Response to reviews!
Miszxbrii: Yes they were! Fluffy moments make me happy!
Strawberry-Ringo: *squeals* I'm glad you liked it!
Yukiko and Chibiussa: Yukiko, please don't start another fight…-_-
WhiteW12-0: So true…*sigh* Whenever we get close to what he wants, someone interrupts him! *pouts*
Misutii Hi No De: Yeah, it's gonna get bad…
Kobato00: Yup! XD
HannahGee13: I was happy about that too!
Nathalorial: You don't suck at reviews! *pouts* Never say that! And all that stuff will come in due time…
Aya-ItaLover: It's ok if you're enthusiastic! XD
hehehehehohohoProductions0: Yup! But they won't all be like this…
Chelsea Lynn: Don't cry! Please?
Adree and Alfredo: Thank you! *bows*
I-Kill-you-for-yaoi: I'm sorry!
Narlth: Yup, I know you! I'm glad you're reading it here too! XD
LittleXCreature: I do too, yet look at what I'm doing to them! *sobs*
Wolfdragonful: I'm glad you like it so far! It's reviews like those that help me to write!
Ok, fluffiness pretty much ends there except for every now and then. From here on out, it's gonna get messy. I know y'all are wondering about why, in the present, everyone can see Shiro while, in the past, no one can. You shall see…for in this chapter, there will be an answer! At least, kind of…XD So here's Chapter 7!
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Chapter 7: Released
Rukia's POV
Present…
Shiro was fidgeting in his seat as we all sat around the small table again. It was raining lightly outside, which didn't really help our mood. He was in a gigai now, wearing a long sleeved sweater and jeans. He was eyeing us nervously, like we were gonna lunge across the table and attack him! I mean, I wasn't and the others weren't, but Renji did look intimidating… I guess he still doesn't trust him. "So, he did what to Ichigo?" Orihime asked. It was a nasty thought and trust me, ever since he told us that, no one's touched their tea. Shiro nodded slowly, not really speaking to us except when he was telling us what happened.
"Why didn't you help him?" Renji asked coldly. I glared at him.
"He tried to help him, you ass!" I snapped. God, Renji's attitude was pissing me off!
"Wait, something doesn't make sense here." Uryu said, quickly ending what was defiantly going to become an argument. Uryu turned to look at Shiro, pushing his glasses up. I think, out of everyone here, he felt the most comfortable around Uryu. I have no clue why. "You said that the only person that could see you was Ichigo right?" he asked. Shiro seemed to flinch slightly at Ichigo's name, but nodded slowly.
"Yeah…" he whispered quietly. He wouldn't raise his voice, like he was afraid of being heard. The only times he did was when he snapped at Renji, or at all of us by the way he was yelling, and when he had those…I dunno what to call them. It was like the memories of everything that had been going on were so vivid, that he thought it was happening still.
"But we can see you now. What happened?" he asked. Shiro's eyes grew stern for the first time we've seen him.
"You want to know what happened, and I'm getting to that. You all need to be patient." He said, his voice slightly firm. Renji smacked the table. Oh boy…
"We don't have time! Why the hell are you telling us all of this shit anyways?" he snapped angrily, Shiro flinching with every word. Shiro stood up slowly and sighed.
"You all have a right…to know how much he suffered…how much we suffered…because of your lack of action…" he responded so calmly, it made me shiver. Maybe that was the hollow in him… Renji almost lost it, but the hollow's words seemed to hit home and he kept silent. It hit me too. I mean, although the Soul Society forbid us to rescue Orihime, we succeeded in slipping out and going to Hueco Mundo, didn't we? So why couldn't we do it again?
"You annoying hollow scum…" Renji grumbled under his breath. Kisuke shot him an angry glare before speaking.
"The gargantuan takes a while to reopen." He said. He placed a hand on Shiro's shaking shoulder, almost lifting it when Shiro looked at him with wide, frightened eyes. "I'm sorry, but at the time we were…incapacitated and couldn't do anything."
