Chapter 11
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach
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"You Bastard! I'm going to kill you for touching her!" Ichigo roared and flash stepped in front of Renji to land another blow to his stomach. Before he could land another hit, Renji caught his hand and threw him through the wall.
Ichigo rolled until he was on concrete. He stood up and pulled Zangetsu off his back, pointing it toward Renji. Renji moved towards him, withdrawing Zabimaru as well. The both off them were now face to face in the courtyard of squad five, surrounded by curios and shocked shinigami.
"What we do is none of your business Ichigo" Renji spat at him.
"None of my business? Inoue is my business! Don't think I'm gonna stand back and watch you take advantage of her Renji!" Ichigo spat back and ran at him with Zangetsu.
The clang of steel could be heard around the courtyard as everyone gasped. Both men stood gritting their teeth as they fought for dominance over each other, swords crossed in front of them.
"You thick headed bastard! I'm not taking advantage of her! You have no say over what she does or doesn't do anymore Kurosaki!" Renji bellowed
"Like hell I don't!" Ichigo roared as he removed his sword and flash stepped behind Renji, attempting to slice him from behind. Renji anticipated the move and dodged, gaining distance from him.
"Ichigo, do you really want to do this?"
"Shut the fuck up Renji, we're already doing this!" Ichigo screamed as he dove towards Renji once again. He dodged for the second time.
"Fine, you asked for it! Howl, Zabimaru!" Renji roared as he released his sword. The segments separated and flew straight towards Ichigo. Zangetsu met with Zabimaru, rendering Renji's attack fruitless.
Renji pulled back and attempted to strike again. As Zabimaru sailed through the air, it was suddenly encased in ice. Both Renji and Ichigo's eyes widened when they heard a familiar voice.
"Ichigo! Renji! You Baka's! What the hell were you thinking? In the middle of the court yard? And you're a Taicho Renji!" Rukia screamed, turning her attention towards Renji.
Ichigo snickered but went silent when Rukia's anger was directed towards him.
"And you! Haven't you torn up Soul Society once! You think its okay to just come in here and attack a captain? You both should be ashamed of yourselves! Now follow me!" she hollered as she walked back into the barracks through the rubble.
The two males grunted and followed the petite shinigami, frowns on their faces. They made it to Renji's office, both males taking a seat in silence. Rukia, standing between the both, was the one to break it.
"What the hell was that all about?"
"Ask him, he was the one that came in here, attacking me!" Renji screamed, pointing at Ichigo.
"Like you didn't deserve it!" Ichigo shot back
"I told you once before, what we do is none of your fucking business!"
"And just like I said, like hell it isn't!"
"What is Orihime to you? She doesn't even remember you! And all the better, she's definitely better of without knowing you!"
"Why you-"
"Stop this!" Rukia screamed, silencing the two men. "Is this what it's all about, Inoue?" she said quietly, looking at both of them.
The said males turned their heads, looking off elsewhere and muttering under their breaths.
"Gah, why the fuck did you have to go running off and telling him about Orihime, Rukia?" Renji asked testily.
She was cut off by the irate voice of Ichigo, "I have a right to know you baka!"
"She's none of your concern anymoreIchigo. You seem to be forgetting that you're still human and she isn't!" Renji replied just as angry as Ichigo.
Rukia sighed and stopped Ichigo short from replying, "You two baka's need to sort this out. But leave Inoue out of it! She doesn't need this in her life after all she went through even if she doesn't remember it. I've made my peace with the both of you, now it's your turn. I wish I could make my peace with Inoue but it would just cause more harm… Ichigo, I don't know what's going on in your head but figure it out." She looked towards him
"I'll be outside, I suggest you sort things out, in a civilized manner!" With that, she walked out. She didn't want to be a part of a conversation that she knew only the two of them could sort out.
Silence filled the room for a few more seconds until Ichigo decided to speak out. "Renji, what the fuck do you think you're doing?" he said, gritting his teeth.
"This has nothing to do with you Ichigo. Orihime and I are together." Renji said confidently.
"This has everything to do with me you bastard! Inoue was my nakama!" Ichigo screamed, losing his patience
"Yes, 'was' being the operative word. You had a past with her, I have a future with her, which certainly does not include you! Why did you come Ichigo? To protect her as always? From what?" Renji shot back
"From you! I know what you want. You just want to use her, then you'll throw her away when you're bored! I know about all the women you seek out, and you've been around a whole lot longer than her! Inoue doesn't deserve that! She deserves better than you Renji!"
