A/N: I'm back with this one guys. Please read and review. Thanks to all those who have reviewed so far.

Intervention

Chapter 6: Intervening

"I believe the word is yes, Deliyla, you must do this!" exclaimed Tony.

Orihime sighed. "I-I'll think about it," she stammered. "Please...give me a couple of days."

Tony shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Yes, just think about it, you always think about it. Why do you hesitate when such a big opportunity has knocked on your door?"

The healer sighed and turned to her Manager with a kind smile. "I'm sorry, Tony-san, I know that I always make you feel stressed. I don't mean to, but, my heart isn't in my work," she explained, her kind side shining through again.

After all, that was her true nature. She couldn't hide it forever.

Tony was taken aback; he had never seen her look so kind and reasonable. "I-sure."

"Please let the Director know that I will be in touch with him," she said as she paid for her drinks at the bar. "I have to go now, I'm sorry."

She walked away from him and out the exit door of the restaurant with haste; her long orange tresses flowing freely behind her due to the speed she was walking at. Tony shook his head and smiled at how lucky he was to be Deliyla's Manager.

A few minutes later, Orihime was on the footpath, walking toward her car where one of her body guards was waiting. She jumped into the back and sighed.

"Please...let's go home," she said sadly. She looked out the window and tears began to form around her eyes. She hated this life, she hated being away from all her friends. She hated making these decisions and making people stressed because of her. It just wasn't her way.

"Inoue..." said a voice next to her.

Orihime jumped backwards and hit her head on the window beside her. "Owie...." she said softly as she rubbed the back of her head. She looked up to find Ichigo's chocolate orbs staring at her.

"Kurosaki-kun...what are you doing here?" she exclaimed, finally registering that the one she truly loved was sitting next to her. "Did my body guard let you in?"

Ichigo smiled goofily whilst rubbing the back of his messy hair. "I sort of...knocked him out...are you okay?" he asked with a concerned tone as he looked away from her eyes, to where she hit her head.

Orihime's eyes widened. "Oh this? This is nothing I assure you! I have a very hard head, Kurosaki-kun," she exclaimed, waving her hands wildly above her head to make her point with an awkward laugh.

Now that's the Orihime I used to know, thought Ichigo. And instead of his usual reaction to Orihime's weird actions, he had a reminiscent smile upon his face.

The healer sighed and put her hands in her lap. I forgot, I'm different now, she thought, annoyed at herself for acting childish as she used to...and care free, which she wasn't.

Her demeanor changed and she put on her serious act as she had taught herself over and over. She turned to the one that reminded her of her previous life. "What do you want, Kurosaki-kun?" she asked, her face solemn.

Ichigo frowned at her change of expression and sighed. "Inoue, why don't you come back to Karakura Town?" asked Ichigo, smiling.

He grabbed her hand lightly. "You don't need to be a big star, you can still..."

Orihime interjected. "No, Kurosaki-kun...I'm sorry...I'm finished with that life! I will never go back, not for you, not for anyone!"

Ichigo's eyes widened. Why are you being this way Inoue? You couldn't have changed that much, don't you remember your friends? he thought.

"You can't be around me, Ichigo," said Orihime quietly, avoiding Ichigo's gaze.

It was the first time she had used his first name, but, it was necessary. He wouldn't get the point otherwise.

"You'll have to drive me home now, since my bodyguard is knocked out," she said. "Please just take me home."

Ichigo couldn't find words and instead simply nodded and got out of the car. He couldn't believe her words, it wasn't her. It was fake, he just knew it. But he wasn't going to give up.

Don't you dare, Orihime. I will find you, and I'll kill him without a thought. Tell him that you don't need him, tell him that you're finished with that life and that you won't go back for him or anyone. If you don't, I'll make you watch me rip his throat out and not even his Hollow will help him.

Orihime shook her head with tears leaking out. She had to do this, for him. She couldn't let him die. Orihime had always been the one to be protected and she had always believed in Ichigo's abilities.

However, when she had looked upon Hitori Matsuma, she knew that it was possible that he could kill him, just like when he had faced Ulquiorra. When she had ran up to the highest tower in Las Noches and saw Ulquiorra use Cero which caused a hole to form through Ichigo's chest, she couldn't bear it. Orihime wasn't going to let something like that happen to him again. Not ever.

Kurosaki-kun, I will save you. Please, let me save you.

The ride home was quiet. Ichigo had looked in the rear vision mirror, but he couldn't see her face, it was hidden. As was her feelings. Why was she being that way?

