TZC: Ichigo and Zangetsu C3, B side: The Shun Shun Rikka
Orihime sat in the deserted schoolyard where she’d first met her Shun Shun Rikka and waited for them to return. It was ridiculous to be so worried, she told herself. Zangetsu was Ichigo’s sword, not his lover. It was all a misunderstanding, that’s all.
But…if part of the rumor were true…
Stop mooning about, woman!
Tsubaki’s kick caught her completely unaware and right between the eyes. He held nothing back for her sake-as usual-but without her will to lend him power, he had his limits. She fell over out of surprise more than anything else.
Orihime!
Are you alright?
Really, Tsubaki, control yourself!
The rest of the Shun Shun Rikka flitted around her head, chattering angrily at their brother. They hovered worriedly until she sat up. Orihime couldn’t help but laugh.
I’m okay, I’m okay. Really. Tell me what happened?
That was when they started acting out of character-shifting restlessly, refusing to meet her eyes, not talking-and Orihime started to get scared.
Guys? Shun-o? What happened?
No one responded, so she turned to the one fairy who’d never bothered to sugar-coat anything.
Tsubaki?
He scowled darkly and opened his mouth to reply, but Shun-o beat him to it.
No, it’s okay. I’ll tell you. Orihime, Ichigo is…he doesn’t…I mean…
At that point, Tsubaki got fed up and interrupted. But he didn’t hit anyone, and that said more than words could. Orihime’s hands slowly clenched into fists without her conscious permission as she listened to Tsubaki’s report.
He’s not screwing Zangetsu. That was just a rumor. Not sure if he’s gay or not, Zangetsu didn’t say and we didn’t ask.
Okay.
Tsubaki didn’t flinch, or take a deep breath or visibly collect himself in any way, and that almost made what came next worse.
He doesn’t love you like you love him. Zangetsu doesn’t think he can. I don’t think so either. It won’t happen.
Orihime’s mind went blank. Was that it? After all the time she’d loved him, was it really hopeless? She was in a daze, her thoughts trying to circle around this horrible revelation without actually having to confront it.
But...he gave me my brother back. He gave me…he gave me all of you. Why can’t I give him something in return?
Shun-o landed softly on her clenched fists and reached up towards Orihime’s face, stretching her little arms as far as they would go.
You can. I’m sure you can. Just…not this.
But I really, really wanted to!
Orihime realized she’d started crying when she saw a teardrop hit Shun-o. Then she realized that she couldn’t stop. Shun-o stood amidst a sudden shower of teardrops with a heartbroken look on her face. Tsubaki dropped onto her shoulder and curled up against her neck. Lily settled on her other shoulder. Ayame and Hinagiku alighted on her forearms. Baigon was a slight weight on the top of her head. Orihime sat in the dirt, surrounded by her fairies and her memories and sobbed her heart out.