Chapter 37: Mission over, Inoue missing!

That bastard! I never thought his release form would be like that.

Damnit, I was so careless.

This is like you, master. Or it is your mind was busy thinking about another matter?

"Zip it…" I growled out loud quickly hitting the ground. But the good news was he wasn't coming after me. Or did he think I was out for the count? "Whatever happened to following through?" No, I shouldn't question something like this. This give me time to be ready to counter-attack him. Yes. I held Hyourinmaru up pointed toward the sky, "As long as there is water around…I cannot be stopped."

Yes, that's right master.

I will teach him it was a huge error leaving me alone this long and giving me time to recover.

The ice on my back quickly started to reappear, "That Espada is a Baka. This little cannot do me, in." I slowly stood back up staring into the sky.

I must teach him, how to follow through I guess…

"Hyourinmaru…ready?" I asked.

But of course. Remember who's Zanpakutou you are talking too!

I couldn't help but grin; because he was right.

"Then, let's go…" I told him shooting up into the sky. Matsumoto and the others must likely are in danger. I must make haste.

I hate men who talk too much more than anything. They are annoying…I can't stand men like that. Not at all…

Captain, please be alright…

I was doing my best to ignore the annoying Espada before me but he just kept on talking. He must truly love the sound of his voice. "Let's just finish what we started here, Onee-san and the guys! Although, it's really something. That guy with the hat came all the way out here to help you, just to be captured immediately, well that's the breaks! It's eight on three and you've got no place to run."

This was far too annoying now…I couldn't take it anymore.

"Hey you. I've had you pegged the moment I saw you. You like to talk don't you?"

"So what?"

"I hate men that talk too much…you just love the sound of your own voice. How pathetic."

"…Hey, Onee-san. You forgot that I still have you in my hands. I have complete control over your life." The Espada yelled toward me as I felt his reiatsu.

Captain…is still alive. Thank goodness…

"If you piss me off…I will skewer you on the spot…!" He yelled trying to move one of his arms but it wouldn't move. He quickly looked behind him finding half of his arms frozen. "What…is this? What the hell happened?" He asked, "Don't you know the meaning of following through? With regard to after inflicting an attack on your opponent…You are too careless." I told him. He stared at me not believing his eyes, "You…were still alive?!"

"Hyourinmaru, Is the most powerful of all Ice and snow types. As long as there is water, it can be revived an infinite amount of times…"

"Shit!" He yelled turning toward me, "Don't bother, it is impossible for you to win. I had extensive time to prepare you took too long to realize it. If your weapon is eight arms then my weapon is all the water in the atmosphere." I held my zanpakutou up as spears of ice quickly started to surround him. "…What?"

"Sennen Hyourou." I said as the ice quickly surrounded him and his arms fell apart, "Sorry…looks like eight wasn't enough."

The mission ended as quickly as I thought it would. She gave in of course to save her friends. But…that wasn't the problem. The problem of course was Grimmjow. But one without self control; I guess it cannot be help.

I quickly appeared beside him stopping his blade, "Ulquiorra!" He yelled. "The missions is complete. We're going back." I told him as light surrounded the two of us. "Negation!"

A light quickly covered the three other arrancars around Hitsugaya and others as well, "Tch…so the mission's complete…" Urahara quickly looked around he knew it then. He couldn't feel her reiatsu. Damnit, this was then?! No, this was all planned out to get Inoue Orihime!

"Too bad. Captain-san, you weren't able…" The 6th Espada started to say as the ice shatter around him, "To finish me off. Don't forget ok…? My face the next time we meet, I will definitely, shave off and destroy the small little head of yours!" They quickly disappeared before us. But I had no idea that the true meaning of that battle then.

But then also…

"No!" Hime screamed as her reiatsu when wild. "Hime-sama! Please try to claim down!" Istar cried as she was throwing away by the pressure. "Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!!!"

You can't do a thing any longer…you can't protect her anymore!

"No!" Hime screamed as the power quickly when out.

"What is this? A black out?!"

"Get the power back online!"

"I'm trying sir! But…the backup is out as well!"

