Disclaimer: Forgot this with the first one so…I don't own Bleach or anything pertaining to it, just this humble work of writing.
The Lighthouse's Tale
I am a lighthouse, worn by the weather and the waves…I keep my lamp lit to warn the sailors on their way…
I'll tell a story, paint you a picture from my past…
I was so happy, but joy in this life seldom lasts…
It was just one of those nights. The sky cried against her window, not with lightning and thunderous roars, but quietly. Desolately.
Her apartment was cold. The thermostat was but a few feet away, but forced heat would have felt false somehow. The lights were off, the only illumination a haunting glow coming from the streetlamps below outside.
She lay on her futon in the middle of the room, staring at the ceiling. Her hand reached out to the side to once more pluck up the picture frame she couldn't stop staring at again and again. She summoned a smile—it was a sunset snapshot, taken at the river that was the source of so many childhood adventures.
Ichigo looked out to the left of the frame, staring at the dying sun that lurked out of the shot, the light sending his golden hair into a blaze. Rukia stood next to him, a smaller figure but no less imposing. It wasn't an awfully close shot, but the striking blue of her eyes was still caught as she gazed into the distance with Ichigo.
His left hand was lightly combing through her hair.
And Uryuu…dear Uryuu had been the only one aware that a click-happy camera-bandit had snuck up on them and was about to capture the moment. He had been admiring the sunset as well, but had turned and looked straight at her.
Even in a moment of idleness, once he realized she was present, he could never seem to hide the stark longing in his eyes.
But she was oblivious to it at the time. After all, where Uryuu was the moon, Ichigo was the sun, and everyone knows that the sun shines so much brighter…
"Oh, Ichigo…" breathed Orihime.
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I had a keeper, he helped me warn the ships at sea…We had grown closer, 'til his joy meant everything to me…
Without Ichigo Kurosaki, Orihime's powers wouldn't have been triggered into bloom, and without her powerful Shun Shun Rikka, she wouldn't have been able to protect her loved ones. In the early days, she hadn't been entirely successful at protecting them, but it was so much better than nothing! Tatsuki would have been lost…
Then there was the rescue mission into the Soul Society. She had saved the arm of the kind giant Jidanbo with her healing abilities. And Uryuu had fought so hard and bravely once they'd infiltrated the Seireitei, but when that madman Captain Kurotsuchi had ambushed them with an explosion, Orihime had shielded them from harm thanks to her powers.
And after that ordeal was over and the next one came—the Arrancar—Ichigo had defended her, his friend and comrade. And Ichigo and her beloved friends from both Karakura and the Soul Society had banded together to retrieve her from the cold barrenness that was Hueco Mundo.
Ichigo had protected her and given her the means to help others. Once they had been merely classmates, with their closest connection being that her brother had been treated and died at the Kurosaki Clinic. After Seireitei and Hueco Mundo, they weren't as close as Orihime had longed for, but she knew that they had a solid relationship now based on friendship and being comrades in arms.
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And he was to marry a girl who shone with beauty and light…They loved each other, and with me watched the sunsets into night…
They had always felt something for each other. Orihime was convinced that it was friendship at first—neither was the type to plunge headfirst into love—but that caring and loyalty and unswerving devotion had developed into something precious that couldn't be denied. Not by them—though God know how they stubbornly tried!—or by anyone who knew them.
The sunset photograph, taken shortly after they'd finally steeled themselves and admitted their affections, was further proof of their quiet desire.
And when Ichigo hosted a party at his home (shocking everyone, as Ichigo was as far from a party animal as one could get) and took Rukia into another room (because even then, he was nervous and uncertain, and if she said no, he could just say he'd thrown a party for the heck of it, then go soothe his broken heart with alcohol), no one was surprised at the result.
A simple silver engagement band, and two young lovers blushing quietly with happiness.
Orihime had known for years that she had lost…but it was that moment where she was convinced she could hear her hope snap in two.
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And the waves crashing around me…The sand slips out to sea…And the winds that blow remind me of what has been…
And what could never be…
Orihime had told Rukia a few years before that no, she was no longer in love with Ichigo. She hadn't lied to Rukia—Orihime wondered if her feelings hadn't been more admiration and infatuation as opposed to true love.
But it still hurt when Rukia asked Orihime to be Maid of Honor.
