Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Hollow Charm ❯ Harm and Charm ( Chapter 26 )

Tite Kubo owns Bleach. I just borrowed the characters.

Harm and Charm

The sound of Ichigo yelling hysterically filled her with fear. Until now she had never heard that depth of terror in his voice, nor had she believed he could be scared by anything. Then the content of the words struck her. His main concern was that he had killed his Hollow and she didn't understand why that scared him. When he'd spoken of the creature it was with hatred and revulsion. Why would he fear its death now? If it died he would be free of it and never need to fear that it would try to take over.

“It took him some time to admit the truth,” Zangetsu said calmly.

Orihime looked from him to Ichigo to the distorted Hollow lying on the ground, leaking blood from a massive chest wound. It seemed strange that he was so calm and didn't seem concerned but instead of considering the matter further, her instincts kicked in and before she knew what she was doing she was on her knees, calling on her healing force.

From what Zangetsu had said everything she had done was futile. He'd wanted Ichigo to understand something about the Hollow, but whatever those facts were didn't seem logical. Once the Hollow died he'd be free of its influence, or so he had believed. Everything she had done or tried to do was to help free Ichigo of his influence without the Hollow's death but even the attempt at integration hadn't worked.

She heard Zangetsu say something to Ichigo which she didn't take in because her healing skills didn't seem to be working as well as normal. She was forcing the powers to work harder and watched anxiously as each breath was drawn in by the Hollow. Suddenly, her powers seemed to falter and she wondered if it was too late, or her help was too little. The inability to perform the action Ichigo required increased her tension until she was unsure whether she was going to shake with fear or cry due to a mixture of ire and defeat.

“What did you do? He's dying and I don't know if I can save him. You were fighting him…” She said the words to Ichigo accusingly, blinking away the tears, certain that this disaster was her fault. If she hadn't become involved, Ichigo and the Hollow would have fought until one of them won. The reunion with Ichigo, while sweet had resulted in this and the guilt she was feeling was making her try to place the blame elsewhere.

“Until one of them died,” Zangetsu said close beside her. `You've healed Hollows before. You have to adjust the power for it to work. This is not a human or a Shinigami you've got there. Treat him like you would Ichigo.”

Her mouth fell open at the simple solution. She hadn't thought about it sensibly and had tried to heal the Hollow as if he were either pure Hollow or Shinigami, not the mixture. The wound had been inflicted by Ichigo which accounted for the peculiar quality of it, plus the Hollow was similar to Ichigo. She adjusted and tried again and this time she made some progress. The bleeding slowed but did not stop. Her focus was lost when she saw Ichigo sit down suddenly and bend over as if from exhaustion.

“Don't look at me!” The words sounded like they were wrenched from him as he kept his head down. “Orihime, please don't look at me. Fix him.”

Gentle though his tone was, the words still hurt. It was her fault and that was why Ichigo didn't want her to look at him. She's accused him of causing the problems when she had been responsible for the injury. He blamed her; she knew he did. It was only right that he blamed her because she was at fault. If she hadn't interfered none of this would have happened. Ichigo would probably have defeated his Hollow again and gained some time to learn how to control the creature. She didn't blame Zangetsu because he'd tried to show her what to do, but instead of following the instructions properly she had selfishly tried to speed things up. Then she had held Ichigo responsible for her botched attempt.

The tears fell on the Hollow who flinched as they touched him. Each tear seemed to force his body into some different form and both her healing and tears made him move as if he was experiencing extreme agony. Fearful, she began to lessen the healing.

“Don't,” gasped the Hollow.

She was shocked that he talked and the blur of pain that showed through his voice made her unwilling to continue. “It's hurting you,” she explained. "I'm hurting you."

“Not all pain is bad,” he said.

That was the first time she had heard that idea expressed. Pain was unpleasant and she tried to avoid it whenever possible. She wasn't like many of the Shinigami who seemed to be able to ignore pain, or in some cases, welcome it. Having healed many wounds caused by fighting, she wondered why she was driven to improve those skills that resulted in pain or death. The only thing that seemed to matter was to help Ichigo and not be excluded from the events in his life. If she was weak and unable to fight, he might begin to view her as less important and prefer the women who could take an active role, like Yoruichi and Ranjiku.

