Rukia's arrest vs Orihime's abduction

            Ichigo's behavior during his rescue mission for these women,are the things that made the fans believe in their pairing possibilities (well,maybe,just one of the reason ^.^'>). However,since they wanted to prove which pairing does really have a potential to become a couple,they tend to compare Ichigo's behavior from those two arcs.As expected,there are some people who disagree,and complains that comparing his behavior from those arcs,is something that is not fair.The arguments that are commonly used to pawn the comparison of Ichigo's behavior during their rescue,are...

- Plot difference,the situations are different.
-Ichigo is mentally weaker at the HM,compared to the Ichigo at the SS.
-Ichigo is facing a lot more problems at the HM (compared to the SS),where Orihime's rescue took place.

            Well,I do agree that the plot is naturally different from each other,and there are differences from the situations,and Ichigo is obviously mentally weaker at the HM,it's definitely true.However,are they completely different from each other?

            Based from the given situations,the only thing that is different regarding the rescue mission (I'll just focus on the rescue mission part,since it was the topic that I am trying to elaborate,which is related to the pairing debate issue) are...

The way how Rukia and Orihime was taken away from Ichigo's side.

            Rukia was arrested right in front of Ichigo,so we can clearly see his reaction when she was taken away by Renji and Byakuya,whereas Orihime left,while Ichigo is unconscious.

Reasons why they were gone/taken away.

            Rukia was arrested to be executed at the SS,as her punishment for violating the law of the SS.Rukia is marked as a criminal at the SS,but Rukia accepted her fate without any complain,so the SS won't go after Ichigo,she left with Renji and Byakuya,in order to protect Ichigo.On the other hand,Orihime left in order to help her friends,to have enough time to prepare for the battle (that's what she thought,she was doing). However,Ulquiora made it look like Orihime betrays everyone of her nakamas,in other words,Orihime is accused of being a traitor.

            It's true that there are some differences between those two's absence from Ichigo's life.However,is there nothing that is totally similar from there?Of course there is...what is it then?...

It was...

Ichigo,have the possibility of losing Rukia and Orihime.

            Everyone can go on and on,arguing that the situations are different,and so as the plot,yet,there's still one thing that is absolutely,and is exactly the same,during those times,and that is...the fact that Rukia and Orihime is gone form Ichigo's side.Ichigo is about to lose both Rukia and Orihime.

            Let's put aside the argument about the Plot difference,and Ichigo,being mentally weaker at the HM,compared to the SS.

             Always keep this in mind.If it's true that Ichigo,really have a romantic feelings for Orihime,even though he was facing a lot of problems during her rescue,there's no way that we wouldn't see him reminiscing her.Do you honestly think,that it (Ichigo's problems,and his hollow) was the reason why he was unable to have a time,reminiscing about her?Seriously?...Ichigo is going to lose his love interest,but still,he is more bothered by the other problems that he was facing with,so he doesn't have the time,thinking of losing her? O.o I can bet all the money in the world,that the Ichihime fans are wanting to have that kind of moments for their pairing.(¬__¬)...In fact,I'm pretty sure,anyone who loves a pairing,would definitely be so happy and touched,to see such moment for the pairing that they are supporting.

Just like here...

            After seeing those panels,there's only one interpretation I can get.Ichigo is hurting,because he is losing Rukia.

            When Rukia was gone,Ichigo kept on thinking about Rukia's absence.Ichigo's thoughts are all about Rukia.

Note : When Ichigo said that he "painfully feels it" he was referring to the fact,that when a person dies,and went to the SS,they are so easily forgotten and disappeared without a trace,like the wind.Ichigo,is just sympathizing with Rukia's situation.With this,anyone can say that Ichigo's painful feelings might not mean anything romantic,because the pain that he was feeling,is from the fact,that someday,someone or he himself,would be in the same situation,and he realized what could have happened,when he/anyone was gone.

But still,when Ichigo said this...

            This time,Ichigo is referring to Rukia's temporary existence in the Human World.Ichigo,is clearly bothered,by the fact that no one is noticing her absence,and he was hurting,because nothing seems out of place,that even without Rukia,the world still keeps going.This is not the Ichigo that was still sympathizing with her situation,this is Ichigo that is hurting,because it (the situation) made him realize,that Rukia doesn't belong to the human world,so normally,she'll definitely have to leave someday,anyway,so...why is he still bothered?He should have been expecting it anyway,if not because of her arrest,at least as someone that doesn't belong to the human world.It seems that he suddenly forgets that possibility,because he got used to her presence beside him,as if,it is the normal thing.

            Even though some people might not see this as a possible romance from Ichigo,that doesn't mean that it can't be anything like that.Since KT made a lot of build ups that is beyond friendship for Ichigo and Rukia's relationship before the execution takes place,it gave a possibility,that it can be something romantic as well (until it was confirmed,no one can reject the possibility of romance in this scene).

            On the other hand,how does Ichigo reacted with the situation without Orihime around?Have you ever seen him reminiscing her?Well,actually...don't you think Ichigo should have,at least feel sad,and is hurting because Orihime was being accused of being a traitor,by the SS?If Ichigo does really love her romantically,there's no way he wouldn't be hurt by the situation,right?In fact,even at least as a nakama?Unfortunately,instead of hurting by the accusations against her,Ichigo himself have doubted her as well (¬__¬) (too much for someone in love with the girl,eh?)

             KT,portrayed Ichigo having doubts towards Orihime (some people refused to accept this blatant truth). If Ichigo is not really having doubts towards Orihime,why would he say "so,Inoue didn't come to HM of her own will after all".As if that wasn't enough,he even made Ulquiora voiced out his thoughts about Ichigo's words (doubting Orihime). In case it wasn't clear,if KT really is planning for an Ichihime moment,he could have made Ichigo,say something like this...

