A/N: My dearest readers I'm sorry for the late update. Anyway, this chapter you'll notice there's no division of scenes (i.e. scene 1, 2) but the lyrics (bold) serve as a break for each scenes. This may be a challenge with numerous flashback (italics) and present (normal) but I hope you don't lose track, enjoy!

Warning: Rant at end.

Disclaimer: I don't own Falling Slowly and Bleach.

Heroes Come Back

Chapter 5

I don't know you
But I want you
All the more for that
Words fall through me
And always fool me
And I can't react

Dawn casts her morning glory into the woods not far from the abandoned dungeon...

"Tell him what?!"

A tall and bulky large built man under the hood placed the unconscious monster into the arms of the shocked teal haired man.

"But he'd be devastated!" a girl beside the teal haired man whispered sadly.

"It's the only way." The hooded man said sharply with no room for negotiation.

"But-" the teal haired man's protect was cut short.

"Do you want to save him?" a hooded woman's agitated voice cut away the protest. It was more of a command that a question.

The large built man held out a tiny glass bottle containing liquid in it the potion and handed it to the green haired girl.

"Hurry!" the hooded woman said urgently although this time, no agitation in her voice.

Nodding, the green haired girl turned to her companions and they made their way back to the manor.

"Told you he'd be devastated." Neliel whispered.

"Well, at least he is healed now, right?" her lover placed his arm on her hip, pulling her close as he led her away. "Let's go look for Ran."

The muffled whispers outside the orange haired leader's room died down, signaling the departure of his right-hand man and his lover.

But they were right, he was indeed devastated!

Has it been days?

It surely seemed longer than that since he lost his beloved auburn haired girl.

They said that he was healed.

But did the anti-dote work on him? Was he really free from the monster within?

Nobody will know until the next full moon. But deep down, he'll always be a monster... a murderer...

Frowing in disgust at himself, his scowl deepened yet as he curled his bed sheets into his fist. He knew he had to be strong. He had a clan to lead and a village to protect. Especially now that he is clear of what Aizen Sousuke is planning.

Yet, he had been dreaming about her, a lot. The memories of their childhood came back to him, as did the bittersweet memories of her stay with him in Aizen clan.

And games that never amount
To more than they're meant
Will play themselves out

The four year old with short auburn locks removed her necklace and wore it around his neck.

"I want you to have this. It will keep you safe." Her chubby cheeks tainted pink.

Ichigo took the amulet that hung on the necklace in his palms gently like it was the most precious thing in the world.

"What about you?" widened hazel eyes stared innocently at the little girl before him.

"My Nii-sama gave this to me, but I have him to keep me safe. Now it's yours. When you wear it, you'll think of me, ne?"

The orange haired boy nodded.

"I will never forget you Orihime-chan."

Her lips twisted into a wide smile as she tipped her toes to the orange head boy.

"I'll never forget you too Kurosaki-kun."

And she kissed the boy on his cheek, the innocent gesture causing the young boy to blush profusely.

Surprising himself, he placed both hands on her shoulders and kissed her on the lips.

"Oei! What do you think you're doing boy?"

"It's alright Nii-sama, Kurosaki-kun is someone special, I love him!"

Sora Inoue merely chuckled in amusement at the naive children before him.

"I promise I will protect her!"

He promised he will protect her!

He doesn't deserve her love, not when he can't even keep one promise.

Now he's all alone in the world of darkness.

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice
You've made it now

Grimm punched his fist to the cupboard and let out a frustrated growl. The green haired girl stood up with clenched fist, but her voice was composed and clear.

"Who knows how many other men are on Sousuke's side… Leader-sama and Orihime need us… We need to help them!"

"But how?"Ran whispered.

"Baby, don't you have something for Ran?" Grimm jumped up excitedly.

Just then Nel quickly took a letter out of her pocket for Ran.

"Right! Gin asked me to pass this to you at midnight, sharp. Not earlier, not later. That's why I was looking for you in the first place!"

"Why?"

"I asked him the same question. He said it was a surprise and very important that you receive it at midnight. I just believed him."

Ran quickly tore envelope and read the letter aloud. As she finished reading, the three of them immediately shared an understanding.

"Let's hurry!"

Alone in her room after the leader's rescue, the strawberry blonde woman lay on her bed reading her lover's handwriting over and over again.

