Winter came swiftly to Kyoto. Snow, rare to the area fell.
For the last six months, Orihime practiced playing the shamisen till her fingers would bleed.
"Orihime, you have been requested to play for the emperor tonight."
Her stomach began to churn and twist in knots,
"Will you be there, Matsumoto-san?"
"I will not. This is your test on your ability to play the shamisen."
Dressed in a blue and gold kimono, Orihime nervously sat in front of the emperor and his guests.
"You may begin, Orihime-chan."
"Yes, Emperor Kuchiki Byakuya-sama."
The original composition she played was called One Thousand Cherry Blossoms. It tells the tale of the harsh winter months ending with the first bloom of the cherry trees.
She played eloquently to her listeners. Bringing tears to the eyes of many, and to herself.
Her fingers glided across the strings with exactitude and strength.
He rose to his feet upon her ending .
"You play with your heart, do you not. Orihime-chan?"
"I do, Emperor Kuchiki Byakuya-sama. I play what I am feeling."
"The evening was most enjoyable. Thank you, Orihime-chan."
"I am honored, Emperor Kuchiki Byakuya-sama. Thank you for the invitation to play."
"Would you join us for dinner?"
"I do not wish to impose on your guests. I am sure they are more important to the Emperor Kuchiki Byakuya-sama than I am."
"We would be honored to have you stay."
"Thank you, Emperor Kuchiki Byakuya-sama. I will stay."
Orihime feasted with the emperor and his guests on food she had never ate.
Chawanmushi, miso soup, shirataki, yakizakana, rice wine, sake, and so much more was served.
The hour was late when Orihime was escorted home by the emperor's personal guard.
"Goodnight, Abarai-kun."
"Goodnight, Orihime-chan."
The following months, according to Matsumoto were like the depths of hell. The final lesson had begun, dancing.
"Again!"
Orihime took position in the courtyard usually reserved for samurai training.
"Watch me."
Matsumoto danced with the grace of a geisha. Her movements were flowed like the water in the river.
"That is how you do it. Do not stop until you get it right."
"Yes, Matsumoto-san."
Orihime danced and danced until her blisters bled. She scolded herself for missing steps. Danced even when the cold rain fell down on her. Danced when the day turned into night.
Ichigo stood high atop the wall in his tower, watching Orihime fight to stay awake while dancing.
Fed up, Orihime let out a scream and fell to the ground in a fit of tears.
Ichigo jumped, dropping is staff, "Orihime."
"Lieutenant, do not leave you post."
" But Captain Ichimaru."
"She is training. Do not disrupt it."
"She is tired, Captain."
"She does not come to your aid when you are tired, why should you go to hers."
"She is not like us. She does not-"
"Stop, Ichigo." Gin took a few breaths to calm down, "We do not see what geisha go through, only the after. She wants to be a geisha. This is what she must do."
"My apologies, Captain Ichimaru."
He watched Orihime pick herself back up and begin dancing again. For hours she would fall down and get right back up, abusing her body by dancing hard.
Her body finally had enough abuse. She fell one last time and did not get up
"Captain Ichimaru! Take me into custody, I do not care. I am going to take Orihime home. She needs sleep."
Gin stared at him for a moment,
"Go."
Ichigo rushed along the wall and down the steps to retrieve Orihime.
"Orihime." he gently picked her up.
"I can not-"
"I am taking you home."
With help from the servants, they took off her wet kimono and put her to bed.
The moonlight shined through the windows, casting light on her face. His fingers glided across her warm skin. He smiled, tucking her hair behind her ear.
"You are beautiful, Orihime."
"Ichigo."
"Sleep, Orihime." he tucked the blanket around her frame.
"Stay with me"
Ichigo piled his armor in the corner, stripped out of his wet clothes and slid under the blanket next to Orihime.
"Thank you."
The warmth and softness of her body enveloped him. He laid there with her in his arms, listening to her breath.
Ichigo's breath hitched as her soft fingers caressed his bare skin. Her leg draped over his leg, began moving slowly up and down his thigh. His body quivered as her hand gently stroked his member.
"Ori-"
Her lips crushing down on his stopped his speaking. Ichigo deepened the kiss as his erection grew with each touch of her hand. Breathlessly their lips parted.
"We can not do this."
"I want this, Ichigo."
His eyes closed tight as Orihime disappeared under the sheets, but shot open as he felt the wetness of Orihime's mouth devour his erection.
He tore off the sheets covering her. Her head slowly moved up and down. Ichigo moved his arm around to behind her head and gently pushed her head toward the base.
She used her gorgeous lips to her full advantage, wrapping them tight, and giving him the nice, wet, slow kind of pleasure she wanted to give him. After about five minutes, Ichigo was sweating and struggling to hold back.
"Orihime, I-" gripping the sheets tightly, he held out for as long as he could.
Feeling his legs tighten, Orihime slowed down her pace. The suction created made a popping sound when she pulled his erection out of her mouth. Looking up at him, seeing the look on his face, she began to slide her hand up and down.
He let out a moan as he released everything, covering her hand and his erection.
She crawled her way up his body. His erection twitched when it came in contact with her center.
"I love you."
Ichigo grabbed the back of her head and crushed his lips upon hers. Full of desire he rolled Orihime onto her back, still consuming her mouth with his. His lips trailed down her neck and back up to her ear.
"I love you. " He softly whispered in her ear.
His hands roamed every inch of her tight body. His hands cupped her soft breasts, rubbing her nipples till they became hard. Ichigo suckled each nipple, making Orihime moan in delight.
He positioned his erection over slit. Ichigo eased his way inside her. Orihime felt the tearing inside her, tears of pain flowed down her face. She tried everything to muffle the sounds she was making. Orihime grabbed Ichigo, dug her nails into his flesh, and covered her mouth with his.
Ichigo pulled back and quickly entered her, breaking the seal to womanhood. The screams and cries were hushed by his mouth. He worked his erection in and out of her slowly.
"Does it still hurt?"
"Do not stop, Ichigo."
He slowly made love to her. Taking everything she had to offer him. Ichigo's movements were gentle and slow. The pleasure between them only grew as the minutes ticked away. They said no words. The movement of their bodies as one was words enough.
"Orihime." Her name passed Ichigo's lips as his final thrust released everything he was holding onto.
"Ichigo", Orihime let out a moan of contentment.
Exhausted, Ichigo fell to the bed. "I love you." His breath slowly calmed down
Orihime wrapped her arms around him. "I love you."