Left You Behind Chapter 20: and everything, collapsed, a bleach fanfic

…

Orihime gasped sharply as the power etched through the earth, stung her skin, and licked across the air, igniting a deep recognition of fear inside of her. She was afraid, more than when she was first taken to Hueco Mundo and more than she first thought she'd lose her life.

Now, she was frightened for everything – her friends, herself, and Ichigo. As the air vibrated and the immense spiritual pressure grew, Orihime breathed in raggedly, trying to remain upright and keeping her eyes focused on the murderous Arrancar in front of her. Loly smirked widely at the blank look on the girl's face and lunged her knife forward, only for a blurring figure of white to appear behind her.

…

There was a loud gasp.

Ichigo's eyes bugged.

Grimmjow felt the shudder convulse down his spine.

Loly paused.

…

Slowly, the black-haired woman turned, her eyes popping slightly out of her head.

There he stood.

Nervously – terror in her veins – she smiled softly,

"A-A-Akihiro-sama…"

"Useless woman," said the deep voice, the cool, crimson eyes staring down at her, "I guess I shall thank you since you freed me from my confinement. Don't take this the wrong way, but I have no compassion for inoperable servants."

Loly's eyes widened even further and her blade clattered onto the floor. "W-Wha—"

A slice of a powerful, slim sword.

…

Orihime's scream pierced the air.

…

Rukia's head shot up, "I-Inoue?"

"There's no mistaking it," Ishida muttered, eyes narrowing, "that was her."

"…" Sado remained silent, staring up at the tall building.

"Ichigo will take care of her," Renji put in, "We need to get the hell out of here."

"We can't," Nel whispered, her lips trembling, "Not when he's awakened."

"Who? Who the fuck are you talking about?!" Renji hollered, throwing his arms about.

Nelliel opened her mouth to reply, but she was cut off when someone yelled,

"Nel~!"

"Nel-nee~ don'tcha know?"

Nel's head snapped up. When she saw the two rushing towards the group in the sand, her eyes widened and then stung harshly, the wind whipping the sand and terrible taste of death everywhere across the land.

"P-Pesche and Dondochakka!" She cried, throwing her arms open for the two. They laughed and bawled when they came into contact, crying each other's names with overdramatic tears from the two brothers. Ishida sweat-dropped. "Oh, brothers, I have missed you and your long games of tag!"

"Don'tcha know~?"

"I love you, NEEEELL!"

Renji felt the tick-mark appear on his head, "DAMMIT! This isn't helping!"

Just then, the air gushed through the air and the cracked split open, and the darkness enveloped the earth.

…

Ichigo's heart skipped a beat at Orihime's shriek of fear.

Without another thought, he shouted, "Orihime!"

"IDIOT!" Grimmjow hollered as the orange-haired suddenly erupted from the ground – the stone breaking under his power – and launched himself towards the enemy standing over Orihime. "Don't attack him!"

…huh?

With his face turned away, the stranger raised a hand casually and slowly. Ichigo nearly paused, but the crimson Cero gathered and was shot out before Ichigo could even think about dodging. Ichigo was thrown back, but he managed to bring up his sword to stop the onslaught.

When he was able to gain control of his body, he was on the ground, Zangestu loosely in his hand. Heavily, he raised his head, unable to move his aching body just yet. As he refocused his eyes on the redhead and the enemy, he was shocked to see blood.

Again, Orihime opened her mouth and let out another scream.

…

Orihime shook.

So much blood.

It pooled around Loly's limp body lying on the ground.

So much blood.

Orihime slowly, very slowly, lifted her wide silver gaze to the thing in front of her. He held Loly's head in one hand, gripping the black, sleek hair tightly and her dead, unfocused eyes stared into Orihime's. The blood dripped onto the ground, creating a large puddle in front of the redhead.

He released the head a second later and it made a low, thudding sound, along with the splatter of blood. Amazingly, the blood hadn't touched Orihime's skin, hadn't tainted her yet. But several droplets fell onto the white jacket of her Hueco Mundo garments. Blindingly, she stared at the decapitated body, at the disgusting head, at the pool of gory, gory blood.

So much blood.

Her stomach clenched and then lurched.

"Ah."

His voice was deep, and normal.

Orihime carefully raised her stinging eyes to the man in front of her. He was tall, taller than Ichigo, and much more built that Sado-kun. He was dressed in white attire – Hueco Mundo clothes that clenched around his body. He oozed raw masculinity and power, much more than she'd ever experienced, dark red eyes that locked with hers, and thin lips that sneered.

As their eyes met and locked, Orihime felt the burst of reiatsu and her hair blew back, her eyes stinging viciously at the hot air, and her mouth tasted like dry cotton. The air around her collapsed.

I'm…I can't… breathe…

The reiatsu was choking her. Terror crippled her lungs.

She'd never felt this kind of fear, not even when standing in front of Aizen-sama, not even when she'd dragged Sora-nii to the hospital, begging for his life. She begged for the tears not to fall, but one slipped down her white cheek. Her mouth parted and closed, then opened again, but nothing came out.

