Disclaimer: if bleach were myn Ichigo would have been wearing a top that covered his stomach in episode... 17? I think.

Orihime stood rooted to the spot, panting, eyes flicking quickly between Aizen and the Spirit King who were locked in an intense battle. She was surprised at how easily Aizen was able to keep up with the Spirit King.

What do I do now? She thought furiously. She could hardly just waltz in between the two fighters and request that they take a time out, could she? God I was so naive! She could have kicked herself.

The entire time, the Spirit King had his back turned to her. All she could see of him was his shoulder length wavy black hair and the back of his royal blue haori, with the King's emblem embossed in gold on his back. He turned to her then and his grey eyes seemed to smile at her.

There's something familiar...

'Nice of you to join us Orihime, but really there's no need,' Aizen arrogantly exclaimed from her right, before moving to attack again. Orihime growled in frustration. There had to me something she could do!

'Please! There has to be something – anything – I can do!' she begged to the Spirit King who had resumed fighting.

'Who caused this?' he asked in a low but somehow gentle voice. He didn't sound angry, yet Orihime couldn't help but bow her head in guilt and shame.

'I did,' she chocked, all her previous fire dissipating.

'Why did you do it?' he asked in the same gentle tone, his back to her. Aizen stabbed at him and he only just slid out of the way.

'Because...because I thought I could save everyone if I got rid of the Hougyoko,' she breathed. The traitor narrowed his eyes suspiciously. What is the Spirit King planning? But there's no way she can do...is there? Better finish this quickly. He's weak in his earth bound state.

'What would you be willing to do? To give?' his voice was straining. Perspiration was making his black bangs stick to his forehead.

Aizen truly was, a formidable and cunning foe.

'Anything,' Orihime breathed, her fists clenching tightly at her sides.

'Then give it up,' he said calmly, spinning out of Aizen's hold to face her once more. 'Aizen already told you an exchange of spirit particles is what is needed to keep balance between the two worlds. Someone with a high reiatsu would have to be sacrificed to balance out the Hougyoko. Give up what means most to you.'

Aizen wouldn't stand for this chit-chatter and moved to attack again. Even though he was winning against the weakened earth bound spirit king, the fighting did take a toll on him too.

A balance of spirit particles...someone with a high reiatsu...what I care about most...

'I can't sacrifice Kurosaki-kun – I can't!' she screamed, her heart pounding erratically at the very thought of it. 'There has to be some other way! Please! He can't die! Not for my mistake!'

He turned to her once more, warm grey eyes looking straight in to her panicked ones.

'Not Kurosaki-kun. Not anyone else.' He looked as if he wanted to say something more, but Aizen attacked him again with renowned vigour. The Spirit King was tiring and Aizen was determined to end this soon.

Not anyone else... The words echoed in her head, as if she were standing in a cave.

Me?

Her mind spun for a second. She would have to kill herself...but it was for her friends. For Karakura. For Soul Society.

'Koten Zanshun I reject.' A piercing beam of orange light shot up towards the sky, shattering the invisible barricade across the entire maze. Tsubaki moved at the speed of light, constantly changing directions and breaking each maze wall as he rammed in to it. Even those who couldn't see her yet, could feel her reiatsu rise and wondered what was happening.

He was furious at Orihime and he was letting her know it.

'You're not dying on my woman!' he roared. 'I won't let you!' and proceeded to break down more mazes. By now everyone could see them; the Spirit King, Aizen and Orihime standing there, with a furious Tsubaki whizzing around.

They turned to face her in their shock. Hitsugaya's eyes widened. Not even us Captain level Shinigami could destroy the maze, yet she did...

She turned to look at each of her nakamas' faces in turn, trying to tattoo them in to her memory. She saved Kurosaki-kun's – no, Ichigo's for last. Her resolve was set in stone and Tsubaki knew it.

**

He had never felt her reiatsu so strongly before. It bathed the cold, white landscape in its bright glow. It moved like a spear through the air, destroying everything it touched. Even though it was destructive, he couldn't help but notice the gracefulness of its attack.

Before he could fully comprehend what was happening – before he even had the chance to move a muscle, the spear turned back on her. Why is she aiming her powers at herself? He looked at her then and saw the little content smile on her face, her eyes never leaving his.

Comprehension dawned. But it was too late. The spear pierced itself straight through her abdomen. A clean cut. She fell back to the ground, her eyelids curtaining her grey orbs. Rukia winced at Ichigo's raw screams, burying her face in Renji's chest at her own shock. Her own denial.

'Inoue! Inoue!' he shouted over and over till his voice grew hoarse. He didn't even notice though. He slash stepped to Orihime's side and cradled her body in his arms.

'No, please. Inoue...Orihime, Orihime, Orihime,' he murmured her name over and over again. His heart beat irregularly. He felt wrong. The blood in his veins was flowing the wrong way. Like pins and needles, when you can't quite decide whether you feel little pricks or shudders; He was numb. But he was burning, his heart up in flames. A black hole was sucking at his soul.

Sobs raked his body and his tears streamed down his face and on to hers.

He was broken.

**

Orihime opened her eyes slowly, her fingers skimming the ground beneath her as she moved them to rub her eyes.

Grass? She opened her eyes fully and sat up, ignoring the dizziness she felt at the sudden movement. She was sitting on a grassy bank in front of a beautiful river. She turned behind her to find a large, beautiful castle that was slowly crumbling down.

Where am I?

A:n/ did you really think I would kill her? Of course not! This is ichi/hime and i'd prefer the couple to be alive. So what dyu think?

I had a psycho lauhing moment in the library wen i wrote the 'death' scene...i got a few weird looks-but oh well.

I should be finished with this fic in the next 2 chaps.

Please review and tell me what you thought. Thanks for reading this chap and i hope you liked it!

Missy xxx