As he pulled into her massive driveway, he stopped.

"Please, Inoue," began Ichigo.

"The code is 738592," said Orihime.

The orange haired shinigami shook his head and punched in the code at the gate. The iron gates opened slowly and he pulled the car up to the front door. He was still amazed at what a life Orihime now lead.

The movie star got out of the car, pulled out her keys and opened the large double oak doors to her manor. She looked back to Ichigo and smiled kindly.

"You can come in...if you want," she said and walked inside.

Ichigo stared after her. You bet I am.

"Inoue, I'm not going to stop," said Ichigo with a scowl on his face.

Orihime kept walking to the kitchen, and Ichigo followed with a purpose.

"I know, Kurosaki-kun, but the answer will always be the same," she said as she walked up to her kettle and pressed the 'on' button. It began to boil.

She turned and leaned on her bench with an odd look upon her face.

"I can't leave without taking you home, I won't," said Ichigo, determined. He walked up to her and stopped about a metre away. "Why are you doing this?"

Orihime shook her head and her eyes widened suddenly before going back to normal.

"You have to leave, I won't stand for this, please I want you to go," she said, but Ichigo could hear beneath her tones that she was pleading.

"No," he said simply, crossing his arms over his chest.

He towered over her and walked closer. "I won't leave."

Orihime couldn't believe it. He didn't know what he was getting into. He was going to be here, he...

"You should do as she says, Kurosaki Ichigo," said a deep voice from behind the Substitute Shinigami. "You don't want to wreck this kitchen do you? I believe it cost over 30000 yen to complete and the Council approval for this area was very hard to come by, I believe."

Ichigo's eyes widened and then it all came together. That was why she wanted him to leave. He was so stupid.

"Don't bother trying to fight me, you're a human...at the moment. I bet you didn't even bring a modified soul to take you into spirit form, am I correct?" said the man.

He suddenly disappeared and appeared next to Orihime, his arm around her neck. His dark black hair cast a shadow over his face, which was very close to Orihime's. "I could snap her neck, quicker than you can come up with a plan and..."

He disappeared again and reappeared behind Ichigo with his sword sheathed against Ichigo's neck.

"And I can cut throat quicker than that," he said, looking at Orihime's wide eyes.

"No! Don't!" she exclaimed hysterically, with one of her hands in front of her to show he concern. "Please..."

"I warned you, Orihime. You didn't listen, and now..."

Orihime stepped forward, pleading with her eyes. "Please, Hitori-sama. I'm begging you, please don't!"

Hitori Matsuma smirked and looked to the quivering girl before him. He disappeared again and reappeared at the door of the kitchen. Ichigo and Orihime looked to him afraid of his next move.

"I will give you one day, and one day only. Take the job in America and leave Japan. For good. Only then will that ensure the life of the one you love, Orihime." And with that he disappeared, leaving a surprised Ichigo in his wake.

Does she...how could I...it can't be...

Orihime's eyes widened, and tears freely fell from them without so much as a sob. The fear of Ichigo dying was too much for her to bear, and that made her decision easy. She had to go. But chocolate orbs bore holes into the side of her head; she could feel his rieatsu rise.

"So, now I know. You can't hide it from me Inoue. I swore to protect you..."

"Stop! Ichigo just stop!" she exclaimed, swatting her hand in front of her so he would get her point. "I tried to avoid this. You had always protected me, this is how it has to be, Kurosaki-kun."

Ichigo sighed and moved toward Orihime, so close she could feel the heat from his skin. He towered over her once again and put his hands on her shoulders; his eyes looking straight into her grey orbs.

"I won't, Orihime, because I know the truth now. And now that I know that the reason you left was to protect me, I can protect you," said Ichigo, softly.

Orihime looked away and shook her head.

"You can't Ichigo. You don't understand..."

"I don't need to, I won't let you throw away your life for me; for anyone! I'll protect you, and I will defeat him, you'll see," exclaimed Ichigo.

Orihime kept shaking her head frantically. "No! You can't do a thing Kurosaki-kun!"

Suddenly her hair pins came to life and a shield stood in front of herself and Ichigo; his eyes full of surprise and...confusion. Orihime's eyes were downcast and full of sadness and determination. "He wants me for something, for something I don't understand. You saw his power, Kurosaki-kun. The same as Ulquiorra when we were in Las Noches and although you defeated him, you were badly injured and would have died. You kept fighting and somehow lived again, but, not this time!"

