "Take breaks as you feel you need but try to keep going, the faster you can master this the faster we can move to the next lesson."

Orihime kept working the whole time her teacher was gone barely taking any breaks because she wanted to get stronger faster, beginning to understand Ichigo's drive for training. The better she got the more she wanted to increase her abilities just to see what she could do.

At the time he designated Hachi returned and had Orihime stand next to him.

"How are you feeling about containment? Do you want to try moving to the next step?" he asked.

She nodded, still slightly tired but wanting to move forward if she could.

"Now, as for as practicing rejecting energy I think we can start with a simple test," he continued and moving right next to her charged up a very small cero but did not release it. Keeping all his concentration on holding it at bay he spoke again, "Ok, Orihime-chan, slowly put your sphere around this, I will remove my hand when you get close but you'll have to really concentrate on the strength of the walls so this doesn't get out."

"Hai, Hachi-sensei," she whispered and brought forth her spirits again. Quicker than her previous attempts she began to seal around the cero. However once Hachi had to drop his hand to get out of the way it slammed against the wall and shattered the sphere. Orihime sighed in frustration. She really thought she was going to do it on the first time!

"That's a new trick," she heard from behind her and turned to see Ichigo walking towards them, her face lighting up at his presence. Running over she threw her arms around his neck in a big bear hug. He hugged her back and kissed the top of her head, "How's training going?"

"Good, I can make a containment sphere instead of just a dome now but it wasn't quite strong enough to hold Hachi-sensei's cero."

"Cero? What the hell are you doing Hachi?"

"Calm down Kurosaki-san, I was standing next to her and had the momentum facing forward away from us. She needs to start with something small that won't kill her. Others I may have taken on a hollow hunt but I figured you would be even more adverse to that."

Ichigo couldn't argue that point so he nodded, "Yeah, well-" but before he could continue he felt Orihime's small hand grasp his larger one. Looking down he saw her beautiful eyes filled with determination, "Don't worry Ichi, I'm going to get stronger for you for once. I can do this, I know it!"

He smiled at her, leaning down to kiss her briefly before straightening back up, "I know you can. Alright, I'll leave you to it. Hat and Clogs said to come upstairs for lunch in about three hours. You'll both need a break by then for sure."

"Ok, we'll see you later," Orihime chirped happily and went back to Hachi's side. Ichigo watched her go then turned to head back out of the underground. Truthfully he wanted to keep an eye on her but he knew his presence would just distract or make her nervous plus he could feel his hollow fighting him even stronger to get out and it took all his own concentration to keep him back. He'd let Kisuke put a spiritual inhibitor on him to try to help but it was not really making a difference.

Three hours later the teacher and pupil joined the rest of the shop gang and Ichigo upstairs very worn but satisfied. Orihime had managed to keep two ceros fully contained for at least two minutes before the sphere shattered under the pressure.

"Excellent work Inoue-san!" Kisuke exclaimed and his encouragement made her blush brightly. Coming from him this was high praise indeed, considering how he'd viewed her before the war. They had settled that incident but every so often it would creep into Orihime's mind and she'd have to actively shove it away. She knew the man's intentions had been good even if his words had been brutal.

The group sat down to lunch, Ishida having arrived to join them on a break between classes, and discussed a training schedule for Orihime. While they all understood the necessity for haste none wanted her pushed to try what she needed to do before she was ready.

"The problem is, I can't just stay here in the shop all the damn time and you do have a life outside of all this, we both do," Ichigo commented.

"True, but in the grand scheme of things this has to take precedence," Urahara replied from behind his fan.

"What if we have your father write up an excuse for you? Maybe even for both of you as having contracted something contagious and are quarantined until further notice? Your classwork could be delivered by me, I'll think of some reason to have access to you both, and your jobs would be secured that way too," suggested Uryuu.

Ichigo's eyes widened, then he smirked, "That's a lot of deception, what happened to your Quincy code of honor?"

Ishida glared at him, "I'm upholding it by doing my part to protect the innocent, namely keeping you here until this is over."