What's wrong? You sure are acting crazy now. Stop being so selfish, thinking of only what you want. What a horrible Hime, you truly are.

"No…!" Hime screamed as she disappeared from the room, "Hime-sama!"

You cannot save her any longer. Hehe…give in…give up! Give in to the despair.

"I-Inoue…" Hime cried falling beside the world tree.

That's right…It's alright this way. Isn't it? Everyone will fail you but…I will not fail you. You can only trust me and no other…

"…You?" She asked as the seal started to glow again.

Yes. That's right…

Yes, everything is falling into place. Baka…hehe she will never see it coming.

Urahara Kisuka let us rest at his store so to speak. But none of it really sounded like resting with all the yelling. "Ow! I'm telling you, its fine! Let go of me!" Madarame yelled, "No! I cannot allow that!"

"Shut up! It's fine! It wasn't a serious injury form the beginni…." Madarame started to say as Ururu snapped his head in a head lock, "Geh!"

"Excellent job Ururu! Let us being him down from here!"

"Ikkaku! Shit, let go of Ikkaku!!!"

"The injured must always remain still Mr. Ayasegawa!"

I sighed watching them, "Geez…they are always so noisy, no matter where we go…" I slowly looked toward Urahara who was staring off into space.

He been like that…sense the battle ended; and the arrancars left. As if something was on his mind. Urahara Kisuke, huh? I heard rumors about him. That he used to be Captain of the 12th division. But he really does seem like a mysterious guy…did Hime know him well? He hasn't' spoken much. What am I thinking? She would have too…if he had been a Captain at one time.

But, even with his help in the last battle. We're very lucky to get away with so little damage specially after the number of Espada before us…She was right along to worry so much. Our Expectations were too low. She knew that didn't she? Yes, she had too. But they are moving faster than we thought! As things stand now…they could be ready even before this winter. We must hurry in our arrangements for battle. But….how much time do we have left to get ready for this war? They are too far ahead of us!

"Matsumoto! Have you gotten in contact with soul society yet?" I quickly asked, "Umm…well about that…" I could hear it from where I stood. "You can't reach them still?"

"I'm sorry, sir."

What is going on? We can't reach them? Why? This isn't a good time for this to happen.

"Keep trying."

Yes!"

Hime…I hope nothing has happened there. But having no way to contact worries me. It can't be…they just lost power right?

Captain was so worried to start with; and having problems contracting soul society wasn't helping the matter. Please, be alright Hime-chan!

***

This isn't good…they when after Inoue Orihime this quickly. What a mistake…we made taking her out of the frontlines. We should have never done that to start with.

But now…it was too late.

"Kisuke!" Yoruichi yelled standing before me, "Did you find her?" She quickly shook her head. "No, I did not. It appears…we are too late. Just as you thought." She told me. "I see…" The reason we couldn't contact soul society was because of this. Hime-sama felt it as well when it happened. She caused a black out in the soul society. "What should we do?"

"We wait for now. We can't make any moves right now. We can't contact the soul society…when they are without power."

"… Little Hime-chan was the cause of their power out wasn't she?" Yoruichi ask, "Most likely. She is unfit to give orders right now because of Inoue." I told her, "So it was true, Inoue Orihime is her?"

"Yes…and she has fallen into Aizen's hands."

"He always a step ahead of use. Even Little Hime-sama is having trouble keeping up."

Aizen now has god's power in his hands. This is what I feared…but I'm sure Hime did as well. For him to have a tool as t his…is no good at all. But we couldn't stop this from happening. How can he always be one step ahead of us?

How?

It was taking far too long to contact to the soul society. Did they really lose power? Or maybe even having a black out?

"Sir! I got it! It's ringing!" Matsumoto cried as I took the spirit cell from her as I heard a click, "Hello? This is Captain Hitsugaya of the…" I started to say. "Captain Hitsugaya! Thank goodness! We finally got through to you!" Captain Ukitake voice cried from the other side. "Captain Ukitake? What happened? We couldn't get through for so long!"