Shrugging away the pain that the thought created she returned her attention to the healing process. The tears had continued to fall on the Hollow and they seemed to hurt him more than the healing process. What made no sense was that the places the tears had fallen were returning to normal more quickly. His body was reverting and while that thought comforted her, she knew that she had accidentally caused the deformity.

"If I learn to fight properly, will I heal those I wound," she wondered, not realising she was speaking aloud. "Will I bring the ones I've killed back to life?"

"That is your decision," Zangetsu said. "But if you have killed them, why did you do so to only undo that event? Will the fighting cease if you resuscitate your enemy?"

Orihime nodded and then shook her head. "If I kill them, won't they be pleased if I return them to life?"

"Or will they be insulted? To be brought back to a life by the very person who defeated them and caused their loss of life would seem like the action of either a compassionate weakling or an arrogant fool. Won't they be more intent on taking your life to expunge the insult?"

Hearing the situation voiced like that made her think even harder as she continued healing. Glancing across she noticed Ichigo was still slumped with his eyes shut. It was obvious he was trying to prevent any expression on his face, but the creases around his eyes indicated that he was in a deeply painful process of thinking about the situation and trying to come to terms with some unpleasant realisations.

"Would anyone really kill the person who saves them?" she asked.

Zangetsu's mouth curved slightly, but the smile was bitter. "You've heard the fable about the scorpion and the fox? People act according to their natures. Some will return good with evil and others evil with good."

Orihime did know the fable. Despite the assurances and perilous position in which he found himself, the scorpion had stung his saviour because that was his nature. They both died as he would not moderate his actions. In other words, a person would act despite the consequences if the motivation impelled them to do so.

"Kingy said you don't have the killer instinct. He's right. You're too sweet and caring to be a fighter. Go back to sewing and dreaming of King Charming, except he ain't charming." The Hollow's voice sounded stronger as the pain apparently eased within him.

Looking down she noticed his body was back to normal and the wound in his chest was closing. Healing someone was not normally this quick.

"Why is he healing so quickly?" she asked Zangetsu.

"This is my world and Ichigo's. If our desires combine, as they do in this instance, then the work of others can be amplified. I did not think a stranger would be subject to the effects, but apparently I was incorrect. On reflection it is possibly due to the link that you two share."

Orihime flushed at the comment and wondered to which deep link he referred. The probability it was the usage of the charm to which he referred flared briefly in her mind. Aside from their shared experiences, it was the only tangible link she could think of. Then she recalled the object was now in her pocket from when she removed it during the time that Ichigo had become frozen while the discussion about battles had raged around him. It was currently passive, not seeming to do anything.

"I have the charm," she said quietly to Zangetsu. From all the things she now knew the charm was important to Aizen and to others. While she was still uncertain as to the use Aizen would make of the power it contained, she recognised that she also had a way to use it that might bring this conflict to a halt.

"Wrong. I have it." The Hollow sprang to his feet holding the item triumphantly. He was fully healed and the same arrogance she had noticed previously was evident. "When you were distracted by the old guy, I took it. Now it's mine."

Zangetsu walked to stand in front of him. As his coat swirled around him, he exuded an authority that Orihime had previously noticed. Surely he could salvage the situation.

"You don't need that. Give it to me," he said as he held out his hand.

Ichigo had not moved during all this time, but Orihime noticed that he rose silently to his feet and slid behind the Hollow. While his face was grim he did not seem as defeated as he had previously.

"Why would I give it to you? You'll only give it to the skirt or Kingy. They've already had it and now it's my turn." The Hollow backed away from Zangetsu clutching the charm closely to his chest. "If he can work this, then I can. I'll be the King!"

Zangetsu spoke smoothly and soothingly. "You wouldn't like to be King. That means you'll have all the responsibility and no fun. Do you see Ichigo having fun?"

The Hollow looked from Orihime to Zangetsu and back again. "He doesn't have any fun because he doesn't know how to have fun. He gets scared and runs."

