ATTENTION ATTENTION!

For all of you who read chapter five immediately after it was posted or even a day after this next part is for you!

I'm not sure how but somehow a little important chunk wasn't published in CH-5. So I had to go back and republish it so please go back and reread it. Otherwise this entire chapter will not make sense to you!

So sorry for not catching it :(

Well, now that that's taken care of... this chapter is a little longer than the others by roughly 1k- hope you guys don't mind.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own bleach or any of its characters.

Let's jump right in!-

I watched as the citizens all filed out of the throne room. I had lost track of how many hours had passed. It had felt like its own lifetime. And I tried to ignore the compassionate, understanding looks I was receiving from women of all ages as they were herded from the room.

But it wasn't their stares I felt like slim over my skin. I knew the Southeners were watching me as they too were ushered out.

After the buzz of my engagement had simmered down, and Lucas and Ryley took their place within the crowd, Grimmjow and Ulquiorra had been the next in line to offer up their allegiance.

Grimmjow had looked me dead in the eye, and smirked his congratulations. I had merely nodded, but had silently thanked the warrior. Because my new found hatred of him, had been a pleasant distraction.

As the room finally cleared- when Lord Luca and Ryley were the only souls left- and the heavy iron doors were sealed, Clark got up from his throne and stretched, long and hard- not a care in the world.

I stared at his back, and imagined what it would feel like to draw my sword and shove it deep between his shoulder blades.

After his muscles were thoroughly relaxed, he motioned for me to follow him to our guests.

I, of course, obliged with no hesitation.

"The Gathering went rather well, wouldn't you say, Clark?" Luca said, with a dark, knowing glint.

"Though I hate having to look upon their faces, the gifts they bring are well worth it."

As if they shared the same mind, they both turned their attention to Ryley and I, who had yet to say one word to one another. And with all the defiance I had left in my bones, I refused to speak. I would marry him, but talking to him was another thing entirely. Many marriages were silent. I'm sure if I was cunning enough I could get through the entire engagement without uttering a single word.

"I am very sorry for forcing this onto you, Orihime." My eyes were wide as they snapped to Ryley. I studied his face, and found only sincerity. I tasted not even an ounce of disdain in his voice. Sensed no trickery.

And I silently cursed him as he, without thought, destroyed my plans.

And even though the heir to the North was nothing but polite, my king was watching and I had a part to play. "I have been willing to lay down my life in the name of this kingdom long before I was Heir to it, whether it be a death on the battlefield or one at the Altar, it makes no difference to me." I expected Ryley to wince at my harsh tone but he just stared at me as if he also had the gift to taste lies in the air.

But, perhaps, the words alone would keep him from seeking me out before we were wed.

Clark chuckled, almost sympathetically, "While my daughter inherited the look of Bellator, she bites as harshly as any beast. Tread carefully, young prince, you don't want to lose a finger. " With that said the two kings strolled off, leaving us dangling. I wondered if fathers everywhere threw aside their children's happiness so easily.

They never even looked back, and their own armor must have been weighing them down because it seemed like years before they were out of sight. And the moment they rounded the corner, I nearly breathed a damning sigh of relief before remembering I was not yet alone.

I would have to be mindful of how easily he was overlooked.

Ryley didn't move to leave, he simply stood there, next to me, seeming at ease in the silence. Thankfully, he didn't speak, I would need more time to decide what kind of person I would be while we were alone. The mask I'd carefully crafted over the years had served me well in the presence of my father, and I had no doubt that its twin would work its own magic on my soon to be husband.

Gloom, as abruptly as every other emotion I'd ever felt, rose in my chest. And suddenly, being alone with him was too much to bear, even more so when I realized I'd be spending the rest of my pathetic life with him.

Without so much as a word, I turned my back, not even being able to look into his eyes before I did so.

Coward.