Did he want us to sabotage their plans? Did he plan for leader-sama to get hurt and the fire as well?

It doesn't make sense!

But…

If not for the letter, Grimm and Nel wouldn't have look for her at half to midnight and found her in the room and freed her. If not for the letter, they would not have known the way to the hidden woods towards the dungeon, nor met the group of hooded figures carrying their leader.

Tears fell as she clutched the letter to her bosoms as she whispered,

"Gin you fool! Where are you?"

Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can't go back
Moods that take me and erase me
And I'm painted black

The morning light hit their disorientated sheets through the glass of her windows...

Blushing profusely when her ashen gaze met the glass bowl by her bedside… The glass bowl that contained a certain gold fish that Ichigo had… She bit her lip and covered her face.

She can't believe he actually put it inside... there!

"Still embarrassed about it?" she squealed as two strong arms encircled her waist.

"N-no," she mumbled but her lover turned her body to face him, trying to hide her embarrassment, she changed the topic "Aren't you going to get ready for breakfast?"

"Oh I'm ready," he nibbled on the soft spot on her neck, "Mmm.. Taste good."

Giggling, she wantonly leaned into his embrace, rubbing her hardening nipples against his chest. Craving for her sweet kisses, he gave a hard suck on her neck, leaving his mark before capturing her lips.

She moaned when his skillful hands found her large inviting bosoms, teasing her slowly before starting to pinch her nipples hard and rough.

He grunted when she started stroking his member not long before he started bucking his hips into her talented digits.

"I love you Hime,"

"Ichigo…"

"Ichigo..."

The dark raven haired girl entered the shabby room to see her awaken friend girl crying on the futon. Sitting down beside her, she placed her arms around the auburn haired girl.

"T-ta-tsu-ki-chan… I love him! I love him so much, it hurts."

"I know,"

"It's all my fault he became that m-mons- that thing!"

"Hime, don't blame yourself anymore. It's not good for your little one. Your physical wounds are healing but your distressed state will be felt by the baby too."

That caught the auburn haired girl's attention as she obediently wiped her tears away and gently rubbed her belly.

"Can you please take me to him?" the ashen eye girl pleaded, leaving her bewildered friend speechless as she thought of reasons to refuse her.

"Unfortunately, I don't think that's wise Orihime-san. You should just take care of your health till the baby is born safely."

The two girls turned their attention to the intruder standing at their door way.

"Sir…" Tatsuki began but the intruder continued to stare at Orihime.

"We are not sure if the anti-dote will cure him, but he has tried to harm you before, what makes you think he won't harm you again?"

"Ichigo is not evil! He must have been manipulated by Aizen Sousuke!" Tatsuki defended.

"Exactly, Orihime-san is nothing more than being the bait! Along with the baby, they'll just be the perfect bait to be used as leverage and cause much misery to Ichigo!" ignoring the hurt look on the said girl's face, he pressed further "Do you really not have the Red Scarlet?"

"You still don't believe that I don't have it?" desperation flashed in her wide innocent doe eyes.

What he said was not far from the truth, she was the bait that caused her love misery, she was weak and helpless. What good will it do her to look for Ichigo?

"Well, if what you're saying is true then, I have no reason to suspect that Aizen Sousuke is lying about finally attaining the lock and the key." the blonde intruder rubbed his chin as he announced distantly.

The room was deadly silent until the spiky haired girl punched her right fist into her left palm.

"You mean, he has the Scroll and the Red Scarlet?"

The blonde haired man nodded and explained that they have sufficient evidence to believe that the Aizens are preparing for a world war. The wedding between the Aizen and Kuchiki will secure the ties, while the lock and key guarantee the former of ample wealth for weapons and army.

"W-wedding?"

Wasn't the wedding canceled? No, it was merely postponed. Of course, the wedding.

Tatsuki did not have to turn to know her friend would be devastated by this piece of news.

"Yes, the wedding is in two days'."

You have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It's time that you won

"I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."

In the grand city hall, the happy guests were clapping with zeal as the newly weds kissed. It was a celebration between two great clans as the Aizen's new leader and the Kuchiki's younger daughter joined in matrimony.

Somewhere at the front row, Aizen Sousuke smirked. There was a hiccup to his plans at the dungeon, but all's not lost. His trusted spy was still working for him in the shadows.

