Author's Note: Sorry that took a little longer than usual guys. I won't bore you with my personal life but I'm almost done with the next chapter as well. Expect it in a couple of days.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach
Chapter Six
"Tatsuki!" Orihime exclaimed before nervously glancing behind the sheet divider, remembering that Ulquiorra had just fallen asleep and her noise could have awakened him. Thankfully, his exhaustion made him appear dead to the world.
Sighing in relief, Orihime gestured for her friend to remain quiet.
"Orihime?" Tatsuki asked in a thankfully, quiet whisper as she blatantly stared at Orihime's lack of appropriate attire.
"Please tell me you didn't -" Tatsuki began, only for her best friend to quickly come over and latch her hand over her mouth. Remembering his eavesdropping from the night before with her conversation with Uryu, Orihime didn't want Ulquiorra to hear anything else that he could potentially confront her with later.
"Please Tatsuki, can we go to your place and talk?" Orihime asked. Up close, it became apparent to the dark haired woman that there were heavy circles under Orihime's eyes and she looked rather stressed. Nodding slowly in agreement, Tatsuki watched as Orihime visibly relaxed before stepping away and quickly dressing herself. Nothing more was said until both of them had shut up Orihime's home before making their way down the now snowy road and into town.
Orihime stared wide eyed at the damage all around her. As a town that bordered Hollow Forest, frequent attacks by demons as well as the Wandenreich were common; but nothing could have prepared the red head for the sight around her.
The entire market district had been destroyed. A menacing path of chaos and destruction tore through it and into the neighboring homes around it.
"It goes on all the way up into the inn and crosses down all the way south to mountain pass road," Tatsuki explained in a quiet somber voice.
"I didn't notice all the damage last night what with everything going on," Orihime explained sadly as she watched a group of villagers digging through the remains of a burnt building that had collapsed. From the nearby pile of corpses it was clear that they were trying to find survivors - or perhaps the dead to bury.
"Yeah, with everything going on," Tatsuki echoed in a peculiar tone. Orihime frowned and turned to her best friend only to catch Tatsuki giving her a speculative glance. It was clear what she was thinking. Orihime automatically blushed and crossed her arms.
"Nothing happened," she explained gloomily and turned down to stare at the powdered snow. It was the truth in the traditional sense. Still, a whole lot of weird stuff had happened - like Ulquiorra throttling Uryu, or her accidentally poisoning him with her food, or the -almost - but - not - really kiss. What had that been? In retrospect, Orihime wasn't sure how she felt about that. Normally, she was indifferent to such advances, but she had a feeling her gentle rebuke may have botched her rejection, especially considering that Ulquiorra had stated he wasn't trying to kiss her to begin with. She had rejected him right?
"... did you want something to happen?" Tatsuki asked hesitantly as she studied Orihime's unusual behavior. At her question, Orihime's head snapped up determinedly and her silver eyes shone.
"What! No! I love -"
"Ms. Orihime! Ms. Tatsuki!" a new voice interrupted. As one, the two women turned to greet Lord Byakuya's younger sister.
"Lady Kuchiki," Tatsuki demurred, using the custom bow to cursory look for Ichigo. To Tatsuki's relief, Ichigo seemed to be absent.
"Good morning," Orihime added in an overly pleasant tone. Tatsuki knew it was her best friend's way to cope with nervousness.
"I'm so glad you two are safe!" Lady Kuchiki exclaimed and reached forward to loosely embrace them both. Despite being brought up in a grand manor and in a noble setting, Rukia Kuchiki had done all that she could to integrate herself in the village of Karakura and to embrace her fellow villagers. Tatsuki knew that special, friendly overtures were being made to Orihime by the noble house and in extension Lady Kuchiki, because of Sora's part in saving Lord Byakuya's life.
"Thank you, you too," Orihime answered weakly, stiff as a board in Rukia's gentle embrace. Once she let go, the smaller, dark haired woman looked determinedly at both of them.
"Ichigo has called an emergency town meeting at sunset because of the attack. In the meantime, he has tasked me with taking a census," she explained before reaching into a basket hanging from her arm and taking out a parchment paper and tally chalk.
Tatsuki and Orihime watched her silently as she marked the two women down.
"Now then, is everyone in your households accounted for?" Lady Kuchiki asked and hummed in satisfaction when both women nodded silently. In Orihime's case, she was the only one in her household.
