"My lady, I'll hold them off."

"No."

"But my lady-"

"I said no."

From the tightening of his hands on the sword hilt, Orihime could tell that the knight was far from pleased with his mistress's decision, but he obviously knew better than to try a third time. For her part, Orihime was half in agreement with the knight's instinct and half intrigued like Rukia. What had the men come for? While Orihime often looked for the best in people, even she had to admit that the aura she was sensing from the five figures was anything but congenial. However, having the knight attack them while she dragged Rukia to safety would also not allow them time to figure out exactly what they had come for. For the time being at least, Orihime would stand and listen, but be ready to run at the slightest hint of danger and take Rukia with her, willing or not.

Almost as if he had read her mind, the central figure stepped forward with his hands lifted in a placating manner as he said, "Come, come now. Is there really any reason for you to receive us in such a frigid manner, my good sir?"

There was a moment's pause before Orihime heard what usually would have been a normal, low, rumbling chuckle, but that somehow had subtle undertones of menace as the man said, "No pun intended there, of course, my dear Princess."

Addressing the man for the first time, Rukia stepped slightly to her left so as to fix her calculating violet eyes on him as she said civilly, "While I do apologize for skipping the usual niceties, I would greatly appreciate if you would tell us why you are here. More importantly than that, it seems as though you know who I am, but I'm afraid I have no idea who you are."

Making a polite bow, the man said, "Of course you wouldn't remember me, I almost completely forgot. I am Sosuke Aizen. At your service, my lady."

After Rukia politely inclined her head in response, Aizen went on, "As for what I am doing here," he spread his arms expressively as he said, "my men and I are merely passing through this way on our journey. I hope our presence is no inconvenience to you."

"I have no issue with you travelling through my realm," said Rukia in an unconcerned tone, "I merely would like to know where your duties lie."

Even though Orihime was completely befuddled by Rukia's comment, Aizen seemed to know what she was referring to as he answered almost to himself, "Well, well, well. I guess we didn't forget everything," before he went on, "My charge is in the shadows, monitoring both the day and night."

Spreading his arms again, Aizen said in a light tone that made Orihime's skin prickle, "I can move about as I choose, during any season or any time of day since the light of the sun and the light of the moon…" he paused and tilted his head upwards for a few moments so that Orihime could see his face briefly illuminated by the pale white light before he looked down again and said, "and yet my realm is nothing without those celestial, luminescent orbs."

One of the figures stepped forward slightly and said in a low undertone, "My Lord…" and while he said no more, Aizen seemed to understand the unspoken request.

"Yes, yes Ulquiorra," replied Aizen.

If Aizen had been about to say anything else, he never got the chance as Orihime took the time to look over the other three companions Aizen had brought along. There was one she recognized immediately.

"Grimmjow!"

Everyone's eyes flew to Orihime as she stepped out from behind the knight and took a few paces towards the man she had healed. From what she could see, his wounds had greatly improved since she had last seen him and that brightened her smile immediately.

Forgetting who she was with and her uneasiness with Aizen, Orihime addressed Grimmjow saying, "I'm so glad to see you doing better, but you really had me worried. Going off like that alone and with your wounds."

Pointing back down the mountain, Orihime said happily, "Tatsuki, Uryu and Chad are all in the cabin down there and I'm sure they'd be glad to know you're doing all right as well. Oh! I almost forgot, the friend I thought was dead really wasn't he-"

"Stop!" yelled Grimmjow in exasperation, "Just stop already!"

Taking a step back, with a stunned and hurt expression Orihime asked hesitantly, "Grimmjow…what…"

She was interrupted again, only this time it was Aizen who said, "So, Grimmjow…"

While Orihime couldn't be sure, she thought Grimmjow's shoulders flinched at the sound of Aizen's voice, but he took a few steps forward and said in a careless tone, "Yes, Lord Aizen?"

Turning his head slightly to look at Grimmjow, Aizen said, "It appears as though you told me a falsehood. You do know how I feel about that…don't you?"

"Yes, Lord Aizen."

"Then I would appreciate if you would explain to me why you deemed it wise to do so," said Aizen in a silky smooth tone that made Orihime's spine tingle unpleasantly.

