Every day for the next week, Orihime could be found in the library. Her head spinning with facts and information on hollows. Anything she could find was swiftly swept into her mind. She wanted to learn everything she could. Above everything else, she wanted to be able to find out as much information as she could about humans being born hollow. She was able to find a few cases, but the accounts always ended with the half hollow half human being locked away. There was never any information on what happened to them. She closed her eyes tightly and slammed the last book shut. "He is not going to be like them!" She yelled before standing up and briskly walking out the door. She was told that work was being done on the cell that Ichigo was to be using and will be ready for him later that day. She stomped to the office just outside the door to the dungeon. She stopped abruptly and listened as the sounds of workers made her wonder what was being done. A man came out the door wiping his brow. He stopped as soon as he saw Orihime.

"Your majesty." He bowed to her. "What are you doing here?"

"How are the repairs coming along?"

"Ma'am, everything is near completion. It will be ready for his transfer later today."

"What exactly is going on in there?"

"Well ma'am, His Majesty decided that a separate area should be made for him." He paused. "If he is ever released, the new cell can be used to hold the more aggressive criminals. It has been given extra attention and has been separated by a brick wall from the other cells. We are just cleaning up now. I hear the half hollow has been let out with the other human inmates into the area outside where they can sit or exercise. Once they are all let in and done showering, his cell should be ready. Sorry milady, but I need to get back."

She smiled. "Of course. Thank you for the information. Good day." He bowed to her and went back inside. She looked over and saw that the office's window showed into the outdoor area that the inmates were at. She pulled up a chair and sat next to the window. She peered out and immediately spotted him. He was doing pullups with no one else around him. She noticed right away that he didn't have his mask and looked completely human. She then noticed he was shirtless. She stared in awe for a moment before blushing and turning away. A few moments later, she looked again and saw that he had dropped from the bar and was wiping his face with a towel. When the towel came down, his gaze was set on her. Though he was a good distance from her, she felt those eyes. She shrieked and turned away quickly again. She calmed herself and stood up. She looked out the window one more time and noticed he started doing pullups again. She then wondered where all the other inmates were. She looked to the left and saw the rest of the men sitting or exercising on the opposite end of the area. She wondered if they were afraid of him or he was just wanting to be alone. She walked away and desperately wanted it to be the afternoon so she could visit him.

She spent the next few hours nervously pacing in her room and began to finish work on a scarf she was making. She knew that the dungeon can be cold in the winter, so she altered her work with the intent of giving it to Ichigo rather than her brother. She nearly dropped her needle when Tatsuki came in to let her know that Ichigo was in his cell now and she could visit. She ran past Tatsuki without even a second look. Tatsuki looked at her. "What's gotten into you?" She had to nearly sprint to catch up to her. Just as Tatsuki was about to catch up, Orihime quickly halted, causing Tatsuki to almost crash into her. "What is it?"

Orihime flew around. "I need to bring him a gift basket!"

"What?"

"Kurosaki-kun needs books to read and fresh food to eat. Oh maybe I should get him a cushion to sit on."

"Orihime, he's been sitting in that dungeon for ten years. I think another day without something to read won't kill him." She saw the look on her face. "If you want, we can gather a few things."

"Great!" She hugged her friend and they walked into the kitchen to prepare. Orihime decided on books about history, especially from the last decade. She also found a few fiction books that seemed interesting. She put it in a basket with a cushion she found, a few apples, and the other books. She cut the top of the basket so she could fit it through the bars, since she knew no soldier would dare open the door. They walked into the office before the dungeon and were greeted by two guards, who Orihime learned were also soldiers in the country's military.

"You sure you want to do this milady?" The tall red haired soldier asked.

"I would have to agree with Renji here on this one princess. He is too dangerous and going in alone never brings anything good."

Orihime shook her head. "Don't worry Kuchiki-san, I'll be fine. You two are right outside the door anyway, so if you hear me scream, you can come running, right?"

Both guards looked at each other. "Good luck I guess." Renji nodded to Orihime as he held open the door for her.

"I'll be right outside too if you need me." Tatsuki called out to her as the door closed.

Orihime took a deep breath and walked down the stairs. As she entered the first dungeon, she noticed that there was now a new brick wall that created a hallway towards Ichigo's cell. There was a new door that would now be the opening to the other part of the dungeon. She noted the difference and walked on. As she came closer to his cell, she noticed how thick the cell bars were. There was still a small window on two of the walls and the other sides were covered in brick and bars. She arrived at the cell and unfolded the cushion that was under her arm and sat down on the floor on the left side near the bars. She took everything out of the basket and rotated the basket so it fit through the bars. She then reached in and put everything back. She noticed that Ichigo was still sitting on the floor despite the bed that was now available. He looked up at her as she pulled her hand away after placing the last item in the basket. She shifted towards him and smiled. "Hello Kurosaki-kun. I brought you a few items. There's a cushion to sit on like this one, some apples, and most importantly, some books to read. I hope you remember how to read. If there are any words that you don't know or don't remember, please let me know. There are a few fiction novels and some history books on the last decade so you can get caught up." She saw him shift towards her and she pulled back a bit from the bars. He then laid his back on the floor and began doing sit ups. He was still facing her, but was now doing the sit ups faster and he seemed to not be thinking about stopping. She just sat and watched him for a moment, then she pulled her legs up to her chest and held her arms around her legs. She laid her head down on her knees and looked at him as he continued to do sit ups. "There really isn't anything to talk about. My brother told me all there is about you I guess up until you were locked up. I just wanted to ask one thing. When I first saw you, why were you with a mask on? I was told you rarely bring out the mask."

Ichigo stopped the sit ups and moved back into a sitting position. "Danger."

"Oh. Did you sense something from one of the other hollows?" He nodded. "I see. Well, you should be fairly well guarded here and it looks like everyone keeps their distance from you anyway." He looked at her funny. "What is it?"

"You were in danger."

She took a quick breath in. "I was? All of the hollows were locked up though."

"Precaution."

"Oh." She laughed nervously. "Thanks."

He looked at the basket and moved closer. He finally arrived at it and took out the cushion. He placed it under him. She saw the look in his eyes. "Much better isn't it?" She smiled as he seemed to enjoy the new feeling. He then pulled out a book and began to read. She gave him a few moments then asked. "Do you remember how to read?" He nodded, but his eyes were still set on the book. "Well I should go for now. I can stop by again. If you need anything else, let me know." She pulled herself up and grabbed the cushion, but let it drop out of her hand. She decided to leave it. She waved at Ichigo and turned around to walk away.

"Princess." She froze. The name sent a million butterflies aflutter in her stomach. She slowly turned around. He looked right into her eyes and gave what looked to be an attempt at a smile. "Thank you."

Note: Thank you for the reviews! I will be updating randomly.