OOC; Information
★ APPLICATION
Character: Inoue Orihime
Series/Fandom: Bleach (Anime/Manga don't change much for her...)
Original or Template version: Original
Age: 16 (15 when the series started, but by what the timeline suggests, I think she's 16 by the point I'm taking her)
Gender: Female
Species: Human
Sexuality: Heterosexual (though I don't think she's ever really put some thought or exploring into that subject)
Appearance: The first thing almost anyone notices about Orihime are her larger than normal breasts, which have been jokingly (but accurately) described as the "elephant in the room that no one talks about". Orihime, however, is nearly oblivious. She's a shapely young woman with orange-brown hair and brown eyes, standing at about 5'2". She has a fair complexion, and almost always has a cheerful, and often foolish smile, though at the right moment, one can catch her with an almost nostalgic look on her face. She dresses modestly, often in cute skirts and bright colors, though nothing elaborate. She has made it a habit and tribute more than a fashion statement to always wear the blue, hibiscus hairpins that her brother gave her in her hair.
Personality: At first glance, Orihime is a naive and almost ditzy girl. Yet Orihime is anything but stupid, her cluelessness offset by her surprisingly high marks in school and her uncanny ability to see into her own emotions those of others. (Yet, she does have her "blonde" moments). Despite this, even simple things she doesn't seem to understand, while complex ones make a very strange amount of sense. A little offbeat and odd - though it never seems to register with her - Orihime does things her own way and is definitely her own person, from her taste in food to the fact she can't seem to figure out how to use a cellphone.
Friendly and kind-hearted, she cares for her friends like family, and wants nothing more than to be able to protect and fight alongside them. She wants to take care of everyone, and even has trouble seeing enemies suffer, one of the reasons some see her unfit for combat. She can sometimes make rash decisions, though it often with the thought of protecting someone else. But she can plan at the same time, and make good ones at that. Yet in the simplest situations, she can flounder to a humorous degree, yet everyone else seems to shrug or laugh it off. It is Orihime, after all.
While she is able to joke about herself rather easily and comes off as cheerful, Orihime has her own regrets and feelings of inadequacy that she can never shake. Her feelings of Ichigo make her happy and sad at the same time, for she would never dare to come between or create what he and Rukia seem to have. With the burden of her insecurities and her aching heart, Orihime continues on with a smile, believing completely that her friends' feelings are more important than her own, and knowing that as long as she can see them smile and finally be free of the chaotic events that keep happening, she can be happy too.
Abilities/Strengths: Orihime's strongest point would be her determination to not give up, even in the face of almost utter failure. Her capacity to care for others knows no bounds, and she puts her friends first and foremost. Despite her oblivious and ditzy demeanor, Orihime is actually a black-belt in Karate, though no one would know by looking at her and watching her go about her own way.
As for her powers, they are very unique. The hairpins that her brother got her actually hold six faeries that help her during battle. Shun Shun Rikka (Six Flowers of the Hibiscus Shield) have three main abilities: to attack, heal, and protect. Attacking is done with Tsubaki, Ayame and Shuno'ou heal, while Baigon, Hinagiku, and Lily form a triangle-shaped shield to protect her and her allies from attacks.
It is revealed by Aizen, however, that her powers are really far from healing...what they actually do is reject reality/an event, and she is able to reverse time until that event has happened. It makes sense, with the command "I reject". It is that reason that she was captured and brought to Hueco Mundo.
Weaknesses: Perhaps it is her own desire to protect and preserve that creates it's own weakness. Tsubaki is often barating her for lacking her will to truly cause harm to others, making Shun Shun Rikka's physical attacks not very powerful. Her insecurities often get the better of her, and Orihime feels that she is useless to her friends, and that they really don't need her around. Deep down she is rather lonely, though would never admit it to her friends, in fear of causing them to worry about her. It is her own caring for them that brought her to decide to leave with Ulquiorra.
