Life… They say it's a precious gift, but there are those out there that take it for granted. There are some that don't understand how valuable it is and that's why they take them. There are those who also those who find their own life more important than others. What's more is that there are those who do understand the value and risk their own for others. Life can also come in many different forms of it.

"The time has finally come." Someone stared at the starry sky. "I have finally found someone who can stand by my side. To think that a mere human could possess such power." Someone was looking for something, or rather someone, and there's more. "I will bring down anyone who would dare stand in my way!"

…

Ichigo

Ichigo suddenly woke up like something alerted him. He looked around and saw he was still in his apartment.

"Weird. I thought someone was here." Ichigo said as he got out of bed. Ichigo walked over to a framed photo of him and his friends from a wedding. He kept his eyes on one girl from that photo. "Okay. Get it together. You've got to work up the courage." Years have passed since Ichigo and his friends took on the quincies and the war between them has ended. They've all moved on with their lives. In fact, the wedding in the photo was form Rukia's and Renji's and that was just a few days ago. Ichigo and his friends went on with their lives as well like Ichigo getting his own apartment and it was after the wedding that he's made an important decision that could shape his life. "Better get going. The others will be waiting."

…

Karakura Town

Despite how things have gone between Ichigo and his friends, all of them still remain being friends. They all still get together every now and then when they're not busy with their everyday lives. Orihime, Tatsuki, Chad, Uryu, Keigo, and Mizurio were all by the park with Ichigo showing up.

"There you are. Last to arrive." Tatsuki said.

"Ichigo, there you are!" Keigo said as he went at him, but Ichigo rammed his fist into his face.

"Yo, Keigo." Ichigo said as Keigo was knocked to the ground.

"He never learns. Idiot." Tatsuki said.

"Yeah, but it makes us think of the good times." Orihime said.

"Late as always, Ichigo." Uryu said.

"Whatever. I'm here now." Ichigo said.

"I must say that it's always nice to have these gatherings." Mizurio said. "We've all been so busy with our lives that we hardly get to spend any time together."

"Some of us more busy than others." Tatsuki said as she pointed over to Ichigo.

"What's that suppose to mean?" Ichigo said as he felt a little offended by that.

"What I'm saying is that you've been still at that same high school job." Tatsuki said. "Don't you think it's time you moved on to something bigger? Maybe then you would be living in a bigger apartment."

"I'm perfectly fine where I am at the moment." Ichigo said. "My old man can't bother me there and I'm working on that. It's just difficult when I still have my soul reaper responsibilities to take care of."

"It's a shame you don't get paid for that." Chad said.

"Are those people even going to let you retire from that?" Mizurio said.

"Leave it alone." Orihime said. "Ichigo is doing just fine with his life. If he's not complaining about it, why should we?" Orihime was always so nice and considerate. "Anyway, you guys said you wanted to see photos of Rukia's and Renji's wedding."

"Yeah! I'm still upset that I wasn't invited!" Keigo said.

"It was in this Soul Society. How do you plan on getting there without being dead?" Tatsuki said.

"Here. I have photos." Orihime said. As she showed them, Ichigo thought back to something that happened at the wedding. He and Renji had a little talk.

"You're in love with her, aren't you?"

"That obvious?"

"You shouldn't let a nice girl like her wait." Renji was able to see that Ichigo developed feelings for Orihime and he knew Renji was right. He needs to work up the courage to tell Orihime.

"Ichigo, are you okay?" Chad asked and it caused Ichigo to snap back to reality.

"Yeah… Just think about something that's all." Ichigo said.

"Man. It's so not fair." Keigo complained. "We're friends with Rukia too. The wedding looks great. So does this Soul Society. So why weren't we allowed to go."

"I think of several reasons. Mostly revolving around you and being a big baby about it." Tatsuki said.

"Well, let's not spend this beautiful day just thinking about what could have been." Uryu suggested. "How about we all grab something to eat or such?"

"Sounds great to me." Orihime said. "Maybe some ramen with wasabi and honey."

"Orihime, I've been meaning to ask you this for the longest time. Where do you get your sense of taste?" Chad asked. All of them were curious about it. All of them started walking with Ichigo staying close to Orihime.

