A/N: I've been harboring this story for quite sometime and decided even though I've already got one story I'm working on, I couldn't help myself! I hope you enjoy!

Oh, another thing! Each chapter will be titled by a song that inspired the chapter, or reminded me of the chapter. This chapter's song is "White Christmas" by The Drifters! Please take a listen! It's definitely one of my favorite Christmas songs!

()()()()()

"Ichigo!" She screamed at the top of her lungs. "No, no, no, no, no!"

She ran to his lifeless body. Wrapping her arms around him, she attempted to heal him. Tears began to stream down her face. "Please, don't leave."

Moments passed and he still did not utter a breath. She held him close, not wanting to give up. "I love you. I love you and now it's too late."

"Inoue... " Ichigo watched the whole scene unfold before him. No one had ever told him that they loved him apart from his mother who had died when he was a young child.

Truth be told he had always admired Orohime Inoue. She was strong even though most didn't notice, kind to a fault, loyal to her friends, beautiful beyond belief. She was too good for him. That is why he always watched her from afar. Too dense to realize that she was doing the same. Now it was too late.

Soon the police showed up and pried the sobbing young woman from his body. At first she tried to resist them, but soon realized resistance was futile.

"Such a sad thing. On Christmas Eve nonetheless." An officer stated while shaking his head. "Only twenty-three, his whole life ahead of him. He was set to graduate next semester and become a doctor."

"Mister fucking obvious." Ichigo growled, angry with the situation. He'd lost more than years of hard work, he'd lost the possibility for a future. Though he thought it impossible he'd often imagine what it would be like to date the untouchable Orihime. Eventually he would ask her to marry him. They'd run the Kurosaki clinic together, live together and eventually make little Kurosakis to reek havoc on Karakura. If only he had known how she felt. They would be well on their way to fulfilling his fantastic idea of a life together. He wouldn't have risked so much if he'd known she depended on him.

Now, that all was impossible. With him dead, Soul Society really had no need to make themselves known and if what he was told was true, all powers would be stripped away from his friends. Orihime already didn't seem to see him. He couldn't visit and would have to stay in his respective place as a shinigami. He might have to wait as much as eighty years before he would be allowed to look upon her again.

"Fuck, fuck, FUCK!" He could see the uniform of black quickly making its way towards him. Time was running out. He looked at the pretty redheaded woman. "I'm sorry, Inoue."

"Oi, Kuroski, right?" Ichigo nodded impatiently, not removing his longing gaze from his longtime friend. "Good. We gotta go. Oh, and do you want to keep your memories?"

"Yes!" He raised his voice in frustration. Was this guy stupid? He quickly made his way to the crying woman and lightly kissed her cheek. "I love you, too."

She could feel his presence and a warmth on her face. She calmed herself and looked around. "K-Kurosaki?"

With that, he left for Soul Society.

()()()()()

Orihime laid in her bed, staring blankly out her frosted over window. It was Christmas morning. It was a day that was supposed to be celebrated, but today she would cry, regret and curse the unfeeling holiday. How could it still be a day of happiness and celebration when the love of her life had died only the day before?

Many invited her to join them and their families on this day, including the elder Kurosaki. He may not have blamed her for his son's death, but she did. There was no way she could look Mr. Kurosaki in the face just yet, or his two younger sisters.

She was too weak for the millionth time in her life. She couldn't even bring back the young man loved by so many. Loved so deeply by her. She sighed, she was on the brink of tears again.

All she brought to this life was destruction and death. That was apparent all throughout her life. Her abusive parents, her brother's accident, Hueco Mundo, the various hollows and now Ichigo. It was all her bad luck that caused everyone such hardship.

Suddenly it was clear what should happen. She had to spare what was left of all that she loved. It was time for her to go.

That night she would pack her bags and make her way to the big city where she would hopefully find a job and continue her medical studies. She would make it work no matter what. She would harden her resolve. Be strong. She would do this for herself and in honor of the late, fearless Ichigo Kurosaki.

"I will always love you, Ichigo." She turned her music up to drown out her emotions and began to decipher what she would take with her on her impending adventure.

"May your days, may your days, may your days be merry and bright..." Wailed from the speakers. Goodness, she hoped that someday the singer would be right. One day she hoped she could find happiness and fully enjoy a Christmas. Unfortunately she didn't think that kind of joy would come anytime soon. Not without her brother. Not without Ichigo.

()()()()()

Ichigo sulked in his newly assigned room in the newcomers barracks in Soul Society. He was asked to choose which gotei he wished to belong to but he wasn't in the mood. All he had any capacity for was laying in bed, staring at the ceiling and remembering all those he had left behind. In particular his family and Inoue.

Inoue. Through all the years and battles they still addressed each other formally. Long ago they should have started calling each other by their first names, but she always addressed him with "Kurosaki."

If they had dated he definitely would have called her Hime. She would have liked that. He had always referred to her as Hime in his head where no one could hear. Only she was worthy of such a nickname and him ruining his carefully maintained reputation.

Outside the sounds of celebration and Christmas boomed from the streets. Everyone was happy. Everyone except him. They were used to their existence in Soul Society and had long since forgotten their lives in the living world. He hadn't. He knew exactly where he was supposed to be. With his family and Hime. They would be gathered around the large, decorated tree his father always insisted on putting up, handing out gifts, smiling and laughing. Orihime would be wrapped up in his arms, warm and safe. His dad would joke about her being his new daughter in law and Yuzu and Karen would readily agree. He would feign embarrassment but would know deep down that they were predicting the future.

Ichigo sighed and rolled onto his stomach. He buried his face in his pillow desperate not to cry. A characteristic very unlike him. With a heavy sigh he shut his burning eyes tight.

"Merry Christmas, Hime." He muttered. He hoped he would fall asleep soon and dream of her.