"Fucker."

"Imbecile."

"Pompous ass."

"Look at you, Kurosaki. You can finally use a fundamental vocabulary."

"Shut the fuck up, you damn prick!"

Uryu placed his hand on the hilt of his thin sword, "Come any closer and I'll cut you down."

Ichigo's scowl deepened, "I'd like to see you fuckin' try—"

"W-Wait! You two promised not to fight!"

"Stay out of it, Orihime."

"Don't talk to her like that."

"I'll talk to her however the hell I want to!"

"P-Please—"

"Then I shall slice out your tongue."

"Dammit! Let me at 'im!"

Quickly, Orihime clutched onto Ichigo's arm as the orange-haired tried to throw a punch at the spectacled man. At this point, she was gnawing on her bottom lip. It was morning, and as soon as everyone had wakened at Yoruichi's home, Ichigo and Uryu had sought each other out and began to argue. Orihime tried to stop the bickering on her own, but it seemed pointless. They wouldn't stop for anything.

"Yoruichi-saaan," Orihime whined, attempting to keep her grip tight on Ichigo's arm, "Please help me."

The dark-skinned woman crossed her arms over her chest, giving the redhead a knowing look, "Why? He's your man, isn't he?"

Orihime's heart lurched. Ichigo and Uryu paused. Of course, last night hadn't escaped her mind either. After the near-death experience, she'd claimed she would leave Ichigo, run away and never look back, but he silenced her with a kiss. It had been enough for her body to burst into flames and her lips and jaw tingled from the reminder. Gasping, she reeled backwards, away from Ichigo as though he'd burned her.

No one in the room missed that movement and Uryu dropped his hand back to his side while Yoruichi yawned and stretched, leaving the room, mumbling something about breakfast.

"And what," Ichigo muttered, his tone harder than usual, "was that for, Kitten?"

Orihime licked her lips nervously as the nickname left his mouth. She was grateful that he wasn't facing her: she had no idea what she would do with those eyes on her. Uryu crooked a brow at her.

"I-I should…" She had no way to finish her sentence, but she managed to scramble backwards into the back room and was quick to shut the door.

Ishida crossed his arms over his chest as Ichigo tensed, his eyes darkening at the sound of her exit. Turning his face away indignantly, Ishida huffed, "When are we leaving, Kurosaki?" He refused to look at the orange-haired when he swiveled his head towards Uryu.

Clenching his fists, Ichigo glared at him, "Ya talk as if you're coming with us."

Ishida met his stare head-on, "That's because I am."

Ichigo visibly bristled, "Like fuck you are—"

"Look, Kurosaki," Ichigo quieted at his tone, "I know we will never see eye-to-eye, and at the moment, I want to slit your throat out, but Orihime-san has been nothing but kind to me. I am not sure why she is with you or why she even lets you touch her, but…I will accompany her on her journey and give her all the assistance and strength she will need."

Ichigo glowered at him for a long moment, his scowl turning more thoughtful than menacing before he turned his face away with a, "Tch! It's not like I giv'a fuck anyway. Do whatever you want, you damn asshole." With that, he sheathed his sword and walked out of the front door.

Uryu stared after him before returning his gaze to the door Orihime had exited, "Orihime-san? I know you are listening."

There was a small squeak and a shuffle of feet, "M-Mou, Ishida-kun, you are really perspective."

He smiled a bit, "It comes from years of practice. Kurosaki is too dull to notice." He paused for a second, listening to her hesitate on her feet, "Would you mind telling me what exactly happened last night?"

Again, there was silence. Slowly, the door opened to reveal Orihime. She stared at the ground, hands limp on the entrance of the door, "Um…I-It's a long story, Ishida-kun. I would rather not explain it."

His smile fell, "I got the gist of it," he murmured and her eyes shot up to his, "Your Majesty, huh?"

Smiling weakly, she nervously averted her gaze again, "I'd prefer if you didn't call me that. Orihime's just fine."

Ishida's eyes narrowed. "Do I even want to know what you are doing outside of your home? The Kingdom is quite far from here."

She bit her lower lip, "P-Please don't be angry."

