So sorry everyone for not updating this story for like a year. I've been busy with my job, having a bf, dealing with friends that aren't really friends to begin with... And I start college next week. So that'll make it even harder to update. However, I don't plan on stopping this story. After this chapter, there'll only be one more! So I definitely want to finish! Plus, I'm amazed this story is so well liked! Thanks very much guys!

Also, I'm not so good with action, so I apologize in advance if it's not too good. :/

Without further ado, here's the next chapter C:

.

.

.

She couldn't blame Orihime for being so upset. Because she, Rukia, had stolen the man she loved. She very well knew this. And yet, it still didn't stop her from taking Ichigo for herself. She had felt so selfish. She couldn't blame Ichigo's hollow for how he acted.

For he was Ichigo's instinct. And Ichigo had sworn he'd protect Orihime. So it wasn't so much of a surprise when she felt his zanpaktou cut through her. She had felt the feelings flowing from it.

Hatred. Anger.

Zangetsu was sad. Though she couldn't understand if it was Zangetsu's emotions or if they were Ichigo's hollows. Or perhaps they were a mix of both.

She was such a horrible friend. She knew there was nothing she could do to make amends with Orihime. She had screwed up. If her Nii-sama had found out what she had done, he would've been so ashamed and disappointed in her. For he also doesn't believe in dating friends' crushes.

Inoue... I'm sorry...

.

.

.

Dense. Fierce. Suffocating.

Such words wouldn't be able to describe the emotions Orihime was able to feel. For she had never witnessed Ichigo fighting himself. And yet, she couldn't help but be scared.

She had felt such a feeling in Hueco Mundo. Though it was Ichigo using Shiro's powers along with his own. If they had raised their reiatsus any higher, her shield would break. But that's not what she was worried about.

She was worried for Rukia.

Sure, she was pretty upset that they had started dating, but she also knew that it wasn't Rukia's fault. She didn't want to get in the way of their relationship. She still wanted to be friends with the both of them.

Even if it meant she was hurt by it.

She had decided to accept it. Because her friendship with them was far more important than being jealous. And if she continued to harbour such feelings towards them..

She'd be the selfish one.

She was amazed that she was able to heal Rukia while keeping the shield up. Though that didn't stop her from praying that it wouldn't break. She had never healed someone while using her shield to defend herself. She remembered trying it once, but she had been so scared to be able to concentrate on doing both that it was futile.

This time, she swore that she would protect her friends.

She wasn't just worried about Rukia either. She was worried because Shiro and Ichigo were battling with so much rage, so much hatred for the other, it was like a battle to the death. And she didn't want that to happen.

Because if Ichigo died, Shiro dies along with him.

But how was she able to stop them?

That was the only question she couldn't answer as she continued to heal Rukia.

.

.

.

Swords clashed with the other. It was a test of strength and skill. Luck was not an option in this fight. Shiro knew that King had gotten stronger since he had attacked Rukia. And that's what he wanted.

He wanted this to be a battle to the death. Whoever gave up first was the loser while the other came on top. Scaring Orihime wasn't something he had planned on doing. For he hated scaring her.

Thoughts of the dome had flashed in his mind, causing more anger to erupt from his chest. He would make the King pay for what he did to her.

Even if he died trying.

"Tch. You're too slow King. Why don't you just give up?"

Snarling, Ichigo shunpo'd and clashed with Shiro again, his reiatsu growing in anger. "I will never give up!"

Swinging his arm, he yelled "Getsuga Tenshou!"

Narrowing his eyes, Shiro used his arm and deflected the blast, causing it to disperse into various directions.

"Do you really think you can kill me with the move I specialize in? You're such a fool!"

Swinging Zangetsu in one hand, he looked at Ichigo. "Tell me Ichigo. Why do you protect that midget bitch? She's the one that caused this mess in the first place. Why do you hesitate when you're around her?"

Standing his ground, Ichigo glared at his hollow. "What are you talking about? I love her! I'm not going to stand by and let you kill her!"

"Tch. You're such a fool Ichigo. You're too scared to let her see me."

Ichigo's eyes widened. Noticing Ichigo's hesitance, Shiro continued. "Admit it, you never wanted to show her this side of you. The one that controls your true instincts to fight and kill. It killed you when Orihime had to see you in that state. But she still accepted me. Even though I had scared her, and I almost made her cry. I saved her from heart break. I saved her from being killed. And you know what? She's still beside me. Still beside you. She may be mad at you right now, but it's only because she knows that you'll take me away from her. And she doesn't want to lose another person that she loves."

