Lyrics by Elvis Presley, Good Charlotte and Edwin Mc Cain

Part VIII

Hold your warm and tender body close to mine
Hear the whisper of the raindrops fallin' soft against the window

Rain pattered against the window as dark clouds rolled overhead, lightening blazing across the skies from time to time, throwing their light momentarily at Orihime as her husband hovered over her and watched her sleep.

Ichigo had returned scant minutes ago after taking care of a Hollow and had crept back into their room as quietly as he could without waking her. She had woken up when his Shinigami license had blared out its usual noise and had sleepily stated that next time she met Ukitake-san she would ask if it were possible to get a softer alarm. She snuggled back into her pillow as he pressed a kiss on her forehead and left out the window.

She was lying on her side, one hand half curled up under her chin and the other thrown carelessly over his hips. Her breathing was slow and deep, her hair spread over the pillow like a halo. He lay on his side as well, head propped up on one hand as he watched her dream away. His second hand gently traced her closed eyes, brushing against her long eyelashes as they drifted down to her nose and further down against her parted lips. They lingered over the plump fullness of them before shifting to her neck.

Slowly they traversed downward, coming to rest over her swollen belly. She was nearly four months pregnant now and it showed quite clearly. It was a sight he could never grow tired off. Seeing her beautiful body glowing, her stomach swelled as life grew in her. A life that they had created together…it was a part of him and her inside of her. Ichigo was hoping for a girl but she kept saying that it was going to be a boy. Woman's intuition, or so she said. But he had learnt a long, long time ago just how accurate that was.

His gaze shifted from his hand and its path up to her eyes when she let out a sleepy moan. She half opened her eyes, giving him a small drowsy smile that he returned.

"You're back."

"Did you think I wouldn't be?"

She shook her head into the pillow, curling up against him like a cat as she replied "I just thought you might take longer."

"Oh?"

He found himself distracted by the feel of her smooth legs rubbing against his and her lips that were pressing butterfly kisses against his neck. He brought her up against him and kissed her, reveling in the sweet giggle she let out as he impatiently pulled at the buttons of her shirt. Well technically it was his shirt. She had gotten him a plain black pajama set as a gift a few years back but had staked her claim over the top. He had to admit, it looked much better on her than on him.

Then again, every shirt in his wardrobe looked amazing on her. Especially his button down shirts. She would keep the first two buttons open, so a tantalizing amount of skin was always peeking out for him to caress and worship with his lips and hands. They just barely reached her mid-thighs, giving him an excellent view of her slender legs and the long sleeves covered her hands to the point that only her fingertips peeked out from the sleeves. He always felt a surge of possessive pride run through him whenever she wore his clothes.

Buttons finally undone, he rolled them over and settled himself snuggly in between her thighs. He pulled the shirt open slowly, his lips dropping down to her sensitive peaks, lavishing attention on both of them equally. She sighed softly and rested her hands on the back of his head, urging him onward. Giving the mammary one last lick, he moved further down to the one spot where he always granted the most of his attention.

She always tried to hide the scar but he would never let her. Not in front of him. For him it was proof of just how special she was and it reminded him, every time, to show her and tell her how much she meant to him. On the right side of her torso, there was a pale scar indicating the location where she had been stabbed by Wonderweiss when she was rejecting the Hogyuku into non-existence.

After defeating Nnoitra, Zaraki had wandered off with Yachiru stating that he was going to go "finish this stupid job" while telling Ichigo to "take your woman and get lost already". Ichigo had moved to follow him in the hope of getting some answer regarding his sudden arrival but had stopped when he noticed that Orihime had not moved from her spot.

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"Hime, We should get outta here."

"I can't….there's….there's something that I must do. Only I can do it."

"What is it?"

"I'm the only one who can get rid of the Hogyuku."

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Ichigo had argued come with her, refusing to let her out of his sights for even a mere second. But she managed to convince him to follow her and he did so, both of them sneaking through the long empty halls of Los Noches. They entered the large room cautiously, wary of any enemies who may pop out but only silence greeted them. She walked over to the center of the room and managed to make the small column rise up from the floor. Ichigo had been faintly impressed as they both gazed down at the small marble shaped ball that had caused so much trouble.

