Chapter 26

**Note: To shorten the name, I will be referring to Ichigo's inner hollow as Hichigo.**

**Kurosaki Clinic**

"Kurosaki-kun…I have some news for you and the rest." Urahara said slightly uncomfortable to have caught Ichigo in the middle of his mini-rampage.

"Oh…ok." Ichigo said and went to get his dad and Byakuya.

A few minutes later Isshin, Byakuya, and Ichigo sat in the waiting area. They stared intently at Urahara waiting for whatever news he had for them.

"Yesterday I took the liberty of taking a reiatsu sample from Rukia-chan. After I left the clinic I went to analyze it at my lab and found something rather interesting." Urahara said pausing before moving on. "Unfortunately, my findings will bring much dreaded news so hear me out before jumping into…"

"Just say it Urahara-san!" Ichigo said slightly agitated.

"Ichigo, Urahara is only trying to help, there is no need to-" Byakuya was cut off.

"No need to what? Yell? Would you be able to keep calm if you knew your wife and baby were in danger? I doubt even the almighty Byakuya could keep his cool then!" Ichigo yelled and got up from his seat.

"Ichigo" Isshin called. Without a word Ichigo unwillingly took his seat again to let Urahara continue.

"Rukia-chan's reiatsu sample showed traces of an odd hollow that cannot be destroyed like your average hollow. Specifically, after being cut, the hollow's energy deposits itself in the closest victim due to its survival instincts. So when I thought I killed it with Benihime the hollow deposited itself in Rukia-chan's body instead." Urahara said.

"So you're saying Rukia's body has been taken over by a hollow?" Byakuya asked bitterly.

"If my assumptions are correct, it might still be trying to take over her otherwise Rukia-chan would have turned into a hollow by now. I have a hunch that she's been trying to fight off the hollow in her inner world this whole time." Urahara said.

"So how do we kill it?" Ichigo said with anger in his voice. Thinking of Rukia fighting a hollow while pregnant made his blood boil.

"That's the tricky part…the only way for it to die without taking another victim is if it is killed by one of its own." Urahara said mysteriously.

"You mean it has to be killed by a hollow? That's impossible!" Isshin said wailing his arms.

"Can I do it?" Ichigo said softly and everyone's eyes went to him. He hated that side of him and his suggestion might not work but he was willing to try anything at this point.

"Indeed Kurosaki-kun. I already came up with a plan. It's risky but it's the only option we have." Urahara said and started rattling off the plan.

"So basically I have to go into her inner-world, have her swallow a pill that will expel the hollow and then kill it? It's not as bad as you made it sound." Ichigo said feeling more hopeful than he had since this whole thing.

The four men headed to Rukia's room. Isshin brought another medical bed and set it next to Rukia's. A few minutes later Tessai showed up with a few devices and computers. Byakuya and Isshin sat down and watched Urahara set up the equipment.

"Ready when you are!" Urahara said to Ichigo slightly excited. Isshin and Byakuya sent him an irritated glare.

Before lying on the bed, Ichigo went to stand by his wife. He looked down and stared at her small body and a frown formed on his face. He hated seeing her like that. He missed her beautiful violet eyes, her smile…her presence. Without caring about the others in the room, he brought his face down to hers and kissed her softly on the lips. 'I love you.' He whispered. He then moved down to her round belly and put his hand on it before giving it a kiss and putting his ear against it. He could hear the baby's noises and he pictured him/her cuddling safely in his mother's belly. 'I'll be back soon' He whispered to the belly and went to lay on the bed as instructed.

Urahara set up some wires from a monitor that connected Ichigo to Rukia. He then handed Ichigo a headband and instructed him to put it on.

"Now once you securely put on the headband say, 'Take this, the power of righteousness, righteous armor, The Justice Headband!" Urahara said happily. Ichigo turned to look at the blonde and gave him a well deserved death glare. Urahara sweat dropped and said he was just kidding.

"So Kurosaki-kun, are you ready to go into your wife's inner world?" Urahara asked and Ichigo nodded.

"Ok. Good Luck!" Urahara said and typed away on his computer. Soon after, Ichigo closed his eyes and everything went black.

**Rukia's inner world**

Ichigo tried to open his eyes but was finding it difficult. All he knew was that he was freezing. He raised his hand to his eyes and opened them slowly. He appeared to be in some sort of forest with enormous pine trees. He could also see snow covered mountains. The blizzard-like conditions were rather hard to be in. He looked around and went to stand behind a tree.

Ichigo thought of how much Zangetsu hated the rain and he imagined how pissed off he'd be if instead of pouring rain he had to deal with blizzards. Ichigo wanted to get this over with as soon as possible so he closed his eyes and focused on Rukia's reiatsu. When he felt it he stormed the weather and shunpoed against the heavy winds and snow.

He finally felt like he was getting closer to her. Although it felt like hours he was certain it had only been fifteen minutes at the most that he had been following her reiatsu. He was high in the mountains by now. The tall trees blocked most of the snow and light in the area, making the place look dark and eerie but still freezing. He then noticed a small cave. The entrance appeared to be glowing and he could feel Rukia's reiatsu emanating from it.