"Well…that's right now we only got the 1st division's power back online. We are in a middle of a black out right now."

"A black out? But what about the backup power?"

"…The backup power was destroyed."

"What? By what? What could have…?"

"Hime-sama's Reiatsu when wild around two hours ago. Giving us a black out…"

Hime did that? Why…? She would never do that unless…

"…What happened? What cause her to act this way? You know something don't you?"

"Well, about that it's…" Captain Ukitake started to say, "Captain Ukitake, have Captain Hitsugaya and team go to Inoue's apartment we will explain things there." Captain Commander Voice said, "Yes sir. You heard commander right, Captain Hitsugaya?"

"Yes."

"Things will be explained there."

"Understood." I said quickly closing Matsumoto spirit cell and handing it back to her, "Captain?" She asked. "We are heading back to Inoue's apartment now." I yelled as all looked toward me, "Yes!"

What happened? She wouldn't just let her reiatsu out as she did without a reason. Hime…what happened?

My fears grew by every minute that when by. I found Kuchiki Rukia standing outside Inoue's apartment when we got there, "Captain Hitsugaya!" She cried. "What is it?" I quickly ask her. "Inoue! Have you seen Inoue?"

What…?

"No, I haven't didn't she return from the soul society with you?"

"She was coming right after me. But…I can't find her anywhere!"

"…!"

No, that can't be. Was Inoue taken away by Aizen?! Shit…no she has to be alright! If…If she isn't then…! Hime…I shook my head at these thoughts. Please, don't let it be true please…

"I'm sure, she is fine. We are going to contract the soul society shortly. Wait, inside Inoue Orihime's apartment." I told Kuchiki unlocking Inoue's front door. "But…what about Ichigo?" She asks, "…I'll go get him."

"But, I could do that. Really…sir there is no need for you too…"

"I will go get, Kurosaki. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Captain Hitsugaya."

"Wait inside Inoue's apartment with Matsumoto and the others." I quickly told her before taking off. "Yes sir…"

Damnit…where is she? Where did you go Inoue? Please, be safe! Please reappear before us…or! She will break!

***

"That's it…that's it. Give into me. Beileve me and only me, Hime-sama…" A voice told her as green eyes started to glow. "Only you…only you." She whispered as a barrier started to surround the world tree, "Yes, that's right." Soon an lmage of a woman with long black hair appeared before her with glowing green eyes.

She has lost the will to fight me now. I guess…I am lucky for Aizen's help. He has pushed my plans ahead as well…with hurting her. But that is alright. I do not care what be falls her; her heart can be destroyed for all I care. Because her feelings matter not to me. It would be better if all the nonsense she feels would just disappear.

Yes, they are uneeded.

I will not let that Young Captain…destroy my chance again! Her body should be mine to start with! This is my last chance or she will have full control when the seal breaks!

No one noticed the demise of my dream…

"This reiatsu is…" Kurosaki started to say as I opened his window. "Inoue Orihime most likely." I spoke up as he started toward me. "Come with me, Kurosaki. It's an emergency." Kurosaki quickly became his shinigami form and followed after me. "What kind of emergency what's going on?"

"…Questions will be answered at Inoue's apartment just follow and do as your told."

"You don't have to say it that way!"

Soon the two of us entered Inoue's apartment and all eyes snapped toward us, "…Rukia?" Kurosaki asked. "…Ichigo." She slowly shook her head. "Where's Inoue?" He quickly asked as kuchiki sigh. "How is it? Have we gotten connected back?"

"Yes, it appears so. Power has returned."

"Connect me."

Captain Ukitake quickly appeared on the screen ahead of us. But why wasn't Captain Commander there? Or Hime for that matter? "Ukitake? Where's the general commander? Or Hime for that matter?" I asked. "Hime-sama right now is unfit to give orders." He told us. "Unfit? What do you mean? Did something happen?"

"Yes, it also the reason why her reiatsu when wild giving us a black out and so I was asked to take Captain Commander Place for that reason." He explained. "For what reason?"

Fearful for an eternal farewell, I cried often…

"Because I was the last one to confirm identity of…Inoue Orihime passing through the senkaimon and going back over to the living world."