I might have been strong in body, but not of mind and that became undeniably clear as I made my way across the room- barely having time to rip the door open when his voice, at last, broke through the silence, "Well, who needs ten fingers, anyway."

When I looked back he was already gone.

With a clearing shake of my head, I closed the door and leaned against it. I spent a good chunk of time there, just leaning against the oak, my mind swirling in every direction.

Never had I imagined this outcome. And perhaps that alone made me a fool.

I'd known at a very young age what being born a woman would entail, what would be expected of me by my father and my people.

Though I'd expected to have more time.

To prepare, to find myself first. To live.

I really was a fool.

"I suppose congratulations are in order." I looked up, not at all in the mood for company, as Kisuke slipped out from behind a marble pillar. He strolled up to me, his hands casually placed in his pockets. "I don't suppose your Bellatonian family will be invited to attend what can only be the wedding of the century?"

"I'll put in a good word for you, but I don't think my opinion will matter much."

Kisuke chuckled, "Well, your opinion would certainly matter in Bellator. If you ever felt the need to visit."

I pushed off the door, standing at full height to take in his face. I found nothing but warmth and honesty yet still something about his tone made my spine itch. I could feel the unspoken plan brewing in every word, in every second he stood there, looking at me as if he knew anything about what lay beneath the surface. "And since when did I start giving a damn about Bellator?" I looked him up and down mockingly. "Or its ruler."

Despite my frozen words, he continued, "I just believe we have a lot to offer one another."

"The Golden City has nothing to gain from the East."

"And the East nothing to gain from The Golden City. But, you and I; the last of the Inoue line. I'd say we have a great deal to attain if we were to become allies." His ploy revealed at last. I opened my mouth, fully intending to shoot down whatever ludicrous plan he'd conducted to gain himself higher foot holds with my father, but he beat me to it. "How rude of me, you've only just gotten the news of your engagement, I'm sure you'd much rather bask in the glow of your unfolding destiny before making any more plans. Always a pleasure, my lovely niece. I am sure we will see each other again before I return East." He bowed at the waist, never removing his hands from his pockets, before he sauntered down the hall, disappearing quickly around the curve.

I'd never believed in destiny. How could I? When I'd always had to fight and bleed and break my finger nails for my future as I dragged it inch by inch to me. When every mistake I've made left a smudge on my once clean soul; and now all that's left is a whisper of a shadow were it use to reside.

Destiny. Merely a word used by people who had nothing left to keep them going. As little hope I had, I still couldn't bring myself to believe the Gods would intervene.

You make the life you have. That's what I believed.

Devon Westbrook, in all his annoying perfection, found me there an hour later, still standing before the throne doors. As if I could just never leave and the future would never come.

Devon said nothing as I cut him with a glance, I stalked forward, knowing he'd follow. "I appreciate the warning, Comrade."

"You know the information wasn't mine to give."

Of course I did. "You let your general go into a situation blind."

"I let my king tell his general."

I scoffed, I should have expected nothing less from the stone faced captain. But it didn't make his blind allegiance sting any less. I pushed it aside, and moved on. "Who should we bring?"

He knew what I meant. "Juanca is very light on his feet, and has a sharp mind, he could be useful." I nodded my agreement. And he continued slowly, treading carefully. I knew why the moment he spoke. "Hisagi is the only one who doesn't seem to understand what the job entails. He would have the most to gain. Educationally."

I absorbed his suggestion as we walked, not saying a word. And when we were in front of my door I simply turned to him, "Meet me in the Center at dusk."

He didn't have time to even nod as I flung open the door and slammed it back with a force that shook the frame. Alone at last, I let the full weight of the day wash over me. Marriage to the North... I had been so absorbed with my self pity that I hadn't thought what that could mean.

Would my father send me there, to live out my days in the cold mountains until he was of need of me? Though, without me he would have to pick up the slack of my day to day duties, with training the new recruits, and ensuring law was enforced in all of the rims of the city. So, perhaps not.

