Disclaimer : If I own Bleach, things would happen like how it would happen in this particular story. And I "borrowed" the title of this story from one of Bleach's ending theme of the very same title, performed by Sambomaster.
Warning : For minor content of cursing and violence, and contain spoilers.
"I think it's all fixed now, Inoue-san," the spectacled Quincy said to the girl kneeling before him.
They were sitting up above the dome of Las Noches, among the wreckages caused by the fight between Ichigo and Ulquiorra.
He clenched and unclenched his fist, checking to see if it still hurt. Satisfied, he went on to inspect his abdomen. The wound caused by Ichigo's zanpakutou was no longer visible.
He turned his gaze to the auburn-haired healer. She seemed to be lost in her thoughts. They hadn't said a word to each other since Ichigo stormed out to help their friends. She just kept on healing him, staying muted all the time and avoiding his gaze.
The only time he saw her reacted was when they noticed Ichigo's reiatsu fading, as if he went somewhere far away. Ishida had expected Orihime to say something when that happened, but she didn't.
"Inoue-san…" he called softly.
There was no answer.
"Inoue-san," he repeated, his tone louder and firmer this time.
She blinked. When she turned her large gray eyes to look at him, his heart sank. There were dark circles around her eyes, and her face seemed so disturbingly pale to him.
She's been through a lot… I wish it would all be over soon… And it won't be over until you defeat the enemies, Kurosaki!
"You can stop now. My wound and my hand are all better now."
"Oh," she replied. The bright orange dome surrounding him disappeared as her fairies retreated to form her hairpins.
"You work faster and faster each time," Ishida complimented.
Orihime forced a strained smile.
"Thank you, Inoue-san. For healing me." He stared deep into her eyes, trying to emphasize the truth in his words, "I would have died if you hadn't been here."
He wanted her to feel better. Instead, she lowered her head, her eyes downcast. "There's nothing else I can do anyway," she said in a small voice, almost unheard.
"Inoue-san…"
She looked up at him, her eyes wide. "Am I a burden, Ishida-kun?"
He was taken aback. He didn't expect to hear that from her. "No!"
Orihime ignored him. Her head bowed, her fingers curled, gripping her white Arrancar outfit, tightly.
And her words poured out uncontrollably.
"I went here thinking I could save everyone. Finally, I felt like I could do something to help Kurosaki-kun. But then he came here, you came, and Kuchiki-san, Sado-kun, Renji-kun too. Everyone came for me, tried to save me. And because of that, everyone got injured. Kurosaki-kun… Kurosaki-kun… He died…"
She paused, trying to fight her tears. Ishida watched in silence.
"Then the captains came too. Even they got injured, only to find out that I was merely a lure, a bait, to trap the captains in Hueco Mundo."
The tears were flowing now, despite her attempt to fight it.
"But still, Kurosaki-kun came up here. You did too, and fought to save me. You were badly injured, Ishida-kun. And Kurosaki-kun, h-he turned into a monster, because I was calling for him! I called for him when he was lying there, almost dead… I'm so weak. There's nothing I could do except to watch him fight and hope that he would be fine. I'm a burden to him… To everyone…"
Ishida watched as she sobbed, her shoulders heaving up and down.
He let her cried for a while, before he grabbed her shoulders, stilling her. "Listen to me."
She stopped crying and looked up at him. One look at her tear-streaked face, and he felt a pain much sharper than when he was pierced with Zangetsu.
"You're not a burden. You never were."
She wiped away her tears.
"Every single one of us is different. Different powers. Different abilities. That's why we need each other. Should any one of us weren't who we are, do you think we would still be here? Do you think we would still be alive? Do you think I would still be alive? Do you think Kurosaki would still be alive?"
Her tears were dried now. "I don't know…"
"Don't think of what you couldn't be. Instead, just remember who you are. You've saved us countless times, Inoue-san. So what if you don't wield a sword? What matters is you have a shield, and you can heal like no one else could. Your powers are to heal and protect, not to destroy."
