THE CONNECTION
CHAPTER 18
The sun shone through the window of Kurosaki Ichigo and Orihime's room. It was still early in the morning and the orange male was still sleeping. Orihime in the meantime was patting her skin dry and preparing herself to meet Byakuya Kuchiki.
For some reason, she wanted to look her best. She wanted to show this man that she was not the same woman he used for his little experiment. On her vanity table was a small bottle of rosewater she got as a gift from Rangiku. It was meant for other things, but Orihime thought it would be suitable to use for this occasion.
She lathered her neck in rosewater, patting her face with it before putting a bit of powder, enhancing her natural beauty. Then she took out a small bit of lipstick and plastered it lightly on her lips. Too much would be too much and leave the wrong impression. She then stood up and decided on which dress to wear.
It was then that Ichigo arose from him sleep, groaning softly as he looked around. "Orihime, you're up early." She simply looked at her dresses and made a small sounds that would indicate that she heard him. "Hmm." She pouted her lips and tapped her left index finger on it, still pondering if she should go with a tight rose dress or with an emerald A-line dress.
"I think I need some advice from Momo." She eventually said, immersed in her thoughts. Ichigo stood up and stopped his wife in his tracks, admiring her face. "You look and smell nice. Is it for a special event?"
"I have been invited to a tea party by a friend." Orihime said rather cool, her eyes avoiding her husbands. She never lied to her husband before, but she knew that if she would tell the truth he would stop her in her tracks. It wouldn't surprise her if he would stop her even from going right now.
"A friend? Care to share who it is?" He cocked a brow. Since when did his wife make friends? He knew that her only friend were the maids and maybe Rangiku. Besides, he never gave the order to let her leave the castle. "Your mother was so kind to give me an opportunity to meet some new people. She thought it would be better for me to go out from time to time."
"I really appreciate Masaki-san's kindness and thoughtfulness. Because of her, I am recovering from this horrible depression." Ichigo on that moment could bite his tongue as he once was reminded of the various events that took place. The tone is his wife's voice was also new and different. She had never used sarcasm and hardness in her sentences before.
"So, my mother gave permission to leave the castle?" The auburn haired female nodded, looking rather uninterested at her husband. "Sorry Ichigo, I will have to ask Momo to help me dress."
"Sure." Ichigo changed quickly into representable clothing and made his way to his mother's study.
"Mom!" He stormed into the study where his mother was sitting, wearing her usual reading glasses. "Nice to see you son, without knocking first I see." Masaki chuckled. Her little son was now a big man, but he still acted like a little child.
"What did I hear? You gave Orihime permission to leave the castle without consulting me first? Since when do you have more say about my wife?" The older Kurosaki female looked flabbergasted at her son.
"I'm disappointed in you, Ichigo. How can you treat and act like Orihime is your possession? Can't you see what it did to her, being all locked up here without being able to look for her son?" Ichigo's body tensed. She was right, he wasn't a good husband to Orihime.
Since his conversation with Zangetsu he really tried to improve his ways, but his wife was still cold towards him. It frustrated him even the more. "Letting her meet people is good for your relationship Ichigo. Confining her will make her weak and dependable. That is not what you want, especially as a future king."
"What will you do if someone takes her from you and you have a kingdom to protect? Orihime is smart enough and needs to learn to stand and fend for herself. That is why I let her out of the castle."
"But mom, if I can't see her I can't protect her." His head was hanging. "I feel guilty, but I am so scared to lose her mom. If she's close I-I can…" Masaki was saddened by his words. From the way he was talking she could understand he was having a hard time.
"It's unfair to confine her but also pushing her away at the same time. Your mixed signals are driving her crazy. Right now Ichigo, it is your time to show trust in your wife. Show her that you love and trust her so that you can both start again. She deserves that after all that suffering. Look, she's about to leave soon. Go and greet her. It's the perfect way to make amends."
He knew what his mother was hinting at. If he displayed affection openly, she wouldn't be able to refuse him.
As told, he made his way down to the gate where beautiful long auburn hair was flowing in the wind. He was in awe by the way the wind was playing and twirling with her hair.
