Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of the characters from the anime or manga.

Chapter 6

Ichigo’s senses only barely picked up the power up of Riatsu in time to react. He dove, tackling Rukia as well, out of the way as a large tree truck went flying over their heads and smashed on the pavement further down with the force it’d been thrown with. “That was close.” Ichigo muttered.”

“You could have been more gentle, idiot.” Rukia commented dryly as they stood up. Then they froze, their eyes finding the source of the thrown object.

“Hello again!” Crowed the white haired Arrancar. His crazed eyes blazed and the jaw of his hollow mask as ominous as ever. “Did ‘cha think you’d never see me again? Hah!”

“You again,” Ichigo said, his face the picture of determination and calm. “I knew the last time wasn’t the end. I’m prepared for you now. You sick son of a bitch.”

Grimmjaw laughed almost maniacally and Rukia’s hands went to her zanpokuto. “So the wench wants to play too? Take her help, boy. Even if it is shitty. You’ll need it.” Of course he put her down in one blow the last time they’d met.

“Really,” Ichigo replied; a smirk playing on his face. “I think it’s the cripple who’ll need a handicap. Don’t ya think, Rukia?”

“Shut ‘cher hole!” Instantly the smile was gone. “You’d better be ready. I want this to last. I want this to be fun...before I destroy you!”

“Step back Rukia.” The girl reflexively turned to argue, but Ichigo didn’t give her the chance. He raised his oversized sword and pointed it at Grimmjaw. “Bankai!”

“Whoa, they’ve sent another whole load again.” Ikkaku commented as they came to a stop. He sounded almost gleeful considering the seriousness of the situation. “Pick yer fights boys.”

“Hey, they aren’t ‘him’,” Yammy growled, eyeing the three death gods whod’ appeared on the scene.

“Brilliant deduction,” Luppi quickly cut in, showing his low opinion of Yammy. “Weren’t you paying attention? Grimmjaw is off handling him. These are our targets... such as they are.”

“Such ugly behavior.” Yumichika said in a huff, as much to himself as to his companions.

“Why don’t ‘cha say that to my face pretty boy!” Yumichika turned a dirty look on his bald friend. “Not you. Him. Alright, hot stuff’s mine. You guys get the leftovers.”

“Oh, so I only have to play with one riff-raff? Barely worth the effort.” Luppi pushed his hair out of his eyes as he spoke.

“You just keep talking. We’ll see who’s worth the effort here. Ryūmon Hōzukimaru!” His Soul Slayer changed as he spoke, becoming the spear he used with such proficiency.

“Big guy’s fine with me.” Renji too drew his weapon as Yammy looked form side to side, then, upon realizing Renji meant him, grinned and flexed.

“Ugh, and I get the leftovers is right.” Yumichika turned his gaze on Lolly and Menolly who both glared at him. “Less ugly is still ugly.” Both female Arrancar looked at each other and then drew their swords as well.

Matsumoto was between Orihime and Uliquiorra in a second, her sword out and at the ready. “Come for another go?”

“Your bravado is pointless. If I but expended the effort you would be no more. I have other things on my mind however.” His eyes fell on Orihime. “The girl.”

Orihime gasped, but Matsumoto still seemed to keep her cool. “I won’t simply ‘let’ you do whatever you damn well please.”

“You said you were going to explain.” Both set’s of eyes went to Inoue, who’d chosen to speak up, albeit hesitantly. “Was it about Tatsuki-chan?” Uliquiorra nodded. “Where is she?”

“I’m right here, Orihime.” Orihime gasped again at the sound of the voice and turned to come face to face with... Tatsuki. She was not more than 10 feet from her.

Tatsuki-chan!” Orihime cried and started to move towards her friend. Matsumoto was quicker to grasp the situation. She tried to grab Orihime, to stop her, but the girl wriggled free and half tackled, half embraced her friend. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” Both her arms went around her friend and she buried her face in her chest. “You had me so worried.”

“Don’t worry. I’m fine, Orihime. Are you alright?” Orihime felt a hand come up and brush the hair on her forehead away, presumably to look at the lump caused by the sign.

“Mmmhmm. I just had an accident.” Orihime was so relieved she still wasn’t thinking clearly, for she was no longer looking at Uliquiorra and had missed several crucial details.

“Orihime, get away from her. She’s dangerous.” Orihime heard Matsumoto yell at her, the humor gone from her voice. She was dead serious.

“But Tatsuki-chan’s...” Orihime pulled back a little, still not leaving the hug, to speak, but she stopped abruptly.

“What’s wrong, Orihime-chan?” Tatsuki’s question was spoken with a wicked edge. The Tatsuki-thing was grinning and as Inoue tried to step back further she found the thing was holding her in place. It was terrifyingly strong. It’s teeth were all sharp and over half of its face was a mask... a Hollow mask. It was an Arrancar. “You aren’t scared of me are you?”

“H-how... how could...” Orihime’s brain seemed to have completely short-circuited. “A... Hollow.” Everything upstairs had pretty much ended in a train wreck.”

“A hollow; well I suppose. I’m an Arrancar. SO don’t lower me to ‘their’ level.” The Tatsuki-thing squeezed her painfully, causing Orihime to gasp and close her eyes at the sensation.

