I'm not entirely happy with this chapter but it's been sitting on my computer for a bit while I tweaked it. I had lots of comments to continue it so you might like it, you might not. But if you like it, check out my other story. It's good too. =)
Ichigo walked slowly next to Sachiel, feeling a little nervous at being alone with her. Despite everything they had done together so far, he had never had to just spend time with her.
She stared up at the stars as they walked, her mind on several different subjects. Reaching the rock she usually sat at for thinking, she sat down, leaning back to look at the stars.
"Come here often," Ichigo asked jokingly as he noted how comfortable she looked.
She smiled. "Usually. When I monitor the sentries, I come here. There are no distractions."
She was right. Ichigo noticed that, despite the sounds of the river, there were no other. Not even the lights from the house or the town reached here.
"It's peaceful," he said. He looked over at Sachiel, noticing her silence. Her eyes were glowing like a cat's when they reflected light. Sitting next to her, he could see small flickers of eye movement.
She blinked.
"Everything's secure," she said with a smile.
"Yeah?"
"Yes. I just scanned the sentries. They're always active. They alarm if they detect anything."
"We'll hear it?"
"I will, since I was the one who set the grid. And I usually relay anything to my brother. Now, you'll be informed too," she explained.
"Soul Society uses technology for such things," he said.
"Yes, I know. They're advanced but that's why so many have low spiritual abilities. They're too dependant on machines to do their work," she responded.
"Is that why you don't have anything like that?"
She nodded. "Partially. I've never relied on technology. Only on my abilities."
"Well, it seems to be working. You're pretty powerful."
She chuckled. "I'm powerful because of what I am. There's a few in Soul Society that would rival me," she said. "At least, the branch here. But I think, in the end, I would win."
He chuckled, leaning back to watch the stars as she was doing. Here, away from the lights of town and everything else, he was amazed at the brilliant scene of them before him.
"Ichigo?"
"Yeah?"
"If you had the chance to do anything differently in your life, would you take it," she asked quietly.
The question surprised him. He's never thought about it. Did he have any regrets about the path his life had taken, where it had taken him?
Looking over at her, he answered. "No. I've had an amazing life so far. I wouldn't trade it for anything. What about you?"
She smiled. "If I had, my path wouldn't have led me here," she said.
"To me?"
"Yes. And to Jo and Ulquiorra. I'd give my life for them," she answered. "But if there was one thing that I could do over again, it would be to tell my daughter how much I loved her. I treasured every day with my family but I never really told them how much they meant to me."
He looked at her sadly, taking her hand and kissing the knuckles. "I'm sure they knew, Sachi," he said softly.
"Yeah, they probably did," she smiled, meeting his eyes. "Now…I have another question for you."
"Sure."
"What did my brother mean when he said that Sachi had a different meaning in your language," she asked. "You said it was just a nickname and I saw it as just a shortened version of my name. What does it mean?"
Ichigo blushed, looking away for a moment. Sachiel giggled at him. "Ichigo?"
"I…It…," he tried to start. He looked at her as if asking for understanding. "Joy. Happiness on the highest level," he blurted out.
"Really," Sachiel exclaimed. "Wait…why would you call me that?"
"Because that's what you are…at least, to me," he answered. "When we were in that other realm, I began to feel it very deeply. Even when we were sparring, you made me happy that you had returned Zangetsu to me. I grew comfortable around you in a way that I wasn't with anyone else. The way you tease me, the way you smile at me…you filled me with joy just being with you. And when you let me kiss you and you returned it…I felt…"
"What did you feel?"
He looked at her, smiling. "Complete."
She smiled softly at him, her eyes tearing just a bit. "Ichigo…," she called softly, crawling into his lap and taking his face in her hands. She kissed him with all the passion she could muster, holding him gently against her.
As they broke their kiss, Sachiel stayed in his lap, laying her head on his shoulder. "That's the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said to me, Ichigo," she whispered, taking his hand and lacing her fingers with his. He smiled into the night, leaning down and kissing the crown of her head.
They sat like that for a while, just enjoying each other's company, the night stars the only witness to their open display of affection.
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Renji stared at the screen, watching the story play out. With Ulquiorra giving Sachiel the evening off, the rest had packed into the jeep and gone into town for a movie that Jo had been wanting to see. It wasn't her idea of a date, but it was pretty close. Just getting to spend time with him, doing normal stuff like going out with their friends was good enough for her.
She watched Renji out of the corner of her eye, noting how engrossed he was in the horror movie that they were watching. She elbowed Ulquiorra, the man turning to her to see what she needed. She signaled over to Renji, smiling at him. Ulquiorra shook his head. She pouted. "I'm going to the bathroom," she whispered loudly.
