Chapter 5

A/N: This is a forewarning- this chapter and the next few chapters will contain extremely dark themes such as rape, drug use, subtle mentions of torture, and other such subjects. If you are not of an appropriate age to read such topics or are not mature enough to handle them, are easily offended by such things, or are sensitive, please do not continue reading this fic. I sincerely thank you for reading this fic as far as it has been. As of now, the rating of this fic will be moved to the M rating. Again I thank all of you full-heartedly for reading my fic.

Disclaimer: I hold no ownership to the characters, just the plot and my own input characters. Please do not steal them. They are precious!!

A/N: So that there is no confusion, I will be switching POV's from time to time. I will alert everyone to this when this transition happens. Please enjoy!! ^^

Special thanks to Kitsu-chan (you know who you are!!) for keeping me inspired. Now on with the fic!!

I vaguely heard water in the distance and I felt the coolness seep into my body.

'Never fall…'

The whispered voice echoed, resounding off hollow walls. I struggled to get up, but my body refused to respond, the coldness locking me in place.

'You must withstand…'

The same voice came back, the tone seeming to slither across my body. A pulsing warmth came to life on my right side and flared all around me, seemingly caressing my frozen limbs. A weak sigh came from parched lips and a feeling deep within me spread.

'Withstand the Darkness of your Soul…'

Footsteps echoed softly from somewhere, seeming to come from everywhere, not having an originating point. A whimper worked itself out of me, a flaring pain shooting through my veins and into my entire being. Tears escaped my tightly closed eyelids, trailing down flushed cheeks and melding in with the coolness that surrounded me, fighting the warmth as both forces dragged me in the middle.

Fighting the darkness and numbness that held me captive, I finally opened my eyes, letting my self adjust to the dim lighting that caused blue and green spots to form and fade in front of me. The room I was in held bare walls and empty space. Blinking slowly, I twist my head to survey the rest of the room. It was the same. Only bare necessities were put in the room. A desk to the left of me, in the far corner, with a small bedside lamp and palm-size candles were the only source of light. Trembling, I lift my self up, my joints locking in place and cracking. Grimacing and muscles twitching, I make my way to the door on my right…only to find that it is locked. Fear and panic immediately seize me and a helpless cry bursts from my lips. Furiously banging my fist against the wooden door, I scream, hoping against all odds that someone will hear me and come to my aid. After sometime, I stop, turning around and putting my back against the door, sliding down it. Sobs rack my body and tears trail endlessly from my eyes. Pulling my knees to my chest, I wrap my arms around them and let my head fall into the crooks of my arms. A soft sound makes me snap my head up, causing me to pop my neck. I cringe at the brief flare of pain and look around. Sight locking on a figure on the floor, my blood stops cold, my breathing goes erratic and a scream lodges itself in my throat. Tears gush faster, my head shaking from side to side, denial of what I am seeing blaring through me.

There I am…

On the floor…

My wrists bound with tight, coarse rope, causing my skin to break and blood to trickle. My previous clothing has been removed from me, replaced by a simple blue dress that ends mid-thigh. My face is turned away from me, but I do not want to see it…if the state of the rest of my body is any clue as to what it could look like.

Blue, purple, and green bruises cover my tan skin. Small cuts and welts stand out against my thighs and my arms have finger shaped bruises on them as well. My hair is matted, lying listlessly and limply around me. The dress is torn and ripped in various places, barely able to cover me whole, lest of all my private places. Deep, angry scratches in different varieties blister along my exposed sides and blood smears patches of my skin a deep crimson coloring.

Tears come back to my eyes as I take this sight of me in. A pounding sensation throbs in my skull, building up until my hands clutch at my scalp without my consent, nails digging in. Biting my lower lip hard enough for the skin to break and blood to ooze forth. A scream of disbelief and shame crawls up my throat, tearing at my insides.

