I really must have a passion for writing...because I absolutely hate the process. I love you guys, though. Maybe that's it.
Enjoy!
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Auburn Strands and Red Threads #11
Orihime thought the Captain General's words were mere suggestions despite his additional warning because...
It didn't make any sense.
Why would the Captain General go as far as to threaten Kisuke's life just so she would stay away from him? Moreover, why would the Captain General want her to stay away from Kisuke?
"Do I make myself clear?" Captain Yamamoto all but demanded.
She swallowed thickly as she fought down her fear. "I don't understand."
The lower Soul Reapers shot her terrified looks. If they were in her situation, a simple yes would be in order, and they would be on their way. Even if they did not agree with the Captain, it was not wise to say so unless substantial evidence that could not be twisted any other way was presented.
Or if they were as bold and reckless as Ichigo Kurosaki.
"It is beyond your comprehension," the Captain said firmly. "That man will continue to cause nothing but grief and turmoil in the World of the Living if you stay at his side."
"But he hasn't done anything wrong!" she insisted, much to the horror of the surrounding Soul Reapers.
Rangiku shook from secondhand fear. "Orihime-"
"Listen to me!" Captain Yamamoto bellowed. Everyone in the room struggled to keep their composure under the paralyzing wave of the old man's spiritual pressure. "You know nothing of Urahara Kisuke's true nature. You may not be a direct subordinate of mine, but you are well within my jurisdiction to heed my warning. I have told you what is to happen if you cannot oblige, and I will strike you down to accomplish this goal, if need be."
All at once, the sounds of swords being drawn echoed throughout the room. Orihime was shocked to see Inuyasha's sword drawn, glaring at the aged man, and four swords pointed at the red cloaked boy's neck as a result.
The old man hummed, discreetly amused. "Like father, like son, it seems." He turned his gaze back to the human. "So, what is your decision?"
Orihime had a hard time focusing. Too much occurred these last few days, and now she's been given an ultimatum for a situation that was far too vague. However, she had to make the right choice or else Inuyasha would die here... And she had no clue why. "I...I under-"
The door behind them thrust open. All eyes turned to see a frantic, though visibly composed, Soi Fon advancing on them. She eyed the scene in front of her but hadn't the time to make an educated guess.
"Captain," she greeted, kneeling to the ground. "Kurosaki Ichigo has been spotted in West Rokongai and is said to be advancing toward the Seireitei leaving a wake of destruction as he goes."
Shock on all but two faces were set off simultaneously.
"His objective?" the Captain asked blandly.
"We do not know. We do, however, request permission to use whatever force necessary to stop him."
"You perceive him to be a threat?"
"I am only taking into consideration his strength. A few of my men are already keeping him preoccupied, but without proper action, he will evade us."
The old man thought at his leisure. The youth of the current age surely were a handful. Because of their ignorance, they demanded knowledge instead of seeking it in a rational manner. That was not to say that they did not make things interesting, but they were acting more as dominoes falling, increasing the chaos that started, rather than ripples in water—gradually smoothing out any disturbances brought upon them.
He shrugged laboriously. "Let him come."
The female captain blanched. "Sir?"
"Let him come," he repeated, "but keep his destruction at a minimum until he arrives."
"S-sir!" she agreed before she hastily left the room.
"Now then... Captain Hitsugaya Toshirō. Lieutenant Matsumoto Rangiku."
The two sheathed their weapons and stood at attention. "Sir!"
"It is safe to say that Inoue Orihime has agreed to my conditions. Escort her and her guest away from here before you return them to the World of the Living."
They bowed and acknowledged their task.
Captain Hitsugaya led the group out of the room. Rangiku had to assist Orihime, otherwise, the girl was determined to remain fixed to her spot, for whatever reason.
"Why can't I go near Kisuke?" Orihime asked as she was hauled away.
"The Captain has his reasons," Rangiku offered as an answer.
"But it doesn't make sense. Kisuke wouldn't do anything wrong."
"I'm sure it's something that will pass."
Orihime noticed their pace was becoming faster. She looked at the faces of the lieutenant and captain; they both were focused, determined, hurried. She glanced at Inuyasha who was looking at everything they passed but did not appear to mind or take note of the urgency in their steps.
She allowed her mind to process the situation. She wasn't in trouble, but she wasn't allowed to see Kisuke anymore. The Captain wasn't mad about anything she had done, but he was willing to kill Kisuke for reasons she didn't understand. And then... And then something about Ichigo.
Before she had time to fill in the blanks, the entire building shook. The group stopped, forcing themselves to not lose their balance. Orihime looked toward the towering ceiling.
