.

.

The wind picked up fiercely. Thick, red-gold strands flew around her, blurring her sight. Quickly, Orihime raised a small hand and pushed the thick locks back, eyes growing wider on her face.

A dream.

Yes. It had to be a dream. There was no possible way that she was staring at…that. She blinked a few times and when she refocused, it was still there, staring her in the face. Shaking her head, she squeezed her eyes shut, and counted to ten. When she opened her eyes, she was certain she would wake up, tucked in bed, and Sora-nii over her with a gentle smile, telling her it was time for school.

…Nine, ten!

Hesitantly, she fluttered her eyes opened. No such luck. She was still surrounded by trees, a gentle breeze was flapping around her still form, and she could hear birds of every kind chirping from high up in the branches and leaves. She averted her eyes back to the person in red and white. From his girth and face, she could tell he was a boy.

"…Sir?" She called out uncertainly. Silence. She stepped a bit closer, "Sir?" He didn't respond. Concern began to worm its way inside of her. Was he hurt? When she was nearer, she realized he was propped against the Sacred Tree. He wasn't leaning on it – he was trapped against it. Like a snake, thick long vines were wrapped around his body tightly. He did not seem to mind, and to her, it appeared as though he were sleeping.

"Sir, um, I don't think…" Timidly, she stepped up the curvy vines. They were so thick, it felt like she was walking on a sidewalk. And when she looked up to meet his face, she jerked at the sight.

He was handsome. Thick, silver locks – such a beautiful color – hung around him, moved with the gentle breeze. She openly stared, he looked to be slumbering, his face peaceful and eyes closed. He wasn't moving, and if it weren't for the gentle rise and fall of his powerful shoulders, she would've thought he were dead.

And then her eyes landed on his ears for a moment. They were little triangles, white, just like his hair, and devastatingly adorable. She bit her bottom lip, contemplating this. Inoue Orihime had never been the one touch anyone without their permission. But she just couldn't help it. His ears were too much to resist. She stood on her tiptoes, and daringly touched his ears with the just the tips of her fingers. He didn't move, but his ears twitched in response.

"They're real!" Orihime whispered to herself fervently, excitedly. She reigned in the squeal of excitement and tried to stop herself from squeezing his ears. It took a moment, but eventually, she calmed down enough cease the madness of her activities. She dropped her arms to her sides, a smile on her face. "Hehe…now I feel embarrassed. I shouldn't have done…" She trailed off, attention diverting elsewhere.

She'd felt something poke her upper arm. She frowned, and nearly choked on her startled gasp when she saw the arrow protruding from his chest. Horror, overwhelming and unpleasant, filled her.

"O-Oh no~!" She panicked stridently. "Y-You're hurt, Stranger-san! Should I take it out or l-leave it in? This is terrible! If I had taken Health like Tatsuki-chan had said, I-I could help you, I swear! Should I call for help?" She grabbed onto his haori, "P-Please don't die, Stranger-san! I know I took advantage of you and touched your ears while y-you were unconscious, but I'm sorry~!" She wailed in despair, "And I'll pay the consequences, I promise!"

There was no reply from the male in front of her, just the subtle twitch of his left ear.

"Oh no! You're dead!" She cried, hands against her cheeks now, "What do I do? What do I do, Kami-sama?"

And then, without warning, there was a loud THUNK! and Orihime jerked, startled. It took a moment for her to gather herself. The sound was ringing in her ears, and she lifted a hand, curious, and pressed her fingers tenderly to the back of her head.

"I-Itai…" She whimpered at the pain, wincing. Something had hit her head. She hadn't necessarily felt it, but the sound was enough to attract her attention. She'd heard that sound enough times before. Her older brother had told her many times she had a fiercely hard head, this was just an example of its capabilities.

"W-What the…?"

Orihime blinked at the new voice. Curiously, she looked over her shoulder, her eyes large and teary from her flustering. Just a few feet away from the tree, stood a girl. She was petite, and her midnight black hair reached her chin. Her violet hued eyes stared at Orihime with a mixture of shock and confusion. Just like the man in front of her, she was wearing weird clothes, the stranger was wearing a dark blue kimono that reached her knees, and sandals.

Orihime blinked again. Remembering her manners, she smiled at the newcomer, "H-Hello."

The stranger's eyebrows creased, "…Are you a demon?"

