Author's Note:

I AM OFFICIALLY BACK! :DDD Thank you so much guys for being soooo patient with me and tirelessly supporting my stories. I love ya'll so much mwah! I'm sorry I could only post this now. I've been busy having just finished my finals and a week of playing Belle in our production of Beauty and the Beast :D

I've been meaning to ask you guys a favour. If you do have any suggestions for cover arts for my stories please do not hesitate to PM me. It seems that in the 2 years that I was hibernating, FF decided to add this feature and I have no clue what to put as cover art for my stories.

I would just like to dedicate this chapter to the sweet love and art goddess11-san. :3

DISCLAIMER: BLEACH IS NOT MINE. NEITHER IS THE SONG THAT I USED IN THIS CHAPTER. IT BELONGS TO DISNEY.

Soooo here you are lovies!

Chapter 10 :

My Debt to You

"I'm taking her back"

"Like hell you will" Ichigo said through gritted teeth as he motioned for Orihime to stay behind him. He lowered himself into a defensive stance and unsheathed his sword

A crazed grin spread through Grimmjow's face and he grabbed the hilt of his sword, "You bet I will" he said before lunging at the orange haired man.

"NO!" Orihime screamed as the two clashed but they paid her no heed. She didn't know what to do. She knew that this was not like the first time the two battled. She was well aware that the tension and rivalry between the two had grown immensely in the few hours since their first fight. Orihime knew that unlike a few hours ago, she could not just step in between the two and order them to stop. She didn't want this to happen. She didn't want any of them to lose yet she could not bear to see them hurt either.

"You answer to me and only me. Do you understand, Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez?" Aizen's voice was stern and filled with authority

"Yes, Aizen-sama"

"Never forget that you owe your life to me" his voice echoed in the young man's ears, "Your life belongs to me"

"Yes, Aizen-sama"

"That all you got, shinigami?" The 6th espada grinned as he slashed and attacked Ichigo in a frenzied manner

Coughing out blood Ichigo staggered to keep himself upright. "I'm no shinigami", he said, leaning on his sword for balance.

"You look like one to me" the taller man sneered when Ichigo blocked his attack.

"Tch. I ain't" the orange haired man scoffed. "And I don't need to be one to kick your sorry ass" he said sharply as he shoved the espada away.

Grimmjow's face split into a fiendish grin, "Bring it on!"

"Grimmjow-kun" Orihime called out to her guard wistfully

"What?" came Grimmjow's crude reply

"When I get out of this place . . ." she smiled at nothing in particular, her eyes gleaming in the moonlight. "Will you come with me?"

The powerfully built man stood from where he sat near the fire place, "You got it all wrong, princess" he chuckled, shaking his head "You got it all wrong"

'It's the other way around. When I leave this place. . . will YOU come with me?'

"Tell me, shinigami" Grimmjow spoke when they had finally broken away. "Did you really think that you could threaten us by kidnapping the girl?"

"Aren't you guys up on your asses ransacking kingdoms just to find her?" Ichigo countered as he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, "Then I think I did one hell of a job stumping you all" he smirked confidently, annoying the general further. "Besides, I'm not doing this for the shinigami" he said, voice dripping with resolve, "I need her"

Again, Grimmjow only laughed scornfully at the orange haired man, "Do you even have any idea what she is?"

Ichigo's brows furrowed at this.

"Thought so" Grimmjow smirked at the confirmation of his theory. He laughed again, louder this time, "You stupid son of a bitch. You dare take something you don't even have a clue about". He glanced at the trembling auburn haired girl for a second then focused on his opponent again. His aura changed, expression hardened, eyes darkened. "You shouldn't have opened a door, you were nowhere near prepared to enter" he glowered.

The sight of this arrogant hick pissed the hell out of him. Sure, he had the balls to sneak into Las Noches, kidnap their princess and even get this far without having his head cut off, he'd give him credit for that. But he was foolish. And his imprudence is what's going to get him killed

"I know about you, Kurosaki Ichigo"

Brown eyes narrowed at the mention of his name.

"I know why you need the princess. I know about the dying girl in the East"

"You're hurt" the young princess cried as she hurried to the injured soldier.

"It's nothing" the newly appointed general grumbled, reeling towards the plush carpet.

"But you're bleeding through your bandages!" Orihime panicked at the sight of the crimson liquid leaking through Grimmjow's jacket. "Let me heal you" she said, grabbing his arm to help him sit down but to her surprise, he yanked his arm back forcefully.

"Save your energy for more important things, princess" he snapped at her.

He thought she would obey like she usually did when he raised his voice at her but this time she didn't. Cerulean eyes widened when a pair of small hands latched onto his arm and held onto him tighter. "You are important!" Orihime exclaimed, her eyes burning with conviction.

Grimmjow froze. He had never heard that from anyone before. He had been told a few times that he was 'special' but never 'important'. To hear those words addressed to him felt so foreign yet surprisingly pleasant. And the way this petite girl had said it, made shivers run down his spine.

