Tainted
Chapter 8
Authors Notes: Well, took me a bit to figure out how to do this next part and I apologize for this chapter being shorter then normal as well as the long periods of time between updates. Hard to balance work, parenting, wife, WoW time, and writing all at the same time. But, I am leaving WoW behind for good here soon so that will be more time for writing.
Hiyori was devastated when she had returned from Urahara's shop. Shinji had sent her to help with some odd tasks the store master had, something she didn't take to kindly to. She knew something was wrong when she reached the entrance to their hide out. A dark reitsu hung over the entire area. When she saw their mangled bodies, she screamed and ran to the only place she could think of. Ichigo was the first to arrive to investigate the scene where the Vizords were killed. He couldn't place it but the reitsu he felt was strangly familiar, like it belonged to someone close to him but it was… tainted.
"Discover anything?" Rukia asked as she came in behind him.
"I don't know, it feels familiar some how. But I can't place who it would belong to." he sighed as he stood up. "But Chad was here, that much I know for sure."
"Looks like they took him prisoner." Rukia pointed out, due to the lack of their friends body present. "And Aizen has Hueco Mundo sealed off completely, not even Urahara can find a way back in."
"DAMN IT!" Ichigo exclaimed as he drove his fist into a solid beam to release is anger. Something wasn't right and he didn't even know what it was. The two turned their attention to the flight of stairs as someone quickly ran down them.
"Orihime and her two 'friends' are not at their apartment." Ishida reported, clearly emphasizing the word friends. It was no secret they didn't like Loly and Menoly.
"Do you think Aizen intended to kidnap her again?"
"I don't think so, it looks like he is weakening us by taking out our allies. Orihime's apartment wasn't tampered with at all."
"Then it would appear she is safe, for now at least." Ichigo sighed, None of this made any sense. He knew Shinji to be very capable in a fight. But from the looks of things, whoever did this barely even had to break a sweat. "So what do we do now?"
"The only thing we can do." Ishida paused. "We wait."
Orihimes soft foot steps echoed through the large halls as she led their prisoner to where his holding cell would be. Unlike hers, Chads' cell was specifically made to negate his powers. This proved difficult as his powers closely resembled that of a Hollows rather then a Shinigami, but after some altercations, Syzael was able to single out Chads abilities while not affecting the others around the cell.
Chad walked behind his former friend. He never said much to begin with, but this would be a first time he didn't even know what to say. He couldn't believe that his long time friend had betrayed everyone and was responsible for the slaughter of the Vizords. His eyes turned to Tatsuki who walked beside him, he wasn't sure why she was mixed up in all of this, but it seemed that she had sided with her best friend. They stopped in front of his cell as the guards opened the door. Chad stopped at the entrance and looked at Orihime.
"Why Orihime?"
A smirk played across her face. "Did you honestly think I would be safe after everyone abandoned me here? That I would just wait for 'Boy Wonder' to come at his leisure when he isn't sucking face with Rukia?" Her smirk turned into a snarl as she continued. "I sacrificed everything for him, and I got nothing in return. Aizen-sama was there when I needed someone the most. So that is why."
With that, Orihime forced Chad into his cell and slammed the door shut. Taking a deep breath she looked at her friend. "Are you ready?"
Tatsuki only nodded in response. With that the two set off down the corridor towards the room that held the Hogyoku chamber that Aizen used to create the Espadas. They said nothing as the entered the large room. With a silent gesture, Tatsuki got into the glass like box the Hogyoko sat on top of, closing her eyes and waiting for it all to be over with. Aizen placed the strange orb in its spot on top of the case and backed away to watch Orihime, wondering if she could actually pull it off without killing herself. An interesting concept indeed. She was only human with the power to rival that of a gods, and with his help she attained the same level of spiritual pressure as he wielded.
With baited breath waited to see what would happen. She had done exactly as Aizen had instructed her, now all there was to do was wait, and even pray if she believed in a higher power anymore. Suddenly there was an ear splitting scream as the box shattered before her as smoke and debris filled the air. Orihimes shield reacted instantly protecting her from the shards of glass. She didn't even flinch. She watched as the scream died down and the form of her friend stayed in its huddled position. As the smoke cleared she could already see evident changes, Tatsuki was alive, but was no longer human. White spines and grown through her hair in small splinters, her skin was a little paler then it used to be, and her eyes flashed crimson, Below each eye was a black mark, that resembled the fourths. Holding out her hand, one of the Arcanarrs handed Orihime a new robe to place around her friend. With the sudden unleash of power, her former garments had been shredded away.
"How do you feel?" she asked softly.
A small smirk played across Tatsuki's lips. "Stronger, I am an Espada now." It was a statement, she knew that she had changed. Orihime only nodded.
"Ulquiorria will begin to train you for your new powers as soon as you feel up to it." Aizen said as he approached the two.
"Thank you Aizen-sama." Tatsuki bowed then stood up. She was eager to try out her new abilities.
"Do you think she will be ready in time Aizen-sama?" Orihime asked as they walked to the large room where Loly and Menoly were waiting to return to the human world for their last act.
"It depends on how fast she learns her new skills. Ulquiorria will give me updates on how she is progressing. In the meantime, you have your last scene to play. No doubt they have already discovered the attack on the Vizords."
Orihime let a evil smirk play across her face as she remembered what had transpired. The fools had under estimated her and it had cost them their lives. Aizen brought his finger under her chin and lifted her head so she was looking into his eyes. Leaning in he gave her a parting kiss before sending her through the large portal back into her apartment in the human world.
The trio arrived in the empty apartment, just before there was a knock at the door. Orihime quietly cursed under her breath.
"Yes?" she called out.
"It's Kurosaki." the voice behind the door answered back. This only caused Orihime to curse even more. She quickly sent the other two into the bedroom so they could get changed out of the Arrcanar clothing. Once they were out of sight she went and answered the door.
There stood Ichigo, a depressed but relieved look on his face. "Sorry to bother you Inoue, but something horrible has happened."
"What happened?" she asked, putting on a worried face.
"Aizen attacked earlier today, he wiped out all but one of the Vizords." he said, looking at Orihime. He knew how much she cared for Hachi.
"WHAT!" she faked shock.
"It happened a few hours ago. We were worried that he may of come after you again." Ichigo continued. "I think it may be a good idea if one of us stays here with you…."
"No, I will be fine." Orihime cut him off. The last thing she needed was him and Rukia staying here as well. Even though he may of only said one, she knew it would be a package deal. "Besides, I have Loly and Menoly here."
"But I don't trust them."
"I do, and that should be good enough for you." she snapped. Obviously becoming more annoyed with the orange haired 'hero'.
"But you don't even know them. They could….." again he was cut off.
"I know them a lot better then you think." She narrowed her eyes. "At least I can rely on them when I need help. Now leave." she stated coldly, leaching Ichigo stunned as she closed the door in his face. Ichigo let out a sigh and walked away, meeting up with Rukia and Ishida just outside Orihimes apartment building.
"Sounded like that went well." the quincy commented.
"She is still upset with us being forced to retreat." Rukia pointed out. "But, I don't think she is in any immediate danger. If Aizen had intended to kidnap her again, she wouldn't be here."
"Did you tell her about Tatsuki?" Ishida asked in a serious tone.
"No. She is probably already torn because of Hachi being killed. I didn't want to drop that on her as well." Ichigo said as the three walked away.
None of them could see Orihime smirking down at them from her window. The fools knew nothing of what was to come in the next few days. The only thing left to do was to wait until her lover had leaked when he planned to attack, setting the Soul Society and all of its allies up for their fall. Everything was coming to an end, and she would herald in the new age.