"I…"
"And what good is a sword without a shield? You said you watched Kurosaki got hurt, you watched him died, but if you weren't there, would he still be able to get up and fight like he hadn't been hurt at all?"
"No…"
"You saved him every time he got hurt. You brought him back to life when he almost died. You are not useless! You are not a burden! You're an important person in all of our lives!"
"Ishida-kun…"
"A person is only useless if he or she run away from battles, knowing he or she could help his or her friends, and knowing that his or her friends need help. But you've never done that. You've tried your best fighting with us. Staying by our sides."
He paused, and took a deep breath. "So don't ever ask me something that stupid, ever again."
She smiled. This time it wasn't forced. It was a tired, albeit grateful smile and he felt relief flooded inside him.
"Thank you, Ishida-kun," she said.
"I'm merely stating the truth," he told her, returning her smile. "If you're ready, we should leave. I think there are people down there who might need our help."
"Yes, Ishida-kun!"
"Heal yourself first. It could get windy out there. You might catch a cold," he advised, noticing her ripped outfit.
"Don't worry about me. I'm pretty tough and I never caught cold since I'm little!" she said enthusiastically, pumping her hands up in the air to emphasize her point.
"Do it. I don't want Kurosaki to get pissed at me later when he found out I'm dragging you around in that state of yours."
"Hai!"
* * * * *
Ichigo stared wide-eyed at the scene unfolding before him. His hands tightened on Zangetsu's hilt, seeking support, seeking strength from his most trusted companion in battles; his zanpakutou.
He watched as Captain Komamura, the Visoreds; Aikawa Love, Rose, and Yadomaru Lisa, one by one they charged after Aizen, but were defeated effortlessly by the cold, heartless man.
He watched as Aizen easily suppressed Captain Soi Fon's supposedly fatal attack by merely using his reiatsu.
He watched as Captain Kyouraku Shunsui, Hirako Shinji, and Hitsugaya Toushirou cornered Aizen.
He watched as Aizen, frozen in spot by Hyourinmaru's ice, injured by Captain Kyouraku's attack.
He watched, as Toushirou's blade pierced through Aizen, and he felt his breath caught in his throat.
And he watched, as the three of them, along with the rest of the Shinigamis and Visoreds smiled and laughed, thinking that Aizen was finally defeated, when instead… Instead…
"Guys…" he called to them, but they didn't hear him.
"Guys!" he screamed, barely aware of his strangely high-pitched voice. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?"
And that broke the spell.
Pierced by Hyourinmaru, blood dripping on the corner of her mouth, her eyes wide with disbelief, was Hinamori Momo.
"Hinamori…?" he heard Toushirou whispered, his voice trembling.
"DAMN IT!" Shinji cursed, enraged.
Aizen swung his zanpakutō, and he saw Kira Izuru and Iba Tetsuzaemon went down, bleeding.
His ears barely registered Shinji's loud voice, and Aizen's emotionless replies. They were saying something about Kyoka Suigetsu. And that was all he knew. Because at that moment, all he could hear was that tiny, little voice coming from the tiny, dying woman.
"Shiro-chan… Why…?" he heard her ask.
And then came Toushirou's deafening scream.
* * * * *
"I'm done, Ishida-kun!" Orihime called out to the Quincy.
Ishida was sitting quite far away from her. He was trying to think of ways to escape from that dreaded place called Hueco Mundo. Captain Kurotsuchi must have come up with a solution by now, he assured himself as he got up and walked over to Orihime.
She was healed, and it made him feel a lot more at ease. He hated seeing her hurt because it made him wonder what sort of ordeals she had been through. Arrancars weren't the most friendly of creatures – maybe with the exception of three idiots – and he shivered at the thought of her facing constant danger while she was being held captive.
"Let's go, then," he said to her.
"Hai!" she answered, smiling brightly.
If anyone else were in her position, and went through what she had been through, they would surely no longer be able to smile. But not everyone was as strong as Inoue Orihime.
