Sorry this update took so long. I wanted to slow down and really work out this part, especially from now on. I might even revamp it if I don't like it, but here it is. Rated Mature for language mostly, maybe some violence. Some situational yaoi if you think about it. Please review, or I'll take the hint and not write anymore. :(

An Angel's Embrace

In a move faster than a flash step he was beside Ichigo. Rukia could hardly believe her eyes; it seemed as though Uryuu appeared from nowhere, yet here he was carefully inspecting and assessing damage to the tattered spirit. What was this malevolent glow around him? What had happened while she shielded Ichigo inside this warehouse?

Uryuu's eyes narrowed as he shot a glance towards Rukia. "Tell Kon to get Ichigo's body back here…NOW." The tone in his voice offered no room for argument. As Rukia hurried out of the building, she noted that his foreboding voice harbored something else – a tremble of concern.

Uryuu knelt beside Ichigo and examined the bloody mess that was left of his soul. His reiraku and chain of fate were shredded – not a good sign. Breaths came in shallow ragged gasps and he knew that there wasn't much longer until the inevitable. A large part of Uryuu was content to see a soul reaper suffer…but now there was a new emotion that kept tugging at his attention.

He had grown accustom to having Ichigo around.

Don't you die on me, you damn soul reaper, he thought to himself. I'll pluck you out of Hell myself, if I have to. He ran his fingers over his cheek and through the matted orange hair, damp with sweat. His grimace was indication to Uryuu that Ichigo was determined to hold on for as long as he could.

A field…of white flowers…. The sky was so blue… with wisps of white clouds floating lazily by… A breeze drifted through, stirring his hair and bringing a fresh crisp smell of a cool summer day…

The field faded to white, but the feeling of peace remained.

What is this? What happened?

He thought he heard a voice…

It was calling his name…

"Ichigo…can you hear me?"

Yeah...but I can't see you…

"Ichigo, I'm here…"

"Open your eyes…" the voice urged.

That voice. He heard it before – it was so familiar.

"Your eyes, Ichigo. It's raining."

Traces of memory rippled through his consciousness, but were as fleeting as the water droplets falling onto his cheek; they lightly touched the surface, then slipped way as soon as he came close to remembering. It was hard to focus, his concentration eluded him…

It hurt to think.

"Do you remember, Ichigo?

He didn't want to…

Do you remember me?

It was a simple question that begged an answer. He felt compelled to respond…

Opening his eyes, he made out a faint image of a dark figure. The sky darkened with rain and lightning, making it hard to see anything. A billowing cloak surrounded the person, worn and tattered at the ends, and he could only make him out during the flashes of light.

"It always rains, Ichigo - every time you feel pain."

I don't feel anything right now…

"I wish I could ease your sorrow..." The voice faded.

"So much pain…"

Kon was not far behind. Due to the intense speed, he was barely able to detect the direction Uryuu traveled to get to Ichigo. The best he could do was to plot a course and sprint in a general direction. Kon's legs took large strides, almost seeming to fly through the air with each jump. He kept scanning the ground, looking for any sign of Rukia, Ichigo or Uryuu. He kept reaching out with his mind to feel any familiar spirit energy. There. He felt a strong presence, from the right. He couldn't quite understand what the signature was, it kept changing and fluctuating. It wasn't a hollow, so he landed and entered the building.

As he neared the door it burst open and a person collided with him. He caught his balance as well as the girl who ran into him.

"I found the right place!" he said as he looked down at Rukia. He extended his hands and found that he caught her right by the chest.

"THAT'S a lucky break!" He remarked and his smile couldn't have been wider. He could have sworn his nose started bleeding…

"You JERK!" she yelled, and slugged him in the chin. "You're out here goofing around while Ichigo's…" she trailed, unable to finish the sentence.

"Dying. I know." Kon sobered up quickly meanwhile rubbing the smarting lump on his chin. "I'm here now, so there must be something we can do."

They both sided Ichigo's spirit. Uryuu's stare was locked onto the shattered soul lying there. His eyes flickered toward the newcomers.

"It's about time." He snarled, and snapped his hand to the back of Kon's head. The pill popped out fast and into Uryuu's waiting hand. He handed the pill to Rukia and watched body and soul reunite. It wasn't a pretty sight as all of Ichigo's spiritual damage entered his physical body, blood seeping from now material wounds.

Don't you die, Ichigo. Don't even think about it.