"Just tell me everything you can and I'll try to understand."

"Like I said before," Orihime whispered, "It's a long story." He didn't relent his stare, and Orihime's eyes found his, withering under his gaze, "I will tell you. But you must promise not to say anything to Kurosaki-san…"

Ishida dropped his arms to his sides, "I feel as though I'm going to regret this."

In reply, Orihime smiled sadly.

Ichigo allowed his naturally tense body to relax, if only for a second before his scowl came back in full force, enough to make the sky darken. His head was beginning to hurt and he allowed his eyes to squeeze closed. As he lifted his chin, he sighed heavily, creaking his eyes open to stare at the vast, clear sky.

"Fuck…"

The clouds were playing a dangerous game, closing in and then shifting apart. It made him even more irritated than he already was. It appeared as though it would rain soon, and he despised the rain. So wet and cold and unnatural that it made his skin crawl sometimes. Why did water come from the clouds anyway? He felt like punching the very God who thought of that stupid idea.

His stomach still hurt from last night. Literally, it felt like his insides were on fire from the simple, long gash. It had been healing slowly, and he'd gone and fucked it up. It was bleeding again, he could feel it. But the wry, large grin stretched across his face as he thought of how he'd opened it again.

That ass from last night was something else. If he didn't know any better, he would think he was a part of some gang, some yakuza, but he couldn't remember seeing his face around. It bothered him – that guy with the silver hair and blue eyes. And the way he touched Orihime – it had his skin crawling.

His eyes darkened. Orihime.

"Don't fuckin' leave me, Orihime."

He hadn't ever sounded so defenseless before, much to his discomfort. He'd never spoken to a woman like that, and the only time he did was with his mother. But at that moment, when he stared at her, as her bottom lip trembled, her hands clenched into tiny balls, and her eyes watered, trails of wet heat coursing down her small face, he couldn't find himself saying anything else.

"Stay."

And as he'd said those words, he couldn't help but find the opposite happening. Soon, this journey would be over, he could feel it, and he would watch Orihime turn and never look back. And why did that fuckin' hurt? Out of everything shitty that has happened in his life, and he desperately clings to this girl. Somehow, she'd managed reach out with her little fist and take a hold of his damn rotting heart. He wouldn't – couldn't – say he was in love with the strange girl, but there was an odd affection that made his very soul leap whenever she was brought up or seen. It made his head hurt just to think about her, about their relationship, and he found himself wondering what she thought of if, where she was, if she was alright. Good thing he kept such a good eye on her or he'd go insane.

He dragged his tongue along his bottom lip, recalling how her taste lit up his mouth, caused his body to heat up the way Senna never had. Breathing in deep, he tried to stop himself from chasing in the house, grabbing her up, and demanding some questions to the feelings he was going through. Narrowing his eyes at the sky, he crossed his arms over his chest, ignoring the stinging pain in his stomach.

"Tch," he breathed sourly, "I know they're hidin' somethin'." He glanced over his shoulder, at the door. he could practically feel her heat seeping through the barrier between them. She was dangerous and addicting, and full of secrets that he wanted to learn. It seemed as though an invisible wall was around her – between them – and he couldn't tear through it, he couldn't get to her, and she seemed to like it that way.

Well, that didn't matter. She'd broke through his walls and now it was his turn.

"B-But, Ichigo, please listen to m—"

"No way. We're leavin' now."

"B-But—Wait! Ichigo, your wounds and—"

"Is that buffoon walking around again?"

"Fuck you!"

"Ah! Ishida-kun, Ishida-kun! Please, tell Ichigo that he needs t-to rest. Just a few more days and—"

"Ch. Let the idiot do what he wants. If his intestines slide out, it is his own problem."

"Ishida-kun!"

Shoulders sagging, Orihime watched as the two began to bicker with each other, curses and vulgar words slung with such austerity, she wanted to cover her ears. The sun was high in the sky, and it had only been a week since they'd taken refuge in Yoruichi-san's home. Orihime was grateful for the three-square meals and the large land that she was free to roam. The only problem seemed to be the tension in the home. Ishida would glare at Ichigo, Ichigo would glare at Ishida, and Yoruichi would eat lazily, watching all three, as Orihime was caught in the middle.