Jumping towards Ichigo, Shiro threw Zangetsu at him, causing Ichigo to barely dodge in time. He was distracted, trying to understand what his hollow had said. And it had only confused him more. His eyes widened when he realized Shiro was behind him, the feeling of his zanpakutou cutting him didn't register. He didn't even realize he was falling until he had hit the ground. Hard.

His vision blurred as he tried to register where Shiro had gone. He couldn't move. His whole body ached, his heart hurting more at the truth of Shiro's words.

He was afraid. He knew just how scared Orihime had been when she saw him in that mask. He couldn't help but be afraid at losing her as a friend. So he had turned to Rukia for comfort. It was what started their relationship. But he didn't even realize just how much both girls were hurting. He thought Orihime didn't want to be near him anymore because of his hollow. So it had shocked him immensely when he had seen him with her.

His hollow was right. He really was a fool. And he had no strength to get up and face them.

"Now, Ichigo. Feel the pain you caused the Princess. For I promised her that I would kill anyone that would hurt her. Including you."

Getting ready to finish him off, he began to say; "Getsuga... Ten-"

"STOP!"

Both their eyes widened when they'd seen Orihime run into Shiro's chest. Ichigo sensed Shiro's hesitance and even saw his arm shaking in fear and anger. Trying his best to not fire his attack, Shiro kept his attention on the girl in front of him.

When she lifted her head, his eyes softened when he saw the tears streaming down her face. Choking back a sob, she pleaded. "Please... Shiro-kun."

"Hime..." Letting go of Zangetsu, he wrapped both his arms around her tightly, scared of letting her go. It took so much energy to hold back the attack, he wasn't even aware of how exhausted he really was.

A small smile graced his lips before he stumbled and lost consciousness. "I'm sorry..."

Her eyes widened, to the point Ichigo thought she was going to faint. "Shiro-kun!"

He tried to get up and help her, but his body wouldn't move. It made him feel so helpless. He didn't want Shiro to collapse on her. He was heavy and he didn't want Orihime to be squished under him.

.

.

.

"Ichigo!"

Turning his head, he saw Rukia run towards him, her wounds from Shiro long gone.

"Rukia..."

"Orihime!"

"Inoue-san!"

Both shinigami looked to see Tatsuki, Chad and Uryu run to the scene. Urahara and Yoruichi not too far behind them.

"Guys... Shiro-kun..."

"It's okay, Orihime. Sado, go and grab Ichigo. Yoruichi-san, if you could please carry Shiro back to the shop, we'd be extremely grateful."

'You don't have to ask me twice, Tatsuki." Walking towards Shiro and Orihime, Yoruichi had taken the hollow off Orihime, Tatsuki not far behind, helping Orihime balance herself.

"Orihime, are you alright?"

"Un! I'm fine Tatsuki-chan. Just tired."

Looking towards Ichigo and Rukia, she smirked. "What's wrong Ichigo? Got beat up by your hollow?"

"Shut up Tatsuki! You try fighting him and coming out unscathed. It's not so easy."

"Tch. Well, if you had noticed the damage you two had caused in the beginning, this could've been easily avoided. But both of you failed to neglect what the current situation was. Both of you didn't even realize that Shiro was actually the good guy. He had never harmed anyone. And Ichigo, you should know I'd never let any random guy go near Orihime. Therefore, that should've been a sign that I trusted him you dingbat."

"Tatsuki-chan! Please stop arguing!"

"Normally, I'd let you fight with Kurosaki, but Inoue-san is right. We can't just sit here in case the Soul Society comes. Surely they would've noticed a fight like this. If we want our plan to work, we have to get to Urahara's quickly."

Rukia blinked. "What plan?"

Ishida turned to look at her, "To make Shirosaki human."

.

.

.

A/N: And that's the end of this chapter everyone! I hope it satisfied you. And I deeply apologize for taking so long to update! I hope you guys can forgive me!

Let me explain a couple things. Ichigo was defeated easily because his anger had distracted him. He wasn't concentrating properly, which made him a lot more vulnerable. Shiro was a lot stronger because he wanted to protect Orihime. And everyone has seen just how strong Ichigo usually is when he's protecting Orihime. (No, this is not IchiHime. But when it comes to those moments, he's a lot stronger) Ichigo's resolve wasn't there, which is what made him so weak.

Shiro collapsed because it took so much restraint to keep from releasing the Getsuga Tenshou. He just wanted to kill Ichigo. So when Orihime stopped him, it had made him realize his mistake. He knew releasing it would hurt her so he held back. Thus causing him to collapse.

Aside from that, I hope you enjoyed this C:

~Tia-chan