TheCatWithTheHat: Cookies! Yummy! Sorry it took me a while, went on a small vacation.

Ranipaki: I'm glad you liked :D

Nypsy: yes only one magical night! Well as for Yuzu, the question is answered in this chappie!

Pisces00: I'm glad you enjoyed :D

Himeangi: thank you very much.

Child of the Ashes: THANKS :D

vPaNdA75: well thank you :D I just recently got hooked back onto bleach even though this new manga arc I'm on the fence about it. Oh well. Well here is chappie 7!

Worth the Wait

Disclaimers: I do now own Bleach, Bleach rightfully belongs to its creator and network.

This is an AU story. There are some original characters that I created for the story.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Chapter Seven – Breaking In

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Grimmjow walked with his hands in his pockets. Orihime just followed him silently; he had kept his promise as far as she knew. Ichigo had been released from his hold of the other arrancar and she was quickly brought to Hueco Mundo. She had her eyes down casted as came into a bright room filled with more arrancar and she clung onto Grimmjow's back. He didn't say anything as they were in front of Aizen. Aizen looked at him surprised; Grimmjow went and yanked Orihime to stand in front of him.

"Here," Grimmjow pushed her forward. Orihime stumbled a bit but stood up straight, "This is the woman you wanted right. Well here you go."

"How unexpected," Aizen looked down at the woman. "You've grown quite beautiful since the last time I saw you. What is even more pleasant is that you are Ichigo Kurosaki's lover…"

"What do you want from me," Orihime asked softly.

"You have been carrying something for me and it's almost time for me to remove it from your body," Aizen smirked. "Do not worry, Grimmjow was merciful to let you see your lover before coming to Hueco Mundo…that would be the last time you will ever see him." Orihime froze as Aizen was standing in front of her, "Such a delicate flower, you should smile…"

Orihime backed away from him and bumped into Grimmjow. She looked up to see him uncaring but for a moment she saw something. She was unsure what it was but she knew she saw something for a moment, "Why me…why did you put the hogyoku in me?"

"That's easy because your powers had room to grow," Aizen smiled and backed away from the woman. "The more the host's powers grow so does the Hogyoku. It would only mature properly in a woman though, since women are the carriers of life." Orihime wanted to back up more but Grimmjow was unmoving. "However, Grimmjow brought you a little early. So you will be a guest until the Hogyoku is ready to be removed from your body."

"What…"

"Grimmjow, show her to her room. Ulquiorra, you will be in charge of Orihime Inoue," Aizen smirked and walked away from the woman.

Orihime felt Grimmjow grab her arm and forced her to walk with him. She just obediently let him pull her along. It felt like a long journey of turns and stairs before they arrived at what was to be her room. She sighed as he pushed her in and then she saw that same emotion again. He's lost someone…he feels sorry for me. "Who was she…"

"Huh?"

"Who was she," Orihime asked again feeling a little braver.

"Tch, a strange question to ask your kidnapper," Grimmjow looked at her as if she was crazy.

"She was special to you wasn't she," Orihime dared to ask but only got a hand at her throat.

"You will not speak of this again, do you understand,"Grimmjow stared her down and Orhime weakly nodded. "Ulquiorra is in charge of you now, so I suggest you don't try anything stupid."

"I understand…" Orihime said once he let his hold on her go. Grimmjow nodded and left the room. Once the door closed Orihime fell to her knees. She hugged her body and cried slightly. She was going to die and she might as well accept it. She didn't know when or how but all she knew they wanted that object in her body. Her mind quickly became filled with Ichigo and made her cry even more. She knew even if she didn't meet him that she would've been killed just for that object residing in her body. Little did she know that Grimmjow was on the other side of the door listening to her cry. His mind was quickly flooded with a woman he hadn't seen in years and would never admit out loud that he missed her terribly.

I almost feel sorry for you woman…

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Ichigo stood at the training ground under Urahara's Shop and saw his friends that were ready to go with him. They had told Ichigo he had to wait a couple days before going into Hueco Mundo. He was restrained by several of his friends and his father to keep him from going prematurely. Toshiro had returned to soul society with Rangiku in order to prepare their defenses. He had returned word back to Renji that Head Captain Yamamoto would be sending some of his captains with this small group invading Hueco Mundo. He sighed as he was already in his soul reaper body but was anxiously awaitinghis friends that were going with him. He was curious to see who it would be.

