More than A battle

Chapter 3

Ichigo shoved his hands in his pocket's looking at the sides of building's as he passed them. Occasionally he glanced at Orihime hearing her light humming as the wind wisped her hair behind her.
They were almost to the river when Ichigo sighed. He stopped walking, Orihime almost running into his back.
"Inoue, I lost my mother, when I was younger." Orihime only nodded, knowing this already. He drew out a long breath. Starting to walk again. It was hard for him to talk with another person about her death. Once he reached the patch of grass where she took her last breaths he fell to his knees. Orihime watching, kneeled down as well. He wasn't expecting her to look at him with those eyes, eyes That  had a mirror of his pain. "She was killed by a hollow, the hollow Yhwach placed inside her." He felt happy now knowing he killed the two murderers. "I see she was your sun, Kurosaki-Kun." Orihime was looking out at the river, the light waves crashing into the Sandy dirt only a few feet away. He looked at her momentarily then spoke, "I love my mother dearly, she was a reason I smiled." Orihime felt a small smile tugging at her lips, *A time Kurosaki-Kun was happy.* Ichigo saw it then when she looked up to him, That small smile and rosy cheeks, her aburn hair glistening orange in the sun, her eyes squinted Shut. She looked like his mother, it hit him then like a rock falling on his head. Not a rock a planet. His heart opened wide, he couldn't help it. He almost shed a tear as he did years ago. He was no longer a man but a naive child seeing the sun for the first time. He heard it then, a deep rumble from his head. *You see the sun I have seen Ichigo, the reason our rain stopped falling.* zangetsu sounded so Clear, so sure.
Ichigo was still confused, his eyes refocusing at Orihime's face, she was looking at the water again.
*She really is blinding, so bright. She radiates such a burning heat.* Zangetsu continued almost in admiration. *She's pretty nice. That crying, pleading voice drew me out anyway into the world to taste it.* Hichigo laughed at the end, seeming to focus on Orihime's face through his eyes. Ichigo could always feel him looking at her though, like she was the only thing in the room. Like he desired her. *Potential, lots of power in That girl. She's emotionally weak though, a waste.* the new voice shocked him. Zangetsu Just snickered. Hichigo feeling a little angered. Before he could question it, he noticed Orihime staring directly at his face. She turned quickly when he caught her looking. They had only been sitting there a few minutes at most. He took note at the scarlet blush on her cheek bones, feeling his heart hammer. "You know Inoue.." He said nervously. "You look alot like my mother when you smile." She was lost for words. *I remind Kurosaki-Kun..* she couldn't even finish the thought. A stray tear drip down her cheek. Ichigo saw this and softened. Keeping note now of every feeling he felt, he was going to figure out this puzzle. "Thank you, Kurosaki-Kun"she said wiping her tears. "It's no Problem Inoue, I Should be the one thanking you." Before she could protest he was on his feet. She jumped up with him. "Matter of fact, lets go Inoue."

They walked back down the side walk into the city. Orihime watched the pretty stores as they passed. Ichigo knew the perfect place for a treat. He stopped in front of a donut shop. "Lets eat here Inoue." She blushed and nodded. They walked in. Her eyes lit up with excitement. "Wow Kurosaki-kun look at all their flavors!" She squealed in delight. He smiled at her, then he remembered something, her voice saying something about donuts?. He looked at the board picking a deal. They could get a dozen any flavor off the counter. He got basic glazed and a custard filled. Orihime got one of each available.
His head started putting something together again, he Just didn't know what. He looked at her as she was finishing her fourth a sprinkle on her cheek. *I wonder where all that food goes to.* he thought. Hichigo looked directly through his eyes to her shirt. He almost screamed and hit his head on the table. Orhime saw his stare "what is it Kurosaki-Kun?" She looked at him with her burnt Organge eyes, she was looking hard. He knew her gaze could probably see directly through him waiting for her disgust. Instead she blushed and hurriedly rubbed a napkin across her face. "Im so sorry, Kurosaki-Kun im such a mess." He laughed a little, and she only got redder. *That color looks so good on the princesses face." Hichigo was focused on her again. Ichigo took note of this but didn't respond. "You're okay Inoue, besides as long as you enjoyed it." He said softly paying the bill and standing up. "Yes of course, Thankyou so much." He saw that bright smile again, recalling it seemed to be reserved only for his eyes. He has'nt ever been this aware before. He grinned, "It's not too late yet Inoue lets go to the park or some-" he couldn't finish his sentence. The substitute bage was still hooked to his jeans, the first time Since the battle it started to ring. He felt the adrenaline flush through him. Orihime looked ready too. "It's only hollows, I should go deal with them". He planned on leaving his body behind the building, but Orihime pulled his sleeve. "Can I come with you?" He saw the determination in her eyes. He trusted her in battle, but it still rattled him to see her in it. He debated it though. That trouble could very well show up here too. "Let's go Inoue." They ran behind the building, Ichigo leaving his body pressed between two walls. The hollow wasn't far, so he didn't worry.
It was still necessary to shunpo. "Climb on up Inoue." He offered her she blushed but quicky climbed on. His hands secured her to him as she felt Zangetsu long against her. They were flying then, fast through the sky spotting the hollow easily. He was small, so this wouldn't take long. They dropped on the roof of a building. Watching the monster stomp the ground below. Orihime sat there waiting, knowing the hollow could sense Ichigo's presence. It appeared behind him in an instant. They jumped forward dodging the attack easily. Ichigo pulled Zangetsu off his back, but then a huge hollow charged Orihime. He quickly blocked it cutting his arm on its huge tusks. The other charged to attack but the huge orange shield connected to its face sending him back flying. Orihime saw Ichigo slashing at the other hollow. *you can do this Orihime, don't be so weak.* her resolve hardened, something violet flashed her eyes. Tsubaki went flying out in front of her a yellowish blur, connecting directly at its mask. Ichigo finishing up turned feeling a wave of immense reitsu. Burning him like a solar flare. He watched tsubaki obliterate the hollow in one single hit.
Her fairy returned to her pins as he landed on the building. She turned to him, her sheild already surrounding him. It worked quickly, a warm pool surrounding him, making his wounds nonexistent. "Good job Inoue, and Thankyou." He said having done healed in minutes. "It's nothing Kurosaki-kun." He was going to argue it but was too taken back by that smile again. She climed back on his back to get to his body.

He already walked Orihime to her Apartment, leaving her with a promise of seeing her Again.
He was laying in his bed, thinking.
When his eyes fluttered Shut.

*I wish i could have five lifetimes, five different jobs. A teacher,  an astronaut, running her own cake shop, going to the doughnut shop, a nurse and a writter. Id eat five different foods ordering  donuts in everything, and going to the ice cream shop to order everything. How nice it would be to live  life five times over so that I could be born in five different places, eat five different things, and have five different jobs. For all five times though, I would fall in love with the same person.*

He woke early Orihime's Voice still ringing in his head. *Seems you understand King.* his hollow laughed.
He took no time to dress quickly.
Running down the stairs.
*Five life times... One love.*
He could remember her face close to his. He stopped walking. He had an idea. He turned around darting towards the city.  Thoughts of his newly discovered feelings in his head.

Authors note: Thankyou for reading Chapter 3! This one is slightly longer  yet I have plenty of Idea's for the next few chapters, it will essentially be the next two years for the first couple more than we will get into the real details! Hope you enjoy.