"I didn't lie to you, Lord Aizen, I swear," said Grimmjow quickly, even though Orihime thought he was trying to sound nonchalant, "After our fight, he was just about dead…he was going to die in a few minutes."

"And yet," said Aizen as he turned towards Grimmjow a little more, "you couldn't expend a little more energy to make absolutely sure," he put special emphasis on the last two words, "he was dead."

"I…" Grimmjow began before he stopped himself and said simply, "no Lord Aizen. I didn't."

"This is a problem, Grimmjow."

"I know, Lord Aizen. Give me some time and I'll-"

Holding up his hand, Aizen said dismissively, "I think not, Grimmjow. You had your chance."

To Ulquiorra, Aizen began, "I think you-" but he never got a chance to finish as a black blur suddenly raced past Orihime and clashed with Ulquiorra, who had leaped in front of Aizen. Apparently Rukia's knight had had enough of Aizen and was going to send them away forcefully. Orihime was about to turn and say something to Rukia, when she saw something that made her entire being freeze.

As he had rushed over to engage Ulquiorra, the knight's cloak had come off, so Orihime could now see his figure, his broad shoulders, his flashing sword as it clanged against Ulquiorra's own blade, his black robes lined in silvery white embroidery…his shoulder length…untamable…bright…orange…hair. Orihime had only ever known one person with hair like that and as the knight turned to chase after Ulquiorra and Orihime was able to see his face, she felt herself torn between wanted to scream, scream and run over to where he was fighting or just sink to the ground and never get up again.

There was no mistake. The knight was Ichigo. She finally succumbed to the last impulse and allowed herself to almost melt, boneless into the ground and stare blankly after Ichigo as he fought for the safety of his mistress.

The enormity of what she had just discovered hit her like a huge boulder to the chest. All that time he had walked and talked with her, at no time had Ichigo given any indication that he recognized her. From his own mouth, he had talked about how he was sure he had been miserable before…Orihime began to feel sick at the turn her thoughts were taking, but she couldn't stop herself.

Ichigo had chosen to forget everything. All the bad memories of his mother's death, Orihime could somewhat understand, but to be so miserable that he would also willingly sever his ties with all his family and friends. He had known exactly what the cost would be if he went with Rukia and he had paid it. Yet, the cost of Ichigo's choice had been exacted from others and he was the only one with the benefit of not being able to remember the transaction.

Throughout her entire journey, Orihime had been so sure that when she found Ichigo, he would be the same boy she had always grown up with. Now, she realized that if he had been the same boy at the time, she never would have needed to go on this journey at all.

Lowering her head in defeat, Orihime allowed the tears to come. With each tear, a beloved face passed before her mind's eye. Masaki. Sora. Karin. Yuzu. Isshin. Tessai. Mr. Urahara. Toshiro. Momo. Kenpachi. Yachiru. Retsu. Jyuushiro. Ganju. Kukaku. Kaien. Miyako. Hisana. Byakuya. Rangiku. She had set out on this journey and they had all given her something, whether tangible or not, to keep her moving forward and stay motivated.

Her fingers dug deep gouges into the snow as she thought about how she had come to the end of her journey…and completely failed them all. Every one of those sacrifices had been in vain because Orihime had absolutely no idea what she was going to do. Rukia and Ichigo remembered nothing and even after all that Orihime had told them about the people who knew them, cared about them and wanted them to come home…nothing had happened. Orihime had been taught many things about how to heal the body, but she couldn't force Ichigo and Rukia to remember and whatever had caused their emotional pain, she couldn't heal that like she could a burn or broken limb.

She was useless. She never should have come all this way and met all those people and gotten their hopes up. If she had just stayed at home and grieved for her brother and moved on with her life, everything would have remained exactly how it was…then she thought about what that would actually mean.

If she had never set out to find Ichigo, she would have looked over at his empty bedroom window and wonder. She would see his father and sisters and think of how Masaki had sacrificed herself and think about Ichigo and wonder. She never would have met the Ukitake's and become a part of their family. She wouldn't have attended Toshiro and Momo's beautiful wedding…basically she had just been thinking like Ichigo probably had when he chose to give up his memories. She had been about to throw away all the good things that had happened to her on this journey in favor of forgetting the bad.