Ishida started walking, and Orihime followed him, but after a while her steps halted. She casted another sad glance at the very spot where Ulquiorra turned into ashes. One last glance at what remained of her captor.
He might have been an enemy, but she hated seeing anyone, even her enemies, got hurt. And Ulquiorra had never physically hurt her.
"Goodbye…" she whispered into thin air, and began to jog over to the waiting Ishida. He was smiling understandingly at her.
He helped her getting on the Hirenkyaku. She grabbed his cape as they descended, holding it tightly for balance. That made him felt calmer, because it showed her presence. That she was alive, and there was nothing more he could have hoped for.
His task for now was to keep her safe. To keep her alive, until Ichigo defeated Aizen and returned to bring her back home.
I'm counting on you, Kurosaki! No, she's counting on you…
Live, Kurosaki!
* * * * *
It was too painful for Ichigo to hear. It was too painful for Ichigo to watch. And he knew it must be a hundred times more painful for Toushirou to bear.
Ichigo knew what it felt like; failing to protect someone he cared for deeply.
He'd failed to protect his mother when he was a child, because he was powerless. Once he became a Shinigami, he'd vowed to protect her, and the rest of his nakamas.
Inoue…
So far, he'd managed to keep his promise. He fought hard to keep his promise. He risked his life to keep his promise. He would gladly bleed, use his body as a shield, and got beaten up, just to keep her safe. To keep her unharmed.
Because he'd failed once, he couldn't fail again.
It wasn't just because of the promise, but she was someone important to him, even if he refused to think of how deeply he cared for her. Scared to think of how deeply he cared for her. And he knew that if he lost her, if he failed to protect her, life wouldn't have the same meaning anymore.
That must be how Toushirou was feeling right there and then.
To make things worse, he was the one hurting the person he was supposed to protect, the very some person that he, no doubt, cared deeply for.
Ichigo felt time froze, as Toushirou's heartbreaking scream echoed inside his head.
And he didn't notice that Zangetsu was trembling because of his shaking hands.
Flabbergasted, blinded by a burning rage, Toushirou charged towards Aizen, shouting.
"Captain Hitsugaya, wait!!" Captain Kyouraku warned, but he was too late.
"You're all open," Aizen said calmly, smirking at the sight of the people rushing towards him.
He swung his blade again.
And all Ichigo could see was red. That hateful color of blood.
Blood, pouring from the wounded Toushirou, Captain Kyouraku, Captain Soi Fon, and Shinji.
They were defeated.
The force of evil proved to be undefeated. The force of evil kept on winning…
* * * * *
"We're near," Ishida announced.
It was hard to see what was happening down below with dust and debris swirling around them.
But they could feel several strong reiatsus fluctuated. That was indication enough that the fighting was still continuing down there.
Ishida increased the Hirenkyaku's speed, and he could feel Orihime's hands tightened on the fabric she was holding. She was not scared of the speed, he knew, but she was scared of what they were going to find out once they reached the ground.
* * * * *
Watching how easily Aizen defeated his enemies made Ichigo shudder.
Do they have a chance to win against that man?
And at that moment, he began to feel hopeless.
He wanted to help. He wanted to rush into the fight. That was what he used to be like. He fought whenever he needed to. That was how he won his battles. He won because he needed to win.
But Aizen proved to be untouchable. And seeing his allies went down, one after another, it increased the doubt instilled in him earlier when Aizen had effortlessly brushed off his Getsuga Tenshou, and touched his chest. Should he intend to, Ichigo knew that Aizen could have easily pierced through his heart at that point.
And now, his legs wouldn't move.
Move, damn it! MOVE!!
Still, they wouldn't budge.
SHIT! They need my help! I need to get moving NOW!
But every muscle in his body were already paralyzed.
Ichigo closed his eyes. Trying to calm himself.
And her face popped into his mind.
Surprisingly, as soon as that image appeared, he started to get calmer.
He pictured her smiling as she greeted him at class every morning.