"Nii-sama wants to give us a traditional Kuchiki wedding, though it'll be smaller than others have been, thank the gods…but I've heard of this Western custom of the Real World's, this appointment of Maids of Honor and Best Men, so I wanted to incorporate that. If you wouldn't be too uncomfortable with it, would you please be my Maid of Honor?"
At that moment, Orihime would have given anything to be able to refuse. But in the next moment, she realized the gesture might be the best wedding gift she could give them: a sign that she fully supported their choice to build a life together, a move that said she was ready to let go.
"Of course, Kuchiki-san. I'd be honored to be your Maid of Honor!" Her forced giggle at her pun turned into a real one as her friend gave her a relieved and radiant smile.
"Orihime, it's about time you just called me 'Rukia.' "
And so she was seated behind Rukia on the wedding day, clad in a soft pink kimono, with Karin and Yuzu Kurosaki next to her as flower girls. Renji, Chad, and Uryuu knelt across from them as Ichigo's best men. Orihime held quiet tears in her eyes as Ichigo and Rukia said their vows to the priest, a mix of happiness and grief.
She still longed for what could never come to pass, but she had become strong over the years. She would get through this.
And yet again, she was oblivious to Uryuu's gaze.
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She'd had to leave us; my keeper, he prayed for her safe return…
A month after the wedding, Rukia was called back to Seireitei.
"There's an influx of Hollows in the east, quite powerful ones. The Thirteenth and Eighth Divisions have been tapped to put them down. It's being seen as overkill by some, but better safe than sorry."
"I'm going with you," Ichigo said sternly.
"Ichigo—"
"I'm going to be Captain of Thirteenth shortly anyway." Ukitake had always been stubborn about talk of retirement in the face of his poor health, but now felt he could safely leave his division in the hands of Isshin Kurosaki's son. "Why shouldn't I show my division I can lead them in battle?"
"You're just being overprotective of me! Besides, it hasn't been all that long since I've been the Thirteenth's Lieutenant-Captain, I can't have them thinking I'm so weak I have to depend on my husband!"
Ichigo nuzzled her cheek. "How's about this? I take a group and fight; you take a group and fight, and never the two shall meet until the battle's over." When his love still looked unhappy, he said, "Hey, final offer, Rukia. You can kick ass later if people say stuff that hurts your pride, but if I have to choose between your pride and your life, I want you to stay alive. We've made it this far. I could never stand to lose you, and I especially can't now."
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But when the night came, the weather to a raging storm had turned…
Ichigo's unit had more or less squelched the Hollows in the southeast of Rukongai. Before anyone could celebrate, a Hell Butterfly sped down through the ranks of dirty, bloodied Soul Reapers and perched on Ichigo's shoulder.
All units to the northeast, repeat, all units to the northeast! Lieutenant-Captain Kurosaki's unit is under siege…
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He watched her ship fight, but in vain against the wild and terrible wind…In me so helpless, as dashed against the rocks she met her end…
Chaos. Blood. Screams. Rukia's unit was being savaged.
And in the middle of all the carnage was Sode no Shirayuki twirling in Rukia's hands, the radiant white blade freezing and dispelling Hollows left and right.
Ichigo was suddenly so proud as he raced toward his wife. What's she talking about? She would never have been made lieutenant if she wasn't a great fighter on her own!
A clawed paw flashed out of nowhere and caught Rukia, trapping her arms and torso and hoisting her into the air. The invisible Hollow quickly materialized into lanky arms and legs and swiveling black-pupiled eyes and luminescent skin.
Ichigo flash-stepped faster than light, a voice in his mind roaring NO.
Claws sunk into Rukia's chest.
The Hollow disintegrated under the blow from Ichigo's Zangetsu.
But the words that slammed over and over around Ichigo's head as he held his dying wife in his arms were too late.
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And the waves crashing around me
The sand slips out to sea
And the winds that blow remind me
Of what has been and what can never be
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Ichigo would never have Rukia by his side as his Lieutenant-Captain.
Ichigo would never have children with Rukia.
Ichigo would never wake up with Rukia's sweet face nuzzled into the crook of his shoulder.
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Then on the next day, my keeper found her washed up on the shore…He kissed her cold face, and that they'd be together soon he swore
I saw him crying, watched as he buried her in the sand…
The memorial service had been brief. Byakuya had arranged a grave next to Hisana, his wife and Rukia's sister. When the emotionless man had stared at the small headstone, a flash of unimaginable pain came across his face before he turned and strode off. He couldn't bear burying yet another woman close to him. Renji followed his captain, devastated at the realization that he was now the only surviving member of the childhood Inuzuri gang left.