The expression on Ichigo's face was a mixture of amusement and anger. A small answering smile began to form on her lips but she quickly pressed them together to prevent the smile from becoming noticeable.

"Why are you smiling? You're the fun he's running from," the Hollow said having obviously noticed the smile before she managed to stop it.

"She is Ichigo's future wife. He's not running from her anymore."

The announcement hung in the air and made Orihime shiver with delight and disbelief. The Hollow had obviously not been aware of this development which seemed odd as he stared at Zangetsu as though he was speaking a foreign language which he could not understand.

"The kid has finally found his balls? When did that happen?"

"Give me the charm and I'll tell you," Zangetsu offered with a bland expression.

"No, old man. I'm not fooled that easily. And Kingy, you can stop trying to creep up on me. I know exactly where you are," the Hollow said without turning.

The expression in Ichigo's face mirrored his frustration. He had been so close but it was now obvious the Hollow had been playing games with him.

"As if I'd give up the chance to get control for a bit of stale news about his sickening love life." A malicious smile spread over the Hollow's face and he nodded at Ichigo.

"Let's fight. Now I've got this, I'll win and you can choose a nice comfortable saddle. So can the girl because I'll be riding her as well."

Even though her pity remained, the thought of having sex with the Hollow made her retch. Nothing she'd done had helped. She saw that Ichigo had moved slightly closer and decided to try to provide a distraction.

"I'm sorry," she said to the Hollow. She was sincere as she knew that he was a maimed individual who would miss out on so much of life due to his skewed view on life. Her apology before had appeared to have some effect.

"You are such a fool, girl." The sneer on his face made it evident how he'd received the apology.

With a shout, Ichigo grabbed the Hollow's hand and they tussled over who would gain the charm.

"You knew exactly where I was, did you?" Ichigo said triumphantly.

"Your female did that on purpose," was the response as the Hollow pulled with one hand while pushing Ichigo away with the other.

"Give it to me. It's mine."

"Prove it," The Hollow was trying to pry Ichigo's fingers off the charm.

"Orihime gave it to me," there was no mistaking the hint of pride in Ichigo's voice as he hit the Hollow's hand.

"And took it back again."

"Because of you."

They were slapping at each other like Sumo wrestlers, and trying to push the other one over. Due to the confined space they could not use their swords and did not have enough room to connect properly if they tried punching each other as neither would let go of the charm. Despite herself, Orihime wondered if they would start pulling each other's hair or trying to bite. Neither of them was acting like the teenager she knew, but had reverted to an earlier age where grabbing and slapping was the preferred way to obtain ownership of a desired item. She felt guilty because she wanted to laugh at the absurd behaviour, but knew it might hurt Ichigo's feelings.

"Children, cease this needless squabbling," Zangetsu said and with a gesture the charm was released from the Hollow's hand and travelled to his own.

Orihime, Ichigo and the Hollow stood, dumbfounded at this event. Why hadn't he done this before instead of permitting the squabbling to continue? Ichigo had not explained a great amount about Zangetsu and he certainly hadn't mentioned that he had the telekinesis ability. As she glanced at his face, it became clear that he hadn't known about this aspect of his zanpakuto.

At first he moved toward Zangetsu, but then paused and stared hard at the man. "What are you going to do with the charm?" he asked and Orihime could discern the worry he felt at this unexpected situation.

"Until I determine who is worthy of it, I will entrust it to Miss Inoue. While she may have misused it in the past," Ichigo made a face when that was mentioned, "I believe that she will only use the charm for others. It will never repeat the same 4 hours over again for her, but it has attuned itself to her reiatsu which is how you managed to contact her previously."

As Zangetsu handed to necklace to Orihime she pondered the new information he had provided. Everything he said sounded possible but didn't fit anything she had been told about the powers the charm possessed. "I think you should keep it," she appealed to Zangetsu, but he simply shook his head and indicated Ichigo and the Hollow.

"If I keep it, they will continue to fight each other for ownership, or try to fight me. Ichigo and I will protect you from his negative, so it is rational that you retain ownership. While it has changed ownership a few times since it was in your possession, it has to be freely given, not taken, for it to function."