But Clark never did anything that didn't benefit him in some way. What exactly did he hope to gain?

I knew I could think it through for hours, and never scratch the surface of all the possible outcomes. And I just simply didn't have the time.

My closet was an organised mess, over packed with a lifetimes worth of spares. Boots, uniforms, and even a few pretty dresses I'd probably never get to wear. I shifted through the sea of white military uniforms, I'd be needing to play a different role tonight. I found it, buried deep and I fished it out, holding it before me.

Black fighting leathers, normally used for war combat, when white would be too easily sullied, and harder to clean. But on occasions such as this, when I would need to slid through the shadows, and become apart of the night, black was always preferred.

It had been years since I'd last worn it but it still fit like a glove. Deep matted black that hugged every curve, the material so tight, you could practically see the scars forever etched on the skin beneath. Or maybe, it was only I who could see them through any fabric- no matter how thick.

As the setting sun shined in, I pulled my hair high, tying it with a thin strip of leather. Even when it was tied back, the ends still reached half way down my back and I wrapped them around my fingers as I studied myself in the long mirror tucked into a corner of the closet.

I looked like a creature that belonged in the dark. An assassin, a criminal.

The Kings Executioner.

No longer being able to stand the sight, I snatched a pair of boots, and pulled them on. Then, I stood before my bed, staring down on Vladimir resting on top of the silk sheets. A hand ghosting over the sheath, then up to the golden rose resting at the top of the hilt that was wrapped in its vines. A beautiful tool of death...

Kisuke words floated through my head. Perhaps, I was a golden flower wrapped in thorns.

But not tonight.

I picked up Vladimir.

Tonight, I was death incarnated.

The Center was dark, candles scattered around the large space the only source of light. Devon and Sam were there, talking idly with the few recruits who had lingered after their training, speaking in hushed tones that halted once I'd cleared the stairs.

I could tell Sam itched to say something, and I wondered if the news had reached him, but the dark gloomy aurora around me must have stopped the words in his throat.

Juanca nodded toward me in greeting as my eyes passed over him, coming to rest on Hisagi to his right. His eyes held a certain kind of steadiness I'd never seen from him before but I could see, just beneath the surface, the twinge of pity in his young face. And I saw it in the eyes of all the others, as I took them in.

My jaw clenched as I addressed the room, "We are not here to discuss the Gathering, and I suggest filling your eyes with a more appropriate emotion before you meet the jagged edge of my blade." They had the good sense to drop their gaze. "Juanca, and," I pointed to a random recruit who's name I did not know. "you, have been selected to serve his Majesty. The rest of you can sink back to your barracks."

They all mumbled their farewells, and left quickly, looking like pups with their tails wedged between their legs. But Hisagi remained.

Sam ignored Hisagi's open mouth and rushed to say, "Five men to sack a merchants house? Am I the only one who thinks this might be over kill?"

"The king wishes to send a message." Devon replied.

"And that message would be?"

It was I who said, "That he is not a man who knows mercy."

Sam whistled under his breath, "Heavy."

With that Devon motioned the recruits towards the stairs, briefing them on their tasks and the background of the mission. I hung back, knowing Hisagi would only follow if I did not hear his thoughts. I turned toward him once they were gone, and Sam crossed his arms over his chest as Hisagi began, "I should have been chosen. Captain Westbrook said I would be one of those to go. Even Baker thinks it would be good for my training!"

I cut a glare to my right and Sam merely shrugged. "Regardless of their opinions, I say you aren't ready for this."

"I can intimidate a merchant as good as the rest of them!"

"Our task isn't to intimidate."

My words hung in the air, seeming to hit Hisagi right across the face. I felt Sam's gaze on me, and I threw a nod over my shoulder. I didn't need an audience for what was coming. Without so much as a nod Sam turned on his heel and started up the stairs.

