Hello! I hope you like my writing, I decided to give it a try since some people told me i was good at it, but please R&R! ~Michiko-chan101

Warning: ... language i guess

Disclaimer: I DONT OWN BLEACH OR ANY OF THE WONDERFUL CHARACTERS

Orihimes Loneliness

Orihime sat by herself as she sipped on her tea in front of her television. Her eye lids were slightly closed and her eyes were distant, the only thing one could hear would be the television and the snow softly hitting on the windows. Her flowered skirt flowed over her legs and her long creme colored sleve shirt wrapped around her giving her warmth, her hair flowed over her shoulders as she sat there quietly. She placed her cup down on the table before her and let out a sigh, she looked back and forth in her small apartment before stooping her head in defeat, "Oh, Onii-chan, how bad can this loneliness get?" Orihime mumbled as she felt the sadness slowly creep into her, her smile was no longer visible and the light in Orihimes eyes disappeared slowly. Tears began to build in Orihimes eyes and they soon became clouded, she couldn't hold the tears even after all these years, because when she is all by herself in her home, she can't help but remember the pain of that day. The day she lost her brother, the way she couldn't do anything to help him, she blamed herself, she hated how much of an ugly person she was, she had been so rude, she wished she could go back. But there was no way she would be able to go to that day, no way to stop him from dying and leaving her alone. She held herself tightly as tears streamed down her face, she shook slightly through out each sob. No one would come to comfort her, no one would be there to hold her, to tell her everything will be alright, she now knew the world can be so cruel to her whether she did good things or sins.

"KNOCK KNOCK!" the booming from her door caused her to jump and let out a squeal. She got knocked back into reality as she forced the tears to stop, she sniffed one last time and wiped away the tears with her wrist, she quickly stood and smoothened out her skirt, she clumsily ran over to the door with big, curious eyes. Who could it be? She rarely had visitors, plus it was snowing, who would trouble themselves so much just to see her? She nervously glanced back the window to see the white clouds getting darker and thes snow getting heavier, whoever it was would have a tough time getting back.

"Ah, I'm coming!" Orihime sang as she reached the door. She stood on her tip toes so she would be able to look out the peep hole before opening the door, the first thing she saw was bright orange hairand then an original scowl and determinded brown eyes, "Ah! Kurosaki-kun!?" how odd, Orihime never would've thought Ichigo would be the one out here knocking on her door, he never came around without calling her first. Orihime quickly unlocked her door and opened her door widely as she watched Ichigo with wide eyes worried eyes. Orihime stepped a foot outside her apartment as she placed her hand on her clips which were held to the collar of her shirt, "Kurosaki-kun! Are you alright? Are you injured?!" Orihime was about to call for her Shun Shun Rikka when Ichigo raised his hand to stop her. She honestly couldn't think of any other reason Ichigo would come to her apartment, but seeing the scowl on his face, it seemed as though something else was on his mind. Orihime's expression stayed worried as the silence between them grew, she awaited his reasoning for him coming here.

"I-Inoue...sorry, but I felt your reiatsu darken," throughout the 17 months since the fight with Aizen, Ichigo always checked on Orihime from time to time, but he always called first. Orihime was slightly surprised at first, then as she glanced down to the left with sadness evident in her eyes the memories began to creep back. She didnt want him worrying over her anymore, she was fine now, she had completely forgotten about all the things that happened in Hueco Mundo. Well not really forgot, but more as to pretending it didnt happen and replacing a frown with a wide smile. Never again will she let anything like that happen again, Ichigo has protected her enough, and now she has to help, protect, and fight for him with all shes got. She knew that wouldnt be enough to repay him through all the pain he went through. But she wasnt going to be able to do that for much time, Ichigo would have to go back to the Soul Society and stay there, never coming back. She would lose yet another person...

