Chapter Nine: Betrayal of the Heart

Two days had past, Ichigo and Anna were still unconscious. Rukia went to Anna's room check on them. She found Orihime lying on the floor; she passed out from exhaustion trying to heal Ichigo. Rukia found a blanket and put it on Orihime. Rukia turned to leave the room when Ichigo groaned slightly. She quickly spun around and went to his side.

Ichigo opened his eyes and was looking at her. He was trying to recover enough strength to talk. "What happened?" He asked, his voice barely a whisper.

"Kisuke said that the phenomenon drains life energy, the only reason you were not killed immediately was that you didn't touch it directly but through Anna." Rukia explained.

"Anna? Oh no, is she?" Ichigo couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence.

"She is still unconscious, she's right next to you. Kisuke thinks it was her regeneration abilities that allowed her to survive, but only barely." Rukia stated softly.

"How long have I been unconscious?" inquired Ichigo.

"Almost two days." Rukia replied.

Ichigo was starting to get some strength back. He tried to sit up. He looked around and saw Orihime on the floor. "Oh no, was she affected to?" Ichigo asked concerned.

"Not by the phenomenon, she spent the last two days trying to heal you. She finally collapsed out of exhaustion." Explained Rukia.

Ichigo looked over at Anna. She was back in human form. "How come she is back in her body but I am still in soul reaper form?" Ichigo inquired a little bit confused.

"I don't know for sure, but somehow her soul was recalled to her body." Rukia stated as she was examining Anna.

"Speaking of which, where is mine?" Ichigo asked a bit embarrassed.

"I don't know, go ask Kisuke. I know he is going to want to talk to you anyway." Rukia replied. Ichigo looked back at Anna; he didn't want to leave her. Rukia could tell by the look on his face what he was thinking. "I'll stay with her." He nodded in appreciation and then slowly wandered off to find Kisuke.

"You should not be up; you still have to be incredibly weak." Kisuke said matter-of-factly as Ichigo walked up to him.

"I'll be fine, what about Anna, how come she's not woken up yet?" Ichigo asked with concern.

"Ichigo, the only thing that saved her was her regeneration powers. If anyone else would have touched it directly, they would've died instantly." Kisuke explained. "Look what happened to you. Did you touch it directly or did you just knock Anna away from it?" asked Kisuke.

Ichigo thought back, it was still very foggy. "I remember looking for Anna, she had left the group. She was walking slowly toward the phenomenon. I yelled at her to stop and not to touch it, but it was like she didn't hear me. She put her hand up and touched it. I tried to knock her away from it. The next thing I remember is waking up here." Ichigo recounted, his voice getting weaker with each word. "What happened to us?"

"The best I can figure is that was some type of life drain." Replied Kisuke.

"What about Anna, is she going to be okay?" Ichigo asked very concerned. He was leaning against a wall, barely able stand.

"Honestly, I don't know, but I think she will eventually be alright. She wasn't killed instantly, and for what I've heard about her regeneration powers, she should regain consciousness, I just don't know how long it's going to take." Kisuke told him. "Also, if you're looking for you body, it's in your room."

As Ichigo went to collect his body, he started thinking, "This is my fault, I was trying to be more distant and not as close with her. If I would've been watching her like I should have been, she never would've gotten close to that thing. She is inexperienced, damn my personal feelings and what anyone else thinks of our relationship, I let her down. I should have been watching her; I should have been closer to her. She is injured and it's my fault."

Ichigo took up a vigil by Anna's body. In his mind, he had abandoned her once; he wasn't going to do it again. He was going to stay by her side no matter what until she regained consciousness. Four days past and Anna was still unconscious. Every so often Kisuke would come in every so often and check on them. Kisuke would bring them food, mostly protein for Ichigo and soup broth for Anna. They were trying to keep Anna hydrated. "You know you don't have to stay. We can take care of her." Kisuke stated. He was concerned for Ichigo's well-being.