In the spiritual pressure, the darkness spread and the vulnerability overrode her senses.

Run.

Kurosaki-kun!

"Orihime!"

Instantly, the overbearing spell was broken at his voice – somehow strong, but breaking the second syllable of her name. Her trembling lips parted again as Ichigo struggled to stand on his feet, blood seeping over the side of his face and dripping from his chin, to the ground. He watched as her eyelids fluttered and she shook.

"K-Kuro…saki-kun…"

Dammit.

He redirected his gaze to the man, to the enemy, to the strange creature with overwhelming reiatsu and a cold, cold red gaze.

"Oi," the orange-haired called shortly, "Get away from Orihime."

Slowly, the man turned his head, the mask on his head shining dimly in the light and the hollow hole located direction in his chest. Ichigo narrowed his eyes as the gush of reiatsu flowed through the air and the north end of the tower fell, the ceiling rumbling over their heads.

Orihime choked and gasped at the consuming spiritual pressure and her knees gave out the next second, sinking her onto the floor. Ichigo nearly ran to her, whispering her name as she panted, struggling for air.

"Don't," Grimmjow whipped out his blade for emphasis, "Don't go near her. You'll get killed, boke."

Ichigo blinked in surprise and then looked towards Orihime again, "Y-You're helping me?"

"Tch!" The blue-haired man scoffed loudly, obnoxiously, "You fuckin' wish! I'm just not ready to die and I haven't gotten my fight, you damned loser."

Ichigo clenched his jaw. In his own way, Grimmjow was defending him – though it was a little brash and idiotic – and helping him with his logic. Ichigo could only guess what the man in front of him had in stall for the two. Unfortunately, he didn't seem to mind Ichigo or Grimmjow, and instead, slithered two fingers down the blade of his sword to swipe off the blood, and rose Loly's crimson liquid to his mouth.

"She's bitter," Akihiro commented blandly, "I wonder how you taste." With that, he raised his sword, prepared to slice through the shaking woman. Orihime opened her mouth, her eyes widening, and she prepared to call out for her Shun Shun Rikka, but already sure of the truth ahead.

He would kill her.

Ichigo was already moving.

"Don't!" Grimmjow snarled, but also gathered his wits to summon the proper plan for this situation.

In a second, Kurosaki-kun would be there.

But in that second, she would be dead.

She slid her eyes shut and ignored Tsubaki-kun's cries.

Kurosaki-kun.

And then it stopped.

…

"You thought," the familiar sapphire and Seele Schneider slid into view. Ichigo jerked to a pause and Orihime's eyes fluttered open, widening in shock, "I would allow you to hurt Inoue-san in such a way?" A vague snort came from the Quincy, "I am not that kind of man."

"A Quincy?"

Ishida pushed back with all his available strength and was able to knock the man back a few feet. Akihiro crooked a dark brow and Uryu took that time to ready a bow, sliding the blade into the line.

"You've got quite some nerve," he continued, "Don't assume with all that power that responsibilities are not to come."

Akihiro licked his thin lips and his eyes darkened, "I am well aware of my responsibilities." He turned his head slightly and Grimmjow nearly froze when the gaze landed on him, "Grimmjow, you are still alive." It was more than a statement than a question.

"Y-Yes…"

The power pulsed again and Ichigo felt a drop of sweat roll down his temple to his jaw. Tightening the grip on Zangestu, he refused to fall in front of such a beast.

Dammit.

He raised his eyes to Orihime, who, at the moment, appeared as though would pass out at any second.

Wait for me, Orihime.

Her eyes found his face a second later, her cheeks an unhealthy pale. But she was alright and she wasn't falling apart. Her eyes shined an ashen-silver, and their gazes met and locked. His eyes comforted her, at least a bit.

I will save you.

When Akihiro spoke again, Ichigo was snapped from his thoughts, "And you did not release me."

"…" Grimmjow did not say anything, but his sword tightened around his sword.

"But you gathered the army and sent the Arrancar to the Living World."

"Yes."

"Hm." The man replied, "You are not completely useless, I presume. But your job is done." He raised his hand – the bloodied one – and launched the crimson Cero at the Hueco Mundo hollow. There was a loud explosion and the north end crumbled into even more pieces. Akihiro lowered his arm and scowled.

"Kurosaki!" Ishida hollered when he didn't see or hear his comrade.

"Stop your damn yelling," Ichigo's hard voice snapped from the other end. When the smoke finally cleared, Ishida was able to see Kurosaki and Grimmjow covered by a golden dome, still strong and unwavering until it cracked into little spider-webs and sunk to the ground. Uryu's dark eyes widened and slid to the defenseless woman behind him. Her eyelids were heavy and gaze on the ground and her small hand gripping her elbow tightly, trembling under the weight of the world.

"Hm?" Akihiro's attention went back to Orihime, and he crooked a slim brow, "Are you Inoue Orihime?"

Ishida took a defensive position in front of the girl, "And if she were?"