"A-Arigato, Kurosaki-kun, but I am perfectly fine! Please, Please come in!" Orihime smiled widely, the sadness once evident in her eyes gone, as she tried to hide her pain, she stepped aside to allow him to enter her small apartment. Ichigo nodded as he stepped inside shaking his head to rid of the snow on him, he slipped off his jacket and placed it on the couch. Ichigo knew what she was doing, and he hated seeing her in so much pain, he sighed and closed his eyes in pain, he didnt want her suffering so much, "please do sit down, Kurosaki-kun, I'm sure it was tire some walking in the snow just to come here!" Orihime said smiling as she ran into the kitchen placing some water on the stove for tea. He was alone for awhile, he simply nodded as she left and looked around, the smell of her reached his senses as he sat back into the couch. How nice this was, simply sitting here once more, but this would be his last time freely coming here. He didnt know how to handle this, how to handle girls, but he was able to understand Orihime for some reason, he was able to somewhat help her with her depression in the past. Orihime's eyes then were filled with sorrow as she rememebered what was supposed to happen in just a few hours. She quietly poured the tea into the two cups before her, "I-It's about time isn't it...?" Orihime whispered as she hid her eyes behind her bangs, she stepped into the room where he sat and stood before him holding his cup in front of her, she was trying not to shake, but you could still see the small movements. He would leave the Humane world and stay in Soul Society, never to return, Orihime was trying not to show how much it hurt her to see him go, she wanted him to leave without regret or something like her crying keeping him in guilt. Of course, she would be able to go visit him, but it'll be tough juggling college and her jobs to see him, but she would defintely do it, for him, she'll do anything.

"Y-Yeah...It's almost time..." Ichigo's eyes softened as he watched Orihime. As she handed him the cup, there hands brushed passed one another, Ichigo closed his eyes, hoping that would help him make the memory longer. This feeling... what was it? He never felt like this in the past, when they first met, but after a few months, this feeling began growing stronger. Oh, how he wished she would lift her face so he would be able to see her dazling face once more, he honestly hoped it wasn't for the last time, he hoped she would always go visit him. He knew it was a bit selfish to ask such a thing of her, but he needed to see her, as often as possible if he was to disappear from the humane world. He gulped, he wasnt sure what he should say to make her feel better, how to reassure her, honestly, he didnt know what he was feeling himself. Was he honestly okay going to Soul Society like this? Leaving his human life..? He knew, he knew his reiatsu would be too much for Urahara to contain if he were to stay here, to stay close to his friends, "Inoue... I-" Orihime's head snapped up and her eyes were bright once more, yet you could see a ting of sadness in her eyes. This surprised Ichigo which caused him to jump a bit and chuckle nervously, "H-Huh?"Orihime interupted him once more with that bright, happpy voice of hers.

"I know! Let's all get together today! As a goodbye party for Kurosaki-kun!" Orihimes shouted about as she jumped up and down with glee. Ichigo only smiled kindly as she watched her get so excited over something so small, he would miss seeing her smile everyday, her 'Goodmorning, Kurosaki-kun!', he would miss all of this so much. She stopped as surprise spread through out her features, "Ah! I gotta call everyone, be right back, Kurosaki-kun!" Orihime smiled at him one last time as she ran back into her room with a bounce in each step. She was happy, they'll all be together for the last few hours in the end...together till the end. This is what Orihime thought as she scrolled down the screen of her phone looking for their main friends contact numbers. One by one, each and everyone of them agreed to meeting in half an hour, Orihime couldnt help but allow her smile to grow even wider.

Ichigo could hear her sing song voice as all his friends agreed to meet in half an hour, he couldn't help but allow a small smirk on his lips. He could hear the happiness in her voice, he stood up and walked toward her bedroom door, he leaned on the door frame and watched her talking, she had a large smile and was blushing lightly, "Ah, really? Yeeee, I can't wait to see you, Ishida-kun!" Ichigo's jaw clenched. What was this feeling? She was only talking to Ishida, plus, he would be the one protecting her now. His job of protecting Orihime would be over, he wouldnt be able to, and Ishida would do just fine. But... this feeling of not being the only one protecting her, of not being able to be there for her bugged him, he didnt want Ishida doing, damn it. Sure, he knew she had become stronger, it just took him a while to realize it. She still held her innocence, but she was mature now, she was still kind, but harsher, she wasn't fragile anymore, she was her own hero now, that didnt mean he wasnt going to keep her her safe and away from danger, "Ah! Kurosaki-kun! We're all meeting at the park for a snow fight in about half an hour! Wouldnt that be fun?" Orihime squealed with excitement as she glanced toward him in one quick motion as she hung up the phone and had a dazed look as she thought about all the fun they would have in such a short amount of time. She giggled at the thought snow flying everywhere since everyone was so competitive.

