Title: Lies and Truths
Series: Bleach (manga)
Character/pairing. Ichigo/Orihime and the Shun Shun Rikka
Spoilers: Up to date with the current chapters of Bleach so if you don't want any vague spoilers don't read.
Also if you see any mistakes tell me and I'll fix them.
Ichigo is tired.
Tired of all the lying that is going around.
However, he also realizes that he is part of the problem.
He has an equal share in these recent events where friends decided to protect each other behind deceiving smiles.
He knows this and he decides to remedy this.
With a visit.
It was twilight and he was sure she was home.
Laugh Hour should be on soon.
She never misses it, if she can help it.
These little facts about her that he picked up have come in handy.
Last time it was with urgency.
This time it’s with timidity.
What is he going to say to her?
He lied to her face when she was only concerned for him.
How will it feel to see her look of disappointment?
Well he can deal with that later.
When he runs home with his tail between his legs.
Now he just needs to knock on the door.
After several minutes of no answer he starts to worry.
He can hear the TV from behind the door.
Maybe she doesn’t even want to see him now?
But he can’t back down now.
Not when he’s here.
So he slowly grips the handle and to his surprise the door permitted him to enter.
He softly calls her name while he enters her apartment.
The lights are dime and there is a soft glow coming from the living room.
It reminds him of the last time he was in here and he quickly squashes those thoughts.
She was here now.
He can sense her.
Wandering a little further in he finds her.
She’s crumpled on the ground with her caramel hair spread out around her face.
Just like a halo.
He rushes to her side.
“Inoue!”
A glow from her lapel blinds him for a second.
And he comes face to face with six fairies.
Four of them look at him worry.
One with irritation.
The last one greets him.
“Aww, Kurosaki-kun it looks like you got some power back.”
“What’s wrong with Inoue?”
He questions the blonde hair fairy.
The little blonde one is hesitant and the fiery black one barges in.
“Just tell him already” the black one grumbles “There is no time for this bullshit of if he knows or not.”
“Okay,” the blonde huffs “jeeze, Tsubaki you should be more respectful of Orihime’s feelings.”
Tsubaki grumbles under his breathe.
Restraining himself because of the current situation.
“Orihime had something cut within her heart.”
Ichigo subconsciously grips Orihime’s shoulders a little tighter with this new information.
“What do you mean her heart was cut!”
“It’s not a physical wound, Kurosaki-kun” the blonde fairy says gently “but it will have a devastating effect on her if we don’t do something soon.”
An energetic male fairy starts to spazz out.
“Currently we are trying our best to keep Hime-chan’s heart intact…”
The little pink hair female butts in.
“But our powers are fading each day.”
The last two fairies that were silent for the whole conversation nod soberly.
Ichigo noticed the blonde leader was about to say more but he didn’t need to hear any more information.
“Okay, I understand what you guys want me to do” Ichigo cuts in “I need to get stronger and help Inoue.”
He gives each of the fairies an determined look.
“And I guess I should thank you guys for everything you done for me.”
“Finally we get a thank you,” Tsubaki huffs.
The other’s smile at Ichigo and with a flash of light they return into two shining hairpins.
Ichigo gathers Orihime up in his arms.
Her caramel hair pillows against his shoulder and he catches a whiff of some floral scent he can’t name.
He sets her down on the couch and puts a blanket on top of her.
So if she wakes up in time she can watch Laugh Hour.
He turns around to leave but he feels a tug on his shirt.
“Kurosaki-kun…”
He chuckles on inside at how cute she looks half asleep.
He kneels down close to her and whispers.
“Inoue, I’m sorry for keeping things from you.”
Orihime blinks at him and yawns.
“It’s okay Kurosaki-kun. I don’t care too much just as long as you are alright.”
He smiles.
“I’m glad.”
He gets up to let Orihime sleep but he turns around before he goes.
“Inoue, you need to remember to lock your door. It’s not safe if you don’t.”
“Okay, Kurosaki…see you at school tomorrow.”
And with that Orihime drifts back to sleep.
Ichigo locks the door and heads home.
With new determination to get some rest so he can train after school tomorrow.