Save Me from the Dark (Old)

If I Fall

Well obviously this is crazy overdue and I imagine that some of you would probably prefer to bash my head in at the moment because of it, but please don't. This chapter is seriously lacking excitement and it's just kind of a filler, but that doesn't mean it's not important. But guess what!! I have an announcement!!!! And depending on your view of how I write you may or may not like it, but I have this crossover that I write when I'm trying to work through my writer's block. On the 23 (my birthday!!) or Christmas I'll be posting the first chapter of it, and of course it's Ichihime. But enough rambling here's the next chapter of Save Me from the Dark!

---------------------------------------------

      "Sir, I have some disturbing news to report." A neutral male voice stated cooly. Their footsteps could be heard entering the captain meeting hall. "Yes, what is it?" And elderly man answered.  "According to those in the Department of Research and Development they have noticed strange falters in the stability of Ichigo Kurosaki's spiritual pressure." The younger male explained. "What is the abnormality of this?" The captain-commander inquired further as it was not all that unusual. "It seems as though when his energy fluctuates it becomes more hollow." At this the captain's eyebrows rose.

     "Good morning, Ichigo!" Isshin drawled out at the top of his lungs while attempting to pounce on his son. Ichigo brought his leg up, delivering a swift yet harsh kick to his father's stomach. Yawning, Ichigo threw his legs over the side of his bed and stood up, ignoring the groans of his father. Ichigo stretched his limbs as he ambled over to his dresser and put on his clothes for the day. He walked down the stairs to the smell of hot Saturday morning breakfast. "Ichigo! You're up early." Karin exclaimed as Ichigo plopped down on the couch. "Yeah I have to go somewhere today." Ichigo sighed. "Where?" Karin inquired. "Just somewhere with Orihime." Ichigo replied nonchalantly. Loud thumping came from the stairs as Isshin slammed into the living room. "Has my dear son finally gotten himself a girlfriend?" Isshin asked in an astoundingly loud voice. "Dad shut up you're giving me a head ache." Ichigo hissed venomously. "Ichigo my son this is a glorious thing to celebrate, your beloved family now knows you aren't..." Isshin was cut off by a sound upper cut to the stomach. Ichigo glared at his father's curled up form as he spun around and hastily scarfed down a quick breakfast. He set his dishes in the sink and rushed to the door hollering out, "I'm gone!" A firm hand on his shoulder halted his hasty steps. "Ichigo tell me where you're going." Isshin pleaded. Ichigo turned to look his dad in the eyes. "Orihime and I are going to the Soul Society to answer some questions for the Head Captain." Ichigo replied to the demand solemnly. Isshin nodded and sighed, "Just come back alive, alright. You've scared me enough with the Winter War and that last little expedition of yours." Ichigo gave a genuine yet small smile, and said with false exasperation, "Don't worry dad I'll be fine, it's just a couple of questions and we'll be right back." Ichigo patted his dad's shoulder as he carried on his way out the door to meet up with Orihime. He sprinted along the sidewalk, making his way to the Urahara Shop. Awaiting him at the gate was Orihime standing patiently in anticipation for the trip. "Hey Orihime." Ichigo greeted her awkwardly. She jumped and squealed in surprise at the boys sudden appearance. Once she took notice of who spoke she smiled and giggled nervously, scratching her cheek and stammering, "G...good morning Ichigo." Ichigo gave an amused half smile. "Come here." Ichigo said plainly. "W...what for!" Orihime stuttered as a light blush dusted her cheeks. Ichigo didn't reply, he simply pulled her into a tight embrace. "I...I...Ichigo!" Orihime exclaimed as her face reddened. "Just be quiet, it's too early to shout." Ichigo said quieting her. Orihime looked up and noticed the pink flush that also painted his cheeks. It did not take much longer for Orihime to wrap her arms around Ichigo's warm body and return the hug. They stood in their own world, relishing the other's warmth and taking in the sounds of the waking town. Orihime's head came to rest on Ichigo's chest. She listened quietly to the soft thump b'dump of his heart, it's comforting tattoo lulling her into a daze as they waited for Urahara to open his shop. Ichigo rested his head on Orihime's carefully observing the surroundings, on alert for any viable threat. "You two can come inside now." Urahara's voice rang through the air, cutting the peace of early morning. Ichigo reluctantly released Orihime, but took her hand and pulled her into Urahara's shop. Once they entered they noticed the exhaustion that was written across Urahara's face. He let out an exaggerated yawn as he said sleepily, "Go on down to the basement, I'll be there after I get something from the back." Ichigo and Orihime began to descend the ladder, as they neared the bottom of the ladder they heard loud crashes and yelling. "Nel you get your ass over here right now!" "In your dweams Gwimmjow!" Ichigo touched down onto the hard earth and stared in confusion at the demolished training room. "Nel what are you and Grimmjow doing here?" Ichigo called over the blasts. In moments the small arrancar came running at Ichigo and jumping into his arms. "Itsygo! Gwimmjow is being mean!" Nel cried as she clung to Ichigo, ignoring his previous question. Ichigo pat Nel gingerly on the head and spun around and met Grimmjow's furious eyes. One look was all it took for Ichigo to burst out in a hearty laughing fit. The unfortunate arrancar's face had been markered.  Grimmjow was livid. He practically had smoke coming from his ears, his patience for Nel was minimal at best and that little patience had diminished. Ichigo set Nel down and kneeled down to look her in the eye and asked her in a fatherly way, "Nel did you draw on Grimmjow's face?" Nel bowed her head bashfully and replied ashamedly, "Yes."  Ichigo smiled and comforted, "It's alright Nel just go apologize." Nel nodded in response  and ran on to Grimmjow to apologize. Orihime then came up beside Ichigo as he stood to his full height and mused, "It's cute how well she listens to you, one could almost say you're a father to her."  Ichigo laughed at her remark as Grimmjow glared down at the small arrancar and resumed chasing her. However, it seemed to more lighthearted and less of 'I'm going to kill you'. "I guess we should probably go find Urahara, if he makes us wait any longer we'll be late to the Soul Society." Ichigo said reluctantly. "No need I'm right here." Urahara said as he walked toward the two teens much less exhausted than before. Ichigo rolled his eyes at the shopkeeper as he followed him to the Senkaimon. "Go ahead and get into your soul reaper form while I get this thing up and running." Urahara suggested. Ichigo pulled out his combat pass and pressed it to his chest, his soul form leaping out from his physical body. "Good, now remember you only have so long to get through the Precipice World before the gate closes." Urahara explained as he finished putting everything in place. "You mean to tell me that this is still technically an illegal Senkaimon?" Ichigo questioned in a rather annoyed voice. "I never got authorized with the Soul Society, I mean what if they shut down all legal Senkaimons and we have no way to get to them and help." Urahara reasoned, covering up his procrastination. "So we're ready to go right?" Orihime question before Ichigo could snap back some provoking comment. Urahara turned to her and said, "Yup, the Senkaimon is up and ready to go." Orihime walked over to the Senkaimon and Ichigo soon followed, but Urahara pulled him back. "Be careful there Ichigo, I heard from Yoruichi that there was some hostility and doubt toward your capture in Hueco Mundo." Urahara seemed genuinely worried for the teen as he nodded in response and jumped through the gateway with Orihime tailing close behind.