Disclaimer – I do not own any of the rights to the characters from Bleach and so forth.

This is my first Fanfic. I have never done anything like this before. I have read some other Bleach fanfics and I figured I might give it a try. Mind you, this one is a bit dark, but feedback would be great all the same. And hey, if you guys like this, send me requests for others.

Cold days start to fade and sunny weather is always around the corner. When the rain never stops, bright days never seem to come at all. But what most people seem to forget; is that even if the clouds cover the sky and the dark days last for a year, that doesn't mean the light from the sun isn't behind the clouds. It simply waits for a time, and then pours its' light upon the watered ground.

It was a rainy day as Ichigo strolled past his apartment complex with his old red jacket and blue jeans on. Living in a small town in a different country wasn't what he had ever thought as fun or exciting. It always seemed to rain for weeks on end and never stop. Some days, he would just plop right on his ruddy looking couch and watch TV shows that didn't make any sense. The culture was so different, and so odd that even he didn't think studying abroad would make much sense. Most of his friends and family had said it was a bad idea. But leaving was all he could think about. Getting as far away as possible after all that he had done and been through.

When he was younger, (at about 19 or so), he thought he knew what he was doing. He would run around his home town with deceivers as friends and many good things that were bad. He had gotten into a rough spot when he moved in with some friends he thought he could trust. Staying with them for what seemed like days, but was actually six months of getting drunk and trying exotic substances. But when his 'friends' left him on the streets, the damage to his pride and family was all but shattered. His money spent, and a family that left him to rot in peace, he fled. He flew across the ocean to a place that was far away from where he was. There, he found cheap places to live, and jobs to occupy his time. After a few years, he tried to contact his family. But when he reached them, all he was awarded was guilt and faulty praise. So Ichigo told his family and friends that he would study abroad and try to make something of himself. If not for their sake, then for atonement for what he had done.

Now, after three years, his life had been completely turned around. He still walked with a strait solid face and held his posture high. His orange hair being the sure thing to be reckoned with was now longer and more free flowing. He still had his deep brown eyes that seemed to go on in detail forever. But being older wasn't the only thing that made him who he was. After working for some time and earning a high paying position at his job, he now had the money and resources to study as he once said long ago. But many things had happened in the time he was away. He was happier, and more content with the things that he did. He took more pleasure in peoples company, and often hosted get-togethers at his apartment. The one thing that he found to be the best gift of all though, was the return of his pride. He was proud of what he had accomplished, and was finally able to let go of what had happened in his past.

So, as Ichigo strolled past his apartment to his beaten down car, there was only one thing he had in his mind the whole morning. He was going to go see his girlfriend, Orihime. After about a year of working, when he earned enough money for school, he found he had classes with an amazingly beautiful girl. She had long flowing auburn hair that stretched town her neck like waves he had never seen before. Her eyes were deep and condemning to those who stared upon them and her body and face in perfect slender curves. She was, to say the least, a stunning image that was stuck in Ichigo's head ever since he laid his eyes upon her. She was always smiling, and was very kind and sweet to everyone she met. It took some time, but after twiddling his thumbs and slowing getting to know her better, he finally asked her out on a date. And from then on, they were attached at the hip while they walked the grounds of the school together. They would talk and talk for hours on end, sometimes until the sun rose up from the dark in the latest hours of the night.

Orihime came from somewhat of a wealthy family. She had always been cared for and well brought up. When high school was over, she decided that she needed to try to be out on her own. She was smart as smart could get, and her grades in school were always perfect. But she wanted to be out on her own because she felt a sense of longing to try to make something of herself on her own. So with the help of scholarships and financial aids, she was able to get a free ride through college.

Today, however, was a special day. Even the rain couldn't stop what Ichigo had planned for Orihime. To her, it would seem just like any other stroll though the park that they looked forward too every time they had days or even minutes to spend with each other. Giddy with excitement, even though it was odd in Ichigos' case, he started his car, and began the all too familiar drive down the street to Orihimes' house.

Ichigo didn't live too far from where Orihime lived, but the walk would have taken too long. He had plans to take her to the park before she had to leave for her classes in the afternoon, while he would go to his job.

"I can't believe I'm doing this!" Ichigo thought excitedly, "But I feel it's the right time as ever."

So he drove as fast as was some what legal, and after a short time, he was walking up to Orihimes' front door. She lived in a nice small house that was right on the street from where she lived. The rent was somewhat cheap, but the place itself was very well put together. Even with her going to school, she always had enough time and money to go and do as she pleased with her friends, and more importantly, Ichigo.

Nervous and tense, Ichigo knocked on the door. It took some time, but soon, the door swung open, and Orihime jumped out and hugged Ichigo as tight as she could. He loved everything about her, even her weird food diets. But her smile was the one thing about her that made his heart skip a beat each time he saw her. He knew that he would only be happy, if she was happy. She was wearing a long silk dress, even though it was pouring rain outside and an overcoat the stretched to her ankles.