"Ichigo?"
"That idiot," the mini captain cursed, drawing his weapon. "Rangiku, get those two out of here!"
"What about you?"
"I'm going to find out what the hell Ichigo thinks he's doing. Now go!"
Rangiku grabbed Orihime's hand and sprinted out the building; Inuyasha followed without a word.
The two groups went their separate ways after they exited the building, and Orihime felt exposed. She looked back to see a commotion going on at the very top. Bodies were flying to and from one particular spot and wave after wave of spiritual pressure rumbled through the air. A cloud of smoke rose due to all stray impacts of different zanpaktō.
She couldn't believe this was all happening because of Ichigo.
There had to be a mistake. There wouldn't be a reason for him to be here, and there was absolutely no reason for him to fight anyone.
"Orihime," Rangiku called as they ran farther and farther from the scene, "what's your friend's name again?"
"Ah." She blinked a couple of times to focus on her words. "Inuyasha."
"Inuyasha!" Rangiku called over her shoulder. "Do you remember how to get back to the place where we first arrived?"
He hesitated, seeming to wonder why she was talking to him. "Sorta."
"Do you remember?" she asked Orihime.
"I-I remember the general area."
"Great." She stopped abruptly. "Here." She shoved Orihime towards Inuyasha. "Go there and wait for us."
"What's going on?" Orihime questioned, panic slowly consuming her.
"They look like they could use some help back there."
"But-! But it's just Ichigo. Maybe if I talk to him-"
"Sorry, Orihime." Rangiku smiled, running back the way they came. "I promise this won't get out of hand!"
Inuyasha and Orihime stood in silence. Eyes flicked between the battle and Rangiku. Once she used her Flash Step, Inuyasha looked at the auburn girl.
"Is this normal?"
She glanced at him. "Um...no."
"But you're not in trouble?"
"Um...no."
"Alright." He picked her up, earning a squeal of surprise from her. "Let's go." Inuyasha jumped onto the nearest rooftop and began sprinting.
"You're taking all this well," she commented, trying to distract her jumbled mind.
"I don't get what's happening, so I can't take it any way."
"You aren't shocked by the Soul Reapers?" He paused. "Other than their energy."
"Is something about them not normal?"
"Their... Well... Inuyasha...you're...old."
He flinched, scowling at her. "I'll drop you."
She smiled. "I mean you're from Feudal Japan... I don't fully understand, but I know you come from a very, very long time ago."
"I've been tryin' ta tell you that."
"Sorry..." Orihime's eyes trailed to the commotion, but something was wrong. She stared at the smoke and debris floating into the air, but there was no more fighting. Was it over?
The more she looked, the more a peculiar something came into focus. She hadn't noticed it until a speck came into view—a speck that was rapidly growing in size. It definitely had a strong spiritual pressure...
"Kurosaki-kun?" It was him, but why was his spiritual pressure dripping with battle rage? She perked up in Inuyasha's arms, intending to call a greeting to her friend, when she saw him raise his sword. Her eyes widened. "Inuyasha-!"
He couldn't ignore that energy coming from behind him.
It was far away, so he tried distracting himself when Orihime started talking. It was no use, though. That power was very interesting, and he wanted very much to confront it if people were fighting it anyway.
Then it started coming towards them.
The half-demon mused over its speed. There was no doubt that it was coming for them, but he didn't know if it wanted him or Orihime. He waited, slowing his pace in a way Orihime wouldn't notice. The closer it got, the more Inuyasha could feel the malice and rage directed at them.
His ears twitched.
"Inuyasha-!"
He jumped, avoiding a blast that created a gaping hole where he had been. He turned his head as he reached his highest point in the air to see his attacker. His eyes squinted.
That hair...
He landed on the opposite building and stared at the one wielding a sword. That was the guy he saw earlier today. He was wearing black now, and he looked a lot more interesting.
"Are you alright?" he mumbled to Orihime. He had unintentionally gripped her harder than he had meant to when he jumped.
"I'm fine," she gasped, looking over at the guy with orange hair.
"Orihime!" the other called. "Don't move! I'm coming to get you!"
Inuyasha's hold on her tightened. "He's coming to what?"
"No, Inuyasha's he's-"
"Asking for a fight." Inuyasha turned on his heels and sprinted across the rooftops.
"Inuyasha, wait!" Orihime protested. "You can't outrun him-"
The orange haired boy appeared in front of them, forcing Inuyasha to halt, and glared. "Let her go," he said.
"I don't think so." Inuyasha glanced at Orihime before deciding this situation no longer required a gentle touch. "Sorry," he mumbled to her. Inuyasha threw her in the air, sending the screeching girl soaring to dizzying heights.
