Gently, Ichigo pulled Aizen's blade out of her stomach. He looked into her eyes. Once filled with life now showed nothing.
"Orihime, why?"
Her hand slowly wiped the tear stained blood off his face. Her own tears falling slowly to the ground.
"For my family."
"Someone help!"
"I do not fear death."
"Orihime, do not speak like that."
"I am so glad to have known you, Ichi-"
Ichigo took her in his arms, letting out a loud scream as her body fell limp in his arms. He continued to scream as his father came to his side.
"Ichigo"
"All I wanted to do was protect her. Keep her out of harms way."
"Ichigo let her go. There is nothing you can do now."
"Orihime." Ichigo wept, "I will save you."
Isshin took Orihime out of his son's arms,
"We can try, Ichigo. Her wound is deep."
"Please."
Orihime was rushed to the healing house, leaving him staring at her blood on his hands.
The familiar laugh of Aizen made Ichigo turn towards his direction. Aizen lay in a pool of blood not too far from where Ichigo sat. Pulling his knife out, Ichigo slowly walked up to Aizen.
Kneeling on top of his chest, he stared down his nemesis.
"She will die."
"You will die first, Aizen."
"I am a god, and can not be stopped."
Ichigo showed no emotion as he drew his blade across Aizen's throat. Blood sprayed out of the deep wound.
"The only difference between you and a god." Ichigo rose to his feet, "You can bleed."
Lower ranked samurai began the task of body removal.
"Lieutenant Kurosaki-san, what of Aizen?"
Ichigo pulled his katana out of Aizen's chest, "Burn him with the others."
Hours went by, but they seemed like centuries to Ichigo before news of Orihime reached him.
"She is alive, for now."
"Thank you Captain Ichimaru."
"Go home, Ichigo. She is in the hands of the gods now."
"Can I see her?"
"For a few minutes. She needs the rest."
Her room was dark. Bandages covered every wound. Ichigo took her hand into his and held it gently. Tears welled up in his eye as he watched her breathing.
"Orihime, can you hear me?"
"The doctor gave her a sleep tonic. She can not hear you."
Ichigo caressed her cheek.
"Funny how one person can change your life?"
"Love finds everyone."
"You remember."
"Mom always said that. It is really all I can remember her saying."
"She would be so proud of you, Ichigo."
"No dad. I failed her. I did not protect her."
"It was not your fault. You were just a child."
"Not mom. I failed to protect Orihime."
Isshin sat next to his son. He placed his hand on Ichigo's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"She is a rare beauty."
"I do not deserve her love."
"Yes you do. She needs you just as much as you need her. Let in her love, Ichigo."
It had been days since Aizen's vicious attack against Orihime. Ichigo's constant vigil was noticed by everyone who passed her room.
"Orihime, thank you."
He leaned down and softly kissed her parted lips, causing her to stir.
"Ichi-"
"Do not speak. You need your strength."
"Aizen. Where are Aizen and Momo?"
"Aizen is dead. Momo is in custody"
Ichigo stood up and began pacing the room. The clanking of his katana against his armor disrupted his thinking.
"Ichi-."
"I…I."
"Ichigo."
"I can not…"
He let out a long sigh as he sat next to her. "Ichigo?"
"Did you know you stole my heart?"
"Ichi-"
"I have never felt as alive as I do when we are together, yet it hurts when we are apart."
Orihime slowly sat up in her bed. Wincing a bit from the pain.
"Is this what love feels like?"
"I am not the person you think you love."
"I love you for who you are, Ichigo. I love the man who makes me laugh. The smile on your face when I answer the door. I love the way you look at me in a crowded room. The way you hold my hand. I love everything about you."
"I love you, Orihime. I love the kindness of your heart towards the children. I love watching you dance, like you are dancing only for me. I even love bean paste on my sushi. The way you look at me with your beautiful eyes, makes my heart love you more. But I am scared."
"Scared of what?"
"Loosing you. Being alone again when you are gone"
Orihime leaned towards Ichigo,
"I will always be in your heart."
"Orihime."
"Ichigo."
Their lips collided into a passionate kiss. With each passing second, the love from Orihime flowed into Ichigo's soul, forever binding them. As their kiss continued, her free hand snaked through his hair, lightly tugging as he kissed her deeper. He gently pulled her closer to his body, not letting go for a moment to adjust his position.
Matsumoto and Isshin watched from the doorway.
"They will be fine."
"Just like his mother and I were at their age."