Gut Feeling...

Four days since Ichigo's last encounter with Kaien

"Wouldnt it be lovely?" Orihime asked. "Kurosaki-kun?" She turned to her fiance because he had yet to look up at her the entire time she was speaking.

He looked at her and nodded. "Sure. Whatever you would like honey."

She squealed and looked back down at the assorted color papers. "Everyone should come!" She gently tucked her ginger hair behind her ear and smiled. "Dont you think?"

Isshin sat at the table with Orihime and Ichigo. He didnt say anything, he just watched ichigo. He studied the lifeless emotion in his son. It was quite upsetting.

Orihime took a sip of her water and placed her hand on Ichigos', "Kurosaki-kun? Do you not want to do this right now?" She could feel his distraction.

Ichigo stared down at their intertwined hands and sighed heavily. "In all honestly my dear, im feeling a bit...empty."

Isshin opened his mouth to speak, but no words could form. He eyed his son waiting, he had no clue on what he was waiting for, but he was waiting for something to happen.

"Kurosaki-kun you should go lay down. I can do this by myself." She smiled warmly without noticing Ichigo hadnt returned her smile. He only shook his head saying 'no'.

"Son, I think you better lay down. I'll help her with this." Ichigo began to protest but stopped when his father raised a hand. "Son, I think I know whats in your best interest, what kind of father would I be if i didnt?" He smiled, but ichigos' eyes turned and pulled together.

"You would be the most hated man in the town if you didnt." Ichigo paused before shifted his eyes to look at Orihime who was paying no attention to their conversation, then he looked back at his father. "But, you know what is in my best interest...dont you."

Isshins' jaw set as he glared at Ichigo who met him with the same cold stare. The he rose from his seat.

"But if you insist, I will go lay down." Ichigo said calmly.

Orihime stood quickly. "I hope you feel better dear." She moved to kiss him and to Isshins surprise, Ichigo met her half way and returned her kiss. His nose crinkled in disgust as she nearly ate his face off, but he said nothing as he walked away and up the steps to his room.

"Would you like my help Orihime?"

She nodded happily and sat back down. "Yes!" She put a finger on her lip thinking where to begin. "I want everyone to come and share this moment with me and Kurosaki-kun!" She pulled out the invitations from a box beside her laying them out. "I made these."

Isshin picked up the card.

To: The citizens of Karakura Town

Please come and celebrate the birthday of Ichigo Kurosaki, and the engagement of Orihime Inoue and Kurosaki Ichigo.

The Kurosaki Household

"Do you like it?" Orihime asked.

Isshin nodded. "I do."

She smiled. "Theres so much to do! All the planning out! His birthday is in a week you know." She leaned back in her chair exhuasted. "I still havent decided on the entertainment, or the dinner or wine glasses! Or dress!" She covered her eyes in distress.

Isshin grabbed Orihimes' hand and smiled. "I will help you." He grabbed the invitations. "Give these to me, I'll deliever them and you can stay here planning the next thing on the list."

"You will?" Her eyes welled up and she jumped over the table. "Thank you!" Her arms wrapped around his neck and she kissed his cheek. "Thank you!"

Isshin finally managed to pry off the girl. "Yes, I will maybe sure everyone is invited." He stood up from the table and smiled. "I will get started now!"

"Wait!" Orihime called. Her eyes locked with Isshin. "Um.. do you think Kurosaki-kun will be surprised?"

Isshin looked down at the invitations in his hand. "I think he will be."

Orihime smiled and looked down at her list of things 'To Do'. "Well there is just so much to be done! Thank you again for helping me."

xxxx

Ichigo layed upstairs on his bed with his feet crossed and hands behind his head. He felt rather full, but empty at the same time. His heart was pounding in his chest the way a woodpecker sounds when it pecks a tree. It was rapid.

He kept replaying the memory of Rukia asleep in her bed. He kepting thinking of things he should've said. Things he shouldve done. Everytime he tried to remember her, he felt as if his heart was skipping a beat. I shoulda woke her, he thought. He would gain confidence of the should haves, but then remember the didnts, and he was lost.

He closed his eyes and decided sleep would be the solution to his problems. But everything he closed his eyes, he saw Lady Rukia in the beautiful black dress the night her met her.

Eventually sleep came to him. He dreamed of Rukia. She sat on his bed hugging his pillow. His eyes met hers and their worlds mutated into one. He sat beside her letting himself fall back onto the bed. She laughed and mouthed the words 'I Love You'. She leaned down to kiss him but a second before they touched his dream was torn from him.

A knock at the door startled him into the sitting position. He looked around searching for the beautiful girl from his dreams.

"Ichigo."