"Orihime!" the orange haired boy yelled, preparing to following her.
"Stay focused!" Inuyasha drew his sword, swinging it at his opponent. The boy jumped back, skidding through the air before launching himself upwards. Inuyasha followed him with his eyes before crouching and kicking off the building, quickly reaching his opponent's height. "Wind Scar!" the half demon attacked, hurdling the ravaging, luminescent force at him.
The carrot top brought up his sword to block, but was rammed through the air, landing into another building.
Inuyasha looked up and yelled in shock. He scurried to move the Tetsaiga in a neutral position as the falling Orihime landed in his arms, causing him to nearly fall himself.
"You threw me!" she gasped, trembling with her hands balled to her chest.
He laughed awkwardly, hoping a smile would make up for this. "I thought my apology was warning enough."
She set her wide, grey eyes on him. "You...threw...me."
"And I caught you." He jumped over to where the first damage had been done. "But I'm not done yet."
"What?"
Inuyasha looked into the gaping hole of the building. He didn't see what he was looking for, but there wasn't anything hazardous either. He glanced over his shoulder. "He's not finished yet."
"Inuyasha, listen-!"
"He's up." He looked back at her. "Sorry." He paused, learning from last time. "I'm going to drop you." And then he released her.
"Inuyasha!"
"Uh...I won't do it again!" he called after she landed. He was thankful he didn't hear any bones cracking. He didn't think that fall all the way through. The half demon whipped his head back to the opposite direction and sprinted to where he sent his opponent flying. "I know you're not dead!" he called to the air. "Come out already!"
There was silence for a brief moment, then the ground exploded into a cloud of dust. A single wisp separated from the rest to reveal the orange-head. He landed a few feet away from Inuyasha with his sword ready. "Where is she?" he demanded, brows creased in menacing scowl.
Inuyasha smirked, preparing himself as well. "You ask that like I'd really tell you."
"What do you want with her? Why were you looking for her in the first place?"
"We have history." Inuyasha shrugged. "Tell me, are you one of those Soul Reapers I've been hearin' so much about?"
"You know about us?"
"Actually, I don't know a damn thing about this place or how you guys work, but, generally speaking, I find that I don't like any of you bastards."
"So what does Orihime have to do with this?"
Inuyasha matched the scowl he was given and charged. "If it wasn't for all of you, she would be fine!"
Swords collided, and Inuyasha found that his opponent's sword didn't match his in size, but it was misleadingly sturdy. Inuyasha deflected the smaller sword to the side and quickly regained his hold on Tetsaiga to slash at the other's abdomen. The carrot top dodged and lunged forward, shallowly slicing Inuyasha's shoulder as he passed.
"I feel her," he mumbled, still posed from his last attack. "There!"
"Stay away!" Inuyasha brought his sword down, breaking through the roof where his opponent had previously been. His eyes shot to the left, and his sword followed. He broke through the block the orange haired boy barred and sent him soaring through the air. Inuyasha darted toward him, urgently trying to close the gap. The other boy regained his balance in mid-air.
Inuyasha raised his sword, jumping. "Die!"
"Bankai!"
The half-demon was blown away by a surge of air, skidding over the nearest building, uprooting tiles and debris. When he stopped, he turned on his side to see his opponent ready to slam his sword down on him. He rolled, quickly jumping to his feet, and swung the Tetsaiga. Again, he only met with air. He felt a presence behind him and narrowly escaped a sword through his back.
"I've had it with you!" Inuyasha jumped back, as did his opponent. He gripped his sword and swung it over his head. "Wind Scar!"
"Getsuga," his opponent practically mimicked his actions, "Tenshō!"
Blasts of yellow and black energy collided with each other, momentarily struggling for passage before the black energy took control.
"What?!" Inuyasha gaped, unable to avoid the attack. Dark, burning energy sliced through him, paralyzing any attempt he could have made to break away. He exploded through the building and cratered into the ground with gashes decorating his body. He coughed, groaning in pain. The physical damage was bearable enough, but the energy singed his skin and burned like a terrible infection.
A shadow passed over him.
Inuyasha saw the boy flying toward the direction of Orihime.
"No you don't," he growled, forcing his body to stand and jump to the surface. Adrenaline urged him to dig both hands into open wounds. "Blades of Blood!"
Crimson blades flew after his unsuspecting target, slicing through fabric and flesh mercilessly. The boy yelled; his footing failed him and he went crashing to the ground below.