There were also those nights. There were nightmares – a smile on Gin's face, Tousen's hand reaching for her, blood seeping through her fingers and staining her milky skin. All of it made her stomach roll. When she'd wake up in the middle of the night, panting, skin shining with sweat, she'd stare down at her trembling hands and blink away the blood.

One night, when one dream of Onii-chan had gone horribly, dreadfully, revoltingly wrong, she'd woken up, and breathed out a silent sigh of relief. And when she heard the voices outside her own empty room, she stared at the shadows dancing outside her room, the light of the moo illuminating. It was obviously Yoruichi, and from the spiky-haired figure, she found herself tracing her eyes over Ichigo's long, strong figure.

"…being such a pussy."

She flushed at the lewd words, but leaned towards them, honestly curious. The covers were tangled in her legs, so she could not move, but as she'd watch the two settle down on the stair outside, in front of the small pond behind Yoruichi's home, she listened.

"Who the hell says I'm bein' a pussy, dammit!"

She found a smile on her lips from Ichigo low, low voice. She could almost imagine the danger lurking in his gaze when he snapped at Yoruichi.

"Stop hurting yourself."

There was a pause, Orihime was quiet in her breathing.

"After all these years," Yoruichi continued, her tone casually, "You still harbor those same feelings."

"Yeah. So?" Ichigo sounded defensive and his shadow moved. He'd crossed his arms.

"You're the one who jumped at the chance to save her," Yoruichi insisted quietly, "And after all the shit you went through with her."

"Senna's the past," Ichigo growled.

Orihime's back went ramrod. "Senna?" She mouthed silently. Her heart hurt, for only a moment, before it numbed over. She'd talked herself some courage earlier, it wouldn't be so bad. She'd come to terms with the fact that Ichigo had feelings for another woman, a woman that was probably better than her, smarter, more cunning, someone who could fight and protect themselves. She clenched her hands into fists. Just because she'd came to terms with it, didn't mean she didn't feel anything.

Sometimes, she felt like a toy. Ever since that night – that confrontation with Gin – Ichigo hadn't touched her. As though she was made from glass. A small part of her told her that maybe she was a toy, maybe she was boring and he was tired of her already. After all, they were together just to complete this journey, nothing more. He didn't want her to leave for the sake of his own entertainment, she thought bitterly. Yet, still, she stayed, grasping frantically at the straws of Kurosaki Ichigo.

"Don't fuckin' leave me, Orihime."

Those words haunted her day and night, and when she even thought about leaving, stepping away from him, the words would waft through her head and make her tear ducts act up. It was as though she'd been placed under a curse, a curse she could not break and did not want to. She kept asking herself if her feelings were true, if she was really in love with someone such as Ichigo, and she never came up with an answer.

Falling in love hadn't been a part of the plan. Actually, she hadn't even thought of it. And now, when she stared at his face, everything inside of her was screaming in pain, her heart wishing to reach for something that she couldn't have. It hurt, a lot. So much that she sometimes cried herself to sleep.

Even if she gave into her desires, kissed him, dropped every single wall for him, it wouldn't work out. At some point, her mother would find her, she'd be back in the Kingdom, marrying Ulquiorra, and forced to never look back. Ichigo probably wouldn't either, probably hate her for lying to him.

How could I do this to myself?

She was an idiot.

"And now you're dropping her for the Princess?" Yoruichi asked, breaking Orihime from her thoughts. She blinked a few times, her eyes stinging, and she nearly laughed at herself if not for the situation.

"Stop talkin' like you know shit," Ichigo spat, his shoulders stiff, "I ain't doin' anything."

"You think I don't see it? The way you look at her? I'm old, not stupid, Ichigo," she muttered.

There was a dry snort, "I should respect my elderly, right?" Orihime could imagine Yoruichi glaring at him, "Well, fuck you, Yoruichi. I'm not replacing Senna."

"Hmmm?" Yoruichi's interest seemed to peek.

