The second part of the previous drabble. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: bleach..not mine.
Prompt: Love Story by Taylor Swift
Summary: In which they loved at the wrong time.
'Cause you were Romeo – I was a scarlet letter
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Orihime has always envisioned weddings to be lavish; thanks to the type of lifestyle her parents have always wanted for her. But, their wedding was the complete opposite of what she grew up to believe. There were no flowers of different types decorating the chapel, no lavish ornaments, and no long, frilly gown for her. Despite the simplicity of it all, Orihime thought it was perfect.
It was a small affair, with only their trusted guests to witness their union. When morning came, Ichigo immediately went to the local priest to ask for his blessing and to join him and Orihime in holy matrimony.
Urahara Kisuke, a holy man who wanted nothing but to end the long feud between the two families, and finding the union to be a good solution, obliged to Ichigo's request. And, so here they are, gathered to join and bear witness to the young couple's promise of forever.
Present in the room was Orihime's nurse maid, Rangiku, who was shocked at the sudden affair, but still happy for her young lady. Renji was also there, as Ichigo's witness and best friend.
And, when Urahara asked for their vows, both only have one thing to say.
"I'll always love you, for five lifetimes and more."
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We keep quiet 'cause we're dead if they knew
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It was with great regret that Ichigo parted with Orihime after the affair. Promising he'd be back for her later in the evening, he and Renji went back to the Kurosaki estate to tell their friends about the day's events.
As they were nearing the central plaza, Ichigo and Renji spotted their friends talking among themselves. When they approached the group, they were greeted by the energetic Keigo.
"Where have you been, Ichigo?! Uncle Isshin and Aunt Masaki had been asking me where you went when you didn't go home last night?" Keigo asked.
"I was—" he was about to reply when a sudden voice interrupted their conversation.
"Well, if it isn't the Kurosaki scums. Tch. Seeing you lot makes me sick," Grimmjow sneered. He was accompanied by a few of the Inoue's men, all giving intimidating looks to Ichigo and his friends.
"Your mouth is as foul as your face, Grimmjow," Renji answered back, crossing his arms over his chest and looking not the intimidated by their stares.
Ichigo placed a hand over Renji's shoulder and shook his head. He gave an indifferent look to Grimmjow "Grimmjow, if there was something we did to have offended you, we're sorry. Let's put all quarrels behind us and be at peace with each other." Ichigo held out his hand.
Grimmjow looked disgusted at Ichigo's offer of peace. He let out a bark of laughter. "Who are you kidding, Kurosaki? Us? Peace? If you want peace, I'd gladly give it to you…by my blade!" He withdrew his sword from its sheath and pointed it at Ichigo. "All Kurosaki scum must disappear."
The others already have their swords drawn out. Ichigo was the only one who didn't unsheathe his sword. "Grimmjow."
"Don't fuck with me, Kurosaki!" And he aimed a kick at Ichigo's gut, causing the other to fall down. Grimmjow kept kicking and hitting Ichigo, but the young man wouldn't fight back.
"Fight me, you coward. Draw out your sword and let's settle this score!" Grimmjow roared, but Ichigo was still not moving an inch from his spot. When Grimmjow was about to hit Ichigo on the head with the hilt of his sword, Renji interfered and punched the blue-haired man.
Then all hell broke loose.
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My faith in you is fading
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"There was a fight?"
"In the central plaza."
"I heard it was brutal!"
"Poor, young souls…."
Orihime could hear the whispers of the servants working on the courtyard when she went out for a walk that afternoon. Her ears perked up when she heard names.
"Someone was killed?"
"Yes…two of them…young men these days…"
"One was of the Kurosaki household…" Orihime's heart sped upon hearing the name.
"And the other?"
"Lord Grimmjow."
Orihime felt the world crumble beneath her feet.
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Don't be afraid. We'll make it out of this mess
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Everything happened in a blur. One second he was on the ground, the next he was being shoved up and pushed away from the scene. Keigo, his cousin, had helped him up on his feet and gripped him by the shoulder.
Ichigo was about to turn, when he felt his cousin's grip on him slacken. And, he saw blood. Lots of blood. Ichigo looked at the blood seeping from his cousin's clothes, the sharp edge of a sword protruding from his chest.
Keigo's eyes rolled to the back of his head, Ichigo catching him before he hit the ground.
"Co-cousin...Keigo,"Ichigo breathed, clutching his cousin's hand. Keigo smiled a bit and mouthed a silent farewell, before going limp in Ichigo's arms. "Oi. Keigo…Stop jesting, you fool. Keigo. It's not funny."
Ichigo shook him again, "Keigo…Keigo…KEIGO!"
Then he saw black.
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Escape this town for a little while
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Orihime locked herself in her room all day. Her heart was still reeling from the grief of losing her cousin Grimmjow. Is it true? Did Romeo really kill him? What will happen to our love now?
Her mother had come to tell her of what happened during the day. Of how Romeo drove a blade to her cousin's heart. Of how her love has been banished from their land as per the magistrate's orders. Of how he had also lost a cousin in the fray.
Is this our fate? A life of endless feuds?