"Getting impatient aren't we," Kisuke walked up to man.

"Wouldn't you be if it was Yoruichi-san," Ichigo barked back. "I've been waiting for two days to go after her but you and everyone else has been making me wait."

"Impatient as always," Rukia told him. "The captains are waiting for us in Hueco Mundo." Rukia told him, "I just got word, so we can go when Sado and Ishida have said their goodbyes."

Ichigo nodded as he saw Estella and Tatsuki holding onto Chad and Uryu tightly. He closed his eyes when he remembered the night Orihime was taken from him. He had asked Tatsuki to watch over her restaurant while they went on their way to find her. They knew Aizen had his arrancar waiting for them. Chad gave Estella a kiss and he walked over to Ichigo and Rukia were standing. He nodded showing he was ready. Renji then jumped through the opening from the store to the training ground and then Estella marched up to him.

"You bring back my husband alive," Estella told him and Renji nodded.

He quickly made his way over to Chad, "You're wife is scary…"

Everyone laughed that heard Renji. Estella was just what Chad needed, the quiet and calm man had been lucky in finding his other half. She completed him and that's all he could ask for and his friends were genuinely happy for them. Uryu finally slipped away from Tatsuki who was being held by Yoruichi. "So what did she threaten to do to you if you don't come back in one piece?"

"Shut up Abarai," Uryu pushed his glasses up. "At least we weren't mating like two crazed rabbits and had several people walking in on us!"

"Shut the hell up," Renji grabbed Uryu by his collar. "If you had half the energy Rukia does, then you wouldn't be so grumpy all the time."

"Now, now…it seems we are all ready to go…make sure you use your spiritual powers to create your footing, if you don't you will be lost somewhere between here and Hueco Mundo!" Urahara shouted in glee, "Now…are we ready?"

"Just open it already…" Ichigo's fists were clenched and he took in a deep breath as he heard Urahara chanting an incantation. Then there was a surge of spiritual pressure and light. Then they saw the rip in space and the large black opening. Ichigo smirked, Just wait a little longer Hime…I'm coming.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

"You haven't eaten in two days," Ulquiorra pointed out and grabbed Orihime by the arm. She didn't look up at him. "Do I have to shove it down your throat…" Orihime pulled her arm away and Ulquiorra was about to slap her but he had a better idea. "Maybe you just need company…"

"I'm fine," Orihime said dryly and looked out her window.

"Woman eat," Grimmjow ordered. Orihime turned to look at the blue haired arrancar with surprise. "You might not want to eat, but you need to. Or you will die…"

"I see you came, you're in charge of her for now. Make sure she eats before you leave the room…"

"Whatever," Grimmjow walked over to Orihime and stared her down. He took in a small breath, "How did you know?"

"Huh?"

"A few days ago…about her…"

"The look in your eyes," Orihime said simply. "Something about them looked sad…like you were missing someone…it was almost the same look Ichigo gave me when you brought me here."

"You're very perceptive," Grimmjow pointed to the food. "Eat, I really don't want to be stuck in here all day with you."

Orihime nodded weakly and slowly began eating the food on the tray, "What was her name?"

"Tch, it doesn't matter," Grimmjow shrugged. "She just disappeared one day and no one thought twice about it." Orihime noticed a scar on his back, Grimmjow knew what she was looking at. "I got that for trying to find her…but I never found her. So for punishment I lost my rank." Orihime had walked up to him and Grimmjow looked at her over his shoulder to see a glowing dome, "What the hell are you doing, woman?" Grimmjow felt a surge go through his body and felt some of his power returning.

"Six?"

Grimmjow smirked, "Hmph. This is perfect…"

"I don't understand…"

"Just say I owe you one woman," Grimmjow smirked and looked at her half eaten plate. "Finish your food woman; I frankly don't want to deal with Ulquiorra today." Orihime nodded and began eating. "You're a strange one, even though I'm your enemy you healed a wound?"