"Orihme!" He yelled out as his wife turned around. She looked breathtaking. Literally, she took his breath away as he tried to find some oxygen in the room. His face turning red as she gives him a questioning look.
Had she always look so… mature?
It was after all this time that Ichigo noticed that the cute girlish face was turning into a face of a woman with her own experiences. She looked beautiful but she was somehow radiating confidence and determination, and for some reason it both frightened him but also turned him on.
"Can I help you Kurosaki-kun?" She said ever so sweetly, but her eyes weren't twinkling. Ichigo was taken aback for a moment but soon shook off his shyness and knelt down before her, taking her hand and kissing it tenderly.
"I just came here to wish you a safe journey, my lady." His brown eyes were melting while looking at his wife, showing a fondness she didn't see in all these years.
"You look astonishing. That's all I wanted to say." He got up from his knees, the palace maids present now swooning over the display of affection.
"T-Thank you…" Orihime said, trying to hide the soft blush that appeared on her cheeks.
"Time to go! I'll see you soon Kurosaki-kun." She bowed before taking her leave.
Orihime was staring out of the window, the humble car driving through the mountains to a new part of the kingdom. She enjoyed her time outside because she felt that the air was not suffocating her.
It brought back memories of walking to the bakery each day, after that getting together with her girlfriends to walk to the salon they were working at. Despite their poor circumstances they knew how to make the best of their day and time. Dare she even say, she was truly happy.
It's funny. Back then I thought happiness was living in a good house, being married and earning enough money. Now i know that being happy is just being lucky to be surrounded by the right people.
She leaned back in the seat and closed her eyes, her mind drifting to the man she married. The fond look he gave her this morning made her feel weird. It was the first time in who knows how long that she had seen him act like he cared.
Orihime no doubting loved het husband very much, despite his behavior towards her. But now she was wondering if he was the person she should be around?
Mixed feelings once again returned as she thought back at her talk with Aizen. Quickly she pulled herself out of her mind and shook her head, saying firmly: "No. You can't be swayed by anyone, Orihime. Let's hear what this monster has to say and then make up your mind. It's too soon to make a move."
She barely spoke the words or she arrived at one of the Kuchiki houses. Kuchiki Byakuya had many different houses and invited Orihime to one of his houses in the mountains. He wanted to keep this meeting a secret from his family and subjects.
Kira was already waiting outside the mansion for the arrival of their guest. She opened the car door and placed his hand on the right side of his chest, bowing. "Welcome to the Kuchiki Mansion. We have been expecting your arrival."
The princess got out of her seat and smiled at the sight of the blonde haired male, placing her own right hand on the middle of her chest, bowing her head. "Thank you. I'm honored to be invited by Kuchiki-sama."
On that moment the head of the family himself came through the door, his cloak being lifted by the wind, which made him look even more important. Orihime's eyes widened at the sight of the male. She did not expect him to welcome her outside.
Just like Orihime, Kira looked shocked as well. Never before had his master come outside to welcome a stranger to his home. The only person he would ever do that for was his grandfather.
"The young maiden has turned into a beautiful flower. It's been a while since we met, Inoue-san." Byakuya for the first time had anything but a hard look in his eyes. His eyes looked rather normal, his voice remaining the same. Dull and monotonous.
"It's a pleasure to meet you once again Kuchiki-sama." She bowed down gracefully once again before walking towards him.
"Let us go inside." Byakuya himself escorted Orihime to the room where they were about to have their tea.
"It really is a shame that you couldn't come to my Ocean side estate." He remarked, looking forward to the reaction of the female. "Oh, you mean the estate I was transferred to during my pregnancy?"
Byakuya chuckled. "It is a shame. Sometimes I wonder how things would've turned out for me if I bared my child there." Orihime replied, her eyes showing no emotion while she gave him a polite smile.
"How did things turn out for you now?" He walked in front of her, not able to see her face. She followed him closely. "Different from what I expected, but I'm grateful for the experience. I don't think I would be able to raise my own child if I were to birth it at your Ocean side estate."
