I DON'T OWN BLEACH
Battle scene written by Paraiya, thank you my friend!
Thirteen
"I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day." ~E. B. White
Part three; Impact
Sometimes when you say no, there is that split second inside your gut when you want to change your mind and say yes. Hinting that maybe if you go along with your best friend, and his wife, it might make a difference, and it's actually a good choice to support your friends. Yes. It wouldn't be hunting your own kind or killing them. It would be protecting your comrades, yes, that is a fine thing. But in the end, Juushiro said no to Kaien, and they died... If he had been there no way would that have happened, right? So maybe his gut was right, his gut told him to go and he ignored it because of some pathetic idealism about non-intervention, or maybe he was just hiding. Yes, hiding in his glass tower and waiting for time to evolve his kindred into a patient and understanding species.
"Who am I kidding? I said no because I was afraid... afraid to have some impact on life."
Two shapes, one with bold orange hair, the other with long white are pulled down deep into the undercurrent of water. The loud roar of crumbling debris is muted when the water swallows them up, and all returns to an eerie silence. Juushiro is able to instantly stabilize himself despite the powerful flow of the water, but as his eyes dart toward the shock of orange he witnesses her head striking against a long pipe jutting out from the ceiling.
A long thread of blood seeps out, Ichigo's body goes limp the impact too much for her to fight against. She is lost to the crushing weight of the water, her slender form almost vanishing if not for a hand wrapping around her wrist and pulling her against his chest. "I almost lost her."
The rushing wall of water carries them forward, her limp body pulled so close Juushiro can hear the blood moving through her veins. Looking through the clear water he sees a dip in the ceiling coming up on them. With a flick of his wrist he settles on the bottom of the tube-like subway shaft, his long white hair lifting up as the water cuts through it. The current blasts at his clothes but it's not strong enough to take him further out. "Ichigo?" Holding a hand to her jaw he gently lifts her head to look at Ichigo's face. "A few bruises, and a swollen right cheek but nothing serious thankfully."
Ichigo wakes up suddenly panicking, her arms flailing about until a pale face comes into view. Instantly stops wiggling in his arms, his calmness settling over her with a smile. Finding her feet, she touches down on the metal bottom her black boots near his green slippers. It's so peaceful just looking up at his deep green eyes. Quiet. Weightless and free.
Tilting his head, he looks at her, the time ticking slowly as the current eases off and begins to sway at them. She is a sight surrounded by all this water, her vibrant orange hair feathery light like threads in the wind. Lifting a hand, he takes her palm bring it too his chest enjoying the round amber eyes pointed at him with shock and slight interest. "A beautiful woman should be embraced carefully."
"Wh-What?" Suddenly air bubbles escape her mouth and she tries to swim up to find the surface. Unable to hold her breath any longer her arms arc in the water to rise, but a strong hand grabs her pulling her gently back to the man with a sweet smile. Ichigo shakes her head and points up to tell him she needs to breathe and once again he pulls her against his chest, his hands cupping her face.
His mouth covers hers, a gasp of air fills her lungs, a hand on her cheek soothes her fear. Engulfed in water she feels hyper sensitive to his touch. Juushiro's silky lips tugging on hers with such tenderness that she goes limp and surrenders to his kiss.
Her lips, silky, silky, lips... so desirable begin to caress against his making him forget everything around him.
It's impossible to not be drawn to him. Filled with his breath she feels so alive. Her mouth opens to Juushiro those lips are only hers to taste. The energy in her body is sparking with new sensations. Across her upper lip, tugging on her plump lower lip Ichigo feels completely claimed, that this kiss, is the first true kiss she has ever had.
"I should get you out of this water." Juushiro tells her without moving his lips.
"You... speak inside me?"
"Yes, you should be able to do this once you break your seal and allow your fangs to grow." He kisses her again this time letting her pulling him closer. It's a fine thing to let a woman express he desire. Juushiro likes this strong woman. He really admires her. "Let's get out of this water."
"Okay."
With her nestled safely in one arm they travel in the water down into a connecting subway line where a set of old stairs await him. Setting her feet on the step above him he gives her a small smile. "I like kissing you."
Lightly stepping up the crumbling flight of stairs with Ichigo's close behind he quickly makes his way into a smaller maintenance tunnel the subway uses for repairs. "I think there is a place we can dry your clothes and rest just up ahead."
"Wait." she says grabbing his hand, a rosy color splashing her cheeks. " I like it too. Kissing you... I mean. I'm just..."
"Your innocence is such a beautiful thing."
"I'm not that pure! I'm not even a virgin!" she snaps at him instantly biting at her lower lip in regret.
"Abarai?" Somehow the thought of him touching her is distasteful. He wants her and someone played with her heart before him. "That is why he was so protective of you in the hotel?" Juushiro's head turns to look at her and he catches the glint of a knife coming at him. "Ichigo!"
