Their reunion lasted only moments. Within a few heart beats, several of the gotei 13 surrounded Ichigo. Rangiku managed to peel Orihime from Ichigo's grip; she struggled against the fukutaicho, but was quickly calmed when she saw the look on Ichigo's face. He was resigned, yet fervent. His amber eyes let her know that everything was okay. She noticed then that Ichigo had not fully returned to normal. The hollow mask had disintegrated; he appeared to be the same old Ichigo she knew all along. It was his eyes that were different. They were the eyes of Shirosaki. Quietly she wondered what this could mean.

"Hold on" Ukitake's soft voice echoed in the great hall. "Feel that?" he implored of his comrades. "I cannot sense the reiatsu of a hollow" he continued. The captains restraining Ichigo began to examine the room closer and concluded this was truth. They looked at Ichigo, noting a huge difference in his reiatsu and appearance. The tension in the room wavered.

"Yes, it would appear that the boy is free from my prison. I created it specifically for hollows and strong ones too." Mayuri said reminiscing on his experiments on hollows.

"That may be so, but until we know more about what has come to pass. We cannot allow him to be free. If you remember correctly, this person was of a special variety, both hollow and shinigami" Yamamoto reminded them. "He is to remain in a holding cell until we can determine the cause behind these events" Yamamoto ordered. He immediately left the room to attend other matters.

"But its Kuro-"

"Orihime, it's alright. Please stay with Matsumoto while this is figured out" he said as he was ushered away. Orihime stared longingly after him, she had a million questions for him, but mostly she wanted to know if he was alright.

"Everything will be fine Orihime, would Ichigo lie to you" Rangiku chirped placing her arm around Orihime.

"Then you believe e it's him?" Orihime asked holding back the rush of tears.

"If you believe its him then it must be true" Rangiku smiled and pushed Orihime along. "Come, it's been a long day and I could really go for some sake about now"

Orihime returned her smile, but she was not appeased. She wanted to know the truth about his eyes.

"Baka" Ichigo whispered when he was alone in his cell. He could tell that two captains remained just outside the facility. As for which captains he could not be bothered to know.

You're the idiot if you actually thought I was gone for good. His voice echoed in Ichigo's voice.

"That would have been ideal" Ichigo continued to whisper. From the moment Ichigo regained control of his body he knew something was wrong. When his eyes met Orihime the desire for her burned twice as strong. Almost instinctively his arms had captured her to him. Normally Ichigo would not so easily give in to his longing, but seeing her so clearly. How could any man deny her?

Or hollow Shirosaki added remembering his memories of when he first met Orihime.

"Ah" Ichigo's knees almost buckled at the invasion of images in his head. She really was everything Shirosaki made her to be. Her human form had not done the Princess any justice. Even now, she was still just as beautiful, but her spirit body was divinity. It was her pure soul that made her so glorious. Her soul could not help but shine through. "Please stop, I have to focus here" Ichigo tried to maintain a low tone.

You know you don't have to whisper, your mental voice is good enough Shirosaki huffed.

Ichigo snorted. "One mental voice is quite enough"

Suit yourself, but if you want to get out of here soon, it might be a good idea if you don't act the madman. People will start to wonder.

"Just shut up" Ichigo began to pace, thinking of the best way to go about this. He would have to explain what Shirosaki told him about Orihime. He would have to warn them about Aizen. Who would listen?

No one. No one will listen because no one knows. Besides your father, there is only one other person who knows about this. Shirosaki said showing Ichigo his memories again.

"Urahara" Ichigo sighed. "Yea that really helps" Ichigo leaned against the wall, slumping down into a sitting position. The daylight poured into the room through the high barred windows, spilling across the wooden floors. Ichigo looked up at the light. Again he thought about Orihime. Could the sunshine match one like her?

Not a chance Shirosaki and Ichigo thought in unison.

"Then what do we do now" Ichigo whispered.

I don't know. That's why I gave you control you moron.

"Ugh" Ichigo half-yelled. "You're useless"

About as useless as you Shirosaki chimed. For a long while they sat in silence mulling over their options. Shirosaki's mind often wandered back to Orihime, for now Ichigo was content just to watch.

A couple hours passed before Ichigo was able to formulate a plan. He focused his senses on the two captains outside realizing that it was Soifon and Kenpachi. It would be no use to talk to them, unless of course he threatened Kenpachi with a rematch, but Ichigo couldn't afford to fight. He decided to wait for the watch to be passed to someone else. If he was lucky the duty would still remain captain level. If only he could talk to Ukitake or Shunsui, plead his case to them. He figured they would at least listen and hopefully believe him. All he had to do now was wait. He figured he would get some sleep, his body felt heavy, almost sluggish.

Don't sleep too long and miss your opportunity. Shirosaki warned.

"Have you forgotten what it feels like to be tired?" Ichigo retorted leaning his head against the wall.

Ha! I didn't need as much rest as you. I can go for days Shirosaki's double entendre was not lost on Ichigo as the hollow's mind again wandered to Orihime.

Ichigo growled. "Stick to actual memories"

Touchy touchy Shirosaki teased.