Ichigo walked closer and found Rukia sitting against the stony wall on the icy ground holding her belly. The same glimmering barrier surrounding her made it impossible for Ichigo to reach her.

"Rukia!" He yelled. He could tell she was struggling and concentrating her energy on something.

"Rukia!" He yelled a few more times. Rukia started to slowly open one of her eyes to look at him when he noticed what she had been fighting all along. Her eyes were flickering from their usual deep violet to a hollow-like yellow on black.

"Dammit!" Ichigo yelled. He had no idea how to reach out to Rukia and didn't want to use force and accidentally hurt her.

"Rukia, let me get closer!" Ichigo yelled.

"N-n-no" Rukia stammered. "This…this thing…will take over me…" She said with clenched teeth.

"I can help but you have to trust me!" Ichigo said with desperation.

"I'm telling you it will take over me!" She yelled stubbornly and her reiatsu peaked.

Ichigo's patience was gone as he yelled in anger. "You're so hardheaded! Put this stupid barrier down Rukia! Do you think I haven't been through similar things? Let me remind you that I have to live with a hollow inside of me for the rest of my life!"

After letting those words sink in, Rukia finally opened her eyes fully to see Ichigo. She could see how desperate and scared he was for her safety. She decided to trust him and put down her guard.

"Ahhh!" She yelled in pain as she held her head and closed her eyes again.

Ichigo quickly ran to her, took out the small pill that Urahara had given him and helped her swallow it. As soon as the pill made its way down her throat, the hollow manifested itself.

"What do we have here?" The creepy creature said as it stared at Ichigo with its red eyes. "You smell better than that one!" It said pointing to Rukia.

Ichigo gently let go of Rukia and lured the hollow out of the cave. Once he felt he was as far away as possible so that the hollow wouldn't try to go back in Rukia he slashed it with his zanpakuto. The hollow disintegrated in front of him.

"Damn…we went through all this trouble for such a small fry?" Ichigo said victorious. He started heading back to get Rukia when he suddenly started feeling dizzy. He was having trouble breathing and grabbed his chest as he panted quickly.

"Ghaaaa!" Ichigo yelled in pain.

"What the hell is going on King! Did you screw up again?" Ichigo could hear Hichigo saying in his head.

"I'm happy I picked you instead! You're reiatsu sure is better!" Ichigo heard the other hollow say.

"G-g-get out! ! !" Ichigo yelled as he grabbed his head and clutched on the ground. His head felt like it was going to explode from the pain.

**Ichigo's inner world**

"Who the hell are you?" Hichigo said as he saw the dumb looking hollow. "You sure are an ugly bastard!" He continued and cackled.

"I'd ask you the same thing but nothing matters except making this tasty body mine!" The creepy hollow replied.

"What did you just say? There's only one runner up in taking over the King and that's me you ridiculous piece of crap!" Hichigo answered and then started swinging his zanpakuto in his finger. He began taunting the big hollow. He hadn't had a fight in a while and he was going to make sure he enjoyed himself.

The hollow tried clawing Hichigo several times but Hichigo easily dodged him as he cackled away with happiness. "Too slow you moron!" He teased.

Hichigo quickly got bored of the same cat and mouse games and decided to just kill the hollow in one blow. He was too weak and the fight wasn't fun at all.

"GGHHAAAAAA!" The hollow yelled as he disintegrated unable to deposit himself on anyone.

Hichigo stared as the hollow died wondering what in the world had caused it to go in Ichigo's inner world. Hichigo simply shrugged it off and walked away.

**Back in Rukia's inner world**

"Ichigo!" Ichigo could hear Rukia calling him repeatedly as he finally opened his eyes.

"Rukia…" He said groggily.

"What happened? Are you ok?" She asked concerned.

"I'm fine." Ichigo said and sat up.

"I'm so sorry…"Rukia said embarrassed of her actions. She felt guilty because they had gone through all this because of her mistake.

"It's ok…Next time I'll remember to check and make sure we have plenty of your favorite snacks before I leave to work." He said playfully. He then brought her to his arms with joy. Even if he wanted to he couldn't stay mad at her if he tried.

As they continued to embrace Ichigo noticed the wind had calmed down and the snow was still falling but instead it was slow and graceful. He also noticed he was no longer shivering from the cold. 'This is beautiful…' He thought as he rubbed his wife's back. He then remembered it was time to go back but before he could say anything everything went black.

**Kurosaki Clinic**

Rukia fluttered her eyes open and Byakuya quickly darted to her side. Isshin wanted to follow but decided to give them some space.

"Nii-sama…I'm so sorry" She said softly as she looked down to her hands.

"Rukia, don't worry about minute things." He said in a serious tone but his eyes were soft and full of concern. "What's important is that you and the baby are fine."

Ichigo started squirming next. His father also darted towards him and stared closely. When Ichigo finally opened his eyes he quickly sprung up looking for Rukia. Unfortunately, Isshin was too close and their heads collided.

"What the heck old man?" Ichigo grumbled.

"It's your fault for being careless!" Isshin said rubbing his head.

Everyone sweat dropped and Byakuya rolled his eyes. The two Kurosaki men always managed to behave in such silly manners even without trying.

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