"Really? Someone like you? I don't know where you got your information from, but I haven't been using her. The feelings we have for each other is greater than you can comprehend."
"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"
"Tell me something Ichigo. Would you want me to treat her as you did? Like your precious nakama who loved you but you were too dense to figure it out. Even though everyone else knew? You ignored her feelings and then when you got together with Rukia, you didn't even bother to tell her?" Renji ranted, eyes alight with fury
"You went into the depths of Hueco Mundo for her, you almost fucking died twice for her and yet you couldn't save her from a fucking human creation such as a car… No Kurosaki Ichigo, I think I treat her a whole lot better than you did. I might not deserve her, but she's more mine than she was ever yours." He concluded
Ichigo sat there stunned, taking all what Renji said in. He didn't want to admit it but Renji made sense… He had ignored her feelings, he never took the time to look at what he had right in front of him
Her loyalty, the way she always greeted him first in the morning with that bright smile of hers. The way she would follow him to the ends of the earth just so she could help him, even though she wasn't strong enough. Her kind loving nature that wouldn't allow her to strike an enemy.
He had only realised all of this when she wasn't around anymore. There was so much truth to the saying that you don't realise what you have until it's gone.
When Tatsuki had told him that Inoue had loved him, after she had beat the shit out of him in the biggest fight they ever had, he didn't want to believe it but when he got to thinking about it, he realised that all the signs were always there. It also made him realise clearly why she had run off into the street that night, tears blinding her.
That's when things started going sour for him and Rukia, when he realised just how much Inoue really meant to him… And that's when he realised that the only reason he went into a relationship with Rukia was because she had confessed to him.
He was startled at first but he thought that that was what he had wanted. It was all new to him and that was the first time a girl ever approached him in that manner. He had never thought of going to anyone for advice or even asked if it what they were getting into was right.
He figured Rukia and himself to be quiet close, especially after the shit they got through. He went with the flow, exploring something new. That's just how he was, always diving into things head first without really thinking it out. In this case it was all wrong.
Both he and Rukia had gone into the relationship for all the wrong reasons. But what hurt him the most was that the one person he promised to protect had been hurt the most out of the entire thing. She had lost her life because of his stupidity and he would never get over that.
Now she was in Soul Society, without her memories and with another man. A man he considered his friend. It made him angry. He knew Renji wasn't a person to treat Inoue terribly. He respected Renji and although they would argue more than anything else, he considered him one of his good friends. It was just that his realization of his feelings for Inoue was clouding his thoughts and he felt as if she was being taken advantage off.
She didn't know anything, she had no memories of the past. Why did he find her? Whatever they have going on together shouldn't even be real. Renji knew her and her past, but she knew nothing about it all. It's like Renji had one up on her and he didn't like it one bit.
He gritted his teeth, "I'll admit, I was an idiot for not realising what Inoue meant to me. I realised it when it was too late and I'll never forgive myself for what I let happen to her. But get this straight Renji, you have no fucking business with her." Ichigo said plainly.
He continued, "She loved me, not you! You might think you have something with her but you're wrong! It's not even real! Off course she probably feels something for you, seeing as you practically forced yourself into her life! Just because Rukia and I were together did not give you the right to go after her! She's mi-"
Before Ichigo could finish his sentence, he was sent flying across the room as Renji's fist connected with his face. Ichigo sat up slowly and watched as Renji hovered over him as Rukia burst through the door, looking at them in shock.
"I never understood how you could have reciprocated Rukia's feelings seeing that you never showed any signs except for the fact you were always saving her. I also couldn't understand how both of you were so dense in not noticing either mine or Inoue's feelings toward each of you but jumped into a relationship together you now say was a mistake!" Renji bellowed
"I loved Rukia but when she told me she was in love with you, I gave her up, for the sake of her happiness. It took me a long time to get over her. She loved you and I figured that if it was going to be you, I'd let it go. I respected you and I knew you'd keep her safe. So I let her go." Renji said in a low voice
"But don't you think for a second that I went looking for Orihime to spite you. We all obeyed her conditions and we never looked for her. I found her by chance and decided to watch out for her because she was a friend. She went to fucking Hueco Mundo for the whole lot of us, I wasn't about to just leave her in Inuzuri after I knew where she was." He continued.