~/~
Even with his eyes widening in complete surprise, the white haired man had enough reflex to step out of the way of the oncoming blade. He could only get a small glimpse of the daring assailant, before a leg swung back toward his face; which he deftly caught in mid swing with his left hand. His eyebrows furrowing, he caught the knifed hand; which was struck at him almost an instant afterwards.
The assailant, himself, had shaggy blonde hair. Aqua eyes glowered at him as the man tried to free himself from his hold. Growling, his struggle intensified. The entire bottom portion of his mouth was clothed in a mask; effectively concealing his entire identity.
Juushiro could have just as easily crushed his wrist and femur; but he decided to let him go.
The freed attacker leaped back onto a single-kneed crouch, his weapon having been dropped when he attacked.
Ichigo ran over to his side. "Juushiro!" her voice was laced with worry. She was capable of getting out of the way on time, but he actually had to hold the stealthy attacker back.
Juushiro gave a quick smile to her. "I'm fine," he stated, turning back to the idle attacker. "You've been disarmed. It would be in your best interest to tell us who you are," Juushiro stated in his deep voice. His face, while not intense, was set in a serious look.
Ichigo turned to the assailant as well, glaring at him. "And no funny shit, either," she resisted the urge to reach into her cape. Turning to Juushiro, she examined his as well. The dampness was still very prominent, as was hers.
With them wet, there wasn't much she could do. A defective piece of crap was what it was. No one ever heard of waterproof technology?
The attacker stood. And a sinister snicker came from him.
"What's so funny?" Ichigo balled her fists. She was ready for anything now.
Raising a hand, the attacker's eyes narrowed. The opposing pair could only imagine the smirk obscured behind his face mask.
Juushiro's eyes widened. "Ichigo, get back!" He grabbed the orange head's arm, pulling her into his chest as a blade slammed into the place when she was standing; the force creating a small crater where it impressed.
Ichigo's eyes widened, her head spinning as she was lurched forward by the taller man. Looking up in his eyes, she saw the brief flash of alarm surge throughout his beautiful visage.
The blade, connected by a long glinting chain, was yanked back into the shadows.
Ichigo turned to see who had the gall to attack them, only to find the biggest band of freaks you'd ever see.
The one who threw the blade was a tall, lanky one; sporting long bony fingers with an off-putting facial hair. Obviously of Hispanic descent.
Juushiro turned his eyes, surveying the next. A large, robust man with fists the size of large sledgehammers. His face was not covered in the least.
Maybe they couldn't find masks for something for big and ugly.
The blonde man, obviously the leader, brought a finger to his mask; bringing the black covering down to reveal his mouth. Upon smirking, his razor sharp maw was visible.
Vampires. Definitely Vampires.
This was not good for the pair.
It was only a bit into the struggle that Ichigo had figured out that she was in deep trouble. Having lunged and jumped her way to safety; dodging the jackhammer power of the large man's fists smashing into the dilapidated stone and linoleum, she landing on a leaning pillar, struggling to keep her balance.
Reaching a hand to her cape, she readied herself. 'All I need is a rocke-" then she remembered. Her weapons were offline at the moment. "Well shit!" she somersaulted out of the way of another large punch; this one cracking the very pillar itself.
Landing on some rubble, she briefly turned her head to Juushiro's battle.
He was currently facing both opponents, dodging and ducking swings and slashes from both sides at an alarmingly fast rate. How long he could keep up, no one knew.
Juushiro, however, jumped back away from the pair. "We don't wish to harm you three. However, we need to ask that you cease attacking!" he offered.
Just as expected, one of the men rushed at him. "Like hell!" the blonde roared, sending a fist on a path to his face. And just as easily, Juushiro caught the windbreaking jab; narrowing his eyes.
"Then, I sincerely apologize for this…" he said lowly.
The blonde could only raise his eyebrow, before a pained yell erupted from his massive mouth. Jumping back, he clutched his hand; it having been twisted and bent to angles not possible by any being.
"I see… you aren't full blood," Juushiro stated. "A full blood would not have had such a reaction…"
Ichigo smirked, mentally high fiving the white haired man. He could definitely hold his own.
And she momentarily forgot her plight, before it sent her into the dirt… quite literally.
The man's giant fist connected with her back, sending her into the ground. Screaming out, she coughed up blood as he raised it again.
The man smirked, about to bring his fist back down; before the hand was caught in mid-drop.
Juushiro clenched his teeth as he held the man's fist, his own muscles tensing from slight exhaustion. Had he eaten anytime recently, this wouldn't have been a problem. However, he had just enough energy to get he and Ichigo out of the stalemate they were in.
In a flash, the white haired man was gone; the orange hair vanished as well, with only a remnant of dust in their wake.