W…what?! I stared at Ukitake not wishing to believe his words. Inoue Orihime really was missing! No…no, this can't be happening. If she's really missing then Hime is…

"From that reaction I see that she hasn't arrived there after all…"

Damnit…how could I let this happen? Why was I so careless?

"…What do you mean by that, Ukitake-san? Inoue…what happened to Inoue? Haven't you found something out over there…?!" Kurosaki quickly asked. "…I will state my opinions. Her two escorts have returned alive. According to their stories…Inoue Orihime has gone to the Arrancar side…either abducted or…it is thought that she is already dead."

"…Dead?"

When did this happen? When did they target her?

"Captain Ukitake!" Kuchiki yelled, "I know, I don't want to say such things either. I'm talking about possibilities here! From the information we have she has been attacked by the arrancars then, disappeared along with them…"

I wasn't even afraid of losing it…

"God damnit! You don't even have proof and you say she's dead?!" Kurosaki yelled out.

I should have told him to keep his mouth closed before we got there but I never thought he would do something so stupid.

"That's bullshit! Look at this!" Kurosaki yelled holding up his hand. "My wrist was heavily wounded from yesterday battle! A wound that no one here could heal! And just like that it was gone when I woke up this morning! I can feel Inoue's reiatsu! Can you still say that Inoue's dead…?"

Why couldn't he just keep his mouth closed?

"…I see. That is a pity." Captain Commander spoke up from behind Captain Ukitake. "Commander…General?" Kuchiki asked. "…A pity? What do you mean…!?"

"Certainly if your story is true then Inoue Orihime would still be alive. However at the same time means that we have been betrayed, if she were abducted she would never had the chance to see you before she left. In other words, if she has disappeared after healing your wounds. Inoue Orihime has by her own will…joined the Arrancars."

Don't say a word…or things will turn out I thought looking toward Kurosaki.

"Bullsh…!" Kurosaki started to say as Abarai quickly stopped him, "Renji!"

"Stop anymore talk will make things worse for her. We understand, General Yamamoto. From here on, as part of Captain Hitsugaya's Primary expeditionary force, I Abarai Renji 6th squad Vice Captain…will head for Hueco Mundo in order to bring the traitor Inoue Orihime…back to her, sense…!" Abarai quickly said, "Renji…" Kurosaki said as Abarai grinned. "No! Now that the completion of the arrancar's battle preparations have been proven. All members of Captian Hitsugaya's primary expedition force are commanded to return immediately to be stationed for soul society guardianship."

That's was why Hime wasn't giving us orders. She wouldn't make herself do so…because Inoue would be abandon.

"That means to…Abandon Inoue?" Kuchiki asked, "Indeed. There is no need to put a single life and the whole of the world on a scale."

Because I believed that the future was something you found for yourself…

"Excuse me; general…we are unable to follow those orders." Kuchiki quickly said, "As I expected. I am glad that I planned ahead." Captain commander said as the door opened behind us. Captain Kuchiki and Captain Zaraki stood there, "Captain!"

"That's the story get going now."

"Don't refuse we have been directed to use force if needed."

"…Okay." Kurosaki spoke up, "I won't ask for soul society to lend a hand but at least tell me how to get into Hueco Mundo. Inoue is my friend. I'll go and save her by myself." He was still willing to go this far for her? Is this why…Hime wished for him to be left alone? Why was he willing to do so much for her? Could he be…?

"Ichigo…"

"No."

"What…did you say?"

"Your powers are necessary for this battle. I won't allow for selfish actions or a meaningless death. Stand by until you are given an order." Captain Commander told him as the screen when blank. "Captain?" Matsumoto asked me. "We are heading back, let's go." There isn't anything that could be said to him. More than anything he should just forget about Inoue. That would be the best thing for him.

"Yes, sir."

We couldn't save her. She couldn't be saved no matter what. She was in Aizen's hands now.

Gazing at the starry sky I asked what Strength was…

Matsumoto didn't like this anymore then I did. I felt so powerless. Why couldn't I even protect one person before me? Not even one person…I can protect. Why am I this powerless?

