fic; What (really) happened
Okay, so I honestly tried making an IchiIshi fanfic but as I tried, I ended up writing this weird thingo instead! I might get some ideas from it but, meh, who knows? I'm so sorry (again) kiyala for screwing this one up, but very very very biiiig thank you for all the help!
Title: What (really) happened
Author: papanchi
Word Count: 1434
Fandom: Bleach
Pairings: IchiIshi, with hints of Ishihime, Ulquihime
Rating: G
Warnings: May contain spoilers, changed events in the Hueco Mundo and Lust Arc.
Summary: What really happened in Hueco Mundo.
Disclaimer: Bleach is owned by Kubo Tite
Notes: I really want to know what's happening on the dome. This fic shows the different POV's of Ishida, Ichigo, and Orihime throughout Hueco Mundo.
Practically my first fic. Enjoy!^^
x-posted to ishi_ichi
Where were we going?
Ishida
It obviously didn't matter anymore than it had a few hours ago where we were headed. The answer was right in front of us, and yet we were running for what seemed like hours without any signs of getting any closer. Was Inoue-san really waiting for us in there? Was there a guarantee that she is still alive? Would we ever reach her? I knew that neither Kurosaki nor Sado-kun knew the answer, much rather, want to answer it in the first place.
Once in a while, there would be small talk of strategy when we supposedly reached Las Noches or insolent complaints from Kurosaki about our distance from our destination. Mostly the latter. I had to keep myself sane by counting the tree-like quartz, but that didn't seem to help. Hueco Mundo seemed so in the void. The only things that assured me of life were these two.
I've gotten used to Kurosaki's insanely high reiatsu for a while now, but ever since we entered the left the Garganta and entered Hueco Mundo his reiatsu seemed to be different somehow. It was different from when he's in his Bankai or anything else. It was... strained, somehow. I didn't plan on asking him because I knew what the conversation would end without an answer.
As much as I tried not to, I couldn't stop staring at Kurosaki. How determined he looked, how his legs ran, how his orange hair moved in the wind, how is face--
"Ishida."
"W-What is it, Kurosaki?" He caught me off-guard. Did he notice I was looking at him?
"Whatever happens in there..."
"Huh?"
It took a while for him to continue. "You better not get your ass kicked by some Arrancar." The words were his, but it sounded like somebody else saying them.
"I don't need to be reminded that by you."
"Just... don't die on us, okay?"
When in the world did he start to worry about me? Was the sand getting to him or something? "Kurosaki, why on earth would--"
"Remember what we agreed on?" He cut me off fast. "We need to survive to beat each other up, right?"
"Kurosaki..." Surprised by his statement, all I managed to utter out was, "Right."
That's right. That day when we faced off against a Menos. The day I witnessed just how powerful he was when he sent the Menos back here. Also the day I saved him from himself when he lost control of his reiatsu. Though, of all the things to say, why that? Did he still have a grudge against me?
You are so strange, Kurosaki.
But I couldn't help but feel flattered that he remembered our agreement so well. That he cared.
And I hated that.
I was a fool to have not appreciated his words at that time. I regretted not thanking him for that.
For everything.
+ + +
Damn, what was that? What the hell.
Ichigo
Inoue... Inoue was calling me. I had to help her. I couldn't let her get hurt. Inoue was right next to me.
"Where...? Wasn't there--a hole in my chest?"
"Kurosaki-kun." Inoue said, beside me.
"Inoue. You're okay..." I was so relieved
But that relief darted away like a bullet when I turned to see the worst.
"Ishida...!"
The whole world stopped moving when I turned to see a thin, white figure slumped on the floor without a hand and impaled with a sword; my sword, through his abdomen. I couldn't think, I couldn't breathe. What the hell happened?! I couldn't have-no, I wouldn't! But all signs doubt faded away when the only possible explanation for Ishida's state was me.
I was dazed, my mind shattered in to tiny pieces. How would I look him in the eye again without feeling any guilt? What would Ishida think of me?
"So you finally... woke up, huh...?" I jumped at the sound of Ishida's voice.
