A/N: WOW! I didn't think I'd get such great reviews! Thank you guys so much! It's good to know you find this story interesting. It's really inspiring! Thank you! I hope I can keep up your interest, anyways please enjoy!
P.S.: I changed the rating to M because some cussing and mild violence occurs. You have been warned!
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Paris
September 21, 1769
"He's dead."
Sora Inoue looked grimly over his shoulder. A sigh escaping his lips as he checked the vital signs of his patient again. One, two, three, nothing.
Slumping back and rubbing his eyes tiredly, Sora jotted down the time and date into a small journal. Shutting the cover before glancing briefly at the man standing in the doorway.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" Sora asked, suspicion laced in his voice. The man at the door smirked devilishly.
"I heard you were performing a surgery."
Sora paused briefly before turning his attention back onto his work. Picking and placing the tools he had used securely back into a black leather bag.
"He had influenza," Sora stated, wiping a red substance onto a handkerchief, "I was hoping to drain some of the virus from his blood."
The man at the doorway didn't respond. His eyes trained intently on Sora's back. Or more specifically, the blood that collected in the small bowl by the bed. Seconds ticked by. The only noise coming from a grandfather clock residing in the corner. Its wooden frame dominating in the small room.
"I should be going," Sora muttered, pulling on his coat and hat hastily. His focus directed straight ahead as he walked towards the door. Intent on ignoring the man as he passed.
"You don't wish to help me," the man stated matter-of-factly.
Sora paused, turning his head slightly. Chills running down his spine at the mans cold eyes. Knowing that behind the mans smiling mask lay the face of a monster. Sora looked down. His hand gripping the handle of his bag tightly.
"Of course not," his voice coming out as a harsh whisper, "I could never commit murder."
"Ahh, but that is where you are wrong."
Sora waited. The mans eyes piercing into him.
"Don't you see doctor?" the man continued, an amused chuckle escaping his lips. "You already have."
Sora slammed the door shut behind him. His face one of horror. Disgust leaking from his body and causing bile to rise up his throat. His fingers digging painfully into his face as he shut his eyes in shame. Fierce tears threatening beneath them.
What had he done?
Paris
December 25, 1774
Orihime didn't like Paris. When she was younger perhaps. When the thought of the golden city had excited her adolescent mind. Fantasies of finding her fairy tail love like that of the ones in her books making her swoon in anticipation. Her bouts of anger towards her brother whenever he visited making her seething with jealousy. Of course, that was before reality struck.
The corruption, murder, and prostitution that seemed to radiate off the city in waves caused a great sense of nausea when she first arrived. The smell that seemed to permeate all around the city clinging to everything it came into contact with. Coating her like a second skin.
Sighing, Orihime continued to stare at the fireplace in front of her. Her eyes hauntingly beautiful as they reflected off of the fire. A million thoughts racing through her troubled mind.
Can I trust Urahara? He seems competent, even friendly, but trustworthy? Orihime bit her lip, her eyebrows furrowing in contemplation. Her eyes reflecting the inner turmoil she was facing.
"ORIHIME!"
Orihime let out a startled gasp. Surprise donning her troubled features as she looked up from her position on the sofa. Her eyes immediately recognizing her friends scowling face.
"Y-Yes Tatsuki?" she asked nervously. Orihime knew it was only a matter of time before Tatsuki found out she had snuck out of the house again. With all the activity going on around the city the only question remaining was when, and apparently, that was now. Orihime shrunk down into her seat. Trying her best to make herself seem smaller as Tatsuki stalked over to her.
"Why did you go?" Angry brown orbs stared down at her accusingly. A look of hurt, sadness, and anger flashing across her face.
"I-" Orihime started to say.
"I told you it was dangerous to go outside at night by yourself!" Tatsuki yelled, cutting her off. "And on today of all days! You could've been hurt! Or worse-" Tatsuki stopped, her voice trailing off as she finally took in Orihime's appearance. Her eyes widening in concern as she knelt in front of her.
"Are you okay?" She asked, worry etched into her voice. The anger that was there dissipating in seconds. Her hands moving to grasp Orihime's softly, squeezing them.
"I'm fine," Orihime replied, laughing reassuringly. "Just a little tired I guess." Orihime wasn't lying. She was tired from church and food preparations earlier that day. She just didn't want to tell Tatsuki about her meeting with Urahara. At least not yet. Not until she had the information she needed.
Not buying it, Tatsuki just sighed and shook her head. A frown decorating her boyish face. Mouth opening and closing as if to say something but deciding against it.
"Orihime-" she started.
Orihime felt her whole body tense up. Her eyes darting to their intertwined fingers before lifting her right hand up. Guilt forming from causing her best friend to worry so much.