History: Born to a drunkard father and cheating mother, Orihime's first years were nothing to be proud of. To avoid further abuse, her older brother took her and ran away when he was 18, taking the role of both parents as he worked during the day until night to support the two. Orihime never seemed to mind not having her mother and father, for her brother was the world and they made a great team.
However, tragedy struck again when he died in a car accident when she was 12, leaving her alone. And the stayed alone, supported by the funds of a part-time job and nearby relatives, Orihime began renting a single apartment while continuing through school. She never let her awkward situation get her down, or let her friends feel her loneliness, because she felt lucky to have what she did. In memory of her brother, she would talk to his picture and pray to him every day, in addition to wearing the special blue hairpins he had gotten her as a gift.
Her nature and lack of family made her an easy target for bullies at school, consequently making her quick friends with the tom boyish Tatsuki, who willingly defended her vocally and physically. They have been best friends ever since, and through her she met Kurosaki Ichigo.
Quickly developing a crush, she followed Ichigo and Tatsuki through school into high school, where things began to get really interesting. One day while she was home alone as usual, her deceased brother made an appearance first as a longing spirit, only to lose himself in his anger at her supposedly 'forgetting' about him. He is attacked by Hollows, and subsequently turned into one himself. Driven by is rage and jealously, he returns to the living word as a new monster to take Orihime for himself only by devouring her soul.
Orihime, knocked form her body in her spiritual form, sees Ichigo in his Shinigami glory for the first time. Though he defends her from her brother, it is Orihime's own love and understanding to her brother that is able to bring his sanity back enough to give his soul salvation. Though Rukia alters her memory, Orihime's spiritual awareness grows from that moment on.
During a struggle with a Hollow at their school, Orihime discovers that her hairpins are more than just memorabilia, but six spirits who were born to protect and help her, the "Shun Shun Rikka". They teach her how to command them, and with their help, she is able to defeat the Hollow and save her friends.
She trains with Yasutora Sado at Urahara Shouten after she learns of her powers to accompany Ichigo and Ishida into Soul Society to save Rukia. With Yoruichi as their guide, they make into the Spirit World, meeting a lot of colorful characters along the way. Once in the central Shinigami area of Seireitei, the group is broken off and Orihime ends up running around with Ishida, who helps her out on more than one occasion.
Though they sometimes overreact, the two made a good team until their parting when Ishida decided to battle Kurotsuchi Mayuri of the 12th Division, sending Orihime away by the means of another Shinigami. She ended up in the 11th Division, quickly befriending in a very odd way the young lieutenant Yachiru, and thus employing her and her manly Captain Kenpachi in the struggle to save Rukia, though indirectly.
In the end, it is not their devotion to Rukia that saves her, but Urahara's technology as Aizen's plan falls into place. Rukia is spared death, and Team Aizen leaves for the world of the Hollows. Ichigo and his team, after recuperating, leave back to the Living World, with Orihime once again missing the ball and under the impression Ishida has feelings for Rukia.
As the world prepares for the traitor Aizen's next move, Orihime feels that she was unable to do much in Soul Society to help her friends, and thus is determined to do better next time. Yet while everyone else is off training, she finds herself attending school as usual, advised not to take part in the battles. Devastated that she cannot do something for her friends, and most importantly Ichigo, Orihime falls into a depression she tries to hide behind her usual cheerful smile.
Yet despite Urahara's attempts to save her from battle, Orihime's own despair of her own inadequacy and feeling herself distance from Ichigo by his closeness to Rukia, she is not kept safe. The powers of her Shun Shun Rikka draw the attention of Aizen, who sends his Arrancar Ulquiorra down to Earth to fetch her, leaving her the option of saying goodbye to one person and one person only.
She chooses Ichigo, giving a tearful farewell as he lays unconscious, wishing she could steal a kiss but unable to do it. Leaving with a heavy heart, she follows the enhanced Hollow into the world of Hueco Mundo.