"I'm not leaving!" Ichigo almost yelled. "I tried to make other people happy and look where it got Anna. So what if my friends thought we were dating? We know the truth and isn't that what's important?" Ichigo rambled. "She was such a close friend, and how could I have betrayed her like this?"

"How did you betray her? You have been at her side since it happened." Stated Kisuke.

Ichigo sighed deeply, "I was not watching her battle, if I would have been watching, I would have seen her approaching it and would have been able to stop her before she was injured." Ichigo responded sadly.

"You can't blame yourself for this." Kisuke affirmed. "This is actually fortunate it happened the way it did. If someone else would have touched it, even with their katana, I think they would have died instantly. Look at how much it took out of you, and you did not even touch it directly." Observed Kisuke.

"Fortunate? She's laying here unconscious! She's been unconscious for six days!" Ichigo's voice started breaking. He looked down at her motionless body, "please come back to me." He said quietly to her.

Kisuke left the room. He knew there was nothing he could say to make Ichigo feel better right now. Kisuke met Rukia in the hallway. "Any change in her condition?" Rukia asked very concerned.

"No, and Ichigo is getting worse. He blames himself for her getting injured." Kisuke answered.

"This is worse than when he thought she was dead. I don't know what to do for him." An exasperated Rukia replied.

"I guess all we can do now is hope she wakes up soon." Kisuke stated. They both went their separate ways.

The next day Rukia, Orihime, and Uryu met with Kisuke. They were going to have to do an intervention for Ichigo. He wasn't sleeping, he was barely eating and he was still recovering from his own injuries. Orihime slipped away from the group, she wanted to talk to Ichigo on her own first. She went to Anna's room quietly opened the door. To her surprise, Ichigo was sleeping. His was lying right next to Anna, holding her as he slept. She grabbed a blanket and covered both of them. "Well, at least he is sleeping." She thought to herself. Orihime went to rejoin the group.

They were talking to Kisuke about how to make Ichigo take a break from his vigil over Anna. Kisuke kept saying to let him be. He finally explained to them what Ichigo had confessed him, that he felt responsible for her getting injured.

"That's crazy!" Rukia exclaimed in disbelief. "She's responsible for her own actions."

"Ichigo felt responsible for her in battle because she's young and inexperienced." Kisuke responded, "But also he was trying to ignore her because of the discussion the day before. He'll come around; you just have to give him time."

"I just checked on him, he was sleeping. Anna will come out of it soon." Orihime said with a false confidence.

"Just give it two more days, then we'll make him take a break." Kisuke offered. They reluctantly agreed.

It was morning of the eighth day. Anna was still unconscious. The group had met at Kisuke's just in case Anna had woken up or would wake up shortly. Kisuke walked up to them briskly. "The phenomenon is back. You have to go. Remember don't touch it, only use your special katana skills or Kidō." Kisuke reminded them.

"What about Ichigo?" Rukia inquired, "He has the strongest special skill with Getsuga Tenshō. We are going to need him for this." She stated.

"You could try to ask him, but I don't think he will leave her." Kisuke responded.

Rukia quickly went to Anna's room. She was still unconscious but Ichigo was awake. "Come on Ichigo, the phenomenon is back and we need your help." Rukia explained to Ichigo.

"I'm not leaving her." Ichigo declared firmly.

"Ichigo, Kisuke can take care of her, we need your help!" Pleaded Rukia.

"I need to be here when she wakes up. I promised her I would take care of her. I can't leave her now." Ichigo stated.

"Ichigo, I think she'd understand why you weren't here. Good heavens! You've been by her side the entire time! If she were conscious and just unable to fight should be yelling at you right now to get your butt out there and help us." Rukia yelled in frustration.

"Rukia, I can't leave her." Ichigo responded with determination.

"I can't believe you right now Ichigo! You are seriously going to let your friends go into battle and you just be sitting on the sideline? What's wrong with you? You are not the Ichigo I know!" Rukia briskly turned around and walked away. She went back to the group. Before any of them had a chance to ask she stated, "He's not coming, let's just go."

