Good day my fellow readers. Here is another chapter for you. Also it looks like there are some people who say it isn't an Ichime fanfiction. Do you guys really think I will lie about that. If only you guys were more patient. Anyway this is where everything will start. Hope you enjoy this chapter :)

Disclaimer: I do not own bleach. Only my OC and story.

The Demon Within

Chapter 10: Lost Boy

Orihime's POV

"Ichigo left!"

Those words drained every drop of happiness in my heart. I almost wanted to cry at those words but then I thought that there has to be a reason for what he is doing, is there? Did he leave because of me? No that can't be, we made peace yesterday

"Mr. Kurosaki what are you trying to say?" I asked trying to make sense of this.

"Exactly what I meant. I went to his room this morning to wake him up but I found that he was not there." Isshin explained.

"Then that explains my missing item."

"What item Kisuke?" Isshin asked.

"The cloak of Amon. It is a cloak that completely hides the spiritual pressure of the one wearing it. No matter how skilled one is in detecting others, once you have that cloak on then you are untractable. Unless..."

"Unless what, please tell me Kisuke. I need to find my son before he try something insane."

"If we can combine our spirit energy and use kido, we might get the direction of where he is but it won't give a exact position."

"Then what are we waiting for. Let's get on with it."

"I understand your impatience Isshin but I need time to draw the circle and runes for the kido. I also need to learn the incantation for I have not used it in the past. I can also not guarantee that it will work."

I saw Isshin clutch his fist. He must be feeling useless and that he failed as a father to watch over his only son. We all knew he was not responsible but who could blame him for feeling that way. Isshin the relaxed with his head hung low.

"Call me if everything is prepared." he said while waving his hand to say good bye and turned around and walked away.

Somewhere just outside Karakura

Ichigo walked and walked not even once turned to look back. He needed to get away from the people he cares about. His hollow has become more active and stronger. He did not now how long before he loses control.

He decided to leave Karakura town and find out on his own how to suppress his hollow. He was going to try the way Shinji had tought him but not now. He was going to go away, far away where he was away from everyone and everything.

Once he was alone he was going to try confronting his hollow in his inner world and force him into submission again. He did not know if that would work but he was going to try it.

"Where am I going? None the less I don't really care. I needed to take care of my problem first before I can return. If I even return. I am just a burden to everyone and it is for the best if I keep my distance from them. I just hope that Orihime is going to be ok."

He disappeared into the horizon.

Back at Karakura

After Isshin left Urahara's shop we were left speechless. None of us knew what to do or to make of this situation. Why would Ichigo leave us? What could his reason be?

"I'm going to search for Ichigo." I said.

"Miss Inoue I'm afraid that it wont be possible. With the cloak Ichigo is undetectable and since he has taken it in the night he is probably long gone by now."

"But we can't just sit here, what if he needs help?"

"He is going to be alright. He is not going to die so easily."

Kisuke was right. I needed to wait for him to return to us safely. I then nodded in agreement and left the shop. It was Saturday and I went home to keep myself busy since I did not have a lot to do but I could not stop thinking about Ichigo. Once I arrived in front of my door I took out my keys and unlocked the door. I went inside and my tummy growled. I gave a small smile and looked at the time it was just after twelve and time for lunch. I went to the kitchen and got some leftover spaghetti. I dished up for me and heated the food up in the microwave. After I finished eating my plate of food I went to my room to go call Tatsuki to find out if she was doing anything tonight.

As I walked in the room I noticed something on my bed. It looked like paper or a note of some sort. I picked the note up from my bed and opened it. My eyes could not believe what my saw. It was Ichigo's hand writing.

Dear Orihime

I hope that me leaving don't affect you that much. I never wanted to leave but since that night I could not face you or anyone els. My hollow is out of control and he almost hurt you. I am going to go and train and fix this. I don't know how long I'll be gone or if I am even going to come back. Please don't come looking for me. I am sorry if I had caused you any pain and the burden I have become. Please forgive me.

I never had the guts to say this but I love you Orihime and I always will.

Goodbye

Ichigo

Tears were now falling down my cheeks as I read the last sentence. I fell on my knees and started to cry, hugging the note Ichigo left me. I did not know if I was happy or sad. The man I love finally said that he loved me, but he was also gone for who knows how long. The rest of the night I spent in my bed crying myself to sleep. I would get nightmares about Ichigo and how he was dead when we finally found him. That would wake me and make me cry all over again.

The next morning I woke up to the sound of my alarm clock. It was six in the morning and I did not feel like going out today, but Kisuke said that we should gather at his shop at eight today to go through the plan on finding Ichigo.

I stood up from the bed still tired since I did not get a lot of sleep. I went to the bathroom to take a shower. I got up to get dressed in a black mini skirt with a white v line neck and a rolled up long sleeve sweater. I then headed to the kitchen and made myself some cereal for breakfast. Once I finished I went outside and locked my door and headed in the direction of Urahara's shop.