"I don't always see things as black and white as the rest of the world," Orihime said softly. "Yes, there are enemies but everyone deserves a chance at life."

"You're strange, woman," Grimmjow looked out the window. "Say, that man of yours…how strong is he?"

"Huh…" Orihime looked at him confused, "Compared to what?"

"Aizen seems to worry about him a lot, almost like he fears about what he could become," Grimmjow smirked. "I would love to fight him…" Orihime stood up but his glare stopped her from protesting, "He's come for you…and it seems like he has some friends with him…"

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

"What the hell KENPACHI!" Ichigo grumbled as Kenpachi Zaraki was laughing at him. He had started a small fight with him and the rest of the group just sighed.

"Go Kenny go!" Yachiru Kusajishi cheered on her captain.

Retsu Unohana sighed as she watched Ichigo just dodge Kenpachi's advances. She looked over to her lieutenant Isane Kotestu that was getting ready to heal wounds if necessary. This was not unusual behavior from Kenpachi however it would seem the time apart from Ichigo just made him even more battle happy at the sight of the orange haired man. Unohana looked over at the calm and collected Byakuya Kuchiki, he had brought desert robes for Rukia and Renji to wear while they were in Hueco Mundo. It surprised her to say the least but his affection for Renji had grown into that of a younger brother since Rukia's ten year anniversary was coming up. Mayuri Kurotsuchi had claimed he would catch up after looking for things to experiment on in Hueco Mundo, he took Nemu Kurotsuchi with him. Unohana knew he would catch up if battle were to actually occur while they were here.

"We should be on our way," Byakuya stated first and began walking. The group followed and after the fighting pair realized they were being left behind quickly caught up to the group.

"Why the hell did Byakuya give you guys desert robes and don't give us anything," Ichigo pouted and crossed his arms.

"Be glad that I'm here on orders," Byakuya said simply and Ichigo was about ready to pound him as Renji held him back.

"Stupid, Rukia is his sister and I'm his brother-in-law," Renji whispered to him. "Besides, this is the first time he's been nice to me since I've been married to Rukia…so shut up!"

"Hmph," Ichigo grumbled.

"You know, you shouldn't be like that considering Karin will more than likely marry Captain Histugaya…"

"Shut up shrimp!" Ichigo grumbled at Rukia. "Like hell I would except that punk as my brother-in-law…"

"From what I understand, your other sister has been petitioned for marriage," Unohana spoke and Ichigo stared at her as if she grew another head.

"Wh…what…did you say? Yuzu…no…what…"

"Captain Unohana," Rukia looked at her frantically.

"You know something," Ichigo looked at the petite soul reaper. She shook her head, "LIAR! You know something…what other captain is going after my sister?"

Renji sighed, "Well…your father used to be one of great captains in soul society…"

"My dad was a captain," Ichigo looked at him confused. "Wait, Yuzu can't even see spirits…and someone wants to marry my sister from soul society? Bad enough Karin is seeing Toshiro!"

"Ichigo…" Rukia eyed her older brother carefully, "Well it's just a rumor going around Soul Society…"

"I asked for hand," Byakuya said simply and Ichigo's eye grew wide.

"WHAT THE HELL! YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME!" Ichigo shouted at the sky. "You have to be joking! Since when did you have interest in Yuzu! Do you even know what Yuzu looks like? WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON WITH YOU! YOU'RE JOKING! YOU HAVE TO BE JOKING!"

"The elders suggested I continued the Kuchiki family line and it's known for some time that Captain Isshin Kurosaki who was a well-respected captain in soul society had children," Byakuya said evenly. He continued to walk forward with Unohana and Isane following after him. Kenpachi continued to walk muttering how troublesome the situation was and Yachiru on his shoulder. She was humming a small song to herself without a care in the world.

"You knew and you didn't tell me," Ichigo looked from Rukia to Renji. Uryu and Chad decided they would keep up with the group.

"Ummm…"

"You see…."

"We don't have time to talk about your sister, Kurosaki," Uryu called over his shoulder. "Last time I checked we were here to rescue your girlfriend."