"I…I know….but still…" he sighed and slowly sat back down. "Ok, Uryu asked me a good question, and I do intend to answer it…but…I need to share everything first."
"To rub it in our faces?" Renji asked and this time, I smacked him good in the face. "Ow!"
"You're such an insensitive asshole!" I snapped and sat back down. Yeah, it felt good to finally hit him and, surprisingly, Shiro chuckled lightly at this.
"Ichigo always did find you guys' fun to be with…" he commented. His face grew serious again, although fear still lingered in his eyes. "Uryu, I will answer your question…because this is where all the hell really begins…"
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Shiro's POV
14 days ago…
Twice. He raped Ichigo two more times after that, and both times his inner world seemed to worsen. When he pounded into Ichigo…the sky would turn dangerously dark, and then rain would fall the color of blood, but thank god it wasn't. Lightning cracked the windows of his inner world, but after it was done, I always left his inner world and helped him get clean and rest. The fact that he couldn't eat was beginning to worry me, but at least he could drink, so hydration wasn't a problem. But still, I feared for him. The second night afterwards, he came to his inner world, looking at me; his eyes had dark circles under them from lack of sleep. "Ichigo…"
"Sh-Shiro…" he whispered my name before collapsing in my arms.
"Ichigo!" I shook him some, but his breath had deepened. Damn, he passed out…I thought and slowly sat down, stroking his orange hair. He was exhausted from all of this, and if my new hunch was correct, they'd be back soon. Time to go outside…
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Normal POV
Grimmjow stood in front of Aizen, staring in shock. "Are you sure sir?" he asked. Aizen nodded.
"I am positive. The presence that all of our arrancar have been feeling is that of his inner hollow entering this world." He replied.
"But no one's actually seen it yet, if that's even possible." Grimmjow said. "So how am I…?"
"You'll find a way. Remember what our goal is here." he replied coolly. Grimmjow sighed and nodded.
"Yes, Lord Aizen." He said. As he walked out of the room, Aizen called to him.
"Grimmjow." Grimmjow turned around, avoiding Aizen's gaze. "When you succeed, use the disobedience method. See how it affects them. I am interested in their connection to each other." He said. Grimmjow shivered slightly. Although there was no emotion in Aizen's voice, it was slightly visible in his eyes. It had a look of malice in it, enough so to disturb Grimmjow a little.
"Yes sir." He said and quickly left the room. As he went back to his room to grab his new 'equipment', Ulquiorra walked in.
"You are not sure that this will work, are you?" he asked in his monotone voice. Grimmjow shrugged.
"It may, it may not. But either way, there is still some information we need from our 'guest'." He answered. He then gave off a nasty grin. "Besides, if my little hypothesis is correct, their bond is stronger than is being shown."
"Meaning you've actually spent nights watching him after raping him, correct?" Ulquiorra asked, undisturbed by Grimmjows' 'methods'. Grimmjow only let out an annoyed huff.
"Also meaning you've been following me around everywhere like a stalker." He said. He smiled and got really close to Ulquiorra's face. "What, jealous or something?"
"Hardly. I can wait patiently for the transfer." He replied, unfazed. Grimmjow sighed and began to walk out of his room.
"You know, you could at least act like you feel emotions or something." He complained. "It'd be more fun to pick on you then." As he walked out, Ulquiorra just shook his head.
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Ichigo's POV
When I opened my eyes, I was back in my little room of confinement, my head resting on something warm. I moved slowly to notice it was Shiro's lap. When did I get here? I thought. I was in my inner world, last I remember.
"Are you awake now, Ichigo?" I looked up into worried golden eyes. I just smiled and grabbed his hand gently.
"I'm fine now." I replied. He smiled at me, but the worry was still in his eyes. I smiled and tried to sit up. But I felt a tight pain in my chest and laid back down.
