Response to reviews~!
Alrighty then~! I think i'll attempt to get this fic finished ok? XD I owe y'all a completed story after all. *shrugs* So I'm thinking I'll work on this until it's done...which won't be too long. Speaking of long...I'm hoping this ends up a bit longer, mm'kay? Oh, and I just finished watching Fade To Black; EPIC~~!
Chapter 10: Descent to Hell
"Answer us, monster. What has happaned to Ichigo Kurosaki?" Shiro didn't move from the spot where his arms now hung above him, his chest bare and showing cuts across his torso. He remained silent, refusing to look up at the Soul Reapers. "Answer us!" Shiro closed his eyes and hissed as he felt the crack of another whip against his skin.
Dammit... He grinded his teeth together to prevent himself from yelling out in pain. I can't...I can't tell them! After a few more lashes, he sagged to the ground and watched as the Soul Reapers left for the fifth time. Can't they take a hint? He blinked a few times as memories from earlier struck him. Ichigo...this is all my fault! He felt his arms fall from where a kido had held them and he pounded the ground furiously. "AHHHHHHHH!" He cried out in pain as he fought against his own memories. THIS IS ALL MY FAULT!
Rukia and Renji sat quietly at Kisuke's Shop, waiting for Orihime and Uryu. "They said they know what's going on here...maybe they can tell us about that...thing." Renji grumbled. Rukia remained silent as she looked at her arm and the small burn mark there.
It could've been worse...and yet... Her mind flashed back to when Shiro had blocked the fire and yelled at her to get back. Why? Why did it protect me?
"Rukia! Renji!" They both turned around to see Orihime and Uryu run up and sit next to them. "Where is he?"
"Who?" Renji asked, noticing how panicked Orihime seemed.
"Shiro! He...he ran off after he told me he sensed Soul Reapers...and then I felt Ichigo's spiritual pressure, but it was different and then-"
"Orihime, will you calm down?" Uryu sighed. "I'm sure he's just like Ichigo and his knee deep in trouble."
"With, who the hell are you guys talking about? !"
"Apparently, the one you're holding prisoner at your camp." all heads turned to Kisuke as he walked in, his fan in front of his smirking face. "So...where can I start huh?"
Shiro couldn't hold the screams back anymore as the whips fell constantly, trying to make him talk. This time, Byakuya was in there. "Speak demon." Shiro refused and felt a hand grip his hair tightly, forcing him to look up and into the eyes of the Squad 6 Captain. "I will not ask again." Shiro narrowed his eyes and spat, yet at the ground, not directly at the Captain.
"I...I can't tell you..." He whispered quietly. Byakuya's eyes widened briefly at the pain the voice held. "Let me...go to him...please..."
"Not until you tell me what it is you plan to do." At this, Shiro remained silent. Byakuya sighed and released him. "Four more, then that's all for today." Shiro winced as the whips fell on deeper marks and he could no longer stop his tears from falling.
Ichigo...please forgive me for all of this...
"Wait...are you saying it's human? !" Rukia gasped.
"Well, almost. Kinda like Ichigo was. Ichigo was a Vizard. I beleve that, since his Hollow is now human, he may still retain his powers as a Hollow, and is now the 'Viazard', whereas Ichigo's just a Soul Reaper, albeit a powerful one." Kisuke explained. "Their connection to each other must be breaking as well, considering his Hollow is...how shall I put it? He's his own soul now; he doesn't need Ichigo alive in order to exist, to live."
"So that's why he helped me back there... " Rukia mumbled. We need to talk to him. He must know what's going on!"
"Wait, it's still a Hollow though. He could attack and-"
"He wouldn't do that!" Orihime insisted.
"She's right. He isn't exactly a 'monster'. Just different." Uryu agreed. Renji sighed and placed his hand on his forehead.
"Captain Kuchiki will not let us in there."
"He will if I tell him that the Hollow saved my life. I owe him a thanks as it is." Rukia said. both nodding they turned to Kisuke and the others. "Let us handle this ok? We'll figure this all out, and get Ichigo back." They quickly left and made their way back to the camp. It had been a few days since they had brought the Hollow there*, and Rukia wasn't so certain that he'd talk.
"Captain Kuchiki!" Both turned to see Byakuya walk towards them. "Requesting permission to-"
"I know what you will ask. And yes, you may, but fifteen minutes is all I can give before the Head Captain arrives." Rukia nodded and rushed off to where she was staying.
"What are you doing?" Renji asked as she zipped the tent up.
"Being kind." Was all she told him.
Shiro refused to move, but this time it was because his body would protest, not because he was being stubborn. He heard the tent open and he looked up, surprised to see one of Ichigo's friends; the one he had defended. "Rukia...Kuchiki..." He whispered, his voice scratchy from screaming and misuse.
"You don't sound too good...or look good for that matter." She said, placing a small tray next to him. He watched as she filled a cup with water and held it to him. He eyed it suspisiously for a moment before she chuckled. "C'mon, I'm not going to stoop so low as to drug it." He slowly reached for it and began to drink as she grabbed a wet cloth and began wiping away the blood. "They sure did a number on you...why won't you tell them anything?"
"They have no right to know..." He answered, placing the cup down. "Why are you helping me, Rukia Kuchiki?"
"Well, for starters, just call me Rukia." She said as she dipped the towel n again and resumed cleaning his chest and arms up. "And I have questions for you. And I wanted to thasnk you for earlier."
"If I hadn't done something, Ichigo would have been devastated to learn he had hurt one of his closest friends..." Shiro replied. He sighed and shifted a bit as Rukia pressed a bit harder on his wounds.
