AN: Sorry I can never update this story quickly. I do not own Bleach or any of its characters.

Chapter 21 Orihime's Point of View

It feels like the day drags on even as I'm giving the final lesson of the day. After I dismiss my class I decide to go to the entrance of the school to wait for Ichigo. However, I find that he is already there waiting for me. I greet him happily once I reach him, "Hey, Ichigo, do you want to come over today?"

"Sure, why not?" He responds with a smirk. I feel myself blush. I'm still not used to his flirtatious ways.

When we reach my apartment I don't even have a chance to offer him something because he pins me against the wall immediately after I shut the door. I gasp out in surprise as he pulls my coat off. I decide to unbutton my shirt so he doesn't rip it in the process of pulling it down.

As soon as he bares my shoulder, he bites down. I gasp out again, but this time due to the pain of his fangs piercing through my skin. He must be really thirsty to be drinking with no further intention. He is drinking more than usual though. Maybe because it's been awhile since he last drank…

I begin to feel faint but refrain from telling him and instead hold myself up against the wall as best as I can. He pulls away slowly. I feel a bit of blood trickle down and feel his tongue clean it up right away. Before I can make a comment, Ichigo's teeth sink into my flesh again.

I let out a small cry as he continues to drink. I feel myself slowly slide to the floor. Ichigo comes down with me without stopping his sucking. "Ichigo," I whisper his name weakly.

Somehow, I can feel him tense up. He pulls away immediately. Why is he acting like this though? What has happened for him to act this way in such a short amount of time? Things were fine earlier today.

Ichigo's Point of View

"Ichigo," I hear her say my name in a weak whisper and snap out of it. What am I doing? Orihime doesn't deserve this!

I tense up and pull away immediately and look down at her marked shoulder. This isn't how I'm supposed to be. I'm not a monster! Who am I kidding? That is exactly what I am, a monster. Even if I don't want to be…I must act like this to keep her safe. I must set my emotions aside to end things with her.

"Alright, that's enough for today," I say in a cold tone. I cringe internally for the way I'm behaving with her. Orihime turns around and props herself up against the wall to be able to look at me.

My eyes slowly return to their normal color as they look into Orihime's teary eyes. I refrain from apologizing or explaining. She looks down and apologizes, "I'm sorry for being so weak, I wasn't prepared for you to drink this much."

I stand quickly and look elsewhere to keep her from looking at my expression. I clench my fists as I say, "I have to get going, I'll see you around, okay?" I was certain that as soon as I said that I heard Orihime's heartbeat slow.

It's still too soon. I kneel down in front of her and whisper, "It's too soon." I bite my hand and put it to her mouth. Her eyes widen for a brief moment before she removes my hand from her mouth. She shakes her head, "I'll be fine, I just need rest."

She's hurt, I can tell. I use my thumb to wipe off my blood from her lips. She averts her gaze and attempts to stand. "I'll carry you," I mutter.

"No, I am fine!" She exclaims, her voice cracking in the process. I look at her face and see that she is on the verge of crying. I mumble, "For crying out loud. I can't do this." All I want to do is comfort Orihime and make the pain go away. I want to tell her everything, but how can I when her memory has been messed with?

I pick her up with ease as I stand. She squirms in my arms and attempts to hit my chest but she is too weak from all the blood loss. "Orihime, please let me explain," I plead as I press my forehead to hers. Her cheeks become rosy as she looks down to avoid eye contact.

"I wish you remembered everything but you don't because she messed with your memory. I never wanted to hurt you but it's the only way I'll be able to protect you. Let me help you now." I can feel her calm down as she looks at me and lets out a sob.

I carry her to her bed and set her down. I then offer her my blood again. She takes it this time and I watch as the wound I left on her heals. I feel my eyes water a bit as I look her directly in the eyes and change her memory of what happened. She will still remember the bad things I did but not the good. There is no way I can erase the bad from her. I have to start doing this so Senna will leave her alone. I can't believe I have to hurt her, to protect her.

In fact I decide to give her a lot of memories at once that she'll get throughout the week.

The whole week I continue to take her blood and then just leave her. By the end of the week I notice that she looks different. Not because I'm drinking from her, but because she seems to have let herself go.

It's as if she hasn't been getting rest or food in her system the whole week. The dark circles under her eyes make her seem lifeless. I've heard her students talk about how she hasn't been as lively during her lectures and she doesn't seem to be aware of her surroundings.

I want all of this to stop. I want to tell her everything and make things right somehow. But I can't. It's the only way to keep her alive.

Once we're inside of her apartment, I go up behind her and pull down her shirt, ready to drink. The soft whisper of her voice stops me in my tracks, "Please. Ichigo, please tell me you have a reason for behaving like this. This isn't you! Tell me what's going on, please!"

I almost do. I almost break down and tell her everything. But then the image of her lying on the floor in a puddle of her own blood pops into my head and it stops me from saying anything I'm not supposed to.

Instead I say, "You're right, Orihime. I do have a reason for behaving like this. I've been trying to think of ways to break up with you without having you blab my secret. So I thought I could just do all of this until you couldn't take it anymore; and then you'd break up with me."

"What?" Orihime asks quietly in disbelief.

I look away from her and continue, "Orihime, I'm sorry to say this but I never loved you. I was simply intrigued by the idea that you wanted to be my personal blood bag. Sorry if I gave you the wrong idea."

I finish with the compulsion and then put her to sleep. I leave her asleep on her bed and let myself out. The worst part of my life has begun. There is no turning back, those will be her last memories of me, even if they're fake, she'll think they're real.

AN: Okay so I hope this chapter isn't confusing. I know it's rushed but I kind of just want to finish the story. Please review.