Rukia, Renji, Chad, Uryu, and Orihime proceeded to the park. The phenomenon was is in the same place as last time and looked identical. Uryu took charge, without Anna or Ichigo, someone had to. "Okay Chad, make sure nothing comes up behind us and watch Orihime. Rukia, Renji and I will throw everything we got at this thing. Just remember that what ever you do, do not come in contact with it." They took up their positions. Rukia and Renji released their Zanpakutos. They started to bombard the phenomenon with everything they had.

Meanwhile, Ichigo kept up his vigil watching Anna. He knew he should have gone to help his friends, but he just could not leave her. He didn't know why he felt so strongly about this either, he just did. He closed his eyes and thought, "please come back to me Anna, please come back to me." He felt her soft hand on his and quickly opened his eyes. She was looking at him. Anna tried to give him a weak smile. He was overjoyed and wasn't thinking, he gave her a hug while she was still lying down. "Anna I'm so glad you're okay." He whispered in her ear. He backed off slightly so he could see her face, but he was still half laying on top of her. Their eyes met; there was a gentle softness in her gray eyes. Ichigo felt the strange warmth throughout his body. Before he realized what he was doing, he was about to kiss her. He scrambled back, "Anna, I-I…" Ichigo stammered.

Ichigo didn't get a chance to finish his thought. Kisuke interrupted him, "Good, she's up, your friends to need you. Go, I'll attend to her."

"What's going on?" Anna asked confused. She weakly sat up.

"The phenomenon is back, but Ichigo was worried about you so he stayed behind." Stated Kisuke.

"Oh no, let's go." To their amazement, Anna was able to go into soul reaper form. She still seemed a little woozy but she was standing. "Come on Ichigo, they need help, you can brief me about what happened last time." Anna stated mater-of-factly.

"Uh, okay." Ichigo said hesitantly and then thought to himself, "Well, if they are both ignoring what I almost did, I should too. Why did I almost kiss her? What was I thinking? What do I really feel for her?" Ichigo changed to his soul reaper form. He was still only at about 80% himself and he didn't know how Anna could be ready for combat.

Ichigo and Anna left for the park. Ichigo filled her in on the details of what happened last time. "Not to sound ungrateful, but you should have gone with your friends." Anna scolded gently. "I was safe and they are in danger. We are suppose to protect people, how can you do that if you are watching me?"

"I just couldn't leave you, it was my fault you were hurt." Ichigo explained.

"What? How is it your fault? I heard my… never mind, It wasn't you, I did it to myself. I'm sorry you were hurt too, if anyone should be apologizing, it should be me." Anna stated.

"I should have been watching you closer." Ichigo countered.

Anna stopped and turned toward Ichigo, "Ichigo, let's get something strait, I'm not a little kid, I may have some rough edges but I can take care of myself, you are NOT responsible for me. I can hold my own in a battle and any way; I have Benifenikkusu looking out for me. I DON'T need another father figure/brother looking out for me. I'm fine!" Anna bellowed with annoyance in her voice.

"Anna? I…" Ichigo didn't know what to say. Anna had this coldness to her eyes, like when they first met. Finally they arrived at the park. It was not going well. Rukia, Renji, and Uryu could barely get a hit on the phenomenon without a sickle worm going after them. This time the core was inside the phenomenon so they could not destroy it. The only positive thing was that the worms were now visible. Ichigo and Anna went over to Orihime, "Anna, you are in no condition to fight. Orihime, watch her." Ichigo ordered.

Anna glared at Ichigo; however she knew he was right. She collapsed to one knee from exhaustion. "Maybe he has a point." She thought to herself. He left to go join the battle. The special attacks did not seen to have any effect. Ichigo went immediately to Bankai and used Getsuga Tenshō. The crescent shaped black wave of spiritual pressure rimmed in red collided with the void and had no effect.

Anna was watching the battle from a distance from behind Orihime's shield. "We need to seal the phenomenon, but how?" A thought occurred to her, "Orihime, how do your powers work?" Anna questioned.

"It can reverse or reject events." Orihime explained.

"What do you mean 'reject'?" Anna asked.