The Hollow's face darkened as he digested that information. "It only worked for me because she gave it to you," he accused Ichigo. "Stupid thing can't even tell the difference between us."

Still staring at the charm the words gradually filtered into Orihime's consciousness. The charm worked for both Ichigo and his Hollow equally. She had given it to Ichigo, and if that was so, how could the Hollow use it? Of course she knew, had known all this time, but knowing something didn't mean that she accepted it as truth.

"It is time for you to leave. Events in Hueco Mundo are moving fast and you need to take part," Zangetsu stated before she could ask the question that formed in her mind.

Within the space of time it took her to open her mouth to ask why, she found she was observing a fight between Rukia and a female Arrancar and Renji and a male Arrancar. She dodged as a large disc nearly knocked her over and then ducked as Renji was blown in her direction. The gust of air caught her and she too found her feet leaving the ground as the air bore her away. A pair of firm hands captured her around the waist and she was pleased to find her feet placed firmly on the ground once more.

"Get your hands off her, Uryu," Ichigo was beside her in a moment.

"I was merely preventing her from being unwittingly involved in another's fight," the Quincy replied as he released her.

"Oh, thanks," Ichigo seemed unhappy at having to thank his friend, but that was normal. Orihime hid the smile that formed on her face as she looked at the grumpy look on Ichigo's face.

"What happened while I was, um, busy?" he was trying to change the subject as quickly as possible.

"Chad beat Yammy who is now being returned to their headquarters for healing," Uryu said, his eyes fixed on the fighting.

"Is that why there are fewer people?" She had only now noticed that the number of Arrancar was diminished. "What a stupid question." she quickly added.

"As Yammy was so badly injured, others were required to escort him," was the serious response. "Rukia and Renji became bored, or irritated and began to fight these two. Be careful to dodge the disc as it the impact can be quite intense."

The all dodged quickly as it flew toward them, but Renji was not so fortunate. The disc struck him in the back of the head and he fell. Lying on the ground he was motionless and Rukia stopped in shock, only briefly pausing to send the disc back to Cirruci with a flash of her blade.

"My victory, I believe. It was a good fight Nino," Doldooni stated as he walked close to Renji only to find Ichigo standing between him and his opponent.

Orihime was pleased to see Ichigo defending his friend, but this all seemed wrong. Her friends had journeyed here to rescue her, but she didn't wish to see any of them injured or killed. Earlier she had formulated a plan and this escape and rescue effort became more like a problem she had caused than any solution.

Still she hesitated. None of her friends would know why she was taking this action and it might hurt their feelings. Carefully she placed the charm in her most secure pocket and tried once more to formulate another plan that might prove more effective, but none of her thoughts seemed to offer the sudden end to this combat she desired.

Walking over to Ichigo she kissed his cheek and whispered, " I know what I'm doing. Trust me and don't stop me."

"Huh?' Ichigo kissed her cheek but apparently had not understood her words.

She had to tug at Ichigo's arm to get free of his embrace and once released she began to walk to Ulquiorra.

She noticed that Rukia was outraged at the damage inflicted on her future husband and had frozen Cirruci in place, having managed to invoke those powers while dodging the flying disc. It was a effort which showed her determination and skill. In the brief space that it might take the Arrancar to get free, Rukia had rushed over to Renji.

"Where are you going, Orihime?" Ichigo called.

"Let me go. I made a promise and I need to honour it," she said slowly and sadly. She would shed no tears, but approach this as someone of whom Rukia and Ichigo could be proud. "If I go with Ulquiorra this fighting can stop and you can go home."

The fighting did stop as all the combatants and observers turned to look at her.

"Don't do it, Orihime. It makes all our effort count for nothing," Rukia called as she cradled Renji's head in her lap.

"I didn't ask you to rescue me. That was your decision and this one is mine," she replied, her hands clenched into fists with her nails biting hard into her palms. She concentrated all her assurance into her words to try to sound convincing, even though she had hoped they would rescue her. It was a strange situation to be in. She was both lying and telling the truth at the same time. While she had made a promise, it had been forced from her, not freely obtained and there was no need for her to fulfil that obligation. The fighting would stop if she went back to Mr Aizen and then she could stop this.