On my way there I bumped into a very large figure. I fell down and rubbed my head to ease the pain. I looked up to see a hand held out to help me up. I then looked at the face of the man and saw Chad. I smiled and took his hand for him to help me up.

"Hello Chad it is so good to see you again after so many weeks that went by."

"It's good to see you too Orihime."

"How was your visit at your relatives?"

"It was ok."

I then gestured to walk and we walked together. Since Chad was very silent we did not talk much.

"When did you get back Chad?"

"This morning and where were you off to in such a hurry?"

That's right, Chad did not know about everything that happened since he has been gone since the day school started. I then started to explain what had happened these past few weeks with Ichigo and the new enemy and where I was going. He did not give much reaction to what I told him but that was Chad for you.

We finally arrived at Urahara's shop to see him standing outside.

"Good morning miss Inoue and Chad it is soo good to see you again."

"Thank you mr Urahara. Has the others arrived yet?"

"Yes they are inside. Please come in."

I nodded and entered the shop. Chad followed right behind me. When we entered the room I saw that Uryu, Yoriuchi, Ururu, Jinta, Tesai and Isshin was sitting around the table. I sat down next to Isshin and chad between Uryu and me. Kisuke sat down next to Yoruichi and took a sip from his tea on the table. When he finished he then spoke.

"Before we begin welcome back Chad. I suppose Orihime has told you about what has happened?"

"Yes she has."

"Alright then. With that out of the way lets discuss the plan to search for Ichigo. We will divide in three groups and search Karakura town."

"Why three groups and why Karakura town. Ichigo probably left already." Uryu asked.

"The groups is to make sure that we don't get anymore casualties. If Saya decides to attack again then what will we do if she targets one of us while we are alone and second we need to make sure he left Karakura. The cloak hides his spirit energy and for all we know he is right here under our noses."

"I see your point but why search for him, I thought we were going to use a kido of some sort to track him."

"It did not work. Isshin, Yoruichi and myself did it early this morning so that we can mobilize as soon as you all got here."

Uryu sighed and agreed with that.

"Here is how the groups will be divided. Group one is Orihime and Isshin. Group two thanks to Chad returning will be Chad and Uryu and group three is Yoruichi and myself. Is there anyone that doesn't agree with these groups?"

We all nodded and agreed.

"We will meet here every morning to plan our scedual for that day. Today we will search the whole day. Orihime, Chad and Uryu we also took the liberty of calling your school to let them know you won't be attending for a while. Now with that said lets get moving."

We all stood up and started the search for Ichigo. Ishin and I went to Shinji to see if he was there. Things were very quiet between Ishhin and me.

"Orihime can I ask you something?"

"What is it mr Kurosaki?"

"I wanted to ask you earlier but I decided to wait till after the meeting. Is there something wrong? Your eyes were red and you have bags under your eyes."

I blushed and looked down at the ground.

"Oh i-it's nothing really, I did not get much sleep so I'm just a bit tired." I said smiling.

"You never were a good lair, but I won't force you to tell me if you don't want to. Just know that I am here for you if you need anything."

Now I felt bad. He trusted me so much and I lied to his face or half lied. After a while I then told myself to tell him. He deserves to know if it was about Ichigo.

"The reason was because I found something."

"And what would that be?"

"It was a letter from Ichigo."

Isshin then turned and looked at me with shocked eyes. He did not ask anything but just looked at me. He then walked further without a word.

"I'm sorry mr Kurosaki." I said with tears in my eyes.

He turned around and walked back towards me.

"Why are you apologizing?"

"That I did not tell you about this, your his father and you deserve to know and yet I kept it from you."

I then stuck my hand in my sweaters pocket and took out the note Ichigo left for me holding it out for Isshin to read. He then took the paper and opened it. After a few seconds went by he closed the note and gave it back to me with a smile.

"Is there something wrong mr Kurosaki?"

"It's just that I am glad that Ichigo finally realized how he is feeling about you."

My cheeks heated up at the words. He smiled and we kept on walking. It was till Isshin told me that he was glad Ichigo confessed that I smiled and realized that he felt the same way. We were half way until we got to Shinji's hide out until Isshin grabbed me and jumped away just in time to avoid the blast that would have badly injured us.

He then released me and we stood there waiting for someone to appear on the other side of the smoke. Suddenly Saya appeared before us.

"Hello captain Shiba or do you prefer Kurosaki? How many years has it been since we spoke."

"Saya Kohaku. Never tought I would see you again after you disappeared."

So what did you guys think? Old friends meeting as enemies and the note from Ichigo? Some of you might think that it is not Ichigo and he is too stuburn or whatever, but come on...everyone has a soft side, even Ichigo hahahaha well please leave a review. Would like to know what your thoughts are on this chapter