"Oh, Ichigo! I'm so glad you made it out today!" She said as he held her close.

"Well, I wanted to take you on a walk though the park. But I'm not sure since this rain hasn't stopped for days."

"No problem!" She let go of Ichigo to pull two umbrellas from behind the door, and handed one to him. "There. Now we can stay dry!"

"G-great." Ichigo said as he shakily took the umbrella.

"Ichi? Are you ok? You look tense."

"Huh? Naw, I'm fine. And can you not call me Ichi?"

"Why? I think it's cute, and it seems to fit you." She smiled and blinked at him. He smiled back, but the knot in his stomach was growing tighter. What he had planned was huge, but there was no turning back now. It was now, or never.

"Well? Shall we?" Ichigo said uneasily as he opened the car door.

"Wow, such a gentlemen!" Orihime giggled as she slipped into the car. As he closed the door, he slipped into the car as well, and started the engine.

"Are you sure you're ok?" She asked smirking.

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Because you seem nervous. And your only nervous when something big is going on." He looked at her and he knew she was expecting something. Not that Orihime was selfish, far from it actually, but she had been there for most of Ichigo's big moments. Like when he was promoted at work, or when he asked Orihime to take their relationship to a more 'physical' level. Even though it worked out in both their favors, it was still a big step to ask someone you love to make a very intimate step up from kissing in the halls.

So he smiled with a big grin on his face and said, "I have something special planned."

"Oh really? Then I wanna know!" She smirked.

"You'll find out soon enough." Ichigo said through his grinning teeth.

"That's not fair!" She said and slumped into a pout. But Ichigo just smiled as they made their way to the park.

The park itself was only a few miles away around the center of the town they lived in. Even as the rain pattered against the windshield of the car, Ichigo knew that the flowers would be in bloom in pretty colors of red and white. The rain would not stop him today.

After what seemed like hours of nervousness racking his brain, they finally pulled the car up to the park, and slid out of the car to start their walk. As Ichigo got out of his car and went over to Orihimes' side, she stood up and kissed him deeply in the rain. When they broke the kiss, Ichigo smiled and kissed her again, and after a few minutes, they started holding hands and walked through the park.

"This rain is terrible." Ichigo said somewhat annoyed by the storm.

"So we go far a walk with something big planned and you want to talk about the weather?" Orihime said giggling.

"Well no." Ichigo said blushing.

"It's ok Ichi. I'm having a good time."

"I'm glad you are."

"But why did you want to come out here?"

"W-w-well . . . I wanted to talk about a few things . . . "

"What kind of things?" She asked smiling at him.

"Well, I wanted to say how happy you make me." Ichigo said quietly and softly, "It's more than I could ever ask for just to know you. But being a part of your life is something more than I had hoped for."

Orihime smiled and leaned against Ichigo. "It means the whole world to me to hear you say that, Ichi. And you make me happy every time I get to see you. And the time we spend together is precious to me because I found someone as special as you."

"I just never imagined that . . . with my kind of history . . . that I would find someone as great as you. You're like the missing piece in my life that I never thought I would find. Or even deserve . . . "

Orihime lifted Ichigo's chin and kissed him softly. "I love you, Ichigo. You're an amazing guy and I don't care about what happened then. I love the person you are now, with me." Ichigo smiled at her and kissed her soft lips. The moment was intense for Ichigo. He knew the time was now. Such love and joy that he had never felt came pouring into his very soul with that kiss. He never wanted it to end. He could've stayed in the rain with her forever, and she with him. So, bucking up his courage, he broke the kiss and reached into his pocket.

"What's that you got there, Ichi?" Orihime asked somewhat puzzled.

"Orihime. . . I love you. And . . . I . . ."

It happened in an instant. Something was off. He saw the love of his life stricken with fear. But he couldn't explain why, and a sharp pain was at his side. Everything slowed almost to a halt. He saw Orihime scream and catch him as he fell to one knee. . . A ringing . . . a ringing was in his ears, but why? Then he realized what had happened.

As he was about to tell Orihime why he asked her out to the park, a loud crack broke through the air. An older man in his forties had been following them since they came to the park. His intensions, Ichigo had not planned for. After Ichigo and Orihime stopped for a while, the man saw his opportunity and, took it. Now, bending down on one knee in front of his one love and hope, Ichigo turned around to see his attacker.

The man was now behind him with the barrel of a gun pointed down towards Ichigo's head. Pain pulsing in his side where he had been shot, and Orihime cowering behind him in fear, Ichigo slowly turned around and stared at the man.

"Now! I want all your money! Or I swear I'll kill ya!" The man yelled as he forced out his hand. But Ichigo was dumbstruck. Had he really been shot? He couldn't think of what to do. Not because he didn't want to just give up his money, but because the sheer pain and rush of panic that went through him forced him to shut down. His only thought then was to protect Orihime. There was no way he would let her get hurt.