Right after the new leader was appointed, there was certain silver-haired whistle-blower who tipped the village's special police, that the orange haired ex-leader, recently replaced, was indirectly or directly related to the death of Uluqiorra, leading to a full scale investigation.

In a day or two, the special police would be heading over to the Aizen Manor to capture the ex-leader for interrogation. And dear nephew Ichigo would no longer be in his list of worries.

Back in the Aizen Manor it was quiet due to almost everyone attending the wedding in the city hall.

All except the one dressed in thick brown cape over his black yukata, as he crept into the stable.

"It's just you and me now, Zangetsu."

Ichigo fed an apple to his black beauty while securing his amulet around his neck. His back pack was kept to the minimal weight, only grabbing the bare essentials, money, a gun, a knife, and a set of clothes.

"Leader-sama!"

The voice from behind him made him froze, as he mentally prepared to flee - he wasn't going to fight a girl, who happened to be his friend, who had also lost her lover the day he lost his.

"I'm not your leader anymore, not since two days ago." Ichigo said with a bitter chuckle.

"Where are you going?"

"Away. I'm not going to sit in the living room waiting for my arrest. I know what Uncle Sousuke has planned. Don't try to stop me."

"Figured we can't stop you… so we're coming with you, like it or not. Right, Haineko?"

Ichigo turned his head to Ran who was getting on her brown horse.

"What? No way!" the ex-leader got on his horse and started to take off but was blocked by green, blue and white.

"You didn't think you can abandon us, did you?" the green haired shook her head.

"Pantera's bored shit in the stable and he's not going to partake in any of Aizen Sousuke's world war rubbish." Grimm pat his white horse.

"Very touching, but NO!" The scowl on the orange haired man was deeper than ever. "It's dangerous to be on the run. It's an order."

"Technically you're not our leader anymore so we won't take orders from you. But you're our nakama, so let's get moving before they catch up on us."

By now it was pointless to argue with them. They were coming along, whether he liked it or not. He knew he had no time to be feeling emotional about these loyal three sticking to him, just as he knew they had no time to waste.

Giving in, he sighed as he explained their route.

"Once we cross the border of this village, the special police will have no right to lay a finger on us. Clear?"

"And if Sousuke comes after us?"

"He will eventually. But now, he's busy launching attack against the region. Till then we have time to find a proper hideout and regroup."

Everyone nodded their understanding and consent.

"Hyiak!"

The four were now on their horses, galloping away in the fastest speed only the best horses could keep up with – away from darkest in search of solace. Before they come back to bring justice against Aizen Sousuke.

.

.

.

.

End.

Love,

Blitch out (11.09.09)

Appreciation with Ichigo-cookies and Orihime-chocolates for the lovely reviewers:

wartanker66. VergilTheart. Tia-Chan18. alice hattercandy. NiNjA oF tHe NiGhT 27. Fostersb. Bullet2tm. bloodyrose1294. missdramatikkkk. Babiip. Euphy Azula. jammienmarie65. hikari-hime01. Blue rose angel. zodious. xXsnowfeltXx. somber girl. PainAndNumb. Enelya87. princess-myu. Seto Takahashi. Anime Addiction 4 Ever. and stezzapatch-welcome to fanfiction, lastly, Raye Lynne.

and yes, thank you very much to all who voted - We Could Be Heroes won Ichihime Sexiest Awards!

RANT time:

So I've gonna try to complete my fanfics before Tite Kubo decides to pull a Naruto by letting Orihime (Hinata) confessed but totally ignored and conclude with IchiRuki (Naru/Saku).

I don't understand NaruSaku just as I don't get IchiRuki. Again, I blame it on Masashi Kishimoto for not doing a good job. By all means, the story is great but when canon couple comes in to ruin the show, it makes me angry.

If he meant for NaruSaku, he shouldn't' have had Hinata crushing—turn-love-confession. We only saw Naruto's crush on Sakura (Cos she was cute but she treated him like shit) when they were kids, true - crush can turn into love but it was no where portrayed as romantic, to me it seem like a great development of friendship and brotherly-sisterly love. Now telling me it's romantic just totally stabs me in the back.

Imagine 'We Could Be Heroes' having a IchiNeliel ending. Yup, that's what it is. Hands up those who'd wana kill me?

I don't expect my readers to want Ichigo and Orihime to end up together just because I'm randomly an Ichihime fan, but because this story was developed that way right from the start.