Treated more as a 'pet' than a guest, Orihime does Aizen's bidding with the time-bending powers of her Shun Shun Rikka, restoring what he wishes and taking a beating from the less sympathetic Arrancar around. Under the care of Ulquiorra, she secretly plots to destroy the one device Aizen cannot further his plans without. But her own abilities are what got her in this mess, and after refusing to eat out of anger when Ulquiorra tells her of her comrades and their fate in Las Noches, Orihime is attacked by two female Arrancar in her room, beaten until the point of death, when Grimmjow comes in and takes care of them instead. But, he is too late...and Orihime finds herself somewhere very different.
★ POWERS/ABILITIES
Shun Shun Rikka (盾舜六花, lit. Six Flowers of the Hibiscus Shield)
- Ayame (あやめ) [Iris] Ayame is a shy female spirit covered in a dress larger than her body. She is capable of healing together with Shun'ō.
- Baigon (梅巌) [Ume] Baigon is a bald male spirit with a mask that covers the bottom of his face. He is capable of shielding Orihime from attacks along with Hinagiku and Lily.
- Hinagiku (火無菊) [Daisy] Hinagiku is a male spirit with a large eye patch that ends in a horn. He is capable of shielding Orihime from attacks along with Baigon and Lily.
- Lily (リリィ) [Lily] Lily is a female spirit with bright pink hair, transparent yellow goggles, and a blue bathing suit. She has a tattoo on her backside. She is capable of shielding Orihime from attacks along with Baigon and Hinagiku.
- Shun'ō (舜桜) [Althea] Shun'ō is a friendly female spirit with a topknot. She and Tsubaki are usually the ones who talk to Orihime. She is capable of healing together with Ayame.
- Tsubaki (椿鬼) [Camellia] Tsubaki is a fiery male spirit who is the only Shun Shun Rikka capable of direct attack. He often strikes anyone who gets on his nerves (including Orihime). Because he is primarily focused on attacking, he is vulnerable to counter-attacks and has been injured several times. The stronger Orihime's anger and killing intent, the more powerful he becomes. However, Orihime's timid nature limits his overall power and has contributed to his injuries in the past.
★ RELATIONSHIPS
CLOSER
Aizen Sousuke Scared of him, and angry at him for even being here, really. Though she is curious as to what he plans to do here, and hopes that maybe, even though she's betrayed her friends again, she can find out. Hasn't spoken to yet, but is anxious about meeting him again.
Hitsugaya Toushirou Wishes she knew him better, but remembers what he was like while staying at her place. Trusts him as a competent Captain despite his age, but still has trouble not wanting to help him out like he is a kid sometimes. Feels horrible for leaving again.
Kuchiki Rukia Hasn't seen much of her yet, but considers her a good friend. Relieved to hear that she is all right, as the last time she heard of Rukia, she and the 9th Espada had just killed each other. Wishes she could have seen before she left again.
Kurosaki Ichigo A friend from school, one she harbors more than platonic feelings for. She's extremely happy to see him.
Matsumoto Rangiku Considers her a friend and feels like she can talk to her better than she can to most people. Orihime looks up to Ran as sort of a role model, though it's debatable whether that's a good thing or not. Feels horrible for leaving again.
Ulquiorra Schiffer Being her kidnapper all over again, she's not very happy with him not that she ever really was. Ironically, however, she is less afraid of him than some of the other Arrancar and Espada around, so despite his high ranking, part of her feels like it could be worse.
ACQUAINTANCES
Hinamori Momo Doesn't know Momo that well, but know's she's a Shinigami and a friend of Ran and Hitsu, so Orihime automatically likes her. Also thinks she's nice and sweet, wants to get to know her better.
Nero Thinks he may be a little sad, but really doesn't know him very well.
Sanada Yukimura Thinks he's nice and friendly. Sounds like he's easy to talk to.
Xaldin Thinks he's nice. Reminds her a bit of Chad.
Zell Dincht Thinks he's nice and sounds fun. Enjoys his mutual understanding about squash.