Inuyasha huffed. His body was now feeling the impacts of his wounds and fatigue. His abdomen, source of his last attack, throbbed; the bleeding poured to his feet. He cursed himself for wanting to rest because he had to get Orihime out of here. He stepped forward, but found his legs ready to collapse on him. He stumbled off the roof and roughly landed on the ground, puffs of dirt rising around him.
"Dammit," he groaned. He turned on his back and stared at the sky. If he stayed like this, not only would he be unable to save Orihime, but he would bleed out as well. He focused to keep his lids open even when his vision became blurred.
He had to get up.
He knew he could if he just got his body into motion, but he couldn't...feel...
Orihime stared through the jagged ceiling.
Nothing felt right.
She didn't have to hear the attacks and clashing of swords to know that the force used between Ichigo and Inuyasha were deadly.
Now...she couldn't feel or hear anything. They just...stopped.
No...
They couldn't fight anymore.
"Kurosaki-kun!" she called. "Are you alright?!"
No response.
"Inuyasha!" she all but screamed. "Can you hear me?!"
Nothing.
"Inuyasha! Ichigo! Are you okay?!"
Nothing.
Her breathing picked up. Her mind raced. They couldn't be dead. When it came to death, both were too stubborn to die. But...they were both very powerful. Were they powerful enough to kill each other?
"Inuyasha!" she screamed. "I-Ichigo! Please don't-" She choked down a sob. "Don't kill each other, please! Please..." She crumbled to the ground, holding herself. "Please don't..."
She had to get out, but there was nothing she could use to climb. Even then, the ceiling was too high for anything in this room to create that would be of use. She tried to keep her mind focused on any plans she could think of, but she didn't understand why this was happening. Why was Ichigo here, and why did he attack Inuyasha? Was her new friend bad after all? That couldn't be. He proved that he wasn't evil...but then why? Ichigo wouldn't attack for no reason.
"Orihime!"
She looked up. "R-Rangiku! I'm over here! In one of the buildings!"
"Orihime? Where are you?" Rangiku called again.
"One of the buildings! There's a giant hole-!"
A shiver went up her spine. She turned around to see a rectangular door-sized portal open up. She took a step back.
"Orihime."
Her brows furrowed. Whoever it was sounded friendly and almost...adoring. "H-hello?" she answered.
A person came into view. Orihime froze, blood running icy cold.
"We have to get out of here," he said, brown eyes connecting with hers. He extended out a welcoming hand. "Let's hurry."
She walked over, eyes wide and painfully dry. She placed her hand in his and was shocked to find that she could feel him.
The man gently wrapped his fingers around hers and smiled. Brown hair draped over his eyes. "It's nice to see you again."
"You're... But... Y-you're..."
"Ask Kisuke," he responded as he pulled her through the portal.
It closed once they stepped through.
Rangiku stood on top of a tattered building with patches and holes here and there—one of few buildings not upturned in some grotesque way.
One minute Ichigo Kurosaki is fighting through a troop of Soul Reapers, the next he goes racing toward the direction of Orihime and her friend.
Naturally, she didn't know what to think.
She didn't feel the presence of a Hollow. More than that, she thought he had some business with the Captain General, so why would he leave when he could have easily blasted his way through the building? It had to have something to do with Orihime because it was no secret that Ichigo went out of his way to protect his friends, but what possible danger could she have been in?
She didn't know the answer then, and she still didn't have an answer when she felt a battle ensue from the trio's direction. The energy she felt was overwhelming, and there was that blast—that collision of energy. She saw it, black and yellow, but she didn't understand at all. The only people in that area were Orihime, Ichigo, and that other boy. Even with those facts, she still could not piece together what had happened.
Now, she stood in the aftermath, searching for anyone. There was no sign of Ichigo, she didn't sense the other, and Orihime...vanished. She felt her presence, heard her voice, then she vanished.
"She couldn't have gone back on her own," the shinigami muttered. She jumped over a few more buildings before something on the ground caught her eye. She halted and stared at the tattered, though still whole, body. "What...the...?"
Yoruichi raced through the pseudo-town. She wasn't supposed to be this far into the Soul Society, and she knew this was risky. However, she promised Kisuke she would help, so she had to get Orihime. This was all rather troubling because they took the girl far sooner than she thought would be considered mandatory, so maybe the charges against her were valid.
She mentally shook her head. There wasn't time to worry about that now. She focused on her objective and pushed herself to run faster. She glanced every so often at her surroundings. Things were becoming more...broken as she traveled.
"What happened here?" she wondered aloud. Something up ahead caught her eye. She squinted, slowing her speed as she advanced on the object. She looked down at the heap.
It was...a body.