Forbidden Love

Chapter 16 - I Promise

Ichigo's POV

Light broke through the curtain's protection and glared into my closed eyes. I grumbled, trying to roll over but yelping when it caused me to slide off the edge of the couch and onto the floor. I moaned and brushed my fingers against my now sore head, wincing when I felt a bump already beginning to form. Scowling, I pulled myself up, the blankets wrapped around my waist nearly causing me to slip again. I yanked them away from my body and threw them onto the surface of the couch before sitting down on it and covering my face with my hands.

For a few minutes, all I did was sit there and think, trying to sort my jumbled thoughts. With a sigh, I finally let go of my head and looked up, my eyes meeting the blank television screen. Fumbling around in the crevices of the couch, I finally fished out the remote, flipping on the television. I surfed through the channels before finally finding a remotely similar show and settling on that. I got up with a yawn, sending my hand through my ruffled locks and heading towards the kitchen.

I scavenged the cupboards, settling on a bag of poptarts before heading back into the living room and sitting back down on the couch. I numbly watched the animations flicker across the screen as I slowly munched on the bland food.

In the back of my head, I knew that I was probably late for school or something but I really couldn't care knowing that my brother was gone. I needed to get him back and fast, or else I would end up going insane. It would be another thing if he had left to go back home of his own choice but knowing that he was stolen by some Espada during the night when I could have saved him was... It sent sharp needles up my spine and nausea formed in the pit of my stomach. I swallowed the lump in my throat before standing up and making my way upstairs to take a shower.

Trudging into the bathroom, I ignored the cold tiles below me and blasted the hot water, barely noticing the hot spray splashing against my face. I didn't even wait to take my clothes, instead just stepping into the slippery tub and ducking my head beneath the mist. My hair plastered against my face and I brushed it away, leaning over to strip off my pajamas. I threw them onto the floor, water splashing all over the bathroom walls. Vaguely, I knew I had forgotten a towel and would probably get water all over the hallway floor, but I couldn't think about anything with the fog covering all my thinking processes.

What felt like hours later, I finally turned off the shower, the water now frigid cold, and stepped out, nearly slipping on a puddle of water. I slowly steadied myself, gathering up my soaking clothes and throwing them into the hamper before heading to my room. I didn't dry myself off, just threw on an old t-shirt and a pair of jeans.

Right at that moment, I heard the doorbell ring. I almost decided not to answer it, thinking it was a customer, but when I heard voices calling out my name, I slowly made my way downstairs, water dripping off my hair and onto the back of my shirt. I shivered, opening the door.

Standing in the doorway was Rukia, her lips drawn into a scowl. Her arms were drawn over her chest and I winced at the glare she was directing at me.

"Do you know what time it is?" I shrugged before stepping aside and letting her in. Her feet pounded against the floor, furious and loud, echoing in the house. I shut the door quietly before moving to sit on the couch. Rukia watched me with sharp eyes and I felt her gaze stab knives into the back of my head. "You didn't come to school today. Why?" I shrugged again and Rukia murmured under her breath, curses spilling from her pursed lips. "Are you going to talk or not?" I didn't answer her, instead leaning over until my hair cascaded over my hunched shoulders and swung in front of my face.

Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder and I nearly jumped, the action startling me. It never left as she walked around the couch and sat beside me. For a few moments, we were quiet until Rukia ducked her head, her violet eyes boring into my dull, brown ones. I could barely make out her heart-shaped face, my thoughts still tormenting me.

"Ichigo." I blinked, focusing on her face. "Ichigo, it's going to be alright, okay? We're going to find him and Inoue. We're going to find them and bring them back. Soon, I promise. But you have to promise me one thing. You can't just ignore everyone else. You have to go to school, you have to talk to everyone. People are going to get suspicious. Can you please just promise me that?" I didn't answer her and she frowned, grabbing a hold of my chin with slender, pale fingers. Lifting it up, she stared into my eyes before leaning forward and tightening her grip, urging me to look at her.

"Promise me, Ichigo." I winced at her icy tone and tried to turn away but her fingers held fast. "Promise, Ichigo."