"Jo."
"I have to go!"
She got up before he could stop her, working her way to the isle. Ulquiorra watched from the corner of his eye, knowing what she was about to do. He turned his attention back to the movie, watching Renji out of the corner of his eye. The man was so absorbed in the movie, he was clutching his popcorn. He smirked at the shinigami, waiting for the inevitable scream that he was about to emit. And he did, without fail.
Jo had reached between the seats from behind and grabbed the shinigami's sides. The girl had immediately rushed away in the commotion his scream had caused, coming back as if she had indeed gone to the bathroom. As she glanced at Renji, he was covered in popcorn and clutching onto the bucket, eyes wide. She sat next to Ulquiorra, leaning into him to cover her laughter.
Ulquiorra smiled slightly as he brought his hand up to cover her face a bit, kissing the top of her head. She snuggled close to him as she turned her attention back to the movie.
Afterward, they had a time trying to pry Renji from his seat. After several failed attempts, they were finally able to bribe him with food. They went to the diner nearby, which had expanded due to the increased business, for what Jo called "after movie munchies". Which to her, were fries drowned in chili and cheese sauce and a very large iced soda.
As they finally made their way home, Ulquiorra was surprised to see the lights off in the house, everything was dark.
"Well, maybe they went out," Jo commented, seeing his worried expression by the dashboard lights.
"Maybe," he mumbled in reply as he parked the vehicle.
He went in first, sensing for his ward. He breathed a silent sigh of relief as he sensed her essence. Making his way upstairs, he opened the door quietly, using the hall light to illuminate her room. And saw her and Ichigo sleeping. He smiled to himself. He had told her that she needed more than a few hours rest now and again, that she pushed herself too hard. Ichigo must have made her rest. He felt glad for that. She really did push herself too hard at times.
He watched for another moment, Ichigo opening his eyes and meeting those of the arrancar. He nodded slightly to Ulquiorra before tightening his arms around Sachiel and going back to sleep.
Ulquiorra closed the door quietly, making his way downstairs where everyone was waiting. "She's sleeping," was all he said.
"I suggest we all do the same," Ishida commented.
"Yeah, big day tomorrow," Sado agreed.
"I have patrol in an hour or so," Ulquiorra responded. "Will you go with me, Jo?"
"Yeah," she answered, reaching up and stretching. "I could use some exercise."
Everyone but Ulquiorra looked at the girl in surprise. "I'm just as capable of fighting along side Ulquiorra as Sachiel is," she said in answer to their unspoken question.
"Jo was the slayer of this area long before Sachiel and I came along," Ulquiorra added.
"Yup! I took over for my aunt when she retired almost three years ago. Michael asked me to step aside for a bit when these two showed up."
"How many slayers are there," Renji asked in surprise.
"Four, not including Sachiel," she answered. "Two if you don't count Ichigo and Ulquiorra."
"Why wouldn't we count Sachiel?"
"Because she's not human. Slayers are always human and trained from birth," she answered.
"It's hard to remember that when she 'looks' human," Renji said.
Jo cast the shinigami a scathing glance. "Well she'd look funny running around as an elf," she said.
"Elf," Renji asked, confusion clearly written all over his face.
"You would do well not to say anything, Renji," Ulquiorra said with a warning tone in his voice.
Ishida and Sado looked confused.
"I won't. I'll leave that to her," he said. "I'm only a guest here. Her business isn't my place."
"You're smarter than you look, shinigami."
"We have noticed something about Sachiel, Ulquiorra," Ishida said. "From what I know of elves, they have a grace about them but there are things that are off about Sachiel if she is indeed an elf. By nature, they are not to have the strength and abilities that she does."
"And where did you hear that," Ulquiorra asked.
"From what I've read."
"Fairy tales no doubt."
"Folklore books," Ishida replied.
"Figures," Jo scoffed. "So if she isn't an elf, Ishida, what is she?"
"I don't know for sure, but I'm almost certain she's a nether being."
"Nether being," Jo asked.
"An immortal from heaven. Possibly a demon."
"Or Angel," Renji added, looking away when Ulquiorra pinned him with a glare.
"Yes, her name is tied to an angelic being who fell from grace."
"Speculation will get you nowhere that Sachiel is concerned," Ulquiorra said. "Ask her directly if you want answers. Ichigo did and she gave him the answers he sought."
With that, he turned, leaving the three men, Jo following behind him as they went to rest for their patrol later in the early morning hours.
Since the hour was late, they opted to find their beds as well.
No one sensed or heard the figure standing outside the patio doors, just beyond the immediate sensors around the house. The being smiled as he waited, feeling the inhabitants of the house quiet for sleep.
