A/N: Don't like the plot of character plot, then don't read. Or I'll get my Zangetsu and Getsuga Tenshou you :P
Disclaimer: All is owned by Tite Kubo.
CHAPTER 7:
The Last Battle.
Ichigo was beyond feeling anything. He was completely numb. He wouldn't be able to feel anything until he brought Orihime's killer to justice, and he would take immense pleasure in doing so. He wouldn't be happy until Grimmjow felt the pain Orihime did in her last moments, he wouldn't be as brave, he would be begging Ichigo to spare him, unlike Orihime who accepted her fate with a smile.
Ichigo's bankai had been released, his long hair flowed in the air, having been cut from its tie, his fiery tresses sliced through the darkness with it's vibrant colour. Rukia stood beside him, her eyes like violet ice, her Sode No Shirayuki had been released also, she was wounded, but not enough to make her stop fighting.
Grimmjow laughed. "So this is Rukia? Orihime mentioned you. I will take great pleasure in killing you, and then I'll kill Ichigo." He spoke menacingly.
"You will pay for murdering Orihime." Rukia snarled, her entire body stiffened as she looked for openings.
"Yes, that's what they all say, you will pay, I'm going to murder you, I'm going to kill you. It's so old. But Orihime didn't." Grimmjow said slyly, looking straight at Ichigo.
Ichigo gripped Zangetsu tighter in his grip, looking at Grimmjow speaking about Orihime, he wanted to rip out his tongue and cut him to shreds. Orihime's innocent name should never be uttered by sinful lips.
"Shut your damn mouth! You have no right to speak about Orihime!" Ichigo yelled, ready to attack.
"Her stomach was surprisingly soft, the blade slid through her like she was butter, I've never seen someone in so much pain, yet look so brave, makes me almost wish I hadn't had killed her." Grimmjow laughed.
"YOU BASTARD!" Ichigo screamed, going after Grimmjow too fast for the Arrancar to see.
Ichigo Flash-Stepped. Grimmjow's eyes widened as he didn't know where the Soul Reaper was.
Ichigo silently appeared behind me. "GETSUGA TENSHOU!"Ichigo screamed with all of his power. Grimmjow turned, his eyes widened. It was too late to block.
Ichigo's Getsuga Tenshou sliced through Grimmjow's right arm, loping it off. "Now, my Getsuga Tenshou sliced through you like butter. You have only a small knowledge of what Orihime felt when you murdered her.
Grimmjow screamed in agony, falling back as blood spurted from the inflicted wound. "I'LL KILL YOU!" Grimmjow yelled, lunging at Ichigo.
Ichigo stiffened but he was too slow, Grimmjow's sword sliced Ichigo's chest and Ichigo gasped in pain, falling backwards, he quickly regained his footing and dodged Grimmjow's next attack, pushing him away with the sheer force of his sword's swing. Rukia jumped in and slashed with him. "Bankai.." Rukia whispered. The temperature dropped and Grimmjow jumped back.
"What the hell!?"Grimmjow exclaimed.
"Hakka no Togame." Rukia said, the air around her body started to mist and freeze. Grimmjow's Zanpakuto, unfortunately, did not escape. The blade froze as well as the guard and hilt and then finally broke.
"NOOOOOOOOO!" Grimmjow screamed as Ichigo and Rukia lunged for the former Espada.
{B}
2 YEARS LATER:
LOCATION: SOUL SOCIETY, SHINO ACADEMY.
{L}
"May I present, this years Shino Academy graduates!" The announcer said and the graduating class stood in their new black robes with their Zanpakuto strapped to their hips.
Everyone in the ballroom cheered, excited for the new generation Soul Reapers. It wasn't long before they were deployed in a squad.
A certain red-headed woman Soul Reaper who majored in Kido and Sword fighting was placed in Squad 13. Under Jushiro Ukitake's care.