I breathed deep, steadying myself. "Hisagi, do not think I didn't choose you because you aren't strong enough. It is my own weakness that prevents me from allowing you to accompany us in this task." I rested my hand on his shoulder. "Trust me, this is not something you want to see." And I don't want you to see me as I truly am. I I didn't say the words aloud. I wouldn't.

He'd seen his fair share of the horrors of the world. Of that I was certain. But some small, ever fleeting, part of me wanted to shield him from what was to come. From what I would become tonight. Fearing I had showed too much of my weakness towards him, I steeled my voice and squeezed his shoulder in a crushing grip. He winced. "And do not ever question me again."

And then I left him alone in the darkening Center.

He did not try to follow.

Overtaking the home had been easy.

Forcing the man from his bed and dragging him into his wide entry way was even easier. And that's where he remained, kneeling before me in his long white sleep shirt. His wife and three children were cowering in the corner, Juanca standing guard beside them stone faced.

The other recruit was standing in the long hallway leading to the bedrooms, and Sam's large body took up the entirety of the front door, leaving Devon behind me. Close enough to feel the heat from his body but far enough away so the merchant would know it was only me he should focus on.

My companions all wore dark masks, their eyes the only part exposed but not I. The merchant shook under my gaze, as Orihime Inoue the Enforcer of Law stared down on him. He knew why I was here, and he'd known from the moment he looked up into my unyielding eyes what was going to happen.

"Lox Dawlish, do you know who I am?"

His teeth rattled as he unclenched his jaw enough to squeeze out a forced, "Yes, Heir."

"And do you know why I have been sent to you?"

Lox began to shake his head in denial, and Juanca pressed the tip of his dagger to Lox's blubbering wife's cheek, drawing a few drops of blood. And Lox watched each one fall from her chin. "It would be wise not to lie to me. I was only sent here for you, but I will take all the lives necessary in the search of the truth."

The merchant vomited all over his obviously new, very expensive rug. The smell filled the air and I wished that I'd had the luxury of wearing a mask.

"I will ask you only once more. Do you, Lox Dawlish, know why I am here?"

This time, he nodded through his sickening sobs. "I know. And I will return all the remaining jewels... I- I'll give his Majesty all of the money I earned. Please, I'll do anything you want."

The only punishment I myself would deem worthy, but I knew my father. And I knew that he had sent me here for a reason. Devon could have easily taken care of such a small task, and would have done it well. But, this wasn't to send a message to the lower rim, it wasn't to intimidate the masses.

No, this was a show of my own allegiance. My own offering to my father and my king.

Clark would ensure that the people would fear me, that they would only have the courage to whisper my name in hushed tones and that they would have nightmares of the day I would rule over them. He would evoke such a powerful terror in them that, if I were to overthrow him as he himself feared, they would revolt out against me. This was all only a game of chess. Moves and counter-moves, all leading to one conclusion. And to save my own life, I would play my part as pawn well.

I felt nothing as I drew Vladimir. "You have stolen from your King and have brought dishonor on your name. And I, Orihime Inoue of two royal bloods, will take your life as retribution."

I felt nothing when his children began to cry, as I brought the blade to his neck.

I felt nothing when his wife began to beg for mercy as I brought Vladimir back, readying for the swing.

Lox was praying to the Gods, asking them to help him, to guide him and if need be to take his soul into his next life. I felt nothing. "Do not bother, the Gods have long since abandoned us."

I swung down, fast and true. A second of silence followed, and then the thud of his head as it fell into the pile of his own vomit. His children screamed and his wife held them against her bosom, staring blankly at her husbands open unseeing eyes. And then she too, began to scream. And scream and scream.

And I felt nothing.

I felt nothing.

I felt nothing.

I felt-

.

.

.

Anyone else feel a chill?

We are beginning to see how far Orihime will go to ensure her own survival... I wonder what she would do for the safety of everyone around her?

Hmmmmm... Who knows? ;)

Chapter seven coming shortly, and I think you guys will like it!

Till next time-