Movement from the Me on the floor causes me to look up and brown meets a lighter shade of the same color. My eyes take in the image of my face. Dark bruises and swelling skin cause me to sob, and puffy eyes make my heart shudder painfully. Spilt lips dabbled in old blood whisper something to me. My vision is blurred by the stinging tears that are building up steadily. Shaking violently, I meekly make my way to the used Me. Once I am sitting beside her, I lean forward, close to her lips. Faint and whispery…fading and dead.

The abused Me's body suddenly goes in convulsions, blood starting to flow over her lips. Crying out, I grasp on to her, trying to keep her still…to keep her from dying…from leaving me alone.

After what seems like eternity, she stops. I cautiously move back to see her. Her chest is barely moving, but what little movement there is affirms that she is alive…barely.

Placing both my hands on either side of her face, I shift her head to face me. Sobs try to come out, but I force them down, along with the vomit that is fighting to be released from the sight. Pushing her mangled hair from her face, I stare into dull eyes. Building my self up, I ask the question that burns me alive.

"Why?"

She blinks slowly, a sardonic smile weakly forming on her bleeding lips, newly stained with fresh blood. Opening her mouth, more blood dribbling from the corners, she replies faintly.

"Because He wants this…and what He wants…He shall take…no matter what." After this she swiftly moves her head to the side, blood gushing out of her mouth. When her fit is over, she turns back to look at me. Weakly she moves her arms, a raspy cry escaping her mouth from the pain racking her body. Eyes widening, I deftly untie the rope, cradling her arms with tender care, shuddering from the multiple needle holes adorning the inside of her arms and crease of her elbows. Shifting us, I move to the closest wall, settling her between my legs, her upper body lying on my thighs. Cradling her head to my chest, I rock us back and forth, pleading with her not to leave me here, to hold on just a little while longer for help to get here. She only chuckles, reaching up to cup my left cheek. Smiling a blood-stained smile, she sighs, tucking loose tendrils of hair behind my ear. Grasping my shoulder with her other hand, she weakly lifts her self up, brushing her lips against my ear.

"You must not let Him get you…You have to keep running. If you stop, He'll catch you…and everything you ever loved or knew will be dead. Run….keep running…leave from here…and do not…look…back." Her soft voice rushes over my ear, leaving me shuddering from the truth and the fear. Her words resound in my head, replaying over and over again, never stopping.

With one last sigh, she slumped against me, her face buried in the crook of my neck and shoulder. Her heartbeat stuttered and slowly faded. My hands clutched at the torn material on her back, feeling whip marks imbedded in her skin. Faint sobs poured from my lips increasing until they were full throat-tearing screams. I cradled her body closer to me, screaming into her hair.

When I could no longer make a sound, my throat torn and my eyes dry from crying, I shifted her body; putting her in the same place I had seen her. When I had situated her body, I became aware of footsteps echoing from behind the door. Hollow, I stumble to the farthest wall, seeking out the darkest corner and sit down, numbly watching the door.

The door opened to reveal at least six figures, their outlines shifting and blurring by the flickering candle light. The figures all came into the room, the last closing the door immediately. Once everyone was inside, they circled around my body. Snickering and low murmurs filled the room. None of them moved until one figure, the one farthest to my right, stepped forward. Each figure was donned with a dark cloak and the one who moved shed his off. Rippling muscle under gleaming skin was revealed and snug black jeans fit neatly upon trim hips. Dark wavy hair floated over slim, strong shoulders and deep sensual eyes stared blazing at my practically nude form. Thin lips moved.

"This time…" cruel smirk "I get to take her." And with that statement, the man got to his knees, pushing limp legs apart to fit in between. Slim hands gripped thin material and tugged, tearing the rest from her chest. Hands roughly palmed full breast as his mouth worked hungrily at an exposed neck. A faint sound came from dry lips and my dull eyes slightly widened as I watched Me try weakly to fight him off. Faint pleas of resistance were heard and the other figures laughed as the man leaned up and swiftly back-handed her cheek. Her face now turned to my position, our eyes lock, tears reflecting off our faces as he spreads her legs wider, ordering two of the nearest figures to hold onto her ankles. Leaning back on his knees, the man unzips his pants, rigid cock revealed and already glistening with pre-cum.

