…
…
There was silence.
Silence and rain.
Ichigo stood there though, staring at her hard with his dark, intense eyes, hidden behind orange, thick bangs, soaking wet bronze skin and strength. She stared back, wide silver-ashen eyes flashing with something unreadable before she shook her head, her hands shaking against her sternum, and she clutched tighter at her chest. Hesitantly – his heart pounding – he started towards her.
Squeezing her eyes shut, she shook her head again, "No…"
His eyes tightened, "Inoue—"
"Don't lie to me!"
Ichigo stopped in mid-step once again as she shook.
"Please…" She whispered, clutching at her heart, "I-It hurts."
So that's what that was. She didn't believe him. Fine. He would have to convince her then. Walking towards her purposefully, her eyes snapped open, and he could see the tears trailing down her cheeks. Her eyes grew wider as he stopped beside her. As she met his narrowed gaze, her shoulders hunched inwards, as if to protect herself from him.
"Don't say things like that…or…I won't be able to leave," she whispered and sniffled, the tears continuing like rivers.
"Orihime," she jerked at her name, but refused to look at him, "If you leave me," he hesitated; he was never the one to say his feelings out loud, or figure them out before he could say them. He wasn't good with words, nor was he good with relationships. Friends were the only kinds of people he came in contact with, besides his family. Orihime was a different story, a different person who he wished he'd realized he loved before she left him the first time.
"I…If you leave me," he murmured, "what will I do?" He said it more to himself than her.
"Kurosa—"
"Let me finish!" He clenched his fists hard, "What will I do without you? Who will make me laugh and smile and help me study and cheer me up when no one else is there? Who will I see every day and look forward to it…" He was going into unspoken territories – he'd never talked like this before, but she was staring at him and her eyes were larger, and glowing, "Who will I love?"
She jolted upright, her lips parting ever so slightly, "I-If you say things like that…I'll believe you…"
"Orihime," he muttered, and his voice was low and rough and the air thickened around them. "You love me, don't you?"
"…Kurosaki-kun…"
"Don't you?"
"I'm going to get you hurt and I don't w-want you to try so hard it's just best if I—"
"Don't you, Orihime?"
Slowly, she blinked and then gripped tighter at her chest, "I do…I love Kurosaki-kun's smiles and hair and cute scowls and eyes and hands and how he walks and when he speaks…and the way you say my name." She was pale, paler than usual, as he noted before, and her hair was heavy and wet, sapphire clips holding back the too-thick bangs.
And his eyes locked with hers. Ashen-silver and chocolate, molten brown. Her stomach clenched and her knees felt weak, and her heart wouldn't be still. "I'll protect you, and you'll protect me. I won't leave you behind again. I swear it."
She stared up at him, her hands tight and shaking against her chest, and her eyes filling up once again. They filled and then released down her red cheeks, mixing with the rain and falling down his tan jacket.
But, still, she was stubborn, "It would be better if you were with Kuchiki-san."
He blinked, surprised, before his eyes narrowed dangerously. For some reason, he felt anger pulse through him, tucking uncomfortably in his stomach, "What did you just say?"
She bit her bottom lip at his hard voice, but continued, "Someone like Kuchiki-san wouldn't put you in constant danger and you wouldn't have to try so hard to protect her, because she's really strong with her sword and determined and nice and pretty and—"
"Shut up," he muttered and she glanced up to see his glare, "Don't tell me who to love, Inoue."
Her eyes softened, sad and tired, "Kurosaki-kun, why're you doing this? Why're you making it so hard…Why are you doing this to me?" Her tears continued, but she smiled through the salty droplets, and so very beautiful under the rain.
"Baka," he sighed, "Because I love you."
She trembled under the cold, and the wind, and his gaze, and he slowly held out his hand, palm upwards invitation.
"Didn't I tell you?" He smirked a bit, "If you hold my hand, I won't let go."
Gradually, she reached out a quivering, small hand towards his. When she got close enough, their fingertips brushing, she jerked her palm away a bit, hesitating. Ichigo didn't let her. Clasping his hand with hers roughly, he forced her to come forward. Almost instantly, she latched onto him, her fingers grabbing a surprisingly powerful hold of his shirt, both hands clenched over his back, in between his shoulder blades, unable to let go. She trembled even harder than before and he could hear her keen into his chest, tears continuing to stain through his world.
