Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Hollow Charm ❯ The Nature of Truth ( Chapter 29 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Tite Kubo owns Bleach.  I just borrowed the characters.
Preamble:
Warning/Spoiler: Many people will hate the end of this story.  Please do not be alarmed.  This ending was always planned and another story in the series will follow.
This took a long time to write.  On occasions I like to state the obvious.  Life has been more complicated than expected.  
A ‘moldiwarp’ is an archaic name for a mole.
There will be no Author's Note at the end of this chapter.
Thank you to the many people who have reviewed this story and this series.  The next story should see the cycle complete.
Finally a dedication of this chapter and a very large thank you to Ashcroft who provided much needed support when nothing seemed to be working out and put up with whining, complaining and general grousing when the characters once more refused to do what they were told.
Also, thanks to Cartoon pen for making me laugh so much when I was staring at the walls.
She'd never thought a simple ploy to get Aizen's attention would end this way and it seemed he expected her to accept his unexplained offer.  
Was he offering marriage?  Or adoption?  For some reason it seemed unlikely he wanted or needed a sibling or a daughter.  He had many people who were prepared to do anything, offer any kind of service, worship him if he required. He hadn't offered an alliance to anyone else she knew, and he had mentioned how he admired her powers.  
He knew about her power; she was certain he'd been observing her and receiving reports on how she spent her time when she was stuck alone in the room in which she'd been imprisoned.  But why?  Did he plan to use her powers?  But for what purpose?  How could she assist him in taking the power he sought and why did he even think she might?  
As she asked the questions to which she had no answers, she acknowledged if she waited long enough answers might be forthcoming.  The problem was the cost for the answers was one she was sure she did not wish to pay.  Compromising her principles was impossible, no matter if it were for the greater good.  If she did so, no matter if the outcome was the one desired by all, ultimately the loss of a vital part of her morals wasn't an option.  How could she look at Ichigo with the taint clinging to her?  Her worthiness of his love removed, what point her continued existence?
"Remember why you are here," Lily's voice whispered in her head.  "We came here for a reason.  The way to end the Winter War with little or no death."
"How do I do that if I'm to be kept as a trophy?  Or not permitted to act?"
This was the true reason for Aizen's interest.  Proving his power over even someone as simple as Orihime, a person who was no threat to him, but one he could take even while under the guardianship of the Seireitei.  A person considered worthless in battle, but still a prize to be fought over, a bargaining chip, not permitted to leave or change hands unless he gained some benefit.  
"You have to stay.  It is the only way." Tsubaki appeared in front of her, his face screwed up with distaste.  "I don't want to be here, no one does, but we all have to stay because.... because it is the only way."
"We went through the whole re-running the same 4 hours without complaint," Ayame stated.  It didn't sound like a complaint, but instead served as a reminder of a few of the event which led here, to this day, this place, this room.
The feeling of preconceived dread which had been looming just below her subconscious surged for a moment, forcing her to sway with the power of the emotion.  "Something bad will happen."
"Many bad things have already happened.  Wasn't there some prediction we would fail?  I cannot remember clearly," Baigon sounded confused.  "There seem to be a few snippets of things that didn't happen.  The Fluffy Bunny?  Why am I thinking of that?"
"My T-shirt of Chappy the Bunny?  No, I don't have a Chappy T-shirt."  Orihime tried to remember.  "I dreamt I had one."
"Fate?" Hingaku murmured.
"Fortune?" Ayame replied.  
"Dictionaries?" Tsubaki sounded disgusted at uttering the word aloud.  "Why am I thinking of dictionaries?"
Orihime had a sudden vision of being seated in her room with Ichigo, Tatsuki, Chad, Renji, Rukia and Uryu, but it hadn't happened.  Entertaining a large group of people in her room was unlikely, because.  It hadn't happened and her mind was playing tricks on her.
Then she remembered and her heart and blood felt like they were draining into her feet.  "I have The Charm."  Even as she spoke it seemed essential both were spoken with capital letters.  
"Oh," was the simple reply.
Baigon cleared his throat and then after a momentary hesitation said, "We know.  We sort of, well, made certain you did; used a little influence."
The words shocked her. "What?" she gasped. "Aizen cannot have The Charm.  He'll do horrible things with it."
"Give it to me," Lily said.  "I can conceal it for a time and we can swap it between us.  He won't know it's here."
"Why do I have it?  I don't understand."  She didn't try to hide her confusion.  The whole point was to keep The Charm and its chancy power away from the man who sought to rule the heavens.
"Do you know why The Charm was created?"
The question confused her even more.  The Charm was created for a reason?  
"Keeping it in the Seireitei as a bad love charm was a clever idea and meant it was hidden it in plain sight.  Taking it to the human world was a bad mistake, but when it was given to you, no one was there who remembered the original purpose. “Hingaku sounded like he knew what he was talking about, which was a pity as she still didn't.
"Think about who made The Charm." Lily said.
"I don't know who made The Charm.  It was made? "  Each new piece of information confused her even more.
Baigon sighed.  "Knowledge is precious and imparting of such knowledge needs to be done at the right time."
"Why do I feel like I'm in a bad version of Lord of the Rings?  Are you going to tell me there were five, or seven or nine charms and this is the one called 'Precious'?  Are we forming a Fellowship of The Charm and all we have to do is throw it into some volcano after fighting our way through spiders, swamps, orcs, moldiwarps, and The Time Warp for all I know?"  Reality seemed to be slipping further from her grasp as she spoke.  "Am I the Chosen One?  Didn't I need to fill in an application form?"
Lily patted her gently on the shoulder.  
"Ichigo thinks he's the chosen one," jeered Tsubaki.
"No, he doesn't, and he is, so even if he does think so, which he doesn't, he is right."
Tsubaki pretended to stagger back, clutching his head.  "Is there any sense in what she says?"
"Shut up Tsubaki," Ayame shook her finger at him.  "There are many things Orihime doesn't know.  Being horrible to a person because they don't know something is mean."
"What don't I know?"
"Where do I start?" Tsubaki swooped in front of her, chuckling.  
Was he being malicious, or did he find the situation amusing?  Yet another thing to add to the list of things she didn't know and wasn't likely to be told.  Compared to the hints of the facts she didn't know, there seemed little point in asking him.  
"Sit down, Orihime.  You look like you might faint."
Not caring who spoke she made her way to some surface which seemed flat and sank down.  She kept imagining she knew what was happening but events and these new disclosures made her wonder if she knew anything.  
"Are facts still facts when they are disproved?" she wondered aloud.  
"Are facts even facts?  We hold things as being true in spite of any evidence which may prove them wrong.  Some people blindly aver that black is white because that is their truth and to let go of it might mean one of the foundations of their life disappears as well." Hingaku's voice was solemn.
"I don't want to discuss the nature of truth," Orihime protested.  She wanted to know what was going on, not argue whether Alexander the Great was Greek or Macedonian or if fish swam in water or ink.  Despite any noble intentions she held she still wished her life to return to normal: school, friends, a place and time away from Los Noches.  The further she was away from Aizen and the other captains, the happier she would be, but to wish for this to be over meant she was wishing her life away, which was ungrateful.  
If she believed in Fate or Fortune she might appeal to them to help her, but they were inventions or if they existed they would have no interest in her or her friends.  They handled the whole of the human race and maybe alien races as well.  Or would alien races have different ideas about Fate? Maybe the concept didn't exist within alien culture.
"I don't want to talk about truth, either.  Lies are more fun as they can be made up and changed when you feel like it," Tsubaki strutted in the air as he spoke and then pointed at himself.  "Truth is over rated unless I invent it."
Lily flew over and slapped his hand.  "I don't like your lies or your truths.  Now, be quiet.  This isn't about you."
"It's always about me, or it isn't interesting.  If it's about something else I won't listen." Tsubaki crossed his arms and a look of petulance settled firmly on his face.  