"I said give me your money!" The man said as he kicked Ichigo in the side from where he was bleeding and knocked him across a small patch of grass. Pure unrestricted pain shot through him as he fell, doubled over in pain and screamed. Orihime tried to run to Ichigo, but was stopped by the man as he pointed it at her.

"You move to help him, and I"ll kill you too!" The man growled as he walked over to Ichigo. "I'll ask one more time. Money, or the bitch gets a bullet!"

As Ichigo looked at the blood on the ground, he finally grasped what was going on. He then forced himself up to his knees and faced the man. The man, taken back by something of fear, stepped back and pointed the gun at Ichigo. Ichigo then lifted his body that felt like and iron weight and stared at the man with hate and intensity in his eyes. As the man started stepping back Orihime ran up to Ichigo and held him close.

"Ichigo! Are you ok?!" She asked, panicking as the man pointed the gun at them both.

"Last chance! Money! Or I shoot this bitch!" The man screamed as he pointed the gun at Orihime. As if the weight was gone, the pain lifted, and his courage restored Ichigo looked the man dead in the face and said,

"Don't . . . you dare . . . point that gun at her!" And Ichigo charged the man at full run.

-BANG-

Pain shot through Ichigo's chest as he ran closing the distance between him and his attacker, with eyes flaring and adrenaline running at its peak.

-BANG-

-BANG-

Two more places on his chest erupted in blood and Ichigo finally closed the distance between him and his attacker. With one last crack from the mans' gun, Ichigo balled his fist, and struck the man strait in the nose. As soon as the blow made contact, the man fell backward holding his face. He soon got up and pointed the gun at Ichigo as Ichigo stood with a death glare at the man on his face. The attacker pointed his gun again, but only clicks sounded. Ichigo then walked up to him, blood pouring from his chest, and seized the mans' collar. With fear stricken eyes in the man that had just shot Ichigo, Ichigo said, "Leave . . ." And with that, the attacker dropped his gun, and fled.

Ichigo then turned to Orihime. She was stricken with fear and anguish as she saw Ichigo's body full of holes. He looked at her, with a soft expression on his face, and smiled.

"Are you ok . . ." He asked breathlessly.

"Ichi . . ." Orihime said quietly with wide eyes filling with tears. As she said his name, he fell hard on the ground.

"ICHIGO!" She yelled as she run next to him and bent down to his side crying.

"It's going to be ok! Just stay with me . . . Please!"

He looked softly at her. Her eyes were so beautiful. But he was pained to see her crying. Then, as the clouds parted, and the rain slowly stopped, the light of the sun bounced off her beautiful face and hair. The same face he had come to love and hope to see, even as he may part from her. . .

"This isn't what I had planned for us . . ." He said laughing quietly, though it pained him to do so. "I didn't . . . get the chance to . . ." before he could finish, a violent cough sent blood from his lungs onto the ground.

"Don't speak, Ichi. I'm getting help. Just stay with me." Said Orihime mortified as she called for emergency services. When she had called for help, Ichigo slowly grasped her hand. Tears flowing from her eyes and trickling down her cheeks, Ichigo smiled and said,

"I love you, Orihime. And I have something to ask you . . ." He slowly reached into his pocket, and pulled out a small box with a red ribbon tied to the top. Orihime stared at the box as Ichigo placed it in her trembling hands. When she removed the ribbon, and opened the little box, inside, was a ring.

"I want you to be mine, Orihime. From now until the end . . ." He said quietly as she started to cry softly. "Will . . . you marry me?"

Orihime slowly set the ring down and held Ichigo close to her trembling body. She kissed him sweetly on his lips, and looked deep into his eyes. Through tears and shaking voice, she said,

"I have loved you since I first met you, Ichigo. I love you so much. Yes . . . Yes!" she smiled as tears began to well in his eyes. "Just stay with me, Ichigo." She said shaking and trembling. "Just stay with me . . ."

As the seconds passed like hours between them, and as Ichigo's eyes started to fade slowly away into the void, he looked upon her for one last moment while he could. He smiled sweetly at her and whispered tenderly in her ear,

"I love you . . . till the end . . ."

"Ichi . . ." Orihime said quietly as the sounds of feet came rushing towards them. Orihime looked up to see the ambulance had arrived. But as she peered down at Ichigo's broken body, the life had faded from his body, as he lay with her, smiling as he always did when he was with her.

"Ichi . . . no . . . no . . . no!"

As I said before, I have never done anything like this before. I was thinking about a chapter 2 to go along with it, but I'll leave that up to you, the reader to decide. It would be pretty interesting to see where this little story could go with the other chapter I have in mind for it.

Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed this piece. I know it was a little dark, but if you want to comment or shout out requests, I'll be more than happy to see what I can do.

Cheers