Chapter 10

Ichigo's soul form completely engulfs Rukia's and the ancient souls. He's spinning around them at the speed of light and suddenly he gets extracted returning back to his body. He ends up pushed a few feet away from Rukia. He's trying to focus and clear his vision. He spots Renji which is now lying flat on his back unconscious. Orihime runs over to Ichigo.

"Ichigo–kun are you hurt"?

He looks into her eyes and notices she is like before. He exhales and feels relieved she is back to normal or so he thinks. He looks around for Rukia and realizes she is still on the ground. Renji begins to move and is in sitting position, holding his throbbing head.

"What happened to Renji"?

"I don't know. When I woke up he was already like that"!

"Ichigo, she knocked me out"!

Ichigo can't see her face since her hair is covering it.

"I had to do it! You were going to die with her! I couldn't lose you"! Orihime pleads to Ichigo.

"You did this"? He gets up but she holds him back with her powers. "Orihime please I don't want to hurt you"!

Renji staggers over to Rukia.

"Ruks wake up"! He tries to search for her spirit energy. "No, no, no way! Get up Ruks"!

He begins to shake her and his tears are falling as he does this. Ichigo can only stare in horror still under Orihime's binding spell, dropping to his knees when he realizes her spirit pressure is gone. Byakuya immediately lands in front of Rukia's lifeless body.

"Captain I, I failed her"!

Byakuya picks up her body and uses shunpo to leave the area. Ichigo's aura starts to glow red and yellow. Whispering her name…

"Rukia…"

He slowly stands up breaking the spell; he turns to Orihime and slaps her so hard she flies across hitting a column. Uryu and Chad appear on the scene, Uryu runs towards her. Renji and Chad are unable to move at the sight they are witnessing. Ichigo is transforming into the Hollow he was when he fought Ulquiorra, and then he disappears. Chad breaks the silence…

"Oh fuck"! Chad blurts out.

"Tell me about it". Renji shakes his head.

Byakuya carefully places down her body inside a drawn pentagram. Urahara and Tessai get to work right away.

Surrounded by darkness Rukia doesn't move.

"Ichigo are you here"?

The demonic voice laughs out loud.

"No, but I'm still here".

"That's impossible we're not in my body anymore"!

"Looks like you and I were put in limbo by that pathetic human girl".

"Oh kami-sama, Orihime did this"?

"Not to worry it will be all over soon. I still plan to devour your soul".

Rukia begins to run away going farther into the darkness. Urahara and Tessai covered in sweat begin to chant louder. They are sitting out of the circle. Rukia is desperately running when she hears Byakuya's voice she stops.

"Rukia you must stand and fight to come back. If you don't the boy will die by my hands"!

"Nii-Sama I will not let you kill my love! Sode no Shirayuki I know you are very week and that's why you haven't been able to help me"! The ancient soul is getting closer. "But please, I beg you give me some strength, I need to be with him"!

Appearing in front of her Sode no Shirayuki smiles and walks into Rukia. Rukia smiles back and turns right in time to stab her sword into the lost soul. There's a loud painful howl before the soul finally vanquishes. Blinding light engulfs her…

Willing her eyes to open and moving her limbs to get some feeling back…she sits up cracking her body. Looking at Byakuya not really looking at the other two men or the fact she's inside a giant drawn circle.

"Why do you want to kill Ichigo"?

The division six captain shocks everyone by displaying a smile that disappears as quick as his shunpo.

"The boy has transformed into that thing".

Rukia's eyes went wide with disbelief, closing her eyes concentrating on his spirit energy.

"You are speaking the truth. I have to find him". Pointing her finger at her brother…"Don't you dare go near him! Please keep soul society away from here"!

"I will do what I can but do hurry".

Turning to the other two men bowing in front them…

"Thank you so much, I owe you…"

Urahara interrupts with all seriousness.

"Yet again, I owe you a hell of a lot more". Urahara tilts his hat up to look at her.

She bows to her brother and runs out of the shop like the devil is at her heels.

