Chapter 4: Confrontations
Ichigo's limp body lay on the dirt surrounded by the Vizards, but in his mind he was elsewhere. He found himself in the same strange place he had visited in Urahara's training ground. A blue city, with sideways buildings and no noise. He peered around him, why was it always so quiet in here? At the top of where he stood there was another shape - dressed all in white and familiar looking. Ichigo narrowed his eyes- he knew exactly who it was.
"Hey, long time no see King. What's wrong? By the expression on your face you look gloom." His voice was high and shrill, and now that his face came into view Ichigo saw that it was his own. Only the coloring was different. He had white hair and skin to match his robes, and then dark eyes with yellow pupils.
"What are you doing here? Where is Zangetsu?"
The Hollow laughed, and his hands went behind his back and gripped the handle of his sword. Ichigo didn't waste any time, he pulled his own out and in one swift move charged at the impostor. They clashed on the Hollow's side, their swords locked as shockwaves radiated down the side of the buildings and his terrible chuckles ringing out. Ichigo was reeling. What was happening? Had he really lost this much control? Had his inner Hollow somehow killed Zangetsu? He had never felt this much hatred for anyone, not even Byakuya or Grimmjow, this thing inside of him, it was truly a monster.
Ichigo was slashing his sword against the Hollows but he wasn't budging. Instead the reptilian yellow of his eyes were fixated on Ichigo. "How could you do that?" muttered Ichigo roughly. The Hollow smiled and suddenly his blocks became strikes, his sword striking Ichigo's with such force that Ichigo was blown backwards, his feet now mere feet from the edge, the side he had started at.
"Do what?"
Ichigo's eyes narrowed and he swerved his sword forward, the edge ripping through the Hollow's robes. He leaped backwards onto the other building, widening the gap between them. "What you did to Orihime you asshole! How am I supposed to explain that?" he shouted. The Hollow looked quite calm, it was obvious he was toying with him.
"That's not my problem King."
"I'll fucking make it your problem!" said Ichigo as sprung forward, "Getsuga Tenshou!" An arc of blue light flew from Zangetsu at the Hollow who smiled as he casually raised his Zangetsu and blocked it.
"Was that a threat? Do you think I'm scared? You can't fight me!" shouted the Hollow contorting his face into a maniacal smile.
"I'm not done yet!" Ichigo roared, as he appeared behind the hollow, a second Getsuga Tenshou flying from his sword, the Hollow only had a moment to widen his eyes in surprise as it collided with him.
"I'm telling you stay the fuck away from her, you don't get to touch her," said Ichigo as he accelerated to the cloud of smoke still enveloping the hollow. Just as he reached it, the hollow burst from the smoke, only slightly burned and flew towards him, sword raised. It seemed they were moving at the same rate but every time Ichigo attacked the Hollow managed to slip away, right out of his reach. Then he would draw him back and disappear once again. It was as if all this was a game to him.
"Are you getting territorial?"
Ichigo screamed as the Hollow's sword gashed his leg and he was forced to retreat quickly, blood dripping down and soaking his robes. "No, that's not it you moron!" he gasped. "She's just my friend."
The Hollow remained where we was some ten feet away, his eyes glittering menacingly through the distance. "Well I'll tell you what, let's trade then, I'll let you keep her, and I'll move on to the little one."
At this a new rage boiled inside of Ichigo and in an instant he flashed stepped behind him. He swung Zangetsu down just as the Hollow brought his sword up to block, the same maniacal smile upon his face, his yellow eyes glinting with bloodlust, "The same technique? Pathetic!". "Don't even think about it!" Growled Ichigo as he put all his force into smashing through the Hollow's sword. "I will never let you come near Rukia!"
"And how do you plan on stopping me? Don't you notice anything? You become weak when you are around her. You let her affect you," he chuckled and in an instant pushed back Ichigo sword and soared to another building. "Besides she is pretty adorable, I'm sure she's just as good as-"
"Shut up!" Screamed Ichigo his face red. "I though you didn't like her?"
"Do you believe everything I say?" Ichigo remained where he was gathering his breathe. What was he talking about now? Did he like Rukia, could she be in danger too? That was the last thing he needed to think about right now.
As if on cue the Hollow answered his question. "Oh, I like her plenty. I only went to our Princess because you had already marked her."
"Marked her?" Ichigo felt his face heat up. "You mean because I'd already slept with her?"
At this the Hollow's eyebrows rose and his mouth split into another horrible smile. "You really didn't notice?" He laughed and more than ever it frightened Ichigo. He really sounded mad. "Oh, to be a simple, stupid human! You really don't feel anything!"