"It's about Orihime, baka," Ayame chided him.  "If it's about Orihime, it's about all of us."
"Not specifically about me," Tsubaki sniffed.  Orihime watched him glance at the others and then burst out laughing.  "The girl was looking panicked."
"So you decided to provide a distraction?" The disbelief in Shuno’s voice was palpable.
Hearing her voice brought her to Orihime's attention.  Until now she had spoken rarely and it seemed odd she was now taking part in the conversation.  
"Stopped sulking, have you?  It's taken long enough." Tsubaki seemed pleased to turn the attention away from his attitude.
"Only you would mistake sulking for a period of deep reflection.  Acting before you have considered the consequence is foolish." Her voice was cool and distant, but she smiled at Orihime as she spoke.
"If we waited for you to decide we'd still be stuck in Hueco Mundo..." Tsubaki's voice trailed off as he realised where they were.
"Really?  And where are we now?"
"We know where we are and it was a matter of choice," Baigon said heavily.
"Then explain to Orihime: everything.  The time for secrets is over.  Tell her who created The Charm and the reason, otherwise she won't understand why all these trials had to take place.  We had to be created, she had to lose her brother and all the other events had to happen else the chance is lost." Shuno almost sounded like she was demanding the revelation.
Orihime now wished she hadn't spoken.  Hints, implied meaning, half truths and concealed significance didn't impress her.  Only after she'd been completely honest with Ichigo; well partially honest; well honest about her feelings at least, matters improved between them.  
"Just tell me," she said, hoping for resolution or some peace.  
"I've heard people say it's best to be seated when you hear this sort of information.  Why don't you sit down, Orihime?" Shuno advised.
Looking around, the bed seemed to be the only place available, but at the same time sitting on it made her feel uncomfortable.  Reluctantly she sat on the edge of the bed.
"You slept in it.  I don't think sitting on it will cause further problems," Baigon said lightly.  "Sit back further.  You look like you might slide off any time," he added as she relaxed slightly.  
Orihime shifted back and looked at her powers expectantly.
"Tell her. “ Lily urged, fluttering close to Orihime’s cheek.  The fanning of the wings cooled Orihime’s somewhat fevered skin as she contemplated the information which was going to be finally given to her.  Would it be of any use, or was it another revelation which she didn’t either want or expect?
“The Charm was created in the Seireitei in the brief period Kisuke Urahara was head of 12th Division.” Baigon spoke this time with a great amount of sincerity.
Involuntarily, Orihime shook her head in disbelief.  “He’s a shopkeeper in the human world.  He’s not a captain of the Seireitei.  If he was why is he in the human world?  It doesn’t make any sense.”
Lily patted her on the top of the head.  “There are many events of which you are unaware.  He was the captain of 12th Division, before Captain Kurotsuchi.  In fact the current captain worked for Mr Urahara.”
Instead of once more voicing the denial she felt rising within her, she thought about the possibilities for a short time.  It would explain how he knew so much and could train Ichigo… but it led to so many other questions.
“Did he create The Charm?”  She was certain this was where the discussion was leading.
“He was one of the creators of The Charm.” Baigon made the statement sound final, but she knew it wasn’t.  “He was assisted by someone you have met who lives in the Human world.”
It seemed obvious the person might be one of two people.  “Miss Yoruichi?”
Lily giggled slightly.  “No.  She disapproved of The Charm right from the beginning.  It had to be made in secret.”
There was one other person who might have contributed.  “Mr Tessai helped make The Charm.”  She couldn’t think of anyone else she knew who had those powers and lived in the Human world.
Tsubaki hovered in front of her, roaring with laughter.  “Wrong again.  One more guess.”
“There are no more guesses.  This is not a game.  It is a time when Orihime needs to become aware of the truth so she can take the action required.” Shuno was firm and Tsubaki made a face at her but didn’t argue.
Orihime waited, her gaze roving from one power to the other, wondering who was going to speak and what revelation was to be disclosed.
“Mr Kurosaki assisted Mr Urahara with the creation of The Charm.”  Hingaku’s voice was quiet but solemn.
Mr Kurosaki?  Ichigo helped create The Charm?  How did he do that?  Everything she knew about The Charm indicated it was more than 50 years old and Ichigo was only 15 years old.  Unless he was much older than she thought.  Thinking about it made it seem even more improbable.  It would need kido skills and as far as she knew he hadn’t mastered any kido.  Everything she knew about him indicated there was little possibility he participated.  It also meant Mr Urahara was much older than he looked.
“Ichigo?” she stuttered hardly believing it to be true.
The sound of laughter indicated that she had possibly guessed wrong.   Or the way she was questioning what she said made her seem foolish in front of her powers as she appeared so uncertain.
Yet, if he had known about The Charm and had a part in creating it, then why his surprise as its existence and his lack of knowledge on how it worked?  Then she realised there was another person called Mr Kurosaki.
“Ichigo’s father?”  Her words ended on a squeak.  This was only slightly more believable than Ichigo, except the man was a doctor, not a Shinigami.  Only a person with Shinigami abilities would be able to create a charm and it had come from the Seireitei which meant Ichigo’s father had lived there at one time; didn’t it?  She felt her cheeks flush as she remembered how foolish she had considered then man on a few occasions when they had met.  Was he pretending to be like that in order to hide his real abilities and make people believe he was an ordinary man?
How did he hide his reiatsu?  Was he even in a body or was he in one of those gigai things that Rukia and the others had to use while they were in the human world if they wanted to interact with people on a physical level?  Could you use a gigai to reproduce?
All the questions passing through her mind were confusing.  Was anyone she knew as they seemed or did they all have secrets and backgrounds foreign to those that were expected?  If Ichigo’s father had been, or still was, a Shinigami, did he know Ichigo had powers?
Ayame perched on Orihime’s shoulder and patted the top of her head.  “Yes, Ichigo’s father was a Shinigami.  A Captain.”
Without meaning to, Orihime began moving her head from side to side, denying the most recent information she’d been given.  How could Ichigo’s father be a Captain class Shinigami and not step in to prevent some of the horrible things that had happened?  When Captain Kuchiki and Assistant Captain Abarai, Renji, had captured Rukia, Ichigo had nearly died.  Why hadn’t his father done something?  Why hadn’t Mr Urahara stopped the fight?  Or Miss Yoruichi?  Did they want him to die?  Or was it because they knew those powers were not rightfully his and it was only correct they were taken from him and returned to the person who really owned them?
But, Ichigo’s father?  The man, even though he was a doctor, acted like a man with few thoughts and little care of the responsibilities of a father.  Even when she had been near him, she hadn’t sensed any Shinigami powers, no hint of the ability to see spirits.  Hadn’t Ichigo complained that his father whined on and on as he couldn’t see spirits or any of the other phenomena Ichigo and Karin could sense?  Had he even been aware of what had been happening to Ichigo?
“It’s not possible,” Orihime finally said.
“It is not only possible, it is fact,” Lily said firmly, her face as solemn as Orihime had seen it.
“But why…?”
“Sometimes there is no real answer to a question unless you ask the person who knows.”
Tsubaki laughed at Baigon’s explanation.  “That’s almost like saying 'I don’t know'.”
Baigon stared levelly at Tsubaki and replied, “Which is exactly what I was saying.  Orihime is confused as to the inaction of Ichigo’s father when his life was threatened.  Perhaps he asked Mr Urahara to watch over his son and didn’t wish to interfere or share his secret.”
“Or his gigai prevented him from sensing the changes, or he wanted Ichigo to grow into his Shinigami powers in his own way, or any number of reasons.  We do not know the answers.  The truth remains: Mr Kurosaki was partially responsible for the development of The Charm.” Hingaku’s assurance was forcing Orihime to accept the unpalatable truth.  
Not wanting to follow the path her thoughts seemed to be leading her, she quickly asked, “Why did they make The Charm?”