Orihime tilted her head to the side, befuddled, "…Eh?" She peeked around, growing even more confused when she didn't see that worm-like lady. When she looked back towards the petite woman, she pointed a finger to her face, "Me?"

The woman was not amused, "No. The tree."

Orihime smiled sheepishly before her eyes fell onto the rock by her feet. The rock that had been launched at her head. Her mouth fell open, "…!"

The stranger smirked, "Yeah. I threw it at you," And then she frowned, "Though, it didn't do anything." With a sigh and a shake of her head, she picked up another, "I'll aim for something else then."

"W-Wait!" Too late. The stone hurled towards her. With a squeak, the redhead flew back towards the white-haired, slumbering man. She buried her face in his chest, frightened, and heard the crack of the rock hitting the tree, right next to the man's defenseless shoulder. His scent was oddly comforting, and her heart slowed a bit.

"Damn…" The woman behind her groused, "I missed." Orihime could hear her picking up another weapon.

The redhead whirled around, placing a trembling hand between them, "W-What are you doing?"

The girl blinked before she glared, "I should be asking you the same thing." She held the rock up, prepared to lob it towards her, "Who are you and what are you wearing?"

Orihime's lips parted, "…W-Wearing?" She glanced down at her tan sweater, red school tie, and skirt. Was this not proper? On the other hand – she glanced at the girl's clothing – she supposed it wasn't.

The girl tightened her grip around the rock, "Answer me!"

"U-Um, my name is Inoue Orihime!" The redhead whimpered, "And I-I'm wearing clothes!"

Arching an inquisitive brow, the black-haired glared at the girl. She dragged her gaze up and down her shaking form, "Is that so?"

"U-Un!" She nodded vehemently.

Their gazes met and locked. Orihime bunched her hands in her skirt, and the girl lowered her arm, but kept a tight grip on the stone, "Fine." She huffed irritably, "Come down here."

Orihime hesitated. The girl had just attacked her. Was it smart to follow her orders? Still, the girl seemed to know more about what was happening than herself, so she found no reason to question her. Timidly, she took a step down the thick vines.

"Well, c'mon!" The girl barked, hands on hips now, "We don't have all day!"

Orihime yelped, but quickly listened. Hurrying now, she stumbled a few times, before landing in front of the black-haired. The girl glowered at her, something hard in her eyes, before dropping the stone.

"You don't look stupid," she remarked, "But I can't be too sure."

Orihime giggled sheepishly, "W-Well, I have pretty high marks in school and—"

The girl tilted her head to the side, arms firmly crossed over her chest, "School? You attend school?"

Orihime paused, "Don't you?"

The girl did not respond. For a second, there was peaceful silence, and then Orihime snapped back to the present.

"Oh!" She whirled back around, where the white-haired man was resting, "Don't worry, Stranger-san! I am coming to save y—Eep!" A rough hold was taken of the back of her sweater. Orihime jerked to a stop.

The girl behind her was glaring again, "What do you think you're doing?"

Orihime was confused again, "…Saving Stranger-san…"

"Eh!" The petite girl bristled, "Baka!" Her small fist struck Orihime's head. And then she grimaced deeply, other hand grasping her fist, "What the hell…Your head is as hard as a rock!"

"S-Sorry…"

"Never mind all that!" The girl snapped, "Come with me!" Unexpectedly, she took a hold of Orihime's wrist, tugging her in the opposite direction of the boy trapped against the tree.

"Wait! We can't!" Orihime exclaimed, "What about—"

"Inuyasha." The girl said, her voice strange. She paused in mid-step and glanced back at Orihime, "You mustn't worry about him. Worry about your life."

"B-But…He's hurt and—"

"Oh, trust me, he deserves to be like that," the girl muttered, her voice low, "In fact," she looked back, gazing at the slumbering face, "He should be dead."

Orihime jerked, startled. The girl looked back with cold, unforgiving eyes. And then something seemed to catch her eye. Gazing widening, she mumbled, "What's that there? In your hair?"

Orihime blinked, and lifted a hand, touching the hibiscus clips pushing back her bangs, "Eh? You mean—"

The girl's eyes hardened, "Come with me!"

"H-Hai!"

The two ventured into the forest, leaving the trapped boy against the tree.

He looked, Orihime couldn't help but look over her shoulder and gaze at him, sad.

.

.