I'm sorry Tatsuki…
"Look! I'm fine!" Orihime assured cheeringly. A bubbly grin on her face as she shook her hand in the air, "See! No broken bones!" Tatsuki nodded. A small frown still adorning her face.
"Well you must be hungry," Tatsuki said standing up, "Let me get you some of the left over mince pie from earlier." Orihime's stomach grumbled in response.
"Ahhh," she answered. A dark blush staining her cheeks in embarrassment.
"Your such a child," Tatsuki teased, smirking wide. Orihime blew out her cheeks.
"I am not!" she huffed, crossing her arms.
"Sure, sure," Tatsuki replied amusingly, her hand patting Orihime's head affectionately, "I'll be right back with the pie."
Orihime pouted, "Your so mean sometimes Tatsuki." Receding laughter was all that answered her and Orihime smiled. Glad her friends mood was better. And I was so careful this time to, she thought disappointingly.
Orihime remembered the first time she had left without telling anyone. It was the day she learned about her brothers disappearance. Her figure flying out the door as she ran outside into the cold night. Returning hours later to a frantic Tatsuki. Soaked to the bone, tired, and clothes caked in mud.
Tatsuki's pale stricken face and shaking body as she hugged her tightly the only thing Orihime remembered before passing out. Yes. It was hard to live that down.
Laying down with her legs drawn up to her side, Orihime began to drift towards sleep. Exhaustion making her vision blurry as she fought to keep her eyes open. A pair of striking green eyes the last thing she saw before sleep consumed her.
Ulquiorra stared down at the sleeping girl impassively. Her auburn tresses fawning out around her like a halo. His impression of her lowering by the second at how open she was. Careless, he thought.
"Mmmm," Orihime murmured. Her lips parting softly as she sighed. Her head turning away from him. The movement exposing her long delicate neck. Ulquiorra paused, his eyes flicking to the pale flesh before reaching out. His fingers grazing over her neck softly before pulling a long strand of the woman's hair between his fingers.
It would be so easy he thought. To just reach out and wrap his hands around her neck. Squeezing the life out of her with his fingertips. If not for orders she would have been dead long ago. Dead, among the other useless creatures he deemed trash.
Ulquiorra reached into his vest. The soft silky strands he held falling out of his hand instantly. His gaze falling to her small wrist, hanging limply off to the side. Her other hand nestled neatly against her chest as she breathed.
Ulquiorra reached down. His long fingers careful not to touch the woman's soft skin.
"S-Sora…" Orihime whispered. Her head turning to face Ulquiorra again. Her face pained as wet tears slid down her cheeks. Ulquiorra's stoic appearance remained unmoved. He didn't understand why humans held onto such feelings called emotions. They were unnecessary. His need for them lost long ago when he turned. The anger and depression he felt numbing as time went by.
Soft approaching footsteps alerted Ulquiorra and he stood up. His figure departing towards the window. Disappearing as Tatsuki stepped inside.
He watched observantly from outside the window. Hidden among the shadows against a building as the woman named Tatsuki pulled a blanket over the auburn haired woman. Her eyes looking around the room before leaving. Unknowing to his presence. The wind picked up and tousled his black tresses. His figure disappearing into the night.
Orihime awoke with a start. Her body aching from the awkward position she had fallen asleep in. The fires remains nothing but black ashes.
"What time is it?" she said aloud to herself. Covering her mouth as a yawn escaped her lips. Her eyes squinting from the sun. Its light peeking its way past the drawn curtains. Orihime looked down at her wrist, a light catching her eye.
Her eyes widened in surprise. A loud gasp falling from her lips as she held up her hand wonderingly. A beautiful silver bracelet adorning her wrist.
"Wow," she said awed. It was breathtaking. Fitted perfectly, the bracelet gleamed against the sun. Its high quality obvious to anyone who saw it. It must be from Tatsuki, she thought happily. Promising herself to thank her friend later for the gift. Stretching, Orihime moved to stand up. Her stomach growling in protest.
"Oops..." Orihime blushed, putting a hand over her stomach. That's right, she thought, I fell asleep before Tatsuki had come back with food. Orihime looked down at herself. Frowning at her appearance while sighing. I need to change first, she thought.
Entering her room, Orihime noticed a small basin filled with fresh water waiting for her. She smiled. She truly was lucky. Being able to clean herself was a luxury most people couldn't afford. Let alone the fresh water. Smiling contently, Orihime began to undress. Peeling off the outer gown and petticoat that stuck to her body. Running a washcloth down her body, Orihime relinquished the feel of being cleansed. The water soothing her tired muscles.