A small knock from her window brought her out of her musings. She went to unlock the clasps of her window, and saw her young husband. She immediately pulled Ichigo in, noting how he has been wet due to the rain outside.
She held his face in her hands and looked into his eyes, tears on the verge of spilling, "Ichigo."
The young man took hold of her right hand and kissed its fingers, pressing his forehead against hers. "I'm sorry, Orihime. I didn't…It wasn't—"
"Shhhh. It's okay now, Ichigo. You're here with me," she kissed his hand, and held him in her embrace.
"I love you, Orihime," he leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. Orihime responded to his kiss, soothing his soul and trying her best to drive away his fears, his grief.
"I love you. I love you, Ichigo," she says against his lips.
Ichigo traced small kisses against her jaw and neck, while her hands found their way to his strong back.
He winced upon the contact, which didn't go unnoticed by Orihime. The girl shyly unbuttoned the front of his shirt, gently pushing the fabric off his body. He had scars and fresh bandages wrapped around new wounds.
Orihime kissed his jaw, tracing hard lines of muscle and placing soft kisses on his chest. Ichigo let his hands roam around her body, his hands touching the curve of her breasts and down to her hips in an alternate motion. He untied the front of her gown and let the fabric fall down to the floor, leaving Orihime naked except for her undergarment. Ichigo kissed her again, his hands tracing soft curves and flawless skin.
His hands traveled down to her bottom, and he hoisted her up closer to his body. Orihime wrapped her legs around his torso, arching her back at the feel of his arousal pressing to her hot core. He gently laid her down to her bed and continued kissing her.
It was the most wonderful feeling she had ever felt. Behind her eyelids, she saw stars. And, she felt like soaring high with every kiss and every touch. His hands left traces of heat all over her body, making her tingle and arch her back.
"Please…" she breathed out.
Ichigo stopped his ministrations and looked at her hooded, lust filled eyes. "Please, make me yours."
That night, they made love over and over, imprinting each other's souls to one another.
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I'll be waiting
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Morning came, and with it, Ichigo departed, wanting to keep Orihime safe from the harsh punishment if they were found out.
"I'll come back for you and we'll run away together, I promise."
Orihime smiled at her husband's words. She blushed when she remembered what transpired between them the night before. She remembered how his muscles moved with every thrust, how his lips left a trace of heat on her skin, and how his hands were so….Orihime shook her head of the thoughts, trying to rid herself of the perverse images.
She was interrupted from her musings when Rangiku entered the room, her face of alarm. "Orihime, dear, your mother comes. We need to prepare you immediately!"
But, as she spoke this words, Lady Harribel came strolling into her room. "Orihime, we must talk."
"About what, mother?" Orihime stood up, as Rangiku covered her with a robe.
"Of your future. Your father and I have decided to wed you to Lord Aizen. I'm sure you remember him?" the lady replied.
Orihime was stunned. Wed? Lord Aizen? But, but I can't! I'm already bound to Ichigo!
"I …I can't, mother," she whispered. "I'm afraid, you'll h-have to decline…I'm sorry," she said, not looking her mother in the eyes.
Lady Harribel was quiet, until they both heard loud footsteps approach, "Decline? Take it up with your father."
Lord Baraggan was a man of big stature, with an intimidating aura. One would be wise not to cross this man. "So, how does our little lady take of the news? Is she happy?" he inquired upon entering Orihime's room.
"The lady says she declines the offer," Lady Harribel announced.
At this, Lord Baraggan's features changed from happy to pure wrath and loathing, "Decline? You dare decline? You good for nothing fool," he walked towards Orihime and took her shoulders in his big hands.
"I provided a roof above your head, gave you food to be well, clothes to cover yourself, and this is how you pay me?" he roared, shaking Orihime.
"I am content, and very much thankful for all you've provided. But, please, father, do not give me away to a man I do not even love!" Orihime cried, her tears staining her beautiful face.
Lord Baraggan slapped her, causing the girl to fall to the ground. "You will marry him, or you can say goodbye to your merry life and say hello to the scums in the street." With that, his father walked out of the room, her mother following closely behind.
And, Orihime was left with nothing but her tears and the warm embrace of her nurse maid.
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But, you were everything to me
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"Will this work?"
"I guarantee, ma'am."
"For how long?"
"Forty-two hours."
"And, what of Lord Ichigo?"
"I'll send a messenger to inform him of the situation. When you wake up, you'll have him by your side."
She smiled. "Thank you, father."
Orihime drank the antidote before her wedding night. And, that was the last they saw her bright eyes and warm smile.
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I got tired of waiting
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"Dead?"
"She lies in their family's tomb, along with her late cousin."
"But…But…I just saw her! She was well! She was happy!"
"I'm sorry, Ichigo. I saw her myself. She was lying peacefully in the chapel before they brought her body to her final resting place."
"Lies. Lies. Lies. Orihime wouldn't do this to me. She…she said she'll wait!"
"Where are you going, Ichigo?"
"To her. And see for myself of what has become of my bride."
Ichigo took the fastest horse from the stable and rode to Karakura for the night. And, that was the last Uryū and Renji saw their friend.