Raising her tear-stained face to look at where Ichigo and Ulquiorra were still locked in combat, Orihime looked at the young man who had run away with her heart. She loved him and she wouldn't stop loving him just because he couldn't remember. If his old memories wouldn't return, then she would just have to stay by his side and make some new ones with him.

Taking a deep breath, Orihime fixed her gaze on Ichigo's face as she screamed, "Ichigo! Win Ichigo!"

Orihime couldn't be sure if her words had any effect, for the next moment another of Aizen's followers, a humongous figure of a man, started advancing.

"My Lady!" yelled Ichigo as he sensed whom the hulking figure was heading towards, but as he tried to disengage himself from Ulquiorra, the other fought back just as ferociously and kept him occupied.

However, as soon as Orihime heard Ichigo's cry, she pulled herself together enough to try and clamber gracelessly to her feet and shield Rukia with her body.

Unconcerned, Rukia stepped forward to meet the figure part way. She raised her arms and suddenly a tornado of snow gather around her and lifted her gracefully into the air. Making beautiful and intricate patterns in the air, Orihime's eyes widened as an ice katana formed itself in front of Rukia and she clasped it in a way that made Orihime understand that this petite woman was no stranger to combat. The whirlwind of snow propelled Rukia forward and she engaged the huge man with a calm expression that was mixed together with a strong determination to win.

"Well," said Aizen slowly, "this certainly isn't turning out according to plan."

Turning in Orihime's direction, Aizen looked at her for a moment and then said to the fourth figure, "Gin, I believe you can handle her, can't you?"

The man's voice came out rather higher than Orihime expected as he replied with a sigh, "If I have to…but it's not going to be any fun."

Realizing what the men were implying, Orihime struggling to stand upright, but for some reason her legs refused to cooperate with her. Hearing the sound of snow crunching underfoot getting closer, Orihime's heart began to race as she tried to think of how she would defend herself. She had no weapons to speak of, but maybe a handful of snow to the face would give her just enough time to get up and run…well, it was worth a try. Either way, she was probably going to die, but doing it on her own terms seemed more agreeable than just sitting there.

The sing-song voice was just above her as he said, "Oh come now. It's no fun if I can figure out what you're going to do."

Looking up, Orihime found herself staring into a pair of icy blue eyes framed by silky, shimmering strands of pure white hair. She found herself involuntarily leaning away and yet drawn into those eyes…while the back of her mind tried desperately to remind her of something important. She had just heard something said that stirred a vague memory, but it refused to surface for the moment.

Obviously he had seen through her plan to try and blind him, so the question was, should she go through with it anyways and hope for the best or try and improvise something totally different. Looking into those cold eyes, Orihime was pretty sure that any effort on her part would be completely useless…but she had to do something.

As if he had read her thoughts, Gin gave her a huge grin and asked slowly, "Yes…what are you going to do now?"

Author's Note:

I'm a bit of an idiot. Before I get a ton of comments gain-saying that, let me just explain. In this story, I have completely lost track of what I did with Gin.

When I was working on this chapter, something was bothering me about Gin when I decided to go back and figure out exactly what I had done. Turns out, my original intention was to 'kill him' for good like Rangiku said...however, for some reason best known to myself of about a year ago, I decided to have him alive and well in chapter 6. So, as you have now discovered, Gin is alive and will probably remain so for the rest of the story...unless another fancy takes me or I forget what I have done again and I kill him off a second time.

I've always said that I get ideas and then just run with them, but this is completely ridiculous.

Anyway, enough of my rant about my stupidity, I hope things are coming together now and as you have probably guessed, this story will last probably another three to four chapters. My intention is to finish this before I go back and work on 'Music of Angels'...but I am also aware that I intend to work on the Ichihime week for the Ichihime month over on Tumblr, so there are stories I am coming up with for that.

However, I know this is a cruel cliffhanger to leave you with, so I will try my best to have the next part up within the week! Pinky promise!