Ichigo stopped responding to him. He decided to follow through with his plan and sleep. He closed his eyes hoping that Shirosaki wouldn't bother him with his mental chatter. To Ichigo's surprise Shirosaki was silent. Ichigo would have questioned the hollow, but sleep took him over; within moments he was fast asleep.

"Kurosaki-san." A voice interrupted his dreams. "Kurosaki-san, please wake, we don't have much time" the voice grew more clear. Ichigo shot up from his spot on the ground. He had moved to a fetal position at the opposite side of the cell, it was not the most comfortable sleep. At least he was rested.

Focusing his vision he made eye contact with the taicho of the 13 division. Ukitake was kneeled on the ground in front of the bars; he motioned with his hand for Ichigo to come closer. Ichigo scurried over, trusting the humble shinigami immediately. He was Rukia's captain after all.

"I'm here to listen to your plea" Ukitake whispered, his lips twisted in a subtle smile.

Ichigo blinked in surprise. "How did you know-"

"We haven't much time" Ukitake urged.

"Alright" Ichigo gathered his thoughts. "The sereitei is in danger. In three days Aizen will return with an even bigger army. He's after the Spirit King and he'll try any method to get to him. Even harming the King's daughter" Ichigo explained looking intently at Ukitake. "She doesn't know herself but it was necessary" Ichigo continued.

"Orihime, she's the Spirit King's daughter" Ukitake looked back at Ichigo understanding everything in that moment. "I once saw the royal family, it was only once but I got a distinct impression from all of them. I and Shunsui are among the oldest captains in the gotei. I knew your father, and I also knew that he was close to the Spirit King." Ukitake explained how he knew the story. "I did not know the details, only that your father left his position and the King was even more remote from the Sereitei. When I look at Orihime, I see something more. A great familiarity or a sense of her hidden potential, either way I know that she is precious" Ukitake paused then, he appeared to be concentrating on something else. "I must leave, I will warn the others of the attack, but your freedom still remains a question. I will try my best" Ukitake finished. He bowed his head and quickly left the room.

That went well Shirosaki sarcastically remarked.

"What else was I supposed to say?" Ichigo grumbled upset that he still couldn't be with Orihime. He felt uneasy not being to watch over her.

He's a captain, couldn't he have broken you out?

"And go against his commanders orders? They're captains for a reason" Ichigo retorted.

Yea whatever, it's your fault we can't be with her now Shirosaki mumbled.

"What do you mean we. This is my body. You're just here for the ride remember"

There was silence then. Shirosaki didn't bother to reply and Ichigo didn't care to continue. He sat in the dark, going over his options, which added to few. He could break out and find her, but that would merit only more trouble. He could wait until they decided to free him, or he could try to foil the attack by confronting Aizen himself. What good what that do he had no clue, but he wasn't about to sit around and do nothing. He settled for waiting an extra day. He sat up all night and slept through the next day.

So are you going to do it Shirosaki provoked.

Ichigo was pacing his cell. It was simple enough to use their combined strength and bust out, but he still had to find his sword. Shirosaki explained that it was all very simple if he knew how to call to zangetsu, the hollow explained that listening for Zangetsu's voice was not as difficult as it sounded.

"I guess now is a good time as any" Ichigo again listened for the one shinigami posted to watch him. During the morning all the captains had been called to an important meeting, and still had not returned. Ichigo guessed that they were now preparing for tomorrows battle. It was late in the day and Ichigo was restless he paced for a few more moments before she appeared at the door.

Orihime smiled at him and came closer. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a key. She opened the door and walked in to his cell closing the door behind her. "I guess we can leave, but there's really no where else to go" she said standing in front of him. "I was told to relieve the shinigami watching you. He's needed elsewhere" she added. She looked at the ground, worry spreading across her face. Instantly Ichigo grabbed her waist and pulled her to him. He smoothed the lines on her brow.

"If you're worried about tomorrow, don't be. At least we have the heads up, we 're prepared." Ichigo said looking into her eyes. It was strange to him how sure of himself he was when with her. He never imagined he could be so forward with her.

"I know, but people are still going to get hurt. We might win, but what about the losses" Orihime despaired. She did not like the idea of people getting hurt, especially one's she cared for.

"That's why the fourth squad is there. Plus we've got you" Ichigo murmured holding her face. "So have you come to free me?" Ichigo quickly changed the subject.

"Not exactly. You haven't been officially released because there are more pressing matters, but I decided to keep you company" the trace of worry was still evident. She lifted her arm to reveal a basket and blanket to him. "Like I said nowhere else to go" she said pulling away from him. She laid the blanket down on the ground. "Would you like to have a picnic with me?" she asked. "I'd don't want to worry about tomorrow. I'd rather spend my night with you. It could be the last"

"Don't say that" Ichigo said softly confronting her again. He drew near and reached for her hand. "Nothing will happen to us, not me, not you" he promised. Orihime's eyes filled with tears, she gladly accepted his embrace. She cried into his chest, and somehow felt safe. He had kept his promises, she couldn't doubt him now. When her sobs died, she looked at him and kissed him through her tears. Despite the storm about to surround them, she was happy. She missed this when he was gone, she barely got to experience this when it first bloomed and now she was overwhelmed with the feeling that this was definitely not the last time for them.

