A/N: This is a "what if" story. Ichihime. I don't really know why I'm so intent on torturing them... (My last story being about Ichigo turning full hollow and all.) Oh anyway, hope you'll find this interesting.

Timeline: IMPORTANT! This story starts a few months after Aizen's defeat. Ichigo lost his powers, but Orihime had been able to return them, so there were no crazy fullbringers.

Summary: The saving of Orihime didn't end with simply freeing her from Hueco Mundo. For she brought a dark secret with her, that almost broke her. She didn't want to confide in anyone, but Ichigo saw her pain, and forced her to confess. True to his nature, he was determined to save her. What ever it takes. But is it possible to keep such a secret for a lifetime?

Warning: Angst. Mentions (though not in graphic details) of mature themes, physical intimacy and rape.

Blood or bound

Chapter 1

Tears on the beautiful face.

A scowl on the other.

'...are you sure?'

'Yes.'

'Inoue... I'm so sorry.' A hand balling up into fist in helpless anger. 'I... I don't know what I can say. I promised to protect you, and I...'

'It's not your fault.'

Eyes closing in pain and defeat.

'And... what are you going to do?'

'What do you mean?'

'I... well... you still have a choice...'

'No! I don't... I've been thinking about it, but I can't bare even the thought! Even if I didn't want it, it's a little life, growing inside me, how could I just throw it away?'

A soothing hand taking hold of a trembling one gently.

'I'm not surprised you feel that way... And I understand.'

'Really?' A voice drowning into crying. 'Kurosaki-kun. Maybe it's better if you leave now. It would be selfish of me...'

'Selfish?'

Anger again.

'Look, I never even wanted to tell you! To burden you with my problems.'

'Burden me? Inoue! Look at me! This is not only your "problem", it's more than that! Besides: I would never-ever leave you alone in time of need.'

Another teardrop. Shame. Trembling.

'Thank you... It's only... that I already made my choice. And you can do nothing to help. '

A determined light shining in the depth of a pair of brown eyes.

'Watch me! I'll do everything that has to be done... I promise! '

Eye meeting eye. Sorrow.

'Don't you hate me now?'

'No. I don't hate you. I love you! I always have. And I'd be damned if I would let you face this alone...'

…...

The first (and probably fiercest) head-hitting Ichigo received was from Tatsuki. She shrieked like a demon, kicked, punched, called him all possible nasty names. Orihime's desperate and earnest pleas could do little to calm the storm at first. But Ichigo just stood there, taking all the blows and insults silently, calmly, stating how he deserved all.

'It's not true!' a voice screamed inside Orihime. 'Not true! He shouldn't have to stand this. I don't want him to protect me this way! Maybe I have chosen wrong after all. All my fault...'

But he looked at her, steady and firm, reminding her without words of their deal, and her promise. So she kept her mouth closed.

The second was Isshin, or "Oto-san" as he now wanted her to call him. The reaction of the doctor had been confusing to say the least: at one time he had scolded his son for being totally irresponsible and selfish (emphasizing his point with freaky surprise attacks), while he had kept assuring Orihime warmly how ready he was to accept her into the family immediately.

These consequences were uncomfortable, but they got over them quickly. After the first shock wore off Tatsuki even went as far as suggesting names for the baby, and as for Isshin, they had to hold him back unless they wanted him to add a cot to Ichigo's room 6 month early, and ignore him as he kept wailing delightfully before the picture of his deceased wife. Yuzu was ecstatic, and began planning the wedding right away. Karin only noted how Ichigo now lost all right to criticize her future boyfriends.

More sever was what their bound with their other friends had to endure. Chad and Ishida felt that Ichigo deserved at least a few weeks of silent-treatment from the both of them. Orihime cried every night, and only Ichigo's continually whispered loving words were able to get her through the darkness of painful memories and the heavy burden of shame and guilt.

'I can't take this any more! Pain is enough! I don't want lies too. I'm just hurting everyone...'

'No. You are protecting someone...'

She had to move to his house even before the wedding, because when her aunt heard about her predicament, she stopped supporting her right away, and there was no way she could find a job now, not with the rounding of her stomach beginning to show.

After the rather small and uneventful wedding, things began to quiet down. Ichigo was starting to talk about their future together, and she only listened at first, with a small fake smile on to make him happy, but he was so sincerely kind, and showed so much loving, that her wounded heart finally began healing slowly, and the scarce episodes when those false smiles turned true became gradually more lasting.

But as the time for the baby's birth draw near, her agitation returned, with full force. The voice inside her told her again and again how Ichigo deserved more than this, that she was ruining his life, and that she could give him nothing in return. So one day, Ichigo went home to finding only a farewell letter in her place.