Smiling softly, he lifted a large hand and caressed her head, the thick, sodden locks falling through his fingers easily. She whimpered against his chest, and he could hear her murmuring confessions of love. his smile widened until it was taking of most of his face.
"I love you, too. Orihime."
…
…
Rukia panted as she came to the ruins. She was bleeding heavily in one arm, and limping with her swollen ankle. The only thing she could think about, though, was Renji. Was he alright? Did he survive? She had been so caught up with her own battles, she didn't even think of everyone else. The West Gates were completely destroyed, rubbles and giant pieces of gravel everywhere. She stumbled and searched, growing hectic when he never replied to her calls.
"Renji!"
…Please answer…
"Renji!"
…because if you don't…
"Renji!"
…what will I do?
"R-Rukia…"
She whirled around, and felt her arm burn sharply, but she ignored it and looked down at the trembling boulder. With great difficultly, she removed from on top of him and stared at his battered face. He had multiple bruises and scratches, and his side was bleeding heavily, but Zabimaru was in his hand loosely, but he was okay and that was all that mattered.
He grinned, despite his aches and gory blood, "That damn Arrancar…looked like a kid, but she was…s-strong. Got away…" He was surprised when he felt something hit his cheek, wet and warm. He glanced up with bleary eyes to see the tears coursing down her pretty, serious face. Her features were twisted into despair and she was grabbing onto his robes roughly.
"Y-You idiot…" She spat weakly, "Y-You…you…" And she leaned down, he blinked in surprise, and her small lips touched his, soft yet rough at the same time, and his mouth parted, and she breathed him in, tears falling over his own cheeks to appear as his own.
Pulling back, she grasped her bloody shoulder with one, small hand, "Don't do that again…Don't scare me like that again…"
He grinned widely up at her, "Yeah, yeah."
Smiling, she laid her head on his chest and listened to his comforting heartbeat, and listened to the screams of Shinigami, panicking for survivors, as she lost consciousness.
…
…
"How're you feeling?" Ichigo stepped into the room, closing it behind him. Eriko snapped her head up to glare at him from beside Chad, almost biting at him like a dog.
"Go away," she nearly growled, "Sado-kun doesn't want to see you."
"…I never said that," Murmured the giant behind her. It almost made Ichigo want to smile. So large and muscular defended by the tiny, fragile Eriko. Raising a bandaged palm, Sado greeted his longtime friend, "…Good afternoon."
"Yo," Ichigo returned, sitting down so he could sit cross-legged on the carpeted floor.
"I'm doing much better," Sado replied, sitting up now and placed the novel beside him.
Eriko glared at the Shinigami, "No thanks to you, you jerk."
Ichigo rolled his eyes, "Chad was the one who pushed Inoue out of the way. I didn't mean for any of this to happen and I didn't tell him to do it."
Eriko opened her mouth to shout at him, but Sado placed a large hand on her small head, "He's right. I wanted to protect Inoue, even if it meant my life. Don't worry so much, Eriko." She practically arched into his touch like a kitten, but managed to continue glaring at Ichigo.
There was silence and Ichigo was comfortable with this. Chad was the one to say something.
"…" Well, he doesn't actually say anything, but Ichigo could feel his eyes staring through the shaggy mane of hair.
"What?" The orange-haired frowned.
"Have you heard anything from Kuchiki-san and Abrai-san?"
"No," Ichigo said this with a hint of resentment and then his face softened, and he grimaced, "But I think something's happening…right before he left…He said something about the Arrancar. I wasn't really listening."
"Because you were focused on that girl," Eriko grimaced, "Are you sure this is a good idea?"
Ichigo's eyebrows furrowed at her tone, "What do you mean?"
"It's obvious you're in love with her. You're more hung up on her than I've ever seen. She's a distraction to you. Something bad could happen, Ichigo. Something…" She trailed off, her sapphire eyes finding Sado's through the masses of hair, "Just don't die trying to save her, alright? She seems like a touch girl."
"Tch," Ichigo replied after a few seconds, "I'll die doing anything for her, stupid."
…
…
"N-Nii-sama!"
"…"
"Are you alright? Y-You…Who did this to you?"
"Taichou? Damn. What the hell happened to y—OW! WHAT THE FUCK, RUKIA!"
"Shut up!" She shook a fist, "Nii-sama, please don't tell me…Ichigo—"
"No."
"E-Eh?"
Even Renji blinked, stupefied.
"It wasn't that boy."
"…Then…?"
"It was that girl. Inoue Orihime."