"What are you talking about?"
He rolled his eyes. "I think I'll let them tell you."
"Tell me what?" Ichigo roared grabbing hold of his Zangetsu and leaping back into the air.
"Who do you think I am?" said the Hollow as his sword crashed loudly against Ichigo's. "Do you honestly think I went out of my way to fuck her just because she's attractive?" With a swift twist of his arm, the Hollow's sword skewed direction at last minute, the tip slashing Ichigo across the chest, the Hollow laughed as Ichigo grunted in pain, then brought his sword down in a two handed swing that Ichigo just managed to block, however the force was too great, sending Ichigo soaring through the air until he smashed into the adjacent building.
"Or did you think this was about you?" The hollow's words reached him as he tried to get up, breathing in the smell of smashed stone and glass. "Did you think I wanted to mess up your life or something? Do you think I care about you that much?" He was laughing again, his head rolling madly around so that he appeared possessed. "The thing is King, you and your pathetic human life are my only existence! And I just couldn't put up with it anymore"
Ichigo stood and wiped the blood from his mouth. "I don't understand, what are you saying. Why did you do that?"
"Because you wanted to."
Ichigo shook his head profusely. "No, you're wrong. I don't want Orihime."
The hollow chuckled darkly as he threw his sword high in the air, gripping the cloth that trailed from the hilt and spun the blade menacingly over his head. "You're not keeping up. You don't even know what I'm talking about."
"Well then explain it." spat Ichigo as he picked up his sword again.
"It's very simply really; I went to her because you had already accomplished what we wanted with the soul reaper. And then I took her, so that we'll get more of what we wanted. You should be thanking me."
Ichigo spluttered. "How many times do I have to tell you? I don't want her!" He shouted as he leapt forward again, but the hollow was ready for him, flinging the rotating Zangetsu at Ichigo, catching him in the upper arm, "Dammit, I never even thought of using Zangetsu like that!" Ichigo growled, as he once again charged the Hollow, this time, dodging the blade and slicing through the cloth rope. The Hollow, now defenseless, had only enough time to contort his face into a snarl before Ichigo's blade bit his left shoulder, drawing a line of blood.
But the he didn't seem to feel any pain and instead whispered with full confidence: "Even when I speak so clearly and slowly, you fail to understand King."
Ichigo had been training for a week now, and whatever Hiyori might say he was clearly improving. He could now keep control of his mind when he hollowfied, if only for a few seconds. , but that was already something. "You're really not trying hard enough asshole!" yelled the little blonde as she threw her sandal at him for breaking concentration. Dodging them had become second nature by now.
Ichigo scowled. "Shut up, I've been training practically non-stop for days."
"Yeah and that still hans't gotten you anywhere!"
He was about to lunge at her when Shinji stepped between them. "You're both just tired! Take a break, have some food."
"I'm not eating with him!" she said as she turned snootily around and joined the other Vizards.
"How on earth does anyone put up with her?" said Ichigo as he sat down on a boulder.
"Good question," muttered Shinji quietly under his breath.
Ichigo closed his eyes. He was exhausted and not just because of the training, or because he had to spend so many hours with that stupid girl. He was tired because his mind was constantly working. He kept thinking about what the hollow had said, trying to understand it. But he reached no new conclusions, which meant that next time he saw Rukia he would be constantly worried about loosing control.
And that made him feel sick, because he wanted to see her more than anything. He wanted to explain, really he should have done so before coming here but he didn't because he hated having to hurt her. He wasn't sure how she would take this. Rukia kept her emotions out of his reach. She liked to pretend that she was strong enough to be unfazed by anything, but that wasn't true. She wasn't a cold person like Byakuya, underneath it all she had a heart.
More than anything he missed talking to her. She was only person who would be able to cheer up now. She would probably kick him in the face, and then miraculously all his guilt and anxiety would vanish. But that wouldn't be fair, he should feel guilty. Specially about Orihime. She really didn't deserve it, she was a nice girl, and apparently she loved him. But that just made things so much worse. She was probably thinking that they were together now - or that he had used her. He ran his hands through his hair, feeling the urge to pull chunks out. How had he been so heartless as to leave her without saying anything? He had really been a coward that day.
"Ichigo!" said an exited voice and immediately he jumped up. Was he imagining things, it sounded like Orihime!
He looked over to the large staircase. The Vizards were all around it looking up at her with amused. Ichigo felt his heart speed up astronomically. How had she found him? And how had she gotten in here?
