The Difference Between a Lie and the Truth.

Ichigo sat opposite Mr Byakuya Kuchiki, CO-CEO of Kuchiki & Abarai Lawyers. He read over Orihime's file and eyed Ichigo. "Are you sure she was more than willing to be in bed with you?" Byakuya asked.

Ichigo's cheeks went a noticeable shade of pink as his defenses kicked up. "What do you think? Of course she was willing! I don't understand what's going on with Miss Inoue." Ichigo had resorted to calling her by her last name as his heart would hurt each time he would call her by her first name, calling her 'Miss Inoue' made his heart hurt even less.

"Well, her file is untainted as is her past, except that she has a child, the father is unlisted. I suggest talking to Miss Inoue as you haven't been filed for a restraining order." Byakuya said factually and Ichigo nodded.

"One more thing, Ichigo." Byakuya called as Ichigo had his hand on the doorknob.

"Yes Byakuya?" Ichigo asked as his eyes met his friend's slate gray.

"When I am at work, call me Mr Kuchiki."

Ichigo smiled. "Then, you call me Dr Kurosaki when dealing with professional matters such as this." Ichigo said, his smile turning into a grin.

"Of course, Dr Kurosaki." Byakuya said, a very faint smile on his lips.

"Goodbye, Mr Kuchiki." Ichigo walked out.

Ichigo's hand shook as he knocked on Orihime's door, Ichigo's ears picked up footsteps walking closer and closer to the door, then they stopped. The door slowly opened and Orihime popped her gorgeous head from the slip, her big gray eyes went wide. "Ichigo!" She whispered.

"Miss Inoue." He said curtly, nodding to her respectfully.

"What's wrong?" She replied, her long eyelashes fluttering over her eyes. Ichigo found himself getting lost in their majestic depths.

He ripped himself away from this enchantress's spell. 'What's wrong? Is she still playing me?! Is this some kind of joke? She should go ask her bastard of a lawyer!' Ichigo opened his mouth to confront her.

A male's voice spilled from the small space of the doorway. "Orihime? Are you going to come back?" The man's voice was like poison as it worked it's way to Ichigo's heart, making it burn.

'She's moved on..' Ichigo's face betrayed his feelings and Orihime reached for him, as if to stop him, but Ichigo was too quick. He was already halfway across the wall.

The last thing he heard was Orihime's tortured scream, "ICHIGO!"

The piercing cry Orihime delivered to him still rang clear in his ears, haunting his nightmares.

One of Orihime crying his name as she burned in Hell.

Another, but this cry was happier, she was strolling down the pathway to the park with an orange-haired baby with big gray eyes in her arms.

The last one was of one where she screamed his name underneath him, reaching the heights of her climax.

All of them, he considered nightmares.

Ichigo couldn't sleep, not even half a blink. It was useless, he was an insomniac without Orihime to comfort him to sleep. Ichigo had nightmares of his mother's death, nightmares of his sisters dying, his father, Rukia, Renji, Byakuya, Orihime... all of them dying over and over again and it was his job to save them, to protect them as he was a doctor.

He didn't save any of them. He was helpless, like he was when he couldn't save his mother. When he couldn't keep Orihime.

DAY OF THE TRIAL:

Ichigo looked haggard, he had dark circles underneath his once happy brown eyes, his hair was longer, almost reaching his collarbone, he had dark orange stubble on his face and his suit was rumpled. Isshin Kurosaki along with Yuzu and Karin were by his side. Ichigo's family sat in the front pew right behind him. While Ichigo took the seat at the desk with Byakuya Kuchiki right beside him. He also noticed that Rukia and Renji watched him with looks of concern.

Ichigo turned his head and saw Mr Uryuu Ishida. The bastard that has him here, the bastard that Orihime sent. He noted that Orihime wasn't anywhere near the lawyer. Or anywhere in the room. Now that was odd, shouldn't Orihime be here to testify as well.

The judge walked in, His Honor, Toshiro Hitsugaya. His snow white hair contrasted nicely with his turquoise eyes, he looked like a child yet there was no indication that he was one. "This court is now in session, Mr Ishida, where is your witness?" Hitsugaya watched Uryuu's movements closely, his shrewd eyes looking like they could freeze over Hell itself.

"My witness is right outside, Your Honor. May the court recognize Orihime Inoue." Uryuu said and stood for the arrival of his client.

Ichigo saw the auburn haired woman walk in and his heart constricted. The woman made her way to Uryuu and Ichigo found a number of flaws:

1. Orihime's movements are more graceful, more carefree. Not rigid and stiff.

2. Her body is curvy, not bumpy in all places.

3. Orihime's beautiful hair wasn't a weird colour between pale orange and washed out red.

4. Hey gray eyes were as fake as the blow up boobs the woman had on.

5. -this is the most obvious one- Orihime doesn't look like a dog and her eyebrows aren't black.

6. Orihime would have been crying.

7. She would have had Sora with her.

8. Kazumi would have been in her arms.

9. Orihime would never, ever do this to someone.

10. Ichigo was a dumb ass.

Ichigo jumped out of his chair and pointed accusingly to the actress. "THAT IS NOT ORIHIME INOUE! THAT IS A HIRED ACTRESS!"

"That is a bold statement, Dr Kurosaki. Do you have any proof?" Hitsugaya asked as if he dealt with this all day.

"Yes! I have this photograph of the real Orihime Inoue!" Ichigo held up the photograph of his love and approached the bench.

Uryuu's heart pounded a million times a minute. How could have someone as dense as Ichigo Kurosaki have picked up on that? 'If I had known it was this hard just to get back Inoue for fucking up my life, I should have done this sooner!' He mentally scolded himself. Anyway, Orihime wasn't going to show up, she doesn't even know this is taking place, now she can lose her Ichigo, the way Uryuu lost his entire freedom.

"I am the real Orihime Inoue."

A voice piped up from behind him. Uryuu closed his eyes and prayed that the other actress showed up. He turned his head and sure enough, there she was. Her hair was perfect, her body perfectly aligned with the picture he had provided, even the eyes were amazing.

Then he noticed something, the child clinging to her leg, the man behind her, the way her eyes changed as she looked at Uryuu.

No.. that was no actress.

That was Orihime Inoue in the flesh.

He was totally screwed.

YO! RIKOREN here!

I hope you liked this installment of One Guardian! I wanted to torture you guys with cliff hangers, but I'm not that cruel!

Wait for the next Chapter A New Victory.

Arigato!

RIKOREN :)

-we all smile at your screens and smile-