Half Empty...

Ichigo walked out of the Kuchiki mansion with ease. He walked down the road which went straight into town. He thought he would go to a little hole in the wall. Just a casual place he often went to when he was down. The bar.

He walked in and took a seat in his usual spot.

"Ichigo my boy! The usual?" The bartender called out.

Ichigo shook his head sadly. "No.. How about that clear stuff...the oderless one."

The man looked at him. "Vodka?"

"Sure."

"Something wrong kid?"

Ichigo nodded.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No Mister Kyōraku... I rather not."

The mad handed the drink to ichigo. "Well what you can talk to my nano! She can probably help you. Oi! Nano! C'monover'er!"

Ichigo whipped around in on his stool to face nano who was on the phone. "No Mrs. Nano! its okay!"

Shunsui chuckled and poured himself a glass of vodka. "Are you sure kid?"

Ichigo nodded before downing the last of his vodka. "Another?"

Shunsui took the cup and walked off. Ichigo sat waiting.

"Ichigo?" A voice purred.

He looked over his shoulder to see Nel and Grimmjow. "Hi."

The both walked over and took a seat on either side of him. Nel on his right, and grimmjow to his left.

"How are you doing widdo Ichigo." Nel grinned and pinched his cheek.

Shunsui came back with the Vodka and placed it down eyeing ichigo's new friends. "Grimmjow...Nel."

Grimmjow grinned devilishly. "Shunsui ill have two vodkas. And the misses will have the same."

Shunsui glared at grimmjow. "When i said Dont ever come back, i meant to say Dont ever..Ever come back." He crossed his arms.

Grimmjow laughed as if it were a joke. "Right, but we saw our friend Ichigo, and we just had to stop in."

Nel extended her hand out and smiled at ichigo. "Would you mind if i had a sip? Ichiiigooo" Nel batted her eyes making ichigos throat dry up. He only nodded in response and she smiled. "Awe, arent you sweet."

Grimmjow looked over at Nel. "Calm down Nel. Hes a minor." He took a drink from his own vodka before turning to ichigo. "So how've you been? What ever happened with that Kuchiki chick?"

Ichigo shook his head. "Not gonna happen."

"Awwww why!" Nel turned ichigo's chin so he faced her. "Your a cute liddo boy. What happened."

Ichigo shrugged. "It just wouldnt work out you know? And..i just dont have it in me to steal Kaien's fiancee. I couldnt do it."

"You couldnt?" Grimmjow asked. "Like... you had the opportunity..and you bitched out."

"I didnt bitch out! I just..its wrong..marriage is supposed to be a comittment and i cant just..ruin it." His shoulders sunk and he looked down into his cup that was half empty. "I just dont have it me. "

Nel awed and placed a hand on her heart."Thats so sweet ichigo."

Grimmjow's mouth gaped open. "Thats bullshit!You bitched out. End of story." He took aother swig of his drink. "Your scared."

Ichigo stayed quiet a minute before speaking. "There would be to many consequences if I took Rukia away from Kaien."

Nel shook her head sadly. Grimmjow's face twisted. "Well look at you, Mr. Glass Half Empty."

"Excuse me?" Ichigo said dryly.

"Stop being a little bitch and think of the good stuff. You wont get anywhere in life if you cant see the glass is half full. You dumbass." Grimmjow stated.

"You dont even know me!" Ichigo cried. "You dont know anything!"

Grimmjow rolled his eyes. "Just shut the fuck up! Stop acting like a pussy! Its your own damn fault your mopeing around at a bar! Your not even old enought to drink! Your a goddam prince! You dont have to struggle like the rest of us! Stop acting like a cunt!"

Ichigo bit his tongue and could only glare.

"I was just trying to say look at the bright side you dipshit. Yo-"

Nel looked over at grimmjow. "Stop it grimmjow. This is none of our bussiness anyway. We should leave."

Grimmjow grunted and stood up. "Fine." He walked away leaving Ichigo heated in his seat.

"Ichigo. Im sorry. But you have to understand, you wont ever have a happy ending if your not willing to save the princess." She grabbed his shaking hand and squeezed . "You have to be a man and do what you think is right." He looked up at her green eyes listening to her words. "Whatever decision you make in the end...you cant regret it." She released his hand and walked away.

Ichigo reached into his pocket pulling out his wallet. "Shunsui." He held up the bills of money. "For mine and theres." Shunsui nodded and ichigo placed the money down and walked out of the bar.

xxxx

"Ichii-nii! Dinner time!" Yuzu called.

Ichigo was laying down in his bed. He didnt want to eat, or drink. He just wanted to lay down and mope.

Then, there was a knock at his door.

"Kurosaki-kun?" Orihime poked her head into his room. "May i come in?"

He sat up squishing all his pillows. "Come in."

She walked in and closed the door softly. "How are you feeling?"

Ichigo had almost forgot he was injured. "Im fine."

She smiled. "Thats good." Her face tinted pink. "Kurosaki-kun...I want to apologize for the way i have acted. I-"

"No, I should apologize Princess Orihime, I have treated you horribly. I am at fault." He pushed off his bed and walked over to her. "I was wrong to deny your love. I never liked the idea of marriage.."He looked away to the window. "And... I didnt like the idea of being forced into it. But..in time, Im sure i can grow to love you." His throat tightened as he spoke the last words.

"Kurosaki-kun..." She whispered, but he kept talking.

"This is new to me..and im sorry if i cant be the Husband or King you want me to be. But with time..i can be."

Orihime's eyes grew and she nodded. "Oh kurosaki-kun! I will help you! I will be the best queen and wife. I forgive you!" She wrapped her arms around him and squeezed him tightly. "We make such a cute couple! The way carrots and rabbits do!"

Ichigo bit his bottom lip and closed his eyes. He felt like he just signed away his life. He hugged her back feeling empty inside.

"Let us go down to eat." Orihime said as she began dragging ichigo out of his room.

"Yes dear."

They walked down together and took a seat. Across from Ichigo sat his father.

"Son? Are you feeling alright?" Isshin eyed ichigo.

Ichigo just nodded solemly. "Never better." His plate was place infront of him and he looked down at the food. He lifted his fork and gently pushed his food around the plate.

Isshin began eating but kept a watchful eye on his son. Something was definately wrong.

"Kurosaki-kun, do i still have to sleep in the guest bedroom?" Orihime asked?

Isshin looked at orihime then back to ichigo.

"...Ofcourse not dear.." Ichigo looked up at his father with a long face" you can sleep in my bed."

Isshin's mouth fell open. "What!?" Had his son gone mad!? "Son! Are you sure about this?" Isshin leaned over the table to examine Ichigo before he responded. "Are you absolutly sure?"

Ichigo sighed heavily. "Yeah..im sure."

Isshin was shocked, what had happened to his son since the night? He looked at his son, he felt sorry for him. For ichigo had finally given into his arranged marriage.

"Kurosaki-kun! We should have a party for your birthday, but have it also be our engagement party!" Orihime cried happily.

Isshin looked at ichigo, knowing him a party would be the last thing he wanted for his birthday.

"Sure dear. Whatever you want." Ichigo mumbled.

Isshin stood up and threw his napkin on the table then walked away. He couldnt stand it any longer. He broke Ichigo's spirit and it broke his heart. Im his father, I know whats best for him. He kept telling himself. But as he walked away he then he wondered, Did he really know what was best for his only son? Seventeen years he was sure he was doing the right thing, but now he was not so sure.