"Shut up," Ichigo quickly caught up to him as Renji and Rukia let out a sigh of relief. "Don't think this conversation is over either!"

"How did you think that went?"

Rukia sighed, "To think that Nii-sama and Ichigo might be related through marriage is actually a funny idea."

"You and your imagination," Renji kissed her forehead. "Let's catch up befo…" Renji grabbed Rukia and got out of the way. "WATCH OUT!"

The group all turned to see what was the warning for, they all broke apart to hear a child crying? They saw a small girl running with tears in her eyes. No one drew their sword as of yet but the girl was being chased by three other creatures. She then made a hard right and made a U turn straight at Ichigo. Ichigo tried to dodge but was tackled to the ground with the crying child. Ichigo got up and avoided the three other figures.

"You're a nice pillow!" the little girl snuggled into Ichigo and he scowled, "HEY LET NEL GO!"

"Please let Nel go, we were just playing!"

"Yes, we were just playing!"

"And who are you," Ichigo pointed at the group.

"I'm Pesche," the skinner one said.

"I'm Dondochakka!"

"And I'm Nel Tu and that's our pet Bawabawa!" the little girl said with a smile on her face and Ichigo just arched an eyebrow. "Who are you!"

"None of your business, and why do you have that thing on your head," Ichigo pointed at Nel's head.

"I'm an arrancar…"

"What?"

"No way!"

"She's too small!"

"Just because I'm small doesn't mean I can't be an arrancar!" Nel whined and Ichigo grumbled. "Besides why are you in these ugly black clothes, hmmmmmm?"

Ichigo grumbled, "Because I'm a substitute soul reaper…"

"Soul…soul reaper!" Nel cried out as her group all huddled together. "It means they are the bad guys!"

"Let us be moving, we do not have time to waste with weaker beings," Byakuya began walking with the group following. Ichigo just walked off when Nel clung onto him.

"WHERE YOU GOING YOU CAN'T GO TO LAS NOCHES!"

"Las….noches," Ichigo asked the group stopped again. "What are you talking about?"

"You're headed to where the numerous live and Aizen, are you CRAZY!"

"Look here brat, I'm going there because that bastard has my girlfriend!"

"Girlfriend…what's that?" Nel looked up at the man confused.

"Ummm…"

Uryu stepped, "She is his companion, lover, significant other…"

"Oh, she's more than a friend," Nel asked with curious eyes.

"You can say that," Ichigo smiled as an image of Orihime filled his thoughts. "She's not just my girlfriend…she's like the sun in my sky…no matter what I am thinking she knows without me ever saying word…she makes me want to try harder…and yet she makes being around her so easy…"

"YOU ARE IN LOVE!" Nel chanted happily. She pinched Ichigo's cheek, "WAHAHA! Nel will show you the way in!"

"NEL!" / "YOU SHOULDN'T!"

"You two stay here, I promise to come back!" Nel waved as jumped on Ichigo's shoulders. Ichigo sighed and figured he let the little girl go with him. "I know some tunnels in Las Noches…"

"Ugh, this is going to be a pain…" Ichigo grumbled and decided to follow the girl's lead.

Nel waved bye to her friends as the two male sighed, "Do you think she will be fine?"

"A part of her still remembers who she was before…"

"In her dreams she calls out to him…"

"Yeah, this might be good for her…"

"Yeah…"

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Orihime yelped out in pain as Ulquiorra was dragging her out of her room. She had been forced to change clothes and was now being forced to follow the fourth esparda. She had fear in her eyes as was being tied down to a table. She tried to fight but her hair pins were taken from her and struggled only to have her feet and hands bound together. She struggled but her hands went above her head. She then saw Aizen above her, he had a smirk on his face.

"I'm sorry to do this now but your friends have come for you," Aizen caressed her cheek and Orihime spit at him. "Hmph, I didn't figure you to be such a feisty type…"

"He will kill you," Orihime glared at him.

"Hmph, even if he does come for you…you will still not survive this process which is fine with me," Aizen smirked. "You will surely die since I'm extracting the hogyoku fragment earlier than anticipated but still favorable to me either way."