Will he ever forgive me? No, no, no! Get a hold of yourself, dammit!
"That wound," I asked, "Did I do that?"
"You're so stubborn." I turned to find Ulquiorra, he lost an arm and a leg from what I could piece up. He must know what happened.
"Ulquiorra." I said, "Was I the one who stabbed Ishida?"
"Like it matters." He replied.
I looked back at Ishida. He gave me that I'm-smarter-than-you smirk. "Focus on your enemy, Kurosaki. For what use will guilt be of?"
At that instant, when he said my name, flashes of what happened crossed my mind.
"That's enough, Kurosaki."
"Can't you hear me Kurosaki?!"
"If you do that, you truly won't be human anymore."
"KUROSAKI!"
He was trying to stop me. Stop me from being a hollow. Saving me from myself. Even though I was not in control and he knew that, he still faced me. Ishida...
I was the one who impaled him. And if it wasn't for Ulquiorra I would have killed him from using my Cero.
What the hell was happening?!
Of all the stupid and horrible things I've done... I would never forget this one.
Because it hurt me the most.
+ + +
"Inoue, take care of Ishida's wounds now. I'll head for Rukia and the others."
Orihime
Kurosaki-kun... That was the last thing he said before leaving us. I don't blame him for being in a hurry.
"Ishida-kun,"
He nodded. He lied down in front of me so that I can heal him.
"Souten Kishun." They did as they always did when I called them.
"I'm glad you're safe, Inoue-san."
Ishida-kun. He's done so much for me. Healing him is the least I could do for him for all his troubles.
"Thank you, Ishida-kun." I told him, "For everything. If it wasn't for you, Kurosaki would've lost if you hadn't faced Ulquiorra. But, I'm so sorry that I didn't do anything that helped, and sorry also for the wounds you got and-"
"What are you talking about? You're helping right now aren't you? And you also got Kurosaki to wake up and beat Ulquiorra. These injuries are just the price we pay. You're the whole reason we came here, Inoue-san. Everyone that came has traveled many miles, fought many battles, and haven't once lost faith that we would rescue you and bring you back. So don't be sorry, or else all have done up to this point would be a waste, would it not?" He smiled.
"Ishida-kun..." He was right. Rukia-chan, Abarai-kun, and Sado-kun are out there, too. Ishida-kun's left hand was forming shape and his wound on his abdomen was closing. I never noticed Ishida's body so intently until now. Although he was skinny, he was lean. His face had that same expression when he was in deep thought. It made him look peaceful, and--
"Inoue-san,"
"H-huh?"
"I think my wounds are all better now."
"O-Oh, I see." I stopped healing him and helped him up. Was I staring off in to space? No, it was Ishida-kun's face. "I-I'm sorry."
He laughed. That was the first time I've ever heard him do so. It sounded assuring and relieving. I couldn't help but smile at him. How long has it been since we were alone together like this?
"Why are you laughing, Ishida-kun?"
"Oh--I'm sorry." He did that thing with his glasses, like he always did, "It's just the look on your face reminded me of when we were in Soul Society together. It's... cute."
I flushed red when he said that. Cute? Ishida-kun thought that I was cute? Why am I making such a big deal out of this?
"Are you okay, Inoue-san?"
"Huh? Y-Yeah. No problem at all, Ishida-kun."
No problem, at all. Kurosaki-kun... Ishida-kun... what's wrong with me?
"Are you worried about Kurosaki? Don't worry, he'll be fine." I must have looked worried for him to have assured me, but at least he was close to why I was worried.
I tried to get my mind off of it. I looked around and remembered the events that happened here. How I wished I haven't.
Ulquiorra. The fading image of him reaching out to me was burned in my mind.
"Inoue-san?"
He never happened. "I know."
He was long gone now. But I couldn't convince myself fully of that.
"Do I frighten you, girl?"
No. No you don't. You never did.
Tears welled up in my eyes. I cried. I was pathetic. Ishida-kun never said anything when I hugged him and cried on his shoulder and wet his tunic with my tears. He must have understood.