Stretching out my trembling hand, I am here…

Before long we returned to the soul society, "We had been told only to bring you back, nothing more." Captain Kuchiki said quickly leaving us and Captain Zaraki quickly did the same, "Tch…I had to get up for this?!" It was seen only as nonsense to both of them nothing more. But…they didn't understand this at all.

No, not one bit.

"Captain…what will happen to Orihime-chan?"

"I don't know, Matsumoto." I plainly told her. Truly I didn't want to talk about this, subject right now. We couldn't do anything as of now. "But…it's not true right? We aren't really going to abandon her right?"

"…Matsumoto, don't ask that."

"…then, we really are…?"

Without stopping, I will walk on…

"Matsumoto, head back to the office. I need to check something then I will head back." I quickly told her starting my way down the 1st division hallway. "But, we can't do that! We can't just abandon her!" She yelled from behind me. She was right. But an order is an order unless Hime changes it. There is nothing we can do. We can't go against orders from Captain Commander.

If, we did go against orders losing rank would be the smallest of our worries; because if you go against orders…you could be sentenced to death.

The road before me is endless…

As a shinigami…you do as orders tell you and you mustn't think for yourself. Also you must not let your emotions question your judgment. But lately…my judgment hasn't been there at all; because I have been worried nonstop over Hime. I can't think clearly because of this. That's why…I need to see her! That what I told myself as I opened the door to her office to find the room destroyed.

"What?" I ask out loud looking around.

I can't tell anyone my true feelings…

Soon I saw Istar lying on the floor, "Istar?" She was bleeding I quickly ran over to her, "What happened here?" I quickly asked her. "You really don't listen do you, Captain Hitsugaya?" She quickly said. "What happened?" I asked again. "…Hime-sama, Reiatsu when wild and did the damage as you see it…and then she disappeared."

She did this much because Inoue? Shit…I had no idea things would turn out this bad.

"You should head to the 4th division for healing and I'll search for Hime."

"You? I have no reason to follow your orders! Did you forget? I'm squad 0! I don't have to listen to you brat!"

"…I didn't forget. But aren't you still needed alive for Hime?"

"Tch…I am only doing this for Hime! No other reason! And you should stay away from Hime-sama!"

"I will not. Just as you said…you didn't have to follow my orders. I don't have to follow yours as well."

I didn't even have sympathy for my own fate…

"I hate you…" She quickly told me as I headed out of the office door, "I don't care." I told her quickly making my way down the hall way. "Why did you pick someone as him, Hime-sama? Why did you pick someone so cold just like Ice?" His eyes piece her. Just his eyes could do that much. How could this happen? She should have stopped this before it got this far.

But now it was too late…

"How could you fall for someone as him?"

I want to forget about everything and fall asleep…

"Damnit…" The dark hair woman cussed. "It appears I am running out of time. That little Captain has returned; I must hurry before he finds her…" She whispered staring down at Hime-sama. "M-Must trust…" She was still fighting back, how? Her will should be too weak to still fight me. Damnit! Just give in! Just give up! I'm sick of playing this game with you!

"I can't believe this. This stupid Hime…you can't be this strong! No one would be friend you! No one!!!"

"R-Rangiku…M-Momo…"

Damnit…those two female shinigami did be friend her and quickly. DO I have to go as far as erase memories with them?

The days I spent with you shined…

"Fucking bitch! That should be my body! Why will you not just disappear?!" She screamed, "…Because, she has something importation to protect." I spoke up, "What?" I watched as green eyes turned toward me, "You!" I knew the green eyes staring toward me now. Yes I knew them far too well. "Tch…Damnit you sure found her quickly." I was sure of it. I knew that ghost image of a person standing before me, "You're the one who took over, Hime's body before!"

"Indeed, it is me. What of it?"

I close my eyes having faith that we will meet again…

"What?"