"Let me heal you"

'You're always healing me'

"You know nothing about me" Ichigo hissed

"You're right" the espada shrugged nonchalantly, "but what I do know is that precious girl of yours is going to die". He flashed his teeth at the enraged fugitive, a vicious glint shining in his eyes. "And so will you!"

He rushed at Ichigo with such speed that the young man barely had time to react. He was able to block it, but did not make it in time to dodge Grimmjow's kick. He coughed at the strength of the impact and before he could even have the chance to catch his breath, the espada swung his sword at him, slicing his shoulder.

Large rough hands grabbed Ichigo by the collar, lifting him from the ground. "Did you really think you could save your little girlfriend?" Grimmjow taunted before punching him, making him fly across the area. With a sadistic grin plastered on his face, Grimmjow marched towards Ichigo and kicked him on the stomach. "You are a fucking retard for even imagining that you could spare someone from death with your level of power!" he bellowed. "You sicken me!" he hissed as moved to strike Ichigo and end his life for good. But to his disbelief, the sword did not impale Ichigo's chest for he had caught it with his bare hands.

With surprising power, Ichigo held onto the blade, unfazed even though his palm was bleeding. "At least I tried, didn't I?" he panted, "I would die knowing that I tried to save the person I love". He gripped the sword even tighter, rising as he did so.

"And that's what makes me stronger than you, Grimmjow"

As the orange light faded along with her seraphic voice, Grimmjow lifted his eyes to the supple creature kneeling before him. She was tired and he knew it was because of him, because she healed him yet again.

He was one of the few people who had witnessed and even experienced her unique power. And he had become her patient quite often lately due to the intensifying war between the arrancar and the shinigami. The graver the injury, the more it took a toll on her. That was what he noticed and today's affliction, unfortunately, was by far the worst he had received yet.

Admittedly, he got a little too cocky and careless. He had underestimated a certain shinigami. He had been fighting with newbies who thought they could stand a chance against him and he was beginning to tire of them. And so when a young shinigami attacked him, he had assumed he was a neophyte, just like the others, never thinking that he was a ranked soldier like himself.

The price of his negligence was his left arm.

"It's sucking the life out of you"

Startled by the grimness of his voice, Orihime whipped her head to face him. "N-Not really" she struggled to reply, "It requires a lot of effort and concentration but other than that I'm fine" she smiled, trying her hardest to hide the lethargy that was gnawing at her.

"Don't lie to me, Orihime!" Grimmjow shouted, taking Orihime aback. "Don't lie to me when it's already obvious" he said in a hushed yet serious tone

A pregnant pause hung between the two. Then, "When I heal" the princess began, a sad smile lingering on her sweet face, "I give a portion of myself to the person I am healing" she explained. The way the candlelight flickered played with the shadows that danced upon the girl's features, making her appear even more heavenly. It made him want to reach out to her but he did not, he cannot.

"So every time you sing to Aizen . . .you are giving him a portion of your life". Again it was not a question, but an affirmation. He clenched his fists as he waited for her answer. Yet there was none, but then again, he didn't need one, for the answer was already clear.

Anger rushed through his veins and he could not help but dig his nails deeper into his palm. He clenched his jaw to prevent himself from lashing out on her. Without sparing her another glance, he stormed out of her tower.

'I will set you free, Hime'

Infuriated by Ichigo's display of confidence despite his condition, Grimmjow leapt to attack him once more, fiercer this time. But Ichigo was able to block it. "I don't understand you" he said, "why do you still bow down to that bastard?"

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

"You don't agree with his methods, you don't even believe that he should be king. And yet you still obey his every whim like a spineless lackey" Ichigo moved to strike the espada.

"Don't talk about things you don't know about" Grimmjow warned between gritted teeth.

"I know that Aizen kidnapped her and has been keeper her there for God knows how long" Ichigo dodged the sixth general's furious puches. "I know that you've wanted to get her out of that hellhole but can't because you're afraid" this time it was Ichigo's turn to goad.

"You shut the fuck up!" Grimmjow roared. "I am Aizen's 6th general. I've been through hell and back to keep Orihime safe!" he shouted.

"That doesn't change the fact that you didn't have the balls to bail Orihime out of that tower" Ichigo retorted, clashing with Grimmjow's sword with new strength. "You care about her more than you choose to acknowledge"

A dark chuckle rose from the blue haired man's throat, "What makes you think so?"

"The way you talk to her. The way you look at her. It's obvious" Ichigo smirked

"You're seeing things" Grimmjow scowled

"Maybe" the orange haired man shrugged, "besides, how can a southerner ever care for anyone but himself?". Ichigo gripped his sword tighter and with more conviction than ever, charged towards the espada, who met him with equal strength.

Blood spattered on the ground and Orihime felt her stomach churn at the sight. She could not even distinguish which was Ichigo's and which was Grimmjow's anymore. She had never seen so much blood before but it frightened her even more to watch Ichigo bloody and battered. Grimmjow rained the easterner with ruthless blows, some he was able to block but most he could only take. Exhaustion was creeping into Ichigo's system and Orihime could feel it.