The mourners slowly dispersed, leaving only the Karakura gang left. Yoruichi finally beckoned Chad and Uryuu away to give Ichigo privacy. Orihime lingered a moment.
"Ichigo…I'm so sorry." She fought to keep her voice from cracking. "If there's anything you need…if you ever want to talk…"
For a moment it seemed as though he hadn't heard her. Then:
"…I just thought of something, Orihime."
She waited.
"My mother died protecting me from the Grand Fisher. And now Rukia…heh.
"It seems as though Kurosaki men are destined to have their wives die by the hands of Hollows."
As he lay on their bed that night, staring up at the dark ceiling, Ichigo was faced with the tragic conclusion that Rukia was not the only one who had died.
So why should he behave as though he were among the living?
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Aizen.
It was Aizen's doing.
People had said that the Winter Wars had never truly ended, because the man behind it all, Sosuke Aizen, had never been confirmed dead. Hueco Mundo was ravaged, the Arrancar forces laid waste, and Aizen's fortress razed to the ground, but his body had never been recovered. Some thought Aizen's carcass had been rendered completely unidentifiable, but with the rising population of powerful Hollows, people had started to wonder.
A day after the Eastern Skirmish, a scroll was sent to Commander-General Yamamoto, reeking of Aizen's reiatsu and claiming responsibility for the attack.
Two weeks after, the Soul Society had pinpointed Aizen's new headquarters in Hueco Mundo. In the years since the Winter Wars, he'd managed to replenish his forces to twice their original strength, and was well under way to lay siege to Soul Society.
But where Aizen no had numbers he hadn't possessed before, Seireitei now had an advantage they'd lacked the first time around.
Ichigo Kurosaki, with absolutely nothing to lose.
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Then he climbed my tower, and off the edge of me he ran…
Seireitei flung itself headlong at Aizen. They were going to finish this once and for all or completely perish in the attempt. Neither world would ever be safe so long as that bastard breathed. Soul Reapers rammed their way into the fortress, hacking through the traitorous ex-captain's superior numbers, thirsting for blood after the underhanded Eastern Skirmish. A small contingent of soldiers had been left to guard Seireitei, leaving every single Court Guard Captain to sweep into Hueco Mundo, sending a wave of vengeance and rage whipping through the ranks of Arrancars.
But the ones who were truly unstoppable were the ones who fought in Rukia Kurosaki's name. Renji cut down Hollows like so much wheat in the fields with Zabimaru; Uryuu and Chad pierced and rammed down the enemy before they knew what him them; Yoruichi Shihoin and Kisuke Urahara had been called in to, respectively, aid the Special Forces and bring in new weapons to fight Aizen. Even Orihime joined the fray, acting as both field nurse to her band and to shield and attack.
No one dared get in Ichigo's way.
"It was so surreal," Orihime would later say dazedly, after it was all over.
She was a few yards away, her hands on Uryuu's chest, trying to dam the blood pouring out as he lay propped up against a pillar. She looked up—and saw Ichigo, with Tensa Zangetsu welded to his hand, his black coat flapping behind him as he ran at a stone dais, gunning for Aizen at the top.
Aizen's handsome face twisted into a savage mask. He had the Hogyoku in his hands. Once he'd realized this could very well be the end of him if he didn't take desperate action, he'd been trying to use it to turn himself into an Arrancar. Light shot from the shining orb—he was going to succeed in mere seconds.
Suddenly, a white mask appeared on Ichigo's face. His bankai flashed.
A jagged line went from Aizen's right shoulder to his left hip, leaving a yawning would in his chest. Aizen wore a look of unbelievable shock on his face. The Hogyoku tumbled.
Ichigo took a second to watch the lifeblood flood out of the man who cost him his wife's life. Then he raised his sword as if to skewer the Hogyoku like an olive.
The mask glowed. "King? Oi, King, what the hell are you doing?" came an ugly, distorted voice.
Ichigo's voice growled, "For once, I'm glad you were born in me."
"What the hell are you doing?!"
"Finishing this." Orihime could have sworn she heard him whisper, "I'm coming, sweetheart."