"I didn't expect to fall in love with her but I did. Even when I realised it myself, I knew it was okay. She wasn't 'yours' anymore Ichigo. You had Rukia and I had no idea you two weren't together or that you even had feelings for her. You chose Rukia didn't you? Orihime was saved from all the hurt of her passed life by entering Soul Society. She has the chance to start anew. Don't be selfish. Let her be happy for once..." Renji stated calmly, looking down at Ichigo.
Ichigo scowled at him and wiped the blood off his mouth, as Rukia stood aside, stupefied. She had never heard Renji speak like that before and she was shocked. He really was a changed man…
Ichigo looked up at him and realised Renji was telling the truth. He felt like an idiot for some of the things he said but it didn't change the way he felt. "Tch… Well I still want to see her, alone" He said as he got up.
Renji growled, furrowing his eyebrows, "Absolutely not!"
"Nani? Why the fuck not?" Ichigo yelled
Renji didn't want to voice his thoughts on why he didn't want the two of them alone. What if he triggered her memories or something? What if when she saw Ichigo, she realized that they have a connection…? He felt really scared all of a sudden which was a foreign emotion to him.
"Well… She doesn't know you, I'll have to introduce you. You don't wanna frighten her by just showing up baka!" Renji replied hastily.
"Fine! Whatever, but once were introduced I want to spend time with her alone. And don't worry, I wont tell her about the past." Ichigo said
All the while Rukia just stood, watching the interaction. "Fine, I'll leave the two of you to it." And she walked away.
"Tch… Hope you can keep up" Renji said and flash stepped away agitatedly, Ichigo following with his ever present scowl.
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When they reached her house, they found her outside, playing with Akio on the grass. They were laughing and looked to be having a lot of fun. Renji heard Ichigo gasp and when he looked at him, he saw true wonderment all over the substitute shinigami's face. He ignored it and walked towards the duo, not caring if the younger man followed or not.
Orihime looked up and could see Renji's figure walking towards her and she smiled brightly. She was still getting used to her sight and it was such a blessing to see him as he came closer to her.
She could just make out another figure not far behind Renji. She couldn't see that far but she could make out the black of his robes and not to mention he had bright hair, almost like the colour of hers. He was probably one of Renji's squad members.
"Renji-kun!" she squealed and bounded up to him. He caught her in his arms and hugged her tightly, placing a soft kiss on her lips. As he held her, Akio came running towards them.
"Abarai Taicho! We were having so much fun! Orihime-chan was teaching me how to catch!" The little boy said excitedly.
After Ichigo was brought back to his senses after seeing Inoue, he had walked on behind Renji but still kept a small distance. He was a bit shocked to see the whole display in front of him. It was as if they were a family…
At first he thought that the kid was theirs, and he had felt a pain in his chest at that, but he heard the kid call her and Renji by their names and was somewhat relieved. He cringed when he saw her run up to Renji and hug him, he felt a wave of anger when Renji kissed her. He disliked the whole scene, but at the moment there was nothing he could do about it.
She looked so beautiful… even more so than he remembered her. She seemed to still have that innocence about her, that amazing smile still shining brightly, unlike the last time he had seen her alive…
His heart sank at that memory… It was his fault that she was here. He wished he could change things but unfortunately he couldn't... He was just glad that he was able to see her now, smiling as she used to before. He was brought out of his thoughts when her voice was directed to him.
"Renji-kun… Who's your friend…?" she asked timidly, looking at him.
Renji grunted, "Er, this is Kurosaki Ichigo." He looked at Ichigo and said, "And this is Inoue Orihime."
Ichigo smiled, a genuine smile, and extended his hand towards the auburn beauty, "Hi, it's nice to meet you, Inoue"
"Hai Kurosaki-kun. Like wise."
The two of them just looked at each other for a long while as Renji looked at Orihime to gauge her reaction. She looked as if she was thinking of something but she remained smiling. It didn't look like she recognized him or anything.
Ichigo looked at Renji, with his usual scowl. Renji figured that he wanted him to leave. He figured he should just get this outta the way as fast as possible.
"Well I have to go Hime… I have some things to take care off, but Ichigo will keep you company." Renji said
"Aw Renji-kun, but you just got here…" Orihime pouted
Ichigo felt that pain in his chest again. A while back, he would have been the one she didn't want to leave, the one she wanted to follow. He felt a stab of jealousy that Renji was now that man. He couldn't help but feel like something was stolen from him…
"Hai, I'll be back later…" Renji bent down and kissed her softly, ruffled Akio's hair, shot Ichigo a warning glare and then left.