"—Rukia-chan is back—"

"—and who is that—"

"—such gorgeous hair and—"

"—weird child and always bringing weird things—"

"—a goddess! Our lands will be blessed—"

"—Miko Kaede might think differently—"

"Ne, Rukia-chan," The black-haired woman didn't reply, instead, tugged Orihime along by the wrist. "E-Everyone is staring…" They had long left the forest, and Orihime found herself standing on dirty walkways, where she was sure many people had treaded over. This was getting stranger and stranger – there were no buildings, no streets, no cars. The more she saw, the more anxious Orihime became.

Honestly, she would rather be back in the middle of the forest, curled up by the Sacred Tree.

"And?" Rukia, as she introduced herself earlier, replied, "Come along. My mother needs to meet you."

Orihime was reeling in shock, "M-Mother? But, Rukia-chan, I told you. I have to get to school and if I don't, Tatsuki-chan will be very angry with me! I can't afford to miss anything! Exams are soon."

Rukia paused so suddenly, Orihime almost rammed into her back. Turning towards the auburn-haired girl, Rukia pressed her lips in a firm line, "I have no idea what you are talking about. What're 'exams'?"

Orihime's eyebrow creased, her face lined with worry, "Rukia-chan…where is this place?"

Arching a brow, the shorter girl inquired, "What do you mean?"

"Is this Japan?" Orihime demanded, her voice coming out a little higher than normal, "Karakura Town?" She could only hope Rukia replied simply.

Instead, the black-haired only rose her brow higher on her forehead, and said, "What the hell is Karakura?"

Orihime's shoulders slumped. "Rukia-san, please don't say things like that, it makes me very sa—"

"Daughter, what is the meaning of this?"

Rukia bristled highly. Orihime peeked up. Just behind Rukia stood an elder. The years had gone by to her, obviously. Long, gray hairs were tied low in the back of her neck, and wrinkles embedded themselves into her small face. Her figure was stout, and short, not much taller than Rukia, and she had an eye patch covering one eye. Orihime could only wonder how it had gotten like that.

"M-Mother!" Rukia exclaimed. Quickly, she whirled around to face the elder, her eyes larger than usual, "What are you doing outside of the home?"

The woman shook her head, "Ye should know better than to think of me staying there." The mother said.

Rukia grimaced, but did not put up a fuss, "I don't like the thought of you leaving home. You're old now, Mother. It's best if you just—"

"Who is this?" The mother's one eye landed on Orihime, who was trying to be as invincible as the wind at the moment. And then she caught sight of the flowers she held in her hair. "…!"

Rukia nodded solemnly, "Just as I suspected." When the villagers began to mumble to themselves, Orihime flushed a dark pink, and Rukia's eyebrow twitched, "What are you all staring at?! The rice isn't going to grow itself, you know!"

The villagers cringed, but went right to work. Orihime looked back towards the forest, where that white-haired man rested, Inuyasha. His name brought an eerie sense of familiarity to her, along with a curling in her belly. She felt herself take a step towards the forest, towards the calling of the Sacred Tree.

"And where do you think you're going?!" Rukia grabbed a hold of her arm, hauling the redhead back, "You're coming with us!"

Did she really have a choice in the matter?

.

.

"Those clothes are barely decent, you fool."

"Rukia-chan, please, I keep trying to tell you, these are my school clothes. They were made for me to wear."

"Indecent!"

"Rukia-chaaan~"

They sat in Rukia's home. It was a small hut, something Orihime wasn't accustomed to. It smelled of meat, grains, and hardwork. Orihime could only stare in awe when Rukia had claimed she'd built it with her cousins and Kaede. Orihime couldn't imagine doing such a thing on her own. Kaede sat on the far end, jabbing a thick stick in the fire pit, a large pot boiling over it. It smelled overwhelmingly delicious to Orihime.

Suddenly, a bowl was placed in front of Orihime, steaming what she presumed was stew of some sort. Her stomach rumbled with hunger. The redhead wasted no time in snatching up the chance of food, and began to devour without even bothering to glance at the chopsticks.

"Ye must be famished," Kaede commented softly as she watched the girl. Rukia's mouth had fallen open.

When Orihime finally gathered her bearings, her bowl was nearly empty. She smiled sheepishly at the one-eyed woman, "Gomen ne~ I-I'm just very, very hungry."

Rukia gave her a deadpanned expression, "Oh, really?" She proclaimed flatly.

"Un!" Orihime was oblivious to her rhetorical statement, "I only ate once today, can you believe it? One serving of rice with Onii-chan, and I put some wasabi on it with a little red-bean paste, but I didn't want to go overboard with the sour-cream, it gives me nightmares."