“You’d have to ask them. Maybe they suspected something was wrong and made The Charm, to help.” Tsubaki was actually answering the question seriously, which surprised Orihime.  Why was he suddenly changing his way of acting?  Was it because the gravity of the situation was apparent to him?
“Only if it is used by the right person,” was the chilling comment.
Immediately Orihime began to worry.  The right person was Ichigo.  It was obvious.  If his father made The Charm, then he was the only one who would be able to use it properly.  She had to work out a way to get it to him.
“Ichigo needs The Charm,” she said, preparing to implore her powers to help her send The Charm to him in some way.  If he had The Charm, he’d know what to do and then this war would be over.  Peace, happiness and love were in her future once the war was over.  She didn’t need to sacrifice herself!  If only she’d known this before she’d never have returned to this prison.  Her brief elation was interrupted by the solemn faces and the way none of her powers met her gaze.
“What’s wrong?  I’m sure we can work out a way to get The Charm to Ichigo.  If we work on it together, it’ll be easy.”
The silence and the glances her powers shared amongst themselves indicated there might be a problem with her plan.
“Talk to me.  Please.  Will it be too hard for you to convey The Charm to Ichigo?” Her voice sounded scared, even to her.
Shuno was the one who answered.  “Ichigo is not the person who can use The Charm.  Yes, it needs someone who has powers drawn from the Kurosaki’s, but it cannot be used successfully by one of them.  Neither could Kisuke Urahara use The Charm effectively.  It was a safeguard they worked out together.”
Orihime felt her throat tighten.  “Chad…” she began.
“Chad might be able to use it, but his power differs to yours. “ Shuno was not letting her escape the knowledge she didn’t wish to be given.
“I..”
“Yes.  You,” Shuno cut in before she could finish even the vowel.  
Her hair whipped around her face as she shook her head again.  “No.  Not me.  I’m not important enough.”
“Where did you get that idea?  Not important enough?  What do you mean?”  Lily was now sitting on her right shoulder while tapping it impatiently with her index finger.  
Mindful that both shoulders were now supporting two of her powers, Orihime suppressed the shrug she felt rising.  “I’m not important.  I was kidnapped and Mr Aizen seems to think I might be able to help him… but Ichigo is important.  He’s…”
“You are as important as Ichigo and everyone else.  Yes, Aizen abducted you as he recognised something within you which you fail to see.  Even without the power of The Charm you are a formidable ally or enemy, but with The Charm, you could change the world.”  Hingaku was frowning deeply as he spoke.
“You’re not important?  Fool woman.  If you’re not important, then neither are we!” It was at least a relief to see Tsubaki returning to his normal behaviour.   “I keep telling you how important I am and you ignore me.”
Used as she was to thinking of other people as being more interesting, braver, stronger, more intelligent, it was difficult to consider she might be important.  When her brother was alive, she’d known she was important to him and Ichigo loved her so she might be important to him, but important, generally?  It was hard to believe.  Believing it would be frightening and add a new layer of responsibility and expectation she wasn’t sure she wanted to accept.
“Hiding or pretending obscurity is an excuse. Orihime, it depends on you.  You can make this change; or let the War continue.”  Shuno wasn’t letting up.
Without intending to, her head drooped as she felt overwhelmed by the belief her powers had in her.  If she chose, nothing would change; the deaths of her friends might be her responsibility because she failed to choose correctly.  
“Do I have a choice?” She knew she sounded plaintive, but her fear was driving her to hide, to pretend this might go away and all she’d do was wait.
“Of course you have a choice,” Lilly comforted her.  “You’ve made so many, each one braver than the last.”
“No.  I don’t have a choice this time.  Not really.  If I do nothing, people might get hurt.  They might even die!”
“Even if you decide to act, people might be injured and die.” Baigon tilted his head as he looked up at her.  “No one can foresee the outcome.”
She knew they didn’t mean to do it, she knew they wanted her to make a decision free of their influence, but how could she?  It wasn’t possible for her to take the easy solution.  If she did nothing people would die.  If she made the decision, people might die.  Trading a certainty for a possibility was a choice she could make.  There was only one choice.
Had she had a choice with any of the decisions?  Or had it always been she appeared to have a choice, when in fact her heart and her past forced her to only ever take one course of action.
“What do I have to do?” she said as she exhaled slowly, trying to overcome the rising panic.
As the mechanics were explained, her resolve strengthened and heart sank.  In spite of all she'd done, her powers knew the plan she'd begun to formulate almost immediately upon meeting Aizen in this place.  His fascination with her powers wasn't lost on her.
"You will have only one chance.  One," Baigon repeated again.
And she nodded.  One chance all she needed because she refused to fail.  The sting of tears forced her to acknowledge her failure with her chance with Ichigo.  She wasn't the only person able to help him, she knew that, but in all her desire to help him, it hurt more.
If she did this perhaps it might partially go toward healing the pain, but it seemed unlikely.
Without warning her powers vanished, returning to her hairpins.  A familiar feeling of disgust over came her as Ulquiorra opened the door and strode into the room.
"Aizen sama will be here shortly.  You do understand the honour which he pays you?"
Orihime shrugged.  Any previous desire she'd had to please or even pretend to please this person existed no longer.  
"You will rule by his side."
The comment almost made her break into hysterical laughter.  Rule?  This place?  And from the little she'd observed, Aizen wasn't particularly good at sharing, anything.  She might have the title, he might mouth the words but the fact remained she was there on sufferance and might be disposed of as soon as she ceased to please the man.  
"It's not my fate, to rule here," she said all the time wondering where the words came from.  Mentioning fate to this man at this time seemed odd.
"You will stay here until Aizen sama allows you to leave," Ulquiorra was very determined.
Did the creature have any thoughts which were his own or was he a simple puppet, taken over by the power of Aizen's Zanpakuto?  Once more she fought the instinctual compassion for him, but and now it was not as impossible a task as it once was.  Previously the emotion  resisted rationalisation and sense , but now, with all the changes and trials which she'd undergone, there was no longer any need to experience the feeling.
Now, for some strange reason she wanted to see this person squirm so she simply shrugged.
"Woman, stop treating me like this."
There was a different tone in his voice.  She turned and looked at him. "You may call me Orihime."
He made a disgusted sound.  It seemed he was prepared to reply, but Aizen shimmied into the room.
Well,  not exactly shimmied, but on this occasion, Orihime was determined not to be even slightly impressed by the man.  Any move he made she would try and see it as trivial, any word he uttered was his way of inflating his already impressive ego.
"Ah, the Princess is here and has accepted her new knight," Aizen said.
The comment was dumb and condescending but she forced a smile in response, instead of giggling at the weakness of the comment.  He was not a knight, nor did he see himself as one.  It was more likely he saw himself as a king, or emperor or a ruler with absolute power of life and death over any person who was unlucky enough to come under his control.
"I'm not a princess," Orihime demurred, knowing that part of her name meant princess, but deciding to pretend otherwise.  then man obviously expected her to be young, immature and stupid and she saw no reason to prove otherwise.
"But you agree to join with me?"
This was the most difficult part.  She had to lie.  She hated lying and wasn't good at it, but the whole plan hinged on Aizen believing she was prepared to work with him.
Then she remembered Rukia and her explanation about crossing fingers.
"If I cross my fingers when I say a lie, it cancels the lie," her friend said once when Orihime saw her cross her fingers behind her back when responding to a teacher's questions about her parents.
"How can it cancel a lie?"
"It just does.  And if I told the truth?  Can you imagine what might happen?"
Rukia had a very good point.  In many cases the truth made no sense or caused more problems than it solved.  And yet truth was important.  Despite her earlier denial about wishing to discuss the nature of truth fate seemed to continue to lead her back to consider her perception of it and how it affected her actions.