"She is to come with me."

Orihime did not move from her spot and Ishida's eyes narrowed.

"Like hell she is!" Ichigo snapped angrily, furiously, his own spiritual pressure fighting against the man's now, "You're just like Aizen – you don't give a damn about your people and power hungry," Ichigo gave a dark, sly grin, "Luckily, I know how to defeat asses like you."

There was a rumble of the earth and Akihiro's attention diverted yet again, "I will come for the woman again." With that he turned and walked a few feet away – all the eyes in the room following his every movement. Grimmjow, Ichigo, and Uryu all watched in complete surprise as he pulled back a fist, and launched it forward, breaking a large hole through the air.

The black portal opened wider for him, and he calmly stepped inside, only for it to close a second later. Ichigo looked between Orihime and the vanished man, growling as he took his girlfriend first. Rushing towards her, he pushed past the Quincy, dropped his sword, and fell to his knees in front of her.

Her scent calmed him, lavender. He gripped one slim shoulder.

"Orihime," he shook her softly, "Orihime." He brought his hands up to grasp onto her face, so beautiful and small in his large palms and calloused fingers, "Look at me."

Slowly, so very slowly, she blinked and raised her large eyes and found his. Her plush lips parted, "K-Kurosaki…kun…"

Softly, he smiled for her, lopsided and handsome on his dirty face, smudges of ash on his cheeks and body, "Yeah."

She blinked again before the tears began to gather in the edges of her eyes, "Kurosaki-kun…" She whispered again, "Kurosaki-kun." His smile vanished as he watched the tears flood and then flow over, staining her cheeks that began to color again, and brushing against his hands, "Y-You came…"

"Of course I did," he gripped her face tighter, "I will always fucking come, Orihime." He leaned forward and before he knew it, he was kissing her. The world and problems vanished, even the corpse lying a couple feet away. He moved his hand to the back of her head and gathered the thick, cool locks into his fingers, searching for anything that would squash his anxiety.

Uryu glanced away, nudging his glasses up his nose.

Grimmjow sneered up his lip, "I fuckin' knew it."

When Ichigo released her, she was a deep pink and her eyelids were heavily-lidded again, the gaze darker than normal. He dragged his thumb over her bottom, soft lip and smiled again.

"Don't cry," he murmured when she sniffled, "I'm here. And I'll protect you from whatever this is."

She nodded numbly, "And I'll protect Kurosaki-kun." She agreed quickly, reaching up her small hands to bunch into her white skirt.

"Yeah." With that, he stood, and called out, "Ishida, Grimmjow! Move your asses!"

"Shut up, Kurosaki!" Ishida hollered back, a tick-mark developing on his head.

"Huh?" Grimmjow replied, crooking both his brows.

"He went to Karakura, right?" Ichigo said, "So we're going there. We have Orihime and now we defend our town. You, too, idiot," he switched his gaze to the blue-haired former Espada, "or you won't get your stupid fight."

"Tch. As if I would help you and your scrawny town. I'm not into that kinda hero shit." Grimmjow replied, sheathing his sword. "Besides," his sapphire eyes took over an edge of darkness, anxiety, "he'll just kill me."

"And I'll kill him," Ichigo promised. "Now, you're coming with us. And on the way, tell us what the hell he is."

The skin between his brows wrinkled violently, "The fuck? I said I'm not—"

A glowing blue arrow was aimed directly at his head, between his eyes, "This doesn't have to be willing, Grimmjow-san." The Quincy's eyes narrowed, "We are not asking."

Grimmjow's gaze tightened, but he did not give any further argument.

Ichigo crouched down and helped Orihime to her feet quickly. When he saw the droplets of blood, he hurried to strip her from the long-sleeved jacket, only to reveal much paler, supple skin and her bare arms, back, and shoulders. Orihime did not seem to mind, but Uryu's bow wavered slightly. As Ichigo threw the soiled jacket to the ground, Orihime asked,

"B-But, Kurosaki-kun, if we bring Jaegerjaquez-san, the others might attack him and—A-Ah! WAH~!" As she spoke, Ichigo had bent a bit in front of her once again, gripped her hips, and hauled the redhead over his shoulder. Orihime cried out and flailed, the pink flooding her pretty features. "W-Wait, Kurosaki-kun! P-Please, I can walk—"

Instead, he ignored her deliberately, "Bring Grimmjow and keep an eye on him."

"I know what I am doing, Kurosaki!" Ishida snapped back heatedly.

"Kurosaki-kuuu—"

"Then let's go."

"B-But—"

Ichigo stepped towards the hole in the wall, created when he nearly stabbed Grimmjow. Recollecting that memory, he glanced back at the Espada, who was staring at him in complete hatred and defiance.

"How's your arm?" Ichigo asked, deadpan.

Grimmjow blinked, surprised slightly, but sneered up his lip, crossing his arms over his strong chest, ignoring the blood staining his shoulder, "I'll live."

Ichigo shrugged, snatched up his zanpakuto and scowled, "Hang on, Inoue."