Renji's mouth fell open, "I-Inoue?"
"N-No. It can't! She wouldn't do something like thi—"
"She would. And she did," the white-haired captain to the side said, also heavily bandaged, "She nearly killed Kuchiki-taichou."
"B-But Inoue…would never…"
"Face it. Once a traitor, always a traitor."
"That's not true!" Rukia shouted back, "You went after her! You tried to bring her back here! You can't just—"
"Rukia," she paused, eyes going wide as her brother towered over her. Renji took a few steps forward, "Do you go against the law of the Soul Society?"
"N-No…Nii-sama…" She swallowed. "Of course not."
"We were to capture her and bring her here. That is the law, and that was the order. Do not interfere from trifle matter such as friendship."
"H-Hai…Brother."
…
…
"Orihime!"
She gasped sharply as strong, familiar arms surrounded her and yanked her against a strong chest, "S-Sho-kun…?" She maneuvered her body so that she wasn't so uncomfortable, and Sho slowly joined her on the wooden bench.
"Dammit," he pulled back and stared hard at her face. She wasn't hurt and she didn't even have a scratch on her face. He cupped her face and frowned at her dazed expression. Her ice-cream was in her palm, melting down the cone and onto her hand. Slowly, he lifted a hand to her forehead and felt the overwhelming heat.
"W-What the hell? You're burning up! O-Orihime…?" She teetered to her right, her eyelids heavy and eyes shimmering faintly, "Orihime!"
And he watched as her eyes closed, and she fell towards the ground.
…
…
(sunshine and waves
and every day, I want to be there)
…
…
Ichigo walked into the house, the door wide open as usual, and frowned when Aiko sweeping the hallway with an old broom, her eyes dazed, almost in another world. Today was a nice day, the snow was easing up and you could see the grass now, even though Christmas was close. Maybe this was a good sign.
Balling his hand in his pocket, he called, "Oi."
The mother turned her head slowly before a small, genuine smile lit up her face, "Ah. Kurosaki-san. I thought you would be coming."
"Yosh!" Another voice called and Jiro walked into the room, giving a thumbs-up, "How nice to see you, Ichi-kun! Long time no see, ne~?"
"…Are you an idiot?" Ichigo deadpanned and the older man growled at him.
"Ara, ara~" Aiko said with another pleasant smile, "No need for violence. What brings you here, Kurosaki-san?"
His eyebrows furrowed. What could he say? He'd felt the diminish in Orihime's spiritual pressure, and the dip in the sky, as if the air had been sucked from his world. He'd rushed over as fast as he could, panting and sweating like a maniac, just desperate to see what had happened. He'd told her to not leave the damned dorm and she ups and leaves anyway. And yesterday, there was no telling how long she'd stayed in the rain, hesitating. She probably had a cold or something. He felt his stomach flip around wildly, nothing could calm him down except Orihime.
Jiro's face slowly sobered and he crossed his arms over his chest, "So you heard, yeah?"
Ichigo's teeth clenched, "Of course I did. Where is she?" He could feel her in the home, but her reiatsu was strangely low, lower than when she was stripped from her powers. It was a peculiar sensation in his abdomen, something he wasn't able to identify it; pain? No. Anxiety? Close, but not close enough. He ran a hand through his messy, thick hair before jamming the hand back into his pocket, lowering his eyes to the floor as they told him the news.
"…She's always been physically weak, Sho-chan said, but this is worse than usual. We even called over a doctor and all he said was that she can rest and hope for the best. It's only been a day, but she's gotten worse."
Ichigo didn't want to think of that.
Orihime…
Sho chose that moment to step down the stairs, carrying a container of cool water, his expression somehow natural. When he saw Ichigo standing in the entry way, he nudged his head towards the steps, "She's awake now."
"Thanks," Ichigo replied shortly, and walked up the stairs, taking one at a time. For some reason, he was frightened, scared shitless to be precise. When he reached the door, the room emitting her warm, soft spiritual pressure, he sighed heavily, and his heart wouldn't stop beating. Carefully, he raised a hand, hesitated, and then placed it on the knob, turning it slowly.
…
…
"Kisuke," Yoruichi called shortly, her wide yellow eyes taking in the piece of paper he'd handed her.
"Yes~?" The suspicious shopkeeper answered, tilting his head lower to hide his eyes.
"A-Are you sure about this? This is impossible." She crumbled up the paper with her fist, "It had to be an Arrancar…"
"The Hogyoku wasn't taken, Yoruichi-san. It chose."
