Vanity: For one, I must apologize. We have been preoccupied with another project (not one for fanfic, sadly). We wrote (and I kid you not) over 150 pages for this current story. That is how inspired we were. Just amazing. Secondly, it is time for a long overdue rant. Why, oh why do people change the genders of the characters to suit their stories? I understand the need for some people to have straight couples—and yes, you have creative leeway—but it is so so so WRONG in my opinion (sorry if this offends someone—but really, I just do not understand). I think gender-benders where the lead character turns out to be another gender are indeed funny, but no. Just no. Alright. I believe that rant is over. Thank you for your patience (unless you just skipped over this—then, by all means, fuck yourself).

Greed: FINALLY! She shuts up! Do you know how long I had to put up with that? The whole time my fingers are moving across the damned keyboard, I have this rant in my ear (head?), whatever. Most of the time I lose my train of thought.

Vanity: Train? More like rat on an exercise wheel.

Greed: Damn, you're mean today. Go take your bitch pills! Usually, you're the one telling me to be nice. Anyway, read away on our newest chapter!

Vanity: By the way, we're disappointed in you people! Hardly any reviews! Oh well, we got favorited and followed. I guess I forgive you this time, you sluts!

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Chapter 8… Surrounded

Renji looked around the building the Vizards were using for their newest hideaway.

It looked like a hospital that was under construction. However, the construction looked like it had stopped almost a decade ago. Some of the rooms were half finished, while others had things in them—things like hospital beds, and other miscellaneous medical supplies that were in dubious states.

The blond headed Shinji and muscular Kensei had cleared out several rooms of unnecessary items.

Ichigo was currently in the cleanest room with Hachi and Rukia hovering over him. "I will say it has healed remarkably well, but if you keep up with the reckless actions, you'll have a very fine scar. This is the second time you've reopened it. I can't keep stitching you up. You'll be nothing more than a pincushion," the round man informed the teen.

"It isn't as if I choose to do this shit," Ichigo complained. "I've got people after me, and then that blond idiot that keeps attacking everything without question. It's his damned fault anyway! You should be griping at him instead of me!" The teen looked at his friend when she giggled slightly. "And you! What the hell are you doing here? Byakuya is probably pissed that you left. And with Renji! God! You two will get killed if you get caught in the cross fire."

Rukia sobered quickly and glared at her fiery friend. "We're stronger than you think, Ichigo. You have no right to underestimate us. We may not be as strong as you, but Renji and I are both lieutenants. Renji even has a bankai! Even if the Vizards are more powerful than us, regular shinigami are not a problem."

The redhead sighed. His black haired friend was too competitive when it came to fights. "I know you are strong, Rukia. But it isn't regular shinigami after me. It is Soi Fon, Mayuri, and Kenpachi that have come after me so far. All of which would not hesitate to kill Renji and you upon learning of your siding with me. I can't almost lose my friends again." There was so much pain in the young man's eyes. The petite woman had to look away.

While looking to the floor she whispered, "Well, it's too late now. They already know that we are gone. Where else would we be but with you? Besides, Byakuya knows I wouldn't abandon you to whoever you're up against. Even if it is my own organization." Her eyes rose to level with his. "I'm always here to help, Ichigo. You don't even need to ask."

Finally, a smile lit the teen's anguished features. "Thank you, Rukia."

…

A white haired figure stood over a window that acted as a floor.

The window below him featured two large eyes framed by black hair. It was a pretty face that he wanted to kill. Ichigo was so close to this woman. Shiro grumbled to himself. If Ichigo had just stayed alone with these Vizards, everything would have been perfect. Ichigo would have felt almost completely alone, and no one would have noticed subtle changes in his characteristics. Now, however, two of his closest friends were right there in front of the pale parasite's face.

"Looks like you can't take Ichigo over so easily now," a deep voice rumbled behind him.

"Che. It's not that big of a deal. It'll just take a lil' longer is all."Despite his words, the demon was upset. Ichigo had been spiraling down into despair! It would have been so much easier for his inner hollow to come out if Ichigo didn't have his normal will power. All he had to do before was protect himself—though, he was usually the type to ignore himself and protect others. Now there were two soul reapers that he would protect. Dammit all to the depths of Hell!

…

Mayuri Kurotsuchi supervised the proceedings in front of him. Three small squads had been assembled to take down the Vizards. Each team was equipped with devises to render their hollow powers useless. All developed by the captain of squad 12 and head of the Science Division, of course.

Soi Fon was barking orders to everyone, but the eccentric captain ignored that while he made sure his things were in order. Nemu was calmly and demurely standing beside her beloved 'father.' Nothing was going to make them fail this time. Ichigo was still left with half his original power and with no access to his hollow. The others would soon be reduced to little more than bugs. This time, they were prepared to capture Kurosaki and the others.

Then his eyes traveled to a less than wanted addition to the teams. Kenpachi Zaraki was standing off to the side with a strange smirk on his face and his pink haired lieutenant on his shoulder. Mayuri did not like that man. He could ruin everything for them. The brute was far too impulsive and dimwitted.

Then, three words penetrated his thoughts and made the eerie captain smile. Soi Fon had just said the thing he had been waiting for. "Let's move out."

…

Shinji made sure the premise was secure before tagging off his shift with Love. Kensei was on the other side of the building, most likely switching with Rose. Hachi had just finished making sure Ichigo was comfortable, and the girls had just gotten done training. The two shinigami had watched and were probably now going off to sleep.