"Good," she replied in satisfaction before putting her supplies away. Quietly she continued on in a whisper,
"Now, I'm not supposed to ask this before the town meeting but is there anything you need in lieu of the recent attack? Any supplies or assistance with rebuilding?" she asked in a serious voice.
"Thank you, Lady Kuchiki, but we -" Orihime began only to be gently interrupted.
"Please call me Rukia," said woman smiled hopefully. Orihime floundered under the woman's gaze, so Tatsuki mercifully interceded. It was clear that Rukia was trying especially hard to befriend Orihime and the redhead was simply unable to process it.
"Thank you, Lady Rukia but we are all fine. If we think of anything we'll be sure to ask," Tatsuki assured, hastening their goodbyes in hopes of getting the woman to leave. It was clear that her intentions were understood as Rukia's smile wavered once, before she sighed. However, instead of retreating, the small lady surprised them both by stepping into Orihime's personal space.
"Very well then," she told them solemnly before grasping Orihime's hands gently, earning another stiffened response.
"Just understand, Orihime, that your brother saved my brother's life, not only in the physical sense but also our reputation as well. You and your brother are held in high esteem in house Kuchiki's eyes and we want to do everything in our power to repay you. I'd like to be friends," Rukia told her earnestly while searching her eyes.
Tatsuki watched the scene unfold, pitying Orihime. On a normal day, Tatsuki would have dismissed schemers or uppity women out to hurt her best friend; but Rukia Kuchiki was being genuine and Orihime needed to figure out where she stood with a woman that had married the only man that Orihime had ever fallen in love with.
"S-sora wasn't the only one who saved Lord Byakuya. Ichigo helped too. He is really amazing," she responded weakly and mechanically removed her hands from Rukia's.
"Yes, of course," Rukia responded with clear disappointment in her voice. Tatsuki silently huffed. The scene was becoming rather awkward.
"Now, if you'll please excuse us, the sooner we arrive at my home the sooner Orihime can return to the patient waiting at hers. It's urgent," Tatsuki interjected and hurriedly pushed Orihime away. If they stayed any longer there was a good chance Orihime would go on one of her famous tangents on how great Ichigo was.
"A patient?" Rukia questioned as she watched the two scamper away.
"Is she still watching?" Orihime asked in labored breath as she ran after Tatsuki. The morning was rather cold and made good motivation for the two to hurry along their pace to Tatsuki's home.
"No, she's gone off one of the side lanes," Tatsuki answered after quickly checking behind them.
"Thank goodness," Orihime sighed in relief and slowed her pace down once she caught sight of Tatsuki's home. Unlike Orihime and Sora's small cabin shack at the edge of the village, Tatsuki's family home was much larger and closer to the center of the village and therefore close to the inn where Lord Byakuya and church officials frequented when they visited. Thus it made a valued piece of property and a fine dowry for her marriage.
"You coming?" Tatsuki called as she opened the front door. Taking the last few steps, Orihime quickly caught up to her and entered the familiar abode.
The heat was the first thing that Orihime noticed. The warm cozy feeling instantly flooded her as Orihime quickly slipped out of her coating and melted into one of the cushioned seats by the hearth. It was nearly twice the size of Orihime's but instead of feeling jealous, all Orihime felt was relief and then peace.
"You really are tired," Tatsuki mused as she watched her friend slouch towards the warmth of the hearth.
"You have no idea. Ulquiorra kept me up all night," the red head muttered and rubbed at her eyes. A moment later, she realized how bad that sounded and quickly back peddled.
"That is, he was sick and um there was a mess I had to clean!" she tried to exclaim. Tatsuki listened skeptically, silently putting a name to the pale man's face.
"So you cleaned the mess in your under-garments?" she asked for clarification after listening to Orihime's ramble. Normally, a story as far-fetched as the one she was hearing would be dismissed for the clear underhanded sin that it was; but Orihime was Orihime and the girl had a knack for attracting trouble and the bizarre circumstances that often followed.
"No! I undressed him first and then I removed my dress because of the blood - ugh!" Orihime flushed as she tripped over her own words.
"Tatsuki, I promise this is just bad wording. Nothing happened between us," Orihime insisted even as she bit her lip.
Tatsuki thought it was all very interesting.
"So this Ulquiorra - he isn't doing anything untowardly?" Tatsuki asked dubiously. Orihime nodded her head enthusiastically.