Rukia arched a disbelieving brow and shared a look with her mother. "Red-bean…paste?"

"Ah!" Orihime gasped sharply, "Oh, Rukia-chan, Kaede-baba-chan, I forgot. You don't know what any of that is…" She rubbed her forehead, "Just where am I…?" Now that she had eaten, she could fully assess the situation. She had no idea where she was, she was surrounded by strangers, and she was missing school. There were no buildings, no roads, no signs of the Karakura she knew. Somehow, she knew she was close to home though, because just over the trees was the Sacred Tree with a mysterious boy pinned.

She dropped her hand back to her lap. She had no idea what was happening, but she supposed she could wait until she could get back to the Sacred Tree. That was the only place she felt safe – well, besides Rukia-chan, who reminded her oddly of Tatsuki-chan. Maybe that was why she felt so comfortable with the petite girl.

Poke.

Orihime cringed, both hands reaching up to her head. She flinched away from Rukia's curious finger, which had stabbed the growing lump in the back of her head, "Itai! Rukia-chan, please don't do that…"

"Hmm. I hit you pretty hard, ne?" The shorter girl looked closer, "You are not bleeding, but I suppose we can treat it."

Orihime tenderly rubbed her head, "I can't believe you threw a rock at me, Rukia-chan."

Rukia's eyes narrowed, "I can't believe you were in Inuyasha Forest."

Kaede's eyes snapped to the two, "Ye were in the Inuyasha Forest?" Orihime blinked, "Does ye know how treacherous that can be?" She continued to stir the pot with a hard look. "And ye carry such a superior power. How can this be?"

Orihime curled her hands around her bowl, "Ano…"

Rukia pointed to her temple, "Your jewels."

Orihime tilted her head, startled, "J-Jewels?" She peeled one from her bang and it fell like a waterfall of sunshine, "These are the clips Sora-nii gave me a long time ago. When I was five, I think."

Rukia frowned, "They are much more than that. Where did he achieve such merchandise?"

"I'm not sure. I never got the chance to ask."

Rukia's frown deepened as she crossed her arms over her chest, "Those jewels…are not something to take lightly," She watched as Orihime placed the clip back in her hair, "They hold something much more powerful, something that a simple human shouldn't have."

Kaede shook her head, "Are ye forgetting, Rukia?" The black-haired glanced at her, "My sister, a very long time ago, exactly fifty years, held it the same."

Rukia's eyes tightened, "Ch. As if I could forget. You tell the story every year, Mother."

"I-I don't understand," Orihime murmured, and their attentions went to her, "These clips…What're you saying?"

"I'm saying that those clips hold the power of the Hogyoku."

Orihime's head tilted, "H-Hogyoku?"

"An orb that is made from 100, 000 souls. It is made out of evil, but most say it is made for good. The Hogyoku can grant any wish. Many years ago, demons thrived for it, burned for it. It was placed under the care of my Mother's sister, Kikyo the priestess. Whoever possesses the Hogyoku is melded to it, and when you share the power with another, it is almost as if it is broken into two halves, one for the holder, and the other for the other. The Hogyoku broke into two halves a long time ago, when Kikyo gave her heart to another. The village has never found the other half, and the one Kikyo had been burned with her. You bear the mark of the Hogyoku, the jewels you hold in your hair."

Orihime blinked rapidly, "I-I…All of this is impossible!" She finally cried. Rukia stared at her and Kaede was quiet, "R-Really, really impossible! I'm not some kind of—"

"Princess," Rukia supplied blandly.

"—a-and I don't know what the Hogyoku is! Or where, for that matter. Besides, these," she pointed to the clips on either side of her head, "are just gifts from my brother. There is no way, absolutely no way, that these are—"

"Shun Shun Rikka."

Orihime paused, "W-What?"

"Shun Shun Rikka," Rukia said, "Six Flowers of the Hibiscus Princess. The Hogyoku is originally made up of six elements. Joy, fear, sadness, anger, envy, and peace. All of these were made into one thing, to make a solution, so the earth would be a better place for people to live. I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure, from the tale you explained to me earlier, those are that."

Orihime trembled. Yes. She could remember what happened in the well. When that golden dome had folded over her, and the warm aura had kept her heart from erupting from her chest. She could recall the power that coursed through her veins and made her feel stronger than ever before.