"Kurosaki-kun—"

He'd already jumped.

…

Rukia wiped the sweat from her brow.

"That Quincy left a while ago," Nelliel put in, her arms still around her trembling brothers.

"His name is Ishida, Nel-san!" Renji snapped, thoroughly agitated with all three of the hollows, "You could have a little more respect!"

Her eyes narrowed, "SORRY! I must've left my manners at the tower when I was defeated!"

"HUH? What'd you say?! Getting smart?" Renji crowed, tightening his hand around Zabimaru.

"Get him, Nel-nee!"

"Don'tcha know!?"

Rukia's eyebrow twitched as Sado watched the four go back and forth.

"…Aren't we trapped here? Should we really be arguing?" He asked gently, his deep voice rumbling through the group.

"SHUT UP!" Renji and Nelliel hollered at him together, just as the sand billowed down on them all.

"That's it!" Rukia shrieked, painstakingly pissed off at the moment, "Bakudō # 1. Sai!"

Without warning, Renji, Nelliel, and the two howling hollow brothers were on their stomachs, arms locked behind their backs, and painful grimaces on their faces.

"Rukia! WHAT THE HELL?!" hollered Renji.

"Kuchiki-chan~?" whined Nel.

"AGH! NEL-NEE!" whimpered Pesche and Dondochakka.

Sado – the only free one of the group – sweat-dropped.

Rukia placed her small hands on her hips, "Now, listen, all of you! You are going to be quiet and stop arguing! Ichigo is going to win and then we're going to get out of here, somehow, just like last time, and we'll win again, just like last time, no matter how strong or big because we have Chappy!" By time she was done with her odd speech, Renji's brows had went up, Nelliel's face transformed into wonder, the two siblings stop crying, and Sado's sweat-drop grew.

"Nice speech, Rukia." A voice commented lazily behind them.

Rukia nodded, smirking smugly, "Thanks, Ichigo." She paused thoughtfully, "If only I had my paper and colors, I could draw a lot of pictures to show you all exactly how this would all—W-Wait!" Her eyes popped in shock, "I-Ichigo?"

She whirled around to see the orange-haired, uninjured, and hold a white bundle over his shoulder. The spell fell away from the group and Renji stood, stretching out his limbs. Nelliel and her brothers squealed with joy as they made it to their feet.

"Ichigo~!" Nel smiled happily.

Ichigo offered a lopsided, small smile, "Yo."

"K-Kurosaki-kun…"

"Eh?" Ichigo frowned curiously before he glanced back at Orihime. Rukia watched with surprise as the redhead was placed on the sandy ground and her warming aura spread around the group, "You alright?" Ichigo placed a hand on her slim, bare shoulder.

"I-I'm fine." She nodded quickly, exuberantly.

"Inoue!" Rukia called, genuine happiness etched on her face, "You're alright!"

Orihime turned her head and was surprised to see Rukia, Renji, Sado, and Nelliel, along with Pesche and Dondochakka. Her eyes shined automatically, "A-All of you…You all came for me?"

Sado gave a thumbs-up and Rukia relaxed, smiling again. Renji only managed a nod, but grinned all the while.

"I-I'm so happy…" Her tiny shoulders shook and she hurried to wipe away any tears that would escape.

"Don't get all fuckin' sappy," a voice snapped from behind Ichigo.

"Be quiet, will you?" Ishida sounded exasperated. Ichigo moved slightly to the side to reveal Ishida holding an arrow to Grimmjow's head, and the sapphire-headed man tucked his hands in his pockets casually, his eyes narrowed dangerously.

Renji unsheathed Zabimaru, Rukia's eyes tightened as she took a step back, recalling the moment when his hand had nearly took her life, and Sado charged his arm, his face solemn.

"Oh," Ichigo suddenly said, "Don't worry. He's on our side."

"Fuck that, Shinigami!" Grimmjow snarled, instantly against the idea.

"Huh?" Renji grimaced, confused, "What the fuck?"

"Ichigo…" Rukia started uncertainly.

Without warning, Nel suddenly stalked towards the former Espada, rose her slim hand, and brought her palm down with alarming speed.

Slap!

"Ow! Nelliel! THE FUCK?!"

"Idiot! Do you know how long I've been waiting for you to come back here!?" She shouted back, anger clear in her high tone.

Renji, Rukia, and Chad blinked.

Grimmjow rubbed his cheek, revealing his canines to her, "Shut up. I said I would be back, didn't I?"

"Idiot!"

"Hey! I only sent you out here so the others wouldn't harm you! You know they didn't trust you!"

"Yeah, right!" She turned away from him, pouting.

Grimmjow sighed, "You're not hurt, are you?"

She did not respond for a few seconds, "The scar on my back sometimes hurts, but I'm alright."

"When that bitch Oki attacked you?" Grimmjow nearly snarled.

"You're lucky I went along with your little plan to cover us up. Or you would've been killed by all of them."

