AN: I might as well update while I have the energy for it! I do not own Bleach or any of its characters.
Chapter 24 Orihime's Point of View
"Orihime…" Ichigo's voice is faint.
What have I done? What did I do to Uryuu? What's wrong with me?
I wrap my arms around myself as Ichigo comes closer. Tears well in my eyes as I let out an unwilling sob, "What's wrong with me, Ichigo?" His expression falters at my question. I dare to look over at Uryuu and find Rukia checking his pulse. "Is he…dead?" I ask hesitantly. Rukia shakes her head. "But we better get him to a hospital. Renji come on."
Rukia and Renji leave with Uryuu draped around them. I look down and see that he had managed to break the chains off. This was Senna's plan all along. She planned to change me into a vampire this whole time. This is why she told Ichigo to bring Uryuu, so the transformation would be complete. She knew I had Ichigo's blood in my system still and even if I didn't, she could have easily given me some of hers.
"Orihime," Ichigo says gently as he touches my shoulder. I jump at his touch and back away. "Please don't be afraid of me." He rips a piece off his coat and dabs my mouth with it, trying to remove Uryuu's blood. After a minute of silence, he says very quietly, "Please don't hate me." My eyes widen at his words. I look over at him and see that he has fallen to his knees, one hand grasping his hair, covering the majority of his face. However, I can still see the tears falling.
I scoot closer to him, tentatively reaching out to him. As if he were to sense me, he slowly looks up. I reach out and cup his face in my hands. Tears still fall from his eyes and I wipe them away with my thumbs. "Why would you say that?" I ask, my own tears spilling over.
He covers one of my hands with his before saying, "None of this would have happened if I just stayed away from you. If I just let you live your life, everything would be fine right now. Uryuu wouldn't have been hurt and you…You wouldn't be a vampire now. You wouldn't be dead." He looks away from me as he says that last sentence.
I feel my tears fall faster as his words sink in. I take a few shaky breaths before starting, "Maybe that's true; but even though I don't want to be dead, I am. There is nothing we can do about that now. But Ichigo, the thought of not meeting you, the thought of not getting to know you and falling in love with you…that is more heartbreaking and terrifying to me.
I don't know what I'm going to do now but I know I'll make it if I have you by my side. Of course, you're not obligated to stay with me but-" Ichigo cuts me off with a gentle kiss. He pulls away and says quietly, "Of course I'll be by your side, always. There is no doubt about it. Come on, let's get you home, you must be tired and there is much to show you."
I smile tenderly at him as I take his outstretched hand. We stand in unison and slowly make our way out of the dungeon. When we reach surface level, I notice that the sun has risen. I yelp as a ray of light hits my skin. I cower back into the shadows. Ichigo's face falls as he realizes that I can't go out into the sun anymore.
"I'll need to see my mother, have her enchant an item for you so you can be out during daylight hours," Ichigo says as he follows me to the dungeon entrance. I whisper, "Maybe it's better if I can't go out during the day. I don't know if I'll be able to control the thirst. I wasn't able to stop myself from drinking from Uryuu and he's my friend! I never thought I would hurt him."
Suddenly, I feel Ichigo's hands on my face; he's wiping away my tears, occasionally stroking my cheek. I sob gently and exclaim, "Why am I crying so much. I know I've always been sensitive but this is too much. It hurts so bad Ichigo!" He pulls me to him, cradling me as I sob into his chest. "I'm sorry, Orihime. I never wanted you to go through this. You're feeling things more deeply now. I'm sorry I can't help you anymore than this…"
Ichigo's Point of View
The hours pass with Orihime in my arms; she ended up crying herself to sleep. I see that the sun is setting and stand with Orihime in my arms. "Ichigo, wait." I turn around and find Rukia a few feet away. "Rukia, how's Uryuu?" "Stable. Renji is staying at the hospital with him." I nod, letting a small breath of relief out. I'm not sure if Orihime would be able to cope with Uryuu not surviving.
"Rukia, I'm going to drop Orihime off at her home. Would you mind taking care of her? I need to visit my family for a few days." I look down at Orihime, she finally seems to be resting. "Alright, I'll catch up in a few, I need to grab some things from my place first." I nod and we part in different directions.
When I reach Orihime's place I wake her. She asks meekly, "Where are we?" I answer as I set her down, "At your home." I notice her eyes well up but she quickly shakes her head and searches her pocket. She says sarcastically, "I still have my key despite all that happened."
Once we enter, she exclaims, "I need a shower. Make yourself at home." I wait patiently in her living room, thinking of how to tell her that I'll be gone for a few days.
She comes out a few minutes later, sighing, "What am I going to do now? I can't go to my job anymore, how am I going to pay my rent?" She plops down next to me and rests her head on my shoulder. "Orihime, there's something I need to tell you." "Hm?" She murmurs as she reaches for my hand. She laces our fingers together as I continue, "I need to go to my hometown for a few days. Rukia said she'll stay with you until I'm back."
"Why can't I go with you?" She asks quietly as she lets her thumb circle the top of my hand. "It's too dangerous. My family lives in a town where vampires aren't welcome. I have to sneak in and out of there and I'd rather not put you through that danger."
"Why are you going and why hasn't your family moved to a safer town?" Orihime asks, more alert now. I stand and look away from her as I answer, "Remember how I told you my mother spelled two items? The second item was in case I found someone I could be with for eternity…I didn't think I'd ever find someone like that so I left it with her. And…they're safer there. If other vampires found out that my mother and sisters were witches, they'd be in danger all the time. At least in that town they're safe. I couldn't ask them to give up their safety for me. For a…" I drift off at the end, not wanting to use the word monster.
"You're not a monster, Ichigo. You are more human than some people I knew. You are selfless, and kind." Orihime stands and hugs me from behind. She whispers, "Just promise me, you'll come back to me." I smile to myself before turning around to kiss her forehead. "I promise," I whisper back as a knock sounds her door.
I pull away and hold her hand for a few moments before opening the door. I wave goodbye to both Rukia and Orihime before heading off to my old hometown.
AN: That last bit kind of makes me want to end this in an angsty manner but I kind of also want a happy ending:3 thoughts? Anyway, I hope you enjoy the chapter. Please review.