She had hoped, and it was a fools hope honestly speaking, that no one would be guarding the Hoguyku and she had thought so as well. That was until Tousen had stepped into the room from the far shadows. Ichigo had immediately grasped his sword and moved into a fighting stance, tense and ready for battle once more.

As she focused on eradicating the Hogyuku from existence, Ichigo fought with the former captain. She was more intent on the task in front of her rather than the fighting or on who else was present with them. She didn't notice Wonderweiss until she felt the cold steel of his sword pass through her and hot pain flash through her. Her hands went to the wound as the sword was pulled out and blood began to seep out.

Her blood was quickly stained the white of her clothes and the floor beneath her. And her ears felt oddly numb…she could just barely hear Ichigo calling out her name. It sounded as though he was standing far far away from her. She didn't hear the sound of Tousen's Zampaktou falling to the floor from its owner's limp hand or Wonderweiss's last gasp. She could only hear her own heart beat pounding away frantically.

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She couldn't help thinking that being stabbed was arguably one of the more unpleasant experiences of life. She didn't see how Ichigo had managed to get through the pain of getting stabbed all those times. She looked up at the glow of her Souten Kishun, flickering slightly in the dark room. She pressed one hand against her wound, her legs shaking as she tried not to fall down. She held her other hand against the glowing barrier as she concentrated on her task, trying to keep from passing out from the pain of it all. Nausea was rising up in her as her gaze suddenly fell on her crimson fingers.

Her legs were starting to give way when she felt Ichigo's arms grab her and pull her against him. Slightly dazed she looked up at him and wondered why he looked so worried given that she had almost completed her task. She shook her head, trying to shake away her dizziness as Ichigo spoke, "Forget that damned marble and heal yourself Orihime!"

Her voice was weak as she replied, "I'm almost done…"

He was feeling antsy as he watched her, letting her use the Souten Kishun on the ever shrinking Hogyuku against his better judgment. He worriedly stared down at the ever growing pool of blood and then at her pale face. She was biting her lip, her eyes closed tightly as she tried to stay awake and not give in to the growing dizziness.

He watched in wonder as the Hoguyku seemingly vanished into thin air in a small puff of smoke and an emission of light. Wonder left and panic seized him full force as she fell to her knees, her torso red with blood. Her eyes were barely open, her pupils shifting from side to side as though she was searching for something. They finally rolled to the back of her head and she tipped backwards.

"Oh God…Orihime….Hime…Oh God!"He called out to her, despair coloring his voice as his hands were stained by her crimson blood.

She whimpered softly, like a child in pain "Ichi…go….."

"God Orihime! Why did you do something so stupid?!" He stared up at the two hovering faeries who were slowly growing faint and yelled, "Heal her already damn it!"

Ayame was shaking her head slightly, "She can barely stay awake, much less focus on healing herself. Already we're beginning to fade."

Beginning to fade? That'd mean…He gazed down at his love, anguish filling him. Oh God…not like this! Please not like this! He gently slapped her cheek and she opened her eyes slightly, letting out a soft moan of pain. He wasn't the kind of person who prayed much but at that moment, he prayed to whatever deity out there to spare her life.

He pleaded with her, "Hold on…please! For my sake, hold on!"

"Love…you…" her words were a whisper that he barely heard.

"Don't leave me Hime! God damn it, you can't leave me!"

Her breathing was getting shallower he noted and her face had become almost chalk white. Why did she focus so damn fucking hard on trying to erase that damned Hogyuku? She couldn't have healed herself first and then go on with that?

This wasn't how it was supposed to be damn it!

"Kurosaki-san."

He looked up in surprise at the gentle voice, staring into the dark eyes of the Fourth Division Captain. She was standing right in front of him, staring down at him as he held Orihime. He couldn't remember her name and he couldn't bring himself to remember. He could only manage to choke out one sentence.

"Please…save her."

I'm fallin', I'm fallin', I'm fallin' down
Down, down, down

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Her hand came down to rest over his, giving him silent reassurance. I'm here. I won't leave you. He gripped her hand tightly, taking solace in the warmth of her hands and the strength of her grip. There was no person out there to whom he owed a bigger debt than to Unohana Retsu who brought Orihime back to him from the brink of death. Of course the shinigami had waved off his gratitude with a gentle smile, stating that anyone in her position would have done the same. Whether she accepted it or not, Ichigo was incredibly grateful to her.