"Sorry." She mumbled. "But you're one of his friends, aren't you?" She felt the albino tense up and shake a bit.
"No. I'm nothing to him...I'm no one." He replied, his voice empty. She looked up to see the pain in his eyes and she sighed.
"Nonsense. Ichigo's too nice for his own good; he must care about you in some way."
"Not anymore...he thought I was using him."
"Were you?"
"..." Shiro sighed and wrapped his arms around himself. "I'm not so sure anymore...I don't want anything to happen to him anymore...I want to prevent him from being sad, prevent him from losing anyone important to him! But what happanes? !" Shiro balled his hand into a fist and punches the ground angrily. "He gets kidnapped by this...this Shuren person and-"
"Did you say Shuren? !" Rukia gasped. Shiro looked at her and nodded. "Tell me and renji what's been happening...please." Shiro nodded and explained what had happaned and he listened as Rukia explained what had happaned in Hell, filling up his own gaps.
"So this...this Kokuto was sealed in Hell by Ichigo?" He asked. "Then the Will...I know what it wants..."
"You do?"
"Yes..." he sighed. "I need to get out of here and into Hell. Please...I'm begging you, will you let me go?"
"I..." She turned to ask Renji, but he was gone. Where'd the idiot go? "If I could, I would. I owe you a debt, and I intend to pay it."
"You owe me nothing, Rukia. You've paid it back anyways..." He said, showing her a small smile.
"What did Ichigo call you?" She asked.
"Hichigo Shirosaki...but everyone calls me Shiro. I don't deserve that name...or even the existence I have. But I know what I must do, and I will not rest until I can bring him back to his friends and family." Shiro said, a look of determination in his eyes.
Just like Ichigo... Rukia thought and smiled. "Tell me something...do you love him?" She laughed as Shiro's face grew slightly pink. "I'll take that as a yes then."
"I'm...I'm uncertain...I'm afraid I was trying to push what I felt on him by...well I told you."
"You do realize how much of a yaoi fan I am, right?"
"A what?"
"N-never mind! forget I said that...ok?" she chuckled nervously.
"Oi! Get back here you stupid-"
"Fuck you!" They looked at the entrance as Renji ran in, flipping the guard the bird. A smaller figure followed, looking around anxiously.
"L-Liuetenent Abarai! I-I'm not sure this is a good idea!"
"...Hanataro Yamada?" Shiro mumbled as the small man came over and instant;y placed his hands on Shiro.
"The Liuetenent asked me to come and p-patch you up! Says you're gonna go after Ichigo and-"
"You didn't tell me about this you pineapple headed idiot!" Rukia snapped angrily.
"Of course not! you rhink after listening to him whine I was gonna let him stay here? ! God, you're dense!" Renji snapped back.
He then tossed the key to Shiro's cuffs to Hanataro who easily undid them. Shiro rubbed his wrists and allowed his soul form to emerge. Rukia watched and gasped.
"You were in your human body the entire time? !"
"I lost to much power to hold onto my spirit form...so eayh, I guess I did." He said calmly. He closed his eyes and waved his hand, causing a small rip and revealing Hell in the background.
"How did you-"
"No idea to be honest...just did." Shiro shrugged. He then turned and smiled a bit. "thanks for everything. I promise that Ichigo will come back."
"And you?" Renji huffed. "Don't think you can just expect to die there or something." Shiro froze and sighed.
"Whatever happens to me doesn't matter anymore." He whispered. "Thanks for the help...do your best not to get into any more trouble, eh?" Without turning back, heleapt into the rip, feeling it close behind him as he fell.
The descent was long, but he hardly noticed it as a voice filled his mind. "What is it you plan to do, Hichigo Shirosaki?"
'Something that would most likely damn me to this place...' He replied. 'But I don't have a choice. If it's like when Ichigo and I fought for control in his body, while I fight Shuren on the inside, I need someone to fight on the outside...and I know who it needs to be.'
'You will be trapped here if you perish, you do realize this, correct? And We are unrelenting; you will suffer greatly here.'
'I understand and I don't care what happans to me anymore. I will not allow Ichigo to be torn away from his family and friends again!' He snapped angrily in his head. 'It was my carlessness that got him trapped here, so I intend to fix my mistake, no matter what the cost is!'
'Even if it's your soul?'
'Even then. I guess...being in love with someone makes you willing to do anything, consequences be damned.' Shiro chuckled. He watched as white blocks flew past the further he fell down.
'Then we will not stop you, since you have been warned. But know this; if you Hollowfy here, We will come and eliminate you.'
'Then I guess I can't Hollowfy then huh?' Shiro smirked. He saw the ground come up to him and he landed easily on his feet. He gripped his Zangetsu and looked around at the firey field and a large crevice revealed to have walls of chains. 'Welcome to Hell, Hichigo Shirosaki.'
'Woo hoo. I can feel the warm welcome.' He felt a new sense of determination rush into him as he ran towards the crevice. I'm coming Ichigo...just hold on!
Chapter 10 end
Whew~! That was better! I must say that this was a better chapter. I know the humor was kinda oddly put in, but hey; it needed ta be there~! Reviews please~!
*Shiro being arrested- Ok, this is under the impression that Rukia and Renji couldn't get to Kisuke's for a few days, leaving them pleanty of time to...'interrogate' Shiro. DX Soul Reapers can be such assholes. XP
Another thing is that I, obviously have a new fic up. Try reading it if you like, lemme know~! XD The next update won't be too far away. Since this is almost over, this will be the fic updated 'till it's done. XD