Within his new room, Ichigo wasn't sleeping.

Hachi had just left with instructions to stretch before sleeping, but otherwise, no physical activity more stressful than that. His brow eyes were staring at the ceiling of the old room. He could feel his other half knocking at his consciousness.

"Hey, king. Are ya glad to see yer buddies?"

The teen sighed. "Why wouldn't I be? Besides, what do you care?"

"I just don't want yer body ta get hurt, king. Have you considered that they aren't here for you? They could just be trying to lead people here." Shiro giggled a little bit. The thought was just too pleasing for him not to.

The redheaded boy scowled fiercely, though the one inside him couldn't see. "Why would they do that? I've saved their asses before. They are my friends. There is no way they would betray me like that."

"People change, king. Ya haven't really seen Rukia in almost two years, besides that time with the Ginjou mishap. Do ya really wanna risk being betrayed again?" Shiro whispered horrid words to the boy he inhabited. The hollow knew Ichigo wouldn't listen to him, not really. However, this did plant a seed. No matter how small.

With those final words of doubt to the boy, his inner self allowed him to sleep.

Not even an hour later and the teen rolled over, brown eyes wide with wakefulness. He rolled out of the bed and decided that he was hungry. So, clutching his stomach, he walked out of his room in search of any kind of food. The problem was, he had no idea where the food was being kept.

He got bored with wondering around and leaned against a wall, using it to slide down to the floor.

That's how Shinji found him a few minutes later. "What the matter, strawberry-head?"

Ichigo looked up at him sharply. "What's that matter? This whole situation is what's wrong!" he raged. He looked down so Shinji didn't catch the flash of black that flickered in the teen's eyes. "My family is god knows where, the people I have trusted for over three years have suddenly turned on me, and I'm struggling to maintain any semblance of sanity! I work well when I have something to hit or slash at, but this! This is not something I ever thought I would have to be put through."

The blond man sighed. This kid really shouldn't have had to deal with such things, but life was never known to be fair. He slid down the wall to sit beside the younger man. "Listen, I went through this. Maybe not in the same way, but I did. All of us did, Ichigo. We want to help you just as much as we want to help ourselves. You just need to have a little faith in us. That may be hard to ask right now, but we're really the only ones that can help. Well, there is Urahara, but we have no idea where he is."

"Just shut up, Shinji. I know all of this. I'm working through all of this! But this is something I do not know how to deal with." The last sentence slipped into a higher octave, a slightly watery tone. Shinji stood quickly and grabbed Ichigo by the neck. He dragged the teenager up the wall and looked him straight in the eyes. His black and yellow eyes. "What are you—" Ichigo started, but then stopped as he really heard his voice.

"Kid, you need to calm the fuck down. This isn't healthy. And isn't that bracelet supposed to suppress your hollow? It doesn't seem to be working very well."

"I don't know what's happening!" Ichigo almost shouted. His voice was back to normal, but his eyes were still colored wrong. Anger was in his eyes instead of the tears Shinji would have expected from anyone else. "I just… I want this all to end!"

"Be careful what you wish for kid," stated a gruff voice from down the hall. Love stepped around the corner. "Shinji, we have problems. I caught sight of two shinigami weaving their way through some buildings. It looks like they're observing, but I don't know how long that will last. We need to move again."

"What!" Shinji yelled, letting Ichigo loose to fall to the floor. "Dammit! How did they find us so fast?"

"I'm not sure, but we need to get ready to fight. There is no way we can get away this time without a confrontation," Love advised. "Ichigo, I suggest you get your friends and let them protect you. And don't fight if you don't have to! You've opened your wound too many times for comfort. Hachi won't be happy with you if it happens again."

Ichigo glared at the black man, but did as he suggested. "I'll meet with you guys later then."

…

Kenpachi smiled.

Soon he would have his second chance at the ryoka boy. Hell! That chance was now! There was a shock of orange hair leaving the area right now!

The large, blood loving man's smile grew wider. He had just caught a glimpse of Kuchiki's young brat of a sister and his fiery lieutenant. It seemed he was getting a bonus for his troubles. Kenpachi looked over his shoulder at his lieutenant. "Yachiru, you comin' with me or not?" he huffed out.

"Sure, Kenny! I wanna watch you fight Ichi!" the pink haired girl gushed.

Without another word spoken, the hulking man and petite girl moved toward the retreating trio, while two shadows followed.

On the other side of the temporary fortress the Vizards had occupied, Mayuri was leading his team to surround Shinji and his group. And Soi Fon was entering a fight with Kensei and his ex-lieutenant.

Things were looking down on the criminals of Soul Society.

…

Greed: I know that was a bit of a lame ending, but we really couldn't think of anything else at the moment. And sorry about mistakes. We were too lazy to proofread.

Vanity: Yes, it is slightly disappointing. However! Next chapter should make up for all of that. We will finally get a glimpse into Ichigo's turmoil within his mind.

Greed: You just had to tell them, didn't ya? That was supposed to be a surprise!

Vanity: Quiet, you! The next chapter was my idea, not yours, so I have say over it. Anyway, we're feeling kind of down because no one seems to be commenting. We have several new favorites and alerts that came our way, but no reviews. We would like to know how we're doing, if you don't mind. And if you have any ideas, feel free to share! Ta-ta!

Greed: Way to leave them on a depressing note. *cringes from a glared from Van*