The shinigami frowned but figured he was right. It was the best chance they had to do what they needed to without drawing too much attention to their absence.

"Fine, you and the crazy old man can come up with the details," he huffed.

Ishida nodded as he stood to leave but was stopped by Orihime's hand on his wrist. He looked back down to where she sat at the table still as she said, "Thank you Ishida-kun." His eyes softened just perceptively and he nodded again before striding away.

When he returned some hours later everything had been successfully set up. After receiving his work from school Ichigo reached out a hand to the Quincy. After a moment's hesitation Uryuu took the proffered hand a question in his eyes.

"Thanks for all you did Ishida," Ichigo said lowly and then added, "Now and before."

Blue eyes met brown steadily as Ichigo took a deep breath and continued, "And should anything go wrong…with me and this whole thing…please watch over Orihime."

"I already do but you have my word I will continue to do so," Ishida retorted less sharply than he perhaps would have at any other time.

As Orihime continued training into the early evening her ability to hold a stronger sphere longer increased. By the time dinner rolled around she could hold the cero and was beginning to break it down.

She barely made it through her meal before heading to her cot and collapsing, refusing to leave Ichigo's side to go home no matter how much he admonished her to do so.

"Chad, take her home and stay there with her," Ichigo said after they'd finished eating, "She needs as much sleep as she can get. Also, do you mind asking Yuzu to pack me a suitcase and bring it back? I have no idea how long I'm going to have to stay here." He knew Orihime would be upset with him for making her go home but he needed her safe and with how hard his hollow was fighting him every minute of the day and night he knew she wasn't safe with him.

Lifting his sleeping friend Chad made his way to the door.

Ichigo headed to one of the spare rooms to focus on keeping his hollow under control. The more time that passed as Orihime trained the more he felt him trying to get out. Ichigo had thought about going into his inner world to subdue him but Kisuke pointed out it was too risky.

The next morning Orihime rolled over and squeaked thinking she was about to fall off the cot but then realized it was decidedly softer than it had been when she fell asleep. Blinking her eyes she looked around and realized she was back home. "Eppp! Did I sleep walk home? Maybe this is a dream! Did I astro-project?" Her exclamation brought Chad in from the living room where he'd been sleeping on the couch.

"Sado-kun, what are you doing here?"

"Ichigo had me bring you home to rest, Chad rumbled, "I think he's right, you shouldn't be staying overnight at the shop."

Orihime raised her eyebrows, "Why Sado-kun?"

"You need sufficient rest to replenish your reiatsu, staying there won't help."

The woman in front of him frowned but didn't respond. Getting up she stretched and headed to the bathroom to take a shower. Chad busied himself in the kitchen making them some breakfast. She came out, a sad look on her face.

"Inoue-san, what's wrong," Chad asked from where he stood by the stove cooking omelets.

She shrugged, "Do you think Ichi-kun is mad at me and that's why he doesn't want me to stay at the shop with him?"

Now Chad frowned and stepped forward, encasing her shoulders in his large hands. "Inoue-san, I've known Ichigo a long time. Trust me that when he says he wants you here it's because he thinks it's best for you, not because he wants you away from him."

Her eyes were tearing up as she replied in a low tone, "But I still feel safest when I'm with him, regardless of what happened the other day."

"Trust his judgment on this." She nodded in agreement wiping her eyes dry.

"Thank you for cooking! It smells great," she said more cheerily as they made their way to the kitchen. Completing their meal the two friends cleaned up the kitchen together and headed over to the shop.

A week rolled by and every day Orihime was getting stronger. Hachi had needed to call in Shinji for help to create targets for him and Orihime, much to his joy and Ichigo's annoyance. Hachi was not ignorant to the fact that Ichigo's hollow would put up a hell of a fight and it would take a significant amount of power to hold him at bay should he take over Ichigo.

