Chapter 14

A/N: THE END IS NEAR!!

Orihime entered the abandoned building of a skyscraper. The thought of a reason why such a tall building was located here was beyond her but the reasoning wasn't really important. She needed a place she will lead her newly found force. It would only be several more hours until the Shinigami would send their forces to finish this battle. To be frankly honest she honestly did not care for the vendetta the Demi carried against the Shinigami. It wasn't her business. What she really wanted to do was live long enough to kill her own enemy. Rukia. How did she want to be the one to kill that little bitch and strangle her with her bare hands... or cut her up... whichever the opportunity shines on. As she entered she was met with several darkened figures. Their entire bodies were only shadow silhouettes but they stood around her as if waiting for her to speak first.

"I'm assuming you guys are a little pissed I killed one of your own?" she asked looking around. One of the shadows merely chuckled as he said, "It's wondrous how you even bring that little shit up. No, he's been a nuisance since day one. I'm quite surprised he picked a female human to be the host for our army."

She couldn't help but laugh.

"Well, there were more reasons to it but who am I to bring them out now? Anyway, I do have one request." she said.

"And that would be?" one of them said.

"I want every single Demi you can give me. I want to be in control of ALL your forces. Both air and land. I want absolute power."

"Absolute power? You cannot be serious? How can we grant such a request to a mere human?" said one of the shadows.

"Silence. I can see where this is going and I for one think this might be a valid request." said another. All of the other shadows remained quiet until one said, "Please elaborate behind your logic."

"It's quite simple. We are the creators of the Hollow. We know their flaws and strengths and the extent of what our enemy can do against us. I think we should grant her wish. This will likely be our last fight against the Shinigami and if we are to win we must exhaust all of our resources to the fullest. If you comrades plan to win, why not grant her wish? If she losses, we can simply kill her."

"Your logic is undeniable. Young human your wish is granted." said a shadow and with that they disappeared.

"That was much easier than I thought." she said. She continued through the lobby of the building and right before she was to ride the elevator to the top floor something stopped her. She stopped shortly of the elevator and looked over to the custodial closet that stood nearby. She approached it and opened the door and to her surprise sat a black tote bag that seemed to bulge from its contents. She knelt and opened it. She withdrew a jump suit like garment except for its material. It looked as if it were impenetrable to some kind of force as in bulletproof or steel proof. She glanced over and saw an army knife close by. She took it and swished the blade upward. With a surge of strength she took a stab at the garment and to her pleasant surprise the blade broke on contact.

"This will come in handy." she said. She reached into the bag and withdrew several semi-automatic weaponry. She at first couldn't understand why she would use guns against Shinigami but it made amazing sense when the cartridge fell from the chamber exposing the glowing ammunition that was housed within it. It must've been loaded with something that immobilizes spiritual beings. Perfect. Finally she reached into the bag one last time and withdrew a long katana. She eyed it for a moment before saying, "A Zanpaktou? Oh, this is pretty." She stood and dressed herself with the new garment. The suit was completely black and had padding on vital areas such as the chest and abdomen. She slung the several guns over her shoulder and took the Zanpaktou in hand. She turned to exit and once she walked out she quickly said, "This is going to be one hell of a fight."

15 hrs 00 mins Remaining

The hospital was quiet and soothing. Rukia could hear Ichigo snoring rather loudly in her ear and it caused her to sit up. Her surroundings felt surreal and mystical. She looked over to a hanging hook where a spare blanket hung. She eyed it for a moment and then at her sleeping lover... lover huh?... that would take some time to be getting used to. She wrapped herself in the sheet. She wore the same clothes for several days and they were beginning to dirty and smell a little. She roamed the hallways until she came upon a room filled with white folded clothes. She blinked.

Ichigo stirred for a moment but when his hand met the spot where Rukia had been he awoke. He looked around and noticed she was indeed gone. He quickly pulled on his clothes and headed outward to find her. He turned a corner and there she was standing, staring at him.

"Where have you been?" he asked sarcastically. She continued to stare at him childishly as she pointed to the shirt and pants she acquired from the laundry. He looked at her and said, "You look like a nurse's assistant." She smiled but quickly frowned as her hands traveled to her stomach. She winced.

