A/N: For those who read, I'm looking for a reader! While I'm not looking for a beta, I am looking for someone to read my chapters before I post them, just to ensure they make sense, and aren't repetitive, etc. Message me if you're interested. :D

Sorry, I should have made this more clear, but there are only TWO choices: Have the Key extracted from her, or go to the Royal Realm. (The outcomes of the first choice could be two things: She could just lose her powers, or she could die entirely. Two different things, yes, but they are both related to the first reason.) There… I think I explained it better?

.chapter title. All Alone

.songs listened to for inspiration. Hide and Seek - Imogen Heap, Whatcha Say - Jason Derulo, Halo - Beyonce

.dedicated to. My lovely wifey-sama, Copper, for helping me a ton with brainstorming angst ideas. :3 Love you wifey!

.disclaimer. Bleach and co. belongs to Kubo Tite.

"You will protect Orihime Inoue with your life, for three days, until a decision is made?" Ichigo's fist tightened up more, but he looked over to her once more. This time, her eyes met his, filled with hurt, sadness, and guilt.

"Yes."

---

Orihime was his friend, of course. He knew what he was getting into when he went to go rescue her from Hueco Mundo. But he didn't have any idea that she was the Royal Key, and for some odd reason, it made him hurt inside; hurt with guilt.

'Should I have protected her more? Would it have been best if I have tried to be better friends?' A million questions ran through Ichigo's mind as the recalled the previous meeting at Orihime's house. He remembered her crying face when he found out her fate. At the time, he wanted pull her into an embrace, telling her everything would be all right, even though it might not be.

Ichigo sighed heavily as he packed his clothes into a small duffel bag. He didn't mind watching Orihime, to keep an eye on her so she didn't get hurt. Of course she was an important friend, so it wasn't that big of a deal.

But part of him wanted time to stop. He wanted to time to stop, so he didn't have to deal with all this, and so he wouldn't have to quite possibly watch her go; watch her leave in front of his eyes again, as he idly sat by and do nothing.

Because in three days, she was going to either leave, or possibly die. Pain flashed across Ichigo's eyes as he thought of the dreaded options. The options she had no say in. She was being used by Soul Society, and she had no say.

He sighed once more, zipping up the duffel bag and hoisting the strap over his shoulder. His eyes hovered as he took a final look around his room.

'Things will be entirely different when I come back…' He thought bitterly, forcing himself to exit the room. He turned off the lights and soon closed the door behind him. He didn't say anything to his family as he left; he'd explain once he got back. He was just requested to go back to her place as quick as he could.

But he wasn't sure if he wanted to take his time getting there, or hurry to see her.

Orihime sighed lightly as she looked out the window, her hot breath fogging up the cold window. Her eyes were swollen from crying so much.

She had tried her best to hold in those dreaded tears when he was over, but he eyes appeared to be yelling out in hurt as he looked at her, and she knew it was all her fault. But once everyone left, she couldn't help but cry her heart out. She had felt weak doing it, but she couldn't stop them. She closed her eyes, her tears reappearing and clinging to her lashes.

---

"You are to stay with Orihime Inoue until the decision is made," Yamamoto's voice spoke to the orange-haired shinigami, "It is to ensure that she is watched at all times."

"Why couldn't Inoue just stay with me and my family, at my house?" Ichigo scowled, grinding his teeth in his failing attempt to hold in his anger.

"She must be kept from any other people until the choice is decided." His scowl grew deeper as he heard the head captain say she pretty much had to be in isolation.

"What about school?? You can't expect her to just not go!" Ichigo yelled out, as Captain Hitsugaya stepped out to his side.

"The paperwork has already been taken care of. You and Inoue-san have been allowed a three day excused absence at your school." He explained casually, no emotion showing in his voice.

"So you're basically placing her under house arrest?"

"If you're going by the definition of house arrest, then yes," Hitsugaya responded coolly. Rangiku stepped forward as well and put on a smile.

"We'll be over occasionally to check on her… And you as well," she spoke with a grin on her face, "So you won't be stuck here forever with no company."

'Much help that is…'

"Don't leave her place, Ichigo Kurosaki, unless it is of the most importance. If you must, you are to escort her around at all times," Yamamoto spoke his final words before disappearing off the screen. The room stayed silent until Ichigo looked at Orihime again, watching her tears fall down her face.

"Inoue…" She looked up at the sound of his voice, "I'm sorry Inoue…" He tried apologizing to her, but she just shook her head and forced a smile for him.

"N-No, don't apologize… It's all right…"

---

Though she knew in her heart that it wasn't okay. She was going to meet her fate in three days, and she couldn't do anything but accept it.

"At least I can spend those days with Kurosaki-kun," Orihime mumbled out, her voice sounding dry from crying so much. A light blush crawled up her cheeks.

Yes, she was happy that she'd be with the one she loved the most, but she felt guilt in her heart for being a burden to him. To waste his time on something so meaningless as "watching her".

His soft footsteps took her out of her thoughts, and she quickly wiped the escaped tears from her face. She then turned to face Ichigo, and forced a smile at the man who had been in her home for a few hours already.

"Inoue, I've already got my stuff where it should be…" he started to speak to her, but thought something seemed off. "Is everything all right?" Orihime just looked at him confused, as he mentally slapped himself for asking that question. 'Of course she isn't all right! Why am I asking such a stupid thing?'

She nodded. "I'm fine… You don't need to worry about me Kurosaki-kun! I'm perfectly okay!" She smiled for him, trying to hide the worry in her voice. He didn't believe her, and his usual scowl reappeared on his face.

"Inoue, I-" Ichigo started to speak to her, but he cut himself off, before muttering a 'sorry', and briskly leaving the room. Orihime stared at his back as she watched him leave, feeling the tears well up once again. She was left alone, to be by herself in her own countdown of the decision of her lifetime.

She turned her attention back to the window, now seeing a light snow falling outside. It reminded her of the rain she loved so much.

'Can't the rain connect my heart?' She thought of how distant he seemed to be towards her, from the moment he entered the room, to the time he left. 'Why can't I connect my heart with Kurosaki-kun's?' Her breath fogged up the glass again, and she started to draw circles on the window with her finger, her heart hurting significantly.

'No, it's probably… Rather, it's for the best, if Kurosaki-kun ignores me,' she thought tiredly. 'I can't allow myself to be attached to him so much.' She stood up slowly from her seat, continuing to stare out the window. Touching the glass one last time, she took in a last deep breath and soon went to her room. Sitting down at the all-familiar table and opening her notebook, she unhurriedly wrote the words she always kept close in her heart and mind.

And if it all falls apart, I will know deep in my heart, the only dream that mattered had come true. In this life, I loved you.

Kurosaki-kun… Thank you.

Her fingers lingered over his name, a light blushed spread across her cheeks. She took a moment to stare at the paper, before standing up and turning off her light. She then curled up into her futon, despite still being dressed in her normal clothes. The plethora of thoughts was what lulled her into a deep sleep, and she would not awake until the morning.

A/N: Yeeaah, sorry it's so short, but I was stuck on what to write, and I kinda wanted to get through this part. XD Please tell me if you're confused at all! I'll try my best to answer them! I'll also hopefully write some longer chapters here, once I figure out those darn ideas that were lost in my brain last me, I do want to write long, looooong chapters, but I keep getting stuck in a hole.

Also, the quote Orihime referenced is by a man named Colin Raye.