Rukia stopped by for a status update with Renji in tow but the healer suspected he was there only because they wanted to be together away from prying eyes in Soul Society. She and Ichigo had long been aware of the two shinigamis' affections for each other but for the time being they couldn't be together officially until Renji obtained Byakuya's permission.

"Hachi-sensei, I think I'm ready for the next step," Orihime said one day after completely disintegrating a cero without cracking her sphere.

"Of course you are my first love," Shinji exclaimed grasping her hands, "You are as powerful as you are beautiful. Truly a masterpiece, oh that you were mi-" his words were cut off by a kick from Ichigo.

"Ok then, let's move on," replied the large Vizard shaking his head the two men, "Next we need to have you become familiar with the different elements of Kurosaki-san's powers. There is, of course, his hollow in Fullbring and Vizard manifestations, but also his Shinigami and Quincy." Orihime nodded her understanding, though she was unsure how they could have her identify them.

"The problem is I know Ichigo's hollow is aware of everything going on and has no doubt deduced he will be the only one on the hit list. His power is tremendous but because of his volatile nature I think it best for him to be what we focus our attention on rejecting."

The healer nodded but Hachi noticed a look of sadness in her eyes.

"Orihime-chan, what's wrong?"

Taking a deep breath she shook her head but answered honestly, "It's just that…I know he's dangerous and I know he hurt me the other day. But…Ichigo's hollow is the reason he survived Hueco Mundo. He's the reason we all lived through the Winter War. It just…feels wrong to kill him."

The big man widened his eyes, truly stunned by the young woman's heart for what amounted to be a monster. Even though he had a "positive" relationship with his hollow side Hachi could never picture himself feeling as she felt for Ichigo's hollow.

Patting her head gently he murmured, "Be that as it may, he is still our best bet to getting Kurosaki-san's power level down to a manageable level. Plus, he'll be able to live more at peace without him in his head. Though we've taught him to control him better recent events have shown him trying to exert dominance again and we simply cannot allow that to continue. Even were Kurosaki-san to stop training for a while he is still too strong, this must be done."

She nodded again, "I understand Hachi-sensei and I'll do my best."

"Good, then let's get started with identifying the power signatures. Though our levels are vastly different Kurosaki-san and I are both Vizards so you can familiarize yourself with mine. I will release my mask now and you encase me, focusing on the resonance of the power."

Orihime called forth her powers and encased Hachi just before he pulled out his mask. Closing her eyes she focused on the feel of his power pulsing within the sphere. It was slightly uncomfortable because of the darkness but through it she could clearly sense Hachi. Sweat on her brow she kept at it until Hachi could no longer hold the mask and dropped it.

After a brief rest they did it again and again, taking small breaks between sessions, until Orihime had a firm grasp on what the Vizard power signature felt like.

Next came Fullbring and for that one Chad offered himself as a test subject. He sat quietly as Orihime encased him in her sphere. She was surprised at the ease with which she could tell the difference between the Fullbringer and Vizard. It increased her confidence to be able to avoid those two signatures.

Following Chad was Ishida and while Orihime was already fairly familiar with how his signature differed from shinigamis she still placed him in the sphere to get a closer look. She smiled as coolness seemed to flow over her skin, almost penetrating to her blood but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was calming despite its obvious intense power.

Finally she encased Isshin Kurosaki since as Ichigo's father his shinigami signature would be the closest to what she would be feeling when she did the same with his son. Despite his antics she was able to get a clear picture of what pure shinigami felt like.

"So, Orihime-chan, since you know all the ones to avoid it leaves to reason once you hit a signature not previously felt that is the one you are seeking: the pure hollow," Hachi instructed once her signature readings were done.

Nodding and yawning she stretched, "Hai, Hachi-sensei, though I'm pretty tired. I think it's going to take me a couple days to regroup enough power to be able to try this."

Chuckling lightly he replied, "Not a problem, you've done very, very well and we're all so proud of you. I'll be with you the whole time and will be helping with the containment. I wanted you to learn how to do it as a backup."

"And I'll be placing kido binds on him too, just in case," Yoruichi put in, "Like Hachi said, the hollow has to know what's coming and he's not going to go quietly."