"I know, I know." Grimmjow glanced away, "I owe you." To everyone's shock and disbelief, Nelliel turned back to him, cupped his face, and leaned upwards onto her tiptoes to press her lips firmly to his.

Rukia's mouth fell open, Sado merely watched, Ishida crooked a brow, and Orihime's eyes widened.

Ichigo stood there, eyelids heavy as they parted, "Oh. Alright." The orange-haired said blandly, "Well," he held up Zangestu to throw it lazily onto his shoulder, "We should get going."

"And we're going to help them," Nelliel put in, "You do owe me, after all."

Grimmjow pried her long hands from his face, "You fuckin' owe me for taking care of those damned annoying brothers of yours. They eat like they've never been fed."

"Yes, yes!"

"Don'tcha know!"

"I'm not even gonna ask," Renji said, yet confused.

"We'll explain later," Nel sighed, placing her hands on her hips, "Right now, we should worry about your town."

"What does he want with it?" Ishida asked, reclosing his bow and arrow.

"Just as Aizen," Grimmjow put in, "He wants the 100, 000 souls."

…

Kurosaki Karin threw her arms lazily behind her head, regarding her father – Shinigami robes and all – with an apathetic gaze.

"So you're going to fight?"

"Yeah," he winked at her.

She redirected her gaze to the fighting Shinigami up ahead, levitating over the unsuspecting Karakura Town. She looked back at the old man, "Don't die, Old Goat. I'm serious."

"Hai, hai."

"And take care of Ichi-nii, too."

"Yep!"

"And I'll keep an eye out here." Her voice softened and she looked back towards the kitchen where her twin sister stood, preparing a lovely dinner for the family, "Please."

Isshin did not look surprise, "I promise, Karin."

She managed a small smile, "Right."

…

The air collapsed.

Shinigami and Arrancar paused from their fighting.

The sky opened and cracked, the outrageous spiritual pressure escaping with each step he took.

And the life began to suck from Karakura.

…

Isshin grinned and held Karin up, keeping a hand on her shoulder as her knees buckled at the spiritual pressure.

"Don't worry," his grin widened, "I'll fix this."

"Old Goat…" She whispered.

"Don't worry," he repeated. "Go inside." After a second's hesitation, she heeded her father's words and turned in the other direction, staggering into the home, and slammed the door shut after her.

"Well," Isshin turned back towards the open, dark sky, "I guess I should get started."

…

"Hm?"

A blonde male stood there lazily, eyeing Akihiro with an apathetic gaze.

"Ya sure don't look like Aizen," he commented, "But I guess every bad guy has his days."

"Hm?"

"Not much for words, are ya?" Shinji grinned widely, "Me neither."

…

"So how in the hell do we get out of here?" Grimmjow shouted, throwing up his arms, "This is pointless. He's locked us in here."

Rukia pinched the bridge of her nose, "Just as last time."

"…Meh…"

Ichigo clenched his jaw, also at loss. They could not leave, not without someone's help, Urahara maybe, but no one was here but them. When Orihime shook her head softly, her eyebrows merging, he grimaced.

"Orihime," he called, "What's wrong?"

Orihime did not listen to him – or did not hear. She turned away, the hair moving around her back. Carefully, she managed to walk in a straight line without staggering, her hands clasped behind her slender back, and her hair whirling to the side with the wind.

"I-I…"

Rukia frowned curiously, "Inoue?"

"Inoue-san?"

"Now what is the bitch doing?"

"Grimmjow!"

"I reject."

Her warm – overly positive aura – reiatsu spilled out of her form and instantly, it seemed like the sand fell to the ground, and the golden dome folded over the land. Ichigo gasped, his eyes widening, as the crack in the sky began to meld back together, and the warmth erupted from the golden dome folding over the entire land of Hueco Mundo, rising like the sun.

"Wow…" Renji sounded enthralled. "The hell?"

Rukia's eyes rose and rose with the power seeping over the land. What are you…doing, Inoue? Rukia whispered in her mind, returning her gaze to the human.

No.

Was she human?

Was this what Yamamoto-sotaichou tried to keep under wraps, was this was Aizen wanted from her? She healed, but she also rejected, rejected wounds, rejected existences? Rejected barriers even Rukia couldn't break?

Inoue…

Orihime raised her hands and the rumbling screeched to a halt. Ichigo did not miss the way she trembled, sweat gathering on her forehead, and the wind burst against their skins, hot and unbearable.

With that, her lips moved again,

"I reject this!"

There was the sound of shattering glass and Ichigo called her name worriedly. She did not move or speak as the air creaked and then the air opened, like a door, wide enough for them all to step through.

Rukia gasped sharply, "She…she rejected the barrier?"

"And the fuckin' portal?" Grimmjow hollered.

Even though Ichigo was in great shock, he did not have the time to bullshit. He watched as Orihime staggered in front of the dark, uneven portal, and she almost fell to the ground. Ichigo snagged her around the waist, caught her under her legs and lifted her from the ground.

Orihime.

Her eyelashes fluttered against her cheeks.