I'm sorry, Ishida-kun. I'm sorry, Kurosaki-kun. I'm sorry, Ulquiorra.
And I cried. I was pathetic.
+
Title: What (really) happened
Author: papanchi
Word Count: 1434
Fandom: Bleach
Pairings: IchiIshi, with hints of Ishihime, Ulquihime
Rating: G
Warnings: May contain spoilers, changed events in the Hueco Mundo and Lust Arc.
Summary: What really happened in Hueco Mundo.
Disclaimer: Bleach is owned by Kubo Tite
Notes: I really want to know what's happening on the dome. This fic shows the different POV's of Ishida, Ichigo, and Orihime throughout Hueco Mundo.
Practically my first fic. Enjoy!^^
x-posted to ishi_ichi
Where were we going?
Ishida
It obviously didn't matter anymore than it had a few hours ago where we were headed. The answer was right in front of us, and yet we were running for what seemed like hours without any signs of getting any closer. Was Inoue-san really waiting for us in there? Was there a guarantee that she is still alive? Would we ever reach her? I knew that neither Kurosaki nor Sado-kun knew the answer, much rather, want to answer it in the first place.
Once in a while, there would be small talk of strategy when we supposedly reached Las Noches or insolent complaints from Kurosaki about our distance from our destination. Mostly the latter. I had to keep myself sane by counting the tree-like quartz, but that didn't seem to help. Hueco Mundo seemed so in the void. The only things that assured me of life were these two.
I've gotten used to Kurosaki's insanely high reiatsu for a while now, but ever since we entered the left the Garganta and entered Hueco Mundo his reiatsu seemed to be different somehow. It was different from when he's in his Bankai or anything else. It was... strained, somehow. I didn't plan on asking him because I knew what the conversation would end without an answer.
As much as I tried not to, I couldn't stop staring at Kurosaki. How determined he looked, how his legs ran, how his orange hair moved in the wind, how is face--
"Ishida."
"W-What is it, Kurosaki?" He caught me off-guard. Did he notice I was looking at him?
"Whatever happens in there..."
"Huh?"
It took a while for him to continue. "You better not get your ass kicked by some Arrancar." The words were his, but it sounded like somebody else saying them.
"I don't need to be reminded that by you."
"Just... don't die on us, okay?"
When in the world did he start to worry about me? Was the sand getting to him or something? "Kurosaki, why on earth would--"
"Remember what we agreed on?" He cut me off fast. "We need to survive to beat each other up, right?"
"Kurosaki..." Surprised by his statement, all I managed to utter out was, "Right."
That's right. That day when we faced off against a Menos. The day I witnessed just how powerful he was when he sent the Menos back here. Also the day I saved him from himself when he lost control of his reiatsu. Though, of all the things to say, why that? Did he still have a grudge against me?
You are so strange, Kurosaki.
But I couldn't help but feel flattered that he remembered our agreement so well. That he cared.
And I hated that.
I was a fool to have not appreciated his words at that time. I regretted not thanking him for that.
For everything.
+ + +
Damn, what was that? What the hell.
Ichigo
Inoue... Inoue was calling me. I had to help her. I couldn't let her get hurt. Inoue was right next to me.
"Where...? Wasn't there--a hole in my chest?"
"Kurosaki-kun." Inoue said, beside me.
"Inoue. You're okay..." I was so relieved
But that relief darted away like a bullet when I turned to see the worst.
"Ishida...!"
The whole world stopped moving when I turned to see a thin, white figure slumped on the floor without a hand and impaled with a sword; my sword, through his abdomen. I couldn't think, I couldn't breathe. What the hell happened?! I couldn't have-no, I wouldn't! But all signs doubt faded away when the only possible explanation for Ishida's state was me.
I was dazed, my mind shattered in to tiny pieces. How would I look him in the eye again without feeling any guilt? What would Ishida think of me?
"So you finally... woke up, huh...?" I jumped at the sound of Ishida's voice.
Will he ever forgive me? No, no, no! Get a hold of yourself, dammit!
"That wound," I asked, "Did I do that?"