Orihime trembled slightly at the thought of being an enemy of the hollow. Up until now she'd thought herself of non-importance to him but in a few days she would be participating in his demise. The thought still made her sad but she loved Ichigo enough to go through with it.

The day finally arrived to find a rather large group of people in the underground with Ichigo, Orihime and Isshin. The Soul Society group arrived and this time included Byakuya Kuchiki. The shop regulars were joined by Shinji again to lend his help if it were needed. The rest of the Vizards had wanted to attend as well but in a move of surprising maturity he'd convinced them their presence would just make Orihime more nervous, especially Muguruma. Ishida and Chad were the last to arrive also ready to lend assistance.

Ichigo walked out to a vacant area of the underground, taking a deep breath. He wasn't looking forward to this but knew it had to be done. Next to him stood Orihime, her hand reaching for his in silent support. Turning he pulled her to him and kissed her, not caring who saw or commented.

"Hime," he whispered, "Just promise me, if something starts to go wrong, get out of here. Let the others handle it, even if they have to kill me." She frowned and shook her head fiercely but he gripped the base of her neck tighter, "Listen to me, you don't know-" but the next moment he grunted in pain and with the last bit of his control pushed her back.

"Go now!" he shouted clenching his head. Everyone looked up in surprise but Hachi rushed forward shouting "Orihime-chan you have to put your sphere up first!" She did as he directed and a moment later his encased hers. The power emanating from Ichigo was immense and when he finally looked up his eyes were fully black and yellow.

"Tessai seal the underground!" shouted Kisuke and the shop assistance ran to the door. Flying up the ladder he locked it and put a triple kido barrier on it followed by Rukia who added her own kido lock.

Back with Ichigo's body Orihime was trembling both from fear and the effort it was taking to contain him. They hadn't had Yoruichi bind him yet and with his arms free his hits were taking their toll.

"Come on Queen, let me out! You don't want to do this, I can see it your eyes!" he shouted slamming his fists against the wall. Thankfully Ishida had suggested having Ichigo in his shinigami form to give over his weapon. It made him more powerful but also helped Orihime feel what not to focus on. Orihime's eyes teared up from his words but she held her ground. She had to do this for Ichigo!

The hollow kept up his assault on her sphere until it shattered and she collapsed. Renji ran to stand in front of her brandishing Zabimaru while Rukia knelt by the girl passing some of her reiatsu to her through their clenched hands.

Hachi was doing his best to hold the hollow but even his strength gave out. Everyone was in battle position as cracks began to form on the sphere. "I can't hold it anymore, Yoruichi get ready with the binds!" he shouted a moment before there was a resounding crash and the sphere broke. The hollow was free!

"Tch, did you fuckers really think I'd let you get rid of me that easily?!" he shouted and then turned his attention to Orihime. "You know Queen, all King had to do was agree to share you with me. And trust me I would have satisfied you much better than he ever did!" Her cheeks flamed at his words spoken so coarsely in front of her friends but she couldn't focus on her embarrassment or shock.

He continued in the same biting tone, "Really, I thought of anyone you'd be on my side even a little bit. But I can see you're just as much Soul Society's bitch as King is! I may be a hollow but it really pisses me off to have to kill you Queeny!"

By now Shunsui, Byakuya, Kisuke, Isshin, Shinji, Chad and Ishida had joined Renji in defending Orihime.

"You're not going to get near her asshole," growled Renji before yelling, "ROAR ZABIMARU!"

"Chire," murmured Byakuya. The hollow roared as Renji's attack impacted him but before he could make his way to the sword's owner he was surrounded by the Sixth division captain's Shikai. The little daggers kept him at bay, roaring out in pain any time he tried to break through the swirling mass of deadly pink. Orihime had silent tears flowing down her cheeks at the sounds knowing it was Ichigo's body taking the damage.

