Chapter 15: Do you truly own my sister's heart? Ichigo's grand trial.

Sorry for the wait guys but here is chapter 15 of piercer of heaven. Please enjoy and thank you for your patience.

After searching continuously throughout the week, Ichigo has finally tracked down Orihime's older brother Sorano Inoue, after finding Orihime's teddy bear Enraku with traces of Sorano's spiritual pressure still lingering on it.

"Long time no see Ichigo." Sorano stated as he welcomed his surprise guest in the doorway.

"It's great to see you Sorano, you are definitely a difficult guy to track down." Ichigo said feeling cheery now he had accomplished his goal.

Sorano stared at Ichigo suddenly flashing to Ichigo a gleaming, joyful grin.

"Please come in, make yourself at home." Sorano said inviting Ichigo into his home.

Ichigo followed Sorano into his current residency and kneeled down respectively on his tatami mats.

"Can I get you something to drink? Some tea perhaps?" Sorano offered politely insisting on being a host to the young Shinigami.

"No thanks, I didn't come here to catch up and chat." Ichigo said suddenly shifting to a serious tone.

"Oh? Then why did you spend so long tracking me down in the Soul Society?"

"I came here to give you this." Ichigo said retrieving a sealed decorative envelope from the sleeve of his shihakusho (garment of dead souls) and placed it onto the table, sliding it towards Sorano.

Sorano gently released the seal of the envelope and perused the insides of its protective casing.

"You're getting married?" Sorano asked noticing the save date invitation in front of him.

"Yeah that's right, I asked Orihime for her hand in marriage and she said yes. And it would mean the world to both of us, if you came to the wedding and gave us your blessing." Ichigo said feeling thrilled to tell Sorano some good fortune about Orihime.

Sorano folded the save the date card and placed it back onto the table.

"What's wrong? Have you already got plans on that date?" Ichigo enquired half joking and half in an irritated fashion.

Sora stands up looking upon Ichigo as he remained seated at the table.

"You're not good enough for my sister." Sora said making Ichigo nervous.

"And what the hell is that supposed to mean?" Ichigo responded feeling slightly irritated.

"Ichigo, I like you don't get me wrong. You're a great person and you are very respectful. But I just don't think you're right for Orihime."

Ichigo was on the verge of losing his temper and yet he ceased his eruption of rage.

"I understand. I'm an older brother just like you Sora. If a guy suddenly came to my house and claimed they were dating either Yuzu or Karin, I'd send them packing no doubt. I love my sister's more than anything and as their brother it's my job to protect them."

"And as Orihime's brother it's also my job to protect her from harm."

"I swear to you, I will protect her. And I will make her happy."

"Make her happy you say? See that's the problem Ichigo…. You can't make Orihime happy. All she has gained from being by your side is sadness and pain!"

"That's not true! I've always saved her when she needed me! I'm willing to lay my life down for her."

"And who's fault was it that she was put in danger in the first place Ichigo?!"

"What are you talking about?"

"Allow me to refresh your memory! What about the time that Orihime was taken away by the Arranchars' to Hueco Muendo? Where were you then?!"

"I went after her the second I knew she had been taken! I even went against the head captain's orders!"

"And who let my sister get taken prisoner almost allowing her to get killed by the Arranchars' in her prison cell?"

"I fought with all I had but I just couldn't get past Ulquiorra! He was tormenting me!"

"Who let my sister get brainwashed and forget about my existence?"

"I tried to get her back! But she just wouldn't listen to me! Tsukishima's full bring was just too powerful."

"And don't think I don't know about what happened to Orihime recently. Care to explain yourself? Or should I go on?"

Ichigo wanted to counter again but he decided it would be best to let Sora talk instead of interrupting him.

"Understand this from my point of view Ichigo. Ever since Orihime found out about your soul reaper powers and as a result awakened her own abilities, she has been put in danger and been in too many life-or-death situations! Now answer me this Ichigo, how can I entrust my sister to you?" Sorano enquired eager to hear Ichigo's response.

"You're right... It's my fault that Orihime has been put in danger, all because I'm too weak! But Orihime has been there for me whenever I have needed her, she's always been by my side. I promise you I will get stronger! I will protect her!" Ichigo boldly declared whilst he kneeled before Sorano in sincerity.

"I'm not looking for strength here! What I want is your resolve! Actions speak louder than words!" Sorano stated.

"I'll do anything! I'll do whatever it takes to prove that I'm worthy of your sister! I love her! Please let me repay the years of kindness that she has given me!" Ichigo said making a metaphorical light bulb illuminate above Sorano's head.

"You'll do anything you say? Well I might just have the thing, a trial if you will." Sorano said as he edged his way over towards a crystal cube on the table.

The whole room suddenly Quaked and shook.

A mechanical whirring sound echoed throughout the room as the floor beneath them began to split in two as if Ichigo had just cut the room in half.

The surface beneath them opened up like a flower that had just come into bloom. Inside was a illuminating crystal like portal which could be mistaken for a black hole due to its captivating beauty that just sucks in your attention.

"I remember something my sister once said to you when you were sleeping. She said that she would like to live multiple lives and in those different lives she would always fall in love with you." Sorano said making Ichigo slightly blush.

"Orihime said that?"

"Yes she did l. Now the question I have for you is, are you truly deserving to be Orihime's husband? Will you in fact be able to make her fall in love with you again?" Sorano asked always watching Ichigo's facial expressions for any trace of fear or doubt.

"That explains the mysterious senkaimon that you have under your house." Ichigo said half in jest and the other in amazement.

"That's right, I'm giving you a trial for my blessing Ichigo. You will travel to another world and try to win my sister's heart. But be warned, this won't be easy not even the slightest bit." Sorano said trying to rock Ichigo's resolve.

"I will do whatever it takes to prove myself!" Ichigo replied prepared for the upcoming test he must ace.

"I see, then take these with you." Sorano said handing Ichigo a small box.

"These are!?" Ichigo said after viewing the contents of the mysterious box.

"A little gift to wish you good luck. But be warned, if you give these to her straight away, they won't do you any good. Timing is imperative for you on this challenge." Sorano said showing he didn't necessarily want Ichigo to fail.

"So, what should I be expecting here? It's an alternate reality but in what way?" Ichigo said as he mentally prepared himself.

"This world you are about to enter is going to be quite the challenge. To start with, I'm also not alive in this world. However, I died before I managed to rescue Orihime from our parents. I died in a car accident the night before we were supposed to leave."

"Wait! She's still there?!" Ichigo said remembering how pleasant her parents were the last time Ichigo had seen them.

"That's right, and because she didn't become friends with Tatsuki in this life, she's still being bullied at school. That's all I know though so be prepared for what you may see in this alternate reality." Sorano warned seeing Ichigo's expression change.

"I'll save her, I won't let her live that way! I couldn't bear to see Orihime like that!" Ichigo said preparing to travel.

"One last thing Ichigo. You won't have your soul reaper powers to rely on in this world." Sorano stated making Ichigo put his Zangetsu and combat pass on the ground.

"Not a problem, I won't need my soul reaper powers to accomplish this." Ichigo said filled to the brim with confidence.

Ichigo mentally prepared himself before travelling into the senkaimon.

"Good luck Ichigo." Sorano said as he prepared to leave.

"I'm going to save her! You can count on it." Ichigo relief as he travelled into the void of blinding light.