Since Captain Ukitake was not well enough to greet her just yet, and Lieutenant Kuchiki was in the World of the Living sorting out problems there, this Soul Reaper, who was unnamed, took her orders through Captain Kyoraku, he ordered her to go to the World of the Living to exorcise Hollows.
She gladly accepted.
{E}
"Ye lord! Mask of flesh and bone, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Truth and temperance, upon this sinless wall of dreams unleash but slightly the wrath of your claws! Hado 33: SÅkatsui!"
Ichigo heard the familiar incantation and went in search of Rukia, thinking his 'ex-wife' might need help. He felt the Hollow's Spiritual Pressure diminish and he arrived on time.
"Hey Rukia, do you nee-" As Ichigo looked up, the words just refused to come out any longer.
She turned and looked at him with expressionless eyes.
"Orihime.." Ichigo whispered, staring at her, her flowing red hair stood out against the black Soul Reaper robes she wore.
"Who are you, stranger?" Orihime asked, raising her Zanpakuto against him, her eyes cold and unfamiliar to him.
"It's me, Orihime. It's Ichigo...do you remember me?" He asked, looking at his best-friend. He walked a little closer to her but her Zanpakuto lifted higher, the sharp metal tip pressed against the skin of his neck. His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. His chocolate brown eyes stared into her stormy gray. "Orihime, you know me. We are best friends, we were..hoping..to be more than that.." Ichigo whispered and looked down, his eyes reflected the inner sorrow that he had carried within himself for what seemed to be an eternity.
Orihime faltered. She didn't know why she felt pain, or why her heart beat like a tribal drum when he looked at her with those haunted eyes. All she knew was that she wanted to protect him from all harm. "You said your name was Ichigo..are you Ichigo Kurosaki by any chance?" She asked, having heard the tales of him amazing strength and power.
His eyes widened and hope blazed in the sweet brown depths of his eyes. "You remember me?" Ichigo asked, his eyes shining with something with what would be called as tears, though Orihime wouldn't go that far.
"No, I have heard of you. Though you do look familiar, but I have never met you before." Orihime stated, looking at Ichigo with her now neutral eyes.
"But you have met me Orihime, you know me very well."
"How do you know my name? I would remember if I met you, a handso- a very distinguished man such as yourself, an idol among this generation Soul Reapers." Orihime said, a very slight flush warming her cheeks as she looked at Ichigo with her wide eyes, hoping he didn't notice her lapse in speech.
"A what?" Ichigo asked, his voice turning husky, heating her blood.
Uh-oh.
"I said a distinguished man. That's all." Orihime said, straightening her back and pushing out her chest, just as a male would do in this instance, but she was not a male.
Her well-endowed chest pushed against his own flat, muscular chest and Ichigo's eyes fell to her pressing against him. "Do you know what you do to me Orihime? What you've always done to me?"
Orihime took a step back, a storm of emotions flooded over her mind and soul.
Fear. Passion. Lust. Anger. Shame. Guilt. Love. All these emotions and it was only the first two that she understood, given her reaction to him and how he was treating her at the present moment.
"I don't know what you mean." She whispered, her body shook uncontrollably.
"You know very well, how you used to taunt me with those smoky eyes, how your body sways with every movement, how you never understood how much I actually need you, right now." Ichigo whispered, taking her sweet face in his large hands. "I was so angry with you for leaving me, because you broke your promise."
"Mr Kurosaki.."
"Stop with the Mr. You never called me that, it was always Ichigo."
"But-"
"Say my name."
"Mr-"
"My first name!"
"Ichigo.." Her soft, full lips shaped his name and her heart pounded as if the small hollow part that was she was missing had finally returned.
Ichigo smiled, his lips curling and stretching into a big smile to accomodate his entire face, making even Orihime smile.
Then he closed the distance between them and they kissed.
HEY! RIKOREN HERE!
What do you guys think of this chapter? What's Orihime going to do? Will she accept the kiss and the unspoken offer? Or will she run away?
All will be revealed in the next chapter.
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ARIGATO!
RIKOREN xD