"Ichigo, stay still…he did worse this time than usual…" Shiro whispered to me. I didn't get what he meant until I saw my chest. There were long, thin lines trailed across my chest, some still red and sore.
"Oh…" I had almost forgotten what Grimmjow had actually done to me. I suddenly felt like shit and…get this, I almost started crying. "What the fuck is up with me?" I whispered. He pulled me up to him and held me for a moment, rocking me back and forth.
"Nothing, my Ichigo…" he whispered into my ear. The way he said it no longer freaked me out, I loved it when he called me 'his'. "There's nothing wrong with you. You have a right to be upset."
"I think that's the reason I haven't caved into him yet…" When he gave me a confused look, I smiled. "I'm yours…and you're mine…" He just smiled and I felt myself practically fly off the Empire State building. I loved it when he smiled…it helped me forget all the shit that's been going on.
"Forever have and forever will be…" he said. I pulled him down into a tender kiss that set me aflame. Oh, how badly I wanted more that just to kiss! I know he wanted it as much as me, but because of our situation…
"Oh, Shiro…" I murmured and pulled him in closer. I could hear him moan as I slowly sat up, trying to gain entrance. He refused for a few seconds, but when I slid my hand down his hakama, he gasped, allowing me to shove my tongue into his mouth. He quickly backed away from me, a serious look on his face.
"No Ichigo…we can't…not now." He whispered. He looked at the steel door frantically and vanished from my sight. I heard the door open and looked to see Grimmjow standing in the doorway.
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Normal POV
Grimmjow smiled at the sight in front of him. Ichigo had quickly wrapped blankets around his still naked body, his clothes in a lump on the floor. "Haven't even bothered to get dressed yet, eh?" he taunted.
"Wh-what do you want now, Grimmjow?" Ichigo snapped. Although there was a small tinge of fear in his eyes, his eyes also showed defiance and anger.
Tsk, he's still toughen it out…Grimmjow thought. He's got guts, I'll give him that. "What I want is for you to get in your clothes. I don't want you to be showing your stuff to all of Las Noches." He said. Ichigo gave him a confused stare, but said nothing and stayed in his spot. Suddenly, Grimmjow was right in front of him, pinning him down.
"H-hey, what the hell?"
"Unless, of course, you'd like all the Espada trying to cop a feel at you, if you get what I mean." He teased, slowly reaching down and tracing his fingers gently across his member, causing the teen to squirm. "You've got five minutes." He smiled and got off the bed. He flashed a dark smile Ichigo's direction before shutting the door.
XxxxxX
Ichigo sat there for a few seconds before burying his head in his hands. "Why…why is this happening?" he whispered quietly. He felt Shiro's presence behind him and he looked to see pale hands wrap around his shoulders.
"We'll figure something out, King." He whispered into his ear. "And when we do, we'll flip everyone off before busting outta here." Ichigo let out a small chuckle before rising to his feet.
"Yeah, I know…" he said as he slipped into his clothes. Shiro bent down and handed him his kosodo. "It's just…I wish he didn't steal all of them…"
"All of what?" Shiro asked as Ichigo took his kosodo and put it on.
"All of my…firsts…" he whispered. "He…I mean he…" Shiro walked up and hugged Ichigo gently.
"You big baby. He didn't take all of them, you idiot…" he said. When Ichigo gave him a sad, confused stare, he smiled and pushed his lips briefly to the teen's. Ichigo was rigid for a moment, but he quickly loosened and sighed. "I got that one." He said. Ichigo just sighed and sat on the bed.
"Shiro…I'm glad you're here, I really am." He said. Shiro just let out a huff.
"I've always been here, Ichigo. You're just glad that you figured out you're a good kisser." Ichigo chuckled and felt some of the tension lift.
You have no idea…he thought. Shiro looked at the door again and began to fade away.
Be careful, Ichigo… he whispered as he faded away and back into Ichigo's inner world. Ichigo nodded and watched as the door creaked open, Grimmjow standing there, accompanied by Szayel.