Orihime smiled at Ichigo as he stared at her. "Oh! This is Akio-chan by the way Kurosaki-kun"
He smiled at the familiarity of the way she said his name. He looked at the boy and gave him a small smile, "Hi there."
"Hello…" the little boy replied. Then he pulled on Orihime's robe. "Orihime-chan, can I go play?"
"Hai, we'll sit here and watch you okay?" Orihime replied and the boy ran off excitedly to fetch his ball.
Orihime sat on the grass overlooking the boy, "Why don't you sit Kurosaki-kun"
"Hai…" Ichigo took his place next to her
They watched over the boy in silence until he broke it. "Inoue, do you like it here, in Inuzuri?"
"Hai, I do. Sometimes things aren't so great but then again, they can be really good as well." She replied softly.
"Akio… Does he live with you?"
"Hai, but just recently. It's nice having him around. Do you like living in Seireitei Kurosaki-kun?" she looked at him.
He couldn't tell her that he was from the living world. Then he would have to explain a lot of things and that could lead into unwanted territory so he told a white lie.
"Hai…"
"Don't you get tired Kurosaki-kun?" she asked while looking at Akio tumbling on the grass.
"Eh?" Ichigo answered her confused, looking at her for elaboration
"Your Zanpakuto" she giggled and looked at him. "It's so huge, don't you get tired carrying it around?" she smiled
He chuckled, "Na… not really, I'm used to it and anyway most of the time it's in my hand" he smirked
She laughed, "You remind me of Renji-kun! He also prefers to train with Zabimaru most of the time. I guess that's just the warrior in both of you." Smiling gently.
Ichigo cringed at being compared to Renji. A lot of people had told him that. He really couldn't see the similarities.
A silence fell over them as they continued to watch the little boy enjoy himself, often calling out to Orihime to see a new trick that he had created. Ichigo watched Inoue and tried to imprint the memory in his mind. He remembered the times he would think of her, remember her sweet voice or the wacky things she said and did. Her crazy facial expressions. He was so glad that he had the chance to experience it once again despite the circumstances.
"Inoue… How did you and Renji meet?" Ichigo asked cautiously
He watched as she smiled and clasped her hands in front of her. "I literally barreled him over and then he helped me home with my groceries. He stayed for tea and we got to talking. He was such a kind man and I was shocked that a Taicho was being so friendly to little old me."
"So you started seeing each other after that?" Ichigo enquired
"Oh no! He kinda saved me and the kids from some creeps at the market the next time we met and then after that he would visit, always bringing groceries, fixing up my house, escorting me to the market, things like that. We got to know each other in that time. It's like we found each other…" she said with a dreamy look on her face.
He realised that he should be thanking Renji for looking after Inoue all this time. He'd heard that Inuzuri wasn't a great place to live in. However he still didn't feel any thankful emotions towards the tattooed shinigami for entering into a relationship with her. She looked so happy and content as she spoke about Renji and he was really dreading his next question.
It hurt like hell but Ichigo had to know, "Inoue… Do you love him…?" he swallowed
"Hai, I do…" She smiled as she said the words he dreaded the most.
He didn't know what to think… He had been fighting with his feelings for the last few years and when he finally realised that she had always been the one, she now loved someone else… and it hurt like a bitch…
His feelings for her hadn't been a sudden realization, it had been gradual. He started to notice the things that reminded him of her, like when he'd be in the store and he'd see the sweet bean paste or wasabi on the shelves or when he'd be switching the stations and Laugh Hour would come on.
Not to mention seeing Don Kanoji around and his stupid hand movements, screaming out bwahaha haha haha. It reminded him of that day in class, he had thought she was being silly but now he realised how much he missed her care free nature and how she was never afraid to do the things she wanted, forgetting about being embarrassed.
"Do you love someone Kurosaki-kun?" she asked, snapping him out of his reverie and looking at him with those big grey eyes he had been so used to.
"I-I do…" he replied as he looked at the sky on the horizon.
"Oh! That's great! What's she like?" she said enthusiastically
"S-She's the kindest person I know… She would do anything to save the ones she loves, even if it means going into the devils lair. She's got the purest and largest heart, always putting others feelings before her own. When she smiles, it's as if you know everything's going to be okay. Her presence is overwhelmingly calming… She's a healer and a protector and doesn't understand the effect she has on people or how much of a gift she is to everyone. When I say she wouldn't hurt a fly, I literally mean it. Without her…m-my life just isn't the same anymore…"
He was looking at her now as she stared back at him with a look of awe.