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This love is difficult, but it's real
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Ichigo's heart was racing. Upon arriving at Karakura, station guards immediately pursued his horse. His friends, surprised to see him riding in the town, aided in the diversion. He went to a nearby apothecary, buying a small bottle of poison with all the gold he had. If what they said about Orihime is true, I'd be more than happy to join her. I cannot keep her waiting.
He arrived at the Inoue's tomb, the smell of roses and other flowers filling his nose with the different blooms arranged at the entrance of the burial chamber. He looked around the quiet graveyard, checking to see if there were any guards from the Inoue household.
He slowly opened the door of the mausoleum, his eyes adjusting to the faint light from the torches in the room. His heart dropped to his stomach upon seeing his beloved wife at the middle of the room; flowers and candles surrounding her deathbed.
He ran towards her, clutching her still body in his arms. "ORIHIME!" He roared, tears running down his face.
"Why?" He stroked her hair, her face, and her lips. Ichigo gripped her tighter against his body. "I said I'd come for you. Why did you leave me? Orihime, please."
Ichigo laid her down gently. He took out the small bottle from his coat's pocket, uncapping the top. "I said I'll come for you. And, I intend to keep that promise. For five lifetimes and more."
He drank the liquid, tasting the bitter poison and feeling the hot trails it left on his throat. He resisted the urge to gag, the burning sensation continuing down his stomach. His head felt light, as the poison took control of his body.
Ichigo gently pressed his lips against Orihime's. "I love you," he murmured. He lifted his face and saw her gray eyes open and staring into his own.
"Ichigo?"
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Is this in my head? I don't know what to think
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Orihime opened her eyes, feeling something soft press against her lips. And, when she stirred, she saw the deep brown orbs of her husband. His eyes opened wide in surprise, before changing into a pained expression.
"Ichigo?"
He coughed, and fell limply beside her. Ichigo gave her a small smile, his face contorted in pain. Orihime immediately turned him so he was facing her upright, her arms cradling his body against her own. "Ichigo? Ichigo?!"
She saw the small bottle still clasped in his hands. "Ichigo? Is this poison?" She took the vial, and opened it. "You drank and left nothing to help me after," she cried, tears streaming down her face. "I shall kiss your lips, and hope there are still traces of the poison."
She gently pressed her lips against him, "I love you, Ichigo. For five lifetimes and more."
He smiled, "And thus, with a kiss, I die." His eyes lost their color, his body going limp against her hold.
"Ichigo? Ichigo…Ichigo…ICHIGO!"
Orihime cradles his body, burying her head against his chest. She felt something poke her side, and saw his dagger. Shakily, she unsheathed the dagger, it's sharp point glinting against the faint light of the room.
She smiled and positioned the dagger over her chest. If not in this lifetime, I'll be with you in the next.
And, she plunged the dagger straight to her heart.
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For never was a story of more woe, than this of Juliet and her Romeo
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"Lovers?"
"They died together. In each other's arms."
"And they were young."
"Such a sad tale."
"I'm sure they'll find each other again, right, Tatsuki?"
"Ever the optimistic, aren't you, Orihime?"
The girl nodded. She was walking home with her friends, talking about the day's lecture in English class. "They promised to be with each other for five lifetimes and more, right? They will be together, and have lots of babies, and grow old, and—" the girl bumped into something hard, cutting her ramblings short. She fell to the ground and dropped her bag and books.
"Orihime! Are you alright? You should watch where you're going!" her best friend, Tatsuki, said in concern. She was about to give her a hand when somebody else bent down and offered to help the fallen girl stand up.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going," says the boy who helped the auburn haired teen stand up. "Are you okay, err, miss?" he asked.
When Orihime looked up, she saw a pair of deep brown orbs staring at her and waiting for her reply. "Ahh..Y-yes! I'm..I'm sorry! Oh my gosh, this is so embarrassing!" she answered, her face turning red.
She accepted his hand and stood up. Orihime looked up at the boy with orange hair, and found him staring at her. It feels….familiar…this feeling…
"Ahem."
They were broken from their trance when Tatsuki cleared her throat and the other girls giggled. The two teens immediately let go of each other's hands, Orihime's blush turning a shade darker. The boy scratched the back of his neck, his face sporting the same hue as the girl.
"Hey, Ichigo! There you are!" another set of voices approached the group. "Huh? What's going on?"
The orange-haired boy shrugged, "Nothing. Let's get going." He turned to Orihime, "I'm sorry again."
"We should get going too, Orihime," her best friend insisted. The auburn-haired girl simply nodded.
The two groups went their separate ways, but not without the two teens glancing back at each other.
"Orihime, huh?" the boy smiled. I'll be sure to talk to her properly next time.
"Ichigo…" the girl murmured. I can't wait to see him again.
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For five lifetimes and more
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Oh wow. This is…just the longest one-shot I've ever written. Well, it's not a one-shot anymore since I divided the story into two chapters. HAHA.
I hope you enjoyed this story. I'll be thinking of many other songs to write as one-shots! Of course, I'll still be updating my other stories. :D
Drop a review?