And he slammed Tensa Zangetsu into the Hogyoku.
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After the wave of light, and the silence, and the shock, Orihime suddenly woke as if from a dream state to find herself with Ichigo's head in her lap and Uryuu's hand gripping Ichigo's as if the connection was the sole thing keeping the orange-maned warrior tied to life.
It probably was.
"I-Ichi-go—" Why couldn't she control her breathing? Was she crying? "—wh-what happen-ned?"
"My…inner Hollow…" God, his brown eyes were already glazing over in death. "Sacrificed the bastard…for power…destroy…it."
He shifted his head to Uryuu. "Oi…take care…of my family…please?"
Uryuu nodded. He looked like if he opened his mouth to say anything, he'd just cry.
"…'Hime…"
Orihime watched tears roll down his face. Droplets tumbled down her own face and splashed onto his.
"Thank you."
And it was done.
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And the waves crashing around me
The sand slips out to sea
And the winds that blow remind me
Of what has been and what can never be
Orihime wiped her eyes and set the picture frame on her stomach. She was normally able to push the horrible memories aside and remember all the good memories Rukia and Ichigo left her…it was just on gloomy nights like this, nights that encouraged sad remembrance, that she brooded on what had happened.
The door knob rattled.
"'Hime?"
Uryuu nudged off his shoes, let his briefcase land on the floor with a thunk, and padded over to their futon. He smiled sadly. He'd been correct in thinking that the weather would trigger her memories.
"Why the mournful mug, princess?" Orihime smiled as he settled himself down next to her. Those were the words he always said to pull her out of a mood.
"Just thinking about what has been…and what can never be."
Uryuu situated his shoulder under her head and lifted the picture frame. "Three years…it seems like a lifetime since they've been gone."
"I know. I've come to terms with the fact that they're not coming back…but…"
"But?"
"…Do you think they found each other?"
Uryuu turned to wrap his arms around Orihime. "Let's analyze the situation," he said briskly. "We're talking about a man who activated the latent spiritual powers in all his high school friends…achieved bankai in less than three days when he was fifteen… defeated his future brother-in-law in a battle for the ages…fought captain-class shinigami and Arrancar without being the worse for wear…and defeated Aizen and destroyed the Hogyoku." Uryuu laughed. "If there's anything that could keep him from Rukia, I'd love to see it so I can believe it! Most certainly not something as petty as death!"
Orihime pressed a kiss on his chin, drawing a smile from him. "Feeling better, Mrs. Ishida?"
"Much better, Mr. Ishida. By the way, why did you want me to go in for tests today, Uryuu? Did you figure why I've felt so poorly lately?"
"Well…" Uryuu beamed. "Dad ran the tests…then when I got the results, I redid them personally, just to be sure."
"You don't have to worry so, Uryuu. It's not the end of the world if I have the flu."
"It's not." He reached into his jacket and drew out a test results paper, holding it for her perusal.
Her jaw dropped. "I'm—I'm—I'm….?"
"Another Quincy archer would be nice, but if it's a Quincy princess, I'll be just as happy."
Orihime kissed her husband and pressed his hand to her still flat stomach.
We'll need to go back to the Soul Society to tell Ichigo and Rukia the news, she thought, thinking of their twin graves residing under a sakura tree. We need to let them know that while our lives are moving on, we haven't forgotten them.
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I am a lighthouse worn by the weather and the waves
And though I'm empty I still warn the sailors on their way
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Sheherazade's Blah Blah Blah
Hullo! Sheherazade here. Whew, this was a big one. Why can I never make short stories?! The thing just kept going! I know it's more of an Orihime fic, but please bear with me. Ichigo and Rukia are the central couple, and the story had to be told from Orihime's point of view, 'cause that's how inspiration struck me with this song.
The song is The Lighthouse's Tale by Nickel Creek. It's a tale of love and tragedy, and the lighthouse reminded me so much of Orihime. I was going to have this end very angsty and tragically…but I'm such a sap for happy endings. Ichigo and Rukia still die, but Orihime and Uryuu live on for them. Uryuu just sorta popped up in my head towards the beginning of writing this and said, "I need more love!" So the fic ends with him and 'Hime together, with her not being 'empty' at all because of the little life within her.
I need to work on the eleventh chapter of The Juunishi Host Club now. Please check it out!
Please review with praise and/or constructive criticism! Thank you!!