The attack started subtly, tiny creatures crawling toward the house. The imps had no demonic signature that would be picked up by the sensors. They made their way in through the open patio door, carefully picking their way through the house. The guest room was the first they found. As the three men lay sleeping, the imps made their way to the beds, stopping at their heads; and making their way inside. They sank into the minds of the three with no trouble, easily and quickly taking over.
Ishida was the first to leave the room, Sado and Renji following behind. They made their way up the stairs, stopping first at Ulquiorra's room.
Ishida and Sado stayed there, Renji continuing on toward Sachiel's room, an imp on his shoulder. When he reached the door, both opened silently, letting them in.
Jo's scream echoed through the house, jolting Ulquiorra awake in time to see Sado's fist coming at him. The blow knocked him into the bed with enough force to break the bed frame and headboard, his head crashing into the wall. Now fully awake, he flew back at Sado, green energy forming in his fist as he knocked him back away from him. Turning, he saw Jo wrestling with Ishida, one of his arrows between them.
"Sachiel!"
"Kinda busy," she responded mentally.
"Who?"
"Renji and Ichigo."
"Got them both?"
"Yeah."
"Fuck."
"Tsk tsk…such language."
A brilliant yellow glow filled the hallway just before Ulquiorra saw Renji flying past the open doorway as he was thrown by some immense, unseen force. Ichigo followed not long after. Seeing the two momentarily stunned, Sachiel rushed into Ulquiorra's room, helping Jo by grabbing Ishida by the back of the neck and pulling him away, the force throwing him into the wall. She turned to see Ulquiorra busy with Sado, his blade currently in Sado's grip.
Ulquiorra kicked the man back, stalking toward him as he crashed through the wall. Sachiel lifted his restriction, allowing him to transform into his released state.
"They're possessed," she yelled as she kept her foot on Ishida's neck, trying to keep him down. In an instant, the young girl was in her slayer form, coming to stand beside her.
"I got Ishida," she growled, pulling her kriss free, her cane in the other hand.
"Fine. I got the other two," Sachiel said, going back into the hallway, her form changing as well.
Ishida looked at Jo, his eyes glazed over in pure black. "Come, little girl," he taunted, his voice gravelly.
"Fuck this," Jo said, putting away her knife and summoning another cane. She didn't want to kill the host body, merely force the demon out.
She risked a glance in Ulquiorra's direction, seeing him handling the large man just fine. She turned just in time to catch Ishida's sword like arrow between her crossed canes before it cut her. She kicked him back, sending him flying out the window and into the yard below. She gave him no time to recover, going on the offensive with her short canes. She attacked each of his joints, hitting him hard enough to stun but not cripple. With the speed of her moves, he wasn't able to get a direct hit in return. She spun around him, swinging a cane to the front of his knees, bringing him down on his chest. Her foot planted in the middle of his back as he tried to get up, her weight a leverage to keep him pinned to the ground.
As she held him down, she formed a spear of pure silver energy. As the man lay there, struggling to get up, she raised the spear over him.
"Demon from the world below, violation of the pact you broke, know darkness now; forever night. Your punishment, I bestow, your freedom I revoke," she said, thrusting the spear into the base of Ishida's skull.
The demon inside him screamed as he felt the spear pass through the body to pierce him. His scream escaped through Ishida's mouth as his body thrashed uncontrollably, the demon being literally ripped from his mind as Jo withdrew the spear. After a few moments, he lay still, his eyes glazed over in shock. The girl removed her foot as the demon burned on the end of her spear. As the ash fell to the ground, she dismissed the spear, leaving Ishida to help Ulquiorra.
She was almost to him when a mass of black arms and legs crashed into the ground before her. Like Sachiel, she immediately sent purifying fire into the ground. Both men screamed and writhed in pain as the holy fire burned the demons inside them.
Sachiel appeared next to her. Ulquiorra, dragging an unconscious Sado behind him, also appeared. With the one arm he was dragging him with, he tossed the man into the fire as well, adding his own purification spell.
The demons vacated their bodies, appearing before them above the burning ground. Sachiel looked at the three, sneering. She raised her hands above her head. "By righteous fury, your body burns. By righteous wrath, your master knows. By the order of Cherubim, I take your power, I take your source. Know darkness now and no return to ever toy with the life of man!" As she had spoken, deep golden energy had formed around her hands, flying out and piercing the three imps as they tried to escape. As the light hit them, they burst into pinpoints of light, winking out of existence in an instant.
As the hallowed fire left the ground, Sachiel rushed to Ichigo, her hands brushing away the stray strands of hair.
"Sachi," he asked weakly.
"Yes, love. It's me," she answered with a smile.
"What happened," Ishida asked from behind her.
