I'm so sorry, again, that this took so long to update. I'm really sick and my medicine is knocking me out. I'll try my hardest to keep updating quickly, especially now since it's getting good.
Disclaimer: Usual. blah blah blah.
Hollows Haunt Us
Chapter 9
Ichigo walked down the street a ways, looking for the most likely spot that Rukia would've gone. It wasn't long before his walk lead him to a public restroom, where he figured she would go to change. He looked around, suddenly feeling stupid.
"Even if she were here, I can't go in the girl's restroom to check." He shoved his hands in his pocket and leaned against a trashcan. "Maybe I'll wait here for a little bit and see if she comes out…"
Something drew his eyes into the trash itself. He caught a glimpse of red cloth. Looking around to see if anyone was around, he dug in and grabbed Rukia's school uniform out. Seeing the blood, he was sure it was hers. "She's been here."
Just as he threw the garment into the trash, he heard a hollow shriek. "Shit…I have to become…"
"…A shinigami, Kurosaki-kun?" Ichigo turned around to see the sandal and hat guy, Urahara, standing with his cane. "Kuchiki-san needs you."
With those few words, Urahara tapped Ichigo on his forehead with the bottom of his cane, knocking out the shinigami form of Ichigo's.
"How do you know when to arrive?" Ichigo said, as he drug his body into the men's restroom. At least people would just think he was in a stall, not outside dead on the lawn.
When he got back out, Urahara was nowhere to be found.
"Perfect." Ichigo said sarcastically. "Shows up when he wants and disappears when he wants."
He jumped onto the nearest tree branch and headed in the direction he had heard the shriek.
The possessed Rukia sat crouched on top of a telephone pole, looking down on the devastation below her. Three bloodied bodies of passerbys lay on the ground in odd positions. An evil smile appeared on her lips.
"Little substitute shinigami is on his way." She giggled manically. "Time to play this one out…"
She jumped off the pole, brushed off her skirt, and smoothed down her hair. Hearing a sound, she looked over her shoulder.
She was surprised when it wasn't Ichigo she saw. Instead, Ishida, with his bow drawn, walked out of the bushes slowly. From what she could see, he had no more common sense left in his body.
"I'll kill you…" He whispered slowly. His voice shook only a small amount, but it was enough to get his point across. "I'll kill you for hurting Inoue…"
The possessed Rukia, sensing Ichigo not that far away, decided to play a little. She put on her best "weak girl" impression and threw up her hands. "No, Ishida…It wasn't me…!"
"Liar." He said simply, pulling the bowstring back even tighter. She forced tears to come to her eyes.
"I was possessed, honest!"
"I don't want to hear any more of your excuses." Ishida said, the bow quivering in his hands. "Say your goodbyes."
He pulled the string one last hard time before letting go. Like lightening, the arrow left the bow, heading towards Rukia with unbelievable speeds. Before she had time to react, a flash of steel appeared between her and the arrow, knocking it off it's path into the sky harmlessly. A flash of orange hair confirmed her beliefs.
"Goodbye? Why should she say that?" Ichigo said, anger dripping off his voice. His eyes were as steely as his sword. "Put your bow away, Ishida. You will never hurt Rukia, just like I will never hurt Inoue."
"Yes, but you would attack me if Inoue had attacked Rukia, placing her near death." Ishida contorted. A knowing look passed between them.
This wasn't just a fight for themselves, it was a fight protecting something more.
Ug...being sick totally throws me off. I'll be sure to thank everyone for reviewing next chapter. Until then, thank you all for your updates. Sometimes they're my only medicine...