Moving forward Yoruichi prepared herself to flash step and wrap the kido binds around Ichigo. Looking at the stoic captain he nodded once understanding her plan. The next second she blasted full force towards the onslaught of bladed blossoms. Byakuya dropped them right at the last second and she threw the first kido bind around Ichigo's arms securing them against his torso.

Whipping around him at tornado like speed she wound the binding over and over, tying him up before securing the end to a gigantic boulder.

"Now Orihime!" she shouted and the healer roused herself to her task. She had to be strong! She couldn't cry anymore! Running forward she once again threw her sphere up, Hachi's following closely behind.

The hollow screamed and cursed her but she had to steel herself to be deaf to the vile things coming from the mouth of the man she loved. Closing her eyes she focused her attention on the hollow reiatsu trying to pull it out and then dissipate it. She could feel it moving but the hollow was fighting her at every turn. Her brow began to sweat and she lost her footing, kneeling down due to the energy it was taking to pull. Rukia stepped forward again lending her power as did Nanao and with their help she was able to stand again.

Things seemed to be turning their way until the hollow locked eyes with Orihime, "Time to say goodbye to King, Queen!" The next moment everyone looked on in horror as Ichigo's head became as bone and horns grew forward as his hair grew in length behind him. With one loud roar his full hollow form appeared pulling apart the bindings as if they were string. He shattered the spheres again and rushed forward.

Ishida let fly a volley of arrows, piercing the hollow's flesh but barely slowing him down as Isshin and Kisuke were there to block him with their zanpakutos. Renji and Byakuya joined them, all pushing and fighting back as hard as they could. Even without his zanpakuto Hollow Ichigo was overpowering them despite the injuries being sustained from their blades.

Rukia's eyes were wide with horror watching her brother and love fighting but she stood her ground next to her friend protecting her along with Shinji, Chad and Yoruichi.

Another roar echoed off the walls of the underground as the Hollow thrust back all opponents. Looking at him now Orihime understood again why he needed to go and pulling all her strength she encased him again. Hachi threw his sphere up for a third time assisted by Shinji giving him some of his power.

Orihime had silent tears flowing down her cheeks and found it hard to concentrate on the reiatsu signature because the Hollow overpowered everything!

"Take it all if you have to Hime-chan," Isshin murmured next to her ear and she cut her eyes to his face.

"At this point all I want is my son safe, the Hollow will make us kill him if you can't take his power," Ichigo's father explained.

Orhime nodded but really didn't want to be the one to do that to Ichigo, though at this point she didn't know what choice she had. Redoubling her efforts she pulled harder and harder, extracting and dissipating faster and faster the less control to identify she used.

From inside Ichigo could feel something going wrong but he couldn't communicate with anyone. The longer the feeling went the deeper he sank until he was completely unconscious.

Orihime couldn't understand why with the amount of power she'd taken the hollow was still so firmly in control. By now Ichigo should have been able to get out! All she knew was she had to keep going until he was released; they could figure out what to do after that. So she kept pulling.

Drenched in sweat and receiving power from both her dear friends Orihime wasn't sure how much more she could take when she saw the Hollow mask start to crack. A few seconds later a huge chunk of it fell away. His hair started to recede back to its normal length and with one final pull the mask shattered completely, falling away to reveal Ichigo's unconscious face. His hollow hole filled in as he collapsed to the ground.

Isshin rushed forward, picking him up and was startled to find him not breathing.

Putting him back down on the ground the doctor began mouth to mouth to revive his son. After a few tense moments Ichigo coughed and Isshin turned him so he could get the blood out of his lungs before he lay him back down. He'd fallen unconscious again but was at least breathing on his own.

Orihime was a wreck, sobbing and shaking from the whole ordeal in Chad's arms. Carrying her towards the ladder he motioned for Tessai to follow him to release the kido binds on the door. By the time they reached the top Orihime was almost asleep from pure exhaustion. Chad and Ishida stayed by her side while Isshin and Kisuke got Ichigo upstairs to lay him in the cot next to his girlfriend.

All they could do was wait until Ichigo woke up to see if they had been successful.