Powdering her hair to get the oils out, Orihime let her hair fall down naturally. Bangs falling to frame her face. Pulling on a white chemise dress with plain sleeves and a dark blue narrow sash, Orihime made her way out into the hall. Her footsteps quiet as she walked past the kitchen.
"Snuck out again?" whispered a woman disbelieving.
"Yes," replied a robust woman mockingly, "apparently Lady Tatsuki threw a field day."
"Our poor mistress," said another woman sadly, "always because of Lady Orihime."
Orihime walked by pretending not to notice. The women's voices echoing in the kitchen as they stood huddled in the corner. Their backs to Orihime as they prepared food for the day. Orihime spotted some bread. Its aroma wafting its way up to her nose as she passed. Her stomach grumbling in annoyance. I'm sorry!, Orihime whispered to herself. Clutching her stomach as she opened the door to outside, I promise to get you some food right away.
Walking down a labyrinth of alleyways Orihime came out into a marketplace. Stalls aligning the street with various objects and foods. Yummy, Orihime thought. Smiling, Orihime excused herself as she made her way past a group of heavily scented women. Their tall wigs and elegant gowns looking out of place in the market area. Buying some bread and cheese, Orihime crossed the street into an alley. Her ample breasts and hourglass body earning her the attention of a group of men standing in the corner. Their appearances dirty with soot and grime. Orihime tried to sidestep them. Their figures cutting her off from her tracks.
"Hey girlie," one of them said. His teeth rotten as he leered down at her, "how about spending some time with us?" Orihime recoiled.
"N-No thank you," Orihime replied politely. Trying again to outmaneuver them.
"Haha, I don't think so honey," one of them said. His hand reaching out and blocking her path. His hand coming out to rest on her shoulder.
Orihime threw his hand off, "Don't touch me!" she yelled disgusted.
"Ohh," replied a man with long scraggly hair mockingly, "looks like we have a fighter in this one." His friends laughed. Their putrid breath blowing into Orihime's face and making her gag.
"Stop," she said defiantly. Her stare causing the men to laugh harder.
The one with the scraggly hair reached out to grab her and Orihime reacted by kicking him in the shin. Turning around to run.
"OUCH!" he screamed, grasping his foot in pain, "THAT FUCKING BITCH! GRAB HER!"
Orihime yelled. Their hands grabbing her and covering her mouth as she struggled. Orihime shut her eyes, a scream dying on her tongue as a hand violently fondled her breast.
Somebody help me!
One of the men yelled and Orihime opened her eyes. Shocked as one of the men fell to the ground. A look of surprise on his face as he collapsed. A stunned silence filled the alleyway as everyone looked at the attacker. His figure standing above the man in a relaxed manner. Hands in his breeches as if bored. Orihime's eyes widened in awe. The man was beautiful. His pale skin was unlike anything she had ever seen, almost glowing in the sunlight. Black messy hair and dark green eyes captivating her as he stared. Orihime almost cried out in relief. She was saved.
The three men around her all looked at each other before cussing. Two of them racing towards the man. Orihime tried to scream. Her body struggling as the third man held on to her. The stranger looked indifferent, his hand flying out to catch a raised punch before throwing the man forward with his hand. His body crashing into the wall and falling in a slump. The second man looked shocked before angrily bringing up his fist. Trying to punch but missing. Orihime noticed the guy holding her was cussing. His hand tightening around her neck as she felt something cool press against her skin. Fear traveling down her body.
This man is going to kill me, she thought, horrified.
The second man fell to the ground, a strangled noise coming out of his mouth.
"BASTARD!" the man holding her yelled angrily. His teeth clenching as he pressed his knife into Orihime's skin. Orihime gasped in pain, her blood trickling down the side of her neck.
"Don't come any closer ya' hear?" the man yelled out frantically, "or else ill cut up her pretty face."
Orihime tried her best not to move. The pain from the cut making her grimace. She shut her eyes, trying her best not to cry as tears threatened beneath them. Suddenly the grip on her neck loosened and Orihime dropped down. Her eyes widening in shock and terror as she looked up. The strangers arm piercing through the mans chest before throwing his limp body across the alley. His piercing stare coming to rest on her as she felt herself freeze.
"Who are you?" Orihime whispered frantically. Horror at what she had just witnessed making her want to vomit. The bile rising to her throat and causing her to hack what little food she had in her body onto the ground.
"Woman," he said devoid of any emotion, "you will come with me."
Wooh! Long chapter! Wow, that was a lot. Took me a couple of days to go over everything I wanted to cover in this chapter. haha. Just to clarify a few things, the beginning with Orihime's brother is just a small insight to what happened in the past. Ill probably be putting one of those in every few chapters so sorry if you don't like them. I tried really hard on this chapter so I hope you guys liked it! :)
Anyways please review, I could really use the insight! Thanks~!