XxxxxX
Ichigo's POV
I couldn't help but stare at the pink haired Espada. He looked like a geek gone wrong, probably starred in Rocky Horror Picture Show at some point. He didn't seem to notice my staring, or didn't care, because he turned to Grimmjow with a smirk on his face. "I'll wait outside." He said and walked out of the room. Grimmjow walked up to me, holding the little controller that operated my cuffs.
"Are ya gonna come quietly?" he asked me. I just turned the other way, folding my arms. "Well?"
"I'm trying to decide how to respond, exactly." I said. "I can't decide between 'hell no' or 'fuck off'." I turned to him and noticed the dark look on his face. One half of me wanted to cringe, to fear, this look. But the other, and unfortunately, more dominant half of me, said he's nothing but an obedient pussy and not to be afraid of him.
"I have a good one for you…" he growled. He clicked a button and I could feel the same, painful electricity shoot up my back. "You could just scream instead and shut your fucking smartass mouth." I cried out briefly and crumpled to the floor. He didn't leave it on for nearly as long as he normally does, but it still hurt like shit.
King! Are you alright? I heard Shiro's worried voice in my head.
Y…yeah…I'm ok… I thought back to him. I could still feel his worry, but he didn't say anything after that. Grimmjow lifted me to my feet and glared at me. He clicked another button and a small light rope appeared from my cuffs. He grabbed it and yanked me towards him.
"Shall we go now?" he asked. I didn't say anything. I just stared at the floor, not giving him the pleasure of seeing the fear I knew was showing on my face. He let out a huff and dragged me out of the room.
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Normal POV
Grimmjow dragged Ichigo out of the room and slammed the heavy door. "Heh, I'm glad those things work." Szayel said. He looked at the skinny orange haired teen and snickered. "He also looks like he could eat more." He taunted. Ichigo kept his eyes on the floor as Grimmjow tugged on his cuffs, almost causing hi to fall over.
"Move your goddamn legs!" he snapped. Ichigo looked up at him, his chocolate eyes flaring, but he remained quiet. As they all walked down the hall quietly, Ichigo could feel the eyes of many Arrancars staring at him. He could hear whispers and some chuckles, but he ignored them all, instead staring straight ahead of him.
Ichigo, I really don't like this…Shiro said. Ichigo kept staring ahead, but rolled his eyes quickly. I mean, who knows what they're going to do now…
I know. But whatever it is, I'll ride it out…he replied. Besides, now that we know what they want, I can withstand everything they'll throw at me. He could practically feel Shiro shake his head and sigh.
No, that isn't all they want, now I'm certain of it…he told Ichigo worriedly. He remembered clearly what Grimmjow had said the first time he raped Ichigo and Ichigo could feel Shiro shiver. They know I'm with you…
Well that's obvious, since I'm a Vizard…Ichigo replied.
No! That's not what I meant! They know that I can materialize in this world! He snapped. Ichigo was about to reply when Grimmjow stopped, Ichigo almost running into him again.
God, I hate it when he stops randomly like that…he thought and sighed.
"We're here…" Szayel said.
XxxxxX
Ichigo's POV
It was yet another almost completely empty room, but this one had a huge machine at the end, along with those wonderful chains hanging from the ceiling. I mean, seriously, what the hell is up with these guys and chains? Grimmjow grinned and walked behind me, kicking me into the room and towards the chains. I fumbled forwards and hit the ground hard. He then pulled me up by my hair, smiling. "Hey, I got a question for ya." He said.
"Well, if it has anything to do with me 'submitting', you can fuck off." I spat. My voice still sounded hoarse from my wonderful treatment from earlier. He laughed at me and hooked my cuffs up to the chains. He put a table under my legs, so at least this time I wasn't hanging in midair.
"Oh, I can't wait to silence that smartass mouth of yours." He said. He hopped up on the table with me and lifted me forcibly by my chin so that my eyes locked with his teal ones. "Now…what's the name of your hollow? And what is he to you?" I just stared at him.