He did not reply as his lips were in a thin line. "You have a fine taste in interior design, Byakuya-sama. These pieces on the wall are extraordinary." Orihime's mouth was shaped in her usual O form, a signature look on her face when she was amazed by something. The paintings on the wall were all different trees and flowers.
"These are all classics made by my late wife. She used to be a well-known painter in my kingdom." Kira took out a chair for Orihime to sit in. Still amazed by the different works, she sat down and looked around. The room itself had a bloodred color and the paintings were dark with different kinds of flowers. For some reason, the color and paintings complimented each other well which made it bearable to be in such a loud room.
"Beautiful, really beautiful. I'm sorry however about your wife." Orihime said, not sure whether it was the right thing to say. "Don't feel bad. Sickness and death often go together. It is unfortunate that it also was her fate."
The girl looked down, but soon raised her head. No Orihime, you are not the same shy girl as before. — She made eye contact with Byakuya, which startled the male. "I know what it is like to lose the dearest people of your heart. I guess we have something in common." Even though the dearest person of my heart was killed because of your cruelty. — she thought.
It was as if he had read her mind because his following question made her almost cough from surprise. "Do you not hate me, Inoue-san?" Her gray eyes widened slightly as she could feel her stomach tighten, her heart elevating a bit. She bit her lip, which was a beautiful sight to the male in front of her.
"Hate… it is such a big feeling. It might seem easy to hate but I think it's just as complex as love. No... I don't think I hate you, Byakuya-sama." Surprised by her own answer, Orihime smiled and mentally patted herself on the back. "Feelings of hate consumes plenty of emotions and time. I don't think I have the luxury for that." Her reply amused the male in front of her, a very light smile on his thin lips.
"Is that why you agreed to meet me? I was so certain that you would decline my offer." Kira was pouring in the tea for both of them. "Partially. But I think my curiosity got the best of me. I simply wondered how the man responsible for all my going through was doing, after all these years."
Their conversation was simple, yet cryptic and Byakuya enjoyed it more than ever. It had been a long time since he had a conversation like this. What made it even the more intriguing was that he was sitting here with the female that had every right to hate him, yet she still could look him in the eye and have a nice meal with him. A breath of fresh air, different from any other male or female he had met in the last few years.
Byakuya chuckled once again, bringing the cup to his lips and sipped from the cup that contained warm green tea. "I am doing well. Was that what you wanted to hear?" His gaze rested on her lips.
"I don't want to hear what I want to hear, I just want to hear the truth."
"The truth? What are you implying?"
"Are you doing well after hearing that my son had been kidnapped? I was so sure he was the key to your plan, wasn't he?" She sipped her tea, avoiding Byakuya's stare. She wasn't planning on asking about her son, but it was true, the curiosity was killing her.
"You are suspecting me of having kidnapped your son. Aren't you?" Byakuya's gaze was now intimidating and scary, but for some reason it didn't reach Orihime. Aizen his aura and eyes were more fearing than that of Byakuya, and she was happy that she had met Aizen before meeting Byakuya. This meant she wasn't afraid of the male before her.
"Did your dear husband, Kurosaki Ichigo not tell you about our little encounter?" Byakuya knew that after the happening with Ichigo that there was no need to suspect the Kuchiki clan of any kidnapping. He knew exactly who was behind this, not that he would disclose that to the woman in front of him.
"I must have missed it. Kamari's disappearance has been taking a toll on both of us. He might have told me but I cannot recall." She answered, but inside her head Orihime was getting suspicious of her husband. Why would he withhold such important information from her? Especially since the Kuchiki's were the first ones they blamed for the kidnapping.
"Your husband came begging and crying here, blaming me for taking your son. It was only then that I found out about the missing of your child." Orihime's mind once again was occupied by negative thoughts that wondered what Ichigo was hiding from her. The lord over the Kuchiki kingdom could see that the girl in front of him was troubled.
"Because of that incident I took it upon myself to look for your son. But instead of finding your son, I found out something else." Orihime couldn't even hear Byakuya anymore as she was so in her head.