She looked at the man she loved and saw his look of frustration and confusion. "Don't worry about me," she smiled. "Please, its time for you to go back home Kurosaki-kun."

Her shield disappated and her hair pins settled on her head once more. She could tell that Ichigo was taking what she said in and nodded once before walking past her and out the door.

He was angry, and she could tell.

"I'm sorry, Kurosaki-kun...please forgive me for the pain I've caused you," she whispered to herself.

"Now we know his identity, I think we can..."

"You better have answers for me!" yelled an angry Substitute Shinigami; knocking down Kisuke's sliding doors to his living room.

All the occupants of the room looked up at him after he practically knocked the door off its slide. It was only wood and cotton after all.

"I-Ichigo? What is wrong with you?" exclaimed Rukia, and bashed him over the head with an open hand. Her face showed anger, however, she was relieved that he was here. Now they could go through their plans.

"I know who it is...who's after her..."

"Ah, before you make a fool of yourself as you usually do, we should probably let you know that we do too," said Yoruichi, with a flick of her purple hair to one side.

Ichigo's eyes widened with surprise. What, the, hell?

"You better explain right now!" he exclaimed angrily.

But a hand found its way onto Ichigo's tense upper arm, and he looked down at his best friend with confusion. "Ichigo, please, let us explain."

Ichigo looked around the room. Renji, Rukia, Yoruichi, Kisuke, the three Modified Souls, Ururu and Jinta looked over toward him with anticipation of his reaction to Rukia's pleads. They were all gathered around Kisuke's dining table, kneeling, as they enjoyed a cup of green herbal tea.

He noticed all this and simply nodded in acceptance. What did he have to lose? It just meant he didn't have to explain what had just happened an hour ago.

"His name is Hitori Matsuma and he escaped the Soul Society prison five years ago, which happens to be about three days before Orihime's disappearance, or, escape from Karakura Town," explained Yoruichi, who grabbed a glass of milk instead of a cup of tea.

Ichigo frowned. "But why does he want her? For her powers?" he asked, still thoroughly confused.

"You don't get it do you Ichigo?" asked the sassy woman. "He was a Death God; a Shinigami. In fact, he was quite well known before he had to be locked away. In fact, his zanpaku-to was somewhat special. It could mimic people's zanpaku-to abilities, which was quite useful. However, one day he found out how mimic these abilities and capture them; they could never use them again. He was named the Collector and thrown into Soul Society jail after failing to cease these actions. In fact, he was still in jail when you decided to invade Sereitei when Rukia had been captured and sentenced to death."

Ichigo took all this information in, and it was coming together. He wanted to collect Orihime's powers. But how did he even know about her?

"But, apart from his zanpaku-to, he had been blessed with amazing intuitive abilities, but because of this, his Kido abilities were very weak. He wasn't able to use any Kido without saying their incantation and even if he was able to conjure it, the spell would be very weak; almost not worth the effort. This aspect of himself didn't bother Hitori as his intuitive abilities were so great, he could practically read your mind," explained Yoruichi.

Ichigo looked away from the group for a minute. That was how he always knew so much about me and my next move...and where Inoue was and what she was thinking, which is why he's got her trapped and she feels like I can't protect her...

He wouldn't stand for this, he couldn't. She was a good friend of his and he would be damned to let her leave and do something she didn't want to do, just to protect him. He didn't want to see her like she was now; cold, indifferent, detatched and then his eyes widened. Shit, I left Ichigo at home without food!

"Rukia, I have to go, I forgot the dog. We'll talk tomorrow, see ya Renji!" exclaimed Ichigo racing out the door.

The others sighed and Rukia sweat dropped.

"I'd hate to see him be a parent," said Rukia sighing.

Renji shook his head. "Please, who would he shack up with anyway?"

Rukia stepped on her partner's toes and yelled: "You baka! You're just like Ichigo, so damn dim witted fool!"

"Hey! That's not true!" exclaimed Renji, leaning down closer to Rukia's face with narrowed eyes.

"Yes it is!" she exclaimed back with an identical expression.

Kisuke shook his head and raised his fan up to her face with his mysterious eyes shining over the top of the fan.

"Tsk, tsk. The young are so very troublesome, however. What Rukia says is true...if you cannot see who would be the mother of his children, you must be an imbecile. He will come around eventually. After he's saved the day like we all know he will, he will come to realise the truth," explained Kisuke.

"Can I wake up? That speech bored the crap outta me!" yelled Jinta.

