AN: Well, no reviews for my previous chapter but I feel like writing so I'm updating anyways. I do not own Bleach or any of its characters.

Chapter 8, Ichigo's Point of View

Orihime seems excited to finally learn more about vampirism. I smile warmly at her as she goes to prepare some tea, calling back to me, "You can go wait in the living room!"

"Alright," I respond as I slip my shoes off and walk toward her living room. I sigh as I take a seat on the couch. I look at one of the throw pillows and remember I had set her on this couch before replacing her memory. Replacing her memory; I think about this again.

I've been thinking about it since the past weekend but I can't bring myself to do it. I don't want her to forget me. I don't want to leave her but I should. I'm not good for her and she can't be any good to me. She'll just end up being like her. She can't possibly remain this kind towards me for much longer. Once I start speaking of my past she'll hate me for sure.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Ichigo. Would you like anything to eat or are you fine with just tea?" Orihime asks as she sets down a tray with two cups of tea on the small table in front of the couch.

"I'm good with the tea, but thanks. So, is there anything you'd like to know specifically?" I reply as I take one of the cups. I take a small sip while taking a peak at Orihime from the corner of my eyes.

All of a sudden I can't swallow. She looks cute while pondering, her finger on her chin. I manage to gulp down the small amount of tea as she asks, "Oh yeah, if your blood can heal me then why did you have to give me more when I was bleeding on my lip. I mean I took some the night before so shouldn't I still have had some the following morning?"

I nod, explaining, "Yes, you would still have my blood in your system but it won't heal new wounds. That's why I had to give you more of my blood the following morning."

"I see," She says with an interesting tone as she thinks of another question. "Do you have any type of super powers? Is that whole garlic, holy water and cross thing real? Is it possible for you to…die?"

"Well, I have super speed if that's what you want to call it. I heal quickly, hence why my blood is able to heal your wounds and I guess I have super strength and hearing. Garlic and religious items don't affect my species. And yes we can be killed. There's a number of ways to prevent our healing process but three main ways to kill us are: a stake through the heart, ripping our hearts out or chopping our heads off."

I realize how gory that last part must have sounded and am about to apologize to her when she asks quietly, "So that's how vampire hunters kill vampires?"

If they don't torture us! I refrain from saying that and instead nod. Suddenly, she's right next to me and leans her face close to mine as she exclaims, "But they don't kill without investigating right? I mean they make sure that these vampires are bad ones, right? They wouldn't kill someone like you."

I avert my gaze from hers, apologizing, "I'm sorry but that's not how it works. Their mission is to kill any vampire they encounter, whether evil or good. That's why you can't tell anyone anything."

"Even Uryuu?" Orihime asks as she lowers her head. I feel terrible so I tell her what I know as I embrace her, "From what I've seen and heard, he's only killed bad vampires. Luckily no good ones have crossed his path."

"What about you? You said he's been tracking you for a year," She speaks into my chest and grips my shirt tightly.

"I guess this is where I begin to speak of my past." I release Orihime, stand and walk out to the balcony of her apartment. I hear her almost silent footsteps approach me as a soft breeze begins.

"I was framed by the one who turned me. By the one whom I trusted and loved at some point."

"Framed? The one you loved?" She asks in a small whisper. I tense at her small questions because she sounds hurt; but why?

I nod and further explain, "I was twenty five when I met her. She seemed like any other girl with a hint of a rebel. She caught my attention and we started dating not long after we met. After a year she told me about her being a vampire. I didn't believe her until she drank my blood suddenly."

Orihime is standing next to me now. Looking up at the sky while I look down at the ground. I continue, "I didn't want her to drink my blood, because I felt used but she forced me to let her by compelling me. That's basically what I did to you to replace your memory. Anyway, another year passed and she turned me, forcefully as well."

"What? Forcefully?" Orihime asks as she looks over at me for confirmation.

I nod once again as I look back at her and tell her, "She gave me her blood and snapped my neck to turn me. When I came to, memories filled my head. I remembered everything she made me forget or agree to. It's something that happens when you turn because vampires can't be compelled by other vampires."

Orihime sobs and that's when I notice the tears flowing from her eyes. I place my hands on her shoulders and ask worriedly, "Are you okay? Did something happen?"

"I'm sorry, but it hurts to think that someone you loved could hurt you so much," She says between small sobs. I feel the muscles in my face relax as I let her words process in my head. She feels sorry for me? She is hurting for me? Why?

"It's alright. I'm slowly getting over it. But I guess that wasn't the worst part. I still didn't hate her; not until she told me to meet her in the middle of a forest at night. When I reached the location, there were three dead people, all drained of blood. I wanted to help so I kneeled by them and checked for a pulse, that's when two vampire hunters showed up.

I tried explaining to them but they wouldn't listen. They began to attack me and I had to fight back."

She looks at me as realization hits her. She shakes her head as I continue, "Uryuu showed up when I sent the final blow to those other two. He didn't attack me so I ran. That's when I found her and demanded an explanation."

I let go of Orihime and huff to myself as I finish, "She said I was only a pawn in her game. A bunch of hunters have been after her and she needed them to find a new target. So she used me, turned me and framed me. I would blame her for what I did to those other two but that was all me for not thinking of a way to run or simply knock them out."

"How can you blame yourself, Ichigo?!" Orihime demands for an answer, yet doesn't let me speak. She grabs my face and makes me look at her.

I become upset when I see that tears still fall from her eyes. "Ichigo, listen, actually listen to me. You shouldn't blame yourself for something like this. You weren't experienced at being a vampire yet and you aren't a bad person."

"Orihime, I appreciate your kind words but you don't have to say this. I won't do anything to you if you tell me what you're really thinking. No matter how kind you are, there has to be a part of you that hates me."

"Don't say that! I know what I'm saying. It's what I want to say. I could never hate you, Ichigo. You saved me and came into my life."

"What," I don't know what to say to her last words. What does she mean by I came into her life. She's glad that she met me? "O-Orihime, what are you saying?"

"I know that you've been hurt and I can't imagine you being okay anytime soon but if you'd allow it, I'd like to be there for you whenever I could. As a friend or more."

I rest my hands on her waist and begin to lean in. I stop when I hear her heart rate increase. I apologize, "I'm sorry for that, I can't always hold back."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, being a vampire means everything is heightened. You feel things more deeply and strongly. As well as having a beastly nature. Whether it's violence or lust that's present, it's harder to control the stronger the feeling. What I'm feeling is more than lust though."

"Eh? You feel something towards me?" She asks as she lets her hands slide down to my shoulders. I nod. Unable to confirm what I mean through words.

What am I doing? Am I really saying this to her after telling her about my past? I still feel panged by what happened yet I want to be with this woman. Why am I so willing to take a chance with her? Why do I trust her so much?

AN: I guess I'll end this here. Let me know if there's something I should explain in more detail. Please review (this chapter and the previous one).