"Ichigo it is you!" she said her warm eyes looking into his.
He managed to nod, everyone was looking at them, including Hiyori who seemed annoyed. "Who let the human in? Hatchi! I thought we were super secure here!" she said rounding up on the large pink haired man.
"The barrier is undisturbed, I don't know how she did it."
At this point Orihime was walking down and Ichigo didn't give a damn what anyone else was saying. For some reason she wasn't yelling at him, in fact she didn't even look upset. He searched her eyes, was it possible she was glad to see him?
"How have you been?" he asked lamely as she reached him.
"Alright, but everyone is busy training except me."
Ichigo could feel his heart pounding. All the guilt that had been building up over the week was overpowering him. He couldn't wait another moment - he had to explain it all to her. Slowly he raised his hand put it right above her elbow and began guiding her away from the others. He didn't want anyone hearing about this, both for her sake and his own. She went along without questioning him till they got to an area blocked off by large rocks. At once Ichigo released her arm and said the words he should have that night. "I'm sorry."
Orihime didn't answer. She didn't even move, her eyes were still fixed on his and yet it was like his words hand't affected her at all. He had expected something more dramatic. He had expect her to be angry, or cry, or accuse him of being horrible, but she seemed incapable of speaking.
"Look what happened that night-" he broke off. He had never told her about his inner hollow, it would probably sound ridiculous now. But she had to know the truth, she deserved to. He started again, "You see when Urahara and I were first training together something strange happened, I-"
"What are you talking about?" she said quietly her eyes finally lowering to the ground.
He had never heard anyone sound so sad without crying. "I'm trying to explain what happened."
She shook her head slowly, her eyes closed. "I don't want to know."
"But then you're going to hate me, and I don't want you to hate me," his voice was emphatic. He didn't want to have to stop being friends with her.
"I could never hate you Ichigo, never," it was frightened how truthful she sounded. And a moment later she had raised her face to look at him again. "I just came here because I wanted to see you. I wanted to make sure you were okay."
Ichigo gapped at her. She was a much better person than he had ever given her credit for. How could she be so forgiving? It wasn't fair to her. "You're not supposed to be nice to me."
To his greatest surprise yet she smiled. "But I want to be nice to you."
"Then please just let me explain what happened."
She sighed. "I don't see the point, I already understand."
"No you don't Orihime."
"Yes, yes I do." It was at this point that the first tear streaked down her face. "I know you don't want to be with me, and I know that you don't love me, and I really really couldn't bare hearing those words coming from your mouth. So just don't say anything!" She was sobbing, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Her face had gone red all of a sudden and as hard as she whipped the tears away she couldn't stop crying. "Please Ichigo, that's the only thing I'm asking for! Please don't say you don't like me. It's fine if you feel that way but I shouldn't have to hear it."
He had never felt so powerless in his life. Ichigo couldn't think of anything to do. The last seven days he had been racked with guilt, and falsely thinking that explaining what had happened would make him feel better. But nothing could have been further from the truth. He had no way to help her cope. Without thinking he put his arm around her and felt her lean into him, still crying uncontrollably. He touched her hair, wet with tears and whispered: "I'll never say anything about it again if that's what you want."
"Yes," she said taking a large breathe of air. "Let's just-" she hiccuped. "Let's just pretend it didn't happen."
"Alright. Is there anything I can do?"
"Not really, no."
"But we are still friends, right?"
Her lips formed a little smile. "Of course, we'll always be friends." With that she moved out of his arms and walked towards the staircase. He watched her the whole way, feeling sick to his stomach. She kept turning back to look at him. There was such longing in her gaze, and he got the feeling that she had secretly been wanting him to contradict her speech. She had wanted to be wrong. She had wanted him to stay with her. And now not only was she sad, she was disappointed and somehow she had still manage to forgive him. To say they were friends again. He didn't deserve that.
He slumped to the ground, feeling depressed. If talking to Orihime had been bad, talking to Rukia would only be worse. She would surely not be as forgiving. She was also likely to beat the shit out of him. But in some way he might prefer that, because it was what he deserved.
A/N: Alright so this chapter was a huge struggle for me because of the 'fight scene'. I'd actually never written one before so I apologize if it really sucked. Also I know the talk with the Hollow may have been a bit confusing but everything will become clear shorty.
On another note I really want to thank everyone who has been reviewing but particularly the anonymous Guest reviewer for chapter 3. I was always planning on having Ichigo talk to Orihime and Rukia however your insistence on communication made me speed up my plan, and I think it came out better this was, so thank you very much.