Ichigo stared at the closed door debating whether or not he should get up and open it. He could hear his father knocking again, but made no effort to get up and answer the door.

"Son..."

Ichigo settled back down in his bed and waited. The last four days had been empty. He was a bunny lost in a foreign garden. The door began to open slowly. Ichigo paniced and flipped over on his side grabbing his pillow and squeezing his eyes shut.

"Ichigo..." He could hear Isshin walked closer and stop at his bed. Ichigo stirred a bit and pulled the pillow closer to his face faking slumber.

"Im going out for a bit son, I will be back soon." He leaned down kissing the top of his sons head. "I hope you know I love you, and i only want you to be happy."

When he finally left, Ichigo sat up and stared out the window. From his room, he could see the Kuchiki Mansion. He desperately wanted to speak to lady rukia. But in his heart, he knew he had to let her go.

xxxx

Meanwhile, Isshin traveled around town delivering the invitations to the citizens of Karakura. He had one more invitation meant for Urahara and Yoruichi, unfortunately their invitation would have to be word of mouth. He had a gut feeling he was doing wrong. But he ignored it.

He stopped into their store with a smile.

"Kisuke!" Isshin called out until the blonde haired man appeared.

"Isshin Kurosaki, to what do i owe this visit?" He smiled and leaned against the counter smiling.

"My son is turning eighteen in exactly one week, this party is also his engagement party to Princess Orihime. I would like you to come and celebrate with us."

Urahara pulled out his fan and fanned himself. "I see." There was a long pause before he spoke again. "We will be there!"

Isshin grinned turning to leave.

"Oi! Isshin!" A woman purred.

Isshin turned around looking at the woman sitting on the counter. "How is my boy Ichigo?"

"Fine."

"Is he really?"

"Yes. Why wouldnt he be."

Yoruichi shrugged. " I dont know." She smiled wickedly making Isshin boil. "He was awfully happy in here the other day. But some pretty flowers for a girl i presume was not Princess Orihime."

"Is that so?"

"Mhmm, but your his father, I know he wouldnt hide anything from you."

Isshin nodded. "Thats right. He wouldnt."

"He wore the face of a boy inlove."

"I have to go. These invitations wont deliver themselves." As he walked out of the small shop, yoruichi called to him.

"I hope you know whats best for him!"

Isshin walked down the roads of Karakura he knew what was best for his son. Or did he? He had questioned his fatherly ways days before. But insisted he was doing the right thing for his son. Ichigo is strong he told himself. He will get over this phase of depression. He had to. He was the future king of Karakura, and if he had any respect for his family name, he would buckle down and cope with the pain.

Isshin came to the Kuchiki Mansion and knocked loudly.

The door opened and he was face to face with Byakuya who didnt look the least bit happy to see him.

"Isshin?" Byakuya eyed him. "What do you want?"

"I would like to invite you to my sons engagement slash birthday celebration." He handed the invitation to Byakuya who hesitated to take it.

"Why."

Isshin shrugged. "Why not?"

Byakuya finally took the invitation. "I can not promise we will attend this matter. I have other priorities as you know."

Isshin smiled. "Ofcourse. I would just like to put aside our feuding for my son if only for a day."

Byakuya nodded. "I see. Well, we will try our best to attend this party of yours."

"Thats all i ask."

Without another word. The door slammed shut in Isshins face.

xxxx

"Nii-sama? Who was that?" Rukia asked.

Byakuya threw the invitation across the table and continued walking. "Just the King of Karakura."

Rukia picked up the invitation and her heart dropped. She dropped the invitation on the table and covered her mouth to keep from screaming.

Where was this coming from? She didnt even know Prince Ichigo, why was she getting so attached to him? Tears slid from her eyes dont her cheeks.

"Lady Rukia? Is something the matter?"

Rukia looked up to find the innocent Miyako staring at her.

Rukia cried harder trying not to make any noise when Miyako rushed to her side.

"Lady rukia!" She whispered. "Do tell me what is the matter!"

"He- I-" Her lower lip trembled. "Im so- sorry."

Miyako picked up the invitation. "Is this why you are crying? The Prince? The one who went into your room the other day?"

Rukia wiped her eyes. "He was here?"

"Oh my yes. Days ago. Did Kaien not say a thing?"

Rukia shook her head. "No."

Miyako nodded. "He was in your room. And he left with the saddest face i'd ever seen on a young man."

Rukia and miyako hurried to her bedroom. "Oh Mikayo." Rukia walked over to her desk and there, folded neatly by her favorite pen was the letter Ichigo had written. "I hadnt even seen this."

Rukia opened the letter. Her eyes widened, her breath was caught in her throat and again she burst out crying. Miyako sat alongside her humming and holding the fragile girl.