"You tried to kill Jo, Sado tried to kill me, Renji and Ichigo tried to take out Sachiel," Ulquiorra answered matter-of-factly.
"What?" All four men looked at the group of slayers in shock.
"It's true," a new voice said behind them all.
Everyone turned to the source, Jo's eyes going wide as well as Ulquiorra's. Sachiel didn't say anything, recognizing the woman's power.
"Auntie! What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at home resting? Are you supposed to be up and walking," Jo practically yelled as she rushed to the woman.
"Calm down. I'm fine," the woman said as she walked toward the group.
Sachiel knelt to her, Ulquiorra bowing. "To what do we owe this honor, sister," Sachiel said formally.
"Pfft…stop that," the woman scolded. "Michael said some trouble was brewing so I came to check it out."
"Sorry, you are…" Ishida asked, letting the question trail.
"Oh, sorry. Terra, former demon slayer for this area."
"And my aunt," Jo added, standing close to the woman.
Aside from the brace on her leg that supported it, she looked similar to Sachiel with her long, cinnamon brown curls and toned physique. Even their faces were similar but whereas, Sachiel's eyes were green, Terra's were deep brown.
She whistled low, looking at the destruction of the area, the house and the various states of the group. "Looks like there was some fun."
"Imps," Sachiel answered, standing by Ichigo. Terra looked at their joined hands, smiling to herself but not saying anything to them.
"Took possession did they? Caused some in house fighting," she smiled. "Can't have that, can we?" She walked to each of the four men, murmuring as she drew a symbol on their foreheads, the symbol glowing before sinking into their skin and out of sight. "There. That should help. Can't have people with your abilities running all amuck and destroying the town. Too much temptation for demons. They'll want you."
All four men continued to stare at her, taking in her slight limp, feeling the tingle left from the mark she'd put on them.
"Terra," Jo started again. "Why are you here?"
Terra looked at Jo, confused for a moment. She looked her niece over, noting her black leather and silver armor, her weapons of choice strapped to her waist.
"You fought, too?"
Jo scoffed, crossing her arms and looking away. "I didn't have a choice," she answered. "Uryuu was trying to use one of his arrows on me."
Terra nodded. "Well, you had to defend yourself. That's alright. Can't have you getting injured."
She turned back to Sachiel, narrowing her eyes at her for a moment before stepping forward. "You shouldn't hide such things, Guardian," she said, grabbing what looked to everyone like nothing but air. She broke the illusion spell, Ichigo and Ulquiorra's eyes going wide to see a spear embedded in Sachiel's side. From the look of the wound, the weapon had been poisoned since it was turning black at the edges already. Thick veins of the color seeped away from the wound. Terra gave the weapon a yank, pulling it clear and clean from Sachiel's body.
She tossed the spear away, watching as the blood began to flow from the wound. Ichigo and Ulquiorra immediately went to her, Jo hanging back as she watched. She knew that the two men would take the woman back to the house.
"You'll fall unconscious soon," she said to the angel. "Your home is in no state for you to rest comfortably."
Sachiel hissed, holding her side to contain the bleeding. She looked sadly at Ulquiorra and then to Ichigo.
"I'll repair it," she said weakly. She pushed the two men away, standing straight with her hands above her head. A black funnel began to appear around her, changing as silver began to thread through it. It was her signature, her greatest ability. No one could hear the words she chanted in the vortex but could see her aura begin to glow silvery green, her eyes turning almost white as she worked her power.
The vortex grew wider and before anyone could take cover from it's swirling winds, they were enveloped.
Time stopped for all but Ulquiorra, Sachiel, Terra and Jo. All four watched as she reversed time in the area around the home, the damage done by the fighting being erased slowly.
When the winds died, Ichigo, Uryuu, Sado and Renji were still in the same positions they were when the spell began. Their eyes were unfocused, blank for a moment before they came back to their senses. Sachiel smiled softly, admiring her handiwork. She turned to Terra, about to ask the woman a question when she collapsed.
It happened so suddenly that no one had the chance to catch her, her head hitting the ground hard; the blood from her head wound caused by the fall seeping into the ground.
Ichigo immediately ran to her, picking her up. He remembered the wound in her side, being careful not to touch it. He looked at Ulquiorra for a moment before turning back to the house, stopping when he saw what Sachiel had done. The house was whole again, looking as if the fight had never happened.
"She'll be unconscious a while," Terra said, interrupting the questions running through his mind. "She's the only one who knows how to treat the taint in her. Michael gave me this to give to you, though." She produced a glowing gold vial from the inside of her vest. "He said that it will slow the taint but the process will be long. Give her a teaspoon mixed with water four times a day over the next two days. Just a cup of water and have her sip it."