Hiding her right hand in the folds of her gown, she crossed her fingers firmly.  Lying to this man didn't count.  The realisation made her understand how much she had changed. All her experiences had changed her and while she wasn't certain she liked the changes, they were undeniable.
"I will join with you," she said quietly.  "Because I have no choice," she added truthfully, hoping that seasoning the words with some part of the truth cancelled the lie even further.
The smile that tilted Aizen's lips was full of satisfaction and expectation.
"You've agreed even before you know all the conditions?  Isn't that rash for a young girl like you, or is it because you are a young girl you are rash?"
Many responses came to mind, but instead she made sure her expression was bland and innocent and asked, "Don't you want me to agree?"
He looked away for a second and then smiled at her, showing his teeth.  "Of course I do.  But perhaps you may wish to know the conditions now?"
in light of her recent discussion with her powers, she was relatively certain of one of the conditions, but knew an expression of shock and dismay was expected.
"You will rule with me, which means you will be my wife," Aizen said slowly, his eyes fixed on her face to gauge her reaction.
"I'm too young to marry, now," Orihime demurred, after first pretending to gasp and forcing her mouth to turn down.  In her mind she was engaged to Ichigo and no one had better claim than him.  Why Aizen felt marriage was necessary she didn't know, or care, as it wasn't happening.
He laughed heartily.  "Too young to marry in the mortal world, but here those rules don't matter.  Due to your youth I will give you time to adjust to the idea and we will marry within a fortnight."
"You are too kind," Orihime said trying to suppress the sarcasm in her tone.  As an added precaution she looked at the floor, attempting to appear shy and modest.  With Ichigo, there was no need to pretend those feelings, but this man wasn't anything like Ichigo.
"In order to be my wife you have to swear your fealty to me and renounce any ties to the Shinigami, Soul Society and the Human World."
Again a condition that was expected and she moved her shoulders in a way that may be interpreted as assent.  Nodding committed her, but a quick glance showed Aizen was frowning.  How was she to navigate this particular issue?
A half truth?  "I will always be loyal to my husband," she almost whispered.  
It was true.  Any man she chose to marry was her main focus obtain all her loyalty, but she would never marry Aizen.
He looked pleased at the reply and then paused before he outlined the next condition.  "You will stay here, with me and never return to the Human World.  When I claim the prize for which I am working you will be by my side."
The desire to laugh at him grew with each word.  In her spare time she enjoyed romantic manga and this sounded like something she'd read in one.  Be by his side?  Be as far away from his side as possible, hopefully by Ichigo's side.  Yet the demand was hard to dodge.
"I will remain by my husband's side as long as he wants me," she demurred.  Even as she uttered these truths, she felt sick at how she was lying.  Not direct lies, not actual lies, but misdirected truth.  She wasn't used to speaking to a person in this way, deceiving them knowingly, but if she didn't, what protection was there?
"There is one final condition and it is one on which I will not negotiate.  Like me you have to experience the Hogyoku."  The last was delivered with a steely reserve and Orihime knew this was the most significant demand.
It was now she had to use her non-existent acting ability.  Keeping her eyes downcast she tried to shudder.  This was the whole point of her return: gaining contact with the Hogyoku.  It seemed obvious there would be a demand she have contact with the Orb for one reason or another.  To be changed by it was something she instinctively feared.
Her powers had assured her of their protection, but even the strongest power might not be enough.  Exposure to Ichigo changed her forever, but in a benign manner, helping her protect her friends and heal them.  There was no guarantee the Hogyoku was benign and having witnessed the results of the changes made her wonder about the original forms and abilities of the Espada before any change was wrought on them.
"I see my last condition scares you.  You have bravely suppressed your physical reaction, but your silence and introspection says more than mere words. "
In answer she simply nodded.  Denying her fear of exposure to the Hogyoku seemed silly and it seemed certain Aizen might not be convinced.  
"Only a fool feels no fear."
Pressing her lips tightly together was instinctive.  It stopped her from either grimacing or smiling at his comment.  Of course he imagined she feared exposure to the Hogyoku, marriage and possibly even her own shadow.  Until she'd escaped she had shown little aside from fear and elementary defiance.  Her healing of Loly and Menolly may indicate more than that, or it might be mistaken for too much compassion.  Though they appeared to see it as a sign of antipathy more than any other motive.
It was easy to let the pause grow, so she did.  The person who remained quiet and didn't need to crush the silence had the power and until now she'd never wanted to experience the power.  Today was different.  
"I don't believe in making people wait in dread for an event to happen.  As you are certain not to be dreading marriage, you will be exposed to the Hogyoku now."
This time she couldn't hide her reaction.  "Wh.... Now?"
Aizen nodded, a unconvincing benign smile on his face as he reached out to pat her hand.  
Immediately she put her hands behind her back and backed away, as if more worried about the Hogyoku than experiencing his touch, or at least she hoped that was how it appeared.  
"It is your destiny," he urged.
Immediately she wanted to giggle.  Destiny?  Next he might make some other statement about achieving her full potential or there was no growth without pain, or something that sounded fine and noble but was in reality pretty stupid if you took the concept apart.
All this was distract her from her immediate reaction.  Not today, not now.  Later.  Once she was adjusted to the idea of the course of action which had been outlined by her powers.    Which might be never.
"Be brave," she thought she heard Baigon whisper in her ear.  
Swallowing hard, the object she hadn't noticed lodged in her throat didn't seem to wish to move.  She swallowed again and it left, confirming her belief it was fear, nothing more.  Fear was okay.  She was used to being scared, not comfortable with the emotion, but familiar with all the attendant feelings.  
"Okay.  Yes."  Was that her voice agreeing to the unwanted but anticipated event?  It was and now there was less time to spend dreading the encounter.  
Even though he tried to hide it, it was clear Aizen hadn't expected a quick agreement.  "Are you.... ," he stopped, cleared his throat and attempted to look as if he expected that answer.  "Good."
There was another pause.  It seemed to Orihime that Aizen might appear confident, but didn't enjoy it when people acted in a manner he didn't expect.  Possibly this was due to his use of the powers of his Zanpakuto, where he influenced everyone to act in a certain manner.  It was little wonder he saw himself as the ultimate ruler of the afterlife because he'd manipulated so many to follow his commands without realising they were acting in a manner contrary to their own benefit.  
Why hadn't he tried to use his Zanpakuto's powers on her?
Or had he?
"Ulquiorra and I will escort you to the Hogyoku," Aizen said as if the pause hadn't happened.  
A nod sufficed as her reply.  The men flanked her on either side, each placing a hand on her shoulder.  She was unsure if this was preferable to them grasping her upper arms.  Both methods implied an attempt at ownership or control.  Part of her wished to resist, to take this walk freely, but she acknowledged neither man was likely to permit her that sort of freedom.  It was highly probably they thought she might run if they didn't take some measures to prevent her from doing so.
Leaving the room, she noted the quiet of the place.  Normally there were people chatting, fighting,   or hurrying along, but now the hallways were empty.  It was quieter than she'd ever known.
"Where is everyone?" she asked.  
Ulquiorra opened his mouth but she noticed the hard stare Aizen gave him.   Something was happening and they didn't wish for her to know.  It was easy to guess that Ichigo was leading some form of attack, and she wondered if all the others had been called to hold off the attack.  
Was this why there was the urgency she be exposed to the Hogyoku?  She'd imagined it would take time for the effects of the Orb to work on the body to change it.  Or was it another method of controlling Ichigo.  Aizen could threaten to harm her through this process?  Had she made another mistake by agreeing?  Was she putting more lives at risk?
"Why don't I trust myself?" she wondered.  "Not everything I do is wrong.  Other people don't always do the right thing."
None of it made her feel any better and a nervous tension built within her.  Too many important events appeared to be happening all at once and it was unclear is she was included or excluded from them.  She remembered the dismissive manner in which Mr Urahara had spoken of her abilities and the frustration Mr... she meant Miss Yoruichi had shown when she had first worked with her.  