"How come you always appear before me…when I am about to take back what is truly mine?" She asked, "…Take back? You aren't talking about…?" I started to ask. "Taking her body over! It should be mine to begin with! But this bitch keeps clinging on! It sicks me! It would be better if she just passed away!" I knew it then; everything she said before had been a lie. "You…aren't part of Hime at all are you?" I slowly asked her, "Of course I'm not! How stupid! How could I be a half or part of someone as selfish as her?!" She screamed at me stepping out of the barrier, "Who or what are you then? Are you a hollow?"

"Hollow? Something that weak? Don't make me laugh!"

"Arrancar…?"

"Do you see a hole on me?"

What is she…? If not arrancar what the hell is she?

"I have no name. I am the one who was sealed within Hime-sama to take on a mission to kill a man that shouldn't be alive." She told me as a blade appeared in her right hand, "A man?" Who was she talking about? "You know him as Aizen Sousuke. The man who has jumped from the past into this future destroying the past he came from!"

Aizen's not from this time…?

If I'm able to be reborn someday in the future…

How could…he do that?

"You have been holding me back on my mission! I will not forgive that!" She screamed coming at me with a blade; quickly I took Hyourinmaru off my back blocking her blade, "W…what are you doing?!" I yelled to her. "I should have done this last time! You have been in the way all along! I will kill you with the blade of the heaves and retake my body!" I then noticed it. The blade she held in her hands, "Zephyr?!"

With a smile as big as I can make…

I'll be by your side…

No…I must be seeing things! That couldn't be Zephyr!

Master, that is Zephyr.

What? Truly?

Yes, it is…but I can't understand what he is saying…

"I thought you may know this blade, little Captain."

Hyouinmaru, what she is?

I don't know…but she isn't a soul or hollow.

That is my prayer…

Not a soul or a hollow? But…what could she be then…?

She raced toward me in angrier. I didn't really know it I should fight back because she is from within Hime. If I strike her…would Hime be hurt as well…? I didn't want to take that chance! I can't hurt her in any way or form! I just can't no matter what!

"What's wrong? Not going to fight back Ice prince? You will die at this rate!"

I'm here…

"Like hell I will!"

Master, you must strike back or…

I will not point my blade at her! She from within Hime!

But, Master…

No!

I asked the starry sky what Strength was…

Before long she courted me against a tree, "Shit." I cussed under my breath. "Idiot. You just couldn't take my warning could you? You could have just given up on the cursed path you started to walk." She told me. "No, I couldn't."

"What?"

"My heart wouldn't let me. Because…I love Hime that much!"

Stretching out my trembling hand, I am here…

"Your emotions are the reason you will die. But you don't care do you?"

"No, I don't. I regret nothing because she took my loneliness away from me as well!"

Hime…you mustn't let her take over. You must keep fighting no matter what! please!

"Idiot. I thought you were smart little Captain."

"I am…because you will not take over her body! She will not let you!" I yelled as she held her blade against my neck, "Don't make me laugh! It's over…I have won!" She was so sure of it. But…I know Hime wouldn't just give up. "Tou…" I noticed right away; how her body shook as Hime tried to speak. "No, she can't still be…!" She screamed looking back toward her.

"Tou…"

"Shut up!"

"Tous…"

"Disappear!"

Without stopping, I will walk on…

"Toushirou…"

"Why?! Why will you not disappear?!" She screamed as she started to disappear into smoke slowly, "Because…she has to keep moving forward to protect ones around her…" I told her.

The road before me is endless…

"No!" She screamed until nothing was left of her.

Why did she have Zephyr?

I don't know, Master. Zephyr disappeared on that day…but that clearly was him…

You said you couldn't understand him…

Yes. I heard him but couldn't make out what he was saying.

Why did she have Zephyr? It doesn't add up, what is the meaning of all this?

You continue to walk along your chosen path, without faltering…

"Tou…" I quickly looked toward her as she started to fall forward, "Hime!" I ran to her then she quickly fainted into my arms, "Hey!"

"Ino...ue…"

This day much has been too much for her. First Inoue and then, that person tried to take over her body. I can't even protect her from things that hurt her. How can I hope to protect her from Aizen in the future?