Renji and Chad are trying to locate him. They're on the right path since they can see debris from trees, benches and cars.

"At least Carrot top hasn't hurt any humans".

"Renji I know this is painful, believe it or not it's for me too. You haven't had time to digest what happened to Rukia".

Renji's head has tilted down and holding a bitter smile...

"If I don't save Carrot top Ruks angry ghost would haunt me for life not that I'd mind. I owe Ichigo this much and more".

Chad puts his arm on Renji's shoulder.

"Let's go".

They start running but only for a short distance reaching the object of their search. However what they see chills them to the bone. He is holding Orihime's limp body by the throat. Uryu has his arrow pointing at him. They quickly run to the Quincy who has fresh blood above his right eye.

"What the hell happened"?

"I was carrying Orihime to her apartment when he appeared in front of us so I had to engage with him leading to what you see now".

"Did he hurt her"?

"No Chad, she passed out when she saw him".

Renji circles cautiously behind the unrecognizable. Chad shifts to his right so that Ichigo is in the middle between the three of them.

"Just to let you guys know I don't have my full powers back…and killing Carrot top is out of the question". Chad nods back acknowledging Renji's words. "Four eyes killing Ichigo is not on the table"!

"Get Orihime away from him and we have a deal"! With a much somber note in his voice. "Abarai I regret not being able to help Rukia". Uryu for the first time calls her by her first name.

"I know".

Ichigo begins to move. Chad transforms ready to use his Brazo Derecha De Gigante.

"I can do some kido spells".

Chad and Uryu yell in unison towards Renji…

"No"! Knowing that Renji sucks bad at spells.

"I have to get to him! My strawberry idiot"!

Her vision is blurring and her breath ragged. Her soul and body are not healed, not even close.

Ichigo begins to shake Orihime like a ragdoll.

"Kurosaki I suggest you put her down"!

Uryu's arrow is glowing brighter.

"Carrot top, what would Rukia think? She would kick your ass into oblivion"!

Orihime starts waking up and crying as loud as she can though the grip around her neck is suppressing it some.

"Ichigo-kun I, I can't breathe"…

Uryu shoots an arrow grazing his cheek.

"I'm dead serious Ichigo! I wont miss again! Put her down! Now"! He tries calling him by his first name.

His grip on her get's tighter leaving Orihime gasping for air, Uryu closing his eyes collects all of his strength and shoots the humongous arrow. Renji and Chad's reaction is too slow; they will not be able to reach Ichigo in time to stop the impact.

"Nooooo…"Rukia lands in front of Ichigo giving him the back and facing the incoming arrow..."Bakudo number 39 Enkosen (Arc shield)"!

The blast upon impact was loud and so strong it pushed her back and onto her knees yet she holds the shield and summons more power. The bright blue light fades and everyone is shocked to see who stopped the arrow once the fog clears. Rukia covered in sweat her chest wheezing trying to get as much oxygen as she can. Mustering the remaining strength within her, standing on shaky legs, yelling at the top her lungs…

"Ichigo let her go"! He growls loudly for a response. "She didn't mean to hurt me"! She takes a step closer he tightens once again around Orihime's neck. She takes another shaky step towards him not being scared but drained of energy.

"I need you to show me other things like sky diving, like skateboarding…" He tilts his head and drops Orihime, Chad runs and picks her up. "Like cooking and cleaning but not too often..." She keeps going till she reaches him. Lifting her arm to touch his face, but he grabs her wrist to stop her. Snorting loudly and looking angry at him.

"I need you to tell me what you wrote on that damn paper plane because it's not fair strawberry! You know mine but I don't know your secret"! She's right in his face now and tiptoes to reach his face although his grip is hurting her. With as much love and desire she lowers her voice and blushing a bit.

"I need you to truly make me yours. I need you to manipulate my mind, body and soul. I want to own and be owned by you".

His eyes begin to change and just when he's about to snarl she quickly covers his mouth with hers…

Author's note: Hi my wicked ones! Happy fourth of July! =) Hope you can read and review this chapter! Thanks for all who are taking time out and following my story! =D