In some respects Aizen appeared to at least value her abilities.  Did that make him a better person?  Or was she a better person when she was with him?
Mentally, she slapped herself.  How did these thoughts come to her.  She was the best person she could be when she was with Ichigo.  The people here didn't like her and were simply using her for reasons she was probably not aware or was aware but didn't wish to admit.  They were not her friends.  Friends didn't abduct or threaten each other or try to bully them into doing things.
Briefly a thought which had nagged at her much earlier returned.  Her brother had been consumed by Hollows and then returned as a Hollow.  If he was consumed, how could he return?  Wouldn't he have been ingested and absorbed by the being who ate him?
And what of Ichigo's mother?  If being killed by a Hollow caused the person to return as a Hollow who was then drawn to the family which it loved, why hadn't Ichigo's mother returned?  Or had she and been destroyed by some unknown Shinigami, or even, and her heart felt leaden as she considered this, even by the man who had loved her, married her and had a family with her.  If he had, could she in all conscience blame him?
The further they walked, the quieter the building seemed except for some far off sounds which were too distant to distinguish what the noise might be.  
Orihime assumed it was a far off battle.  She hoped her friends weren't hurt.  A tug of guilty remorse reminded her she wasn't there to assist them by shielding or healing them.
Even if she had the opportunity, she might be too late to reach them.
As they walked she felt a change in the energy around her.  The last time she had seen the Hogyoku the energy was slightly like the feeling she was now experiencing, but this was stronger, and it seemed strangely alive.  The room ahead must contain the Orb. Nothing else produced that slight distortion affect which seemed to make the air around it appear thicker.  
Once again she wondered why Mr Urahara had created the Orb, how Aizen had come to know of its existence and what he planned to do with it once its powers were fully awakened.
Wasn't it odd they it had been in Rukia's body and hadn't affected her at all.  Or anyone around her.  Wasn't the main aspect of the Orb to change that with which it came in contact.  It hadn't changed Rukia at all.
Or had it?
If it had changed Rukia, had its presence caused the development of the powers she had?  Was the source of the differences in Chad and her the result of exposure to the Hogyoku and not Ichigo?  These thoughts were making Orihime very uncomfortable.
Suddenly a wave of confusion over took her.  The Hogyoku had been in the gigai which Mr Urahara had supplied to Rukia while she was living in the Human world once her powers had been accidentally stripped from her by Ichigo.  Why had he placed it there?  It made little sense.  If he had a gigai which could mask reiatsu, why couldn't he make a box or something else which possessed the same ability?  How was Rukia meant to protect herself and the Hogyoku if she was powerless and there was no possibility she might regain either her reiatsu or her powers?
The longer she pondered the problem, the more problems seemed to be uncovered. If Rukia had been removed from the gigai when she returned to the Seireitei, why did the Hogyoku remain with her?  And she had to be removed from the gigai to return to Soul Society as they were only a vehicle that was used in the Human world so that the Shinigami had the chance of interacting with the humans.
And how did Aizen know?  Did he have a Hogyoku detection device?  If he was instrumental in sending Rukia to the human world, how did he know Ichigo would strip her of her powers and Mr Urahara would place Rukia in a gigai containing the Hogyoku?  
Was Mr Aizen all powerful?  Did he know everything that happened?  And why did he have to kill all those people in the council?  He could have hypnotised them to do his bidding.  Or was it due to a desire to shed blood and cause pain? Or was it to provide a distraction later on or make a statement, though the statement was a little unclear to her.  Was he saying, 'I will kill anyone who doesn't comply', or 'I was bored and decided to kill some people to pass the time.'? Neither statement seemed sensible, but few of the recent events appeared to make any sense to her.  
Before she could examine any of the other matters which had been bothering her, Aizen spoke.  In some ways the interruption to her disturbing thoughts was welcome.
"We will of course accompany you during this time," Aizen said as they approached a door and disturbed her meditations.
"No!" she responded strongly, then stopped and tried to repair any damage. "Please, Mr Aizen.  Let me go in by myself."
"You don't know what to do," he said, his mouth turning down and some of his earlier charm slipped away.
"Do I need to do anything?" she asked innocently.  
The man folded his lips together disapprovingly as if he didn't approve of her question.  A glance at Ulquiorra indicated he wasn't prepared to provide an answer unless Aizen did, so she simply waited quietly once more.
Again the man gave in and said with a great amount of reluctance, "No.  Not really."  His face was expressionless, but it was obvious he was trying to conceal his thoughts from her.
She gave him one of the sweet, but false smiles she never thought she would manage to fake.  ""The Orb has great power and does all the work?"
"If you attempt to harm the Orb in any way, I will know," was his response and did not answer her question.  How would he know?  Was he linked in some way to the Hogyoku which enabled him to guess it's status?
Had he guessed her plan?  Was this all futile planning on her part and failure more likely than success?
Hoping none of these thoughts showed on her face she said, "I returned here willingly.  What harm could I do to an Orb of such power?"
He gave her a searching look as if trying to determine if she was being honest, or lying to him.  "The Orb is powerful.  Very powerful."
They were now standing outside a door at the end of a corridor.  She had never been here before and wondered at the reason for the re-location of the Orb.  Many things seemed to be different to how she remembered them to be before she escaped.  What had wrought these differences?
Aizen had changed.  His reactions seemed a little strange, almost as if the proximity of the Hogyoku caused confusion or made the man less confident.  Every time he spoke of it there was the implication it was an inanimate object, but also as if he was trying to conceal something important.  It might explain why he was reluctant to permit her free access to the Orb.
"We will wait here.  If you attempt anything which may cause harm to the Hogyoku your friends will die.  At the moment we, I mean, I am permitting them to live." Aizen's voice was different, but Orihime didn't wish to think about the reasons for that.  All the pressure must be causing her to imagine things.
A key was handed to Ulquiorra and he carefully unlocked the door and then bowed slightly as he returned the key to Aizen.  
"Open the door and enter the room.  The door will be locked and you will not be permitted to leave until I am assured that everything which needs to happen has happened."  
Orihime once more wondered about the implied link between Aizen and the Hogyoku and it made her nervous.  Anything which chose to be linked with Aizen was suspect.
It was hard to move her legs.  Not that they refused to move, but her brain didn't wish to give them the command to walk.  Being so close to her objective  was unnerving.  Failure or success were possible and she wasn't certain which she feared the most.  Either meant a change in her life which had already changed beyond any concept or dream she'd had.  Sure, she wasn't the killing robot she'd drawn what seemed like months ago, but was she any better than a machine which took life for no good reason?  
"We have to do this," a whisper of thought tugged at her attention.
"Yes," Orihime said aloud, while stretching out her hand and opening the door through which she quickly stepped.  Closing the door behind her she heard the lock snick shut behind her.  She was now locked in with the Hogyoku and the events which might take place within the room were all she could think about.  Anything outside the room needed to wait until this was over.
The Orb floated above a table with some transparent covering enclosing it.  It had changed, grown larger and the light which emanated from it seemed more mysterious and absorbing.  Instead of moving toward it and acting immediately, she simply observed it, wondering at the reason for its creation and purpose.  None of it seemed obvious to her.
Without summoning them her powers appeared and surrounded the Hogyoku.  Each of the faces was grave and thoughtful as they observed.  The hush in the air was different to their normal interactions.  Even Tsubaki was quiet and thoughtful and it made her wonder about the characters of her powers.  Did they each represent a different aspect of her personality?  Was it possible one person might contain all the contradictions she saw present in her powers.
It wasn't possible to tell what they were thinking.  She wasn't certain she wished to know their thoughts and she hoped they didn't know hers.
Mainly she was scared.  If Tsubaki knew, he'd make fun of her and probably say something rude about Ichigo.  Why did he dislike Ichigo so much?