How…?

"Not now," Ishida snapped to his comrades, his hard eyes on Kuchiki-san. He did not miss how she stared at Orihime, "Let's go."

…

Shinji grunted under the force of the sword against his and met the hard gaze of Akihiro.

"Dammit! Get the fuck off me!" Shinji growled, knocking his sword forward to throw the man a few feet away. Licking his dry lips, he brought up his mask to watch the leader stand there, eyes meeting his once again.

"What're you doing, stupid?!" Hiyori shouted from her own battle. She landed a kick in the Arrancar's stomach and glided back a few feet, "Are you an idiot! Don't just stand there!"

"Shut the hell up!" Shinji tossed back. Removing his hat, Shinji took that moment to slice his sword through the air, re-gathering the power in his left arm. With an typical grin, he said, "Come on."

This, though, did not affect Akihiro, "You are not the person I wish to fight. Yet, you can give me some information. Where is the Hogyoku?"

Shinji regarded him lazily, "How should I know?" But something in his eyes told differently. Before anyone could see, a blade was at Shinji's throat and pressed softly against the skin, "…!"

"Do not lie to someone such as me, boy," Akihiro whispered to him, "Or you will be redeemed as useless."

"Akihiro-sama!"

This was enough for Shinji to get away, his jaw clenched, his eyes tightened, he's fuckin' fast…

A dark-skinned woman stood in mid-air a few feet away, hands on hips, coated in silver. A couple of Arrancar stood behind her, also glad to see the leader, "You're here!"

Love frowned curiously, standing beside Kensei, who was also watching.

"Useless," Akihiro commented blandly after a moment's silence. Everyone watched in clear shock as he raised his palm, and the crimson Cero was charged, thrown at amazing speeds, and the scream of agony vanished a second later.

Toshiro shouted in pain and shock as his body was thrown back like a ragdoll, and he landed onto the street of Karakura, under the chaos and blood. He creaked one eye open, gasping for air as the blood in his side seeped into his lungs.

"Taichou!"

Rangiku…?

True, the busty blonde was crouched over him, her breasts near to falling out, "Don't worry," she murmured, "And don't panic." She pressed her hands against the gash in his side.

"Toshiro-kun!" Momo cried worriedly, only for a sharp slash to her back to break her from her thoughts. She gasped sharply at the undeniable pain and the blood spread down her back and into her Shinigami robes. The redhead behind her danced in her spot, grinning gleefully as she licked her blade.

"Too bad," she murmured, "I was having fun."

Momo glared at her, panting now, "Damn you…!"

When the smoke cleared, Shinji and the others were shocked to see the six Arrancar gone and dead, ashes spreading through the air. Shinji's jaw clenched even tighter as he kept a good grip on his Shikai. Dammit. Ichigo's ugly mug went through his head. Where is that carrot-top freak?!

"OI! BOKE! MOVE!" Hiyori shouted to him, flailing about as Akihiro landed his eyes back to the Vizard.

"Now, I suggest you do not lie again, or I will be forced to end your life, just as them."

"Well, I guess you're just gonna have to fight me!"

…

And Ichigo broke through the vessel between this world and the next.

…

Rukia and Renji landed onto the air easily while Grimmjow and Nelliel took their stances on a nearby building. Grimmjow kept an arm in front of her protectively, scowling at anyone who stared too long at the woman.

"Renji," Rukia said as she watched everyone battle, fall, and blood swarm around.

"I know," he grunted vaguely.

Grimmjow scoffed, "Well, isn't this all a bunch of bullshit."

…

Orihime kept a tight grip on Ishida's arm as he carried her, Chad, and Pesche and Dondochakka down to the earth on Hirenkyaku platform. The spiritual pressure in Karakura was reaching overwhelming heights now. As they all landed, Sado gave a thumbs-up, charged up his arm, and hurried to help with the fighting, and the two brothers hurried to run for cover, as their sister advised.

Ishida helped the redhead from the glowing platform and let go of her small hand a second later. She had been unconscious after all, but soon gained her sense when they came to Karakura Town. He did not miss the way her legs trembled, and her eyes were so very tired, silver-ashen that trembled when the earth rumbled beneath their feet. But she was beautiful, very stunning, even with all this disaster and death and blood, she still managed to hold his and Kurosaki's attention.

His fist clenched.

"Inoue-san," it came out rather roughly, "You should probably take cover for now. It'll get dangerous."

To his surprise, Orihime smiled gently, "I have to help as much as I can." She rushed past him, already locking onto Toshiro's diminishing reiatsu. Ishida followed after her without another thought. When the two finally reached the captain, the blood was pooling under him and Rangiku was yelling his name.

"Hitsugaya-kun!" Orihime called worriedly, falling to her knees to the man, "Please hold on." Instantly, the golden dome folded around him and her hands held steadily – shaking, Ishida thought silently – but she kept her concentration.

Rangiku's eyes widened, "O-Orihime-chan?"