Orihime struggled as she saw his hand begin to glow, Is this the end? Am I really going to die like this…Ichigo…Orihime closed her eyes and could faintly sense his spiritual pressure…You shouldn't have come…this looks like the end for me…She felt something plunging into her stomach and felt her life being yanked out of her. She didn't have time to scream or time to think. She felt her world go black. Her eyes shifted close and didn't know what happened next.

Aizen looked up to see Orihime being held in Grimmjow's arms. He smirked and left the room, "Well, well…she does remind him of her…how ironic…"

"Do you wish for me to go after him," Ulquiorra asked.

"No, he might save us the trouble by taking out the group coming our way," Aizen shook his head. "I have what I wanted from the woman…what he decides to do with her doesn't matter to me. She's as good as dead anyway."

Grimmjow had heard the conversation but made his way through the building. He found a small room in the deepest area he could find. He then placed the hair pins in Orihime's hand. He closed her hand over the hair pins, "Woman if you can hear me heal yourself…if you die than that idiot won't find us…"

Grimmjow watched and saw nothing, "Women are so troublesome. I'm going to lend you some of my power but you better hurry and heal yourself."

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Ichigo stopped as did everyone else, "It…it…it…can't be…" Ichigo began running only to get held back by Kenpachi… "No…No…It can't be…" The others just closed their eyes, letting Ichigo feel the pain of loss. Kenpachi just looked the other way as the orange haired man was in severe pain and even the battle ready captain knew he wasn't worth fighting in that state. "ORIHIME!"

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

What is this feeling…I can…I can…hear him…Ichigo…what is this feeling? Why can I hear him? He's calling me? Why? Ichigo…why…

"ORIHIME!"

Why do you call out for me so desperately? Ichigo…Ichigo…I want…I … I WANT TO SEE YOU!

"Huh," Grimmjow backed away from Orihime's body as it began to glow. "What the hell?" her body was in a soft golden hue. He smirked when he saw a small dome covering her body, "Looks like things are going to get interesting after all."

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Ichigo was on the ground. Nel was trying to cheer him up but she felt bad. Everyone stopped for a moment as they were letting Ichigo grieve. They had all felt the drop in spiritual pressure. From Ichigo's reaction they could tell what it was about. Nel stayed quiet for a little bit and sighed. Rukia was in her husband's arms and he was rubbing her back. Unohana raised her head when she looked over in the direction of Las Noches. What is this feeling?

Isane looked up, "Captain…"

"I felt it too, Isane…" Unohana smiled and stood up. "That woman is a fighter…she won't give up so easily…"

Everyone looked up at her, "She is trying to heal herself…it would be dangerous if we can't get to her quickly…"Ichigo looked at her as if she lost her mind, "If we don't hurry she will expend all of her energy and we won't make it to her in time…"

Ichigo nodded, Just hold on a little longer Orihime…I'm coming to get you

I'll be waiting…Ichigo…I want to see you…Ichigo froze for a moment. He placed a hand over his heart and closed his eyes. His group all looked at him confused. Everyone looked at him confused and Nel was tugging on his clothes. He didn't move as he for a moment felt Orihime's heart beating in time with his own. If he stood still enough, he could almost see her where she was. He could see her smiling face and her hand holding out to him, he would not waste time. "Let's go…Orihime is waiting for us…" Ichigo quickly took the lead as Nel cheered him on. His face had a bright smile and the others quickly ran after the substitute soul reaper.

"Troublesome, but it would seem the boy has his fire back," Kenpachi smirked. "No matter, only means later he will be up for a sparring match when this is all said and done."

"You think too much," Byakuya said running next to the captain. "At least he isn't a brute…there is some hope for him."

"Gentlemen, we should quickly follow after Kurosaki-san if we intend to not only save the woman he is looking for but also confront Aizen himself," Unohana instructed. "We will more than likely see that traitor here; why else do you think you two were handpicked by the head captain?"

"Tch, noisy woman," Kenpachi grumbled.