Rukia inserted the pill inside of the lion plush as Uryuu spoke. "You two. Get out of here." His voice was malevolent and threatening. He glanced up at the startled companions and changed his tone. "I need you to leave; I can't ensure your protection. I believe I know what I need to do, but it's nowhere near safe – for any of us." They nodded in understanding and he smirked in appreciation. In a flash, the darker glare returned. "Out. Now." He commanded, and they left without a word.

Alone, Uryuu stretched out his hands and looked down at the blood red gloves. Something felt wrong. This power he harbored was tearing at his insides, causing him more pain than the ordeal with Jouten. Through the seething ache he could feel the energy trying to force its way from deep in his core. It was hot under his skin like his body was itching and burning all at the same time. Dread filled his mind – what was this feeling of hatred rising inside him? It felt as though a clamp locked his brow and there was a deep throbbing from his subconscious that was almost primal, like something was trying to get out. Enough of this, he thought. If there is one thing left that I can do, it is to help Ichigo. He will be left in my stead to help the innocent if...he let the last notion drop.

He could feel his time was short – something was going to happen, and soon.

There was a distinct chirping sound from Rukia's GPA as they cleared a safe distance from the warehouse. The cursed under her breath as she fumbled for the device, it had been shoved hurriedly into Uryuu's back pack at the request that they leave the building. Her hands trembling, she launched the hollow program. The beeping almost had a disturbed tone as it poured out information of the façade – immense power was racking up from Uryuu's physical form.

"Human bodies can't withstand this type of energy!" she exclaimed. "What on Earth is happening here?"

Kon flopped onto the ground in exhaustion. It was much harder to keep up with Rukia in this tiny form as he hopped, skipped, and jumped - every trick he could with his small body. Eventually he resorted to grabbing hold of her uniform skirt and holding on for dear life. He probably could have kept an even stride with her – but his was a better view, he thought. He turned to see her dig out the small transceiver and balk at the screen. Apparently the readout had an unfavorable report.

"What's wrong?" he asked, climbing up her side to the shoulder. What awaited him was a disclosure of massive energy buildup from the device. "Oh," was all he could muster.

From inside the building the spiritual pressure was suffocating. Energy was swirling throughout the room like a spiritual tidal wave as Uryuu focused on closing Ichigo's wounds. Somehow with this newfound strength he was able to lash out at any particular target while still keeping control of the flow of unending force within him. He knew in is gut he could help Ichigo; he set out with his mind, extending his arms in front of him while kneeling over the essence of Ichigo. Willing the might of spiritual pressure from within, he silently hoped that his plan would work.

The chaotic wind tunnel ceased abruptly. Almost instantly a white, prismatic light emanated at Uryuu's fingertips. The glow brightened and extended to the man lying below him, seemingly caressing the battered form. Manipulating the essence was extremely difficult, and beads of sweat creased his brow as he directed his efforts to the most serious of wounds first.

To any onlooker the process seemed ethereal and effortless on the part of Uryuu, but the contorted expression would have given away the intricacy of how difficult the procedure was. Relying only on instinct and will power, he exerted his spiritual presence to bond Ichigo's soul and body back together. The gashes were seamlessly joined, and it appeared as if no injury had ever occurred. It was miraculous and spellbinding; even after the task was completed and Uryuu collapsed onto the ground in unconsciousness, the scene was peaceful and calm.

Rukia noted an exponential climb in power, then started to feel the hairs on her neck rise and her skin crawl. The essence was intoxicating; she felt her soul buckle under the force and her arms become heavy and useless. Kon was not effected by the shift in power she observed as he looked worried about his friends current position. "What's wrong Rukia?" he mouthed, realizing a sudden absence in sound. He picked up the GPA and witnessed a chain reaction of spiritual energy as the world seemed to suck and bend around the building that housed Ichigo and Uryuu. Then, a crystal light exploded from the warehouse. It was not a typical eruption – the light seemed to fall toward the heavens in a meandering floating way, almost angelic in appearance and just as breathtaking.

It seemed like she was also floating, caught up in the moving sight before her. The white was so dazzling and pure, and she never in all her days on Earth or in the Soul Society seen something so amazing. It almost felt as though she crashed back to earth as the ethereal light subsided. An empty sensation filled her as the last of that light died away.

Kon was mystified as well. Even though the pressure on him wasn't that difficult to manage, the blinding light left more to be desired and left a sensation of longing in his soul. What the hell was that?

"Come on," Rukia stated as she stumbled to her feet. "We have to make sure they're alright!" Her mind raced with the possibilities – if the effect on her was that great from a distance, Ichigo and Uryuu could have been crushed at ground zero. Did they survive?