"Hello, Rangiku-san. It is very nice to see you." Orihime smiled again at the blonde, "I promise I will save him."

"Thank you," Rangiku managed a smile of her own.

Ishida scoffed under his breath.

"Inoue-san," croaked Toshiro, and his eyes found hers, "You're alright. I'm glad." He smirked a bit, but soon fell silent as the warmth enveloped him.

A dark presence made itself known. Ishida turned the next second, his bow already readied. Instead, he found himself staring down the tip of a blade, "W-What the…?"

"You are the Quincy," Said the young woman, her dark eyes appraising him.

"And you are my opponent."

"Make it so,"

As they began to battle, Orihime whirled around, her eyes widening, "Ishida-kun!"

"Keep healing, Inoue-san!" He called behind him as the girl levitated into the air, giving a cocky grin. As her hand raised, Ishida managed to dodge out of the way in time for the Cero to blast into the ground.

"H-Hai!"

But Orihime's eyes diverted upwards, just in time to see Nel-san be struck in the stomach by a sleek blade.

…

"Well, I guess you're just gonna have to fight me!"

Akihiro managed to dodge out of the way in time for Ichigo to miss his surprise attack. The substitute grinned, coming to a stop beside Shinji, who did not look very impress or happy to see him.

"Finally," the blonde deadpanned, "ya show up, ass."

"Excuse me?" A vein throbbed against his temple, "I was trapped in Hueco Mundo, idiot!"

Shinji blinked in surprise, "How'd ya get out?"

"I would like to know that as well," Akihiro mused from a few steps away. He slowly averted his eyes to the healing woman below, who'd just stepped from Ishida's hirenkyaku. Ichigo scowled deeply as Shinji placed a hand on his hip, watching vaguely as Hiyori defeated another opponent. "Was it that woman? Inoue Orihime."

Renji started at the name, and Rukia tightened her grip around her sword. Just as Akihiro stepped towards the girl, Ichigo was in front of him the next second, Zangestu smashing against the sword.

"Damn you…!" He growled furiously, "Don't touch her!"

With a back swing of his sword, Akihiro knocked Ichigo away, the spiritual pressure igniting something inside of everyone, as it burst forth. Rukia gasped as Shinji came at the man next, the blade managing to slice through the material of Akihiro's Hueco Mundo garments.

"Damn, nice shirt," Shinji grimaced when he didn't see a mark on the man, "Wish I had clothes like that." And he swung forward again, only for the man to dodge out of the way, appearing a few feet away. Grimmjow clenched his jaw from the rooftop and stripped from his top.

Nel watched, eyes growing, "You're going to help? Really?"

"Huh?" Grimmjow shot her a harsh look, "You told me to."

She smiled softly in reply.

"Fuckin' woman," he groused, "Just stay here." He glanced down at her stomach, and Nel raised a hand to press her palm against it, her smile widening. "And don't get hurt."

"Yeah, yeah," she waved him off with a playful grin.

Grimmjow launched into battle, withdrawing his sword to aim it directly towards Akihiro's back, only for the man to respond with a quick Cero. Grimmjow dodged out of the way in time, and it aimed straight towards Rukia.

Suddenly, she was encased in a warm, familiar embrace.

"Kuchiki-taichou!"

"N-Nii-sama!"

The black-haired captain slanted them an unconcerned look, "Find another battle. This is not for you."

"But…" When he shot her a glare, she quickly shut her mouth and nodded, flash-stepping away. Byakuya returned his attention to his lieutenant, both staring each down. When a flash of purple sliced through the two, Byakuya moved back and Renji hollered in shock. They both looked in unison to the Arrancar standing a few feet away.

"Looks like we have an opponent," Renji swung back Zabimaru.

"It appears so."

...

…

Grimmjow threw back his sword, and aimed it directly to Akihiro. The man ducked in time for the blade to swoop over his head and kicked the former Espada backwards. Ichigo chose that time with Hirako to clash both their swords with his.

With no expression at all, Akihiro shoved them both backwards. "Now, tell me where the Hogyoku is and I will spear your lives."

"Fuck you!" Ichigo grunted, "Getsuga Tensho!"

Akihiro's eyes briefly widened before he moved out of the way just in time, but the power slammed right into his left arm. The blood splattered to the ground below. When the smoke cleared, Ichigo was able to see his now exposed arm bleeding profusely, blood dripping down his fingers.

"Whoa," Shinji deadpanned, "Doesn't look like he's all tough now."

"Shut up," Ichigo spat at the blonde. Shinji merely rolled his eyes.

Grimmjow grinned widely, "Looks like it's time to finish you off, bastard!" With that, he swung and launched forward, preparing his sword to slaughter the man. But when Akihiro turned at the last second and brought back his own blade, Grimmjow realized his mistake too late.

…

"Grimmjow!"

…

There was a flash of jade hair, and blood sprayed onto Grimmjow's front.

Ichigo's eyes widened.

Shinji kept himself composed. Shit.