"It can undo events with in the field, like make injuries go away like they never happened." Orihime answered.

"How large can you make your field?" Anna inquired.

Orihime realized what Anna was thinking and smiled, "Yes, let's try to seal it." Orihime said eagerly.

By this time Rukia, Renji, Uryu and Ichigo were realizing it was futile to keep battling so they fell back to Chad, Orihime and Anna. "We have an idea." Orihime and Anna said in unison as they walked up. They explained their idea to use Orihime's powers to erase the void.

"She will be vulnerable, so we all need to protect her. I would suggest a layered strategy, three of us as outer guards fending off the sickle worms and the other three as inner guards who protect Orihime if anything gets past the first group." Anna suggested.

"Good strategy, any suggestions for positions or volunteers?" Uryu asked.

"I would make one change, four on the outside, and two on the inside." Ichigo countered. "Three can each take a sickle worm; the fourth helps anyone having a problem. The 2 guards do not leave Orihime's side. They are the last line of defense."

"Since when do you strategize?" Rukia asked teasingly.

Ichigo glared at her; "So, is this the plan?" he was not going to get baited into an argument. "Anna, in your condition I think you should be one of the guards." Ichigo suggested. Anna nodded in agreement. "Renji, Rukia and I can each take a sickle worm, Chad you can be the fourth to back us up, and Uryu you can help Anna guard."

Everyone started to spread out and take their places. Ichigo quickly pulled Uryu aside, "Take care of both of them, Anna is still really weak." Ichigo asked.

"You know I will." Uryu stared firmly.

"Thanks." Ichigo said as he left to join the front lines.

Orihime, Uryu, and Anna approached the phenomenon. Ichigo, Renji, and Rukia each called a sickle worm. Chad watched to see where he was needed. With one person assigned to a specific sickle worm (and the fact everyone could see them), the battle seemed to go much smoother. Orihime's sprites took up positions around the void and it was encompassed in the familiar golden glow.

Ichigo misjudged his worm, it slashed his chest and he was nearly taken out. Chad was able to land a punch and knock it off course just before it impaled Ichigo. "Ichigo, do you want to switch out?" Chad asked. Ichigo reluctantly nodded yes. He was still not back to one hundred percent and he knew it. Ichigo went to Chad's position.

At first it looked like Orihime's abilities were not having any affect either. But then it looked like it started to fade. The phenomenon shimmered and disappeared. "Did I have any effect on it or did it just leave?" Orihime questioned.

No one had an answer. Anna had fallen to her knees from exhaustion and Ichigo was doubled over breathing heavily. "I think I'm going to go back to take a nap…" Anna joked. She tried to stand up a few times but she couldn't.

"Need a hand?" Uryu asked.

Anna smiled at him, "thanks, but I think I'll just recall my soul."

"Lucky, I have to walk." Ichigo retorted. The battle had drained a lot out of him as well.

Anna rolled her eyes at him, "Animus, reverto ut meus corpus" she said quietly while holding her necklace. She disintegrated into thousands of light particles and disappeared.

"I really need to learn that trick." Ichigo joked.

"Seriously? You abandoned your friends, for what? Ichigo, you seriously need to look at your priorities!" Rukia shouted at him and stormed off. She only said what the rest where feeling but didn't want to say it.

Anna came staggering out of her room at Urahara's shop. Her long red hair was not pulled into a low ponytail like it usually was but her hair was free and messy. Her white oxford short-sleeved blouse was wrinkled and the left side was untucked. The pleats in her khaki knee length skirt were all but gone. Kisuke was behind the main counter of the store. "I didn't think you could look worse." Kisuke retorted.

Anna glared at him, "you really know how to cheer girl up." Anna stated sarcastically. She sat down on the stool in front of the counter and gave him a recount of the battle. He seemed to really like the part when they tried to seal it using Orihime's abilities. By this point she could barely keep her head up and her eyes open because she was so exhausted. Kisuke turned around for a few moments. He heard a thump on the counter behind him. It was her head hitting the counter, she had fallen asleep sitting on the stool.