"Wow…. She sounds amazing… I didn't know someone like that could exist…" she said in amazement.
Ichigo chuckled "Yeah, I know I sound corny but she is… and yes, she does exist…" Ichigo replied
"You really love her don't you…?"
"Hai…"
"Are you guys married?"
"No… We're not together…" he said solemnly
"Nani? Why not?" Orihime said in surprise
"Because I was an idiot… I realised all that after it was too late… I never took the time to appreciate the person she was when she was around. I took her for granted and didn't realise how much her presence meant to me." He sighed.
"But you can still fix it! Just tell her all of what you said to me, I'm sure she'll come back!" she said desperately
"No Inoue… She's in love with someone else…" he replied quietly
"Oh…" she said sadly. "Is she happy with him?" she asked
"I think so… It looks that way to me…"
"I'm sorry Kurosaki-kun… but with time I think you may be able to move on and then it won't hurt anymore…"
"No… Not this time… She was that special…" he said, almost a whisper
"I'm sorry Kurosaki-kun…" she apologized, her head bowed
Without thinking, he lifted his hand along her chin and raised her head, "Inoue, you don't have to apologise, you did nothing wrong." He stared into her grey eyes that were wide in disbelief. They looked at each other, as if looking for something that wasn't there.
Just then the air around them shifted and Renji appeared. Ichigo immediately dropped his hand and scowled as Renji frowned at him in anger at his hand movement.
"Renji-kun! You're back!" Orihime cried excitedly as she stood up.
"Hai, you must be hungry, I brought food" he grinned at her as he lifted the bag in his hand
"Aw, you shouldn't have. I could have just cooked" she pouted
"Na… I thought I'd spoil you two today" Renji smiled down at her.
Ichigo was beginning to become sick at the interaction in front of him. He lowered his head in sadness but then gritted his teeth in annoyance. It wasn't real what she felt for that red haired asshole! It just didn't seem right to him…
He could understand if she still had her memories and she had fallen in love with Renji. Then he would really believe that she had moved on and he would find a way to accept it. But not like this… He couldn't accept this.
He got up quickly and dusted off his robes. "Well I'll be going Inoue, it was nice spending time with you, and maybe we can do it again some time soon." He said, looking at Orihime, ignoring Renji's glare.
"Oh no! You have to stay for supper Kurosaki-kun!" she exclaimed, looking at him.
Before he could answer, Renji interrupted. "Well I only brought just enough for the three of us Orihime…"
"I'll share my portion with him Renji-kun! Why don't you stay?" she said, looking at Ichigo.
He really wanted to accept, just to spite Renji, but he couldn't. He couldn't stand being around them especially when their affection was thrown in his face. "Thanks Inoue, but I have to get going. I have some things to take care off…" he said, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Aw… well okay then. Maybe next time." she smiled
"Hai…" He replied. He nodded in Renji's direction and called out a farewell to Akio, then left.
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Sorry this was so late! Just real life stepped in the way of the update. I'm so pleased by all the reviews and I'm so glad you guys still like the story… I hope I didn't disappoint with this chapter. I tried my best.
I've decided to put this at the bottom so you could get on with the story without having to scroll through it. Should have done it before…
To all my new story and author favorites as well as story and author alerts, Thanks!: Stray Princess, , Cream-Bunny, Aeliid, Boobie-Chan
Special thanks to my wonderful reviewers! I really appreciate you guys taking the time to leave me comments: war90, Boobie-Chan, crazy4music, rouge demon, butterfliesinspring, nypsy, , Stray Princess, Hyou no joo, Renji's Girll, , Kat, Aeliid, Swisskitty18, Fantasy Obsession, Otepbunni and Halcyon.
Wow! I cannot believe I reached the 100 review mark! I was literally awestruck…. My sincerest thanks… :)
Also, thought I'd give a huge thank you to those who aren't signed in seeing as I couldn't send you guys a pm:
Arigatou, rouge demon, Kat and Halcyon!
To Fantasy Obsession and Otepbunni, don't worry about the late reply! I'm just glad that you guys are reading! :)
And just a heads up, there isn't going to be any scheming and manipulation on either Ichigo's or Rukia's part… I mostly want to stick to Orihime's and Renji's feelings about everything but Ichigo will feature in between…