She handed Ulquiorra the vial, turning back to Jo. "You, young lady," she said, leveling her gaze on her. "You be more careful."
Jo rolled her eyes at her aunt before nodding and leaving with Ulquiorra and Ichigo, leaving her with Renji, Uryuu and Sado.
"Um…who are you again," Renji asked after a moment.
"Terra," she said. "Jo's aunt, former demon slayer, archivist, traveler, etcetera."
"You used to be a demon slayer," Ishida asked.
"Yes. As Jo said, I patrolled this area until I gave the position to her when she was trained sufficiently. I also travel from time to time collecting information and archiving it."
"You're a historian?"
"Something like that."
"You said Michael told you there was trouble," Ishida stated, letting the question remain unspoken.
"Mm…yeah. We were talking when he said that I should head this way and lend a hand if needed."
"Who is he?"
"Michael? A friend," Terra answered vaguely. "I can't tell you exactly what you want to know. Sachiel will have to be the one to do that."
"Why won't anyone give me a straight answer," he said, annoyance obvious in his voice.
Terra laughed softly. "Because you haven't asked the right questions," she said.
"And what are the right questions," Ishida asked.
"I can't tell you, but you'll figure it out," she answered, turning away.
"Why did you look upset when you saw Jo in armor," Renji asked.
She turned back, looking at the red haired shinigami. "Because we're not supposed to," she answered. "It's forbidden unless extreme circumstances call for it. Before Sachiel and Ulquiorra came to this area, we agreed to surrender our duties for their sake. We'll resume them when they leave."
"I don't understand."
"They're only here temporarily…or permanently. Whichever they decide," she said, walking away, fading into the darkness beyond.
"I just wanted a normal summer," Sado mumbled, toying with a bit of grass in front of him.
"Since when have our lives ever been normal," Ishida responded, getting up and making his way to the house. The other two followed as well.
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For once in his existence, Ulquiorra was worried. He didn't have the implements needed to heal Sachiel. She lay on the bed unconscious, her breathing shallow. Even though he knew her to be an immortal being, she had been poisoned. He had been able to tell that what had been used was different than what he had been poisoned with. Jo had offered to go into her lab and get the same potions that had been used on him, but he'd stopped her.
He looked at Ichigo as he knelt next to the bed, the man holding the angel's hand as his other stroked her hair, his eyes filled with worry. Ulquiorra felt badly for the man. Ichigo was one, in his opinion, who guarded his heart but cared deeply for those that were a part of his life, no matter how little he interacted with them. He knew that Ichigo's feelings for Sachiel went beyond caring. And now, he was watching her die before his eyes.
"What are we going to do," Jo asked him, taking his hand to get his attention.
"I…I really don't know," he answered. "The mixture that Michael gave us will only slow the inevitable."
"What is the inevitable," Ichigo asked from the bed, never taking his eyes off Sachiel.
"You know what she is, correct?"
"Yes. That doesn't answer my question."
"She was given a second chance and her original form restored in order to accomplish her task. The effects of her betrayal had been reversed. As you can see from her paling skin, she is beginning to revert back to her demon form," Ulquiorra said.
"She will look different?"
"Much different," a new voice answered.
All three turned, looking at the man standing in the room. Ulquiorra bowed in deference to him, Jo kneeling beside him. Ichigo watched as the man came forward, kneeling beside him on the floor. He reached for Sachiel, his hand stroking her forehead before his fingers trailed over her skin.
"Why you must suffer is beyond me, sister," the man whispered.
"Who are you?"
"I am Michael," he said.
"Are…Are you like her?"
"An angel? Yes. We are both of the same order."
"And the one who gave Sachiel a second chance," another voice added. This man, Ichigo recognized from the riverside revelation.
"What are you doing here," he asked.
"I came to see my sister, the same as Michael," Gabriel responded.
"Can…can either of you help her," Ichigo asked.
Michael shook his head, looking down at the bed cover. "My sister is the only one who knows how to cure or reverse the taint that they put into her. It's eating away at the seal that I used to take away her demon form."
"Well can't you just seal it again?"
"No. Once a seal of this nature is broken, putting it back is impossible," Gabriel answered. "We took a gamble, human. It looks like we might have lost."
"You're going to give up on her so soon," Jo asked.
Michael shook his head. "The only one who would have been able to pierce her that deeply was someone that she was connected to. During the fight, it had to be someone that was close to her."
"Like me," Ichigo whispered, realization coming over him.
"Yes. Like you."
Ichigo looked up at Gabriel, anger beginning to fill him. "I don't think I like your tone," he said.
"I don't care what you like, human. You were the one who put that spear through her."