Her powers seemed to be conferring among themselves, each looking solemn and speaking in hushed tones.  Occasionally one would glance in her direction, give a small and gentle smile and then turn back to the conversation.
"They seem troubled, but troubled differently to you," an unfamiliar voice said.
Orihime looked around the room.  Who was speaking to her?  
"It seems fear is a natural human state, but why do you fear me?  I don't desire to harm you."
Her throat tightened as a possible source for the voice floated through her mind.  
"What are you?  You seem human but more than human and also familiar, as if I encountered you previously."
"I am Orihime," she said aloud.
"That name is familiar but means nothing to me," the strange voice replied.
"We know who you are, silly woman," Tsubaki snapped at her.
Lily looked at Orihime and frowned.  "She wasn't talking to us."
"Then who?" Ayame said and then a look of shock and fear crossed her face.  "Why Orihime and not us?"
"I am the Hogyoku," the unfamiliar voice told Orihime.  "Understand that the following actions I will take are not meant to scare or offend you."
"What actions?" Orihime asked but it soon became evident.
She was no longer in the room where the Hogyoku was located.  She didn't know where she was, but there was another person there.  A person of indeterminate gender who didn't look in any way startling or dramatic, but all the same,  inspired awe in Orihime.
"I imagine you are preparing to ask where you are and who I am," the person said with an air of indifference.
Orihime nodded, but at the same time tried to estimate how many times she'd wished to ask those questions and how often she'd ask them in the future.  
"This place doesn't exist in reality.  I took a piece of time and kept it static for when I wish to talk to people privately. "
That sort of explained the where but not the who, although she was pretty certain she knew who the person was.
"I am, of course, the personification of the Hogyoku.  It seemed easier to talk to you like this, without any possibility of interruption.  We have much we can learn from each other."
Orihime bit her lip and pondered this information.  "What has happened to my powers?"
An amused look crossed the Hogyoku's face.  "I thought it was evident.  We are in a piece of time which is removed from the time stream.  They were not invited and won't notice you have gone.   Miss Inoue, Orihime, if you permit, I know why you are here."
A dull hot flush rose over her face.  The plan had seemed easy when it concerned an inanimate object, but now it appeared to affect a sentient being.  To do what had been suggested, which had originally been her idea, was murder or manslaughter.  It wasn't liberating a Hollow from the state of being a Hollow with the possibility of moving onto Soul Society.  With a unique being such as the Hogyoku, what awaited it once it ceased to exist?
"People, my friends might be dying because I chose to come here," she stammered, nervously, all the time feeling guilty she wasn't answering the being's statement.  She wasn't lying, simply avoiding providing any information.
"At present they are all alive.  Fighting hard and with your rescue in mind, or so it appears. "
The answer caused Orihime to wonder.  How did the being have the power to see outside the walls?  Especially if they were meant to be outside time?  
"I was monitoring them before we started talking.  I don't know anything about the events occurring outside at present, but the activity drew my attention and interested me.  You interest me." The being bent slightly forward and gazed at her.
The clear eyes were neither brown, black, blue or grey but a mixture of all the colours eyes could be, or no colour at all.  The hair was a dark grey and the face and body almost skeletally thin.  It was wearing what appeared to be a robe.  
Even though she might think she was describing how the being appeared, she was certain another person might view it completely differently.  For some reason she knew that her mind was creating a form and aspect to the being which might appeal and not scare her.  Why her consciousness wished to show her something so gaunt was possibly due to her belief that the Hogyoku was a creature which had been created with little concern or care for it and how it had been used since then was only for the benefit of a rapacious man.  Everything had been taken from it, nothing really given, or perhaps she was wrong.  How could she even begin to understand the existence of something which was meant to destroy yet had never done so?  
"Why do I interest you?  We've never met."
"Not like this, no, we haven't met.  I've been aware of you before you obtained your powers."
It seemed her assumption was correct but the possibilities that were created astounded her.  "You were aware while in Rukia's gigai?"
The being smiled a little ruefully.  "Her proximity, even though she was drained of reiatsu began to wake me. I didn't wish for her to die, but I dimly noticed every sign indicated she would once she was returned to the Seireitei.  Of course, I had to make a few tweaks to keep her alive.  They were done in a manner which I could manage while not being really aware of what I was doing."
Her heart sank.  All this time it had seemed logical the powers she'd acquired were due to her proximity and close relationship with Ichigo, but all the while it had been this being making changes to her.
"If you hadn't been close to both Rukia and the person who gained her powers, nothing would have come of it.  My abilities were considerably reduced by both the suppression of the gigai and my youth."
From what she recalled, the Hogyoku was older than her.  Perhaps it was a late developer.
"Yet this topic of discussion is not the one which concerns us.  Orihime, you have decided to utilise your powers and reverse my creation.  The man you despise, the one who has used me for his own ends said the power you possess equalled that of God and such was my intention.  You have The Charm, you have the ability.  I merely ask you to act."  The tone wasn't disinterested, nor did the being seem distressed by the idea.
The words caught her off guard.  Instead of an appeal for life, it seemed the being wished to die.  "You want to die?"
"I won't die.  I'll simply cease to exist and every act I have been forced to do will be erased with me."
The calm of the being scared her as it discussed the details of it being completely removed from existence.  "Why?"
It gave a small smile and nodded as if in response to her question.  "I do not know why I was created, in case you were going to ask.  My creator never told me.  Perhaps it was for this very purpose.  It seems certain he didn't expect me to evolve or know that in the act of creation he imparted a soul to me."
The being had a soul?  How did it know?  What did a soul feel like?
Almost as if it anticipated her thoughts it said, "Each time I have been exposed to a form of Hollow and forced to change it, I have absorbed part of its soul, the soul they are not meant to possess, and in turn they have removed some of mine.  The process is painful."
"They don't have a soul.  That is why they are Hollows."
"How can they exist if they are not part souls?  What lives on after the body dies?"
Now they were discussing metaphysics?  This was far beyond her understanding.  If you died you went to Soul Society unless you were evil and went to Hell or were destroyed by a Hollow and became a Hollow.  And Hollows had no souls.  How could they have a soul?
"At best you have been given partial truths.  A creation such as  I should not possess a soul but due to the process which was used to create me and the elements of which I am composed, a soul was granted to me, but it is no longer my own. "
Orihime shook her head and then wanted to hide her face in her hands.  Every answer created another question and the more questions raised made it harder for her to retain her mental balance.
"You have a soul?"  At least that fact made it easy for her to understand the creature.
"A soul not completely my own anymore.  It is ripped apart and put together jaggedly with pieces from those I have caused to change. "
Orihime gasped at the full import of its words.  "Do you have part of my soul?"
The being shook its head.  "No.  As I chose to encourage you to change your soul remained untouched.  I have absorbed much of the worst and little of the best of the creatures offered to me by Sosuke Aizen."
There was a pause.
"I no longer recognise myself and hate what I have become.  Once the man realises I am awake and sentient he will stop at nothing to use me to obtain his desires.  I do not wish to aid him."
Instead of waiting for her to ask a tedious amount of questions, the Orb had explained its feelings to her very clearly.  
One final fear struck her.  "I will lose my powers also."  Did the idea inspire fear or joy?  Until now she had been pleased and proud to have her powers even though many others didn't seem to hold them in much esteem.
"I merely awakened that which was lying dormant.  It is evident I have not made myself clear.  Your exposure to your brother, Ichigo and Rukia brought forth a possibility which, given time might have matured into the powers you currently possess.  I simply encourage them to develop early."
The assurance gave her a sense of relief but unleashed her fear as well.  "I can't kill you."
"You won't be killing me, simply releasing me from an unasked for life. Please, Orihime, help me.  I lose myself more each time and soon this being will forget any compassion or rational thought.  Each piece of Hollow adhering to my soul makes me hunger and the hunger disgusts me."