"Inoue-san?" The girl snapped out of her thoughts and shook her head. "My apologies. You were saying?" Byakuya at this moment felt victorious as it seemed that he managed to confuse the girl in front of him. "I was looking into the disappearance of your son, but instead found these." He snapped with his fingers and Kira appeared, handing Orihime a pile of pictures.
It were pictures of mainly Ichigo and Rukia over the past few months. Laughing together, sitting next to each other, hanging out together, but in all these pictures one person was missing, Kamari. It was a few weeks ago that Byakuya received word that the traitors were found. Renji, Rukia were seen together with Ichigo and Kamari. It angered him to know that he had been deceived by his own adopted sister, despite all the things he had given her in the last few years. Betrayal was unforgivable.
Byakuya's hands were itching to raid the place and drag them down to the gibbet. But then he received word about Inoue Orihime and how much she was suffering by the hand of Kurosaki Ichigo. Byakuya faintly remembered their first encounter and was intrigued by the girl he met when she was 17 and pregnant.
It was then decided that he would bring misery not only to Renji and Rukia, but to Kurosaki Ichigo as well. What better way to bring misery than to start by ruining their relationship by taking his beloved wife.
Orihime was holding a picture of Ichigo smiling and waving at something while Rukia had her arms wrapped around his shoulders. Feelings of anger, disgust but mainly low self-worth came pouring out of the box she had hidden in her heart. A box she thought was locked up for good, but such a frail little thing could make her feel this way was unexpected. Her mind was already racing, thinking about Ichigo laying down with Rukia until her mind came to a sudden stop. The voice of reason came to her in the tone of voice of her childhood friend Ulquiorra.
"You always react too emotional. Don't you know that prey's that act upon their instincts get killed first?" — Grey eyes became clear, just like her mind became clear as the sky. Ulquiorra's wise words came in handy the first time in her life. Mentally she was smiling as the memory was displaying in her mind of little her and Ulquiorra quibbling at the kitchen table.
She took a deep breath, closed her eyes before responding to Byakuya. "I haven't seen Ichigo smile like that in a long time. I'm glad he had a reason to smile in the past months." She replied, a smile coming to her lips as well. "He's happy because he's having an affair with Rukia."
"That is what you are implying. I can't identify any parts of intimate affection on these pictures. They seem rather friendly, don't you agree?" Inoue Orihime kept throwing curveballs to Byakuya, and instead of angering him, it made him grow even more curious in this female who was sitting her with her head held high.
"Besides, who says these are not staged? From what I can recall, Rukia is the next in line for the throne. That means she is loyal to the Kuchiki house. Perhaps she approached him because of the agenda of the Kuchiki house?" Confidence once again was overflowing from the woman as she took a bite from the delicious cookie in her hand. She wasn't going to let anyone get her into a mental turmoil.
"I wish I could tell you otherwise, but since a few months ago Rukia and her guard Renji took off and never returned. They betrayed the Kuchiki kingdom. If she was handling on behalf of my house, I would never and ever let her come in contact with Kurosaki Ichigo." His eyes were ice-cold, but showing some truth. The tone in his voice rough with a bit of anger that could be sensed.
"Call me unfair, even a monster if you will. But I would never lie to you about personal relationships and betrayals. From personal experience, I know being married is hard work. Especially if you are not sharing the same thoughts."
Enough. Enough is enough. "What gives you the impression that my husband and I are not aligned? If the reason for your thoughts are simply because of these pictures, then you are not as intelligent as you appear."
"Whatever the reason is you are showing me this, it won't make me love my husband less." The same display of Ichigo kissing her hand popping up in her mind. "If this was the only reason for bringing me here then you have wasted my time."
Byakuya inwardly laughed as he was truly amused and yet amazed by the woman. She was so different from his late wife, but they both knew their worth.
"It was just out of concern. Nothing pleases me more than to know you are happy in your marriage and that you love your husband. I felt I needed to make you aware of this because of my wrongdoings towards you. I truly, truly apologize."
The male stood up and bowed deeply. Orihime was silent while watching the male. Was he really showing her respect? She now stood up and clasped her hands together. "Kuchiki-sama… thank you." She responded to his show of respect with a bow of herself.