"Shun…Shun Rikka…" Orihime whispered to herself. Her hibiscus clips shined brighter than before.

"Child, ye said ye were from a different home. Something called, Karakura…"

"Y-Yes," Orihime nodded, broken from her thoughts. Everything was becoming so confusing. Kaede appraised her with a hard look.

"Maybe, it would be best if ye returned. If this is true, if the other half of the Hogyoku has returned to these lands, then demons will swarm." She said.

Orihime opened her mouth to reply – I don't know how to get home – but suddenly, there was a large explosion. Rukia balked, and Kaede was up before Orihime could blink. Such an agile woman for her age. Orihime could only watch in shock as Rukia followed her mother out of the home, snatching up her pole-arm, a long, thin spear that was taller than herself, and a large harsh, curve blade perched on top.

"Rukia-chan!" Orihime called after her, hurrying after the petite girl. Rukia was already beside her mother, her nimble fingers tight around her pole-arm. Kaede pulled back her bow, and aimed. With a burst of light, the arrow sank into something, something Orihime was hoping she'd never see again. "I-It's…"

"Ah!" The centipede woman howled, it's long fangs gleaming, "There you are! The Rikka Princess!"

Orihime's eyes grew impossibly larger on her face as the demon lunged, mouth open and prepared to devour. She squeezed her eyes shut – no, no, no, no!

Blood splattered against the ground. When Orihime felt no pain, she opened her eyes hesitantly to see Rukia in front of her, her blade poised up. The demon's teeth were pressed against the pole-arm, mouth open, and blood dripping as Rukia ripped her weapon through the demon's mouth.

The woman screeched, an agonized scream that chilled Orihime to her very bones. Rukia staggered in front of her, panting.

"Rukia-chan, you're—"

"Come on!" The black-haired took a hold of Orihime's wrist, leading her in the other direction. Orihime followed, her legs shaking, and the warmth in her chest seemed to burn.

"Come back here! Give it back! Give it back, you filthy humans!"

Orihime shivered, and tried to push herself harder as Rukia crossed over the fields, tugging her along with her. "B-But, Rukia-chan, she wants the—"

"I know what she wants!" Rukia barked back, sweat breaking across her skin. They were getting closer and closer to the Inuyasha Forest, "And there's no way in Hell you're giving it to her!"

"But—"

"Give it!" Rukia and Orihime skidded to a stop as the demon launched towards them. Orihime gasped sharply, as the villagers screamed. Savagely, the demon tore her teeth right through a mid-aged woman, thick crimson blood coating the grounds. Orihime's insides quivered. "I must have it!"

"You aren't getting it!"

Orihime looked down at Rukia, who was trembling in front of her, bloody weapon poised. And she thought, if she was this Six Flowers of the Hibiscus Princess, it would've been a great time to prove it. She wanted that shield, needed it, to protect herself, protect Rukia. She tried not to think of the blood, tried not to think of pain, but it reared its ugly head.

The centipede demon screeched, and lunged.

"Rukia!" Orihime cried.

Too late.

Orihime wish she could've said that she looked away, that she didn't see it, but she saw every gory detail. She watched in complete horror as the fangs tore right through the skin of Rukia's right shoulder, sending the ribbons of blood on the ground, to her shoes. She wished she could say she didn't see her newfound friend hit the ground, her weapon clattering with her, but she did.

"Rukia! Rukia!"

Is this what a Princess did? A Six Flowers of the Hibiscus Princess? She could feel the tears, they were coming. She wanted her brother, she wanted to go home, she wanted this all to be a nightmare, but unfortunately, her eyes met the beady crimson gaze of the demon, mouth coated in Rukia's blood.

"N-No…"

"Hand it over!"

Orihime shook her head wildly, her orange-red tresses sweeping around her, "I-I don't want this!" She could feel Rukia's blood touching her shoe, hear the whistle of the wind, and finally, a pulse from the Inuyasha Forest.

She squeezed her eyes shut, and the demon lunged.

And then she heard,

"Tch, should've said somethin' sooner, woman."

The voice had definitely come from her head, and it echoed in her ears strangely. There was a burst of light, and suddenly, the wind changed. It was fierce, blowing her hair from her shoulders, and causing the strands to billow out in strange, red-gold waves.

The centipede woman could only watch in shock as the dome folded in front of her prey. It was too late to stop herself, and she slammed face-first into the shield. There was silence, and Orihime slowly opened her wet eyes, and felt that shock course through her system. Without warning, power sprung from the shield and sent the demon flying backwards.