Juushiro leaped through the tracks of the train station, trying to figure out the most prudent ways of escape. "Now, we could take the tracks down the next five streets. That would get me to a hospital," he needed to tend to her quickly.
Ichigo, though aching and broken, felt almost useless as her white haired savior had to carry her through the storm of her suffering. She is Ichigo Kurosaki! She's never needed a person's help to fight her own battles!
Her eyes widened, as a blur made itself known, her senses on high alert. "Juushiro, watch out!"
The moment the white hair stopped, he was pushed out of the way by the girl. Out of the corner of his eyes, Juushiro could see the lanky man twirling something between his fingers; before ripping it right through the woman.
Ichigo is slammed into the wall, coughing up a copious amount of blood. However, the amount she coughed could not compare to the heaping amounts that is gushing from the pipe lodged in her side.
Falling almost in slow motion Ichigo's body drops lifeless to the cement floor.
"You should NOT have done that." Juushiro's eyes blaze crimson the light tendrils of his hair lifting by an unseen force. Three steps and a few simple moves and the men vanish into dust. Lifting Ichigo from the floor he looks at her pale face and cringes. "Oh no..." Blood seeps through warming his arm and filling his face with fear. Looking closer he can see a small thick metal rod sticking out of her side. "You don't drink blood so you can't heal.. you are a careless woman, Ichigo."
"You can yell at me later. First, I need to get this stick out of me." Ichigo mumbles forcing her eyes open and lifting a hand to grab the end of the metal rod.
"NO! Don't!"
But it's too late she has already ripped it from her side, the blood gushing from the wound drenching his clothes. She starts to rise only to feel the darkness blanket around her.
"You reckless woman. The piece of debris was keeping you from bleeding out." Holding her close Juushiro leans up on the balls of his feet and starts to dash through the dimly lit access tunnel. A few kilometers ahead is a place to rest.
~/~
Echoes of water droplets, the faint sounds of someone- a man panicking, calling her name, and then an incredible warmth flows into Ichigo. She breathes in a deep pleasant scent struggling to open her eyes and leave behind the heavy weight keeping her still. "It's nice here... I feel safe."
Waking sometime later her eyes struggle to focus in the dimly lit square room. Plain white walls, ordinary looking shelves. Turning on her side Ichigo sees the long red tube running from her arm to the body next to her. "Ohio... you didn't..." Panic streaks through her, ripping the I.V from her arm she plasters herself against the wall behind her. "No... no... I-It's all I had left."
"You are awake?" Rising from the futon next to hers he pulls the needle from his arm and bends his elbow. "How are you feeling?"
"What have you done?"
"I decided to give you my blood. I realize I shouldn't have done it without your permission, but you were dying. I deeply apologize, Ichigo." Dropping to his knee's his eyes focus on the blanket and the drops of blood that spilled when she yanked out her I.V. It's impossible to tell if it's his blood or hers, they are blended together both crimson and full of life. "Forgive me, please?" he asks lifting up a hand to touch the tips of her fingers with his. "I could not let you die."
"Why?"
"I have decided to be apart of life." His fingers slide over hers into her palm. Just the small touch makes him want more.
"But you gave me your blood..." Sliding down the wall, she holds a hand to her mouth. "I'll crave it from now on." Even now, her eyes are admiring his hair, his skin, the curve of his neck. "There is a reason vampires drain their victims of all their blood! "
"I know, you will seek me out over and over. Nothing satisfies so deeply like your first blood. " Juushiro says gripping her fingers and tugging her toward him. "I'll give it all to you." With their hands intertwined he slides his hair off his neck turning his head to the side. "Take all you want from me."
"No. I-I can't do that." Scrambling back from his touch she looks down at the floor.
"Of course you can."
"No! I don't want to! I..." What can she say other than what she feels? "I liked you, Juushiro. Now it's all messed up."
"It's alright to still like me. I like you too, Ichigo." Rising from the floor he tilts his head and reaches down sliding a finger over her flustered face. Yes, he is certain now that she is the one meant for him. "Nothing is spoiled between us. I will not allow it."
"But I-" her words are stopped by a finger pressing to her lips. It's such a gentle touch making her eyes grow wide with curiosity. Just what is it about this man that drives her to want to try so hard? She doesn't know how to feel. Except she does know she wants to be around him just a little longer. Then maybe she might be able to feel that she is worthy of the special way he looks at her with those large green eyes.
"I have an idea!" Scooping her up in his arms he ignores her protests and begins to focus on where he wants to go. "Would you like to see your ancestral home?"
"What about Byakuya and Rukia?"
" I sense that Abarai is already with your friends and they are heading towards the hotel. We can meet up with them tomorrow."
"Oh, okay and Juushiro..." says tilting her head up to look at his smiling face. "I think I can walk."
Here we are the next chapter of 13. It was a challenge to write I and deeply sorry for the wait on this update. I do hope you will review! HUGS YOU all Fuzzi