“S-stop, please. You’re hurting me!” The pressure got worse. The Arrancar was purposely hurting her... Tatsuki was purposely hurting her. That couldn’t be possible. Tatsuki would never hurt her. The girl had been her best friend and protector for so long. She’d always looked out for her. She was the person who always stood in the way of someone hurting her. Tatsuki wouldn’t... Orihime’s mind just couldn’t wrap itself around the idea. Tatsuki would never... unless...

“What have you done with Tatsuki-chan?” The instant she yelled this dust began to swirl and Tatsuki had to let go and leap away as everything in the vicinity was pushed back by a powerful force. Orihime’s hairpins glowed and in the next second her faeries were flying around her. “You imposter.”

“Imposter?” The Tatsuki-Arrancar laughed; a much harsher sound than it ever was before. “You stupid bitch, is that what you think?” Orihime gasped and the wind began to die down. It hurt to hear Tatsuki’s voice say such at thing to her. She’d never thought she’d hear that. Sure Tatsuki called her ditzy, but she’d always done it warmly, protectively; with acceptance. This was outright laden with derision and distaste. “You think I’m posing as your friend. That we’ve kidnapped her and are holding her for you and your friends to rescue? Guess again, bimbo.” Again her breath caught in her throat and her heart began to feel as though it were aching. Hearing the thing speak almost physically hurt. “I’m Arisawa Tatsuki. I’m one of Aizen’s numerous.” As she spoke she reached out and mimed a pair of scissors with her fingers. “Or do you still think I’m an imposter? Are you really that dense?”

“Tatsuki-chan,” Orihime whispered weakly, tears brimming in her eyes. This couldn’t be true. Her friend would never say things like that. She couldn’t be an enemy... a Hollow... not like her brother.

That incident had been horrible, seeing her brother return as a soul eating monster. But that had ended alright. He won through against his hollow side. His personality still showed through. Tatsuki seemed to be utterly her enemy.

“Tatsuki...chan...” She repeated again, this time more brokenly. Now the tears were pouring down her face. It had to be her though. The scissors... only Tatsuki would know about that. The girl’s who’d grown jealous of her and cut her hair. It was Tatsuki who’d protected her; who’d stopped them from every doing anything to her again. She’d grown her hair out as a symbol of her reliance on Tatsuki; almost a sign of loyalty to her protector.

“Girl, concentrate. If your heart’s not in it we have no power!” Tsubaki shouted, reaching out to pull her hair. Lily stopped him however.

“It’s no use, Tsubaki.” Lily shook her head; her eyes going from him to the girl and then back to him. “You can feel it like we all can.”

“You can’t...” Part of Orihime still refused to accept it. “Where... how could this happen?”

“The night she left your apartment.” Uliquiorra’s cold voice cut in at this point. “She was recruited into our ranks.” His words held no triumph in them, only fact.

“Oh god, it really is my fault. If only I’d stopped her like I’d been planning to...” Orihime sniffed and barely stifled a sob; making an odd, choking noise. “This can’t be happening.”

“How stupid can you get?” Tatsuki scoffed. “I can barely see Aizen wanting you for anything, or anyone else for that matter. You’ve got good reason not to tell Ichigo your little feelings. Besides your body what do you have to offer really?” That was the final blow. It was a complete betrayal in more ways than one and Orihime’s breaking point. Orihime sank to her knees and sobbed; her face in her hands.

With a cry of anger Rangiku leapt at Tatsuki, her Soul Slayer our to its sheath and ready to destroy the Arrancar. Tatsuki barely managed to draw her sword in time to block and even then she was knocked to her knees by the force. “That’s enough from you.” Rangiku growled. “I’m going to purify your soul and send you to Soul Society.”

“Oh, how noble, save my soul.” It was a purely sarcastic reply and their swords clashed again. Once more Rangiku pushed Tatsuki back and struck out with a another blow. Her speed also seemed to surpass Tatsuki; for once again the Arrancar barely seemed to blow in time.

‘She’s not a Menos born Arrancar.’ Rangiku realized. ‘I’m stronger than she is by far. I have more experience and definitely more spirit power.’

Unfortunately skill still counted for something and while Rangiku had spend decades learning the way of the sword Tatsuki was still a competition level martial artist. The third strike Matsumoto made Tatsuki managed to dodge and landed a full body kick against Matsumoto’s midsection in retaliation; bringing her to her knees.

“Shinigami-bitch,” Tatsuki hissed, bringing the sword down. Rangiku blocked it however and reversed the momentum to throw Tatsuki off balance and give herself time to stand up. Then they were facing off again.

Off to the side Uliquiorra watched emotionlessly. Really things were moving in a different direction than he’d originally planned, what with the new Arrancar losing her temper and the Shinigami’s interference. Still it was acceptable. The point was made. He could rip the girl’s life apart; take away any one of her friends no matter how strong she perceived them to be. With that point made the threat and the offer would come next. Of course the new Arrancar dying would be a problem where the psychological aspect of his plan came in, but he could work around that. It was obvious the lieutenant was so much more powerful. And if he wanted to he could save Tatsuki and kill the Shinigami, but first things first. Slowly he walked forward, coming to a stop beside the weeping girl and looking down at her.

“Bastard,” Tsubaki yelled in his face, buzzing him like an annoying fly. Yet he could do no more without the command and even if he could Uliquiorra was too powerful. Not that they had much power anyway, not with Orihime in her current condition. They were all weak and he knew it. They all felt it. Inside Orihime’s heart was breaking.