"Agh! The pain! What is this sorcery?!" It howled, a few yards from the girl now.

Orihime blinked, tears falling down her cheeks, eyes large. "…W-What is—"

"If you needed help, you should've said something." The voice was familiar, but no longer in her head. With a startled squeal, she looked directly in front of her to see a small, levitating man. He was about the size of her hand, and had dark, spiky hair. He was not human, she could see that, and his arms were crossed as he glared at her. Strange wings were perched on his tiny back, and his eyes were tight. "Oi, are you listening to me?"

Orihime blinked. "You're…" She swallowed, "A…" The thing patiently waited, eyebrow quirking up, "A FAIRY!"

He gaped at her, "A WHAT?!"

Orihime smiled brightly through her tears, "A fairy, a fairy~! Whoa, this is so cool."

His eyebrow twitched angrily, "Dammit, woman, I am NOT a fairy! Get your head on straight!" To put his statement across, he grabbed a silky strand of her hair and yanked. Orihime yelped, surprised.

"T-That hurt!"

"Yeah?" He crowed back, "Too bad!" he released her hair and then jabbed a thumb towards himself, "I am Tsubaki. The Guardian of the Hogyoku and the Six Flowers of Hibiscus Princess! I am no fairy!"

Orihime stared at him in awe, "M-My…Guardian?"

"Yeah," he nodded casually, arms crossed again. He appeared almost smug over the fact, "Been here all along."

"T-Then you're the one who made that shield…" She whispered, her tone filled with wonder.

"In a way, yes." He nodded, shrugging, "But that's your power, stupid. You made that shield." He poked her nose and she blinked in reply.

"M-Me?"

"Are you deaf?"

"But…But…"

"Dumb, too?"

Orihime ignored him, "Rukia-chan!" She suddenly ran around him, and he latched onto her shoulder before he could be left behind. Orihime crouched over the fallen woman, who was bleeding profusely from her shoulder. Her eyes were closed and she was limp, unconscious. Tsubaki sneered up his lip.

"What a mess."

Orihime's teary eyes went to him, "T-Tsubaki-san, p-please, you have to help her!"

"No can do."

Orihime's eyes widened, "B-But—"

"I~diot," he claimed, poking her in the forehead, "Only you can. Now be the Princess I know you can be and heal her!"

"H…Heal her?" Orihime was downright confused. Heal? Since when could she heal someone? Up until now, she had no idea she was powerful, a princess, important, or even could generate shields and Guardians with a flick of her wrist. It was overwhelming, and it felt as if her life was slipping between her fingertips. She wanted to go home so very badly.

"Focus!" Tsubaki shouted at her. She winced. For such a small thing, he sure could make a lot of noise, "I want you to reach deep inside of you, and find that warmth," She could feel it – the burn was beginning to ignite inside of her body, and it made her skin buzz with hyperawareness. Tsubaki grinned at this, "Now, repeat after me."

"Repeat after me."

That earned her a kick in the head. She whimpered, "DON'T BE AN IDIOT!" He huffed, "Now, say…Sōten Kisshun."

"S-Sōten Kisshun."

He watched as the golden dome rose from her hands, "I reject."

Orihime took a deep breath, and wiped away a tear, "I-I reject."

The effect was instantaneous, her golden dome folded over the bleeding woman, and Orihime watched in clear awe as the wound began to close, the pieces of cloth that was torn from Rukia mold back together, and the blood slowly recede towards the wound. Her lips parted, eyes glowing and moist.

There was another pulse from Inuyasha Forest.

"Rukia! Inoue-san!" She could hear Kaede in the distance, now on a horse and hurrying towards the two. Orihime's mind wavered, and with that, the shield shattered.

"Dammit, woman!" Tsubaki fussed, "You have to stay focused!"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Orihime cried, her heart hammering when she heard the growl of the demon, just yards away. Rukia was less pale, and the bleeding had stopped, but there was still a fresh gash in her shoulder. Orihime's hands shook, her vision blurred, and her head felt odd, "I-I have to try again…Sōten Kiss—"

"I'll eat you alive!" The demon woman howl, regaining her right mind. Tsubaki cursed in Orihime's ear, perched on her shoulder.

"Dammit! No time! Move, woman!" He ordered her. Orihime was up before she knew it. The demon launched towards her, and Orihime dodged in time for its fangs to sink into the ground. "Go, go!" Tsubaki was jabbing a finger towards the forest.