"I promise." I finally got out, sounding garbled and low. She heard me though and smiled softly before releasing me to only to draw me into a hug. Her hair brushed against my neck and I shivered before looping my arms around her back.

"It's going to be okay." I nodded when she murmured in my ear before letting her go. She pulled away and gave me a smile before holding out a hand to me. "Let's go to Urahara's so we can make plans to rescue them, okay?" I gave her a small smile before taking her hand and standing up. Rukia carefully lead me out the doors, the sunlight glaring into my eyes as we made our way to Urahara's.

I just hoped she was right.

Shiro's POV

Aizen and Szayel spoke for a long time, their voices low. It was nearly impossible to make out what they were saying, only a few words easy to make out. I didn't care enough to listen though as I struggled against the bands around my wrists, grumbles and groans spilling from my lips in frustration. After a few more minutes, Aizen turned around, dark eyes landing on me. I scowled and stilled, glaring at him. A bright gleam shone in his eyes, obvious amusement.

"Don't worry, Shiro-san, you'll be leaving soon." I didn't like the tone his voice had taken and I made it known by growling at him, baring my teeth. He just ignored me and instructed towards Szayel who nodded and turned, his fingers pressing a button near a microphone, which he quietly spoke into. A few seconds later, I heard the distinct sound of the doors opening and watch as three, female servants stepped inside, bowing to Szayel and Aizen both before making their way to the table I lay upon. Two of them, one a tall blonde with dark eyes and another a petite red-head with blue eyes, carefully and methodically undid the leather bands wrapped around my ankles and wrists.

When slender fingers brushed against my bare leg, I finally took notice of the fact that I wasn't wearing any clothes. I scowled, turning my head to glare at Szayel who only smirked back me. The sick fuck. He probably took pleasure from stripping me down, didn't he?

Finally, the straps were undone and I felt gentle, smooth hands carefully lifting my head up from behind, which I figured to be the third servant. The other two swung my legs over the edge and helped me get down from the high ledge. I nearly fell over when my feet hit the floor and I gripped the edge of the metal table, leaning against it for support. Hands reached out and gripped my forearms, steadying me. The third servant disappeared out of the room for a moment, a tall girl with short black hair from what I could see in the dimly lit room, and returned with an armful of cloth. She handed them to me and I realized they were clothes, nearly the same as the ones I had worn before. I stepped into them quickly, yanking the jacket over my shoulders before standing up.

"Take him back to his rooms." The servants nodded when Aizen spoke up and quickly lead me to the door. When it slid open, I blinked, the light burning my eyes. I shut them for a moment and when I reopened them, my eyes had already adjusted. Shocked, I nearly stumbled but a gentle grasp on my wrist urgently tugged my forward, leading me through the busy, hollow-filled room. I suddenly noticed how clear everything was, much sharper then before.

No one said a word as I was lead back to my rooms and I didn't protest when they gently nudged me inside. I made my way over to the bed, climbing on top of it before sitting cross-legged in the middle. The servants were silent as they left, the door making a distinct 'click.' I realized it was the lock but didn't get up to move, instead looking around with my new vision.

Everything was fine until suddenly, my eyes caught sight of the mirror. I did a double-take before crawling to the edge of my bed and staring into it's depths. I couldn't believe what I saw. There, right in the middle of my chest, just below my neck, was a hole. I brushed at it with gentle fingers, shivering at the tingling sensation it brought. I dove my whole hand inside, eyes going wide when the tips of my fingers brushed against the cloth of my jacket.

Quickly, I stood up, running over to the mirror. I yanked off my jacket and spun around, staring at the void where my organs should have been. Reaching my free hand around, I sent it through from behind me, looping my fingers together.

So it really was there...

What was going to happen now?

A/N: Another short chapter Dx But I wrote it in one go, so I guess that figures.

Shiro has discovered his hollow hole! It's right where it was when Ichigo became a hollow while fighting Ulquiorra.

Rukia is also trying to cheer up Ichigo...

What's going to happen to these guys next? Find out in the next chapter of Forbidden Love!

This chapter is also dedicated to my friend rockangel0606 for putting up with me the entire time of my stupid writer's block. I'll work on your request as soon as possible!

~Sevvy