Ichigo jumped to his feet, getting as close to the angel as possible. "I didn't do that. That creature used my body to do that to her," Ichigo yelled back. "I would never hurt her. I would never do something like that intentionally to the woman I love!"
Gabriel snorted, turning away and back toward Michael and Sachiel. "Uriel wanted to know if there was anything we could do to help," he said to the angel still kneeling by the bed.
"No, thank you, brother," Michael said. "Right now, there isn't much any of us can do. The elixir that I gave will help a bit but she will still turn. When she does, she may go mad from the change back to her former self. If that happens…" He left the thought unfinished.
"She won't turn back to what she was," Ichigo said. "Not if I can help it."
"You can't do anything, human," Gabriel sneered, turning away and fading from sight.
Ichigo stared at the space left by his leaving, his fists clenched tight. Michael looked up at him, seeing his resolve harden in his eyes. He smiled slightly, knowing that the man was determined to keep Sachiel safe. He nodded to himself. She had done well in choosing this man for her mate. He turned back to his sister, opening her hand and tracing her symbol upon it, his underneath. He sighed, sadness filling him at the thought of losing his sister again. If she turned, she was lost for good. He only hoped that Ichigo could turn her back if she reverted.
He couldn't tell the mortal man how to do it. Just that it needed to be done.
"Michael?"
The angel stirred, looking up in confusion as he was pulled from his thoughts.
"Yes?"
"I asked if there was a way for us to get her back if she transforms," Ulquiorra repeated.
Michael sighed, shaking his head in negative. "There might be a chance…but you won't be able to do it, Ulquiorra. "The only one who can is the same who caused her this injury." He looked at Ichigo, concern written on the human's face. "Because she is reverting back to what she was, her body will be more accepting this time than it was previously, Ichigo. The transformation will be much quicker."
"Quicker," Ishida asked from the doorway. "How much time do we have then?"
"The last transformation took her almost two weeks to complete," he answered. "At this rate, you'll be lucky if you have two days. After that, she'll be lost to us for good."
"Not if I can help it," Ichigo growled.
Michael looked at him hopefully. "You'll risk your life to bring her back?"
"I have to. I'm bound to her, aren't I?"
"So for that reason alone, you'll risk everything?"
"No," Ichigo replied. "I'll risk it because I love her."
"Then we shall see if you can battle against her," Michael said. "Sachiel was a formidable general. Gabriel and I trained her well. Her mind was quick to formulate strategies. She only had to be shown something once to have it in perfect form and to incorporate it. You'll have to use everything in your power, Ichigo."
"I'll do what I have to in order to get her back," he replied.
"And we'll help," Jo offered.
"No, Jordan. You can't help," Michael said. "All that you can do it lend your support to Ichigo but the outcome of the battle rests on him." He turned to Ichigo. "You have to be prepared to destroy her, if necessary."
"It won't come to that."
"How can you be so sure, Ichigo," Sado asked, worry thick in his voice.
"I won't let it," Ichigo said in surprise at Sado's question.
Michael stood, going to Ichigo. "She'll need guarded around the clock. At least, until she awakens. After that…," he let the statement go unfinished. He turned to Ulquiorra and Jo, both standing mute as they looked at Sachiel. "You two, I will need to help me," he said. "We are going to the temple ruins and investigating the supposed gateway there that they are trying to use."
As they turned to follow him, their outfits changed to their fighting ones, complete with weapons. The four in the room with Sachiel watched them go, not sure what to do or to expect next. Ishida was the first to notice, Renji second; Michael had erected a barrier around the house.
Ichigo gave the woman lying on the bed his full attention, his eyes noting the subtle changes already taking place. Her hair was darkening, almost to the color of blood, her skin growing pale as rice and almost as translucent. He fingered a strand of her hair, memorizing the soft feel of it as he rubbed his fingers over it. Her deep red lips that he enjoyed kissing were also darkening, turning almost black. Michael was right; they didn't have much time.
He squeezed her hand, kissing it softly. "I won't lose you, Sachi," he whispered. "I won't let them take you without a fight. You've given me so much during my time here. You make me feel complete. Saving you, is the least I can do."
He was surprised to find her eyes open, looking at him. "I…Ichigo?"
"I'm here, Sachi."
"I can feel it," she whispered. "I can feel the corruption coursing through me."
"Can you cure it?"
"No. This is different than anything I've felt before."
He silently cursed to himself. "I did this to you," he said, his voice thick with guilt.
"I know," she said softly. "And I know you weren't you when it happened."
"I'll save you," he promised.
"I know you'll try, my love. I don't know if you can defeat me in my corrupted form," she said. "My wound is healing, the corruption is sealed inside now. It won't take long." She held up her hand, noting the pale skin and darkening of her nails. "It won't take long at all."
