Tainted

Chapter 6

By: Midnight Lost

"What do you mean she is not here?" Ichigo demanded at the apartment door of Orihime. Her two roommates were the only ones there, much to his dismay. He couldn't place it, but he didn't trust them and the fact that Orihime preferred their company over his just irked him even more.

"That's exactly what I said, she is not here!" Loly snapped back, she was trying her best not to blow their cover, but this person was making it increasingly more difficult each time she saw him. "She said something about going to see a dear friend."

"Tatsuki!" Ichigo quickly turned to run off, but not before catching another earful.

"I don't think she needs you following her around everywhere she goes like some deranged stalker!"

Though he heard her, he decided to ignore her words and ran off meet with Orihime. He wasn't stalking her, he was trying to apologize for what had occurred and perhaps welcome her back into their group. So everything could be like normal before the war. If only he had been stronger he could of avoided all of this, he had sworn to protect her and failed miserably. Now he was paying the price and it hurt. Each time she would even look at him, her eyes were full of hate and distain. As he ran he met up with Rukia.

Meanwhile, as Tatsuki slowly made her way home, Orihime came out of her sonido a short distance behind her. This didn't go unnoticed by her friend who turned around and looked at her. For a brief moment, no words were spoken as Tatsuki took in all the details. She could tell her friend had changed, her demeanor was more commanding. Her eyes showed and understanding of hardships, she was no longer blind to the cruelties of the world. Those were only the subtle changes, the biggest change she saw was that she no longer dressed in the bright colors she used to. Instead she wore a simple plain white outfit, making her fiery hair stand out all the more. She couldn't help but noticed it made her look like a goddess of sorts.

"Orihime?"

"No, your not dreaming Tatsuki" she smiled as she moved closer to her again using her sonido ability.

"H-how did you do that?"

"it's a technique I learned while I was away." she chose her words carefully. No doubt the others never told her best friend what had truly happened. "I could teach you, but in time. For now I think we have a lot of catching up to do."

Tatsuki fell into step alongside Orihime as they began to talk. Still in a bit of shock of seeing her old friend after she was away for so long. Many questions flooded her mind. So many things she had wanted to ask her, but didn't know where to start. So, she decided to start with the most immediate question.

"Kurosaki said you returned last week, but you haven't come back to school yet. Why?"

"Well, lets just say that at this time school is the least of my worries."

"What do you mean by that?"

"In good time, I don't think now is the best time to talk about it." she hung her head a little, but quickly perked back up as she stopped and looked behind her. Letting out a frustrated sigh. She would give anything to have a moment of privacy without those two spying on her.

"What is it Orihime?" Tatsuki asked.

"We've got a pair of stalkers." she said quietly, using two fingers to summon Tsubaki. "Scare them"

That being said a yellow disc formed around the fairy as he flew with blinding speed towards a small group of bushes. Flying low he cut the bushes at the bases, allowing them to fall over exposing two Shinigamis hiding behind them. Seeing this, Tatsuki was even a little upset, but Orihime spoke first.

"Am I not allowed to go anywhere without being followed?" she tone was crisp, clearly irritated. Tatsuki gathered that this behavior had to of been going on since she had returned.

"We.. We just want to make sure Aizen doesn't try and kidnap you again." Ichigo shouted, but received a smack on the back of his head by Rukia. He had completely forgotten that Tatsuki didn't know anything of what had happened.

"WHAT!? YOU WERE KIDNAPPED?"

Orihime only gave a brief smile to her friend. The two shinigami finally proved useful, if only in the slightest. Now she would be able to talk openly with her friend and tell Tatsuki her version of what had happened. That smile faded as she saw Rukia digging into her pocket for her little gadget that would erase someone's memory.

"That wont be need Rukia." Orihime stated, catching the female shanghais attention with a questioning look on her face. "She would find out either way. In fact, I was going to tell her."

Rukia was about to argue but felt a wave of coldness spread over her. Looking up she saw the form of what appeared to be an Arrcanar. Clearly not an Espada rank, but very powerful none the less. Ichigo had sensed this too and was already in his Soul Reaper form, leaving his shell on the ground. Orihime looked at her friend once more and to her delight saw that instead of looking at the other two, her friend was clearly looking at what had just arrived. This meant her spiritual power had grown enough that she could see the Arrcanar.

"Get back Orihime, we'll protect you." Ichigo demaned, but Orihime only scoffed at this. Though the arrcanar didn't give them time to make good on their words as he charged towards Orihime and Tatsuki, Rukia and Ichigo moved to intercept him but was easily swatted off.

'Weak fools' Orhime thought bitterly to herself. Spreading her shield as the Arrcanar made contact with it, sending him flying back smoldering. With some experimentation, Orhime had managed to turn her defense into an offense.

"Orihi-!" Ichigo tried to warn her but she quickly cut him off.

"I learned long ago not to rely on anyone else Ichigo. Especially YOU!" she wasn't going to hide her hatred towards him this time. It would serve a purpose that she blamed him for his failure and as a reason she wanted to avoid him. If she was lucky it would kill two birds with one stone and she would get rid of them following her everywhere.