"If you never need an ally, please come to me. My house and my hiding places are always here for you to use." It was a strange offer, coming from a Kuchiki, the family that was the number one threat to the Kurosaki kingdom, but it was then that Orihime saw it.
Loneliness. Why am I seeing loneliness in his eyes? His eyes look exactly like mine when I was alone in the tower.
Orihime's lips turned into the most beautiful smile and lit up the room instantly. "I appreciate your offer. I definitely will take you upon your offer when the time arises." And with that, the princess left a speechless Kuchiki Byakuya in the room, a small smile of his own appearing.
Ichigo was pacing in the room of the little hideout while Renji was watching him, sipping from his beer while holding Orihime's picture in his hand.
"Dude, chill! You're going to make a hole in the ground with all that pacing." Renji remarked, Kamari making silly sounds in the background. "I have to tell her! You can't change my mind but I am going to tell Orihime everything."
"Sure, go! Go tell her everything. It was nice knowing ya' berry boy." The red head said sarcastically, a grin on his mug. "You know you can't tell her yet. But dang Ichigo, she really is a babe. I can understand now why you are soooo desperate to tell her."
Ichigo shot him a glare. "What has her looks have to do with this? I'm just tired of lying to her. It kills me inside thinking that she's sharing her bed with a liar. Besides, I really don't believe her knowing will cause a threat."
"Ichigo, you know how things are. In all the castles there are spies. In your household there are Kuchiki spies and in ours are Kurosaki spies. These spies know everything and once they know that Kamari is found, Byakuya will make his move and it will bring even more misery." Renji convinced him.
"Argh, I don't know!" The heir to the throne messed up his hair and sighed. Why has this have to be so complicated? "I feel like I'm betraying her. The price for betrayal is high, that's what my father always says."
"The price is either death or forever heartbreak. There is no in between, right Kamari?" The little boy screamed and laughed loudly.
"Geez, thanks Renji." Ichigo sulked, wrapping his hands over each other. "I get that you are worried, but Rukia and I are thinking of a way that you can involve Orihime again. I do agree that we shouldn't make her wait too long."
"Thank you!" Ichigo sighed, taking a seat while opening a can of beer. "I don't even deserve her as a man. That is why I want to come clean to her and let her make her own decisions. If that means that she will leave me, so be it."
"Ya can't protect her if you let her go, you do know that?"
"A wise woman once said that it isn't my decision to make."
"Masaki-san, right?"
"Yeah." "What I'm learning from these times is that promises are futile if they're just one-sided. I can promise to be your friend, but if I offer friendship that does not match with your view or expectations of friendship it ends up hurting both of us. That's why a promise is worthless if both parties can't communicate."
"Then why don't you just communicate?" Renji and Kamari looked both at Ichigo with a raised brow. "It isn't that easy!" Ichigo groaned.
"Yeah? And what's so hard about saying 'I was a dick, I messed up. Tell me how I can become a better husband?' huh?" Kamari nodded and agreed with Renji, much to Ichigo's annoyance.
"Oh yeah, if it is that easy, why don't you tell Rukia how you really feel instead of hiding behind your title to protect her?" There, he had finally mentioned the big elephant in the room. Renji turned red and chewed on his lip.
"I have different reasons. Don't mess my situation up with yours." Both guys turned away from each other and crossed their arms. Sulking at their comments.
Kamari then noticed the change of atmosphere and started to get upset. Soft crying emerged as the little boy waddled to a small chair. His crying turned into loud whining and in an instant he angrily punched the small wooden chair that broke in two.
Both men in the room their eyes fell almost out of their socket as they noticed that the two-year-old was strong enough to slam a chair in two. "D-Did you see that Renji?" The other male nodded, needing time to find his voice.
"He really is your child, I guess?" Renji laughed sheepishly, walking to the little boy, patting him on the head. This apparently did the trick as Kamari calmed down, a smile appearing on his features.
"This is insane…" Ichigo muttered to himself.