Shifting forward, the head pressed against dry entrance, he thrust forward swiftly. Gritting his teeth, jaw clenching, he begins to pump in and out. My eyes unwillingly drift to the apex of her thighs, were their lower bodies meet. His manhood slides in and out deftly, despite no beforehand preparation. Cries come from my mouth as I see why.

Blood begins to pool from her entrance.

My eyes lock back to hers. The grunts from the man's throat fade as do the laughter and jibs of the rest of the figures. It's just her and I. My lips tremble and my mouth opens…but nothing comes out.

She only smiles softly, slowly shaking her head. She limply lifts a hand and presses a finger to her lips, a soft breath of air passing from her lips.

"Sleep little one…sleep and live." She coos to me, reaching out to me.

My tears run in steady streams as my eyes start to close, the image of her death-lulled eyes burning into my brain. Darkness filled my vision and the rushing of my pulsing blood beat a rhythm of odd comfort through my soul, dragging me deeper into the encasing abyss beneath me. My hand reaches toward her weakly, then limply falls into my lap, my head falling to the side, eyes sealing shut, and a wail of crashing grief surging forth, echoing into the darkness of my Hell.

Eyes snapping open, I gasp in cool fresh air, letting a shiver run down my spine and my body. Whimpers spilling forth, I curl into my self, trying to get away from the nightmare that shook my spirit.

A low-keening sound vibrates in my ear and a rough wet, yet warm tongue glides across my exposed cheek. Jolting up, I come face to face with a massive head, blazing ice blue eyes holding me captive. Massive canines reveal themselves and a snarl resounds in my head, shaking me to my very core. The world begins to spin and my chest feels as if an extremely heavy weight has been placed on it. My breathing becomes more labored, sweat breaking out across my skin, and everything hurts.

The beast before me whines again, moving so that it curls its warmth around me, shielding me from the biting cold that tries to engulf me in misery. I lift my lips in a weak smile, portraying the appreciation that I can not show in my current state. An answering purr confirms acceptance of my silent thank you.

A deep vibration shifts through me and my eyes immediately close from the warmth that flows from the giving body around me. A weary sigh escapes my lips and the world begins to go black. The beast suddenly shifts, a warning growl slipping through a tense body as it goes into a defensive stance, warning whatever has come in its sight to stay away. A soft probing presence coolly caresses my mind, soothing the churning turmoil in my thoughts.

Another whimper works its way into the open from me. The beast ceases its growls, lowering its head and nuzzling me in silent comfort. My hand glides in its thick smooth fur, fisting into it, my other hand doing the same on the other side. I slowly pull my self up using its mass to steady my wobbling body. The world tilts dangerously to the side and then rights itself. Slumping into the vibrating body, I look up, seeking out whatever is making my warmth upset and when I do locate it, I gasp, stumbling more into the protective body that shields me.

"We were looking everywhere for you Arena-san. You gave us a good scare, running off like that in the rain." The cheerful voice of the hat man assaulted my hearing, making me whimper in pain.

The busty girl took a tentative step forward, only to backtrack when another threatening snarl come from the beast. Everyone tensed, preparing for any sudden attacks from the beast, when a muscle ripping pain ripples through me. An echoing scream rips out of my throat as I fling my self onto the cool ground, grasping at my chest and scratching my neck. A burning fire ravages my insides and I scream again.

I hear my name being screamed by the girl who I had started to become affectionate towards, and with tears flooding down my cheeks, I cry out. My body convulses, lifting off the ground only to slam back into the ground again. I struggle to bring air into my lungs, the fire burning me from the inside-out. The world began to spin, colors mixing into one another and then it went dark.

(a/n: From here it will be third person limited ^^)

Orihime gasped as she watched Arena's body convulse and then go still. Her gray eyes widening even further when the body twitched several times afterward and then went completely still. She screamed her name several times, hoping to get a response from the young woman who had been haunting her dreams ever since she collapsed in front of her school.

She let her gaze go over her friends' faces and with each gaze met, a decision formed between all of them.

