ATTENTION: Hi, guys! You're going to love today's word!
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of its characters.
April 6, 2009
Aegis, \ee-jis\, noun
a shield; protection
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"Hey, guys, look! It's that stupid girl with that stupid orange hair!"
"Yeah, I remember her! We cut it all off, didn't we? I wonder how it grew back so fast."
"She probably got extensions! We should go over there and rip them out of her skull!"
The three bullies approached Orihime, who stood there, stunned, not knowing what to do.
This can't happen again, she thought. But I'm bigger now! I can take 'em!
Just before the three cowards reached their destination point, Ichigo blocked there path before Orihime would have to live through the same horror again.
As the bullies stood there with anger written on their faces, Ichigo gave them his signature scowl. "You bastards better be leave."
I can fight! Ichigo doesn't need to protect me anymore!
Orihime felt her arm in pain.
All around Ichigo, he couldn't hear anything but the cries of a princess. Horror loved its new residence.
She's not frightened, thought Ichigo. She's not... sc-scared....
Ichigo? Is that really you, Ichigo? Orihime silently acknowledged that no matter what, Ichigo is Ichigo, and she didn't care how he looked in color, shape, or form. He's still Ichigo... Aren't you?
Ichigo fell into insanity by the second. Orihime, I wish I could tell you! I did this for you! To protect you!
Ichigo wanted to scream. He looked into her eyes with unimaginable softness; tender love. But he couldn't be her prince without looking like this while wearing his hollow mask, nor did he feel he could embrace her while looking like a monster. But looking into her eyes, he still saw the warmth and love he always did, enveloping him in emotions that he couldn't feel for anybody but... her.
The sixth espada fired his ceros, and Ichigo once again became her shield.
She couldn't do it. She just couldn't do it. There was no way she could do it, even if she lived five, long lifetimes.
She felt her heart crumble, until it was nothing. The man she loved was so close, yet so far away...
She loved the way he always scowled. She loved it even more when he smiled. She loved the way he smelled; "Just like strawberries," she thought; and she loved the way he felt, touching his hand just one more time. She loved his hair; she loved his eyes; but most of all, she loved his heart.
"Goodbye... Ichigo. Thank you."
And this was the way she was his shield.
It was over. It was all finally over. No more arrancar, no more Aizen, no more fighting.
Orihime, pulling herself up and lifting a weight from on top of her body, turned to see the outcome of the Winter War. The shinigami took their hand in victory. Rejoicing, Orihime turned to Ichigo, only to find his eyes closed and a fading pulse....
Crawling on her all fours, Orihime hugged Ichigo's lifeless form, tears streaking down her face, burying her head in his chest.
"W-wh-why-why a-a-are y-you c-cr-cry-crying....?
A/N: So, how did you like it? I am absolutely in love with it! Although I did borrow from the manga (scenes 2-4), I added something special! Also, for the record, I did switch some things that were to be in numerical order, so, just letting you know. :)
