Welcome readers, we have finally made it to the final points of this story. I hope you enjoy this chapter and I recommend that you read with Brian Eno's The Big Ship on repeat. It's what I listened to the entire time while writing this chapter, and maybe it'll help convey the feelings I wanted to inspire even more than my words alone. Without any further ado, here is Chapter Ten of PTTFR, Only For a Short Time.
Disclaimer: I'm way too female to be Tite Kubo. Also I'm way too broke to be making any money off this.
It seemed that peace and a few minutes of reprieve were always paid for with a heavy price. Everything happened all at once, and it seemed the fight was everywhere. Orihime had barely managed to get Nanao and the newly conscious Hachi out of harms way. Though it was short lived protection, the Balancer was soon gone, helping those that need protection and Nanao disappeared as soon as Shunsui came into view, his hat missing and two swords drawn. Jushiro was leaning on him heavily, hand over his mouth and shuddering with convulsions. As soon as he was brought over by Nanao, Orihime realized he was coughing.
"Help him." Nanao instructed before racing off to fight beside her husband.
Orihime summoned the fairies and had them fly out over Ukitake, wrapping him in the all too familiar yellow light. She watched as Shunsui and Nanao fought side by side, protecting each other and easily fending of Ulquiorra's minions. She watched as all of her new found friends struggled and fought with such desperation and will that it almost broke her heart.
She saw Rangiku, fighting alongside Gin, the man she had once introduced Orihime to. She watched with tears in her eyes as more and more of her friends grew tired, and couldn't fight effectively anymore. What tore her up the most, was seeing Shunsui and Nanao pause, look at each other and communicate silently. But the message was clear.
They were silently saying goodbyes and giving final declarations of love. As she scanned the battlefield, she saw many others repeating the same message. Some friends, others siblings, and most long time companions.
Then she spotted someone who she had been hoping to see for what felt like a life time. As she followed his orange hair and torn black clothing, she knew that she one day wanted to be able to say what Nanao and Shunsui were able to say with merely their eyes. Of course she had always known that she felt something for him, and it wasn't quite all there, but she knew she wished to have a future with him.
And that was when her final decision was made.
She returned her attention to Ichigo, who was battling with what looked to be Ulquiorra.
Having recovered from his fit, Ukitake spotted her confusion and spoke up.
"It is him. He's just in his true form. If Shun were to release his form he would look like a goat man. Ulquiorra is a Furie after all, a bird like creature of vengeance. Not the most appealing creatures in my opinion."
Orihime nodded and turned back to the battle. At the moment, Ulquiorra had the advantage, forcing Ichigo into a total defensive stance. As far as she could tell, Ichigo wouldn't be able to get an attack in if he didn't want to get hurt.
She began to pray. She didn't really know what she was praying to anymore, her entire world had been turned upside down by these people. She wasn't sure anymore of who exactly God was. So she simply prayed. To Buddha, to God, to anyone who would listen. She just hoped they would answer.
Ichigo's eyes flashed over to her own, and she knew what he saw in them. Fear, panic, desperation. And in his she saw what she needed. Strength. Reassurance. He smiled at her. And she couldn't help but smile back.
And in a sudden burst, Ichigo was back on the offensive. Surprising Ulquiorra with his quick change and making him react and only react to his furious barrage.
It seemed as if that one advantage had turned everyone else's battles and it didn't seem so hopeless anymore. Nanao had Shunsui's back, and he deflected a blast of energy that was aimed at her with ease. Gin and Rangiku looked like they were dancing, they moved so well together. Rukia came into view, a slightly injured Renji walking beside her as they took in the current state of the Meadow. Renji's eyes widened and a huge grin split across his face. Orihime turned to see what he saw, and was met with Ichigo knocking Ulquiorra's weapon out of his hands. The bird like creature stumbled back and raised an arm in protection. Fear and disbelief shining in his wide green eyes. The banished man's weapon landed a few feet from the human woman, but she didn't notice. Everyone had stopped, all eyes were on Ichigo and Ulquiorra.
With his sword raised, a thin and shining black against a magnificent blue, and his tattered cloak billowing around him, he looked like death itself. And that was what he was. With his mask on full display, he was to be the death of Ulquiorra Ciffer.
"No." was all she whispered, she knew she never wanted Ichigo to give in and become what Ulquiorra thought he was. A monster with so much power, he could do anything.
"NO!" she screamed.
She would not let him satisfy the filth that had brought about so much damage. Emotional and physical. Orihime had never hated anyone before, but she knew she hated Ulquiorra Ciffer. She hated him for frightening her, for using Grimmjow and Harribel and Starrk, for killing Kaien and Miyako Shiba, for wounding Yuichi and stealing his mother, and especially for hurting Tatsuki.