Urahara looked intensely at the limp body that was being protected by the beast before them. Tilting his hat so that it covered his eyes, he recounted what had just happened. The immense amount of raw spiritual that surged forth from this one tiny slip of a girl actually caused him to break out in a sweat. He looked to see everyone else also catching their breath.

Everyone looked at one another and decision made, turned their attention back to the small body being engulfed among fur and muscle. The beast had long ago stopped snarling and merely watched them with lazy amusement.

Orihime took a cautious step, maintaining eye contact with the gigantic feline looking beast. Cool ice-blue eyes held her as she took another step. Letting out a jarring yawn, the beast eyed them all and then settled down, putting its body around the girl and placing its head on its forepaws.

Orihime was getting ready to take another step when she was stopped by Yoruichi. Surprised eyes met curious ones. The silent conversation between the two women was broken when Renji decided he had had enough.

"Just what the HELL was that and what the hell is that thing?"He growled out, frustrated with the situation. Chad put a hand on a tense shoulder, warning Renji that he should not let his emotions get the best of him. Sighing, Renji glanced over at Urahara.

A sudden movement by Yoruichi made all of them start. A smirk had appeared on her face and shoulders shaking, she finally let loose the laughter that had been building up, ever since she saw the giant feline in front of them.

Glancing at Urahara, she tilted her head and facing the feline, called out to it.

"Never thought I would see YOU again eh, Chiyoko-dono?"Yoruichi grinned, shifting and crossing her arms over her chest. Everyone looked at Yoruichi, silently questioning who she was talking to. A rumbling sound resounded through the clearing they were in and a deep voice answered back, startling them all minus Yoruichi and Urahara.

"It has been awhile, has it not?" Another deep chuckle vibrated through the clearing. The feline's eyes were alight with deep amusement. Gracefully lifting up from its resting spot unto its haunches, it moved to the side, slightly standing over the motionless body. Leaning its head down, it nuzzled Arena's side, positioning her into a position that was a bit more comfortable.

The slight frown that had marred her features smoothed itself out, leaving a content expression and a sigh to come forth.

Lifting back up to lock eyes with Yoruichi, the feline stretched and shifting into a comfortable position, spoke.

"You know of whom this girl is, correct?" The feline asked, a serious tone coloring the words. A nod from Yoruichi answered the question.

"Then you understand the seriousness of the situation?", was the next answer.

Again, another nod.

"Then everything has been set for her?"

"Yes, I have everything setup for her protection."

"Good, then all that is left to do is wait. He is coming and this will not be easy. We must not let Him get her."

"It is understood."

A nod from the great feline ended the conversation. Standing on all fours, it carefully arranged the girl, lifting her in its jaws and walking towards them. It bypassed Yoruichi and stopped in front of Chad. Lowering its head, it deposited its load in his arms and sat before him.

"You feel you know this girl, especially after her second fainting episode. You just do not know how. I will tell you now," at this the feline looks at them all, "She will need all of your strength. Darkness comes for her and her Path has many directions. Help her in any way that you can."

Glancing once more at every person and nodding at Chad and Yoruichi, the feline turned and bounded away into the surrounding forest, immediately blending in with the foliage.

Silence pressed around them. Once everything was processed by all, Rukia, who had been quiet since the beginning, turned to Yoruichi.

"What is going on? Why is this girl so important and who exactly was that?" She voiced out the most pressing questions that were at the forefront of everyone's mind. Yoruichi and Urahara shared a quick glance and nodding, looked back at everyone.

"We will tell as much as we can, as soon as she awakens."Yoruichi stated.

Heads nodded and expressions turned more somber as eyes settled on the girl nestled within Chad's arms, appearing smaller and more fragile then before. A deep foreboding feeling settled within everyone's thoughts and stomachs, each one knowing that things were getting ready to change…whether for worse or more was yet to be seen.

Well, what do ya think?!??!! I will try to worm Arena's past a little more into the story, but not too fast that it will ruin the surprise! As I said in the author note above, the next couple of chapters will be extremely dark, since I am testing the waters to say the lest. Please review!! The dying seal pups need them to survive!! LOL