The Double Edged Sword

26

Recap:

"Stop right there Rukia! Is this some kind of joke!? You look at me properly!" Ichigo called before trying to push himself up in a push up position; Izumi obviously pushed him down harder before he could fully get himself up.

"Don't move!" Rukia's voice boomed making him stop his struggling. "Don't even try to move one step form there! If you try to follow me!" she paused seeming to compose herself before she looked back towards him. "I'll never forgive you!" she finished with small tears in her eyes which shook Ichigo to his core. "You're going to die anyway, conserve your energy and try to linger on for a moment longer; spend your last few moments on earth with that girl behind you."

A light rain began to drizzle down on the scene while Izumi watched everyone with a calculating look; Ichigo wasn't dead yet, if they left fast enough she would be able to save his life. She stared at Byakuya as he made eye contact with her and slowly pulled his hand from his Zanpaktou.

"Very well, I'll just leave him be then. Those two attacks were vital, his chest and collarbone have been thoroughly injured. He should die within a half hour. Even by chance if he does happen to live, not even a speck of Soul Reaper Powers will be left within him." Byakuya commented seeming to be talking more to himself then to anyone else around him. He wasn't too keen on letting him off but he knew the boy would die sooner than later. Looking towards his second in command he nodded his head.

"Renji." The red haired man nodded his own head before stabbing his sword into the air and twisting it like a key; suddenly a white and black Japanese style door appeared with the opening wide. Black butterflies fluttered out of the opening as the three soul reapers made their way in; as soon as they were through the door slide shut.

Izumi immediately sprang up onto her knees and shifted towards Ichigo's face trying to see if he was still conscious; she continued to push down on his wound while doing so. She was met with an anguished face before a pained scream left the boy's mouth. Tears poured from her eyes as she realized just how useless she was at that very moment. All she could do was cover his wound and hope that she could get him through the night.

....

Izumi's point of view

The cold rain poured around us as hot blood covered my finger tips. The rain seemed as though it wanted to wash away the mess of red before me; though the deep red color wouldn't, not it couldn't stop flowing from Ichigo's wounds. The enemy took Rukia minutes ago, it was safe for me to move him now. I should take him to Kisuke, I need to move. My body needs to move. I have lost men before in battle, I've watched my friends be consumed by monsters; I've killed people before and have never faltered. Not once. These are all facts and actions that I have committed and or lived through; so why? Why won't my body move!? Why can't I save my friend!? Please!

"Oh Ichi." the words slipped from my lips as I wiped my face with my wrist still managing to smear blood across my cheek.

My chest felt as if it was going to implode as I sat helplessly clutching both of my numb hands onto Ichigo's back. Even though the enemy had left multiple minutes ago, I still fid myself in shock. This was it. I crossed the line this time. I failed my mission; I've failed to uphold my promises. Ichigo is going to die, right here, right in my arms and my body is refusing to move. There's so much more I want him to experience in life. His life is too precious to just be stolen away! There's so much I need to be doing! I don't have time to sit here and feel sorry for myself! 

A hand clapped down on my shoulder as whimpers continued to leave my lips. I didn't even have to look up to know whose firm grip it was. I felt so vulnerable, so weak; it's disgusting. Honestly sickening.