A strong and firm hand gripped Ichigo's arm as it descended, stopping the swords advancement very suddenly. Isshin didn't look angry, nor did he wear his usual grin. He looked serious and almost hurt.
"Now Ichigo. You know that that is not your responsibility. Don't go taking my job, son." Isshin admonished.
He tapped his son's mask once very lightly and it burst into countless tiny white pieces. Ichigo appeared shocked and studied his father intently.
"I'll handle this." Isshin intoned.
Ichigo nodded and sheathed his sword. He stepped back a few paces and bowed his head respectfully to his father.
Orihime's jaw almost hit the ground when a great scythe appeared in Isshin's open hand. She never expected Ichigo's father, the man always laughing and wearing silly bright robs to be death. Even if death's guide was his son.
Isshin glanced at her and smiled.
"Family business." he simply stated, and offered no other explanation.
He returned his attention to the pale man and his expression hardened. All were silent.
"Ulquiorra Ciffer, you have caused much damage to a sacred place. You have broken the terms of your banishment. You have harmed the humans we are sworn to protect. You have also ultimately harmed many others. And…you tried to kill my son. Prepare to carry out your sentence, as it will be a very long one." Isshin intoned in a commanding voice and stern expression.
He sliced the giant scythe downwards and a huge gate with menacing skeletons positioned on either side, their one arm each placed so they could pull open the huge gates, appeared. The doors creaked open and two ropes prevented them from opening fully. Two huge eyes opened slowly and a murderous laugh filled with sick glee boomed across the meadow. Chains shot out from the doors and encircled Ulquiorra who had been trying to run as far from the gate as he could. The chains wrapped themselves around the pale Furie and he began screaming incoherently as he was dragged back to the gates.
The laughter ceased and the being with the huge eyes spoke. His voice chilled Orihime to the very bone.
"Wonderful timing Isshin, the one you sent me before was beginning to bore me. But now I have two souls to play with. Come, foolish one, and meet your new friend, Aizen. We'll have plenty of time to get to know each other here in my domain!" the voice laughed once again and Orihime shuddered.
The gates promptly slammed closed and the laughter and screams were cut off.
The young woman sighed and let herself fall to her knees. It was finally over. There was nothing more to fear, and the threat was gone.
Orihime smiled, wide and beautiful, and all who filled the meadow cheered.
The sun broke free of the dark clouds that had been hiding it from the world and bathed the Meadow in a pale golden light.
Opening her eyes, she spotted Ichigo staring at her. She matched his gaze and stood. As she neared him, what had been unreadable in his eyes suddenly became clear. But she knew she wasn't ready to accept what they said, and she had the feeling he wasn't either.
She reached him and took a deep breath.
"You know what happens now." she said simply.
"He gets the girl?" Shunsui joked lightly, not really paying attention.
"Not quite. The girl has to go home." it must have been something about her tone, wistful and tired, that caught their attention.
They stared at her with wide eyes and open mouths. Ichigo simply closed his eyes tightly and grabbed her hand.
"Of course, I'll never forget any of you, but my place isn't here. I don't belong in this Meadow. Even if I desperately want to. My place is back in reality, where everything makes sense, and I don't know death personally. I can't keep this up." she said quietly.
To her utter surprise, the first to hug her was Nanao.
"Thank you. For everything. You're truly amazing." the woman whispered.
Orihime hugged her back tightly, and once again prayed. But this time she prayed for the strength to keep to her decisions.
Then they each hugged her, giving her tidbits of advice, well wishes, or tearful words of parting.
"Give 'em hell." Rangiku said as she held Orihime tightly, tears escaping from her eyes even if she was smiling.
"You'll be the greatest woman to make history, I just know it." Rukia said with a warm smile and a gentle squeeze.
Orihime laughed as she was swept up by Hachi, and bowed deeply to the council members. They all waved it away and gave her hugs anyway, though. Nel embraced the startled human woman with vigor and a few sobs and then ran away so she wouldn't have to watch her go. Grimmjow nodded his head to the woman with a smile before taking off after the hazel eyed woman. Orihime had no worries about either of them, or their future.
Then there was Lilynette and Harribel and Starrk. Lilynette was sniffling quietly as she approached the three. Harribel came first and gave the girl a warm embrace.
"Remember, use that gift of yours wisely." was all she said before stepping back.
"Thank you, for watching over her." Starrk said, offering her his hand and shrugging towards Lilynette.
The young woman saw a much deeper gratitude in his eyes and she smiled while shaking his hand.
"It was my pleasure."
Then Lilynette flung her arms around her and wailed that she would miss her terribly, something Orihime was sure she would share. When Lilynette turned and began crying into Starrk's shoulder, Orihime knew it was time to go.