Her eyebrows furrowed, "You've got to be kidding me—"
"But I am not very good with joke, Yoruichi-san. You know that. In fact, if I were joking, this wouldn't be very funny."
"…"
"…"
"…Then…what do we do now?"
"Well, we're already here. Let's wait for someone to find us."
She rolled her seductive eyes, and then flash-stepped to another building, "Try to keep up."
…
…
"Inoue,"
Slowly, she turned her head, and Ichigo couldn't help but think, she's beautiful, and he found his heart jammed into his throat. He stood in the doorway and she lied in the pink futon, draped in heavy, yellow pajamas that made her so tiny and small to his large stature. Her hair fell down her slender back, but the clips weren't in her hair, rather by her side, careful to not touch the blankets and lose them.
Under heavy locks of red and pale skin and big, silver eyes that stare into his, he realized that he cannot let her go. No words are spoken as he crossed the room, unfaltering, and crouched down inches from her, and crushed her to his chest. She squeaked, but did not fight, remaining in his arms, her hands squished between them, and her lavender scent wafted into his nose. When he felt the tears on his shirt and burn his skin, he pulled back slightly and looked down at her pink face.
Slowly, he smirked, "You're a crybaby."
She wiped away the evidence with a deep blush, "I-I'm not. It's just…"
His smile disappeared, "…I know."
"Kurosaki-kun," she whispered, "I don't think…I don't think this is something you can protect me from. It's something inside."
He tightened his arms around her, muffling her words against his chest. He was aware of this and he didn't want a reminder. Slowly, she brought her hands from between them and latched them onto his shirt, squeezing tight.
"Don't worry," she murmured, "I won't leave again without saying goodbye."
Abruptly, he released her, and she squeaks again at the sudden movement. Grasping her shoulders, he forced her to look him in the eye.
"Orihime, don't say shit like that!" She blinked at his shout, at his anger, "Y-You can't leave me! You can't!"
And she continued to blink, bemused, "…Kurosaki-kun is upset." She reached up a hand and touched his face, his cheekbone, and such small, tiny hands that could save lives, she smiled softly, "I love you, Kurosaki-kun."
Desperately – to his embarrassment – he grabbed at her soft hand and nearly leaned into the touch. He cannot stop himself from dreading the worst, thinking, this is more than just illness, and he cannot stop himself from panicking, thinking, I can't live a life without her.
"Yeah," he murmured, "Me too." And he brought her back to his chest, just to hold her closer.
(fragile and small
but the world goes round and round)
…
…
He was sitting on the bench, and he could not stop thinking of her. Her eyes are shining, like the stars, and her hair appeared like the sunset. Everywhere he looked, she was there, and this was not normal, this was not something he should worry for.
"Kurosaki,"
Ichigo did not turn towards the voice, because he already knew he would come. Besides, Ishida had been there through the thick and thin, and helped him, even most of the times it was for different friends, and not particularly him. But Ishida would always be his friend, someone he could look towards for help. There are a few other footsteps, and though, he was crappy at sensing reiatsu, he could still tell.
"Urahara-san," he muttered, "Yoruichi-san. What're you all doing here?"
"Ichigo," Yoruichi had a strange look in her eye, and Urahara was frowning. Ishida readjusted his glass, and the light shined off the spec, so Ichigo was unable to read his eyes.
"The Hogyoku—" Kisuke started.
Ichigo tensed, "The Arrancars have it? What happened? Is it Aizen—"
"No, Ichigo," Yoruichi prompted, shaking her head, "We've already found out everything."
Ichigo's scowl deepened, "What the hell? What's going on? Why're you all giving me that look?"
"Kurosaki," Ishida swallowed.
Reaching upwards, Kisuke took off his striped hat to reveal his surprisingly hard eyes, "It's not with the Arrancars, Kurosaki-san."
"What…?"
"It's inside of Inoue-san."
…
…
YAY! Finally updated. It took me forever to figure out how to explain this. Really, The Hogyoku is made for the power that unleashes in someone's heart. In my mind, when Orihime was wishing so hard for her memories, the Hogyoku found her, and her spiritual pressure grew, and that's why the memories came in a rush. And that's why, a few chapters ago, Grimmjow said she is the 'one'. I wasn't sure if any would catch on, maybe a few. I'm starting to think, for how I'm taking this story, Orihime is much more than people think.
Review for me, please.
-Star