This was all her fault. Ichigo wouldn't have to fight if she had not begged him to take her away from the castle. She knew this fighting was inevitable but still the sight of these two men battling before her made her heart ache unbearably.

"Don't die" she cried, "I beg of you Kurosaki-kun" her voice trembled, fearing for his life. "You don't have to do this, you don't have to win" tears streamed down her porcelain face. "Please just don't get hurt any more" she pleaded

For a moment, the two stopped. Ichigo stared at the woman, her voice reaching him and reverberating in his head. She looked so fragile, so vulnerable that it made him want to protect her even more. Make sure he would never have to see her eyes filled with tears again.

Grimmjow had stopped to look at her as well. But the sound of Orihime's voice calling out to Ichigo riled him up. And without thinking, he sped towards Ichigo with reprisal. ready to finish him with this final blow.

But he stopped him! Dear Kami, he caught the espada by the wrist. "I'm sorry, Grimmjow" he said in a strangely calm voice. "The princess says I'm not allowed to get hurt anymore" he turned to the shocked man, a small smile on his lips. Then, in a blink of an eye he slashed Grimmjow's chest open.

"NO!" the princess shrieked and immediately, Orihime was at Grimmjow's side.

Somehow, the way Orihime worried over the fallen southerner bothered him. Why was she so concerned about the man who had kept her captive all these years? Closing his eyes, he shook the heavy feeling that was brewing in his chest.

"Kurosaki-kun" came her quivering voice, "can you . . . step back a little?" she asked

Wordlessly, Ichigo complied. He watched her pensively as she brushed a strand away from the espada's face. She touched the wound that split Grimmjow's chest and when Orihime opened her mouth again, a bright light formed over Grimmjow.

It was that light again and that beautiful voice. The light, so blinding that it made Ichigo fall to the ground as he attempted to cover his eyes. And that voice, that heavenly voice that seemed to float and flutter in the air, leaving it ringing in his ears. But just like before, the words to the song were unfathomable.

When the song ended, the light faded as well, revealing the auburn haired princess, kneeling beside her guard. Despite his best efforts, Ichigo's vision was still hazy from the blinding light and all he could see was Orihime's silhouette still crouching beside Grimmjow's still body.

Caught in his wild thoughts, he failed to notice the auburn haired princess approach him and kneel beside him. He snapped out of his stupor when he felt her soft hands touch his injured ones. After what he had just witnessed, he was a little bit unsure of how to respond to her. But as he searched her eyes and solemnity they held, a sense of assurance settled in his stomach.

Now with two hands, Orihime gently placed his bleeding hands on her lap, her mere touch almost like a soothing balm to Ichigo's sore hands. Slowly, she inhaled, closed her eyes and sang.

"Flower gleam and glow"

The same light that enclosed Grimmjow a few minutes ago, formed over him, engulfing him. But this time, the light was not so painful to the eyes. Instead it was calming, much like the warm orange glow of the rays of the setting sun.

"Let your power shine"

It was as though all of aching in his body was being alleviated, all of the heaviness in his chest released and he could breathe again.

"Make the clock reverse. . .bring back what once was mine"

It was in that moment that Ichigo realized that he could understand what Orihime was singing. What seemed like a foreign lullaby to him a few moment ago, was now clear and comprehensible. He stared wide eyed at the auburn haired girl, as she continued to sing for him, eyes still closed.

"Heal what has been hurt. . .change the fate's design"

He then noticed the most astonishing thing. The cuts on his hands were vanishing. Returning to how they used to look and as though he had not stopped a sword with his bare hands. His flesh was becoming whole again, and he could feel warmth surge through his hand.

"Save what has been lost . . .bring back what once was mine"

Slowly, Orihime opened her eyes, revealing those stormy gray orbs that were so captivating. But as she lifted her gaze to meet with Ichigo's brown orbs, there was a sad, almost forlorn look behind her ashen eyes.

"What once was mine"

Orihime sang softly, her eyes never leaving his. Gradually, the light began to disperse and Ichigo could not look away from the auburn haired maiden. Finally snapping out of his trance, he examined his hands, flexing them just to check if what he was seeing was real. There was not a scratch, not even a blemish on his hand. He quickly looked to his healer, her eyes downcast. He wanted to ask her so many questions. What had he just witnessed? What kind of sorcery was that? How did she do that? But his throat had gone dry and he could not form any coherent words.

Sensing his discomfort, Orihime reluctantly lifted her gaze to him. "Say something" she said softly.

Clenching his fists, he finally regained his ability to speak.

"What are you?"

Author's Note:

Yes yes this chappie is full of Grimmhime . . .but what can I do? I love Grimmjow and he is one of those characters who have that personality that you could just play with and be creative with :D But this is an Ichihime fic guys. . .and you will see the Ichihime moments soon :3

I know this chapter is kind of short but I had to cut it there for suspense. Oh and forgive me if it's a little rushed, I'm still warming up and two years of rest kind of made me rusty -.- sorry

Pardon the typos my reader-samas, I didn't really read through this one. . .I was just too excited to update. I'm working on Motherhood right now and a new story heehee so stay tuned :D

Reviews are welcome as always :)

Ashe~