Ichigo let his Zanpaktu rest, her words stung and confirmed what he had thought.

During this time the battle continued as the two Shinigami watch Orihime pair off with the Arrcanar. They were surprised with her speed and strength she had. Even the Arrcanar was thrown off. Then it happened. Orihime spread her shield, but this time around the Arrcanar as Tsubaki flew behind her foe. Forming a pyramid around the Arrcanar.

"What the hell is this?" the Arrcanar exclaimed.

"Tentou Reikyuu" Orihime stated coldly. At this the walls of the pyramid began to close in on its captive. Slowly smashing him to death. After it was done she let the body fall to a heap on the ground as her fairies returned to her hairpins. Tatsuki was more shocked then anyone about what had just happened.

"You see Ichigo, I don't need your protection anymore." she paused for a moment before continue. "Now please let me be. When I have forgiven you, I will come to you, but I don't need you following me around."

With a slow nod in understanding both Ichigo and Rukia left. Rukia had wanted to say so much but kept her mouth shut. She felt guilty as well but understood why Orihime was short with them. Perhaps they were a bit over zealous in watching over her.

After the two had left, Orihime turned back to her friend. "I suppose you will want answers."

Still in shock, Tatsuki could only nod.

"Very well, come with me." she said as she led them towards her apartment so she could meet up with Loly and Menoly as well.

It was a long walk back for Ichigo and Rukia. Both remained silent about what had transpired moments ago. Without a doubt Orihime had made it very clear that she was no longer the helpless little girl they saw her as before. Her words still hurt.

"She is right, it was my fault she was stuck there all this time." Ichigo broke the silence. "She even managed to escape on her own."

"You couldn't have known Ichigo." Rukia reassured him. "None of us could. But we cant give up on her."

"I am not giving up on her, she just needs time. Like she said. I think we may have pushed her too far though."

"Perhaps, but we were just concerned for her. Did you notice she didn't call out her commands like she used to? It also seems like she wasn't even trying when she faced off with that Arrcanar."

"We'll ask her later." he paused for a moment "After we give her some space."

Arriving at her apartment, Orihime opened her door and was immediately greeted by Loly and Menoly. As such, she proceeded to introduce the two to Tatsuki.

"Loly, Menoly. This is my friend Tatsuki."

"Ah, you're the friend she was so eager to see." loly beamed. Noticing that Orihime didn't emphasis the word 'friend' when she had introduced them. This meant that Orihime still viewed this person as a true friend and should be treated as such.

"Ichigo stopped by earlier looking for you. I dare say he is getting rather annoying." Menoly informed her.

"Well, I think I may of taken care of that tonight. Anyways, I promised to tell Tatsuki here everything about what happened." she paused for a moment as Loly whispered something in her ear and looked at her with a hint of concern. "I see, please make yourself comfortable Tatsuki. I need to take care of something real quick first."

With that Orihime disappeared into her bedroom, locking the door behind her. Moving across the room she ensured her windows were blocked out before she activated her communication device. She didn't wait long till Aizens face appeared on the screen.

"Ah, you've returned my dear. Loly informed me that you had gone out to see a friend."

"Yes my Lord. It was a social meeting with the only one I still see as a true friend. I apologize."

"No need to apologize my dear. However should your friend find out, how will you deal with it."

A smile played across Orihimes lips. "No need to worry. I believe by the end of the night she will join me. I was about to reveal 'my' side of the story of my abduction seeing as Kurosaki let is slip in front of her. If she decided tonight, do I have permission to bring her to Las Nochas?"

"Only IF she joins us. However if she does not.."

"She will, I have no doubts."

"Very well. I trust your judgment. Now the purpose of me contacting you ahead of schedule. An Arrcanar loyal to Tousen escaped. He…"

"He has already been taken care of my Lord and my cover is still in tact."

"Very good, as you are certain I will see you tonight."

"Of course my Lord, I am eagerly looking forward to it." she smiled. With that the screen went black.

Rising up from her kneeling position she stretched a little before leaving the room and returning to the living room where to her surprise the three others were engaged in a warm conversation. A smile spread across her lips as she fully entered the room.

"Good to see everyone is getting along well" she commented. "Sorry for taking so long."

"It's ok."

"Now, I know I said I was going to tell you everything, however I believe showing you would be a lot easier." Orihime stated as her fairies took flight. Forming her triangular shield against the wall, acting like a large wedge shaped television. Placing her right hand over her eye she began to focus and call upon her memories. She did leave out small bits that were…..personal. But it was enough for Tatsuki.

After nearly an hour of watching her friends memories of what had happened, Tatsuki had wanted to kill Ichigo herself. How could he have been so selfish?

"Now that you know Tatsuki, I must ask. Will you join me?"

"Of course! I cant stand aside knowing what I do now!."

"Very good, I assumed you would. Now come with me." with that said Orihime raised her right hand and lightly tapped an invisible surface. At this a black void opened, allowing direct transport to Las Nochas. Scared at first, Tatsuki summoned the courage to follow Orihime into the void. Something was about to change, and she knew it.