She prayed for more time with him.

Orihime smiled. She clapped her hands together and began to prepare her picnic. She unpacked all the food and cutlery and lit half a dozen candles throughout the cell to give the place some light. "I'm not sure what you like but I found a ton of food in the cafeteria's kitchen" she exclaimed.

"The cafeteria?" Ichigo wondered sitting down on the blanket surveying the buffet lined up in front of him.

"Yup, just a trick Shirosaki taught me" she beamed looking into his eyes. "You know, you have his eyes" she said poking around the subject. Shirosaki was instantly in the action, his ears perked right up at the sound of his name coming from her lips. It got him every time.

Don't tell her I'm here. I don't want her to know anything about what's going on. At least let it wait until after. She's already been through so much Shirosaki begged Ichigo. He was genuinely concerned about the woman he loved. It was strange to him, these human feelings.

"I do?" Ichigo asked. "I haven't exactly looked at myself in a mirror. Perhaps they'll fade or stay the same. I am part hollow regardless of who is in charge" Ichigo mused, covering for his counterpart. He had to agree with Shiro, Orihime had been through quite the number.

Orihime would have pressed for more, but her stomach growled in anticipation. She laughed. "I must be really hungry" she blushed picking at the different foods.

"You and me both, this prison food is stale" he joked looking at the fruit tray. "What no strawberries?" he asked looking at Orihime.

"Nope, those are for later" she giggled.

"Oh yeah?" Ichigo grinned getting on to his knees and crawling over to her. He tickled her stomach and settled down beside her. "When later?" he asked running his fingers through her hair.

"After this" Orihime tilted her head to kiss his cheek. He moved his body to reach her lips. Ichigo pressed his hand against her back and inched her towards him. Orihime felt the heat from under his clothes, he was so warm it felt good to be this close. She continued to kiss him, venturing to explore new boundaries. Her tongue traced his lips, she had to pull away she could tell he was getting excited.

Ichigo frowned, he didn't want the kiss to end. His bottom lip jutted out signalling his desire for more. Ruefully Orihime moved closer and bit his bottom lip. She laughed and leaned her head against his chest. As much as she wanted more, she was content to just be with him. With the threat of tomorrow, she would rather much save this night for a better one. A night without any looming danger. She was sure enough to know that day would come. Ichigo would not break his promise.

"I love you" Orihime murmured slowly falling asleep.

"I love you more" Ichigo whispered kissing the side of her head. His heart was on fire, for all the feelings in the world this was the best. Not anger, or power, not even the heat of battle was anything compared to this. Hearing those three words, he was happy to admit he had been tamed.

You're right about loving her more Shirosaki mumbled. Ichigo realized then that he was alone in experiencing this one thing. As elated as Ichigo was, he knew that this was what Shirosaki lacked. Orihime did not love him. No, how could she? I'm a hollow remember. It's nice to imagine, but that's all it can be for me. Dreams. His voice grew small until he faded into silence.

Ichigo stayed awake a part of the night before falling asleep holding Orihime close.

He chuckled in his sleep, he was dreaming that Orihime was kissing his ear. She started to nibble on his lobes, then moved up to biting. She was biting a bit too hard for comfort and then he woke up. Smack center in his view was a black cat.

"Yoruichi?" Ichigo whispered loudly.

"Shhh, or you'll wake her up" the cat ordered heading for the cell door. "Quickly and quietly Ichigo" she said opening the door with ease.

Ichigo manoeuvred his body from beside Orihime, trying his best not to disturb his princess. She mumbled some incoherent words and went back to sleeping silently. Ichigo followed the cat out of the holding cell. When they were outside, Yoruichi jumped into his arms, with her hind feet she pushed up and placed her front paws on his shoulder.

"Ichigo, it is important that you keep Orihime safe. She will not be safe in the Sereitei when the battle begins, nor the entire Soul Society. You must go to Rukongai, and wait for Urahara. He will secure a safe way for you and Orihime to go back to Karakura town." Yoruichi said lifting her tail. There was a peice of paper attached to the tip of her tail. "Take that, it's a map of where you will go" she explained.

"And the others?" Ichigo asked concerned about the gotei 13.

"They can handle themselves. Orihime is your concern. Now listen, there are four escape routes from the Seiretei. The cannot be entered from outside, only accessed from the inside. There is a teahouse not far from here. Inside the cellar is a hatch leading to an underground tunnel. It will take you to the east district of Rukongai. You will have to head south from there to get to the destination on the map. Ichigo it is important you reach the door at the end of the tunnel at exactly 9 o'clock. That is the only time the door will open for you" Yoruichi finished, jumping down from his arms. "I must go now. Keep her safe Ichigo" Yoruichi said running off to her next mission.

Ichigo looked at the map and memorized it as best as he could. He placed the paper into his inner pocket and returned to the sleeping Orihime. He would have to get his sword when she was awake. He would not dare to leave her unprotected. He settled beside her and waited patiently for dawn.