It didn't take much to find her again though, only some of his pride, as he had to go to Uryu's father for help. Thankfully, the Quincy didn't ask too many questions. But he was the "bad boy" again in all the world's eye, a piece of shit who scares or hurts his expecting wife so much that she runs away, and her first labor pain catches her on a dirty street corner, and a passerby has to call her an ambulance.

'She doesn't want to see you.' Ryuuken said, looking coolly into his raging eyes.

So he stayed outside, waiting, until he heard her scream... She was screaming for him. And then he entered without waiting for any permission, to be there next to her.

'Ichigo... I'm so sorry. I...'

'Hush! Don't speak now. Save your strength.'

'I'm so afraid.'

'I know. But you will be all right. And so will the baby. The doctors all say so. Just promise me you'll never think of running away again. I've been so worried!'

She nodded, with tears in her eyes.

'I'm sorry. I promise. It's just that... you deserve so much more than this. You deserve someone whole. I don't know what I can do. I still feel broken. And it's not getting any better.'

Ichigo scowled. He leaned closer, and after seeing that Orihime was well enough for a few more minutes of serious conversation, he decided to voice what had been on his mind for a while now.

'Orihime... Please, listen to me. I've done everything I could. But sadly, saving you this time takes more than that. Because one thing I can't change. I so miss that happy shine from your eyes... I used to love it so much! No matter what I do, it won't come back, unless you let it.' he paused to kiss her forehead, and wrap his strong arms around her. 'You have to help... That's the only thing I'm asking of you. Hime... You hide yourself behind your pain. You did nothing to deserve so much pain. You did nothing wrong. You have the right to be happy! But you have to let it be. You have to want it.'

He looked her in the eyes, waiting. She tried to meet his gaze, but wavered.

'I'm trying. It's just not always easy.' she slowly admitted. 'One moment I feel like everything is all right, but when I'm left alone...'

He grabbed her hand more fiercely.

'I won't leave you alone then. I know we can be happy together. A happy family... I TRUST that we will be!'

'But it won't be just the two of us...' Orihime whispered, with her eyes cast down.

Ichigo scowled again, and pulled back.

'So that's what bothers you.'

Orihime tried to sit up, but a wave of pain washed through her, pushing her back. Ichigo hurried to grab her hand again. They had to wait for her to be able to speak. After her breath returned to her, she spoke, fighting with the tears that belonged equally to physical and emotional pain:

'Ichigo... I... this will sound awful. But I'm not totally sure how I myself will be able to love this baby. How could I ask you...'

Ichigo silenced her with a kiss.

'How could I NOT love someone, who is half you?'

'Ichigo...' she whispered, the tears finally falling down her chin freely.

Ichigo smiled.

'Hope it's a girl.'

…...

The baby was born an hour after this.

'It's a boy.'

The doctor lifted up the still grimy newborn being wrapped up tightly in a soft blanket. Orihime opened her tired eyes. The doctor leaned forward, offering to put the baby into her hands. Orihime's eyes widened with fear, and they landed involuntarily on the bundle. The expression in them changed slowly.

'So little...' she whispered in an awed voice. 'Little... little baby! My baby...'

Without conscious though her hands reached forward. The doctor smiled, and placed her son carefully inside her embrace.

'Congratulations.'

Orihime looked. And looked. It was so different from how she had imagined this moment. The baby ceased crying the moment he felt the soothing safeness of motherly warmth surround him, so Orihime could study him freely. His little eyes were closed, his mouth slightly pouting. His skin was red, grimy and a little wrinkled, but you could still see it's perfect texture, smoothly soft, like the finest silk. Orihime's eyes lingered around the small nose and ears. Took in the few traces of messy dark hair scattered over his little head. His small fist was next to his face, and she wondered at the perfect little dimples showing at his knuckles. So much detail... like nature had drawn him with the uttermost loving care, careful not to leave out anything. He was just perfect.

One of the assistants asked what name should be written on the papers. Orihime didn't even hear her at first, but when she did, she could only offer an apologetic grin. Of course, through the months of waiting she had thought of many names, but there hadn't been one she could decide on. None of the names seemed to fit to her. And she had been too chicken to ask Ichigo's opinion. But she looked at him now questioningly, feeling a little guilty about waiting the solution of yet another hard task from him. But as she looked at him, she noticed how his eyes had a peculiar look in them, as they were focused on the bundle in her hands.

'Can I name him?' he asked slowly, quietly.

Her eyes widened. He had said it like it was a privilege, a noble task. And she just realized that it indeed was...

'Yes. I think you should. Please.'

…...

Three month passed. Ichigo's words have turned true: they were a happy family together. Orihime smiled and laughed again. The baby grew, and they took pleasure in watching his every move. Isshin had decorated the house's walls with various pictures of his round, angle-like face.

One day, Orihime came inside Ichigo's room after her evening shower, finding him asleep on the bed, with the little boy (also asleep) across his chest. She smiled, going closer, and started lifting the baby out from his embrace carefully. Ichigo woke up.

