Because Nel was there...

            Let's find out how Nel's character existence affect the story,what kind of impact does her existence brought up in the HM arc.



Let's begin here...

            Because Nel was there,Ichigo used his bankai and hollow mask,first time at the HM instead of Orihime who was the rescuee during that time..Not only that...

            Nel is also the catalyst for Ichigo to realize,that reserving his energy for the espadas is not the right thing to do,or rather should I say,it isn't something he can keep on doing,because it may risk his nakamas lives.

            Also,it's interesting that KT made Nel's character as being used to provoke Ichigo to use his bankai and hollow mask,which totally refutes the expected speculations from the Ichihime shippers,as Ichigo might really have a romantic feelings towards Orihime,when GJ and Ulquiora uses her to provoke him into a fight.I'm not sure if he did that on purpose,but it definitely pawns the potential romance (though he never made any build up for that pairing,that may convey something romantic,and to be able to have that kind of assumption) for the Ichihime pairing,because it made the argument about "the enemies using Orihime to provoke Ichigo" as something that is not exclusively done for Orihime,which will make her look special to Ichigo.  

            Ironically,KT even made a parallel between Orihime and Nel,regarding Ichigo's faith in them...don't believe me?Look closely please...

            From those pages,what you see is Ichigo's reaction after hearing that Nel might be just tricking them,in other words,Nel is being accused of being a traitor.As you can see,Ichigo never believes in the accusation and chose to believe in her,which is totally different from this one...

            Based from Ichigo's own words,he was undeniably having his doubts towards Orihime.Although Ichigo went to HM to rescue her,he's obviously wearing a doubt over Orihime.This is not KT putting Ichigo in a bad light,just so you know.This only shows,that Ichigo is definitely not paying much attention to her,which is a part of Ichigo's personality.Ichigo didn't know so much about Orihime,because he is not interested in knowing her even more.So far,Orihime is always the one who initiates the conversation between them,and is never been anything that is actually about the two of them.

Now,back on Nel's role at the HM arc...

            Nel is also the one who puts some sense to Orihime,and make her realize that Ichigo might be suffering,and that Ichigo is still the same kind person that she was talking about earlier.Funny thing is,some people thought that Nel is an Ichihime shipper,because of what she said about Ichigo fighting with Ulquiora after hearing him mentioned her name.Read here for more explanation about that issue.

            Nel was there not to be an Ichihime shipper,Nel was there to make Orihime see the suffering of Ichigo during that time,because KT made her unable to see that possibility,because of her low self esteem.Since Ichigo needs to see hope that he'll still have the chance to regain his friendships,even having the hollow inside him,KT needs to show him (Ichigo),that the same person who showed her fear of him,has finally accepted him in that condition,so maybe,the other nakamas will be the same as well.Plus,that scene is there,to emphasize the problem that Ichigo is carrying to himself,all those times.That scene is used,to make Ichigo see,that his fear of losing his friends,can really have a possibility,after seeing Orihime's scared expression,though he doesn't understand why is she scared at all.Of course,Ichigo will assume that it was solely because of his appearance and scary reiatsu.

One more thing,because Nel was there...

            The potential Ichihime moment is totally ruined.Also,because of her existence,Ichigo needs to carry Orihime that way,because,he still needs to carry Nel with his other hand.If Nel wasn't there,Ichigo can definitely carry Orihime in bridal style.

            I wasn't implying that those are the only purpose of her character.What am I saying is,those are the effects that she had brought up at the HM arc.(¬__¬)

        If anything,Nel is created to do the things that Orihime is incapable of,during the entire HM arc.This only shows that the HM arc,is definitely not written for the Ichihime possibility.

            Nel is the one who protected Ichigo,the thing that Orihime wants to do for Kurosaki kun,but failed to do so,because of her way of dealing with his behavior,and her feelings for her.  

     
            Nel is the one who was crying over his injury,the one who showed the concern and worry for Ichigo,and not Orihime,just like what Rukia did here...

See?

            By the way,for some people who may argue about Ichigo's faith in them.I know that there might be someone that will brought up the,Nel is just a toddler...

            Remember that one?It's from the SS arc.As you can see,Yachiru is also a toddler,right?And what did Ichigo do after she stepped on his shoulder?

            Do you see that?Ichigo shove her off,harshly.Why?she's just a toddler,eh?...Ichigo is pretty much aware that he was in a different world,with lots of powerful creatures,and he knew that appearance can be deceiving.My point?...It's the same for Nel.Because she is just a toddler,Ichigo would instantly trust her?though he knew that he was in the hollows territory,the territory of the violent creatures?


If anything...

            Ichigo chose to believe in Ukitake,even after realizing that there really is something weird.Ichigo trusted the Ukitake that he knew.Don't you find it interesting?It seems like Orihime is the only one that Ichigo doesn't understand/knew that much?Ichigo knows her in some point,it's true actually,but still,he doesn't knew her anything deeper,just like the Ichihime's kept on insisting,so...