"You're so stubborn." I turned to find Ulquiorra, he lost an arm and a leg from what I could piece up. He must know what happened.
"Ulquiorra." I said, "Was I the one who stabbed Ishida?"
"Like it matters." He replied.
I looked back at Ishida. He gave me that I'm-smarter-than-you smirk. "Focus on your enemy, Kurosaki. For what use will guilt be of?"
At that instant, when he said my name, flashes of what happened crossed my mind.
"That's enough, Kurosaki."
"Can't you hear me Kurosaki?!"
"If you do that, you truly won't be human anymore."
"KUROSAKI!"
He was trying to stop me. Stop me from being a hollow. Saving me from myself. Even though I was not in control and he knew that, he still faced me. Ishida...
I was the one who impaled him. And if it wasn't for Ulquiorra I would have killed him from using my Cero.
What the hell was happening?!
Of all the stupid and horrible things I've done... I would never forget this one.
Because it hurt me the most.
+ + +
"Inoue, take care of Ishida's wounds now. I'll head for Rukia and the others."
Orihime
Kurosaki-kun... That was the last thing he said before leaving us. I don't blame him for being in a hurry.
"Ishida-kun,"
He nodded. He lied down in front of me so that I can heal him.
"Souten Kishun." They did as they always did when I called them.
"I'm glad you're safe, Inoue-san."
Ishida-kun. He's done so much for me. Healing him is the least I could do for him for all his troubles.
"Thank you, Ishida-kun." I told him, "For everything. If it wasn't for you, Kurosaki would've lost if you hadn't faced Ulquiorra. But, I'm so sorry that I didn't do anything that helped, and sorry also for the wounds you got and-"
"What are you talking about? You're helping right now aren't you? And you also got Kurosaki to wake up and beat Ulquiorra. These injuries are just the price we pay. You're the whole reason we came here, Inoue-san. Everyone that came has traveled many miles, fought many battles, and haven't once lost faith that we would rescue you and bring you back. So don't be sorry, or else all have done up to this point would be a waste, would it not?" He smiled.
"Ishida-kun..." He was right. Rukia-chan, Abarai-kun, and Sado-kun are out there, too. Ishida-kun's left hand was forming shape and his wound on his abdomen was closing. I never noticed Ishida's body so intently until now. Although he was skinny, he was lean. His face had that same expression when he was in deep thought. It made him look peaceful, and--
"Inoue-san,"
"H-huh?"
"I think my wounds are all better now."
"O-Oh, I see." I stopped healing him and helped him up. Was I staring off in to space? No, it was Ishida-kun's face. "I-I'm sorry."
He laughed. That was the first time I've ever heard him do so. It sounded assuring and relieving. I couldn't help but smile at him. How long has it been since we were alone together like this?
"Why are you laughing, Ishida-kun?"
"Oh--I'm sorry." He did that thing with his glasses, like he always did, "It's just the look on your face reminded me of when we were in Soul Society together. It's... cute."
I flushed red when he said that. Cute? Ishida-kun thought that I was cute? Why am I making such a big deal out of this?
"Are you okay, Inoue-san?"
"Huh? Y-Yeah. No problem at all, Ishida-kun."
No problem, at all. Kurosaki-kun... Ishida-kun... what's wrong with me?
"Are you worried about Kurosaki? Don't worry, he'll be fine." I must have looked worried for him to have assured me, but at least he was close to why I was worried.
I tried to get my mind off of it. I looked around and remembered the events that happened here. How I wished I haven't.
Ulquiorra. The fading image of him reaching out to me was burned in my mind.
"Inoue-san?"
He never happened. "I know."
He was long gone now. But I couldn't convince myself fully of that.
"Do I frighten you, girl?"
No. No you don't. You never did.
Tears welled up in my eyes. I cried. I was pathetic. Ishida-kun never said anything when I hugged him and cried on his shoulder and wet his tunic with my tears. He must have understood.
I'm sorry, Ishida-kun. I'm sorry, Kurosaki-kun. I'm sorry, Ulquiorra.
And I cried. I was pathetic.
+