****************************************************************** ***************
Ichigo's world was reduced to two simple ideas.  Destroy anything which stood in his way and to rescue Orihime.  These Hollows meant nothing to him.  The recently arrived reinforcements from Soul Society, even though they were mostly Captains who seemed intent on either outdoing  or irritating the Hell out of each other, were simply a means to an end.  Focusing on his blade he cut, thrust and slashed, driving any before him out of his way.  He had to rescue Orihime.  There was nothing more important to him.
"Get a grip, Kurosaki.  Keep with us and fight the line.  Stop trying to force your way through.  You'll be cut down," Renji yelled at him.
"Kid, I know you want to move on, but the fighting's fun.  Enjoy it." The 11th Division Captain's face was smiling even as he wiped the blood from his chin.
"Discipline is everything.  We need to co-ordinate our efforts and act according to honour," Rukia's brother reminded him.
"Or we could just poison everyone.  That might be fun.  Had any more thought about letting me marry your sister, Kuchiki?"
The 12th Division Captain continued to creep Ichigo out.  He shuddered at the thought of Rukia, or any living female, or female from Soul Society marrying the man.  It was hard to guess which move he might make next and his comments about poisoning seemed apt as most of his opponents seemed to collapse without showing evidence of any noticeable mortal wound.
"You will not be marrying my sister and you fight without honour," the Captain replied, his lips set grimly as he dispatched another Hollow.
"Face it, Kuchiki.  The man doesn't know the meaning of honour.  Or fun. What enjoyment can you get from poisoning people?"
"They make funny faces when they die, Ken-chan," Yachiru sweetly explained as she popped her head over his shoulder.
"Told you to keep back," Zaraki grunted at her.
"Where's the fun in that?" her face lit with a smile as she replied.
The man laughed loudly as he cut off another head.  "Yeah, you're right."
"We're here to save Orihime," Ichigo said loudly.  "That's all the matters."
"Don't care about the excuse to fight, just want the fight, kid.  Relax.  We'll save the girl, kill the dragon and whatever else."
"Captain Zaraki, please display a little less levity," Captain Kuchiki said.
"Yeah, yeah.  We'll get there, sooner or later."
Ichigo looked at the horde in front of them and despaired of reaching Orihime before anything happened which might cause future to go unfulfilled.
********************************************************** ************************
The sadness in the beings' voice made her stop and think.  This act wasn't all about her or Ichigo.  It was something which would affect the whole of reality as she knew it.  Perhaps the Winter War might never occur.  "Will everything be changed?"
The being shook his head.  "Too many events occurred independently of my existence.  There will be changes, but most of the bad deeds will remain."
There were so many more questions she wanted to ask she wasn't certain where to begin.
"I won't lie to you, Orihime.  If you do this there may be danger to you."
In talking with her powers this had been mentioned but she had preferred to ignore the unpleasant idea, concentrating instead on the possibility of preventing Aizen from taking any action.
She remembered many occasions when these things had been said to Ichigo and his normal reaction.
"There's always danger."
The being looked at her with a small frown on its face.  "Not your sentiments.  It is reasonable to feel fear, Orihime.  No person, no matter how brave, strong or noble is free of fear, even though they appear so.  To be without fear is foolish."
This didn't seem right to her.  Didn't the code of the Samurai preach that there should be no fear in a warriors heart?  "What about the teachings in the Hagakure?"
"How many criminals have you executed?" the being shot back.
This stopped her short.  There were many things she'd read in the book which didn't make a great deal of sense to her, or practical in the modern society.  "None..." she said slowly.
"Fear is natural.  It is the reaction to fear which is the problem.  Some are brave even while they are scared while others fear the emotion and their reaction.  The true bravery is the way people handle their reaction to the fear."
She nodded as the words made sense to her.    "I am scared," she admitted.
"Yet you still wish to act?"
A quick nod hid the rising tide of disquiet she was experiencing.  She took a deep breath and then asked, "What do I do?"
The instructions were clear and concise and weren't very different to the healing process she used.
"But what about The Charm?"
A grave look passed over his face.  "The Charm while necessary is part of the danger.  You will hold it, as the extra power it provides in essential.  As I know little about its powers and construction, I can only predict what will happen."
The words burst out from her mouth before she could prevent them.  "Are you sure you want to do this?  Do you really need to di...  Um, I mean cease to exist?"
"Watching every part of the complex system of emotions and ideas which form my identity break apart is not existence.  I am less than I was.  Orihime, if this was your choice, would life seem worthwhile?"
There was only answer possible.  "No."
"Then return and free me.  Please, Orihime."
She stood straight and looked at him as fervently as possible.  "No matter what it takes I will free you.  You have my word and I promise on the love I still hold for my brother, it will be done."
The Hogyoku took her hand briefly within his own.  "A weighty vow and one I know you will honour.  You may not remember this, but you have the gratitude of a possibility which is what I will become.  Fate and Fortune will be thwarted but you owe them no thanks."
The last sentence made no sense and it was her impulse to ask what was meant, but seeing her powers in front of her once more, staring at the Orb, knew the question might never be answered.
"I know what must be done," Orihime announced.  There was no reason for delay and every second which passed might mean an interruption by Mr Aizen.  
Her powers turned to her, astonished.  
"We have to do this now," she continued, not wishing for anything to dissuade her from her future.
"We wondered if you would question the ethics of destroying something so unique," Baigon said slowly, staring at her.
"Not now.  Lives may be lost if we don't do this!" Fear made her voice sharp.   
"Tell us what to do," Shuno spoke slowly, her eyes focused and intent.  
She swallowed wondering if her instructions would make sense.  "Lily, who has The Charm?"
Tsubaki fluttered close to her.  "That would be me?  Why?"
"May I have it, please?"
"Are you sure, Orihime?  If you hold it, Aizen might notice it's presence and we'd be in a world of trouble,"  Hingaku folded his arms looking concerned.
"It's the only way.  This is the reason it was made and if I try to do this without the added power I will fail."
The statement caused silence.
It was only broken by Tsubaki producing The Charm, almost handing it to her, but he stopped and said, "Get us in position.  Tell us what to do and then I'll give you The Charm."
Orihime took a deep breath and exhaled, the drew in another breath.  "I have to reject its creation, wipe it from existence."
The powers looked at each other.  Shuno was the first to speak.  "We will need to construct a shield of some sort.  Tsubaki, you'll have to distract them by pretending to attack.  I'm not pleased with the odds against us, but we have to try."
***************************************************************** ****************
Ichigo suddenly felt very uneasy.  Worse than anything before.  
"Orihime.  I have to get to her, now."
Rukia nodded in agreement.  "We have to go."
Zaraki guffawed with laughter.  "We're faced with an army of Hollows and you want to run ahead?  You really are unable to enjoy yourselves, aren't you?"
Captain Kuchiki looked grave and then spoke sharply to Kurotsuchi.  "A distraction.  Can you provide one?"
The man widened his eyes at him.  "Why are you asking me?  What possible distraction might I provide?"
"An explosion.  Something to distract the enemy so they have a chance to get past them," was the answer.
"And my motivation?"
A jagged blade was poised at his throat.  "You live."
"Good motivation, but do you think you can kill me so simply?" Kurotsuchi's attempts to appear unaffected, failed.
Zaraki laughed unpleasantly.  "Don't know, but it'll be fun trying."
Kurotsuchi scowled.  "An explosion?  Don't blame me if there are casualties."
"Wouldn't dream of it," Zaraki said.
A  minute or so passed and a cloud of smoke, a large crater and disarray in their foes ranks indicated the time to try to get past was now.  Ichigo, Rukia, Renji and Chad skirted around their enemies, much quicker than anticipated.
"It looks like an illusion has been cast to make it seem there are more Hollows than expected." Renji commented.
