It was the second week after Ichigo found out that he had lost all of his powers. He comes at Orihime daily since then. She tried everything what came in her mind but without success. Her body has become very weak, but she didn't want to disappoint him. Despite Urahara's observation about that he will remain in this way for his entire life, despite Ishida, Sado and the others concern she will not give up.

Ishida refused to watch her who she self-destructs. He went to Kurosaki clinic and he knocked out. The tall shinigami had opened the door and the quincy pulled him out.

- What the hell, Ishida ?

- Come with me. We must to talk about something.

The quincy didn't waited enough for the ex-shinigami answer and he had continued to drag him till the passed his street. After that he release him.

- I want to talk to you about, Inoue.

- She's alright ?

- No, she doesn't because of you. I would not have thought that you will be so desperate to regain your power that you do not see how hard she suffers. - Inoue suffers because of me? Why didn't she told me that ?

- Because if she did that you would be destroyed. Don't you see that ? You put all your hope in her and she did her best to save you, but she can't do more. You have to accept once and for all that your days as a shinigami don't longer exist. Did you hear me?

- Yeah… I heard every word that you said. Sorry, Ishida, but… I must to go now. Please tell her that I'm sorry.

- Kurosaki…

The orange haired boy start running and he soon disappeared. Ishida stopped himself to run after him. Maybe he was too bad with him, but someone had to do that. He had decided to don't tell to Orihime yet. Maybe Kurosaki will be prepared to make that by himself.

After two hours since he had arrived he herd some noises behind the door. He opened it and he was a little surprised to see Orihime. She looked so worried. It seems that Ichigo didn't get home.

- Ishida, I hope that I don't bother you. But you do you know where's Kurosaki-kun ? -

I don't know, Inoue. Sorry.

- Um… Maybe it's not such a big deal, but I'm worried. What do you think that was so important to disappear without letting at least his family to know ?

- I don't know. Maybe it's just in a bad mood. You know… Many things had happened recent.

- I understand that… But it's so strange. I stayed with him pretty much in the last time and he wasn't such upset. Do you think that I upset him ?

- No, Inoue. I think that you can be the last person in the world that can make him to be angry. Trust me till tomorrow that idiot will return.

- I hope you're right.

- Of course I have. I will walk to you till your home.

- No, no. I'm fine. Thank you for your care. Now I will leave. Have a good night, Ishida! -

You too Inoue. The healer left feeling a little more relieved. She went with little hurry. She doesn't know why but she can feel that something it will happen. Soon a hollow spiritual pressure make his presence felt. It was at some distance away, but she must to stop it, otherwise someone will get hurt. So she run. When she arrived at the first place where he sensed the hollow's spiritual pressure she saw some blood on the ground. After that she realized that she was cemetery. A painful scream heard sooner and she went in that direction. She just froze when she saw that the hollow was attacking Ichigo… She was in pain when she saw that Ichigo was trying to fight despite he didn't see anything. He called her shield and protected him from the beast. After that she called Tsubaki and she destroyed the hollow. Ichigo still didn't felt her. She was fighting with the air. She called her another shield to heal his wounds. When he saw that his cuts we're disappearing he lift his gaze to meet her. She was walking slow and she was watching his every move.

He wanted to speak with her but she pleased him to make quit till she will finish. Some seconds after the gold shield dropped and she embraced him while she was crying.

- I'm sorry, Inoue… I'm sorry…

But the girl didn't respond. He touched her back gently with his hand to reassure her. But it took a time to clean her mind. When she realized that she was in his arms she jumped and blushed. Ichigo scratched his neck and tried to smile.

- Sorry, Kurosaki-kun… -

It's alright, Inoue.

- Are you ok ?

- Yes I am. Thanks to you. Probably I would be dead if you weren't here. (And her smile felt. She sensed his sad in his eyes that she must protect him. He felt just useless.) But I'm sorry that I put you in this dangerous situation…

- You must be joking. You did much more for me. You almost sacrificed your life to protect me. Al least this is what can I do. What did happen with you ? Why are you acting like that ? For this time his gaze was lost. He tried to find his words but he knew that they will hurt her. But he can see how serious her look was.

- I cannot do this anymore…

- What you are trying to say Kurosaki-kun.

- I'm saying that… I will stop to hurt you.

- Hurting me ? What are you talking about. I'm just…

- Don't act, Inoue. I didn't see how much I hurt you because my desire. I was like a blind really… Till today when Ishida showed me the truth. Despite that I want to obtain my powers back to protect you and all my friends I cannot let you sacrifice yourself for me. You did enough already. And I'm happy because you trust me. All I ask you is to let me to follow this way. Who knows ? Maybe I'm better like a human. Maybe this is a sign that means that I must to stop fighting and to life my life. I will go away a while to order my thoughts. (Orihime slapped him.) Inoue…

- Who are you ? I know maybe better than anyone that Kurosaki-kun will never say those words. He is just not a coward. He fights from all his heart for his friends and for all the people of Karakura. I didn't heard him once to complain about. No one demanded him to protect me for example, but he did. He never failed in doing that. He never failed when he had many others responsibilities. Even the world was against him he didn't dropped of his way. I'm felling grateful that I have the honor to stay by his side. I will never quit of hoping. I learned that from him as many other things.

- Inoue… (His gaze returned to his normal worried gaze. Orihime was a little realived to see that her Kurosaki-kun is still there.)

- Do you know something ? I'm scared too. I'm scared of many things. Too many… But (She started to cry again.) my biggest fear is to lose you. (In that moment Ichigo just frizzed and his heart started to beat faster.) I liked you for a long time, Kurosaki-kun… But I was scared that you will decline my feelings and I will ruin our friendship. But right now I don't care anymore. I cannot to say you goodbye. Please remain here.

She closed her eyes and she was prepared for Ichigo's denial. But she felt just some soft lips pressing to hers. She opened her eyes and she simply didn't believe that Kurosaki-kun is actually kissing her. Ichigo pushed away and he was looking in her eyes. He saw happiness. He smiled, for this time it's was a real smile.

- I like you too, Inoue. And they continued to kiss each other till the rain started to fall.

I do not know what to do. Do you want me to continue the story or to drop it like that ? Please tell me you opinion.