"Heh, yeah, it sounds like loads of fun, Inoue," Ichigo chuckled softly as he walked into her room, he decided to take a seat on Orihime's bed. Orihimes eyes were wide as she watched him sit down on her bed, his back was facing her, she wanted to catch a glimpse of him to see exactly why he was hiding his face from her. As she bent over, she could see a faint blush on his cheeks, she smiled kindly as his blush caused her to giggle, the silence lingered on for a while longer as Orihime silently sat down on her bed as well, still glancing at Ichigo time to time, but not saying a word, "make sure...ugh...make sure you keep that smile of yours after I leave, Inoue..." She heard Ichigo mumble, the confusion he was feeling was evident in his voice, Orihime's eyes widened before her eyebrows knitted in confusion watching him. She was about to speak when ichigo suddenly began speaking once more, "I...I don't want you living with sadness..." Orihime's eyes saddened as she focused her eyes down to her bed, her expression now sorrowful and hurt. Of course, she would hide the sadness she'd feel after hes gone, after the days end, she'll just be stuck in her day dream.

"Same to you, Kurosaki-kun, I know how much you'll miss your friends...but you'll have Kuchiki-san, Abarai-kun, Ikkaku-kun, Yumichika-kun, Kenpachi-san, you'll be really happy I promise, nothing can go wrong when you're with your friends!" Orihime's chin lifted up and she was now forcing a smile just for him, her eyes were closed so he wouldnt be able to see the true sadness she was feeling and which she could not hide. She would try to make him see the better side of things, the better side of everything, for he was to leave whether he liked it or not, might as well make the best of it, "Heh, I'm sure Kurosaki-kun will be very happy by...Kuchiki-san...and the rest..." Orihime opened her eyes slowly. What was she to do? She would just have to accept the fact that Ichigo and Rukia will definitely be together since he will be staying there forever. She had no chance, oh, what was she rambling about? It wasn't as though he cared for her that way...

"Eh, I guess that'll be fun, but it really wont be the same, tch, that midget is going to my life miserable," Ichigo mumbled as he scratched his cheek, Orihime stayed silent with a small smile on her lips, in her head she was giggling with the scowl he was making, "I mean, Tatsuki wont be there kicking my butt," Orihime giggled and causing ichigo to smirk with the sound of her, "Sado wont be there helping me out, Ishida wont be there grinding my gears," Ichigo felt sadness stab his heart as he spoke about the near future, how different everything would become...how...lonely, "Keigo wont be there being stupid...Mizuro won't be there stopping Keigo from annoying me..." Ichigo let out a sigh and some what of a chuckle as he remembered the past events with his old friends. He ran a hand through his messy hair as sadness shown in his eyes, "And...you wont be there, I...wont have you by my side anymore..." Ichigo's eyes darkened, he hid his eyes behind his bangs and let the silence engulf them both. Orihime didn't know what to say, she closed her eyes as she held herself tightly, she didnt want him to leave! She wants him to stay, darn it! She took in a deep breath as she tried to make her voice to stop shaking.

"H-Heh, no matter what happens, Kurosaki-kun, it'll be alright! E-Everything will turn out great in the end for the hero!" Orihime said happily quickly turning around. Her eyes widened as big grey orbs met with brown determinded eyes, their faces were dangerously close and Orihime's breath was caught in her throat, "K-K-Kurosaki-kun?!" Ichigo leaned a bit closer just before stopping inches away from her lips, Orihime might've been awestruck before him, but inside she was freaking the fuck out.

"Inoue...It wont be the same without you...I want to keep being your hero..."

TO BE CONTINUED...

Please R&R 3 I'll keep this going if y'all like it, Michiko_chan101