I'm sick... again. It really sucks cause I hate being sick. But meh. I can't really do much about it. Anyways, enjoy :)
Thank you to the 4 reviewers. Hopefully I get more coming in soon :)
Also, this story takes place between the SS arc and the Arrancar arc. Just so no one's confused.
"Tatsuki-chan, I don't want to tell him!"
"Baka! Rukia isn't here, right? Now's your chance! What if she comes back sooner than she's supposed to? I don't want to see you get hurt because you were too scared to tell him. If she's not here, what's stopping you from telling him?"
"What if he doesn't feel the same way? I'd rather keep my feelings a secret than lose our friendship. I treasure it too much. If I ruin it, I'll never be able to live it down! I don't want him leaving me."
"That's my point Orihime! You won't know until you try! Wouldn't you rather tell him than look back on this moment and think 'what if?' At least he'll know. He may not return your feelings right away because he's so dense, but it will open his eyes!"
Staring at her best friend, Orihime could only ponder her words. She did have a point. And Tatsuki did know Ichigo since they were children. She would know him better than anyone.
But why did she still feel hesitant?
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.
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She was a coward.
Why else would she have fallen into the river, not knowing she was standing so close? Why did she run from the love of her life just because he remained silent? Tatsuki did have a point; Ichigo was dense. In the time she's known him, he's never shown interest towards any girl.
Including Rukia.
Even if he did love her more than a friend, he wouldn't have realized it until much later. He's so busy being a shinigami. He also has school work, family, and after school clubs. He was just as busy as she was. The only difference was that she made time to think about boys...
Well.. Only Ichigo.
No other boy got her attention the way Ichigo did. Not only would it infuriate them, it would cause them to try and pick fights with Ichigo.
But why she was thinking of these things, she was unsure. After all, it didn't matter.
When death was waiting on the other side for her.
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Ichigo tried keeping his mind calm. Panicing in a crisis like this wouldn't make things any better. It would only make things worse. Having Zangetsu on his back only weighted him down, but he was determined to save Orihime.
He didn't want to lose yet another person on a rainy night.
Not when he had the power to save her.
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His mother always picked him up from karate. After learning that Tatsuki went to the same school, he begged his mother to let him keep going to his lessons.
She could only chuckle at his pleading. "And why do you want to go back when Tatsuki-chan keeps beating you?"
He then wore a determined look. "Because I want to protect the people I care about! Including you okaa-san! No one will ever hurt you. I will get stronger! So that way I can protect you!"
She smiled. "Ichigo, you don't have to protect me. It's a mother's job to protect her children. Besides, you should only say that to a girl that you will find and love one day. Don't just get stronger for me. Get stronger for that one girl you will swear to protect with your life."
He nodded before grabbing his mother's hand.
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He finally caught up with her body. Without hesitating, he grabbed her waist and pulled her against his chest. As fast as he could, Ichigo brought his head above water, not wanting to drown from lack of air. He did his best to keep her above the water too, but the currents were going faster.
If they stayed in the water any longer, both of them would end up dying.
He wasn't sure how far down the river they had gone. All he knew was he had to get Orihime to land. She was so cold against his body. She wouldn't have long to live.
He saw a rock just ahead of them. An idea hit him and with his other hand, he pulled Zangetsu off his back. The bandages fell off and he started to spin his zanpakutou. Ichigo then threw Zangetsu, making sure to hold onto the bandage, and it had landed in the rock.
With all his strength, he began pulling himself and Orihime towards the shore. The currents were trying to keep them in the water, but Ichigo's determination and strong will kept them from going below the fierce depths.
When they reached the rock, Ichigo held onto Zangetsu's hilt as he lifted both of them out of the water. Panting, Ichigo stayed on his knees as his body began to shake. He wasn't sure if it was the cold or because he was scared of losing Orihime, but that didn't matter to him. Her face was getting whiter and she was barely breathing.
Without looking back, he began to run to his place, with the sleeping princess in his arms.
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A/N: I'm going to stop it here. I know, I know. Feel free to shoot me for another Cliff hanger. XD
I thought it would be a good place to end it. I wanted to add in another memory for Ichigo, but I think that memory is better suited for the next chapter.
I'll try updating once a week, or maybe more. Depending on my mood. But since I am sick again, It will mean that I will be more lazy.
Reviews are lovely :)