He pictured her saying goodbye to him when he left her above the dome of Las Noches.
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"I have to hurry," he told her.
"B-but I'm not done," she insisted to completely heal him.
"I'm sorry, Inoue. But they need me."
She lowered her gaze. "Okay," she muttered as she retrieved her fairies from him, and redirected them to start working on Ishida's wound.
"Stay here. It's much safer up here."
"We'll join you after I finish tending to Ishida-kun's injuries."
He got up and started to walk away, but after a few steps, he paused. Turning around, he asked, "Will you be okay, Inoue?"
And amazingly, she smiled at him.
"I'll be fine," she answered. "Now, go."
His eyes lingered on her face for a moment. She looked so fragile, so broken, and he hated leaving her. He wanted to keep her in his vision all the time. That way he would know that she was safe.
But his other friends could be in danger. There was a fight down below, and there was a fight in Karakura, he was sure of that, so he wasn't left with a lot of other options. Except to leave her there. And it was the safest place for her to be now.
He turned his gaze at Ishida. "Take care of her," he told him in a stern voice. "I will not forgive you if something happens to her."
Ishida waved his hand weakly, and that was all the answer he needed.
He ran again, and after looking back at the two people he left behind, he jumped.
"Goodbye, Kurosaki-kun…"
Her soft whisper sounded melodic to his ears.
"Goodbye, Inoue…" he said into the wind.
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His eyes fluttered open.
He had to stay alive. He wanted to bring her back home. He wanted to keep her smiling face, not the terrified look he saw on her face when she witnessed his fight with Ulquiorra.
If he could only keep her smiling by defeating Aizen, then that's what he would do.
But then, he saw the bright and blinding, burning flame of Ryujin Jakka. Old man Yamamoto Genryusai had finally joined the fight.
* * * * *
Their visions were now clearer.
Ishida could see a two shinigamis; Captain Kuchiki Byakuya and Captain Zaraki Kenpachi stood facing an enormous Arrancar. Yammy Riyalgo. Ishida would have not recognized that disgusting creature if it weren't for the remaining jawbone rested on his chin.
"He's huge," Orihime commented, a hint of fear clearly visible in her voice.
Ishida's eyes lingered at the battlefield for a moment, before he began scanning the area again. He noticed the weird Captain Kurotsuchi Mayuri standing with his faithful assistant, Kurotsuchi Nemu. They were watching the fight from atop of something that appeared to look like a pillar.
Away from the fight, he saw two bodies lying on the ground. One look at that unmistakably scarlet hair was enough. It was Abarai Renji and Yasutora Sado, the gentle giant his closest friends referred to as Chad.
Both were not moving.
He heard Orihime gasped behind him. She must have seen the same thing.
"Take me there first, Ishida-kun," she said firmly.
He took one last look at the Shinigamis facing the Arrancar. He wanted to join the fight, but decided that the safety of his friends was more important. Besides, he was pretty sure that the two Shinigamis could handle Yammy.
They flew over to the unmoving bodies. They jumped off immediately as soon as they reached the spot. Renji and Chad's were already wrapped with bandages. When they heard the two's labored breathing, they were relieved. Renji and Chad were sleeping.
Orihime kneeled beside Chad, and immediately called for her fairies."Souten Kisshun!" she chanted, and a bright orange light appeared, surrounding Chad and Renji.
"Inoue?"
She heard a familiar voice.
"Inoue!" That voice called out to her.
She looked up, and her gaze met a pair of violet eyes.
Her lips stretched into a bright smile, "Kuchiki-san!" She jumped up and down excitedly, waving her right hand.
"Inoue!" Rukia called again, and jumped off the rectangular thing she was on. She made a dash towards Orihime, who did the exact same thing.
Rukia had never been happier, and as soon as she closed her distance, Orihime leaped forward and hugged the petite Shinigami.
"Thank goodness!" her bubbly friend exclaimed.
Rukia smiled serenely in Orihime's arms. The human girl held her friend for a while. When she finally let go, her face was beaming brightly.
