Save Me from the Dark (Old)

Needing Eachother

     Dam it's been awhile since I updated! But whatever here's the next chapter! Hope y'all enjoy it, it leads more into thicker plot!! Well hopefully. But if you get tired of waiting for updates on this story I occasionally upload oneshots that you might enjoy!

Song: Control by Halsey

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        It consumed just like every other time. The emptiness overcame him like a wave in a storm. He could vaguely hear the maniacal laughter of the third seat Iko Shioune in the back of his mind, but it seemed so far away. Within seconds he tumbled into his mindscape, cursing himself. "I told you to be careful King," The dreaded voice cackled in his head, " And now look what you've done. One small scratch and you're losing your grip on the part of my power only you can fully control." Ichigo's hollow sighed, "I shoulda known that you couldn't handle it, but unfortunately there's only so much I can do. I'll delay the transformation as much as I can, but for a price." The hollow have a cynical grin as Ichigo looked up to face him. "Let me get rid of the soul reaper girl." Ichigo frowned then growled, "Like hell I'll let you kill someone. She probably is just following orders." "You're right she could be following orders. But here's the kicker, whose orders?" The hollow laughed in amusement as realization spread across Ichigo's face. "The old man's? Oh very possible, he did threaten you after all. Soi Fon's? Maybe, the girl is the third seat of the Stealth Force." "Just think about it King, it's gotta be one of them-" The hollow was cut of by Ichigo hissing, "Just do it. I'll accept your terms of the deal, just delay the transformation." The hollow was in shock for a moment, but then broke out into a frenzied fit of laughter. "Why the sudden change of heart King, oh wait you really are a King now aren't you. A King that wears a crown of thorns and is the scapegoat to all like you. You don't want her to find out about that do you King? Do ya now?" Ichigo averted his eyes as he thought of how Orihime might react if she were to know of the danger he is in even outside of battle. This action sent the hollow into another craze of laughter. "This is just too rich! You're in love. Truly and honestly in love with someone!" Ichigo glared at the hollow's childish remarks. The hollow straightened up, feeling the heat of the stare. "Alright, alright, I'll delay the transformation long enough for you to do something to stop it, but there'll be a time when you'll transform and there'll be no going back, so don't pull something stupid for you to trigger the Final Hollowfication." With that Ichigo's mindscape faded.

Ichigo was jolted back into reality as he was released from the illusion of his mindscape. His hand immediately went to his face, instantly upon touch he felt the cool, smooth surface of his mask, yet it only covered half his face. Ichigo noticed out of his peripheral that a horn had also formed on his head. He shakily stood up and reevaluated his surroundings. Before him was the mangled body of Iko Shuione of the Second Division. Bile rose in his throat as he realized that he'd allowed for the murder of the girl to happen. Gurgles of words failing her in her last moments rose from her. Ichigo made his way towards her, and as he kneeled down next to her he made out the words, "Les Prophètes... rise... for the future." The rest was mumbles and gurgles until she finally drew her last breath.

Orihime sprinted from the Squad Four barracks to where she last felt Ichigo's spiritual pressure. Her mind was a jumbled mess. She was speculating every reason why Ichigo would hollowfy. It wasn't long till Orihime broke into the decimated clearing where Ichigo kneeled next to a body. Hearing the scuffing of her feet on the chunks of walling and rubble, Ichigo's head shot up. Tears trickled down his guilt-ridden face as he became aware of Orihime's presence. Orihime was astounded at the broken look Ichigo had bolstered. Before Orihime could think them, the the words to the question that both were desperately trying to answer flew out of her mouth. "What happened Ichigo?" Orihime glanced over at the body next to him. It looked mauled by a merciless beast with no other intent than to kill. Blood coated what Orihime assumed was a soul reaper's shihakusho, her conclusion was inevitable. "Did you kill the soul reaper?" Ichigo bit down on his lower lip as guilty tears threatened to pour, he turned his head away in resignation of his actions. Orihime felt as though she was hit by a truck, "Why? Ichigo, why did you kill them?" Ichigo lowered his head further in shame. An ember of anger sparked a fire in Orihime. "Ichigo don't you realize the danger you're in?! Do you not understand that one step out of line will cost your life?! I love you, but I can't do this if you carelessly throw your life around and endanger others' safety!" Orihime turned on her heel and started off toward some place other than here. If she was honest with herself she felt slightly betrayed, and deep down she knew it dumb of her to blow up on Ichigo, but she needed him to realize his situation. She continued to walk until she heard the scuffling of feet. "Orihime, please, wait!" Ichigo called out, his voice cracking in his sorrow. Orihime stopped and turned to look at Ichigo. He looked her in the eyes and croaked out, "Hate me, I don't care. Hate me all you want, but I can't save myself this time. I can't do this on my own Orihime. My control is slipping, this was the result of my mistake. Just please, I need you." Ichigo's voice spoke with pure honesty. Now Orihime saw the real Ichigo. The one who was shattered after the loss of his mother, the one who could smile at the smallest things, the vulnerable little boy who was forced to grow up too fast.