"What's wrong with you?" he asked.

"I'm not sure. I think I might be nervous. You never had stomach pains when you were nervous?" she asked him.

"Not really. Why you getting nauseous or something?"

"I said I don't know. This happened when we first got in here."

"Maybe you're just hungry. I mean we haven't eaten much in a few days." he said scratching his head. He then heard a nasty retching sound that made his own stomach churn. He looked at Rukia who now held her hand over her mouth and the other over her stomach. He watched as he saw her heave something heavy from her throat.

"Whoa!" he exclaimed. He quickly got behind her and gathered all her hair into his palm and used his other to grab hold of her. The next thing he knew he was listening to the sound of thick liquid hitting the floor and spreading a foul smelling odor into the air. Ichigo looked away and tried to hold his breath as she continued to toss whatever she had in her stomach onto the floor. She coughed.

"You done?" he asked trying not to look down despite feeling the heat of the puddle that accumulated before them. He felt her nod.

"Either you're incredibly nervous or your sick." he said, "Damn, Rukia."

"Just shut up and get me water." she said wiping the tears from her ears, "My throat is killing me." He nodded and backtracked towards a vending machine. He retrieved a bottle of water and gave it to her. Suddenly, a small beeping noise emitted from his pocket. It was the headset. He placed it next to his ear and tapped the side.

"Kurosaki?"

"Yeah, what is it?'

"Just checking your status. Almost everyone has a taken a vantage point but there seems to be a lot of activity at the center of the city. There's a possibility their fortifying the center of the city. According to the layout of it all this will be a siege like operation."

"Our language please, Ishida."

"I'm just saying get ready to fight for the city. That's all."

"That's all wonderful and great, Ishida, but I need some help here."

"What is it, Kurosaki?"

"Rukia here is a little under the weather and she is tossing her cookies left and right..."

"Exaggerator!" yelled Rukia. He ignored her and went on to say, "What should I do?"

"Another medial lesson, Kurosaki? What exactly is wrong with her?"

"I don't know she keeps saying stomach pains and that its nervousness."

"That sounds legit actually. Just watch what she eats." he said.

"That's the thing, we haven't eaten anything lately."

There was a sudden silence.

"Kurosaki, how intimate are you two?" he asked. The question took Ichigo back.

"What the hell does that have to do with anything?" he questioned.

"Never mind. Just make sure she's hydrated and she should be fine. Over and out."

Ichigo placed the headset back into his pocket and sighed. He looked at his watch and asked, "How much longer are we holed up in here for?"

Rukia looked up in thought and said, "It's been nearly 20 hours. Just four more until we are given the signal."

She took a swig of water and looked at him. Something was up. She felt strange, like something came over as she slept. She found herself subconsciously rubbing her waist. Ichigo looked at her quizzically. Her gesture seemed familiar but he couldn't pinpoint what it was. He shrugged.

"You know, one of us might die in a few hours." said Rukia as she leaned her head back.

"Don't remind me. Just accept what we have to do. If we die then we die." he said in a sigh.

"What would you do if I died?" she asked.

"What?"

"What would you do if I died?" she repeated.

"I don't really know.."

"Fair enough."

"What's with this sudden questions?"

"I just thought we talk for a little. I feel like talking." she said.

"I guess."

"You know, if you were to die I would be devastated." she said. He looked at her and felt his heart slightly soften.

"Then why talk about it?" he asked. She shrugged and said, "I don't always talk about what's on my mind and I figured I talk with you. I feel at ease when I talk about what I'm thinking."

"I guess so." he said.

"If we do survive, what are we going to do afterward?"

"I guess go on with life. Nothing much really don't you think?"

"I suppose but... eh... you know... us?" she said being hesitant.

"What do you mean about us?"

"Um, do you think we will... stay together?" she asked. Ichigo took a seat next to her and placed his hand on her lap and said, "Sure, why wouldn't we?" She smiled. She felt safe.

"I would kiss you but your breath smells like you ate the ass of a dead animal." he said standing. She stared at him for a moment and then planted her fist between his eyes.