He kissed the scar tenderly, enjoying the comforting feel of her fingers as they brushed against his face. She pulled him upwards, shivering slightly at the heated feel of his skin brushing against hers. Her slender fingers framed his face as she gazed up at him, her eyes seeming like quicksilver in the dark bedroom as he whispered, "I love you Orihime."

She pressed her nose against his, rubbing it gently as she replied quietly, "I love you too Ichigo." Her lips slowly moved up to press against his. The kiss was sweet and reminded him of the early days of their relationship. His hands pushed the shirt out of the way, making her sit up slightly to push it off her body completely. She moved forward to straddle him, her hands holding his face in her hands as she kissed him. His hands were kneading and caressing her breasts, teasing her buds into hardening points before he took one in his mouth. She let out a soft noise of pleasure and placed one hand on his neck while the other drifted down his naked torso to play with the elastic of his boxers before moving up his back.

He shivered slightly under her familiar heated touch and continued his ministrations on her body. His lips went back up to her neck and suckled at the skin, wanting to leave his mark on her. Her grip on his shoulders went slack momentarily as his fingers slipped into her panties and searched out her hidden nub. His lips were firm but gentle against hers as she moaned into him, her grip tightening to the point he could feel her nails dig into his shoulder.

They both stopped mid-kiss when a soft, hesitant knock came at the door. Resting her hands on his shoulders, Orihime's smile was half-regretful and half-motherly.

"Ka-san?" a soft voice queried from behind the door.

With a similar grin on his face, Ichigo clambered out of bed and padded over to the door as Orihime quickly slipped the shirt back on. She smiled at the little girl curled up in her father's arms while tightly holding onto a white bunny. Orihime opened her arms, gesturing for Ichigo to let her hold their daughter while he got back into the bed. The little girl rested her head against her mother's chest, her small arms holding onto her as tightly as she could as her mother brushed back the bright orange bangs away from her face.

"Did the thunderstorm wake you Airi?"

She nodded shyly as Ichigo slipped under the blankets, her large grey eyes peering up at her mother. "All the noise was scawing me."

Orihime brushed away the hair on her forehead and placed a soft kiss on her brow, "Well you can go to sleep now. Ka-san and Tou-san are here."

Airi turned slightly to look up at Ichigo, seemingly seeking confirmation of her mother's statement. She beamed at her father as he held up the blankets and gestured for her to slip in. Happily she wriggled in, making sure that Chappy was lying right beside her. A particularly large lighting bolt raced across the sky, followed by a large rumble that had the small girl all but leap into her father's rather surprised arms in fright. Amused at the sudden reaction he soothingly placed a hand on her back, rubbing it slowly in an effort to release her tension.

"Tou-san…"

The slight quiver in her soft voice pulled at his heart strings, "Yeah?"

"Would you hold me till the storms over?"

He pressed a kiss in the same spot Orihime had and arranged her in a more comfortable position between himself and Orihime. Seemingly satisfied with her new sleeping arrangement, Airi closed her eyes, her small hand still holding on to Ichigo's fingers. Nothing would harm her while her Ka-san and Tou-san were with her. And resting in between her mothers love and fathers strength, she fell to sleep.

Orihime was running her fingers through her daughter's hair, listening to the pattering of the rain against the window. She still found it a bit awe inspiring that she was a mother now and this little angel before her was her daughter. And that was married with Ichigo. Times like these, it felt a bit surreal to her. She looked up in surprise when she heard a soft snore and smiled, Ichigo had fallen asleep as well. She gazed at him lovingly and then at her daughter, resting her hand over the baby growing in her. She positioned herself behind Airi, and sent out a silent prayer.

I could not ask for more than this time together
I could not ask for more than this time with you
Every prayer has been answered
Every dream I have's come true
And right here in this moment is right where I'm meant to be
Here with you here with me

The End

I….I did it. I actually finished it. – blinks in wonder -

Thanks to all who reviewed and commented and added my story to their favorites. I thank you guys and gals from the bottom of my heart. I truly truly appreciate it!

I just had to end at a sappy, happy ending that would be so sweet that it'd make my teeth hurt!