"I told you before. Orihime is Orihime."

Orihime's eyes widened, her lashes wet, and her hands clenched.

"You're dancing around the question, my boy. Don't be such a downer."

"Shaddup!"

"So what're you gonna do now?" Yoruichi asked, ignoring him. She placed her hands on the wood, leaning back lazily, "Travel the world with her or what?"

"Or what," Ichigo grumbled and Orihime's heart stopped, "Kitten makes her own decisions. Ask her, dammit."

There was a smirk in Yoruichi's voice when she spoke again, "Moron, I'm talkin' about you. It's weird. Usually, you'd be all brazen when you've met a new gal. You talk as if there's a pole up your ass."

"…"

"You're brooding."

"I'm fuckin' not!"

"Then why won't you touch her?"

Ichigo was silent. Orihime's heart was not.

There was another beat of silence before Ichigo grunted, "Tch. As if I'd tell you."

"I probably don't wanna know," Yoruichi teased, "It's perverted, isn't it?"

Ichigo was quiet again.

"Ichigo?"

"…She's fragile."

Orihime could sense the surprise emerging from Yoruichi.

"I can tell just by lookin' at her. I can break her, so fuckin' easily that it irritates me."

"You mean scares you, moron," Yoruichi cut in, "And you've seen Orihime in action. I doubt she's that breakable."

"Not physically, bitch," Ichigo hissed before his voice softened, thoughtful almost, "I mean…somewhere inside. When I touch her, it feels like I'm crushing her from the inside out, as if she's afraid to tell me the real her. It's not like I mind or anything, but it pisses me the fuck off that she can't trust me."

"Ichigo, I don't trust you."

"Would'ya shut the fuck up!"

"So aggressive~"

"You've been hanging around Urahara too much."

Yoruichi chuckled before cutting the sound off sharply, "You don't know her."

"Don't have to," Ichigo said.

"You don't know what you're getting yourself into."

"Don't care."

"And if she leaves on her own?"

"I'll drag her back."

Orihime's heart wouldn't be quiet. For a second, she thought they could hear it when they paused and it was eerily quiet. Yoruichi was the first to speak up, "You haven't fallen in love with her, have you?"

Ichigo tensed before scoffing, turning his face away indignantly, "Shaddup."

"I'm being serious, Ichigo. There are things about her that you don't know. Things that'll land you in a heap of shit."

"So you know it?"

Yoruichi's slim shoulders shrugged, "Don't think too much of it. And the way you look at her might scare her away."

"Good." Ichigo grunted, "She needs to be scared."

"So do you,"

Ichigo faced her, "What do you mean by that, bitch?"

"Nothin', nothin'," And there was a hard, low thump, "And don't call me bitch."

"Ow! Fuck! I think I'm bleeding again!"

Silently, Orihime bowed her head and clasped her shaking hands together. And right then, she knew that she wouldn't be able to be with anyone properly, at least, not like how she was with Ichigo.

"Hey."

Jerking from her thoughts, Orihime jolted a bit with a small squeak of fright. Yoruichi watched her, hand on hip, eyebrow cocked.

"You okay?"

Quickly, the girl whirled around, gracelessly at that, and her hair swiveled around her like a silken cloth of red-gold. With a large smile, she nodded, "I-I'm fine, Yoruichi-san." The girl bowed respectively, "Thank you for your hospitality."

Yoruichi sighed, "No need for such formalities, your Highness." She snarked and Orihime rose, biting her bottom lip nervously. Gesturing with her chin to Ichigo, who was still bickering with Ishida – "SHUT UP, YOU BASTARD!" – and murmured, "Take good care of him for me, Inoue."

Orihime blinked several times before following the dark-skinned woman's gaze. She flushed a dark pink, "H-Hai." Before Ichigo could notice her staring, she returned her attention to Yoruichi, "I'll try my best."

"Oh," Yoruichi seemed to remember something, "And, Inoue?" The redhead glanced at her curiously, "I'm sorry."

Orihime blinked again, "…Eh?"