"Hey, Ichigo slow down," Renji shouted as he jumped next to him. "Not everyone is as fast as you…"

"I have no time to waste Renji, she's waiting for me," Ichigo smiled at him. "She wants to see me…"

"You're hopeless," Renji smirked. "You better marry her quickly then, a woman like that doesn't come around too often…"

"Tch, don't worry about that but I'll propose to her in my own time stupid…"

"Who you calling stupid, stupid?"

"You tattooed pineapple head!"

"You punk ass strawberry!"

"Shut up stupid, it only took you how long before you married the midget!"

"Don't call my wife a midget you ass!"

"Tch, I don't plan on wasting as much time as you and Rukia did," Ichigo flash stepped away from them.

Renji just smiled, Stupid…looks like you have your reason to defeat Aizen, I hate to admit but you're probably the only that can do it.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Orihime sat up against the wall and looked over at Grimmjow. He looked over at the woman, she had put her hair pins back in her hair. She still looked terrible but for the most part she was alive. He smirked, he knew the man of hers would be there shortly. He would be there to claim her as his but before that…he would get a good fight. He closed his eyes as he was sensing all of the new spiritual pressures that had arrived in Hueco Mundo.

"Say woman…how strong is that man of yours?"

Orihime looked at him weakly, "To tell you the truth, I've never seen him at full strength…are you…are you going to fight him?"

"Don't you get it, I saved you barely in enough time might I add. So I can fight this man of yours," Grimmjow laughed. "I would be surprised if he can sense you at all with the way you are now though…but I'm sure if the man is smart enough he'll come for his woman."

Orihime looked at the ground, "Why do you desire to fight him so much? Aren't you one of the strongest here?"

"Tch, for some reason Aizen wants him dead and I want to find out why but I can't do that if you're dead," Grimmjow glared at the woman. "So when you get a chance heal yourself up more, that hogyoku was buried deep inside of your body…I'm surprised you're even awake…"

Orihime smiled, "You shouldn't doubt a woman's heart…it's a very powerful thing…"

"Women are such a pain…"

"You have firsthand knowledge," Orihime laughed a little bit.

"Like I said women are such pains," Grimmjow sighed. "You're a lot like her…"

"Hmm?"

"No matter what, she found to keep that level head of hers. No matter how times I saw her in battle, she was level headed. She saw things more than a black and white slate…more than just a battle…just like you…"

"Sounds like a good woman…"

"Don't be stupid, you're not even half the woman she is…"

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

"Oi, are you stupid," Renji grabbed Ichigo by the collar. "With an explosion like that they are going to know we are here!"

"Tch, it would be easier in finding her than trying to sneak in!" Ichigo barked back, "Besides this is where Nel said was the weakest point in the wall…thanks to her short cuts we got here in record time!"

"So Nel did good," the little girl clapped happily.

"We should split up," Kenpachi looked at their surroundings.

"I disagree, I suggest we stay together," Unohana gently spoke. "If we were to encounter an enemy stronger than us we would be better in numbers."

"Either way, we are going to be busy with battles," Renji said looking down the long narrow hallway. "With that entrance, I'm sure we are going to attract some attention."

"You think?" Rukia rolled her eyes, "Then let us stick together until we absolutely have to separate."

"Doesn't matter to me, getting Orihime is top priority once she is safe and sound we can go right after Aizen," Ichigo's spiritual power was rising and Kenpachi smirked. Byakuya acknowledged the man's ability. Chad and Uryu looked at each other knowingly. "If we can end it here, then lets end it here…Aizen will pay for his crimes in soul society and the crime he pressed on the living world."

"Then what are we waiting for," Uryu smirked and patted his friend on the shoulder. "We're not getting any younger and Inoue-san is waiting for you…"

"Right," Ichigo sprinted ahead and the others quickly followed after him. I'm coming Orihime…

So the king finally found his queen…

Shut up!

What? Can't I put my two cents into the conversation…I'm just happy that you know how to be man…

I told you to shut up…you're the damn horse and start acting like one.

Tch, remember I'm you…if you want the queen back…you can't hold back…

I know…

Don't die…if you die…you'll give me a chance…

Don't bet on it!

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Lets more to come! See you next time!