"I'm so glad to see you're okay, Kuchiki-san!"
"Yeah, me too, Inoue."
"And I'm glad that everyone is alive."
Rukia patted Orihime's hand lightly. "We came here to save you, so we couldn't die until we make sure you're safe."
Tears started forming in Orihime's gray eyes.
"I'm sorry I couldn't be here earlier, Kuchiki-san. Maybe I can help if I would have been."
"Don't sweat it, Inoue." Rukia paused, before adding, "Vice-Captain Kotetsu and Hanatarou are here too."
Orihime stared deep into Rukia's violet eyes.
"Thank you, Kuchiki-san…"
"Now let's just hope Nii-sama and Captain Zaraki will be able to defeat that Arrancar. He's ridiculously strong."
Silence engulfed them for a few seconds.
"Kuchiki-san…"
"Hm?"
"Where's Kurosaki-kun?"
"I'm pretty sure he's fighting Aizen right now."
An image of a horned hollow popped involuntarily into Orihime's thought, and she quickly brushed it away.
"And I'm pretty sure Kurosaki-kun will win…"
But that was not something she was sure of.
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~ End of Chapter 1 ~
Author's Note : I know I shouldn't be doing this, adding a new story when I still have other stories to work on, but I just had to write this one, because I kept thinking about it. I know there are few writers writing about their takes on what was happening up on the dome of Las Noches, but this is how I would like things to happen. And this story will continue on to Royal Realm arc (my version). I don't know how Kubo will develop Bleach, but this is how I will develop Bleach. I started this story with scenes from the latest chapters so it's going to be very similar to the actual manga, but in future chapters, things will be completely different from the manga.
[For those well-versed with Bleach and its terms, you can skip the next part and proceed to review (if you want to, but I do hope you will), XD ]
Though I'm sure most of you are familiar with Bleach, but someone once pointed out to me that a writer should ensure the readers understand everything, so:
Kimi wo Mamotte, Kimi wo Aishite – the title was taken from Bleach anime ending theme. It's Japanese for "I Will Protect You, I Love You". We all know that Ichigo had said the first four words to Orihime, and it wouldn't be long until he said the other three words! Hopefully.
Quincy - descendant of a line of priest-like hollow-hunting archers who were historical enemies of the Shinigami.
Las Noches – my translation: Aizen's lair, where he kept his Espadas (ten strongest Arrancar under his command), along with Inoue Orihime.
Zanpakutou –translated to "soul-cutter sword", weapons carried by Shinigamis, and they reflect the Shinigamis soul and personality.
Reiatsu – spiritual pressure
Arrancar – Hollows who have their masks almost completely removed, thus gaining the power of Shinigamis.
Hueco Mundo – "Hollow World" : a world where the hollows live.
Zangetsu – Ichigo's zanpakutou.
Hai – Japanese word for "Yes".
Visoreds – Shinigamis who have obtained hollow powers.
Hyourinmaru – Hitsugaya Toushirou's zanpakutou.
Shinigami –Soul Reaper.
Kyoka Suigetsu – Aizen Sousuke's zanpakutou.
Hirenkyaku – flying screen. That white thing Ishida used to fly through the Garganta (pathway to Hueco Mundo) and then he used it again to fly himself and Orihime to the top of the dome.
Nakama – it means "comrade" or close friends in Japanese.
Getsuga Tenshou – Zangetsu's special ability.
Ryujin Jakka – Yamamoto Genryusai's zanpakutou.
Souten Kisshun – one of Orihime's ability. It allowed her to reject any damages done to the object enveloped between a barrier formed by two of her fairies; Shun'ou and Ayame, thus making it return to its previous undamaged condition.
Nii-sama – this is how Rukia calls Byakuya.
There. Review please. I would like to know what you guys think of this story, and how I did this time.
For those who read Detras de la Luna, Chapter 9 will be up this week. I know I said it will be up last week, but I have some problem with it, so I'm sorry for the delay.
Lots of love,
sherrybaby29.