"Truly, he is very unwell," she explained.
Secretly Tatsuki wasn't sure if she should be relieved or disappointed. On one hand, the village - under the direction of the church, had a strict standard when it came to adultery and any consequences that followed. Tatsuki would never expose or betray Orihime's confidence but staying out of trouble wasn't one of Orihime's virtues. On the other hand, Tatsuki was hoping that someone would come along and turned Orihime's eye away from Ichigo.
"Unwell, doesn't dismiss intentions," Tatsuki asserted. Realizing where she was getting at, Orihime rolled her eyes and waved her away.
"From our limited interactions, he has been nothing but courteous," she promised and as far as she was concerned her interaction with Ulquiorra was just that. Strange but courteous.
Sighing, Tatsuki let her arms drop from where they had crossed over her chest during her small interrogation.
"Just remember, he won't be able to stay there for long. He's a stranger and if the priest pressed, Ulquiorra would probably be evicted," Tatsuki warned her. At her words, Orihime instantly puffed up her cheeks in irritation.
"That won't be a problem since Urahara came by last night and saw first hand who my patient was," the red head told her in obvious irritation. Tatsuki blinked at the news and tried to understand why Orihime was so peeved.
"Oh spirits, he heard me!" Tatsuki exclaimed after a moment. Orihime watched impassionately as her best friend moved closer to her.
"Oh Orihime you have to believe me! I didn't know the priest was eavesdropping when I told Uryu about Ulquiorra," the dark haired woman explained, feeling incredibly guilty. Urahara was an unusual priest in the sense that he gave the villagers a lot of leeway and compassion. However when it came to matters of the church, he was obligated to enforce them, especially when under scrutiny from the nobles or other church mongers.
"He didn't give you a lot of trouble did he?" Tatsuki asked worriedly.
"Who, Uryu?" Orihime asked defensively which immediately caught Tatsuki's attention.
"No, the priest," she drawled. Orihime's shoulders slump, her exhaustion becoming more and more apparent. Tatsuki suddenly felt guilty for all of the questions.
"No, he fished for information but Uryu ended up chasing him off," Orihime explained. The dark haired woman pursed her lips. It was clear by Orihime's tone that something had happened with Uryu.
"I take it that wasn't a happy reunion with Uryu," she ventured. Orihime fought back a yawn before turning her own guilty eyes to Tatsuki.
"No, it wasn't," she sighed.
"He's still in love with you?" Tatsuki asked, even as she began to direct Orihime to her own bedroom. Thankfully her husband had already left for the day and wouldn't be home until well after dark.
"I think so," Orihime murmured even as she remembered how he accused her of pushing him and their friendship away. Silently, she allowed Tatsuki to guide her towards the bed before her friend got out her own wash bin and sponge and began to set it up for Orihime to use at her leisure.
"But my heart belongs to Ichigo," Orihime continued almost sadly. No matter what happened, as long as it beat, her heart was always going to belong to the blacksmith. As if hearing her thoughts, Tatsuki sighed. Her back was still facing Orihime's when she replied tiredly.
"But Ichigo doesn't have a heart to give you. His heart belongs to Rukia now," she explained through clenched teeth. It was the first time Tatsuki had given voice to such thoughts out of respect for Orihime's delicate feelings. The subject was clearly painful to her and the dark haired woman knew that her best friend was struggling with the new changes.
"Tatsuki," Orihime began after a tense silence.
"I'm sorry but it had to be said," Tatsuki continued and finally braved herself to turn around and face Orihime. To her regret, the current visual made the red head look small and vulnerable amidst the blankets and quilts she had surrounded herself with on the bed. Her eyes though, they were the worst. Red and swimming with unshed tears, Tatsuki had forced herself to stare at them as she continued.
"It's been months Orihime, you need to move on."
"I CAN GIVE MY HEART TO ANYONE I WANT," Orihime interrupted. Her voice was somewhat shrilly and panicky. Tatsuki realized she had pushed too far and forced herself to remain silent. Orihime watched her with a flinty expression. The tension finally waned when Orihime slumped before grabbing the blankets and gracelessly turning away from her best friend to face the wall.
Silence reigned until Tatsuki promised to wake her for the town meeting. Once she finally left, Orihime let her tears fall.
First it was Uryu and then it was Tatsuki.
"I can love anyone I want. Even if they don't have a heart to give."