A few minutes later the rest of the group arrived minus Ichigo. Anna was still sleeping at the counter. "Anna already filled me in, and by the way, nice job Orihime." Kisuke stated as he smiled at her. Orihime blushed slightly and smiled.

"She wasn't kidding about the nap." Uryu joked about the now sleeping Anna at the counter.

"Chad, could you please put her back in her room?" Kisuke asked as he motioned at a softly snoring Anna.

Chad scooped up Anna. "She is heavier than she looks." He remarked, straining to hold Anna.

"See, even he thinks she is heavy." Renji said to Rukia.

"You guys are being rude, never call a girl heavy and never ask for her weight." Orihime stated emphatically.

"Orihime, you haven't had to carry her." Renji retorted. "How much do you think she weighs?"

"At least as much as much as Ichigo. Rukia, How much does he way?" Uryu replied.

"Why would I know?! I'm not his keeper!" Rukia snapped. The conversation had gotten out of control. Anna muttered something. She had opened her eyes and was looking around.

"What's going on?" Anna asked sleepily. She glanced up at Chad.

"We were just wondering how much you weigh?" Renji said quickly. Orihime smacked him hard on the shoulder, then shook her hand a couple of times mouthing "ouch".

"140 pounds" Anna answered without hesitation.

"What? You admitted your weight? Are you nuts?" Orihime exclaimed in disbelief. "Wait, how much? I wouldn't have thought you were over 125 pounds." Orihime blurted out.

"I'm big boned." Anna said with a bit of a laugh. "Uh, Chad, I'm assuming I dozed off and you were putting me back in my room, but I'm awake now, so could you please put me down?" He quickly set her down and she took up her seat on the stool again. "When did everyone get back?" She notice Ichigo wasn't there but she didn't say anything.

Overlapping chatter ensued as the group was trying to digest everything that had just happened. Kisuke started talking quietly with Anna, "you have changed a lot in just 11 days, eight of which you were unconscious."

"What do you mean 'I have changed'?" Anna inquired.

"The first time I met you, you were having a panic attack and would only let Ichigo close to you and that was only after you were scared of him as well. Just observing, but you didn't panic when Chad was holding you and you are very calm now." Observed Kisuke.

"I guess I'm just too tired to be scared." Anna said with a slight smile.

"Where's Ichigo?" asked a voice from the shadows. Captain Tōshirō Hitsugaya stepped out of the shadows along with his lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto. Rukia and Renji exchanged concerned looks, now a captain was here they could no longer hide Anna's presence.

Before they could answer, Ichigo appeared at the door. He was leaning against the doorframe using his arm to support his weight. It was obvious he was as worn out as Anna. Ichigo felt like everyone was turning against him. He glared at the group and silently walked past so he could retrieve his body and just leave. Kisuke could tell from his reaction what he was thinking and went to talk with him.

"Whatever it is Kisuke I don't want to hear it. I just want to go home." Ichigo stated in a flat tone.

"You are not going to make it a block from here and you know it. Just stay here tonight and rest. You will regain your strength much quicker if you actually eat something as well." Kisuke suggested. Ichigo knew there was no point in arguing with him. He reluctantly agreed to stay there. "Would you just like to eat in your room, alone?" Kisuke asked. Ichigo nodded. "Okay I'll fix you a plate and bring it back for you. Don't leave." Kisuke returned a few minutes later with a plate for Ichigo but he had already fallen asleep.

Captain Hitsugaya called Rukia and Renji aside. "So when were you two going to inform the soul society about Anna?" he demanded.

"She's not why you are here?" Renji inquired.

"No, I'm here another matter. Kisuke briefed me about Anna when I arrived. What were you two thinking? Did you think you could hide her forever?" Captain Hitsugaya responded harshly.

"We weren't hiding her, just she was useful and we needed her help. She was the first one who knew something was wrong with the hollows and she was the only one who could see creatures." Renji stated.

"The soul society is aware of this new enemy. Yoruichi and Kisuke have been keeping us informed. Although, they didn't mention Anna either. Do you think she is a danger?" Captain Hitsugaya asked, looking right at Rukia.

