Ichigo walked home alone, trying to get his mind off the pain he knew he just caused. He continued to walk a slow pace, the cool air brushing past him. He took a deep breath, letting a single tear roll down his cheek. The air was crisp and refreshing, but Ichigo was too ashamed and frustrated to be affected. As he exhaled, he saw a small cloud form in front of him. Seeing this, he slowly looked up into the night sky. The stars twinkled brightly into his honey-colored eyes. The sting of tears came back, but this time he let hem sprinkle without holding back.
The sound of a wailing siren made Ichigo perk his head up quickly. He noticed a cop car speeding down the road, lights flaring. Immediately, Ichigo's eyes widened and he prayed that the cop car was not headed to the destination he thought. He bolted down the sidewalk, pushing people out of his way as he followed the police siren.
Running faster than he ever thought possible, Ichigo slowed down when he realized where the cop car was headed. His throat was dry, but that was the least of his worries. Sure enough, his fears became a reality to him. He looked from left to right, nerves shaking uncontrollably. Policemen were surrounding a brick building, bystanders were watching the top of the building intently, mouths hanging open. A "Do Not Cross" tape blocked access to the building. Ichigo clenched his teeth and closed his eyes, hesitant to look up. Slowly opening his eyes, he scaled the building inch by inch.
There she was, standing on the edge of the roof. Orihime was looking down from the top. The second she spotted Ichigo, a tear rolled down her face, departing from her chin, and rippled through the air. Ichigo somehow spotted the teardrop, watching as it splattered on the ground. He looked up at Orihime again, thinking of a way to save her.
xXx
Orihime couldn't take the pain anymore. She took so many deep breaths, shaking a little more each time she inhaled. The air was colder on the top of the roof. The wind blew more fiercely than it would on ground level. She felt tears form in front of her grey eyes, and she would blink, causing them to fall to the ground. Orihime closed her eyes tightly, embracing the cold, damp air. She wore a tight T-shirt with blue jeans and sneakers; not her normal choice of clothes. But that didn't matter to her. She felt terrible about making such a scene like this. Suddenly, she noticed a small speck of orange, shaggy hair, standing near a crowd of people. Oh no. I never meant for you to see this, Ichigo. I'm sorry. Orihime thought.
xXx
"Orihime…" Ichigo whispered. He darted toward the building, cutting right through the police tape, ignoring every rude comment thrown at him. He even struggled out of the grasp of a policeman, but he didn't care. Anything to save Orihime. He made a promise.
"Orihime!" Ichigo screamed, allowing her name to echo through the endless night. He ran through a puddle, causing his shoes to splash water onto his long black coat. But of course, Ichigo's only thought at the time was Orihime's life.
xXx
Orihime heard her name echo through the area. She looked down to see one man fighting his way through the crowd and escaping the grip of the police officers. Orihime knew it was Ichigo. Her tiny fingers curled into a small fist. Confusion, anger, fear and so many other emotions coursed through her veins.
A gust of wind brushed past Orihime, making her shiver and tear up again. The road below her was nearly out of view, which frightened her. She looked away, digging her fingernails into her skin.
xXx
Ichigo threw himself into the door of the building, causing it to fling open. He almost tripped from the sudden impact, but he caught himself. Quickly, he rushed to the flight of stairs ahead of him.
He stopped for a few seconds to examine the staircase that greeted him. His heart was pounding against his ribs. He couldn't breathe, and his muscular calves were already twisted in knots. His feet ached from the many big leaps he took and the constant thumping that followed.
Ichigo focused on Orihime, giving him a sudden burst of motivation. Trying his best to rush, he jumped up the stairs two at a time, gripping the railing for support. His breathing was heavy. He was hurting.
xXx
Orihime heard a faint thumping coming form the staircase behind her. Ignoring the noise, she continued to stare into the night sky. Another tear rolled down her cheek. Orihime looked down once again. She took another deep breath and swallowed hard. She closed her eyes and bit her lip, on the verge of tasting blood. Her lips quivered and her blood ran cold.
All Orihime could think about was the many great things about Ichigo. His smile, laugh, hair, personality. Every memory of 'them' flooded her mind, giving her a headache. It was all over now. And soon, the pain will end, too.
xXx
Energy quickly depleting, Ichigo continued to race up the stairs. He tripped over himself, grabbing onto the railings on either side of him to break his fall. Every muscle in his body ached, every nerve was reacting. "Orihime! Don't jump!" Ichigo screamed, forcing the veins to pop out from his neck. Screaming hurt his chest and worsened his throat, but it didn't matter.
"Please don't jump!" Ichigo screeched again, overwhelmed from pain and emotion. He felt limp, but he knew he had to continue.
Somehow he found the strength to haul himself to the top of the stairs. He burst through the gate door that revealed the roof. His hair was stuck to his face, drenched in sweat. He swa Orihime standing before him on the ledge, now turning to meet eyes with Ichigo.
xXx
Orihime contemplated whether or not to listen to Ichigo. She was tired of hearing Ichigo beg for forgiveness. It killed her to see him. He was so perfect… And yet, she was about to end her life because of his mistakes.
xXx
Ichigo saw Orihime's auburn hair flicker with the wind. He loved her so much. She was so beautiful. "Orihime, just take my hand, and we'll forget about this. You're my everything…" he said, offering his hand to Orihime with pleading eyes. "Please, Orihime. Don't jump. Or I'll have to jump for you," he warned. The police sirens and megaphones were drowning his voice, but Orihime heard him loud and clear.
Orihime's eyes flicked from Ichigo to the road beneath hem. Tears streamed down her face as she took Ichigo's hand. She quietly stepped down and fell into his arms. She clenched his coat and dug her face into his chest. "I love you too much," she mumbled, crying.
Ichigo hugged her tighter and kissed her head. "I made a promise to protect you, Orihime. I'd like to keep that promise." He brushed the hair away from Orihime's face. He was so ashamed that he made this beautiful girl cry so badly. "Come on, Orihime. It's time for me to prove how much you mean to me."
Orihime looked at his warm, amber eyes. Although she was still crying, she couldn't help but believe him. Everything would actually be alright.
Fingers intertwined, Ichigo escorted Orihime safely out fo the building, eager to prove his love for her.