Before anyone could react, Akihiro yanked his sword from Nel's body – her stomach where the unborn child rested – and charged another Cero, throwing the two the ground, both injured.

…

Turning back to the two Vizards, Ichigo watched in shock as his arm closed up, the blood vanishing, and he shook the blood from his blade.

"I am not Aizen-sama. You cannot defeat me so very easily." He hissed venomously. With a flash-step, he was suddenly in front of Shinji. The blonde's eyes widened and he vaguely heard Hiyori cry out,

"Move, idiot, dammit!" She yanked back down her mask, rushing towards her comrade, only to impaled by a sword, by her cranky opponent, Hiro, who she despised. The immense pain came the next second and she choked on her disgusting blood. "D-Damn you…!" She limply fell to the earth below, her mask cracking as she did so. Kensei – defeating his opponent a second later – shot down to catch the lifeless girl, to find her breathing shallowly and the blood seeping through the white shirt.

"Hiyori!" Shinji cried, his calm façade broken down as she was. He gasped sharply when the blade swiped across his defenseless chest and he flash-stepped away hurriedly as the pain bloomed, "Shit."

"Fuck!" Ichigo readied Zangestu and shot forward, crashing his sword against Akihiro, only for a gush of spiritual pressure to creak his body. He shouted out for Shinji to move, but the Cero was fired and smoke issued through the air. "Hirako! Dammit!"

He was shocked when Zangestu was knocked from his hand and he was left defenseless to the man above him.

"One more chance. The Hogyoku now."

When Ichigo refused to answer, he felt the fist plunge into his gut, and his body spiraled to the ground, along with everyone else's.

…

"Ichigo!" Chad, Rukia, and Renji shouted in unison.

…

"Kurosaki-kun!"

…

The ground gave away under his body and when he managed to open his eyes, Zangestu was yards away, and he was stuck in a deep crater. Growling deep in his throat, he struggled to his feet.

"You still stand," Akihiro mused, standing a few feet away, "I am surprised."

"I don't give up," Ichigo panted, "So easily."

"Courage," the man supplied and then eyes darkened, and flashed, "Allow me to dispatch that from you." He vanished the next second, and murmured in Ichigo's ear, "Too slow."

The sword pierced straight through his chest.

…

"Kurosaki-kun!" Orihime cried.

She struggled to stand, fell once, twice, and then managed to run on shaky legs. Ishida was still battling – winning – but quite busy. She had no idea where Sado-kun was and Nelliel had fallen in the east of the city, and Orihime knew she had to hurry to get to her and Grimmjow. Gathering her courage, Orihime pushed past rubble and dead bodies of Arrancar.

Zangestu was on the ground, stuck into the earth. She struggled to make it and clamped her hand around the hilt. Instantly, the power leaked from it, and made Orihime shiver. With all her strength, she yanked the sword from the ground.

I-I have to get it to Kurosaki-kun…

Suddenly, the air shifted.

Orihime, blinked, confused.

…

An arm swung and hit the target.

…

Unbearable pain erupted from her chest.

…

Ishida's head snapped around.

Rukia paused in her battle.

Sado glanced back.

Renji blinked.

"Orihime!"

…

Orihime's eyes blurred, and in front of her, she could see Kurosaki-kun a few yards away, staring at her in horror – terror?

She wanted to whisper, what's wrong, Kurosaki-kun? but she could not move.

When she finally, felt the warm sensation on her front, she glanced down.

Red.

A couple of drops fell, and then much more. It spilled as Akihiro slowly retracted his palm from inside chest from behind her. Her silver eyes filled her face, unable to form a word, as the numbness spread all across her fragile body, detached from the world in front of her.

Zangestu clattered deafeningly to the ground.

Slowly, she sank to her knees, and the blood squashed under her knees. Her lips parted, and her cheeks bloomed with color before turning gray. With trembling hands, she balled her hands into fists against the cement and rubble.

I…I…

The world began to tilt and turn, but somehow, Ichigo stayed on the correct axis, and her eyes found his.

Kurosaki-kun.

And with a tumble of amber, fine locks, she fell backwards, to Akihiro's feet.

…

Akihiro tilted his head to the side slightly, "Hm. It's amusing that I did not find out at first where the Hogyoku was. I should have known all along."

Her eyes fluttered.

"The Hogyoku shall come out when you are dead. Please do hurry." With that, he stepped over her fallen body, and licked his palm clean of her blood.

…

A world began to fall.

A world fell, exactly when she did.

A world had no meaning, without her, and so, it fell.

…

"Orihime!"

…

Slowly, the Hogyoku's eyes opened and closed, ashen eyes staring forward into the light.

"Your wish will be granted, Inoue Orihime."

…

In the inner world – such a dump, he thought – he stood.

And when he stands, the world tilts and goes awry.

With a leering smirk, and hard, black-golden eyes, he looked at the cracking sky above him.

"Tch, King, you can't do anything right."

His grin widened.

"Looks like it's time for me to make an appearance."

…

And everything, collapsed.

…

Review, please. I wish to know your thoughts please.

-Star