It wasn't long before Orihime was following his directions blindly. She tripped over something hard, and landed roughly. The demon chose that moment to slash its tail through the forest, throwing over trees and anything that stood in its way. Orihime shuddered.

"Get up!" Tsubaki was yelling, "Now!" Orihime, somehow, made it onto her shaking knees, and took off. She could hear the demon behind her, giving her every gory detail of how she was going to devour her and the entire village.

"Tsubaki-san!" Orihime was growing desperate. There was nothing but darkness and trees, "Please, tell me what I should do!"

"Stupid," Tsubaki commented, "You used the last of your power on that girl! You should've been thinking of your own life."

"She's my friend," Orihime defended, dodging out of the way as a tree tipped over and landed on the ground with a loud crash. She headed in the opposite direction, "Please, there has to be something."

"Yeah," Tsubaki's tone was off. He crossed his arms over his chest, "There is. You'll know when you reach him." With that, he suddenly lifted himself from her shoulder. Orihime skidded to a stop, heart pounding in her ears.

"Tsubaki-san! What're you—"

"Keep going!" He barked at her.

Orihime hesitated for only a moment. The Guardian watched her go for a few seconds, before he turned to face the horrendous demon. He grinned, arms by his sides, "Bring it on!"

Orihime pushed herself through the branches, nearly tripping. She tried to tell herself everything would be alright, that this was somehow a very, very, very realistic dream, but as she felt her heart pulse, her breathing fracture, and the sounds of screams from the village, she knew this was the farthest thing from a dream.

She felt incomplete, somehow, without Tsubaki there – even though the two had just met. He was her Guardian, he had said, and she found herself believing in him more than herself. But now she was alone, no Tsubaki, no Rukia, no anything. She felt drained, mentally and physically.

Is this all I can do? She thought desperately. Is this all I am good for?

Without warning, she tumbled headfirst down a steep hill. She meant to catch herself somehow, someway, but she could only land limply on the ground as she rolled to a stop. Her wrists hurt, and her eyes burned. Panting, she brought herself to her knees, eyes shining.

And she met an amber gaze.

There he was. In the moonlight, his silver hair fell around him, red and white, and golden eyes that trapped her where she was. Her heart stopped for a second and then picked up in an unnatural beat. Her mouth suddenly felt dry as their gazes met and locked.

She already knew his name.

Inuyasha, Inuyasha, Inuyasha—

She already knew what he could do.

Inuyasha, Inuyasha, Inuyasha—

Help me.

"There is." Tsubaki had said with an odd look on his face, "You'll know when you reach him."

Help me, Inuyasha.

He opened his mouth,

"What're ya starin' at, wench? Gotta problem?"

Orihime blinked, and tears came with it. She stood on wobbly legs. His voice was rough, but her head felt clearer somehow, her body weightless. He was glaring at her with his hard, amber eyes, and even though she was in danger, people were dying, and she felt like she might explode at any second, she couldn't help but relax a bit.

He's awake. She whispered internally, vague relief in her veins.

She opened her mouth to say something, but he looked up, eyes narrowing.

"She's here."

The air collapsed around her. She choked, gasping. Her body felt heavy again, and suddenly, she was off the ground, and pressed against something hard. She was afraid to open her eyes.

"I must have it! Give it to me!"

If the demon was here, then where was Tsubaki? Her veins ran cold. "N-No…" The demon wrapped its scaly body around the tree, around the two, and Orihime squeaked, unable to breathe. Inuyasha was staring down at her, and she swore she saw him sniff at her for a moment. She clenched her hands in his robes, nails digging into his flesh, "P-Please…"

His eyes hardened.

"Ah! Finally! I have found you, Princess! Hand it over! Hand it over now!" Her beady eyes glanced at the second, "Inuyasha, you have awakened!"

Orihime's vision began to blur, but she saw a smirk cross over his face, cocky and somehow very fitting on his face.

"Never thought I would see your ass again, witch," Inuyasha remarked snidely.

"How dare you! A mere hanyou! Do not make me laugh!"

Orihime blinked rapidly, attempting to bring herself above water. She could not breathe, she could not think. Everything hurt. But she caught the word – hanyou? What was an hanyou? She could've sworn she read it somewhere before, maybe in the old stories Sora-nii would always tell her.