Something had happened while she was watching Ichigo fight his Hollow and the purpose of her life had finally become evident. The thought of returning to that place she had fought so hard to escape sickened her, but it was necessary. Her needs and desires were so small compared with the good she could do by this simple action which would immediately cease this battle.

The awaited plea came and while the words wrenched her heart, she could not allow them to move her. "Orihime, please don't leave me again."

She didn't have the resolve to turn toward him. If she saw his face then she would falter and not be able to follow through with her chosen path. "Honour is everything," she stammered out.

Chad's rich voice rebuked her. "No. Honour is a word."

If the argued with her, she would be swayed. It was time to cut them out, no matter the pain it would produce. "You need to ignore me and focus on the importance of preparing for the coming war. Any predictions you have for numbers and strength are false. The Hy...."

"Shut up woman," Ulquiorra slapped her hard across the face. "There are our enemies and should not be given any advantage. Aizen sama will not be pleased."

The blow shocked her and almost made her fall. The strike had been unexpected and she wondered why the Arrancar had hit her in front of her friends. From what she knew of Ulquiorra, he rarely acted without full consideration of the consequences, unless he was ordered to act. This seemed out of character for him, unless his plan was to force Ichigo to attack him and in the ensuing fight, kill him. With Ichigo dead she would be malleable due to her grief.

To distract everyone she tried to slap Ulquiorra, mimicking his action, but did not put much force into the blow. If she did nothing, a full scale war might erupt and all her attempts at sacrifice would be for naught. He caught her hand before it reached his cheek, so instead she kicked him in the shins.

"Woman, you will regret this," he said as he tried to pretend she hadn't hurt him.

"Don't touch Orihime," Ichigo yelled.

These incidents would have inflamed Ichigo and he would attempt to kill the Arrancar. Later, later it might be possible, but there were things she had to do before that battle took place. She had to stop this now.

Those thoughts took seconds and swiftly she turned to face Ichigo was had his zanpakuto in his hand, preparing to attack Ulquiorra. Moving between them, while cradling her wounded cheek, she knew she had to stop this now. Grief and fear made her heart feel like an aching boulder and she wondered if it would pass or the pain would be there as a continual reminder of how her friends would view her apparent betrayal. Even while she tried to stand firm and not show any of the emotions that were roaring through her mind, she faltered. This was not something she wanted to do but it was necessary.

"Ichigo, if you stop me, it will mean you don't trust me. I made a promise," she said quietly, refusing to meet his eyes.

"He hit you!" Ichigo seemed stunned by her actions and was shaking with rage.

"It doesn't matter. I can take care of myself," she said all the time wanting to run to the safety of his arms and let the rest of the world slide away. "And the promise stands."

"That promise was made under coercion. We spoke of this earlier," Uryu said dryly and when she glanced in his direction she noticed he was staring at the Arrancar with visible disdain. He pushed his hair behind his ear and frowned as he switched his gaze to her face.

His eyes searched her face and she was forced to look toward the horizon. Knowing his ability to look past the surface and perceive the intention she feared he might voice aloud anything he noticed.

"The pledge might have been forced from me. It doesn't matter. Go home, please." It took all her control to prevent her voice from cracking as she spoke. Turning to Ulquiorra she said, "Promise me they can return home without any harm."

The man looked at her and then nodded slowly.

"Let's go," she said once she had received the confirmation.

As he walked in the direction of the headquarters and her prison, Orihime followed, each step taking her further away from friends, love and hope. The desire to spin around and run increased with every minute, and her resolve started to crack. Was it possible there was another way to accomplish her aim without making this sacrifice? Then she thought of the harm she had caused Ichigo and his Hollow and knew that there could be no turning back. Her decision was made and she would not change her mind.

Author's Note

This chapter is overdue by some months. While I regret the delay there were factors that prevented it's completion.

Hopefully there will be two, or with luck one more chapter to this story.

Thank you to the kind people who have taken the time to review and provide much needed support.

Please review.

MS