'Sorry.' he muttered. 'Guess I fell asleep.'

Orihime sent him a warm smile.

'I'll put him to bed...'

She went to the next room, which previously had belonged to the twins, but which they gave up, and moved to the downstairs spare bedroom to give the new family some privacy. She found the cot alright, without having to turn the light on, and she put the baby gently inside. She caressed his cheek as a way of wishing him good night.

She walked to the bed next to the baby's. Her bed. It was easy to tell everyone how they were not sleeping together with Ichigo, because it was more convenient. First because of her rounding belly, and now because of the baby needing her. But it was a lie. Another lie.

At least this one she could change.

She took a big breath. She loosened the tie of the bathrobe she was wearing, and let it slid down to reveal the thin, tightly fitting nightgown she was wearing underneath. She studied her reflection in the mirror on the wall (what she could see anyway in the dim light), and blushed from just that. If she continued to ponder and speculate any further, she wouldn't be able to do this... But she wanted to. She needed to.

When she reentered Ichigo's room, he was just returning into his bed after a quick detour to the bathroom, and donning his pajamas.

'Did he wake up again?' he asked, pausing in the act.

'No. He's fast asleep.' Orihime answered.

Ichigo grinned.

'Told you not to eat that much wasabi... If chemicals can get through to breast-milk, then so can that stuff. No wonder he went to sleep late.' Ichigo stifled a yawn. 'Well, guess we better sleep too. The sooner the better.' he stood up, and went to kiss her. 'Good night, Hime.' he murmured.

He wanted to turn back towards his bed again, but Orihime's hand held on to his shirt, stopping him. He looked at her questioningly, and she blushed. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

'Is something the matter?' Ichigo asked gently.

'No.'

'Then what is it?'

Orihime closed her eyes firmly.

'Can I stay?' she blurted out quickly.

He froze. She felt it even with her closed eyes.

'I... I want to stay tonight.' Orihime stated, trying to sound convincing. But her voice was trembling slightly, out of shyness, and maybe something else...

She peeked out from under her lashes. Ichigo looked stunned, with his eyes bulging slightly, and a faint patch of pink creeping onto his cheeks. Orihime suddenly started to giggle. She just couldn't help it: her Strawberry was just too cute like this! Of course that instantly vanished the effect, as the dumbness gave way before his familiar scowl.

'Sorry...' she said, waving her arms around his neck. 'It's just a bit comical, if you think about it. You being stunned over your lawful wife wanting to spend the night with you!'

Ichigo didn't return her smile.

'Yeah... but... Are you sure?' he asked in a strained whisper.

Orihime's face returned to seriousness again, with a hint of sadness.

'No. But you were right. I just have to let it be. I guess I'll never be sure on my own, but I have a feeling that if I give you the chance, we'll get there together...'

'Oh, Hime...' Ichigo whispered. He slowly bent his head, and the next moment he was kissing her , wrapping his arms around her smaller form. This kiss was a little more passionate then the one before, but still in control. When the kiss ended, he raised his head again, taking a deep, calming breath. He looked her in the eyes deeply, the intensity of his stare sending shivers down the girl's spine.

'I promise I won't hurt you... We can stop, any time you want.'

'Ok... I love you, Ichigo. So much!' she said softly, like a sigh. 'I want to show it!'

He pulled her into the bed slowly, putting his arms around her, and just let her relax in his embrace for a while. It was cozy and familiar to Orihime: even though they had never gone farther than that, she had cuddled like this with him a countless of times before... When he was protecting her from her nightmares.

She had the feeling that he was again waiting for her, to give some new initiative to move on, but she was at a loss to know how. She reached tentatively towards his chest, but her hand stopped lamely midway. A firm hand caught her's, and pulled it upwards, and a warm kiss was placed into her open palm. Ichigo smiled at her warmly, his chocolate colored eyes gleaming, and a throbbing ache occupied her whole heart at seeing that smile, for it was just so beautiful... There were no other words for it.

Then she was turned, gently but firmly onto her back, her same kissed-hand held above her head, her fingers lacing together with his. His hot breath fanned her neck, and delightful shivers of anticipation racked her whole body. Her mind became clouded, and she welcomed the embracing warmth of lust, sinking into it gladly. Nothing mattered, only him. She trusted him.

'Ichigo... Ichigo...' her mind echoed.

'Hime. My Hime!' he answered, murmuring in her ear.

…...

A/N: Next time – How will family-ties develop after this? Will Ichigo be able to get along with his chosen son? Will the secret ever get out? Find out!

Review please!

How did you like the set-up? Is this "what if" story worth your attention?

How was the chapter? Can you keep up with this "jumping", drabble-styled type of writing?

Who do you think the real father is? (I guess it's quite obvious, but I ask anyway...)