             Those are the right words to say,if he really wanted to show Ichigo's faith towards Orihime,but unfortunately,he didn't.

             You know,KT could have made it as Ichigo reminiscing and hurting,because Orihime was gone,and is accused of being a traitor,and adds up to his depression and problems,instead of showing him getting depressed,because the SS didn't want to give him a hand with his mission to save her.Read here to see how Ichigo reacted with this problem.KT made him feel depressed,when the SS refused to help him,and brought Rukia and Renji back to the SS.Sure,Ichigo would still go and save her,even if he's alone,but I won't use this as an argument,to prove his strong determination to save her.Ichigo wants company when he wants to save Orihime,he already expect company from Rukia and Renji,because he believes in them (he believes that they will never let him go alone),but unfortunately,Yamamoto brought Byakuya and Kenpachi,to bring them back by force,if they refused to follow the orders.That is the reason,why Ichigo thought that they can never come and accompany him,not because he doesn't trust them.How do you think he will actually believe that they can escape from the two of the most powerful Captains in SS?Sure Rukia scolded Ichigo for not waiting and believing in them,still,they only managed to follow him at the HM,because Byakuya lets them go,without Yamamoto's consent.On the other hand,during Rukia's rescue,Ichigo never expected to have a company,since he is the only one,who is close to Rukia,unlike with Orihime,they are already friends,when she was taken away,so it's completely different.

            Now,the reason why I said that the plot difference and Ichigo's mentally weaker at the HM argument can't be used to defend Ichigo's behavior (not reminiscing about Orihime)...

            Ichigo at the SS is so adamant to save Rukia,he was in a hurry,unlike with Orihime's,Ichigo is more relaxed during her rescue.Don't say that,it was because the situation is different,because it wasn't completely different,there are similarities,and it was the fact that they are taken away.True that Ichigo knew that Rukia is going to be killed,so he's more pressured during her rescue?Unlike with Orihime's,she wasn't in any danger at all?Is that actually true?

            One thing I want to ask.Does Ichigo knew that Orihime is just fine?Or is she really just fine?Does she looks like,she was just fine here?

            Can someone tell me,is that how someone that is just fine,should look like? (¬__¬) Hmm...I don't think so,how about you guys?

            Always keep this in mind,Ichigo knew very well,that the reason why Rukia is going to be executed,is because of her violation against their law.Ichigo,knew that the shinigamis aren't his enemy.Then,who is Ichigo's enemy at the SS?

It was this...

            Ichigo is fighting against their law.Ichigo knew that the only reason why they have to do it,is because of their law.In short,they didn't mean any harm towards Rukia,it's just that,they have to follow their rules.This truth also gave him the assurance,that Rukia will remain unharmed until the execution date.At the SS,Ichigo is always being informed about the changes in Rukia's execution date and time,so he still knew that she was still fine,yet,Ichigo is always in a hurry to save her,just like here...

             Even though he wasn't fully healed yet,Ichigo wanted to continue with his mission,right away.Ichigo is always been acting like that at the SS...

do you remember this?

And this?

And this too?

            Did you noticed?Everyone needs to knock him down,in order to stop him from being hasty,because he really wanted to save Rukia so badly,and he wants that to happen,as soon as possible.

            Have you seen him acting the same way,during Orihime's rescue?Nope,right?Ichigo never behaved the same way for Orihime.Is it because he have a lot of problems during that time,and he also have his hollow to think about,so he didn't have a time to act like that for Orihime?Logically,Ichigo should be more hasty during Orihime's rescue,because she was in the enemy's territory,for BLEACH's sake ヽ（´ー｀）┌
Since Orihime is in the enemy's territory,Ichigo should have thought of something,that is even worse than Rukia's situation.Ichigo have seen,how cruel and violent creatures the Arrancars and the Espadas are.Moreover,he doesn't know why they took Orihime.Ichigo at the HM,don't have any idea about Orihime's true condition.Let's say,he never thought that they might kill her,since they are using her as a bait (implying that it was Ichigo's POV),but do you also expect him not think that they might be torturing/hurting her? (which is the actual thing that was happening to her). Anyone in that situation should be more bothered,just like how Ichigo is so worried here...

            Ichigo didn't want to waste time,because he doesn't have any idea about Rukia's condition at that very moment.He doesn't know how the law of the SS used to work.It's the same with not knowing Orihime's exact condition,right?

            Plot difference?If KT really meant to write an Ichihime possibility at the HM arc,he would definitely do it,in a way that Ichigo would show more passion and angst,during Orihime's absence.Actually,it is just as simple as this...That,is.not.the.purpose.of.that.plot....The HM arc is planned for Ichigo's hollowfication at the Dome,and not for Ichihime's possibility.

            Let's make things simple.Ichigo is worried about his hollow,and the Karakura invasion (though there's none from the rescue team,have ever thought of the Krakura invasion,they knew that Yamamoto and the rest  of the ranked shinigamis are already taking care of it),so he couldn't focus on Orihime's rescue?However,even at that very same plot,and with the very same mentally weaker Ichigo,I've seen him being capable of doing this...

            Ichigo is prioritizing a certain woman's safety more than anyone else.Don't deny,it was blatantly confirmed by Renji's immediate reaction to his complain,and Rukia's direct words about the issue,and more importantly,with Ichigo who was not denying their speculations at all.

Not only that...

            Ichigo is doing it again...Read here for more detail regarding that particular scene.See?it's from the very same arc/plot and with the same mentally weaker Ichigo,right?After seeing his behavior from those times,how can we say that the plot difference and the mentally weaker Ichigo argument can justify his lack of passion during Orihime's rescue? ヽ（´ー｀）┌