"I honestly don't know. She's young and inexperienced. She also has amnesia so her past is a mystery, even to her." Rukia responded honestly.

"You seemed to be the person who was most against her presence here. What concerned you?" Captain Hitsugaya questioned.

Rukia did not know how to answer, she could not lie to a captain but she also did not want to sacrifice Anna. "Her spiritual pressure felt off and just her behavior in general." Rukia said cautiously, "Once I finally got to know her, the pieces fit and I think she is still useful in fights."

"Do either of you know how she has soul reaper powers?" Captain Hitsugaya asked. Rukia and Renji both shook their heads no. "Well, this new enemy takes precedence over everything else at the moment. Once it is defeated, we will notify the soul society about Anna." Rukia and Renji looked at each other with relief; he wasn't going to turn her in either. "By the way, what happened with Ichigo?"

"He has just been making poor decisions recently. Some of them were putting other people in harms way." Rukia said with annoyance in her voice. She was still angry with him for choosing Anna over the group.

"He needs to get his head in the game. From what Kisuke has told me, this enemy seems to be matching your moves and strengths in every battle. You all need to be in your top form." Captain Hitsugaya stated.

Anna was still sitting at the counter. She had watched the group split apart. Uryu and Chad were over in the far corner by the window talking. Orihime was talking to one of the new soul reapers. She was tall with flowing strawberry blond hair. They were laughing and giggling like a couple of schoolgirls. Rukia and Renji were in the hallway talking with the other new soul reaper. He had the outfit of a captain that he did not look any older than 13 years old. Their conversation looked the most serious.

Anna was exhausted; she thought it would be best to put herself to bed to avoid someone else having to do it for her. She quietly slipped out of the room. She bumped into Kisuke in the hallway. "How's Ichigo?"

"He is exhausted, and he is also having trouble dealing with the consequences of his actions." Kisuke answered.

"Consequences?" Anna asked with a fearful concern in her voice. Had Kisuke seen Ichigo almost kiss her?

"He chose you over his friends. They don't know if they can trust him right now." Kisuke explained.

"I chastised him for that as well…" Anna stared quietly.

"Well that explains his behavior, its not the group turning against him that is bothering him, it's you." Kisuke observed.

"Me?" Anna asked confused.

"I saw you two almost kiss, go to him, he needs you right now." Kisuke said softly.

"I can't…" Anna stated softly as she looked down then back at Kisuke.

"Why not?" questioned Kisuke.

Anna closed her eyes and then looked away. A tear rolled down her cheek. "Because…" Anna took a sharp breath, she couldn't believe she was about to admit this to herself let alone someone else, "I'm in love with him." She answered quietly.

"Now you have really lost me…" a bewildered Kisuke asked.

Anna had a deep sadness in her eyes, "Kisuke, it's because I love him that I can't be with him. I have my reasons and please don't ask. He can't know how I feel about him. I just need to keep my distance until he loses interest or we defeat that thing and I can just leave." Anna quietly explained.

Kisuke wanted to press Anna on it further but with her history that might be a bad idea. Her reaction baffled him. Did she remember something from her past? What could be so horrible that she would need to keep herself isolated and alone?

"Thank you." Anna said softly.

"For what?" Kisuke asked.

"For not asking me why." Anna looked him straight in the eye; her tormented gray eyes had such sadness in them. She quickly went to her room before Kisuke could start asking questions. Anna laid down on her mat and cried softly into her pillow. This is the price to pay for wanting something you cannot have, you might even be offered it, but you need to walk away for the greater good.

Kisuke went back to the main room. Captain Hitsugaya came up to him, "where are Ichigo and the new girl?" Captain Hitsugaya asked.

"They're both still recovering from injuries sustained in the battle before last. They are both resting now." Kisuke answered. He was still very confused about Anna's reaction.

"Oh, okay, it's late, we should all try get rested for tomorrow." Captain Hitsugaya responded.

Story edit version 4 - 1/16/2014