She turned to the last few people she needed to speak to, but Isshin began before she could.
"Goodbye Miss Orihime, it was quite the adventure."
"That it was, Mr. Isshin." she replied with a smile and gave him a quick hug.
She then faced those that started this whole adventure, she still had to wish them farewell.
"I'm so glad I hurt my leg, if that makes any sense." Ayame said quietly with a small, sad smile.
"I'm glad you did, too." Orihime replied, the small woman landing in her palm.
Ayame sniffed and flew forward, and placed a small kiss on Orihime's cheek.
"May luck always be on your side, and may you live a long and happy life." Ayame whispered.
The other fairies nodded and Tsubaki looked away sharply while brushing at his eyes, Orihime excepted their blessing quietly. Giving them each one last smile.
A tap on her shoulder and she knew, the time had really come. She was to leave now.
Ichigo stood quietly, and waited.
"I'll walk you home." he said, and offered his hand.
Orihime took it, just as she had before, and let him lead her away from the meadow. She didn't look back but her friends all yelled and cried their last goodbyes, until Orihime could no longer hear them.
She and Ichigo walked in silence, neither needing chatter to fill the silence.
When they reached the edge of the woods, he slowed, but she tugged him forward. She pulled him all the way to her door, where she tuned the knob and pulled him inside.
There was no bloodstain on the wood floor of the foyer, someone must have cleaned it up. She continued on, Ichigo still in tow, to the sitting room. There sat her two parents, both looking tired and sad. They both looked up as they heard her footsteps and smiled brightly.
She was suddenly enveloped in a tight embrace from both her parents, but she still held Ichigo's hand tightly.
"Hime!" her mother cried in relief.
"We were so worried." her father whispered as he kissed her forehead.
"I know, but I'm safe now. And I always will be. Thanks to him." she said with a slight tug on Ichigo's hand.
Her parents turned their eyes to him and studied him.
Her mother released her, then wrapped Ichigo in a crushing hug. He looked flustered, but he made no attempt to free himself.
"Thank you." Hanna whispered to him.
Orihime smiled, and Ichigo said, "It was my pleasure."
After more teary reunions, especially with Tatsuki, and after many explanations, Ichigo and Orihime were once again out in the open, next to the tree line.
"Well, I guess this is…" Ichigo began.
"Where we say goodbye. For now at least." Orihime answered.
Ichigo studied her before speaking.
"Orihime I…I-" he struggled before giving up, "I'm going to miss you terribly Orihime."
"I know. And so am I." she said, acknowledging what he was trying to say, but didn't feel just yet, and telling him that she felt the same.
He smiled at her and hugged her tightly.
He released her and stepped back a few paces. He still had her hand in his.
"Until we meet again, Orihime." he said as his final farewell.
"Until we meet again, my dearest friend." she said quietly, as her hand slipped out of his, and he disappeared into the dark trees.
Orihime let herself be sad, she decided she would have five minutes of this. Her hand automatically reached up and curled around the hibiscus pendant and she gasped. She had meant to give it back…but now, she couldn't. She was sure even if she tried, she wouldn't be able to get back to the Meadow. And she didn't want to face the pain.
So she smiled and grasped it tightly.
"At least I'll always know it wasn't a dream." she mused to herself.
With that she turned away from the forest and walked back to her house, where her mother, father, and best friend eagerly waited for her.
That night, before she went to bed, Orihime stood next to her window and let out a sigh.
"It's only for a little while you know. There are still people here who need me, people who depend upon me. But once that duty is over with, I'll be back. You can count on it! So…until we meet again my friends, I wish you all the best."
And then she went to her bed and slipped under the covers, falling into a restful sleep with a smile on her face.
xXxXxXxXxXxXx
All was relatively quiet, most were soaking in the peace and silence that came after victory, she was no exception.
When she had heard it, she had been shocked. Ayame had whipped her head around like a madwoman, searching for Orihime. But then it dawned on her, her friend still held their pendant. Of course she could hear her.
The fairy zipped straight to Rangiku and the others, all sadly sipping at what was a toast to their human friend and their hopes for her life. After getting their attention, Ayame dutifully repeated what she had heard.
Frowns became smiles and some even laughed at how Orihime it was. But there was one sitting on the edge of the group, barely inside it's confines that smiled softly and whose eyes lit up. Ichigo chuckled and whispered something no one would hear.
"I'll hold you to that promise, Hime." he swore to the stars.
Then he sipped at his cup of sake and listened to the others chat.
All was well with the world, and one day, it would be even better.
All we have now is the Epilouge! It will be up soon, it's almost done already. I hope you enjoyed and if there are any mistakes I apologize, I was way too excited to post this! Until next time!
~Trapped in Wonderland