Something flashed across Inuyasha's face, but he was quick to smother it with a glare. "Don't underestimate me, Centipede Bitch!" he drawled venomously, a vicious smirk on his face, "Just wait until I get my claws into ya!"

Orihime gripped his clothes even tighter as the centipede's body constricted around her. Her lungs felt like they would burst. She saw Inuyasha's eyes flicker down to her, and his scowl deepened.

"Just what the hell are ya doin'?" He snarled, "Ya ain't dyin', are ya?"

Orihime wished she could've had the strength to stick her tongue out at him. Instead, she swallowed, lips dry.

Inuyasha, Inuyasha, Inuyasha—

What was this sensation in her chest? What was this warmth? It was so thick, so pure, she felt as if she could reach out and touch it. It felt like the warmth from earlier, from when she healed Rukia. She could only hope this meant something.

Inuyasha, Inuyasha, Inuyasha, please—

The centipede squeezed tighter, "Hand it over, dammit! You disgusting human! Hand over the Rikka's Hogyoku!"

Inuyasha's eyes flashed at that. Orihime did not miss it.

"Child!" Orihime could now hear Kaede closer, the humans closer, and she could hear their frantic shouts, "And…Inuyasha…! He's awake!"

Orihime could also feel Inuyasha's chest – he was growling deeply, his chest rumbling underneath her cheek. His warmth was comforting, and it brought a deep sense of peace. Even though she did not know him, she felt as though she did.

Her barrettes shined brightly.

"Hey," his voice made her ears ring. She glanced up, eyes fluttering in a vain effort to keep them open. He wasn't looking at her, and his fists was clenched by his sides, "I need you to take out this arrow."

"…Eh?"

His head snapped down at her and he glowered at her fiercely, "I'm tellin' ya to take out the damn arrow!"

"Don't do it, child!" Kaede was calling to her, "If he is free, Inuyasha could kill us all! Do not disrupt the spell!"

"Shaddup, you old hag," Inuyasha snapped at her, and then looked back at Orihime. She was trembling against him, "Take out the arrow. Now."

"Take it out, woman!" Tsubaki was back, he was okay, and it somehow strengthened her resolve, "Take it out now!"

Her eyes met Inuyasha's, the fine, lovely amber, and she did as she was told. She lifted a quivering hand as the demon centipede grew impatient, "You little runt!"

And she clamped onto the arrow. It was quiet for one second, one second where she could feel the warmth inside of her overflow.

Finally, she uttered, "IInuyasha!"

There was a blinding yellow light. She wrenched with all her power, her body alight and her skin tingling. She saw the golden power erupt around her, and then, as she yanked out the old, worn arrow, it exploded into glowing, sapphire petals. For a moment, she imagined it to be beautiful, such a simple act of removing an arrow as the light diminished and the petals evaporated in nothingness.

And then she felt the body pulse underneath her, felt his chest rumble against her, and watched as his eyes darkened, narrowed, and flashed dangerously.

"Inu…yasha?"

His muscles bunched violently underneath her hands at his name, and she felt her heart stutter when she heard his laughter. It wasn't filled with humor, it was free. It was hard, a mocking laughter, and her blood froze in her veins when she heard Tsubaki cry,

"Woman, get away from him!"

Too late. One second, she was against him, and the next, the ground was rushing up to meet her.

Vaguely, she remembered hearing a scream.

And all she could think was

Inuyasha, Inuyasha, Inuyasha, please—

Help me.

.

.

Inside of her, the Hogyoku awakened.

It is time.

.

.

Yay! I finished. Though, I feel like this could've came out better. I wanted it to be more dramatic, yet the same of how Kagome and Inuyasha met. Don't worry, I'm still changing this story around, but I want them to have a connection first.

I liked Rukia in this chapter, and I think I'll have her stay. No dying in the second chapter, no, no. And Tsubaki, too. Just had to bring him in. In the next chapter, I promise to give more light on Orihime and what exactly is happening with her powers and the Hogyoku. I can't wait until I can actually start on the relationship between Orihime and Inuyasha.

It's so adorable, hot, and beautiful I feel like I'm gonna die.

Gosh, I love Inuyasha's English dubbed voice, but I definitely love Inuyasha's Japanese voice even better, so rough and I LOVE IT~!

And wow, I can't believe this is 17 pages. Yay me for finishing this in a day.

Please, please, please review. I need your opinions and thoughts and who you think I should add from the Bleach universe and Inuyasha universe. Anything that makes you feel better about the story.

-Star