"What the hell do you mean by that?" I asked. I knew the answer to the first question, but the second…I had no clue. "And that was two questions."
"That, ironically, revolves around the same subject." Grimmjow snarled. I couldn't suppress the shiver that traveled its way up my back as he leaned in close to my neck. "Don't play stupid here, Ichigo…" he whispered in my ear. I wanted to bite him right there, make him bleed for once, but he quickly pulled away from me. "We'll get an answer. Now, I'll repeat myself only this once; what is your hollows name and what is it to you?" I just stuck my tongue out at him and flipped him off. Man, did his face turn red with anger! I know he would've punched me then and there if it wasn't for that other Espada.
"Grimmjow, I do believe that it's time to proceed." The pink haired freak said to him. He let out an annoyed huff and nodded.
"Fine." He huffed. He walked towards a table and pulled out a huge pair of headphones. He put them on and smiled.
"What are those for?" I couldn't help but ask. I mean, he looked really stupid with it on. He just smiled wickedly and looked at the ink haired Espada.
"Explain Szayel." He said. Oh, so that was his name…I betcha it's Spanish for 'pussy eater'. I thought, causing Shiro to laugh. He walked up in front of me, wearing the same pair of headphones.
"Well, we are going to force your hollow to show itself." He stated.
"Tch, yeah, good luck with that happening." I said. Szayel gave off a nasty smile that reminded me of the Squad 12 Captain, Mayuri Kurotsuchi.
"Oh, we don't need your encouragement." He said darkly. He walked over to the computer in the room. "This will send off a frequency which only hollows hear." He explained. He turned and smiled at me. That's when he flipped a small switch on the machine. At first, it was only a soft hum in my ears, but then it grew louder and higher. Soon, it was like nails across chalkboard, annoying, but it didn't hurt.
That was…until I heard Shiro scream in my head.
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Shiro's POV
Everything was nothing but agony. The noise reverberating in Ichigo's inner world was like shotguns into my brain. And it only got worse. God, I wanted to get away from it…make it all stop! "AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" I screamed so loud…but I know he couldn't hear…or could he? I thought I heard someone speaking, but I wasn't sure.
Sh…re y…ok? I think it was Ichigo…but I couldn't tell. Everything hurt…god, it hurt so much! I pressed my hands against my ears to try and block it, but it just got worse. I felt something warm on my hands, but didn't bother to look. God, I can't take it anymore….I have to get out!
"AAHHHHHHHHH!"
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Ichigo's POV
My head ached, but it wasn't me that was in pain. I know it was Shiro, he was screaming so loud…but what could I do? I don't think he can hear me. Shiro, are you ok? I call to him in my mind, but all I get is a scream.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH! I flinch, god his screams are painful. That's when I felt something in my mind, like a violent push.
God, no, he's trying to get out…
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Normal POV
Ichigo let out an ear shattering scream as he felt Shiro's presence rise violently in his head. No, Shiro! You can't, remember? If you do…he tried to warn him, but his pleas fell on deaf ears. He continued to push forward, pain exploding in Ichigo's head.
"Turn it up some, Szayel!" Grimmjow called from where he stood against the wall. "I don't think it can hear it very well!" Szayel laughed and turned a knob on the computer. The pounding in Ichigo's head suddenly worsened, followed by a loud cry.
AAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWW! Shiro cried out in agony, his cry sounding very much like a hollow's. Ichigo felt his entire body shake, his head snapping backwards painfully.
NO! Shiro, stop it! He screamed in his head, but the only response he got was another violent shove in his mind. He couldn't take it anymore, and he felt himself losing consciousness. No…you have to stop…he tried to stop his hollow, but it didn't work.
"It's coming." Szayel stated. Grimmjow looked up to see Ichigo, his head slumping against his chest. His body suddenly started twitching uncontrollably. His head suddenly snapped up, his face half-covered in his hollow's mask, his eyes now the golden/black combination of his hollow's. The eyes were filled with agony and fury.