"I won't give up until I have you back."
"Oh, Ichigo," she smiled at him. "Always trying to save the world. You're so naïve…"
Ichigo looked at her, noting the change of tone in her voice. It was mocking him. He looked into her eyes to see a hardness that wasn't there before. He stood up, backing away from her slowly.
"What's wrong, Ichigo? Afraid I'll bite?" She sat up, laughing at her joke. Ichigo could see her fangs now and the cruel sneer. Ishida, Renji and Sado stood next to him, all four men watching as the caring, generous woman they had known was now turning cold and callous, her form changing before their eyes.
"What am I wearing," she sneered, looking down at her denim shorts and black tank top. "Oh, this won't do." She swept her hand over herself, changing her outfit. Her top was now like a bodice, barely containing her breasts in their laced cups that just covered her, the shoulders bared before her upper arms were contained in the black leather. A collar of black feathers adorned the top hem. Her shorts had become a black leather skirt, split wide on both sides to show her milky white legs, two large silver straps holding it onto her hips, her entire midsection now bare. Her shinigami sandals that she usually wore become thigh high boots, black leather adorned with the same black feathers. She shook her head, her curls falling into straight black hair that floated lightly about her form.
"Much better," she cooed. "Just missing a few things." She flung her right hand out, black wisps encircling it up to her elbow to reveal a deadly looking clawed hand that was just a bit oversized. Ichigo and the others could see that each claw held a silver razor in it. Sachiel held the claw in front of her, smiling as she flexed her fingers. Her left hand shot out, a thick bar of lightning forming in it. She slammed it into the floor, the shape changing as it solidified into a huge scythe, the blade held on by a silver winged woman at the top of the staff, a thick chain attaching to her clawed hand.
"Now, monkeys…what shall I do with you," she asked.
"Sachi. What are you doing," Ichigo asked.
"What does it look like, my dear? I'm taking on my true form," she answered.
"That's your corrupted form!"
"Corrupted or not, it's me," she said. "Now, I have a question for you, my orange haired monkey. Will you come with me or will you fight me?"
"I won't come with you like this," he answered. "I will rid you of the corruption."
"Good luck," she laughed. "I rather like this form." She spread her arms wide, giant black feathered wings sprouting from her back, a smaller pair of below them. "Now, to extract some revenge," she mused as she stretched her arms a bit wider, her joints popping slightly.
She stepped toward them, none of the four moving as she approached. "You would do well to move aside," she purred. "Otherwise, I might not be responsible for what could happen."
Ichigo drew his blade, Ishida took up his bow while Renji took out his sword. Sado stood beside them, both his armored arms ready for her. She cocked her head to the side, curiosity written there.
"And what do you think you can do against me, monkeys," she trilled. She swept her arm aside, all four men flying into the wall. Ichigo was the first to jump up, his sword at the ready.
"Sachi…you can't do this," he pleaded. "Don't fall into that fate again!"
"My sweet, sweet Ichigo," she whispered, walking toward him. Even in this form, she was shorter than him. She reached up a hand, laying it against his cheek. "You gave me hope. You gave me joy. You'll take that from me when you leave."
"No, I won't. I'll find a way to stay here."
She smiled, bringing her face to his, brushing her lips softly against his jaw. "I can suffer any torture," she whispered near his ear. "But I know that I could not suffer being away from you." Her hand reached behind his head, her fingers grabbing tightly onto his hair and pulling his head back. "We have no future, monkey! You are not like me!" She reached back, her claws ready. Her luminous green eyes fiery in their intent to end his existence.
The feel of a firm hand on her wrist caused her to look back. That was the opening Sado needed. He shoved his hand hard toward her chest, barely moving her but it was enough to draw her attention to him and release Ichigo.
"Chad!"
The other two men jumped forward to restrain the fallen angel. Renji grabbed her other wrist while Ishida held an arrow straight over her heart. Ichigo was behind her, on one knee, amazed that the woman he thought he knew would try to kill him.
"What do you think you're doing, monkeys," Sachiel sneered. "You think you can hurt me? You think that this is all that's needed to restrain me?"
"Umm…hello?"
Everyone froze as they heard a small voice drifting up to them from below stairs. Ishida turned, looking over his shoulder, his blood feeling like ice in his veins as he recognized the voice.
"Orihime! Get out of here," he yelled.
"Ishida-kun," the voice asked.
"Kurosaki," he said. "Please get Orihime out of here."
Ichigo looked at him dumbfounded. "Orihime is here?"
"Can't you hear her," Sado asked.
"We'll take care of Sachiel," Renji added. "Just get her out of here so she doesn't get hurt."