"But the strongest Espada are at the back.  That might please the Kenpachi," Rukia said with a small amount of mirth. "I wonder how long they will manage to entertain my brother and Captain Zaraki now that most  of the other Hollows are dead."
"Not our concern," Chad said looking straight ahead.  "Orihime is the priority."
"She needs our protection. Now!  I don't know what is happening. "  Ichigo found it hard to utter the words as he felt the tug to move faster urging him on even more.
Minutes passed as they frantically tried to move as fast as was possible.  It was hard as they kept feeling they were being followed and the building never seemed any closer.  Suddenly they were there.
"This way," Ichigo said though he wasn't certain where he was taking them.  He was being led by instinct and it was certain to take him to Orihime.  He had to get there as fast as possible.  She was in danger.  He knew it.
******************************************************************* **************
After a lot of conferring, the plan was set and Tsubaki reluctantly handed The Charm to Orihime.  
Knowing the gravity of the situation she took it, trying to appear calm but all the time, shaking on the inside.  One chance to undo all the horrors, well most of them.  One chance to stop Aizen and prevent the destruction of her home town and the Seireitei.
Grasping it firmly she turned to the Orb and bowed.  "Thank you for telling me how to do this.  I am sad you will cease to exist and hope the pain will not last."  There were more words she wanted to say, but due to the questioning looks her powers were giving her, she decided to stop.  Explanations were for later.  Now was the time for action.
"I reject," she said firmly holding The Charm out and trying to direct her power through it toward the Hogyoku.  It was difficult and unlike anything she'd done before.  Trying to focus through The Charm was like trying to cling on to soft honey which refused to remain still, but also as hard to penetrate as an aniseed ball.  
Shuno tapped her shoulder.  "Try this," she said and placed her hand on Orihime's.  The touch was a steadying influence and with a jolt she realigned the misspent power.  
There was resistance, but a resistance which seemed unwilling.  She concentrated and poured more power into the rejection.
The door slammed open.  "Stop this, girl.  Stop it!" Ulquiorra yelled.
Aizen dashed to her and tried to removed The Charm from her hands.  "You had this all the time?  I've underestimated you and the power of the Hogyoku.  You will be punished for this."
Orihime ignored them both, focusing on rejecting them and then found she was surrounded by the warm glow of a shield.  Unlike most shields, it extended to encompass the Hogyoku.  "Thank you," she murmured as she noticed Tsubaki making aerial attacks on both Ulquiorra and Aizen.  His attacks weren't very effective but they caused a small amount of distraction.  Not enough, she recognised.  
Time was essential to accomplish what was necessary and the determination displayed by both Aizen and Ulquiorra indicated she didn't have enough time.  It was impossible to estimate how much longer it would take and she was having difficulty ignoring the trickles of water running down her face.  
The Hogyoku had asked for death, or extinction.  Even though she knew this and remembered the expression on its face when it spoke of the pain of losing part of itself, it seemed unfair that this was the only solution.  
Maybe Mr Urahara hadn't realised the Hogyoku would evolve.  Yet why wasn't he here dealing with the set of events had had been partially responsible for setting in motion?  When she returned to the Human world she might ask questions, or knowing how she normally reacted it was more probable she wouldn't and wait, hopefully, for an explanation of some kind.
"I can't hold them for much longer," Tsubaki gasped.  "Help!"
"What can I do?  I have to concentrate!" The frustration she felt was mixed with sadness and too many other emotions.
She didn't dare look but the impact of heavy blows on the shields caused her to falter.   Even thought the shield was stronger than any she'd used before it wasn't enough.   Two strong fighters were intent on breaking it and until now her shields hadn't withstood this type of attack.
The tears flowed faster.  The one thing she'd been asked to do and she was failing.  If she was changed for this purpose she was fading before the onslaught of the people who wished to continue to use the Orb and destroy the world she knew.  
"It's too hard," she thought desperately.
"Don't give up.  Never give up until you can't fight anymore," urged Shuno, her voice sounding different, strained.  A quick glance showed the power had paled and sweat was beading on her forehead.  "You have to try harder, Orihime.  You're holding back and I don't know why."
How had Shuno known something she wasn't admitting?  Her reluctance to kill was interfering with the energy she was expending.  Part of the energy, a quarter perhaps was misdirected and not helping in her efforts.  Biting her lip she carefully addressed her doubts, soothing them, assuring her mind that this was necessary and listed a number of consequences.
"Remove all doubts," Baigon instructed her his voice also showing the strain.  
"Help is coming," shrilled Lily,  Orihime had never heard her voice pitched so high until now but knew why.  All her energies and the energies of the powers were being consumed by attempting to reject the Hogyoku, maintaining the shield and providing what little assistance possible to Tsubaki.
The shield cracked.  Then it exploded outward, showering Aizen and Ulquiorra with brightly coloured shards.  It only provided a momentary distraction before Aizen reached again for The Charm.
"Get away from her," growled a familiar and loved voice.  "I have a problem with you abducting my friends or trying to kill them.  Especially Orihime."
For a few seconds Orihime turned her eyes to see her darling Ichigo.  Blood was pouring down his face from a wound on his forehead.  It seemed he was accompanied by Renji, Rukia and Chad, but she didn't pay much attention to their injuries.  Ichigo was here!  
"I don't know what you're doing Orihime, but keep doing it.  We'll keep these scum sucking swine busy."
"The girl.  She'll destroy us all!  She's using The Charm," Aizen was fast losing his composure.
"She's meant to use The Charm," Rukia said with a measure of authority.
Orihime concentrated though she dearly wanted to watch the battle.  If she completed this there was no need for the fighting to continue.  She heard the clash of metal and grunts of exertion as the fighting continued.  Occasionally she felt something come close to her, but one of her friends always managed to prevent the blow from falling.  Trying to restore the shields seemed a waste of time and valuable energy.  
Without meaning to, she swayed on her feet.  Her strength was ebbing rapidly.  The power thundering through her was being drawn from every source she could find yet it wasn't enough.  Then it happened.  Something shifted and another source of power became available.  For a second her concentration faltered and then she noticed The Charm glowing hotly in her hand.  This was part of the extra energy and then it struck her.  The Orb was fuelling power back into The Charm, seeking its release in its own destruction.
A shudder shook her as she tried to funnel the increasing power.  It was hard and she felt her control begin to slip.  A trickle of hot wet liquid oozed from her nose and mouth.  She hoped it wasn't blood, but knew it was.  
"Concentrate," Shuno urged her.  "Nearly there."
Immediately Orihime knew she was correct.  The Hogyoku was dissipating, dissolving in front of her eyes.  After working against it was now working with her and the power was increasing rapidly.  The Charm was hot in her hand and starting to melt.
"Goodbye Orihime.  Thank you," the faint voice of the Hogyoku whispered through her mind before it flickered out of existence.
Before she could take a deep breath and exhale a sigh of relief the backwash of the disintegration of The Charm was final, burning her hand and releasing a final burst of power.  Her legs became unsteady and her vision blurred.  What was happening?  She'd succeeded.  Everything would change and be the way it should be now.
Wasn't that what was meant to happen?
"No!" screamed Shuno.
"Watch out, Orihime," Lily yelled.
"I love you, you stupid woman," Tsubaki said quietly.
"You bastards.  You damned evil bastards.  You caused this!  You did this," Ichigo was hitting Aizen with the hilt of his Zanpakuto  before he dropped it and caught Orihime as she fell.
"You made me a promise Orihime.  You're meant to keep your promises!"
She tried to speak but her mouth refused to work.  Her eyes were closing though she was trying to keep them open.  Tired, she was so tired and that sticky stuff that was running out of her nose and mouth the blood, was no longer trickling, it was flowing.
"Don't die, Orihime.  No.  You can't die!"
"I'm so sorry," whispered Shuno.  "We tried, but the power was too great."
She felt a pair of lips touch hers and it was the last thing she felt.
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