Kisuke turned and sat in the corner sulking with a smirking Yoruichi looking down at him being a sulking idiot. She patted Jinta on the head before going out the back to bed. Ururu hadn't said a word so far, and felt it best that she didn't. After all, they were talking about emotions, which all excluded her.

After a while it was just Renji and Rukia left up.

"Well, so much for our holiday," he said, as Rukia sat in front of Renji, in between his legs. She lay her head back against the crook of his neck and kissed him on the cheek lightly.

"I guess I should apologise," she said softly.

"Yeah I think you should!" he exclaimed, putting his chin on the top of Rukia's head. God she smells good, he thought.

"Ha! Well, keep dreaming!"

They laughed together and sighed after a few minutes.

"When did you realise that I...well...you know," asked Renji.

Rukia chuckled. "I've always known, Renji. I just didn't act on it when I should have, I guess. Maybe I was around Ichigo for so long, that it clouded my feelings; made me forget what matters the most. Or maybe he made me forget that you had always been there for me when I needed you," she said, looking up into his eyes with kind smile.

Renji smirked. "Yeah. I just have to defeat your brother first, then we can make things official."

Rukia sighed. "That's not what's holding you back, Renji. You're just using it as an excuse. But no matter what he says, I...well...I love you."

Ichigo expected whimpers to be coming from his room. He had been so busy rushing up to his room, he didn't see that the dog was downstairs with his father and sisters. He came back down from his bedroom to find the German Shephard playing with Yuzu in the kitchen and his father dancing around like an idiot to entertain the dog.

"Ichigo, come here," said Ichigo, and the dog obediently came toward his new master, panting and yapping at a sitting position in front of the shinigami.

Isshin immediately stopped his movements and Yuzu looked to Ichigo oddly. "H-his name is Ichigo?" asked his father, serious for a change.

Ichigo nodded. "Yeah, what of it?"

His father sighed. "It isn't exactly a popular name..."

"Look, I don't have time for these games, Dad, is he fed?" he asked, grumpy as usual.

Isshin nodded. "Karin fed him earlier! Isn't she just so kind! She even bought him a doggy tray for him to do his business!" exclaimed Isshin, dancing around like a mad man, before stopping in front of the portrait of his wife, Masaki. "Oh Masaki! We have a new member of the family, a dog named Ichigo! Our first pet!"

Ichigo's brow twitched in anger. "Dad, that talking in front of mum's picture is so lame..."

His father narrowed his eyes. "So, where did you get the dog from?"

Ichigo picked up the dog and cuddled it closely. "A friend...she, can't look after him right now, so I sort of offered. Its only temporary, of that I am certain," explained Ichigo, with determination in his eyes.

Isshin always loved seeing that look on his son's face; it reminded him of what he used to look like once upon a time.

"Hn. I hope you know what you're doing, Ichigo. I don't want to have to intervene again..." began Isshin.

"Tch. Don't start, I didn't ask you to come and join..." began Ichigo, before whispering with one hand to one side of his mouth. "...the fight with Aizen, besides, that was ages ago."

Isshin chuckled and suddenly his foot was lodged into Ichigo's stomach. His son fell to the ground, but not before sweep kicking his father to the ground. Ichigo was on his feet and he carried his puppy to the bedroom.

His father watched him go with a stern look upon his face. He got up, picked up the house phone and began to dial a number he hadn't dialed in some time.

"Well, now you'll get the girl of your dreams, just like you wanted, right?" said a girl with orange hair, now tied up into a half pony tail. A smile upon her face, however, it was strained.

Greg, a very attractive man with short blonde hair, nodded. But something just wasn't right with this.

"Yeah, I guess so. With your help, Luce of course...well, I'll see you later Lucy?" he asked.

Lucy shook her head. "I got offered a job in Monticeto. And there's nothing left here for me really to stay for...so, bye!" she exclaimed, hugging Greg and running off.

Greg watched her go and began thinking that if things had been different, it could be Lucy he could be going out with.

"Look, you don't even like me for me, do you?" asked Greg.

A chuckle came from the woman and she raised an eye brow. "Of course I do! But you're a bit different to how I thought you were on our dates. I mean, you're messy, you watch too much sport and you worry about me too much. I mean, I want a guy who is not too attached, but, is sensitive and caring to my needs as a woman," explained the girl.

Greg frowned. You're not what I expected either, Lucy...did I make a mistake?

