A/N: Here is the IchiHime HM Arc Fanfic that was requested by an Anon. I wasn’t sure how to go about this because to me the HM Arc is a very angsty part of IchiHime that could have been written better in my opinion.
(Like come on Kubo, this could have been the Arc you actually implicated or ACTUALLY HAD A FACE TO FACE CONFESSION to show that there was something there on Ichigo’s part too during this time, instead of leaving Orihime hanging until the end of the manga/WDKALY.)
♥Enjoy!♥
Inoue Orihime stood silently as she stared out the small window of her ‘room’. The new clothes she was given to wear felt suffocating against her body and with the news of her friends coming to save her, it was getting even harder to breath. Ulquiorra left her alone to her thoughts quickly, after establishing that putting on this new uniform meant that her mind and body belonged to Lord Aizen.
Her fingers slowly dug into her arms as she hugged herself trying to kept herself from crying. She made a promise to herself after she had left Ichigo’s room that night. She would not show any remorse for choosing to come here on her own. She would not show any fear or sadness. Even when she would have to face everyone again, but on the opposite side of the battle field, she promised herself not to break.
Now she just felt ridiculous for thinking that they would not come for her.
Of course, they would come to save her.
She could almost see them now.
Everyone at school, being somber and stern as they all decided to themselves what they were going to do. All of them meeting at Urahara’s place to discuss their plan to break in to find her. Each of them preparing to fight for her life and bring her home.
The mere thought of how it was all so familiar to Rukia’s situation brought a wave of emotion that she could hardly contain. She was now beginning to understand why Rukia left on her own afford. Why Rukia chose to leave and not tell anyone. She wanted to protect everyone. Keep everyone from getting hurt. Keep Ichigo from any danger that the Social Society might threaten him with.
She wanted to do the same thing that Rukia had done.
Trade her life for the protection of his.
Holding her hands against her chest, she tried to steady her breathing. Allowing herself to finally cry out. The feelings in her heart were hard to control as anger and happiness swirled together. She wanted to see everyone so badly. Scream at them for coming to save her. Tell them how she didn’t want to leave them. Then yell at them for risking their lives for her.
She wanted to reach her hand out to Ichigo and touch his hand again. She wanted to feel the warmth of his presence. Stand with him against this new enemy together as he smiled at the challenge.
She wanted to show him, she would no longer be a burden to anyone or to him.
Taking a deep breath, she wiped the tears from her face with the sleeves of her new clothes. Looking up at the crescent moon through her only window to the outside, a small smile forming on her lip for the first time since she had arrived in Hueco Mundo.