Back home Orihime took a hot bath and went alone to the tower that was given to her by Masaki. She needed to order her thoughts and took pieces of paper and wrote down her thoughts. Various flashbacks were coming to her mind. Aizen who she shared in a strange way a bond with, who promised to find her son and wanted her to become the rules of a new Inoue kingdom.
Then there was Kuchiki Byakuya who offered her his hiding places and seemed to be lonely. She thought she was crazy, but she actually enjoyed his company today and their conversation was quite fun.
And eventually, there was her husband. The first male that came to her rescue exactly two years ago. He was her first in almost everything. All moments she shared with him were precious to her. When she told Byakuya that she loved her husband she wasn't lying. Ichigo was still the man she loved dearly and wanted to trust with her entire being, but seeing these pictures and noticing his behavior the last few months made her grow suspicious. She didn't want to think about him having an affair without actually having concrete evidence. It would also mean she would have to eventually confront him. Something she emotionally was not ready to do.
A tear was trickling down her cheek. The past few weeks she had been strong. She did not allow herself to feel the rollercoaster of emotions, instead she threw herself in her work by researching her background, preparing for her meeting with Aizen and now Byakuya. It was the first time she felt so alive and useful. But she didn't think it would come with heavy weighing decisions and difficult emotions. It was easy to turn her emotions off in the heat of the moment. But being alone, she realized that it was okay if her smile faltered, even just for a bit.
Onii-chan, I've been really strong but I want to cry. Is it okay if I cry for a bit?
She softly sniffed but screamed as she saw Masaki appearing, not expecting any company. "Wahhh! Masaki-san, you startled me."
Masaki held a tray with two mugs and some pastries, a sympathetic look in her eyes. "Come here my child." She placed the tray on the table and took Orihime in her hands. "You did well… you did well." He stroked her hair as she could feel the small form against her body shiver. Orihime was letting it all out.
After a while Orihime was munching happily on her cupcake. "Masaki-san, you're like an angel sent to me by my brother." Masaki giggled and shook her head. "No way! You're the angel sent to me, giving me a second time to do what is right."
"A-Ano, Masaki-san." Orihime turned to her mother-in-law. "Can I entrust you with something?" She asked, licking some frosting off her lips. "Sure. I won't tell anyone if you want me not to."
Orihime nodded and struggled to start her sentence. "Eh… well…" She sighed and then closed her eyes. "I have been approached by Byakuya-sama and he showed me some unsettling pictures." She paused for a second, her voice becoming tiny and soft. "My heart is w-wavering and I-I don't know what to do."
Masaki smiled sadly, as if she had a hunch what the matter was at hand. She took Orihime's hand in her own, holding it close to her face. "It is okay if you are unsure of your own heart. Sometimes we are so sure of this one thing, whether it be a situation or a person. But then life happens and unexpectedly your heart changes."
"How do you… know?" Orihime tiled her head, her eyes shocked at how well Masaki knew what she was feeling. "I've been there."
"But it is okay. You are young and you have a long life ahead of you. When your heart wavers, think about where you want to go. What is the goal you are aiming for? You will soon find out where your heart lies and what you need to do to get there."
Orihime's eyes were now shining. Words could not express the gratitude she felt towards Masaki. She may have lost a wonderful brother but go a wonderful mother-in-law instead.
Masaki rubbed the back of Orihime's hand and smiled. "Whatever you decide, I will be there with you all the way."
Chapter 18 is done and so is 2022! This will be the last update for this year, hence the 2 chapter upload today. 2022 was such an exciting year for me because I got to restart this story once again, and without your help I couldn't have done it. Thank you for reading my story. I know I am lacking in many aspects as a writer, so my goal for 2023 is to improve this story and see it through till the end.
This year I want to give special thanks to tipipkd, Mdelcsw70 and Valeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeef for always submitting a review. Also many thanks to all others who leave a review! Your words really touch my heart and I appreciate it. The good but also the bad.
I also have a little announcement. In January, I will take some time off from writing to focus on some other projects and exciting things in my life. So, I will probably upload only once next month. My apologies!
Happy new year and be safe!