"So in other words, I have to be how you choose?" he exclaimed. "I'm sorry Emma, but, I can't be with you. I...just decided then I don't even like you. Besides, I love someone else and I've gotta run cos she's going to be leaving in...shit! One hour!"

He left the confused girl to stare after him. She regretted her words, but, it couldn't be helped.

"Flight J09T1 will be leaving in thirty minutes and check in time has closed. Please make your way to gate 112 for boarding."

Greg raced into the crowds and toward the gate he needed. He knew that she was going to be catching this flight because her best friend had told him. "Damn it!" he said to himself, before spotting bright orange hair about three people to the front of the boarding line where they place their tickets with a stewardess.

"Lucy!" he yelled at the top of his voice. Her head turned and she gasped with surprise and...embarrassment. Everyone looked at the couple, curious as to what might be going on. "Lucy!"

He raced and caught up to her and stood in front of her so she couldn't get to the stewardess to give her ticket.

"No, please, just listen to me. I was talking to Emma and I realised that I didn't like anything about her, I guess I never have. You know everything about me and I didn't need to act a certain way for you to accept me and...well, just please don't go!" he exclaimed with his hands upon her shoulders.

However, he eyes were downcast and she shook her head. "But, how could you possibly like me? I mean...you've always....liked women with better fashion, with make up and high heels and everything that's not me!"

Lucy looked up into Greg's eyes and could see determination. "Lucy, I don't like you."

Lucy's eyes widened and tears began to fall freely from her eyes. Of course he couldn't possibly like me, what was I thinking?

"I love you," he said, leaning his face down to Lucy's lips and capturing them with passion and want.

CLICK

The screen flickered off and Ichigo sighed. It was odd to see Orihime in such a position...kissing someone. She was a very good actor; it really did look like she wanted him. She closed her eyes and deepened the kiss like she was in love with that blonde idiot.

Although Ichigo didn't realise, what he felt was jealousy. However, he boiled it down to the fact that the guy was just an idiot and he just didn't like the look of the man, that was all.

Ichigo turned to his dog and watched as it panted and looked up into Ichigo's chocolate orbs for any signs or hope that he might play with him.

"Tch. What did Inoue used to do with you?" he asked, patting Ichigo on the head lightly. "She must be missing you boy."

And as the night bore on, he had completely forgotten about something important that Hitori Matsuma had disclosed to him earlier. Orihime was in love with Ichigo, but the said man was suppressing this and was too interested in saving her, to think about things like romance. Because it scared him. He had been surprised when Hitori had blurted Orihime's secret feelings, but, was more surprised at the fact that he was sort of glad that she loved him. He didn't understand why, but he just was. Maybe that was why this piece of information had completely slipped his mind.

"Ichigo, do you wanna sleep at the end of my bed tonight boy?" asked Ichigo to the dog.

The dog whimpered and jumped around a bit, but, placed itself at the end of the bed after a while. He kept looking to Ichigo to make sure he wasn't going to leave and closed its cute eyes slowly.

Ichigo kept watching for a while before getting under the covers. He sighed loudly, crossing his arms at the head of the bed.

I won't let you leave, Inoue. And I'm sorry that I didn't figure out before that the reason you left was because of Hitori Matsuma. I'll show you that I can protect you, he thought before laying down flat on his back.

His chocolate orbs faced the ceiling with a scowl upon his face. He wanted these battles to end and this was going to be the last. He had Uni tomorrow, but, after that he would go back to see her.

"Now that we're alone, I think that I should tell you I'm very close," said Matsuma with a smirk upon his face. He walked up to Orihime and grabbed a piece of her soft orange locks and began to play with it.

Orihime flinched but didn't push his hand away. She was too afraid.

"Also, I should also let you know that the process to gain your power will most likely kill you, but don't fret, you'll probably go up to Soul Society and will be able to start your life up there again," he said, putting his hand to his side and walked toward her bedroom door.

Orihime Inoue's eyes widened. I'm...going...to die? She began to shake with fear and tears fell from her eyes.

"But if you sacrifice yourself for my needs, I will keep my promise and won't kill your boyfriend. However, the deal is off if you even speak to him again. He's going to try and stop you from moving away again but I'll be watching."

He disappeared and Orihime was once again alone. She missed her little Ichigo but knew that Ichigo would take care of him. The healer was scared out of her mind, but this was the only way. Ichigo had pretty much sacrificed his life for her, so she would do the same.

A/N: Hi, that's it for now. Thanks to those who have reviewed so far, I hope you liked this one. Please review this one too.

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