"Orihime, can I ask you something?" Ichigo asked.

"What is it?" Orihime said.

"I was wondering, maybe tonight, if we could hang. There's actually something I want to talk to you about." Ichigo said. "What do you say?"

"Sure, but why not right now?" Orihime asked.

"I….rather not." Ichigo said as he looked away. Tatsuki could see what was going and snickered at it.

"Okay." Orihime said as she agreed to go. However, she felt something strange. She could feel someone's eyes right against her and she was right. Someone was in the sky and was watching her. Uryu also sensed something himself, but as he turned around, he saw no one.

"Uryu, what's wrong?" Chad asked.

"Didn't you sense anything?" Uryu asked.

"Not really." Chad said. Uryu looked around, but didn't see a sign of anyone.

"Strange. I actually thought there was someone there." Uryu said. Orihime thought there was too and she could feel someone was watching her specifically, but there wasn't anyone there. What they didn't know was that there is.

…

Urahara Shop

"Thank you. Come again." Kisuke said as he got done with a customer. "It's always nice when we get customers."

"If you say so." Yoruichi said as she walked in her cat form. "Kisuke, do you sense it? There's something a little ominous happening out there."

"You're right. I sense a bizarre spiritual energy out there. It's unlike anything we've ever felt before." Kisuke said. "It's faint at the moment, but there's something out there."

"I'm heading out to investigate. Maybe I can find something." Yoruichi said and went out. Both of them are aware something is going on out there, but what could it be exactly?

…..

Later

The day had to come to an end, but it was still a lot of fun. Everyone went on home, but Orihime still had plans to meet up with Ichigo. She invited Tatsuki over to her place and the two of them were talking about it.

"What do you think? Should I really go? It would just be me and Ichigo." Orihime said.

"Yes. You already told Ichigo you would go." Tatsuki said. "Orihime, we're not little kids anymore. It's not a big deal if you're alone with a guy. It only is when you're going to admit you're in love with that person. Something you really should do tonight."

"You think?" Orihime said.

"Yes." Tatsuki said. "I don't get what you see in him still. You've been crushing on Ichigo for years. I think it's time you step up and tell him that you like him. You faced monsters and deadly warriors. It's time for you to admit that you're in love with Ichigo. Work up the courage and do it."

"You're right!" Orihime said as she was feeling good about it. "I can do this." Orihime went on out and was on her way, but she had second thoughts. "Maybe I shouldn't. No, I should. Maybe I shouldn't. No, I should." Orihime kept going back and forth about it. Tatsuki couldn't stand to see her like this anymore.

"Orihime, enough." Tatsuki said. She grabbed Orihime behind the shoulders and started pushing her. "You're going. You've put this off long enough."

"Do you really think I can do this?" Orihime asked.

"Of course I do." Tatsuki said. "I'll be right there until see Ichigo. There'll be no turning back for you after that and when you tell me about this, I better hear that you admit to Ichigo that you love him."

"Okay. Just stop pushing." Orihime said as they both left her building. Tatsuki tried making her feel good about this, but Orihime stopped when they saw someone. This person was a man in a white toga with a sash around him. His skin was pure white with white hair as well with bright green eyes. They were practically glowing.

"Hello there." The man said.

"Who is that?" Orihime asked.

"No clue." Tatsuki said.

"Orihime Inoue. It's nice that we finally meet each other in person." The man said.

"Do I know you?" Orihime asked.

"Not exactly, but I know about you." The man said.

"Look, she really doesn't have time for some games." Tatsuki said. Orihime felt his spiritual pressure and it matched what she was feeling earlier. "Orihime, what's wrong?"

"It's his spiritual pressure. I've never felt anything like it before." Orihime said. Tatsuki tried focusing on it herself and she suddenly felt that there was something strange about him as well. It felt strong and heavy, but tranquil and divine. It was intimidating, but it felt gentle as well. "Who are you?"

"My name is Oshitaka. Minaro Oshitaka. I have come here to take you away and make you mine, Orihime Inoue."