"Sachi is my problem, not yours," he yelled back. "I have to take care of her!"
"Ishida-kun? Sado-kun?" Her voice was getting closer. Ishida's eyes pled with Ichigo to take her out of the house.
"Foolish creatures! I tire of this game," Sachiel interrupted. She brought her arms together, despite the two men holding her. She curled up slightly, suddenly throwing her arms back as a tremendous force erupted from her. All three men in front of her went flying, Renji and Sado hitting the walls, Ishida flying down the hallway.
"Ishida-kun," Orihime exclaimed, rushing toward the man as he lay crumpled in a heap, checking him for injuries.
"So…you're the famed Orihime," she heard, the voice smooth yet filled with malice. She turned to see a woman with a huge scythe walking slowly toward her.
"Do…do I know you," Orihime asked quietly.
"Get away from her, Sachi," Ichigo yelled from her room.
The demon continued to stalk slowly toward her. "You're the one my brother told me about," she said. "You, who can displace events. You heal but you don't really. You are the one who was to have replaced me…"
Orihime's eyes grew wide, scared at what the woman walking toward her was implying.
"You consumed my brother's thoughts for many years, woman. You were foremost on his mind, even as he fell in love with another woman. You, who shamelessly pursued a man who barely acknowledged your existence," she continued as she stalked toward her. "You need to die…"
Sachiel raised her scythe high overhead as she reached Orihime, a scowl on her face. The scythe began to swing down, Orihime's face filled with terror. What neither expected was to find Ichigo's sword blocking the arc of the blow that would have ended Orihime.
"K…Kurosaki-kun," she whimpered.
Sachiel stood, taking a step back from him. "You would use my gift against me," she asked.
"You brought this back so that I could protect what I held dear to me, Sachi. Inoue is a friend and I will protect her," he answered.
"Even against me," she said. "That, I understand. Farewell for now, Ichigo. The next time we meet shall decide our fate."
With that, she spread her wings and flew threw the portrait window behind them, the glass shattering at her passing. Ichigo ran to the window, ignoring everyone else as he watched her retreating form. His heart ached, torn between staying with his friends and waiting for the others or going after her. He watched until he could no longer see her, sad that her turn was so quick.
Feeling his anger building inside, he made to fly out the window as well, to chase after her. The feel of Renji's hand on his shoulder made him stop. He turned, angry at being stopped, pushing his hand away.
"Let her go for now, Ichigo," the shinigami said quietly. "Give her some time and give us some time to come up with a plan to get her back."
"Get her back," Ichigo thought to himself. He looked at Renji for a moment before turning to the others. Inoue was here…but why? She was with Ishida, the Quincy holding her tightly…soothing…her. "You're dating Ishida," Ichigo asked in surprise at his own discovery.
|(|)|
Michael flinched, something the angel never did for any reason. But for this, he knew the reason. He could feel the change in his sister; she hadn't even yet been administered the potion to keep her from turning. He had hoped that the turn would be slow but it was not to be. She was changed.
"Are you alright," Ulquiorra asked, watching the angel from the corner of his eye.
Michael nodded, feeling immense sadness begin to fill him. "She's turned," he said huskily, his voice threatening to break.
"But you said she had at least a few days," Jo said, turning to him.
"I was wrong," Michael said.
A brilliant flash of lightning broke through the darkness in the temple, the report rumbling through the ground. Michael looked up, knowing that there were no clouds in the sky that peeked through small breaks in the architecture of the temple. Ulquiorra and Jo's eyes followed his, trying to see what he was looking at. Another flash revealed a figure standing there and then it was gone.
"Was that…," Jo started to ask.
"Yes," Ulquiorra answered. "And if she's here, then that means the others might be in trouble."
"And if she's here…"
"That means I remember how to get into the secret room," Sachiel's voice finished. She walked slowly toward her brother.
"Why would you know that," Ulquiorra said quietly.
"Because, idiot. I'm the one who hid it to begin with," she answered, stopping in front of Michael. "Surprised, brother?"
"No," he answered. "Disappointed is a better word. Why are you here?"
"Before the others arrive, I thought I should tell you. I was thinking while I was unconscious in this body. And the more I thought, the more I realized that this is mainly centered on me," she said. "And the more I thought, the more I realized that this needs to end. I want a life now, brother. I want to protect the ones I care for. So that you three know, I allowed the transformation but I am not on their side. Don't say anything to anyone. I will end this. I'll leave you clues but for now…you all need to leave. The house has a new guest. See to her."
With another flash of lightning, she was gone.
Michael's heart felt much lighter, his sadness lifting as he processed her words. She wasn't turning away from them…she was going to help them. Things were looking better already.
"We should go," he said, all three enveloped in his signature golden light.