"When I made you leave like that, how I spoke to you. It was rather rude and uncalled for. I give you my most sincere apology." Yoruichi bowed low at the waist to her, but still held the cunning smirk on her face, "Inoue-sama."

Orihime waved her hands in front of her frantically until they blurred and turned an even darker shade of pink, "A-Ano, it's fine! I-I swear! Actually, if you hadn't spoken with me, I don't think I would've had the guts to speak with Kurosaki-san."

"Don't you mean Ichigo?" Yoruichi arched her brow again when she stood straight.

Orihime began to flail, "Y-Yoruichi-s—"

"You should hurry along," Yoruichi murmured, cocking her head a bit to the side, "You have a long road ahead of you, ya know."

Orihime paused, frowning a bit. Yoruichi sounded like she knew more than she seemed to let off. Glancing back over her shoulder at the two men, she nodded slowly, "I suppose you are right."

Yoruichi winked, "I usually am."

"BRING IT ON, DAMMIT!"

"I'll slice out your throat, Kurosaki."

"A-Ah! Please don't hurt each other!" Orihime protested shrilly, rushing towards the two.

Yoruichi crossed her arms over her chest, watching as they all bickered with each other, settled, and walked away from her home, Orihime turning back towards her to wave her small hand high in the air.

"Goodbye, Yoruichi-san~!"

Unenthusiastically, she raised her own hand and waved limply, "See ya."

And she watched as they all vanished from her sight.

"Meow."

Quickly, she glanced down at the small, black cat at her feet, rubbing its body against her shins, "Ah. Welcome back." She picked it up familiarly. "Any news from Kisuke?" She asked playfully, carrying it into the home.

"B-But, Your Highness—"

Her long, slim arm whipped out, "North! I want every village dug through! I want her found!"

Calmly, Ulquiorra picked up his cup of tea, watching as the Empress of Japan carried on. Discreetly, he glanced at the line of guards, who were shaking in their armor. Pathetic. He took a glimpse out the wide window beside him, watching as the birds flew by.

He could hear the words playing over and over in his head. His emerald eyes tightened a fraction.

"Don't get caught. That's all you need to worry about, Ulquiorra."

"Right, Aizen-sama."

"Now!" The Empress bellowed and the guards scurried like insects.

Breaking himself from his thoughts, he heard the clacking of heels. A maid refilled his china glass with trembling hands, and refused to look him in the eye. When she finally left, the Queen walked towards the fine table, placing her long hands on the wood.

Looking him in the eye, she said, "The wedding will be in a fortnight."

Ulquiorra arched a brow, "But Orihime is not—"

"Two weeks," The Queen repeated, her tone harder, "She will return here in two weeks and the wedding will be celebrated."

Ulquiorra merely stared at her.

Slowly, the Empress smirked, "And soon, you will be the Emperor of Japan."

—"Don't get caught. That's all you need to worry about."—

There was a beat of silence.

"Right, Empress."

Her smile widened, "Oh, please. Call me Mother."

Not much Ichihime, but you have it to look forward to in next chapter. I am so sorry I've been gone for so long, but I'm BAAAACK and no, it was not due to laziness this time. The first semester is over, and I've been studying for exams, filling in as an understudy for a play when I'm the stage manager, and finishing many papers. Being a senior is hard.

So sorry to everyone who waited for me for so long. I hoped you liked this chapter. I had to rewrite since my computer turned off on me so suddenly. Next chapter, expect action, Ichihime, and of course Renji, Rukia, and possibly Grimmjow and Shinji. But definitely Rukia and Renji, love those two and who else can't wait for their reaction to Orihime?

And uh-oh, looks like it's wearing down. Two weeks? I give Ichigo two weeks to sort out his feelings, start drama, and kill someone. Sometimes I wonder if I'm just evil. It was nice to write Ulquiorra, if only for a second, I've missed him in this story, and expect much more of him.

I didn't want to put a lot of Ulquihime in this story, but I am forced to do so. But don't worry, it will never amount up to my Ichihime and what I intend them to do. I hoped you liked this chapter, I worked hard to complete and look forward to another this weekend, or by the latest, Tuesday.

Please review. I missed you guys~!

-Star