  

            Warm arms wrapped themselves around Ichigo's cold body. He tensed at the contact of another human being, but the comfort was more than welcome. Ichigo gave in to Orihime's warm embrace, resting his head gently on her shoulder as his tears' flow began to ease up. "I won't go anywhere Ichigo. You need me and I need you." Orihime whispered soothingly. He smiled softly into her shoulder as his arms wrapped around her thin waist. Ichigo held onto Orihime like his lifeline, silently thanking every deity in existence for the woman's great ability to forgive easily. The embrace lasted only for a short time as it was interrupted by the roar of nearby flames. Orihime's eyes widened in fear as buildings came crashing down around them. Ichigo took her hand and pulled her forward out of the way of a falling, burning beam. "We need to get out of here!" Ichigo said over the thunderous roar of the flames as he looked for a way out. He spotted a way down a tight alley that wasn't quiet as engulfed in fire as the rest of their surroundings. He swung Zangetsu in its direction, sending a gust of wind toward it to clear the fire. Ichigo pulled Orihime into his arms as he flash-stepped through the alley. However Zangetsu's blast only kept the fire at bay for a short period of time. The flames licked at Ichigo and Orihime as they made their escape from the chaos.

     Orihime hissed in pain as the fire licked at her bare arms, leaving slight burns. Ichigo glanced down at her in concern, but continued to race against the fire. Moments later  they broke through into the upper levels of the Sei Rei Tei. Various other soul reapers were being treated for minor and severe burns while others were sent off to contain  and put out the fire. Ichigo set Orihime down on the cool Sekki-sekki of the upper terrace to assess her burn. "It's not that bad, nothing cold water and some pain reliever can't fix." Ichigo remarked through his relief. Orihime smiled as she gave a chaste peck on the cheek as she made her way to stand up and help other soul reapers.

      A little while after Ichigo and Orihime met up with the injured soul reapers at the upper part of the Sei Rei Tei the Stealth Force made an appearance. "Where is Ichigo Kurosaki! I want to see him now!" Soi Fon yelled out angrily, startling the injured soul reapers. Ichigo left his place by Orihime's side where he was offering any possible support to see what the squad leader wanted. "What is that you want Soi Fon?" Ichigo asked casually. "That's captain to you! But that's beside the point. Some of my scouts say that your spiritual pressure was tainted by your hollow powers, do you deny this?" Soi Fon hissed as her anger grew. "No I don't." Ichigo stated firmly as his usual scowl deepened. "It seems that I'll be taking you into custody until further notices." Soi Fon announced in an authoritative tone. "No, Ichigo didn't fully hollowfy! He didn't hurt anyone, all he did was help!" Orihime bursted out suddenly. Soi Fon ignored her and continued to disarm and shackle Ichigo. He fell to his knees as Soi Fon kicked him down and placed cuffs on his hands. Orihime quickly leapt from her place near the other soul reapers to grab Soi Fon's arm to prevent her from continuing with her unreasonable actions. "Let go of me you stupid, naïve girl!" Soi Fon roared, back handing Orihime. "Orihime!" Ichigo cried out, concerned for his girlfriend, however Orihime was unaffected. "He didn't hollowfy, I'm willing to bet my life on it, and I won't stand by as you take him away with no proof." Orihime contended, her voice steady and deadly calm.