"Wow, he looks pissed…" Grimmjow whistled. He walked up slowly, trying not to alert the hollow, and placed a small, thin black band on Ichigo's arm. "Now, Szayel!" he called. Szayel nodded and threw another switch.
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Ichigo's POV
…Black…that's all I could see. That's what happens whenever Shiro takes over. I'm not inner world, but like in some other part of my mind, I guess that's what it is. I could hear, and now feel even, my hollow's pain…god, my head hurt. Whenever I'm trapped here, I can feel whatever happens to my body because of his 'rough fighting'. But now…all I feel is his pain. That's when I felt something weird, like whatever it was trying to pull on me. Normally, I have to try and push myself forward to take control, but now…something was wrong.
"AAAAHHHHOOOWWW!" I could hear Shiro howling in agony. This was bad…All of a sudden, I felt myself being forced to take control, like he was trying to get back into my mind for some reason. I tried to regain control, but I was still blocked off.
"Wh-what the fuck is going on?" I screamed. This was so weird! "Shiro? Can you hear me?" Nothing…except for his pain filled howls. That's when our control switched suddenly, and I was back in that weird room, but it felt different.
"Wow, looks like he still has some control…" Grimmjow stated simply. I could barely tell what he meant, everything just started hurting. I felt my body twitch and my head snapped back, howling. Wait…was I howling?
"No, he and the hollow are sharing control for some rather…interesting reason." Szayel said, sounding interested. God, I didn't care, just stop this! It's hurting me, and Shiro seemed to have it worse off! Grimmjow rolled his teal eyes and sighed.
"Just finish this up before ya kill it." He said. Kill…wait, do they still mean Shiro? No! They…they can't!
"Fine then…" Szayel flipped a small, blue switch. My entire body suddenly shot upright, another howl leaving my lips.
"" My body felt like it was on fire and going to collapse in on iteslf. That's when it felt like something exploded from my back and hit the wall, crying out in pain. I slumped where I hung, unable to hold myself up. God, I was so sore… "How interesting! It worked after all!" he exclaimed and running towards the wall behind me. Everything felt heavy, like someone filled my entire body with lead. But…I had to see what he was talking about. I managed to turn around…to see Shiro leaning against the wall.
XxxxxX
He looked horrible. He was curled up in the fetal position, holding his ears with his hands, his eyes wide and blank. Oh my Shiro… I thought. Grimmjow walked towards him and waved a hand in his face.
"Damn, it's in total shock." He whistled. He then took a glance at me, then back at Shiro. "Holy shit, Ichigo! It looks just like you!" he exclaimed. I hated the way they were referring to Shiro. They made it sound like he was just an object, meant to be possessed. I wanted to hurt them so badly. But…I could barely move…
"Take them back to their room while I report to Lord Aizen." Szayel said.
"Tsk, no, I'm joining ya. So you're coming with me 'till we get them back, and we're going together. I ain't letting ya get all the credit for this." Grimmjow retorted. I felt my cuffs being undone, and my arms dropped to my sides heavily. He then flung Shiro over his shoulder, and me over the other shoulder. "C'mon, let's go." After a few minutes of walking, we were both tossed into our room, and the door slammed shut. I slowly moved to where Shiro lay, staring at the wall.
"Sh…Shiro…" I whispered his name, but I didn't get a response. I walked over to roll him over. Once my hand touched his shoulder, he twitched violently, but that was it. Wait…did I just touch him? When I got a better look at him, I realized something; he wasn't transparent anymore, he was as solid as me. Did that mean…he was actually in my world?
XxxxxX
Chapter 7 end.
Wow! This was really long! Well, let's say it's to make up for you guys waiting for this update! Well, review please, makes my day! XD Also, to those that may like the Rocky Horror Picture Show, sorry if you found my comment up there insulting. I love it too! *dances the Time Warp*